10-Q 1 kcli-20150331x10q.htm 10-Q KCLI-2015.03.31-10Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015 or
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                          to                         
Commission file number 1-33348
KANSAS CITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Missouri
44-0308260
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
3520 Broadway, Kansas City, Missouri
64111-2565
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
816-753-7000
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x
No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes x
No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o
No x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Common Stock: $1.25 par
 
10,779,277 shares
 
 
 
Class
 
Outstanding March 31, 2015



KANSAS CITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2


Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
Amounts in thousands, except share data, or as otherwise noted
Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
March 31
2015
 
December 31
2014
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available for sale, at fair value
$
2,765,610

 
$
2,726,731

Equity securities available for sale, at fair value
25,247

 
24,881

Mortgage loans
544,940

 
541,180

Real estate
180,117

 
181,082

Policy loans
82,843

 
83,553

Short-term investments
24,594

 
39,107

Other investments
383

 
462

Total investments
3,623,734

 
3,596,996

 
 
 
 
Cash
8,567

 
11,011

Accrued investment income
36,927

 
33,078

Deferred acquisition costs
247,538

 
249,195

Reinsurance recoverables
194,010

 
194,425

Property and equipment
17,318

 
17,527

Other assets
61,980

 
63,134

Separate account assets
412,357

 
406,501

Total assets
$
4,602,431

 
$
4,571,867

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES
 
 
 
Future policy benefits
$
935,306

 
$
930,761

Policyholder account balances
2,066,344

 
2,072,041

Policy and contract claims
41,204

 
37,452

Other policyholder funds
166,408

 
165,062

Other liabilities
223,352

 
217,291

Separate account liabilities
412,357

 
406,501

Total liabilities
3,844,971

 
3,829,108

 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
Common stock, par value $1.25 per share
 
 
 
Authorized 36,000,000 shares, issued 18,496,680 shares
23,121

 
23,121

Additional paid in capital
41,016

 
41,007

Retained earnings
842,367

 
838,508

Accumulated other comprehensive income
35,973

 
23,040

Treasury stock, at cost (2015 - 7,717,403 shares; 2014 - 7,671,475 shares)
(185,017
)
 
(182,917
)
Total stockholders’ equity
757,460

 
742,759

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
4,602,431

 
$
4,571,867

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

3

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 
Quarter Ended
 
March 31
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Unaudited)
REVENUES
 
 
 
Insurance revenues:
 
 
 
Net premiums
$
40,976

 
$
41,787

Contract charges
28,392

 
28,798

Total insurance revenues
69,368

 
70,585

Investment revenues:
 
 
 
Net investment income
39,692

 
40,691

Net realized investment gains (losses), excluding
other-than-temporary impairment losses
(28
)
 
1,665

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings:
 
 
 
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses

 
(213
)
Portion of impairment losses recognized in
other comprehensive income
(7
)
 
51

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses
recognized in earnings
(7
)
 
(162
)
Total investment revenues
39,657

 
42,194

Other revenues
1,780

 
2,333

Total revenues
110,805

 
115,112

 
 
 
 
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits
50,342

 
52,754

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
18,439

 
18,946

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs
8,384

 
8,828

Operating expenses
24,118

 
26,620

Total benefits and expenses
101,283

 
107,148

 
 
 
 
Income before income tax expense
9,522

 
7,964

 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
2,744

 
2,292

 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
$
6,778

 
$
5,672

 
 
 
 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME,
NET OF TAXES
 
 
 
Change in net unrealized gains on securities
available for sale, net of DAC and VOBA
$
16,020

 
$
19,365

Change in future policy benefits
(2,989
)
 
(3,633
)
Change in policyholder account balances
(98
)
 
(131
)
Other comprehensive income
12,933

 
15,601

 
 
 
 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
$
19,711

 
$
21,273

 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
Net income
$
0.63

 
$
0.52

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

4

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

 
Quarter Ended
 
March 31, 2015
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
COMMON STOCK, beginning and end of period
$
23,121

 
 
ADDITIONAL PAID IN CAPITAL
 
Beginning of year
41,007

Excess of proceeds over cost of treasury stock sold
9

 
 
End of period
41,016

 
 
RETAINED EARNINGS
 
Beginning of year
838,508

Net income
6,778

Stockholder dividends of $0.27 per share
(2,919
)
 
 
End of period
842,367

 
 
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
Beginning of year
23,040

Other comprehensive income
12,933

 
 
End of period
35,973

 
 
TREASURY STOCK, at cost
 
Beginning of year
(182,917
)
Cost of 45,320 shares acquired
(2,104
)
Cost of 292 shares sold
4

 
 
End of period
(185,017
)
 
 
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
$
757,460

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

5

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


 
Quarter Ended March 31
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Unaudited)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Net income
$
6,778

 
$
5,672

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
 
 
 
Amortization of investment premium and discount
1,031

 
1,043

Depreciation
1,399

 
1,096

Acquisition costs capitalized
(8,773
)
 
(7,772
)
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs
8,384

 
8,828

Realized investment (gains) losses
35

 
(1,503
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Reinsurance recoverables
415

 
(66
)
Future policy benefits
(55
)
 
3,421

Policyholder account balances
(6,855
)
 
(5,256
)
Income taxes payable and deferred
2,745

 
1,291

Other, net
(2,398
)
 
(5,278
)
Net cash provided
2,706

 
1,476

 
 
 
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Purchases:
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities
(77,172
)
 
(101,204
)
Mortgage loans
(28,007
)
 
(4,437
)
Real estate
(464
)
 
(3,668
)
Policy loans
(3,863
)
 
(3,771
)
Sales or maturities, calls, and principal paydowns:
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities
63,375

 
63,543

Mortgage loans
23,953

 
34,513

Real estate

 
1,986

Policy loans
4,572

 
4,215

Other investments
16

 
5,000

Net sales of short-term investments
14,513

 
6,299

Acquisition of property and equipment
(202
)
 
(440
)
Net cash provided (used)
(3,279
)
 
2,036


6

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)

 
Quarter Ended March 31
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Unaudited)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Deposits on policyholder account balances
$
55,714

 
$
59,597

Withdrawals from policyholder account balances
(55,633
)
 
(60,415
)
Net transfers from separate accounts
805

 
2,265

Change in other deposits
2,253

 
225

Cash dividends to stockholders
(2,919
)
 
(2,961
)
Net change in treasury stock
(2,091
)
 
(48
)
Net cash used
(1,871
)
 
(1,337
)
 
 
 
 
Increase (decrease) in cash
(2,444
)
 
2,175

Cash at beginning of year
11,011

 
8,197

Cash at end of period
$
8,567

 
$
10,372

 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
Income taxes
$

 
$
1,000

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

7

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes include the accounts of the consolidated entity (the Company), which primarily consists of three life insurance companies. Kansas City Life Insurance Company (Kansas City Life) is the parent company. Sunset Life Insurance Company of America (Sunset Life) and Old American Insurance Company (Old American) are wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company also has several non-insurance subsidiaries that individually and collectively are not material.
The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial reporting with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulations S-K, S-X, and other applicable regulations. Accordingly, they do not include all of the disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements. As such, these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's 2014 Form 10-K, as amended. Management believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, and all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position at March 31, 2015 and the results of operations for all periods presented have been made. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the Company's operating results for a full year. Significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation and certain immaterial reclassifications have been made to prior period results to conform with the current period's presentation.
The preparation of the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements requires management of the Company to make estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. These estimates are inherently subject to change and actual results could differ from these estimates.
Significant Accounting Policies
For a full discussion of the Company's significant accounting policies, please refer to the Company's 2014 Form 10-K, as amended. No significant updates or changes to these policies occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2015.

8

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

2. New Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Pronouncements Issued, Not Yet Adopted
In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance regarding accounting for revenue recognition that identifies the accounting treatment for an entity’s contracts with customers.  Certain contracts, including insurance contracts, are specifically excluded from this guidance.  However, certain other types of contracts may impact the financial statements of insurance providers. This guidance is effective for public entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period.  The Company is currently evaluating this guidance.
In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance that requires management to evaluate whether there are concerns or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued. Disclosures are required when certain criteria are met. This guidance is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance, but it does not believe that there will be a material impact to the consolidated financial statements.
In February 2015, the FASB issued guidance regarding the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. Under this guidance, previous consolidation conclusions may change and additional disclosures may be required. This guidance is effective for public entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015.  The Company is currently evaluating this guidance.
In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance regarding a customer's accounting for fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement and whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, a customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, a customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The new guidance does not change the accounting for a customer's accounting for service contracts. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance, but it does not believe that there will be a material impact to the consolidated financial statements.
All other new accounting standards and updates of existing standards issued through the date of this filing were considered by management and did not relate to accounting policies and procedures pertinent to the Company at this time or were not expected to have a material impact to the consolidated financial statements.
3. Prior Year Adoption of Accounting Principle
On December 31, 2014, the Company retrospectively adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-01, Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects. Under ASU No. 2014-01, the Company elected to use the proportional amortization method, which requires an entity to amortize the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received and to recognize the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense (benefit). As a result of the retrospective adoption, results previously reported in the Company's March 31, 2014 10-Q have been adjusted as follows: income tax expense decreased $0.2 million, net income increased $0.2 million, and net income per share increased $0.02. The adoption did not impact net cash provided by operating activities for the first quarter ended March 31, 2014.

9

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

4. Investments
Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available for Sale
Securities by Asset Class
The following table provides amortized cost and fair value of securities by asset class at March 31, 2015.
 
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
 
Fair
Value
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
U.S. Treasury securities and
obligations of U.S. Government
$
154,498

 
$
11,960

 
$
61

 
$
166,397

Federal agencies 1
19,771

 
2,112

 

 
21,883

Federal agency issued residential
      mortgage-backed securities 1
41,778

 
4,755

 
2

 
46,531

Subtotal
216,047

 
18,827

 
63

 
234,811

Corporate obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Industrial
542,461

 
39,249

 
690

 
581,020

Energy
225,042

 
15,640

 
2,673

 
238,009

Communications and technology
241,914

 
20,026

 
127

 
261,813

Financial
248,788

 
19,883

 
1,033

 
267,638

Consumer
522,294

 
33,239

 
440

 
555,093

Public utilities
229,662

 
26,339

 
77

 
255,924

Subtotal
2,010,161

 
154,376

 
5,040

 
2,159,497

Corporate private-labeled residential
mortgage-backed securities
85,651

 
4,228

 

 
89,879

Municipal securities
134,836

 
24,689

 

 
159,525

Other
102,261

 
4,250

 
2,433

 
104,078

Redeemable preferred stocks
17,463

 
584

 
227

 
17,820

Fixed maturity securities
2,566,419

 
206,954

 
7,763

 
2,765,610

Equity securities
23,549

 
1,828

 
130

 
25,247

Total
$
2,589,968

 
$
208,782

 
$
7,893

 
$
2,790,857

 1 Federal agency securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

10

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

The following table provides amortized cost and fair value of securities by asset class at December 31, 2014.
 
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
 
Fair
Value
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
U.S. Treasury securities and
     obligations of U.S. Government
$
154,937

 
$
9,939

 
$
83

 
$
164,793

Federal agencies 1
19,769

 
2,182

 

 
21,951

Federal agency issued residential
      mortgage-backed securities 1
44,287

 
4,457

 
2

 
48,742

Subtotal
218,993

 
16,578

 
85

 
235,486

Corporate obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Industrial
527,269

 
33,400

 
1,292

 
559,377

Energy
219,518

 
14,147

 
3,575

 
230,090

Communications and technology
226,442

 
16,705

 
242

 
242,905

Financial
276,586

 
18,826

 
1,083

 
294,329

Consumer
517,050

 
28,290

 
1,261

 
544,079

Public utilities
225,375

 
24,932

 
228

 
250,079

Subtotal
1,992,240

 
136,300

 
7,681

 
2,120,859

Corporate private-labeled residential
mortgage-backed securities
90,819

 
4,463

 

 
95,282

Municipal securities
135,518

 
22,974

 

 
158,492

Other
98,373

 
3,818

 
2,718

 
99,473

Redeemable preferred stocks
17,473

 
379

 
713

 
17,139

Fixed maturity securities
2,553,416

 
184,512

 
11,197

 
2,726,731

Equity securities
23,576

 
1,895

 
590

 
24,881

Total
$
2,576,992

 
$
186,407

 
$
11,787

 
$
2,751,612

 1 Federal agency securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Contractual Maturities
The following table provides the distribution of maturities for fixed maturity securities available for sale at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Expected maturities may differ from these contractual maturities since borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations.
 
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
Due in one year or less
$
128,168

 
$
130,587

 
$
165,955

 
$
168,913

Due after one year through five years
722,917

 
789,080

 
694,809

 
757,397

Due after five years through ten years
1,096,531

 
1,157,090

 
1,045,557

 
1,087,891

Due after ten years
420,569

 
476,278

 
438,719

 
490,976

Securities with variable principal payments
180,770

 
194,755

 
190,903

 
204,415

Redeemable preferred stocks
17,464

 
17,820

 
17,473

 
17,139

Total
$
2,566,419

 
$
2,765,610

 
2,553,416

 
2,726,731

No material derivative financial instruments were held at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

11

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

Unrealized Losses on Investments
At the end of each quarter, all securities are reviewed to determine whether impairments exist and whether other-than-temporary impairments should be recorded. This quarterly process includes an assessment of the credit quality of each investment in the entire securities portfolio. Additional reporting and review procedures are conducted for those securities where fair value is less than 90% of amortized cost. The Company prepares a formal review document no less often than quarterly of all investments where fair value is less than 80% of amortized cost for six months or more and selected investments that have changed significantly from a previous period and that have a decline in fair value greater than 10% of amortized cost. For additional information on the Company's process and considerations, as well as related accounting when other-than-temporary impairments are identified, please refer to Note 4 - Investments of the Company's 2014 Form 10-K, as amended.
The following table provides information regarding fixed maturity and equity security investments available for sale with unrealized losses by length of time at March 31, 2015.
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Longer
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
U.S. Treasury securities and
obligations of U.S. Government
$
5,098

 
$
61

 
$
100

 
$

 
$
5,198

 
$
61

Federal agency issued residential
      mortgage-backed securities 1

 

 
339

 
2

 
339

 
2

Subtotal
5,098

 
61

 
439

 
2

 
5,537

 
63

Corporate obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Industrial
32,472

 
219

 
10,567

 
471

 
43,039

 
690

Energy
38,343

 
2,282

 
21,692

 
391

 
60,035

 
2,673

Communications and technology
16,303

 
127

 

 

 
16,303

 
127

Financial

 

 
4,849

 
1,033

 
4,849

 
1,033

Consumer
22,943

 
179

 
8,274

 
261

 
31,217

 
440

Public utilities
3,001

 
1

 
3,920

 
76

 
6,921

 
77

Subtotal
113,062

 
2,808

 
49,302

 
2,232

 
162,364

 
5,040

Other
8,584

 
34

 
31,174

 
2,399

 
39,758

 
2,433

Redeemable preferred stocks

 

 
6,806

 
227

 
6,806

 
227

Fixed maturity securities
126,744

 
2,903

 
87,721

 
4,860

 
214,465

 
7,763

Equity securities
3,056

 
5

 
4,910

 
125

 
7,966

 
130

Total
$
129,800

 
$
2,908

 
$
92,631

 
$
4,985

 
$
222,431

 
7,893

 1 Federal agency securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

12

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

The following table provides information regarding fixed maturity and equity security investments available for sale with unrealized losses by length of time at December 31, 2014.
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Longer
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
U.S. Treasury securities and
obligations of U.S. Government
$
468

 
$

 
$
4,944

 
$
83

 
$
5,412

 
$
83

Federal agency issued residential
      mortgage-backed securities 1
60

 
2

 
281

 

 
341

 
2

Subtotal
528

 
2

 
5,225

 
83

 
5,753

 
85

Corporate obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Industrial
15,289

 
184

 
42,830

 
1,108

 
58,119

 
1,292

Energy
40,493

 
1,962

 
36,789

 
1,613

 
77,282

 
3,575

Communications and technology
5,061

 
33

 
9,676

 
209

 
14,737

 
242

Financial
14,831

 
165

 
4,963

 
918

 
19,794

 
1,083

Consumer
10,991

 
165

 
40,185

 
1,096

 
51,176

 
1,261

Public utilities

 

 
6,768

 
228

 
6,768

 
228

Subtotal
86,665

 
2,509

 
141,211

 
5,172

 
227,876

 
7,681

Other
12,567

 
396

 
30,210

 
2,322

 
42,777

 
2,718

Redeemable preferred stocks

 

 
9,404

 
713

 
9,404

 
713

Fixed maturity securities
99,760

 
2,907

 
186,050

 
8,290

 
285,810

 
11,197

Equity securities

 

 
11,515

 
590

 
11,515

 
590

Total
$
99,760

 
$
2,907

 
$
197,565

 
$
8,880

 
$
297,325

 
$
11,787

 1 Federal agency securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
At March 31, 2015, the Company had 72 issues in its investment portfolio of fixed maturity and equity securities with unrealized losses. Included in this total, 44 security issues were below cost for less than one year; 23 security issues were below cost for one year or more and less than three years; and five security issues were below cost for three years or more. At December 31, 2014, the Company had 96 issues in its investment portfolio of fixed maturity and equity securities with unrealized losses. Included in this total, 40 security issues were below cost for less than one year; 50 security issues were below cost for one year or more and less than three years; and six security issues were below cost for three years or more.
The Company does not consider these unrealized losses to be credit-related. These unrealized losses primarily relate to changes in interest rates and market spreads subsequent to purchase. A substantial portion of investment securities that have unrealized losses are either corporate debt issued with investment grade credit ratings or other investment securities for which discounted cash flow projections are performed.

13

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

The following table provides the distribution of maturities for fixed maturity securities available for sale with unrealized losses at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Expected maturities may differ from these contractual maturities since borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations.
 
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fixed maturity securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Due in one year or less
$
168

 
$

 
$
5,052

 
$
115

Due after one year through five years
11,095

 
1,668

 
21,033

 
960

Due after five years through ten years
149,843

 
2,394

 
202,240

 
5,772

Due after ten years
46,151

 
3,472

 
47,740

 
3,635

Total
207,257

 
7,534

 
276,065

 
10,482

Securities with variable principal payments
402

 
2

 
341

 
2

Redeemable preferred stocks
6,806

 
227

 
9,404

 
713

Total
$
214,465

 
$
7,763

 
$
285,810

 
$
11,197

The Company recognized other-than-temporary impairments on corporate private-labeled residential mortgage-backed and other securities of less than $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the first quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
The following table provides a reconciliation of credit losses recognized in earnings on fixed maturity securities held by the Company for which a portion of the other-than-temporary impairment loss was recognized in other comprehensive income.
 
Quarter Ended
 
March 31
 
2015
 
2014
Credit losses on securities held at beginning of the period
$
17,889

 
$
16,375

Additions for credit losses not previously recognized in
other-than-temporary impairment

 
4

Additions for increases in the credit loss for which an other-
than-temporary impairment was previously recognized
when there was no intent to sell the security before
recovery of its amortized cost basis
7

 
158

Reductions for increases in cash flows expected to be
collected that are recognized over the remaining
life of the security
(5
)
 
(5
)
Credit losses on securities held at the end of the period
$
17,891

 
$
16,532

The Company reviews and evaluates information on securities previously impaired and still owned. The identification of additional information or further deteriorations could result in additional impairments in future periods.

14

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

Realized Gains (Losses)
The following table provides detail concerning realized investment gains and losses for the first quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
 
Quarter Ended
 
March 31
 
2015
 
2014
Gross gains resulting from:
 
 
 
Sales of investment securities
$

 
$
178

Investment securities called and other
227

 
1,295

Real estate

 
339

Total gross gains
227

 
1,812

Gross losses resulting from:
 
 
 
Investment securities called and other
(50
)
 
(254
)
Mortgage loans
(193
)
 
(24
)
Total gross losses
(243
)
 
(278
)
Change in allowance for loan losses
(9
)
 
172

Amortization of DAC and VOBA
(3
)
 
(41
)
Net realized investment gains (losses), excluding
other-than-temporary impairment losses
(28
)
 
1,665

 
 
 
 
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings:
 
 
 
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed
maturity and equity securities

 
(213
)
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive
income
(7
)
 
51

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses
recognized in earnings
(7
)
 
(162
)
Net realized investment gains (losses)
$
(35
)
 
$
1,503

Proceeds From Sales of Investment Securities
The table below details proceeds from the sale of fixed maturity and equity securities, excluding maturities and calls, for the first quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
 
Quarter Ended
 
March 31
 
2015
 
2014
Proceeds
$

 
$
4,374

Mortgage Loans
The Company invests in commercial mortgage loans that are secured by commercial real estate and are stated at cost, adjusted for amortization of premium and accrual of discount, less an allowance for loan losses. This allowance is maintained at a level believed by management to be adequate to absorb estimated credit losses and was $1.9 million at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The Company had 15% of its total investments in commercial mortgage loans at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. In addition to the subject collateral underlying the mortgage, the Company typically requires some amount of recourse from borrowers as another potential source of repayment. The recourse requirement is determined as part of the underwriting requirements of each loan. The average loan to value ratio for the overall portfolio was 46% at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. These ratios are based upon the current balance of loans relative to the appraisal of value at the time the loan was originated or acquired.

15

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

The following table identifies the gross mortgage loan principal outstanding and the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
 
March 31
2015
 
December 31
2014
Principal outstanding
$
546,863

 
$
543,094

Allowance for loan losses
(1,923
)
 
(1,914
)
Carrying value
$
544,940

 
$
541,180

The following table summarizes the amount of mortgage loans held by the Company at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, segregated by year of origination. Purchased loans are shown in the year acquired by the Company, although the individual loans may have been initially originated in prior years.
 
March 31
2015
 
%
of Total
 
December 31
2014
 
%
of Total
Prior to 2006
$
43,177

 
9
%
 
$
47,843

 
9
%
2006
15,818

 
3
%
 
16,280

 
3
%
2007
18,592

 
3
%
 
19,991

 
4
%
2008
22,570

 
4
%
 
22,938

 
4
%
2009
17,584

 
3
%
 
20,754

 
4
%
2010
48,872

 
9
%
 
51,205

 
9
%
2011
88,784

 
16
%
 
91,943

 
17
%
2012
126,783

 
23
%
 
133,912

 
25
%
2013
76,840

 
14
%
 
77,784

 
14
%
2014
59,863

 
11
%
 
60,444

 
11
%
2015
27,980

 
5
%
 

 
%
Principal outstanding
$
546,863

 
100
%
 
$
543,094

 
100
%
The following table identifies mortgage loans by geographic location at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
 
March 31
2015
 
%
of Total
 
December 31
2014
 
%
of Total
Pacific
$
128,912

 
24
%
 
$
131,109

 
25
%
West south central
100,295

 
18
%
 
94,122

 
17
%
West north central
76,631

 
14
%
 
78,027

 
14
%
Mountain
64,800

 
12
%
 
68,961

 
13
%
East north central
62,571

 
12
%
 
64,013

 
12
%
South Atlantic
62,477

 
11
%
 
60,557

 
11
%
Middle Atlantic
27,166

 
5
%
 
21,877

 
4
%
East south central
24,011

 
4
%
 
24,428

 
4
%
Principal outstanding
$
546,863

 
100
%
 
$
543,094

 
100
%

16

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

The following table identifies the concentration of mortgage loans by state greater than 5% of total at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
 
March 31
2015
 
%
of Total
 
December 31
2014
 
%
of Total
California
$
109,872

 
20
%
 
$
108,683

 
20
%
Texas
96,148

 
18
%
 
89,923

 
16
%
Minnesota
55,049

 
10
%
 
55,916

 
10
%
Ohio
29,453

 
5
%
 
30,432

 
6
%
Florida
27,208

 
5
%
 
26,452

 
5
%
All others
229,133

 
42
%
 
231,688

 
43
%
Principal outstanding
$
546,863

 
100
%
 
$
543,094

 
100
%
The following table identifies mortgage loans by property type at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The Other category consists principally of apartments and retail properties.
 
March 31
2015
 
%
of Total
 
December 31
2014
 
%
of Total
Industrial
$
288,281

 
52
%
 
$
281,671

 
51
%
Office
164,038

 
30
%
 
165,859

 
31
%
Medical
24,629

 
5
%
 
25,617

 
5
%
Other
69,915

 
13
%
 
69,947

 
13
%
Principal outstanding
$
546,863

 
100
%
 
$
543,094

 
100
%
The table below identifies mortgage loans by maturity at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
 
March 31
2015
 
%
of Total
 
December 31
2014
 
%
of Total
Due in one year or less
$
28,862

 
5
%
 
$
27,607

 
5
%
Due after one year through five years
139,733

 
26
%
 
145,530

 
27
%
Due after five years through ten years
131,747

 
24
%
 
143,382

 
26
%
Due after ten years
246,521

 
45
%
 
226,575

 
42
%
Principal outstanding
$
546,863

 
100
%
 
$
543,094

 
100
%
The Company may refinance commercial mortgage loans prior to contractual maturity as a means of originating new loans that meet the Company's underwriting and pricing parameters.  The Company refinanced three loans with outstanding balances totaling $4.5 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 and two loans with outstanding balances totaling $3.2 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2014.
In the normal course of business, the Company generally commits to fund commercial mortgage loans up to 120 days in advance. These commitments typically have fixed expiration dates. A small percentage of commitments expire due to the borrower's failure to deliver the requirements of the commitment by the expiration date. In these cases, the Company retains the commitment fee. For additional information, please see Note 16 - Commitments.

17

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

5. Fair Value Measurements
Under GAAP, fair value represents the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. It is the Company’s practice to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements.
The Company categorizes its financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in three levels, based on the inputs and assumptions used to determine the fair value. These levels are as follows:
Level 1 - Valuations are based upon unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.
Level 2 - Valuations are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market. Valuations are obtained from third-party pricing services or inputs that are observable or derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3 - Valuations are generated from techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company's assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include the use of discounted cash flow models, spread-based models, and similar techniques, using the best information available in the circumstances.
Following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value and for estimating fair value for financial instruments not recorded at fair value but for which fair value is disclosed.
Assets
Securities Available for Sale
Fixed maturity and equity securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurement is based upon unadjusted quoted prices, if available, except as described in the subsequent paragraphs.
Cash and Short-Term Investments
Cash and short-term investments include cash and highly-liquid investments in institutional money market funds. The carrying value of cash and short-term investments approximates the fair value and are categorized as  Level 1. Fair value is provided for disclosure purposes only.
Loans
The Company does not record loans at fair value. As such, valuation techniques discussed herein for loans are primarily for estimating fair value for purpose of disclosure.
Fair values of mortgage loans on real estate properties are calculated by discounting contractual cash flows, using discount rates based on current industry pricing or the Company’s estimate of an appropriate risk-adjusted discount rate for loans of similar size, type, remaining maturity, likelihood of prepayment, and repricing characteristics. Mortgage loans are categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
The Company also has loans made to policyholders. These loans cannot exceed the cash surrender value of the policy. Carrying value of policy loans approximates fair value. Policy loans are categorized as Level 3.
Separate Accounts
The separate account assets and liabilities, which are equal, are recorded at fair value based upon NAV of the underlying investment holdings as derived from closing prices on a national exchange or as provided by the issuer. This is the value at which a policyholder could transact with the issuer on the date. Separate accounts are categorized as Level 2.
Liabilities
Investment-Type Liabilities Included in Policyholder Account Balances and Other Policyholder Funds
The fair values of supplementary contracts and annuities without life contingencies are estimated to be the present value of payments at a market yield.  The fair values of deposits with no stated maturity are estimated to be the amount payable on demand at the measurement date.  These liabilities are categorized as Level 3.  The Company has not estimated the fair value of the liabilities under contracts that involve significant mortality or morbidity risks, as these liabilities fall within the definition of insurance contracts.  Insurance contracts are excluded from financial instruments that require disclosures of fair value.

18

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefits (GMWB) Included in Other Policyholder Funds
The Company offers a GMWB rider that can be added to new or existing variable annuity contracts. The rider provides an enhanced withdrawal benefit that guarantees a stream of payments to an owner or annuitant, regardless of the contract account value. Fair value for GMWB rider contracts is a Level 3 valuation, as it is based on models which utilize significant unobservable inputs. These models require actuarial and financial market assumptions, which reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the contract, including adjustments for volatility, risk, and issuer non-performance.
Determination of Fair Value
The Company utilizes external third-party pricing services to determine the majority of its fair values on investment securities available for sale. At March 31, 2015, approximately 98% of the carrying value of these investments was from external pricing services, 1% was from brokers, and 1% was derived from internal matrices and calculations. At December 31, 2014, approximately 97% of the carrying value of these investments was from external pricing services, 1% was from brokers, and 2% was derived from internal matrices and calculations. In the event that the primary pricing service does not provide a price, the Company utilizes the price provided by a second pricing service. The Company reviews prices received from service providers for reasonableness and unusual fluctuations but generally accepts the price identified from the primary pricing service. In the event a price is not available from either third-party pricing service, the Company pursues external pricing from brokers. Generally, the Company pursues and utilizes only one broker quote per security. In doing so, the Company solicits only brokers which have previously demonstrated knowledge and experience of the subject security. If a broker price is not available, the Company determines a fair value through various valuation techniques that may include discounted cash flows, spread-based models, or similar techniques, depending upon the specific security to be priced. These techniques are primarily applied to private placement securities. The Company utilizes available market information, wherever possible, to identify inputs into the fair value determination, primarily including prices and spreads on comparable securities.
Each quarter, the Company evaluates the prices received from third-party security pricing services and independent brokers to ensure that the prices represent a reasonable estimate of the fair value within the macro-economic environment, sector factors, and overall pricing trends and expectations. The Company corroborates and validates the primary pricing sources through a variety of procedures that include but are not limited to comparison to additional third-party pricing services or brokers, where possible; a review of third-party pricing service methodologies; back testing; in-depth specific analytics on randomly selected issues; and comparison of prices to actual trades for specific securities where observable data exists. In addition, the Company analyzes the primary third-party pricing service's methodologies and related inputs and also evaluates the various types of securities in its investment portfolio to determine an appropriate fair value hierarchy. Finally, the Company also performs additional evaluations when individual prices fall outside tolerance levels when comparing prices received from third-party pricing services.
Fair value measurements for assets and liabilities where there exists limited or no observable market data are calculated using the Company’s own estimates and are categorized as Level 3. These estimates are based on current interest rates, credit spreads, liquidity premium or discount, the economic and competitive environment, unique characteristics of the asset or liability, and other pertinent factors. Therefore, these estimates cannot be determined with precision and may not be realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset or liability. Additionally, there may be inherent weaknesses in any valuation technique. Further, changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the results of current or future values.
The Company’s own estimates of fair value of fixed maturity and equity securities may be derived in a number of ways, including but not limited to: 1) pricing provided by brokers, where the price indicates reliability as to value; 2) fair values of comparable securities, incorporating a spread adjustment for maturity differences, collateralization, credit quality, liquidity, and other items, if applicable; 3) discounted cash flow models and margin spreads; 4) bond yield curves; 5) observable market prices and exchange transaction information not provided by external pricing services; and 6) statement values provided to the Company by fund managers.
The fair value of the GMWB embedded derivative is calculated using a discounted cash flow valuation model that projects future cash flows under multiple risk neutral stochastic equity scenarios. The risk neutral scenarios are generated using the current swap curve and projected equity volatilities and correlations. The equity correlations are based on historical price observations. For policyholder behavior assumptions, expected lapse and utilization assumptions are used and updated for actual experience. The mortality assumption uses the 2000 US Annuity Basic Mortality Table. The present value of cash flows is determined using the discount rate curve, based upon London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a credit spread.

19

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

Categories Reported at Fair Value
The following tables present categories reported at fair value on a recurring basis.
 
 
March 31, 2015
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities and
obligations of U.S. Government
$
11,903

 
$
154,494

 
$

 
$
166,397

Federal agencies 1

 
21,883

 

 
21,883

Federal agency issued residential
     mortgage-backed securities 1

 
46,531

 

 
46,531

Subtotal
11,903

 
222,908

 

 
234,811

Corporate obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Industrial

 
581,020

 

 
581,020

Energy

 
238,009

 

 
238,009

Communications and technology

 
261,813

 

 
261,813

Financial

 
267,638

 

 
267,638

Consumer

 
555,093

 

 
555,093

Public utilities

 
255,924

 

 
255,924

Subtotal

 
2,159,497

 

 
2,159,497

Corporate private-labeled residential
mortgage-backed securities

 
89,879

 

 
89,879

Municipal securities

 
159,525

 

 
159,525

Other

 
103,206

 
872

 
104,078

Redeemable preferred stocks

 
17,820

 

 
17,820

Fixed maturity securities
11,903

 
2,752,835

 
872

 
2,765,610

Equity securities
5,411

 
19,836

 

 
25,247

Total
$
17,314

 
$
2,772,671

 
$
872

 
$
2,790,857

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percent of total
1
%
 
99
%
 
%
 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other policyholder funds
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits
$

 
$

 
$
(2,843
)
 
$
(2,843
)
Total
$

 
$

 
$
(2,843
)
 
$
(2,843
)
1 Federal agency securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

20

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities and
     obligations of U.S. Government
$
12,247

 
$
152,546

 
$

 
$
164,793

Federal agencies 1

 
21,951

 

 
21,951

Federal agency issued residential
     mortgage-backed securities 1

 
48,742

 

 
48,742

Subtotal
12,247

 
223,239

 

 
235,486

Corporate obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Industrial

 
559,377

 

 
559,377

Energy

 
230,090

 

 
230,090

Communications and technology

 
242,905

 

 
242,905

Financial

 
294,329

 

 
294,329

Consumer

 
544,079

 

 
544,079

Public utilities

 
250,079

 

 
250,079

Subtotal

 
2,120,859

 

 
2,120,859

Corporate private-labeled residential
mortgage-backed securities

 
95,282

 

 
95,282

Municipal securities

 
158,492

 

 
158,492

Other

 
98,714

 
759

 
99,473

Redeemable preferred stocks

 
17,139

 

 
17,139

Fixed maturity securities
12,247

 
2,713,725

 
759

 
2,726,731

Equity securities
5,347

 
19,534

 

 
24,881

Total
$
17,594

 
$
2,733,259

 
$
759

 
$
2,751,612

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percent of total
1
%
 
99
%
 
%
 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other policyholder funds
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits
$

 
$

 
$
(1,094
)
 
$
(1,094
)
Total
$

 
$

 
$
(1,094
)
 
$
(1,094
)
1 Federal agency securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

21

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

The changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015 and year ended December 31, 2014 are summarized below:
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2015
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Fixed maturity
securities available
for sale
 
GMWB
Beginning balance
$
759

 
$
(1,094
)
Included in earnings

 
(1,549
)
Included in other comprehensive income
113

 

Purchases, issuances, sales and other
dispositions:
 
 
 
Purchases

 

Issuances

 
82

Sales

 

Other dispositions

 
(282
)
Transfers into Level 3

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

Ending balance
$
872

 
$
(2,843
)
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Fixed maturity
securities available
for sale
 
GMWB
Beginning balance
$
1,433

 
$
(4,703
)
Included in earnings
(12
)
 
3,145

Included in other comprehensive income
(421
)
 

Purchases, issuances, sales and other
dispositions:
 
 
 
Purchases

 

Issuances

 
592

Sales

 

Other dispositions
(241
)
 
(128
)
Transfers into Level 3

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

Ending balance
$
759

 
$
(1,094
)
Depending upon the availability of Level 1 or Level 2 pricing, specific securities may transfer into or out of Level 3. The Company did not have any transfers between any levels at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.
The Company's primary category of assets using Level 3 fair values is fixed maturity securities, totaling $0.9 million at March 31, 2015. These assets are valued using discounted cash flow models for which the significant assumptions are not observable in the market.

22

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

The following table presents the valuation method for material financial instruments included in Level 3, as well as the unobservable inputs used in the valuation of those financial instruments at March 31, 2015.
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Inputs
 
Range
Embedded Derivative - GMWB
$
(2,843
)
 
Actuarial cash flow model
 
Mortality
 
80% of US Annuity Basic Table (2000)
 
 
 
 
 
Lapse
 
0%-16% depending on product/duration/funded status of guarantee
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit Utilization
 
0%-80% depending on age/duration/funded status of guarantee
 
 
 
 
 
Nonperformance Risk
 
0.75%-1.37%
The following table presents the valuation method for material financial instruments included in Level 3, as well as the unobservable inputs used in the valuation of those financial instruments at December 31, 2014.
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Inputs
 
Range
Embedded Derivative - GMWB
$
(1,094
)
 
Actuarial cash flow model
 
Mortality
 
80% of US Annuity Basic Table (2000)
 
 
 
 
 
Lapse
 
0%-16% depending on product/duration/funded status of guarantee
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit Utilization
 
0%-80% depending on age/duration/funded status of guarantee
 
 
 
 
 
Nonperformance Risk
 
0.73%-1.35%
The GMWB liability is sensitive to changes in observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs include risk-free rates, index returns, volatilities, and correlations. Increases in risk-free rates and equity returns reduce the liability, while increases in volatilities increase the liability. The Company's mortality, lapse, benefit utilization and nonperformance risk adjustment are unobservable. Increases in mortality, lapses and credit spreads used for nonperformance risk reduce the liability, while increases in benefit utilization increase the liability.
The Company estimates that the impact of unobservable inputs at March 31, 2015 is as follows: a 10% increase in the mortality assumption would reduce the liability less than $0.1 million; a 10% decrease in the lapse assumption would increase the liability $0.2 million; a 10% increase in the benefit utilization would increase the liability $0.7 million; and a 10 basis point increase in the credit spreads used for non-performance would decrease the liability $0.3 million.

23

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

The following tables present a summary of fair value estimates at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 for financial instruments. The Company has not included assets and liabilities that are not financial instruments in this disclosure. The total of the fair value calculations presented below may not be indicative of the value that can be obtained.
 
March 31, 2015
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair Value
Assets:
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available for sale
$
2,765,610

 
$
2,765,610

Equity securities
25,247

 
25,247

Mortgage loans
544,940

 
575,140

Policy loans
82,843

 
82,843

Cash and short-term investments
33,161

 
33,161

Separate account assets
412,357

 
412,357

 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Individual and group annuities
$
1,075,311

 
$
1,056,455

Supplementary contracts and annuities
without life contingencies
54,603

 
53,594

Separate account liabilities
412,357

 
412,357

Other policyholder funds - GMWB
(2,843
)
 
(2,843
)
 
December 31, 2014
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair Value
Assets:
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available for sale
$
2,726,731

 
$
2,726,731

Equity securities
24,881

 
24,881

Mortgage loans
541,180

 
567,435

Policy loans
83,553

 
83,553

Cash and short-term financial assets
50,118

 
50,118

Separate account assets
406,501

 
406,501

 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Individual and group annuities
$
1,080,322

 
$
1,061,067

Supplementary contracts and annuities
without life contingencies
54,949

 
53,744

Separate account liabilities
406,501

 
406,501

Other policyholder funds - GMWB
(1,094
)
 
(1,094
)

24

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

6. Financing Receivables
The Company has financing receivables that have both a specific maturity date, either on demand or on a fixed or determinable date, and are recognized as assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The table below identifies the Company’s financing receivables by classification amount at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
 
 
March 31
2015
 
December 31
2014
Receivables:
 
 
 
Agent receivables, net
(allowance $1,719; 2014 - $2,003)
$
1,652

 
$
1,727

Investment-related financing receivables:
 
 
 
Mortgage loans, net
(allowance $1,923; 2014 - $1,914)
544,940

 
541,180

Total financing receivables
$
546,592

 
$
542,907

The following table details the activity of the allowance for doubtful accounts on agent receivables at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Any recoveries are reflected as deductions.
 
March 31
2015
 
December 31
2014
Beginning of year
$
2,003

 
$
2,245

Additions
13

 
306

Deductions
(297
)
 
(548
)
End of period
$
1,719

 
$
2,003

The following table details the mortgage loan portfolio as collectively or individually evaluated for impairment at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
 
March 31
2015
 
December 31
2014
Mortgage loans collectively evaluated
for impairment
$
539,237

 
$
535,398

Mortgage loans individually evaluated
for impairment
7,626

 
7,696

Allowance for loan losses
(1,923
)
 
(1,914
)
Carrying value
$
544,940

 
$
541,180

The following table details the activity of the allowance for mortgage loan losses at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Any recoveries are reflected as deductions.
 
March 31
2015
 
December 31
2014
Beginning of year
$
1,914

 
$
3,251

Provision
9

 

Deductions

 
(1,337
)
End of period
$
1,923

 
$
1,914


25

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

Agent Receivables
The Company has agent receivables that are classified as financing receivables and are reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts. These trade receivables from agents are long-term in nature and are specifically assessed as to the collectability of each receivable. The Company's gross agent receivables totaled $3.4 million at March 31, 2015 with an allowance for doubtful accounts totaling $1.7 million. Gross agent receivables totaled $3.7 million with an allowance for doubtful accounts of $2.0 million at December 31, 2014. The Company has two types of agent receivables including:
Agent specific loans. At both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, these loans totaled $1.0 million and the allowance for doubtful accounts was $0.3 million.
Other agent receivables. Gross agent receivables in this category totaled $2.4 million, and the allowance for doubtful accounts was $1.4 million at March 31, 2015. Gross agent receivables in this category totaled $2.7 million, and the allowance for doubtful accounts was $1.7 million at December 31, 2014.
Mortgage Loans
The Company considers its mortgage loan portfolio to be long-term financing receivables. Mortgage loans are stated at cost, adjusted for amortization of premium and accrual of discount, less an allowance for loan losses. Mortgage loan interest income is recognized on an accrual basis with any premium or discount amortized over the life of the loan. Prepayment and late fees are recorded on the date of collection. Loans in foreclosure, loans considered impaired, or loans past due 90 days or more are placed on non-accrual status. Payments received on loans on non-accrual status for these reasons are applied first to interest income not collected while on non-accrual status, followed by fees, accrued and past-due interest, and principal.
If a mortgage loan is determined to be on non-accrual status, the Company does not accrue interest income. The loan is independently monitored and evaluated as to potential impairment or foreclosure. This evaluation includes assessing the probability of receiving future cash flows, along with consideration of many of the factors described below. If delinquent payments are made and the loan is brought current, then the Company returns the loan to active status and accrues income accordingly.
Generally, the Company considers its mortgage loans to be a portfolio segment. The Company considers its primary class to be property type. The Company primarily uses loan-to-value as its credit risk quality indicator but also monitors additional secondary risk factors, such as geographic distribution both on a regional and specific state basis. The mortgage loan portfolio segment is presented by property type in a table in Note 4 - Investments, as are geographic distributions by both region and state. These measures are also supplemented with various other analytics to provide additional information concerning potential impairment of mortgage loans and management's assessment of financing receivables.
The following table presents an aging schedule for delinquent payments for both principal and interest at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, by property type.
 
 
 
Amount of Payments Past Due
 
Book Value
 
30-59 Days
 
60-89 Days
 
> 90 Days
 
Total
March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Industrial
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Office
3,394

 
35

 

 

 
35

Medical

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

Total
$
3,394

 
$
35

 
$

 
$

 
$
35

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Industrial
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Office

 

 

 

 

Medical

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

Total
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$


26

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

As of March 31, 2015, there were three mortgage loans that were over 30 days or more past due. Subsequently, payment was received on all three delinquent loans. As of December 31, 2014, there were no mortgage loans that were past due or were in the process of foreclosure.
Management's periodic evaluation and assessment of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is based on known and inherent risks in the portfolio, historical and industry data, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors. The Company assesses the amount it maintains in the mortgage loan allowance through an assessment of what the Company believes are relevant factors at both the macro-environmental level and specific loan basis. A loan is considered impaired if it is probable that contractual amounts due will not be collected. For information regarding management's periodic evaluation and assessment of mortgage loans and the allowance for loan losses, please refer to Note 6 - Financing Receivables in the Company's 2014 Form 10-K, as amended.
7. Variable Interest Entities
The Company invests in certain affordable housing and real estate joint ventures which are considered to be variable interest entities (VIEs) and are included in Real Estate in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The assets held in affordable housing real estate joint venture VIEs are primarily residential real estate properties that are restricted to provide affordable housing under federal or state programs for varying periods of time. The restrictions primarily apply to the rents that may be paid by tenants residing in the properties during the term of an agreement to remain in the affordable housing program. Investments in affordable housing real estate joint ventures are equity interests in partnerships or limited liability companies that may or may not participate in profits or residual value. The Company's investments in these entities generate a return primarily through the realization of federal and state income tax credits and other tax benefits, such as tax deductions from operating losses of the investments, over specified time periods. The Company amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognizes the net investment performance in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income as a component of income tax expense. The tax credits are recognized as a reduction of tax expense. The Company realized federal income tax credits related to these investments of $0.7 million for the first quarters ended both March 31, 2015 and 2014. The Company also recognized $0.4 million and $0.3 million of amortization related to these investments for the first quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company's investments in other real estate VIEs are recorded using the equity method. Cash distributions from the VIE and cash contributions to the VIE are recorded as decreases or increases, respectively, in the carrying value of the VIE. Certain other equity investments in VIEs, where permitted, are recorded on an amortized cost basis. The operating performance of investments in the VIE is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income as investment income or as a component of income tax expense, depending upon the nature and primary design of the investment. The Company evaluates the carrying value of VIEs for impairment on an ongoing basis to assess whether the carrying value is expected to be realized during the anticipated life of the investment. In certain cases, the Company may issue fixed-rate senior mortgage loan investments secured by properties controlled by VIEs. These investments are classified as mortgage loans in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the income received from such investments is recorded as investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Investments in the affordable housing and real estate joint ventures are interests that will absorb portions of the VIE's expected losses or receive portions of expected residual returns of the VIE's net assets exclusive of variable interests. The Company makes an initial assessment of whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time of the initial investment and on an ongoing basis thereafter. The Company considers many factors when making this determination based upon a review of the underlying investment agreement and other information related to the specific investment. The first factor is whether the Company has the ability to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance. The power to direct the activities of the VIE is generally vested in the managing general partner or managing member of the VIE, which is not the position held by the Company in these investments. Other factors include the entity's equity investment at risk, decision-making abilities, obligations to absorb economic risks, and the right to receive economic rewards of the entity; and the extent to which the Company shares in the VIE's expected losses and residual returns.

27

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

The following table presents the carrying amount and maximum exposure to loss relating to VIEs for which the Company holds a variable interest, but is not the primary beneficiary, and which had not been consolidated at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The table includes investments in five real estate joint ventures and 23 affordable housing real estate joint ventures at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
 
 
March 31
2015
 
December 31
2014
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Maximum
Exposure
to Loss
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Maximum
Exposure
to Loss
Real estate joint ventures
$
21,384

 
$
21,384

 
$
21,415

 
$
21,415

Affordable housing real estate joint ventures
12,744

 
53,978

 
13,153

 
54,028

Total
$
34,128

 
$
75,362

 
$
34,568

 
$
75,443

The maximum exposure to loss relating to the real estate joint ventures and affordable housing real estate joint ventures, as shown in the table above, is equal to the carrying amounts plus any unfunded equity commitments, exposure to potential recapture of tax credits, guarantees of debt, or other obligations of the VIE with recourse to the Company. Unfunded equity and loan commitments typically require financial or operating performance by other parties and have not yet become due or payable but which may become due in the future.
At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had no mortgage loan or equity commitments outstanding to the real estate joint venture VIEs. The Company also has contingent commitments to fund additional equity contributions for operating support to certain real estate joint venture VIEs, which could result in additional exposure to loss. However, the Company is not able to quantify the amount of these contingent commitments.
In addition, the maximum exposure to loss on affordable housing joint ventures at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 included $28.5 million and $27.7 million, respectively, of losses which could be realized if the tax credits received by the VIEs were recaptured. Recapture events would cause the Company to reverse some or all of the benefit previously recognized by the Company or third parties to whom the tax credit interests were transferred. A recapture event can occur at any time during a 15-year required compliance period. The principal causes of recapture include financial default and non-compliance with affordable housing program requirements by the properties controlled by the VIE. The potential exposure due to recapture may be mitigated by guarantees from the managing member or managing partner in the VIE, insurance contracts, or changes in the residual value accruing to the Company's interests in the VIEs.
8. Separate Accounts
Separate account assets and liabilities arise from the sale of variable universal life insurance and variable annuity products. The separate account represents funds segregated for the benefit of certain policyholders who bear the investment risk. The assets are legally segregated and are not subject to claims which may arise from any other business of the Company. The separate account assets and liabilities, which are equal, are recorded at fair value based upon NAV of the underlying investment holdings as derived from closing prices on a national exchange or as provided by the issuer. Policyholder account deposits and withdrawals, investment income, and realized investment gains and losses are excluded from the amounts reported in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Revenues to the Company from separate accounts consist principally of contract charges, which include maintenance charges, administrative fees, and mortality and expense charges.
The Company has a guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit (GMWB) rider that can be added to new or existing variable annuity contracts. The value of the separate accounts with the GMWB rider is recorded at fair value of $131.3 million at March 31, 2015 (December 31, 2014 - $132.3 million). The GMWB guarantee liability was $(2.8) million at March 31, 2015 (December 31, 2014 - $(1.1) million). The change in this value is included in policyholder benefits in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. The value of variable annuity separate accounts with the GMWB rider is recorded in separate account liabilities, and the value of the rider is included in other policyholder funds in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company has two blocks of variable universal life policies and variable annuity contracts from which the Company receives fees. The fees are based upon both specific transactions and the fund value of the blocks of policies. The Company has a direct block of ongoing business identified in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as separate account assets, totaling $412.4 million at March 31, 2015 and $406.5 million at December 31, 2014, and corresponding separate account liabilities of an equal amount. In addition, the Company has an assumed closed block of business that is not recorded in the Company's financial statements, in accordance with modified coinsurance accounting for variable insurance business. This block of separate account fund balances

28

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

totaled $319.9 million at March 31, 2015 and $318.1 million at December 31, 2014. The Company also records separate accounts invested in the general account for the direct block of business. In addition, in accordance with coinsurance reinsurance transaction accounting, the Company also records the assumed block of fixed accounts under its general account. The future policy benefits approximated $0.4 million and $0.6 million at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 for the direct and assumed blocks, respectively.
9. Notes Payable
The Company had no notes payable at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.
As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB) with a capital investment of $4.9 million at March 31, 2015, the Company has the ability to borrow on a collateralized basis from the FHLB. The Company received an insignificant amount of dividends on the capital investment in both the first quarters of 2015 and 2014.
The Company had unsecured revolving lines of credit of $70.0 million with two major commercial banks with no balances outstanding at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014. The lines of credit are at variable interest rates based upon short-term indices, and will mature in June of 2015. The Company anticipates renewing these lines of credit as they come due.
10. Income Taxes
The following table provides a reconciliation of the federal income tax rate to the Company's effective income tax rate for the first quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
Quarter Ended
 
March 31
 
2015
 
2014
Federal income tax rate
35
 %
 
35
 %
Tax credits, net of equity adjustment
(4
)%
 
(4
)%
Permanent differences
(2
)%
 
(2
)%
Effective income tax rate
29
 %
 
29
 %
The Company had an uncertain tax position at March 31, 2015 of $0.1 million. The Company had no uncertain tax positions at March 31, 2014.
At March 31, 2015, the Company had a current tax liability of $0.1 million and an $82.8 million net deferred tax liability, compared to a $2.3 million current tax asset and a $75.9 million net deferred tax liability at December 31, 2014.
11. Pensions and Other Postemployment Benefits (OPEB)
The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the first quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
OPEB
 
Quarter Ended
 
Quarter Ended
 
March 31
 
March 31
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Service cost
$

 
$

 
$
171

 
$
153

Interest cost
1,356

 
1,551

 
351

 
375

Expected return on plan assets
(2,480
)
 
(2,581
)
 

 

Amortization of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrecognized actuarial net loss
600

 
429

 
118

 
22

Unrecognized prior service credit

 

 
(287
)
 
(287
)
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)
$
(524
)
 
$
(601
)
 
$
353

 
$
263


29

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

12. Share-Based Payment
The Company has a long-term incentive plan for senior management that provides a cash award to participants for the increase in the share price of the Company's common stock through units (phantom shares) assigned by the Board of Directors. The cash award is calculated over a three-year interval on a calendar year basis. At the conclusion of each three-year interval, participants will receive a cash award based on the increase in the share price during a defined measurement period, multiplied by the number of units attributable to each participant. The increase in the share price is determined based on the change in the share price from the beginning to the end of the three-year interval. Amounts representing dividends are accrued and paid at the end of each three-year interval to the extent that they exceed negative stock price appreciation. Plan payments are contingent on the continued employment of the participant unless termination is due to a qualifying event such as death, disability, or retirement. In addition, all payments are lump sum with no deferrals allowed. The Company does not make any material payments in shares, warrants, or options.
During the first quarter of 2015, the plan made payments totaling $3.8 million for the three-year interval ended December 31, 2014. During the first quarter of 2014, the plan made payments totaling $3.8 million for the three-year interval ended December 31, 2013.
At each reporting period, an estimate of the share-based compensation expense is accrued, utilizing the share price at the period end. The change in accrual for share-based compensation that reduced operating expense in the first quarter of 2015 was $0.1 million, net of tax. The cost of share-based compensation accrued as an operating expense in the first quarter of 2014 was $0.5 million, net of tax.
13. Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income includes the unrealized investment gains or losses on securities available for sale (net of reclassifications for realized investment gains or losses) net of adjustments to deferred acquisition costs (DAC) and value of business acquired (VOBA), future policy benefits, and policyholder account balances (including deferred revenue liability). In addition, other comprehensive income includes the change in the liability for benefit plan obligations. Other comprehensive income reflects these items net of tax.
The table below provides information about comprehensive income for the first quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2015
 
Pre-Tax
Amount
 
Tax Expense
or (Benefit)
 
Net-of-Tax
Amount
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period:
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities
$
25,988

 
$
9,095

 
$
16,893

Equity securities
393

 
138

 
255

Less reclassification adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
Net realized investment gains, excluding impairment
losses
120

 
42

 
78

Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in
earnings

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in
other comprehensive income
(7
)
 
(2
)
 
(5
)
Net unrealized gains excluding impairment losses
26,268

 
9,193

 
17,075

Effect on DAC and VOBA
(1,623
)
 
(568
)
 
(1,055
)
Future policy benefits
(4,599
)
 
(1,610
)
 
(2,989
)
Policyholder account balances
(150
)
 
(52
)
 
(98
)
Other comprehensive income
$
19,896

 
$
6,963

 
12,933

Net income
 
 
 
 
6,778

Comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
$
19,711


30

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2014
 
Pre-Tax
Amount
 
Tax Expense
or (Benefit)
 
Net-of-Tax
Amount
 
 
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period:
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities
$
34,242

 
$
11,984

 
$
22,258

Equity securities
934

 
327

 
607

Less reclassification adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
Net realized investment gains, excluding impairment
losses
843

 
295

 
548

Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in
earnings
(213
)
 
(75
)
 
(138
)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in
other comprehensive income
51

 
18

 
33

Net unrealized gains excluding impairment losses
34,495

 
12,073

 
22,422

Effect on DAC and VOBA
(4,703
)
 
(1,646
)
 
(3,057
)
Future policy benefits
(5,589
)
 
(1,956
)
 
(3,633
)
Policyholder account balances
(201
)
 
(70
)
 
(131
)
Other comprehensive income
$
24,002

 
$
8,401

 
15,601

Net income
 
 
 
 
5,672

Comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
$
21,273

The following table provides accumulated balances related to each component of accumulated other comprehensive income at March 31, 2015, net of tax.
 
Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on
Non-Impaired
Securities
 
Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on
Impaired
Securities
 
Benefit
Plan
Obligations
 
DAC/
VOBA
Impact
 
Future Policy Benefits
 
Policyholder
Account
Balances
 
Total
Beginning of year
$
110,362

 
$
3,141

 
$
(53,964
)
 
$
(18,521
)
 
$
(17,406
)
 
$
(572
)
 
$
23,040

Other comprehensive
income before
reclassification
17,489

 
(487
)
 

 
(1,053
)
 
(2,989
)
 
(98
)
 
12,862

Amounts reclassified
from accumulated other
comprehensive income
78

 
(5
)
 

 
(2
)
 

 

 
71

Net current-period other
comprehensive income
17,567

 
(492
)
 

 
(1,055
)
 
(2,989
)
 
(98
)
 
12,933

End of period
$
127,929

 
$
2,649

 
$
(53,964
)
 
$
(19,576
)
 
$
(20,395
)
 
$
(670
)
 
$
35,973


31

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

The following table presents the pre-tax and the related income tax expense (benefit) components of the amounts reclassified from the Company's accumulated other comprehensive income to the Company's Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the first quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
Quarter Ended
 
March 31
 
2015
 
2014
Reclassification adjustments related to unrealized gains (losses)
on investment securities:
 
 
 
Having impairments recognized in the Consolidated Statements
    of Comprehensive Income 1
$
120

 
$
843

Income tax expense 2
(42
)
 
(295
)
Net of taxes
78

 
548

 
 
 
 
Having no impairments recognized in the Consolidated
    Statements of Comprehensive Income 1
(7
)
 
(162
)
Income tax benefit 2
2

 
57

Net of taxes
(5
)
 
(105
)
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment related to DAC and VOBA 1
(3
)
 
(41
)
Income tax benefit 2
1

 
14

Net of taxes
(2
)
 
(27
)
 
 
 
 
Total pre-tax reclassifications
110

 
640

Total income tax expense
(39
)
 
(224
)
Total reclassification, net taxes
$
71

 
$
416

 1 (Increases) decreases net realized investment gains (losses) on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
 2 (Increases) decreases income tax expense on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

32

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

14. Earnings Per Share
Due to the Company’s capital structure and the absence of other potentially dilutive securities, there is no difference between basic and diluted earnings per common share for any of the periods reported. The average number of shares outstanding for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was 10,808,570 and 10,968,367. The number of shares outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was 10,779,277 and 10,825,205 respectively.
15. Segment Information
The following schedule provides the financial performance of each of the three reportable operating segments of the Company.
 
 
 
Individual
 
Group
 
Old
 
Intercompany
 
 
 
 
 
Insurance
 
Insurance
 
American
 
Eliminations1
 
Consolidated
Insurance revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First quarter:
2015
 
$
36,376

 
$
13,612

 
$
19,484

 
$
(104
)
 
$
69,368

 
2014
 
37,891

 
14,248

 
18,547

 
(101
)
 
70,585

Net investment income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First quarter:
2015
 
36,890

 
111

 
2,691

 

 
39,692

 
2014
 
37,646

 
125

 
2,920

 

 
40,691

Total benefits and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First quarter:
2015
 
64,568

 
13,215

 
23,604

 
(104
)
 
101,283

 
2014
 
70,706

 
14,610

 
21,933

 
(101
)
 
107,148

Net income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First quarter:
2015
 
7,332

 
360

 
(914
)
 

 
6,778

 
2014
 
5,896

 
(120
)
 
(104
)
 

 
5,672

1 
Elimination entries to remove intercompany transactions for life and accident and health insurance that the Company purchases for its employees and agents were as follows: insurance revenues from the Group Insurance segment and operating expenses from the Individual Insurance segment to arrive at Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
16. Commitments
In the normal course of business, the Company has open purchase and sale commitments. At March 31, 2015, the Company had purchase commitments to fund mortgage loans of $14.7 million.
Subsequent to March 31, 2015 the Company entered into commitments to fund additional mortgage loans of $21.1 million.
The Company has entered into a contract in the ordinary course of business to sell one of its real estate properties for approximately $20.3 million that, if completed, would generate an estimated gain on the sale of real estate of up to $2.8 million net of applicable taxes. It is anticipated that this sale would close during the second quarter of 2015.
17. Contingent Liabilities
The Company and its subsidiaries are, from time to time, involved in litigation, both as a defendant and as a plaintiff. The life insurance industry, including the Company and its insurance subsidiaries, has been subject to an increase in litigation in recent years. Such litigation has been pursued on behalf of purported classes of insurance purchasers, often questioning the conduct of insurers in the marketing of their products.
The Company's subsidiary broker-dealer/investment advisor has been involved in a business that involves a substantial risk of liability. Legal and other proceedings involving financial services firms, including the Company's subsidiary, continue to have a significant impact on the industry. Significant matters over the last few years have included registered representative activity and certain types of securities products (particularly private placements and real estate investment products).
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to regular reviews and inspections by state and federal regulatory authorities. State insurance examiners - or independent audit firms engaged by such examiners - may, from time to time, conduct examinations or investigations into industry practices and into customer complaints. A regulatory violation discovered during a review, inspection,

33

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

or investigation could result in a wide range of remedies that could include the imposition of sanctions against the Company, its subsidiaries, or its employees, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
Certain policies, contracts, and annuities offered by the Company and certain products offered by its broker-dealer/investment advisor subsidiary are subject to regulation under federal and state securities laws. Federal securities laws contain regulatory restrictions and criminal, administrative, and private remedial provisions. From time to time, the SEC, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"), or a state securities regulator examine or investigate the activities of broker-dealers and/or investment advisors, including the Company's affiliated broker-dealer/ investment advisor subsidiary. It is possible that the results of any examination may lead to changes in systems or procedures, payments of fines and penalties, payments to customers, or a combination thereof, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
The life insurance industry has been the subject of significant regulatory and legal activities regarding the use of the U.S. Social Security Administration's Death Master File (“Death Master File”) in the claims process. The focus of the activity has related to the industry's compliance with state unclaimed property and escheatment laws. Certain states have proposed, and many other states are considering, new legislation and regulations related to unclaimed life insurance benefits and the use of the Death Master File in the claims process.  It is possible that audits and/or the enactment of new state laws could result in identifying payments to beneficiaries more quickly than under the current legislative and regulatory standards established for life insurance claims or may provide for additional escheatment of funds deemed abandoned under state laws.  The audits could also result in administrative penalties.  Given the legal and regulatory uncertainty in this area, it is also possible that life insurers, including the Company, may be subject to claims concerning their business practices. Based on its analysis to date, the Company believes that it has sufficiently reviewed its existing business and has adequately reserved for contingencies from a change in statute or regulation.  Additional costs that cannot be reasonably estimated as of the date of this filing are possible as a result of ongoing regulatory developments and other future requirements related to this matter. Any resulting additional payments or costs could be significant and could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
In addition to the specific items above, the Company and its subsidiaries are defendants in, or subject to, other claims or legal actions related to insurance and investment products. Some of these claims and legal actions are in jurisdictions where juries are given substantial latitude in assessing damages, including punitive damages.
Although no assurances can be given and no determinations can be made at this time, management believes that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to these regulatory matters, legal actions, and other claims would not have a material effect on the Company's business, results of operations, or financial position.
In accordance with applicable accounting guidelines, the Company establishes an accrued liability for litigation and regulatory matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. As a litigation or regulatory matter develops, it is evaluated on an ongoing basis, often in conjunction with outside counsel, as to whether the matter presents a loss contingency that meets conditions indicating the need for accrual and/or disclosure. If and when a loss contingency related to litigation or regulatory matters is deemed to be both probable and estimable, the Company establishes an accrued liability. This accrued liability is then monitored for further developments that may affect the amount of the accrued liability.
While the Company makes every effort to appropriately accrue liability for litigation and other legal proceedings, the outcome of such matters (including any amount of settlement, judgment, or fine) is inherently difficult to predict. This difficulty arises from the need to gather all relevant facts (which may or may not be available) and to apply those facts to complex legal principles. Based on currently available information, the Company does not believe that any litigation, proceeding or other matter to which it is a party or otherwise involved will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, the results of its operations, or its cash flows. However, an adverse development or an increase in associated legal fees could be material in a particular period depending, in part, on the Company's operating results in that period.

34

Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–(Continued) (Unaudited)

18. Guarantees and Indemnifications
The Company is subject to various indemnification obligations issued in conjunction with certain transactions, primarily assumption reinsurance agreements, stock purchase agreements, mortgage servicing agreements, tax credit assignment agreements, construction and lease guarantees, and borrowing agreements whose terms range in duration and often are not explicitly defined. Generally, a maximum obligation is not explicitly stated. Therefore, the overall maximum amount of the obligation under the indemnifications cannot be reasonably estimated. The Company is unable to estimate with certainty the ultimate legal and financial liability with respect to these indemnifications. The Company believes that the likelihood is remote that material payments would be required under such indemnifications and therefore such indemnifications would not result in a material adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations.
19. Subsequent Events
On April 27, 2015, the Kansas City Life Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share that will be paid on May 13, 2015 to stockholders of record on May 7, 2015.

35


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Amounts are stated in thousands, except share data, or as otherwise noted.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is intended to provide in narrative form the perspective of the management of Kansas City Life Insurance Company (the Company) on its financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and certain other factors that may affect its future results. The following is a discussion and analysis of the results of operations for the first quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and the financial condition of the Company at March 31, 2015. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in this document, as well as the Company's 2014 Form 10-K, as amended.
Overview
Kansas City Life Insurance Company is a financial services company that is predominantly focused on the underwriting, sales, and administration of life insurance and annuity products. The consolidated entity (the Company) primarily consists of three life insurance companies. Kansas City Life Insurance Company (Kansas City Life) is the parent company. Sunset Life Insurance Company of America (Sunset Life) and Old American Insurance Company (Old American) are wholly-owned subsidiaries. For additional information, please refer to the Overview included in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Company's 2014 Form 10-K, as amended.
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
This report reviews the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, and historical information is presented and discussed. Where appropriate, factors that may affect future financial performance are also identified and discussed. Certain statements made in this report include “forward-looking statements” that fall within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance, or achievements rather than historical facts and may contain words like “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “will,” “shall,” and other words, phrases, or expressions with similar meaning.
Actual results may differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties. Those risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk factors listed in Item 1A. Risk Factors as filed in the Company's 2014 Form 10-K, as amended.

36


Consolidated Results of Operations
Summary of Results
The Company earned net income of $6.8 million in the first quarter of 2015 compared to $5.7 million in the first quarter of 2014. Net income per share was $0.63 in the first quarter of 2015 versus $0.52 in the same period in the prior year.
The following table presents variances between the results for the first quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. Positive amounts reflect favorable impacts to net income.
 
Quarter Ended
 
March 31
 
2015 Versus 2014
Insurance and other revenues
$
(1,770
)
Net investment income
(999
)
Net realized investment gains (losses)
(1,538
)
Policyholder benefits and interest credited to
policyholder account balances
2,919

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs
444

Operating expenses
2,502

Income tax expense
(452
)
Total variance
$
1,106

Information on these items is presented below.
Sales
The Company's marketing plan for individual products focuses on three main aspects: providing financial security with respect to life insurance, the accumulation of long-term value, and future retirement income needs.  The primary emphasis is on the growth of individual life insurance business, including new premiums for individual life products and new deposits for universal life and variable universal life products. The Company also offers a portfolio of group products. Consumer preferences and customer choices are very hard to predict and significantly influence life and annuity insurance purchases. These changing preferences and choices can result in large fluctuations period to period. The Company attempts to provide a varied portfolio of products that support consumer needs and is constantly assessing new products and opportunities.
Sales of the Company's products are primarily made through the Company's existing sales force. The Company emphasizes growth of the sales force with the addition of new general agents and agents.  The Company believes that increased sales will result through both the number and productivity of general agents and agents. The Company also places an emphasis on training and direct support to the field force to assist new agents in their start-up phase. In addition, the Company provides support to existing agents to stay abreast of the ever-changing regulatory environment and to introduce agents to new products and enhanced features of existing products. The Company also selectively utilizes third-party marketing arrangements to enhance its sales objectives. This allows the Company the flexibility to identify niches or pursue unique opportunities in the existing markets and to react quickly to take advantage of opportunities when they occur.
The Company recognizes conversions of policies and contracts on interest sensitive products to traditional life and annuity products as new premiums at the time of conversion. Most notably, the Company has fixed deferred annuities that convert to immediate annuities. Deferred annuity contracts typically provide for such conversions as one of several settlement options, and the volume of such contracts can vary based upon the individual needs and decisions of contract owners. In addition, the timing of these conversions can often result in large fluctuations period to period.
The Group Insurance segment primarily uses two marketing approaches. The first is to market business using Kansas City Life's internal sales representatives and an independent general agent and agent field force. This business is administered internally. The second is through selectively identified independent third-party arrangements that support this segment's marketing and product portfolio. Generally, business sold through these arrangements is administered by the third parties or through specifically-identified reinsurance arrangements.
The Old American segment focuses on the recruitment and development of new agencies and agents. The intent of these activities is to generate improved production from existing agencies and agents, including the expansion or opening of territories believed to offer additional growth opportunities. Further, this segment also focuses on servicing its policyholders and creating and maintaining products that are created and priced to be competitive in the senior markets.

37


The following table presents gross premiums by new and renewal business, less reinsurance ceded, for the first quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. New premiums are also detailed by product.
 
Quarter Ended March 31
 
2015
 
% Change
 
2014
 
% Change
New premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traditional life insurance
$
4,498

 
5
 %
 
$
4,295

 
(2
)%
Immediate annuities
6,296

 
(12
)%
 
7,132

 
(68
)%
Group life insurance
570

 
(35
)%
 
880

 
28
 %
Group accident and health insurance
2,506

 
(39
)%
 
4,102

 
31
 %
Total new premiums
13,870

 
(15
)%
 
16,409

 
(46
)%
Renewal premiums
40,216

 
3
 %
 
39,136

 
4
 %
Total premiums
54,086

 
(3
)%
 
55,545

 
(18
)%
Reinsurance ceded
(13,110
)
 
(5
)%
 
(13,758
)
 
1
 %
Net premiums
$
40,976

 
(2
)%
 
$
41,787

 
(23
)%
Consolidated total premiums decreased $1.5 million or 3% in the first quarter of 2015 versus the prior year, as a $2.5 million decrease in total new premiums was partially offset by a $1.1 million increase in total renewal premiums.  The decrease in new premiums resulted from a $1.6 million decrease in new group accident and health premiums, principally in the dental line, as well as a $0.8 million decrease in new immediate annuity premiums. The increase in renewal premiums was due to improvements in traditional life, group life, and group accident health premiums.
The following table reconciles deposits with the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and provides detail by new and renewal deposits for the first quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. New deposits are also detailed by product.
 
Quarter Ended March 31
 
2015
 
% Change
 
2014
 
% Change
New deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Universal life insurance
$
4,242

 
45
 %
 
$
2,931

 
(46
)%
Variable universal life insurance
92

 
(74
)%
 
358

 
(37
)%
Fixed annuities
8,851

 
(24
)%
 
11,703

 
35
 %
Variable annuities
4,844

 
(36
)%
 
7,546

 
152
 %
Total new deposits
18,029

 
(20
)%
 
22,538

 
28
 %
Renewal deposits
37,685

 
2
 %
 
37,059

 
9
 %
Total deposits
$
55,714

 
(7
)%
 
$
59,597

 
15
 %
Total new deposits declined $4.5 million or 20% in the first quarter of 2015 compared with the first quarter of 2014. This decline resulted from a $2.9 million decrease in new fixed deferred annuity deposits and a $2.7 million decrease in new variable annuity deposits. Partially offsetting these was a $1.3 million increase in new universal life deposits. Total renewal deposits increased $0.6 million or 2% in the first quarter of 2015 versus the prior year, as increases in renewal universal life, fixed deferred annuity and variable annuity deposits were partially offset by a decrease in renewal variable universal life deposits. Universal life and fixed annuity deposits can have sizeable fluctuations period-to-period based upon changes in financial conditions, alternative and competitive products, and consumer preferences.
Insurance Revenues
Insurance revenues consist of premiums, net of reinsurance, and contract charges. Insurance revenues are affected by the level of new sales, the type of products sold, the persistency of policies, general economic conditions, and competitive forces.
Contract charges consist of cost of insurance, expense loads, amortization of unearned revenues, and surrender charges on policyholder account balances. Certain contract charges are not recognized in income immediately but are deferred and are amortized into income in proportion to the expected future gross profits of the business, in a manner similar to deferred acquisition costs (DAC). Profit expectations are based upon assumptions of future interest spreads, mortality margins, expense margins, and policy and premium persistency experience. At least annually, a review is performed of the assumptions related to profit

38


expectations. If it is determined the assumptions should be revised, the impact is recorded as a change in the revenue reported in the current period as an unlocking adjustment.
Total contract charges decreased $0.4 million or 1% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the first quarter of 2014. This decline was primarily due to lower amortization of deferred revenue. The decline in the deferred revenue was largely the result of increased mortality on certain products.
Contract charges are impacted by the sales of new products and the persistency of both existing and closed blocks of business. The closed blocks of business reflect products and entities that have been purchased but to which the Company is not actively pursuing marketing efforts to generate new sales. The Company services these policies to achieve long-term profit streams. Total contract charges on closed blocks equaled 43% of total consolidated contract charges in the first quarters of both 2015 and 2014. Total contract charges on closed blocks decreased 1% in 2015 compared to the prior year, reflecting the runoff of the business. Total contract charges on open, or ongoing, blocks of business decreased 2% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, reflecting the lower amortization of deferred revenue mentioned above.
The Company uses reinsurance as a means to mitigate its risks and to reduce the earnings volatility from claims. Reinsurance ceded premiums decreased 5% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same period one year earlier.
Investment Revenues
Gross investment income is largely composed of interest, dividends, and other earnings on fixed maturity securities, equity securities, short-term investments, mortgage loans, real estate, and policy loans. Gross investment income declined $0.5 million or 1% in the first quarter of 2015 compared with the same period in 2014. These declines primarily reflected lower overall yields earned and available on certain investments. In addition, investment expenses rose $0.5 million compared to the prior year, primarily due to an increase in real estate expenses from real estate purchases made in 2014.
Fixed maturity securities provided a majority of the Company's investment income during the quarter ended March 31, 2015. Income on these investments declined $0.5 million or 2% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to one year earlier, as an increase in average invested assets was more than offset by lower yields earned.
Investment income from commercial mortgage loans decreased $1.5 million or 16% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the prior year. This decline was primarily due to a lower average mortgage loan portfolio balance and lower yields earned compared to the prior year, primarily from maturities and principal paydowns that have exceeded new mortgage loan originations.
The Company realizes investment gains and losses from several sources, including write-downs of investment securities and mortgage loans, sales of investment securities, and real estate. Many securities purchased by the Company contain call provisions, which allow the issuer to redeem the securities at a particular price on or at a particular date or within a particular time frame. Depending upon the terms of the call provision and price at which the security was purchased, a gain or loss may be realized.
The Company recorded a net realized investment loss of less than $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared with a net realized investment gain of $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2014. During the first quarter of 2015, the Company recorded $0.2 million in gains from investment securities called and other. Offsetting these gains, investment losses of $0.2 million were recorded due to mortgage loan payoffs.
The Company's analysis of securities for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015 resulted in the determination that one fixed maturity security had an other-than-temporary impairment and was written down by less than $0.1 million. The total fair value of the affected security after the write-downs was $5.0 million.
Other Revenues
Other revenues consist primarily of supplementary contract considerations; policyholder dividends left with the Company to accumulate; and certain income received from subsidiaries of the Company. Other revenues decreased $0.6 million or 24% in 2015. The decline in other revenues during 2015 reflects the revenue decrease from the divestiture of certain non-proprietary agent relationships related to Sunset Financial Services in the fourth quarter of 2014.
Policyholder Benefits
Policyholder benefits consist of death benefits, immediate annuity benefits, accident and health benefits, surrenders, interest, other benefits, and the associated increase or decrease in reserves for future policy benefits. The largest component of policyholder benefits was death benefits for the periods presented. Death benefits reflect mortality results, after consideration of the impact of reinsurance. Mortality will fluctuate from period to period.
Policyholder benefits decreased $2.4 million or 5% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same period one year earlier. The largest factor in this change was a decrease in benefit and contract reserves. Several factors contributed to the change in reserves. Changes in the fair value of the GMWB rider resulted in a $2.6 million decrease in benefit and contract reserves. Approximately

39


$1.5 million of this favorable change was due to the movement of variable annuity investments associated with the GMWB rider into funds managed with the objective of lower volatility. Also contributing to the reserve change was a decrease in annuity conversions and a decrease in ceded reserves released from death claims compared to the prior year. In addition, other benefits decreased, reflecting a decrease in dental benefits. Partially offsetting these decreases, death benefits, net of reinsurance, increased in the first quarter of 2015, largely due to lower ceded death benefit payments.
The Company has a GMWB rider for variable annuity contracts that is considered to be a financial derivative and, as such, is accounted for at fair value.  The Company determines the fair value of the GMWB rider using a risk-neutral valuation method. The value of the riders will fluctuate depending on market conditions. For the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the fair value of the liability decreased $1.7 million compared to the fair value at December 31, 2014. This fluctuation can be primarily attributed to favorable capital market returns and declines in volatility that were partially offset by decreases in risk-free swap rates.
Interest Credited to Policyholder Account Balances
Interest is credited to policyholder account balances according to terms of the policies or contracts for universal life, fixed deferred annuities, and other investment-type products. There are minimum levels of interest crediting stipulated in certain policies or contracts, as well as allowances for adjustments to be made to reflect current market conditions in certain policies or contracts. Accordingly, the Company reviews and adjusts crediting rates as necessary and appropriate. Amounts credited are a function of account balances and current period crediting rates. As account balances fluctuate, so will the amount of interest credited to policyholder account balances. Interest credited to policyholder account balances decreased $0.5 million or 3% in the first quarter of 2015 compared with the same period one year earlier. This decline was due to lower average crediting rates as well as a decrease in policyholder account balances compared to one year earlier.
Amortization of DAC
Total amortization of deferred acquisition costs decreased $0.4 million or 5% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in the prior year. This decline largely resulted from unfavorable mortality in the first quarter compared to the prior year.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses consist of incurred commission expense from the sale of insurance products, net of the deferral of certain commissions and certain expenses directly associated with the successful acquisition of new business, expenses from the Company's operations, the amortization of VOBA, and other expenses. Operating expenses decreased $2.5 million or 9% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same periods one year earlier. This decrease can primarily be attributed to several factors. Salary and employee benefit costs decreased, largely due to reduced incentive plan expense. Consulting fees decreased as the prior year results included administrative conversion costs associated with the reinsurance transaction on variable products. In addition, VOBA amortization declined and capitalized commissions increased.
Income Taxes
The first quarter income tax expense was $2.7 million or 29% of income before tax for 2015, versus $2.3 million or 29% of income before tax for the prior year period.
The effective income tax rate was lower than the prevailing corporate federal income tax rate of 35% in the first quarters of 2015 and 2014, primarily due to permanent differences, including the dividends-received deduction, and investments in affordable housing tax credits. Permanent differences resulted in a benefit of approximately 2% of income before tax in the first quarters of 2015 and 2014. Investments in affordable housing resulted in a benefit of approximately 4% of income before tax in the first quarters of 2015 and 2014.

40


Operating Results by Segment
The Company has three reportable business segments, which are defined based on the nature of the products and services offered: Individual Insurance, Group Insurance, and Old American. The Individual Insurance segment consists of individual insurance products for both Kansas City Life and Sunset Life. In addition, the acquired blocks are included with the Individual Insurance segment. The Individual Insurance segment is marketed through a nationwide sales force of independent general agents and third-party marketing arrangements. The Group Insurance segment consists of sales of group life, group disability, dental, and vision products. This segment uses internal sales representatives to market through a nationwide sales force of general agents, agents, and independent brokers, and also markets products through third-party providers that market directly or through independent brokers. Old American consists of individual insurance products designed largely as final expense products. These products are marketed through a nationwide general agency sales force with exclusive territories, using direct response marketing to supply agents with leads. For more information, refer to Note 15 - Segment Information in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Individual Insurance
The following table presents financial data of the Individual Insurance business segment for the first quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
Quarter Ended
 
March 31
 
2015
 
2014
Insurance revenues:
 
 
 
Net premiums
$
7,984

 
$
9,093

Contract charges
28,392

 
28,798

Total insurance revenues
36,376

 
37,891

Investment revenues:
 
 
 
Net investment income
36,890

 
37,646

Net realized investment gains (losses), excluding
other-than-temporary impairment losses
(56
)
 
1,458

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings:
 
 
 
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses

 
(213
)
Portion of impairment losses recognized in
other comprehensive income
(6
)
 
52

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses
recognized in earnings
(6
)
 
(161
)
Total investment revenues
36,828

 
38,943

Other revenues
1,733

 
2,263

Total revenues
74,937

 
79,097

 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits
27,576

 
30,719

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
18,439

 
18,946

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs
4,060

 
4,715

Operating expenses
14,493

 
16,326

Total benefits and expenses
64,568

 
70,706

 
 
 
 
Income before income tax expense
10,369

 
8,391

 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
3,037

 
2,495

 
 
 
 
Net income
$
7,332

 
$
5,896

The net income for this segment in the first quarter of 2015 was $7.3 million compared to $5.9 million in the first quarter of 2014. Factors contributing to this improvement were decreases in policyholder benefits, interest credited to policyholder account balances, amortization of deferred acquisition costs, and operating expenses. Partially offsetting these were decreases in insurance revenues, net investment income, and other revenues, along with lower net realized investment gains.

41


Total insurance revenues decreased $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2015, reflecting a $1.1 million or 12% decrease in net premiums and a $0.4 million decrease in contract charges.
The following table presents gross premiums by new and renewal business, less reinsurance ceded, for the first quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. New premiums are also detailed by product.
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31
 
2015
 
% Change
 
2014
 
% Change
New premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traditional life insurance
$
1,085

 
(12
)%
 
$
1,235

 
8
 %
Immediate annuities
6,296

 
(12
)%
 
7,132

 
(68
)%
Total new premiums
7,381

 
(12
)%
 
8,367

 
(64
)%
Renewal premiums
10,733

 
1
 %
 
10,604

 
 %
Total premiums
18,114

 
(5
)%
 
18,971

 
(44
)%
Reinsurance ceded
(10,130
)
 
3
 %
 
(9,878
)
 
(1
)%
Net premiums
$
7,984

 
(12
)%
 
$
9,093

 
(62
)%
Total new premiums for this segment decreased $1.0 million or 12% and total renewal premiums increased $0.1 million or 1% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same period one year earlier. The decrease in new premiums reflected declines in new traditional life and immediate annuity premiums. The increase in renewal premiums was due to improved traditional life premiums.
The following table provides detail by new and renewal deposits for the first quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. New deposits are also detailed by product.
 
Quarter Ended March 31
 
2015
 
% Change
 
2014
 
% Change
New deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Universal life insurance
$
4,242

 
45
 %
 
$
2,931

 
(46
)%
Variable universal life insurance
92

 
(74
)%
 
358

 
(37
)%
Fixed annuities
8,851

 
(24
)%
 
11,703

 
35
 %
Variable annuities
4,844

 
(36
)%
 
7,546

 
152
 %
Total new deposits
18,029

 
(20
)%
 
22,538

 
28
 %
Renewal deposits
37,685

 
2
 %
 
37,059

 
9
 %
Total deposits
$
55,714

 
(7
)%
 
$
59,597

 
15
 %
Total new deposits decreased $4.5 million or 20% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to last year due to a $2.9 million decline in new fixed deferred annuity deposits and a $2.7 million decline in new variable annuity deposits. Partially offsetting these changes, new universal life deposits increased $1.3 million. Total renewal deposits increased $0.6 million or 2% in the first quarter of 2015, reflecting increases in renewal universal life, fixed annuity, and variable annuity deposits. Partially offsetting these improvements, renewal variable universal life deposits decreased. Universal life and fixed annuity deposits can have sizeable fluctuations period-to-period based upon changes in financial conditions, alternative and competitive products, and consumer preferences.
Total contract charges on all blocks of business declined $0.4 million or 1% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same period one year earlier. This decline was primarily due lower amortization of deferred revenue.
Total contract charges on closed blocks declined 1% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the first quarter of 2014. This decline reflects the runoff of the closed blocks of business. Total contract charges on open blocks of business, where there is ongoing marketing for new sales, decreased 2% in the first quarter of 2015. This change largely reflected the lower amortization of deferred revenue.
Net investment income decreased $0.8 million or 2% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in the prior year. This decline primarily reflected lower overall yields earned and available on certain investments. In addition, investment expenses rose $0.5 million compared to the prior year due to an increase in real estate expenses from real estate purchases made in 2014.

42


Policyholder benefits decreased $3.1 million or 10% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the prior year. This decline reflected a decrease in benefit and contract reserves. Several factors contributed to the change in reserves. Changes in the fair value of the GMWB rider resulted in a $2.6 million decrease in benefit and contract reserves. Approximately $1.5 million of this favorable change was due to the movement of variable annuity investments associated with the GMWB rider into funds managed with the objective of lower volatility. Also contributing to the reserve change was a decrease in annuity conversions and a decrease in ceded reserves released from death claims compared to the prior year. In addition, death benefits, net of reinsurance, increased in the first quarter of 2015, largely due to lower ceded death benefit payments.
Interest credited to policyholder account balances decreased $0.5 million or 3% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to one year earlier. This decline was due to lower average crediting rates, as well as a decrease in total policyholder account balances.
The amortization of DAC decreased $0.7 million or 14% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the prior year.  This decline largely resulted from unfavorable mortality in the first quarter compared to the prior year.
Operating expenses decreased $1.8 million or 11% in the first quarter of 2015 compared with one year earlier. This decrease can primarily be attributed to several factors. Salary and employee benefit costs decreased, largely due to reduced incentive plan expense. Consulting fees decreased as the prior year contained administrative conversion costs associated with the reinsurance transaction on variable products. In addition, VOBA amortization declined.
Group Insurance
The following table presents financial data of the Group Insurance business segment for the first quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
 
Quarter Ended
 
March 31
 
2015
 
2014
Insurance revenues:
 
 
 
Net premiums
$
13,612

 
$
14,248

Total insurance revenues
13,612

 
14,248

Investment revenues:
 
 
 
Net investment income
111

 
125

Other revenues
47

 
53

Total revenues
13,770

 
14,426

 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits
7,586

 
8,539

Operating expenses
5,629

 
6,071

Total benefits and expenses
13,215

 
14,610

 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)
555

 
(184
)
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense (benefit)
195

 
(64
)
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
360

 
$
(120
)
The net income for this segment in the first quarter of 2015 was $0.4 million compared to a net loss of $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2014.  This improvement reflected decreases in policyholder benefits and operating expenses that were partially offset by a decrease in insurance revenues. 
Sales from internal sales representatives through independent general agents and agents accounted for approximately 73% of this segment's total premiums during the first quarter of 2015, while sales from third-party providers made up the remaining portion of sales. No one third-party provider accounts for a majority of this segment's sales.

43


The following table presents gross premiums by new and renewal business, less reinsurance ceded, for the first quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. New premiums are also detailed by product.
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31
 
2015
 
% Change
 
2014
 
% Change
New premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group life insurance
$
570

 
(35
)%
 
$
880

 
28
%
Group dental insurance
1,432

 
(44
)%
 
2,558

 
53
%
Group disability insurance
1,074

 
(30
)%
 
1,544

 
5
%
Total new premiums
3,076

 
(38
)%
 
4,982

 
30
%
Renewal premiums
13,237

 
4
 %
 
12,716

 
8
%
Total premiums
16,313

 
(8
)%
 
17,698

 
13
%
Reinsurance ceded
(2,701
)
 
(22
)%
 
(3,450
)
 
11
%
Net premiums
$
13,612

 
(4
)%
 
$
14,248

 
14
%
New group direct premiums decreased $1.9 million or 38% in the first quarter of 2015 compared with the same period in 2014. This decrease was principally from group life and dental premiums, which decreased $0.3 million or 35% and $1.1 million or 44%, respectively, versus the first quarter of 2014. Group disability products also experienced decreases in the first quarter of 2015. Dental sales are being impacted by the uncertainty that exists for employers concerning the costs, legal requirements, and complexities associated with Affordable Care Act compliance. As a result, many employers have been reluctant to engage in new plans or modify existing benefits for employees.
Renewal premiums increased $0.5 million or 4% in the first quarter of 2015 versus the same quarter of 2014, reflecting a $0.9 million or 15% increase in group dental premiums. The increase in dental premiums was the result of improved retention on existing business. Group life renewal premiums for the first quarter of 2015 increased $0.2 million or 9% versus the same period one year earlier. These improvements were offset by a $0.7 million or 26% decline in short-term disability premiums.
This segment uses targeted reinsurance in several of its product lines to help mitigate risk and allow for a higher level and volume of sales and profitability. While most of this segment's products are reinsured, the group dental product is not reinsured. Reinsurance ceded premiums decreased $0.7 million for the first quarter of 2015 compared with the same period in 2014.
Total policyholder benefits for this segment consist of claim payments and increases or decreases in reserves for future policy benefits. Total benefits, net of reinsurance, for this segment decreased $1.0 million or 11% in the first quarter of 2015 compared with the same period in 2014. This resulted from a $0.6 million or 11% and $0.4 million or 20% decrease in group dental and group life benefits, respectively.
This segment identifies and tracks a policyholder benefit ratio, which is derived by dividing policyholder benefits, net of reinsurance, by total group insurance revenues. This ratio allows for a measure of the comparability of product and marketing changes over time. Generally, within each product line, a lower ratio reflects improved results. This ratio was 56% and 60% for the first quarters of 2015 and 2014, respectively. The decreases in this ratio were most notable in the long-term disability, group dental, and group life product lines.
Operating expenses consist of commissions, fees to third-party marketing and administrative organizations, and expenses from the Company's internal operations. Operating expenses for this segment decreased $0.4 million or 7% in the first quarter of 2015 compared with the same period in the prior year. These results primarily reflect decreased commissions, resulting from lower sales volume.

44


Old American
The following table presents financial data of the Old American business segment for the first quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
 
Quarter Ended
 
March 31
 
2015
 
2014
Insurance revenues:
 
 
 
Net premiums
$
19,484

 
$
18,547

Total insurance revenues
19,484

 
18,547

Investment revenues:
 
 
 
Net investment income
2,691

 
2,920

Net realized investment gains, excluding
other-than-temporary impairment losses
28

 
207

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings:
 
 
 
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

Portion of impairment losses recognized in
other comprehensive income
(1
)
 
(1
)
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses
recognized in earnings
(1
)
 
(1
)
Total investment revenues
2,718

 
3,126

Other revenues

 
17

Total revenues
22,202

 
21,690

 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits
15,180

 
13,496

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs
4,324

 
4,113

Operating expenses
4,100

 
4,324

Total benefits and expenses
23,604

 
21,933

 
 
 
 
Loss before income tax expense
(1,402
)
 
(243
)
 
 
 
 
Income tax benefit
(488
)
 
(139
)
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(914
)
 
$
(104
)
The Old American segment had a net loss of $0.9 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared with a net loss of $0.1 million in the prior year's first quarter. Total insurance revenues increased $0.9 million compared with the prior year but were offset by a $1.7 million increase in policyholder benefits. Total investment income decreased $0.4 million and amortization of deferred acquisition costs increased $0.2 million, while operating expenses decreased $0.2 million.
The following table presents gross premiums by new and renewal business, less reinsurance ceded, for the first quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31
 
2015
 
% Change
 
2014
 
% Change
New individual life premiums
$
3,413

 
12
 %
 
$
3,060

 
(5
)%
Renewal premiums
16,350

 
3
 %
 
15,917

 
4
 %
Total premiums
19,763

 
4
 %
 
18,977

 
2
 %
Reinsurance ceded
(279
)
 
(35
)%
 
(430
)
 
(10
)%
Net premiums
$
19,484

 
5
 %
 
$
18,547

 
3
 %

45


Total premiums increased $0.8 million or 4% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same period one year earlier. Total new premiums increased $0.4 million or 12% in the first quarter of 2015, while total renewal premiums increased $0.4 million or 3%. New sales growth has increased in 2015 due to improved agent productivity and transition of management in certain territories. This segment continues to experience increases in renewal premiums, which are largely the result of growth in new sales in prior periods and favorable retention of business.
Net investment income decreased $0.2 million or 8% in the first quarter of 2015 versus the prior year, largely due to lower overall yields earned and available on certain investments. In addition, net realized investment gains decreased $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2015 versus one year earlier.
Policyholder benefits increased $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2015 versus one year earlier. This increase was largely due to an increase in net death benefits of $1.8 million, reflecting unfavorable mortality experience. In addition, this increase in death benefits also resulted in an increase in the amortization of DAC of $0.2 million or 5% in the first quarter compared to the prior year.
Operating expenses declined $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2015 compared with prior year. This decrease was primarily the result of reduced agent compensation and reduced reimbursements for management fees to the parent company versus the prior year.

46


Analysis of Investments
The Company seeks to protect policyholders’ benefits and achieve a desired level of organizational profitability by optimizing risk and return on an ongoing basis through managing asset and liability cash flows, monitoring credit risk, avoiding high levels of investments that may be redeemed by the issuer, maintaining sufficiently liquid investments and avoiding undue asset concentrations through diversification, among other things.
The primary sources of investment risk to which the Company is exposed include credit risk, interest rate risk, and liquidity risk. The Company’s ability to manage these risks is essential to the success of the organization. In particular, the Company devotes considerable resources to both the credit analysis of each new investment and to ongoing credit positions. A default by an issuer usually involves some loss of principal to the investor. Losses can be mitigated by timely sales of affected securities or by active involvement in a restructuring process. However, there can be no assurance that the efforts of an investor will lead to favorable outcomes in a bankruptcy or restructuring. Credit risk is managed primarily through industry, issuer, and structure diversification.
For additional information regarding the Company’s asset/liability management program, please see the Asset/Liability Management section within Item 7A: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in the Company's 2014 Form 10-K, as amended.
The fair value of fixed maturity and equity securities with unrealized losses was $222.4 million at March 31, 2015, compared with $297.3 million at December 31, 2014. The decline primarily reflected the decrease in interest rates during the first quarter of 2015. At March 31, 2015, 90% of security investments with an unrealized loss were investment grade and accounted for 64% of the total unrealized losses. At December 31, 2014, 94% of securities with an unrealized loss were investment grade and accounted for 82% of the total unrealized losses. At March 31, 2015, the Company had gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity and equity securities of $7.9 million that were offset by $208.8 million in gross unrealized gains. At December 31, 2014, the Company had $11.8 million in gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity and equity securities, offset by $186.4 million in gross unrealized gains. At March 31, 2015, 92% of the fixed maturity and equity securities portfolio had unrealized gains, an increase from 89% at December 31, 2014. The increase in unrealized gains at March 31, 2015 largely reflects an overall decrease in interest rates during the first quarter of 2015. Gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity and equity securities for less than 12 months accounted for $2.9 million or 37% of total unrealized losses and 58% of the value of the securities in a gross unrealized loss position at March 31, 2015. Gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity and equity security investments of 12 months or longer decreased from $8.9 million at December 31, 2014 to $5.0 million at March 31, 2015.

47


The following table summarizes the Company’s investments in fixed maturity and equity securities available for sale with unrealized losses at March 31, 2015 and should be considered in conjunction with information in Note 4.
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Securities owned without realized impairment:
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized losses of 10% or less
$
215,789

 
$
210,761

 
$
5,028

Unrealized losses of 20% or less and greater than 10%
4,974

 
4,225

 
749

Subtotal
220,763

 
214,986

 
5,777

Unrealized losses greater than 20%:
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade:
 
 
 
 
 
Less than twelve months

 

 

Twelve months or greater
908

 
624

 
284

Total investment grade
908

 
624

 
284

Below investment grade:
 
 
 
 
 
Less than twelve months

 

 

Twelve months or greater

 

 

Total below investment grade

 

 

Unrealized losses greater than 20%
908

 
624

 
284

Subtotal
221,671

 
215,610

 
6,061

 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities owned with realized impairment:
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized losses of 10% or less
4,966

 
4,960

 
6

Unrealized losses of 20% or less and greater than 10%
1,073

 
872

 
201

Subtotal
6,039

 
5,832

 
207

Unrealized losses greater than 20%:
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade:
 
 
 
 
 
Less than twelve months

 

 

Twelve months or greater

 

 

Total investment grade

 

 

Below investment grade:
 
 
 
 
 
Less than twelve months
2,614

 
989

 
1,625

Twelve months or greater

 

 

Total below investment grade
2,614

 
989

 
1,625

Unrealized losses greater than 20%
2,614

 
989

 
1,625

Subtotal
8,653

 
6,821

 
1,832

Total
$
230,324

 
$
222,431

 
$
7,893


48


The following table summarizes the Company’s investments in securities available for sale with unrealized losses at December 31, 2014 and should be considered in conjunction with information in Note 4.
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Securities owned without realized impairment:
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized losses of 10% or less
$
295,543

 
$
286,130

 
$
9,413

Unrealized losses of 20% or less and greater than 10%
8,973

 
7,874

 
1,099

Subtotal
304,516

 
294,004

 
10,512

Unrealized losses greater than 20%:
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade:
 
 
 
 
 
Less than twelve months

 

 

Twelve months or greater
908

 
663

 
245

Total investment grade
908

 
663

 
245

Below investment grade:
 
 
 
 
 
Less than twelve months

 

 

Twelve months or greater

 

 

Total below investment grade

 

 

Unrealized losses greater than 20%
908

 
663

 
245

Subtotal
305,424

 
294,667

 
10,757

 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities owned with realized impairment:
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized losses of 10% or less

 

 

Unrealized losses of 20% or less and greater than 10%

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

Unrealized losses greater than 20%:
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade:
 
 
 
 
 
Less than twelve months
3,688

 
2,658

 
1,030

Twelve months or greater

 

 

Total investment grade
3,688

 
2,658

 
1,030

Below investment grade:
 
 
 
 
 
Less than twelve months

 

 

Twelve months or greater

 

 

Total below investment grade

 

 

Unrealized losses greater than 20%
3,688

 
2,658

 
1,030

Subtotal
3,688

 
2,658

 
1,030

Total
$
309,112

 
$
297,325

 
$
11,787

The three categories of investments with the largest amount of unrealized losses at March 31, 2015 were from the financial sector, the energy sector, and other securities. The other securities category is largely composed of asset-backed securities. The fair value of these three categories contains several of the more price-challenged and illiquid investments. The Company performs present value calculations of future cash flow projections for many of these investments to evaluate the potential for other-than-temporary impairment. The Company continues to monitor these investments as described in Note 4. Please refer to that note for further information.

49


The following table provides information on fixed maturity securities with gross unrealized losses by actual or equivalent Standard & Poor’s rating at March 31, 2015.
 
Fair
Value
 
%
of Total
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
%
of Total
AAA
$

 
%
 
$

 
%
AA
35,799

 
17
%
 
1,550

 
20
%
A
57,103

 
26
%
 
892

 
11
%
BBB
100,661

 
47
%
 
2,571

 
33
%
Total investment grade
193,563

 
90
%
 
5,013

 
64
%
BB
14,081

 
7
%
 
919

 
12
%
B and below
6,821

 
3
%
 
1,831

 
24
%
Total below investment grade
20,902

 
10
%
 
2,750

 
36
%
 
$
214,465

 
100
%
 
$
7,763

 
100
%
The following table provides information on fixed maturity securities with gross unrealized losses by actual or equivalent Standard & Poor’s rating at December 31, 2014.
 
Fair
Value
 
%
of Total
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
%
of Total
AAA
$
7,953

 
3
%
 
$
47

 
%
AA
37,702

 
13
%
 
1,670

 
15
%
A
91,299

 
32
%
 
2,840

 
26
%
BBB
132,230

 
46
%
 
4,580

 
41
%
Total investment grade
269,184

 
94
%
 
9,137

 
82
%
BB
13,969

 
5
%
 
1,031

 
9
%
B and below
2,657

 
1
%
 
1,029

 
9
%
Total below investment grade
16,626

 
6
%
 
2,060

 
18
%
 
$
285,810

 
100
%
 
$
11,197

 
100
%
The Company’s residential mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, and asset-backed securities that were rated below investment grade were 40% of the below investment grade total at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
A substantial portion of investment securities that have unrealized losses are either corporate debt issued with investment grade credit ratings or other investment securities. Other investment securities are largely composed of asset-backed securities. The discounted future cash flow calculation typically becomes the primary determinant of whether any portion and to what extent an unrealized loss is due to credit on loan-backed and similar asset-backed securities with significant indications of potential other-than-temporary impairment. Such indications typically include below investment grade ratings and significant unrealized losses for an extended period of time, among other factors. The Company identified 22 non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities that were determined to have such indications at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Discounted future cash flow analysis was performed for each of these securities to determine if any portion of the impairment was due to credit and deemed to be other-than-temporary. This amount is recognized as a realized loss in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and the carrying value of the security is written down by the same amount. The portion of an impairment that is determined not to be due to credit is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The discount rate used in calculating the present value of future cash flows was the investment yield at the time of purchase for each security. The initial default rates were assumed to remain constant over a 24-month time frame and grade down thereafter, reflecting the general perspective of a more stabilized residential housing environment in the future.

50


The following tables present the range of significant assumptions used in projecting the future cash flows of the Company's residential mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, and asset-backed securities at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The Company believes that the assumptions below are reasonable and they are based largely upon the actual historical results of the underlying security collateral.
 
 
March 31, 2015
 
 
Initial Default Rate
 
Initial Severity Rate
 
Prepayment Speed
Vintage
 
Low
 
High
 
Low
 
High
 
Low
 
High
2003
 
0.8
%
 
1.0
%
 
30
%
 
35
%
 
12.0
%
 
16.0
%
2004
 
0.8
%
 
6.8
%
 
35
%
 
70
%
 
8.0
%
 
18.0
%
2005
 
4.0
%
 
12.4
%
 
35
%
 
73
%
 
6.0
%
 
18.0
%
2006
 
6.4
%
 
8.4
%
 
35
%
 
85
%
 
8.0
%
 
16.0
%
2007
 
11.0
%
 
11.0
%
 
64
%
 
64
%
 
8.0
%
 
8.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
Initial Default Rate
 
Initial Severity Rate
 
Prepayment Speed
Vintage
 
Low
 
High
 
Low
 
High
 
Low
 
High
2003
 
0.8
%
 
1.0
%
 
30
%
 
35
%
 
12.0
%
 
16.0
%
2004
 
0.8
%
 
7.0
%
 
35
%
 
65
%
 
8.0
%
 
18.0
%
2005
 
4.8
%
 
12.6
%
 
35
%
 
71
%
 
6.0
%
 
18.0
%
2006
 
5.7
%
 
8.4
%
 
35
%
 
85
%
 
8.0
%
 
16.0
%
2007
 
11.0
%
 
11.0
%
 
59
%
 
59
%
 
8.0
%
 
8.0
%
Significant unrealized losses on securities can continue for extended periods of time, particularly for certain individual securities. While this can be an indication of potential credit impairments, it can also be an indication of illiquidity in a particular sector or security. In addition, the fair value of an individual security can be heavily influenced by the complexities of varying market sentiment or uncertainty regarding the prospects for an individual security. Based upon the process described above, the Company is best able to determine if and to what extent credit impairment may exist in these securities by performing present value calculations of projected future cash flows at the conclusion of each reporting period. By reviewing the most recent data available regarding the security and other relevant industry and market factors, the Company can modify assumptions used in the cash flow projections and determine the best estimate of the portion of any impairment that is due to credit at the conclusion of each period.
The Company closely monitors its investments in securities classified as subprime. Subprime securities include all bonds or portions of bonds where the underlying collateral is made up of home equity loans or first mortgage loans to borrowers whose credit scores at the time of origination were lower than the level recognized in the market as prime. The Company's classification of subprime does not include Alt-A or jumbo loans, unless the collateral otherwise meets the preceding definition. Less than 1% of the Company's total investments were in these types of investments at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
The Company has investments in non-U.S. agency structured securities. Structured securities include asset-backed, residential mortgage-backed securities, along with collateralized debt obligations, collateralized mortgage obligations and other collateralized obligations. The Company monitors these securities through a combination of an analysis of vintage, credit ratings, and other factors.

51


The following tables divide these investment types among vintage and credit ratings at March 31, 2015.
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized Gains (Losses)
Residential & non-agency MBS: 1
 
 
 
 
 
Investment Grade:
 
 
 
 
 
Vintage 2003 and earlier
$
7,530

 
$
7,224

 
$
306

2004
6,100

 
5,837

 
263

Total investment grade
13,630

 
13,061

 
569

Below Investment Grade:
 
 
 
 
 
2004
28,243

 
26,809

 
1,434

2005
53,039

 
51,019

 
2,020

2006
2,870

 
1,770

 
1,100

2007
3,313

 
3,097

 
216

Total below investment grade
87,465

 
82,695

 
4,770

Other structured securities:
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade
61,428

 
60,851

 
577

Below investment grade
14,953

 
16,073

 
(1,120
)
Total other
76,381

 
76,924

 
(543
)
Total structured securities
$
177,476

 
$
172,680

 
$
4,796

1 This table accounts for all vintages owned by the Company.
The following tables divide these investment types among vintage and credit ratings at December 31, 2014.
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
Residential & non-agency MBS: 1
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade:
 
 
 
 
 
Vintage 2003 and earlier
$
8,249

 
$
7,910

 
$
339

2004
6,459

 
6,177

 
282

Total investment grade
14,708

 
14,087

 
621

Below investment grade:
 
 
 
 
 
2004
29,647

 
28,080

 
1,567

2005
55,806

 
53,741

 
2,065

2006
3,528

 
2,406

 
1,122

2007
3,386

 
3,164

 
222

Total below investment grade
92,367

 
87,391

 
4,976

Other structured securities:
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade
57,672

 
57,658

 
14

Below investment grade
14,728

 
16,073

 
(1,345
)
Total other
72,400

 
73,731

 
(1,331
)
Total structured securities
$
179,475

 
$
175,209

 
$
4,266

1 This table accounts for all vintages owned by the Company.
Total net unrealized gains on investments in non-U.S. Agency structured securities totaled $4.8 million at March 31, 2015, compared to a net unrealized gain of $4.3 million at December 31, 2014. Total net unrealized gains on these securities as a percent of total amortized cost totaled 3% at March 31, 2015.

52


The Company has written down certain investments in previous periods. Fixed maturity securities written down and continuing to be owned at March 31, 2015 had a fair value of $98.9 million with net unrealized gains of $3.8 million, which compares to the December 31, 2014 fair value of $105.3 million and net unrealized gains of $4.8 million. The identification of additional information or further deteriorations could result in additional impairments in future periods
The Company evaluated the current status of all investments previously written down to determine whether the Company continues to believe that these investments were still credit-impaired to the extent previously recorded. The Company's evaluation process is similar to its impairment evaluation process. If evidence exists that the Company believes that it will receive its contractual cash flows from securities previously written down, the accretion of income is adjusted. The Company did not change its evaluation of any investments under this process during the first quarters of 2015 or 2014.
The Company maintains a diversified investment portfolio, including 5% of its investment portfolio in municipal bond securities and 7% in bond securities from foreign issuers at March 31, 2015. Approximately 64% of the Company's foreign securities were from issuers in Canada, Australia, and Great Britain at March 31, 2015. The Company has no holdings in European sovereign debt and all of these investments are denominated in U.S. dollars. The fair value of the Company's securities from foreign issuers at March 31, 2015 was $264.9 million with a net unrealized gain of $12.3 million. This compares to a fair value of $266.6 million with a net unrealized gain of $9.3 million at December 31, 2014.
The Company did not have any material direct exposure to financial guarantors at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014. The Company's indirect exposure to financial guarantors totaled $25.0 million, which was 1% of the Company's investment assets at March 31, 2015. The unrealized gain on these investments totaled $3.3 million at March 31, 2015. The Company's indirect exposure to financial guarantors at December 31, 2014 totaled $24.8 million, which was 1% of the Company's total investments. Total net unrealized gains on these investments totaled $2.9 million at December 31, 2014.
The Company’s investment portfolio also includes mortgage loans, real estate, policy loans, and short-term investments. Mortgage loans comprised 15% of total investments at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Real estate investments were 5% of total investments at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Policy loans and short-term investments comprised 3% of total invested assets at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
Investments in mortgage loans totaled $544.9 million at March 31, 2015 and $541.2 million at December 31, 2014. The Company's mortgage loans are mostly secured by commercial real estate and are stated at the outstanding principal balance, adjusted for amortization of premium and accrual of discount, less an allowance for loan losses. This allowance is maintained at a level believed by management to be adequate to absorb estimated credit losses and was $1.9 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The Company evaluates the macro-environmental risk on an ongoing basis using multiple considerations. For additional information on the Company’s mortgage loan portfolio, please see Note 4.

53


Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Statements made in the Company's 2014 Form 10-K, as amended, remain pertinent, as the Company's liquidity position is materially unchanged from year-end 2014.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $2.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. The primary sources of cash from operating activities in the first quarter of 2015 were premium receipts and net investment income. The primary uses of cash from operating activities in the first quarter of 2015 were for the payment of policyholder benefits and operating expenses. Net cash used in investing activities was $3.3 million, driven mainly by purchases of investments totaling $109.5 million that were mostly offset by sales, maturities, calls, and principal paydowns of investments totaling $91.9 million and net sales of short-term investments of $14.5 million. Net cash used in financing activities was $1.9 million, primarily due to a net change in treasury stock of $2.1 million and the payment of stockholder dividends of $2.9 million. Partially offsetting these were net transfers from separate accounts of $0.8 million and a change in other deposits of $2.3 million.
Debt and Short-Term Borrowing
The Company and certain subsidiaries have access to borrowing capacity through their membership affiliation with the FHLB. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, there were no outstanding balances with the FHLB. The Company has access to unsecured revolving lines of credit of $70.0 million with two major commercial banks with no balances outstanding. These lines of credit will mature in June of 2015. The Company anticipates renewing these lines of credit as they come due.
Capital Resources
The Company considers existing capital resources to be adequate to support the current level of business activities. In addition, the Company's statutory equity exceeds the minimum capital deemed necessary to support its insurance business, as determined by the risk-based capital calculations and guidelines established by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The Company believes these statutory limitations impose no practical restrictions on its dividend payment plans.
The following table shows the capital adequacy for the Company.
 
 
March 31
 
December 31
 
2015
 
2014
Total assets, excluding separate accounts
$
4,190,074

 
$
4,165,366

Total stockholders' equity
757,460

 
742,759

Ratio of stockholders' equity to assets, excluding separate accounts
18
%
 
18
%
The ratio of equity to assets less separate accounts was 18% at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Stockholders' equity increased $14.7 million from year-end 2014. The increase was largely due to net income and other comprehensive income, primarily resulting from an increase in net unrealized gains compared to 2014.
The stock repurchase program was extended by the Board of Directors through January 2016 to permit the purchase of up to one million of the Company's shares on the open market. During the first quarter of 2015, the Company purchased 44,967 shares under the stock repurchase program, totaling $2.1 million. During the first quarter of 2014, the Company did not purchase any shares under the stock repurchase program.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Company purchased 353 shares and sold 132 shares of treasury stock from the Company's employee stock ownership plan for a net increase in treasury stock of less than $0.1 million. The employee stock ownership plan held 22,842 shares of the Company's stock at March 31, 2015.
On April 27, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share, unchanged from the prior year. The dividend will be paid May 13, 2015 to stockholders of record as of May 7, 2015. Total stockholder dividends paid were $2.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 and $3.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.

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Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Periods of volatility and market uncertainty represent a heightened risk for all financial institutions.  Such events could negatively affect the Company and policyholder activity, such as a reduction in sales, increased policy surrenders, increased policy loans, and reduced earnings.  The Company has factored these risks into its risk management processes and its disclosures of financial condition.
Please refer to the Company's 2014 Form 10-K, as amended, for a more complete discussion of quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
As required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b), Kansas City Life Insurance Company management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this report, of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e). Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. As required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(d), Kansas City Life Insurance Company management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, also conducted an evaluation of the Company's internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the period covered by this report materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Based on that evaluation, there has been no such change during the period covered by this report.

55


Part II: Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The life insurance industry, including the Company and its subsidiaries, has been subject to an increase in litigation in recent years. Such litigation has been pursued on behalf of purported classes of insurance purchasers, often questioning the conduct of insurers in the marketing of their products.
In addition to the above, the Company and its subsidiaries are defendants in, or subject to, other claims or legal actions related to insurance and investment products. Some of these claims and legal actions are in jurisdictions where juries are given substantial latitude in assessing damages, including punitive damages.
Although no assurances can be given and no determinations can be made at this time, management believes that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to these other claims and legal actions would not have a material effect on the Company's business, results of operations, or financial position.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The operating results of life insurance companies have historically been subject to significant fluctuations. The factors which could affect the Company's future results include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions and the known trends and uncertainties which are discussed more fully in the Company's Risk Factors included in Part I, Item 1A of the Company's 2014 Form 10-K, as amended.

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
Open Market/Benefit Plans
 
Average
Purchase Price
Paid per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares  Purchased
as a Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Number
of Shares that May
Yet be Purchased
Under the
Plans or Programs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1/1/15 - 1/31/15
 
9,119

1 
$
47.77

 
9,119

 
990,881

 
 
353

2 
48.03

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2/1/15 - 2/28/15
 

1 

 

 
990,881

 
 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3/1/15 - 3/31/15
 
35,848

1 
46.07

 
35,848

 
955,033

 
 

2 

 
 
 
 
Total
 
45,320

 
 
 
44,967

 
 
1 On January 26, 2015, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1,000,000 shares of its common stock through January 25, 2016.
2 Included in this column are the total shares purchased from the employee stock ownership (ESOP) plan sponsored by the Company during the consecutive months of January through March 2015.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not applicable.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.

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Item 5. Other Information
3520 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64111
Contact:
 
Tracy W. Knapp, Chief Financial Officer,
(816) 753-7299, Ext. 8216
For Immediate Release: April 29, 2015 press release reporting financial results for the first quarter of 2015.
Kansas City Life Announces First Quarter 2015 Results
Kansas City Life Insurance Company recorded net income of $6.8 million or $0.63 per share in the first quarter of 2015, an increase of $1.1 million or $0.11 per share relative to the same quarter in the prior year. This improvement reflected increased life insurance premiums and lower operating expenses. Partially offsetting these improvements was a decrease in net investment income that was due to both the continued persistent low interest rate environment and increased investment expenses. In addition, the Company experienced a decrease in realized investment gains versus the first quarter of 2014 and reduced benefits from mortality reinsurance.
On April 27, 2015, the Kansas City Life Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share that will be paid on May 13, 2015 to stockholders of record on May 7, 2015.
Kansas City Life Insurance Company (NASDAQ: KCLI) was established in 1895 and is based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Company's primary business is providing financial protection through the sale of life insurance and annuities. The Company's revenues were $465.0 million in 2014, and assets and life insurance in force were $4.6 billion and $32.0 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2014. The Company operates in 49 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, please see the Company’s Year End Form 10-K, as amended, or please visit www.kclife.com.
Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Condensed Consolidated Income Statement
(amounts in thousands, except share data)
 
Quarter Ended
 
March 31
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues
$
110,805

 
$
115,112

 
 
 
 
Net income
$
6,778

 
$
5,672

 
 
 
 
Net income per share, basic and diluted
$
0.63

 
$
0.52

 
 
 
 
Dividends paid
$
0.27

 
$
0.27

 
 
 
 
Average number of shares outstanding
10,808,570

 
10,968,367


58


Item 6. Exhibits
(a)Exhibits
Exhibit
Number:
 
 
 
 
31(a)
 
Section 302 Certification.
 
 
31(b)
 
Section 302 Certification.
 
 
32(a)
 
Section 1350 Certification.
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Document
 
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

59


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.
 
KANSAS CITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
(Registrant)
/s/ R. Philip Bixby
R. Philip Bixby
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of the Board
 
 
 
/s/ Tracy W. Knapp
Tracy W. Knapp
Senior Vice President, Finance
 
 
 
Date: April 29, 2015

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