Investments

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Investments [Abstract]

Investments

Investments

At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities and equity securities were as follows:

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
June 30, 2014
Fixed maturity securities:
Available for sale:
United States Government full faith and credit	$	38,590	$	310	$	(417	)	$	38,483
United States Government sponsored agencies	1,199,787		21,181		(35,627		)	1,185,341
United States municipalities, states and territories	3,188,026		324,759		(6,587		)	3,506,198
Foreign government obligations	181,120		13,335		(1,492		)	192,963
Corporate securities	17,916,567		1,371,622		(100,814		)	19,187,375
Residential mortgage backed securities	1,747,233		137,213		(13,881		)	1,870,565
Commercial mortgage backed securities	2,249,396		56,897		(10,197		)	2,296,096
Other asset backed securities	1,020,226		34,045		(13,720		)	1,040,551
	$	27,540,945	$	1,959,362	$	(182,735	)	$	29,317,572
Held for investment:
Corporate security	$	76,342	$	—	$	(9,771	)	$	66,571
Equity securities, available for sale:
Finance, insurance, and real estate	$	7,506	$	256	$	—		$	7,762
December 31, 2013
Fixed maturity securities:
Available for sale:
United States Government full faith and credit	$	44,852	$	367	$	(2,294	)	$	42,925
United States Government sponsored agencies	1,313,776		1,875		(121,362		)	1,194,289
United States municipalities, states and territories	3,181,032		164,785		(39,074		)	3,306,743
Foreign government obligations	86,112		8,907		(3,462		)	91,557
Corporate securities	17,142,118		606,948		(516,029		)	17,233,037
Residential mortgage backed securities	1,895,913		119,230		(43,183		)	1,971,960
Commercial mortgage backed securities	1,821,988		3,287		(89,815		)	1,735,460
Other asset backed securities	1,041,939		23,300		(30,763		)	1,034,476
	$	26,527,730	$	928,699	$	(845,982	)	$	26,610,447
Held for investment:
Corporate security	$	76,255	$	—	$	(15,415	)	$	60,840
Equity securities, available for sale:
Finance, insurance, and real estate	$	7,503	$	275	$	—		$	7,778

At June 30, 2014, 31% of our fixed income securities have call features, of which 0.5% ($0.1 billion) were subject to call redemption and another 4% ($1.0 billion) will become subject to call redemption during the next twelve months. $0.5 billion of U.S. Government sponsored agency securities were called during April 2014.

The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities at June 30, 2014, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. All of our mortgage and other asset backed securities provide for periodic payments throughout their lives and are shown below as separate lines.

	Available for sale				Held for investment
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	54,110	$	55,291	$	—	$	—
Due after one year through five years	1,126,677		1,283,155		—		—
Due after five years through ten years	8,235,605		8,498,193		—		—
Due after ten years through twenty years	6,561,087		6,996,599		—		—
Due after twenty years	6,546,611		7,277,122		76,342		66,571
	22,524,090		24,110,360		76,342		66,571
Residential mortgage backed securities	1,747,233		1,870,565		—		—
Commercial mortgage backed securities	2,249,396		2,296,096		—		—
Other asset backed securities	1,020,226		1,040,551		—		—
	$	27,540,945	$	29,317,572	$	76,342	$	66,571

Net unrealized gains on available for sale fixed maturity securities and equity securities reported as a separate component of stockholders' equity were comprised of the following:

	June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net unrealized gains on available for sale fixed maturity securities and equity securities	$	1,776,883		$	82,992
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements	(956,057		)	(46,588		)
Deferred income tax valuation allowance reversal	22,534			22,534
Deferred income tax expense	(287,289		)	(12,742		)
Net unrealized gains reported as accumulated other comprehensive income	$	556,071		$	46,196

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) assigns designations to fixed maturity securities. These designations range from Class 1 (highest quality) to Class 6 (lowest quality). In general, securities are assigned a designation based upon the ratings they are given by the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (“NRSRO’s”). The NAIC designations are utilized by insurers in preparing their annual statutory statements. NAIC Class 1 and 2 designations are considered “investment grade” while NAIC Class 3 through 6 designations are considered “non-investment grade.” Based on the NAIC designations, we had 98% of our fixed maturity portfolio rated investment grade at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

The following table summarizes the credit quality, as determined by NAIC designation, of our fixed maturity portfolio as of the dates indicated:

	June 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
NAIC Designation	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
1	$	17,311,646	$	18,519,001	$	16,394,654	$	16,531,250
2	9,739,539		10,305,239		9,630,251		9,598,399
3	497,545		493,350		502,822		474,165
4	67,353		65,857		74,493		66,078
5	—		—		—		—
6	1,204		696		1,765		1,395
	$	27,617,287	$	29,384,143	$	26,603,985	$	26,671,287

The following table shows our investments' gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities (consisting of 450 and 1,047 securities, respectively) have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

	Less than 12 months					12 months or more					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
	(Dollars in thousands)
June 30, 2014
Fixed maturity securities:
Available for sale:
United States Government full faith and credit	$	—	$	—		$	33,569	$	(417	)	$	33,569	$	(417	)
United States Government sponsored agencies	1,441		(1		)	601,569		(35,626		)	603,010		(35,627		)
United States municipalities, states and territories	32,649		(147		)	185,877		(6,440		)	218,526		(6,587		)
Foreign government obligations	4,943		(32		)	12,984		(1,460		)	17,927		(1,492		)
Corporate securities:
Finance, insurance and real estate	46,685		(1,022		)	711,819		(25,301		)	758,504		(26,323		)
Manufacturing, construction and mining	100,820		(2,063		)	1,404,064		(33,103		)	1,504,884		(35,166		)
Utilities and related sectors	103,620		(1,397		)	602,031		(21,280		)	705,651		(22,677		)
Wholesale/retail trade	32,148		(633		)	102,446		(4,671		)	134,594		(5,304		)
Services, media and other	118,443		(1,623		)	338,878		(9,721		)	457,321		(11,344		)
Residential mortgage backed securities	89,639		(2,094		)	261,664		(11,787		)	351,303		(13,881		)
Commercial mortgage backed securities	47,869		(325		)	497,112		(9,872		)	544,981		(10,197		)
Other asset backed securities	61,023		(1,922		)	269,435		(11,798		)	330,458		(13,720		)
	$	639,280	$	(11,259	)	$	5,021,448	$	(171,476	)	$	5,660,728	$	(182,735	)
Held for investment:
Corporate security:
Insurance	$	—	$	—		$	66,571	$	(9,771	)	$	66,571	$	(9,771	)
December 31, 2013
Fixed maturity securities:
Available for sale:
United States Government full faith and credit	$	32,969	$	(2,294	)	$	—	$	—		$	32,969	$	(2,294	)
United States Government sponsored agencies	692,320		(88,671		)	467,309		(32,691		)	1,159,629		(121,362		)
United States municipalities, states and territories	614,056		(39,074		)	—		—			614,056		(39,074		)
Foreign government obligations	26,298		(3,462		)	—		—			26,298		(3,462		)
Corporate securities:
Finance, insurance and real estate	1,690,846		(92,426		)	153,037		(12,873		)	1,843,883		(105,299		)
Manufacturing, construction and mining	3,370,775		(191,245		)	93,608		(16,088		)	3,464,383		(207,333		)
Utilities and related sectors	1,829,868		(102,758		)	83,550		(11,547		)	1,913,418		(114,305		)
Wholesale/retail trade	428,407		(25,189		)	17,687		(1,992		)	446,094		(27,181		)
Services, media and other	834,699		(51,508		)	107,242		(10,403		)	941,941		(61,911		)
Residential mortgage backed securities	309,599		(41,080		)	31,739		(2,103		)	341,338		(43,183		)
Commercial mortgage backed securities	1,450,143		(83,814		)	51,099		(6,001		)	1,501,242		(89,815		)
Other asset backed securities	356,018		(20,426		)	92,372		(10,337		)	448,390		(30,763		)
	$	11,635,998	$	(741,947	)	$	1,097,643	$	(104,035	)	$	12,733,641	$	(845,982	)
Held for investment:
Corporate security:
Insurance	$	—	$	—		$	60,840	$	(15,415	)	$	60,840	$	(15,415	)

The following is a description of the factors causing the temporary unrealized losses by investment category as of June 30, 2014:

United States Government sponsored agencies: These securities are relatively long in duration; however, they are callable in less than 12 months making the value of such securities sensitive to changes in market interest rates. The timing of when some of these securities were purchased gave rise to unrealized losses at June 30, 2014.

United States municipalities, states and territories: These securities are relatively long in duration and their fair values are sensitive to changes in market interest rates. The timing of the purchase of these securities have resulted in unrealized losses.

Corporate securities: The unrealized losses in these securities are due partially to the timing of purchases. These securities carry yields less than those available at June 30, 2014. In addition, a small number of securities have seen their credit spreads remain wide due to issuer or industry specific news while some financial and industrial sector credit spreads remain wide due to continued economic uncertainty and concerns of economic instability.

Residential mortgage backed securities: At June 30, 2014, we had no exposure to sub-prime residential mortgage backed securities. All of our residential mortgage backed securities are pools of first-lien residential mortgage loans. Substantially all of the securities that we own are in the most senior tranche of the securitization in which they are structured and are not subordinated to any other tranche. Our "Alt-A" residential mortgage backed securities are comprised of 35 securities with a total amortized cost basis of $265.4 million and a fair value of $294.7 million. Despite recent improvements in the capital markets, the fair values of RMBS with weaker borrower characteristics continue at prices below amortized cost. These RMBS prices will likely remain below our cost basis until the housing market is able to absorb current and future foreclosures.

Commercial mortgage backed securities: The unrealized losses in these securities are due partially to the timing of purchases. A number of purchases were at yields lower than what could be executed at the end of this quarter due to the increase in the treasury yield since the time of purchase. Yield spreads for commercial mortgage backed securities have narrowed but management believes remain attractive.

Other asset backed securities: The unrealized losses in these securities are predominantly assigned to financial sector capital trust securities which have longer maturity dates and have declined in price due to prolonged stress in the financial sector. No securities in an unrealized loss position are rated below investment grade.

Approximately 89% and 95% of the unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities shown in the above table for June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, are on securities that are rated investment grade, defined as being the highest two NAIC designations. All of the securities with unrealized losses are current with respect to the payment of principal and interest.

Changes in net unrealized gains on investments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Fixed maturity securities held for investment carried at amortized cost	$	1,607		$	(964	)	$	5,644		$	(353	)
Investments carried at fair value:
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale	$	716,779		$	(1,339,484	)	$	1,693,910		$	(1,458,554	)
Equity securities, available for sale	(6		)	(10,168		)	(19		)	(7,949		)
	716,773			(1,349,652		)	1,693,891			(1,466,503		)
Adjustment for effect on other balance sheet accounts:
Deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements	(372,717		)	707,525			(909,469		)	785,693
Deferred income tax asset/liability	(120,420		)	224,744			(274,547		)	238,283
	(493,137		)	932,269			(1,184,016		)	1,023,976
Change in net unrealized gains on investments carried at fair value	$	223,636		$	(417,383	)	$	509,875		$	(442,527	)

Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 were $130.4 million and $820.2 million, respectively. Scheduled principal repayments, calls and tenders for available for sale securities for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 were $809.0 million and $1.6 billion, respectively.

Realized gains and losses on sales are determined on the basis of specific identification of investments based on the trade date. Net realized gains (losses) on investments, excluding net OTTI losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, are as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Available for sale fixed maturity securities:
Gross realized gains	$	1,173		$	7,628		$	1,357		$	20,643
Gross realized losses	(71		)	(823		)	(762		)	(3,010		)
	1,102			6,805			595			17,633
Available for sale equity securities:
Gross realized gains	—			9,571			—			9,571
Other investments:
Gain on sale of real estate	282			715			1,038			1,304
Loss on sale of real estate	(231		)	—			(231		)	(466		)
Impairment losses on real estate	—			(145		)	(799		)	(145		)
	51			570			8			693
Mortgage loans on real estate:
Increase in allowance for credit losses	(3,383		)	(1,257		)	(3,547		)	(1,623		)
	$	(2,230	)	$	15,689		$	(2,944	)	$	26,274

Losses on available for sale fixed maturity securities were realized primarily due to strategies in place to reposition the fixed maturity security portfolio that result in improved net investment income, risk or duration profiles as they pertain to our asset liability management.

We review and analyze all investments on an ongoing basis for changes in market interest rates and credit deterioration. This review process includes analyzing our ability to recover the amortized cost basis of each investment that has a fair value that is materially lower than its amortized cost and requires a high degree of management judgment and involves uncertainty. The evaluation of securities for other than temporary impairments is a quantitative and qualitative process, which is subject to risks and uncertainties.

We have a policy and process in place to identify securities that could potentially have impairments that are other than temporary. This process involves monitoring market events and other items that could impact issuers. The evaluation includes but is not limited to such factors as:

• the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost or cost;

• whether the issuer is current on all payments and all contractual payments have been made as agreed;

• the remaining payment terms and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer;

• the lack of ability to refinance due to liquidity problems in the credit market;

• the fair value of any underlying collateral;

• the existence of any credit protection available;

• our intent to sell and whether it is more likely than not we would be required to sell prior to recovery for debt securities;

• our assessment in the case of equity securities including perpetual preferred stocks with credit deterioration that the security cannot recover to cost in a reasonable period of time;

• our intent and ability to retain equity securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery;

• consideration of rating agency actions; and

• changes in estimated cash flows of mortgage and asset backed securities.

We determine whether other than temporary impairment losses should be recognized for debt and equity securities by assessing all facts and circumstances surrounding each security. Where the decline in fair value of debt securities is attributable to changes in market interest rates or to factors such as market volatility, liquidity and spread widening, and we anticipate recovery of all contractual or expected cash flows, we do not consider these investments to be other than temporarily impaired because we do not intend to sell these investments and it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell these investments before a recovery of amortized cost, which may be maturity. For equity securities, we recognize an impairment charge in the period in which we do not have the intent and ability to hold the securities until recovery of cost or we determine that the security will not recover to book value within a reasonable period of time. We determine what constitutes a reasonable period of time on a security-by-security basis by considering all the evidence available to us, including the magnitude of any unrealized loss and its duration. In any event, this period does not exceed 18 months from the date of impairment for perpetual preferred securities for which there is evidence of deterioration in credit of the issuer and common equity securities. For perpetual preferred securities absent evidence of a deterioration in credit of the issuer we apply an impairment model, including an anticipated recovery period, similar to a debt security.

Other than temporary impairment losses on equity securities are recognized in operations. If we intend to sell a debt security or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell a debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, other than temporary impairment has occurred and the difference between amortized cost and fair value will be recognized as a loss in operations.

If we do not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell the debt security but also do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security, an impairment loss would be recognized in operations in the amount of the expected credit loss. We determine the amount of expected credit loss by calculating the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected discounted at each security's acquisition yield based on our consideration of whether the security was of high credit quality at the time of acquisition. The difference between the present value of expected future cash flows and the amortized cost basis of the security is the amount of credit loss recognized in operations. The remaining amount of the other than temporary impairment is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).

The determination of the credit loss component of a mortgage backed security is based on a number of factors. The primary consideration in this evaluation process is the issuer's ability to meet current and future interest and principal payments as contractually stated at time of purchase. Our review of these securities includes an analysis of the cash flow modeling under various default scenarios considering independent third party benchmarks, the seniority of the specific tranche within the structure of the security, the composition of the collateral and the actual default, loss severity and prepayment experience exhibited. With the input of third party assumptions for default projections, loss severity and prepayment expectations, we evaluate the cash flow projections to determine whether the security is performing in accordance with its contractual obligation.

We utilize the models from a leading structured product software specialist serving institutional investors. These models incorporate each security's seniority and cash flow structure. In circumstances where the analysis implies a potential for principal loss at some point in the future, we use the "best estimate" cash flow projection discounted at the security's effective yield at acquisition to determine the amount of our potential credit loss associated with this security. The discounted expected future cash flows equates to our expected recovery value. Any shortfall of the expected recovery when compared to the amortized cost of the security will be recorded as the credit loss component of other than temporary impairment.

The cash flow modeling is performed on a security-by-security basis and incorporates actual cash flows on the residential mortgage backed securities through the current period, as well as the projection of remaining cash flows using a number of assumptions including default rates, prepayment rates and loss severity rates. The default curves we use are tailored to the Prime or Alt-A residential mortgage backed securities that we own, which assume lower default rates and loss severity for Prime securities versus Alt-A securities. These default curves are scaled higher or lower depending on factors such as current underlying mortgage loan performance, rating agency loss projections, loan to value ratios, geographic diversity, as well as other appropriate considerations.

The following table presents the range of significant assumptions used to determine the credit loss component of other than temporary impairments we have recognized on residential mortgage backed securities for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, which are all senior level tranches within the structure of the securities:

		Discount Rate				Default Rate				Loss Severity
Sector	Vintage	Min		Max		Min		Max		Min		Max
Six months ended June 30, 2014
Prime	2005	7.5	%	7.5	%	15	%	15	%	50	%	50	%
	2006	6.5	%	7.4	%	11	%	12	%	50	%	50	%
Alt-A	2005	5.6	%	6.4	%	87	%	87	%	2	%	2	%
Six months ended June 30, 2013
Prime	2003	5.1	%	5.1	%	2	%	2	%	30	%	30	%
	2005	6.5	%	7.7	%	8	%	17	%	50	%	50	%
	2006	6.0	%	6.9	%	9	%	16	%	50	%	50	%
	2007	6.5	%	6.7	%	12	%	25	%	40	%	60	%
	2008	6.6	%	6.6	%	16	%	16	%	45	%	45	%
Alt-A	2005	5.6	%	8.7	%	15	%	25	%	5	%	65	%
	2007	6.2	%	6.9	%	38	%	52	%	60	%	65	%

The determination of the credit loss component of a corporate bond (including redeemable preferred stocks) is based on the underlying financial performance of the issuer and their ability to meet their contractual obligations. Considerations in our evaluation include, but are not limited to, credit rating changes, financial statement and ratio analysis, changes in management, significant changes in credit spreads, breaches of financial covenants and a review of the economic outlook for the industry and markets in which they trade. In circumstances where an issuer appears unlikely to meet its future obligation, or the security's price decline is deemed other than temporary, an estimate of credit loss is determined. Credit loss is calculated using default probabilities as derived from the credit default swaps markets in conjunction with recovery rates derived from independent third party analysis or a best estimate of credit loss. This credit loss rate is then incorporated into a present value calculation based on an expected principal loss in the future discounted at the yield at the date of purchase and compared to amortized cost to determine the amount of credit loss associated with the security.

In addition, for debt securities which we do not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell, but our intent changes due to changes or events that could not have been reasonably anticipated, an other than temporary impairment charge is recognized. Once an impairment charge has been recorded, we then continue to review the other than temporarily impaired securities for appropriate valuation on an ongoing basis. Unrealized losses may be recognized in future periods through a charge to earnings, should we later conclude that the decline in fair value below amortized cost is other than temporary pursuant to our accounting policy described above. The use of different methodologies and assumptions to determine the fair value of investments and the timing and amount of impairments may have a material effect on the amounts presented in our consolidated financial statements.

The following table summarizes other than temporary impairments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, by asset type:

	Number of Securities	Total OTTI Losses			Portion of OTTI Losses Recognized from Other Comprehensive Income			Net OTTI Losses Recognized in Operations
		(Dollars in thousands)
Three months ended June 30, 2014
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale:
Residential mortgage backed securities	3	$	—		$	(594	)	$	(594	)
Three months ended June 30, 2013
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale:
United States Government sponsored agencies	2	$	(2,775	)	$	—		$	(2,775	)
Six months ended June 30, 2014
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale:
Residential mortgage backed securities	5	$	—		$	(1,499	)	$	(1,499	)
Six months ended June 30, 2013
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale:
United States Government sponsored agencies	2	$	(2,775	)	$	—		$	(2,775	)
Corporate securities:
Industrial	1	(1,761		)	—			(1,761		)
Residential mortgage backed securities	5	—			(1,048		)	(1,048		)
Equity security, available for sale:
Industrial	1	(428		)	—			(428		)
	9	$	(4,964	)	$	(1,048	)	$	(6,012	)

The cumulative portion of other than temporary impairments determined to be credit losses which have been recognized in operations for debt securities are summarized as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Cumulative credit loss at beginning of period	$	(126,865	)	$	(129,813	)	$	(125,960	)	$	(134,027	)
Credit losses on securities for which OTTI has not previously been recognized	—			(2,775		)	—			(4,536		)
Additional credit losses on securities for which OTTI has previously been recognized	(594		)	—			(1,499		)	(1,048		)
Accumulated losses on securities that were disposed of during the period	—			4,075			—			11,098
Cumulative credit loss at end of period	$	(127,459	)	$	(128,513	)	$	(127,459	)	$	(128,513	)

The following table summarizes the cumulative noncredit portion of OTTI and the change in fair value since recognition of OTTI, both of which were recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), by major type of security, for securities that are part of our investment portfolio at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

	Amortized Cost		OTTI Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income			Change in Fair Value Since OTTI was Recognized		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
June 30, 2014
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale:
Corporate securities	$	—	$	—		$	27	$	27
Residential mortgage backed securities	625,765		(174,835		)	222,567		673,497
	$	625,765	$	(174,835	)	$	222,594	$	673,524
December 31, 2013
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale:
Corporate securities	$	—	$	—		$	20	$	20
Residential mortgage backed securities	679,265		(176,334		)	216,061		718,992
	$	679,265	$	(176,334	)	$	216,081	$	719,012