| Investments |
Investments
The period-end cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of fixed-maturity and equity securities follow: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | December 31, 2011 | | Cost or amortized cost | | Gross unrealized gains | | Gross unrealized losses | | Fair value | | (In thousands) | Securities available for sale, carried at fair value: | | | | | | | | Fixed-maturity securities: | | | | | | | | U.S. government and agencies | $ | 10,050 |
| | $ | 935 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 10,985 |
| Foreign government | 97,206 |
| | 14,818 |
| | (179 | ) | | 111,845 |
| States and political subdivisions | 28,264 |
| | 2,671 |
| | — |
| | 30,935 |
| Corporates (1) | 1,250,702 |
| | 111,346 |
| | (7,847 | ) | | 1,354,201 |
| Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | 425,137 |
| | 29,398 |
| | (3,345 | ) | | 451,190 |
| Total fixed-maturity securities | 1,811,359 |
| | 159,168 |
| | (11,371 | ) | | 1,959,156 |
| Equity securities | 21,329 |
| | 5,689 |
| | (306 | ) | | 26,712 |
| Total fixed-maturity and equity securities | $ | 1,832,688 |
| | $ | 164,857 |
| | $ | (11,677 | ) | | $ | 1,985,868 |
|
____________________ | | (1) | Includes $2.6 million of other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in AOCI. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | December 31, 2010 | | Cost or amortized cost | | Gross unrealized gains | | Gross unrealized losses | | Fair value | | (In thousands) | Securities available for sale, carried at fair value: | | | | | | | | Fixed-maturity securities: | | | | | | | | U.S. government and agencies | $ | 21,596 |
| | $ | 667 |
| | $ | (61 | ) | | $ | 22,202 |
| Foreign government | 81,367 |
| | 13,182 |
| | (8 | ) | | 94,541 |
| States and political subdivisions | 26,758 |
| | 754 |
| | (293 | ) | | 27,219 |
| Corporates (1) | 1,276,906 |
| | 112,821 |
| | (3,806 | ) | | 1,385,921 |
| Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | 523,130 |
| | 31,366 |
| | (3,018 | ) | | 551,478 |
| Total fixed-maturity securities | 1,929,757 |
| | 158,790 |
| | (7,186 | ) | | 2,081,361 |
| Equity securities | 17,394 |
| | 5,826 |
| | (7 | ) | | 23,213 |
| Total fixed-maturity and equity securities | $ | 1,947,151 |
| | $ | 164,616 |
| | $ | (7,193 | ) | | $ | 2,104,574 |
|
____________________ | | (1) | Includes $3.5 million of other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in AOCI. |
In November 2011, we repurchased approximately $200.0 million of our common stock from Citi and funded the repurchase with the proceeds from a dividend paid by Primerica Life. The dividend from Primerica Life to the Parent Company was funded via sales of investments and available cash. The decrease in invested assets as of December 31, 2011 was primarily the result of securities sold to fund the dividend. The net effect on stockholders’ equity of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities was as follows: | | | | | | | | | | December 31, | | 2011 | | 2010 | | (In thousands) | Net unrealized investment gains including foreign currency translation adjustment and other-than-temporary impairments: | | | | Fixed-maturity and equity securities | $ | 153,180 |
| | $ | 157,423 |
| Currency swaps | 96 |
| | 1,059 |
| Less foreign currency translation adjustment | (6,481 | ) | | (9,600 | ) | Other-than-temporary impairments | 2,562 |
| | 3,500 |
| Net unrealized investment gains excluding foreign currency translation adjustment and other-than-temporary impairments | 149,357 |
| | 152,382 |
| Less deferred income taxes | 52,275 |
| | 54,060 |
| Net unrealized investment gains excluding foreign currency translation adjustment and other-than-temporary impairments, net of tax | $ | 97,082 |
| | $ | 98,322 |
|
We also maintain a portfolio of fixed-maturity securities that are classified as trading securities. The carrying value of these securities was as follows: | | | | | | | | | | December 31, | | 2011 | | 2010 | | (In thousands) | Fixed-maturity securities classified as trading, carried at fair value | $ | 9,640 |
| | $ | 22,767 |
|
During 2011, we transferred approximately $8.9 million of securities from the trading portfolio to the available-for-sale portfolio. Because the securities were transferred at fair value, no gain or loss was recognized. All of our available-for-sale mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent variable interests in variable interest entities (VIEs). We are not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs, because we do not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entities’ economic performance. The maximum exposure to loss as a result of our involvement in these VIEs equals the carrying value of the securities. As required by law, the Company has investments on deposit with governmental authorities and banks for the protection of policyholders. The fair values of investments on deposit were as follows: | | | | | | | | | | December 31, | | 2011 | | 2010 | | (In thousands) | Fair value of investments on deposit with governmental authorities | $ | 19,100 |
| | $ | 18,984 |
|
We participate in securities lending transactions with broker-dealers and other financial institutions to increase investment income with minimal risk. Cash collateral received and reinvested was as follows: | | | | | | | | | | December 31, | | 2011 | | 2010 | | (In thousands) | Securities lending collateral | $ | 149,358 |
| | $ | 181,726 |
|
The scheduled maturity distribution of the available-for-sale fixed-maturity portfolio follows. | | | | | | | | | | December 31, 2011 | | Amortized cost | | Fair value | | (In thousands) | Due in one year or less | $ | 129,440 |
| | $ | 132,660 |
| Due after one year through five years | 622,321 |
| | 663,968 |
| Due after five years through 10 years | 583,762 |
| | 653,078 |
| Due after 10 years | 50,699 |
| | 58,260 |
| | 1,386,222 |
| | 1,507,966 |
| Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | 425,137 |
| | 451,190 |
| Total fixed-maturity securities | $ | 1,811,359 |
| | $ | 1,959,156 |
|
Expected maturities may differ from scheduled contractual maturities because issuers of securities may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Investment Income. On March 31, 2010, we transferred a significant portion of our invested asset portfolio to the Citi reinsurers in connection with our corporate reorganization. As such, comparisons of net investment income to prior years will reflect the effects of these transfers and result in significant variances. The components of net investment income were as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Year ended December 31, | | 2011 | | 2010 | | 2009 | | (In thousands) | Fixed-maturity securities | $ | 109,907 |
| | $ | 168,051 |
| | $ | 352,753 |
| Equity securities | 717 |
| | 1,822 |
| | 6,923 |
| Policy loans and other invested assets | 1,414 |
| | 1,403 |
| | 1,549 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 307 |
| | 562 |
| | 2,887 |
| Market return on deposit asset underlying 10% reinsurance agreement | 2,020 |
| | 1,471 |
| | 299 |
| Gross investment income | 114,365 |
| | 173,309 |
| | 364,411 |
| Investment expenses | 5,764 |
| | 8,198 |
| | 13,085 |
| Net investment income | $ | 108,601 |
| | $ | 165,111 |
| | $ | 351,326 |
|
The components of net realized investment gains (losses) as well as details on gross realized investment gains and losses and proceeds from sales or other redemptions were as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Year ended December 31, | | 2011 | | 2010 | | 2009 | | (In thousands) | Gross realized investment gains (losses): | | | | | | Gains from sales | $ | 8,382 |
| | $ | 47,925 |
| | $ | 42,983 |
| Losses from sales | (441 | ) | | (2,257 | ) | | (3,518 | ) | Other-than-temporary impairment losses | (2,015 | ) | | (12,158 | ) | | (61,394 | ) | Gains (losses) from bifurcated options | 514 |
| | 635 |
| | (41 | ) | Net realized investment gains (losses) | $ | 6,440 |
| | $ | 34,145 |
| | $ | (21,970 | ) | Gross realized investment gains reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income | $ | 5,926 |
| | $ | 33,510 |
| | $ | (21,929 | ) | Proceeds from sales or other redemptions | $ | 592,968 |
| | $ | 1,543,976 |
| | $ | 1,592,687 |
|
Other-Than-Temporary Impairment. We conduct a review each quarter to identify and evaluate impaired investments that have indications of possible other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI). An investment in a debt or equity security is impaired if its fair value falls below its cost. Factors considered in determining whether an unrealized loss is temporary include the length of time and extent to which fair value has been below cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects for the issue, and our ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery, which may be maturity. Our review for other-than-temporary impairment generally entails: | | • | Analysis of individual investments that have fair values less than a pre-defined percentage of amortized cost, including consideration of the length of time the investment has been in an unrealized loss position; |
| | • | Analysis of corporate fixed-maturity securities by reviewing the issuer’s most recent performance to date, including analyst reviews, analyst outlooks and rating agency information; |
| | • | Analysis of commercial mortgage-backed securities based on an assessment of performance to date, credit enhancement, risk analytics and outlook, underlying collateral, loss projections, rating agency information and available third-party reviews and analytics; |
| | • | Analysis of residential mortgage-backed securities based on loss projections provided by models compared to current credit enhancement levels; |
| | • | Analysis of our other fixed-maturity and equity security investments, as required based on the type of investment; and |
| | • | Analysis of downward credit migrations that occurred during the quarter. |
Investments in fixed-maturity and equity securities with a cost basis in excess of their fair values were as follows: | | | | | | | | | | December 31, | | 2011 | | 2010 | | (In thousands) | Fixed-maturity and equity security investments with cost basis in excess of fair value | $ | 286,718 |
| | $ | 258,947 |
|
The following tables summarize, for all securities in an unrealized loss position, the aggregate fair value and the gross unrealized loss by length of time such securities have continuously been in an unrealized loss position: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | December 31, 2011 | | Less than 12 months | | 12 months or longer | | Fair value | | Unrealized losses | | Number of securities | | Fair value | | Unrealized losses | | Number of securities | | (Dollars in thousands) | Fixed-maturity securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | U.S. government and agencies | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | — |
| Foreign government | 7,150 |
| | (179 | ) | | 10 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| States and political subdivisions | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| Corporates | 188,643 |
| | (6,979 | ) | | 185 |
| | 4,092 |
| | (868 | ) | | 11 |
| Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | 49,026 |
| | (478 | ) | | 60 |
| | 25,280 |
| | (2,867 | ) | | 30 |
| Total fixed-maturity securities | 244,819 |
| | (7,636 | ) | | | | 29,372 |
| | (3,735 | ) | | | Equity securities | 850 |
| | (306 | ) | | 78 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| Total fixed-maturity and equity securities | $ | 245,669 |
| | $ | (7,942 | ) | | | | $ | 29,372 |
| | $ | (3,735 | ) | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | December 31, 2010 | | Less than 12 months | | 12 months or longer | | Fair value | | Unrealized losses | | Number of securities | | Fair value | | Unrealized losses | | Number of securities | | (Dollars in thousands) | Fixed-maturity securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | U.S. government and agencies | $ | 6,350 |
| | $ | (61 | ) | | 2 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | — |
| Foreign government | 2,478 |
| | (8 | ) | | 1 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| States and political subdivisions | 11,015 |
| | (293 | ) | | 29 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| Corporates | 151,291 |
| | (2,961 | ) | | 104 |
| | 12,690 |
| | (845 | ) | | 14 |
| Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | 30,685 |
| | (365 | ) | | 25 |
| | 37,215 |
| | (2,653 | ) | | 20 |
| Total fixed-maturity securities | 201,819 |
| | (3,688 | ) | | | | 49,905 |
| | (3,498 | ) | | | Equity securities | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 30 |
| | (7 | ) | | 2 |
| Total fixed-maturity and equity securities | $ | 201,819 |
| | $ | (3,688 | ) | | | | $ | 49,935 |
| | $ | (3,505 | ) | | |
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities in default were as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | December 31, 2011 | | December 31, 2010 | | Amortized cost | | Fair value | | Amortized cost | | Fair value | | (In thousands) | Fixed-maturity securities in default | $ | 3,983 |
| | $ | 5,168 |
| | $ | 970 |
| | $ | 1,558 |
|
Impairment charges recognized in earnings on available-for-sale securities were as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Year ended December 31, | | 2011 | | 2010 | | 2009 | | (In thousands) | Impairments on fixed-maturity securities in default | $ | 179 |
| | $ | 39 |
| | $ | 20,275 |
| Impairments on fixed-maturity securities not in default | 1,831 |
| | 11,855 |
| | 38,765 |
| Impairments on equity securities | 5 |
| | 264 |
| | 2,354 |
| Total impairment charges | $ | 2,015 |
| | $ | 12,158 |
| | $ | 61,394 |
|
The fixed-maturity and equity securities noted above were considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired due to adverse credit events, such as news of an impending filing for bankruptcy; analyses of the issuer’s most recent financial statements or other information in which liquidity deficiencies, significant losses and large declines in capitalization were evident; and analyses of rating agency information for issuances with severe ratings downgrades that indicated a significant increase in the possibility of default. During 2011, we recognized impairment charges primarily as a result of further declines in the fair value of previously impaired corporate and mortgage-backed securities. During 2010 and 2009, we recognized impairments primarily as a result of our intent to sell certain corporate and mortgage-backed securities in anticipation of the reinsurance and reorganization transactions. As of December 31, 2011, the unrealized losses on our invested asset portfolio were largely caused by interest rate sensitivity and changes in credit spreads. We believe that fluctuations caused by interest rate movement have little bearing on the recoverability of our investment. Because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality, and because we have the ability to hold these investments until a market price recovery or maturity as well as no present intention to dispose of them, we do not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired. Net impairment losses recognized in earnings were as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Year ended December 31, | | 2011 | | 2010 | | 2009 | | (In thousands) | Impairment losses related to securities which the Company does not intend to sell or is more-likely-than-not that it will not be required to sell: | | | | | | Total OTTI losses recognized | $ | 1,109 |
| | $ | 1,402 |
| | $ | 34,616 |
| Less portion of OTTI loss recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (183 | ) | | (553 | ) | | (13,573 | ) | Net impairment losses recognized in earnings for securities that the Company does not intend to sell or is more-likely-than-not that it will not be required to sell before recovery | 926 |
| | 849 |
| | 21,043 |
| OTTI losses recognized in earnings for securities that the Company intends to sell or more-likely-than-not will be required to sell before recovery | 1,089 |
| | 11,309 |
| | 40,351 |
| Net impairment losses recognized in earnings | $ | 2,015 |
| | $ | 12,158 |
| | $ | 61,394 |
|
The roll-forward of the credit-related losses recognized in income for all fixed-maturity securities still held follows. | | | | | | | | | | Year ended December 31, | | 2011 | | 2010 | | (In thousands) | Cumulative OTTI credit losses recognized for securities still held, beginning of period | $ | 41,129 |
| | $ | 98,528 |
| Additions for OTTI securities where no credit losses were recognized prior to the beginning of the period | 830 |
| | 9,842 |
| Additions for OTTI securities where credit losses have been recognized prior to the beginning of the period | 1,180 |
| | 2,052 |
| Reductions due to sales, maturities or calls of credit impaired securities | (9,067 | ) | | (69,293 | ) | Cumulative OTTI credit losses recognized for securities still held, end of period | $ | 34,072 |
| | $ | 41,129 |
|
Derivatives. We use foreign currency swaps to reduce our foreign exchange risk due to direct investment in foreign currency-denominated debt securities. The aggregate notional balance and fair value of these currency swaps follow. | | | | | | | | | | December 31, | | 2011 | | 2010 | | (In thousands) | Aggregate notional balance of currency swaps | $ | 5,878 |
| | $ | 5,878 |
| Aggregate fair value of currency swaps | (2,032 | ) | | (2,228 | ) |
The change in fair value of these currency swaps is reflected in other comprehensive income as they effectively hedge the variability in cash flows from these foreign currency-denominated debt securities. The embedded conversion options associated with fixed-maturity securities are bifurcated from the fixed-maturity security host contracts and separately recognized as equity securities. The change in fair value of these bifurcated conversion options is reflected in realized investment gains, including OTTI losses. The fair value of these bifurcated options follows. | | | | | | | | | | December 31, | | 2011 | | 2010 | | (In thousands) | Aggregate fair value of embedded conversion options | $ | 8,583 |
| | $ | 3,269 |
|
We have a deferred loss related to closed forward contracts that were used to mitigate our exposure to foreign currency exchange rates that resulted from the net investment in our Canadian operations. The amount of deferred loss included in accumulated other comprehensive income was as follows: | | | | | | | | | | December 31, | | 2011 | | 2010 | | (In thousands) | Deferred loss related to closed forward contracts | $ | 26,385 |
| | $ | 26,385 |
|
While we have no current intention to do so, these deferred losses will not be recognized until such time as we sell or substantially liquidate our Canadian operations |