10-Q 1 form10q.htm PLICO 10 Q 3-31-06 PLICO 10 Q 3-31-06


 
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, 2006
 
or
 
[ ] 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 001-31901
 
Protective Life Insurance Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Tennessee
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
63-0169720
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
 
2801 Highway 280 South
Birmingham, Alabama 35223
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
 
(205) 268-1000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 ________________
 
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 [ ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer o  Accelerated Filer o  Non-accelerated filer ý
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [ X ]
 
Number of shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, outstanding as of May 15, 2006: 5,000,000 shares.
 
 



PROTECTIVE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
For Quarter Ended March 31, 2006
 
INDEX
 
 
Part I.
Financial Information:
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements (unaudited):
 
 
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income for the
 
Three Months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005
 
 
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2006
 
and December 31, 2005
 
 
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the
 
Three Months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
 
 
   
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
 
and Results of Operations
 
   
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
   
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
 
   
Part II.
Other Information:
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
 
     
Item 6.
Exhibits
 
   
Signature 
 
   




PROTECTIVE LIFE INURANCE COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 


 

 
 

 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Three Months Ended
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    March 31
 
2006
   
2005
 

Revenues
         
Gross premiums and policy fees
 
$
480,748
 
$
466,705
 
Reinsurance ceded
   
(249,086
)
 
(279,534
)
Net premiums and policy fees
   
231,662
   
187,171
 
Net investment income
   
282,452
   
275,695
 
Realized investment gains (losses):
Derivative financial instruments
   
19,324
   
(5,847
)
All other investments
   
4,015
   
27,877
 
Other income
   
17,428
   
14,211
 
Total revenues
   
554,881
   
499,107
 
Benefits and expenses
Benefits and settlement expenses, net of reinsurance ceded:
(three months: 2006 - $240,821; 2005 - $261,546)
   
349,608
   
300,435
 
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
   
49,262
   
74,251
 
Other operating expenses, net of reinsurance ceded:
(three months: 2006 - $37,269; 2005 - $36,303)
   
46,936
   
33,301
 
Total benefits and expenses
   
445,806
   
407,987
 
Income before income tax
   
109,075
   
91,120
 
Income tax expense
   
39,267
   
31,409
 
Net income
 
$
69,808
 
$
59,711
 



See Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

 
 
 


PROTECTIVE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
March 31
December 31
 
2006
2005

Assets
Investments:
Fixed maturities, at market (amortized cost: 2006 - $14,570,656; 2005 - $14,735,583)
 
$
14,534,478
 
$
15,037,225
 
Equity securities, at market (cost: 2006 - $82,041; 2005 - $79,322)
   
87,900
   
85,340
 
Mortgage loans on real estate
   
3,411,337
   
3,287,745
 
Investment in real estate, net of accumulated depreciation
(2006 - $363; 2005 - $899)
   
61,223
   
65,301
 
Policy loans
   
456,147
   
458,825
 
Other long-term investments
   
260,447
   
273,768
 
Short-term investments
   
829,251
   
755,805
 
 
Total investments
   
19,640,783
   
19,964,009
 
Cash
   
7,619
   
52,086
 
Accrued investment income
   
189,892
   
185,546
 
Accounts and premiums receivable, net of allowance uncollectible amounts
(2006 - $2,124; 2005 - $2,149)
   
43,329
   
60,983
 
Reinsurance receivables
   
3,105,664
   
2,993,240
 
Deferred policy acquisition costs
   
2,378,924
   
2,204,111
 
Goodwill
   
38,782
   
38,782
 
Property and equipment, net
   
40,560
   
41,484
 
Other assets
   
85,168
   
80,915
 
Income tax receivable
   
97,949
   
88,985
 
Assets related to separate accounts
Variable annuity
   
2,447,968
   
2,377,124
 
Variable universal life
   
269,532
   
251,329
 
   
$
28,346,170
 
$
28,338,594
 
 
Liabilities
Policy liabilities and accruals
 
$
12,167,947
 
$
11,848,528
 
Stable value product account balances
   
5,873,092
   
6,057,721
 
Annuity account balances
   
3,330,897
   
3,388,005
 
Other policyholders' funds
   
146,637
   
147,233
 
Other liabilities
   
801,207
   
880,425
 
Deferred income taxes
   
255,909
   
290,231
 
Non-recourse funding obligations
   
150,000
   
125,000
 
Liabilities related to variable interest entities
   
42,388
   
42,604
 
Liabilities related to separate accounts
Variable annuity
   
2,447,968
   
2,377,124
 
Variable universal life
   
269,532
   
251,329
 
     
25,485,577
   
25,408,200
 
Commitments and contingent liabilities - Note 2
             
 
Share-owner's equity
Preferred Stock, $1 par value, shares authorized and issued: 2,000, liquidation preference $2,000
   
2
   
2
 
Common Stock, $1 par value, shares authorized and issued: 5,000,000
   
5,000
   
5,000
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
932,805
   
932,805
 
Note receivable from PLC Employee Stock Ownership Plan
   
(1,995
)
 
(2,507
)
Retained earnings
   
1,959,417
   
1,889,611
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss): 
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of income tax:
(2006 - $(21,062); 2005 - $57,795)
   
(39,670
)
 
104,753
 
Accumulated gain - hedging, net of income tax: (2006 - $2,673; 2005 - $393)
   
5,034
   
730
 
     
2,860,593
   
2,930,394
 
   
$
28,346,170
 
$
28,338,594
 

 
PROTECTIVE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31
 
2006
2005

Cash flows from operating activities
Net income
 
$
69,808
 
$
59,711
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Realized investment gains
   
(4,015
)
 
(27,877
)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
   
49,262
   
74,251
 
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs
   
(111,132
)
 
(98,572
)
Depreciation expense
   
3,164
   
3,843
 
Deferred income tax
   
42,876
   
7,355
 
Accrued income tax
   
(8,964
)
 
3,173
 
Interest credited to universal life and investment products
   
189,714
   
175,257
 
Policy fees assessed on universal life and investment products
   
(119,662
)
 
(96,921
)
Change in reinsurance receivables
   
(112,424
)
 
(86,144
)
Change in accrued investment income and other receivables
   
13,307
   
(8,134
)
Change in policy liabilities and other policyholders' funds of traditional
life and health products
   
262,122
   
157,264
 
Change in other liabilities
   
(54,915
)
 
333,939
 
Other, net
   
(14,006
)
 
732
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
205,135
   
497,877
 
Cash flows from investing activities
Investments available for sale:
             
Maturities and principal reductions of investments
             
Fixed maturities
   
265,356
   
422,148
 
Equity securities
   
0
   
94
 
Sale of investments
             
Fixed maturities
   
2,073,708
   
1,028,680
 
Equity securities
   
1,858
   
1,326
 
Cost of investments acquired
             
Fixed maturities
   
(2,176,778
)
 
(2,473,826
)
Equity securities
   
(1,706
)
 
(14,359
)
Mortgage loans:
             
New borrowings
   
(262,617
)
 
(131,113
)
Repayments
   
141,448
   
92,263
 
Change in investment in real estate, net
   
9,647
   
1,478
 
Change in policy loans, net
   
2,678
   
10,435
 
Change in other long-term investments, net
   
18,402
   
6,141
 
Change in short-term investments, net
   
(83,017
)
 
276,533
 
Purchase of property and equipment
   
(1,210
)
 
(2,460
)
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(12,231
)
 
(782,660
)
 
Cash flows from financing activities
             
Principal payments on line of credit arrangement and debt
   
0
   
(9
)
Payments on liabilities related to variable interest entities
   
(216
)
 
(457
)
Issuance of non-recourse funding obligations
   
25,000
   
0
 
Investment product deposits and change in universal life deposits
   
486,646
   
734,458
 
Investment product withdrawals
   
(748,801
)
 
(652,232
)
Other financing activities, net
   
0
   
125,000
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
   
(237,371
)
 
206,760
 
Change in cash
   
(44,467
)
 
(78,023
)
Cash at beginning of period
   
52,086
   
110,456
 
Cash at end of period
 
$
7,619
 
$
32,433
 



See Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

 
 
 


PROTECTIVE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in tables are in thousands)


1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements of Protective Life Insurance Company and subsidiaries (the “Company") have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring items) necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Operating results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2006. The year-end consolidated condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Corporation ("PLC").

Certain reclassifications have been made in the previously reported financial statements and accompanying notes to make the prior period amounts comparable to those of the current period. Such reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income or share-owner’s equity.

2. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

Under insurance guaranty fund laws, in most states insurance companies doing business therein can be assessed up to prescribed limits for policyholder losses incurred by insolvent companies. The Company does not believe such assessments will be materially different from amounts already provided for in the financial statements. Most of these laws do provide, however, that an assessment may be excused or deferred if it would threaten an insurer's own financial strength.

A number of civil jury verdicts have been returned against insurers and other providers of financial services involving sales practices, alleged agent misconduct, failure to properly supervise representatives, relationships with agents or persons with whom the insurer does business, and other matters. Increasingly these lawsuits have resulted in the award of substantial judgments that are disproportionate to the actual damages, including material amounts of punitive and non-economic compensatory damages. In some states, juries, judges, and arbitrators have substantial discretion in awarding punitive and non-economic compensatory damages, which creates the potential for unpredictable material adverse judgments or awards in any given lawsuit or arbitration. Arbitration awards are subject to very limited appellate review. In addition, in some class action and other lawsuits, companies have made material settlement payments. The Company, like other financial services companies, in the ordinary course of business, is involved in such litigation and arbitration. Although the outcome of any such litigation or arbitration cannot be predicted, the Company believes that at the present time there are no pending or threatened lawsuits that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations, or liquidity of the Company.

3. Operating Segments

The Company operates several business segments each having a strategic focus. An operating segment is generally distinguished by products and/or channels of distribution. A brief description of each segment follows:

·  
The Life Marketing segment markets level premium term and term-like insurance (collectively “traditional life”), universal life, variable universal life and “bank owned life insurance” (“BOLI”) products on a national basis primarily through networks of independent insurance agents and brokers, stockbrokers, and independent marketing organizations.

·  
The Acquisitions segment focuses on acquiring, converting, and servicing policies acquired from other companies. The segment's primary focus is on life insurance policies sold to individuals.

·  
The Annuities segment manufactures, sells, and supports fixed and variable annuity products. These products are primarily sold through stockbrokers, but are also sold through financial institutions and independent agents and brokers.

·  
The Stable Value Products segment sells guaranteed funding agreements (“GFAs”) to special purpose entities that in turn issue notes or certificates in smaller, transferable denominations. The segment also markets fixed and floating rate funding agreements directly to the trustees of municipal bond proceeds, institutional investors, bank trust departments, and money market funds. Additionally, the segment markets guaranteed investment contracts (“GICs”) to 401(k) and other qualified retirement savings plans.

·  
The Asset Protection segment primarily markets extended service contracts and credit life and disability insurance to protect consumers’ investments in automobiles and watercraft. In addition, the segment markets an inventory protection product and a guaranteed asset protection (“GAP”) product.

The Company has an additional segment referred to as Corporate and Other. The Corporate and Other segment primarily consists of net investment income and expenses not attributable to the segments above (including net investment income on unallocated capital). This segment also includes earnings from several small non-strategic lines of business (primarily cancer insurance, residual value insurance, surety insurance, and group annuities), various investment-related transactions, and the operations of several small subsidiaries.

The Company uses the same accounting policies and procedures to measure segment operating income and assets as it uses to measure its consolidated net income and assets. Segment operating income is generally income before income tax, excluding net realized investment gains and losses (net of the related amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and participating income from real estate ventures). Periodic settlements of derivatives associated with certain investments and annuity products are included in realized gains and losses but are considered part of operating income because the derivatives are used to mitigate risk in items affecting consolidated and segment operating income. Segment operating income represents the basis on which the performance of the Company’s business is internally assessed by management. Premiums and policy fees, other income, benefits and settlement expenses, and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs are attributed directly to each operating segment. Net investment income is allocated based on directly related assets required for transacting the business of that segment. Realized investment gains (losses) and other operating expenses are allocated to the segments in a manner that most appropriately reflects the operations of that segment. Investments and other assets are allocated based on statutory policy liabilities, while deferred policy acquisition costs and goodwill are shown in the segments to which they are attributable.

There are no significant intersegment transactions.



The following tables summarize financial information for the Company’s segments. Asset adjustments represent the inclusion of assets related to previously reported discontinued operations.

   
Three Months Ended
March 31
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Revenues
         
Life Marketing
 
$
188,230
 
$
135,129
 
Acquisitions
   
101,451
   
102,546
 
Annuities
   
63,419
   
92,913
 
Stable Value Products
   
77,379
   
74,494
 
Asset Protection
   
69,218
   
64,760
 
Corporate and Other
   
55,184
   
29,265
 
Total revenues
 
$
554,881
 
$
499,107
 


Segment Operating Income
         
Life Marketing
 
$
39,983
 
$
37,698
 
Acquisitions
   
19,906
   
21,076
 
Annuities
   
4,396
   
3,811
 
Stable Value Products
   
12,344
   
14,399
 
Asset Protection
   
8,543
   
6,224
 
Corporate and Other
   
5,343
   
9,115
 
Total segment operating income
   
90,515
   
92,323
 
               
Realized investment gains (losses) - investments(1)
   
(1,311
)
 
5,465
 
Realized investment gains (losses) - derivatives(2)
   
19,871
   
(6,668
)
Income tax expense
   
(39,267
)
 
(31,409
)
Net income
 
$
69,808
 
$
59,711
 
               
(1) Realized investment gains (losses) - investments
 
$
4,015
 
$
27,877
 
Less participating income from real estate ventures
   
5,326
   
0
 
Less related amortization of DAC
   
0
   
22,412
 
   
$
(1,311
)
$
5,465
 
               
(2) Realized investment gains (losses) - derivatives
 
$
19,324
 
$
(5,847
)
Less settlements on certain interest rate swaps
   
104
   
821
 
Less derivative losses related to certain annuities
   
(651
)
 
0
 
   
$
19,871
 
$
(6,668
)



                                                                           Operating Segment Assets
                                                                           March 31, 2006
                                                                    (Dollars in thousands)
   
Life
Marketing
 
Acquisitions
 
Annuities
 
Stable Value
Products
 
                   
Investments and other assets
 
$
7,470,167
 
$
3,869,571
 
$
6,131,131
 
$
5,761,450
 
Deferred policy acquisition costs
   
1,714,490
   
340,994
   
122,606
   
18,159
 
Goodwill
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
 
Total assets
 
$
9,184,657
 
$
4,210,565
 
$
6,253,737
 
$
5,779,609
 
 

   
Asset
Protection
 
Corporate
and Other
 
Adjustments
 
Total
Consolidated
 
                   
Investments and other assets
 
$
709,475
 
$
1,948,535
 
$
38,135
 
$
25,928,464
 
Deferred policy acquisition costs
   
154,812
   
27,863
   
0
   
2,378,924
 
Goodwill
   
38,782
   
0
   
0
   
38,782
 
Total assets
 
$
903,069
 
$
1,976,398
 
$
38,135
 
$
28,346,170
 



                                                                       Operating Segment Assets
                                                                          December 31, 2005
                                                                (Dollars in thousands)
   
Life
Marketing
 
Acquisitions
 
Annuities
 
Stable Value
Products
 
                   
Investments and other assets
 
$
7,205,218
 
$
3,940,294
 
$
6,062,542
 
$
5,959,112
 
Deferred policy acquisition costs
   
1,584,121
   
304,837
   
128,930
   
19,102
 
Goodwill
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
 
Total assets
 
$
8,789,339
 
$
4,245,131
 
$
6,191,472
 
$
5,978,214
 



   
Asset
Protection
 
Corporate
and Other
 
Adjustments
 
Total
Consolidated
 
                   
Investments and other assets
 
$
718,389
 
$
2,172,036
 
$
38,110
 
$
26,095,701
 
Deferred policy acquisition costs
   
159,740
   
7,381
   
0
   
2,204,111
 
Goodwill
   
38,782
   
0
   
0
   
38,782
 
Total assets
 
$
916,911
 
$
2,179,417
 
$
38,110
 
$
28,338,594
 


4. Statutory Reporting Practices

Financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP differ in some respects from the statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by insurance regulatory authorities. In accordance with statutory reporting practices, at March 31, 2006, and for the three months then ended, the Company and its insurance subsidiaries had combined capital and surplus of $1.4 billion and net loss of $58.3 million. At March 31, 2006, the combined asset valuation reserve held by the Company and its insurance subsidiaries was $103.1 million.

The statutory net loss for the first quarter of 2006 is the result of an increase in the level of reserves maintained for statutory reporting practices, combined with a loss from separate accounts related primarily to the Company’s market value adjusted annuities. An amendment to Actuarial Guideline 38 increased the level of statutory reserves required for certain universal life with secondary guarantee insurance products issued on or after July 1, 2005. Additionally, during 2005 statutory reserves required by Regulation XXX were reinsured with a special purpose finance captive insurance company wholly owned by the Company. A substantial portion of these reserves were previously reinsured with unaffiliated reinsurers.

5. Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In September 2005, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AcSEC”) issued SOP05-1, “Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection with Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts.” This SOP provides guidance on accounting by insurance enterprises for deferred acquisition costs on internal replacements of insurance and investment contracts other than those specifically described in FAS97. The SOP defines an internal replacement as a modification in product benefits, features, rights, or coverages that occurs by the exchange of a contract for a new contract, or by amendment, endorsement, or rider to a contract, or by the election of a feature or coverage within a contract. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of SOP05-1, which is effective for internal replacements occurring in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, but does not currently believe that its adoption will have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In February 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments” (“FAS155”). FAS155 amends Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS133”) and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities” (“FAS140”) and resolves issues addressed in FAS133 DIG Issue D1, “Application of Statement 133 to Beneficial Interest in Securitized Financial Assets.” FAS155 eliminates the exemption from applying the bifurcation requirements of FAS133 to interests in securitized financial assets, in an effort to ensure that similar instruments are accounted for consistently regardless of the form of the instrument. The Company is currently evaluating the impact FAS155, which is effective January 1, 2007, but does not currently believe that its adoption will have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

6. Comprehensive Income

The following table sets forth the Company's comprehensive income (loss) for the periods presented below:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31
     
2006
2005
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income
   
$ 69,808
$ 59,711
Change in net unrealized gains/losses on investments, net of income tax:
(three months: 2006 - $(78,120); 2005 - $(44,440))
   
(147,126)
(82,531)
Change in accumulated gain-hedging, net of income tax:
(three months: 2006 - $2,285; 2005 - $1,897)
   
4,303
3,523
Reclassification adjustment for amounts included in net income, net of income tax:
(three months: 2006 - $1,442; 2005 - $(9,757))
   
2,703
(18,120)
Comprehensive income (loss)
   
$ (70,312)
$(37,417)


7. Retirement Benefit Plans

Components of the net periodic benefit cost of PLC’s defined benefit pension plan and unfunded excess benefits plan are as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
Service cost - Benefits earned during the period
 
$
2,576
 
$
2,104
 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligations
   
2,496
   
2,408
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(3,096
)
 
(2,428
)
Amortization of prior service cost
   
64
   
82
 
Amortization of actuarial losses
   
1,272
   
789
 
Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
3,312
 
$
2,955
 

 
PLC previously disclosed in its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005, that it expected its defined benefit pension plan and unfunded excess benefits plan expenses for 2006 to be $7.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively, and these estimates have not changed. PLC’s estimated expense related to the defined benefit pension plan equals its expected contributions to the plan during 2006. As of March 31, 2006, no contributions have been made to the defined benefit pension plan.

In addition to pension benefits, PLC provides limited healthcare benefits and life insurance benefits to eligible retirees. The cost of these plans for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 was immaterial.

8. Non-Recourse Funding Obligations

The Company issued $25 million of non-recourse funding obligations during the first quarter of 2006, bringing the total amount outstanding to $150 million at March 31, 2006. The weighted average interest rate as of March 31, 2006, was 6.1%.

10. Stock-Based Compensation

Since 1973, PLC has had stock-based incentive plans to motivate management to focus on PLC’s long-range performance through the awarding of stock-based compensation. Under plans approved by share owners in 1997 and 2003, up to 6,500,000 PLC shares may be issued in payment of awards. Certain Company employees participate in PLC’s stock-based incentive plans and receive stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) from PLC.

Through December 31, 2005, PLC accounted for its stock-based compensation in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“FAS123”), which was originally issued by the FASB in 1995. As originally issued, FAS123 provided companies with the option to either record expense for share-based payments under a fair value model, or to simply disclose the impact of the expense. Effective January 1, 2006, PLC adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (Revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“FAS123R”), using the modified prospective method, and accordingly, prior periods have not been restated. FAS123R requires companies to measure the cost of share-based payments to employees using a fair value model and to recognize that cost over the relevant service period. Since PLC elected to recognize the cost of its share-based compensation plans in its financial statements when it originally adopted FAS123, the adoption of FAS123R in the first quarter of 2006 did not have a material impact on PLC’s financial position, results of operations, or earnings per share.

In addition, FAS123R requires that an estimate of future award forfeitures be made at the grant date, while FAS123 permitted recognition of forfeitures on an as incurred basis. Prior to the adoption of FAS123R, PLC accounted for forfeitures as they occurred. This change in method related to forfeitures also did not have a material impact on PLC’s financial position or results of operations.

Prior to adopting FAS123R, PLC presented all tax benefits of deductions resulting from payouts of stock based compensation as operating cash flows. FAS123R requires the cash flows resulting from excess tax benefits (tax deductions realized in excess of the compensation costs recognized for the exercise of the awards) from the date of adoption of FAS123R to be classified as a part of cash flows from financing activities. As a result of adopting FAS123R as of January 1, 2006, $2.4 million of excess tax benefits for the first quarter of 2006 have been classified as financing cash flows for PLC.

The criteria for payment of 2006 performance awards is based primarily upon a comparison of PLC’s average return on average equity over a four-year period (earlier upon the death, disability, or retirement of the executive, or in certain circumstances, upon a change in control of PLC) to that of a comparison group of publicly held life and multiline insurance companies. If PLC’s results are below the median of the comparison group (40th percentile for 2006 awards), no portion of the award is earned. If PLC’s results are at or above the 90th percentile, the award maximum is earned. Awards are paid in shares of PLC Common Stock.



Performance shares awarded in the first quarter of 2006 and their estimated fair value at grant date are as follows:

Year
Awarded
 
Performance
Shares
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
       
(Dollars in thousands)
 
           
2006
   
125,430
 
$
6,100
 


Performance shares are equivalent in value to one share of PLC Common Stock times the award earned percentage payout. At March 31, 2006, the total outstanding performance shares related to these performance-based plans (including shares issued prior to January 1, 2006) measured at maximum payouts were 1,080,201.

During the first quarter of 2006, SARs were granted to certain officers of the Company to provide long-term incentive compensation based solely on the performance of the PLC’s Common Stock. The SARs are exercisable either in four equal annual installments beginning one year after the date of grant or after five years depending on the terms of the grant (earlier upon the death, disability, or retirement of the officer, or in certain circumstances, of a change in control of PLC) and expire after ten years or upon termination of employment. The SARs activity as well as weighted average base price for the first quarter of 2006 is as follows:

   
Weighted Average
Base Price
 
No. of SARs
 
Balance at December 31, 2005
 
$
26.89
   
1,467,210
 
SARs granted
   
48.60
   
46,900
 
SARs exercised
   
20.30
   
(260,199
)
Balance at March 31, 2006
 
$
29.07
   
1,253,911
 


The outstanding SARs at March 31, 2006, were at the following base prices:

Base Price
SARs
Outstanding
Remaining Life
in Years
Currently
Exercisable
$22.31
520,111
3
520,111
  31.26
  50,000
4
 50,000
  31.29
    2,500
4
   2,500
  32.00
435,000
5
          0
  26.49
  80,000
6
          0
  41.05
119,400
8
 11,100
  48.60
  46,900
9
        0


The SARs issued in the first quarter of 2006 had estimated fair values at grant date of $0.7 million. The fair value of the 2006 SARs was estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The assumptions used varied depending on the vesting period of the awards. Assumptions used in the model were as follows: expected volatility ranged from 16.1% to 32.5%, the risk-free interest rate ranged from 4.9% to 5.0%, a dividend rate of 1.6%, a zero forfeiture rate, and the expected exercise date ranged from 2011 to 2014. PLC will pay an amount in stock equal to the difference between the specified base price of PLC’s Common Stock and the market value at the exercise date for each SAR.

PLC recognizes all stock based compensation expense over the related service period of the award, or earlier for retirement eligible employees. The expense recorded by PLC for its stock-based compensation plans was $1.1 million for the first quarter of 2006. Additionally, as of March 31, 2006, $16.3 million of unrecognized expense related to PLC’s stock-based compensation plans is expected to be recognized in future periods through December 31, 2009. PLC’s obligations of its stock-based compensation plans that are expected to be settled in shares of PLC’s Common Stock are reported as a component of PLC’s share-owners’ equity, net of deferred taxes.



ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollar amounts in tables are in thousands unless otherwise noted)


This Management’s Discussion and Analysis should be read in its entirety, since it contains detailed information that is important to understanding the Company’s results and financial condition. The Overview below is qualified in its entirety by the full Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS - CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE

This report reviews the Company’s financial condition and results of operations including its liquidity and capital resources. 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” 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 instead of historical facts and may contain words like “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “will,” “shall,” “may,” and other words, phrases, or expressions with similar meaning. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from the results contained in the forward-looking statements, and the Company cannot give assurances that such statements will prove to be correct. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results.

For a more complete understanding of the Company’s business and its current period results, please read the following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in conjunction with the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC.

INTRODUCTION

Protective Life Insurance Company (the “Company") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Corporation ("PLC"), an insurance holding company whose common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "PL". Founded in 1907, the Company provides financial services through the production, distribution, and administration of insurance and investment products. Unless the context otherwise requires, the “Company" refers to the consolidated group of Protective Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries.

The Company operates several business segments each having a strategic focus. An operating segment is generally distinguished by products and/or channels of distribution. The Company's operating segments are Life Marketing, Acquisitions, Annuities, Stable Value Products, and Asset Protection. The Company has an additional segment referred to as Corporate and Other which consists of net investment income on unallocated capital, earnings from various investment-related transactions, and the operations of several non-strategic lines of business. The Company periodically evaluates its operating segments in light of the segment reporting requirements prescribed by FAS131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” and makes adjustments to its segment reporting as needed.

KNOWN TRENDS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The factors which could affect the Company's future results include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions and the following known trends and uncertainties: we are exposed to the risks of natural disasters, pandemics, malicious and terrorist acts that could adversely affect our operations; we operate in a mature, highly competitive industry, which could limit our ability to gain or maintain our position in the industry; a ratings downgrade could adversely affect our ability to compete; our policy claims fluctuate from period to period, and actual results could differ from our expectations; our results may be negatively affected should actual experience differ from management's assumptions and estimates; the use of reinsurance introduces variability in our statements of income; we could be forced to sell investments at a loss to cover policyholder withdrawals; interest rate fluctuations could negatively affect our spread income or otherwise impact our business; equity market volatility could negatively impact our business; insurance companies are highly regulated and subject to numerous legal restrictions and regulations; changes to tax law or interpretations of existing tax law could adversely affect the Company and its ability to compete with non-insurance products or reduce the demand for certain insurance products; financial services companies are frequently the targets of litigation, including class action litigation, which could result in substantial judgments; the financial services industry is sometimes the target of law enforcement investigations and the focus of increased regulatory scrutiny; our ability to maintain low unit costs is dependent upon the level of new sales and persistency of existing business; our investments are subject to market and credit risks; we may not realize our anticipated financial results from our acquisitions strategy; we may not be able to close our pending acquisition, or may not be able to achieve the expected results once it is consummated; we are dependent on the performance of others; our reinsurers could fail to meet assumed obligations, increase rates or be subject to adverse developments that could affect us; computer viruses or network security breaches could affect our data processing systems or those of our business partners; our ability to grow depends in large part upon the continued availability of capital; and new accounting rules or changes to existing accounting rules could negatively impact us. Please refer to Exhibit 99 for additional information about these factors that could affect future results.

The Company’s results may fluctuate from period to period due to fluctuations in mortality, persistency, claims, expenses, interest rates, and other factors. Therefore, it is management's opinion that quarterly operating results for an insurance company are not necessarily indicative of results to be achieved in future periods, and that a review of operating results over a longer period is necessary to assess an insurance company's performance.

OVERVIEW

In the following discussion, segment operating income is defined as income before income tax, excluding net realized investment gains and losses (net of the related amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) and participating income from real estate ventures). Periodic settlements of derivatives associated with certain investments and annuity products are included in realized gains and losses but are considered part of segment operating income because the derivatives are used to mitigate risk in items affecting segment operating income. Management believes that segment operating income provides relevant and useful information to investors, as it represents the basis on which the performance of the Company’s business is internally assessed. Although the items excluded from segment operating income may be significant components in understanding and assessing the Company’s overall financial performance, management believes that segment operating income enhances an investor’s understanding of the Company’s results of operations by highlighting the income (loss) attributable to the normal, recurring operations of the Company’s business. Note that the Company’s segment operating income measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.



The following table presents a summary of results and reconciles segment operating income to consolidated net income:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31
     
   
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
     
Segment Operating Income
             
Life Marketing
 
$
39,983
 
$
37,698
   
6.1
%
Acquisitions
   
19,906
   
21,076
   
(5.6
)
Annuities
   
4,396
   
3,811
   
15.3
 
Stable Value Products
   
12,344
   
14,399
   
(14.3
)
Asset Protection
   
8,543
   
6,224
   
37.3
 
Corporate and Other
   
5,343
   
9,115
   
(41.4
)
Total segment operating income
   
90,515
   
92,323
   
(2.0
)
                     
Realized investment gains (losses) - investments(1)
   
(1,311
)
 
5,465
       
Realized investment gains (losses) - derivatives(2)
   
19,871
   
(6,668
)
     
Income tax expense
   
(39,267
)
 
(31,409
)
     
Net income
 
$
69,808
 
$
59,711
   
16.9
 
                     
(1) Realized investment gains (losses) - investments
 
$
4,015
 
$
27,877
       
  Less participating income from real estate ventures
   
5,326
   
0
       
  Less related amortization of DAC
   
0
   
22,412
       
   
$
(1,311
)
$
5,465
       
                     
(2) Realized investment gains (losses) - derivatives
 
$
19,324
 
$
(5,847
)
     
 Less settlements on certain interest rate swaps
   
104
   
821
       
 Less derivative losses related to certain annuities
   
(651
)
 
0
       
   
$
19,871
 
$
(6,668
)
     


Net income for the first three months of 2006 reflects a slight decline in segment operating income, offset by higher net realized investment gains. Net realized investment gains were $18.6 million for the first three months of 2006, compared to net realized investment losses of $1.2 million for the same period of 2005, a change of $19.8 million. Life Marketing segment operating income was $40.0 million in the current quarter, an increase of 6.1% over the prior year’s quarter. The increase in the quarter was attributable to growth in business in-force due to strong sales in prior periods, partially offset by higher mortality and expenses. The quarterly decline in the Acquisitions segment’s operating income is due to the normal runoff of the segment’s previously acquired blocks of business. Improvement in the equity markets and increasing account balances contributed to the quarterly increase of 15.3% in the Annuities segment’s earnings, while spread compression due to increasing short term interest rates caused operating income to decline 14.3% for the first quarter of 2006 in the Stable Value Products segment compared to the same period of 2005. The 37.3% increase over the prior year in the Asset Protection segment’s operating income is primarily due to improvements in the segment’s inventory protection product line.

RESULTS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

In the following segment discussions, various statistics and other key data the Company uses to evaluate its segments are presented. Sales statistics are used by the Company to measure the relative progress in its marketing efforts, but may or may not have an immediate impact on reported segment operating income. Sales data for traditional life insurance are based on annualized premiums, while universal life sales are based on annualized planned (target) premiums plus 6% of amounts received in excess of target premiums. Sales of annuities are measured based on the amount of deposits received. Stable value contract sales are measured at the time that the funding commitment is made based on the amount of deposit to be received. Sales within the Asset Protection segment are generally based on the amount of single premium and fees received.


Sales and life insurance in-force amounts are derived from the Company’s various sales tracking and administrative systems and are not derived from the Company’s financial reporting systems or financial statements. Mortality variances are derived from actual claims compared to expected claims. These variances do not represent the net impact to earnings due to the interplay of reserves and DAC amortization.

Life Marketing
The Life Marketing segment markets level premium term and term-like insurance (collectively “traditional life”), universal life (“UL”), variable universal life and bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) products on a national basis primarily through networks of independent insurance agents and brokers, stockbrokers, and independent marketing organizations. Segment results were as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31
     
   
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
     
REVENUES
             
Gross premiums and policy fees
 
$
325,364
 
$
273,769
   
18.8
%
Reinsurance ceded
   
(208,631
)
 
(199,746
)
 
4.4
 
Net premiums and policy fees
   
116,733
   
74,023
   
57.7
 
Net investment income
   
72,604
   
60,915
   
19.2
 
Other income
   
(1,107
)
 
191
   
(679.6
)
Total operating revenues
   
188,230
   
135,129
   
39.3
 
                     
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
                   
Benefits and settlement expenses
   
135,899
   
89,784
   
51.4
 
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
   
19,466
   
17,827
   
9.2
 
Other operating expenses
   
(7,118
)
 
(10,180
)
 
(30.1
)
Total benefits and expenses
   
148,247
   
97,431
   
52.2
 
                     
OPERATING INCOME
   
39,983
   
37,698
   
6.1
 
                     
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX
 
$
39,983
 
$
37,698
   
6.1
 




The following table summarizes key data for the Life Marketing segment:

       
Three Months Ended
March 31
     
   
2006
2005
Change
       
(Dollars in thousands)
     
Sales By Product
                 
Traditional
       
$
37,476
 
$
34,508
   
8.6
%
Universal life
         
31,488
   
32,747
   
(3.8
)
Variable universal life
         
1,285
   
1,138
   
12.9
 
         
$
70,249
 
$
68,393
   
2.7
 
                           
Sales By Distribution Channel
                         
Brokerage general agents
       
$
38,179
 
$
36,173
   
5.5
 
Independent agents
         
13,800
   
17,309
   
(20.3
)
Stockbrokers/banks
         
13,567
   
12,670
   
7.1
 
BOLI/other
         
4,703
   
2,241
   
109.9
 
         
$
70,249
 
$
68,393
   
2.7
 
                           
Average Life Insurance In-Force(1)
                         
Traditional
       
$
363,267,522
 
$
328,905,530
   
10.4
 
Universal life
         
49,263,933
   
43,105,270
   
14.3
 
         
$
412,531,455
 
$
372,010,800
   
10.9
 
                           
Average Account Values
                         
Universal life
       
$
4,619,947
 
$
3,876,441
   
19.2
 
Variable universal life
         
260,431
   
217,131
   
19.9
 
         
$
4,880,378
 
$
4,093,572
   
19.2
 
                           
Mortality Experience (2)
       
$
(201
)
$
1,252
       
                           
 
(1) Amounts are not adjusted for reinsurance ceded.
(2) Represents a favorable (unfavorable) variance as compared to pricing assumptions.


Operating income increased 6.1% from the first quarter of 2005. This increase is the result of a 39.3% increase in total revenues resulting from moderate increases in sales of new business and growth of life insurance in-force and average account values. The increase in revenues was partially offset by 52.2% higher overall benefits and expenses. Additionally, as discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, during 2005 the Company reduced its reliance on reinsurance (see additional comments below) and entered into a capital markets solution to fund the additional statutory reserves required as a result of these changes in the Company’s reinsurance arrangements. In addition to the expected fluctuations in premiums and benefits and settlement expenses discussed below, earnings emerge more slowly under a capital markets structure relative to the previous reinsurance structure utilized by the Company.

Net premiums and policy fees grew by 57.7% in the current quarter due in part to the growth in life insurance in-force achieved over the last several quarters. Net premiums and policy fees are also higher than the prior year due to an increase in retention levels on certain newly written traditional life products. Beginning in the second quarter of 2005, the Company reduced its reliance on reinsurance by changing from coinsurance to yearly renewable term insurance agreements and increased the maximum amount retained on any one life from $500,000 to $1,000,000 on certain of its newly written traditional life products. In addition to increasing net premiums, this change will result in higher benefits and settlement expenses, and will cause greater variability in financial results due to fluctuations in mortality results. Net investment income increased 19.2% for the quarter, reflecting the growth of the segment’s assets caused by the increase in life reserves, offset by lower investment yields.

Benefits and settlement expenses were 51.4% higher than the first quarter of 2005, due to growth in life insurance in-force, increased retention levels on certain newly written traditional life products, higher credited interest on UL products resulting from increases in account values, and unfavorable fluctuations in mortality experience. Mortality (actual results compared to pricing) for the current quarter was $0.2 million unfavorable, compared to a favorable mortality variance of $1.3 million for the same period of 2005, an unfavorable change of $1.5 million. The estimated mortality negative impact on earnings for the first quarter of 2006 was $0.8 million, which was approximately $0.7 million less favorable than the same period of 2005. Amortization of DAC was 9.2% higher for the first quarter of 2006 compared to the same period of 2005 primarily due to growth of life insurance in-force and the change in the Company’s reinsurance strategy.

Other operating expenses for the segment were as follows:

       
Three Months Ended
March 31
     
   
2006
2005
Change
       
(Dollars in thousands)
     
                   
First year commissions
       
$
94,268
 
$
80,048
   
17.8
%
Renewal commissions
         
8,404
   
7,794
   
7.8
 
First year ceding allowances
         
(32,832
)
 
(40,353
)
 
(18.6
)
Renewal ceding allowances
         
(46,332
)
 
(38,126
)
 
21.5
 
General & administrative
         
43,660
   
46,891
   
(6.9
)
Taxes, licenses and fees
         
7,356
   
6,480
   
13.5
 
Other operating expenses incurred
         
74,524
   
62,734
   
18.8
 
                           
Less commissions, allowances & expenses capitalized
         
(81,642
)
 
(72,914
)
 
12.0
 
                           
Other operating expenses
       
$
(7,118
)
$
(10,180
)
 
(30.1
)


Currently, the segment reinsures significant amounts of its life insurance in-force. Pursuant to the underlying reinsurance contracts, reinsurers pay allowances to the segment as a percentage of both first year and renewal premiums. A portion of these allowances is deferred as part of DAC while the remainder is recognized immediately as a reduction of other operating expenses. While the recognition of reinsurance allowances is consistent with GAAP, non-deferred allowances often exceed the segment’s non-deferred direct costs, causing net other operating expenses to be negative. Consideration of all components of the segment’s income statement, including amortization of DAC, is required to assess the impact of reinsurance on segment operating income.

Other operating expenses for the segment have increased from the prior year as a result of lower DAC capitalization, primarily due to lower UL sales. Amounts capitalized as DAC generally include first year commissions and allowances and other deferrable acquisition expenses. The change in these amounts generally reflects the trend in sales for the quarter. The first quarter of 2006 included a $2.1 million true-up of field compensation expenses related to sales in prior periods.

Sales for the segment increased 2.7% versus the first quarter of 2005 primarily due to an increase in traditional life sales. Traditional life sales were negatively impacted during the first half of 2005 as a result of pricing adjustments on certain traditional life products in response to the rising cost of reinsurance. The Company was able to improve its competitive position with respect to these products in the second quarter of 2005 by reducing its reliance on reinsurance for certain newly written traditional products. As a result, traditional life sales improved during the second half of 2005, and this upward trend in traditional life sales continued in the first quarter of 2006. UL sales declined 3.8% during the current quarter, compared to the first quarter of 2005, as a result of pricing adjustments on certain UL products in response to the higher reserve levels required under Actuarial Guideline 38 (“AG38”). The Company expects UL sales to continue to decline during the second quarter of 2006 compared to the sales levels achieved in 2005. See additional discussion of AG38 and its impact on certain UL products in the “Recent Developments” section herein. Sales of BOLI business improved from 2005. BOLI sales can vary widely between periods as the segment responds to opportunities for these products only when required returns can be achieved.


Acquisitions

The Acquisitions segment focuses on acquiring, converting, and servicing policies acquired from other companies. The segment's primary focus is on life insurance policies sold to individuals. Segment results were as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31
     
   
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
     
REVENUES
             
Gross premiums and policy fees
 
$
62,986
 
$
65,500
   
(3.8
)%
Reinsurance ceded
   
(16,642
)
 
(20,029
)
 
(16.9
)
Net premiums and policy fees
   
46,344
   
45,471
   
1.9
 
Net investment income
   
54,490
   
56,714
   
(3.9
)
Other income
   
617
   
361
   
70.9
 
Total operating revenues
   
101,451
   
102,546
   
(1.1
)
                     
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
                   
Benefits and settlement expenses
   
67,454
   
66,399
   
1.6
 
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
   
6,335
   
7,071
   
(10.4
)
Other operating expenses
   
7,756
   
8,000
   
(3.1
)
Total benefits and expenses
   
81,545
   
81,470
   
0.1
 
                     
OPERATING INCOME
   
19,906
   
21,076
   
(5.6
)
                     
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX
 
$
19,906
 
$
21,076
   
(5.6
)


The following table summarizes key data for the Acquisitions segment:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31
     
   
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
     
Average Life Insurance In-Force(1)
             
Traditional
 
$
10,166,239
 
$
11,190,436
   
(9.2
)%
Universal life
   
16,455,957
   
17,633,906
   
(6.7
)
   
$
26,622,196
 
$
28,824,342
   
(7.6
)
                     
Average Account Values
                   
Universal life
                   
Fixed annuity(2)
 
$
1,688,627
 
$
1,715,584
   
(1.6
)
Variable annuity
   
209,049
   
215,707
   
(3.1
)
     
65,543
   
83,925
   
(21.9
)
   
$
1,963,219
 
$
2,015,216
   
(2.6
)
                     
Interest Spread - UL & Fixed Annuities
                   
Net investment income yield
   
6.87
%
 
7.09
%
     
Interest credited to policyholders
   
5.10
   
5.15
       
Interest spread
   
1.77
%
 
1.94
%
     
                     
Mortality Experience(3)
 
$
267
 
$
447
       
                     
                     
 
(1) Amounts are not adjusted for reinsurance ceded.
(2) Includes general account balances held within variable annuity products.
(3) Represents a favorable variance as compared to pricing assumptions.


Policies acquired through this segment are typically “closed” blocks of business (no new policies are being marketed). Therefore, earnings and account values are expected to decline as the result of lapses, deaths, and other terminations of coverage.

Net premiums and policy fees increased 1.9% during the current period compared to the first quarter of 2005. Net premiums for the first quarter of 2005 were decreased by payment of amounts due under two reinsurance treaties. While this had no net income impact, the payments decreased net premiums and policy fees by $3.9 million, benefits and settlement expenses by $3.5 million, and other operating expenses by $0.3 million. Excluding the impact of this transaction, net premiums and policy fees decreased $3.0 million (6.0%) during the first quarter of 2006, compared to the same period of 2005. This decline is the result of the runoff of the acquired blocks of business.

Net investment income was also lower in the first quarter of 2006 compared to the same period in 2005 due to the runoff of business and lower overall earned rates. The segment continues to review credited rates on UL and annuity business to minimize the impact of lower earned rates on interest spreads. The interest spread declined 17 basis points from the first quarter of 2005.

Benefits and settlement expenses for the first quarter of 2006 are 1.6% higher than the comparable period of 2006 due to the impact of the reinsurance payments in the first quarter of 2005 mentioned above. Excluding the impact of this transaction, benefits and settlement expenses decreased $2.5 million (3.5%) during the first quarter of 2006 compared to the same period of 2005. This decrease is due to the decline in in-force business. Amortization of DAC decreased 10.4% during the current quarter compared to the same period of 2005 due to the overall decline in business. Other operating expenses decreased 3.1% from the first quarter of 2005 due to lower commissions resulting from lower net premiums and reductions in other general expenses.

The segment’s life insurance in-force and UL and annuity account values have declined from 2005 levels as no new acquisitions have been made since 2002. In the ordinary course of business, the segment regularly considers acquisitions of blocks of policies or smaller insurance companies. However, the level of the segment’s acquisition activity is predicated upon many factors, including available capital, operating capacity, and market dynamics. The Company continues to pursue suitable acquisitions as they become available.

On February 7, the Company signed a definitive agreement to acquire from JPMorgan Chase & Co. the stock of five life insurance companies that manufacture and distribute traditional life insurance and annuities (the “Chase Insurance Group”) and the stock of four related non-insurance companies. This transaction is subject to certain regulatory approvals and is currently expected to close during the third quarter of 2006.


Annuities

The Annuities segment manufactures, sells, and supports fixed and variable annuity products. These products are primarily sold through stockbrokers, but are also sold through financial institutions and independent agents and brokers. Segment results were as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31
     
   
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
     
REVENUES
             
Gross premiums and policy fees
 
$
8,144
 
$
7,840
   
3.9
%
Reinsurance ceded
   
0
   
0
   
0.0
 
Net premiums and policy fees
   
8,144
   
7,840
   
3.9
 
Net investment income
   
53,486
   
56,146
   
(4.7
)
Realized gains (losses) - derivatives
   
(651
)
 
0
   
n/a
 
Other income
   
2,531
   
1,465
   
72.8
 
Total operating revenues
   
63,510
   
65,451
   
(3.0
)
                     
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
                   
Benefits and settlement expenses
   
47,313
   
48,080
   
(1.6
)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
   
5,126
   
7,226
   
(29.1
)
Other operating expenses
   
6,675
   
6,334
   
5.4
 
Total benefits and expenses
   
59,114
   
61,640
   
(4.1
)
                     
OPERATING INCOME
   
4,396
   
3,811
   
15.3
 
                     
Realized gains (losses) - derivatives
   
0
   
(162
)
     
Realized gains (losses) - investments
   
(90
)
 
27,624
       
Related amortization of DAC
   
0
   
(22,412
)
     
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX
 
$
4,306
 
$
8,861
   
(51.4
)


The following table summarizes key data for the Annuities segment:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31
     
   
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
     
Sales
             
Fixed annuity
 
$
92,090
 
$
59,568
   
54.6
%
Variable annuity
   
73,731
   
77,003
   
(4.2
)
   
$
165,821
 
$
136,571
   
21.4
 
                     
Average Account Values
                   
Fixed annuity(1)
 
$
3,422,366
 
$
3,442,520
   
(0.6
)
Variable annuity
   
2,358,898
   
2,194,782
   
7.5
 
   
$
5,781,264
 
$
5,637,302
   
2.6
 
                     
Interest Spread - Fixed Annuities(2)
                   
Net investment income yield
   
6.14
%
 
6.60
%
     
Interest credited to policyholders
   
5.39
   
5.60
       
Interest spread
   
0.75
%
 
1.00
%
     
                     
 
   
As of
March 31
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
           
GMDB - Net amount at risk(3)
 
$
120,269
 
$
198,954
 
GMDB - Reserves
 
$
2,561
 
$
4,382
 
S&P 500 Index
   
1,295
   
1,181
 
               
 
(1) Includes general account balances held within variable annuity products.
(2) Interest spread on average general account values.
(3) Guaranteed death benefit in excess of contract holder account balance.



Segment operating revenues decreased 3.0% compared to the first quarter of 2005, primarily as a result of lower net investment income. Additional income resulting from the modest 2.6% increase in average account balances was reduced by lower interest spreads. Interest spreads on fixed annuities declined 25 basis points compared to the first quarter of 2005, primarily due to the rebalancing of the investment portfolio discussed below. The increase in other income is primarily due to an increase in asset-based fees.

During the first quarter of 2005, the investment portfolio was rebalanced to improve the duration match between the segment’s assets and liabilities. Approximately $300 million in securities were sold, causing the large realized investment gains for the three months ended March 31, 2005. These gains were partially offset by $22.4 million in DAC amortization associated with those gains. The resulting funds from this transaction were reinvested in assets with lower rates than the investments that were sold, causing a decline in the investment income yield for the segment’s portfolio beginning in the second quarter of 2005. The segment continually monitors and adjusts credited rates as appropriate in an effort to maintain the interest spread.

Total benefits and expenses decreased 4.1% for the quarter compared to the same period of 2005. Benefits and settlement expenses for the first three months of 2006 are $0.8 million lower than the same period of the prior year due to reductions in credited interest rates in its market value adjusted annuity line, partially offset by less favorable mortality. Mortality was $1.6 million unfavorable for the first quarter of 2006, compared to a $1.2 million unfavorable mortality variance for the same period of 2005, an unfavorable variance of $0.4 million. These unfavorable mortality variances primarily relate to the nonrecurring sales of $122 million of single premium immediate annuities on approximately 28 lives sold in the fourth quarter of 2004 in a structured transaction. Because this block of annuities is large relative to the total amount of annuities in-force, volatility in mortality results are expected.

The decrease in DAC amortization for the quarter is primarily the result of lower gross profits in the market value adjusted and variable deferred annuity lines resulting from fourth quarter 2005 unlocking. DAC is amortized in proportion to gross profits, so decreased gross profits results in less DAC amortization.

Total sales are 21.4% higher than the prior year. Sales of fixed annuities increased 54.6% as a result of higher interest rates compared to the first quarter of 2005 and strong sales increases in the equity indexed annuity product introduced in 2005. Sales of variable annuities decreased 4.2% from the first quarter of 2005. A general improvement in the equity markets reduced the net amount at risk with respect to guaranteed minimum death benefits by 39.5%.

Stable Value Products

The Stable Value Products segment sells guaranteed funding agreements (“GFAs”) to special purpose entities that in turn issue notes or certificates in smaller, transferable denominations. The segment also markets fixed and floating rate funding agreements directly to the trustees of municipal bond proceeds, institutional investors, bank trust departments, and money market funds. Additionally, the segment markets guaranteed investment contracts (“GICs”) to 401(k) and other qualified retirement savings plans. Segment results were as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31
     
   
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
     
REVENUES
             
Net investment income
 
$
82,233
 
$
73,875
   
11.3
%
                     
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
                   
Benefits and settlement expenses
   
67,463
   
57,169
   
18.0
 
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
   
1,229
   
1,084
   
13.4
 
Other operating expenses
   
1,197
   
1,223
   
(2.1
)
Total benefits and expenses
   
69,889
   
59,476
   
17.5
 
                     
OPERATING INCOME
   
12,344
   
14,399
   
(14.3
)
                     
Realized gains (losses)
   
(4,854
)
 
619
       
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX
 
$
7,490
 
$
15,018
   
(50.1
)

The following table summarizes key data for the Stable Value Products segment:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31
     
   
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
     
Sales
             
GIC
 
$
46,200
 
$
24,050
   
92.1
%
GFA - Registered Notes - Institutional
   
0
   
350,000
   
n/a
 
GFA - Registered Notes - Retail
   
40,841
   
31,845
   
28.2
 
   
$
87,041
 
$
405,895
   
(78.6
)
                     
Average Account Values
 
$
5,976,606
 
$
5,716,571
   
4.5
 
                     
Operating Spread
                   
Net investment income yield
   
5.60
%
 
5.33
%
     
Interest credited
   
4.60
   
4.12
       
Operating expenses
   
0.16
   
0.17
       
Operating spread
   
0.84
%
 
1.04
%
     


Operating income declined 14.3% for the first quarter of 2006 compared to the same period of 2005. This decline is primarily due to spread compression of 20 basis points, partially offset by a 4.5% growth in average account balances. The primary driver of the spread compression has been increasing short term interest rates, resulting in higher interest credited rates. The segment continues to review its investment portfolio for opportunities to increase the net investment income yield in an effort to maintain interest spreads. Operating spreads are not expected to change significantly during the remainder of 2006. The moderate growth in average account balances was primarily driven by sales of the Company’s registered funding agreement-backed notes program over the past two years.

Total sales were 78.6% lower than the first quarter of 2005. The Company is not currently participating in the institutional market due to current market conditions and in order to conserve capital in anticipation of the Chase Insurance Group acquisition. This transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2006, at which time the segment plans to reenter the institutional market. Both GIC and retail note sales improved during the first quarter of 2006 compared to the same period of 2005.

Asset Protection

The Asset Protection segment primarily markets extended service contracts and credit life and disability insurance to protect consumers’ investments in automobiles and watercraft. In addition, the segment markets an inventory protection product (“IPP”) and a guaranteed asset protection (“GAP”) product. Segment results were as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31
     
   
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
     
REVENUES
             
Gross premiums and policy fees
 
$
73,744
 
$
105,804
   
(30.3
)%
Reinsurance ceded
   
(23,809
)
 
(56,923
)
 
(58.2
)
Net premiums and policy fees
   
49,935
   
48,881
   
2.2
 
Net investment income
   
7,364
   
7,446
   
(1.1
)
Other income
   
11,919
   
8,433
   
41.3
 
Total operating revenues
   
69,218
   
64,760
   
6.9
 
                     
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
                   
Benefits and settlement expenses
   
22,208
   
26,529
   
(16.3
)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
   
16,152
   
17,546
   
(7.9
)
Other operating expenses
   
22,315
   
14,461
   
54.3
 
Total benefits and expenses
   
60,675
   
58,536
   
3.7
 
                     
OPERATING INCOME
   
8,543
   
6,224
   
37.3
 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX
 
$
8,543
 
$
6,224
   
37.3
 



The following table summarizes key data for the Asset Protection segment:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31
     
   
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
     
Sales
             
Credit insurance
 
$
31,847
 
$
50,106
   
(36.4
)%
Service contracts
   
53,717
   
47,138
   
14.0
 
Other products
   
16,921
   
9,075
   
86.5
 
   
$
102,485
 
$
106,319
   
(3.6
)
                     
Loss Ratios (1)
                   
Credit insurance
   
34.1
%
 
32.1
%
     
Service contracts
   
66.1
   
73.4
       
Other products
   
31.6
   
62.0
       
 
(1) Incurred claims as a percentage of earned premiums.


Operating income increased 37.3% during the first quarter of 2006 compared to the same period of 2005. Within the segment’s core product lines, service contract earnings improved $0.2 million, earnings from other products improved $2.0 million, and credit insurance earnings were unchanged for the quarter. $1.5 million of the improvement in earnings from other products is related to the segment’s IPP line. IPP earnings improved due to higher premiums and favorable claim results during the current quarter. The remaining $0.5 million improvement in earnings from other products is related to the segment’s GAP product line.

Net premiums and policy fees increased 2.2% primarily as a result of a 58.2% decrease in ceded premiums, partially offset by a decline in credit insurance in-force. Other income increased 41.3% from the prior year due to increases in administrative fees on service contracts primarily resulting from the increased volume of contracts sold in this product line.

Benefits and settlement expenses decreased 16.3% from the first quarter of 2005, reflecting the decrease in the segment’s net premiums. In addition to lower net premiums, benefits and settlement expenses have also been favorably impacted by improved loss ratios, most notably in the service contract and other product lines. Although loss ratios were slightly higher in the credit insurance lines during the first quarter of 2006 compared to the same quarter of 2005, the current quarter results still compare favorably with the 2005 year-to-date loss ratio of 36.7% in this line. Loss ratios in the service contract lines continue to benefit from the segment’s initiatives to increase pricing and tighten the underwriting and claims processes. The decrease in the loss ratio for other products during the first quarter of 2006 is the result of favorable claims experience, primarily related to the inventory protection product. Amortization of DAC for the first quarter of 2006 was lower than the comparable period of 2005 due to the decline in the segment’s credit business. Other operating expenses have increased in 2006 compared to the prior period primarily due to higher commissions on service contracts due to increased volume.

Total segment sales decreased 3.6% for the first quarter, compared to the same period of 2005 primarily due to a 56.1% decrease in sales of credit insurance through financial institutions. The bulk of these sales are derived from a third party administrator relationship which is in runoff. We therefore expect these sales to continue to decline during 2006 compared to 2005 amounts. Credit insurance sold through automobile dealers increased 10.3% from the prior year, resulting in a net decline in total credit insurance sales of 36.4% for the quarter. Service contract sales continued to improve in the first quarter, exceeding the prior year amounts by 14.0%. The first quarter improvement in service contract sales is comprised of an increase of $7.4 million and a decrease of $0.8 million, respectively, in the vehicle and marine lines.

Corporate and Other

The Company has an additional segment referred to as Corporate and Other. The Corporate and Other segment primarily consists of net investment income and expenses not attributable to the segments above (including net investment income on unallocated capital). This segment also includes earnings from several small non-strategic lines of business (primarily cancer insurance, residual value insurance, surety insurance, and group annuities).


The following table summarizes results for this segment:


       
Three Months Ended
March 31
     
   
2006
2005
Change
       
(Dollars in thousands)
     
Operating income (1)
       
$
5,343
 
$
9,115
 
$
(3,772
)
                           
Realized gains and losses - investments
         
3,945
   
(75
)
 
4,020
 
Realized gains and losses - derivatives
         
19,559
   
(6,798
)
 
26,357
 
Income before income tax
       
$
28,847
 
$
2,242
 
$
26,605
 
 
(1) Includes settlements on interest rate swaps of $104 and $821 for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Also includes participating income from real estate ventures of $5,326 and $0 for 2006 and 2005, respectively.


Operating income decreased $3.8 million from the first quarter of 2005 as a result of lower investment income on unallocated capital, offset by higher participating income from real estate ventures and prepayment fees on mortgage loans. Results for the runoff insurance lines improved compared to the prior year, with operating losses of $0.1 million for the first quarter of 2006 compared to losses of $2.8 million for the same period of 2005.

Realized Gains and Losses

The following table sets forth realized investment gains and losses for the periods shown:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31
     
   
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
     
Fixed maturity gains
 
$
16,215
 
$
36,763
 
$
(20,548
)
Fixed maturity losses
   
(20,609
)
 
(6,397
)
 
(14,212
)
Equity gains
   
235
   
138
   
97
 
Equity losses
   
0
   
(807
)
 
807
 
Impairments on fixed maturity securities
   
0
   
(246
)
 
246
 
Impairments on equity securities
   
0
   
0
   
0
 
Other
   
8,174
   
(1,574
)
 
9,748
 
Total realized gains (losses) - investments
 
$
4,015
 
$
27,877
 
$
(23,862
)
                     
Foreign currency swaps
 
$
926
 
$
(3,977
)
$
4,903
 
Foreign currency adjustments on stable value contracts
   
(744
)
 
4,225
   
(4,969
)
Derivatives related to mortgage loan commitments
   
19,698
   
4,870
   
14,828
 
Derivatives related to various investments
   
(556
)
 
(10,965
)
 
10,409
 
Total realized gains (losses) - derivatives
 
$
19,324
 
$
(5,847
)
$
25,171
 


Realized gains and losses on investments reflect portfolio management activities designed to maintain proper matching of assets and liabilities and to enhance long-term investment portfolio performance. The change in net realized investment gains for the current quarter, excluding impairments, reflects the normal operation of the Company’s asset/liability program within the context of the changing interest rate environment. The absence of impairments for the first quarter of 2006 compared to impairments of $0.2 million for the same period of 2005 reflects a general improvement in the corporate credit environment. The $8.2 million of other realized gains recognized in the first quarter of 2006 includes gains of $4.9 million related to real estate investments, a loss of $0.9 million related to mortgage loans, and a $4.3 million decrease in the Company’s allowance for mortgage loan credit losses. Additional details on the Company’s investment performance and evaluation is provided in the “Consolidated Investments” section below.

Realized investment gains and losses related to derivatives represent changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments and gains (losses) on derivative contracts closed during the period. The Company has entered into foreign currency swaps to mitigate the risk of changes in the value of principal and interest payments to be made on certain of its foreign currency denominated stable value contracts. The Company recorded a net realized gain resulting from these securities of $0.2 million in the first quarter of both 2006 and 2005. These gains were the result of differences in the related foreign currency spot and forward rates used to value the stable value contracts and foreign currency swaps. The Company has taken short positions in U.S. Treasury futures to mitigate interest rate risk related to the Company’s mortgage loan commitments. The gains from these securities in the first quarter were the result of increasing interest rates in the current quarter.

The Company also uses various swaps and options to mitigate risk related to other interest rate exposures of the Company. For the first quarter of 2006, a portion of the change, a net $3.6 million increase in realized gains (losses) resulted from higher interest rates in 2006, which impacted the fair value of certain interest rate swaps and options. During the first quarter of 2006, a net $0.2 million decrease in realized gains (losses) resulted from embedded derivatives within annuity contracts and reinsurance agreements.

Additionally, in the first quarter of 2005, the Company recorded a $7.1 million realized investment loss (derivative financial instruments) related to accrued investment income which arose in periods prior to 2003. The impact had no effect on previously reported segment operating income and no material effect on previously reported net income.

CONSOLIDATED INVESTMENTS

Portfolio Description

The Company's investment portfolio consists primarily of fixed maturity securities (bonds and redeemable preferred stocks) and commercial mortgage loans. The Company generally purchases its investments with the intent to hold to maturity by purchasing investments that match future cash flow needs. However, the Company may sell any of its investments to maintain proper matching of assets and liabilities. Accordingly, the Company has classified its fixed maturities and certain other securities as “available for sale.”

The Company's investments in debt and equity securities are reported at market value, and investments in mortgage loans are reported at amortized cost. At March 31, 2006, the Company's fixed maturity investments had a market value of $14.5 billion, which is less than 1% below amortized cost of $14.6 billion. The Company had $3.4 billion in mortgage loans at March 31, 2006. While the Company's mortgage loans do not have quoted market values, at March 31, 2006, the Company estimates the market value of its mortgage loans to be $3.5 billion (using discounted cash flows from the next call date), which is 1.2% above amortized cost. Most of the Company's mortgage loans have significant prepayment fees. These assets are invested for terms approximately corresponding to anticipated future benefit payments. Thus, market fluctuations are not expected to adversely affect liquidity.

The following table shows the reported values of the Company's invested assets.

   
March 31, 2006
 
December 31, 2005
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Publicly-issued bonds
 
$
12,618,266
   
64.2
%
$
13,232,599
   
66.3
%
Privately-issued bonds
   
1,916,128
   
9.8
   
1,802,118
   
9.0
 
Redeemable preferred stock
   
84
   
0.0
   
2,508
   
0.0
 
Fixed maturities
   
14,534,478
   
74.0
   
15,037,225
   
75.3
 
Equity securities
   
87,900
   
0.5
   
85,340
   
0.4
 
Mortgage loans
   
3,411,337
   
17.4
   
3,287,745
   
16.5
 
Investment real estate
   
61,223
   
0.3
   
65,301
   
0.3
 
Policy loans
   
456,147
   
2.3
   
458,825
   
2.3
 
Other long-term investments
   
260,447
   
1.3
   
273,768
   
1.4
 
Short-term investments
   
829,251
   
4.2
   
755,805
   
3.8
 
Total investments
 
$
19,640,783
   
100.0
%
$
19,964,009
   
100.0
%


Market values for private, non-traded securities are determined as follows: 1) the Company obtains estimates from independent pricing services or 2) the Company estimates market value based upon a comparison to quoted issues of the same issuer or issues of other issuers with similar terms and risk characteristics. The market value of private, non-traded securities was $1.9 billion at March 31, 2006, representing 9.8% of the Company’s total invested assets.


The Company participates in securities lending, primarily as an investment yield enhancement, whereby securities that are held as investments are loaned to third parties for short periods of time. The Company requires collateral of 102% of the market value of the loaned securities to be separately maintained. The loaned securities’ market value is monitored on a daily basis, with additional collateral obtained as necessary. At March 31, 2006, securities with a market value of $329.1 million were loaned under these agreements. As collateral for the loaned securities, the Company receives short-term investments, which are recorded in “short-term investments” with a corresponding liability recorded in “other liabilities” to account for the Company’s obligation to return the collateral.

Risk Management and Impairment Review

The Company monitors the overall credit quality of its portfolio within general guidelines. The following table shows the Company's fixed maturities by credit rating at March 31, 2006.

S&P or Equivalent Designation
 
Market Value
 
Percent of
Market Value
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
     
AAA
 
$
5,990,192
   
41.2
%
AA
   
512,469
   
3.5
 
A
   
2,436,240
   
16.8
 
BBB
   
4,489,772
   
30.9
 
Investment grade
   
13,428,673
   
92.4
 
BB
   
684,584
   
4.7
 
B
   
356,968
   
2.5
 
CCC or lower
   
14,809
   
0.1
 
In or near default
   
49,396
   
0.3
 
Below investment grade
   
1,105,757
   
7.6
 
Redeemable preferred stock
   
48
   
0.0
 
Total
 
$
14,534,478
   
100.0
%


Limiting bond exposure to any creditor group is another way the Company manages credit risk. The following table summarizes the Company's ten largest fixed maturity exposures to an individual creditor group as of March 31, 2006.

Creditor
 
Market Value
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
Dominion Resources
 
$
81.9
 
Wachovia
   
76.1
 
Bank of America
   
75.8
 
Comcast
   
75.1
 
Kinder Morgan
   
74.7
 
Progress Energy
   
70.9
 
Berkshire Hathaway
   
69.9
 
Entergy
   
69.7
 
Bellsouth
   
69.4
 
American Electric Power
   
67.8
 


The Company's management considers a number of factors when determining the impairment status of individual securities. These include the economic condition of various industry segments and geographic locations and other areas of identified risks. Although it is possible for the impairment of one investment to affect other investments, the Company engages in ongoing risk management to safeguard against and limit any further risk to its investment portfolio. Special attention is given to correlated risks within specific industries, related parties and business markets.

The Company generally considers a number of factors in determining whether the impairment is other-than-temporary. These include, but are not limited to: 1) actions taken by rating agencies, 2) default by the issuer, 3) the significance of the decline, 4) the intent and ability of the Company to hold the investment until recovery, 5) the time period during which the decline has occurred, 6) an economic analysis of the issuer’s industry, and 7) the financial strength, liquidity, and recoverability of the issuer. Management performs a security-by-security review each quarter in evaluating the need for any other-than-temporary impairment. Although no set formula is used in this process, the investment performance, collateral position and continued viability of the issuer are significant measures considered.

The Company generally considers a number of factors relating to the issuer in determining the financial strength, liquidity, and recoverability of an issuer. These include but are not limited to: available collateral, assets that might be available to repay debt, operating cash flows, financial ratios, access to capital markets, quality of management, market position, exposure to litigation or product warranties, and the effect of general economic conditions on the issuer. Once management has determined that a particular investment has suffered an other-than-temporary impairment, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value.

There are certain risks and uncertainties associated with determining whether declines in market values are other-than-temporary. These include significant changes in general economic conditions and business markets, trends in certain industry segments, interest rate fluctuations, rating agency actions, changes in significant accounting estimates and assumptions, commission of fraud, and legislative actions. The Company continuously monitors these factors as they relate to the investment portfolio in determining the status of each investment. Provided below are additional facts concerning the potential effect upon the Company's earnings should circumstances lead management to conclude that some of the current declines in market value are other-than-temporary.

Unrealized Gains and Losses

The information presented below relates to investments at a certain point in time and is not necessarily indicative of the status of the portfolio at any time after March 31, 2006, the balance sheet date. Information about unrealized gains and losses is subject to rapidly changing conditions, including volatility of financial markets and changes in interest rates. As indicated above, the Company’s management considers a number of factors in determining if an unrealized loss is other-than-temporary, including its ability and intent to hold the security until recovery. Furthermore, since the timing of recognizing realized gains and losses is largely based on management’s decisions as to the timing and selection of investments to be sold, the tables and information provided below should be considered within the context of the overall unrealized gain (loss) position of the portfolio. At March 31, 2006, the Company had an overall pretax net unrealized loss of $29.5 million.

For traded and private fixed maturity and equity securities held by the Company that are in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2006, the estimated market value, amortized cost, unrealized loss, and total time period that the security has been in an unrealized loss position are presented in the table below.

   
Estimated
Market Value
 
% Market
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
% Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
% Unrealized
Loss
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
<= 90 days
 
$
3,423,827
   
36.9
%
$
3,495,385
   
36.3
%
$
(71,558
)
 
21.8
%
>90 days but <= 180 days
   
2,013,945
   
21.7
   
2,074,889
   
21.6
   
(60,944
)
 
18.6
 
>180 days but <= 270 days
   
3,171,613
   
34.1
   
3,304,241
   
34.4
   
(132,628
)
 
40.5
 
>270 days but <= 1 year
   
73,116
   
0.8
   
77,919
   
0.8
   
(4,803
)
 
1.5
 
>1 year but <= 2 years
   
427,191
   
4.6
   
455,065
   
4.7
   
(27,874
)
 
8.5
 
>2 years but <= 3 years
   
151,720
   
1.6
   
164,357
   
1.7
   
(12,637
)
 
3.9
 
>3 years but <= 4 years
   
266
   
0.0
   
299
   
0.0
   
(33
)
 
0.0
 
>4 years but <= 5 years
   
323
   
0.0
   
389
   
0.0
   
(66
)
 
0.0
 
>5 years
   
26,230
   
0.3
   
43,474
   
0.5
   
(17,244
)
 
5.2
 
Total
 
$
9,288,231
   
100.0
%
$
9,616,018
   
100.0
%
$
(327,787
)
 
100.0
%


At March 31, 2006, securities with a market value of $26.3 million and $16.7 million of unrealized losses were issued in Company-sponsored commercial mortgage loan securitizations, including $16.6 million of unrealized losses greater than five years. The Company does not consider these unrealized positions to be other-than-temporary because the underlying mortgage loans continue to perform consistently with the Company’s original expectations.

The Company has no material concentrations of issuers or guarantors of fixed maturity securities. The industry segment composition of all securities in an unrealized loss position held by the Company at March 31, 2006, is presented in the following table.

   
Estimated
Market Value
 
% Market
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
% Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
% Unrealized
Loss
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Agency Mortgages
 
$
2,260,530
   
24.3
%
$
2,336,129
   
24.3
%
$
(75,599
)
 
23.1
%
Banking
   
583,395
   
6.3
   
603,737
   
6.3
   
(20,342
)
 
6.2
 
Basic Industrial
   
255,508
   
2.8
   
267,012
   
2.8
   
(11,504
)
 
3.5
 
Brokerage
   
162,143
   
1.7
   
167,302
   
1.7
   
(5,159
)
 
1.6
 
Canadian Govt Agencies
   
19,186
   
0.2
   
19,788
   
0.2
   
(602
)
 
0.2
 
Capital Goods
   
67,350
   
0.7
   
69,159
   
0.7
   
(1,809
)
 
0.6
 
Communications
   
239,772
   
2.6
   
256,095
   
2.7
   
(16,323
)
 
5.0
 
Consumer Cyclical
   
218,337
   
2.4
   
230,877
   
2.4
   
(12,540
)
 
3.8
 
Consumer Noncyclical
   
195,653
   
2.1
   
202,909
   
2.1
   
(7,256
)
 
2.2
 
Electric
   
954,831
   
10.3
   
993,703
   
10.3
   
(38,872
)
 
11.9
 
Energy
   
167,686
   
1.8
   
174,488
   
1.8
   
(6,802
)
 
2.1
 
Finance Companies
   
192,840
   
2.1
   
201,880
   
2.1
   
(9,040
)
 
2.7
 
Insurance
   
196,779
   
2.1
   
204,387
   
2.2
   
(7,608
)
 
2.3
 
Municipal Agencies
   
3,221
   
0.0
   
3,268
   
0.0
   
(47
)
 
0.0
 
Natural Gas
   
412,558
   
4.4
   
431,563
   
4.5
   
(19,005
)
 
5.8
 
Non-Agency Mortgages
   
2,826,353
   
30.5
   
2,901,129
   
30.2
   
(74,776
)
 
22.8
 
Other Finance
   
96,557
   
1.0
   
102,246
   
1.1
   
(5,689
)
 
1.7
 
Other Industrial
   
76,299
   
0.8
   
79,218
   
0.8
   
(2,919
)
 
0.9
 
Other Utility
   
21
   
0.0
   
44
   
0.0
   
(23
)
 
0.0
 
Technology
   
77,476
   
0.8
   
80,911
   
0.8
   
(3,435
)
 
1.0
 
Transportation
   
199,532
   
2.2
   
206,249
   
2.1
   
(6,717
)
 
2.0
 
U.S. Government
   
75,147
   
0.8
   
76,697
   
0.8
   
(1,550
)
 
0.5
 
U.S. Govt Agencies
   
7,057
   
0.1
   
7,227
   
0.1
   
(170
)
 
0.1
 
Total
 
$
9,288,231
   
100.0
%
$
9,616,018
   
100.0
%
$
(327,787
)
 
100.0
%


The range of maturity dates for securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2006 varies, with 6.4% maturing in less than 5 years, 19.7% maturing between 5 and 10 years, and 73.9% maturing after 10 years. The following table shows the credit rating of securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2006.

S&P or Equivalent
Designation
 
Estimated
Market Value
 
% Market
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
% Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
% Unrealized
Loss
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
AAA/AA/A
 
$
6,580,262
   
70.8
%
$
6,771,797
   
70.4
%
$
(191,535
)
 
58.4
%
BBB
   
2,345,088
   
25.3
   
2,444,488
   
25.4
   
(99,400
)
 
30.4
 
Investment grade
   
8,925,350
   
96.1
   
9,216,285
   
95.8
   
(290,935
)
 
88.8
 
BB
   
256,254
   
2.8
   
270,342
   
2.8
   
(14,088
)
 
4.3
 
B
   
69,268
   
0.7
   
75,950
   
0.8
   
(6,682
)
 
2.0
 
CCC or lower
   
37,359
   
0.4
   
53,441
   
0.6
   
(16,082
)
 
4.9
 
Below investment grade
   
362,881
   
3.9
   
399,733
   
4.2
   
(36,852
)
 
11.2
 
Total
 
$
9,288,231
   
100.0
%
$
9,616,018
   
100.0
%
$
(327,787
)
 
100.0
%


At March 31, 2006, securities in an unrealized loss position that were rated as below investment grade represented 3.9% of the total market value and 11.2% of the total unrealized loss. Unrealized losses related to below investment grade securities that had been in an unrealized loss position for more than twelve months were $27.2 million. Securities in an unrealized loss position rated less than investment grade were 1.8% of invested assets. The Company generally purchases its investments with the intent to hold to maturity. The Company does not expect these investments to adversely affect its liquidity or ability to maintain proper matching of assets and liabilities.



The following table shows the estimated market value, amortized cost, unrealized loss, and total time period that the security has been in an unrealized loss position for all below investment grade securities.

   
Estimated
Market Value
 
% Market
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
% Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
% Unrealized
Loss
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
<= 90 days
 
$
94,195
   
26.0
%
$
96,795
   
24.3
%
$
(2,600
)
 
7.1
%
>90 days but <= 180 days
   
65,205
   
18.0
   
68,273
   
17.1
   
(3,068
)
 
8.3
 
>180 days but <= 270 days
   
61,199
   
16.9
   
64,517
   
16.1
   
(3,318
)
 
9.0
 
>270 days but <= 1 year
   
19,404
   
5.3
   
20,000
   
5.0
   
(596
)
 
1.6
 
>1 year but <= 2 years
   
88,128
   
24.3
   
97,794
   
24.5
   
(9,666
)
 
26.2
 
>2 years but <= 3 years
   
11,255
   
3.1
   
12,565
   
3.1
   
(1,310
)
 
3.6
 
>3 years but <= 4 years
   
164
   
0.0
   
189
   
0.0
   
(25
)
 
0.1
 
>4 years but <= 5 years
   
49
   
0.0
   
52
   
0.0
   
(3
)
 
0.0
 
>5 years
   
23,282
   
6.4
   
39,548
   
9.9
   
(16,266
)
 
44.1
 
Total
 
$
362,881
   
100.0
%
$
399,733
   
100.0
%
$
(36,852
)
 
100.0
%


At March 31, 2006, below investment grade securities with a market value of $23.7 million and $15.8 million of unrealized losses were issued in Company sponsored commercial mortgage loan securitizations, including securities in an unrealized loss position greater than five years with a market value of $21.4 million and $15.8 million of unrealized losses. The Company does not consider these unrealized positions to be other-than-temporary because the underlying mortgage loans continue to perform consistently with the Company’s original expectations.

Realized Losses

Realized losses are comprised of both write-downs for other-than-temporary impairments and actual sales of investments. For the first quarter of 2006, the Company recorded pretax other-than-temporary impairments in its investments of $0.0 million compared to $0.2 million for the comparable period of 2005.

As previously discussed, the Company’s management considers several factors when determining other-than-temporary impairments. Although the Company generally intends to hold securities until maturity, the Company may change its positions as a result of a change in circumstances. Any such decision is consistent with the Company’s classification of its investment portfolio as available for sale. During the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company sold securities in an unrealized loss position with a market value of $1,721.1 million resulting in a realized loss of $20.6 million. The securities were sold as a result of normal portfolio rebalancing activity and tax planning. For such securities, the proceeds, realized loss, and total time period that the security had been in an unrealized loss position are presented in the table below.

   
Proceeds
 
% Proceeds
 
Realized Loss
 
% Realized Loss
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
<= 90 days
 
$
1,022,207
   
59.4
%
$
(1,760
)
 
8.5
%
>90 days but <= 180 days
   
262,394
   
15.2
   
(6,570
)
 
31.9
 
>180 days but <= 270 days
   
420,879
   
24.5
   
(10,962
)
 
53.2
 
>270 days but <= 1 year
   
0
   
0.0
   
(0
)
 
0.0
 
> 1 year
   
15,622
   
0.9
   
(1,317
)
 
6.4
 
Total
 
$
1,721,102
   
100.0
%
$
(20,609
)
 
100.0
%


Mortgage Loans

The Company records mortgage loans net of an allowance for credit losses. This allowance is calculated through analysis of specific loans that are believed to be at a higher risk of becoming impaired in the near future. At March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the Company's allowance for mortgage loan credit losses was $2.5 million and $6.8 million, respectively.

During the first quarter of 2005, Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. (“Winn-Dixie”), an anchor tenant in the Company’s mortgage loan portfolio, declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. At March 31, 2006, the Company had 20 loans amounting to $55.1 million in loan balances in which Winn-Dixie was considered to be the anchor tenant for the underlying property (including 7 loans with balances of $13.5 million included in mortgage loan securitization trusts in which the Company holds retained beneficial interests). At March 31, 2006, the rents from Winn-Dixie represented approximately 45% of the total rents applicable to the properties underlying these loans (including approximately 69% of rents on loans in mortgage loan securitizations). On June 21, 2005, Winn-Dixie announced a reorganization plan that included selling or closing a number of stores that served as the anchor tenant for properties underlying loans in the Company’s mortgage loan portfolio. At March 31, 2006, the Company’s mortgage loan portfolio included 11 properties with rejected leases under this reorganization plan. Within the 11 loans on these properties, the Company has identified 2 potential impairments, and the mortgage loan allowance for credit losses at March 31, 2006 included $0.9 million related to these loans. The Company will continue to actively monitor these loans and assess them for potential impairments as circumstances develop in the future.

For several years the Company has offered a type of commercial mortgage loan under which the Company will permit a slightly higher loan-to-value ratio in exchange for a participating interest in the cash flows from the underlying real estate. As of March 31, 2006, approximately $437.1 million of the Company’s mortgage loans have this participation feature.

At March 31, 2006, delinquent mortgage loans and foreclosed properties were less than 0.1% of invested assets. The Company does not expect these investments to adversely affect its liquidity or ability to maintain proper matching of assets and liabilities.

LIABILITIES

Many of the Company's products contain surrender charges and other features that reward persistency and penalize the early withdrawal of funds. Certain stable value and annuity contracts have market-value adjustments that protect the Company against investment losses if interest rates are higher at the time of surrender than at the time of issue.

At March 31, 2006, the Company had policy liabilities and accruals of $12.2 billion. The Company's interest-sensitive life insurance policies have a weighted average minimum credited interest rate of approximately 3.85%.

MARKET RISK EXPOSURES

The Company’s financial position and earnings are subject to various market risks including changes in interest rates, changes in the yield curve, changes in spreads between risk-adjusted and risk-free interest rates, changes in foreign currency rates, changes in used vehicle prices, and equity price risks. The Company analyzes and manages the risks arising from market exposures of financial instruments, as well as other risks, through an integrated asset/liability management process. The Company’s asset/liability management programs and procedures involve the monitoring of asset and liability durations for various product lines; cash flow testing under various interest rate scenarios; and the continuous rebalancing of assets and liabilities with respect to yield, risk, and cash flow characteristics. These programs also incorporate the use of derivative financial instruments primarily to reduce the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk, inflation risk, currency exchange risk, and equity market risk.

The primary focus of the Company’s asset/liability program is the management of interest rate risk within the insurance operations. This includes monitoring the duration of both investments and insurance liabilities to maintain an appropriate balance between risk and profitability for each product category and for the Company as a whole. It is the Company’s policy to generally maintain asset and liability durations within one-half year of one another, although, from time to time, a broader interval may be allowed.

Combinations of interest rate swap contracts, futures contracts, and option contracts are used to mitigate or eliminate certain financial and market risks, including those related to changes in interest rates for certain investments, primarily outstanding mortgage loan commitments and mortgage-backed securities. Swap contracts are also used to alter the effective durations of assets and liabilities and to mitigate the inflation risk caused by the issuance of inflation adjusted notes through the Stable Value Products segment. The Company uses foreign currency swaps to manage its exposure to currency exchange risk on certain stable value contracts denominated in foreign currencies, primarily the European Euro. The Company also uses S&P 500® options to mitigate its exposure to the value of equity indexed annuity contracts.

Derivative instruments expose the Company to credit and market risk and could result in material changes from quarter-to-quarter. The Company minimizes its credit risk by entering into transactions with highly rated counterparties. The Company manages the market risk associated with interest rate and foreign exchange contracts by establishing and monitoring limits as to the types and degrees of risk that may be undertaken. The Company monitors its use of derivatives in connection with its overall asset/liability management programs and procedures.

In the ordinary course of its commercial mortgage lending operations, the Company will commit to provide a mortgage loan before the property to be mortgaged has been built or acquired. The mortgage loan commitment is a contractual obligation to fund a mortgage loan when called upon by the borrower. The commitment is not recognized in the Company's financial statements until the commitment is actually funded. The mortgage loan commitment contains terms, including the rate of interest, which may be different than prevailing interest rates. At March 31, 2006, the Company had outstanding mortgage loan commitments of $951.9 million at an average rate of 6.02%.

The Company believes its asset/liability management programs and procedures and certain product features provide protection for the Company against the effects of changes in interest rates under various scenarios. Additionally, the Company believes its asset/liability management programs and procedures provide sufficient liquidity to enable it to fulfill its obligation to pay benefits under its various insurance and deposit contracts. However, the Company’s asset/liability management programs and procedures incorporate assumptions about the relationship between short-term and long-term interest rates (i.e., the slope of the yield curve), relationships between risk-adjusted and risk-free interest rates, market liquidity and other factors, and the effectiveness of the Company’s asset/liability management programs and procedures may be negatively affected whenever actual results differ from those assumptions.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity

The Company meets its liquidity requirements primarily through positive cash flows from its insurance operations. Primary sources of cash are premiums, deposits for policyholder accounts, investment sales and maturities, and investment income. Primary uses of cash include benefit payments, withdrawals from policyholder accounts, investment purchases, policy acquisition costs, and other operating expenses.

While the Company generally anticipates that its cash flows will be sufficient to meet its investment commitments and operating cash needs, the Company recognizes that investment commitments scheduled to be funded may, from time to time, exceed the funds then available. Therefore, the Company has established repurchase agreement programs for certain of its insurance subsidiaries to provide liquidity when needed. The Company expects that the rate received on its investments will equal or exceed its borrowing rate. Additionally, the Company may, from time to time, sell short-duration stable value products to complement its cash management practices. The Company has also used securitization transactions involving its commercial mortgage loans to increase liquidity.

The Company’s positive cash flows from operations are used to fund an investment portfolio that provides for future benefit payments. The Company employs a formal asset/liability program to manage the cash flows of its investment portfolio relative to its long-term benefit obligations. See additional discussion of the Company’s asset/liability program in the “Market Risk Exposures” section.

The Company was committed at March 31, 2006, to fund mortgage loans in the amount of $951.9 million. The Company held $836.9 million in cash and short-term investments at March 31, 2006.

The states in which the Company and its insurance subsidiaries are domiciled impose certain restrictions on the ability to pay dividends to PLC. These restrictions are generally based in part on the prior year’s statutory income and surplus. Generally, these restrictions pose no short-term liquidity concerns for PLC. The Company plans to retain substantial portions of its earnings and the earnings of its subsidiaries primarily to support future growth.

Capital Resources

Golden Gate Captive Insurance Company (“Golden Gate”), a special purpose financial captive insurance company wholly owned by the Company, has $150 million of non-recourse funding obligations outstanding at March 31, 2006, which bear a floating rate of interest and mature in 2037. These non-recourse funding obligations were issued under a surplus notes facility established with certain purchasers through which Golden Gate may issue up to an aggregate of $400 million of non-recourse funding obligations through June 2007. The non-recourse funding obligations are direct financial obligations of Golden Gate and are not guaranteed by the Company or its parent company, PLC. The non-recourse obligations are represented by surplus notes that were issued to fund statutory reserves required by the Valuation of Life Insurance Policies Regulation (Regulation XXX). Any payment of principal of, including by redemption, or interest on the Notes may only be made with the prior approval of the Director of Insurance of the State of South Carolina in accordance with the terms of its licensing order and in accordance with applicable law. Under the terms of the notes, the holders of the notes cannot require repayment from PLC, the Company or any of PLC’s other subsidiaries, other than Golden Gate, the direct issuer of the notes, although PLC has agreed to indemnify Golden Gate for certain costs and obligations (which obligations do not include payment of principal and interest on the notes). In addition, PLC has entered into certain support agreements with Golden Gate obligating PLC to make capital contributions to Golden Gate or provide support related to certain of Golden Gate’s expenses and in certain circumstances, to collateralize certain of PLC’s obligations to Golden Gate.

A life insurance company's statutory capital is computed according to rules prescribed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC"), as modified by state law. Generally speaking, other states in which a company does business defer to the interpretation of the domiciliary state with respect to NAIC rules, unless inconsistent with other state’s law. Statutory accounting rules are different from GAAP and are intended to reflect a more conservative view by, for example, requiring immediate expensing of policy acquisition costs. The NAIC's risk-based capital requirements require insurance companies to calculate and report information under a risk-based capital formula. The achievement of long-term growth will require growth in the statutory capital of the Company and its insurance subsidiaries. The Company may secure additional statutory capital through various sources, such as retained statutory earnings or equity contributions by PLC.

Contractual Obligations

The table below sets forth future maturities of stable value products, operating lease obligations, other property lease obligations, mortgage loan commitments, liabilities related to variable interest entities, policyholder obligations, and non-recourse funding obligations.

   
2006
 
2007-2008
 
2009-2010
 
After 2010
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Stable value products(a)
 
$
911,276
 
$
2,818,136
 
$
953,826
 
$
1,189,855
 
Operating leases(b)
   
3,894
   
8,658
   
6,528
   
4,695
 
Home office lease(c)
   
2,608
   
75,580
             
Mortgage loan commitments
   
951,867
                   
Liabilities related to variable interest entities(d)
   
760
   
35,488
   
192
   
5,948
 
Policyholder obligations(e)
   
860,411
   
1,934,997
   
1,570,592
   
9,693,844
 
Non-recourse funding obligations(f)
                     
150,000
 
 
(a) Anticipated stable value products cash flows, excluding interest not yet accrued.
(b) Includes all lease payments required under operating lease agreements.
(c) The lease payments shown assume the Company exercises its option to purchase the building at the end of the lease term.
(d) Liabilities related to variable interest entities are not the legal obligations of the Company, but will be repaid with cash flows generated by the variable interest entities. The amounts represent scheduled principal payments.
(e) Estimated contractual policyholder obligations are based on mortality, morbidity, and lapse assumptions comparable to the Company’s historical experience, modified for recent observed trends. These obligations are based on current balance sheet values and do not incorporate an expectation of future market growth, interest crediting, or future deposits. Due to the significance of the assumptions used, the amounts presented could materially differ from actual results. As separate account obligations are legally insulated from general account obligations, the separate account obligations will be fully funded by cash flows from separate account assets. The Company expects to fully fund the general account obligations from cash flows from general account investments.
(f) Non-recourse funding obligations include all principal amounts owed on note agreements and does not include interest payments due over the term of the notes.


RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

See Note 5 to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for information regarding recently issued accounting standards.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

A proposal to amend Actuarial Guideline 38 (promulgated by the NAIC and part of the codification of statutory accounting principles) has been approved by the NAIC, with an effective date of July 1, 2005. Actuarial Guideline 38, also known as AXXX, sets forth the reserve requirements for universal life insurance with secondary guarantees (“ULSG”). The changes to Actuarial Guideline 38 increase the reserve levels required for many ULSG products, and potentially make those products more expensive and less competitive as compared to other products including term and whole life products. The changes to Actuarial Guideline 38 affect only policies with an issue date of July 1, 2005 and later, and reduce the competitiveness and/or profitability of newly written ULSG products compared to traditional whole life or other high cash value insurance products or other products supported by relatively inexpensive capital (such as reinsurance of redundant reserves). To the extent that the additional reserves are generally considered to be economically redundant, capital market or other solutions may emerge to reduce the impact of the amendment. The ability of the Company to access such solutions may depend on factors such as the ratings of the Company, the size of the blocks of business affected, the mortality experience of the Company, and other factors. The Company cannot predict when or if these solutions may become available to the Company or its competitors.

A recent ruling by the Securities Valuation Office (“SVO”) of the NAIC indicates that certain securities previously classified as “preferred securities” may be classified as “equity securities” in the future. The Company currently invests in these securities and if the securities are reclassified, the market value of these securities may be negatively affected. Additionally, it may increase the Company’s costs to complete its pending acquisition or otherwise impact PLC’s ability to execute a hybrid securities offering.

The financial services industry has recently become the focus of increased scrutiny by regulatory and law enforcement authorities relating to allegations of improper special payments, price-fixing, bid-rigging, and other alleged misconduct, including payments made by insurers and other financial service providers to brokers and the practices surrounding the placement of insurance business and sales of other financial products as well as practices related to finite reinsurance. Such publicity may generate litigation against financial service providers, even those who do not engage in the business lines or practices currently at issue. It is impossible to predict the outcome of these investigations or proceedings, whether they will expand into other areas not yet contemplated, whether they will result in changes in insurance regulation, whether activities currently thought to be lawful will be characterized as unlawful, or the impact, if any, of this increased regulatory and law enforcement scrutiny of the financial services industry on the Company. As these inquiries appear to encompass a large segment of our industry, it would not be unusual for large numbers of companies in the financial services industry to receive subpoenas, requests for information from regulatory authorities, or other inquiries relating to these and similar matters. From time to time, the Company receives subpoenas, requests or other inquiries and responds to them in the ordinary course of business.

In the first quarter of 2005, the Company received a subpoena from the Attorney General of West Virginia for documents and other information relating to funding agreement-backed securities, special purpose vehicles, and related subjects. The Company understands that other U.S. based life insurers that participate in funding agreement backed note programs have received similar subpoenas. The Company has responded to the subpoena. The Company is not aware of any problems relating to its participation in funding agreement-backed note programs that would have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

The California Department of Insurance has promulgated proposed regulations that would characterize some life insurance agents as brokers and impose certain obligations on those agents that may conflict with the interests of insurance carriers or require the agent to, among other things, advise the client with respect to the best available insurer. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this regulatory proposal or whether any other state will propose or adopt similar actions.


In July 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an exposure draft of a proposed interpretation, “Accounting for Uncertain Tax Positions - an Interpretation of FASB Statement 109.” The draft contains proposed guidance on the recognition and measurement of uncertain tax positions. It also addresses the accrual of any interest and penalties related to tax uncertainties and the classification of liabilities resulting from tax uncertainties on the balance sheet. The final interpretation is expected to be issued in the second quarter of 2006, and is expected to be effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of this draft interpretation, but does not currently anticipate that its adoption would have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There has been no material change from the disclosures in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 
(a)
Disclosure controls and procedures

Under the direction of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures and concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2006. It should be noted that any system of controls, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Further, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain judgments, including the costs and benefits of controls and the likelihood of future events. Because of these and other inherent limitations of control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues, if any, within the Company have been detected.

(b)  
Changes in internal control over financial reporting

No significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2006, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, such internal control over financial reporting. Our internal controls exist within a dynamic environment and the Company continually strives to improve its internal controls and procedures to enhance the quality of its financial reporting.



PART II


Item 1A.  Risk Factors

The operating results of companies in the insurance industry 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. In addition to other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors and Cautionary Factors that may Affect Future Results” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, which could materially affect the Company’s business, financial condition, or future results of operations. In addition, please consider the following:

The Company may not be able to close its pending acquisition, or may not be able to achieve the expected results once it is consummated.

On February 7, the Company signed a definitive agreement to acquire from JPMorgan Chase & Co. the stock of five life insurance companies that manufacture and distribute traditional life insurance and annuities and the stock of four related non-insurance companies. This transaction is currently expected to close during the third quarter of 2006. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approval. Completion of and/or integration of the acquisition may be more expensive, more difficult, or take longer than expected. The acquisition may have a different and more expensive financing structure than currently contemplated. In addition, the Company may not achieve the returns projected from its analysis of the acquisition opportunity, and the effects of purchase GAAP accounting on the Company’s financial statements may be different than currently contemplated.

These may not be the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us, or that we currently deem to be immaterial, may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or operating results.


Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit 12 - Consolidated Earnings Ratios.

Exhibit 31(a) - Certification Pursuant to § 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 31(b) - Certification Pursuant to § 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 32(a) - Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 32(b) - Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 99 - Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements 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.


PROTECTIVE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY


Date: May 15, 2006                                                                             /s/ Steven G. Walker____________________
Steven G. Walker
Senior Vice President, Controller and
Chief Accounting Officer
(Duly authorized officer)