Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), under guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the results of Globe Life Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. When Globe Life acquires a subsidiary or a block of business, the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed are measured at fair value at the acquisition date. Any excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of net assets is recorded as goodwill. Expenses incurred to effect the acquisition are charged to earnings as of the acquisition date. Upon acquisition, the accounts and results of operations are consolidated as of and subsequent to the acquisition date.

Globe Life accounts for its variable interest entities (VIEs) under accounting guidance which clarifies the definition of a variable interest and the instructions for consolidating VIEs. Only primary beneficiaries are required or allowed to consolidate VIEs. Therefore, a company may have voting control of a VIE, but if it is not the primary beneficiary, it is not permitted to consolidate the VIE. The investments are not consolidated because the Company has no power to control the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of these entities and therefore the Company is not the primary beneficiary of any of these interests. Globe Life involvement is limited to its limited partnership interest in the entities. The Company has not provided any other financial support to the entities beyond its commitments to fund its limited partnership interests, and there are no arrangements or agreements with any of the interests to provide other financial support. The maximum loss exposure relative to these interests is limited to their carrying value. The Company has approximately 1% of its investments in low-income housing tax credits and certain limited partnerships ('investment funds") that qualify as an unconsolidated VIE.

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations: When a component of Globe Life's business is sold or expected to be sold during the ensuing year, the Company considers whether the criteria of ASC 205-20, Discontinued Operations, have been met, which includes evaluating if the disposal of a component represents a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on the Company. If the disposal meets the criteria for discontinued operations, the assets and liabilities are segregated and recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as "Assets and Liabilities related to discontinued operations" for all periods presented. If the carrying amount of the business exceeds its estimated fair value, a loss is recognized. The results of operations for the discontinued component are reported in "Income from discontinued operations, net of tax" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for current and prior periods. Discontinued operations are reported commencing in the period in which the business is either disposed of or meets the accounting criteria for discontinued operations, including any gain or loss recognized on the sale or adjustment of the carrying amount to the estimated fair value less cost to sell.

Investments

Investments: Globe Life classifies all of its fixed maturity investments as available for sale. Investments classified as available for sale are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reflected directly in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"). Policy loans, which represent loans provided to policyholders using cash values as collateral, are carried at unpaid principal balances. Other long-term investments include limited partnerships, commercial mortgage loan participations, equity securities, and real estate. Investments in equity securities are reported at fair value with changes in fair value, net of taxes, reflected directly in "Realized Gains (Losses)" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Investments in real estate are reported at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life. Investments in limited partnerships consist of low-income housing tax credits and investment funds. We have elected the fair value option method for our investment funds and the net asset value is used to approximate fair value, as a practical expedient, with fluctuations in fair value reflected directly in "Realized Gains (Losses)" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Short-term investments include investments in interest-bearing assets with original maturities of twelve months or less. Gains and losses realized on the disposition of investments are determined on a specific identification basis.

Commercial mortgage loan participations, a type of investment where the mortgage loan is shared among investors, are accounted for as financing receivables. The commercial mortgage loan participations are managed by a third- party. The Company purchased the legal rights to interests in commercial mortgage loans which are secured by properties such as hotels, retail, multiple family, or offices. The commercial mortgage loans typically have a term of three years with the option to extend up to two years. The commercial mortgage loans are recorded at unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized origination fees and net of allowance for loan losses, if applicable. Interest income, net of the amortization of origination fees, is recorded in "Net Investment Income" under the effective yield method. The Company evaluates the performance and credit quality of each individual commercial mortgage on a quarterly basis, or as needed, by utilizing common metrics such as loan-to-value and debt service coverage ratios as well as evaluating the fair value of the underlying collateral. The fair value of the underlying collateral is based on a third party appraisal of the property. The Company will also determine the probability of estimated losses for each commercial mortgage loan and record an allowance if conclusions are reached that collection of principal and interest are not probable. The allowance for loan losses are based on estimates, historical experience, probability of loss, value of the underlying collateral, and macro factors that affect the collectability of the loan. All assumptions are reviewed and updated as necessary.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements, Investments in Securities: Globe Life measures the fair value of its fixed maturities based on a hierarchy consisting of three levels which indicate the quality of the fair value measurements as described below:

•Level 1—fair values are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

•Level 2—fair values are based on inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, or inputs that can otherwise be corroborated by observable market data.

•Level 3—fair values are based on inputs that are considered unobservable where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability as of the measurement date. In this circumstance, the Company has to rely on values derived by independent brokers or internally-developed assumptions. Unobservable inputs are developed based on the best information available to the Company which may include the Company’s own data or bid and ask prices in the dealer market.

Net Asset Value—Certain investments, such as investment funds, that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share or its equivalent, as a practical expedient, have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The net asset value is usually provided by general partners or managers.

The great majority of Globe Life's fixed maturities are not actively traded and direct quotes are not generally available. Management therefore determines the fair values of these securities after consideration of data provided by third-party pricing services, independent broker/dealers, and other resources. At December 31, 2019, the Company's investments in fixed maturities were primarily composed of the following significant security types: corporate securities, state and municipal securities, and U.S. government securities. The remaining security types represented less than 2% of the total in the aggregate.

Approximately 96% of the fair value of fixed maturities reported at December 31, 2019 was determined using data provided by third-party pricing services. Prices provided by these services are not binding offers, but are estimated exit values. Third-party pricing services use proprietary pricing models to determine security values by discounting cash flows using a market-adjusted spread to a benchmark yield.

For all asset classes within Globe Life's significant security types, third-party pricing services use a common valuation technique to model the price of the investments using observable market data. The foundation for these models consists of developing yield spreads based on multiple observable market inputs, including but not limited to: benchmark yield curves, actual trading activity, new issue yields, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, sector-specific data, economic data, and other inputs that are corroborated in the market. Pricing vendors monitor and review their pricing data continuously with current market and economic data feeds, augmented by ongoing communication within the dealer community.

Using the observable market inputs described above, spreads to an appropriate benchmark yield are further developed by the vendors for each security based on security-specific and/or sector-specific risk factors, such as a security’s terms and conditions (coupon, maturity, and call features), credit rating, sector, liquidity, collateral or other cash flow options, and other factors that could impact the risk of the security. Embedded repayment options, such as call and redemption features, are also taken into account in the pricing models. When the spread is determined, it is added to the security’s benchmark yield. The security's expected cash flows are discounted using this spread-adjusted yield, and the resulting present value of the discounted cash flows is the evaluated price.

When third-party vendor prices are not available, the Company attempts to obtain valuations from other sources, including but not limited to broker/dealers, broker quotes, and prices on comparable securities.

When valuations have been obtained for all securities in the portfolio, management reviews and analyzes the prices to ensure their reasonableness, taking into account available and observable information. When two or more valuations are available for a security and the variance between the prices is 10% or less, the close correlation suggests similar observable inputs were used in deriving the price, and the mean of the prices is used. Securities valued in this manner are classified as Level 2. When the variance between two or more valuations for a security exceeds 10%, additional analysis is performed to determine the most appropriate value for that security, using resources such as broker quotes, prices on comparable securities, recent trades, and any other observable market data. Further review is performed on the available valuations to determine if they can be corroborated within reasonable tolerance to any other observable evidence. If one of the valuations or the mean of the available valuations for a security can be corroborated with other observable evidence, then the corroborated value is used and reported as Level 2. The Company uses information and analytical techniques deemed appropriate for determining the point within the range of reasonable fair value estimates that is most representative of fair value under current market conditions. Valuations that cannot be corroborated within a reasonable tolerance are classified as Level 3.

Globe Life invests in a portfolio of private placement fixed maturities that are not actively traded. This portfolio is managed by third-parties. The portfolio managers provide valuations for the bonds based on a pricing matrix utilizing observable inputs, such as the benchmark treasury rate and published sector indices, and unobservable inputs such as an internally-developed credit rating. If observable inputs cannot be corroborated, the fair values are classified as Level 3.

Fair Value Measurements, Other Financial Instruments: Fair values for cash and equivalents, short-term investments, short-term debt, receivables, and payables approximate carrying value. Cash and cash equivalents are classified as Level 1. Fair values of commercial mortgage loan participations are determined based upon expected cash flows discounted at an appropriate risk-adjusted rate and are classified as a Level 3. The fair value of investments in limited partnerships that provide low-income housing tax credits is based on discounted projected cash flows. Policy loans are an integral part of Globe Life's subsidiaries’ life insurance policies in force and their fair values cannot be valued separately from the insurance contracts. Investment funds are based on net asset value and are excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

The fair values of Globe Life's long and short term debt issues are based on the same methodology as investments in fixed maturities. At December 31, 2019, observable inputs were available for these debt securities and as such were classified as Level 2 in the valuation hierarchy. The fair value for each debt instrument as of December 31, 2019 is disclosed in Note 11—Debt.

As described in Note 9—Postretirement Benefits, Globe Life maintains a nonqualified supplemental retirement plan. Accordingly, the assets that support the liability for this plan are considered general assets of the Company. These assets consist of the cash value of corporate-owned life insurance policies (COLI) and exchange traded funds (ETFs). The fair value of the insurance cash values approximates carrying value. Fair values for the ETFs are derived from direct quotes and are considered Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Impairment of Investments

Impairment of Investments: Globe Life's portfolio of fixed maturities fluctuates in value due to changes in interest rates in the financial markets as well as other factors. Fluctuations caused by market interest rate changes have little bearing on whether or not the investment will be ultimately recoverable; and therefore, the Company considers declines in value resulting from changes in market interest rates to be temporary. In certain circumstances, however, the Company will conclude the decline in the value of a security to be other-than-temporary and correspondingly write the book value of the security down to its fair value, realizing an investment loss.

The evaluation of Globe Life's securities for other-than-temporary impairments is a process that is undertaken at least quarterly and is overseen by a team of investment and accounting professionals. A security has been deemed impaired when the fair value is less than the cost or amortized cost, resulting in the performance of further evaluation and analysis to determine whether the impairment is other-than-temporary. The process for making this determination is highly subjective and involves the careful consideration of many factors. Among the factors considered are:

•The length of time and extent to which the security has been impaired

•The reason(s) for the impairment

•The financial condition of the issuer and the prospects for recovery in fair value of the security

•The Company’s ability and intent to hold the security until anticipated recovery

•Expected future cash flows

The relative weight given to each of these factors can change over time as facts and circumstances change. In many cases, management believes it is appropriate to give more consideration to prospective factors than to retrospective factors. Prospective factors that are given more weight include prospects for recovery, the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security until anticipated recovery, and expected future cash flows.

Among the facts and information considered in the process are:

•Financial statements of the issuer

•Changes in credit ratings of the issuer

•The value of underlying collateral

•News and information included in press releases issued by the issuer

•News and information reported in the media concerning the issuer

•News and information published by or otherwise provided by securities, economic, or research analysts

•The nature and amount of recent and expected future sources and uses of cash

•Default on a required payment

•Issuer bankruptcy filings

While all available information is taken into account, it is difficult to predict the ultimate recoverable amount of an impaired security. If a security is determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired, the cost basis of the security is written down to fair value and is treated as a realized loss in the period the determination is made. The written-down security will be amortized and revenue recognized in accordance with estimated future cash flows.

Current accounting guidance is such that if an entity intends to sell or if it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell an impaired security prior to recovery of its cost basis, the security is to be considered other-than-temporarily impaired and the full amount of impairment must be charged to earnings. Otherwise, losses on fixed maturities which are other-than-temporarily impaired are separated into two categories, the portion of loss which is

considered credit loss and the portion of loss which is due to other factors. The credit loss portion is charged to earnings while the loss due to other factors is charged to other comprehensive income. The credit loss portion of an impairment is determined as the difference between the security’s amortized cost and the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the security’s original effective yield rate. The temporary portion is the difference between this present value of expected future cash flows and fair value (as discounted by a market yield). The expected cash flows are determined using judgment and the best information available to the Company. Inputs used to derive expected cash flows include expected default rates, current levels of subordination, and loan-to-collateral value ratios.

Cash

Cash: Cash consists of balances on hand and on deposit in banks and financial institutions.

Accrued Investment Income and Other Receivables

Accrued investment income: Accrued investment income consists of interest income or dividends earned on the investment portfolio, but are yet to be received as of the balance sheet date. The Company will write-off accrued investment income that is deemed to be uncollectible.

Other Receivables: Other receivables consist mostly of agent debit balances that primarily represent commissions advanced to insurance agents. These balances are repaid to the Company over time as the premiums associated with the advanced commissions are collected by the Company and the agents' commissions on such premiums are retained. The balances were $424 million and $396 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company views these balances as recoverable since they are less than the estimated present value of future commissions.

Deferred Acquisition Costs

Deferred Acquisition Costs: Certain costs of acquiring new insurance business are deferred and recorded as an asset. These costs are essential for the acquisition of new insurance business and are directly related to the successful issuance of an insurance contract including sales commissions, policy issue costs, and underwriting costs. Additionally, deferred acquisition costs (DAC) include the value of business acquired (VOBA), which are the costs of acquiring blocks of insurance from other companies or through the acquisition of other companies. These costs represent the difference between the fair value of the contractual insurance assets acquired and liabilities assumed compared against the assets and liabilities for insurance contracts that the Company issues or holds measured in accordance with GAAP.

DAC and VOBA are amortized in a systematic manner which matches these costs with the associated revenues. Policies other than universal life-type policies are amortized with interest over the estimated premium-paying period of the policies in a manner which charges each year’s operations in proportion to the receipt of premium income. Universal life-type policies are amortized with interest in proportion to estimated gross profits. The assumptions used to amortize acquisition costs include interest, mortality, morbidity, and persistency, and are consistent with those used to estimate the liability for future policy benefits. For interest-sensitive and deposit-type products, these assumptions are reviewed on a regular basis and are revised if actual experience differs significantly from original expectations. For all other products, amortization assumptions are generally not revised once established.

DAC and VOBA are subject to periodic recoverability and loss recognition testing to determine if there is a premium deficiency. These tests evaluate whether the present value of future contract-related cash flows will support the capitalized DAC and VOBA assets. These cash flows consist primarily of premium income, less benefits and expenses. The present value of these cash flows, less the benefit reserve, is then compared with the unamortized deferred acquisition cost balance. In the event the estimated present value of net cash flows is less, the deficiency would be recognized by a charge to earnings and either a reduction of unamortized acquisition costs or an increase in the liability for future benefits, as described under the caption Future Policy Benefits.

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs: Costs related to advertising are generally charged to expense as incurred. However, certain Direct to Consumer advertising costs are capitalized when there is a reliable and demonstrated relationship between total costs and future benefits that is a direct result of incurring these costs. Direct to Consumer advertising costs consist primarily of the production and distribution costs of direct mail advertising materials, and when capitalized are included as a component of DAC. Additionally, they are amortized in the same manner as other DAC.

Goodwill

Goodwill: The excess cost of a business acquired over the fair value of net assets acquired is reported as goodwill. In accordance with the guidance, Goodwill is subject to impairment testing on an annual basis, or whenever potential impairment triggers occur. Impairment testing involves the performance of a qualitative analysis, which involves assessing current events and circumstances to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Globe Life tested its goodwill annually as of June 30th for each of the years 2017 through 2019. The Company's goodwill was not impaired in any of those periods.

As noted in Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in the Current Year, the Company early adopted ASU 2017-04. In accordance with the new guidance, in the event the fair value is less than the carrying value, further testing is required to determine the amount of impairment, if any. If there is an impairment in the goodwill of any reporting unit, it is written down and charged to earnings in the period of the test.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Interests

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Interests: Globe Life invests in limited partnerships that provide low-income housing tax credits and other related federal income tax benefits to the Company. Globe Life holds passive interests in limited partnerships that provide investment returns through the provision of tax benefits (principally from the transfer of federal or state tax credits related to federal low-income housing). These investments are considered to be VIEs and do not qualify for consolidation. The carrying value of the Company's investment in these entities was $206 million and $226 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and was included in "Other assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2019, Globe Life was obligated under future commitments of $52 million, which are recorded in "Other liabilities". For guaranteed investments acquired prior to January 1, 2015, the Company utilizes the effective-yield method of amortization, while the proportional method of amortization is utilized for all non-guaranteed and guaranteed investments acquired on or after January 1, 2015. All amortization expense is recorded in "Income tax benefit (expense)" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment: Property and equipment, included in “Other assets,” is reported at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded primarily on the straight line method over the estimated useful lives of these assets which range from three to ten years for equipment and fifteen to forty years for buildings and improvements. Ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to income as incurred. Impairments, if any, are recorded when certain events and circumstances become evident that the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying amount. Original cost of property and equipment was $298 million at December 31, 2019 and $256 million at December 31, 2018. Accumulated depreciation was $137 million at the end of 2019 and $121 million at the end of 2018. Depreciation expense was $16 million in 2019, $13 million in 2018, and $11 million in 2017. Internally generated software costs are expensed as incurred in the preliminary project phase and post-implementation phase, and are capitalized during the application development stage. Additionally, implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract are capitalized. (See additional information on the adoption of ASU 2018-15 under Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in the Current Year.)

Future Policy Benefits

Future Policy Benefits: The liability for future policy benefits for annuity and universal life-type products is represented by policy account value. The liability for future policy benefits for all other life and health products, approximately 89% of total liabilities for future policy benefits, is determined on the net level premium method. This method provides for the present value of expected future benefit payments less the present value of expected future net premiums, based on estimated investment yields, mortality, morbidity, persistency, and other assumptions which were considered appropriate at the time the policies were issued. For limited-payment contracts, a deferred profit liability is also recorded which causes profits to emerge over the life of the contract in proportion to policies in force.

Assumptions used for traditional life and health insurance products are based primarily on Company experience. Assumptions for interest rates range from 2.5% to 7.0% for Globe Life's insurance companies with an overall

weighted average assumed rate of 5.7%. Mortality tables used for individual life insurance include various statutory tables and modifications of a variety of generally accepted actuarial tables. Morbidity assumptions for individual health are based on Company experience and industry data. Withdrawal and termination assumptions are based on Globe Life's experience. Once established, assumptions for these products are generally not changed. An additional provision is made on most products to allow for possible adverse deviation from the assumptions. These estimates are reviewed annually and compared with actual experience. If it is determined that existing contract liabilities, together with the present value of future gross premiums, will not be sufficient to cover the present value of future benefits and to recover unamortized deferred acquisition costs, then a premium deficiency exists. Such a deficiency would be recognized immediately by a charge to earnings and either a reduction of unamortized deferred acquisition costs or an increase in the liability for future policy benefits. From that point forward, the liability for future policy benefits would be based on revised assumptions.

Policy Claims and Other Benefits Payable

Policy Claims and Other Benefits Payable: Globe Life establishes a liability for known policy benefits payable and an estimate of claims that have been incurred but not yet reported to the Company. Globe Life makes an estimate of unreported claims after careful evaluation of all information available to the Company. This estimate is based on prior experience and is reviewed quarterly. However, there is no certainty the stated liability for claims and other benefits, including the estimate of unsubmitted claims, will be Globe Life's ultimate obligation.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes: Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the consolidated financial statement book values and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Legislation) was enacted into law which changed existing tax law, including a reduction of the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. In 2017, the Company recorded $874 million in net income, primarily as a result of remeasuring its deferred assets and liabilities using the lower corporate tax rate as of the date of enactment. In the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company completed its analysis of the tax legislation and recorded an additional $798 thousand adjustment related to the remeasurement of the deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the 21% rate.

Postretirement Benefits

Postretirement Benefits: Globe Life accounts for its postretirement defined benefit plans by recognizing the funded status of those plans on its Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with accounting guidance. Periodic gains and losses attributable to changes in plan assets and liabilities that are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs are recognized as components of other comprehensive income, net of tax.

Treasury Stock

Treasury Stock: Globe Life accounts for purchases of treasury stock on the cost method. Issuance of treasury stock is accounted for using the weighted-average cost method.

Recognition of Premium Revenue and Related Expenses

Recognition of Premium Revenue and Related Expenses: Premium income for traditional long-duration life and health insurance products is recognized evenly over the contract period and when due from the policyholder. Premiums for short-duration health contracts are recognized as revenue over the contract period in proportion to the insurance protection provided. Premiums for universal life-type and annuity contracts are added to the policy account value, and revenues for such products are recognized as charges to the policy account value for mortality, administration, and surrenders (retrospective deposit method). Life premium includes policy charges of $15.6 million, $16.4 million and $17.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. Other premium consists of annuity policy charges in each year. For most insurance products, the related benefits and expenses are matched with revenues by means of the provision of future policy benefits and the amortization of DAC in a manner which recognizes profits as they are earned over the revenue recognition period. For limited-payment life insurance products, the profits are recognized over the contract period.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation: Globe Life accounts for stock-based compensation by recognizing an expense in the consolidated financial statements based on the “fair value method.” The fair value method requires that a fair value be assigned to a stock option or other stock grant on its grant date and that this value be amortized over the grantees’ service period.

The fair value method requires the use of an option valuation model to value employee stock options. Globe Life has elected to use the Black-Scholes valuation model for option expensing. A summary of assumptions for options granted in each of the three years 2017 through 2019 is as follows:

	2019		2018		2017
Volatility factor	15.7	%	13.7	%	14.8	%
Dividend yield	0.8	%	0.7	%	0.7	%
Expected term (in years)	5.10		5.76		5.71
Risk-free rate	2.5	%	2.7	%	2.0	%

The expected term is generally derived from Company experience. However, expected terms are determined based on the simplified method as permitted under the ASC 718, Stock Compensation, topic when Company experience is insufficient. On April 26, 2018, the shareholders approved the Globe Life Inc. 2018 Incentive Plan, formerly the Torchmark Corporation 2018 Incentive Plan (the "2018 Incentive Plan"). The 2018 Incentive Plan replaced all previous plans. The 2018 Incentive Plan allows for option grants for employees with a seven-year contractual term which vest over three years in addition to ten-year grants which vest over five years as permitted by the previous plans. Director grants vest over six months. The Company has sufficient experience with seven-year grants that vest in three years, but insufficient historical experience with five-year vesting. Therefore, the Company has used the simplified method to determine the expected term for the ten-year grants with five-year vesting and will do so until adequate experience is developed. Volatility and risk-free interest rates are assumed over a period of time consistent with the expected term of the option. Volatility is measured on a historical basis. Monthly data points are utilized to derive volatility for periods greater than three years. Expected dividend yield is based on current dividend yield held constant over the expected term. Once the fair value of an option has been determined, it is amortized on a straight-line basis over the employee’s service period for that grant (from the grant date to the date the grant is fully vested). Expenses for restricted stock and restricted stock units are based on the grant date fair value allocated on a straight-line basis over the service period. Performance share expense is recognized based on management’s estimate of the probability of meeting the metrics identified in the performance share award agreement, assigned to each service period as these estimates develop.

Stock-based compensation expense is included in “Other operating expense” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Globe Life management views all stock-based compensation expense as a Corporate and Other expense and, therefore, presents it as such in its segment analysis.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings per Share: Globe Life presents basic and diluted earnings per common share (EPS) on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Operations for income from continuing operations and income from discontinued operations. Basic EPS is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is calculated by adding to shares outstanding the additional net effect of potentially dilutive securities or contracts, such as stock options, which could be exercised or converted into common shares.

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in the Current Year / Yet to be Adopted

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in the Current Year
Standard	Description	Effective date	Effect on the consolidated financial statements
ASU No. 2016-02/2018-11/ 2018-20, Leases (Topic 842), with clarification guidance issued in July and December 2018.	The standard requires lessees to record a ROU asset and corresponding lease liability on the balance sheet for all operating leases that do not qualify for the practical expedients allowed for in this standard. Additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures are required.	This standard became effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2019.	The Company adopted the optional transition method allowed for under ASU 2018-11 by not restating comparative periods and recognizing an immaterial cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings on January 1, 2019. The Company does not have any significant lessor contracts. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment	The standard was issued to simplify the process for testing goodwill for impairment through the elimination of Step 2 of the two-step impairment test. The new guidance requires a one-step impairment test wherein an entity recognizes an impairment charge for the amount in which the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, if any.	While the standard is not effective until January 1, 2020, the Company has early adopted the guidance on a prospective basis as of December 31, 2019.	The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
ASU No. 2017-08, Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Topic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities	This standard was issued to shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. The standard requires the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date.	This standard became effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2019.	The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
ASU No. 2018-13,  Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement	The amendment modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing certain requirements such as amounts and reasons for levels 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy and the valuation processes for level 3 fair value measurements, modifying disclosures for certain investments that use the net asset value as a practical expedient, and adding disclosures to the level 3 table for changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in OCI as of balance sheet date and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop level 3 fair value measurements.	While the standard is not effective until January 1, 2020, the Company has early adopted the guidance as of December 31, 2019.	The adoption of this guidance does not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. The Company has included the new and updated disclosures in Note 4—Investments.
ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract	The standard was issued requiring the capitalization of implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with similar treatment of developed or obtained internal-use software.	While the standard is not effective until January 1, 2020, the Company has early adopted the guidance as of December 31, 2019.	The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Pronouncements Yet to be Adopted
Standard	Description	Effective date	Effect on the consolidated financial statements
ASU No. 2016-13/2018-19/2019-04/2019-05, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, with clarification guidance issued in November 2018, along with April and May 2019.	This standard ("CECL") provides financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments, such as assets recorded at amortized cost. Additionally, it changes the loss impairment methodology for available-for-sale fixed maturities by use of an allowance rather than a direct write-down.	This standard will become effective on January 1, 2020, with a modified retrospective transition and an opening balance sheet adjustment to beginning retained earnings. The applicable section of the standard related to debt securities requires a prospective transition.	The Company's available-for-sale fixed maturities and other financing receivables were concluded to be the relevant financial assets within the scope of the standard. Based on current analysis as of December 31, 2019, the Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
ASU No. 2018-12/2019-09,  Financial Services - Insurance (Topic 944): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts, with clarification guidance issued in November 2019.	ASU 2018-12 is a significant change to our current accounting and disclosure of long-duration contracts, which is our primary business. The guidance was primarily issued to 1) improve the timeliness of recognizing changes in the liability for future policy benefits and modify the rate used to discount future cash flows, 2) simplify and improve the accounting for certain market-based options or guarantees associated with deposit (or account balance) contracts, 3) simplify the amortization of deferred acquisition costs, and 4) improve the effectiveness of the required disclosures.	In November 2019, the FASB approved a proposal to defer the adoption date by one year to January 1, 2022. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted. An entity may select to either adopt a modified retrospective transition or a full retrospective transition. Each adoption allows for an opening balance sheet adjustment through AOCI.	The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact this standard will have on the consolidated financial statements and disclosures, specifically assessing key accounting policies, assumption and data inputs, controls, and enhanced system solutions. Due to the overall nature of the standard, the impact on the consolidated financial statements is expected to be significant. At this time, the Company does not have an estimate of the impact. The Company does not expect to early adopt this ASU.
ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General (Subtopic 715-20), Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans	The standard removes disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarifies the specific requirements of disclosures and adds disclosure requirements identified as relevant to defined benefit plans.	This standard is effective beginning January 1, 2021, and will be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted.	The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.