10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011

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: 001-08052

TORCHMARK CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	63-0780404
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
3700 South Stonebridge Drive, McKinney, TX	75070
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

972-569-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

None

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	CUSIP	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share	891027104	New York Stock Exchange
Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share	891027104	The International Stock Exchange, London, England
7.10% Trust Originated Preferred Securities	89102W208	New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:     None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  x      No   ¨    

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes  ¨      No  x    

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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes  x      No  ¨    

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer       x	Accelerated filer	¨
Non-accelerated filer         ¨	Smaller reporting company	¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  ¨      No  x

As of June 30, 2011, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $4,506,812,451 based on the closing sale price as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class	Outstanding at February 14, 2012
Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share	100,186,568 shares

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Document	Parts Into Which Incorporated
Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held April 26, 2012 (Proxy Statement)	Part III

TORCHMARK CORPORATION

INDEX

			Page
PART I.
	Item 1.	Business		1
	Item 1A.	Risk Factors		6
	Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments		12
	Item 2.	Properties		13
	Item 3.	Legal Proceedings		13
	Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures		14
PART II.
	Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities		15
	Item 6.	Selected Financial Data		17
	Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		18
	Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk		54
	Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data		55
	Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure		110
	Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures		110
	Item 9B.	Other Information		110
PART III.
	Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance		113
	Item 11.	Executive Compensation		113
	Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters		113
	Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence		113
	Item 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services		113
PART IV.
	Item 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules		114

PART I

Item 1.    Business

Torchmark Corporation (Torchmark) is an insurance holding company incorporated in Delaware in 1979. Its primary subsidiaries are American Income Life Insurance Company (American Income), Liberty National Life Insurance Company (Liberty), Globe Life And Accident Insurance Company (Globe), and United American Insurance Company (United American).

Torchmark’s website is: www.torchmarkcorp.com. Torchmark makes available free of charge through its website, its annual report on Form 10-K, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The following table presents Torchmark’s business by primary marketing distribution method.

Primary Distribution Method	Company	Products and Target Markets	Distribution
American Income Exclusive Agency	American Income Life Insurance Company Waco, Texas	Individual life and supplemental health insurance marketed to union and credit union members.	4,381 producing agents in the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand.
Direct Response	Globe Life And Accident Insurance Company Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	Individual life and supplemental health insurance including juvenile and senior life coverage, Medicare Supplement, and Medicare Part D marketed to middle-income Americans.	Direct mail, internet, television, magazine; nationwide.
Liberty National Exclusive Agency	Liberty National Life Insurance Company McKinney, Texas	Individual life and supplemental health insurance marketed to middle-income families.	1,345 producing agents; 64 branch offices.
United American Independent Agency	United American Insurance Company McKinney, Texas	Supplemental limited-benefit health coverage to people under age 65, Medicare Supplement and Medicare Part D coverage to Medicare beneficiaries and, to a lesser extent, life insurance.	1,447 independent producing agents in the U.S. and Canada.

Additional information concerning industry segments may be found in Management’s Discussion and Analysis and in Note 14—Business Segments in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Insurance

Life Insurance

Torchmark’s insurance subsidiaries write a variety of nonparticipating ordinary life insurance products. These include traditional and interest sensitive whole-life insurance, term life insurance, and other life insurance. The following table presents selected information about Torchmark’s life products.

	Annualized Premium in Force (Amounts in thousands)
	2011		2010		2009
Whole life:
Traditional	$	1,153,621	$	1,115,777	$	1,077,347
Interest-sensitive		68,832		76,248		80,229
Term		524,784		499,814		483,064
Other		66,468		61,207		53,762
	$	1,813,705	$	1,753,046	$	1,694,402

The distribution methods for life insurance products include sales by direct response, exclusive agents and independent agents. These methods are described in more depth in the Distribution Method chart earlier in this report. The following table presents life annualized premium in force by distribution method.

	Annualized Premium in Force (Amounts in thousands)
	2011		2010		2009
Direct response	$	630,044	$	602,593	$	578,223
Exclusive agents:
American Income		642,803		596,583		549,540
Liberty National		302,489		310,475		317,413
Independent agents:
United American		22,203		24,726		27,740
Other		216,166		218,669		221,486
	$	1,813,705	$	1,753,046	$	1,694,402

Health Insurance

Torchmark offers supplemental limited-benefit health insurance products that include primarily cancer and accident plans. These policies are designed to supplement health coverage that applicants already own. Medicare Supplements are also offered to enrollees in the traditional fee-for-service Medicare program. Medicare Supplement plans are standardized by federal regulation and are designed to pay deductibles and co-payments not paid by Medicare. We also offer Medicare Part D prescription drug insurance.

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The following table presents supplemental health annualized premium in force information for the three years ended December 31, 2011 by product category.

	Annualized Premium in Force (Amounts in thousands)
	2011				2010				2009
	Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total
Medicare Supplement	$	451,773		44	$	461,386		47	$	474,987		46
Limited-benefit plans		281,633		28		308,899		32		354,254		35
Medicare Part D		282,987		28		203,340		21		197,319		19
Total Health	$	1,016,393		100	$	973,625		100	$	1,026,560		100

The following table presents supplemental health annualized premium in force for the three years ended December 31, 2011 by marketing (distribution) method.

	Annualized Premium in Force (Amounts in thousands)
	2011		2010		2009
Direct response	$	58,512	$	57,014	$	55,108
Exclusive agents:
Liberty National		284,204		316,839		365,027
American Income		72,991		74,049		71,836
Independent agents:
United American		317,699		322,383		337,270
		733,406		770,285		829,241
Medicare Part D		282,987		203,340		197,319
	$	1,016,393	$	973,625	$	1,026,560

Annuities

Annuity products offered include single-premium and flexible-premium deferred annuities. Annuities in each of the three years ending December 31, 2011 comprised less than 1% of premium.

Pricing

Premium rates for life and health insurance products are established using assumptions as to future mortality, morbidity, persistency, and expenses, all of which are generally based on Company experience and on projected investment earnings. Revenues for individual life and health insurance products are primarily derived from premium income, and, to a lesser extent, through policy charges to the policyholder account values on certain individual life products. Profitability is affected to the extent actual experience deviates from the assumptions made in pricing and to the extent investment income varies from that which is required for policy reserves.

Collections for annuity products and certain life products are not recognized as revenues but are added to policyholder account values. Revenues from these products are derived from charges to the account balances for insurance risk and administrative costs. Profits are earned to the extent these revenues exceed actual costs. Profits are also earned from investment income on the deposits invested in excess of the amounts credited to policyholder accounts.

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Underwriting

The underwriting standards of each Torchmark insurance subsidiary are established by management. Each subsidiary uses information from the application and, in some cases, telephone interviews with applicants, inspection reports, doctors’ statements and/or medical examinations to determine whether a policy should be issued in accordance with the application, with a different rating, with a rider, with reduced coverage or rejected.

Reserves

The life insurance policy reserves reflected in Torchmark’s financial statements as future policy benefits are calculated based on generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). These reserves, with premiums to be received in the future and the interest thereon compounded annually at assumed rates, must be sufficient to cover policy and contract obligations as they mature. Generally, the mortality and persistency assumptions used in the calculations of reserves are based on Company experience. Similar reserves are held on most of the health policies written by Torchmark’s insurance subsidiaries, since these policies generally are issued on a guaranteed-renewable basis. A list of the assumptions used in the calculation of Torchmark’s reserves are reported in the financial statements (See Note 6—Future Policy Benefit Reserves in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements). Reserves for annuity products and certain life products consist of the policyholders’ account values and are increased by policyholder deposits and interest credited and are decreased by policy charges and benefit payments.

Investments

The nature, quality, and percentage mix of insurance company investments are regulated by state laws. The investments of Torchmark insurance subsidiaries consist predominantly of high-quality, investment-grade securities. Fixed maturities represented 96% of total investments at fair value at December 31, 2011. (See Note 4—Investments in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis.)

Competition

Torchmark competes with other insurance carriers through policyholder service, price, product design, and sales efforts. While there are insurance companies competing with Torchmark, no individual company dominates any of Torchmark’s life or health markets.

Torchmark’s health insurance products compete with, in addition to the products of other health insurance carriers, health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations, and other health care-related institutions which provide medical benefits based on contractual agreements.

Management believes Torchmark companies operate at lower policy acquisition and administrative expense levels than peer companies. This allows Torchmark to have competitive rates while maintaining higher underwriting margins.

Regulation

Insurance.    Insurance companies are subject to regulation and supervision in the states in which they do business. The laws of the various states establish agencies with broad administrative and supervisory powers which include, among other things, granting and revoking licenses to transact business, regulating trade practices, licensing agents, approving policy forms, approving certain premium rates, setting minimum reserve and loss ratio requirements, determining the form and content of required financial statements, and prescribing the type and amount of investments permitted. They are also required to file detailed annual reports with supervisory agencies, and records of their business are subject to examination at any time. Under the rules of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), insurance companies are examined periodically by one or more of the supervisory agencies.

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Risk Based Capital.    The NAIC requires a risk based capital formula be applied to all life and health insurers. The risk based capital formula is a threshold formula rather than a target capital formula. It is designed only to identify companies that require regulatory attention and is not to be used to rate or rank companies that are adequately capitalized. All Torchmark insurance subsidiaries are more than adequately capitalized under the risk based capital formula.

Guaranty Assessments.    State guaranty laws provide for assessments from insurance companies to be placed into a fund which is used, in the event of failure or insolvency of an insurance company, to fulfill the obligations of that company to its policyholders. The amount which a company is assessed is determined according to the extent of these unsatisfied obligations in each state. Assessments are recoverable to a great extent as offsets against state premium taxes.

Holding Company.    States have enacted legislation requiring registration and periodic reporting by insurance companies domiciled within their respective jurisdictions that control or are controlled by other corporations so as to constitute a holding company system. Torchmark and its subsidiaries have registered as a holding company system pursuant to such legislation in Indiana, Nebraska, and New York.

Insurance holding company system statutes and regulations impose various limitations on investments in subsidiaries, and may require prior regulatory approval for material transactions between insurers and affiliates and for the payment of certain dividends and other distributions.

Personnel

At the end of 2011, Torchmark had 2,249 employees and 938 licensed employees under sales contracts.

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Item 1A.    Risk Factors

Risks Related to Our Business

Product Marketplace and Operational Risks:

The insurance industry is a mature, regulated industry, populated by many firms. We operate in the life and health insurance sections of the insurance industry, each with its own set of risks.

The development and maintenance of our various distribution systems are critical to growth in product sales and profits.    Because our life and health insurance sales are primarily made to individuals, rather than groups, and the face amounts sold are lower than that of policies sold in the higher income market, the development, maintenance, and retention of adequate numbers of producing agents and direct response systems to support growth of sales in this market are critical. We compete for producing agents with other insurers primarily on the basis of our products and compensation. Adequate compensation that is competitive with other employment opportunities and that also motivates producing agents to increase sales is critical, as our competitors seek to hire away our agents from time to time. Increased competition has led to a reduction in agents in our United American Branch Office Agency and United American Independent Agency, which have historically been our major health distribution channels. In direct response, continuous development of new offerings and cost efficiency are key. Less than optimum execution of these strategies may result in reduced sales and profits.

Economic conditions may materially adversely affect our business and results of operations. We serve primarily the middle-income market for individual protection life and health insurance and, as a result, we compete directly with alternative uses of a customer’s disposable income. If disposable income within this demographic group declines or the use of disposable income becomes more limited, as a result of an economic downturn or otherwise, then new sales of our insurance products could become more challenging, and our policyholders may choose to defer paying insurance premiums or stop paying insurance premiums altogether.

Variations in expected to actual rates of mortality, morbidity, and persistency could negatively affect our results of operations and financial condition.    We establish a liability for our policy reserves to pay future policyholder benefits and claims. These reserves do not represent an exact calculation of liability, but rather are actuarial estimates based on models that include many assumptions and projections which are inherently uncertain. The reserve computations involve the exercise of significant judgment with respect to levels of mortality, morbidity, and persistency as well as the timing of premium and benefit payments. Even though our actuaries continually test expected-to-actual results, actual levels that occur may differ significantly from the levels assumed when premium rates were first set. Accordingly, we cannot determine with precision the ultimate amounts of claims or benefits that we will pay or the timing of such payments. Significant variations from the levels assumed when policy reserves are first set could negatively affect our profit margins and income.

A ratings downgrade or other negative action by a rating agency could materially and negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.    Various rating agencies review the financial performance and condition of insurers, including our insurance subsidiaries, and publish their financial strength ratings as indicators of an insurer’s ability to meet policyholder and contract holder obligations. These ratings are important to maintaining public confidence in our insurance products, our ability to market these products and our competitive position. A downgrade or other negative action by a rating agency with respect to the financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries could negatively affect us in many ways, including the following: limiting or restricting the ability of our insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends to us and adversely affecting our ability to sell insurance products through our independent agencies.

Rating agencies also publish credit ratings for us. Credit ratings are indicators of a debt issuer’s ability to meet the terms of debt obligations in a timely manner. These ratings are important to our overall ability to access certain types of liquidity. Actual or anticipated downgrades in our credit ratings, or an announcement that our ratings are under further review for a downgrade, could have a material adverse effect on our operations, including limiting our access to capital markets, increasing the cost of debt,

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impairing our ability to raise capital to refinance maturing debt obligations, limiting our capacity to support growth at our insurance subsidiaries, and making it more difficult to maintain or improve the current financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries.

Ratings reflect only the rating agency’s views and are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold our securities. Rating agencies assign ratings based upon several factors. While most of the factors relate to the rated company, some of the factors relate to the views of the rating agency, general economic conditions and circumstances outside the rated company’s control. In addition, rating agencies use various models and formulas to assess the strength of a rated company, and from time to time rating agencies have, in their discretion, altered the models. Changes to the models could impact the rating agencies’ judgment of the rating to be assigned to the rated company. There can be no assurance that current credit ratings will remain in effect for any given period of time or that such ratings will not be lowered, suspended or withdrawn entirely by the rating agencies, if in each rating agency’s judgment, circumstances so warrant. We cannot predict what actions the rating agencies may take, or what actions we may take in response to the actions of the rating agencies, which could negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Life Insurance Marketplace Risk:

Our life products are sold in selected niche markets. We are at risk should any of these markets diminish.    We have two life distribution channels that focus on distinct market niches: labor union members and sales via direct response distribution. The contraction of the size of either market could adversely affect sales. In recent years, labor union membership has experienced minimal growth and has declined as a percentage of employed workers. Most of our direct response business is solicited either through direct mail or by insertion into other mail media for distribution. Significant adverse changes in postage cost or the acceptance of unsolicited marketing mail by consumers could negatively affect this business.

Health Insurance Marketplace Risks:

Congress could make changes to the Medicare program which could impact our Medicare Supplement and Medicare Part D prescription drug insurance business. Medicare Supplement insurance constitutes a significant portion of our in-force health insurance business.    Because of increasing medical cost inflation and concerns about the solvency of the Medicare program, it is possible that changes will be made to the Medicare program by Congress in the future. The nature and timing of these changes cannot be predicted and could have a material adverse effect on that business.

Our Medicare Supplement business could be negatively affected by alternative healthcare providers.    Our Medicare Supplement business is impacted by market trends in the senior-aged health care industry that provide alternatives to traditional Medicare, such as health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and other managed care or private plans. The success of these alternative businesses could negatively affect the sales and premium growth of traditional Medicare Supplement insurance.

Our Medicare Supplement and other health insurance business is subject to intense competition primarily on the basis of price which could restrict future sales.    In recent years, price competition in the traditional Medicare Supplement market, as well as the market for other health products, has been significant, characterized by some insurers who have been willing to earn very small profit margins or to underprice new sales in order to gain market share. We have elected not to compete on those terms, which has negatively affected sales. Should these industry practices continue, it is likely that our sales of health insurance products will remain depressed.

An inability to obtain timely and appropriate premium rate increases for the health insurance policies we sell due to regulatory delay could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.    A significant percentage of the health insurance premiums that our insurance subsidiaries earn is from Medicare Supplement insurance. Medicare Supplement insurance and the terms under which the premiums for such policies may be increased are highly regulated at both the state and federal level. As a result, it is characterized by lower profit margins than life insurance and requires strict administrative discipline and economies of scale for success. Because Medicare Supplement policies are

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coordinated with the federal Medicare program, which experiences health care inflation every year, annual premium rate increases for the Medicare Supplement policies are necessary. Obtaining timely rate increases is of critical importance to our success in this market. Accordingly, the inability of our insurance subsidiaries to obtain approval of premium rate increases in a timely manner from state insurance regulatory authorities in the future could adversely impact their profitability.

Investment Risks:

Our investments are subject to market and credit risks.    Our invested assets are subject to the customary risks of defaults, downgrades, and changes in market values. Substantially all of our investment portfolio consists of fixed-maturity and short-term investments. A significant portion of our fixed-maturity investments is comprised of corporate bonds, exposing us to the risk that individual corporate issuers will not have the ability to make required interest or principal payments on the investment. Factors that may affect both market and credit risks include interest rate levels, financial market performance, disruptions in credit markets, and general economic conditions, as well as particular circumstances affecting the businesses or industries of each issuer. Additionally, because the majority of our investments are longer-term fixed maturities that we typically hold until maturity, significant increases in interest rates, widening of credit spreads, or inactive markets associated with market downturns could cause a material temporary decline in the fair value of our fixed investment portfolio, even with regard to performing assets. These declines could cause a material increase in unrealized losses in our investment portfolio. Significant unrealized losses can substantially reduce our capital position and shareholders’ equity. It is possible that our investment in certain of these securities with unrealized losses may experience a default event and that a portion or all of that unrealized loss may not be recoverable. In that case, the unrealized loss will be realized, at which point we would take an impairment charge, reducing our net income.

Difficulties in the business of particular issuers or in industries in which we hold investments could cause significant downgrades, delinquencies and defaults in our investment portfolio, potentially resulting in lower net investment income and increased realized and unrealized investment losses.    Difficult conditions in U.S. capital markets in recent periods caused a notable increase in the troubled status of businesses in which we hold investments. If difficulties within these businesses and industries increase, there could be deferrals and defaults on amounts owed to us. If conditions in the capital markets worsen, we could experience credit downgrades or default events within our investment portfolio.

A default by an issuer could result in a significant other-than-temporary impairment of that investment, causing us to write the investment down and take a charge against net income. The risk of default is higher for bonds with longer-term maturities, which we acquire in order to match our long-term insurance obligations. We attempt to reduce this risk by purchasing only investment grade securities and by carefully evaluating an issuer before entering into an investment. Also, while we have invested in a broad array of industries and issuers in order to attempt to maintain a highly diversified portfolio, a significant amount of our investments is in banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions, which have experienced an increased level of downgrades in recent years. Moreover, we cannot be assured that any particular issuer, regardless of industry, will be able to make required interest and principal payments, on a timely basis or at all. Material other-than-temporary impairments could reduce our statutory surplus, leading to lower risk-based capital ratios, potential downgrades of our ratings by rating agencies and a potential reduction of future dividend capacity from our insurance subsidiaries. While we intend to hold our investments until maturity, a severe increase in defaults could cause us to suffer a significant decrease in investment income or principal repayments, resulting in substantial realized losses from the writedowns of impaired investments. Current net income would be negatively impacted by the writedowns, and prospective net income would be adversely impacted by the loss of future interest income.

A decline in interest rates could negatively affect income.    Declines in interest rates expose insurance companies to the risk of not earning anticipated spreads between the interest rate earned on investments and the discount rates used to calculate the net policy liabilities. While we attempt to manage our investments to preserve the excess investment income spread, we provide no assurance that a significant and persistent decline in interest rates will not materially affect such spreads. Significant

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decreases in interest rates could result in calls by issuers of investments, where such features are available to issuers. These calls could result in a decline in our investment income, as reinvestment of the proceeds would likely be at lower rates.

Liquidity Risks:

Our liquidity to fund operations is substantially dependent on funds available, primarily dividends, from our insurance subsidiaries.    As a holding company with no direct operations, our principal asset is the capital stock of our insurance subsidiaries, which periodically declare and distribute dividends on their capital stock. Moreover, our liquidity, including our ability to pay our operating expenses and to make principal and interest payments on debt securities or other indebtedness owed by us, as well as our ability to pay dividends on our common stock or any preferred stock, depends significantly upon the surplus and earnings of our insurance subsidiaries and the ability of these subsidiaries to pay dividends or to advance or repay funds to us. Other sources of liquidity for us also include a variety of short- and long-term instruments, including our credit facility, commercial paper and medium- and long-term debt.

The principal sources of our insurance subsidiaries’ liquidity are insurance premiums, as well as investment income, maturities, repayments, and other cash flow from our investment portfolio. Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to various state statutory and regulatory restrictions applicable to insurance companies that limit the amount of cash dividends, loans, and advances that those subsidiaries may pay to us, including laws establishing minimum solvency and liquidity thresholds. For example, in the states where our companies are domiciled, an insurance company generally may pay dividends only out of its unassigned surplus as reflected in its statutory financial statements filed in that state. Additionally, dividends paid by insurance subsidiaries are generally limited to the greater of prior year statutory net income, excluding capital gains, on an annual noncumulative basis or 10% of prior year statutory surplus without regulatory approval. Accordingly, a disruption in our insurance subsidiaries’ operations could reduce their capital or cash flow and, as a result, limit or disallow payment of dividends to us, a principal source of our cash flow.

We can give no assurance that more stringent restrictions will not be adopted from time to time by states in which our insurance subsidiaries are domiciled, which could, under certain circumstances, significantly reduce dividends or other amounts paid to us by our subsidiaries. Although we do not anticipate changes, changes in these laws could constrain the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or to advance or repay funds to us in sufficient amounts and at times necessary to meet our debt obligations and corporate expenses. Additionally, the inability of our insurance subsidiaries to obtain approval of premium rate increases in a timely manner from state insurance regulatory authorities could adversely impact their profitability, and thus their ability to declare and distribute dividends to us. Limitations on the flow of dividends from our subsidiaries could limit our ability to service and repay debt or to pay dividends on our capital stock.

Adverse capital and credit market conditions may significantly affect our ability to meet liquidity needs or access capital, as well as affect our cost of capital.    The capital and credit markets have recently experienced extreme instability and disruption for an extended period of time. In some cases, the markets exerted downward pressure on the availability of liquidity and credit capacity for certain industries and issuers. Additionally, should credit spreads widen again in the future, the interest rate we must pay on any new debt obligation we may issue could increase, and our net income could be reduced. If the credit and capital markets were to experience significant disruption, uncertainty, and instability, these conditions could adversely affect our access to capital. Such market conditions may limit our ability to replace maturing liabilities (in a timely manner or at all) and/or access the capital necessary to grow our business.

In the unlikely event that current resources do not satisfy our needs, we may have to seek additional financing or raise capital. The availability of additional financing or capital will depend on a variety of factors such as market conditions, the general availability of credit or capital, the volume of trading activities, the overall availability of credit to the insurance industry, and our credit ratings and credit capacity. Additionally, customers, lenders, or investors could develop a negative perception of our long- or short-term financial prospects if we incur large investment losses or if the level of our business activity decreases due to a market downturn. Our access to funds may also be impaired if regulatory authorities

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or rating agencies take negative actions against us. Our internal sources of liquidity may prove to be insufficient, and, in such case, we may not be able to successfully obtain additional financing on favorable terms, or at all. As such, we may be forced to delay raising capital, issue shorter term securities than we prefer, or bear an unattractive cost of capital which could decrease our profitability and significantly reduce our financial flexibility. Therefore, as a result, our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows could be materially negatively affected by disruptions in the financial markets.

Regulatory Risks:

Our businesses are heavily regulated, and changes in regulation may reduce our profitability and growth.    Insurance companies, including our insurance subsidiaries, are subject to extensive supervision and regulation in the states in which we do business. The primary purpose of this supervision and regulation is the protection of our policyholders, not our investors. State agencies have broad administrative power over numerous aspects of our business, including premium rates and other terms and conditions that we can include in the insurance policies offered by our insurance subsidiaries, marketing practices, advertising, licensing agents, policy forms, capital adequacy, solvency, reserves, and permitted investments. Also, regulatory authorities have relatively broad discretion to grant, renew, or initiate procedures to revoke licenses or approvals. The insurance laws, regulations and policies currently affecting Torchmark and its insurance subsidiaries may change at any time, possibly having an adverse effect on our business. We may be unable to maintain all required licenses and approvals, and our business may not fully comply with the wide variety of applicable laws and regulations or the relevant authority’s interpretation of the laws and regulations, which may change from time to time. If we do not have the requisite licenses and approvals or do not comply with applicable regulatory requirements, the insurance regulatory authorities could preclude or temporarily suspend us from carrying on some or all of our activities or impose substantial fines.

We cannot predict the timing or substance of any future regulatory initiatives. In recent years, there has been increased scrutiny of insurance companies, including our insurance subsidiaries, by insurance regulatory authorities, which has included more extensive examinations and more detailed review of disclosure documents. These regulatory authorities may bring regulatory or other legal actions against us if, in their view, our practices, or those of our agents or employees, are improper. These actions can result in substantial fines, penalties, or prohibitions or restrictions on our business activities and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition. Additionally, changes in the overall legal or regulatory environment may, even absent any particular regulatory authority’s interpretation of an issue changing, cause us to change our views regarding the actions that we need to take from a legal or regulatory risk management perspective, thus necessitating changes to our practices that may, in some cases, limit our ability to grow or otherwise negatively impact the profitability of our business.

Currently, the U.S. federal government does not directly regulate the business of insurance. However, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Record and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 establishes a Federal Insurance Office (FIO) within the Department of the Treasury, and the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act created the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO), originally established under the Department of Health and Human Services and subsequently transferred to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The creation of these insurance regulatory offices may indicate that the federal government intends to play a larger role in the regulation of the insurance industry. We cannot predict what impact, if any, the FIO and CCIIO, as well as any other proposals for federal regulation of insurance could have on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

Changes in U.S. federal income tax law could increase our tax costs.    Changes to the Internal Revenue Code, administrative rulings or court decisions affecting the insurance industry could increase our effective tax rate and lower our net income.

Changes in accounting standards issued by accounting standard-setting bodies may adversely affect our financial statements and reduce our profitability.    Our financial statements are subject to the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), which principles are periodically revised and/or expanded. Accordingly, from time to time, we are

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required to adopt new or revised accounting standards or guidance issued by recognized authoritative bodies. It is possible that future accounting standards that we are required to adopt could change the current accounting treatment that we apply to our consolidated financial statements and that such changes could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Further, standard setters have a full agenda of unissued topics under review at any given time, any of which have the potential to negatively impact our profitability.

If we fail to comply with restrictions on patient privacy and information security, including taking steps to ensure that our business associates who obtain access to sensitive patient information maintain its confidentiality, our reputation and business operations could be materially adversely affected.    The collection, maintenance, use, disclosure and disposal of individually identifiable data by our insurance subsidiaries are regulated at the international, federal and state levels. These laws and rules are subject to change by legislation or administrative or judicial interpretation. Various state laws address the use and disclosure of individually identifiable health data to the extent they are more restrictive than those contained in the privacy and security provisions in the federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (GLBA) and in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). HIPAA also requires that we impose privacy and security requirements on our business associates (as that term is defined in the HIPAA regulations). Noncompliance with any privacy laws or any security breach involving the misappropriation, loss or other unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential information, whether by us or by one of our business associates, could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation and results of operations and could include material fines and penalties, various forms of damages, consent orders regarding our privacy and security practices, adverse actions against our licenses to do business and injunctive relief.

Litigation Risk:

Litigation could result in substantial judgments against us or our subsidiaries.    We are, and in the future may be, subject to litigation in the ordinary course of business. Some of these proceedings have been brought on behalf of various alleged classes of complainants, and, in certain of these matters, the plaintiffs are seeking large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive or exemplary damages. Members of our management and legal teams review litigation on a quarterly and annual basis. However, the outcome of any such litigation cannot be predicted with certainty. A number of civil jury verdicts have been returned against insurers in the jurisdictions in which Torchmark and its insurance subsidiaries do business involving the insurers’ sales practices, alleged agent misconduct, failure to properly supervise agents, and other matters. These lawsuits have resulted in the award of substantial judgments against insurers that are disproportionate to the actual damages, including material amounts of punitive damages. In some states in which we operate, juries have substantial discretion in awarding punitive damages. This discretion creates the potential for unpredictable material adverse judgments in any given punitive damages suit.

Our pending and future litigation could adversely affect us because of the costs of defending these cases, the costs of settlement or judgments against us, or changes in our operations that could result from litigation. Substantial legal liability in these or future legal actions could also have a material financial effect or cause significant harm to our reputation, which, in turn, could materially harm our business and our business prospects.

Catastrophic Event Risk:

Our business is subject to the risk of the occurrence of catastrophic events.    Our insurance policies are issued to and held by a large number of policyholders throughout the United States in relatively low-face amounts. Accordingly, it is unlikely that a large portion of our policyholder base would be affected by a single natural disaster. However, our insurance operations could be exposed to the risk of catastrophic mortality, caused by events such as a pandemic, an act of terrorism, or another event that causes a large number of deaths or injuries across a wide geographic area. These events could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in any period and, depending on their severity and geographic scope, could also materially and adversely affect our financial condition.

The extent of losses from a catastrophe is a function of both the total number of policyholders in the area affected by the event and the severity of the event. Pandemics, hurricanes, earthquakes, and man-

11

made catastrophes, including terrorism and war, may produce significant claims in larger areas, especially those that are heavily populated. Claims resulting from natural or man-made catastrophic events could cause substantial volatility in our financial results for any fiscal quarter or year and could materially reduce our profitability or harm our financial condition.

Information Technology Risk:

The occurrence of computer viruses, network security breaches, disasters, or other unanticipated events could affect the data processing systems of Torchmark or its subsidiaries and could damage our business and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.    A computer virus could affect the data processing systems of Torchmark or its subsidiaries, destroying valuable data or making it difficult to conduct business. In addition, despite our implementation of network security measures, our servers could be subject to physical and electronic break-ins and similar disruptions from unauthorized tampering with our computer systems.

We retain confidential information in our computer systems and rely on sophisticated commercial technologies to maintain the security of those systems. Anyone who is able to circumvent our security measures and penetrate our computer systems could access, view, misappropriate, alter, or delete information in the systems, including personally identifiable customer information and proprietary business information. In addition, an increasing number of states require that customers be notified of unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of their information. Any compromise of the security of our computer systems that results in inappropriate access, use, or disclosure of personally identifiable customer information could damage our reputation in the marketplace, deter people from purchasing our products, subject us to significant civil and criminal liability, and require us to incur significant technical, legal, and other expenses.

In the event of a disaster such as a natural catastrophe, an industrial accident, a blackout, or a terrorist attack or war, our computer systems may be inaccessible to our employees or customers for a period of time. Even if our employees are able to report to work, they may be unable to perform their duties for an extended period of time if our data or systems are disabled or destroyed.

Item 1B.    Unresolved Staff Comments

As of December 31, 2011, Torchmark had no unresolved staff comments.

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Item 2.    Properties

Torchmark, through its subsidiaries, owns or leases buildings that are used in the normal course of business. Torchmark owns and occupies a 290,000 square foot facility located in McKinney, Texas (a north Dallas suburb). This facility is Torchmark’s corporate headquarters and also houses the operations of United American.

Liberty owns a 487,000 square foot building in Birmingham, Alabama which until 2010 served as Liberty’s home office. During 2010, Liberty vacated this building and currently operates its home office activities out of a 34,000 square foot facility leased in a Birmingham suburb. Approximately 15,000 square feet of storage space has also been leased near the new home office facility. Liberty also operates a company-owned district office used for agency sales personnel. Liberty is currently in the process of selling its former home office building, opting instead to operate from leased facilities.

A subsidiary of Globe owns a 112,000 square foot facility located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma which houses the Globe direct response operation. This subsidiary has also leased an additional 25,000 square feet on a temporary basis while a 21,000 square foot addition to its facility is constructed. The addition is scheduled to be completed in late 2012, at which time the leased space will be vacated. Globe also currently leases 37,000 square feet of space for its home office activities in downtown Oklahoma City.

American Income owns and is the sole occupant of an office building located in Waco, Texas. The building is a two-story structure containing approximately 72,000 square feet of usable floor space. American Income also owns a 43,000 square foot facility located in Waco which houses the American Income direct response operation.

Liberty and United American also lease district office space for their agency sales personnel.

Item 3.    Legal Proceedings

Torchmark and its subsidiaries, in common with the insurance industry in general, are subject to litigation, including claims involving tax matters, alleged breaches of contract, torts, including bad faith and fraud claims based on alleged wrongful or fraudulent acts of agents of Torchmark’s subsidiaries, employment discrimination, and miscellaneous other causes of action. Based upon information presently available, and in light of legal and other factual defenses available to Torchmark and its subsidiaries, management does not believe that such litigation will have a material adverse effect on Torchmark’s financial condition, future operating results or liquidity; however, assessing the eventual outcome of litigation necessarily involves forward-looking speculation as to judgments to be made by judges, juries and appellate courts in the future. This bespeaks caution, particularly in states with reputations for high punitive damage verdicts such as Alabama and Mississippi. Torchmark’s management recognizes that large punitive damage awards bearing little or no relation to actual damages continue to be awarded by juries in jurisdictions in which Torchmark and its subsidiaries have substantial business, particularly Alabama and Mississippi, creating the potential for unpredictable material adverse judgments in any given punitive damage suit.

As previously disclosed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), United American was named as a defendant in purported class action litigation originally filed on September 16, 2004, in the Circuit Court of Saline County, Arkansas on behalf of the Arkansas purchasers of association group health insurance policies or certificates issued by United American through Heartland Alliance of America Association and Farm & Ranch Healthcare, Inc. (Smith and Ivie v. Collingsworth, et al., CV2004-742-2). The plaintiffs asserted claims for fraudulent concealment, breach of contract, common law liability for non-disclosure, breach of fiduciary duties, civil conspiracy, unjust enrichment, violation of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and violation of Arkansas law and the rules and regulations of the Arkansas Insurance Department. Declaratory, injunctive and equitable relief, as well as actual and punitive damages were sought by the plaintiffs. On September 7, 2005, the plaintiffs amended their complaint to assert a nation-wide class, defined as all United American insureds who simultaneously purchased both an individual Hospital and Surgical Expense health insurance policy (Form HSXC) and an individual supplemental term life insurance policy (Form RT85) from Farm & Ranch through Heartland.

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Defendants removed this litigation to the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas (No. 4:05-cv-1382) but that Court remanded the litigation back to the state court on plaintiffs’ motion. On July 22, 2008, the plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint, asserting a class defined as “all persons who, between January 1998 and the present, were residents of Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana or Texas, and purchased through Farm & Ranch: (1) a health insurance policy issued by United American known as Flexguard Plan, CS-1 Common Sense Plan, GSP Good Sense Plan, SHXC Surgical & Hospital Expense Policy, HSXC 7500 Hospital/Surgical Plan, MMXC Hospital/Surgical Plan, SMXC Surgical/Medical Expense Plan and/or SSXC Surgical Safeguard Expense Plan, and (ii) a membership in Heartland.” Plaintiffs assert claims for breach of contract, violation of Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and/or applicable consumer protection laws in other states, unjust enrichment, and common law fraud. Plaintiffs seek actual, compensatory, statutory and punitive damages, equitable and declaratory relief. On September 8, 2009, the Saline County Circuit Court granted the plaintiff’s motion certifying the class. On October 7, 2009, United American filed its notice of appeal of the class certification and subsequently filed its appellate brief on April 8, 2010. On December 2, 2010, the Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed the lower court’s decision to certify the class. On January 6, 2012, the parties agreed in principal to settle the case. On January 11, 2012, the Court ordered the continuation of the trial, previously set to commence on January 17, 2012, pending notice to the class and the Court’s consideration of the agreed-upon settlement.

On March 15, 2011, purported class action litigation was filed against American Income and Torchmark in the District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (Fitzhugh v. American Income Life Insurance Company and Torchmark Corporation, Case No. 1:11-cv-00533). The plaintiff, a formerly independently contracted American Income agent, alleges that American Income intentionally misclassified its agents as independent contractors rather than as employees in order to escape minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act, as well as to avoid payroll taxes, workers compensation premiums and other benefits required to be provided by employers. Monetary damages in the amount of unpaid compensation plus liquidated damages and/or prejudgment interest as well as injunctive and/or declaratory relief is sought by the plaintiff on behalf of the purported class. On November 3, 2011, the Court granted American Income’s motion to compel arbitration and dismissed the case. Plaintiffs have appealed this decision.

Torchmark subsidiary, United American was named as defendant in purported class action litigation filed on May 31, 2011 in Cross County Arkansas Circuit Court (Kennedy v. United American Insurance Company (Case # CV-2011-84-5). In the litigation, filed on behalf of a proposed nationwide class of owners of certain limited hospital and surgical expense benefit policies from United American, the plaintiff alleged that United American breached the policy by failing and/or refusing to pay benefits for the total number of days an insured is confined to a hospital and by limiting payment to the number of days for which there are incurred hospital room charges rather than also including benefits for services and supplies. Claims for unjust enrichment, breach of contract, bad faith refusal to pay first party benefits, breach of the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing, bad faith, and violation of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act were initially asserted. The plaintiff sought declaratory relief, restitution and/or monetary damages, punitive damages, costs and attorneys fees. In September 2011, the plaintiff dismissed all causes of action, except for the breach of contract claim.

On November 14, 2011, plaintiff filed an amended complaint based upon the same facts asserting only breach of contract claims on behalf of a purported nationwide restitution/monetary relief class or, in the first alternative, a purported multiple-state restitution/monetary relief class or, in the second alternative, a purported Arkansas statewide restitution/monetary relief class. Restitution and/or monetary relief for United American’s alleged breaches of contract, costs, attorney’s fees and expenses, expert fees, prejudgment interest and other relief are sought on behalf of the plaintiff and members of the class. On December 7, 2011, United American filed a Motion to Dismiss the plaintiff’s amended complaint and on January 11, 2012, plaintiff filed a response thereto. Discovery has commenced and is ongoing.

Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not Applicable.

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PART II

Item 5.    Market for Registrant’s Common Equity,

Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

(a) Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

The principal market in which Torchmark’s common stock is traded is the New York Stock Exchange. There were 3,528 shareholders of record on December 31, 2011, excluding shareholder accounts held in nominee form. On July 1, 2012, Torchmark paid a three-for-two stock split to its common shareholders in the form of a 50% stock dividend. All prices and dividends shown below have been adjusted to reflect its payment. The market prices and cash dividends paid by calendar quarter for the past two years are as follows:

			2011 Market Price				Dividends Per Share
Quarter			High		Low
1			$	44.32	$	40.45	$	.107
2				45.23		41.00		.107
3				43.68		33.18		.11
4				43.74		33.72		.12
Year-end closing price	$	43.39
			2010 Market Price				Dividends Per Share
Quarter			High		Low
1			$	35.82	$	29.36	$	.10
2				37.48		32.49		.10
3				36.77		32.22		.10
4				41.33		35.25		.107
Year-end closing price	$	39.83

(c) Purchases of Certain Equity Securities by the Issuer and Others for the Fourth Quarter 2011

Period	(a) Total Number of Shares Purchased		(b) Average Price Paid Per Share		(c) Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs		(d) Maximum Number of Shares (or Approximate Dollar Amount) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
October 1-31, 2011		1,106,282	$	39.23		1,106,282
November 1-30, 2011		2,075,000		41.37		2,075,000
December 1-31, 2011		1,231,000		42.90		1,231,000

At its February 25, 2010 meeting, the Board of Directors reactivated the Company’s previously suspended share repurchase program in amounts and with timing that management, in consultation with the Board, determines to be in the best interest of the Company. It was reaffirmed April 28, 2011 by the Board. The program has no defined expiration date or maximum shares to be repurchased.

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(e) Performance Graph

    * $100 invested on 12/31/06 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending December 31.

Copyright^© 2012 S&P, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.

The line graph shown above compares Torchmark’s cumulative total return on its common stock with the cumulative total returns of the Standard and Poor’s 500 Stock Index (S&P 500) and the Standard and Poor’s Life & Health Insurance Index (S&P Life & Health Insurance). Torchmark is one of the companies whose stock is included within both the S&P 500 and the S&P Life & Health Insurance Index.

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Item 6.    Selected Financial Data

The following information should be read in conjunction with Torchmark’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes reported elsewhere in this Form 10-K:

(Amounts in thousands except per share and percentage data)

Year ended December 31,	2011			2010			2009			2008			2007
Premium revenue:
Life	$	1,726,244		$	1,663,699		$	1,591,853		$	1,544,219		$	1,495,363
Health		929,466			987,421			1,017,711			1,127,059			1,236,797
Other		608			638			541			622			602
Total		2,656,318			2,651,758			2,610,105			2,671,900			2,732,762
Net investment income		693,028			676,364			632,540			627,206			601,975
Realized investment gains (losses)		25,904			37,340			(129,492	)		(107,541	)		2,281
Total revenue		3,377,401			3,367,632			3,115,073			3,196,236			3,344,517
Income from continuing operations		518,340			522,293			386,052			429,700			489,237
Income from discontinued operations		0			29,784			18,901			22,559			38,298
Loss on disposal, net of tax		(455	)		(35,013	)		0			0			0
Net income		517,885			517,064			404,953			452,259			527,535
Per common share:
Basic earnings:
Income from continuing operations		4.79			4.28			3.10			3.24			3.46
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		(0.01	)		(0.04	)		0.15			0.17			0.27
Net income		4.78			4.24			3.25			3.41			3.73
Diluted earnings:
Income from continuing operations		4.72			4.24			3.10			3.25			3.40
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		0.00			(0.04	)		0.15			0.17			0.27
Net income		4.72			4.20			3.25			3.41			3.67
Cash dividends declared		0.46			0.41			0.38			0.37			0.35
Cash dividends paid		0.45			0.41			0.37			0.37			0.35
Basic average shares outstanding		108,278			122,009			124,550			132,079			141,476
Diluted average shares outstanding		109,815			123,123			124,550			132,774			143,769
As of December 31,	2011			2010			2009			2008			2007
Cash and invested assets	$	12,437,699		$	11,563,656		$	10,054,764		$	7,812,992		$	9,084,312
Total assets		17,156,391			16,159,762			16,023,759			13,529,050			15,241,428
Short-term debt		224,842			198,875			233,307			403,707			202,058
Long-term debt(1)		914,282			913,354			919,761			622,760			721,723
Shareholders’ equity		4,228,908			4,016,241			3,398,891			2,222,907			3,324,627
Per diluted share		41.54			33.24			27.25			17.49			23.73
Effect of fixed maturity revaluation on diluted equity per share(2)		5.95			0.55			(2.23	)		(8.63	)		(0.44	)
Annualized premium in force:
Life		1,813,705			1,753,046			1,694,402			1,625,549			1,585,005
Health		1,016,393			973,625			1,026,560			1,098,349			1,233,884
Total		2,830,098			2,726,671			2,720,962			2,723,898			2,818,889
Basic shares outstanding		100,579			118,865			124,261			127,061			138,263
Diluted shares outstanding		101,808			120,815			124,739			127,061			140,074

(1) Includes Torchmark’s 7.1% Junior Subordinated Debentures reported as “Due to affiliates” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at year ends 2007 through 2011 in the amount of $123.7 million.

(2) There is an accounting rule requiring available-for-sale fixed maturities to be revalued at fair value each period. The effect of this rule on diluted equity per share reflects the amount added or (deducted) under this rule to produce GAAP Shareholders’ equity per share. Please see the explanation and discussion under the caption Capital Resources in Management’s Discussion and Analysis in this report concerning the effect this rule has on Torchmark’s equity.

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Item 7.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Selected Financial Data and Torchmark’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Discontinued Operations:    As described in Note 3—Discontinued Operations in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we sold our subsidiary United Investors Life Insurance Company (United Investors) as of December 31, 2010. Because of the sale, United Investors’ financial results are excluded from this discussion since those operations are discontinued.

How Torchmark Views Its Operations:    Torchmark is the holding company for a group of insurance companies which market primarily individual life and supplemental health insurance, and to a limited extent annuities, to middle income households throughout the United States. We view our operations by segments, which are the major insurance product lines of life, health, and annuities, and the investment segment that supports the product lines. Segments are aligned based on their common characteristics, comparability of the profit margins, and management techniques used to operate each segment.

Insurance Product Line Segments.    As fully described in Note 14—Business Segments in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the product line segments involve the marketing, underwriting, and benefit administration of policies. Each product line is further segmented by the various distribution units that market the insurance policies. Each distribution unit operates in a niche market offering insurance products designed for that particular market. Whether analyzing profitability of a segment as a whole, or the individual distribution units within the segment, the measure of profitability used by management is the underwriting margin, which is:

Premium revenue

Less:

    Policy obligations

    Policy acquisition costs and commissions

Investment Segment.    The investment segment involves the management of our capital resources, including investments and the management of corporate debt and liquidity. Our measure of profitability for the investment segment is excess investment income, which is:

Net investment income

Less:

    Interest credited to net policy liabilities

    Financing costs

The tables in Note 14—Business Segments reconcile Torchmark’s revenues and expenses by segment to its major income statement line items for each of the years in the three-year period ending December 31, 2011. Additionally, this Note provides a summary of the profitability measures that demonstrates year-to-year comparability and which reconciles to net income. That summary is reproduced below from the Consolidated Financial Statements to present our overall operations in the manner that we use to manage the business.

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Analysis of Profitability by Segment

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

	2011			2010			2009			2011 Change			%			2010 Change			%
Life insurance underwriting margin	$	486,235		$	455,266		$	427,412		$	30,969			7		$	27,854			7
Health insurance underwriting margin		161,991			170,059			170,410			(8,068	)		(5	)		(351	)		0
Annuity underwriting margin		2,345			1,348			312			997						1,036
Other insurance:
Other income		2,507			2,834			2,914			(327	)		(12	)		(80	)		(3	)
Administrative expense		(159,109	)		(155,615	)		(150,325	)		(3,494	)		2			(5,290	)		4
Excess investment income		292,597			297,145			275,650			(4,548	)		(2	)		21,495			8
Corporate and adjustments		(22,647	)		(20,657	)		(19,450	)		(1,990	)		10			(1,207	)		6
Pre-tax total		763,919			750,380			706,923			13,539			2			43,457			6
Applicable taxes		(249,495	)		(252,357	)		(238,153	)		2,862			(1	)		(14,204	)		6
After-tax total, before discontinued operations		514,424			498,023			468,770			16,401			3			29,253			6
Discontinued operations (after tax)		0			27,932			26,810			(27,932	)					1,122			4
Total		514,424			525,955			495,580			(11,531	)		(2	)		30,375			6
Realized gains (losses)—investments (after tax)*		16,838			24,270			(85,345	)		(7,432	)					109,615
Realized gains (losses)—discontinued operations (after tax)		0			1,852			(7,909	)		(1,852	)					9,761
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations (after tax)		(455	)		(35,013	)		0			34,558						(35,013	)
Tax settlements (after tax)		0			0			2,858			0						(2,858	)
Cost of legal settlements (after tax)		(7,800	)		0			0			(7,800	)					0
State administrative settlement (after tax)		(4,486	)		0			0			(4,486	)					0
Loss on Company-occupied property (after tax)		0			0			(231	)		0						231
Loss on sale of equipment (after tax)		(636	)		0			0			(636	)					0
Net income	$	517,885		$	517,064		$	404,953		$	821			0		$	112,111			28

* See the discussion of Realized Gains and Losses in this report.

Torchmark’s operations on a segment-by-segment basis are discussed in depth under the appropriate captions following in this report.

Summary of Operations:    Net income increased slightly from $517 million to $518 million in 2011. It rose 28% or $112 million in 2010, largely as a result of after-tax realized investment gains of $24 million in 2010, compared with losses of $85 million after tax in 2009. The 2009 losses included $94 million of write downs of fixed maturities which were determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired. Realized investment gains were $17 million in 2011. On a diluted per share basis, 2011 net income increased 12% to $4.72, after an increase in 2010 of 29% to $4.20.The above-mentioned after-tax realized investment gains added $.15 to 2011 net income per diluted share and $.20 per share in 2010, while the 2009 loss reduced net income $.69 per share of which the impairment writedowns accounted for $.76 of the loss. More information concerning realized investment gains and losses can be found under the caption Realized Gains and Losses in this report where there is a more complete discussion. Also, as explained in Note 14—Business Segments in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we do not consider realized gains and losses to be a component of our core insurance operations or operating segments. Also included in 2010 results is a $35 million after tax loss on the disposal of United Investors, representing $.28 per diluted share.

As shown in the above chart, after tax segment operations, before discontinued operations, rose each year over the prior year from $469 million in 2009 to $498 million in 2010 to $514 million in 2011. The primary contributor to the growth in both 2011 and 2010 was the underwriting margin in our life insurance segment, which margins rose $31 million in 2011 and $28 million in 2010. The life insurance segment is our strongest segment and is the largest contributor to earnings in each year presented. Growth in 2010 was also affected positively by the $21 million increased contribution of excess investment income, the measure of profitability of the investment segment. Excess investment income in 2010 increased over 2009 investment segment income largely because of the unusually large holdings in low-yielding cash and short-term investments held in 2009 due to the uncertain economic climate at that time. These short-term holdings were invested in 2010 as financial conditions improved. Excess investment income was also negatively affected in 2009 because of our issuance of a $300 million 9 ¹/4%

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debt security in June, 2009 (net proceeds of $296 million) and repayment of a $99 million 8 ¹/4% security which matured in August, 2009. These transactions resulted in a net increase in our financing costs in 2009 and reduced excess investment income. Growth in 2011 earnings was negatively affected by a decline in the health insurance segment underwriting margin of $8 million, and a $5 million decline in excess investment income from the investment segment. The 2011 decline in health contribution was largely a result of the discontinuance of sales of certain limited-benefit health insurance products because of healthcare reform. The decline in excess investment income was due to the continuing low-interest rate environment which has pressured investment yields and spreads over policy benefit requirements, discussed more fully under the captain Investments in this report.

Total revenues were flat in 2011 at $3.38 billion compared with $3.37 billion in 2010. Revenues increased 8% in 2010 over revenues of $3.12 billion in 2009. Life premium rose 4% or $63 million in 2011 and $72 million in 2010. Net investment income rose 2% or $17 million in 2011, compared with $44 million in 2010. However, growth in revenues in 2011 and 2010 were negatively affected by the declines in health premium described further under this caption.

While life insurance premium has grown steadily in each of the three years ending December 31, 2011, margins as a percentage of premium rose in 2011 to 28% from 27% in 2010 and 2009. Segment profits for life insurance were not only positively affected by the premium growth, but also by improvements in mortality and persistency in both periods. Life net sales declined 1% in 2011 to $325 million but rose 1% in 2010 to $330 million. Life insurance segment results are discussed further in this report under the caption Life Insurance.

We primarily market two health insurance products: Medicare Supplement insurance and the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. We also market limited-benefit cancer and accident health products and prior to September, 2010, an under-age-65 limited-benefit hospital-surgical product. Health premium declined 6% in 2011 to $929 million from $987 million in 2010. Health premium declined 3% in 2010. The decreases in both years were caused primarily by the de-emphasis and discontinuance of sales in 2010 of our limited-benefit hospital-surgical health product. Declines in agent counts in the distribution units that market our health products were another negative factor. These factors have caused reductions in net sales of health products which have in turn pressured premium growth. Medicare Supplement remains our largest contributor to total health premium, but increased competition has also dampened sales of this product in recent years, resulting in premium declines in each successive year. Our Medicare Part D premium declined 6% in 2011, after having increased 14% in 2010. However, enrollees into our Medicare Part D program for the plan year 2012 were 225 thousand, an increase of 56% over the 2011 enrollees. Therefore, we expect premium growth in 2012 at approximately the same rate. See the discussion under Health Insurance for a more detailed discussion of health insurance results.

We offer fixed annuities, but we do not emphasize sales of annuity products, favoring life insurance instead. With the sale of United Investors in 2010, we disposed of 37% of our annuity deposit balance. See the caption Annuities for further discussion of the Annuity segment.

As previously mentioned, the investment segment’s pretax profitability, or excess investment income, increased $21 million in 2010 but declined $5 million in 2011. Profitability in this segment is based on three major components: net investment income, required interest on net policy liabilities (interest applicable to insurance products), and financing costs. In recent years, growth in net investment income has been restricted in relation to the growth in the size of our portfolio. One reason that investment income has grown at a lower rate than mean invested assets has grown in recent years is that new investments have been made at yield rates lower than the yield rates earned on securities that matured or were otherwise disposed of. Also, there is sometimes a lag between the time when proceeds from maturities and dispositions are received and when the proceeds are reinvested, in which the funds are held in cash. Growth in total investment income has also been somewhat negatively affected by Torchmark’s share repurchase program (described later under this caption), which has diverted cash that could have otherwise been used to acquire investments. In 2011, net investment rose 3% while the portfolio (at amortized cost) grew 4%, in accordance with the general pattern in recent periods. However, in 2010, the growth in net investment income slightly exceeded the growth in the average portfolio for the first time in many years, primarily as a result of the special constraints on the growth in 2009 net investment income. During 2009, due primarily to uncertainty

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about liquidity in the financial markets, we held significantly more cash and short term investments than we normally would. Additionally, in 2009, we sold a significant portion of higher-yielding but lower-rated fixed maturities and reinvested the proceeds in lower-yielding but higher-rated bonds in 2009 and early 2010 to improve our risk-adjusted return. These factors contributed to reduced 2009 net investment income.

The interest required on net policy liabilities is deducted from net investment income, and generally grows in conjunction with the net policy liabilities that are supported by the invested assets. The lower new-money yields resulting from the low-interest-rate environment noted above have had the effect of compressing excess investment income as required interest has grown. We have implemented certain strategies to offset this effect, including lowering the discount rate going forward and increasing premium rates on sales of new products. Financing costs, which consist of the interest required for debt service on our long and short-term debt, are also deducted from net investment income. Financing costs in 2011 were $78 million, an increase of 3% over $75 million in 2010. This increase was primarily a result of increased charges related to our letters of credit facility. In 2010, financing costs increased 8% as interest expense on our long-term debt rose $9 million or 13%. As noted earlier, in 2009 we issued our $300 million 9 ¹/4% Senior Notes but repaid our $99 million 8 ¹/4% Senior Debentures, resulting in a higher balance of debt outstanding at a higher interest rate in 2010.

Torchmark’s current investment policy limits new investment acquisitions to investment-grade fixed maturities generally with longer maturities (often exceeding twenty years) that meet our quality and yield objectives. Approximately 96% of our invested assets at fair value consist of fixed maturities of which 95% were investment grade at December 31, 2011. The average quality rating of the portfolio was A-. The portfolio contains no securities backed by sub prime or Alt-A mortgages, no direct investment in residential mortgages, no direct investment in European Sovereign debt, no counterparty risks, no credit default swaps, or derivative contracts. See the analysis of excess investment income and investment activities under the caption Investments in this report and Note 4—Investments in the Notes to Consolidated Statements of Operations for a more detailed discussion of this segment.

As mentioned earlier, we used a portion of the $296 million proceeds from the offering of our 9 ¹/4% Senior Notes ($300 million par amount) in 2009 to repay our $99 million 8 ¹/4% Senior Debentures which also matured in 2009. More information on these transactions can be found in Note 11—Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and in our discussion of Capital Resources in this report.

In each of the years 2011 and 2009, income from continuing operations was affected by certain significant, unusual, and nonrecurring nonoperating items. We do not view these items as components of core operating results because they are not indicative of past performance or future prospects of the insurance operations. As reported in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under the caption Settlements, we have been involved in certain issues in 2011 or 2009 in which we either received settlements or incurred settlement losses and expenses. In 2011, we settled a state administrative matter in the pretax amount of $6.9 million ($4.5 million after tax) and accrued an estimated liability for a litigation settlement expected to settle in early 2012 in the pretax amount of $12.0 million ($7.8 million after tax). Both of these issues involved matters arising many years ago. Additionally, as described under the same caption of Note 1, we received a tax settlement in the amount of $2.9 million in 2009. The tax settlement primarily involved the results of prior year examinations. The state administrative settlement and the litigation accrual are included in “Other operating expense” and the tax settlement is an adjustment to “Income taxes” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. However, as described in Note 1, we remove items such as these that are concerned with prior periods when evaluating the results of current operations, and therefore exclude such matters from our segment analysis for current periods.

Torchmark has in place an ongoing share repurchase program which began in 1986. With no specified authorization amount, we determine the amount of repurchases based on the amount of the Company’s excess cash flow, general market conditions, and other alternative uses. The majority of these

21

purchases are made from excess operating cash flow when market prices are favorable. Additionally, when stock options are exercised, proceeds from these exercises and the tax benefit are used to repurchase additional shares on the open market to minimize dilution as a result of the option exercises. Due to poor economic conditions, we temporarily suspended our share repurchase program in the first quarter of 2009. However, in the first quarter of 2010, the Board of Directors reactivated the Company’s share repurchase program in amounts and with timing that management, in consultation with the Board, determines to be in the best interest of the Company. The following chart summarizes share purchase activity for each of the three years ended December 31, 2011, retroactively restated for the three-for-two stock split described in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Analysis of Share Purchases

(Amounts in thousands)

	2011				2010				2009
Purchases	Shares		Amount		Shares		Amount		Shares		Amount
Excess cash flow and borrowings		18,901	$	787,697		5,707		$203,566		3,075	$	46,695
Option proceeds		4,380		184,859		1,074		42,440		30		869
Total		23,281	$	972,556		6,781		$246,006		3,105	$	47,564

Option proceeds increased significantly in 2011 due to optionholders exercising several years of option grants that are due to expire in 2012.

Throughout the remainder of this discussion, share purchases refer only to those made from excess cash flow and borrowings.

A discussion of each of Torchmark’s segments follows. The following discussions are presented in the manner we view our operations, as described in Note 14—Business Segments.

Life Insurance.    Life insurance is our largest insurance segment, with 2011 life premium representing 65% of total premium. Life underwriting income before other income and administrative expense represented 75% of the total in 2011. Additionally, investments supporting the reserves for life products result in the majority of excess investment income attributable to the investment segment.

We completed the process of combining selected United American (UA) Exclusive Agency Branch Offices with the Liberty National Exclusive Agency during 2011. For this reason, all data will be reported on a combined basis in this report.

Life insurance premium rose 4% to $1.73 billion in 2011 after having increased 5% in 2010 to $1.66 billion. Life insurance products are marketed through several distribution channels. Premium income by channel for each of the last three years is as follows:

LIFE INSURANCE

Premium by Distribution Method

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

	2011					2010					2009
	Amount		% of Total			Amount		% of Total			Amount		% of Total
American Income Exclusive Agency	$	607,914		35	%	$	560,649		34	%	$	507,899		32	%
Direct Response		593,650		34			566,604		34			536,878		34
Liberty National Exclusive Agency		288,308		17			294,587		18			298,485		19
Other Agencies		236,372		14			241,859		14			248,591		15
	$	1,726,244		100	%	$	1,663,699		100	%	$	1,591,853		100	%

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We use three statistical measures as indicators of premium growth and sales over the near term: “annualized premium in force,” “net sales,” and “first-year collected premium.” Annualized premium in force is defined as the premium income that would be received over the following twelve months at any given date on all active policies if those policies remain in force throughout the twelve-month period. Annualized premium in force is an indicator of potential growth in premium revenue. Net sales is annualized premium issued, net of cancellations in the first thirty days after issue, except in the case of Direct Response where net sales is annualized premium issued at the time the first full premium is paid after any introductory offer period has expired. We believe that net sales is a superior indicator of the rate of premium growth relative to annualized premium issued. First-year collected premium is defined as the premium collected during the reporting period for all policies in their first policy year. First-year collected premium takes lapses into account in the first year when lapses are more likely to occur, and thus is a useful indicator of how much new premium is expected to be added to premium income in the future.

Annualized life premium in force was $1.81 billion at December 31, 2011, an increase of 3% over $1.75 billion a year earlier. Annualized life premium in force was $1.69 billion at December 31, 2009.

The following table shows net sales information for each of the last three years by distribution method.

LIFE INSURANCE

Net Sales by Distribution Method

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

	2011					2010					2009
	Amount		% of Total			Amount		% of Total			Amount		% of Total
American Income Exclusive Agency	$	141,793		44	%	$	137,554		42	%	$	127,688		39	%
Direct Response		136,663		42			136,653		41		$	131,566		40
Liberty National Exclusive Agency		36,338		11			44,763		14			55,146		17
Other Agencies		10,404		3			10,561		3			11,518		4
	$	325,198		100	%	$	329,531		100	%	$	325,918		100	%

The table below discloses first-year collected life premium by distribution channel.

LIFE INSURANCE

First-Year Collected Premium by Distribution Method

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

	2011					2010					2009
	Amount		% of Total			Amount		% of Total			Amount		% of Total
American Income Exclusive Agency	$	113,151		46	%	$	110,751		45	%	$	95,693		42	%
Direct Response		88,962		37			89,542		37			84,775		37
Liberty National Exclusive Agency		31,296		13			34,845		14			35,137		16
Other Agencies		9,413		4			10,364		4			10,313		5
	$	242,822		100	%	$	245,502		100	%	$	225,918		100	%

The American Income Exclusive Agency focuses primarily on members of labor unions, but also on credit unions and other associations as well as referrals from new customers for its life insurance sales. It is Torchmark’s highest profit margin business. The American Income Agency was also the largest contributor to life premium and net sales of any Torchmark distribution method in 2011. Life premium for this agency rose 8% to $608 million in 2011, after having increased 10% in 2010. Net sales increased 3% in 2011 to $142 million, after having risen 8% in 2010. Net sales rose 18% in 2009. First-year collected premium rose 2% in 2011 to $113 million, after having increased 16% in 2010. The average face amount of policies issued in 2011 was approximately $34 thousand. As in the case of all of Torchmark’s agency distribution systems, continued increases in product sales are largely

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dependent on increases in agent count. The American Income agent count was 4,381 at December 31, 2011 compared with 3,912 a year earlier, an increase of 12%. However, the agent count had declined 6% in 2010 from 4,154 a year earlier. This agency continues to recruit new agents focusing on an incentive program to reward growth in both the recruiting of new agents and in the production of new business. Additionally, the systematic, centralized internet recruiting program has enhanced the recruitment of new agents.

Direct Response consists of two primary components: insert media and direct mail. Insert media targets primarily the adult market. It involves placing insurance solicitations as advertising inserts into a variety of media, such as coupon packets, newspapers, bank statements, and billings. Direct mail focuses primarily on young middle-income households with children. The juvenile life insurance policy is a key product for this group. Not only is the juvenile market an important source of sales, but it also is a vehicle to reach the parents and grandparents of the juvenile policyholders. Parents and grandparents of these juvenile policyholders are more likely to respond favorably to a Direct Response solicitation for life coverage on themselves than is the general adult population. Also, both the juvenile policyholders and their parents are low acquisition-cost targets for sales of additional coverage over time. At this time, we believe that the Direct Response unit is the largest U.S. writer of juvenile direct mail life insurance. We expect that sales to this demographic group will continue as one of Direct Response’s premier markets.

The Direct Response operation accounted for 34% of our life insurance premium during 2011, increasing 5% over 2010 premium. Life premium for this channel rose 6% in 2010 and 5% in 2009. Net sales were flat in 2011 after a 4% increase in 2010 to $137 million. First-year collected premium declined 1% to $89 million in 2011 after a 6% gain in 2010. The average face amount of policies issued in 2011 was approximately $20 thousand.

The Liberty National Exclusive Agency markets primarily life insurance and supplemental health insurance, focusing primarily on middle-income customers. Life premium income for this agency was $288 million in 2011, a 2% decrease compared with $295 million in 2010. Life premium for this agency declined 1% in 2010 from 2009. First-year collected premium declined 10% to $31 million in 2011, after having also declined 1% in 2010. The average face amount of policies issued in 2011 was approximately $25 thousand.

The Liberty Agency’s net sales declined 19% to $36 million in 2011, after also having declined 19% a year earlier. As noted above, in the case of all of our agencies, the size of the agency drives product sales. This agency had 1,345 producing agents at December 31, 2011, compared with 2,001 a year earlier, a decline of 33%. The agent count at Liberty had also declined 19% in 2010 from 2,471. The decrease in agent count has been due in part to the closing of several offices which had low production. In addition, agent compensation issues that arose in 2009 have negatively impacted agent counts. The bonus thresholds proved more difficult for producing agents to meet than anticipated. Management reduced the bonus threshold later in 2009. Also, due to deteriorating first-year persistency, management modified compensation incentives in 2009 to place more emphasis on the persistency of newly issued policies. These changes resulted in the departure of a number of the less productive agents in 2010 and 2011. While these modifications caused a loss of agents, they resulted in improved persistency and margins, and contributed to Torchmark’s overall improvement in life insurance margins.

The Liberty Exclusive Agency agent counts have also decreased due to issues related to its health insurance business. This agency’s health insurance marketing efforts had historically been focused on limited-benefit hospital-surgical plans. These plans were subject to intense competition from other companies which offered lower-margin products providing agents with products that were easier to sell, thus discouraging sales of our products and ultimately resulting in decreases in agent counts. In addition, these limited-benefit hospital-surgical plans became less marketable due to healthcare reform developments. Sales of these limited-benefit hospital/surgical plans were discontinued after September, 2010. These developments caused further increases in agent turnover. In response, the agency has shifted its marketing focus to a product mix more weighted towards life insurance and supplemental health insurance products (not affected by healthcare reform) that have higher margins and persistency. Additionally, we are in the process of changing the cost structure of this agency to a more commission-driven model. Going forward, branch office operating expenses will be the responsibility of the branch managers and all new agent recruits will be independent contractors rather than employees. We are also implementing new agent recruiting and training programs similar to those used at American Income. We believe these changes will increase the Agency’s profitability and stability in the long run.

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We also offer life insurance through Other Agencies consisting of the Military Agency, the United American Independent Agency, and other small miscellaneous sales agencies. The Military Agency consists of a nationwide independent agency whose sales force is comprised primarily of former military officers who have historically sold primarily to commissioned and noncommissioned military officers and their families. This business consists of whole-life products with term insurance riders. Military premium represented 11% of life premium at December 31, 2011. The United American Independent Agency represented approximately 1% of Torchmark’s total life premium at that date. This agency is focused on health insurance, with life sales being incidental.

LIFE INSURANCE

Summary of Results

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

	2011						2010						2009
	Amount			% of Premium			Amount			% of Premium			Amount			% of Premium
Premium and policy charges	$	1,726,244			100	%	$	1,663,699			100	%	$	1,591,853			100	%
Policy obligations		1,118,909			65			1,082,423			65			1,040,249			65
Required interest on reserves		(458,029	)		(27	)		(434,319	)		(26	)		(410,917	)		(26	)
Net policy obligations		660,880			38			648,104			39			629,332			39
Commissions and premium taxes		75,480			5			72,559			5			72,272			5
Amortization of acquisition costs		503,649			29			487,770			29			462,837			29
Total expense		1,240,009			72			1,208,433			73			1,164,441			73
Insurance underwriting margin before other income and administrative expenses	$	486,235			28	%	$	455,266			27	%	$	427,412			27	%

Gross margins, as indicated by insurance underwriting margin before other income and administrative expense, rose 7% in both 2011 and 2010. The margin increased to $486 million in 2011 after rising to $455 million in 2010. As a percentage of life insurance premium, the 2011 margin rose to 28%. In the two prior years, margins were stable at 27%. Margin growth in all periods was primarily the result of premium growth. Improved mortality was also a factor in 2011.

Health Insurance.    Health insurance sold by Torchmark includes primarily Medicare Supplement and Part D prescription drug coverage to enrollees in the federal Medicare program, cancer coverage, and accident coverage. All health coverage plans other than Medicare Supplement and Part D are classified here as limited-benefit plans. For several years, our primary health insurance product had been limited-benefit hospital/surgical plans. However, as previously discussed under the caption Life Insurance, these plans became subject to intense competition which resulted in decreasing agent counts, most notably in the Liberty National Exclusive Agency but also in the UA Independent Agency. In addition, these plans became less marketable due to healthcare reform developments. These factors contributed to the Company’s decisions to discontinue the marketing of these limited-benefit hospital/surgical products after September, 2010. We do continue to market the limited-benefit cancer and accident products. Since 2009, Medicare Supplement sales have exceeded those of the limited-benefit products, and represented 59% of health net sales exclusive of Medicare Part D in 2011. Medicare Supplement sales have been stronger than limited-benefit sales due in part to changes in agent counts in our health distribution groups discussed below.

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Total health premium represented 35% of Torchmark’s total premium income in 2011. Excluding Part D premium, health premium represented 28% of total premium income in 2011, compared with 29% in 2010 and 32% in 2009. Health underwriting margin, excluding Part D, accounted for 21% of the total in 2011, compared with 23% in 2010 and 25% in 2009. These declines in the health percentages are indicative of the growth in the premium and profitability of our life segment in relation to our health segment. Health results have also been affected by the discontinuance of sales of the previously-mentioned health products. The following table indicates health insurance premium income by distribution channel for each of the last three years.

HEALTH INSURANCE

Premium by Distribution Method

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

	2011					2010					2009
	Amount		% of Total			Amount		% of Total			Amount		% of Total
United American Independent Agency
Limited-benefit plans	$	36,461				$	47,244				$	60,292
Medicare Supplement		270,029					267,280					266,150
		306,490		42	%		314,524		40	%		326,442		39	%
Liberty National Exclusive Agency
Limited-benefit plans		175,133					201,037					243,568
Medicare Supplement		114,974					130,019					144,954
		290,107		39			331,056		43			388,522		46
American Income Exclusive Agency
Limited-benefit plans		79,302					78,141					74,015
Medicare Supplement		817					918					1,082
		80,119		11			79,059		10			75,097		9
Direct Response
Limited-benefit plans		372					398					438
Medicare Supplement		56,695					53,930					46,117
		57,067		8			54,328		7			46,555		6
Total Premium (Before Part D)
Limited-benefit plans		291,268		40			326,820		42			378,313		45
Medicare Supplement		442,515		60			452,147		58			458,303		55
Total Premium (Before Part D)		733,783		100	%		778,967		100	%		836,616		100	%
Medicare Part D*		196,710					208,970					183,586
Total Health Premium*	$	930,493				$	987,937				$	1,020,202

* Total Medicare Part D premium and health premium exclude $1.0 million in 2011, $516 thousand in 2010, and $2.5 million in 2009 of risk-sharing premium paid to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services consistent with the Medicare Part D contract. This risk-sharing amount is a portion of the excess or deficiency of actual over expected claims, and therefore we view this payment as a component of policyholder benefits in our segment analysis.

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We market supplemental health insurance products through a number of distribution channels with the United American Independent Agency being our market leader. The following table presents net sales by distribution method for the last three years.

HEALTH INSURANCE

Net Sales by Distribution Method

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

	2011					2010					2009
	Amount		% of Total			Amount		% of Total			Amount		% of Total
United American Independent Agency
Limited-benefit plans	$	1,065				$	4,596				$	12,256
Medicare Supplement		31,584					27,444					30,431
		32,649		51	%		32,040		50	%		42,687		44	%
Liberty National Exclusive Agency
Limited-benefit plans		15,033					10,385					25,306
Medicare Supplement		1,814					3,804					4,461
		16,847		26			14,189		22			29,767		31
American Income Exclusive Agency
Limited-benefit plans		9,572					13,081					13,393
Medicare Supplement		0					0					0
		9,572		15			13,081		20			13,393		14
Direct Response
Limited-benefit plans		868					549					665
Medicare Supplement		4,123					4,548					10,233
		4,991		8			5,097		8			10,898		11
Total Net Sales (Before Part D)
Limited-benefit plans		26,538		41			28,611		44			51,620		53
Medicare Supplement		37,521		59			35,796		56			45,125		47
Total Net Sales (Before Part D)		64,059		100	%		64,407		100	%		96,745		100	%
Medicare Part D*		115,122					38,799					43,004
Total Health Net Sales	$	179,181				$	103,206				$	139,749

* Net sales for Medicare Part D represents only new first-time enrollees.

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The following table discloses first-year collected health premium by distribution method.

HEALTH INSURANCE

First-Year Collected Premium by Distribution Method

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

	2011					2010					2009
	Amount		% of Total			Amount		% of Total			Amount		% of Total
United American Independent Agency
Limited-benefit plans	$	1,531				$	5,638				$	11,459
Medicare Supplement		28,044					29,999					16,066
		29,575		51	%		35,637		47	%		27,525		35	%
Liberty National Exclusive Agency
Limited-benefit plans		10,432					12,435					28,003
Medicare Supplement		2,144					3,324					4,973
		12,576		21			15,759		21			32,976		42
American Income Exclusive Agency
Limited-benefit plans		11,652					13,965					12,996
Medicare Supplement		0					0					0
		11,652		20			13,965		19			12,996		17
Direct Response
Limited-benefit plans		572					488					384
Medicare Supplement		4,209					9,162					4,251
		4,781		8			9,650		13			4,635		6
Total First-Year Collected Premium (Before Part D)
Limited-benefit plans		24,187		41			32,526		43			52,842		68
Medicare Supplement		34,397		59			42,485		57			25,290		32
Total (Before Part D)		58,584		100	%		75,011		100	%		78,132		100	%
Medicare Part D*		26,823					48,945					26,708
Total First-Year Collected Premium	$	85,407				$	123,956				$	104,840

* First-year collected premium for Medicare Part D represents only premium collected from new first-time enrollees in their first policy year.

The Medicare Part D Health product will be presented and discussed separately in this report.

Health insurance, excluding Medicare Part D. Health premium other than Part D has declined in each successive year presented, falling 6% in 2011 to $734 million and 7% in 2010. Net sales decreased 1% in 2011 to $64 million after a decline of 33% in 2010. First-year collected premium has also declined in each period considered. These declines in sales and premium resulted from several factors: (1) our previously-mentioned emphasis on life sales, due to life’s superior margins and its greater contribution to investment income; (2) the discontinuance of sales of various limited-benefit health products; and (3) the decline in agent counts in certain distribution units that market health products.

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Medicare Supplement provides the greatest amount of health premium, partially because Medicare Supplement products are generally more persistent than the limited-benefit products, but also because of more stable sales in recent periods. Medicare Supplement premium also continues to grow in relation to our limited-benefit health premium. Medicare Supplement premium represented 60% of non-Part D health premium in 2011, compared with 58% in 2010 and 55% in 2009.

The Liberty National Exclusive Agency represented 39% of all Torchmark non-Part D health premium income at $290 million in 2011. The Liberty Agency markets Medicare Supplements and limited-benefit health products consisting primarily of cancer insurance. In 2011, health premium income in this Agency declined 12% from prior year premium of $331 million. Premium also fell 15% in 2010 from $389 million. First-year collected premium declined 20% to $13 million in 2011, after declining 52% a year earlier. As noted earlier, the discontinuance of sales of certain health products and the earlier increased competition in the health insurance market had caused steep declines in the agent count in this Agency. As of December 31, 2011, this Agency had 1,345 agents, a decline of 33% from the 2010 year end count of 2,001. In 2010, the number of agents fell 19% from 2,471 at year end 2009. The decline in agent counts has resulted in decreased new sales, translating into declines in premium. Net sales for 2011 rose 19% from $14 million in 2010 to $17 million due to the introduction of new products. In 2010, this Agency’s net sales fell 52%. Also discussed under the Life Insurance caption are efforts designed to strengthen this Agency.

The UA Independent Agency is Torchmark’s largest in terms of health premium income. This Agency is composed of independent agencies appointed with Torchmark whose size range from very large, multi-state organizations down to one-person offices. All of these agents generally sell for a number of insurance companies. Torchmark had 1,447 active producing agents at December 31, 2011 compared with 1,406 a year earlier. This agency is our largest distributor of non-Part D health insurance in terms of health net sales, representing 51% in 2011. This Agency is also our largest producer of Medicare Supplement insurance, with $270 million or 61% of our Medicare Supplement premium income in 2011. Net sales for this Agency increased 2% to $33 million in 2011, after having declined 25% in 2010 from $43 million in 2009. The greater amount of net sales in 2009 were due to increases in group Medicare Supplement sales. Group Medicare Supplement sales fluctuate greatly from period to period and do not indicate a trend. Total health premium income for the UA Independent Agency was $306 million in 2011, a 3% decline from 2010 premium of $315 million. Premium income also declined 4% in 2010. These declines in premium have resulted as new sales have not compensated for lapses.

The American Income Exclusive Agency, predominantly a life insurance distribution channel, is our third largest health insurance distributor based on premium income. Its health plans are comprised of various limited-benefit plans. Approximately 69% of the agency’s 2011 health premium was from accident policies. Sales of the plans by this Agency are generally made in conjunction with a life policy being sold to the same customer.

Health premium at this agency rose 1% in 2011 to $80 million, after having increased 5% to $79 million in 2010. However, net health sales declined 27% to $10 million in 2011. Net sales were $13 million in both 2010 and 2009. Net health sales comprised only 6% of the American Income Agency’s total net sales in 2011.

Direct Response, primarily a life operation, also offers health insurance, which is predominantly Medicare Supplements sold directly to employer or union sponsored groups. In both 2011 and 2010, net health sales were $5 million. In 2011, net health sales for this group represented approximately 4% of Direct Response’s total life and health net sales. Direct Response health premium income has risen each year over the prior year. Health premium rose 5% in 2011 to $57 million and 17% in 2010.

Medicare Part D.      Torchmark, through its subsidiary United American, offers coverage under the government’s Medicare Part D plan. The Medicare Part D plan is a stand-alone prescription drug plan for Medicare beneficiaries. Part D is regulated and partially funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for participating private insurers like United American. Under Part D, private carriers are the primary insurers, while CMS provides significant premium subsidies and reinsurance. Total Medicare Part D premium was $197 million in 2011, compared with $209 million in 2010, a decline of 6%. Part D premium rose 14% in 2010. Changes in Part D premium generally result from changes in the number of

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enrollees. At December 31, 2011, United American had approximately 225 thousand enrollees for the 2012 Part D plan, compared with 144 thousand for the 2011 plan year and 158 thousand for the 2010 plan year. Growth for the plan year 2012 was largely a result of a new lower cost Part D plan which allowed us to pick up a large number of low-income automatic enrollees and to grow our own individual sales. The new product is priced to achieve the same underwriting margin as our existing product. Our Medicare Part D product is sold through the Direct Response operation and to groups through the UA Independent Agency. Part D net sales were $115 million in 2011, compared with $39 million in 2010 and $43 million in 2009. We count only sales to new first-time enrollees in net sales, and the majority of premium income was from previous enrollees.

We believe that the Medicare Part D program is a meaningful component of our health product offerings because of our experience with the senior-age market and with Medicare Supplements, the government assurances with regard to the risk-sharing agreements for participating insurers, limited-risk due to the incremental income added to our health insurance margins, and the renewal of the business every year. Due to our experience with service to the senior-age market and the use of our existing Direct Response marketing system, entry to this business required little new investment. However, as with any government-sponsored program, the possibility of regulatory changes could change the outlook for this market.

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As presented in the following table, Torchmark’s health insurance underwriting margin before other income and administrative expense declined 5% in 2011 to $162 million but remained flat at $170 million in 2010. As a percentage of premium income, margins were stable in all periods at approximately 17%.

HEALTH INSURANCE

Summary of Results

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

	2011
	Health*			% of Premium			Medicare Part D		% of Premium			Total Health			% of Premium
Premium**	$	733,783			100	%	$	196,710		100	%	$	930,493			100	%
Policy obligations		470,901			64			161,946		82			632,847			68
Required interest on reserves		(36,729	)		(5	)		0		0			(36,729	)		(4	)
Net policy obligations		434,172			59			161,946		82			596,118			64
Commissions and premium taxes		41,144			6			7,798		4			48,942			5
Amortization of acquisition costs		120,028			16			3,414		2			123,442			14
Total expense		595,344			81			173,158		88			768,502			83
Insurance underwriting income before other income and administrative expenses	$	138,439			19	%	$	23,552		12	%	$	161,991			17	%
	2010
	Health*			% of Premium			Medicare Part D		% of Premium			Total Health			% of Premium
Premium**	$	778,967			100	%	$	208,970		100	%	$	987,937			100	%
Policy obligations		497,576			64			172,131		82			669,707			68
Required interest on reserves		(35,368	)		(5	)		0		0			(35,368	)		(4	)
Net policy obligations		462,208			59			172,131		82			634,339			64
Commissions and premium taxes		44,960			6			8,341		4			53,301			6
Amortization of acquisition costs		126,052			16			4,186		2			130,238			13
Total expense		633,220			81			184,658		88			817,878			83
Insurance underwriting income before other income and administrative expenses	$	145,747			19	%	$	24,312		12	%	$	170,059			17	%
	2009
	Health*			% of Premium			Medicare Part D		% of Premium			Total Health			% of Premium
Premium**	$	836,616			100	%	$	183,586		100	%	$	1,020,202			100	%
Policy obligations		528,189			63			151,621		82			679,810			67
Required interest on reserves		(34,243	)		(4	)		0		0			(34,243	)		(3	)
Net policy obligations		493,946			59			151,621		82			645,567			64
Commissions and premium taxes		50,114			6			6,960		4			57,074			5
Amortization of acquisition costs		143,299			17			3,852		2			147,151			14
Total expense		687,359			82			162,433		88			849,792			83
Insurance underwriting income before other income and administrative expenses	$	149,257			18	%	$	21,153		12	%	$	170,410			17	%

* Health other than Medicare Part D.

** Total Medicare Part D premium and health premium excludes $1.0 million in 2011, $516 thousand in 2010, and $2.5 million in 2009 of risk-sharing premium paid to the CMS consistent with the Medicare Part D contract. This risk-sharing amount is a portion of the excess or deficiency of actual over expected claims, and therefore we view this payment as a component of policyholder benefits in our segment analysis.

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Annuities.    As described in Note 3—Discontinued Operations, we sold our subsidiary United Investors. United Investors was our carrier of variable annuities and a primary carrier of fixed annuities. As a result of the sale, we disposed of approximately 37% of our annuity deposit balance as of December 31, 2010, including all of our variable annuities. Accordingly, we do not expect that annuities will be a significant portion of our business or marketing strategy going forward.

Our fixed annuity balances at the end of 2011, 2010, and 2009, were $1.29 billion, $1.24 billion, and $959 million, respectively. Underwriting income was $2.3 million, $1.3 million, and $3.2 thousand in each of the years 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

While the fixed annuity account balance has increased each year over the prior year, policy charges and underwriting income have fluctuated only modestly. The stability in fixed annuity policy charges has resulted as the charges consist primarily of surrender charges and are not based on account size. These charges have remained somewhat level in recent periods. A considerable portion of fixed annuity profitability is derived from the spread of investment income exceeding contractual interest requirements, which can result in negative net policy obligations. In each of the years presented, the spreads for fixed annuities increased over the prior year as a result of credited rate reductions on the inforce annuities. Furthermore, spreads were increased by the introduction of a new annuity form on Liberty National paper in mid-2009. The amortization of deferred acquisition costs also rose as these costs are amortized in relation to gross profits.

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Administrative expenses.    Operating expenses are included in the Other and Corporate Segments and are classified into two categories: insurance administrative expenses and expenses of the parent company. The following table is an analysis of operating expenses for the three years ended December 31, 2011.

Operating Expenses Selected Information

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

	2011						2010						2009
	Amount			% of Prem.			Amount			% of Prem.			Amount			% of Prem.
Insurance administrative expenses:
Salaries	$	76,206			2.9	%	$	73,034			2.8	%	$	74,317			2.9	%
Other employee costs		30,294			1.1			34,109			1.3			27,356			1.1
Other administrative expense		43,085			1.6			41,736			1.6			40,294			1.5
Legal expense—insurance		9,524			.4			6,736			.2			8,358			.3
Total insurance administrative expenses		159,109			6.0	%		155,615			5.9	%		150,325			5.8	%
Parent company expense		7,693						8,809						9,590
Stock compensation expense		14,954						11,848						9,860
State administrative settlement		6,901						0						0
Settlement of prior period litigation		12,000						0						0
Loss on sale of property and equipment		979						0						355
Total operating expenses, per Consolidated Statements of Operations	$	201,636					$	176,272					$	170,130
Insurance administrative expenses:
Increase (decrease) over prior year		2.2	%					3.5	%					(3.7	)%
Total operating expenses:
Increase (decrease) over prior year		14.4	%					3.6	%					(6.6	)%

Insurance administrative expenses have trended upwards and rose 2% in 2011, after having increased 4% in 2010. As a percentage of premium, they increased .1% in each successive year to 6.0% in 2011. Employee costs increased 25% in 2010, primarily as a result of unusually high employee health insurance costs in that year. Partially offsetting the increase in 2010 employee costs was a decline in legal costs, as we favorably settled certain previously reserved litigation during 2010. In 2011, however, legal expenses returned to normal levels. Expenses for 2011 correlated more closely by expense component to 2009 expenses, as 2010 expenses reflected the aforementioned unusual items. Parent Company expense declined in 2011 primarily as a result of the decline in certain employee benefit liabilities related to retired employees. Stock compensation expense has risen in each successive year as the value of Torchmark stock has increased, resulting in higher values for grants of stock and options. As stated in Note 14—Business Segments in the Notes to Consolidated financial Statements, management views stock compensation expense as a corporate expense, and therefore treats it as a Parent Company expense.

As mentioned in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, we incurred two settlement expense issues in 2011 that related to events occurring many years ago: the settlement of a state administrative issue of $7 million and a litigation issue in the estimated amount of $12 million. In addition to these two items, we recorded two nonrecurring charges. In 2011, we sold aviation equipment at a loss of $979 thousand and in 2009, we wrote down Company-occupied real estate that was other-than-temporarily impaired in the amount of $355 thousand. While these nonrecurring expenses were included in “Operating expenses” for the respective year in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in accordance with accounting guidance, they are considered as non-operating expenses by management.

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Investments.    We manage our capital resources including investments, debt, and cash flow through the investment segment. Excess investment income represents the profit margin attributable to investment operations. It is the measure that we use to evaluate the performance of the investment segment as described in Note 14—Business Segments in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. It is defined as net investment income less both the required interest attributable to net policy liabilities and the interest cost associated with capital funding or “financing costs.” We also view excess investment income per diluted share as an important and useful measure to evaluate the performance of the investment segment. It is defined as excess investment income divided by the total diluted weighted average shares outstanding, representing the contribution by the investment segment to the consolidated earnings per share of the Company. Since implementing our share repurchase program in 1986, we have used over $5 billion of cash flow to repurchase Torchmark shares after determining that the repurchases provided a greater return than other investment alternatives. Share repurchases reduce excess investment income because of the foregone earnings on the cash that would otherwise have been invested in interest-bearing assets, but they also reduce the number of shares outstanding. In order to put all capital resource uses on a comparable basis, we believe that excess investment income per diluted share is an appropriate measure of the investment segment.

Excess Investment Income.    The following table summarizes Torchmark’s investment income and excess investment income.

Analysis of Excess Investment Income

(Dollar amounts in thousands except for per share data)

	2011			2010			2009
Net investment income	$	693,028		$	676,364		$	632,540
Reclassification of low income housing expense(1)		14,277			9,153			0
Reclassification of interest amount due to deconsolidation(2)		(264	)		(264	)		(264	)
Adjusted investment income (per segment analysis)		707,041			685,253			632,276
Interest credited to net insurance policy liabilities:
Interest on reserves		(551,798	)		(521,683	)		(487,000	)
Interest on deferred acquisition costs		214,998			208,840			200,042
Net required		(336,800	)		(312,843	)		(286,958	)
Financing costs		(77,644	)		(75,265	)		(69,668	)
Excess investment income	$	292,597		$	297,145		$	275,650
Excess investment income per diluted share	$	2.66		$	2.41		$	2.21
Mean invested assets (at amortized cost)	$	11,254,566		$	10,836,788		$	10,012,673
Average net insurance policy liabilities(3)		6,097,763			5,736,662			5,279,621
Average debt and preferred securities (at amortized cost)		1,119,964			1,112,147			1,111,940

(1) Reclassified amortization of non-guaranteed low-income housing interests included in “Net investment income” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations but recorded in “Income taxes” in the segment analysis. See Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under the caption Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Interests for an explanation.

(2) Deconsolidation of trusts liable for Trust Preferred Securities required by accounting guidance. See Note 11—Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

(3) Net of deferred acquisition costs, excluding the associated unrealized gains and losses thereon.

Excess investment income declined $5 million or 2% in 2011 from the prior year. Excess investment income rose $21 million or 8% in 2010. On a per diluted share basis, excess investment income rose 10% to $2.66 per share in 2011, after having risen 9% in the prior year. The favorable increases in the per share amounts relative to the changes in dollar amounts for excess investment income are a result of share purchases.

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The largest component of excess investment income is net investment income, which rose 3% to $707 million in 2011. It increased 8% to $685 million in 2010 from $632 million in 2009. Presented in the following chart is the growth in net investment income compared with the growth in mean invested assets.

	2011			2010			2009
Growth in net investment income		3.2	%		8.4	%		0.9	%
Growth in mean invested assets (at amortized cost)		3.9			8.2			5.4

Growth in net investment income generally correlates somewhat with the growth in mean invested assets at amortized cost. With the exception of the years 2009 and 2010, growth in investment income has slightly lagged the growth in mean assets for several years. One of the primary reasons that investment income has grown at a lower rate than the growth in mean invested assets in recent years is due to the low-interest-rate environment during that period. As a result, new investments have been made at yield rates lower than the yield rates earned on securities that matured or were otherwise disposed of. Another factor that has contributed to the relatively slower growth rate of investment income is the time lag between the date proceeds from maturities and dispositions are received and the date such proceeds are reinvested. During these lags, we have held cash at lower yields. During 2009, because of the uncertainty about liquidity in the financial markets, we held significantly more cash and short-term investments than in other years. Holding this larger balance of low-yielding securities in 2009 resulted in the extremely low growth rate in income in that year, and also affected the higher growth rate in 2010 as these lower yielding cash balances were invested in 2010. The trend of lags in growth in net investment income in relation to the growth in mean invested assets is expected to continue until yields on suitable new investments exceed the portfolio yield.

Excess investment income is reduced by required interest on net insurance policy liabilities and the interest paid on corporate debt. Information about interest credited to policy liabilities is shown in the following table.

Required Interest on Net Insurance Policy Liabilities

(Dollar amounts in millions)

	Required Interest			Average Net Insurance Policy  Liabilities			Average Discount Rate
2011
Life and Health	$	275.9		$	4,898.4			5.63	%
Annuity		60.9			1,199.4			5.07
Total		336.8			6,097.8			5.52
Increase in 2011		7.66	%		6.29	%
2010
Life and Health	$	257.0		$	4,668.8			5.50	%
Annuity		55.8			1,067.9			5.23
Total		312.8			5,736.7			5.45
Increase in 2010		9.02	%		8.66	%
2009
Life and Health	$	240.8		$	4,388.6			5.49	%
Annuity		46.2			891.0			5.19
Total		287.0			5,279.6			5.44
Increase in 2009		10.18	%		9.76	%

The combined average interest discount rate has risen in each of the last three years due to changes in the mix of the in force business. For more specific information on life and health discount rates, please refer to Note 6—Future Policy Benefit Reserves in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Excess investment income is also impacted by financing costs. Financing costs for the investment segment primarily consist of interest on our various debt instruments and are deducted from excess investment income. The table below reconciles interest expense per the Consolidated Statements of Operations to financing costs.

The table below presents the components of financing costs.

Analysis of Financing Costs

(Amounts in thousands)

	2011			2010			2009
Interest on funded debt	$	72,697		$	72,889		$	64,369
Interest on short-term debt		5,207			2,589			5,513
Other		4			51			50
Interest expense per Consolidated Statements of Operations		77,908			75,529			69,932
Reclassification of interest due to deconsolidation (1)		(264	)		(264	)		(264	)
Financing costs	$	77,644		$	75,265		$	69,668

(1) See Principles of Consolidation in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for an explanation of deconsolidation.

Financing costs increased $2 million or 3% in 2011. They rose $6 million or 8% in 2010. The increase in financing costs in 2010 reflects the issuance in June 2009 of $300 million principal amount 9¼% Senior Notes due in 2019. In 2010, we incurred a full year of interest on this issue. The 2011 increase in interest on short-term debt was primarily a result of the $2.1 million increase in financing charges on our letter of credit facility, arising from the December, 2010 restructuring of our credit facility. More information on this facility is disclosed under the caption Short-Term Borrowings in the Financial Condition section of this report and in Note 11—Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The 2010 decrease was due to a decline in short-term rates over the previous year, but was also impacted by a 22% decline in the average balance of commercial paper outstanding compared with 2009.

Excess investment income benefits from increases in long-term rates available on new investments and decreases in short-term borrowing rates. Of these two factors, higher investment rates have the greater impact because the amount of cash that we invest is significantly greater than the amount that we borrow at short-term rates.

However, growth in our excess investment income decreases when growth in income from the portfolio is less than that of the interest required by policy liabilities and financing costs, such as we have experienced in recent periods. In an extended low-interest-rate environment, the portfolio yield will tend to decline as we invest new money at lower long-term rates. We believe, however, the decline would be relatively slow, as only 2% to 3% of fixed maturities on average are expected to run off each year over the next five years. We also believe that the deferred acquisition costs and benefit reserve balances on our life and health business would not be impacted by an extended low-interest-rate environment. While these balances for annuities could be affected, the impact would be immaterial.

In response to the lower interest rates, we raised the new business premium rates on certain life products. The increased premiums will provide additional margin on these policies to help offset the possible future reductions in excess investment income and are not expected to have a detrimental impact on sales.

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Investment Acquisitions.    Torchmark’s current investment policy calls for investing almost exclusively in investment-grade fixed maturities generally with long maturities (maturity date more than 20 years after acquisition date) that meet our quality and yield objectives. We generally prefer to invest in securities with longer maturities because they more closely match the long-term nature of our policy liabilities. Further, we believe this strategy is appropriate because our strong positive cash flows are generally stable and predictable. If such longer-term securities do not meet our quality and yield objectives, we consider investing in short-term securities, taking into consideration the slope of the yield curve and other factors at the time. During calendar years 2009 through 2011, Torchmark invested almost exclusively in fixed-maturity securities, primarily with longer-term maturities as presented in the chart below.

The following table summarizes selected information for fixed-maturity purchases. The effective annual yield shown in the table is the yield calculated to the potential termination date that produces the lowest yield. This date is commonly known as the “worst call date.” Two different average life calculations are shown, average life to the next call date and average life to the maturity date.

Fixed Maturity Acquisitions Selected Information

(Dollar amounts in millions)

	For the Year
	2011			2010			2009
Cost of acquisitions:
Investment-grade corporate securities	$	1,078.3		$	1,478.5		$	1,431.6
Taxable municipal securities		10.7			201.2			754.4
Other investment-grade securities		15.2			33.7			15.4
Total fixed-maturity acquisitions	$	1,104.2		$	1,713.4		$	2,201.4
Effective annual yield (one year compounded*)		5.65	%		5.89	%		6.43	%
Average life (in years, to next call)		27.4			24.2			16.3
Average life (in years to maturity)		28.1			26.1			21.2
Average rating		A-			A-			A
* Tax-equivalent basis, where the yield on tax-exempt securities is adjusted to produce a yield equivalent to the pretax yield on taxable securities.

We prefer to invest primarily in bonds that are not callable (on other than a make-whole basis) prior to maturity, but we periodically invest some funds in callable bonds when the incremental yield available on such bonds warrants doing so. For investments in callable bonds, the actual life of the investment will depend on whether the issuer calls the investment prior to the maturity date. Given our investments in callable bonds, the actual average life of our investments can not be known at the time of the investment. However, the average life will not be less than the average life to next call and will not exceed the average life to maturity. Data for both of these average life measures is provided in the above chart. The average life of funds invested in 2009 (to both next call and maturity) was lower than that of funds invested during 2011 and 2010 due to actions taken for statutory capital management purposes and the limited availability of longer term investments.

During the three years 2009 through 2011, we have invested primarily in investment-grade corporate bonds. Purchases in 2011 were almost entirely in these corporates. During 2009 and 2010, we acquired a significant amount of taxable municipal bonds, primarily Build America Bonds authorized by the American Recovery and Retirement Act of 2009. The investments in these municipal bonds consisted almost exclusively of general obligation bonds and revenue bonds for essential services. In assessing the creditworthiness of these bonds, we took into account a number of factors, including the geographic location of the municipalities.

New cash flow available for investment is primarily provided through our insurance operations, but has also been affected by other factors. Issuer calls, as a result of the low-interest environment experienced during the past three years are a factor. Issuers are more likely to call bonds when rates are low because they often can refinance them at a lower cost. Calls increase funds available for investment,

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but they can have a negative impact on investment income if the proceeds from the calls are reinvested in bonds that have lower yields than that of the bonds that were called. Issuer calls were $187 million in 2011, $109 million in 2010, and $181 million in 2009. The higher level of acquisitions in 2009 was primarily due to the additional cash flow available from the special sales transactions noted below.

Sales transactions.    During 2009, the Company sold $703 million of fixed maturities at amortized cost, including $293 million of below- investment-grade securities. The market value for some of these securities increased significantly during the period to a level where, even though the sales price was less than amortized cost, management determined that better risk-adjusted returns could be achieved by selling rather than continuing to hold the securities. Other securities were sold at prices that produced gains to offset these losses for tax purposes. Due in large part to selling below-investment-grade securities and reinvesting the proceeds in investment-grade securities, below-investment-grade securities declined significantly as a percentage of total fixed maturities at year end 2009. The reduction in below-investment-grade securities had a positive impact on the risk-based capital position of our insurance subsidiaries at that date and thereafter.

Portfolio Analysis.    Because Torchmark has recently invested almost exclusively in fixed-maturity securities, the relative percentage of our assets invested in various types of investments varies from industry norms. The following table presents a comparison of Torchmark’s components of invested assets at amortized cost as of December 31, 2011 with the latest industry data.

	Torchmark
	Amount (in millions)		%			Industry %(1)
Bonds	$	9,761		85	%		76	%
Preferred stock (redeemable and perpetual)(2)		1,177		10			0
Common stocks		1		0			2
Mortgage loans		1		0			10
Real estate		3		0			1
Policy loans		401		4			4
Other invested assets		22		0			4
Cash and short terms		105		1			3
	$	11,471		100			100
(1)    Latest data available from the American Council of Life Insurance as of December 31, 2010. (2)    Includes redeemable preferred of $1.2 billion or 10% and perpetual preferred of $14 million or 0%.

At December 31, 2011, approximately 95% of our investments at book value were in a diversified fixed-maturity portfolio. Policy loans, which are secured by policy cash values, made up an additional 4%. The remaining balance was comprised of other investments including equity securities, mortgage loans, and other long-term and short-term investments.

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Because fixed maturities represent such a significant portion of our investment portfolio, the remainder of the discussion of portfolio composition will focus on fixed maturities. An analysis of our fixed-maturity portfolio by component at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 is as follows:

Fixed Maturities by Component

At December 31, 2011

(Dollar amounts in millions)

	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		% of Total Fixed Maturities
										Amortized Cost			Fair Value
Corporates	$	8,358	$	1,051	$	(138	)	$	9,271		77	%		78	%
Redeemable preferred stock		1,163		27		(68	)		1,122		11			10
Municipals		1,213		119		(2	)		1,330		11			11
Government-sponsored enterprises		46		1		0			47		0			1
Governments & agencies		36		1		0			37		0			0
Residential mortgage-backed securities		14		1		0			15		0			0
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		0		0		0			0		0			0
Collateralized debt obligations		60		0		(30	)		30		1			0
Other asset-backed securities		34		3		(1	)		36		0			0
Total fixed maturities	$	10,924	$	1,203	$	(239	)	$	11,888		100	%		100	%

Fixed Maturities by Component

At December 31, 2010

(Dollar amounts in millions)

	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		% of Total Fixed Maturities
										Amortized Cost			Fair Value
Corporates	$	7,708	$	423	$	(210	)	$	7,921		74	%		75	%
Redeemable preferred stock		1,312		36		(80	)		1,268		13			12
Municipals		1,212		11		(42	)		1,181		12			12
Government-sponsored enterprises		58		0		(1	)		57		1			1
Governments & agencies		35		2		0			37		0			0
Residential mortgage-backed securities		16		2		0			18		0			0
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		0		0		0			0		0			0
Collateralized debt obligations		57		0		(34	)		23		0			0
Other asset-backed securities		37		2		(1	)		38		0			0
Total fixed maturities	$	10,435	$	476	$	(368	)	$	10,543		100	%		100	%

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At December 31, 2011, fixed maturities had a fair value of $11.9 billion, compared with $10.5 billion at December 31, 2010. At December 31, 2011, fixed maturities were in a $964 million net unrealized gain position compared with an unrealized gain position of $108 million at December 31, 2010. Approximately 77% of our fixed maturity assets at December 31, 2011 at amortized cost were corporate bonds and 11% were redeemable preferred stocks. This compares with 74% corporate bonds and 13% redeemable preferred stocks at year end 2010. On a combined basis, residential mortgage-backed securities, other asset-backed securities, and collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) were less than 2% of the assets at amortized cost at December 31, 2011. The $60 million of CDOs at amortized cost made up less than 0.6% of the assets and are backed primarily by trust preferred securities issued by banks and insurance companies. The $14 million of residential mortgage-backed securities are rated AAA. For more information about our fixed-maturity portfolio by component at December 31, 2011 and 2010, including an analysis of unrealized investment losses and a schedule of maturities, see Note 4—Investments in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Due to the strong and stable cash flows generated by its insurance products, Torchmark has the ability to hold securities with temporary unrealized losses until recovery. Even though these fixed maturity investments are available for sale, Torchmark generally expects and intends to hold to maturity any securities which are temporarily impaired.

Additional information concerning the fixed-maturity portfolio is as follows.

Fixed Maturity Portfolio Selected Information

	At December 31, 2011			At December 31, 2010
Average annual effective yield (1)		6.49	%		6.63	%
Average life, in years, to:
Next call (2)		17.3			16.6
Maturity (2)		22.2			22.3
Effective duration to:
Next call (2), (3)		9.9			9.0
Maturity (2), (3)		11.6			10.9
(1)    Tax-equivalent basis, where the yield on tax-exempt securities is adjusted to produce a yield equivalent to the pretax yield on taxable securities.
(2)    Torchmark calculates the average life and duration of the fixed-maturity portfolio two ways:
(a)    based on the next call date which is the next call date for callable bonds and the maturity date for noncallable bonds, and
(b)    based on the maturity date of all bonds, whether callable or not.
(3)    Effective duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to a particular change in interest rates.

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Credit Risk Sensitivity.    Credit risk is the level of certainty that a security’s issuer will maintain its ability to honor the terms of that security until maturity. Approximately 88% of our fixed-maturity holdings at book value are in corporate securities (including redeemable preferred and asset-backed securities). As we continue to invest in corporate bonds with relatively long maturities, credit risk is a concern. We mitigate this ongoing risk, in part, by acquiring only investment-grade bonds and by analyzing the financial fundamentals of each prospective issuer. We continue to monitor the status of issuers on an ongoing basis. We also seek to reduce credit risk by maintaining investments in a large number of issuers over a wide range of industry sectors.

The following table presents the relative percentage of our fixed maturities by industry sector at December 31, 2011.

Fixed Maturities by Sector At December 31, 2011 (Dollar amounts in millions)
	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		% of Total Fixed Maturities
										At Amortized Cost			At Fair Value
Financial - Life/Health/PC Insurance	$	1,785	$	92	$	(63	)	$	1,814		16	%		16	%
Financial - Bank		1,320		32		(71	)		1,281		12			11
Financial - Other		509		41		(17	)		533		4			4
Total Financial		3,614		165		(151	)		3,628		32			31
Utilities		1,709		319		(9	)		2,019		16			17
Energy		1,243		188		0			1,431		11			12
Government		1,295		121		(2	)		1,414		12			12
Basic Materials		758		108		(3	)		863		7			7
Consumer Non-cyclical		539		90		(4	)		625		5			5
Other Industrials		519		60		(19	)		560		5			5
Communications		464		66		(12	)		518		4			4
Consumer Cyclical		394		34		(9	)		419		4			4
Transportation		315		51		0			366		3			3
Collateralized debt obligations		60		0		(30	)		30		1			0
Mortgage-backed securities		14		1		0			15		0			0
Total fixed maturities	$	10,924	$	1,203	$	(239	)	$	11,888		100	%		100	%

At December 31, 2011, approximately 32% of the fixed maturity assets at amortized cost (31% at fair value) were in the financial sector, including 16% in life and health or property casualty insurance companies and 12% in banks at amortized cost. Financial guarantors, mortgage insurers, and insurance brokers comprised approximately 4% of the portfolio. After financials, the next largest sector was utilities, which comprised 16% of the portfolio at amortized cost. The balance of the portfolio is spread among 262 issuers in a wide variety of sectors. As previously noted, gross unrealized losses were $239 million at December 31, 2011, declining from $368 million a year earlier. The portfolio was in a net unrealized gain position of $964 million at December 31, 2011.

As shown in the table above, the ratio of gross unrealized losses to book value was approximately 50% for our investments in CDOs. As previously noted, CDOs represented less than 0.6% of our fixed maturity investments at December 31, 2011. We evaluated each of the impaired securities in this and all other sectors to determine whether or not any of the impairments were other-than-temporary. Our portfolio consisted of five CDO investments at December 31, 2011, in which three were carried at a value of $0, one was considered only temporarily impaired, and one was previously considered other-than-temporarily impaired.

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The CDO considered temporarily impaired was carried at an amortized cost of $23.4 million and had a fair value of $7.7 million. The CDO considered other-than-temporarily impaired was previously written down and carried at an amortized cost of $37.0 million, based on the present value of expected cash flows at the original purchase yield. This CDO had a fair value of $22.7 million at December 31, 2011. The collateral underlying these CDOs is primarily trust preferred securities issued by banks and insurance companies, and no sub-prime or Alt-A mortgages are included in the collateral.

In reaching these conclusions concerning the other-than-temporary impairment of our CDOs, we reviewed and discussed with the collateral managers of each of these CDOs the current status of the collateral underlying our investments, the credit events (defaults and deferrals in underlying collateral) experienced to date, and the possibility of future credit events. We calculated expected future cash flows using assumptions for expected future credit events that reflect actual historical experience and expected future experience. We reviewed the actual versus expected cash flows received to date and the impact that potential future credit events could have on our expected future cash flows. We calculated the magnitude of future credit events that could be experienced without negatively impacting the recovery of our investment and our expected yield rate. While there is a possibility that future credit events will exceed our current expectations, we believe there is ample evidence to support our conclusions.

An analysis of the fixed-maturity portfolio by a composite rating at December 31, 2011 is shown in the table below.

Fixed Maturities by Rating

At December 31, 2011

(Dollar amounts in millions)

	Amortized Cost		%		Fair Value		%
Investment grade:
AAA	$	473		4.3	$	505		4.2
AA		1,338		12.2		1,457		12.3
A		2,941		26.9		3,399		28.6
BBB+		2,172		19.9		2,400		20.2
BBB		2,212		20.3		2,419		20.3
BBB-		1,087		10.0		1,129		9.5
Investment grade		10,223		93.6		11,309		95.1
Below investment grade:
BB		410		3.8		370		3.2
B		170		1.6		134		1.1
Below B		121		1.0		75		0.6
Below investment grade		701		6.4		579		4.9
	$	10,924		100.0	$	11,888		100.0	%

The portfolio has a weighted average quality rating of A- based on amortized cost. Approximately 93% of the portfolio at amortized cost was considered investment grade. Our investment portfolio contains no securities backed by sub-prime or Alt-A mortgages (loans for which some of the typical documentation was not provided by the borrower). We have no direct investments in residential mortgages, nor do we have any counterparty risks as we are not a party to any credit default swaps or other derivative contracts. We do not participate in securities lending. There are no off-balance sheet investments, as all investments are reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We have no direct exposure to European sovereign debt.

Our current investment policy is to acquire only investment-grade obligations. Thus, any increases in below investment-grade issues are a result of ratings downgrades of existing holdings.

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An analysis of changes in below-investment grade fixed maturities at amortized cost is as follows.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011
	(in $ millions)
Balance at January 1	$	863
Downgrades by rating agencies		76
Upgrades by rating agencies		(98	)
Disposals		(143	)
Amortization		3
Balance at December 31	$	701

Market Risk Sensitivity.    Torchmark’s financial securities are exposed to interest rate risk, meaning the effect of changes in financial market interest rates on the current fair value of the company’s investment portfolio. Since 96% of the book value of our investments is attributable to fixed-maturity investments (and virtually all of these investments are fixed-rate investments), the portfolio is highly subject to market risk. Declines in market interest rates generally result in the fair value of the investment portfolio exceeding the book value of the portfolio and increases in interest rates cause the fair value to decline below the book value. Under normal market conditions, we do not expect to realize these unrealized gains and losses because it is generally our investment strategy to hold these investments to maturity. The long-term nature of our insurance policy liabilities and strong cash-flow operating position substantially mitigate any future need to liquidate portions of the portfolio. The increase or decrease in the fair value of insurance liabilities and debt due to increases or decreases in market interest rates largely offset the impact of rates on the investment portfolio. However, in accordance with GAAP, these liabilities are not marked to market.

The following table illustrates the market risk sensitivity of our interest-rate sensitive fixed-maturity portfolio at December 31, 2011 and 2010. This table measures the effect of a change in interest rates (as represented by the U.S. Treasury curve) on the fair value of the fixed-maturity portfolio. The data measures the change in fair value arising from an immediate and sustained change in interest rates in increments of 100 basis points.

	Market Value of Fixed Maturity Portfolio ($ millions)
Change in Interest Rates (in basis points)	At December 31, 2011	At December 31, 2010
-200	$14,847	$12,919
-100	13,261	11,656
0	11,888	10,543
100	10,694	9,559
200	9,650	8,686

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Realized Gains and Losses.    Our life and health insurance companies collect premium income from policyholders for the eventual payment of policyholder benefits, sometimes paid many years or even decades in the future. In addition to the payment of these benefits, we also incur acquisition costs, administrative expenses, and taxes as a part of insurance operations. Because benefits are expected to be paid in future periods, premium receipts in excess of current expenses are invested to provide for these obligations. For this reason, we hold a significant investment portfolio as a part of our core insurance operations. This portfolio consists primarily of high-quality fixed maturities containing an adequate yield to provide for the cost of carrying these long-term insurance product obligations. As a result, fixed maturities are generally held for long periods to support the liabilities. Expected yields on these investments are taken into account when setting insurance premium rates and product profitability expectations.

Investments are occasionally sold or called, resulting in a realized gain or loss. These gains and losses occur only incidentally, usually as the result of sales because of deterioration in investment quality of issuers or calls by the issuers. Investment losses are also caused by writedowns due to impairments. We do not engage in trading investments for profit. Therefore, gains or losses which occur in protecting the portfolio or its yield, or which result from events that are beyond our control, are only secondary to our core insurance operations of providing insurance coverage to policyholders.

Realized gains and losses can be significant in relation to the earnings from core insurance operations, and as a result, can have a material positive or negative impact on net income. The significant fluctuations caused by gains and losses can cause the period-to-period trends of net income not to be indicative of historical core operating results nor predictive of the future trends of core operations. Accordingly, they have no bearing on core insurance operations or segment results as we view operations. For these reasons, and in line with industry practice, we remove the effects of realized gains and losses when evaluating overall insurance operating results.

The following table summarizes our tax-effected realized gains (losses) by component for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011.

Analysis of Realized Gains (Losses), Net of Tax

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for per share data)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011					2010						2009
	Amount			Per Share		Amount			Per Share			Amount			Per Share
Investments:
Sales	$	673		$	0.01	$	10,761		$	0.09		$	7,644		$	0.06
Called or tendered		15,512			0.14		17,265			0.14			1,878			0.02
Writedowns*		(13	)		0.00		(3,152	)		(0.02	)		(94,367	)		(0.77	)
Loss on redemption of debt		0			0.00		(1,070	)		(0.01	)		(1	)		0.00
Other		666			0.00		466			0.00			(499	)		0.00
Total	$	16,838		$	0.15	$	24,270		$	0.20		$	(85,345	)	$	(0.69	)

* Written down due to other-than-temporary impairment.

As described in Note 4—Investments under the caption Other-than temporary impairments in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, we wrote certain securities down to fair value during each year 2009 through 2011 as a result of other-than-temporary impairment. The impaired securities met our criteria for other-than-temporary impairment as discussed in Note 4 and in our Critical Accounting Policies in this report. The writedowns resulted in pretax charges of $20 thousand in 2011 ($13 thousand after tax), $5 million in 2010 ($3 million after tax), and $143 million in 2009 ($94 million after tax). The 2009 charge included $83 million on CDOs ($55 million after tax) and $24 million on monoline financial guarantors and mortgage insurers ($16 million after tax). The remaining writedowns in 2009 were from losses on a variety of corporate bonds. In 2010, we acquired $7.3 million book value of our 9 ¹/4% Senior Notes at a cost of $8.9 million, resulting in an after-tax loss on debt redemption of $1.1 million.

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FINANCIAL CONDITION

Liquidity.    Liquidity provides Torchmark with the ability to meet on demand the cash commitments required by its business operations and financial obligations. Our liquidity is primarily derived from three sources: positive cash flow from operations, a portfolio of marketable securities, and a line of credit facility.

Insurance Subsidiary Liquidity.    The operations of our insurance subsidiaries have historically generated substantial cash inflows in excess of immediate cash needs. Sources of cash flows for the insurance subsidiaries include primarily premium and investment income. Cash outflows from operations include policy benefit payments, commissions, administrative expenses, and taxes. The funds to provide for policy benefits, the majority of which are paid in future periods, are invested primarily in long-term fixed maturities to meet these long-term obligations. In addition to investment income, maturities and scheduled repayments in the investment portfolio are sources of cash. Excess cash available from the insurance subsidiaries’ operations is generally distributed as a dividend to the Parent Company, subject to regulatory restriction. The dividends are generally paid in amounts equal to the subsidiaries’ prior year statutory net income excluding realized capital gains. The leading source of the excess cash is investment income. However, due to our high underwriting margins and effective expense control, a significant portion of the excess cash comes from underwriting income.

Parent Company Liquidity.    Cash flows from the insurance subsidiaries are used to pay interest and principal repayments on Parent Company debt, operating expenses of the Parent, and Parent Company dividends to Torchmark shareholders. In 2011, the Parent received $790 million of dividends and transfers from its insurance subsidiaries, as compared with $401 million in 2010 and $392 million in 2009. The 2011 dividend included $305 million of additional dividends available as a result of the sale of United Investors. After paying debt obligations, shareholder dividends, and other expenses (but before share repurchases), Torchmark Parent had excess operating cash flow in 2011 of approximately $672 million, including the $305 million from the sale of United Investors. Parent Company cash flow in excess of its operating requirements is available for other corporate purposes, such as strategic acquisitions or share repurchases. In 2012, it is expected that the Parent Company will receive approximately $470 million in dividends and transfers from subsidiaries, and that approximately $360 million will be available as excess cash flow. Certain restrictions exist on the payment of these dividends. For more information on the restrictions on the payment of dividends by subsidiaries, see the restrictions section of Note 12—Shareholders’ Equity in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Although these restrictions exist, dividend availability from subsidiaries historically has been sufficient for the cash flow needs of the Parent Company. As additional liquidity, the Parent held $27 million of cash and short-term investments at December 31, 2011, compared with $63 million a year earlier. The Parent also had available a $51 million receivable from subsidiaries at December 31, 2011.

Short-Term Borrowings. An additional source of parent company liquidity is a line of credit facility with a group of lenders which allows unsecured borrowings and stand-by letters of credit up to $600 million. As of December 31, 2011, we had available $177 million of additional borrowing capacity under this facility, as compared with $203 million a year earlier. For detailed information about this line of credit facility, see the Commercial Paper section of Note 11—Debt.

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The following table presents certain information about our short-term borrowings, all of which was commercial paper.

Short-term Borrowings—Commercial Paper

(Dollar amounts in millions)

	At December 31,
	2011			2010
Balance at end of period	$	225.0		$	199.0
Daily-weighted average interest rate*		0.47	%		0.45	%
Letters of credit outstanding	$	198.0		$	198.0
Remaining amount available under credit line	$	177.0		$	203.0
	For the Year
	2011			2010			2009
Average balance outstanding during period	$	206.1		$	196.3		$	251.5
Daily-weighted average interest rate*		0.39	%		0.43	%		1.10	%
Maximum daily amount outstanding during period	$	271.8		$	250.0		$	325.0
*      Annualized

There have been no difficulties in accessing the commercial paper market under this facility during the three years ended December 31, 2011.

In summary, Torchmark expects to have readily available funds for 2012 and the foreseeable future to conduct its operations and to maintain target capital ratios in the insurance subsidiaries through internally generated cash flow and the credit facility. In the unlikely event that more liquidity is needed, the Company could generate additional funds through multiple sources including, but not limited to, the issuance of additional debt, a short-term credit facility, and intercompany borrowing.

Consolidated Liquidity. Consolidated net cash inflows provided from operations were $859 million in 2011, compared with $1.03 billion in 2010, and $976 million in 2009. In addition to cash inflows from operations, our companies have received $230 million in investment calls and tenders and $180 million of scheduled maturities or repayments during 2011. Maturities, tenders, and calls totaled $639 million in 2010 and $761 million in 2009.

Our cash and short-term investments were $105 million at year-end 2011 and $582 million at year-end 2010. Included in cash at December 31, 2010 was the $343 million of proceeds received from the sale of United Investors on that date. Additionally, we have a portfolio of marketable fixed and equity securities that are available for sale in the event of an unexpected need. These securities had a fair value of $11.9 billion at December 31, 2011. However, our strong cash flows from operations, investment maturities, and the availability of our credit line make any need to sell securities for liquidity unlikely.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.    As described in Note 11—Debt in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and under the subcaption Funded Debt, Torchmark had outstanding $120 million (par amount) 7.1% Trust Preferred Securities at both December 31, 2011 and 2010. The capital trust liable for these securities is the legal entity which is responsible for the securities and facilitates the payment of dividends to shareholders. As described in Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, we have guaranteed the performance of the capital trust to meet its financial obligations to the Trust Preferred shareholders. The trust is an off-balance sheet arrangement which we are required to deconsolidate in accordance with GAAP rules, because the capital trust is considered to be a variable interest entity in which we have no variable interest. While these liabilities are not on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, they are represented by Torchmark’s 7.1% Junior Subordinated Debentures due to the trust in the amount of $124 million which is on our balance sheets at both December 31, 2011 and 2010. The 7.1% preferred dividends due to the preferred shareholders are funded by our 7.1% interest payment on our debt to the trusts.

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As a part of its above-mentioned credit facility, Torchmark had outstanding $198 million in stand-by letters of credit at December 31, 2011. However, these letters are issued among our subsidiaries and have no impact on company obligations as a whole.

As of December 31, 2011, we had no other significant unconsolidated affiliates and no guarantees of the obligations of third-party entities other than as described above. All of our guarantees, other than the Trust Preferred guarantee, were guarantees of the performance of consolidated subsidiaries, as disclosed in Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies.

The following table presents information about future payments under our contractual obligations for the selected periods as of December 31, 2011.

(Amounts in millions)

	Actual Liability		Total Payments		Less than One Year		One to Three Years		Four to Five Years		More than Five Years
Fixed and determinable:
Debt—principal(1)	$	1,139	$	1,151	$	225	$	94	$	250	$	582
Debt—interest(2)		7		741		73		136		122		410
Capital leases		0		0		0		0		0		0
Operating leases		0		13		3		4		3		3
Purchase obligations		109		109		85		23		0		1
Pension obligations(3)		74		185		14		31		34		106
Future insurance obligations(4)		9,572		40,332		1,208		2,351		2,241		34,532
Total	$	10,901	$	42,531	$	1,608	$	2,639	$	2,650	$	35,634

(1) Funded debt is itemized in Note 11—Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and includes short-term commercial paper.

(2) Interest on debt is based on our fixed contractual obligations.

(3) Pension obligations are primarily liabilities in trust funds that are calculated in accordance with the terms of the pension plans. They are offset by invested assets in the trusts, which are funded through periodic contributions by Torchmark in a manner which will provide for the settlement of the obligations as they become due. Therefore, our obligations are offset by those assets when reported on Torchmark’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2011, these pension obligations were $332 million, but there were also assets of $258 million in the pension entities. The schedule of pension benefit payments covers ten years and is based on the same assumptions used to measure the pension obligations, except there is no interest assumption because the payments are undiscounted. Please refer to Note 10—Postretirement Benefits in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on pension obligations.

(4) Future insurance obligations consist primarily of estimated future contingent benefit payments on policies in force at December 31, 2011. These estimated payments were computed using assumptions for future mortality, morbidity and persistency. The actual amount and timing of such payments may differ significantly from the estimated amounts shown. Management believes that the assets supporting the liability of $9.6 billion at December 31, 2011, along with future premiums and investment income, will be sufficient to fund all future insurance obligations.

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Capital Resources.    Torchmark’s capital structure consists of short-term debt (the commercial paper facility described in Note 11—Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements), long-term funded debt, Junior Subordinated Debentures supporting its Trust Preferred Securities, and shareholders’ equity. The Junior Subordinated Debentures are payable to Torchmark’s Capital Trust III which is liable for its Trust Preferred Securities. In accordance with GAAP, these instruments are included in “Due to affiliates” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. A complete analysis and description of long-term debt issues outstanding is presented in Note 11—Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The carrying value of the funded debt was $914 million at December 31, 2011, compared with $913 million a year earlier. As fully explained in Note 11—Debt, we issued $300 million principal amount of 9¼% Senior Notes due in 2019 in June of 2009 for proceeds of $296 million. A portion of these proceeds were used to repay the $99 million due upon the August, 2009 maturity of our 8¼% Senior Debentures. In addition, we also used $175 million to strengthen the capital position of certain of our insurance subsidiaries in 2009 in the form of capital contributions and surplus notes. The regulatory capital positions of these subsidiaries had been negatively affected by rating-agency downgrades of bonds in their investment portfolios. The subsidiaries in turn invested these funds in investment-grade fixed maturities.

Our insurance subsidiaries generally target a capital ratio of at least 325% of required regulatory capital under Risk-Based Capital (RBC), a formula designed by insurance regulatory authorities to monitor the adequacy of capital. The 325% target is considered sufficient for the subsidiaries because of their strong reliable cash flows, the relatively low risk of their product mix, and because that ratio is in line with rating agency expectations for Torchmark. At December 31, 2011, our insurance subsidiaries in the aggregate had RBC ratios of approximately 336%. Should we experience additional impairments and ratings downgrades in the future that cause the ratio to fall below 325%, management has more than sufficient liquidity at the Parent Company to make additional contributions as necessary to maintain the ratios at or above 325%.

As noted under the caption Summary of Operations in this report, we reactivated our share repurchase program during the first quarter of 2010. We previously had suspended the program indefinitely in March, 2009 due to general economic conditions at that time. However, since reactivation, we have made share purchases each quarter of 2010 and 2011. Under this program, we acquired 19 million shares at a cost of $788 million in 2011 (average of $41.68 per share), 6 million shares for $204 million in 2010, and 3 million shares for $47 million in 2009. The majority of purchased shares are retired each year. Please refer to the description of our share repurchase program under the caption Summary of Operations in this report.

Torchmark has recently increased the dividend on its common shares. In the first quarter of 2010, the dividend was increased from $.0933 per share to $.10 per share and in the fourth quarter of 2010, it was further increased to $.1067 per share. In the second quarter of 2011, it was again raised to $.12 per share.

Shareholders’ equity was $4.2 billion at December 31, 2011, compared with $4.0 billion at December 31, 2010. During the twelve months since December 31, 2010, shareholders’ equity was reduced by the $788 million in share purchases under the repurchase program and another $185 million to offset the dilution from stock option exercises, but has been increased by the $518 million of net income and by after tax unrealized gains of $538 million in the fixed maturity portfolio as conditions in financial markets have improved.

We plan to use excess cash as efficiently as possible in the future but we will be cautious in doing so. Excess cash flow could be used for share repurchases, acquisitions, increases in shareholder dividends, investment in fixed maturities, or repayment of short-term debt. We will determine the best use of excess cash after ensuring that desired capital levels are maintained in our companies.

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We maintain a significant available-for-sale fixed-maturity portfolio to support our insurance policyholders’ liabilities. Current accounting guidance requires that we revalue our portfolio to fair market value at the end of each accounting period. The period-to-period changes in fair value, net of their associated impact on deferred acquisition costs and income tax, are reflected directly in shareholders’ equity. Changes in the fair value of the portfolio can result from changes in interest rates and liquidity in financial markets. While invested assets are revalued, accounting rules do not permit interest-bearing insurance policy liabilities to be valued at fair value in a consistent manner as that of assets, with changes in value applied directly to shareholders’ equity. Due to the size of our policy liabilities in relation to our shareholders’ equity, this inconsistency in measurement usually has a material impact on the reported value of shareholders’ equity. If these liabilities were revalued in the same manner as the assets, the effect on equity would be largely offset. Fluctuations in interest rates cause undue volatility in the period-to-period presentation of our shareholders’ equity, capital structure, and financial ratios which would be essentially removed if interest-bearing liabilities were valued in the same manner as assets. From time to time, the market value of our fixed maturity portfolio may be depressed as a result of bond market illiquidity which could result in a significant decrease in shareholders’ equity. Because of the long-term nature of our fixed maturities and liabilities and the strong cash flows generated by our insurance subsidiaries, we have the intent and ability to hold our securities to maturity. As such, we do not expect to incur losses due to fluctuations in market value of fixed maturities caused by interest rate changes and temporarily illiquid markets. Accordingly, our management, credit rating agencies, lenders, many industry analysts, and certain other financial statement users prefer to remove the effect of this accounting rule when analyzing our balance sheet, capital structure, and financial ratios.

The following tables present selected data related to our capital resources. Additionally, the tables present the effect of this accounting guidance on relevant line items, so that investors and other financial statement users may determine its impact on Torchmark’s capital structure.

Selected Financial Data

	At December 31, 2011						At December 31, 2010						At December 31, 2009
	GAAP			Effect of Accounting Rule Requiring Revaluation*			GAAP			Effect of Accounting Rule Requiring Revaluation*			GAAP			Effect of Accounting Rule Requiring Revaluation*
Fixed maturities (millions)	$	11,888			964		$	10,543		$	107		$	9,104		$	(456	)
Deferred acquisition costs (millions)		3,485			(33	)		3,406			(4	)		3,320			28
Total assets (millions)		17,156			931			16,160			103			16,024			(428	)
Short-term debt (millions)		225			0			199			0			233			0
Long-term debt (millions) **		914			0			913			0			920			0
Shareholders’ equity (millions)		4,229			605			4,016			67			3,399			(278	)
Book value per diluted share		41.54			5.95			33.24			0.55			27.25			(2.23	)
Debt to capitalization ***		21.2	%		(2.7	)%		21.7	%		(0.3	)%		25.3	%		1.5	%
Diluted shares outstanding (thousands)		101,808						120,815						124,739
Actual shares outstanding (thousands)		100,579						118,865						124,261

* Amount added to (deducted from) comprehensive income to produce the stated GAAP item

** Includes Torchmark’s 7.1% Junior Subordinated Debentures in each period in the amount of $124 million.

*** Torchmark’s debt covenants require that the effect of the accounting rule requiring revaluation be removed to determine this ratio. This ratio is computed by dividing total debt by the sum of debt and shareholders’ equity.

Previously, the FASB issued guidance which offered an option which, if elected, would permit us to value our interest-bearing policy liabilities and debt at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. However, unlike current accounting rules which permit us to account for changes in our available-for-sale bond portfolio through other comprehensive income, the new rule requires such changes to be recorded in earnings. Because both the size and duration of the investment portfolio do not match those attributes of our policyholder liabilities and debt, the impact on earnings could be very significant and volatile, causing reported earnings not to be reflective of core results. Therefore, we have not elected this option.

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Torchmark’s ratio of earnings before interest and taxes to interest requirements (times interest earned) was 10.7 times in 2011, compared with 11.3 times in 2010 and 9.3 times in 2009. This times-interest-earned ratio is computed by dividing interest expense into the sum of pre-tax income from continuing operations and interest expense. A discussion of our interest expense is included in the discussion of financing costs under the caption Investments in this report.

Credit Ratings. The chart below presents Torchmark’s credit ratings as of December 31, 2011.

	Standard & Poor’s		Moody’s		A.M. Best		Fitch
Commercial Paper		A-1		P-2		AMB-1		F-2
Funded Debt		A		Baa1		a-		BBB+
Preferred Stock		BBB+		Baa2		bbb		BBB-

During the three year period ended December 31, 2011, each of the rating agencies revised the outlook for Torchmark from stable to negative and then back to stable. Reasons cited for the negative outlook included increased risk in our investment portfolio, tighter liquidity, and reduced financial flexibility. Reasons cited for the revision back to a stable outlook included improved financial flexibility, increased capital levels at the insurance subsidiaries, the decrease in unrealized losses, and strong operating performance.

The credit quality of Torchmark’s debt instruments and capital securities are rated by various rating agencies. During 2009, A. M. Best downgraded our preferred stock from bbb+ to bbb. Also in 2009, Fitch downgraded our Senior Debt from A to BBB+ (two notches), our preferred stock from A- to BBB (two notches), and our commercial paper from F1 to F2 (one notch). Fitch stated that the downgrades were a result of the weakness in the statutory capital position of Torchmark’s insurance subsidiaries brought on by the ratings downgrades of fixed maturity securities held in the subsidiaries’ investment portfolios. They also expressed concern with the level of intercompany financing by the Parent Company from the subsidiaries, the ongoing exposure to financial market turmoil, and the expectation of continued investment deterioration going forward. In January, 2010, Fitch further downgraded our preferred stock one notch to BBB-. At that time, Fitch downgraded over 200 hybrid securities issued by insurance industry entities, as their assessments of these securities in our industry changed.

The financial strength of our major insurance subsidiaries is also rated by Standard & Poor’s and A. M. Best. The following chart presents these ratings for our four largest insurance subsidiaries at December 31, 2011.

	Standard & Poor’s		A.M. Best
Liberty		AA-		A+ (Superior)
Globe		AA-		A+ (Superior)
United American		AA-		A+ (Superior)
American Income		AA-		A+ (Superior)

A.M. Best states that it assigns an A+ (Superior) rating to those companies which, in its opinion, have demonstrated superior overall performance when compared to the norms of the life/health insurance industry. A+ (Superior) companies have a superior ability to meet their obligations to policyholders over a long period of time.

The AA financial strength rating category is assigned by Standard & Poor’s Corporation to those insurers which have very strong financial security characteristics, differing only slightly from those rated higher. The minus sign (-) shows the relative standing within the major rating category.

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OTHER ITEMS

Litigation.    Torchmark and its subsidiaries are subject to being named as parties to pending or threatened litigation, much of which involves punitive damage claims based upon allegations of agent misconduct at the insurance subsidiaries. Such punitive damage claims that are tried in Alabama state courts may have the potential for significant adverse results since punitive damages in Alabama are based upon the compensatory damages (including mental anguish) awarded and the discretion of the jury in awarding compensatory damages is not precisely defined. Additionally, it should be noted that our subsidiaries actively market insurance in the State of Mississippi, a jurisdiction which is nationally recognized for large punitive damage verdicts. This bespeaks caution since it is impossible to predict the likelihood or extent of punitive damages that may be awarded if liability is found in any given case. Based upon information presently available, and in light of legal and other factual defenses available to Torchmark and its subsidiaries, contingent liabilities arising from threatened and pending litigation are not presently considered by us to be material. For more information concerning litigation, please refer to Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

NEW UNADOPTED ACCOUNTING RULES

The FASB has issued new accounting guidance potentially applicable to Torchmark, effective in future periods:

Policy Acquisition Costs (ASU 2010-26). This accounting guidance amends the accounting for costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts in order to address the diversity in practice surrounding the capitalization and deferral of these costs. This guidance will be effective for Torchmark beginning January 1, 2012. Please refer to Unadopted Accounting Guidance in Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information concerning the effects of adoption.

Comprehensive Income (ASU 2011-05). Under this guidance, the components of comprehensive income must be presented as either 1) a continuous statement (including the components of net income) or 2) as two separate but consecutive statements (an income statement followed by a comprehensive income statement). This guidance is effective for us in interim and annual periods beginning in 2012. Because we already present comprehensive income as contemplated by the second alternative, this guidance should not result in any change.

Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure (ASU 2011-04). The primary purpose of this new guidance is to converge the measurement criteria and disclosures of fair value in U.S. GAAP with those of International Accounting Standards. The measurement principles are generally consistent with current U.S. GAAP and are not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements. The guidance will require additional disclosures, including expanded disclosures for fair value measurements categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and a requirement to disclose the level in the fair value hierarchy of items whose fair value is disclosed but not measured at fair value on the balance sheet. The guidance is effective for us in calendar 2012, with early adoption prohibited.

Goodwill Impairment Testing (ASU 2011-08). The issuance of this update permits an optional qualitative assessment in order to simplify how an entity tests its goodwill for impairment. Under this assessment, if an entity concludes that a reporting units’ fair value is more likely than not greater than its carrying amount, it would not be required to perform any further impairment testing for that reporting unit. Otherwise, the two-step impairment test under current guidance would be required for the reporting unit. This new guidance lists factors to consider in making the qualitative assessment. The revised guidance is applicable to us beginning in 2012, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect this new guidance to impact the value of our goodwill, only to modify the way we test for its impairment.

Health Insurer’s Fees Paid to the Federal Government (ASU 2011-06). Private health insurance carriers will be required to pay a new fee to the Federal government beginning in calendar year 2014 under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This guidance addresses questions about how to recognize and classify the fees, basically requiring that it be expensed ratably throughout the year. It is effective for Torchmark beginning in the year 2014. Because the majority of Torchmark’s health products are excluded from the mandate, the impact of adoption should be immaterial.

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Future Policy Benefits.    Because of the long-term nature of insurance contracts, our insurance companies are liable for policy benefit payments that will be made in the future. The liability for future policy benefits is determined by standard actuarial procedures common to the life insurance industry. The accounting policies for determining this liability are disclosed in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. A list of the significant assumptions used to calculate the liability for future policy benefits is reported in Note 6—Future Policy Benefit Reserves.

Approximately 81% of our liabilities for future policy benefits at December 31, 2011 were traditional insurance liabilities whereby the liability is determined as the present value of future benefits less the present value of the portion of the gross premium required to pay for such benefits. The assumptions used in estimating the future benefits for this portion of business are set at the time of contract issue. These assumptions are “locked in” and are not revised for the lifetime of the contracts, except where there is a premium deficiency, as defined in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under the caption Future Policy Benefits. Otherwise, variability in the accrual of policy reserve liabilities after policy issuance is caused only by variability of the inventory of in force policies. Torchmark had no premium deficiency event for its traditional business during the three years ended December 31, 2011.

The remaining portion of liabilities for future policy benefits pertains to business accounted for as deposit business, where the recorded liability is the fund balance attributable to the benefit of policyholders as determined by the policy contract at the financial statement date. Accordingly, there are no assumptions used to determine the future policy benefit liability for deposit business.

Deferred Acquisition Costs.    The costs of acquiring new business are generally deferred and recorded as an asset. Deferred acquisition costs consist primarily of sales commissions and other underwriting costs of new insurance sales. Additionally, the costs of acquiring blocks of insurance from other companies or through the acquisition of other companies are also deferred and recorded as deferred acquisition costs as indicated in Note 5—Deferred Acquisition Costs in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Our policies for accounting for deferred acquisition costs and the associated amortization are reported in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Approximately 98% of our recorded amounts for deferred acquisition costs at December 31, 2011 were related to traditional products and are being amortized over the premium-paying period in proportion to the present value of actual historic and estimated future gross premiums. The projection assumptions for this business are set at the time of contract issue. These assumptions are “locked-in” at that time and, except where there is a loss recognition issue, are not revised for the lifetime of the contracts. Absent a premium deficiency, variability in amortization after policy issuance is caused only by variability in premium volume. We have not recorded a deferred acquisition cost loss recognition event for assets related to this business for any period in the three years ended December 31, 2011.

The remaining 2% of deferred acquisition costs pertain to deposit business for which deferred acquisition costs are amortized over the estimated lives of the contracts in proportion to actual and estimated future gross profits. These contracts are not subject to lock-in. The assumptions must be updated when actual experience or other evidence suggests that earlier estimates should be revised. As noted earlier in this report, our variable annuity block was disposed of as of December 31, 2010. Revisions related to our deposit business assets have not had a material impact on the amortization of deferred acquisition costs during the three years ended December 31, 2011.

Policy Claims and Other Benefits Payable.    This liability consists of known benefits currently payable and an estimate of claims that have been incurred but not yet reported to us. The estimate of unreported claims is based on prior experience and is made after careful evaluation of all information available to us. However, the factors upon which these estimates are based can be subject to change from historical patterns. Factors involved include the litigation environment, regulatory mandates, and the introduction of policy types for which claim patterns are not well established, and medical trend rates and medical cost inflation as they affect our health claims. Changes in these estimates, if any, are reflected in the earnings of the period in which the adjustment is made. We believe that the estimates used to produce the liability

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for claims and other benefits, including the estimate of unsubmitted claims, are the most appropriate under the circumstances. However, there is no certainty that the resulting stated liability will be our ultimate obligation. At this time, we do not expect any change in this estimate to have a material impact on earnings or financial position consistent with our historical experience.

Valuation of Fixed Maturities.    We hold a substantial investment in high-quality fixed maturities to provide for the funding of our future policy contractual obligations over long periods of time. While these securities are generally expected to be held to maturity, they are classified as available for sale and are sold from time to time, primarily to manage risk. We report this portfolio at fair value. Fair value is the price that we would expect to receive upon sale of the asset in an orderly transaction. The fair value of the fixed-maturity portfolio is primarily affected by changes in interest rates in financial markets, having a greater impact on longer-term maturities. Because of the size of our fixed-maturity portfolio, small changes in rates can have a significant effect on the portfolio and the reported financial position of the Company. This impact is disclosed in 100 basis point increments under the caption Market Risk Sensitivity in this report. However, as discussed under the caption Financial Condition in this report, we believe these unrealized fluctuations in value have no meaningful impact on our actual financial condition and, as such, we remove them from consideration when viewing our financial position and financial ratios.

At times, the values of our fixed maturities can also be affected by illiquidity in the financial markets. Illiquidity would contribute to a spread widening, and accordingly unrealized losses, on many securities that we would expect to be fully recoverable. Even though our fixed maturity portfolio is available for sale, we have the ability and intent to hold the securities until maturity as a result of our strong and stable cash flows generated from our insurance products. Considerable information concerning the policies, procedures, classification levels, and other relevant data concerning the valuation of our fixed-maturity investments is presented in Note 4—Investments under the caption Fair Value Measurements.

Impairment of Investments.    We continually monitor our investment portfolio for investments that have become impaired in value, where fair value has declined below carrying value. While the values of the investments in our portfolio constantly fluctuate due to market conditions, an other-than-temporary impairment charge is recorded only when a security has experienced a decline in fair market value which is deemed to be other than temporary. The policies and procedures that we use to evaluate and account for impairments of investments are disclosed in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies and Note 4—Investments in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and the discussions under the captions Investments and Realized Gains and Losses in this report. While every effort is made to make the best estimate of status and value with the information available regarding an other-than-temporary impairment, it is difficult to predict the future prospects of a distressed or impaired security.

Defined benefit pension plans.    We maintain funded defined benefit plans covering most full-time employees. We also have unfunded nonqualified defined benefit plans covering certain key and other employees. Our obligations under these plans are determined actuarially based on specified actuarial assumptions. In accordance with GAAP, an expense is recorded each year as these pension obligations grow due to the increase in the service period of employees and the interest cost associated with the passage of time. These obligations are offset, at least in part, by the growth in value of the assets in the funded plans. At December 31, 2011, our gross liability under these funded plans was $282 million, but was offset by assets of $258 million.

The actuarial assumptions used in determining our obligations for pensions include employee mortality and turnover, retirement age, the expected return on plan assets, projected salary increases, and the discount rate at which future obligations could be settled. These assumptions have an important effect on the pension obligation. A decrease in the discount rate or rate of return on plan assets will cause an increase in the pension obligation. A decrease in projected salary increases will cause a decrease in this obligation. Small changes in assumptions may cause material differences in reported results for these plans. While we have used our best efforts to determine the most reliable assumptions, given the information available from company experience, economic data, independent consultants and other sources, we cannot be certain that actual results will be the same as expected. Our discount rate, rate of return on assets, and projected salary increase assumptions are disclosed and the criteria used to determine those assumptions are discussed in Note 9—Postretirement Benefits in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The assumptions are reviewed annually and revised, if necessary,

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based on more current information available to us. Note 9 also contains information about pension plan assets, investment policies, and other related data.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

We caution readers regarding certain forward-looking statements contained in the foregoing discussion and elsewhere in this document, and in any other statements made by us or on our behalf whether or not in future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any statement that is not a historical fact, or that might otherwise be considered an opinion or projection concerning us or our business, whether express or implied, is meant as and should be considered a forward-looking statement. Such statements represent our opinions concerning future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments.

Forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that are subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. If these estimates or assumptions prove to be incorrect, the actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements made on the basis of such estimates or assumptions. Whether or not actual results differ materially from forward-looking statements may depend on numerous foreseeable and unforeseeable events or developments, which may be national in scope, related to the insurance industry generally, or applicable to Torchmark specifically. Such events or developments could include, but are not necessarily limited to:

1) Changes in lapse rates and/or sales of our insurance policies as well as levels of mortality, morbidity and utilization of healthcare services that differ from our assumptions;

2) Federal and state legislative and regulatory developments, particularly those impacting taxes and changes to the federal Medicare program that would affect Medicare Supplement and Medicare Part D insurance;

3) Market trends in the senior-aged health care industry that provide alternatives to traditional Medicare, such as health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and other managed care or private plans, and that could affect the sales of traditional Medicare Supplement insurance;

4) Interest rate changes that affect product sales and/or investment portfolio yield;

5) General economic, industry sector or individual debt issuers’ financial conditions that may affect the current market value of securities that we own, or that may impair issuers’ ability to pay interest due us on those securities;

6) Changes in pricing competition;

7) Litigation results;

8) Levels of administrative and operational efficiencies that differ from our assumptions;

9) Our inability to obtain timely and appropriate premium rate increases for health insurance policies due to regulatory delay;

10) The customer response to new products and marketing initiatives; and

11) Reported amounts in the financial statements which are based on our estimates and judgments which may differ from the actual amounts ultimately realized.

Readers are also directed to consider other risks and uncertainties described in our other documents on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Item 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Information required by this item is found under the heading Market Risk Sensitivity in Item 7 beginning on page 43 of this report.

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Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

	Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		56
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011 and 2010		57
Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011		58
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011		59
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011		60
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011		61
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		62

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Torchmark Corporation

McKinney, Texas

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Torchmark Corporation and subsidiaries (“Torchmark”) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011. Our audits also included the financial statement schedules listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of Torchmark’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Torchmark Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Torchmark’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 28, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on Torchmark’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/    DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Dallas, Texas

February 28, 2012

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TORCHMARK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

	December 31,
	2011			2010
Assets:
Investments:
Fixed maturities—available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2011—$10,924,244; 2010—$10,435,497)	$	11,888,205		$	10,543,034
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 2011—$14,875; 2010—$14,875)		17,056			17,154
Policy loans		400,914			378,124
Other long-term investments		26,167			42,985
Short-term investments		21,244			216,680
Total investments		12,353,586			11,197,977
Cash		84,113			365,679
Accrued investment income		192,325			183,861
Other receivables		253,549			230,319
Deferred acquisition costs		3,484,851			3,406,335
Goodwill		396,891			396,891
Other assets		391,076			378,700
Total assets	$	17,156,391		$	16,159,762
Liabilities:
Future policy benefits	$	9,572,257		$	9,150,031
Unearned and advance premiums		69,539			74,165
Policy claims and other benefits payable		222,254			221,598
Other policyholders’ funds		92,487			91,293
Total policy liabilities		9,956,537			9,537,087
Current and deferred income taxes payable		1,518,695			1,209,433
Other liabilities		312,417			284,062
Short-term debt		224,842			198,875
Long-term debt (estimated fair value: 2011—$947,142; 2010—$933,336)		790,571			789,643
Due to affiliates		124,421			124,421
Total liabilities		12,927,483			12,143,521
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $1 per share—Authorized 5,000,000 shares; outstanding: 0 in 2011 and in 2010		0			0
Common stock, par value $1 per share—Authorized 320,000,000 shares; outstanding: (2011—112,312,123 issued, less 11,732,658 held in treasury and 2010—119,812,123 issued, less 947,497 held in treasury)*		112,312			119,812
Additional paid-in capital		425,331			432,608
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		549,423			22,958
Retained earnings*		3,634,481			3,473,482
Treasury stock		(492,639	)		(32,619	)
Total shareholders’ equity		4,228,908			4,016,241
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	17,156,391		$	16,159,762

* Amounts have been retroactively adjusted for stock split described in Note 1.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

57

TORCHMARK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands except per share data)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Revenue:
Life premium	$	1,726,244		$	1,663,699		$	1,591,853
Health premium		929,466			987,421			1,017,711
Other premium		608			638			541
Total premium		2,656,318			2,651,758			2,610,105
Net investment income		693,028			676,364			632,540
Realized investment gains (losses)		25,924			42,190			13,879
Other-than-temporary impairments		(20	)		(4,850	)		(164,137	)
Portion of impairment loss recognized in other comprehensive income		0			0			20,766
Other income		2,151			2,170			1,920
Total revenue		3,377,401			3,367,632			3,115,073
Benefits and expenses:
Life policyholder benefits		1,118,909			1,082,423			1,040,248
Health policyholder benefits		631,820			669,191			677,319
Other policyholder benefits		42,547			41,430			35,762
Total policyholder benefits		1,793,276			1,793,044			1,753,329
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs		424,781			418,890			415,986
Commissions and premium taxes		124,134			125,330			128,620
Other operating expense		201,636			176,272			170,130
Interest expense		77,908			75,529			69,932
Total benefits and expenses		2,621,735			2,589,065			2,537,997
Income from continuing operations before income taxes		755,666			778,567			577,076
Income taxes		(237,326	)		(256,274	)		(191,024	)
Income from continuing operations		518,340			522,293			386,052
Discontinued operations:
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		0			29,784			18,901
Loss on disposal, net of tax benefit of $467 in 2011 and $2,868 in 2010		(455	)		(35,013	)		0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		(455	)		(5,229	)		18,901
Net income	$	517,885		$	517,064		$	404,953
Basic net income per share*:
Continuing operations	$	4.79		$	4.28		$	3.10
Discontinued operations		(0.01	)		(0.04	)		0.15
Total basic net income per share	$	4.78		$	4.24		$	3.25
Diluted net income per share*:
Continuing operations	$	4.72		$	4.24		$	3.10
Discontinued operations		0.00			(0.04	)		0.15
Total diluted net income per share	$	4.72		$	4.20		$	3.25
Dividends declared per common share*	$	.46		$	.41		$	.38

* Per share amounts have been retroactively adjusted for stock split described in Note 1.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

58

TORCHMARK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Amounts in thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Net income	$	517,885		$	517,064		$	404,953
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized investment gains (losses):
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period		882,467			615,503			1,223,157
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses on securities included in net income		(27,771	)		(38,170	)		161,323
Reclassification adjustment for other-than-temporarily impaired debt securities for which a portion of the loss was recognized in earnings		0			0			(20,766	)
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of (discount) premium		(1,880	)		(3,820	)		(6,183	)
Foreign exchange adjustment on securities marked to market		3,510			(7,735	)		(18,199	)
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities		856,326			565,778			1,339,332
Unrealized gains (losses), adjustment to deferred acquisition costs		(28,679	)		(32,181	)		(79,603	)
Unrealized gains (losses) on other assets		366			0			0
Total unrealized investment gains (losses)		828,013			533,597			1,259,729
Less applicable taxes		(289,806	)		(186,760	)		(440,905	)
Unrealized gains (losses), net of tax		538,207			346,837			818,824
Foreign exchange translation adjustments, other than securities		(3,427	)		5,006			21,833
Less applicable taxes		758			(1,752	)		(7,642	)
Foreign exchange translation adjustments, other than securities, net of tax		(2,669	)		3,254			14,191
Pension adjustments:
Amortization of pension costs		12,146			10,857			11,219
Experience gain (loss)		(26,106	)		(23,086	)		16,811
Pension adjustments		(13,960	)		(12,229	)		28,030
Less applicable taxes		4,887			4,279			(9,811	)
Pension adjustments, net of tax		(9,073	)		(7,950	)		18,219
Other comprehensive income (loss)		526,465			342,141			851,234
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	1,044,350		$	859,205		$	1,256,187

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

59

TORCHMARK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Amounts in thousands except per share data)

	Preferred Stock		Common Stock*			Additional Paid-in Capital			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Retained Earnings*			Treasury Stock			Total Shareholders’ Equity
Year Ended December 31, 2009
Balance at January 1, 2009	$	0	$	128,812		$	446,065		$	(1,170,417	)	$	2,886,013		$	(67,566	)	$	2,222,907
Comprehensive income (loss)										851,234			404,953						1,256,187
Common dividends declared ($0.38 a share)													(47,182	)					(47,182	)
Acquisition of treasury stock																(47,564	)		(47,564	)
Stock-based compensation							5,419									4,441			9,860
Exercise of stock options							253						(435	)		4,865			4,683
Retirement of treasury stock				(3,000	)		(10,376	)					(56,382	)		69,758			0
Balance at December 31, 2009		0		125,812			441,361			(319,183	)		3,186,967			(36,066	)		3,398,891
Year Ended December 31, 2010
Comprehensive income (loss)										342,141			517,064						859,205
Common dividends declared ($.41 a share)													(49,015	)					(49,015	)
Acquisition of treasury stock																(246,006	)		(246,006	)
Stock-based compensation							8,393									3,451			11,844
Exercise of stock options							4,205						(2,329	)		39,446			41,322
Retirement of treasury stock				(6,000	)		(21,351	)					(179,205	)		206,556			0
Balance at December 31, 2010		0		119,812			432,608			22,958			3,473,482			(32,619	)		4,016,241
Year Ended December 31, 2011
Comprehensive income (loss)										526,465			517,885						1,044,350
Common dividends declared ($.46 a share)													(49,815	)					(49,815	)
Acquisition of treasury stock																(972,556	)		(972,556	)
Stock-based compensation							7,631									7,323			14,954
Exercise of stock options							13,121						(29,328	)		191,941			175,734
Retirement of treasury stock				(7,500	)		(28,029	)					(277,743	)		313,272			0
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	0	$	112,312		$	425,331		$	549,423		$	3,634,481		$	(492,639	)	$	4,228,908

* Amounts have been retroactively adjusted for stock split described in Note 1.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

60

TORCHMARK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Net income	$	517,885		$	517,064		$	404,953
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided from operations:
Increase in future policy benefits		431,362			544,086			533,466
Increase (decrease) in other policy benefits		(2,776	)		1,110			(18,172	)
Deferral of policy acquisition costs		(533,907	)		(526,791	)		(560,120	)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs		424,781			433,488			429,253
Change in current and deferred income taxes		42,059			78,125			108,052
Realized (gains) losses on sale of investments and properties		(25,904	)		(40,190	)		141,659
Change in other receivables		(22,565	)		(24,716	)		(43,471	)
Contributions to benefit plans		(15,453	)		(34,755	)		(14,000	)
Loss on disposal of subsidiary		455			35,013			0
Other, net		43,527			46,159			(5,507	)
Cash provided from operations		859,464			1,028,593			976,113
Cash used for investment activities:
Investments sold or matured:
Fixed maturities available for sale—sold		224,335			325,950			900,417
Fixed maturities available for sale—matured, called, and repaid		410,356			638,860			760,858
Equity securities		28,700			0			1,138
Other long-term investments		18,937			5,767			7,167
Total investments sold or matured		682,328			970,577			1,669,580
Acquisition of investments:
Fixed maturities—available for sale		(1,104,231	)		(1,908,109	)		(2,311,455	)
Equity securities		(28,772	)		0			0
Other long-term investments		(6,246	)		(905	)		(43	)
Total investments acquired		(1,139,249	)		(1,909,014	)		(2,311,498	)
Net increase in policy loans		(22,790	)		(27,793	)		(23,652	)
Net (increase) decrease in short-term investments		195,435			128,727			(226,645	)
Net change in payable or receivable for securities		2,664			(754	)		(13,829	)
Additions to properties		(5,386	)		(9,181	)		(6,499	)
Sales of properties		3,089			77			0
Investments in low-income housing interests		(49,812	)		(53,170	)		(24,556	)
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary		21,588			342,890			0
Cash used for investment activities		(312,133	)		(557,641	)		(937,099	)
Cash provided from (used for) financing activities:
Issuance of common stock		162,613			37,863			4,430
Cash dividends paid to shareholders		(49,125	)		(50,061	)		(46,615	)
Issuance of 9 1/4% Senior Notes		0			0			296,308
Acquisition of 9 1/4% Senior Notes		0			(8,913	)		0
Repayment of 8 1/4% Senior Debentures		0			0			(99,451	)
Net borrowing (repayment) of commercial paper		25,967			(34,432	)		(70,928	)
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises		13,121			3,455			253
Acquisition of treasury stock		(972,556	)		(246,006	)		(47,564	)
Net receipts (payments) from deposit product operations		(4,505	)		(31,527	)		112,005
Cash provided from (used for) financing activities		(824,485	)		(329,621	)		148,438
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash		(4,412	)		(7,570	)		(1,934	)
Increase (decrease) in cash		(281,566	)		133,761			185,518
Cash at beginning of year (includes cash of $0, $847 thousand and $12.3 million, at January 1, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, in subsidiary held for sale)		365,679			231,918			46,400
Cash at end of year (includes cash of $0, $0, and $847 thousand at December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively, in subsidiary held for sale)	$	84,113		$	365,679		$	231,918

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

61

TORCHMARK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies

Business:    Torchmark Corporation (Torchmark or alternatively, the Company) through its subsidiaries provides a variety of life and health insurance products and annuities to a broad base of customers.

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 financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Principles of Consolidation:    The consolidated financial statements include the results of Torchmark and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Torchmark accounts for its variable interest entities under accounting guidance which clarifies the definition of a variable interest and the instructions for consolidating variable interest entities (VIE’s). Only primary beneficiaries are required or allowed to consolidate VIE’s. Therefore, a company may have voting control of a VIE, but if it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE, it is not permitted to consolidate the VIE. The trust that is liable for Torchmark’s Trust Preferred Securities meets the definition of a VIE. However, Torchmark is not the primary beneficiary of this entity because its interest is not variable. Therefore, Torchmark is not permitted to consolidate its interest, even though it owns 100% of the voting equity of the trust and guarantees its performance. For this reason, Torchmark reports its 7.1% Junior Subordinated Debentures due to the trust as “Due to affiliates” each period at its carrying value. However, Torchmark views the Trust Preferred Securities as it does any other debt offering and consolidates the trust in its segment analysis because GAAP requires that the segment analysis be reported as management views its operations and financial condition.

Additionally, as further described under the caption Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Interests below in this note, Torchmark holds passive interests in limited partnerships which 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 interests are also considered to be VIEs. They 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. Torchmark’s involvement is limited to its limited partnership interest in the entities. Torchmark 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.

When a component of Torchmark’s business is sold or expected to be sold during the ensuing year, Torchmark reports the assets and liabilities of the component as assets and liabilities of subsidiaries held for sale. Assets or liabilities of subsidiaries held for sale are segregated and are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at the lower of the carrying amount or estimated fair value less cost to sell. If the carrying amount of the business exceeds its estimated fair value, a loss is recognized. Torchmark reports the results of operations of a business as discontinued operations when the component is sold or expected to be sold, the operations and cash flows of the business have been or will be eliminated from the ongoing operations as a result of the disposal transaction, and Torchmark will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the business after the disposal transaction. The results of discontinued operations are reported in discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for current and prior periods commencing in the period in which the business is either disposed of or is accounted for as a disposal group, including any gain or loss recognized on the sale or adjustment of the carrying amount to fair value less cost to sell. Major components of the income from

62

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

discontinued operations are separately disclosed in Note 3 — Discontinued Operations in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Because the business has been sold or classified as held for sale and its operations are discontinued, the financial results of the business are excluded from the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, other than in Note 3, the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and Note 2 — Statutory Accounting.

Investments:    Torchmark classifies all of its fixed-maturity investments, which include bonds and redeemable preferred stocks, as available for sale. Investments classified as available for sale are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred taxes, reflected directly in accumulated other comprehensive income. Investments in equity securities, which include common and nonredeemable preferred stocks, are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred taxes, reflected directly in accumulated other comprehensive income. Policy loans are carried at unpaid principal balances. Mortgage loans, included in “Other long-term investments,” are carried at amortized cost. Investments in real estate, included in “Other long-term investments,” are reported at cost less allowances for depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line method. Short-term investments include investments in interest-bearing time deposits with original maturities of twelve months or less.

Gains and losses realized on the disposition of investments are determined on a specific identification basis. Income attributable to investments is included in Torchmark’s net investment income. Net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 included $552 million, $522 million, and $487 million, respectively, which was allocable to policyholder reserves or accounts. Realized investment gains and losses are not allocated to insurance policyholders’ liabilities.

Fair Value Measurements:    Fair values for cash, short-term investments, short-term debt, receivables and payables approximate carrying value. Fair values for long-term debt investments, equity securities, and certain other assets are determined in accordance with specific accounting guidance. Fair values are based on quoted market prices, where available. Otherwise, fair values are based on quoted market prices of comparable instruments in active markets, quotes in inactive markets, or other observable criteria. For specific information regarding Torchmark’s measurements and procedures in valuing financial instruments, please see Note 4—Investments under the caption Fair value measurements. The fair values of Torchmark’s long-term debt issues, along with the trust preferred securities, are based on quoted market prices. Mortgage loans are valued at discounted cash flows.

Impairment of Investments:    Torchmark evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment as described in Note 4—Investments under the caption Other-than-temporary-impairments. 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. 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.

Cash:    Cash consists of balances on hand and on deposit in banks and financial institutions. Overdrafts arising from the overnight investment of funds offset cash balances on hand and on deposit.

63

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Recognition of Premium Revenue and Related Expenses:    Premium income for traditional long-duration life and health insurance products is recognized 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. Profits for limited-payment life insurance contracts are recognized over the contract period. 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 $24 million, $26 million, and $28 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. Other premium consists of annuity policy charges in each year. Profits are also earned to the extent that investment income exceeds policy liability interest requirements. The related benefits and expenses are matched with revenues by means of the provision of future policy benefits and the amortization of deferred acquisition costs in a manner which recognizes profits as they are earned over the same period.

Future Policy Benefits:    The liability for future policy benefits for universal life-type products is represented by policy account value. The liability for future policy benefits for all other life and health products, approximately 81% of total future policy benefits, is provided on the net level premium method based on estimated investment yields, mortality, morbidity, persistency and other assumptions which were considered appropriate at the time the policies were issued. Assumptions used are based on Torchmark’s previous experience with similar products. 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 periodically reviewed 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 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 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 the revised assumptions.

Deferred Acquisition Costs:    The costs of acquiring new business are generally deferred and recorded as an asset. Deferred acquisition costs consist primarily of sales commissions and other underwriting costs of new insurance sales. Deferred acquisition costs 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. Limited-payment contracts are amortized over the contract period. Universal life-type policies are amortized with interest in proportion to estimated gross profits. The assumptions used to amortize acquisition costs with regard to interest, mortality, morbidity, and persistency are consistent with those used to estimate the liability for future policy benefits. For interest-sensitive and deposit-balance 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. Deferred acquisition costs are subject to periodic recoverability and loss recognition testing to determine if there is a premium deficiency. These tests ensure that the present value of future contract-related cash flows will support the capitalized deferred acquisition cost asset. These cash flows consist primarily of premium income, less benefits and expenses taking inflation into account. 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.

64

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

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

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 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. More information concerning income taxes is provided in Note 8—Income Taxes.

Property and Equipment:    Property and equipment, included in “Other assets,” is reported at cost less allowances for depreciation. Depreciation is recorded primarily on the straight line method over the estimated useful lives of these assets which range from two to ten years for equipment and five to forty years for buildings and improvements. Ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to income as incurred. Impairments, if any, are recorded when, based on events and circumstances, it becomes evident that the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying amount. Original cost of property and equipment was $119 million at both December 31, 2011 and 2010. Accumulated depreciation was $71 million at year end 2011 and $65 million at the end of 2010. Depreciation expense was $6.8 million in 2011, $6.0 million in 2010, and $4.6 million in 2009.

Asset Retirements:    Certain of Torchmark’s subsidiaries own and occupy buildings containing asbestos. These facilities are subject to regulations which could cause the Company to be required to remove and dispose of all or part of the asbestos upon the occurrence of certain events. Otherwise, the subsidiaries are under no obligation under the regulations. At this time, no such events under these regulations have occurred. For this reason, the Company has not recorded a liability for this potential obligation, as the time at which any obligation could be settled is not known. Therefore, there is insufficient information to estimate a fair value.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Interests:    As of December 31, 2011, Torchmark had $293 million invested in limited partnerships that provide low-income housing tax credits and other related Federal income tax and state premium tax benefits to Torchmark. The carrying value of Torchmark’s investment in these entities was $283 million at December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2011, Torchmark was obligated under future commitments of $109 million, which amount is included in the above carrying value. Interests for which the return has been guaranteed by unrelated third-parties are accounted for using the effective-yield method. The remaining interests are accounted for using the amortized-cost method.

For 2011 and 2010, the Federal income benefits accrued during the year, net of the amortization associated with guaranteed interests, were recorded in “Income taxes.” Amortization associated with non-guaranteed interests and interests providing for state premium tax benefits was reflected as a component of “Net investment income.” For years prior to 2010, the Federal income tax benefits accrued during the year, net of the amortization associated with all interests, were recorded in “Income taxes.” All state premium tax benefits, net of the related amortization, were recorded in “Net investment income.” At December 31, 2011, $281 million associated with the Federal interests was included in “Other assets” with the remaining $12 million state-related interests included in “Other invested assets.” At December 31, 2010, the comparable amounts were $269 million and $14 million, respectively. Any unpaid commitments to invest are recorded in “Other liabilities.” In the segment analysis, the amortization associated with the non-guaranteed interests is reflected as a component of “Income tax expenses,” and not “Net investment income,” consistent with the treatment of the guaranteed interests. Management views this presentation as a more accurate matching of costs with the associated revenues with respect to the low-income housing interests.

65

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Goodwill:    The excess cost of business acquired over the fair value of their net assets is reported as goodwill. Goodwill is subject to annual impairment testing based on certain procedures outlined by GAAP. The procedures involve measuring the carrying value of each reporting unit of Torchmark’s segments, including the goodwill of that unit, against the estimated fair value of the corresponding unit. If the carrying value of a unit including goodwill exceeds its estimated fair value, then the goodwill in that unit could potentially be impaired. In that event, further testing is required under the accounting guidance 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 test.

Torchmark has tested its goodwill annually in each of the years 2009 through 2011. These tests involved assigning carrying value by allocating the Company’s net assets to each of the reporting units of Torchmark’s segments, including the portion of goodwill assigned to the unit. The fair value of each reporting unit is determined using discounted expected cash flows associated with that unit. Judgment and assumptions are used in developing the projected cash flows for the reporting units, and such estimates are subject to change. The Company also exercises judgment in the determination of the discount rate, which management believes to be appropriate for the risk associated with the cash flow expectations. The fair value of each reporting unit is then measured against that reporting unit’s corresponding carrying value. Because the estimated fair value exceeded the carrying value, including goodwill, of each reporting unit in each period, Torchmark’s goodwill was not impaired in any of those periods.

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

Settlements:    During 2011, Torchmark settled a state administrative matter involving issues arising over a period of many years. The settlement resulted in a pre-tax charge of $6.9 million ($4.5 million after tax). Additionally in 2011, the Company accrued an estimated liability for settlement of an insurance litigation matter expected to settle in 2012. The liability for this litigation, which arose many years ago, was estimated to be $12.0 million pretax ($7.8 million after tax). Please refer to Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the litigation settlement. In 2009, Torchmark recorded a $2.9 million tax settlement primarily resulting from the favorable settlements of U.S. Federal income tax issues that related to prior tax years. More information on this tax settlement is provided in Note 8—Income Taxes. Management removes items that are related to prior periods when evaluating the operating results of current periods. Therefore, these items are excluded in its presentation of segment results as disclosed in Note 14—Business Segments, because accounting guidance requires that operating segment results be presented as management views its business.

Postretirement Benefits:    Torchmark 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. More information concerning the accounting and disclosures for postretirement benefits is found in Note 9—Postretirement Benefits.

Stock Compensation:    Torchmark accounts for stock-based compensation by recognizing an expense in the 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.

66

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

The fair value method requires the use of an option valuation model to value employee stock options. Torchmark 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 2009 through 2011 is as follows:

	2011			2010			2009
Volatility factor		42.3	%		40.3	%		29.6	%
Dividend yield		1.0	%		1.3	%		2.4	%
Expected term (in years)		4.66			4.74			4.72
Risk-free rate		2.0	%		2.5	%		2.6	%

The expected term is generally derived from Company experience. However, expected terms of grants made under the Torchmark Corporation 2005 Incentive Plan (2005 Plan) and the 2007 Long-Term Compensation Plan (2007 Plan), involving grants made in the years 2005 through 2010, were determined based on the simplified method as permitted by Staff Accounting Bulletins 107 and 110. This method was used because the 2005 and 2007 Plans limited grants to a maximum contract term of seven years, and Torchmark had no previous experience with seven-year contract terms. Prior to 2005, substantially all grants contained ten-year terms. Because a large portion of these grants vest over a three-year period, the Company did not have sufficient exercise history during 2010 or previous years to determine an appropriate expected term on these grants. Beginning in 2011, all grants with seven-year terms are based on Company experience. The Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan replaced the previous plans and allows for option grants with a ten-year contractual term which vest over five years in addition to seven-year grants which vest over three years as permitted by the previous plans. The Company has no historical experience with five-year vesting, and will therefore use the simplified method to determine the expected term for these grants until such 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).

Torchmark management views all stock-based compensation expense as a corporate or Parent Company expense and, therefore, presents it as such in its segment analysis (See Note 14—Business Segments). It is included in “Other operating expense” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Stock Split:    Torchmark declared a three-for-two stock split paid in the form of a 50% stock dividend on all of the Company’s outstanding common stock. The record date for the split was the close of business on June 1, 2011. On July 1, 2011, the payment date, holders of Torchmark common stock as of the record date received one additional share of stock for every two shares held. The Company paid $123 thousand in cash to acquire 2,841 fractional shares as a result of the split. All share and per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect this split for all periods presented in these consolidated financial statements. “Common stock” and “Retained earnings” presented for all prior periods in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity have also been retroactively adjusted to reflect this split.

Earnings Per Share:    Torchmark presents basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) on the face of the Consolidated Statements of 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. For more information on earnings per share, see Note 12—Shareholders’ Equity.

67

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Unadopted Accounting Guidance: The FASB has adopted new guidance concerning policy acquisition costs (ASU 2010-26). This accounting guidance amends the accounting for costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts in order to address the diversity in practice surrounding the capitalization and deferral of these costs. This guidance will be effective for Torchmark beginning January 1, 2012. As a result of this new standard, certain costs that have been deferred and amortized through deferred acquisition costs will no longer be allowed to be deferred and will be expensed as incurred. The new guidance limits the deferral of costs to those incremental costs related only to the successful issuance of an insurance contract. Previously, the Company was allowed to defer any cost that varied with and related to the production of new business. For Torchmark, these costs that are no longer deferrable primarily relate to our agent distribution systems, and include such costs as training, recruiting, office space, and certain management and underwriting expenses. The new guidance further limits the deferral of certain advertising costs associated with the Direct Response operation. Torchmark will adopt retroactively, meaning the deferred acquisition cost will be written down to a level as if the new guidance had been in effect in prior periods. Going forward, the reduction in deferrals will cause commissions and expenses to increase. However, as a result of the retroactive writedown, the amortization of previously deferred acquisition costs will decrease, greatly offsetting the impact of the increased expenses. The Company currently expects it to reduce the deferred acquisition cost asset approximately 16%, total assets approximately 3%, and shareholders’ equity approximately 10% at the time of adoption. Torchmark also expects it will reduce 2012 earnings and earnings per share less than 2%. The adoption of this guidance will delay the recognition of underwriting margin on newly issued business, but not the ultimate profitability of that business. It will have no impact on cash flows, liquidity, or statutory earnings.

Note 2—Statutory Accounting

Life insurance subsidiaries of Torchmark are required to file statutory financial statements with state insurance regulatory authorities. Accounting principles used to prepare these statutory financial statements differ from GAAP. Consolidated net income and shareholders’ equity (capital and surplus) on a statutory basis for the insurance subsidiaries were as follows:

	Net Income Year Ended December 31,						Shareholders’ Equity At December 31,
	2011		2010		2009		2011		2010
Life insurance subsidiaries	$	424,738	$	499,440	$	274,734	$	1,273,117	$	1,607,811

The excess, if any, of shareholder’s equity of the insurance subsidiaries on a GAAP basis over that determined on a statutory basis is not available for distribution to Torchmark without regulatory approval. More information on the restrictions on the payment of dividends can be found in Note 12—Shareholders’ Equity.

Torchmark’s statutory financial statements are presented on the basis of accounting practices prescribed by the insurance department of the state of domicile of each insurance subsidiary. All states have adopted the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) statutory accounting practices (NAIC SAP) as the basis for statutory accounting. However, certain states have retained the prescribed practices of their respective insurance code or administrative code which can differ from NAIC SAP. There are no significant differences between NAIC SAP and the accounting practices prescribed by the states of domicile for Torchmark’s life insurance companies that affect statutory surplus.

68

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 3—Discontinued Operations

During the third quarter of 2010, Torchmark’s subsidiary, Liberty, entered into an agreement to sell its wholly-owned subsidiary, United Investors Life Insurance Company (United Investors), to an unaffiliated insurance carrier. The sale was completed as of December 31, 2010. United Investors marketed primarily term and interest-sensitive life insurance, fixed annuities, and, prior to 2009, variable annuities. Consideration for the sale consisted of $343 million in cash at the closing, as well as post-closing proceeds receivable from the buyer of approximately $21 million which was received in early 2011. The transaction resulted in a pretax loss of approximately $38 million ($35 million after tax), which has been reported as a realized loss on the disposal of a discontinued operation in 2010. Due to the sale, Torchmark’s consolidated financial statements are presented to reflect the transactions as discontinued operations.

An analysis of income from discontinued operations is as follows:

	Twelve months ended December 31,
	2010			2009
Premium income	$	73,675		$	77,094
Investment income		43,787			42,375
Realized investment gains (losses)		2,850			(12,167	)
Other income		103			22
Total revenue*		120,415			107,324
Policyholder benefits		56,374			59,470
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs		14,599			13,267
Other expense		4,960			6,470
Total benefits and expense		75,933			79,207
Pre tax income from discontinued operations		44,482			28,117
Income tax		(14,698	)		(9,216	)
Income from discontinued operations	$	29,784		$	18,901

Revenues and profitability in the indicated segment were as follows:

	Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2010			2009
Revenues:
Life	$	65,726		$	67,917
Annuity		7,949			9,177
Investment		43,787			42,375
Other		103			22
Total*	$	117,565		$	119,491
Segment profitability (loss):
Life	$	22,692		$	19,477
Annuity		(931	)		3,084
Investment		22,490			21,660
Other		(2,619	)		(3,937	)
Total	$	41,632		$	40,284

* Segment revenues differ from discontinued revenues by the amount of realized investment gains/losses, which Torchmark excludes from its consideration of ongoing operations.

69

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments

Portfolio Composition:

A summary of fixed maturities available for sale and equity securities by cost or amortized cost and estimated fair value at December 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:

	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Amount per the Balance Sheet		% of Total Fixed Maturities*
2011:
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Bonds:
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	65,283	$	1,756	$	(4	)	$	67,035	$	67,035		1	%
States, municipalities, and political subdivisions		1,213,082		118,636		(1,896	)		1,329,822		1,329,822		11
Foreign governments		21,832		1,327		0			23,159		23,159		0
Corporates		8,357,809		1,051,019		(137,908	)		9,270,920		9,270,920		78
Collateralized debt obligations		60,437		0		(30,117	)		30,320		30,320		0
Other asset-backed securities		42,862		3,210		(1,392	)		44,680		44,680		0
Redeemable preferred stocks		1,162,939		27,184		(67,854	)		1,122,269		1,122,269		10	%
Total fixed maturities		10,924,244		1,203,132		(239,171	)		11,888,205		11,888,205		100	%
Equity securities		14,875		2,244		(63	)		17,056		17,056
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	10,939,119	$	1,205,376	$	(239,234	)	$	11,905,261	$	11,905,261

* At fair value

70

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments (continued)

	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Amount per the Balance Sheet		% of Total Fixed Maturities
2010:
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Bonds:
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	78,387	$	1,347	$	(1,060	)	$	78,674	$	78,674		1	%
States, municipalities, and political subdivisions		1,212,185		10,752		(41,811	)		1,181,126		1,181,126		11
Foreign governments		22,352		679		0			23,031		23,031		0
Corporates		7,707,938		423,076		(210,149	)		7,920,865		7,920,865		75
Collateralized debt obligations		56,525		0		(34,069	)		22,456		22,456		0
Other asset-backed securities		46,406		3,010		(678	)		48,738		48,738		1
Redeemable preferred stocks		1,311,704		36,405		(79,965	)		1,268,144		1,268,144		12
Total fixed maturities		10,435,497		475,269		(367,732	)		10,543,034		10,543,034		100	%
Equity securities		14,875		2,348		(69	)		17,154		17,154
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	10,450,372	$	477,617	$	(367,801	)	$	10,560,188	$	10,560,188

A schedule of fixed maturities by contractual maturity at December 31, 2011 is shown below on an amortized cost basis and on a fair value basis. Actual maturities could differ from contractual maturities due to call or prepayment provisions.

	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Due in one year or less	$	64,222	$	64,895
Due from one to five years		527,836		564,584
Due from five to ten years		669,994		728,784
Due from ten to twenty years		2,439,335		2,649,607
Due after twenty years		7,114,402		7,799,590
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities		108,455		80,745
	$	10,924,244	$	11,888,205

71

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments (continued)

Analysis of investment operations:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Net investment income is summarized as follows:
Fixed maturities	$	683,101		$	662,202		$	609,566
Equity securities		1,558			1,183			1,287
Policy loans		29,293			27,248			25,394
Other long-term investments		2,439			3,064			6,482
Short-term investments		165			762			1,296
		716,556			694,459			644,025
Less investment expense		(23,528	)		(18,095	)		(11,485	)
Net investment income	$	693,028		$	676,364		$	632,540
An analysis of realized gains (losses) from investments is as follows:
Realized investment gains (losses):
Fixed maturities:
Sales and other	$	27,790		$	43,022		$	15,638
Writedowns		(20	)		(4,850	)		(143,166	)
Equity securities		0			1			(862	)
Loss on redemption of debt		0			(1,646	)		(1	)
Other		(1,866	)		813			(1,101	)
		25,904			37,340			(129,492	)
Applicable tax		(9,066	)		(13,070	)		44,147
Realized gains (losses) from investments, net of tax	$	16,838		$	24,270		$	(85,345	)
An analysis of the net change in unrealized investment gains (losses) is as follows:
Equity securities	$	(98	)	$	432		$	2,377
Fixed maturities available for sale		856,424			562,921			1,240,781
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities	$	856,326		$	563,353		$	1,243,158

Additional information about securities sold is as follows:

	At December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Fixed maturities:
Proceeds from sales	$	236,662	**	$	314,904	*	$	830,892	*
Gross realized gains		28,249			29,821			69,249
Gross realized losses		(24,323	)		(13,361	)		(56,499	)
Equities:
Proceeds from sales		0			1			1,138
Gross realized gains		0			1			0
Gross realized losses		0			0			(862	)

* Proceeds from sales including discontined assets were $326 million in 2010 and $900 million in 2009.

** Includes $12.3 million of unsettled trades

72

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments (continued)

Fair value measurements:    Torchmark measures the fair value of its financial assets 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.

The great majority of the Company’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 and independent broker/dealers. Over 99% of the fair value reported at December 31, 2011 was determined using data provided by third-party pricing services. Prices provided by third-party pricing services are not binding offers but are estimated exit values. They are based on observable market data inputs which can vary by security type. Such inputs include benchmark yields, available trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and other market data. As part of the Company’s controls over pricing, management reviews and analyzes all prices obtained to insure the reasonableness of the values, taking all available information into account. One very important control is the corroboration of prices obtained from third-party sources against other independent sources. When corroborated prices produce small variations, the close correlation indicates observable inputs, and the median value is used. When corroborated prices present greater variations, additional analysis is required to determine which value is the most appropriate. When only one price is available, management evaluates observable inputs and performs additional analysis to confirm that the price is appropriate. All fair value measurements based on prices determined with observable market data are reported as Level 1 or Level 2 measurements.

When third-party vendor prices are not available, the Company attempts to obtain at least three quotes from broker/dealers for each security. When at least three quotes are obtained, and the standard deviation of such quotes is less than 3%, (suggesting that the independent quotes were likely derived using similar observable inputs), the Company uses the median quote and classifies the measurement as Level 2. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, there were no assets valued as Level 2 in this manner with broker quotes.

When the standard deviation is 3% or greater, or the Company cannot obtain three quotes, then additional information and management judgment are required to establish the fair value. The measurement is then classified as Level 3. The Company uses information and valuation 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. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, fair value measurements classified as Level 3 represented 0.4% and 1.0%, respectively, of total fixed maturities and equity securities.

73

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments (continued)

The following tables represent the fair value of assets measured on a recurring basis at December 31, 2011 and 2010:

	Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2011 Using:
Description	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)			Significant Other observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)			Total Fair Value
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Bonds:		`
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	0		$	67,035		$	0		$	67,035
States, municipalities, and political subdivisions		0			1,329,822			0			1,329,822
Foreign governments		0			23,159			0			23,159
Corporates		28,092			9,231,578			11,250			9,270,920
Collateralized debt obligations		0			0			30,320			30,320
Other asset-backed securities		0			37,558			7,122			44,680
Redeemable preferred stocks		217,613			904,656			0			1,122,269
Total fixed maturities		245,705			11,593,808			48,692			11,888,205
Equity securities		16,346			0			710			17,056
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	262,051		$	11,593,808		$	49,402		$	11,905,261
Percentage of total		2.2	%		97.4	%		0.4	%		100.0	%

Description	Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2010 Using:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)			Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)			Total Fair Value
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Bonds:
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	0		$	78,674		$	0		$	78,674
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		0			1,181,126			0			1,181,126
Foreign governments		0			23,031			0			23,031
Corporates		15,347			7,831,845			73,673			7,920,865
Collateralized debt obligations		0			0			22,456			22,456
Other asset-backed securities		0			40,696			8,042			48,738
Redeemable preferred stocks		270,189			997,955			0			1,268,144
Total fixed maturities		285,536			10,153,327			104,171			10,543,034
Equity securities		16,484			0			670			17,154
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	302,020		$	10,153,327		$	104,841		$	10,560,188
Percent of total		2.9	%		96.1	%		1.0	%		100.0	%

74

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments (continued)

The following table represents changes in assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

	Analysis of Changes in Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Asset- backed securities			Collateralized debt Obligations			Corporates*			Other			Total
Balance at January 1, 2009	$	23,077		$	14,158		$	164,881		$	1,246		$	203,362
Total gains or losses:
Included in realized gains/losses		0			(83,458	)		(2,502	)		0			(85,960	)
Included in other comprehensive income		1,717			80,674			(2,728	)		12			79,675
Sales		0			125			(6,833	)		0			(6,708	)
Amortization		(183	)		1,014			2,366			(5	)		3,192
Other **		0			5,524			213			148			5,885
Transfers in to Level 3		0			0			48,995			4,435			53,430
Transfers out of Level 3		(16,630	)		0			(132,628	)		0			(149,258	)
Balance at December 31, 2009		7,981			18,037			71,764			5,836			103,618
Total gains or losses:
Included in realized gains/losses		0			(1,712	)		1,504			708			500
Included in other comprehensive income		255			2,445			14,711			(534	)		16,877
Sales		0			0			(5,862	)		(2,331	)		(8,193	)
Amortization		(194	)		2,333			2,536			(1	)		4,674
Other **		0			1,353			0			0			1,353
Transfers out of Level 3		0			0			(10,980	)		(3,008	)		(13,988	)
Balance at December 31, 2010		8,042			22,456			73,673			670		$	104,841
Total gains or losses:
Included in realized gains/losses		0			0			(12,542	)		0			(12,542	)
Included in other comprehensive income		(714	)		3,952			14,578			40			17,856
Sales		0			0			(13,875	)		0			(13,875	)
Amortization		(206	)		2,470			1,302			0			3,566
Other **		0			1,442			0			0			1,442
Transfers out of Level 3		0			0			(51,886	)		0			(51,886	)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	7,122		$	30,320		$	11,250		$	710		$	49,402

* Includes redeemable preferred stocks

** Includes capitalized interest and foreign exchange adjustments.

The collateral underlying collateralized debt obligations for which fair values are reported as Level 3 consists primarily of trust preferred securities issued by banks and insurance companies. None of the collateral is subprime or Alt-A mortgages (loans for which the typical documentation was not provided by the borrower).

The following table presents transfers in and out of each of the valuation levels of fair values.

	2011								2010								2009
	In		Out			Net			In		Out			Net			In		Out			Net
Level 1	$	0	$	0		$	0		$	54	$	(4,848	)	$	(4,794	)	$	0	$	0		$	0
Level 2		51,886		0			51,886			18,836		(54	)		18,782			149,258		(53,430	)		95,828
Level 3		0		(51,886	)		(51,886	)		0		(13,988	)		(13,988	)		53,430		(149,258	)		(95,828	)

Transfers into Level 2 from Level 3 result from the availability of observable market data when a security is valued at the end of a period. Transfers into Level 3 occur when there is a lack of observable market information. Transfers into Level 1 from Level 2 occur when direct quotes are available; transfers from Level 1 into Level 2 result when only observable market data and no direct quotes are available.

75

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments (continued)

Other-than-temporary impairments:    Torchmark’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. Therefore, Torchmark considers these declines in value resulting from changes in market interest rates to be temporary. In certain circumstances, however, Torchmark determines that the decline in the value of a security is other-than-temporary and writes the book value of the security down to its fair value, realizing an investment loss. The evaluation of Torchmark’s securities for other-than-temporary impairments is a process that is undertaken not less frequently than quarterly and is overseen by a team of investment and accounting professionals. Each security which is impaired because the fair value is less than the cost or amortized cost is identified and evaluated. The determination that an impairment is other-than-temporary 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 near-term 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 relatively more weight 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:

• Default on a required payment

• Issuer bankruptcy filings

• 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 credit analysts

• Recent cash flows

While all available information is taken into account, it is difficult to predict the ultimately recoverable amount of a distressed or impaired security.

76

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments (continued)

Torchmark has determined that certain of its holdings in fixed maturity investments were other-than-temporarily impaired during the three years ended December 31, 2011. Included in the impairments were collateralized debt obligations in which the impairment was bifurcated in accordance with accounting guidance. As a result of this guidance, the portion of an impairment considered to be a credit loss is other-than-temporarily impaired and the amount of the credit loss is charged to net income. Any portion of the impairment considered to be temporary 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 securities’ 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. Management believes that the present value of future cash flows at the original effective yield is a better measure of valuation, because fair value is based on limited observable market data, and the market for these securities is neither active nor orderly. The following table presents the writedowns recorded due to these impairments in accordance with accounting guidance and whether the writedown was charged to earnings or other comprehensive income.

Writedowns for Other-Than-Temporary Impairments

	2011				2010				2009
	Net Income		Other Comprehensive Income		Net Income		Other Comprehensive Income		Net Income		Other Comprehensive Income
Collateralized debt obligations	$	0	$	0	$	1,712	$	0		$  83,457	$	20,766
Corporate bonds		20		0		3,138		0		59,709		0
Total pre-tax	$	20	$	0	$	4,850	$	0		$143,166	$	20,766
After tax	$	13	$	0	$	3,152	$	0		$  94,234	$	13,498

As of year end 2011, previously written down securities remaining in the portfolio were carried at a fair value of $22.6 million. Otherwise, as of December 31, 2011, Torchmark has no information available to cause it to believe that any of its investments are other-than-temporarily impaired. Torchmark has the ability and intent to hold these investments to recovery, and does not intend to sell nor expects to be required to sell its other impaired securities.

Bifurcated credit losses result when there is an other-than-temporary impairment for which a portion of the loss is recognized in other comprehensive income. Torchmark’s balances related to bifurcated credit loss positions included in other comprehensive income were $22 million at December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010, and December 31, 2009. There was no change in this balance since December 31, 2009, the year the balance initially arose.

77

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments (continued)

Unrealized gain/loss analysis.    As conditions in financial markets have improved since early 2009, unrealized gains in the portfolio have occurred and losses have declined. Net unrealized losses on fixed maturities of $455 million at December 31, 2009 became net unrealized gains of $108 million at December 31, 2010. During 2011, net unrealized gains rose to $964 million at December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2011, investments in securities in the financial sector were in a $14 million unrealized gain position compared with an unrealized loss position of $115 million at December 31, 2010. Investments in securities in the other sectors had net unrealized gains of $950 million in 2011 and $223 million in 2010. The following tables disclose gross unrealized investment losses by class of investment at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. Torchmark considers these investments to be only temporarily impaired.

ANALYSIS OF GROSS UNREALIZED INVESTMENT LOSSES

At December 31, 2011

	Less than Twelve Months					Twelve Months or Longer					Total
Description of Securities	Fair Value		Unrealized Loss			Fair Value		Unrealized Loss			Fair Value		Unrealized Loss
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Bonds:
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	279	$	(3	)	$	34	$	(1	)	$	313	$	(4	)
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		0		0			17,609		(1,896	)		17,609		(1,896	)
Foreign governments		0		0			0		0			0		0
Corporates		585,265		(38,249	)		612,338		(99,659	)		1,197,603		(137,908	)
Collateralized debt obligations		0		0			30,320		(30,117	)		30,320		(30,117	)
Other asset-backed securities		0		0			7,122		(1,392	)		7,122		(1,392	)
Redeemable preferred stocks		205,449		(14,250	)		367,450		(53,604	)		572,899		(67,854	)
Total fixed maturities		790,993		(52,502	)		1,034,873		(186,669	)		1,825,866		(239,171	)
Equity securities		386		(63	)		0		0			386		(63	)
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	791,379	$	(52,565	)	$	1,034,873	$	(186,669	)	$	1,826,252	$	(239,234	)

78

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments (continued)

ANALYSIS OF GROSS UNREALIZED INVESTMENT LOSSES

At December 31, 2010

	Less than Twelve Months					Twelve Months or Longer					Total
Description of Securities	Fair Value		Unrealized Loss			Fair Value		Unrealized Loss			Fair Value		Unrealized Loss
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Bonds:
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	56,905	$	(1,060	)	$	0	$	0		$	56,905	$	(1,060	)
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		685,754		(26,734	)		66,591		(15,077	)		752,345		(41,811	)
Foreign governments		0		0			0		0			0		0
Corporates		1,284,966		(39,331	)		862,820		(170,818	)		2,147,786		(210,149	)
Collateralized debt obligations		0		0			22,331		(34,069	)		22,331		(34,069	)
Other asset-backed securities		0		0			8,042		(678	)		8,042		(678	)
Redeemable preferred stocks		199,362		(3,339	)		646,454		(76,626	)		845,816		(79,965	)
Total fixed maturities		2,226,987		(70,464	)		1,606,238		(297,268	)		3,833,225		(367,732	)
Equity securities		0		0			30		(69	)		30		(69	)
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	2,226,987	$	(70,464	)	$	1,606,268	$	(297,337	)	$	3,833,255	$	(367,801	)

Additional information about investments in an unrealized loss position is as follows:

	Less than Twelve Months		Twelve Months or Longer		Total
Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held:
As of December 31, 2011		117		93		210
As of December 31, 2010		234		133		367

Torchmark’s entire fixed-maturity and equity portfolio consisted of 1,373 issues at December 31, 2011 and 1,430 issues at December 31, 2010. The weighted-average quality rating of all unrealized loss positions as of December 31, 2011 was BBB-, compared with BBB+ a year earlier. The weighted-average quality ratings are based on amortized cost.

79

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments (continued)

Other investment information:

Other long-term investments consist of the following:

	December 31,
	2011		2010
Mortgage loans, at cost	$	551	$	14,481
Investment real estate, at depreciated cost		3,165		2,154
Low-income housing interests		12,188		14,482
Collateral loans		7,598		8,913
Other		2,665		2,955
Total	$	26,167	$	42,985

The estimated fair value of mortgage loans, based on discounted cash flows, was approximately $0.6 million at December 31, 2011 and $14.3 million at December 31, 2010. Accumulated depreciation on investment real estate was $1.8 million at both December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Torchmark had $125 thousand in fixed maturities at book value ($130 thousand at fair value) that were non-income producing during the twelve months ended December 31, 2011. Torchmark had $3.0 million in investment real estate at December 31, 2011 which was non-income producing during the previous twelve months. Torchmark did not have any other invested assets that were non-income producing during the twelve months ended December 31, 2011.

Note 5—Deferred Acquisition Costs

An analysis of deferred acquisition costs is as follows:

	2011			2010			2009
Balance at beginning of year	$	3,406,335		$	3,319,505		$	3,228,887
Additions:
Deferred during period:
Commissions		291,267			296,043			309,722
Other expenses		242,640			229,367			248,984
Total deferred		533,907			525,410			558,706
Foreign exchange adjustment		0			5,055			10,663
Total additions		533,907			530,465			569,369
Deductions:
Amortized during period		(424,781	)		(418,890	)		(415,986	)
Foreign exchange adjustment		(1,931	)		0			0
Adjustment attributable to unrealized investment gains(1)		(28,679	)		(24,745	)		(62,765	)
Total deductions		(455,391	)		(443,635	)		(478,751	)
Balance at end of year	$	3,484,851		$	3,406,335		$	3,319,505

(1) Represents amounts pertaining to investments relating to universal life-type products.

In the event of lapses or early withdrawals in excess of those assumed, deferred acquisition costs may not be recoverable.

80

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 6—Future Policy Benefit Reserves

A summary of the assumptions used in determining the liability for future policy benefits at December 31, 2011 is as follows:

Individual Life Insurance

Interest assumptions:

Years of Issue	Interest Rates		Percent of Liability
1917-2011		2.5% to 5.75%		11	%
1985-2011		6.0%		29
1986-1992		7.0% graded to 6.0%		7
1954-2000		8.0% graded to 6.0%		11
1951-1985		8.5% graded to 6.0%		4
1984-2011		6.75%		4
2011-2011		5.75% graded to 6.75%		1
2000-2011		7.0%		19
1984-2011		Interest Sensitive		14
				100%

Mortality assumptions:

For individual life, the mortality tables used are various statutory mortality tables and modifications of:

1950-54	Select and Ultimate Table
1954-58	Industrial Experience Table
1955-60	Ordinary Experience Table
1965-70	Select and Ultimate Table
1955-60	Inter-Company Table
1970	United States Life Table
1975-80	Select and Ultimate Table
X-18	Ultimate Table
2001	Valuation Basic Table

Withdrawal assumptions:

Withdrawal assumptions are based on Torchmark’s experience.

Individual Health Insurance

Interest assumptions:

Years of Issue	Interest Rates		Percent of Liability
1955-2011		2.5% to 5.75%		2	%
1993-2011		6.0%		60
1986-1992		7.0% graded to 6.0%		26
1955-2000		8.0% graded to 6.0%		6
1951-1986		8.5% graded to 6.0%		1
2008-2010		6.75%		1
2001-2007		7.0%		4
				100	%

Morbidity assumptions:

For individual health, the morbidity assumptions are based on either Torchmark’s experience or the assumptions used in calculating statutory reserves.

Termination assumptions:

Termination assumptions are based on Torchmark’s experience.

Overall Interest Assumptions:

The overall average interest assumption for determining the liability for future life and health insurance benefits in 2011 was 5.9%.

81

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 7—Liability for Unpaid Health Claims

Activity in the liability for unpaid health claims is summarized as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Balance at beginning of year	$	100,598		$	104,346		$	119,855
Incurred related to:
Current year		628,137			661,740			674,710
Prior years		(10,644	)		(19,424	)		(19,487	)
Total incurred		617,493			642,316			655,223
Paid related to:
Current year		538,910			577,875			583,127
Prior years		75,664			68,189			87,605
Total paid		614,574			646,064			670,732
Balance at end of year	$	103,517		$	100,598		$	104,346

At the end of each period, the liability for unpaid health claims includes an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported to the Company. Such estimates are updated regularly based upon the Company’s most recent claims data with recognition of emerging experience trends. Because of the nature of the Company’s health business, the payment lags are relatively short and most claims are fully paid within a year from the time incurred. Fluctuations in claims experience can lead to either over- or under-estimation of the liability for any given year. The difference between the estimate made at the end of the prior period and the actual experience during the period is reflected above under the caption “Incurred related to: Prior years.”

Claims paid in each of the years 2009 through 2011 were settled for amounts less than anticipated when estimated at the previous year end. The most significant components of these favorable variances were in Torchmark’s UA Independent, Liberty National Branch, and Medicare Part D distribution channels. The Company’s estimates at each point have reflected the emerging data and trends. In the Medicare Part D channel, the Company is required to estimate claim discounts that will be received from drug manufacturers. In each of the years 2009 through 2011, the discounts from the drug manufacturers received in the current year but related to prior year claims were higher than anticipated when the claim liability was determined.

The liability for unpaid health claims is included with “Policy claims and other benefits payable” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

82

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 8—Income Taxes

Torchmark and its subsidiaries file a life-nonlife consolidated Federal income tax return.

The components of income taxes were as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Income tax expense from continuing operations	$	237,326		$	256,274		$	191,024
Income tax expense from discontinued operations		(467	)		11,830			9,216
Shareholders’ equity:
Other comprehensive income (loss)		284,161			184,233			458,358
Tax basis compensation expense (from the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards) in excess of amounts recognized for financial reporting purposes		(13,121	)		(3,455	)		(253	)
	$	507,899		$	448,882		$	658,345

Income tax expense from continuing operations consists of:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Current income tax expense	$	169,500	$	147,346	$	147,917
Deferred income tax expense		67,826		108,928		43,107
	$	237,326	$	256,274	$	191,024

In each of the years 2009 through 2011, deferred income tax expense was incurred because of certain differences between net income before income taxes as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and taxable income as reported on Torchmark’s income tax returns. As explained in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies, these differences caused the financial statement book values of some assets and liabilities to be different from their respective tax bases.

The effective income tax rate differed from the expected 35% rate as shown below:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			%			2010			%			2009			%
Expected income taxes	$	264,483			35.0	%	$	272,498			35.0	%	$	201,977			35.0	%
Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from:
Tax-exempt investment income		(3,468	)		(.5	)		(3,371	)		(.4	)		(3,483	)		(.6	)
Tax settlements		0			0			0			0			(3,101	)		(.5	)
Low income housing investments		(24,258	)		(3.2	)		(12,900	)		(1.7	)		(6,038	)		(1.0	)
Other		569			.1			47			0			1,669			.3
Income tax expense	$	237,326			31.4	%	$	256,274			32.9	%	$	191,024			33.2	%

83

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 8—Income Taxes (continued)

The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are presented below:

	December 31,
	2011		2010
Deferred tax assets:
Fixed maturity investments	$	35,670	$	50,126
Carryover of tax losses		7,429		12,293
Unrealized losses		0		2,023
Other assets and other liabilities		5,509		1,352
Total gross deferred tax assets		48,608		65,794
Deferred tax liabilities:
Unrealized gains		276,591		0
Employee and agent compensation		57,136		55,781
Deferred acquisition costs		911,816		877,561
Future policy benefits, unearned and advance premiums, and policy claims		355,825		338,771
Total gross deferred tax liabilities		1,601,368		1,272,113
Net deferred tax liability	$	1,552,760	$	1,206,319

Torchmark’s Federal income tax returns are routinely audited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS completed its examination of the Company’s 2005, 2006, and 2007 tax years during 2009. The Company recorded a $2.5 million tax benefit to reflect the results of the examination, including a reduction in its liability for uncertain tax positions relating to these years. The statutes of limitation for the assessments of additional tax are closed for all tax years prior to 2008. Management believes that adequate provision has been made in the financial statements for any potential assessments that may result from future tax examinations and other tax-related matters for all open tax years.

Torchmark has net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $21 million at December 31, 2011 which will begin to expire in 2025 if not otherwise used to offset future taxable income. A valuation allowance is to be provided when it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized by the Company. No valuation allowance has been recorded relating to Torchmark’s deferred tax assets since, in management’s judgment, Torchmark will more likely than not have sufficient taxable income in future periods to fully realize its existing deferred tax assets.

Torchmark’s tax liability is adjusted to include the provision for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits (excluding effects of accrued interest, net of Federal tax benefits) for the years 2009 through 2011 is as follows:

	2011			2010			2009
Balance at January 1,	$	875		$	3,960		$	8,481
Increase based on tax positions taken in current period		0			245			73
Increase related to tax positions taken in prior periods		0			280			0
Decrease related to tax positions taken in prior periods		(875	)		(3,610	)		(4,594	)
Decrease due to settlements		0			0			0
Balance at December 31,	$	0		$	875		$	3,960

Torchmark’s continuing practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company recognized interest income of $0, $124 thousand, and $1.7 million, net of Federal income tax benefits, in its Consolidated Statements of Operations for 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. The Company had an accrued interest receivable of $2.7 million and $4.1 million, net of Federal income tax benefits, as of 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company had no accrued penalties at December 31, 2011 or 2010.

84

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 9—Postretirement Benefits

Pension Plans:    Torchmark has noncontributory retirement benefit plans and contributory savings plans which cover substantially all employees. There are also two nonqualified, noncontributory supplemental benefit pension plans which cover a limited number of employees. The total cost of these retirement plans charged to operations was as follows:

Year Ended December 31,	Defined Contribution Plans		Defined Benefit Pension Plans
2011	$	3,552	$	20,952
2010		3,617		18,948
2009		3,511		17,912

Torchmark accrues expense for the defined contribution plans based on a percentage of the employees’ contributions. The plans are funded by the employee contributions and a Torchmark contribution equal to the amount of accrued expense. Plan contributions are both mandatory and discretionary, depending on the terms of the plan.

Cost for the defined benefit pension plans has been calculated on the projected unit credit actuarial cost method. All plan measurements for the defined benefit plans are as of December 31 of the respective year. The defined benefit pension plans covering the majority of employees are funded. Contributions are made to funded pension plans subject to minimums required by regulation and maximums allowed for tax purposes. Defined benefit plan contributions were $8.6 million in 2011, $13 million in 2010, and $15 million in 2009. Torchmark estimates as of December 31, 2011 that it will contribute an amount not to exceed $20 million to these plans in 2012. The actual amount of contribution may be different from this estimate.

Torchmark has a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP), which provides to a limited number of executives an additional supplemental defined pension benefit. The supplemental benefit is based on the participant’s qualified plan benefit without consideration to the regulatory limits on compensation and benefit payments applicable to qualified plans, except that eligible compensation is capped at $1 million. The SERP is unfunded. However, life insurance policies on the lives of plan participants have been established for this plan with an unaffiliated insurance carrier. The premiums for this coverage paid in 2011 was $3.9 million and in 2010 was $1.7 million. The cash value of these policies at December 31, 2011 was $16 million and was $12 million a year earlier. Additionally, a Rabbi Trust was established for this plan in 2010 in the amount of $21 million to support the liability for this plan. An additional deposit of $5 million was added to this trust in 2011 and an investment account was established. As of December 31, 2011, the combined value of the insurance policies and the trust investments was $43 million. Because this plan is unqualified, the Rabbi Trust and the policyholder value of these policies are not included as defined benefit plan assets but as assets of the Company. The liability for this SERP at December 31, 2011 was $47 million and was $38 million a year earlier.

The other supplemental benefit pension plan is limited to a very select group of employees and was closed as of December 31, 1994. It provides the full benefits that an employee would have otherwise received from a defined benefit plan in the absence of the limitation on benefits payable under a qualified plan. This plan is unfunded. Liability for this closed plan was $3 million at December 31, 2011 and $4 million at December 31, 2010. Pension cost for both supplemental defined benefit plans is determined in the same manner as for the qualified defined benefit plans.

Plan assets in the funded plans consist primarily of investments in marketable fixed maturities and equity securities and are valued at fair value. Torchmark measures the fair value of its financial assets, including the assets in its benefit plans, in accordance with accounting guidance which establishes a hierarchy for asset values and provides a methodology for the measurement of value. Please refer to Note 4—Investments under the caption Fair Value Measurements for a complete discussion of valuation procedures. The following table presents the assets of Torchmark’s defined benefit pension plans for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

85

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 9—Postretirement Benefits (continued)

Pension Assets by Component at December 31, 2011

	Fair Value Determined by:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Amount		% to Total
Equity securities:
Consumer, Non-Cyclical	$	14,866					$	14,866		6	%
Financial		24,255						24,255		9
Industrial		11,491						11,491		5
Technology		13,184						13,184		5
General merchandise stores		8,119						8,119		3
Other		7,544						7,544		3
Total equity securities		79,459						79,459		31
Corporate bonds		6,661	$	153,098				159,759		62
Other bonds		0		348				348		0
Guaranteed annuity contract		0		12,745				12,745		5
Short-term investments		3,767		0				3,767		1
Other		1,989		0				1,989		1
Grand Total	$	91,876	$	166,191	$	0	$	258,067		100	%

Pension Assets by Component at December 31, 2010
	Fair Value Determined by:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Amount		% to Total
Equity securities:
Consumer, Non-Cyclical	$	14,932					$	14,932		6	%
Financial		29,692						29,692		13
Industrial		11,303						11,303		5
Technology		10,643						10,643		4
Other		1,339						1,339		1
Total equity securities		67,909						67,909		29
Corporate bonds		9,637	$	122,946	$	3,184		135,767		57
Other bonds		0		772				772		0
Guaranteed annuity contract		0		10,959				10,959		5
Short-term investments		19,484		0				19,484		8
Other		2,002		0				2,002		1
Grand Total	$	99,032	$	134,677	$	3,184	$	236,893		100	%

86

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 9—Postretirement Benefits (continued)

Torchmark’s investment objectives for its plan assets include preservation of capital, preservation of purchasing power, and long-term growth. Torchmark seeks to preserve capital through investments made in high quality securities with adequate diversification by issuer and industry sector to minimize risk. The portfolio is monitored continuously for changes in quality and diversification mix. The preservation of purchasing power is intended to be accomplished through asset growth, exclusive of contributions and withdrawals, in excess of the rate of inflation. Torchmark intends to maintain investments that when combined with future plan contributions will produce adequate long-term growth to provide for all plan obligations. The Company’s expectation for the portfolio is to achieve a compound total rate of return of 3% in excess of the inflation rate, to be reviewed on a three-year basis. It is also Torchmark’s objective that the portfolio’s investment return will meet or exceed the return of a balanced market index.

The majority of the securities in the portfolio are highly marketable so that there will be adequate liquidity to meet projected payments. There are no specific policies calling for asset durations to match those of benefit obligations.

Allowed investments are limited to equities, fixed maturities, and short-term investments (invested cash). There is also a guaranteed annuity contract to fund the obligations of the American Income Pension Plan. The assets are to be invested in a mix of equity and fixed income investments that best serve the objectives of the pension plan. Factors to be considered in determining the asset mix include funded status, annual pension expense, annual pension contributions, and balance sheet liability. Equities include common and preferred stocks, securities convertible into equities, mutual funds that invest in equities, and other equity-related investments. Equities must be listed on major exchanges and adequate market liquidity is required. Fixed maturities consist of marketable debt securities rated investment grade at purchase by a major rating agency. Short-term investments include fixed maturities with maturities less than one year and invested cash. Short-term investments in commercial paper must be rated at least A-2 by Standard & Poor’s with the issuer rated investment grade. Invested cash is limited to banks rated A or higher. Investments outside of the aforementioned list are not permitted, except by prior approval of the Plan’s Trustees. At December 31, 2011, there were no restricted investments contained in the portfolio. Plan contributions have been invested primarily in fixed maturities during the three years ending December 31, 2011.

The investment portfolio is to be well diversified to avoid undue exposure to a single sector, industry, business, or security. The equity and fixed-maturity portfolios are not permitted to invest in any single issuer that would exceed 10% of total plan assets at the time of purchase. Torchmark does not employ any other special risk management techniques, such as derivatives, in managing the pension investment portfolio.

87

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 9—Postretirement Benefits (continued)

The following table discloses the assumptions used to determine Torchmark’s pension liabilities and costs for the appropriate periods. The discount and compensation increase rates are used to determine current year projected benefit obligations and subsequent year pension expense. The long-term rate of return is used to determine current year expense. Differences between assumptions and actual experience are included in actuarial gain or loss.

Weighted Average Pension Plan Assumptions

For Benefit Obligations at December 31:
	2011			2010
Discount Rate		5.09	%		5.77	%
Rate of Compensation Increase		4.04			4.00
For Periodic Benefit Cost for the Year:	2011			2010			2009
Discount Rate		5.77	%		6.31	%		6.31	%
Expected Long-Term Returns		7.24			7.24			7.95
Rate of Compensation Increase		4.00			3.79			3.84

The discount rate is determined based on the expected duration of plan liabilities. A yield is then derived based on the current market yield of a hypothetical portfolio of higher-quality corporate bonds which match the liability duration. The rate of compensation increase is projected based on Company experience, modified as appropriate for future expectations. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is management’s best estimate of the average rate of earnings expected to be received on the assets invested in the plan over the benefit period. In determining this assumption, consideration is given to the historical rate of return earned on the assets, the projected returns over future periods, and the spread between the long-term rate of return on plan assets and the discount rate used to compute benefit obligations.

Net periodic pension cost for the defined benefit plans by expense component was as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Service cost—benefits earned during the period	$	9,277		$	8,174		$	7,571
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation		16,106			15,392			14,490
Expected return on assets		(16,068	)		(15,025	)		(15,577	)
Net amortization		11,637			10,407			11,428
Net periodic pension cost	$	20,952		$	18,948		$	17,912

An analysis of the impact on other comprehensive income (loss) concerning pensions is as follows:

	2011			2010			2009
Balance at January 1	$	(105,903	)	$	(93,674	)	$	(121,704	)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost		2,080			2,098			2,060
Net actuarial (gain) loss		10,071			8,766			9,166
Transition obligation		(5	)		(7	)		(7	)
Total amortization		12,146			10,857			11,219
Experience gain(loss)		(24,653	)		(23,086	)		16,811
Balance at December 31	$	(118,410	)	$	(105,903	)	$	(93,674	)

88

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 9—Postretirement Benefits (continued)

The following table presents a reconciliation from the beginning to the end of the year of the projected benefit obligation and plan assets. This table also presents the amounts previously recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.

	Pension Benefits For the year ended December 31,
	2011			2010
Changes in benefit obligation:
Obligation at beginning of year	$	285,560		$	242,159
Service cost		9,277			8,174
Interest cost		16,106			15,392
Actuarial loss (gain)		34,515			34,029
Benefits paid		(13,849	)		(14,194	)
Obligation at end of year		331,609			285,560
Changes in plan assets:
Fair value at beginning of year		236,893			211,877
Return on assets		26,439			26,576
Contributions		8,584			12,634
Benefits paid		(13,849	)		(14,194	)
Fair value at end of year		258,067			236,893
Funded status at year end	$	(73,542	)	$	(48,667	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income consist of:
Net loss (gain)	$	111,964		$	97,382
Prior service cost		6,446			8,526
Transition obligation		0			(5	)
Net amounts recognized at year end	$	118,410		$	105,903

The portion of other comprehensive income that is expected to be reflected in pension expense in 2012 is as follows:

Amortization of prior service cost	$	2,063
Amortization of net loss (gain)		12,175
Amortization of transition obligation		0
Total	$	14,238

The accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) for Torchmark’s funded defined benefit pension plans was $263 million and $228 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. In the unfunded plans, the ABO was $39 million and $32 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Torchmark has estimated its expected pension benefits to be paid over the next ten years as of December 31, 2011. These estimates use the same assumptions that measure the benefit obligation at December 31, 2011, taking estimated future employee service into account. Those estimated benefits are as follows:

For the year(s)
2012	$	13,921
2013		14,890
2014		15,755
2015		16,689
2016		17,692
2017-2020		105,596

89

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 9—Postretirement Benefits (continued)

Postretirement Benefit Plans Other Than Pensions:    Torchmark provides a small postretirement life insurance benefit for most retired employees, and also provides additional postretirement life insurance benefits for certain key employees. The majority of the life insurance benefits are accrued over the working lives of active employees. Otherwise, Torchmark does not provide postretirement benefits other than pensions and the life insurance benefits described above.

Torchmark’s post-retirement defined benefit plans other than pensions are not funded. Liabilities for these plans are measured as of December 31 for the appropriate year.

The components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for plans other than pensions are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Service cost	$	919		$	728		$	641
Interest cost on benefit obligation		999			970			947
Expected return on plan assets		0			0			0
Amortization of prior service cost		0			0			0
Recognition of net actuarial (gain) loss		(815	)		(583	)		283
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost	$	1,103		$	1,115		$	1,871

The following table presents a reconciliation of the benefit obligation and plan assets from the beginning to the end of the year. As these plans are unfunded, funded status is equivalent to the accrued benefit liability.

	Benefits Other Than Pensions For  the year ended December 31,
	2011			2010
Changes in benefit obligation:
Obligation at beginning of year	$	16,889		$	16,340
Service cost		919			728
Interest cost		999			970
Actuarial loss (gain)		638			(583	)
Benefits paid		(437	)		(566	)
Obligation at end of year		19,008			16,889
Changes in plan assets:
Fair value at beginning of year		0			0
Return on assets		0			0
Contributions		437			566
Benefits paid		(437	)		(566	)
Fair value at end of year		0			0
Funded status at year end	$	(19,008	)	$	(16,889	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income:
Net loss*	$	1,453		$	0
Net amounts recognized at year end	$	1,453		$	0

* The net loss for benefit plans other than pensions reduces other comprehensive income.

90

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 9—Postretirement Benefits (continued)

The table below presents the assumptions used to determine the liabilities and costs of Torchmark’s post-retirement benefit plans other than pensions.

Weighted Average Assumptions for Post-Retirement

Benefit Plans Other Than Pensions

For Benefit Obligations at December 31:
	2011			2010
Discount Rate		5.09	%		5.77	%
Rate of Compensation Increase		3.50			4.50
For Periodic Benefit Cost for the Year:
	2011			2010			2009
Discount Rate		5.77	%		6.60	%		6.60	%
Rate of Compensation Increase		4.50			4.50			4.50

Note 10—Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

The following table summarizes Torchmark’s noncash transactions, which are not reflected on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Stock-based compensation not involving cash	$	14,954	$	11,848	$	9,860
Commitments for low-income housing interests		36,722		137,817		50,789
Capitalized investment income		5,321		6,517		7,345

The following table summarizes certain amounts paid during the period:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Interest paid	$	75,653	$	76,911	$	71,288
Income taxes paid		188,510		195,172		87,376

91

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 11—Debt

The following table presents information about the terms and outstanding balances of Torchmark’s debt.

Selected Information about Debt Issues

						As of December 31,
						2011								2010
Instrument	Annual Percentage Rate			Issue Date	Periodic Interest Payments Due	Outstanding Principle (Par Value)		Outstanding Principle (Book Value)			Outstanding Principle (Fair Value)			Outstanding Principle (Book Value)
Notes, due 5/15/23(1)(2)		7.875	%	5/93	5/15 & 11/15	$	165,612	$	163,344		$	195,654		$	163,227
Notes, due 8/1/13(1)(2)		7.375	%	7/93	2/1 & 8/1		94,050		93,823			100,302			93,700
Senior Notes, due 6/15/16(1)(8)		6.375	%	6/06	6/15 & 12/15		250,000		247,875			275,910			247,477
Senior Notes, due 6/15/19(1)(8)		9.250	%	6/09	6/15 & 12/15		292,647		289,661			375,276			289,397
Issue Expenses(3)							0		(4,132	)		0			(4,158	)
Subtotal long-term debt							802,309		790,571			947,142			789,643
Junior Subordinated
Debentures due 6/1/46(4)(5)		7.100	%	6/06	quarterly(6)		123,711		123,711			122,208	(7)		123,711
Total funded debt							926,020		914,282			1,069,350			913,354
Commercial Paper(9)							225,000		224,842			224,842			198,875
						$	1,151,020	$	1,139,124		$	1,294,192		$	1,112,229

(1) All securities other than the Junior Subordinated Debentures have equal priority with one another.

(2) Not callable.

(3) Unamortized issue expenses related to Trust Preferred Securities.

(4) Junior Subordinated Debentures are classified as “Due to affiliates” and are junior to other securities in priority of payment.

(5) Callable anytime

(6) Quarterly payments on the first day of March, June, Sept., and Dec.

(7) Fair value of Trust Preferred Securities.

(8) Callable subject to “make-whole” premium.

(9) Classified as short-term debt.

The amount of debt that becomes due during each of the next five years is: 2012—$225 million; 2013—$94 million; 2014—$0; 2015—$0; 2016—$250 million and thereafter—$582 million.

Funded debt:    During 2006, Torchmark established Torchmark Capital Trust III (Trust III) to facilitate the public offering of 4.8 million shares of $25 par value Trust Preferred Securities. Trust III completed the offering for total proceeds of $120 million. It then exchanged $3.7 million of its common stock and the $120 million of proceeds from the offering for $124 million of Torchmark Junior Subordinated Debentures, due June 1, 2046. Trust III pays quarterly dividends on the Trust Preferred Securities at an annual rate of 7.1%, and receives quarterly payments at the same annual rate from Torchmark on the Junior Subordinated Debentures. All payments due to be paid by Trust III on the Trust Preferred Securities are guaranteed by Torchmark (see Note 15). The securities are redeemable on June 1, 2046. They are callable by Trust III at any time.

Trust III is a variable interest entity in which Torchmark is not the primary beneficiary. Therefore, Torchmark is prohibited by accounting rules from consolidating Trust III even though it has 100% ownership, complete voting control, and has guaranteed the performance of Trust III. Accordingly,

92

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 11—Debt (continued)

Torchmark carries its 7.1% Junior Subordinated Debentures due to Trust III as a liability under the caption “Due to Affiliates” on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. Expenses related to the offering reduce long-term debt and are amortized over the forty-year redemption period.

On June 30, 2009, Torchmark issued $300 million principal amount of 9.25% Senior Notes due June 15, 2019. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually commencing on December 15, 2009. Proceeds from the issuance of this debt, net of expenses, were $296 million. The Notes are redeemable by Torchmark in whole or in part at any time subject to a “make-whole” premium, whereby the Company would be required to pay the greater of the full principal amount of the Notes or otherwise the present value of the remaining repayment schedule of the Notes discounted at a rate of interest equivalent to the rate of a United States Treasury security of comparable term plus a spread of 75 basis points. Torchmark used a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to repay its $99 million 8 ¹/4% Senior Debentures which matured on August 15, 2009 (plus accrued interest). Remaining funds were invested.

During 2010, Torchmark acquired $7.4 million par value of its 9 ¹/4% Senior Notes ($7.3 million book value) at a cost of $8.9 million. This repurchase resulted in a pre-tax loss of $1.6 million ($1.1 million after tax).

Commercial Paper:    In December, 2010, Torchmark entered into a credit facility with a group of lenders allowing unsecured borrowings and stand-by letters of credit up to $600 million. The facility includes a provision which allows Torchmark to increase the facility limit by $200 million if certain conditions are met. The Company also has the ability to request up to $250 million in letters of credit to be issued against the facility. The agreement is set to terminate on January 7, 2015. The credit facility is further designated as a back-up credit line for a commercial paper program, where Torchmark may borrow from either the credit line or issue commercial paper at any time, with total commercial paper outstanding not to exceed the facility limit less any letters of credit issued. Interest is charged at variable rates. At December 31, 2011, Torchmark had $225 million face amount ($225 million carrying amount) of commercial paper outstanding, $198 million of letters of credit issued, and no borrowings under the line of credit. During 2011, the short term borrowings under the facility averaged approximately $206 million, and were made at an average yield of .4%, compared with an average balance of $196 million and also at an average yield of .4% a year earlier. The facility does not have a ratings-based acceleration trigger which would require early payment. A facility fee is charged for the entire facility.There is also an issuance fee for letters of credit issued. Torchmark is subject to certain covenants for the agreements regarding capitalization and earnings, with which it was in compliance at December 31, 2011 and throughout the three-year period ended December 31, 2011. Borrowings on the credit facilities are reported as short-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

93

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 12—Shareholders’ Equity

Share Data: A summary of preferred and common share activity is as follows:

	Preferred Stock				Common Stock*
	Issued		Treasury Stock		Issued			Treasury Stock
2009:
Balance at January 1, 2009		0		0		128,812,123			(1,750,651	)
Grants of restricted stock									115,060
Issuance of common stock due to exercise of stock options									189,258
Treasury stock acquired									(3,104,700	)
Retirement of treasury stock						(3,000,000	)		3,000,000
Balance at December 31, 2009		0		0		125,812,123			(1,551,033	)
2010:
Grants of restricted stock									121,923
Forfeitures of restricted stock									(10,621	)
Issuance of common stock due to exercise of stock options									1,273,598
Treasury stock acquired									(6,781,364	)
Retirement of treasury stock						(6,000,000	)		6,000,000
Balance at December 31, 2010		0		0		119,812,123			(947,497	)
2011:
Grants of restricted stock									173,553
Forfeitures of restricted stock									(7,153	)
Issuance of common stock due to exercise of stock options									4,829,892
Treasury stock acquired									(23,281,453	)
Retirement of treasury stock						(7,500,000	)		7,500,000
Balance at December 31, 2011		0		0		112,312,123			(11,732,658	)

* Retroactively adjusted for stock split described in Note 1

Acquisition of Common Shares:    Torchmark shares are acquired from time to time through open market purchases under the Torchmark stock repurchase program when it is believed to be the best use of Torchmark’s excess cash flows. Torchmark suspended its share repurchase program temporarily from the first quarter of 2009 until the first quarter of 2010 because of uncertain economic conditions. Share repurchases under this program were 18.9 million shares at a cost of $788 million in 2011, 5.7 million shares at a cost of $204 million in 2010, and 3.1 million shares at a cost of $47 million in 2009. When stock options are exercised, proceeds from the exercises are generally used to repurchase approximately the number of shares available with those funds in order to reduce dilution. Shares repurchased for dilution purposes were 4.4 million shares at a cost of $185 million in 2011, 1.1 million shares at a cost of $42 million in 2010, and 30 thousand shares at a cost of $869 thousand in 2009.

Retirement of Treasury Stock:    Torchmark retired 7.5 million shares of treasury stock in 2011, 6 million in 2010, and 3 million in 2009.

Restrictions:    Restrictions exist on the flow of funds to Torchmark from its insurance subsidiaries. Statutory regulations require life insurance subsidiaries to maintain certain minimum amounts of capital and surplus. Dividends from insurance subsidiaries of Torchmark are limited to the greater of prior year statutory net income excluding realized capital gains on an annual noncumulative basis, or 10% of prior year surplus, in the absence of special regulatory approval. Additionally, insurance company distributions are generally not permitted in excess of statutory surplus. Subsidiaries are also subject to certain minimum capital requirements. In 2011, subsidiaries of Torchmark paid $769 million in dividends to the parent company, including $305 million available from the proceeds from the sale of United Investors. During 2012, a maximum amount of $470 million is expected to be available to Torchmark in dividends and transfers from subsidiaries without regulatory approval.

94

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 12—Shareholders’ Equity (continued)

Earnings Per Share:    A reconciliation of basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows, retroactively adjusted for the three-for-two stock split:

	2011		2010		2009
Basic weighted average shares outstanding		108,278,113		122,009,228		124,550,384
Weighted average dilutive options outstanding		1,537,277		1,114,110		0
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		109,815,390		123,123,338		124,550,384

Stock options to purchase 3.5 million shares, 10.3 million shares, and 14.1 million shares, during the years 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively, are considered to be anti-dilutive and are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share. Income available to common shareholders for basic earnings per share is equivalent to income available to common shareholders for diluted earnings per share.

Note 13—Stock-Based Compensation

All share and per share amounts within this note have been retroactively adjusted for the three-for-two stock split.

Certain employees, directors, and consultants have been granted fixed equity options to buy shares of Torchmark stock at the market value of the stock on the date of grant, under the provisions of the Torchmark stock option plans. The options are exercisable during the period commencing from the date they vest until expiring according to the terms of the grant. Options generally expire the earlier of employee termination or option contract term, which ranges from seven to eleven years. Employee and consultant stock options generally vest one-half in two years and one-half in three years. Director grants generally vest in six months. Stock options awarded in connection with compensation deferrals by certain directors and executives generally vest over a range of ten years. Beginning in 2011, with the approval by Shareholders of the Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan, some employee grants vest one-fourth over two years and the remaining three-fourths vest one-fourth over each of the next three years. All employee options vest immediately upon retirement on or after the attainment of age 65. Torchmark generally issues shares for the exercise of stock options from treasury stock. The Company generally uses the proceeds from option exercises to buy shares of Torchmark common stock in the open market to reduce the dilution from option exercises.

An analysis of shares available for grant is as follows:

	Available for Grant
	2011			2010			2009
Balance at January 1		255,263			1,724,540			3,205,209
Approval of Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan*		7,950,000
Cancellation of available shares from prior plans		(229,333	)		0			0
Expired and forfeited during year		0			26,269			37,500
Options granted during year		(1,338,013	)		(1,358,175	)		(1,393,275	)
Restricted stock granted under the Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan (counted as 3.1 options per grant)*		(519,558	)
Restricted stock and restricted stock units granted during the year under previous plans		(19,017	)		(137,371	)		(124,894	)
Balance at December 31		6,099,342			255,263			1,724,540
*   Plan allows for grant of restricted stock such that each stock grant reduces 3.1 options available for grant

95

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 13—Stock-Based Compensation (continued)

A summary of stock compensation activity for each of the years in the three years ended December 31, 2011 is presented below:

	2011		2010		2009
Stock-based compensation expense recognized*	$	14,954	$	11,848	$	9,860
Tax benefit recognized		5,234		4,147		3,451
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted		15.48		10.35		3.67
Intrinsic value of options exercised		40,991		12,102		1,088
Cash received from options exercised		162,613		37,863		4,430
Actual tax benefit received from exercises		14,347		4,236		381
*   No stock-based compensation expense was capitalized in any period.

An analysis of option activity for each of the three years ended December 31, 2011 is as follows:

	2011					2010					2009
	Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding-beginning of year		15,185,729		$	34.09		15,509,978		$	34.04		14,581,461		$	35.60
Granted		1,338,013			44.37		1,358,175			30.86		1,393,275			16.03
Exercised		(4,829,892	)		33.67		(1,273,598	)		29.73		(189,258	)		23.41
Expired and forfeited		(73,425	)		39.17		(408,826	)		35.05		(275,500	)		32.88
Adjustment due to 7/1/11 stock split		(32	)		32.96		0			0.00		0			0.00
Outstanding-end of year		11,620,393		$	35.42		15,185,729		$	34.09		15,509,978		$	34.04
Exercisable at end of year		8,265,818		$	36.28		11,830,076		$	36.10		12,384,363		$	34.98

A summary of restricted stock and restricted stock units granted during each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2011 is presented in the table below. Restricted stock holders are entitled to dividends on the stock and holders of restricted stock units are entitled to dividend equivalents. Executive grants vest over five years and director grants vest over six months.

	2011			2010			2009
Executives restricted stock:
Shares		167,250			112,500			113,250
Price per share	$	44.39		$	30.87		$	15.67
Aggregate value	$	7,424		$	3,473		$	1,774
Percent vested as of 12/31/11		0	%		20	%		40	%
Directors restricted stock:
Shares		6,303			9,423			1,810
Price per share	$	40.45		$	30.85		$	29.93
Aggregate value	$	255		$	291		$	54
Percent vested as of 12/31/11		100	%		100	%		100	%
Directors restricted stock units (including dividend equivalents):
Shares		13,063			15,443	*		9,831
Price per share	$	40.49		$	29.95		$	29.76
Aggregate value	$	529		$	463		$	293
Percent vested as of 12/31/11		100	%		100	%		100	%
*   2,013 shares at $29.84 per share were later forfeited in 2010.

96

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 13—Stock-Based Compensation (continued)

An analysis of unvested restricted stock is as follows:

	Executives Restricted Stock			Directors Restricted Stock			Total
2009:
Balance at January 1, 2009		117,450			0			117,450
Grants		113,250			1,810			115,060
Restriction lapses		(27,450	)		(1,810	)		(29,260	)
Balance at December 31, 2009		203,250			0			203,250
2010:
Grants		112,500			9,423			121,923
Restriction lapses		(71,100	)		(9,423	)		(80,523	)
Forfeitures		(7,500	)		0			(7,500	)
Balance at December 31, 2010		237,150			0			237,150
2011:
Grants		167,250			6,303			173,553
Restriction lapses		(72,600	)		(6,303	)		(78,903	)
Forfeitures		(4,800	)		0			(4,800	)
Balance at December 31, 2011		327,000			0			327,000

Restricted stock units outstanding at each of the year ends 2011, 2010, and 2009, were 42,938, 29,872, and 14,426, respectively. Restricted stock units are only available to directors, and are not converted to shares until the director’s retirement, death, or disability. There were no unvested director restricted shares outstanding at the end of any of the years 2009 through 2011. Director restricted stock and restricted stock units are generally granted on the first working day of the year and vest in six months. Dividend equivalents are earned on restricted stock units only. They are granted in the form of additional restricted stock units and vest immediately upon grant.

Additional information about Torchmark’s stock-based compensation as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:

	2011		2010
Outstanding options:
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)		2.95		2.85
Aggregate intrinsic value	$	94,270	$	94,086
Exercisable options:
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)		1.89		2.16
Aggregate intrinsic value	$	59,097	$	49,810
Unrecognized compensation*	$	30,299	$	17,077
Weighted average period of expected recognition (in years)*		1.68		1.33

* Includes restricted stock

Additional information concerning Torchmark’s unvested options is as follows at December 31:

	2011		2010
Number of shares outstanding		3,354,575		3,355,653
Weighted-average exercise price (per share)	$	33.30		$27.01
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)		5.55		5.28
Aggregate intrinsic value	$	35,173	$	44,276

97

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 13—Stock-Based Compensation (continued)

Torchmark expects that substantially all unvested options will vest.

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2011.

	Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices	Number Outstanding		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)		Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Number Exercisable		Weighted- Average Exercise Price
$15.67 - $15.67		1,086,231		4.13	$	15.67		431,969	$	15.67
22.03 -   30.40		1,244,673		1.85		28.49		1,226,486		28.50
30.87 -   36.33		1,401,238		4.86		31.11		71,188		35.51
36.51 -   36.51		1,859,229		0.34		36.51		1,859,229		36.51
36.70 -   37.20		1,005,845		1.05		37.00		994,084		37.00
37.49 -   40.45		1,134,413		2.97		37.69		1,125,948		37.68
41.79 -   41.79		1,270,873		3.13		41.79		1,270,873		41.79
42.47 -   43.06		1,130,041		1.99		42.78		1,130,041		42.78
44.39 -   45.45		1,487,850		6.32		44.50		156,000		45.45
$15.67 - $45.45		11,620,393		2.95	$	35.42		8,265,818	$	36.28

No equity awards were cash settled during the three years ended December 31, 2011.

Note 14—Business Segments

Torchmark’s reportable segments are based on the insurance product lines it markets and administers: life insurance, health insurance, and annuities. These major product lines are set out as reportable segments because of the common characteristics of products within these categories, comparability of margins, and the similarity in regulatory environment and management techniques. There is also an investment segment which manages the investment portfolio, debt, and cash flow for the insurance segments and the corporate function. Torchmark’s chief operating decision maker evaluates the overall performance of the operations of the Company in accordance with these segments.

Life insurance products include traditional and interest-sensitive whole life insurance as well as term life insurance. Health products are generally guaranteed-renewable and include Medicare Supplement, Medicare Part D, cancer, accident, long-term care, and limited-benefit hospital and surgical coverages. Annuities include fixed-benefit contracts.

98

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 14—Business Segments (continued)

Torchmark markets its insurance products through a number of distribution channels, each of which sells the products of one or more of Torchmark’s insurance segments. The tables below present segment premium revenue by each of Torchmark’s marketing groups.

Torchmark Corporation

Premium Income By Distribution Channel

	For the Year 2011
	Life				Health				Annuity				Total
Distribution Channel	Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total
United American Independent	$	22,846		1	$	306,490		33	$	608		100	$	329,944		12
Liberty National Exclusive		288,308		17		290,107		31						578,415		22
American Income Exclusive		607,914		35		80,119		9						688,033		26
Direct Response		593,650		35		57,067		6						650,717		25
Medicare Part D						196,710		21						196,710		7
Other		213,526		12										213,526		8
	$	1,726,244		100	$	930,493		100	$	608		100	$	2,657,345		100
	For the Year 2010
	Life				Health				Annuity				Total
Distribution Channel	Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total
United American Independent	$	25,534		1	$	314,524		32	$	638		100	$	340,696		13
Liberty National Exclusive		294,587		18		331,056		34						625,643		24
American Income Exclusive		560,649		34		79,059		8						639,708		24
Direct Response		566,604		34		54,328		5						620,932		23
Medicare Part D						208,970		21						208,970		8
Other		216,325		13										216,325		8
	$	1,663,699		100	$	987,937		100	$	638		100	$	2,652,274		100
	For the Year 2009
	Life				Health				Annuity				Total
Distribution Channel	Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total
United American Independent	$	28,498		2	$	326,442		32	$	541		100	$	355,481		14
Liberty National Exclusive		298,485		19		388,522		38						687,007		26
American Income Exclusive		507,899		32		75,097		7						582,996		22
Direct Response		536,878		33		46,555		5						583,433		22
Medicare Part D						183,586		18						183,586		7
Other		220,093		14										220,093		9
	$	1,591,853		100	$	1,020,202		100	$	541		100	$	2,612,596		100

Because of the nature of the life insurance industry, Torchmark has no individual or group which would be considered a major customer. Substantially all of Torchmark’s business is conducted in the United States, primarily in the Southeastern and Southwestern regions.

The measure of profitability established by the chief operating decision maker for insurance segments is underwriting margin before other income and administrative expenses, in accordance with the manner the segments are managed. It essentially represents gross profit margin on insurance products before insurance administrative expenses and consists of premium, less net policy obligations, acquisition expenses, and commissions. Interest credited to net policy liabilities (reserves less deferred acquisition costs) is reflected as a component of the Investment segment in order to match this cost to the investment earnings from the assets supporting the net policy liabilities.

99

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 14—Business Segments (continued)

The measure of profitability for the Investment segment is excess investment income, which represents the income earned on the investment portfolio in excess of net policy requirements and financing costs associated with Torchmark’s debt. Other than the above-mentioned interest allocations and an intersegment commission, there are no other intersegment revenues or expenses. Expenses directly attributable to corporate operations are included in the “Corporate” category. Stock-based compensation expense is considered a corporate expense by Torchmark management and is included in this category. All other unallocated revenues and expenses on a pretax basis, including insurance administrative expense, are included in the “Other” segment category. The following tables set forth a reconciliation of Torchmark’s revenues and operations by segment to its major income statement line items.

	For the Year 2011
	Life			Health			Annuity			Investment			Other			Corporate			Adjustments			Consolidated
Revenue:
Premium	$	1,726,244		$	930,493		$	608											$	(1,027	)(1)	$	2,656,318
Net investment income										$	707,041									(14,013	)(2,5)		693,028
Other income													$	2,507						(356	)(4)		2,151
Total revenue		1,726,244			930,493			608			707,041			2,507						(15,396	)		3,351,497
Expenses:
Policy benefits		1,118,909			632,847			42,547												(1,027	)(1)		1,793,276
Required interest on net reserves		(458,029	)		(36,729	)		(57,040	)		551,798												0
Amortization of acquisition costs		503,649			123,442			12,688			(214,998	)											424,781
Commissions and premium tax		75,480			48,942			68												(356	)(4)		124,134
Insurance administrative expense(3)														159,109						19,880	(6,7,8)		178,989
Parent expense																$	7,693						7,693
Stock-based compensation expense																	14,954						14,954
Interest expense											77,644									264	(2)		77,908
Total expenses		1,240,009			768,502			(1,737	)		414,444			159,109			22,647			18,761			2,621,735
Sub total		486,235			161,991			2,345			292,597			(156,602	)		(22,647	)		(34,157	)		729,762
Non operating items																				19,880	(6,7,8)		19,880
Amortization of low-income housing interests																				14,277	(5)		14,277
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	$	486,235		$	161,991		$	2,345		$	292,597		$	(156,602	)	$	(22,647	)	$	0			763,919
Deduct applicable income taxes																							(249,495	)
Segment profits after tax																							514,424
Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability																							249,495
Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)																							25,904
Deduct amortization of low-income housing(5)																							(14,277	)
Deduct state administrative settlement expense(6)																							(6,901	)
Deduct loss on sale of equipment(7)																							(979	)
Deduct litigation expense(8)																							(12,000	)
Pretax income per Consolidated Statement of Operations																						$	755,666

(1) Medicare Part D items adjusted to GAAP from the segment analysis, which matches expected benefits with policy premium.

(2) Reclassification of interest amount due to accounting rule requiring deconsolidation of Trust Preferred Securities.

(3) Administrative expense is not allocated to insurance segments.

(4) Elimination of intersegment commission.

(5) Amortization of low-income housing interests.

(6) State administrative settlement expense.

(7) Loss on sale of equipment.

(8) Litigation expense.

100

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 14—Business Segments (continued)

	For the Year 2010
	Life			Health			Annuity			Investment			Other			Corporate			Adjustments			Consolidated
Revenue:
Premium	$	1,663,699		$	987,937		$	638											$	(516	)(1)	$	2,651,758
Net investment income										$	685,253									(8,889	)(2,5)		676,364
Other income													$	2,834						(664	)(4)		2,170
Total revenue		1,663,699			987,937			638			685,253			2,834						(10,069	)		3,330,292
Expenses:
Policy benefits		1,082,423			669,707			41,430												(516	)(1)		1,793,044
Required interest on net reserves		(434,319	)		(35,368	)		(51,996	)		521,683												0
Amortization of acquisition costs		487,770			130,238			9,722			(208,840	)											418,890
Commissions and premium tax		72,559			53,301			134												(664	)(4)		125,330
Insurance administrative expense(3)														155,615									155,615
Parent expense																$	8,809						8,809
Stock-based compensation expense																	11,848						11,848
Interest expense											75,265									264	(2)		75,529
Total expenses		1,208,433			817,878			(710	)		388,108			155,615			20,657			(916	)		2,589,065
Subtotal		455,266			170,059			1,348			297,145			(152,781	)		(20,657	)		(9,153	)		741,227
Amortization of low-income housing interests																				9,153	(5)		9,153
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	$	455,266		$	170,059		$	1,348		$	297,145		$	(152,781	)	$	(20,657	)	$	0			750,380
Deduct applicable income taxes																							(252,357	)
Segment profits after tax																							498,023
Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability																							252,357
Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)																							37,340
Deduct amortization of low-income housing(5)																							(9,153	)
Pretax income per Consolidated Statement of Operations																						$	778,567

(1) Medicare Part D items adjusted to GAAP from the segment analysis, which matches expected benefits with policy premium.

(2) Reclassification of interest amount due to accounting rule requiring deconsolidation of Trust Preferred Securities.

(3) Administrative expense is not allocated to insurance segments.

(4) Elimination of intersegment commission.

(5) Amortization of low-income housing interests, previously considered a reduction of consolidated pretax segment profitability.

101

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 14—Business Segments (continued)

	For the Year 2009
	Life			Health			Annuity			Investment			Other			Corporate			Adjustments			Consolidated
Revenue:
Premium	$	1,591,853		$	1,020,202		$	541											$	(2,491	)(1)	$	2,610,105
Net investment income										$	632,276									264	(2)		632,540
Other income													$	2,914						(994	)(4)		1,920
Total revenue		1,591,853			1,020,202			541			632,276			2,914						(3,221	)		3,244,565
Expenses:
Policy benefits		1,040,248			679,810			35,762												(2,491	)(1)		1,753,329
Required interest on net reserves		(410,917	)		(34,243	)		(41,840	)		487,000												0
Amortization of acquisition costs		462,837			147,151			6,040			(200,042	)											415,986
Commissions and premium tax		72,273			57,074			267												(994	)(4)		128,620
Insurance administrative expense(3)														150,325						355	(5)		150,680
Parent expense																$	9,590						9,590
Stock-based compensation expense																	9,860						9,860
Interest expense											69,668									264	(2)		69,932
Total expenses		1,164,441			849,792			229			356,626			150,325			19,450			(2,866	)		2,537,997
Subtotal		427,412			170,410			312			275,650			(147,411	)		(19,450	)		(355	)		706,568
Nonoperating items																				355	(5)		355
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	$	427,412		$	170,410		$	312		$	275,650		$	(147,411	)	$	(19,450	)	$	0			706,923
Deduct applicable income taxes																							(238,153	)
Segment profits after tax																							468,770
Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability																							238,153
Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses) and impairments																							(129,492	)
Deduct loss on Company-occupied property(5)																							(355	)
Pretax income per Consolidated Statement of Operations																						$	577,076

(1) Medicare Part D items adjusted to GAAP from the segment analysis, which matches expected benefits with policy premium.

(2) Reclassification of interest amount due to accounting rule requiring deconsolidation of Trust Preferred Securities.

(3) Administrative expense is not allocated to insurance segments.

(4) Elimination of intersegment commission.

(5) Loss on Company-occupied property.

Torchmark holds a sizeable investment portfolio to support its insurance liabilities, the yield from which is used to offset policy benefit, acquisition, administrative and tax expenses. This yield or investment income is taken into account when establishing premium rates and profitability expectations of its insurance products. In holding such a portfolio, investments are sold, called, or written down from time to time, resulting in a realized gain or loss. These gains or losses generally occur as a result of disposition due to issuer calls, a downgrade in credit quality, compliance with Company investment policies, or other reasons often beyond management’s control. Unlike investment income, realized gains and losses are incidental to insurance operations, and only overall yields are considered when setting premium rates or insurance product profitability expectations. While these gains and losses are not relevant to segment profitability or core operating results, they can have a material positive or negative result on net income. For these reasons, management removes realized investment gains and losses when it views its segment operations.

102

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 14—Business Segments (continued)

The following table summarizes the measures of segment profitability as determined in the three preceding tables for comparison with prior periods. The table also reconciles segment profits to net income.

Analysis of Profitability by Segment

	2011			2010*			2009			2011 Change			%			2010 Change			%
Life insurance underwriting margin	$	486,235		$	455,266		$	427,412		$	30,969			7		$	27,854			7
Health insurance underwriting margin		161,991			170,059			170,410			(8,068	)		(5	)		(351	)		0
Annuity underwriting margin		2,345			1,348			312			997						1,036
Other insurance:
Other income		2,507			2,834			2,914			(327	)		(12	)		(80	)		(3	)
Administrative expense		(159,109	)		(155,615	)		(150,325	)		(3,494	)		2			(5,290	)		4
Excess investment income		292,597			297,145			275,650			(4,548	)		(2	)		21,495			8
Corporate and adjustments		(22,647	)		(20,657	)		(19,450	)		(1,990	)		10			(1,207	)		6
Pre-tax total		763,919			750,380			706,923			13,539			2			43,457			6
Applicable taxes		(249,495	)		(252,357	)		(238,153	)		2,862			(1	)		(14,204	)		6
After-tax total, before discontinued operations		514,424			498,023			468,770			16,401			3			29,253			6
Discontinued operations (after tax)		0			27,932			26,810			(27,932	)					1,122			4
Total		514,424			525,955			495,580			(11,531	)		(2	)		30,375			6
Realized gains (losses)—investments (after tax)		16,838			24,270			(85,345	)		(7,432	)					109,615
Realized gains (losses)—discontinued operations (after tax)		0			1,852			(7,909	)		(1,852	)					9,761
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations (after tax)		(455	)		(35,013	)		0			34,558						(35,013	)
Tax settlements (after tax)		0			0			2,858			0						(2,858	)
Cost of legal settlements (after tax)		(7,800	)		0			0			(7,800	)					0
State administrative settlement (after tax)		(4,486	)		0			0			(4,486	)					0
Loss on Company-occupied property (after tax)		0			0			(231	)		0						231
Loss on sale of equipment (after tax)		(636	)		0			0			(636	)					0
Net income	$	517,885		$	517,064		$	404,953		$	821			0		$	112,111			28

* During 2011, management changed the definition of total segment profits before tax to exclude the amortization of low-income housing interests, which management views as a tax expense. Accordingly, the 2010 total segment profits before tax and applicable tax amount have been updated for comparison purposes.

103

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 14—Business Segments (continued)

Assets for each segment are reported based on a specific identification basis. The insurance segments’ assets contain deferred acquisition costs (including the value of insurance purchased). The investment segment includes the investment portfolio, cash, and accrued investment income. Goodwill is assigned to the insurance segments at the time of purchase based on the excess of cost over the fair value of assets acquired for the benefit of that segment. All other assets, representing approximately 4% of total assets, are included in the other category. The table below reconciles segment assets to total assets as reported in the consolidated financial statements.

Assets by Segment

	At December 31, 2011
	Life		Health		Annuity		Investment		Other		Consolidated
Cash and invested assets							$	12,437,699			$	12,437,699
Accrued investment income								192,325				192,325
Deferred acquisition costs	$	2,929,739	$	520,685	$	34,427						3,484,851
Goodwill		309,609		87,282								396,891
Other assets									$	644,625		644,625
Total assets	$	3,239,348	$	607,967	$	34,427	$	12,630,024	$	644,625	$	17,156,391
	At December 31, 2010
	Life		Health		Annuity		Investment		Other		Consolidated
Cash and invested assets							$	11,563,656			$	11,563,656
Accrued investment income								183,861				183,861
Deferred acquisition costs	$	2,803,095	$	548,436	$	54,804						3,406,335
Goodwill		309,609		87,282								396,891
Other assets									$	609,019		609,019
Total assets	$	3,112,704	$	635,718	$	54,804	$	11,747,517	$	609,019	$	16,159,762

Other Balances by Segment

	At December 31, 2011
	Life		Health		Annuity		Consolidated
Future policy benefits	$	7,697,108	$	589,441	$	1,285,708	$	9,572,257
Unearned and advance premium		16,965		52,574				69,539
Policy claims and other benefits payable		118,737		103,517				222,254
Total	$	7,832,810	$	745,532	$	1,285,708	$	9,864,050

	At December 31, 2010
	Life		Health		Annuity		Consolidated
Future policy benefits	$	7,318,283	$	570,775	$	1,260,973	$	9,150,031
Unearned and advance premium		17,343		56,822				74,165
Policy claims and other benefits payable		121,000		100,598				221,598
Total	$	7,456,626	$	728,195	$	1,260,973	$	9,445,794

104

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies

Reinsurance:    Insurance affiliates of Torchmark reinsure that portion of insurance risk which is in excess of their retention limits. Retention limits for ordinary life insurance range up to $2.0 million per life. Life insurance ceded represented .5% of total life insurance in force at December 31, 2011. Insurance ceded on life and accident and health products represented .3% of premium income for 2011. Torchmark would be liable for the reinsured risks ceded to other companies to the extent that such reinsuring companies are unable to meet their obligations.

Insurance affiliates also assume insurance risks of other companies. Life reinsurance assumed represented 3.0% of life insurance in force at December 31, 2011 and reinsurance assumed on life and accident and health products represented 1.2% of premium income for 2011.

Leases:    Torchmark leases office space and office equipment under a variety of operating lease arrangements. Rental expense for operating leases was $4.8 million in 2011, $4.9 million in 2010, and $4.9 million in 2009. Future minimum rental commitments required under operating leases having remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2011 were as follows: 2012, $2.7 million; 2013, $2.4 million; 2014, $2.0 million; 2015, $2.0 million; 2016, $1.4 million and in the aggregate, $13.2 million.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Interests:    As described in Note 1, Torchmark has $293 million invested in entities which provide certain tax benefits. As of December 31, 2011, Torchmark remained obligated under these commitments for $109 million, of which $85 million is due in 2012, $21 million in 2013, $2 million in 2014, and $1 million thereafter.

Concentrations of Credit Risk:    Torchmark maintains a diversified investment portfolio with limited concentration in any given issuer. At December 31, 2011, the investment portfolio, at fair value, consisted of the following:

Investment-grade corporate securities	80	%
Securities of state and municipal governments	11
Below-investment-grade securities	5
Policy loans, which are secured by the underlying insurance policy values	3
Other fixed maturities, equity securities, mortgages, real estate, other long-term investments, and short-term investments	1
	100	%

As of December 31, 2011, securities of state and municipal governments represented 11% of invested assets at fair value. Such investments are made throughout the U.S. At year-end 2011, 5% or more of the state and municipal bond portfolio at fair value was invested in securities issued within the following states: Texas (34%), Ohio (8%), Washington (7%), and Alabama (5%). Otherwise, there was no significant concentration within any given state.

105

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

Corporate debt and equity investments are made in a wide range of industries. Below are the ten largest industry concentrations held in the corporate portfolio at December 31, 2011, based on fair value:

Insurance	18	%
Electric utilities and services	17	%
Banks	12	%
Oil and gas extraction	6	%
Pipelines	6	%
Mining	4	%
Transportation	3	%
Chemicals	3	%
Telecommunications	3	%
Diversified financial services	2	%

At year-end 2011, 5% of invested assets at fair value was represented by fixed maturities rated below investment grade (BB or lower as determined by the weighted average of available ratings from rating services). Par value of these investments was $787 million, amortized cost was $701 million, and fair value was $579 million. While these investments could be subject to additional credit risk, such risk should generally be reflected in their fair value.

Collateral Requirements:    Torchmark requires collateral for investments in instruments where collateral is available and is typically required because of the nature of the investment. Torchmark’s mortgages are secured by the underlying real estate.

Guarantees:    At December 31, 2011, Torchmark had in place four guarantee agreements, all of which were either parent company guarantees of subsidiary obligations to a third party, or parent company guarantees of obligations between wholly-owned subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2011, Torchmark had no liability with respect to these guarantees.

Trust Preferred Securities:    Torchmark entered into a performance guarantee for the obligations of the Torchmark Capital Trust III when the trust preferred securities were issued by that trust. It guarantees payment of distributions and the redemption price of the securities until the securities are redeemed in full, or all obligations have been satisfied should Trust III default on an obligation. The total redemption price of the trust preferred securities is $120 million.

Letters of Credit:    Torchmark has guaranteed letters of credit in connection with its credit facility with a group of banks. The letters of credit were issued by TMK Re, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary, to secure TMK Re, Ltd.’s obligation for claims on certain policies reinsured by TMK Re, Ltd. that were sold by other Torchmark insurance companies. These letters of credit facilitate TMK Re, Ltd.’s ability to reinsure the business of Torchmark’s insurance carriers. The agreement expires in 2015. The maximum amount of letters of credit available is $250 million. Torchmark (parent company) would be liable to the extent that TMK Re, Ltd. does not pay the reinsured party. At December 31, 2011, $198 million of letters of credit were outstanding.

106

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

Equipment leases:    Torchmark has guaranteed performance of a subsidiary as lessee under two leasing arrangements for aviation equipment. One of the leases commenced in 2003 for a lease term of approximately 10 years and the other was entered into in 2009 also for 10 years. Torchmark has certain renewal and early termination options under the first lease. At December 31, 2011, total remaining undiscounted payments under the leases were approximately $8 million. Torchmark (parent company) would be responsible for any subsidiary obligation in the event the subsidiary did not make payments or otherwise perform under the terms of the lease.

Litigation:     Torchmark and its subsidiaries, in common with the insurance industry in general, are subject to litigation, including claims involving tax matters, alleged breaches of contract, torts, including bad faith and fraud claims based on alleged wrongful or fraudulent acts of agents of Torchmark’s subsidiaries, employment discrimination, and miscellaneous other causes of action. Based upon information presently available, and in light of legal and other factual defenses available to Torchmark and its subsidiaries, management does not believe that such litigation will have a material adverse effect on Torchmark’s financial condition, future operating results or liquidity; however, assessing the eventual outcome of litigation necessarily involves forward-looking speculation as to judgments to be made by judges, juries and appellate courts in the future. This bespeaks caution, particularly in states with reputations for high punitive damage verdicts such as Alabama and Mississippi. Torchmark’s management recognizes that large punitive damage awards bearing little or no relation to actual damages continue to be awarded by juries in jurisdictions in which Torchmark and its subsidiaries have substantial business, particularly Alabama and Mississippi, creating the potential for unpredictable material adverse judgments in any given punitive damage suit.

As previously disclosed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), United American was named as a defendant in purported class action litigation originally filed on September 16, 2004, in the Circuit Court of Saline County, Arkansas on behalf of the Arkansas purchasers of association group health insurance policies or certificates issued by United American through Heartland Alliance of America Association and Farm & Ranch Healthcare, Inc. (Smith and Ivie v. Collingsworth, et al., CV2004-742-2). The plaintiffs asserted claims for fraudulent concealment, breach of contract, common law liability for non-disclosure, breach of fiduciary duties, civil conspiracy, unjust enrichment, violation of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and violation of Arkansas law and the rules and regulations of the Arkansas Insurance Department. Declaratory, injunctive and equitable relief, as well as actual and punitive damages were sought by the plaintiffs. On September 7, 2005, the plaintiffs amended their complaint to assert a nation-wide class, defined as all United American insureds who simultaneously purchased both an individual Hospital and Surgical Expense health insurance policy (Form HSXC) and an individual supplemental term life insurance policy (Form RT85) from Farm & Ranch through Heartland. Defendants removed this litigation to the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas (No. 4:05-cv-1382) but that Court remanded the litigation back to the state court on plaintiffs’ motion. On July 22, 2008, the plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint, asserting a class defined as “all persons who, between January 1998 and the present, were residents of Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana or Texas, and purchased through Farm & Ranch: (1) a health insurance policy issued by United American known as Flexguard Plan, CS-1 Common Sense Plan, GSP Good Sense Plan, SHXC Surgical & Hospital Expense Policy, HSXC 7500 Hospital/Surgical Plan, MMXC Hospital/Surgical Plan, SMXC Surgical/Medical Expense Plan and/or SSXC Surgical Safeguard Expense Plan, and (ii) a membership in Heartland.” Plaintiffs assert claims for breach of contract, violation of Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and/or applicable consumer protection laws in other states, unjust enrichment, and common law fraud. Plaintiffs seek actual, compensatory, statutory and punitive damages, equitable and declaratory relief. On September 8, 2009, the Saline County Circuit Court granted the plaintiff’s motion certifying the class. On October 7, 2009, United American filed its notice of appeal of the class certification and subsequently filed its appellate brief on April 8, 2010. On December 2, 2010, the Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed the lower court’s decision to certify the class. On January 6, 2012, the parties agreed in

principal to settle the case. On January 11, 2012, the Court ordered the continuation of the trial, previously set to commence on January 17, 2012, pending notice to the class and the Court’s consideration of the agreed-upon settlement.

107

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

On March 15, 2011, purported class action litigation was filed against American Income and Torchmark in the District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (Fitzhugh v. American Income Life Insurance Company and Torchmark Corporation, Case No. 1:11-cv-00533). The plaintiff, a formerly independently contracted American Income agent, alleges that American Income intentionally misclassified its agents as independent contractors rather than as employees in order to escape minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act, as well as to avoid payroll taxes, workers compensation premiums and other benefits required to be provided by employers. Monetary damages in the amount of unpaid compensation plus liquidated damages and/or prejudgment interest as well as injunctive and/or declaratory relief is sought by the plaintiff on behalf of the purported class. On November 3, 2011, the Court granted American Income’s motion to compel arbitration and dismissed the case. Plaintiffs have appealed this decision.

Torchmark subsidiary, United American was named as defendant in purported class action litigation filed on May 31, 2011 in Cross County Arkansas Circuit Court (Kennedy v. United American Insurance Company (Case # CV-2011-84-5). In the litigation, filed on behalf of a proposed nationwide class of owners of certain limited hospital and surgical expense benefit policies from United American, the plaintiff alleged that United American breached the policy by failing and/or refusing to pay benefits for the total number of days an insured is confined to a hospital and by limiting payment to the number of days for which there are incurred hospital room charges rather than also including benefits for services and supplies. Claims for unjust enrichment, breach of contract, bad faith refusal to pay first party benefits, breach of the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing, bad faith, and violation of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act were initially asserted. The plaintiff sought declaratory relief, restitution and/or monetary damages, punitive damages, costs and attorneys fees. In September 2011, the plaintiff dismissed all causes of action, except for the breach of contract claim.

On November 14, 2011, plaintiff filed an amended complaint based upon the same facts asserting only breach of contract claims on behalf of a purported nationwide restitution/monetary relief class or, in the first alternative, a purported multiple-state restitution/monetary relief class or, in the second alternative, a purported Arkansas statewide restitution/monetary relief class. Restitution and/or monetary relief for United American’s alleged breaches of contract, costs, attorney’s fees and expenses, expert fees, prejudgment interest and other relief are sought on behalf of the plaintiff and members of the class. On December 7, 2011, United American filed a Motion to Dismiss the plaintiff’s amended complaint and on January 11, 2012, plaintiff filed a response thereto. Discovery has commenced and is ongoing.

108

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 16—Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of quarterly results for the two years ended December 31, 2011. The information is unaudited but includes all adjustments (consisting of normal accruals) which management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for these periods.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
2011:
Premium and policy charges	$	679,901		$	672,350		$	650,525		$	653,542
Net investment income		171,647			173,104			173,491			174,786
Realized investment gains(losses)		(22,723	)		31,272			12,600			4,755
Total revenues		829,272			877,334			837,241			833,554
Policy benefits		464,127			454,694			438,774			435,681
Amortization of acquisition expenses		107,788			106,752			104,804			105,437
Pretax Income from continuing operations		155,812			218,528			198,822			182,504
Income from continuing operations		106,132			148,940			136,911			126,357
Income from discontinued operations		(599	)		0			144			0
Net income		105,533			148,940			137,055			126,357
Basic net income per common share*
Continuing operations		0.91			1.34			1.31			1.25
Discontinued operations		(0.01	)		0.00			0.00			0.00
Total basic net income per share		0.90			1.34			1.31			1.25
Diluted net income per common share*
Continuing operations		0.89			1.32			1.30			1.23
Discontinued operations		0.00			0.00			0.00			0.00
Total diluted net income per share		0.89			1.32			1.30			1.23
2010:
Premium and policy charges	$	670,944		$	669,569		$	657,827		$	653,418
Net investment income		167,111			170,612			172,337			166,304
Realized investment gains(losses)		7,261			(5,002	)		8,045			27,036
Total revenues		845,678			835,895			838,888			847,171
Policy benefits		468,934			454,177			433,514			436,419
Amortization of acquisition expenses		109,602			104,851			104,045			100,392
Pretax income from continuing operations		174,054			180,720			208,313			215,480
Income from continuing operations		115,393			119,848			138,097			148,955
Income from discontinued operations		6,283			6,201			(23,566	)		5,853
Net income		121,676			126,049			114,531			154,808
Basic net income per common share*
Continuing operations		0.93			0.97			1.14			1.24
Discontinued operations		0.05			0.05			(0.19	)		0.05
Total basic net income per share		0.98			1.02			0.95			1.29
Diluted net income per common share*
Continuing operations		0.92			0.97			1.13			1.23
Discontinued operations		0.05			0.05			(0.19	)		0.05
Total diluted net income per share		0.97			1.02			0.94			1.28

* Basic and diluted net income per share by quarter may not add to per share income on a year-to-date basis due to share weighting and rounding.

109

Item 9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

No disagreements with accountants on any matter of accounting principles or practices or financial statement disclosure have been reported on a Form 8-K within the twenty-four months prior to the date of the most recent financial statements.

Item 9A.    Controls and Procedures

Torchmark, under the direction of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has established disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Torchmark in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. The disclosure controls and procedures are also intended to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to Torchmark’s management, including the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

As of the end of the fiscal year completed December 31, 2011, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of Torchmark management, including the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, of Torchmark’s disclosure controls and procedures (as those terms are defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon their evaluation, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that Torchmark’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the date of this Form 10-K. In compliance with Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. § 1350), each of these officers executed a Certification included as an exhibit to this Form 10-K.

As of the quarter ended December 31, 2011, there have not been any changes in Torchmark’s internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that could significantly affect this control over financial reporting subsequent to the date of their evaluation which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Torchmark’s internal control over financial reporting. No material weaknesses in such internal controls were identified in the evaluation and as a consequence, no corrective action was required to be taken.

Item 9B.    Other Information

There were no items required.

110

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management at Torchmark Corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company and for assessing the effectiveness of internal control on an annual basis. As a framework for assessing internal control over financial reporting, the Company utilizes the criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal control, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control may vary over time.

Management evaluated the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, and based on its assessment, determined that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2011. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as stated in their report which is included herein.

/s/ Mark S. McAndrew

Mark S. McAndrew

Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Gary L. Coleman

Gary L. Coleman

Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

February 28, 2012

111

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Torchmark Corporation

McKinney, Texas

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Torchmark Corporation and subsidiaries (“Torchmark”) as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Torchmark’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on Torchmark’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Torchmark maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011 of Torchmark and our report dated February 28, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement schedules.

/s/    DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Dallas, Texas

February 28, 2012

112

PART III

Item 10.    Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the sections entitled “Election of Directors,” “Profiles of Directors and Nominees,” “Executive Officers,” “Audit Committee Report,” “Governance Guidelines and Codes of Ethics,” “Director Qualification Standards,” “Procedures for Director Nominations by Stockholders,” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held April 26, 2012 (the Proxy Statement), which is to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Item 11.    Executive Compensation

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the sections entitled Executive Compensation, “Compensation Committee Report” and “Compensation Committee interlocks and insider participation” in the Proxy Statement, which is to be filed with the SEC.

Item 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

(a) Equity Compensation Plan Information As of December 31, 2011

Plan Category	Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants, and rights		Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants, and rights		Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders		11,620,393	$	35.42		6,099,342
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders		0		0		0
Total		11,620,393	$	35.42		6,099,342

(b)	Security ownership of certain beneficial owners:
	Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Principal Stockholders” in the Proxy Statement, which is to be filed with the SEC.
(c)	Security ownership of management:
	Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Stock Ownership” in the Proxy Statement, which is to be filed with the SEC.
(d)	Changes in control:
	Torchmark knows of no arrangements, including any pledges by any person of its securities, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change of control.

Item 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the sections entitled Related Party Transaction Policy and Transactions and “Director Independence Determinations” in the Proxy Statement, which is to be filed with the SEC.

Item 14.    Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the section entitled Principal Accounting Firm Fees and “Pre-approval Policy” in the Proxy Statement, which is to be filed with the SEC.

113

PART IV

Item 15.    Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

Index of documents filed as a part of this report:

	Page of this report
Financial Statements:
Torchmark Corporation and Subsidiaries:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		56
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011 and 2010		57
Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011		58
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the three years in the period ended December  31, 2011		59
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for each of the three years in the period ended December  31, 2011		60
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011		61
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		62
Schedules Supporting Financial Statements for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011:
II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company)		121
IV. Reinsurance (Consolidated)		125
Schedules not referred to have been omitted as inapplicable or not required by Regulation S-X.

114

EXHIBITS

		Page of this Report
3.1	Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Torchmark Corporation, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on April 30, 2010 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1.2 to Form 8-K dated May 5, 2010)
3.2	Amended and Restated By-Laws of Torchmark Corporation, as amended August 5, 2010 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to Form 8-K dated August 11, 2010)
4.1	Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4(a) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989)
4.2	Trust Indenture dated as of February 1, 1987 between Torchmark Corporation and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4(b) to Form S-3 for $300,000,000 of Torchmark Corporation Debt Securities and Warrants (Registration No. 33-11816))
4.3	Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated November 2, 2001, between Torchmark Corporation and The Bank of New York defining the rights of the 7 3/4% Junior Subordinated Debentures (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to Form 8-K dated November 2, 2001)
4.4	Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 14, 2001, between Torchmark, BankOne Trust Company, National Association and The Bank of New York, supplementing the Indenture Agreement dated February 1, 1987 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(b) to Torchmark’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-11716), and defining the rights of the 6 1/4% Senior Notes (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K dated December 14, 2001)
4.5	Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 23, 2006 between Torchmark Corporation, J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed June 23, 2006)
4.6	Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 30, 2009 between Torchmark Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009)
10.1	Torchmark Corporation and Affiliates Retired Lives Reserve Agreement, as amended, and Trust (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(b) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1991)*
10.2	Capital Accumulation and Bonus Plan of Torchmark Corporation, as amended, (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(c) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988)*
10.3	Torchmark Corporation Supplementary Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(c) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992)*
10.4	Credit Agreement dated as of December 10, 2010 among Torchmark Corporation, as the Borrower, TMK Re, Ltd., as a Loan Party, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender, L/C Issuer and L/C Administrator and the other lenders listed therein (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.01 to Form 8-K dated December 16, 2010)

115

		Page of this Report
10.5	Certified Copy of Resolution Regarding Director Retirement Benefit Program (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(e) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999)*
10.6	Torchmark Corporation Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors, Advisory Directors, Directors Emeritus and Officers, as amended (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(e) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992)*
10.7	The Torchmark Corporation 1987 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(f) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998)*
10.8	General Agency Contract between Liberty National Life Insurance Company and First Command Financial Services, Inc., (formerly known as Independent Research Agency For Life Insurance, Inc.) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(i) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1990)
10.9	Amendment to General Agency Contract between First Command Financial Services and Liberty National Life Insurance Company (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q for the First Quarter 2005)**
10.10	Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement Between Torchmark Corporation or Subsidiary and Officer at the Level of Vice President or Above Eligible to Participate in the Torchmark Corporation and Affiliates Retired Lives Reserve Agreement and to Retire Prior to December 31, 1986 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(k) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1991)*
10.11	Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement between Torchmark Corporation or Subsidiary and Officer at the Level of Vice President or Above Eligible to Participate in the Torchmark Corporation and Affiliates Retired Lives Reserve Agreement and Not Eligible to Retire Prior to December 31, 1986 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(l) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1991)*
10.12	Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement Between Torchmark Corporation or Subsidiary and Officer at the Level of Vice President or Above Not Eligible to Participate in Torchmark Corporation and Affiliates Retired Lives Reserve Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(j) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1991)*
10.13	Torchmark Corporation Supplemental Savings and Investment Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(m) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992)*
10.14	Service Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1991, between Torchmark Corporation and Liberty National Life Insurance Company (prototype for agreements between Torchmark Corporation and other principal operating subsidiaries) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(n) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992)
10.15	The Torchmark Corporation Amended and Restated Pension Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.15 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010)*
10.16	The Torchmark Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(n) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998)*

116

		Page of this Report
10.17	The Torchmark Corporation Savings and Investment Plan (amended and restated as of January 1, 2009)* (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.17 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010)
10.18	Torchmark Corporation 2008 Management Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated April 30, 2008)*
10.19	Coinsurance and Servicing Agreement between Security Benefit Life Insurance Company and Liberty National Life Insurance Company, effective as of December 31, 1995 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(u) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995)
10.20	Torchmark Corporation 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(w) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996)*
10.21	Torchmark Corporation 1996 Executive Deferred Compensation Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(x) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996)*
10.22	Form of Retirement Life Insurance Benefit Agreement ($1,995,000 face amount limit) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(z) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001)*
10.23	Form of Retirement Life Insurance Benefit Agreement ($495,000 face amount limit) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(aa) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001)*
10.24	Payments to Directors*
10.25	Form of Non-Formula Based Director Stock Option Agreement pursuant to Torchmark Corporation 2005 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q for the First Quarter 2005)*
10.26	Form of Stock Option Agreement pursuant to Torchmark Corporation 2005 Incentive Plan (Section 16(a) (restoration)) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-Q for the First Quarter 2005)*
10.27	Form of Stock Option Agreement pursuant to Torchmark Corporation 2005 Incentive Plan (restoration general) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to Form 10-Q for the First Quarter 2005)*
10.28	Form of Stock Option Agreement pursuant to Torchmark Corporation 2005 Incentive Plan (bonus) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.36 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005)*
10.29	Form of Stock Option Agreement pursuant to Torchmark Corporation 2005 Incentive Plan (regular vesting) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.37 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005)*
10.30	Torchmark Corporation 2005 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated May 4, 2005)*
10.31	Torchmark Corporation 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K dated May 4, 2005)*
10.32	Form of Deferred Compensation Stock Option Grant Agreement pursuant to the Torchmark Corporation 2005 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K dated May 4, 2005)*
10.33	Torchmark Corporation Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q for quarter ended March 31, 2006)*
10.34	Torchmark Corporation Amended and Restated 2005 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q for quarter ended March 31, 2006)*

117

		Page of this Report
10.35	Form of Director Stock Option Issued under Torchmark Corporation Amended and Restated 2005 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-Q for quarter ended March 31, 2006)*
10.36	Amendment One to Torchmark Corporation Supplementary Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to Form 10-Q for quarter ended March 31, 2006)*
10.37	Torchmark Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated January 25, 2007)*
10.38	Torchmark Corporation 2007 Long-Term Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K dated May 2, 2007)*
10.39	Form of Stock Option Award Agreement under Torchmark Corporation 2007 Long-Term Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.2 to Form 8-K dated May 2, 2007)*
10.40	Form of Restricted Stock Award (Board grant) under Torchmark Corporation 2007 Long-Term Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.3 to Form 8-K dated May 2, 2007)*
10.41	Torchmark Corporation Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan, as amended and restated (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated April 29, 2008)*
10.42	Amendment No. 1 to the Torchmark Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.53 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007)*
10.43	Amendment No. 2 to the Torchmark Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.54 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007)*
10.44	Amendment No. 2 to the Torchmark Corporation Supplementary Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.55 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007)*
10.45	Amendment No. 3 to the Torchmark Corporation Supplementary Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.56 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007)*
10.46	Form of Restricted Stock Award Notice under Torchmark Corporation Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.57 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007)*
10.47	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Notice under Torchmark Corporation Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.58 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007)*
10.48	Form of Restricted Stock Award (Compensation Committee grant) under Torchmark Corporation 2007 Long-Term Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.59 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007)*
10.49	Amendment Four to the Torchmark Corporation Supplementary Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.52 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008)*
10.50	Amendment Three to the Torchmark Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.53 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008)*
10.51	Amendment One to the Torchmark Corporation Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors, Advisory Directors, Directors Emeritus and Officers (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.54 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008)*

118

		Page of this Report
10.52	Amendment Two to the Torchmark Corporation Restated Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.55 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008)*
10.53	Amendment to the Torchmark Corporation 2007 Long-Term Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.56 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008)*
10.54	Amendment Five to the Torchmark Corporation Savings and Investment Plan (amended and restated as January 1, 2009)*
10.55	Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of December 31, 2008 among AILIC Receivables Corporation, American Income Life Insurance Company and TMK Re, Ltd. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated January 6, 2009)
10.56	Torchmark Corporation 2011 Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.56 to Form10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2010)*
10.57	Form of Stock Option under Torchmark Corporation 2011 Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.57 to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31,2010)*
10.58	Form of Restricted Stock Award Notice under Torchmark Corporation 2011 Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.58 to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2010)*
10.59	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Notice under Torchmark Corporation 2011 Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.59 to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2010)*
10.60	Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated May 4, 2011)*
10.61	Form of Restricted Stock Award (Executive) under Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K dated May 4, 2011)*
10.62	Form of Restricted Stock Award (Special) under Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K dated May 4, 2011)*
10.63	Form of Ten year Stock Option under Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to Form 8-K dated May 4, 2011)*
10.64	Form of Five year Stock Option under Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to Form 8-K dated May 4, 2011)*
(11)	Statement re computation of per share earnings		120
(12)	Statement re computation of ratios
(20)	Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held April 26, 2012***
(21)	Subsidiaries of the registrant		120
(23)	Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
(24)	Powers of attorney
(31.1)	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by Mark S. McAndrew
(31.2)	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by Gary L. Coleman
(32.1)	Section 1350 Certification by Mark S. McAndrew and Gary L. Coleman
(101)	Interactive Data File

* Compensatory plan or arrangement.

** Certain portions of the exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment which was granted June 23, 2010 effective until May 9, 2015. The non-public information was filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

*** To be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

119

Exhibit 11. Statement re computation of per share earnings

TORCHMARK CORPORATION

COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE*

	Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Income from continuing operations	$518,340,000			$522,293,000			$386,052,000
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		(455,000	)		(5,229,000	)		18,901,000
Net Income	$	517,885,000		$	517,064,000		$	404,953,000
Basic weighted average shares outstanding		108,278,113			122,009,228			124,550,384
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		109,815,390			123,123,338			124,550,384
Basic net income per share:
Continuing operations	$	4.79		$	4.28		$	3.10
Discontinued operations		(0.01	)		(0.04	)		0.15
Total basic net income per share	$	4.78		$	4.24		$	3.25
Diluted net income per share:
Continuing operations	$	4.72		$	4.24		$	3.10
Discontinued operations		0.00			(0.04	)		0.15
Total diluted net income per share	$	4.72		$	4.20		$	3.25

* Retroactively adjusted for three-for-two stock split

Exhibit 21. Subsidiaries of the Registrant

The following table lists subsidiaries of the registrant which meet the definition of “significant subsidiary” according to Regulation S-X:

Company	State of Incorporation	Name Under Which Company Does Business
American Income Life Insurance Company	Indiana	American Income Life Insurance Company
Globe Life And Accident Insurance Company	Nebraska	Globe Life And Accident Insurance Company
Liberty National Life Insurance Company	Nebraska	Liberty National Life Insurance Company
United American Insurance Company	Nebraska	United American Insurance Company

All other exhibits required by Regulation S-K are listed as to location in the “Index of documents filed as a part of this report” on pages 115 through 119 of this report. Exhibits not referred to have been omitted as inapplicable or not required.

120

TORCHMARK CORPORATION

(PARENT COMPANY)

SCHEDULE II. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands)

	December 31,
	2011			2010
Assets:
Investments:
Long-term investments	$	36,458		$	15,963
Short-term investments		58			62,582
Total investments		36,516			78,545
Cash		27,099			0
Investment in affiliates		5,329,769			4,973,495
Due from affiliates		50,977			138,130
Taxes receivable		61,616			65,195
Other assets		7,581			5,391
Total assets	$	5,513,558		$	5,260,756
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity:
Liabilities:
Short-term debt	$	224,842		$	198,875
Long-term debt		790,571			789,643
Due to affiliates		145,556			136,931
Other liabilities		123,681			119,066
Total liabilities		1,284,650			1,244,515
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock		351			351
Common stock		112,312			119,812
Additional paid-in capital		775,842			783,119
Accumulated other comprehensive income		549,423			22,958
Retained earnings		3,634,481			3,473,482
Treasury stock		(843,501	)		(383,481	)
Total shareholders’ equity		4,228,908			4,016,241
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	5,513,558		$	5,260,756

See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements and accompanying Report of Independent Registered

Public Accounting Firm.

121

TORCHMARK CORPORATION

(PARENT COMPANY)

SCHEDULE II. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (continued)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Net investment income	$	23,542		$	26,031		$	17,374
Realized investment gains (losses)		508			(1,646	)		(1	)
Total revenue		24,050			24,385			17,373
General operating expenses		30,945			21,682			18,119
Reimbursements from affiliates		(19,335	)		(13,375	)		(5,973	)
Interest expense		75,426			74,827			71,687
Total expenses		87,036			83,134			83,833
Operating income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates		(62,986	)		(58,749	)		(66,460	)
Income taxes		14,380			18,521			19,773
Net operating loss before equity in earnings of affiliates		(48,606	)		(40,228	)		(46,687	)
Equity in earnings of affiliates		566,491			557,292			451,640
Net income	$	517,885		$	517,064		$	404,953

See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements and accompanying Report of Independent Registered

Public Accounting Firm.

122

TORCHMARK CORPORATION

(PARENT COMPANY)

SCHEDULE II. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT—(continued)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Cash provided from (used for) operations before dividends from subsidiaries	$	(33,042	)	$	(33,403	)	$	(51,241	)
Cash dividends from subsidiaries		769,139			370,947			354,695
Cash provided from operations		736,097			337,544			303,454
Cash provided from (used for) investing activities:
Acquisition of investments		0			(14,279	)		(125	)
Disposition of investments		11,828			33			31
Net decrease (increase) in short-term investments		62,524			106,881			(129,789	)
Investment in subsidiaries		(25,000	)		(18,722	)		(100,000	)
Cash provided from (used for) investing activities		49,352			73,913			(229,883	)
Cash provided from (used for) financing activities:
Issuance of 9 1/4% Senior Notes		0			0			296,308
Acquisition of 9 1/4% Senior Notes		0			(8,913	)		0
Repayment of 8 1/4% Senior Debentures		0			0			(99,050	)
Net issuance (repayment) of commercial paper		25,967			(34,432	)		(71,329	)
Issuance of stock		162,613			37,863			4,430
Acquisitions of treasury stock		(972,556	)		(246,006	)		(47,564	)
Net borrowings to/from subsidiaries		96,000			(86,800	)		(87,200	)
Excess tax benefit on stock option exercises		2,021			162			(30	)
Payment of dividends		(72,395	)		(73,331	)		(69,885	)
Cash provided from (used for) financing activities		(758,350	)		(411,457	)		(74,320	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash		27,099			0			(749	)
Cash balance at beginning of period		0			0			749
Cash balance at end of period	$	27,099		$	0		$	0

See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements and accompanying Report of Independent Registered

Public Accounting Firm.

123

TORCHMARK CORPORATION

(PARENT COMPANY)

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands)

Note A—Dividends from Subsidiaries

Cash dividends paid to Torchmark from the consolidated subsidiaries were as follows:

	2011		2010		2009
Consolidated subsidiaries	$	769,139	$	370,947	$	354,695

Note B—Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

The following table summarizes noncash transactions, which are not reflected on the Condensed Statements of Cash Flows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Stock-based compensation not involving cash	$	14,954	$	11,848	$	9,860

The following table summarizes certain amounts paid (received) during the period:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Interest paid	$	74,569	$	75,909	$	73,031
Income taxes received		22,893		2,379		25,202

Note C—Special Items

In 2009, a Federal income tax expense of $1.5 million was incurred relating to Internal Revenue Service examinations of prior years.

Note D—Preferred Stock

As of December 31, 2011, Torchmark had 351 thousand shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A, issued and outstanding, of which 280 thousand shares were 6.50% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A, and 71 thousand shares were 7.15% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (collectively, the “Series A Preferred Stock”). All issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock were held by wholly-owned insurance subsidiaries. In the event of liquidation, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock at the time outstanding would be entitled to receive a liquidating distribution out of the assets legally available to stockholders in the amount of $1 thousand per share or $351 million in the aggregate, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, before any distribution is made to holders of Torchmark common stock. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock do not have any voting rights nor have rights to convert such shares into shares of any other class of Torchmark capital stock.

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

124

TORCHMARK CORPORATION

SCHEDULE IV. REINSURANCE (CONSOLIDATED)

(Amounts in thousands)

	Gross Amount		Ceded to Other Companies(1)		Assumed from Other Companies		Net Amount		Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011:
Life insurance in force	$	144,778,793	$	738,935	$	4,414,247	$	148,454,105		3.0	%
Premiums:(2)
Life insurance	$	1,675,307	$	4,716	$	31,311	$	1,701,902		1.8	%
Health insurance		931,751		2,285		0		929,466		0	%
Total premium	$	2,607,058	$	7,001	$	31,311	$	2,631,368		1.2	%
For the Year Ended December 31, 2010:
Life insurance in force	$	140,653,839	$	722,577	$	4,743,222	$	144,674,484		3.3	%
Premiums:(2)
Life insurance	$	1,618,973	$	4,684	$	23,419	$	1,637,708		1.4	%
Health insurance		990,024		2,603		0		987,421		0	%
Total premium	$	2,608,997	$	7,287	$	23,419	$	2,625,129		.9	%
For the Year Ended December 31, 2009:
Life insurance in force	$	139,408,962	$	744,213	$	1,898,360	$	140,563,109		1.4	%
Premiums:(2)
Life insurance	$	1,550,434	$	4,647	$	18,172	$	1,563,959		1.2	%
Health insurance		1,020,467		2,756		0		1,017,711		0	%
Total premium	$	2,570,901	$	7,403	$	18,172	$	2,581,670		.7	%

(1) No amounts have been netted against ceded premium

(2) Excludes policy charges of $24,950, $26,629, and $28,435, in each of the years 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

125

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

TORCHMARK CORPORATION
By:	/s/    MARK S. MCANDREW
	Mark S. McAndrew,
	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Director
By:	/s/    GARY L. COLEMAN
	Gary L. Coleman, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
By:	/s/  DANNY H. ALMOND
	Danny H. Almond Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

Date: February 28, 2012

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By:	/s/    CHARLES E. ADAIR  *	By:	/s/    LLOYD W. NEWTON  *
	Charles E. Adair		Lloyd W. Newton
	Director		Director
By:	/s/    DAVID L. BOREN  *	By:	/s/    SAM R. PERRY  *
	David L. Boren		Sam R. Perry
	Director		Director
By:	/s/    M. JANE BUCHAN  *	By:	/s/    DARREN M. REBELEZ  *
	M. Jane Buchan		Darren M. Rebelez
	Director		Director
By:	/s/    ROBERT W. INGRAM  *	By:	/s/    LAMAR C. SMITH  *
	Robert W. Ingram		Lamar C. Smith
	Director		Director

/s/    PAUL J. ZUCCONI  *        

Paul J. Zucconi

Director

Date: February 28, 2012
*By:	/s/    GARY L. COLEMAN
	Gary L. Coleman
	Attorney-in-fact

126

EX-10.24

Exhibit 10.24

Payments to Directors

Non-employee directors of the Company are compensated on the following basis:

(1) Cash Compensation—(a) Directors will be paid $85,000 of their all-in annual retainer in cash in quarterly installments unless a timely election is made under the non-employee director sub-plan of the 2011 Plan to receive an equivalent amount of market value stock options, restricted stock or RSUs or to defer the cash to an interest-bearing account under the terms of that sub-plan of the 2011 Plan; (b) The Lead Director receives an additional $25,000 annual retainer in cash, payable in quarterly installments; (c) Annual Board committee chair retainers, payable in quarterly installments in cash, are $20,000 for the Audit Committee Chair and $10,000 for each of the Chairs of the Compensation Committee and the Governance and Nominating Committee; and (d) All members of the Audit Committee (including the Chair) receive an additional annual Audit Committee Member Retainer of $7,500, payable quarterly; and

(2) Equity Compensation—Directors are paid $85,000 of their all-in annual retainer in equity, either in the form of market value stock options, restricted stock or RSUs, based on the director’s timely election, with the equity issued on the first NYSE trading day of January of each calendar year valued at the NYSE market closing price of Company common stock on that date. If no timely election is made, the non-employee director receives his or her annual equity compensation in the form of $85,000 of market value stock options awarded on the first NYSE trading day of each year.

Non-employee directors do not receive meeting fees or fees for the execution of written consents in lieu of Board meetings or in lieu of Board committee meetings. They receive reimbursement for their travel and lodging expenses if they do not live in the area where a meeting is held.

Pursuant to the non-employee director sub-plan of the 2011 plan, newly elected non-employee directors will receive upon the date of their initial election to the Board $85,000 of restricted stock, valued at the market closing price of Company common stock on that date.

Non-employee directors receive very limited perquisites and other personal benefits, which may include holiday gifts, personal use of Company airplanes and costs associated with spouses’ travel to Board meetings. In 2011, no non-employee director received perquisites with an aggregate incremental cost to the Company in excess of $10,000 or any other personal benefits.

Non-employee directors may currently elect to defer all or a designated portion of their cash-based annual director compensation into an interest-bearing account pursuant to a timely election made under the non-employee director sub-plan of the 2011 Plan. These accounts bear interest at non-preferential rates set from time to time by the Compensation Committee. The amounts in such accounts are paid to the director in a lump sum or equal monthly installments for up to 120 months as elected by the director with payments commencing on the earliest of (a) December 31 of the fifth year after the year for which the deferral was made, (b) the first business day of the fourth month after the director’s death or (c) the director’s termination as a non-employee director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries for a reason other than death. No non-employee director chose to defer any compensation pursuant to these provisions in 2011.

Directors who are employees of the Company or its subsidiaries receive no compensation for Board service.

EX-10.54

Exhibit 10.54

AMENDMENT FIVE

TO THE

TORCHMARK CORPORATION

SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN

(As Restated Effective January 1, 2009)

Pursuant to Sections 13.1 and 14.7 of the Torchmark Corporation Savings and Investment Plan (the “Thrift Plan”), Torchmark Corporation (the “Company”) hereby amends the Thrift Plan effective November 28, 2011 (except as otherwise provided below) to merge the Profit Sharing and Retirement Plan of Liberty National Life Insurance Company (the “Profit Sharing Plan”) into the Thrift Plan, as follows:

1.      New Section 7.14 is added to the Thrift Plan effective January 1, 2009 and also amends the merged Profit Sharing Plan retroactively to January 1, 2009, and shall read as follows:

7.14 2009 RMD Suspension. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of Sections 7.10—7.13, a Participant or Beneficiary who would have been required to receive required minimum distributions for 2009 but for the enactment of Code Section 401(a)(9)(H) (“2009 RMDs”), and who would have satisfied that requirement by receiving distributions that are (i) equal to the 2009 RMDs or (ii) one or more payments in a series of substantially equal distributions (that include the 2009 RMDs) made at least annually and expected to last for the life (or life expectancy) of the Participant, the joint lives (or joint life expectancy) of the Participant and the Participant’s designated Beneficiary, or for a period of at least 10 years (“Extended 2009 RMDs”), will not receive those distributions for 2009 unless the Participant or Beneficiary chooses to receive such distributions. Participants and Beneficiaries described in the preceding sentence will be given the opportunity to elect to receive the distributions described in the preceding sentence. In addition, and solely for purposes of applying the direct rollover provisions of the Plan, distributions of 2009 RMDs and Extended 2009 RMDs will be treated as Eligible Rollover Distributions.

2. Section 1.1 of the Thrift Plan is replaced in its entirety and shall read as follows:

Account. A separate account for each Participant consisting of an Employer Contributions Account, a Participant Contributions Account, a Salary Deferral Account, a Matching Contributions Account, a Rollover Account, and a Merged Profit Sharing Account, as the case may be.

3. Section 3.1 of the Thrift Plan is replaced in its entirety and shall read as follows:

3.1 Establishment of Accounts. A Salary Deferral Account, a Matching Account, and, if applicable, a Participant Contributions Account, an Employer Contributions Account, a Rollover Account and a Merged Profit Sharing Account shall be established for each Participant as applicable. All Contributions by or on behalf of a Participant shall be deposited to the appropriate Account.

4.      A new sentence is added at the end of the second paragraph of Section 3.6 of the Thrift Plan effective January 1, 2011, and shall read as follows:

Compensation for this purpose shall satisfy Regulation § 1.414(s).

5. New Section 3.16 is added to the Thrift Plan and shall read as follows:

3.16 Merged Profit Sharing Account. A separate account shall be established and maintained for each Participant who had an account in the Profit Sharing Plan on November 28, 2011, the date on which such plan was merged into this Plan. Each such Participant’s Merged Profit Sharing Account shall be credited with the amount received by this Plan in the merger on behalf of such Participant, which amount shall be fully vested. No additional contributions shall be made to the Merged Profit Sharing Account.

6. New Section 6.11 is added to the Thrift Plan and shall read as follows:

6.11 Black Out Period. Effective as of November 28, 2011, there shall be a black out period during which, notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, there shall not be allowed any transfers to or between Investment Funds or withdrawals, loans or distributions of benefits, with respect to the Merged Profit Sharing Accounts. The black out period shall last as long as necessary to complete the consolidation of record keeping functions and transfer of assets and liabilities in connection with the merger of the Profit Sharing Plan of Liberty National Life Insurance Company with and into the Plan.

7. New Section 9.2.4 is added to the Plan and shall read as follows:

9.2.4 If a Participant fails to designate a Beneficiary in accordance with Sections 9.2.1-9.2.3 and such Participant has benefits in the Merged Profit Sharing Account, then the Participant’s Beneficiary shall be determined under the most recent designation of beneficiary made by the Participant under the Profit Sharing and Retirement Plan of Liberty National Life Insurance Company, if one. Absent a designation under this Plan or under the Profit Sharing and Retirement Plan of Liberty National Life Insurance Company, the Participant’s Beneficiary shall be the Participant’s Surviving Spouse. If the Participant does not have a Surviving Spouse, then the Beneficiary shall be the Participant’s estate.

8. New Section 14.16 is added to the Thrift Plan and shall read as follows:

The Merged Profit Sharing Account shall preserve the Profit Sharing and Retirement Plan of Liberty National Life Insurance Company offset for purposes of calculating benefits under the Torchmark Corporation Pension Plan. The offset provided by the Profit Sharing and Retirement Plan of Liberty National Life Insurance Company benefit shall be provided by the Merged Profit Sharing Account benefit.

Done this the _____ day of November, 2011.

2

TORCHMARK CORPORATION

By:                                                                          

    Its:                                                                      

3

EX-12

Exhibit 12. Statement re computation of ratios

TORCHMARK CORPORATION

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009		2008		2007
Earnings:
Pre-tax earnings	$	755,666	$	778,567	$	577,076	$	628,400	$	739,956
Fixed charges		79,481		77,152		71,570		64,918		69,532
Earnings before fixed charges	$	835,147		855,719		648,646	$	693,318	$	809,488
Fixed charges:
Interest expense*	$	76,980	$	74,669	$	69,260	$	62,721	$	67,089
Amortization of bond issue costs		928		860		672		508		475
Estimated interest factor of rental expenses		1,573		1,623		1,638		1,689		1,968
Total fixed charges	$	79,481	$	77,152	$	71,570	$	64,918	$	69,532
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		10.5		11.1		9.1		10.7		11.6
Earnings before fixed charges	$	835,147	$	855,719	$	648,646	$	693,318	$	809,488
Interest credited for deposit products		70,746		69,742		64,799		57,176		52,403
Adjusted earnings before fixed charges	$	905,893	$	925,461	$	713,445	$	750,494	$	861,891
Fixed charges	$	79,481	$	77,152	$	71,570	$	64,918	$	69,532
Interest credited for deposit products		70,746		69,742		64,799		57,176		52,403
Adjusted fixed charges	$	150,227	$	146,894	$	136,369	$	122,094	$	121,935
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges including interest credited on deposit products as a fixed charge		6.0		6.3		5.2		6.1		7.1
Rental expense	$	4,767	$	4,919	$	4,963	$	5,117	$	5,964
Estimated interest factor of rental expense (33%)	$	1,573	$	1,623	$	1,638	$	1,689	$	1,968

* There was no interest capitalized in any period indicated.

EX-23

Exhibit 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements (Nos. 2-76378, 2-93760, 33-23580, 33-1032, 33-65507, 333-27111, 333-27137, 333-83317, 333-40604, 333-125409, 333-125400, 333-144554, 333-148244 and 33-175185) on Forms S-8 of our reports dated February 28, 2012, relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedules of Torchmark Corporation and the effectiveness of Torchmark Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Torchmark Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2011.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Dallas, Texas

February 28, 2012

EX-24

Exhibit 24

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the undersigned Director of Torchmark Corporation does hereby constitute and appoint Larry M. Hutchison, Gary L. Coleman and Carol A. McCoy, and each of them severally, his lawful attorneys and agents, for him and in his name and in the capacity indicated below, with full power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorneys and agents determine may be necessary, advisable, or required to enable the said Corporation to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any rules, regulations, or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the powers granted include the power and authority to execute and file the Form 10-K, any and all amendments to the Form 10-K and any and all instruments or documents submitted as a part of or in conjunction with the Form 10-K. The undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms his signature as it may be signed by said attorneys and all that said attorneys and agents shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the date indicated below his name.

/s/ Charles E. Adair

Charles E. Adair, Director

Date: February 22, 2012

Exhibit 24

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the undersigned Director of Torchmark Corporation does hereby constitute and appoint Larry M. Hutchison, Gary L. Coleman and Carol A. McCoy, and each of them severally, his lawful attorneys and agents, for him and in his name and in the capacity indicated below, with full power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorneys and agents determine may be necessary, advisable, or required to enable the said Corporation to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any rules, regulations, or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the powers granted include the power and authority to execute and file the Form 10-K, any and all amendments to the Form 10-K and any and all instruments or documents submitted as a part of or in conjunction with the Form 10-K. The undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms his signature as it may be signed by said attorneys and all that said attorneys and agents shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the date indicated below his name.

/s/ David L. Boren

David L. Boren, Director

Date: February 22, 2012

Exhibit 24

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the undersigned Director of Torchmark Corporation does hereby constitute and appoint Larry M. Hutchison, Gary L. Coleman and Carol A. McCoy, and each of them severally, his lawful attorneys and agents, for her and in her name and in the capacity indicated below, with full power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorneys and agents determine may be necessary, advisable, or required to enable the said Corporation to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any rules, regulations, or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the powers granted include the power and authority to execute and file the Form 10-K, any and all amendments to the Form 10-K and any and all instruments or documents submitted as a part of or in conjunction with the Form 10-K. The undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms her signature as it may be signed by said attorneys and all that said attorneys and agents shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the date indicated below her name.

/s/ M. Jane Buchan

M. Jane Buchan, Director

Date: February 22, 2012

Exhibit 24

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the undersigned Director of Torchmark Corporation does hereby constitute and appoint Larry M. Hutchison, Gary L. Coleman and Carol A. McCoy, and each of them severally, his lawful attorneys and agents, for him and in his name and in the capacity indicated below, with full power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorneys and agents determine may be necessary, advisable, or required to enable the said Corporation to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any rules, regulations, or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the powers granted include the power and authority to execute and file the Form 10-K, any and all amendments to the Form 10-K and any and all instruments or documents submitted as a part of or in conjunction with the Form 10-K. The undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms his signature as it may be signed by said attorneys and all that said attorneys and agents shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the date indicated below his name.

/s/ Robert W. Ingram

Robert W. Ingram, Director

Date: February 22, 2012

Exhibit 24

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the undersigned Officer and Director of Torchmark Corporation does hereby constitute and appoint Larry M. Hutchison, Gary L. Coleman and Carol A. McCoy, and each of them severally, his lawful attorneys and agents, for him and in his name and in the capacity indicated below, with full power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorneys and agents determine may be necessary, advisable, or required to enable the said Corporation to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any rules, regulations, or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the powers granted include the power and authority to execute and file the Form 10-K, any and all amendments to the Form 10-K and any and all instruments or documents submitted as a part of or in conjunction with the Form 10-K. The undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms his signature as it may be signed by said attorneys and all that said attorneys and agents shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the date indicated below his name.

/s/ Mark S. McAndrew

Mark S. McAndrew, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Date: February 22, 2012

Exhibit 24

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the undersigned Director of Torchmark Corporation does hereby constitute and appoint Larry M. Hutchison, Gary L. Coleman and Carol A. McCoy, and each of them severally, his lawful attorneys and agents, for him and in his name and in the capacity indicated below, with full power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorneys and agents determine may be necessary, advisable, or required to enable the said Corporation to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any rules, regulations, or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the powers granted include the power and authority to execute and file the Form 10-K, any and all amendments to the Form 10-K and any and all instruments or documents submitted as a part of or in conjunction with the Form 10-K. The undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms his signature as it may be signed by said attorneys and all that said attorneys and agents shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the date indicated below his name.

/s/ Lloyd W. Newton

Lloyd W. Newton, Director

Date: February 22, 2012

Exhibit 24

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the undersigned Director of Torchmark Corporation does hereby constitute and appoint Larry M. Hutchison, Gary L. Coleman and Carol A. McCoy, and each of them severally, his lawful attorneys and agents, for him and in his name and in the capacity indicated below, with full power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorneys and agents determine may be necessary, advisable, or required to enable the said Corporation to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any rules, regulations, or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the powers granted include the power and authority to execute and file the Form 10-K, any and all amendments to the Form 10-K and any and all instruments or documents submitted as a part of or in conjunction with the Form 10-K. The undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms his signature as it may be signed by said attorneys and all that said attorneys and agents shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the date indicated below his name.

/s/ Sam R. Perry

Sam R. Perry, Director

Date: February 22, 2012

Exhibit 24

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the undersigned Director of Torchmark Corporation does hereby constitute and appoint Larry M. Hutchison, Gary L. Coleman and Carol A. McCoy, and each of them severally, his lawful attorneys and agents, for him and in his name and in the capacity indicated below, with full power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorneys and agents determine may be necessary, advisable, or required to enable the said Corporation to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any rules, regulations, or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the powers granted include the power and authority to execute and file the Form 10-K, any and all amendments to the Form 10-K and any and all instruments or documents submitted as a part of or in conjunction with the Form 10-K. The undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms his signature as it may be signed by said attorneys and all that said attorneys and agents shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the date indicated below his name.

/s/ Darren M. Rebelez

Darren M. Rebelez, Director

Date: February 22, 2012

Exhibit 24

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the undersigned Director of Torchmark Corporation does hereby constitute and appoint Larry M. Hutchison, Gary L. Coleman and Carol A. McCoy, and each of them severally, his lawful attorneys and agents, for him and in his name and in the capacities indicated below, with full power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorneys and agents determine may be necessary, advisable, or required to enable the said Corporation to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any rules, regulations, or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the powers granted include the power and authority to execute and file the Form 10-K, any and all amendments to the Form 10-K and any and all instruments or documents submitted as a part of or in conjunction with the Form 10-K. The undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms his signature as it may be signed by said attorneys and all that said attorneys and agents shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the date indicated below his name.

/s/ Lamar C. Smith

Lamar C. Smith, Director

Date: February 22, 2012

Exhibit 24

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the undersigned Director of Torchmark Corporation does hereby constitute and appoint Larry M. Hutchison, Gary L. Coleman and Carol A. McCoy, and each of them severally, his lawful attorneys and agents, for him and in his name and in the capacity indicated below, with full power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorneys and agents determine may be necessary, advisable, or required to enable the said Corporation to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any rules, regulations, or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the powers granted include the power and authority to execute and file the Form 10-K, any and all amendments to the Form 10-K and any and all instruments or documents submitted as a part of or in conjunction with the Form 10-K. The undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms his signature as it may be signed by said attorneys and all that said attorneys and agents shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the date indicated below his name.

/s/ Paul J. Zucconi

Paul J. Zucconi, Director

Date: February 22, 2012

Exhibit 24

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the undersigned Officer of Torchmark Corporation does hereby constitute and appoint Larry M. Hutchison and Carol A. McCoy, and each of them severally, his lawful attorneys and agents, for him and in his name and in the capacity indicated below, with full power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorneys and agents determine may be necessary, advisable, or required to enable the said Corporation to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any rules, regulations, or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the powers granted include the power and authority to execute and file the Form 10-K, any and all amendments to the Form 10-K and any and all instruments or documents submitted as a part of or in conjunction with the Form 10-K. The undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms his signature as it may be signed by said attorneys and all that said attorneys and agents shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the date indicated below his name.

/s/ Gary L. Coleman

Gary L. Coleman, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: February 22, 2012

Exhibit 24

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the undersigned Officer of Torchmark Corporation does hereby constitute and appoint Larry M. Hutchison and Carol A. McCoy, and each of them severally, his lawful attorneys and agents, for him and in his name and in the capacity indicated below, with full power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorneys and agents determine may be necessary, advisable, or required to enable the said Corporation to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any rules, regulations, or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the powers granted include the power and authority to execute and file the Form 10-K, any and all amendments to the Form 10-K and any and all instruments or documents submitted as a part of or in conjunction with the Form 10-K. The undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms his signature as it may be signed by said attorneys and all that said attorneys and agents shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the date indicated below his name.

/s/ Danny H. Almond

Danny H. Almond, Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

Date: February 22, 2012

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Mark S. McAndrew, certify that:

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Torchmark Corporation;

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluations; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 28, 2012	/s/ Mark S. McAndrew
	Mark S. McAndrew
	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Gary L. Coleman, certify that:

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Torchmark Corporation;

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluations; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 28, 2012	/s/ Gary L. Coleman
	Gary L. Coleman,
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT

We, Mark S. McAndrew, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Torchmark Corporation, and Gary L. Coleman, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Torchmark Corporation, certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that, to the best of our knowledge:

(1) the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the period ended December 31, 2011 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: February 28, 2012

/s/ Mark S. McAndrew

Mark S. McAndrew

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Gary L. Coleman

Gary L. Coleman

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

XML

Supplemental Disclosures Of Cash Flow Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Supplemental Disclosures Of Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Summary Of Noncash Transactions

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Stock-based compensation not involving cash	$	14,954	$	11,848	$	9,860
Commitments for low-income housing interests		36,722		137,817		50,789
Capitalized investment income		5,321		6,517		7,345

Summary Of Amounts Paid

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Interest paid	$	75,653	$	76,911	$	71,288
Income taxes paid		188,510		195,172		87,376

XML

Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information Of Registrant (Condensed Statements Of Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Net investment income	$ 174,786	$ 173,491	$ 173,104	$ 171,647	$ 166,304	$ 172,337	$ 170,612	$ 167,111	$ 693,028	$ 676,364		$ 632,540
Realized investment gains (losses)	4,755	12,600	31,272	(22,723)	27,036	8,045	(5,002)	7,261	25,924	42,190		13,879
Total revenue	833,554	837,241	877,334	829,272	847,171	838,888	835,895	845,678	3,377,401	3,367,632		3,115,073
General operating expenses									201,636	176,272		170,130
Interest expense									77,908	75,529		69,932
Total expenses									2,621,735	2,589,065		2,537,997
Operating income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	182,504	198,822	218,528	155,812	215,480	208,313	180,720	174,054	755,666	778,567		577,076
Income taxes									(237,326)	(256,274)		(191,024)
Net income	126,357	137,055	148,940	105,533	154,808	114,531	126,049	121,676	517,885	517,064	[1]	404,953
Parent Company [Member]
Net investment income									23,542	26,031		17,374
Realized investment gains (losses)									508	(1,646)		(1)
Total revenue									24,050	24,385		17,373
General operating expenses									30,945	21,682		18,119
Reimbursements from affiliates									(19,335)	(13,375)		(5,973)
Interest expense									75,426	74,827		71,687
Total expenses									87,036	83,134		83,833
Operating income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates									(62,986)	(58,749)		(66,460)
Income taxes									14,380	18,521		19,773
Net operating loss before equity in earnings of affiliates									(48,606)	(40,228)		(46,687)
Equity in earnings of affiliates									566,491	557,292		451,640
Net income									$ 517,885	$ 517,064		$ 404,953

[1] During 2011, management changed the definition of total segment profits before tax to exclude the amortization of low-income housing interests, which management views as a tax expense. Accordingly, the 2010 total segment profits before tax and applicable tax amount have been updated for comparison purposes.

XML

Investments (Schedule Of Fixed Maturities By Contractual Maturity) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Investments [Abstract]
Fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost - Due in one year or less	$ 64,222
Fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost - Due from one to five years	527,836
Fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost - Due from five to ten years	669,994
Fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost - Due from ten to twenty years	2,439,335
Fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost - Due after twenty years	7,114,402
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, Amortized Cost	108,455
Total fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost	10,924,244	10,435,497
Fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value - Due in one year or less	64,895
Fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value - Due from one to five years	564,584
Fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value - Due from five to ten years	728,784
Fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value - Due from ten to twenty years	2,649,607
Fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value - Due after twenty years	7,799,590
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, Fair Value	80,745
Total fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value	$ 11,888,205	$ 10,543,034

XML

Statutory Accounting (Consolidated Net Income And Shareholders' Equity (Capital And Surplus) On A Statutory Basis For The Insurance Subsidiaries) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Statutory Accounting [Abstract]
Life insurance subsidiaries, Net Income	$ 424,738	$ 499,440	$ 274,734
Life insurance subsidiaries, Shareholders' Equity	$ 1,273,117	$ 1,607,811

XML

Income Taxes (Income Tax Expense From Continuing Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Current income tax expense	$ 169,500	$ 147,346	$ 147,917
Deferred income tax expense	67,826	108,928	43,107
Income tax expense	237,326	256,274	191,024
Parent Company [Member]
Income tax expense	$ (14,380)	$ (18,521)	$ (19,773)

XML

Investments (Schedule Of Analysis Of Investment Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Investment [Line Items]
Fixed maturities									$ 683,101	$ 662,202	$ 609,566
Equity securities									1,558	1,183	1,287
Policy loans									29,293	27,248	25,394
Other long-term investments									2,439	3,064	6,482
Short-term investments									165	762	1,296
Investment income, gross									716,556	694,459	644,025
Less investment expense									(23,528)	(18,095)	(11,485)
Net investment income	174,786	173,491	173,104	171,647	166,304	172,337	170,612	167,111	693,028	676,364	632,540
Realized investment gains (losses)	4,755	12,600	31,272	(22,723)	27,036	8,045	(5,002)	7,261	25,924	42,190	13,879
Applicable tax									(9,066)	(13,070)	44,147
Realized gains (losses) from investments, net of tax									16,838	24,270	(85,345)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments									856,326	563,353	1,243,158
Loss On Redemption Of Debt [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Realized investment gains (losses)									0	(1,646)	(1)
Other [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Realized investment gains (losses)									(1,866)	813	(1,101)
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Realized investment gains (losses)									25,904	37,340	(129,492)
Equity Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Realized investment gains (losses)									0	1	(862)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments									(98)	432	2,377
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments									856,424	562,921	1,240,781
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Sales And Other [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Realized investment gains (losses)									27,790	43,022	15,638
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Writedowns [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Realized investment gains (losses)									$ (20)	$ (4,850)	$ (143,166)

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Postretirement Benefits (Components Of Net Periodic Pension Cost) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 20,952	$ 18,948	$ 17,912
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost-benefits earned during the period	9,277	8,174	7,571
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	16,106	15,392	14,490
Expected return on assets	(16,068)	(15,025)	(15,577)
Net amortization	11,637	10,407	11,428
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 20,952	$ 18,948	$ 17,912

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Business Segments (Analysis Of Profitability By Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended												9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 Life Insurance [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Life Insurance [Member]		Dec. 31, 2009 Life Insurance [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Health Insurance [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Health Insurance [Member]		Dec. 31, 2009 Health Insurance [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Annuity [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Annuity [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Annuity [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Annuity [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Income [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Other Income [Member]		Dec. 31, 2009 Other Income [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Administrative Expense [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Administrative Expense [Member]		Dec. 31, 2009 Administrative Expense [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Investment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Investment [Member]		Dec. 31, 2009 Investment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Corporate And Adjustments [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Corporate And Adjustments [Member]		Dec. 31, 2009 Corporate And Adjustments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pretax operating income									$ 763,919	$ 750,380	[1]	$ 706,923	$ 486,235	$ 455,266	[1]	$ 427,412	$ 161,991	$ 170,059	[1]	$ 170,410	$ 1,348	[1]	$ 2,345	$ 1,348	$ 312	$ 2,507	$ 2,834	[1]	$ 2,914	$ (159,109)	$ (155,615)	[1]	$ (150,325)	$ 292,597	$ 297,145	[1]	$ 275,650	$ (22,647)	$ (20,657)	[1]	$ (19,450)
Applicable taxes									(249,495)	(252,357)	[1]	(238,153)
After-tax total net operating income, before discontinued operations									514,424	498,023	[1]	468,770
Discontinued operations (after tax)									0	27,932	[1]	26,810
Net operating income									514,424	525,955	[1]	495,580
Realized gains (losses)-investments (after tax)									16,838	24,270	[1]	(85,345)
Realized gains (losses)-discontinued operations (after tax)									0	1,852	[1]	(7,909)
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations (after tax)									(455)	(35,013)	[1]	0
Tax settlements (after tax)									0	0	[1]	2,858
Net proceeds (cost) from legal settlements (after tax)									(7,800)	0	[1]	0
Loss on Company-occupied property (after tax)									0	0	[1]	(231)
State administrative settlement (after tax)									(4,486)	0	[1]	0
Loss on sale of equipment (after tax)									(636)	0	[1]	0
Net income	126,357	137,055	148,940	105,533	154,808	114,531	126,049	121,676	517,885	517,064	[1]	404,953
Pretax operating income, Change									13,539	43,457			30,969	27,854			(8,068)	(351)					997	1,036		(327)	(80)			(3,494)	(5,290)			(4,548)	21,495			(1,990)	(1,207)
Applicable taxes, Change									2,862	(14,204)
After-tax total net operating income, before discontinued operations, Change									16,401	29,253
Discontinued operations (after tax), Change									(27,932)	1,122
Net operating income, change									(11,531)	30,375
Realized gains (losses)-investments (after tax), Change									(7,432)	109,615
Realized gains (losses)-discontinued operations (after tax), Change									(1,852)	9,761
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations (after tax), Change									34,558	(35,013)
Tax settlements (after tax), Change									0	(2,858)
Cost of legal settlements (after tax), Change									(7,800)	0
State administrative settlement (after tax), Change									(4,486)	0
Loss on Company-occupied property (after tax), Change									0	231
Loss on sale of equipment (after tax), Change									(636)	0
Net income, Change									$ 821	$ 112,111
Pretax operating income, Change %									2.00%	6.00%			7.00%	7.00%			(5.00%)	0.00%								(12.00%)	(3.00%)			2.00%	4.00%			(2.00%)	8.00%			10.00%	6.00%
Applicable taxes, Change %									(1.00%)	6.00%
After-tax total net operating income, before discontinued operations, Change %									3.00%	6.00%
Discontinued operations (after tax), Change %										4.00%
Net operating income, change percent									(2.00%)	6.00%
Net income, Change %									0.00%	28.00%

[1] During 2011, management changed the definition of total segment profits before tax to exclude the amortization of low-income housing interests, which management views as a tax expense. Accordingly, the 2010 total segment profits before tax and applicable tax amount have been updated for comparison purposes.

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Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Required interest on net reserves	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Insurance policy charges	24,950,000	26,629,000	28,435,000
Proportion of future policy reserves which are not universal life type	81
Original cost of property and equipment	119,000,000	119,000,000
Accumulated depreciation	71,000,000	65,000,000
Depreciation expense	6,800,000	6,000,000	4,600,000
Carrying value of investment in low-income housing interests	293,000,000	283,000,000
Obligations under future commitments for low-income housing interests	109,000,000
Pretax state administrative issue expense	6,900,000
After tax state administrative issue expense	4,500,000
Estimated pretax litigation settlement expenses	12,000,000
Estimated after tax litigation settlement expense	7,800,000
Tax settlements			2,900,000
Stock split ratio	three-for-two
Stock dividend percentage on company's outstanding common stock	50.00%
Payments to acquire fractional shares	123,000
Fractional shares acquired, shares	2,841
Reduction in deferred acquisition cost asset	16.00%
Reduction in total assets	3.00%
Reduction in shareholders' equity	10.00%
Reduction in earnings and earnings per share	2.00%
7.1% Junior Subordinated Debentures [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Percentage rate of junior subordinated debentures	7.10%
Buildings And Improvements [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Property and equipment, estimated useful life, minimum	5
Property and equipment, estimated useful life, maximum	40
Equipment [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Property and equipment, estimated useful life, minimum	2
Property and equipment, estimated useful life, maximum	10
Other Assets [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Carrying value of investment in low-income housing interests	281,000,000	269,000,000
Other Invested Assets [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Carrying value of investment in low-income housing interests	$ 12,000,000	$ 14,000,000

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Investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Investments [Abstract]

Summary Of Fixed Maturities And Equity Securities Available For Sale By Component

	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Amount per the Balance Sheet		% of Total Fixed Maturities*
2011:
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Bonds:
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	65,283	$	1,756	$	(4	)	$	67,035	$	67,035		1	%
States, municipalities, and political subdivisions		1,213,082		118,636		(1,896	)		1,329,822		1,329,822		11
Foreign governments		21,832		1,327		0			23,159		23,159		0
Corporates		8,357,809		1,051,019		(137,908	)		9,270,920		9,270,920		78
Collateralized debt obligations		60,437		0		(30,117	)		30,320		30,320		0
Other asset-backed securities		42,862		3,210		(1,392	)		44,680		44,680		0
Redeemable preferred stocks		1,162,939		27,184		(67,854	)		1,122,269		1,122,269		10	%
Total fixed maturities		10,924,244		1,203,132		(239,171	)		11,888,205		11,888,205		100	%
Equity securities		14,875		2,244		(63	)		17,056		17,056
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	10,939,119	$	1,205,376	$	(239,234	)	$	11,905,261	$	11,905,261

* At fair value

	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Amount per the Balance Sheet		% of Total Fixed Maturities
2010:
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Bonds:
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	78,387	$	1,347	$	(1,060	)	$	78,674	$	78,674		1	%
States, municipalities, and political subdivisions		1,212,185		10,752		(41,811	)		1,181,126		1,181,126		11
Foreign governments		22,352		679		0			23,031		23,031		0
Corporates		7,707,938		423,076		(210,149	)		7,920,865		7,920,865		75
Collateralized debt obligations		56,525		0		(34,069	)		22,456		22,456		0
Other asset-backed securities		46,406		3,010		(678	)		48,738		48,738		1
Redeemable preferred stocks		1,311,704		36,405		(79,965	)		1,268,144		1,268,144		12
Total fixed maturities		10,435,497		475,269		(367,732	)		10,543,034		10,543,034		100	%
Equity securities		14,875		2,348		(69	)		17,154		17,154
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	10,450,372	$	477,617	$	(367,801	)	$	10,560,188	$	10,560,188

Schedule Of Fixed Maturities By Contractual Maturity

	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Due in one year or less	$	64,222	$	64,895
Due from one to five years		527,836		564,584
Due from five to ten years		669,994		728,784
Due from ten to twenty years		2,439,335		2,649,607
Due after twenty years		7,114,402		7,799,590
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities		108,455		80,745
	$	10,924,244	$	11,888,205

Schedule Of Analysis Of Investment Operations

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Net investment income is summarized as follows:
Fixed maturities	$	683,101		$	662,202		$	609,566
Equity securities		1,558			1,183			1,287
Policy loans		29,293			27,248			25,394
Other long-term investments		2,439			3,064			6,482
Short-term investments		165			762			1,296
		716,556			694,459			644,025
Less investment expense		(23,528	)		(18,095	)		(11,485	)
Net investment income	$	693,028		$	676,364		$	632,540

Schedule Of Analysis Of Realized Gains (Losses) From Investments

An analysis of realized gains (losses) from investments is as follows:
Realized investment gains (losses):
Fixed maturities:
Sales and other	$	27,790		$	43,022		$	15,638
Writedowns		(20	)		(4,850	)		(143,166	)
Equity securities		0			1			(862	)
Loss on redemption of debt		0			(1,646	)		(1	)
Other		(1,866	)		813			(1,101	)
		25,904			37,340			(129,492	)
Applicable tax		(9,066	)		(13,070	)		44,147
Realized gains (losses) from investments, net of tax	$	16,838		$	24,270		$	(85,345	)

Schedule Of Analysis Of The Net Change In Unrealized Investement Gains (Losses)

 

An analysis of the net change in unrealized investment gains (losses) is as follows:
Equity securities	$	(98	)	$	432	$	2,377
Fixed maturities available for sale		856,424			562,921		1,240,781
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities	$	856,326		$	563,353	$	1,243,158

Summary Of Information About Securities Sold

	At December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Fixed maturities:
Proceeds from sales	$	236,662	**	$	314,904	*	$	830,892	*
Gross realized gains		28,249			29,821			69,249
Gross realized losses		(24,323	)		(13,361	)		(56,499	)
Equities:
Proceeds from sales		0			1			1,138
Gross realized gains		0			1			0
Gross realized losses		0			0			(862	)

* Proceeds from sales including discontined assets were $326 million in 2010 and $900 million in 2009.

** Includes $12.3 million of unsettled trades

Assets Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis

	Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2011 Using:
Description	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)			Significant Other observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)			Total Fair Value
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Bonds:		`
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	0		$	67,035		$	0		$	67,035
States, municipalities, and political subdivisions		0			1,329,822			0			1,329,822
Foreign governments		0			23,159			0			23,159
Corporates		28,092			9,231,578			11,250			9,270,920
Collateralized debt obligations		0			0			30,320			30,320
Other asset-backed securities		0			37,558			7,122			44,680
Redeemable preferred stocks		217,613			904,656			0			1,122,269
Total fixed maturities		245,705			11,593,808			48,692			11,888,205
Equity securities		16,346			0			710			17,056
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	262,051		$	11,593,808		$	49,402		$	11,905,261
Percentage of total		2.2	%		97.4	%		0.4	%		100.0	%

Description	Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2010 Using:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)			Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)			Total Fair Value
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Bonds:
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	0		$	78,674		$	0		$	78,674
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		0			1,181,126			0			1,181,126
Foreign governments		0			23,031			0			23,031
Corporates		15,347			7,831,845			73,673			7,920,865
Collateralized debt obligations		0			0			22,456			22,456
Other asset-backed securities		0			40,696			8,042			48,738
Redeemable preferred stocks		270,189			997,955			0			1,268,144
Total fixed maturities		285,536			10,153,327			104,171			10,543,034
Equity securities		16,484			0			670			17,154
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	302,020		$	10,153,327		$	104,841		$	10,560,188
Percent of total		2.9	%		96.1	%		1.0	%		100.0	%

Schedule Of Changes In Assets Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

	Analysis of Changes in Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Asset- backed securities			Collateralized debt Obligations			Corporates*			Other			Total
Balance at January 1, 2009	$	23,077		$	14,158		$	164,881		$	1,246		$	203,362
Total gains or losses:
Included in realized gains/losses		0			(83,458	)		(2,502	)		0			(85,960	)
Included in other comprehensive income		1,717			80,674			(2,728	)		12			79,675
Sales		0			125			(6,833	)		0			(6,708	)
Amortization		(183	)		1,014			2,366			(5	)		3,192
Other **		0			5,524			213			148			5,885
Transfers in to Level 3		0			0			48,995			4,435			53,430
Transfers out of Level 3		(16,630	)		0			(132,628	)		0			(149,258	)
Balance at December 31, 2009		7,981			18,037			71,764			5,836			103,618
Total gains or losses:
Included in realized gains/losses		0			(1,712	)		1,504			708			500
Included in other comprehensive income		255			2,445			14,711			(534	)		16,877
Sales		0			0			(5,862	)		(2,331	)		(8,193	)
Amortization		(194	)		2,333			2,536			(1	)		4,674
Other **		0			1,353			0			0			1,353
Transfers out of Level 3		0			0			(10,980	)		(3,008	)		(13,988	)
Balance at December 31, 2010		8,042			22,456			73,673			670		$	104,841
Total gains or losses:
Included in realized gains/losses		0			0			(12,542	)		0			(12,542	)
Included in other comprehensive income		(714	)		3,952			14,578			40			17,856
Sales		0			0			(13,875	)		0			(13,875	)
Amortization		(206	)		2,470			1,302			0			3,566
Other **		0			1,442			0			0			1,442
Transfers out of Level 3		0			0			(51,886	)		0			(51,886	)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	7,122		$	30,320		$	11,250		$	710		$	49,402

* Includes redeemable preferred stocks

** Includes capitalized interest and foreign exchange adjustments.

Transfers in and out of each of the valuation levels of fair values

	2011								2010								2009
	In		Out			Net			In		Out			Net			In		Out			Net
Level 1	$	0	$	0		$	0		$	54	$	(4,848	)	$	(4,794	)	$	0	$	0		$	0
Level 2		51,886		0			51,886			18,836		(54	)		18,782			149,258		(53,430	)		95,828
Level 3		0		(51,886	)		(51,886	)		0		(13,988	)		(13,988	)		53,430		(149,258	)		(95,828	)

Writedowns For Other-Than-Temporary Impairments

	2011				2010				2009
	Net Income		Other Comprehensive Income		Net Income		Other Comprehensive Income		Net Income		Other Comprehensive Income
Collateralized debt obligations	$	0	$	0	$	1,712	$	0		$  83,457	$	20,766
Corporate bonds		20		0		3,138		0		59,709		0
Total pre-tax	$	20	$	0	$	4,850	$	0		$143,166	$	20,766
After tax	$	13	$	0	$	3,152	$	0		$  94,234	$	13,498

Schedule Of Unrealized Investment Losses By Class Of Investment

ANALYSIS OF GROSS UNREALIZED INVESTMENT LOSSES

At December 31, 2011

	Less than Twelve Months					Twelve Months or Longer					Total
Description of Securities	Fair Value		Unrealized Loss			Fair Value		Unrealized Loss			Fair Value		Unrealized Loss
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Bonds:
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	279	$	(3	)	$	34	$	(1	)	$	313	$	(4	)
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		0		0			17,609		(1,896	)		17,609		(1,896	)
Foreign governments		0		0			0		0			0		0
Corporates		585,265		(38,249	)		612,338		(99,659	)		1,197,603		(137,908	)
Collateralized debt obligations		0		0			30,320		(30,117	)		30,320		(30,117	)
Other asset-backed securities		0		0			7,122		(1,392	)		7,122		(1,392	)
Redeemable preferred stocks		205,449		(14,250	)		367,450		(53,604	)		572,899		(67,854	)
Total fixed maturities		790,993		(52,502	)		1,034,873		(186,669	)		1,825,866		(239,171	)
Equity securities		386		(63	)		0		0			386		(63	)
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	791,379	$	(52,565	)	$	1,034,873	$	(186,669	)	$	1,826,252	$	(239,234	)

ANALYSIS OF GROSS UNREALIZED INVESTMENT LOSSES

At December 31, 2010

	Less than Twelve Months					Twelve Months or Longer					Total
Description of Securities	Fair Value		Unrealized Loss			Fair Value		Unrealized Loss			Fair Value		Unrealized Loss
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Bonds:
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	56,905	$	(1,060	)	$	0	$	0		$	56,905	$	(1,060	)
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		685,754		(26,734	)		66,591		(15,077	)		752,345		(41,811	)
Foreign governments		0		0			0		0			0		0
Corporates		1,284,966		(39,331	)		862,820		(170,818	)		2,147,786		(210,149	)
Collateralized debt obligations		0		0			22,331		(34,069	)		22,331		(34,069	)
Other asset-backed securities		0		0			8,042		(678	)		8,042		(678	)
Redeemable preferred stocks		199,362		(3,339	)		646,454		(76,626	)		845,816		(79,965	)
Total fixed maturities		2,226,987		(70,464	)		1,606,238		(297,268	)		3,833,225		(367,732	)
Equity securities		0		0			30		(69	)		30		(69	)
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	2,226,987	$	(70,464	)	$	1,606,268	$	(297,337	)	$	3,833,255	$	(367,801	)

Summary Of Additional Information About Investments In Unrealized Loss Position

	Less than Twelve Months		Twelve Months or Longer		Total
Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held:
As of December 31, 2011		117		93		210
As of December 31, 2010		234		133		367

Schedule Of Other Long-Term Investments

	December 31,
	2011		2010
Mortgage loans, at cost	$	551	$	14,481
Investment real estate, at depreciated cost		3,165		2,154
Low-income housing interests		12,188		14,482
Collateral loans		7,598		8,913
Other		2,665		2,955
Total	$	26,167	$	42,985

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Postretirement Benefits (Analysis Of Impact On Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Total amortization	$ 12,146	$ 10,857	$ 11,219
Experience gain (loss)	(26,106)	(23,086)	16,811
Pension Benefits [Member]
Balance at January 1	(105,903)	(93,674)	(121,704)
Amortization of Prior service cost	2,080	2,098	2,060
Amortization of Net actuarial (gain) loss	10,071	8,766	9,166
Amortization of Transition obligation	(5)	(7)	(7)
Total amortization	12,146	10,857	11,219
Experience gain (loss)	(24,653)	(23,086)	16,811
Balance at December 31	$ (118,410)	$ (105,903)	$ (93,674)

XML

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Of Beginning And Ending Amount Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Balance at January 1,	$ 875	$ 3,960	$ 8,481
Increase based on tax positions taken in current period	0	245	73
Increase related to tax positions taken in prior periods	0	280	0
Decrease related to tax positions taken in prior periods	(875)	(3,610)	(4,594)
Decrease due to settlements	0	0	0
Balance at December 31,	$ 0	$ 875	$ 3,960

XML

Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended								12 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2006	Dec. 31, 2011 Senior Notes, Due 6/15/19 [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 Senior Notes, Due 6/15/19 [Member]		Jun. 30, 2009 Senior Notes, Due 6/15/19 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Junior Subordinated Debentures [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 Junior Subordinated Debentures [Member]		Dec. 31, 2006 Junior Subordinated Debentures [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 8 1/4% Senior Debentures [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Repurchase [Member] Senior Notes, Due 6/15/19 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Commercial Paper [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 Commercial Paper [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt due in 2012		$ 225,000,000
Debt due in 2013		94,000,000
Debt due in 2014		0
Debt due in 2015		0
Debt due in 2016		250,000,000
Debt due thereafter 2016		582,000,000
Public offering, shares				4.8
Public offering, par value per share				$ 25
Total proceeds from offering	296,000,000			120,000,000
Common stock exchanged, value				3,700,000
Exchange of proceeds from offering				120,000,000
Trust Preferred Securities, annual dividend rate		7.10%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date					Jun. 15, 2019					Jun. 01, 2046
Periodic Interest Payments Due					6/15 & 12/15	[1],[2]				quarterly
Issue Date					6/09	[1],[2]				6/06	[3],[4]
Commencement date for interest payable							December 15, 2009
Debt instrument spread		0.75
Repayment of debt															99,000,000	8,900,000
Par value repayment of debt																7,400,000
Line of credit facility limit			600,000,000
Line of credit facility extendable limit			200,000,000
Letters of credit facility limit			250,000,000
Debt issued, principal amount		1,151,020,000			292,647,000	[1],[2]			300,000,000	123,711,000	[3],[4]			124,000,000			225,000,000	[5]
Outstanding Principle (Book Value)		1,139,124,000	1,112,229,000		289,661,000	[1],[2]	289,397,000	[1],[2]		123,711,000	[3],[4]	123,711,000	[3],[4]				224,842,000	[5]	198,875,000	[5]
Reacquired principle (book value)																7,300,000
Pre-tax loss on repurchase																1,600,000
After-tax Loss on repurchase																1,100,000
Letters of credit facility outstanding		198,000,000
Average short term borrowings		$ 206,000,000	$ 196,000,000
Short term borrowings, average yield		0.4	0.4
Percentage rate of junior subordinated debentures					9.25%	[1],[2]				7.10%	[3],[4]

[1] All securities other than the Junior Subordinated Debentures have equal priority with one another.

[2] Callable subject to "make-whole" premium.

[3] Junior Subordinated Debentures are classified as "Due to affiliates" and are junior to other securities in priority of payment.

[4] Callable anytime

[5] Classified as short-term debt.

XML

Investments (Assets Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	$ 11,888,205	$ 10,543,034
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	11,905,261	10,560,188
Equity Securities: Fair Value	17,056	17,154
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	262,051	302,020
Percent of total	2.20%	2.90%
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	11,593,808	10,153,327
Percent of total	97.40%	96.10%
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	49,402	104,841
Percent of total	0.40%	1.00%
Total Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	11,905,261	10,560,188
Percent of total	100.00%	100.00%
U.S. Government Direct, Guaranteed, And Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	67,035	78,674
U.S. Government Direct, Guaranteed, And Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	0	0
U.S. Government Direct, Guaranteed, And Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	67,035	78,674
U.S. Government Direct, Guaranteed, And Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	0	0
U.S. Government Direct, Guaranteed, And Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member] | Total Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	67,035	78,674
States, Municipalities, And Political Subdivisions [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	1,329,822	1,181,126
States, Municipalities, And Political Subdivisions [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	0	0
States, Municipalities, And Political Subdivisions [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	1,329,822	1,181,126
States, Municipalities, And Political Subdivisions [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	0	0
States, Municipalities, And Political Subdivisions [Member] | Total Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	1,329,822	1,181,126
Foreign Governments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	23,159	23,031
Foreign Governments [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	0	0
Foreign Governments [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	23,159	23,031
Foreign Governments [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	0	0
Foreign Governments [Member] | Total Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	23,159	23,031
Corporates [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	9,270,920	7,920,865
Corporates [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	28,092	15,347
Corporates [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	9,231,578	7,831,845
Corporates [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	11,250	73,673
Corporates [Member] | Total Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	9,270,920	7,920,865
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	30,320	22,456
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	0	0
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	0	0
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	30,320	22,456
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member] | Total Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	30,320	22,456
Other Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	44,680	48,738
Other Asset-Backed Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	0	0
Other Asset-Backed Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	37,558	40,696
Other Asset-Backed Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	7,122	8,042
Other Asset-Backed Securities [Member] | Total Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	44,680	48,738
Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	1,122,269	1,268,144
Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	217,613	270,189
Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	904,656	997,955
Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	0	0
Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Total Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	1,122,269	1,268,144
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	11,888,205	10,543,034
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	245,705	285,536
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	11,593,808	10,153,327
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	48,692	104,171
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Total Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis	11,888,205	10,543,034
Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity Securities: Fair Value	17,056	17,154
Equity Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity Securities: Fair Value	16,346	16,484
Equity Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity Securities: Fair Value	0	0
Equity Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity Securities: Fair Value	710	670
Equity Securities [Member] | Total Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity Securities: Fair Value	$ 17,056	$ 17,154

XML

Commitments And Contingencies (Schedule Of Industry Concentrations Held In The Corporate Portfolio Based On Fair Value) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2011
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
Insurance	18.00%
Electric utilities and services	17.00%
Banks	12.00%
Oil and gas extraction	6.00%
Pipelines	6.00%
Mining	4.00%
Transportation	3.00%
Telecommunication	3.00%
Chemicals	3.00%
Diversified financial services	2.00%

XML

Postretirement Benefits (Pension Assets By Component At Fair Value) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	$ 258,067	$ 236,893
Percent of total pension assets	100.00%	100.00%
Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	91,876	99,032
Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	166,191	134,677
Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	0	3,184
Equity Securities, Consumer, Non-Cyclical [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	14,866	14,932
Percent of total pension assets	6.00%	6.00%
Equity Securities, Consumer, Non-Cyclical [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	14,866	14,932
Equity Securities, Financial [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	24,255	29,692
Percent of total pension assets	9.00%	13.00%
Equity Securities, Financial [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	24,255	29,692
Equity Securities Industrial [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	11,491	11,303
Percent of total pension assets	5.00%	5.00%
Equity Securities Industrial [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	11,491	11,303
Equity Securities, Technology [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	13,184	10,643
Percent of total pension assets	5.00%	4.00%
Equity Securities, Technology [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	13,184	10,643
Equity Securities, General Merchandise Stores [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	8,119
Percent of total pension assets	3.00%
Equity Securities, General Merchandise Stores [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	8,119
Equity Securities, Other [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	7,544	1,339
Percent of total pension assets	3.00%	1.00%
Equity Securities, Other [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	7,544	1,339
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	79,459	67,909
Percent of total pension assets	31.00%	29.00%
Equity Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	79,459	67,909
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	159,759	135,767
Percent of total pension assets	62.00%	57.00%
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	6,661	9,637
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	153,098	122,946
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets		3,184
Other Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	348	772
Percent of total pension assets	0.00%	0.00%
Other Bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Other Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	348	772
Guaranteed Annuity Contract [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	12,745	10,959
Percent of total pension assets	5.00%	5.00%
Guaranteed Annuity Contract [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Guaranteed Annuity Contract [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	12,745	10,959
Short-Term Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	3,767	19,484
Percent of total pension assets	1.00%	8.00%
Short-Term Investments [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	3,767	19,484
Short-Term Investments [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Other [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	1,989	2,002
Percent of total pension assets	1.00%	1.00%
Other [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	1,989	2,002
Other [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-Fair value of plan assets	$ 0	$ 0

XML

Postretirement Benefits (Weighted Average Assumptions For Post-Retirement Benefit Plans Other Than Pensions) (Details) (Other Benefits [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Other Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Benefit Obligations, Discount Rate	5.09%	5.77%
Benefit Obligations, Rate of Compensation Increase	3.50%	4.50%
Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate	5.77%	6.60%	6.60%
Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase	4.50%	4.50%	4.50%

XML

Postretirement Benefits (Schedule Of Amounts Recognized In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Pension Benefits [Member]
Net loss (gain)	$ 111,964		$ 97,382
Prior service cost	6,446		8,526
Transition obligation	0		(5)
Net amounts recognized at year end	118,410		105,903		93,674	121,704
Other Benefits [Member]
Net loss (gain)	1,453	[1]	0	[1]
Net amounts recognized at year end	$ 1,453		$ 0

[1] The net loss for benefit plans other than pensions reduces other comprehensive income.

XML

Supplemental Disclosures Of Cash Flow Information (Summary Of Noncash Transactions) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Share-based compensation not involving cash	$ 14,954	[1]	$ 11,848	[1]	$ 9,860	[1]
Commitments for low-income housing interests	36,722		137,817		50,789
Capitalized investment income	5,321		6,517		7,345
Parent Company [Member]
Share-based compensation not involving cash	$ 14,954		$ 11,848		$ 9,860

[1] No stock-based compensation expense was capitalized in any period.

XML

Postretirement Benefits (Weighted Average Pension Plan Assumptions) (Details) (Pension Benefits [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Benefit Obligations, Discount Rate	5.09%	5.77%
Benefit Obligations, Rate of Compensation Increase	4.04%	4.00%
Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate	5.77%	6.31%	6.31%
Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-Term Returns	7.24%	7.24%	7.95%
Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase	4.00%	3.79%	3.84%

XML

Income Taxes (Summary Of Effective Income Tax Rate) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Expected income taxes	$ 264,483	$ 272,498	$ 201,977
Expected income taxes, percentage	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Tax-exempt investment income	(3,468)	(3,371)	(3,483)
Tax-exempt investment income, percentage	(0.50%)	(0.40%)	(0.60%)
Tax settlements	0	0	(3,101)
Tax settlements, percentage	0.00%	0.00%	(0.50%)
Low income housing investments	(24,258)	(12,900)	(6,038)
Low income housing investments, percentage	(3.20%)	(1.70%)	(1.00%)
Other	569	47	1,669
Other, percentage	0.10%	0.00%	0.30%
Income tax expense	237,326	256,274	191,024
Income tax expense, percentage	31.40%	32.90%	33.20%
Parent Company [Member]
Income tax expense	$ (14,380)	$ (18,521)	$ (19,773)

XML

Commitments And Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments And Contingencies

Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies

Reinsurance:    Insurance affiliates of Torchmark reinsure that portion of insurance risk which is in excess of their retention limits. Retention limits for ordinary life insurance range up to $2.0 million per life. Life insurance ceded represented .5% of total life insurance in force at December 31, 2011. Insurance ceded on life and accident and health products represented .3% of premium income for 2011. Torchmark would be liable for the reinsured risks ceded to other companies to the extent that such reinsuring companies are unable to meet their obligations.

Insurance affiliates also assume insurance risks of other companies. Life reinsurance assumed represented 3.0% of life insurance in force at December 31, 2011 and reinsurance assumed on life and accident and health products represented 1.2% of premium income for 2011.

Leases:    Torchmark leases office space and office equipment under a variety of operating lease arrangements. Rental expense for operating leases was $4.8 million in 2011, $4.9 million in 2010, and $4.9 million in 2009. Future minimum rental commitments required under operating leases having remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2011 were as follows: 2012, $2.7 million; 2013, $2.4 million; 2014, $2.0 million; 2015, $2.0 million; 2016, $1.4 million and in the aggregate, $13.2 million.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Interests:    As described in Note 1, Torchmark has $293 million invested in entities which provide certain tax benefits. As of December 31, 2011, Torchmark remained obligated under these commitments for $109 million, of which $85 million is due in 2012, $21 million in 2013, $2 million in 2014, and $1 million thereafter.

Concentrations of Credit Risk:    Torchmark maintains a diversified investment portfolio with limited concentration in any given issuer. At December 31, 2011, the investment portfolio, at fair value, consisted of the following:

Investment-grade corporate securities	80	%
Securities of state and municipal governments	11
Below-investment-grade securities	5
Policy loans, which are secured by the underlying insurance policy values	3
Other fixed maturities, equity securities, mortgages, real estate, other long-term investments, and short-term investments	1
	100	%

As of December 31, 2011, securities of state and municipal governments represented 11% of invested assets at fair value. Such investments are made throughout the U.S. At year-end 2011, 5% or more of the state and municipal bond portfolio at fair value was invested in securities issued within the following states: Texas (34%), Ohio (8%), Washington (7%), and Alabama (5%). Otherwise, there was no significant concentration within any given state.

Corporate debt and equity investments are made in a wide range of industries. Below are the ten largest industry concentrations held in the corporate portfolio at December 31, 2011, based on fair value:

Insurance	18	%
Electric utilities and services	17	%
Banks	12	%
Oil and gas extraction	6	%
Pipelines	6	%
Mining	4	%
Transportation	3	%
Chemicals	3	%
Telecommunications	3	%
Diversified financial services	2	%

At year-end 2011, 5% of invested assets at fair value was represented by fixed maturities rated below investment grade (BB or lower as determined by the weighted average of available ratings from rating services). Par value of these investments was $787 million, amortized cost was $701 million, and fair value was $579 million. While these investments could be subject to additional credit risk, such risk should generally be reflected in their fair value.

Collateral Requirements:    Torchmark requires collateral for investments in instruments where collateral is available and is typically required because of the nature of the investment. Torchmark's mortgages are secured by the underlying real estate.

Guarantees:    At December 31, 2011, Torchmark had in place four guarantee agreements, all of which were either parent company guarantees of subsidiary obligations to a third party, or parent company guarantees of obligations between wholly-owned subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2011, Torchmark had no liability with respect to these guarantees.

Trust Preferred Securities:    Torchmark entered into a performance guarantee for the obligations of the Torchmark Capital Trust III when the trust preferred securities were issued by that trust. It guarantees payment of distributions and the redemption price of the securities until the securities are redeemed in full, or all obligations have been satisfied should Trust III default on an obligation. The total redemption price of the trust preferred securities is $120 million.

Letters of Credit:    Torchmark has guaranteed letters of credit in connection with its credit facility with a group of banks. The letters of credit were issued by TMK Re, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary, to secure TMK Re, Ltd.'s obligation for claims on certain policies reinsured by TMK Re, Ltd. that were sold by other Torchmark insurance companies. These letters of credit facilitate TMK Re, Ltd.'s ability to reinsure the business of Torchmark's insurance carriers. The agreement expires in 2015. The maximum amount of letters of credit available is $250 million. Torchmark (parent company) would be liable to the extent that TMK Re, Ltd. does not pay the reinsured party. At December 31, 2011, $198 million of letters of credit were outstanding.

Equipment leases:    Torchmark has guaranteed performance of a subsidiary as lessee under two leasing arrangements for aviation equipment. One of the leases commenced in 2003 for a lease term of approximately 10 years and the other was entered into in 2009 also for 10 years. Torchmark has certain renewal and early termination options under the first lease. At December 31, 2011, total remaining undiscounted payments under the leases were approximately $8 million. Torchmark (parent company) would be responsible for any subsidiary obligation in the event the subsidiary did not make payments or otherwise perform under the terms of the lease.

Litigation:     Torchmark and its subsidiaries, in common with the insurance industry in general, are subject to litigation, including claims involving tax matters, alleged breaches of contract, torts, including bad faith and fraud claims based on alleged wrongful or fraudulent acts of agents of Torchmark's subsidiaries, employment discrimination, and miscellaneous other causes of action. Based upon information presently available, and in light of legal and other factual defenses available to Torchmark and its subsidiaries, management does not believe that such litigation will have a material adverse effect on Torchmark's financial condition, future operating results or liquidity; however, assessing the eventual outcome of litigation necessarily involves forward-looking speculation as to judgments to be made by judges, juries and appellate courts in the future. This bespeaks caution, particularly in states with reputations for high punitive damage verdicts such as Alabama and Mississippi. Torchmark's management recognizes that large punitive damage awards bearing little or no relation to actual damages continue to be awarded by juries in jurisdictions in which Torchmark and its subsidiaries have substantial business, particularly Alabama and Mississippi, creating the potential for unpredictable material adverse judgments in any given punitive damage suit.

As previously disclosed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), United American was named as a defendant in purported class action litigation originally filed on September 16, 2004, in the Circuit Court of Saline County, Arkansas on behalf of the Arkansas purchasers of association group health insurance policies or certificates issued by United American through Heartland Alliance of America Association and Farm & Ranch Healthcare, Inc. (Smith and Ivie v. Collingsworth, et al., CV2004-742-2). The plaintiffs asserted claims for fraudulent concealment, breach of contract, common law liability for non-disclosure, breach of fiduciary duties, civil conspiracy, unjust enrichment, violation of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and violation of Arkansas law and the rules and regulations of the Arkansas Insurance Department. Declaratory, injunctive and equitable relief, as well as actual and punitive damages were sought by the plaintiffs. On September 7, 2005, the plaintiffs amended their complaint to assert a nation-wide class, defined as all United American insureds who simultaneously purchased both an individual Hospital and Surgical Expense health insurance policy (Form HSXC) and an individual supplemental term life insurance policy (Form RT85) from Farm & Ranch through Heartland. Defendants removed this litigation to the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas (No. 4:05-cv-1382) but that Court remanded the litigation back to the state court on plaintiffs' motion. On July 22, 2008, the plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint, asserting a class defined as "all persons who, between January 1998 and the present, were residents of Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana or Texas, and purchased through Farm & Ranch: (1) a health insurance policy issued by United American known as Flexguard Plan, CS-1 Common Sense Plan, GSP Good Sense Plan, SHXC Surgical & Hospital Expense Policy, HSXC 7500 Hospital/Surgical Plan, MMXC Hospital/Surgical Plan, SMXC Surgical/Medical Expense Plan and/or SSXC Surgical Safeguard Expense Plan, and (ii) a membership in Heartland." Plaintiffs assert claims for breach of contract, violation of Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and/or applicable consumer protection laws in other states, unjust enrichment, and common law fraud. Plaintiffs seek actual, compensatory, statutory and punitive damages, equitable and declaratory relief. On September 8, 2009, the Saline County Circuit Court granted the plaintiff's motion certifying the class. On October 7, 2009, United American filed its notice of appeal of the class certification and subsequently filed its appellate brief on April 8, 2010. On December 2, 2010, the Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's decision to certify the class. On January 6, 2012, the parties agreed in

principal to settle the case. On January 11, 2012, the Court ordered the continuation of the trial, previously set to commence on January 17, 2012, pending notice to the class and the Court's consideration of the agreed-upon settlement.

On March 15, 2011, purported class action litigation was filed against American Income and Torchmark in the District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (Fitzhugh v. American Income Life Insurance Company and Torchmark Corporation, Case No. 1:11-cv-00533). The plaintiff, a formerly independently contracted American Income agent, alleges that American Income intentionally misclassified its agents as independent contractors rather than as employees in order to escape minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act, as well as to avoid payroll taxes, workers compensation premiums and other benefits required to be provided by employers. Monetary damages in the amount of unpaid compensation plus liquidated damages and/or prejudgment interest as well as injunctive and/or declaratory relief is sought by the plaintiff on behalf of the purported class. On November 3, 2011, the Court granted American Income's motion to compel arbitration and dismissed the case. Plaintiffs have appealed this decision.

Torchmark subsidiary, United American was named as defendant in purported class action litigation filed on May 31, 2011 in Cross County Arkansas Circuit Court (Kennedy v. United American Insurance Company (Case # CV-2011-84-5). In the litigation, filed on behalf of a proposed nationwide class of owners of certain limited hospital and surgical expense benefit policies from United American, the plaintiff alleged that United American breached the policy by failing and/or refusing to pay benefits for the total number of days an insured is confined to a hospital and by limiting payment to the number of days for which there are incurred hospital room charges rather than also including benefits for services and supplies. Claims for unjust enrichment, breach of contract, bad faith refusal to pay first party benefits, breach of the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing, bad faith, and violation of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act were initially asserted. The plaintiff sought declaratory relief, restitution and/or monetary damages, punitive damages, costs and attorneys fees. In September 2011, the plaintiff dismissed all causes of action, except for the breach of contract claim.

On November 14, 2011, plaintiff filed an amended complaint based upon the same facts asserting only breach of contract claims on behalf of a purported nationwide restitution/monetary relief class or, in the first alternative, a purported multiple-state restitution/monetary relief class or, in the second alternative, a purported Arkansas statewide restitution/monetary relief class. Restitution and/or monetary relief for United American's alleged breaches of contract, costs, attorney's fees and expenses, expert fees, prejudgment interest and other relief are sought on behalf of the plaintiff and members of the class. On December 7, 2011, United American filed a Motion to Dismiss the plaintiff's amended complaint and on January 11, 2012, plaintiff filed a response thereto. Discovery has commenced and is ongoing.

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Discontinued Operations (Schedule Of An Analysis Of Income From Discontinued Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Premium income	$ 653,542	$ 650,525	$ 672,350	$ 679,901	$ 653,418	$ 657,827	$ 669,569	$ 670,944	$ 2,656,318	$ 2,651,758		$ 2,610,105
Investment income	174,786	173,491	173,104	171,647	166,304	172,337	170,612	167,111	693,028	676,364		632,540
Realized investment gains (losses)	4,755	12,600	31,272	(22,723)	27,036	8,045	(5,002)	7,261	25,924	42,190		13,879
Other income									2,151	2,170		1,920
Total revenue										117,565	[1]	119,491	[1]
Policyholder benefits	435,681	438,774	454,694	464,127	436,419	433,514	454,177	468,934	1,793,276	1,793,044		1,753,329
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	105,437	104,804	106,752	107,788	100,392	104,045	104,851	109,602	424,781	418,890		415,986
Other expense									201,636	176,272		170,130
Total benefits and expenses									2,621,735	2,589,065		2,537,997
Income from discontinued operations									0	29,784		18,901
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Premium income										73,675		77,094
Investment income										43,787		42,375
Realized investment gains (losses)										2,850		(12,167)
Other income										103		22
Total revenue										120,415		107,324
Policyholder benefits										56,374		59,470
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs										14,599		13,267
Other expense										4,960		6,470
Total benefits and expenses										75,933		79,207
Pre tax income from discontinued operations										44,482		28,117
Income tax										(14,698)		(9,216)
Income from discontinued operations										$ 29,784		$ 18,901

[1] Segment revenues differ from discontinued revenues by the amount of realized investment gains/losses, which Torchmark excludes from its consideration of ongoing operations.

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Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]

Analysis Of Shares Available For Grant

	Available for Grant
	2011			2010			2009
Balance at January 1		255,263			1,724,540			3,205,209
Approval of Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan*		7,950,000
Cancellation of available shares from prior plans		(229,333	)		0			0
Expired and forfeited during year		0			26,269			37,500
Options granted during year		(1,338,013	)		(1,358,175	)		(1,393,275	)
Restricted stock granted under the Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan (counted as 3.1 options per grant)*		(519,558	)
Restricted stock and restricted stock units granted during the year under previous plans		(19,017	)		(137,371	)		(124,894	)
Balance at December 31		6,099,342			255,263			1,724,540
*   Plan allows for grant of restricted stock such that each stock grant reduces 3.1 options available for grant

Summary Of Stock Compensation Activity

	2011		2010		2009
Stock-based compensation expense recognized*	$	14,954	$	11,848	$	9,860
Tax benefit recognized		5,234		4,147		3,451
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted		15.48		10.35		3.67
Intrinsic value of options exercised		40,991		12,102		1,088
Cash received from options exercised		162,613		37,863		4,430
Actual tax benefit received from exercises		14,347		4,236		381
*   No stock-based compensation expense was capitalized in any period.

Analysis Of Option Activity

	2011					2010					2009
	Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding-beginning of year		15,185,729		$	34.09		15,509,978		$	34.04		14,581,461		$	35.60
Granted		1,338,013			44.37		1,358,175			30.86		1,393,275			16.03
Exercised		(4,829,892	)		33.67		(1,273,598	)		29.73		(189,258	)		23.41
Expired and forfeited		(73,425	)		39.17		(408,826	)		35.05		(275,500	)		32.88
Adjustment due to 7/1/11 stock split		(32	)		32.96		0			0.00		0			0.00
Outstanding-end of year		11,620,393		$	35.42		15,185,729		$	34.09		15,509,978		$	34.04
Exercisable at end of year		8,265,818		$	36.28		11,830,076		$	36.10		12,384,363		$	34.98

Summary Of Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units Granted

	2011			2010			2009
Executives restricted stock:
Shares		167,250			112,500			113,250
Price per share	$	44.39		$	30.87		$	15.67
Aggregate value	$	7,424		$	3,473		$	1,774
Percent vested as of 12/31/11		0	%		20	%		40	%
Directors restricted stock:
Shares		6,303			9,423			1,810
Price per share	$	40.45		$	30.85		$	29.93
Aggregate value	$	255		$	291		$	54
Percent vested as of 12/31/11		100	%		100	%		100	%
Directors restricted stock units (including dividend equivalents):
Shares		13,063			15,443	*		9,831
Price per share	$	40.49		$	29.95		$	29.76
Aggregate value	$	529		$	463		$	293
Percent vested as of 12/31/11		100	%		100	%		100	%
*   2,013 shares at $29.84 per share were later forfeited in 2010.

Analysis Of Unvested Restricted Stock

	Executives Restricted Stock			Directors Restricted Stock			Total
2009:
Balance at January 1, 2009		117,450			0			117,450
Grants		113,250			1,810			115,060
Restriction lapses		(27,450	)		(1,810	)		(29,260	)
Balance at December 31, 2009		203,250			0			203,250
2010:
Grants		112,500			9,423			121,923
Restriction lapses		(71,100	)		(9,423	)		(80,523	)
Forfeitures		(7,500	)		0			(7,500	)
Balance at December 31, 2010		237,150			0			237,150
2011:
Grants		167,250			6,303			173,553
Restriction lapses		(72,600	)		(6,303	)		(78,903	)
Forfeitures		(4,800	)		0			(4,800	)
Balance at December 31, 2011		327,000			0			327,000

Schedule Of Additional Information Of Stock-Based Compensation

	2011		2010
Outstanding options:
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)		2.95		2.85
Aggregate intrinsic value	$	94,270	$	94,086
Exercisable options:
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)		1.89		2.16
Aggregate intrinsic value	$	59,097	$	49,810
Unrecognized compensation*	$	30,299	$	17,077
Weighted average period of expected recognition (in years)*		1.68		1.33

* Includes restricted stock

Schedule Of Additional Information On Unvested Options

	2011		2010
Number of shares outstanding		3,354,575		3,355,653
Weighted-average exercise price (per share)	$	33.30		$27.01
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)		5.55		5.28
Aggregate intrinsic value	$	35,173	$	44,276

Summary Of Options Outstanding

	Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices	Number Outstanding		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)		Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Number Exercisable		Weighted- Average Exercise Price
$15.67 - $15.67		1,086,231		4.13	$	15.67		431,969	$	15.67
22.03 -   30.40		1,244,673		1.85		28.49		1,226,486		28.50
30.87 -   36.33		1,401,238		4.86		31.11		71,188		35.51
36.51 -   36.51		1,859,229		0.34		36.51		1,859,229		36.51
36.70 -   37.20		1,005,845		1.05		37.00		994,084		37.00
37.49 -   40.45		1,134,413		2.97		37.69		1,125,948		37.68
41.79 -   41.79		1,270,873		3.13		41.79		1,270,873		41.79
42.47 -   43.06		1,130,041		1.99		42.78		1,130,041		42.78
44.39 -   45.45		1,487,850		6.32		44.50		156,000		45.45
$15.67 - $45.45		11,620,393		2.95	$	35.42		8,265,818	$	36.28

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Postretirement Benefits (Total Cost Of Retirement Plans Charged To Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
Defined Contribution Plans	$ 3,552	$ 3,617	$ 3,511
Defined Benefit Pension Plans	$ 20,952	$ 18,948	$ 17,912

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Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units Granted) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock, Shares	173,553	121,923		115,060
Restricted stock units, Shares forfeited		2,013
Restricted stock units, Forfeited shares price per share		$ 29.84
Restricted stock units outstanding	42,938	29,872		14,426
Executives Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock, Shares	167,250	112,500		113,250
Restricted stock, Price per share	44.39	$ 30.87		15.67
Restricted stock, Aggregate value	7,424	$ 3,473		1,774
Percent vested	0.00%	20.00%		40.00%
Directors Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock, Shares	6,303	9,423		1,810
Restricted stock, Price per share	40.45	$ 30.85		29.93
Restricted stock, Aggregate value	255	291		54
Percent vested	100.00%	100.00%		100.00%
Directors Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock, Shares	13,063	15,443	[1]	9,831
Restricted stock, Price per share	40.49	$ 29.95		29.76
Restricted stock, Aggregate value	529	$ 463		293
Percent vested	100.00%	100.00%		100.00%

[1] 2,013 shares at $29.84 per share were later forfeited in 2010.

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Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Components Of Income Taxes

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Income tax expense from continuing operations	$	237,326		$	256,274		$	191,024
Income tax expense from discontinued operations		(467	)		11,830			9,216
Shareholders' equity:
Other comprehensive income (loss)		284,161			184,233			458,358
Tax basis compensation expense (from the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards) in excess of amounts recognized for financial reporting purposes		(13,121	)		(3,455	)		(253	)
	$	507,899		$	448,882		$	658,345

Income Tax Expense From Continuing Operations

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Current income tax expense	$	169,500	$	147,346	$	147,917
Deferred income tax expense		67,826		108,928		43,107
	$	237,326	$	256,274	$	191,024

Summary Of Effective Income Tax Rate

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			%			2010			%			2009			%
Expected income taxes	$	264,483			35.0	%	$	272,498			35.0	%	$	201,977			35.0	%
Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from:
Tax-exempt investment income		(3,468	)		(.5	)		(3,371	)		(.4	)		(3,483	)		(.6	)
Tax settlements		0			0			0			0			(3,101	)		(.5	)
Low income housing investments		(24,258	)		(3.2	)		(12,900	)		(1.7	)		(6,038	)		(1.0	)
Other		569			.1			47			0			1,669			.3
Income tax expense	$	237,326			31.4	%	$	256,274			32.9	%	$	191,024			33.2	%

Significant Portions Of Deferred Tax Assets And Deferred Tax Liabilities

	December 31,
	2011		2010
Deferred tax assets:
Fixed maturity investments	$	35,670	$	50,126
Carryover of tax losses		7,429		12,293
Unrealized losses		0		2,023
Other assets and other liabilities		5,509		1,352
Total gross deferred tax assets		48,608		65,794
Deferred tax liabilities:
Unrealized gains		276,591		0
Employee and agent compensation		57,136		55,781
Deferred acquisition costs		911,816		877,561
Future policy benefits, unearned and advance premiums, and policy claims		355,825		338,771
Total gross deferred tax liabilities		1,601,368		1,272,113
Net deferred tax liability	$	1,552,760	$	1,206,319

Reconciliation Of Beginning And Ending Amount Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

	2011			2010			2009
Balance at January 1,	$	875		$	3,960		$	8,481
Increase based on tax positions taken in current period		0			245			73
Increase related to tax positions taken in prior periods		0			280			0
Decrease related to tax positions taken in prior periods		(875	)		(3,610	)		(4,594	)
Decrease due to settlements		0			0			0
Balance at December 31,	$	0		$	875		$	3,960

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Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Investment [Line Items]
Level 3 Proportion to Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities	0.40%	1.00%
Percentage of third party pricing services	99.00%
Total issues of fixed maturities and equities	1,373	1,430
Balances related to bifurcated credit loss positions included in other comprehensive income	$ 22,000,000	$ 22,000,000	$ 22,000,000
Written down securities carried at fair value	22,600,000
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	964,000,000	108,000,000	455,000,000
Estimated fair value of mortgage loans	600,000	14,300,000
Accumulated depreciation on investment real estate	1,800,000	1,800,000
Non-income producing fixed maturities at book value	125,000
Non-income producing fixed maturities at fair value	130,000
Non-income producing investment real estate	3,000,000
Financial Sector [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	14,000,000	115,000,000
Other Sectors [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	$ 950,000,000	$ 223,000,000

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Liability For Unpaid Health Claims (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Liability For Unpaid Health Claims [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 100,598	$ 104,346	$ 119,855
Incurred related to Current year	628,137	661,740	674,710
Incurred related to Prior years	(10,644)	(19,424)	(19,487)
Total incurred	617,493	642,316	655,223
Paid related to Current year	538,910	577,875	583,127
Paid related to Prior years	75,664	68,189	87,605
Total paid	614,574	646,064	670,732
Balance at end of year	$ 103,517	$ 100,598	$ 104,346

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Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information Of Registrant (Condensed Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Long-term investments	$ 26,167		$ 42,985
Total investments	12,353,586		11,197,977
Cash	84,113		365,679
Other assets	391,076		378,700
Total assets	17,156,391		16,159,762
Short-term debt	224,842		198,875
Long-term debt	790,571		789,643
Due to affiliates	124,421		124,421
Other liabilities	312,417		284,062
Total liabilities	12,927,483		12,143,521
Preferred stock	0		0
Common stock	112,312	[1]	119,812	[1]
Additional paid-in capital	425,331		432,608
Accumulated other comprehensive income	549,423		22,958
Retained earnings	3,634,481	[1]	3,473,482	[1]
Treasury stock	(492,639)		(32,619)
Total shareholders' equity	4,228,908		4,016,241		3,398,891	2,222,907
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	17,156,391		16,159,762
Parent Company [Member]
Long-term investments	36,458		15,963
Short-term investments, condensed balance sheet	58		62,582
Total investments	36,516		78,545
Cash	27,099		0
Investment in affiliates	5,329,769		4,973,495
Due from affiliates	50,977		138,130
Taxes receivable	61,616		65,195
Other assets	7,581		5,391
Total assets	5,513,558		5,260,756
Short-term debt	224,842		198,875
Long-term debt	790,571		789,643
Due to affiliates	145,556		136,931
Other liabilities	123,681		119,066
Total liabilities	1,284,650		1,244,515
Preferred stock	351		351
Common stock	112,312		119,812
Additional paid-in capital	775,842		783,119
Accumulated other comprehensive income	549,423		22,958
Retained earnings	3,634,481		3,473,482
Treasury stock	(843,501)		(383,481)
Total shareholders' equity	4,228,908		4,016,241
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 5,513,558		$ 5,260,756

[1] Amounts have been retroactively adjusted for stock split described in Note 1.

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Investments (Schedule Of Unrealized Investment Losses By Class Of Investment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Less than Twelve Months	$ 791,379	$ 2,226,987
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	(52,565)	(70,464)
Fair Value Twelve Months or Longer	1,034,873	1,606,268
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	(186,669)	(297,337)
Fair Value Total	1,826,252	3,833,255
Unrealized Loss Total	(239,234)	(367,801)
U.S. Government Direct, Guaranteed, And Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Less than Twelve Months	279	56,905
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	(3)	(1,060)
Fair Value Twelve Months or Longer	34	0
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	(1)	0
Fair Value Total	313	56,905
Unrealized Loss Total	(4)	(1,060)
States, Municipalities, And Political Subdivisions [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Less than Twelve Months	0	685,754
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	0	(26,734)
Fair Value Twelve Months or Longer	17,609	66,591
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	(1,896)	(15,077)
Fair Value Total	17,609	752,345
Unrealized Loss Total	(1,896)	(41,811)
Foreign Governments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Less than Twelve Months	0	0
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	0	0
Fair Value Twelve Months or Longer	0	0
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	0	0
Fair Value Total	0	0
Unrealized Loss Total	0	0
Corporates [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Less than Twelve Months	585,265	1,284,966
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	(38,249)	(39,331)
Fair Value Twelve Months or Longer	612,338	862,820
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	(99,659)	(170,818)
Fair Value Total	1,197,603	2,147,786
Unrealized Loss Total	(137,908)	(210,149)
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Less than Twelve Months	0	0
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	0	0
Fair Value Twelve Months or Longer	30,320	22,331
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	(30,117)	(34,069)
Fair Value Total	30,320	22,331
Unrealized Loss Total	(30,117)	(34,069)
Other Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Less than Twelve Months	0	0
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	0	0
Fair Value Twelve Months or Longer	7,122	8,042
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	(1,392)	(678)
Fair Value Total	7,122	8,042
Unrealized Loss Total	(1,392)	(678)
Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Less than Twelve Months	205,449	199,362
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	(14,250)	(3,339)
Fair Value Twelve Months or Longer	367,450	646,454
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	(53,604)	(76,626)
Fair Value Total	572,899	845,816
Unrealized Loss Total	(67,854)	(79,965)
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Less than Twelve Months	790,993	2,226,987
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	(52,502)	(70,464)
Fair Value Twelve Months or Longer	1,034,873	1,606,238
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	(186,669)	(297,268)
Fair Value Total	1,825,866	3,833,225
Unrealized Loss Total	(239,171)	(367,732)
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Less than Twelve Months	386	0
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	(63)	0
Fair Value Twelve Months or Longer	0	30
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	0	(69)
Fair Value Total	386	30
Unrealized Loss Total	$ (63)	$ (69)

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Significant Accounting Policies (Summary Of Assumptions For Options Granted) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 years	Dec. 31, 2010 years	Dec. 31, 2009 years
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Volatility factor	42.30%	40.30%	29.60%
Dividend yield	1.00%	1.30%	2.40%
Expected term (in years)	4.66	4.74	4.72
Risk-free rate	2.00%	2.50%	2.60%

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Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net income	$ 517,885	$ 517,064	[1]	$ 404,953
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided from operations:
Increase in future policy benefits	431,362	544,086		533,466
Increase (decrease) in other policy benefits	(2,776)	1,110		(18,172)
Deferral of policy acquisition costs	(533,907)	(526,791)		(560,120)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	424,781	433,488		429,253
Change in current and deferred income taxes	42,059	78,125		108,052
Realized (gains) losses on sale of investments and properties	(25,904)	(40,190)		141,659
Change in other receivables	(22,565)	(24,716)		(43,471)
Contributions to benefit plans	(15,453)	(34,755)		(14,000)
Loss on disposal of subsidiary	455	35,013	[1]	0
Other, net	43,527	46,159		(5,507)
Cash provided from operations	859,464	1,028,593		976,113
Investments sold or matured:
Fixed maturities available for sale-sold	224,335	325,950		900,417
Fixed maturities available for sale-matured, called, and repaid	410,356	638,860		760,858
Equity securities	28,700	0		1,138
Other long-term investments	18,937	5,767		7,167
Total investments sold or matured	682,328	970,577		1,669,580
Acquisition of investments:
Fixed maturities-available for sale	(1,104,231)	(1,908,109)		(2,311,455)
Equity securities	(28,772)	0		0
Other long-term investments	(6,246)	(905)		(43)
Total investments acquired	(1,139,249)	(1,909,014)		(2,311,498)
Net increase in policy loans	(22,790)	(27,793)		(23,652)
Net (increase) decrease in short-term investments	195,435	128,727		(226,645)
Net change in payable or receivable for securities	2,664	(754)		(13,829)
Additions to properties	(5,386)	(9,181)		(6,499)
Sales of properties	3,089	77		0
Investments in low-income housing interests	(49,812)	(53,170)		(24,556)
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary	21,588	342,890		0
Cash used for investment activities	(312,133)	(557,641)		(937,099)
Cash provided from (used for) financing activities:
Issuance of common stock	162,613	37,863		4,430
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	(49,125)	(50,061)		(46,615)
Issuance of 9 1/4% Senior Notes	0	0		296,308
Acquisition of 9 1/4% Senior Notes	0	(8,913)		0
Repayment of 8 1/4% Senior Debentures	0	0		(99,451)
Net borrowing (repayment) of commercial paper	25,967	(34,432)		(70,928)
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises	13,121	3,455		253
Acquisition of treasury stock	(972,556)	(246,006)		(47,564)
Net receipts (payments) from deposit product operations	(4,505)	(31,527)		112,005
Cash provided from (used for) financing activities	(824,485)	(329,621)		148,438
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	(4,412)	(7,570)		(1,934)
Increase (decrease) in cash	(281,566)	133,761		185,518
Cash at beginning of year (includes cash of $0, $847 thousand and $12.3 million, at January 1, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, in subsidiary held for sale)	365,679	231,918		46,400
Cash at end of year (includes cash of $0, $0, and $847 thousand at December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively, in subsidiary held for sale)	$ 84,113	$ 365,679		$ 231,918

[1] During 2011, management changed the definition of total segment profits before tax to exclude the amortization of low-income housing interests, which management views as a tax expense. Accordingly, the 2010 total segment profits before tax and applicable tax amount have been updated for comparison purposes.

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Investments (Summary Of Additional Information About Investments In Unrealized Loss Position) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Investments [Abstract]
Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held, Less than Twelve Months	117,000	234,000
Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held, Twelve Months or Longer	93,000	133,000
Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held, Total	210,000	367,000

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Business Segments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Business Segments [Abstract]

Schedule Of Segment Premium Revenue By Each Marketing Group

	For the Year 2011
	Life				Health				Annuity				Total
Distribution Channel	Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total
United American Independent	$	22,846		1	$	306,490		33	$	608		100	$	329,944		12
Liberty National Exclusive		288,308		17		290,107		31						578,415		22
American Income Exclusive		607,914		35		80,119		9						688,033		26
Direct Response		593,650		35		57,067		6						650,717		25
Medicare Part D						196,710		21						196,710		7
Other		213,526		12										213,526		8
	$	1,726,244		100	$	930,493		100	$	608		100	$	2,657,345		100
	For the Year 2010
	Life				Health				Annuity				Total
Distribution Channel	Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total
United American Independent	$	25,534		1	$	314,524		32	$	638		100	$	340,696		13
Liberty National Exclusive		294,587		18		331,056		34						625,643		24
American Income Exclusive		560,649		34		79,059		8						639,708		24
Direct Response		566,604		34		54,328		5						620,932		23
Medicare Part D						208,970		21						208,970		8
Other		216,325		13										216,325		8
	$	1,663,699		100	$	987,937		100	$	638		100	$	2,652,274		100
	For the Year 2009
	Life				Health				Annuity				Total
Distribution Channel	Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total
United American Independent	$	28,498		2	$	326,442		32	$	541		100	$	355,481		14
Liberty National Exclusive		298,485		19		388,522		38						687,007		26
American Income Exclusive		507,899		32		75,097		7						582,996		22
Direct Response		536,878		33		46,555		5						583,433		22
Medicare Part D						183,586		18						183,586		7
Other		220,093		14										220,093		9
	$	1,591,853		100	$	1,020,202		100	$	541		100	$	2,612,596		100

Reconciliation Of Revenues And Operations By Segment To Its Major Income Statement Line Items

	For the Year 2011
	Life			Health			Annuity			Investment			Other			Corporate			Adjustments			Consolidated
Revenue:
Premium	$	1,726,244		$	930,493		$	608											$	(1,027	)(1)	$	2,656,318
Net investment income										$	707,041									(14,013	)(2,5)		693,028
Other income													$	2,507						(356	)(4)		2,151
Total revenue		1,726,244			930,493			608			707,041			2,507						(15,396	)		3,351,497
Expenses:
Policy benefits		1,118,909			632,847			42,547												(1,027	)(1)		1,793,276
Required interest on net reserves		(458,029	)		(36,729	)		(57,040	)		551,798												0
Amortization of acquisition costs		503,649			123,442			12,688			(214,998	)											424,781
Commissions and premium tax		75,480			48,942			68												(356	)(4)		124,134
Insurance administrative expense (3)														159,109						19,880	(6,7,8)		178,989
Parent expense																$	7,693						7,693
Stock-based compensation expense																	14,954						14,954
Interest expense											77,644									264	(2)		77,908
Total expenses		1,240,009			768,502			(1,737	)		414,444			159,109			22,647			18,761			2,621,735
Sub total		486,235			161,991			2,345			292,597			(156,602	)		(22,647	)		(34,157	)		729,762
Non operating items																				19,880	(6,7,8)		19,880
Amortization of low-income housing interests																				14,277	(5)		14,277
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	$	486,235		$	161,991		$	2,345		$	292,597		$	(156,602	)	$	(22,647	)	$	0			763,919
Deduct applicable income taxes																							(249,495	)
Segment profits after tax																							514,424
Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability																							249,495
Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)																							25,904
Deduct amortization of low-income housing(5)																							(14,277	)
Deduct state administrative settlement expense(6)																							(6,901	)
Deduct loss on sale of equipment(7)																							(979	)
Deduct litigation expense(8)																							(12,000	)
Pretax income per Consolidated Statement of Operations																						$	755,666

(1) Medicare Part D items adjusted to GAAP from the segment analysis, which matches expected benefits with policy premium.

(2) Reclassification of interest amount due to accounting rule requiring deconsolidation of Trust Preferred Securities.

(3) Administrative expense is not allocated to insurance segments.

(4) Elimination of intersegment commission.

(5) Amortization of low-income housing interests.

(6) State administrative settlement expense.

(7) Loss on sale of equipment.

(8) Litigation expense.

	For the Year 2010
	Life			Health			Annuity			Investment			Other			Corporate			Adjustments			Consolidated
Revenue:
Premium	$	1,663,699		$	987,937		$	638											$	(516	)(1)	$	2,651,758
Net investment income										$	685,253									(8,889	) (2,5)		676,364
Other income													$	2,834						(664	) (4)		2,170
Total revenue		1,663,699			987,937			638			685,253			2,834						(10,069	)		3,330,292
Expenses:
Policy benefits		1,082,423			669,707			41,430												(516	) (1)		1,793,044
Required interest on net reserves		(434,319	)		(35,368	)		(51,996	)		521,683												0
Amortization of acquisition costs		487,770			130,238			9,722			(208,840	)											418,890
Commissions and premium tax		72,559			53,301			134												(664	)(4)		125,330
Insurance administrative expense (3)														155,615									155,615
Parent expense																$	8,809						8,809
Stock-based compensation expense																	11,848						11,848
Interest expense											75,265									264	(2)		75,529
Total expenses		1,208,433			817,878			(710	)		388,108			155,615			20,657			(916	)		2,589,065
Subtotal		455,266			170,059			1,348			297,145			(152,781	)		(20,657	)		(9,153	)		741,227
Amortization of low-income housing interests																				9,153	(5)		9,153
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	$	455,266		$	170,059		$	1,348		$	297,145		$	(152,781	)	$	(20,657	)	$	0			750,380
Deduct applicable income taxes																							(252,357	)
Segment profits after tax																							498,023
Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability																							252,357
Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)																							37,340
Deduct amortization of low-income housing(5)																							(9,153	)
Pretax income per Consolidated Statement of Operations																						$	778,567

(1) Medicare Part D items adjusted to GAAP from the segment analysis, which matches expected benefits with policy premium.

(2) Reclassification of interest amount due to accounting rule requiring deconsolidation of Trust Preferred Securities.

(3) Administrative expense is not allocated to insurance segments.

(4) Elimination of intersegment commission.

(5) Amortization of low-income housing interests, previously considered a reduction of consolidated pretax segment profitability.

	For the Year 2009
	Life			Health			Annuity			Investment			Other			Corporate			Adjustments			Consolidated
Revenue:
Premium	$	1,591,853		$	1,020,202		$	541											$	(2,491	)(1)	$	2,610,105
Net investment income										$	632,276									264	(2)		632,540
Other income													$	2,914						(994	)(4)		1,920
Total revenue		1,591,853			1,020,202			541			632,276			2,914						(3,221	)		3,244,565
Expenses:
Policy benefits		1,040,248			679,810			35,762												(2,491	)(1)		1,753,329
Required interest on net reserves		(410,917	)		(34,243	)		(41,840	)		487,000												0
Amortization of acquisition costs		462,837			147,151			6,040			(200,042	)											415,986
Commissions and premium tax		72,273			57,074			267												(994	)(4)		128,620
Insurance administrative expense(3)														150,325						355	(5)		150,680
Parent expense																$	9,590						9,590
Stock-based compensation expense																	9,860						9,860
Interest expense											69,668									264	(2)		69,932
Total expenses		1,164,441			849,792			229			356,626			150,325			19,450			(2,866	)		2,537,997
Subtotal		427,412			170,410			312			275,650			(147,411	)		(19,450	)		(355	)		706,568
Nonoperating items																				355	(5)		355
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	$	427,412		$	170,410		$	312		$	275,650		$	(147,411	)	$	(19,450	)	$	0			706,923
Deduct applicable income taxes																							(238,153	)
Segment profits after tax																							468,770
Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability																							238,153
Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses) and impairments																							(129,492	)
Deduct loss on Company-occupied property(5)																							(355	)
Pretax income per Consolidated Statement of Operations																						$	577,076

(1) Medicare Part D items adjusted to GAAP from the segment analysis, which matches expected benefits with policy premium.

(2) Reclassification of interest amount due to accounting rule requiring deconsolidation of Trust Preferred Securities.

(3) Administrative expense is not allocated to insurance segments.

(4) Elimination of intersegment commission.

(5) Loss on Company-occupied property.

Analysis Of Profitability By Segment

	2011			2010*			2009			2011 Change			%			2010 Change			%
Life insurance underwriting margin	$	486,235		$	455,266		$	427,412		$	30,969			7		$	27,854			7
Health insurance underwriting margin		161,991			170,059			170,410			(8,068	)		(5	)		(351	)		0
Annuity underwriting margin		2,345			1,348			312			997						1,036
Other insurance:
Other income		2,507			2,834			2,914			(327	)		(12	)		(80	)		(3	)
Administrative expense		(159,109	)		(155,615	)		(150,325	)		(3,494	)		2			(5,290	)		4
Excess investment income		292,597			297,145			275,650			(4,548	)		(2	)		21,495			8
Corporate and adjustments		(22,647	)		(20,657	)		(19,450	)		(1,990	)		10			(1,207	)		6
Pre-tax total		763,919			750,380			706,923			13,539			2			43,457			6
Applicable taxes		(249,495	)		(252,357	)		(238,153	)		2,862			(1	)		(14,204	)		6
After-tax total, before discontinued operations		514,424			498,023			468,770			16,401			3			29,253			6
Discontinued operations (after tax)		0			27,932			26,810			(27,932	)					1,122			4
Total		514,424			525,955			495,580			(11,531	)		(2	)		30,375			6
Realized gains (losses)—investments (after tax)		16,838			24,270			(85,345	)		(7,432	)					109,615
Realized gains (losses)—discontinued operations (after tax)		0			1,852			(7,909	)		(1,852	)					9,761
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations (after tax)		(455	)		(35,013	)		0			34,558						(35,013	)
Tax settlements (after tax)		0			0			2,858			0						(2,858	)
Cost of legal settlements (after tax)		(7,800	)		0			0			(7,800	)					0
State administrative settlement (after tax)		(4,486	)		0			0			(4,486	)					0
Loss on Company-occupied property (after tax)		0			0			(231	)		0						231
Loss on sale of equipment (after tax)		(636	)		0			0			(636	)					0
Net income	$	517,885		$	517,064		$	404,953		$	821			0		$	112,111			28

* During 2011, management changed the definition of total segment profits before tax to exclude the amortization of low-income housing interests, which management views as a tax expense. Accordingly, the 2010 total segment profits before tax and applicable tax amount have been updated for comparison purposes.

Assets By Segment

	At December 31, 2011
	Life		Health		Annuity		Investment		Other		Consolidated
Cash and invested assets							$	12,437,699			$	12,437,699
Accrued investment income								192,325				192,325
Deferred acquisition costs	$	2,929,739	$	520,685	$	34,427						3,484,851
Goodwill		309,609		87,282								396,891
Other assets									$	644,625		644,625
Total assets	$	3,239,348	$	607,967	$	34,427	$	12,630,024	$	644,625	$	17,156,391
	At December 31, 2010
	Life		Health		Annuity		Investment		Other		Consolidated
Cash and invested assets							$	11,563,656			$	11,563,656
Accrued investment income								183,861				183,861
Deferred acquisition costs	$	2,803,095	$	548,436	$	54,804						3,406,335
Goodwill		309,609		87,282								396,891
Other assets									$	609,019		609,019
Total assets	$	3,112,704	$	635,718	$	54,804	$	11,747,517	$	609,019	$	16,159,762

Other Balances By Segment

	At December 31, 2011
	Life		Health		Annuity		Consolidated
Future policy benefits	$	7,697,108	$	589,441	$	1,285,708	$	9,572,257
Unearned and advance premium		16,965		52,574				69,539
Policy claims and other benefits payable		118,737		103,517				222,254
Total	$	7,832,810	$	745,532	$	1,285,708	$	9,864,050

	At December 31, 2010
	Life		Health		Annuity		Consolidated
Future policy benefits	$	7,318,283	$	570,775	$	1,260,973	$	9,150,031
Unearned and advance premium		17,343		56,822				74,165
Policy claims and other benefits payable		121,000		100,598				221,598
Total	$	7,456,626	$	728,195	$	1,260,973	$	9,445,794

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Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Business

Business:    Torchmark Corporation (Torchmark or alternatively, the Company) through its subsidiaries provides a variety of life and health insurance products and annuities to a broad base of customers.

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 financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the 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 Torchmark and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 Torchmark accounts for its variable interest entities under accounting guidance which clarifies the definition of a variable interest and the instructions for consolidating variable interest entities (VIE's). Only primary beneficiaries are required or allowed to consolidate VIE's. Therefore, a company may have voting control of a VIE, but if it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE, it is not permitted to consolidate the VIE. The trust that is liable for Torchmark's Trust Preferred Securities meets the definition of a VIE. However, Torchmark is not the primary beneficiary of this entity because its interest is not variable. Therefore, Torchmark is not permitted to consolidate its interest, even though it owns 100% of the voting equity of the trust and guarantees its performance. For this reason, Torchmark reports its 7.1% Junior Subordinated Debentures due to the trust as "Due to affiliates" each period at its carrying value. However, Torchmark views the Trust Preferred Securities as it does any other debt offering and consolidates the trust in its segment analysis because GAAP requires that the segment analysis be reported as management views its operations and financial condition.

Additionally, as further described under the caption Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Interests below in this note, Torchmark holds passive interests in limited partnerships which 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 interests are also considered to be VIEs. They 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. Torchmark's involvement is limited to its limited partnership interest in the entities. Torchmark 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.

When a component of Torchmark's business is sold or expected to be sold during the ensuing year, Torchmark reports the assets and liabilities of the component as assets and liabilities of subsidiaries held for sale. Assets or liabilities of subsidiaries held for sale are segregated and are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at the lower of the carrying amount or estimated fair value less cost to sell. If the carrying amount of the business exceeds its estimated fair value, a loss is recognized. Torchmark reports the results of operations of a business as discontinued operations when the component is sold or expected to be sold, the operations and cash flows of the business have been or will be eliminated from the ongoing operations as a result of the disposal transaction, and Torchmark will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the business after the disposal transaction. The results of discontinued operations are reported in discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for current and prior periods commencing in the period in which the business is either disposed of or is accounted for as a disposal group, including any gain or loss recognized on the sale or adjustment of the carrying amount to fair value less cost to sell. Major components of the income from discontinued operations are separately disclosed in Note 3 — Discontinued Operations in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Because the business has been sold or classified as held for sale and its operations are discontinued, the financial results of the business are excluded from the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, other than in Note 3, the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and Note 2 — Statutory Accounting.

Investments

Investments:    Torchmark classifies all of its fixed-maturity investments, which include bonds and redeemable preferred stocks, as available for sale. Investments classified as available for sale are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred taxes, reflected directly in accumulated other comprehensive income. Investments in equity securities, which include common and nonredeemable preferred stocks, are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred taxes, reflected directly in accumulated other comprehensive income. Policy loans are carried at unpaid principal balances. Mortgage loans, included in "Other long-term investments," are carried at amortized cost. Investments in real estate, included in "Other long-term investments," are reported at cost less allowances for depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line method. Short-term investments include investments in interest-bearing time deposits with original maturities of twelve months or less.

Gains and losses realized on the disposition of investments are determined on a specific identification basis. Income attributable to investments is included in Torchmark's net investment income. Net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 included $552 million, $522 million, and $487 million, respectively, which was allocable to policyholder reserves or accounts. Realized investment gains and losses are not allocated to insurance policyholders' liabilities.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements:    Fair values for cash, short-term investments, short-term debt, receivables and payables approximate carrying value. Fair values for long-term debt investments, equity securities, and certain other assets are determined in accordance with specific accounting guidance . Fair values are based on quoted market prices, where available. Otherwise, fair values are based on quoted market prices of comparable instruments in active markets, quotes in inactive markets, or other observable criteria. For specific information regarding Torchmark's measurements and procedures in valuing financial instruments, please see Note 4—Investments under the caption Fair value measurements. The fair values of Torchmark's long-term debt issues, along with the trust preferred securities, are based on quoted market prices. Mortgage loans are valued at discounted cash flows.

Impairment Of Investments

Impairment of Investments:    Torchmark evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment as described in Note 4—Investments under the caption Other-than-temporary-impairments. 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. 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.

Cash

Cash:    Cash consists of balances on hand and on deposit in banks and financial institutions. Overdrafts arising from the overnight investment of funds offset cash balances on hand and on deposit.

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 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. Profits for limited-payment life insurance contracts are recognized over the contract period. 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 $24 million, $26 million, and $28 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. Other premium consists of annuity policy charges in each year. Profits are also earned to the extent that investment income exceeds policy liability interest requirements. The related benefits and expenses are matched with revenues by means of the provision of future policy benefits and the amortization of deferred acquisition costs in a manner which recognizes profits as they are earned over the same period.

Future Policy Benefits

Future Policy Benefits:    The liability for future policy benefits for universal life-type products is represented by policy account value. The liability for future policy benefits for all other life and health products, approximately 81% of total future policy benefits, is provided on the net level premium method based on estimated investment yields, mortality, morbidity, persistency and other assumptions which were considered appropriate at the time the policies were issued. Assumptions used are based on Torchmark's previous experience with similar products. 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 periodically reviewed 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 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 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 the revised assumptions.

Deferred Acquisition Costs

Deferred Acquisition Costs:    The costs of acquiring new business are generally deferred and recorded as an asset. Deferred acquisition costs consist primarily of sales commissions and other underwriting costs of new insurance sales. Deferred acquisition costs 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. Limited-payment contracts are amortized over the contract period. Universal life-type policies are amortized with interest in proportion to estimated gross profits. The assumptions used to amortize acquisition costs with regard to interest, mortality, morbidity, and persistency are consistent with those used to estimate the liability for future policy benefits. For interest-sensitive and deposit-balance 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. Deferred acquisition costs are subject to periodic recoverability and loss recognition testing to determine if there is a premium deficiency. These tests ensure that the present value of future contract-related cash flows will support the capitalized deferred acquisition cost asset. These cash flows consist primarily of premium income, less benefits and expenses taking inflation into account. 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.

Policy Claims And Other Benefits Payable

Policy Claims and Other Benefits Payable:    Torchmark establishes a liability for known policy benefits payable and an estimate of claims that have been incurred but not yet reported to the Company. The estimate of unreported claims is based on prior experience. Torchmark makes an estimate after careful evaluation of all information available to the Company. However, there is no certainty the stated liability for claims and other benefits, including the estimate of unsubmitted claims, will be Torchmark'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 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. More information concerning income taxes is provided in Note 8—Income Taxes.

Property And Equipment

Property and Equipment:    Property and equipment, included in "Other assets," is reported at cost less allowances for depreciation. Depreciation is recorded primarily on the straight line method over the estimated useful lives of these assets which range from two to ten years for equipment and five to forty years for buildings and improvements. Ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to income as incurred. Impairments, if any, are recorded when, based on events and circumstances, it becomes evident that the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying amount. Original cost of property and equipment was $119 million at both December 31, 2011 and 2010. Accumulated depreciation was $71 million at year end 2011 and $65 million at the end of 2010. Depreciation expense was $6.8 million in 2011, $6.0 million in 2010, and $4.6 million in 2009.

Asset Retirements

Asset Retirements:    Certain of Torchmark's subsidiaries own and occupy buildings containing asbestos. These facilities are subject to regulations which could cause the Company to be required to remove and dispose of all or part of the asbestos upon the occurrence of certain events. Otherwise, the subsidiaries are under no obligation under the regulations. At this time, no such events under these regulations have occurred. For this reason, the Company has not recorded a liability for this potential obligation, as the time at which any obligation could be settled is not known. Therefore, there is insufficient information to estimate a fair value.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Interests

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Interests:    As of December 31, 2011, Torchmark had $293 million invested in limited partnerships that provide low-income housing tax credits and other related Federal income tax and state premium tax benefits to Torchmark. The carrying value of Torchmark's investment in these entities was $283 million at December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2011, Torchmark was obligated under future commitments of $109 million, which amount is included in the above carrying value. Interests for which the return has been guaranteed by unrelated third-parties are accounted for using the effective-yield method. The remaining interests are accounted for using the amortized-cost method.

For 2011 and 2010, the Federal income benefits accrued during the year, net of the amortization associated with guaranteed interests, were recorded in "Income taxes." Amortization associated with non-guaranteed interests and interests providing for state premium tax benefits was reflected as a component of "Net investment income." For years prior to 2010, the Federal income tax benefits accrued during the year, net of the amortization associated with all interests, were recorded in "Income taxes." All state premium tax benefits, net of the related amortization, were recorded in "Net investment income." At December 31, 2011, $281 million associated with the Federal interests was included in "Other assets" with the remaining $12 million state-related interests included in "Other invested assets." At December 31, 2010, the comparable amounts were $269 million and $14 million, respectively. Any unpaid commitments to invest are recorded in "Other liabilities." In the segment analysis, the amortization associated with the non-guaranteed interests is reflected as a component of "Income tax expenses," and not "Net investment income," consistent with the treatment of the guaranteed interests. Management views this presentation as a more accurate matching of costs with the associated revenues with respect to the low-income housing interests.

Goodwill

Goodwill:    The excess cost of business acquired over the fair value of their net assets is reported as goodwill. Goodwill is subject to annual impairment testing based on certain procedures outlined by GAAP. The procedures involve measuring the carrying value of each reporting unit of Torchmark's segments, including the goodwill of that unit, against the estimated fair value of the corresponding unit. If the carrying value of a unit including goodwill exceeds its estimated fair value, then the goodwill in that unit could potentially be impaired. In that event, further testing is required under the accounting guidance 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 test.

Torchmark has tested its goodwill annually in each of the years 2009 through 2011. These tests involved assigning carrying value by allocating the Company's net assets to each of the reporting units of Torchmark's segments, including the portion of goodwill assigned to the unit. The fair value of each reporting unit is determined using discounted expected cash flows associated with that unit. Judgment and assumptions are used in developing the projected cash flows for the reporting units, and such estimates are subject to change. The Company also exercises judgment in the determination of the discount rate, which management believes to be appropriate for the risk associated with the cash flow expectations. The fair value of each reporting unit is then measured against that reporting unit's corresponding carrying value. Because the estimated fair value exceeded the carrying value, including goodwill, of each reporting unit in each period, Torchmark's goodwill was not impaired in any of those periods.

Treasury Stock

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

Settlements

Settlements:    During 2011, Torchmark settled a state administrative matter involving issues arising over a period of many years. The settlement resulted in a pre-tax charge of $6.9 million ($4.5 million after tax). Additionally in 2011, the Company accrued an estimated liability for settlement of an insurance litigation matter expected to settle in 2012. The liability for this litigation, which arose many years ago, was estimated to be $12.0 million pretax ($7.8 million after tax). Please refer to Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the litigation settlement. In 2009, Torchmark recorded a $2.9 million tax settlement primarily resulting from the favorable settlements of U.S. Federal income tax issues that related to prior tax years. More information on this tax settlement is provided in Note 8—Income Taxes. Management removes items that are related to prior periods when evaluating the operating results of current periods. Therefore, these items are excluded in its presentation of segment results as disclosed in Note 14—Business Segments, because accounting guidance requires that operating segment results be presented as management views its business.

Postretirement Benefits

Postretirement Benefits:    Torchmark 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. More information concerning the accounting and disclosures for postretirement benefits is found in Note 9—Postretirement Benefits.

Stock Compensation

Stock Compensation:    Torchmark accounts for stock-based compensation by recognizing an expense in the 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. Torchmark 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 2009 through 2011 is as follows:

	2011			2010			2009
Volatility factor		42.3	%		40.3	%		29.6	%
Dividend yield		1.0	%		1.3	%		2.4	%
Expected term (in years)		4.66			4.74			4.72
Risk-free rate		2.0	%		2.5	%		2.6	%

The expected term is generally derived from Company experience. However, expected terms of grants made under the Torchmark Corporation 2005 Incentive Plan (2005 Plan) and the 2007 Long-Term Compensation Plan (2007 Plan), involving grants made in the years 2005 through 2010, were determined based on the simplified method as permitted by Staff Accounting Bulletins 107 and 110. This method was used because the 2005 and 2007 Plans limited grants to a maximum contract term of seven years, and Torchmark had no previous experience with seven-year contract terms. Prior to 2005, substantially all grants contained ten-year terms. Because a large portion of these grants vest over a three-year period, the Company did not have sufficient exercise history during 2010 or previous years to determine an appropriate expected term on these grants. Beginning in 2011, all grants with seven-year terms are based on Company experience. The Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan replaced the previous plans and allows for option grants with a ten-year contractual term which vest over five years in addition to seven-year grants which vest over three years as permitted by the previous plans. The Company has no historical experience with five-year vesting, and will therefore use the simplified method to determine the expected term for these grants until such 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).

Torchmark management views all stock-based compensation expense as a corporate or Parent Company expense and, therefore, presents it as such in its segment analysis (See Note 14—Business Segments). It is included in "Other operating expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations

Stock Split

Stock Split:    Torchmark declared a three-for-two stock split paid in the form of a 50% stock dividend on all of the Company's outstanding common stock. The record date for the split was the close of business on June 1, 2011. On July 1, 2011, the payment date, holders of Torchmark common stock as of the record date received one additional share of stock for every two shares held. The Company paid $123 thousand in cash to acquire 2,841 fractional shares as a result of the split. All share and per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect this split for all periods presented in these consolidated financial statements. "Common stock" and "Retained earnings" presented for all prior periods in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity have also been retroactively adjusted to reflect this split.

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Schedule IV - Reinsurance

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Schedule IV - Reinsurance [Abstract]

Schedule IV - Reinsurance

TORCHMARK CORPORATION

SCHEDULE IV. REINSURANCE (CONSOLIDATED)

(Amounts in thousands)

	Gross Amount		Ceded to Other Companies(1)		Assumed from Other Companies		Net Amount		Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011:
Life insurance in force	$	144,778,793	$	738,935	$	4,414,247	$	148,454,105		3.0	%
Premiums:(2)
Life insurance	$	1,675,307	$	4,716	$	31,311	$	1,701,902		1.8	%
Health insurance		931,751		2,285		0		929,466		0	%
Total premium	$	2,607,058	$	7,001	$	31,311	$	2,631,368		1.2	%
For the Year Ended December 31, 2010:
Life insurance in force	$	140,653,839	$	722,577	$	4,743,222	$	144,674,484		3.3	%
Premiums:(2)
Life insurance	$	1,618,973	$	4,684	$	23,419	$	1,637,708		1.4	%
Health insurance		990,024		2,603		0		987,421		0	%
Total premium	$	2,608,997	$	7,287	$	23,419	$	2,625,129		.9	%
For the Year Ended December 31, 2009:
Life insurance in force	$	139,408,962	$	744,213	$	1,898,360	$	140,563,109		1.4	%
Premiums:(2)
Life insurance	$	1,550,434	$	4,647	$	18,172	$	1,563,959		1.2	%
Health insurance		1,020,467		2,756		0		1,017,711		0	%
Total premium	$	2,570,901	$	7,403	$	18,172	$	2,581,670		.7	%

(1) No amounts have been netted against ceded premium

(2) Excludes policy charges of $24,950, $26,629, and $28,435, in each of the years 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

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Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Additional Information On Unvested Options) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011 years	Dec. 31, 2010 years	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	11,620,393	15,185,729	15,509,978	14,581,461
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)	2.95	2.85
Aggregate intrinsic value	$ 94,270	$ 94,086
Unvested Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	3,354,575	3,355,653
Weighted-average exercise price (per share)	$ 33.30	$ 27.01
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)	5.55	5.28
Aggregate intrinsic value	$ 35,173	$ 44,276

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Investments (Summary Of Information About Securities Sold) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Investment [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales including discontinued operations					$ 900,000,000
Proceeds from unsettled trades	12,300,000
Equity Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales	0		1,000		1,138,000
Gross realized gains	0		1,000		0
Gross realized losses	0		0		(862,000)
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales	236,662,000	[1]	314,904,000	[2]	830,892,000	[2]
Gross realized gains	28,249,000		29,821,000		69,249,000
Gross realized losses	$ (24,323,000)		$ (13,361,000)		$ (56,499,000)

[1] Includes $12.3 million of unsettled trades

[2] Proceeds from sales including discontined assets were $326 million in 2010 and $900 million in 2009.

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Commitments And Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]

Schedule Of Percentages Of Investments By Major Components At Fair Value

Investment-grade corporate securities	80	%
Securities of state and municipal governments	11
Below-investment-grade securities	5
Policy loans, which are secured by the underlying insurance policy values	3
Other fixed maturities, equity securities, mortgages, real estate, other long-term investments, and short-term investments	1
	100	%

Schedule Of Industry Concentrations Held In The Corporate Portfolio Based On Fair Value

Insurance	18	%
Electric utilities and services	17	%
Banks	12	%
Oil and gas extraction	6	%
Pipelines	6	%
Mining	4	%
Transportation	3	%
Chemicals	3	%
Telecommunications	3	%
Diversified financial services	2	%

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Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary Of Assumptions For Options Granted

	2011			2010			2009
Volatility factor		42.3	%		40.3	%		29.6	%
Dividend yield		1.0	%		1.3	%		2.4	%
Expected term (in years)		4.66			4.74			4.72
Risk-free rate		2.0	%		2.5	%		2.6	%

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Statutory Accounting (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Statutory Accounting [Abstract]

Consolidated Net Income And Shareholders' Equity (Capital And Surplus) On A Statutory Basis For The Insurance Subsidiaries

	Net Income Year Ended December 31,						Shareholders' Equity At December 31,
	2011		2010		2009		2011		2010
Life insurance subsidiaries	$	424,738	$	499,440	$	274,734	$	1,273,117	$	1,607,811

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Consolidated Statements Of Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements Of Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Common dividends declared, per share	$ 0.46	[1]	$ 0.41	[1]	$ 0.38	[1]

[1] Per share amounts have been retroactively adjusted for stock split described in Note 1.

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Discontinued Operations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Discontinued Operations [Abstract]

Schedule Of Income From Discontinued Operations

	Twelve months ended December 31,
	2010			2009
Premium income	$	73,675		$	77,094
Investment income		43,787			42,375
Realized investment gains (losses)		2,850			(12,167	)
Other income		103			22
Total revenue*		120,415			107,324
Policyholder benefits		56,374			59,470
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs		14,599			13,267
Other expense		4,960			6,470
Total benefits and expense		75,933			79,207
Pre tax income from discontinued operations		44,482			28,117
Income tax		(14,698	)		(9,216	)
Income from discontinued operations	$	29,784		$	18,901

Schedule Of Revenues And Profitability Indicated By The Segment

	Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2010			2009
Revenues:
Life	$	65,726		$	67,917
Annuity		7,949			9,177
Investment		43,787			42,375
Other		103			22
Total*	$	117,565		$	119,491
Segment profitability (loss):
Life	$	22,692		$	19,477
Annuity		(931	)		3,084
Investment		22,490			21,660
Other		(2,619	)		(3,937	)
Total	$	41,632		$	40,284

* Segment revenues differ from discontinued revenues by the amount of realized investment gains/losses, which Torchmark excludes from its consideration of ongoing operations.

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Postretirement Benefits (Estimated Expected Pension Benefits To Be Paid Over The Next Ten Years) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
2012	$ 13,921
2013	14,890
2014	15,755
2015	16,689
2016	17,692
2017-2020	$ 105,596

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Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information Of Registrant (Notes To Condensed Financial Statements) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Consolidated subsidiaries	$ 769,000,000
Stock-based compensation not involving cash	14,954,000	[1]	11,848,000	[1]	9,860,000	[1]
Interest paid	75,653,000		76,911,000		71,288,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0		0
Preferred stock, dividend rate, percentage	7.10%
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Consolidated subsidiaries	769,139,000		370,947,000		354,695,000
Stock-based compensation not involving cash	14,954,000		11,848,000		9,860,000
Interest paid	74,569,000		75,909,000		73,031,000
Income taxes received	22,893,000		2,379,000		25,202,000
Federal income tax expense					1,500,000
Preferred stock, liquidation distribution available to stockholders, per share in thousands	$ 1,000
Preferred stock, liquidating distribution legally available, aggregate value	$ 351,000,000
Cumulative Series A Preferred Stock [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares issued	351,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	351,000
6.50% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares issued	280,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	280,000
Preferred stock, dividend rate, percentage	6.50%
7.15% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares issued	71,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	71,000
Preferred stock, dividend rate, percentage	7.15%

[1] No stock-based compensation expense was capitalized in any period.

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Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Debt [Abstract]

Selected Information About Debt Issues

						As of December 31,
						2011								2010
Instrument	Annual Percentage Rate			Issue Date	Periodic Interest Payments Due	Outstanding Principle (Par Value)		Outstanding Principle (Book Value)			Outstanding Principle (Fair Value)			Outstanding Principle (Book Value)
Notes, due 5/15/23(1)(2)		7.875	%	5/93	5/15 & 11/15	$	165,612	$	163,344		$	195,654		$	163,227
Notes, due 8/1/13(1)(2)		7.375	%	7/93	2/1 & 8/1		94,050		93,823			100,302			93,700
Senior Notes, due 6/15/16(1)(8)		6.375	%	6/06	6/15 & 12/15		250,000		247,875			275,910			247,477
Senior Notes, due 6/15/19(1)(8)		9.250	%	6/09	6/15 & 12/15		292,647		289,661			375,276			289,397
Issue Expenses(3)							0		(4,132	)		0			(4,158	)
Subtotal long-term debt							802,309		790,571			947,142			789,643
Junior Subordinated
Debentures due 6/1/46(4)(5)		7.100	%	6/06	quarterly(6)		123,711		123,711			122,208	(7)		123,711
Total funded debt							926,020		914,282			1,069,350			913,354
Commercial Paper(9)							225,000		224,842			224,842			198,875
						$	1,151,020	$	1,139,124		$	1,294,192		$	1,112,229

(1) All securities other than the Junior Subordinated Debentures have equal priority with one another.

(2) Not callable.

(3) Unamortized issue expenses related to Trust Preferred Securities.

(4) Junior Subordinated Debentures are classified as "Due to affiliates" and are junior to other securities in priority of payment.

(5) Callable anytime

(6) Quarterly payments on the first day of March, June, Sept., and Dec.

(7) Fair value of Trust Preferred Securities.

(8) Callable subject to "make-whole" premium.

(9) Classified as short-term debt.

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Investments (Summary Of Fixed Maturities And Equity Securities Available For Sale By Component) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 10,939,119		$ 10,450,372
Total Gross Unrealized Gains	1,205,376		477,617
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	(239,234)		(367,801)
Total Fair Value	11,905,261		10,560,188
Amount per The Balance Sheet	11,905,261		10,560,188
Fixed Maturities: Cost or Amortized Cost	10,924,244		10,435,497
Fixed Maturities: Fair Value	11,888,205		10,543,034
Equity Securities: Cost or Amortized Cost	14,875		14,875
Equity Securities: Fair Value	17,056		17,154
U.S. Government Direct, Guaranteed, And Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities: Cost or Amortized Cost	65,283		78,387
Fixed Maturities: Gross Unrealized Gains	1,756		1,347
Fixed Maturities: Gross Unrealized Losses	(4)		(1,060)
Fixed Maturities: Fair Value	67,035		78,674
Fixed maturities: Amount per the Balance Sheet	67,035		78,674
% of Total Fixed Maturities	1.00%	[1]	1.00%
States, Municipalities, And Political Subdivisions [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities: Cost or Amortized Cost	1,213,082		1,212,185
Fixed Maturities: Gross Unrealized Gains	118,636		10,752
Fixed Maturities: Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,896)		(41,811)
Fixed Maturities: Fair Value	1,329,822		1,181,126
Fixed maturities: Amount per the Balance Sheet	1,329,822		1,181,126
% of Total Fixed Maturities	11.00%	[1]	11.00%
Foreign Governments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities: Cost or Amortized Cost	21,832		22,352
Fixed Maturities: Gross Unrealized Gains	1,327		679
Fixed Maturities: Gross Unrealized Losses	0		0
Fixed Maturities: Fair Value	23,159		23,031
Fixed maturities: Amount per the Balance Sheet	23,159		23,031
% of Total Fixed Maturities	0.00%	[1]	0.00%
Corporates [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities: Cost or Amortized Cost	8,357,809		7,707,938
Fixed Maturities: Gross Unrealized Gains	1,051,019		423,076
Fixed Maturities: Gross Unrealized Losses	(137,908)		(210,149)
Fixed Maturities: Fair Value	9,270,920		7,920,865
Fixed maturities: Amount per the Balance Sheet	9,270,920		7,920,865
% of Total Fixed Maturities	78.00%	[1]	75.00%
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities: Cost or Amortized Cost	60,437		56,525
Fixed Maturities: Gross Unrealized Gains	0		0
Fixed Maturities: Gross Unrealized Losses	(30,117)		(34,069)
Fixed Maturities: Fair Value	30,320		22,456
Fixed maturities: Amount per the Balance Sheet	30,320		22,456
% of Total Fixed Maturities	0.00%	[1]	0.00%
Other Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities: Cost or Amortized Cost	42,862		46,406
Fixed Maturities: Gross Unrealized Gains	3,210		3,010
Fixed Maturities: Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,392)		(678)
Fixed Maturities: Fair Value	44,680		48,738
Fixed maturities: Amount per the Balance Sheet	44,680		48,738
% of Total Fixed Maturities	0.00%	[1]	1.00%
Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities: Cost or Amortized Cost	1,162,939		1,311,704
Fixed Maturities: Gross Unrealized Gains	27,184		36,405
Fixed Maturities: Gross Unrealized Losses	(67,854)		(79,965)
Fixed Maturities: Fair Value	1,122,269		1,268,144
Fixed maturities: Amount per the Balance Sheet	1,122,269		1,268,144
% of Total Fixed Maturities	10.00%	[1]	12.00%
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities: Cost or Amortized Cost	10,924,244		10,435,497
Fixed Maturities: Gross Unrealized Gains	1,203,132		475,269
Fixed Maturities: Gross Unrealized Losses	(239,171)		(367,732)
Fixed Maturities: Fair Value	11,888,205		10,543,034
Fixed maturities: Amount per the Balance Sheet	11,888,205		10,543,034
% of Total Fixed Maturities	100.00%	[1]	100.00%
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Equity Securities: Cost or Amortized Cost	14,875		14,875
Equity Securities: Gross Unrealized Gains	2,244		2,348
Equity Securities: Gross Unrealized Losses	(63)		(69)
Equity Securities: Fair Value	17,056		17,154
Equity securities: Amount per the Balance Sheet	$ 17,056		$ 17,154

[1] At fair value

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Income Taxes (Significant Portions Of Deferred Tax Assets And Deferred Tax Liabilities) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Fixed maturity investments	$ 35,670	$ 50,126
Carryover of tax losses	7,429	12,293
Unrealized losses	0	2,023
Other assets and other liabilities	5,509	1,352
Total gross deferred tax assets	48,608	65,794
Unrealized gains	276,591	0
Employee and agent compensation	57,136	55,781
Deferred acquisition costs	911,816	877,561
Future policy benefits, unearned and advance premiums, and policy claims	355,825	338,771
Total gross deferred tax liabilities	1,601,368	1,272,113
Net deferred tax liability	$ 1,552,760	$ 1,206,319

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Investments:
Fixed maturities-available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2011-$10,924,244; 2010-$10,435,497)	$ 11,888,205		$ 10,543,034
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 2011-$14,875; 2010-$14,875)	17,056		17,154
Policy loans	400,914		378,124
Other long-term investments	26,167		42,985
Short-term investments	21,244		216,680
Total investments	12,353,586		11,197,977
Cash	84,113		365,679
Accrued investment income	192,325		183,861
Other receivables	253,549		230,319
Deferred acquisition costs	3,484,851		3,406,335
Goodwill	396,891		396,891
Other assets	391,076		378,700
Total assets	17,156,391		16,159,762
Liabilities:
Future policy benefits	9,572,257		9,150,031
Unearned and advance premiums	69,539		74,165
Policy claims and other benefits payable	222,254		221,598
Other policyholders' funds	92,487		91,293
Total policy liabilities	9,956,537		9,537,087
Current and deferred income taxes payable	1,518,695		1,209,433
Other liabilities	312,417		284,062
Short-term debt	224,842		198,875
Long-term debt (estimated fair value: 2011-$947,142; 2010-$933,336)	790,571		789,643
Due to affiliates	124,421		124,421
Total liabilities	12,927,483		12,143,521
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $1 per share-Authorized 5,000,000 shares; outstanding: 0 in 2011 and in 2010	0		0
Common stock, par value $1 per share-Authorized 320,000,000 shares; outstanding: (2011-112,312,123 issued, less 11,732,658 held in treasury and 2010-119,812,123 issued, less 947,497 held in treasury)	112,312	[1]	119,812	[1]
Additional paid-in capital	425,331		432,608
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	549,423		22,958
Retained earnings	3,634,481	[1]	3,473,482	[1]
Treasury stock	(492,639)		(32,619)
Total shareholders' equity	4,228,908		4,016,241
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 17,156,391		$ 16,159,762

[1] Amounts have been retroactively adjusted for stock split described in Note 1.

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Selected Quarterly Data (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Selected Quarterly Data [Abstract]

Schedule Of Selected Quarterly Data

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
2011:
Premium and policy charges	$	679,901		$	672,350		$	650,525		$	653,542
Net investment income		171,647			173,104			173,491			174,786
Realized investment gains(losses)		(22,723	)		31,272			12,600			4,755
Total revenues		829,272			877,334			837,241			833,554
Policy benefits		464,127			454,694			438,774			435,681
Amortization of acquisition expenses		107,788			106,752			104,804			105,437
Pretax Income from continuing operations		155,812			218,528			198,822			182,504
Income from continuing operations		106,132			148,940			136,911			126,357
Income from discontinued operations		(599	)		0			144			0
Net income		105,533			148,940			137,055			126,357
Basic net income per common share*
Continuing operations		0.91			1.34			1.31			1.25
Discontinued operations		(0.01	)		0.00			0.00			0.00
Total basic net income per share		0.90			1.34			1.31			1.25
Diluted net income per common share*
Continuing operations		0.89			1.32			1.30			1.23
Discontinued operations		0.00			0.00			0.00			0.00
Total diluted net income per share		0.89			1.32			1.30			1.23
2010:
Premium and policy charges	$	670,944		$	669,569		$	657,827		$	653,418
Net investment income		167,111			170,612			172,337			166,304
Realized investment gains(losses)		7,261			(5,002	)		8,045			27,036
Total revenues		845,678			835,895			838,888			847,171
Policy benefits		468,934			454,177			433,514			436,419
Amortization of acquisition expenses		109,602			104,851			104,045			100,392
Pretax income from continuing operations		174,054			180,720			208,313			215,480
Income from continuing operations		115,393			119,848			138,097			148,955
Income from discontinued operations		6,283			6,201			(23,566	)		5,853
Net income		121,676			126,049			114,531			154,808
Basic net income per common share*
Continuing operations		0.93			0.97			1.14			1.24
Discontinued operations		0.05			0.05			(0.19	)		0.05
Total basic net income per share		0.98			1.02			0.95			1.29
Diluted net income per common share*
Continuing operations		0.92			0.97			1.13			1.23
Discontinued operations		0.05			0.05			(0.19	)		0.05
Total diluted net income per share		0.97			1.02			0.94			1.28

* Basic and diluted net income per share by quarter may not add to per share income on a year-to-date basis due to share weighting and rounding.

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Stock-Based Compensation (Analysis Of Option Activity) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Options Outstanding-beginning of year	15,185,729	15,509,978	14,581,461
Options Granted	1,338,013	1,358,175	1,393,275
Options Exercised	(4,829,892)	(1,273,598)	(189,258)
Options Expired and forfeited	(73,425)	(408,826)	(275,500)
Adjustment to options for stock split - shares	(32)	0	0
Adjustment due to stock split, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 32.96	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Options Outstanding-end of year	11,620,393	15,185,729	15,509,978
Options Exercisable at end of year	8,265,818	11,830,076	12,384,363
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding-beginning of year	$ 34.09	$ 34.04	$ 35.60
Options granted in the period- weighted average exercise price	$ 44.37	$ 30.86	$ 16.03
Options exercised in the period - weighted average exercise price	$ 33.67	$ 29.73	$ 23.41
Options expired and forfeited in the period - weighted average exercise price	$ 39.17	$ 35.05	$ 32.88
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding-end of year	$ 35.42	$ 34.09	$ 34.04
Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercisable at end of year	$ 36.28	$ 36.10	$ 34.98

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Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information Of Registrant (Condensed Statements Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash provided from operations	$ 859,464	$ 1,028,593	$ 976,113
Acquisition of investments	(1,139,249)	(1,909,014)	(2,311,498)
Disposition of investments	682,328	970,577	1,669,580
Net decrease (increase) in short-term investments	(195,435)	(128,727)	226,645
Cash provided from (used for) investing activities	(312,133)	(557,641)	(937,099)
Issuance of 9 1/4% Senior Notes	0	0	296,308
Acquisition of 9 1/4% Senior Notes	0	(8,913)	0
Repayment of 8 1/4% Senior Debentures	0	0	(99,451)
Net issuance (repayment) of commercial paper	25,967	(34,432)	(70,928)
Issuance of stock	162,613	37,863	4,430
Acquisition of treasury stock	(972,556)	(246,006)	(47,564)
Excess tax benefit on stock option exercises	13,121	3,455	253
Payment of dividends	(49,125)	(50,061)	(46,615)
Cash provided from (used for) financing activities	(824,485)	(329,621)	148,438
Net increase (decrease) in cash	(281,566)	133,761	185,518
Cash at beginning of year (includes cash of $0, $847 thousand and $12.3 million, at January 1, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, in subsidiary held for sale)	365,679	231,918	46,400
Cash at end of year (includes cash of $0, $0, and $847 thousand at December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively, in subsidiary held for sale)	84,113	365,679	231,918
Parent Company [Member]
Cash provided from (used for) operations before dividends from subsidiaries	(33,042)	(33,403)	(51,241)
Cash dividends from subsidiaries	769,139	370,947	354,695
Cash provided from operations	736,097	337,544	303,454
Acquisition of investments	0	(14,279)	(125)
Disposition of investments	11,828	33	31
Net decrease (increase) in short-term investments	62,524	106,881	(129,789)
Investment in subsidiaries	(25,000)	(18,722)	(100,000)
Cash provided from (used for) investing activities	49,352	73,913	(229,883)
Issuance of 9 1/4% Senior Notes	0	0	296,308
Acquisition of 9 1/4% Senior Notes	0	(8,913)	0
Repayment of 8 1/4% Senior Debentures	0	0	(99,050)
Net issuance (repayment) of commercial paper	25,967	(34,432)	(71,329)
Issuance of stock	162,613	37,863	4,430
Acquisition of treasury stock	(972,556)	(246,006)	(47,564)
Net borrowings to/from subsidiaries	96,000	(86,800)	(87,200)
Excess tax benefit on stock option exercises	2,021	162	(30)
Payment of dividends	(72,395)	(73,331)	(69,885)
Cash provided from (used for) financing activities	(758,350)	(411,457)	(74,320)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	27,099	0	(749)
Cash at beginning of year (includes cash of $0, $847 thousand and $12.3 million, at January 1, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, in subsidiary held for sale)	0	0	749
Cash at end of year (includes cash of $0, $0, and $847 thousand at December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively, in subsidiary held for sale)	$ 27,099	$ 0	$ 0

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Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 517,885	$ 517,064	[1]	$ 404,953
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period	882,467	615,503		1,223,157
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses on securities included in net income	(27,771)	(38,170)		161,323
Reclassification adjustment for other-than-temporarily impaired debt securities for which a portion of the loss was recognized in earnings	0	0		(20,766)
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of (discount) premium	(1,880)	(3,820)		(6,183)
Foreign exchange adjustment on securities marked to market	3,510	(7,735)		(18,199)
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities	856,326	565,778		1,339,332
Unrealized gains (losses), adjustment to deferred acquisition costs	(28,679)	(32,181)		(79,603)
Unrealized gains (losses) on other assets	366	0		0
Total unrealized investment gains (losses)	828,013	533,597		1,259,729
Less applicable taxes	(289,806)	(186,760)		(440,905)
Unrealized gains (losses), net of tax	538,207	346,837		818,824
Foreign exchange translation adjustments, other than securities	(3,427)	5,006		21,833
Less applicable taxes	758	(1,752)		(7,642)
Foreign exchange translation adjustments, other than securities, net of tax	(2,669)	3,254		14,191
Pension adjustments:
Amortization of pension costs	12,146	10,857		11,219
Experience gain (loss)	(26,106)	(23,086)		16,811
Pension adjustments	(13,960)	(12,229)		28,030
Less applicable taxes	4,887	4,279		(9,811)
Pension adjustments, net of tax	(9,073)	(7,950)		18,219
Other comprehensive income (loss)	526,465	342,141		851,234
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 1,044,350	$ 859,205		$ 1,256,187

[1] During 2011, management changed the definition of total segment profits before tax to exclude the amortization of low-income housing interests, which management views as a tax expense. Accordingly, the 2010 total segment profits before tax and applicable tax amount have been updated for comparison purposes.

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Stock-Based Compensation (Analysis Of Shares Available For Grant) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available for grant, beginning balance	255,263		1,724,540	3,205,209
Cancellation of available shares from prior plans	(229,333)		0	0
Expired and forfeited during year	0		26,269	37,500
Shares available for grant, ending balance	6,099,342		255,263	1,724,540
Ratio by which each grant of restricted stock reduces shares available for options	3.1
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock grants during period	(1,338,013)		(1,358,175)	(1,393,275)
Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock grants during period	(19,017)		(137,371)	(124,894)
Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Approval of shares under incentive plan	7,950,000	[1]
Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock grants during period	(519,558)

[1] Plan allows for grant of restricted stock such that each stock grant reduces 3.1 options available for grant

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Investments (Transfers In And Out Of Each Of The Valuation Levels Of Fair Values) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Level 1 [Member]
Transfers In And Out Of Each Of The Valuation Levels Of Fair Values Of Investments[Line Items]
Transfers In	$ 0	$ 54	$ 0
Transfers Out	0	(4,848)	0
Transfers Net	0	(4,794)	0
Level 2 [Member]
Transfers In And Out Of Each Of The Valuation Levels Of Fair Values Of Investments[Line Items]
Transfers In	51,886	18,836	149,258
Transfers Out	0	(54)	(53,430)
Transfers Net	51,886	18,782	95,828
Level 3 [Member]
Transfers In And Out Of Each Of The Valuation Levels Of Fair Values Of Investments[Line Items]
Transfers In	0	0	53,430
Transfers Out	(51,886)	(13,988)	(149,258)
Transfers Net	$ (51,886)	$ (13,988)	$ (95,828)

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Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Additional Information Of Stock-Based Compensation) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 years		Dec. 31, 2010 years
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Outstanding options, Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)	2.95		2.85
Outstanding options, Aggregate intrinsic value	$ 94,270		$ 94,086
Exercisable options, Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)	1.89		2.16
Exercisable options, Aggregate intrinsic value	59,097		49,810
Unrecognized compensation	$ 30,299	[1]	$ 17,077	[1]
Unrecognized compensation, Weighted average period of expected recognition (in years)	1.68	[1]	1.33	[1]

[1] Includes restricted stock

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Future Policy Benefit Reserves (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Future Policy Benefit Reserves [Abstract]

Schedule Of Liability For Future Policy Benefits, Interest Assumptions On Individual Life Insurance

Years of Issue	Interest Rates		Percent of Liability
1917-2011		2.5% to 5.75%		11	%
1985-2011		6.0%		29
1986-1992		7.0% graded to 6.0%		7
1954-2000		8.0% graded to 6.0%		11
1951-1985		8.5% graded to 6.0%		4
1984-2011		6.75%		4
2011-2011		5.75% graded to 6.75%		1
2000-2011		7.0%		19
1984-2011		Interest Sensitive		14
				100%

Schedule Of Liability For Future Policy Benefits, Interest Assumptions For Individual Health

Years of Issue	Interest Rates		Percent of Liability
1955-2011		2.5% to 5.75%		2	%
1993-2011		6.0%		60
1986-1992		7.0% graded to 6.0%		26
1955-2000		8.0% graded to 6.0%		6
1951-1986		8.5% graded to 6.0%		1
2008-2010		6.75%		1
2001-2007		7.0%		4
				100	%

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Future Policy Benefit Reserves (Schedule Of Liability For Future Policy Benefits, Interest Assumptions On Individual Life Insurance) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Liability for Future Policy Benefit [Line Items]
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, percentage of liability	100.00%
Life Insurance [Member] | 2.5% to 5.75% [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit [Line Items]
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, percentage of liability	11.00%
Life Insurance [Member] | 6.0% [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit [Line Items]
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions	6.00%
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, percentage of liability	29.00%
Life Insurance [Member] | 7.0% Graded To 6.0% [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit [Line Items]
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, low end	6.00%
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, percentage of liability	7.00%
Life Insurance [Member] | 8.0% Graded To 6.0% [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit [Line Items]
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, low end	6.00%
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, percentage of liability	11.00%
Life Insurance [Member] | 8.5% Graded To 6.0% [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit [Line Items]
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, low end	6.00%
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, percentage of liability	4.00%
Life Insurance [Member] | 6.75% [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit [Line Items]
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions	6.75%
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, percentage of liability	4.00%
Life Insurance [Member] | 5.75% Graded To 6.75% [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit [Line Items]
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, low end	5.75%
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, high end	6.75%
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, percentage of liability	1.00%
Life Insurance [Member] | 7.0% [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit [Line Items]
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions	7.00%
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, percentage of liability	19.00%
Life Insurance [Member] | Interest Sensitive [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit [Line Items]
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, percentage of liability	14.00%

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Shareholders' Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]

Shareholders' Equity

Note 12—Shareholders' Equity

Share Data: A summary of preferred and common share activity is as follows:

	Preferred Stock				Common Stock*
	Issued		Treasury Stock		Issued			Treasury Stock
2009:
Balance at January 1, 2009		0		0		128,812,123			(1,750,651	)
Grants of restricted stock									115,060
Issuance of common stock due to exercise of stock options									189,258
Treasury stock acquired									(3,104,700	)
Retirement of treasury stock						(3,000,000	)		3,000,000
Balance at December 31, 2009		0		0		125,812,123			(1,551,033	)
2010:
Grants of restricted stock									121,923
Forfeitures of restricted stock									(10,621	)
Issuance of common stock due to exercise of stock options									1,273,598
Treasury stock acquired									(6,781,364	)
Retirement of treasury stock						(6,000,000	)		6,000,000
Balance at December 31, 2010		0		0		119,812,123			(947,497	)
2011:
Grants of restricted stock									173,553
Forfeitures of restricted stock									(7,153	)
Issuance of common stock due to exercise of stock options									4,829,892
Treasury stock acquired									(23,281,453	)
Retirement of treasury stock						(7,500,000	)		7,500,000
Balance at December 31, 2011		0		0		112,312,123			(11,732,658	)

* Retroactively adjusted for stock split described in Note 1

Acquisition of Common Shares:    Torchmark shares are acquired from time to time through open market purchases under the Torchmark stock repurchase program when it is believed to be the best use of Torchmark's excess cash flows. Torchmark suspended its share repurchase program temporarily from the first quarter of 2009 until the first quarter of 2010 because of uncertain economic conditions. Share repurchases under this program were 18.9 million shares at a cost of $788 million in 2011, 5.7 million shares at a cost of $204 million in 2010, and 3.1 million shares at a cost of $47 million in 2009. When stock options are exercised, proceeds from the exercises are generally used to repurchase approximately the number of shares available with those funds in order to reduce dilution. Shares repurchased for dilution purposes were 4.4 million shares at a cost of $185 million in 2011, 1.1 million shares at a cost of $42 million in 2010, and 30 thousand shares at a cost of $869 thousand in 2009.

Retirement of Treasury Stock:    Torchmark retired 7.5 million shares of treasury stock in 2011, 6 million in 2010, and 3 million in 2009.

Restrictions:    Restrictions exist on the flow of funds to Torchmark from its insurance subsidiaries. Statutory regulations require life insurance subsidiaries to maintain certain minimum amounts of capital and surplus. Dividends from insurance subsidiaries of Torchmark are limited to the greater of prior year statutory net income excluding realized capital gains on an annual noncumulative basis, or 10% of prior year surplus, in the absence of special regulatory approval. Additionally, insurance company distributions are generally not permitted in excess of statutory surplus. Subsidiaries are also subject to certain minimum capital requirements. In 2011, subsidiaries of Torchmark paid $769 million in dividends to the parent company, including $305 million available from the proceeds from the sale of United Investors. During 2012, a maximum amount of $470 million is expected to be available to Torchmark in dividends and transfers from subsidiaries without regulatory approval.

Earnings Per Share:    A reconciliation of basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows, retroactively adjusted for the three-for-two stock split:

	2011		2010		2009
Basic weighted average shares outstanding		108,278,113		122,009,228		124,550,384
Weighted average dilutive options outstanding		1,537,277		1,114,110		0
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		109,815,390		123,123,338		124,550,384

Stock options to purchase 3.5 million shares, 10.3 million shares, and 14.1 million shares, during the years 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively, are considered to be anti-dilutive and are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share. Income available to common shareholders for basic earnings per share is equivalent to income available to common shareholders for diluted earnings per share.

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Liability For Unpaid Health Claims (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Liability For Unpaid Health Claims [Abstract]

Summary Of Liability For Unpaid Health Claims

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Balance at beginning of year	$	100,598		$	104,346		$	119,855
Incurred related to:
Current year		628,137			661,740			674,710
Prior years		(10,644	)		(19,424	)		(19,487	)
Total incurred		617,493			642,316			655,223
Paid related to:
Current year		538,910			577,875			583,127
Prior years		75,664			68,189			87,605
Total paid		614,574			646,064			670,732
Balance at end of year	$	103,517		$	100,598		$	104,346

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Stock-Based Compensation (Analysis Of Unvested Restricted Stock) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Balance at January	237,150	203,250	117,450
Restricted stock grants	173,553	121,923	115,060
Restricted stock lapses	(78,903)	(80,523)	(29,260)
Unvested restricted stock, Forfeitures	(4,800)	(7,500)
Balance at December	327,000	237,150	203,250
Executives Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Balance at January	237,150	203,250	117,450
Restricted stock grants	167,250	112,500	113,250
Restricted stock lapses	(72,600)	(71,100)	(27,450)
Unvested restricted stock, Forfeitures	(4,800)	(7,500)
Balance at December	327,000	237,150	203,250
Directors Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Balance at January	0	0	0
Restricted stock grants	6,303	9,423	1,810
Restricted stock lapses	(6,303)	(9,423)	(1,810)
Unvested restricted stock, Forfeitures	0	0
Balance at December	0	0	0

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Business Segments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Business Segments [Abstract]

Business Segments

Note 14—Business Segments

Torchmark's reportable segments are based on the insurance product lines it markets and administers: life insurance, health insurance, and annuities. These major product lines are set out as reportable segments because of the common characteristics of products within these categories, comparability of margins, and the similarity in regulatory environment and management techniques. There is also an investment segment which manages the investment portfolio, debt, and cash flow for the insurance segments and the corporate function. Torchmark's chief operating decision maker evaluates the overall performance of the operations of the Company in accordance with these segments.

Life insurance products include traditional and interest-sensitive whole life insurance as well as term life insurance. Health products are generally guaranteed-renewable and include Medicare Supplement, Medicare Part D, cancer, accident, long-term care, and limited-benefit hospital and surgical coverages. Annuities include fixed-benefit contracts.

Torchmark markets its insurance products through a number of distribution channels, each of which sells the products of one or more of Torchmark's insurance segments. The tables below present segment premium revenue by each of Torchmark's marketing groups.

Torchmark Corporation

Premium Income By Distribution Channel

	For the Year 2011
	Life				Health				Annuity				Total
Distribution Channel	Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total
United American Independent	$	22,846		1	$	306,490		33	$	608		100	$	329,944		12
Liberty National Exclusive		288,308		17		290,107		31						578,415		22
American Income Exclusive		607,914		35		80,119		9						688,033		26
Direct Response		593,650		35		57,067		6						650,717		25
Medicare Part D						196,710		21						196,710		7
Other		213,526		12										213,526		8
	$	1,726,244		100	$	930,493		100	$	608		100	$	2,657,345		100
	For the Year 2010
	Life				Health				Annuity				Total
Distribution Channel	Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total
United American Independent	$	25,534		1	$	314,524		32	$	638		100	$	340,696		13
Liberty National Exclusive		294,587		18		331,056		34						625,643		24
American Income Exclusive		560,649		34		79,059		8						639,708		24
Direct Response		566,604		34		54,328		5						620,932		23
Medicare Part D						208,970		21						208,970		8
Other		216,325		13										216,325		8
	$	1,663,699		100	$	987,937		100	$	638		100	$	2,652,274		100
	For the Year 2009
	Life				Health				Annuity				Total
Distribution Channel	Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total
United American Independent	$	28,498		2	$	326,442		32	$	541		100	$	355,481		14
Liberty National Exclusive		298,485		19		388,522		38						687,007		26
American Income Exclusive		507,899		32		75,097		7						582,996		22
Direct Response		536,878		33		46,555		5						583,433		22
Medicare Part D						183,586		18						183,586		7
Other		220,093		14										220,093		9
	$	1,591,853		100	$	1,020,202		100	$	541		100	$	2,612,596		100

Because of the nature of the life insurance industry, Torchmark has no individual or group which would be considered a major customer. Substantially all of Torchmark's business is conducted in the United States, primarily in the Southeastern and Southwestern regions.

The measure of profitability established by the chief operating decision maker for insurance segments is underwriting margin before other income and administrative expenses, in accordance with the manner the segments are managed. It essentially represents gross profit margin on insurance products before insurance administrative expenses and consists of premium, less net policy obligations, acquisition expenses, and commissions. Interest credited to net policy liabilities (reserves less deferred acquisition costs) is reflected as a component of the Investment segment in order to match this cost to the investment earnings from the assets supporting the net policy liabilities.

The measure of profitability for the Investment segment is excess investment income, which represents the income earned on the investment portfolio in excess of net policy requirements and financing costs associated with Torchmark's debt. Other than the above-mentioned interest allocations and an intersegment commission, there are no other intersegment revenues or expenses. Expenses directly attributable to corporate operations are included in the "Corporate" category. Stock-based compensation expense is considered a corporate expense by Torchmark management and is included in this category. All other unallocated revenues and expenses on a pretax basis, including insurance administrative expense, are included in the "Other" segment category. The following tables set forth a reconciliation of Torchmark's revenues and operations by segment to its major income statement line items.

	For the Year 2011
	Life			Health			Annuity			Investment			Other			Corporate			Adjustments			Consolidated
Revenue:
Premium	$	1,726,244		$	930,493		$	608											$	(1,027	)(1)	$	2,656,318
Net investment income										$	707,041									(14,013	)(2,5)		693,028
Other income													$	2,507						(356	)(4)		2,151
Total revenue		1,726,244			930,493			608			707,041			2,507						(15,396	)		3,351,497
Expenses:
Policy benefits		1,118,909			632,847			42,547												(1,027	)(1)		1,793,276
Required interest on net reserves		(458,029	)		(36,729	)		(57,040	)		551,798												0
Amortization of acquisition costs		503,649			123,442			12,688			(214,998	)											424,781
Commissions and premium tax		75,480			48,942			68												(356	)(4)		124,134
Insurance administrative expense (3)														159,109						19,880	(6,7,8)		178,989
Parent expense																$	7,693						7,693
Stock-based compensation expense																	14,954						14,954
Interest expense											77,644									264	(2)		77,908
Total expenses		1,240,009			768,502			(1,737	)		414,444			159,109			22,647			18,761			2,621,735
Sub total		486,235			161,991			2,345			292,597			(156,602	)		(22,647	)		(34,157	)		729,762
Non operating items																				19,880	(6,7,8)		19,880
Amortization of low-income housing interests																				14,277	(5)		14,277
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	$	486,235		$	161,991		$	2,345		$	292,597		$	(156,602	)	$	(22,647	)	$	0			763,919
Deduct applicable income taxes																							(249,495	)
Segment profits after tax																							514,424
Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability																							249,495
Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)																							25,904
Deduct amortization of low-income housing(5)																							(14,277	)
Deduct state administrative settlement expense(6)																							(6,901	)
Deduct loss on sale of equipment(7)																							(979	)
Deduct litigation expense(8)																							(12,000	)
Pretax income per Consolidated Statement of Operations																						$	755,666

(1) Medicare Part D items adjusted to GAAP from the segment analysis, which matches expected benefits with policy premium.

(2) Reclassification of interest amount due to accounting rule requiring deconsolidation of Trust Preferred Securities.

(3) Administrative expense is not allocated to insurance segments.

(4) Elimination of intersegment commission.

(5) Amortization of low-income housing interests.

(6) State administrative settlement expense.

(7) Loss on sale of equipment.

(8) Litigation expense.

	For the Year 2010
	Life			Health			Annuity			Investment			Other			Corporate			Adjustments			Consolidated
Revenue:
Premium	$	1,663,699		$	987,937		$	638											$	(516	)(1)	$	2,651,758
Net investment income										$	685,253									(8,889	) (2,5)		676,364
Other income													$	2,834						(664	) (4)		2,170
Total revenue		1,663,699			987,937			638			685,253			2,834						(10,069	)		3,330,292
Expenses:
Policy benefits		1,082,423			669,707			41,430												(516	) (1)		1,793,044
Required interest on net reserves		(434,319	)		(35,368	)		(51,996	)		521,683												0
Amortization of acquisition costs		487,770			130,238			9,722			(208,840	)											418,890
Commissions and premium tax		72,559			53,301			134												(664	)(4)		125,330
Insurance administrative expense (3)														155,615									155,615
Parent expense																$	8,809						8,809
Stock-based compensation expense																	11,848						11,848
Interest expense											75,265									264	(2)		75,529
Total expenses		1,208,433			817,878			(710	)		388,108			155,615			20,657			(916	)		2,589,065
Subtotal		455,266			170,059			1,348			297,145			(152,781	)		(20,657	)		(9,153	)		741,227
Amortization of low-income housing interests																				9,153	(5)		9,153
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	$	455,266		$	170,059		$	1,348		$	297,145		$	(152,781	)	$	(20,657	)	$	0			750,380
Deduct applicable income taxes																							(252,357	)
Segment profits after tax																							498,023
Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability																							252,357
Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)																							37,340
Deduct amortization of low-income housing(5)																							(9,153	)
Pretax income per Consolidated Statement of Operations																						$	778,567

(1) Medicare Part D items adjusted to GAAP from the segment analysis, which matches expected benefits with policy premium.

(2) Reclassification of interest amount due to accounting rule requiring deconsolidation of Trust Preferred Securities.

(3) Administrative expense is not allocated to insurance segments.

(4) Elimination of intersegment commission.

(5) Amortization of low-income housing interests, previously considered a reduction of consolidated pretax segment profitability.

	For the Year 2009
	Life			Health			Annuity			Investment			Other			Corporate			Adjustments			Consolidated
Revenue:
Premium	$	1,591,853		$	1,020,202		$	541											$	(2,491	)(1)	$	2,610,105
Net investment income										$	632,276									264	(2)		632,540
Other income													$	2,914						(994	)(4)		1,920
Total revenue		1,591,853			1,020,202			541			632,276			2,914						(3,221	)		3,244,565
Expenses:
Policy benefits		1,040,248			679,810			35,762												(2,491	)(1)		1,753,329
Required interest on net reserves		(410,917	)		(34,243	)		(41,840	)		487,000												0
Amortization of acquisition costs		462,837			147,151			6,040			(200,042	)											415,986
Commissions and premium tax		72,273			57,074			267												(994	)(4)		128,620
Insurance administrative expense(3)														150,325						355	(5)		150,680
Parent expense																$	9,590						9,590
Stock-based compensation expense																	9,860						9,860
Interest expense											69,668									264	(2)		69,932
Total expenses		1,164,441			849,792			229			356,626			150,325			19,450			(2,866	)		2,537,997
Subtotal		427,412			170,410			312			275,650			(147,411	)		(19,450	)		(355	)		706,568
Nonoperating items																				355	(5)		355
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	$	427,412		$	170,410		$	312		$	275,650		$	(147,411	)	$	(19,450	)	$	0			706,923
Deduct applicable income taxes																							(238,153	)
Segment profits after tax																							468,770
Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability																							238,153
Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses) and impairments																							(129,492	)
Deduct loss on Company-occupied property(5)																							(355	)
Pretax income per Consolidated Statement of Operations																						$	577,076

(1) Medicare Part D items adjusted to GAAP from the segment analysis, which matches expected benefits with policy premium.

(2) Reclassification of interest amount due to accounting rule requiring deconsolidation of Trust Preferred Securities.

(3) Administrative expense is not allocated to insurance segments.

(4) Elimination of intersegment commission.

(5) Loss on Company-occupied property.

Torchmark holds a sizeable investment portfolio to support its insurance liabilities, the yield from which is used to offset policy benefit, acquisition, administrative and tax expenses. This yield or investment income is taken into account when establishing premium rates and profitability expectations of its insurance products. In holding such a portfolio, investments are sold, called, or written down from time to time, resulting in a realized gain or loss. These gains or losses generally occur as a result of disposition due to issuer calls, a downgrade in credit quality, compliance with Company investment policies, or other reasons often beyond management's control. Unlike investment income, realized gains and losses are incidental to insurance operations, and only overall yields are considered when setting premium rates or insurance product profitability expectations. While these gains and losses are not relevant to segment profitability or core operating results, they can have a material positive or negative result on net income. For these reasons, management removes realized investment gains and losses when it views its segment operations.

The following table summarizes the measures of segment profitability as determined in the three preceding tables for comparison with prior periods. The table also reconciles segment profits to net income.

Analysis of Profitability by Segment

	2011			2010*			2009			2011 Change			%			2010 Change			%
Life insurance underwriting margin	$	486,235		$	455,266		$	427,412		$	30,969			7		$	27,854			7
Health insurance underwriting margin		161,991			170,059			170,410			(8,068	)		(5	)		(351	)		0
Annuity underwriting margin		2,345			1,348			312			997						1,036
Other insurance:
Other income		2,507			2,834			2,914			(327	)		(12	)		(80	)		(3	)
Administrative expense		(159,109	)		(155,615	)		(150,325	)		(3,494	)		2			(5,290	)		4
Excess investment income		292,597			297,145			275,650			(4,548	)		(2	)		21,495			8
Corporate and adjustments		(22,647	)		(20,657	)		(19,450	)		(1,990	)		10			(1,207	)		6
Pre-tax total		763,919			750,380			706,923			13,539			2			43,457			6
Applicable taxes		(249,495	)		(252,357	)		(238,153	)		2,862			(1	)		(14,204	)		6
After-tax total, before discontinued operations		514,424			498,023			468,770			16,401			3			29,253			6
Discontinued operations (after tax)		0			27,932			26,810			(27,932	)					1,122			4
Total		514,424			525,955			495,580			(11,531	)		(2	)		30,375			6
Realized gains (losses)—investments (after tax)		16,838			24,270			(85,345	)		(7,432	)					109,615
Realized gains (losses)—discontinued operations (after tax)		0			1,852			(7,909	)		(1,852	)					9,761
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations (after tax)		(455	)		(35,013	)		0			34,558						(35,013	)
Tax settlements (after tax)		0			0			2,858			0						(2,858	)
Cost of legal settlements (after tax)		(7,800	)		0			0			(7,800	)					0
State administrative settlement (after tax)		(4,486	)		0			0			(4,486	)					0
Loss on Company-occupied property (after tax)		0			0			(231	)		0						231
Loss on sale of equipment (after tax)		(636	)		0			0			(636	)					0
Net income	$	517,885		$	517,064		$	404,953		$	821			0		$	112,111			28

* During 2011, management changed the definition of total segment profits before tax to exclude the amortization of low-income housing interests, which management views as a tax expense. Accordingly, the 2010 total segment profits before tax and applicable tax amount have been updated for comparison purposes.

Assets for each segment are reported based on a specific identification basis. The insurance segments' assets contain deferred acquisition costs (including the value of insurance purchased). The investment segment includes the investment portfolio, cash, and accrued investment income. Goodwill is assigned to the insurance segments at the time of purchase based on the excess of cost over the fair value of assets acquired for the benefit of that segment. All other assets, representing approximately 4% of total assets, are included in the other category. The table below reconciles segment assets to total assets as reported in the consolidated financial statements.

Assets by Segment

	At December 31, 2011
	Life		Health		Annuity		Investment		Other		Consolidated
Cash and invested assets							$	12,437,699			$	12,437,699
Accrued investment income								192,325				192,325
Deferred acquisition costs	$	2,929,739	$	520,685	$	34,427						3,484,851
Goodwill		309,609		87,282								396,891
Other assets									$	644,625		644,625
Total assets	$	3,239,348	$	607,967	$	34,427	$	12,630,024	$	644,625	$	17,156,391
	At December 31, 2010
	Life		Health		Annuity		Investment		Other		Consolidated
Cash and invested assets							$	11,563,656			$	11,563,656
Accrued investment income								183,861				183,861
Deferred acquisition costs	$	2,803,095	$	548,436	$	54,804						3,406,335
Goodwill		309,609		87,282								396,891
Other assets									$	609,019		609,019
Total assets	$	3,112,704	$	635,718	$	54,804	$	11,747,517	$	609,019	$	16,159,762

Other Balances by Segment

	At December 31, 2011
	Life		Health		Annuity		Consolidated
Future policy benefits	$	7,697,108	$	589,441	$	1,285,708	$	9,572,257
Unearned and advance premium		16,965		52,574				69,539
Policy claims and other benefits payable		118,737		103,517				222,254
Total	$	7,832,810	$	745,532	$	1,285,708	$	9,864,050

	At December 31, 2010
	Life		Health		Annuity		Consolidated
Future policy benefits	$	7,318,283	$	570,775	$	1,260,973	$	9,150,031
Unearned and advance premium		17,343		56,822				74,165
Policy claims and other benefits payable		121,000		100,598				221,598
Total	$	7,456,626	$	728,195	$	1,260,973	$	9,445,794

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Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Federal income tax benefit recorded			$ 2,500,000
Operating loss carryforwards	21,000,000
Net operating loss carryforwards, beginning of expiration		2025
Recognized interest income, net of Federal income tax expense	0	124,000	1,700,000
Accrued interest receivable, net of Federal Income tax benefits	$ 2,700,000	$ 4,100,000

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Commitments And Contingencies (Schedule Of The Investment Portfolio At Fair Value) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2011
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
Investment-grade corporate securities	80.00%
Securities of state and municipal governments	11.00%
Below-investment-grade securities	5.00%
Policy loans, which are secured by the underlying insurance policy values	3.00%
Other fixed maturities, equity securities, mortgages, real estate, other long-term investments, and short-term investments	1.00%
Total	100.00%

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Consolidated Statements Of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]		Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]		Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2008	$ 0	$ 128,812	[1]	$ 446,065	$ (1,170,417)	$ 2,886,013	[1]	$ (67,566)	$ 2,222,907
Comprehensive income (loss)					851,234	404,953	[1]		1,256,187
Common dividends declared						(47,182)	[1]		(47,182)
Acquisition of treasury stock								(47,564)	(47,564)
Stock-based compensation				5,419				4,441	9,860
Exercise of stock options				253		(435)	[1]	4,865	4,683
Retirement of treasury stock		(3,000)	[1]	(10,376)		(56,382)	[1]	69,758	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	0	125,812	[1]	441,361	(319,183)	3,186,967	[1]	(36,066)	3,398,891
Comprehensive income (loss)					342,141	517,064	[1]		859,205
Common dividends declared						(49,015)	[1]		(49,015)
Acquisition of treasury stock								(246,006)	(246,006)
Stock-based compensation				8,393				3,451	11,844
Exercise of stock options				4,205		(2,329)	[1]	39,446	41,322
Retirement of treasury stock		(6,000)	[1]	(21,351)		(179,205)	[1]	206,556	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	0	119,812	[1]	432,608	22,958	3,473,482	[1]	(32,619)	4,016,241
Comprehensive income (loss)					526,465	517,885	[1]		1,044,350
Common dividends declared						(49,815)	[1]		(49,815)
Acquisition of treasury stock								(972,556)	(972,556)
Stock-based compensation				7,631				7,323	14,954
Exercise of stock options				13,121		(29,328)	[1]	191,941	175,734
Retirement of treasury stock		(7,500)	[1]	(28,029)		(277,743)	[1]	313,272	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 0	$ 112,312	[1]	$ 425,331	$ 549,423	$ 3,634,481	[1]	$ (492,639)	$ 4,228,908

[1] Amounts have been retroactively adjusted for stock split described in Note 1.

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fixed maturities, available for sale, amortized cost	$ 10,924,244	$ 10,435,497
Equity securities, cost	14,875	14,875
Long-term debt, fair value	1,294,192
Preferred stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized	320,000,000	320,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	112,312,123	119,812,123
Common stock, shares held in treasury	11,732,658	947,497
Long-Term Debt [Member]
Long-term debt, fair value	$ 947,142	$ 933,336

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Liability For Unpaid Health Claims

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Liability For Unpaid Health Claims [Abstract]

Liability For Unpaid Health Claims

Note 7—Liability for Unpaid Health Claims

Activity in the liability for unpaid health claims is summarized as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Balance at beginning of year	$	100,598		$	104,346		$	119,855
Incurred related to:
Current year		628,137			661,740			674,710
Prior years		(10,644	)		(19,424	)		(19,487	)
Total incurred		617,493			642,316			655,223
Paid related to:
Current year		538,910			577,875			583,127
Prior years		75,664			68,189			87,605
Total paid		614,574			646,064			670,732
Balance at end of year	$	103,517		$	100,598		$	104,346

At the end of each period, the liability for unpaid health claims includes an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported to the Company. Such estimates are updated regularly based upon the Company's most recent claims data with recognition of emerging experience trends. Because of the nature of the Company's health business, the payment lags are relatively short and most claims are fully paid within a year from the time incurred. Fluctuations in claims experience can lead to either over- or under-estimation of the liability for any given year. The difference between the estimate made at the end of the prior period and the actual experience during the period is reflected above under the caption " Incurred related to: Prior years. "

Claims paid in each of the years 2009 through 2011 were settled for amounts less than anticipated when estimated at the previous year end. The most significant components of these favorable variances were in Torchmark's UA Independent, Liberty National Branch, and Medicare Part D distribution channels. The Company's estimates at each point have reflected the emerging data and trends. In the Medicare Part D channel, the Company is required to estimate claim discounts that will be received from drug manufacturers. In each of the years 2009 through 2011, the discounts from the drug manufacturers received in the current year but related to prior year claims were higher than anticipated when the claim liability was determined.

The liability for unpaid health claims is included with "Policy claims and other benefits payable" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Business Segments (Reconciliation Of Revenues And Operations By Segment To Its Major Income Statement Line Items) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended														9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009		Dec. 31, 2011 Life Insurance [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Life Insurance [Member]		Dec. 31, 2009 Life Insurance [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Health Insurance [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Health Insurance [Member]		Dec. 31, 2009 Health Insurance [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Annuity [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Annuity [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Annuity [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Annuity [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Investment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Investment [Member]		Dec. 31, 2009 Investment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Segments [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 Other Segments [Member]		Dec. 31, 2009 Other Segments [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Corporate [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Corporate [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Corporate [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Adjustments [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 Adjustments [Member]		Dec. 31, 2009 Adjustments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premium	$ 653,542	$ 650,525	$ 672,350	$ 679,901	$ 653,418	$ 657,827	$ 669,569	$ 670,944	$ 2,656,318		$ 2,651,758		$ 2,610,105		$ 1,726,244	$ 1,663,699		$ 1,591,853	$ 930,493	$ 987,937		$ 1,020,202			$ 608	$ 638	$ 541														$ (1,027)	[1]	$ (516)	[1]	$ (2,491)	[1]
Net investment income	174,786	173,491	173,104	171,647	166,304	172,337	170,612	167,111	693,028		676,364		632,540															707,041	685,253		632,276										(14,013)	[2],[3]	(8,889)	[2],[4]	264	[2]
Other income									2,151		2,170		1,920																			2,507		2,834		2,914					(356)	[5]	(664)	[5]	(994)	[5]
Total revenue									3,351,497		3,330,292		3,244,565		1,726,244	1,663,699		1,591,853	930,493	987,937		1,020,202			608	638	541	707,041	685,253		632,276	2,507		2,834		2,914					(15,396)		(10,069)		(3,221)
Policy benefits	435,681	438,774	454,694	464,127	436,419	433,514	454,177	468,934	1,793,276		1,793,044		1,753,329		1,118,909	1,082,423		1,040,248	632,847	669,707		679,810			42,547	41,430	35,762														(1,027)	[1]	(516)	[1]	(2,491)	[1]
Required interest on net reserves									0		0		0		(458,029)	(434,319)		(410,917)	(36,729)	(35,368)		(34,243)			(57,040)	(51,996)	(41,840)	551,798	521,683		487,000
Amortization of acquisition costs	105,437	104,804	106,752	107,788	100,392	104,045	104,851	109,602	424,781		418,890		415,986		503,649	487,770		462,837	123,442	130,238		147,151			12,688	9,722	6,040	(214,998)	(208,840)		(200,042)
Commissions and premium tax									124,134		125,330		128,620		75,480	72,559		72,273	48,942	53,301		57,074			68	134	267														(356)	[5]	(664)	[5]	(994)	[5]
Insurance administrative expense									178,989	[6]	155,615	[6]	150,680	[6]																		159,109	[6]	155,615	[6]	150,325	[6]				19,880	[6],[7],[8],[9]			355	[10],[6]
Parent expense									7,693		8,809		9,590																									7,693	8,809	9,590
Stock-based compensation expense									14,954		11,848		9,860																									14,954	11,848	9,860
Interest expense									77,908		75,529		69,932															77,644	75,265		69,668										264	[2]	264	[2]	264	[2]
Total benefits and expenses									2,621,735		2,589,065		2,537,997		1,240,009	1,208,433		1,164,441	768,502	817,878		849,792			(1,737)	(710)	229	414,444	388,108		356,626	159,109		155,615		150,325		22,647	20,657	19,450	18,761		(916)		(2,866)
Subtotal									729,762		741,227		706,568		486,235	455,266		427,412	161,991	170,059		170,410			2,345	1,348	312	292,597	297,145		275,650	(156,602)		(152,781)		(147,411)		(22,647)	(20,657)	(19,450)	(34,157)		(9,153)		(355)
Nonoperating items									19,880				355																												19,880	[7],[8],[9]			355	[10]
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)									763,919		750,380	[11]	706,923		486,235	455,266	[11]	427,412	161,991	170,059	[11]	170,410	1,348	[11]	2,345	1,348	312	292,597	297,145	[11]	275,650	(156,602)		(152,781)		(147,411)		(22,647)	(20,657)	(19,450)	0		0		0
Deduct applicable income taxes									(249,495)		(252,357)	[11]	(238,153)
After-tax total net operating income, before discontinued operations									514,424		498,023	[11]	468,770
Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability									249,495		252,357		238,153
Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)									25,904		37,340		(129,492)
Deduct loss on Company-occupied property													(355)	[10]
Deduct amortization of low-income housing									(14,277)	[3]	(9,153)	[4]
Deduct state administrative settlement expense									(6,901)	[7]
Deduct loss on sale of equipment									(979)	[8]
Deduct litigation expense									(12,000)	[9]
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$ 182,504	$ 198,822	$ 218,528	$ 155,812	$ 215,480	$ 208,313	$ 180,720	$ 174,054	$ 755,666		$ 778,567		$ 577,076

[1] Medicare Part D items adjusted to GAAP from the segment analysis, which matches expected benefits with policy premium.

[2] Reclassification of interest amount due to accounting rule requiring deconsolidation of Trust Preferred Securities.

[3] Amortization of low-income housing interests.

[4] Amortization of low-income housing interests, previously considered a reduction of consolidated pretax segment profitability.

[5] Elimination of intersegment commission.

[6] Administrative expense is not allocated to insurance segments.

[7] State administrative settlement expense.

[8] Loss on sale of equipment.

[9] Litigation expense.

[10] Loss on Company-occupied property.

[11] During 2011, management changed the definition of total segment profits before tax to exclude the amortization of low-income housing interests, which management views as a tax expense. Accordingly, the 2010 total segment profits before tax and applicable tax amount have been updated for comparison purposes.

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Shareholders' Equity (Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	108,278,113	122,009,228	124,550,384
Weighted average dilutive options outstanding	1,537,277	1,114,110	0
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	109,815,390	123,123,338	124,550,384

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Shareholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Share repurchases under stock repurchase program, amount	$ 788,000,000	$ 204,000,000	$ 47,000,000
Shares repurchased for dilution purposes, shares	4,400,000	1,100,000	30,000
Shares repurchased for dilution purposes, amount	185,000,000	42,000,000	869,000
Retirement of treasury stock	7,500,000	6,000,000	3,000,000
Dividends paid by subsidiaries to parent company	769,000,000
Dividend from funds available from sale of affilate	305,000,000
Maximum amount of dividends expected to be available from subsidiaries without regulatory approval during 2012	470,000,000
Antidilutive shares	3,500,000	10,300,000	14,100,000
Stock acquired, shares	18,900,000	5,700,000	3,100,000
Parent Company [Member]
Dividends paid by subsidiaries to parent company	$ 769,139,000	$ 370,947,000	$ 354,695,000

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Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Feb. 14, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	TMK
Entity Registrant Name	TORCHMARK CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000320335
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		100,186,568
Entity Public Float			$ 4,506,812,451
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

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Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Note 8—Income Taxes

Torchmark and its subsidiaries file a life-nonlife consolidated Federal income tax return.

The components of income taxes were as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Income tax expense from continuing operations	$	237,326		$	256,274		$	191,024
Income tax expense from discontinued operations		(467	)		11,830			9,216
Shareholders' equity:
Other comprehensive income (loss)		284,161			184,233			458,358
Tax basis compensation expense (from the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards) in excess of amounts recognized for financial reporting purposes		(13,121	)		(3,455	)		(253	)
	$	507,899		$	448,882		$	658,345

Income tax expense from continuing operations consists of:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Current income tax expense	$	169,500	$	147,346	$	147,917
Deferred income tax expense		67,826		108,928		43,107
	$	237,326	$	256,274	$	191,024

In each of the years 2009 through 2011, deferred income tax expense was incurred because of certain differences between net income before income taxes as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and taxable income as reported on Torchmark's income tax returns. As explained in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies, these differences caused the financial statement book values of some assets and liabilities to be different from their respective tax bases.

The effective income tax rate differed from the expected 35% rate as shown below:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			%			2010			%			2009			%
Expected income taxes	$	264,483			35.0	%	$	272,498			35.0	%	$	201,977			35.0	%
Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from:
Tax-exempt investment income		(3,468	)		(.5	)		(3,371	)		(.4	)		(3,483	)		(.6	)
Tax settlements		0			0			0			0			(3,101	)		(.5	)
Low income housing investments		(24,258	)		(3.2	)		(12,900	)		(1.7	)		(6,038	)		(1.0	)
Other		569			.1			47			0			1,669			.3
Income tax expense	$	237,326			31.4	%	$	256,274			32.9	%	$	191,024			33.2	%

The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are presented below:

	December 31,
	2011		2010
Deferred tax assets:
Fixed maturity investments	$	35,670	$	50,126
Carryover of tax losses		7,429		12,293
Unrealized losses		0		2,023
Other assets and other liabilities		5,509		1,352
Total gross deferred tax assets		48,608		65,794
Deferred tax liabilities:
Unrealized gains		276,591		0
Employee and agent compensation		57,136		55,781
Deferred acquisition costs		911,816		877,561
Future policy benefits, unearned and advance premiums, and policy claims		355,825		338,771
Total gross deferred tax liabilities		1,601,368		1,272,113
Net deferred tax liability	$	1,552,760	$	1,206,319

Torchmark's Federal income tax returns are routinely audited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS completed its examination of the Company's 2005, 2006, and 2007 tax years during 2009. The Company recorded a $2.5 million tax benefit to reflect the results of the examination, including a reduction in its liability for uncertain tax positions relating to these years. The statutes of limitation for the assessments of additional tax are closed for all tax years prior to 2008. Management believes that adequate provision has been made in the financial statements for any potential assessments that may result from future tax examinations and other tax-related matters for all open tax years.

Torchmark has net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $21 million at December 31, 2011 which will begin to expire in 2025 if not otherwise used to offset future taxable income. A valuation allowance is to be provided when it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized by the Company. No valuation allowance has been recorded relating to Torchmark's deferred tax assets since, in management's judgment, Torchmark will more likely than not have sufficient taxable income in future periods to fully realize its existing deferred tax assets.

Torchmark's tax liability is adjusted to include the provision for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits (excluding effects of accrued interest, net of Federal tax benefits) for the years 2009 through 2011 is as follows:

	2011			2010			2009
Balance at January 1,	$	875		$	3,960		$	8,481
Increase based on tax positions taken in current period		0			245			73
Increase related to tax positions taken in prior periods		0			280			0
Decrease related to tax positions taken in prior periods		(875	)		(3,610	)		(4,594	)
Decrease due to settlements		0			0			0
Balance at December 31,	$	0		$	875		$	3,960

Torchmark's continuing practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company recognized interest income of $0, $124 thousand, and $1.7 million, net of Federal income tax benefits, in its Consolidated Statements of Operations for 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. The Company had an accrued interest receivable of $2.7 million and $4.1 million, net of Federal income tax benefits, as of 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company had no accrued penalties at December 31, 2011 or 2010.

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Postretirement Benefits (Reconciliation Of Benefit Obligation And Plan Assets, Pension Benefits) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value at beginning of year	$ 236,893
Contributions	8,600	13,000	15,000
Fair value at end of year	258,067	236,893
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Obligation at beginning of year	285,560	242,159
Service cost	9,277	8,174	7,571
Interest cost	16,106	15,392	14,490
Actuarial loss (gain)	34,515	34,029
Benefits paid	(13,849)	(14,194)
Obligation at end of year	331,609	285,560	242,159
Fair value at beginning of year	236,893	211,877
Return on assets	26,439	26,576
Contributions	8,584	12,634
Fair value at end of year	258,067	236,893	211,877
Funded status at year end	$ (73,542)	$ (48,667)

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Debt (Selected Information About Debt Issues) (Details) (USD $)					12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2011 Notes, Due 5/15/23 [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 Notes, Due 5/15/23 [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Notes, Due 8/1/13 [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 Notes, Due 8/1/13 [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Senior Notes, Due 6/15/16 [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 Senior Notes, Due 6/15/16 [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Senior Notes, Due 6/15/19 [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 Senior Notes, Due 6/15/19 [Member]		Jun. 30, 2009 Senior Notes, Due 6/15/19 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Long-Term Debt [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Long-Term Debt [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Junior Subordinated Debentures [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 Junior Subordinated Debentures [Member]		Dec. 31, 2006 Junior Subordinated Debentures [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Total Funded Debt [member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Total Funded Debt [member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Commercial Paper [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 Commercial Paper [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Annual Percentage Rate					7.875%	[1],[2]			7.375%	[1],[2]			6.375%	[1],[3]			9.25%	[1],[3]						7.10%	[4],[5]
Debt instrument, maturity date					May 15, 2023				Aug. 01, 2013				Jun. 15, 2016				Jun. 15, 2019							Jun. 01, 2046
Issue Date					5/93	[1],[2]			7/93	[1],[2]			6/06	[1],[3]			6/09	[1],[3]						6/06	[4],[5]
Periodic Interest Payments Due					5/15 & 11/15	[1],[2]			2/1 & 8/1	[1],[2]			6/15 & 12/15	[1],[3]			6/15 & 12/15	[1],[3]						quarterly
Outstanding Principle (Par Value)	$ 1,151,020,000				$ 165,612,000	[1],[2]			$ 94,050,000	[1],[2]			$ 250,000,000	[1],[3]			$ 292,647,000	[1],[3]			$ 300,000,000	$ 802,309,000		$ 123,711,000	[4],[5]			$ 124,000,000	$ 926,020,000		$ 225,000,000	[6]
Outstanding Principle (Book Value)	1,139,124,000		1,112,229,000		163,344,000	[1],[2]	163,227,000	[1],[2]	93,823,000	[1],[2]	93,700,000	[1],[2]	247,875,000	[1],[3]	247,477,000	[1],[3]	289,661,000	[1],[3]	289,397,000	[1],[3]		790,571,000	789,643,000	123,711,000	[4],[5]	123,711,000	[4],[5]		914,282,000	913,354,000	224,842,000	[6]	198,875,000	[6]
Outstanding Principle (Fair Value)	1,294,192,000				195,654,000	[1],[2]			100,302,000	[1],[2]			275,910,000	[1],[3]			375,276,000	[1],[3]				947,142,000	933,336,000	122,208,000	[4],[5],[7]				1,069,350,000		224,842,000	[6]
Issue Expenses	$ (4,132,000)	[8]	$ (4,158,000)	[8]

[1] All securities other than the Junior Subordinated Debentures have equal priority with one another.

[2] Not callable.

[3] Callable subject to "make-whole" premium.

[4] Junior Subordinated Debentures are classified as "Due to affiliates" and are junior to other securities in priority of payment.

[5] Callable anytime

[6] Classified as short-term debt.

[7] Fair value of Trust Preferred Securities.

[8] Unamortized issue expenses related to Trust Preferred Securities.

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Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Revenue:
Life premium	$ 1,726,244		$ 1,663,699		$ 1,591,853
Health premium	929,466		987,421		1,017,711
Other premium	608		638		541
Total premium	2,656,318		2,651,758		2,610,105
Net investment income	693,028		676,364		632,540
Realized investment gains (losses)	25,924		42,190		13,879
Other-than-temporary impairments	(20)		(4,850)		(164,137)
Portion of impairment loss recognized in other comprehensive income	0		0		20,766
Other income	2,151		2,170		1,920
Total revenue	3,377,401		3,367,632		3,115,073
Benefits and expenses:
Life policyholder benefits	1,118,909		1,082,423		1,040,248
Health policyholder benefits	631,820		669,191		677,319
Other policyholder benefits	42,547		41,430		35,762
Total policyholder benefits	1,793,276		1,793,044		1,753,329
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	424,781		418,890		415,986
Commissions and premium taxes	124,134		125,330		128,620
Other operating expense	201,636		176,272		170,130
Interest expense	77,908		75,529		69,932
Total benefits and expenses	2,621,735		2,589,065		2,537,997
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	755,666		778,567		577,076
Income taxes	(237,326)		(256,274)		(191,024)
Income from continuing operations	518,340		522,293		386,052
Discontinued operations:
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	0		29,784		18,901
Loss on disposal, net of tax benefit of $467 in 2011 and $2,868 in 2010	(455)		(35,013)	[1]	0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(455)		(5,229)		18,901
Net income	$ 517,885		$ 517,064	[1]	$ 404,953
Basic net income per share:
Continuing operations	$ 4.79	[2]	$ 4.28	[2]	$ 3.10	[2]
Discontinued operations	$ (0.01)	[2]	$ (0.04)	[2]	$ 0.15	[2]
Total basic net income per share	$ 4.78	[2]	$ 4.24	[2]	$ 3.25	[2]
Diluted net income per share:
Continuing operations	$ 4.72	[2]	$ 4.24	[2]	$ 3.10	[2]
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	[2]	$ (0.04)	[2]	$ 0.15	[2]
Total diluted net income per share	$ 4.72	[2]	$ 4.20	[2]	$ 3.25	[2]
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.46	[2]	$ 0.41	[2]	$ 0.38	[2]

[1] During 2011, management changed the definition of total segment profits before tax to exclude the amortization of low-income housing interests, which management views as a tax expense. Accordingly, the 2010 total segment profits before tax and applicable tax amount have been updated for comparison purposes.

[2] Per share amounts have been retroactively adjusted for stock split described in Note 1.

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Statutory Accounting

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Statutory Accounting [Abstract]

Statutory Accounting

Note 2—Statutory Accounting

Life insurance subsidiaries of Torchmark are required to file statutory financial statements with state insurance regulatory authorities. Accounting principles used to prepare these statutory financial statements differ from GAAP. Consolidated net income and shareholders' equity (capital and surplus) on a statutory basis for the insurance subsidiaries were as follows:

	Net Income Year Ended December 31,						Shareholders' Equity At December 31,
	2011		2010		2009		2011		2010
Life insurance subsidiaries	$	424,738	$	499,440	$	274,734	$	1,273,117	$	1,607,811

The excess, if any, of shareholder's equity of the insurance subsidiaries on a GAAP basis over that determined on a statutory basis is not available for distribution to Torchmark without regulatory approval. More information on the restrictions on the payment of dividends can be found in Note 12—Shareholders' Equity.

Torchmark's statutory financial statements are presented on the basis of accounting practices prescribed by the insurance department of the state of domicile of each insurance subsidiary. All states have adopted the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' (NAIC) statutory accounting practices (NAIC SAP) as the basis for statutory accounting. However, certain states have retained the prescribed practices of their respective insurance code or administrative code which can differ from NAIC SAP. There are no significant differences between NAIC SAP and the accounting practices prescribed by the states of domicile for Torchmark's life insurance companies that affect statutory surplus.

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Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies

Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies

Business:    Torchmark Corporation (Torchmark or alternatively, the Company) through its subsidiaries provides a variety of life and health insurance products and annuities to a broad base of customers.

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 financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Principles of Consolidation:    The consolidated financial statements include the results of Torchmark and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 Torchmark accounts for its variable interest entities under accounting guidance which clarifies the definition of a variable interest and the instructions for consolidating variable interest entities (VIE's). Only primary beneficiaries are required or allowed to consolidate VIE's. Therefore, a company may have voting control of a VIE, but if it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE, it is not permitted to consolidate the VIE. The trust that is liable for Torchmark's Trust Preferred Securities meets the definition of a VIE. However, Torchmark is not the primary beneficiary of this entity because its interest is not variable. Therefore, Torchmark is not permitted to consolidate its interest, even though it owns 100% of the voting equity of the trust and guarantees its performance. For this reason, Torchmark reports its 7.1% Junior Subordinated Debentures due to the trust as "Due to affiliates" each period at its carrying value. However, Torchmark views the Trust Preferred Securities as it does any other debt offering and consolidates the trust in its segment analysis because GAAP requires that the segment analysis be reported as management views its operations and financial condition.

Additionally, as further described under the caption Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Interests below in this note, Torchmark holds passive interests in limited partnerships which 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 interests are also considered to be VIEs. They 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. Torchmark's involvement is limited to its limited partnership interest in the entities. Torchmark 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.

When a component of Torchmark's business is sold or expected to be sold during the ensuing year, Torchmark reports the assets and liabilities of the component as assets and liabilities of subsidiaries held for sale. Assets or liabilities of subsidiaries held for sale are segregated and are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at the lower of the carrying amount or estimated fair value less cost to sell. If the carrying amount of the business exceeds its estimated fair value, a loss is recognized. Torchmark reports the results of operations of a business as discontinued operations when the component is sold or expected to be sold, the operations and cash flows of the business have been or will be eliminated from the ongoing operations as a result of the disposal transaction, and Torchmark will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the business after the disposal transaction. The results of discontinued operations are reported in discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for current and prior periods commencing in the period in which the business is either disposed of or is accounted for as a disposal group, including any gain or loss recognized on the sale or adjustment of the carrying amount to fair value less cost to sell. Major components of the income from discontinued operations are separately disclosed in Note 3 — Discontinued Operations in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Because the business has been sold or classified as held for sale and its operations are discontinued, the financial results of the business are excluded from the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, other than in Note 3, the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and Note 2 — Statutory Accounting.

Investments:    Torchmark classifies all of its fixed-maturity investments, which include bonds and redeemable preferred stocks, as available for sale. Investments classified as available for sale are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred taxes, reflected directly in accumulated other comprehensive income. Investments in equity securities, which include common and nonredeemable preferred stocks, are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred taxes, reflected directly in accumulated other comprehensive income. Policy loans are carried at unpaid principal balances. Mortgage loans, included in "Other long-term investments," are carried at amortized cost. Investments in real estate, included in "Other long-term investments," are reported at cost less allowances for depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line method. Short-term investments include investments in interest-bearing time deposits with original maturities of twelve months or less.

Gains and losses realized on the disposition of investments are determined on a specific identification basis. Income attributable to investments is included in Torchmark's net investment income. Net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 included $552 million, $522 million, and $487 million, respectively, which was allocable to policyholder reserves or accounts. Realized investment gains and losses are not allocated to insurance policyholders' liabilities.

Fair Value Measurements:    Fair values for cash, short-term investments, short-term debt, receivables and payables approximate carrying value. Fair values for long-term debt investments, equity securities, and certain other assets are determined in accordance with specific accounting guidance . Fair values are based on quoted market prices, where available. Otherwise, fair values are based on quoted market prices of comparable instruments in active markets, quotes in inactive markets, or other observable criteria. For specific information regarding Torchmark's measurements and procedures in valuing financial instruments, please see Note 4—Investments under the caption Fair value measurements. The fair values of Torchmark's long-term debt issues, along with the trust preferred securities, are based on quoted market prices. Mortgage loans are valued at discounted cash flows.

Impairment of Investments:    Torchmark evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment as described in Note 4—Investments under the caption Other-than-temporary-impairments. 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. 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.

Cash:    Cash consists of balances on hand and on deposit in banks and financial institutions. Overdrafts arising from the overnight investment of funds offset cash balances on hand and on deposit.

Recognition of Premium Revenue and Related Expenses:    Premium income for traditional long-duration life and health insurance products is recognized 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. Profits for limited-payment life insurance contracts are recognized over the contract period. 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 $24 million, $26 million, and $28 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. Other premium consists of annuity policy charges in each year. Profits are also earned to the extent that investment income exceeds policy liability interest requirements. The related benefits and expenses are matched with revenues by means of the provision of future policy benefits and the amortization of deferred acquisition costs in a manner which recognizes profits as they are earned over the same period.

Future Policy Benefits:    The liability for future policy benefits for universal life-type products is represented by policy account value. The liability for future policy benefits for all other life and health products, approximately 81% of total future policy benefits, is provided on the net level premium method based on estimated investment yields, mortality, morbidity, persistency and other assumptions which were considered appropriate at the time the policies were issued. Assumptions used are based on Torchmark's previous experience with similar products. 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 periodically reviewed 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 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 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 the revised assumptions.

Deferred Acquisition Costs:    The costs of acquiring new business are generally deferred and recorded as an asset. Deferred acquisition costs consist primarily of sales commissions and other underwriting costs of new insurance sales. Deferred acquisition costs 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. Limited-payment contracts are amortized over the contract period. Universal life-type policies are amortized with interest in proportion to estimated gross profits. The assumptions used to amortize acquisition costs with regard to interest, mortality, morbidity, and persistency are consistent with those used to estimate the liability for future policy benefits. For interest-sensitive and deposit-balance 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. Deferred acquisition costs are subject to periodic recoverability and loss recognition testing to determine if there is a premium deficiency. These tests ensure that the present value of future contract-related cash flows will support the capitalized deferred acquisition cost asset. These cash flows consist primarily of premium income, less benefits and expenses taking inflation into account. 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.

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

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 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. More information concerning income taxes is provided in Note 8—Income Taxes.

Property and Equipment:    Property and equipment, included in "Other assets," is reported at cost less allowances for depreciation. Depreciation is recorded primarily on the straight line method over the estimated useful lives of these assets which range from two to ten years for equipment and five to forty years for buildings and improvements. Ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to income as incurred. Impairments, if any, are recorded when, based on events and circumstances, it becomes evident that the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying amount. Original cost of property and equipment was $119 million at both December 31, 2011 and 2010. Accumulated depreciation was $71 million at year end 2011 and $65 million at the end of 2010. Depreciation expense was $6.8 million in 2011, $6.0 million in 2010, and $4.6 million in 2009.

Asset Retirements:    Certain of Torchmark's subsidiaries own and occupy buildings containing asbestos. These facilities are subject to regulations which could cause the Company to be required to remove and dispose of all or part of the asbestos upon the occurrence of certain events. Otherwise, the subsidiaries are under no obligation under the regulations. At this time, no such events under these regulations have occurred. For this reason, the Company has not recorded a liability for this potential obligation, as the time at which any obligation could be settled is not known. Therefore, there is insufficient information to estimate a fair value.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Interests:    As of December 31, 2011, Torchmark had $293 million invested in limited partnerships that provide low-income housing tax credits and other related Federal income tax and state premium tax benefits to Torchmark. The carrying value of Torchmark's investment in these entities was $283 million at December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2011, Torchmark was obligated under future commitments of $109 million, which amount is included in the above carrying value. Interests for which the return has been guaranteed by unrelated third-parties are accounted for using the effective-yield method. The remaining interests are accounted for using the amortized-cost method.

For 2011 and 2010, the Federal income benefits accrued during the year, net of the amortization associated with guaranteed interests, were recorded in "Income taxes." Amortization associated with non-guaranteed interests and interests providing for state premium tax benefits was reflected as a component of "Net investment income." For years prior to 2010, the Federal income tax benefits accrued during the year, net of the amortization associated with all interests, were recorded in "Income taxes." All state premium tax benefits, net of the related amortization, were recorded in "Net investment income." At December 31, 2011, $281 million associated with the Federal interests was included in "Other assets" with the remaining $12 million state-related interests included in "Other invested assets." At December 31, 2010, the comparable amounts were $269 million and $14 million, respectively. Any unpaid commitments to invest are recorded in "Other liabilities." In the segment analysis, the amortization associated with the non-guaranteed interests is reflected as a component of "Income tax expenses," and not "Net investment income," consistent with the treatment of the guaranteed interests. Management views this presentation as a more accurate matching of costs with the associated revenues with respect to the low-income housing interests.

Goodwill:    The excess cost of business acquired over the fair value of their net assets is reported as goodwill. Goodwill is subject to annual impairment testing based on certain procedures outlined by GAAP. The procedures involve measuring the carrying value of each reporting unit of Torchmark's segments, including the goodwill of that unit, against the estimated fair value of the corresponding unit. If the carrying value of a unit including goodwill exceeds its estimated fair value, then the goodwill in that unit could potentially be impaired. In that event, further testing is required under the accounting guidance 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 test.

Torchmark has tested its goodwill annually in each of the years 2009 through 2011. These tests involved assigning carrying value by allocating the Company's net assets to each of the reporting units of Torchmark's segments, including the portion of goodwill assigned to the unit. The fair value of each reporting unit is determined using discounted expected cash flows associated with that unit. Judgment and assumptions are used in developing the projected cash flows for the reporting units, and such estimates are subject to change. The Company also exercises judgment in the determination of the discount rate, which management believes to be appropriate for the risk associated with the cash flow expectations. The fair value of each reporting unit is then measured against that reporting unit's corresponding carrying value. Because the estimated fair value exceeded the carrying value, including goodwill, of each reporting unit in each period, Torchmark's goodwill was not impaired in any of those periods.

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

Settlements:    During 2011, Torchmark settled a state administrative matter involving issues arising over a period of many years. The settlement resulted in a pre-tax charge of $6.9 million ($4.5 million after tax). Additionally in 2011, the Company accrued an estimated liability for settlement of an insurance litigation matter expected to settle in 2012. The liability for this litigation, which arose many years ago, was estimated to be $12.0 million pretax ($7.8 million after tax). Please refer to Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the litigation settlement. In 2009, Torchmark recorded a $2.9 million tax settlement primarily resulting from the favorable settlements of U.S. Federal income tax issues that related to prior tax years. More information on this tax settlement is provided in Note 8—Income Taxes. Management removes items that are related to prior periods when evaluating the operating results of current periods. Therefore, these items are excluded in its presentation of segment results as disclosed in Note 14—Business Segments, because accounting guidance requires that operating segment results be presented as management views its business.

Postretirement Benefits:    Torchmark 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. More information concerning the accounting and disclosures for postretirement benefits is found in Note 9—Postretirement Benefits.

Stock Compensation:    Torchmark accounts for stock-based compensation by recognizing an expense in the 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. Torchmark 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 2009 through 2011 is as follows:

	2011			2010			2009
Volatility factor		42.3	%		40.3	%		29.6	%
Dividend yield		1.0	%		1.3	%		2.4	%
Expected term (in years)		4.66			4.74			4.72
Risk-free rate		2.0	%		2.5	%		2.6	%

The expected term is generally derived from Company experience. However, expected terms of grants made under the Torchmark Corporation 2005 Incentive Plan (2005 Plan) and the 2007 Long-Term Compensation Plan (2007 Plan), involving grants made in the years 2005 through 2010, were determined based on the simplified method as permitted by Staff Accounting Bulletins 107 and 110. This method was used because the 2005 and 2007 Plans limited grants to a maximum contract term of seven years, and Torchmark had no previous experience with seven-year contract terms. Prior to 2005, substantially all grants contained ten-year terms. Because a large portion of these grants vest over a three-year period, the Company did not have sufficient exercise history during 2010 or previous years to determine an appropriate expected term on these grants. Beginning in 2011, all grants with seven-year terms are based on Company experience. The Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan replaced the previous plans and allows for option grants with a ten-year contractual term which vest over five years in addition to seven-year grants which vest over three years as permitted by the previous plans. The Company has no historical experience with five-year vesting, and will therefore use the simplified method to determine the expected term for these grants until such 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).

Torchmark management views all stock-based compensation expense as a corporate or Parent Company expense and, therefore, presents it as such in its segment analysis (See Note 14—Business Segments). It is included in "Other operating expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations

Stock Split:    Torchmark declared a three-for-two stock split paid in the form of a 50% stock dividend on all of the Company's outstanding common stock. The record date for the split was the close of business on June 1, 2011. On July 1, 2011, the payment date, holders of Torchmark common stock as of the record date received one additional share of stock for every two shares held. The Company paid $123 thousand in cash to acquire 2,841 fractional shares as a result of the split. All share and per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect this split for all periods presented in these consolidated financial statements. "Common stock" and "Retained earnings" presented for all prior periods in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity have also been retroactively adjusted to reflect this split.

Earnings Per Share:    Torchmark presents basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) on the face of the Consolidated Statements of 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. For more information on earnings per share, see Note 12—Shareholders' Equity.

Unadopted Accounting Guidance: The FASB has adopted new guidance concerning policy acquisition costs (ASU 2010-26). This accounting guidance amends the accounting for costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts in order to address the diversity in practice surrounding the capitalization and deferral of these costs. This guidance will be effective for Torchmark beginning January 1, 2012. As a result of this new standard, certain costs that have been deferred and amortized through deferred acquisition costs will no longer be allowed to be deferred and will be expensed as incurred. The new guidance limits the deferral of costs to those incremental costs related only to the successful issuance of an insurance contract. Previously, the Company was allowed to defer any cost that varied with and related to the production of new business. For Torchmark, these costs that are no longer deferrable primarily relate to our agent distribution systems, and include such costs as training, recruiting, office space, and certain management and underwriting expenses. The new guidance further limits the deferral of certain advertising costs associated with the Direct Response operation. Torchmark will adopt retroactively, meaning the deferred acquisition cost will be written down to a level as if the new guidance had been in effect in prior periods. Going forward, the reduction in deferrals will cause commissions and expenses to increase. However, as a result of the retroactive writedown, the amortization of previously deferred acquisition costs will decrease, greatly offsetting the impact of the increased expenses. The Company currently expects it to reduce the deferred acquisition cost asset approximately 16%, total assets approximately 3%, and shareholders' equity approximately 10% at the time of adoption. Torchmark also expects it will reduce 2012 earnings and earnings per share less than 2%. The adoption of this guidance will delay the recognition of underwriting margin on newly issued business, but not the ultimate profitability of that business. It will have no impact on cash flows, liquidity, or statutory earnings.

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Stock-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

Note 13—Stock-Based Compensation

All share and per share amounts within this note have been retroactively adjusted for the three-for-two stock split.

Certain employees, directors, and consultants have been granted fixed equity options to buy shares of Torchmark stock at the market value of the stock on the date of grant, under the provisions of the Torchmark stock option plans. The options are exercisable during the period commencing from the date they vest until expiring according to the terms of the grant. Options generally expire the earlier of employee termination or option contract term, which ranges from seven to eleven years. Employee and consultant stock options generally vest one-half in two years and one-half in three years. Director grants generally vest in six months. Stock options awarded in connection with compensation deferrals by certain directors and executives generally vest over a range of ten years. Beginning in 2011, with the approval by Shareholders of the Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan, some employee grants vest one-fourth over two years and the remaining three-fourths vest one-fourth over each of the next three years. All employee options vest immediately upon retirement on or after the attainment of age 65. Torchmark generally issues shares for the exercise of stock options from treasury stock. The Company generally uses the proceeds from option exercises to buy shares of Torchmark common stock in the open market to reduce the dilution from option exercises.

An analysis of shares available for grant is as follows:

	Available for Grant
	2011			2010			2009
Balance at January 1		255,263			1,724,540			3,205,209
Approval of Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan*		7,950,000
Cancellation of available shares from prior plans		(229,333	)		0			0
Expired and forfeited during year		0			26,269			37,500
Options granted during year		(1,338,013	)		(1,358,175	)		(1,393,275	)
Restricted stock granted under the Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan (counted as 3.1 options per grant)*		(519,558	)
Restricted stock and restricted stock units granted during the year under previous plans		(19,017	)		(137,371	)		(124,894	)
Balance at December 31		6,099,342			255,263			1,724,540
*   Plan allows for grant of restricted stock such that each stock grant reduces 3.1 options available for grant

A summary of stock compensation activity for each of the years in the three years ended December 31, 2011 is presented below:

	2011		2010		2009
Stock-based compensation expense recognized*	$	14,954	$	11,848	$	9,860
Tax benefit recognized		5,234		4,147		3,451
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted		15.48		10.35		3.67
Intrinsic value of options exercised		40,991		12,102		1,088
Cash received from options exercised		162,613		37,863		4,430
Actual tax benefit received from exercises		14,347		4,236		381
*   No stock-based compensation expense was capitalized in any period.

An analysis of option activity for each of the three years ended December 31, 2011 is as follows:

	2011					2010					2009
	Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding-beginning of year		15,185,729		$	34.09		15,509,978		$	34.04		14,581,461		$	35.60
Granted		1,338,013			44.37		1,358,175			30.86		1,393,275			16.03
Exercised		(4,829,892	)		33.67		(1,273,598	)		29.73		(189,258	)		23.41
Expired and forfeited		(73,425	)		39.17		(408,826	)		35.05		(275,500	)		32.88
Adjustment due to 7/1/11 stock split		(32	)		32.96		0			0.00		0			0.00
Outstanding-end of year		11,620,393		$	35.42		15,185,729		$	34.09		15,509,978		$	34.04
Exercisable at end of year		8,265,818		$	36.28		11,830,076		$	36.10		12,384,363		$	34.98

A summary of restricted stock and restricted stock units granted during each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2011 is presented in the table below. Restricted stock holders are entitled to dividends on the stock and holders of restricted stock units are entitled to dividend equivalents. Executive grants vest over five years and director grants vest over six months.

	2011			2010			2009
Executives restricted stock:
Shares		167,250			112,500			113,250
Price per share	$	44.39		$	30.87		$	15.67
Aggregate value	$	7,424		$	3,473		$	1,774
Percent vested as of 12/31/11		0	%		20	%		40	%
Directors restricted stock:
Shares		6,303			9,423			1,810
Price per share	$	40.45		$	30.85		$	29.93
Aggregate value	$	255		$	291		$	54
Percent vested as of 12/31/11		100	%		100	%		100	%
Directors restricted stock units (including dividend equivalents):
Shares		13,063			15,443	*		9,831
Price per share	$	40.49		$	29.95		$	29.76
Aggregate value	$	529		$	463		$	293
Percent vested as of 12/31/11		100	%		100	%		100	%
*   2,013 shares at $29.84 per share were later forfeited in 2010.

An analysis of unvested restricted stock is as follows:

	Executives Restricted Stock			Directors Restricted Stock			Total
2009:
Balance at January 1, 2009		117,450			0			117,450
Grants		113,250			1,810			115,060
Restriction lapses		(27,450	)		(1,810	)		(29,260	)
Balance at December 31, 2009		203,250			0			203,250
2010:
Grants		112,500			9,423			121,923
Restriction lapses		(71,100	)		(9,423	)		(80,523	)
Forfeitures		(7,500	)		0			(7,500	)
Balance at December 31, 2010		237,150			0			237,150
2011:
Grants		167,250			6,303			173,553
Restriction lapses		(72,600	)		(6,303	)		(78,903	)
Forfeitures		(4,800	)		0			(4,800	)
Balance at December 31, 2011		327,000			0			327,000

Restricted stock units outstanding at each of the year ends 2011, 2010, and 2009, were 42,938, 29,872, and 14,426, respectively. Restricted stock units are only available to directors, and are not converted to shares until the director's retirement, death, or disability. There were no unvested director restricted shares outstanding at the end of any of the years 2009 through 2011. Director restricted stock and restricted stock units are generally granted on the first working day of the year and vest in six months. Dividend equivalents are earned on restricted stock units only. They are granted in the form of additional restricted stock units and vest immediately upon grant.

Additional information about Torchmark's stock-based compensation as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:

	2011		2010
Outstanding options:
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)		2.95		2.85
Aggregate intrinsic value	$	94,270	$	94,086
Exercisable options:
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)		1.89		2.16
Aggregate intrinsic value	$	59,097	$	49,810
Unrecognized compensation*	$	30,299	$	17,077
Weighted average period of expected recognition (in years)*		1.68		1.33

* Includes restricted stock

Additional information concerning Torchmark's unvested options is as follows at December 31:

	2011		2010
Number of shares outstanding		3,354,575		3,355,653
Weighted-average exercise price (per share)	$	33.30		$27.01
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)		5.55		5.28
Aggregate intrinsic value	$	35,173	$	44,276

Torchmark expects that substantially all unvested options will vest.

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2011.

	Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices	Number Outstanding		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)		Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Number Exercisable		Weighted- Average Exercise Price
$15.67 - $15.67		1,086,231		4.13	$	15.67		431,969	$	15.67
22.03 -   30.40		1,244,673		1.85		28.49		1,226,486		28.50
30.87 -   36.33		1,401,238		4.86		31.11		71,188		35.51
36.51 -   36.51		1,859,229		0.34		36.51		1,859,229		36.51
36.70 -   37.20		1,005,845		1.05		37.00		994,084		37.00
37.49 -   40.45		1,134,413		2.97		37.69		1,125,948		37.68
41.79 -   41.79		1,270,873		3.13		41.79		1,270,873		41.79
42.47 -   43.06		1,130,041		1.99		42.78		1,130,041		42.78
44.39 -   45.45		1,487,850		6.32		44.50		156,000		45.45
$15.67 - $45.45		11,620,393		2.95	$	35.42		8,265,818	$	36.28

No equity awards were cash settled during the three years ended December 31, 2011.

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Postretirement Benefits

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]

Postretirement Benefits

Note 9—Postretirement Benefits

Pension Plans:    Torchmark has noncontributory retirement benefit plans and contributory savings plans which cover substantially all employees. There are also two nonqualified, noncontributory supplemental benefit pension plans which cover a limited number of employees. The total cost of these retirement plans charged to operations was as follows:

Year Ended December 31,	Defined Contribution Plans		Defined Benefit Pension Plans
2011	$	3,552	$	20,952
2010		3,617		18,948
2009		3,511		17,912

Torchmark accrues expense for the defined contribution plans based on a percentage of the employees' contributions. The plans are funded by the employee contributions and a Torchmark contribution equal to the amount of accrued expense. Plan contributions are both mandatory and discretionary, depending on the terms of the plan.

Cost for the defined benefit pension plans has been calculated on the projected unit credit actuarial cost method. All plan measurements for the defined benefit plans are as of December 31 of the respective year. The defined benefit pension plans covering the majority of employees are funded. Contributions are made to funded pension plans subject to minimums required by regulation and maximums allowed for tax purposes. Defined benefit plan contributions were $8.6 million in 2011, $13 million in 2010, and $15 million in 2009. Torchmark estimates as of December 31, 2011 that it will contribute an amount not to exceed $20 million to these plans in 2012. The actual amount of contribution may be different from this estimate.

Torchmark has a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP), which provides to a limited number of executives an additional supplemental defined pension benefit. The supplemental benefit is based on the participant's qualified plan benefit without consideration to the regulatory limits on compensation and benefit payments applicable to qualified plans, except that eligible compensation is capped at $1 million. The SERP is unfunded. However, life insurance policies on the lives of plan participants have been established for this plan with an unaffiliated insurance carrier. The premiums for this coverage paid in 2011 was $3.9 million and in 2010 was $1.7 million. The cash value of these policies at December 31, 2011 was $16 million and was $12 million a year earlier. Additionally, a Rabbi Trust was established for this plan in 2010 in the amount of $21 million to support the liability for this plan. An additional deposit of $5 million was added to this trust in 2011 and an investment account was established. As of December 31, 2011, the combined value of the insurance policies and the trust investments was $43 million. Because this plan is unqualified, the Rabbi Trust and the policyholder value of these policies are not included as defined benefit plan assets but as assets of the Company. The liability for this SERP at December 31, 2011 was $47 million and was $38 million a year earlier.

The other supplemental benefit pension plan is limited to a very select group of employees and was closed as of December 31, 1994. It provides the full benefits that an employee would have otherwise received from a defined benefit plan in the absence of the limitation on benefits payable under a qualified plan. This plan is unfunded. Liability for this closed plan was $3 million at December 31, 2011 and $4 million at December 31, 2010. Pension cost for both supplemental defined benefit plans is determined in the same manner as for the qualified defined benefit plans.

Plan assets in the funded plans consist primarily of investments in marketable fixed maturities and equity securities and are valued at fair value. Torchmark measures the fair value of its financial assets, including the assets in its benefit plans, in accordance with accounting guidance which establishes a hierarchy for asset values and provides a methodology for the measurement of value. Please refer to Note 4—Investments under the caption Fair Value Measurements for a complete discussion of valuation procedures. The following table presents the assets of Torchmark's defined benefit pension plans for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Pension Assets by Component at December 31, 2011

	Fair Value Determined by:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Amount		% to Total
Equity securities:
Consumer, Non-Cyclical	$	14,866					$	14,866		6	%
Financial		24,255						24,255		9
Industrial		11,491						11,491		5
Technology		13,184						13,184		5
General merchandise stores		8,119						8,119		3
Other		7,544						7,544		3
Total equity securities		79,459						79,459		31
Corporate bonds		6,661	$	153,098				159,759		62
Other bonds		0		348				348		0
Guaranteed annuity contract		0		12,745				12,745		5
Short-term investments		3,767		0				3,767		1
Other		1,989		0				1,989		1
Grand Total	$	91,876	$	166,191	$	0	$	258,067		100	%

Pension Assets by Component at December 31, 2010
	Fair Value Determined by:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Amount		% to Total
Equity securities:
Consumer, Non-Cyclical	$	14,932					$	14,932		6	%
Financial		29,692						29,692		13
Industrial		11,303						11,303		5
Technology		10,643						10,643		4
Other		1,339						1,339		1
Total equity securities		67,909						67,909		29
Corporate bonds		9,637	$	122,946	$	3,184		135,767		57
Other bonds		0		772				772		0
Guaranteed annuity contract		0		10,959				10,959		5
Short-term investments		19,484		0				19,484		8
Other		2,002		0				2,002		1
Grand Total	$	99,032	$	134,677	$	3,184	$	236,893		100	%

Torchmark's investment objectives for its plan assets include preservation of capital, preservation of purchasing power, and long-term growth. Torchmark seeks to preserve capital through investments made in high quality securities with adequate diversification by issuer and industry sector to minimize risk. The portfolio is monitored continuously for changes in quality and diversification mix. The preservation of purchasing power is intended to be accomplished through asset growth, exclusive of contributions and withdrawals, in excess of the rate of inflation. Torchmark intends to maintain investments that when combined with future plan contributions will produce adequate long-term growth to provide for all plan obligations. The Company's expectation for the portfolio is to achieve a compound total rate of return of 3% in excess of the inflation rate, to be reviewed on a three-year basis. It is also Torchmark's objective that the portfolio's investment return will meet or exceed the return of a balanced market index.

The majority of the securities in the portfolio are highly marketable so that there will be adequate liquidity to meet projected payments. There are no specific policies calling for asset durations to match those of benefit obligations.

Allowed investments are limited to equities, fixed maturities, and short-term investments (invested cash). There is also a guaranteed annuity contract to fund the obligations of the American Income Pension Plan. The assets are to be invested in a mix of equity and fixed income investments that best serve the objectives of the pension plan. Factors to be considered in determining the asset mix include funded status, annual pension expense, annual pension contributions, and balance sheet liability. Equities include common and preferred stocks, securities convertible into equities, mutual funds that invest in equities, and other equity-related investments. Equities must be listed on major exchanges and adequate market liquidity is required. Fixed maturities consist of marketable debt securities rated investment grade at purchase by a major rating agency. Short-term investments include fixed maturities with maturities less than one year and invested cash. Short-term investments in commercial paper must be rated at least A-2 by Standard & Poor's with the issuer rated investment grade. Invested cash is limited to banks rated A or higher. Investments outside of the aforementioned list are not permitted, except by prior approval of the Plan's Trustees. At December 31, 2011, there were no restricted investments contained in the portfolio. Plan contributions have been invested primarily in fixed maturities during the three years ending December 31, 2011.

The investment portfolio is to be well diversified to avoid undue exposure to a single sector, industry, business, or security. The equity and fixed-maturity portfolios are not permitted to invest in any single issuer that would exceed 10% of total plan assets at the time of purchase. Torchmark does not employ any other special risk management techniques, such as derivatives, in managing the pension investment portfolio.

The following table discloses the assumptions used to determine Torchmark's pension liabilities and costs for the appropriate periods. The discount and compensation increase rates are used to determine current year projected benefit obligations and subsequent year pension expense. The long-term rate of return is used to determine current year expense. Differences between assumptions and actual experience are included in actuarial gain or loss.

Weighted Average Pension Plan Assumptions

For Benefit Obligations at December 31:
	2011			2010
Discount Rate		5.09	%		5.77	%
Rate of Compensation Increase		4.04			4.00
For Periodic Benefit Cost for the Year:	2011			2010			2009
Discount Rate		5.77	%		6.31	%		6.31	%
Expected Long-Term Returns		7.24			7.24			7.95
Rate of Compensation Increase		4.00			3.79			3.84

The discount rate is determined based on the expected duration of plan liabilities. A yield is then derived based on the current market yield of a hypothetical portfolio of higher-quality corporate bonds which match the liability duration. The rate of compensation increase is projected based on Company experience, modified as appropriate for future expectations. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is management's best estimate of the average rate of earnings expected to be received on the assets invested in the plan over the benefit period. In determining this assumption, consideration is given to the historical rate of return earned on the assets, the projected returns over future periods, and the spread between the long-term rate of return on plan assets and the discount rate used to compute benefit obligations.

Net periodic pension cost for the defined benefit plans by expense component was as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Service cost—benefits earned during the period	$	9,277		$	8,174		$	7,571
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation		16,106			15,392			14,490
Expected return on assets		(16,068	)		(15,025	)		(15,577	)
Net amortization		11,637			10,407			11,428
Net periodic pension cost	$	20,952		$	18,948		$	17,912

An analysis of the impact on other comprehensive income (loss) concerning pensions is as follows:

	2011			2010			2009
Balance at January 1	$	(105,903	)	$	(93,674	)	$	(121,704	)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost		2,080			2,098			2,060
Net actuarial (gain) loss		10,071			8,766			9,166
Transition obligation		(5	)		(7	)		(7	)
Total amortization		12,146			10,857			11,219
Experience gain(loss)		(24,653	)		(23,086	)		16,811
Balance at December 31	$	(118,410	)	$	(105,903	)	$	(93,674	)

The following table presents a reconciliation from the beginning to the end of the year of the projected benefit obligation and plan assets. This table also presents the amounts previously recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.

	Pension Benefits For the year ended December 31,
	2011			2010
Changes in benefit obligation:
Obligation at beginning of year	$	285,560		$	242,159
Service cost		9,277			8,174
Interest cost		16,106			15,392
Actuarial loss (gain)		34,515			34,029
Benefits paid		(13,849	)		(14,194	)
Obligation at end of year		331,609			285,560
Changes in plan assets:
Fair value at beginning of year		236,893			211,877
Return on assets		26,439			26,576
Contributions		8,584			12,634
Benefits paid		(13,849	)		(14,194	)
Fair value at end of year		258,067			236,893
Funded status at year end	$	(73,542	)	$	(48,667	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income consist of:
Net loss (gain)	$	111,964		$	97,382
Prior service cost		6,446			8,526
Transition obligation		0			(5	)
Net amounts recognized at year end	$	118,410		$	105,903

The portion of other comprehensive income that is expected to be reflected in pension expense in 2012 is as follows:

Amortization of prior service cost	$	2,063
Amortization of net loss (gain)		12,175
Amortization of transition obligation		0
Total	$	14,238

The accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) for Torchmark's funded defined benefit pension plans was $263 million and $228 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. In the unfunded plans, the ABO was $39 million and $32 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Torchmark has estimated its expected pension benefits to be paid over the next ten years as of December 31, 2011. These estimates use the same assumptions that measure the benefit obligation at December 31, 2011, taking estimated future employee service into account. Those estimated benefits are as follows:

For the year(s)
2012	$	13,921
2013		14,890
2014		15,755
2015		16,689
2016		17,692
2017-2020		105,596

Postretirement Benefit Plans Other Than Pensions:    Torchmark provides a small postretirement life insurance benefit for most retired employees, and also provides additional postretirement life insurance benefits for certain key employees. The majority of the life insurance benefits are accrued over the working lives of active employees. Otherwise, Torchmark does not provide postretirement benefits other than pensions and the life insurance benefits described above.

Torchmark's post-retirement defined benefit plans other than pensions are not funded. Liabilities for these plans are measured as of December 31 for the appropriate year.

The components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for plans other than pensions are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Service cost	$	919		$	728		$	641
Interest cost on benefit obligation		999			970			947
Expected return on plan assets		0			0			0
Amortization of prior service cost		0			0			0
Recognition of net actuarial (gain) loss		(815	)		(583	)		283
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost	$	1,103		$	1,115		$	1,871

The following table presents a reconciliation of the benefit obligation and plan assets from the beginning to the end of the year. As these plans are unfunded, funded status is equivalent to the accrued benefit liability.

	Benefits Other Than Pensions For  the year ended December 31,
	2011			2010
Changes in benefit obligation:
Obligation at beginning of year	$	16,889		$	16,340
Service cost		919			728
Interest cost		999			970
Actuarial loss (gain)		638			(583	)
Benefits paid		(437	)		(566	)
Obligation at end of year		19,008			16,889
Changes in plan assets:
Fair value at beginning of year		0			0
Return on assets		0			0
Contributions		437			566
Benefits paid		(437	)		(566	)
Fair value at end of year		0			0
Funded status at year end	$	(19,008	)	$	(16,889	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income:
Net loss*	$	1,453		$	0
Net amounts recognized at year end	$	1,453		$	0

* The net loss for benefit plans other than pensions reduces other comprehensive income.

The table below presents the assumptions used to determine the liabilities and costs of Torchmark's post-retirement benefit plans other than pensions.

Weighted Average Assumptions for Post-Retirement

Benefit Plans Other Than Pensions

For Benefit Obligations at December 31:
	2011			2010
Discount Rate		5.09	%		5.77	%
Rate of Compensation Increase		3.50			4.50
For Periodic Benefit Cost for the Year:
	2011			2010			2009
Discount Rate		5.77	%		6.60	%		6.60	%
Rate of Compensation Increase		4.50			4.50			4.50

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Postretirement Benefits (Components Of Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost For Plans Other Than Pensions) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 20,952	$ 18,948	$ 17,912
Other Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	919	728	641
Interest cost	999	970	947
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0
Amortization of prior service cost	0	0	0
Recognition of net actuarial (gain) loss	(815)	(583)	283
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 1,103	$ 1,115	$ 1,871

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Deferred Acquisition Costs

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Deferred Acquisition Costs [Abstract]

Deferred Acquisition Costs

Note 5—Deferred Acquisition Costs

An analysis of deferred acquisition costs is as follows:

	2011			2010			2009
Balance at beginning of year	$	3,406,335		$	3,319,505		$	3,228,887
Additions:
Deferred during period:
Commissions		291,267			296,043			309,722
Other expenses		242,640			229,367			248,984
Total deferred		533,907			525,410			558,706
Foreign exchange adjustment		0			5,055			10,663
Total additions		533,907			530,465			569,369
Deductions:
Amortized during period		(424,781	)		(418,890	)		(415,986	)
Foreign exchange adjustment		(1,931	)		0			0
Adjustment attributable to unrealized investment gains(1)		(28,679	)		(24,745	)		(62,765	)
Total deductions		(455,391	)		(443,635	)		(478,751	)
Balance at end of year	$	3,484,851		$	3,406,335		$	3,319,505

(1) Represents amounts pertaining to investments relating to universal life-type products.

In the event of lapses or early withdrawals in excess of those assumed, deferred acquisition costs may not be recoverable.

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Investments (Writedowns For Other-Than-Temporary Impairments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
Total pre-tax, Net Income	$ 20	$ 4,850	$ 143,166
Total pre-tax, Other Comprehensive Income	0	0	20,766
After tax, Net Income	13	3,152	94,234
After tax, Other Comprehensive Income	0	0	13,498
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
Writedowns for other-than-temporary impairments, Net Income	0	1,712	83,457
Writedowns for other-than-temporary impairments, other comprehensive income	0	0	20,766
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
Writedowns for other-than-temporary impairments, Net Income	20	3,138	59,709
Writedowns for other-than-temporary impairments, other comprehensive income	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

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Selected Quarterly Data (Schedule Of Selected Quarterly Data) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Sep. 30, 2010		Jun. 30, 2010		Mar. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Premium and policy charges	$ 653,542		$ 650,525		$ 672,350		$ 679,901		$ 653,418		$ 657,827		$ 669,569		$ 670,944		$ 2,656,318		$ 2,651,758		$ 2,610,105
Net investment income	174,786		173,491		173,104		171,647		166,304		172,337		170,612		167,111		693,028		676,364		632,540
Realized investment gains (losses)	4,755		12,600		31,272		(22,723)		27,036		8,045		(5,002)		7,261		25,924		42,190		13,879
Total revenue	833,554		837,241		877,334		829,272		847,171		838,888		835,895		845,678		3,377,401		3,367,632		3,115,073
Policy benefits	435,681		438,774		454,694		464,127		436,419		433,514		454,177		468,934		1,793,276		1,793,044		1,753,329
Amortization of acquisition costs	105,437		104,804		106,752		107,788		100,392		104,045		104,851		109,602		424,781		418,890		415,986
Pretax Income from continuing operations	182,504		198,822		218,528		155,812		215,480		208,313		180,720		174,054		755,666		778,567		577,076
Income from continuing operations	126,357		136,911		148,940		106,132		148,955		138,097		119,848		115,393		518,340		522,293		386,052
Income from discontinued operations	0		144		0		(599)		5,853		(23,566)		6,201		6,283		(455)		(5,229)		18,901
Net income	126,357		137,055		148,940		105,533		154,808		114,531		126,049		121,676		517,885		517,064	[1]	404,953
Continuing operations	$ 1.25	[2]	$ 1.31	[2]	$ 1.34	[2]	$ 0.91	[2]	$ 1.24	[2]	$ 1.14	[2]	$ 0.97	[2]	$ 0.93	[2]	$ 4.79	[3]	$ 4.28	[3]	$ 3.10	[3]
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	[2]	$ 0.00	[2]	$ 0.00	[2]	$ (0.01)	[2]	$ 0.05	[2]	$ (0.19)	[2]	$ 0.05	[2]	$ 0.05	[2]	$ (0.01)	[3]	$ (0.04)	[3]	$ 0.15	[3]
Total basic net income per share	$ 1.25	[2]	$ 1.31	[2]	$ 1.34	[2]	$ 0.90	[2]	$ 1.29	[2]	$ 0.95	[2]	$ 1.02	[2]	$ 0.98	[2]	$ 4.78	[3]	$ 4.24	[3]	$ 3.25	[3]
Continuing operations	$ 1.23	[2]	$ 1.30	[2]	$ 1.32	[2]	$ 0.89	[2]	$ 1.23	[2]	$ 1.13	[2]	$ 0.97	[2]	$ 0.92	[2]	$ 4.72	[3]	$ 4.24	[3]	$ 3.10	[3]
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	[2]	$ 0.00	[2]	$ 0.00	[2]	$ 0.00	[2]	$ 0.05	[2]	$ (0.19)	[2]	$ 0.05	[2]	$ 0.05	[2]	$ 0.00	[3]	$ (0.04)	[3]	$ 0.15	[3]
Total diluted net income per share	$ 1.23	[2]	$ 1.30	[2]	$ 1.32	[2]	$ 0.89	[2]	$ 1.28	[2]	$ 0.94	[2]	$ 1.02	[2]	$ 0.97	[2]	$ 4.72	[3]	$ 4.20	[3]	$ 3.25	[3]
Parent Company [Member]
Net investment income																	23,542		26,031		17,374
Realized investment gains (losses)																	508		(1,646)		(1)
Total revenue																	24,050		24,385		17,373
Pretax Income from continuing operations																	(62,986)		(58,749)		(66,460)
Net income																	$ 517,885		$ 517,064		$ 404,953

[1] During 2011, management changed the definition of total segment profits before tax to exclude the amortization of low-income housing interests, which management views as a tax expense. Accordingly, the 2010 total segment profits before tax and applicable tax amount have been updated for comparison purposes.

[2] Basic and diluted net income per share by quarter may not add to per share income on a year-to-date basis due to share weighting and rounding.

[3] Per share amounts have been retroactively adjusted for stock split described in Note 1.

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Discontinued Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Discontinued Operations [Abstract]

Discontinued Operations

Note 3—Discontinued Operations

During the third quarter of 2010, Torchmark's subsidiary, Liberty, entered into an agreement to sell its wholly-owned subsidiary, United Investors Life Insurance Company (United Investors), to an unaffiliated insurance carrier. The sale was completed as of December 31, 2010. United Investors marketed primarily term and interest-sensitive life insurance, fixed annuities, and, prior to 2009, variable annuities. Consideration for the sale consisted of $343 million in cash at the closing, as well as post-closing proceeds receivable from the buyer of approximately $21 million which was received in early 2011. The transaction resulted in a pretax loss of approximately $38 million ($35 million after tax), which has been reported as a realized loss on the disposal of a discontinued operation in 2010. Due to the sale, Torchmark's consolidated financial statements are presented to reflect the transactions as discontinued operations.

An analysis of income from discontinued operations is as follows:

	Twelve months ended December 31,
	2010			2009
Premium income	$	73,675		$	77,094
Investment income		43,787			42,375
Realized investment gains (losses)		2,850			(12,167	)
Other income		103			22
Total revenue*		120,415			107,324
Policyholder benefits		56,374			59,470
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs		14,599			13,267
Other expense		4,960			6,470
Total benefits and expense		75,933			79,207
Pre tax income from discontinued operations		44,482			28,117
Income tax		(14,698	)		(9,216	)
Income from discontinued operations	$	29,784		$	18,901

Revenues and profitability in the indicated segment were as follows:

	Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2010			2009
Revenues:
Life	$	65,726		$	67,917
Annuity		7,949			9,177
Investment		43,787			42,375
Other		103			22
Total*	$	117,565		$	119,491
Segment profitability (loss):
Life	$	22,692		$	19,477
Annuity		(931	)		3,084
Investment		22,490			21,660
Other		(2,619	)		(3,937	)
Total	$	41,632		$	40,284

* Segment revenues differ from discontinued revenues by the amount of realized investment gains/losses, which Torchmark excludes from its consideration of ongoing operations.

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Investments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Investments [Abstract]

Investments

Note 4—Investments

Portfolio Composition:

A summary of fixed maturities available for sale and equity securities by cost or amortized cost and estimated fair value at December 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:

	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Amount per the Balance Sheet		% of Total Fixed Maturities*
2011:
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Bonds:
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	65,283	$	1,756	$	(4	)	$	67,035	$	67,035		1	%
States, municipalities, and political subdivisions		1,213,082		118,636		(1,896	)		1,329,822		1,329,822		11
Foreign governments		21,832		1,327		0			23,159		23,159		0
Corporates		8,357,809		1,051,019		(137,908	)		9,270,920		9,270,920		78
Collateralized debt obligations		60,437		0		(30,117	)		30,320		30,320		0
Other asset-backed securities		42,862		3,210		(1,392	)		44,680		44,680		0
Redeemable preferred stocks		1,162,939		27,184		(67,854	)		1,122,269		1,122,269		10	%
Total fixed maturities		10,924,244		1,203,132		(239,171	)		11,888,205		11,888,205		100	%
Equity securities		14,875		2,244		(63	)		17,056		17,056
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	10,939,119	$	1,205,376	$	(239,234	)	$	11,905,261	$	11,905,261

* At fair value

	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Amount per the Balance Sheet		% of Total Fixed Maturities
2010:
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Bonds:
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	78,387	$	1,347	$	(1,060	)	$	78,674	$	78,674		1	%
States, municipalities, and political subdivisions		1,212,185		10,752		(41,811	)		1,181,126		1,181,126		11
Foreign governments		22,352		679		0			23,031		23,031		0
Corporates		7,707,938		423,076		(210,149	)		7,920,865		7,920,865		75
Collateralized debt obligations		56,525		0		(34,069	)		22,456		22,456		0
Other asset-backed securities		46,406		3,010		(678	)		48,738		48,738		1
Redeemable preferred stocks		1,311,704		36,405		(79,965	)		1,268,144		1,268,144		12
Total fixed maturities		10,435,497		475,269		(367,732	)		10,543,034		10,543,034		100	%
Equity securities		14,875		2,348		(69	)		17,154		17,154
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	10,450,372	$	477,617	$	(367,801	)	$	10,560,188	$	10,560,188

A schedule of fixed maturities by contractual maturity at December 31, 2011 is shown below on an amortized cost basis and on a fair value basis. Actual maturities could differ from contractual maturities due to call or prepayment provisions.

	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Due in one year or less	$	64,222	$	64,895
Due from one to five years		527,836		564,584
Due from five to ten years		669,994		728,784
Due from ten to twenty years		2,439,335		2,649,607
Due after twenty years		7,114,402		7,799,590
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities		108,455		80,745
	$	10,924,244	$	11,888,205

Analysis of investment operations:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Net investment income is summarized as follows:
Fixed maturities	$	683,101		$	662,202		$	609,566
Equity securities		1,558			1,183			1,287
Policy loans		29,293			27,248			25,394
Other long-term investments		2,439			3,064			6,482
Short-term investments		165			762			1,296
		716,556			694,459			644,025
Less investment expense		(23,528	)		(18,095	)		(11,485	)
Net investment income	$	693,028		$	676,364		$	632,540
An analysis of realized gains (losses) from investments is as follows:
Realized investment gains (losses):
Fixed maturities:
Sales and other	$	27,790		$	43,022		$	15,638
Writedowns		(20	)		(4,850	)		(143,166	)
Equity securities		0			1			(862	)
Loss on redemption of debt		0			(1,646	)		(1	)
Other		(1,866	)		813			(1,101	)
		25,904			37,340			(129,492	)
Applicable tax		(9,066	)		(13,070	)		44,147
Realized gains (losses) from investments, net of tax	$	16,838		$	24,270		$	(85,345	)
An analysis of the net change in unrealized investment gains (losses) is as follows:
Equity securities	$	(98	)	$	432		$	2,377
Fixed maturities available for sale		856,424			562,921			1,240,781
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities	$	856,326		$	563,353		$	1,243,158

Additional information about securities sold is as follows:

	At December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Fixed maturities:
Proceeds from sales	$	236,662	**	$	314,904	*	$	830,892	*
Gross realized gains		28,249			29,821			69,249
Gross realized losses		(24,323	)		(13,361	)		(56,499	)
Equities:
Proceeds from sales		0			1			1,138
Gross realized gains		0			1			0
Gross realized losses		0			0			(862	)

* Proceeds from sales including discontined assets were $326 million in 2010 and $900 million in 2009.

** Includes $12.3 million of unsettled trades

Fair value measurements:    Torchmark measures the fair value of its financial assets 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.

The great majority of the Company'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 and independent broker/dealers. Over 99% of the fair value reported at December 31, 2011 was determined using data provided by third-party pricing services. Prices provided by third-party pricing services are not binding offers but are estimated exit values. They are based on observable market data inputs which can vary by security type. Such inputs include benchmark yields, available trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and other market data. As part of the Company's controls over pricing, management reviews and analyzes all prices obtained to insure the reasonableness of the values, taking all available information into account. One very important control is the corroboration of prices obtained from third-party sources against other independent sources. When corroborated prices produce small variations, the close correlation indicates observable inputs, and the median value is used. When corroborated prices present greater variations, additional analysis is required to determine which value is the most appropriate. When only one price is available, management evaluates observable inputs and performs additional analysis to confirm that the price is appropriate. All fair value measurements based on prices determined with observable market data are reported as Level 1 or Level 2 measurements.

When third-party vendor prices are not available, the Company attempts to obtain at least three quotes from broker/dealers for each security. When at least three quotes are obtained, and the standard deviation of such quotes is less than 3%, (suggesting that the independent quotes were likely derived using similar observable inputs), the Company uses the median quote and classifies the measurement as Level 2. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, there were no assets valued as Level 2 in this manner with broker quotes.

When the standard deviation is 3% or greater, or the Company cannot obtain three quotes, then additional information and management judgment are required to establish the fair value. The measurement is then classified as Level 3. The Company uses information and valuation 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. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, fair value measurements classified as Level 3 represented 0.4% and 1.0%, respectively, of total fixed maturities and equity securities.

The following tables represent the fair value of assets measured on a recurring basis at December 31, 2011 and 2010:

	Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2011 Using:
Description	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)			Significant Other observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)			Total Fair Value
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Bonds:		`
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	0		$	67,035		$	0		$	67,035
States, municipalities, and political subdivisions		0			1,329,822			0			1,329,822
Foreign governments		0			23,159			0			23,159
Corporates		28,092			9,231,578			11,250			9,270,920
Collateralized debt obligations		0			0			30,320			30,320
Other asset-backed securities		0			37,558			7,122			44,680
Redeemable preferred stocks		217,613			904,656			0			1,122,269
Total fixed maturities		245,705			11,593,808			48,692			11,888,205
Equity securities		16,346			0			710			17,056
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	262,051		$	11,593,808		$	49,402		$	11,905,261
Percentage of total		2.2	%		97.4	%		0.4	%		100.0	%

Description	Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2010 Using:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)			Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)			Total Fair Value
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Bonds:
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	0		$	78,674		$	0		$	78,674
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		0			1,181,126			0			1,181,126
Foreign governments		0			23,031			0			23,031
Corporates		15,347			7,831,845			73,673			7,920,865
Collateralized debt obligations		0			0			22,456			22,456
Other asset-backed securities		0			40,696			8,042			48,738
Redeemable preferred stocks		270,189			997,955			0			1,268,144
Total fixed maturities		285,536			10,153,327			104,171			10,543,034
Equity securities		16,484			0			670			17,154
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	302,020		$	10,153,327		$	104,841		$	10,560,188
Percent of total		2.9	%		96.1	%		1.0	%		100.0	%

The following table represents changes in assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

	Analysis of Changes in Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Asset- backed securities			Collateralized debt Obligations			Corporates*			Other			Total
Balance at January 1, 2009	$	23,077		$	14,158		$	164,881		$	1,246		$	203,362
Total gains or losses:
Included in realized gains/losses		0			(83,458	)		(2,502	)		0			(85,960	)
Included in other comprehensive income		1,717			80,674			(2,728	)		12			79,675
Sales		0			125			(6,833	)		0			(6,708	)
Amortization		(183	)		1,014			2,366			(5	)		3,192
Other **		0			5,524			213			148			5,885
Transfers in to Level 3		0			0			48,995			4,435			53,430
Transfers out of Level 3		(16,630	)		0			(132,628	)		0			(149,258	)
Balance at December 31, 2009		7,981			18,037			71,764			5,836			103,618
Total gains or losses:
Included in realized gains/losses		0			(1,712	)		1,504			708			500
Included in other comprehensive income		255			2,445			14,711			(534	)		16,877
Sales		0			0			(5,862	)		(2,331	)		(8,193	)
Amortization		(194	)		2,333			2,536			(1	)		4,674
Other **		0			1,353			0			0			1,353
Transfers out of Level 3		0			0			(10,980	)		(3,008	)		(13,988	)
Balance at December 31, 2010		8,042			22,456			73,673			670		$	104,841
Total gains or losses:
Included in realized gains/losses		0			0			(12,542	)		0			(12,542	)
Included in other comprehensive income		(714	)		3,952			14,578			40			17,856
Sales		0			0			(13,875	)		0			(13,875	)
Amortization		(206	)		2,470			1,302			0			3,566
Other **		0			1,442			0			0			1,442
Transfers out of Level 3		0			0			(51,886	)		0			(51,886	)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	7,122		$	30,320		$	11,250		$	710		$	49,402

* Includes redeemable preferred stocks

** Includes capitalized interest and foreign exchange adjustments.

The collateral underlying collateralized debt obligations for which fair values are reported as Level 3 consists primarily of trust preferred securities issued by banks and insurance companies. None of the collateral is subprime or Alt-A mortgages (loans for which the typical documentation was not provided by the borrower).

The following table presents transfers in and out of each of the valuation levels of fair values.

	2011								2010								2009
	In		Out			Net			In		Out			Net			In		Out			Net
Level 1	$	0	$	0		$	0		$	54	$	(4,848	)	$	(4,794	)	$	0	$	0		$	0
Level 2		51,886		0			51,886			18,836		(54	)		18,782			149,258		(53,430	)		95,828
Level 3		0		(51,886	)		(51,886	)		0		(13,988	)		(13,988	)		53,430		(149,258	)		(95,828	)

Transfers into Level 2 from Level 3 result from the availability of observable market data when a security is valued at the end of a period. Transfers into Level 3 occur when there is a lack of observable market information. Transfers into Level 1 from Level 2 occur when direct quotes are available; transfers from Level 1 into Level 2 result when only observable market data and no direct quotes are available.

Other-than-temporary impairments:    Torchmark'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. Therefore, Torchmark considers these declines in value resulting from changes in market interest rates to be temporary. In certain circumstances, however, Torchmark determines that the decline in the value of a security is other-than-temporary and writes the book value of the security down to its fair value, realizing an investment loss. The evaluation of Torchmark's securities for other-than-temporary impairments is a process that is undertaken not less frequently than quarterly and is overseen by a team of investment and accounting professionals. Each security which is impaired because the fair value is less than the cost or amortized cost is identified and evaluated. The determination that an impairment is other-than-temporary 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 near-term 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 relatively more weight 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:

• Default on a required payment

• Issuer bankruptcy filings

• 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 credit analysts

• Recent cash flows

While all available information is taken into account, it is difficult to predict the ultimately recoverable amount of a distressed or impaired security.

Torchmark has determined that certain of its holdings in fixed maturity investments were other-than-temporarily impaired during the three years ended December 31, 2011. Included in the impairments were collateralized debt obligations in which the impairment was bifurcated in accordance with accounting guidance. As a result of this guidance, the portion of an impairment considered to be a credit loss is other-than-temporarily impaired and the amount of the credit loss is charged to net income. Any portion of the impairment considered to be temporary 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 securities' 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. Management believes that the present value of future cash flows at the original effective yield is a better measure of valuation, because fair value is based on limited observable market data, and the market for these securities is neither active nor orderly. The following table presents the writedowns recorded due to these impairments in accordance with accounting guidance and whether the writedown was charged to earnings or other comprehensive income.

Writedowns for Other-Than-Temporary Impairments

	2011				2010				2009
	Net Income		Other Comprehensive Income		Net Income		Other Comprehensive Income		Net Income		Other Comprehensive Income
Collateralized debt obligations	$	0	$	0	$	1,712	$	0		$  83,457	$	20,766
Corporate bonds		20		0		3,138		0		59,709		0
Total pre-tax	$	20	$	0	$	4,850	$	0		$143,166	$	20,766
After tax	$	13	$	0	$	3,152	$	0		$  94,234	$	13,498

As of year end 2011, previously written down securities remaining in the portfolio were carried at a fair value of $22.6 million. Otherwise, as of December 31, 2011, Torchmark has no information available to cause it to believe that any of its investments are other-than-temporarily impaired. Torchmark has the ability and intent to hold these investments to recovery, and does not intend to sell nor expects to be required to sell its other impaired securities.

Bifurcated credit losses result when there is an other-than-temporary impairment for which a portion of the loss is recognized in other comprehensive income. Torchmark's balances related to bifurcated credit loss positions included in other comprehensive income were $22 million at December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010, and December 31, 2009. There was no change in this balance since December 31, 2009, the year the balance initially arose.

Unrealized gain/loss analysis.    As conditions in financial markets have improved since early 2009, unrealized gains in the portfolio have occurred and losses have declined. Net unrealized losses on fixed maturities of $455 million at December 31, 2009 became net unrealized gains of $108 million at December 31, 2010. During 2011, net unrealized gains rose to $964 million at December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2011, investments in securities in the financial sector were in a $14 million unrealized gain position compared with an unrealized loss position of $115 million at December 31, 2010. Investments in securities in the other sectors had net unrealized gains of $950 million in 2011 and $223 million in 2010. The following tables disclose gross unrealized investment losses by class of investment at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. Torchmark considers these investments to be only temporarily impaired.

ANALYSIS OF GROSS UNREALIZED INVESTMENT LOSSES

At December 31, 2011

	Less than Twelve Months					Twelve Months or Longer					Total
Description of Securities	Fair Value		Unrealized Loss			Fair Value		Unrealized Loss			Fair Value		Unrealized Loss
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Bonds:
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	279	$	(3	)	$	34	$	(1	)	$	313	$	(4	)
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		0		0			17,609		(1,896	)		17,609		(1,896	)
Foreign governments		0		0			0		0			0		0
Corporates		585,265		(38,249	)		612,338		(99,659	)		1,197,603		(137,908	)
Collateralized debt obligations		0		0			30,320		(30,117	)		30,320		(30,117	)
Other asset-backed securities		0		0			7,122		(1,392	)		7,122		(1,392	)
Redeemable preferred stocks		205,449		(14,250	)		367,450		(53,604	)		572,899		(67,854	)
Total fixed maturities		790,993		(52,502	)		1,034,873		(186,669	)		1,825,866		(239,171	)
Equity securities		386		(63	)		0		0			386		(63	)
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	791,379	$	(52,565	)	$	1,034,873	$	(186,669	)	$	1,826,252	$	(239,234	)

ANALYSIS OF GROSS UNREALIZED INVESTMENT LOSSES

At December 31, 2010

	Less than Twelve Months					Twelve Months or Longer					Total
Description of Securities	Fair Value		Unrealized Loss			Fair Value		Unrealized Loss			Fair Value		Unrealized Loss
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Bonds:
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	56,905	$	(1,060	)	$	0	$	0		$	56,905	$	(1,060	)
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		685,754		(26,734	)		66,591		(15,077	)		752,345		(41,811	)
Foreign governments		0		0			0		0			0		0
Corporates		1,284,966		(39,331	)		862,820		(170,818	)		2,147,786		(210,149	)
Collateralized debt obligations		0		0			22,331		(34,069	)		22,331		(34,069	)
Other asset-backed securities		0		0			8,042		(678	)		8,042		(678	)
Redeemable preferred stocks		199,362		(3,339	)		646,454		(76,626	)		845,816		(79,965	)
Total fixed maturities		2,226,987		(70,464	)		1,606,238		(297,268	)		3,833,225		(367,732	)
Equity securities		0		0			30		(69	)		30		(69	)
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	2,226,987	$	(70,464	)	$	1,606,268	$	(297,337	)	$	3,833,255	$	(367,801	)

Additional information about investments in an unrealized loss position is as follows:

	Less than Twelve Months		Twelve Months or Longer		Total
Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held:
As of December 31, 2011		117		93		210
As of December 31, 2010		234		133		367

Torchmark's entire fixed-maturity and equity portfolio consisted of 1,373 issues at December 31, 2011 and 1,430 issues at December 31, 2010. The weighted-average quality rating of all unrealized loss positions as of December 31, 2011 was BBB-, compared with BBB+ a year earlier. The weighted-average quality ratings are based on amortized cost.

Other investment information:

Other long-term investments consist of the following:

	December 31,
	2011		2010
Mortgage loans, at cost	$	551	$	14,481
Investment real estate, at depreciated cost		3,165		2,154
Low-income housing interests		12,188		14,482
Collateral loans		7,598		8,913
Other		2,665		2,955
Total	$	26,167	$	42,985

The estimated fair value of mortgage loans, based on discounted cash flows, was approximately $0.6 million at December 31, 2011 and $14.3 million at December 31, 2010. Accumulated depreciation on investment real estate was $1.8 million at both December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Torchmark had $125 thousand in fixed maturities at book value ($130 thousand at fair value) that were non-income producing during the twelve months ended December 31, 2011. Torchmark had $3.0 million in investment real estate at December 31, 2011 which was non-income producing during the previous twelve months. Torchmark did not have any other invested assets that were non-income producing during the twelve months ended December 31, 2011.

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Future Policy Benefit Reserves

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Future Policy Benefit Reserves [Abstract]

Future Policy Benefit Reserves

Note 6—Future Policy Benefit Reserves

A summary of the assumptions used in determining the liability for future policy benefits at December 31, 2011 is as follows:

Individual Life Insurance

Interest assumptions:

Years of Issue	Interest Rates		Percent of Liability
1917-2011		2.5% to 5.75%		11	%
1985-2011		6.0%		29
1986-1992		7.0% graded to 6.0%		7
1954-2000		8.0% graded to 6.0%		11
1951-1985		8.5% graded to 6.0%		4
1984-2011		6.75%		4
2011-2011		5.75% graded to 6.75%		1
2000-2011		7.0%		19
1984-2011		Interest Sensitive		14
				100%

Mortality assumptions:

For individual life, the mortality tables used are various statutory mortality tables and modifications of:

1950-54	Select and Ultimate Table
1954-58	Industrial Experience Table
1955-60	Ordinary Experience Table
1965-70	Select and Ultimate Table
1955-60	Inter-Company Table
1970	United States Life Table
1975-80	Select and Ultimate Table
X-18	Ultimate Table
2001	Valuation Basic Table

Withdrawal assumptions:

Withdrawal assumptions are based on Torchmark's experience.

Individual Health Insurance

Interest assumptions:

Years of Issue	Interest Rates		Percent of Liability
1955-2011		2.5% to 5.75%		2	%
1993-2011		6.0%		60
1986-1992		7.0% graded to 6.0%		26
1955-2000		8.0% graded to 6.0%		6
1951-1986		8.5% graded to 6.0%		1
2008-2010		6.75%		1
2001-2007		7.0%		4
				100	%

Morbidity assumptions:

For individual health, the morbidity assumptions are based on either Torchmark's experience or the assumptions used in calculating statutory reserves.

Termination assumptions:

Termination assumptions are based on Torchmark's experience.

Overall Interest Assumptions:

The overall average interest assumption for determining the liability for future life and health insurance benefits in 2011 was 5.9%.

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Deferred Acquisition Costs (Schedule Of Analysis Deferred Acquisition Costs) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Deferred Acquisition Costs [Abstract]
Deferred Acquisition Costs, Balance at beginning of year				$ 3,406,335				$ 3,319,505	$ 3,406,335		$ 3,319,505		$ 3,228,887
Deferred Acquisition Costs, Commissions									291,267		296,043		309,722
Deferred Acquisition Costs, Other Expenses									242,640		229,367		248,984
Deferral Acquisition Costs, Total deferred costs									533,907		525,410		558,706
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Foreign Exchange Adjustment Additions									0		5,055		10,663
Deferred Acquisition Costs, Total additions									533,907		530,465		569,369
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	(105,437)	(104,804)	(106,752)	(107,788)	(100,392)	(104,045)	(104,851)	(109,602)	(424,781)		(418,890)		(415,986)
Deferred Acquisition Costs, Foreign exchange adjustment									(1,931)		0		0
Deferred Acquisition Costs, Adjustments attributable to unrealized investment gains									(28,679)	[1]	(24,745)	[1]	(62,765)	[1]
Deferred Acquisition Costs, Total deductions									(455,391)		(443,635)		(478,751)
Deferred Acquisition Costs, Balance at end of year	$ 3,484,851				$ 3,406,335				$ 3,484,851		$ 3,406,335		$ 3,319,505

[1] Represents amounts pertaining to investments relating to universal life-type products.

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Postretirement Benefits (Reconciliation Of Benefit Obligation And Plan Assets, Other Benefits) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value at beginning of year	$ 236,893
Contributions	8,600		13,000		15,000
Fair value at end of year	258,067		236,893
Other Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Obligation at beginning of year	16,889		16,340
Service cost	919		728		641
Interest cost	999		970		947
Actuarial loss (gain)	638		(583)
Benefits paid	(437)		(566)
Obligation at end of year	19,008		16,889		16,340
Fair value at beginning of year	0		0
Return on assets	0		0
Contributions	437		566
Fair value at end of year	0		0		0
Funded status at year end	(19,008)		(16,889)
Net loss	1,453	[1]	0	[1]
Net amounts recognized at year end	$ 1,453		$ 0

[1] The net loss for benefit plans other than pensions reduces other comprehensive income.

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Future Policy Benefit Reserves (Schedule Of Liability For Future Policy Benefits, Interest Assumptions On Individual Health Insurance) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Liability for Future Policy Benefit [Line Items]
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, percentage of liability	100.00%
Average interest rate of liability for future life and health insurance benefits	5.90%
Health Insurance [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit [Line Items]
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, percentage of liability	100.00%
2.5% to 5.75% [Member] | Health Insurance [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit [Line Items]
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, low end	2.50%
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, high end	5.75%
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, percentage of liability	2.00%
6.0% [Member] | Health Insurance [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit [Line Items]
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions	6.00%
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, percentage of liability	60.00%
7.0% Graded To 6.0% [Member] | Health Insurance [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit [Line Items]
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, low end	6.00%
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, high end	7.00%
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, percentage of liability	26.00%
8.0% Graded To 6.0% [Member] | Health Insurance [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit [Line Items]
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, low end	6.00%
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, high end	8.00%
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, percentage of liability	6.00%
8.5% Graded To 6.0% [Member] | Health Insurance [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit [Line Items]
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, low end	6.00%
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, high end	8.50%
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, percentage of liability	1.00%
6.75% [Member] | Health Insurance [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit [Line Items]
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions	6.75%
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, percentage of liability	1.00%
7.0% [Member] | Health Insurance [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit [Line Items]
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions	7.00%
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate assumptions, percentage of liability	4.00%

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Business Segments (Schedule Of Segment Premium Revenue By Each Marketing Groups) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment premium revenue, Amount	$ 2,657,345	$ 2,652,274	$ 2,612,596
Distribution channel premium as percentage of segment premium	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Life Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment premium revenue, Amount	1,726,244	1,663,699	1,591,853
Distribution channel premium as percentage of segment premium	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Health Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment premium revenue, Amount	930,493	987,937	1,020,202
Distribution channel premium as percentage of segment premium	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Annuity [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment premium revenue, Amount	608	638	541
Distribution channel premium as percentage of segment premium	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
United American Independent [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment premium revenue, Amount	329,944	340,696	355,481
Distribution channel premium as percentage of segment premium	12.00%	13.00%	14.00%
United American Independent [Member] | Life Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment premium revenue, Amount	22,846	25,534	28,498
Distribution channel premium as percentage of segment premium	1.00%	1.00%	2.00%
United American Independent [Member] | Health Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment premium revenue, Amount	306,490	314,524	326,442
Distribution channel premium as percentage of segment premium	33.00%	32.00%	32.00%
United American Independent [Member] | Annuity [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment premium revenue, Amount	608	638	541
Distribution channel premium as percentage of segment premium	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Liberty National Exclusive [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment premium revenue, Amount	578,415	625,643	687,007
Distribution channel premium as percentage of segment premium	22.00%	24.00%	26.00%
Liberty National Exclusive [Member] | Life Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment premium revenue, Amount	288,308	294,587	298,485
Distribution channel premium as percentage of segment premium	17.00%	18.00%	19.00%
Liberty National Exclusive [Member] | Health Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment premium revenue, Amount	290,107	331,056	388,522
Distribution channel premium as percentage of segment premium	31.00%	34.00%	38.00%
American Income Exclusive [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment premium revenue, Amount	688,033	639,708	582,996
Distribution channel premium as percentage of segment premium	26.00%	24.00%	22.00%
American Income Exclusive [Member] | Life Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment premium revenue, Amount	607,914	560,649	507,899
Distribution channel premium as percentage of segment premium	35.00%	34.00%	32.00%
American Income Exclusive [Member] | Health Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment premium revenue, Amount	80,119	79,059	75,097
Distribution channel premium as percentage of segment premium	9.00%	8.00%	7.00%
Direct Response [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment premium revenue, Amount	650,717	620,932	583,433
Distribution channel premium as percentage of segment premium	25.00%	23.00%	22.00%
Direct Response [Member] | Life Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment premium revenue, Amount	593,650	566,604	536,878
Distribution channel premium as percentage of segment premium	35.00%	34.00%	33.00%
Direct Response [Member] | Health Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment premium revenue, Amount	57,067	54,328	46,555
Distribution channel premium as percentage of segment premium	6.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Medicare Part D [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment premium revenue, Amount	196,710	208,970	183,586
Distribution channel premium as percentage of segment premium	7.00%	8.00%	7.00%
Medicare Part D [Member] | Health Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment premium revenue, Amount	196,710	208,970	183,586
Distribution channel premium as percentage of segment premium	21.00%	21.00%	18.00%
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment premium revenue, Amount	213,526	216,325	220,093
Distribution channel premium as percentage of segment premium	8.00%	8.00%	9.00%
Other [Member] | Life Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment premium revenue, Amount	$ 213,526	$ 216,325	$ 220,093
Distribution channel premium as percentage of segment premium	12.00%	13.00%	14.00%

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Investments (Schedule Of Other Long-Term Investments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Investment [Line Items]
Other long-term investments	$ 26,167	$ 42,985
Mortgage Loans, At Cost [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Other long-term investments	551	14,481
Investment Real Estate, At Depreciated Cost [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Other long-term investments	3,165	2,154
Low-Income Housing Interests [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Other long-term investments	12,188	14,482
Collateral Loans [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Other long-term investments	7,598	8,913
Other [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Other long-term investments	$ 2,665	$ 2,955

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Shareholders' Equity (Summary Of Preferred And Common Share Activity) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 Common Stock [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 Common Stock [Member]		Dec. 31, 2009 Common Stock [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2008 Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Balance, Preferred Stock, Issued										0	0	0	0
Balance, Common Stock, Issued	119,812,123			119,812,123	[1]	125,812,123	[1]	128,812,123	[1]
Balance, Treasury Stock	947,497			(947,497)	[1]	(1,551,033)	[1]	(1,750,651)	[1]	0	0	0	0
Forfeitures of restricted stock				$ (7,153)	[1]	$ (10,621)	[1]
Grants of restricted stock, shares	173,553	121,923	115,060	173,553	[1]	121,923	[1]	115,060	[1]
Issuance of common stock due to exercise of stock options, Treasury Stock	4,829,892	1,273,598	189,258	4,829,892	[1]	1,273,598	[1]	189,258	[1]
Treasury stock acquired				(23,281,453)	[1]	(6,781,364)	[1]	(3,104,700)	[1]
Retirement of treasury stock, Issued				(7,500,000)	[1]	(6,000,000)	[1]	(3,000,000)	[1]
Retirement of treasury stock	7,500,000	6,000,000	3,000,000	7,500,000	[1]	6,000,000	[1]	3,000,000	[1]
Balance, Preferred Stock, Issued										0	0	0	0
Balance, Common Stock, Issued	112,312,123	119,812,123		112,312,123	[1]	119,812,123	[1]	125,812,123	[1]
Balance, Treasury Stock	11,732,658	947,497		(11,732,658)	[1]	(947,497)	[1]	(1,551,033)	[1]	0	0	0	0

[1] Retroactively adjusted for stock split described in Note 1

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Deferred Acquisition Costs (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Deferred Acquisition Costs [Abstract]

Schedule Of Analysis Deferred Acquisition Costs

	2011			2010			2009
Balance at beginning of year	$	3,406,335		$	3,319,505		$	3,228,887
Additions:
Deferred during period:
Commissions		291,267			296,043			309,722
Other expenses		242,640			229,367			248,984
Total deferred		533,907			525,410			558,706
Foreign exchange adjustment		0			5,055			10,663
Total additions		533,907			530,465			569,369
Deductions:
Amortized during period		(424,781	)		(418,890	)		(415,986	)
Foreign exchange adjustment		(1,931	)		0			0
Adjustment attributable to unrealized investment gains(1)		(28,679	)		(24,745	)		(62,765	)
Total deductions		(455,391	)		(443,635	)		(478,751	)
Balance at end of year	$	3,484,851		$	3,406,335		$	3,319,505

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Discontinued Operations (Schedule Of Revenues And Profitability Indicated By The Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenues, Total	$ 117,565	[1]	$ 119,491	[1]
Segment profitability (loss), Total	41,632		40,284
Life Insurance [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenues, Total	65,726		67,917
Segment profitability (loss), Total	22,692		19,477
Annuity [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenues, Total	7,949		9,177
Segment profitability (loss), Total	(931)		3,084
Investment [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenues, Total	43,787		42,375
Segment profitability (loss), Total	22,490		21,660
Other [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenues, Total	103		22
Segment profitability (loss), Total	$ (2,619)		$ (3,937)

[1] Segment revenues differ from discontinued revenues by the amount of realized investment gains/losses, which Torchmark excludes from its consideration of ongoing operations.

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Debt

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Debt [Abstract]

Debt

Note 11—Debt

The following table presents information about the terms and outstanding balances of Torchmark's debt.

Selected Information about Debt Issues

						As of December 31,
						2011								2010
Instrument	Annual Percentage Rate			Issue Date	Periodic Interest Payments Due	Outstanding Principle (Par Value)		Outstanding Principle (Book Value)			Outstanding Principle (Fair Value)			Outstanding Principle (Book Value)
Notes, due 5/15/23(1)(2)		7.875	%	5/93	5/15 & 11/15	$	165,612	$	163,344		$	195,654		$	163,227
Notes, due 8/1/13(1)(2)		7.375	%	7/93	2/1 & 8/1		94,050		93,823			100,302			93,700
Senior Notes, due 6/15/16(1)(8)		6.375	%	6/06	6/15 & 12/15		250,000		247,875			275,910			247,477
Senior Notes, due 6/15/19(1)(8)		9.250	%	6/09	6/15 & 12/15		292,647		289,661			375,276			289,397
Issue Expenses(3)							0		(4,132	)		0			(4,158	)
Subtotal long-term debt							802,309		790,571			947,142			789,643
Junior Subordinated
Debentures due 6/1/46(4)(5)		7.100	%	6/06	quarterly(6)		123,711		123,711			122,208	(7)		123,711
Total funded debt							926,020		914,282			1,069,350			913,354
Commercial Paper(9)							225,000		224,842			224,842			198,875
						$	1,151,020	$	1,139,124		$	1,294,192		$	1,112,229

(1) All securities other than the Junior Subordinated Debentures have equal priority with one another.

(2) Not callable.

(3) Unamortized issue expenses related to Trust Preferred Securities.

(4) Junior Subordinated Debentures are classified as "Due to affiliates" and are junior to other securities in priority of payment.

(5) Callable anytime

(6) Quarterly payments on the first day of March, June, Sept., and Dec.

(7) Fair value of Trust Preferred Securities.

(8) Callable subject to "make-whole" premium.

(9) Classified as short-term debt.

The amount of debt that becomes due during each of the next five years is: 2012—$225 million; 2013—$94 million; 2014—$0; 2015—$0; 2016—$250 million and thereafter—$582 million.

Funded debt:    During 2006, Torchmark established Torchmark Capital Trust III (Trust III) to facilitate the public offering of 4.8 million shares of $25 par value Trust Preferred Securities. Trust III completed the offering for total proceeds of $120 million. It then exchanged $3.7 million of its common stock and the $120 million of proceeds from the offering for $124 million of Torchmark Junior Subordinated Debentures, due June 1, 2046. Trust III pays quarterly dividends on the Trust Preferred Securities at an annual rate of 7.1%, and receives quarterly payments at the same annual rate from Torchmark on the Junior Subordinated Debentures. All payments due to be paid by Trust III on the Trust Preferred Securities are guaranteed by Torchmark (see Note 15). The securities are redeemable on June 1, 2046. They are callable by Trust III at any time.

Trust III is a variable interest entity in which Torchmark is not the primary beneficiary. Therefore, Torchmark is prohibited by accounting rules from consolidating Trust III even though it has 100% ownership, complete voting control, and has guaranteed the performance of Trust III. Accordingly, Torchmark carries its 7.1% Junior Subordinated Debentures due to Trust III as a liability under the caption "Due to Affiliates" on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. Expenses related to the offering reduce long-term debt and are amortized over the forty-year redemption period.

On June 30, 2009, Torchmark issued $300 million principal amount of 9.25% Senior Notes due June 15, 2019. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually commencing on December 15, 2009. Proceeds from the issuance of this debt, net of expenses, were $296 million. The Notes are redeemable by Torchmark in whole or in part at any time subject to a "make-whole" premium, whereby the Company would be required to pay the greater of the full principal amount of the Notes or otherwise the present value of the remaining repayment schedule of the Notes discounted at a rate of interest equivalent to the rate of a United States Treasury security of comparable term plus a spread of 75 basis points. Torchmark used a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to repay its $99 million 8 ¹/4% Senior Debentures which matured on August 15, 2009 (plus accrued interest). Remaining funds were invested.

During 2010, Torchmark acquired $7.4 million par value of its 9 ¹/4% Senior Notes ($7.3 million book value) at a cost of $8.9 million. This repurchase resulted in a pre-tax loss of $1.6 million ($1.1 million after tax).

Commercial Paper:    In December, 2010, Torchmark entered into a credit facility with a group of lenders allowing unsecured borrowings and stand-by letters of credit up to $600 million. The facility includes a provision which allows Torchmark to increase the facility limit by $200 million if certain conditions are met. The Company also has the ability to request up to $250 million in letters of credit to be issued against the facility. The agreement is set to terminate on January 7, 2015. The credit facility is further designated as a back-up credit line for a commercial paper program, where Torchmark may borrow from either the credit line or issue commercial paper at any time, with total commercial paper outstanding not to exceed the facility limit less any letters of credit issued. Interest is charged at variable rates. At December 31, 2011, Torchmark had $225 million face amount ($225 million carrying amount) of commercial paper outstanding, $198 million of letters of credit issued, and no borrowings under the line of credit. During 2011, the short term borrowings under the facility averaged approximately $206 million, and were made at an average yield of .4%, compared with an average balance of $196 million and also at an average yield of .4% a year earlier. The facility does not have a ratings-based acceleration trigger which would require early payment. A facility fee is charged for the entire facility.There is also an issuance fee for letters of credit issued. Torchmark is subject to certain covenants for the agreements regarding capitalization and earnings, with which it was in compliance at December 31, 2011 and throughout the three-year period ended December 31, 2011. Borrowings on the credit facilities are reported as short-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Schedule IV - Reinsurance (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Gross Amount	$ 2,607,058	[1]	$ 2,608,997	[1]	$ 2,570,901	[1]
Ceded to Other Companies	7,001	[1],[2]	7,287	[1],[2]	7,403	[1],[2]
Assumed from Other Companies	31,311	[1]	23,419	[1]	18,172	[1]
Net Amount	2,631,368	[1]	2,625,129	[1]	2,581,670	[1]
Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net	1.20%	[1]	0.90%	[1]	0.70%	[1]
Policy charges	24,950		26,629		28,435
Life Insurance In Force [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Gross Amount	144,778,793		140,653,839		139,408,962
Ceded to Other Companies	738,935	[2]	722,577	[2]	744,213	[2]
Assumed from Other Companies	4,414,247		4,743,222		1,898,360
Net Amount	148,454,105		144,674,484		140,563,109
Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net	3.00%		3.30%		1.40%
Life Insurance [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Gross Amount	1,675,307	[1]	1,618,973	[1]	1,550,434	[1]
Ceded to Other Companies	4,716	[1],[2]	4,684	[1],[2]	4,647	[1],[2]
Assumed from Other Companies	31,311	[1]	23,419	[1]	18,172	[1]
Net Amount	1,701,902	[1]	1,637,708	[1]	1,563,959	[1]
Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net	1.80%	[1]	1.40%	[1]	1.20%	[1]
Health Insurance [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Gross Amount	931,751	[1]	990,024	[1]	1,020,467	[1]
Ceded to Other Companies	2,285	[1],[2]	2,603	[1],[2]	2,756	[1],[2]
Assumed from Other Companies	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Net Amount	$ 929,466	[1]	$ 987,421	[1]	$ 1,017,711	[1]
Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net	0.00%	[1]	0.00%	[1]	0.00%	[1]

[1] Excludes policy charges of $24,950, $26,629, and $28,435, in each of the years 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

[2] No amounts have been netted against ceded premium

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Selected Quarterly Data

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Selected Quarterly Data [Abstract]

Selected Quarterly Data

Note 16—Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of quarterly results for the two years ended December 31, 2011. The information is unaudited but includes all adjustments (consisting of normal accruals) which management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for these periods.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
2011:
Premium and policy charges	$	679,901		$	672,350		$	650,525		$	653,542
Net investment income		171,647			173,104			173,491			174,786
Realized investment gains(losses)		(22,723	)		31,272			12,600			4,755
Total revenues		829,272			877,334			837,241			833,554
Policy benefits		464,127			454,694			438,774			435,681
Amortization of acquisition expenses		107,788			106,752			104,804			105,437
Pretax Income from continuing operations		155,812			218,528			198,822			182,504
Income from continuing operations		106,132			148,940			136,911			126,357
Income from discontinued operations		(599	)		0			144			0
Net income		105,533			148,940			137,055			126,357
Basic net income per common share*
Continuing operations		0.91			1.34			1.31			1.25
Discontinued operations		(0.01	)		0.00			0.00			0.00
Total basic net income per share		0.90			1.34			1.31			1.25
Diluted net income per common share*
Continuing operations		0.89			1.32			1.30			1.23
Discontinued operations		0.00			0.00			0.00			0.00
Total diluted net income per share		0.89			1.32			1.30			1.23
2010:
Premium and policy charges	$	670,944		$	669,569		$	657,827		$	653,418
Net investment income		167,111			170,612			172,337			166,304
Realized investment gains(losses)		7,261			(5,002	)		8,045			27,036
Total revenues		845,678			835,895			838,888			847,171
Policy benefits		468,934			454,177			433,514			436,419
Amortization of acquisition expenses		109,602			104,851			104,045			100,392
Pretax income from continuing operations		174,054			180,720			208,313			215,480
Income from continuing operations		115,393			119,848			138,097			148,955
Income from discontinued operations		6,283			6,201			(23,566	)		5,853
Net income		121,676			126,049			114,531			154,808
Basic net income per common share*
Continuing operations		0.93			0.97			1.14			1.24
Discontinued operations		0.05			0.05			(0.19	)		0.05
Total basic net income per share		0.98			1.02			0.95			1.29
Diluted net income per common share*
Continuing operations		0.92			0.97			1.13			1.23
Discontinued operations		0.05			0.05			(0.19	)		0.05
Total diluted net income per share		0.97			1.02			0.94			1.28

* Basic and diluted net income per share by quarter may not add to per share income on a year-to-date basis due to share weighting and rounding.

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Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Stock Compensation Activity) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 14,954	[1]	$ 11,848	[1]	$ 9,860	[1]
Tax benefit recognized	5,234		4,147		3,451
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted	$ 15.48		$ 10.35		$ 3.67
Intrinsic value of options exercised	40,991		12,102		1,088
Cash received from options exercised	162,613		37,863		4,430
Actual tax benefit received from exercises	14,347		4,236		381
Parent Company [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 14,954		$ 11,848		$ 9,860

[1] No stock-based compensation expense was capitalized in any period.

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Discontinued Operations (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Discontinued Operations [Abstract]
Proceeds from sale of wholly owned subsidiary	$ 21,000,000	$ 343,000,000
Pretax loss		38,000,000
After tax loss	$ (455,000)	$ (35,013,000)	[1]	$ 0

[1] During 2011, management changed the definition of total segment profits before tax to exclude the amortization of low-income housing interests, which management views as a tax expense. Accordingly, the 2010 total segment profits before tax and applicable tax amount have been updated for comparison purposes.

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Business Segments (Assets By Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Cash and invested assets	$ 12,437,699	$ 11,563,656
Accrued investment income	192,325	183,861
Deferred acquisition costs	3,484,851	3,406,335
Goodwill	396,891	396,891
Other assets	644,625	609,019
Total assets	17,156,391	16,159,762
Life Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Deferred acquisition costs	2,929,739	2,803,095
Goodwill	309,609	309,609
Total assets	3,239,348	3,112,704
Health Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Deferred acquisition costs	520,685	548,436
Goodwill	87,282	87,282
Total assets	607,967	635,718
Annuity [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Deferred acquisition costs	34,427	54,804
Total assets	34,427	54,804
Investment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Cash and invested assets	12,437,699	11,563,656
Accrued investment income	192,325	183,861
Total assets	12,630,024	11,747,517
Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Other assets	644,625	609,019
Total assets	$ 644,625	$ 609,019

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Shareholders' Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]

Summary Of Preferred And Common Share Activity

	Preferred Stock				Common Stock*
	Issued		Treasury Stock		Issued			Treasury Stock
2009:
Balance at January 1, 2009		0		0		128,812,123			(1,750,651	)
Grants of restricted stock									115,060
Issuance of common stock due to exercise of stock options									189,258
Treasury stock acquired									(3,104,700	)
Retirement of treasury stock						(3,000,000	)		3,000,000
Balance at December 31, 2009		0		0		125,812,123			(1,551,033	)
2010:
Grants of restricted stock									121,923
Forfeitures of restricted stock									(10,621	)
Issuance of common stock due to exercise of stock options									1,273,598
Treasury stock acquired									(6,781,364	)
Retirement of treasury stock						(6,000,000	)		6,000,000
Balance at December 31, 2010		0		0		119,812,123			(947,497	)
2011:
Grants of restricted stock									173,553
Forfeitures of restricted stock									(7,153	)
Issuance of common stock due to exercise of stock options									4,829,892
Treasury stock acquired									(23,281,453	)
Retirement of treasury stock						(7,500,000	)		7,500,000
Balance at December 31, 2011		0		0		112,312,123			(11,732,658	)

* Retroactively adjusted for stock split described in Note 1

Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share

	2011		2010		2009
Basic weighted average shares outstanding		108,278,113		122,009,228		124,550,384
Weighted average dilutive options outstanding		1,537,277		1,114,110		0
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		109,815,390		123,123,338		124,550,384

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Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Retention limits per life	$ 2.0
Percentage of insurance ceded on total life insurance in force	0.50%
Percentage of insurance ceded on premium income	0.30%
Life reinsurance assumed rate on life insurance in force	3.00%
Reinsurance assumed ratio on premium income	1.20%
Rental expense for operating leases	4.8	4.9	4.9
Future minimum rental commitments in 2012	2.7
Future minimum rental commitments in 2013	2.4
Future minimum rental commitments in 2014	2
Future minimum rental commitments in 2015	2
Future minimum rental commitments in 2016	1.4
Future minimum rental commitments in aggregate	13.2
Investment in low-income housing interests	293	283
Obligations under commitments		109
Obligations under commitments due in 2012		85
Obligations under commitments due in 2013		21
Obligations under commitments due in 2014		2
Recorded unconditional purchase obligation thereafter		1
Securities of state and municipal governments	11.00%
Proportion of state and municipal government securities at fair value invested in various states	5
Par value of investment in fixed maturities rated below investment grade	787
Amortized cost of investment in fixed maturities rated below investment grade	701
Fair value of investment in fixed maturities rated below investment grade	579
Percentage of invested assets rated below investment grade	5.00%
Letters of credit facility expiration date	2015
Letters of credit facility outstanding	198
Undiscounted payments under leases	8
Texas [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
State and municipal government securities at fair value invested by state	34
Washington [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
State and municipal government securities at fair value invested by state	7
Ohio [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
State and municipal government securities at fair value invested by state	8
Alabama [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
State and municipal government securities at fair value invested by state	5
Leases Commenced In 2003 [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Lease term in years	10
Leases Commenced In 2009 [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Lease term in years	10
Trust Preferred Securities [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantees of debt	120
Letters Of Credit [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantees of debt	$ 250

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Consolidated Statements Of Operations (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Loss on disposal, tax benefit	$ 467	$ 2,868

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Supplemental Disclosures Of Cash Flow Information (Summary Of Amounts Paid) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Interest paid	$ 75,653	$ 76,911	$ 71,288
Income taxes paid	188,510	195,172	87,376
Parent Company [Member]
Interest paid	$ 74,569	$ 75,909	$ 73,031

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Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash in subsidiary held for sale	$ 0	$ 0	$ 847	$ 12,300

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Investments (Schedule Of Changes In Assets Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009		Dec. 31, 2008
Investment [Line Items]
Balance	$ 49,402		$ 104,841		$ 103,618		$ 203,362
Included in realized gains/losses	(12,542)		500		(85,960)
Included in other comprehensive income	17,856		16,877		79,675
Sales	(13,875)		(8,193)		(6,708)
Amortization	3,566		4,674		3,192
Other	1,442	[1]	1,353	[1]	5,885	[1]
Transfers in to Level 3					53,430
Transfers out of Level 3	(51,886)		(13,988)		(149,258)
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Balance	7,122		8,042		7,981		23,077
Included in realized gains/losses	0		0		0
Included in other comprehensive income	(714)		255		1,717
Sales	0		0		0
Amortization	(206)		(194)		(183)
Other	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Transfers in to Level 3					0
Transfers out of Level 3	0		0		(16,630)
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Balance	30,320		22,456		18,037		14,158
Included in realized gains/losses	0		(1,712)		(83,458)
Included in other comprehensive income	3,952		2,445		80,674
Sales	0		0		125
Amortization	2,470		2,333		1,014
Other	1,442	[1]	1,353	[1]	5,524	[1]
Transfers in to Level 3					0
Transfers out of Level 3	0		0		0
Corporates [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Balance	11,250	[2]	73,673	[2]	71,764	[2]	164,881	[2]
Included in realized gains/losses	(12,542)	[2]	1,504	[2]	(2,502)	[2]
Included in other comprehensive income	14,578	[2]	14,711	[2]	(2,728)	[2]
Sales	(13,875)	[2]	(5,862)	[2]	(6,833)	[2]
Amortization	1,302	[2]	2,536	[2]	2,366	[2]
Other	0	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]	213	[1],[2]
Transfers in to Level 3					48,995	[2]
Transfers out of Level 3	(51,886)	[2]	(10,980)	[2]	(132,628)	[2]
Other [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Balance	710		670		5,836		1,246
Included in realized gains/losses	0		708		0
Included in other comprehensive income	40		(534)		12
Sales	0		(2,331)		0
Amortization	0		(1)		(5)
Other	0	[1]	0	[1]	148	[1]
Transfers in to Level 3					4,435
Transfers out of Level 3	$ 0		$ (3,008)		$ 0

[1] Includes capitalized interest and foreign exchange adjustments.

[2] Includes redeemable preferred stocks

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Postretirement Benefits (Portion Of Other Comprehensive Income Expected To Be Reflected In Pension Expense In Next Year) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
Amortization of prior service cost	$ 2,063
Amortization of net loss (gain)	12,175
Amortization of transition obligation	0
Total	$ 14,238

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Business Segments (Other Balances By Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Future policy benefits	$ 9,572,257	$ 9,150,031
Unearned and advance premiums	69,539	74,165
Policy claims and other benefits payable	222,254	221,598
Total	9,864,050	9,445,794
Life Insurance [Member]
Future policy benefits	7,697,108	7,318,283
Unearned and advance premiums	16,965	17,343
Policy claims and other benefits payable	118,737	121,000
Total	7,832,810	7,456,626
Health Insurance [Member]
Future policy benefits	589,441	570,775
Unearned and advance premiums	52,574	56,822
Policy claims and other benefits payable	103,517	100,598
Total	745,532	728,195
Annuity [Member]
Future policy benefits	1,285,708	1,260,973
Total	$ 1,285,708	$ 1,260,973

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Income Taxes (Components Of Income Taxes) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income tax expense from continuing operations	$ 237,326	$ 256,274	$ 191,024
Income tax expense from discontinued operations	(467)	11,830	9,216
Other comprehensive income (loss)	284,161	184,233	458,358
Tax basis compensation expense (from the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards) in excess of amounts recognized for financial reporting purposes	(13,121)	(3,455)	(253)
Income tax expense, Total	507,899	448,882	658,345
Parent Company [Member]
Income tax expense from continuing operations	$ (14,380)	$ (18,521)	$ (19,773)

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Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information Of Registrant

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Condensed Financial Information Of Registrant [Abstract]

Condensed Financial Information Of Registrant

TORCHMARK CORPORATION

(PARENT COMPANY)

SCHEDULE II. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands)

	December 31,
	2011			2010
Assets:
Investments:
Long-term investments	$	36,458		$	15,963
Short-term investments		58			62,582
Total investments		36,516			78,545
Cash		27,099			0
Investment in affiliates		5,329,769			4,973,495
Due from affiliates		50,977			138,130
Taxes receivable		61,616			65,195
Other assets		7,581			5,391
Total assets	$	5,513,558		$	5,260,756
Liabilities and shareholders' equity:
Liabilities:
Short-term debt	$	224,842		$	198,875
Long-term debt		790,571			789,643
Due to affiliates		145,556			136,931
Other liabilities		123,681			119,066
Total liabilities		1,284,650			1,244,515
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock		351			351
Common stock		112,312			119,812
Additional paid-in capital		775,842			783,119
Accumulated other comprehensive income		549,423			22,958
Retained earnings		3,634,481			3,473,482
Treasury stock		(843,501	)		(383,481	)
Total shareholders' equity		4,228,908			4,016,241
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	5,513,558		$	5,260,756

See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements and accompanying Report of Independent Registered

Public Accounting Firm.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Net investment income	$	23,542		$	26,031		$	17,374
Realized investment gains (losses)		508			(1,646	)		(1	)
Total revenue		24,050			24,385			17,373
General operating expenses		30,945			21,682			18,119
Reimbursements from affiliates		(19,335	)		(13,375	)		(5,973	)
Interest expense		75,426			74,827			71,687
Total expenses		87,036			83,134			83,833
Operating income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates		(62,986	)		(58,749	)		(66,460	)
Income taxes		14,380			18,521			19,773
Net operating loss before equity in earnings of affiliates		(48,606	)		(40,228	)		(46,687	)
Equity in earnings of affiliates		566,491			557,292			451,640
Net income	$	517,885		$	517,064		$	404,953

See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements and accompanying Report of Independent Registered

Public Accounting Firm.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Cash provided from (used for) operations before dividends from subsidiaries	$	(33,042	)	$	(33,403	)	$	(51,241	)
Cash dividends from subsidiaries		769,139			370,947			354,695
Cash provided from operations		736,097			337,544			303,454
Cash provided from (used for) investing activities:
Acquisition of investments		0			(14,279	)		(125	)
Disposition of investments		11,828			33			31
Net decrease (increase) in short-term investments		62,524			106,881			(129,789	)
Investment in subsidiaries		(25,000	)		(18,722	)		(100,000	)
Cash provided from (used for) investing activities		49,352			73,913			(229,883	)
Cash provided from (used for) financing activities:
Issuance of 9 1/4% Senior Notes		0			0			296,308
Acquisition of 9 1/4% Senior Notes		0			(8,913	)		0
Repayment of 8 1/4% Senior Debentures		0			0			(99,050	)
Net issuance (repayment) of commercial paper		25,967			(34,432	)		(71,329	)
Issuance of stock		162,613			37,863			4,430
Acquisitions of treasury stock		(972,556	)		(246,006	)		(47,564	)
Net borrowings to/from subsidiaries		96,000			(86,800	)		(87,200	)
Excess tax benefit on stock option exercises		2,021			162			(30	)
Payment of dividends		(72,395	)		(73,331	)		(69,885	)
Cash provided from (used for) financing activities		(758,350	)		(411,457	)		(74,320	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash		27,099			0			(749	)
Cash balance at beginning of period		0			0			749
Cash balance at end of period	$	27,099		$	0		$	0

See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements and accompanying Report of Independent Registered

Public Accounting Firm.

TORCHMARK CORPORATION

(PARENT COMPANY)

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands)

Note A—Dividends from Subsidiaries

Cash dividends paid to Torchmark from the consolidated subsidiaries were as follows:

	2011		2010		2009
Consolidated subsidiaries	$	769,139	$	370,947	$	354,695

Note B—Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

The following table summarizes noncash transactions, which are not reflected on the Condensed Statements of Cash Flows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Stock-based compensation not involving cash	$	14,954	$	11,848	$	9,860

The following table summarizes certain amounts paid (received) during the period:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Interest paid	$	74,569	$	75,909	$	73,031
Income taxes received		22,893		2,379		25,202

Note C—Special Items

In 2009, a Federal income tax expense of $1.5 million was incurred relating to Internal Revenue Service examinations of prior years.

Note D—Preferred Stock

As of December 31, 2011, Torchmark had 351 thousand shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A, issued and outstanding, of which 280 thousand shares were 6.50% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A, and 71 thousand shares were 7.15% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (collectively, the "Series A Preferred Stock"). All issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock were held by wholly-owned insurance subsidiaries. In the event of liquidation, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock at the time outstanding would be entitled to receive a liquidating distribution out of the assets legally available to stockholders in the amount of $1 thousand per share or $351 million in the aggregate, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, before any distribution is made to holders of Torchmark common stock. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock do not have any voting rights nor have rights to convert such shares into shares of any other class of Torchmark capital stock.

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Postretirement Benefits (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan contributions	$ 8,600,000	$ 13,000,000	$ 15,000,000
Contributions to benefit plans, future	20,000,000
Insurance premium paid for supplemental pension plan	3,900,000	1,700,000
Insurance cash value of supplemental pension plan	16,000,000	12,000,000
Cash deposited into Rabbi Trust	5,000,000	21,000,000
Combined value of insurance policies and trust investments	43,000,000
Liability for active supplemental retirement pension plan	47,000,000	38,000,000
Liability for closed supplemental retirement pension plans	3,000,000	4,000,000
Funded Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	263,000,000	228,000,000
Unfunded Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	39,000,000	32,000,000
Maximum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Maximum allowed investment percentage in any single issuer in pension plan assets at time of purchase	10.00%
Maximum [Member] | Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Capped eligible compensation	$ 1,000,000

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Postretirement Benefits (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Total Cost Of Retirement Plans Charged To Operations

Year Ended December 31,	Defined Contribution Plans		Defined Benefit Pension Plans
2011	$	3,552	$	20,952
2010		3,617		18,948
2009		3,511		17,912

Pension Assets By Component At Fair Value

Pension Assets by Component at December 31, 2011

	Fair Value Determined by:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Amount		% to Total
Equity securities:
Consumer, Non-Cyclical	$	14,866					$	14,866		6	%
Financial		24,255						24,255		9
Industrial		11,491						11,491		5
Technology		13,184						13,184		5
General merchandise stores		8,119						8,119		3
Other		7,544						7,544		3
Total equity securities		79,459						79,459		31
Corporate bonds		6,661	$	153,098				159,759		62
Other bonds		0		348				348		0
Guaranteed annuity contract		0		12,745				12,745		5
Short-term investments		3,767		0				3,767		1
Other		1,989		0				1,989		1
Grand Total	$	91,876	$	166,191	$	0	$	258,067		100	%

Pension Assets by Component at December 31, 2010
	Fair Value Determined by:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Amount		% to Total
Equity securities:
Consumer, Non-Cyclical	$	14,932					$	14,932		6	%
Financial		29,692						29,692		13
Industrial		11,303						11,303		5
Technology		10,643						10,643		4
Other		1,339						1,339		1
Total equity securities		67,909						67,909		29
Corporate bonds		9,637	$	122,946	$	3,184		135,767		57
Other bonds		0		772				772		0
Guaranteed annuity contract		0		10,959				10,959		5
Short-term investments		19,484		0				19,484		8
Other		2,002		0				2,002		1
Grand Total	$	99,032	$	134,677	$	3,184	$	236,893		100	%

Weighted Average Pension Plan Assumptions

For Benefit Obligations at December 31:
	2011			2010
Discount Rate		5.09	%		5.77	%
Rate of Compensation Increase		4.04			4.00
For Periodic Benefit Cost for the Year:	2011			2010			2009
Discount Rate		5.77	%		6.31	%		6.31	%
Expected Long-Term Returns		7.24			7.24			7.95
Rate of Compensation Increase		4.00			3.79			3.84

Components Of Net Periodic Pension Cost

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Service cost—benefits earned during the period	$	9,277		$	8,174		$	7,571
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation		16,106			15,392			14,490
Expected return on assets		(16,068	)		(15,025	)		(15,577	)
Net amortization		11,637			10,407			11,428
Net periodic pension cost	$	20,952		$	18,948		$	17,912

Analysis Of Impact On Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

	2011			2010			2009
Balance at January 1	$	(105,903	)	$	(93,674	)	$	(121,704	)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost		2,080			2,098			2,060
Net actuarial (gain) loss		10,071			8,766			9,166
Transition obligation		(5	)		(7	)		(7	)
Total amortization		12,146			10,857			11,219
Experience gain(loss)		(24,653	)		(23,086	)		16,811
Balance at December 31	$	(118,410	)	$	(105,903	)	$	(93,674	)

Portion Of Other Comprehensive Income Expected To Be Reflected In Pension Expense Next Year

Amortization of prior service cost	$	2,063
Amortization of net loss (gain)		12,175
Amortization of transition obligation		0
Total	$	14,238

Estimated Expected Pension Benefits To Be Paid Over The Next Ten Years

For the year(s)
2012	$	13,921
2013		14,890
2014		15,755
2015		16,689
2016		17,692
2017-2020		105,596

Components Of Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost For Plans Other Than Pensions

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Service cost	$	919		$	728		$	641
Interest cost on benefit obligation		999			970			947
Expected return on plan assets		0			0			0
Amortization of prior service cost		0			0			0
Recognition of net actuarial (gain) loss		(815	)		(583	)		283
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost	$	1,103		$	1,115		$	1,871

Weighted Average Assumptions For Post-Retirement Benefit Plans Other Than Pensions

For Benefit Obligations at December 31:
	2011			2010
Discount Rate		5.09	%		5.77	%
Rate of Compensation Increase		3.50			4.50
For Periodic Benefit Cost for the Year:
	2011			2010			2009
Discount Rate		5.77	%		6.60	%		6.60	%
Rate of Compensation Increase		4.50			4.50			4.50

Pension Benefits [Member]

Schedule Of Amounts Recognized As Components Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income consist of:
Net loss (gain)	$	111,964	$	97,382
Prior service cost		6,446		8,526
Transition obligation		0		(5	)
Net amounts recognized at year end	$	118,410	$	105,903

Reconciliation Of Benefit Obligation And Plan Assets

	Pension Benefits For the year ended December 31,
	2011			2010
Changes in benefit obligation:
Obligation at beginning of year	$	285,560		$	242,159
Service cost		9,277			8,174
Interest cost		16,106			15,392
Actuarial loss (gain)		34,515			34,029
Benefits paid		(13,849	)		(14,194	)
Obligation at end of year		331,609			285,560
Changes in plan assets:
Fair value at beginning of year		236,893			211,877
Return on assets		26,439			26,576
Contributions		8,584			12,634
Benefits paid		(13,849	)		(14,194	)
Fair value at end of year		258,067			236,893
Funded status at year end	$	(73,542	)	$	(48,667	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income consist of:
Net loss (gain)	$	111,964		$	97,382
Prior service cost		6,446			8,526
Transition obligation		0			(5	)
Net amounts recognized at year end	$	118,410		$	105,903

Other Benefits [Member]

Schedule Of Amounts Recognized As Components Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income:
Net loss	$	1,453	$	0
Net amounts recognized at year end	$	1,453	$	0

Reconciliation Of Benefit Obligation And Plan Assets

	Benefits Other Than Pensions For  the year ended December 31,
	2011			2010
Changes in benefit obligation:
Obligation at beginning of year	$	16,889		$	16,340
Service cost		919			728
Interest cost		999			970
Actuarial loss (gain)		638			(583	)
Benefits paid		(437	)		(566	)
Obligation at end of year		19,008			16,889
Changes in plan assets:
Fair value at beginning of year		0			0
Return on assets		0			0
Contributions		437			566
Benefits paid		(437	)		(566	)
Fair value at end of year		0			0
Funded status at year end	$	(19,008	)	$	(16,889	)

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Supplemental Disclosures Of Cash Flow Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Supplemental Disclosures Of Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Supplemental Disclosures Of Cash Flow Information

Note 10—Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

The following table summarizes Torchmark's noncash transactions, which are not reflected on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Stock-based compensation not involving cash	$	14,954	$	11,848	$	9,860
Commitments for low-income housing interests		36,722		137,817		50,789
Capitalized investment income		5,321		6,517		7,345

The following table summarizes certain amounts paid during the period:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Interest paid	$	75,653	$	76,911	$	71,288
Income taxes paid		188,510		195,172		87,376

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Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Options Outstanding) (Details) (USD $)					12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 years	Dec. 31, 2010 years	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2011 15.67 - 15.67 [Member] years	Dec. 31, 2010 15.67 - 15.67 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 22.03 - 30.40 [Member] years	Dec. 31, 2010 22.03 - 30.40 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 30.87 - 36.33 [Member] years	Dec. 31, 2011 36.51 - 36.51 [Member] years	Dec. 31, 2010 36.51 - 36.51 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 36.70 - 37.20 [Member] years	Dec. 31, 2010 36.70 - 37.20 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 37.49 - 40.45 [Member] years	Dec. 31, 2010 37.49 - 40.45 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 41.79 - 41.79 [Member] years	Dec. 31, 2010 41.79 - 41.79 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 42.47 - 43.06 [Member] years	Dec. 31, 2010 42.47 - 43.06 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 44.39 - 45.45 [Member] years	Dec. 31, 2010 44.39 - 45.45 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 15.67 - 45.45 [Member] years
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Minimum					$ 15.67		$ 22.03		$ 30.87		$ 36.51		$ 36.70		$ 37.49		$ 41.79		$ 42.47	$ 44.39		$ 15.67
Range of Exercise Prices, Maximum						$ 15.67		$ 30.40	$ 36.33	$ 36.51		$ 37.20		$ 40.45		$ 41.79		$ 43.06			$ 45.45	$ 45.45
Number Of Options Outstanding	11,620,393	15,185,729	15,509,978	14,581,461	1,086,231		1,244,673		1,401,238	1,859,229		1,005,845		1,134,413		1,270,873		1,130,041		1,487,850		11,620,393
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)	2.95	2.85			4.13		1.85		4.86	0.34		1.05		2.97		3.13		1.99		6.32		2.95
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 35.42	$ 34.09	$ 34.04	$ 35.60	$ 15.67		$ 28.49		$ 31.11	$ 36.51		$ 37.00		$ 37.69		$ 41.79		$ 42.78		$ 44.50		$ 35.42
Options Exercisable, Number Exercisable	8,265,818	11,830,076	12,384,363		431,969		1,226,486		71,188	1,859,229		994,084		1,125,948		1,270,873		1,130,041		156,000		8,265,818
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 36.28	$ 36.10	$ 34.98		$ 15.67		$ 28.50		$ 35.51	$ 36.51		$ 37.00		$ 37.68		$ 41.79		$ 42.78		$ 45.45		$ 36.28