10-Q 1 d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

x Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010

 

¨ 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 1-11294

Unum Group

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   62-1598430
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1 Fountain Square

Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402

(Address of principal executive offices)

423.294.1011

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant 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  ¨

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

317,144,217 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding as of October 28, 2010.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
   Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements     1   
PART I   
1.    Financial Statements (Unaudited):  
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009

    3   
  

Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

    5   
  

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

    6   
  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

    7   
  

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

    8   
  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    9   
  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    48   
2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     49   
3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     90   
4.    Controls and Procedures     90   
PART II   
1.    Legal Proceedings     91   
1A.    Risk Factors     91   
2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds     91   
6.    Exhibits     92   
   Signatures     93   


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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” to encourage companies to provide prospective information, as long as those statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements. Certain information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (including certain statements in the consolidated financial statements and related notes and Management’s Discussion and Analysis), or in any other written or oral statements made by us in communications with the financial community or contained in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), may be considered forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are those not based on historical information, but rather relate to future operations, strategies, financial results, or other developments and speak only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to update these statements, even if made available on our website or otherwise. These statements may be made directly in this document or may be made part of this document by reference to other documents filed by us with the SEC, a practice which is known as “incorporation by reference.” You can find many of these statements by looking for words such as “will,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “projects,” “goals,” “objectives,” or similar expressions in this document or in documents incorporated herein.

These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. We caution readers that the following factors, in addition to other factors mentioned from time to time, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements:

 

   

Unfavorable economic or business conditions, both domestic and foreign, including the continued financial market disruption.

 

   

Legislative, regulatory, or tax changes, both domestic and foreign, including the effect of potential legislation and increased regulation in the current political environment.

 

   

Sustained periods of low interest rates.

 

   

Changes in claim incidence and recovery rates due to, among other factors, the rate of unemployment and consumer confidence, the emergence of new diseases, epidemics, or pandemics, new trends and developments in medical treatments, and the effectiveness of claims management operations.

 

   

Fluctuation in insurance reserve liabilities.

 

   

Investment results, including but not limited to, realized investment losses resulting from impairments that differ from our assumptions and historical experience.

 

   

Changes in interest rates, credit spreads, and securities prices.

 

   

Increased competition from other insurers and financial services companies due to industry consolidation or other factors.

 

   

Changes in our financial strength and credit ratings.

 

   

Rating agency actions, state insurance department market conduct examinations and other inquiries, other governmental investigations and actions, and negative media attention.

 

   

Effectiveness in managing our operating risks and the implementation of operational improvements and strategic growth initiatives.

 

   

Actual experience in pricing, underwriting, and reserving that deviates from our assumptions.

 

   

Lower than projected persistency and lower sales growth.

 

   

Changes in accounting standards, practices, or policies.

 

   

Effectiveness of our risk management program.

 

   

The level and results of litigation.

 

   

Currency exchange rates.

 

   

Ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends as a result of regulatory restrictions.

 

   

Ability and willingness of reinsurers to meet their obligations.

 

   

Changes in assumptions related to intangible assets such as deferred acquisition costs, value of business acquired, and goodwill.

 

   

Events or consequences relating to terrorism and acts of war, both domestic and foreign.

 

   

Ability to recover our systems and information in the event of a disaster or unanticipated event.

 

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For further discussion of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see Part I, Item 1A of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section.

 

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PART I

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

 

     September 30
2010
     December 31
2009
 
     (in millions of dollars)  
     (Unaudited)         

Assets

     

Investments

     

Fixed Maturity Securities - at fair value

     

(amortized cost: $36,641.1; $35,905.4)

   $ 41,747.6       $ 37,914.4   

Mortgage Loans

     1,464.2         1,404.0   

Policy Loans

     2,992.6         2,878.0   

Other Long-term Investments

     533.1         233.5   

Short-term Investments

     984.1         865.5   
                 

Total Investments

     47,721.6         43,295.4   

Other Assets

     

Cash and Bank Deposits

     78.6         71.6   

Accounts and Premiums Receivable

     1,728.6         1,732.4   

Reinsurance Recoverable

     5,050.4         4,996.9   

Accrued Investment Income

     685.9         642.5   

Deferred Acquisition Costs

     2,491.1         2,482.5   

Goodwill

     201.3         201.6   

Property and Equipment

     467.8         443.5   

Other Assets

     629.4         610.6   
                 

Total Assets

   $ 59,054.7       $ 54,477.0   
                 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

     September 30
2010
    December 31
2009
 
     (in millions of dollars)  
     (Unaudited)        

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

    

Liabilities

    

Policy and Contract Benefits

   $ 1,578.6      $ 1,736.9   

Reserves for Future Policy and Contract Benefits

     41,248.2        37,740.8   

Unearned Premiums

     500.6        452.0   

Other Policyholders’ Funds

     1,651.9        1,662.3   

Income Tax Payable

     153.8        114.5   

Deferred Income Tax

     432.7        273.2   

Short-term Debt

     225.1        0.0   

Long-term Debt

     2,661.3        2,549.6   

Other Liabilities

     1,678.4        1,447.6   
                

Total Liabilities

     50,130.6        45,976.9   
                

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities - Note 9

    

Stockholders’ Equity

    

Common Stock, $0.10 par

    

Authorized: 725,000,000 shares

    

Issued: 364,787,512 and 363,638,314 shares

     36.5        36.4   

Additional Paid-in Capital

     2,611.1        2,587.4   

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

    

Net Unrealized Gain on Securities Not Other-Than-Temporarily Impaired

     484.8        376.6   

Net Unrealized Gain on Securities Other-Than-Temporarily Impaired

     3.1        3.0   

Net Gain on Cash Flow Hedges

     413.0        370.8   

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment

     (103.4     (78.7

Unrecognized Pension and Postretirement Benefit Costs

     (303.7     (330.7

Retained Earnings

     6,864.4        6,289.5   

Treasury Stock - at cost: 46,997,467 shares and 31,829,067 shares

     (1,081.7     (754.2
                

Total Stockholders’ Equity

     8,924.1        8,500.1   
                

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 59,054.7      $ 54,477.0   
                

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

 

     Three Months  Ended
September 30
    Nine Months  Ended
September 30
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  
     (in millions of dollars, except share data)  

Revenue

        

Premium Income

   $ 1,850.2      $ 1,861.1      $ 5,563.2      $ 5,609.8   

Net Investment Income

     618.4        579.6        1,861.2        1,750.9   

Realized Investment Gain (Loss)

        

Total Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Loss on Fixed Maturity Securities

     0.0        (31.5     (10.4     (160.1

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment (Gain) Loss Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income

     0.0        (2.1     0.0        4.8   
                                

Net Impairment Loss Recognized in Earnings

     0.0        (33.6     (10.4     (155.3

Other Net Realized Investment Gain

     1.1        48.5        7.6        192.9   
                                

Net Realized Investment Gain (Loss)

     1.1        14.9        (2.8     37.6   

Other Income

     58.2        61.9        178.5        196.1   
                                

Total Revenue

     2,527.9        2,517.5        7,600.1        7,594.4   
                                

Benefits and Expenses

        

Benefits and Change in Reserves for Future Benefits

     1,587.5        1,565.1        4,736.0        4,725.0   

Commissions

     214.0        203.6        640.1        632.2   

Interest and Debt Expense

     35.2        27.9        102.7        90.9   

Deferral of Acquisition Costs

     (150.9     (143.5     (455.5     (445.8

Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs

     130.6        130.4        407.7        395.0   

Compensation Expense

     194.1        201.0        582.8        587.3   

Other Expenses

     190.9        198.4        590.5        613.4   
                                

Total Benefits and Expenses

     2,201.4        2,182.9        6,604.3        6,598.0   
                                

Income Before Income Tax

     326.5        334.6        995.8        996.4   
                                

Income Tax (Benefit)

        

Current

     80.6        119.1        250.7        297.4   

Deferred

     25.1        (5.6     84.8        45.8   
                                

Total Income Tax

     105.7        113.5        335.5        343.2   
                                

Net Income

   $ 220.8      $ 221.1      $ 660.3      $ 653.2   
                                

Net Income Per Common Share

        

Basic

   $ 0.68      $ 0.67      $ 2.01      $ 1.97   

Assuming Dilution

   $ 0.68      $ 0.66      $ 2.00      $ 1.97   

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
     2010     2009  
     (in millions of dollars)  

Common Stock

    

Balance at Beginning of Year

   $ 36.4      $ 36.3   

Common Stock Activity

     0.1        0.0   
                

Balance at End of Period

     36.5        36.3   
                

Additional Paid-in Capital

    

Balance at Beginning of Year

     2,587.4        2,546.9   

Common Stock Activity

     23.7        31.6   
                

Balance at End of Period

     2,611.1        2,578.5   
                

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

    

Balance at Beginning of Year

     341.0        (958.2

Cumulative Effect of Accounting Principle Change - See Note 2

     0.0        (14.3

All Other Changes During Period

     152.8        1,237.4   
                

Balance at End of Period

     493.8        264.9   
                

Retained Earnings

    

Balance at Beginning of Year

     6,289.5        5,527.1   

Net Income

     660.3        653.2   

Dividends to Stockholders (per common share: $0.2575; $0.2325)

     (85.4     (77.1

Cumulative Effect of Accounting Principle Change - See Note 2

     0.0        14.3   
                

Balance at End of Period

     6,864.4        6,117.5   
                

Treasury Stock

    

Balance at Beginning of Year

     (754.2     (754.2

Purchases of Treasury Stock

     (327.5     0.0   
                

Balance at End of Period

     (1,081.7     (754.2
                

Total Stockholders’ Equity at End of Period

   $ 8,924.1      $ 8,243.0   
                

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
     2010     2009  
     (in millions of dollars)  

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

    

Net Income

   $ 660.3      $ 653.2   

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

    

Change in Receivables

     (44.1     78.0   

Change in Deferred Acquisition Costs

     (47.8     (50.8

Change in Insurance Reserves and Liabilities

     440.4        335.4   

Change in Income Taxes

     124.5        73.3   

Change in Other Accrued Liabilities

     (35.9     (71.8

Non-cash Adjustments to Net Investment Income

     (225.6     (200.4

Net Realized Investment (Gain) Loss

     2.8        (37.6

Depreciation

     56.1        55.0   

Other, Net

     (16.9     19.3   
                

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

     913.8        853.6   
                

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

    

Proceeds from Sales of Available-for-Sale Securities

     723.9        1,091.4   

Proceeds from Maturities of Available-for-Sale Securities

     1,682.4        741.9   

Proceeds from Sales and Maturities of Other Investments

     102.3        214.9   

Purchase of Available-for-Sale Securities

     (2,958.7     (2,548.5

Purchase of Other Investments

     (222.1     (183.9

Net (Purchases) Sales of Short-term Investments

     (70.3     20.5   

Other, Net

     (100.4     (75.2
                

Net Cash Used by Investing Activities

     (842.9     (738.9
                

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

    

Net Short-term Debt Repayments

     0.0        (190.5

Issuance of Long-term Debt

     396.9        346.8   

Long-term Debt Repayments

     (62.7     (29.2

Issuance of Common Stock

     9.4        6.3   

Dividends Paid to Stockholders

     (85.4     (77.1

Purchases of Treasury Stock

     (324.0     0.0   

Other, Net

     1.9        (0.5
                

Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities

     (63.9     55.8   
                

Effect of Foreign Exchange Rate Changes on Cash

     0.0        0.2   
                

Net Increase in Cash and Bank Deposits

     7.0        170.7   

Cash and Bank Deposits at Beginning of Year

     71.6        49.9   
                

Cash and Bank Deposits at End of Period

   $ 78.6      $ 220.6   
                

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30
    Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  
     (in millions of dollars)  

Net Income

   $ 220.8      $ 221.1      $ 660.3      $ 653.2   
                                

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

        

Change in Net Unrealized Gains and Losses on Securities Before Reclassification Adjustment:

        

Change in Net Unrealized Gains and Losses on Securities Not Other-Than-Temporarily Impaired (net of tax expense of $474.7; $923.7; $1,071.9; $1,487.8)

     906.2        1,738.5        2,035.3        2,801.2   

Change in Net Unrealized Gains and Losses on Securities Other-Than-Temporarily Impaired (net of tax expense of $0.5; $7.6 ; $0.0; $7.0)

     1.0        14.2        0.1        13.0   
                                

Total Change in Net Unrealized Gains and Losses on Securities Before Reclassification Adjustment (net of tax expense of $475.2; $931.3; $1,071.9; $1,494.8)

     907.2        1,752.7        2,035.4        2,814.2   

Reclassification Adjustment for Net Realized Investment (Gain) Loss (net of tax expense (benefit) of $0.4; $(10.0); $1.1; $(59.7))

     (1.5     18.3        (3.3     110.6   

Change in Net Gain on Cash Flow Hedges (net of tax expense (benefit) of $(6.0); $(9.0); $22.9; $(51.5))

     (11.7     (8.4     42.2        (99.4

Change in Adjustment to Reserves for Future Policy and Contract Benefits, Net of Reinsurance and Other (net of tax benefit of $472.6; $624.1; $1,015.6; $896.7)

     (894.2     (1,183.6     (1,923.8     (1,692.2

Change in Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment (net of tax expense (benefit) of $0.6; $0.0; $0.6; $(0.4))

     53.3        (29.8     (24.7     87.1   

Change in Unrecognized Pension and Postretirement Benefit Costs (net of tax expense (benefit) of $1.9; $4.4; $(3.6); $9.8)

     2.8        7.6        27.0        17.1   
                                

Total Other Comprehensive Income

     55.9        556.8        152.8        1,237.4   
                                

Comprehensive Income

   $ 276.7      $ 777.9      $ 813.1      $ 1,890.6   
                                

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Unum Group and its subsidiaries (the Company) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of full year performance.

In connection with our preparation of the consolidated financial statements, we evaluated events that occurred subsequent to September 30, 2010 for recognition or disclosure in our financial statements and notes to our financial statements.

Note 2 - Accounting Developments

Accounting Updates Adopted during the First Nine Months of 2010:

Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 810 “Consolidation”

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an update to require a qualitative rather than a quantitative analysis to determine the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and require enhanced disclosures about an enterprise’s involvement with a variable interest entity. We adopted this update effective January 1, 2010. The adoption of this update had no effect on our financial position or results of operations.

ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”

In January 2010, the FASB issued an update to require a number of additional disclosures regarding fair value measurements. Specifically, the update requires a reporting entity to disclose the amounts of significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the three tier fair value hierarchy and the reasons for these transfers, as well as the reasons for any transfers in or out of Level 3, effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2009. The update also requires information in the reconciliation of recurring Level 3 measurements about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis, effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2010. We adopted this update in its entirety, including early adoption of the additional Level 3 information, effective January 1, 2010. The adoption of this update expanded our disclosures but had no effect on our financial position or results of operations.

ASC 860 “Transfers and Servicing”

In June 2009, the FASB issued an update to eliminate the exceptions for qualifying special-purpose entities from the consolidation guidance and eliminate the exception that permitted sale accounting for certain mortgage securitizations when a transferor has not surrendered control over the transferred financial assets. In addition, this update clarifies certain requirements for financial assets that are eligible for sale accounting and requires enhanced disclosures about the risks that a transferor continues to be exposed to because of its continuing involvement in transferred financial assets. We adopted this update effective January 1, 2010. The adoption of this update had no effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 2 - Accounting Developments - Continued

 

 

Accounting Updates Adopted during the First Nine Months of 2009:

ASC 105 “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”

In June 2009, the FASB established the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (Codification) as the source of authoritative accounting principles to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules and interpretive releases, which may not be included in their entirety within the Codification, will remain as authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. We adopted Codification effective July 1, 2009. The adoption of Codification had no effect on our financial position or results of operations.

ASC 320 “Investments - Debt and Equity Securities”

In April 2009, the FASB issued a new accounting standard, now included in ASC 320, which amends the other-than-temporary impairment guidance for debt securities and expands and increases the frequency of previously existing disclosures for other-than-temporary impairments. The measure of impairment remains fair value. Under the standard, an other-than-temporary impairment must be recognized in earnings for a debt security in an unrealized loss position when an entity either (a) has the intent to sell the debt security or (b) more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery.

The amount of impairment recognized is equal to the difference between amortized cost and fair value. For all debt securities in unrealized loss positions that do not meet either of these two criteria, the standard requires that an entity analyze its ability to recover the amortized cost by comparing the present value of cash flows with the amortized cost of the security. If the present value of our best estimate of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost of the security, an other-than-temporary impairment is recorded. The impairment loss is separated into two components, the portion of the impairment related to credit and the portion related to factors other than credit. The credit-related portion of an other-than-temporary impairment, which is the difference between the amortized cost of the security and the present value of cash flows expected to be collected, is recognized in earnings. Other-than-temporary impairments related to factors other than credit are charged to earnings if it is unlikely that the fair value of the security will recover prior to its disposal. Otherwise, non-credit-related other-than-temporary impairments are charged to other comprehensive income, net of tax. We adopted this standard effective April 1, 2009. The cumulative effect of applying the provisions of this standard increased the April 1, 2009 opening balance of retained earnings $14.3 million, net of tax of $7.7 million, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging”

In March 2008, the FASB issued a new accounting standard, now included in ASC 815, to provide additional guidance intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities. This standard requires enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. We adopted this standard effective January 1, 2009. This standard expanded our disclosures but had no effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 2 - Accounting Developments - Continued

 

ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”

In April 2009, the FASB issued a new accounting standard, now included in ASC 820, to provide additional guidance for estimating fair value but reemphasized that the objective of fair value measurement remained an exit price. This standard provides guidance for determining whether there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity in the market and provides factors for companies to consider in identifying transactions that are not orderly. The standard also discusses the necessity of adjustments to transaction or quoted prices to estimate fair value when it is determined that there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity or that the transaction is not orderly. We adopted this standard effective April 1, 2009. This standard expanded our disclosures but had no effect on our financial position or results of operations.

ASC 825 “Financial Instruments”

In April 2009, the FASB issued a new accounting standard, now included in ASC 825, which requires companies to disclose the fair value of certain financial instruments in interim financial statements. This standard also requires companies to disclose the method or methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments and to discuss changes, if any, in those methods or assumptions during the period. We adopted this standard effective April 1, 2009. This standard expanded our disclosures but had no effect on our financial position or results of operations.

ASC 855 “Subsequent Events”

In May 2009, the FASB issued a new accounting standard, now included in ASC 855, to provide subsequent events guidance. This topic was previously addressed only in the auditing literature, and is largely similar to the auditing guidance with limited exceptions which are not intended to result in significant changes in practice. We adopted this standard effective June 30, 2009. The FASB issued an update in February 2010 to remove the requirement, for certain entities, to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. This standard and update had no effect on our financial position or results of operations.

Accounting Updates Outstanding:

ASC 310 “Receivables”

In July 2010, the FASB issued an update to require additional disclosures regarding the credit quality of financing receivables, including credit risk exposure and the allowance for credit losses. The objective is to enhance financial statement users’ understanding of an entity’s credit risk associated with its financing receivables, the entity’s assessment of that risk in estimating its allowance for credit losses, and the changes and the reason for changes in the allowance for credit losses. Disclosures around the entity’s credit risk exposure, as well as its assessment of risk in estimating its allowance for credit losses, are effective for annual and interim periods ending on or after December 15, 2010, while disclosures around changes in the allowance for credit losses and the reason for those changes are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The adoption of this update will expand our disclosures for financing receivables, primarily our investments in mortgage loans, but will have no effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 2 - Accounting Developments - Continued

 

 

ASC 944 “Financial Services - Insurance”

In October 2010, the FASB issued an update which is intended to address diversity in practice regarding the interpretation of which costs relating to the acquisition of new or renewal insurance contracts qualify as deferred acquisition costs. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim period within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2011, and permit retrospective application. The guidance in this update will result in a decrease in the level of costs we defer. We have not yet quantified the impact on our financial position or results of operations.

Note 3 - Fair Values of Financial Instruments

Presented as follows are the carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments. The carrying values of financial instruments such as short-term investments, cash and bank deposits, accounts and premiums receivable, and accrued investment income approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of the instruments. As such, these financial instruments are not included in the following chart.

 

     September 30, 2010      December 31, 2009  
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
 
     (in millions of dollars)  

Assets

           

Fixed Maturity Securities

   $ 41,747.6       $ 41,747.6       $ 37,914.4       $ 37,914.4   

Mortgage Loans

     1,464.2         1,626.5         1,404.0         1,402.5   

Policy Loans

     2,992.6         3,054.0         2,878.0         2,907.7   

Other Long-term Investments

           

Derivatives

     154.8         154.8         81.1         81.1   

Equity Securities

     10.7         10.7         1.5         1.5   

Miscellaneous Long-term Investments

     367.6         367.6         150.9         150.9   

Liabilities

           

Policyholders’ Funds

           

Deferred Annuity Products

   $ 662.7       $ 662.7       $ 684.0       $ 684.0   

Supplementary Contracts without Life Contingencies

     495.3         495.3         445.6         445.6   

Short-term Debt

     225.1         230.8         0.0         0.0   

Long-term Debt

     2,661.3         2,539.0         2,549.6         2,296.0   

Other Liabilities

           

Derivatives

     165.0         165.0         144.6         144.6   

Embedded Derivative in Modified Coinsurance Arrangement

     121.1         121.1         117.4         117.4   

Unfunded Commitments to Investment Partnerships

     148.8         148.8         0.0         0.0   

The methods and assumptions used to estimate fair values of financial instruments are discussed as follows.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 3 - Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Continued

 

 

Fair Value Measurements for Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value

Mortgage Loans: Fair values are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses and interest rates currently being offered for similar loans to borrowers with similar credit ratings and maturities. Loans with similar characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations.

Policy Loans: Fair values for policy loans, net of reinsurance ceded, are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses and interest rates currently being offered to policyholders with similar policies. The carrying amounts of ceded policy loans of $2,785.7 million and $2,675.7 million as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, are reported on a gross basis in our consolidated balance sheets and approximate fair value.

Miscellaneous Long-term Investments: Carrying amounts approximate fair value.

Policyholders’ Funds: Carrying amounts approximate fair value.

Fair values for insurance contracts other than investment contracts are not required to be disclosed. However, the fair values of liabilities under all insurance contracts are taken into consideration in our overall management of interest rate risk, which minimizes exposure to changing interest rates through the matching of investment maturities with amounts due under insurance contracts.

Short-term and Long-term Debt: Fair values are obtained from independent pricing services or discounted cash flow analyses based on current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

Unfunded Commitments to Investment Partnerships: Unfunded equity commitments represent legally binding amounts that we have committed to certain investment partnerships subject to the partnerships meeting specified conditions. When these conditions are met, we are obligated to invest these amounts in the partnerships. Carrying amounts approximate fair value.

Fair Value Measurements for Financial Instruments Carried at Fair Value

We report fixed maturity securities, derivative financial instruments, and equity securities at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. The degree of judgment utilized in measuring the fair value of financial instruments generally correlates to the level of pricing observability. Financial instruments with readily available active quoted prices or for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices in active markets generally have more pricing observability and less judgment utilized in measuring fair value. An active market for a financial instrument is a market in which transactions for an asset or a similar asset occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. A quoted price in an active market provides the most reliable evidence of fair value and should be used to measure fair value whenever available. Conversely, financial instruments rarely traded or not quoted have less observability and are measured at fair value using valuation techniques that require more judgment. Pricing observability is generally impacted by a number of factors, including the type of financial instrument, whether the financial instrument is new to the market and not yet established, the characteristics specific to the transaction, and overall market conditions.

Valuation techniques used for assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value are generally categorized into three types. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information from market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. The income approach converts future amounts, such as cash flows or earnings, to

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 3 - Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Continued

 

a single present amount, or a discounted amount. The cost approach is based upon the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset, or the current replacement cost.

We use valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data are available that can be obtained without undue cost and effort. In some cases, a single valuation technique will be appropriate (for example, when valuing an asset or liability using quoted prices in an active market for identical assets or liabilities). In other cases, multiple valuation techniques will be appropriate. If we use multiple valuation techniques to measure fair value, we evaluate and weigh the results, as appropriate, considering the reasonableness of the range indicated by those results. A fair value measurement is the point within that range that is most representative of fair value in the circumstances.

The selection of the valuation method(s) to apply considers the definition of an exit price and depends on the nature of the asset or liability being valued. For assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value, we generally use valuation techniques consistent with the market approach, and to a lesser extent, the income approach. We believe the market approach valuation technique provides more observable data than the income approach, considering the type of investments we hold. Our fair value measurements could differ significantly based on the valuation technique and available inputs. When markets are less active, brokers may rely more on models with inputs based on the information available only to the broker. In weighing a broker quote as an input to fair value, we place less reliance on quotes that do not reflect the result of market transactions. We also consider the nature of the quote, particularly whether the quote is a binding offer. If prices in an inactive market do not reflect current prices for the same or similar assets, adjustments may be necessary to arrive at fair value. When relevant market data is unavailable, which may be the case during periods of market uncertainty, the income approach can, in suitable circumstances, provide a more appropriate fair value. During 2010, we have applied valuation techniques on a consistent basis to similar assets and liabilities and consistent with those techniques used at year end 2009.

We use observable and unobservable inputs in measuring the fair value of our financial instruments. Inputs that may be used include the following:

 

   

Broker market maker prices and price levels

 

   

Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (TRACE) pricing

 

   

Prices obtained from external pricing services

 

   

Benchmark yields (Treasury and interest rate swap curves)

 

   

Transactional data for new issuance and secondary trades

 

   

Security cash flows and structures

 

   

Recent issuance/supply

 

   

Sector and issuer level spreads

 

   

Security credit ratings/maturity/capital structure/optionality

 

   

Corporate actions

 

   

Underlying collateral

 

   

Prepayment speeds/loan performance/delinquencies/weighted average life/seasoning

 

   

Public covenants

 

   

Comparative bond analysis

 

   

Derivative spreads

 

   

Relevant reports issued by analysts and rating agencies

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 3 - Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Continued

 

 

We review all prices obtained to ensure they are consistent with a variety of observable market inputs and to verify the validity of a security’s price. The overall valuation process for determining fair values may include adjustments to valuations obtained from our pricing sources when they do not represent a valid exit price. These adjustments may be made when, in our judgment and considering our knowledge of the financial conditions and industry in which the issuer operates, certain features of the financial instrument require that an adjustment be made to the value originally obtained from our pricing sources. These features may include the complexity of the financial instrument, the market in which the financial instrument is traded, counterparty credit risk, credit structure, concentration, or liquidity. Additionally, an adjustment to the price derived from a model typically reflects our judgment of the inputs that other participants in the market for the financial instrument being measured at fair value would consider in pricing that same financial instrument.

The parameters and inputs used to validate a price on a security may be adjusted for assumptions about risk and current market conditions on a quarter to quarter basis, as certain features may be more significant drivers of valuation at the time of pricing. Changes to inputs in valuations are not changes to valuation methodologies; rather, the inputs are modified to reflect direct or indirect impacts on asset classes from changes in market conditions.

Fair values for derivatives other than embedded derivatives in modified coinsurance arrangements are based on market quotes or pricing models and represent the net amount of cash we would have paid or received if the contracts had been settled or closed as of the last day of the period. We analyze credit default swap spreads relative to the average credit spread embedded within the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) setting syndicate in determining the effect of credit risk on our derivatives’ fair values. If counterparty credit risk for a derivative asset is determined to be material and is not adequately reflected in the LIBOR-based fair value obtained from our pricing sources, we adjust the valuations obtained from our pricing sources. In regard to our own credit risk component, we adjust the valuation of derivative liabilities wherein the counterparty is exposed to our credit risk when the LIBOR-based valuation of our derivatives obtained from pricing sources does not effectively include an adequate credit component for our own credit risk.

Fair values for our embedded derivative in a modified coinsurance arrangement are estimated using internal pricing models and represent the hypothetical value of the duration mismatch of assets and liabilities, interest rate risk, and third party credit risk embedded in the modified coinsurance arrangement.

Certain of our investments do not have readily determinable market prices and/or observable inputs or may at times be affected by the lack of market liquidity. For these securities, we use internally prepared valuations combining matrix pricing with vendor purchased software programs, including valuations based on estimates of future profitability, to estimate the fair value. Additionally, we may obtain prices from independent third-party brokers to aid in establishing valuations for certain of these securities. Key assumptions used by us to determine fair value for these securities include risk free interest rates, risk premiums, performance of underlying collateral (if any), and other factors involving significant assumptions which may or may not reflect those of an active market.

At September 30, 2010, approximately 18.0 percent of our fixed maturity securities were valued using active trades from TRACE pricing or broker market maker prices for which there was current market activity in that specific security (comparable to receiving one binding quote). The prices obtained were not adjusted, and the assets were classified as Level 1, the highest category of the three-level fair value hierarchy classification wherein inputs are unadjusted and represent quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 3 - Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Continued

 

The remaining 82.0 percent of our fixed maturity securities were valued based on non-binding quotes or other observable or unobservable inputs, as discussed below.

 

   

Approximately 65.3 percent of our fixed maturity securities were valued based on prices from pricing services that generally use observable inputs such as prices for securities or comparable securities in active markets in their valuation techniques. These assets were classified as Level 2. Level 2 assets or liabilities are those valued using inputs (other than prices included in Level 1) that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability through correlation with market data at the measurement date and for the duration of the instrument’s anticipated life.

 

   

Approximately 6.1 percent of our fixed maturity securities were valued based on one or more non-binding broker price levels, if validated by observable market data, or on TRACE prices for identical or similar assets absent current market activity. When only one price is available, it is used if observable inputs and analysis confirms that it is appropriate. These assets, for which we were able to validate the price using other observable market data, were classified as Level 2.

 

   

Approximately 10.6 percent of our fixed maturity securities were valued based on prices of comparable securities, matrix pricing, market models, and/or internal models or were valued based on non-binding quotes with no other observable market data. These assets were classified as either Level 2 or Level 3, with the categorization dependent on whether there was other observable market data. Level 3 is the lowest category of the fair value hierarchy and reflects the judgment of management regarding what market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at the measurement date. Financial assets and liabilities categorized as Level 3 are generally those that are valued using unobservable inputs to extrapolate an estimated fair value.

We consider transactions in inactive or disorderly markets to be less representative of fair value. We use all available observable inputs when measuring fair value, but when significant other unobservable inputs and adjustments are necessary, we classify these assets or liabilities as Level 3.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 3 - Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Continued

 

The categorization of fair value measurements by input level is as follows:

 

     September 30, 2010
(in millions of dollars)
 
     Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
for Identical Assets
or Liabilities

(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

Assets

           

Fixed Maturity Securities

           

United States Government and Government Agencies and Authorities

   $ 130.1       $ 1,046.2       $ 0.0       $ 1,176.3   

States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions

     189.1         947.2         18.2         1,154.5   

Foreign Governments

     0.0         1,479.0         0.0         1,479.0   

Public Utilities

     1,089.9         8,812.4         157.9         10,060.2   

Mortgage/Asset-Backed Securities

     0.0         3,556.9         0.7         3,557.6   

All Other Corporate Bonds

     6,099.5         17,649.9         522.6         24,272.0   

Redeemable Preferred Stocks

     21.6         26.3         0.1         48.0   
                                   

Total Fixed Maturity Securities

     7,530.2         33,517.9         699.5         41,747.6   

Other Long-term Investments

           

Derivatives

           

Interest Rate Swaps

     0.0         154.2         0.0         154.2   

Foreign Exchange Contracts

     0.0         0.6         0.0         0.6   
                                   

Total Derivatives

     0.0         154.8         0.0         154.8   

Equity Securities

     0.0         0.0         10.7         10.7   

Liabilities

           

Other Liabilities

           

Derivatives

           

Interest Rate Swaps and Forwards

   $ 0.0       $ 33.0       $ 0.0       $ 33.0   

Foreign Exchange Contracts

     0.0         132.0         0.0         132.0   

Embedded Derivative in Modified Coinsurance Arrangement

     0.0         0.0         121.1         121.1   
                                   

Total Derivatives

     0.0         165.0         121.1         286.1   

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 3 - Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Continued

 

 

 

     December 31, 2009
(in millions of dollars)
 
     Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
for Identical Assets
or Liabilities

(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

Assets

           

Fixed Maturity Securities

           

United States Government and Government Agencies and Authorities

   $ 0.0       $ 1,473.2       $ 0.0       $ 1,473.2   

States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions

     75.6         547.3         0.0         622.9   

Foreign Governments

     0.0         1,491.5         0.0         1,491.5   

Public Utilities

     940.4         7,577.0         264.3         8,781.7   

Mortgage/Asset-Backed Securities

     0.0         3,718.4         4.7         3,723.1   

All Other Corporate Bonds

     3,370.6         17,830.5         580.0         21,781.1   

Redeemable Preferred Stocks

     5.5         15.0         20.4         40.9   
                                   

Total Fixed Maturity Securities

     4,392.1         32,652.9         869.4         37,914.4   

Other Long-term Investments

           

Derivatives

           

Interest Rate Swaps

     0.0         81.1         0.0         81.1   

Equity Securities

     0.0         0.0         1.5         1.5   

Liabilities

           

Other Liabilities

           

Derivatives

           

Interest Rate Swaps

   $ 0.0       $ 17.0       $ 0.0       $ 17.0   

Foreign Exchange Contracts

     0.0         127.6         0.0         127.6   

Embedded Derivative in Modified Coinsurance Arrangement

     0.0         0.0         117.4         117.4   
                                   

Total Derivatives

     0.0         144.6         117.4         262.0   

 

 

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 3 - Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Continued

 

Transfers of assets between Level 1 and Level 2 are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30, 2010
     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2010
 
     (in millions of dollars)
Transfers into
 
     Level 1 from
Level 2
     Level 2 from
Level 1
     Level 1 from
Level 2
     Level 2 from
Level 1
 

Fixed Maturity Securities

           

United States Government and Government Agencies and Authorities

   $ 17.1       $ 20.5       $ 110.8       $ 0.0   

States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions

     123.7         40.0         55.4         59.5   

Public Utilities

     678.9         579.4         616.1         581.0   

All Other Corporate Bonds

     2,328.7         1,887.6         2,949.3         1,052.4   

Redeemable Preferred Stocks

     0.0         0.0         0.0         5.5   
                                   

Total Fixed Maturity Securities

   $ 3,148.4       $ 2,527.5       $ 3,731.6       $ 1,698.4   
                                   

Transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 occurred due to the change in availability of either a TRACE or broker market maker price. Depending on current market conditions, the availability of these Level 1 prices can vary from period to period. For fair value measurements of financial instruments that were transferred either into or out of Level 1 or 2, we reflect the transfers using the fair value at the beginning of the period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 3 - Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Continued

 

Changes in assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) are as follows:

 

    Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
(in millions of dollars)
 
          Total Realized and
Unrealized Investment
Gains Included in
                               
    Beginning
of Period
    Earnings     Other
Comprehensive
Income or Loss
    Purchases     Sales     Level 3 Transfers     End of
Period
 
            Into     Out of    

Fixed Maturity Securities

               

States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions

  $ 0.0      $ 0.0      $ 0.5      $ 17.7      $ 0.0      $ 0.0      $ 0.0      $ 18.2   

Public Utilities

    72.4        0.0        6.8        0.0        (1.3     108.0        (28.0     157.9   

Mortgage/Asset-Backed Securities

    1.5        0.0        0.0        0.0        (0.8     0.0        0.0        0.7   

All Other Corporate Bonds

    430.1        0.0        11.1        3.1        (5.3     127.7        (44.1     522.6   

Redeemable Preferred Stocks

    21.3        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        (21.2     0.1   
                                                               

Total Fixed Maturity Securities

    525.3        0.0        18.4        20.8        (7.4     235.7        (93.3     699.5   

Equity Securities

    8.9        0.0        1.8        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        10.7   

Embedded Derivative in Modified Coinsurance Arrangement

    (122.7     1.6        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        (121.1
    Three Months Ended September 30, 2009
(in millions of dollars)
 
          Total Realized and
Unrealized Investment
Gains (Losses) Included
in
                               
    Beginning
of Period
    Earnings     Other
Comprehensive
Income or Loss
    Purchases     Sales     Level 3 Transfers     End of
Period
 
            Into     Out of    

Fixed Maturity Securities

               

Foreign Governments

  $ 0.0      $ 0.0      $ 3.4      $ 0.0      $ 0.0      $ 26.5      $ 0.0      $ 29.9   

Public Utilities

    72.8        0.0        18.7        0.0        0.0        126.2        (40.3     177.4   

Mortgage/Asset-Backed Securities

    31.2        0.0        0.1        0.0        (0.1     0.0        (26.5     4.7   

All Other Corporate Bonds

    608.0        (0.4     41.5        0.0        (24.2     111.5        (187.4     549.0   

Redeemable Preferred Stocks

    0.1        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.1   
                                                               

Total Fixed Maturity Securities

    712.1        (0.4     63.7        0.0        (24.3     264.2        (254.2     761.1   

Equity Securities

    1.5        (0.2     0.2        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        1.5   

Embedded Derivative in Modified Coinsurance Arrangement

    (196.8     44.4        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        (152.4

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 3 - Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Continued

 

 

 

    Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
(in millions of dollars)
 
          Total Realized and
Unrealized Investment
Gains (Losses) Included
in
                               
    Beginning
of Year
    Earnings     Other
Comprehensive
Income or Loss
    Purchases     Sales     Level 3 Transfers     End of
Period
 
            Into     Out of    

Fixed Maturity Securities

               

States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions

  $ 0.0      $ 0.0      $ 0.5      $ 17.7      $ 0.0      $ 0.0      $ 0.0      $ 18.2   

Public Utilities

    264.3        (1.0     9.9        0.0        (8.1     112.5        (219.7     157.9   

Mortgage/Asset-Backed Securities

    4.7        0.0        0.3        0.0        (4.3     0.0        0.0        0.7   

All Other Corporate Bonds

    580.0        (1.8     47.5        3.1        (41.8     208.6        (273.0     522.6   

Redeemable Preferred Stocks

    20.4        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        (20.3     0.1   
                                                               

Total Fixed Maturity Securities

    869.4        (2.8     58.2        20.8        (54.2     321.1        (513.0     699.5   

Equity Securities

    1.5        0.0        2.4        6.9        (0.1     0.0        0.0        10.7   

Embedded Derivative in Modified Coinsurance Arrangement

    (117.4     (3.7     0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        (121.1
    Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
(in millions of dollars)
 
          Total Realized and
Unrealized Investment
Gains (Losses) Included
in
                               
    Beginning
of Year
    Earnings     Other
Comprehensive
Income or Loss
    Purchases     Sales     Level 3 Transfers     End of
Period
 
            Into     Out of    

Fixed Maturity Securities

               

Foreign Governments

  $ 28.0      $ 0.0      $ 1.9      $ 0.0      $ 0.0      $ 0.0      $ 0.0      $ 29.9   

Public Utilities

    114.5        0.0        34.0        10.0        (4.3     111.8        (88.6     177.4   

Mortgage/Asset-Backed Securities

    4.6        0.0        0.2        0.0        (0.1     0.0        0.0        4.7   

All Other Corporate Bonds

    590.3        (2.1     62.2        20.2        (70.3     159.2        (210.5     549.0   

Redeemable Preferred Stocks

    8.1        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        (8.0     0.1   
                                                               

Total Fixed Maturity Securities

    745.5        (2.1     98.3        30.2        (74.7     271.0        (307.1     761.1   

Equity Securities

    1.5        (0.4     (0.1     0.0        0.0        0.5        0.0        1.5   

Embedded Derivative in Modified Coinsurance Arrangement

    (360.5     208.1        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        (152.4

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 3 - Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Continued

 

 

Realized and unrealized investment gains and losses presented in the preceding tables represent gains and losses only for the time during which the applicable financial instruments were classified as Level 3. The transfers between levels resulted primarily from a change in observability of three inputs used to determine fair values of the securities transferred: (1) transactional data for new issuance and secondary trades, (2) broker/dealer quotes and pricing, primarily related to changes in the level of activity in the market and whether the market was considered orderly, and (3) comparable bond metrics from which to perform an analysis. For fair value measurements of financial instruments that were transferred either into or out of Level 3, we reflect the transfers using the fair value at the beginning of the period. Gains (losses) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 which are included in earnings and are attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets or liabilities valued using significant unobservable inputs and still held at September 30 were $1.6 million and $(3.7) million, respectively. Gains for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 which are included in earnings and are attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets or liabilities valued using significant unobservable inputs and still held at September 30 were $44.4 million and $208.1 million, respectively. These amounts relate entirely to the changes in fair value of an embedded derivative associated with a modified coinsurance arrangement which are reported as realized investment gains and losses.

Note 4 - Investments

Fixed Maturity Securities

The amortized cost and fair values of securities by security type are shown as follows.

 

     September 30, 2010
(in millions of dollars)
 
     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gain
     Gross
Unrealized
Loss
     Fair
Value
     Other-Than
Temporary
Impairments
in AOCI (1)
 

Available-for-Sale Securities

              

United States Government and Government Agencies and Authorities

   $ 975.2       $ 204.6       $ 3.5       $ 1,176.3       $ 0.0   

States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions

     1,066.4         96.9         8.8         1,154.5         0.0   

Foreign Governments

     1,288.2         190.8         0.0         1,479.0         0.0   

Public Utilities

     8,802.8         1,266.9         9.5         10,060.2         0.0   

Mortgage/Asset-Backed Securities

     3,151.9         406.5         0.8         3,557.6         0.0   

All Other Corporate Bonds

     21,308.8         3,076.2         113.0         24,272.0         8.3   

Redeemable Preferred Stocks

     47.8         2.1         1.9         48.0         0.0   
                                            

Total Fixed Maturity Securities

   $ 36,641.1       $ 5,244.0       $ 137.5       $ 41,747.6       $ 8.3   
                                            

 

(1) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 4 - Investments - Continued

 

     December 31, 2009
(in millions of dollars)
 
     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gain
     Gross
Unrealized
Loss
     Fair
Value
     Other-Than-
Temporary
Impairments
in AOCI (1)
 

Available-for-Sale Securities

              

United States Government and Government Agencies and Authorities

   $ 1,473.5       $ 64.0       $ 64.3       $ 1,473.2       $ 0.0   

States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions

     640.1         19.9         37.1         622.9         0.0   

Foreign Governments

     1,357.8         135.0         1.3         1,491.5         0.0   

Public Utilities

     8,359.7         531.1         109.1         8,781.7         0.0   

Mortgage/Asset-Backed Securities

     3,413.6         313.1         3.6         3,723.1         0.0   

All Other Corporate Bonds

     20,617.9         1,538.7         375.5         21,781.1         8.3   

Redeemable Preferred Stocks

     42.8         0.3         2.2         40.9         0.0   
                                            

Total Fixed Maturity Securities

   $ 35,905.4       $ 2,602.1       $ 593.1       $ 37,914.4       $ 8.3   
                                            

 

(1) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following charts indicate the length of time our fixed maturity securities had been in a gross unrealized loss position.

 

     September 30, 2010
(in millions of dollars)
 
     Less Than 12 Months      12 Months or Greater  
     Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Loss
     Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Loss
 

Available-for-Sale Securities

           

United States Government and Government Agencies and Authorities

   $ 0.0       $ 0.0       $ 12.8       $ 3.5   

States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions

     10.0         0.0         110.3         8.8   

Public Utilities

     122.1         1.9         140.3         7.6   

Mortgage/Asset-Backed Securities

     74.3         0.3         37.5         0.5   

All Other Corporate Bonds

     427.4         14.2         1,285.2         98.8   

Redeemable Preferred Stocks

     14.9         0.3         6.0         1.6   
                                   

Total Fixed Maturity Securities

   $ 648.7       $ 16.7       $ 1,592.1       $ 120.8   
                                   

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 4 - Investments - Continued

 

 

 

     December 31, 2009
(in millions of dollars)
 
     Less Than 12 Months      12 Months or Greater  
     Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Loss
     Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Loss
 

Available-for-Sale Securities

           

United States Government and Government Agencies and Authorities

   $ 158.9       $ 14.9       $ 476.7       $ 49.4   

States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions

     156.6         6.0         126.2         31.1   

Foreign Governments

     64.0         1.1         11.9         0.2   

Public Utilities

     914.3         22.2         984.9         86.9   

Mortgage/Asset-Backed Securities

     29.9         0.4         254.0         3.2   

All Other Corporate Bonds

     1,465.4         28.7         3,695.6         346.8   

Redeemable Preferred Stocks

     15.0         0.1         5.6         2.1   
                                   

Total Fixed Maturity Securities

   $ 2,804.1       $ 73.4       $ 5,554.9       $ 519.7   
                                   

The following is a distribution of the maturity dates for fixed maturity securities. The maturity dates have not been adjusted for possible calls or prepayments.

 

     September 30, 2010
(in millions of dollars)
 
     Total
Amortized
     Unrealized Gain Position      Unrealized Loss Position  
     Cost      Gross Gain      Fair Value      Gross Loss      Fair Value  

Available-for-Sale Securities

              

1 year or less

   $ 801.0       $ 14.4       $ 619.1       $ 0.5       $ 195.8   

Over 1 year through 5 years

     4,608.1         428.9         4,826.4         12.2         198.4   

Over 5 years through 10 years

     9,791.7         1,280.7         10,609.7         21.4         441.3   

Over 10 years

     18,288.4         3,113.5         20,005.8         102.6         1,293.5   
                                            
     33,489.2         4,837.5         36,061.0         136.7         2,129.0   

Mortgage/Asset-Backed Securities

     3,151.9         406.5         3,445.8         0.8         111.8   
                                            

Total Fixed Maturity Securities

   $ 36,641.1       $ 5,244.0       $ 39,506.8       $ 137.5       $ 2,240.8   
                                            

 

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Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 4 - Investments - Continued

 

 

 

     December 31, 2009
(in millions of dollars)
 
    

Total
Amortized

     Unrealized Gain Position      Unrealized Loss Position  
     Cost      Gross Gain      Fair Value      Gross Loss      Fair Value  

Available-for-Sale Securities

              

1 year or less

   $ 634.6       $ 10.8       $ 520.7       $ 1.3       $ 123.4   

Over 1 year through 5 years

     4,142.2         271.4         3,725.9         27.4         660.3   

Over 5 years through 10 years

     9,833.4         612.5         8,378.8         127.3         1,939.8   

Over 10 years

     17,881.6         1,394.3         13,490.8         433.5         5,351.6   
                                            
     32,491.8         2,289.0         26,116.2         589.5         8,075.1   

Mortgage/Asset-Backed Securities

     3,413.6         313.1         3,439.2         3.6         283.9   
                                            

Total Fixed Maturity Securities

   $ 35,905.4       $ 2,602.1       $ 29,555.4       $ 593.1       $ 8,359.0   
                                            

At September 30, 2010, the fair value of investment-grade fixed maturity securities was $38,957.4 million, with a gross unrealized gain of $5,086.1 million and a gross unrealized loss of $74.5 million. The gross unrealized loss on investment-grade fixed maturity securities was 54.2 percent of the total gross unrealized loss on fixed maturity securities. Unrealized losses on investment-grade fixed maturity securities principally relate to changes in interest rates or changes in market or sector credit spreads which occurred subsequent to the acquisition of the securities.

At September 30, 2010, the fair value of below-investment-grade fixed maturity securities was $2,790.2 million, with a gross unrealized gain of $157.9 million and a gross unrealized loss of $63.0 million. The gross unrealized loss on below-investment-grade fixed maturity securities was 45.8 percent of the total gross unrealized loss on fixed maturity securities. Generally, below-investment-grade fixed maturity securities are more likely to develop credit concerns than investment-grade securities. At September 30, 2010, the unrealized losses in our below-investment-grade fixed maturity securities were generally due to credit spreads in certain industries or sectors and, to a lesser extent, credit concerns related to specific securities. For each specific security in an unrealized loss position, we believe that there are positive factors which mitigate credit concerns and that the securities for which we have not recorded an other-than-temporary impairment will recover in value.

As of September 30, 2010, we held 94 individual investment-grade fixed maturity securities and 41 individual below-investment-grade fixed maturity securities that were in an unrealized loss position, of which 67 investment-grade fixed maturity securities and 34 below-investment-grade fixed maturity securities had been in an unrealized loss position continuously for over one year.

In determining when a decline in fair value below amortized cost of a fixed maturity security is other than temporary, we evaluate the following factors:

 

   

Whether we expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security.

 

   

Whether we intend to sell the security or will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost basis.

 

   

Whether the security is current as to principal and interest payments.

 

   

The significance of the decline in value.

 

   

The time period during which there has been a significant decline in value.

 

   

Current and future business prospects and trends of earnings.

 

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Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 4 - Investments - Continued

 

   

The valuation of the security’s underlying collateral.

 

   

Relevant industry conditions and trends relative to their historical cycles.

 

   

Market conditions.

 

   

Rating agency and governmental actions.

 

   

Bid and offering prices and the level of trading activity.

 

   

Adverse changes in estimated cash flows for securitized investments.

 

   

Changes in fair value subsequent to the balance sheet date.

 

   

Any other key measures for the related security.

We evaluate available information, including the factors noted above, both positive and negative, in reaching our conclusions. In particular, we also consider the strength of the issuer’s balance sheet, its debt obligations and near term funding requirements, cash flow and liquidity, the profitability of its core businesses, the availability of marketable assets which could be sold to increase liquidity, its industry fundamentals and regulatory environment, and its access to capital markets. Although all available and applicable factors are considered in our analysis, our expectation of recovering the entire amortized cost basis of the security, whether we intend to sell the security, whether it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost, and whether the security is current on principal and interest payments are the most critical factors in determining whether impairments are other than temporary. The significance of the decline in value and the length of time during which there has been a significant decline are also important factors, but we generally do not record an impairment loss based solely on these two factors, since often other more relevant factors will impact our evaluation of a security.

While determining other-than-temporary impairments is a judgmental area, we utilize a formal, well-defined, and disciplined process to monitor and evaluate our fixed income investment portfolio, supported by issuer specific research and documentation as of the end of each period. The process results in a thorough evaluation of problem investments and the recording of losses on a timely basis for investments determined to have an other-than-temporary impairment.

If we determine that the decline in value of an investment is other than temporary, the investment is written down to fair value, and an impairment loss is recognized in the current period, either in earnings or in both earnings and other comprehensive income, as applicable. For those fixed maturity securities with an unrealized loss for which we have not recognized an other-than-temporary impairment, we believe we will recover the entire amortized cost, we do not intend to sell the security, and we do not believe it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost. There have been no defaults in the repayment obligations of any securities for which we have not recorded an other-than-temporary impairment.

Other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturity securities which we intend to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell before recovery in value are recognized in earnings and equal the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value. For securities which we do not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell before recovery in value, other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings generally represent the difference between the amortized cost of the security and the present value of our best estimate of cash flows expected to be collected, discounted using the effective interest rate implicit in the security at the date of acquisition. The determination of cash flows is inherently subjective, and methodologies may vary depending on the circumstances specific to the security. The timing and amount of our cash flow estimates are developed using historical and forecast financial information from the issuer, including its current and projected liquidity position. We also consider industry analyst reports and forecasts, sector credit

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 4 - Investments - Continued

 

ratings, future business prospects and earnings trends, issuer refinancing capabilities, actual and/or potential asset sales by the issuer, and other data relevant to the collectibility of the contractual cash flows of the security. We take into account the probability of default, expected recoveries, third party guarantees, quality of collateral, and where our debt security ranks in terms of subordination. We may use the estimated fair value of collateral as a proxy for the present value of cash flows if we believe the security is dependent on the liquidation of collateral for recovery of our investment. For fixed maturity securities for which we have recognized an other-than-temporary impairment loss through earnings, if through subsequent evaluation there is a significant increase in expected cash flows, the difference between the new amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected is accreted as net investment income.

The following table presents the before-tax credit related portion of other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities still held as of the dates shown for which a portion of the other-than-temporary impairment was recognized in other comprehensive income.

 

     Three and Nine
Months Ended
September 30, 2010
     Three
Months Ended
September 30, 2009
    Period from
April 1, 2009 to
September 30, 2009
 
     (in millions of dollars)  

Balance at Beginning of Period

   $ 18.3       $ 69.2      $ 0.0   

Credit Losses Remaining in Retained Earnings Related to Adoption of Accounting Standard

     0.0         0.0        30.8   

Impairment Recognized in the Period on Securities not Previously Impaired

     0.0         0.0        38.4   

Additional Impairment Recognized in the Period on Securities Previously Impaired

     0.0         4.4        4.4   

Sales or Maturities of Securities in the Period

     0.0         (31.8     (31.8
                         

Balance at End of Period

   $ 18.3       $ 41.8      $ 41.8   
                         

Variable Interest Entities

We invest in variable interests issued by variable interest entities. These investments include tax credit partnerships, private equity partnerships, and special purpose entities. For those variable interests that are not consolidated in our financial statements, we are not the primary beneficiary because we have neither the power to direct the activities that are most significant to economic performance nor the responsibility to absorb a majority of the expected losses. The determination of whether we are the primary beneficiary is performed at the time of our initial investment and at the date of each subsequent reporting period.

Tax credit partnerships in which we have invested were formed for the purpose of investing in the construction and rehabilitation of low-income housing, where the primary return on investment is in the form of tax credits. The primary sources of investment return from our tax credit partnerships are tax credits, tax benefits derived from passive losses on the investments, and cash flows, all of which may exhibit variability over the life of the investment. These partnerships are accounted for using either the equity or the effective yield method, depending primarily on whether the tax credits are guaranteed through a letter of credit, a tax indemnity agreement, or another similar arrangement.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 4 - Investments - Continued

 

Our investments in private equity partnerships are passive in nature. The underlying  investments held by these partnerships include both equity and debt securities and are accounted for using the equity or cost method, depending on the level of ownership and the degree of influence over partnership operating and financial policies.

As of September 30, 2010, the carrying amount of our variable interest entity investments that are not consolidated under the provisions of GAAP was $317.5 million, comprised of $235.2 million of tax credit partnerships and $82.3 million of private equity partnerships. These variable interest entity investments are reported as other long-term investments in our consolidated balance sheets.

Additionally, we recognize a liability for all legally binding unfunded commitments to these partnerships, with a corresponding recognition of an invested asset. Our liability for legally binding unfunded commitments to the tax credit partnerships was $148.8 million at September 30, 2010. Contractually, we are a limited partner in these investments, and our maximum exposure to loss is limited to the carrying value of our investment.

At September 30, 2010, we had commitments of approximately $83.6 million to fund certain of the private equity partnerships. These commitments are not legally binding and may or may not be funded during the life of the partnerships.

We are the sole beneficiary of a special purpose entity which is consolidated under the provisions of GAAP. This entity is a securitized asset trust containing a highly rated bond for principal protection, nonredeemable preferred stock, and several partnership equity investments. We contributed the bond and partnership investments into the trust at the time it was established. The trust supports our investment objectives and allows us to maintain our investment in the partnerships while at the same time protecting the principal of the investment. There are no restrictions on the assets held in this trust, and the trust is free to dispose of the assets at any time. Because the assets in the trust are not liquid investments, we periodically provide funding to the underlying partnerships in the trust upon satisfaction of contractual notice from the partnerships. The fair values of the bond, nonredeemable preferred stock, and partnerships were $106.7 million, $0.1 million, and $9.3 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2010. The bonds are reported as fixed maturity securities, and the nonredeemable preferred stock and partnerships are reported as other long-term investments in our consolidated balance sheets. At September 30, 2010, we had commitments to fund approximately $1.9 million to the underlying partnerships. These commitments are not legally binding and may or may not be funded during the life of the partnerships. The amount of funding provided to the partnerships during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was de minimis.

We previously were the sole beneficiary of a special purpose entity that was a securitized asset trust holding forward contracts to purchase unrelated equity securities. The trust also held a defeasance swap contract for highly rated bonds to provide principal protection for the investments. There were no restrictions on the assets held in this trust, and the trust was free to dispose of the assets at any time. Because our intent at the end of the third quarter of 2009 was to sell this investment, we recognized an other-than-temporary impairment loss of $23.7 million during the third quarter of 2009 and subsequently sold the investment in the following quarter.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 4 - Investments - Continued

 

 

Transfers of Financial Assets

To manage our cash position more efficiently, we enter into repurchase agreements with unaffiliated financial institutions. We generally use repurchase agreements as a means to finance the purchase of invested assets or for short-term general business purposes until projected cash flows become available from our operations or existing investments. Our repurchase agreements are typically outstanding for less than 30 days. We post collateral through our repurchase agreement transactions whereby the counterparty commits to purchase securities with the agreement to resell them to us at a later, specified date. The fair value of collateral posted is generally 102 percent of the cash received.

Our investment policy also permits us to lend fixed maturity securities to unaffiliated financial institutions in short-term securities lending transactions. These transactions increase our investment income with minimal risk. Our securities lending policy requires that a minimum of 102 percent of the fair value of the securities loaned be maintained as collateral. Generally, cash is received as collateral under these agreements. In the event that securities are received as collateral, we are not permitted to sell or re-post them.

We account for all of our securities lending transactions and repurchase agreements as collateralized financings. We had no securities lending transactions or repurchase agreements outstanding at September 30, 2010.

Realized Investment Gain and Loss

Realized investment gains and losses reported in our consolidated statements of income are as follows:

 

     Three Months  Ended
September 30
    Nine Months  Ended
September 30
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  
     (in millions of dollars)  

Fixed Maturity Securities

        

Gross Gains on Sales

   $ 6.0      $ 22.6      $ 35.4      $ 37.9   

Gross Losses on Sales

     (4.1     (22.7     (25.8     (68.5

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Loss

     0.0        (33.6     (10.4     (155.3

Mortgage Loans and Other Invested Assets

        

Gross Gains on Sales

     0.3        7.2        6.9        10.4   

Gross Losses on Sales

     (2.3     0.0        (3.1     (0.3

Impairment Loss

     (0.4     (3.0     (2.1     (7.0

Embedded Derivative in Modified Coinsurance Arrangement

     1.6        44.4        (3.7     208.1   

Other Derivatives

     0.0        0.0        0.0        12.3   
                                

Net Realized Investment Gain (Loss)

   $ 1.1      $ 14.9      $ (2.8   $ 37.6   
                                

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

 

Note 5 - Derivative Financial Instruments

Purpose of Derivatives

We are exposed to certain risks relating to our ongoing business operations. The primary risks managed by using derivative instruments are interest rate risk, risk related to matching duration for our assets and liabilities, and foreign currency risk. Historically, we have utilized current and forward interest rate swaps and options on forward interest rate swaps, current and forward currency swaps, forward treasury locks, currency forward contracts, and forward contracts on specific fixed income securities. Almost all hedging transactions are associated with our individual and group long-term care and individual and group disability products. All other product portfolios are periodically reviewed to determine if hedging strategies would be appropriate for risk management purposes.

Our cash flow hedging programs are as follows:

 

   

Interest rate swaps are used to hedge interest rate risks and to improve the matching of assets and liabilities. An interest rate swap is an agreement in which we agree with other parties to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed rate and variable rate interest amounts. The purpose of these swaps is to hedge the anticipated purchase of long-term bonds thereby protecting us from the potential adverse impact of declining interest rates on the associated policy reserves. We also use interest rate swaps to hedge the potential adverse impact of rising interest rates in anticipation of issuing fixed rate long-term debt.

 

   

Foreign currency interest rate swaps have historically been used to hedge the currency risk of certain foreign currency-denominated long-term bonds owned for portfolio diversification and to hedge the currency risk associated with certain of the interest payments and debt repayments of the U.S. dollar-denominated debt issued by one of our U.K. subsidiaries. For hedges of long-term bonds, we agree to pay, at specified intervals, fixed rate foreign currency-denominated principal and interest payments in exchange for fixed rate payments in the functional currency of the operating segment. For hedges of debt issued, we agree to pay, at specified intervals, fixed rate foreign currency-denominated principal and interest payments to the counterparty in exchange for fixed rate U.S. dollar-denominated interest payments.

 

   

Options on forward interest rate swaps are used to hedge the interest rate risk on certain insurance liabilities with minimum interest rate guarantees. By purchasing options on interest rate swaps, we are able to lock in the minimum investment yields needed to meet the required interest rate guarantee on the insurance liabilities.

 

   

Forward treasury locks are used to minimize interest rate risk associated with the anticipated purchase or disposal of fixed maturity securities. A forward treasury lock is a derivative contract without an initial investment where we and the counterparty agree to purchase or sell a specific U.S. Treasury bond at a future date at a pre-determined price.

 

   

Foreign currency forward contracts are used to minimize foreign currency risks. A foreign currency forward is a derivative without an initial investment where we and the counterparty agree to exchange a specific amount of currencies, at a specific exchange rate, on a specific date. We use these forward contracts to hedge the foreign currency risk associated with certain of the debt repayments of the U.S. dollar-denominated debt issued by one of our U.K. subsidiaries and to hedge the currency risk of certain foreign currency-denominated long-term bonds owned for diversification purposes.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 5 - Derivative Financial Instruments - Continued

 

 

Our fair value hedging program is as follows:

 

   

Interest rate swaps are used to effectively convert certain of our fixed rate securities into floating rate securities which are used to fund our floating rate long-term debt. Under these swap agreements, we receive a variable rate of interest and pay a fixed rate of interest.

Derivative Risks

The basic types of risks associated with derivatives are market risk (that the value of the derivative will be adversely impacted by changes in the market, primarily the change in interest and exchange rates) and credit risk (that the counterparty will not perform according to the terms of the contract). The market risk of the derivatives should generally offset the market risk associated with the hedged financial instrument or liability.

To help limit the credit exposure of the derivatives, we enter into master netting agreements with our counterparties whereby contracts in a gain position can be offset against contracts in a loss position. We also typically enter into bilateral, cross-collateralization agreements with our counterparties to help limit the credit exposure of the derivatives. These agreements require the counterparty in a loss position to submit acceptable collateral with the other counterparty in the event the net loss position meets or exceeds an agreed upon amount. Our current credit exposure on derivatives, which is limited to the value of those contracts in a net gain position less collateral held, was $19.1 million at September 30, 2010. We held cash collateral of $77.8 million and $24.9 million from our counterparties as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. This unrestricted cash collateral is included in short-term investments, and the associated obligation to return the collateral to our counterparties is included in other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. We post either fixed maturity securities or cash as collateral to our counterparties. The carrying value of fixed maturity securities posted as collateral to our counterparties was $86.9 million and $123.1 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The amount of cash posted as collateral to our counterparties was $19.3 million at September 30, 2010. We had no cash posted as collateral at December 31, 2009.

The majority of our derivative instruments contain provisions that require us to maintain specified issuer credit ratings and financial strength ratings. Should our ratings fall below these specified levels, we would be in violation of the provisions, and our derivatives counterparties could terminate our contracts and request immediate payment. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit risk-related contingent features that were in a liability position was $165.0 million and $144.6 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 5 - Derivative Financial Instruments - Continued

 

Hedging Activity

The table below summarizes by notional amounts the activity for each category of derivatives.

 

     Swaps                
     Receive
Variable/Pay
Fixed
     Receive
Fixed/Pay
Fixed
     Receive
Fixed/Pay
Variable
     Forwards      Total  
            (in millions of dollars)         

Balance at June 30, 2010

   $ 424.0       $ 640.8       $ 665.0       $ 5.1       $ 1,734.9   

Additions

     0.0         0.0         0.0         22.5         22.5   

Terminations

     250.0         12.6         70.0         5.1         337.7   
                                            

Balance at September 30, 2010

   $ 174.0       $ 628.2       $ 595.0       $ 22.5       $ 1,419.7   
                                            

Balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 174.0       $ 661.9       $ 780.0       $ 4.8       $ 1,620.7   

Additions

     250.0         0.0         0.0         48.6         298.6   

Terminations

     250.0         33.7         185.0         30.9         499.6   
                                            

Balance at September 30, 2010

   $ 174.0       $ 628.2       $ 595.0       $ 22.5       $ 1,419.7   
                                            

The following table summarizes the timing of anticipated settlements of interest rate swaps outstanding under our cash flow hedging programs at September 30, 2010, whereby we receive a fixed rate and pay a variable rate. The weighted average variable interest rates assume current market conditions.

 

     2010     2011     2012     2013     Total  
     (in millions of dollars)  

Notional Value

   $ 55.0      $ 205.0      $ 185.0      $ 150.0      $ 595.0   

Weighted Average Receive Rate

     4.96     5.87     6.49     6.34     6.09

Weighted Average Pay Rate

     0.29     0.29     0.29     0.29     0.29

Cash Flow Hedges

As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, we had $595.0 million and $780.0 million, respectively, notional amount of forward starting interest rate swaps to hedge the anticipated purchase of long-term bonds.

As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, we had $628.2 million and $666.7 million, respectively, notional amount of open current and forward foreign currency swaps and foreign currency forwards to hedge fixed income foreign dollar-denominated securities.

As of September 30, 2010, we had $22.5 million notional amount of open forward treasury locks to hedge the interest rate risk associated with the anticipated proceeds to be received from the call of specific fixed maturity securities. We had no open forward treasury locks at December 31, 2009.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 5 - Derivative Financial Instruments - Continued

 

During the third quarter of 2010, we terminated $250.0 million notional amount of forward starting interest rate swaps used to hedge the interest rate risk associated with the anticipated issuance of long-term debt. The swaps were terminated at the time the debt was issued. We recognized a loss of $18.5 million on the termination of these hedges. This loss was recognized in other comprehensive income and will be amortized into earnings as a component of interest and debt expense, which will have the effect of increasing the periodic interest expense on our debt issued in 2010.

During the second quarter of 2009, we terminated certain currency swaps and forward currency contracts used to hedge the foreign currency risk associated with the U.S. dollar denominated debt issued by one of our U.K. subsidiaries, due in part to the improbability of the original forecasted transactions occurring during the time period originally anticipated and also to reduce our counterparty exposure for those transactions still anticipated to occur as originally forecasted. We recognized a gain of $56.3 million on the termination of these hedges, $42.0 million of which was recognized in other comprehensive income and $14.3 million in earnings. The debt associated with this hedge continues to be outstanding as of September 30, 2010.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, there was no material ineffectiveness related to our cash flow hedges. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we reclassified $12.3 million of net gains into earnings as a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedges due to the improbability of the original forecasted transactions occurring during the time period originally anticipated. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, there was no component of the derivative instruments’ gain or loss excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

As of September 30, 2010, we expect to amortize approximately $29.2 million of net deferred gains on derivative instruments during the next twelve months. This amount will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings and reported on the same income statement line item as the hedged item. The income statement line items that will be affected by this amortization are net investment income, other income, and interest and debt expense. The estimated amortization includes the impact of certain derivative contracts that have not yet been terminated as of September 30, 2010. Fluctuations in fair values of these derivatives between September 30, 2010 and the date of termination will vary our projected amortization. Amounts that will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings to offset the earnings impact of foreign currency translation of hedged items are not estimable.

As of September 30, 2010, we are hedging the variability of future cash flows associated with forecasted transactions through the year 2038.

Fair Value Hedges

As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, we had $174.0 million notional amount of receive variable, pay fixed interest rate swaps to hedge the changes in fair value of certain fixed rate securities held. These swaps effectively convert the associated fixed rate securities into floating rate securities, which are used to fund our floating rate long-term debt. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the $15.9 million gain on the hedged fixed maturity securities attributable to the hedged benchmark interest rate was offset by the loss of $15.9 million on the related interest rate swaps. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the $10.4 million loss on the hedged fixed maturity securities attributable to the hedged benchmark interest rate was offset by the gain of $10.4 million on the related interest rate swaps.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 5 - Derivative Financial Instruments - Continued

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, there was no material ineffectiveness related to our fair value hedges, and there was no component of the derivative instruments’ gain or loss excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. There were no instances wherein we discontinued fair value hedge accounting due to a hedged firm commitment no longer qualifying as a fair value hedge.

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

We have an embedded derivative in a modified coinsurance arrangement for which we include in our realized investment gains and losses a calculation intended to estimate the value of the option of our reinsurance counterparty to cancel the reinsurance contract with us. However, neither party can unilaterally terminate the reinsurance agreement except in extreme circumstances resulting from regulatory supervision, delinquency proceedings, or other direct regulatory action. Cash settlements or collateral related to this embedded derivative are not required at any time during the reinsurance contract or at termination of the reinsurance contract. There are no credit-related counterparty triggers, and any accumulated embedded derivative gain or loss reduces to zero over time as the reinsured business winds down.

Locations and Amounts of Derivative Financial Instruments

The following tables summarize the location and fair values of derivative financial instruments, as reported in our consolidated balance sheets.

 

    September 30, 2010
(in millions of dollars)
 
    Asset Derivatives      Liability Derivatives  
    Balance  Sheet
Location
     Fair
Value
     Balance Sheet
Location
     Fair
Value
 

Designated as Hedging Instruments

          

Interest Rate Swaps and Forwards

    Other L-T Investments       $ 154.2         Other Liabilities       $ 33.0   

Foreign Exchange Contracts

    Other L-T Investments         0.6         Other Liabilities         132.0   
                      

Total

     $ 154.8          $ 165.0   
                      

Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

          

Embedded Derivative in Modified Coinsurance Arrangement

          Other Liabilities       $ 121.1   
                

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 5 - Derivative Financial Instruments - Continued

 

    December 31, 2009
(in millions of dollars)
 
    Asset Derivatives      Liability Derivatives  
    Balance Sheet
Location
     Fair
Value
     Balance Sheet
Location
     Fair
Value
 

Designated as Hedging Instruments

          

Interest Rate Swaps

    Other L-T Investments       $ 81.1         Other Liabilities       $ 17.0   

Foreign Exchange Contracts

    Other L-T Investments         0.0         Other Liabilities         127.6   
                      

Total

     $ 81.1          $ 144.6   
                      

Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

          

Embedded Derivative in Modified Coinsurance Arrangement

          Other Liabilities       $ 117.4   
                

The following tables summarize the location of and gains and losses on derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedging instruments, as reported in our consolidated statements of income and consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

 

    Three Months Ended September 30, 2010  
    Loss Recognized in OCI
on Derivatives

(Effective Portion)
    Gain (Loss) Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
    Gain (Loss) Recognized
in Income on Derivatives
(Ineffective Portion)
 
    (in millions of dollars)  

Interest Rate Swaps and Forwards

  $ (7.7   $ 6.9 (1)    $ 0.0   

Interest Rate Swaps

    0.0        1.6 (2)      0.0   

Interest Rate Swaps

    0.0        (0.1 )(3)      0.0   

Foreign Exchange Contracts

    0.0        (0.4 )(1)      0.0   

Foreign Exchange Contracts

    (34.5     (21.2 )(2)      0.0   

Foreign Exchange Contracts

    0.0        0.7 (3)      0.0   
                       

Total

  $ (42.2   $ (12.5   $ 0.0   
                       

 

(1) Gain (loss) recognized in net investment income
(2) Gain (loss) recognized in net realized investment gain (loss)
(3) Gain (loss) recognized in interest and debt expense

 

35


Table of Contents

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 5 - Derivative Financial Instruments - Continued

 

 

    Three Months Ended September 30, 2009  
    Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI
on Derivatives

(Effective Portion)
    Gain (Loss) Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
    Gain (Loss) Recognized
in Income on Derivatives
(Ineffective Portion)
 
    (in millions of dollars)  

Interest Rate Swaps

  $ 19.2      $ 6.3 (1)    $ 0.0   

Interest Rate Swaps

    0.0        2.4 (2)      0.0   

Foreign Exchange Contracts

    0.0        (0.7 )(1)      0.0   

Foreign Exchange Contracts

    (54.9     (39.9 )(2)      0.0   

Foreign Exchange Contracts

    0.0        0.7 (3)      0.0   
                       

Total

  $ (35.7   $ (31.2   $ 0.0   
                       

 

(1) Gain (loss) recognized in net investment income
(2) Gain (loss) recognized in net realized investment gain (loss)
(3) Gain recognized in interest and debt expense

 

    Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010  
    Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI
on Derivatives

(Effective Portion)
    Gain (Loss) Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
    Gain (Loss) Recognized
in Income on Derivatives
(Ineffective Portion)
 
    (in millions of dollars)  
Interest Rate Swaps and Forwards   $ 16.8      $ 22.5 (1)    $ 0.0   

Interest Rate Swaps

    0.0        4.2 (2)      0.0   

Interest Rate Swaps

    0.0        (0.1 )(3)      0.0   

Interest Rate Swaps

    0.0        (0.1 )(4)      0.0   

Foreign Exchange Contracts

    0.0        (1.5 )(1)      0.0   

Foreign Exchange Contracts

    (3.9     (7.7 )(2)      0.0   

Foreign Exchange Contracts

    0.0        1.9 (3)      0.0   
                       

Total

  $ 12.9      $ 19.2      $ 0.0   
                       

 

(1) Gain (loss) recognized in net investment income
(2) Gain (loss) recognized in net realized investment gain (loss)
(3) Gain (loss) recognized in interest and debt expense
(4) Loss recognized in other income

 

36


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 5 - Derivative Financial Instruments - Continued

 

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009  
     Gain (Loss) Recognized
in OCI on Derivatives

(Effective Portion)
    Gain (Loss) Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
    Gain (Loss) Recognized
in Income on Derivatives
(Ineffective Portion)
 
     (in millions of dollars)  

Interest Rate Swaps

   $ 70.3      $ 18.7 (1)    $ 0.0   

Interest Rate Swaps

     0.0        5.4 (2)      0.0   

Interest Rate Swaps

     0.0        (0.1 )(4)      0.0   

Foreign Exchange Contracts

     (2.1     (2.0 )(1)      0.0   

Foreign Exchange Contracts

     (73.5     (63.7 )(2)      (2.0 )(2) 

Foreign Exchange Contracts

     42.0        1.1 (3)      14.3 (2) 
                        

Total

   $ 36.7      $ (40.6   $ 12.3   
                        

 

(1) Gain (loss) recognized in net investment income
(2) Gain (loss) recognized in net realized investment gain (loss)
(3) Gain recognized in interest and debt expense
(4) Loss recognized in other income

The following table summarizes the location of and gain (loss) on our embedded derivative in a modified coinsurance arrangement, as reported in our consolidated statements of income.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30
     Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
     2010      2009      2010     2009  
     (in millions of dollars)  

Gain (Loss) Recognized in Net Realized Investment Gain (Loss)

   $ 1.6       $ 44.4       $ (3.7   $ 208.1   

 

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

 

Note 6 - Segment Information

Our reporting segments are comprised of the following: Unum US, Unum UK, Colonial Life, Individual Disability - Closed Block, and Corporate and Other.

Premium income by major line of business within each of our segments is presented as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30
     Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  
     (in millions of dollars)  

Unum US

           

Group Disability

           

Group Long-term Disability

   $ 404.9       $ 427.4       $ 1,233.6       $ 1,298.9   

Group Short-term Disability

     108.7         110.0         322.5         325.2   

Group Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment

           

Group Life

     273.0         266.8         814.5         793.6   

Accidental Death & Dismemberment

     27.0         26.6         79.3         79.6   

Supplemental and Voluntary

           

Individual Disability - Recently Issued

     116.7         118.5         349.5         356.6   

Long-term Care

     149.4         147.9         448.1         444.8   

Voluntary Benefits

     130.9         118.0         395.7         366.5   
                                   
     1,210.6         1,215.2         3,643.2         3,665.2   
                                   

Unum UK

           

Group Long-term Disability

     108.0         121.6         327.2         375.8   

Group Life

     44.5         38.1         126.8         104.2   

Individual Disability

     8.9         10.0         26.1         26.1   
                                   
     161.4         169.7         480.1         506.1   
                                   

Colonial Life

           

Accident, Sickness, and Disability

     166.1         156.2         493.1         467.8   

Life

     43.4         41.1         131.0         123.1   

Cancer and Critical Illness

     59.8         56.2         178.0         166.8   
                                   
     269.3         253.5         802.1         757.7   
                                   

Individual Disability - Closed Block

     208.5         221.5         635.0         679.1   

Corporate and Other

     0.4         1.2         2.8         1.7   
                                   

Total

   $ 1,850.2       $ 1,861.1       $ 5,563.2       $ 5,609.8   
                                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 6 - Segment Information - Continued

 

Selected operating statement data by segment is presented as follows:

 

     Unum US      Unum UK      Colonial
Life
     Individual
Disability -
Closed
Block
     Corporate
and

Other
    Total  
     (in millions of dollars)  

Three Months Ended September 30, 2010

                

Total Premium Income

   $ 1,210.6       $ 161.4       $ 269.3       $ 208.5       $ 0.4      $ 1,850.2   

Net Investment Income

     312.9         39.0         31.9         185.5         49.1        618.4   

Other Income

     29.7         0.2         0.2         22.7         5.4        58.2   
                                                    

Operating Revenue

   $ 1,553.2       $ 200.6       $ 301.4       $ 416.7       $ 54.9      $ 2,526.8   
                                                    

Operating Income (Loss)

   $ 204.7       $ 47.2       $ 74.5       $ 9.8       $ (10.8   $ 325.4   

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009

                

Total Premium Income

   $ 1,215.2       $ 169.7       $ 253.5       $ 221.5       $ 1.2      $ 1,861.1   

Net Investment Income

     302.8         22.5         29.4         184.4         40.5        579.6   

Other Income

     28.8         0.6         0.1         24.3         8.1        61.9   
                                                    

Operating Revenue

   $ 1,546.8       $ 192.8       $ 283.0       $ 430.2       $ 49.8      $ 2,502.6   
                                                    

Operating Income (Loss)

   $ 197.1       $ 58.7       $ 70.4       $ 7.2       $ (13.7   $ 319.7   

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

                

Total Premium Income

   $ 3,643.2       $ 480.1       $ 802.1       $ 635.0       $ 2.8      $ 5,563.2   

Net Investment Income

     936.2         121.9         91.1         563.5         148.5        1,861.2   

Other Income

     90.6         1.1         0.5         67.3         19.0        178.5   
                                                    

Operating Revenue

   $ 4,670.0       $ 603.1       $ 893.7       $ 1,265.8       $ 170.3      $ 7,602.9   
                                                    

Operating Income (Loss)

   $ 619.9       $ 160.7       $ 221.4       $ 33.9       $ (37.3   $ 998.6   

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

                

Total Premium Income

   $ 3,665.2       $ 506.1       $ 757.7       $ 679.1       $ 1.7      $ 5,609.8   

Net Investment Income

     898.2         83.7         85.4         558.2         125.4        1,750.9   

Other Income

     90.4         1.8         0.4         77.0         26.5        196.1   
                                                    

Operating Revenue

   $ 4,653.8       $ 591.6       $ 843.5       $ 1,314.3       $ 153.6      $ 7,556.8   
                                                    

Operating Income (Loss)

   $ 572.0       $ 188.3       $ 212.6       $ 28.5       $ (42.6   $ 958.8   

 

 

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 6 - Segment Information - Continued

 

A reconciliation of total operating revenue and operating income by segment to revenue and net income as reported in our consolidated statements of income follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30
     Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
     2010      2009      2010     2009  
     (in millions of dollars)  

Operating Revenue by Segment

   $ 2,526.8       $ 2,502.6       $ 7,602.9      $ 7,556.8   

Net Realized Investment Gain (Loss)

     1.1         14.9         (2.8     37.6   
                                  

Revenue

   $ 2,527.9       $ 2,517.5       $ 7,600.1      $ 7,594.4   
                                  

Operating Income by Segment

   $ 325.4       $ 319.7       $ 998.6      $ 958.8   

Net Realized Investment Gain (Loss)

     1.1         14.9         (2.8     37.6   

Income Tax

     105.7         113.5         335.5        343.2   
                                  

Net Income

   $ 220.8       $ 221.1       $ 660.3      $ 653.2   
                                  

Assets by segment are as follows:

 

     September 30
2010
     December 31
2009
 
     (in millions of dollars)  

Unum US

   $ 25,695.4       $ 23,339.9   

Unum UK

     3,491.3         3,280.7   

Colonial Life

     3,060.2         2,805.7   

Individual Disability - Closed Block

     16,205.5         15,238.8   

Corporate and Other

     10,602.3         9,811.9   
                 

Total

   $ 59,054.7       $ 54,477.0   
                 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 7 - Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

The components of net periodic benefit cost related to the Company sponsored defined benefit pension and postretirement plans for our employees are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended September 30  
     2010     2009     2010     2009     2010     2009  
     (in millions of dollars)  
     Pension Benefits              
     U.S. Plans     Non U.S. Plans     Postretirement Benefits  

Service Cost

   $ 9.2      $ 7.4      $ 0.9      $ 1.4      $ 0.6      $ 0.8   

Interest Cost

     17.8        16.0        2.4        2.3        2.7        2.9   

Expected Return on Plan Assets

     (17.7     (13.2     (2.7     (2.5     (0.2     (0.2

Amortization of:

            

Net Actuarial Loss

     7.4        10.3        0.6        0.6        0.0        0.0   

Prior Service Credit

     (0.1     (0.1     0.0        0.0        (0.6     (0.8
                                                

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

   $ 16.6      $ 20.4      $ 1.2      $ 1.8      $ 2.5      $ 2.7   
                                                

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30  
     2010     2009     2010     2009     2010     2009  
     (in millions of dollars)  
     Pension Benefits              
     U.S. Plans     Non U.S. Plans     Postretirement Benefits  

Service Cost

   $ 27.4      $ 22.2      $ 3.4      $ 3.8      $ 1.9      $ 2.2   

Interest Cost

     53.4        48.0        7.1        6.5        8.1        8.5   

Expected Return on Plan Assets

     (52.9     (39.5     (7.9     (6.9     (0.5     (0.5

Amortization of:

            

Net Actuarial Loss

     22.3        30.8        1.8        1.7        0.0        0.0   

Prior Service Credit

     (0.4     (0.4     0.0        0.0        (1.9     (2.2
                                                

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

   $ 49.8      $ 61.1      $ 4.4      $ 5.1      $ 7.6      $ 8.0   
                                                

We had no regulatory contribution requirements for our U.S. qualified defined benefit plan in 2010, but we elected to make $67.0 million of voluntary contributions in the first quarter of 2010. We also made an additional contribution of $100.0 million in October 2010. We do not anticipate making any additional contributions during 2010. For our U.K. operation, which maintains a separate defined benefit plan, we made required contributions totaling $1.2 million and $3.6 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 8 - Stockholders’ Equity and Earnings Per Common Share

Net income per common share is determined as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended September 30      Nine Months Ended September 30  
     2010      2009      2010      2009  
     (in millions of dollars, except share data)  

Numerator

           

Net Income

   $ 220.8       $ 221.1       $ 660.3       $ 653.2   
                                   

Denominator (000s)

           

Weighted Average Common Shares - Basic

     323,083.5         331,411.2         328,828.6         331,132.6   

Dilution for Assumed Exercises of Stock Options and Nonvested Stock Awards

     1,383.5         1,210.9         1,344.5         718.0   
                                   

Weighted Average Common Shares Assuming Dilution

     324,467.0         332,622.1         330,173.1         331,850.6   
                                   

Net Income Per Common Share

           

Basic

   $ 0.68       $ 0.67       $ 2.01       $ 1.97   

Assuming Dilution

   $ 0.68       $ 0.66       $ 2.00       $ 1.97   

We use the treasury stock method to account for the effect of outstanding stock options, nonvested stock awards, and performance restricted stock units on the computation of dilutive earnings per share. Under this method, these potential common shares will each have a dilutive effect, as individually measured, when the average market price of Unum Group common stock during the period exceeds the exercise price of the stock options, the grant price of the nonvested stock awards, and/or the threshold stock price of performance restricted stock units.

The outstanding stock options have exercise prices ranging from $11.37 to $32.08, the nonvested stock awards have grant prices ranging from $10.59 to $25.53, and the performance restricted stock units have a threshold stock price of $26.00.

In computing earnings per share assuming dilution, only potential common shares that are dilutive (those that reduce earnings per share) are included. Potential common shares not included in the computation of dilutive earnings per share because their impact would be antidilutive, based on current market prices, approximated 3.6 million shares of common stock for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, and 6.4 million and 7.4 million common shares for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009.

Unum Group has 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized with a par value of $0.10 per share. No preferred stock has been issued to date.

In May 2010, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $500.0 million of Unum Group’s common stock during a one-year period. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we repurchased approximately 9.5 million shares for $197.7 million and 15.2 million shares for $327.5 million, respectively, including commissions of $0.2 million and $0.3 million. The shares of stock repurchased are classified as treasury stock and accounted for using the cost method.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

 

Note 9 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

Commitments

During the second quarter of 2010, we entered into a noncancelable lease obligation for certain office space. The lease payments are expected to begin September 2012, upon completion of construction of the new facility, and will continue for 17 years. The aggregate minimum lease payments under the agreement equal $98.7 million and are expected to be payable as follows: $1.7 million in 2012, $4.9 million in 2013, $5.0 million in 2014, $5.0 million in 2015, and $82.1 million thereafter. We also entered into commitments of $14.1 million to fund leasehold improvements for this office space.

At September 30, 2010, we had commitments of approximately $83.6 million to fund certain of our private equity partnerships and $1.9 million to fund underlying partnerships in our investment in a special purpose entity. The funds are due upon satisfaction of contractual notice from the issuer and may or may not be funded during the term of the securities. In addition, we have a legally binding unfunded commitment of $148.8 million, which is recognized as a liability in our consolidated balance sheets, to fund tax credit partnership investments.

Contingent Liabilities

We are a defendant in a number of litigation matters. In some of these matters, no specified amount is sought. In others, very large or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages, are asserted. There is a wide variation of pleading practice permitted in the United States courts with respect to requests for monetary damages, including some courts in which no specified amount is required and others which allow the plaintiff to state only that the amount sought is sufficient to invoke the jurisdiction of that court. Further, some jurisdictions permit plaintiffs to allege damages well in excess of reasonably possible verdicts. Based on our extensive experience and that of others in the industry with respect to litigating or resolving claims through settlement over an extended period of time, we believe that the monetary damages asserted in a lawsuit or claim bear little relation to the merits of the case, or the likely disposition value. Therefore, the specific monetary relief sought is not stated.

Unless indicated otherwise in the descriptions below, reserves have not been established for litigation and contingencies. An estimated loss is accrued when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.

In the disclosures that follow about litigation, we refer to the name of the company specified in the original complaint, following the practice in the courts. Therefore, references to UnumProvident Corporation should be understood as references to Unum Group.

Claims Handling Matters

We and our insurance subsidiaries, as part of our normal operations in managing disability claims, are engaged in claim litigation where disputes arise as a result of a denial or termination of benefits. Most typically these lawsuits are filed on behalf of a single claimant or policyholder, and in some of these individual actions punitive damages are sought, such as claims alleging bad faith in the handling of insurance claims. For our general claim litigation, we maintain reserves based on experience to satisfy judgments and settlements in the normal course. We expect that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to general claim litigation, after consideration of the reserves maintained, will not be material to our consolidated financial condition. Nevertheless, given the inherent unpredictability of litigation, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain claim litigation involving punitive damages could, from

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 9 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities - Continued

 

time to time, have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations in a period, depending on the results of operations for the particular period.

From time to time class action allegations are pursued where the claimant or policyholder purports to represent a larger number of individuals who are similarly situated. Since each insurance claim is evaluated based on its own merits, there is rarely a single act or series of actions, which can properly be addressed by a class action. Nevertheless, we monitor these cases closely and defend ourselves appropriately where these allegations are made.

Broker Compensation, Quoting Process, and Other Matters

Examinations and Investigations

In November 2009, we were contacted by Florida state insurance regulators to discuss a resolution of their investigation of our compliance with state and federal laws with respect to producer compensation, solicitation activities, policies sold to state or municipal entities, and information regarding compensation arrangements with brokers. We are currently in discussions with the regulators about certain issues raised by their investigation. This investigation commenced in 2005, and, until this most recent contact, we had received no communications from the regulators regarding this matter since December 2007.

Broker-Related Litigation

We and certain of our subsidiaries, along with many other insurance brokers and insurers, have been named as defendants in a series of putative class actions that have been transferred to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings as part of multidistrict litigation (MDL) No. 1663, In re Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation. The plaintiffs in MDL No. 1663 filed a consolidated amended complaint in August 2005, which alleges, among other things, that the defendants violated federal and state antitrust laws, the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and various state common law requirements by engaging in alleged bid rigging and customer allocation and by paying undisclosed compensation to insurance brokers to steer business to defendant insurers. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on November 29, 2005. On April 5, 2007, defendants’ motion to dismiss was granted without prejudice as to all counts except the ERISA counts. Plaintiffs were granted a last opportunity to file an amended complaint, and they did so on May 22, 2007.

On August 31, 2007 and September 28, 2007, plaintiffs’ federal antitrust and RICO claims were dismissed with prejudice. Defendants’ motion for summary judgment on the ERISA counts was granted on January 14, 2008. All pending state law claims were dismissed without prejudice. Plaintiffs filed an appeal with the Third Circuit Court of Appeals of the order dismissing their federal antitrust and RICO claims. On August 16, 2010, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal with prejudice of plaintiff’s federal antitrust and RICO claims against us and certain of our subsidiaries. On September 27, 2010, the District Court entered final judgment against plaintiffs and in favor of defendants, including us and certain of our subsidiaries.

We are a defendant in an action styled, Palm Tree Computers Systems, Inc. v. ACE USA, et al., which was filed in the Florida state Circuit Court on February 16, 2005. The complaint contains allegations similar to those made in the multidistrict litigation referred to above. The case was removed to federal court and, on October 20, 2005, the case was transferred to the District of New Jersey multidistrict litigation. Plaintiffs recently renewed a motion to remand the case to the state court in Florida, and that motion was denied without prejudice.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 9 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities - Continued

 

 

Miscellaneous Matters

In September 2003, United States of America ex. rel. Patrick J. Loughren v. UnumProvident Corporation and GENEX Services, Inc. (GENEX) was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. This is a qui tam action to recover damages and civil penalties on behalf of the United States of America alleging violations of the False Claims Act by us and our former GENEX subsidiary. In accordance with the False Claims Act, the action was originally filed under seal to provide the government the opportunity to investigate the allegations and prosecute the action if they believed that the case had merit and warranted their attention. The government declined to prosecute the case, and the case became a matter of public record on December 23, 2004. The complaint alleged that we defrauded the government by inducing and or assisting disability claimants to apply for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) when we allegedly knew that the claimants were not disabled under SSA criteria. Relator identified 95 individual claims that he alleged to be false and sought to present expert testimony from a statistician who would say that each of those claims found to be false could be extrapolated to support a finding of a much larger number of false claims. We filed a motion for summary judgment which was denied on September 15, 2008. The case proceeded to trial at which seven out of the 95 claims were adjudicated. We prevailed on four of the claims, the Relator prevailed on two of the claims, and the jury could not reach a verdict on one of the claims. The jury awarded the Relator $850 in damages which was trebled. The court also assessed a penalty of $11,000 for each of the two claims. On February 24, 2009, the court also ruled that the testimony of the Relator’s expert in support of extrapolation would be excluded. We filed an appeal with the First Circuit Court of Appeals on the two claims which Relator prevailed. On July 29, 2010, the Court of Appeals vacated the jury verdict on the two claims and remanded the case to the trial court. On August 12, 2010, we filed a petition with the First Circuit Court of Appeals seeking clarification and/or rehearing en banc of the court’s July 29, 2010 opinion. On October 7, 2010, this petition was denied without comment, and the case will be remanded back to the trial court.

In May 2007, Roy Mogel, Todd D. Lindsay and Joseph R. Thorley individually and on behalf of those similarly situated v. Unum Life Insurance Company, was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. This is a putative class action alleging that we breached fiduciary duties owed to certain beneficiaries under certain group life insurance policies when we paid life insurance proceeds by establishing interest-bearing retained asset accounts rather than by mailing checks. Plaintiffs seek to represent a class of beneficiaries under group life insurance contracts that were employee welfare benefit plans under ERISA and under which we paid death benefits pursuant to a retained asset account. Plaintiffs seek to recover on behalf of the class the difference between the interest paid to them and amounts alleged to have been realized by us through our investment of the retained assets. On February 4, 2008, the court granted our motion to dismiss all claims, but on November 6, 2008 the First Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the District Court’s order. Our petition for rehearing in the First Circuit Court of Appeals was denied on January 21, 2009, and the case was remanded to the District Court. On August 19, 2009, the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for class certification under Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 23(b)(2). Plaintiffs filed a motion for leave to file an amended complaint and to file a renewed motion for class certification under Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 23(b)(3). On December 16, 2009, the court denied plaintiffs’ motion. During the first quarter of 2010, the parties reached a tentative settlement of this matter which would require payment of an amount immaterial to our operating results. On September 21, 2010, the District Court approved the settlement and dismissed the case with prejudice.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

Note 9 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities - Continued

 

In September 2008, we received service of a complaint, in an adversary proceeding in connection with the bankruptcy case In re Quebecor World (USA) Inc., et al. entitled Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Quebecor World (USA) Inc., et al., v. American United Life Insurance Company, et al., filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The complaint alleges that we received preference payments relating to notes held by certain of our insurance subsidiaries and seeks to avoid and recover such payments plus interest and cost of the action. We deny the allegations in the complaint and will vigorously contest them.

On July 30, 2010, we received a subpoena from the Office of the New York Attorney General requesting documents and information relating to certain group life insurance policies wherein we paid life insurance proceeds by establishing interest-bearing retained asset accounts. We are cooperating with this investigation.

Summary

Various lawsuits against us, in addition to those discussed above, have arisen in the normal course of business. Further, state insurance regulatory authorities and other federal and state authorities regularly make inquiries and conduct investigations concerning our compliance with applicable insurance and other laws and regulations.

Given the complexity and scope of our litigation and regulatory matters, it is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of all pending investigations or legal proceedings or provide reasonable estimates of potential losses, except where noted in connection with specific matters. It is possible that our results of operations or cash flows in a particular period could be materially affected by an ultimate unfavorable outcome of pending litigation or regulatory matters depending, in part, on our results of operations or cash flows for the particular period. We believe, however, that the ultimate outcome of all pending litigation and regulatory matters, after consideration of applicable reserves and rights to indemnification, should not have a material adverse effect on our financial position.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued

Unum Group and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2010

 

 

Note 10 - Other

Debt

In September 2010, we issued $400.0 million of unsecured senior notes in a public offering. These notes, due in 2020, bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.625% and are payable semi-annually. The notes are callable at or above par and rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we made principal payments of $45.2 million and $7.5 million on our senior secured non-recourse floating rate notes issued by Northwind Holdings, LLC and Tailwind Holdings, LLC, respectively. We also purchased and retired $10.0 million of our 7.08% medium-term notes due 2024.

Income Tax

At September 30, 2010, we had a liability of $140.6 million for unrecognized tax benefits, $125.4 million of which is associated with deferred tax assets. The total unrecognized tax benefit that would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized, is $15.2 million. The interest expense and penalties related to unrecognized tax expense in our consolidated statements of income were $1.5 million and $4.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, and $2.2 million and $4.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.

The income tax rate in the U.K. will be reduced from 28 percent to 27 percent in April 2011. We are required to adjust deferred tax assets and liabilities through income on the date of enactment of a rate change, which occurred during the third quarter of 2010. We recorded a reduction of $2.7 million to our income tax expense in the third quarter of 2010 to reflect the impact of the rate change on our net deferred tax liability related to our U.K. operations.

During 2009, we had a conference with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with respect to our appeal of audit adjustments for the years 1999 to 2004. Although we have not yet reached a final settlement with the IRS for these years, it is reasonably possible that this appeal will be resolved in whole or in part within 12 months and that statutes of limitations may expire in multiple jurisdictions within the same period. As a result, it is reasonably possible that our unrecognized tax benefits could change within 12 months, causing net income to increase by $0 to $40.0 million. We believe sufficient provision has been made for all uncertain tax positions and that any adjustments by tax authorities with respect to such positions would not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity, or results of operations.

In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 were signed into law. Among other things, the new legislation reduces the tax benefits available to an employer that receives a postretirement prescription drug coverage subsidy from the federal government under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. Under the new legislation, to the extent our future postretirement prescription drug coverage expenses are reimbursed under the subsidy program, the expenses covered by the subsidy will no longer be tax deductible after 2012. Employers that receive the subsidy must recognize the deferred tax effects relating to the future postretirement prescription drug coverage in the period the legislation was enacted. Our income tax expense for the first nine months of 2010 includes a non-cash tax charge of $10.2 million which was recorded in the first quarter of 2010 to reflect the impact of the tax law change.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Unum Group

We have reviewed the consolidated balance sheet of Unum Group and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, and the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Unum Group and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, cash flows and comprehensive income (loss) for the year then ended not presented herein and in our report dated February 26, 2010, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

 

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Chattanooga, Tennessee

November 3, 2010

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Introduction

Unum Group, a Delaware general business corporation, and its insurance and non-insurance subsidiaries, which collectively with Unum Group we refer to as the Company, operate in the United States, the United Kingdom, and, to a limited extent, in certain other countries around the world. The principal operating subsidiaries in the United States are Unum Life Insurance Company of America (Unum America), Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company (Provident), The Paul Revere Life Insurance Company (Paul Revere Life), and Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company, and in the United Kingdom, Unum Limited. We are the largest provider of disability insurance products in the United States and the United Kingdom. We also provide a complementary portfolio of other insurance products, including employer- and employee-paid group benefits, life insurance, long-term care insurance, and other related services.

We have three major business segments: Unum US, Unum UK, and Colonial Life. Our other segments are the Individual Disability – Closed Block segment and the Corporate and Other segment. These segments are discussed more fully under “Segment Results” contained in this Item 2.

As one of the leading providers of employee benefits in the U.S. and the U.K., we offer a broad portfolio of products and services to meet the diverse and rapidly changing needs of employers and their employees. We offer group, individual, and voluntary benefits either as stand alone products or combined with other coverages to provide comprehensive benefits solutions for employers of all sizes. These benefits help businesses attract and retain a stronger workforce, while protecting the incomes and lifestyles of employees and their families. We believe employer-sponsored benefits represent the single most effective way to provide workers with access to the information and options they need to protect their lifestyle and provide financial security. Working people and their families, particularly those at middle and lower incomes, are perhaps the most vulnerable in today’s economy and are often overlooked by many providers of financial services and products. Yet the need for employees to have access to low-cost benefits in the workplace has never been greater. For many people, employer-sponsored benefits are the primary defense against the potentially catastrophic fallout of death, illness, or injury.

We have established a corporate culture consistent with the social values our products provide. With a workforce of engaged employees dedicated to meeting the needs of our customers every day, we are committed to operating with integrity and being accountable for our actions. We believe our sound and consistent business practices, strong internal compliance program, and comprehensive risk management strategy ensure that we operate efficiently and identify and address potential areas of risk from all corners of our business. We have also applied these same values to our social responsibility efforts. Because we see important links between the obligations we have to all of our stakeholders, we place a strong emphasis on contributing to positive change in our communities.

We are an industry leader, and we believe that we are well-positioned in our sector. Due to the nature of our business, however, we are sensitive to economic and financial market movements, including consumer confidence, employment levels, and interest rates. Our business outlook, which recognizes both the challenges of the current economic environment as well as the mitigating impact of risk-reducing actions we have taken in recent years, is consistent with our risk appetite. Although the occurrence of one or more of the risk factors discussed in our 2009 annual report on Form 10-K may cause our results to differ materially from our outlook, our business plan has been tested against a variety of economic scenarios, and we believe that we can meet the challenges presented by the current economic environment.

This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in Part I, Item 1 contained in this Form 10-Q and with the discussion, analysis, and consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in Part I, Items 1 and 1A, and Part II, Items 6, 7, 7A, and 8 of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

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Executive Summary

During 2010, our focus has remained on disciplined top-line growth and capital management. Objectives for the year include:

 

   

Consistently execute our operating plans with an emphasis on disciplined, profitable growth.

 

   

Further enhance financial flexibility through solid operating and investment performance, as well as a disciplined approach to capital management.

 

   

Continue to invest in our business, including our products and services, as well as in the professional development of our employees.

 

   

Remain positioned to capitalize on long-term growth opportunities in the marketplace.

A discussion of our operating performance and capital management follows.

Operating Performance and Capital Management

Our Unum US segment reported an increase in segment operating income of 3.9 percent and 8.4 percent for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods last year, with the overall risk experience across our product lines remaining generally stable. The benefit ratio for the Unum US segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 was 79.5 percent and 79.1 percent, generally consistent with the comparable prior year periods, with the year over year improvement in benefit ratios for group disability and voluntary benefits offset by a higher benefit ratio in the long-term care product line. Unum US premium income decreased slightly in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2009. Similar to 2009, the ongoing high levels of unemployment and the competitive environment continue to pressure our sales and premium income growth. In particular, premium growth from existing customers continues to be unfavorably impacted by lower salary growth and lower growth in the number of employees covered under an existing policy. Partially offsetting this unfavorable impact on premium growth was higher persistency. Unum US sales, which have also been negatively impacted by the economy and the competitive environment, increased 3.0 percent in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the same period last year but were 8.8 percent lower than the prior year first nine months. Our group core market segment, which we define for Unum US as employee groups with fewer than 2,000 lives, reported sales declines of 12.1 percent and 10.4 percent in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the same periods last year. Sales in the group large case market segment for the third quarter of 2010 were 2.7 percent higher than last year’s third quarter but decreased 35.4 percent on a year-to-date basis relative to last year, with declines in both group disability and group life. Negatively affecting year over year comparisons for the first nine months is the sale of one particularly large case in the group disability and group life large case market during the second quarter of 2009. Also affecting both quarter-to-date and year-to-date comparisons is the general disruption in the marketplace that provided sales opportunities in certain market segments last year. Sales of voluntary benefits increased 26.8 percent and 17.1 percent relative to last year’s third quarter and first nine months. Persistency for all product lines remains high relative to historical levels.

Our Unum UK segment reported a decrease in segment operating income of 15.1 percent and 14.8 percent for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, as measured in Unum UK’s local currency, relative to the third quarter and first nine months of last year. The decrease was driven by a decline in year-to-date premium income as well as less favorable risk results. The decline in year-to-date premium income resulted from lower premium growth from existing customers and pricing actions due to the competitive U.K. market, although premium income in the third quarter of 2010 increased slightly relative to last year’s third quarter. The benefit ratio for Unum UK was 66.9 percent and 65.3 percent in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to 50.2 percent and 52.6 percent in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, driven primarily by lower year-to-date premium income, the volatility in claim reserves associated with group long-term disability policies containing an inflation-linked benefit increase feature, and unfavorable year-to-date claim experience in group life. Overall sales in Unum UK decreased 2.6 percent compared to the prior year third quarter but increased 8.2 percent for the first nine months of 2010 relative to the same period of 2009. Negatively affecting year over year comparisons is an increase in prior year sales which resulted from the exit of another large insurance provider from the U.K. group risk market. Persistency generally improved over the levels of last year.

 

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Our Colonial Life segment reported an increase in segment operating income of 5.8 percent and 4.1 percent for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, with premium growth of 6.2 percent and 5.9 percent relative to last year’s comparable periods. Risk results were less favorable than last year, with a benefit ratio of 49.9 percent and 48.4 percent in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to 48.2 percent and 47.0 percent in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, driven primarily by unfavorable experience in the accident, sickness, and disability product line. Somewhat negatively affecting year over year comparisons is the release of active life reserves in the second quarter of 2009 in our cancer and critical illness product line. Colonial Life’s sales increased 2.3 percent and 6.0 percent relative to last year’s third quarter and first nine months. The number of new accounts and new agent contracts both increased relative to the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, while the average new case size declined. Persistency remains strong and is consistent with prior periods.

Our investment portfolio continues to perform well, with an increase of 6.7 percent and 6.3 percent in net investment income relative to the third quarter and first nine months of 2009. The net unrealized gain on our fixed maturity securities was $5.1 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2010, compared to a gain of $2.0 billion at year end 2009 and $2.2 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2009.

We believe our capital and financial position are very strong. At the end of the third quarter of 2010, the risk-based capital ratio for our traditional U.S. insurance subsidiaries, calculated on a weighted average basis using the NAIC Company Action Level formula, was approximately 410 percent, compared to 382 percent at the end of 2009. Our leverage ratio, when calculated using consolidated debt to total consolidated capital, was 26.5 percent at September 30, 2010 compared to 24.8 percent at December 31, 2009, reflecting the issuance of $400.0 million of senior notes during the third quarter of 2010. Our leverage ratio, when calculated excluding the non-recourse debt and associated capital of Tailwind Holdings, LLC (Tailwind Holdings) and Northwind Holdings, LLC (Northwind Holdings), was 23.3 percent at September 30, 2010 compared to 20.5 percent at December 31, 2009. The cash and marketable securities at our holding companies equaled approximately $1.027 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2010, compared to $915 million at the end of 2009. During the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, we repurchased 9.5 million and 15.2 million shares of Unum Group’s common stock under our $500.0 million share repurchase program, at a year-to-date cost of approximately $327.5 million.

Despite the difficult economic environment, we continue to make steady and disciplined progress, executing on our business plans and strengthening our financial position. We remain cautious of the near-term outlook for employment levels and wages, both of which limit opportunities for premium growth, but we believe we are poised to profitably grow as employment trends improve.

Further discussion is included in “Segment Results,” “Investments,” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” contained in this Item 2.

Critical Accounting Estimates

We prepare our financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in our financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates and assumptions could change in the future as more information becomes known, which could impact the amounts reported and disclosed in our financial statements.

The accounting estimates deemed to be most critical to our results of operations and financial condition are those related to reserves for policy and contract benefits, deferred acquisition costs, valuation of investments, pension and postretirement benefit plans, income taxes, and contingent liabilities. There have been no significant changes in our critical accounting estimates during the first nine months of 2010.

 

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For additional information concerning our accounting policies and critical accounting estimates, see Note 1 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” in Part II, Item 8 and “Critical Accounting Estimates” in Part II, Item 7 of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Accounting Developments

For information on new accounting standards and the impact, if any, on our financial position or results of operations, see Note 2 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” contained herein in Item 1.

Consolidated Operating Results

(in millions of dollars)

 

     Three Months Ended September 30     Nine Months Ended September 30  
     2010     % Change     2009     2010     % Change     2009  

Revenue

            

Premium Income

   $ 1,850.2        (0.6 )%    $ 1,861.1      $ 5,563.2        (0.8 )%    $ 5,609.8   

Net Investment Income

     618.4        6.7        579.6        1,861.2        6.3        1,750.9   

Net Realized Investment Gain (Loss)

     1.1        (92.6     14.9        (2.8     (107.4     37.6   

Other Income

     58.2        (6.0     61.9        178.5        (9.0     196.1   
                                    

Total

     2,527.9        0.4        2,517.5        7,600.1        0.1        7,594.4   
                                    

Benefits and Expenses

            

Benefits and Change in Reserves for Future Benefits

     1,587.5        1.4        1,565.1        4,736.0        0.2        4,725.0   

Commissions

     214.0        5.1        203.6        640.1        1.2        632.2   

Interest and Debt Expense

     35.2        26.2        27.9        102.7        13.0        90.9   

Deferral of Acquisition Costs

     (150.9     5.2        (143.5     (455.5     2.2        (445.8

Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs

     130.6        0.2        130.4        407.7        3.2        395.0   

Compensation Expense

     194.1        (3.4     201.0        582.8        (0.8     587.3   

Other Expenses

     190.9        (3.8     198.4        590.5        (3.7     613.4   
                                    

Total

     2,201.4        0.8        2,182.9        6,604.3        0.1        6,598.0   
                                    

Income Before Income Tax

     326.5        (2.4     334.6        995.8        (0.1     996.4   

Income Tax

     105.7        (6.9     113.5        335.5        (2.2     343.2   
                                    

Net Income

   $ 220.8        (0.1   $ 221.1      $ 660.3        1.1      $ 653.2   
                                    

The comparability of our financial results between years is affected by the fluctuation in the British pound sterling to dollar exchange rate. The functional currency of our U.K. operations is the British pound sterling. In periods when the pound weakens, translating pounds into dollars decreases current period results relative to the prior period. In periods when the pound strengthens, translating pounds into dollars increases current period results in relation to the prior period. The impact of the difference in exchange rates year over year on the comparability of our consolidated results was not material. However, it is important to distinguish between translating and converting foreign currency. Except for a limited number of transactions, we do not actually convert pounds into dollars. As a result, we view foreign currency translation as a financial reporting issue and not a reflection of operations or profitability in the U.K.

Consolidated premium income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 includes premium growth, relative to the prior year periods, for our Unum US group life and accidental death and dismemberment, long-term care, and voluntary benefits lines of business as well as for Colonial Life. Our Unum US group disability line of business

 

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experienced a decline in premium income relative to the prior year due primarily to the ongoing high levels of unemployment and the competitive environment which impact sales growth and premium growth from existing customers. In particular, premium growth from existing customers continues to be unfavorably impacted by lower salary growth and lower growth in the number of employees covered under an existing policy. Premium income for Unum US individual disability – recently issued declined year over year primarily due to lower sales. Unum UK premium income, in local currency, increased slightly during the third quarter of 2010 relative to last year’s third quarter but decreased for the first nine months of 2010 relative to comparable period of 2009. The year-to-date decrease was due primarily to lower premium growth from existing customers, similar to Unum US, and pricing actions due to the competitive U.K. market. Premium income in the Individual Disability – Closed Block segment, which is a closed block of business, continues its expected decline.

Net investment income was higher in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the same periods last year due primarily to continued growth in the level of invested assets and higher bond call premiums. We recognized in earnings a net realized investment gain of $1.1 million and a loss of $2.8 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to gains of $14.9 million and $37.6 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009. Included in these amounts were other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturity securities of $10.4 million in the first nine months of 2010, compared to losses of $31.5 million and $160.1 million in the third quarter and first nine months of last year. Of these amounts, all were recognized in earnings other than a gain of $2.1 million and a loss of $4.8 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, which were recognized in other comprehensive income.

Also recognized in earnings through realized investment gains and losses was the change in the fair value of an embedded derivative in a modified coinsurance arrangement. During the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, changes in the fair value of this embedded derivative resulted in a realized gain of $1.6 million and a realized loss of $3.7 million, compared to gains of $44.4 million and $208.1 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009. Gains and losses on this embedded derivative result primarily from changes in credit spreads in the overall investment market.

The benefit ratio was 85.8 percent and 85.1 percent in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to 84.1 percent and 84.2 percent in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, with slightly improved year-to-date risk results in Unum US but higher benefit ratios in Unum UK and Colonial Life. Further discussion of our line of business risk results and claims management performance for each of our segments is included in “Segment Results” as follows.

Interest and debt expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 was higher than the prior year’s third quarter and first nine months due to higher levels of outstanding debt, partially offset by lower rates of interest on our floating rate debt. See “Debt” contained in this Item 2 for additional information.

The deferral of acquisition costs increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the prior year periods, with continued growth in certain of our product lines and the associated increase in deferrable expenses more than offsetting the lower level of deferrable costs in product lines with lower growth. The amortization of acquisition costs for the third quarter was consistent with the level of last year, but amortization was higher in the first nine months of 2010 relative to the first nine months of 2009 due primarily to an acceleration of amortization resulting from lower persistency for certain issue years in the Unum US supplemental and voluntary lines. Although the rate of persistency for the overall block of business within each of the supplemental and voluntary lines was generally consistent with last year, the persistency for certain individual issue years was less than expected and required additional amortization of deferred acquisition costs.

Other expenses decreased slightly relative to the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, primarily due to a decline in our pension costs.

The income tax rate in the U.K. will be reduced from 28 percent to 27 percent in April 2011. In accordance with GAAP, we are required to adjust deferred tax assets and liabilities through income on the date of enactment of a rate change, which occurred during the third quarter of 2010. Therefore, we recorded a reduction of $2.7 million to our income tax expense in the third quarter of 2010 to reflect the impact of the rate change on our net deferred tax liability related to our U.K. operations. Our income tax rate for the third quarter of 2010 was also lower relative to

 

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the prior year periods due to tax benefits recognized as a result of our investments in low-income housing tax credit partnerships.

In March 2010, legislation related to healthcare reform was signed into law. Among other things, the new legislation reduces the tax benefits available to an employer that receives a postretirement prescription drug coverage subsidy from the federal government under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. Under the new legislation, to the extent our future postretirement prescription drug coverage expenses are reimbursed under the subsidy program, the expenses covered by the subsidy will no longer be tax deductible after 2012. Employers that receive the subsidy must recognize the deferred tax effects relating to the future postretirement prescription drug coverage in the period the legislation was enacted. Our income tax expense for the first nine months of 2010 includes a non-cash tax charge of $10.2 million which was recorded in the first quarter of 2010 to reflect the impact of the tax law change.

Consolidated Sales Results

(in millions of dollars)

 

     Three Months Ended September 30      Nine Months Ended September 30  
     2010      % Change     2009      2010      % Change     2009  

Unum US

               

Fully Insured Products

   $ 113.9         3.2   $ 110.4       $ 421.7         (8.6 )%    $ 461.4   

Administrative Services Only (ASO) Products

     0.1         (66.7     0.3         1.8         (43.8     3.2   
                                       

Total Unum US

     114.0         3.0        110.7         423.5         (8.8     464.6   

Unum UK

     29.6         (7.8     32.1         86.6         6.7        81.2   

Colonial Life

     80.3         2.3        78.5         237.5         6.0        224.1   

Individual Disability - Closed Block

     0.2         (50.0     0.4         0.6         (50.0     1.2   
                                       

Consolidated

   $ 224.1         1.1      $ 221.7       $ 748.2         (3.0   $ 771.1   
                                       

Sales results shown in the preceding chart generally represent the annualized premium or annualized fee income on new sales which we expect to receive and report as premium income or fee income during the next 12 months following or beginning in the initial quarter in which the sale is reported, depending on the effective date of the new sale. Sales do not correspond to premium income or fee income reported as revenue in accordance with GAAP. This is because new annualized sales premiums reflect current sales performance and what we expect to recognize as premium or fee income over a 12 month period, while premium income and fee income reported in our financial statements are reported on an “as earned” basis rather than an annualized basis and also include renewals and persistency of in-force policies written in prior years as well as current new sales.

Premiums for fully insured products are reported as premium income. Fees for administrative services only (ASO) products are included in other income. Sales, persistency of the existing block of business, and the effectiveness of a renewal program are indicators of growth in premium and fee income. Trends in new sales, as well as existing market share, also indicate the potential for growth in our respective markets and the level of market acceptance of price changes and new product offerings. Sales results may fluctuate significantly due to case size and timing of sales submissions.

We have experienced lower sales growth from some of our product lines during both 2010 and 2009, particularly in the expansion of sales to existing accounts, which we believe is mostly attributable to the current economic environment. We expect this unfavorable pattern may continue in the near term if current economic conditions persist.

 

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See “Segment Results” as follows for additional discussion of sales by segment.

Segment Results

Our reporting segments are comprised of the following: Unum US, Unum UK, Colonial Life, Individual Disability – Closed Block, and Corporate and Other. In the following segment financial data and discussions of segment results, “operating revenue” excludes net realized investment gains and losses. “Operating income” or “operating loss” excludes net realized investment gains and losses and income tax. These are considered non-GAAP financial measures. A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s performance, financial position, or cash flows that excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

These non-GAAP financial measures of “operating revenue” and “operating income” or “operating loss” differ from revenue and income (loss) before income tax as presented in our consolidated operating results and in income statements prepared in accordance with GAAP due to the exclusion of before-tax realized investment gains and losses. We measure segment performance excluding realized investment gains and losses because we believe that this performance measure is a better indicator of the ongoing businesses and the underlying trends in the businesses. Our investment focus is on investment income to support our insurance liabilities as opposed to the generation of realized investment gains and losses, and a long-term focus is necessary to maintain profitability over the life of the business. Realized investment gains and losses depend on market conditions and do not necessarily relate to decisions regarding the underlying business of our segments. However, income or loss excluding realized investment gains and losses does not replace net income or net loss as a measure of overall profitability. We may experience realized investment losses, which will affect future earnings levels since our underlying business is long-term in nature and we need to earn the assumed interest rates in our liabilities.

A reconciliation of total operating revenue by segment to total consolidated revenue and total operating income by segment to consolidated net income is as follows:

(in millions of dollars)

 

     Three Months Ended September 30      Nine Months Ended September 30  
     2010      2009      2010     2009  

Operating Revenue by Segment

   $ 2,526.8       $ 2,502.6       $ 7,602.9      $ 7,556.8   

Net Realized Investment Gain (Loss)

     1.1         14.9         (2.8     37.6   
                                  

Revenue

   $ 2,527.9       $ 2,517.5       $ 7,600.1      $ 7,594.4   
                                  

Operating Income by Segment

   $ 325.4       $ 319.7       $ 998.6      $ 958.8   

Net Realized Investment Gain (Loss)

     1.1         14.9         (2.8     37.6   

Income Tax

     105.7         113.5         335.5        343.2   
                                  

Net Income

   $ 220.8       $ 221.1       $ 660.3      $ 653.2   
                                  

 

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Unum US Segment

The Unum US segment includes group long-term and short-term disability insurance, group life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) products, and supplemental and voluntary lines of business. The supplemental and voluntary lines of business are comprised of recently issued disability insurance, group and individual long-term care insurance, and voluntary benefits products.

Unum US Operating Results

Shown below are financial results for the Unum US segment. In the sections following, financial results and key ratios are also presented for the major lines of business within the segment.

(in millions of dollars)

 

     Three Months Ended September 30     Nine Months Ended September 30  
     2010     % Change     2009     2010     % Change     2009  

Operating Revenue

            

Premium Income

   $ 1,210.6        (0.4 )%    $ 1,215.2      $ 3,643.2        (0.6 )%    $ 3,665.2   

Net Investment Income

     312.9        3.3        302.8        936.2        4.2        898.2   

Other Income

     29.7        3.1        28.8        90.6        0.2        90.4   
                                    

Total

     1,553.2        0.4        1,546.8        4,670.0        0.3        4,653.8   
                                    

Benefits and Expenses

            

Benefits and Change in Reserves for Future Benefits

     962.9        (0.1     964.0        2,882.2        (1.0     2,910.8   

Commissions

     129.6        3.8        124.9        396.4        0.8        393.3   

Interest and Debt Expense

     0.3        (25.0     0.4        0.9        (47.1     1.7   

Deferral of Acquisition Costs

     (81.7     4.1        (78.5     (252.9     (0.4     (253.8

Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs

     80.2        2.3        78.4        249.5        4.6        238.5   

Other Expenses

     257.2        (1.3     260.5        774.0        (2.2     791.3   
                                    

Total

     1,348.5        (0.1     1,349.7        4,050.1        (0.8     4,081.8   
                                    

Operating Income Before Income Tax and Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses

   $ 204.7        3.9      $ 197.1      $ 619.9        8.4      $ 572.0   
                                    

Operating Ratios (% of Premium Income):

            

Benefit Ratio

     79.5       79.3     79.1       79.4

Other Expense Ratio

     21.2       21.4     21.2       21.6

Before-tax Operating Income Ratio

     16.9       16.2     17.0       15.6

 

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Unum US Sales

(in millions of dollars)

 

     Three Months Ended September 30      Nine Months Ended September 30  
     2010      % Change     2009      2010      % Change     2009  

Sales by Product

               

Fully Insured Products

               

Group Disability, Group Life, and AD&D

               

Group Long-term Disability

   $ 21.1         1.9   $ 20.7       $ 80.9         (24.2 )%    $ 106.7   

Group Short-term Disability

     11.5         (16.7     13.8         42.9         (12.6     49.1   

Group Life

     24.5         (12.5     28.0         89.3         (17.6     108.4   

AD&D

     2.6         (10.3     2.9         9.8         (10.1     10.9   
                                       

Subtotal

     59.7         (8.7     65.4         222.9         (19.0     275.1   
                                       

Supplemental and Voluntary

               

Individual Disability - Recently Issued

     11.6         (4.9     12.2         31.5         (20.3     39.5   

Group Long-term Care

     5.7         72.7        3.3         16.3         7.2        15.2   

Individual Long-term Care

     0.0         (100.0     0.4         0.1         (96.3     2.7   

Voluntary Benefits

     36.9         26.8        29.1         150.9         17.1        128.9   
                                       

Subtotal

     54.2         20.4        45.0         198.8         6.7        186.3   
                                       

Total Fully Insured Products

     113.9         3.2        110.4         421.7         (8.6     461.4   

ASO Products

     0.1         (66.7     0.3         1.8         (43.8     3.2   
                                       

Total Sales

   $ 114.0         3.0      $ 110.7       $ 423.5         (8.8   $ 464.6   
                                       

Sales by Market Sector

               

Group Disability, Group Life, and AD&D

               

Core Market (< 2,000 lives)

   $ 44.5         (12.1 )%    $ 50.6       $ 162.2         (10.4 )%    $ 181.1   

Large Case Market

     15.2         2.7        14.8         60.7         (35.4     94.0   
                                       

Subtotal

     59.7         (8.7     65.4         222.9         (19.0     275.1   
                                       

Supplemental and Voluntary

     54.2         20.4        45.0         198.8         6.7        186.3   

Total Fully Insured Products

     113.9         3.2        110.4         421.7         (8.6     461.4   

ASO Products

     0.1         (66.7     0.3         1.8         (43.8     3.2   
                                       

Total Sales

   $ 114.0         3.0      $ 110.7       $ 423.5         (8.8   $ 464.6   
                                       

Unum US sales continue to be negatively impacted by the current economic conditions and the competitive environment. For the third quarter of 2010, sales increased 3.0 percent compared to the same period last year but were 8.8 percent lower than the prior year first nine months. The comparison to the first nine months of 2009 is challenging as the prior period sales results in our group large case segment were unusually high, due in part to the disruption in the marketplace that provided sales opportunities in certain market segments last year. Sales in our group core market segment, which we define for Unum US as employee groups with fewer than 2,000 lives, decreased 12.1 percent and 10.4 percent in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods last year, with lower group long-term and short-term disability sales and lower group life and AD&D sales. The number of new accounts added in our core market segment was 10.0 percent higher than the number of new accounts added during the third quarter of last year, but declined 7.9 percent when compared to the number of new

 

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accounts added during the first nine months of 2009. Sales in the group large case market segment increased 2.7 percent compared to the third quarter of 2009, but decreased 35.4 percent compared to the first nine months of 2009, due in part to one large case sold in the second quarter of 2009. Our year-to-date sales mix is approximately 73 percent core market and 27 percent large case market, with a full-year targeted market distribution mix of 69 percent core/31 percent large case.

Sales of voluntary benefits increased 26.8 percent and 17.1 percent in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, and the number of new accounts increased 7.9 percent and 14.8 percent compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2009. Sales for our individual disability line of business, primarily in the multi-life market, decreased 4.9 percent and 20.3 percent in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009. Sales of group long-term care increased 72.7 percent and 7.2 percent in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009. We discontinued selling individual long-term care during 2009.

We intend to continue our focus on our group core market segment and the voluntary products market, maintaining our ongoing strategy for disciplined pricing, renewals, business mix, and risk selection. We will also seek disciplined growth in our group large case, individual disability, and group long-term care markets.

 

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Unum US Group Disability Operating Results

Shown below are financial results and key performance indicators for Unum US group disability.

(in millions of dollars, except ratios)

 

     Three Months Ended September 30     Nine Months Ended September 30  
     2010     % Change     2009     2010     % Change     2009  

Operating Revenue

            

Premium Income

            

Group Long-term Disability

   $ 404.9        (5.3 )%    $ 427.4      $ 1,233.6        (5.0 )%    $ 1,298.9   

Group Short-term Disability

     108.7        (1.2     110.0        322.5        (0.8     325.2   
                                    

Total Premium Income

     513.6        (4.4     537.4        1,556.1        (4.2     1,624.1   

Net Investment Income

     150.2        (4.5     157.3        457.4        (3.8     475.4   

Other Income

     21.5        (1.8     21.9        64.8        (3.4     67.1   
                                    

Total

     685.3        (4.4     716.6        2,078.3        (4.1     2,166.6   
                                    

Benefits and Expenses

            

Benefits and Change in Reserves for Future Benefits

     434.7        (5.2     458.5        1,314.6        (6.7     1,409.7   

Commissions

     38.5        (3.5     39.9        119.2        (3.5     123.5   

Interest and Debt Expense

     0.3        (25.0     0.4        0.9        (47.1     1.7   

Deferral of Acquisition Costs

     (14.2     (9.6     (15.7     (45.2     (4.4     (47.3

Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs

     15.5        (8.8     17.0        48.2        (5.5     51.0   

Other Expenses

     132.7        (6.2     141.5        402.9        (5.6     427.0   
                                    

Total

     607.5        (5.3     641.6        1,840.6        (6.4     1,965.6   
                                    

Operating Income Before Income Tax and Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses

   $ 77.8        3.7      $ 75.0      $ 237.7        18.3      $ 201.0   
                                    

Operating Ratios (% of Premium Income):

            

Benefit Ratio

     84.6       85.3     84.5       86.8

Other Expense Ratio

     25.8       26.3     25.9       26.3

Before-tax Operating Income Ratio

     15.1       14.0     15.3       12.4

Premium Persistency:

            

Group Long-term Disability

           90.2       87.3

Group Short-term Disability

           89.1       88.5

Case Persistency:

            

Group Long-term Disability

           88.4       87.2

Group Short-term Disability

           87.2       86.2

 

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Group disability premium income decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009, as the ongoing high levels of unemployment and the competitive environment continue to pressure our premium income growth. In particular, premium growth from existing customers continued to be unfavorably impacted by lower salary growth and lower growth in the number of employees covered under an existing policy. Partially offsetting the unfavorable growth trend from existing customers was higher premium and case persistency for both group long-term and short-term disability compared to the prior year. Net investment income was lower in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the same periods of 2009 due primarily to a decrease in the level of assets supporting this line of business and a decline in the level of prepayment income on mortgage-backed securities, partially offset by an increase in bond call premiums. Other income includes ASO fees of $14.3 million and $14.5 million for the third quarters of 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $43.2 million and $45.0 million for the first nine months of 2010 and 2009.

The benefit ratio for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 was lower than the benefit ratio for the prior year periods due primarily to a higher rate of claim recoveries for group long-term disability, offset partially by a year-to-date increase in submitted claim incidence rates for group long-term disability. Submitted incidence rates for group long-term disability were generally consistent for the third quarter of 2010 relative to last year’s third quarter.

Interest and debt expense related to the debt issued by Tailwind Holdings decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the same periods of 2009 due to lower rates of interest on the floating rate debt and a decrease in the amount of outstanding debt resulting from principal repayments.

The deferral of acquisition costs in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 was lower than in the same periods of 2009 due to lower sales during 2010. The amortization of acquisition costs in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 was lower than the same periods of 2009 due to a decrease in amortization related to internal replacement transactions and a declining balance in the deferred acquisition costs asset. The other expense ratio decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the same periods of 2009, despite the decline in premium income, due to our continued focus on expense management.

 

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Unum US Group Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Operating Results

Shown below are financial results and key performance indicators for Unum US group life and accidental death and dismemberment.

(in millions of dollars, except ratios)

 

     Three Months Ended September 30     Nine Months Ended September 30  
     2010     % Change     2009     2010     % Change     2009  

Operating Revenue

            

Premium Income

            

Group Life

   $ 273.0        2.3   $ 266.8      $ 814.5        2.6   $ 793.6   

Accidental Death & Dismemberment

     27.0        1.5        26.6        79.3        (0.4     79.6   
                                    

Total Premium Income

     300.0        2.2        293.4        893.8        2.4        873.2   

Net Investment Income

     32.5        1.6        32.0        95.8        0.7        95.1   

Other Income

     0.6        20.0        0.5        1.8        12.5        1.6   
                                    

Total

     333.1        2.2        325.9        991.4        2.2        969.9   
                                    

Benefits and Expenses

            

Benefits and Change in Reserves for Future Benefits

     211.3        2.4        206.4        627.2        2.3        613.2   

Commissions

     22.2        4.2        21.3        65.9        2.3        64.4   

Deferral of Acquisition Costs

     (12.4     3.3        (12.0     (37.6     4.4        (36.0

Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs

     10.1        (12.9     11.6        33.1        (4.6     34.7   

Other Expenses

     49.1        1.0        48.6        147.3        0.5        146.6   
                                    

Total

     280.3        1.6        275.9        835.9        1.6        822.9   
                                    

Operating Income Before Income Tax and Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses

   $ 52.8        5.6      $ 50.0      $ 155.5        5.8      $ 147.0   
                                    

Operating Ratios (% of Premium Income):

            

Benefit Ratio

     70.4       70.3     70.2       70.2

Other Expense Ratio

     16.4       16.6     16.5       16.8

Before-tax Operating Income Ratio

     17.6       17.0     17.4       16.8

Premium Persistency:

            

Group Life

           91.8       86.8

Accidental Death & Dismemberment

           90.9       87.7

Case Persistency:

            

Group Life

           88.3       86.9

Accidental Death & Dismemberment

           88.4       86.6

Premium income for group life and accidental death and dismemberment increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the same periods of 2009, due primarily to favorable premium persistency and case persistency. Premium and case persistency for the group life product line increased in both the core and large case market segments. Net investment income was generally consistent with the levels of the prior year periods.

The benefit ratio for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 was relatively consistent compared to the same periods of 2009.

 

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The deferral of acquisition costs increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009 due primarily to an increase in the level of deferrable expenses. The amortization of acquisition costs in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 was lower than the same periods of 2009 due to a decrease in amortization related to internal replacement transactions.

The other expense ratio decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 in comparison to the same periods of 2009 due to our continued focus on expense management.

 

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Unum US Supplemental and Voluntary Operating Results

Shown below are financial results and key performance indicators for Unum US supplemental and voluntary product lines.

 

(in millions of dollars, except ratios)                                     
     Three Months Ended September 30     Nine Months Ended September 30  
     2010     % Change     2009     2010     % Change     2009  

Operating Revenue

            

Premium Income

            

Individual Disability - Recently Issued

   $ 116.7        (1.5 )%    $ 118.5      $ 349.5        (2.0 )%    $ 356.6   

Long-term Care

     149.4        1.0        147.9        448.1        0.7        444.8   

Voluntary Benefits

     130.9        10.9        118.0        395.7        8.0        366.5   
                                    

Total Premium Income

     397.0        3.3        384.4        1,193.3        2.2        1,167.9   

Net Investment Income

     130.2        14.7        113.5        383.0        16.9        327.7   

Other Income

     7.6        18.8        6.4        24.0        10.6        21.7   
                                    

Total

     534.8        6.0        504.3        1,600.3        5.5        1,517.3   
                                    

Benefits and Expenses

            

Benefits and Change in Reserves for Future Benefits

     316.9        6.0        299.1        940.4        5.9        887.9   

Commissions

     68.9        8.2        63.7        211.3        2.9        205.4   

Deferral of Acquisition Costs

     (55.1     8.5        (50.8     (170.1     (0.2     (170.5

Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs

     54.6        9.6        49.8        168.2        10.1        152.8   

Other Expenses

     75.4        7.1        70.4        223.8        2.8        217.7   
                                    

Total

     460.7        6.6        432.2        1,373.6        6.2        1,293.3   
                                    

Operating Income Before Income Tax and Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses

   $ 74.1        2.8      $ 72.1      $ 226.7        1.2      $ 224.0   
                                    

Operating Ratios (% of Premium Income):

            

Benefit Ratios

            

Individual Disability - Recently Issued

     54.3       52.1     52.8       52.1

Long-term Care

     121.8       113.5     119.6       110.9

Voluntary Benefits

     54.6       59.0     55.6       57.0

Other Expense Ratio

     19.0       18.3     18.8       18.6

Before-tax Operating Income Ratio

     18.7       18.8     19.0       19.2

Interest Adjusted Loss Ratios:

            

Individual Disability - Recently Issued

     33.8       33.5     32.4       33.9

Long-term Care

     80.9       77.5     80.1       76.4

Premium Persistency:

            

Individual Disability - Recently Issued

           90.4       89.6

Long-term Care

           95.5       94.8

Voluntary Benefits

           80.6       79.7

 

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Premium income in total for these product lines increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the same periods of 2009 due primarily to sales growth in the voluntary benefits product line and higher persistency for all of the product lines. Premium income for individual disability – recently issued declined in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the same periods of 2009 primarily due to lower sales. Net investment income increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the prior year periods due to growth in the level of assets supporting these lines of business, higher bond call premiums, and an increase in our earned yield.

The interest adjusted loss ratio for the individual disability – recently issued line of business increased slightly in the third quarter of 2010 relative to the same period of 2009 due to a higher average size of new claims, but was lower in the first nine months of 2010 relative to the same period of 2009 due primarily to a higher rate of claim recoveries, partially offset by higher claim incidence rates. The interest adjusted loss ratio for long-term care increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the same periods of 2009 due primarily to increased incidence and an increase in the active life reserve. The benefit ratio for voluntary benefits decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 when compared to the same periods of 2009 due primarily to a lower level of both paid claims and the average paid claim size in the voluntary life product line.

The deferral of acquisition costs increased in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the same period of 2009 due to higher sales in the voluntary benefits line of business. The deferral of acquisition costs decreased slightly in the first nine months of 2010 as compared to the same period of 2009 due to the decrease in acquisition-related expenses related to our individual long-term care line of business, which we discontinued selling in 2009, and a decrease in sales in the individual disability – recently issued line of business, partially offset by higher sales for the voluntary benefits line of business. The amortization of deferred acquisition costs was higher in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the same periods of 2009 due to an acceleration of amortization resulting from lower persistency for certain issue years in certain of the product lines.

The other expense ratio increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009 due primarily to investments in various initiatives within our voluntary benefits line of business.

Segment Outlook

During the first nine months of 2010, we continued to experience an unfavorable impact on premium and sales growth, particularly growth in existing customer accounts, which we attribute to the current economic environment. Partially offsetting this unfavorable impact on premiums was higher than expected premium and case persistency in our group lines of business. We believe this is temporary in nature and that persistency will return to historical levels in 2011. Opportunities for premium and sales growth are expected to re-emerge as the economy improves and employment growth resumes. We expect some volatility in net investment income during the remainder of 2010 as a result of fluctuations in bond calls and other types of miscellaneous net investment income. We intend to continue to manage our expense levels relative to premium levels through operating effectiveness and performance management.

Periods of economic downturns have historically affected disability claim incidence rates and, to a lesser extent, disability claim recovery rates in certain sectors of the market. Certain risks and uncertainties are inherent in disability business. Components of claims experience, such as incidence and recovery rates, may be worse than we expect. Disability claim incidence and claim recovery rates may be influenced by, among other factors, the rate of unemployment and consumer confidence. Within the group disability market, pricing and renewal actions can be taken to react to higher claim rates, but these actions take time to implement, and there is a risk that the market will not sustain increased prices. In addition, changes in economic and external conditions may not manifest themselves in claims experience for an extended period of time. The current economic conditions may lead to a higher rate of claim incidence or lower levels of claim recoveries. We have previously taken steps to improve our risk profile, including reducing our exposure to volatile business segments through diversification by market size, product segment, and industry segment. We believe our claims management organization is positioned for stable and sustainable performance levels. The level of disability claims incidence, while higher than the first half of 2009, is generally consistent with what we experienced in the second half of 2009 and in the first six months of 2010. We are uncertain as to whether the higher claim incidence is due to the normal volatility that occurs in our group disability business or is related to the economy. We continuously monitor key indicators to assess our risk to the economic slowdown and attempt to adjust our business plans accordingly.

 

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We believe our Unum US growth strategy is sound. We continue to see future growth opportunity based on employee choice, defined employer funding, simple administration, and effective communication. Our strategies for growth focus on (i) delivering product choice through an integrated, easy-to-manage, and flexible platform, (ii) providing communications to employees with a focus on education and enrollment efficiencies, (iii) continued expansion and improvement in distribution, and (iv) developing strong capabilities to cross-sell, re-enroll, and retain customers.

We intend to continue to embed our culture of risk management while maintaining our operating effectiveness, with a focus on talent development across our businesses. We believe we are well-positioned strategically in our markets and that opportunities for continued disciplined growth exist in our group core market segment and in the voluntary markets. We will continue to manage our value businesses, which we define as the group large case market, individual disability, and long-term care product lines, in a disciplined manner for market growth and profitability. While the current economic conditions have impacted our ability to grow premium income and will continue to do so until we return to a more normal economic environment, we expect to achieve marginal year over year growth in our premium income during the fourth quarter of 2010 and continuing into 2011. We anticipate that the benefit ratio in our group disability product line will remain fairly level during the remainder of 2010, with a slight improvement in 2011 driven primarily by case size mix shift. We think future margin improvement is achievable, although at a slower rate of growth than was achieved for 2009, driven primarily by our ongoing product mix shift and the growth of our voluntary benefits product line.

 

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Unum UK Segment

Unum UK includes insurance for group long-term disability, group life, and individual disability products sold primarily in the United Kingdom through field sales personnel and independent brokers and consultants.

Operating Results

Shown below are financial results and key performance indicators for the Unum UK segment.

 

(in millions of dollars, except ratios)             
     Three Months Ended September 30     Nine Months Ended September 30  
     2010     % Change     2009     2010     % Change     2009  

Operating Revenue

            

Premium Income

            

Group Long-term Disability

   $ 108.0        (11.2 )%    $ 121.6      $ 327.2        (12.9 )%    $ 375.8   

Group Life

     44.5        16.8        38.1        126.8        21.7        104.2   

Individual Disability

     8.9        (11.0     10.0        26.1        0.0        26.1   
                                    

Total Premium Income

     161.4        (4.9     169.7        480.1        (5.1     506.1   

Net Investment Income

     39.0        73.3        22.5        121.9        45.6        83.7   

Other Income

     0.2        (66.7     0.6        1.1        (38.9     1.8   
                                    

Total

     200.6        4.0        192.8        603.1        1.9        591.6   
                                    

Benefits and Expenses

            

Benefits and Change in Reserves for Future Benefits

     108.0        26.8        85.2        313.5        17.7        266.3   

Commissions

     11.7        5.4        11.1        31.9        (4.2     33.3   

Deferral of Acquisition Costs

     (6.7     (15.2     (7.9     (20.5     (2.4     (21.0

Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs

     6.9        (10.4     7.7        20.3        (9.8     22.5   

Other Expenses

     33.5        (11.8     38.0        97.2        (4.9     102.2   
                                    

Total

     153.4        14.4        134.1        442.4        9.7        403.3   
                                    

Operating Income Before Income Tax and Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses

   $ 47.2        (19.6   $ 58.7      $ 160.7        (14.7   $ 188.3   
                                    

Operating Ratios (% of Premium Income):

            

Benefit Ratio

     66.9       50.2     65.3       52.6

Other Expense Ratio

     20.8       22.4     20.2       20.2

Before-tax Operating Income Ratio

     29.2       34.6     33.5       37.2

Persistency:

            

Group Long-term Disability

           91.1       87.7

Group Life

           92.5       78.2

Individual Disability

           88.7       88.6

 

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Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency of Unum UK is the British pound sterling. Unum UK’s premiums, net investment income, claims, and expenses are received or paid in pounds, and we hold pound-denominated assets to support Unum UK’s pound-denominated policy reserves and liabilities. We translate Unum UK’s pound-denominated financial statement items into dollars for our consolidated financial reporting. We translate income statement items using an average exchange rate for the reporting period, and we translate balance sheet items using the exchange rate at the end of the period. We report unrealized foreign currency translation gains and losses in accumulated other comprehensive income in our consolidated balance sheets.

Fluctuations in the pound to dollar exchange rate have an effect on Unum UK’s reported financial results and our consolidated financial results. In periods when the pound weakens relative to the preceding period, as in the third quarter of 2010, translating pounds into dollars decreases current periods’ results relative to the prior period. In periods when the pound strengthens, as in the first nine months of 2010, translating into dollars increases current periods’ results in relation to the prior periods.

 

(in millions of pounds, except ratios)             
     Three Months Ended September 30     Nine Months Ended September 30  
     2010     % Change     2009     2010     % Change     2009  

Operating Revenue

            

Premium Income

            

Group Long-term Disability

   £ 69.6        (6.2 )%    £ 74.2      £ 213.1        (12.8 )%    £  244.3   

Group Life

     28.7        23.2        23.3        82.6        22.6        67.4   

Individual Disability

     5.8        (1.7     5.9        17.0        1.2        16.8   
                                    

Total Premium Income

     104.1        0.7        103.4        312.7        (4.8     328.5   

Net Investment Income

     25.2        83.9        13.7        79.5        45.6        54.6   

Other Income

     0.0        (100.0     0.4        0.7        (41.7     1.2   
                                    

Total

     129.3        10.0        117.5        392.9        2.2        384.3   
                                    

Benefits and Expenses

            

Benefits and Change in Reserves for Future Benefits

     69.7        34.6        51.8        204.1        18.3        172.6   

Commissions

     7.6        13.4        6.7        20.8        (3.7     21.6   

Deferral of Acquisition Costs

     (4.3     (12.2     (4.9     (13.4     (1.5     (13.6

Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs

     4.4        (6.4     4.7        13.2        (9.6     14.6   

Other Expenses

     21.5        (8.1     23.4        63.4        (4.1     66.1   
                                    

Total

     98.9        21.1        81.7        288.1        10.3        261.3   
                                    

Operating Income Before Income Tax and Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses

   £ 30.4        (15.1   £ 35.8      £  104.8        (14.8   £ 123.0   
                                    

Weighted Average Pound/Dollar Exchange Rate

     1.553          1.640        1.533          1.531   

Premium income increased slightly during the third quarter of 2010 relative to last year’s third quarter but decreased for the first nine months of 2010 relative to comparable period of 2009. The year-to-date decrease was due primarily to lower premium growth from existing customers and pricing actions due to the competitive U.K. market, partially offset by higher persistency.

 

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Net investment income increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the same periods of 2009 due primarily to an increase in inflation which increased the return on bonds for which interest income is linked to a U.K. inflation index. These index-linked bonds match the claim reserves associated with certain of our group policies that provide for inflation-linked increases in benefits. The increase in net investment income attributable to these index-linked bonds was generally offset by an increase in the reserves for future claims payments related to the inflation index-linked group policies.

The benefit ratio increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the same periods of 2009 due primarily to unfavorable risk results for the group disability product line, which was driven by the impact of higher inflation on claim reserves associated with group long-term disability policies containing an inflation-linked benefit increase feature, as discussed above, as well as a lower rate of claim recoveries. The third quarter increase for group disability was partially offset by slightly favorable risk results for the group life line of business when compared to the third quarter of 2009. Risk results for the group life line of business were unfavorable in the first nine months of 2010 when compared to the same period of 2009 due to an increase in claim size for the dependent life block.

The deferral of acquisition costs in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 decreased in comparison to the same periods of 2009 due to a lower level of deferrable expenses. The decrease in amortization of deferred acquisition costs in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the same periods of 2009 is due primarily to a decrease in amortization related to internal replacement transactions.

The other expense ratio in the third quarter of 2010 decreased in comparison to the same period of 2009 and in the first nine months was consistent with the prior year due to a continued focus on expense management.

Sales

Shown below are sales results in dollars and in pounds for the Unum UK segment.

 

(in millions)              
     Three Months Ended September 30      Nine Months Ended September 30  
     2010      % Change     2009      2010      % Change     2009  

Group Long-term Disability

   $ 14.5         7.4   $ 13.5       $ 42.1         (7.1 )%    $ 45.3   

Group Life

     14.0         (18.1     17.1         41.0         28.9        31.8   

Individual Disability

     1.1         (26.7     1.5         3.5         (14.6     4.1   
                                       

Total Sales

   $ 29.6         (7.8   $ 32.1       $ 86.6         6.7      $ 81.2   
                                       

Group Long-term Disability

   £ 9.4         13.3   £ 8.3       £  27.5         (7.1 )%    £  29.6   

Group Life

     9.0         (13.5     10.4         26.7         33.5        20.0   

Individual Disability

     0.7         (22.2     0.9         2.3         (11.5     2.6   
                                       

Total Sales

   £  19.1         (2.6   £  19.6       £  56.5         8.2      £  52.2   
                                       

Sales in Unum UK decreased in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009. The sales decrease in group life was attributable to lower sales in the core market, which we define for Unum UK as employee groups with fewer than 500 lives, as well as lower sales to existing customers. Partially offsetting these declines were slightly higher sales in the group life large case market. The increase in sales in the group long-term disability line of business was attributable to increased sales to existing customers, partially offset by lower sales in the core and large case markets.

 

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Sales in Unum UK increased in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009. The sales growth in group life was attributable to sales growth in the core and large case markets as well as higher sales to existing customers. The decrease in sales in the group long-term disability line of business was attributable to a decline in sales in the large case market, partially offset by higher core market sales and higher sales to existing customers.

Negatively affecting year over year comparisons is an increase in prior year third quarter and year-to-date sales which resulted from the exit of another large insurance provider from the U.K. group risk market.

Segment Outlook

During the first nine months of 2010, we experienced an unfavorable impact on premium growth as a result of the challenging economic and competitive pricing environment. We expect this may continue in the near term if current economic and competitive conditions in the U.K. persist. Our sales growth may also be impacted by a prolonged competitive pricing environment in the U.K. The level of disability claim incidence in the first nine months of 2010 relative to the comparable period of last year is generally consistent, but our claim recovery rate is unfavorable to the prior year, due in part to the impact of the economic environment on our ability to resolve claims. We continuously monitor key indicators to assess our risk to the economic slowdown and attempt to adjust our business plans accordingly. Continued fluctuations in the U.S. dollar relative to the British pound sterling impact our reported operating results.

Our current growth strategy focuses on generating organic growth and expanding our role as the leading provider of group disability insurance in the U.K. Our strategy for future growth combines optimizing the performance of our existing business while developing new market opportunities. We intend to optimize performance of the existing business by (i) increasing underwriting and pricing discipline, (ii) improving our claims management processes, and (iii) expanding our broker market capabilities and sales effectiveness. We intend to develop new market opportunities by raising awareness of the need for income protection and by offering a suite of employee paid workplace solutions using integrated products with simpler, defined choices and flexible funding options through a streamlined and efficient platform with online capabilities matched to broker and employer needs.

We intend to continue to maintain our risk management culture as we focus on the achievement of sustainable and profitable growth through disciplined pricing, premium persistency, risk selection, and claims management. We expect to maintain our strong market leadership position in the U.K. In the current competitive pricing market and economic environment, we continue to have a cautious outlook for premium growth. We anticipate returning to more normalized levels of premium growth through continued favorable persistency and price increases, as well as increased sales to existing and new customers which we expect to occur commensurate with the timing of the U.K. economic recovery. Due to the disciplined cost management process we have implemented, we intend to continue to align our operating expenses with premium growth through the implementation of expense efficiencies. We expect our margins to continue at a favorable level, but below the level of 2009.

 

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Colonial Life Segment

The Colonial Life segment includes insurance for accident, sickness, and disability products, life products, and cancer and critical illness products issued primarily by Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company and marketed to employees at the workplace through an agency sales force and brokers.

Operating Results

Shown below are financial results and key performance indicators for the Colonial Life segment.

 

(in millions of dollars, except ratios)                                     
     Three Months Ended September 30     Nine Months Ended September 30  
     2010     % Change     2009     2010     % Change     2009  

Operating Revenue

            

Premium Income

            

Accident, Sickness, and Disability

   $ 166.1        6.3   $ 156.2      $ 493.1        5.4   $ 467.8   

Life

     43.4        5.6        41.1        131.0        6.4        123.1   

Cancer and Critical Illness

     59.8        6.4        56.2        178.0        6.7        166.8   
                                    

Total Premium Income

     269.3        6.2        253.5        802.1        5.9        757.7   

Net Investment Income

     31.9        8.5        29.4        91.1        6.7        85.4   

Other Income

     0.2        100.0        0.1        0.5        25.0        0.4   
                                    

Total

     301.4        6.5        283.0        893.7        6.0        843.5   
                                    

Benefits and Expenses

            

Benefits and Change in Reserves for Future Benefits

     134.3        10.0        122.1        388.5        9.2        355.8   

Commissions

     59.5        11.4        53.4        171.7        6.8        160.8   

Deferral of Acquisition Costs

     (62.5     9.5        (57.1     (182.1     6.5        (171.0

Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs

     43.5        (1.8     44.3        137.9        2.9        134.0   

Other Expenses

     52.1        4.4        49.9        156.3        3.3        151.3   
                                    

Total

     226.9        6.7        212.6        672.3        6.6        630.9   
                                    

Operating Income Before Income Tax and Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses

   $ 74.5        5.8      $ 70.4      $ 221.4        4.1      $ 212.6   
                                    

Operating Ratios (% of Premium Income):

            

Benefit Ratio

     49.9       48.2     48.4       47.0

Other Expense Ratio

     19.3       19.7     19.5       20.0

Before-tax Operating Income Ratio

     27.7       27.8     27.6       28.1

Persistency:

            

Accident, Sickness, and Disability

           76.4       74.0

Life

           85.8       84.6

Cancer and Critical Illness

           85.0       83.5

Premium income increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the same periods of 2009 due primarily to increased sales and favorable persistency. Net investment income increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 in comparison to the same periods of 2009 due to growth in the level of assets, an increase in income from partnership investments, and an increase in bond call premiums.

 

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The overall benefit ratio increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the same periods of 2009 due to unfavorable experience in the accident, sickness, and disability product line resulting from an increase in the level of paid claims as well as a slightly higher level of claim incidence. In the cancer and critical illness product line, the benefit ratio decreased in the third quarter of 2010 relative to the same period of 2009 due primarily to a refinement of the loss adjustment expense reserve calculation. For the first nine months of 2010, the cancer and critical illness benefit ratio increased relative to the same period of 2009 due primarily to the continued higher levels of large claims on the older block of cancer products. Somewhat negatively affecting year over year comparisons for the first nine months is the release of active life reserves in the second quarter of 2009 in our cancer and critical illness product line. The life benefit ratio decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the same periods of 2009 due primarily to favorable mortality.

Commissions and the deferral of acquisition costs increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009 due primarily to increased sales. The amortization of deferred acquisition costs in the third quarter of 2010 was lower relative to the same period of 2009 due to updates of estimated gross profits for certain of our interest-sensitive policies. The amortization of deferred acquisition costs in the first nine months of 2010 was higher relative to the same period of 2009 due to the continued increase in the level of deferred acquisition costs, offset partially by the decrease in amortization related to certain of our interest-sensitive policies.

The other expense ratio decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009 due primarily to a continued focus on expense management.

Sales

 

(in millions of dollars)                                        
     Three Months Ended September 30      Nine Months Ended September 30  
     2010      % Change     2009      2010      % Change     2009  

Accident, Sickness, and Disability

   $ 53.6         6.8   $ 50.2       $ 158.4         8.8   $ 145.6   

Life

     14.7         (10.4     16.4         44.8         0.2        44.7   

Cancer and Critical Illness

     12.0         0.8        11.9         34.3         1.5        33.8   
                                       

Total Sales

   $ 80.3         2.3      $ 78.5       $ 237.5         6.0      $ 224.1   
                                       

Colonial Life’s sales in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 increased 2.3 percent and 6.0 percent relative to the same periods of 2009. New account sales increased 0.5 percent and 7.1 percent, and existing account sales increased 3.3 percent and 5.3 percent in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the comparable prior year periods. Sales increased 5.7 percent and 9.6 percent in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 in the commercial market, driven primarily by sales growth in both the core market segment, which we define as accounts with fewer than 1,000 lives, and the large case segment. In the public sector market, sales declined 7.5 percent and 6.5 percent in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009. The number of new accounts in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 increased 10.2 percent and 17.3 percent relative to the same periods of 2009, while the average new case size declined.

Segment Outlook

During the first nine months of 2010, our premium growth was modest relative to historical trends due to sluggish sales growth in 2009 and 2008. While we are encouraged by our year-to-date 2010 sales results, slower sales and premium growth levels may continue in the near term if the current economic conditions persist and continue to affect employment growth, the buying patterns of employees, and the deferral by employers of the introduction of new employee benefit plans. Periods of economic downturns have historically had minimal impact on the risk results of Colonial Life, due primarily to a diversified product portfolio that is designed with short duration, indemnity benefits. During the first nine months of 2010, we have experienced a slight increase in claim incidence levels in the accident, sickness, and disability line. However, there was not a concentration in any particular market sector. We continuously monitor key indicators to assess our risk to an economic slowdown or recession and attempt to adjust our business plans accordingly.

 

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Given the general stability and consistency of our risk results, we intend to continue to concentrate on developing our agency distribution system and implementing marketing strategies to accelerate sales growth. We believe our value proposition, through which we serve as benefits counselors for employers and employees and as a single source for benefits communication, voluntary insurance products, and enrollment services, is well positioned for changes in the voluntary market. Our growth strategy for the remainder of 2010 will focus on (i) distribution expansion and effectiveness, (ii) benefits communication, primarily through one-to-one enrollment, (iii) targeted marketing programs to accelerate new account growth and better penetrate existing accounts, and (iv) balanced growth in our market segments.

We intend to continue with our commitment to fostering our risk management culture while we seek to further expand our market opportunities. While we expect premium growth to be modest in the near term, strong profit margins are expected to continue, although we expect our overall benefit ratio to return to more historical levels and be slightly elevated relative to the favorable risk experience of 2009 and 2008. We believe premium growth will reaccelerate as the economy improves and employment growth resumes.

 

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Individual Disability – Closed Block Segment

The Individual Disability – Closed Block segment generally consists of those individual disability policies in-force before the substantial changes in product offerings, pricing, distribution, and underwriting, which generally occurred during the period 1994 through 1998. A small amount of new business continued to be sold after these changes, but we stopped selling new policies in this segment at the beginning of 2004 other than update features contractually allowable on existing policies.

Operating Results

Shown below are financial results and key performance indicators for the Individual Disability – Closed Block segment.

 

(in millions of dollars, except ratios)                                     
     Three Months Ended September 30     Nine Months Ended September 30  
     2010     % Change     2009     2010     % Change     2009  

Operating Revenue

            

Premium Income

   $ 208.5        (5.9 )%    $ 221.5      $ 635.0        (6.5 )%    $ 679.1   

Net Investment Income

     185.5        0.6        184.4        563.5        0.9        558.2   

Other Income

     22.7        (6.6     24.3        67.3        (12.6     77.0   
                                    

Total

     416.7        (3.1     430.2        1,265.8        (3.7     1,314.3   
                                    

Benefits and Expenses

            

Benefits and Change in Reserves for Future Benefits

     360.8        (2.4     369.7        1,090.0        (2.9     1,122.2   

Commissions

     12.8        (9.9     14.2        39.3        (11.3     44.3   

Interest and Debt Expense

     3.1        (8.8     3.4        8.9        (34.1     13.5   

Other Expenses

     30.2        (15.4     35.7        93.7        (11.4     105.8   
                                    

Total

     406.9        (3.8     423.0        1,231.9        (4.2     1,285.8   
                                    

Operating Income Before Income Tax and Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses

   $ 9.8        36.1      $ 7.2      $ 33.9        18.9      $ 28.5   
                                    

Interest Adjusted Loss Ratio

     85.5       81.6     85.1       81.6

Operating Ratios (% of Premium Income):

            

Other Expense Ratio

     14.5       16.1     14.8       15.6

Before-tax Operating Income Ratio

     4.7       3.3     5.3       4.2

Premium Persistency

           93.5       93.2

The decrease in premium income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the same periods of 2009 is due to the expected run-off of this block of closed business driven by expected policy terminations and maturities. Net investment income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 was slightly higher than the same periods of 2009, with higher bond call premiums mostly offset by a lower earned yield and a lower level of assets supporting this closed block of business.

Other income decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the same periods of 2009 due to less favorable results from certain blocks of reinsured business, including less favorable investment results from portfolios held by those ceding companies to support the blocks we have reinsured.

 

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The interest adjusted loss ratio for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 increased relative to the same periods of 2009 due to lower claim recoveries on a year-to-date basis and lower claim settlements, partially offset by lower claim incidence rates. Interest and debt expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 decreased from the same periods of 2009 due to lower rates of interest on our floating rate debt issued by Northwind Holdings and a decrease in the amount of outstanding debt resulting from principal repayments.

Segment Outlook

We expect that this segment may experience volatility in net investment income due to the variability in interest rates on floating rate assets and also due to volatility of bond call premiums relative to historical levels. A portion of the volatility in interest income will be offset by commensurate changes in the interest expense on our floating rate debt.

We expect that operating revenue and income will continue to decline over time as this closed block of business winds down. We believe that the interest adjusted loss ratio for this block of business will be relatively flat over the long term, but the segment may experience quarterly volatility. Claim resolution rates, which measure the resolution of claims from recovery, deaths, settlements, and benefit expirations, are very sensitive to operational and environmental changes and can be volatile. Our claim resolution rate assumption used in determining reserves is our expectation of the resolution rate we will experience over the life of the block of business and will vary from actual experience in any one period. It is possible that variability in our reserve assumptions could result in a material impact on our reserve levels.

 

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Corporate and Other Segment

The Corporate and Other segment includes investment income on corporate assets not specifically allocated to a line of business, interest expense on corporate debt other than non-recourse debt, and certain other corporate income and expense not allocated to a line of business. Corporate and Other also includes results from certain Unum US insurance products not actively marketed, including individual life and corporate-owned life insurance, reinsurance pools and management operations, group pension, health insurance, and individual annuities. We expect operating revenue and income resulting from these insurance products to decline over time as these business lines wind down.

Operating Results

 

(in millions of dollars)                                     
     Three Months Ended September 30     Nine Months Ended September 30  
     2010     % Change     2009     2010     % Change     2009  

Operating Revenue

            

Premium Income

   $ 0.4        (66.7 )%    $ 1.2      $ 2.8        64.7   $ 1.7   

Net Investment Income

     49.1        21.2        40.5        148.5        18.4        125.4   

Other Income

     5.4        (33.3     8.1        19.0        (28.3     26.5   
                                    

Total

     54.9        10.2        49.8        170.3        10.9        153.6   
                                    

Benefits and Expenses

            

Benefits and Change in Reserves for Future Benefits

     21.5        (10.8     24.1        61.8        (11.6     69.9   

Commissions

     0.4        N.M.        0.0        0.8        60.0        0.5   

Interest and Debt Expense

     31.8        32.0        24.1        92.9        22.7        75.7   

Other Expenses

     12.0        (21.6     15.3        52.1        4.0        50.1   
                                    

Total

     65.7        3.5        63.5        207.6        5.8        196.2   
                                    

Operating Loss Before Income Tax and Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses

   $ (10.8     21.2      $ (13.7   $ (37.3     12.4      $ (42.6
                                    

 

N.M. = not a meaningful percentage

Non-Insurance Product Results

Operating revenue was $25.0 million and $76.1 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to $17.5 million and $52.8 million in the same periods of 2009. Operating losses were $17.1 million and $47.2 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to $21.0 million and $67.3 million in the same periods of 2009.

The increase in operating revenue in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009 is due primarily to higher net investment income resulting from higher asset levels and an increase in bond call premiums.

Interest and debt expense increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009 due primarily to the September 2010 issuance of $400.0 million of 5.625% senior notes and the September 2009 issuance of $350.0 million of 7.125% senior notes. The higher interest and debt expense associated with the two new debt issuances was partially offset by the repayment of $10.0 million of 7.08% medium-term notes due 2024 during the first quarter of 2010 and the repayment of $108.2 million of 5.859% senior notes during the second quarter of 2009.

 

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Other expenses were $10.3 million and $30.4 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to $14.4 million and $44.4 million in the same periods of 2009. The decrease in other expenses is due primarily to lower pension costs.

Insurance Product Results

Operating revenue for our insurance products was $29.9 million and $94.2 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to $32.3 million and $100.8 million in the same periods of 2009, with premium income higher in the first nine months of 2010 due to a refund of premium from the reinsurance pools. These closed lines of business had operating income of $6.3 million and $9.9 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to $7.3 million and $24.7 million in the same periods of 2009. Other expenses were higher in 2010 compared to the prior year due to increased litigation costs.

Segment Outlook

The general economic outlook for corporate bond defaults continues to improve relative to recent quarters. However, as part of our risk management program, we have tested whether our capital plans have sufficient cushion to absorb possible losses. We believe we are well-positioned due to the strong capital position at our insurance subsidiaries and holding companies, as well as our on-going capital generation. We intend to continue our disciplined approach to risk management.

Interest and debt expense will remain higher in 2010 relative to 2009 due to the issuances of debt in September of 2010 and 2009. We do not expect litigation costs to remain at the elevated level of the first nine months of 2010. Pension expense for full year 2010 is expected to be approximately $15.0 million lower than the level of 2009.

Investments

Overview

Investment activities are an integral part of our business, and profitability is significantly affected by investment results. We segment our invested assets into portfolios that support our various product lines. Generally, our investment strategy for our portfolios is to match the effective asset cash flows and durations with related expected liability cash flows and durations to consistently meet the liability funding requirements of our businesses. We seek to earn investment income while assuming credit risk in a prudent and selective manner, subject to constraints of quality, liquidity, diversification, and regulatory considerations. Our overall investment philosophy is to invest in a portfolio of high quality assets that provide investment returns consistent with that assumed in the pricing of our insurance products. Assets are invested predominately in fixed maturity securities, and the portfolio is matched with liabilities so as to eliminate as much as possible our exposure to changes in the overall level of interest rates. Changes in interest rates may affect the amount and timing of cash flows.

We actively manage our asset and liability cash flow match and our asset and liability duration match to limit interest rate risk. We may redistribute investments between our different lines of business, when necessary, to adjust the cash flow and/or duration of the asset portfolios to better match the cash flow and duration of the liability portfolios. Asset and liability portfolio modeling is updated on a quarterly basis and is used as part of the overall interest rate risk management strategy. Cash flows from the in-force asset and liability portfolios are projected at current interest rate levels and also at levels reflecting an increase and a decrease in interest rates to obtain a range of projected cash flows under the different interest rate scenarios. These results enable us to assess the impact of projected changes in cash flows and duration resulting from potential changes in interest rates. Testing the asset and liability portfolios under various interest rate scenarios enables us to choose the most appropriate investment strategy as well as to limit the risk of disadvantageous outcomes. We use this analysis in determining hedging strategies for managing interest rate risk and the risk related to matching duration for our assets and liabilities. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

 

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Our investment portfolio is well diversified by type of investment and industry sector. We have established an investment strategy that we believe will provide for adequate cash flows from operations and allow us to hold our securities through periods where significant decreases in fair value occur. We believe our emphasis on risk management in our investment portfolio, including credit and interest rate management, has positioned us well and generally reduced the volatility in our results.

We have no exposure to subprime mortgages, “Alt-A” loans, or collateralized debt obligations in our asset-backed, mortgage-backed securities, or public bond portfolios. At September 30, 2010, we had $199.3 million fair value ($185.0 million amortized cost) of exposure to investments for which the payment of interest and principal is guaranteed under a financial guaranty insurance policy. The weighted average rating of the underlying securities, absent the guaranty insurance policy, is A1. We held $419.9 million fair value ($400.4 million amortized cost) of perpetual debentures, or “hybrid” securities, that generally have no fixed maturity date. Interest on these securities due on any payment date may be deferred by the issuer. The interest payments are generally deferrable only to the extent that the issuer has suspended dividends or other distributions or payments to any of its shareholders or any other perpetual debt instrument.

For information on our valuation of investments and our formal investment policy, including our overall quality and diversification objectives, see “Critical Accounting Estimates” and “Investments” in Part II, Item 7 of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Investment Results

Net investment income increased 6.7 percent and 6.3 percent in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 relative to the same periods of 2009 due primarily to continued growth in the level of invested assets and higher bond call premiums. The duration weighted book yield on the fixed income securities in our investment portfolio was 6.73 percent as of September 30, 2010, and the weighted average credit rating was A3. This compares to a yield of 6.74 percent as of December 31, 2009 and a weighted average credit rating of A3. At September 30, 2010, the weighted average duration of our policyholder liability portfolio was approximately 8.53 years, and the weighted average duration of our investment portfolio supporting those policyholder liabilities was approximately 7.13 years, the difference of which is moderately outside our investment policy guidelines. As part of our asset and liability portfolio modeling, we continually review our investment strategy and our tolerance levels relative to duration mismatch.

Realized investment gains and losses, before tax, are as follows:

 

(in millions of dollars)                         
     Three Months Ended September 30     Nine Months Ended September 30  
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Fixed Maturity Securities

        

Gross Gains on Sales

   $ 6.0      $ 22.6      $ 35.4      $ 37.9   

Gross Losses on Sales

     (4.1     (22.7     (25.8     (68.5

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Loss

     0.0        (33.6     (10.4     (155.3

Mortgage Loans and Other Invested Assets

        

Gross Gains on Sales

     0.3        7.2        6.9        10.4   

Gross Losses on Sales

     (2.3     0.0        (3.1     (0.3

Impairment Loss

     (0.4     (3.0     (2.1     (7.0

Embedded Derivative in Modified Coinsurance Arrangement

     1.6        44.4        (3.7     208.1   

Other Derivatives

     0.0        0.0        0.0        12.3   
                                

Net Realized Investment Gain (Loss)

   $ 1.1      $ 14.9      $ (2.8   $ 37.6   
                                

 

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Realized Investment Losses $10.0 Million or Greater from Other-Than-Temporary Impairments

 

   

During the first nine months of 2010, we recognized an other-than-temporary impairment loss of $10.2 million on securities issued by a Netherlands financial services company. The company recorded significant impairment losses in its securities and real estate portfolios during 2009 and 2008 and required a significant amount of government aid. At the time of the impairment loss, these securities had been in an unrealized loss position for a period of greater than three years.

 

   

During the first nine months of 2009, we recognized an other-than-temporary impairment loss of $33.3 million on securities issued by a U.S. media conglomerate. The company reported mixed fourth quarter 2008 operating results as its outdoor advertising weakened significantly. During the first quarter of 2009, the company borrowed $1.6 billion against its lines of credit and completed a tender/exchange offer to improve its near term debt maturity profile. Continued signs that the company’s operations had weakened materially in the first quarter 2009, as well as the continued weakness in the economy, led us to believe that covenant violations could occur in the near future. At the time of the impairment loss, these securities had been in an unrealized loss position for a period of greater than three years.

 

   

During the first nine months of 2009, we recognized an other-than-temporary impairment loss of $23.9 million on securities issued by a U.S. automotive parts company. Due to the weak economy, automobile production had decreased dramatically, with the expectation of further production reductions at the time of the impairment loss. Declining earnings caused the company to be out of compliance with covenants in certain of its debt issues. The company eventually obtained waivers on these covenants, the terms of which precluded the company from making interest payments on certain of its other debt issues. The company was unable to cure this default within the grace period and ultimately was forced to file for bankruptcy. At the time of the impairment loss, these securities had been in an unrealized loss position for a period of greater than three years.

 

   

During the first nine months of 2009, we recognized an other-than-temporary impairment loss of $23.7 million on principal protected equity linked trust certificates representing our investment in a trust which holds forward contracts to purchase shares of a Vanguard S&P 500 index mutual fund. We recognized the other-than-temporary impairment loss because we intended to sell the security. At the time of the impairment loss, these securities had been in an unrealized loss position for a period of greater than one year but less than two years.

 

   

During the first nine months of 2009, we recognized an other-than-temporary impairment loss of $20.1 million on securities issued by a large specialty chemical company. The company reported fourth quarter 2008 earnings that were weaker than expected, which limited its prospects of refinancing its 2009 debt maturities. The company had been pursuing asset sales to raise cash but was unable to do so in time to avoid a financial restructuring. During the first quarter of 2009, the company filed for bankruptcy protection. At the time of the impairment loss, these securities had been in an unrealized loss position for a period of greater than two years but less than three years.

 

   

During the first nine months of 2009, we recognized an other-than-temporary impairment loss of $19.5 million on securities issued by a U.S. automotive parts company. The majority of the company’s revenues are generated by sales to a single domestic automobile manufacturer. Due to the weak economy, automobile production had decreased dramatically, with the expectation of further production cuts. The U.S. government made available a $5 billion credit facility to several automotive parts companies to help maintain automotive supplier liquidity. However, with their largest customer likely to undergo a major financial restructuring and/or bankruptcy filing, the company faced increased challenges. In March 2009 its external auditors stated there was “substantial doubt” about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern if the automotive industry’s financial problems were not resolved soon. At the time of the impairment loss, these securities had been in an unrealized loss position for a period of greater than three years.

 

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During the first nine months of 2009, we recognized an other-than-temporary impairment loss of $16.9 million on securities issued by a U.K. financial institution. During 2008, a significant decrease in funding liquidity ultimately required the U.K. government to nationalize this institution. In this process, the government provided guarantees on deposits, senior debt, and loans. In the first quarter of 2009, the company announced it had developed a plan for a legal and capital restructuring of the company, which it expected to complete in the second half of 2009. During the second quarter of 2009, the company submitted its plan to the European Commission (EC) and requested permission to begin the program under EC competition rules. The EC released various aspects of the company’s restructuring plan, which included splitting the company into multiple entities. It appeared we would be unable to recover the entire cost basis of our securities, which are subordinate to the government’s debt as well as other creditors. At the time of the impairment loss, these securities had been in an unrealized loss position for a period of greater than two years but less than three years.

Realized Investment Losses $10.0 Million or Greater from Sale of Fixed Maturity Securities

 

   

We had no individual realized investment losses of $10.0 million or greater from the sale of fixed-maturity securities during the first nine months of 2010.

 

   

During the first nine months of 2009, we recognized a loss of $14.2 million on the sale of securities issues by a large publisher of yellow page advertising. The company had suffered from deterioration in print directories’ advertising as well as a significant rise in bad debt expenses due to the impact of the recession on small business customers. The company maintained significant amounts of available cash and was still generating free cash flows despite the weakening economy. However, during the first quarter of 2009, the company announced that it had hired a financial adviser to review its capital structure alternatives regarding debt payments due in 2010. At the time of disposition, these securities had been in an unrealized loss position for a period of greater than three years.

Embedded Derivative in a Modified Coinsurance Arrangement

We report changes in the fair value of an embedded derivative in a modified coinsurance arrangement as realized investment gains and losses, as required under the provisions of GAAP. GAAP requires us to include in our realized investment gains and losses a calculation intended to estimate the value of the option of our reinsurance counterparty to cancel the reinsurance contract with us. However, neither party can unilaterally terminate the reinsurance agreement except in extreme circumstances resulting from regulatory supervision, delinquency proceedings, or other direct regulatory action. Cash settlements or collateral related to this embedded derivative are not required at any time during the reinsurance contract or at termination of the reinsurance contract, and any accumulated embedded derivative gain or loss reduces to zero over time as the reinsured business winds down. We therefore view the effect of realized gains and losses recognized for this embedded derivative as a reporting requirement that will not result in a permanent change in assets or stockholders’ equity.

The changes in fair value of this embedded derivative recognized as realized gains during the first nine months of 2010 and 2009 resulted primarily from a change in credit spreads in the overall investment market. The fair value of this embedded derivative was $(121.1) million at September 30, 2010, compared to $(117.4) million at December 31, 2009, and is reported in other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.

 

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Fixed Maturity Securities

The fair value composition by internal industry classification of our fixed maturity security portfolio and the associated unrealized gains and losses as of September 30, 2010 are as follows:

 

(in millions of dollars)                                          

Classification

   Fair Value      Net
Unrealized
Gain
(Loss)
     Fair Value of
Fixed
Maturity
Securities
with Gross
Unrealized
Loss
     Gross
Unrealized
Loss
     Fair Value of
Fixed
Maturity
Securities
with Gross
Unrealized
Gain
     Gross
Unrealized
Gain
 

Basic Industry

   $ 2,195.6       $ 185.4       $ 276.1       $ 20.6       $ 1,919.5       $ 206.0   

Capital Goods

     3,622.4         455.6         225.9         16.5         3,396.5         472.1   

Communications

     2,795.9         418.6         191.5         8.3         2,604.4         426.9   

Consumer Cyclical

     1,378.8         108.9         172.3         20.2         1,206.5         129.1   

Consumer Non-Cyclical

     5,379.0         755.0         131.9         10.2         5,247.1         765.2   

Energy (Oil & Gas)

     3,384.6         523.7         65.5         6.8         3,319.1         530.5   

Financial Institutions

     3,516.4         213.8         584.0         27.4         2,932.4         241.2   

Mortgage/Asset-Backed

     3,557.6         405.7         111.8         0.8         3,445.8         406.5   

Sovereigns

     1,479.0         190.8         0.0         0.0         1,479.0         190.8   

Technology

     936.0         125.2         52.3         1.8         883.7         127.0   

Transportation

     1,063.3         177.0         13.1         1.2         1,050.2         178.2   

U.S. Government Agencies and Municipalities

     2,330.8         289.2         133.1         12.3         2,197.7         301.5   

Utilities

     10,060.2         1,257.4         262.4         9.5         9,797.8         1,266.9   

Redeemable Preferred Stocks

     48.0         0.2         20.9         1.9         27.1         2.1   
                                                     

Total

   $ 41,747.6       $ 5,106.5       $ 2,240.8       $ 137.5       $ 39,506.8       $ 5,244.0   
                                                     

The following two tables show the length of time our investment-grade and below-investment-grade fixed maturity securities had been in a gross unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2010 and at the end of the prior four quarters. The relationships of the current fair value to amortized cost are not necessarily indicative of the fair value to amortized cost relationships for the securities throughout the entire time that the securities have been in an unrealized loss position nor are they necessarily indicative of the relationships after September 30, 2010. We had no fixed maturity securities with a gross unrealized loss of $10.0 million or greater at September 30, 2010.

 

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Unrealized Loss on Investment-Grade Fixed Maturity Securities

Length of Time in Unrealized Loss Position

 

(in millions of dollars)                                   
     2010      2009  
     September 30      June 30      March 31      December 31      September 30  

Fair value < 100% >= 70% of Amortized Cost

              

<= 90 days

   $ 5.9       $ 31.8       $ 22.3       $ 62.7       $ 5.5   

> 90 <= 180 days

     7.2         1.2         42.0         4.5         1.7   

> 180 <= 270 days

     0.9         9.0         1.4         2.3         0.2   

> 270 days <= 1 year

     0.3         0.0         2.1         3.7         2.1   

> 1 year <= 2 years

     2.4         4.2         45.8         84.2         132.6   

> 2 years <= 3 years

     17.5         27.9         43.3         105.4         155.9   

> 3 years

     37.9         92.1         128.2         160.6         170.3   
                                            

Sub-total

     72.1         166.2         285.1         423.4         468.3   
                                            

Fair value < 70% >= 40% of Amortized Cost

              

> 270 days <= 1 year

     0.0         0.0         0.0         0.0         2.7   

> 1 year <= 2 years

     2.4         2.6         6.3         16.5         0.0   

> 2 years <= 3 years

     0.0         0.0         11.1         0.2         2.2   

> 3 years

     0.0         0.0         0.5         2.4         0.4   
                                            

Sub-total

     2.4         2.6         17.9         19.1         5.3   
                                            

Fair Value < 40%

              

> 3 years

     0.0         0.0         0.0         0.5         0.6   
                                            

Sub-total

     0.0         0.0         0.0         0.5         0.6   
                                            

Total

   $ 74.5       $ 168.8       $ 303.0       $ 443.0       $ 474.2   
                                            

 

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Unrealized Loss on Below-Investment-Grade Fixed Maturity Securities

Length of Time in Unrealized Loss Position

 

(in millions of dollars)                                   
     2010      2009  
     September 30      June 30      March 31      December 31      September 30  

Fair value < 100% >= 70% of amortized cost

              

<= 90 days

   $ 0.5       $ 8.8       $ 3.8       $ 0.1       $ 0.0   

> 90 <= 180 days

     1.9         1.4         0.0         0.0         0.4   

> 180 <= 270 days

     0.0         0.0         0.0         0.1         0.1   

> 270 days <= 1 year

     0.0         0.0         0.0         0.0         14.9   

> 1 year <= 2 years

     1.5         12.3         13.8         48.0         80.8   

> 2 years <= 3 years

     28.9         41.5         48.8         45.7         64.2   

> 3 years

     28.5         38.7         23.0         24.3         21.3   
                                            

Sub-total

     61.3         102.7         89.4         118.2         181.7   
                                            

Fair value < 70% >= 40% of amortized cost

              

> 270 days <= 1 year

     0.0         0.0         0.0         0.0         7.1   

> 1 year <= 2 years

     0.0         0.0         9.9         10.9         48.4   

> 2 years <= 3 years

     0.0         4.2         1.4         1.3         25.2   

> 3 years

     1.7         2.2         12.2         19.7         48.9   
                                            

Sub-total

     1.7         6.4         23.5         31.9         129.6   
                                            

Total

   $ 63.0       $ 109.1       $ 112.9       $ 150.1       $ 311.3   
                                            

At September 30, 2010, our mortgage/asset-backed securities had an average life of 3.84 years, effective duration of 3.48 years, and a weighted average credit rating of AAA. The mortgage/asset-backed securities are valued on a monthly basis using valuations supplied by the brokerage firms that are dealers in these securities as well as independent pricing services. One of the risks involved in investing in mortgage/asset-backed securities is the uncertainty of the timing of cash flows from the underlying loans due to prepayment of principal with the possibility of reinvesting the funds in a lower interest rate environment. We use models which incorporate economic variables and possible future interest rate scenarios to predict future prepayment rates. The timing of prepayment cash flows may also cause volatility in our recognition of investment income. We recognize investment income on these securities using a constant effective yield based on projected prepayments of the underlying loans and the estimated economic life of the securities. Actual prepayment experience is reviewed periodically, and effective yields are recalculated when differences arise between prepayments originally projected and the actual prepayments received and currently projected. The effective yield is recalculated on a retrospective basis, and the adjustment is reflected in net investment income.

We have not invested in mortgage-backed derivatives, such as interest-only, principal-only, or residuals, where market values can be highly volatile relative to changes in interest rates. All of our mortgage-backed securities have fixed rate coupons. The credit quality of our mortgage-backed securities portfolio has not been negatively impacted by the issues in the market concerning subprime mortgage loans. The change in value of our mortgage-backed securities portfolio has moved in line with that of prime agency-backed mortgage-backed securities.

 

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As of September 30, 2010, the amortized cost and fair value of our below-investment-grade fixed maturity securities was $2,695.4 million and $2,790.2 million, respectively. Below-investment-grade securities are inherently more risky than investment-grade securities since the risk of default by the issuer, by definition and as exhibited by bond rating, is higher. Also, the secondary market for certain below-investment-grade issues can be highly illiquid. Additional downgrades may occur, but we do not anticipate any liquidity problems resulting from our investments in below-investment-grade securities, nor do we expect these investments to adversely affect our ability to hold our other investments to maturity.

Mortgage Loans

Our mortgage loan portfolio was $1,464.2 million and $1,404.0 million on an amortized cost basis at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Our mortgage loan portfolio is comprised entirely of commercial mortgage loans. We believe our mortgage loan portfolio is well diversified geographically and among property types. The incidence of problem mortgage loans and foreclosure activity continues to be low. Due to conservative underwriting, we expect the level of problem loans to remain low relative to the industry. At September 30, 2010, we held three mortgage loans which were considered impaired. One mortgage loan, which was delinquent more than 30 days as to interest or principal payments, was carried at the estimated net realizable value of $3.4 million, with no valuation allowance. The other two mortgage loans, considered to be impaired because we anticipate early disposal of the loans through either sale or payoff for less than the outstanding principal, were carried at the estimated net realizable value of $2.7 million, net of a valuation allowance of $0.9 million. At December 31, 2009, we held one mortgage loan which was delinquent more than 30 days as to interest or principal payments and which we considered impaired. This loan was carried at the estimated net realizable value of $2.0 million, net of a valuation allowance of $3.2 million. We sold this loan during the first quarter of 2010 and recognized a realized investment loss of $0.5 million.

Derivative Financial Instruments

We use derivative financial instruments primarily to manage reinvestment risk, duration, and currency risk. Historically, we have utilized current and forward interest rate swaps and options on forward interest rate swaps, current and forward currency swaps, forward treasury locks, currency forward contracts, and forward contracts on specific fixed income securities. Our current credit exposure on derivatives, which is limited to the value of those contracts in a net gain position less collateral held, was $19.1 million at September 30, 2010. The carrying value of cash and fixed maturity securities posted as collateral to our counterparties was $19.3 million and $86.9 million, respectively, at September 30, 2010. We believe that our credit risk is mitigated by our use of multiple counterparties, all of which are rated A or better by both Moody’s and S&P, and by our use of cross-collateralization agreements.

Other

Our exposure to non-current investments, defined as foreclosed real estate and invested assets which are delinquent as to interest and/or principal payments, totaled $47.1 million and $35.5 million on a fair value basis at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

See Notes 4 and 5 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” contained herein in Item 1 for further discussion of our investments and our derivative financial instruments.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our liquidity requirements are met primarily by cash flows provided from operations, principally in our insurance subsidiaries. Premium and investment income, as well as maturities and sales of invested assets, provide the primary sources of cash. Debt and/or securities offerings provide an additional source of liquidity. Cash is applied to the payment of policy benefits, costs of acquiring new business (principally commissions), operating expenses, and taxes, as well as purchases of new investments.

We have established an investment strategy that we believe will provide for adequate cash flows from operations. We attempt to match our asset cash flows and durations with expected liability cash flows and durations to meet the funding requirements of our business. However, deterioration in the credit market may delay our ability to sell our positions in certain of our fixed maturity securities in a timely manner, which may negatively impact our cash flows. Furthermore, if we experience defaults on securities held in the investment portfolios of our insurance subsidiaries, this will negatively impact statutory capital, which could reduce our insurance subsidiaries’ capacity to pay dividends to our holding companies. A reduction in dividends to our holding companies could force us to seek external financing to avoid impairing our ability to pay our stockholder dividends or meet our debt and other payment obligations.

Our policy benefits are primarily in the form of claim payments, and we have minimal exposure to the policy withdrawal risk associated with deposit products such as individual life policies or annuities. A decrease in demand for our insurance products or an increase in the incidence of new claims or the duration of existing claims could negatively impact our cash flows from operations. However, our historical pattern of benefits paid to revenues is consistent, even during cycles of economic downturns, which serves to minimize liquidity risk.

We have met all minimum pension funding requirements set forth by ERISA. We made voluntary contributions to our U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan of $67.0 million during the first quarter of 2010 and $100.0 million in October 2010. The October contribution was made in lieu of our planned 2011 contribution. We have estimated our future funding requirements under the Pension Protection Act of 2006 and do not believe that the funding requirements will cause a material adverse effect on our liquidity.

We also contribute to our U.K. pension plan sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirement under U.K. legislation. We anticipate that we will make contributions of approximately £3.2 million during 2010, £2.4 million of which has been contributed during the first nine months of 2010.

In September 2010, we issued $400.0 million of senior notes. These notes, due in 2020, bear interest at a fixed-rate of 5.625%. The net proceeds are expected to be used for the repayment of our senior notes due March 2011 and for other general corporate purposes.

In May 2010, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $500.0 million of Unum Group’s common stock. The share repurchase program has an expiration date of May 2011, and the pace of repurchase activity will depend upon various factors such as the level of available cash, alternative uses for cash, and our stock price. The authorization may be modified, extended, or terminated by our board of directors at any time. In the first nine months of 2010, we repurchased approximately 15.2 million shares for $327.5 million.

Also in May 2010, our board of directors authorized an increase in the quarterly dividend paid on Unum Group’s common stock, from $0.0825 per common share to $0.0925 per common share, effective with our third quarter of 2010 dividend payment to stockholders.

Cash equivalents and marketable securities held at Unum Group and our other intermediate holding companies are a significant source of liquidity for us and were approximately $1.027 billion and $915 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The September 30, 2010 balance was made up primarily of commercial paper, fixed maturity securities with a current average maturity of 2.3 years, and various money-market funds. No significant restrictions exist on our ability to use or access these funds. We believe we hold sufficient resources to meet our liquidity requirements for the next 12 months and that our current level of holding company cash and marketable securities can be utilized to mitigate potential losses from defaults.

 

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Consolidated Cash Flows

Operating Cash Flows

Net cash provided by operating activities was $913.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $853.6 million for the comparable period of 2009. Operating cash flows are primarily attributable to the receipt of premium and investment income, offset by payments of claims, commissions, expenses, and income taxes. Premium income growth is dependent not only on new sales, but on renewals of existing business, renewal price increases, and persistency. Investment income growth is dependent on the growth in the underlying assets supporting our insurance reserves and on the earned yield. The level of commissions and operating expenses is attributable to the level of sales and the first year acquisition expenses associated with new business as well as the maintenance of existing business. The level of paid claims is affected partially by the growth and aging of the block of business and also to the general economy, as previously discussed in the operating results by segment. Operating cash flows for the first nine months of 2010 include our pension contributions previously discussed.

Investing Cash Flows

Investing cash inflows consist primarily of the proceeds from the sales and maturities of investments. Investing cash outflows consist primarily of payments for purchases of investments. Net cash used by investing activities was $842.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $738.9 million for the comparable period of 2009.

Our sales of available-for-sale securities declined in the first nine months of 2010 relative to the prior year period. Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities were higher in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the comparable period of 2009 primarily due to a significant increase in bond calls and bond maturities.

Proceeds from sales and maturities of other investments decreased in the first nine months of 2010 as compared to the same period of 2009 primarily due to a decrease in proceeds from terminations of derivative contracts within our cash flow hedging programs. Proceeds from maturities of commercial mortgage loans were higher in the first nine months of 2010 relative to the prior year period.

The increase in purchases of available-for-sale securities during the first nine months of 2010 relative to the same period of 2009 resulted from the additional funds available for reinvestment due to the increase in proceeds from bond calls and maturities, as previously noted.

Purchases of other investments increased during the first nine months of 2010 relative to the same period of 2009 as a result of the purchase of tax credit partnerships, partially offset by a decline in the funding of mortgage loans.

Net purchases of short-term investments increased during the first nine months of 2010 relative to the same period in 2009 due to the increase in bond calls and maturities, with the proceeds invested in short-term investments pending the purchase of fixed maturity securities.

The increase in cash used in other investing activities during the first nine months of 2010 relates primarily to cash posted as collateral to our derivative counterparties.

Financing Cash Flows

Financing cash flows consist primarily of borrowings and repayments of debt, issuance or repurchase of common stock, and dividends paid to stockholders. Net cash used by financing activities was $63.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to net cash provided of $55.8 million for the comparable period of 2009.

 

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During the first nine months of 2010, we received proceeds of $400.0 million, less debt issuance costs of $3.0 million and a debt discount of $0.5 million, from the September 15, 2010 issuance of $400.0 million of 5.625% senior notes due September 15, 2020. During the first nine months of 2010, we purchased and retired $10.0 million of our 7.08% medium-term notes due 2024. During each of the first nine months of 2010 and 2009, Tailwind Holdings made principal payments of $7.5 million on its floating rate, senior secured non-recourse notes due 2036. During the first nine months of 2010 and 2009, Northwind Holdings made principal payments of $45.2 million and $19.9 million, respectively, on its floating rate, senior secured non-recourse notes due 2037.

During the first nine months of 2009, we received proceeds of $350.0 million, less debt issuance costs of $3.2 million, from the September 30, 2009 issuance of $350.0 million of 7.125% senior notes due September 30, 2016. During the first nine months of 2009, we purchased and retired the remaining $132.2 million of our outstanding 5.859% notes, $1.2 million aggregate principal of our 7.19% medium-term notes, and $0.6 million aggregate principal of our 6.75% notes and repaid the $58.3 million reverse repurchase agreements outstanding at December 31, 2008.

During the first nine months of 2010, we repurchased approximately 15.2 million shares of Unum Group common stock for $327.5 million. Approximately $3.5 million of the amount repurchased was settled in October 2010.

See “Debt” contained in this Item 2 for further information.

Cash Available from Subsidiaries

Unum Group and certain of its intermediate holding company subsidiaries depend on payments from subsidiaries to pay dividends to stockholders, to pay debt obligations, and/or to pay expenses. These payments by our insurance and non-insurance subsidiaries may take the form of dividends, operating and investment management fees, and/or interest payments on loans from the parent to a subsidiary.

Restrictions under applicable state insurance laws limit the amount of dividends that can be paid to a parent company from its insurance subsidiaries in any 12-month period without prior approval by regulatory authorities. For life insurance companies domiciled in the United States, that limitation generally equals, depending on the state of domicile, either ten percent of an insurer’s statutory surplus with respect to policyholders as of the preceding year end or the statutory net gain from operations, excluding realized investment gains and losses, of the preceding year. The payment of dividends to a parent company from its insurance subsidiaries without prior regulatory approval is generally further limited by the amount of unassigned statutory surplus.

Northwind Holdings’ and Tailwind Holdings’ ability to meet their debt payment obligations is dependent upon the receipt of dividends from Northwind Reinsurance Company (Northwind Re) and Tailwind Reinsurance Company (Tailwind Re), respectively. The ability of Northwind Re and Tailwind Re to pay dividends to their respective parent companies depends on their satisfaction of applicable regulatory requirements and on the performance of the reinsured business.

Unum Group and/or certain of its intermediate holding company subsidiaries may also receive dividends from its United Kingdom-based affiliate, Unum Limited, subject to applicable insurance company regulations, regulatory approval, and capital guidance in the United Kingdom.

The payment of dividends to the parent company from our subsidiaries also requires the approval of the individual subsidiary’s board of directors.

The ability of Unum Group and certain of its intermediate holding company subsidiaries to continue to receive dividends from their insurance subsidiaries generally depends on the level of earnings of those insurance subsidiaries and additional factors such as risk-based capital ratios, funding growth objectives at an affiliate level, and maintaining appropriate capital adequacy ratios to support desired ratings. Insurance regulatory restrictions do not limit the amount of dividends available for distribution from non-insurance subsidiaries except where the non-insurance subsidiaries are held directly or indirectly by an insurance subsidiary and only indirectly by Unum Group. We intend to retain a level of capital in our traditional U.S. insurance subsidiaries such that we maintain a weighted

 

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average risk-based capital above capital adequacy requirements. We also expect Unum Limited to operate above FSA capital adequacy requirements and minimum solvency margins.

Debt

At September 30, 2010, we had long-term debt, including senior secured notes and junior subordinated debt securities, totaling $2,661.3 million and short-term debt of $225.1 million. Short-term debt consisted of the 7.625% senior notes due March 2011. Our leverage ratio, when calculated using consolidated debt to total consolidated capital, was 26.5 percent at September 30, 2010 compared to 24.8 percent at December 31, 2009. Our leverage ratio, when calculated excluding the non-recourse debt and the associated capital of Tailwind Holdings and Northwind Holdings, was 23.3 percent at September 30, 2010, compared to 20.5 percent at December 31, 2009. Leverage is measured as total debt to total capital, which we define as total long-term and short-term debt plus stockholders’ equity, excluding the net unrealized gain or loss on securities and the net gain or loss on cash flow hedges. We believe that a leverage ratio which excludes the net unrealized gains and losses on securities and the net gain or loss on cash flow hedges, both of which tend to fluctuate depending on market conditions and general economic trends, and which also excludes the non-recourse debt and associated capital of Tailwind Holdings and Northwind Holdings is a better indicator of our ability to meet our financial obligations.

In September 2010, we issued $400.0 million of unsecured senior notes in a public offering. These notes, due in 2020, bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.625% and are payable semi-annually. The notes are callable at or above par and rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. In addition, these notes are effectively subordinated to any indebtedness of our subsidiaries.

During the first nine months of 2010, we made principal payments of $45.2 million and $7.5 million on our senior secured non-recourse variable rate notes issued by Northwind Holdings and Tailwind Holdings, respectively, and we purchased and retired $10.0 million of our 7.08% medium-term notes due 2024.

During October 2010, we entered into an interest rate swap to effectively convert our $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.125% unsecured senior notes into floating rate debt. Under this agreement, we receive a fixed rate of interest and pay a variable rate of interest, based off of three-month LIBOR.

We monitor our compliance with our debt covenants. There are no significant financial covenants associated with any of our outstanding debt obligations. We remain in compliance with all debt covenants and have not observed any current trends that would cause a breach of any debt covenants.

See “Debt” in Part II, Item 7 of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, for further discussion.

Commitments

During the second quarter of 2010, we entered into a noncancelable lease obligation for certain office space. The lease payments are expected to begin September 2012, upon completion of construction of the new facility, and will continue for 17 years. The aggregate minimum lease payments under the agreement are $98.7 million and are expected to be payable as follows: $1.7 million in 2012, $4.9 million in 2013, $5.0 million in 2014, $5.0 million in 2015, and $82.1 million thereafter. We also entered into commitments of $14.1 million to fund leasehold improvements for this office space.

At September 30, 2010, we had commitments of approximately $83.6 million to fund certain of our private equity partnerships and $1.9 million to fund underlying partnerships in our investment in a special purpose entity. The funds are due upon satisfaction of contractual notice from the issuer and may or may not be funded during the term of the securities. In addition, we have a legally binding unfunded commitment of $148.8 million, which is recognized as a liability in our consolidated balance sheets, to fund tax credit partnership investments.

With respect to our commitments and off-balance sheet arrangements, see the discussion under “Commitments” in Part II, Item 7 of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. During the first nine

 

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months of 2010, there were no substantive changes in our commitments, contractual obligations, or other off-balance sheet arrangements other than the changes in outstanding long-term and short-term debt and the commitments as noted above.

Transfers of Financial Assets

To manage our cash position more efficiently, we enter into repurchase agreements with unaffiliated financial institutions. We generally use repurchase agreements as a means to finance the purchase of invested assets or for short-term general business purposes until projected cash flows become available from our operations or existing investments. Our repurchase agreements are typically outstanding for less than 30 days. We post collateral through our repurchase agreement transactions whereby the counterparty commits to purchase securities with the agreement to resell them to us at a later, specified date. The fair value of collateral posted is generally 102 percent of the cash received.

Our investment policy also permits us to lend fixed maturity securities to unaffiliated financial institutions in short-term securities lending transactions. These transactions increase our investment income with minimal risk. Our securities lending policy requires that a minimum of 102 percent of the fair value of the securities loaned be maintained as collateral. Generally, cash is received as collateral under these agreements. In the event that securities are received as collateral, we are not permitted to sell or re-post them. We had no securities lending transactions during the first nine months of 2010.

We account for all of our securities lending transactions and repurchase agreements as collateralized financings. We had no repurchase agreements outstanding at September 30, 2010. The average quarterly balance during the first nine months of 2010 was $52.7 million, and the maximum amount outstanding at any month end was $150.4 million. Our use of repurchase agreements can fluctuate during any given period, depending on our liquidity position, the availability of long-term investments that meet our purchasing criteria, and our general business needs.

Ratings

AM Best, Fitch, Moody’s, and S&P are among the third parties that assign issuer credit ratings to Unum Group and financial strength ratings to our insurance subsidiaries. Issuer credit ratings reflect an agency’s opinion of the overall financial capacity of a company to meet its senior debt obligations. Financial strength ratings are specific to each individual insurance subsidiary and reflect each rating agency’s view of the overall financial strength (capital levels, earnings, growth, investments, business mix, operating performance, and market position) of the insuring entity and its ability to meet its obligations to policyholders. Both the issuer credit ratings and financial strength ratings incorporate quantitative and qualitative analyses by rating agencies and are routinely reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis.

We compete based in part on the financial strength ratings provided by rating agencies. A downgrade of our financial strength ratings can be expected to adversely affect us and could potentially, among other things, adversely affect our relationships with distributors of our products and services and retention of our sales force, negatively impact persistency and new sales, particularly large case group sales and individual sales, and generally adversely affect our ability to compete. A downgrade in the issuer credit rating assigned to Unum Group can be expected to adversely affect our cost of capital or our ability to raise additional capital.

 

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The table below reflects the issuer credit ratings for Unum Group and the financial strength ratings for each of our traditional insurance subsidiaries as of the date of this filing.

 

     AM Best    Fitch    Moody’s    S&P

Issuer Credit Ratings

   bbb- (Good)    BBB (Good)    Baa3 (Moderate Credit Risk)    BBB- (Good)

Financial Strength Ratings

           

Provident Life & Accident

   A- (Excellent)    A (Strong)    A3 (Good)    A- (Strong)

Provident Life & Casualty

   A- (Excellent)    A (Strong)    Not Rated    Not Rated

Unum Life of America

   A- (Excellent)    A (Strong)    A3 (Good)    A- (Strong)

First Unum Life

   A- (Excellent)    A (Strong)    A3 (Good)    A- (Strong)

Colonial Life & Accident

   A- (Excellent)    A (Strong)    A3 (Good)    A- (Strong)

Paul Revere Life

   A- (Excellent)    A (Strong)    A3 (Good)    A- (Strong)

Paul Revere Variable

   B++(Good)    A (Strong)    A3 (Good)    Not Rated

Unum Limited

   Not Rated    Not Rated    Not Rated    A- (Strong)

We maintain an ongoing dialogue with the four rating agencies that evaluate us in order to inform them of progress we are making regarding our strategic objectives and financial plans, as well as other pertinent issues. A significant component of our communications involves our annual review meeting with each of the four agencies. We hold other meetings throughout the year regarding our business, including, but not limited to, quarterly updates.

On February 12, 2010, Fitch upgraded its ratings of Unum Group and its operating subsidiaries to BBB and A, respectively, and changed the outlook for the Company to “stable.” On March 8, 2010, AM Best affirmed its ratings of Unum Group and all of its operating subsidiaries, with the exception of Paul Revere Variable, and revised the outlook for the Company to “positive.” The rating of Paul Revere Variable was lowered to B++ due to the continued decline in this subsidiary’s closed block of business. On May 12, 2010, Moody’s upgraded the credit ratings of Unum Group’s senior debt to Baa3 from Ba1 and the financial strength ratings of each rated individual insurance subsidiary to A3 from Baa1. Moody’s maintained the outlook for the Company as “stable.”

There have been no other changes in any of the rating agencies’ outlook statements or ratings during the first nine months of 2010 or prior to the date of this filing.

Agency ratings are not directed toward the holders of our securities and are not recommendations to buy, sell, or hold our securities. Each rating is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization, and each rating should be regarded as an independent assessment, not conditional on any other rating. Given the dynamic nature of the ratings process, changes by these or other rating agencies may or may not occur in the near-term. Based on our ongoing dialogue with the rating agencies concerning our improved insurance risk profile, our financial flexibility, our operating performance, and the quality of our investment portfolio, we do not expect any negative actions from any of the four rating agencies related to either Unum Group’s current issuer credit ratings or the financial strength ratings of its insurance subsidiaries. However, in the event that we are unable to meet the rating agency specific guideline values to maintain our current ratings, including but not limited to maintenance of our capital management metrics at the threshold values stated and maintenance of our financial flexibility and operational consistency, we could be placed on a negative credit watch, with a potential for a downgrade to both our issuer credit ratings and our financial strength ratings.

See our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for further information regarding our debt and financial strength ratings and the risks associated with rating changes.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are subject to various market risk exposures including interest rate risk and foreign exchange rate risk. With respect to our exposure to market risk, see the discussion under “Investments” in Item 2 of this Form 10-Q and in Part II, Item 7A of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. During the first nine months of 2010, there was no substantive change to our market risk or the management of this risk.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on that evaluation, these officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2010.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, during the quarter ended September 30, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Refer to Part I, Item 1, Note 9 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for information on legal proceedings.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table provides information about our share repurchase activity for the third quarter of 2010:

 

     (a) Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
     (b) Average
Price Paid
per Share (1)
     (c) Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced
Program (2)
     (d) Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be

Purchased Under
the Program (2)
 

July 1 - July 31, 2010

     702,100       $ 22.12         702,100       $ 354,794,497   

August 1 - August 31, 2010

     7,600,200         20.64         7,600,200         197,902,669   

September 1 - September 30, 2010

     1,140,600         21.98         1,140,600         172,837,939   
                       

Total

     9,442,900            9,442,900      
                       

 

(1) The average price paid per share excludes the cost of commissions.
(2) On May 19, 2010, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $500.0 million of Unum Group’s common stock through May 18, 2011. The authorization may be modified, extended, or terminated by the board of directors at any time.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Index to Exhibits

 

Exhibit 15    Letter Re: Unaudited Interim Financial Information.
Exhibit 31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 101    The following financial statements from Unum Group’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, filed on November 3, 2010, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (v) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

    Unum Group
    (Registrant)
Date: November 3, 2010  

  /s/ Thomas R. Watjen

    Thomas R. Watjen
    President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: November 3, 2010  

  /s/ Richard P. McKenney

    Richard P. McKenney
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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