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EX-99.1 2 ex99-1.htm PRESS RELEASE ex99-1.htm

NEWS RELEASE

Lincoln Financial Group Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 Results

_____________________________________________

Full Year 2011 Income from Operations of $1.3 Billion up 27% from 2010

Full Year 2011 Net Income of $290 Million down from $812 Million in 2010

Full Year Share Repurchases Totaled $575 Million

Philadelphia, PA, February 7, 2012 – Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE:LNC) today reported a fourth quarter net loss of $514 million, or $1.73 per share, compared to net income of $196 million, or $0.60 per diluted share available to common stockholders, in 2010. The company also reported fourth quarter 2011 income from operations of $303 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, compared to $266 million, or $0.82 per diluted share available to common stockholders in the fourth quarter of 2010. The primary difference between net income and income from operations resulted from a $747 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge related to the life insurance and media businesses.

Net income for the full year of 2011 was $290 million, or $0.92 per diluted share, compared to $812 million, or $2.54 per diluted share available to common stockholders, in 2010. For the full year 2011, income from operations was $1.3 billion, or $4.17 per diluted share, compared to $1.0 billion, or $3.13 per diluted share available to common stockholders, for the full year of 2010.

“Lincoln’s 2011 operating results reflect continued strength in flows and deposits across our businesses, ongoing product repricing to achieve targeted returns, and significant capital management activities,” said President & CEO Dennis R. Glass. “We continue to give priority to relative returns in our capital allocation and business decisions, balancing reinvestment in our core businesses with the opportunity to create value through increased share repurchases.”

	For the Quarter Ended					For the Year Ended
($ in millions except per share data)	2011			2010		2011		2010
Net Income (Loss)	$	(514	)	$	196	$	294	$	980
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders		(514	)		196		290		812
Net Income (Loss) Per Diluted Share Available to Common Stockholders		(1.73	)		0.60		0.92		2.54
Income (Loss) from Operations		303			266		1,318		1,038
Income (Loss) from Operations Per Diluted Share Available to Common Stockholders		1.00			0.82		4.17		3.13
Average Diluted Shares		304.4			323.4		315.0		319.2

Fourth Quarter 2011 Operating Highlights:

·	Consolidated deposits of $5.5 billion

·	Consolidated net flows of $1.6 billion up 21%

·	Total account balances of $160 billion

·	Life Insurance sales of $229 million up 11%

·	Retirement Plan Services net flows of $219 million

·	Group Protection sales of $207 million up 33%

Full Year 2011 Operating Highlights:

·	Consolidated deposits of $21.6 billion

·	Variable annuity deposits of $8.7 billion up 6%

·	Retirement Plan Services net flows of $0.5 billion versus $(0.3) billion in 2010

·	Life Insurance sales of $0.7 billion up 10%

·	Group Protection loss ratio of 72.9% versus 76.2% in 2010

The quarter included several notable items that in the aggregate offset each other.

Fourth Quarter 2011 – Segment Results

Individual Annuities

The Individual Annuities segment reported income from operations of $134 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $123 million in the year-ago period.

Sales and flows for the year and quarter continued to reflect the company’s consistent market presence through a multi-channel, multi-product strategy and a focus on disciplined product design.

Gross annuity deposits in the fourth quarter of $2.4 billion were down 8% from the prior-year quarter with low interest rates reducing demand for fixed annuities. Net annuity flows of $345 million were down 37% on lower deposits.

For the full year, gross annuity deposits of $10.7 billion included $8.7 billion of variable annuity deposits that were up 6% over the prior-year. Annuity net flows were $2.2 billion, almost entirely attributable to variable annuities.

Retirement Plan Services (Formerly Defined Contribution)

Retirement Plan Services reported income from operations of $35 million compared to $33 million in the year-ago period.

Gross deposits of $1.6 billion were up 16% versus the prior-year quarter driven by strong first-year and renewal deposits in the mid-to-large case market as investments in technology and distribution gained traction. Total net flows in the current quarter were $219 million as compared to $(304) million in the 2010 quarter. For the full year, gross deposits were $5.6 billion up 5% driving net flows of $504 million.

Life Insurance

Life Insurance income from operations was $154 million compared to $166 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. The decrease in earnings was primarily attributable to lower than expected net investment income related to alternative investment and prepayment income.

Life insurance sales of $229 million increased 11% over the prior-year quarter and sales for the full year of $700 million increased 10% compared to 2010. Both periods’ results reflect a decline in secondary guarantee universal life sales as we adjusted pricing to deemphasize single premium policies and shifted our focus to other products.

Life insurance in force of $580 billion grew 3% and account values of $35 billion increased 5% over the prior-year quarter.

The quarter included net positive items of $4 million primarily attributable to favorable DAC adjustments. The prior-year quarter included net positive items of approximately $10 million, after tax.

Group Protection

Group Protection’s income from operations was $22 million, compared to $18 million in the prior-year period. The non-medical loss ratio of 72.2% in the current quarter declined from 75.5% in the fourth quarter of 2010. Improvements to claims management processes and disciplined pricing actions have contributed to the favorable reduction in the non-medical loss ratio.

Group Protection sales of $207 million for the quarter increased 33% from the same period last year. Non-medical net earned premiums were $412 million in the fourth quarter, up 5% over the year-ago period. For the full year, non-medical net earned premiums were $1.6 billion versus $1.5 billion in 2010, and annualized sales of $395 million increased 12% from $353 million.

Other Operations

The operating loss in Other Operations was $42 million in the quarter versus a loss of $74 million in the prior-year quarter. The quarter’s results included net negative items of $7 million primarily attributable to the true-up of guaranty association assessments related to the insolvency of Executive Life of New York. The 2010 quarter included net negative items of approximately $41 million, after tax, primarily related to legal expenses.

Realized Gains and Losses

Realized gains/losses (after-tax) in the quarter included:

§	A net loss from the sale and impairment of general account investments of $37 million, as compared to a $61 million loss in the prior-year quarter

§	A $42 million variable annuity net derivatives loss including a $47 million negative non-performance risk factor adjustment due to narrowing credit default spreads

Unrealized Gains and Losses

The company reported a net unrealized gain of approximately $6.5 billion, pre-tax, on its available-for-sale securities at December 31, 2011. This compares to a net unrealized gain of approximately $2.9 billion at December 31, 2010.

Annual Review of Goodwill

The company’s annual review of each business’s goodwill asset resulted in a non-cash, after-tax charge of $747 million, or $2.51 per share, to net income.

Based on life insurance market dynamics and lower expected sales associated with product pricing changes, we recorded a $650 million impairment of life insurance goodwill. A $97 million impairment of the remaining Media goodwill asset reflects the challenging operating environment and outlook for the business, which drove the reduction in the valuation of the media properties.

Capital

During the quarter, the company completed a series of capital-related transactions:

·	Raised the quarterly common stock dividend 60% to $0.08 per share

·	Repurchased 10.4 million shares of stock at a cost of $200 million. As a result of cumulative 2011 share repurchases of $575 million, fourth quarter 2011 average diluted share count was down 6% from fourth quarter 2010.

·	Repaid $250 million of 6.20% Senior Notes that matured on December 15, 2011

Book Value

As of December 31, 2011, book value per share of common stock, including accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), increased 20% to $48.59 from a year ago. Book value per share, excluding AOCI, was $40.19 up 5% from $38.17 a year ago.

This press release may contain statements that are forward looking, and actual results may differ materially, especially given the current economic and capital markets conditions. Please see the Forward Looking Statements – Cautionary Language that follow for additional factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations.

The tables attached to this release define and reconcile income from operations, return on equity (“ROE”), and book value per share excluding AOCI, non-GAAP measures, to net income, ROE, and book value per share including AOCI calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Lincoln Financial Group will discuss the company’s fourth quarter results with investors in a conference call beginning at 11:00 a.m. (ET) on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. Interested persons are invited to listen through the internet. Please go to www.LincolnFinancial.com/webcast at least fifteen minutes prior to the event to register, download and install any necessary streaming media software. Interested persons may also listen to the call by dialing the following numbers:

Dial: (877) 776-4049 (Domestic)

(914) 495-8602 (International)

- Ask for the Lincoln National Conference Call.

The company will also post its fourth quarter 2011 statistical supplement on its Website, www.LincolnFinancial.com/earnings.

Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) and its affiliates. With headquarters in the Philadelphia region, the companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $160 billion as of December 31, 2011. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; life, group life, disability and dental insurance; 401(k) and 403(b) plans; savings plans; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit www.LincolnFinancial.com.

Contacts: Jim Sjoreen Laurel O’Brien

484 583-1420 484 583-1735

Investor Relations Media Relations

Investorrelations@LFG.com mediarelations@LFG.com

Definition of Income (Loss) from Operations, Operating Revenues and Return on Equity

Income (loss) from operations, operating revenues and return on equity (“ROE), as used in the earnings release, are non-GAAP financial measures and do not replace GAAP revenues, net income (loss) and ROE. We exclude the after-tax effects of the following items from GAAP net income (loss) to arrive at income (loss) from operations: realized gains and losses associated with the following ("excluded realized gain (loss)"): sale or disposal of securities; impairments of securities; change in the fair value of derivative investments; embedded derivatives within certain reinsurance arrangements and our trading securities; change in the fair value of the derivatives we own to hedge our guaranteed death benefit ("GDB") riders within our variable annuities, which is referred to as "GDB derivatives results"; change in the fair value of the embedded derivatives of our guaranteed living benefit (“GLB”) riders within our variable annuities accounted for under the Derivatives and Hedging and the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topics of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards CodificationTM (“ASC”) (“embedded derivative reserves”), net of the change in the fair value of the derivatives we own to hedge the changes in the embedded derivative reserves, the net of which is referred to as “GLB net derivative results”; and changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities related to index call options we may purchase in the future to hedge contract holder index allocations applicable to future reset periods for our indexed annuity products accounted for under the Derivatives and Hedging and the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topics of the FASB ASC (“indexed annuity forward-starting option”); change in reserves accounted for under the Financial Services - Insurance - Claim Costs and Liabilities for Future Policy Benefits Subtopic of the FASB ASC resulting from benefit ratio unlocking on our GDB and GLB riders ("benefit ratio unlocking"); income (loss) from the initial adoption of new accounting standards; income (loss) from reserve changes (net of related amortization) on business sold through reinsurance; gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt; losses from the impairment of intangible assets; and income (loss) from discontinued operations.

Operating revenues represent GAAP revenues excluding the pre-tax effects of the following items, as applicable: excluded realized gain (loss); amortization of deferred front-end loads (“DFEL”) arising from changes in GDB and GLB benefit ratio unlocking; amortization of deferred gains arising from the reserve changes on business sold through reinsurance; and revenue adjustments from the initial adoption of new accounting standards.

Return on equity measures how efficiently we generate profits from the resources provided by our net assets. Return on equity is calculated by dividing annualized net income (loss) by average equity, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI"). Management evaluates return on equity by both including and excluding average goodwill within average equity.

The earnings used to calculate ROE, as used in the earnings release, are net income (loss) and income (loss) from operations. Income (loss) from operations is an internal measure used by the company in the management of its operations. Management believes that this performance measure explains the results of the company's ongoing businesses in a manner that allows for a better understanding of the underlying trends in the company's current business because the excluded items are unpredictable and not necessarily indicative of current operating fundamentals or future performance of the business segments, and, in most instances, decisions regarding these items do not necessarily relate to the operations of the individual segments.

The company uses its prevailing corporate federal income tax rate of 35% while taking into account any permanent differences for events recognized differently in its financial statements and federal income tax returns when reconciling non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measure.

Lincoln National Corporation

Reconciliation of Net Income to Income from Operations

($ in millions, except per share data)
	For the Three Months Ended						For the Years Ended
	December 31,						December 31,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Total Revenues	$	2,570.2		$	2,661.8		$	10,635.6		$	10,406.5
Less:
Excluded realized gain (loss), pre-tax		(145.3	)		(119.8	)		(387.9	)		(146.3	)
Amortization of DFEL associated with benefit ratio unlocking, pre-tax		1.0			0.5			(0.4	)		(0.1	)
Amortization of deferred gains arising from reserve changes on business sold through reinsurance, pre-tax		0.7			0.6			2.7			2.6
Total Operating Revenues	$	2,713.8		$	2,780.5		$	11,021.2		$	10,550.3

Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders - Diluted	$	(513.7	)	$	195.6		$	289.7		$	811.7
Less:
Preferred stock dividends and accretion of discount (1)		-			-			-			(36.7	)
Write-off of unamortized discount on preferred stock at redemption (1)		-			-			-			(130.6	)
Adjustment for deferred units of LNC stock in our non-director deferred compensation plans (2)		0.6			-			(4.1	)		(1.3	)
Net Income (Loss)	$	(514.3	)	$	195.6		$	293.8		$	980.3
Less:
Excluded realized gain (loss), after-tax		(94.4	)		(77.8	)		(252.1	)		(95.1	)
Benefit ratio unlocking, after-tax		23.7			10.7			(13.5	)		10.4
Income (loss) from reserve changes (net of related amortization) on business sold through reinsurance, after-tax		0.5			0.3			1.8			1.7
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, after tax		-			(3.1	)		(5.5	)		(3.1	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, after-tax		-			-			(8.4	)		28.9
Income (Loss) from Operations	$	302.6		$	265.5		$	1,318.2		$	1,037.5

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Diluted)
Income (loss) from operations	$	1.00		$	0.82		$	4.17		$	3.13
Net income (loss)		(1.73	)		0.60			0.92			2.54

Average Stockholders' Equity
Average equity, including average AOCI	$	14,541.4		$	13,181.7		$	13,769.8		$	12,704.1
Average AOCI		2,455.3			1,204.6			1,488.9			786.2
Average equity, excluding AOCI		12,086.1			11,977.1			12,281.0			11,917.9
Average goodwill		2,646.1			3,019.4			2,926.1			3,015.7
Average equity, excluding AOCI and goodwill	$	9,440.0		$	8,957.7		$	9,354.9		$	8,902.2

Return on Equity, Excluding AOCI
Net income (loss) with average equity including goodwill		-17.0	%		6.5	%		2.4	%		8.2	%
Income (loss) from operations with average equity including goodwill		10.0	%		8.9	%		10.7	%		8.7	%
Income (loss) from operations with average equity excluding goodwill		12.8	%		11.9	%		14.1	%		11.7	%

(1) When arriving at income (loss) or income (loss) from operations available to common stockholders, which is the numerator used in earnings (loss) per share, we have included the Series B preferred stock dividends and accretion of discount, but have excluded the acceleration of the discount as a result of redemption prior to five years from date of issuance.

(2) The numerator used in the calculation of our diluted EPS is adjusted to remove the mark-to-market adjustment for deferred units of LNC stock in our non-director deferred compensation plans if the effect of equity classification would be more dilutive to our diluted EPS.

Definition of Book Value Per Share Excluding AOCI

Book value per share excluding AOCI is calculated based upon a non-GAAP financial measure. It is calculated by dividing (a) stockholders' equity excluding AOCI by (b) common shares outstanding, assuming conversion of Series A preferred shares. We provide book value per share excluding AOCI to enable investors to analyze the amount of our net worth that is primarily attributable to our business operations. Management believes book value per share excluding AOCI is useful to investors because it eliminates the effect of items that can fluctuate significantly from period to period, primarily based on changes in interest rates. Book value per share is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. A reconciliation of book value per share to book value per share excluding AOCI as of December 30, 2011 and 2010 is set forth below.

	As of December 31,
	2011		2010
Book value per share, including AOCI	$	48.59	$	40.54
Per share impact of AOCI		8.40		2.37
Book value per share, excluding AOCI	$	40.19	$	38.17

LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION

DIGEST OF EARNINGS

($ in millions, except per share data)
	For the Three Months Ended
	December 31,
	2011			2010

Revenues	$	2,570.2		$	2,661.8

Net Income (Loss)	$	(514.3	)	$	195.6
Preferred stock dividends and accretion of discount		-			-
Write-off of unamortized discount on preferred stock at redemption		-			-
Adjustment for deferred units of LNC stock in our non-director deferred compensation plans (1)		0.6			-
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders - Diluted	$	(513.7	)	$	195.6

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Basic	$	(1.73	)	$	0.62
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Diluted		(1.73	)		0.60

Average Shares - Basic		297,894,635			316,360,151
Average Shares - Diluted		304,435,123			323,378,708

	For the Years Ended
	December 31,
		2011			2010

Revenues	$	10,635.6		$	10,406.5

Net Income (Loss)	$	293.8		$	980.3
Preferred stock dividends and accretion of discount		-			(36.7	)
Write-off of unamortized discount on preferred stock at redemption		-			(130.6	)
Adjustment for deferred units of LNC stock in our non-director deferred compensation plans (1)		(4.1	)		(1.3	)
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders - Diluted	$	289.7		$	811.7

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Basic	$	0.96		$	2.62
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Diluted (2)		0.92			2.54

Average Shares - Basic		307,216,181			310,005,264
Average Shares - Diluted		314,950,051			319,213,748

(1) The numerator used in the calculation of our diluted EPS is adjusted to remove the mark-to-market adjustment for

deferred units of LNC stock in our non-director deferred compensation plans if the effect of equity classification would

be more dilutive to our diluted EPS.

(2) For any period where a loss from continuing operations is experienced, shares used in the diluted EPS calculation
represent basic shares since using diluted shares would be anti-dilutive to the calculation. In these periods we would
also exclude the adjustment discussed in footnote (1) above when arriving at EPS.

Forward Looking Statements — Cautionary Language

Certain statements made in this press release and in other written or oral statements made by Lincoln or on Lincoln's behalf are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("PSLRA"). A forward-looking statement is a statement that is not a historical fact and, without limitation, includes any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain words like: "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "estimate", "project", "will", "shall" and other words or phrases with similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, trends in Lincoln's businesses, prospective services or products, future performance or financial results, and the outcome of contingencies, such as legal proceedings. Lincoln claims the protection afforded by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the PSLRA.

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results contained in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary materially, some of which are described within the forward-looking statements include, among others:

·	Deterioration in general economic and business conditions that may affect account values, investment results, guaranteed benefit liabilities, premium levels, claims experience and the level of pension benefit costs, funding and investment results;

Adverse global capital and credit market conditions could affect our ability to raise capital, if necessary, and may cause us to realize impairments on investments and certain intangible assets, including goodwill and the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets, which may reduce future earnings and/or affect our financial condition and ability to raise additional capital or refinance existing debt as it matures;

·	Because of our holding company structure, the inability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends to the holding company in sufficient amounts could harm the holding Company’s ability to meet its obligations;

Legislative, regulatory or tax changes, both domestic and foreign, that affect the cost of, or demand for, our subsidiaries' products, the required amount of reserves and/or surplus, or otherwise affect our ability to conduct business, including changes to statutory reserve requirements related to secondary guarantees under universal life such as a change to reserve calculations under Actuarial Guideline 38, or “AG38” (also known as “The Application of the Valuation of Life Insurance Policies Model Regulation) and variable annuity products such as Actuarial Guideline 43, or "AG43" (also known as Commissioners Annuity Reserve Valuation Method for Variable Annuities or "VACARVM"); restrictions on revenue sharing and 12b-1 payments; and the potential for U.S. Federal tax reform;

·	Uncertainty about the effect of rules and regulations to be promulgated under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act on us and the economy and financial services sector in particular;

The initiation of legal or regulatory proceedings against us, and the outcome of any legal or regulatory proceedings, such as: adverse actions related to present or past business practices common in businesses in which we compete; adverse decisions in significant actions including, but not limited to, actions brought by federal and state authorities and class action cases; new decisions that result in changes in law; and unexpected trial court rulings;

·	Changes in or sustained low interest rates causing a reduction in investment income, the interest margins of our businesses, estimated gross profits and demand for our products;

A decline in the equity markets causing a reduction in the sales of our subsidiaries' products, a reduction of asset-based fees that our subsidiaries charge on various investment and insurance products, an acceleration of amortization of deferred acquisition costs, or "DAC," value of business acquired, or "VOBA," deferred sales inducements, or "DSI," and deferred front end sales loads, or "DFEL," and an increase in liabilities related to guaranteed benefit features of our subsidiaries' variable annuity products;

·	Ineffectiveness of our risk management policies and procedures, including various hedging strategies used to offset the effect of changes in the value of liabilities due to changes in the level and volatility of the equity markets and interest rates;

A deviation in actual experience regarding future persistency, mortality, morbidity, interest rates or equity market returns from the assumptions used in pricing our subsidiaries' products, in establishing related insurance reserves and in the amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL, which may reduce future earnings;

·	Changes in accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or "GAAP," including moving to International Financial Reporting Standards that may result in unanticipated changes to our net income;

·	Lowering of one or more of our debt ratings issued by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations and the adverse effect such action may have on our ability to raise capital and on our liquidity and financial condition;

·	Lowering of one or more of the insurer financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries and the adverse effect such action may have on the premium writings, policy retention, profitability of our insurance subsidiaries and liquidity;

·	Significant credit, accounting, fraud, corporate governance or other issues that may adversely affect the value of certain investments in our portfolios as well as counterparties to which we are exposed to credit risk requiring that we realize losses on investments;

·	The effect of acquisitions and divestitures, restructurings, product withdrawals and other unusual items, including our ability to integrate acquisitions and to obtain the anticipated results and synergies from acquisitions;

·	The adequacy and collectibility of reinsurance that we have purchased;

·	Acts of terrorism, a pandemic, war or other man-made and natural catastrophes that may adversely affect our businesses and the cost and availability of reinsurance;

·	Competitive conditions, including pricing pressures, new product offerings and the emergence of new competitors, that may affect the level of premiums and fees that our subsidiaries can charge for their products;

·	The unknown effect on our subsidiaries' businesses resulting from changes in the demographics of their client base, as aging baby-boomers move from the asset-accumulation stage to the asset-distribution stage of life; and

·	Loss of key management, financial planners or wholesalers.

The risks included here are not exhaustive. Our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other documents filed with the SEC include additional factors which could impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in a rapidly changing and competitive environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors.

Further, it is not possible to assess the impact of all risk factors on our businesses or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. In addition, Lincoln disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this press release.