-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, SRh0z7m8jz8N4DZhzQ5z/ojCNXkP7+xCdx0LXPLEJ0HZPeTGbtn4X3BUZMGxBzv6 EFpT5GISGHmF38w4ZZ8b9Q== 0000950159-05-001273.txt : 20051108 0000950159-05-001273.hdr.sgml : 20051108 20051108141041 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950159-05-001273 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 7 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20050930 FILED AS OF DATE: 20051108 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20051108 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: LINCOLN NATIONAL CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000059558 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: LIFE INSURANCE [6311] IRS NUMBER: 351140070 STATE OF INCORPORATION: IN FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-06028 FILM NUMBER: 051185808 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1500 MARKET STREET STE 3900 STREET 2: CENTRE SQUARE WEST TOWER CITY: PHILADELPHIA STATE: PA ZIP: 19102 BUSINESS PHONE: 2154481475 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1500 MARKET STREET STE 3900 STREET 2: CENTRE SQUARE TOWER CITY: PHILADELPHIA STATE: PA ZIP: 19102 10-Q 1 lincoln10q.htm LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION 10Q Lincoln National Corporation 10Q

 
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, 2005.
 
 
¨
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 1-6028
 
__________________
 
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
__________________
 
     
                Indiana                
 
        35-1140070        
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
     
1500 Market Street, Suite 3900, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
 
    19102-2112    
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
(215) 448-1400
(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 is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  x    No  ¨ 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x 

As of October 31, 2005, 173,238,489 shares of common stock of the registrant were outstanding.
 
 
 


 
Item 1. Financial Statements
 
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


   
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
   
(Unaudited)
     
   
(000s Omitted)  
 
ASSETS
         
Investments:
            
    Securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
     
 
 
        Fixed maturity (cost: 2005—$33,066,428; 2004—$32,815,424)
 
$
34,324,872
 
$
34,700,604
 
        Equity (cost: 2005—$138,508; 2004—$145,809)
   
151,584
   
161,127
 
    Trading securities
   
3,286,973
   
3,237,377
 
    Mortgage loans on real estate
   
3,696,205
   
3,856,908
 
    Real estate
   
196,582
   
191,364
 
    Policy loans
   
1,856,446
   
1,870,593
 
    Derivative investments
   
155,918
   
102,456
 
    Other investments
   
416,408
   
386,830
 
    Total Investments
   
44,084,988
   
44,507,259
 
Cash and invested cash
   
1,601,916
   
1,661,686
 
Property and equipment
   
185,622
   
207,118
 
Deferred acquisition costs
   
3,903,975
   
3,444,965
 
Premiums and fees receivable
   
332,593
   
232,942
 
Accrued investment income
   
565,162
   
525,137
 
Assets held in separate accounts
   
60,811,539
   
55,204,595
 
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers
   
7,210,988
   
7,067,549
 
Goodwill
   
1,194,578
   
1,195,861
 
Other intangible assets
   
1,035,226
   
1,116,120
 
Other assets
   
1,178,020
   
1,056,033
 
    Total Assets
 
$
122,104,607
 
$
116,219,265
 
 
             
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
             
Liabilities:
             
Insurance and investment contract liabilities:
             
    Insurance policy and claim reserves
 
$
24,729,100
 
$
24,328,125
 
    Contractholder funds
   
22,796,241
   
23,074,398
 
    Liabilities related to separate accounts
   
60,811,539
   
55,204,595
 
    Total Insurance and Investment Contract Liabilities
   
108,336,880
   
102,607,118
 
Short-term debt
   
165,105
   
214,415
 
Long-term debt
   
999,482
   
1,048,636
 
Junior subordinated debentures issued to affiliated trusts
   
335,919
   
339,800
 
Reinsurance related derivative liability
   
314,095
   
375,342
 
Funds withheld reinsurance liabilities
   
2,023,456
   
1,895,092
 
Federal income taxes payable
   
31,460
   
77,624
 
Other liabilities
   
2,758,640
   
2,572,669
 
Deferred gain on indemnity reinsurance
   
855,210
   
912,980
 
Total Liabilities
   
115,820,247
   
110,043,676
 
 
             
Shareholders’ Equity:
             
Series A preferred stock—10,000,000 shares authorized (2005 liquidation
             
    value—$1,272)
   
536
   
566
 
Common stock—800,000,000 shares authorized
   
1,740,221
   
1,654,785
 
Retained earnings
   
3,922,808
   
3,589,533
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income:
           
    Net unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale
   
569,020
   
822,851
 
    Net unrealized gain on derivative instruments
   
8,888
   
14,032
 
    Foreign currency translation adjustment
   
99,505
   
154,301
 
    Minimum pension liability adjustment
   
(56,618
)
 
(60,479
)
    Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
   
620,795
   
930,705
 
    Total Shareholders’ Equity
   
6,284,360
   
6,175,589
 
    Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
$
122,104,607
 
$
116,219,265
 
               

 

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

2


LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
 
 
(Unaudited)     
 
   
(000s Omitted, except per share amounts)      
 
Revenue:
                 
    Insurance premiums
 
$
83,084
 
$
70,573
 
$
226,037
 
$
220,161
 
    Insurance fees
   
444,798
   
392,476
   
1,290,580
   
1,166,369
 
    Investment advisory fees
   
73,636
   
67,371
   
199,941
   
196,527
 
    Net investment income
   
670,849
   
669,395
   
2,034,213
   
2,030,042
 
    Realized gain (loss) on investments
   
3,780
   
(33,069
)
 
(8,194
)
 
(63,502
)
    Gain on sale of subsidiaries/business
   
-
   
110,311
   
14,238
   
134,370
 
    Amortization of deferred gain on indemnity reinsurance
   
19,257
   
32,383
   
57,771
   
68,846
 
    Other revenue and fees
   
117,696
   
96,618
   
284,930
   
270,995
 
        Total Revenue
   
1,413,100
   
1,406,058
   
4,099,516
   
4,023,808
 
Benefits and Expenses:
                         
    Benefits
   
613,205
   
556,109
   
1,779,113
   
1,722,729
 
    Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses
   
475,248
   
507,144
   
1,475,432
   
1,442,596
 
    Interest and debt expense
   
21,692
   
24,417
   
66,213
   
71,891
 
        Total Benefits and Expenses
   
1,110,145
   
1,087,670
   
3,320,758
   
3,237,216
 
Income before federal income taxes and cumulative effect of
                         
     accounting change
   
302,955
   
318,388
   
778,758
   
786,592
 
Federal income taxes
   
74,008
   
118,711
   
173,013
   
244,952
 
Income before cumulative effect of accounting change
   
228,947
   
199,677
   
605,745
   
541,640
 
Cumulative effect of accounting change (net of Federal income taxes)
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(24,502
)
        Net Income
 
$
228,947
 
$
199,677
 
$
605,745
 
$
517,138
 
                           
Earnings Per Common Share-Basic
                         
    Income before cumulative effect of accounting change
 
$
1.33
 
$
1.14
 
$
3.50
 
$
3.06
 
    Cumulative effect of accounting change (net of Federal
                         
        income taxes)
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(0.14
)
        Net Income
 
$
1.33
 
$
1.14
 
$
3.50
 
$
2.92
 
                           
Earnings Per Common Share-Diluted:
                         
    Income before cumulative effect of accounting change
 
$
1.30
 
$
1.12
 
$
3.44
 
$
3.01
 
    Cumulative effect of acounting change (net of Federal
                         
            income taxes)
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(0.13
)
    Net Income
 
$
1.30
 
$
1.12
 
$
3.44
 
$
2.88
 
 
                         
 
                         

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

 
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,       
 
   
Number of Shares   
 
Amounts   
 
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
   
(Unaudited)      
 
   
(000s omitted, except for share amounts)      
 
Series A Preferred Stock:
                 
    Balance at beginning-of-year
   
16,912
   
17,746
 
$
566
 
$
593
 
    Conversion into common stock
   
(1,017
)
 
(636
)
 
(30
)
 
(21
)
        Balance at September 30
   
15,895
   
17,110
   
536
   
572
 
                           
Common Stock:
                         
    Balance at beginning-of-year
   
173,557,730
   
178,212,455
   
1,654,785
   
1,528,701
 
    Conversion of series A preferred stock
   
16,272
   
10,176
   
30
   
21
 
    Stock compensation/issued for benefit plans
   
1,920,236
   
2,554,918
   
105,241
   
122,634
 
    Deferred compensation payable in stock
   
53,617
   
-
   
2,390
   
-
 
    Retirement of common stock
   
(2,331,000
)
 
(6,233,307
)
 
(22,225
)
 
(56,332
)
        Balance at September 30
   
173,216,855
   
174,544,242
   
1,740,221
   
1,595,024
 
                           
Retained Earnings:
                         
    Balance at beginning-of-year
               
3,589,533
   
3,413,302
 
    Comprehensive income (loss)
               
295,835
   
509,096
 
    Less other comprehensive income (loss)
       (net of Federal income tax):
                       
Net unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale, net
                         
of reclassification adjustment
               
(253,831
)
 
(12,989
)
Net unrealized loss on derivative instruments
               
(5,144
)
 
(2,285
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
               
(54,796
)
 
7,905
 
Minimum pension liability adjustment
               
3,861
   
(673
)
        Net Income
               
605,745
   
517,138
 
    Retirement of common stock
               
(81,367
)
 
(229,910
)
    Dividends declared:
                       
        Series A preferred ($2.25 per share)
               
(36
)
 
(40
)
        Common (2005-$1.10; 2004-$1.05)
               
(191,067
)
 
(186,251
)
            Balance at September 30
             
$
3,922,808
 
$
3,514,239
 
                           
                           
 
 
See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

4


LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Continued)
 
   
Nine Months Ended  
 
 
 
September 30,  
 
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
 
 
(Unaudited)  
 
 
 
(000s omitted, except for share amounts)  
 
Net Unrealized Gain on Securities Available-for-Sale:
         
    Balance at beginning-of-year
 
$
822,851
 
$
793,054
 
    Change during the period
   
(253,831
)
 
(12,989
)
        Balance at September 30
   
569,020
   
780,065
 
               
Net Unrealized Gain on Derivative Instruments:
             
    Balance at beginning-of-year
   
14,032
   
22,094
 
    Change during the period
   
(5,144
)
 
(2,285
)
        Balance at September 30
   
8,888
   
19,809
 
               
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment:
             
    Accumulated adjustment at beginning-of-year
   
154,301
   
108,993
 
    Change during the period
   
(54,796
)
 
7,905
 
        Balance at September 30
   
99,505
   
116,898
 
               
Minimum Pension Liability Adjustment:
             
    Balance at beginning-of-year
   
(60,479
)
 
(55,112
)
    Change during the period
   
3,861
   
(673
)
        Balance at September 30
   
(56,618
)
 
(55,785
)
               
Total Shareholders’ Equity at September 30
 
$
6,284,360
 
$
5,970,822
 
               
Common Stock at September 30:
             
    Assuming conversion of preferred stock
   
173,471,175
   
174,818,002
 
    Diluted basis
   
176,296,287
   
177,061,371
 
               
 
See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

5


LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
 
 
(Unaudited)  
 
 
 
(000s omitted)  
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
         
Net income
 
$
605,745
 
$
517,138
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
             
    Deferred acquisition costs
   
(316,712
)
 
(269,174
)
    Premiums and fees receivable
   
(4,054
)
 
103,307
 
    Accrued investment income
   
(40,025
)
 
(50,461
)
    Policy liabilities and accruals
   
163,722
   
(471,484
)
    Net trading securities purchases, sales and maturities
   
(121,303
)
 
(72,976
)
    Gain on reinsurance embedded derivative/trading securities
   
(4,617
)
 
(478
)
    Cumulative effect of accounting change
   
-
   
37,695
 
    Contractholder funds
   
244,255
   
681,684
 
    Amounts recoverable from reinsurers
   
(143,439
)
 
170,158
 
    Federal income taxes
   
99,697
   
149,390
 
    Stock-based compensation expense
   
37,362
   
40,726
 
    Depreciation
   
60,025
   
44,237
 
    Amortization of other intangible assets
   
59,479
   
102,027
 
    Gain on sale of subsidiaries/business
   
(14,231
)
 
(134,370
)
    Realized loss on investments and derivative instruments
   
12,804
   
63,934
 
    Amortization of deferred gain
   
(57,770
)
 
(68,846
)
    Other
   
67,406
 
 
(249,623
)
        Net Adjustments
   
42,599
 
 
75,746
 
        Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
   
648,344
   
592,884
 
               
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
             
Securities-available-for-sale:
             
    Purchases
   
(4,139,250
)
 
(7,146,727
)
    Sales
   
2,132,567
   
3,928,132
 
    Maturities
   
1,788,341
   
1,873,674
 
Purchase of other investments
   
(698,045
)
 
(650,150
)
Sale or maturity of other investments
   
838,870
   
1,026,532
 
Increase in cash collateral on loaned securities
   
89,346
   
181,952
 
Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries/business
   
14,231
   
190,926
 
Other
   
123,987
   
234,243
 
    Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities
   
150,047
   
(361,418
)
               
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
             
Issuance of long-term debt
   
-
   
197,294
 
Payment of long-term debt
   
(240,936
)
 
-
 
Net increase (decrease) in short-term debt
   
143,605
   
(43,970
)
Universal life and investment contract deposits
   
3,649,465
   
3,673,040
 
Universal life and investment contract withdrawals
   
(3,270,025
)
 
(2,505,166
)
Investment contract transfers
   
(1,043,624
)
 
(926,780
)
Increase in funds withheld liability
   
128,364
   
61,049
 
Common stock issued for benefit plans
   
69,875
   
71,652
 
Retirement of common stock
   
(103,592
)
 
(286,242
)
Dividends paid to shareholders
   
(191,293
)
 
(187,553
)
    Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities
   
(858,161
)
 
53,324
 
    Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Invested Cash
   
(59,770
)
 
284,790
 
Cash and Invested Cash at Beginning-of-Year
   
1,661,686
   
1,711,196
 
    Cash and Invested Cash at September 30
 
$
1,601,916
 
$
1,995,986
 
               
               

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

6


LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
1. Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include Lincoln National Corporation and its majority-owned subsidiaries (“LNC” or the “Company” which also may be referred to as “we” or “us”). Through subsidiary companies, we operate multiple insurance and investment management businesses divided into four business segments (see Note 7). The collective group of companies uses “Lincoln Financial Group” as its marketing identity. Less than majority-owned entities in which we have at least a 20% interest are reported on the equity basis. These unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). In the opinion of management, these statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes incorporated by reference into our latest annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 (“2004 Form 10-K”).
 
Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2005. Certain amounts reported in prior years’ Consolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2005 presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on net income or shareholders’ equity of the prior years.
 
2. Changes in Accounting Principles and Changes in Estimates
 
SFAS No. 123(r) - Accounting for Share-Based Payment. In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123(r)”), which is a revision of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” SFAS 123(r) requires recognition in the income statement of all share-based payments to employees based on their fair values. We had previously adopted the retroactive restatement method under SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure” and restated all periods presented to reflect stock-based employee compensation cost under the fair value accounting method for all employee awards granted, modified or settled in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1994.
 
We currently use the Black-Scholes formula to estimate the value of stock options granted to employees. We are evaluating the use of other acceptable option valuation models upon the required adoption of SFAS 123(r). SFAS 123(r) also requires the reporting of the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation as financing cash flow rather than as an operating cash flow. In April 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) deferred required implementation to January 1, 2006. We do not expect adoption of SFAS 123(r) to have a material effect on our results of operations, operating cash flows or financial position.

EITF 03-1—The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments. In March 2004, the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached a final consensus on Issue 03-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments” (“EITF 03-1”). EITF 03-1 established impairment models for determining whether to record impairment losses associated with investments in certain equity and debt securities. It also required the accrual of income on a level-yield basis following an impairment of debt securities, where reasonable estimates of the timing and amount of future cash flows can be made. The application of EITF 03-1 was to be effective for reporting periods beginning after June 15, 2004.

In September 2004, the FASB directed the FASB staff to issue further guidance on this topic in FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) EITF No. 03-1-a, “Implementation Guidance for the Application of Paragraph 16 of EITF Issue No. 03-1” (“FSP EITF 03-1-a”). On September 30, 2004, the FASB delayed the effective date of the accounting and measurement provisions of EITF 03-1 in order to consider the further guidance included in FSP EITF 03-1-a. However, the disclosure requirements and the definition of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) included in EITF 03-1 were not delayed, and accordingly we made the appropriate disclosures and utilized the definition of OTTI to evaluate all securities within the scope of EITF 03-1.
 
In November 2005, the FASB issued proposed FSP EITF 03-1-a, but retitled as FSP FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments” (“FSP FAS 115-1”). The guidance in FSP FAS 115-1 nullifies the accounting and measurement provisions of EITF 03-1, references existing OTTI guidance, and supersedes EITF Topic No. D-44 “Recognition of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment upon the Planned Sale of a Security Whose Cost Exceeds Fair Value.” FSP FAS 115-1 will be applied prospectively and is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2005. Our existing policies for recognizing an OTTI are consistent with the guidance in FSP FAS 115-1, therefore we do not expect the adoption of FSP FAS 115-1 to have an effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
 
Statement of Position 03-1. Effective January 1, 2004, we implemented the provisions of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) Statement of Position 03-1, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Nontraditional Long-Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts” (“the SOP”). Adjustments arising from implementation, as discussed below, were recorded in net income as a cumulative effect of accounting change.
 
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit Reserves. Although there was no method prescribed under GAAP for guaranteed minimum death benefit (“GMDB”) reserving until the issuance of the SOP, our Lincoln Retirement segment had been recording a reserve
 
 
7

 
 
for GMDBs. At December 31, 2003, our GMDB reserve was $46.4 million. Adoption of the GMDB reserving methodology under the SOP resulted in a decrease to reserves of $9.7 million pre-tax. GMDB reserves were $12.3 million and $18.2 million at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.
 
Application of the SOP impacts estimated gross profits (“EGPs”) used to calculate the amortization of deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”), the present value of acquired blocks of in-force policies (“PVIF”), deferred sales inducements (“DSI”), and the liability for deferred front-end loads (“DFEL”). The benefit ratio approach under the SOP results in the accrual of a portion of future GMDB fees as a liability for future GMDB reserves. As a result, the EGPs used in our determination of DAC amortization are lower under the SOP. Therefore, upon adoption of the SOP in the first quarter of 2004, we reported an unfavorable DAC/PVIF/DSI/DFEL unlocking as a negative cumulative effect adjustment of $43.2 million pre-tax.
 
The combined effects of the GMDB reserve requirements and related unlocking adjustments from implementation of the SOP resulted in a charge to net income for the cumulative effect of accounting change of $33.5 million pre-tax ($21.8 million after-tax) in the first quarter of 2004.
 
Sales Inducements. Our Lincoln Retirement segment variable annuity product offerings include contracts that offer a bonus credit, typically ranging from 2% to 5% of each deposit. We also offer enhanced interest rates to variable annuity contracts that are under dollar cost averaging (“DCA”) funding arrangements. Bonus credits and excess DCA interest are considered sales inducements under the SOP and, as such, are to be deferred as a sales inducement asset and amortized as a benefit expense over the expected life of the contract. Amortization is computed using the same methodology and assumptions used in amortizing DAC.
 
We previously deferred bonus credits as part of the DAC asset and reported the amortization of bonus credits as part of DAC amortization. Upon implementation of the SOP, we reclassified bonus credits of $45.2 million from DAC to DSI, which are reported in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amortization of the DSI asset is reported as part of benefit expense.
 
Universal Life Contracts. Our Life Insurance segment offers an array of individual and survivor-life universal life insurance products that contain features for which the SOP might apply. A review of the products and their features for possible SOP implications concluded that no additional reserves would be necessary with the exception of the MoneyGuardSM product. MoneyGuardSM is a universal life insurance product with an acceleration of death benefit feature that provides convalescent care benefit payments when the insured becomes chronically ill. There is an optional extension of benefit rider available that will provide continuation of the convalescent care benefit payments once the total benefits from the base policy have been exhausted. The optional extended benefit payments can be for 2 years, 4 years, or the remaining life of the insured. Charges for the extension rider are deducted from the base policy account value and vary by the length of extension period selected. The adoption of the SOP in the first quarter of 2004 resulted in a charge recorded as a cumulative effect of accounting change of $4.2 million pre-tax ($2.7 million after-tax) for the extension of benefit feature in MoneyGuardSM
 
Statement of Position 05-1. In September 2005, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the AICPA issued Statement of Position 05-1, “Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection with Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts” (“SOP 05-1”). SOP 05-1 addresses the accounting for DAC on internal replacements other than those described in SFAS No. 97, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Long-Duration Contracts and for Realized Gains and Losses from the Sale of Investments.” An internal replacement is defined by SOP 05-1 as a modification in product benefits, features, rights or coverages that occurs by (a) exchanging the contract for a new contract, (b) amending, endorsing or attaching a rider to the contract, or (c) electing a feature or coverage within a replaced contract. Depending on the classification of the replacement contract and the type of benefit or feature added, SOP 05-1 provides guidance on how to account for the replaced contract’s DAC, other deferred balances and the amortization of the deferrals. SOP 05-1 is to be applied prospectively and is effective for internal replacements occurring in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We are currently evaluating the potential effects of SOP 05-1 on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

3. Federal Income Taxes
 
The effective tax rate on net income is lower than the prevailing corporate Federal income tax rate principally from tax-preferred investment income. We earn tax-preferred investment income that does not change proportionately with the overall change in earnings or losses before Federal income taxes.
 
Our Federal income tax liability at December 31, 2004 included a valuation allowance of $46.8 million attributable to the net operating losses of our foreign life reinsurance subsidiary domiciled in Barbados. This valuation allowance has been reduced by $42.5 million to $4.3 million as of September 30, 2005, including a reduction of $13.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2005. The net operating loss carryforwards of this subsidiary are subject to Federal income tax limitations that only allow the net operating losses to be used to offset future taxable income of the subsidiary. We believe that it is more likely than not that all of the tax benefits associated with this subsidiary’s net operating losses will be realized. The release of the remaining valuation allowance will be apportioned to the fourth quarter of 2005 through an adjustment to the annual effective tax rate.

The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 provides for an election for either 2004 or 2005 of a special one-time tax deduction of 85 percent of certain foreign earnings that are repatriated. LNC is currently evaluating the effects of the repatriation provision and expects that the evaluation will be completed by the end of the fourth quarter of 2005. Until such evaluation is complete, a range of income tax effects of such repatriation cannot be reasonably estimated. 
 
 
 
8

 
 

4. Supplemental Financial Data
 
A rollforward of the deferred acquisition costs on the Consolidated Balance Sheets is as follows:
 

   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
 
(in millions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
Balance at beginning-of-year
 
$
3,445.0
 
$
3,147.1
 
    Deferral
   
649.7
   
606.8
 
    Amortization
   
(333.0
)
 
(337.6
)
    Adjustment related to realized gains on securities available-for-sale
   
(39.8
)
 
(29.9
)
    Adjustment related to unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale
   
228.4
   
(29.4
)
    Foreign currency translation adjustment
   
(46.3
)
 
9.1
 
    Cumulative effect of accounting change
   
-
   
(39.3
)
        Balance at end-of-period
 
$
3,904.0
 
$
3,326.8
 
               
               

 
Realized gains and losses on investments and derivative instruments for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 are net of amounts amortized against deferred acquisition costs of $39.8 million and $29.9 million, respectively. In addition, realized gains and losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 are net of adjustments made to policyholder reserves of $(0.8) million and $1.0 million, respectively. We have either a contractual obligation or have a consistent historical practice of making allocations of investment gains or losses to certain policyholders and to certain reinsurance arrangements.
 
Details underlying underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income are as follows:


   
Three Months Ended  
 
Nine Months Ended  
 
 
 
September 30,  
 
September 30,  
 
(in millions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
Commissions
 
$
207.2
 
$
171.0
 
$
577.0
 
$
510.8
 
Other volume-related expenses
   
128.3
   
74.1
   
353.0
   
291.0
 
Operating and administrative expenses
   
249.1
   
264.6
   
696.7
   
704.3
 
Deferred acquisition costs net of amortization
   
(153.7
)
 
(85.4
)
 
(316.7
)
 
(269.2
)
Other intangibles amortization
   
20.2
   
52.7
   
59.5
   
102.0
 
Taxes, licenses and fees
   
21.4
   
25.6
   
78.1
   
82.4
 
Restructuring charges
   
2.7
   
4.5
   
27.8
   
21.3
 
    Total
 
$
475.2
 
$
507.1
 
$
1,475.4
 
$
1,442.6
 
                           

During the third quarters of 2005 and 2004, we completed our annual comprehensive reviews of the assumptions underlying the amortization of DAC, PVIF, DSI and DFEL as well as the reserves related to GMDB and the embedded derivative related to guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (“GMWB”). As a result of these comprehensive reviews, we recorded net positive prospective unlocking of $63.1 million pre-tax ($41.0 million after-tax) and $14.8 million pre-tax ($9.6 million after-tax) for 2005 and 2004, respectively.


9


 For intangible assets subject to amortization, the total gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization in total and for each major intangible asset class by segment are as follows:
 

 
 
As of September 30, 2005
 
As of December 31, 2004
 
 
 
Gross Carrying
 
Accumulated
 
Gross Carrying
 
Accumulated
 
(in millions)
 
Amount
 
Amortization
 
Amount
 
Amortization
 
Present value of in-force
                 
    Lincoln Retirement
 
$
225.0
 
$
146.7
 
$
225.0
 
$
132.4
 
    Life Insurance
   
1,254.2
   
574.6
   
1,254.2
   
527.7
 
    Lincoln UK *
   
377.1
   
115.6
   
410.2
   
134.1
 
Subtotal
   
1,856.3
   
836.9
   
1,889.4
   
794.2
 
Client lists
                         
    Investment Management
   
92.2
   
76.4
   
91.4
   
70.5
 
Total
 
$
1,948.5
 
$
913.3
 
$
1,980.8
 
$
864.7
 
                           
                           
_____________
*       
The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of the present value of in-force for the Lincoln UK segment changed from December 31, 2004 to September 30, 2005, which includes changes due to the translation of the balances from British pounds to U.S. dollars based on the prevailing exchange rate as of the respective balance sheet dates.
 
Aggregate amortization expense for other intangible assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 was $20.2 million and $59.5 million, respectively, compared to $52.7 million and $102.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively.

Future estimated amortization of other intangible assets is as follows (in millions):
 
Remainder 2005 - $22.1
 
2006 - $82.8
 
2007 - $78.5
2008 - $74.8
 
2009 - $69.2
 
Thereafter - $707.8
 
A rollforward of the present value of insurance business acquired included in other intangible assets is as follows:


   
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
(in millions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
1,095.2
 
$
1,196.5
 
Interest accrued on unamortized balance
             
    (Interest rates range from 5% to 7%)
   
46.8
   
69.2
 
Amortization
   
(100.4
)
 
(190.0
)
Foreign exchange adjustment
   
(22.2
)
 
19.5
 
    Balance at end-of-period
   
1,019.4
   
1,095.2
 
Other intangible assets (non-insurance)
   
15.8
   
20.9
 
    Total other intangible assets at end-of-period
 
$
1,035.2
 
$
1,116.1
 
               
               

 Details underlying contractholder funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:
 
   
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
(in millions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
Premium deposit funds
 
$
21,932.7
 
$
22,215.1
 
Undistributed earnings on participating business
   
123.3
   
145.3
 
Other
   
740.2
   
714.0
 
    Total
 
$
22,796.2
 
$
23,074.4
 
               
 

 
10


5. Insurance Benefit Reserves
 
We issue variable contracts through our separate accounts for which investment income and investment gains and losses accrue directly to, and investment risk is borne by, the contractholder (traditional variable annuities). We also issue variable annuity and life contracts through separate accounts that include various types of GMDB features and a GMWB. The GMDB features generally include those where we contractually guarantee that the contractholder receives (a) a return of no less than total deposits made to the contract less any partial withdrawals, (b) total deposits made to the contract less any partial withdrawals plus a minimum return, or (c) the highest contract value on any contract anniversary date through age 80 minus any payments or withdrawals following such contract anniversary.
 
The following table provides information on the GMDB features outstanding at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004. (Note that our variable contracts with guarantees may offer more than one type of guarantee in each contract; therefore, the amounts listed are not mutually exclusive.) The net amount at risk is defined as the current guaranteed minimum death benefit in excess of the current account balance at the respective balance sheet dates.


   
In the Event of Death  
 
   
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
(dollars in billions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
Return of net deposit
         
    Account value
 
$
30.6
 
$
28.4
 
    Net amount at risk
   
0.1
   
0.2
 
    Average attained age of contractholders
   
53
   
52
 
Return of net deposits plus a minimum return
             
    Account value
 
$
0.3
 
$
0.3
 
    Net amount at risk
   
-
   
-
 
    Average attained age of contractholders
   
66
   
65
 
    Guaranteed minimum return
   
5
%
 
5
%
Highest specified anniversary account value minus withdrawals post anniversary
             
    Account value
 
$
17.8
 
$
15.6
 
    Net amount at risk
   
0.4
   
0.6
 
    Average attained age of contractholders
   
63
   
62
 
               
               
 
 
Approximately $6.9 billion and $4.2 billion of separate account values at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 were attributable to variable annuities with a GMWB feature. This GMWB feature offers the contractholder a guarantee equal to the initial deposit adjusted for any subsequent purchase payments or withdrawals. There are one-year and five-year step-up options, which allow the contractholder to step up the guarantee. GMWB features are considered to be derivatives under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” resulting in the guarantees being recognized at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in net income.
 
Separate account balances attributable to variable annuity contracts with guarantees are as follows:  


   
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
(in billions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
Asset Type
         
Domestic equity
 
$
30.5
 
$
27.6
 
International equity
   
3.9
   
3.2
 
Bonds
   
4.9
   
4.2
 
    Total
   
39.3
   
35.0
 
Money market
   
3.8
   
3.3
 
    Total
 
$
43.1
 
$
38.3
 
Percent of total variable annuity separate account values
   
95
%
 
95
%
               
 
The following table summarizes GMDB liabilities:
 

           
 
 
GMDB
 
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
(in millions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
18.2
 
$
46.4
 
    Cumulative effect of implementation of SOP 03-1
   
-
   
(9.7
)
    Changes in reserves
   
5.2
   
24.4
 
    Benefits paid
   
(11.1
)
 
(12.9
)
Balance at end-of-period
 
$
12.3
 
$
48.2
 
               
               

 
 
11

 
 
The changes to the benefit reserves above are reflected in benefits in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Also included in benefits in the Consolidated Statements of Income are the results of the hedging program, which included losses of $3.6 million and $2.0 million for GMDB for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, and $4.7 million and $5.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively.

 6. Restrictions and Contingencies
 
Statutory Restrictions
 
Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to certain insurance department regulatory restrictions as to the transfer of funds and payment of dividends to the holding company. Generally, these restrictions pose no short-term liquidity concerns for the holding company. In general, a dividend is not subject to prior approval from the Indiana Insurance Commissioner (“Commissioner”) provided The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company’s (“LNL”) statutory earned surplus is positive and the proposed dividend, plus all other dividends made within the twelve consecutive months prior to the date of the proposed dividend, does not exceed the standard limitation of the greater of 10% of the insurer’s policyholders’ surplus, as shown on its last annual statement on file with the Commissioner, or the insurer’s statutory net gain for the previous calendar year. Based upon anticipated on-going positive statutory earnings and favorable credit markets, LNL could pay dividends of up to $293 million in 2005 without prior approval from the Commissioner.
 
LNL is recognized as an accredited reinsurer in the state of New York, which effectively enables it to conduct reinsurance business with unrelated insurance companies that are domiciled within the state of New York. As a result, it is also subject to the regulatory requirements that the state of New York imposes upon authorized insurers. These regulations include reserve requirements, which differ from Indiana’s requirements. The New York regulations require LNL to report more reserves to the state of New York. As a result, the level of statutory surplus that LNL reports to New York is less than the statutory surplus reported to Indiana and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. If New York requires us to maintain a higher level of capital to remain an accredited reinsurer in New York, LNL’s ability to pay dividends to us could be constrained. However, we do not expect that LNL’s ability to pay dividends during 2005 will be constrained as a result of our status in New York.
 
Lincoln UK’s operations consist primarily of unit-linked life and pension products, which are similar to U.S. produced variable life and annuity products. Lincoln UK’s insurance subsidiaries are regulated by the U.K. Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) and are subject to capital requirements as defined by the U.K. Capital Resources Requirement (formerly the Required Minimum Solvency Margin). Lincoln UK maintains approximately 1.5 to 2.0 times the required capital as prescribed by the regulatory resources requirement. In addition, the FSA has imposed certain minimum capital requirements for the combined U.K. subsidiaries. As is the case with regulated insurance companies in the U.S., changes to regulatory capital requirements can impact the dividend capacity of our UK insurance subsidiaries and cash flows to us.
 
Reinsurance
 
Our amounts recoverable from reinsurers represents receivables from and reserves ceded to reinsurers. We obtain reinsurance from a diverse group of reinsurers and monitor concentration as well as financial strength ratings of our principal reinsurers. Our principal reinsurers are strongly rated companies, with Swiss Re representing the largest exposure. We sold our reinsurance business to Swiss Re primarily through indemnity reinsurance arrangements in 2001. Because we are not relieved of our liability to the ceding companies for this business, the liabilities and obligations associated with the reinsured contracts remain on our Consolidated Balance Sheets with a corresponding reinsurance receivable from Swiss Re, which totaled $4.4 billion at September 30, 2005, and is included in amounts recoverable from reinsurers. During 2004, Swiss Re funded a trust for $2.0 billion to support this business. In addition to various remedies that we would have in the event of a default by Swiss Re, we continue to hold assets in support of certain of the transferred reserves. These assets consist of those reported as trading securities and certain mortgage loans. Our funds withheld and embedded derivative liabilities at September 30, 2005 included $2.0 billion and $0.3 billion, respectively, related to the business reinsured by Swiss Re.
 
We recorded the gain related to the indemnity reinsurance transactions on the business sold to Swiss Re as deferred gain in the liability section of our Consolidated Balance Sheet in accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 113, “Accounting and Reporting for Reinsurance of Short-Duration and Long-Duration Contracts” (“FAS 113”). The deferred gain is being amortized into income at the rate that earnings on the reinsured business are expected to emerge, over a period of 15 years.
 
Because the reserves related to the personal accident business are based upon various estimates that are subject to considerable uncertainty, the reserves carried on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2005 may ultimately prove to be either excessive or deficient. For instance, in the event that future developments indicate that these reserves should be increased, under FAS 113 we would record a current period non-cash charge to record the increase in reserves. Because Swiss Re is responsible for paying the underlying claims to the ceding companies, we would record a corresponding increase in reinsurance recoverable from Swiss Re. However, FAS 113 does not permit us to take the full benefit in earnings for the recording of the increase in the reinsurance recoverable in the period of the change. Rather, we would increase the deferred gain recognized upon the closing of the indemnity reinsurance transaction with Swiss Re and would report a cumulative amortization “catch-up” adjustment to the deferred gain balance as increased earnings recognized in the period of change. Any amount of additional increase to the deferred gain above the cumulative amortization “catch-up” adjustment must continue to be deferred and will be amortized into
 
 
12

 
income in future periods over the remaining period of expected run-off of the underlying business. No cash would be transferred between Swiss Re and us as a result of these developments.
 
United Kingdom Selling Practices
 
Various selling practices of the Lincoln UK operations have come under scrutiny by the U.K. regulators. These include the sale and administration of individual pension products, mortgage endowments and the selling practices of City Financial Partners Limited, a subsidiary company purchased in December 1997. Regarding the sale and administration of pension products to individuals, regulatory agencies have raised questions as to what constitutes appropriate advice to individuals who bought pension products as an alternative to participation in an employer-sponsored plan. In cases of alleged inappropriate advice, an extensive investigation has been or is being carried out and the individual put in a position similar to what would have been attained if the individual had remained in an employer-sponsored plan.
 
At September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the aggregate liability associated with Lincoln UK selling practices was $13.7 million and $27.4 million, respectively. On an ongoing basis, Lincoln UK evaluates various assumptions underlying these estimated liabilities, including the expected levels of future complaints and the potential implications with respect to the adequacy of the aggregate liability associated with UK selling practice matters. Based upon our evaluation in the third quarter of 2005, we increased the reserve for selling practice matters by $4.9 million as a result of greater than expected levels of customer complaints. Any changes in the regulatory position on time limits for making a complaint regarding the sale of mortgage endowment contracts or higher than expected levels of complaints may result in Lincoln UK revising its estimate of the required level of these liabilities. The reserves for these issues are based on various estimates that are subject to considerable uncertainty. Accordingly, the reserves may prove to be deficient or excessive. However, it is management’s opinion that future developments regarding Lincoln UK selling practices will not have a material effect on our results of operations or our consolidated financial position.
 
In addition, we have successfully pursued claims with some of our liability carriers for reimbursement of certain costs incurred in connection with certain United Kingdom selling practices. We are continuing to pursue claims with liability carriers.
 
Marketing and Compliance Issues
 
There continues to be a significant amount of federal and state regulatory activity in the industry relating to numerous issues including, but not limited to, market timing and late trading of mutual fund and variable insurance products and broker-dealer access arrangements. Like others in the industry, we have received inquiries including requests for information and/or subpoenas from various authorities including the SEC, the National Association of Securities Dealers (“NASD”) and the New York Attorney General, as well as notices of potential proceedings from the SEC and NASD. We are in the process of responding to, and in some cases have settled or are in the process of settling, certain of these inquiries and potential proceedings. We continue to cooperate fully with such authorities.
 
Regulators also continue to focus on replacement and exchange issues. Under certain circumstances companies have been held responsible for replacing existing policies with policies that were less advantageous to the policyholder. Our management continues to monitor compliance procedures to minimize any potential liability. Due to the uncertainty surrounding all of these matters, it is not possible to provide a meaningful estimate of the range of potential outcomes; however it is management’s opinion that future developments will not materially affect our consolidated financial position.
 
Other Contingency Matters
 
LNC and our subsidiaries are involved in various pending or threatened legal proceedings, including purported class actions, arising from the conduct of business. In some instances, these proceedings include claims for unspecified or substantial punitive damages and similar types of relief in addition to amounts for alleged contractual liability or requests for equitable relief. After consultation with legal counsel and a review of available facts, it is management’s opinion that these proceedings ultimately will be resolved without materially affecting our consolidated financial position.
 
State guaranty funds assess insurance companies to cover losses to policyholders of insolvent or rehabilitated companies. Mandatory assessments may be partially recovered through a reduction in future premium taxes in some states. We have accrued for expected assessments net of estimated future premium tax deductions.
 
Guarantees
 
We have guarantees with off-balance-sheet risks having contractual values outstanding of $4.0 million and $4.6 million at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.
 
Certain of our subsidiaries have sold commercial mortgage loans through grantor trusts, which issued pass-through certificates. These subsidiaries have agreed to repurchase any mortgage loans which remain delinquent for 90 days at a repurchase price substantially equal to the outstanding principal balance plus accrued interest thereon to the date of repurchase. In case of default by the borrowers, we have recourse to the underlying real estate. It is management’s opinion that the value of the properties underlying these commitments is sufficient that in the event of default, the impact would not be material to us. These guarantees expire in 2009.
 
 
13

 
Derivative Instruments
 
We maintain an overall risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to minimize significant unplanned fluctuations in earnings that are caused by interest rate risk, foreign currency risk, equity risk, and credit risk. We assess these risks by continually identifying and monitoring changes in interest rate exposure, foreign currency exposure, equity market exposure, and credit exposure that may adversely impact expected future cash flows and by evaluating hedging opportunities. Derivative instruments that are currently used as part of our interest rate risk management strategy include interest rate swaps, interest rate futures and interest rate caps. Derivative instruments that are used as part of our foreign currency risk management strategy include foreign currency swaps and foreign exchange forwards. Call options on our stock, total return swaps, put options and equity futures are used as part of our equity market risk management strategy. We also use credit default swaps as part of our credit risk management strategy.
 
By using derivative instruments, we are exposed to credit and market risk. If the counterparty fails to perform, credit risk is equal to the extent of the fair value gain in the derivative. When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, this generally indicates that the counterparty owes us and, therefore, creates a payment risk for us. When the fair value of a derivative contract is negative, we owe the counterparty and therefore we have no payment risk. We minimize the credit (or payment) risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high quality counterparties that we review regularly. We also maintain a policy of requiring that all derivative contracts be governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) Master Agreement.
 
LNL and we are required to maintain minimum ratings as a matter of routine practice in negotiating ISDA agreements. Under the majority of ISDA agreements and as a matter of policy, LNL has agreed to maintain financial strength or claims-paying ratings above S&P BBB and Moody’s Baa2. A downgrade below these levels would result in termination of the derivatives contract at which time any amounts payable by us would be dependent on the market value of the underlying derivative contract. In certain transactions, the counterparty and LNL have entered into a collateral support agreement requiring us to post collateral upon significant downgrade. We are required to maintain long-term senior debt ratings of S&P BBB- and Moody’s Baa3. We also require for our own protection minimum rating standards for counterparty credit protection. LNL is required to maintain financial strength or claims-paying ratings above S&P A- and Moody’s A3 under certain ISDA agreements, which collectively do not represent material notional exposure. We do not believe the inclusion of termination or collateralization events poses any material threat to our liquidity position.
 
Market risk is the adverse effect that a change in interest rates, currency rates, implied volatility rates, or a change in certain equity indexes or instruments has on the value of a financial instrument. We manage the market risk by establishing and monitoring limits as to the types and degree of risk that may be undertaken.
 
Our derivative instruments are monitored by our risk management committee as part of that committee’s oversight of our derivative activities. Our derivative instruments committee is responsible for implementing various hedging strategies that are developed through its analysis of financial simulation models and other internal and industry sources. The resulting hedging strategies are incorporated into our overall risk management strategies.

14


7. Segment Information
 
We have four business segments: Lincoln Retirement, Life Insurance, Investment Management and Lincoln UK. Segment operating revenue and income from operations are internal financial performance measures used by our management and Board of Directors to evaluate and assess the results of our segments. Operating revenue excludes realized gains and losses on investments and derivative instruments, gains and losses on reinsurance embedded derivative/trading securities, gains and losses on sale of subsidiaries/businesses and amortization of the deferred gain arising from reserve development on business sold through reinsurance. Income (loss) from operations is net income (loss) excluding net realized investment gains and losses, losses on early retirement of debt, restructuring charges, reserve development net of related amortization on business sold through reinsurance and cumulative effect of accounting changes. Our management and Board of Directors believe that income (loss) from operations explains the results of our ongoing businesses in a manner that allows for a better understanding of the underlying trends in our current businesses because net realized investment gains and losses, losses on early retirement of debt, restructuring charges, reserve development net of related amortization on business sold through reinsurance and cumulative effect of accounting changes are unpredictable and not necessarily indicative of current operating fundamentals or future performance of the business segments, and in many instances, decisions regarding these items do not necessarily relate to the operations of the individual segments.
 
The following table shows financial data by segment:
 

   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
(in millions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
Revenue:
                 
    Segment Operating Revenue:
                 
    Lincoln Retirement
 
$
573.1
 
$
526.2
 
$
1,684.6
 
$
1,588.7
 
    Life Insurance
   
492.4
   
481.1
   
1,473.9
   
1,449.2
 
    Investment Management (1)
   
146.8
   
133.0
   
415.1
   
407.1
 
    Lincoln UK
   
102.8
   
95.8
   
255.9
   
252.9
 
    Other Operations
   
251.9
   
217.6
   
743.8
   
626.0
 
    Consolidating adjustments
   
(157.9
)
 
(125.1
)
 
(480.8
)
 
(372.0
)
    Net realized investment results (2)
   
3.7
   
77.2
   
6.0
   
70.9
 
    Reserve development net of related amortization
                         
        on business sold through reinsurance
   
0.3
   
0.3
   
1.0
   
1.0
 
        Total
 
$
1,413.1
 
$
1,406.1
 
$
4,099.5
 
$
4,023.8
 
Net Income:
                         
    Segment Income from Operations:
                         
    Lincoln Retirement
 
$
136.2
 
$
110.2
 
$
354.2
 
$
314.1
 
    Life Insurance
   
75.1
   
55.4
   
218.7
   
206.3
 
    Investment Management
   
10.2
   
12.5
   
21.4
   
38.3
 
    Lincoln UK
   
9.6
   
10.1
   
29.9
   
27.0
 
    Other Operations
   
(2.9
)
 
(9.9
)
 
(5.0
)
 
(50.9
)
    Other items (3)
   
(1.8
)
 
(2.9
)
 
(18.0
)
 
(13.9
)
    Net realized investment results (4)
   
2.3
   
24.1
   
3.9
   
20.1
 
    Reserve development net of related amortization on
                         
        business sold through reinsurance
   
0.2
   
0.2
   
0.6
   
0.6
 
Income before cumulative effect of accounting change
   
228.9
   
199.7
   
605.7
   
541.6
 
Cumulative effect of accounting change
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(24.5
)
Net Income
 
$
228.9
 
$
199.7
 
$
605.7
 
$
517.1
 
                           
_________________
(1)
Revenues for the Investment Management segment include inter-segment revenues for asset management services provided to our other segments. These inter-segment revenues totaled $24.9 million and $26.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and $74.3 million and $79.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
(2)
Includes realized losses on investments and derivatives of $1.6 million and $27.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively; gain (loss) on reinsurance embedded derivative/trading securities of $5.3 million and $(5.6) million for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively; and gain on sale of subsidiaries/businesses of $110.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004. Includes realized losses on investments of $12.8 million and $64.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively; gain on reinsurance embedded derivative/trading securities of $4.6 million and $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively; and gain on sale of subsidiaries/businesses of $14.2 million and $134.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
(3)
Represents restructuring charges.
 
 
 
15

 
(4)
Includes after-tax realized losses on investments and derivatives of $1.2 million and $17.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively; gain (loss) on reinsurance embedded derivative/trading securities of $3.5 million and $(3.8) million for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively; and gain on sale of subsidiaries/businesses of $45.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004. Includes realized losses on investments and derivatives of $8.4 million and $41.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively; gain on reinsurance embedded derivative/trading securities of $3.0 million and $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively; and gain on sale of subsidiaries/businesses of $9.3 million and $61.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
  
8. Earnings Per Share
 
As required for the calculation of diluted earnings per share, the income used in the calculation is our income before cumulative effect of accounting change and net income, reduced by minority interest adjustments related to outstanding stock options under Delaware Investments U.S., Inc.’s (“DIUS”) stock option incentive plan of $0.2 million for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.
 
A reconciliation of the denominator in the calculations of basic and diluted net income and income before cumulative effect of accounting change per share is as follows:
 

   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
                   
Denominator: [number of shares]
                 
Weighted-average shares as used in basic calculation
   
172,614,421
   
175,173,100
   
173,018,733
   
176,928,001
 
Conversion of preferred stock
   
258,153
   
278,743
   
262,342
   
282,863
 
Non-vested stock
   
1,401,023
   
636,448
   
1,223,935
   
359,613
 
Average stock options outstanding during the period
   
6,957,917
   
8,060,724
   
6,246,594
   
9,511,761
 
Assumed acquisition of shares with assumed proceeds and
                         
   benefits from exercising stock options
   
(6,086,239
)
 
(7,355,024
)
 
(5,467,039
)
 
(8,173,989
)
Shares repurchaseable from measured but unrecognized
                         
   stock option expense
   
(650,891
)
 
(153,005
)
 
(552,577
)
 
(219,442
)
Average deferred compensation shares
   
1,340,854
   
1,054,261
   
1,278,772
   
1,024,954
 
    Weighted-average shares, as used in diluted calculation
   
175,835,238
   
177,695,247
   
176,010,760
   
179,713,761
 
                           
                           


 The table above reflects the dilutive effect of outstanding options in which the average market price of our common stock exceeds the issue price of stock options. Participants in our deferred compensation plans that select our stock for measuring the investment return attributable to their deferral amounts will be paid out in our stock. These deferred compensation plan obligations are dilutive and are shown in the table above.
 

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9. Pension and Post-retirement Plans
 
The components of net periodic benefit expense for our U.S. defined benefit pension plan and post-retirement benefit plans are as follows:
 
     
 
 
 
Other Post-retirement
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Benefits
 
For the three months ended September 30 (in millions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
Service cost
 
$
4.6
 
$
4.5
 
$
0.5
 
$
0.5
 
Interest cost
   
8.4
   
8.4
   
1.5
   
1.5
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(10.7
)
 
(10.2
)
 
-
   
-
 
Amortization of prior service cost
   
(0.4
)
 
(0.6
)
 
-
   
-
 
Recognized net actuarial losses
   
0.7
   
0.7
   
0.1
   
-
 
    Net periodic benefit expense
 
$
2.6
 
$
2.8
 
$
2.1
 
$
2.0
 
                           
                           

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Post-retirement  
 
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Benefits  
 
For the nine months ended September 30 (in millions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
Service cost
 
$
14.6
 
$
13.9
 
$
1.5
 
$
1.5
 
Interest cost
   
25.3
   
24.8
   
4.4
   
4.5
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(33.0
)
 
(30.7
)
 
-
   
-
 
Amortization of prior service cost
   
(1.1
)
 
(1.7
)
 
-
   
(0.1
)
Recognized net actuarial losses
   
1.3
   
0.9
   
0.5
   
-
 
    Net periodic benefit expense
 
$
7.1
 
$
7.2
 
$
6.4
 
$
5.9
 
                           
                           

 
We expect to contribute between $0 and $20 million to our qualified U.S. defined benefit pension plans. In October 2005, we funded our non-U.S. defined benefit pension plan with a contribution of $70.6 million.

10. Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans
 
See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2004 Form 10-K for a detailed discussion of stock and incentive compensation.
 
LNC Stock-Based Incentive Plans
 
We have various incentive plans for our employees, agents and directors and our subsidiaries that provide for the issuance of stock options, stock incentive awards, stock appreciation rights (“SAR”), restricted stock awards, restricted stock units (“performance shares”), and deferred stock units. DIUS has a separate stock option incentive plan.
 
Information with respect to stock option and performance share awards granted under these plans is provided in the table below:
 

   
September 30,
 
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
Awards
         
    10-year LNC stock options
   
370,646
   
414,798
 
    Performance share units
   
435,827
   
552,906
 
               
Outstanding at September 30
             
    10-year LNC stock options
   
988,797
   
621,918
 
    Performance share units
   
1,588,610
   
1,221,479
 
               
 
Performance measures for determining the actual amount of stock options and performance share units are established at the beginning of each three-year performance period. Depending on the performance, the actual amount of stock options and performance share units could range from zero to 200% of the granted amount.


17


Total pre-tax compensation expense for performance vesting awards is as follows:
 
   
Three Months Ended  
 
Nine Months Ended  
 
(in millions)
 
September 30,  
 
September 30,  
 
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
Stock options
 
$
0.9
 
$
0.6
 
$
2.7
 
$
1.5
 
Shares
   
8.0
   
4.9
   
20.0
   
13.7
 
Cash awards
   
1.3
   
0.6
   
3.1
   
1.7
 
                           
 
Information with respect to our incentive plans involving stock options is as follows:
   
Options Outstanding
 
Options Exercisable
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-
 
 
 
Weighted-
 
 
 
 
 
Average
 
 
 
Average
 
 
 
Shares
 
Exercise Price
 
Shares
 
Exercise Price
 
Balance at December 31, 2004
   
11,903,200
 
$
42.37
   
9,981,911
 
$
41.84
 
Granted-original
   
370,646
   
46.77
             
Granted-reloads
   
47,483
   
48.35
             
Exercised (includes shares tendered)
   
(1,914,387
)
 
33.58
             
Forfeited
   
(846,442
)
 
44.24
             
Balance at September 30, 2005
   
9,560,500
 
$
44.16
   
8,112,990
 
$
44.06
 
                           
 
  Total pre-tax compensation expense for our incentive plans involving stock options, including the DIUS stock option incentive plan discussed below, was $5.4 million and $20.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, and $7.8 million and $25.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively.
 
Delaware Stock Option Incentive Plan
 
At September 30, 2005, DIUS had 10,054,591 shares of common stock outstanding. Information with respect to the DIUS incentive plan involving stock options is as follows:
 
   
Options Outstanding
 
Options Exercisable
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-
 
 
 
Weighted-
 
 
 
 
 
Average
 
 
 
Average
 
 
 
Shares
 
Exercise Price
 
Shares
 
Exercise Price
 
Balance at December 31, 2004
   
1,326,691
 
$
121.73
   
552,259
 
$
116.94
 
Granted - original
   
444,100
   
142.57
             
Exercised (includes shares tendered)
   
(57,567
)
 
116.84
             
Forfeited
   
(177,281
)
 
118.30
             
Balance at September 30, 2005
   
1,535,943
 
$
128.15
   
693,152
 
$
118.97
 
                           

 In the second quarter of 2005, the DIUS Stock Option Plan was amended to increase the exercise price for all outstanding options by $13.31 to reflect the impact to the DIUS Stock Option Plan of the sale of our London-based international investment unit, DIAL. As a result, the average exercise prices in the table above have been restated for all periods.

Stock Appreciation Rights Incentive Plan
 
We recognize compensation expense for the SAR program based on the fair value method using an option-pricing model. Compensation expense and the related liability are recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the SARs. The SAR liability is marked-to-market through net income, which causes volatility in net income as a result of changes in the market value of our stock. We hedge this volatility by purchasing call options on our stock, which are also marked-to-market through net income. Total pre-tax compensation expense recognized for the SAR program was $2.7 million and $3.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, compared to $0.3 million and $5.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively. The mark-to-market gain (loss) recognized through income on the call options on our stock was $2.7 million and $1.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, compared to $(0.5) million and $2.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively. The SAR liability at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 was $7.3 million and $9.4 million, respectively.
 

18


Information with respect to our incentive plan involving SARs is as follows:
 
 
 
SARs Outstanding
 
SARs Exercisable
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-
 
 
 
Weighted-
 
 
 
 
 
Average
 
 
 
Average
 
 
 
Shares
 
Exercise Price
 
Shares
 
Exercise Price
 
Balance at December 31, 2004
   
1,291,500
 
$
40.90
   
629,991
 
$
40.34
 
Granted-original
   
230,600
   
46.72
             
Exercised
   
(327,642
)
 
32.84
             
Forfeited
   
(37,936
)
 
42.63
             
Balance at September 30, 2005
   
1,156,522
 
$
44.26
   
587,245
 
$
45.42
 
                           
 
11. Restructuring Charges
 
Included in the discussion below are restructuring plans that were implemented during the years 1999 through 2005 that were not yet completed as of September 30, 2005. Any restructuring plans that were implemented during the years 1999 through 2002 that were completed as of September 30, 2005 are not included in the discussion below. For a discussion of these completed plans, see Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2004 Form 10-K. The aggregate charges associated with the restructuring plans were included in underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income in the period incurred.
 
2005 Restructuring Plan

During May 2005, LFA implemented a restructuring plan to realign its field management and financial planning support areas. Total pre-tax restructuring charges incurred during the first nine months of 2005 were $6.6 million. These charges, which are included in Other Operations, included employee severance and termination benefits of $3.8 million and rent on abandoned office space of $2.8 million. The remaining reserves totaled $3.1 million at September 30, 2005. The plan is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2006, except for lease payments on vacated space which run through 2008.

2003 Restructuring Plans
 
In January 2003, the Life Insurance segment announced that it was realigning its operations in Hartford, Connecticut and Schaumburg, Illinois to enhance productivity, efficiency and scalability while positioning the segment for future growth. In February 2003, Lincoln Retirement announced plans to consolidate its fixed annuity operations in Schaumburg, Illinois into Fort Wayne, Indiana. In June 2003, we announced that we were combining our retirement and life insurance businesses into a single operating unit focused on providing wealth accumulation and protection, income distribution and wealth transfer products. The realigned organization has significantly reduced operating expenses while positioning us for future growth. In August 2003, we announced additional realignment activities, which impact all of our domestic operations.


19


The following table provides information about the 2003 restructuring plans:


   
Life Insurance
 
Fixed Annuity
 
Realignment
 
 
 
 
 
Realignment
 
Consolidation
 
June/August
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
Jan 2003
 
Feb 2003
 
2003
 
Total
 
Total expected charges, net of reversals
 
$
25.7
 
$
4.8
 
$
100.6
 
$
131.1
 
Incurred through 2004
                         
    Employee severance and termination benefits
   
7.0
   
1.9
   
38.2
   
47.1
 
    Write-off of impaired assets
   
1.9
   
-
   
4.9
   
6.8
 
    Other costs:
                         
        Rent on abandoned office space
   
6.1
   
2.2
   
5.0
   
13.3
 
        Other
   
7.4
   
0.2
   
2.1
   
9.7
 
Total restructuring charges (pre-tax) through 2004
   
22.4
   
4.3
   
50.2
   
76.9
 
Expended through 2004
   
21.6
   
3.9
   
45.0
   
70.5
 
Reversed through 2004
   
-
   
-
   
1.7
   
1.7
 
Restructuring reserve at December 31, 2004
   
0.8
   
0.4
   
3.5
   
4.7
 
Incurred in the first nine months of 2005
                         
    Employee severance and termination benefits
   
-
   
-
   
1.0
   
1.0
 
    Other costs:
                         
        Write-off of impaired assets
   
-
   
-
   
16.5
   
16.5
 
        Rent on abandoned office space
   
-
   
-
   
0.8
   
0.8
 
        Other
   
1.4
   
-
   
1.6
   
3.0
 
Total restructuring charges (pre-tax) in the first nine months of 2005
   
1.4
   
-
   
19.9
   
21.3
 
Expended in the first nine months of 2005
   
1.4
   
-
   
22.4
   
23.8
 
Reversed in the first nine months of 2005
   
-
   
-
   
0.2
   
0.2
 
Restructuring reserve at September 30, 2005
 
$
0.8
 
$
0.4
 
$
0.8
 
$
2.0
 
Additional amounts expended that do not qualify as restructuring charges:
                         
    Year ended December 31, 2004
 
$
2.0
 
$
0.5
 
$
22.8
 
$
25.3
 
    Nine months ended September 30, 2005
   
-
   
-
   
4.9
   
4.9
 
Expense savings realized in 2004 (pre-tax)
   
20.0
   
6.4
   
73.6
   
100.0
 
Total expected annual expense savings (pre-tax)
   
20.0
   
6.4
   
98.6
   
125.0
 
Expected completion date
   
4th Quarter
   
4th Quarter
   
4th Quarter
       
     
2005
   
2005
   
2005
       
 
Pre-tax restructuring charges for the June/August realignment activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 occurred in the following segments: Lincoln Retirement ($16.3 million), Life Insurance ($3.2 million), and Other Operations ($0.4 million).
 
Pre-tax restructuring charges for the June/August realignment activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 occurred in the following segments: Lincoln Retirement ($6.0 million), Life Insurance ($0.6 million), Investment Management ($1.6 million), and Other Operations ($9.5 million).
 
1999 and 2000 Restructuring Plans
 
During 1999 and 2000, we implemented restructuring plans relating to the Lincoln UK’s operations. In addition to various other activities, these plans involved vacating leased facilities. All other plan activities have been completed and the remaining reserves relate to future lease payments on exited properties, which run through 2016. The remaining reserves for these plans totaled $6.9 million at September 30, 2005.
 
12. Sale of International Investment Unit

On September 24, 2004, we completed the sale of our London-based international investment unit (“DIAL”) to the unit’s management group and an unaffiliated investor. At closing, we received $180.9 million in cash and relief of certain obligations of approximately $18.8 million. Our after-tax gain from the transaction was $45.8 million. Investment Management’s results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 included income from operations of approximately $4.8 million and $12.4 million, respectively, from the international investment unit. Investment Management transferred $22.1 billion of assets under management for the international investment unit as a result of the sale. Of Investment Management’s remaining assets under management at September 30, 2005, approximately $15.4 billion are being sub-advised on our behalf by the acquirer.


20


13. Subsequent Event

On October 9, 2005, LNC entered into a merger agreement with Quartz Corporation (“Quartz”), a direct wholly owned subsidiary of LNC formed for the purpose of completing the merger, and Jefferson-Pilot Corporation (“Jefferson-Pilot”). Jefferson-Pilot, through its subsidiaries, offers full lines of individual and group life insurance products, annuity and investment products, and it operates television and radio stations.

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the merger agreement, Jefferson-Pilot will merge with and into Quartz, with Quartz continuing as the surviving corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of LNC. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Jefferson-Pilot shareholders may choose to receive (i) 1.0906 shares of LNC common stock for each of their shares, (ii) $55.96 in cash for each of their shares or (iii) a combination of LNC common stock and cash. Notwithstanding the election, the aggregate amount of the cash payment to Jefferson-Pilot shareholders will equal $1.8 billion. Accordingly, the election of Jefferson-Pilot shareholders may be subject to a pro-rata adjustment. LNC plans to permanently finance the cash portion of the purchase price through a combination of long-term debt, preferred stock or other securities, including high-equity content hybrid securities or a combination of the foregoing. The transaction, which is subject to the approval of shareholders of both companies, regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2006. For more information regarding this transaction, see our current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 11, 2005.
 
In October 2005, a purported shareholder class action suit was filed in state court in North Carolina naming Jefferson-Pilot, most of the individual members of its board of directors and LNC as defendants.  The complaint alleges that certain defendants have breached their fiduciary duties by entering into the merger agreement.  The complaint seeks, among other things, unspecified compensatory damages. We believe that the lawsuit is without any merit and plan to defend against it vigorously. 

21


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
The following is a discussion of the financial condition of Lincoln National Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries (“LNC” or the “Company” which also may be referred to as “we” or “us”) as of September 30, 2005, compared with December 31, 2004, and the results of operations of LNC for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared with the same periods last year. The balance sheet information presented below is as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004. The statement of operations information is for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004.
 
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto presented in Item 1 (“Consolidated Financial Statements”) and Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) in our latest annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 (“2004 Form 10-K”). You should also read our discussion below of “Critical Accounting Estimates” for an explanation of those accounting estimates that we believe are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and that require our most difficult, subjective and complex judgments. Financial information in the tables that follow is presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), unless otherwise indicated. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods’ financial information to conform to the 2005 presentation.
 
Forward-Looking Statements—Cautionary Language
 
Certain statements made in this report and in other written or oral statements made by LNC or on LNC’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. LNC 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:
 
    •
Legislative, regulatory or tax changes, both domestic and foreign, that affect the cost of, or demand for, LNC’s products, the required amount of reserves and/or surplus, or otherwise affect our ability to conduct business, including changes to statutory reserves and/or risk-based capital requirements related to secondary guarantees under universal life and variable annuity products such as Actuarial Guideline 38; restrictions on revenue sharing and 12b-1 payments; and the potential for federal tax reform;
 
    •
The institution of legal or regulatory proceedings against LNC or its subsidiaries and the outcome of any legal or regulatory proceedings, such as: (a) adverse actions related to present or past business practices common in businesses in which LNC and its subsidiaries compete; (b) adverse decisions in significant actions including, but not limited to, actions brought by federal and state authorities, and extra-contractual and class action damage cases; (c) new decisions which change the law; and (d) unexpected trial court rulings;
 
    •
Changes in interest rates causing a reduction of investment income, the margins of LNC’s fixed annuity and life insurance businesses and demand for LNC’s products;
 
    •
A decline in the equity markets causing a reduction in the sales of LNC’s products, a reduction of asset fees that LNC charges on various investment and insurance products, an acceleration of amortization of deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) and an increase in liabilities related to guaranteed benefit features of LNC’s variable annuity products;
 
    •
Ineffectiveness of LNC’s various hedging strategies used to offset the impact of declines in the equity markets;
 
    •
A deviation in actual experience regarding future persistency, mortality, morbidity, interest rates and equity market returns from LNC’s assumptions used in pricing its products, in establishing related insurance reserves, and in the amortization of intangibles that may result in an increase in reserves and a decrease in net income;
 
    •
The effect of life settlement business on persistency assumptions used in pricing life insurance business, which may cause profitability of some business to fall below expectations and could potentially result in deficient reserves;
 
    •
Changes in GAAP that may result in unanticipated changes to LNC’s net income;
 
    •
Lowering of one or more of LNC’s debt ratings issued by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, and the adverse impact such action may have on LNC’s ability to raise capital and on its liquidity and financial condition;
 
    •
Lowering of one or more of the insurer financial strength ratings of LNC’s insurance subsidiaries, and the adverse impact such action may have on the premium writings, policy retention, and profitability of its insurance subsidiaries;
 
    •
Significant credit, accounting, fraud or corporate governance issues that may adversely affect the value of certain investments in the portfolios of LNC’s companies requiring that LNC realize losses on such investments;
 
 
22

 
    •
The impact of acquisitions and divestitures, restructurings, product withdrawals and other unusual items, including LNC’s ability to integrate acquisitions and to obtain the anticipated results and synergies from acquisitions;
 
    •
The adequacy and collectibility of reinsurance that LNC has purchased;
 
    •
Acts of terrorism or war that may adversely affect LNC’s businesses and the cost and availability of reinsurance;
 
    •
Competitive conditions that may affect the level of premiums and fees that LNC can charge for its products;
 
    •
The unknown impact on LNC’s business resulting from changes in the demographics of LNC’s client base, as aging baby-boomers move from the asset-accumulation stage to the asset-distribution stage of life;
 
    •
Loss of key management, portfolio managers in the Investment Management segment, financial planners in Lincoln Financial Advisors (“LFA”) or wholesalers in Lincoln Financial Distributors (“LFD”); and
 
    •
Changes in general economic or business conditions, both domestic and foreign, that may be less favorable than expected and may affect foreign exchange rates, premium levels, claims experience, the level of pension benefit costs and funding, and investment results.
 
The risks included here are not exhaustive. For risks concerning our previously announced merger with Jefferson-Pilot Corporation (“Jefferson-Pilot”), see our Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on October 11, 2005. Other sections of this report and LNC’s annual reports on Form 10-K, current reports on Form 8-K and other documents filed with the SEC include additional factors which could impact LNC’s business and financial performance. Moreover, LNC operates 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 LNC’s business 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 undo reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. In addition, LNC disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this report.
 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
 
We are a holding company that operates multiple insurance and investment management businesses through subsidiary companies. Through our business segments, we sell a wide range of wealth protection, accumulation and retirement income products and solutions. These products include institutional and/or retail fixed annuities, variable annuities, universal life insurance, variable universal life insurance, term life insurance, mutual funds, “529” college savings plans and managed accounts.
 
We have four business segments: 1) Lincoln Retirement, 2) Life Insurance, 3) Investment Management and 4) Lincoln UK. We also have an “Other Operations” category that includes the financial data for the operations of LFA and LFD, our retail and wholesale distributors, and for operations that are not directly related to the business segments, unallocated corporate items (such as, corporate investment income and interest expense on short-term and long-term borrowings), and the historical results of the former Reinsurance segment, which was sold to Swiss Re in 2001, along with the ongoing amortization of deferred gain on the indemnity reinsurance portion of the transaction with Swiss Re.
 
Our business model is based upon a strategic intent to be the partner of choice for accumulating, protecting and enjoying wealth. We maintain a philosophy that certain elements are necessary to achieve these objectives, and we visually depict these elements in the form of a columned structure. The first layer of the foundation of the structure is made up of our employees. Building up from that is financial and risk management, which also underlies our management and business philosophy. Talented employees and strong financial and risk management provide the foundation from which we operate and grow our company. With that as a base, there are three pillars that we focus on — product excellence, distribution reach and a powerful brand.
 
Product excellence is the first pillar of our business. It is important that we continually develop and provide products to the marketplace that not only meet the needs of our customers and compete effectively, but also satisfy our risk profile and meet our profitability standards. These products must be well supported with service after the sale.
 
In the Life Insurance segment, competitive pressures continue to depress overall revenues. However, we remain committed to maintaining our pricing discipline. Within the Lincoln Retirement segment, deposits and net flows have been strong in 2005 within both the individual and employer-sponsored marketplace due to the acceptance of our varied product offering, especially our variable annuities with guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits and i4LIFE ®, our income for life rider. In our Investment Management segment, we have also experienced increased net flows as we continue to have strong investment performance. In addition, during
 
 
 
23

 
 
2005, we have continued to enhance some of our investment classes through the addition of talented managers in large asset classes like fixed income, value, growth, and international.
 
  Our second essential pillar is distribution reach. Because our products are complex and are generally purchased through broker-dealers and financial advisors, the ability to distribute to these marketing channels is one key to success in our industry. During the first nine months of 2005, LFD increased account penetration and LFA implemented its new planner affiliation model in the first quarter of 2005. The new model is designed to bring consistency to compensation and expense charges for all LFA planners. Although we continue to believe that the new structure will be beneficial to us, our policyholders and planners, during the remainder of 2005, we believe that the loss of planners remains a risk.

 We continue to expect our major challenges for the remainder of 2005 to include:
 
    •
The continuation of the current low interest rates, which create a challenge for our products that generate investment margin profits, such as fixed annuities and universal life insurance.
 
    •
The continuation of competitive pressures in the life insurance marketplace.
 
    •
The continued expansion of our wholesale distribution business.
 
    •
Increased regulatory scrutiny of the life and annuity industry, and the mutual fund industry, which may lead to higher product costs and negative perceptions about the industry.
 
    •
Continued focus by the government on tax reform, which may impact our products.
 
In October 2005, we announced our agreement to merge with Jefferson-Pilot, subject to approval of the shareholders of both companies, regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. We expect to complete this merger by the end of the first quarter of 2006. We believe that Jefferson-Pilot offers a complementary customer base, distribution platform and product portfolio. In October 2005, a purported shareholder class action suit was filed in state court in North Carolina naming Jefferson-Pilot, most of the individual members of its board of directors and LNC as defendants.  The complaint alleges that certain defendants have breached their fiduciary duties by entering into the merger agreeement.  The complaint seeks, among other things, unspecified compensatory damages. We believe that the lawsuit is without any merit and plan to defend against it vigorously.   See Note 13 to our Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about the proposed merger.
 
As we look ahead to 2006, the announced merger with Jefferson-Pilot provides us with new opportunities and challenges. Timely completion of the merger as well as the subsequent successful integration of the two businesses, while maintaining focus on providing quality products and expanding our distribution capabilities, will be a primary focus for next year.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The following information updates the detailed discussion of our critical accounting estimates included in the MD&A in our 2004 Form 10-K.
 
Intangible Assets
 
Accounting for intangible assets requires numerous assumptions, such as estimates of expected future profitability for our operations and our ability to retain existing blocks of life and annuity business in force. Our accounting policies for the intangible assets DAC, present value of acquired blocks of in-force policies (“PVIF”), deferred sales inducements (“DSI”) and the liability for deferred front-end loads (“DFEL”) impact all four business segments: Lincoln Retirement, Life Insurance, Investment Management and Lincoln UK. DAC, PVIF, DSI and DFEL will be referred to hereinafter collectively as DAC, unless otherwise noted.
 
Deferred Acquisition Costs, Present Value of In-Force, Deferred Sales Inducements and Deferred Front-End Loads
 
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 97, “Accounting by Insurance Companies for Certain Long-Duration Contracts and Realized Gains and Losses on Investment Sales” requires that acquisition costs for variable annuity contracts, universal and variable universal life insurance policies be amortized over the lives of the contracts in relation to the incidence of estimated gross profits (“EGPs”) derived from the contracts. Acquisition costs are those costs that vary with and are primarily related to new or renewal business. These costs include commissions and other expenses that vary with new business volume. The costs that we defer are recorded as an asset on our balance sheet as DAC for products sold by us or PVIF for books of business acquired by us. In addition, we defer costs associated with DSI and revenues associated with DFEL. DFEL is a balance sheet liability, and when amortized, increases income. On an annual basis, in the third quarter, we perform our normal review and adjust as necessary our assumptions for prospective amortization of DAC, PVIF, DSI and DFEL. The impact of the third quarter 2005 annual review varies by segment and is discussed below in the results of operations by segment.

24


The table below presents the balances by business segment as of September 30, 2005.

 
 
Lincoln
 
Life
 
Investment
 
Lincoln
 
Other
 
 
 
September 30, 2005 (in millions)
 
Retirement
 
Insurance
 
Management
 
UK
 
Operations
 
Total
 
DAC
 
$
1,380.6
 
$
1,884.1
 
$
146.2
 
$
492.0
 
$
1.1
 
$
3,904.0
 
PVIF
   
78.3
   
679.6
   
-
   
261.5
   
-
   
1,019.4
 
DSI
   
118.1
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
118.1
 
    Total DAC, PVIF and DSI
   
1,577.0
   
2,563.7
   
146.2
   
753.5
   
1.1
   
5,041.5
 
DFEL
   
-
   
355.4
   
-
   
365.8
   
-
   
721.2
 
    Net DAC, PVIF, DSI and DFEL
 
$
1,577.0
 
$
2,208.3
 
$
146.2
 
$
387.7
 
$
1.1
 
$
4,320.3
 
                                       
____________________
Note:
The above table also includes DAC and PVIF amortized in accordance with SFAS No. 60, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises.” Under SFAS No. 60, acquisition costs for traditional life insurance products, which include whole life and term life insurance contracts are amortized over periods of 10 to 30 years on either a straight-line basis or as a level percent of premium of the related policies depending on the block of business. No DAC is being amortized under SFAS No. 60 for fixed and variable payout annuities.
 
As more fully discussed in our 2004 Form 10-K, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2004, we enhanced our “reversion to the mean” (“RTM”) process, the process we use to compute our best estimate long-term gross growth rate assumption, to evaluate the carrying value of DAC for our variable annuity, annuity-based 401(k) and unit-linked product blocks of business. Under our enhanced RTM process, on each valuation date, future EGPs are projected using stochastic modeling of a large number of future equity market scenarios in conjunction with best estimates of lapse rates, interest margins and mortality to develop a statistical distribution of the present value of future EGPs for each of the blocks of business. The statistical distribution is designed to identify when the equity market return deviations from expected returns have become significant enough to warrant a change of the future equity return EGP assumption.
 
The stochastic modeling performed for our variable annuity blocks of business is used to develop a range of reasonably possible future EGPs. We compare the range of the present value of the future EGPs from the stochastic modeling to that used in the DAC amortization model. A set of intervals around the mean of these scenarios is utilized to calculate two separate statistical ranges of reasonably possible EGPs. These intervals are compared to the present value of the EGPs used in the DAC amortization model. If the present value of EGP assumptions utilized in the DAC amortization model were to exceed the margin of the reasonable range of statistically calculated EGPs, a revision of the EGPs used to calculate DAC amortization would occur. If a revision is deemed necessary, future EGPs would be re-projected using the current account values at the end of the period during which the revision occurred along with a revised long-term annual equity market gross return assumption such that the re-projected EGPs would be our best estimate of EGPs.
 
Given where our best estimate of EGPs for the Retirement segment was positioned in the range at September 30, 2005, if we were to assume a 9% long-term gross equity market growth assumption from September 30, 2005 forward in determining the revised EGPs, we estimate that it would result in a cumulative decrease to DAC amortization (positive DAC unlocking) of approximately $99 million pre-tax ($64 million after-tax). To further illustrate the position in the range of our best estimate of EGPs for the Retirement segment at September 30, 2005, a one-quarter equity market movement of positive 10% would bring us to the first of the two statistical ranges while a one-quarter equity market movement of positive 30% would bring us to the second of the two ranges for the Retirement segment. Subsequent equity market performance that would keep us at or move us beyond the first statistical range would likely result in positive unlocking. We estimate that a one-quarter equity market movement of negative 35% would bring us to the first of the two statistical ranges, while a one-quarter equity market movement of negative 40% would bring us to the second of the two ranges for the Retirement segment.
 
For a more detailed discussion of the enhanced RTM process, refer to the discussion in Critical Accounting Policies - Intangible Assets, included in our 2004 Form 10-K.
 
Guaranteed Minimum Benefits
 
During 2003 and 2004, the Lincoln Retirement segment implemented and expanded a hedging strategy designed to mitigate the risk and income statement volatility caused by changes in the equity markets, interest rates, and volatility associated with the Lincoln Smart Securitysm Advantage guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit (“GMWB”) and our various guaranteed minimum death benefit (“GMDB”) features available in our variable annuity products. The hedging strategy is designed such that changes in the value of the hedge contracts move in the opposite direction of changes in the value of the embedded derivative of the GMWB or changes in the reserve for GMDB contracts subject to the hedging strategy. Account balances covered in this hedging program combined with account balances for which there is no death benefit represent approximately 95% of total variable annuity account balances, which excludes the Alliance mutual fund business.
 
The reserves related to the GMDB are based on the application of a benefit ratio to total assessments related to the variable annuity. The level and direction of the change in reserves will vary over time based on the emergence of the benefit ratio (which is based on both historical and projected future level of benefits) and the level of assessments (both historical and projected) associated with the variable annuity. We utilize a delta hedging strategy for variable annuity products with a GMDB feature, which
 
 
25

 
 
uses futures on U.S.-based equity market indices to hedge against movements in equity markets. Because the GMDB reserves are based upon projected long-term equity market return assumptions, and since the value of the hedging contracts will reflect current capital market conditions, the quarterly changes in values for the GMDB reserves and the hedging contracts may not offset each other on an exact basis. Despite these short-term fluctuations in values, we intend to continue to hedge our long-term GMDB exposure in order to mitigate the risk associated with falling equity markets. During the third quarter of 2004, we expanded our hedging program to cover substantially all exposures for these policies.
 
We utilize a dynamic hedging strategy for variable annuity products with a GMWB feature, which uses futures on U.S.-based equity indices to hedge against movements in the equity markets, as well as interest rate and equity derivative securities to hedge against changes in the embedded derivative associated with changes in interest rates and market implied volatilities. As of September 30, 2005, the notional amounts of the underlying hedge instruments are such that the magnitude of the change in the value of the hedge instruments due to changes in equity markets, interest rates, and implied volatilities is designed to offset the magnitude of the change in the fair value of the GMWB guarantee caused by those same factors. At September 30, 2005, the embedded derivative for GMWB was a liability valued at $5.3 million. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2004, we only hedged against movements in the equity markets. As a result of strong flows and current and possible future product enhancements, we expanded our hedging program in the fourth quarter of 2004 to cover movements in interest rates and implied volatilities.
 
RESULTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS

   
Three Months
 
 
 
Nine Months
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
Periods ended September 30, (in millions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
Insurance premiums
 
$
83.1
 
$
70.6
   
18
%
$
226.1
 
$
220.2
   
3
%
Insurance fees
   
444.8
   
392.5
   
13
%
 
1,290.6
   
1,166.4
   
11
%
Investment advisory fees
   
73.6
   
67.4
   
9
%
 
199.9
   
196.5
   
2
%
Net investment income
   
670.8
   
669.4
   
-
   
2,034.2
   
2,030.0
   
-
 
Amortization of deferred gain
   
19.3
   
32.4
   
-40
%
 
57.8
   
68.8
   
-16
%
Other revenues and fees
   
117.8
   
96.6
   
22
%
 
284.9
   
271.0
   
5
%
Net realized investment gains (losses)
   
3.7
   
(33.1
)
 
NM
   
(8.2
)
 
(63.5
)
 
87
%
Gain on sale of subsidiaries
   
-
   
110.3
   
-100
%
 
14.2
   
134.4
   
-89
%
    Total Revenue
   
1,413.1
   
1,406.1
   
-
   
4,099.5
   
4,023.8
   
2
%
                                       
Insurance benefits
   
613.2
   
556.1
   
10
%
 
1,779.1
   
1,722.7
   
3
%
Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and
                                     
      other expenses
   
475.3
   
507.1
   
-6
%
 
1,475.5
   
1,442.6
   
2
%
Interest and debt expenses
   
21.7
   
24.5
   
-11
%
 
66.2
   
71.9
   
-8
%
    Total Benefits and Expenses
   
1,110.2
   
1,087.7
   
2
%
 
3,320.8
   
3,237.2
   
3
%
Income before federal income taxes
   
302.9
   
318.4
   
-5
%
 
778.7
   
786.6
   
-1
%
Federal income taxes
   
74.0
   
118.7
   
-38
%
 
173.0
   
245.0
   
-29
%
    Income before cumulative effect of
                                     
              accounting change
   
228.9
   
199.7
   
15
%
 
605.7
   
541.6
   
12
%
Cumulative effect of accounting change
   
-
   
-
         
-
   
(24.5
)
 
100
%
     Net Income
 
$
228.9
 
$
199.7
   
15
%
$
605.7
 
$
517.1
   
17
%
Items Included in Net Income (after-tax):
                                     
    Realized loss on investments and
                                     
      derivative instruments
 
$
(1.2
)
$
(17.9
)
     
$
(8.4
)
$
(41.6
)
     
    Gain on sale of subsidiaries
   
-
   
45.8
         
9.3
   
61.5
       
    Restructuring charges
   
(1.8
)
 
(2.9
)
       
(18.0
)
 
(13.9
)
     
    Net gain (loss) on reinsurance embedded
                                     
               derivative/trading securities
   
3.5
   
(3.7
)
       
3.0
   
0.2
       
    Reserve development, net of related
          amortization
                                     
               on business sold through indemnity
                  reinsurance
   
0.2
   
0.2
         
0.6
   
0.6
       
    Cumulative effect of accounting change
   
-
   
-
         
-
   
(24.5
)
     
 
NM - Not Meaningful
 

26


 
The table below provides a detailed comparison of items included within net realized investment gains (losses).
 

 
 
Three Months
 
 
 
Nine Months
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
Periods ended September 30, (in millions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
Realized gains on investments
 
$
29.9
 
$
30.9
   
-3
%
$
88.9
 
$
98.0
   
-9
%
Realized losses on investments
   
(17.0
)
 
(44.1
)
 
-61
%
 
(52.1
)
 
(111.0
)
 
-53
%
Realized gain (loss) on derivative instruments
   
0.9
   
(5.6
)
 
NM
   
(1.8
)
 
(14.4
)
 
-88
%
Amounts amortized to balance sheet accounts
   
(13.0
)
 
(6.1
)
 
113
%
 
(40.6
)
 
(28.9
)
 
40
%
Gain (loss) on reinsurance embedded
                                     
   derivative/trading securities
   
5.3
   
(5.6
)
 
NM
   
4.6
   
0.5
   
820
%
Investment expenses
   
(2.4
)
 
(2.6
)
 
-8
%
 
(7.2
)
 
(7.7
)
 
-6
%
      Net gains (losses) on investments and
         derivative instruments
 
$
3.7
 
$
(33.1
)
 
NM
 
$
(8.2
)
$
(63.5
)
 
87
%
      Write-downs for other-than-temporary 
impairments included in realized losses on
investments above
 
$
(6.8
)
$
(33.1
)
 
-79
%
$
(18.4
)
$
(61.2
)
 
-70
%
                                       
                                       


Following are deposits and net flows by business segment. For additional detail of deposit and net flow information, see the discussion in “Results of Operations by Segment” below:


   
Three Months
 
 
 
Nine Months
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
Periods Ended September 30, (in billions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
Deposits:
                         
Lincoln Retirement
 
$
2.504
 
$
2.207
   
13
%
$
7.671
 
$
6.633
   
16
%
Life Insurance
   
0.553
   
0.548
   
1
%
 
1.592
   
1.557
   
2
%
Investment Management (including both retail
                                     
     and institutional deposits)
                                     
    Domestic
   
6.261
   
3.213
   
95
%
 
21.314
   
10.354
   
106
%
    London-based International Investment Unit(1)
   
-
   
1.277
         
-
   
4.657
       
Consolidating Adjustments (2)
   
(0.360
)
 
(0.257
)
 
40
%
 
(0.922
)
 
(0.760
)
 
21
%
        Total Deposits
 
$
8.958
 
$
6.988
   
28
%
$
29.655
 
$
22.441
   
32
%
                                       
Net Flows:
                                     
Lincoln Retirement
 
$
0.634
 
$
0.717
   
-12
%
$
2.266
 
$
2.128
   
6
%
Life Insurance
   
0.337
   
0.300
   
12
%
 
0.906
   
0.839
   
8
%
Investment Management (including both retail
                                     
      and institutional net flows)
                                     
    Domestic
   
3.447
   
1.236
   
179
%
 
12.682
   
3.780
   
236
%
    London-based International Investment Unit(1)
   
-
   
0.524
         
-
   
3.268
       
Consolidating Adjustments (2)
   
(0.019
)
 
(0.095
)
 
-80
%
 
0.015
   
(0.093
)
 
NM
 
        Total Net Flows
 
$
4.399
 
$
2.682
   
64
%
$
15.869
 
$
9.922
   
60
%
                                       
 
Assets Under Management by Advisor (3)
 
 
 
As of September 30,
 
As of December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Over
 
Over
 
(in billions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
Prior Year
 
Investment Management:
                     
    External Assets
 
$
72.5
 
$
49.0
 
$
56.0
   
48
%
 
29
%
    Insurance-related Assets
   
44.5
   
44.0
   
44.0
   
1
%
 
1
%
Lincoln UK
   
8.5
   
7.8
   
8.6
   
9
%
 
-1
%
Within Business Units (Policy Loans)
   
1.9
   
1.9
   
1.9
   
-
   
-
 
By Non-LNC Entities
   
37.6
   
29.9
   
33.8
   
26
%
 
11
%
   
$
165.0
 
$
132.6
 
$
144.3
   
24
%
 
14
%
                                 
____________
 
 
27

 
(1)  
In September 2004, we completed the sale of our London-based international investment management unit (“DIAL”), which had assets under management of $22.1 billion at the date of sale that were transferred to the acquirer. For additional information see “Results of Operations by Segment—Investment Management” segment discussion. Assets under management include assets sub-advised for us by unaffiliated parties, including DIAL’s acquirer. The amount of total sub-advised assets was $20.5 billion, or 18% of the Investment Management segment’s assets under management at September 30, 2005.
(2)  
Consolidating adjustments represent the elimination of deposits and net flows on products affecting more than one segment.
(3)  
Assets under management by advisor provide a breakdown of assets that we manage or administer either directly or through unaffiliated third parties. These assets represent our investments, assets held in separate accounts and assets that we manage or administer for individuals or other companies. We earn insurance fees, investment advisory fees or investment income on these assets.
 
Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 to 2004
 
Revenues
 
The increase in insurance fees and investment advisory fees in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 primarily reflects growth in deposits and assets under management, and to a lesser extent, the effects of favorable equity market performance. Assets under management increased 24% at September 30, 2005, compared to September 30, 2004, as a result of positive net flows throughout 2004 and the first nine months of 2005. The average level of the equity markets was higher in 2005, compared to 2004, resulting in higher fee income for the Lincoln Retirement segment. Excluding the impact of dividends, the S&P 500 index increased 10.2% and the average daily S&P index increased 7.1% in the first nine months of 2005, compared to the same 2004 period.
 
Net realized losses on investments for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2005, declined $36.8 million and $55.3 million from the same periods last year, due to lower impairment losses in 2005. See the “Consolidated Investments” section below for additional information on our investment performance.
 
Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 include a gain on sale of subsidiaries of $14.2 million pre-tax from an agreement to settle in full the residual contingent payments resulting from the arrangement to outsource Lincoln UK’s policy and administration functions to Capita Life and Pension Services Limited, a subsidiary of Capita Group Plc, (“Capita”). Revenues for the third quarter and first nine months of 2004 included a gain of $110.3 million pre-tax ($45.8 million after-tax) from the sale of DIAL. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below and Note 12 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. The gain on the sale of subsidiaries for the first nine months of 2004 also included a $10.2 million pre-tax gain on the exercise of a put option arising from the Capita arrangement (see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2004 Form 10-K for additional information) and $13.8 million from the sale of LFA’s employee benefits marketing business.

Net investment income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 was level with the same 2004 periods. Declining portfolio yields substantially offset the favorable effects of asset growth from net flows.
 
Expenses
 
Consolidated expenses increased 2% and 3% for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to the same periods in 2004, reflecting higher expenses in the Lincoln Retirement, Life Insurance and Investment Management business segments. The increases resulted primarily from growth in our businesses, partially offset by the effect of spread management through lower crediting rates on interest-sensitive business and movements from fixed to variable annuity products. See “Results of Operations by Segment” below for further discussion by segment.
 
Consolidated expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 included a net reduction of $41.6 million pre-tax for the effect of net positive unlocking resulting from the annual comprehensive review of the assumptions underlying the amortization of DAC, PVIF, DSI and DFEL as well as the reserves related to GMDB and the embedded derivative related to GMWB, which compares with a net reduction of $14.8 million pre-tax for the 2004 periods. The impact of unlocking varied by segment. The factors impacting the unlocking are discussed further in respective segment discussions below.

Restructuring charges were $2.7 million pre-tax ($1.8 million after-tax) and $27.8 million pre-tax ($18.0 million after-tax) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to $4.5 million pre-tax ($2.9 million after-tax) and $21.4 million pre-tax ($13.9 million after-tax) for the same periods last year, resulting from expense initiatives undertaken by us during 2003 to improve operational efficiencies and costs associated with LFA's 2005 plan to realign its field management and financial planning support areas. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on restructuring charges.
 
Federal income tax expense included reductions of $13.3 million for the third quarter and $42.5 million for the first nine months of 2005 related to partial releases of a deferred tax valuation allowance in our Barbados reinsurance company. This reduction is included in Other Operations. We believe that it is more likely than not that the remaining tax benefits of $4.3 million associated with the net operating losses of the Barbados insurance subsidiary will be realized in the fourth quarter of 2005 through an adjustment to the annual effective tax rate.
 

28


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BY SEGMENT
 
In this MD&A, in addition to providing consolidated revenues and net income (loss), we also provide segment operating revenue and income (loss) from operations because we believe they are meaningful measures of revenues and the profit or loss generated by our operating segments. Operating revenue is GAAP revenue excluding realized gains and losses on investments and derivative instruments, gains and losses on reinsurance embedded derivative/trading securities, gains and losses on sale of subsidiaries/businesses and the amortization of deferred gain arising from reserve development on business sold through reinsurance. Income (loss) from operations, which is GAAP net income (loss) excluding net realized investment gains and losses, losses on early retirement of debt, restructuring charges, reserve development net of related amortization on business sold through reinsurance and cumulative effect of accounting changes. Operating revenue and income (loss) from operations are the financial performance measures used by our management and Board of Directors to evaluate and assess the results of our segments. Accordingly, we report income (loss) from operations by segment in Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements as required by SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.” Our management and Board of Directors believe that income (loss) from operations explains the results of our ongoing businesses in a manner that allows for a better understanding of the underlying trends in our current businesses because net realized investment gains and losses, restructuring charges, reserve development net of related amortization on business sold through reinsurance and cumulative effect of accounting changes are unpredictable and not necessarily indicative of current operating fundamentals or future performance of the business segments, and in many instances, decisions regarding these items do not necessarily relate to the operations of the individual segments. Income (loss) from operations does not replace net income (loss) as the GAAP measure of our consolidated results of operations.
 
Below is a reconciliation of our segment revenue and income from operations to our consolidated revenue and net income:
 
   
Three Months Ended  
 
Nine Months Ended  
 
(in millions)
 
September 30,  
 
September 30,  
 
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
Revenue:
                 
Segment Operating Revenue:
                 
    Lincoln Retirement
 
$
573.1
 
$
526.2
 
$
1,684.6
 
$
1,588.7
 
    Life Insurance
   
492.4
   
481.1
   
1,473.9
   
1,449.2
 
    Investment Management (1)
   
146.8
   
133.0
   
415.1
   
407.1
 
    Lincoln UK
   
102.8
   
95.8
   
255.9
   
252.9
 
Other Operations
   
251.9
   
217.6
   
743.8
   
626.0
 
Consolidating adjustments
   
(157.9
)
 
(125.1
)
 
(480.8
)
 
(372.0
)
Net realized investment results (2)
   
3.7
   
77.2
   
6.0
   
70.9
 
Reserve development net of related amortization
                         
     on business sold through reinsurance
   
0.3
   
0.3
   
1.0
   
1.0
 
        Total
 
$
1,413.1
 
$
1,406.1
 
$
4,099.5
 
$
4,023.8
 
Net Income:
                         
Segment Income from Operations:
                         
    Lincoln Retirement
 
$
136.2
 
$
110.2
 
$
354.2
 
$
314.1
 
    Life Insurance
   
75.1
   
55.4
   
218.7
   
206.3
 
    Investment Management
   
10.2
   
12.5
   
21.4
   
38.3
 
    Lincoln UK
   
9.6
   
10.1
   
29.9
   
27.0
 
Other Operations
   
(2.9
)
 
(9.9
)
 
(5.0
)
 
(50.9
)
Other items (3)
   
(1.8
)
 
(2.9
)
 
(18.0
)
 
(13.9
)
Net realized investment results (4)
   
2.3
   
24.1
   
3.9
   
20.1
 
Reserve development net of related amortization on
                         
     business sold through reinsurance
   
0.2
   
0.2
   
0.6
   
0.6
 
Income before cumulative effect of accounting change
   
228.9
   
199.7
   
605.7
   
541.6
 
Cumulative effect of accounting change
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(24.5
)
Net Income
 
$
228.9
 
$
199.7
 
$
605.7
 
$
517.1
 
                           
________________
(1)  
Revenues for the Investment Management segment include inter-segment revenues for asset management services provided to our other segments. These inter-segment revenues totaled $24.9 million and $26.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and $74.3 million and $79.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
(2)  
Includes realized losses on investments and derivatives of $1.6 million and $27.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively; gain (loss) on reinsurance embedded derivative/trading securities of $5.3 million and $(5.6) million for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively; and gain on sale of subsidiaries/businesses of $110.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004. Includes realized losses on investments of $12.8 million and $64.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively; gain on reinsurance embedded derivative/trading securities of $4.6 million and $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively; and gain on sale of subsidiaries/businesses of $14.2 million and $134.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
 
 
29

 
(3)  
Represents restructuring charges.
(4)  
Includes after-tax realized losses on investments and derivatives of $1.2 million and $17.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively; gain (loss) on reinsurance embedded derivative/trading securities of $3.5 million and $(3.8) million for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively; and gain on sale of subsidiaries/businesses of $45.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004. Includes realized losses on investments and derivatives of $8.4 million and $41.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively; gain on reinsurance embedded derivative/trading securities of $3.0 million and $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively; and gain on sale of subsidiaries/businesses of $9.3 million and $61.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
 
Lincoln Retirement 
 
   
Three Months
 
 
 
Nine Months
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
Operating Summary for the Periods Ended September 30, (in millions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior
Period
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior
Period
 
Operating Revenues:
                         
Insurance premiums
 
$
18.1
 
$
9.2
   
97
%
$
36.5
 
$
23.1
   
58
%
Insurance fees
   
197.1
   
151.9
   
30
%
 
549.1
   
442.0
   
24
%
Net investment income
   
359.1
   
366.5
   
-2
%
 
1,103.3
   
1,127.9
   
-2
%
Other revenues and fees
   
(1.2
)
 
(1.4
)
 
14
%
 
(4.3
)
 
(4.3
)
 
0
%
    Total Operating Revenues
   
573.1
   
526.2
   
9
%
 
1,684.6
   
1,588.7
   
6
%
Operating Expenses:
                                     
Insurance benefits
   
252.5
   
240.0
   
5
%
 
756.5
   
743.0
   
2
%
Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other
      expenses
   
136.7
   
141.2
   
-3
%
 
458.3
   
433.2
   
6
%
    Total Operating Expenses
   
389.2
   
381.2
   
2
%
 
1,214.8
   
1,176.2
   
3
%
Income from operations before taxes
   
183.9
   
145.0
   
27
%
 
469.8
   
412.5
   
14
%
Federal income taxes
   
47.7
   
34.8
   
37
%
 
115.6
   
98.4
   
17
%
    Income from Operations
 
$
136.2
 
$
110.2
   
24
%
$
354.2
 
$
314.1
   
13
%
                                       


 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
September 30, (in billions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
Account Values
             
Variable Annuities
 
$
45.1
 
$
36.3
   
24
%
Fixed Annuities
   
21.3
   
21.6
   
-1
%
Reinsurance Ceded
   
(2.3
)
 
(2.3
)
 
0
%
    Total Fixed Annuities
   
19.0
   
19.3
   
-2
%
                     
Total Annuity
   
64.1
   
55.6
   
15
%
Alliance Mutual Funds
   
3.7
   
2.4
   
54
%
    Total Annuities and Alliance
 
$
67.8
 
$
58.0
   
17
%
                     
Fixed Portion of Variable Annuity
 
$
9.7
 
$
9.8
   
-1
%
                     


   
Three Months  
 
 
 
Nine Months  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
September 30, (in billions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
Average Daily Variable Account Values
 
$
44.1
 
$
35.3
   
25
%
$
41.8
 
$
35.3
   
18
%
Average Daily Alliance Mutual Fund Account Values
   
3.6
   
2.3
   
57
%
 
3.3
   
2.2
   
50
%
                                       

 

 
30

 

Income from Operations Variances—Increase (Decrease)
in the Period From Prior Year Period
 
 
 
Period Ended September 30, 2005  
 
(in millions, after-tax, after DAC)
 
Three Months
 
Nine Months
 
Increase in Income from Operations
 
$
26.0
 
$
40.1
 
               
Significant Changes in Income from Operations:
             
Effects of Equity Markets - Fee income
   
6.4
   
12.0
 
Increase in fee income from variable annuity and Alliance Mutual fund net flows
   
8.0
   
20.9
 
Comprehensive assumption review
   
12.0
   
12.0
 
Investment margins (including earnings on investment partnerships)
   
0.2
   
(6.3
)
Standby real estate equity commitments
   
-
   
12.5
 
Contingent interest
   
-
   
(6.5
)
Deferred sales inducements
   
(1.2
)
 
(4.4
)
               
 
Net Flows
 
 
 
Three Months  
     
Nine Months  
     
           
Improvement
         
Improvement
 
           
(Decline) Over
         
(Decline) Over
 
Periods ended September 30, (in billions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
Variable Portion of Annuity Deposits
 
$
1.586
 
$
1.257
   
26%
 
$
4.577
 
$
3.649
   
25%
 
Variable Portion of Annuity Withdrawals
   
(1.135
)
 
(0.904
)
 
-26%
 
 
(3.165
)
 
(2.807
)
 
-13%
 
    Variable Portion of Annuity Net Flows
   
0.451
   
0.353
   
28%
 
 
1.412
   
0.842
   
68%
 
Fixed Portion of Variable Annuity Deposits
   
0.573
   
0.563
   
2%
 
 
1.728
   
1.544
   
12%
 
Fixed Portion of Variable Annuity Withdrawals
   
(0.302
)
 
(0.268
)
 
-13%
 
 
(0.955
)
 
(0.823
)
 
-16%
 
    Fixed Portion of Variable Annuity
              Net Flows
   
0.271
   
0.295
   
-8%
 
 
0.773
   
0.721
   
7%
 
Total Variable Annuity Deposits
   
2.159
   
1.820
   
19%
 
 
6.305
   
5.193
   
21%
 
Total Variable Annuity Withdrawals
   
(1.437
)
 
(1.172
)
 
-23%
 
 
(4.120
)
 
(3.630
)
 
-13%
 
    Total Variable Annuity Net Flows
   
0.722
   
0.648
   
11%
 
 
2.185
   
1.563
   
40%
 
Fixed Annuity Deposits
   
0.145
   
0.220
   
-34%
 
 
0.523
   
0.834
   
-37%
 
Fixed Annuity Withdrawals
   
(0.326
)
 
(0.286
)
 
-14%
 
 
(1.083
)
 
(0.817
)
 
-33%
 
    Fixed Annuity Net Flows
   
(0.181
)
 
(0.066
)
 
NM
   
(0.560
)
 
0.017
   
NM
 
Total Annuity Deposits
   
2.304
   
2.040
   
13%
 
 
6.828
   
6.027
   
13%
 
Total Annuity Withdrawals
   
(1.763
)
 
(1.458
)
 
-21%
 
 
(5.203
)
 
(4.447
)
 
-17%
 
    Total Annuity Net Flows
   
0.541
   
0.582
   
-7%
 
 
1.625
   
1.580
   
3%
 
                 
 
                   
Alliance Mutual Fund Deposits
   
0.200
   
0.167
   
20%
 
 
0.843
   
0.606
   
39%
 
Alliance Mutual Fund Withdrawals
   
(0.107
)
 
(0.032
)
 
NM
   
(0.202
)
 
(0.058
)
 
NM
 
    Total Alliance Mutual Fund Net Flows
   
0.093
   
0.135
   
-31%
 
 
0.641
   
0.548
   
17%
 
                 
 
                   
Total Annuity and Alliance Deposits
   
2.504
   
2.207
   
13%
 
 
7.671
   
6.633
   
16%
 
Total Annuity and Alliance Withdrawals
   
(1.870
)
 
(1.490
)
 
-26%
 
 
(5.405
)
 
(4.505
)
 
-20%
 
    Total Annuity and Alliance Net Flows
 
$
0.634
 
$
0.717
   
-12%
 
$
2.266
 
$
2.128
   
6%
 
                 
 
                   
Annuities Incremental Deposits
 
$
2.247
 
$
1.979
   
14%
 
$
6.664
 
$
5.854
   
14%
 
Alliance Mutual Fund Incremental Deposits
   
0.200
   
0.167
   
20%
 
 
0.843
   
0.606
   
39%
 
    Total Annuities and Alliance Incremental
              Deposits (1)
 
$
2.447
 
$
2.146
   
14%
 
$
7.507
 
$
6.460
   
16%
 
                                       
________________
(1)
Incremental Deposits represent gross deposits reduced by transfers from other Lincoln Retirement products.

 
31

 


Gross Deposits
 
   
Three Months
 
 
 
Nine Months
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
Periods Ended September 30, (in billions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
Individual Annuities
                         
    Variable
 
$
1.888
 
$
1.552
   
22%
 
$
5.455
 
$
4.352
   
25%
 
    Fixed
   
0.031
   
0.113
   
-73%
 
 
0.124
   
0.429
   
-71%
 
        Total
   
1.919
   
1.665
   
15%
 
 
5.579
   
4.781
   
17%
 
Employer-Sponsored Products
                                     
    Variable
   
0.273
   
0.266
   
3%
 
 
0.852
   
0.839
   
2%
 
    Fixed
   
0.020
   
0.028
   
-29%
 
 
0.066
   
0.092
   
-28%
 
        Total Employer-Sponsored
                           Annuities-excluding Alliance
   
0.293
   
0.294
   
0%
 
 
0.918
   
0.931
   
-1%
 
    Fixed - Alliance
   
0.092
   
0.079
   
16%
 
 
0.331
   
0.313
   
6%
 
        Total Employer-Sponsored
                           Annuities
   
0.385
   
0.373
   
3%
 
 
1.249
   
1.244
   
0%
 
    Alliance Mutual Funds
   
0.200
   
0.169
   
18%
 
 
0.843
   
0.608
   
39%
 
Total Employer-Sponsored Products
   
0.585
   
0.542
   
8%
 
 
2.092
   
1.852
   
13%
 
Total Annuity and Alliance Deposits
                                     
    Variable
   
2.361
   
1.987
   
19%
 
 
7.150
   
5.799
   
23%
 
    Fixed
   
0.143
   
0.220
   
-35%
 
 
0.521
   
0.834
   
-38%
 
        Total Annuities and Alliance
 
$
2.504
 
$
2.207
   
13%
 
$
7.671
 
$
6.633
   
16%
 
        Total Alliance Program Deposits
 
$
0.292
 
$
0.248
   
18%
 
$
1.174
 
$
0.921
   
27%
 
                                       

 Interest Rate Margins
 
 
 
Three Months
 
 
 
Nine Months
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in Rate
 
 
 
 
 
Change in Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Over Prior Period
 
 
 
 
 
Over Prior Period
 
Periods Ended September 30,
 
2005
 
2004
 
(basis points)
 
2005
 
2004
 
(basis points)
 
Net investment income yield
   
6.04
%
 
6.14
%
 
(10
)
 
6.05
%
 
6.30
%
 
(25
)
Interest rate credited to policyholders
   
3.80
%
 
3.90
%
 
(10
)
 
3.81
%
 
3.93
%
 
(12
)
    Interest rate margin
   
2.24
%
 
2.24
%
 
-
   
2.24
%
 
2.37
%
 
(13
)
Effect on yield and interest rate margin
                                     
    Commercial mortgage loan prepayment
                                     
        and bond makewhole premiums
   
0.04
%
 
0.19
%
  (15  
0.07
%
 
0.21
%
   (14
    Contingent interest
   
-
   
-
     -    
-
   
0.08
%
   (8
Interest rate margin adjusted for above items
   
2.20
%
 
2.05
%
   15    
2.17
%
 
2.08
%
   9  
                                       
Average fixed annuity account values (in billions)
 
$
20.4
 
$
20.6
     
$
20.5
 
$
20.4
       
                                       
Effect on income from operations (after-tax,
                                     
    after-DAC) (in millions)
                                     
    Commercial mortgage loan prepayment
                                     
               and bond makewhole premiums
 
$
0.7
 
$
4.8
       
$
4.2
 
$
15.0
       
    Contingent interest
   
-
   
-
         
-
   
6.5
       
Effect on income from operations
 
$
0.7
 
$
4.8
       
$
4.2
 
$
21.5
       
                                       
 
Lincoln Retirement - Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 to 2004
 
Revenues
 
Insurance fees increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, compared to the same periods in 2004, as a result of increases in average daily variable annuity account values. The increase in account values reflects cumulative positive net flows and improvement in the equity markets between periods. The average S&P 500 Index was 11% higher for the third quarter and 7% higher for the first nine months of 2005, compared to the same periods in 2004. Variable product sales were up 19% for the third quarter and 23% for the first nine months of 2005 over the same 2004 periods while fixed product sales were down from the same periods in the previous year.
 
New deposits are an important component of our effort to grow the annuity business. Although deposits do not significantly impact current period income from operations, they are an important indicator of future profitability. In the past several years, we have concentrated our efforts on both product and distribution breadth. Annuity deposits increased 13% for both the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, respectively, compared to the same 2004 periods, with growth in both the individual variable annuity business and variable products within the employer-sponsored business.
 
The growth in individual variable annuity deposits was a result of continued strong sales of the Lincoln Smart Securitysm Advantage feature available in our variable annuity products and expansion of the wholesaling force in LFD during the last year.
 
 
32

 
Variable annuity gross deposits in our Lincoln ChoicePlussm and American Legacy products were up 27% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 to $5.4 billion, compared to $4.2 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.
 
Individual fixed annuity deposits experienced a decline for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, compared to the same periods in 2004, primarily due to the continued low interest rate environment. We approached the fixed annuity marketplace on an opportunistic basis throughout 2004 and into 2005, generally offering rates that are consistent with our required spreads. In the current interest rate environment, we expect this trend of lower fixed annuity deposits to continue.
 
Significant deposit growth in the employer-sponsored business has come through our Alliance program. The Alliance program bundles our fixed annuity products with mutual funds, along with recordkeeping and employee education components. We earn fees for the services we provide to mutual fund accounts and investment margins on fixed annuities of Alliance program accounts. Alliance program deposits were $292 million and $1.2 billion (including Alliance program fixed annuity deposits) in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, increases of 18% and 27% from the same 2004 periods. The amounts associated with the Alliance mutual fund program are not included in the separate accounts reported in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deposits in our traditional annuity products in the employer-sponsored business show a modest decrease of 1% over the first nine months of the previous year.
 
The other component of net flows is retention of the business. One of the key assumptions in pricing a product is the account persistency, often referred to as the lapse rate. The lapse rate compares the amount of withdrawals to the retained account values. One way to measure a company’s success in retaining assets is to look at the overall level of withdrawals from period to period. Additionally, by comparing actual lapse rates to the rates assumed in designing the annuity product, it is possible to gauge the impact of persistency on profitability. Overall lapse rates were 9.0% and 9.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to 8.9% for both the third quarter and first nine months of 2004. Overall lapse rates have been more favorable than the level of persistency assumed in product pricing, which is reflected in the favorable prospective DAC unlocking from the third quarter 2005 comprehensive assumption review discussed below. The increase in the third quarter of 2005, compared to the same 2004 period, is due to two large case withdrawals in employer-sponsored for $105 million. The higher rate for the first nine months of 2005, compared to the same 2004 period, also includes three large employer-sponsored case withdrawals aggregating $121 million in the first quarter of 2005. Notwithstanding the above, the persistency of the employer-sponsored business tends to be higher than in the individual annuity marketplace as employer-sponsored products involve systematic deposits and are part of an overall employee benefit plan which are generally not subject to the level of exchange activity typically experienced in the individual marketplace.
 
Net investment income decreased $7.4 million and $24.6 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, compared to the same periods last year. Net investment income for the first nine months of 2005 includes $19.3 million of fees for standby real estate equity commitments. The decline in net investment income in 2005 was due to lower fixed annuity account values and lower investment portfolio rates in 2005, and $13.0 million of contingent interest income received in the first nine months of 2004. Net investment income included $2.1 million and $10.4 million from commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, respectively, compared to $9.6 million and $32.6 million of prepayment premiums for the same periods in 2004.
 
When analyzing the impact of net investment income, it is important to understand that a portion of the investment income earned is credited to the policyholders of our fixed annuity products. The interest credited to policyholders is included in the segment’s expenses. Annuity product interest rate margins represent the excess of the yield on earning assets over the average crediting rate. The yield on earning assets is calculated as net investment income on fixed product investment portfolios divided by average earning assets. The average crediting rate is calculated using interest credited on annuity products less bonus credits and excess interest on policies with the dollar cost averaging feature, divided by the average fixed account values net of coinsured account values. Fixed account values reinsured under modified coinsurance agreements are included in account values for this calculation. As a result of crediting rate actions we took in 2003 through the third quarter of 2005, interest credited to policyholder balances decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to the same 2004 periods.
 
The interest rate margin table above summarizes the effect of changes in the portfolio yield, the rate credited to policyholders, as well as the impact of contingent interest and prepayment premiums on the segment’s results on an after-DAC, after-tax basis. Although the net investment income yield declined year over year, we were able to reduce crediting rates to substantially offset this decrease. The interest rate margin for the third quarter of 2005 was level at 2.24% with the same period last year, and declined to 2.24% for the first nine months of 2005 from 2.37% for the same 2004 period. After removing the effects of the contingent interest and prepayment premiums, the interest rate margin improved modestly to 2.20% for the third quarter and 2.17% for the first nine months of 2005, compared to 2.05% and 2.08% for the same periods last year. We expect a reduction in interest rate margins in the fourth quarter of 2005 and into 2006 of approximately 2 to 3 basis points per quarter. Our expectation includes the assumptions that there is a 50 basis point annual improvement in new money investment rates, that there are no significant changes in net flows in or out of our fixed accounts, or other changes which may cause interest rate margins to differ from our expectation. For information on interest rate margins and the interest rate risk due to falling interest rates, see “Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” of this Form 10-Q.
 
Expenses
 
Insurance benefits include interest credited to policyholders of $204.9 million and $616.0 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, compared to $209.9 million and $625.6 million for the same periods in 2004. The reductions in 2005 were a
 
 
33

 
result of actions taken to lower crediting rates commensurate with the reduction in the overall investment yield. Refer to the table above for the interest rate credited to policyholders.
 
Also included in insurance benefits are the costs associated with guaranteed benefits included within variable annuities with the GMDB or GMWB riders. The effect of increases in net reserve and benefit payments during the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 attributable to these guaranteed benefits was partially offset by the favorable results of the expanded hedge program implemented during the third quarter of 2004 such that the period over period variances on an after-DAC and after-tax basis were not significant.
 
In the third quarter of 2005, we completed our annual comprehensive review of the assumptions underlying the prospective amortization of DAC, PVIF and DSI, and the calculations of the GMDB reserves and the embedded derivative related to GMWB. This review resulted in a favorable unlocking adjustment due to continued favorable account value retention partially offset by mortality. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, the result of this prospective unlocking was a reduction in expenses of $50.7 million pre-tax ($33.0 million after-tax). The comprehensive review completed during the third quarter of 2005 is also expected to result in a decrease in amortization expense of approximately $4.5 million pre-tax ($3.0 million after-tax) per quarter beginning in the fourth quarter of 2005.

Our annual comprehensive review of the assumptions underlying the prospective amortization of DAC, PVIF and DSI, and the calculation of the GMDB reserves in the third quarter of 2004, resulted in a favorable unlocking adjustment due to continued favorable contract retention and modeling refinements offset by spread compression. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, the result of this prospective unlocking was a reduction in expenses of $32.3 million pre-tax ($21.0 million after-tax).

At September 30, 2005, Lincoln Retirement’s net amount at risk (“NAR”) related to contracts with a GMDB feature was $0.5 billion. The related GAAP and statutory reserves were $12.3 million and $43.9 million, respectively. The comparable amounts at December 31, 2004 were a NAR of $0.8 billion, GAAP reserves of $18.2 million and statutory reserves of $46.4 million. At any point in time, the NAR is the difference between the potential death benefit payable and the total account value, with a floor of zero (when account values exceed the potential death benefit there is no amount at risk). Accordingly, the NAR represents the maximum amount Lincoln Retirement would have to pay if all policyholders died. In evaluating the GMDB exposures that exist within our variable annuity business relative to industry peers, it is important to distinguish between the various types of GMDB features, and other factors such as average account values, average amounts of NAR, and the age of contractholders. The following table and discussion provides this information for our variable annuity business as of September 30, 2005:
 
   
Type of GMDB Feature
 
 
 
Return of
 
High Water
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premium
 
Mark
 
Roll-up
 
No GMDB
 
Total
 
Variable Annuity Account Value (billions)
 
$
30.6
 
$
17.8
 
$
0.3
 
$
6.1
 
$
54.8
 
% of Total Annuity Account Value
   
55.9
%
 
32.5
%
 
0.5
%
 
11.1
%
 
100.0
%
Average Account Value (thousands)
 
$
43.8
 
$
89.5
 
$
117.7
 
$
61.7
 
$
58.7
 
Average NAR (thousands)
 
$
2.7
 
$
9.0
 
$
12.5
   
N/A
 
$
5.7
 
NAR (billions)
 
$
0.1
 
$
0.4
 
$
-
   
N/A
 
$
0.5
 
Average Age of Contract Holder
   
53
   
63
   
66
   
61
   
56
 
% of Contract Holders > 70 Years of Age
   
12.2
%
 
29.2
%
 
36.4
%
 
27.2
%
 
17.7
%
                                 
 
We have variable annuity contracts containing GMDBs that have a dollar for dollar withdrawal feature. Under such a feature, withdrawals reduce both current account value and the GMDB amount on a dollar for dollar basis. For contracts containing this dollar for dollar feature, the account holder could withdraw a substantial portion of their account value resulting in a GMDB that is multiples of the current account value. Our exposure to this dollar for dollar risk is somewhat mitigated by the fact that we do not allow for partial 1035 exchanges on non-qualified contracts. To take advantage of the dollar for dollar feature, the contractholder must take constructive receipt of the withdrawal and pay any applicable surrender charges. We report the appropriate amount of the withdrawal that is taxable to the Internal Revenue Service, as well as indicating whether or not tax penalties apply under the premature distribution tax rules. We closely monitor the dollar for dollar withdrawal GMDB exposure and work with key broker dealers that distribute our variable annuity products. The GMDB feature offered on new sales is a pro-rata GMDB feature whereby each dollar of withdrawal reduces the GMDB benefit in proportion to the current GMDB to account value ratio. As of September 30, 2005, there were 775 contracts for which the death benefit to account value ratio was greater than ten to one. The NAR on these contracts was $49.1 million.
 

 
34

 

Life Insurance 
 
   
Three Months
 
 
 
Nine Months
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
Operating Summary for the Periods
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
Ended September 30, (in millions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
Operating Revenues:
                         
Insurance premiums
 
$
47.4
 
$
44.3
   
7%
 
$
140.9
 
$
140.4
   
0%
 
Insurance fees
   
192.3
   
191.0
   
1%
 
 
578.5
   
576.4
   
0%
 
Net investment income
   
244.1
   
238.4
   
2%
 
 
729.5
   
709.0
   
3%
 
Other revenues and fees
   
8.6
   
7.3
   
18%
 
 
25.0
   
23.4
   
7%
 
    Total Operating Revenues
   
492.4
   
481.0
   
2%
 
 
1,473.9
   
1,449.2
   
2%
 
Operating Expenses:
                                     
Insurance benefits
   
284.2
   
256.3
   
11%
 
 
814.4
   
784.0
   
4%
 
Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other
        expenses
   
97.1
   
144.0
   
-33%
 
 
336.7
   
361.8
   
-7%
 
    Total Operating Expenses
   
381.3
   
400.3
   
-5%
 
 
1,151.1
   
1,145.8
   
0%
 
Income from operations before taxes
   
111.1
   
80.7
   
38%
 
 
322.8
   
303.4
   
6%
 
Federal income taxes
   
36.0
   
25.3
   
42%
 
 
104.1
   
97.1
   
7%
 
    Income from Operations
 
$
75.1
 
$
55.4
   
36%
 
$
218.7
 
$
206.3
   
6%
 
                                       
 
Income from Operations Variances—Increase (Decrease)
in the Period from Prior Year Period
 
 
 
Periods Ended September 30, 2005
 
(in millions, after-tax)
 
Three Months
 
Nine Months
 
Increase in Income from Operations
 
$
19.7
 
$
12.4
 
               
Significant Changes in Segment Income from Operations:
             
DAC/PVIF/DFEL
             
      Comprehensive assumption review     18.3     18.3  
      Retrospective unlocking
   
2.4
   
(0.9
)
      Amortization
   
(1.8
)
 
(6.8
)
               



 
35

 
 


 
 
Three Months
 
 
 
Nine Months
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
Periods Ended September 30,
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
First Year Premiums-by Product (in millions)
                         
Universal Life ("UL")
                         
    Excluding MoneyGuardsm
 
$
102.9
 
$
90.1
   
14
%
$
294.0
 
$
286.5
   
3
%
    MoneyGuardsm
   
60.7
   
60.7
   
0
%
 
163.5
   
177.9
   
-8
%
      Total Universal Life
   
163.6
   
150.8
   
8
%
 
457.5
   
464.4
   
-1
%
Variable Universal Life ("VUL")
   
23.5
   
17.2
   
37
%
 
73.3
   
57.4
   
28
%
Whole Life
   
10.2
   
9.7
   
5
%
 
26.3
   
28.0
   
-6
%
Term
   
8.0
   
10.4
   
-23
%
 
25.7
   
31.6
   
-19
%
    Total Retail
   
205.3
   
188.1
   
9
%
 
582.8
   
581.4
   
0
%
Corporate Owned Life Insurance ("COLI")
   
22.3
   
29.2
   
-24
%
 
57.4
   
53.3
   
8
%
      Total First Year Premiums
 
$
227.6
 
$
217.3
   
5
%
$
640.2
 
$
634.7
   
1
%
                                       
Net Flows (in billions)
                                     
Deposits
 
$
0.553
 
$
0.548
   
1
%
$
1.592
 
$
1.557
   
2
%
Withdrawals & Deaths
   
(0.216
)
 
(0.248
)
 
-13
%
 
(0.686
)
 
(0.718
)
 
-4
%
  Net Flows
 
$
0.337
 
$
0.300
   
12
%
$
0.906
 
$
0.839
   
8
%
Policyholder Assessments
 
$
(0.293
)
$
(0.272
)
 
8
%
$
(0.870
)
$
(0.809
)
 
8
%
                                       
September 30, (in billions)
 
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
 
Increase(Decrease)
 
                 
Account Values
                                     
Universal Life
 
$
10.1
 
$
9.4
   
7
%
                 
Variable Universal Life
   
2.7
   
2.3
   
17
%
                 
Interest-Sensitive Whole Life ("ISWL")
   
2.2
   
2.2
   
0
%
                 
    Total Life Insurance Account Values
 
$
15.0
 
$
13.9
   
8
%
                 
                                       
In Force-Face Amount
                                     
Universal Life and Other*
 
$
134.5
 
$
131.0
   
3
%
                 
Term Insurance
   
184.3
   
168.0
   
10
%
                 
    Total In-Force
 
$
318.8
 
$
299.0
   
7
%
                 
                                       
Net Amount at Risk
                                     
Universal Life and Other
 
$
117.1
 
$
114.7
   
2
%
                 
Term Insurance
   
183.5
   
167.2
   
10
%
                 
    Total Net Amount at Risk
 
$
300.6
 
$
281.9
   
7
%
                 
 
_________
* Includes COLI of $7.5 billion and $7.0 billion at September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
 

 
36

 

Interest Rate Margins


    
   
Three Months
 
 
 
Nine Months
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in Rate
 
 
 
 
 
Change in Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Over Prior Period
 
 
 
 
 
Over Prior Period
 
Periods Ended September 30,
 
2005
 
2004
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2005
 
2004
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(basis points)
 
 
 
 
 
(basis points)
 
Interest Sensitive Products
                         
Net investment income yield
   
6.35
%
 
6.62
%
 
(27
)
 
6.35
%
 
6.73
%
 
(38
)
Interest rate credited to policyholders
   
4.70
%
 
4.79
%
 
(9
)
 
4.71
%
 
4.88
%
 
(17
)
    Interest rate margin
   
1.65
%
 
1.83
%
 
(18
)
 
1.64
%
 
1.85
%
 
(21
)
Effect on Yield and Interest Rate Margin
                                     
    Commercial mortgage loan prepayment
       and bond makewhole premiums
   
0.04
%
 
0.29
%
 
(25
)
 
0.05
%
 
0.23
%
 
(18
)
    Contingent interest
   
-
%
 
-
   
-
   
-
%
 
0.08
%
 
(8
)
Interest rate margin, excluding the above items
   
1.61
%
 
1.54
%
 
   
1.59
%
 
1.54
%
 
5
 
Effect on Income from Operations (After-tax, after-
DAC) (in millions)
                                     
    Commercial mortgage loan prepayment
      and bond makewhole premiums
 
$
0.4
 
$
2.8
       
$
1.6
 
$
6.4
       
    Contingent interest
   
-
   
-
         
-
   
2.1
       
Effect on income from operations
 
$
0.4
 
$
2.8
       
$
1.6
 
$
8.5
       
                                       
Traditional Products
                                     
Net investment income yield
   
6.33
%
 
6.97
%
 
(64
)
 
6.45
%
 
6.98
%
 
(53
)
Effect on Yield
                                     
    Commercial mortgage loan prepayment
         and bond makewhole premiums
   
0.06
%
 
0.59
%
 
(53
)
 
0.08
%
 
0.21
%
 
(13
)
    Contingent interest
   
-
%
 
-
   
-
   
-
%
 
0.23
%
 
(23
)
Net investment income yield after adjusted for
      above items
   
6.27
%
 
6.38
%
 
(11
)
 
6.37
%
 
6.54
%
 
(17
)
Effect on Income from Operations (After-tax)
      (in millions)
                                     
    Commercial mortgage loan prepayment
       and bond makewhole premiums
 
$
0.1
 
$
1.4
       
$
0.5
 
$
1.5
       
    Contingent interest
   
-
   
-
         
-
   
1.6
       
Effect on income from operations
 
$
0.1
 
$
1.4
       
$
0.5
 
$
3.1
       
                                       

  
Life Insurance - Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 to 2004
 
Revenues, First Year Premium, In-force and Net Amount at Risk
 
Overall revenues for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 increased modestly from the same 2004 periods. Net investment income, which is explained below, was the primary driver of the increases. Revenues from insurance fees increased modestly for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, compared to the same 2004 periods. Insurance fees include surrender charges, mortality assessments and expense assessments. Mortality assessments decreased slightly in the third quarter and increased $7.6 million, or 2%, for the first nine months of 2005. The growth is in line with the growth in UL and Other face amount in-force, and NAR (Other includes VUL, whole life, ISWL and COLI; UL and Other products are referred to as permanent products). Mortality assessments are comprised of cost of insurance assessments (“COI”) and are charged to policyholders in relation to the NAR less the cost of reinsurance premiums that we pay for reinsurance coverage. In recent years, we have reinsured a larger percentage of the mortality risk on our business than in the past. As older business with a lower percentage of reinsurance has run off, this has had the effect of slowing the growth of revenues from net mortality assessments. Partially offsetting the increase in mortality assessments for the first nine months were lower surrender charge revenues due to more favorable persistency resulting in higher business in force, which should favorably affect future revenues.
 
The increase in life insurance in-force and NAR has been driven primarily by the growth in term life insurance. It is important to view the in-force and NAR growth separately for term products versus UL and other permanent products, as term products by design have a lower profitability to face amount relationship than do permanent life insurance products. Insurance premium revenue relates to whole life and term life insurance products. Insurance premiums increased 7% for the third quarter and were level for the first nine months of 2005 compared to the same periods in 2004. Insurance premiums for term insurance increased 19% and 12% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 compared to the same periods in 2004, while insurance premiums for whole life increased 2% in the third quarter and decreased 5% for the first nine months of 2005, compared to the same periods in 2004. These premiums included those received from policyholders and are net of premiums we pay for reinsurance coverage. Term and whole life insurance products have insurance fees and COIs generated from the NAR. These are components of the change in policy reserves on these products, and are reflected in insurance benefits.
 
Total first year premiums for the third quarter of 2005 increased 5% compared with the third quarter of 2004 and increased 1% for the first nine months of 2005 from the comparable 2004 period. First year premiums are not part of revenues (other than term products) and do not have a significant impact on current period income from operations, but are indicative of future profitability. The third quarter increase is due to UL and VUL increases of $12.8 million and $6.3 million (8% and 37%), respectively, compared to the third quarter of 2004. For the first nine months of 2005, UL first year premiums declined $6.9 million
 
 
37

 
(1%) and VUL first year premiums increased $15.9 million (28%) compared to the same period last year. The equity market turnaround and the fourth quarter 2004 introduction of a new product were the primary drivers of the VUL increases
 
Increased competition has depressed growth in first year premiums for 2005. The segment introduced a new UL product during the third quarter of 2004, which generated sales of approximately $54 million for the third quarter and $117 million for the first nine months of 2005. Overall, we expect first year premiums and related revenues in 2005 to equal or modestly exceed 2004 results.
 
Net investment income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 included $2.7 million and $7.8 million pre-tax from commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums, compared to $10.1 million and $21.1 million for the same periods last year. Net investment income for the respective nine month periods included $5.7 million pre-tax from the second quarter 2005 receipt of fees from standby real estate equity commitments and $8.9 million pre-tax of contingent interest income in 2004 ($6.5 million in the interest sensitive lines and $2.5 million for traditional non-par lines). Absent these items, interest rate margins for the Life Insurance segment improved in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, compared to the same periods in 2004.

Interest sensitive products include UL and ISWL and provide for interest to be credited to policyholder accounts. The difference between what we credit to policyholder accounts and interest income we earn on interest sensitive assets is interest rate margin. Traditional non-dividend participating (“Non-par”) products include term and whole life insurance with interest income used to build the policy reserves. At September 30, 2005 and 2004, interest-sensitive products represented approximately 89% and 88%, respectively, of total interest sensitive and traditional Non-par earning assets. At September 30, 2005, 43% of the interest sensitive account values have crediting rates at contract guaranteed levels, and 52% have crediting rates within 50 basis points of contractual guarantees. We expect a slight reduction of approximately one to two basis points per quarter in interest rate margins in the subsequent quarters for the Life Insurance segment. This assumes a 50 basis point annual improvement in new money investment rates and no significant changes in net flows in or out of our fixed accounts or other changes that may cause interest rate margins to differ from our expectation. For information on interest rate margins and the interest rate risk due to falling interest rates, see “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in this Form 10-Q.
 
Expenses
 
Insurance benefits include interest credited to policyholders of $149.0 million and $440.0 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, respectively, compared to $143.8 million and $432.6 million for the same periods in 2004. Actions taken by the segment to lower crediting rates commensurate with the reduction in the overall investment yield in 2004 and 2005 partially offset the effects of growth in the book of business. See the table above for the interest rate credited to policyholders.
 
During the third quarter of 2005, we conducted our annual comprehensive review of the assumptions underlying the amortization of DAC, PVIF and DFEL. The Life Insurance segment reviewed the various assumptions including investment rate margins, mortality and retention. As a result of this comprehensive review, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Life Insurance segment had DAC/PVIF/DFEL net prospective positive unlocking adjustment of $4.5 million pre-tax ($2.9 million after-tax). The adjustments primarily reflect improved mortality assumptions, partially offset by less favorable retention and interest rate assumptions. The comprehensive review during the third quarter of 2005 is also expected to result in a decrease in the on-going amortization expense of approximately $1.1 million pre-tax ($0.7 million after-tax) per quarter beginning in the fourth quarter of 2005.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, this segment had negative prospective DAC unlocking of $23.7 million pre-tax ($15.4 million after-tax). The negative unlocking in the third quarter of 2004 resulted primarily from a reduction in the assumption of future investment yields. The comprehensive review during the third quarter of 2004 also resulted in an increase in the on-going amortization expense of approximately $3.0 million pre-tax ($2.0 million after-tax) per quarter beginning in the fourth quarter of 2004.
 
UL and VUL products with secondary guarantees represent approximately 10% of life insurance in-force at September 30, 2005. In July 2005, a committee of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) adopted a change to Actuarial Guideline 38 (also known as “AXXX”), the statutory reserve requirements for UL products with secondary guarantees, such as Lincoln National Life’s lapse protection rider (“LPR”). This proposal was formally adopted by the NAIC in October 2005 with an effective date of July 1, 2005.

The proposal does not affect business written prior to the effective date of July 1, 2005. However, based on early analysis and normalized sales of UL products sold with secondary guarantees, we expect Actuarial Guideline 38 could result in the need to increase statutory reserves, which could impact statutory surplus by up to $100 million in 2005. There would be no impact to GAAP reserves. We continue to evaluate potential modifications to our universal life products with secondary guarantees that may be made in response to the revised regulation. Although the impact of this proposal on future sales of guaranteed no-lapse UL cannot be predicted, it may result in a price increase for such products.

 
38

 

Investment Management 


   
Three Months
 
 
 
Nine Months
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
Operating Summary for the Periods Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
(in millions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
Operating Revenues:
                         
Investment advisory fees - retail/institutional
 
$
73.6
 
$
67.4
   
9
%
$
199.9
 
$
196.5
   
2
%
Investment advisory fees - insurance-related
   
24.9
   
26.4
   
-6
%
 
74.3
   
79.0
   
-6
%
Insurance fees
   
18.5
   
12.8
   
45
%
 
53.1
   
42.7
   
24
%
Net investment income
   
12.7
   
12.7
   
0
%
 
39.8
   
39.4
   
1
%
Other revenues and fees
   
17.1
   
13.7
   
25
%
 
48.0
   
49.5
   
-3
%
    Total Operating Revenues
   
146.8
   
133.0
   
10
%
 
415.1
   
407.1
   
2
%
Operating Expenses:
                                     
Insurance benefits
   
7.0
   
6.9
   
1
%
 
20.8
   
20.1
   
3
%
Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses
   
124.0
   
107.9
   
15
%
 
362.8
   
330.7
   
10
%
    Total Operating Expenses
   
131.0
   
114.8
   
14
%
 
383.6
   
350.8
   
9
%
Income from operations before taxes
   
15.8
   
18.2
   
-13
%
 
31.5
   
56.3
   
-44
%
Federal income taxes
   
5.6
   
5.7
   
-2
%
 
10.1
   
18.0
   
-44
%
Income from Operations
 
$
10.2
 
$
12.5
   
-18
%
$
21.4
 
$
38.3
   
-44
%
                                       
 
 
Income from Operations Variances—Increase (Decrease)
in the Period From Prior Year Period
 
 
 
Periods Ended September 30, 2005  
 
(in millions after-tax)
 
Three Months
 
Nine Months
 
Decrease in Income from Operations
 
$
(2.3
)
$
(16.9
)
               
Significant Changes in Segment Income from Operations:
             
Effects of financial markets/net flows, variable expenses and other
   
1.6
   
1.4
 
Comprehensive assumption review
   
1.1
   
1.1
 
Income from operations of DIAL in 2004
   
(4.8
)
 
(12.4
)
Portfolio management alignment (including business
             
    and portfolio restructuring)
   
(1.4
)
 
(6.2
)
               
               



    
Assets Under Management
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Over Prior
 
September 30, (in billions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
Period
 
Retail-Equity
 
$
33.4
 
$
22.6
   
48
%
Retail-Fixed
   
9.1
   
8.1
   
12
%
    Total Retail
   
42.5
   
30.7
   
38
%
                     
Institutional-Equity
   
17.8
   
10.5
   
70
%
Institutional-Fixed
   
12.2
   
7.9
   
54
%
    Total Institutional
   
30.0
   
18.4
   
63
%
                     
Insurance-related Assets
   
44.5
   
44.0
   
1
%
    Total Assets Under Management
 
$
117.0
 
$
93.1
   
26
%
                     
Total Sub-advised Assets, included in above amounts
               
Retail
 
$
15.9
 
$
8.8
   
81
%
Institutional
   
4.6
   
3.1
   
48
%
    Total Sub-advised Assets at the End of the Period
 
$
20.5
 
$
11.9
   
72
%
                     

 
39

 

Net Flows
            
   
Three Months
 
 
 
Nine Months
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
Periods Ended September 30, (in billions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
Retail:
                         
    Equity:
                         
        Fund deposits
 
$
2.882
 
$
1.480
   
95
%
$
9.076
 
$
5.084
   
79
%
        Redemptions and transfers
   
(1.309
)
 
(0.996
)
 
31
%
 
(4.073
)
 
(3.021
)
 
35
%
            Net flows-Equity
   
1.573
   
0.484
   
225
%
 
5.003
   
2.063
   
143
%
                                       
    Fixed Income:
                                     
        Fund deposits
   
0.602
   
0.425
   
42
%
 
1.822
   
1.389
   
31
%
        Redemptions and transfers
   
(0.334
)
 
(0.529
)
 
-37
%
 
(1.074
)
 
(1.487
)
 
-28
%
            Net flows-Fixed Income
   
0.268
   
(0.104
)
 
NM
   
0.748
   
(0.098
)
 
NM
 
                                       
Total Retail:
                                     
    Fund deposits
   
3.484
   
1.905
   
83
%
 
10.898
   
6.473
   
68
%
    Redemptions and transfers
   
(1.643
)
 
(1.525
)
 
8
%
 
(5.147
)
 
(4.508
)
 
14
%
        Net flows-Total Retail
   
1.841
   
0.380
   
384
%
 
5.751
   
1.965
   
193
%
                                       
Institutional:
                                     
    Equity:
                                     
        Inflows/deposits
   
1.937
   
1.638
   
18
%
 
7.076
   
5.504
   
29
%
        Withdrawals and transfers
   
(0.876
)
 
(1.043
)
 
-16
%
 
(2.319
)
 
(2.947
)
 
-21
%
            Net flows-Equity
   
1.061
   
0.595
   
78
%
 
4.757
   
2.557
   
86
%
                                       
Fixed Income:
                                     
    Inflows/deposits
   
0.840
   
0.947
   
-11
%
 
3.340
   
3.034
   
10
%
    Withdrawals and transfers
   
(0.295
)
 
(0.162
)
 
82
%
 
(1.166
)
 
(0.508
)
 
130
%
        Net flows-Fixed Income
   
0.545
   
0.785
   
-31
%
 
2.174
   
2.526
   
-14
%
                                       
Total Institutional:
                                     
    Inflows/deposits
   
2.777
   
2.585
   
7
%
 
10.416
   
8.538
   
22
%
    Withdrawals and transfers
   
(1.171
)
 
(1.205
)
 
-3
%
 
(3.485
)
 
(3.455
)
 
1
%
        Net flows-Total Institutional
   
1.606
   
1.380
   
16
%
 
6.931
   
5.083
   
36
%
                                       
Combined Retail and Institutional:
                                     
    Deposits/inflows
   
6.261
   
4.490
   
39
%
 
21.314
   
15.011
   
42
%
    Redemptions, withdrawals and transfers
   
(2.814
)
 
(2.730
)
 
3
%
 
(8.632
)
 
(7.963
)
 
8
%
        Net flows-Combined Retail and
                           Institutional
 
$
3.447
 
$
1.760
   
96
%
$
12.682
 
$
7.048
   
80
%
                                       
____________
Note:
The term deposits in the above table and in the following discussion represents purchases of mutual funds and managed accounts, deposits in variable annuity funds, and inflows in advisory accounts. Amounts in table above include DIAL in 2004.
 
The following table presents the segment’s net flows with and without DIAL.


   
Three Months  
 
 
 
Nine Months  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
Periods Ended September 30, (in billions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
(Decrease)
 
2005
 
2004
 
(Decrease)
 
Net Flows
                         
As reported above
 
$
3.447
 
$
1.760
   
96
%
$
12.682
 
$
7.048
   
80
%
DIAL
   
-
   
0.524
   
-100
%
 
-
   
3.268
   
-100
%
    Net Flows-Excluding DIAL
 
$
3.447
 
$
1.236
   
179
%
$
12.682
 
$
3.780
   
236
%
                                       
                                       


Investment Management - Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 to 2004

Revenues, Deposits and Net Flows  

Investment advisory fees—retail/institutional increased 9% and 2% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, compared to the same periods last year. Investment advisory fees included $16.0 million and $47.2 million from DIAL for the third quarter and first nine months of 2004, respectively. Excluding DIAL, investment advisory fees-retail/institutional increased 44% and 34% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, compared to the same periods last year, due to higher average levels of assets under management resulting from changes in the equity markets, changes in product mix and positive net flows. Net flows in the third quarter of 2005 were 96% higher than the third quarter of 2004. The level of net flows in the third quarter of 2005 was significantly higher than previous periods for both institutional and retail business. The increase in net flows for the three and nine month periods of 2005, compared to the same 2004 periods, is attributable to several factors, including changes in the management of certain asset category offerings, the recognition in the marketplace of improving investment performance, and the expanded wholesaling of the segment’s products by LFD. The level of net flows may vary considerably from period to period and net flows in one quarter may not be indicative of net flows in subsequent quarters.
 
 
40


Investment advisory fees include amounts that are ultimately paid to sub-advisors for managing the sub-advised assets. The amounts paid to sub-advisors are included in the expenses of the segment. In addition, included in the investment advisory fees—retail/institutional are fees earned from managing funds included within our variable annuity and life insurance products.
 
Investment advisory fees - insurance related is made up of fees for asset management services this segment provides for our general account assets supporting our fixed products and surplus, including those of the Lincoln Retirement and Life Insurance segments. As a result of analysis performed in the latter half of 2004, we reduced the inter-segment fees paid to the Investment Management segment by approximately 2 basis points, or 12%, effective January 1, 2005. This resulted in a negative impact of $0.7 million after-tax in the third quarter of 2005 and $2.2 million after-tax for the first nine months of 2005. This was offset by corresponding net positive impacts within the Lincoln Retirement and Life Insurance segments.
 
The increase in insurance fees from the annuity-based 401(k) Lincoln DirectorSM business (“Director”) primarily relates to higher assets under management due to equity market performance and positive net flows of $0.4 billion in the twelve months ended September 30, 2005. Assets under management for this business were $6.3 billion and $5.1 billion at September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Other revenue includes changes in the value of seed capital, as well as shareholder servicing and accounting fees for services provided to mutual funds and variable annuity products that we sponsor. Seed capital represents the amount of capital invested to start a new fund or product. Seed capital investments are accounted for in a manner consistent with the accounting for trading securities, with changes in fair market value reported as a component of revenues. The primary driver of the increase in other revenues in the third quarter of 2005, compared to the same period in 2004, was related to higher levels of seed capital and higher returns from the favorable effect of equity markets on seed capital.
 
The increase in assets under management from September 30, 2004 to 2005 is primarily the result of market value gains and positive net flows. Market value gains for the twelve months ended September 30, 2005 were $5.2 billion in retail and $2.6 billion in institutional. Net flows were $6.9 billion in retail and $9.0 billion in institutional for the same period.
 
On September 24, 2004, we completed the sale of DIAL to the unit’s management group and an unaffiliated investor. As a result of the sale of DIAL, certain retail assets are now sub-advised by the acquirer. Sub-advised assets represent 18% of the segment’s assets under management at September 30, 2005, compared to 13% at September 30, 2004. As stated above, the segment pays fees to the sub-advisor for managing the assets. Also, in 2004, the segment outsourced its mutual fund based 401(k) record-keeping business. As a result, approximately $0.8 billion of the retirement accounts were transferred to third parties during the third quarter of 2004. The remaining $0.3 billion of retirement accounts were transferred to third parties during the fourth quarter of 2004. See Note 12 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, “Results of Consolidated Operations” above and “Review of Consolidated Financial Condition - Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for additional information.
 
Expenses
 
Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses increased 15% in the third quarter and 10% for the first nine months of 2005, compared to the same periods in 2004, primarily from expenses that vary with revenues or levels of assets under management. These expenses include the fees we pay to third party sub-advisors. Payments to LFD for wholesaling services increased $3.0 million, or 43%, in the third quarter and $8.0 million, or 35%, in the first nine months, compared to the same periods last year, as a result of the strong retail deposits in 2005. In the asset management business, we are not able to capitalize the acquisition costs of new business unlike the capitalization of acquisition costs with insurance products. Operating expenses for the first nine months of 2005 also include severance of approximately $5.6 million pre-tax ($3.7 million after-tax).  In addition, expenses were higher as the result of the addition of two investment teams during 2005. In April 2005 several growth equity managers and certain other investment personnel joined Investment Management to form a new large cap equity growth team. In June 2005 a new international equity team joined the firm.

During the third quarter of 2005, the Investment Management segment performed its annual comprehensive review of DAC assumptions related to the Director business. As a result, we reduced expenses in the third quarter of 2005 for prospective unlocking by $4.7 million pre-tax ($3.1 million after-tax), primarily related to favorable expenses and continuing improved retention rates. In the third quarter of 2004, the annual comprehensive review resulted in a reduction to expenses for prospective unlocking of approximately $3.0 million pre-tax ($2.0 million after-tax), primarily related to the continued improvement in retention rates.

 

 
41

 

Lincoln UK


   
Three Months
 
 
 
Nine Months
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
Operating Summary for the Periods Ended
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Over
 
September 30, (in millions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
2005
 
2004
 
Prior Period
 
Operating Revenues:
                         
Insurance premiums
 
$
16.9
 
$
17.6
   
-4
%
$
47.9
 
$
55.4
   
-14
%
Insurance fees
   
36.9
   
36.7
   
1
%
 
109.8
   
105.3
   
4
%
Net investment income
   
20.9
   
18.7
   
12
%
 
60.8
   
55.4
   
10
%
Other revenues and fees
   
28.1
   
22.8
   
23
%
 
37.4
   
36.8
   
2
%
    Total Operating Revenues
   
102.8
   
95.8
   
7
%
 
255.9
   
252.9
   
1
%
                                       
Operating Expenses:
                                     
Insurance benefits
   
35.5
   
21.3
   
67
%
 
88.5
   
79.1
   
12
%
Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses
   
52.6
   
59.0
   
-11
%
 
121.4
   
132.3
   
-8
%
    Total Operating Expenses
   
88.1
   
80.3
   
10
%
 
209.9
   
211.4
   
-1
%
                                       
Income before taxes
   
14.7
   
15.5
   
-5
%
 
46.0
   
41.5
   
11
%
Federal income taxes
   
5.1
   
5.4
   
-6
%
 
16.1
   
14.5
   
11
%
    Income from Operations
 
$
9.6
 
$
10.1
   
-5
%
$
29.9
 
$
27.0
   
11
%
                                       
                                       
September 30, (in billions)
   
2005
 
 
2004
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
                 
Unit-Linked Assets
 
$
7.2
 
$
6.5
   
11
%
                 
Individual Life Insurance In-Force
   
18.2
   
19.4
   
-6
%
                 
Exchange Rate Ratio-U.S. Dollars to Pounds Sterling:          
                 
    Average for the Period
   
1.779
   
1.813
   
-2
%
                 
    End of Period
   
1.764
   
1.812
   
-3
%
                 


Income from Operations Variances - Increase (Decrease)
In the Period from Prior Year Period
 
 
Periods Ended September 30, 2005  
 
(in millions, after-tax)
 
Three Months
 
Nine Months
 
Increase (decrease) in Income from Operations
 
$
(0.5
)
$
2.9
 
               
Significant Changes in Income from Operations:
             
Effects of Equity Markets
             
      Fee income from equity-linked assets
   
1.4
   
2.8
 
      DAC/PVIF/DFEL
   
0.7
   
2.5
 
Comprehensive assumption review
   
1.8
   
1.8
 
Reserves for selling practice matters
   
(3.2
)
 
(3.2
Expenses
   
(1.2
)
 
(2.7
)
               
               
Lincoln UK - Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 to 2004

Revenues
 
Insurance premiums were down approximately 4% for the third quarter and 14% for the first nine months of 2005, compared to the same periods of 2004, resulting from the continuing decline of the in-force block. Policy lapse rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was 7%, comparable to that experienced in 2004, as measured by the number of policies in-force. Insurance fees benefited from higher average equity-linked account values resulting largely from the increase in the U.K. equity markets. As illustrated by the performance of the FTSE 100 index, U.K. equity markets had increased 19.8% at September 30, 2005 from September 30, 2004; the daily average basis FTSE 100 for the third quarter of 2005 was up 19.6% from the third quarter of 2004.
 
Other revenues increased 23% and 2% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, compared to the same periods last year. The increase in other revenues resulted from the completion in the third quarter of 2005 of a comprehensive review of assumptions underlying the amortization of DAC/PVIF/DFEL, which resulted in a positive impact to income from operations of $3.2 million pre-tax  ($2.1 million after-tax)  The amount included in revenues is a positive DFEL unlocking adjustment of $21.5 million pre-tax ($14.0 million after-tax). The favorable unlocking is primarily related to a modeling correction. The impact of the unlocking of DAC and PVIF is included in expenses discussed below.

Expenses
 
Expenses were lower in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, compared to the same 2004 periods, as increases in insurance benefits were offset by lower underwriting, acquisition and operating expenses. Insurance benefits for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 include a $4.9 million pre-tax ($3.2 million after-tax) expense to increase the reserve for selling practice matters as a result of greater than expected levels of customer complaints. Insurance benefits for the third quarter and first
 
 
42

 
nine months of 2004 include a release of $4.8 million pre-tax ($3.1 million after-tax) of reserves related to lapsed policies. For additional information on the reserve for selling practices, refer to Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

The decline in underwriting, acquisition and operating expenses compared to the same 2004 periods reflects primarily the net negative retrospective unlocking of assumptions for DAC and PVIF that occurred in the first nine months of 2004 from increasing equity markets, and the favorable effects from the completion of the third quarter 2005 comprehensive review of assumptions underlying the amortization of DAC/PVIF/DFEL. The review resulted in unfavorable adjustments to DAC/PVIF amortization of $18.3 million pre-tax ($11.9 million after-tax) primarily from an unfavorable modeling correction in the DAC amortization calculation process offset by favorable persistency.
 
In the third quarter of 2004, we completed our comprehensive review of assumptions underlying the amortization of DAC/PVIF/DFEL. The review of assumptions included policy retention, which resulted in positive unlocking reducing expenses by $3.2 million pre-tax ($2.1 million after-tax). In addition, we adjusted our assumptions related to the impact of equity markets on tax related fees for unit-linked business. The unlocking resulted in increased amortization expenses of $7.5 million pre-tax ($4.9 million after-tax).

In October 2005, Lincoln UK funded its non-U.S. defined benefit pension plan with a contribution of $70.6 million. As a result of this funding, ongoing annual pre-tax pension expense is expected to be reduced from $6.6 million to approximately $2.1 million. This reduction in expenses will impact future DAC/PVIF/DFEL amortization and is expected to result in a favorable fourth quarter prospective unlocking adjustment of approximately $16 million pre-tax ($10 million after-tax), and result in lower expenses, after-DAC/DFEL going forward.

The services provided to the segment under the Capita agreement are currently deemed to be exempt from value added tax (“VAT”). In a recent ruling by the European Court of Justice regarding a similar arrangement involving a Dutch insurer, it was deemed that VAT should be applied to such an arrangement. The U.K. authorities are required to take note of this ruling in determining U.K. legislation and in July 2005 issued a consultation paper outlining their intention to amend U.K. legislation so that VAT applies to contracts, such as our arrangement with Capita. While a number of uncertainties currently exist, including passage of the legislation, its effective date and the outcome of negotiations with Capita, we estimate that, after allowing for the estimated recovery of a percentage of these VAT costs as provided under the Capita agreement, such a change could result in negative DAC/PVIF/DFEL unlocking of approximately $12 million pre-tax ($8 million after-tax) as future EGPs would be lower from the increased expense. In addition, based on the current estimate the segment’s income from operations is expected to be reduced by approximately $3 million pre-tax ($2 million after-tax) on an annual basis. This estimate assumes no changes in our contractual arrangement with Capita as a result of the VAT. We continue to analyze the potential impact of this change.

Other Operations 
 
   
Three Months
 
 
 
Nine Months
 
 
 
Operating Summary for the Periods Ended September 30,
(in millions)
 
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
Income (Loss) from Operations by Source:
                                     
LFA
 
$
(4.4
)
$
(3.5
)
 
-26
%
$
(16.4
)
$
(17.5
)
 
6
%
LFD
   
(7.9
)
 
(6.3
)
 
-25
%
 
(19.3
)
 
(17.4
)
 
-11
%
Financing costs
   
(14.2
)
 
(16.0
)
 
11
%
 
(43.3
)
 
(46.3
)
 
6
%
Other Corporate
   
11.3
   
(4.9
)
 
NM
   
37.1
   
(13.8
)
 
NM
 
Amortization of deferred gain on indemnity reinsurance
   
12.3
   
20.8
   
-41
%
 
36.9
   
44.1
   
-16
%
    Loss from Operations
 
$
(2.9
)
$
(9.9
)
 
71
%
$
(5.0
)
$
(50.9
)
 
90
%
                                       
                                       
 
 Other Operations - Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 to 2004
 
LFA
 
LFA’s operating results declined by $0.9 million for the third quarter and improved by $1.1 million for the first nine months of 2005, compared to the same periods in 2004. Both periods reflect lower expenses from expense management and realignment activities. However, lower sales of our Life Insurance and Lincoln Retirement segments’ products and non-proprietary products and services resulted in a higher period over period loss for the third quarter of 2005 relative to 2004.

LFA’s net revenues were $53.6 million and $159.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, compared to $56.2 million and $174.4 million for the same periods last year. Net revenues are revenues received, primarily in compensation for the sale of a product or service, reduced by commissions owed to agents or brokers responsible for the sale or provision of service. Proprietary first year life insurance premiums distributed through LFA decreased 5% and 7% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2004. The decrease was primarily due to decreases of $3.2 million, or 8%, and $19.2 million, or 16%, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, respectively, in universal life, whole life and term life insurance products. Revenue growth for variable life insurance products of $0.7 million, or 7%, for the third quarter and $9.2 million, or 38%, for the first nine months of 2005 from the same 2004 periods partially offset the declines. Lower deposits for proprietary individual annuity products of $66.9 million, or 27%, and $109.5 million, or 15%, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, respectively, compared to the same 2004 periods, also contributed to the decline in net
 
 
43

 
revenues. Deposits into Delaware’s mutual funds through LFA were $55.4 million and $180.7 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, respectively, compared to $45.1 million and $156.6 million for the same periods in 2004. Because of increased levels of deposits into non-commissionable mutual funds in 2005, LFA net revenues associated with Delaware mutual fund deposits for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 were level with the same 2004 periods.

LFA implemented a restructuring plan in the second quarter of 2005 to realign field management and financial planning support areas, which is expected to result in reduced operating expenses. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion.

LFD
 
LFD operating results declined $1.6 million for the third quarter and $1.9 million for the first nine months of 2005, compared to the same periods last year, reflecting higher operating expenses attributable to a recognition trip and performance related accruals in the third quarter of 2005 and the continuing expansion of the wholesaling force, partially offset by higher sales.

LFD’s revenues represent wholesaling allowances paid by our operating segments to LFD for wholesaling our products. Sales growth was primarily a result of strong deposits in investment products and individual variable annuities for both the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, and higher retail life insurance first year premiums in the third quarter of 2005. Deposits into mutual funds, managed accounts and 401(k) products for which LFD provided wholesaling services were $2.4 billion and $7.9 billion in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, increases of 56% and 49%, respectively, over the same periods last year. Deposits into variable annuities were $1.9 billion for the third quarter and $5.4 billion for the first nine months of 2005, increases of 22% and 26%, respectively, over the same periods last year. Deposits in the American Legacy Variable Annuity product were the key contributor to the variable annuity deposit growth in 2005. First year premiums of retail life insurance products through LFD were $166.4 million and $465.7 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, increases of 13% and 2%, respectively, from the same periods in 2004. First year premiums of COLI life insurance products were $22.3 million in the third quarter of 2005 and $57.4 million for the first nine months of 2005, a decrease of 23% and in increase of 8%, respectively, compared to the same periods last year.
 
Financing Costs
 
Interest expense on our debt for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 declined 11% and 6%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2004, due to the maturity in May 2005 of 7.25% senior notes for $193 million, partially offset by increased rates on floating rate debt and higher commercial paper borrowings. The favorable effects of the 2004 refinancing of certain fixed rate debt at lower rates also contributed to the improvement. For additional information on our financing activities, see “Review of Consolidated Financial Condition—Liquidity and Cash Flow—Sources of Liquidity and Cash Flow—Financing Activities.”
 
Amortization of Deferred Gain on Indemnity Reinsurance
 
Income from the amortization of the deferred gain was 41% lower for the third quarter and 16% lower for the first nine months of 2005, compared to the same 2004 periods, resulting from a positive third quarter 2004 adjustment to the deferred gain on the reinsurance business sold in 2001.
 
Other Corporate
 
Other Corporate had operating income of $11.3 million and $37.1 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, compared to operating losses of $4.9 million and $13.8 million for the same periods in 2004. Included in operating income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 are reductions of $13.3 million and $42.5 million, respectively, in Federal income tax expense related to partial releases of a deferred tax valuation allowance in our Barbados reinsurance company. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion.

 
44

 

CONSOLIDATED INVESTMENTS
 
The following table presents consolidated invested assets, net investment income and investment yield.
 
(in billions)
     
September 30, 2005
 
December 31, 2004
 
September 30, 2004
 
Total Consolidated Investments (at Fair Value)
       
$
44.1
 
$
44.5
 
$
43.9
 
Average Invested Assets (at Amortized Cost)
         
43.9
   
43.2
   
43.0
 
                           
                           
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,   
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,   
 
($ in millions)
 
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
Adjusted Net Investment Income (1)
 
$
672.6
 
$
671.1
 
$
2,039.2
 
$
2,035.1
 
Investment Yield (ratio of net investment income to
                         
     average invested assets)
   
6.11
%
 
6.17
%
 
6.19
%
 
6.31
%
                           
Items Included in Net Investment Income:
                         
    Limited partnership investment income
 
$
13.9
 
$
5.4
 
$
43.9
 
$
29.0
 
    Prepayment and makewhole premiums
   
5.0
   
21.0
   
20.8
   
62.7
 
    Contingent interest
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
21.9
 
    Standby real estate equity commitments (2)
   
-
   
-
   
26.0
   
-
 
 
(1)  
Includes tax-exempt income on a tax equivalent basis.
(2)  
Represents income earned during the second quarter of 2005 that was in excess of ordinary income amounts.
 
The decline in our investment portfolio for the first nine months of 2005 resulted from a decline in the fair value of securities available-for-sale partially offset by purchases of investments as a result of cash flow generated by the business segments.
 
Our insurance assets are invested primarily in high quality fixed maturity securities that are expected to generate cash flows that will enable us to meet the liability funding requirements of our life insurance and annuity businesses. Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale represent approximately 78% of the investment portfolio. Trading securities, which are primarily fixed maturity securities, represent approximately 7.5% of the investment portfolio.
 
We have the ability to maintain our investment holdings throughout credit cycles because of our capital position, the long-term nature of our liabilities and the matching of our portfolios of investment assets with the liabilities of our various products.
 
The quality of our available-for-sale fixed maturity securities portfolio, as measured at fair value and by the percentage of fixed maturity securities invested in various ratings categories as of September 30, 2005 was as follows:
 
NAIC Designation
 
Rating Agency Equivalent Designation
Amortized Cost 
 
Estimated Fair
Value 
   
% of Total
 
       
(in millions)
     
1
   
AAA / AA / A
 
$
20,686.3
 
$
21,451.8
   
62.5
%
2
   
BBB
   
9,920.2
   
10,329.7
   
30.1
%
3
   
BB
   
1,609.2
   
1,650.6
   
4.8
%
4
   
B
   
659.3
   
677.9
   
2.0
%
5
   
CCC and lower
   
153.6
   
151.9
   
0.4
%
6
   
In or near default
   
37.8
   
63.0
   
0.2
%
 
       
$
33,066.4
 
$
34,324.9
   
100.0
%
                           
 
The NAIC assigns securities quality ratings and uniform valuations called “NAIC Designations” which are used by insurers when preparing their annual statements. The NAIC assigns designations to publicly traded as well as privately placed securities. The designations assigned by the NAIC range from class 1 to class 6, with designations in classes 1 and 2 generally considered investment grade.
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale invested in below investment grade securities (NAIC designations 3 thru 6) were $2.5 billion, or 7.4%, and $2.2 billion, or 6.2%, of all fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. This represents 5.8% of the total investment portfolio at September 30, 2005, compared to 4.8% at December 31, 2004. On an amortized cost basis, below investment grade securities represented 7.4% and 6.2% of available-for-sale fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.

Exposure to below investment grade securities in our investment portfolio has increased throughout the current year. During the first nine months of 2005, the market has experienced a significant increase in investment grade securities that have been down
 
 
45

 
graded to below investment grade (“fallen angels”). In the third quarter of 2005, the portion of our investment portfolio in below investment grade securities increased 1% primarily due to fallen angels. Exposure to issuers with acquisitions or mergers during the third quarter of 2005 as well as automobile and airline related downgrades made up a majority of the increase in below investment grade securities.
 
Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Portfolios: Fixed maturity securities and equity securities consist of portfolios classified as available-for-sale and trading. Mortgage-backed and private securities are included in both available-for-sale and trading portfolios.
 
Available-for-Sale: Securities that are classified as “available-for-sale” make up 91% of our fixed maturity and equity securities portfolio. These securities are carried at fair value on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in fair value, net of related deferred acquisition costs, amounts required to satisfy policyholder commitments and taxes, are charged or credited directly to shareholders’ equity. Decreases in fair value that are other than temporary are recorded as realized losses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
Trading Securities: Investment results for these portfolios, including gains and losses from sales, are passed directly to the reinsurers through the contractual terms of the reinsurance arrangements. Trading securities are carried at fair value and changes in fair value are recorded in net income as they occur. Offsetting these amounts are corresponding changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative liability associated with the underlying reinsurance arrangement.
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities: Our fixed maturity securities include residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities. The mortgage-backed securities included in our investment portfolio are subject to risks associated with variable prepayments. This may result in these securities having a different actual cash flow and maturity than expected at the time of purchase. We limit the extent of our risk on mortgage-backed securities by prudently limiting exposure to the asset class, by generally avoiding the purchase of securities with a cost that significantly exceeds par, by purchasing securities backed by stable collateral, and by concentrating on securities with enhanced priority in their trust structure. Such securities with reduced risk typically have a lower yield (but higher liquidity) than higher-risk mortgage-backed securities. At selected times, higher-risk securities may be purchased if they do not compromise the safety of the general portfolio. Our investments in residential mortgage-backed securities at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 totaled $3.9 billion and $3.6 billion, respectively. At September 30, 2005, our investments in commercial mortgage backed securities totaled $2.5 billion.
 
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate and Real Estate:
 
The following summarizes key information on mortgage loans:

(in millions)
 
September 30, 2005
 
December 31, 2004
 
Total Portfolio (net of reserves)
 
$
3,696.2
 
$
3,856.9
 
Percentage of total investment portfolio
   
8.4
%
 
8.7
%
Percentage of investment by property type
             
    Commercial office buildings
   
40.2
%
 
39.2
%
    Industrial buildings
   
18.7
%
 
17.9
%
    Retail stores
   
18.4
%
 
20.2
%
    Apartments
   
13.0
%
 
11.6
%
    Hotels/motels
   
6.5
%
 
7.1
%
    Other
   
3.2
%
 
4.0
%
               
Impaired mortgage loans
 
$
68.6
 
$
84.0
 
Impaired mortgage loans as a percentage of total mortgage loans
   
1.9
%
 
2.2
%
Restructured loans in good standing
 
$
37.6
 
$
69.5
 
Reserve for mortgage loans
 
$
11.0
 
$
15.5
 
               

 In addition to the dispersion by property type, the mortgage loan portfolio is geographically diversified throughout the United States. Our exposure in the mortgage loan portfolio to Hurricanes Rita and Katrina is very limited. Total exposure in the portfolio to commercial loans secured by properties in the states of Louisiana and Mississippi was $12.4 million at September 30, 2005. We had no commercial mortgage loans secured by properties in the state of Alabama at September 30, 2005. All affected properties are insured for damages, including flood, and carry business interruption insurance.
 
All mortgage loans that are impaired have an established allowance for credit loss. Changing economic conditions impact our valuation of mortgage loans. Changing vacancies and rents are incorporated into the discounted cash flow analysis that we perform for monitored loans and may contribute to changes in allowances for credit losses. In addition, we continue to monitor the entire commercial mortgage loan portfolio to identify risk. Areas of current emphasis are the hotel, retail, office and industrial properties that have deteriorating credits or have experienced debt coverage reduction. Where warranted, we have established or increased loss reserves based upon this analysis. Impaired mortgage loans were 1.9% and 2.2% of total mortgage loans as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. As of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, all commercial mortgage loans were current as to principal and interest payments.
 
 
46

 
Limited Partnership Investments: As of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, there were $285.1 million and $270.6 million, respectively, of limited partnership investments included in consolidated investments. These include investments in approximately 53 different partnerships that allow us to gain exposure to a broadly diversified portfolio of asset classes such as venture capital, hedge funds, and oil and gas. Limited partnership investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and the majority of these investments are included in other investments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
Net Investment Income: Net investment income was essentially level in the third quarter and for the first nine months of 2005, compared to the same periods in 2004. Excluding contingent interest, commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums, partnership income and fees received from the standby real estate equity commitment financing program, the favorable effect of asset growth from net flows was more than offset by declining portfolio yields. The decline in yields was due to lower interest rates on new securities purchased to replace matured securities and new securities purchased from net product deposits into the portfolio.
 
As of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the carrying amount of fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and real estate that were non-income producing were $100.0 million and $147.4 million, respectively.
 
The following discussion addresses our invested assets excluding trading account securities. As discussed above, investment results attributable to the trading securities are passed directly to the reinsurers under the terms of the reinsurance arrangements. See the discussion in our 2004 Form 10-K under “Consolidated Investments” for additional information regarding our investments.
 
Realized Gains and Losses on Investments and Derivative Instruments: We had net pre-tax realized losses on investments and derivatives of $1.6 million and $27.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and $12.8 million and $64.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Prior to the amortization of acquisition costs, provision for policyholder commitments and investment expenses, net realized investment gains (losses) were $13.9 million and $(18.8) million for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and $35.0 million and $(27.4) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
 
Gross realized gains on fixed maturity and equity securities were $24.2 million and $83.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, compared to $30.9 million and $97.0 million for the same periods in 2004. Gross realized losses on fixed maturity and equity securities were $16.7 million and $50.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, compared to $47.4 million and $110.7 million for the same periods in 2004. Included in the gross realized losses are write-downs for impairments of $6.5 million and $18.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, compared to $33.1 million and $61.2 million for the same periods in 2004. The impairments in the third quarter of 2005 and 2004 related to our investments in certain domestic airlines.

During the third quarter of 2005, losses were realized on airline securities held in our investment portfolio. These losses were the result of other than temporary impairments as well as sales of securities. Total gross realized losses on airline securities during the quarter totaled $9.9 million. Total exposure to domestic legacy airlines at September 30, 2005 was $227.9 million or 0.5% of invested assets. All exposure to the domestic legacy carriers is secured.
 
For additional information regarding our process for determining whether declines in fair value of securities available-for-sale are other than temporary, see “Critical Accounting Policies - Write-Downs for Other-Than Temporary Impairments and Allowance for Losses” in our 2004 Form 10-K.
 
Unrealized Gains and Losses—Available-for-Sale Securities: When considering unrealized gain and loss information, it is important to realize that the information relates to the status of securities at a particular point in time, and may not be indicative of the status of our investment portfolios subsequent to the balance sheet date. Further, since the timing of the recognition of realized investment gains and losses through the selection of which securities are sold is largely at management’s discretion, it is important to consider the information provided below within the context of the overall unrealized gain or loss position of our investment portfolios. These are important considerations that should be included in any evaluation of the potential impact of unrealized loss securities on our future earnings. We had an overall net unrealized gain (after the amortization of acquisition costs, provision for policyholder commitments, investment expenses and taxes) on available-for-sale securities of $569.0 million and $822.9 million at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.
 
At September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, gross unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale were $1,538.9 million and $2,035.8 million, respectively, and gross unrealized losses on securities available-for-sale were $267.4 million and $135.3 million, respectively. At September 30, 2005, gross unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturity securities available-for-sale were $1,524.9 million and $266.4 million, respectively, and gross unrealized gains and losses on equity securities available-for-sale were $14.0 million and $1.0 million, respectively. At December 31, 2004, gross unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturity securities available-for-sale were $2,020.0 million and $134.8 million, respectively, and gross unrealized gains and losses on equity securities available-for-sale were $15.8 million and $0.5 million, respectively. Changes in unrealized gains and losses can be attributed to changes in interest rates and credit spreads, which have created temporary price fluctuations.


 
47

 

The fair value, amortized cost, unrealized loss and total time period that the security has been in an unrealized loss position for total publicly traded and private securities that we held at September 30, 2005 that were in an unrealized loss position are presented in the table below:

 
 
 
 
% Fair
 
Amortized
 
% Amortized
 
Unrealized
 
% Unrealized
 
(in millions)
 
Fair Value
 
Value
 
Cost
 
Cost
 
Loss
 
Loss
 
<= 90 days
 
$
6,122.5
   
60.2
%
$
6,198.2
   
59.4
%
$
(75.7
)
 
28.3
%
> 90 days but <= 180 days
   
519.0
   
5.1
%
 
532.0
   
5.1
%
 
(13.0
)
 
4.9
%
> 180 days but <= 270 days
   
1,080.3
   
10.6
%
 
1,113.3
   
10.7
%
 
(33.0
)
 
12.3
%
> 270 days but <= 1 year
   
850.4
   
8.4
%
 
875.1
   
8.4
%
 
(24.7
)
 
9.2
%
> 1 year
   
1,590.6
   
15.7
%
 
1,711.6
   
16.4
%
 
(121.0
)
 
45.3
%
Total
 
$
10,162.8
   
100.0
%
$
10,430.2
   
100.0
%
$
(267.4
)
 
100.0
%
                                       
                                       
The composition by industry categories of securities that we held at September 30, 2005 in an unrealized loss status position is presented in the table below:
 
 
 
 
 
% Fair
 
Amortized
 
% Amortized
 
Unrealized
 
% Unrealized
 
(in millions)
 
Fair Value
 
Value
 
Cost
 
Cost
 
Loss
 
Loss
 
Automotive
 
$
162.0
   
1.6
%
$
198.6
   
1.9
%
$
(36.6
)
 
13.7
%
Banking
   
1,037.9
   
10.2
%
 
1,062.2
   
10.2
%
 
(24.3
)
 
9.1
%
Collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMO")
   
1,467.4
   
14.4
%
 
1,490.0
   
14.3
%
 
(22.6
)
 
8.5
%
Commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS")
   
859.8
   
8.5
%
 
876.0
   
8.4
%
 
(16.2
)
 
6.1
%
Media - Non-cable
   
164.7
   
1.6
%
 
180.4
   
1.7
%
 
(15.7
)
 
5.9
%
Electric Power
   
650.5
   
6.4
%
 
665.2
   
6.4
%
 
(14.7
)
 
5.5
%
Asset-backed securities ("ABS")
   
623.9
   
6.1
%
 
634.3
   
6.1
%
 
(10.4
)
 
3.9
%
Chemicals
   
133.0
   
1.3
%
 
141.5
   
1.3
%
 
(8.5
)
 
3.2
%
Retailers
   
179.7
   
1.8
%
 
187.3
   
1.8
%
 
(7.6
)
 
2.8
%
Paper
   
196.8
   
1.9
%
 
204.1
   
1.9
%
 
(7.3
)
 
2.7
%
Property & Casualty insurers ("P&C")
   
356.1
   
3.5
%
 
362.4
   
3.5
%
 
(6.3
)
 
2.3
%
Wirelines
   
213.8
   
2.1
%
 
219.1
   
2.1
%
 
(5.3
)
 
2.0
%
Airlines
   
67.6
   
0.7
%
 
72.8
   
0.7
%
 
(5.2
)
 
1.9
%
Food and Beverage
   
237.8
   
2.3
%
 
242.6
   
2.3
%
 
(4.8
)
 
1.8
%
Technology
   
160.7
   
1.6
%
 
165.4
   
1.6
%
 
(4.7
)
 
1.8
%
Consumer Products
   
110.2
   
1.1
%
 
114.4
   
1.1
%
 
(4.2
)
 
1.6
%
Gaming
   
84.3
   
0.8
%
 
88.5
   
0.8
%
 
(4.2
)
 
1.6
%
Supermarkets
   
55.2
   
0.5
%
 
59.0
   
0.6
%
 
(3.8
)
 
1.4
%
Entertainment
   
158.1
   
1.6
%
 
161.9
   
1.5
%
 
(3.8
)
 
1.4
%
Federal National MTG Assn. - Convntl 30 Yr
   
357.2
   
3.5
%
 
360.7
   
3.5
%
 
(3.5
)
 
1.3
%
Pipelines
   
154.6
   
1.5
%
 
157.9
   
1.5
%
 
(3.3
)
 
1.2
%
Metals and Mining
   
185.2
   
1.8
%
 
188.2
   
1.8
%
 
(3.0
)
 
1.1
%
Non-Captive Diversified
   
183.0
   
1.8
%
 
186.0
   
1.8
%
 
(3.0
)
 
1.1
%
Brokerage
   
116.6
   
1.1
%
 
119.5
   
1.1
%
 
(2.9
)
 
1.1
%
Distributors
   
115.2
   
1.1
%
 
117.7
   
1.1
%
 
(2.5
)
 
0.9
%
Federal Home Loan MTG Corp
   
182.4
   
1.8
%
 
184.7
   
1.8
%
 
(2.3
)
 
0.9
%
Oil Field Services
   
89.1
   
0.9
%
 
91.5
   
0.9
%
 
(2.4
)
 
0.9
%
Diversified Manufacturing
   
39.1
   
0.4
%
 
41.3
   
0.4
%
 
(2.2
)
 
0.8
%
Foreign Local Governments
   
35.5
   
0.3
%
 
37.6
   
0.4
%
 
(2.1
)
 
0.8
%
Real estate investment trusts ("REITS")
   
134.5
   
1.3
%
 
136.6
   
1.3
%
 
(2.1
)
 
0.8
%
Integrated
   
77.0
   
0.8
%
 
78.9
   
0.8
%
 
(1.9
)
 
0.7
%
Transportation Services
   
103.3
   
1.0
%
 
105.1
   
1.0
%
 
(1.8
)
 
0.7
%
Textile
   
16.4
   
0.2
%
 
18.1
   
0.2
%
 
(1.7
)
 
0.6
%
Home Construction
   
74.8
   
0.7
%
 
76.6
   
0.7
%
 
(1.8
)
 
0.7
%
Municipal
   
115.4
   
1.1
%
 
117.1
   
1.1
%
 
(1.7
)
 
0.6
%
Consumer Cyclical Services
   
70.3
   
0.7
%
 
71.8
   
0.7
%
 
(1.5
)
 
0.6
%
Federal National MTG Assn.
   
110.6
   
1.1
%
 
112.1
   
1.1
%
 
(1.5
)
 
0.6
%
Packaging
   
36.7
   
0.4
%
 
38.3
   
0.4
%
 
(1.6
)
 
0.6
%
Non-Captive Consumer
   
86.7
   
0.9
%
 
88.2
   
0.8
%
 
(1.5
)
 
0.6
%
Mortgage
   
51.2
   
0.5
%
 
52.6
   
0.5
%
 
(1.4
)
 
0.5
%
Government
   
27.2
   
0.3
%
 
28.4
   
0.3
%
 
(1.2
)
 
0.4
%
Media - Cable
   
29.0
   
0.3
%
 
30.2
   
0.3
%
 
(1.2
)
 
0.4
%
Railroads
   
45.9
   
0.5
%
 
47.0
   
0.4
%
 
(1.1
)
 
0.4
%
Industrial - Other
   
59.6
   
0.6
%
 
60.7
   
0.6
%
 
(1.1
)
 
0.4
%
Financial - Other
   
78.9
   
0.8
%
 
80.0
   
0.8
%
 
(1.1
)
 
0.4
%
Industries with U/R Losses < $1MM
   
667.9
   
6.6
%
 
677.7
   
6.5
%
 
(9.8
)
 
3.7
%
Total
 
$
10,162.8
   
100.0
%
$
10,430.2
   
100.0
%
$
(267.4
)
 
100.0
%
                                       

Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities subject to enhanced analysis were $6.4 million at September 30, 2005, compared to $16.4 million at December 31, 2004.
 
 
48


At September 30, 2005, the range of maturity dates for publicly traded and private securities held that were subject to enhanced analysis and monitoring for potential changes in unrealized loss status varies, with 37% of these securities maturing between 5 and 10 years, 44% maturing in greater than 10 years and the remaining securities maturing in less than 5 years. At December 31, 2004, the range of maturity dates for these securities varies, with 19% maturing between 5 and 10 years, 43% maturing after 10 years and the remaining securities maturing in less than 5 years. At September 30, 2005, none of these securities were rated as investment grade compared to 5% at December 31, 2004.
 
Unrealized Loss on All Below-Investment-Grade Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturity Securities: Gross unrealized losses on available-for-sale below-investment-grade securities were $75.4 million at September 30, 2005, representing 28% of total gross unrealized losses on all available-for-sale securities. Generally, below-investment-grade fixed maturity securities are more likely than investment-grade securities to develop credit concerns. The remaining $192.0 million, or 72%, of the gross unrealized losses relate to investment grade available-for-sale securities. The ratios of fair value to amortized cost reflected in the table below 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 these ratios subsequent to September 30, 2005.
 
For fixed maturity securities that we held at September 30, 2005 that are below-investment-grade and in an unrealized loss position, the fair value, amortized cost, unrealized loss and the ratios of market value to amortized cost are presented in the table below:
 

 
 
Ratio of Amortized
 
 
 
Amortized
 
Unrealized
 
Aging Category (in millions)
 
Cost to Fair Value
 
Fair Value
 
Cost
 
Loss
 
<=90 days
   
70% to 100
%
$
169.9
 
$
173.1
 
$
(3.2
)
>90 days but <=180 days
   
70% to 100
%
 
62.0
   
65.2
   
(3.2
)
>180 days but <=270 days
   
70% to 100
%
 
172.8
   
184.2
   
(11.4
)
>270 days but <=1 year
   
70% to 100
%
 
17.4
   
19.0
   
(1.6
)
    <= 1 year Total
         
422.1
   
441.5
   
(19.4
)
>1 year
   
70% to 100
%
 
282.4
   
323.3
   
(40.9
)
 
   
40% to 70 
%   
9.2
   
14.5
   
(5.3
)
 
   
Below 40
%   
5.4
   
15.2
   
(9.8
)
           
297.0
   
353.0
   
(56.0
)
    Total Below-Investment-Grade
       
$
719.1
 
$
794.5
 
$
(75.4
)
                           
                           
 
Unrealized Loss on Fixed Maturity Securities Available-for-Sale in Excess of $10 million: At September 30, 2005, we had no investment grade available-for-sale fixed maturity securities with unrealized losses in excess of $10 million. At September 30, 2005 fixed maturity securities available-for-sale with gross unrealized losses greater than $10 million are presented in the table below.
 

   
 
 
Amortized
 
Unrealized
 
Length of time
 
(in millions)
 
Fair Value
 
Cost
 
Loss
 
in Loss Position
 
Non-Investment Grade
                 
U.S. Automobile Manufacturer
 
$
17.5
 
$
32.7
 
$
(15.2
)
 
> 1 year
 
Satellite Telecommunications Company
   
46.6
   
56.7
   
(10.1
)
 
> 1 year
 
    Total Non-Investment-Grade
 
$
64.1
 
$
89.4
 
$
(25.3
)
     
                           
                           
At September 30, 2005, our total available-for-sale holdings in the U.S. automobile manufacturer’s securities had a fair value of $42.0 million and an amortized cost of $57.2 million. In addition, at September 30, 2005, we held fixed maturity securities available-for-sale of another large U.S. automobile manufacturer with fair value of $70.6 million and amortized cost of $72.8 million. Our total gross unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities for these two companies was $18.4 million.

The information presented above is subject to rapidly changing conditions. As such, we expect that the level of securities with overall unrealized losses will fluctuate, as will the level of unrealized loss securities that are subject to enhanced analysis and monitoring.


 
49

 

REINSURANCE
 
Our insurance companies cede insurance to other companies. The portion of risks exceeding each company’s retention limit is reinsured with other insurers. We seek reinsurance coverage within the businesses that sell life insurance to limit our exposure to mortality losses and enhance our capital management. Prior to 2003, our retention policy was to retain no more than $10 million on a single insured life. Beginning in 2003, the retention policy was changed to limit retention on new sales to $5 million on a single insured life issued on fixed and variable universal life insurance contracts. Additionally, the retention per single insured life for term life insurance and for COLI is $1 million and $2 million, respectively. Portions of our deferred annuity business have been reinsured on a Modco basis with other companies to limit our exposure to interest rate risks. At September 30, 2005, the reserves associated with these reinsurance arrangements totaled $2.2 billion. To cover products other than life insurance, we acquire other insurance coverages with retentions and limits that management believes are appropriate for the circumstances. The accompanying financial statements reflect premiums, benefits and deferred acquisition costs, net of insurance ceded. See “Part I—Item 1—Risk Factors” and “Forward-looking Statements—Cautionary Language” and Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2004 Form 10-K for further information. Our insurance companies remain liable if their reinsurers are unable to meet contractual obligations under applicable reinsurance agreements.
 
Our amounts recoverable from reinsurers represents receivables from and reserves ceded to reinsurers. We obtain reinsurance from a diverse group of reinsurers and monitor concentration as well as financial strength ratings of our principal reinsurers. Our principal reinsurers are strongly rated companies, with Swiss Re representing the largest exposure. We sold our reinsurance business to Swiss Re primarily through indemnity reinsurance arrangements in 2001. Because we are not relieved of our liability to the ceding companies for this business, the liabilities and obligations associated with the reinsured contracts remain on our Consolidated Balance Sheets with a corresponding reinsurance receivable from Swiss Re, which totaled $4.4 billion at September 30, 2005, and is included in amounts recoverable from reinsurers. During 2004, Swiss Re funded a trust for $2.0 billion to support this business. In addition to various remedies that we would have in the event of a default by Swiss Re, we continue to hold assets in support of certain of the transferred reserves. These assets consist of those reported as trading securities and certain mortgage loans. Our funds withheld and embedded derivative liabilities at September 30, 2005 included $2.0 billion and $0.3 billion, respectively, related to the business reinsured by Swiss Re.
 
REVIEW OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Liquidity refers to the ability of an enterprise to generate adequate amounts of cash from its normal operations to meet cash requirements with a prudent margin of safety. Our principal sources of cash flow from operating activities are insurance premiums and fees, investment advisory fees and investment income, while investing cash flows originate from maturities and sales of invested assets. We use cash to pay policy claims and benefits, operating expenses, commissions, and taxes, to purchase new investments, to pay dividends to our shareholders and to repurchase our stock. Our operating activities provided cash of $648.3 million during the first nine months of 2005.
 
When considering our liquidity and cash flow it is important to distinguish between the needs of our insurance subsidiaries, including The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company (“LNL”), our principal insurance subsidiary, and the needs of the holding company, LNC. As a holding company with no operations of its own, we derive our cash primarily from our operating subsidiaries.
 
The liquidity resources of the holding company are principally comprised of dividends and interest payments from subsidiaries augmented by holding company short-term investments, bank lines of credit, a commercial paper program, and the ongoing availability of long-term financing under an SEC shelf registration. These sources of liquidity and cash flow support the general corporate needs of the holding company including its common stock dividends, interest and debt service, funding of callable securities, securities repurchases, and acquisitions.
 

 
50

 

Sources of Liquidity and Cash Flow
 
The following table summarizes the primary sources of holding company cash flow. The table focuses on significant cash flow items and excludes the effects of certain financing activities, namely the periodic issuance and retirement of debt and cash flows related to our intercompany cash management account. Taxes have been eliminated from the analysis due to a tax sharing agreement among our primary subsidiaries resulting in a modest impact on net cash flows at the holding company. Also excluded from this analysis is the modest amount of investment income on short-term investments of the holding company.
 

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Year Ended December
 
(in millions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
31, 2004
 
Dividends from Subsidiaries
                     
    LNL
 
$
50.0
 
$
50.0
 
$
150.0
 
$
150.0
 
$
150.0
 
    Delaware Investments
   
10.5
   
34.0
   
31.5
   
48.0
   
59.0
 
    Lincoln UK
   
23.4
   
-
   
23.4
   
-
   
28.9
 
    Other
   
1.0
   
-
   
1.0
   
1.0
   
1.0
 
Subsidiary Loan Repayments & Interest
                               
    LNL interest on surplus notes (1)
   
19.5
   
19.5
   
58.5
   
58.5
   
78.0
 
    Lincoln UK
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
39.3
   
39.3
 
   
$
104.4
 
$
103.5
 
$
264.4
 
$
296.8
 
$
356.2
 
Other Cash Flow and Liquidity Items
                               
    Dividend of proceeds from sale of DIAL
 
$
-
 
$
141.5
 
$
-
 
$
141.5
 
$
141.5
 
    Variable annuity contract withdrawal(2)
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
65.4
   
65.4
 
    Return of seed capital
   
3.5
   
16.6
   
18.7
   
26.2
   
33.4
 
    Net capital received from stock option exercises
   
29.9
   
7.6
   
60.3
   
68.2
   
77.5
 
   
$
33.4
 
$
165.7
 
$
79.0
 
$
301.3
 
$
317.8
 
                                 

_________
(1)
Represents interest on the holding company’s $1.25 billion in surplus note investments in LNL.
(2)
Prior to 2004, we previously invested in a variable annuity contract with investment options similar to the investment options within the unfunded deferred compensation plan. The purpose of this investment was to partially mitigate the earnings effects created by changes in the value of our deferred compensation plan liability that resulted from changes in value of the underlying investment options. In June 2004, we withdrew the variable annuity contract from LNL, which had a value of $65.4 million, and entered into a total return swap agreement. The swap mitigates the impact that increases in the value of the underlying investment tracking options would have on our cash flow when we make distributions to participants.
 
Subsidiaries
 
It is important to note that, regardless of the particular state regulations, we take into account the overall health of the business, capital quality, and business and environmental risk in determining statutory dividend strategy.
 
Provided that earned surplus is positive (after giving effect for the dividend request), the cumulative total of all dividends paid in the past 12 months cannot exceed the greater of 10% of the insurer’s policyholders’ surplus, as shown on its last annual statement on file with the Indiana Insurance Commissioner (“Commissioner”) (LNL’s policyholder surplus was approximately $3.0 billion at December 31, 2004) or the insurer’s statutory net gain for the previous calendar year (2004 statutory net gain was $181.3 million for LNL). LNL had positive earned surplus of $230.0 million at December 31, 2004. Based upon anticipated on-going positive statutory net gain and stable credit markets, LNL could pay up to $293 million in dividends to us in 2005 without prior approval from the Commissioner. This represents 10% of LNL’s policyholder surplus at December 31, 2004. LNL continues to qualify for the “ordinary dividend” process with the Indiana Department of Insurance requiring only notification of dividend payments and not requiring formal approval for the dividend.
 
LNL paid dividends of $50 million and $150 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 and 2004, which did not require prior approval of the Commissioner.
 
Our UL LPR products and certain other products are subject to Actuarial Guideline 38 (also known as “AXXX”) and XXX reserving requirements. GAAP reserves are not subject to AXXX and XXX statutory reserving requirements. In October 2005, the NAIC adopted a change to AXXX with an effective date of July 1, 2005. The proposal does not affect business written prior to the effective date of July 1, 2005. However, based on early analysis and normalized sales, we expect that it could result in additional statutory reserves on UL products sold with secondary guarantees beginning with sales on July 1, 2005, which could impact statutory surplus by up to $100 million in 2005. There would be no impact to GAAP reserves. We continue to evaluate potential modifications to our universal life products with secondary guarantees that may be made in response to the revised regulation. Although the impact of this proposal on future sales of guaranteed no-lapse UL cannot be predicted, it may result in a price increase for such products. Although this will not have a material impact on cash flows to LNC, LNL is employing strategies to lessen the burden of increased statutory reserves associated with these statutory reserving requirements. Strategies include a mix of letters of credit (“LOC”), reinsurance and capital markets solutions that provide for risk transfer and associated reserve and surplus relief. A portion of LPR business is reinsured with a wholly owned non-U.S. domiciled subsidiary of LNC.
 
 
51


Under prior Federal income tax law, one-half of the excess of a life insurance company’s income from operations over its taxable investment income was not taxed, but was set aside in a special tax account designated as “Policyholders’ Surplus.” At December 31, 2004, we had approximately $200.7 million of untaxed “Policyholders’ Surplus” on which no payment of Federal income taxes will be required unless it is distributed as a dividend, or under other specified conditions. On October 23, 2004, President Bush signed into law the “American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.” Beginning January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2006, the additional tax imposed on distributions from the special tax account, “Policyholders’ Surplus,” is suspended. In addition, the statute provides that distributions made during the two-year suspension period will first reduce the “Policyholders’ Surplus” account balance. Based on dividend activity in the first nine months of 2005, the untaxed “Policyholders’ Surplus” account was reduced to $45.9 million at September 30, 2005, and no income taxes were required. We believe that our dividend activity will be sufficient to eliminate the account balance during the suspension period.
 
Lincoln UK’s operations consist primarily of unit-linked life and pension products, which are similar to U.S. produced variable life and annuity products. Lincoln UK’s insurance subsidiaries are regulated by the U.K. Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) and are subject to capital requirements as defined by the U.K. Capital Resources Requirement (formerly the Required Minimum Solvency Margin). Lincoln UK targets maintaining approximately 1.5 to 2.0 times the required capital as prescribed by the regulatory resource requirement. Effective January 1, 2005, all insurance companies operating in the U.K have to complete a risk-based capital assessment to demonstrate to the FSA that they hold sufficient capital to cover their risks. Risk-based capital requirements in the U.K. are different than the NAIC risk-based capital (“RBC”). In addition, the FSA has imposed certain minimum capital requirements for the combined U.K. subsidiaries that will restrict Lincoln UK’s ability to pay dividends in 2005. As a result, Lincoln UK paid a dividend in the third quarter of 2005 of $23.4 million and expects to pay an additional $15 million to $25 million over the remainder of 2005. This estimate takes into consideration the October 2005 funding of $70.6 million to Lincoln UK's defined benefit pension plan. As is the case with regulated insurance companies in the U.S., future changes to regulatory capital requirements could impact the dividend capacity of our U.K. insurance subsidiaries and cash flow to the holding company.
 
Financing Activities
 
Although our subsidiaries generate adequate cash flow to meet the needs of our normal operations, periodically we may issue debt or equity securities to fund internal growth, acquisitions, and the retirement of our debt and equity securities. Our current shelf registration has $600 million of remaining authorization to issue various securities, including debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units of LNC and trust preferred securities of four subsidiary trusts. As discussed previously, we plan to finance the anticipated 2006 merger with Jefferson-Pilot through a combination of long-term debt, preferred stock, or other securities, including high-equity content hybrid securities, or a combination of the foregoing. In anticipation of the closing, we expect to file a new shelf registration in the fourth quarter of 2005. We expect to utilize bridge financing in the event that permanent financing cannot be completed before the closing. In addition to the merger, the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by this shelf registration and any additional shelf registration are expected to be used for general corporate purposes, including repurchases of outstanding common stock, repayment or redemption of outstanding debt or preferred stock, the possible acquisition of other financial services businesses or assets thereof, and working capital needs. Cash funds are also available from our revolving credit agreements and through our commercial paper program.
 
We had $165.1 million of commercial paper outstanding at September 30, 2005. As discussed above, we have the flexibility in the future to issue new long-term securities under our shelf registration to retire the commercial paper outstanding, or reduce the commercial paper outstanding from other available liquidity resources.
 
At September 30, 2005, we maintained two revolving credit agreements with a group of domestic and foreign banks: a $500 million five-year revolving credit facility maturing in December 2009, which was amended December 2004, and a U.K. facility, which was renewed in February 2005 for 10 million pounds sterling ($18 million at September 30, 2005) maturing in February 2006. At September 30, 2005, we did not have any amounts outstanding under any of the bank lines.
 
Effective December 2004, we amended our existing letter of credit facility. Under the letter of credit facility, we (or our subsidiaries) may issue up to $900 million in standby LOC’s. The term of the LOC facility is five years. At September 30, 2005, there were approximately $504 million in outstanding LOCs. These LOCs support intercompany reinsurance transactions and specific treaties associated with our reinsurance segment, which was acquired by Swiss Re in 2001. LOCs are used to satisfy the U.S. state regulatory requirements of domestic insurance companies who have contracted with our non-U.S. domiciled insurance subsidiaries.
 
Under the credit agreements, we must maintain a minimum consolidated net worth level and if our senior, unsecured long-term debt rating is not at least A- from Standard and Poor’s or A3 from Moody’s then it also must maintain a defined maximum debt to total capitalization ratio. In addition, the agreements contain covenants restricting our ability to incur liens, merge or
 
 
52

 
 
consolidate with another entity where we are not the surviving entity and dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. At September 30, 2005, we were in compliance with all such covenants.
 
If current debt ratings and claims paying ratings were downgraded in the future, certain covenants of various contractual obligations may be triggered which could negatively impact overall liquidity. In addition, contractual selling agreements with intermediaries could be negatively impacted which could have an adverse impact on overall sales of annuities, life insurance and investment products. At September 30, 2005, we maintained adequate current financial strength and senior debt ratings and do not anticipate any ratings-based impact to future liquidity.
 
As discussed above, LNL is employing strategies to lessen the burden of increased AXXX and XXX statutory reserves associated with our LPR product and other products subject to these statutory reserving requirements. Currently, a portion of LPR business is reinsured with a wholly owned non-U.S. domiciled subsidiary of LNC. At September 30, 2005, there were approximately $252 million in outstanding LOCs under the LOC facility supporting the reinsurance obligations of our non-U.S. domiciled subsidiary to LNL on this LPR business. Recognizing that LOCs are generally one to five years in duration, it is likely LNL will apply a mix of LOCs, reinsurance, and capital market strategies in addressing long-term AXXX and XXX needs. The changes in statutory reserving requirements for LPR products sold after July 1, 2005, may result in an increase in our outstanding LOCs at the end of 2005. LOCs and related capital market alternatives lower the RBC impact of the LPR product. An inability to obtain the necessary LOC capacity or other capital market alternatives could impact our returns on the LPR product.
 
Alternative Sources of Liquidity
 
In order to maximize the use of available cash, the holding company maintains an intercompany cash management account where subsidiaries can borrow from the holding company to meet their short-term needs and can invest their short-term funds with the holding company. Depending on the overall cash availability or need, the holding company invests excess cash in short-term investments or borrows funds in the financial markets. LNL, by virtue of its general account fixed income investment holdings, can access liquidity through securities lending programs and repurchase agreements. At September 30, 2005, LNL had $1.0 billion carrying value of securities out on loan under the securities lending program.

Divestitures

In September 2004, we completed the sale of DIAL to the unit’s management group and an unaffiliated investor. We received $180.9 million in cash, of which $141.5 million was dividended to the holding company, and relief of certain obligations of approximately $19.0 million. The funds were used for general corporate purposes, including repurchase of shares and repayment of debt.

Uses of Capital
 
Return of Capital to Shareholders
 
One of the holding company’s principal uses of cash is to provide a return to our shareholders. Through dividends and stock repurchases, we have an established record of providing significant cash returns to our shareholders. We have increased our dividend in each of the last 20 years. In determining our dividend payout, we balance the desire to increase the dividend against capital needs, rating agency considerations and requirements for financial flexibility. The following table summarizes this activity for 2005 and 2004.
 

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Year Ended December
 
(in millions, except per share data)
 
2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
 31, 2004
 
Dividends to shareholders
 
$
63.8
 
$
61.3
 
$
191.1
 
$
186.3
 
$
250.1
 
Repurchase of common stock
   
-
   
73.1
   
103.6
   
286.2
   
350.2
 
    Total Cash Returned to Shareholders
 
$
63.8
 
$
134.4
 
$
294.7
 
$
472.5
 
$
600.3
 
Number of shares repurchased
   
-
   
1.638
   
2.331
   
6.233
   
7.612
 
Average price per share
 
$
-
 
$
44.69
 
$
44.44
 
$
45.92
 
$
46.01
 
                                 


The remaining amount of share repurchases authorized by our Board of Directors was $221.6 million at September 30, 2005. We do not anticipate additional share repurchases during the remainder of 2005.  
 

 
53

 

    The following table summarizes the primary uses of holding company cash flow. The table focuses on significant and recurring cash flow items and excludes the effects of certain financing activities, namely the periodic retirement of debt and cash flows related to our intercompany cash management account. Taxes have been eliminated from the analysis due to a tax sharing agreement among our primary subsidiaries resulting in a modest impact on net cash flows at the holding company.
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Year Ended December
 
(in millions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
 31, 2004
 
Debt service (interest paid)
 
$
22.0
 
$
18.8
 
$
68.3
 
$
62.1
 
$
93.0
 
Capital contribution to LNL
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
100.0
 
Capital contribution to Delaware Investments
   
-
   
-
   
14.0
   
-
   
-
 
Common dividends
   
63.5
   
62.0
   
191.3
   
187.6
   
250.1
 
Common stock repurchase
   
-
   
80.2
   
103.6
   
286.2
   
350.2
 
    Total
 
$
85.5
 
$
161.0
 
$
377.2
 
$
535.9
 
$
793.3
 

At the end of 2004, we made a $100 million capital contribution to LNL as we were in a strong capital position and our preference is to hold capital at LNL.
 
Contingencies and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We have outstanding guarantees with off-balance sheet risks of $4.0 million and $4.6 million at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, whose contractual amounts represent credit exposure.
 
Certain of our subsidiaries have sold commercial mortgage loans through grantor trusts, which issued pass-through certificates. These subsidiaries have agreed to repurchase any mortgage loans which remain delinquent for 90 days at a repurchase price substantially equal to the outstanding principal balance plus accrued interest thereon to the date of repurchase. In case of default by the borrowers, we have recourse to the underlying real estate. It is management’s opinion that the value of the properties underlying these commitments is sufficient that in the event of default, the impact would not be material to us. These guarantees expire in 2009.
 
Shareholders’ Equity
 
Total shareholders’ equity increased $108.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2005, primarily due to net income, partially offset by dividends to shareholders, share repurchases and unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities included in accumulated other comprehensive income.
 
 
OTHER MATTERS
 
Other Factors Affecting Our Business
 
In general, our businesses are subject to a changing social, economic, legal, legislative and regulatory environment. Some of the changes include initiatives to require more reserves to be carried by our insurance subsidiaries, to make permanent recent reductions in individual tax rates, to permanently repeal the estate tax and to increase regulation of our annuity and investment management businesses. Although the eventual effect on us of the changing environment in which we operate remains uncertain, these factors and others could have a material effect on our results of operations, liquidity and capital resources.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
For a discussion of accounting pronouncements that have been implemented during the periods presented or that have been issued and are to be implemented in the future, see Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Restructuring Activities
 
See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for the detail of our restructuring activities.
 


 
54

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
We provided a discussion of our market risk in Item 7A of our 2004 Form 10-K. During the first nine months of 2005, there was no substantive change in our market risk except for the items noted below:
 
Interest Rate Risk—Falling Rates. As discussed in the Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk section of our 2004 Form 10-K, spreads on our fixed annuity and interest-sensitive whole life, universal life and fixed portion of variable universal life insurance policies, are at risk if interest rates decline and remain low for a period of time. The following table provides detail on the difference between interest crediting rates and minimum guaranteed rates as of September 30, 2005. For example, at September 30, 2005, there are $63 million of combined Retirement and Life Insurance account values where the excess of the crediting rate over contract minimums is between 1.01% and 1.50%. The analysis presented below ignores any non-guaranteed elements within the life insurance products such as cost of insurance or expense loads, which for many products may be redetermined in the event that interest margins deteriorate below the level that would cause the credited rate to equal the minimum guaranteed rate.


Excess of Crediting Rates over Contract Minimums
 
Lincoln
Retirement
Segment
 
Life
Segment
 
Total
 
Percent of
Total
 
As of September 30, 2005
 
Account
Values
 
Account
Values
 
Account
Values
 
Account
Values
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
CD and On-Benefit type annuities
 
$
6,010
 
$
-
 
$
6,010
   
17.93
%
Discretionary rate setting products*
                         
    No difference
   
12,742
   
5,200
   
17,942
   
53.52
%
    up to .1%
   
84
   
634
   
718
   
2.14
%
    0.11% to .20%
   
137
   
5
   
142
   
0.42
%
    0.21% to .30%
   
235
   
3,257
   
3,492
   
10.42
%
    0.31% to .40%
   
222
   
351
   
573
   
1.71
%
    0.41% to .50%
   
851
   
2,155
   
3,006
   
8.97
%
    0.51% to .60%
   
645
   
113
   
758
   
2.26
%
    0.61% to .70%
   
24
   
167
   
191
   
0.57
%
    0.71% to .80%
   
5
   
284
   
289
   
0.86
%
    0.81% to .90%
   
2
   
9
   
11
   
0.03
%
    0.91% to 1.0%
   
121
   
16
   
137
   
0.41
%
    1.01% to 1.50%
   
48
   
15
   
63
   
0.19
%
    1.51% to 2.00%
   
67
   
-
   
67
   
0.20
%
    2.01% to 2.50%
   
97
   
-
   
97
   
0.29
%
    2.51% to 3.00%
   
25
   
-
   
25
   
0.07
%
    3.01% and above
   
5
   
-
   
5
   
0.01
%
Total Discretionary rate setting products
   
15,310
   
12,206
   
27,516
   
82.07
%
Grand Total-Account Values
 
$
21,320
 
$
12,206
 
$
33,526
   
100.00
%
                           
                           
____________
* For purposes of this table, contracts currently within new money rate bands are grouped according to the corresponding portfolio rate band in which they will
    fall upon their first anniversary.
 
We expect interest spreads to decrease by 2 to 3 basis points for the Lincoln Retirement segment and 1 to 2 basis points for the Life Insurance segment during the remainder of 2005 relative to September 30, 2005. See Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Results of Operations by Segment for the effects of interest rate environments on interest rate margins.
 
Derivatives. As indicated in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2004 Form 10-K, we have entered into derivative transactions to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates, the risk of changes in liabilities indexed to equity markets, credit risk, foreign exchange risk and to increase our exposure to certain investments in exchange for a premium. In addition, we are subject to risks associated with changes in the value of our derivatives; however, such changes in value are generally offset by changes in the value of the items being hedged by such contracts. Modifications to our derivative strategy are initiated periodically upon review of our overall risk assessment. During the first nine months of 2005, the significant changes in our derivative positions are as follows:
 

1.  
Entered into $1.5 billion notional of interest rate cap agreements that are used to hedge our annuity business against the negative impact of a significant and sustained rise in interest rates. A total of $5.5 billion notional is outstanding.

2.  
Entered into $37.0 million notional of interest rate swap agreements hedging floating rate bond coupon payments. A total of $20.0 million notional matured or was terminated, resulting in a remaining notional of $462.5 million. The loss on termination was not material. These interest rate swap agreements convert floating rate bond coupon payments into a fixed rate of return.
 
 
55


 
3.  
Entered into 0.2 million call options on an equal number of shares of LNC stock, resulting in a total of 1.3 million call options on an equal number of shares of LNC stock. A total of 0.2 million call options were terminated, resulting in a gain of $1.4 million. These call options are hedging the increase in liabilities arising from stock appreciation rights granted on LNC stock. Additional stock appreciation rights were granted to our agents during the first quarter of 2005.

4.  
Entered into financial future contracts in the amount of $4.1 billion notional. These futures are hedging a portion of the liability exposure on certain options in variable annuity products. A total of $3.0 billion notional expired or was closed resulting in a total remaining $1.4 billion notional. No gain or loss was recognized as a result of the expirations or terminations.

5.  
Entered into $20.0 million notional of credit default swap agreements. A total of $5.0 million notional was terminated, resulting in a remaining notional of $20.0 million. The loss on termination was not material. We offer credit protection to investors through selling credit default swaps. These swap agreements allow the credit exposure of a particular obligor to be passed onto us in exchange for a quarterly premium.

6.  
Decreased our use of credit default swaps hedging against a drop in bond prices from $8.0 million notional to no remaining notional. The decrease in notional is a result of terminations and resulted in a loss of $0.1 million. We used credit default swaps to hedge against a drop in bond prices due to credit concerns of certain bond issuers.

7.  
Entered into $725.0 million notional of put option agreements resulting in a total of $1.1 billion notional. These put options are hedging a portion of the liability exposure on certain options in variable annuity products. We will receive a payment from the counterparty if the strike rate in the agreement is higher than the specified index rate at maturity.

8.  
Entered into $30.0 million notional of foreign currency swaps. A total of $14.1 million notional matured or was terminated, resulting in a remaining notional of $57.7 million. A loss of $1.3 million was recognized on the termination. These foreign currency swap agreements are part of a hedging strategy. We own various foreign issue securities. Interest payments from these securities are received in a foreign currency and then swapped into U.S. dollars.

9.  
Entered into foreign exchange forward contracts in the amount of $23.5 million notional that are hedging the foreign currency exposure of a portion of our investment in our Lincoln UK subsidiary. The $23.5 million notional expired resulting in no remaining notional. No gain or loss was recognized in net income as a result of the expirations.

10.  
Entered into $3.9 million notional of total return swap agreements resulting in a total of $94.3 million notional. These swap agreements are hedging a portion of the liability related to our deferred compensation plans. We receive the total return on a portfolio of indexes and pay a floating rate of interest.

We are exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by counterparties on various derivative contracts. However, we do not anticipate non-performance by any of the counterparties. The credit risk associated with such agreements is minimized by purchasing such agreements from financial institutions with long-standing superior performance records.
 

 
56

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures
 
(a) Conclusions Regarding Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures, which are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. As of September 30, 2005, we, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to us and our consolidated subsidiaries required to be disclosed in our periodic reports under the Exchange Act.
 
(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
During our last fiscal quarter, there was one change in our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. As previously reported, LFA implemented a new affiliation model for its planners in 2005. As a result of the new affiliation model, during the third quarter 2005, we implemented new systems, controls and processes related to the distribution allowance paid to LFA by our business segments, as well as changes to systems, controls and processes related to the payment of compensation by LFA to its planners.
 
A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.
 

 
57

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
(c) The following tables summarizes purchases of equity securities by the issuer during the quarter ended September 30, 2005:
 
Period  
(a) Total
Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased(1)
 
(b) Average Price
Paid per Share
(or Unit)
 
(c) Total Number
of Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans of Programs(2)
 
(d) Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs (in millions)(3)
 
7/1/05 - 7/31/05
   
1,630
 
$
47.55
   
-
 
$
221.6
 
8/1/05 - 8/31/05
   
18,740
   
49.88
   
-
   
221.6
 
9/1/05 - 9/30/05
   
4,926
   
51.69
   
-
   
221.6
 
                           
 
(1)
Total number of shares include those purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs as well as 23,996 shares received for the purchase price on the exercise of stock options and related taxes and 1,300 shares withheld for taxes on the vesting of restricted stock.
(2)
In August 2002, the Board of Directors of LNC approved share repurchase authorization of $600 million. The amount and timing of share repurchase depends on key capital ratios, rating agency expectations, the generation of free cash flow and an evaluation of the costs and benefits associated with alternative uses of capital.
(3)
As of the last day of the applicable month.
                  
Item 5. Other Information
 
On September 8, 2005, our Board of Directors adopted immaterial amendments to the Lincoln National Corporation Executives’ Severance Benefit Plan. The amendments primarily create a structure wherein we can limit the amount of benefits to which eligible participants are entitled and clarify the treatment of benefit enhancements under other LNC plans. A copy of the amended and restated plan is attached hereto as Exhibit 10(a).
 
Item 6. Exhibits   
 
The exhibits are listed in the Exhibit Index on page E-1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 
58

 

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.
 
     
 
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
     
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Frederick J. Crawford
 
 
Frederick J. Crawford
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
     
 
 
By:
 
/s/ Douglas N. Miller
 
 
Douglas N. Miller
Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
 
     
 
Date: November 8, 2005
 
 
 


59


LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
Exhibit Index for the Report on Form 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2005
 
 
2(a)
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 9, 2005, by Lincoln National Corporation, Quartz Corporation and Jefferson-Pilot Corporation* is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of LNC’s Form 8-K (File No. 1-6028) filed with the SEC on October 11, 2005.
   
10(a)
LNC’s Executives’ Severance Benefit Plan (As effective September 8, 2005)
   
 12     
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
   
31(a)
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
31(b)
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32(a)
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32(b)
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

                     *
Contents of the parties’ disclosure letters pursuant to the Merger Agreement have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. LNC will furnish supplementally a copy of the disclosure letters to the SEC upon request.
   
 
 
 
 
E-1

 

 
EX-10 2 ex10a.htm EXHIBIT 10 A Unassociated Document


LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
Executives’ Severance Benefit Plan
(As effective September 8, 2005)


Section 1. History, Plan Name and Effective Date. Effective August 12, 1982, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Lincoln National Corporation (the “Corporation”) established the Lincoln National Corporation Executives’ Severance Benefit Plan (the “Plan”). The following provisions constitute an amendment, restatement and continuation of the Plan, effective as of September 8, 2005.

Section 2. Purpose. The Corporation recognizes that the possibility of an unforeseen change of control is unsettling to its executives and the executives of its Affiliates. Therefore, this Plan is established to provide financial reassurance to the executives determined to be eligible to participate in the Plan under Section 3 below, the “Executives.” Such financial reassurance is necessary for the Corporation to continue to: (i) attract, recruit, and retain such Executives and assure their continuing dedication to their duties notwithstanding the threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in Section 6 below); and (ii) enable the Executives, should the Corporation receive unsolicited proposals from third parties with respect to its future, to assess and advise the Board what action on those proposals would be in the best interests of the Corporation, its shareholders and the policyholders and other customers of its Affiliates, and to take such action regarding those proposals as the Board might determine appropriate, without being influenced by the uncertainties of their own financial situation; and (iii) demonstrate to the Executives of the Corporation and its Affiliates that the Corporation is concerned with the welfare of the Executives and intends to assure that loyal Executives are treated fairly; and (iv) to ensure that the Executives are provided with compensation and benefits upon a Change of Control which meet the expectations of the Executives.

To the extent the Plan is subject to section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), the Plan shall be interpreted, operated, and administered in accordance with Code section 409A.

Section 3. Executives Eligible to Participate. Eligibility to participate in the Plan shall be limited to the following categories of employees described in Sections 3(a) and 3(b) below. Participating employees of the Corporation and its Affiliates are referred to as “Executives”:

(a) Senior Management Committee Members. Current members of the Corporation’s Senior Management Committee (or any successor committee having substantially similar responsibilities) (the “SMC”); and

(b) Other Designated Employees. Additional employees designated by name to participate in the Plan by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”), or recommended by the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation (the “CEO”) and
 
 
 
 

 
 
approved by the Committee. A current list of the members of the SMC, and a list of the individuals described in Section 3(b), shall be maintained by the Plan Administrator, and kept on file with the Corporate Secretary.

Section 4. Termination of Participation. Except as provided in Section 4(b) below, upon termination of participation in the Plan, the Executive shall thereafter lose entitlement to any benefits under the Plan and all rights hereunder shall be forfeited.

(a) Termination of Participation. Subject to Section 4(b) below, the following events, if occurring before a Change of Control (as defined in Section 6), will result in the termination of an Executive’s participation in the Plan: (i) the date the Executive separates from service with the Corporation and its Affiliates, (ii) the date the Executive ceases to be an SMC member, or (iii) the date that an Executive, whose participation in the Plan was by designation of the CEO and approval by the Committee, has his or her participation terminated by the Committee.

(b) Deemed Participation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Executive whose participation in the Plan was terminated shall nevertheless be deemed to have been a participant in the Plan on the date of a Change of Control and shall be eligible to receive benefits as provided under this Plan if both of the following requirements are met:

(i) The Executive’s termination of participation results from: (A) involuntarily termination from service with the Corporation and its Affiliates, other than for Cause (as defined in Section 7(b) below); (B) removal from the SMC (or any successor committee having substantially similar responsibilities); or (C) removal by the Committee; and

(ii) The Executive’s termination of participation occurs within the 6 month period before the occurrence of a Change of Control.
 
Section 5. Plan Benefits.

(a) For any Executive, benefits under this Plan shall be determined based on the designated “Tier” applicable to such Executive.

Tier One: Executives shall be paid a cash lump sum payment, as described in Section 5(b) below, shall receive certain enhancements to benefits under other plans sponsored by the Corporation, as well as other miscellaneous benefits described in Section 8 below, and shall receive the benefits described in Section 9 of the Plan, including eligibility to receive a “Gross-Up” payment.

Tier Two: Executives shall be paid a cash lump sum payment, as described in Section 5(b) below, and shall receive certain enhancements to benefits under other plans sponsored by the Corporation, as well as other miscellaneous benefits described in Section 8 below.
 
 
 
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Tier Three Executives shall be paid a cash lump sum payment, as described in Section 5(b) below.

Unless designated otherwise by the Committee, an Executive is assumed to be a “Tier One” Executive. Designations of Executives as Tier Two and Tier Three Executives shall be set forth on Appendix A attached to this Plan, as amended from time to time by the Committee.

(b) The amount of the cash severance benefit paid under this Plan shall be (A) in the case of the CEO, an amount equal to three (3) times the CEO’s highest annual rate of base salary during the 12 month period immediately preceding the date that the CEO Separates from Service, plus three (3) times the CEO’s Target Bonus, and (B), in the case of all other Executives, an amount equal to two (2) times the Executive’s highest annual rate of base salary during the 12 month period immediately preceding the date that the Executive Separates from Service, plus two (2) times the Target Bonus for such Executive. For purposes of this Plan, “Target Bonus” equals the higher of: (a) the target annual incentive bonus approved for the CEO or Executive for the calendar year in which the CEO or Executive Separated from Service, or (b) the target annual incentive bonus approved for the CEO or Executive for the year in which the Change of Control occurred.

Section 6. Change of Control. As used in this Plan, “Change of Control” means:

(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of twenty percent (20%) or more of (A) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Corporation (the “Outstanding Corporation Common Stock”) or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities”); provided, however, that the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (A) any acquisition directly from the Corporation other than an acquisition by virtue of the exercise of a conversion privilege, (B) any acquisition by the Corporation, (C) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Corporation, or any entity controlled by the Corporation, or (D) any acquisition by any entity or corporation pursuant to a reorganization, merger or consolidation, if, following such reorganization, merger or consolidation, the conditions described in clauses (A), (B) and (C) of subsection (c) of this Section 7 are satisfied; or

(b) Individuals who, as of the beginning of any period of two consecutive years, constitute the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the directors of the Corporation; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the beginning of such period whose election, or nomination for election by the Corporation’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Board at the beginning of such period, shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Board as of the beginning
 
 
 
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of such period, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or

(c)  Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Corporation, unless, following such reorganization, merger or consolidation, (A) more than sixty percent (60%) of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is immediately thereafter then represented by the Outstanding Corporation Common Stock and Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation in substantially the same proportions as the voting power of the Outstanding Corporation Common Stock and Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities, as the case may be, among the holders thereof immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation, (B) no Person (excluding the Corporation, any employee benefit plan or related trust of the Corporation, or such corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation and any Person beneficially owning, immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation and, directly or indirectly, twenty percent (20%) or more of the Outstanding Corporation Common Stock or Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities, as the case may be) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, twenty percent (20%) or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation were members of the Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such reorganization, merger or consolidation; or

(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Corporation of (A) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or (B) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, other than to a corporation, with respect to which following such sale or other disposition (1) more than sixty percent (60%) of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is immediately thereafter then represented by the Outstanding Corporation Common Stock and Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such sale or other disposition in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of the Outstanding Corporation Common Stock and Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities, as the case may be, among the holders thereof immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, (2) no Person (excluding the Corporation and any employee benefit plan or related trust of the Corporation, or such corporation and any Person beneficially owning, immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, twenty percent (20%) or more of the
 
 
 
 
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Outstanding Corporation Common Stock or Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities, as the case may be) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, twenty percent (20%) or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and (3) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of such corporation were members of the Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or action of the Board providing for such sale or other disposition of assets of the Corporation. The closing of a transaction, as defined in the documents relating to, or as evidenced by a certificate of any state or federal governmental authority in connection therewith, approval of which by the shareholders of the Corporation would constitute a Change of Control under this Section 6(d).

Section 7. Payment of Benefits.

(a)  If within a three-year period commencing on the date of a Change of Control (the “Benefit Period”), (i) the Corporation or any Affiliate terminates the employment of the Executive for any reason other than Cause (as defined in Section 7(b) below), death, or Total and Permanent Disability (as defined in Section 18(c) below), or (ii) the Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason (as defined in Section 7(c) below), the amount of the Executive’s severance benefit determined in accordance with the applicable Tier described in Section 5 shall be paid as a cash lump sum within 30 calendar days of the date that the Executive "Separates from Service" within the meaning of Code Section 409A. An Executive who, pursuant to Section 4(b) above, is no longer an employee but is deemed to be a participant in the Plan on the date of the Change of Control and eligible for Plan benefits, shall be paid such lump sum within 30 calendar days of the later of: (i) the date of the Change of Control, or (ii) the date the Executive “Separates from Service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, distributions may not be made to a Key Employee before the date that is six months after the date of the Key Employee's Separation from Service (or, if earlier, the date of death of the Key Employee). For this purpose, "Key Employee" means an Executive treated as a "specified employee" under Code section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i), i.e., a key employee (as defined in Code section 416(i) without regard to paragraph (5) thereof) of a corporation any stock of which is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise.

(b) The Corporation may terminate an Executive for Cause during the Benefit Period. For purposes of this Plan, “Cause” means:

(i)  conviction of a felony, or other fraudulent or willful misconduct materially and demonstrably injurious to the business or reputation of the Corporation by the Executive; or

(ii)  the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform substantially the Executive’s duties with the Corporation or one of its Affiliates (other than such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness),
 
 
 
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after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or Chief Executive Officer believes that the Executive has not substantially performed his duties.

For purposes of this Section 7(b), no act or omission to act, on the part of the Executive, shall be considered “willful” unless such act or omission is the result of the Executive’s bad faith or acting without reasonable belief that the Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Corporation. Any act based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or a senior officer of the Corporation or based upon the advice of counsel for the Corporation shall be conclusively presumed to have been taken by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Corporation. An Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to him a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice to him and an opportunity for him, together with his counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board the Executive was guilty of conduct set forth above in (i) or (ii) above and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

(c) The Executive’s employment may be terminated for Good Reason during the Benefit Period. As used in this Plan, “Good Reason” means, without the Executive’s written consent:

(i)  a change in the Executive’s status, positions or responsibilities (including reporting responsibilities) which is inconsistent in any material and adverse respect with the Executive’s status, position or responsibilities as in effect prior to such change;

(ii)  a reduction in the Executive’s base salary as in effect on the date she or he became a participant in the Plan, or as the same may be increased from time to time during the term of the Executive’s participation in this Plan;

(iii)  the relocation of the principal executive offices of the Corporation or any Affiliate, whichever entity on behalf of which the Executive performs a principal function of that entity as part of his or her employment services, to a location more than fifty (50) miles from where it was, or the Corporation’s requiring the Executive to be based at a location more than fifty (50) miles from the location where the Executive performed his or her duties before the Change of Control, except for required travel on the Corporation’s or any Affiliate’s business to an extent substantially consistent with the Executive’s business travel obligations at the time of the Change of Control;

(iv)  the failure to continue in effect this Plan, or to continue to provide the Executive all incentive, savings and retirement, bonus or other compensation
 
 
 
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plans, practices, policies or programs applicable generally to other peer executives of the Corporation or any Affiliate, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement opportunities, in each case, less favorable in the aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the Corporation and its Affiliates for the Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Change of Control or if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Change of Control to other peer executives of the Corporation and its Affiliates;

(v)  the failure to continue to provide the Executive and/or the Executive’s family, as the case may be, with benefits under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Corporation and any of its Affiliates (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to other peer executives of the Corporations and its Affiliates, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive and/or the Executive’s family, as the case may be, with benefits that are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Change of Control or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Change of Control to other peer executives of the Corporation and its Affiliates;

(vi)  the failure to provide or continue in effect benefits, including, without limitation, paid vacations, tax and financial planning services, payment of club dues, and, if applicable, use of an automobile and payment of related expenses, in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, policies and programs of the Corporation and its Affiliates in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Change of Control or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Corporation and its Affiliates;

(vii)  the failure of any successor or assign of the Corporation to assume and expressly agree to perform the obligations under this Plan in the same manner and to the same extent that the Corporation would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place;

(viii)  any purported termination of the Executive’s employment which is not effected pursuant to a Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 7(d) below) and a resolution satisfying the requirements of Section 7(b) above; and for purposes of this Plan, no such purported termination shall be effective; or
 
 
 
 
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(ix)  any request by the Corporation or any Affiliate that the Executive participate in an unlawful act.

Anything in this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, a termination of employment by the CEO for any reason during the Benefit Period shall be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for all purposes of this Plan.

(d) Any termination by the Corporation for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party given by hand delivery, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to the last known home address of the Executive or to the address of the principal office of the Corporation, copy to the General Counsel. For purposes of this Plan, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the date of termination is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than thirty (30) days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the Corporation to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Corporation, respectively, hereunder, or preclude the Executive or the Corporation, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive’s or the Corporation’s rights hereunder.

Section 8. Other Plans. In the event benefits are payable to a Tier One or Tier Two Executive in accordance with Section 7(a),

(a)  
the Executive shall be paid:

(i) for each completed performance period, all amounts due to the Executive under any annual or long-term performance cycle incentive plans of the Corporation or any Affiliate (or successor plans) in which the Executive participated immediately before his or her Separation from Service, as provided in any such plan; and

(ii) for each performance period in progress, any award amount shall be pro-rated to the date of the Executive’s Separation of Service based on the greater of actual results through the most recently completed fiscal quarter or the targeted amount through such quarter;

(b)  the Executive’s benefits, if any, under the terms of the Lincoln National Corporation Employees’ Supplemental Pension Benefit Plan and the Lincoln National Corporation Executives’ Excess Compensation Pension Benefit Plan, or any amendment and restatement of those Plans (the “SERP”) shall:

(i) immediately vest and be payable upon the Executive’s Separation from Service (as defined in Section 409A of the Code); and
 
 
 
 
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(ii)  additional years of benefit service shall be credited to the Executive under the final average pay formula of the Retirement Plan, if applicable, and additional years of pay credits shall be credited to the Executive under the cash balance formula as follows: three (3) additional years for the CEO, and two (2) additional years for all other Executives;
(c) any Executive eligible to receive a benefit under the terms of the Salary Continuation Plan for Executives of Lincoln National Corporation and Affiliates (the “SCP”) shall immediately vest in and have their benefits determined using the Maximum Monthly Benefit described in Section 5(c) of the SCP: 17% for the CEO of the Corporation, and 10% for all other Executives;

(d) the Executive shall be reimbursed for any COBRA premiums the Executive has paid after his employment is terminated for continuation of coverage under benefit plans maintained by the Corporation or any Affiliate; and for purposes of determining eligibility service for retiree medical and dental coverage, an Executive who is eligible for retiree medical and dental benefits shall include as service the period during which severance is paid under the Corporation’s broad-based severance plan;

(e)  the Executive shall be entitled to outplacement services, the scope and provider of which shall be selected by the Executive in his sole discretion, at the sole expense of the Corporation as incurred to a maximum of 15% of the Executive’s highest annual rate of base salary during the 12 month period immediately preceding the Executive’s termination of employment; and

(f)  the Executive’s rights under any other benefit plan maintained by the Corporation or any Affiliate (or successor) shall be governed by the terms of that plan as in effect on the day immediately preceding the Change of Control.


Section 9. Certain Additional Payments by the Corporation.

(a)  Anything in this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Corporation to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Plan or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section 9) (a “Payment”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
 
 
 
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Section 9(a), if it shall be determined that an Executive would otherwise be entitled to a Gross-Up Payment, but that the Payments otherwise payable would not be subject to the Excise Tax if such Payments were reduced by an amount that is less than 10% of the portion of such Payments that would be treated as “parachute payments” under Section 280G of the Code, then the amounts payable to the Executive under this Plan shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the maximum amount that could be paid to the Executive without giving rise to the Excise Tax (the “Safe Harbor Cap”), and no Gross-Up Payment shall be made to the Executive. Initially, the reduction shall result in a decrease in the payments under Section 5, unless an alternative method of reduction is elected by the Executive. For purposes of reducing the Payments to the Safe Harbor Cap, only amounts payable under this Plan (and no other Payments) shall be reduced. If the reduction of the amounts payable hereunder would not result in a reduction of the Payments to the Safe Harbor Cap, no amounts payable under this Plan shall be reduced pursuant to this provision.

(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations required to be made under this Section 9, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment, the reduction of Payments to reach the Safe Harbor Cap, and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by Ernst & Young or such other nationally recognized certified public accounting firm as may be designated by the Executive (the “Accounting Firm”) which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Corporation and the Executive within a reasonable period of time beginning with the Accounting Firm’s the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Corporation or the Executive. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control or the Corporation, the Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Corporation. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by the Corporation to the Executive as soon as administratively practicable after receipt of thee Accounting Firm’s determination, but in no event sooner than benefits are paid to the Executive generally under Section 7(a). If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, it shall furnish the Executive with a written opinion that the Executive will not incur a negligence or similar penalty for failure to report any Excise Tax on the Executive’s applicable federal income tax return. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Corporation and the Executive. In the event that the Corporation exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) below and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Corporation to or for the benefit of the Executive.

(c) The Executive shall notify the Corporation in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Corporation of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no
 
 
 
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later than ten (10) business days after the Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Corporation of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which it gave such notice to the Corporation (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Corporation notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:

(i)  give the Corporation any information reasonably requested by the Corporation relating to such claim,

(ii)  take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Corporation shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including; without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Corporation,

(iii)  cooperate with the Corporation in good faith to contest such claim, and

(iv)  permit the Corporation to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim,

provided, however, that the Corporation shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest, deemed interest with respect to interest-free advances, and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c), the Corporation shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Corporation shall determine; provided, however, that if the Corporation directs the Executive to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Corporation shall advance the amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Corporation’s control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive
 
 
 
 
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shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Corporation pursuant to Section 9(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Corporation’s complying with the requirements of Section 9(c)) promptly pay to the Corporation the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Corporation pursuant to Section 9(c), a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Corporation does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

Section 10. Reimbursement of Legal Fees. The Corporation shall pay directly or reimburse an Executive (at the Executive’s option) for any and all legal fees and expenses incurred by such Executive relating to the enforcement or enforceability of any obligations of the Corporation and its Affiliates under the Plan or relating to enjoining the Board from amending the Plan in a manner which is inconsistent with Section 14; provided, however, that an Executive shall be required to repay any such amounts to the Corporation to the extent that a court issues a final and non-appealable order setting forth the determination that the position taken by the Executive was frivolous or advanced by the Executive in bad faith.

Section 11. Confidential Information. Each Executive who receives a severance benefit under this Plan agrees to retain in confidence any secret or confidential information known to him relating to the Corporation, its Affiliates and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by the Executive during his employment by the Corporation or any of its Affiliates and shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts of the Executive or a representative of the Executive in violation of this Plan). After termination of the Executive’s employment with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, the Executive shall not, without prior written consent of the Corporation or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Corporation and those designated by it. In no event shall a violation or an asserted violation of the provisions of this Section 11 constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this Plan.

Section 12. Right or Title to Funds. In the event of a Change of Control, the Corporation shall immediately set aside, earmark, and contribute to a trust sufficient funds in cash to pay for any obligations it may have under this Plan as determined by the Accounting Firm, including no less than $5,000,000.00 to satisfy any obligation of the Corporation under Section 10, to a Grantor Trust within the meaning of subpart E, part I, subchapter J, chapter 1, subtitle A of the Code. An Executive, and any successor in
 
 
 
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interest to such Executive, shall be and remain a general creditor of the Corporation with respect to any promises to pay under this Plan in the same manner as any other creditor who has a general claim for an unpaid liability, provided, however, that the Executive shall have such rights against assets held in the Grantor Trust that are provided in such Grantor Trust agreement. The Corporation shall not make any loans or extend credit to an Executive that will be offset by benefits payable under this Plan.

Section 13. Binding Plan. The obligations under this Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of an Executive, his or her beneficiary or estate, the Corporation and any successor to the Corporation.

Section 14. Amendment, Suspension or Termination of Plan. This Plan may be amended at any time and from time to time by and on behalf of the Corporation by the Board, but no amendment shall operate to give the Executive, either directly or indirectly, any interest whatsoever in any funds or assets of the Corporation, except the right upon fulfillment of all terms and conditions hereof, as such terms and conditions may be amended, to receive the payments herein provided. No amendment, suspension or termination of this Plan shall operate in any way to reduce, diminish, or adversely affect any of the benefits provided to any Executive if such amendment, suspension or termination (i) arose by action of the Corporation in connection with or anticipation of a Change of Control, (ii) occurs coincident with a Change of Control, or (iii) occurs after a Change of Control has occurred. Any such amendment, suspension, or termination that occurs within the six (6) month period before a Change of Control is presumed to have been in anticipation of such Change of Control.

Section 15. Plan Administrator. The Plan shall be administered by the Benefits Administrator. The Benefits Administrator shall be the Corporation’s Head of Human Resources, unless and until the Board appoints a successor. The Benefits Administrator shall have full authority to interpret the Plan, resolve issues pertaining to Plan eligibility, determine benefits payable under the Plan, and take whatever actions are, in the sole discretion of the Benefits Administrator, necessary to or desirable for such administration, including, but not limited to: (a) establishing administrative rules consistent with the provisions of the Plan, (b) delegating the responsibilities of the Benefits Administrator to other persons, and (c) retaining the services of lawyers, accountants, or other third parties to assist with the administration of the Plan.

Section 16. No Effect on Employment. This Plan shall supplement and shall neither supersede any other contract of employment, whether oral or in writing, between the Executive and the Corporation or any Affiliate, nor affect or impair the rights and obligations of the Executive and the Corporation or any Affiliate, respectively, thereunder; and nothing contained herein shall impose any obligation on the Corporation or Affiliate to continue the employment of the Executive.

Section 17. No Waiver. Neither the failure nor the delay on the part of the Executive in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver of such right, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege
 
 
 
 
13

 
 
preclude any further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder. No remedy conferred hereunder is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy and each shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other remedy now or hereafter existing at law or in equity.

Section 18. Definitions and Rules of Construction. Except where the context clearly indicates to the contrary, the following terms have the meanings specified:
(a) “Affiliate” means any corporation that directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by or is under common control with the Corporation. For purposes of this definition control means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a corporation through the ownership of voting securities.
(b) “Separation from Service” means a separation from service with the Corporation and its Affiliates as that term shall be defined in Code Section 409A and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(c) “Total and Permanent Disability” means the inability of the Executive to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. The determination as to whether an Executive is totally and permanently disabled shall be made by a physician selected by the Corporation or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive’s legal representative.

(d) This Plan may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

(e) The headings in this Plan are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect any of the terms hereof.

 
14







EX-12 3 ex12.htm EXHIBIT 12 Exhibit 12


LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
EXHIBIT 12—RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

   
Nine Months Ended September 30,  
 
(dollars in millions)
 
2005
 
2004
 
Income before Federal Income Taxes and Cumulative
             
Effect of Accounting Change
 
$
778.8
 
$
786.6
 
Fixed Charges
   
82.8
   
88.7
 
Adjusted Net Income
   
861.6
   
875.3
 
Interest on Annuities & Financial Products
   
1,175.5
   
1,173.2
 
Adjusted Income Base
 
$
2,037.1
 
$
2,048.5
 
               
Fixed Charges:
             
Interest and Debt Expense
 
$
66.2
 
$ 
71.9
 
Portion of Rent Expense Representing Interest
   
16.6
   
16.8
 
Fixed Charges
   
82.8
   
88.7
 
Interest on Annuities & Financial Products
   
1,175.5
   
1,173.2
 
Sub-total of Fixed Charges
   
1,258.3
   
1,261.9
 
Preferred Dividends (Pre-tax)
   
*
   
*
 
Total Fixed Charges
 
$
1,258.3
 
$
1,261.9
 
               
* Less than $100,000
             
               
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges:
             
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (Including Interest on
             
Annuities and Financial Products) (1)
   
1.62
   
1.62
 
Excluding Interest on Annuities and Financial Products (2)
   
10.41
   
9.87
 
Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred
             
Stock Dividends (3)
   
1.62
   
1.62
 
               
 
__________________________
1.
For purposes of determining this ratio, earnings consist of income before Federal income taxes, cumulative effect of accounting change, if any, and minority interests adjusted for the difference between income or losses from unconsolidated equity investments and cash distributions from such investments, plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of 1) interest and debt expense on short and long-term debt and junior subordinated debentures issued to affiliated trusts; 2) interest on annuities and financial products and; 3) the portion of operating leases that are representative of the interest factor.
2.
Same as the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, except fixed charges and earnings in this calculation do not include interest on annuities and financial products. This coverage ratio is not required, but is provided as additional information. This ratio is commonly used by individuals who analyze LNC’s results.
3.
Same as the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, including interest on annuities and financial products, except that fixed charges include the pre-tax earnings required to cover preferred stock dividend requirements.
 

EX-31.A 4 ex31-a.htm EXHIBIT 31 A Exhibit 31 a

EXHIBIT 31(a)
 
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
I, Jon A. Boscia, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, certify that:
 
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Lincoln National Corporation;
 
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
 
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
/S/ JON A. BOSCIA
Jon A. Boscia
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
Dated: November 8, 2005
 

EX-31.B 5 ex31-b.htm EXHIBIT 31.B Exhibit 31.b

EXHIBIT 31(b)
 
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
I, Frederick J. Crawford, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, certify that:
 
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Lincoln National Corporation;
 
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
 
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
/S FREDERICK J. CRAWFORD
Frederick J. Crawford
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Dated: November 8, 2005
 

EX-32.A 6 ex32-a.htm EXHIBIT 32 A Exhibit 32 a
EXHIBIT 32(a)
 
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, the undersigned officer of Lincoln National Corporation (the “Company”), hereby certifies that the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
     
Dated: November 8, 2005
         /S/ Jon A. Boscia
 
Name:
Title:
 
Jon A. Boscia
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.
 
A signed original of this written statement required under Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
 
 

EX-32.B 7 ex32-b.htm EXHIBIT 32 B Exhibit 32 b

EXHIBIT 32(b)
 
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, the undersigned officer of Lincoln National Corporation (the “Company”), hereby certifies that the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
     
Dated: November 8, 2005
/S/ Frederick J. Crawford
 
Name:
Title:
 
Frederick J. Crawford
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.
 
A signed original of this written statement required under Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
 
 

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