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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Recent Accounting Pronouncements  
Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Text Block]

Note 2Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

       Deferred acquisition costs. In October 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amended guidance (ASU 2010-26) for the accounting of costs related to the acquisition or renewal of insurance contracts to require costs such as certain sales compensation or telemarketing costs that are related to unsuccessful efforts and any indirect costs to be expensed as incurred. This new guidance must be implemented on January 1, 2012 and any changes to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements may be recognized prospectively for acquisition costs incurred beginning in 2012 or through retrospective adjustment of comparative prior periods. The Company's deferred acquisition costs arise from sales and renewal activities primarily in its International segment and, to a lesser extent, the Health Care and corporate-owned life insurance businesses. Because the new requirements further restrict the types of costs that are deferrable, the Company expects more of its acquisition costs to be expensed when incurred under the new guidance. The Company continues to evaluate these new requirements to determine the method and estimated effects of their implementation.

 

Troubled debt restructurings. In April 2011, the FASB amended guidance (ASU 2011-02) to clarify for lenders that a troubled debt restructuring occurs when a debt modification is a concession to the borrower and the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties. The amendments are effective July 1, 2011 and are to be applied retrospectively to loan restructurings occurring on or after January 1, 2011. The amendment also requires new disclosures to be provided in the third quarter 2011 addressing certain troubled debt restructurings.  On adoption, the Company does not expect a material effect to its results of operations or financial condition.

 

Fair value measurements. In May 2011, the FASB amended guidance (ASU 2011-04) to improve the comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The amendments are effective January 1, 2012 and are to be applied prospectively.  The Company is presently evaluating the new requirements to determine the potential effects of their implementation.