INCOME TAXES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Income Taxes [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

11)        INCOME TAXES

A summary of the income tax (expense) benefits in the statements of earnings (loss) follows:

		2011		2010		2009
		(In Millions)
Income tax (expense) benefit:
	Current (expense) benefit	$	39	$	(24)	$	(1)
	Deferred (expense) benefit		(34)		38		4
Total		$	5	$	14	$	3

The Federal income taxes attributable to operations are different from the amounts determined by multiplying the earnings (loss), before income taxes by the expected Federal income tax rate of 35%. The sources of the difference and their tax effects are as follows:

	2011		2010		2009
	(In Millions)
Tax at statutory rate	$	(22)	$	13	$	(1)
Dividends received deduction		2		1		4
Refund claim settlement		7		-		-
Low income housing credit		-		1		1
Valuation allowance		19		-		-
Other		(1)		(1)		(1)
Income Tax (Expense) Benefit	$	5	$	14	$	3

The tax benefit for 2011 reflected a benefit in the amount of $19 million related to the determination that the valuation allowance previously established on deferred tax assets related to net operating loss carry forwards was no longer necessary and a $7 million benefit in settlement of refund claims for tax years 1994 - 1997.

The components of the net deferred income taxes are as follows:

	December 31, 2011				December 31, 2010
	Assets		Liabilities		Assets		Liabilities
	(In Millions)
Reserves and reinsurance	$	-	$	33	$	-	$	30
DAC		-		46		-		31
VOBA		-		34		-		42
Investments		-		6		32		-
Goodwill and other intangible assets		-		7		-		9
NOL and Credits		6		-		19		-
Valuation allowance		-		-		(19)		-
Other		5		-		5		-
Total	$	11	$	126	$	37	$	112

MLOA provides income taxes on the undistributed earnings related to its investment in AllianceBernstein units except to the extent that such earnings are permanently invested outside the United States. As of December 31, 2011, $6 million of accumulated undistributed earnings related to its investment in AllianceBernstein units were permanently invested. At existing applicable income tax rates, additional taxes of approximately $2 million would need to be provided if such earnings were remitted.

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits were $20 million and $18 million, all of which would affect the effective tax rate.

MLOA recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax (expense) benefit. Interest and penalties included in the amounts of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2011 and 2010 were $3 million and $2 million, respectively. Tax (expense) benefit for 2011 reflected an expense of $1 million in interest expense related to unrecognized tax benefits.

A reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits (excluding interest and penalties) follows:

	2011		2010		2009
	(In Millions)
Balance, beginning of year	$	16	$	15	$	14
Additions for tax positions of prior years		1		1		1
Balance, End of Year	$	17	$	16	$	15

IRS examinations for the MONY Companies from the date of its acquisition in 2004 through 2007 commenced in 2010. It is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change within the next 12 months. The possible change in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits cannot be estimated at this time.