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Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

The accompanying audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The Company has reclassified the presentation of certain prior period information to conform to the current year's presentation.

Consolidation

All intercompany transactions and balances between HMEC and its subsidiaries and affiliates have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

The most significant critical accounting estimates include valuation of hard-to-value fixed maturity securities, evaluation of credit loss impairments for fixed maturity securities, evaluation of goodwill and intangible assets for impairment, valuation of annuity and life deferred policy acquisition costs, valuation of liabilities for property and casualty unpaid claims and claim expenses and valuation of certain investment contracts and policy reserves.

Investments

Fixed Maturity Securities

The Company invests predominantly in fixed maturity securities. Fixed maturity securities include bonds, asset-backed securities (ABS), mortgage-backed securities (MBS), other structured securities and redeemable preferred stocks. MBS includes residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities. Fixed maturity securities, which may be sold prior to their contractual maturity, are designated as available for sale (AFS) and are carried at fair value of which a portion represent securities that are hard-to-value. See Note 4 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments – Investments for a detailed description of how the Company estimates fair value for its fixed maturity securities portfolio including hard-to-value securities. An adjustment for net unrealized investment gains (losses) on all fixed maturity securities available for sale and carried at fair value, is recognized as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) within shareholders’ equity, net of applicable deferred taxes and the related impact on deferred policy acquisition costs (DAC) associated with annuity contracts and life insurance products with account values that would have occurred if the securities had been sold at their aggregate fair value and the proceeds reinvested at current yields. The Company excludes accrued interest receivable from the amortized cost basis of its AFS fixed maturity securities.

Equity Securities

Equity securities primarily include common stocks, exchange traded and mutual funds and non-redeemable preferred stocks. Certain exchange traded and mutual funds have fixed maturity securities as their underlying investments. Equity securities are carried at fair value and have readily determinable fair values.

Limited Partnership Interests

Investments in limited partnership interests are accounted for using the equity method of accounting (EMA) and include interests in commercial mortgage funds, private equity funds, infrastructure debt funds, infrastructure equity funds and other funds.

Short-Term and Other Investments

Short-term investments, including money market funds, commercial paper, U.S. Treasury bills and other short-term investments, are carried at fair value. Other investments primarily consist of policy loans, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLB) common stock, mortgage loans and derivatives. Policy loans are carried at unpaid principal balances. FHLB common stock is carried at cost. Mortgage loans are carried at amortized cost, net, which represent the amount expected to be collected. Derivatives are carried at fair value.

Variable Interest Entities (VIEs)

The Company invests in fixed maturity securities and alternative investment funds that could qualify as variable interests in VIEs, including corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities. Such variable interests in VIEs have been reviewed and the Company determined that those VIEs are not subject to consolidation as the Company is not the primary beneficiary because it does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact those VIEs' economic performance.

Net Investment Income

Net investment income primarily consists of interest, dividends and income from limited partnership interests. Interest is recognized on an accrual basis using the effective yield method and dividends are recorded at the ex-dividend date. ABS and MBS interest income is determined considering estimated pay-downs, including prepayments, obtained from third-party data sources and internal estimates. Actual prepayment experience is periodically reviewed, and effective yields are recalculated when differences arise between the prepayments originally anticipated and the actual prepayments received and currently anticipated. For ABS and MBS of high credit quality with fixed interest rates, the effective yield is recalculated on a retrospective basis. For all others, the effective yield is generally recalculated on a prospective basis. Net investment income for AFS fixed maturity securities includes the impact of accreting the credit loss allowance for the time value of money. Accrual of income is suspended for fixed maturity securities when the timing and amount of cash flows expected to be received is not reasonably estimable. Accrual of income is suspended for commercial mortgage loans that are in default or when full and timely collection of principal and interest payments is not probable. Accrued investment income receivable is monitored for recoverability and when not expected to be collected is written off through net investment income. Cash receipts on investments on non-accrual status are generally recorded as a reduction of amortized cost or principal. Income from limited partnership interests is recognized based upon the changes in fair value of the investee’s equity primarily determined using its net asset value and is generally recognized on a three month delay due to the availability of the related financial statements from investees.

The Company reports accrued investment income separately from AFS fixed maturity securities and has elected not to measure an allowance for credit losses for accrued investment income. Accrued investment income is written-off and recognized as a net investment loss at the time the issuer of the security defaults or is expected to default on payments.

Net Investment Gains (Losses)

Net investment gains (losses) include gains and losses on investment sales, changes in the credit loss allowances related to fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans, impairments, valuation changes of equity securities and periodic changes in fair value and settlements of derivatives. Net investment gains (losses) on investment sales are determined on a specific identification basis and are net of credit losses already recognized through an allowance.

Credit Loss Impairments for Fixed Maturity Securities

For AFS fixed maturity securities, the difference between amortized cost, net of a credit loss allowance (i.e., amortized cost, net) and fair value, net of certain other items and deferred income taxes is reported as a component of AOCI on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and is not reflected in the operating results of any period until reclassified to net income upon the consummation of a transaction with an unrelated third party or when a credit loss allowance is recorded. The Company has a comprehensive portfolio monitoring process to evaluate fixed maturity securities (at the cusip/issuer level) on a quarterly basis that may require a credit loss allowance. These reviews, in conjunction with our investment managers’ monthly credit reports and relevant factors such as (1) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; (2) the Company’s intent to sell a security or whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell a security before the anticipated recovery in value; (3) the market leadership of the issuer; (4) the debt ratings of the issuer; and (5) the cash flows and liquidity of the issuer or the underlying cash flows for asset-backed securities , are all considered in the impairment assessment.

For each fixed maturity security in an unrealized loss position, the Company assesses whether management with the appropriate authority has made the decision to sell or whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before the anticipated recovery of the amortized cost basis for reasons such as liquidity, contractual or regulatory purposes. If a security meets either of these criteria, any existing credit loss allowance would be written-off against the amortized cost basis of the asset along with any remaining unrealized losses, with the incremental losses recorded as a net investment loss.

If the Company has not made the decision to sell the fixed maturity security and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the fixed maturity security before the anticipated recovery of its amortized cost basis, the Company evaluates whether it expects to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. The Company estimates the anticipated recovery value based on the best estimate of future cash flows considering past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The estimated future cash flows are discounted at the security’s current effective rate and are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. The determination of cash flow estimates is inherently subjective, and methodologies may vary depending on facts and circumstances specific to the security. All reasonably available information relevant to the collectability of the security are considered when developing the estimate of cash flows expected to be collected. That information generally includes, but is not limited to, the remaining payment terms of the security, prepayment speeds, the financial condition and future earnings potential of the issue or issuer, expected defaults, expected recoveries, the value of underlying collateral, origination vintage year, geographic concentration of underlying collateral, available reserves or escrows, current subordination levels, third-party guarantees and other credit enhancements. Other information, such as industry analyst reports and forecasts, sector credit ratings, financial condition of the bond insurer for insured fixed maturity securities, and other market data relevant to the realizability of contractual cash flows, may also be considered. The estimated fair value of collateral will be used to estimate the anticipated recovery value if the Company determines that the security is dependent on the liquidation of collateral for ultimate settlement.

If the Company does not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the fixed maturity security, a credit loss allowance is recorded as a net investment loss for the shortfall in expected cash flows; however, the amortized cost basis, net of the credit loss allowance, may not be lower than the fair value of the security. The portion of the unrealized loss related to factors other than credit remains classified in AOCI. If the Company determines that the fixed maturity security does not have sufficient cash flows or other information to estimate a recovery value for the security, the Company may conclude that the entire decline in fair value is deemed to be credit related and the loss is recorded as a net investment loss.

When a security is sold or otherwise disposed or the security is deemed uncollectible and written off, the Company removes amounts previously recognized in the credit loss allowance. Recoveries after write-offs are recognized when received.

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments on January 1, 2020, when other-than-temporary impairment was deemed to have occurred, the investment in the fixed maturity security would be written-down to fair value which became the new cost basis for the security.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

DAC consists of commissions, policy issuance and other costs which are incremental and directly related to the successful acquisition of new or renewal business, which are deferred and amortized on a basis consistent with the type of insurance coverage. For property and casualty risks, DAC is amortized over the terms of the insurance policies (6 or 12 months). For supplemental policies, DAC is amortized in proportion to anticipated premiums over the terms of the insurance policies (approximately 7 years, based on an estimated average duration across all supplemental products). For all annuity contracts, DAC is amortized over 20 years in proportion to estimated gross profits. DAC is amortized in proportion to estimated gross profits over 20 years for certain life insurance products with account values and over 30 years for indexed universal life (IUL) products. For other individual life contracts, DAC is amortized in proportion to anticipated premiums over the terms of the insurance policies (10, 15, 20, 30 years).

The Company periodically reviews the assumptions and estimates used in DAC and also periodically reviews its estimations of gross profits, a process sometimes referred to as "unlocking". The most significant assumptions that are involved in the estimation of annuity gross profits include interest rate spreads, future financial market performance, business surrender/lapse rates, expenses and the impact of net investment gains (losses) on fixed maturity and equity securities. For the variable deposit portion of Retirement, the Company amortizes DAC utilizing a future financial market performance assumption of an 8% reversion to the mean approach with a 200 basis point corridor around the mean during the reversion period, representing a cap and a floor on the Company's long-term assumption. The Company's practice with regard to future financial market performance assumes that long-term appreciation in the financial markets is not changed by short-term market fluctuations, but is only changed when sustained deviations are experienced. The Company monitors these fluctuations and only changes the assumption when long-term expectations change.

The most significant assumptions that are involved in the estimation of life insurance gross profits include interest rates expected to be received on investments, business persistency, and mortality. Conversions from term to permanent insurance cause an immediate write down of the associated DAC.

The most significant assumptions that are involved in the estimation of supplemental gross profits include morbidity, persistency, expenses and interest rates expected to be received on investments. When a supplemental policy lapses, there is an immediate write down of the associated DAC.

Annually, the Company performs a gross premium valuation (GPV) on life insurance policies to assess whether a loss recognition event has occurred. This involves discounting expected future benefits and expenses less expected future premiums. To the extent that this amount is greater than the liability for future benefits less the DAC asset, in aggregate for the life insurance block, a loss would be recognized by first writing off the DAC asset and then increasing the liability.

In the event actual experience differs significantly from assumptions or assumptions are significantly revised, the Company may be required to recognize a material charge or credit to current period DAC amortization expense for the period in which the adjustment is made. The Company recognized the following adjustments to DAC amortization expense as a result of evaluating actual experience and prospective assumptions (i.e., the impact of unlocking):


($ in millions)	Year Ended December 31,
	2021		2020		2019
(Decrease) increase to DAC amortization expense:
Retirement	$	(1.3)	$	(1.8)	$	3.5
Life	(0.2)		(0.3)		(0.3)
Total	$	(1.5)	$	(2.1)	$	3.2

DAC for annuity contracts and life insurance products with account values are adjusted for the impact on estimated future gross profits as if net unrealized investment gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities had been realized at the reporting date. This adjustment reduced DAC by $71.9 million, $90.5 million and $41.2 million at December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The after tax impact of this adjustment is included in AOCI (along with net unrealized investment gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities) within shareholders' equity.

DAC is reviewed for recoverability from future income, including net investment income, and costs that are deemed unrecoverable are expensed in the period in which the determination is made.

Goodwill

When the Company was acquired from CIGNA Corporation by HME Holdings, Inc. in 1989, intangible assets were recognized as goodwill in the application of purchase accounting. In addition, goodwill was recognized in 1994 related to the acquisition of Horace Mann Property & Casualty Insurance Company and in 2019 related to the acquisitions of BCG and NTA.

Goodwill represents the excess of the amounts paid to acquire a business over the fair value of its net assets at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level at least annually or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. A reporting unit is defined as an operating segment or a business unit one level below an operating segment, if separate financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by management at that level. The Company's reporting units, for which goodwill has been allocated, are equivalent to the Company's operating segments. Refer to Note 7 for the allocation of goodwill by reporting unit as of December 31, 2021.

The goodwill impairment test, as defined in GAAP, allows an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If an entity determines it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the entity performs a quantitative goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount for purposes of confirming and measuring an impairment. In 2019, the Company adopted guidance to eliminate Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. Goodwill impairment is now the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. Any amount of goodwill determined to be impaired is recognized as an expense in the period in which the impairment determination is made.

Separate Account (Variable Annuity) Assets and Liabilities

Separate Account assets represent variable annuity contractholder funds invested in various mutual funds. The Separate Account assets comprise actively traded mutual funds that have daily quoted net asset values that are readily determinable for identical assets that the Company can access. Net asset values for the actively traded mutual funds in which the Separate Account assets are invested are obtained daily from the fund managers. Separate Account liabilities are equal to the estimated fair value of Separate Account assets. The investment income, gains and losses of these accounts accrue directly to the contractholders and are not included in the results of operations of the Company. The activity of the Separate Accounts is not reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations except for (1) contract charges earned, (2) the activity related to contract guarantees, which are benefits on existing variable annuity contracts, and (3) the impact of financial market performance on the amortization of DAC. The Company's contract charges earned include fees charged to the Separate Accounts, including mortality charges, risk charges, policy administration fees, investment management fees and surrender charges.

Investment Contract and Life Policy Reserves

Liabilities for future benefits on supplemental, life and annuity policies are established in amounts adequate to meet the estimated future obligations on policies in force.

Liabilities for future policy benefits on certain supplemental and life insurance policies are computed using the net level premium method including assumptions as to investment yields, mortality, morbidity, persistency, expenses and other assumptions based on the Company's experience, including a provision for adverse deviation. These assumptions are established at the time the policy is issued and are intended to estimate the experience for the period the policy benefits are payable. If experience is less favorable than the assumptions, additional liabilities may be established, resulting in recognition of a loss for that period.

Liabilities for future benefits on annuity contracts and certain long-duration life insurance contracts are carried at accumulated policyholder values without reduction for potential surrender or withdrawal charges. The liability also includes provisions for the unearned portion of certain policy charges.

A guaranteed minimum death benefit (GMDB) generally provides an additional benefit if the contractholder dies and the variable annuity contract value is less than a contractually defined amount. The Company has estimated and recorded a GMDB reserve on variable annuity contracts in accordance with GAAP. Contractually defined amounts vary from contract to contract based on the date the contract was entered into as well as the GMDB feature elected by the contractholder.

Reserves for Fixed Indexed Annuities and Indexed Universal Life Products

The Company offers fixed indexed annuity (FIA) products with interest crediting strategies linked to the Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 Index and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA). The Company purchases call options on the applicable indices as an investment to provide the income needed to fund the annual index credits on the indexed products. These products are deferred fixed annuities with a guaranteed minimum interest rate plus a contingent return based on equity market performance and are considered hybrid financial instruments under GAAP.

The Company elected to not use hedge accounting for derivative transactions related to FIA products. As a result, the Company accounts for the purchased call options and the embedded derivative related to the provision of a contingent return at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized as Net investment gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The embedded derivative is bifurcated from the host contract and included in Other policyholder funds in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The host contract is accounted for as a debt instrument in accordance with GAAP and is included in Investment contract and life policy reserves in the Consolidated Balance Sheets with any discount to the minimum account value being accreted using the effective yield method. In the Consolidated Statements of Operations, accreted interest for FIA products and benefit claims on these products incurred during the reporting period are included in Benefits, claims and settlement expenses.

The Company offers indexed universal life (IUL) products as part of its product portfolio with interest crediting strategies linked to the S&P 500 Index and the DJIA as well as a fixed option. The Company purchases call options monthly to economically hedge the potential liabilities arising in IUL accounts. The Company elected to not use hedge accounting for derivative transactions related to the IUL products. As a result, the Company records the purchased call options and the embedded derivative related to the provision of a contingent return at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in Net investment gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. IUL policies with a balance in one or more indexed accounts are considered to have an

embedded derivative. The benefit reserve for the host contract is measured using the retrospective deposit method, which for Horace Mann's IUL product is equal to the account balance. The embedded derivative is bifurcated from the host contract, carried at fair value, and included in Investment contract and life policy reserves in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

See Note 4 for more information regarding the determination of fair value for derivatives embedded in FIA and IUL and purchased call options.

Unpaid Claims and Claim Expenses

Liabilities for Property & Casualty unpaid claims and claim expenses include provisions for payments to be made on reported claims, claims incurred but not yet reported (IBNR) and associated settlement expenses. All of the Company's reserves for Property & Casualty unpaid claims and claim expenses are carried at the full value of estimated liabilities and are not discounted for interest expected to be earned on the reserves. Estimated amounts of salvage and subrogation on unpaid Property & Casualty claims are deducted from the liability for unpaid claims. Due to the nature of the Company's personal lines business, the Company has no exposure to losses related to claims for toxic waste cleanup, other environmental remediation or asbestos-related illnesses other than claims under property insurance policies for environmentally related items such as mold.

Other Policyholder Funds

Other policyholder funds includes payout annuity contracts without life contingencies and dividend accumulations, as well as balances outstanding under funding agreements with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLB) and embedded derivatives related to FIA products. Except for embedded derivatives, each of these components is carried at cost. Embedded derivatives are carried at fair value. Amounts received and repaid under FHLB funding agreements are classified as financing activities in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Reinsurance

The Company enters into reinsurance arrangements pursuant to which it cedes certain insurance risks to unaffiliated reinsurers. Cessions under reinsurance agreements do not discharge the Company's obligations as the primary insurer. The accounting for reinsurance arrangements depends on whether the arrangement provides indemnification against loss or liability relating to insurance risk in accordance with GAAP.

If the Company determines that a reinsurance agreement exposes the reinsurer to a reasonable possibility of a significant loss from insurance risk, the ceded unearned premiums and reinsurance balances recoverable on paid and unpaid losses and settlement expenses are reported separately as assets, instead of being netted with the related liabilities, since reinsurance does not relieve the Company of its legal liability to its policyholders. See Note 9 for further details.

If the Company determines that a reinsurance agreement does not expose the reinsurer to a reasonable possibility of a significant loss from insurance risk, the Company recognizes the reinsurance agreement using the deposit method of accounting. The assets transferred to the reinsurer as consideration paid is reported as a Deposit asset on reinsurance on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. As amounts are received or paid or received, consistent with the underlying reinsured contracts, the Deposit asset on reinsurance is adjusted. The Deposit asset on reinsurance is accreted to the estimated ultimate cash flows using the interest method and the adjustment is reported as Net investment income.

Insurance Premiums and Contract Charges Earned

Property & Casualty insurance premiums are recognized as revenue ratably over the related contract periods in proportion to the risks insured. The unexpired portions of these Property & Casualty premiums are recorded as unearned premiums, using the monthly pro rata method.

Premiums and contract charges for life insurance contracts with account values and annuity contracts consist of charges for the cost of insurance, policy administration and withdrawals. Premiums for long-term traditional life and supplemental policies are recognized as revenues when due over the premium-paying period. Contract deposits to annuity contracts and life insurance contracts with account values represent funds deposited by policyholders and are not included in the Company's premiums or contract charges earned.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company grants stock options and both service-based and performance-based restricted common stock units (RSUs) to executive officers, other employees and Directors in an effort to attract and retain individuals while also aligning compensation with the interests of the Company's shareholders. Additional information regarding the Company's share-based compensation plans is contained in Note 13.

Stock options are accounted for under the fair value method of accounting using a Black-Scholes valuation model to measure stock option expense at the date of grant. The fair value of RSUs is measured at the market price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant, with the exception of market-based performance awards, for which the Company uses a Monte Carlo simulation model to determine fair value for purposes of measuring RSU expense. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $1.2 million, $1.1 million, and $1.2 million, respectively, of stock option expense as a result of stock options that vested during the respective periods. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $6.6 million, $4.8 million and $5.2 million, respectively, of RSU expense as a result of the performance and/or vesting of RSUs during the respective periods.

In 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company granted stock options as quantified in the table below, which also provides the weighted average grant date fair value for stock options granted in each year. The fair value of stock options granted was estimated on the respective dates of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the weighted average assumptions shown in the following table.


	Year Ended December 31,
	2021			2020			2019
Number of stock options granted	183,272			234,248			282,040
Weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted	$	7.73		$	6.02		$	6.26
Weighted average assumptions:
Risk-free interest rate	0.8		%	0.8		%	2.5		%
Expected dividend yield	3.0		%	2.7		%	2.9		%
Expected life, in years	5.1			5.1			5.0
Expected volatility (based on historical volatility)	30.1		%	22.8		%	21.9		%

The weighted average fair value of nonvested stock options outstanding on December 31, 2021 was $6.80. Total unrecognized compensation expense relating to the nonvested stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2021 was approximately $2.0 million. This amount will be recognized as expense over the remainder of the vesting period, which is scheduled to be 2022 through 2025. Expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for the entire award. Forfeitures of unvested amounts due to terminations and/or early retirements are recognized as a reduction to the related expenses.

Total unrecognized compensation expense relating to RSUs outstanding as of December 31, 2021 was approximately $6.6 million. This amount will be recognized as expense over the remainder of the performance and/or vesting period, which is scheduled to be 2022 through 2024. Expense is recognized on a straight-line basis from the date of grant through the end of the performance and/or vesting period for the entire award. Forfeitures of unvested amounts due to terminations are recognized as a reduction to the related expenses.

Income Taxes

The Company uses the asset and liability method for calculating deferred federal income taxes. Income tax provisions are generally based on income reported for financial statement purposes. The provisions for federal income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 included amounts currently payable and deferred income taxes resulting from the cumulative differences in the Company's assets and liabilities, determined on a tax return versus financial statement basis.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities include provisions for net unrealized investment gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities as well as the net funded status of benefit plans with the changes for each period included in the respective components of AOCI within shareholders' equity.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per ShareBasic earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the weighted average number of fully vested RSUs and common stock units (CSUs) payable as shares of HMEC common stock. Diluted earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares and common stock equivalents outstanding, to the extent dilutive. The Company's common stock equivalents relate to outstanding common stock options, deferred compensation CSUs and incentive compensation RSUs,

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Consolidated Statements of Cash FlowsFor purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, cash constitutes cash on deposit at banks as well as restricted cash.

Future Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Accounting for Long-Duration Insurance Contracts

In August 2018, the FASB issued accounting and disclosure guidance that contains targeted improvements to the accounting for long-duration insurance contracts. Under the new guidance, the cash flow assumptions used to measure the liability for future policy benefits for traditional insurance contracts will be required to be updated at least annually with changes recognized as a benefit expense (i.e., assumptions will no longer be locked-in). Insurance entities will be required to use a standard discount rate to measure the liabilities that will be equivalent to the yield from a high-quality bond. The new guidance also changes the amortization of DAC to be on a constant-level basis over the expected term of the related contracts with no interest accruing on the DAC balance. The new guidance also introduces a new category of contract features associated with deposit type contracts referred to as market risk benefits (MRBs). Contract features meeting the definition of a MRB will be measured at fair value. New disclosures will be required for long-duration insurance contracts in order to provide better transparency into the exposure of insurance entities and the drivers of their results. For public business entities, the guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022, including

interim periods within those years. With regards to the liability for future policy benefits and DAC, the guidance applies to contracts in force as of the beginning of the earliest period presented and may be applied retrospectively. With regards to MRBs, the guidance is to be applied retrospectively at the beginning of the earliest period presented. Early adoption is permitted. Management is evaluating the impact this guidance will have on the results of operations and financial position of the Company.

Fair Value Measurement

The Company is required to disclose estimated fair values for certain financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities. Fair values of the Company's insurance contracts other than annuity contracts (which are investment contracts) and equity method limited partnership interests are not required to be disclosed. However, the estimated fair values of liabilities under all insurance contracts are taken into consideration in the Company's overall management of interest rate risk through the matching of investment maturities with amounts due under insurance contracts.

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable, unrelated and willing market participants on the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The Company categorizes its financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities into a three-level hierarchy based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique. The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are:


Level 1			Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 1 assets and liabilities include fixed maturity and equity securities (both common stock and preferred stock) that are traded in an active exchange market, as well as U.S. Treasury securities.
Level 2			Unadjusted observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for the assets or liabilities. Level 2 assets and liabilities include fixed maturity securities (1) with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments or (2) values based on discounted cash flows with observable inputs. This category generally includes certain U.S. Government and agency mortgage-backed securities, non-agency structured securities, corporate fixed maturity securities, preferred stocks, derivatives and embedded derivatives.
Level 3			Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, certain discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation and for which the significant inputs are unobservable. This category generally includes certain private debt and equity investments, as well as embedded derivatives.

When the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. As a result, a Level 3 fair value measurement may include inputs that are observable (Level 1 or Level 2) and unobservable (Level 3). Net transfers into or out of each of the three levels are reported as having occurred at the end of the reporting period in which the transfers were determined.

The following discussion describes the valuation methodologies used for financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value. The techniques utilized in estimating the fair values are affected by the assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. The use of different methodologies, assumptions and inputs may have a material effect on the estimated fair values of the Company's investment holdings. Care is exercised in deriving conclusions about the Company's business, its value or financial position based on the fair value information of financial assets and liabilities presented below.

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on available market information and judgments about the financial asset or financial liability, including estimates of both the timing and amount of expected future cash flows and the credit standing of the issuer. In some cases, fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets. In addition, the disclosed fair value may not be realized in the immediate settlement of the financial asset or financial liability. The disclosed fair values do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time an entire holding of a particular financial asset or financial liability. In periods of market disruption, the ability to observe prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments. This condition could cause an instrument to be reclassified from Level 1 to Level 2 or from Level 2 to Level 3. Potential taxes and other expenses that would be incurred in an actual sale or settlement are not reflected in amounts disclosed.

Investments

The fair value of a fixed maturity security is the estimated amount at which the security could be exchanged in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable, unrelated and willing parties. The Company utilizes ICE Data Pricing, its investment managers and custodian bank to obtain fair value prices from independent third-party valuation service providers, broker quotes, model prices and matrix pricing. Each month, the Company obtains fair value prices from its investment managers and custodian bank, each of which use a variety of independent, nationally recognized pricing sources to determine market valuations for fixed maturity securities. Differences in prices between the sources that the Company considers significant are researched and the Company utilizes the price that it considers most representative of an exit price. Typical inputs used by these pricing sources include, but are not limited to, reported trades, bids, offers, benchmark yield curves, benchmarking of like securities, rating designations, sector groupings, issuer spreads and/or estimated cash flows, prepayment and default speeds, among others. The Company's fixed maturity securities portfolio is primarily publicly traded, which allows for a high percentage of the portfolio to be priced through pricing services. Approximately 90.2% and 91.9% of the portfolio, based on fair value, was priced through pricing services or index priced as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The remainder of the portfolio was priced by broker quotes, model prices or matrix pricing. When non-binding broker quotes can be corroborated by comparison to other vendor quotes, pricing models or analyses, the securities are generally classified as Level 2, otherwise they are classified as Level 3. There were no significant changes to the valuation process during 2021.

The valuation of hard-to-value fixed maturity securities (generally 150 -200 securities) is more subjective because the markets are less liquid and there is a lack of observable market-based inputs. This may increase the potential that the estimated fair value of an investment is not reflective of the price at which an actual transaction would occur. When the pricing sources cannot provide fair value determinations, the investment managers obtain non-binding price quotes from brokers. For those securities where the investment manager cannot obtain broker quotes, they will model the security, generally using anticipated cash flows of the underlying collateral. Brokers' valuation methodologies as well as investment managers’ modeling methodologies are sometimes matrix-based, using indicative evaluation measures and adjustments for specific security characteristics and market sentiment. The selection of the market inputs and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of hard-to-value fixed maturity securities requires judgment and includes: benchmark yield, liquidity premium, estimated cash flows, prepayment and default speeds, spreads, weighted average life, and credit rating. The extent of the use of each market input depends on the market sector and market conditions. Depending on the security, the priority of the use of inputs may change or some market inputs may not be relevant. For some securities, additional inputs may be necessary.

The Company gains assurance that its portfolio of fixed maturity securities including hard-to-value fixed maturity securities is appropriately valued through the execution of various processes and controls designed to ensure the overall reasonableness and consistent application of valuation methodologies, including inputs and assumptions, and compliance with accounting standards. The Company’s processes and controls are designed to ensure (1) the valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistently applied, (2) the inputs and assumptions are reasonable and consistent with the objective of determining fair value, and (3) the fair values are accurately recorded. For example, on a continuing basis, the Company assesses the reasonableness of individual fair values that have stale security prices or that exceed certain thresholds as compared to previous fair values received from valuation service providers. The Company performs procedures to understand and assess the methodologies, processes and controls of valuation service providers. In addition, the Company may validate the reasonableness of fair values by comparing information obtained from valuation service providers or brokers to other third-party valuation sources for selected securities.

To determine the fair value of equity securities, the Company utilizes its investment managers and its custodian bank to obtain fair value prices from independent third-party valuation service providers. Each month, the Company obtains fair value prices from its investment managers and custodian bank, each of which use a variety of independent, nationally recognized pricing sources to determine market valuations for equity securities.

Policy loans and mortgage loans as well as investments in limited partnership interests which are accounted for using EMA are excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

In summary, the following financial assets and financial liabilities are carried at fair value:

Financial assets

•Fixed maturity securities including hard-to-value fixed maturity securities, as described above.

•Equity securities, as described above.

•Short-term fixed maturity securities — Because of the nature of these assets, carrying amounts generally approximate fair values.

•Derivatives — Fair values are based on the amount of cash expected to be received to settle each derivative on the reporting date. These amounts are obtained from each of the counterparties using industry accepted valuation models and observable inputs. Significant inputs include contractual terms, underlying index prices, market volatilities, interest rates and dividend yields.

•FHLB membership and activity stocks — Fair value is based on redemption value, which is equal to par value.

Financial liabilities

•The fair value of derivatives embedded in IUL contracts is set equal to the fair value of the outstanding call options.

•The fair value of derivatives embedded in FIA contracts is determined using the option budget method for each premium received (i.e., the option budget method is used as the future account growth rate). With this method, future excess cash flows (defined as benefits in excess of required non-forfeiture benefits) are discounted at the risk-free rate and adjusted for non-performance, to determine the fair value of the embedded derivatives.