LBL Consultant II
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2019
FILE NO. 333-224094
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-1
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
LINCOLN
BENEFIT LIFE COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant)
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| Nebraska |
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6300 |
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470221457 |
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of Organization) |
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(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number) |
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number) |
1221 N Street, Suite 200,
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
(800) 525-9287
(Address and Phone Number of Registrant’s Principal Executive Office)
FOROZAN NASERY
LINCOLN
BENEFIT LIFE COMPANY
1221 N Street, Suite 200
Lincoln, NE 68508
1-800-525-9287
(Name of Agent for Service)
Approximate date of
commencement of proposed sale to the Public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.
If any of the securities
being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this
Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
Indicate by
check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large
accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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| Large accelerated filer |
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Accelerated filed |
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| Non-accelerated filer |
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Smaller reporting company |
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| Emerging growth company |
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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period
for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
Table of Contents
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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| Title of securities
being registered |
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Amount
to be registered
(1) |
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Proposed
maximum offering
price per unit |
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Proposed
maximum
aggregate
offering price (1) |
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Amount of
registration fee (2) |
| Deferred annuity interests and participating interests
therein |
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$N/A |
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$(1) |
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$N/A |
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$N/A |
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The Contract does not provide for a predetermined amount or number of units. |
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By filing dated April 2, 2018, Lincoln Benefit Life Company carried over $156,857,716 of unsold securities
from registration no. 333-203370 filed on April 13, 2015, and registered an additional $200,000,000 of deferred annuity interests and participating interests therein and paid a filing fee of $24,900.
Registrant continues that offering in this Post-Effective Amendment to that Registration Statement. |
This Registration
Statement contains a combined prospectus under Rule 429 under the Securities Act of 1933 which relates to the Form S-1 registration statement (File Nos. 333-224094
and 333-203370), filed on April 2, 2018 and April 13, 2015, respectively, by Lincoln Benefit Life Company. Upon effectiveness, this Registration Statement will also act as a post-effective amendment
to such earlier registration statement.
Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file
a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such
date as the Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any State
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Allstate Distributors, L.L.C. (“ADLLC”) serves as distributor of the securities registered herein. The securities offered herein are sold on a
continuous basis, and there is no specific end date for the offering. ADLLC is a registered broker dealer under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. ADLLC is not
required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of securities, but will use its best efforts to sell the securities offered. Commissions earned by ADLLC are described in the notes to the insurer financial statements, under the heading
“Broker-Dealer Agreements.” The prospectuses, dated as of the date indicated therein, by which the securities registered in this Form S-1 are described, are included in this registration
statement.
LINCOLN BENEFIT LIFE COMPANY
Supplement Dated April 29, 2019
To the following Prospectuses, as supplemented
CONSULTANT SOLUTIONS (CLASSIC, PLUS, ELITE, SELECT) PROSPECTUS DATED APRIL 29, 2019
CONSULTANT I PROSPECTUS DATED APRIL 29, 2019
LBL ADVANTAGE PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 2004
CONSULTANT II PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 2004
PREMIER PLANNER PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 2004
The following information supplements the prospectus for your variable annuity contract issued by Lincoln Benefit Life Company.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ABOUT
LINCOLN BENEFIT LIFE COMPANY
INDEX
LINCOLN BENEFIT LIFE RISK FACTORS
This
document contains “forward-looking statements” that anticipate results based on our estimates, assumptions and plans that are subject to uncertainty. These statements are made subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments, except as required by law.
These forward-looking statements do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may be identified by their use of words like
“plans,” “seeks,” “expects,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “believes,” “likely,” “targets”
and other words with similar meanings. These statements may address,
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among other things, our strategy for growth, investment results, regulatory approvals, market position, expenses, financial results, litigation and reserves. We believe that these statements are
based on reasonable estimates, assumptions and plans. However, if the estimates, assumptions or plans underlying the forward-looking statements prove inaccurate or if other risks or uncertainties arise, actual results could differ materially from
those communicated in these forward-looking statements.
In addition to the normal risks of business, we are subject to significant risks
and uncertainties, including those listed below, which apply to us as an insurer. These risks constitute our cautionary statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and readers should carefully review such cautionary
statements as they identify certain important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements and historical trends. These cautionary statements are not exclusive and are in addition to other
factors discussed elsewhere in this document, in our filings with the SEC or in materials incorporated therein by reference.
Changes in actual
experience could materially affect the profitability of our business.
Our liability pricing includes long-term assumptions regarding
investment returns, mortality, morbidity, persistency and operating costs and expenses of our business. We establish target returns based upon these factors and the average amount of capital that we must hold to support in-force contracts taking into account rating agencies and regulatory requirements. Profitability emerges over a period of years depending on the nature and life of the product and is subject to variability as
actual results may differ from pricing assumptions. Additionally, many of our products have fixed or guaranteed terms that limit our ability to increase revenues or reduce benefits, including credited interest, once the product has been issued.
Our profitability depends on the adequacy of investment spreads, the management of market and credit risks associated with investments, the
sufficiency of premiums and contract charges to cover mortality and morbidity benefits, the persistency of policies, and the management of operating costs and expenses within anticipated pricing allowances. We may face losses if there are
significant deviations from our assumptions regarding the future persistency of our insurance policies and annuity contracts. The prices and expected future profitability of our life insurance and deferred annuity products are based in part upon
assumptions related to persistency. Economic and market dislocations may occur and future consumer persistency behaviors could vary materially from the past. The effect of persistency on profitability varies for different products. For example,
continued activity in the viatical, stranger-owned, and/or life settlement industry could cause the Company’s level of lapses to differ from its assumptions, which could negatively impact the Company’s performance. Assumptions and
estimates involve judgment, and by their nature are imprecise and subject to changes and revisions over time. Accordingly, the Company’s results may be affected, positively or negatively, from time to time, by actual results differing from
assumptions by changes in estimates, and by changes resulting from implementing new systems and procedures that facilitate the calculation of more precise estimates. Legislation and regulation of the insurance marketplace and products could also
affect the profitability of our business.
Changes in reserve estimates may adversely affect our operating results.
We establish and hold reserves to pay future policy benefits and claims. The reserve for life-contingent contract benefits is computed on the
basis of long-term actuarial assumptions of future investment yields, mortality, morbidity, persistency and expenses. Our reserves do not represent an exact calculation of liability, but rather are actuarial or statistical estimates based on data
and models that include many assumptions and projections, which are inherently uncertain and involve the exercise of significant judgment. We periodically review the adequacy of these reserves and the underlying assumptions. We cannot, however,
determine with precision the amounts that we will pay for, or the timing of payment of, actual benefits, claims and expenses or whether the assets supporting our policy liabilities, together with future premiums, will grow to the level assumed prior
to the payment of benefits or claims. If actual experience differs significantly from assumptions or estimates, reserves may not be adequate. If we conclude that our reserves, together with future premiums, are
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insufficient to cover future policy benefits and claims, we would be required to increase our reserves and incur income statement charges for the period in which we make the determination, which
could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Changes in market interest rates and/or credit spreads may
lead to a significant decrease in the profitability of our spread-based products and may adversely impact investment income.
We are
subject to the risk that we will incur losses due to adverse changes in interest rates or credit spreads. Adverse changes to these rates and spreads may occur due to changes in fiscal policy and the economic climate, the liquidity of a market or
market segment, insolvency or financial distress of key market makers or participants, or changes in market perceptions of credit worthiness and/or risk tolerance. We are subject to risks associated with potential declines in credit quality related
to specific issuers or specific industries and a general weakening in the economy, which are typically reflected through credit spreads. Credit spread is the additional yield on fixed income securities above the risk-free rate (typically referenced
as the yield on U.S. Treasury securities) that market participants require to compensate them for assuming credit, liquidity and/or prepayment risks. Credit spreads vary (i.e., increase or decrease) in response to the market’s perception of
risk and liquidity in a specific issuer or specific sector and are influenced by the credit ratings, and the reliability of those ratings, published by external rating agencies. A decline in the quality of our investment portfolio as a result of
adverse economic conditions or otherwise could cause additional realized and unrealized losses on securities. Similarly, a ratings downgrade affecting a security we hold could indicate the credit quality of that security has deteriorated and could
increase the capital we must hold to support that security to maintain our risk-based capital levels. Levels of writedowns and impairments are impacted by intent to sell, or our assessment of the likelihood that we will be required to sell fixed
maturity securities. Realized losses or impairments on these securities may have a material adverse effect on our net income in a particular period.
Our ability to manage our fixed annuities and interest-sensitive life products is dependent upon maintaining profitable spreads between
investment yields and interest crediting rates. When market interest rates decrease or remain at relatively low levels, cash flows from renewal premium, investments that have matured or have been prepaid or sold may be reinvested at lower yields,
reducing investment spread. Lowering interest crediting rates on some products in such an environment can partially offset decreases in investment yield. However, these changes could be limited by market conditions, regulatory minimum rates or
contractual minimum rate guarantees on many contracts and may not match the timing or magnitude of changes in investment yields. Decreases in the interest crediting rates offered on products could make those products less attractive, leading to
changes in the level of policy loans, surrenders and withdrawals. This process may lead to a flow of cash out of our business. These outflows may require investment assets to be sold at a time when the prices of those assets are lower because of the
increase in market interest rates, which may result in realized investment losses. For certain products, principally fixed annuity and interest-sensitive life products, the earned rate on assets could lag behind rising market yields. We may react to
market conditions by increasing crediting rates, which could narrow spreads and reduce profitability on our business. Additionally, an increase in market interest rates or credit spreads could have an adverse effect on the value of our investment
portfolio by decreasing the fair values of the fixed income securities that comprise a substantial majority of our investment portfolio.
Changes in
estimates of profitability on interest-sensitive life, fixed annuities and other investment products may adversely affect our profitability and financial condition through the amortization of Value of Business Acquired (“VOBA”).
VOBA related to interest-sensitive life, fixed annuities and other investment contracts is amortized in proportion to actual historical gross
profits and estimated future gross profits (“EGP”) over the estimated lives of the contracts. The principal assumptions for determining the amount of EGP are mortality, persistency, expenses, investment returns, including capital gains and
losses on assets supporting contract liabilities, interest crediting rates to contractholders, and the effects of any hedges. Updates to these assumptions (commonly referred to as “VOBA unlocking”) could adversely affect our profitability
and financial condition.
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Guarantees within certain of our products may decrease our earnings, increase the volatility of our
results, result in higher risk management costs and expose us to increased counterparty risk.
Certain of our products include
guaranteed benefits. These guarantees are designed to protect contractholders against significant downturns in equity markets and interest rates. Any such periods of significant and sustained downturns in equity markets, increased equity volatility,
or reduced interest rates could result in an increase in the valuation of our liabilities associated with those products. An increase in these liabilities would result in a decrease in our net income. We use hedging and risk management strategies to
mitigate the liability exposure and the volatility of net income associated with these liabilities. These strategies involve the use of reinsurance and derivatives, which may not be completely effective. In addition, hedging instruments may not
effectively offset the costs of guarantees or may otherwise be insufficient in relation to our obligations. Furthermore, we are subject to the risk that changes in contractholder behavior or mortality, combined with adverse market events, produce
economic losses not addressed by the risk management techniques employed. These, individually or collectively, may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, including net income, financial condition or liquidity.
We may not be able to mitigate the capital impact associated with statutory reinsurance reserving requirements, potentially adversely impacting the
profitability of our business.
To support statutory reserves for certain term and universal life insurance products with secondary
guarantees, we currently utilize reinsurance and capital markets solutions for financing a portion of our statutory reserve requirements deemed to be non-economic. If we are not able to maintain sufficient
financing as a result of market conditions or otherwise, this could potentially adversely impact the profitability of our business.
Changes in tax
laws and interpretations may decrease the profitability of our products and could adversely affect the Company.
On December 22,
2017, President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act into legislation, which made significant changes to federal income tax laws for life insurance companies. The issuance of further administrative rulings or court decisions could further increase
our effective tax rate, make our current contractholders’ products less desirable and lower our net income on both a statutory accounting and GAAP basis. We continue to closely monitor developments related to potential changes and
interpretations in the tax law and assess, when possible, the potential impact to both our earnings and our products in runoff.
Department of Labor
(“DOL”) regulation defining fiduciary could cause some changes to the manner in which we deliver products and services, as well as changes in nature and amount of compensation and fees.
The Department of Labor (“DOL”) plans to introduce a revised fiduciary rule in September 2019. However, it is unclear whether the DOL
will substantially rescind or revise the regulations as adopted in 2016. In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission is also working on developing its own fiduciary standard that would apply to recommendations made by financial advisors who
work on a commission basis and would apply regardless of the type of account (IRA or non-qualified) an investor holds. Furthermore, several states have either issued their own fiduciary rules or are
considering doing so and those rules may extend to certain types of products (e.g. insurance and annuities, financial planning, etc.) or may broadly cover all recommendations made by financial advisors. We are also seeing self-regulatory bodies like
the Certified Financial Planner Board working on a fiduciary standard that would apply to financial advisors who hold a Certified Financial Planner designation.
Depending on the span and substance of any fiduciary rules and regulations and timing of their applicability, the scope of any implementation
should not materially impact the way we compensate our advisors, particularly with respect to our closed block annuity business. Depending on the final regulations, compliance with prohibited transactions exemptions when fully phased in would likely
require additional supervision with the possibility of
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overlapping or competing requirements from other regulators and increase litigation risk, all of which could adversely impact our business, results of operations and/or financial condition.
The Company is dependent on the performance of others.
The Company’s results may be affected by the performance of others because the Company has entered into various arrangements in support of
our business operations involving third parties. Certain of these third parties may act on behalf of the Company or represent the Company in various capacities, including but not limited to the administration of our contractholders’ activities
or the management of our invested assets on a day-to-day basis. Additionally, the Company’s operations are dependent on various technologies, some of which are
provided and/or maintained by third parties. Any of the third parties that the Company depends upon may default on their services or obligations to the Company due to bankruptcy, insolvency, lack of liquidity, adverse economic conditions,
operational failure, fraud, or other reasons. Further, the Company may be held responsible for obligations that arise from the acts or omissions of these third parties. Such defaults could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s
financial condition and results of operations.
If our internal controls are ineffective, our operating results could be adversely affected.
Our internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements because of its inherent limitations, including the
possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of controls or fraud. Even effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements. If we fail to
maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, including any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or if we experience difficulties in their implementation, our business and operating results could be harmed and we could fail to
meet our financial reporting obligations.
If our estimates or judgments relating to our critical accounting policies prove to be incorrect, our
operating results could be adversely affected.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be
reasonable under the circumstances, as provided in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The results of these estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values
of assets, liabilities and equity, and the amount of revenue and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Our operating results may be adversely affected if our assumptions change or if actual circumstances differ from those in our
assumptions, which could cause our operating results to fall below the expectations of investors, regulators and rating agencies.
The sale of LBL
HoldCo, Inc., Lincoln Benefit’s indirect parent, may be disruptive to the Company’s operations.
On October 1, 2017, the
indirect parents of the registrant (Lincoln Benefit), RL L.P. and RL (Parallel) Partnership (collectively “RL LP”), entered into an agreement with SNH Acquisition, LLC and Southland National Holdings, Inc. to sell LBL HoldCo, Inc. and its
subsidiaries, including Lincoln Benefit, to SNH Acquisition, LLC. On October 30, 2018, RL LP provided notice to SNH Acquisition, LLC of the termination by RL LP of the agreement that had been entered into for the acquisition of LBL HoldCo, Inc.
and subsidiaries (including the Company) by SNH Acquisition, LLC. RL LP is considering its strategic alternatives with respect to Lincoln Benefit, which could include the sale of Lincoln Benefit to a third party.
The risks and uncertainties related to any future strategic directives by RL LP include, but are not limited to:
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unanticipated difficulties and expenditures; |
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disruption of current plans and operations resulting from any transition to or integration with new management
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diversion of management time and focus from operating our business to addressing due diligence and integration
challenges; and |
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the response of customers, agents, competitors and regulators to the closing of any potential sale.
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Lincoln Benefit’s failure to address these risks could cause us to incur unanticipated liabilities, impose harmful
disruptions to our customer service operations and harm our business generally.
We may be unable to retain our highly qualified employees.
Our business depends on our ability to attract, motivate and retain highly skilled and often highly specialized technical, actuarial,
managerial and executive personnel, and there is no assurance that we will be able to do so. We compete with other financial services companies for employees primarily on the basis of compensation and financial position. Our reputation, operations,
and internal controls could be materially adversely affected if we are unsuccessful in retaining highly qualified employees. LBL HoldCo II, Inc.’s inability to recruit or our failure to retain a sufficient number of qualified individuals in the
future may impair our efficiency and effectiveness to service contractholders and provide sound operational controls for our overall enterprise, including the accurate and timely preparation of required regulatory filings.
Risks Relating to Investments
The determination of
the fair value of our fixed income securities is subjective and could materially impact our operating results and financial condition.
In determining fair values, we principally use the market approach which utilizes market transaction data for the same or similar instruments.
The degree of management judgment involved in determining fair values is inversely related to the availability of market observable information. The fair value of assets may differ from the actual amount received upon sale of an asset in an orderly
transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Moreover, the use of different valuation assumptions may have a material effect on the assets’ fair values. The difference between amortized cost or cost and fair value, net of
deferred income taxes, certain VOBA, and certain reserves for life-contingent contract benefits, is reflected as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholder’s equity. Changing market conditions could materially affect
the determination of the fair value of securities and unrealized net capital gains and losses could vary significantly.
Concentration of our
investment portfolio in any particular segment of the economy may have adverse effects on our operating results and financial condition.
The concentration of our investment portfolio in any particular industry, collateral type, group of related industries, geographic sector or
risk type could have an adverse effect on our investment portfolio and consequently on our results of operations and financial condition. Events or developments that have a negative impact on any particular industry, group of related industries or
geographic region may have a greater adverse effect on the investment portfolio to the extent that the portfolio is concentrated, rather than diversified.
The determination of the amount of realized capital losses recorded for impairments of our investments is subjective and could materially impact our
operating results and financial condition.
The determination of the amount of realized capital losses recorded for impairments varies
by investment type and is based on our ongoing evaluation and assessment of known and inherent risks associated with the respective asset class. Such evaluations and assessments are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available.
We update our evaluations regularly and reflect changes in other-than-temporary impairments
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in our results of operations. The assessment of whether other-than-temporary impairments have occurred is based on our
case-by-case evaluation of the underlying reasons for the decline in fair value. We define fair value generally as the price that would be received to sell an asset or
paid to transfer a liability. Our conclusions on such assessments are judgmental and include assumptions and projections of future cash flows which may ultimately prove to be incorrect as assumptions, facts and circumstances change. Furthermore,
historical trends may not be indicative of future impairments and additional impairments may need to be recorded in the future.
Defaults or
deteriorating credit of securities collateralized by residential and commercial mortgage loans, and collateralized corporate loans may lead to write-downs and impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Changes in residential or commercial mortgage delinquencies, loss severities or recovery rates, declining residential or commercial real estate
prices, corporate loan delinquencies or recovery rates, changes in credit or bond insurer strength ratings and the quality of service provided by service providers on securities in our portfolio could lead us to determine that write-downs are
necessary in the future.
Our investment strategies may be adversely affected by developments in the financial markets.
Our investment management strategies may be adversely affected by unexpected developments in the financial markets. Slowing of global growth,
tightening monetary policy in the U.S. and increasing political uncertainty remain key challenges for markets. There may be a limited market for certain investments we hold in our investment portfolio, making them relatively illiquid. These include
corporate bonds, privately-placed fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans and policy loans. If we were forced to sell certain of our investments during periods of market volatility or disruption, market prices may be lower than our carrying value
in such investments. Even in the absence of a market downturn, we are exposed to substantial risk of loss due to market volatility.
Risks Relating to
the Insurance Industry
Difficult conditions in the global economy and capital markets generally could adversely affect our business and operating
results.
Our business and results of operations are materially affected by conditions in the global capital markets and the economy
generally. Stressed conditions, volatility and disruptions in global capital markets, particular markets, or financial asset classes can have an adverse effect on us, in part because we have a large investment portfolio and certain of our insurance
liabilities are sensitive to changing market factors. Market factors, including interest rates, credit spreads, equity prices, real estate markets, consumer spending, business investment, government spending, the volatility and strength of the
capital markets, deflation and inflation, all affect the business and economic environment and, ultimately, the amount and profitability of our business. Disruptions in one market or asset class can also spread to other markets or asset classes.
Upheavals in the financial markets can also affect our business through their effects on general levels of economic activity, employment and customer behavior. Financial markets have also been affected periodically by concerns over U.S. fiscal
policy. These issues could, on their own, or combined with the possible slowing of the global economy generally, have severe repercussions to the U.S. and global credit and financial markets, further exacerbate concerns over sovereign debt of other
countries and disrupt economic activity in the U.S. and elsewhere.
General economic conditions could adversely affect us in the form of
consumer behavior and pressure investment results. Holders of some of our interest-sensitive life insurance and annuity products may engage in an elevated level of discretionary withdrawals of contractholder funds. Our contractholders may choose to
defer paying insurance premium or stop paying insurance premiums altogether. Our investment results could be adversely affected as deteriorating financial and business conditions affect the issuers of the securities in our investment portfolio.
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Losses from legal and regulatory actions may be material to our operating results or cash flows and may
result in harm to our reputation.
We are involved in various legal actions, some of which involve claims for substantial amounts. We
are also subject to various regulatory actions and inquiries, such as information requests, market conduct examinations, books and record examinations, from state and federal regulators and other authorities. A substantial legal liability or
significant regulatory action against us, as well as regulatory inquiries or investigations could harm our reputation, result in material fines or penalties, result in significant legal costs and otherwise have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations. Even if we ultimately prevail in the litigation, regulatory actions or investigation, our ability to retain our current contractholders and recruit and retain employees could be materially and
adversely impacted.
We are subject to extensive regulation and potential further restrictive regulation may increase our operating costs.
As an insurance company, we are subject to extensive state regulatory oversight in the jurisdictions in which we do business, as well as, to
federal oversight in some aspects of our business.
State insurance authorities have broad administrative powers with respect to various
aspects of the insurance business, including, but not limited to: standards of minimum capital requirements and solvency, including risk-based capital measurements; restrictions on certain transactions; licensing status; and reserving, payment of
policy benefits. The primary purpose of such regulatory supervision is to protect contractholders, rather than the insurance company. State insurance regulators and the NAIC regularly re-examine existing laws
and regulations applicable to insurance companies and their products. Changes in these laws and regulations, or in interpretations thereof, may adversely impact pricing, capital requirements, reserve adequacy, or exposure to litigation, and could
lead to additional expense for the insurer and increase the cost of regulatory compliance.
State regulatory authorities have relatively
broad discretion to grant, renew or revoke licenses and approvals. Although we endeavor to maintain all required licenses and approvals, if we do not have the requisite licenses and approvals or do not comply with applicable regulatory requirements,
the insurance regulatory authorities could preclude or temporarily suspend us from carrying on some or all of our activities or impose substantial fines. Further, insurance regulatory authorities have relatively broad discretion to issue orders of
supervision, which permit such authorities to supervise the business and operations of an insurance company. As of December 31, 2018, no state insurance regulatory authority had imposed on us any material fines or revoked or suspended any
licenses to conduct insurance business in any state or issued an order of supervision with respect to the Company, which would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
As an insurance company with separate accounts that are regulated as investment companies, we are also subject to laws and regulations
administered and enforced by a number of different governmental authorities, each of which exercises a degree of interpretive latitude, including state insurance regulators, state securities administrators, state attorneys general, and federal
agencies including the SEC, the FINRA and the U.S. Department of Justice. Consequently, we are subject to the risk that compliance with any particular regulator’s or enforcement authority’s interpretation of a legal issue may not result in
compliance with another’s interpretation of the same issue, particularly when compliance is judged in hindsight. In addition, there is risk that any particular regulator’s or enforcement authority’s interpretation of a legal issue may
change over time to our detriment, or that changes in the overall legal environment may, even absent any particular regulator’s or enforcement authority’s interpretation of a legal issue, impact the profitability of our business.
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Regulatory reforms, and the more stringent application of existing regulations, may make it more
expensive for us to conduct our business and increase our capital requirements.
At the federal level, we could be affected by laws and
regulations that may affect certain aspects of the insurance industry. While the federal government, in most contexts, currently does not directly regulate the insurance business, federal legislation and administrative policies in a number of
areas—e.g., limitations on antitrust immunity, minimum solvency requirements, systemic risk regulation, grant of resolution authority to a federal agency, uniform market conduct standards, credit for reinsurance initiatives and other proposals
at the federal level to replace or streamline state regulatory processes, employee benefits regulation, age, sex and disability-based discrimination, financial services regulation, federal taxation—as well as new federal and state privacy laws,
can significantly affect the insurance business.
We can make no assurances regarding the potential impact of state or federal measures
that may change the nature or scope of insurance and financial regulation. These regulatory reforms and any additional legislative change or regulatory requirements imposed upon us in connection with the federal government’s regulatory reform
of the financial services industry, and any more stringent enforcement of existing regulations by federal authorities, may make it more expensive for us to conduct our business, or limit our ability to grow.
The Company is subject to insurance guaranty fund laws, rules and regulations that could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition or results
of operations.
Under insurance guaranty fund laws in most states, insurance companies doing business therein can be assessed up to
prescribed limits for contractholder losses incurred by insolvent companies. From time to time, companies may be asked to contribute amounts beyond prescribed limits. It is possible that the Company could be assessed with respect to product lines
not offered by the Company. In addition, legislation may be introduced in various states with respect to guaranty fund assessment laws related to insurance products, including long term care insurance and other specialty products, that alters future
premium tax offsets received in connection with guaranty fund assessments. The Company cannot predict the amount, nature or timing of any future assessments or legislation, any of which could have a material and adverse impact on the Company’s
financial condition or results of operations.
Reinsurance may be unavailable at current levels and prices.
Market conditions beyond our control impact the availability and cost of the reinsurance. No assurances can be made that reinsurance will
remain continuously available to us to the same extent and on the same terms and rates as is currently available. We review retention limits for continued appropriateness and they may be changed in the future. Prolonged or severe adverse mortality
or morbidity experience could result in increased reinsurance costs or, ultimately, reinsurers unwilling to offer coverage. If we were unable to renew or purchase reinsurance protection in amounts that we consider sufficient and at prices that we
consider acceptable, we may have to accept an increase in risk exposure, seek other alternatives, or accept reduced profitability.
Reinsurance
subjects us to the credit risk of our reinsurers and may not be adequate to protect us against losses arising from ceded insurance, which could have a material effect on our operating results.
The collectability of reinsurance recoverables is subject to uncertainty arising from a number of factors, including changes in market
conditions, whether insured losses meet the qualifying conditions of the reinsurance contract and whether reinsurers, or their affiliates, have the financial capacity and willingness to make payments under the terms of a reinsurance treaty or
contract. Our inability to collect a material recovery from a reinsurer could have a material effect on our operating results.
9
Adverse capital and credit market conditions may significantly affect our ability to meet liquidity needs
or our ability to obtain credit on acceptable terms.
In periods of extreme volatility and disruption in the capital and credit
markets, liquidity and credit capacity may be severely restricted. In such circumstances, our ability to obtain capital to fund operating expenses, financing costs, satisfy statutory capital requirements and meet liquidity needs may be limited. Our
access to additional financing will depend on a variety of factors such as market conditions, the general availability of credit, the overall availability of credit to our industry, our credit ratings and credit capacity, as well as lenders’
perception of our long- or short-term financial prospects. Similarly, our access to funds may be impaired if regulatory authorities or rating agencies take negative actions against us. If a combination of these factors were to occur, our internal
sources of liquidity may prove to be insufficient, and in such case, we may not be able to successfully obtain additional financing on favorable terms. Our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and statutory capital position could
be materially adversely affected by disruptions in the capital markets.
A downgrade or a potential downgrade in our financial strength or credit
rating could result in a loss of business and materially affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Financial strength
ratings are published by various Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (“NRSRO”) and similar entities not formally recognized as NRSROs. They indicate the NRSROs’ opinion regarding an insurance company’s ability
to meet contractholder obligations, and are important to maintaining public confidence in our products and our competitive position.
In
view of the difficulties experienced by many financial institutions as a result of the financial crisis and ensuing global recession, including our competitors in the insurance industry, NRSROs continue to implement changes to their internal models
that have the effect of increasing or decreasing the amount of statutory capital we must hold in order to maintain our current ratings. Our ratings could be downgraded at any time and without notice by any NRSRO. In addition, these regulatory
reforms may also increase our minimum capital requirements.
Downgrades in our financial strength ratings could have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition and results of operations in many ways, including materially increasing the number or amount of policy surrenders and withdrawals by contractholders and adversely affecting our ability to obtain reinsurance at
reasonable prices or at all.
The occurrence of a catastrophe, including a large scale pandemic, the continued threat of terrorism or military actions
may have an adverse effect on the level of claim losses we incur, the value of our investment portfolio, our competitive position, liquidity, operating results and attractiveness of product offering.
Any catastrophic event, such as a large scale pandemic, the continued threat of terrorism, within the United States and abroad, or military and
other actions, and heightened security measures in response to these types of threats, may cause significant volatility and losses in our investment portfolio from changes, and result in loss of life, disruptions to commerce and reduced economic
activity. Some of the assets in our investment portfolio may be adversely affected by reduced economic activity caused by a large scale pandemic or the continued threat of terrorism. Additionally, a large scale pandemic or terrorist act could have a
material effect on renewal premium, profitability, competitiveness, liquidity, operating results and attractiveness of product offering.
Changes in
accounting standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) or other standard-setting bodies may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Through the issuance of insurance contracts registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, an insurance contract issuer is subject to
the application of generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), absent relief from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. GAAP is periodically revised, interpreted and/or expanded. As a result, such an insurance contract issuer
is required to adopt new guidance or interpretations, or could be subject to existing guidance as we enter into new transactions, which may have a material effect on our results of operations and financial condition that is either unexpected or has
a greater impact than expected.
10
The FASB has issued several accounting standards updates which could result in significant
changes in U.S. GAAP, including how we account for our financial instruments and how our financial statements are presented. Additionally, the changes could affect the way we account for and report significant areas of our business, could impose
special demands on us in the areas of governance, employee training, internal controls and disclosure. In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance on accounting for long-duration insurance contracts. The new guidance requires significant changes to
how we account for and report our insurance contracts and VOBA. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Transition guidance is currently being developed and monitored.
As an insurance company, we are also subject to statutory accounting principles (“SAP”). Any changes in the method of calculating
reserves for our life insurance and annuity products under SAP may result in increased or decreased reserve requirements. The NAIC has announced focused industry inquiries on certain matters that could have an impact on the Company’s financial
condition and results of operations. Such inquiries concern, for example, examination of statutory accounting disclosures for separate accounts, insurer use of captive reinsurance companies, variable annuity reserves and capital treatment,
reinsurance, cybersecurity practices, and risk-based capital calculations. In addition, the NAIC continues to consider various initiatives to change and modernize its financial and solvency requirements and regulations. It has adopted
principles-based reserving methodologies for life insurance and annuity reserves, but additional formulas and/or guidance relevant to the new standard are being developed. The NAIC is also considering changes to accounting regulations, governance
practices of insurers and other items. The Company cannot currently estimate what impact these more focused inquiries or proposed changes, if they occur, will have on reserve and capital requirements, financial condition or results of operations.
For a description of changes in accounting standards that are currently pending and, if known, our estimates of their expected impact,
see Note 2 of the financial statements.
The failure in cyber or other information security systems, as well as the occurrence of events unanticipated
in our disaster recovery systems, management continuity planning or a support failure from external providers, could result in a loss or disclosure of confidential information, damage to our reputation and impairment of our ability to conduct
business effectively.
Our business is highly dependent upon the effective operation of our computer systems and those of our
unaffiliated third party service providers to perform necessary business functions. We rely on these systems throughout our business for a variety of functions, including processing claims, providing information to customers and distributors,
performing actuarial analyses and maintaining financial records. We also retain confidential and proprietary information on our computer systems and we rely on sophisticated technologies and our third party service providers to maintain the security
of that information. Our computer systems have been, and will likely continue to be, subject to computer viruses or other malicious codes, unauthorized access, cyber-attacks or other computer-related penetrations. Despite our implementation of
administrative and technical controls and other preventive actions to reduce the risk of cyber-incidents and protect our information technology, there can be no assurance that our computer systems and those of our unaffiliated service providers will
not be vulnerable to physical and electronic break-ins, cyber-attacks or other security breaches to our computer systems, or similar disruptions. If one or more of these events occurs, it could potentially
jeopardize the confidential, proprietary and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our computer systems and networks, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations, which could result in damage to
our reputation, financial losses, litigation, increased costs, regulatory penalties and/or customer dissatisfaction or loss.
The
occurrence of a disaster such as a natural catastrophe, epidemic, industrial accident, blackout, computer virus, terrorist attack or war, cyber-attack, events unanticipated in our disaster recovery systems, or a support failure from external
providers, could have an adverse effect on our ability to conduct business and on our results of operations and financial condition, particularly if those events affect our computer-based data processing, transmission, storage, and retrieval systems
or destroy data. If a significant number of our third party service providers were rendered unavailable in the event of a disaster, our ability to effectively conduct our business
11
could be severely compromised. These interruptions also may interfere with our third party service providers’s ability to provide services and our employees’ ability to perform their
job responsibilities.
The failure of our computer systems and/or our disaster recovery plans for any reason could cause significant
interruptions in our operations and result in a failure to maintain the security, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data, including personal information relating to our customers. Such a failure could harm our reputation, subject us to
regulatory sanctions and legal claims, lead to a loss of customers and revenues and otherwise adversely affect our business and financial results.
Although we conduct due diligence, negotiate contractual provisions and, in most cases, conduct periodic reviews of our vendors, distributors,
and other third parties that provide operational or information technology services to us to confirm compliance with the Company’s information security standards, the failure of such third parties’ computer systems and/or their disaster
recovery plans for any reason might cause significant interruptions in our operations and result in a failure to maintain the security, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data, including personal information relating to our customers. Such a
failure could harm our reputation, subject us to regulatory sanctions and legal claims, lead to a loss of contractholders and revenues and otherwise adversely affect our business and financial results. While we maintain cyber liability insurance,
our insurance may not be sufficient to protect us against all losses.
We are subject to data security and privacy risks that could negatively affect
our results, operations or reputation.
Hackers and data thieves are increasingly sophisticated and operate large-scale and complex
automated attacks. Despite our efforts to ensure the integrity of our systems, it is possible that we may not be able to anticipate and implement effective preventative or detective measures against security breaches of all types because the
techniques used change frequently or are not recognized until launched and because cyber-attacks can originate from a wide variety of sources or parties. Those parties may also attempt to fraudulently induce employees, contractholders or other users
of our system to deliberately or inadvertently disclose sensitive information in order to gain access to our data or that of our contractholders. Any breach of our network may result in the loss of valuable business data, misappropriation of our
consumers’ or employees’ personal information or a disruption of our business, which could give rise to unwanted media attention, materially damage our customer relationships and reputation and result in lost sales, fines or lawsuits.
In addition, we must comply with increasingly complex and rigorous regulatory standards enacted to protect business and personal data. Cyber
threats and related legal and regulatory standards applicable to our business are rapidly evolving and may subject the Company to heightened legal standards, new theories of liability and material claims and penalties that we cannot currently
predict or anticipate. The NAIC has adopted the Insurance Data Security Model Law which established the standards for data security and investigation and notification of a breach of data security for insurance companies, and an increasing number of
states require that affected persons be notified if a security breach results in the disclosure of their personally identifiable information. Any compromise of the security of our computer systems that results in the inappropriate disclosure of
personally identifiable customer information could damage our reputation in the marketplace, subject us to significant civil and criminal liability and require us to incur significant technical, legal and other expenses.
As cyber threats and applicable legal standards continue to evolve, the Company may be required to expend significant additional resources to
continue to modify or enhance our protective measures and computer systems, and to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities. If the Company experiences security events or other technological failures, it may be subject to
regulatory inquiries or proceedings, litigation or reputational damage or be required to pay claims, fines or penalties.
12
Failure of a vendor to protect personal information of our customers, claimants or employees could affect
our operations.
We outsource certain information technology, policy administration, investment management and actuarial functions to
third party service providers. In the event that one or more of our vendors fails to protect personal information of our customers, claimants or employees, we may suffer operational impairments and financial losses.
We may not be able to protect our intellectual property and may be subject to infringement claims.
We rely on a combination of contractual rights and copyright, trademark, patent and trade secret laws to establish and protect our intellectual
property. Although we use a broad range of measures to protect our intellectual property rights, third parties may infringe or misappropriate our intellectual property. We may have to litigate to enforce and protect our intellectual property and to
determine its scope, validity or enforceability, which could divert significant resources and prove unsuccessful. An inability to protect our intellectual property could have a material effect on our business.
We may be subject to claims by third parties for patent, trademark or copyright infringement or breach of usage rights. Any such claims and
any resulting litigation could result in significant expense and liability. If our third party service providers or we are found to have infringed a third-party intellectual property right, either of us could be enjoined from providing certain
products or services or from utilizing and benefiting from certain methods, processes, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets or licenses. Alternatively, we could be required to enter into costly licensing arrangements with third parties or implement
a costly work around. Any of these scenarios could have a material effect on our business and results of our operations.
Our risk management policies
and procedures may leave us exposed to unidentified or unanticipated risk, which could negatively affect our business.
We have devoted
significant resources to develop and periodically update our risk management policies and procedures to reflect ongoing review of our risks and expect to continue to do so in the future. Nonetheless, our policies and procedures may not be
comprehensive and may not identify every risk to which we are exposed. Many of our methods for managing risk and exposures are based upon the use of observed historical market behavior or statistics based on historical models. As a result, these
methods may not fully predict future exposures, which can be significantly greater than our historical measures indicate. Other risk management methods depend upon the evaluation of information regarding markets, clients, catastrophe occurrence or
other matters that is publicly available or otherwise accessible to us. This information may not always be accurate, complete, up-to-date or properly evaluated. In
addition, more extensive and perhaps different risk management policies and procedures might have to be implemented under pending regulations.
Our
associates may take risks not in accordance with our risk management policies which could negatively affect our financial condition and business.
As an insurance enterprise, we are in the business of accepting certain risks. The associates who conduct our business, including executive
officers and other members of management, investment professionals, sales agents, and other associates, do so in part by making decisions and choices that involve exposing us to risk. These include decisions such as pricing, determining what assets
to purchase for investment and when to sell them, which business opportunities to pursue, and other decisions. We endeavor, in the design and implementation of our compensation programs and practices, to avoid giving our associates incentives to
take excessive risks; however, associates may take such risks regardless of the structure of our compensation programs and practices. Similarly, although we employ controls and procedures designed to monitor associates’ business decisions and
prevent us from taking excessive risks, and to prevent employee misconduct, these controls and procedures may not be effective. In such instances, the impact of those risks could harm our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our
financial condition and business operations.
13
The effectiveness of our actuarial and other financial models may adversely affect our financial results,
capitalization and financial condition.
Actuarial and other financial models are used primarily to determine reserve levels for our in-force block and to provide information to key internal stakeholders for planning, asset / liability management, and risk / stress testing analysis purposes. The models are subject to extensive internal controls
which promote repeatability and sustainability, and are also subject to continual review regarding effectiveness, logic, assumptions, and underlying product mechanics and refinements may be implemented based on these reviews. Refinements are subject
to a rigorous change management process and are agreed upon with key internal stakeholders prior to implementation. While models are continually improving as a result of these refinements, there are still inherent limitations. First, no assurances
can be given that all necessary refinements will be identified and/or implemented in our actuarial models. Also, due to the nature of the underlying risks and the uncertainty associated with prospective modeling techniques and the application of
such techniques, these models may not accurately capture the evolution of the in-force block, as we cannot determine precisely the actual experience, policyholder behavior and investment income. Such amounts
may vary materially from the estimated amounts, and may result in additional reserves, which could have a materially adverse effect on reserves and in turn our capital ratios.
| Item 11(a). |
Description of Business |
Lincoln Benefit Life Company (referred to in this document as “we,” “Lincoln Benefit,” “our,” “us” or
the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska in 1938. Lincoln Benefit is a wholly-owned subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc. (formerly Resolution Life, Inc.), a Delaware corporation, which is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of LBL HoldCo, Inc. (“HoldCo Parent”). HoldCo Parent is a wholly-owned subsidiary of RL L.P. (the “Limited Partnership”), a Bermuda limited partnership, and RL (Parallel) Partnership, a Bermuda-based partnership.
Prior to July 18, 2013, we sold interest-sensitive, traditional and variable life insurance, and fixed annuities including deferred and
immediate through independent master brokerage agencies and the Allstate exclusive agency channel. In July 2013, we ceased soliciting and selling new policies through our independent agent channel. In 2017, we ceased soliciting and selling new
policies through the Allstate exclusive agency channel.
In 2015, the administration of our retained deferred annuity and life business
was outsourced to unaffiliated third-party service providers, SE2, LLC and Alliance–One Services, Inc. Allstate Life Insurance Company (“ALIC”) continues to reinsure and administer business sold through the Allstate exclusive agency
channel and certain life, immediate and payout annuity contracts. LifeCare Assurance Company administers the Company’s long-term care business.
Lincoln Benefit’s variable annuity business is reinsured by ALIC under an existing reinsurance agreement between Lincoln Benefit and
ALIC. In 2006, ALIC disposed of substantially all of its variable annuity business through reinsurance agreements with The Prudential Insurance Company of America, a subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc. The Company was not a direct participant
of this agreement and its reinsurance agreement with ALIC remains unchanged.
In our reports to regulators and contractholders, we
occasionally refer to statutory financial information. All domestic United States insurance companies are required to prepare statutory-basis financial statements. As a result, industry data is available that enables comparisons between insurance
companies, including competitors that are not subject to the requirement to prepare financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. We frequently use industry publications containing
statutory financial information to assess our competitive position.
14
Lincoln Benefit is subject to extensive regulation, primarily at the state level. The
method, extent and substance of such regulation varies by state but generally has its source in statutes that establish standards and requirements for conducting the business of insurance and that delegate regulatory authority to a state agency.
These rules have a substantial effect on our business and relate to a wide variety of matters, including insurer solvency, reserve adequacy, insurance company licensing and examination, agent licensing, policy forms, rate setting, the nature and
amount of investments, claims practices, participation in guaranty funds, transactions with affiliates, the payment of dividends, underwriting standards, statutory accounting methods, trade practices and corporate governance.
| Item 11(b). |
Description of Property |
Lincoln Benefit occupies leased office space in Lincoln, Nebraska and Rosemont, Illinois.
| Item 11(c). |
Legal Proceedings |
Lincoln Benefit is engaged in routine lawsuits, which, in management’s judgment, are not of material importance to its total assets or
business prospects.
15
| Item 11(e) |
Financial Statements and Notes to Financial Statements |
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned
subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Index
December 31, 2018
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholder of Lincoln Benefit Life Company:
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have
audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Lincoln Benefit Life Company and its subsidiary (a wholly-owned subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.) as of December 31, 2018 for the related consolidated statement of operations and
comprehensive income (loss), shareholder’s equity, and cash flows for the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and Schedule I Summary of Investments Other than Investments in Related Parties and Schedule IV
– Reinsurance (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of
December 31, 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are
required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such
opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to
error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Chicago, Illinois
April 1, 2019
We have served as the Company’s auditor
since 2018.
17
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholder of Lincoln Benefit Life Company:
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have
audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Lincoln Benefit Life Company and its subsidiaries (a wholly-owned subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.) as of December 31, 2017, and the related consolidated statements of operations and
comprehensive income (loss), of shareholder’s equity, and of cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2017, including the related notes and schedule of summary of investments – other than
investments in related parties as of December 31, 2017 and schedule of reinsurance for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2017 listed in the index appearing under Item 11(e) (collectively referred to as the
“consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2017 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or
fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
April 2, 2018
We served as the Company’s auditor from
2014 to 2018.
18
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017
($ in thousands, except par value data and share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
December 31,
2018 |
|
|
December 31,
2017 |
|
| ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fixed maturities,
available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost $7,716,912 and $8,161,592, respectively) |
|
$ |
7,404,274 |
|
|
$ |
8,414,961 |
|
| Fixed maturities, trading, at estimated fair value |
|
|
197,651 |
|
|
|
97,819 |
|
| Fixed maturities, at estimated fair value using fair value option |
|
|
10,028 |
|
|
|
12,095 |
|
| Common stocks, at estimated fair value |
|
|
6,988 |
|
|
|
8,152 |
|
| Commercial mortgage loans |
|
|
853,073 |
|
|
|
1,043,187 |
|
| Policy loans |
|
|
176,782 |
|
|
|
178,437 |
|
| Short-term investments |
|
|
269,016 |
|
|
|
190,376 |
|
| Other invested assets |
|
|
2,976 |
|
|
|
21,183 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total Investments |
|
$ |
8,920,788 |
|
|
$ |
9,966,210 |
|
| Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
6,177 |
|
|
|
78,801 |
|
| Accrued investment income |
|
|
92,713 |
|
|
|
96,354 |
|
| Reinsurance recoverables |
|
|
6,659,910 |
|
|
|
6,501,700 |
|
| Valuation of business acquired |
|
|
154,270 |
|
|
|
135,031 |
|
| Deposit receivable |
|
|
1,029,679 |
|
|
|
1,111,571 |
|
| Other assets |
|
|
758,752 |
|
|
|
714,007 |
|
| Current income tax |
|
|
28,938 |
|
|
|
197 |
|
| Separate account assets |
|
|
1,266,912 |
|
|
|
1,460,380 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total Assets |
|
$ |
18,918,139 |
|
|
$ |
20,064,251 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| LIABILITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Future policy benefits and other policyholder liabilities |
|
|
5,460,113 |
|
|
|
5,510,050 |
|
| Policyholders’ account balances |
|
|
10,157,907 |
|
|
|
10,676,911 |
|
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities |
|
|
85,287 |
|
|
|
94,543 |
|
| Modified coinsurance payable |
|
|
1,029,679 |
|
|
|
1,111,571 |
|
| Other long-term debt - affiliate |
|
|
736,500 |
|
|
|
695,000 |
|
| Deferred tax liability, net |
|
|
31,600 |
|
|
|
24,585 |
|
| Separate account liabilities |
|
|
1,266,912 |
|
|
|
1,460,380 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total Liabilities |
|
$ |
18,767,998 |
|
|
$ |
19,573,040 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 12) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Common stock, $100 par value, 30,000 shares authorized, 25,000 shares issued and
outstanding |
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
|
2,500 |
|
| Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
593,558 |
|
|
|
593,558 |
|
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
(195,958 |
) |
|
|
72,816 |
|
| Retained earnings (deficit) |
|
|
(249,959 |
) |
|
|
(177,663 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total Shareholder’s Equity |
|
$ |
150,141 |
|
|
$ |
491,211 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total Liabilities and Shareholder’s Equity |
|
$ |
18,918,139 |
|
|
$ |
20,064,251 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
19
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
($ in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
|
2016 |
|
| Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Premiums earned |
|
$ |
9,499 |
|
|
$ |
3,156 |
|
|
$ |
16,592 |
|
| Fee income from policyholders |
|
|
341,729 |
|
|
|
346,180 |
|
|
|
346,027 |
|
| Net investment income |
|
|
380,812 |
|
|
|
401,113 |
|
|
|
397,083 |
|
| Realized investment (losses) gains, net |
|
|
(53,295 |
) |
|
|
38,123 |
|
|
|
73,720 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total revenues |
|
$ |
678,745 |
|
|
$ |
788,572 |
|
|
$ |
833,422 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Policyholders’ benefits |
|
|
412,501 |
|
|
|
439,910 |
|
|
|
449,118 |
|
| Return credited to policyholders’ account balances |
|
|
264,043 |
|
|
|
277,077 |
|
|
|
269,488 |
|
| Operating and acquisition expenses |
|
|
76,783 |
|
|
|
77,654 |
|
|
|
68,716 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total expenses |
|
$ |
753,327 |
|
|
$ |
794,641 |
|
|
$ |
787,322 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Income (loss) before federal income tax |
|
$ |
(74,582 |
) |
|
$ |
(6,069 |
) |
|
$ |
46,100 |
|
| Federal income tax expense (benefit) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Current |
|
|
(24,739 |
) |
|
|
6,853 |
|
|
|
17,121 |
|
| Deferred |
|
|
(2,105 |
) |
|
|
(22,666 |
) |
|
|
(2,474 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total income tax expense (benefit) |
|
|
(26,844 |
) |
|
|
(15,813 |
) |
|
|
14,647 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| NET INCOME (LOSS) |
|
$ |
(47,738 |
) |
|
$ |
9,744 |
|
|
$ |
31,453 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net unrealized investment gains (losses): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Unrealized investment gains (losses) for the period |
|
$ |
(263,944 |
) |
|
$ |
153,920 |
|
|
$ |
100,439 |
|
| Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income |
|
|
5,268 |
|
|
|
(6,001 |
) |
|
|
(81,920 |
) |
| Noncredit component of other-than-temporary losses |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net unrealized investment gains (losses) |
|
|
(269,212 |
) |
|
|
159,921 |
|
|
|
182,359 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Less: Income tax (benefit) related to: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Unrealized investment gains (losses) for the period |
|
|
13,109 |
|
|
|
48,837 |
|
|
|
35,156 |
|
| Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income |
|
|
(3,989 |
) |
|
|
2,100 |
|
|
|
28,672 |
|
| Noncredit component of other-than-temporary losses |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net unrealized investment gains (losses) |
|
|
9,120 |
|
|
|
50,937 |
|
|
|
63,828 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Other comprehensive (loss) income |
|
|
(278,332 |
) |
|
|
108,984 |
|
|
|
118,531 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Comprehensive income (loss) |
|
$ |
(326,070 |
) |
|
$ |
118,728 |
|
|
$ |
149,984 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
20
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Consolidated Statements of Shareholder’s Equity
For the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
($ in thousands, except par value data and share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Common Stock |
|
|
Additional
Paid-In
Capital |
|
|
Retained
Earnings |
|
|
Accumulated Other
Other Comprehensive
Income (Loss) |
|
|
Total
Shareholder’s
Equity |
|
| |
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Balance, December 31, 2015 |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
2,500 |
|
|
$ |
593,558 |
|
|
$ |
(106,860 |
) |
|
$ |
(154,699 |
) |
|
$ |
334,499 |
|
| Dividends to shareholder |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(42,000 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(42,000 |
) |
| Comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net income (loss) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
31,453 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
31,453 |
|
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
118,531 |
|
|
|
118,531 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
149,984 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Balance, December 31, 2016 |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
2,500 |
|
|
$ |
593,558 |
|
|
$ |
(117,407 |
) |
|
$ |
(36,168 |
) |
|
$ |
442,483 |
|
| Dividends to shareholder |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(70,000 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(70,000 |
) |
| Comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net income (loss) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
9,744 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
9,744 |
|
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
108,984 |
|
|
|
108,984 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
118,728 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Balance, December 31, 2017 |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
2,500 |
|
|
$ |
593,558 |
|
|
$ |
(177,663 |
) |
|
$ |
72,816 |
|
|
$ |
491,211 |
|
| Dividends to shareholder |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(15,000 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(15,000 |
) |
| Implementation of accounting standard related to the reclassification of certain tax
effects |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(9,558 |
) |
|
|
9,558 |
|
|
|
— |
|
| Comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net income (loss) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(47,738 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(47,738 |
) |
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(278,332 |
) |
|
|
(278,332 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(326,070 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Balance, December 31, 2018 |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
2,500 |
|
|
$ |
593,558 |
|
|
$ |
(249,959 |
) |
|
$ |
(195,958 |
) |
|
$ |
150,141 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements
21
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
($ in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
|
2016 |
|
| Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
(47,738 |
) |
|
$ |
9,744 |
|
|
$ |
31,453 |
|
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Policy charges and fee income |
|
|
(341,729 |
) |
|
|
(346,180 |
) |
|
|
(346,027 |
) |
| Interest credited |
|
|
264,043 |
|
|
|
277,077 |
|
|
|
269,488 |
|
| Investment gains, net |
|
|
55,978 |
|
|
|
(38,123 |
) |
|
|
(73,720 |
) |
| Amortization/Accretion of bond premium, net |
|
|
82,404 |
|
|
|
69,632 |
|
|
|
59,337 |
|
| Amortization of VOBA |
|
|
26,321 |
|
|
|
29,827 |
|
|
|
30,054 |
|
| Changes in assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Change in insurance related liabilities and policy-related balances |
|
|
135,073 |
|
|
|
29,190 |
|
|
|
52,316 |
|
| Change in fair value option and trading securities |
|
|
(2,683 |
) |
|
|
(100,101 |
) |
|
|
(15,937 |
) |
| Deferred income tax expense (benefit) |
|
|
(2,105 |
) |
|
|
(22,666 |
) |
|
|
(2,474 |
) |
| Decrease (increase) in accrued investment income |
|
|
3,641 |
|
|
|
(3,357 |
) |
|
|
(1,783 |
) |
| Decrease (increase) in other assets and liabilities |
|
|
(47,238 |
) |
|
|
7,899 |
|
|
|
(3,961 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
|
|
125,967 |
|
|
|
(87,058 |
) |
|
|
(1,254 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fixed maturities, available for sale |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Proceeds from sales and maturities |
|
|
1,434,668 |
|
|
|
2,023,946 |
|
|
|
3,806,768 |
|
| Purchases |
|
|
(1,217,094 |
) |
|
|
(1,952,554 |
) |
|
|
(3,807,513 |
) |
| Commercial mortgage loans |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Proceeds from sales and paydowns |
|
|
334,365 |
|
|
|
422,241 |
|
|
|
265,414 |
|
| Originations and purchases |
|
|
(143,414 |
) |
|
|
(5,325 |
) |
|
|
(208,580 |
) |
| Net purchases and sales of common stocks |
|
|
1,164 |
|
|
|
(3,052 |
) |
|
|
(5,100 |
) |
| Net purchases, sales, maturities of derivatives |
|
|
10,929 |
|
|
|
17,265 |
|
|
|
2,642 |
|
| Net purchases, sales, maturities of other investments |
|
|
(76,906 |
) |
|
|
(60,263 |
) |
|
|
63,097 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
|
|
343,712 |
|
|
|
442,258 |
|
|
|
116,728 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Policyholders’ account deposits |
|
|
453,814 |
|
|
|
790,230 |
|
|
|
763,748 |
|
| Policyholders’ account withdrawals |
|
|
(989,276 |
) |
|
|
(979,586 |
) |
|
|
(905,014 |
) |
| Dividends paid to shareholder |
|
|
(15,000 |
) |
|
|
(70,000 |
) |
|
|
(42,000 |
) |
| Change in overdrafts |
|
|
8,159 |
|
|
|
(20,431 |
) |
|
|
22,059 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
|
|
(542,303 |
) |
|
|
(279,787 |
) |
|
|
(161,207 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
(72,624 |
) |
|
|
75,413 |
|
|
|
(45,733 |
) |
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
|
|
78,801 |
|
|
|
3,388 |
|
|
|
49,121 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
|
$ |
6,177 |
|
|
$ |
78,801 |
|
|
$ |
3,388 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Supplemental schedule of cash flow information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cash paid during the year: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Income taxes paid |
|
$ |
4,000 |
|
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
17,700 |
|
| Interest paid |
|
$ |
8,282 |
|
|
$ |
7,835 |
|
|
$ |
7,328 |
|
| Noncash activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Interest income on vehicle note |
|
$ |
28,407 |
|
|
$ |
26,875 |
|
|
$ |
25,069 |
|
| Interest expense on other long-term debt |
|
$ |
28,407 |
|
|
$ |
26,875 |
|
|
$ |
25,069 |
|
| Increase in vehicle note and other long-term debt |
|
$ |
41,500 |
|
|
$ |
36,000 |
|
|
$ |
50,300 |
|
| Change in modified coinsurance payable and deposit receivable |
|
$ |
81,892 |
|
|
$ |
87,966 |
|
|
$ |
50,791 |
|
| Bond exchanges |
|
$ |
5,376 |
|
|
$ |
10,959 |
|
|
$ |
11,199 |
|
| Mortgage loan refinance |
|
$ |
45,712 |
|
|
$ |
11,368 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
22
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Lincoln Benefit Life Company (the “Company” or “Lincoln Benefit”) is a stock insurance company domiciled in the State of
Nebraska. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc. (formerly Resolution Life, Inc.) (“HoldCo”), which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of LBL HoldCo, Inc. (formerly Resolution Life Holdings, Inc.). HoldCo was formed on
July 2, 2013 under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
Lancaster Re Captive Insurance Company (“Lancaster
Re”), a Nebraska domiciled captive insurance company, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lincoln Benefit.
On October 2, 2017, LBL
HoldCo, Inc., the indirect parent of the Company, announced that a definitive agreement had been entered into for the acquisition of LBL HoldCo, Inc. and subsidiaries (including Lincoln Benefit) by SNH Acquisition LLC (an affiliate of Global Bankers
Insurance Group, LLC). On October 30, 2018, LBL HoldCo, Inc.’s parent, RL LP, provided notice to SNH Acquisition, LLC of the termination by RL LP of the agreement that had been entered into for the acquisition of LBL HoldCo, Inc. and
subsidiaries (including the Company) by SNH Acquisition, LLC.
The Company is authorized to sell life insurance and retirement products in
all states except New York, as well as in the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Prior to July 18, 2013, the Company sold interest-sensitive, traditional and variable life insurance products through both exclusive agencies
(“Allstate Sales channel”) and independent master brokerage agencies. Sales through the independent master brokerage agencies ceased effective July 17, 2013. Sales through the Allstate Sales channel ceased in 2017. The Company
operates as a single segment entity, based on the manner in which we use financial information to evaluate business performance and to determine the allocation of resources.
ALIC reinsures all life insurance business written by Lincoln Benefit through the Allstate Sales channel, all immediate annuities written by
Lincoln Benefit prior to April 1, 2014, and certain term life policies written by Lincoln Benefit. Lincoln Benefit’s variable annuity business also remains reinsured by ALIC under an existing reinsurance agreement between Lincoln Benefit
and ALIC. The variable annuity business continues to be reinsured and administered by ALIC under an existing reinsurance administrative services agreement between Lincoln Benefit and ALIC.
Basis of Presentation
The Company’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
(“GAAP”). The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below and in Note 2.
Consolidation
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lincoln Benefit and its subsidiary, Lancaster Re. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
23
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
| 2. |
Significant Accounting Policies |
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash includes cash on hand, amounts due from banks, certain money market securities, highly liquid overnight deposits, discount notes and
commercial paper held in the ordinary course of business and other debt instruments with maturities of three months or less when purchased.
Investments
Fixed
maturities include bonds, asset-backed securities (“ABS”) residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) and commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”). Certain fixed maturities, which may be sold prior to their
contractual maturity, are designated as available-for-sale (“AFS”) and are carried at fair value. The difference between amortized cost and fair value, net of
deferred income taxes, is reflected as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Cash received from calls, principal payments and make-whole payments and cash received from maturities and
pay-downs are reflected as a component of proceeds from sales and maturities within the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
Fair value option and trading securities are stated at estimated fair value and include investments for which the fair value option has been
elected and investments that are actively purchased and sold (“Actively traded securities”). Actively traded securities principally include U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government authorities’ and agencies’ securities.
Changes in estimated fair value of these securities are included in Realized investment gains, net on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
The Company recognizes other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) for securities classified as AFS in accordance with Accounting
Standards Codification (“ASC”) 320, Investments-Debt and Equity Securities. At least quarterly, management reviews impaired securities for OTTI. The Company considers several factors when determining if a security is OTTI, including
but not limited to: its intent and ability to hold the impaired security until an anticipated recovery in value; the issuer’s ability to meet current and future principal and interest obligations for fixed maturity securities; the length and
severity of the impairment; the financial condition and near term and long term prospects for the issuer. In making these evaluations, the Company exercises considerable judgment.
If the Company intends to sell or if it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell an impaired security prior to recovery of its
cost basis, then the Company recognizes a charge to earnings for the full amount of the impairment (the difference between the amortized cost and fair value of the security). For fixed maturity securities that are considered OTTI and that the
Company does not intend to sell and will not be required to sell, the Company separates the impairment into two components: credit loss and noncredit loss. Credit losses are charged to net realized investment losses and noncredit losses are charged
to other comprehensive income. The credit loss component is the difference between the security’s amortized cost and the present value of its expected future cash flows discounted at the current effective rate. The remaining difference between
the security’s fair value and the present value of its expected future cash flows is the noncredit loss. For corporate bonds, discounted cash flow analysis is based on historical and future cash flows. Cash flows include default and loss
severity assumptions, where needed, based on adverse factors specific to the security, industry or geographic area in which it operates. Potential losses incurred on structured securities are based on expected loss models rather than incurred loss
models. Expected cash flows include assumptions about key systematic risks (e.g., unemployment rates, housing prices) and loan-specific information (e.g., delinquency rates, loan-to-value ratios). Estimating future cash flows is a quantitative and
qualitative process that incorporates information received from third parties, along with assumptions and judgments about the future performance of the underlying collateral.
24
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Redeemable preferred stock is stated at fair value. Common stock is Federal Home Loan Bank
(“FHLB”) of Chicago activity stock, which is purchased or sold based on the level of funding agreements and is also stated at cost which approximates fair value.
Commercial mortgage loans (“CMLs”) acquired at fair value are carried at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method.
CMLs held by the Company are diversified by property type and geographic area throughout the U.S. CMLs are considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will not collect amounts due according to the terms of the original loan agreement.
The Company assesses the impairment of loans individually for all loans in the portfolio. The Company estimates the fair value of the underlying collateral using internal valuations generally based on discounted cash flow analyses. The Company
estimates an allowance for loan losses (“ALL”) representing potential credit losses embedded in the CML portfolio. The estimate is based on a consistently applied analysis of the loan portfolio and takes into consideration all available
information, including industry, geographical, economic and political factors.
Policy loans represent loans the Company issues to
policyholders. Policy loans are carried at unpaid principal balances. Interest income on such loans is recognized as earned using the contractually agreed upon interest rate and reflected in Net investment income in the Consolidated Statement of
Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Generally, interest is capitalized on the associated policy’s anniversary date.
Short-term investments include securities, certain money market securities and other investments with remaining maturities of one year or less,
but greater than three months, at the time of purchase and are stated at estimated fair value or amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
Derivatives
As
part of the Company’s overall risk management policy, the Company uses listed equity index options and futures and interest rate swaps to economically hedge its obligation under certain fixed indexed annuity and universal life contracts.
Derivatives are carried in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet either as assets within Other invested assets or as liabilities within Accrued expenses and other liabilities at estimated fair value. The Company offsets the fair value
amounts recognized for derivatives executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting agreement. Accruals on derivatives are generally recorded in accrued investment income or within other liabilities. However, accruals that are not
scheduled to settle within one year are included with the derivatives carrying value in other invested assets or other liabilities. If a derivative is not designated as an accounting hedge or its use in managing risk does not qualify for hedge
accounting, changes in the estimated fair value of the derivative are reported in Realized investment gains, net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). The notional amounts specified in the contracts are used to
calculate contractual payments under the agreements and are generally not representative of the potential for gain or loss on these contracts.
Futures contracts are defined as commitments to buy or sell designated financial instruments based on specified prices, yields or indexes.
Equity index futures contracts provide returns at specified or optional dates based upon a specified index or interest rate applied to a notional amount. The Company uses futures to hedge exposures in indexed annuity and life contracts. Daily cash
settlement of variation margins is required for futures contracts and is based on the changes in daily prices. The final settlement of futures contracts is in cash.
Index option contracts provide returns at specified or optional dates based on a specified equity index applied to the option’s notional
amount. The Company purchases and writes (sells) option contracts primarily to reduce market risk associated with certain annuity and life contracts. When the Company
25
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
purchases/sells option contracts at specific prices, it is required to pay/receive a premium to/from the counterparties. The amount of premium paid/received is based on the number of contracts
purchased/sold, the specified price and the maturity date of the contract. The Company receives/pays cash equal to the premium of written/purchased options when the contract is established. Premiums paid are reported as a derivative asset and
premiums received are reported as a derivative liability. If the option is exercised, the Company receives/pays cash equal to the product of the number of contracts and the specified price in the contract in exchange for the equity upon which the
option is written/purchased. If the options are not exercised, then no additional cash is exchanged when the contract expires. Index option contracts are cash settled upon exercise and the gain or loss on the settlement is reported in Realized
investment gains, net. If the option contract expires without being exercised, the premiums paid or received are reported as Realized investment gains, net and the corresponding asset or liability previously recorded is reversed. The change in the
fair value of options contracts are reported in Realized investment gains, net, with an adjustment to a corresponding asset or liability.
The Company employs interest rate swaps to reduce interest rate risk associated with specific investments supporting certain annuity contracts.
An interest rate swap is an agreement between two counterparties in which one stream of future interest payments is exchanged for another. Interest rate swaps usually involve the exchange of a fixed interest rate for a floating rate, or vice versa,
to reduce or increase exposure to fluctuations in interest rates, or to obtain a marginally lower interest rate. Swaps provide returns at the reset dates based on respective interest rates applied to the notional amount with the net difference in
resulting interest payments settled between the counterparties. The change in the fair value of the swap is reported in Realized investment gains, net, with an adjustment to the corresponding asset or liability. Cash flows received/paid at the reset
dates are reported in net investment income and consist of any differences in the amounts of contractual interest calculated due to the respective counterparties based on changes in interest rates. Swaps usually terminate upon expiration and the
remaining book value is offset to Realized investment gains, net. If terminated through sale, the difference between consideration received or paid and the remaining book value is recorded to Realized investment gains, net.
The Company has derivatives embedded in non-derivative host contracts that are required to be separated
from the host contracts and accounted for at fair value. The Company’s embedded derivatives are equity options in life and annuity product contracts, which provide equity returns to contractholders, guaranteed minimum accumulation and
withdrawal benefits in variable annuity contracts. The Company has reinsurance agreements to transfer all the risk related to guarantee minimum income, accumulation and withdrawal benefits in variable annuity contracts to third party reinsurers.
None of these derivatives are designated as accounting hedging instruments and all are gross liabilities reported in policyholder account balances or future policy benefits and other policyholder liabilities. The Company also has derivatives
embedded in certain inverse floater bonds which are held at fair value option. The fair value option is used for valuing these securities given the complexity of bifurcating the economic components associated with the embedded derivatives.
Investment Income and Realized Gains and Losses
Investment income primarily consists of interest and is recognized on an accrual basis using the effective yield method. Interest income for
RMBS and CMBS 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. For RMBS and CMBS of high credit quality with fixed interest rates, the effective yield is recalculated on a
retrospective basis. For all others, the effective yield is recalculated on a prospective basis. Accrual of income is suspended for other-than-temporarily impaired fixed
26
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
maturities when the timing and amount of cash flows expected to be received is not reasonably estimable. It is the Company’s policy to cease to carry accrued interest on debt securities that
are over 90 days delinquent or where collection of interest is improbable and commercial mortgage loans in default if deemed uncollectible or over 180 days past due. The Company held no investments in
non-accrual status as of December 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017.
Realized investment
gains and losses, net, include gains and losses on investment sales and write-downs in value due to other-than-temporary declines in fair value. Realized capital gains and losses on investment sales, including principal payments, are determined on a
specific identification basis.
Recognition of Premium Revenues and Fees, and Related Policyholders’ Benefits and Interest
Credited
Traditional life insurance products consist principally of products with fixed and guaranteed premiums and benefits,
primarily term and whole life insurance products. Premiums from these products are recognized as revenue when due from policyholders. Surrenders on traditional life and death benefits are reflected in policyholder benefits.
Immediate annuities with life contingencies provide insurance protection over a period that extends beyond the period during which premiums are
collected. Premiums from these products are recognized as revenue when received at the inception of the contract. Benefits and expenses are recognized in relation to premiums.
Interest-sensitive life contracts, such as universal life and single premium life, are insurance contracts whose terms are not fixed and
guaranteed. The terms that may be changed include premiums paid by the policyholder, interest credited to the policyholder account balance and contract charges assessed against the policyholder account balance. Premiums from these contracts are
reported as policyholder account balances. Fee income from policyholders consist of fees assessed against the policyholder account balance for the cost of insurance (mortality risk), contract administration and surrender of the policy prior to
contractually specified dates. These charges are recognized as revenue when assessed against the policyholder account balance. Policyholder benefits include life-contingent benefit payments in excess of the policyholder account balance.
Contracts that do not subject the Company to significant risk arising from mortality or morbidity are referred to as investment contracts.
Fixed annuities, including market value adjusted annuities, equity-indexed annuities and immediate annuities without life contingencies, are considered investment contracts. Consideration received for such contracts is reported as policyholder
account balance deposits. Policy fees for investment contracts consist of fees assessed against the contractholder account balance for maintenance, administration and surrender of the contract prior to contractually specified dates and are
recognized when assessed against the policyholder account balance.
Returns credited to policyholder funds represents interest accrued or
paid on interest-sensitive life and investment contracts. Crediting rates for certain fixed annuities and interest-sensitive life contracts are adjusted periodically by the Company to reflect current market conditions subject to contractually
guaranteed minimum rates. Crediting rates for indexed life and annuities are generally based on an equity index, such as the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index.
Policy charges for variable life and variable annuity products consist of fees assessed against the policyholder account balances for contract
maintenance, administration, mortality, expense and surrender of the contract prior to contractually specified dates. Policy benefits incurred for variable life and variable annuity products include guaranteed minimum death, income, withdrawal and
accumulation benefits.
27
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company incurs costs in connection with renewal insurance business. All
acquisition-related costs, including commissions, as well as all indirect costs, are expensed as incurred and reported in Other expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.
Reinsurance
Reinsurance accounting is applied for ceded and assumed transactions when the risk transfer provisions of ASC 944-40, Accounting and
Reporting for Reinsurance of Short-Duration and Long-Duration Contracts, have been met. To meet risk transfer requirements, a long-duration reinsurance contract must transfer mortality or morbidity risks and subject the reinsurer to a reasonable
possibility of a significant loss. Those contracts that do not meet risk transfer requirements are accounted for using deposit accounting. For short duration contracts, to meet risk transfer requirements the reinsurer must assume significant
insurance risk and have a reasonable possibility of experiencing significant loss.
With respect to ceded reinsurance, the Company values
reinsurance recoverables on reported claims at the time the underlying claim is recognized in accordance with contract terms. For future policy benefits, the Company estimates the amount of reinsurance recoverables based on the terms of the
reinsurance contracts and historical reinsurance recovery information. The reinsurance recoverables are based on what the Company believes are reasonable estimates and the balance is reported as an asset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. However,
the ultimate amount of the reinsurance recoverable is not known until all claims are settled. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its obligations to policyholders, and failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations could result
in losses to the Company; consequently, allowances are established for amounts deemed uncollectible.
Value of Business Acquired
(“VOBA”)
For interest-sensitive life and annuity products, VOBA is amortized over the life of the policies in relation
to the emergence of estimated gross profits (“EGPs”) from margins on mortality, interest, expenses, and surrenders, all of which are net of reinsurance and include actual realized gains and losses on investments. For non-interest sensitive life products, such as term life insurance, VOBA is amortized in relation to premium. VOBA is reviewed periodically for loss recognition to ensure that the unamortized balance is recoverable
from future earnings from the business. The carrying amount of VOBA is adjusted for the effects of realized and unrealized gains and losses on debt securities classified as AFS.
Separate Accounts
Separate accounts assets are carried at fair value. The assets of the separate accounts are legally segregated and available only to settle
separate account contract obligations. Separate accounts liabilities represent the contractholders’ claims to the related assets and are carried at an amount equal to the separate accounts assets. Investment income and realized capital gains
and losses of the separate accounts accrue directly to the contractholders and therefore are not included in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Deposits to and surrenders and withdrawals from the
separate accounts are reflected in separate accounts liabilities and are not included in cash flows.
Absent any contract provision wherein
the Company provides a guarantee, variable annuity and variable life insurance contractholders bear the investment risk that the separate accounts’ funds may not meet their stated investment objectives.
28
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Future Policy Benefits and Other Policyholder Liabilities
Policy liabilities are established for future policy benefits on certain annuity, life, and long-term care policies. Such liabilities are
established in amounts adequate to meet the estimated future obligations of policies in-force. Changes in policy and contract claims are recorded in policyholder benefits in the Consolidated Statement of
Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
For ASC 944-20 Financial Services – Insurance
Activities, products, benefit reserves are computed using the net level premium method for individual life, annuity and long-term care policies, and are based upon estimates as to future investment yield, mortality and lapse that include
provisions for adverse deviation that were prevalent at the time the reserve was initially established. Mortality, morbidity and lapse assumptions for all policies are based on the Company’s own experience and industry standards.
Liabilities for outstanding claims and claims adjustment expenses are estimates of payments to be made on life and health insurance contracts
for reported claims and claims adjustment expenses. A liability is also held for claims adjustment expenses incurred but not reported as of the balance sheet date. These liabilities are determined using case basis evaluations and statistical
analyses and represent estimates of the ultimate cost of all claims incurred but not paid. These estimates are continually reviewed and adjusted as necessary. Such adjustments are reflected in current operations.
Future policy benefit reserves for fixed indexed life and annuity policies with returns linked to the performance of a specified market index
are equal to the excess of the sum of the fair value of the embedded derivatives and the host (or guaranteed) component over the policyholder account balance. The change in the fair value of the embedded derivative is linked to the performance of
the equity option. The host value is established as of the date of acquisition and is equal to the account value, plus the value of the unexpired options at the date of acquisition, less the embedded derivative, and accreted over the policy’s
life at a constant rate of interest.
The Company holds additional liabilities for its no lapse guarantees (associated with universal life)
and guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (associated with fixed indexed annuities). These are accounted for in accordance with ASC 944-20. Additional liabilities for no lapse guarantees on universal life
products are calculated based on the application of a benefit ratio (the present value of total expected benefit payments over the life of the contract divided by the present value of total expected assessments over the life of the contract). The
level and direction of the change in reserves will vary over time based on the emergence of actual experience and revisions to future assumptions.
Policy liabilities and accruals are based on the various estimates discussed above. Although the adequacy of these amounts cannot be assured,
the Company believes that policy liabilities and accruals will be sufficient to meet future obligations of policies in-force. The amount of liabilities and accruals, however, could be revised if the estimates
discussed above are revised.
Policyholders’ Account Balances
Policyholders’ account balances represent interest-bearing liabilities arising from the sale of products such as interest-sensitive life
insurance and fixed annuities. Policyholders’ account balances primarily comprise cumulative deposits received and interest credited to the contractholder less cumulative contract benefits, surrenders, withdrawals and contract charges for
mortality or administrative expenses.
The Company holds additional liabilities for guaranteed minimum income benefits (“GMIB”)
associated with variable annuities, which are accounted for in accordance with ASC 944-20. The reserves for certain living benefit features, including guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits
(“GMAB”) and guaranteed
29
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
minimum withdrawal benefits (“GMWB”) are accounted for as embedded derivatives, with fair values calculated as the present value of expected future benefit payments to contractholders
less the present value of assessed rider fees attributable to the embedded derivative feature. This methodology could result in either a liability or contra-liability balance, given changing capital market conditions and various actuarial
assumptions. The Company’s GMIB, GMAB and GMWB reserves related to variable annuity business are ceded to external reinsurers. For additional information regarding the valuation of these optional living benefit features, see Note 10.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are provided for using the asset and liability method under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for temporary
differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The
realizability of deferred tax assets is assessed at each reporting date and a deferred tax asset valuation allowance is established when realization of such assets is not likely (less than 50% likelihood). Tax positions are assessed under a two-step approach, which requires the assessment of recognition and measurement. If necessary, a liability is established to reflect the expected settlement of uncertain tax positions. The Company reports interest
expense related to income tax matters and tax penalties in other operating expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Other Long-Term Debt
Effective April 1, 2014, and with Nebraska Department of Insurance (the “NE DOI” or the “Department of Insurance”)
approval, Lancaster Re issued a variable funding Surplus Note (the “Surplus Note”) to its affiliate, Lanis, LLC. for $513.0 million and acquired from Lanis a Vehicle Note (the “Vehicle Note”) for $513.0 million. The
Vehicle Note is held to support a portion of Lancaster Re’s reinsurance obligations and has been authorized as an acceptable form of reinsurance collateral pursuant to Nebraska Rev. Stat.
§44-8216(8)(c)(i) which allows a special purpose financial captive insurer to establish any method of security that the Department of Insurance deems acceptable. The scheduled maturity date of the Vehicle
Note is April 1, 2034, and the scheduled maturity date of the Surplus Note is April 1, 2039, although each may be cancelled earlier or extended under certain conditions. The Surplus Note does not repay principal prior to maturity and
principal payment at maturity is subject to the prior approval of the Department of Insurance. With pre-approval, the Surplus Note is increased each quarter with a corresponding increase in the Vehicle Note.
With Department of Insurance pre-approval, interest on the Surplus Note for the prior quarter is paid on the first day of each subsequent quarter at a rate consistent with the rate received on the Vehicle Note
of 4%. The Surplus Note and Vehicle Note increased by $41.5 million, $36.0 million, and $50.3 million in the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Interest expense of $28.4 million, $26.9 million,
and $25.1 million was recognized for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Surplus Note is unsecured and subordinated to all present and future indebtedness, policy claims and other creditor claims of
Lancaster Re.
Other Assets and Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities
Other assets consist primarily of premiums due, intangible assets, the Vehicle Note and receivables resulting from sales of securities that had
not yet settled at the balance sheet date. Other liabilities consist primarily of accrued expenses, technical overdrafts, derivatives, and payables resulting from purchases of securities that had not yet been settled at the balance sheet date.
30
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year financial statement presentation.
Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
The Company considers the applicability and impact of all Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”). ASU listed below represent those that
have been adopted during the current fiscal year and/or those that have been issued but not yet adopted as of the date of this filing. ASU not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or not material.
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance related to fair value measurement (ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement). The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments remove certain disclosures, i.e., the amounts and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the policy for timing of
transfers between levels and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. The amendments clarify that the measurement uncertainty disclosure is to communicate information about the uncertainty in measurement as of the reporting
date. Changes also were made to ensure that the appropriate exercise of discretion by entities is employed when considering fair value measurement disclosures and that the decision can be based on materiality. The Company is continuing to evaluate
the overall impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance on
accounting for long-duration insurance contracts (ASU 2018-12, Financial Services – Insurance (Topic 944): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts). The amendments are
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments require updates to the discount rates used in the accounting for long-duration insurance contracts, require market risk
benefits to be accounted for at fair value, simplify the amortization of deferred acquisition costs and require extensive disclosures for future policy benefits reserves, policyholder account balances and deferred acquisition costs. The Company is
continuing to evaluate the overall impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2018, the FASB issued
new guidance on reporting comprehensive income (ASU 2018-02, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from AOCI.) The new guidance is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years and should be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change
in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate or law in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“U.S. Tax Reform”) is recognized. Current GAAP guidance requires that the effect of a change in tax laws or rates on deferred tax liabilities or
assets to be included in income from continuing operations in the reporting period that includes the enactment date, even if the related income tax effects were originally charged or credited directly to AOCI. The new guidance allows a
reclassification of AOCI to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from U.S. Tax Reform. The Company reclassified approximately $9.6 million of stranded tax effects resulting from U.S. Tax Reform from AOCI to retained earnings as
of January 1, 2018.
In March 2017, the FASB issued new guidance on premium amortization of purchased callable debt securities (ASU
2017-08, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20)). The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The ASU shortens the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium and requires the premium
to be
31
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
amortized to the earliest call date. However, the new guidance does not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount whose discount continues to be amortized to maturity. The
adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In August
2016, the FASB issued new guidance on classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments (ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230)). The new guidance addresses eight specific cash flow
issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in the current presentation. The adoption of this guidance as of January 1, 2018 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows.
In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance for recording credit losses (ASU 2016-13, Financial
Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments). The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years.
Current GAAP requires an “incurred loss” methodology for recognizing credit losses that delays recognition until it is probable a loss has been incurred. The amendments replace the incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology
that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information. The revisions affect loans, debt securities, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the
scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. Credit losses on available-for-sale fixed maturities carried at fair value will continue to be measured as
other-than-temporary impairments when incurred, however, the losses will be recognized through an allowance and no longer as an adjustment to cost basis. The new guidance will also require purchased financial assets with a more-than-insignificant
amount of credit deterioration since original issuance to be recorded based on the contractual amounts due and an initial allowance recorded at the date of purchase. Improvements in expected future cash flows after an impairment will no longer be
reflected as a prospective yield adjustment through net investment income, but rather a reversal of the previous impairment and recognized through realized investment gains and losses. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures. The Company has
assessed the asset classes impacted by the new guidance and is currently assessing the accounting and reporting system changes that will be required to comply with the new guidance. The Company believes that the most significant impact upon adoption
will be to its commercial mortgage loan investments. The Company is continuing to evaluate the overall impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued a new leasing standard (ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)). The
leasing standard will be effective for calendar year-end public companies beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and requires a modified retrospective
transition approach. Early adoption is permitted. The new guidance requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Leases would be classified as finance or operating leases and both types of
leases will be recognized on the balance sheet. Lessor accounting will remain largely unchanged from current guidance except for certain targeted changes. The new guidance will also require new qualitative and quantitative disclosures. The primary
impact the adoption of this guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements is recognition of a lease asset and lease liability within the consolidated balance sheet. Based on the Company’s existing lease agreement at
December 31, 2018, the Company would recognize a lease asset and lease liability of approximately $1.3 million.
In January 2016,
the FASB issued new guidance on the recognition and measurement of financial instruments (ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10);
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities). The guidance changed the accounting guidance related to (i) the classification and measurement of certain equity investments, and (ii) certain disclosures
associated with the fair value of financial instruments. The adoption of this guidance as of January 1, 2018 did not have a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related disclosure.
32
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
In May 2014, the FASB issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard (ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)). The guidance superseded nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP; however, it did not impact the accounting for insurance
contracts, leases, financial instruments and guarantees. The adoption of this guidance as of January 1, 2018 did not have a material impact to the Company’s consolidated statements or related disclosure.
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value for fixed maturities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
Gross |
|
|
Gross |
|
|
|
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
Amortized
Cost |
|
|
Unrealized
Gains |
|
|
Unrealized
Losses |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
| Fixed maturities, available for sale |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| U.S. Treasury Securities and Obligations of U.S. Government Authority and Agencies |
|
$ |
305,336 |
|
|
$ |
5,423 |
|
|
$ |
(8,833 |
) |
|
$ |
301,926 |
|
| Obligations of U.S. States and Political Subdivisions |
|
|
747,872 |
|
|
|
21,407 |
|
|
|
(6,814 |
) |
|
|
762,465 |
|
| Foreign government |
|
|
22,476 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
(2,507 |
) |
|
|
19,977 |
|
| All other corporate securities |
|
|
5,830,098 |
|
|
|
22,671 |
|
|
|
(328,363 |
) |
|
|
5,524,406 |
|
| ABS |
|
|
404,935 |
|
|
|
422 |
|
|
|
(13,312 |
) |
|
|
392,045 |
|
| CMBS |
|
|
307,430 |
|
|
|
1,494 |
|
|
|
(7,957 |
) |
|
|
300,967 |
|
| RMBS |
|
|
83,965 |
|
|
|
4,289 |
|
|
|
(566 |
) |
|
|
87,688 |
|
| Redeemable preferred stock |
|
|
14,800 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
14,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total fixed maturities, available for sale |
|
$ |
7,716,912 |
|
|
$ |
55,714 |
|
|
$ |
(368,352 |
) |
|
$ |
7,404,274 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| December 31, 2017 |
|
|
|
|
Gross |
|
|
Gross |
|
|
|
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
Amortized
Cost |
|
|
Unrealized
Gains |
|
|
Unrealized
Losses |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
| Fixed maturities, available for sale |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| U.S. Treasury Securities and Obligations of U.S. Government Authority and Agencies |
|
$ |
416,639 |
|
|
$ |
5,322 |
|
|
$ |
(12,366 |
) |
|
$ |
409,595 |
|
| Obligations of U.S. States and Political Subdivisions |
|
|
741,343 |
|
|
|
37,908 |
|
|
|
(2,720 |
) |
|
|
776,531 |
|
| Foreign government |
|
|
24,242 |
|
|
|
234 |
|
|
|
(1,685 |
) |
|
|
22,791 |
|
| All other corporate securities |
|
|
6,169,204 |
|
|
|
258,440 |
|
|
|
(37,898 |
) |
|
|
6,389,746 |
|
| ABS |
|
|
478,329 |
|
|
|
5,289 |
|
|
|
(3,395 |
) |
|
|
480,223 |
|
| CMBS |
|
|
189,596 |
|
|
|
1,377 |
|
|
|
(3,148 |
) |
|
|
187,825 |
|
| RMBS |
|
|
127,439 |
|
|
|
6,520 |
|
|
|
(509 |
) |
|
|
133,450 |
|
| Redeemable preferred stock |
|
|
14,800 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
14,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total fixed maturities, available for sale |
|
$ |
8,161,592 |
|
|
$ |
315,090 |
|
|
$ |
(61,721 |
) |
|
$ |
8,414,961 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Scheduled Maturities
The scheduled maturities for fixed maturities, available for sale, were as follows as of December 31, 2018:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
Amortized
Cost |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
| Due in one year or less |
|
$ |
198,865 |
|
|
$ |
198,415 |
|
| Due after one year through five years |
|
|
782,318 |
|
|
|
783,443 |
|
| Due after five years through ten years |
|
|
801,362 |
|
|
|
783,970 |
|
| Due after ten years |
|
|
4,927,645 |
|
|
|
4,651,395 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total before asset and mortgage-backed securities |
|
$ |
6,710,190 |
|
|
$ |
6,417,223 |
|
| Asset and mortgage-backed securities |
|
|
1,006,722 |
|
|
|
987,051 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total fixed maturities |
|
$ |
7,716,912 |
|
|
$ |
7,404,274 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual maturities may differ from those scheduled as a result of calls and make-whole payments by the issuers.
Asset and mortgage-backed securities are shown separately because of the potential for prepayment of principal prior to contractual maturity dates.
34
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Commercial Mortgage Loans
The Company diversifies its commercial mortgage loan portfolio by geographical region to reduce concentration risk. The Company’s
commercial mortgage loan portfolio by geographical region was as follows as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
December 31, 2017 |
|
| Alabama |
|
$ |
815 |
|
|
$ |
1,056 |
|
| Arizona |
|
|
36,110 |
|
|
|
20,009 |
|
| California |
|
|
145,023 |
|
|
|
173,101 |
|
| Colorado |
|
|
61,191 |
|
|
|
57,293 |
|
| Florida |
|
|
54,630 |
|
|
|
103,869 |
|
| Georgia |
|
|
20,144 |
|
|
|
63,526 |
|
| Hawaii |
|
|
3,895 |
|
|
|
5,020 |
|
| Illinois |
|
|
86,832 |
|
|
|
87,957 |
|
| Iowa |
|
|
538 |
|
|
|
791 |
|
| Kansas |
|
|
9,200 |
|
|
|
9,200 |
|
| Kentucky |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
6,538 |
|
| Maryland |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
19,851 |
|
| Massachusetts |
|
|
29,836 |
|
|
|
53,605 |
|
| Minnesota |
|
|
23,612 |
|
|
|
116,923 |
|
| Nevada |
|
|
80,396 |
|
|
|
80,768 |
|
| New Jersey |
|
|
20,773 |
|
|
|
34,101 |
|
| New York |
|
|
48,375 |
|
|
|
50,691 |
|
| North Carolina |
|
|
33,447 |
|
|
|
34,022 |
|
| Ohio |
|
|
12,322 |
|
|
|
12,526 |
|
| Pennsylvania |
|
|
50,351 |
|
|
|
1,007 |
|
| South Carolina |
|
|
24,766 |
|
|
|
1,310 |
|
| Texas |
|
|
109,735 |
|
|
|
100,066 |
|
| Utah |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
7,823 |
|
| Virginia |
|
|
248 |
|
|
|
975 |
|
| Washington |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
77 |
|
| Wisconsin |
|
|
834 |
|
|
|
1,082 |
|
| General allowance for loan loss |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total commercial mortgage loans |
|
$ |
853,073 |
|
|
$ |
1,043,187 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Credit Quality of Commercial Mortgage Loans
The credit quality of commercial mortgage loans
held-for-investment was as follows at December 31, 2018 and 2017:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| December 31, 2018 |
|
Recorded Investment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Debt Service Coverage Ratios |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
> 1.20x |
|
|
1.00x - 1.20x |
|
|
< 1.00x |
|
|
Total |
|
|
% of Total |
|
|
Estimated Fair
Value |
|
|
% of Total |
|
| Loan-to-value
ratios: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Less than 65% |
|
$ |
628,279 |
|
|
$ |
88,404 |
|
|
$ |
37,446 |
|
|
$ |
754,129 |
|
|
|
88.4 |
% |
|
$ |
752,667 |
|
|
|
88.3 |
% |
| 65% to 75% |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
48,944 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
98,944 |
|
|
|
11.6 |
% |
|
|
99,367 |
|
|
|
11.7 |
% |
| 76% to 80% |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
| Greater than 80% |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total |
|
$ |
678,279 |
|
|
$ |
137,348 |
|
|
$ |
37,446 |
|
|
$ |
853,073 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
852,034 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| December 31, 2017 |
|
Recorded Investment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Debt Service Coverage Ratios |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
> 1.20x |
|
|
1.00x - 1.20x |
|
|
< 1.00x |
|
|
Total |
|
|
% of Total |
|
|
Estimated Fair
Value |
|
|
% of Total |
|
| Loan-to-value
ratios: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Less than 65% |
|
$ |
731,577 |
|
|
$ |
48,895 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
780,472 |
|
|
|
74.8 |
% |
|
$ |
782,640 |
|
|
|
74.9 |
% |
| 65% to 75% |
|
|
222,771 |
|
|
|
39,944 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
262,715 |
|
|
|
25.2 |
% |
|
|
261,891 |
|
|
|
25.1 |
% |
| 76% to 80% |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
| Greater than 80% |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total |
|
$ |
954,348 |
|
|
$ |
88,839 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
1,043,187 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
1,044,531 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had no allowance for credit losses for commercial mortgage
loans. As of December 31, 2018, $853.1 million of commercial mortgage and other loans were in current status with no commercial mortgage or other loans classified as past due. As of December 31, 2017, $1,043.2 million of
commercial mortgage loans were in current status with no commercial mortgage or other loans classified as past due. The Company defines current in its aging of past due commercial mortgage and other loans as less than 30 days past due.
Impaired loans include those loans for which it is probable that all amounts due will not be collected according to the contractual terms of
the loan agreement. During 2018 and 2017, the Company did not record any impairments related to commercial mortgage loans.
The
Company’s commercial mortgages may occasionally be involved in a troubled debt restructuring. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had no commitments to fund to borrowers that have been involved in a troubled debt restructuring.
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had no new troubled debt restructurings related to commercial mortgages and no payment defaults on commercial mortgages.
36
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Other Invested Assets
Other invested assets were as follows as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
December 31, 2017 |
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Low income housing tax credit properties |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
138 |
|
| Derivatives |
|
|
2,976 |
|
|
|
21,045 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,976 |
|
|
$ |
21,183 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Investment Income
Net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
|
2016 |
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fixed maturities, available for sale |
|
$ |
332,082 |
|
|
$ |
345,299 |
|
|
$ |
330,253 |
|
| Fixed maturties, trading |
|
|
5,963 |
|
|
|
3,424 |
|
|
|
— |
|
| Fixed maturities, fair value option |
|
|
234 |
|
|
|
331 |
|
|
|
454 |
|
| Common stock |
|
|
314 |
|
|
|
224 |
|
|
|
— |
|
| Commercial mortgage loans |
|
|
43,781 |
|
|
|
56,510 |
|
|
|
69,360 |
|
| Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments |
|
|
4,262 |
|
|
|
1,718 |
|
|
|
1,007 |
|
| Other investments |
|
|
8,703 |
|
|
|
8,421 |
|
|
|
8,845 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Gross investment income |
|
$ |
395,339 |
|
|
$ |
415,927 |
|
|
$ |
409,919 |
|
| Investment expenses |
|
|
14,527 |
|
|
|
14,814 |
|
|
|
12,836 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net investment income |
|
$ |
380,812 |
|
|
$ |
401,113 |
|
|
$ |
397,083 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Realized Investment Gains and Losses
Realized investment gains and losses for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
|
2016 |
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Realized investment gains, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fixed maturities, available for sale |
|
$ |
(45,240 |
) |
|
$ |
11,434 |
|
|
$ |
66,560 |
|
| Fixed maturities, trading |
|
|
(1,864 |
) |
|
|
1,081 |
|
|
|
— |
|
| Fixed maturties, fair value option |
|
|
(247 |
) |
|
|
405 |
|
|
|
(733 |
) |
| Commercial mortgage loans |
|
|
1,201 |
|
|
|
5,935 |
|
|
|
4,037 |
|
| Derivatives |
|
|
(7,136 |
) |
|
|
19,360 |
|
|
|
3,856 |
|
| Other invested assets |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(92 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net realized gains (losses) |
|
$ |
(53,295 |
) |
|
$ |
38,123 |
|
|
$ |
73,720 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There were $4.8 million in other-than-temporary impairment losses recorded in the year ended
December 31, 2018. These securities were impaired to fair value as of the impairment date and were considered credit impairments. There were $4.4 million in other-than-temporary impairment losses recorded in the year ended
December 31, 2017. There were no other-than-temporary impairment losses recorded in the year ended December 31, 2016.
37
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities and gross realized investment gains and losses for
the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
|
2016 |
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fixed maturities,
available-for-sale |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Proceeds from sales |
|
$ |
919,347 |
|
|
$ |
1,496,242 |
|
|
$ |
3,027,998 |
|
| Gross investment gains from sales |
|
|
4,682 |
|
|
|
29,271 |
|
|
|
109,282 |
|
| Gross investment losses from sales |
|
|
(42,996 |
) |
|
|
(11,893 |
) |
|
|
(35,136 |
) |
Proceeds from sales excludes non-taxable exchanges of
$5.4 million, $11.0 million, and $11.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses
The gross unrealized losses and fair value of fixed maturities, available for sale, by the length of time that individual securities have been
in a continuous unrealized loss position were as follows as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| December 31, 2018 |
|
Less than 12 months |
|
|
Greater than 12 months |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
Fair
Value |
|
|
Gross
Unrealized
Losses |
|
|
Fair
Value |
|
|
Gross
Unrealized
Losses |
|
|
Fair
Value |
|
|
Gross
Unrealized
Losses |
|
| U.S. Treasury Securities and Obligations of U.S. Government Authority and Agencies |
|
$ |
40,085 |
|
|
$ |
(1,337 |
) |
|
$ |
139,944 |
|
|
$ |
(7,496 |
) |
|
$ |
180,029 |
|
|
$ |
(8,833 |
) |
| Obligations of U.S. States and Political Subdivisions |
|
|
113,634 |
|
|
|
(1,932 |
) |
|
|
75,444 |
|
|
|
(4,882 |
) |
|
|
189,078 |
|
|
|
(6,814 |
) |
| Foreign government |
|
|
8,894 |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
10,573 |
|
|
|
(2,505 |
) |
|
|
19,467 |
|
|
|
(2,507 |
) |
| All other corporate securities |
|
|
3,626,045 |
|
|
|
(222,408 |
) |
|
|
805,107 |
|
|
|
(105,955 |
) |
|
|
4,431,152 |
|
|
|
(328,363 |
) |
| ABS |
|
|
237,153 |
|
|
|
(4,935 |
) |
|
|
107,437 |
|
|
|
(8,377 |
) |
|
|
344,590 |
|
|
|
(13,312 |
) |
| CMBS |
|
|
110,483 |
|
|
|
(2,936 |
) |
|
|
86,765 |
|
|
|
(5,021 |
) |
|
|
197,248 |
|
|
|
(7,957 |
) |
| RMBS |
|
|
10,028 |
|
|
|
(85 |
) |
|
|
13,793 |
|
|
|
(481 |
) |
|
|
23,821 |
|
|
|
(566 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total fixed maturities |
|
$ |
4,146,322 |
|
|
$ |
(233,635 |
) |
|
$ |
1,239,063 |
|
|
$ |
(134,717 |
) |
|
$ |
5,385,385 |
|
|
$ |
(368,352 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
38
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| December 31, 2017 |
|
Less than 12 months |
|
|
Greater than 12 months |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
Fair
Value |
|
|
Gross
Unrealized
Losses |
|
|
Fair
Value |
|
|
Gross
Unrealized
Losses |
|
|
Fair
Value |
|
|
Gross
Unrealized
Losses |
|
| U.S. Treasury Securities and Obligations of U.S. Government Authority and Agencies |
|
$ |
215,767 |
|
|
$ |
(3,499 |
) |
|
$ |
107,344 |
|
|
$ |
(8,867 |
) |
|
$ |
323,111 |
|
|
$ |
(12,366 |
) |
| Obligations of U.S. States and Political Subdivisions |
|
|
38,171 |
|
|
|
(825 |
) |
|
|
45,877 |
|
|
|
(1,895 |
) |
|
|
84,048 |
|
|
|
(2,720 |
) |
| Foreign government |
|
|
296 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
11,098 |
|
|
|
(1,681 |
) |
|
|
11,394 |
|
|
|
(1,685 |
) |
| All other corporate securities |
|
|
740,795 |
|
|
|
(6,841 |
) |
|
|
489,367 |
|
|
|
(31,057 |
) |
|
|
1,230,162 |
|
|
|
(37,898 |
) |
| ABS |
|
|
77,050 |
|
|
|
(689 |
) |
|
|
99,327 |
|
|
|
(2,706 |
) |
|
|
176,377 |
|
|
|
(3,395 |
) |
| CMBS |
|
|
72,725 |
|
|
|
(593 |
) |
|
|
36,540 |
|
|
|
(2,555 |
) |
|
|
109,265 |
|
|
|
(3,148 |
) |
| RMBS |
|
|
6,908 |
|
|
|
(118 |
) |
|
|
21,835 |
|
|
|
(391 |
) |
|
|
28,743 |
|
|
|
(509 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total fixed maturities |
|
$ |
1,151,712 |
|
|
$ |
(12,569 |
) |
|
$ |
811,388 |
|
|
$ |
(49,152 |
) |
|
$ |
1,963,100 |
|
|
$ |
(61,721 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio Monitoring
The Company has a comprehensive portfolio monitoring process to identify and evaluate each fixed maturity security whose carrying value may be
other-than-temporarily impaired.
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 the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis for reasons such as liquidity, contractual or regulatory
purposes. If a security meets either of these criteria, the security’s decline in fair value is considered other than temporary and is recorded in earnings.
If the Company has not made the decision to sell the fixed maturity security and it is not more likely than not the Company will be required to
sell the fixed maturity security before 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 calculates the estimated
recovery value by discounting the best estimate of future cash flows at the security’s original or current effective rate, as appropriate, and compares this to the amortized cost of the security. If the Company does not expect to receive cash
flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the fixed maturity security, the credit loss component of the impairment is recorded in earnings, with the remaining amount of the unrealized loss related to other factors recognized in
other comprehensive income.
The Company’s portfolio monitoring process includes a quarterly review of all securities to identify
instances where the fair value of a security compared to its amortized cost is below established thresholds. The process also includes the monitoring of other impairment indicators such as ratings, ratings downgrades and payment defaults. The
securities identified, in addition to other securities for which the Company may have a concern, are evaluated for potential other-than-temporary impairment using all reasonably available information relevant to the collectability or recovery of the
security. Inherent in the Company’s evaluation of other-than-temporary impairment for these fixed maturity securities are assumptions and estimates about the financial condition and future earnings potential of the issue or issuer. Some of the
factors that may be considered in evaluating whether a decline in fair value is other than temporary are: 1) the financial condition, near-term and long-term prospects of the issue or issuer, including relevant industry specific market conditions
and trends, geographic location and implications of rating agency actions and offering prices; 2) the specific reasons that a security is in an unrealized loss position, including overall market conditions which could affect liquidity; and 3) the
length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost.
39
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Net Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses in AOCI
The changes in unrealized gains and losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) were as follows for the years
ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
Net Unrealized
Gain (Losses) on
Investments |
|
|
VOBA |
|
|
Future Policy
Benefits and
Policyholders’
Account Balances |
|
|
Deferred
Income
Tax
(Liability)
Benefit |
|
|
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Related to Net
Unrealized
Investment Gains
(Losses) |
|
| Balance, December 31, 2015 |
|
$ |
(327,781 |
) |
|
$ |
36,774 |
|
|
$ |
52,906 |
|
|
$ |
83,402 |
|
|
$ |
(154,699 |
) |
| Net investment gains and losses on investments arising during the period |
|
|
160,311 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(56,111 |
) |
|
|
104,200 |
|
| Reclassification adjustment for gains and losses included in net income |
|
|
(81,920 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
28,672 |
|
|
|
(53,248 |
) |
| Impact of net unrealized investment gains and losses on VOBA |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(30,948 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
10,832 |
|
|
|
(20,116 |
) |
| Impact of net unrealized investment gains and losses on future policy benefits and
policyholders’ account balances |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(28,924 |
) |
|
|
10,123 |
|
|
|
(18,801 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Balance, December 31, 2016 |
|
$ |
(85,550 |
) |
|
$ |
5,826 |
|
|
$ |
23,982 |
|
|
$ |
19,574 |
|
|
$ |
(36,168 |
) |
| Net investment gains and losses on investments arising during the period |
|
|
332,918 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(111,486 |
) |
|
|
221,432 |
|
| Reclassification adjustment for gains and losses included in net income |
|
|
(6,001 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,100 |
|
|
|
(3,901 |
) |
| Impact of net unrealized investment gains and losses on VOBA |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(21,843 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
7,645 |
|
|
|
(14,198 |
) |
| Impact of net unrealized investment gains and losses on future policy benefits and
policyholders’ account balances |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(157,156 |
) |
|
|
55,005 |
|
|
|
(102,151 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Balance, December 31, 2017 |
|
$ |
253,369 |
|
|
$ |
(16,017 |
) |
|
$ |
(133,174 |
) |
|
$ |
(31,362 |
) |
|
$ |
72,816 |
|
| Net investment gains and losses on investments arising during the period |
|
|
(560,739 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
117,756 |
|
|
|
(442,983 |
) |
| Reclassification adjustment for gains and losses included in net income |
|
|
5,268 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(1,106 |
) |
|
|
4,162 |
|
| Establishement of valuation allowance related to deferred income tax assets |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(65,654 |
) |
|
|
(65,654 |
) |
| Impact of net unrealized investment gains and losses on VOBA |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
45,560 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(9,568 |
) |
|
|
35,992 |
|
| Impact of net unrealized investment gains and losses on future policy benefits and
policyholders’ account balances |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
251,235 |
|
|
|
(52,760 |
) |
|
|
198,475 |
|
| Implementation of accounting standard related to the reclassification of certain tax
effects |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
9,558 |
|
|
|
9,558 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Balance, December 31, 2018 |
|
$ |
(312,638 |
) |
|
$ |
29,543 |
|
|
$ |
118,061 |
|
|
$ |
(30,924 |
) |
|
$ |
(195,958 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
| 4. |
Derivative Financial Instruments |
See Note 2 for a description of the Company’s accounting policies for derivatives and Note 5 for information about the fair
value hierarchy for derivatives.
The notional and fair value positions of derivative financial instruments as of December 31, 2018
and 2017 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
December 31, 2017 |
|
| |
|
Notional |
|
|
Gross Fair Value |
|
|
Notional |
|
|
Gross Fair Value |
|
| |
|
Assets |
|
|
Liabilities |
|
|
Assets |
|
|
Liabilities |
|
|
Assets |
|
|
Liabilities |
|
|
Assets |
|
|
Liabilities |
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Equity Options |
|
$ |
338,470 |
|
|
$ |
324,047 |
|
|
$ |
5,099 |
|
|
$ |
(1,584 |
) |
|
$ |
237,250 |
|
|
$ |
234,375 |
|
|
$ |
39,397 |
|
|
$ |
(18,352 |
) |
| Futures |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
9,934 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(539 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
| Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Policyholders account balances |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Equity-indexed annuity contracts (2) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
924,733 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
(44,947 |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
1,095,253 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
(57,531 |
) |
| Equity-indexed life contracts |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
588,299 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(8,624 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
531,800 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(29,911 |
) |
| Guaranteed accumulation benefits (1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
40,469 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(5,203 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
53,517 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(4,557 |
) |
| Guaranteed withdrawal benefits (1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
8,070 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(113 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
9,939 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(113 |
) |
| (1) |
These amounts are fully ceded in accordance with the Company’s reinsurance agreements. The corresponding
receivables have been excluded from the table above. |
| (2) |
Notional amount represents account value of equity indexed contracts |
The standardized ISDA Master Agreement under which the Company’s derivative transactions are executed include provisions for payment
netting. In the normal course of business activities, if there is more than one derivative transaction with a single counterparty, the Company will set-off the cash flows of those derivatives into a single
amount to be exchanged in settlement of the resulting net payable or receivable with that counterparty. The Company nets the fair value of all derivative financial instruments with counterparties for which an ISDA Master Agreement and related Credit
Support Annex (“CSA”) have been executed. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company held $1.0 million and $0.3 million in cash and securities collateral pledged to trade counterparties, respectively. This cash collateral is
reported in Cash on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
41
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The amount and location of gains (losses) recognized in income, net of reinsurance, for
derivatives that were not designated or qualifying as hedging instruments for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
|
2016 |
|
| |
|
Realized
Investment Gains
(Losses) |
|
|
Policyholder
Benefits |
|
|
Realized
Investment Gains
(Losses) |
|
|
Policyholder
Benefits |
|
|
Realized
Investment Gains
(Losses) |
|
|
Policyholder
Benefits |
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Equity options |
|
$ |
(7,123 |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
17,969 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
2,472 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
| Futures |
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,391 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
884 |
|
|
|
— |
|
| Interest rate swaps |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
— |
|
| Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Policyholders’ account balances |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Equity-indexed annuity contracts |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
12,584 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
(1,660 |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
8,267 |
|
| Equity-indexed life contracts |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
194 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(168 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(121 |
) |
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between
market participants at the measurement date. The hierarchy for inputs used in determining fair value maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that observable inputs be used when available.
Assets and liabilities recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value are categorized in the fair value hierarchy based on the observability of inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:
|
|
|
| Level 1 |
|
Assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that the Company can access. |
|
|
| Level 2 |
|
Assets and liabilities whose values are based on the following: |
|
|
|
|
(a) Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
(b) Quoted prices for
identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or
(c) Valuation models whose inputs are observable, directly or indirectly, for substantially the
full term of the asset or liability. |
|
|
| Level 3 |
|
Assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s
estimates of the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the assets and liabilities. |
42
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The availability of observable inputs varies by instrument. In situations where fair value is
based on internally developed pricing models or inputs that are unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. The degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is typically greatest for
instruments categorized in Level 3. In many instances, valuation inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. The category level in the fair value hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level
input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, including during periods of market disruption. In periods of market disruption, the ability to
observe prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments.
The Company is responsible for the determination of fair value and the
supporting assumptions and methodologies. The Company gains assurance that assets and liabilities are 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. For fair values received from third parties or internally estimated, the Company’s processes and controls are designed to ensure
that the valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistently applied, the inputs and assumptions are reasonable and consistent with the objective of determining fair value, and 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 or brokers or derived
from internal models. 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. The Company performs ongoing price validation procedures such as back-testing of actual sales, which corroborate the various inputs
used in internal models to market observable data. When fair value determinations are expected to be more variable, the Company validates them through reviews by members of management who have relevant expertise and who are independent of those
charged with executing investment transactions.
43
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
There are no assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of
December 31, 2018 or 2017. The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:
December 31, 2018
Description for Each
Class of Asset or Liability
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
Total |
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Assets at fair value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fixed maturities, available for sale |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| U.S. Treasury Securities and Obligations of U.S. Government Authority and Agencies |
|
$ |
94,902 |
|
|
$ |
206,690 |
|
|
$ |
334 |
|
|
$ |
301,926 |
|
| Obligations of U.S. States and Political Subdivisions |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
762,465 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
762,465 |
|
| Foreign government |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
19,977 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
19,977 |
|
| All other corporate securities |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5,511,797 |
|
|
|
12,609 |
|
|
|
5,524,406 |
|
| ABS |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
391,260 |
|
|
|
785 |
|
|
|
392,045 |
|
| CMBS |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
300,967 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
300,967 |
|
| RMBS |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
87,688 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
87,688 |
|
| Redeemable preferred stock |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
14,800 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
14,800 |
|
| Fixed maturities, trading |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
197,651 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
197,651 |
|
| Fixed maturities, fair value option |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
10,028 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
10,028 |
|
| Common stock |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
6,988 |
|
|
|
6,988 |
|
| Short-term investments |
|
|
269,016 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
269,016 |
|
| Other invested assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Equity options |
|
|
3,515 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
3,515 |
|
| Futures |
|
|
(539 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(539 |
) |
| Separate accounts assets |
|
|
1,266,912 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,266,912 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total assets at fair value |
|
$ |
1,633,806 |
|
|
$ |
7,503,323 |
|
|
$ |
20,716 |
|
|
$ |
9,157,845 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Liabilities at fair value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Policyholders’ account balances |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Equity indexed annuity contracts |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
(44,947 |
) |
|
$ |
(44,947 |
) |
| Equity indexed life contracts |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(8,624 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(8,624 |
) |
| Guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(5,203 |
) |
|
|
(5,203 |
) |
| Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(113 |
) |
|
|
(113 |
) |
| Separate accounts liabilities |
|
|
(1,266,912 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(1,266,912 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total liabilities at fair value |
|
$ |
(1,266,912 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,624 |
) |
|
$ |
(50,263 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,325,799 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
Description for Each Class of Asset or Liability
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
Total |
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Assets at fair value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fixed maturities, available for sale |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| U.S. Treasury Securities and Obligations of U.S. Government Authority and Agencies |
|
$ |
156,959 |
|
|
$ |
247,739 |
|
|
$ |
4,897 |
|
|
$ |
409,595 |
|
| Obligations of U.S. States and Political Subdivisions |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
776,531 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
776,531 |
|
| Foreign government |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
22,791 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
22,791 |
|
| All other corporate securities |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
6,371,395 |
|
|
|
18,351 |
|
|
|
6,389,746 |
|
| ABS |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
462,290 |
|
|
|
17,933 |
|
|
|
480,223 |
|
| CMBS |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
187,825 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
187,825 |
|
| RMBS |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
133,450 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
133,450 |
|
| Redeemable preferred stock |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
14,800 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
14,800 |
|
| Fixed maturities, trading |
|
|
|
|
|
|
97,819 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
97,819 |
|
| Fixed maturities, fair value option |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
12,095 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
12,095 |
|
| Common stock |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
8,152 |
|
|
|
8,152 |
|
| Short-term investments |
|
|
190,376 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
190,376 |
|
| Other invested assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Equity options |
|
|
21,045 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
21,045 |
|
| Separate accounts assets |
|
|
1,460,380 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,460,380 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total assets at fair value |
|
$ |
1,828,760 |
|
|
$ |
8,326,735 |
|
|
$ |
49,333 |
|
|
$ |
10,204,828 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Liabilities at fair value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Policyholders’ account balances |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Equity indexed annuity contracts |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
(57,531 |
) |
|
$ |
(57,531 |
) |
| Equity indexed life contracts |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(29,911 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(29,911 |
) |
| Guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(4,557 |
) |
|
|
(4,557 |
) |
| Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(113 |
) |
|
|
(113 |
) |
| Separate accounts liabilities |
|
|
(1,460,380 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(1,460,380 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total liabilities at fair value |
|
$ |
(1,460,380 |
) |
|
$ |
(29,911 |
) |
|
$ |
(62,201 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,552,492 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Summary of significant valuation techniques for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a
recurring basis
Fixed Maturities, Fair Value Option and Trading Securities
The fair values of the Company’s public fixed maturity securities are generally based on prices obtained from independent pricing
services. Prices for each security are generally sourced from multiple pricing vendors, and a vendor hierarchy is maintained by asset type based on historical pricing experience and vendor expertise. The Company ultimately uses the price from the
pricing service highest in the vendor hierarchy based on the respective asset type. The pricing hierarchy is updated for new financial products and recent pricing experience with various vendors. Consistent with the fair value hierarchy described
above,
45
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
securities with validated quotes from pricing services are generally reflected within Level 2, as they are primarily based on observable pricing for similar assets and/or other market
observable inputs. U.S. Treasury securities are included within Level 1 due to the market activity. Typical inputs used by these pricing services include but are not limited to, reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids, offers,
and/or estimated cash flow, prepayment speeds, and default rates. If the pricing information received from third party pricing services is deemed not reflective of market activity or other inputs observable in the market, the Company may challenge
the price through a formal process with the pricing service or classify the securities as Level 3. If the pricing service updates the price to be more consistent with the presented market observations, the security remains within Level 2.
Indicative broker quotes are also used to determine fair value in circumstances where vendor pricing is not available, or where the
Company ultimately concludes that pricing information received from independent pricing services is not reflective of market activity. If the Company concludes the values from both pricing services and brokers are not reflective of market activity,
it may override the information with an internally-developed valuation. Pricing service overrides, internally-developed valuations and indicative broker quotes are generally included in Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
The fair value of private fixed maturities and redeemable preferred stock, which are comprised of investments in private placement securities,
are primarily determined using discounted cash flow models. These models primarily use observable inputs that include Treasury or similar base rates plus estimated credit spreads to value each security. The credit spreads are obtained through a
survey of private market intermediaries who are active in both primary and secondary transactions, and consider, among other factors, the credit quality and industry sector of the issuer and the reduced liquidity associated with private placements.
Since most private placements are valued using standard market observable inputs and inputs derived from, or corroborated by, market observable data including observed prices and spreads for similar publicly traded or privately traded issues, they
have been reflected within Level 2. For certain private fixed maturities, the discounted cash flow model may incorporate significant unobservable inputs, which reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the inputs that market participants
would use in pricing the asset. To the extent management determines that such unobservable inputs are significant to the price of a security, a Level 3 classification is made. No private placement securities were classified as Level 3 as
of December 31, 2018 or 2017.
Common Stock
The Company’s investment in common stock is not practicable to measure at fair value due to the redemption provisions. Therefore, carrying
value approximates fair value.
Short-term Investments
Short-term investments are primarily money market securities valued using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible for
identical assets and classified as Level 1.
Other Invested Assets
The estimated fair value of derivatives is determined through the use of quoted market prices for exchange-traded derivatives.
46
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Separate Account Assets and Liabilities
Separate account assets and liabilities consist principally of investments in mutual fund shares. The fair values are based on quoted market
prices in active markets for identical assets and are classified within Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
Policyholders’
Account Balances
The liabilities for guarantees primarily associated with the optional living benefit features of certain variable
annuity contracts and equity indexed annuity contracts are calculated as the present value of future expected benefit payments to contractholders less the present value of assessed rider fees attributable to the optional living benefit feature. This
methodology could result in either a liability or contra-liability balance, given changing capital market conditions and various actuarial assumptions. Since there is no observable active market for the transfer of these obligations, the valuations
are calculated using internally developed models with option pricing techniques. The models are based on a risk neutral valuation framework and incorporate premiums for risks inherent in valuation techniques, inputs, and the general uncertainty
around the timing and amount of future cash flows. The determination of these risk premiums requires the use of management judgment.
The
significant inputs to the valuation models for these embedded derivatives include capital market assumptions, such as interest rate levels and volatility assumptions, as well as actuarially determined assumptions, including contractholder behavior,
such as lapse rates, benefit utilization rates, withdrawal rates, and mortality rates. Since many of these assumptions are unobservable and are considered to be significant inputs to the liability valuation, the liability included in future policy
benefits has been reflected within Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
Actuarial assumptions, including contractholder behavior and
mortality, are reviewed at least annually, and updated based upon emerging experience, future expectations and other data, including any observable market data. These assumptions are generally updated annually unless a material change that the
Company feels is indicative of a long term trend is observed in an interim period.
The liabilities for guarantees primarily associated
with the optional living benefit features of certain equity indexed life contracts are calculated based on the fair value of the underlying hedging instrument for these contracts.
Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in Level 3 fair value measurements was as follows as of
December 31, 2018 and 2017:
December 31, 2018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
Fair Value |
|
|
Valuation Technique |
|
Unobservable
Input |
|
Range |
|
Weighted
Average |
|
| Equity indexed annuity contracts |
|
$ |
(44,947 |
) |
|
Option Pricing
Technique |
|
Projected Option
Cost |
|
1.40% - 1.63% |
|
|
1.48 |
% |
December 31, 2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
Fair Value |
|
|
Valuation Technique |
|
|
Unobservable
Input |
|
Range |
|
Weighted
Average |
|
| Equity indexed annuity contracts |
|
$ |
(57,531 |
) |
|
|
Option Pricing
Technique |
|
|
Projected Option
Cost |
|
1.40% - 1.64% |
|
|
1.42 |
% |
47
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Excluded from the table above at December 31, 2018 and 2017 are approximately
$20.7 million and $49.3 million, respectively, Level 3 fair value measurements of investments for which the underlying quantitative inputs are not developed by the Company and are not reasonably available. These investments primarily
consist of certain public debt securities with limited trading activity, including asset-backed instruments, and their fair values generally reflect unadjusted prices obtained from independent valuation service providers and indicative, non-binding quotes obtained from third-party broker-dealers recognized as market participants. Significant increases or decreases in the fair value amounts received from these pricing sources may result in the
Company’s reporting significantly higher or lower fair value measurements for these Level 3 investments.
The table above also
excludes underlying quantitative inputs related to liabilities held for the Company’s guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits and guaranteed withdrawal benefits. These liabilities are not developed by the Company as they are 100% ceded to
external reinsurers. The development of these liabilities generally involve actuarially determined models and could result in the Company reporting significantly higher or lower fair value measurements for these Level 3 investments.
The rollforward of Level 3 assets and liabilities held at fair value on a recurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017
and 2016 was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
Balance,
January 1,
2018 |
|
|
Net income
(loss) |
|
|
OCI |
|
|
Transfers
to
Level 3 |
|
|
Transfers
out of
Level 3 |
|
|
Purchases |
|
|
Sales |
|
|
Issues |
|
|
Settlements |
|
|
Balance,
December 31,
2018 |
|
| Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fixed income maturities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| U.S Treasury Securities and Obligations of U.S. Government Authority and Agencies, available for
sale |
|
$ |
4,897 |
|
|
$ |
(1,297 |
) |
|
$ |
211 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
(3,477 |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
334 |
|
| All other corporate securities |
|
|
18,351 |
|
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
(26 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(965 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(2,077 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(2,647 |
) |
|
|
12,609 |
|
| ABS |
|
|
17,933 |
|
|
|
81 |
|
|
|
(632 |
) |
|
|
1,931 |
|
|
|
(16,157 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(2,371 |
) |
|
|
785 |
|
| Common stock |
|
|
8,152 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
110 |
|
|
|
(1,274 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
6,988 |
|
| Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Equity indexed annuity contracts |
|
|
(57,531 |
) |
|
|
12,584 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(44,947 |
) |
| Guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits and guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (1) |
|
|
(4,670 |
) |
|
|
(646 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(5,316 |
) |
48
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
Balance,
January 1,
2017 |
|
|
Net
income
(loss) |
|
|
OCI |
|
|
Transfers
to Level 3 |
|
|
Transfers
out of
Level 3 |
|
|
Purchases |
|
|
Sales |
|
|
Issues |
|
|
Settlements |
|
|
Balance,
December 31,
2017 |
|
| Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fixed income maturities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| U.S Treasury Securities and Obligations of U.S. Government Authority and Agencies, available for
sale |
|
$ |
6,573 |
|
|
$ |
(1,308 |
) |
|
$ |
(368 |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
4,897 |
|
| All other corporate securities |
|
|
19,351 |
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
121 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(1,113 |
) |
|
|
18,351 |
|
| ABS |
|
|
26,135 |
|
|
|
1,509 |
|
|
|
873 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(8,828 |
) |
|
|
16,817 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(18,573 |
) |
|
|
17,933 |
|
| Common stock |
|
|
5,100 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
3,052 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
8,152 |
|
| Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Equity indexed annuity contracts |
|
|
(55,871 |
) |
|
|
(1,660 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(57,531 |
) |
| Guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits and guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (1) |
|
|
(6,835 |
) |
|
|
2,165 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(4,670 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
Balance,
January 1,
2016 |
|
|
Net
income
(loss) |
|
|
OCI |
|
|
Transfers
to Level 3 |
|
|
Transfers
out of
Level 3 |
|
|
Purchases |
|
|
Sales |
|
|
Issues |
|
|
Settlements |
|
|
Balance,
December 31,
2016 |
|
| Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fixed income maturities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| U.S Treasury Securities and Obligations of U.S. Government Authority and Agencies, available for
sale |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
(491 |
) |
|
$ |
187 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
6,877 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
6,573 |
|
| All other corporate securities |
|
|
11,520 |
|
|
|
(123 |
) |
|
|
(246 |
) |
|
|
15,370 |
|
|
|
(4,483 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(955 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(1,732 |
) |
|
|
19,351 |
|
| ABS |
|
|
14,260 |
|
|
|
(53 |
) |
|
|
347 |
|
|
|
3,093 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
11,165 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(2,677 |
) |
|
|
26,135 |
|
| Common stock |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5,100 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5,100 |
|
| Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Equity indexed annuity contracts |
|
|
(64,138 |
) |
|
|
8,267 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(55,871 |
) |
| Guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits and guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (1) |
|
|
(7,814 |
) |
|
|
979 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(6,835 |
) |
| (1) |
These amounts are 100% ceded in accordance with the Company’s reinsurance agreements.
|
Transfers into Level 3 are generally the result of unobservable inputs utilized within the valuation methodologies
and the use of indicative broker quotes for assets that were previously valued using observable inputs. Transfers out of Level 3 are generally due to the use of observable inputs in valuation methodologies as well as the availability of pricing
service information for certain assets that the Company is able to validate.
49
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Fair Values of Certain Other Investments
The financial instruments presented below are reported at carrying value on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. However, in some
cases, the carrying amount equals or approximates fair value. The carrying amount and fair value by fair value hierarchy level of certain financial instruments not reported at fair value as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
Total |
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Commercial mortgage loans |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
852,034 |
|
|
$ |
852,034 |
|
| Policy loans |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
176,782 |
|
|
|
176,782 |
|
| Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
6,177 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
6,177 |
|
| Vehicle note |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
763,570 |
|
|
|
763,570 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total assets at fair value |
|
$ |
6,177 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
1,792,386 |
|
|
$ |
1,798,563 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Liabilities at fair value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Policyholders’ account balances — investment contracts |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
4,824,055 |
|
|
$ |
4,824,055 |
|
| Other long-term debt |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
763,570 |
|
|
|
763,570 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
5,587,625 |
|
|
$ |
5,587,625 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| December 31, 2017 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
Total |
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Commercial mortgage loans |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
1,044,531 |
|
|
$ |
1,044,531 |
|
| Policy loans |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
178,437 |
|
|
|
178,437 |
|
| Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
78,801 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
78,801 |
|
| Vehicle note |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
736,925 |
|
|
|
736,925 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total assets at fair value |
|
$ |
78,801 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
1,959,893 |
|
|
$ |
2,038,694 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Liabilities at fair value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Policyholders’ account balances — investment contracts |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
5,439,621 |
|
|
$ |
5,439,621 |
|
| Other long-term debt |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
736,925 |
|
|
|
736,925 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
6,176,546 |
|
|
$ |
6,176,546 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The fair values presented above have been determined by using available market information and by applying
market valuation methodologies, as described in more detail below.
Commercial Mortgage Loans
The fair value of most commercial mortgage loans is based upon the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the
appropriate U.S. Treasury rate plus an appropriate credit spread for similar quality loans.
Policy Loans
The fair value of policy loans was determined by discounting expected cash flows at the current loan coupon rate. As a result, the carrying
value of the policy loans approximates the fair value.
50
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company believes that due to the short-term nature of certain assets, including sweep account balances, the carrying value approximates
fair value.
Vehicle Note and Other Long-Term Debt
The fair value of the Vehicle note and Other long-term debt is based upon the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the
appropriate U.S. Treasury rate.
Policyholders’ Account Balances - Investment Contracts
Only the portion of policyholders’ account balances related to products that are investment contracts (those without significant mortality
or morbidity risk) are reflected in the table above. For fixed deferred annuities fair values are derived using discounted projected cash flows based on interest rates that are representative of the Company’s financial strength ratings, and
hence reflect the Company’s own nonperformance risk. For those balances that can be withdrawn by the customer at any time without prior notice or penalty, the fair value is the amount estimated to be payable to the customer as of the reporting
date, which is generally the carrying value.
The Company has agreements that provide for reinsurance of certain policy-related risks. Under the agreements, premiums, contract charges,
interest credited to policyholder funds, policy benefits and substantially all expenses are reinsured. The Company purchases reinsurance to limit aggregate and single losses on large risks. The Company cedes a portion of the mortality risk on
certain life and long-term care policies under coinsurance agreements and yearly renewable term agreements. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, approximately 88.2% and 99.8%, respectively, of the Company’s reinsurance
recoverables are due from companies rated A- or better by S&P. ALIC represents approximately 73% of the Company’s reinsurance recoverables as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and is
supported by a comfort trust of approximately $5.9 billion as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
The Company is party to an
experience rated modified coinsurance and monthly renewal term reinsurance arrangement with an external reinsurer under which risk on certain universal life and fixed annuity products is transferred. No portion of the assets constituting the
consideration has been transferred to the reinsurer. This agreement was structured to finance reserves on certain universal life and fixed annuity products, in exchange for a fee based on those reserves. The profit to the reinsurer expected on the
modified coinsurance and monthly renewable term portions is returned through an experience refund. The Company has determined that this agreement does not fulfill the requirements of risk transfer under generally accepted accounting principles and
is accounted for on a deposit method of accounting. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had a deposit receivable and a modified coinsurance payable of $1.0 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, related to this agreement.
51
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The effects of reinsurance on premiums earned and fee income from policyholders for the years
ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
|
2016 |
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Direct |
|
$ |
1,246,952 |
|
|
$ |
1,294,462 |
|
|
$ |
1,328,917 |
|
| Assumed |
|
|
5,118 |
|
|
|
4,768 |
|
|
|
4,749 |
|
| Ceded |
|
|
(900,842 |
) |
|
|
(949,894 |
) |
|
|
(971,047 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Premiums and fee income, net of reinsurance |
|
$ |
351,228 |
|
|
$ |
349,336 |
|
|
$ |
362,619 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The effects of reinsurance on return credited to policyholders’ account balances and policyholder
benefits for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
|
2016 |
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Direct |
|
$ |
1,519,057 |
|
|
$ |
1,668,358 |
|
|
$ |
1,643,710 |
|
| Assumed |
|
|
4,854 |
|
|
|
6,003 |
|
|
|
6,453 |
|
| Ceded |
|
|
(842,505 |
) |
|
|
(957,374 |
) |
|
|
(931,557 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Return credited to policyholders’ account balances and policyholders’ benefits, net of
reinsurance |
|
$ |
681,406 |
|
|
$ |
716,987 |
|
|
$ |
718,606 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company is party to a federal income tax allocation agreement (the “Tax Allocation Agreement”) with Lancaster Re. The Company and
Lancaster Re file a separate life consolidated federal income tax return under Internal Revenue Code Section 1504 (c)(1).
The Company
does not believe it has any uncertain tax positions for its federal income tax return that would be material to its financial condition, results of income, or cash flows. Therefore, the Company did not record a liability for unrecognized tax
contingencies/benefits as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. As of December 31, 2018, there were no uncertain tax positions for which management believes it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of tax contingencies will significantly
increase within 12 months of the reporting date. No amounts have been accrued for interest or penalties.
52
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The components of the deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2018
and 2017 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
December 31, 2017 |
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Deferred tax assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Policyholder reserves |
|
$ |
1,319,161 |
|
|
$ |
1,351,638 |
|
| Deferred acquisition costs |
|
|
64,394 |
|
|
|
50,739 |
|
| Deferred financing costs |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,154 |
|
| Investments |
|
|
61,318 |
|
|
|
— |
|
| Other assets |
|
|
7,611 |
|
|
|
3,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total deferred tax assets |
|
$ |
1,452,484 |
|
|
$ |
1,408,331 |
|
| Valuation allowance |
|
|
(65,654 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
| Deferred tax assets, after valuation allowance |
|
$ |
1,386,830 |
|
|
$ |
1,408,331 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Deferred tax liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Value of business acquired |
|
$ |
(32,397 |
) |
|
$ |
(28,356 |
) |
| Amounts recoverable from reinsurers |
|
|
(1,383,677 |
) |
|
|
(1,347,620 |
) |
| Intangibles |
|
|
(1,092 |
) |
|
|
(1,092 |
) |
| Investments |
|
|
(533 |
) |
|
|
(54,605 |
) |
| Other liabilities |
|
|
(731 |
) |
|
|
(1,243 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total deferred tax liabilities |
|
$ |
(1,418,430 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,432,916 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net deferred tax asset (liability) |
|
$ |
(31,600 |
) |
|
$ |
(24,585 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company evaluates the recoverability of deferred tax assets and establishes a valuation allowance if
necessary to reduce the deferred tax asset to an amount that is more likely than not expected to be realized. Considerable judgment is required in determining whether a valuation allowance is necessary, and if so, the amount of such valuation
allowance. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance the Company considers many factors, including: (1) the nature of the deferred tax assets and liabilities; (2) whether they are ordinary or capital; (3) in which tax
jurisdictions they were generated and the timing of their reversal; (4) taxable income in prior carryback years as well as projected taxable earnings exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards; (5) the length of time
that any tax attribute carryovers can be utilized in the various taxing jurisdictions; (6) any unique tax rules that would impact the utilization of the deferred tax assets; and (7) prudent and feasible tax planning strategies that the
Company would employ to avoid a tax benefit from expiring unused. Management determined that as of December 31, 2018, the objective negative evidence represented by the Company’s recent losses outweighed the more subjective positive
evidence and, as a result, recognized a full valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets relating to unrealized losses on fixed maturities. Adjustments to the valuation allowance will be made if there is a change in management’s assessment
of the amount of deferred tax asset that is realizable. The Company had no valuation allowance as of December 31, 2017.
At
December 31, 2018, the Company had $0.3 million of tax credit carryforwards and no net operating or capital loss carryforwards.
53
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective income tax rate on
income from operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
|
2016 |
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Expected federal income tax expense (benefit) |
|
$ |
(15,662 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,124 |
) |
|
$ |
16,135 |
|
| Dividends received deduction |
|
|
(890 |
) |
|
|
(1,960 |
) |
|
|
(1,960 |
) |
| Tax reform |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(11,461 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
| Tax rate differential on capital loss carryback, etc. |
|
|
(9,769 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
| Other |
|
|
(523 |
) |
|
|
(268 |
) |
|
|
472 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total income tax expense |
|
$ |
(26,844 |
) |
|
$ |
(15,813 |
) |
|
$ |
14,647 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On December 22, 2017, U.S. Tax Reform was enacted, which made significant changes to federal income tax
laws, including, but not limited to: (1) reduction in the overall maximum corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%; (2) changes to the computations for the dividends received deduction, tax reserves, and deferred acquisition costs; and
(3) elimination of the net operating loss (“NOL”) carryback and limiting NOL carryforward deductions to 80% of taxable income for life insurance companies.
The SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to address situations where a company does not have the
necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting under ASC Topic 740 Income Taxes for certain income tax effects of Tax Reform for the reporting period of
enactment. SAB 118 allows the Company to provide a provisional estimate of the impacts of Tax Reform during a measurement period similar to the measurement period used when accounting for business combinations. Adjustments to provisional estimates
and additional impacts from Tax Reform must be recorded as they are identified during the measurement period as provided for in SAB 118. Because changes in tax laws are accounted for in the period of enactment, and in accordance with SAB 118, the
Company provisionally remeasured its deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the 21% tax rate at which they are expected to reverse in the future and has recorded a tax benefit of $11.5 million as a discrete item in the prior year
provision for income taxes. We do not anticipate any significant changes to the amounts recorded.
The Company does not yet know how these
federal tax law changes may affect state and local income tax provisioning, but any such impacts are not considered material to the Company’s financial position or operating results.
The dividends received deduction (“DRD”) reduces the amount of dividend income subject to U.S. tax and is the primary component of
the non-taxable investment income, and, as such, is a significant component of the difference between the Company’s effective tax rate and the federal statutory tax rate of 21%. Prior to U.S. Tax Reform,
the DRD related to variable life insurance and annuity contracts was generally based on a company-specific percentage referred to as the company’s share. U.S. Tax Reform now specifies the calculation to a specific percentage subsequent to
2017. The actual current year DRD can vary from the estimate based on factors such as, but not limited to, changes in the amount of dividends received that are eligible for the DRD, changes in the amount of distributions received from mutual fund
investments, changes in the account balances of variable life and annuity contracts, and the Company’s taxable income before the DRD.
The Company is subject to examination by U.S. federal, state, and local income tax authorities. While the Company is not currently under any
examinations, tax years 2014 and forward are generally open and available for examination.
54
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
| 8. |
Future Policy Benefits and Other Policyholder Liabilities |
Life insurance liabilities include reserves for death benefits and other policy benefits. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, future policy
benefits and other policyholder liabilities consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
December 31, 2017 |
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Traditional life insurance |
|
$ |
1,612,347 |
|
|
$ |
1,607,149 |
|
| Immediate fixed annuities |
|
|
411,410 |
|
|
|
466,723 |
|
| Accident and health insurance |
|
|
1,918,570 |
|
|
|
1,809,006 |
|
| Equity indexed annuities |
|
|
16,547 |
|
|
|
32,601 |
|
| Other |
|
|
1,501,239 |
|
|
|
1,594,571 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total |
|
$ |
5,460,113 |
|
|
$ |
5,510,050 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Future policy benefits are generally equal to the present value of future benefit payments and related
expenses, less the present value of future net premiums. Assumptions as to mortality, morbidity and persistency are based on the Company’s experience, industry data, and/or other factors, when the basis of the reserve is established. Interest
rates used in the determination of present values range from 2.5% to 6.0% for setting reserves.
Accident and health insurance future
policy benefit reserves include gross unpaid claim reserves of $288.2 million and $256.7 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. These amounts are fully reinsured as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
| 9. |
Policyholder Account Balances |
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, policyholders’ account balances consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
December 31, 2017 |
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Interest-sensitive life contracts |
|
$ |
5,559,712 |
|
|
$ |
5,499,037 |
|
| Individual annuities |
|
|
4,240,012 |
|
|
|
4,761,155 |
|
| Funding agreements |
|
|
350,013 |
|
|
|
408,165 |
|
| Other |
|
|
8,170 |
|
|
|
8,554 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total policyholders’ account balances |
|
$ |
10,157,907 |
|
|
$ |
10,676,911 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Policyholders’ account balances represent an accumulation of account deposits plus credited interest less
withdrawals, expenses and mortality charges, if applicable. These policyholders’ account balances also include provisions for benefits under non-life contingent payout annuities. Interest crediting rates
range from 0.4% to 6.0% for interest sensitive contracts. Interest crediting rates for individual annuities range from 0.0% to 6.0%. Interest crediting rates for funding agreements range from 0.5% to 1.0%.
| 10. |
Certain Nontraditional Long-Duration Contracts |
The Company offered traditional variable annuity contracts through its separate accounts for which investment income and investment gains and
losses accrue directly to, and investment risk is borne by, the contractholder. The Company also offered variable annuity contracts with general and separate account options where the Company contractually guarantees to the contractholder a return
of no less than total deposits made to the contract less any partial withdrawals (“return of net deposits”). In certain of these
55
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
variable annuity contracts, the Company also contractually guarantees to the contractholder a return of no less than (1) total deposits made to the contract less any partial withdrawals plus
a minimum return (“minimum return”); and/or (2) the highest contract value on a specified date adjusted for any withdrawals (“contract value”). These guarantees include benefits that are payable in the event of death,
annuitization or at specified dates during the accumulation period and withdrawal and income benefits payable during specified periods. The Company also issued annuity contracts with and without market value adjusted investment options
(“MVAs”), which provide for a return of principal plus a fixed rate of return if held to maturity, or, alternatively, a “market adjusted value” if surrendered prior to maturity or if funds are allocated to other investment
options. The market value adjustment may result in a gain or loss to the Company, depending on crediting rates or an indexed rate at surrender, as applicable. All of the risks associated with the Company’s variable annuity contracts are
reinsured with external reinsurers.
In addition, the Company issued certain variable life, variable universal life and universal life
contracts where the Company contractually guarantees to the contractholder a death benefit even when there is insufficient value to cover monthly mortality and expense charges, whereas otherwise the contract would typically lapse (“no lapse
guarantee”). Variable life and variable universal life contracts are offered with general and separate account options similar to variable annuities.
The assets supporting the variable portion of both traditional variable annuities and certain variable contracts with guarantees are carried at
fair value and reported as “Separate account assets” with an equivalent amount reported as “Separate account liabilities.” Amounts assessed against the contractholders for mortality, administration, and other services are
included within revenue in fee income from policyholders and changes in liabilities for minimum guarantees are generally included in policyholder benefits in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
For those guarantees of benefits that are payable in the event of death, the net amount at risk is generally defined as the current guaranteed
minimum death benefit in excess of the current account balance at the balance sheet date. The Company’s primary risk exposures for these contracts relates to actual deviations from, or changes to, the assumptions used in the original pricing of
these products, including fixed income and equity market returns, contract lapses and contractholder mortality.
For guarantees of benefits
that are payable at annuitization, the net amount at risk is generally defined as the present value of the minimum guaranteed annuity payments available to the contractholder determined in accordance with the terms of the contract in excess of the
current account balance. The Company’s primary risk exposures for these contracts relates to actual deviations from, or changes to, the assumptions used in the original pricing of these products, including fixed income and equity market
returns, benefit utilization, timing of annuitization, contract lapses and contractholder mortality.
For guarantees of benefits that are
payable at withdrawal, the net amount at risk is generally defined as the present value of the minimum guaranteed withdrawal payments available to the contractholder determined in accordance with the terms of the contract in excess of the current
account balance. For guarantees of accumulation balances, the net amount at risk is generally defined as the guaranteed minimum accumulation balance minus the current account balance. The Company’s primary risk exposures for these contracts
relates to actual deviations from, or changes to, the assumptions used in the original pricing of these products, including equity market returns, interest rates, market volatility or contractholder behavior used in the original pricing of these
products.
The Company’s contracts with guarantees may offer more than one type of guarantee in each contract; therefore, the amounts
listed may not be mutually exclusive. The liabilities related to the net amount at risk are reflected within Future policy benefits and other policyholder liabilities or Policyholders’ account
56
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
balances. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had the following guarantees associated with these contracts, by product and guarantee type:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
| ($ in millions) |
|
In the Event of
Death |
|
|
At
Annuitization/
Accumulation |
|
|
For Cumulative
Periodic Withdrawals |
|
|
Accumulation
at Specified
Dates |
|
| Variable Annuity Contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Separate account value |
|
$ |
443.6 |
|
|
$ |
98.2 |
|
|
$ |
8.1 |
|
|
$ |
40.4 |
|
| Net amount at risk |
|
$ |
60.3 |
|
|
$ |
14.8 |
|
|
$ |
0.5 |
|
|
$ |
6.3 |
|
| Average attained age of contractholders |
|
|
63 years |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
| Weighted average waiting period until guarantee date |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
5 years |
|
| Variable Life, Variable Universal Life and Universal Life Contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| No Lapse Guarantees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Separate account value |
|
$ |
320.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| General account value |
|
$ |
3,610.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net amount at risk |
|
$ |
64,931.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Average attained age of contractholders |
|
|
51 years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
December 31, 2017 |
|
| ($ in millions) |
|
In the Event of
Death |
|
|
At
Annuitization/
Accumulation |
|
|
For Cumulative
Periodic Withdrawals |
|
|
Accumulation
at Specified
Dates |
|
| Variable Annuity Contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Separate account value |
|
$ |
543.4 |
|
|
$ |
121.8 |
|
|
$ |
9.9 |
|
|
$ |
52.9 |
|
| Net amount at risk |
|
$ |
44.1 |
|
|
$ |
10.6 |
|
|
$ |
0.1 |
|
|
$ |
4.6 |
|
| Average attained age of contractholders |
|
|
62 years |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
| Weighted average waiting period until guarantee date |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
5 years |
|
| Variable Life, Variable Universal Life and Universal Life Contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| No Lapse Guarantees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Separate account value |
|
$ |
396.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| General account value |
|
$ |
3,687.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net amount at risk |
|
$ |
71,791.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Average attained age of contractholders |
|
|
50 years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
57
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Liabilities for Guarantee Benefits
The liabilities for guaranteed minimum death benefits (“GMDB”) and secondary guarantees on interest-sensitive life and fixed
annuities are included in Future policy benefits and other policyholder liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and the related changes in the liabilities are included in Policyholder benefits in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and
Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. Guaranteed minimum income benefits (“GMIB”), guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (“GMWB”) and guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits
(“GMAB”) features are accounted for as bifurcated embedded derivatives and are recorded at fair value within Policyholders’ account balances on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The changes in general account liabilities for guarantees
on variable contracts were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
GMDB |
|
|
GMIB |
|
|
GMWB/GMAB |
|
|
Secondary
Guarantees |
|
|
|
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
Variable
Annuity |
|
|
Variable
Annuity |
|
|
Variable
Annuity |
|
|
Interest-
Sensitive Life
and Fixed
Annuities |
|
|
Total |
|
| Balance as of December 31, 2015 |
|
$ |
8,844 |
|
|
$ |
5,663 |
|
|
$ |
7,814 |
|
|
$ |
741,285 |
|
|
$ |
763,606 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Less: reinsurance recoverable |
|
|
8,844 |
|
|
|
5,663 |
|
|
|
7,814 |
|
|
|
100,317 |
|
|
|
122,638 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net balance as of December 31, 2015 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
640,968 |
|
|
|
640,968 |
|
| Incurred guarantee benefits |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
316,344 |
|
|
|
316,344 |
|
| Paid guarantee benefits |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(156,067 |
) |
|
|
(156,067 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net change |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
160,277 |
|
|
|
160,277 |
|
| Net balance as of December 31, 2016 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
801,245 |
|
|
|
801,245 |
|
| Plus reinsurance recoverable |
|
|
8,626 |
|
|
|
3,440 |
|
|
|
6,835 |
|
|
|
122,608 |
|
|
|
141,509 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Balance as of December 31, 2016 |
|
$ |
8,626 |
|
|
$ |
3,440 |
|
|
$ |
6,835 |
|
|
$ |
923,853 |
|
|
$ |
942,754 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Less: reinsurance recoverable |
|
|
8,626 |
|
|
|
3,440 |
|
|
|
6,835 |
|
|
|
122,608 |
|
|
|
141,509 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net balance as of December 31, 2016 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
801,245 |
|
|
|
801,245 |
|
| Incurred guarantee benefits |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
309,455 |
|
|
|
309,455 |
|
| Paid guarantee benefits |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(151,946 |
) |
|
|
(151,946 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net change |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
157,509 |
|
|
|
157,509 |
|
| Net balance as of December 31, 2017 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
958,754 |
|
|
|
958,754 |
|
| Plus reinsurance recoverable |
|
|
7,516 |
|
|
|
2,248 |
|
|
|
4,670 |
|
|
|
149,618 |
|
|
|
164,052 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Balance as of December 31, 2017 |
|
$ |
7,516 |
|
|
$ |
2,248 |
|
|
$ |
4,670 |
|
|
$ |
1,108,372 |
|
|
$ |
1,122,806 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Less: reinsurance recoverable |
|
|
7,516 |
|
|
|
2,248 |
|
|
|
4,670 |
|
|
|
149,618 |
|
|
|
164,052 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net balance as of December 31, 2017 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
958,754 |
|
|
|
958,754 |
|
| Incurred guarantee benefits |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
307,878 |
|
|
|
307,878 |
|
| Paid guarantee benefits |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(201,517 |
) |
|
|
(201,517 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net change |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
106,361 |
|
|
|
106,361 |
|
| Net balance as of December 31, 2018 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,065,115 |
|
|
|
1,065,115 |
|
| Plus reinsurance recoverable |
|
|
9,903 |
|
|
|
3,299 |
|
|
|
5,316 |
|
|
|
169,022 |
|
|
|
187,540 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Balance as of December 31, 2018 |
|
$ |
9,903 |
|
|
$ |
3,299 |
|
|
$ |
5,316 |
|
|
$ |
1,234,137 |
|
|
$ |
1,252,655 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
| 11. |
Value of Business Acquired |
The following changes to the VOBA asset occurred for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
|
2016 |
|
| Balance at beginning of period |
|
$ |
135,031 |
|
|
$ |
186,701 |
|
|
$ |
247,702 |
|
| Business acquired |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
| Amortized to expense during the year
(1) |
|
|
(26,321 |
) |
|
|
(29,827 |
) |
|
|
(30,053 |
) |
| Adjustment for unrealized investment losses during the year |
|
|
45,560 |
|
|
|
(21,843 |
) |
|
|
(30,948 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Balance at end of year |
|
$ |
154,270 |
|
|
$ |
135,031 |
|
|
$ |
186,701 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (1) |
Amount is included in Operating and acquisition expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
The estimated percentages of the VOBA balance to be amortized for the years indicated were
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
VOBA
Amortization |
|
| 2019 |
|
|
13 |
% |
| 2020 |
|
|
11 |
% |
| 2021 |
|
|
9 |
% |
| 2022 |
|
|
8 |
% |
| 2023 and thereafter |
|
|
59 |
% |
| 12. |
Commitments and Contingencies |
Regulation and Compliance
The Company is subject to changing social, economic and regulatory conditions. From time to time, regulatory authorities or legislative bodies
seek to impose additional regulations regarding agent and broker compensation, regulate the nature of and amount of investments, and otherwise expand overall regulation of insurance products and the insurance industry. The Company has established
procedures and policies to facilitate compliance with laws and regulations, to foster prudent business operations, and to support financial reporting. The Company routinely reviews its practices to validate compliance with laws and regulations and
with internal procedures and policies. As a result of these reviews, from time to time the Company may decide to modify some of its procedures and policies. Such modifications, and the reviews that led to them, may be accompanied by payments being
made and costs being incurred. The ultimate changes and eventual effects of these actions on the Company’s business, if any, are uncertain.
The Company is currently being examined by certain states for compliance with unclaimed property laws, premium tax and market conduct
compliance. It is possible that these examinations may result in additional payments to states and to changes in the Company’s practices and procedures, which could impact benefit payments, operating and acquisition expenses and reserves, among
other consequences; however, it is not likely to have a material effect on the financial statements of the Company.
The Company is
assessed amounts by the state guaranty funds to cover losses to policyholders of insolvent or rehabilitated insurance companies. Those mandatory assessments may be partially recovered through a reduction in future premium taxes in certain states. At
December 31, 2018, the Company accrued $3.8 million for guaranty fund assessments which is expected to be offset by estimated future premium tax deductions of $3.4 million. At December 31, 2017, the Company accrued
$3.3 million for guaranty fund assessments.
59
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Litigation
The Company is involved from time to time in judicial, regulatory and arbitration proceedings concerning matters arising in connection with the
conduct of its business. Management believes, based on currently available information, that the results of such proceedings, in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition. Given the inherent
difficulty of predicting the outcome of the Company’s litigation and regulatory matters, particularly in cases or proceedings in which substantial or indeterminate damages or fines are sought, the Company cannot estimate losses or ranges of
losses for cases or proceedings where there is only a reasonable possibility that a loss may be incurred. However, the Company believes that at the present time there are no pending or threatened lawsuits that are reasonably likely to have a
material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In the normal course of its business, the Company
has entered into agreements that include indemnities in favor of third parties, such as contracts with advisors and consultants, outsourcing agreements, information technology agreements and service agreements. The Company has also agreed to
indemnify its directors, officers and employees in accordance with the Company’s by-laws. The Company believes any potential liability under these agreements is neither probable nor estimable.
Therefore, the Company has not recorded any associated liability.
Pledged or Restricted Assets
The Company had the following restricted assets:
| |
• |
|
Certain bonds were on deposit with governmental authorities as required by law with market values of
$8.4 million and $8.6 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. |
| |
• |
|
Derivative cash collateral received was reported as cash equivalents of $1.0 million and $0.3 million
at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. |
| |
• |
|
Funds pledged on certain mortgage loans held in the investment portfolio to finance property improvements on
underlying real estate totaling $4.8 million and $8.5 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. |
| |
• |
|
The Company is a member of the FHLB and is required to pledge collateral to back funding agreements issued to the
FHLB. Assets with a market value of approximately $513.2 and $538.7 million were pledged as collateral to the FHLB as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. |
| 13. |
Regulatory Capital and Dividends |
The Company prepares its statutory-basis financial statements in conformity with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the State of
Nebraska. Prescribed statutory accounting practices include a variety of publications of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”), as well as state laws, regulations and general administrative rules. Permitted statutory
accounting practices encompass all accounting practices not so prescribed.
The State of Nebraska requires insurance companies domiciled in
its state to prepare statutory-basis financial statements in conformity with the NAIC Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual, subject to any deviations prescribed or permitted by the State of Nebraska Insurance Commissioner. Statutory accounting
practices differ from GAAP primarily since they require establishing life insurance reserves based on different actuarial assumptions and valuing certain investments at amortized cost. Statutory accounting practices do not give recognition to
purchase accounting adjustments.
60
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Statutory net income was $36 million, $64 million, and $52 million for the
years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Statutory capital and surplus was $380 million and $426 million as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
Dividend Limitations
The
ability of the Company to pay dividends is dependent on business conditions, income, cash requirements and other relevant factors. The payment of shareholder dividends by the Company without the prior approval of the Department of Insurance is
limited to formula amounts based on net income and capital and surplus, determined in conformity with statutory accounting practices, as well as, the timing and amount of dividends paid in the preceding twelve months. In connection with
HoldCo’s acquisition of Lincoln Benefit, prior approval of the Nebraska Director of Insurance is required for the Company for any dividend or distribution for five years subsequent to April 1, 2014. The Company paid dividends of
$15.0 million, $70.0 million, and $42.0 million during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Other
Under state
insurance laws, insurance companies are required to maintain paid up capital of not less than the minimum capital requirement applicable to the types of insurance they are authorized to write. Insurance companies are also subject to risk-based
capital (“RBC”) requirements adopted by state insurance regulators. A company’s “authorized control level RBC” is calculated using various factors applied to certain financial balances and activity. Companies that do not
maintain statutory capital and surplus at a level in excess of the company action level RBC, which is two times authorized control level RBC, are required to take specified actions. Company action level RBC is significantly in excess of the minimum
capital requirements.
The Company has a lease agreement to lease office space under a non-cancellable operating lease
agreement.
The minimum aggregate rental commitments as of December 31, 2018 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
|
|
| 2019 |
|
$ |
230 |
|
| 2020 |
|
|
218 |
|
| 2021 |
|
|
224 |
|
| 2022 |
|
|
229 |
|
| 2023 |
|
|
235 |
|
| All future years |
|
|
529 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Aggregate total |
|
$ |
1,665 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Under the management services agreement with HoldCo, HoldCo and Lincoln Benefit provide services to each other including but not limited to
compliance, legal, risk management, accounting and reporting, treasury, tax and other management related services. Services are provided at cost. HoldCo provided $22.4 million, $18.9 million, and $14.1 million in services to Lincoln
Benefit for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
61
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company has a Fee Letter (the “Fee Letter”) with Lanis LLC (“Lanis”)
pursuant to which the Company will pay Lanis the risk spread due on the Vehicle Note issued by Lanis to Lancaster Re. The total expense related to this risk spread for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was approximately
$8.3 million, 7.8 million, and $7.3 million, respectively.
The Company reported the following receivables/ (payables) to
affiliates as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
December 31, 2017 |
|
| HoldCo |
|
$ |
(5,288 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,715 |
) |
| Lanis |
|
$ |
(2,131 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,015 |
) |
Intercompany receivable and payable balances are evaluated on an individual company basis. Intercompany
balances are generally settled quarterly.
The Company’s stock was pledged as collateral on HoldCo’s term loan agreement with a
syndicate of lenders (“Term Loan”). The Term Loan was paid off in 2018.
On April 1, 2014, the Company and HoldCo entered
into a Letter Agreement whereby from and after the fifth anniversary of the date of the agreement, if the Company makes any payment pursuant to the Fee Letter, within ten business days of such payment by the Company, HoldCo shall reimburse the
Company in cash in an amount equal to such payment by the Company.
62
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Schedule I Summary of Investments Other Than Investments in Related Parties
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| December 31, 2018 |
|
Amortized
Cost |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
|
Amount at which
shown in the
Consolidated
Balance Sheet |
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Type of Investment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fixed maturities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Available for sale |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| U.S. Treasury Securities and Obligations of U.S. Government Authority and Agencies |
|
$ |
305,336 |
|
|
$ |
301,926 |
|
|
$ |
301,926 |
|
| Obligations of U.S. States and Political Subdivisions |
|
|
747,872 |
|
|
|
762,465 |
|
|
|
762,465 |
|
| Foreign government |
|
|
22,476 |
|
|
|
19,977 |
|
|
|
19,977 |
|
| All other corporate bonds |
|
|
5,830,098 |
|
|
|
5,524,406 |
|
|
|
5,524,406 |
|
| ABS |
|
|
404,935 |
|
|
|
392,045 |
|
|
|
392,045 |
|
| CMBS |
|
|
307,430 |
|
|
|
300,967 |
|
|
|
300,967 |
|
| RMBS |
|
|
83,965 |
|
|
|
87,688 |
|
|
|
87,688 |
|
| Redeemable preferred stock |
|
|
14,800 |
|
|
|
14,800 |
|
|
|
14,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total fixed maturities, available for sale |
|
$ |
7,716,912 |
|
|
$ |
7,404,274 |
|
|
$ |
7,404,274 |
|
| Trading securities |
|
|
194,785 |
|
|
|
197,651 |
|
|
|
197,651 |
|
| Fair value option securities |
|
|
10,603 |
|
|
|
10,028 |
|
|
|
10,028 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total fixed maturities |
|
$ |
7,922,300 |
|
|
$ |
7,611,953 |
|
|
$ |
7,611,953 |
|
| Other securities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Common stock |
|
$ |
6,988 |
|
|
$ |
6,988 |
|
|
$ |
6,988 |
|
| Commercial mortgage loans |
|
|
853,073 |
|
|
|
852,034 |
|
|
|
853,073 |
|
| Derivatives |
|
|
13,527 |
|
|
|
2,976 |
|
|
|
2,976 |
|
| Policy loans |
|
|
176,782 |
|
|
|
176,782 |
|
|
|
176,782 |
|
| Short-term investments |
|
|
269,016 |
|
|
|
269,016 |
|
|
|
269,016 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total other securities |
|
$ |
1,319,386 |
|
|
$ |
1,307,796 |
|
|
$ |
1,308,835 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total investments |
|
$ |
9,241,686 |
|
|
$ |
8,919,749 |
|
|
$ |
8,920,788 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
63
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of LBL HoldCo II, Inc.)
Schedule IV – Reinsurance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in thousands) |
|
Gross Amount |
|
|
Ceded to Other
Companies |
|
|
Assumed from
Other Companies |
|
|
Net Amount |
|
|
Percentage of
Amount
Assumed to Net |
|
| Year Ended December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Life insurance in force |
|
$ |
320,394,583 |
|
|
$ |
315,936,427 |
|
|
$ |
3,945,946 |
|
|
$ |
8,404,102 |
|
|
|
47.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Premiums and contract charges: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Life and annuities |
|
$ |
1,189,749 |
|
|
$ |
(845,346 |
) |
|
$ |
5,118 |
|
|
$ |
349,521 |
|
|
|
1.5 |
% |
| Accident and health insurance |
|
|
57,203 |
|
|
|
(55,496 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,707 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,246,952 |
|
|
$ |
(900,842 |
) |
|
$ |
5,118 |
|
|
$ |
351,228 |
|
|
|
1.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Year Ended December 31, 2017 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Life insurance in force |
|
$ |
343,103,636 |
|
|
$ |
338,144,016 |
|
|
$ |
4,049,125 |
|
|
$ |
9,008,745 |
|
|
|
44.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Premiums and contract charges: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Life and annuities |
|
$ |
1,236,410 |
|
|
$ |
(895,505 |
) |
|
$ |
4,768 |
|
|
$ |
345,673 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
% |
| Accident and health insurance |
|
|
58,052 |
|
|
|
(54,389 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
3,663 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,294,462 |
|
|
$ |
(949,894 |
) |
|
$ |
4,768 |
|
|
$ |
349,336 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Year Ended December 31, 2016 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Life insurance in force |
|
$ |
365,008,309 |
|
|
$ |
359,316,014 |
|
|
$ |
4,180,222 |
|
|
$ |
9,872,516 |
|
|
|
42.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Premiums and contract charges: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Life and annuities |
|
$ |
1,270,770 |
|
|
$ |
(918,414 |
) |
|
$ |
4,749 |
|
|
$ |
357,105 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
% |
| Accident and health insurance |
|
|
58,147 |
|
|
|
(52,633 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5,514 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,328,917 |
|
|
$ |
(971,047 |
) |
|
$ |
4,749 |
|
|
$ |
362,619 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No reinsurance or coinsurance income was netted against premiums ceded in the years ended December 31,
2018, 2017 and 2016.
64
| Item 11(f). |
Selected Financial Data |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
5-YEAR SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA |
|
| |
|
Successor Period* |
|
|
|
|
|
Predecessor Period* |
|
| ($ in millions) |
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
|
2016 |
|
|
2015 |
|
|
For the period from
April 1, 2014
through
December 31, 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
For the period from
January 1, 2014
through
March 31, 2014 |
|
| Operating results |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net investment income |
|
$ |
380.8 |
|
|
$ |
401.1 |
|
|
$ |
397.1 |
|
|
$ |
398.9 |
|
|
$ |
288.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.4 |
|
| Realized capital gains and (losses) |
|
|
(53.3 |
) |
|
|
38.1 |
|
|
|
73.7 |
|
|
|
113.5 |
|
|
|
46.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
| Total Revenues |
|
|
678.8 |
|
|
|
788.6 |
|
|
|
833.4 |
|
|
|
875.2 |
|
|
|
614.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.6 |
|
| Net income (loss) |
|
|
(47.7 |
) |
|
|
9.7 |
|
|
|
31.5 |
|
|
|
82.7 |
|
|
|
30.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.7 |
|
| Financial position |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Investments |
|
$ |
8,920.8 |
|
|
$ |
9,966.2 |
|
|
$ |
10,001.0 |
|
|
$ |
9,845.1 |
|
|
$ |
11,088.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
— |
|
| Total assets |
|
|
18,918.1 |
|
|
|
20,064.3 |
|
|
|
19,794.5 |
|
|
|
19,562.7 |
|
|
|
20,710.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
| Future policy benefits, other policyholder liabilities and policyholders’ account
balances |
|
|
15,618.0 |
|
|
|
16,187.0 |
|
|
|
16,047.2 |
|
|
|
15,878.2 |
|
|
|
16,293.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
| Shareholder’s equity |
|
|
150.1 |
|
|
|
491.2 |
|
|
|
442.5 |
|
|
|
334.5 |
|
|
|
679.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
| * |
On April 1, 2014, all of the capital stock in Lincoln Benefit was acquired by LBL HoldCo II, Inc.
(formerly Resolution Life, Inc.) (the “Acquisition”). Due to the Acquisition and the application of push-down accounting, different bases of accounting have been used to prepare the Predecessor and Successor financial statements. A black
line separates the Predecessor and Successor financial statements above to highlight the lack of comparability between those two periods. |
| Item 11(h). |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
|
This discussion reviews Lincoln Benefit’s financial condition and results of operations, including liquidity
and capital resources, for the periods covered by the audited GAAP-basis financial statements included in this report. Historical information is presented and discussed and, where appropriate, factors that may affect future financial performance are
also identified and discussed. The information included herein contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the results of operations, businesses and financial condition of the Lincoln Benefit made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Whenever used in this report, words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,”
“project,” “target,” “will,” “shall,” “could,” “may” and other words of similar meaning are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based
on current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict.
Given these risks and
uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on management’s forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Additionally, management’s forward-looking statements represent management’s views only as of the date of
this report. Lincoln Benefit undertakes no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or developments, except as required by law. For a more complete description of the various risks,
uncertainties, and other factors that could affect future results, see “ Risk Factors.”
OVERVIEW
The following discussion highlights significant factors influencing the financial position and results of operations of Lincoln Benefit. It
should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes
65
found under Item 11(e) contained herein. We operate as a single segment entity, based on the manner in which we use financial information to evaluate business performance and to determine
the allocation of resources.
The most important factors we monitor to evaluate the financial condition and performance of our Company
include:
| |
• |
|
For operations: premiums, benefits paid, contract charges, amounts ceded to reinsurers and return on investments
including exposure to market risk, credit quality/experience, net investment income, cash flows, realized capital gains and losses, unrealized capital gains and losses, stability of long-term returns, and asset/liability duration (“asset
duration”). |
| |
• |
|
For financial condition: risk based capital ratios and stress testing of overall capital position.
|
APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”)
requires the application of accounting policies that often involve a significant degree of judgment. Management, on an ongoing basis, reviews estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of financial statements. If management determines that
modifications in assumptions and estimates are appropriate given current facts and circumstances, the Company’s results of operations and financial position as reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements could change significantly.
Management believes the critical accounting policies relating to the following areas are most dependent on the application of estimates, assumptions and
judgments:
| |
• |
|
Future policy benefits and other policyholder liabilities |
| |
• |
|
Value of business acquired (“VOBA”) |
| |
• |
|
Investments — Impairments and Fair Value Measurements |
| |
• |
|
Reserves for Contingencies |
Future Policy Benefits and Other Policyholder Liabilities
Policy liabilities are established for future policy benefits on certain annuity, life, and long term care policies. Such liabilities are established in
amounts adequate to meet the estimated future obligations of policies in-force. Changes in policy and contract claims are recorded in policyholder benefits, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and
Comprehensive Income (Loss).
For ASC 944-20 products, benefit reserves are computed using the net level premium
method for individual life, annuity and long-term care policies, and are based upon estimates as to future investment yield, mortality and lapse that include provisions for adverse deviation that were prevalent at the time the reserve was initially
established. Mortality, morbidity and lapse assumptions for all policies are based on the Company’s own experience and industry developments.
Liabilities for outstanding claims and claims adjustment expenses are estimates of payments to be made on life and health insurance contracts for reported
claims and claims adjustment expenses. A liability is also held for claims adjustment expenses incurred but not reported as of the balance sheet date. These liabilities are determined using case basis evaluations and statistical analyses and
represent estimates of the ultimate cost of all claims incurred but not paid. These estimates are continually reviewed and adjusted as necessary; such adjustments are reflected in current operations.
Future policy benefit reserves for fixed indexed annuity policies with returns linked to the performance of a specified market index are equal to the excess
of the sum of the fair value of the embedded derivative and the host (or guaranteed) component over the policyholder account balance. The change in the fair value of the
66
embedded derivative is linked primarily to the performance of the equity option. The host value is established as of the date of acquisition and is equal to the total account value, plus the
value of the unexpired options at the date of acquisition, less the embedded derivative, and accreted over the policy’s life at a constant rate of interest.
Future policy benefits reserves for the portion of fixed indexed annuities earning a fixed rate of interest and other deferred annuity products are computed
under a retrospective deposit method and represent policyholders’ account balances before applicable surrender charges.
The Company holds additional
liabilities for its no lapse guarantees (associated with universal life policies), its guaranteed minimum death benefits (“GMDB”) associated with its variable universal life business, and guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits
(“GMWB”) associated with fixed annuities, which are accounted for in accordance with ASC 944-20, Financial Services — Insurance Activities. The Company’s reserves related to guaranteed
minimum income benefits (“GMIB”), guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits (“GMAB”), and GMWB associated with variable annuities are ceded to third party reinsurers with a small amount of retained GMWB coverage related to equity
indexed annuities.
Policy liabilities and accruals are based on the various estimates discussed above. Although the adequacy of these amounts cannot be
assured, the Company believes that policy liabilities and accruals will be sufficient to meet future obligations of policies in-force. The amount of liabilities and accruals, however, could be revised if the
estimates discussed above are revised.
Sensitivity for Future Policy Benefit Reserves
The Company’s liability for future policy benefits also includes reserves based on the present value of estimated future payments to or on behalf of
contractholders, where the timing and amount of payment depends on policyholder mortality. Expected mortality is generally based on the Company’s experience, industry data, and/or other factors. Interest rate assumptions are based on factors
such as market conditions and expected investment returns. After the initial establishment of reserves, premium deficiency and loss recognition tests are performed using best estimate assumptions as of the testing date without provisions for adverse
deviation. When the liabilities for future policy benefits plus the present value of expected future gross premiums at an acquisition deal level are insufficient to provide for expected future policy benefits and expenses for that line of business
(i.e., reserves net of any VOBA asset), any provisions for adverse deviation (“PAD”), if material, would be released, then VOBA would be written off, and then, if required, a premium deficiency reserve would be established by a charge to
earnings.
Value of Business Acquired
In
conjunction with the acquisition of a block of insurance policies or investment contracts, a portion of the purchase price is allocated to the right to receive future gross profits from the acquired insurance policies or investment contracts. This
intangible asset, called value of business acquired (“VOBA”), represents the estimated present value of future profits from the acquired policies. The estimated present value of future cash flows is based on certain assumptions, including
mortality, persistency, expenses, and interest rates that the Company expects to experience in future years. For interest sensitive products, VOBA is amortized over the life of the policies in relation to the emergence of estimated gross profits
(“EGP”) from margins on mortality, interest, expenses, and surrenders, all of which are net of reinsurance and include actual realized gains and losses on investments. For non-interest sensitive
products, such as term life insurance, VOBA is amortized in relation to premium. VOBA is reviewed periodically for loss recognition to ensure that the unamortized balance is recoverable from future earnings from the business. For certain contracts,
this evaluation is performed as part of our premium deficiency testing. The carrying amount of VOBA is adjusted for the effects of realized and unrealized gains and losses on debt securities classified as available-for-sale.
67
Annual assumptions review and quarterly adjustments
Annually, we perform a comprehensive review of the assumptions used in estimating gross profits for future periods. We perform our annual review of assumptions
during the third quarter.
Updates to assumptions may cause significant variability in amortization expense in the future. The impact on our results of
operations of changes in lapse experience, mortality and revisions to expected future rates of return on investments can be offsetting and therefore we are unable to predict their movement or offsetting impact over time.
The quarterly adjustments for current period experience reflect the impact of differences between actual gross profits for a given period and the previously
estimated EGPs for that period. To the extent each period’s actual experience differs from the previous estimate for that period, the assumed level of total gross profits may change. In these cases, we recognize a cumulative adjustment to all
previous periods’ amortization, also referred to as an experience true-up adjustment.
VOBA Sensitivities
For our equity-indexed annuity, variable life, and universal life policies, a significant portion of our gross profits is derived from interest and
mortality margins. As a result, our estimates of future gross profits are significantly influenced by our interest and mortality assumptions. Our mortality assumptions are used to estimate future death claims over the life of these policies and may
be developed based on Company experience, industry experience and other factors. Unless a material change in mortality experience that we feel is indicative of a long term trend is observed in an interim period, we generally update our mortality
assumptions annually in the third quarter. Updates to our mortality assumptions in future periods could have a significant adverse or favorable effect on our results of operations.
The following table provides a demonstration of the sensitivity of the VOBA balance relative to our future interest and mortality assumptions by quantifying
the adjustments that would be required, assuming both an increase and decrease in our future interest and mortality margin by 10%. The information below is for illustrative purposes only and reflects only the direct effect of changes in our interest
and mortality margin on the VOBA balance as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and net income for the years then ended:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
December 31, 2017 |
|
| ($ in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Decrease in future interest and mortality margin by 10% |
|
$ |
(7.3 |
) |
|
$ |
(6.4 |
) |
| Increase in future interest and mortality margin by 10% |
|
$ |
6.5 |
|
|
$ |
5.7 |
|
In addition to the impacts of interest and mortality experience relative to our assumptions, other factors may also drive
variability in amortization expense, particularly when our annual assumption updates are performed. As noted above, however, the impact on our results of operations of changes in these assumptions can be offsetting and we are unable to predict their
movement or offsetting impact over time.
Valuation of Investments, Including Derivatives, and the Recognition of Other-than-Temporary Impairments
Our investment portfolio consists of public and private fixed maturity securities, commercial mortgage and other loans, other invested assets and
derivative financial instruments. Derivatives are financial instruments whose values are derived from interest rates, financial indices or the values of securities. The derivative financial instruments we generally use are futures and options.
Management believes the following accounting policies related to investments, including derivatives, are most dependent on the application of estimates and assumptions. Each of these policies is discussed further within other relevant disclosures
related to the investments and derivatives, as referenced below:
| |
• |
|
Valuation of investments, including derivatives; |
68
| |
• |
|
Recognition of other-than-temporary impairments; and |
| |
• |
|
Determination of the valuation allowance for losses on commercial mortgage and other loans.
|
We present at fair value in the statements of financial position our investments classified as available-for-sale, including fixed maturities, derivatives, and embedded derivatives. For additional information regarding the key estimates and assumptions surrounding the determination of fair value of
fixed maturity and equity securities, as well as derivative instruments, embedded derivatives and other investments, see Notes 2 and 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
For our investments classified as available-for-sale, the impact of changes in
fair value is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net (“AOCI”), a separate component of equity. For a discussion of our policies regarding other-than-temporary declines in investment
value and the related methodology for recording other-than-temporary impairments of fixed maturity and equity securities, see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Commercial mortgage loans (“CMLs”) are carried at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. CMLs held by the Company are diversified
by property type and geographic area throughout the U.S. CMLs are considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will not collect amounts due according to the terms of the original loan agreement. The Company assesses the impairment of
loans individually for all loans in the portfolio. The Company estimates the fair value of the underlying collateral using internal valuations generally based on discounted cash flow analyses. The Company estimates an allowance for losses
representing potential credit losses embedded in the CML portfolio. The estimate is based on a consistently applied analysis of the loan portfolio and takes into consideration all available information, including industry, geographical, economic and
political factors.
Income Taxes
Income taxes
represent the net amount of income taxes that the Company expects to pay to or receive from various taxing jurisdictions in connection with its operations. The Company provides for Federal and state income taxes currently payable, as well as those
deferred due to temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the balance sheet date using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in
the years the temporary differences are expected to reverse. The realization of deferred tax assets depends upon the existence of sufficient taxable income within the carryforward periods under the tax law in the applicable jurisdiction. Valuation
allowances are established when management determines, based on available information, that it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management considers all available evidence including past operating results, the
existence of cumulative losses in the most recent years, forecasted earnings, future taxable income and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. The Company’s accounting for income taxes represents management’s best estimate of the
tax consequences of various events and transactions.
Significant management judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes and
deferred tax assets and liabilities, and in evaluating the Company’s tax positions including evaluating uncertainties under the guidance for Accounting for Uncertainty in Income taxes. Under the guidance, the Company determines whether it is
more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authorities before any part of the benefit can be recorded in the financial statements. The Company’s liability for income taxes includes the
liability for unrecognized tax benefits and interest that relate to tax years still subject to review by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) or other taxing authorities. We do not anticipate any significant changes within the next 12
months to our total unrecognized tax benefits related to tax years for which the statute of limitations has not expired.
69
Reserves for Contingencies
A contingency is an existing condition that involves a degree of uncertainty that will ultimately be resolved upon the occurrence of future events. Under GAAP,
reserves for contingencies are required to be established when the future event is probable and its impact can be reasonably estimated, such as in connection with an unresolved legal matter. The initial reserve reflects management’s best
estimate of the probable cost of ultimate resolution of the matter and is revised accordingly as facts and circumstances change and, ultimately, when the matter is brought to closure.
OPERATIONS
Overview and strategy. Prior to
July 18, 2013, we sold interest-sensitive, traditional and variable life insurance, and fixed annuities including deferred and immediate through independent master brokerage agencies. On April 1, 2014, all of the capital stock in Lincoln
Benefit was acquired by LBL HoldCo II, Inc. from Allstate Life Insurance Company (“ALIC”) (the “Acquisition”). In July 2013, we ceased soliciting and selling new policies through our independent agent channel. In 2017, we ceased
new policy issuances through the Allstate exclusive agency channel.
In connection with the Acquisition, LBL HoldCo II, Inc. and ALIC entered into a
Transition Services Agreement (the “TSA”) and Administration Services Agreement (“ASA”), pursuant to which ALIC continues to provide certain administrative services to the Company. In 2015, the administration of our deferred
annuity and life business was outsourced to unaffiliated third-party service providers, SE2, LLC and Alliance–One Services, Inc. ALIC continues to administer business sold through the Allstate exclusive agency channel and business sold through
this channel is fully reinsured with ALIC.
In April 2014, Lincoln Benefit entered into two transactions with Hannover Re. The first transaction provided
financing for a portion of our statutory reserves associated with our universal life business with no-lapse guarantees and our level premium term life business (the “AXXX/XXX Financing”). The second
transaction involved a reinsurance agreement with Hannover Re, structured on a combined modified coinsurance and monthly renewable term reinsurance basis.
Financial Position
The following table outlines
amounts reported in the Company’s Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in millions) |
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
December 31, 2017 |
|
| Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cash and invested assets |
|
$ |
8,927.0 |
|
|
$ |
10,045.0 |
|
| Reinsurance recoverables |
|
|
6,659.9 |
|
|
|
6,501.7 |
|
| Valuation of business acquired (“VOBA”) |
|
|
154.3 |
|
|
|
135.0 |
|
| Deposit receivable |
|
|
1,029.7 |
|
|
|
1,111.6 |
|
| Other assets |
|
|
880.4 |
|
|
|
810.6 |
|
| Separate account assets |
|
|
1,266.9 |
|
|
|
1,460.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total Assets |
|
$ |
18,918.2 |
|
|
$ |
20,064.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Future policy benefits |
|
|
5,460.1 |
|
|
|
5,510.1 |
|
| Policyholders’ account balances |
|
|
10,158.0 |
|
|
|
10,676.9 |
|
| ModCo payable |
|
|
1,029.7 |
|
|
|
1,111.6 |
|
| Long-term debt |
|
|
736.5 |
|
|
|
695.0 |
|
| Other liabilities |
|
|
116.9 |
|
|
|
119.1 |
|
| Separate account liabilities |
|
|
1,266.9 |
|
|
|
1,460.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total Liabilities |
|
$ |
18,768.1 |
|
|
$ |
19,573.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in millions) |
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
December 31, 2017 |
|
| Shareholder’s Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Common stock |
|
|
2.5 |
|
|
|
2.5 |
|
| Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
593.6 |
|
|
|
593.6 |
|
| Accumulated other comprehensive income |
|
|
(196.0 |
) |
|
|
72.8 |
|
| Retained earnings |
|
|
(250.0 |
) |
|
|
(177.7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total Shareholder’s Equity |
|
$ |
150.1 |
|
|
$ |
491.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total Liabilities and Shareholder’s Equity |
|
$ |
18,918.2 |
|
|
$ |
20,064.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2018 vs. December 31, 2017
Assets
Total assets decreased by
$1.1 billion, from $20.1 billion at December 31, 2017 to $18.9 billion at December 31, 2018. The decrease in total assets is a function of continued runoff of our closed block of business and a decline in fixed maturities
and separate account assets, primarily related to the increase in interest rates and decline in equity markets in 2018. This decrease was offset by an increase in the Company’s reinsurance recoverables, primarily from the growth in account
balances.
Significant variances are as follows:
Cash
and invested assets decreased by $1.1 billion from $10.0 billion at December 31, 2017 to $8.9 billion at December 31, 2018. The significant components of this balance and related increase are described below.
The Company’s fixed maturities bond portfolio decreased by $0.9 billion from $8.5 billion at December 31, 2017 to $7.6 billion at
December 31, 2018. The decrease is primarily a function of interest rate movements and the resulting increase in net unrealized losses in the current year. The fixed maturities bond portfolio is comprised of approximately 80% of publicly traded
securities and approximately 20% in privately placed issuances.
Mortgage loans decreased by $190.1 million from $1.0 billion at
December 31, 2017 to $0.9 billion at December 31, 2018. The decrease is related to maturing mortgage loans, paydowns and prepayments offset by new originations.
Policy loans decreased by $1.6 million from $178.4 million at December 31, 2017 to $176.8 million at December 31, 2018. These
balances are expected to continue to decline over time in conjunction with the runoff of the retained policies.
Other invested assets primarily consist
of derivative balances. Derivatives decreased by $18.0 million from $21.0 million at December 31, 2017 to $3.0 million at December 31, 2018. These balances are comprised primarily of options and futures that are used to
economically hedge the market risk inherent in the Company’s equity-indexed products. These assets are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recognized as realized investment gains or losses for GAAP reporting purposes. The decrease
in these balances is primarily related to the equity market movement in 2018.
Cash and short-term investments increased by $6.0 million from
$269.2 million at December 31, 2017 to $275.2 million at December 31, 2018. The amount invested in cash and short-term investments fluctuates based on liquidity needs and the timing of investment decisions. Overall, short-term
investments and cash range from 1% to 3% of overall invested assets.
Reinsurance recoverables arise under GAAP because reinsurance contracts do
not relieve the ceding company of legal liability to contractholders, and therefore the ceding company is required to report reinsurance recoverables arising from these contracts separately as an asset while the policyholder liabilities ceded under
these contracts are reported as future policyholder benefits or policyholder account balances.
71
Reinsurance recoverables increased by $158.2 million from $6.5 billion at December 31, 2017
to $6.7 billion as of December 31, 2018. This increase is primarily related to growth in long-term care reserves ceded to Employees Reinsurance Corporation and growth in policyholder account balances ceded to ALIC.
Additionally, the Company maintains reinsurance to limit aggregate and single losses on large risks. The Company cedes a portion of the mortality risk on
certain life and long-term care policies under coinsurance and yearly renewable term agreements to non-affiliated reinsurers.
Valuation of Business Acquired (“VOBA”) arises because at the Acquisition date, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed generally are
required to be measured at fair value. Fair value for financial reporting purposes is defined in ASC 820 (“Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”). ASC 820 emphasizes that fair value is a market participant-based exit price
measurement, and not an entity-specific measurement.
Once it has been determined that an asset exists, the VOBA as of the Acquisition date is a part of
the business combination, and this asset is measured at fair value in accordance with ASC 820 (i.e., the price that would be received to sell the asset in an ordinary transaction between market participants).
The actuarial appraisal method was used to determine the VOBA by lines of business and resulted in a total VOBA of $290.8 million at the acquisition
date. This was determined by projecting the present value of after tax statutory profits, discounted at a risk discount rate (“RDR”) of 12% and adjusted by projected cost of capital. This was compared to a fair deal RDR between 10% and 16%
and determined to create a collar of reasonable values around this central value. This statutory value is then converted to VOBA by adjusting for GAAP to statutory accounting differences.
VOBA increased by $19.3 million from $135.0 million at December 31, 2017 to $154.3 million at December 31, 2018. The increase is a
function of amortization of $26.3 million and the adjustment for net unrealized investment losses of $45.6 million during the year. VOBA balances before the impact of net unrealized gains were $151.0 million and $124.7 million at
December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
Deposit receivable and ModCo Payable decreased by $81.9 million from
$1.1 billion at December 31, 2017 to $1.0 billion at December 31, 2018. The deposit receivable and ModCo payable arise from the modified coinsurance/monthly renewable term reinsurance agreement entered into with Hannover Re. For
GAAP reporting purposes, a reinsurance transaction must pass significant risk to the reinsurer for a company to record a credit for liabilities ceded. The Company has determined that the reinsurance transaction with Hannover Re does not pass GAAP
risk transfer requirements and therefore must account for the transaction under deposit accounting principles. Under deposit accounting, the Company is required to establish a Deposit Receivable asset on the balance sheet that represents the
reinsurance recoverable with an offsetting ModCo Liability for the same amount. The decrease in the balance is consistent with the runoff of the reinsured blocks of business. We will continue to see these balances decline as the annuity blocks run
off.
Other assets increased by $69.8 million from $810.6 million at December 31, 2017 to $880.4 million at December 31,
2018. The balance is primarily comprised of the intercompany note, or “Vehicle Note” that the Company entered into on April 1, 2014 with its affiliate Lanis LLC (“Lanis”) in the initial amount of $513.0 million. The
Vehicle Note balance increased by $41.5 million from $695.0 million at December 31, 2017 to $736.5 million at December 31, 2018. Please see the discussion on the related Surplus Note in the Long Term Debt section below.
Separate Account assets and liabilities decreased by $193.5 million from $1.5 billion at December 31, 2017 to $1.3 billion at
December 31, 2018. This decrease was primarily driven by variable annuity surrenders and benefits paid during the year and decreased investment income related to equity market depreciation in 2018.
The assets of Separate Accounts are carried at fair value for GAAP. Separate Accounts liabilities represent the contractholders’ claims to the related
assets and are carried at the fair value of the assets. In the event the asset
72
values of certain contractholder accounts are projected to be below the value guaranteed by the Company, a liability is established through a charge to earnings.
Lincoln Benefit’s variable annuity business and a portion of the Variable Life business are reinsured by ALIC under an existing reinsurance agreement
between Lincoln Benefit and ALIC. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, all assets of the Separate Accounts that support the variable annuity and variable life business were legally insulated.
Liabilities
Total liabilities decreased by
$771.8 million, from $19.6 billion at December 31, 2017 to $18.8 billion at December 31, 2018. The decrease consists of the following components:
Future policy benefits decreased by $50.0 million from $5.5 billion at December 31, 2017 to $5.4 billion at December 31, 2018.
Such liabilities are established to meet the estimated future obligations of policies in-force. The decrease in these liabilities is primarily related to the movement in the shadow reserve associated with
secondary guarantees on universal life policies as a result of the rise in interest rates in 2018, offset by an increase in claim recoverables, long-term care reserves and for payout annuities due to new annuitizations. Also included here are the
amounts ultimately ceded to ALIC and other third party reinsurers.
Policyholders’ Account Balances decreased by $518.9 million, from
$10.7 billion at December 31, 2017 to $10.2 billion at December 31, 2018 as a result of policyholder maturities and surrenders. Policyholders’ account balances represent interest-bearing liabilities arising from the sale of
products such as interest-sensitive life insurance and fixed annuities, and are comprised of cumulative deposits received and interest credited to the contractholder less cumulative contract benefits, surrenders, withdrawals and contract charges for
mortality or administrative expenses.
The Company holds additional liabilities for GMIB associated with variable annuities (and a small amount of GMDB
associated with variable life business), which are accounted for in accordance with ASC 944-20, Financial Services — Insurance Activities. The reserves for certain living benefit features,
including GMAB and GMWB are accounted for as embedded derivatives, with fair values calculated as the present value of expected future benefit payments to contractholders less the present value of assessed rider fees attributable to the embedded
derivative feature. This methodology could result in either a liability or contra-liability balance, given changing capital market conditions and various actuarial assumptions. The Company’s GMIB, GMAB and GMWB reserves are ceded to external
reinsurers (with a small amount of retained GMWB coverage related to equity indexed annuities). For additional information regarding the valuation of these optional living benefit features, see Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Long-Term Debt increased by $41.5 million from $695.0 million at December 31, 2017 to $736.5 million at December 31, 2018.
This balance represents a surplus note that was initially issued on April 1, 2014 in the amount of $513.0 million. With the Department of Insurance approval, Lancaster Re issued a variable funding Surplus Note (the “Surplus
Note”) to its affiliate, Lanis, for $513.0 million and acquired from Lanis a Vehicle Note (the “Vehicle Note”) for $513.0 million. The Vehicle Note is held to support a portion of Lancaster Re’s reinsurance obligations
and has been authorized as an acceptable form of reinsurance collateral pursuant to Nebraska Statutes.
With Department of Insurance pre-approval, (i) the Surplus Note is increased each quarter with a corresponding increase in the Vehicle Note, and (ii) interest on the Surplus Note for the prior quarter is paid on the first day of each
subsequent quarter at a rate consistent with the rate received on the Vehicle Note of 4%. The Surplus Note and Vehicle Note increased by $41.5 million in 2018, primarily related to the increase in statutory universal life secondary guarantee
reserves and term reserves. The Surplus Note is unsecured and subordinated to all present and future indebtedness, policy claims and other creditor claims of Lancaster Re.
73
Other liabilities decreased by $2.2 million from $119.1 million at December 31, 2017
to $116.9 million at December 31, 2018. This balance consists of various policyholder related liabilities, other liability balances related to general expenses, the net deferred tax liability, unsettled trades, etc. The decrease in this
balance is comprised of decrease in the net deferred tax liability and payable for securities offset by an increase in book overdrafts.
Results of
Operations
The following table outlines amounts reported in Net Income (Loss):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in millions) |
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
|
2016 |
|
| Income (Loss) Before Federal Income Tax |
|
$ |
(74.6 |
) |
|
$ |
(6.1 |
) |
|
$ |
46.1 |
|
| Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) |
|
|
(26.8 |
) |
|
|
(15.8 |
) |
|
|
14.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net Income (Loss) |
|
$ |
(47.8 |
) |
|
$ |
9.7 |
|
|
$ |
31.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“OCI”) |
|
|
(278.3 |
) |
|
|
109.0 |
|
|
|
118.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
|
$ |
(326.1 |
) |
|
$ |
118.7 |
|
|
$ |
150.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Results of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
Net loss
of $47.8 million was primarily derived from product margins and net realized capital losses, offset by tax benefits resulting from these losses. Net realized capital losses resulted from asset-liability management initiatives and credit-related
impairments. The loss before federal income tax of $74.6 million was derived from product margins and net realized capital losses. Product margins include investment margins earned on annuity and life products, mortality margins earned on life
products, and minimal surrender and expense margins associated with all products. In 2018, the mortality margin decreased due to changes to future assumptions.
Other comprehensive loss of $278.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 was primarily related to the increase in net unrealized losses on
fixed maturities of $566.0 resulting from higher interest rates, partially offset by shadow adjustments related to VOBA and SOP 03-01 liabilities of $296.8 million, and tax effect of $9.1 million.
The Company established a deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $65.7 million relating to net unrealized losses in 2018.
For the Year
Ended December 31, 2017
Net income of $9.7 million was primarily derived from the tax benefit resulting from the enactment of the new
tax legislation in 2017. The loss before federal income tax of $6.1 million was derived from product margins offset by net realized capital gains. Product margins include investment margins earned on annuity and life products, mortality margins
earned on life products, and minimal surrender and expense margins associated with all products. In 2017, the mortality margin decreased due to changes to future assumptions and net realized capital gains were lower than the prior year.
Other comprehensive income of $109.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 was primarily related to the increase in net unrealized gains on
fixed maturities of $338.9 resulting from lower interest rates, partially offset by shadow adjustments related to VOBA and SOP 03-01 liabilities of $179.0 million, and tax effect of $50.9 million.
For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
Net income of $31.5 million was primarily derived from net realized capital gains and product margins. Net realized capital gains primarily arose from
strategic reinvestment and our continued investment portfolio
74
resegmentation to better align asset and liability cash flows. In 2016, the mortality margin decreased due to higher policyholder benefits, as well as, changes to future assumptions.
Other comprehensive income of $118.5 million for year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily related to the decrease in net unrealized losses on
fixed maturities of $242.2 million due to a decrease in spreads particularly for corporates, partially offset by shadow adjustments related to VOBA and SOP 03-01 liabilities of $59.9 million, and tax
effect of $63.8 million.
The significant components of income are summarized below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in millions) |
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
|
2016 |
|
| Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Premiums earned |
|
$ |
9.5 |
|
|
$ |
3.2 |
|
|
$ |
16.6 |
|
| Fee income from policyholders |
|
|
341.7 |
|
|
|
346.2 |
|
|
|
346.0 |
|
| Net investment income |
|
|
380.8 |
|
|
|
401.1 |
|
|
|
397.1 |
|
| Realized investment gains (losses), net |
|
|
(53.3 |
) |
|
|
38.1 |
|
|
|
73.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total revenues |
|
$ |
678.7 |
|
|
$ |
788.6 |
|
|
$ |
833.4 |
|
| Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Policyholder benefits |
|
$ |
412.5 |
|
|
$ |
439.9 |
|
|
$ |
449.1 |
|
| Interest credited to policyholders |
|
|
264.0 |
|
|
|
277.1 |
|
|
|
269.5 |
|
| Other operating expenses |
|
|
50.5 |
|
|
|
47.9 |
|
|
|
38.6 |
|
| Amortization of VOBA |
|
|
26.3 |
|
|
|
29.8 |
|
|
|
30.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total expenses |
|
$ |
753.3 |
|
|
$ |
794.7 |
|
|
$ |
787.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net Income (Loss) before Federal Income Taxes |
|
$ |
(74.6 |
) |
|
$ |
(6.1 |
) |
|
$ |
46.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums Earned and Fee Income
Premiums earned were $9.5 million, $3.2 million and $16.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016,
respectively. These premiums relate primarily to traditional life and health insurance products and immediate annuities. Premiums from these products are recognized as revenue when received at the inception of the contract. Premiums earned are net
of reinsurance premiums paid on the ceded business. Yearly Renewable Term (“YRT”) reinsurance premiums ceded on universal life products are shown here, while Cost of Insurance charges are included in fee income from policyholders.
Therefore, the YRT premiums largely offset the direct premium from traditional products. The increase in premium in 2018 is primarily related to a premium refund resulting from a recoverable settlement in 2018. The decrease in premium in 2017 is a
result of higher YRT premiums paid as our policyholders age and lower annuitization premium income.
Fee income from policyholders was
$341.7 million, $346.2 million and $346.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The fee income from policyholders consists of fees assessed against the policyholder account balance for the
cost of insurance (mortality risk), contract administration and surrender of the policy prior to contractually specified dates. These charges are recognized as revenue when assessed against the policyholder account balance. The decrease in fee
income in 2018 is primarily driven from expense loads that grade down with policy duration.
75
Net investment income was $380.8 million, $401.1 million and $397.1 million for the
years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Net investment income was attributable to the following asset types:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in millions) |
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
|
2016 |
|
| Fixed maturities |
|
$ |
338.3 |
|
|
$ |
349.1 |
|
|
$ |
330.7 |
|
| Commercial mortgage loans |
|
|
43.8 |
|
|
|
56.5 |
|
|
|
69.4 |
|
| Cash & short-term investments |
|
|
4.3 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
| Other |
|
|
8.9 |
|
|
|
8.6 |
|
|
|
8.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Gross investment income |
|
$ |
395.3 |
|
|
$ |
415.9 |
|
|
$ |
409.9 |
|
| Investment expenses |
|
$ |
14.5 |
|
|
$ |
14.8 |
|
|
$ |
12.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net investment income |
|
$ |
380.8 |
|
|
$ |
401.1 |
|
|
$ |
397.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Overall, net investment income in 2018 was slightly lower when compared to 2017 and 2016. The driver of this is lower average
asset balances resulting from the continued run-off of the portfolio in 2018. Net investment income in 2017 and 2016 remained consistent as a result of asset liability management initiatives, specifically the
FHLB ALM initiative which offset the decline in assets associated with the run-off of the business. The investment expense increase in 2017 is related to a specific investment initiative, with corresponding higher returns.
Realized investment gains (losses) were $(53.3) million, $38.1 million and $73.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2018,
2017 and 2016, respectively. The net realized losses in 2018 and the net realized gains in 2016 were related to asset liability management initiatives to improve yields and better match assets and liabilities. The net realized gains in 2017 were
primarily derivative related.
Policyholder benefits were $412.5 million, $439.9 million and $449.1 million for the years ended
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. Policyholder benefits include both incurred claims and the change in liability for future policy benefits. The higher amounts in 2016 and 2017 are primarily due to unfavorable mortality experience and annual
updates to assumptions (including changes in economic environment, interest and mortality). A significant portion of the increase in reserves in 2016 related to the recognition of realized capital gains of invested assets supporting the universal
life secondary guarantee products. There was no similar increase in reserves in 2018.
Interest credited to policyholders was $264.0 million,
$277.1 million and $269.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. This line item represents interest credited to liabilities arising from interest-sensitive life insurance and annuity products.
Interest credited to policyholders decreased in 2018 and 2016 due to lower account values resulting from runoff of business and lower amounts credited to the Company’s equity-indexed annuity products, resulting from lower equity market
performance. Interest credited in 2017 increased as a result of higher interest credited to the Company’s equity-indexed annuity products resulting from the strong equity market performance and interest credited to the FHLB funding agreements.
Operating and acquisition expenses were $50.5 million, $47.9 million and $38.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2018,
2017 and 2016, respectively. These expenses are comprised of general operating expenses, premium taxes, and other fees associated with reinsurance. Operating and acquisition costs were higher in 2018 primarily as a result of lower commission and
expense allowances on reinsurance ceded. This is primarily related to a refund of commissions and expense payable on the recoverable settlement discussed above. Operating and acquisition expenses were higher in 2017 as a result of higher reinsurance
expense allowances, higher claim litigation expenses and higher compensation costs, resulting from the strategic review initiatives and related severance costs.
Amortization of VOBA was $26.3 million, $29.8 million and $30.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016,
respectively. VOBA amortization is expected to decline over time as the unamortized balance is amortized with expected gross profits on specific product lines. The amortization in 2018 and 2017
76
were in line with expectations for those years, while 2016 amortization was higher than expected due to significant realized capital gains associated with those products lines.
Other Information Related to Successor Period
The
following table presents surrender and withdrawal amounts and rates for major insurance product lines for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
|
2016 |
|
| ($ in millions) |
|
Amounts |
|
|
Rate |
|
|
Amounts |
|
|
Rate |
|
|
Amounts |
|
|
Rate |
|
| Annuities |
|
$ |
539.3 |
|
|
|
12.6 |
% |
|
$ |
561.4 |
|
|
|
11.7 |
% |
|
$ |
605.2 |
|
|
|
11.3 |
% |
| Variable and interest-senstive life |
|
$ |
79.2 |
|
|
|
2.5 |
% |
|
$ |
82.1 |
|
|
|
2.5 |
% |
|
$ |
88.7 |
|
|
|
2.7 |
% |
As both annuities and life business have been in runoff since 2014, it is generally expected that the amount of surrenders (in
dollars) would decrease, even if the surrender rates were to remain the same. Regarding surrender rates, for variable and interest sensitive life, the reduction and steady-state in lapse rates is mostly attributable to current assumption universal
life. For annuities, most products exhibit a slight increase in lapse rates in 2018 and 2017. Surrender rates for annuities decreased in 2016 as a result of lower equity-indexed annuity surrenders.
General Account Investment Portfolio
The General Account
Investment Assets (“GAIA”) portfolio consists of a well-diversified portfolio of public and private fixed maturities, commercial mortgages and other loans and other invested assets. The General Account portfolios and investment results
primarily support the insurance liabilities of Lincoln Benefit’s business operations. The following table reconciles the balance sheet asset amounts to GAIA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
December 31, 2017 |
|
| ($ in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fixed maturities available for sale, at estimated fair value |
|
$ |
7,404.3 |
|
|
$ |
8,414.9 |
|
| Fixed maturities, trading, at estimated fair value |
|
|
197.7 |
|
|
|
97.8 |
|
| Fair value option |
|
|
10.0 |
|
|
|
12.1 |
|
| Common stock, at estimated fair value |
|
|
6.9 |
|
|
|
8.2 |
|
| Commercial mortgage loans |
|
|
853.1 |
|
|
|
1,043.2 |
|
| Policy loans |
|
|
176.8 |
|
|
|
178.4 |
|
| Cash and short-term investments |
|
|
275.2 |
|
|
|
269.2 |
|
| Other invested assets |
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
21.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total Cash and Invested Assets |
|
$ |
8,927.0 |
|
|
$ |
10,045.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets listed in the “Other” category principally consist of derivative assets
77
Investment Results of General Account Investment Assets
The following table summarizes investment results by asset category for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
|
2016 |
|
| ($ in millions) |
|
Amount |
|
|
Yield |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Yield |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Yield |
|
| Fixed maturities |
|
$ |
338.3 |
|
|
|
4.30 |
% (a) |
|
$ |
349.1 |
|
|
|
4.16 |
% (a) |
|
$ |
330.7 |
|
|
|
4.12 |
% (a) |
| Commercial mortgage loans |
|
|
43.8 |
|
|
|
4.63 |
% |
|
|
56.5 |
|
|
|
3.95 |
% |
|
|
69.4 |
|
|
|
3.50 |
% |
| Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments |
|
|
4.3 |
|
|
|
2.2 |
% |
|
|
1.7 |
|
|
|
1.10 |
% |
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
0.43 |
% |
| Other investment (loss)
income (b) |
|
|
8.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Gross investment income |
|
$ |
395.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
415.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
409.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Investment Expense |
|
|
14.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net Investment Income |
|
$ |
380.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
401.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
397.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (a) |
Includes all fixed maturities
(available-for-sale, trading and fair value option) |
| (b) |
Includes Derivatives, Other Invested Assets, Common Stock and Policy Loans |
Fixed Maturities
The fixed maturity portfolio consists
largely of investment grade corporate debt securities and includes significant amounts of U.S. government and agency obligations. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, GAIA held CMBS with an amortized cost of $307.4 million and
$189.6 million, respectively.
Fixed Maturities by Industry
The General Account fixed maturities portfolios include publicly-traded and privately-placed corporate debt securities across an array of industry categories.
The following tables set forth these fixed maturities by industry category as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 along with their associated gross unrealized gains and losses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Amortized
Cost |
|
|
Gross
Unrealized
Gains |
|
|
Gross
Unrealized
Losses |
|
|
|
|
| December 31, 2018
($ in millions) |
|
|
|
| |
Fair Value |
|
| Fixed maturities, available for sale |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| U.S. Treasury securities and Obligations of U.S. Government Authority and Agencies |
|
$ |
305.3 |
|
|
$ |
5.4 |
|
|
$ |
(8.8 |
) |
|
$ |
301.9 |
|
| Obligations of U.S. States and Political subdivisions |
|
|
747.9 |
|
|
|
21.4 |
|
|
|
(6.8 |
) |
|
|
762.5 |
|
| Foreign Governments |
|
|
22.5 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(2.5 |
) |
|
|
20.0 |
|
| Corporate securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Basic materials |
|
|
279.9 |
|
|
|
2.8 |
|
|
|
(18.7 |
) |
|
|
264.0 |
|
| Communications |
|
|
636.8 |
|
|
|
2.7 |
|
|
|
(39.6 |
) |
|
|
599.9 |
|
| Consumer, cyclical |
|
|
422.2 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
(28.1 |
) |
|
|
395.1 |
|
| Consumer, non-cyclical |
|
|
704.2 |
|
|
|
3.9 |
|
|
|
(48.2 |
) |
|
|
659.9 |
|
| Diversified |
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
| Energy |
|
|
738.3 |
|
|
|
1.9 |
|
|
|
(46.1 |
) |
|
|
694.1 |
|
| Financial |
|
|
1,566.0 |
|
|
|
3.7 |
|
|
|
(73.2 |
) |
|
|
1,496.5 |
|
| Industrial |
|
|
471.4 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
|
|
|
(35.7 |
) |
|
|
437.4 |
|
| Technology |
|
|
309.7 |
|
|
|
2.2 |
|
|
|
(11.8 |
) |
|
|
300.1 |
|
| Utilities |
|
|
700.6 |
|
|
|
2.8 |
|
|
|
(27.0 |
) |
|
|
676.4 |
|
78
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Amortized
Cost |
|
|
Gross
Unrealized
Gains |
|
|
Gross
Unrealized
Losses |
|
|
|
|
| December 31, 2018
($ in millions) |
|
|
|
| |
Fair Value |
|
| ABS |
|
|
404.9 |
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
(13.3 |
) |
|
|
392.0 |
|
| CMBS |
|
|
307.4 |
|
|
|
1.5 |
|
|
|
(7.9 |
) |
|
|
301.0 |
|
| RMBS |
|
|
84.0 |
|
|
|
4.3 |
|
|
|
(0.6 |
) |
|
|
87.7 |
|
| Redeemable preferred stock |
|
|
14.8 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
14.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total fixed maturities, available for sale |
|
$ |
7,716.9 |
|
|
$ |
55.7 |
|
|
$ |
(368.3 |
) |
|
$ |
7,404.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| December 31, 2017
($ in millions) |
|
Amortized
Cost |
|
|
Gross
Unrealized
Gains |
|
|
Gross
Unrealized
Losses |
|
|
|
|
| |
Fair
Value |
|
| Fixed maturities, available for sale |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| U.S. Treasury securities and Obligations of U.S. Government Authority and Agencies |
|
$ |
416.6 |
|
|
$ |
5.3 |
|
|
$ |
(12.4 |
) |
|
$ |
409.5 |
|
| Obligations of U.S. States and Political subdivisions |
|
|
741.3 |
|
|
|
37.9 |
|
|
|
(2.7 |
) |
|
|
776.5 |
|
| Foreign Governments |
|
|
24.2 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
(1.7 |
) |
|
|
22.7 |
|
| Corporate securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Basic materials |
|
|
322.4 |
|
|
|
20.9 |
|
|
|
(3.0 |
) |
|
|
340.3 |
|
| Communications |
|
|
700.0 |
|
|
|
25.0 |
|
|
|
(4.6 |
) |
|
|
720.4 |
|
| Consumer, cyclical |
|
|
447.0 |
|
|
|
14.5 |
|
|
|
(4.6 |
) |
|
|
456.9 |
|
| Consumer, non-cyclical |
|
|
842.2 |
|
|
|
32.4 |
|
|
|
(6.8 |
) |
|
|
867.8 |
|
| Diversified |
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
| Energy |
|
|
655.5 |
|
|
|
28.3 |
|
|
|
(10.6 |
) |
|
|
673.2 |
|
| Financial |
|
|
1,733.8 |
|
|
|
76.9 |
|
|
|
(3.4 |
) |
|
|
1,807.3 |
|
| Industrial |
|
|
519.2 |
|
|
|
15.6 |
|
|
|
(1.8 |
) |
|
|
533.0 |
|
| Technology |
|
|
332.9 |
|
|
|
22.1 |
|
|
|
(0.8 |
) |
|
|
354.2 |
|
| Utilities |
|
|
615.3 |
|
|
|
22.8 |
|
|
|
(2.3 |
) |
|
|
635.8 |
|
| ABS |
|
|
478.3 |
|
|
|
5.3 |
|
|
|
(3.4 |
) |
|
|
480.2 |
|
| CMBS |
|
|
189.6 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
(3.1 |
) |
|
|
187.9 |
|
| RMBS |
|
|
127.4 |
|
|
|
6.5 |
|
|
|
(0.5 |
) |
|
|
133.4 |
|
| Redeemable preferred stock |
|
|
14.8 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
14.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total fixed maturities, available for sale |
|
$ |
8,161.5 |
|
|
$ |
315.1 |
|
|
$ |
(61.7 |
) |
|
$ |
8,414.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross unrealized losses increased by $306.6 million from $61.7 million at December 31, 2017 to
$368.3 million at December 31, 2018. The increase in unrealized losses was primarily due to an increase in interest rates. The 10-year treasury yield curve rates at December 31, 2018 and 2017
were 2.69% and 2.41%, respectively. There was also a decrease in gross unrealized gains of $259.4 million, for a net change in net unrealized losses of $566.0 million.
Fixed Maturities by Credit Quality
The Securities
Valuation Office (“SVO”) of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) evaluates the investments of insurers for regulatory reporting purposes and assigns fixed maturity securities to one of six categories
(“NAIC Designations”). NAIC designations of “1” or “2” include fixed maturities considered investment grade, which include securities rated Baa3 or higher by Moody’s or BBB-
or higher by Standard & Poor’s. NAIC Designations of “3” through “6” are referred to as below investment grade, which include securities rated Ba1 or lower by Moody’s and BB+ or lower by Standard &
Poor’s. As a result of time lags between the funding of investments, the finalization of legal documents and the completion of the SVO filing process, the fixed maturity portfolio generally includes securities that have not yet been rated by
the SVO as of each balance sheet date. Pending receipt of SVO ratings, the categorization of these securities by NAIC designation is based on the expected ratings indicated by internal analysis.
79
The following table sets forth the General Accounts’ fixed maturities by NAIC rating at the dates
indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| December 31, 2018
($ in millions) |
|
Amortized
Cost |
|
|
Gross
Unrealized
Gains |
|
|
Gross
Unrealized
Losses |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
| NAIC Rating |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
|
Aaa, Aa, A |
|
$ |
3,430.3 |
|
|
$ |
33.9 |
|
|
$ |
(114.9 |
) |
|
$ |
3,349.3 |
|
| 2 |
|
Baa |
|
|
3,167.3 |
|
|
|
10.9 |
|
|
|
(198.8 |
) |
|
|
2,979.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment grade |
|
$ |
6,597.6 |
|
|
$ |
44.8 |
|
|
$ |
(313.7 |
) |
|
$ |
6,328.7 |
|
| 3 |
|
Ba |
|
|
76.0 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
(13.3 |
) |
|
|
62.8 |
|
| 4 |
|
B |
|
|
22.3 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(5.2 |
) |
|
|
17.1 |
|
| 5 |
|
C and lower |
|
|
14.3 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(5.7 |
) |
|
|
8.6 |
|
| 6 |
|
In or near default |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Below investment grade |
|
$ |
112.6 |
|
|
$ |
0.1 |
|
|
$ |
(24.2 |
) |
|
$ |
88.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total before asset and mortgage-backed securities |
|
$ |
6,710.2 |
|
|
$ |
44.9 |
|
|
$ |
(337.9 |
) |
|
$ |
6,417.2 |
|
|
|
Asset and mortgage-backed securities |
|
|
1,006.7 |
|
|
|
10.8 |
|
|
|
(30.4 |
) |
|
|
987.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total fixed maturities |
|
$ |
7,716.9 |
|
|
$ |
55.7 |
|
|
$ |
(368.3 |
) |
|
$ |
7,404.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| December 31, 2017
($ in millions) |
|
Amortized
Cost |
|
|
Gross
Unrealized
Gains |
|
|
Gross
Unrealized
Losses |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
| NAIC Rating |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
|
Aaa, Aa, A |
|
$ |
3,657.9 |
|
|
$ |
147.3 |
|
|
$ |
(14.6 |
) |
|
$ |
3,790.6 |
|
| 2 |
|
Baa |
|
|
3,213.4 |
|
|
|
143.3 |
|
|
|
(20.4 |
) |
|
|
3,336.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment grade |
|
|
$6,871.3 |
|
|
|
$290.6 |
|
|
|
$(35.0 |
) |
|
|
$7,126.9 |
|
| 3 |
|
Ba |
|
|
209.5 |
|
|
|
6.7 |
|
|
|
(6.6 |
) |
|
|
209.6 |
|
| 4 |
|
B |
|
|
29.3 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(6.2 |
) |
|
|
23.1 |
|
| 5 |
|
C and lower |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
| 6 |
|
In or near default |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Below investment grade |
|
$ |
238.8 |
|
|
$ |
6.7 |
|
|
$ |
(12.8 |
) |
|
$ |
232.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total before asset and mortgage-backed securities |
|
$ |
7,110.1 |
|
|
$ |
297.3 |
|
|
$ |
(47.8 |
) |
|
$ |
7,359.6 |
|
|
|
Asset and mortgage-backed securities |
|
|
1,051.4 |
|
|
|
17.8 |
|
|
|
(13.9 |
) |
|
|
1,055.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total fixed maturities |
|
$ |
8,161.5 |
|
|
$ |
315.1 |
|
|
$ |
(61.7 |
) |
|
$ |
8,414.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Below investment grade fixed maturities represented 1.2% and 2.7% of the gross unrealized losses at December 31, 2018 and
2017, respectively.
Equity Securities
The equity
securities of $7.0 million and $8.2 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, are entirely related to the ownership of FHLB stock.
Commercial Mortgage Loans
At December 31, 2018 and
2017, approximately 9.6% and 10.4% of GAIA were in commercial mortgage loans, respectively. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the carrying value of commercial mortgage loans was $853.1 million and $1,043.2 million, respectively.
80
The investment strategy for the mortgage loan portfolio emphasizes diversification by property type and
geographic location with a primary focus on asset quality. The table below shows the breakdown of the amortized cost of the General Account’s investments in mortgage loans by geographic region as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
December 31, 2017 |
|
| ($ in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Alabama |
|
$ |
0.8 |
|
|
$ |
1.1 |
|
| Arizona |
|
|
36.1 |
|
|
|
20.0 |
|
| California |
|
|
145.0 |
|
|
|
173.1 |
|
| Colorado |
|
|
61.2 |
|
|
|
57.3 |
|
| Florida |
|
|
54.6 |
|
|
|
103.9 |
|
| Georgia |
|
|
20.1 |
|
|
|
63.5 |
|
| Hawaii |
|
|
3.9 |
|
|
|
5.0 |
|
| Illinois |
|
|
86.9 |
|
|
|
88.0 |
|
| Iowa |
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
0.8 |
|
| Kansas |
|
|
9.2 |
|
|
|
9.2 |
|
| Kentucky |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
6.5 |
|
| Maryland |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
19.8 |
|
| Massachusetts |
|
|
29.9 |
|
|
|
53.6 |
|
| Minnesota |
|
|
23.6 |
|
|
|
116.9 |
|
| Nevada |
|
|
80.4 |
|
|
|
80.8 |
|
| New Jersey |
|
|
20.8 |
|
|
|
34.1 |
|
| New York |
|
|
48.4 |
|
|
|
50.7 |
|
| North Carolina |
|
|
33.4 |
|
|
|
34.0 |
|
| Ohio |
|
|
12.3 |
|
|
|
12.5 |
|
| Pennsylvania |
|
|
50.4 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
| South Carolina |
|
|
24.8 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
| Texas |
|
|
109.8 |
|
|
|
100.1 |
|
| Utah |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
7.8 |
|
| Virginia |
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
| Washington |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
| Wisconsin |
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
| General allowance for loan loss |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total commercial mortgage loans |
|
$ |
853.1 |
|
|
$ |
1,043.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
81
Commercial Mortgage Loan by Credit Quality
The values used in these ratio calculations were developed as part of the periodic review of the commercial mortgage loan portfolio, which includes an
evaluation of the underlying collateral value as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Recorded Investment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Debt Service Coverage Ratios |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in millions) |
|
> 1.20x |
|
|
1.00x-1.20x |
|
|
< 1.00x |
|
|
Total |
|
|
% of Total |
|
|
Estimated Fair Value |
|
|
% of Total |
|
| Loan-to-value
ratios: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Less than 65% |
|
$ |
628.3 |
|
|
$ |
88.4 |
|
|
$ |
37.4 |
|
|
$ |
754.1 |
|
|
|
88.4 |
% |
|
$ |
752.6 |
|
|
|
88.3 |
% |
| 65% to 75% |
|
|
50.0 |
|
|
|
49.0 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
99.0 |
|
|
|
11.6 |
% |
|
|
99.4 |
|
|
|
11.7 |
% |
| 76% to 80% |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
| Greater than 80% |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total |
|
$ |
678.3 |
|
|
$ |
137.4 |
|
|
$ |
37.4 |
|
|
$ |
853.1 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
852.0 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Recorded Investment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Debt Service Coverage Ratios |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| December 31, 2017 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in millions) |
|
> 1.20x |
|
|
1.00x-1.20x |
|
|
< 1.00x |
|
|
Total |
|
|
% of Total |
|
|
Estimated Fair Value |
|
|
% of Total |
|
| Loan-to-value
ratios: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Less than 65% |
|
$ |
731.6 |
|
|
$ |
48.9 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
780.5 |
|
|
|
74.8 |
% |
|
$ |
782.6 |
|
|
|
74.9 |
% |
| 65% to 75% |
|
|
222.8 |
|
|
|
39.9 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
262.7 |
|
|
|
25.2 |
% |
|
|
261.9 |
|
|
|
25.1 |
% |
| 76% to 80% |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
| Greater than 80% |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total |
|
$ |
954.4 |
|
|
$ |
88.8 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
1,043.2 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
1,044.5 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All of our mortgage loans are performing under the original contractual loan terms at December 31, 2018. There is one
mortgage loan that has a debt service coverage ratio of less than 1.0 at December 31, 2018. At December 31, 2018, there were no mortgage loans that were not current.
MARKET RISK
Market risk is the risk that
we will incur losses due to adverse changes in interest rates or credit spreads. We also have certain exposures to changes in equity prices in our equity-indexed annuities and separate accounts liabilities.
Overview. In formulating and implementing guidelines for investing funds, we seek to earn returns that contribute to stable
profits while also meeting the future cash flow requirements of our liabilities.
We use quantitative and qualitative market-based
approaches to measure, monitor and manage market risk. We evaluate our exposure to market risk through the use of multiple measures including but not limited to duration, earnings- and
capital-at-risk, scenario analysis and sensitivity analysis. Duration measures the price sensitivity of assets or liabilities to changes in interest rates. For example,
if interest rates increase 100 basis points, the fair value of an asset with a duration of 5 is expected to decrease in value by 5%. Earnings- and capital-at-risk are
estimates of the change in earnings or capital that might be expected to emerge over a given time horizon in various defined stress tests. Scenario analysis estimates the potential changes in the value of various financial parameters that could
occur under different hypothetical market conditions defined by changes to the market risk factors of interest rates and credit spreads. Sensitivity analysis estimates the potential changes in the value of various financial parameters that could
occur under different hypothetical shocks to a market risk
82
factor. In general, we establish investment portfolio asset allocation and market risk limits based upon a combination of duration, earnings- and capital-at-risk, scenario analysis and sensitivity analysis as well as a consideration of liquidity needs and prudent diversification. Our asset allocation limits place restrictions on the total funds that
may be invested within an asset class. Comprehensive day-to-day management of market risk within defined tolerance ranges occurs as our investment advisors buy and sell
within their respective markets based upon the acceptable boundaries established by our investment and other risk policies, which are overseen by our board of directors, and our investment and asset-liability management team.
Interest rate risk is the risk that we will incur a loss due to adverse changes in interest rates. This risk arises when our
investments are not fully matched to our liabilities, or when characteristics of the assets or liabilities change. Interest rate risk includes risks related to changes in U.S. Treasury yields and other key risk- free reference yields.
One of the measures used to quantify interest rate exposure is duration. To estimate asset durations, we project asset cash flows and
calculate their net present value using a risk-free market interest rate adjusted for credit quality, sector attributes, liquidity and other specific risks. Duration is calculated by revaluing these cash flows at alternative interest rates and
determining the percentage change in aggregate value. The asset projections include assumptions (based upon historical market experience and our experience) that are intended to reflect the effect of changing interest rates on the prepayment,
leverage and/or option features of instruments, where applicable. The preceding assumptions relate primarily to mortgage-backed securities, and municipal and corporate obligations. Our asset duration was 8.5 years and 8.2 years as of
December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The increase in asset duration year over year was due to a concerted extension effort to continue to decrease the duration gap, improve cash flow matching, and reduce our exposure to
interest rate risk. However, given the duration of our assets remains shorter than the duration of our liabilities, lower interest rates will result in lower investment income on assets purchased in the future.
Based upon the information and assumptions used in the duration calculation, and interest rates in effect as of December 31, 2018, we
estimate that a 100 basis point immediate, parallel fall in interest rates (“rate shock”) would increase the net fair value of the assets by $740 million, compared to $810 million as of December 31, 2017. While the duration
extended slightly over the year, the impact as at December 31, 2018 is lower due to a lower fair value year over year, which was driven by increases in treasury rates and credit spreads over that period. The increase in the fair value of assets
would be partially offset by the increase in the fair value of the underlying liabilities. The selection of a 100 basis point immediate, parallel change in interest rates should not be construed as our prediction of future market events, but only as
an illustration of the potential effect of such an event.
To the extent that conditions differ from the assumptions we used in these
calculations, duration and rate shock measures could be significantly impacted. Additionally, our calculations assume that the current relationship between short-term and long-term interest rates (the term structure of interest rates) will remain
constant over time. As a result, these calculations may not fully capture the effect of non-parallel changes in the term structure of interest rates and/or large changes in interest rates.
Credit spread risk is the risk that we will incur a loss due to adverse changes in credit spreads (“spreads”). This risk
arises from our investment in spread-sensitive fixed income assets.
We manage the spread risk in our assets by monitoring our spread
duration. Spread duration measures the price sensitivity of the assets to changes in spreads. For example, if spreads increase 100 basis points, the fair value of an asset exhibiting a spread duration of 5 is expected to decrease in value by 5%. We
manage this risk through a disciplined Asset-Liability Management process that endeavors to align expected liability cashflows with assets of a similar profile. Losses due to credit spread duration result only if there is a requirement to sell
assets (for example, to pay claims) prior to maturity at a time when the fair market value of assets is low due to higher credit spreads.
83
Spread duration is calculated similarly to interest rate duration. For our portfolio, spread
duration is close to the asset duration, and thus has a similar sensitivity. As of December 31, 2018, the spread duration of assets was 9.0 years, compared to 8.8 years as of December 31, 2017. Based upon the information and assumptions we
use in this spread duration calculation, and spreads in effect as of December 31, 2018, we estimate that a 100 basis point immediate, parallel increase in spreads across all asset classes, industry sectors and credit ratings (“spread
shock”) would decrease the net fair value of the assets by $790 million as of December 31, 2018 compared to $870 million as of December 31, 2017. While the spread duration extended slightly over the year, the impact as at
December 31, 2018 is lower due to a lower fair value year over year, which was driven by increases in treasury rates and credit spreads over that period. The increase in the fair value offsets would be partially offset by the increase in the
fair value of the underlying liabilities.
The selection of a 100 basis point immediate parallel change in spreads should not be construed
as our prediction of future market events, but only as an illustration of the potential effect of such an event.
Credit default
risk is the risk that we will incur a loss due to non-payment of principal or interest by a borrower on a specific financial instrument we own. This risk arises primarily from our investments in fixed
income securities (for example, corporate bonds) and commercial mortgage loans.
We manage credit default risk through monitoring of the
creditworthiness of the underlying borrowers of the securities and loans we are invested in. We use diversification to reduce credit default risk by spreading the risk across different borrowers, different industries, and different geographical
locations. Furthermore, we constrain credit default risk through limits on the amount of securities and loans we own with specific credit ratings. Credit defaults may be recognized by the Company in income prior to an actual default by the
underlying borrower.
A credit default loss of 100 basis points on the portfolio would result in a loss of $91 million as of
December 31, 2018, compared to $96 million as of December 31, 2017. The decrease is due to generally declining invested asset balances year-over-year. The selection of 100 basis points should not be construed as our prediction of
future market events, but as an illustration of the potential effect of such an event.
Equity price risk is the risk that we will
incur losses due to adverse changes in the general levels of the equity markets. Equity risk exists for contract charges based on account balances as well as for guarantees for living, death and/or income benefits provided by our variable and equity
indexed products.
Our variable life products are partially reinsured to ALIC. For the products that are retained, there is equity
exposure to contract charges and fees that are based on separate account values, but there is only small exposure to guarantees. The present value of a 20% decrease in equity values would result in a decline in the present value of future contract
charges and fees of approximately $4 million as of December 31, 2018, compared to a decline of $7 million as of December 31, 2017. The selection of 20% should not be construed as our prediction of future market events, but as an
illustration of the potential effect of such an event.
All variable annuity contract charges and fees, liabilities and benefits,
including guarantees for death and/or income benefits, are ceded to ALIC in accordance with the reinsurance agreements, thereby limiting our equity risk exposure. In 2006, ALIC disposed of substantially all of its variable annuity business through
reinsurance agreements with The Prudential Insurance Company of America, a subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc. and therefore mitigated this aspect of ALIC’s risk. The Company was not a direct participant of this agreement and its
reinsurance agreements with ALIC remain unchanged. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had Separate Accounts assets related to variable annuity and variable life contracts totaling $1.3 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively.
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had $1.0 billion and $1.2 billion respectively in equity-indexed life and annuity
liabilities that were not reinsured that provide customers with interest crediting rates primarily based on the performance of the S&P 500. We maintain a hedging program that aims to offset the impact of equity
84
market performance on the value of these guarantees. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had $3.0 million and $21.0 million in market value of S&P 500
options and futures under the hedging program, respectively.
Counterparty credit risk relates to the Company’s potential loss
if a counterparty fails to perform under the terms of a contract. The Company manages its exposure to counterparty credit risk by utilizing highly rated counterparties, establishing risk control limits, executing legally enforceable master
agreements and obtaining collateral where appropriate.
Lincoln Benefit’s counterparty risk consists of the following two types of
exposures: (1) Derivative counterparty risk: The Company only holds future contracts and option contracts which are traded on organized exchanges, which require margin deposits and guarantee the execution of trades, thereby mitigating potential
credit risk. Exchanges serve as a marketplace for the buyer and the seller. The associated clearing house sits between the two sides of the trade. The Company did not incur any losses on derivative financial instruments due to counterparty
nonperformance in 2018 or 2017; and (2) Reinsurance counterparty risk. The reinsurance counterparty risk is the risk of the reinsurance counterparty failing to pay reinsurance recoveries in full to Lincoln Benefit in a timely manner (i.e.,
unwillingness to pay, not paying them in full or inability to pay.) We attempt to mitigate this risk by diversifying the risk with multiple reinsurers and monitoring their credit ratings.
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
Capital resources consist of shareholder’s equity. The following table summarizes our capital resources as of December 31,
2018 and 2017:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ($ in millions) |
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
| Common stock, retained earnings and additional paid-in
capital |
|
$ |
346.1 |
|
|
$ |
418.4 |
|
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
(196.0 |
) |
|
|
72.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
150.1 |
|
|
$ |
491.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholder’s equity decreased in 2018 primarily due to an increase in unrealized capital losses
resulting from higher interest rates, the net loss generated during the year, and payments of dividends to our parent of $15.0 million. Shareholder’s equity increased in 2017 primarily due to a decrease in unrealized capital losses
resulting from lower interest rates and net income generated during the year, offset by the payments of dividends to our parent of $70.0 million.
Financial strength ratings. With the announcement of the acquisition by SNH Acquisition, LLC in the prior year, A.M. Best (“AM
Best”) and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P) placed the Company’s ratings under review. With the termination of the acquisition agreement by RL LP in October 2018, both agencies reviewed the Company’s ratings
and as of December 31, 2018 the Company’s ratings were A- from AM Best and BBB from S&P, both with stable outlook. Our financial strength ratings as of December 31, 2017 were A- from AM Best and BBB+ from S&P, both with negative outlook
reflecting uncertainty regarding the Company’s ability to grow the business through closed block transactions. These ratings reflect the rating agencies’ opinions of our relative financial strength and are not a recommendation to buy or
hold any investment. Ratings may be revised or revoked at any time at the sole discretion of the issuing rating agency.
The NAIC has
developed a set of financial relationships or tests known as the Insurance Regulatory Information System to assist state regulators in monitoring the financial condition of insurance companies and identifying companies that require special attention
or actions by insurance regulatory authorities. The NAIC analyzes financial data provided by insurance companies using prescribed ratios, each with defined “usual ranges”. Generally, regulators will begin to monitor an insurance company if
its ratios fall outside the usual ranges for four or more of the ratios. If we have insufficient capital, our regulator may act to reduce the amount of or deny the payment of, dividends. Our ratios are within these ranges.
85
Liquidity sources and uses. Our potential sources of funds principally include the
following:
| |
• |
|
Receipt of insurance premiums |
| |
• |
|
Contractholder fund deposits |
| |
• |
|
Receipts of principal and interest on investments |
| |
• |
|
Maturity or sales of investments |
Our potential uses of funds principally include the following.
| |
• |
|
Payment of contract benefits, surrenders and withdrawals |
| |
• |
|
Reinsurance cessions and payments |
| |
• |
|
Operating costs and expenses |
| |
• |
|
Purchase of investments |
| |
• |
|
Repayment of intercompany balances |
| |
• |
|
Tax payments/settlements |
Cash flows. As reflected in our Statements of Cash Flows, net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities was $126 million,
$(87) million, and $(1) million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Fluctuations in net cash provided by operating activities primarily occur as a result of changes in net investment income, differences in
the timing of reinsurance payments and other operating activities (e.g., tax payments, expenses, etc.)
Notwithstanding any reinsurance
arrangements, we continue to have primary liability as a direct insurer for risks reinsured. Our ability to meet liquidity demands is dependent on reinsurers’ ability to meet those obligations under the reinsurance programs.
Our ability to pay dividends is dependent on business conditions, income, cash requirements and other relevant factors. The payment of
shareholder dividends without the prior approval of the state insurance regulator is limited by Nebraska law to formula amounts based on net income and capital and surplus, determined in conformity with statutory accounting practices, as well as the
timing and amount of dividends paid in the preceding twelve months. Prior approval of the Nebraska Director of Insurance is required for the Company for any dividend or distribution paid for five years subsequent to April 1, 2014. After
receiving approval from the Department of Insurance, the Company paid dividends of $15.0 million, $70.0 million and $42.0 million in the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Contractual obligations. Due to the reinsurance agreements that we have in place, certain contractual obligations are ceded to ALIC,
Hannover and other non-affiliated reinsurers.
REGULATION AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are subject to extensive regulation and we are involved in various legal and regulatory actions, all of which have an effect on specific
aspects of our business. For a detailed discussion of the legal and regulatory actions in which we are involved, see Note 12 of the financial statements.
86
PENDING ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
There are pending accounting standards that we have not implemented because the implementation date has not yet occurred. For a discussion of
these pending standards, see Note 2 in the consolidated financial statements. The effect of implementing certain accounting standards on our financial results and financial condition is often based in part on market conditions at the time of
implementation of the standard and other factors we are unable to determine prior to implementation. For this reason, we are sometimes unable to estimate the effect of certain pending accounting standards until the relevant authoritative body
finalizes these standards or until we implement them.
| Item 11(i). |
Changes in or Disagreements with Accountants |
a) On October 22, 2018, management of HoldCo, with the recommendation and approval by the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) of
the Board of Directors of HoldCo, dismissed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
The report of PwC on Lincoln Benefit’s financial statements as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 for each of the two years ended
December 31, 2017 did not contain any adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and the subsequent interim period through October 22,
2018, there were: (i) no disagreements between Lincoln Benefit and PwC on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to the
satisfaction of PwC, would have caused PwC to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its report, and (ii) no reportable events within the meaning set forth in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
Lincoln Benefit provided PwC with a copy of this disclosure before its filing with the SEC and
requested that PwC provide us with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not it agrees with the above statements. A copy of this letter, dated April 1, 2019, is filed as Exhibit 16 to this registration form on Form S-1.
b) The Audit Committee recently conducted a competitive selection process to determine Lincoln
Benefit’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. As a result of this process, the Committee recommended appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) as the
Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. The decision to change accountants was recommended by the Audit Committee to the Board, and approved by the Board, on October 22,
2018.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and through October 22, 2018, we did not
consult with Deloitte regarding (1) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on Lincoln Benefit’s financial statements, and
Deloitte did not provide either a written report or oral advice to Lincoln Benefit that was an important factor considered by Lincoln Benefit in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issue, or (2) any matter
that was either the subject of a disagreement (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions) or a reportable event (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).
| Item 11(j). |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
Information required for Item 11(j) is incorporated by reference to the material under the caption “Market Risk” in
Item 11(h) of this report.
87
| Item 11(k). |
Directors and Executive Officers |
The biographies of each of the directors and executive officers as of April 1, 2019 are included below.
Clive Cowdery, 55, has been a director since April 2014. Mr. Cowdery is also a director of both LBL HoldCo, Inc. and LBL HoldCo
II, Inc. Mr. Cowdery was a director and President of RL GP Ltd. from December 2013 to September 2016, and a director of RL (Parallel) GP Ltd. from May 2014 to September 2016. Mr. Cowdery is the Founder and Chairman of The Resolution Group.
Before founding Resolution in 2003, Mr. Cowdery served as Chairman and Chief Executive of GE Insurance Holdings. Mr. Cowdery is Chairman of Prospect Publishing Limited, and he is the Founder and Chairman of the Resolution Foundation, a
charitable organization dedicated to improving living standards for the 15 million people in Britain on low and middle incomes.
Jon Hack, 51, has been a director since April 2014. Mr. Hack is also a director of LBL HoldCo, Inc. and a director of LBL HoldCo
II, Inc. He currently serves as the Managing Director for The Resolution Group. Prior to joining Resolution in 2009, Mr. Hack was a Managing Director and Head of European Financial Institutions Group for Lazard. Mr. Hack qualified as a
chartered accountant in 1992 and is a member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.
Ann Frohman,
55, has been a director since April 2014. Ms. Frohman is also a director of LBL HoldCo, Inc. and a director of LBL HoldCo II, Inc. Ms. Frohman is currently self-employed at Frohman Law Office LLC, a law and government relations firm. From
December 2010 to March 2012, Ms. Frohman served as Senior Vice President, Government and Industry for Physicians Mutual and Physicians Life Insurance Companies. Prior to that, Ms. Frohman held a number of leadership positions with the
Nebraska Department of Insurance, including Director. Ms. Frohman currently serves on the board of directors of Farmers Mutual of Nebraska. Ms. Frohman is a licensed attorney with the Nebraska State Bar Association. Ms. Frohman has
advised the Company and LBL HoldCo on issues of Nebraska law from time to time and expects to do so in the future.
Robert Stein,
70, has been a director since April 2014. Mr. Stein is also a director of LBL HoldCo, Inc. and a director of LBL HoldCo II, Inc. From November 1976 to September 2011, Mr. Stein held various positions at Ernst & Young, including
Partner. He currently serves on the board of directors of Assurant, Inc. and Talcott Resolution. From January 2013 to May 2017, Mr. Stein served on the board of directors of Aviva plc. Mr. Stein is an actuary and a
Certified Public Accountant. He is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Grace Vandecruze, 55, has been a director since April 2014. Ms. Vandecruze is also a director of LBL HoldCo, Inc. and LBL HoldCo
II, Inc. Since 2006, Ms. Vandecruze has been employed with Grace Global Capital LLC, where she currently serves as Managing Director. Prior to that, she served as a Managing Director at Swiss Reinsurance Company (formerly Fox-Pitt, Kelton) and Vice President at Head & Company LLC. Ms. Vandecruze is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Richard Carbone, 71, has been a director since April 2014. Mr. Carbone is also a director of LBL HoldCo, Inc. and a director of
LBL HoldCo II, Inc. Prior to joining LBL HoldCo, Inc., Mr. Carbone served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Prudential Financial, Inc. and The Prudential Insurance Company of America. He also served as Senior Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of Prudential Financial, Inc. from November 2001 to January 2008 and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Prudential Insurance Company of America from July 1997 to January 2008. Prior to
that, Mr. Carbone held various leadership roles at Salomon, Inc., Bankers Trust New York Corporation and Bankers Trust Company. Mr. Carbone is the Chairman of Talcott Resolution Life. He is also a member of the board of directors for
E*Trade Financial Corporation and an advisor to Hudson Structured Capital Management. Mr. Carbone is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).
88
Stephen Campbell, 52, has been a director since October 2015, and prior to
that Mr. Campbell had been a director from May 2014 through May 2015. Mr. Campbell is also a director of LBL HoldCo, Inc. and a director of LBL HoldCo II, Inc. From June 2015 through September 2015, Mr. Campbell was a counselor in the
domestic finance office of the U.S. Department of Treasury. Since July 2013, except while he was at the U.S. Department of Treasury, Mr. Campbell has been self-employed as a consultant and investor. Prior to that, he was an Investment Banker
with Lazard Freres & Co. from 2002 to July 2013. Mr. Campbell currently serves as a member of the board of directors for Hardscuffle, Inc. and American Life & Accident Insurance Company of Kentucky.
W. Weldon Wilson, 58, has been a director and Chief Executive Officer since April 2014. Mr. Wilson also serves as a
director and Chief Executive Officer for LBL HoldCo, Inc. and LBL HoldCo II, Inc. From 2010 to 2013, he was self-employed as a consultant. From July 1991 to December 2009, Mr. Wilson held various positions at Swiss Reinsurance Company,
including Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. He is a licensed attorney with the State Bar of Texas.
Mary Ellen Luning, 55, was appointed President and Chief Risk Officer of LBL HoldCo, Inc. and LBL HoldCo II, Inc. in July 2018. She
served as Vice President of Planning & Capital Management since 2014. From 1985 to 2014, Ms. Luning held various positions at Swiss Re Life & Health America, with most recent position of Managing Director and Appointed Actuary, and at
Ernst & Young LLP as a senior consultant in the Actuarial Services division. Ms. Luning is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and Member of the American Academy of Actuaries.
Forozan Nasery, 42, was appointed Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of LBL HoldCo, Inc. and LBL HoldCo II, Inc. in November 2018.
She served as Vice President and Controller of Lincoln Benefit since 2014. From 1998 through 2014, Ms. Nasery held various positions at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Ms. Nasery is a Certified
Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Joseph Rafson, 57, has been Vice
President and Appointed Actuary since 2014. He was appointed Vice President of Investments in April 2018. Previously, Mr. Rafson held various positions at KPMG LLP and at Allstate Life Insurance Company. Mr. Rafson is a Chartered Financial
Analyst, Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, and Member of the American Academy of Actuaries.
Martin Hahn, 52, has been Vice
President of Tax since 2014. Previously, Mr. Hahn was a Tax Managing Director at KPMG LLP from 1994 to 2014. Mr. Hahn is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Account, Certified Internal Auditor, and Certified Financial Services
Auditor. Mr. Hahn is also a member of the Company Taxation, Federal Committee and Federal Product Tax Committee of the American Council of Life Insurers.
89
| Item 11(l). |
Executive Compensation |
We do not have any employees, but rather are provided personnel, including our named executive officers, by our parent company, LBL HoldCo II,
Inc. (“HoldCo”), pursuant to the Services Agreement between LBL HoldCo II, Inc. and Lincoln Benefit effective April 1, 2014. Executive officers of Lincoln Benefit also serve as officers of our indirect parent, LBL HoldCo, Inc.
(“HoldCo Parent”) and other subsidiaries of HoldCo Parent. These executive officers received no compensation directly from Lincoln Benefit. As a result, we do not determine or pay any compensation to our named executive officers or
additional personnel provided by HoldCo for our operations. HoldCo determines and pays the salaries, bonuses and other wages earned by our named executive officers and by additional personnel provided to us by HoldCo. HoldCo also determines whether
and to what extent our named executive officers and additional personnel from HoldCo may participate in any employee benefit plans. We do not have any employment agreements with our named executive officers and do not provide pension or retirement
benefits, perquisites or other personnel benefits to our named executive officers. We do not have arrangements to make payments to our named executive officers upon their termination or in the event of a change in control of the Company. See
“Transactions with Related Parties” for more information about the Services Agreement between HoldCo and us.
Director
compensation
Our independent directors receive an annual cash retainer fee for their services on the boards of directors of HoldCo
Parent and its subsidiaries, including Lincoln Benefit, a portion of which is allocated to Lincoln Benefit pursuant to the Services Agreement. A non-employee director may also elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of his or her annual retainer
fee into a notional percentage equity interest in RL LP and RL (Parallel) Partnership (together, the “Partnerships”). The elected percentage of the Board retainer for a calendar year of service is converted into a notional percentage
interest in the Partnerships when the year-end valuation of the Partnerships for the immediately prior year is available. The notional interest will be unvested until December 31st of the relevant year of service, and, as a general rule, if the
director’s Board service ends before December 31st, the unvested portion of the notional interest will be forfeited except that, in the case of a qualifying termination, a pro rata portion of the director’s unvested portion of the
notional interest will vest. If a director is terminated, this will be considered a qualifying termination and such director’s notional interest will vest. If the Partnerships pay a distribution to their partners, the electing director will be
paid, on a current basis, a distribution in cash based on notional interest (both vested and unvested) held by such director as of the record date of the distribution. Vested portions of notional interests will be settled in cash on the first to
occur of (1) a liquidity event of the Partnerships and (2) termination of the director’s board service, in which case settlement would occur in the year following the year in which the director’s board service ends.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
In February 2015, the Board of Directors of HoldCo Parent established a compensation committee, whose primary function is to assist the Board
with its oversight role with respect to the compensation of HoldCo Parent’s and its subsidiaries’ executive officers and other employees. In February 2017, the HoldCo Parent compensation committee was re-established at HoldCo, the entity
with which the majority of the employees are employed. No executive officer of Lincoln Benefit serves as a member of the compensation committee of another entity for which any executive officer served as a director for Lincoln Benefit.
90
| Item 11(m). |
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management Security |
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The following table shows the number of Lincoln Benefit shares owned by any beneficial owner who owns more than five percent of any class of
Lincoln Benefit’s voting securities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Title of Class (a) |
|
Name and Address of
Beneficial Owner
(b) |
|
Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
(c) |
|
Percent of
Class
(d) |
| Capital Stock |
|
LBL HoldCo II, Inc.
5600 N. River Road, Suite 300
Rosemont, IL 60018 |
|
25,000 |
|
100% |
| N/A |
|
LBL HoldCo, Inc.
5600 N. River Road, Suite 300
Rosemont, IL 60018 |
|
Indirect voting and investment power of shares owned by LBL HoldCo II, Inc. |
|
N/A |
| N/A |
|
RL LP
Canon’s Court
22 Victoria Street
Hamilton, HM 12
Bermuda |
|
Indirect voting and investment power of shares owned by LBL HoldCo II, Inc. |
|
N/A |
| N/A |
|
RL GP, Ltd.
Canon’s Court
22 Victoria Street
Hamilton, HM 12
Bermuda |
|
Indirect voting and investment power of shares owned by LBL HoldCo II, Inc. |
|
N/A |
| N/A |
|
Resolution Capital Limited
2 Queen Anne’s Gate
London
SW1H 9AA
United Kingdom |
|
Indirect voting and investment power of shares owned by LBL HoldCo II, Inc. |
|
N/A |
| N/A |
|
Clive Cowdery
2 Queen Anne’s Gate
London
SW1H 9AA
United Kingdom |
|
Indirect voting and investment power of shares owned by LBL HoldCo II, Inc. |
|
N/A |
91
Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers
The following table shows the number of shares of stock in Lincoln Benefit or its parents beneficially owned by each director and named executive officer of
Lincoln Benefit individually, and by all executive officers and directors of Lincoln Benefit as a group. Shares reported as beneficially owned include certain shares held indirectly, as well as shares subject to stock options exercisable on or prior
to March 31, 2019 and restricted stock units for which restrictions expire on or prior to March 31, 2019. The following share amounts are as of March 31, 2019.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Entity |
|
Title of Class of Equity
Securities |
|
Number of
Shares |
|
Statement Concerning Beneficial
Ownership |
| Lincoln Benefit, LBL HoldCo II, Inc., LBL HoldCo, Inc., RL LP, RL GP Ltd., RL(Parallel) Partnership, R L (Parallel) GP Ltd. |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
Lincoln Benefit is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of (i) RL LP, which is controlled by its general partner RL GP Ltd. and (ii) RL (Parallel) Partnership, which is controlled by its managing partners, which includes RL
(Parallel) GP Ltd. RL (Parallel) GP Ltd. is wholly-owned by RL GP Ltd. RL GP Ltd. is wholly- owned by Resolution Capital Limited, which is wholly-owned by Clive Cowdery. |
|
|
|
|
| RL LP |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
Clive Cowdery has indirectly invested $8.997 million in RL LP, which currently accounts for 1.768% of the current total $509 million of aggregate investment in RL LP and RL (Parallel) Partnership. |
Changes in Control
On October 1, 2017, the indirect parents of the registrant (Lincoln Benefit), RL LP and RL (Parallel) Partnership, entered into an
agreement with SNH Acquisition, LLC and Southland National Holdings, Inc. to sell HoldCo Parent and its subsidiaries, including Lincoln Benefit, to SNH Acquisition, LLC. On October 30, 2018, RL LP, provided notice to SNH Acquisition, LLC
of the termination by RL LP of the agreement that had been entered into for the acquisition of HoldCo Parent and subsidiaries (including the Company) by SNH Acquisition, LLC.
| Item 11(n). |
Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters and Certain Control Persons |
Transactions with Related Persons
Lincoln
Benefit is a party to certain intercompany agreements involving amounts greater than $120,000 between Lincoln Benefit and the following companies:
| |
• |
|
LBL HoldCo II, Inc. (“HoldCo”), the direct parent of Lincoln Benefit. |
| |
• |
|
LBL HoldCo, Inc. (“HoldCo Parent”), an indirect parent of Lincoln Benefit. |
| |
• |
|
Lancaster Re Captive Insurance Company (“Lancaster Re”), a direct subsidiary of Lincoln Benefit
|
| |
• |
|
Lanis LLC, an affiliate of Lincoln Benefit |
In April 2014, Lincoln Benefit entered into a Services Agreement with HoldCo whereby HoldCo has agreed to provide certain management and
administrative services. These include legal counsel, data processing, office
92
management and supply services, marketing, public relations, actuarial services, auditing and managerial services. Lincoln Benefit reimburses HoldCo at cost for services and facilities provided
by HoldCo pursuant to this agreement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Transaction Description |
|
Approximate dollar
value of the amount
involved in the
transaction, per
fiscal year |
|
|
Approximate dollar value of the amount
involved in the
transaction, per
fiscal year |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
($) |
|
|
HoldCo
Parent |
|
|
HoldCo |
|
|
Lanis LLC |
|
| Services Agreement between LBL HoldCo II, Inc. and Lincoln Benefit effective April 1,
2014 |
|
|
2016
2017
2018 |
|
|
|
(14,147,918
(18,796,724
(22,366,496 |
)¹
)¹
)¹ |
|
|
N/A
N/A
N/A |
|
|
|
14,147,918¹
18,796,724¹
22,366,496¹ |
|
|
|
N/A
N/A
N/A |
|
| 1 |
Total expense amount reimbursed / (paid) under the transaction |
The agreements listed in the table immediately below relate to a transaction that LBL HoldCo II, Inc., LBL HoldCo, Inc., Lancaster Re Captive
Insurance Company, Lanis LLC and Lincoln Benefit have entered into with Hannover Life Reassurance Company of America, an unrelated party, in order to finance a portion of the insurance reserves held by Lincoln Benefit with respect to universal life
insurance policies with secondary guarantees written by Lincoln Benefit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Transaction Description |
|
Approximate dollar
value of the amount
involved in the
transaction, per
fiscal year |
|
|
Approximate dollar value of the amount
involved in the
transaction, per
fiscal year |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
($) |
|
|
HoldCo
Parent |
|
|
HoldCo |
|
|
Lanis LLC |
|
| Surplus Note Purchase Agreement between Lancaster Re Captive Insurance Company and
Lanis LLC effective April 1, 2014 |
|
|
2016 |
|
|
|
(25,069,000 |
)² |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
25,069,000 |
² |
| |
|
2017 |
|
|
|
(26,875,000 |
)² |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
26,875,000 |
2 |
| |
|
2018 |
|
|
|
(28,407,000 |
)² |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
28,407,000 |
2 |
| Vehicle Note Purchase Agreement between Lancaster Re Captive Insurance Company and
Lanis LLC effective April 1, 2014 |
|
|
2016 |
|
|
|
25,069,000 |
² |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
(25,069,000 |
)² |
| |
|
2017 |
|
|
|
26,875,000 |
² |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
(26,875,000 |
)2 |
| |
|
2018 |
|
|
|
28,407,000 |
2 |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
(28,407,000 |
)² |
| Fee Letter between Lincoln Benefit Life Company and Lanis LLC effective April 1,
2014 |
|
|
2016 |
|
|
|
(7,328,260 |
)3 |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
7,328,260 |
3 |
| |
|
2017 |
|
|
|
(7,834,870 |
)3 |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
7,834,870 |
3 |
| |
|
2018 |
|
|
|
(8,281,546 |
)3 |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
8,281,546 |
3 |
| 2 |
Surplus/Vehicle Note Interest received (paid) |
| 3 |
Payment of risk spread fee |
Review and Approval of Related Person Transactions
All intercompany agreements to which Lincoln Benefit is a party are approved by Lincoln Benefit’s Board of Directors as well as by the
board of any other affiliate of Lincoln Benefit that is a party to the agreement. When required, intercompany agreements are submitted for approval to the Nebraska Department of Insurance, Lincoln Benefit’s domestic regulator, and any
additional states in which Lincoln Benefit might be commercially domiciled pursuant to the applicable state’s insurance holding company systems act. This process is documented in an internal procedure that captures the review and approval
process of all intercompany agreements. All approvals are maintained in Lincoln Benefit’s corporate records.
While there is no
formal process for the review and approval of related person transactions between unaffiliated entities specific to Lincoln Benefit, all directors, officers and employees of Lincoln Benefit are
93
subject to LBL HoldCo, Inc.’s Code of Conduct and its Conflict of Interest Guideline. LBL HoldCo’s Code of Conduct includes a written conflict of interest policy that was adopted by the
Board of Directors of LBL HoldCo, Inc., the indirect parent company of Lincoln Benefit, and applies to all subsidiaries, including Lincoln Benefit. Any potential relationship or activity that could impair independent thinking and judgment, including
holding a financial interest in a business venture that is similar to Lincoln Benefit and/or LBL HoldCo, Inc., or in a business that has a relationship with either entity, is required to be disclosed to Human Resources and Compliance. Human
Resources works with representatives from the Law Department, including Compliance, and the Audit Committee, if necessary, to determine whether an actual conflict of interest existed. All directors, officers and employees are required to sign a Code
of Conduct certification and complete a Conflict of Interest Questionnaire annually.
Independence Standards for Directors
Although not subject to the independence standards of the New York Stock Exchange, for purposes of this registration statement, Lincoln Benefit
has applied the independence standards required for listed companies of the New York Stock Exchange to the Board of Directors. Applying these standards, Lincoln Benefit has determined that five of its directors are independent: Stephen Campbell,
Richard Carbone, Ann Frohman, Robert Stein and Grace Vandecruze.
OTHER INFORMATION
A section entitled “Experts” is added to your prospectus as follows:
EXPERTS
The financial statements included in this Prospectus and the related financial statement schedules included elsewhere in the
Registration Statement, as of and for the year then ended December 31, 2018 of Lincoln Benefit Life Company, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report
appearing herein and elsewhere in the Registration Statement. Such financial statements and financial statement schedules are included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in auditing and accounting.
The financial statements of Lincoln Benefit Life Company as of December 31, 2017 and for each of the two years in the
period ended December 31, 2017 included in this Prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in
auditing and accounting.
The following change is made to the prospectuses for the LBL Advantage, Consultant II and
Premier Planner:
Under the “More Information” section, the subsection entitled “Legal Matters” is
deleted and replaced with the following:
LEGAL MATTERS
Matters of Nebraska law pertaining to the Contract, including the validity of the Contract and our right to issue the Contract
under Nebraska law, have been passed upon by Lamson Dugan & Murray LLP, Omaha, Nebraska.
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
Allstate Distributors, L.L.C. (“ADLLC”) serves as distributor of the securities registered herein. The securities
offered herein are sold on a continuous basis, and there is no specific end date for the offering.
94
ADLLC is a registered broker dealer under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. ADLLC is not required to sell any
specific number or dollar amount of securities, but will use its best efforts to sell the securities offered.
ADMINISTRATION
We have primary responsibility for all administration of the Contracts and the Variable Account. We entered into an administrative services
agreement with Allstate Life. Allstate Life entered into an administrative services agreement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America (“PICA”) pursuant to which PICA or an affiliate provides administrative services to the Variable
Account and the Contracts on our behalf. In addition, PICA entered into a master services agreement with SE2, LLC, of 5801 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66636, whereby SE2, LLC provides certain business process outsourcing services with respect to
the Contracts. SE2, LLC may engage other service providers to provide certain administrative functions. These service providers may change over time, and as of December 31, 2018, consisted of the following: NTT DATA, Inc. (administrative
services) located at 100 City Square, Boston, MA 02129; RR Donnelley (compliance printing and mailing) located at 35 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601; Iron Mountain Information Management, LLC (f/k/a Stacks LLC) (file storage and document
destruction) located at 1 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110; TierPoint, LLC (f/k/a Co-Sentry.net, LLC) (back-up printing and disaster recovery) located at 9394 West Dodge
Rd, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114; SOVOS Compliance (f/k/a Convey Compliance Systems, Inc.) (withholding calculations and tax statement mailing) located at 3650 Annapolis Lane, Suite 190, Plymouth, MN 55447; Records Center of Topeka, a division of
Underground Vaults & Storage, Inc. (back-up tapes storage) located at 1540 NW Gage Blvd. #6, Topeka, KS 66618; Venio LLC, d/b/a Keane (lost shareholder search) located at PO Box 1508,
Southeastern, PA 19399-1508; DST Systems, Inc. (FAN mail, positions, prices) located at 333 West 11 Street, 5th Floor, Kansas City, MO 64105; Broadridge Output Solutions, Inc. (printing and mailing anniversary statements, financial confirmations,
automated letters and quarterly statements) located at 2600 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108.
In administering the Contracts, the
following services are provided, among others:
| |
• |
|
maintenance of Contract Owner records; |
| |
• |
|
Contract Owner services; |
| |
• |
|
calculation of unit values; |
| |
• |
|
maintenance of the Variable Account; and |
| |
• |
|
preparation of Contract Owner reports. |
We will send you Contract statements at least annually. We will also send you transaction confirmations. You should notify us promptly in
writing of any address change. You should read your statements and confirmations carefully and verify their accuracy. You should contact us promptly if you have a question about a periodic statement or a confirmation. We will investigate all
complaints and make any necessary adjustments retroactively, but you must notify us of a potential error within a reasonable time after the date of the questioned statement. If you wait too long, we will make the adjustment as of the date that we
receive notice of the potential error. Correspondence you send by regular mail to our service center should be sent to P.O. Box 758566, Topeka, KS 66675-8566. Your correspondence will be picked up at this address and then delivered to our service
center. Your correspondence is not considered received by us until it is received at our service center. Where this prospectus refers to the day when we receive a purchase payment, request, election, notice, transfer or any other transaction request
from you, we mean the day on which that item (or the last requirement needed for us to process that item) arrives in complete and proper form at our service center or via the appropriate telephone or fax number if the item is a type we accept by
those means. There are two main exceptions: if the item arrives at our service center (1) on a day that is not a business day, or (2) after the close of a business day, then, in each case, we are deemed to have received that item on the
next business day.
We will also provide you with additional periodic and other reports, information and prospectuses as may be required
by federal securities laws.
95
Supplement dated June 29, 2018, to the
Prospectus for your Variable Annuity
Issued by
LINCOLN BENEFIT
LIFE COMPANY
This supplement amends certain disclosure contained in the prospectus for your Variable Annuity contract issued by Lincoln Benefit Life
Company.
Effective on or about July 30, 2018, the PIMCO Foreign Bond Portfolio (U.S. Dollar-Hedged) - Administrative Shares sub-account will change its name to the PIMCO International Bond Portfolio (U.S. Dollar-Hedged) - Administrative Shares.
If you have any questions, please contact your financial representative or our Variable Annuities Service Center at (800)
457-7617. Our representatives are available to assist you Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Central time.
Please keep this supplement for future reference together with your prospectus. No other action is required of you.
LBLSUP3
Supplement dated June 18, 2018, to the
Prospectus for your Variable Annuity
Issued by
LINCOLN BENEFIT
LIFE COMPANY
This supplement amends certain disclosure contained in the prospectus for your Variable Annuity contract issued by Lincoln Benefit Life
Company.
Effective on or about July 2, 2018, the trusts and funds listed below will change their names. In addition, the investment advisor,
Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. will change its name to DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc.
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| Fund - Current Name |
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Fund – New Name |
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Trust - Current Name |
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Trust – New Name |
| Deutsche Equity 500 Index VIP – Class B |
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DWS Equity 500 Index VIP – Class B |
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Deutsche Investments VIT Funds |
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Deutsche DWS Investments VIT Funds |
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| Deutsche Small Cap Index VIP – Class B |
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DWS Small Cap Index VIP – Class B |
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Deutsche Investments VIT Funds |
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Deutsche DWS Investments VIT Funds |
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| Deutsche Bond Fund VIP – Class A |
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DWS Bond Fund VIP – Class A |
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Deutsche Variable Series I |
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Deutsche DWS Variable Series I |
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| Deutsche Core Equity VIP – Class A |
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DWS Core Equity VIP – Class A |
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Deutsche Variable Series I |
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Deutsche DWS Variable Series I |
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| Deutsche CROCI® International VIP – Class A |
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DWS CROCI® International VIP – Class A |
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Deutsche Variable Series I |
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Deutsche DWS Variable Series I |
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| Deutsche Global Small Cap VIP – Class A |
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DWS Global Small Cap VIP – Class A |
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Deutsche Variable Series I |
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Deutsche DWS Variable Series I |
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| Deutsche Global Income Builder VIP – Class A |
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DWS Global Income Builder VIP – Class A |
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Deutsche Variable Series II |
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Deutsche DWS Variable Series II |
If you have any questions, please contact your financial representative or our Variable Annuities Service Center at (800) 457-7617. Our representatives are available to assist you Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Central time.
Please keep this supplement for future reference together with your prospectus. No other action is required of you.
LBLSUP2
Supplement dated January 22, 2018, to the
Prospectus for your Variable Annuity
Issued by
LINCOLN BENEFIT
LIFE COMPANY
This supplement amends certain disclosure contained in the prospectus for your Variable Annuity contract issued by Lincoln Benefit Life
Company.
We previously notified you that the variable sub-accounts listed below in your Variable Annuity were
closed to all contract owners except those contract owners who had Account Value invested in the variable sub-accounts, and that we had intended to remove them as investment options and substitute new
investment options under your Variable Annuity contract:
PIMCO Total Return Portfolio – Administrative Shares
CUSIP Number 693394405
PIMCO
Total Return Portfolio – Advisor Shares
CUSIP Number 693394538
However, we are no longer planning to remove these sub-accounts or substitute new investment options. As a result,
effective February 5, 2018, the above variable sub-accounts will be available to all contract owners.
If you
have any questions, please contact your financial representative or our Variable Annuities Service Center at (800) 457-7617. Our representatives are available to assist you Monday through Friday between 7:30
a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Central time.
Please keep this supplement for future reference together with your prospectus. No other action is required of you.
LBLSUP2
Supplement dated October 30, 2017
to the Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for
CONSULTANT SOLUTIONS (CLASSIC, PLUS, ELITE, SELECT) (DATED MAY 1, 2017)
CONSULTANT I (DATED MAY 1, 2017)
LBL ADVANTAGE (DATED MAY 1, 2004)
CONSULTANT II (DATED MAY 1, 2004)
PREMIER PLANNER (DATED MAY 1, 2004)
INVESTOR’S SELECT (DATED MAY 1, 2007)
Issued by
LINCOLN
BENEFIT LIFE COMPANY
LINCOLN BENEFIT LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
This supplement updates certain information contained in the prospectus and statement of additional information for each of the variable annuity contracts
listed above (each a “Contract”). All terms not defined in this supplement shall have the same meanings as the terms used in the prospectuses and statements of additional information. Please read this supplement carefully and keep it
for future reference. No other action is required of you.
On September 28, 2017, Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s direct parent, Resolution
Life, Inc. changed its name to LBL HoldCo II, Inc., and Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s indirect parent, Resolution Life Holdings, Inc. changed its name to LBL HoldCo, Inc.
On October 1, 2017, t he indirect parent companies of Lincoln Benefit Life Company— Resolution Life L.P. and Resolution Life (Parallel)
Partnership—entered into an agreement with SNH Acquisition, LLC and Southland National Holdings, Inc. to sell LBL HoldCo, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Lincoln Benefit Life Company, to SNH Acquisition, LLC (the
“Transaction”). The Transaction is subject to required regulatory approvals. Subject to the receipt of such regulatory approvals, the Transaction is targeted to close in the 1st quarter of 2018.
The terms and provisions of your Contract will not be changed by the Transaction, and Lincoln Benefit Life Company will continue to honor all of its
obligations under your Contract. The Transaction will not change the fact that Lincoln Benefit Life Company is the named insurer under your Contract. Following the Transaction, the Prudential Insurance Company of America or an affiliate
will continue to reinsure the Contracts and administer the Variable Account and the Contracts.
If you have any questions about this supplement, please
contact your financial professional or our Variable Annuities Service Center at (800) 457-7617. Our representatives are available to assist you Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Central
time.
LBLSUP1
Supplement dated January 9, 2017 to the
Prospectus for your Variable Annuity
Issued by
LINCOLN BENEFIT
LIFE COMPANY
This supplement amends certain disclosure contained in the prospectus for your Variable Annuity contract issued by Lincoln Benefit Life
Company.
Effective close of business February 24, 2017 (the Closure Date), the following variable sub-accounts available in your Variable Annuity
will be closed to all contract owners except those contract owners who have contract value invested in the variable sub-accounts as of the Closure Date:
Janus Aspen Series Global Research Portfolio – Institutional Shares
Janus Aspen Series Global Research Portfolio – Service Shares
Contract owners who have contract value invested in these variable sub-accounts as of the Closure Date may continue to submit additional investments into the
variable sub-accounts thereafter, although they will not be permitted to invest in the variable sub-accounts if they withdraw or otherwise transfer their entire contract value from the variable sub-accounts following the Closure Date. Contract
owners who do not have contract value invested in the variable sub-accounts as of the Closure Date will not be permitted to invest in these variable sub-accounts thereafter.
Dollar cost averaging, category models and/or auto-rebalancing programs, if elected by a Contract owner prior to the Closure Date, will not be affected by the
closure unless a contract owner withdraws or otherwise transfers his entire Account Value from the sub-accounts.
If you have any questions, please
contact your financial professional or our Variable Annuities Service Center at (800) 457-7617. Our representatives are available to assist you Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Central time.
Please keep this supplement together with your prospectus for future reference. No other action is required of you.
Supplement dated July 8, 2016, to the
Prospectus for your Variable Annuity
Issued by
LINCOLN BENEFIT
LIFE COMPANY
This supplement amends certain disclosure contained in the prospectus for your Variable Annuity contract issued by Lincoln Benefit Life
Company.
Effective August 10, 2016 (the Closure Date), the following variable sub-account available in your Variable Annuity will be closed to all
contract owners except those contract owners who have contract value invested in the variable sub-account as of the Closure Date:
Deutsche VSI: CROCI ® International VIP – Class A
Contract owners who have contract value invested in this variable sub-account as of the Closure Date may continue to submit additional investments into the
variable sub-account thereafter, although they will not be permitted to invest in the variable sub-account if they withdraw or otherwise transfer their entire contract value from the variable sub-account following the Closure Date. Contract
owners who do not have contract value invested in the variable sub-account as of the Closure Date will not be permitted to invest in this variable sub-account thereafter.
Dollar cost averaging and/or auto-rebalancing programs, if elected by a Contract owner prior to the Closure Date, will not be affected by the closure unless a
contract owner withdraws or otherwise transfers his entire Account Value from the sub-account.
If you have any questions, please contact your financial
representative or our Variable Annuities Service Center at (800) 457-7617. Our representatives are available to assist you Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Central time.
Please keep this supplement together with your prospectus for future reference. No other action is required of you.
Supplement dated February 29, 2016, to the
Prospectus for your Variable Annuity
Issued by
LINCOLN BENEFIT
LIFE COMPANY
This supplement amends certain disclosure contained in the prospectus for your Variable Annuity contract issued by Lincoln
Benefit Life Company.
The following Portfolios will be liquidated effective on April 29, 2016 (“Liquidation Date”):
Morgan Stanley VIS Money Market Portfolio – Class X
Morgan
Stanley VIS Money Market Portfolio – Class Y
On the Liquidation Date, the above Portfolios will no longer be available under your
Annuity contract, and any Contract Value allocated to either of these liquidated Portfolios will be transferred, as of the close of business on the Liquidation Date, to the Default Transfer Portfolios, as follows:
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| Liquidated Portfolio |
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Default Transfer Portfolio |
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| Morgan Stanley VIS Money Market Portfolio – Class X |
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Fidelity VIP ® Government Money
Market Portfolio – Initial Class |
| Morgan Stanley VIS Money Market Portfolio – Class Y |
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Fidelity VIP ® Government Money
Market Portfolio – Service Class 2 |
Please note that you have the ability to transfer out of the above Liquidated Portfolios any time prior to the
Liquidation Date. Such transfers will be free of charge and will not count as one of your annual free transfers under your Annuity contract. Also, for a period of 60 days after the Liquidation Date, any Contract Value that was transferred
to the Fidelity VIP ® Government Money Market Portfolio – Initial Class or to the Fidelity VIP ®
Government Money Market Portfolio – Service Class 2 as the result of the liquidations can be transferred free of charge and will not count as one of your annual free transfers. It is important to note that any Portfolio into which you make
your transfer will be subject to the transfer limitations described in your prospectus. Please refer to your prospectus for detailed information about investment options.
After the Liquidation Date, the above-listed Liquidated Portfolios will no longer exist and, unless you instruct us otherwise, any outstanding
instruction you have on file with us that designates any of the above Liquidated Portfolios will be deemed instruction for the Fidelity VIP ® Government Money Market Portfolio
– Initial Class or the Fidelity VIP ® Government Money Market Portfolio – Service Class 2, as applicable. This includes but is not limited to, systematic
withdrawals, Dollar Cost Averaging, and Auto Rebalancing.
You may wish to consult with your financial representative to determine if your
existing allocation instructions should be changed before or after the Liquidation Date.
If you have any questions, please contact your
financial representative or our Variable Annuities Service Center at (800) 457-7617. Our representatives are available to assist you Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Central
time.
Please keep this supplement together with your prospectus for future reference. No other action is required of you.
Supplement dated November 2, 2015, to the
Prospectus for your Variable Annuity
Issued by
LINCOLN BENEFIT
LIFE COMPANY
This supplement amends certain disclosure contained in the prospectus for your Variable Annuity contract issued by Lincoln
Benefit Life Company.
Effective December 1, 2015, the Portfolios listed below will implement several changes to enable them to
operate as government money market funds. Specifically, the Portfolios will: (i) modify the Portfolios’ fundamental concentration policy so that the Portfolios will be prohibited from investing more than 25% of its total assets in the
financial services industry; and (ii) adopt a principal investment strategy to normally invest at least 99.5% of its total assets in cash, government securities, and/or repurchase agreements that are collateralized fully.
In addition, the names of the following Portfolios will be changed as follows:
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| Fidelity ® VIP Money Market Portfolio – Initial Class |
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Fidelity ® VIP Government Money Market Portfolio – Initial
Class |
| Fidelity ® VIP Money Market Portfolio – Service Class 2 |
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Fidelity ® VIP Government Money Market Portfolio – Service Class
2 |
If you have any questions, please contact your financial representative or our Variable Annuities Service
Center at (800) 457-7617. Our representatives are available to assist you Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Central time.
Please keep this supplement for future reference together with your prospectus. No other action is required of you.
Supplement dated October 30, 2015, to the
Prospectus for your Variable Annuity
Issued by
ALLSTATE LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
LINCOLN BENEFIT LIFE COMPANY
This supplement amends certain disclosure contained in the prospectus for your Variable Annuity contract issued by Allstate Life Insurance
Company, Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York or Lincoln Benefit Life Company, as applicable.
Allstate Life Insurance Company,
Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York, and Lincoln Benefit Life Company (the “Companies”) have filed an application with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) requesting an order to allow the Companies to remove
the PIMCO Total Return Portfolio – Administrative Shares and the PIMCO Total Return Portfolio – Advisor Shares (collectively, the “Replaced Portfolios”) as investment options under your variable annuity contract and substitute a
new investment option, the BlackRock Total Return V.I. Portfolio – Class I Shares (the “Replacement Portfolio”), as described below.
The Companies believe that the proposed substitution is in the best interests of contract owners. The investment objectives of the
Replaced Portfolios and the Replacement Portfolio are substantially similar. The Companies will bear all expenses related to the substitution, and there will be no tax consequences for you. The Companies anticipate that, if such order is
granted, the proposed substitution will occur during the second quarter of 2016.
The proposed substitution and adviser for the Replaced Portfolio and the
Replacement Portfolio are:
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Replaced Portfolios |
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Replacement Portfolio |
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PIMCO Total Return Portfolio – Administrative Shares
PIMCO Total Return Portfolio – Advisor Shares |
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BlackRock Total Return V.I. Portfolio |
| Adviser |
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Pacific Investment Management Company LLC |
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BlackRock, Inc. |
Please note that:
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No action is required on your part at this time, nor will you need to take any action if the SEC approves the
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On the date of the substitution, Account Values and/or Purchase Payments currently allocated to the Replaced Portfolios
will be redirected to the Replacement Portfolio unless you have changed your selection and transferred your Account Values before the substitution takes place. If you are enrolled in a Dollar Cost Averaging, Automatic Rebalancing or comparable
program, your Account Value invested in the Replaced Portfolios will be transferred automatically to the Replacement Portfolio on the date of the substitution. Your enrollment instructions will be automatically updated to reflect the
Replacement Portfolio for any continued and future investments. |
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You may transfer amounts in your variable annuity contract among the investment options as usual. The substitution
itself will not be treated as a transfer for purposes of the transfer provisions of your Annuity, subject to the issuing Company’s restrictions on transfers to prevent or limit “market timing” activities by Owners or agents of
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If you make one transfer from a Replaced Portfolio into one or more Sub-accounts before the substitution, or from the
Replacement Portfolio after the substitution, any transfer fee that might otherwise be imposed will be waived from the date of this Supplement through the date that is 30 days after the substitution. In addition, if you make one transfer
from a Replaced Portfolio into a Sub-account before the substitution or from the Replacement Portfolio within 30 days after the substitution, the transfer will not be treated as one of a limited number of transfers (or exchanges) permitted under
your Annuity. |
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On the effective date of the substitution, your Account Value will be the same as before the substitution. However,
the number of units you receive in the Replacement Portfolio may be different from the number of units in the Replaced Portfolio. |
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There will be no tax consequences to you. |
In connection with the substitution, we will send you a prospectus for the Replacement Portfolio
that contains complete information concerning the Replacement Portfolio, including information on all Replacement Portfolio fees and charges, as well as notice of the actual date of the substitution and confirmation of transfers.
If you have any questions, please contact your financial representative or our Variable Annuities Service Center at
(800) 457-7617. Our representatives are available to assist you Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Central time.
Please keep this supplement for future reference together with your prospectus. No other action is required of you.
Supplement dated October 2, 2015, to the
Prospectus for your Variable Annuity
Issued By
LINCOLN BENEFIT
LIFE COMPANY
This supplement amends certain disclosure contained in the prospectus for your Variable Annuity contract issued by Lincoln
Benefit Life Company.
Effective October 23, 2015 (the Closure Date), the following variable sub-account available in your Variable
Annuity will be closed to all contract owners except those contract owners who have contract value invested in the variable sub-account as of the Closure Date:
Alger Small Cap Growth Portfolio – Class I-2
Contract owners who have contract value invested in the variable sub-account as of the Closure Date may continue to submit additional
investments into the variable sub-account thereafter, although they will not be permitted to invest in the variable sub-account if they withdraw or otherwise transfer their entire contract value from the variable sub-account following the Closure
Date. Contract owners who do not have contract value invested in the variable sub-account as of the Closure Date will not be permitted to invest in the variable sub-account thereafter.
Dollar cost averaging, category models and/or auto-rebalancing programs, if elected by a Contract owner prior to the Closure Date, will not be
affected by the closure unless a contract owner withdraws or otherwise transfers his entire Account Value from the sub-account.
If you
have any questions, please contact your financial representative or our Variable Annuities Service Center at (800) 457-7617. Our representatives are available to assist you Monday through Friday
between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Central time.
Please keep this supplement for future reference together with your prospectus. No
other action is required of you.
Supplement dated January 3, 2014, to the
Prospectus for your Variable Annuity
Issued by
LINCOLN BENEFIT LIFE COMPANY
This supplement amends certain disclosure contained in the prospectus for your
Variable Annuity contract issued by Lincoln Benefit Life Company.
Effective as of January 31, 2014 (the Closure Date), the following variable
sub-accounts available in your Variable Annuity will be closed to all contract
owners except those contract owners who have contract value invested in the
variable sub-accounts as of the Closure Date:
Alger Mid Cap Growth - Class S
Alger Mid Cap Growth - Class I-2
Contract owners who have contract value invested in these variable sub-accounts
as of the Closure Date may continue to submit additional investments into the
variable sub-accounts thereafter, although they will not be permitted to invest
in the variable sub-accounts if they withdraw or otherwise transfer their
entire contract value from the variable sub-accounts following the Closure
Date. Contract owners who do not have contract value invested in the variable
sub-accounts as of the Closure Date will not be permitted to invest in these
variable sub-accounts thereafter.
If you have any questions, please contact your financial representative or our
Variable Annuities Service Center at (800) 457-7617. Our representatives are
available to assist you Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Central time.
Dollar cost averaging and/or auto-rebalancing, if elected by a contract owner
prior to the Closure Date, will not be affected by the closure.
Please keep this supplement for future reference together with your
prospectus. No other action is required of you.
LINCOLN BENEFIT LIFE COMPANY
Supplement Dated September 30, 2013
To the following Prospectuses, as supplemented
CONSULTANT SOLUTIONS (CLASSIC, PLUS, ELITE, SELECT) PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 2013
CONSULTANT I PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 2013
LBL ADVANTAGE PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 2004
CONSULTANT II PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 2004
PREMIER PLANNER PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 2004
INVESTOR'S SELECT PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 2007
The following information supplements the prospectus for your variable annuity
contract issued by Lincoln Benefit Life Company.
The following paragraphs are added to the "Lincoln Benefit Life Company"
provision under the "More Information" section or the "Description of Lincoln
Benefit Life Company and the Separate Account" section of your prospectus:
On July 17, 2013, Allstate Life entered into an agreement with Resolution Life
Holdings, Inc. ("Resolution"), a Delaware corporation established by Resolution
Life L.P., pursuant to which Allstate Life agreed to sell Lincoln Benefit to
Resolution or a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolution (the "Transaction"). The
Prudential Insurance Company of America or an affiliate will continue to
reinsure and administer the Variable Account and the Contracts. The benefits
and provisions of the Contracts will not be changed by the Transaction. Also,
the Transaction will not change the fact that Lincoln Benefit is the named
insurer under your Contract. Following the Transaction, Lincoln Benefit will no
longer be an affiliate of Allstate Life.
The Transaction and certain related agreements are subject to required
regulatory approvals. Subject to the receipt of such regulatory approvals, the
Transaction is targeted to close in the 4 th quarter of 2013.
Upon receipt of regulatory approvals, Lincoln Benefit will amend and restate
its existing reinsurance arrangements with Allstate Life. Lincoln Benefit will
recapture, and Allstate Life no longer will reinsure: (i) all fixed deferred
annuity, value adjusted deferred annuity and indexed deferred annuity business
written by Lincoln Benefit, (ii) all of the life insurance business written by
Lincoln Benefit through independent life insurance producers other than certain
specified life insurance policies and (iii) all of the net liability of Lincoln
Benefit with respect to the accident and health and long-term care insurance
business written by Lincoln Benefit (the "Recapture"). The benefits and
provisions of the Contracts will not be changed by the Recapture, and the
Recapture will not change the fact that Lincoln Benefit is the named insurer
under your Contract.
Pursuant to the Recapture, Allstate Life will transfer to Lincoln Benefit, for
inclusion in its general account reserves, cash and specified assets with an
aggregate statutory book value equal to net statutory general account reserves
attributable to the recaptured business, adjusted for the final settlement
amount under the applicable existing reinsurance agreements between Lincoln
Benefit and Allstate Life that are being amended and restated in connection
with the Transaction.
If you have any questions, please contact your financial representative or our
Variable Annuity Service Center at (800) 457-7617. Our representatives are
available to assist you from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time.
Please read the prospectus supplement carefully and then file it with your
important papers. No other action is required of you.
SUPPLEMENT, DATED DECEMBER 27, 2011,
TO THE PROSPECTUS FOR YOUR VARIABLE ANNUITY
ISSUED BY
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
LINCOLN BENEFIT LIFE COMPANY
AMERICAN MATURITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
This supplement amends the prospectus for your Variable Annuity contract issued
by Allstate Life Insurance Company, Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York,
Lincoln Benefit Life Company or American Maturity Life Insurance Company, as
applicable.
Effective as of January 27, 2012 (the Closure Date), the following variable
sub-account available in your Variable Annuity will be closed to all contract
owners except those contract owners who have contract value invested in the
variable sub-account as of the Closure Date:
DWS Bond VIP - Class A
Contract owners who have contract value invested in this variable sub-account as
of the Closure Date may continue to submit additional investments into the
variable sub-account thereafter, although they will not be permitted to invest
in the variable sub-account if they withdraw or otherwise transfer their entire
contract value from the variable sub-account following the Closure Date.
Contract owners who do not have contract value invested in the variable
sub-account as of the Closure Date will not be permitted to invest in this
variable sub-account thereafter.
Dollar cost averaging and/or auto-rebalancing, if elected by a contract owner,
will not be affected by the closure.
If you have any questions, please contact your financial representative or our
Variable Annuity Service Center at (800) 457-7617. Our representatives are
available to assist you from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time.
Please read the prospectus supplement carefully and then file it with your
important papers. No other action is required of you.
SUPPLEMENT, DATED JULY 6, 2011,
TO THE PROSPECTUS FOR YOUR VARIABLE ANNUITY
ISSUED BY
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
LINCOLN BENEFIT LIFE COMPANY
This supplement amends the prospectus for your Variable Annuity contract issued
by Allstate Life Insurance Company or Allstate Life Insurance Company of New
York or Lincoln Benefit Life Company, as applicable.
Effective as of August 19, 2011 (the Closure Date), the following variable
sub-accounts available in your Variable Annuity will be closed to all contract
owners except those contract owners who have contract value invested in the
variable sub-accounts as of the Closure Date:
Invesco V.I. Basic Value Fund-Series I
Invesco V.I. Basic Value Fund-Series II
Contract owners who have contract value invested in these variable sub-accounts
as of the Closure Date may continue to submit additional investments into the
variable sub-accounts thereafter, although they will not be permitted to invest
in the variable sub-accounts if they withdraw or otherwise transfer their entire
contract value from the variable sub-accounts following the Closure Date.
Contract owners who do not have contract value invested in the variable
sub-accounts as of the Closure Date will not be permitted to invest in these
variable sub-accounts thereafter.
Dollar cost averaging and/or auto-rebalancing, if elected by a contract owner,
will not be affected by the closure.
If you have any questions, please contact your financial representative or our
Variable Annuity Service Center at (800) 457-7617. Our representatives are
available to assist you from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time.
Please read the prospectus supplement carefully and then file it with your
important papers. No other action is required of you.
Supplement Dated December 31, 2009
To the Prospectus for Your Variable Annuity
Issued By
Allstate Life Insurance Company
Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
This supplement amends the prospectus for your variable annuity contract issued
by Allstate Life Insurance Company, Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York,
or Lincoln Benefit Life Company.
The following provision is added to your prospectus:
WRITTEN REQUESTS AND FORMS IN GOOD ORDER. Written requests must include
sufficient information and/or documentation, and be sufficiently clear, to
enable us to complete your request without the need to exercise discretion on
our part to carry it out. You may contact our Customer Service Center to learn
what information we require for your particular request to be in "good order."
Additionally, we may require that you submit your request on our form. We
reserve the right to determine whether any particular request is in good order,
and to change or waive any good order requirements at any time.
If you have any questions, please contact your financial representative or call
our Customer Service Center at 1-800-457-7617. If you own a Putnam contract,
please call 1-800-390-1277.
For future reference, please keep this supplement together with your prospectus.
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
Supplement dated August 14, 2009
To the following Prospectuses, as supplemented:
Consultant Solutions, Prospectus Dated May 1, 2009
Consultant I, Prospectus Dated May 1, 2009
LBL Advantage, Prospectus Dated May 1, 2004
Consultant II, Prospectus Dated May 1, 2004
Premier Planner, Prospectus Dated May 1, 2004
This prospectus supplement amends certain disclosure contained in the
prospectuses referenced above for your variable annuity contract issued by
Lincoln Benefit Life Company ("Lincoln Benefit").
The "Annual Reports and Other Documents" section is deleted and replaced with
the following:
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") recently adopted rule 12h-7 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Rule 12h-7
exempts an insurance company from filing reports under the Exchange Act when the
insurance company issues certain types of insurance products that are registered
under the Securities Act of 1933 and such products are regulated under state
law. Each of the variable annuities described in the prospectuses referenced
above fall within the exemption provided under rule 12h-7. Lincoln Benefit is
hereby providing notice that it is electing to rely on the exemption provided
under rule 12h-7 effective as of the date of this prospectus supplement or as
soon as possible thereafter, and will be suspending filing reports under the
Exchange Act.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information that we file with
the SEC into this prospectus supplement which means that incorporated documents
are considered part of this prospectus supplement. We can disclose important
information to you by referring you to those documents. This prospectus
supplement incorporates by reference our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2008, filed with the SEC on March 18, 2009, and our Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, filed with the SEC on
May 12, 2009.
Lincoln Benefit will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to
whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has
been incorporated by reference into the prospectus but not delivered with the
prospectus. Such information will be provided upon written or oral request at no
cost to the requester by writing to Lincoln Benefit, P.O. Box 758565, Topeka, KS
66675-8565 or by calling 1-800- 457- 7617. The public may read and copy any
materials that Lincoln Benefit files with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference
Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain
information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy,
and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file
electronically with the SEC (see http://www.sec.gov).
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
LBL Advantage
Consultant II
Premier Planner
Supplement, dated May 1, 2009
This supplement amends certain disclosure contained in the prospectus for
certain annuity contracts issued by Lincoln Benefit Life Company.
Under the "More Information" section, the subsection entitled "Legal Matters" is
deleted and replaced with the following:
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain matters of state law pertaining to the Contracts, including the validity
of the Contracts and Lincoln Benefit Life Company's right to issue such
Contracts under applicable state insurance law, have been passed upon by Susan
L. Lees, General Counsel of Lincoln Benefit Life Company.
The "Annual Reports and Other Documents" section is deleted and replaced with
the following:
ANNUAL REPORTS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS
Lincoln Benefit Life Company ("Lincoln Benefit") incorporates by reference into
the prospectus its latest annual report on Form 10-K filed pursuant to Section
13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year
covered by its latest annual report, including filings made on Form 10-Q and
Form 8-K. In addition, all documents subsequently filed by Lincoln Benefit
pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act also are
incorporated into the prospectus by reference. Lincoln Benefit will provide to
each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered,
a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference
into the prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus. Such information will
be provided upon written or oral request at no cost to the requester by writing
to Lincoln Benefit, P.O. Box 758565, Topeka, KS 66675-8565 or by calling 1-800-
457- 7617. Lincoln Benefit files periodic reports as required under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The public may read and copy any materials that
Lincoln Benefit files with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F
Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the
operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The
SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy, and information
statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically
with the SEC (see http://www.sec.gov).
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
Lincoln Benefit Life Variable Annuity Account
Supplement, dated February 26, 2007, to
The Consultant II Variable Annuity Prospectus dated May 1, 2004
This supplement amends certain disclosure contained in the above-referenced
prospectus for certain variable annuity contracts ("Contracts") issued by
Lincoln Benefit Life Company.
We have received notice that the Board of Trustees ("Board") of the STI Classic
Variable Trust has approved the liquidation, on or about May 1, 2007, of the
International Equity Fund (the "Portfolio").
Due to the liquidation of the Portfolio, we will no longer accept new premiums
for investment in, nor will we permit transfers to, the STI Classic
International Equity Fund Sub-Account (the "STI Sub-Account") on or after April
27, 2007.
As the STI Sub-Account will no longer be offered as an investment alternative,
you may wish to transfer, prior to April 27, 2007, some or all of your Contract
Value in the STI Sub-Account to other investment alternatives currently offered
by your Contracts. Such transfer is not subject to a transfer fee. Any value
remaining in the STI Sub-Account will be transferred automatically, as of April
27, 2007, to the Fidelity VIP Money Market Sub-Account, an investment
alternative already available under your Contract.
If you currently allocate Contract Value to the STI Sub-Account through
automatic additions, automatic portfolio rebalancing, dollar cost averaging or
systematic withdrawal programs, your allocations in these programs will also
need to be changed. If you do not change these allocations to other investment
alternatives currently available under your Contract, any allocations to the STI
Sub-Account will be automatically allocated, as of April 27, 2007, to the
Fidelity VIP Money Market Sub-Account.
We will send you a confirmation that shows the amount that we transferred to the
Fidelity VIP Money Market Sub-Account or to the investment alternative that you
chose and the date of the transaction. For additional information on how to
transfer to another investment alternative, or how to make a change to your
current allocation(s), please contact your financial representative or call our
Customer Service Center at 1-800-865-5237
If your Contract Value in the STI Sub-Account is transferred automatically to
the Fidelity VIP Money Market Sub-Account, for 60 days following the automatic
transfer, you may transfer your Contract Value in the Fidelity VIP Money Market
Sub-Account to any other investment alternative(s) available under your
Contract. Such transfer is not subject to a transfer fee.
Attached as Appendix A is a list of the Portfolios and Fixed Account Investment
Alternatives currently available under your Contract.
Please keep this supplement for future reference together with your prospectus.
E
Appendix A
The Consultant II Variable Annuity contract offers a variety of Investment
Alternatives that encompass investment choices ranging from aggressive to
conservative. Below is a listing of the Portfolios and Fixed Account Investment
Alternatives currently available. Also included is the investment objective for
each Portfolio. For more complete information about each Portfolio, including
expenses and risks associated with the Portfolio, please refer to the relevant
prospectus for the Portfolio.
PORTFOLIOS
Fund Objective
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------
AIM V.I. Basic Value Fund - Series I Seeks long-term growth of capital.
Alger American Growth Portfolio - Class O Seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Alger American Income & Growth Portfolio - Class O Seeks to provide a high level of dividend income. Its secondary
goal is to provide capital appreciation.
Alger American Leveraged AllCap Portfolio - Class O Seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Alger American MidCap Growth Portfolio - Class O Seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Alger American Small Capitalization Portfolio - Seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Class O
DWS Bond VIP - Class A Seeks to provide a high level of income consistent with a high
quality portfolio of debt securities.
DWS Global Opportunities VIP - Class A Seeks above-average capital appreciation over the long term.
DWS Growth & Income VIP - Class A Seeks long-term growth of capital, current income and growth of
income.
DWS International VIP - Class A Seeks long-term growth of capital primarily through diversified
holdings of marketable foreign equity investments.
DWS Balanced VIP - Class A Seeks high total return, a combination of income and capital
appreciation.
Federated Capital Income Fund II Seeks high current income and moderate capital appreciation.
Federated Fund for U.S. Government Securities II Seeks current income.
Federated High Income Bond Fund II Seeks high current income.
Fidelity VIP Asset Manager (SM) Portfolio - Initial Seeks to obtain high total return with reduced risk over the
Class long term by allocating its assets among stocks, bonds, and
short-term instruments.
Fidelity VIP Contrafund (R) Portfolio - Initial Class Seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio - Initial Class Seeks reasonable income by investing primarily in income-producing
equity securities. In choosing these securities, the fund will
also consider the potential for capital appreciation. The fund's
goal is to achieve a yield which exceeds the composite yield on
the securities comprising the S&P 500.
Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio - Initial Class Seeks to achieve capital appreciation.
Fidelity VIP Index 500 Portfolio - Initial Class Seeks investment results that correspond to the total return of
common stocks publicly traded in the United States, as represented
by the Standard & Poor's 500 (SM) Index (S&P 500 (R) ).
Fidelity VIP Money Market Portfolio - Initial Class Seeks as high a level of current income as is consistent with
preservation of capital and liquidity by investing in money market
instruments.
Fidelity VIP Overseas Portfolio - Initial Class Seeks long-term growth of capital.
Janus Aspen Series Balanced Portfolio - Seeks long-term capital growth, consistent with preservation of
Institutional Shares capital and balanced by current income.
Janus Aspen Series Flexible Bond Portfolio - Seeks to obtain maximum total return, consistent with
Institutional Shares preservation of capital.
Janus Aspen Series Large Cap Growth Portfolio - Seeks long-term growth of capital in a manner consistent with
Institutional Shares the preservation of capital.
Janus Aspen Series Mid Cap Growth Portfolio - Seeks long-term growth of capital.
Institutional Shares
Janus Aspen Series Worldwide Growth Portfolio - Seeks long-term growth of capital in a manner consistent with
Institutional Shares the preservation of capital.
Janus Aspen Series Foreign Stock Portfolio - Seeks long-term growth of capital.
Service Shares
Legg Mason Partners Variable Investors Portfolio - Seeks long-term growth of capital with current income as a
Class I secondary objective.
MFS Emerging Growth Series - Initial Class Seeks long-term growth of capital.
MFS Investors Trust Series - Initial Class Seeks to provide long-term growth of capital and secondarily to
provide reasonable current income.
MFS New Discovery Series - Initial Class Seeks capital appreciation.
MFS Research Series - Initial Class Seeks long-term growth of capital and future income.
MFS Total Return Series - Initial Class Seeks to provide above-average income (compared to a portfolio
invested entirely in equity securities) consistent with the
prudent employment of capital and secondarily to provide a
reasonable opportunity for growth of capital and income.
Oppenheimer Main Street Small Cap Fund (R) /VA - Seeks capital appreciation.
Service Shares
Premier VIT OpCap Balanced Portfolio Seeks growth of capital and investment income.
Premier VIT OpCap Small Cap Portfolio Seeks capital appreciation through a diversified portfolio
consisting primarily of securities of companies with market
capitalizations of under $2 billion at time of purchase.
PIMCO VIT Foreign Bond Portfolio (U.S. Dollar-Hedged) Seeks maximum total return, consistent with preservation of
- Administrative Shares capital and prudent investment management.
PIMCO VIT Total Return Portfolio - Administrative Seeks maximum total return, consistent with preservation of
Shares capital and prudent investment management.
Putnam VT International Growth and Income Fund - Seeks capital growth. Current income is a secondary objective.
Class IB
STI Classic Capital Appreciation Fund Seeks capital appreciation.
STI Classic Large Cap Value Equity Fund Seeks capital appreciation with the secondary goal of current
income.
T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio - I Seeks substantial dividend income as well as long-term growth of
capital.
T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio - I Seeks long-term growth of capital.
T. Rowe Price New America Growth Portfolio - I Seeks long-term growth of capital.
Van Kampen LIT Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Class II Seeks capital growth.
Van Kampen LIT Growth and Income Portfolio, Class II Seeks long-term growth of capital and income.
Van Kampen UIF U.S. Mid Cap Value Portfolio, Class I Seeks above-average total return over a market cycle of three to
five years by investing in common stocks and other equity
securities.
Wells Fargo Advantage VT Discovery Fund Seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Wells Fargo Advantage VT Opportunity Fund (SM) Seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Fixed Account Options: Standard Fixed Account
Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account Option
Supplement, dated April 4, 2005, to The Consultant II Variable Annuity
Prospectus dated May 1, 2004
This supplement amends certain disclosure contained in the above-referenced
prospectus for certain variable annuity contracts issued by Lincoln Benefit Life
Company.
We have received notice that the shareholders of the Strong Opportunity Fund II
- Investor Class and the Strong Mid Cap Growth Fund II - Investor Class ("Strong
Portfolios") approved the reorganization of the Strong Portfolios into the Wells
Fargo Advantage Opportunity Fund and the Wells Fargo Advantage Discovery Fund
("Wells Fargo Portfolios"), respectively.
On April 8, 2005 ("Conversion Date"), the Strong Opportunity Fund II - Investor
Class will be merged into the Wells Fargo Advantage Opportunity Fund, and the
Strong Mid Cap Growth Fund II - Investor Class will be merged into the Wells
Fargo Advantage Discovery Fund. On the Conversion Date, we will change the name
of the Strong Portfolio sub-accounts to reflect the change in the underlying
portfolio. Contract owners will receive a confirmation of the transaction
reflecting this change.
If you currently have allocations made to the Strong Portfolio sub-accounts
through automatic additions, automatic portfolio rebalancing or dollar cost
averaging programs, any future allocations will continue to be made to those
sub-accounts under their new name as of the Conversion Date.
All reference to the Strong Opportunity Fund II, Inc., Strong Variable Insurance
Funds, Inc, and the Strong Portfolios are deleted on page 1 of the prospectus.
The following information is added to page 1:
Wells Fargo Variable Trust Funds: Wells Fargo Advantage Discovery Fund , Wells
Fargo Advantage Opportunity Fund
The table on page 6 of the prospectus that shows the minimum and maximum total
annual operating expenses charged by the Portfolios is deleted in its entirety
and replaced by the following:
Minimum Maximum
------- -------
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses(1) (expenses that are
deducted from Portfolio assets, which may include management fees,
distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees, and other expenses)(without
waivers or reimbursements) 0.10% 3.89%
(1) Expenses are shown as a percentage of Portfolio average daily net assets
before any waiver or reimbursement as of December 31, 2004.
The "Examples" on page 6-7 of the prospectus are deleted in their entirety and
replaced by the following: Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the
Contracts with the cost of investing in other variable annuity contracts. These
costs include Contract owner transaction expenses, Contract fees, Separate
Account annual expenses, and Portfolio fees and expenses and assume no transfers
or exchanges were made. The example shows the dollar amount of expenses that you
would bear directly or indirectly if you:
.. Invested $10,000 in the Contract for the time periods indicated, o earned a
5% annual return on your investment,
.. surrendered your Contract, or you began receiving income payments, or
continued to hold Your Contract, at the end of each time period, and,
.. with total Separate Account expenses of 1.40%.
The first line of the example assumes that the maximum fees and expenses of any
of the Portfolios are charged. The second line of the example assumes that the
minimum fees and expenses of any of the Portfolios are charged. Your actual
expenses may be higher or lower than those shown below.
The example does not include any taxes or tax penalties you may be required to
pay if you surrender your Contract.
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Costs Based on Maximum Annual Portfolio Expenses $577 $1,719 $2,844 $5,585
Costs Based on Minimum Annual Portfolio Expenses $189 $ 581 $ 993 $2,123
Explanation of Expense Example
Please remember that you are looking at examples and not a representation of
past or future expenses. Your rate of return may be higher or lower than 5%,
which is not guaranteed. The examples do not assume that any Portfolio expense
waivers or reimbursement arrangements are in effect for the periods presented.
The Examples reflect an annual Contract maintenance charge of $35.
All reference to the Strong Opportunity Fund II, Inc., Strong Variable Insurance
Funds, Inc, and the Strong Portfolios are deleted on page 9 of the prospectus.
The following information is added to page 9:
Wells Fargo Variable Wells Fargo Advantage Discovery
Trust Fund , Wells Fargo Advantage
Opportunity Fund
The section entitled "Condensed Financial Information" on page 12 is deleted in
its entirety and replaced with the following:
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Attached as Appendix A is a table showing selected information concerning
Accumulation Unit Values for each sub-account for 1994 through 2004.
Accumulation Unit Value is the unit of measure that we use to calculate the
value of your interest in a Subaccount. Accumulation Unit Value does not reflect
the deduction of certain charges that are subtracted from your Contract Value,
such as the Contract Administration Charge. The financial statements of the
sub-accounts comprising the Separate Account as of December 31, 2004, are
included in the Statement of Additional Information. Lincoln Benefit's financial
statements as of December 31, 2004, are included in the Statement of Additional
Information.
The chart on page 17 of the prospectus is deleted in its entirety and replaced
by the following:
Portfolio Each Portfolio Seeks Investment Adviser
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIM Variable Insurance Funds
AIM V.I. Basic Value Fund - Series I (1) Long-term growth of capital A I M Advisors, Inc.
The Alger American Fund
Alger American Growth Portfolio - Class O Long-term capital appreciation Fred Alger Management, Inc.
Alger American Income & Growth Portfolio - To provide a high level of dividend income. Its
Class O secondary goal is to provide capital
appreciation.
Alger American Leveraged AllCap Portfolio Long-term capital appreciation
- Class O
Alger American MidCap Growth Portfolio - Long-term capital appreciation
Class O
Alger American Small Capitalization Long-term capital appreciation
Portfolio - Class O
Federated Insurance Series
Federated Capital Income Fund II High current income and moderate capital Federated Equity Management
appreciation Company of Pennsylvania
Federated High Income Bond Fund II High current income Federated Investment
Management Company
Federated Fund for U.S. Government Current income
Securities II
Fidelity(R) Variable Insurance Products
Fidelity VIP Asset Manager(SM) Portfolio - To obtain high total return with reduced risk over Fidelity Management &
Initial Class the long term by allocating its assets among Research Company
stocks, bonds, and short-term instruments.
Fidelity VIP Contrafund(R) Portfolio - Long-term capital appreciation.
Initial Class
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio - Reasonable income by investing primarily in
Initial Class income-producing equity securities. In choosing
these securities, the fund will also consider the
potential for capital appreciation. The fund's
goal is to achieve a yield which exceeds the
composite yield on the securities comprising the
S&P 500.
Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio - Initial To achieve capital appreciation.
Class
Fidelity VIP Index 500 Portfolio - Investment results that correspond to the total
Initial Class return of common stocks publicly traded in the
United States, as represented by the Standard &
Poors 500(SM) Index (S&P 500(R) ).
Fidelity VIP Money Market Portfolio - As high a level of current income as is consistent
Initial Class with preservation of capital and liquidity by
investing in money market instruments.
Fidelity VIP Overseas Portfolio - Initial Long-term growth of capital.
Class
Janus Aspen Series
Janus Aspen Series Balanced Portfolio - Long-term capital growth, consistent with Janus Capital Management
Institutional Shares preservation of capital and balanced by current LLC
income.
Janus Aspen Series Flexible Bond Portfolio To obtain maximum total return, consistent with
- Institutional Shares (2) preservation of capital.
Janus Aspen Series Foreign Stock Portfolio Long-term growth of capital.
- Service Shares
Janus Aspen Series Large Cap Growth Long-term growth of capital in a manner consistent
Portfolio - Institutional Shares (2) with the preservation of capital.
Janus Aspen Series Mid Cap Growth Long-term growth of capital
Portfolio - Institutional Shares
Janus Aspen Series Worldwide Growth Long-term growth of capital in a manner consistent
Portfolio - Institutional Shares with the preservation of capital.
MFS(R) Variable Insurance Trust(SM)
MFS Emerging Growth Series - Initial Class Long-term growth of capital MFS(TM) Investment Management
MFS Investors Trust Series - Initial Class Long-term growth of capital with a secondary
objective to seek reasonable current income
MFS New Discovery Series - Initial Class Capital appreciation.
MFS Research Series - Initial Class Long-term growth of capital and future income
MFS Total Return Series - Initial Class To provide above-average income (compared to a
portfolio invested entirely in equity securities)
consistent with the prudent employment of capital
and secondarily to provide a reasonable
opportunity for growth of capital and income.
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds
Oppenheimer Main Street Small Cap Fund/VA Capital appreciation. OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
- Service Shares
Premier VIT
Premier VIT OpCap Balanced Portfolio (3) Growth of capital and investment income OpCap Advisors LLC
Premier VIT OpCap Small Cap Portfolio (3) Capital appreciation
PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust
PIMCO VIT Foreign Bond Portfolio (U.S. Maximum total return, consistent with preservation Pacific Investment
Dollar-Hedged) - Administrative Shares of capital and prudent investment management. Management Company LLC
PIMCO VIT Total Return Portfolio - Maximum total return, consistent with preservation
Administrative Shares of capital and prudent investment management.
Putnam Variable Trust
Putnam VT International Growth and Income Capital growth. Current income is a secondary Putnam Investment
Fund - Class IB objective. Management, LLC
Salomon Brothers Variable Series Funds Inc
Salomon Brothers Variable Investors Fund - Long-term growth of capital with current income as Salomon Brothers Asset
Class I a secondary objective Management Inc
Scudder Variable Series I
Scudder SVS I Bond Portfolio - Class A To provide a high level of income consistent with a Deutsche Investment
high quality portfolio of debt securities Management Americas Inc.
Scudder SVS I Global Discovery Portfolio - Above-average capital appreciation over the long
Class A term
Scudder SVS I Growth and Income Portfolio Long-term growth of capital, current income and
- Class A growth of income
Scudder SVS I International Portfolio - Long-term growth of capital primarily through
Class A diversified holdings of marketable foreign equity
investments
Scudder Variable Series II
Scudder SVS II Total Return Portfolio - High total return, a combination of income and Deutsche Investment
Class A (4) capital appreciation Management Americas Inc.
STI Classic Variable Trust
STI Classic Capital Appreciation Fund Capital appreciation Trusco Capital Management,
Inc.
STI Classic International Equity Fund (5) Long-term capital appreciation
STI Classic Value Income Stock Fund Current income with the secondary goal of capital
appreciation
T. Rowe Price Equity Series, Inc.
T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio - I Substantial dividend income as well as long-term T. Rowe Price Associates,
growth of capital. Inc.
T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio - I Long-term capital appreciation
(6)
T. Rowe Price New America Growth Long-term growth of capital
Portfolio - I
T. Rowe Price International Series, Inc.
T. Rowe Price International Stock Long-term growth of capital T. Rowe Price
Portfolio - I International, Inc.
The Universal Institutional Funds, Inc.
Van Kampen UIF U.S. Mid Cap Value Above-average total return over a market cycle of Van Kampen (7)
Portfolio, Class I three to five years by investing in common stocks
and other equity securities
Van Kampen Life Investment Trust
Van Kampen LIT Aggressive Growth Capital Growth Van Kampen Asset Management
Portfolio, Class II
Van Kampen LIT Growth and Income Long-term growth of capital and income.
Portfolio, Class II
Wells Fargo Variable Trust Funds
Wells Fargo Advantage Discovery Fund (8) Long-term capital appreciation Wells Fargo Funds
Management, LLC
Wells Fargo Advantage Opportunity Fund (8) Long-term capital appreciation
(1) A Fund's investment objective(s) may be changed by the Fund's Board of
Trustees without shareholder approval.
(2) Effective May 1, 2005, the Janus Aspen Series Flexible Income Portfolio -
Institutional Shares and Janus Aspen Series Growth Portfolio -
Institutional Shares changed their names to the Janus Aspen Series Flexible
Bond Portfolio - Institutional Shares and Janus Aspen Series Large Cap
Growth Portfolio - Institutional Shares , respectively.
(3) Effective May 1, 2005, the PAVIT OpCap Balanced Portfolio and PAVIT OpCap
Small Cap Portfolio changed their names to the Premier VIT OpCap Balanced
Portfolio and Premier VIT OpCap Small Cap Portfolio, respectively.
(4) Effective April 29, 2005, the Scudder SVS I Balanced Portfolio - Class A
was reorganized onto the Scudder SVS II Total Return Portfolio - Class A .
(5) Effective September 27, 2002, the STI Classic International Equity Fund is
no longer available for new investments. If you are currently invested in
the Variable Sub-account that invests in this Portfolio you may continue
your investment. If, prior to September 27, 2002, you enrolled in one of
our automatic transaction programs, such as automatic additions, portfolio
rebalancing, or dollar cost averaging, we will continue to effect automatic
transactions into the Variable Sub-Account in accordance with that program.
Outside of these automatic transaction programs, additional allocations
will not be allowed.
(6) Effective 5/1/04, the T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio - I is no
longer available for new investments. If you are currently invested in the
T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio - I you may continue your
investment. If you are currently enrolled in one of our automatic
transaction programs, such as Portfolio Rebalancing or Dollar Cost
Averaging, we will continue to effect automatic transactions to the
portfolio in accordance with that program.
(7) Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., the adviser to the UIF
Portfolios, does business in certain instances using the name Van Kampen.
(8) Effective 4/8/05, the Strong Mid Cap Growth Fund II - Investor Class and
Strong Opportunity Fund II - Investor Class were reorganized into the Wells
Fargo Advantage Discovery Fund and Wells Fargo Advantage Opportunity Fund,
respectively.
The first sentence of the first paragraph of the section entitled "Annual
Reports and Other Documents" on page 39 of the prospectus is deleted and
replaced by the following:
"Lincoln Benefit's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2004, is incorporated herein by reference, which means that it is legally a part
of this prospectus."
The following column is added to the Accumulation Unit Value chart in Appendix
A:
Accumulation Unit Values (1)
Basic Policy
Year ending
December 31,
Fund 2004
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIM V.I. Basic Value - Series I Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 10.000
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 10.810
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 58,864
Alger American Growth - Class O Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 10.116
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 10.524
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 106,786
Alger American Income & Growth - Class O Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 11.547
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 12.280
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 94,296
Alger American Leveraged AllCap - Class O Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 11.959
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 12.758
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 125,490
Alger American MidCap Growth - Class O Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 15.141
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 16.878
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 189,941
Alger American Small Capitalization - Class O Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 8.146
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 9.364
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 152,854
Federated Capital Income II Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 7.607
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 8.245
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 118,737
Federated High Income Bond II Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 10.727
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 11.864
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 274,221
Federated for U.S. Government Securities II Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 12.608
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 12.881
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 254,843
Fidelity VIP Asset Manager(SM) - Initial Class Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 11.097
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 11.541
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 119,887
Fidelity VIP Contrafund(R) - Initial Class Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 12.660
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 14.416
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 442,140
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income - Initial Class Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 11.970
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 13.165
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 324,151
Fidelity VIP Growth - Initial Class Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 10.133
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 10.330
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 310,704
Fidelity VIP Index 500 - Initial Class Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 10.155
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 11.077
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 569,379
Fidelity VIP Money Market - Initial Class Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 11.315
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 11.292
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 421,371
Fidelity VIP Overseas - Initial Class Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 10.169
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 11.395
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 138,707
Janus Aspen Series Mid Cap Growth - Institutional Shares Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 10.359
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 12.334
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 142,342
Janus Aspen Series Balanced - Institutional Shares Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 13.721
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 14.684
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 348,122
Janus Aspen Series Flexible Bond - Institutional Shares Sub-Account (3)
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 13.061
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 13.390
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 235,284
Janus Aspen Series Large Cap Growth - Institutional Shares Sub-Account (3)
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 9.904
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 10.208
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 266,429
Janus Aspen Series Foreign Stock - Service Shares Sub-Account (2)(5)
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 10.200
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 11.891
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 63,308
Janus Aspen Series Worldwide Growth - Institutional Shares Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 9.891
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 10.220
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 155,504
LSA Balanced (2)(4)
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning
Accumulation Unit Value Ending
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year
MFS Emerging Growth - Initial Class Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 8.923
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 9.939
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 51,201
MFS Investors Trust - Initial Class Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 9.018
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 9.902
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 43,733
MFS New Discovery - Initial Class Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 15.612
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 16.398
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 71,788
MFS Research - Initial Class Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 9.027
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 10.313
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 41,251
MFS Total Return - Initial Class Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 13.074
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 14.352
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 176,247
Premier VIT OpCap Balanced Sub-Account (2)(5)
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 10.000
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 10.801
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 75,904
Premier VIT OpCap Small Cap Sub-Account (2)(5)
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 10.118
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 11.762
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 79,179
Oppenheimer Main Street Small Cap/VA - Service Shares Sub-Account (2)
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 11.151
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 13.104
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 137,464
PIMCO VIT Foreign Bond (U.S. Dollar-Hedged) - Administrative Shares
Sub-Account (2)
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 10.642
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 11.078
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 70,009
PIMCO VIT Total Return - Administrative Shares Sub-Account (2)
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 10.924
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 11.298
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 410,197
Putnam VT International Growth and Income - Class IB Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 11.133
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 13.282
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 25,804
Salomon Brothers Variable Investors - Class I Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 10.000
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 10.943
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 15,927
Scudder SVS II Total Return - Class A Sub-Account (6)
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning
Accumulation Unit Value Ending
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year
Scudder SVS I Bond - Class A Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 12.435
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 12.921
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 172,335
Scudder SVS I Global Discovery - Class A Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 14.202
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 17.275
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 107,272
Scudder SVS I Growth and Income - Class A Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 8.800
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 9.559
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 38,185
Scudder SVS I International - Class A Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 8.439
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 9.967
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 51,111
STI Classic Capital Appreciation Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 8.593
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 9.045
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 30,367
STI Classic International Equity Sub-Account (7)
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 8.851
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 10.417
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 223
STI Classic Value Income Stock Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 9.104
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 10.351
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 41,425
Strong Opportunity II - Investor Class Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 14.148
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 16.494
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 107,791
T. Rowe Price Equity Income - I Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 13.035
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 14.771
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 201,619
T. Rowe Price International Stock - I Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 9.127
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 10.239
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 95,532
T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth - I Sub-Account (8)
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 15.381
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 17.949
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 130,090
T. Rowe Price New America Growth - I Sub-Account
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 9.017
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 9.860
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 55,066
Van Kampen LIT Aggressive Growth, Class II Sub-Account (2)
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 10.000
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 11.144
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 10,217
Van Kampen LIT Growth and Income, Class II Sub-Account (2)
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 10.267
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 11.554
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 138,483
Van Kampen UIF U.S. Mid Cap Value, Class I Sub-Account (2)(9)
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning 10.000
Accumulation Unit Value Ending 11.321
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year 98,278
Wells Fargo Advantage Discovery Sub-Account (10)
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning --
Accumulation Unit Value Ending --
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year --
Wells Fargo Advantage Opportunity Sub-Account (10)
Accumulation Unit Value(1) Beginning --
Accumulation Unit Value Ending --
Number of Units Outstanding at End of Year --
The "Experts" section in the Statement of Additional Information is deleted in
its entirety and replaced with the following:
EXPERTS
The financial statements of Lincoln Benefit Life Company as of December 31, 2004
and 2003 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004,
and the related financial statement schedules included in this Statement of
Additional Information and incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the
Lincoln Benefit Life Company Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent
registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included
and incorporated by reference herein (which report expresses an unqualified
opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to a change in method of
accounting for certain nontraditional long-duration contracts and for separate
accounts in 2004), and have been so included and incorporated in reliance upon
the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
The financial statements of the sub-accounts comprising Lincoln Benefit Life
Variable Annuity Account as of December 31, 2004 and for each of the periods in
the two year period then ended included in this Statement of Additional
Information have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent
registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein,
and have been so included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon
their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The "Financial Statements " section in the Statement of Additional Information
is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements of the Subaccounts comprising the Separate Account as
of December 31, 2004, and for the periods in the two year period then ended, the
financial statements of Lincoln Benefit as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004, and related
financial statement schedules and the accompanying Reports of Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm appear in the pages that follow. The financial
statements and financial statement schedules of Lincoln Benefit included herein
should be considered only as bearing upon the ability of Lincoln Benefit to meet
its obligations under the Contacts.
For future reference, please keep this supplement together with your prospectus.
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
Lincoln Benefit Life Variable Life Account
Supplement, dated March 7, 2005,
to
The Consultant II Variable Annuity Prospectus
dated May 1, 2004
This supplement amends certain disclosure contained in the above-referenced
prospectus for certain variable annuity contracts issued by Lincoln Benefit Life
Company.
We have received notice that the shareholders of the Strong Opportunity Fund II
- Investor Class and the Strong Mid Cap Growth Fund II - Investor Class ("Strong
Portfolios") approved the reorganization of the Strong Portfolios into the Wells
Fargo Advantage Opportunity Fund and the Wells Fargo Advantage Discovery Fund
("Wells Fargo Portfolios"), respectively.
On or around April 8, 2005 ("Conversion Date"), the Strong Opportunity Fund II -
Investor Class will be merged into the Wells Fargo Advantage Opportunity Fund,
and the Strong Mid Cap Growth Fund II - Investor Class will be merged into the
Wells Fargo Advantage Discovery Fund. On the Conversion Date, we will change the
name of the Strong Portfolio sub-accounts to reflect the change in the
underlying portfolio. Contract owners will receive a confirmation of the
transaction reflecting this change.
Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC is the investment adviser for the Wells Fargo
Portfolios. The investment objective for both Wells Fargo Portfolios is
long-term capital appreciation.
If you currently have allocations made to the Strong Portfolio sub-accounts
through automatic additions, automatic portfolio rebalancing or dollar cost
averaging programs, any future allocations will continue to be made to those
sub-accounts under their new name as of the Conversion Date.
If you would like information on how to transfer to another investment
alternative, or how to make a change to your current allocations, please contact
your financial representative or call our Customer Service Center at
1-800-865-5237.
For future reference, please keep this supplement together with your prospectus.
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
Lincoln Benefit Life Variable Annuity Account
Supplement, dated January 14, 2005,
to
The Consultant II Variable Annuity Prospectus
dated May 1, 2004
This supplement amends certain disclosure contained in the above-referenced
prospectus for certain variable annuity contracts issued by Lincoln Benefit Life
Company.
We have received notice that the Board of Trustees ("Board") of PIMCO Advisors
VIT has approved the liquidation, on or about April 29, 2005 (the "Closing
Date"), of the PEA Science and Technology Portfolio (the "PEA Portfolio").
The Board based its decision, in part, upon the fact that the PEA Portfolio is
relatively small in asset size and has failed to garner significant exposure in
the variable contract market. In addition, the Board believes the outlook for
future growth of the PEA Portfolio is not encouraging.
Due to the liquidation of the PEA Portfolio, we will no longer accept new
premiums for investment in, nor will we permit transfers to, the PEA Science and
Technology Portfolio Sub-Account ("PEA Sub-Account") on or after April 29, 2005.
Because the PEA Sub-Account will no longer be offered as an investment
alternative as of the Closing Date, you may wish to transfer, prior to April 29,
2005, some or all of your interest in the PEA Sub-Account to the other
investment alternatives currently offered by your Contract. Any value remaining
in the PEA Sub-Account will be transferred automatically, as of the Closing
Date, to the Fidelity VIP Money Market Portfolio, an investment alternative
already available under your Contract. These transfers are not subject to a
transfer fee.
If you currently have allocations made to the PEA Sub-Account through automatic
additions, automatic portfolio rebalancing, dollar cost averaging or systematic
withdrawal programs, your allocation in the PEA Sub-Account will also need to be
changed in these programs. If you do not change this allocation to other
investment alternatives currently available under your Policy, any allocation to
the PEA Sub-Account will be automatically allocated, as of the Closing Date, to
the Fidelity VIP Money Market Sub-Account.
If your interest in the PEA Sub-Account is transferred automatically on the
Closing Date to the Fidelity VIP Money Market Sub-Account, for 60 days following
the Closing Date, you may transfer your interest in the Fidelity VIP Money
Market Sub-Account to any other investment alternative(s) available under your
Contract. This transfer is not subject to a transfer fee.
We will send you a confirmation that shows the amount that we credited to the
Fidelity VIP Money Market Sub-Account or to the investment alternative that you
chose and the date of the transaction. For additional information on how to
transfer to another investment alternative, or how to make a change to your
current allocation(s), please contact your financial representative or call our
Customer Service Center at the number listed below.
Attached, as Appendix A, is a list of the Portfolios and Fixed Account
Investment Alternatives currently available under your Contract.
Please keep this supplement for future reference together with your
prospectuses.
Number for Customer Service Center: 1-800-865-5237
Appendix A
The Consultant II Variable Annuity contract offers a variety of Investment
Alternatives that encompass investment choices ranging from aggressive to
conservative. Below is a listing of the Portfolios and Fixed Account Investment
Alternatives currently available. Also included is the investment objective for
each Portfolio.
For more complete information about each Portfolio, including expenses and risks
associated with the Portfolio, please refer to the relevant prospectus for the
Portfolio.
PORTFOLIOS
AIM V.I. Basic Value Fund - Series I
Seeks long-term growth of capital.
Alger American Growth Portfolio - Class O Seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Alger American Income & Growth Portfolio - Class O Seeks to provide a high level
of dividend income. Its secondary goal is to provide capital appreciation.
Alger American Leveraged AllCap Portfolio - Class O Seeks long-term capital
appreciation.
Alger American MidCap Growth Portfolio - Class O Seeks long-term capital
appreciation.
Alger American Small Capitalization Portfolio - Class O Seeks long-term capital
appreciation.
Federated Fund for U.S. Government Securities II Seeks current income.
Federated High Income Bond Fund II Seeks high current income.
Federated Capital Income Fund II
Seeks high current income and moderate capital appreciation.
Fidelity VIP Asset Manager(SM) Portfolio - Initial Class Seeks high total return
with reduced risk over the long term by allocating its assets among stocks,
bonds, and short-term instruments.
Fidelity VIP Contrafund(R) Portfolio - Initial Class Seeks long-term capital
appreciation.
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio - Initial Class Seeks reasonable income.
Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio - Initial Class Seeks capital appreciation.
Fidelity VIP Index 500 Portfolio - Initial Class Seeks investment results that
correspond to the total return of common stocks publicly traded in the United
States, as represented by the Standard & Poor's 500(SM) Index (S&P 500(R)).
Fidelity VIP Money Market Portfolio - Initial Class Seeks as high a level of
current income as is consistent with preservation of capital and providing
liquidity.
Fidelity VIP Overseas Portfolio - Initial Class Seeks long-term growth of
capital.
Janus Aspen Series Mid Cap Growth Portfolio: Institutional Shares Seeks
long-term growth of capital.
Janus Aspen Series Balanced Portfolio: Institutional Shares Seeks long-term
growth of capital consistent with preservation of capital and balanced by
current income.
Janus Aspen Series Flexible Income Portfolio: Institutional Shares Seeks to
maximize total return from a combination of current income and capital
appreciation, with an emphasis on current income.
Janus Aspen Series Foreign Stock Portfolio: Service Shares Seeks long-term
growth of capital.
Janus Aspen Series Growth Portfolio: Institutional Shares Seeks long-term growth
of capital in a manner consistent with the preservation of capital.
Janus Aspen Series Worldwide Growth Portfolio: Institutional Shares Seeks
long-term growth of capital in a manner consistent with the preservation of
capital.
MFS Emerging Growth Series - Initial Class Seeks long-term growth of capital.
MFS Investors Trust Series - Initial Class Seeks long-term growth of capital
with a secondary objective to seek reasonable current income.
MFS New Discovery Series - Initial Class Seeks capital appreciation.
MFS Research Series - Initial Class Seeks long-term growth of capital and future
income.
MFS Total Return Series - Initial Class Seeks to provide above-average income
(compared to a portfolio invested entirely in equity securities) consistent with
the prudent employment of capital and secondarily to provide a reasonable
opportunity for growth of capital and income.
PAVIT OpCap Balanced Portfolio Seeks growth of capital and investment income.
PAVIT OpCap Small Cap Portfolio Seeks capital appreciation.
Oppenheimer Main Street Small Cap Fund/VA - Service Shares Seeks capital
appreciation.
PIMCO VIT Foreign Bond Portfolio (U.S. Dollar-Hedged) - Administrative Shares
Seeks to maximize total return, consistent with preservation of capital and
prudent investment management.
PIMCO VIT Total Return Portfolio - Administrative Shares Seeks to maximize total
return, consistent with preservation of capital and prudent investment
management.
Putnam VT International Growth and Income Fund - Class IB Seeks capital growth.
Current income is a secondary objective.
Salomon Brothers Variable Investors Fund - Class I Seeks long-term growth of
capital with current income as a secondary objective.
Scudder SVS I Balanced Portfolio - Class A Seeks balance of growth and income
from a diversified portfolio of equity and fixed income securities.
Scudder SVS I Bond Portfolio - Class A
Seeks to invest for a high level of income consistent with a high quality
portfolio of debt securities.
Scudder SVS I Global Discovery Portfolio - Class A Seeks above average capital
appreciation over the long-term.
Scudder SVS I Growth and Income Portfolio - Class A Seeks long-term growth of
capital primarily though diversified holdings of marketable foreign equity
investments.
Scudder SVS I International Portfolio - Class A Seeks long-term growth of
capital.
STI Classic Capital Appreciation Fund
Seeks capital appreciation.
STI Classic International Equity Fund Seeks long-term capital appreciation.
STI Classic Value Income Stock Fund
Seeks current income with the secondary goal of capital appreciation.
Strong Opportunity Fund II - Investor Class Seeks capital growth.
Strong Mid Cap Growth Fund II - Investor Class Seeks capital growth.
T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio - I Seeks to provide substantial dividend
income as well as long-term growth of capital.
T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio - I Seeks long-term capital appreciation.
T. Rowe Price New America Growth Portfolio - I Seeks long-term growth of
capital.
T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio - I Seeks long-term growth of
capital.
Van Kampen UIF U.S. Mid Cap Value Portfolio, Class I Seeks above-average total
return over a market cycle of three to five years by investing in common stocks
and other equity securities.
Van Kampen LIT Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Class II Seeks capital growth.
Van Kampen LIT Growth and Income Portfolio, Class II Seeks long-term growth of
capital and income.
Fixed Account Options
Standard Fixed Account
Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account Option
CONSULTANT II VARIABLE ANNUITY PROSPECTUS
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM
INDIVIDUAL DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS
ISSUED BY
LINCOLN BENEFIT LIFE COMPANY
IN CONNECTION WITH
LINCOLN BENEFIT LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
STREET ADDRESS: 2940 SOUTH 84TH STREET, LINCOLN, NE 68506
MAILING ADDRESS: P. O. BOX 80469, LINCOLN, NE 68501-0469
TELEPHONE NUMBER: 1-800-865-5237
The Contract is a deferred annuity contract designed to aid you in long-term
financial planning. You may purchase it on either a tax qualified or non-tax
qualified basis. LINCOLN BENEFIT LIFE NO LONGER OFFERS THIS CONTRACT IN MOST
STATES. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY PURCHASED THE CONTRACT YOU MAY CONTINUE TO MAKE
PURCHASE PAYMENTS ACCORDING TO THE CONTRACT.
Because this is a flexible premium annuity contract, you may pay multiple
premiums. We allocate your premium to the investment options under the Contract
and our Fixed Account in the proportions that you choose. The Contract currently
offers fifty-two investment options, each of which is a Subaccount of the
Lincoln Benefit Life Variable Annuity Account ("Separate Account"). Each
Subaccount invests exclusively in shares of one of the following Portfolios:
AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS: AIM V.I. Basic Value Fund - Series I
THE ALGER AMERICAN FUND: Alger American Growth Portfolio - Class O, Alger
American Income and Growth Portfolio - Class O, Alger American Leveraged AllCap
Portfolio - Class O, Alger American MidCap Growth Portfolio - Class O, Alger
American Small Capitalization Portfolio - Class O
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES: Federated Fund for U.S. Government Securities II,
Federated High Income Bond Fund II, Federated Capital Income Fund II
FIDELITY(R) VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS: Fidelity VIP Asset Manager(SM)
Portfolio - Initial Class, Fidelity VIP Contrafund(R) Portfolio - Initial Class,
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio - Initial Class, Fidelity VIP Growth
Portfolio - Initial Class, Fidelity VIP Index 500 Portfolio - Initial Class,
Fidelity VIP Money Market Portfolio - Initial Class, Fidelity VIP Overseas
Portfolio - Initial Class
JANUS ASPEN SERIES: Janus Aspen Series Balanced Portfolio: Institutional Shares,
Janus Aspen Series Flexible Income Portfolio: Institutional Shares, Janus Aspen
Series Foreign Stock Portfolio: Service Shares (formerly International Value
Portfolio), Janus Aspen Series Growth Portfolio:
Institutional Shares, Janus Aspen Series Mid Cap Growth Portfolio:
Institutional Shares, Janus Aspen Series Worldwide Growth Portfolio:
Institutional Shares
MFS(R) VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST(SM): MFS Emerging Growth Series - Initial Class,
MFS Investors Trust Series - Initial Class, MFS New Discovery Series - Initial
Class, MFS Research Series - Initial Class, MFS Total Return Series - Initial
Class
OPPENHEIMER VARIABLE ACCOUNT FUNDS: Oppenheimer Main Street Small Cap Fund/VA -
Service Shares
PIMCO ADVISORS VIT: PAVIT PEA Science and Technology Portfolio, PAVIT OpCap
Balanced Portfolio, PAVIT OpCap Small Cap Portfolio
PIMCO VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST: PIMCO VIT Foreign Bond Portfolio (U.S.
Dollar-Hedged) - Administrative Shares, PIMCO VIT Total Return Portfolio -
Administrative Shares
PUTNAM VARIABLE TRUST: Putnam VT International Growth and Income Fund - Class 1B
SALOMON BROTHERS VARIABLE SERIES FUNDS INC.: Salomon Brothers Variable Investors
Fund - Class I
SCUDDER VARIABLE SERIES I: Scudder SVS I Balanced Portfolio - Class A, Scudder
SVS I Bond Portfolio - Class A, Scudder SVS I Global Discovery Portfolio - Class
A, Scudder SVS I Growth and Income Portfolio - Class A, International Portfolio
- Class A
STI CLASSIC VARIABLE TRUST: STI Classic Capital Appreciation Fund, STI Classic
International Equity Fund, STI Classic Value Income Stock Fund
STRONG OPPORTUNITY FUND II, INC.: Strong Opportunity Fund II - Investor Class
STRONG VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.: Strong Mid Cap Growth Fund II
T. ROWE PRICE EQUITY SERIES, INC.: T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio, T.
Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio, T. Rowe Price New America Growth Portfolio
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL SERIES, INC.: T. Rowe Price International Stock
Portfolio
THE UNIVERSAL INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS, INC: Van Kampen UIF U.S. Mid Cap Value
Portfolio, Class I
1 PROSPECTUS
VAN KAMPEN LIFE INVESTMENT TRUST: Van Kampen LIT Aggressive Growth Portfolio,
Class II, Van Kampen LIT Growth and Income Portfolio, Class II
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE
SECURITIES NOR HAS IT PASSED ON THE ACCURACY OR THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS MAY 1, 2004.
Some of the portfolios described in this prospectus may not be available in your
Contract. We may make available other investment options in the future.
You may not purchase a Contract if either you or the Annuitant are 90 years old
or older before we receive your application.
Your Contract Value will vary daily as a function of the investment performance
of the Subaccounts to which you have allocated Purchase Payments and any
interest credited to the Fixed Account. We do not guarantee any minimum Contract
Value for amounts allocated to the Subaccounts. Benefits provided by this
Contract, when based on the Fixed Account, are subject to a Market Value
Adjustment, which may result in an upwards or downwards adjustment in withdrawal
benefits, death benefits, settlement values, and transfers to the Subaccounts.
In certain states the contract may be offered as a group contract with
individual ownership represented by Certificates. The discussion of Contracts in
this prospectus applies equally to Certificates under group contracts, unless
the context specifies otherwise.
This prospectus sets forth the information you ought to know about the Contract.
You should read it before investing and keep it for future reference.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not Approved or Disapproved these
Securities nor has it Passed on the Accuracy or the Adequacy of this Prospectus.
Any Representation to the Contrary is a Criminal Offense.
The Date of this Prospectus is May 1, 2004.
We have filed a Statement of Additional Information with the Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The current Statement of Additional Information is
dated May 1, 2004. The information in the Statement of Additional Information,
dated May 1, 2004, is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You can
obtain a free copy by writing us or calling us at the telephone number given
above. The Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional Information appears
on page 40 of this prospectus.
At least once each year we will send you an annual statement. The annual
statement details values and specific information for your Contract. It does not
contain our financial statements. Our financial statements are set forth in the
Statement of Additional Information. Lincoln Benefit will file annual and
quarterly reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any
reports, statements or other information we file at the SEC's public reference
room in Washington, D.C. You can obtain copies of these documents by writing to
the SEC and paying a duplicating fee. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information as to the operation of the public reference room. Our SEC
filings are also available to the public on the SEC Internet site
(http://www.sec.gov).
THIS PROSPECTUS IS VALID ONLY IF ACCOMPANIED OR PRECEDED BY CURRENT PROSPECTUSES
FOR THE PORTFOLIOS LISTED ABOVE. IF ANY OF THESE PROSPECTUSES IS MISSING OR
OUTDATED, PLEASE CONTACT US AND WE WILL SEND YOU THE PROSPECTUS YOU NEED.
PLEASE READ THIS PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY AND RETAIN IT FOR YOUR FUTURE REFERENCE.
2 PROSPECTUS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DEFINITIONS 4
FEE TABLES 6
Examples and Explanation of Expense Examples 6
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT YOUR CONTRACT 8
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION 12
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACTS 12
Summary 12
Contract Owner 12
Annuitant 12
Modification of the Contract 12
Assignment 12
Free Look Period 13
PURCHASES AND CONTRACT VALUE 13
Minimum Purchase Payment 13
Automatic Payment Plan 13
Allocation of Purchase Payments 13
Contract Value 14
Separate Account Accumulation Unit Value 14
Transfer During Accumulation Period 14
Transfers Authorized by Telephone 14
Market Timing & Excessive Trading 15
Trading Limitations 15
Automatic Dollar Cost Averaging Program 15
Portfolio Rebalancing 15
THE INVESTMENT AND FIXED ACCOUNT OPTIONS 17
Separate Account Investments 17
The Portfolios 17
Voting Rights 20
Additions, Deletions, and Substitutions of Securities 21
The Fixed Account 21
General 21
Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account Option 21
Market Value Adjustment 22
Dollar Cost Averaging Fixed Account Option 23
ANNUITY BENEFITS 23
Annuity Date 23
Annuity Options 23
Other Options 24
Annuity Payments: General 24
Variable Annuity Payments 24
Fixed Annuity Payments 25
Transfers During the Annuity Period 25
Death Benefit During Annuity Period 25
Certain Employee Benefit Plans 25
OTHER CONTRACT BENEFITS 25
Death Benefit 25
Beneficiary 27
Contract Loans for 403(b) Contracts 28
Withdrawals (Redemptions) 29
Systematic Withdrawal Program 29
ERISA Plans 30
Minimum Contract Value 30
CONTRACT CHARGES 30
Mortality and Expense Risk Charge 30
Administrative Charges 30
Contract Maintenance Charge 30
Administrative Expense Charge 30
Transfer Fee 30
Premium Taxes 31
Deduction for Separate Account Income Taxes 31
Other Expenses 31
TAXES 32
Taxation of Lincoln Benefit Life Company 32
Taxation of Variable Annuities in General 32
Tax Qualified Contracts 35
DESCRIPTION OF LINCOLN BENEFIT LIFE COMPANY AND THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT 38
Lincoln Benefit Life Company 38
Separate Account 38
State Regulation of Lincoln Benefit 38
Financial Statements 38
ADMINISTRATION 38
DISTRIBUTION OF CONTRACTS 39
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 39
LEGAL MATTERS 39
ANNUAL REPORTS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS 39
REGISTRATION STATEMENT 39
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 40
APPENDIX A ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUES 41
APPENDIX B ILLUSTRATION OF A MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT 46
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH
SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE. WE DO NOT AUTHORIZE ANYONE TO PROVIDE
ANY INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE OFFERING DESCRIBED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS OTHER THAN AS CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
3 PROSPECTUS
DEFINITIONS
Please refer to this list for the meaning of the following terms:
ACCUMULATION PERIOD - The period, beginning on the Issue Date, during which
Contract Value builds up under your Contract.
ACCUMULATION UNIT - A unit of measurement which we use to calculate Contract
Value.
ANNUITANT - The living person on whose life the annuity benefits under a
Contract are based.
ANNUITIZATION - The process to begin annuity payments under the Contract.
ANNUITIZED VALUE - The Contract Value adjusted by any applicable Market Value
Adjustment and less any applicable taxes.
ANNUITY DATE - The date on which annuity payments are scheduled to begin.
ANNUITY PERIOD - The period during which annuity payments are paid. The Annuity
Period begins on the Annuity Date.
ANNUITY UNIT - A unit of measurement which we use to calculate the amount of
Variable Annuity payments.
BENEFICIARY(IES) - The person(s) designated to receive any death benefits under
the Contract.
COMPANY ("WE," "US," "OUR," "LINCOLN BENEFIT") - Lincoln Benefit Life Company.
CONTRACT ANNIVERSARY - Each anniversary of the Issue Date.
CONTRACT OWNER ("YOU," "YOUR") - The person(s) having the privileges of
ownership defined in the Contract. If Your Contract is issued as part of a
retirement plan, Your ownership privileges may be modified by the plan.
CONTRACT VALUE - The sum of the values of your investment in the Subaccounts of
the Separate Account and the Fixed Account.
CONTRACT YEAR - Each twelve-month period beginning on the Issue Date and each
Contract Anniversary.
CONTRIBUTION YEAR - Each twelve-month period beginning on the date a Purchase
Payment is allocated to a Subaccount, or each anniversary of that date.
FIXED ACCOUNT - The portion of the Contract Value allocated to Our general
account.
FIXED ANNUITY - A series of annuity payments that are fixed in amount.
GUARANTEE PERIODS - A period of years for which we have guaranteed a specific
effective annual interest rate on an amount allocated to the Fixed Account.
ISSUE DATE - The date when the Contract becomes effective.
LATEST ANNUITY DATE - The latest date by which you must begin annuity payments
under the Contract.
LOAN ACCOUNT - An account established for amounts transferred from the
Subaccounts or the Fixed Account as security for outstanding Contract loans.
MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT - An amount added to or subtracted from certain
transactions involving Your interest in the Fixed Account, to reflect the impact
of changing interest rates.
NET INVESTMENT FACTOR - The factor used to determine the value of an
Accumulation Unit and Annuity Unit in any Valuation Period. We determine the Net
Investment Factor separately for each Subaccount.
NON-QUALIFIED PLAN - A retirement plan which does not receive special tax
treatment under Sections 401, 403(b), 408, 408A or 457 of the Tax Code.
PORTFOLIO(S) - The underlying funds in which the Subaccounts invest. Each
Portfolio is an investment company registered with the SEC or a separate
investment series of a registered investment company.
PURCHASE PAYMENTS - Amounts paid to Us as premium for the Contract by You or on
Your behalf.
QUALIFIED PLAN - A retirement plan which receives special tax treatment under
Sections 401, 403(b), 408 or 408A of the Tax Code or a deferred compensation
plan for a state and local government or another tax exempt organization under
Section 457 of the Tax Code.
SEPARATE ACCOUNT - The Lincoln Benefit Life Variable Annuity Account, which is a
segregated investment account of the Company.
SUBACCOUNT - A subdivision of the Separate Account, which invests wholly in
shares of one of the Portfolios.
SURRENDER VALUE - The amount paid upon complete surrender of the Contract, equal
to the Contract Value, less any applicable premium taxes and the contract
maintenance charge and increased or decreased by any Market Value Adjustment.
TAX CODE - The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
TREASURY RATE - The U.S. Treasury Note Constant Maturity Yield for the preceding
week as reported in Federal Reserve Bulletin Release H.15.
VALUATION DATE - Each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business.
VALUATION PERIOD - The period of time over which we determine the change in the
value of the Subaccounts in order to price Accumulation Units and Annuity Units.
4 PROSPECTUS
Each Valuation Period begins at the close of normal trading on the New York
Stock Exchange ("NYSE") currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on each Valuation Date
and ends at the close of the NYSE on the next Valuation Date.
VARIABLE ANNUITY - A series of annuity payments that vary in amount based on
changes in the value of the Subaccounts to which your Contract Value has been
allocated.
5 PROSPECTUS
FEE TABLES
THE FOLLOWING TABLES DESCRIBE THE FEES AND EXPENSES THAT YOU WILL PAY WHEN
BUYING, OWNING, AND SURRENDERING THE CONTRACT. THE FIRST TABLE DESCRIBES THE
FEES AND EXPENSES THAT YOU WILL PAY AT THE TIME THAT YOU BUY THE CONTRACT,
SURRENDER THE CONTRACT, OR TRAANSFER CASH VALUE BETWEEN INVESTMENT OPTIONS.
STATE PREMIUM TAXES MAY ALSO BE DEDUCTED.
Sales Charge - None
Transfer Fee (Applies solely to the second and subsequent transfers within a
calendar month. We are currently waiving the transfer fee) - $10.00
THE NEXT TABLE DESCRIBES THE FEES AND EXPENSES THAT YOU WILL PAY PERIODICALLY
DURING THE TIME THAT YOU OWN THE CONTRACT, NOT INCLUDING PORTFOLIO FEES AND
EXPENSES.
ANNUAL CONTRACT MAINTENANCE CHARGE $35.00
SEPARATE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF DAILY NET ASSET
VALUE DEDUCTED FROM EACH OF THE SUBACCOUNTS OF THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT)
Mortality and Expense Risk Charge 1.30%
Administrative Expense Charge 0.10%
------
Total Separate Account Annual Expenses 1.40%
THE NEXT TABLE SHOWS THE MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES CHARGED BY
THE PORTFOLIOS THAT YOU MAY PAY PERIODICALLY DURING THE TIME THAT YOU OWN THE
CONTRACT. ADVISERS AND/OR OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS OF CERTAIN PORTFOLIOS MAY HAVE
AGREED TO WAIVE THEIR FEES AND/OR REIMBURSE PORTFOLIO EXPENSES IN ORDER TO KEEP
THE PORTFOLIOS' EXPENSES BELOW SPECIFIED LIMITS. THE RANGE OF EXPENSES SHOWN IN
THIS TABLE DOES NOT SHOW THE EFFECT OF ANY SUCH FEE WAIVER OR EXPENSE
REIMBURSEMENT. MORE DETAIL CONCERNING EACH PORTFOLIO'S FEES AND EXPENSES APPEARS
IN THE PROSPECTUS FOR EACH PORTFOLIO.
Minimum Maximum
------- -------
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses /(1)/
(expenses that are deducted from Portfolio
assets, which may include management fees,
distribution and/or service (12b-1)
fees, and other expenses) 0.29% 4.31%
(1) Expenses are shown as a percentage of Portfolio average daily net assets
before any waiver or reimbursement as of December 31, 2003.
EXAMPLE
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the
Contracts with the cost of investing in other variable annuity contracts. These
costs include Contract owner transaction expenses, Contract fees, Separate
Account annual expenses, and Portfolio fees and expenses and assume no transfers
or exchanges were made. The example shows the dollar amount of expenses that you
would bear directly or indirectly if you:
.. Invested $10,000 in the Contract for the time periods indicated,
.. earned a 5% annual return on your investment,
.. surrendered your Contract, or you began receiving income payments, or
continued to hold Your Contract, at the end of each time period, and,
.. with total Separate Account expenses of 1.40%.
The first line of the example assumes that the maximum fees and expenses of any
of the Portfolios are charged. The second line of the example assumes that the
minimum fees and expenses of any of the Portfolios are charged. Your actual
expenses may be higher or lower than those shown below.
6 PROSPECTUS
THE EXAMPLE DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY TAXES OR TAX PENALTIES YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO
PAY IF YOU SURRENDER YOUR CONTRACT.
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Costs Based on Maximum Annual Portfolio Expenses $620 $1,839 $3,031 $5,892
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Costs Based on Minimum Annual Portfolio Expenses $208 $ 640 $1,093 $2,330
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPLANATION OF EXPENSE EXAMPLE
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT EXAMPLES AND NOT A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES. YOUR RATE OF RETURN MAY BE HIGHER OR LOWER THAN 5%,
WHICH IS NOT GUARANTEED. THE EXAMPLES DO NOT ASSUME THAT ANY PORTFOLIO EXPENSE
WAIVERS OR REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENTS ARE IN EFFECT FOR THE PERIODS PRESENTED.
THE EXAMPLES REFLECT AN ANNUAL CONTRACT MAINTENANCE CHARGE OF $35.
7 PROSPECTUS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT YOUR CONTRACT
The following are answers to some of the questions you may have about some of
the more important features of the Contract. The Contract is more fully
described in the rest of the Prospectus. Please read the Prospectus carefully.
1. WHAT IS THE CONTRACT?
The Contract is a flexible premium deferred variable annuity contract. It is
designed for tax-deferred retirement investing. The Contract is available for
non-qualified or qualified retirement plans. The Contract, like all deferred
annuity contracts, has two phases: the Accumulation Period and the Annuity
Period. During the Accumulation Period, earnings accumulate on a tax-deferred
basis and are taxed as income when you make a withdrawal. The Annuity Period
begins when you begin receiving payments under one of the annuity payment
options described in the answer to Question 2. The amount of money accumulated
under your Contract during the Accumulation Period will be used to determine the
amount of your annuity payments during the Annuity Period.
Your premiums are invested in one or more of the Subaccounts of the Separate
Account or allocated to the Fixed Account, as you instruct us. You may allocate
your Contract Value to up to twenty-one options under the Contract, counting
each Subaccount and the Fixed Account as one option. We will treat all of your
Contract Value allocated to the Fixed Account as one option for purposes of this
limit, even if you have chosen more than one Guarantee Period. The value of your
Contract will depend on the investment performance of the Subaccounts and the
amount of interest we credit to the Fixed Account.
Each Subaccount will invest in a single investment portfolio (a "Portfolio") of
an underlying fund. The Portfolios offer a range of investment objectives, from
conservative to aggressive. You bear the entire investment risk on amounts
allocated to the Subaccounts. The investment policies and risks of each
Portfolio are described in the accompanying prospectuses for the Portfolios.
In some states, you may also allocate all or part of your Contract Value to the
"Fixed Account", as described in the answer to Question 5.
2. WHAT ANNUITY OPTIONS DOES THE CONTRACT OFFER?
You may receive annuity payments on a fixed or a variable basis or a combination
of the two. We offer a variety of annuity options including:
.. a life annuity with payments guaranteed for five to twenty years;
.. a joint and full survivorship annuity, with payments guaranteed for five to
twenty years; and
.. fixed payments for a specified period of five to thirty years.
Call us to inquire about other options.
You may change your annuity option at any time before annuitization. You may
select the date to annuitize the Contract. The date you select, however, may be
no later than the later of the tenth Contract Anniversary or the Annuitant's
90th birthday. If your Contract was issued in connection with a qualified plan,
different deadlines may apply.
If you select annuity payments on a variable basis, the amount of our payments
to you will be affected by the investment performance of the Subaccounts you
have selected. The fixed portion of your annuity payments, on the other hand,
generally will be equal in amount to the initial payment we determine. As
explained in more detail below, however, during the Annuity Period you will have
a limited ability to change the relative weighting of the Subaccounts on which
your variable annuity payments are based or to increase the portion of your
annuity payments consisting of Fixed Annuity payments.
3. HOW DO I BUY A CONTRACT?
You can obtain a Contract application from your Lincoln Benefit agent. You must
pay at least $25,000 in a lump sum as an initial Purchase Payment. Subsequent
Purchase Payments must be at least $500. We may lower these minimums at our sole
discretion. The maximum age of the oldest Contract Owner and Annuitant cannot
exceed age 90 as of the date we receive the completed application.
4. WHAT ARE MY INVESTMENT CHOICES UNDER THE CONTRACT?
You can allocate and reallocate your investment among the Subaccounts, each of
which in turn invests in a single Portfolio. Under the Contract, the Separate
Account currently invests in the following Portfolios:
FUND PORTFOLIO(S)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIM Variable Insurance Funds AIM V.I. Basic Value Fund - Series I
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Alger American Fund Alger American Growth Portfolio - Class O
Alger American Income & Growth Portfolio -
Class O
Alger American Leveraged AllCap Portfolio -
Class O
Alger American MidCap Growth Portfolio -
Class O
Alger American Small Capitalization
Portfolio - Class O
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federated Insurance Series Federated Fund for U.S. Government
Securities II
Federated High Income Bond Fund II
Federated Capital Income Fund II
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity(R) Variable Insurance Products Fidelity VIP Asset Manager(SM) Portfolio -
Initial Class
Fidelity VIP Contrafund(R) Portfolio -
Initial Class
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio -
Initial Class
Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio - Initial
Class
Fidelity VIP Index 500 Portfolio - Initial
Class
Fidelity VIP Money Market Portfolio -
Initial Class
Fidelity VIP Overseas Portfolio - Initial
Class
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Janus Aspen Series Janus Aspen Series Balanced Portfolio -
Institutional Shares
Janus Aspen Series Flexible Income
Portfolio - Institutional Shares
Janus Aspen Series Foreign Stock Portfolio
(formerly International Value) - Service
Shares
Janus Aspen Series Growth Portfolio -
Institutional Shares
Janus Aspen Series Mid Cap Growth Portfolio
- Institutional Shares
Janus Aspen Series Worldwide Growth
Portfolio - Institutional Shares
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS(R) Variable Insurance
Trust(SM) MFS Emerging
Growth Series - Initial
Class MFS Investors Trust
Series - Initial Class MFS
New Discovery Series -
Initial Class MFS Research
Series - Initial Class MFS
Total Return Series -
Initial Class
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds Oppenheimer Main Street Small Cap Fund/VA -
Service Shares
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PIMCO Advisors VIT PAVIT PEA
Science and Technology
Portfolio PAVIT OpCap
Balanced Portfolio PAVIT
OpCap Small Cap Portfolio
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust PIMCO VIT Foreign Bond Portfolio (U.S.
Dollar-Hedged) - Administrative Shares
PIMCO VIT Total Return Portfolio -
Administrative Shares
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Putnam Variable Trust Putnam VT International Growth and Income
Fund - Class IB
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salomon Brothers Variable Series Funds Inc. Salomon Brothers Variable Investors Fund -
Class I
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scudder Variable Series I Scudder SVS I Balanced Portfolio - Class A
Scudder SVS I Bond Portfolio - Class A
Scudder SVS I Global Discovery Portfolio -
Class A
Scudder SVS I Growth and Income Portfolio -
Class A
Scudder SVS I International Portfolio -
Class A
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STI Classic Variable Trust STI Classic Capital Appreciation Fund
STI Classic International Equity Fund
STI Classic Value Income Stock Fund
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Opportunity Fund II, Inc. Strong Opportunity Fund II - Investor Class
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance Funds, Inc. Strong Mid Cap Growth Fund II - Investor
Class
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. Rowe Price Equity Series, Inc. T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio - I
T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio - I
T. Rowe Price New America Growth Portfolio
- I
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. Rowe Price International Series, Inc. T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Universal Institutional Funds, Inc. Van Kampen UIF U.S. Mid Cap Value
Portfolio, Class I
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen Life Investment Trust Van Kampen LIT Aggressive Growth Portfolio,
Class II
Van Kampen LIT Growth and Income Portfolio,
Class II
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the future we may offer Guarantee Periods of different lengths or stop
offering some Guarantee Periods.
9 PROSPECTUS
In the future we may offer Guarantee Periods of different lengths or stop
offering some Guarantee Periods.
We will not change the interest rate credited to a particular allocation until
the end of the relevant Guarantee Period. From time to time, however, we may
change the interest rate that we offer to credit to new allocations to the
Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account Option and to amounts rolled over in the Fixed
Account for new Guarantee Periods.
In addition, if you participate in our Dollar Cost Averaging program, you may
designate amounts to be held in the Dollar Cost Averaging Fixed Account Option
until they are transferred monthly to the Subaccounts or Guarantee Periods of
your choosing. When you make an allocation to the Fixed Account for this
purpose, we will set an interest rate applicable to that amount. We will then
credit interest at that rate to that amount until it has been entirely
transferred monthly to your chosen Subaccounts or Guarantee Periods. We will
complete the transfers within one year of the allocation. In our discretion we
may change the rate that we set for new allocations to the Fixed Account for the
dollar cost averaging program. We will never, however, set a rate less than an
effective annual rate of 3%.
A Market Value Adjustment may increase or decrease the amount of certain
transactions involving the Fixed Account, to reflect changes in interest rates.
As a general rule, we will apply a Market Value Adjustment to the following
transactions:
1) when you withdraw funds from the Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account Option;
2) when you transfer funds from the Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account Option
to the Subaccounts;
3) when you allocate part of your balance in the Guaranteed Maturity Fixed
Account Option to a new Guarantee Period before the end of the existing
Guarantee Period;
4) when you annuitize your Contract; and
5) when we pay a death benefit.
We will not apply a Market Value Adjustment to a transaction to the extent that:
1) it occurs within 30 days after the end of a Guarantee Period applicable to
the funds involved in the transaction;
2) it is necessary to meet IRS minimum withdrawal requirements; or
3) it is a transfer that is part of a dollar cost averaging program.
We determine the amount of a Market Value Adjustment using a formula that takes
into consideration:
1) whether current interest rates differ from interest rates at the beginning
of the applicable Guarantee Period; and
2) how many years are left until the end of the Guarantee Period.
As a general rule, if interest rates have dropped, the Market Value Adjustment
will be an addition; if interest rates have risen, the Market Value Adjustment
will be a deduction. It is therefore possible that if you withdraw an amount
from the Fixed Account during a Guarantee Period, a Market Value Adjustment may
cause you to receive less than you initially allocated to the Fixed Account.
6. WHAT ARE MY EXPENSES UNDER THE CONTRACT?
CONTRACT MAINTENANCE CHARGE. During the Accumulation Period, each year we
subtract an annual contract maintenance charge of $35 from your Contract Value
allocated to the Subaccounts. We will waive this charge if you pay $50,000 or
more in Purchase Payments or if you allocate all of your Contract Value to the
Fixed Account.
During the Annuity Period, we will subtract the annual contract maintenance
charge in equal parts from your annuity payments. We waive this charge if on the
Annuity Date your Contract Value is $50,000 or more or if all payments are Fixed
Annuity payments.
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE AND MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE. We impose a
mortality and expense risk charge at an annual rate of 1.30% of average daily
net assets and an administrative expense charge at an annual rate of .10% of
average daily net assets. These charges are assessed each day during the
Accumulation Period and the Annuity Period. We guarantee that we will not raise
these charges.
TRANSFER FEE. Although we currently are not charging a transfer fee, the
Contract permits us to charge you up to $10 per transfer for each transfer after
the first transfer in each month.
PREMIUM TAXES. Certain states impose a premium tax on annuity purchase payments
received by insurance companies. Any premium taxes relating to the Contract may
be deducted from Purchase Payments or the Contract Value when the tax is
incurred or at a later time. State premium taxes generally range from 0% to
3.5%.
OTHER EXPENSES. In addition to our charges under the Contract, each Portfolio
deducts amounts from its assets to pay its investment advisory fees and other
expenses.
7. HOW WILL MY INVESTMENT IN THE CONTRACT BE TAXED?
You should consult a qualified tax adviser for personalized answers. Generally,
earnings under variable annuities are not taxed until amounts are withdrawn or
distributions are made. This deferral of taxes is designed to encourage
long-term personal savings and supplemental retirement plans. Withdrawals of
earnings are taxed as ordinary income and, if taken prior to age 59 1/2, may be
subject to an additional 10% federal tax penalty.
10 PROSPECTUS
Special rules apply if the Contract is owned by a company or other legal entity.
Generally, such an owner must include in income any increase in the excess of
the Contract Value over the "investment in the contract" during the taxable
year.
8. DO I HAVE ACCESS TO MY MONEY?
At any time during the Accumulation Period, we will pay you all or part of the
value of your Contract, minus any applicable charge, if you surrender your
Contract or request a partial withdrawal. Under some qualified plans, you may
also take a loan against the value of your Contract. Generally, a partial
withdrawal must equal at least $50, and after the withdrawal your remaining
Contract Value must at least equal $500.
Although you have access to your money during the Accumulation Period, certain
charges, such as the contract maintenance charge and premium tax charges, may be
deducted on a surrender or withdrawal. You may also incur federal income tax
liability or tax penalties. In addition, if you have allocated some of the value
of your Contract to the Fixed Account, the amount of your surrender proceeds or
withdrawal may be increased or decreased by a Market Value Adjustment.
After annuitization, under certain settlement options you may be entitled to
withdraw the commuted value of the remaining payments.
9. WHAT IS THE DEATH BENEFIT?
We will pay a death benefit while the Contract is in force and before the
Annuity Date, if the Contract Owner dies, or if the Annuitant dies and the
Contract Owner is not a living person. To obtain payment of the Death Benefit,
the Beneficiary must submit to us a complete request for payment of the death
benefit, which includes due proof of death as specified in the Contract.
The death benefit is the greatest of the following:
1) your total Purchase Payments reduced by a withdrawal adjustment;
2) your Contract Value;
3) the amount you would have received by surrendering your Contract; or
4) your highest Contract Value on any Contract Anniversary increased by the
total Purchase Payments since that Contract Anniversary and reduced by a
withdrawal adjustment.
In relation to (1) and (4) above, the Death Benefit will be recalculated for
Purchase Payments, withdrawals, and on Contract Anniversaries until the oldest
Owner, or the Annuitant if the Owner is not a living individual, attains age 85.
After age 85, we will calculate (1) and (4) above only to reflect additional
purchase payments and withdrawals.
We will determine the value of the death benefit on the day that we receive all
of the information that we need to process the claim.
10. WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?
ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PAYMENTS. You allocate your initial Purchase Payment
among the Subaccounts and the Fixed Account in your Contract application. You
may make your allocations in specific dollar amounts or percentages, which must
be whole numbers that add up to 100%. When you make subsequent Purchase
Payments, you may again specify how you want your payments allocated. If you do
not, we will automatically allocate the payment based on your most recent
instructions. You may not allocate Purchase Payments to the Fixed Account if it
is not available in your state.
TRANSFERS. During the Accumulation Period, you may transfer Contract Value among
the Subaccounts and from the Subaccounts to the Fixed Account. You may not make
a transfer, however, that would result in your allocating your Contract Value to
more than twenty-one options under the Contract. While you may also transfer
amounts from the Fixed Account, a Market Value Adjustment may apply. You may
instruct us to transfer Contract Value by writing or calling us.
You may also use our Automatic Dollar Cost Averaging or Portfolio Rebalancing
programs. You may not use both programs at the same time.
Under the Dollar Cost Averaging program, amounts are automatically transferred
at regular intervals from the Fixed Account or a Subaccount of your choosing,
including other Subaccounts or the Fixed Account. Transfers from the Dollar Cost
Averaging Fixed Account may be made monthly only. Transfers from Subaccounts may
be made monthly, quarterly, or annually.
Under the Portfolio Rebalancing Program, you can maintain the percentage of your
Contract Value allocated to each Subaccount at a pre-set level. Investment
results will shift the balance of your Contract Value allocations. If you elect
rebalancing, we will automatically transfer your Contract Value back to the
specified percentages at the frequency (monthly, quarterly, semiannually,
annually) that you specify. We will automatically terminate this program if you
request a transfer outside of the program. You may not include the Fixed Account
in a portfolio rebalancing program. You also may not elect rebalancing after
annuitization.
During the Annuity Period, you may not make any transfers for the first six
months after the Annuity Date. Thereafter, you may make transfers among the
Subaccounts or from the Subaccounts to increase your Fixed Annuity payments.
Your transfers, however, must be at least six months apart. You may not,
however, convert any portion of your right to receive Fixed Annuity payments
into Variable Annuity payments.
11 PROSPECTUS
FREE LOOK PERIOD. You may cancel the Contract by returning it to us within 10
days after you receive it, or after whatever longer period may be permitted by
state law. You may return it by delivering it or mailing it to us. If you return
the Contract, the Contract terminates and, in most states, we will pay you an
amount equal to the Contract Value on the date we receive the Contract from you.
The Contract Value may be more or less than your Purchase Payments. In some
states, we are required to send you the amount of your Purchase Payments. Since
state laws differ as to the consequences of returning a Contract, you should
refer to your Contract for specific information about your circumstances. If
your Contract is qualified under Section 408 of the Internal Revenue Code, we
will refund the greater of any purchase payments or the Contract Value.
11. WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION?
You can write to us at Lincoln Benefit Life Company, P.O. Box 80469, Lincoln,
Nebraska 68501-0469, or call us at (800) 865-5237.
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Attached as Appendix A is a table showing selected information concerning
Accumulation Unit Values for each Subaccount for each year since we started
offering the Contracts. Accumulation Unit Value is the unit of measure that we
use to calculate the value of your interest in a Subaccount. Accumulation Unit
Value does not reflect the deduction of certain charges that are subtracted from
your Contract Value, such as the Annual Contract Maintenance Charge. The
information in the table is included in the Separate Account's financial
statements. To obtain a fuller picture of each Subaccount's finances and
performance, you should review the Separate Account's financial statements,
which are in the Separate Account's Annual Report dated as of December 31, 2003,
contained in the Statement of Additional Information.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACTS
SUMMARY. The Contract is a deferred annuity contract designed to aid you in
long-term financial planning. You may add to the Contract Value by making
additional Purchase Payments. In addition, the Contract Value will change to
reflect the performance of the Subaccounts to which you allocate your Purchase
Payments and your Contract Value, as well as to reflect interest credited to
amounts allocated to the Fixed Account. You may withdraw your Contract Value by
making a partial withdrawal or by surrendering your Contract. Upon
Annuitization, we will pay you benefits under the Contract in the form of an
annuity, either for the life of the Annuitant or for a fixed number of years.
All of these features are described in more detail below.
CONTRACT OWNER. As the Contract Owner, you are the person usually entitled to
exercise all rights of ownership under the Contract. You usually are also the
person entitled to receive benefits under the Contract or to choose someone else
to receive benefits. The Contract can also be purchased as an IRA or TSA (also
known as a 403(b)). The endorsements required to qualify these annuities under
the Code may limit or modify your rights and privileges under the Contract. The
maximum age of the oldest Contract Owner cannot exceed age 90 as of the date we
receive the completed application. The Contract cannot be jointly owned by both
a non-living person and a living person. Changing ownership of this Contract may
cause adverse tax consequences and may not be allowed under qualified plans.
Please consult with a competent tax advisor prior to making a request for a
change of Contract Owner. If the Contract Owner is a grantor trust, the Contract
Owner will be considered a non-living person for purposes of this section and
the Death Benefit section.
ANNUITANT. The Annuitant is the living person whose life span is used to
determine annuity payments. You initially designate an Annuitant in your
application. You may change the Annuitant at any time before annuity payments
begin. If your Contract was issued under a plan qualified under Section 403(b),
408 or 408A of the Tax Code, you must be the Annuitant. If the Contract is a
non-qualified Contract, you may also designate a Joint Annuitant, who is a
second person on whose life annuity payments depend. Additional restrictions may
apply in the case of Qualified Plans. If you are not the Annuitant and the
Annuitant dies before annuity payments begin, then either you become the new
Annuitant or you must name another person as the new Annuitant. You must attest
that the Annuitant is alive in order to annuitize your Contract.
MODIFICATION OF THE CONTRACT. Only a Lincoln Benefit officer may approve a
change in or waive any provision of the Contract. Any change or waiver must be
in writing. None of our agents has the authority to change or waive the
provisions of the Contract.
We are permitted to change the terms of the Contract if it is necessary to
comply with changes in the law. If a provision of the Contract is inconsistent
with state law, we will follow state law.
ASSIGNMENT. Before the Annuity Date, if the Annuitant is still alive, you may
assign an interest in the Contract if it is a non-qualified Contract. If a
Contract is issued pursuant to a Qualified Plan, the law prohibits some types of
assignments, pledges and transfers and imposes special conditions on others. An
assignment may also result in taxes or tax penalties.
We will not be bound by any assignment until we receive written notice of it.
Accordingly, until we receive written notice of an assignment, we will continue
to act as though the assignment had not occurred. We are not responsible for the
validity of any assignment.
BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL TAX CONSEQUENCES AND ERISA ISSUES ARISING FROM AN
ASSIGNMENT, YOU SHOULD
12 PROSPECTUS
CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE TRYING TO ASSIGN YOUR CONTRACT.
FREE LOOK PERIOD. You may cancel the Contract by returning it to us within 10
days after you receive it, or within whatever longer period may be permitted by
state law. You may return it by delivering it to your agent or mailing it to us.
If you return the Contract, the Contract terminates and, in most states, we will
pay you an amount equal to the Contract Value on the date we receive the
Contract from you. The Contract Value at that time may be more or less than your
Purchase Payments.
In some states, if you exercise your "free look" rights, we are required to
return the amount of your Purchase Payments. Currently, if you live in one of
those states, on the Issue Date we will allocate your Purchase Payment to the
Subaccounts and the Fixed Account Options as you specified in your application.
However, we reserve the right in the future to delay allocating your Purchase
Payments to the Subaccounts you have selected or to the Fixed Account until 20
days after the Issue Date or, if your state's free look period is longer than
ten days, for ten days plus the period required by state law. During that time,
we will allocate your Purchase Payment to the Fidelity Money Market Subaccount.
Your Contract will contain specific information about your free-look rights in
your state.
PURCHASES AND CONTRACT VALUE
MINIMUM PURCHASE PAYMENT. The minimum initial Purchase Payment for a Contract is
$25,000. You must pay it in a lump sum. You may not pay more than $1 million in
Purchase Payments without our prior approval. As a general rule, subsequent
Purchase Payments may be made in amounts of $500 or more. However, each purchase
payment made to the Dollar Cost Averaging Fixed Account must be at least $1,200.
If we receive purchase payments designated for the Dollar Cost Averaging Fixed
Account that are lower than the required minimum of $1,200, or purchase payments
designated for the Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account Option that are lower than
$500, such amounts will be allocated to the Fidelity Money Market Portfolio.We
may lower these minimums if we choose. We may refuse any Purchase Payment at any
time.
AUTOMATIC PAYMENT PLAN. You may make scheduled Purchase Payments of $100 or more
per month by automatic payment through your bank account. Call or write us for
an enrollment form.
ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PAYMENTS. Your Purchase Payments are allocated to the
Subaccount(s) and the Fixed Account in the proportions that you have selected.
You must specify your allocation in your Contract application, either as
percentages or specific dollar amounts. If you make your allocation in
percentages, the total must equal 100%. We will allocate your subsequent
Purchase Payments in those percentages, until you give us new allocation
instructions. You may not allocate Purchase Payments to the Fixed Account if it
is not available in your state.
You initially may allocate your Purchase Payments to up to twenty-one options,
counting each Subaccount and the Fixed Account as one option. For this purpose,
we will treat all of your allocations to the Fixed Account as one option, even
if you choose more than one Guarantee Period. You may add or delete Subaccounts
and/or the Fixed Account from your allocation instructions, but we will not
execute instructions that would cause you to have Contract Value in more than
twenty-one options. In the future, we may waive this limit. Please note that
effective as of Septemebr 27, 2002, we will not permit you to allocate new
premiums to the Subaccount that invests in the STI Classic Variable Trust
International Equity Fund. However, if, as of September 27, 2002, you are
enrolled in one of our automatic transaction programs, such as Dollar Cost
Averaging or Portfolio Rebalancing, we will continue to effect automatic
transactions involving the STI Classic Variable Trust International Equity Fund.
In addition, if you currently have funds allocated to the Subaccount which
invests in the STI Classic Variable Trust International Equity Fund, you may
keep such investment, but may not invest additional premium payments to it.
If your application is complete, we will issue your Contract within two business
days of its receipt at our P.O. Box shown on the first page of this prospectus.
If your application for a Contract is incomplete, we will notify you and seek to
complete the application within five business days. For example, if you do not
fill in allocation percentages, we will contact you to obtain the missing
percentages. If we cannot complete your application within five business days
after we receive it, we will return your application and your Purchase Payment,
unless you expressly permit us to take a longer time.
Usually, we will allocate your initial Purchase Payment to the Subaccounts and
the Fixed Account, as you have instructed us, on the Issue Date. We will
allocate your subsequent Purchase Payments on the date that we receive them at
the next computed Accumulation Unit Value.
In some states, however, we are required to return at least your Purchase
Payment if you cancel your Contract during the "free-look" period. In those
states, we currently will allocate your Purchase Payments on the Issue Date as
you have instructed us, as described above. In the future, however, we reserve
the right, if you live in one of those states, to allocate all Purchase Payments
received during the "free-look period" to the Fidelity Money Market Subaccount.
If we exercise that right and your state's free look period is ten days, we will
transfer your Purchase Payments to your specified Subaccounts or the Fixed
Account 20 days after the Issue Date; if your state's free look period is
longer, we will transfer your
13 PROSPECTUS
Purchase Payment after ten days plus the period required by state law have
passed.
We determine the number of Accumulation Units in each Subaccount to allocate to
your Contract by dividing that portion of your Purchase Payment allocated to a
Subaccount by that Subaccount's Accumulation Unit Value on the Valuation Date
when the allocation occurs.
CONTRACT VALUE. We will establish an account for you and will maintain your
account during the Accumulation Period. The total value of your Contract at any
time is equal to the sum of the value of your Accumulation Units in the
Subaccounts you have selected, plus the value of your investment in the Fixed
Account.
SEPARATE ACCOUNT ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUE. As a general matter, the Accumulation
Unit Value for each Subaccount will rise or fall to reflect changes in the share
price of the Portfolio in which the Subaccount invests. In addition, we subtract
from Accumulation Unit Value amounts reflecting the mortality and expense risk
charge, administrative expense charge, and any provision for taxes that have
accrued since we last calculated the Accumulation Unit Value. We determine
transfer fees and contract maintenance charges separately for each Contract.
They do not affect Accumulation Unit Value. Instead, we obtain payment of those
charges and fees by redeeming Accumulation Units.
We determine a separate Accumulation Unit Value for each Subaccount. If we elect
or are required to assess a charge for taxes, we may calculate a separate
Accumulation Unit Value for Contracts issued in connection with Non-Qualified
and Qualified Plans, respectively, within each Subaccount. We determine the
Accumulation Unit Value for each Subaccount Monday through Friday on each day
that the New York Stock Exchange is open for business.
You should refer to the prospectuses for the Portfolios which accompany this
prospectus for a description of how the assets of each Portfolio are valued,
since that determination has a direct bearing on the Accumulation Unit Value of
the corresponding Subaccount and, therefore, your Contract Value.
TRANSFER DURING ACCUMULATION PERIOD. During the Accumulation Period, you may
transfer Contract Value among the Fixed Account and the Subaccounts in writing
or by telephone. Currently, there is no minimum transfer amount. The Contract
permits us to set a minimum transfer amount in the future. You may not make a
transfer that would result in your allocating your Contract Value to more than
twenty-one options under the Contract at one time. Please note that effective as
of Septemebr 27, 2002, we will not permit you to allocate new premiums to the
Subaccount that invests in the STI Classic Variable Trust International Equity
Fund. However, if, as of September 27, 2002, you are enrolled in one of our
automatic transaction programs, such as Dollar Cost Averaging or Portfolio
Rebalancing, we will continue to effect automatic transactions involving the STI
Classic Variable Trust International Equity Fund. In addition, if you currently
have funds allocated to the Subaccount which invests in the STI Classic Variable
Trust International Equity Fund, you may keep such investment, but may not
invest additional premium payments to it.
As a general rule, we only make transfers on days when the NYSE is open for
business. If we receive your request on one of those days, we will make the
transfer that day.
If you transfer an amount from the Fixed Account to a Subaccount before the end
of the applicable Guarantee Period or you allocate an amount in the Fixed
Account to a new Guarantee Period before the end of the existing Guarantee
Period, we usually will increase or decrease the amount by a Market Value
Adjustment. The calculation of the Market Value Adjustment is described in
"Market Value Adjustment" on page 22.
Transfers within 30 days after the end of the applicable Guarantee Period are
not subject to a Market Value Adjustment.
The Contract permits us to defer transfers from the Fixed Account for up to six
months from the date you ask us.
You may not transfer Contract Value into the Dollar Cost Averaging Fixed Account
Option. You may not transfer Contract Value out of the Dollar Cost Averaging
Fixed Account Option except as part of a Dollar Cost Averaging program.
TRANSFERS AUTHORIZED BY TELEPHONE. You may make transfers by telephone. The cut
off time for telephone transfer requests is 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. Calls
completed before 4:00 p.m. will be effected on that day at that day's price.
Calls completed after 4:00 p.m. will be effected on the next day on which the
NYSE is open for business, at that day's price.
We may charge you the transfer fee described on page 6, although we currently
are waiving it. At any time, without notice, we may suspend, modify or terminate
your privilege to make transfers via the phone, or via other electronic or
automated means previously approved by the Company, including, but not limited
to, automated telephone services, facsimile machine, e-mail and electronic
services via online access. Among other things, we reserve the right to limit
the number of such transfers among the Variable Subaccounts in any Contract
year, or to refuse any Variable Subaccount transfer request. We also reserve the
right to restrict such transfers in any manner reasonably designed to prevent
transfers that we consider disadvantageous to the Contract Owners.
We use procedures that we believe provide reasonable assurance that telephone
authorized transfers are genuine. For example, we tape telephone conversations
with persons purporting to authorize transfers and request identifying
information. Accordingly, we disclaim any liability for losses resulting from
allegedly
14 PROSPECTUS
unauthorized telephone transfers. However, if we do not take reasonable steps to
help ensure that a telephone authorization is valid, we may be liable for such
losses.
MARKET TIMING & EXCESSIVE TRADING. The Contracts are intended for long-term
investment. Market timing and excessive trading can potentially dilute the value
of Subaccounts and can disrupt management of a Portfolio and raise its expenses,
which can impair Portfolio performance. Our policy is not to accept knowingly
any money intended for the purpose of market timing or excessive trading.
Accordingly, you should not invest in the Contract if your purpose is to engage
in market timing or excessive trading, and you should refrain from such
practices if you currently own a Contract.
We seek to detect market timing or excessive trading activity by reviewing
trading activities. Portfolios also may report suspected market-timing or
excessive trading activity to us. If we identify a pattern of market-timing or
excessive trading activity, we will make further inquiry and may, depending on
the circumstances, impose trading limitations as described below under "Trading
Limitations" consistent with applicable law and the Contract. Because there is
no universally accepted definition of what constitutes market timing or
excessive trading, we will use our reasonable judgment based on all of the
circumstances.
While we seek to deter market timing and excessive trading in Subaccounts, not
all market timing or excessive trading is identifiable or preventable.
Therefore, we cannot guarantee that we can prevent such trading activity in all
cases or before it occurs.
TRADING LIMITATIONS. We reserve the right to limit transfers among the
investment alternatives in any Contract Year, or to refuse any transfer request,
if:
.. we believe. in our sole discretion, that certain trading practices, such as
excessive trading or market timing ("Prohibited Trading Practices"), by, or
on behalf of one or more Contract Owners, or a specific transfer request or
group of transfer requests, may have a detrimental effect on the
Accumulation Unit Values of any Variable Subaccount or on the share prices
of the corresponding Portfolio or otherwise would be to the disadvantage of
other Contract Owners; or
.. we are informed by one or more of the Portfolios that they intend to
restrict the purchase, exchange, or redemption of Portfolio shares because
of Prohibited Trading Practices or because they believe that a specific
transfer or group of transfers would have a detrimental effect on the
prices of Portfolio shares. We may apply the restrictions in any manner
reasonably designed to prevent transfers that we consider disadvantageous
to other Contract Owners.
AUTOMATIC DOLLAR COST AVERAGING PROGRAM. Under our Automatic Dollar Cost
Averaging program, you may authorize us to transfer a fixed dollar amount at
fixed intervals from the Dollar Cost Averaging Fixed Account Option or a
Subaccount of your choosing. The interval between transfers from the Dollar Cost
Averaging Fixed Account may be monthly only. The interval between transfers from
Subaccounts may be monthly, quarterly, or annually, at your option. The
transfers will be made at the Accumulation Unit Value on the date of the
transfer. The transfers will continue until you instruct us otherwise, or until
your chosen source of transfer payments is exhausted. Currently, the minimum
transfer amount is $100 per transfer. However, if you wish to Dollar Cost
Average to a Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account Option, the minimum amount that
must be transferred into any one Option is $500. We may change this minimum or
grant exceptions. For each purchase payment allocated to this Option, your first
monthly transfer will occur 25 days after such purchase payment. If we do not
receive an allocation from you within 25 days of the purchase payment, we will
transfer the payment plus associated interest to the Fidelity Money Market
Variable Subaccount in equal monthly payments. You may not use the Dollar Cost
Averaging program to transfer amounts from the Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account
Option.
Your request to participate in this program will be effective when we receive
your completed application at the P.O. Box given on the first page of this
prospectus. Call or write us for a copy of the application. You may elect to
increase, decrease or change the frequency or amount of transfers under a Dollar
Cost Averaging program. We will not charge a transfer fee for Dollar Cost
Averaging.
The theory of Dollar Cost Averaging is that by spreading your investment over
time, you may be able to reduce the effect of transitory market conditions on
your investment. In addition, because a given dollar amount purchases more units
when the unit prices are relatively low rather than when the prices are higher,
in a fluctuating market, the average cost per unit may be less than the average
of the unit prices on the purchase dates. However, participation in this program
does not assure you of a greater profit from your purchases under the program,
nor will it prevent or necessarily reduce losses in a declining market.
Moreover, while we refer to this program of periodic transfers generally as
dollar cost averaging, periodic transfers from a Subaccount with more volatile
performance experience is unlikely to produce the desired effects of dollar cost
averaging as would transfers from a less volatile Subaccount. You may not use
Dollar Cost Averaging and Portfolio Rebalancing at the same time.
PORTFOLIO REBALANCING. Portfolio Rebalancing allows you to maintain the
percentage of your Contract Value
15 PROSPECTUS
allocated to each Subaccount at a pre-set level. Over time, the variations in
each Subaccount's investment results will shift the balance of your Contract
Value allocations. Under the Portfolio Rebalancing feature, each period, if the
allocations change from your desired percentages, we will automatically transfer
your Contract Value, including new Purchase Payments (unless you specify
otherwise), back to the percentages you specify. Portfolio Rebalancing is
consistent with maintaining your allocation of investments among market
segments, although it is accomplished by reducing your Contract Value allocated
to the better performing segments.
You may choose to have rebalances made monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or
annually until your Annuity Date. Portfolio Rebalancing is not available after
you annuitize. We will not charge a transfer fee for Portfolio Rebalancing. A
one-time request to rebalance the amounts allocated to the Subaccounts is not
part of a Portfolio Rebalancing program and is subject to all of the
requirements that are applicable to transfers made during the Accumulation
Period. We will automatically terminate this program if you request any
transfers outside the Portfolio Rebalancing program. If you wish to resume
Portfolio Rebalancing after it has been canceled, then you must complete a new
Portfolio Rebalancing form and send it to our home office. You may not include
the Fixed Account in a Portfolio Rebalancing program.
You may request Portfolio Rebalancing at any time before your Annuity Date by
submitting a completed written request to us at the P.O. Box given on the first
page of this prospectus. Please call or write us for a copy of the request form.
If you stop Portfolio Rebalancing, you must wait 30 days to begin again. In your
request, you may specify a date for your first rebalancing. If you specify a
date fewer than 30 days after your Issue Date, your first rebalance will be
delayed one month. If you request Portfolio Rebalancing in your Contract
application and do not specify a date for your first rebalancing, your first
rebalance will occur one period after the Issue Date. For example, if you
specify quarterly rebalancing, your first rebalance will occur three months
after your Issue Date. Otherwise, your first rebalancing will occur twenty-five
days after we receive your completed request form. All subsequent rebalancing
will occur at the intervals you have specified on the day of the month that
coincides with the same day of the month as your Contract Anniversary Date.
Generally, you may change the allocation percentages, frequency, or choice of
Subaccounts at any time. If your total Contract Value subject to rebalancing
falls below any minimum value that we may establish, we may prohibit or limit
your use of Portfolio Rebalancing. You may not use Dollar Cost Averaging and
Portfolio Rebalancing at the same time. We may change, terminate, limit, or
suspend Portfolio Rebalancing at any time.
16 PROSPECTUS
THE INVESTMENT AND FIXED ACCOUNT OPTIONS
SEPARATE ACCOUNT INVESTMENTS
THE PORTFOLIOS. Each of the Subaccounts of the Separate Account invests in the
shares of one of the Portfolios. Each Portfolio is either an open-end management
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or a
separate investment series of an open-end management investment company. We have
briefly described the Portfolios below. You should consult the current
prospectuses for the Portfolios for more detailed and complete information
concerning the Portfolios. If you do not have a prospectus for a Portfolio,
contact us and we will send you a copy.
Some of the Portfolios have been established by investment advisers which manage
publicly traded mutual funds having similar names and investment objectives.
While some of the Portfolios may be similar to, and may in fact be modeled after
publicly traded mutual funds, you should understand that the Portfolios are not
otherwise directly related to any publicly traded mutual fund. Consequently, the
investment performance of publicly traded mutual funds and any similarly named
Portfolio may differ substantially.
We do not promise that the Portfolios will meet their investment objectives.
Amounts you have allocated to Subaccounts may grow in value, decline in value,
or grow less than you expect, depending on the investment performance of the
Portfolios in which those Subaccounts invest. You bear the investment risk that
those Portfolios possibly will not meet their investment objectives. You should
carefully review their prospectuses before allocating amounts to the Subaccounts
of the Separate Account.
PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO OBJECTIVE INVESTMENT ADVISER
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIM V.I. Basic Value Long-term growth of capital A I M ADVISORS, INC.
Fund - Series I (1)
(6)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE ALGER AMERICAN FUND
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alger American Growth Long-term capital FRED ALGER MANAGEMENT,
Portfolio - Class O appreciation INC.
-------------------------------------------------------
Alger American Income Seeks to provide a high level
& Growth Portfolio - of dividend income. Its
Class O secondary goal is to provide
capital appreciation.
-------------------------------------------------------
Alger American Long-term capital
Leveraged AllCap appreciation
Portfolio - Class O
-------------------------------------------------------
Alger American MidCap Long-term capital
Growth Portfolio - appreciation
Class O
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alger American Small Long-term capital
Capitalization appreciation
Portfolio - Class O
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federated Fund for Current income FEDERATED INVESTMENT
U.S. Government MANAGEMENT COMPANY
Securities II
-------------------------------------------------------
Federated High Income High current income
Bond Fund II
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federated Capital High current income and FEDERATED EQUITY
Income Fund II moderate capital MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF
appreciation PENNSYLVANIA
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIDELITY(R) VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Asset High total return with FIDELITY MANAGEMENT &
Manager(SM) Portfolio reduced risk over the long RESEARCH COMPANY
- Initial Class term by allocating its
assets among stocks, bonds,
and short-term instruments.
-------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Long-term capital
Contrafund(R) appreciation
Portfolio - Initial
Class
-------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Reasonable income
Equity-Income
Portfolio - Initial
Class
-------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Growth Capital appreciation
Portfolio - Initial
Class
-------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Index 500 Investment results that
Portfolio - Initial correspond to the total
Class return of common stocks
publicly traded in the
United States, as
represented by the Standard
& Poor's 500(SM) Index (S&P
500(R))
-------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Money As high a level of current
Market Portfolio - income as is consistent with
Initial Class preservation of capital and
providing liquidity
-------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Overseas Long-term growth of capital
Portfolio - Initial
Class
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JANUS ASPEN SERIES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Janus Aspen Series Mid Long-term growth of capital JANUS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
Cap Growth Portfolio: LLC
Institutional Shares
-------------------------------------------------------
Janus Aspen Series Long-term growth of capital
Balanced Portfolio: consistent with preservation
Institutional Shares of capital and balanced by
current income
-------------------------------------------------------
Janus Aspen Series Seeks to maximize total
Flexible Income return from a combination of
Portfolio: current income and capital
Institutional Shares appreciation, with an
emphasis on current income
-------------------------------------------------------
Janus Aspen Series Long-term growth of capital
Foreign Stock
Portfolio: Service
Shares (2)
-------------------------------------------------------
Janus Aspen Series Long-term growth of capital
Growth Portfolio: in a manner consistent with
Institutional Shares the preservation of capital
-------------------------------------------------------
Janus Aspen Series Long-term growth of capital
Worldwide Growth in a manner consistent with
Portfolio: the preservation of capital
Institutional Shares
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS(R) VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST(SM)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS Emerging Growth Long-term growth of capital MFS(TM) INVESTMENT
Series - Initial MANAGEMENT
Class
-------------------------------------------------------
MFS Investors Trust Long-term growth of capital
Series - Initial with a secondary objective
Class to seek reasonable current
income
-------------------------------------------------------
MFS New Discovery Capital appreciation
Series - Initial
Class
-------------------------------------------------------
MFS Research Series - Long-term growth of capital
Initial Class and future income
-------------------------------------------------------
MFS Total Return Seeks to provide
Series - Initial above-average income
Class (compared to a portfolio
invested entirely in equity
securities) consistent with
the prudent employment of
capital and secondarily to
provide a reasonable
opportunity for growth of
capital and income
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PIMCO ADVISORS VIT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAVIT PEA Science and Capital appreciation OPCAP ADVISORS LLC
Technology Portfolio
-------------------------------------------------------
PAVIT OpCap Balanced Growth of capital and
Portfolio (1) investment income
-------------------------------------------------------
PAVIT OpCap Small Cap Capital appreciation
Portfolio
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPPENHEIMER VARIABLE ACCOUNT FUNDS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Main Capital appreciation OPPENHEIMERFUNDS, INC.
Street Small Cap
Fund/VA - Service
Shares
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PIMCO VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PIMCO VIT Foreign Bond To maximize total return, PACIFIC INVESTMENT
Portfolio (U.S. consistent with preservation MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC
Dollar-Hedged) - of capital and prudent
Administrative Shares investment management
-------------------------------------------------------
PIMCO VIT Total Return To maximize total return,
Portfolio - consistent with preservation
Administrative Shares of capital and prudent
investment management
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PUTNAM VARIABLE TRUST
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Putnam VT Capital growth. Current PUTNAM INVESTMENT
International Growth income is a secondary MANAGEMENT, LLC
and Income Fund - objective.
Class IB
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SALOMON BROTHERS VARIABLE SERIES FUNDS INC.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salomon Brothers Long-term growth of capital SALOMON BROTHERS ASSET
Variable Investors with current income as a MANAGEMENT INC.
Fund - Class I (1) secondary objective
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCUDDER VARIABLE SERIES I
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scudder SVS I Balanced Balance of growth and income DEUTSCHE INVESTMENT
Portfolio - Class A from a diversified porfolio MANAGEMENT AMERICAS INC.
of equity and fixed income
securities
-------------------------------------------------------
Scudder SVS I Bond Invest for a high level of
Portfolio - Class A income consistent with a
high quality portfolio of
debt securities
-------------------------------------------------------
Scudder SVS I Global Above average capital
Discovery Portfolio - appreciation over the
Class A long-term
-------------------------------------------------------
Scudder SVS I Growth Long-term growth of capital
and Income Portfolio primarily though diversified
- Class A holdings of marketable
foreign equity investments.
-------------------------------------------------------
Scudder SVS I Seeks long-term growth of
International capital
Portfolio - Class A
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STI CLASSIC VARIABLE TRUST
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STI Classic Capital Capital appreciation TRUSCO CAPITAL
Appreciation Fund MANAGEMENT, INC.
-------------------------------------------------------
STI Classic Long-term capital
International Equity appreciation
Fund (3)
-------------------------------------------------------
STI Classic Value Current income with the
Income Stock Fund secondary goal of capital
appreciation
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STRONG OPPORTUNITY FUND II, INC.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Opportunity Capital growth STRONG CAPITAL
Fund II - Investor MANAGEMENT, INC.
Class
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STRONG VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Mid Cap Growth Capital growth STRONG CAPITAL
Fund II - Investor MANAGEMENT, INC.
Class
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. ROWE PRICE EQUITY SERIES, INC.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. Rowe Price Equity Seeks to provide substantial T. ROWE PRICE
Income Portfolio - I dividend income as well as ASSOCIATES, INC.
long-term growth of capital
-------------------------------------------------------
T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Long-term capital
Growth Portfolio - I appreciation
(4)
-------------------------------------------------------
T. Rowe Price New Long-term growth of capital
America Growth
Portfolio - I
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL SERIES, INC.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. Rowe Price Long-term growth of capital T. ROWE PRICE
International Stock INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Portfolio - I
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE UNIVERSAL INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS, INC.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen UIF U.S. Seeks above-average total VAN KAMPEN
Mid Cap Value return over a market cycle
Portfolio, Class I of three to five years by
(5) investing in common stocks
and other equity securities.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VAN KAMPEN LIFE INVESTMENT TRUST
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen LIT Capital Growth VAN KAMPEN ASSET
Aggressive Growth MANAGEMENT
Portfolio, Class II
(1)
-------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen LIT Growth Long-term growth of capital
and Income Portfolio, and income
Class II
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Effective 4/30/04, the LSA Balanced Fund, LSA Basic Value Fund, LSA
Emerging Growth Equity Fund and LSA Value Equity Fund were merged into the
PAVIT OpCap Balanced Portfolio, AIM V.I. Basic Value Fund - Series I, Van
Kampen LIT Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Class II and Salomon Brothers
Variable Investors Fund - Class I, respectively.
(2) Effective 5/1/04 the Janus Aspen Series International Portfolio - Service
Shares changed its name to the Janus Aspen Foreign Stock Portfolio -
Service Shares.
(3) Effective as of September 27, 2002, we will not accept new premiums or
transfers into the Subaccount that invests in the STI Classic Variable
Trust International Equity Fund.
(4) Effective 5/1/04, the T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio is no longer
available for new investments. If you are currently invested in the T. Rowe
Price Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio you may continue your investment. If you are
currently enrolled in one of our automatic transaction programs, such as
Portfolio Rebalancing or Dollar Cost Averaging, we will continue to effect
automatic transactions to the portfolio in accordance with that program.
(5) Effective 4/30/04, the LSA Diversified Mid-Cap Growth Fund and LSA MidCap
Value Fund were merged into the Van Kampen UIF U.S. Mid Cap Value
Portfolio, Class I.
(6) A Fund's investment objective(s) may be changed by the Fund's Board of
Trustees withou shareholder approval.
Each Portfolio is subject to certain investment restrictions and policies which
may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the shareholders of the
Portfolio. See the accompanying Prospectuses of the Portfolios for further
information.
We automatically reinvest all dividends and capital gains distributions from the
Portfolios in shares of the distributing Portfolio at their net asset value. The
income and realized and unrealized gains or losses on the assets of each
Subaccount are separate and are credited to or charged against the particular
Subaccount without regard to income, gains or losses from any other Subaccount
or from any other part of our business. We will use the net Purchase Payments
you allocate to a Subaccount to purchase shares in the corresponding Portfolio
and will redeem shares in the Portfolios to meet Contract obligations or make
adjustments in reserves. The Portfolios are required to redeem their shares at
net asset value and to make payment within seven days.
Certain of the Portfolios sell their shares to separate accounts underlying both
variable life insurance and variable annuity contracts. It is conceivable that
in the future it may be unfavorable for variable life insurance separate
accounts and variable annuity separate accounts to invest in the same Portfolio.
Although neither we nor any of the Portfolios currently foresees any such
disadvantages either to variable life insurance or variable annuity contract
owners, each Portfolio's Board of Directors intends to monitor events in order
to identify any material conflicts between variable life and variable annuity
contract owners and to determine what action, if any, should be taken in
response thereto. If a Board of Directors were to conclude that separate
investment funds should be established for variable life and variable annuity
separate accounts, Lincoln Benefit will bear the attendant expenses.
VOTING RIGHTS. As a general matter, you do not have a direct right to vote the
shares of the Portfolios held by the Subaccounts to which you have allocated
your Contract Value. Under current law, however, you are entitled to give us
instructions on how to vote those shares on certain matters. We will notify you
when your instructions are needed. We will also provide proxy materials or other
information to assist you in understanding the matter at issue. We will
determine the number of shares for which you may give voting instructions as of
the record date set by the relevant Portfolio for the shareholder meeting at
which the vote will occur.
As a general rule, before the Annuity Date, you are the person entitled to give
voting instructions. After the Annuity Date, the payee is that person.
Retirement plans, however, may have different rules for voting by plan
participants.
If you send us written voting instructions, we will follow your instructions in
voting the Portfolio shares attributable to your Contract. If you do not send us
written instructions, we will vote the shares attributable to your Contract in
the same proportions as we vote the shares for which we have received
instructions from other Contract Owners. We will vote shares that we hold in the
20 PROSPECTUS
same proportions as we vote the shares for which we have received instructions
from other Contract Owners.
We may, when required by state insurance regulatory authorities, disregard
Contract Owner voting instructions if the instructions require that the shares
be voted so as to cause a change in the sub-classification or investment
objective of one or more of the Portfolios or to approve or disapprove an
investment advisory contract for one or more of the Portfolios.
In addition, we may disregard voting instructions in favor of changes initiated
by Contract Owners in the investment objectives or the investment adviser of the
Portfolios if we reasonably disapprove of the proposed change. We would
disapprove a proposed change only if the proposed change is contrary to state
law or prohibited by state regulatory authorities or we reasonably conclude that
the proposed change would not be consistent with the investment objectives of
the Portfolio or would result in the purchase of securities for the Portfolio
which vary from the general quality and nature of investments and investment
techniques utilized by the Portfolio. If we disregard voting instructions, we
will include a summary of that action and our reasons for that action in the
next semi-annual financial report to you.
This description reflects our view of currently applicable law. If the law
changes or our interpretation of the law changes, we may decide that we are
permitted to vote the Portfolio shares without obtaining instructions from our
Contract Owners, and we may choose to do so.
ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, AND SUBSTITUTIONS OF SECURITIES. If the shares of any of
the Portfolios are no longer available for investment by the Separate Account or
if, in the judgment of our Board of Directors, further investment in the shares
of a Portfolio is no longer appropriate in view of the purposes of the Contract,
we may add or substitute shares of another Portfolio or underlying fund for
Portfolio shares already purchased or to be purchased in the future by Purchase
Payments under the Contract. Any substitution will comply with the requirements
of the 1940 Act.
We also reserve the right to make the following changes in the operation of the
Separate Account and the Subaccounts:
(a) to operate the Separate Account in any form permitted by law;
(b) to take any action necessary to comply with applicable law or obtain and
continue any exemption from applicable laws;
(c) to transfer assets from one Subaccount to another, or from any subaccount
to our general account;
(d) to add, combine, or remove Subaccounts in the Separate Account; and
(e) to change the way in which we assess charges, as long as the total charges
do not exceed the amount currently charged the Separate Account and the
Portfolios in connection with the Contracts.
If we take any of these actions, we will comply with the then applicable legal
requirements.
THE FIXED ACCOUNT
GENERAL. You may allocate part or all of your Purchase Payments to the Fixed
Account in states where it is available. Amounts allocated to the Fixed Account
become part of the general assets of Lincoln Benefit. Loan payments may not be
allocated to the Fixed Account(s). Allstate Life invests the assets of the
general account in accordance with applicable laws governing the investments of
insurance company general accounts. The Fixed Account may not be available in
all states. Please contact us at 1-800-865-5237 for current information.
GUARANTEED MATURITY FIXED ACCOUNT OPTION. We will credit interest to each amount
allocated to the Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account Option at a specified rate
for a specified Guarantee Period. You select the Guarantee Period for each
amount that you allocate to this option. We will declare the interest rate that
we will guarantee to credit to that amount for that Guarantee Period. Each
amount allocated to a Guarantee Period under this option must be at least $500.
We reserve the right to limit the number of additional Purchase Payments that
may be allocated to this option.
We will tell you what interest rates and Guarantee Periods we are offering at a
particular time. We may offer Guarantee Periods ranging from one to ten years in
length. We will decide in our discretion which Guarantee Periods to offer.
Currently, we offer Guarantee Periods of one, three, five, seven and ten years.
In the future we may offer Guarantee Periods of different lengths or stop
offering some Guarantee Periods.
We will credit interest daily to each amount allocated to a Guarantee Period
under this option at a rate which compounds to the effective annual interest
rate that we declared at the beginning of the applicable Guarantee Period. We
will not change the interest rate credited to a particular allocation until the
end of the relevant Guarantee Period. We may declare different interest rates
for Guarantee Periods of the same length that begin at different times.
The following example illustrates how a Purchase Payment allocated to this
option would grow, given an assumed Guarantee Period and effective annual
interest rate:
EXAMPLE
Purchase Payment $50,000
Guarantee Period 5 years
Effective Annual Rate 4.50%
21 PROSPECTUS
END OF CONTACT YEAR
----------------------------------------------------------
YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3 YEAR 4 YEAR 5
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Beginning Contract
Value $50,000.00
x (1 + Effective
Annual Rate) x 1.045
----------
$52,250.00
Contract Value at end
of Contract Year $52,250.00
x (1 + Effective
Annual Rate) x 1.045
----------
$54,601.25
Contract Value at end
of Contract Year $54,601.25
x (1 + Effective
Annual Rate) x 1.045
----------
$57,058.31
Contract Value at end
of Contract Year $57,058.31
x (1 + Effective
Annual Rate) x 1.045
----------
$59,625.93
Contract Value at end
of Contract Year $59,625.93
x (1 + Effective
Annual Rate) x 1.045
----------
$62,309.10
Total Interest Credited During Guarantee Period = $12,309.10 ($62,309.10 -
$50,000)
NOTE: This example assumes no withdrawals during the entire five year Guarantee
Period. If you were to make a partial withdrawal, the amount withdrawn might be
increased or decreased by a Market Value Adjustment. The hypothetical interest
rate is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to predict future
interest rates to be declared under the Contract.
We have no specific formula for determining the rate of interest that we will
declare initially or in the future. We will set those interest rates based on
relevant factors such as then current interest rates, regulatory and tax
requirements, our sales commission and administrative expenses, general economic
trends, and competitive factors. For current interest rate information, please
contact us at 1-800-865-5237.
WE WILL DETERMINE THE INTEREST RATES TO BE DECLARED IN OUR SOLE DISCRETION. WE
CAN NEITHER PREDICT NOR GUARANTEE WHAT THOSE RATES WILL BE IN THE FUTURE.
At the end of each Guarantee Period, we will mail you a notice asking you what
to do with the relevant amount, including the accrued interest. During the
30-day period after the end of the Guarantee Period, you may:
1) take no action. If so, we will automatically keep the relevant amount in
the Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account Option. The new Guarantee Period will
be the same length as the expiring Guarantee Period and will begin on the
day the previous Guarantee Period ends. The new interest rate will be our
then current declared rate for Guarantee Periods of that length; or
2) allocate the relevant Contract Value to one or more new Guarantee Periods
of your choice in the Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account Option. The new
Guarantee Period(s) will begin on the day the previous Guarantee Period
ends. The new interest rate will be our then current declared rate for
those Guarantee Periods; or
3) instruct us to transfer all or a portion of the relevant amount to one or
more Subaccounts. We will effect the transfer on the day we receive your
instructions. We will not adjust the amount transferred to include a Market
Value Adjustment; or
4) withdraw all or a portion of the relevant amount through a partial
withdrawal. We will not adjust the amount withdrawn to include a Market
Value Adjustment. The amount withdrawn will be deemed to have been
withdrawn on the day the Guarantee Period ends.
Under our Automatic Laddering Program, you may choose, in advance, to use
Guarantee Periods of the same length for all renewals in the Guaranteed Maturity
Fixed Account Option. You can select this program at any time during the
Accumulation Period, including on the Issue Date. We will apply renewals to
Guarantee Periods of the selected length until you direct us in writing to stop.
We may stop offering this program at any time.
MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT. We may increase or decrease the amount of some
transactions involving your investment in the Fixed Account to include a Market
Value Adjustment. The formula for determining Market Value Adjustments reflects
changes in interest rates since the beginning of the relevant Guarantee Period.
As a result, you will bear some of the investment risk on amounts allocated to
the Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account Option.
As a general rule, we will apply a Market Value Adjustment to the following
transactions involving your Fixed Account balance:
1) when you withdraw funds from the Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account;
22 PROSPECTUS
2) when you transfer funds from the Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account Option
to the Subaccounts;
3) when you allocate part of your balance in the Guaranteed Maturity Fixed
Account Option to a new Guarantee Period before the end of the existing
Guarantee Period;
4) when you annuitize your Contract; and
5) when we pay a death benefit.
We will not apply a Market Value Adjustment to a transaction, to the extent
that:
1) it occurs within 30 days after the end of a Guarantee Period applicable to
the funds involved in the transaction;
2) you make a withdrawal to satisfy the IRS' required minimum distribution
rules for this Contract; or
3) it is a transfer that is part of a Dollar Cost Averaging program.
The formula for calculating Market Value Adjustments is set forth in Appendix B
to this prospectus, which also contains additional examples of the application
of the Market Value Adjustment. This formula primarily compares:
1) the Treasury Rate at the time of the relevant transaction for a maturity
equal in length to the relevant Guarantee Period; and
2) the Treasury Rate at the beginning of the Guarantee Period for a maturity
equal in length to the Guarantee Period.
Generally, if the Treasury Rate at the beginning of the Guarantee Period is
higher than the corresponding current Treasury Rate, then the Market Value
Adjustment will increase the amount payable to you or transferred. Similarly, if
the Treasury Rate at the beginning of the Guarantee Period is lower than the
corresponding current Treasury Rate, then the Market Value Adjustment will
reduce the amount payable to you or transferred.
For example, assume that you purchased a Contract and selected an initial
Guarantee Period of five years and the five-year Treasury Rate for that duration
is 4.50%. Assume that at the end of three years, you make a partial withdrawal.
If, at that later time, the current five-year Treasury Rate is 4.20%, then the
Market Value Adjustment will be positive, which will result in an increase in
the amount payable to you. Similarly, if the current five-year Treasury Rate is
4.80%, then the Market Value Adjustment will be negative, which will result in a
decrease in the amount payable to you.
DOLLAR COST AVERAGING FIXED ACCOUNT OPTION. You may also allocate Purchase
Payments to the Dollar Cost Averaging Fixed Account Option. We will credit
interest to Purchase Payments allocated to this option for up to one year at the
current rate that we declare when you make the allocation. The effective annual
rate will never be less than 3%. You may not transfer funds to this option from
the Subaccounts or the Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account Option. We will follow
your instructions in transferring amounts from this option to the Subaccounts or
the Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account Option on a monthly basis only, as
described in "Automatic Dollar Cost Averaging Program" on page 15 of this
prospectus.
ANNUITY BENEFITS
ANNUITY DATE. You may select the Annuity Date, which is the date on which
annuity payments are to begin, in your application. The Annuity Date must always
be the business day immediately following the tenth day of a calendar month.
The Annuity Date may be no later than the Latest Annuity Date. As a general
rule, the Latest Annuity Date is the later of the 10th Contract Anniversary or
the youngest Annuitant's 90th birthday. If your Contract was issued pursuant to
a Qualified Plan, however, the Tax Code generally requires you to begin to take
at least a minimum distribution by the later of:
.. the year of your separation from service; or
.. April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which you
attain age 70 1/2.
If your Contract is issued pursuant to Section 408 of the Tax Code (traditional
IRAs), you must begin taking minimum distributions by April 1 of the calendar
year following the calendar year in which you reach age 70 1/2. No minimum
distributions are required by the Tax Code for Contracts issued pursuant to
Section 408A (Roth IRAs).
If your Contract was purchased by a Qualified Plan, we may require you to
annuitize by the date required by the Tax Code, unless you show us that you are
meeting the minimum distribution requirements in some other way.
If you do not select an Annuity Date, the Latest Annuity Date will automatically
become the Annuity Date. You may change the Annuity Date by writing to us at the
address given on the first page of the prospectus.
ANNUITY OPTIONS. You may elect an Annuity Option at any time before the Annuity
Date. As part of your election, you may choose the length of the applicable
guaranteed payment period within the limits available for your chosen Option. If
you do not select an Annuity Option, we will pay monthly annuity payments in
accordance with the applicable default Option. The default Options are:
.. Option A with 10 years (120 months) guaranteed, if you have designated only
one Annuitant; and
.. Option B with 10 years (120 months) guaranteed, if you have designated
joint Annuitants.
You may freely change your choice of Annuity Option, as long as you request the
change at least thirty days before the Annuity Date.
23 PROSPECTUS
Three Annuity Options are generally available under the Contract. Each is
available in the form of:
.. a Fixed Annuity;
.. a Variable Annuity; or
.. a combination of both Fixed and Variable Annuity.
The three Annuity Options are:
OPTION A, LIFE ANNUITY WITH PAYMENTS GUARANTEED FOR 5 TO 20 YEARS. We make
periodic payments at least as long as the Annuitant lives. If the Annuitant dies
before all of the guaranteed payments have been made, we will pay the remaining
guaranteed payments to the Beneficiary.
OPTION B, JOINT AND SURVIVOR ANNUITY, WITH PAYMENTS GUARANTEED FOR 5 TO 20
YEARS. We make periodic payments at least as long as either the Annuitant or the
joint Annuitant is alive. If both the Annuitant and the Joint Annuitant die
before all of the guaranteed payments have been made, we will pay the remaining
guaranteed payments to the Beneficiary.
OPTION C, PAYMENTS FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD CERTAIN OF 5 YEARS TO 30 YEARS. We
make periodic payments for the period you have chosen. If the Annuitant dies
before all of the guaranteed payments have been made, we will pay the remaining
guaranteed payments to the Beneficiary. If you elect this option, and request
Variable Annuity payments, you may at any time before the period expires request
a lump sum payment. If you elected Variable Annuity payments, the lump sum
payment will depend on:
.. the investment results of the Subaccounts you have selected,
.. the Contract Value at the time you elected annuitization,
.. the length of the remaining period for which the payee would be entitled to
payments.
If you purchased your Contract under a retirement plan, you may have a more
limited selection of Annuity Options to choose from. You should consult your
Plan documents to see what is available.
You may not "annuitize" your Contract for a lump sum payment. Instead, before
the Annuity Date you may surrender your Contract for a lump sum. As described on
page 12, however, we will increase or decrease your surrender proceeds by any
applicable Market Value Adjustment.
OTHER OPTIONS. We may have other Annuity Options available. You may obtain
information about them by writing or calling us.
If your Contract is issued under Sections 401, 403(b), 408 or 408A of the Tax
Code, we will only make payments to you and/or your spouse.
ANNUITY PAYMENTS: GENERAL. On the Annuity Date, we will apply the Annuitized
Value of your Contract to the Annuity Option you have chosen. Your annuity
payments may consist of Variable Annuity payments or Fixed Annuity payments or a
combination of the two. We will determine the amount of your annuity payments as
described in "Variable Annuity Payments" below and "Fixed Annuity Payments" on
page 25.
You must notify us in writing at least 30 days before the Annuity Date how you
wish to allocate your Annuitized Value between Variable Annuity and Fixed
Annuity payments. You must apply at least the Contract Value in the Fixed
Account on the Annuity Date to Fixed Annuity payments. If you wish to apply any
portion of your Fixed Account balance to your Variable Annuity payments, you
should plan ahead and transfer that amount to the Subaccounts prior to the
Annuity Date. If you do not tell us how to allocate your Contract Value among
Fixed and Variable Annuity payments, we will apply your Contract Value in the
Separate Account to Variable Annuity payments and your Contract Value in the
Fixed Account to Fixed Annuity payments.
Annuity payments begin on the Annuity Date. We make subsequent annuity payments
on the tenth of the month or, if the NYSE is closed on that day, the next day on
which the NYSE is open for business.
Annuity payments will be made in monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual
installments as you select. If the amount available to apply under an Annuity
Option is less than $5,000, however, and state law permits, we may pay you a
lump sum instead of the periodic payments you have chosen. In addition, if the
first annuity payment would be less than $50, and state law permits us, we may
reduce the frequency of payments so that the initial payment will be at least
$50.
We may defer for up to 15 days the payment of any amount attributable to a
Purchase Payment made by check to allow the check reasonable time to clear.
YOU MAY NOT WITHDRAW CONTRACT VALUE DURING THE ANNUITY PERIOD, IF WE ARE MAKING
PAYMENTS TO YOU UNDER ANY ANNUITY OPTION, SUCH AS OPTION A OR B ABOVE, INVOLVING
PAYMENT TO YOU FOR LIFE OR ANY COMBINATION OF PAYMENTS FOR LIFE AND MINIMUM
GUARANTEED PERIOD FOR A PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF YEARS.
VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENTS. One basic objective of the Contract is to provide
Variable Annuity Payments which will to some degree respond to changes in the
economic environment. The amount of your Variable Annuity Payments will depend
upon the investment results of the Subaccounts you have selected, any premium
taxes, the age and sex of the Annuitant, and the Annuity Option chosen. We
guarantee that the Payments will not be affected by (1) actual mortality
experience and (2) the amount of our administration expenses.
We cannot predict the total amount of your Variable Annuity payments. The
Variable Annuity payments may be more or less than your total Purchase Payments
24 PROSPECTUS
because (a) Variable Annuity payments vary with the investment results of the
underlying Portfolios; and (b) Annuitants may die before their actuarial life
expectancy is achieved.
The length of any guaranteed payment period under your selected Annuity Option
will affect the dollar amounts of each Variable Annuity payment. As a general
rule, longer guarantee periods result in lower periodic payments, all other
things being equal. For example, if a life Annuity Option with no minimum
guaranteed payment period is chosen, the Variable Annuity payments will be
greater than Variable Annuity payments under an Annuity Option for a minimum
specified period and guaranteed thereafter for life.
The investment results of the Subaccounts to which you have allocated your
Contract Value will also affect the amount of your periodic payment. In
calculating the amount of the periodic payments in the annuity tables in the
Contract, we assumed an annual investment rate of 31/2%. If the actual net
investment return is less than the assumed investment rate, then the dollar
amount of the Variable Annuity payments will decrease. The dollar amount of the
Variable Annuity payments will stay level if the net investment return equals
the assumed investment rate and the dollar amount of the Variable Annuity
payments will increase if the net investment return exceeds the assumed
investment rate. You should consult the Statement of Additional Information for
more detailed information as to how we determine Variable Annuity Payments.
FIXED ANNUITY PAYMENTS. You may choose to apply a portion of your Annuitized
Value to provide Fixed Annuity payments. We determine the Fixed Annuity payment
amount by applying the applicable Annuitized Value to the Annuity Option you
have selected.
As a general rule, subsequent Fixed Annuity payments will be equal in amount to
the initial payment. However, as described in "Transfers During the Annuity
Period" below, after the Annuity Date, you will have a limited ability to
increase the amount of your Fixed Annuity payments by making transfers from the
Subaccounts.
We may defer making Fixed Annuity payments for a period of up to six months or
whatever shorter time state law may require. During the deferral period, we
credit any applicable interest at a rate at least as high as state law requires.
TRANSFERS DURING THE ANNUITY PERIOD. During the Annuity Period, you will have a
limited ability to make transfers among the Subaccounts so as to change the
relative weighting of the Subaccounts on which your Variable Annuity payments
will be based. In addition, you will have a limited ability to make transfers
from the Subaccounts to increase the proportion of your annuity payments
consisting of Fixed Annuity payments. You may not, however, convert any portion
of your right to receive Fixed Annuity payments into Variable Annuity payments.
You may not make any transfers for the first six months after the Annuity Date.
Thereafter, you may make transfers among the Subaccounts or make transfers from
the Subaccounts to increase your Fixed Annuity payments. Your transfers must be
at least six months apart.
DEATH BENEFIT DURING ANNUITY PERIOD. If any Contract Owner dies after the
Annuity Date, the successor Contract Owner will receive any guaranteed annuity
payments scheduled to continue. If the successor Owner dies before all of the
guaranteed payments have been made, we will continue the guaranteed payments to
the Beneficiary(ies). After annuity payments begin, upon the death of the
Annuitant and any Joint Annuitant, we will make any remaining guaranteed
payments to the Beneficiary. The amount and number of these guaranteed payments
will depend on the Annuity Option in effect at the time of the Annuitant's
death. After the Annuitant's death, any remaining guaranteed payments will be
distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution in effect at
the Annuitant's death.
CERTAIN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. The Contracts offered by this prospectus contain
income payment tables that provide for different payments to men and women of
the same age, except in states that require unisex tables. We reserve the right
to use income payment tables that do not distinguish on the basis of sex to the
extent permitted by applicable law. In certain employment-related situations,
employers are required by law to use the same income payment tables for men and
women. Accordingly, if the Contract is to be used in connection with an
employment-related retirement or benefit plan and we do not offer unisex annuity
tables in your state, you should consult with legal counsel as to whether the
purchase of a Contract is appropriate.
OTHER CONTRACT BENEFITS
DEATH BENEFIT: GENERAL. We will pay a distribution on death, if:
1) the Contract is in force;
2) annuity payments have not begun; and
3) either:
(a) any Owner dies; or
(b) any Annuitant dies and the Owner is a non-living person.
DUE PROOF OF DEATH. A complete request for settlement of the Death Proceeds must
be submitted before the Annuity Date. Where there are multiple Beneficiaries, we
will value the Death Benefit at the time the first Beneficiary submits a
complete request for settlement of the Death Proceeds. A complete request must
include "Due Proof of Death". We will accept the following documentation as Due
Proof of Death:
.. a certified original copy of the Death Certificate;
25 PROSPECTUS
.. a certified copy of a court decree as to the finding of death; or
.. a written statement of a medical doctor who attended the deceased at the
time of death.
In addition, in our discretion we may accept other types of proof.
DEATH PROCEEDS. If we receive a complete request for settlement of the Death
Proceeds within 180 days of the date of your death, the Death Proceeds are equal
to the Death Benefit as described. Otherwise, the Death Proceeds are equal to
the greater of the Contract Value or the Surrender Value. We reserve the right
to waive or extend, on a nondiscriminatory basis, the 180-day period in which
the Death Proceeds will equal the Death Benefit as described. This right applies
only to the amount payable as Death Proceeds and in no way restricts when the
claim may be filed.
DEATH BENEFIT AMOUNT. The Death Benefit under the Contract is the greatest of
the following:
1) the total Purchase Payments, less a withdrawal adjustment for any prior
partial withdrawals;
2) the Contract Value on the date as of which we calculate the Death Benefit.
3) the Surrender Value; or
4) the highest Contract Value on any Contract Anniversary, increased by the
total Purchase Payments since that Contract Anniversary and reduced by a
withdrawal adjustment for any partial withdrawals since that Contract
Anniversary.
The withdrawal adjustment for the Death Benefit will equal (a) divided by (b),
with the result multiplied by (c), where:
(a) = the withdrawal amount;
(b) = the Contract Value immediately before the withdrawal; and
(c) = the value of the applicable Death Benefit immediately before the
withdrawal.
DEATH BENEFIT PAYMENTS
1. If your spouse is the sole beneficiary:
(a) Your spouse may elect to receive the Death Proceeds in a lump sum; or
(b) Your spouse may elect to receive the Death Proceeds paid out under one of
the annuity options, subject to the following conditions:
The Annuity Date must be within one year of your date of death.
Annuity payments must be payable:
(i) over the life of your spouse; or
(ii) for a guaranteed number of payments from 5 to 30 years but not to exceed
the life expectancy of your spouse; or
(iii)over the life of your spouse with a guaranteed number of payments from 5 to
30 years but not to exceed the life expectancy of your spouse.
(c) If your spouse chooses to continue the Contract, or does not elect one of
these options, then the Contract will continue in the Accumulation Period
as if the death had not occurred. If the Contract is continued in the
Accumulation Period, the following conditions apply.
Unless otherwise instructed by the continuing spouse, the excess, if any, of the
Death Proceeds over the Contract Value will be allocated to the Subaccounts.
This excess will be allocated in proportion to your Contract Value in those
Subaccounts as of the end of the Valuation Period during which we receive the
complete request for settlement of the Death Proceeds, except that any portion
of this excess attributable to the fixed account options will be allocated to
the Money Market Subaccount. Within 30 days of the date the Contract is
continued, your surviving spouse may choose one of the following transfer
alternatives without incurring a transfer fee:
(i) transfer all or a portion of the excess among the Subaccounts;
(ii) transfer all or a portion of the excess into the Guaranteed Maturity Fixed
Account and begin a new Guarantee Period; or
(iii)transfer all or a portion of the excess into a combination of Subaccounts
and the Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account.
Any such transfer does not count as the free transfer allowed each calendar
month and is subject to any minimum allocation amount specified in your
Contract.
The surviving spouse may make a single withdrawal of any amount within one year
of the date of your death without incurring a Market Value Adjustment.
Prior to the Annuity Date, the death benefit of the continued Contract will be
as defined in the Death Benefit provision.
Only one spousal continuation is allowed under this Contract.
If there is no Annuitant at that time, the new Annuitant will be the surviving
spouse.
2. If the Beneficiary is not your spouse but is a living person:
(a) The Beneficiary may elect to receive the Death Proceeds in a lump sum; or
(b) The Beneficiary may elect to receive the Death Proceeds paid out under one
of the annuity options, subject to the following conditions:
The Annuity Date must be within one year of your date of death.
Annuity payments must be payable:
(i) over the life of the Beneficiary; or
26 PROSPECTUS
(ii) for a guaranteed number of payments from 5 to 30 years but not to exceed
the life expectancy of the Beneficiary; or
(iii) over the life of the Beneficiary with a guaranteed number of payments from
5 to 30 years but not to exceed the life expectancy of the Beneficiary.
(c) If the Beneficiary does not elect one of the options above, then the
Beneficiary must receive the Contract Value payable within 5 years of your
date of death. We will determine the Death Proceeds as of the date we
receive the complete request for settlement of the Death Proceeds. Unless
otherwise instructed by the Beneficiary, the excess, if any, of the Death
Proceeds over the Contract Value will be allocated to the Money Market
Subaccount and the Contract Value will be adjusted accordingly. The
Beneficiary may exercise all rights as set forth in Transfer During the
Accumulation Period on page 14 and Transfer Fees on page 30 during this 5
year period.
The Beneficiary may not pay additional purchase payments into the Contract under
this election.
We reserve the right to offer additional options upon the death of the Contract
Owner.
If the Beneficiary dies before the complete liquidation of the Contract Value,
then the Beneficiary's named Beneficiary(ies) will receive the greater of the
Surrender Value or the remaining Contract Value. This amount must be liquidated
as a lump sum within 5 years of the date of the original Contract Owner's death.
3. If the Beneficiary is a corporation or other type of non-living person:
(a) The Beneficiary may elect to receive the Death Proceeds in a lump sum; or
(b) If the Beneficiary does not elect to receive the option above, then the
Beneficiary must receive the Contract Value payable within 5 years of your
date of death. We will determine the Death Proceeds as of the date we
receive the complete request for settlement of the Death Proceeds. Unless
otherwise instructed by the Beneficiary, the excess, if any, of the Death
Proceeds over the Contract Value will be allocated to the Money Market
Subaccount and the Contract Value will be adjusted accordingly. The
Beneficiary may exercise all rights as set forth in Transfer During the
Accumulation Period on page 14 and Transfer Fees on page 30 during this
5-year period.
The Beneficiary may not pay additional purchase payments into the contract under
this election.
We reserve the right to offer additional options upon the death of the Contract
Owner.
If any Beneficiary is a non-living person, all Beneficiaries will be considered
to be non-living persons for the above purposes.
Under any of these options, all contract rights, subject to any restrictions
previously placed upon the Beneficiary, are available to the Beneficiary from
the date of your death to the date on which the Death Proceeds are paid.
Different rules may apply to Contracts issued in connection with Qualified
Plans.
BENEFICIARY. You name the Beneficiary. You may name a Beneficiary in the
application. You may also name one or more contingent Beneficiaries who are
entitled to receive benefits under the contract if all primary Beneficiaries are
deceased at the time a Contract Owner, or any Annuitant if the Contract Owner is
not a living person, dies. You may change the Beneficiary or add additional
Beneficiaries at any time before the Annuity Date. We will provide a form to be
signed and filed with us.
Your changes in Beneficiary take effect when we accept them, effective as of the
date you signed the form. Until we accept your change instructions, we are
entitled to rely on your most recent instructions in our files. We are not
liable for making a payment to a Beneficiary shown in our files or treating that
person in any other respect as the Beneficiary prior to accepting a change.
Accordingly, if you wish to change your beneficiary, you should deliver your
instructions to us promptly.
If you did not name a Beneficiary or if the named Beneficiary is no longer
living, the Beneficiary will be:
.. your spouse if he or she is still alive; or, if he or she is no longer
alive,
.. your surviving children equally; or if you have no surviving children,
.. your estate.
Unless you have provided directions to the contrary, the Beneficiaries will take
equal shares. If there is more than one Beneficiary in a class and one of the
Beneficiaries predeceases the Contract Owner or Annuitant, the remaining
Beneficiaries in that class will divide the deceased Beneficiary's share in
proportion to the original shares of the remaining beneficiaries.
If more than one Beneficiary shares in the Death Proceeds, each Beneficiary will
be treated as a separate and independent owner of his or her respective share.
Each Beneficiary will exercise all rights related to his or her share of the
Death Proceeds, including the sole right to select a payout option, subject to
any restrictions previously placed upon the Beneficiary. Each Beneficiary may
designate a Beneficiary(ies) for his or her respective share, but that
designated Beneficiary(ies) will be restricted to the payout option chosen by
the original Beneficiary.
If there is more than one Beneficiary and one of the Beneficiaries is a
corporation or other type of non-living person, all beneficiaries will be
considered to be non-living persons.
27 PROSPECTUS
You may specify that the Death Benefit be paid under a specific income Plan by
submitting a written request to our Service Center. If you so request, your
Beneficiary may not change to a different Income Plan or lump sum. Once we
accept the written request, the change or restriction will take effect as of the
date you signed the request.
Different rules may apply to Contracts issued in connection with Qualified
Plans.
CONTRACT LOANS FOR 403(B) CONTRACTS. Subject to the restrictions described
below, we will make loans to the Owner of a Contract used in connection with a
Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan ("TSA Plan") under Section 403(b) of the Tax Code.
Loans are not available under Non-Qualified Contracts. We will only make loans
after the free look period and before annuitization. All loans are subject to
the terms of the Contract, the relevant Plan, and the Tax Code, which impose
restrictions on loans.
We will not make a loan to you if the total of the requested loan and your
unpaid outstanding loans will be greater than the Surrender Value of your
Contract on the date of the loan. In addition, we will not make a loan to you if
the total of the requested loan and all of the plan participant's Contract loans
under TSA plans is more than the lesser of (a) or (b) where:
(a) equals $50,000 minus the excess of the highest outstanding loan balance
during the prior 12 months over the current outstanding loan balance; and
(b) equals the greater of $10,000 or 1/2 of the Surrender Value.
The minimum loan amount is $1,000.
To request a Contract loan, write to us at the address given on the first page
of the prospectus. You alone are responsible for ensuring that your loan and
repayments comply with tax requirements. Loans made before the Annuity Date are
generally treated as distributions under the Contract, and may be subject to
withholding and tax penalties for early distributions. Some of these
requirements are stated in Section 72 of the Tax Code. Please seek advice from
your plan administrator or tax advisor.
When we make a loan, we will transfer an amount equal to the loan amount from
the Separate Account and/or the Fixed Account to the Loan Account as collateral
for the loan. We will transfer to the Loan Account amounts from the Separate
Account in proportion to the assets in each Subaccount. If your loan amount is
greater than your Contract Value in the Subaccounts, we will transfer the
remaining required collateral from the Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account
Options. If your loan amount is greater than your contract value in the
Subaccounts and the Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account Options, we will transfer
the remaining required collateral from the Dollar Cost Averaging Fixed Account
Option.
We may apply a Market Value Adjustment to a transfer from the Fixed Account to
the Loan Account. If we do, we will increase or decrease the amount remaining in
the Fixed Account by the amount of the Market Value Adjustment, so that the net
amount transferred to the Loan Account will equal the desired loan amount.
We will credit interest to the amounts in the Loan Account. The annual interest
rate credited to the Loan Account will be the greater of: (a) 3%; or (b) the
loan interest rate minus 2.25%. The value of the amounts in the Loan Account are
not affected by the changes in the value of the Subaccounts.
When you take out a loan, we will set the loan interest rate. That rate will
apply to your loan until it is repaid. From time to time, we may change the loan
interest rate applicable to new loans. We also reserve the right to change the
terms of new loans.
We will subtract the outstanding Contract loan balance, including accrued but
unpaid interest, from:
1) the Death Proceeds;
2) surrender proceeds;
3) the amount available for partial withdrawal; and
4) the amount applied on the Annuity Date to provide annuity payments.
Usually you must repay a Contract loan within five years of the date the loan is
made. Scheduled payments must be level, amortized over the repayment period, and
made at least quarterly. We may permit a repayment period of 15 or 30 years if
the loan proceeds are used to acquire your principal residence. We may also
permit other repayment periods.
You must mark your loan repayments as such. We will assume that any payment
received from you is a Purchase Payment, unless you tell us otherwise.
Generally, loan payments are allocated to the Subaccount(s) in the proportion
that you have selected for Purchase Payments. Allocations of loan payments are
not permitted to the Fixed Accounts (Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account and
Dollar Cost Averaging Fixed Account Option). If your Purchase Payment allocation
includes any of the Fixed Accounts, the percentages allocated to the Fixed
Accounts will be allocated instead to the Fidelity Money Market Subaccount.
If you do not make a loan payment when due, we will continue to charge interest
on your loan. We also will declare the entire loan in default. We will subtract
the defaulted loan balance plus accrued interest from any future distribution
under the Contract and keep it in payment of your loan. Any defaulted amount
plus interest will be treated as a distribution for tax purposes (as permitted
by law). As a result, you may be required to pay taxes on the defaulted amount
and incur the early withdrawal tax penalty. We will capitalize interest on a
loan in default.
28 PROSPECTUS
If the total loan balance exceeds the Surrender Value, we will mail written
notice to your last known address. The notice will state the amount needed to
maintain the Contract in force. If we do not receive payment of this amount
within 31 days after we mail this notice, we will terminate your Contract.
We may defer making any loan for 6 months after you ask us for a loan, unless
the loan is to pay a premium to us.
WITHDRAWALS (REDEMPTIONS). Except as explained below, you may redeem a Contract
for all or a portion of its Contract Value before the Annuity Date. Withdrawals
from the Fixed Account may be increased or decreased by a Market Value
Adjustment, as described in "Market Value Adjustment" on page 22.
In general, you must withdraw at least $50 at a time. You may also withdraw a
lesser amount if you are withdrawing your entire interest in a Subaccount. If
your request for a partial withdrawal would reduce the Contract Value to less
than $500, we may treat it as a request for a withdrawal of your entire Contract
Value, as described in "Minimum Contract Value" on page 30. Your Contract will
terminate if you withdraw all of your Contract Value
Withdrawals taken prior to annuitization are generally considered to come from
the earnings in the Contract first. If the Contract is tax-qualified, generally
all withdrawals are treated as distribution of earnings. Withdrawals of earnings
are taxed as ordinary income and, if taken prior to age 59 1/2, may be subject
to an additional 10% federal tax penalty.
We may be required to withhold 20% of withdrawals and distributions from
Contracts issued in connection with certain Qualified Plans, as described on
page 35.
To make a withdrawal, you must send us a written withdrawal request or
systematic withdrawal program enrollment form. You may obtain the required forms
from us at the address and phone number given on the first page of this
prospectus.
For partial withdrawals, you may allocate the amount among the Subaccounts and
the Fixed Accounts. If we do not receive allocation instructions from you, we
usually will allocate the partial withdrawal proportionately among the
Subaccounts and the Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account Options based upon the
balance of the Subaccounts and the Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account Options,
with any remainder being distributed from the Dollar Cost Averaging Fixed
Account Option. You may not make a partial withdrawal from the Fixed Account in
an amount greater than the total amount of the partial withdrawal multiplied by
the ratio of the value of the Fixed Account to the Contract Value immediately
before the partial withdrawal.
If you request a total withdrawal, you must send us your Contract. The Surrender
Value will equal the Contract Value adjusted by any applicable Market Value
Adjustment. We also will deduct a contract maintenance charge of $35, unless we
have waived the contract maintenance charge on your Contract as described on
page 30. We determine the Surrender Value based on the Contract Value next
computed after we receive a properly completed surrender request. We will
usually pay the Surrender Value within seven days after the day we receive a
completed request form. However, we may suspend the right of withdrawal from the
Separate Account or delay payment for withdrawals for more than seven days in
the following circumstances:
1) whenever the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is closed (other than
customary weekend and holiday closings);
2) when trading on the NYSE is restricted or an emergency exists, as
determined by the SEC, so that disposal of the Separate Account's
investments or determination of Accumulation Unit Values is not reasonably
practicable; or
3) at any other time permitted by the SEC for your protection.
In addition, we may delay payment of the Surrender Value in the Fixed Account
for up to 6 months or a shorter period if required by law. If we delay payment
from the Fixed Account for more than 30 days, we will pay interest as required
by applicable law.
You may withdraw amounts attributable to contributions made pursuant to a salary
reduction agreement (in accordance with Section 403(b)(11) of the Tax Code) only
in the following circumstances:
1) when you attain age 59 1/2;
2) when you terminate your employment with the plan sponsor;
3) upon your death;
4) upon your disability as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Tax Code; or
5) in the case of hardship.
If you seek a hardship withdrawal, you may only withdraw amounts attributable to
your Purchase Payments; you may not withdraw any earnings. These limitations on
withdrawals apply to:
1) salary reduction contributions made after December 31, 1988;
2) income attributable to such contributions; and
3) income attributable to amounts held as of December 31, 1988.
The limitations on withdrawals do not affect transfers between certain Qualified
Plans. Additional restrictions and limitations may apply to distributions from
any Qualified Plan. Tax penalties may also apply. You should seek tax advice
regarding any withdrawals or distributions from Qualified Plans.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PROGRAM. If your Contract is a non-Qualified Contract or
IRA, you may participate in
29 PROSPECTUS
our Systematic Withdrawal Program. You must complete an enrollment form and send
it to us. You must complete the withholding election section of the enrollment
form before the systematic withdrawals will begin. You may choose withdrawal
payments of a flat dollar amount, earnings, or a percentage of Purchase
Payments. You may choose to receive systematic withdrawal payments on a monthly,
quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis. Systematic withdrawals will be deducted
from your Subaccount and Fixed Account balances, excluding the Dollar Cost
Averaging Fixed Account, on a pro rata basis.
Depending on fluctuations in the net asset value of the Subaccounts and the
value of the Fixed Account, systematic withdrawals may reduce or even exhaust
the Contract Value. The minimum amount of each systematic withdrawal is $50.
We will make systematic withdrawal payments to you or your designated payee. We
may modify or suspend the Systematic Withdrawal Program and charge a processing
fee for the service. If we modify or suspend the Systematic Withdrawal Program,
existing systematic withdrawal payments will not be affected.
ERISA PLANS. A married participant may need spousal consent to receive a
distribution from a Contract issued in connection with a Qualified Plan or a
Non-Qualified Plan covered by to Title 1 of ERISA. You should consult an
adviser.
MINIMUM CONTRACT VALUE. If as a result of withdrawals your Contract Value would
be less than $500 and you have not made any Purchase Payments during the
previous three full calendar years, we may terminate your Contract and
distribute its Surrender Value to you. Before we do this, we will give you 60
days notice. We will not terminate your Contract on this ground if the Contract
Value has fallen below $500 due to either a decline in Accumulation Unit Value
or the imposition of fees and charges. In addition, in some states we are not
permitted to terminate Contracts on this ground. Different rules may apply to
Contracts issued in connection with Qualified Plans.
CONTRACT CHARGES
We assess charges under the Contract in two ways:
1) as deductions from Contract Value for contract maintenance charges and, if
applicable, for premium taxes; and
2) as charges against the assets of the Separate Account for administrative
expenses and for the assumption of mortality and expense risks;
In addition, certain deductions are made from the assets of the Portfolios for
investment management fees and expenses. Those fees and expenses are summarized
in the Fee Tables on page 6, and described more fully in the Prospectuses and
Statements of Additional Information for the Portfolios.
MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE. We deduct a mortality and expense risk charge
from each Subaccount during each Valuation Period. The mortality and expense
risk charge is equal, on an annual basis, to 1.30% of the average net asset
value of each Subaccount. The mortality risks arise from our contractual
obligations:
1) to make annuity payments after the Annuity Date for the life of the
Annuitant(s); and
2) to provide the Death Benefit prior to the Annuity Date. A detailed
explanation of the Death Benefit may be found beginning on page 25.
The expense risk is that it may cost us more to administer the Contracts and the
Separate Account than we receive from the contract maintenance charge and the
administrative expense charge. We guarantee the mortality and expense risk
charge and we cannot increase it. We assess the mortality and expense risk
charge during both the Accumulation Period and the Annuity Period.
ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES.
CONTRACT MAINTENANCE CHARGE. We charge an annual contract maintenance charge of
$35 on your Contract. The amount of this charge is guaranteed not to increase.
This charge reimburses us for our expenses incurred in maintaining your
Contract.
Before the Annuity Date, we assess the contract maintenance charge on each
Contract Anniversary. To obtain payment of this charge, on a pro rata basis we
will allocate this charge among the Subaccounts to which you have allocated your
Contract Value, and redeem Accumulation Units accordingly. We will waive this
charge if you pay more than $50,000 in Purchase Payments or if you allocate all
of your Contract Value to the Fixed Account. If you surrender your Contract, we
will deduct the full $35 charge as of the date of surrender, unless your
Contract qualifies for a waiver.
After the Annuity Date, we will subtract this charge in equal parts from each of
your annuity payments. We will waive this charge if on the Annuity Date your
Contract Value is $50,000 or more or if all of your annuity payments are Fixed
Annuity payments.
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE. We deduct an administrative expense charge from
each Subaccount during each Valuation Period. This charge is equal, on an annual
basis, to 0.10% of the average net asset value of the Subaccounts. This charge
is designed to compensate us for the cost of administering the Contracts and the
Separate Account. The administrative expense charge is assessed during both the
Accumulation Period and the Annuity Period.
TRANSFER FEE. We currently are waiving the transfer fee. The Contract, however,
permits us to charge a transfer fee of $10 on the second and each subsequent
transaction in each calendar month in which transfer(s) are effected between
Subaccount(s) and/or the Fixed Account. We will notify you if we begin to charge
this fee.
30 PROSPECTUS
We will not charge a transfer fee on transfers that are part of a Dollar Cost
Averaging or Portfolio Rebalancing program.
The transfer fee will be deducted from Contract Value that remains in the
Subaccount(s) or Fixed Account from which the transfer was made. If that amount
is insufficient to pay the transfer fee, we will deduct the fee from the
transferred amount.
PREMIUM TAXES. We will charge premium taxes or other state or local taxes
against the Contract Value, including Contract Value that results from amounts
transferred from existing policies (Section 1035 exchange) issued by us or other
insurance companies. Some states assess premium taxes when Purchase Payments are
made; others assess premium taxes when annuity payments begin. We will deduct
any applicable premium taxes upon full surrender, death, or annuitization.
Premium taxes generally range from 0% to 3.5%.
DEDUCTION FOR SEPARATE ACCOUNT INCOME TAXES. We are not currently maintaining a
provision for taxes. In the future, however, we may establish a provision for
taxes if we determine, in our sole discretion, that we will incur a tax as a
result of the operation of the Separate Account. We will deduct for any taxes we
incur as a result of the operation of the Separate Account, whether or not we
previously made a provision for taxes and whether or not it was sufficient. Our
status under the Tax Code is briefly described in "Taxes" on page 32.
OTHER EXPENSES. You indirectly bear the charges and expenses of the Portfolios
whose shares are held by the Subaccounts to which you allocate your Contract
Value. For a summary of current estimates of those charges and expenses, see
page 6. For more detailed information about those charges and expenses, please
refer to the prospectuses for the appropriate Portfolios. We may receive
compensation from the investment advisers or administrators of the Portfolios in
connection with administrative service and cost savings experienced by the
investment advisers or administrators.
31 PROSPECTUS
TAXES
THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS GENERAL AND IS NOT INTENDED AS TAX ADVICE. LINCOLN
BENEFIT MAKES NO GUARANTEE REGARDING THE TAX TREATMENT OF ANY CONTRACT OR
TRANSACTION INVOLVING A CONTRACT.
Federal, state, local and other tax consequences of ownership or receipt of
distributions under an annuity contract depend on your individual circumstances.
If you are concerned about any tax consequences with regard to your individual
circumstances, you should consult a competent tax adviser.
TAXATION OF LINCOLN BENEFIT LIFE COMPANY
Lincoln Benefit is taxed as a life insurance company under Part I of Subchapter
L of the Code. Since the Separate
Account is not an entity separate from Lincoln Benefit, and its operations form
a part of Lincoln Benefit, it will not be taxed separately. Investment income
and realized capital gains of the Separate Account are automatically applied to
increase reserves under the Contract. Under existing federal income tax law,
Lincoln Benefit believes that the Separate Account investment income and capital
gains will not be taxed to the extent that such income and gains are applied to
increase the reserves under the Contract. Accordingly, Lincoln Benefit does not
anticipate that it will incur any federal income tax liability attributable to
the Separate Account, and therefore Lincoln Benefit does not intend to make
provisions for any such taxes. If Lincoln Benefit is taxed on investment income
or capital gains of the Separate Account, then Lincoln Benefit may impose a
charge against the Separate
Account in order to make provision for such taxes.
TAXATION OF VARIABLE ANNUITIES IN GENERAL
TAX DEFERRAL. Generally, you are not taxed on increases in the Contract Value
until a distribution occurs. This rule applies only where:
.. the Contract Owner is a natural person,
.. the investments of the Separate Account are "adequately diversified"
according to Treasury Department regulations, and
.. Lincoln Benefit is considered the owner of the Separate Account assets for
federal income tax purposes.
NON-NATURAL OWNERS. Non-natural owners are also referred to as Non Living Owners
in this prospectus. As a general rule, annuity contracts owned by non-natural
persons such as corporations, trusts, or other entities are not treated as
annuity contracts for federal income tax purposes. The income on such contracts
does not enjoy tax deferral and is taxed as ordinary income received or accrued
by the non-natural owner during the taxable year.
EXCEPTIONS TO THE NON-NATURAL OWNER RULE. There are several exceptions to the
general rule that annuity contracts held by a non-natural owner are not treated
as annuity contracts for federal income tax purposes. Contracts will generally
be treated as held by a natural person if the nominal owner is a trust or other
entity which holds the contract as agent for a natural person. However, this
special exception will not apply in the case of an employer who is the nominal
owner of an annuity contract under a non-Qualified deferred compensation
arrangement for its employees. Other exceptions to the non-natural owner rule
are: (1) contracts acquired by an estate of a decedent by reason of the death of
the decedent; (2) certain qualified contracts; (3) contracts purchased by
employers upon the termination of certain qualified plans; (4) certain contracts
used in connection with structured settlement agreements; and (5) immediate
annuity contracts, purchased with a single premium, when the annuity starting
date is no later than a year from purchase of the annuity and substantially
equal periodic payments are made, not less frequently than annually, during the
annuity period.
GRANTOR TRUST OWNED ANNUITY. Contracts owned by a grantor trust are considered
owned by a non-natural owner. Grantor trust owned contracts receive tax deferral
as described in the Exceptions to the Non-Natural Owner Rule section. In
accordance with the Code, upon the death of the annuitant, the death benefit
must be paid. According to your Contract, the Death Benefit is paid to the
beneficiary. A trust named beneficiary, including a grantor trust, has two
options for receiving any death benefits: 1) a lump sum payment, or 2) payment
deferred up to five years from date of death.
DIVERSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. For a Contract to be treated as an annuity for
federal income tax purposes, the investments in the Separate Account must be
"adequately diversified" consistent with standards under Treasury Department
regulations. If the investments in the Separate Account are not adequately
diversified, the Contract will not be treated as an annuity contract for federal
income tax purposes. As a result, the income on the Contract will be taxed as
ordinary income received or accrued by the Contract owner during the taxable
year. Although Lincoln Benefit does not have control over the Portfolios or
their investments, we expect the Portfolios to meet the diversification
requirements.
OWNERSHIP TREATMENT. The IRS has stated that a contract owner will be considered
the owner of separate account assets if he possesses incidents of ownership in
those assets, such as the ability to exercise investment control over the
assets. At the time the diversification regulations were issued, the Treasury
Department announced that the regulations do not provide guidance concerning
circumstances in which investor control of the separate account investments may
cause a Contract
32 PROSPECTUS
owner to be treated as the owner of the separate account. The Treasury
Department also stated that future guidance would be issued regarding the extent
that owners could direct sub-account investments without being treated as owners
of the underlying assets of the separate account.
Your rights under the Contract are different than those described by the IRS in
private and published rulings in which it found that Contract owners were not
owners of separate account assets. For example, if your contract offers more
than twenty (20) investment alternatives you have the choice to allocate
premiums and contract values among a broader selection of investment
alternatives than described in such rulings. You may be able to transfer among
investment alternatives more frequently than in such rulings. These differences
could result in you being treated as the owner of the Separate Account. If this
occurs, income and gain from the Separate Account assets would be includible in
your gross income. Lincoln
Benefit does not know what standards will be set forth in any regulations or
rulings which the Treasury Department may issue. It is possible that future
standards announced by the Treasury Department could adversely affect the tax
treatment of your Contract. We reserve the right to modify the Contract as
necessary to attempt to prevent you from being considered the federal tax owner
of the assets of the Separate Account. However, we make no guarantee that such
modification to the Contract will be successful.
TAXATION OF PARTIAL AND FULL WITHDRAWALS. If you make a partial withdrawal under
a Non-Qualified Contract, amounts received are taxable to the extent the
Contract Value, without regard to surrender charges, exceeds the investment in
the Contract. The investment in the Contract is the gross premium paid for the
contract minus any amounts previously received from the Contract if such amounts
were properly excluded from your gross income. If you make a full withdrawal
under a Non-Qualified Contract, the amount received will be taxable only to the
extent it exceeds the investment in the Contract.
TAXATION OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS. Generally, the rule for income taxation of annuity
payments received from a Non-Qualified Contract provides for the return of your
investment in the Contract in equal tax-free amounts over the payment period.
The balance of each payment received is taxable. For fixed annuity payments, the
amount excluded from income is determined by multiplying the payment by the
ratio of the investment in the Contract (adjusted for any refund feature or
period certain) to the total expected value of annuity payments for the term of
the Contract. If you elect variable annuity payments, the amount excluded from
taxable income is determined by dividing the investment in the Contract by the
total number of expected payments. The annuity payments will be fully taxable
after the total amount of the investment in the Contract is excluded using these
ratios. If any variable payment is less than the excludable amount you should
contact a competent tax advisor to determine how to report any unrecovered
investment. The federal tax treatment of annuity payments is unclear in some
respects. As a result, if the IRS should provide further guidance, it is
possible that the amount we calculate and report to the IRS as taxable could be
different. If you die, and annuity payments cease before the total amount of the
investment in the Contract is recovered, the unrecovered amount will be allowed
as a deduction for your last taxable year.
TAXATION OF LEVEL MONTHLY VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENTS. You may have an option to
elect a variable income payment stream consisting of level monthly payments that
are recalculated annually. Although we will report your levelized payments to
the IRS in the year distributed, it is possible the IRS could determine that
receipt of the first monthly payout of each annual amount is constructive
receipt of the entire annual amount. If the IRS were to take this position, the
taxable amount of your levelized payments would be accelerated to the time of
the first monthly payout and reported in the tax year in which the first monthly
payout is received.
WITHDRAWALS AFTER THE PAYOUT START DATE. Federal tax law is unclear regarding
the taxation of any additional withdrawal received after the Payout Start Date.
It is possible that a greater or lesser portion of such a payment could be
taxable than the amount we determine.
DISTRIBUTION AT DEATH RULES. In order to be considered an annuity contract for
federal income tax purposes, the Contract must provide:
.. if any Contract Owner dies on or after the Payout Start Date but before the
entire interest in the Contract has been distributed, the remaining portion
of such interest must be distributed at least as rapidly as under the
method of distribution being used as of the date of the Contract Owner's
death;
.. if any Contract Owner dies prior to the Payout Start Date, the entire
interest in the Contract will be distributed within 5 years after the date
of the Contract Owner's death. These requirements are satisfied if any
portion of the Contract Owner's interest that is payable to (or for the
benefit of) a designated Beneficiary is distributed over the life of such
Beneficiary (or over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of
the Beneficiary) and the distributions begin within 1 year of the Contract
Owner's death. If the Contract Owner's designated Beneficiary is the
surviving spouse of the Contract Owner, the Contract may be continued with
the surviving spouse as the new Contract Owner.
.. if the Contract Owner is a non-natural person, then the Annuitant will be
treated as the Contract Owner for purposes of applying the distribution at
death rules. In addition, a change in the Annuitant on a Contract owned by
a non-natural person will be treated as the death of the Contract Owner.
33 PROSPECTUS
TAXATION OF ANNUITY DEATH BENEFITS. Death Benefit amounts are included in income
as follows:
.. if distributed in a lump sum, the amounts are taxed in the same manner as a
full withdrawal, or
.. if distributed under an Income Plan, the amounts are taxed in the same
manner as annuity payments.
PENALTY TAX ON PREMATURE DISTRIBUTIONS. A 10% penalty tax applies to the taxable
amount of any premature distribution from a non-Qualified Contract. The penalty
tax generally applies to any distribution made prior to the date you attain age
59 1/2. However, no penalty tax is incurred on distributions:
.. made on or after the date the Contract Owner attains age 59 1/2,
.. made as a result of the Contract Owner's death or becoming totally
disabled,
.. made in substantially equal periodic payments over the Contract Owner's
life or life expectancy, or over the joint lives or joint life expectancies
of the Contract Owner and the Beneficiary,
.. made under an immediate annuity, or
.. attributable to investment in the Contract before August 14, 1982.
You should consult a competent tax advisor to determine how these exceptions may
apply to your situation.
SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL PERIODIC PAYMENTS. With respect to non-Qualified Contracts
using substantially equal periodic payments or immediate annuity payments as an
exception to the penalty tax on premature distributions, any additional
withdrawal or other material modification of the payment stream would violate
the requirement that payments must be substantially equal. Failure to meet this
requirement would mean that the income portion of each payment received prior to
the later of 5 years or the Contract Owner's attaining age 59 1/2 would be
subject to a 10% penalty tax unless another exception to the penalty tax
applied. The tax for the year of the modification is increased by the penalty
tax that would have been imposed without the exception, plus interest for the
years in which the exception was used. A material modification does not include
permitted changes described in published IRS rulings. You should consult a
competent tax advisor prior to creating or modifying a substantially equal
periodic payment stream.
TAX FREE EXCHANGES UNDER INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 1035. A 1035 exchange is
a tax-free exchange of a non-qualified life insurance contract, endowment
contract or annuity contract into a non-Qualified annuity contract. The contract
owner(s) must be the same on the old and new contract. Basis from the old
contract carries over to the new contract so long as we receive that information
from the relinquishing company. If basis information is never received, we will
assume that all exchanged funds represent earnings and will allocate no cost
basis to them.
PARTIAL EXCHANGES. The IRS has issued a ruling that permits partial exchanges of
annuity contracts. Under this ruling, if you take a withdrawal from a receiving
or relinquishing annuity contract within 24 months of the partial exchange, then
special aggregation rules apply for purposes of determining the taxable amount
of a distribution. The IRS has issued limited guidance on how to aggregate and
report these distributions. The IRS is expected to provide further guidance, as
a result, it is possible that the amount we calculate and report to the IRS as
taxable could be different.
TAXATION OF OWNERSHIP CHANGES. If you transfer a non-Qualified Contract without
full and adequate consideration to a person other than your spouse (or to a
former spouse incident to a divorce), you will be taxed on the difference
between the Contract Value and the investment in the Contract at the time of
transfer. Any assignment or pledge (or agreement to assign or pledge) of the
Contract Value is taxed as a withdrawal of such amount or portion and may also
incur the 10% penalty tax.
AGGREGATION OF ANNUITY CONTRACTS. The Code requires that all non-Qualified
deferred annuity contracts issued by Lincoln Benefit (or its affiliates) to the
same Contract Owner during any calendar year be aggregated and treated as one
annuity contract for purposes of determining the taxable amount of a
distribution.
INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING
Generally, Lincoln Benefit is required to withhold federal income tax at a rate
of 10% from all non-annuitized distributions. The customer may elect out of
withholding by completing and signing a withholding election form. If no
election is made, we will automatically withhold the required 10% of the taxable
amount. In certain states, if there is federal withholding, then state
withholding is also mandatory.
Lincoln Benefit is required to withhold federal income tax using the wage
withholding rates for all annuitized distributions. The customer may elect out
of withholding by completing and signing a withholding election form. If no
election is made, we will automatically withhold using married with three
exemptions as the default. If no U.S. taxpayer identification number is
provided, we will automatically withhold using single with zero exemptions as
the default. In certain states, if there is federal withholding, then state
withholding is also mandatory.
Election out of withholding is valid only if the customer provides a U.S.
residence address and taxpayer identification number.
Generally, Section 1441 of the Code provides that Lincoln Benefit as a
withholding agent must withhold 30% of the taxable amounts paid to a
non-resident alien. A non-resident alien is someone other than a U.S. citizen or
resident alien. Withholding may be reduced or eliminated if covered by an income
tax treaty between the U.S. and the non-resident alien's country of residence if
34 PROSPECTUS
the payee provides a U.S. taxpayer identification number on a completed Form
W-8BEN. A U.S. taxpayer identification number is a social security number or an
individual taxpayer identification number ("ITIN"). ITINs are issued by the IRS
to non-resident alien individuals who are not eligible to obtain a social
security number. The U.S. does not have a tax treaty with all countries nor do
all tax treaties provide an exclusion or lower withholding rate for annuities.
TAX QUALIFIED CONTRACTS
The income on tax sheltered annuity (TSA) and IRA investments is tax deferred,
and the income on variable annuities held by such plans does not receive any
additional tax deferral. You should review the annuity features, including all
benefits and expenses, prior to purchasing a variable annuity as a TSA or IRA.
Tax Qualified Contracts are contracts purchased as investments as:
.. Individual Retirement Annuities (IRAs) under Section 408(b) of the Code;
.. Roth IRAs under Section 408A of the Code;
.. Simplified Employee Pension (SEP IRA) under Section 408(k) of the Code;
.. Savings Incentive Match Plans for Employees (SIMPLE IRA) under Section
408(p) of the Code; and
.. Tax Sheltered Annuities under Section 403(b) of the Code.
Lincoln Benefit reserves the right to limit the availability of the Contract for
use with any of the retirement plans listed above or to modify the Contract to
conform with tax requirements.
The tax rules applicable to participants with tax qualified annuities vary
according to the type of contract and the terms and conditions of the
endorsement. Adverse tax consequences may result from certain transactions such
as excess contributions, premature distributions, and, distributions that do not
conform to specified commencement and minimum distribution rules. Lincoln
Benefit can issue an individual retirement annuity on a rollover or transfer of
proceeds from a decedent's IRA, TSA, or employer sponsored retirement plan under
which the decedent's surviving spouse is the beneficiary. Lincoln Benefit does
not offer an individual retirement annuity that can accept a transfer of funds
for any other, non-spousal, beneficiary of a decedent's IRA, TSA, or employer
sponsored retirement plan.
In the case of certain qualified plans, the terms of the plans may govern the
right to benefits, regardless of the terms of the Contract.
TAXATION OF WITHDRAWALS FROM AN INDIVIDUALLY OWNED TAX QUALIFIED CONTRACT. If
you make a partial withdrawal under a Tax Qualified Contract other than a Roth
IRA, the portion of the payment that bears the same ratio to the total payment
that the investment in the Contract (i.e., nondeductible IRA contributions)
bears to the Contract Value, is excluded from your income. We do not keep track
of nondeductible contributions, and all tax reporting of distributions from Tax
Qualified Contracts other than Roth IRAs will indicate that the distribution is
fully taxable.
"Qualified distributions" from Roth IRAs are not included in gross income.
"Qualified distributions" are any distributions made more than five taxable
years after the taxable year of the first contribution to any Roth IRA and which
are:
.. made on or after the date the Contract Owner attains age 59 1/2,
.. made to a beneficiary after the Contract Owner's death,
.. attributable to the Contract Owner being disabled, or
.. made for a first time home purchase (first time home purchases are subject
to a lifetime limit of $10,000).
"Nonqualified distributions" from Roth IRAs are treated as made from
contributions first and are included in gross income only to the extent that
distributions exceed contributions. All tax reporting of distributions from Roth
IRAs will indicate that the taxable amount is not determined.
REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS. Generally, IRAs (excluding Roth IRAs) and TSAs
require minimum distributions upon reaching age 70 1/2. Failure to withdraw the
required minimum distribution will result in a 50% tax penalty on the shortfall
not withdrawn from the Contract. Not all income plans offered under the Contract
satisfy the requirements for minimum distributions. Because these distributions
are required under the Code and the method of calculation is complex, please see
a competent tax advisor.
THE DEATH BENEFIT AND TAX QUALIFIED CONTRACTS. Pursuant to the Code and IRS
regulations, an IRA (e.g., traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA and SIMPLE IRA)
may not invest in life insurance contracts. However, an IRA may provide a death
benefit that equals the greater of the purchase payments or the Contract Value.
The Contract offers a death benefit that in certain circumstances may exceed the
greater of the purchase payments or the Contract Value. We believe that the
Death Benefits offered by your Contract do not constitute life insurance under
these regulations.
It is also possible that certain death benefits that offer enhanced earnings
could be characterized as an incidental death benefit. If the death benefit were
so characterized, this could result in current taxable income to a Contract
Owner. In addition, there are limitations on the amount of incidental death
benefits that may be provided under qualified plans, such as in connection with
a 403(b) plan.
Lincoln Benefit reserves the right to limit the availability of the Contract for
use with any of the qualified plans listed above.
35 PROSPECTUS
PENALTY TAX ON PREMATURE DISTRIBUTIONS FROM TAX QUALIFIED CONTRACTS. A 10%
penalty tax applies to the taxable amount of any premature distribution from a
Tax Qualified Contract. The penalty tax generally applies to any distribution
made prior to the date you attain age 59 1/2. However, no penalty tax is
incurred on distributions:
.. made on or after the date the Contract Owner attains age 59 1/2,
.. made as a result of the Contract Owner's death or total disability,
.. made in substantially equal periodic payments over the Contract Owner's
life or life expectancy, or over the joint lives or joint life expectancies
of the Contract Owner and the Beneficiary,
.. made after separation from service after age 55 (applies only for IRAs),
.. made pursuant to an IRS levy,
.. made for certain medical expenses,
.. made to pay for health insurance premiums while unemployed (applies only
for IRAs),
.. made for qualified higher education expenses (applies only for IRAs), and
.. made for a first time home purchase (up to a $10,000 lifetime limit and
applies only for IRAs).
During the first 2 years of the individual's participation in a SIMPLE IRA,
distributions that are otherwise subject to the premature distribution penalty,
will be subject to a 25% penalty tax.
You should consult a competent tax advisor to determine how these exceptions may
apply to your situation.
SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL PERIODIC PAYMENTS ON TAX QUALIFIED CONTRACTS. With respect
to Tax Qualified Contracts using substantially equal periodic payments as an
exception to the penalty tax on premature distributions, any additional
withdrawal or other material modification of the payment stream would violate
the requirement that payments must be substantially equal. Failure to meet this
requirement would mean that the income portion of each payment received prior to
the later of 5 years or the taxpayer's attaining age 59 1/2 would be subject to
a 10% penalty tax unless another exception to the penalty tax applied. The tax
for the year of the modification is increased by the penalty tax that would have
been imposed without the exception, plus interest for the years in which the
exception was used. A material modification does not include permitted changes
described in published IRS rulings. You should consult a competent tax advisor
prior to creating or modifying a substantially equal periodic payment stream.
INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING ON TAX QUALIFIED CONTRACTS. Generally, Lincoln Benefit is
required to withhold federal income tax at a rate of 10% from all non-annuitized
distributions that are not considered "eligible rollover distributions." The
customer may elect out of withholding by completing and signing a withholding
election form. If no election is made, we will automatically withhold the
required 10% from the taxable amount. In certain states, if there is federal
withholding, then state withholding is also mandatory. Lincoln Benefit is
required to withhold federal income tax at a rate of 20% on all "eligible
rollover distributions" unless you elect to make a "direct rollover" of such
amounts to an IRA or eligible retirement plan. Eligible rollover distributions
generally include all distributions from employer sponsored retirement plans,
including TSAs but excluding IRAs, with the exception of:
.. required minimum distributions, or,
.. a series of substantially equal periodic payments made over a period of at
least 10 years, or,
.. a series of substantially equal periodic payments made over the life (joint
lives) of the participant (and beneficiary), or,
.. hardship distributions.
For all annuitized distributions that are not subject to the 20% withholding
requirement, Lincoln Benefit is required to withhold federal income tax using
the wage withholding rates. The customer may elect out of withholding by
completing and signing a withholding election form. If no election is made, we
will automatically withhold using married with three exemptions as the default.
If no U.S. taxpayer identification number is provided, we will automatically
withhold using single with zero exemptions as the default. In certain states, if
there is federal withholding, then state withholding is also mandatory.
Election out of withholding is valid only if the customer provides a U.S.
residence address and taxpayer identification number.
Generally, Section 1441 of the Code provides that Lincoln Benefit as a
withholding agent must withhold 30% of the taxable amounts paid to a
non-resident alien. A non-resident alien is someone other than a U.S. citizen or
resident alien. Withholding may be reduced or eliminated if covered by an income
tax treaty between the U.S. and the non-resident alien's country of residence if
the payee provides a U.S. taxpayer identification number on a completed Form
W-8BEN. A U.S. taxpayer identification number is a social security number or an
individual taxpayer identification number ("ITIN"). ITINs are issued by the IRS
to non-resident alien individuals who are not eligible to obtain a social
security number. The U.S. does not have a tax treaty with all countries nor do
all tax treaties provide an exclusion or lower withholding rate for annuities.
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES. Section 408 of the Code permits eligible
individuals to contribute to an individual retirement program known as an
Individual Retirement Annuity (IRA). Individual Retirement Annuities are subject
to limitations on the amount that
36 PROSPECTUS
can be contributed and on the time when distributions may commence. Certain
distributions from other types of qualified plans may be "rolled over" on a
tax-deferred basis into an Individual Retirement Annuity.
ROTH INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES. Section 408A of the Code permits eligible
individuals to make nondeductible contributions to an individual retirement
program known as a Roth Individual Retirement Annuity. Roth Individual
Retirement Annuities are subject to limitations on the amount that can be
contributed and on the time when distributions may commence.
Subject to certain limitations, a traditional Individual Retirement Account or
Annuity may be converted or "rolled over" to a Roth Individual Retirement
Annuity. The income portion of a conversion or rollover distribution is taxable
currently, but is exempted from the 10% penalty tax on premature distributions.
ANNUITIES HELD BY INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS (COMMONLY KNOWN AS CUSTODIAL
IRAS)
Internal Revenue Code Section 408 permits a custodian or trustee of an
Individual Retirement Account to purchase an annuity as an investment of the
Individual Retirement Account. If an annuity is purchased inside of an
Individual Retirement Account, then the Annuitant must be the same person as the
beneficial owner of the Individual Retirement Account.
Generally, the death benefit of an annuity held in an Individual Retirement
Account must be paid upon the death of the Annuitant. However, in most states,
the Contract permits the custodian or trustee of the Individual Retirement
Account to continue the Contract in the accumulation phase, with the Annuitant's
surviving spouse as the new Annuitant, if the following conditions are met:
1) The custodian or trustee of the Individual Retirement Account is the owner
of the annuity and has the right to the death proceeds otherwise payable
under the annuity contract;
2) The deceased Annuitant was the beneficial owner of the Individual
Retirement Account;
3) We receive a complete request for settlement for the death of the
Annuitant; and
4) The custodian or trustee of the Individual Retirement Account provides us
with a signed certification of the following:
(a) The Annuitant's surviving spouse is the sole beneficiary of the Individual
Retirement Account;
(b) The Annuitant's surviving spouse has elected to continue the Individual
Retirement Account as his or her own Individual Retirement Account; and
(c) The custodian or trustee of the Individual Retirement Account has continued
the Individual Retirement Account pursuant to the surviving spouse's
election.
SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSION IRA. Section 408(k) of the Code allows eligible
employers to establish simplified employee pension plans for their employees
using individual retirement annuities. These employers may, within specified
limits, make deductible contributions on behalf of the employees to the
individual retirement annuities. Employers intending to use the Contract in
connection with such plans should seek competent tax advice.
SAVINGS INCENTIVE MATCH PLANS FOR EMPLOYEES (SIMPLE IRA). Section 408(p) of the
Code allow eligible employers with 100 or fewer employees to establish SIMPLE
retirement plans for their employees using individual retirement annuities. In
general, a SIMPLE IRA consists of a salary deferral program for eligible
employees and matching or nonelective contributions made by employers. Employers
intending to purchase the Contract as a SIMPLE IRA should seek competent tax and
legal advice.
TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO ANY OF THE ABOVE LISTED IRAS
(TRADITIONAL, ROTH, SEP, OR SIMPLE), PLEASE REFER TO IRS PUBLICATION 590 AND
YOUR COMPETENT TAX ADVISOR.
TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES. Section 403(b) of the Code provides tax-deferred
retirement savings plans for employees of certain non-profit and educational
organizations. Under Section 403(b), any contract used for a 403(b) plan must
provide that distributions attributable to salary reduction contributions made
after 12/31/88, and all earnings on salary reduction contributions, may be made
only on or after the date the employee:
.. attains age 59 1/2,
.. severs employment,
.. dies,
.. becomes disabled, or
.. incurs a hardship (earnings on salary reduction contributions may not be
distributed on account of hardship).
These limitations do not apply to withdrawals where Lincoln Benefit is directed
to transfer some or all of the Contract Value to another 403(b) plan.
Generally, we do not accept Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
(ERISA) funds in 403(b) contracts.
37 PROSPECTUS
DESCRIPTION OF LINCOLN BENEFIT LIFE COMPANY AND THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT
LINCOLN BENEFIT LIFE COMPANY
Lincoln Benefit is a stock life insurance company organized under the laws of
the state of Nebraska in 1938. Our legal domicile and principal business address
is 2940 South 84th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506-4142. Lincoln Benefit is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Allstate Life Insurance Company ("Allstate Life"), a
stock life insurance company incorporated under the laws of the State of
Illinois. Allstate Life is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Allstate Insurance
Company ("Allstate"), a stock property-liability insurance company incorporated
under the laws of Illinois. All outstanding capital stock of Allstate is owned
by The Allstate Corporation.
We are authorized to conduct life insurance and annuity business in the District
of Columbia, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands and all states except New York. We will
market the Contract everywhere we conduct variable annuity business. The
Contracts offered by this prospectus are issued by us and will be funded in the
Separate Account and/or the Fixed Account.
Under our reinsurance agreement with Allstate Life, substantially all contract
related transactions are transferred to Allstate Life, and substantially all of
the assets backing our reinsured liabilities are owned by Allstate Life.
Accordingly, the results of operations with respect to applications received and
contracts issued by Lincoln Benefit are not reflected in our financial
statements. The amounts reflected in our financial statements relate only to the
investment of those assets of Lincoln Benefit that are not transferred to
Allstate Life under the reinsurance agreement. These assets represent our
general account and are invested and managed by Allstate Life. While the
reinsurance agreement provides us with financial backing from Allstate Life, it
does not create a direct contractual relationship between Allstate Life and you.
Under the Company's reinsurance agreements with Allstate Life, the Company
reinsures all reserve liabilities with Allstate Life except for variable
contracts. The Company's variable Contract assets and liabilities are held in
legally-segregated, unitized Separate Accounts and are retained by the Company.
However, Lincoln Benefit's economic risks and returns related to such variable
contracts are transferred to Allstate Life.
SEPARATE ACCOUNT. Lincoln Benefit Life Variable Annuity Account was originally
established in 1992, as a segregated asset account of Lincoln Benefit. The
Separate Account meets the definition of a "separate account" under the federal
securities laws and is registered with the SEC as a unit investment trust under
the Investment Company Act of 1940. The SEC does not supervise the management of
the Separate Account or Lincoln Benefit.
We own the assets of the Separate Account, but we hold them separate from our
other assets. To the extent that these assets are attributable to the Contract
Value of the Contracts offered by this prospectus, these assets are not
chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other business we may conduct.
Income, gains, and losses, whether or not realized, from assets allocated to the
Separate Account are credited to or charged against the Separate Account without
regard to our other income, gains, or losses. Our obligations arising under the
Contracts are general corporate obligations of Lincoln Benefit.
The Separate Account is divided into Subaccounts. The assets of each Subaccount
are invested in the shares of one of the Portfolios. We do not guarantee the
investment performance of the Separate Account, its Subaccounts or the
Portfolios. Values allocated to the Separate Account and the amount of Variable
Annuity payments will rise and fall with the values of shares of the Portfolios
and are also reduced by Contract charges. We may also use the Separate Account
to fund our other annuity contracts. We will account separately for each type of
annuity contract funded by the Separate Account.
We have included additional information about the Separate Account in the
Statement of Additional Information. You may obtain a copy of the Statement of
Additional Information by writing to us or calling us at 1-800-865-5237. We have
reproduced the Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional Information on
page 40.
STATE REGULATION OF LINCOLN BENEFIT. We are subject to the laws of Nebraska and
regulated by the Nebraska Department of Insurance. Every year we file an annual
statement with the Department of Insurance covering our operations for the
previous year and our financial condition as of the end of the year. We are
inspected periodically by the Department of Insurance to verify our contract
liabilities and reserves. Our books and records are subject to review by the
Department of Insurance at all times. We are also subject to regulation under
the insurance laws of every jurisdiction in which we operate.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The financial statements of Lincoln Benefit Life Company
and the Separate Account are set forth in the Statement of Additional
Information.
ADMINISTRATION
We have primary responsibility for all administration of the Contracts and the
Separate Account. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 80469, Lincoln, Nebraska
68501-0469.
We provide the following administrative services, among others: issuance of the
Contracts; maintenance of Contract Owner records; Contract Owner services;
38 PROSPECTUS
calculation of unit values; maintenance of the Separate Account; and preparation
of Contract Owner reports.
We will send you Contract statements and transaction confirmations at least
quarterly. You should notify us promptly in writing of any address change. You
should read your statements and confirmations carefully and verify their
accuracy. You should contact us promptly if you have a question about a periodic
statement. We will investigate all complaints and make any necessary adjustments
retroactively, but you must notify us of a potential error within a reasonable
time after the date of the questioned statement. If you wait too long, we will
make the adjustment as of the date that we receive notice of the potential
error.
We will also provide you with additional periodic and other reports, information
and prospectuses as may be required by federal securities laws.
DISTRIBUTION OF CONTRACTS
The Contracts described in this prospectus are sold by registered
representatives of broker-dealers who are our licensed insurance agents, either
individually or through an incorporated insurance agency. Commissions paid to
broker-dealers may vary, but we estimate that the total commissions paid on all
Contract sales will not exceed one percent of initial Purchase Payments and one
percent of account value annually beginning in the second Contract year. From
time to time, we may offer additional sales incentives of up to 1% of Purchase
Payments to broker-dealers who maintain certain sales volume levels. We may use
any of our corporate assets, including potential profit which may arise from the
mortality and expense risk charge or from any other charge or fee under the
Contracts, to cover sales commissions and other promotional or distribution
expenses relating to the sale of the Contracts.
ALFS, Inc. ("ALFS") located at 3100 Sanders Road, Northbrook, IL 60062-7154
serves as distributor of the Contracts. ALFS, an affiliate of Lincoln Benefit,
is a wholly owned subsidiary of Allstate Life Insurance Company. ALFS is a
registered broker dealer under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Lincoln Benefit does not pay ALFS a commission for distribution of the
Contracts. The underwriting agreement with ALFS provides that we will reimburse
ALFS for expenses incurred in distributing the Contracts, including liability
arising out of services we provide on the Contracts.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There are no pending legal proceedings affecting the Separate Account. Lincoln
Benefit is engaged in routine lawsuits which, in our management's judgment, are
not of material importance to their respective total assets or material with
respect to the Separate Account.
LEGAL MATTERS
All matters of Nebraska law pertaining to the Contract, including the validity
of the Contract and our right to issue the Contract under Nebraska law, have
been passed upon by William F. Emmons, Vice President, Assistant General Counsel
and Assistant Secretary of Lincoln Benefit.
ANNUAL REPORTS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS
Lincoln Benefit's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2003, is incorporated herein by reference, which means that it is legally a part
of this prospectus.
After the date of this prospectus and before we terminate the offering of the
securities under this prospectus, all documents or reports we file with the SEC
under the Exchange Act of 1934 are also incorporated herein by reference, which
means that they also legally become a part of this prospectus.
Statements in this prospectus, or in documents that we file later with the SEC
and that legally become a part of this prospectus, may change or supersede
statements in other documents that are legally part of this prospectus.
We file our Exchange Act documents and reports, including our annual and
quarterly reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q electronically on the SEC's "EDGAR"
system using the identifying number CIK No. 0000910739. The SEC maintains a Web
site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other
information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The
address of the site is http:// www.sec.gov. You also can view these materials at
the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549. For more information on the operations of SEC's Public Reference Room,
call 1-800-SEC-0330.
If you have received a copy of this prospectus, and would like a free copy of
any document incorporated herein by reference (other than exhibits not
specifically incorporated by reference into the text of such documents), please
write or call us at Lincoln Benefit Life Company, 2940 South 84th Street,
Lincoln, Nebraska 68506 or 800-865-5237.
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
We have filed a registration statement with the SEC, under the Securities Act of
1933 as amended, with respect to the Contracts offered by this prospectus. This
prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the registration
statement and the exhibits filed as part of the registration statement. You
should refer to the registration statement and the exhibits for further
information concerning the Separate Account, Lincoln Benefit, and the Contracts.
The descriptions in this prospectus of the Contracts and other legal instruments
are summaries. You should refer to those instruments as
39 PROSPECTUS
filed for the precise terms of those instruments. You may inspect and obtain
copies of the registration statement as described on the cover page of this
prospectus.
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PAGE
THE CONTRACT
Annuity Payments
Initial Monthly Annuity Payment
Subsequent Monthly Payments
Transfers After Annuity Date
Annuity Unit Value
Illustrative Example of Annuity Unit Value Calculation
Illustrative Example of Variable Annuity Payments
EXPERTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
40 PROSPECTUS
APPENDIX A
ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUES
BASIC POLICY
Year ending December 31,
FUND 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIM V.I. Basic Value
(2)
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- -- -- -- -- --
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- -- -- -- -- --
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- -- -- -- -- --
Year
Alger American Growth
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 11.92 15.72 13.21 11.49 7.590
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 11.92 15.72 13.21 11.49 7.590 10.116
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 14,614 110,327 154,964 135,837 126,785 122,137
Year
Alger American Income
and Growth
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 11.49 16.14 15.71 13.27 9.019
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 11.49 16.14 15.71 13.27 9.019 $ 11.547
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 61,815 61,815 134,479 145,823 115,625 112,360
Year
Alger American
Leveraged AllCap
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 12.80 22.48 16.66 13.81 9.001
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 12.80 22.48 16.66 13.81 9.001 11.959
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 7,257 80,962 151,988 121,008 133,802 127,480
Year
Alger American MidCap
Growth
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 11.59 15.07 16.22 14.95 10.389
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 11.59 15.07 16.22 14.95 10.389 15.141
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 3,707 40,066 148,029 143,773 137,775 220,428
Year
Alger American Small
Capitalization
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 11.31 15.99 11.48 7.98 5.804
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 11.31 15.99 11.48 7.98 5.804 --
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 5,492 19,202 55,329 69,327 143,130 --
Year
Federated High Income
Bond II
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 9.84 9.93 8.91 8.90 8.901
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 9.84 9.93 8.91 8.90 8.901 --
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 6,794 39,637 69,061 97,931 137,497 --
Year
Federated U.S. Gov't
Securities II
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 10.26 10.06 11.01 11.62 12.490
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 10.26 10.06 11.01 11.62 12.490 --
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 13,480 92,305 166,600 249,062 404,746 --
Year
Federated Capital
Income II
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 11.13 11.16 10.02 8.52 6.393
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 11.13 11.16 10.02 8.52 6.393 --
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 18,262 69,241 123,235 141,337 100,899 --
Year
Fidelity Asset
Manager(SM)
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 10.80 11.83 11.21 10.60 9.538
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 10.80 11.83 11.21 10.60 9.538 --
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 2,962 16,640 70,315 78,645 69,512 --
Year
Fidelity Contrafund
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 11.45 14.03 12.92 11.18 9.994
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 11.45 14.03 12.92 11.18 9.994 --
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 9,371 114,581 260,250 297,028 320,055 --
Year
Fidelity Equity-Income
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 10.83 11.35 12.14 11.37 9.314
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 10.83 11.35 12.14 11.37 9.314 --
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 36,057 136,950 208,086 254,071 273,790 --
Year
Fidelity Growth
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 11.62 15.75 13.82 11.22 7.735
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 11.62 15.75 13.82 11.22 7.735 --
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 8,616 105,637 212,291 244,606 247,149 --
Year
Fidelity Index 500
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 11.36 13.49 12.07 10.46 8.020
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 11.36 13.49 12.07 10.46 8.020 --
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 33,281 264,642 478,029 532,172 585,195 --
Year
Fidelity Money Market
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 10.14 10.52 11.03 11.33 11.361
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 10.14 10.52 11.03 11.33 11.361 --
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 50,763 309,000 1,573,179 471,1302 1,642,033 --
Year
Fidelity Overseas
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 10.49 14.76 11.77 9.15 7.193
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 10.49 14.76 11.77 9.15 7.193 --
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 1,800 68,426 27,747 236,023 83,194 --
Year
Janus Aspen Mid Cap
Growth
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 12.26 27.26 18.33 10.94 7.775
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 12.26 27.26 18.33 10.94 7.775 --
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 1,708 121,552 293,510 272,416 176,432 --
Year
Janus Aspen Balanced
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 11.68 14.60 14.07 13.22 12.22
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 11.68 14.60 14.07 13.22 12.22 --
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 20,840 210,584 382,038 422,582 43,841 --
Year
Janus Aspen Flexible
Income
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 10.25 10.27 10.76 11.43 12.449
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 10.25 10.27 10.76 11.43 12.449 --
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 20,382 51,252 75,770 90,759 220,012 --
Year
Janus Aspen Growth
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 11.85 16.83 14.18 10.52 7.624
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 11.85 16.83 14.18 10.52 7.624 --
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 14,330 230,318 501,738 500,279 372,560 --
Year
Janus Aspen Foreign
Stock Service Shares
(3)
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- -- -- -- 10.00 7.755
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- -- -- -- 7.755 10.200
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- -- -- -- 43,841 34,669
Year
Janus Aspen Worldwide
Growth
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 10.68 17.32 14.40 11.01 8.090
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 10.68 17.32 14.40 11.01 8.090
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 37,205 236,941 453,567 394,921 282,326 --
Year
LSA Basic Value (2)
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- -- -- -- 10.00 7.638
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- -- -- -- 7.638 10.049
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- -- -- -- 14,834 53,491
Year
LSA Balanced (2)
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- -- -- -- 10.00 8.669
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- -- -- -- 8.669 11.047
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- -- -- -- 2,722 56,744
Year
LSA MidCap Value (6)
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- -- -- -- 10.00 8.437
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- -- -- -- 8.437 11.629
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- -- -- -- 33,469 49,023
Year
LSA Diversified MidCap
(6)
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- -- -- -- 10.00 7.783
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- -- -- -- 7.783 10.192
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- -- -- -- 946 26,388
Year
LSA Emerging Growth
Equity (2)
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- -- -- -- 10.00 6.861
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- -- -- -- 6.861 9.941
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- -- -- -- 3,521 21,986
Year
LSA Value Equity (2)
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- -- -- -- 10.00 7.912
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- -- -- -- 7.912 10.177
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- -- -- -- 2,892 19,080
Year
MFS Emerging Growth
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 11.74 20.46 16.22 10.64 6.948
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 11.74 20.46 16.22 10.64 6.948 $ 8.923
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 2,345 12,996 45,520 70,405 60,717 53,478
Year
MFS Investors Trust
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 11.19 11.77 11.59 9.61 7.487
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 11.19 11.77 11.59 9.61 7.487 $ 9.018
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 6,884 33,404 45,507 44,424 32,452 45,413
Year
MFS New Discovery
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 11.35 19.40 18.75 17.56 11.840
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 11.35 19.40 18.75 17.56 11.840 15.612
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 3,242 27,273 83,327 66,464 80,272 79,295
Year
MFS Research
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 11.07 13.54 12.71 9.87 7.341
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 11.07 13.54 12.71 9.87 7.341 9.027
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 0 17,884 42,165 40,314 31,952 27,428
Year
MFS Total Return
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 10.60 10.78 12.33 12.19 11.398
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 10.60 10.78 12.33 12.19 11.398 13.074
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 4,529 25,481 28,707 69,793 115,760 171,599
Year
PAVIT PEA Science and
Technology
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- -- -- -- 10.00 7.118
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- -- -- -- 7.118 11.465
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- -- -- -- 1,883 45,755
Year
PAVIT OpCap Balanced
(2)
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- -- -- -- -- --
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- -- -- -- -- --
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- -- -- -- -- --
Year
PAVIT OpCap Small Cap
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- -- -- -- 10.00 7.193
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- -- -- -- 7.193 10.118
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- -- -- -- 20,624 68,005
Year
Oppenheimer Main
Street Small Cap
Fund/VA-Service Class
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- -- -- -- 10.00 7.839
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- -- -- -- 7.839 11.151
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- -- -- -- 42,101 102,849
Year
PIMCO Foreign Bond
(U.S. Dollar-Hedged)
(7)
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- -- -- -- 10.00 10.554
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- -- -- -- 10.554 10.642
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- -- -- -- 26,788 80,352
Year
PIMCO Total Return
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- -- -- -- 10.00 10.546
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- -- -- -- 10.546 10.924
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- -- -- -- 166,159 400,017
Year
Putnam International
Growth and Income Fund
- Class 1B
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- -- -- -- 10.00 8.190
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- -- -- -- 8.190 11.133
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- -- -- -- 5,356 12,316
Year
Salomon Brothers
Variable Investors
Fund - Class I (2)
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- -- -- -- -- --
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- -- -- -- -- --
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- -- -- -- -- --
Year
Scudder Balanced
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 11.03 12.55 12.12 11.23 9.403
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 11.03 12.55 12.12 11.23 9.403 10.936
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 3,482 38,133 41,881 80,281 77,586 91,211
Year
Scudder Bond
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 10.18 9.95 10.84 11.31 12.002
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 10.18 9.95 10.84 11.31 12.002 12.435
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 1,861 18,799 91,604 167,519 193,959 228,580
Year
Scudder Global
Discovery
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 10.76 17.61 16.45 12.23 9.660
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 10.76 17.61 16.45 12.23 9.660 14.202
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 313 16,688 104,821 62,136 75,470 110,830
Year
Scudder Growth and
Income
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 10.52 11.00 10.62 9.29 7.041
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 10.52 11.00 10.62 9.29 7.041 8.800
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 7,306 11,386 22,884 23,349 32,426 49,931
Year
Scudder International
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 10.38 15.81 12.21 8.32 6.699
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 10.38 15.81 12.21 8.32 6.699 8.439
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 1,422 11,257 146,023 232,375 43,834 71,345
Year
STI Capital
Appreciation
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- 10.00 10.07 10.23 9.55 7.357
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- 10.07 10.23 9.55 7.357 8.593
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- 7,015 4,646 6,412 23,636 15,881
Year
STI International
Equity (4)
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- 10.00 10.50 10.00 8.14 6.537
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- 10.50 10.00 8.14 6.537 8.851
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- 0 498 27,581 7,898 311
Year
STI Value Income Stock
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- 10.00 8.63 9.40 9.16 7.499
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- 8.63 9.40 9.16 7.499 9.104
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- 1,202 1,202 51,116 37,169 19,281
Year
Strong Mid Cap Growth
II
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 11.41 21.36 17.94 12.24 7.540
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 11.41 21.36 17.94 12.24 7.540 9.980
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 0 41,884 85,612 55,024 46,447 57,966
Year
Strong Opportunity II
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 10.93 14.54 15.28 14.51 10.472
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 10.93 14.54 15.28 14.51 10.472 14.148
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 551 8,063 39,791 73,617 109,377 107,578
Year
T. Rowe Price Equity
Income
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 10.78 11.02 12.29 12.29 10.533
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 10.78 11.02 12.29 12.29 10.533 13.035
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 6,696 33,427 48,566 116,370 165,238 165,668
Year
T. Rowe Price
International Stock
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 10.77 14.16 11.47 8.80 7.091
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 10.77 14.16 11.47 8.80 7.091 9.127
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 2,055 14,390 86,395 336,806 97,272 82,750
Year
T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap
Growth
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 11.50 14.03 14.86 14.51 11.271
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 11.50 14.03 14.86 14.51 11.271 15.381
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 5,872 16,853 68,062 53,877 108,750 142,769
Year
T. Rowe Price New
America Growth (5)
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning 10.00 11.24 12.50 11.02 9.57 6.768
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending 11.24 12.50 11.02 9.57 6.768 9.017
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of 1,518 13,132 10,615 9,800 16,062 46,767
Year
Van Kampen LIT
Aggressive Growth (2)
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- -- -- -- -- --
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- -- -- -- -- --
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- -- -- -- -- --
Year
Van Kampen LIT Growth
& Income
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- -- -- -- 10.00 8.155
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- -- -- -- 8.155 10.267
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- -- -- -- 14,438 76,415
Year
Van Kampen UIF U.S.
Mid Cap Value (6)
Accumulation Unit
Value(1) Beginning -- -- -- -- -- --
Accumulation Unit
Value Ending -- -- -- -- -- --
Number of Units
Outstanding at End of -- -- -- -- -- --
Year
(1) Accumulation unit value: unit of measure used to calculate the value or a
Contract Owner's interest in a Subaccount for any Valuation Period. An
Accumulation Unit Value does not reflect deduction of certain charges under
the Contract that are deducted from your Contract Value, such as the
Contract Administration Charge, and Administrative Expense Charge. The
beginning value for 1998 reflects the Accumulation Unit Value as of August
17, 1998, the effective date of the Registration statement for this
Contract.
(2) Effective 4/30/04, the LSA Balanced Fund, LSA Basic Value Fund, LSA
Emerging Growth Equity Fund and LSA Value Equity Fund were merged into the
PAVIT OpCap Balanced Portfolio, AIM V.I. Basic Value Fund - Series I, Van
Kampen LIT Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Class II and Salomon Brothers
Variable Investors Fund - Class I, respectively. Accordingly, on 4/30/04,
we transferred the value of the LSA Balance Variable Sub-Account, LSA Basic
Value Variable Sub-Account, LSA Emerging Growth Equity Variable Sub-Account
and LSA Value Equity Variable Sub-Account to the PAVIT OpCap Balanced
Variable Sub-Account, AIM V.I. Basic Value Variable Sub-Account, Van Kampen
LIT Aggressive Growth Variable Sub-Account and Salomon Brothers Variable
Investors Variable Sub-Account, respectively.
(3) Effective 5/1/04 the Janus Aspen Series International Value Portfolio -
Service Shares changed its name to the Janus Aspen Foreign Stock Portfolio
- Service Shares. We have made a corresponding change in the name of the
Variable Sub-Account that invests in this Portfolio.
(4) Effective 9/27/02, STI International Equity Fund is no longer available for
new investments.
(5) Effective 5/1/04, the T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio is no longer
available for new investments. If you are currently invested in the T. Rowe
Price Mid-Cap Growth Sub-Account you may continue your investment. If you
are currently enrolled in one of our automatic transaction programs, such
as Portfolio Rebalancing or Dollar Cost Averaging, we will continue to
effect automatic transactions to the Sub-Account in accordance with that
program.
(6) Effective 4/30/04, the LSA Diversified Mid-Cap Growth Fund and LSA MidCap
Value Fund were merged into the Van Kampen UIF U.S. Mid Cap Value
Portfolio, Class I. Accordingly, on 4/30/04, we transferred the value of
the LSA Diversified Mid-Cap Growth Variable Sub-Account to the Van Kampen
UIF U.S. Mid Cap Value Sub-Account.
(7) Effective 5/1/04, the PIMCO VIT Foreign Bond Portfolio - Administrative
Shares changed its name to PIMCO VIT Foreign Bond Portfolio (U.S.
Dollar-Hedged) - Administrative Shares. We have made a corresponding change
in the name of the Variable Sub-Account that invests in this Portfolio.
A brief explanation of how performance of the Subaccounts is calculated may be
found in the Statement of Additional Information.
45 PROSPECTUS
APPENDIX B
ILLUSTRATION OF A MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT
Purchase Payment: $ 40,000.00
Guarantee Period: 5 Years
Guaranteed Interest
Rate: 5% Annual Effective Rate
5-year Treasury Rate
at Time of Purchase
Payment: 6%
The following examples illustrate how the Market Value Adjustment affect the
values of a Contract upon a withdrawal. The 5% assumed Guaranteed Interest Rate
is the rate required to be used in the "Summary of Expenses." In these examples,
the withdrawal occurs one year after the Issue Date. The Market Value Adjustment
operates in a similar manner for transfers.
Assuming that the entire $40,000.00 Purchase Payment is allocated to the
Guaranteed Maturity Fixed Account for the Guarantee Period specified above, at
the end of the five-year Guarantee Period the Contract Value would be
$51,051.26. After one year, when the withdrawals occur in these examples, the
Contract Value would be $42,000.00. We have assumed that no prior partial
withdrawals or transfers have occurred.
The formula that we use to determine the amount of the Market Value Adjustment
is:
..9 x (I - J) x N
where: I = the Treasury Rate for a maturity equal to the relevant Guarantee
Period for the week preceding the beginning of the Guarantee Period;
J = the Treasury Rate for a maturity equal to the relevant Guarantee Period for
the week preceding our receipt of your withdrawal request, death benefit
request, transfer request, or annuity option request; and
N = the number of whole and partial years from the date we receive your request
until the end of the relevant Guarantee Period.
We will base the Market Value Adjustment on the current Treasury Rate for a
maturity corresponding in length to the relevant Guarantee Period.
EXAMPLE OF A DOWNWARD MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT
A downward Market Value Adjustment results from a full or partial withdrawal
that occurs when interest rates have increased. Assume interest rates have
increased one year after the Purchase Payment, such that the five-year Treasury
Rate is now 6.5%. Upon a withdrawal, the market value adjustment factor would
be:
..9 x (.06 - .065) x 4 = -.0180
The Market Value Adjustment is a reduction of $756.00 from the amount withdrawn:
$ - 756.00 = -.0180 x $42,000.00
As a result, the net amount payable to you would be:
$41,244.00 = $42,000.00 - $756.00
EXAMPLE OF AN UPWARD MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT
An upward Market Value Adjustment results from a withdrawal that occurs when
interest rates have decreased. Assume interest rates have decreased one year
after the Purchase Payment, such that the five-year Treasury Rate is now 5.5%.
Upon a withdrawal, the market value adjustment factor would be:
..9 x (.06 - .055) x 4 = .0180 /(1)/
The Market Value Adjustment would increase the amount withdrawn by $756.00, as
follows:
$756.00 = .0180 x $42,000.00
As a result, the net amount payable to you would be:
$42,756.00 = $42,000.00 + $756.00
(1) Actual calculation utilizes ten decimal places.
EXAMPLE OF A PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL
If you request a partial withdrawal from a Guarantee Period, we can either (1)
withdraw the specified amount of Contract Value and pay you that amount as
adjusted by any applicable Market Value Adjustment or (2) pay you the amount
requested, and subtract an amount from your Contract Value that equals the
requested amount after application of the Market Value Adjustment. Unless you
instruct us otherwise, when you request a partial withdrawal we will assume that
you wish to receive the amount requested. We will make the necessary
calculations and on your request provide you with a statement showing our
calculations.
46 PROSPECTUS
For example, if in the first example you wished to receive $20,000 as a partial
withdrawal, we would perform the following calculations
let: A = the amount to be withdrawn from your Contract Value; and
B = the amount of the applicable Market Value Adjustment
Then A+B = $20,000 - .0180 x A = B
A = $20,000/(1-.0180) = $20,366.60
:
Accordingly, we would pay you $20,000 and subtract $20,366.60 from your Contract
Value. The Market Value Adjustment would be a subtractiion of $366.60
If, however, in the same example, you wished to withdraw $20,000 from your
Contract Value and receive the adjusted amount, we would perform the following
calculations:
let: A = the amount to be paid to you; and
B = the amount of the applicable Market Value Adjustment
Then $20,000 + B = A - .0180 x $20,000 = -$360.00 = B
and A = $20,000 - $360.00 = $19,640.00
Accordingly, we would pay you $19,640.00 and subtract $20,000 from your Contract
Value. The Market Value Adjustment would be a subtraction of $360.00
47 PROSPECTUS
PART II - INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
| ITEM 13. |
OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION |
Registrant anticipates that it will incur the following approximate expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities to be
registered:
|
|
|
|
|
| Registration fees |
|
$ |
0 |
|
| Cost of printing and engraving |
|
$ |
982 |
|
| Legal fees |
|
$ |
2,200 |
|
| Accounting fees |
|
$ |
39,662 |
|
| Mailing fees |
|
$ |
2,692 |
|
| ITEM 14. |
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. |
The Articles of Incorporation of Lincoln Benefit Life Company (Registrant) provide for the indemnification of its directors and officers against expenses,
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement as incurred by such person, so long as such person shall not have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of a duty to the Company. This right of indemnity is not
exclusive of other rights to which a director or officer may otherwise be entitled.
LBL HoldCo II, Inc. has obtained directors and officers insurance,
which includes indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 that the directors and officers of LBL HoldCo II, Inc. and its subsidiaries may, in such capacities, incur.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by final adjudication of such issue.
| ITEM 15. |
RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES |
Not Applicable.
| ITEM 16. |
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES |
16(a)
|
|
|
| Exh.
No. |
|
Description |
|
|
| 1 |
|
Form of Principal Underwriting Agreement. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment to Form N-4 for Lincoln Benefit Life Variable Annuity Account (File No. 333-50545, 811-07924) filed January 28, 1999 |
|
|
| 1(a) |
|
Amended and Restated Principal Underwriting Agreement by and between Lincoln Benefit Life Company and Allstate Distributors, LLC, effective April 1, 2014. Incorporated herein by reference to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s
Form S-1 Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement filed on April 4, 2014. (SEC File No. 333-180373) |
|
|
| 3(i) |
|
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Lincoln Benefit Life Company dated September 26, 2000, as amended by the Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Lincoln Benefit Life Company dated
January 21, 2015. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on April 13, 2015 (File No. 333-203370). |
|
|
| 3(ii) |
|
Amended and Restated By-Laws of Lincoln Benefit Life Company effective March 10, 2006. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, as filed May 8, 2006. (SEC File No. 333-59765). |
|
|
| 4(a) |
|
Form of Variable Annuity Contract. Incorporated herein by reference to Registration Statement on Form N-4 for Lincoln Benefit Life Variable Annuity Account (File
No. 333-82427, 811-07924) filed July 8, 1999. |
|
|
| 4(b) |
|
Form of Application. Incorporated herein by reference to Registration Statement on Form N-4 for Lincoln Benefit Life Variable Annuity Account (File
No. 333-82427, 811-07924) filed July 8, 1999. |
|
|
| 5(a) |
|
Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment to Form S-3 on Form S-1 for Lincoln
Benefit Life Variable Annuity Account (File No. 333-88045) filed April 6, 2000. |
|
|
| 5(b) |
|
Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality. Incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Form S-3 Registration Statement (File
No. 333-158181) dated March 24, 2009. |
|
|
| 5(c) |
|
Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality. (Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Form S-1 Registration Statement (File
No. 333-180371) dated March 27, 2012). |
|
|
| 5(d) |
|
Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(d) to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on
April 13, 2015 (File No. 333-203370). |
|
|
| 5(e) |
|
Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(e) of Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Form S-1 Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
Registration Statement filed on April 1, 2016 (SEC File No. 333-203370). |
|
|
| 5(f) |
|
Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(f) of Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Form S-1 Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to
Registration Statement filed on April 3, 2017 (SEC File No. 333-203372). |
|
|
| 5(g) |
|
Opinion and Consent regarding legality. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(g) of Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on April 2, 2018
(SEC File No. 333-224094). |
|
|
| 5(h) |
|
Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality. Filed herewith. |
|
|
| 8 |
|
None. |
|
|
| 9 |
|
None. |
|
|
| 10 |
|
Material Contracts. |
|
|
| 10.1 |
|
Administrative Services Agreement between Lincoln Benefit Life Company and Allstate Life Insurance Company effective June 1, 2006. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006. (SEC File No. 333-59765) |
|
|
| 10.2 |
|
Principal Underwriting Agreement by and among Lincoln Benefit Life Company and Allstate Distributors, LLC (ALFS, Inc., merged with and into Allstate Distributors, LLC effective September 1, 2011) effective November 25,
1998. (Variable Universal Life Account). Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 2002. (SEC File No. 333-59765) |
|
|
|
| Exh.
No. |
|
Description |
|
|
| 10.3 |
|
Amended and Restated Principal Underwriting Agreement between Lincoln Benefit Life Company and Allstate Distributors, LLC (ALFS, Inc. merged with and into Allstate Distributors, LLC effective September 1, 2011) effective
June 1, 2006. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 20, 2007. (SEC File
No. 333-59765) |
|
|
| 10.4 |
|
Selling Agreement between Lincoln Benefit Life Company, Allstate Distributors, LLC (ALFS, Inc., f/k/a Allstate Financial Services, Inc., merged with and into Allstate Distributors, LLC effective September 1, 2011) and Allstate
Financial Services, LLC (f/k/a LSA Securities, Inc.) effective August 2, 1999. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Allstate Life Insurance Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for
2003. (SEC File No. 000-31248) |
|
|
| 10.5 |
|
Coinsurance Agreement between Allstate Life Insurance Company and Lincoln Benefit Life Company, effective December 31, 2001. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 2002. (SEC File No. 333-59765) |
|
|
| 10.6 |
|
Modified Coinsurance Agreement between Allstate Life Insurance Company and Lincoln Benefit Life Company, effective December 31, 2001. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 2002. (SEC File No. 333-59765) |
|
|
| 10.7 |
|
Modified Coinsurance Agreement between Allstate Life Insurance Company and Lincoln Benefit Life Company, effective December 31, 2001. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 2002. (SEC File No. 333-59765) |
|
|
| 10.8 |
|
Administrative Services Agreement between Allstate Distributors, LLC, (ALFS, Inc., merged with and into Allstate Distributors, LLC effective September 1, 2011) Allstate Life Insurance Company, Lincoln Benefit Life Company and
Charter National Life Insurance Company effective January 1, 2000. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2008. (SEC File No. 333-59765) |
|
|
| 10.9 |
|
Assignment & Delegation of Administrative Services Agreements, Underwriting Agreements, and Selling Agreements entered into as of September 1, 2011 between ALFS, Inc., Allstate Life Insurance Company, Allstate Life
Insurance Company of New York, Allstate Distributors, LLC, Charter National Life Insurance Company, Intramerica Life Insurance Company, Allstate Financial Services, LLC, and Lincoln Benefit Life Company. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.1 to Allstate Life Insurance Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 1, 2011. (SEC File No. 000-31248) |
|
|
| 10.10 |
|
Reinsurance Agreement between Lincoln Benefit Life Company and Lincoln Benefit Reinsurance Company effective September 30, 2012, Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Allstate Life Insurance Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed October 3, 2012. (SEC File No. 000-31248) |
|
|
| 10.11 |
|
Recapture Agreement between Allstate Life Insurance Company (“ALIC”) and Lincoln Benefit Life Company (“LBL”), effective September 30, 2012. Incorporated herein by reference to Lincoln Benefit Life
Company’s Form S-1 Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement filed on April 3, 2013. (SEC File No. 333-180373) |
|
|
| 10.12 |
|
Voluntary Separation Agreement and Release by and between Allstate Insurance Company and Anurag Chandra, dated October 17, 2013. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.22 of Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Form S-1 Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement filed on April 4, 2014. (SEC File No. 333-180373) |
|
|
| 10.13 |
|
Voluntary Separation Agreement and Release by and between Allstate Insurance Company and Lawrence W. Dahl, dated August 1, 2013. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.23 of Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Form S-1 Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement filed on April 4, 2014. (SEC File No. 333-180373) |
|
|
| 10.14 |
|
Amended and Restated Administrative Services Agreement by and between Lincoln Benefit Life Company and Allstate Life Insurance Company, effective April 1, 2014. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of Lincoln
Benefit Life Company’s Form S-1 Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement filed on April 1, 2016 (SEC File No. 333-203370) |
|
|
| 10.15 |
|
Amended and Restated Reinsurance Agreement by and between Lincoln Benefit Life Company and Allstate Life Insurance Company, effective April 1, 2014. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.25 of Lincoln Benefit Life
Company’s Form S-1 Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement filed on April 4, 2014. (SEC File No. 333-180373) |
|
|
| 10.16 |
|
Partial Commutation Agreement by and between Allstate Life Insurance Company and Lincoln Benefit Life Company, effective April 1, 2014. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.26 of Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s
Form S-1 Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement filed on April 4, 2014. (SEC File No. 333-180373) |
|
|
|
| Exh.
No. |
|
Description |
|
|
| 10.17 |
|
Recapture and Termination Agreement between Lincoln Benefit Life Company and Lincoln Benefit Reinsurance Company effective December 8, 2017. Filed herewith. |
|
|
| 15 |
|
Not applicable. |
|
|
| 16 |
|
Letter re: change in certifying accountant. Filed herewith. |
|
|
| 21 |
|
Subsidiaries of the registrant. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 21 to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on April 13, 2015 (File No. 333-203370). |
|
|
| 23(a) |
|
Consents of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms. Filed herewith. |
|
|
| 23(b) |
|
Consents of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms. Filed herewith. |
|
|
| 24 |
|
Powers of Attorney for Stephen Campbell, Richard Carbone, Clive Cowdery, Ann Frohman, Jon Hack, Robert Stein and Grace Vandecruze. Filed herewith. |
|
|
| 25 |
|
None. |
|
|
| 99(a) |
|
Experts. Filed herewith. |
|
|
| 99(b) |
|
Experts. Filed herewith. |
|
|
| 101.INS |
|
XBRL Instance Document |
|
|
| 101.SCH |
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema |
|
|
| 101.CAL |
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase |
|
|
| 101.DEF |
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase |
|
|
| 101.LAB |
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase |
|
|
| 101.PRE |
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase |
|
|
| 16(b) |
|
Financial statement schedules required by Regulation S-X (17 CFR Part 210) and Item 11(e) of Form S-1 are included in Part I. |
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file,
during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus
required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the
registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in
the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation
of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement.
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
(2) That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at
that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the
Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance
on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the
registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to
such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the
securities:
The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration
statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to
the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned
registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by
or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus
relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
EXHIBIT LIST
|
|
|
| Exhibit
No. |
|
Description |
|
|
| (1) |
|
Form of Principal Underwriting Agreement. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment to Form N-4 for
Lincoln Benefit Life Variable Annuity Account (File No. 333-50545, 811-07924) filed January 28, 1999 |
|
|
| (1)(a) |
|
Amended and Restated Principal Underwriting Agreement by and between Lincoln Benefit Life Company and Allstate Distributors, LLC, effective April 1,
2014. Incorporated herein by reference to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Form S-1 Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement filed on April 4, 2014. (SEC File No. 333-180373) |
|
|
| (3)(i) |
|
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Lincoln Benefit Life Company dated September
26, 2000, as amended by the Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Lincoln Benefit Life Company dated January
21, 2015. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on April 13, 2015 (File No.
333-203370). |
|
|
| (3)(ii) |
|
Amended and Restated By-Laws of Lincoln Benefit Life Company effective March
10, 2006. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, as filed May 8, 2006. (SEC File No. 333-59765). |
|
|
| (4)(a) |
|
Form of Variable Annuity Contract. Incorporated herein by reference to Registration Statement on Form N-4
for Lincoln Benefit Life Variable Annuity Account (File No. 333-82427, 811-07924) filed July 8, 1999. |
|
|
| (4)(b) |
|
Form of Application. Incorporated herein by reference to Registration Statement on Form N-4 for
Lincoln Benefit Life Variable Annuity Account (File No. 333-82427, 811-07924) filed July 8, 1999. |
|
|
| (5)(a) |
|
Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment to Form S-3 on Form S-1 for Lincoln Benefit Life Variable Annuity Account (File No. 333-88045) filed April 6, 2000. |
|
|
| (5)(b) |
|
Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality. Incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Form S-3 Registration
Statement (File No. 333-158181) dated March 24, 2009. |
|
|
| (5)(c) |
|
Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality. (Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Form S-1 Registration
Statement (File No. 333-180371) dated March 27, 2012). |
|
|
| (5)(d) |
|
Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(d) to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Registration
Statement on Form S-1 filed on April 13, 2015 (File No. 333-203370). |
|
|
| (5)(e) |
|
Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(e) of Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Form
S-1 Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement filed on April 1, 2016 (SEC File No. 333-203370). |
|
|
| (5)(f) |
|
Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(f) of Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Form
S-1 Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement filed on April 3, 2017 (SEC File No. 333-203372). |
|
|
| (5)(g) |
|
Opinion and Consent regarding legality. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(g) of Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Registration Statement
on Form S-1 filed on April 2, 2018 (SEC File No. 333-224094). |
|
|
| (5)(h) |
|
Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality. Filed herewith. |
|
|
| (10.1) |
|
Administrative Services Agreement between Lincoln Benefit Life Company and Allstate Life Insurance Company effective June
1, 2006. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June
30, 2006. (SEC File No. 333-59765) |
|
|
| (10.2) |
|
Principal Underwriting Agreement by and among Lincoln Benefit Life Company and Allstate Distributors, LLC (ALFS, Inc., merged with and into Allstate
Distributors, LLC effective September 1, 2011) effective November 25, 1998. (Variable Universal Life Account). Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 2002. (SEC File No. 333-59765) |
|
|
|
| Exhibit
No. |
|
Description |
|
|
| (10.3) |
|
Amended and Restated Principal Underwriting Agreement between Lincoln Benefit Life Company and Allstate Distributors, LLC (ALFS, Inc. merged
with and into Allstate Distributors, LLC effective September 1, 2011) effective June 1, 2006. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Current Report on Form
8-K filed December 20, 2007. (SEC File No. 333-59765) |
|
|
| (10.4) |
|
Selling Agreement between Lincoln Benefit Life Company, Allstate Distributors, LLC (ALFS, Inc., f/k/a Allstate Financial Services, Inc., merged
with and into Allstate Distributors, LLC effective September 1, 2011) and Allstate Financial Services, LLC (f/k/a LSA Securities, Inc.) effective August 2, 1999. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Allstate Life Insurance
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2003. (SEC File No. 000-31248) |
|
|
| (10.5) |
|
Coinsurance Agreement between Allstate Life Insurance Company and Lincoln Benefit Life Company, effective December
31, 2001. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended June
30, 2002. (SEC File No. 333-59765) |
|
|
| (10.6) |
|
Modified Coinsurance Agreement between Allstate Life Insurance Company and Lincoln Benefit Life Company, effective December
31, 2001. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended June
30, 2002. (SEC File No. 333-59765) |
|
|
| (10.7) |
|
Modified Coinsurance Agreement between Allstate Life Insurance Company and Lincoln Benefit Life Company, effective December
31, 2001. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended June
30, 2002. (SEC File No. 333-59765) |
|
|
| (10.8) |
|
Administrative Services Agreement between Allstate Distributors, LLC, (ALFS, Inc., merged with and into Allstate Distributors, LLC effective
September 1, 2011) Allstate Life Insurance Company, Lincoln Benefit Life Company and Charter National Life Insurance Company effective January 1, 2000. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to Lincoln Benefit Life
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. (SEC File No. 333-59765) |
|
|
| (10.9) |
|
Assignment
& Delegation of Administrative Services Agreements, Underwriting Agreements, and Selling Agreements entered into as of September
1, 2011 between ALFS, Inc., Allstate Life Insurance Company, Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York, Allstate Distributors, LLC, Charter National Life Insurance Company, Intramerica Life Insurance Company, Allstate Financial Services, LLC, and Lincoln
Benefit Life Company. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Allstate Life Insurance Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 1, 2011.
(SEC File No. 000-31248) |
|
|
| (10.10) |
|
Reinsurance Agreement between Lincoln Benefit Life Company and Lincoln Benefit Reinsurance Company effective September
30, 2012, Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Allstate Life Insurance Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 3, 2012. (SEC File No.
000-31248) |
|
|
| (10.11) |
|
Recapture Agreement between Allstate Life Insurance Company (“ALIC”) and Lincoln Benefit Life Company (“LBL”), effective
September 30, 2012. Incorporated herein by reference to Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Form S-1 Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement filed on April 3, 2013. (SEC File No. 333-180373) |
|
|
| (10.12) |
|
Voluntary Separation Agreement and Release by and between Allstate Insurance Company and Anurag Chandra, dated October
17, 2013. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.22 of Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Form S-1 Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement filed on April 4, 2014. (SEC File No. 333-180373) |
|
|
| (10.13) |
|
Voluntary Separation Agreement and Release by and between Allstate Insurance Company and Lawrence W. Dahl, dated August
1, 2013. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.23 of Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Form S-1 Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement filed on April 4, 2014. (SEC File No. 333-180373) |
|
|
| (10.14) |
|
Amended and Restated Administrative Services Agreement by and between Lincoln Benefit Life Company and Allstate Life Insurance Company, effective
April 1, 2014. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Form S-1 Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement filed on April 1, 2016
(SEC File No. 333-203370) |
|
|
| (10.15) |
|
Amended and Restated Reinsurance Agreement by and between Lincoln Benefit Life Company and Allstate Life Insurance Company, effective April 1,
2014. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.25 of Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Form S-1 Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement filed on April 4, 2014. (SEC File No. 333-180373) |
|
|
| (10.16) |
|
Partial Commutation Agreement by and between Allstate Life Insurance Company and Lincoln Benefit Life Company, effective April
1, 2014. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.26 of Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s Form S-1 Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement filed on April
4, 2014. (SEC File No. 333-180373) |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Stamford in the State of Connecticut on 1st day of April, 2019.
|
|
|
|
|
LINCOLN BENEFIT LIFE COMPANY
(REGISTRANT) |
|
|
| By: |
|
/s/ W. Weldon Wilson |
|
|
W. Weldon Wilson |
|
|
Director and Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following directors and
principal officers of Lincoln Benefit Life Company in the capacity indicated on 1st day of April, 2019.
|
|
|
| SIGNATURE |
|
TITLE |
|
|
| *Richard Carbone |
|
Director |
| Richard Carbone |
|
|
|
|
| *Clive Cowdery |
|
Director |
| Clive Cowdery |
|
|
|
|
| *Ann Frohman |
|
Director |
| Ann Frohman |
|
|
|
|
| *Jon Hack |
|
Director |
| Jon Hack |
|
|
|
|
| *Robert Stein |
|
Director |
| Robert Stein |
|
|
|
|
| *Grace Vandecruze |
|
Director |
| Grace Vandecruze |
|
|
|
|
| *Stephen Paul Campbell |
|
Director |
| Stephen Paul Campbell |
|
|
|
|
| /s/ W. Weldon Wilson |
|
Director and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
| W. Weldon Wilson |
|
|
|
|
| /s/ Mary Ellen Luning |
|
President |
| Mary Ellen Luning |
|
|
|
|
| /s/ Forozan Nasery |
|
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Vice President (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
| Forozan Nasery |
|
|
|
| *By: /s/ Forozan Nasery, pursuant to Power of Attorney. |
