UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
FORM 10-Q
___________________________

x Quarterly Report Pursuant to SectionQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 orOR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act ofOF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 20162017
orOR
¨ Transition Report Pursuant to SectionTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 orOR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act ofOF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition periodTransition Period from _____ to _____
Commission File Number:  COMMISSION FILE NUMBER:  000-16509
citizenslogoa09.jpgcitizenslogoa14.jpg
CITIZENS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Colorado84-0755371
(State or other jurisdiction of(I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
  
400 East Anderson Lane, 2900 Esperanza Crossing, 2nd Floor
Austin, TXTexas7875278758
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
 
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code:) (512) 837-7100
 
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report:)    400 East Anderson Lane, Austin, TX
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. x Yes o  No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). x Yes o  No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definition of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer"filer," "smaller reporting company" and "smaller reporting"emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated
filer ¨
Accelerated
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated
Non-accelerated filer ¨
Smaller reporting
company ¨
Emerging growth
company ¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period forcomplying with anyneworrevisedfinancialaccountingstandardsprovidedpursuanttoSection13(a)oftheExchangeAct. ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ¨ Yes x No

As of October 28, 2016November 2, 2017, the Registrant had 49,080,114 shares of Class A common stock, no par value, outstanding and 1,001,714 shares of Class B common stock outstanding.

 



























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TABLE OF CONTENTS
   Page Number
Part I.Financial Information 
 Item 1. 
    
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
    
 Item 2.
    
 Item 3.
    
 Item 4.
    
Part II.Other Information 
    
 Item 1.
    
 Item 1A.
    
 Item 2.
    
 Item 3.
    
 Item 4.
    
 Item 5.
    
 Item 6.


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(In thousands)
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
      
      
September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Assets(Unaudited)     
Investments:      
Fixed maturities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: $826,271 and $714,137 in 2016 and 2015, respectively)$875,217
 735,648
Fixed maturities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value: $264,176 and $264,966 in 2016 and 2015, respectively)251,637
 259,953
Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: $22,577 and $23,727 in 2016 and 2015, respectively)23,347
 23,438
Fixed maturities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: $920,700 and $860,473 in 2017 and 2016, respectively)$955,244
 881,668
Fixed maturities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value: $244,064 and $252,545 in 2017 and 2016, respectively)236,353
 247,004
Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: $15,479 and $17,765 in 2017 and 2016, respectively)16,146
 18,159
Mortgage loans on real estate237
 594
197
 232
Policy loans64,714
 60,166
71,215
 66,672
Real estate held for investment (less $1,831 and $1,721 accumulated depreciation in 2016 and 2015, respectively)7,862
 7,956
Real estate held for investment (less $1,158 and $1,083 accumulated depreciation in 2017 and 2016, respectively)5,843
 5,919
Real estate held for sale (less $1,008 accumulated depreciation in 2016)
 1,939
Other long-term investments39
 75
37
 38
Short-term investments514
 251

 508
Total investments1,223,567
 1,088,081
1,285,035
 1,222,139
Cash and cash equivalents32,323
 82,827
45,000
 35,510
Accrued investment income16,739
 15,406
18,243
 17,903
Reinsurance recoverable3,682
 4,166
3,917
 3,862
Deferred policy acquisition costs166,849
 165,362
166,567
 167,790
Cost of customer relationships acquired19,546
 21,585
18,012
 19,415
Goodwill17,255
 17,255
17,255
 17,255
Other intangible assets968
 971
963
 966
Deferred tax asset65,506
 68,764
74,974
 76,869
Property and equipment, net6,816
 6,338
8,396
 7,890
Due premiums, net (less $1,393 and $1,490 allowance for doubtful accounts in 2016 and 2015, respectively)10,937
 11,819
Due premiums, net (less $1,399 and $1,600 allowance for doubtful accounts in 2017 and 2016, respectively)10,905
 12,852
Prepaid expenses844
 162
938
 299
Other assets1,306
 1,304
1,069
 918
Total assets$1,566,338
 1,484,040
$1,651,274
 1,583,668

(Continued)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(In thousands, except share amounts)
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(In thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(In thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
      
      
September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity(Unaudited)     
Liabilities:      
Policy liabilities:      
Future policy benefit reserves:      
Life insurance$1,045,531
 995,972
$1,110,486
 1,060,297
Annuities68,288
 64,933
72,825
 69,003
Accident and health1,051
 1,118
978
 1,022
Dividend accumulations20,220
 18,465
23,016
 20,897
Premiums paid in advance45,254
 43,220
52,516
 48,198
Policy claims payable9,265
 9,653
8,066
 9,538
Other policyholders' funds7,358
 7,518
8,398
 7,744
Total policy liabilities1,196,967
 1,140,879
1,276,285
 1,216,699
Commissions payable2,387
 2,757
2,343
 3,540
Federal income tax payable78,479
 71,225
83,802
 81,270
Payable for securities in process of settlement1,476
 2,457
3,735
 3,061
Other liabilities24,258
 24,205
20,888
 29,998
Total liabilities1,303,567
 1,241,523
1,387,053
 1,334,568
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)

 

Stockholders' equity: 
  
 
  
Class A, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 52,215,852 shares issued and outstanding in 2016 and 2015, including shares in treasury of 3,135,738 in 2016 and 2015259,383
 259,383
Class B, no par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized, 1,001,714 shares issued and outstanding in 2016 and 20153,184
 3,184
Class A, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 52,215,852 shares issued and outstanding in 2017 and 2016, including shares in treasury of 3,135,738 in 2017 and 2016259,383
 259,383
Class B, no par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized, 1,001,714 shares issued and outstanding in 2017 and 20163,184
 3,184
Accumulated deficit(20,712) (22,626)(10,171) (16,248)
Accumulated other comprehensive income: 
  
 
  
Unrealized gains on securities, net of tax31,927
 13,587
22,836
 13,792
Treasury stock, at cost(11,011) (11,011)(11,011) (11,011)
Total stockholders' equity262,771
 242,517
264,221
 249,100
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$1,566,338
 1,484,040
$1,651,274
 1,583,668


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Three Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Three Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

2016 20152017 2016
Revenues:      
Premiums:          
Life insurance  $47,513
   47,219
  $48,644
   47,513
Accident and health insurance  385
   387
  360
   385
Property insurance  1,274
   1,302
  1,243
   1,274
Net investment income  12,320
   11,325
  13,828
   12,320
Realized investment gains (losses), net  46
   (2,407)  (404)   46
Other income  203
   298
  660
   203
Total revenues  61,741
   58,124
  64,331
   61,741
Benefits and expenses:   
    
   
    
Insurance benefits paid or provided:              
Claims and surrenders  21,014
   19,528
  21,454
   21,014
Increase in future policy benefit reserves  19,267
   19,276
  19,597
   18,997
Policyholders' dividends  1,620
   2,719
  1,613
   1,620
Total insurance benefits paid or provided  41,901
   41,523
  42,664
   41,631
Commissions  10,852
   11,388
  10,801
   10,852
Other general expenses  5,076
   6,958
  7,254
   4,992
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs  (7,890)   (8,482)  (7,756)   (7,890)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs  6,889
   6,271
  7,623
   6,908
Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired  641
   605
  635
   641
Total benefits and expenses  57,469
   58,263
  61,221
   57,134
Income (loss) before federal income tax  4,272
   (139)
Income before federal income tax  3,110
   4,607
Federal income tax expense (benefit)  1,728
   (242)  (339)   1,845
Net income  2,544
   103
  3,449
   2,762
Per Share Amounts:   
  
  
   
  
  
Basic earnings per share of Class A common stock$0.05
  
 
  
$0.07
  
 0.06
  
Basic earnings per share of Class B common stock0.03
  
 
  
0.03
  
 0.03
  
Diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock0.05
  
 
  
0.07
  
 0.06
  
Diluted earnings per share of Class B common stock0.03
  
 
  
0.03
  
 0.03
  
Other comprehensive income (loss):   
  
  
Other comprehensive income:   
  
  
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period 
 (1,261)  
 (1,803) 
 3,875
  
 (1,261)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income 
 (47)  
 2,405
Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income 
 370
  
 (47)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net 
 (1,308)  
 602
 
 4,245
  
 (1,308)
Income tax expense (benefit) on unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities 
 (458)  
 210
 
 1,486
  
 (458)
Other comprehensive income (loss) 
 (850)  
 392
 
 2,759
  
 (850)
Comprehensive income 
 $1,694
  
 495
 
 $6,208
  
 1,912
       



CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 2017 2016
Revenues:     
Premiums:       
Life insurance  $138,603
   137,637
Accident and health insurance  1,033
   1,170
Property insurance  3,731
   3,811
Net investment income  39,640
   36,051
Realized investment gains (losses), net  742
   (1,776)
Other income  1,015
   610
Total revenues  184,764
   177,503
Benefits and expenses:   
    
Insurance benefits paid or provided:   
    
Claims and surrenders  62,130
   60,988
Increase in future policy benefit reserves  51,953
   52,095
Policyholders' dividends  4,418
   4,985
Total insurance benefits paid or provided  118,501
   118,068
Commissions  30,620
   31,097
Other general expenses  26,765
   22,732
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs  (21,540)   (22,257)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs  22,640
   20,418
Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired  1,629
   1,588
Total benefits and expenses  178,615
   171,646
Income before federal income tax  6,149
   5,857
Federal income tax expense  72
   4,004
Net income  6,077
   1,853
Per Share Amounts:   
  
  
Basic earnings per share of Class A common stock$0.12
  
 0.04
  
Basic earnings per share of Class B common stock0.06
  
 0.02
  
Diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock0.12
  
 0.04
  
Diluted earnings per share of Class B common stock0.06
  
 0.02
  
Other comprehensive income: 
  
  
  
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities: 
  
  
  
Unrealized holding gains arising during period 
 13,585
  
 26,446
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income 
 329
  
 1,769
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net 
 13,914
  
 28,215
Income tax expense on unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities 
 4,870
  
 9,875
Other comprehensive income 
 9,044
  
 18,340
Comprehensive income 
 $15,121
  
 20,193

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 2016 2015
Revenues:     
Premiums:       
Life insurance  $137,637
   136,866
Accident and health insurance  1,170
   1,183
Property insurance  3,811
   3,885
Net investment income  36,051
   33,595
Realized investment losses, net  (1,776)   (2,486)
Other income  610
   1,020
Total revenues  177,503
   174,063
Benefits and expenses:   
    
Insurance benefits paid or provided:   
    
Claims and surrenders  60,988
   58,171
Increase in future policy benefit reserves  52,932
   56,334
Policyholders' dividends  4,985
   7,568
Total insurance benefits paid or provided  118,905
   122,073
Commissions  31,097
   32,052
Other general expenses  22,960
   24,954
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs  (22,257)   (23,374)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs  20,424
   17,217
Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired  1,588
   1,768
Total benefits and expenses  172,717
   174,690
Income (loss) before federal income tax  4,786
   (627)
Federal income tax expense  2,872
   759
Net income (loss)  1,914
   (1,386)
Per Share Amounts:   
  
  
Basic earnings (losses) per share of Class A common stock$0.04
  
 $(0.03)  
Basic earnings (losses) per share of Class B common stock0.02
  
 (0.02)  
Diluted earnings (losses) per share of Class A common stock0.04
  
 (0.03)  
Diluted earnings (losses) per share of Class B common stock0.02
  
 (0.02)  
Other comprehensive income (loss): 
  
  
  
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities: 
  
  
  
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period 
 26,446
  
 (13,574)
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income 
 1,769
  
 2,449
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net 
 28,215
  
 (11,125)
Income tax expense (benefit) on unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities 
 9,875
  
 (3,894)
Other comprehensive income (loss) 
 18,340
  
 (7,231)
Comprehensive income (loss) 
 $20,254
  
 (8,617)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
   2017 2016
2016 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income (loss)$1,914
 (1,386)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: 
  
Realized losses on sale of investments and other assets1,776
 2,486
Net income$6,077
 1,853
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: 
  
Realized (gains) losses on sale of investments and other assets(742) 1,776
Net deferred policy acquisition costs(1,833) (6,157)1,100
 (1,833)
Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired1,588
 1,768
1,629
 1,588
Depreciation600
 571
763
 600
Amortization of premiums and discounts on investments10,709
 8,785
12,398
 10,709
Deferred federal income tax benefit(6,616) (1,291)(2,975) (6,616)
Change in: 
  
 
  
Accrued investment income(1,333) (1,763)(340) (1,333)
Reinsurance recoverable484
 371
(55) 484
Due premiums882
 (242)1,947
 882
Future policy benefit reserves51,559
 56,185
51,876
 51,559
Other policyholders' liabilities3,241
 5,487
5,619
 3,241
Federal income tax payable7,254
 (1,250)2,532
 7,254
Commissions payable and other liabilities(317) (121)(10,307) (317)
Other, net(670) (717)(663) (670)
Net cash provided by operating activities69,238
 62,726
68,859
 69,177
Cash flows from investing activities: 
  
 
  
Sale of fixed maturities, available-for-sale
 
508
 
Maturities and calls of fixed maturities, available-for-sale44,301
 46,723
65,456
 44,301
Maturities and calls of fixed maturities, held-to-maturity9,790
 15,755
7,685
 9,790
Purchase of fixed maturities, available-for-sale(165,539) (88,107)(135,538) (165,539)
Purchase of fixed maturities, held-to-maturity(5,507) (41,291)
 (5,507)
Sale of equity securities, available-for-sale403
 
1,940
 403
Calls of equity securities, available-for-sale422
 150
450
 422
Purchase of equity securities, available-for-sale
 (602)
Principal payments on mortgage loans357
 29
35
 357
Increase in policy loans, net(4,548) (4,936)(4,543) (4,548)
Sale of other long-term investments1
 59
Sale of other long-term investments and real estate3,040
 1
Purchase of other long-term investments(36) 

 (36)
Sale of property and equipment59
 
41
 59
Purchase of property and equipment(978) (240)(1,223) (978)
Maturity of short-term investments250
 
500
 250
Purchase of short-term investments(522) (254)
 (522)
Net cash used in investing activities(121,547) (72,714)(61,649) (121,547)
   

CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Continued
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Continued
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Continued
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
2016 20152017 2016
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Annuity deposits$6,243
 6,077
$7,240
 6,243
Annuity withdrawals(4,438) (3,966)(4,960) (4,438)
Net cash provided by financing activities1,805
 2,111
2,280
 1,805
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents(50,504) (7,877)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents9,490
 (50,565)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year82,827
 50,708
35,510
 82,827
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$32,323
 42,831
$45,000
 32,262
Supplemental disclosures of operating activities: 
  
 
  
Cash paid during the period for income taxes, net$2,234
 3,300
$515
 2,234

Supplemental Disclosures of Non-Cash Investing Activities:
None.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


7

Table of Contents
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 20162017
(Unaudited)


(1) Financial Statements

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Citizens, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP").

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of Citizens, Inc. ("Citizens"), a Colorado corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, CICA Life Insurance Company of America ("CICA"), Security Plan Life Insurance Company ("SPLIC"), Security Plan Fire Insurance Company ("SPFIC"), Citizens National Life Insurance Company ("CNLIC"), Magnolia Guaranty Life Insurance Company ("MGLIC"), Computing Technology, Inc. ("CTI") and, Insurance Investors, Inc. ("III"). and CICA Life Ltd.  Citizens and its wholly-owned subsidiaries are collectively referred to as "the Company," "we," "us" or "our."

The consolidated statement of financial position foras of September 30, 20162017, and the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 20152016 and cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 20162017 and 20152016, have been prepared by the Company without audit.  In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and changes in cash flows at September 30, 20162017 and for comparative periods have been made.  The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Accordingly, the financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, for the year ended December 31, 20152016.  Operating results for the interim periods disclosed herein are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year or any future period.

We provide primarily life insurance and a small amount of health insurance policies through our insurance subsidiaries:  CICA, SPLIC, MGLIC and CNLIC.  Until the end of 2016, CICA and CNLIC issueissued ordinary whole-life policies, credit life and disability, burial insurance, pre-need policies, and accident and health related policies, throughout the Midwest and southern United States.  Beginning January 1, 2017, CICA alsoand CNLIC ceased selling products domestically as the products failed to qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment afforded by Section 7702 of the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC") of 1986. The Company is developing Section 7702 compliant products and will resume sales domestically once the products receive regulatory approval. CICA primarily issues ordinary whole-life and endowment policies to non-U.S. residents.  SPLIC offers final expense and home service life insurance in Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi, and SPFIC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SPLIC, writes a limited amount of property insurance in Louisiana. MGLIC provides industrial life policies through independent funeral homes in Mississippi.

CTI provides data processing systems and services, as well as furniture and equipment, to the Company.  III providesprovided aviation transportation to the Company.Company, until the corporate plane was sold in the third quarter of 2017. As III's sole purpose was to provide aviation transportation to the Company, we plan to dissolve III and merge it into Citizens. CICA Life Ltd. is a newly established Bermuda entity with no operations to date.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts presented in the prior year have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. No individual amounts were material.

Use of Estimates

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


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CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 2017
(Unaudited)

The most significant estimates include those used in the evaluation of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities and valuation allowances on investments, actuarially determined assets and liabilities and assumptions, goodwill impairment, valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, and contingencies relating to litigation and regulatory matters.  Certain of these estimates are particularly sensitive to market conditions, and deterioration and/or volatility in the worldwide debt or equity markets could have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.



8

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CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 2016
(Unaudited)

Significant Accounting Policies

For a description of significant accounting policies, see Note 1 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in our 2015Annual Report on Form 10-K Annual Report,for the year ended December 31, 2016, which should be read in conjunction with these accompanying consolidated financial statements.

(2) Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards Recently Adopted

None.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step process to achieve that core principle. ASU 2014-09 requires disclosures enabling users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. Additionally, qualitative and quantitative disclosures are required about contracts with customers, significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, using one of two retrospective application methods. Early application is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluatingWe have evaluated the effect that the adoption of this ASUguidance will have on itsour consolidated financial statements.

On May 21, 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-09, Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts, addressing enhanced disclosure requirements for insurers relating to short-duration insurance contract claims and the unpaid claims liability rollforward for long and short-duration contracts. The disclosures are intended to provide users We do not expect that any portion of financial statements with more transparent information about an insurance entity’s initial claim estimates and subsequent adjustments to those estimates, the methodologies and judgments used to estimate claims, and the timing, frequency, and severity of claims. The new disclosures may require the accumulation and reporting of new and different groupings of claims dataour revenue will be affected by insurers from what is currently captured for U.S. statutory and other reporting purposes. For public business entities, the amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently assessing the new disclosure requirements relatedstandard, primarily as the new guidance does not apply to short-duration contracts.revenue from insurance contracts and our non-insurance subsidiaries do not receive revenues from customers.

The FASB’s new lease accounting standard, ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), was issued on February 25, 2016. The ASU will require organizations that lease assets, referred to as “lessees”, to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. The ASU also will require disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. These disclosures include qualitative and quantitative requirements, providing additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements. The accounting by organizations that own the assets leased by the lessee, also known as lessor accounting, will remain largely unchanged from current GAAP. However, the ASU contains some targeted improvements that are intended to align, where necessary, lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model and with the updated revenue recognition guidance issued in 2014. The ASU on leases will take effect for public companies for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is assessing the impact of this new standard.standard, but currently the Company does not anticipate the new standard to have a significant effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

On June 10, 2016, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) Executive Committee and Plenary voted to adopt a recommendation for January 1, 2017 as the operative date for the implementation of Principles-Based Reserves (“PBR”) as a national standard for life insurance products. Although this NAIC standard does not change the reserving requirements under U.S. GAAP, it can be significant for many life insurers. PBR replaces the current formulaic approach to determining policy reserves with an approach that more closely reflects the risks of highly complex products. Companies will be expected to develop “right-sized” reserves that better align with their specific product features, their observed actuarial experience, and their overall risk

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CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 2016
(Unaudited)

management procedures. There is a three-year transition period where PBR is optional until PBR becomes required on January 1, 2020. The Company is assessing the impact that this standard will have on its statutory reserving.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), with the main objective to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. The amendments in this ASU require a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset(s) to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. The income statement reflects the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets, as well as the expected increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. Credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities should be measured in a

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CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 2017
(Unaudited)

manner similar to current GAAP; however, the credit losses are recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than as a write-down. This approach is an improvement to current GAAP because an entity will be able to record reversals of credit losses (in situations in which the estimate of credit losses declines) in current period net income, which in turn should align the income statement recognition of credit losses with the reporting period in which changes occur. Current GAAP prohibits reflecting those improvements in current-period earnings. For public business entities, the amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.statements, but it is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements compared with the previous guidance, except for potential reversals of previous credit losses which were not allowed under prior guidance.


In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. An entity will no longer perform a hypothetical purchase price allocation to measure impairment, eliminating step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. Instead, impairment will be measured using the difference of the carrying amount to the fair value of the reporting unit. The ASU is effective prospectively for annual and interim periods in fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2019, but early adoption is permitted for goodwill impairment tests with measurement dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is not planning on early adoption of this ASU and has not yet quantified any potential impact of the ASU on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

10

In March 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2017-08, Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20). The amendments in this ASU shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. Specifically, the amendments require the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. The Company has a large portfolio of callable debt securities purchased at a premium. As such, the Company had already been amortizing the premium to the earliest call date to reduce volatility in earnings by eliminating reporting large realized losses when debt securities are called. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018.
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CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
NotesNo other new accounting pronouncement issued or effective during the fiscal year had, or is expected to have, a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 2016
(Unaudited)
Statements.

(3) Segment Information

The Company has three reportable segments:  Life Insurance, Home Service Insurance, and Other Non-Insurance Enterprises.  The accounting policies of the segments are in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are the same as those used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.  The Company evaluates profit and loss performance based on U.S. GAAP income before federal income taxes for its three reportable segments.


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CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 2017
(Unaudited)

The Company has no reportable differences between segments and consolidated operations.
Three Months EndedThree Months Ended
September 30, 2016September 30, 2017
Life
Insurance
 Home
Service
Insurance
 Other
Non-Insurance
Enterprises
 ConsolidatedLife
Insurance
 Home
Service
Insurance
 Other
Non-Insurance
Enterprises
 Consolidated
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Revenues:              
Premiums$37,572
 11,600
 
 49,172
$38,472
 11,775
 
 50,247
Net investment income8,473
 3,467
 380
 12,320
10,051
 3,355
 422
 13,828
Realized investment gains, net
 46
 
 46
Realized investment losses, net(355) (49) 
 (404)
Other income166
 2
 35
 203
561
 
 99
 660
Total revenue46,211
 15,115
 415
 61,741
48,729
 15,081
 521
 64,331
Benefits and expenses:   
  
  
   
  
  
Insurance benefits paid or provided: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Claims and surrenders14,980
 6,034
 
 21,014
15,700
 5,754
 
 21,454
Increase in future policy benefit reserves18,319
 948
 
 19,267
18,045
 1,552
 
 19,597
Policyholders' dividends1,604
 16
 
 1,620
1,602
 11
 
 1,613
Total insurance benefits paid or provided34,903
 6,998
 
 41,901
35,347
 7,317
 
 42,664
Commissions6,973
 3,879
 
 10,852
6,892
 3,909
 
 10,801
Other general expenses1,074
 3,610
 392
 5,076
2,200
 4,025
 1,029
 7,254
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs(6,346) (1,544) 
 (7,890)(6,242) (1,514) 
 (7,756)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs5,870
 1,019
 
 6,889
6,431
 1,192
 
 7,623
Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired119
 522
 
 641
118
 517
 
 635
Total benefits and expenses42,593
 14,484
 392
 57,469
44,746
 15,446
 1,029
 61,221
Income before income tax expense$3,618
 631
 23
 4,272
Income (loss) before income tax expense$3,983
 (365) (508) 3,110

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CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 20162017
(Unaudited)

 Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2016
 
Life
Insurance
 
Home
Service
Insurance
 
Other
Non-Insurance
Enterprises
 Consolidated
 (In thousands)
Revenues:       
Premiums$107,531
 35,087
 
 142,618
Net investment income24,534
 10,386
 1,131
 36,051
Realized investment losses, net(660) (1,116) 
 (1,776)
Other income537
 5
 68
 610
Total revenue131,942
 44,362
 1,199
 177,503
Benefits and expenses:   
  
  
Insurance benefits paid or provided: 
  
  
  
Claims and surrenders43,601
 17,387
 
 60,988
Increase in future policy benefit reserves49,482
 3,450
 
 52,932
Policyholders' dividends4,942
 43
 
 4,985
Total insurance benefits paid or provided98,025
 20,880
 
 118,905
Commissions19,544
 11,553
 
 31,097
Other general expenses9,199
 11,357
 2,404
 22,960
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs(17,764) (4,493) 
 (22,257)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs17,813
 2,611
 
 20,424
Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired419
 1,169
 
 1,588
Total benefits and expenses127,236
 43,077
 2,404
 172,717
Income (loss) before income tax expense$4,706
 1,285
 (1,205) 4,786




 Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2017
 
Life
Insurance
 
Home
Service
Insurance
 
Other
Non-Insurance
Enterprises
 Consolidated
 (In thousands)
Revenues:       
Premiums$107,995
 35,372
 
 143,367
Net investment income28,678
 9,864
 1,098
 39,640
Realized investment gains (losses), net(419) 1,161
 
 742
Other income856
 2
 157
 1,015
Total revenue137,110
 46,399
 1,255
 184,764
Benefits and expenses:   
  
  
Insurance benefits paid or provided: 
  
  
  
Claims and surrenders45,218
 16,912
 
 62,130
Increase in future policy benefit reserves47,818
 4,135
 
 51,953
Policyholders' dividends4,387
 31
 
 4,418
Total insurance benefits paid or provided97,423
 21,078
 
 118,501
Commissions18,765
 11,855
 
 30,620
Other general expenses10,399
 13,182
 3,184
 26,765
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs(16,843) (4,697) 
 (21,540)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs19,350
 3,290
 
 22,640
Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired434
 1,195
 
 1,629
Total benefits and expenses129,528
 45,903
 3,184
 178,615
Income (loss) before income tax expense$7,582
 496
 (1,929) 6,149

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CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 20162017
(Unaudited)

Three Months EndedThree Months Ended
September 30, 2015September 30, 2016
Life
Insurance
 Home
Service
Insurance
 Other
Non-Insurance
Enterprises
 ConsolidatedLife
Insurance
 Home
Service
Insurance
 Other
Non-Insurance
Enterprises
 Consolidated
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Revenues:              
Premiums$37,213
 11,695
 
 48,908
$37,572
 11,600
 
 49,172
Net investment income7,512
 3,436
 377
 11,325
8,473
 3,467
 380
 12,320
Realized investment losses, net(1,901) (506) 
 (2,407)
Realized investment gains, net
 46
 
 46
Other income217
 8
 73
 298
166
 2
 35
 203
Total revenue43,041
 14,633
 450
 58,124
46,211
 15,115
 415
 61,741
Benefits and expenses: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Insurance benefits paid or provided: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Claims and surrenders13,727
 5,801
 
 19,528
14,980
 6,034
 
 21,014
Increase in future policy benefit reserves18,337
 939
 
 19,276
18,009
 988
 
 18,997
Policyholders' dividends2,708
 11
 
 2,719
1,604
 16
 
 1,620
Total insurance benefits paid or provided34,772
 6,751
 
 41,523
34,593
 7,038
 
 41,631
Commissions7,609
 3,779
 
 11,388
6,973
 3,879
 
 10,852
Other general expenses3,026
 3,391
 541
 6,958
990
 3,610
 392
 4,992
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs(7,050) (1,432) 
 (8,482)(6,346) (1,544) 
 (7,890)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs5,359
 912
 
 6,271
5,889
 1,019
 
 6,908
Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired171
 434
 
 605
119
 522
 
 641
Total benefits and expenses43,887
 13,835
 541
 58,263
42,218
 14,524
 392
 57,134
Income (loss) before income tax expense$(846) 798
 (91) (139)
Income before income tax expense$3,993
 591
 23
 4,607

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CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 20162017
(Unaudited)

Nine Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30, 2015September 30, 2016
Life
Insurance
 
Home
Service
Insurance
 
Other
Non-Insurance
Enterprises
 Consolidated
Life
Insurance
 
Home
Service
Insurance
 
Other
Non-Insurance
Enterprises
 Consolidated
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Revenues:              
Premiums$106,899
 35,035
 
 141,934
$107,531
 35,087
 
 142,618
Net investment income22,130
 10,341
 1,124
 33,595
24,534
 10,386
 1,131
 36,051
Realized investment losses, net(1,959) (527) 
 (2,486)(660) (1,116) 
 (1,776)
Other income591
 78
 351
 1,020
537
 5
 68
 610
Total revenue127,661
 44,927
 1,475
 174,063
131,942
 44,362
 1,199
 177,503
Benefits and expenses: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Insurance benefits paid or provided: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Claims and surrenders40,752
 17,419
 
 58,171
43,601
 17,387
 
 60,988
Increase in future policy benefit reserves52,964
 3,370
 
 56,334
48,525
 3,570
 
 52,095
Policyholders' dividends7,530
 38
 
 7,568
4,942
 43
 
 4,985
Total insurance benefits paid or provided101,246
 20,827
 
 122,073
97,068
 21,000
 
 118,068
Commissions20,450
 11,602
 
 32,052
19,544
 11,553
 
 31,097
Other general expenses11,057
 11,680
 2,217
 24,954
9,115
 11,357
 2,260
 22,732
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs(18,816) (4,558) 
 (23,374)(17,764) (4,493) 
 (22,257)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs14,849
 2,368
 
 17,217
17,807
 2,611
 
 20,418
Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired493
 1,275
 
 1,768
419
 1,169
 
 1,588
Total benefits and expenses129,279
 43,194
 2,217
 174,690
126,189
 43,197
 2,260
 171,646
Income (loss) before income tax expense$(1,618) 1,733
 (742) (627)$5,753
 1,165
 (1,061) 5,857


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CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 20162017
(Unaudited)


(4) Earnings Per Share

The following tables set forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share.
Three Months EndedThree Months Ended
September 30, 2016 September 30, 2015September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016
(In thousands,
except per share amounts)
(In thousands,
except per share amounts)
Basic and diluted earnings per share:      
Numerator:      
Net income$2,544
 103
$3,449
 2,762
Net income allocated to Class A common stock$2,519
 102
3,415
 2,734
Net income allocated to Class B common stock25
 1
34
 28
Net income$2,544
 103
$3,449
 2,762
Denominator:      
Weighted average shares of Class A outstanding - basic49,080
 49,080
49,080
 49,080
Weighted average shares of Class A outstanding - diluted49,080
 49,080
49,080
 49,080
Weighted average shares of Class B outstanding - basic and diluted1,002
 1,002
1,002
 1,002
Basic earnings per share of Class A common stock$0.05
 
$0.07
 0.06
Basic earnings per share of Class B common stock0.03
 
0.03
 0.03
Diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock0.05
 
0.07
 0.06
Diluted earnings per share of Class B common stock0.03
 
0.03
 0.03
 Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2015
 
(In thousands,
except per share amounts)
Basic and diluted earnings per share:   
Numerator:   
Net income (loss)$1,914
 (1,386)
Net income (loss) allocated to Class A common stock$1,895
 (1,372)
Net income (loss) allocated to Class B common stock19
 (14)
Net loss$1,914
 (1,386)
Denominator:   
Weighted average shares of Class A outstanding - basic49,080
 49,080
Weighted average shares of Class A outstanding - diluted49,080
 49,080
Weighted average shares of Class B outstanding - basic and diluted1,002
 1,002
Basic earnings (losses) per share of Class A common stock$0.04
 (0.03)
Basic earnings (losses) per share of Class B common stock0.02
 (0.02)
Diluted earnings (losses) per share of Class A common stock0.04
 (0.03)
Diluted earnings (losses) per share of Class B common stock0.02
 (0.02)
 Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016
 
(In thousands,
except per share amounts)
Basic and diluted earnings per share:   
Numerator:   
 Net income$6,077
 1,853
 Net income allocated to Class A common stock$6,016
 1,834
 Net income allocated to Class B common stock61
 19
 Net income$6,077
 1,853
Denominator:   
 Weighted average shares of Class A outstanding - basic49,080
 49,080
 Weighted average shares of Class A outstanding - diluted49,080
 49,080
 Weighted average shares of Class B outstanding - basic and diluted1,002
 1,002
Basic earnings per share of Class A common stock$0.12
 0.04
Basic earnings per share of Class B common stock0.06
 0.02
Diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock0.12
 0.04
Diluted earnings per share of Class B common stock0.06
 0.02


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CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 20162017
(Unaudited)

(5) Investments

The Company invests primarily in fixed maturity securities, which totaled 89.7%89.6% and 85.0% of total cash, cash equivalents and investments at September 30, 20162017 and December 31, 2015, respectively..
September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Carrying
Value
 
% of Total
Carrying Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
% of Total
Carrying Value
Carrying
Value
 
% of Total
Carrying Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
% of Total
Carrying Value
(In thousands)(In thousands)   (In thousands)  
Fixed maturity securities$1,126,854
 89.7
 $995,601
 85.0
$1,191,597
 89.6
 $1,128,672
 89.7
Equity securities23,347
 1.9
 23,438
 2.0
16,146
 1.2
 18,159
 1.6
Mortgage loans237
 
 594
 0.1
197
 
 232
 
Policy loans64,714
 5.2
 60,166
 5.1
71,215
 5.4
 66,672
 5.3
Real estate and other long-term investments7,901
 0.6
 8,031
 0.7
5,880
 0.4
 7,896
 0.6
Short-term investments514
 
 251
 

 
 508
 
Cash and cash equivalents32,323
 2.6
 82,827
 7.1
45,000
 3.4
 35,510
 2.8
Total cash, cash equivalents and investments$1,255,890
 100.0
 $1,170,908
 100.0
$1,330,035
 100.0
 $1,257,649
 100.0


16

Table of Contents
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 20162017
(Unaudited)


The following tables represent the cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value for fixed maturities and equity securities as of the periods indicated.
September 30, 2016September 30, 2017
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Fixed maturities:              
Available-for-sale:              
U.S. Treasury securities$9,946
 2,968
 
 12,914
$9,878
 2,124
 
 12,002
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises7,670
 1,302
 
 8,972
3,576
 943
 
 4,519
States and political subdivisions528,607
 27,241
 1,179
 554,669
555,890
 17,991
 1,886
 571,995
Foreign governments103
 29
 
 132
103
 21
 
 124
Corporate277,550
 20,447
 2,075
 295,922
349,291
 17,273
 2,066
 364,498
Commercial mortgage-backed73
 2
 
 75
Residential mortgage-backed2,322
 213
 2
 2,533
1,962
 146
 2
 2,106
Total available-for-sale securities826,271
 52,202
 3,256
 875,217
920,700
 38,498
 3,954
 955,244
Held-to-maturity securities: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises2,005
 57
 
 2,062
States and political subdivisions228,564
 12,515
 539
 240,540
215,414
 8,076
 632
 222,858
Corporate21,068
 1,040
 534
 21,574
20,939
 989
 722
 21,206
Total held-to-maturity securities251,637
 13,612
 1,073
 264,176
236,353
 9,065
 1,354
 244,064
Total fixed maturities$1,077,908
 65,814
 4,329
 1,139,393
$1,157,053
 47,563
 5,308
 1,199,308
              
Short-term investments$514
 
 
 514
       
Equity securities: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Stock mutual funds$2,866
 57
 
 2,923
$2,867
 301
 
 3,168
Bond mutual funds18,451
 521
 2
 18,970
12,071
 458
 134
 12,395
Common stock39
 2
 17
 24
22
 1
 
 23
Preferred stock1,221
 209
 
 1,430
Redeemable preferred stock519
 41
 
 560
Total equity securities$22,577
 789
 19
 23,347
$15,479
 801
 134
 16,146


17

Table of Contents
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 20162017
(Unaudited)

December 31, 2015December 31, 2016
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Fixed maturities:              
Available-for-sale securities:              
U.S. Treasury securities$9,995
 2,597
 
 12,592
$9,929
 2,261
 
 12,190
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises19,676
 1,104
 
 20,780
7,639
 863
 
 8,502
States and political subdivisions470,319
 15,815
 3,085
 483,049
563,279
 15,017
 5,022
 573,274
Foreign governments104
 27
 
 131
103
 23
 
 126
Corporate211,245
 9,683
 4,847
 216,081
277,226
 12,095
 4,222
 285,099
Commercial mortgage-backed140
 5
 
 145
50
 1
 
 51
Residential mortgage-backed2,658
 214
 2
 2,870
2,247
 181
 2
 2,426
Total available-for-sale securities714,137
 29,445
 7,934
 735,648
860,473
 30,441
 9,246
 881,668
Held-to-maturity securities: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises2,010
 110
 
 2,120
2,003
 28
 
 2,031
States and political subdivisions236,776
 6,756
 883
 242,649
223,966
 6,916
 1,599
 229,283
Corporate21,167
 530
 1,500
 20,197
21,035
 888
 692
 21,231
Total held-to-maturity securities259,953
 7,396
 2,383
 264,966
247,004
 7,832
 2,291
 252,545
Total fixed maturity securities$974,090
 36,841
 10,317
 1,000,614
$1,107,477
 38,273
 11,537
 1,134,213
              
Short-term investments$251
 
 
 251
       
Equity securities: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Stock mutual funds$3,270
 
 237
 3,033
$2,867
 79
 
 2,946
Bond mutual funds18,798
 55
 349
 18,504
14,040
 265
 108
 14,197
Common stock65
 
 22
 43
39
 3
 17
 25
Preferred stock1,594
 266
 2
 1,858
Redeemable preferred stock819
 174
 2
 991
Total equity securities$23,727
 321
 610
 23,438
$17,765
 521
 127
 18,159
 
The majority of the Company's equity securities are diversified stock and bond mutual funds.
 
Valuation of Investments in Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities

Held-to-maturity securities are reported in the financial statements at amortized cost and available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value.

The Company monitors all debt and equity securities on an on-going basis relative to changes in credit ratings, market prices, earnings trends and financial performance, in addition to specific region or industry reviews.  The assessment of whether other-than-temporary impairments have occurred is based on a case-by-case evaluation of underlying reasons for the decline in fair value.  The Company determines other-than-temporary impairment by reviewing relevant evidence related to the specific security issuer as well as the Company's intent to sell the security, or if it is more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell a security before recovery of its amortized cost.

When an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred, the amount of the other-than-temporary impairment recognized in earnings depends on whether the Company intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis.  If the Company intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the

18

Table of Contents
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 2016
(Unaudited)

security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the other-than-temporary impairment is recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment's cost and its fair value at the balance sheet date.  If the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized

18

Table of Contents
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 2017
(Unaudited)

cost basis, the other-than-temporary impairment is separated into the following: (a) the amount representing the credit loss; and (b) the amount related to all other factors.  The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings.  The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes.  The previous amortized cost basis less the other-than-temporary impairment recognized in earnings becomes the new amortized cost basis of the investment.  The new amortized cost basis is not adjusted for subsequent recoveries in fair value.

The Company evaluates whether a credit impairment exists for debt securities by considering primarily the following factors: (a) changes in the financial condition of the security's underlying collateral; (b) whether the issuer is current on contractually obligated interest and principal payments; (c) changes in the financial condition, credit rating and near-term prospects of the issuer; (d) the length of time to which the fair value has been less than the amortized cost of the security; and (e) the payment structure of the security.  The Company's best estimate of expected future cash flows used to determine the credit loss amount is a quantitative and qualitative process.  Quantitative review includes information received from third party sources such as financial statements, pricing and rating changes, liquidity and other statistical information.  Qualitative factors include judgments related to business strategies, economic impacts on the issuer and overall judgment related to estimates and industry factors.  The Company's best estimate of future cash flows involves assumptions including, but not limited to, various performance indicators, such as historical and projected default and recovery rates, credit ratings, and current delinquency rates.  These assumptions require the use of significant management judgment and include the probability of issuer default and estimates regarding timing and amount of expected recoveries, which may include estimating the underlying collateral value.  In addition, projections of expected future debt security cash flows may change based upon new information regarding the performance of the issuer.

The primary factors considered in evaluating whether an impairment exists for an equity security include, but are not limited to: (a) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than the cost of the security; (b) changes in the financial condition, credit rating and near-term prospects of the issuer; (c) whether the issuer is current on contractually obligated payments; and (d) the intent and ability of the Company to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery.

Other-than-temporary impairmentsimpairment ("OTTI") wereon one equity security totaling $17,000 was recognized on investment securitiesduring the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and OTTI of $2.3 million was recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 totaling $2.3 million.related to one available-for-sale fixed maturity security and several mutual funds. No OTTIs were recognized duringOTTI was recorded for either the three months ended September 30, 2016. OTTIs were recognized during the three and nine months ended2017 or September 30, 2015 totaling $2.4 million.2016.


19

Table of Contents
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 20162017
(Unaudited)

The following tables present the fair values and gross unrealized losses of fixed maturities and equity securities that have remained in a continuous unrealized loss position for the periods indicated.
September 30, 2016September 30, 2017
Less than 12 months Greater than 12 months TotalLess than 12 months Greater than 12 months Total
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
# of
Securities
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
# of
Securities
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
# of
Securities
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
# of
Securities
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
# of
Securities
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
# of
Securities
(In thousands, except for # of securities)(In thousands, except for # of securities)
Fixed maturities:                                  
Available-for-sale securities:                                  
States and political subdivisions$30,962
 219
 32
 $8,568
 960
 7
 $39,530
 1,179
 39
$101,119
 910
 77
 25,467
 976
 29
 126,586
 1,886
 106
Corporate30,891
 1,588
 25
 10,286
 487
 13
 41,177
 2,075
 38
86,326
 1,287
 54
 5,543
 779
 9
 91,869
 2,066
 63
Residential mortgage-backed120
 1
 3
 107
 1
 2
 227
 2
 5
41
 
 1
 161
 2
 4
 202
 2
 5
Total available-for-sale securities61,973
 1,808
 60
 18,961
 1,448
 22
 80,934
 3,256
 82
187,486
 2,197
 132
 31,171
 1,757
 42
 218,657
 3,954
 174
Held-to-maturity securities: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
States and political subdivisions4,947
 510
 6
 2,853
 29
 2
 7,800
 539
 8
17,239
 93
 26
 2,736
 539
 4
 19,975
 632
 30
Corporate
 
 
 5,339
 534
 4
 5,339
 534
 4

 
 
 2,111
 722
 2
 2,111
 722
 2
Total held-to-maturity securities4,947
 510
 6
 8,192
 563
 6
 13,139
 1,073
 12
17,239
 93
 26
 4,847
 1,261
 6
 22,086
 1,354
 32
Total fixed maturities$66,920
 2,318
 66
 $27,153
 2,011
 28
 $94,073
 4,329
 94
$204,725
 2,290
 158
 36,018
 3,018
 48
 240,743
 5,308
 206
Equity securities: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Bond mutual funds$1,968
 2
 1
 $
 
 
 $1,968
 2
 1
$8,297
 134
 4
 
 
 
 8,297
 134
 4
Common stocks
 
 
 1
 17
 1
 1
 17
 1
1
 
 1
 
 
 
 1
 
 1
Total equities$1,968
 2
 1
 $1
 17
 1
 $1,969
 19
 2
$8,298
 134
 5
 
 
 
 8,298
 134
 5

As of September 30, 20162017, the Company had 2242 available-for-sale fixed maturity securities and 6 held-to-maturity fixed maturity securities that were in an unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months. We reported 1There were no equity security holdingsecurities in an unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months as of September 30, 20162017.


20

Table of Contents
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 20162017
(Unaudited)

December 31, 2015December 31, 2016
Less than 12 months Greater than 12 months TotalLess than 12 months Greater than 12 months Total
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
# of
Securities
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
# of
Securities
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
# of
Securities
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
# of
Securities
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
# of
Securities
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
# of
Securities
(In thousands, except for # of securities)(In thousands, except for # of securities)
Fixed maturities:                                  
Available-for-sale securities:                                  
States and political subdivisions$136,862
 1,474
 129
 $12,633
 1,611
 12
 $149,495
 3,085
 141
$202,788
 3,513
 184
 8,018
 1,509
 8
 210,806
 5,022
 192
Corporate70,081
 4,330
 69
 3,308
 517
 3
 73,389
 4,847
 72
91,527
 3,578
 70
 6,102
 644
 8
 97,629
 4,222
 78
Residential mortgage-backed57
 1
 2
 133
 1
 3
 190
 2
 5
116
 1
 4
 105
 1
 2
 221
 2
 6
Total available-for-sale securities207,000
 5,805
 200
 16,074
 2,129
 18
 223,074
 7,934
 218
294,431
 7,092
 258
 14,225
 2,154
 18
 308,656
 9,246
 276
Held-to-maturity securities: 
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
States and political subdivisions74,628
 774
 59
 2,404
 109
 5
 77,032
 883
 64
43,659
 1,562
 47
 509
 37
 1
 44,168
 1,599
 48
Corporate4,585
 641
 4
 2,160
 859
 2
 6,745
 1,500
 6
3,587
 12
 3
 2,171
 680
 2
 5,758
 692
 5
Total held-to-maturity securities79,213
 1,415
 63
 4,564
 968
 7
 83,777
 2,383
 70
47,246
 1,574
 50
 2,680
 717
 3
 49,926
 2,291
 53
Total fixed maturities$286,213
 7,220
 263
 $20,638
 3,097
 25
 $306,851
 10,317
 288
$341,677
 8,666
 308
 16,905
 2,871
 21
 358,582
 11,537
 329
Equity securities:                                  
Stock mutual funds$3,030
 237
 4
 $2
 
 1
 $3,032
 237
 5
Bond mutual funds10,158
 318
 2
 108
 31
 1
 10,266
 349
 3
$10,160
 108
 2
 
 
 
 10,160
 108
 2
Preferred stocks101
 1
 1
 1
 1
 1
 102
 2
 2
Common stock22
 1
 2
 21
 21
 2
 43
 22
 4

 
 
 
 17
 1
 
 17
 1
Redeemable preferred stocks201
 2
 2
 
 
 
 201
 2
 2
Total equities$13,311
 557
 9
 $132
 53
 5
 $13,443
 610
 14
$10,361
 110
 4
 
 17
 1
 10,361
 127
 5
 
We have reviewed these securities in an unrealized loss position for the periods ended September 30, 20162017 and December 31, 20152016 and determined that no other-than-temporary impairment exists that have not been recognized based on our evaluation of the credit worthiness of the issuers and the fact that we do not intend to sell the investments nor is it likely that we will be required to sell the securities before recovery of their amortized cost bases which may be maturity.  We continue to monitor all securities on an on-going basis, and future information may become available which could result in other-than-temporary impairments being recorded.


21

Table of Contents
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 20162017
(Unaudited)

The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities at September 30, 20162017 by contractual maturity are shown in the table below.  Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date have been reflected based upon final stated maturity.
September 30, 2016September 30, 2017
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities:      
Due in one year or less$48,418
 49,177
$47,490
 47,913
Due after one year through five years105,628
 108,283
92,764
 96,733
Due after five years through ten years117,132
 126,595
117,822
 125,611
Due after ten years555,093
 591,162
662,624
 684,987
Total available-for-sale securities826,271
 875,217
920,700
 955,244
Held-to-maturity securities: 
  
 
  
Due in one year or less5,633
 5,671
20,245
 20,446
Due after one year through five years51,097
 53,479
44,884
 46,472
Due after five years through ten years51,165
 54,583
46,584
 48,740
Due after ten years143,742
 150,443
124,640
 128,406
Total held-to-maturity securities251,637
 264,176
236,353
 244,064
Total fixed maturities$1,077,908
 1,139,393
$1,157,053
 1,199,308

The Company uses the specific identification method of the individual security to determine the cost basis used in the calculation of realized gains and losses related to security sales.  
Fixed Maturities Available-for-Sale Equity Securities
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedFixed Maturities, Available-for-Sale Equity Securities
September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
               2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Proceeds$
 
 
 
 
 
 403
 
$
 
 508
 
 
 
 1,940
 403
Gross realized gains$
 
 
 
 
 
 40
 
$
 
 6
 
 
 
 
 40
Gross realized losses$
 
 
 
 
 
 36
 
$
 
 
 
 
 
 30
 36

There were a small number of sales of equity securities in the second quarter of 2016, namely one equity security and three mutual funds. There were no sales of available-for-sale securities during the three months ended September 30, 2016. There were no sales of available-for-sale securities for the three and nine month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2015.2017 or 2016. There were no securities sold from the held-to-maturity portfolio for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017 or 2015.2016. Realized investment losses recorded for the three month period ending September 30, 2017 were due to fixed maturity call activity.


22

Table of Contents
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 20162017
(Unaudited)

(6) Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is 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.  We hold available-for-sale fixed maturity securities and equity securities, which are carried at fair value.

Fair value measurements are generally based upon observable and unobservable inputs.  Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our view of market assumptions in the absence of observable market information.  We utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.  All assets and liabilities carried at fair value are required to be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs or whose significant value drivers are observable.
Level 3 - Instruments whose significant value drivers are unobservable.

Level 1 primarily consists of financial instruments whose value is based on quoted market prices such as U.S. Treasury securities and actively traded mutual fund and stock investments.

Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued by independent pricing services or broker quotes.  These models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various inputs, such as interest rates, credit spreads and foreign exchange rates for the underlying financial instruments.  All significant inputs are observable, or derived from observable information in the marketplace or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace.  Financial instruments in this category primarily include corporate securities, U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise securities, municipal securities and certain mortgage and asset-backed securities.

Level 3 is comprised of financial instruments whose fair value is estimated based on non-binding broker prices utilizing significant inputs not based on or corroborated by readily available market information.  ThisThere were no securities in this category consists of two private placement mortgage-backed securities.at September 30, 2017.


23

Table of Contents
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 20162017
(Unaudited)

The following tables set forth our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the dates indicated.
September 30, 2016September 30, 2017
Available-for-sale investmentsLevel 1 Level 2 Level 3 

Fair Value
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Total
Fair Value
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Financial assets:              
Fixed maturities:              
U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises$12,914
 8,972
 
 21,886
$12,002
 4,519
 
 16,521
States and political subdivisions
 554,669
 
 554,669

 571,995
 
 571,995
Corporate
 295,922
 
 295,922

 364,498
 
 364,498
Commercial mortgage-backed
 
 75
 75
Residential mortgage-backed
 2,533
 
 2,533

 2,106
 
 2,106
Foreign governments
 132
 
 132

 124
 
 124
Total fixed maturities12,914
 862,228
 75
 875,217
12,002
 943,242
 
 955,244
Equity securities: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Stock mutual funds2,923
 
 
 2,923
3,168
 
 
 3,168
Bond mutual funds18,970
 
 
 18,970
12,395
 
 
 12,395
Common stock24
 
 
 24
23
 
 
 23
Preferred stock1,430
 
 
 1,430
Redeemable preferred stock560
 
 
 560
Total equity securities23,347
 
 
 23,347
16,146
 
 
 16,146
Total financial assets$36,261
 862,228
 75
 898,564
$28,148
 943,242
 
 971,390

December 31, 2015December 31, 2016
Available-for-sale investmentsLevel 1 Level 2 Level 3 

Fair Value
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Total
Fair Value
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Financial assets:              
Fixed maturities:              
U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises$12,592
 20,780
 
 33,372
$12,190
 8,502
 
 20,692
States and political subdivisions
 483,049
 
 483,049

 573,274
 
 573,274
Corporate
 216,081
 
 216,081

 285,099
 
 285,099
Commercial mortgage-backed
 
 145
 145

 
 51
 51
Residential mortgage-backed
 2,870
 
 2,870

 2,426
 
 2,426
Foreign governments
 131
 
 131

 126
 
 126
Total fixed maturities12,592
 722,911
 145
 735,648
12,190
 869,427
 51
 881,668
Equity securities: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Stock mutual funds3,033
 
 
 3,033
2,946
 
 
 2,946
Bond mutual funds18,504
 
 
 18,504
14,197
 
 
 14,197
Common stock43
 
 
 43
25
 
 
 25
Preferred stock1,858
 
 
 1,858
Redeemable preferred stock991
 
 
 991
Total equity securities23,438
 
 
 23,438
18,159
 
 
 18,159
Total financial assets$36,030
 722,911
 145
 759,086
$30,349
 869,427
 51
 899,827
 

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CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 20162017
(Unaudited)

Financial Instruments Valuation

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale.  At September 30, 20162017, our fixed maturity securities, valued using a third-party pricing source, totaled $862.2943.2 million for Level 2 assets and comprised 96.0%97.1% of total reported fair value of our financial assets.  The Level 1 and Level 2 valuations are reviewed and updated quarterly through random testing by comparisons to separate pricing models, other third-party pricing services, and back tested to recent trades.  In addition, we obtain information annually relative to the third-party pricing models and review model parameters for reasonableness.  Fair values forThere were no Level 3 assets are based upon unadjusted broker quotes that are non-binding, and consist of two private placement mortgage-backed securities with a total value of $0.1 million.  Our Level 3 assets are current relative to principal and interest payments and are considered immaterial to our financial statements.at September 30, 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 20162017, there were no material changes to the valuation methods or assumptions used to determine fair values, and no broker or third party prices were changed from the values received.

Equity securities, available-for-sale.  Our available-for-sale equity securities are classified as Level 1 assets as their fair values are based upon quoted market prices.

The following table presents additional information about fixed maturity securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis that are classified as Level 3 assets and for which we have utilized significant unobservable inputs to determine fair value.

September 30,
2016
 December 31,
2015
September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
(In thousands)(In thousands)
      
Balance at beginning of period$145
 231
$51
 145
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses)

  


 

Included in net income
 

 
Included in other comprehensive income(3) (2)
 (4)
Principal paydowns(67) (84)(51) (90)
Transfer in and (out) of Level 3
 

 
Balance at end of period$75
 145
$
 51

We review the fair value hierarchy classifications each reporting period.  Changes in the observability of the valuation attributes may result in a reclassification of certain financial assets.  Such reclassifications are reported as transfers in and out of Level 3 at the beginning fair value for the reporting period in which the changes occur. There were no transfers in or out of Level 1 or 2.3.

Financial Instruments not Carried at Fair Value

Estimates of fair values are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market prices and information about the financial instruments.  The estimated fair values of financial instruments presented below are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company might realize in actual market transactions.


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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 20162017
(Unaudited)

The carrying amount and fair value for the financial assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets not otherwise disclosed for the periods indicated are as follows:
September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair ValueCarrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Financial assets:              
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity$251,637
 264,176
 259,953
 264,966
$236,353
 244,064
 247,004
 252,545
Mortgage loans237
 274
 594
 617
197
 229
 232
 269
Policy loans64,714
 64,714
 60,166
 60,166
71,215
 71,215
 66,672
 66,672
Short-term investments514
 514
 251
 251

 
 508
 508
Cash and cash equivalents32,323
 32,323
 82,827
 82,827
45,000
 45,000
 35,510
 35,510
Financial liabilities: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Annuity - investment contracts49,618
 51,485
 46,905
 47,222
54,470
 52,711
 50,952
 52,173

Fair values for fixed income securities, which are characterized as Level 2 assets in the fair value hierarchy, are based on quoted market prices for the same or similar securities.  In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other assumptions, including a discount rate and estimates of future cash flows.

Mortgage loans are secured principally by residential and commercial properties.  Weighted average interest rates for these loans were approximately 6.8%6.56% as ofat September 30, 20162017 and 6.2%6.80% at December 31, 20152016, with. At September 30, 2017, maturities rangingranged from 1 to 2625 years.  Management estimated the fair value using an annual interest rate of 6.3%6.25% at September 30, 20162017.  Our mortgage loans are considered Level 3 assets in the fair value hierarchy.

Policy loans had a weighted average annual interest rate of 7.7%7.71% as of September 30, 20162017 and December 31, 20152016, and no specified maturity dates.  The aggregate fair value of policy loans approximates the carrying value reflected on the consolidated balance sheets.  These loans typically carry an interest rate that is tied to the crediting rate applied to the related policy and contract reserves.  Policy loans are an integral part of the life insurance policies we have in force, cannot be valued separately and are not marketable.  Therefore, the fair value of policy loans approximates the carrying value and policy loans are considered Level 3 assets in the fair value hierarchy.
 
The fair value of short-term investments approximate carrying value due to their short-term nature.  Our short-term investments are considered Level 2 assets in the fair value hierarchy.
 
The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximate carrying value and are characterized as Level 1 assets in the fair value hierarchy.
 
The fair value of the Company's liabilities under annuity contract policies, which are considered Level 3 assets, was estimated at September 30, 20162017 using discounted cash flows based upon a swap rate curve with interestspot rates ranging from 1.02%1.49% to 3.21%3.51% based upon swap rates adjusted for various risk adjustments. The fair value of liabilities under all insurance contracts are taken into consideration in the overall management of interest rate risk, which seeks to minimize exposure to changing interest rates through the matching of investment maturities with amounts due under insurance contracts.


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CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 20162017
(Unaudited)


(7) Short Duration Contracts

(7)Special Property Insurance (Allied and Fire)

The Company's short duration contracts consist of credit life and credit disability in the Life segment and property insurance in the Home Service segment. The following table presents information on changes in the liability for credit life, credit disability, and property policy and contract claims for the periods ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016.

 September 30, September 30,
 2017 2016
    
Policy claims payable at January 1$543
 514
Less:  reinsurance recoverable
 
Net balance at January 1543
 514
Add claims incurred, related to: 
  
Current year1,435
 1,642
Prior years(11) (110)
 1,424
 1,532
Deduct claims paid, related to: 
  
Current year1,106
 1,243
Prior years407
 269
 1,513
 1,512
Net balance September 30454
 534
Plus:  reinsurance recoverable
 
Policy claims payable, September 30$454
 534

(8) Commitments and Contingencies

Qualification of Life Products

As of December 31, 2014, we determined that a portion of the life insurance policies issued by our subsidiary insurance companies failed to qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment afforded by SectionsSection 7702 of the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC") of 1986. This tax code section allows for qualifying products sold to clients to have favorable tax treatment such as the product's inside build up is not taxable. Because these policies were sold with the intention that they would qualify for this favorable tax treatment, holders of these policies and CICAthe Company may now be subject to additional tax liabilities. The policies at issue were sold most substantially to non-U.S. citizens residing abroad and to a lesser extent domestically. Based upon a review of the options available to the Company, we have determined we will not remediate our endowments and endowment-likelife products under IRC 7702 we have sold to non-U.S. citizens. We do intend to remediate the domestic products we have sold to U.S. citizens. In addition, as part of our continuing review, we determined in July 2015 that certain annuity contracts do not contain qualifying language under IRC 72(s) as intended that would have provided for favorable tax treatment of the annuities. This issue affects both our domestic and international contract holders. The Company has continued to refine the understanding of the tax failures as previously reported by preparing an individual policy calculation and has reflected the related exposure for the current reporting period as noted below. Failure of these policies to qualify under IRC Sections 7702 and 72(s) has resulted in additional liabilities and expenses as described below. The products have been and continue to be appropriately reported under U.S. GAAP for financial reporting.

The failure of these policies to qualify under Sections 7702 and 72(s) results in an estimated liability as of September 30, 20162017 of $12.8$10.7 million, after tax, related to projected IRS toll charges and fees reported in other general expenses of $12.6$10.4 million as well as $0.3 million of reserveand reserves increases to bring policies into compliance.compliance totaling $0.3 million. The estimated liability at September 30, 2016 is down $2.1 million from the estimated liability at June 30, 2016 of $14.9 million and down $1.8 million from the estimated liability at December 31, 2015 of $14.6 million, after tax, due to a continued refinement of our estimate. The probability weighted range of financial estimates relative to this issue is $6.1$5.6 million to $40.5$34.0 million, after tax. This estimated range includes projected toll charges and fees payable to the IRS, as well as estimated increased payout obligations to current and former holders of non-compliant domestic life insurance policies expected

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 2017
(Unaudited)

to result from remediation of those policies. The estimated liability and the estimated range will be updated as we continue to refine our estimates. The amount of our liabilities and expenses depends on a number of uncertainties, including the number of prior tax years for which we may be liable to the IRS, the number of domestic life insurance policies we will be required to remediate, and the methodology applicable to the calculation of taxable benefits under non-compliant policies. Given the range of potential outcomes and the significant variables assumed in establishing our estimates, actual amounts incurred may exceed our reserve and also could exceed the high end of our estimated range of liabilities and expenses. To the extent the amount reserved by the Company is insufficient to meet the actual amount of our liability and expenses, or if our estimates of those liabilities and expenses change in the future, our financial condition and results of operation may be materially adversely affected. Management believes that based upon current information we have recorded the best estimate liability to date.

Accruals for loss contingencies are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The process of determining our best estimate and the estimated range iswas a complex undertaking which includesincluding insight from external consultants and involvesinvolved management’s judgment based upon a variety of factors known at the time. We recorded additional general expenses of $1.4$1.6 million forin the first nine months ended September 30, 2016 and $2.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015of 2017 related to our 7702 and 72(s) issues. Additional costs will be incurred in the remainder of 20162017 associated with these issues and weissues. We believe these costs will range from $0.5could be an additional $0.75 million to $1.0$1.25 million, however, actualbut due to the uncertainty of actions, we cannot reasonably estimate these costs with any reliability. Actual amounts incurred may differ fromexceed this estimate and changes will be recorded as they become probable and can be reasonably estimated.

Compliance

As part of our periodic review of our compliance controls, we completed an internal risk assessment of our compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act ("BSA") anti-money laundering requirements.  As a result of this risk assessment, we have enhanced our BSA compliance program with additional controls, such as list screening software beyond OFAC sanctions screening, enhanced payment due diligence and transaction controls to better deter, detect, prevent and report money laundering and other illegal activity.



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CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 2016
(Unaudited)


Unclaimed Property Contingencies

The Company has beenwas informed in 2012 by the Louisiana Department of Treasury, Arkansas Auditor of State and the Texas State Comptroller, that they authorized an audit of Citizens, Inc. and its affiliates for compliance with unclaimed property laws. This audit is being conducted by Verus Financial LLC on behalf of the states.

The external audit may result in additional payments to beneficiaries, additional escheatment of funds deemed abandoned under state laws, administrative penalties, interest, and changes to the Company's procedures for the identification and escheatment of abandoned property.  The Company believes additional escheatment of funds in Arkansas or Texas will not be material to our financial condition or results of operations. However, additional escheatment of funds in Louisiana, which may subsequently be deemed abandoned under the Louisiana Department of Treasury’s audit, could be substantial for SPLIC if the Louisiana Department of Treasury chooses to disregard recent court decisions regarding unclaimed property litigation in favor of the insurance industry. At this time, the Company is not able to estimate any of these possible amounts.

Litigation

From time to time we are subject to legal and regulatory actions relating to our business. We defend all claims vigorously.  As a result, we incur defense costs, including attorneys' fees, other direct litigation costs and the expenditure of management time that otherwise would be devoted to our business.  


(8)(9) Income Taxes

The effective tax rate was 40.4%(10.9)% and 174.1%40.0% for the three months and 60.0%1.2% and (121.1)%68.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 20152016, respectively. Additionally there is $1.8 million and $0.6were $1.0 million of tax benefit and $1.8 million tax expense recorded related to an uncertain tax position in the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and September 30, 2015,2016, respectively. The effective tax rate is affected by our tax compliance issues, as IRS toll charge penalties are not tax deductible and can move up or down depending on the net adjustment to our best estimate liability. In addition, we report the interest component of our uncertain tax positions in income tax expense, which can move up or down depending on the tax compliance issues as well as statute expirations. Absent the effect on our effective tax rate of our tax compliance issues, in most periods where our effective tax rate is lower than the statutory tax rate of 35%, the difference absent tax consequences of our 7702/72(s) issues, is primarily due to tax-exempt state and local bond income.income which reduce the effective tax rate. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, our effective tax rate was significantly lower than the nine months ended September 30, 2016, as the Company recorded a net reduction in the overall IRS toll charge penalties and a tax benefit on the Company's uncertain tax position interest accrual compared to a net increase for these items in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.


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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 2017
(Unaudited)

(9)(10) Benefit Plans

The Company introduced a newhas an employer-sponsored 401(k) plan available to all eligible employees, effective March 1, 2016.employees. This is an additional benefit offered to employees, which supplements the defined contribution profit-sharing plan which was already in existence.plan.  Employees with one year of service can participate in the new plan.  Contributions are made by employees and the Company provides a matching contribution based upon the employee's level of contribution. The Company's expense related to the new 401(k) plan was not material tototaled $184,000 and $574,000 for the Company's results of operations.three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $75,000 and $367,000 for the same periods in 2016.

(10)(11) Related Party Transactions

The Company has various routine related party transactions in conjunction with our holding company structure, such as a management service agreement related to costs incurred, a tax sharing agreement between entities, and inter-company dividends and capital contributions.  There were no changes related to these relationships during the nine months ended September 30, 20162017.  In September 2016, CICA made a $150,000 cash capital contribution to III. In June 2015, CICA made a $1 million cash capital contribution to CNLIC.   See our Annual Report on Form 10-K as offor the year ended December 31, 20152016 for a comprehensive discussion of related party transactions.





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CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Notes2017, Citizens made a $5.0 million capital contribution to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
September 30, 2016
(Unaudited)


(11) Subsequent Events
On November 1, 2016,CICA Life. In the third quarter of 2017, Citizens contributed $250,000 to CICA Life Ltd. to capitalize a newly formed Bermuda entity, SPLIC paidcontributed $250,000 in capital to MGLIC, and SPLIC declared a $20.0 million extraordinary dividend payable to its parent, CICA. The dividend had no impact on the consolidated financial statementsCICA of the Company and$395,000 which will be used by CICA for general corporate purposes. The dividend was approved by the Louisiana Departmentpaid in October of Insurance, SPLIC’s state of domicile. SPLIC’s risk-based capital after the dividend remains is in excess of minimum capital requirements.
As disclosed in Note (8), Income Taxes, the Company has recorded a $1.8 million tax expense in 2016 related to uncertain tax positions (“UTP”). The Company's tax liability for UTP's totaled $82.9 million at September 30, 2016. The Company has now received notice that the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has completed its examination related to the Company’s 2011 and 2012 amended tax returns. The amended returns have been accepted by the IRS and the Company will release $0.6 million of tax liability related to this UTP in the fourth quarter of 2016.


2017.

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September 30, 20162017

Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Qreport are not statements of historical fact and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act (the "Act"),federal securities laws, including, without limitation, statements specifically identified as forward-looking statements within this document.  Many of these statements contain risk factors as well.  In addition, certain statements in future filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases, and in oral and written statements made by us or with the approval of the Company, which are not statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act.statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:  (i) projections of revenues, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, the payment or non-payment of dividends, capital structure, and other financial items, (ii) statements of our plans and objectives by our management or Board of Directors, including those relating to products or services, (iii) statements of future economic performance and (iv) statements of assumptions underlying such statements.  Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "assumes," "estimates," "plans," "projects," "could," "expects," "intends," "targeted," "may," "will" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause the Company's future results to differ materially from expected results include, but are not limited to:

Changes in the application, interpretation or enforcement of foreign insurance laws that impact our business, which derives the majority of its revenues from residents of foreign countries;
Potential changes in amounts reserved for in connection with the noncompliance of a portion of our insurance policies with Sections 7702 under the Internal Revenue Code, and the failure of certain annuity contracts to qualify under Section 72(s) of the Internal Revenue Code;Code and the anticipated timing of our filings with the IRS to address these matters;
The outcome of our international business model review and strategic initiatives;
Changes in foreign and U.S. general economic, market, and political conditions, including the performance of financial markets and interest rates;
Changes in consumer behavior or regulatory oversight, which may affect the Company's ability to sell its products and retain business;
The timely development of and acceptance of new products of the Company and perceived overall value of these products and services by existing and potential customers;
Fluctuations in experience regarding current mortality, morbidity, persistency and interest rates relative to expected amounts used in pricing the Company's products;
The performance of our investment portfolio, which may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates, adverse developments and ratings of issuers whose debt securities we may hold, and other adverse macroeconomic events;
Results of litigation we may be involved in;
Changes in assumptions related to deferred acquisition costs and the value of any businesses we may acquire;
Regulatory, accounting or tax changes that may affect the cost of, or the demand for, the Company's products or services;
Our concentration of business from persons residing in Latin America and the Pacific Rim;
Changes in tax laws;
Effects of acquisitions and restructuring, including possible difficulties in integrating and realizing the projected results of acquisitions;
Changes in statutory or U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“("U.S. GAAP”GAAP"), policies or practices;
Our success at managing risks involved in the foregoing;
The risk factors discussed in "Part II. - Item 1A - Risk Factors." of this report; and
Changes in leadership among our board and senior management team.

Our success at managing risks involved in the foregoing; and

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CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
September 30, 2016
this report.

Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made.


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September 30, 2017

We make available, free of charge, through our Internet website (http://www.citizensinc.com), our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Section 16 Reports filed by officers and directors, news releases, and, if applicable, amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such reports with, or furnish such reports to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.  We are not including any of the information contained on our website as part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.report.

Overview

Citizens, Inc. (“Citizens” or the "Company") is an insurance holding company incorporated in Colorado serving the life insurance needs of individuals in the United States since 1969 and internationally since 1975. Through our insurance subsidiaries, we pursue a strategy of offering traditional insurance products in niche markets where we believe we are able to achieve competitive advantages.  As of September 30, 2016,2017, we had approximately $1.6$1.7 billion of total assets and approximately $4.5 billion of insurance in force.  Our core insurance operations include issuing and servicing:

U.S. Dollar-denominated ordinary whole life insurance and endowment policies predominantly sold to foreign residents, located principally in Latin America and the Pacific Rim through independent marketing consultants;
ordinary whole life insurance policies to middle income households concentrated in the Midwest, Mountain West and southern United States through independent marketing consultants; and
final expense and limited liability property policies to middle and lower income households in Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi through employee and independent agents in our home service distribution channel and funeral homes.

We were formed in 1969 byand historically, our founder, Harold E. Riley.  Prior to our formation, Mr. Riley had many years of experience in the international and domestic life insurance business.  Our Company has experienced significant growth through acquisitions in the domestic market and through organic market expansion in the international market.  We seek to capitalize on the experience of our management team in marketing and operations as we strive to generate bottom line returnreturns using knowledge of our niche markets and our well-established distribution channels.

Recent Developments

See Strategic Initiatives below for initiativesIn September of 2017, following the conclusion of an auditor selection process led by the Company's Audit Committee, the Company began in 2015, which continueformally engaged Deloitte & Touche LLP to be the main areas of focusserve as its independent registered public accounting firm for the executive management team in 2016.year ending December 31, 2017.

On July 14, 2016, independent director Dr. Terry Maness was elected ChairmanIn addition, in the third quarter of 2017, the Company's Audit Committee (the “Audit Committee”)engaged the audit firm of BDO USA, LLP to perform internal audit services for the Board by the other membersCompany and assist with management's assessment of the Audit Committee, succeeding Tim Timmerman. Effective July 14, 2016, Tim Timmerman resigned as a director and Chairman of the Audit Committee. Dr. Maness also serves as the qualified “audit committee financial expert,” as that term is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and will continue to serve on the Company’s Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.internal controls.

Strategic Initiatives

The Company's Board of Directors and new executive management team are currently assessing the Company's domestic and international business modelmodels and business strategies with the assistance and support of external consultants and advisors.  Specifically, we are evaluating certain elements and assumptions underlying the Company's historicalinternational business model to considerand are considering potential changes to align with our risk profile,options, the current economic and regulatory environment and sustainable business objectives.  Incorporated in our overall business model review are analyses of (1) ournew products and our profitability; (2) a potential restructuring of our international business and operations;

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September 30, 2016

(3) potential upgrades to our technology systems and operations with a strategic focus on our future business needs and cyber risk; and (4) potentialfinal additions to our executive management structure, personnel needsteam and equity compensation incentives.incentives for our employees.

A prolonged low interest rate period has forced usWe have made significant progress in filling vacancies and recruiting additional talented, experienced executives to revisitour management team in 2017, including the benefitsaddition of a Chief Operating Officer, a Chief Accounting Officer, a Chief Actuary and dividends included under many policies offered internationally.  In many cases, policyholders standa Chief Marketing Officer. We are currently recruiting a Chief Information Officer. We are also adding talent at various levels to benefit from significantly higher guarantees and dividends thanbuild expertise within the financial markets might otherwise offer.  As such,Company.

On September 12, 2017, the Company has respondedannounced the appointment of David S. Jorgensen as General Manager for International Operations of CICA Life Ltd. (Bermuda). Prior to cut discretionary dividends on existing policies and revisit the structure of new policies sold internationally to better reflect the prolonged low interest rate environment that we face.his appointment Mr. Jorgensen served as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

The Company also is revisiting its investment strategies for premiums received in order
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September 30, 2017

and Treasurer of Citizens Inc. Through CICA Life Ltd., we expect to augment its rate of return.  By combining more conservative interest rate features inexpand our insurance policies with a more flexible investment strategyinternational footprint and implement strategic changes to manage our investment portfolio, we intend to grow bottom line returns to shareholders.  There is risk that these changes will result in lower demand for new policies, or that the financial markets will make our investment strategy more difficult. Despite the risks, the Company believes that such strategies are in the best interest of our shareholders.Company's current international business model.

The following pages describe the operations of our three business segments:  Life Insurance, Home Service and Other Non-Insurance Enterprises.  Revenues derived from any single customer did not exceed 10% of consolidated revenues in any of the last three years.

Current Financial Highlights

Financial highlights for the three and nine month periodperiods ended September 30, 2016,2017, compared to the same periods in 20152016 were:

Insurance premiums increased slightly for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 20162017 to $50.2 million and $143.4 million from $49.2 million and $142.6 million from $48.9 million and $141.9 million for the corresponding periods in 20152016, an increase of 2.2% and 0.5% and 0.5%driven primarily by an increase in renewal premiums somewhat offset byin our Life segment, in addition to a decreaseslight increase in first year premiums in both our life insuranceLife and home serviceHome Service segments.
Net investment income increased 8.8%12.2% and 7.3%10.0% for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2016,2017, compared to the corresponding periods in 2015.2016, primarily due to a growing asset base from strong cash flows from our insurance operations.  The average yield on the consolidated portfolio as of the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 increased to an annualized rate of 4.29%4.31% up from 4.24%4.29% for the same period in 2015.  The increase2016.  
A realized gain of $1.1 million was recorded for the nine month period ended September 30, 2017 related to the sale of an office building in investment income was primarily due to growthLittle Rock, Arkansas in the invested asset portfolio, primarily fixed maturities.
first quarter of 2017. The Company recorded a small other-than-temporary impairment on a common stock in 2017. Other-than-temporary impairments were recorded for the nine month period ended September 30, 2016 totaling $2.3 million, respectively, related to mutual fund impairments in the second quarter of 2016 and one available-for-sale fixed maturity security impairment in the first quarter of 2016. No other-than-temporary impairments were recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2016.
Claims and surrenders expense increased 7.6%2.1% and 4.8%1.9% for the three and nine months ended 2016 compared to 2015, as surrender benefits increased in bothmonth periods in the life segment and death benefits reported in both insurance segments decreased year to date in the current year compared to 2015 levels.
The change in reserves decreased in the nine month period ended September 30, 20162017, compared to the corresponding periodperiods in 2015, primarily as a result of the increase in surrenders in the period, while premiums remained relatively flat. The change in reserves were flat for the three months ended September 31, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015.2016.
Policyholders' dividends decreased 40.4%General expenses increased 45.3% and 34.1%17.7% for the three and nine months ended 2016 compared to 2015, due to the dividend rate actions taken late last year to improve our product profitability.
General expenses decreased 27.0% and 8.0% for the three and nine monthsmonth periods ended September 30, 2016,2017, respectively, compared to the samecorresponding periods in 2015. The decrease was2016, due primarily drivento additional audit fees related to the 2016 audit, higher legal and consulting fees and higher permanent and temporary salaries, offset by a decrease in our estimated potential liability related to our 7702 and 7702/72(s) tax compliance issue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 of $2.1 million and $2.2 million, respectively.best estimate liability.


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Our Operating Segments

Our business is comprised of three operating business segments, as detailed below.

Life Insurance
Home Service Insurance
Other Non-Insurance Enterprises

Our insurance operations are the primary focus of the Company, as those operations generate the majority of our income.  See the discussion under Segment Operations for detailed analysis.  The amount of insurance, number of policies, and average face amounts of ordinary life policies issued during the periods indicated are shown below.
Nine Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016 20152017 2016
Amount of
Insurance
Issued
 Number of
Policies
Issued
 Average Policy
Face Amount
Issued
 Amount of
Insurance
Issued
 Number of
Policies
Issued
 Average Policy
Face Amount
Issued
Amount of
Insurance
Issued
 Number of
Policies
Issued
 Average Policy
Face Amount
Issued
 Amount of
Insurance
Issued
 Number of
Policies
Issued
 Average Policy
Face Amount
Issued
Life$248,234,181
 4,416
 $56,212
 $271,462,375
 4,854
 $55,925
$219,592,550
 3,988
 $55,063
 $248,234,181
 4,416
 $56,212
Home Service137,691,263
 20,847
 6,605
 145,190,327
 21,790
 6,663
141,400,866
 20,795
 6,800
 137,691,263
 20,847
 6,605


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September 30, 2016

Note:  All discussions below compare or state results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 20162017 compared to the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 20152016.

Consolidated Results of Operations

A discussion of consolidated results is presented below, followed by a discussion of segment operations and financial results by segment.

Revenues

Revenues are generated primarily by insurance premiums and investment income on invested assets.
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,September 30, September 30,
2016 2015 2016 20152017 2016 2017 2016
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Revenues:              
Premiums:              
Life insurance$47,513
 47,219
 137,637
 136,866
$48,644
 47,513
 138,603
 137,637
Accident and health insurance385
 387
 1,170
 1,183
360
 385
 1,033
 1,170
Property insurance1,274
 1,302
 3,811
 3,885
1,243
 1,274
 3,731
 3,811
Net investment income12,320
 11,325
 36,051
 33,595
13,828
 12,320
 39,640
 36,051
Realized investment gains (losses), net46
 (2,407) (1,776) (2,486)(404) 46
 742
 (1,776)
Other income203
 298
 610
 1,020
660
 203
 1,015
 610
Total revenues$61,741
 58,124
 177,503
 174,063
$64,331
 61,741
 184,764
 177,503


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September 30, 2017

Premium Income.  Premium income derived from life, accident and health, and property insurance sales increased 0.5%2.2% and 0.5% for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 20162017 compared to the same periods ended September 30, 20152016. The increase is generateddriven primarily fromby an increase in renewal premium, somewhat offset by an decreasepremiums in our Life Segment in addition to slight increases in first year premium.premiums in both our Life and Home Service segments.

Net investment income performance is summarized as follows.
September 30, December 31, September 30,September 30, December 31, September 30,
2016 2015 20152017 2016 2016
(In thousands, except for %)(In thousands, except for %)
Net investment income, annualized$48,068
 45,782
 44,794
$52,853
 48,560
 48,068
Average invested assets, at amortized cost1,120,356
 1,045,736
 1,056,930
1,225,187
 1,133,705
 1,120,356
Annualized yield on average invested assets4.29% 4.38% 4.24%4.31% 4.28% 4.29%

The annualized yield has remained relatively consistent as a change in portfolio mix has somewhat mitigated the impact of reinvestment in the current low rate environment.   


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Investment income from debt securities accounted for approximately 87.0%88.0% of total investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 20162017.  
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,September 30, September 30,
2016 2015 2016 20152017 2016 2017 2016
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Gross investment income:              
Fixed maturity securities$10,984
 9,947
 32,432
 29,524
$12,466
 10,984
 35,879
 32,432
Equity securities247
 636
 635
 1,903
154
 247
 521
 635
Mortgage loans3
 9
 20
 27
3
 3
 8
 20
Policy loans1,353
 1,172
 3,903
 3,402
1,454
 1,353
 4,242
 3,903
Long-term investments77
 62
 229
 209

 77
 66
 229
Other investment income40
 
 70
 34
20
 40
 44
 70
Total investment income12,704
 11,826
 37,289
 35,099
14,097
 12,704
 40,760
 37,289
Investment expenses(384) (501) (1,238) (1,504)(269) (384) (1,120) (1,238)
Net investment income$12,320
 11,325
 36,051
 33,595
$13,828
 12,320
 39,640
 36,051

The consolidated invested asset portfolio has increased approximately 12.5%5.1% from year end 20152016 to September 30, 20162017 with primarily, investments in the fixed maturity securities portfolio accounting for the most significant increase in investment income. Bond mutual funds are the primary source of dividend income in the equity securities holdings. The decrease in equity securities investment income was due to sales of a portion of the bond mutual funds at the end of 2015. In addition, the increase in policy loans, which represents policyholders utilizing their accumulated policy cash value, contributed to the increase toin investment income.

Realized Investment Gains (Losses), Net.  Realized losses in the three months ended September 30, 2017 were related to losses on calls of securities in the current period. A realized gain was recorded for the nine month period ended September 30, 2017 resulting from a $1.1 million gain on the sale of an office building in Little Rock, Arkansas in the first quarter of 2017. One small other-than-temporary impairment was recorded on a common stock in 2017. Other-than-temporary impairments were recorded for the nine month period ended September 30, 2016 totaling $2.3 million related to mutual fund impairments in the second quarter of 2016 and impairment of one available-for-sale fixed maturity security impairment in the first quarter of 2016. Absent the impairments, the net gains generated for the three and nine months ended 2016 were due to gains on issuer calls. No other-than-temporary impairments were recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2016. Other-than-temporary impairments were recorded for the three and ninemonth periodsperiod ended September 30, 2015 totaling $2.4 million related to two bond mutual funds.2017 or 2016.


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September 30, 20162017

Benefits and Expenses
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,September 30, September 30,
2016 2015 2016 20152017 2016 2017 2016
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Benefits and expenses:              
Insurance benefits paid or provided:              
Claims and surrenders$21,014
 19,528
 60,988
 58,171
$21,454
 21,014
 62,130
 60,988
Increase in future policy benefit reserves19,267
 19,276
 52,932
 56,334
19,597
 18,997
 51,953
 52,095
Policyholders' dividends1,620
 2,719
 4,985
 7,568
1,613
 1,620
 4,418
 4,985
Total insurance benefits paid or provided41,901
 41,523
 118,905
 122,073
42,664
 41,631
 118,501
 118,068
Commissions10,852
 11,388
 31,097
 32,052
10,801
 10,852
 30,620
 31,097
Other general expenses5,076
 6,958
 22,960
 24,954
7,254
 4,992
 26,765
 22,732
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs(7,890) (8,482) (22,257) (23,374)(7,756) (7,890) (21,540) (22,257)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs6,889
 6,271
 20,424
 17,217
7,623
 6,908
 22,640
 20,418
Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired641
 605
 1,588
 1,768
635
 641
 1,629
 1,588
Total benefits and expenses$57,469
 58,263
 172,717
 174,690
$61,221
 57,134
 178,615
 171,646
 
Claims and Surrenders.  A detail of claims and surrender benefits is provided below.
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,September 30, September 30,
2016 2015 2016 20152017 2016 2017 2016
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Death claims$5,795
 5,717
 17,775
 18,723
$6,128
 5,795
 17,441
 17,775
Surrender benefits8,488
 8,096
 25,432
 23,007
9,448
 8,488
 27,933
 25,432
Endowment benefits4,170
 4,044
 11,862
 12,029
Endowments3,969
 4,170
 11,148
 11,862
Matured endowments1,149
 472
 2,178
 1,057
654
 1,149
 1,888
 2,178
Property claims593
 519
 1,477
 1,304
373
 593
 1,373
 1,477
Accident and health benefits158
 58
 327
 233
108
 158
 196
 327
Other policy benefits661
 622
 1,937
 1,818
774
 661
 2,151
 1,937
Total claims and surrenders$21,014
 19,528
 60,988
 58,171
$21,454
 21,014
 62,130
 60,988

Death claims increased 1.4%5.7% and decreased 5.1%1.9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively,2017 compared to the same periods in 2015. We experienced favorable claims development in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 for both the life and home service segments.2016. Mortality experience is closely monitored by the Company and the activity is within expected levels.
Surrenders increased 4.8%11.3% and 10.5% inincreased 9.8% for the current three and nine month periods,months ended September 30, 2017 compared to 20152016 primarily due to activity in the life insurance segment. This increased surrender activity is in the earlierlater durations (years 1-15),after the surrender charges are reduced or for periods in which stillthe surrender charges have surrender charges. We are seeing various reasons for individuals surrendering their policies, including the sustained slow world-wide economy, individuals simply needing their money and ex associates moving businessconcluded. This is due to other insurance carriers.a maturing book of business.
Matured endowments
Increase in Future Policy Benefit Reserves.  The change in future policy benefit reserves for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to the same period in 2016, increased for the three months ended due to a reserve adjustment recorded of approximately $400,000, before tax, related to a reserve review on our Home Service purchased block of business and decreased for the nine months ended in 2017 due to the changes in surrenders noted above, as contractspremiums have begun reaching their maturity dates.

remained relatively consistent between periods.

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Increase in Future Policy Benefit Reserves.  The decrease in the change in future policy benefit reserves for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015, is primarily due to the increase in surrenders noted above.

Policyholders' DividendsThe majority ofPolicyholders' dividends decreased related to our international policies are participating,life segment for both the three and at the time the products were developed, an assumed increasingnine months ended September 30, 2017, as we adjusted our dividend scale was factored into the guaranteed premium rates charged.  Premium rates are guaranteed at issue, but dividends are not. As our current and anticipated investment results have worsened relative to the assumptions underlying the original dividend scale development, dividend scales infor later durations were reducedin our policies beginning in 2016 in order to improve profitability. This dividend action affected some policies immediately, and will affect all policies in the future relative to the original dividend scales. Thus, we experiencedare seeing a decrease in policyholder dividend expense in the current period and we expect dividend expense to continue to decreasedividends as this block of insurance becomes more seasoned.  Should investment experience improve significantly in the future, dividends may be increased as a result.policies mature.

Commissions.  Commission expense is directly related to new and renewal insurance premium fluctuations and production levels. Commission expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017 fluctuated directly in relation to the decrease ofincrease in first year and increase of renewal premiums in the life segment compared to premium levels for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.  First year commissions are higher than renewal commissions, so the decrease in first year premium has a larger overall impact on commissions, which is shown above in the decrease in commission expense.2016.  

Other General Expenses. Expenses decreasedincreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 due primarily to additional audit fees related to the 2016 primarily drivenaudit, higher legal and consulting fees and higher permanent and temporary salaries, somewhat offset by a decrease in our estimated potential liability related to our 7702 and 7702/72(s) tax compliance issue of $2.1 million and $2.2 million, respectively. Additionally, there were $2.5 million of expenses in the nine months of 2015 related to Section 72(s) toll charges. Offsetting this decrease is an increase in consulting fees of $1.1 million in the nine months of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015.best estimate liability.

Capitalized and Amortized Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs.  Costs capitalized under current accounting guidance include certain commissions, policy issuance costs, and underwriting and agency expenses that relate to successful sales efforts for insurance contracts.  The fluctuation in capitalized deferred policy acquisition costs tracks closely with the fluctuation of commissions, the largest component of capitalized costs.

Amortizationdecrease for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, increased2017, compared to the same periods in 2015, primarily2016 was the result of a decline in first year premium production in the current period, which decreased capitalized amounts.  Commissions paid on renewal premiums are significantly lower than those paid on first year business.

Amortization for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, increased compared to the same period in 2016 due to the higher surrender activity including early duration elections to convert to reduced paid up ("RPU") or extended term insurance ("ETI") in 2016. There are higher deferred acquisition costs associated with early duration conversions to RPU or ETI, which, when converted, increases amortization expense.2017. Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs is impacted by persistency and the higher level of surrenders is impacting our amortization.may fluctuate from year to year.

Federal Income Tax. The effective tax rate was 40.4%(10.9)% and 174.1%40.0% for the three months and 60.0%1.2% and (121.1)%68.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively. Additionally there is $1.0 million of tax benefit and $1.8 million and $0.6 million of tax expense related to an uncertain tax position in the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and September 30, 2015,2016, respectively.  Differences between our effective tax rate and the statutory tax rate result from income and expense items that are treated differently for financial reporting and tax purposes.purposes, as well as impacts from our tax compliance issues and uncertain tax positions.  See Note 89 - Income Taxes in the consolidated financial statements for further discussion.


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September 30, 2016

Segment Operations

The Company has three reportable segments:  Life Insurance, Home Service Insurance and Other Non-Insurance Enterprises.  These segments are reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  The Company evaluates profit and loss performance of its segments based on net income or loss before income taxes.
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,September 30, September 30,
2016 2015 2016 20152017 2016 2017 2016
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Life Insurance$3,618
 (846) 4,706
 (1,618)$3,983
 3,993
 7,582
 5,753
Home Service Insurance631
 798
 1,285
 1,733
(365) 591
 496
 1,165
Other Non-Insurance Enterprises23
 (91) (1,205) (742)(508) 23
 (1,929) (1,061)
Total$4,272
 (139) 4,786
 (627)
Income before federal income tax$3,110
 4,607
 6,149
 5,857

Life Insurance

Our Life Insurance segment issues ordinary whole life insurance in the United States and in U.S. Dollar-denominated amounts to foreign residents.  These contracts are designed to provide a fixed amount of insurance coverage over the life of the insured and can utilize rider benefits to provide additional increasing or decreasing coverage and annuity benefits to enhance

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September 30, 2017

accumulations.  Additionally, endowment contracts are issued by the Company, which are principally accumulation contracts that incorporate an element of life insurance protection.  For the majority of our business, we retain the first $100,000 of risk on any one life, reinsuring the remainder of the risk.  We operate this segment through our CICA and CNLIC insurance subsidiaries.

International Sales

We focus our sales of U.S. Dollar-denominated ordinary whole life insurance and endowment policies to residents in Latin America and the Pacific Rim.  We have participated in the foreign marketplace since 1975, and we continue to seek opportunities for expansion of our foreign operations.  We believe positive attributes of our international insurance business include:

larger face amount policies typically issued when compared to our U.S. operations, which results in lower underwriting and administrative costs per unit of coverage;
premiums typically paid annually rather than monthly or quarterly, which reduces our administrative expenses, accelerates cash flow and results in lower policy lapse rates than premiums with more frequently scheduled payments; and
persistency experience and mortality rates that are comparable to U.S. policies.


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September 30, 2016

International Products

We offer several ordinary whole life insurance and endowment products designed to meet the needs of our non-U.S. policyowners.  These policies have been structured to provide:

U.S. Dollar-denominated cash values that accumulate, beginning in the first policy year, to a policyholder during his or her lifetime;
premium rates that are competitive with or better than most foreign local companies;
a hedge against local currency inflation;
protection against devaluation of foreign currency;
capital investment in a more secure economic environment (i.e., the United States); and
lifetime income guarantees for an insured or for surviving beneficiaries.

Our international products have living benefit features.  Every policy contains guaranteed cash values and most are participating (i.e., provides for cash dividends as apportioned by the board of directors).  Once a policyowner pays the annual premium and the policy is issued, the owner becomes entitled to a cash dividend as well as an annual guaranteed endowment, if elected.  The policyowner has several options with regard to the dividend and annual guaranteed endowments, including the right to assign policy values to the Citizens, Inc. Stock Investment Plan, registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), and administered in the United States by Computershare, our plan administrator and transfer agent.


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The following table sets forth, by country, our direct premiums from our international life insurance business for the periods indicated.
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,September 30, September 30,
2016 2015 2016 20152017 2016 2017 2016
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Country              
Colombia$7,390
 7,276
 20,635
 20,643
Venezuela$7,833
 8,162
 22,690
 23,596
6,744
 7,833
 20,602
 22,690
Colombia7,276
 6,353
 20,643
 19,627
Taiwan3,868
 4,303
 12,682
 12,799
4,408
 3,868
 13,673
 12,682
Ecuador3,925
 3,931
 11,170
 11,598
4,359
 3,925
 12,104
 11,170
Argentina2,542
 2,716
 6,932
 7,104
3,216
 2,542
 7,772
 6,932
Other Non-U.S.10,990
 10,650
 30,183
 28,471
11,222
 10,990
 29,988
 30,183
Total$36,434
 36,115
 104,300
 103,195
$37,339
 36,434
 104,774
 104,300
 
We have historically seen moderate increasescontinue to report strong first year and renewal premiums in sales from our top producing countries. However, through the nine months ended September 30, 2016 we have seen slight sales decreases in four ofcountries as noted above; however, this business is dependent on our top five international markets (excluding Colombia). As previously discussed, as a reactionclients having access to the prolonged low interest rate environment, we reduced dividends on existing products and products being sold in 2016. In addition, there has both political and economic turmoil in Latin America.

Lastly, the Company implemented a new business process change in the third quarter of 2016, which required new training of our independent associates. We believe this has resulted in a reduction in new sales for the three months ended September 30, 2016. We believe now that training is complete, the fourth quarter sales will be in line with the prior year levels.U.S. dollars. Our international business and premium collections could be impacted by our inability to comply with current or future changes relativeforeign laws or regulations applicable to laws, regulationsthe Company or economic eventsour independent consultants in the countries from which we accept applications as well as by marketing pricing or operational changes made by the Company.


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September 30, 2016
Company to comply with those laws or regulations. Our international business may also be affected by economic or other events in foreign countries in which our policies are marketed. Venezuela, for example, is continuing to experience civil unrest due to local demonstrations against crime, corruption and soaring inflation and conditions have recently worsened due to political unrest and deteriorating economic conditions. As shown above, direct premiums from Venezuela have already begun to decline, and we expect that overall premiums from Venezuela will continue to decline if the deteriorating political and economic environment continues to adversely impact our ability to make sales and collect premiums. See "Item 1A. Risk Factors" for additional information.

Domestic Sales

InThe majority of our inforce business in the Midwest, Mountain West anddomestic life insurance segment results from blocks of business of insurance companies that we have acquired over the southern United States, we seekpast 17 years. We have aspired to serve middle income households through the sale of cash accumulation ordinary whole life insurance products.  The majority of our inforce domestic business results from blocks of business of insurance companies we have acquiredproducts, however over the past 17 years. Over the past few years, new product sales have been very modest while existing policies have been running off at a greater pace, which has compressed the block of insurance in force. Beginning January 1, 2017, CICA and CNLIC ceased selling products domestically as the products failed to qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment afforded by IRC Section 7702. The Company is developing Section 7702 compliant products and will resume sales domestically once the products receive regulatory approval.

Domestic Products

Our domestic life insurance products focus primarily on living needs and provide benefits focused toward accumulating money for living benefits while providing a modest death benefit for the policyowner.  The features
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CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
cash accumulation/living benefits;September 30, 2017
tax-deferred annuity interest earnings;
guaranteed lifetime income options;
monthly income for surviving family members;
accidental death benefit coverage options; and
an option to waive premium payments in the event of disability.

Our life insurance products are principally designed to address the insured's concern about outliving his or her monthly income, while at the same time providing death benefits.  The primary purpose of our product portfolio is to help the insured create capital for needs such as retirement income, children's higher education funds, business opportunities, emergencies and extraordinary health care needs.

The following table sets forth our direct premiums by state for the periods indicated.
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,September 30, September 30,
2016 2015 2016 20152017 2016 2017 2016
(In thousands)(In thousands)
State              
Texas$538
 575
 1,639
 1,801
$529
 538
 1,501
 1,639
Indiana300
 335
 928
 1,053
289
 300
 923
 928
Florida204
 173
 440
 434
241
 204
 502
 440
Missouri92
 87
 319
 308
87
 92
 306
 319
Kentucky92
 103
 284
 329
64
 92
 219
 284
Other States533
 427
 1,394
 1,352
512
 533
 1,528
 1,394
Total$1,759
 1,700
 5,004
 5,277
$1,722
 1,759
 4,979
 5,004

We report premiums based upon the current residence of our policyholders and therefore the increase in premiums received from Florida are related to policyholders moving into that state and updating their state of residence. A number of domestic life insurance companies we acquired had blocks of accident and health insurance policies, which we did not consider to be a core part of our business.  We have ceded the majority of our accident and health insurance business to an unaffiliated insurance company under a coinsurance agreement.


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September 30, 20162017

The results of operations for the life insurance segment for the periods indicated are as follows.
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,September 30, September 30,
2016 2015 2016 20152017 2016 2017 2016
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Revenue:              
Premiums$37,572
 37,213
 107,531
 106,899
$38,472
 37,572
 107,995
 107,531
Net investment income8,473
 7,512
 24,534
 22,130
10,051
 8,473
 28,678
 24,534
Realized investment losses, net
 (1,901) (660) (1,959)(355) 
 (419) (660)
Other income166
 217
 537
 591
561
 166
 856
 537
Total revenue46,211
 43,041
 131,942
 127,661
48,729
 46,211
 137,110
 131,942
Benefits and expenses:              
Insurance benefits paid or provided:              
Claims and surrenders14,980
 13,727
 43,601
 40,752
15,700
 14,980
 45,218
 43,601
Increase in future policy benefit reserves18,319
 18,337
 49,482
 52,964
18,045
 18,009
 47,818
 48,525
Policyholders' dividends1,604
 2,708
 4,942
 7,530
1,602
 1,604
 4,387
 4,942
Total insurance benefits paid or provided34,903
 34,772
 98,025
 101,246
35,347
 34,593
 97,423
 97,068
Commissions6,973
 7,609
 19,544
 20,450
6,892
 6,973
 18,765
 19,544
Other general expenses1,074
 3,026
 9,199
 11,057
2,200
 990
 10,399
 9,115
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs(6,346) (7,050) (17,764) (18,816)(6,242) (6,346) (16,843) (17,764)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs5,870
 5,359
 17,813
 14,849
6,431
 5,889
 19,350
 17,807
Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired119
 171
 419
 493
118
 119
 434
 419
Total benefits and expenses42,593
 43,887
 127,236
 129,279
44,746
 42,218
 129,528
 126,189
Income (loss) before income tax expense$3,618
 (846) 4,706
 (1,618)$3,983
 3,993
 7,582
 5,753

Premiums.  Premium revenues increased for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 20162017, compared to the same periods in 20152016, due primarily to higheran increase in renewal international business. Higher renewal business showingis typically positive for the Company indicating strong persistency as this block of insurance ages, somewhat offset by lower new international business.ages. First year premium revenues have declined for the nine months ended September 30, 20162017, reflected salesprimarily as a result of the decrease in applications received from Venezuela as noted previously. Sales internationally withhave continued to be driven by our endowment to age sixty-five and the twenty-year endowment products continuing aswhich have been the top performers in the current year. Endowment sales sold to our international clients represented approximately 83.7% and 83.1% of total new first year premium for the three and nine months ended September 30,2016, respectively.last several years.

We believe first year sales were down this quarter due to a change related to new business processes which required the associates to be trained on the new processes and therefore impacted current quarter production.Life insurance premium breakout is detailed below.
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30, September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
 (In thousands)
Premiums:       
First year$4,800
 4,785
 12,815
 13,544
Renewal33,672
 32,787
 95,180
 93,987
Total premiums$38,472
 37,572
 107,995
 107,531


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September 30, 20162017

Life insurance premium breakout is detailed below.
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30, September 30,
 2016 2015 2016 2015
 (In thousands)
Premiums:       
First year$4,785
 6,055
 13,544
 15,609
Renewal32,787
 31,158
 93,987
 91,290
Total premiums$37,572
 37,213
 107,531
 106,899

Net Investment Income.  Net investment income increased primarily due to the growth in average invested assets.
Nine Months Ended Year Ended Nine Months EndedNine Months Ended Year Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, December 31, September 30,September 30, December 31, September 30,
2016 2015 20152017 2016 2016
(In thousands, except for %)(In thousands, except for %)
Net investment income, annualized$32,712
 30,206
 29,507
$38,228
 33,350
 32,712
Average invested assets, at amortized cost756,730
 684,590
 692,469
882,034
 779,592
 756,730
Annualized yield on average invested assets4.32% 4.41% 4.26%4.33% 4.28% 4.32%

Realized Investment Losses, Net.  Realized investment losses recorded for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 were primarily due to fixed maturity call activity. Other-than-temporary impairments were recorded for the nine month period ended September 30, 2016 totaling $1.0 million$959,000 related to one available-for-sale fixed maturity impairment in the first quarter of 2016. Other-than-temporary impairments were recorded for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 totaling $1.9 million related to two bond mutual funds.
 
Claims and Surrenders.  These amounts fluctuate from period to period but were within anticipated ranges based upon management's expectations, other than surrender activity as described below.expectations.
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,September 30, September 30,
2016 2015 2016 20152017 2016 2017 2016
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Death claims$1,407
 1,301
 4,666
 5,177
$1,755
 1,407
 4,576
 4,666
Surrender benefits7,587
 7,313
 23,049
 20,831
8,611
 7,587
 25,721
 23,049
Endowment benefits4,168
 4,038
 11,852
 12,015
3,963
 4,168
 11,129
 11,852
Matured endowments1,050
 384
 1,821
 720
531
 1,050
 1,487
 1,821
Accident and health benefits112
 73
 290
 205
70
 112
 167
 290
Other policy benefits656
 618
 1,923
 1,804
770
 656
 2,138
 1,923
Total claims and surrenders$14,980
 13,727
 43,601
 40,752
$15,700
 14,980
 45,218
 43,601

Death claims expense was unfavorable for the three months ended and favorableSeptember 30, 2017 compared with the same period in 2016. However, the claims reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, based upon reported claims. No unusual trends have been noted2017, were lower compared to the same period in the periods presented.2016. Mortality experience is closely monitored by the Company as a key performance indicator and these amounts were within expected levels.
Surrenders increased in the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 20162017 by 3.7%13.5% and 10.6%,11.6% compared to 2015. This increased2016. The majority of policy surrender activitybenefits paid is attributable to our international business and is in the earlierlater durations (years 1-15),after the surrender charges are reduced or for periods in which stillthe surrender charges have surrender charges. We are seeing various reasons for individuals surrendering their policies, including the sustained slow world-wide economy, individuals simply needing their money and ex associates moving businessconcluded. This is due to other insurance carriers.a maturing book of business.

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September 30, 2016

Endowment benefit expense primarily results from the election by policyholders of a product feature providing an annual guaranteed benefit.  This is a fixed benefit over the life of the contract, thus this expense will increasevary with new sales and improved persistency.persistency of the business.
Matured endowments increaseddecreased for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2017, compared to 2016, as contracts have begun reaching theirfewer policies reached maturity dates.in the current periods.
Other policy benefits resulted primarily from interest paid on premium deposits and policy benefit accumulations.

Increase in Future Policy Benefit Reserves.   PolicyThe change in policy benefit reserves decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, while increasing in the three months ended September 30, 2017 primarily impacted by the surrender activity noted above.


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September 30, 2017

Policyholders' Dividends. Policyholders' dividends decreased for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, as we adjusted our dividend rates for later durations in our policies beginning in 2016 compared toand we are seeing a decrease in dividends as policies mature and new sales are not generating the same periods in 2015, primarily due to the increase in surrenders noted above.expense level.

Commissions.  Commission expense decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017, compared to the same periodsperiod in 20152016.  This expense fluctuates directly with new premium revenues and commission rates paid are higher on first year premium sales, which were down for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017, compared to the same periodsperiod in 20152016.  Renewal premiums for the three and nine months, for which we pay commissions at lower rates, were up from the prior year.

Other General Expenses.  These expenses are allocated by segment, based upon an annual expense study performed by the Company. The decreaseExpenses were up for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to the same period in general expenses was2016 due primarily drivento additional audit fees related to the 2016 audit, higher legal and consulting fees and higher permanent and temporary salaries. This increase is offset by a decrease in our estimated potential liability related to our 7702 and 7702/72(s) tax compliance issuebest estimate liability of approximately $1.6 million and $3.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 of $2.1 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Additionally, there were $1.9 million of expenses in the nine months ended in 2015 related to Section 72(s) toll charges. Offsetting these decreases year over year is an increase in consulting fees of $0.9 million in the nine months of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015.2017.

Capitalization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs ("DAC").  Capitalized costs generally fluctuate in direct relation to commissions, decreasing for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, based upon first year and renewal premiums and related commissions paid compared to 20152016.  

Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs.  Amortization for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017 increased primarily due to the higher surrender activity, including early duration elections to convert to reduced paid up ("RPU") or extended term insurance ("ETI") in 2016. There are higher deferred acquisition costs associated with early duration conversions to RPU or ETI, which, when converted, increases amortization expense. Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs isand was impacted by higher surrenders in this segment. As previously noted, persistency is monitored closely by the Company and the higher level of surrenders is impacting our amortization.was within expectations.

Home Service Insurance

We operate in the Home Service insurance market through our subsidiaries Security Plan Life Insurance Company ("SPLIC"), Magnolia Guaranty Life Insurance Company ("MGLIC") and Security Plan Fire Insurance Company ("SPFIC"), and focus on the life insurance needs of the middle and lower income markets, primarily in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas.  Our policies are sold and serviced through a home service marketing distribution system of employee-agents who work full time on a route system and through funeral homes that sell policies, collect premiums and service policyholders.


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September 30, 2016

The following table sets forth our direct premiums by state for the periods indicated.

Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,September 30, September 30,
2016 2015 2016 20152017 2016 2017 2016
(In thousands)(In thousands)
State              
Louisiana$10,673
 10,637
 31,991
 31,906
$10,774
 10,673
 32,160
 31,991
Mississippi549
 679
 1,919
 1,979
591
 549
 1,854
 1,919
Arkansas399
 379
 1,192
 1,189
387
 399
 1,299
 1,192
Other States193
 229
 635
 657
236
 193
 680
 635
Total$11,814
 11,924
 35,737
 35,731
$11,988
 11,814
 35,993
 35,737


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CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
September 30, 2017

Home Service Insurance Products

Our home service insurance products consist primarily of small face amount ordinary whole life and pre-need policies, which are designed to fund final expenses for the insured, primarily consisting of funeral and burial costs.  To a much lesser extent, our home service insurance segment sells limited-liability, named-peril property policies covering dwellings and contents.  We provide $30,000 maximum coverage on any one dwelling and contents, while content only coverage and dwelling only coverage is limited to $20,000, respectively.

We provide final expense ordinary life insurance and annuity products primarily to middle and lower income individuals in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas.  


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September 30, 2016

The results of operations for the home service insurance segment for the periods indicated are as follows.
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,September 30, September 30,
2016 2015 2016 20152017 2016 2017 2016
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Revenue:              
Premiums$11,600
 11,695
 35,087
 35,035
$11,775
 11,600
 35,372
 35,087
Net investment income3,467
 3,436
 10,386
 10,341
3,355
 3,467
 9,864
 10,386
Realized investment gains (losses), net46
 (506) (1,116) (527)(49) 46
 1,161
 (1,116)
Other income2
 8
 5
 78

 2
 2
 5
Total revenue15,115
 14,633
 44,362
 44,927
15,081
 15,115
 46,399
 44,362
Benefits and expenses:              
Insurance benefits paid or provided:              
Claims and surrenders6,034
 5,801
 17,387
 17,419
5,754
 6,034
 16,912
 17,387
Increase in future policy benefit reserves948
 939
 3,450
 3,370
1,552
 988
 4,135
 3,570
Policyholders' dividends16
 11
 43
 38
11
 16
 31
 43
Total insurance benefits paid or provided6,998
 6,751
 20,880
 20,827
7,317
 7,038
 21,078
 21,000
Commissions3,879
 3,779
 11,553
 11,602
3,909
 3,879
 11,855
 11,553
Other general expenses3,610
 3,391
 11,357
 11,680
4,025
 3,610
 13,182
 11,357
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs(1,544) (1,432) (4,493) (4,558)(1,514) (1,544) (4,697) (4,493)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs1,019
 912
 2,611
 2,368
1,192
 1,019
 3,290
 2,611
Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired522
 434
 1,169
 1,275
517
 522
 1,195
 1,169
Total benefits and expenses14,484
 13,835
 43,077
 43,194
15,446
 14,524
 45,903
 43,197
Income before income tax expense$631
 798
 1,285
 1,733
Income (loss) before income tax expense$(365) 591
 496
 1,165

Premiums.  Premiums were essentially flatup slightly for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 20162017, compared to 20152016, as. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2017, first year premiums were down slightly, whileup 2.2% and renewal premiums were up.up 0.6%.


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September 30, 2017

Net Investment Income.  Net investment income for our home service insurance segment was as follows.

Nine Months Ended Year Ended Nine Months EndedNine Months Ended Year Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, December 31, September 30,September 30, December 31, September 30,
2016 2015 20152017 2016 2016
(In thousands, except for %)(In thousands, except for %)
Net investment income, annualized$13,848
 14,063
 13,788
$13,149
 13,705
 13,848
Average invested assets, at amortized cost302,871
 300,174
 303,219
289,928
 294,132
 302,871
Annualized yield on average invested assets4.57% 4.68% 4.55%4.54% 4.66% 4.57%
 
Realized Investment Gains (Losses), Net.  During the three months ended September 30, 2017 net losses were recorded related to issuer calls on bond investments. A realized gain was recorded for the nine month period ended September 30, 2017 of $1.1 million related to our first quarter 2017 sale of an office building in Little Rock, Arkansas. Other-than-temporary impairments were recorded for the three and nine month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2016 of $0.0 million andtotaling $1.3 million respectively, related to one available-for-sale fixed maturity security in the first quarter and four mutual fund impairments in the second quarter of 2016 and one available-for-sale fixed maturity impairment in the first quarter of 2016. Absent the impairments, net gains for the three and nine months ended 2015 were due to gains on issuer calls.

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September 30, 2016

Claims and Surrenders.  Claims and surrenders decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016,2017, compared to the same periods in 20152016, based upon reported claims compared to the prior year, but were within expected ranges.
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,September 30, September 30,
2016 2015 2016 20152017 2016 2017 2016
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Death claims$4,387
 4,417
 13,109
 13,546
$4,373
 4,387
 12,865
 13,109
Surrender benefits902
 782
 2,383
 2,176
837
 902
 2,212
 2,383
Endowment benefits2
 6
 10
 14
6
 2
 19
 10
Matured endowments99
 88
 357
 337
123
 99
 401
 357
Property claims593
 519
 1,477
 1,304
373
 593
 1,373
 1,477
Accident and health benefits46
 (15) 37
 28
38
 46
 29
 37
Other policy benefits5
 4
 14
 14
4
 5
 13
 14
Total claims and surrenders$6,034
 5,801
 17,387
 17,419
$5,754
 6,034
 16,912
 17,387

Death claims expense fluctuates based upon reported claims. We experienced a lowersmaller number of reported claims in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.2017. Mortality experience is closely monitored by the Company as a key performance indicator and amounts were within expected levels.
Surrender benefits increaseddecreased slightly for the three and nine months ended in 2016,September 30, 2017 compared to the same periodsperiod in 20152016. Management is not aware of any unusual surrender activity, but will continue to monitor for any developing trends.
Property claims increased 13.3 %decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017 as we experienced moreless weather-related claims in 2016.the first nine months of 2017.

Increase in Future Policy Benefit Reserves.  The Company reported relatively consistent changeschange in future policy benefit reserves for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017, comparedincreased due to a reserve adjustment recorded of approximately $400,000, before tax, in the corresponding periods in 2015.current period related to a reserve review on a purchased block of business.
 
Commissions.  Commission expense fluctuatedincreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017, compared to the same periodsperiod in 20152016, consistent with the first year and renewal premium collections.

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September 30, 2017


Other General Expenses.  Expenses are allocated by segment based upon an annual expense study performed by the Company. ExpensesThe expenses increased slightly for the three months ended September 30, 2016between 2017 and decreased slightly for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease year2016 due primarily to date was primarily driven by a decrease of $0.7 million in our estimated potential liabilityadditional audit fees related to our 7702 and 72(s) tax compliance issue. Additionally, there were $0.6 million of expenses in the nine months ended in 2015 related to Section 72(s) toll charges. Offsetting these decreases year over year is an increase in consulting fees of $0.3 million and an increase in employee medical claims of $0.3 million.2016 audit.

Capitalization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs ("DAC").  Capitalized costs decreasedincreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2017, as commission expense decreasedincreased during the period.  DAC capitalization is directly correlated to fluctuations in new business and commissions.

Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs.  Amortization for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017 increased compared to the corresponding periodsperiod in 20152016, as and remained generally in line with this segment experienced persistency changes compared to the prior year, which resulted in higher amortization.persistency.


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September 30, 2016

Other Non-Insurance Enterprises
This segment represents the administrative support entities to the insurance operations whose revenues are primarily intercompany and have been eliminated in consolidation under GAAP. The segment typically reports a loss reported for the three and nine months of 2017 and 2016 is typical since the elimination of intercompany revenue is its primary source of revenue.

Investments

The administration of our investment portfolios is handled by our management, pursuant to individual company board-approved investment guidelines, with all trading activity approved by a committee of each entity's respective boards of directors.  The guidelines used require that fixed maturities, both government and corporate, are investment grade and comprise a majority of the investment portfolio.  State insurance statutes prescribe the quality and percentage of the various types of investments that may be made by insurance companies and generally permit investment in qualified state, municipal, federal and foreign government obligations, high quality corporate bonds, preferred and common stock, mortgage loans and real estate within certain specified percentages.  The assets are intended to mature in accordance with the average maturity of the insurance products and to provide the cash flow for our insurance company subsidiaries to meet their respective policyholder obligations.


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September 30, 2017

The following table shows the carrying value of our investments by investment category and cash and cash equivalents, and the percentage of each to total invested cash, cash equivalents and investments.
September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Carrying
Value
 
% of Total
Carrying Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
% of Total
Carrying Value
Carrying
Value
 
% of Total
Carrying Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
% of Total
Carrying Value
(In thousands) (In thousands)  (In thousands) (In thousands) 
Marketable debt securities:              
U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises$23,891
 1.9 $35,382
 3.0
$16,521
 1.2 $22,695
 1.8
States and political subdivisions783,233
 62.4 719,825
 61.5
787,409
 59.2 797,240
 63.4
Corporate316,990
 25.2 237,248
 20.3
385,437
 29.0 306,134
 24.3
Mortgage-backed (1)2,608
 0.2 3,015
 0.2
2,106
 0.2 2,477
 0.2
Foreign governments132
  131
 
124
  126
 
Total fixed maturity securities1,191,597
 89.6 1,128,672
 89.7
Short-term investments514
  251
 

  508
 
Total marketable debt securities1,127,368
 89.7 995,852
 85.0
Cash and cash equivalents32,323
 2.6 82,827
 7.1
45,000
 3.4 35,510
 2.8
Other investments: 
    
  
 
    
  
Policy loans64,714
 5.2 60,166
 5.1
71,215
 5.4 66,672
 5.3
Equity securities23,347
 1.9 23,438
 2.0
16,146
 1.2 18,159
 1.5
Mortgage loans237
  594
 0.1
197
  232
 
Real estate7,862
 0.6 7,956
 0.7
Real estate held for investment5,843
 0.4 5,919
 0.5
Real estate held for sale
  1,939
 0.2
Other long-term investments39
  75
 
37
  38
 
Total cash, cash equivalents and investments$1,255,890
 100.0 $1,170,908
 100.0
$1,330,035
 100.0 $1,257,649
 100.0
(1) Includes $2.3$1.9 million and $2.6$2.2 million of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises at September 30, 20162017, and December 31, 20152016, respectively.

Cash and cash equivalents decreasedincreased as of September 30, 20162017 due to timing of cash inflows and investment of excess cash at the end of 2015 into marketable securities in the first half of 2016. Cash was high at the end of 2015, due to proceeds from sales of certain mutual funds late in the year.securities.

The held-to-maturity portfolio as of September 30, 20162017 represented 22.3%19.8% of the total fixed maturity securities owned based upon carrying values, with the remaining 77.7%80.2% classified as available-for-sale.  Held-to-maturity securities are reported in the financial statements at amortized cost and available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value.

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September 30, 2016


The following table sets forth the distribution of the credit ratings of our portfolio of fixed maturity securities by carrying value as of September 30, 20162017 and December 31, 2015.2016.
September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Carrying
Value
 
% of Total
Carrying Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
% of Total
Carrying Value
Carrying
Value
 
% of Total
Carrying Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
% of Total
Carrying Value
(In thousands) (In thousands) (In thousands) (In thousands) 
AAA$87,709
 7.8 $76,026
 7.6$94,510
 7.9 $88,853
 7.9
AA534,805
 47.5 497,781
 50.0501,593
 42.1 554,211
 49.1
A262,353
 23.3 247,381
 24.9310,639
 26.1 238,350
 21.1
BBB207,192
 18.4 148,656
 14.9254,988
 21.4 215,499
 19.1
BB and other34,795
 3.0 25,757
 2.629,867
 2.5 31,759
 2.8
Totals$1,126,854
 100.0 $995,601
 100.0$1,191,597
 100.0 $1,128,672
 100.0


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September 30, 2017

Credit ratings reported for the periods indicated are assigned by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (“NRSRO”) such as Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s or Fitch Ratings.  A credit rating assigned by an NRSRO is a quality based rating, with AAA representing the highest quality and D the lowest, with BBB and above being considered investment grade.  In addition, the Company may use credit ratings of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) Securities Valuation Office (“SVO”) as assigned, if there is no NRSRO rating.  Securities rated by the SVO are grouped in the equivalent NRSRO category as stated by the SVO and securities that are not rated by an NRSRO are included in the “other” category.

The Company has no direct sovereign European debt exposure as of September 30, 20162017.  We do have indirect exposure in one bond mutual fund holding, but the amount is deemed immaterial to the current investment holdings and consolidated financials.

As of September 30, 20162017, the Company held municipal securities that include third party guarantees.  Detailed below is a presentation by NRSRO rating of our municipal holdings by funding type.

MunicipalsMunicipal securities shown including third party guarantees
September 30, 2016September 30, 2017
General Obligation Special Revenue Other Total % Based onGeneral Obligation Special Revenue Other Total % Based on
Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Amortized
Cost
(In thousands)  (In thousands)  
AAA$61,091
 57,646
 24,343
 23,232
 
 
 85,434
 80,878
 10.7$59,502
 57,439
 32,771
 32,196
 
 
 92,273
 89,635
 11.6
AA168,299
 160,336
 295,251
 281,327
 21,683
 20,388
 485,233
 462,051
 61.0170,256
 165,008
 273,224
 265,301
 23,918
 22,965
 467,398
 453,274
 58.8
A22,683
 21,916
 154,771
 146,425
 11,384
 10,484
 188,838
 178,825
 23.626,551
 26,156
 157,799
 151,415
 12,516
 11,828
 196,866
 189,399
 24.6
BBB8,121
 8,313
 20,104
 18,524
 586
 570
 28,811
 27,407
 3.67,488
 7,616
 22,530
 22,189
 2,004
 2,015
 32,022
 31,820
 4.1
BB and other3,644
 4,289
 3,249
 3,721
 
 
 6,893
 8,010
 1.13,348
 3,719
 2,946
 3,457
 
 
 6,294
 7,176
 0.9
Total$263,838
 252,500
 497,718
 473,229
 33,653
 31,442
 795,209
 757,171
 100.0$267,145
 259,938
 489,270
 474,558
 38,438
 36,808
 794,853
 771,304
 100.0
 
Municipal securities shown excluding third party guarantees
 September 30, 2017
 General Obligation Special Revenue Other Total % Based on
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Amortized
Cost
 (In thousands)  
AAA$39,389
 38,288
 11,722
 11,720
 
 
 51,111
 50,008
 6.5
AA144,583
 140,227
 223,788
 217,343
 16,815
 15,865
 385,186
 373,435
 48.4
A40,552
 39,205
 160,060
 153,553
 12,976
 12,266
 213,588
 205,024
 26.6
BBB12,292
 12,246
 44,042
 43,153
 
 
 56,334
 55,399
 7.2
BB and other30,329
 29,972
 49,658
 48,789
 8,647
 8,677
 88,634
 87,438
 11.3
Total$267,145
 259,938
 489,270
 474,558
 38,438
 36,808
 794,853
 771,304
 100.0


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September 30, 20162017

Municipals shown excluding third party guarantees
 September 30, 2016
 General Obligation Special Revenue Other Total % Based on
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Amortized
Cost
 (In thousands)  
AAA$34,432
 33,727
 4,452
 4,393
 
 
 38,884
 38,120
 5.0
AA128,051
 121,467
 248,895
 236,420
 21,119
 19,834
 398,065
 377,721
 49.9
A36,746
 34,690
 156,672
 148,832
 10,259
 9,422
 203,677
 192,944
 25.5
BBB14,645
 14,494
 24,466
 22,761
 
 
 39,111
 37,255
 4.9
BB and other49,964
 48,122
 63,233
 60,823
 2,275
 2,186
 115,472
 111,131
 14.7
Total$263,838
 252,500
 497,718
 473,229
 33,653
 31,442
 795,209
 757,171
 100.0

The Company held investments in special revenue bonds that had a greater than 10% exposure based upon activity as noted in the table below.

Fair Value Amortized
Cost
 % of Total
Fair Value
Fair Value Amortized
Cost
 % of Total
Fair Value
(In thousands)  (In thousands)  
Utilities$185,728
 175,493
 23.4$160,854
 154,352
 20.2%
    
Education115,458
 109,289
 14.5113,352
 109,661
 14.3%
General Obligations86,947
 84,627
 10.9%

The Company's exposure of municipal holdings is spread across many states, with Texas and Florida as the two states with the largest municipal holdings as of September 30, 2017. The Company holds 22.8% of its municipal security holdings in Texas issuers and 11.9% in Florida issuers based on fair value. There were no other states or individual issuer holdings that represented or exceeded 10% of the total municipal portfolio as of September 30, 2017. The tables below represent the exposure the Company holds in these two states.
 September 30, 2017
 General Obligation Special Revenue Other Total
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 (In thousands)
Texas securities including third party guarantees 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
AAA$57,444
 55,442
 15,017
 14,568
 
 
 72,461
 70,010
AA52,563
 51,644
 30,753
 29,773
 
 
 83,316
 81,417
A200
 199
 16,402
 15,781
 
 
 16,602
 15,980
BBB
 
 7,101
 6,640
 
 
 7,101
 6,640
BB and other
 
 1,577
 2,097
 
 
 1,577
 2,097
Total$110,207
 107,285
 70,850
 68,859
 
 
 181,057
 176,144
Texas securities excluding third party guarantees 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
AAA$33,529
 33,084
 996
 994
 
 
 34,525
 34,078
AA67,509
 65,344
 30,570
 29,504
 
 
 98,079
 94,848
A7,880
 7,653
 22,907
 21,994
 
 
 30,787
 29,647
BBB200
 199
 10,311
 9,821
 
 
 10,511
 10,020
BB and other1,089
 1,005
 6,066
 6,546
 
 
 7,155
 7,551
Total$110,207
 107,285
 70,850
 68,859
 
 
 181,057
 176,144

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September 30, 2017

 September 30, 2017
 General Obligation Special Revenue Other Total
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 (In thousands)
Florida securities including third party guarantees               
AAA$530
 513
 3,704
 3,586
 
 
 4,234
 4,099
AA
 
 60,200
 58,928
 3,766
 3,798
 63,966
 62,726
A
 
 13,609
 13,248
 12,516
 11,828
 26,125
 25,076
BBB
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BB and other
 
 483
 477
 
 
 483
 477
Total$530
 513
 77,996
 76,239
 16,282
 15,626
 94,808
 92,378
                
Florida securities excluding third party guarantees               
AAA$
 
 1,057
 1,037
 
 
 1,057
 1,037
AA530
 513
 43,434
 42,498
 3,766
 3,799
 47,730
 46,810
A
 
 27,284
 26,765
 10,991
 10,302
 38,275
 37,067
BBB
 
 1,831
 1,705
 
 
 1,831
 1,705
BB and other
 
 4,390
 4,234
 1,525
 1,525
 5,915
 5,759
Total$530
 513
 77,996
 76,239
 16,282
 15,626
 94,808
 92,378


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September 30, 20162017

The tables below represent the Company's exposure of municipal holdings in Louisiana, Texas and Florida, the three states with the largest municipal holdings as of September 30, 2016.
 September 30, 2016
 General Obligation Special Revenue Other Total
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 (In thousands)
Louisiana securities including third party guarantees               
AA$8,798
 8,605
 20,374
 19,253
 
 
 29,172
 27,858
A5,387
 5,147
 8,570
 8,292
 
 
 13,957
 13,439
BBB
 
 383
 381
 
 
 383
 381
BB and other
 
 363
 357
 
 
 363
 357
Total$14,185
 13,752
 29,690
 28,283
 
 
 43,875
 42,035
Louisiana securities excluding third party guarantees 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
AA$11,374
 11,043
 18,496
 17,577
 
 
 29,870
 28,620
A2,282
 2,184
 7,600
 7,359
 
 
 9,882
 9,543
BBB
 
 1,136
 1,043
 
 
 1,136
 1,043
BB and other529
 525
 2,458
 2,304
 
 
 2,987
 2,829
Total$14,185
 13,752
 29,690
 28,283
 
 
 43,875
 42,035
Texas securities including third party guarantees 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
AAA$58,942
 55,615
 16,194
 15,322
 
 
 75,136
 70,937
AA59,476
 57,611
 30,632
 29,382
 
 
 90,108
 86,993
A1,210
 1,208
 17,778
 16,593
 
 
 18,988
 17,801
BBB
 
 7,459
 6,792
 
 
 7,459
 6,792
BB and other538
 535
 1,841
 2,346
 
 
 2,379
 2,881
Total$120,166
 114,969
 73,904
 70,435
 
 
 194,070
 185,404
Texas securities excluding third party guarantees 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
AAA$33,420
 32,732
 1,538
 1,537
 
 
 34,958
 34,269
AA62,433
 58,934
 34,654
 32,915
 
 
 97,087
 91,849
A6,541
 6,164
 21,515
 20,192
 
 
 28,056
 26,356
BBB2,911
 2,735
 8,043
 7,346
 
 
 10,954
 10,081
BB and other14,861
 14,404
 8,154
 8,445
 
 
 23,015
 22,849
Total$120,166
 114,969
 73,904
 70,435
 
 
 194,070
 185,404

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September 30, 2016

 September 30, 2016
 General Obligation Special Revenue Other Total
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 (In thousands)
Florida securities including third party guarantees               
AAA$548
 520
 3,837
 3,654
 
 
 4,385
 4,174
AA
 
 60,266
 58,003
 3,981
 3,951
 64,247
 61,954
A
 
 13,740
 12,999
 11,385
 10,484
 25,125
 23,483
BB and other
 
 504
 483
 
 

 504
 483
Total$548
 520
 78,347
 75,139
 15,366
 14,435
 94,261
 90,094
                
Florida securities excluding third party guarantees               
AAA$
 
 1,092
 1,049
 
 
 1,092
 1,049
AA548
 520
 41,734
 40,121
 3,418
 3,397
 45,700
 44,038
A
 
 31,342
 29,953
 10,259
 9,422
 41,601
 39,375
BB and other
 
 4,179
 4,016
 1,689
 1,616
 5,868
 5,632
Total$548
 520
 78,347
 75,139
 15,366
 14,435
 94,261
 90,094

The Company invests in municipal securities of issuers in the state of Louisiana and receives a credit that reduces its premium tax liability in that state.  At September 30, 20162017, total holdings of municipal securities in TexasLouisiana represented 24.4%4.4% of all municipal holdings based upon fair value.  The Company also holds 11.9% of its municipal holdings in Florida issuers. There were no other states or individual issuer holdings that represented or exceeded 10% of the total municipal portfolio as of September 30, 2016. The next largest municipal holdings are in Louisiana, which the Company holds 5.5% of its municipal holdings.
 September 30, 2017
 General Obligation Special Revenue Other Total
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 (In thousands)
Louisiana securities including third party guarantees               
AAA$
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AA7,040
 6,809
 15,575
 15,044
 
 
 22,615
 21,853
A5,310
 5,145
 6,623
 6,471
 
 
 11,933
 11,616
BBB
 
 376
 375
 
 
 376
 375
BB and other
 
 362
 358
 
 
 362
 358
Total$12,350
 11,954
 22,936
 22,248
 
 
 35,286
 34,202
Louisiana securities excluding third party guarantees               
AAA$
 
 
 
 
 
 


AA9,597
 9,256
 11,688
 11,352
 
 
 21,285
 20,608
A2,242
 2,174
 7,774
 7,567
 
 
 10,016
 9,741
BBB
 
 1,048
 1,004
 
 
 1,048
 1,004
BB and other511
 524
 2,426
 2,325
 
 
 2,937
 2,849
Total$12,350
 11,954
 22,936
 22,248
 
 
 35,286
 34,202

Valuation of Investments

We evaluate the carrying value of our fixed maturity and equity securities at least quarterly.  The Company monitors all debt and equity securities on an on-going basis relative to changes in credit ratings, market prices, earnings trends and financial performance, in addition to specific region or industry reviews.  The assessment of whether other-than-temporary impairments have occurred is based on a case-by-case evaluation of underlying reasons for the decline in fair value.  The Company determines other-than-temporary impairment by reviewing all relevant evidence related to the specific security issuer as well as the Company's intent to sell the security, or if it is more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell a security before recovery of its amortized cost.

When an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred, the amount of the other-than-temporary impairment recognized in earnings depends on whether the Company intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis.  If the Company intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the other-than-temporary impairment is recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment's cost and its fair value at the balance sheet date.  If the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the other-than-temporary impairment is separated into the following:  a) the amount representing the credit loss; and b) the amount related to all other factors.  The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings.  The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes.  The previous amortized cost basis less the other-than-temporary impairment

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September 30, 2016

recognized in earnings becomes the new amortized cost basis of the investment.  The new amortized cost basis is not adjusted for subsequent recoveries in fair value.


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The Company recognized other-than-temporary impairments of $17,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 for one equity security that was in an unrealized loss position for greater than one year. The Company recognized an other-than-temporary impairment of $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. No other-than-temporary impairments were recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The Company recognized other-than-temporary impairments of $2.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity refers to a company's ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the needs of its operations.  Liquidity is managed on insurance operations to ensure stable and reliable sources of cash flows to meet obligations provided by a variety of sources.

Liquidity requirements of the Company are met primarily by funds provided from operations.  Premium deposits and revenues, investment income and investment maturities are the primary sources of funds, while investment purchases, policy benefits, and operating expenses are the primary uses of funds.  We historically have not had to liquidate investments to provide cash flow and did not do so during the first nine months of 20162017.  Our investments as of September 30, 20162017, consist of 71.5%74.3% of marketable debt securities classified as available-for-sale that could be readily converted to cash for liquidity needs.

A primary liquidity concern is the risk of an extraordinary level of early policyholder withdrawals.  We include provisions within our insurance policies, such as surrender charges, that help limit and discourage early withdrawals.  Since these contractual withdrawals, as well as the level of surrenders experienced, have been largely consistent with our assumptions in asset liability management, our associated cash outflows have, historically, not had an adverse impact on our overall liquidity.  Individual life insurance policies are less susceptible to withdrawal than annuity reserves and deposit liabilities because policyholders may incur surrender charges and undergo a new underwriting process in order to obtain a new insurance policy.  Cash flow projections and cash flow tests under various market interest rate scenarios are also performed annually to assist in evaluating liquidity needs and adequacy.  We currently anticipate that available liquidity sources and future cash flows will be adequate to meet our needs for funds.

Cash flows from our insurance operations historically have been sufficient to meet current needs.  Cash flows from operating activities were $69.268.9 million and $62.769.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 20152016, respectively.  We have traditionally also had significant cash flows from both scheduled and unscheduled investment security maturities, redemptions, and prepayments.  These cash flows, for the most part, are reinvested in fixed income securities.  Net cash outflows from investing activities totaled $121.561.6 million and $72.7121.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 20152016, respectively. The investing activities fluctuate from period to period due to timing of securities activities such as calls and maturities and reinvestment of those funds. 

In 2015, we determined that a portion of the life insurance and annuity policies issued by our subsidiary insurance companies failed to qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment afforded by Sections 7702 and 72(s) of the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC") of 1986. As a result,of September 30, 2017, we have established a liability reserve of $12.8$10.7 million, net of tax, for probable liabilities and expenses associated with this tax compliance matter, which represents management’s estimate and we have disclosed an estimated range related to probable liabilities and expenses of $6.1$5.6 million to $40.5$34.0 million, net of tax. As of September 30, 2016, we reduced our estimated liability reserve by 1.8 million from December 31, 2015 and reduced both the low and high end of our range due to continued refinement of our estimate. This estimate and range includes projected toll charges and fees payable to the IRS, as well as estimated increased payout obligations to current and former holders of non-compliant domestic life insurance policies expected to result from remediation of those policies. The amount of our liabilities and expenses depends on a number of uncertainties, including the number of prior tax years for which we may be liable to the IRS, the number of domestic life insurance policies we will be required to remediate, and the methodology applicable to the calculation of taxable benefits under non-compliant policies. Given the range of potential outcomes and the significant variables assumed in establishing our estimates, actual amounts incurred may exceed our reserve and also could exceed the high end of our estimated range of liabilities and expenses.

In May 2017, we submitted an offer under Rev Proc 2008-40 to enter into closing agreements with the IRS covering certain CICA and CNLIC domestic life insurance contracts.  A voluntary, taxpayer-initiated closing agreement under this IRS revenue procedure generally addresses situations where a taxpayer has inadvertently failed to meet the requirements of Internal Revenue Code section 7702, which defines life insurance for federal tax purposes. A voluntary closing agreement allows taxpayers to come forward to the IRS with self-identified violations or deficiencies and work with the IRS towards a mutual resolution to correct the violations or deficiencies. The consideration offered by CICA and CNLIC under the proposed closing agreements totaled approximately $124,000 and $4,000, respectively.  The consideration that will be required under the final closing agreements could be different

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September 30, 2017

and will depend on how the IRS responds to the closing agreements offer. We expect to file other offers for additional closing agreements with the IRS for the SPLIC and MGLIC life insurance businesses, the CICA international life insurance business and our annuity business in 2018.

This tax compliance issue impacts our policyholders and their tax liabilities relative to these products that fail 7702 and 72(s) for those that will not be remediated. The exposure related to future sales or products in force is unknown at this time. Policyholders

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September 30, 2016

could decide to surrender their policies due to this issue which would subsequently result in higher cash outflows due to an increase in surrender activity.

Dividends are declared and paid from time to time from the insurance affiliates as determined by their respective boards.
 
The NAIC has established minimum capital requirements in the form of Risk-Based Capital ("RBC").  RBC factors the type of business written by an insurance company, the quality of its assets, and various other aspects of an insurance company's business to develop a minimum level of capital called "authorized control level risk-based capital" and compares this level to adjusted statutory capital that includes capital and surplus as reported under statutory accounting principles, plus certain investment reserves.  Should the ratio of adjusted statutory capital to control level RBC fall below 200%, a series of remedial actions by the affected company would be required. Capital balances could be impacted by this tax compliance issue for the insurance companies affected. The holding company would anticipate funding the life companies as needed to keep capital amounts within required levels.

All insurance subsidiaries were above the RBC minimums at September 30, 2016.  

2017.  
 
Contractual Obligations and Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

There have been no material changes in contractual obligations from those reported in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20152016.  The Company does not have off-balance sheet arrangements at September 30, 20162017.  We do not utilize special purpose entities as investment vehicles, nor are there any such entities in which we have an investment that engage in speculative activities of any nature, and we do not use such investments to hedge our investment positions.

Parent Company Liquidity and Capital Resources

Citizens is a holding company and has had minimal operations of its own.  Its assets consist primarily of the capital stock of its subsidiaries, cash, fixed income securities, mutual funds and investment real estate.  Accordingly, Citizens' cash flows depend upon the availability of statutorily permissible payments, primarily payments under management agreements from its two primary life insurance subsidiaries, CICA and SPLIC.  The ability to make payments is limited by applicable laws and regulations of Colorado, CICA's state of domicile, and Louisiana, SPLIC's state of domicile, which subject insurance operations to significant regulatory restrictions.  These laws and regulations require, among other things, that these insurance subsidiaries maintain minimum solvency requirements and limit the amount of dividends these subsidiaries can pay to the holding company.  Citizens historically has not relied upon dividends from subsidiaries for its cash flow needs.  However, CICA and SPLIC do dividend available funds from time to time in relation to new acquisition target strategies.

In the first quarter of 2017, Citizens made a $5.0 million capital contribution to CICA Life. In the third quarter of 2017, Citizens contributed $250,000 to CICA Life Ltd. to capitalize a newly formed Bermuda entity, SPLIC contributed $250,000 in capital to MGLIC, and SPLIC declared a dividend payable to CICA of $395,000 which will be paid in October of 2017.

Critical Accounting Policies

We have prepared a current assessment of our critical accounting policies and estimates in connection with preparing our interim unaudited consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 20152016. We believe that the accounting policies set forth in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements and “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of

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Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20152016 continue to describe the significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.


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Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

General

The nature of our business exposes us to market risk relative to our invested assets and policy liabilities.  Market risk is the risk of loss that may occur when changes in interest rates and public equity prices adversely affect the value of our invested assets.  Interest rate risk is our primary market risk exposure.  Substantial and sustained increases and decreases in market interest rates can affect the fair value of our investments.  The fair value of our fixed maturity portfolio generally increases when interest rates decrease and decreases when interest rates increase. For additional information regarding market risks to which we are subject, see "Item 1 Financial Statements - Note 5. Investments - Valuation of Investments in Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities" above.

The following table summarizes net unrealized gains and losses as of the dates indicated.

September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Net
Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Net
Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Net
Unrealized
Gains
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Net
Unrealized
Gains
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale$826,271
 875,217
 48,946
 714,137
 735,648
 21,511
$920,700
 955,244
 34,544
 860,473
 881,668
 21,195
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity$251,637
 264,176
 12,539
 259,953
 264,966
 5,013
236,353
 244,064
 7,711
 247,004
 252,545
 5,541
Total fixed maturities$1,077,908
 1,139,393
 61,485
 974,090

1,000,614
 26,524
$1,157,053
 1,199,308
 42,255
 1,107,477

1,134,213
 26,736
Total equity securities$22,577
 23,347
 770
 23,727
 23,438
 (289)$15,479
 16,146
 667
 17,765
 18,159
 394

Market Risk Related to Interest Rates

Our exposure to interest rate changes results from our significant holdings of fixed maturity investments, which comprised 92.1%92.7% of our investment portfolio based on carrying value as of September 30, 20162017.  These investments are mainly exposed to changes in U.S. Treasury rates.  Our fixed maturity investments include U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises, U.S. Government bonds, securities issued by government agencies, municipal bonds and corporate bonds.  

To manage interest rate risk, we perform periodic projections of asset and liability cash flows to evaluate the potential sensitivity of our investments and liabilities.  We assess interest rate sensitivity annually with respect to our available-for-sale fixed maturities investments using hypothetical test scenarios that assume either upward or downward shifts in the prevailing interest rates.  The changes in fair values of our debt and equity securities as of September 30, 20162017 were within the expected range of this analysis.

Changes in interest rates typically have a sizable effect on the fair values of our debt and equity securities.  The interest rate of the ten-year U.S. Treasury bond decreasedto 1.6%2.33% as ofduring the quarternine months ended September 30, 20162017, from 2.3%2.45% at December 31, 20152016.  Net unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities totaled $61.542.3 million at September 30, 20162017, compared to $26.526.7 million at December 31, 20152016.

The fixed maturity portfolio is exposed to call risk, as a significant portion of the current bond holdings are callable.  A decreasing interest rate environment can result in increased call activity as experienced over the past several years, and an increasing rate environment will likely result in securities being paid at their stated maturity.


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There are no fixed maturities or other investments classified as trading instruments.  Approximately 76.8%79.6% of fixed maturities were held in available-for-sale and 23.2%20.4% in held-to-maturity based upon fair value at September 30, 20162017.  At September 30,

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2016 2017 and December 31, 20152016, we had no investments in derivative instruments, nor did we have any subprime or collateralized debt obligation risk.

Market Risk Related to Equity Prices

Changes in the level or volatility of equity prices affect the value of equity securities we hold as investments.  Our equity investments portfolio represented 1.9%1.3% of our total investments at September 30, 20162017, with 93.8%96.4% invested in diversified equity and bond mutual funds.  We believe that significant decreases in the equity markets would not have a material adverse impact on our total investment portfolio.

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We have established disclosure controls and procedures to ensure, among other things, that material information relating to our Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to our officers who certify our financial reports and to the other members of our senior management and the Board of Directors.EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are responsible for establishing and maintaining our disclosureDisclosure controls and procedures (as defined in RuleRules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"“Exchange Act”)). are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act as of September 30, 2017. Based upon anon such evaluation, at the end of the period covered by this report, the Chief Executive Officerour principal executive officer and Chief Financial Officerprincipal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective due to the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting that were reported in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (“2016 Annual Report”), which remain unremediated as of September 30, 2017.

In the 2016 Annual Report, management concluded, based on its evaluation at the time, that our disclosure controls and procedures were ineffective due to the existence of the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016. For the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and June 30, 2017, however, management concluded that its disclosure controls and procedures were effective, notwithstanding the material weaknesses, due to the breadth of the Company’s controls and their overall effectiveness in accumulating and communicating information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act reports, including its proxy statement and current reports on Form 8-K. In connection with its most recent evaluation, however, management re-evaluated those conclusions and concluded that, in light of the unremediated material weaknesses disclosed in the 2016 Annual Report, our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2017 and June 30, 2017, as reported in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters then ended, were not effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.those dates.

CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

During the three months ended September 30, 2016,2017, there were no changes in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). The Company is in the process of remediating the material weakness identified as an ineffective management review that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control as it pertains to our tax review of external tax experts' complex documentation as of December 31, 2015. over financial reporting.




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STATUS OF REMEDIATION OF MATERIAL WEAKNESSES

While we have made meaningful progress on strengthening our internal controls relative to the previously identified material weaknesses, material weaknesses continue to exist. Management, with oversight from our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has identified and initiated actions that, once fully implemented and operating for a sufficient period of time, are designed to remediate the material weaknesses. identified in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report. Specifically, the Company has begun to execute the following actions to remediate the Company’s material weaknesses relating to ineffective data validation in connection with spreadsheet and system generated reports, ineffective management review controls and inadequate staff competency and expertise on complex tax and actuarial matters:

Hired experienced executives in key management roles to strengthen the Company's expertise in and execution of its actuarial, accounting and operation functions, including a Chief Actuary, Chief Accounting Officer, and Director of Audit Quality Control and refocused personnel to strengthen management review controls over third party provided data,
Formed an internal control task force consisting of our Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Director of Audit Quality Control to actively direct, manage and implement our control improvements and material weakness remediation plans,
Enhanced our internal control program and remediation efforts by co-sourcing our internal audit function to BDO USA LLP (“BDO”), an experienced, nationally recognized audit firm. Specifically BDO continues to assist the internal control task force in improving the enterprise risk assessment, control documentation, assessing and testing controls, and to develop and deliver company-wide internal control training to deepen our employees’ understanding of their role in relation to our overall control environment.
Replaced our third-party tax professionals with experienced tax team from Ernst & Young, LLP to improve our tax reporting process; and
Added an information technology (“IT”) executive who will focus on enhancing our general IT controls and required remediation or control improvements.

We continue to monitor and enhance our control environment and will make further changes as appropriate. We believe the remediation steps outlined above have improved and will continue to improve the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. We will test the ongoing operating effectiveness of all new controls subsequent to implementation and consider the material weaknesses remediated after the applicable remedial controls operate effectively for a sufficient period of time.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On or about March 16, 2017, Juan Gamboa filed a putative class action lawsuit against the Company and five of its current and former directors and executive officers in the United States District Court, Western District of Texas. The lawsuit alleges the defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by making false and/or misleading statements, as well as failing to disclose material adverse facts about the Company’s business, operations and prospects.  The complaint seeks an award of damages in an unspecified amount on behalf of a putative class consisting of persons who purchased the Company’s common stock between March 11, 2015 and March 8, 2017, inclusive.  The Company believes that the lawsuit is without merit, and it intends to vigorously defend against all claims asserted.  At this time, the Company is unable to reasonably determine the outcome of this litigation.

In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to various legal and regulatory actions which are immaterial to the Company's financial statements. For more information about the risks related to litigation and regulatory actions, please see the risk factor titled “We are a defendant in lawsuits, which may adversely affect our financial condition and detract from the time our management is able to devote to our business, and we are subject to risks related to litigation and regulatory matters.” in Item 1A. Risk Factors.


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Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

Investing in our Company involves certain risks.Set forth below are certain risks with respect to our Company.  Readers should carefully review these risks, together with the other information contained in this report.  The risks and uncertainties we have described in this report are not the only ones we face.  Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently deem not material, may also adversely affect our business.  Any of the risks discussed in this report or that are presently unknown or believed to be not material, if they were to actually occur, could result in a significant adverse impact on our business, operating results, prospects or financial condition.  References in the risk factors below to "we," "us," "our," "Citizens" and like terms relate to Citizens, Inc. and its subsidiaries on a U.S. GAAP consolidated financial statement basis, unless specifically identified otherwise. We operate our subsidiaries as separate and distinct entities with respect to corporate formalities.

Risks Relating to Our Business

The majority of our sales derive from residents of foreign countries and are subject to risks associated with political instability, currency control laws and foreign insurance laws. A significant loss of sales in these foreign markets could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

The majority of our direct premiums, approximately 72% for the first nine months of 2016,in 2017, are from foreign countries, primarily those in Latin America and the Pacific Rim.  These sales are made through independent consultants who are located in these foreign countries. Many of these countries have a history of political instability, including regime changes, political uprisings, currency fluctuations and anti-democratic or anti-U.S. policies. There is a risk that political instability in these countries could have a material adverse effect on the ability of people living in these countries to purchase our insurance policies or our ability to sell our policies in those countries through our independent consultants or otherwise. TheOur Company’s future sales and financial results depend upon avoiding significant regulatory interruptions inrestraints on receiving insurance policy applications and premiums from, and issuing insurance policies to, residents outside of the United States.

Currency control laws or other currency exchange restrictions in foreign countries could materially adversely affect our revenues by imposing restrictions on asset transfers outside of a country where our insureds reside. Difficulties in transferring funds from or converting currencies to U.S. dollars in certain countries could prevent our insureds in those countries from purchasing or paying premiums on our policies. There can be no assurance that such restrictions will not be imposed and that our revenues, results of operations and financial condition will not be materially adversely affected if they do occur.

We also face risks associated with the application of foreign laws to our sales of policies to residents in foreign countries. Generally, all foreign countries in which we offer insurance products require a license or other authority to conduct insurance business in that country. Some of these countries also require that local regulatory authorities approve the terms of any insurance product sold to residents of that country. We have never sought to qualify to do business in any foreign country and have never submitted the insurance policies that we issue to residents of foreign countries for approval by any foreign or domestic insurance regulatory agency. Traditionally, we have sought to address risks associated with the potential application of foreign laws to our sales of insurance policies in our foreign markets by, among other things, not locating any of our offices or assets in foreign countries, selling policies only through independent consultants rather than our own employees, requiring that all applications for insurance be submitted to and accepted only in our offices in the U.S., and requiring that policy premiums be paid to us only in U.S. Dollars.  Because we consider ourselves to be doing business only in the U.S., we have never sought to qualify to do business in any foreign country and have never submitted the insurance policies that we issue to residents of foreign countries for approval by any foreign or domestic insurance regulatory agency. We have soldrely on our policies to residents of foreign countries using independent consultants and we have relied on those persons to comply with laws applicable lawsto them in marketing our insurance products.

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products in their respective countries.

We have undertaken a comprehensive compliance review of risks associated with the potential application of foreign laws to our sales of insurance policies in foreign countries, including laws that might require us to qualify to do business in a foreign country or to submit our policies for approval by a foreign insurance regulatory authority.countries. The application of foreign laws to our sales of insurance policies in foreign countries requiresvaries by country. There is a country-by-country analysis due to the lack of uniformityuniform regulation, lack of regulationclarity in those countries,certain regulations and the application of the laws of some countries to our sales of insurance policies may be uncertain due to unclear regulations or the absencelack of legal precedent addressing circumstances similar to ours. WhileThe preliminary results of our compliance review is ongoing and we cannot predict its ultimate outcome, preliminary results indicate a riskhave confirmed the previously disclosed risks related to foreign insurance laws associated with our current business model, at least in certain foreign countries. There are risks that the government of a foreign countrygovernment could determine under its existing laws that its residents may not buypurchase life insurance from us unless we become qualified to do business in that country or unless our policies purchased by its residents receive prior approval from its insurance regulators. There also is a risk that foreign regulators may become more aggressive in enforcing any perceived violations of their laws.laws and seek to impose monetary fines, criminal penalties, and/or order us to cease our sales in that jurisdiction. There is no assurance that, if a foreign country were to deem our sales of policies in that country to require that we qualify to do business in that country or submit our policies for approval by that country’s regulatory authorities, we would be able to, or would conclude that it is advisable to, comply with those requirements.  Any determination by a foreign country that we or our policy

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sales are subject to regulation under their laws, or any actions by a foreign country to enforce such laws more aggressively, could therefore have a material adverse effect on our ability to sell policies in that country and, in turn, on our revenuesresults of operations and profitability. Ultimately,financial condition. Depending on the ultimate outcome of our compliance review, we may decideexplore alternatives to withdrawour current business model in one or more jurisdictions, including withdrawing from or avoid a particular market if we conclude that we are subject to its laws and regulations.market.

Any disruption to the marketing and sale of our policies to residents of a foreign country, resulting from the action of foreign regulatory authorities or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our revenuesresults of operations and profitability.financial condition.

Our operating results and financial condition may be affected if the liabilities actually incurred differ, or if our estimates of those liabilities change, from the amounts we have reserved for in connection with the noncompliance of a portion of our life insurance policies with Section 7702 of the Internal Revenue Code and the failure of certain annuity contracts to qualify under Section 72(s) of the Internal Revenue Code.

We previously announced that we determined that a portion of the life and annuity insurance policies issued by our subsidiary insurance companies failed to qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment afforded by Sections 7702 and 72(s) of the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC") of 1986. To the extent that these policies had unreported income build-up, we may be liable to the IRS for failure to withhold taxes or to notify policyholders of their obligation to pay taxes directly to the IRS. We have undertaken an analysis of our potential liability to the IRS arising from this matter, as well as other expenses we may incur to remediate (i.e., conform to the requirements of the IRS) certain previously issued domestic life insurance and annuity policies and to address any missed reporting for policies issued to non-U.S. citizens and have established a best estimate reserve of $12.8$10.7 million, net of tax as of September 30, 20162017, for probable liabilities and expenses. We estimate theThe probability weighted range of those probable liabilities and expensesfinancial estimates relative to be $6.1this issue is $5.6 million to $40.5$34.0 million, net of tax. This estimated range includes projected toll charges and fees payable to the IRS, as well as estimated increased payout obligations to current and former holders of non-compliant domestic life insurance policies expected to result from remediation of those policies. The amount of our liabilities and expenses depends on a number of uncertainties, including the number of prior tax years for which we may be liable to the IRS, the number of domestic life insurance policies we will be required to remediate, and the methodology applicable to the calculation of taxable benefits under non-compliant policies.policies and the amount of time and resources we will require from external advisors who are assisting us with resolving these issues. Given the range of potential outcomes and the significant variables assumed in establishing our estimates, actual amounts incurred may exceed our reserve and also could exceed the high end of our estimated range of liabilities and expenses. To the extent the amount reserved by the Company is insufficient to meet the actual amount of our liabilityliabilities and expenses, or if our estimates of those liabilities and expenses change in the future, our financial condition and results of operationoperations may be materially adversely affected.

On May 17, 2017, we submitted an offer to enter into Closing Agreements with the IRS covering the CICA and CNLIC domestic life insurance business. The toll charges calculated and enumerated in the Closing Agreements totaled $124,000 and $4,000 for the CICA and CNLIC domestic life insurance businesses, respectively.

We expect to file Closing Agreements with the IRS for the SPLIC and MGLIC life insurance business and for the CICA international business and our annuity business in 2018.

We face financial and capital market risks in our operations.

As an insurance holding company with significant investment exposure, we face material financial and capital markets risk in our operations.  Due to the low interest rate environment in recent years, we experienced significant call activity on our fixed income portfolio that decreased our investment yields compared to prior years.  We also have recorded other-than-temporary impairments in the past several years due to credit related market declines and equity market volatility.

Economic uncertainty has recently been exacerbated by the increased potential for default by one or more European sovereign debt issuers, the potential partial or complete dissolution of the Eurozone and its common currency, Brexit, potential changes in U.S. international trade policies and agreements and the negative impact of such events on global financial institutions and capital markets generally.  Actions or inactions of European governments may impact these actual or perceived risks. Future actions or inactions of the United States government, including a shutdown of the

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federal government, could increase the actual or perceived risk that the U.S. may not ultimately pay its obligations when due and may disrupt financial markets.


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Changes in market interest rates may significantly affect our profitability.

Some of our products, principally traditional whole life insurance with annuity riders, expose us to the risk that changes in interest rates will reduce our "spread," or the difference between the amounts we are required to pay under our contracts to policyholders and the rate of return we are able to earn on our investments intended to support obligations under the contracts.  Our spread is an integral component of our net income.

AsIf interest rates decrease or remain at low levels, we may be forced to reinvest proceeds from investments that have matured, prepaid, been sold, or called at lower yields, reducing our investment margin.  Our fixed income bond portfolio is exposed to interest rate risk as a significant portion of the portfolio is callable.  Lowering interest crediting rates can help offset decreases in investment margins on some of our products.  However, our ability to lower these rates could be limited by competition or contractually guaranteed minimum rates, and may not match the timing or magnitude of changes in asset yields.

An increase in interest rates will increase the net unrealized loss position of our investment portfolio and may subject us to disintermediation risk. Disintermediation risk is the risk that in a change from a low interest rate period to a significantly higher and increasing interest rate period, policyholders may surrender their policies or make early withdrawals in order to increase their returns, requiring us to liquidate investments in an unrealized loss position (i.e. the market value less the carrying value of the investments). This risk is discussed further in the two risk factors below.

Due to the sustained low interest rate environment, we are anticipating releasing newly pricedre-priced certain products toat the marketend of 2016 that will be more expensive to the customer due toresult in lower potential investment returns for our customers, which is a key pricing assumption. This price increase could result in a decrease in sales due to the product being more expensive.that may negatively impact our revenues and profitability.

Our investment portfolio is subject to various risks that may result in realized investment losses. In particular, decreases in the fair value of fixed maturities may significantly reduce the value of our investments, and as a result, our financial condition may suffer.

We are subject to credit risk in our investment portfolio. Defaults by third parties in the payment or performance of their obligations under these securities could reduce our investment income and realized investment gains or result in the recognition of investment losses. The value of our investments may be materially adversely affected by increases in interest rates, downgrades in the bonds included in our portfolio and by other factors that may result in the recognition of other-than-temporary impairments. Each of these events may cause us to reduce the carrying value of our investment portfolio.

In particular, at September 30, 2016,2017, fixed maturities represented $1,126.9 million$1.2 billion, or 92.1%92.7% of our total investments of $1,223.6 million.$1.3 billion. The fair value of fixed maturities and the related investment income fluctuates depending on general economic and market conditions. The fair value of these investments generally increases or decreases in an inverse relationship with fluctuations in interest rates, while net investment income realized by us will generally increase or decrease in line with changes in market interest rates. In addition, actual net investment income and/or cash flows from investments that carry prepayment risk, such as mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities, may differ from those anticipated at the time of investment as a result of interest rate fluctuations. An investment has prepayment risk when there is a risk that the timing of cash flows resulting from the repayment of principal might occur earlier than anticipated because of declining interest rates or later than anticipated because of rising interest rates. The impact of value fluctuations affects our consolidated financial statements, as a large portion of our fixed maturities are classified as available-for- sale, with changes in fair value reflected in our stockholders' equity (accumulated other comprehensive income or loss). No similar adjustment is made for liabilities to reflect a change in interest rates. Therefore, interest rate fluctuations and economic conditions could adversely affect our stockholders' equity, total comprehensive income and/or cash flows. Although at September 30, 2016,2017, approximately 97.0%97.5% of our fixed maturities were investment grade with 78.6%76.1% rated A or above, all of our fixed maturities are subject to credit risk. If any of the issuers of our fixed maturities suffer financial setbacks, the ratings on the fixed maturities could fallbe downgraded (with a concurrent falldecrease in fair value) and, in a worst-case scenario, the issuer could default on its financial obligations. If the issuer defaults, we could have realized losses associated with the impairment of the securities.

Valuation of our investments and the determination of whether a decline in the fair value of our invested assets is other-than-temporary are based on estimates that may prove to be incorrect.

U.S. GAAP requires that when the fair value of any of our invested assets declines and the decline is deemed to be other-than-temporary, we recognize a loss in either other comprehensive income or in our statement of income based on certain criteria in

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the period for which the determination is made. The determination of the fair value of certain invested assets, particularly those that do not trade on a regular basis, requires an assessment of available data and the use of assumptions and estimates. Once it is determined that the fair value of an asset is below its carrying value, we must determine whether the decline in fair value is other-than-temporary, which is based on subjective factors and involves a variety of assumptions and estimates.

There are risks and uncertainties associated with determining whether declines in market value are other-than-temporary. These include significant changes in general economic conditions and business markets, trends in certain industry segments, interest rate fluctuations, rating agency actions, changes in significant accounting estimates and assumptions and legislative actions. In the case of mortgage- and asset-backed securities, there is added uncertainty as to the performance of the underlying collateral assets. To the extent that we are incorrect in our determination of the fair value of our investment securities or our determination that a decline in their value is other-than-temporary, we may realize losses that never actually materialize or may fail to recognize losses within the appropriate reporting period.

Gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity and equity securities may be realized or result in future impairments, resulting in a reduction in our net income.

Fixed maturity and equity securities classified as available-for-sale are reported at fair value.  Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and are, therefore, excluded from our net income.  Our total gross unrealized losses on our available-for-sale securities portfolio at September 30, 20162017 were $3.3$4.1 million.  The accumulated change in estimated fair value of these securities is recognized in net income when the gain or loss is realized upon sale of the security or in the event that the decline in estimated fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary and an impairment charge to earnings is taken.  Realized losses or impairments may have a material adverse effect on our net income in a particular quarterly or annual period.

Our actual claims losses may exceed our reserves for claims, and we may be required to establish additional reserves, which in turn may adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.

We maintain reserves to cover our estimated exposure for claims relating to our issued insurance policies.  Reserves, whether calculated under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles or statutory accounting practices prescribed by various state insurance regulators, do not represent an exact calculation of exposure, but instead represent our best estimates, generally involving actuarial projections, of what we expect claims will be based on mortality assumptions that are determined by various regulatory authorities.  Many reserve assumptions are not directly quantifiable, particularly on a prospective basis.  In addition, when we acquire other domestic life insurance companies, our assessment of the adequacy of acquired policy liabilities is subject to our estimates and assumptions.  Reserve estimates are refined as experience develops, and adjustments to reserves are reflected in our statements of operations for the period in which such estimates are updated.  Because establishing reserves is an inherently uncertain process involving estimates of future losses, future developments may require us to increase claimspolicy benefit reserves, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition in the periods in which such increases occur.

Unanticipated increases in early policyholder withdrawals or surrenders could negatively impact liquidity.

A primary liquidity concern is the risk of unanticipated or extraordinary early policyholder withdrawals or surrenders. Our insurance policies include provisions, such as surrender charges, that help limit and discourage early withdrawals, and we track and manage liabilities and attempt to align our investment portfolio to maintain sufficient liquidity to support anticipated withdrawal demands. However, early withdrawal and surrender levels may differ from anticipated levels for a variety of reasons, including changes in economic conditions, changes in policyholder behavior or financial needs, changes in relationships with our independent consultants, changes in our claims-paying ability, or increases in surrenders among more mature policies that have been in force for more than fifteen years and are no longer subject to surrender charges. Any of these occurrences could adversely affect our liquidity, profitability and financial condition.

While we own a significant amount of liquid assets, a certain portion of investment assets are relatively illiquid. If we experience unanticipated early withdrawal or surrender activity, we could exhaust all other sources of liquidity and be forced to obtain additional financing or liquidate assets, perhaps on unfavorable terms. The availability of additional financing will depend on a variety of factors, such as market conditions, the availability of credit in general or more specifically in the insurance industry, the strength or weakness of the capital markets, the volume of trading activities, our credit capacity, and the perception of our long- or short-term financial prospects if we incur large realized or unrealized investment losses or if the level of business activity declines due

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to a market downturn. If we are forced to dispose of assets on unfavorable terms, it could have an adverse effect on our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition.

Catastrophes may adversely impact liabilities for policyholder claims and reinsurance availability.

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TableOur insurance operations are exposed to the risk of Contentscatastrophic events. The extent of losses from a catastrophe is a function of both the total amount of insured exposure in the area affected by the event and the severity of the event. Most catastrophes are restricted to small geographic areas; however, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis and man-made catastrophes may produce significant damage or loss of life in larger areas, especially those that are heavily populated. Claims resulting from catastrophic events could cause substantial volatility in our financial results for any fiscal quarter or year and could materially reduce our profitability or harm our financial condition. In addition, catastrophic events could harm the financial condition of issuers of obligations we hold in our investment portfolio, resulting in impairments to these obligations, and the financial condition of our reinsurers, thereby increasing the probability of default on reinsurance recoveries. Large-scale catastrophes may also reduce the overall level of economic activity in affected countries, which could hurt our business and the value of our investments or our ability to sell new policies.
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Our life insurance operations are exposed to the risk of catastrophic mortality, such as a pandemic or other event that causes a large number of deaths, especially if concentrated in our top foreign markets. A significant pandemic could have a major impact on the global economy or the economies of particular countries or regions, including travel, trade, tourism, the health system, food supply, consumption, overall economic output and, eventually, on the financial markets. In addition, a pandemic that affected our employees, our policyholders, our independent consultants or other companies with which we do business could disrupt our business operations. The effectiveness of external parties, including governmental and non-governmental organizations, in combating the spread and severity of such a pandemic could have a material impact on the losses experienced by us. These events could cause a material adverse effect on our results of operations in any period and, depending on their severity, could also materially and adversely affect our financial condition.

We may be required to accelerate the amortization of deferred acquisition costs and the costs of customer relationships acquired, which would increase our expenses and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

At September 30, 2016,2017, we had $166.8$166.6 million of deferred policy acquisition costs, or DAC.  DAC represents costs that vary with and are primarily related to the successful sale and issuance of our insurance policies and are deferred and amortized over the estimated life of the related insurance policies.  These costs include commissions in excess of ultimate renewal commissions, solicitation and printing costs, sales material costs and some support costs, such as underwriting and contract and policy issuance expenses.  Under U.S. GAAP, DAC is generally amortized to income over the lives of the underlying policies, in relation to the premium-paying period of the policies.

In addition, when we acquire a block of insurance policies, we assign a portion of the purchase price to the right to receive future net cash flows from existing insurance and investment contracts and policies.  This intangible asset, called the cost of customer relationships acquired, or CCRA, represents the actuarially estimated present value of future cash flows from the acquired policies.  At September 30, 2016,2017, we had $19.5$18.0 million of CCRA.  We amortize the value of this intangible asset in a manner similar to the amortization of DAC.

Our recoverability of DAC and CCRA generally depends upon anticipated profits from investments, surrender and other policy charges, mortality, morbidity, persistency and maintenance expense margins.  For example, if our insurance policy lapse and surrender rates were to exceed the assumptions upon which we priced our insurance policies, or if actual persistency proves to be less than our persistency assumptions, especially in the early years of a policy, we wouldmight be required to accelerate the amortization of expenses we deferred in connection with the acquisition of the policy.  We regularly review the quality of our DAC and CCRA to determine if they are recoverable from future income.  If these costs are not recoverable, they arethe amount that is not recoverable is charged to expenses in the financial period in which we make this determination.

Unfavorable experience with regard to expected expenses, investment returns, surrender and other policy charges, mortality, morbidity, lapses or persistency may cause us to increase the amortization of DAC or CCRA, or both, or to record a current period expense to increase benefit reserves, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.


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We may be required to recognize an impairment on the value of our goodwill, which would increase our expenses and materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Goodwill represents the excess of the amount paid by us to acquire various life insurance companies over the fair value of their net assets at the date of the acquisition.  Under U.S. GAAP, we test the carrying value of goodwill for impairment at least annually at the "reporting unit" level, which is either an operating segment or a business that is one level below the operating segment.  Goodwill is impaired if its carrying value exceeds its implied fair value.  This may occur for various reasons, including changes in actual or expected earnings or cash flows of a reporting unit, generation of earnings by a reporting unit at a lower rate than similar businesses or declines in market prices for publicly traded businesses similar to our reporting units.  If any portion of our goodwill becomes impaired, we would be required to recognize the amount of the impairment as a current-period expense, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.  Goodwill in our consolidated financial statements was $17.3 million as of September 30, 2016.2017.

Due to changes in certain accounting standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) which become effective for the first fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2019 (subject to early adoption), all or a portion of the 4.6 million in goodwill value of our Home Services segment may become impaired. The impairment methodology within the FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other ("ASC 350") follows a quantitative two step process. In the first step of the goodwill impairment test, the fair value of a reporting unit is compared to its carrying value. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the impairment test is performed for purposes of measuring the impairment.

In the second step, the Company performs a hypothetical purchase price allocation to measure impairment. If the hypothetical purchase price allocation of the reporting unit is lower than the goodwill value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that difference.

Management’s determination of the fair value of each reporting unit incorporates multiple inputs including discounted cash flow calculations based on assumptions that market participants would make in valuing the reporting unit. Other assumptions can include levels of economic capital, future business growth, and earnings projections.

In 2016, the Company's Home Service Segment failed the first step and thus the second impairment step had to be performed. The Company's Home Service Segment passed step two, so the goodwill value for the Home Service Segment was not impaired.

On January 26, 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. An entity will no longer perform a hypothetical purchase price allocation to measure impairment, eliminating step two. Instead, impairment will be measured using the difference of the carrying amount to the fair value of the reporting unit. The ASU is effective prospectively for annual and interim periods in fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2019, but early adoption is permitted for goodwill impairment tests with measurement dates after January 1, 2017.

With the elimination of step two, there is risk that in the Home Service Segment all or a portion of the goodwill value could be impaired upon adoption of the ASU.

Our conversion to a new actuarial valuation system is not yet complete and contains known uncertainties that could result in identification of additional errors in our financial reporting.

As discussed in Note 1 - "Correction of Immaterial Errors and Reclassification of Certain Amounts to the Consolidated Financial Statements" to our December 31, 2016 consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company is in the process of converting its actuarial valuation from a third party service provider to an actuarial valuation modeling software system purchased from a vendor. In connection with our ongoing actuarial valuation conversion, certain legacy system errors were discovered.

As part of this conversion, the Company could identify additional differences that will be evaluated for financial reporting purposes. The conversion to the new system is expected to be completed in 2018.


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We are a defendant in lawsuits, which may adversely affect our financial condition and detract from the time our management is able to devote to our business, and we are subject to risks related to litigation and regulatory matters.

From time to time we are, and have been, subject to a variety of legal and regulatory actions and investigations relating to our business operations, including, but not limited to:

disputes over insurance coverage or claims adjudication;
regulatory compliance with state laws, including insurance and securities regulations;
regulatory compliance with U.S. federal securities laws, tax, anti-money laundering, bank secrecy, anti-bribery, anti-corruption and foreign asset control laws, among others;
disputes with our independent marketing firms, independent consultants and employee-agents over compensation, termination of contracts, noncompliance with applicable laws and regulations and related claims;
disputes regarding our tax liabilities;
disputes relating to reinsurance and coinsurance agreements; and

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disputes relating to businesses acquired and operated by us.

In the absence of countervailing considerations, we would expect to defend any such claims vigorously.  However, in doing so, we could incur significant defense costs, including attorneys' fees, other direct litigation costs and the expenditure of substantial amounts of management time that otherwise would be devoted to our business.  Further, if we suffer an adverse judgment as a result of any claim, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

A number of U.S. jurisdictions have been investigating life insurer practices for compliance with unclaimed property laws. Highly publicized incidents disclosed the practice by certain companies of using data available on the U.S. Social Security Administration's Death Master File or a similar database in order to avoid paying periodic benefits under annuity contracts, but not using the same data base to determine when death benefits were owed. This asymmetric conduct by certain insurers has led a number of jurisdictions to require life insurers to use this same data to identify instances where amounts under life insurance policies and annuity contracts are payable and to locate and pay beneficiaries under such contracts. The National Conference of Insurance Legislators ("NCOIL") has adopted the Model Unclaimed Life Insurance Benefits Act ("Model Act") and several states have adopted legislation that is substantially similar to the Model Act adopted by NCOIL. The Model Act imposes new requirements on insurers to periodically compare their in force life insurance and annuity policies against the Death Master File, investigate any identified matches to confirm the death of the insured and determine whether benefits are due and attempt to locate the beneficiaries or, if no beneficiary can be located, escheat the policy benefit to the respective state government as unclaimed property. The Model Act could result in additional payments to beneficiaries, additional escheatment of funds deemed abandoned under state laws, and/or administrative penalties. It is also possible that life insurers may be subject to claims regarding their business practices as a result given the legal uncertainty in this area. However, recent court decisions in West Virginia and Florida have upheld the well-established insurance law principal that life insurance policies are not due and payable until the insurance company receives due proof of death, and have further held an insurance company has no duty to search the Death Master File or other databases to determine whether deaths have occurred that have not been reported to the company.

Despite the fact we have no history of the asymmetric conduct in question, we have received notices from the Louisiana Department of Treasury, the Arkansas Auditor of State and the Texas State Comptroller, indicating they intend to audit Citizens, Inc. and certain of its affiliates for compliance with unclaimed property laws.  The audits may result in additional payments to beneficiaries, additional escheatment of funds deemed abandoned under state laws, administrative penalties, interest, and changes to theour Company's procedures for the identification and escheatment of abandoned property.  At this time, theour Company is not able to estimate any of these possible amounts.

Reinsurers with which we do business could increase their premium rates and may not honor their obligations, leaving us liable for the reinsured coverage.

We reinsure certain risks underwritten by our various insurance subsidiaries.  Market conditions beyond our control determine the availability and cost of the reinsurance protection we purchase.  The high cost of reinsurance or lack of affordable coverage could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Our reinsurance facilities are generally subject to annual renewal.  We may not be able to maintain our current reinsurance facilities and, even if highly desirable or necessary, we may not be able to obtain replacement reinsurance facilities in adequate amounts or at rates economic to us.  If we are unable to renew our expiring facilities or to obtain new reinsurance facilities, either our net

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exposures would increase or, if we are unwilling or unable to bear an increase in net exposures, we may have to reduce the level of our underwriting commitments.  In addition, our reinsurance facilities may be canceled for new business, pursuant to their terms, upon the occurrence of certain specified events, including a change of control of our Company (generally defined as the acquisition of 10% or more of our voting equity securities) or the failure of our insurance company subsidiaries to maintain the minimum required levels of statutory surplus.  Any of these potential developments could materially adversely affect our revenues, results of operations and financial condition.

In 2015,2016, we reinsured $516.9$522.8 million of the face amount of our life insurance policies.  Amounts reinsured in 20152016 represented 10.4%10.5% of the face amount of direct life insurance in force in that year.  Although the cost of reinsurance is, in some cases, reflected in premium rates, under certain reinsurance agreements, the reinsurer may increase the rate it charges us for reinsurance.  If our cost of reinsurance were to increase, we might not be able to recover these increased costs, and our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.  See Note 5 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for the period ended December 31, 2015.


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Statements.

Our international and domestic markets face significant competition. If we are unable to compete effectively in our markets, our business, results of operations and profitability may be adversely affected.

Our international marketing plan focuses on making available U.S. Dollar-denominated life insurance products to individuals residing in more than 30 countries.  New competition could increase the supply of available insurance, which could adversely affect our ability to price our products at attractive profitable rates to us,and thereby adversely affectingaffect our revenues, results of operations and financial condition.  Existing barriers to entry in the foreign markets we serve may not be sufficient to impede potential competitors from entering such markets.  In connection with our business with foreign nationals, we experience competition primarily from the following sources, many of which have substantially greater financial, marketing and other resources than we have:

Foreign operated companies with U.S. DollarDollar-denominated policies.  We face direct competition from companies that operate in the same manner as we operate in our international markets.

Companies foreign to the countries in which their policies are sold but that issue local currency policies.  Another group of our competitors in the international marketplace consists of companies that are foreign to the countries in which their policies are sold but issue life insurance policies denominated in the local currencies of those countries.  Local currency policies provide the benefit of assets located in the country of foreign residents, but entail risks of uncertainty due to local currency fluctuations, as well as the perceived instability and weakness of local currencies.

Locally operated companies with local currency policies.  We compete with companies formed and operated in the country in which our foreign insureds reside.  Generally, these companies are subject to risks of currency fluctuations, and they primarily use mortality tables based on experience of the local population as a whole.  These mortality tables are typically based on significantly shorter life spans than those we use.  As a result, the cost of insurance from these companies tends to be higher than ours. Although these companies typically market their policies to a broader section of the population than do our independent marketing firms and independent consultants, there can be no assurance that these companies will not endeavor to place a greater emphasis on our target market and compete more directly with us.

In the United States, we compete with more than 800 other life insurance companies of various sizes.  The life insurance business in the United States is highly competitive, in part because it is a mature industry that, in recent years, has experienced little to no growth in life insurance sales. Many domestic life insurance companies have substantially greater financial resources, longer business histories, larger sales forces and more diversified lines of insurance coverage than we do.  Competition in the United States has also increased recently because the life insurance industry is consolidating, with larger, more efficient organizations emerging from the consolidation.

In addition, from time to time, companies enter and exit the markets in which we operate, thereby increasing competition at times when there are new entrants.  We may lose business to competitors offering competitive products at lower prices, or for other reasons.

There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete effectively in any of our markets.  If we do not, our business, results of operations and financial condition will be materially adversely affected.


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Sales of our insurance products may be reduced if we are unable to (i) establish and maintain commercial relationships with independent marketing firms and independent consultants, (ii) attract and retain employee agents or (iii) develop and maintain our distribution sources.

We distribute our insurance products through several distribution channels, including independent marketing firms, independent consultants and our employee agents.  These relationships are significant for both our revenues and our profits.  In our life insurance segment, we depend almost exclusively on the services of independent marketing firms and independent consultants.  In our home service insurance segment, we depend on employee agents whose role in our distribution process is integral to developing and maintaining relationships with policyholders.  Significant competition exists among insurers in attracting and maintaining marketers of demonstrated ability.  Some of our competitors may offer better compensation packages for marketing firms, independent consultants and agents and broader arrays of products and have a greater diversity of distribution resources, better brand recognition, more competitive pricing, lower cost structures and greater financial strength or claims paying ratings than we do.  We compete with other insurers for marketing firms, independent consultants and employee agents primarily on the basis of

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our compensation and support services.  Any reduction in our ability to attract and retain effective sales representatives could materially adversely affect our revenues, results of operations and financial condition.

As of January 1, 2017, we have discontinued sales of all of our domestic life insurance products that are not compliant with Section 7702 of the Internal Revenue Code. We are currently developing compliant products to be sold in the domestic market. We expect 2017 sales to decline due to lack of compliant products to sell and we are unsure of the impact this will have on our domestic distribution sources.

There may be adverse tax, legal or financial consequences if our sales representatives are determined not to be independent contractors.

Our sales representatives are independent contractors who operate their own businesses. Although we believe that we have properly classified our representatives as independent contractors, there is nevertheless a risk that the IRS, a foreign agency, a court or other authority will take the different view that our sales representatives should be treated like employees. Furthermore, the tests governing the determination of whether an individual is considered to be an independent contractor or an employee are typically fact-sensitive and vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Laws and regulations that govern the status and misclassification of independent sales representatives are subject to change or interpretation.

If there is a change in the manner in which our independent contractors are classified or  an adverse determination with respect to some or all of our independent contractors by a court or governmental agency, we could incur significant costs in complying with such laws and regulations, including in respect of tax withholding, social security payments, government and private pension plan contributions and recordkeeping, or we may be required to modify our business model, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, there is the risk that we may be subject to significant monetary liabilities arising from fines or judgments as a result of any such actual or alleged non-compliance with applicable federal, state, local or foreign laws.

Changes among our board and senior management team, or the failure to fill key vacancies or effectively manage succession, could hinder our operations, marketing and business strategy and adversely impact our results of operations, financial condition or prospects.

Since June 2015,Significant changes have occurred recently in our board and executive leadership, have undergone significant changes, including: the retirement in 2015 of our founder, who was our initial Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; the retirement in 2016 of theour founder’s son, who was the successorsucceeded our founder as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; and the resignation in 2016 of a long servinglong-serving board member and Audit Committee Chairman. These changes led to searches for other key executive roles.Chairman; the appointment in 2016 of a new Chairman of the Board; the appointment in 2016 of our former Chief Legal Officer Geoffrey M. Kolander as our Chief Executive Officer; and the appointments in 2017 of a new Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Actuary, and Chief Marketing Officer, along with four new independent directors. The effectiveness of new leaders in these roles, and further transition as a result of these changes, could have a significant impact on our results of operations. Subsequent to the retirementoperations, financial condition and resignation of Rick D. Riley on June 24, 2016, weprospects. We rely on our senior executive team comprised of Interim Chief Executive Officer and President Kay E. Osbourn (age 50),Geoffrey M. Kolander, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, David S. Jorgensen (age 52)Chief Investments Officer Kay Osbourn, Vice President and Chief LegalOperating Officer, Geoffrey M. Kolander (age 40)Terry Festervand, Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, Jeff Conklin, Vice President and Chief Actuary, Greg Broer and Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Robert Mauldin to develop and execute our operating and marketing plans and strategy for expanding our business.  We anticipate that their expertise will continue to be of substantial value in connection with our business and compliance strategies.  The loss of the services of any of

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these individuals, or the failure to effectively manage succession or fill key vacancies such as our Chief Actuary position for an extended period of time, could have a significant adverse effect on our business and prospects.  Due to our historical compensation philosophy that has focused primarily on cash compensationWhile we have entered into employment and excluded equity-based incentive compensation, employment agreements, change of control agreements with our top two executives, there is no assurance that these executives will complete the term of their employment agreements or other compensation components of similar publicly traded companies, we face risk that we may limit ourthe Company will renew the agreements upon expiration. Our ability to retain and effectively incentivize our key executives and our ability to attract directors and new executive talent in the competitive insurance industry.industry may be limited. Further, we do not carry key-man insurance policies on any of their lives.

We are subject to extensive governmental regulation in the United States, which increasesis subject to change and may increase our costs of doing business, and could restrict the conduct of our business.business and negatively impact our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.

We are subject to extensive regulation and supervision in U.S. jurisdictions where we do business, including state insurance regulations and U.S. federal securities, tax, financial services, privacy, anti-money laundering, bank secrecy, anti-corruption and foreign asset control laws.  Insurance company regulation is generally designed to protect the interests of policyholders, with substantially lesser protections to shareholders of the regulated insurance companies.  To that end, all the states in which we do business have insurance regulatory agencies with broad legal powers with respect to licensing companies to transact business; mandating capital and surplus requirements; regulating trade and claims practices; approving policy forms; and restricting companies' ability to enter and exit markets.

The capacity for an insurance company's growth in premiums is partially a function of its required statutory surplus.  Maintaining appropriate levels of statutory surplus, as measured by statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by a company's state of domicile, is considered important by all state insurance regulatory authorities.  Failure to maintain required levels of statutory surplus could result in increased regulatory scrutiny and enforcement action by regulatory authorities.

Most insurance regulatory authorities have broad discretion to grant, renew, suspend and revoke licenses and approvals, and could preclude or temporarily suspend us from carrying on some or all of our activities, including acquisitions of other insurance companies, require us to add capital to our insurance company subsidiaries, or fine us.  If we are unable to maintain all required licenses and approvals, or if our insurance business is determined not to comply fully with the wide variety of applicable laws and regulations and their interpretations, including the USA Patriot Act, our revenues, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Although the U.S. federal government historically has not historically regulated the insurance business, legislation proposing federal regulation of insurance has been proposed from time to time and the Dodd-Frank Act enacted in July 2010 expandsexpanded the federal presence in insurance oversight. It'sIts requirements include streamlining the state-based regulation of reinsurance and non-admitted insurance (also known as surplus lines insurance, which is property or casualty insurance written by a company that is not licensed to sell policies of insurance in a given state). This legislation established and establishing a new Federal Insurance Office within the U.S. Department of the Treasury with powers over all lines of insurance except health insurance, certain long-term care insurance and crop insurance. The Federal Insurance Office is authorized to, among other things, gather data and information to monitor aspects of the insurance industry, identify issues in the regulation of insurers about insurance matters and preempt state insurance measures under certain circumstances. As thisThe Dodd-Frank Act calls for numerous studies and contemplates further

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regulation,which has been implemented. The rulemaking process going forward may change with the futurenew presidential administration. We are currently unable to determine the ultimate impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on our business, results of operations, or our financial condition cannot be determined at this time, but could have an adverse impact on profitable operations.

Changes in U.S. regulation may adversely affect our results of operationsliquidity and financial condition and limit our prospective growth.

Currently, the U.S. Federal Government does not directly regulate the insurance business, although initiatives for federal regulation of insurance are proposed by members of the U.S. Congress from time to time.  However, federal legislation, regulations and administrative policies in several other areas can materially and adversely affect insurance companies, including our business.  These areas include U.S. anti-money laundering laws and related regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act and its implementing regulations (collectively, the “BSA”), other financial services regulations, securities regulation, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Act, pension regulation, privacy, tort reform legislation and taxation.  In addition, various forms of direct federal regulation of insurance have been proposed from time to time.capital resources.

Our failure to maintain effective information systems could adversely affect our business.

We must maintain and enhance our existing information systems and develop new information systems in order to keep pace with continuing changes in information processing technology, evolving industry and regulatory standards and changing customer preferences.  If we do not maintain adequate systems, we could experience adverse consequences, including products acquired through acquisition, inadequate information on which to base pricing, underwriting and reserve decisions, regulatory problems, failure to meet prompt payment obligations, increases in administrative expenses and loss of customers.

Some of our information technology systems and software are mainframe-based, legacy-type systems that require an ongoing commitment of resources to maintain current standards.  Our systems utilize proprietary code requiring highly skilled personnel.  Due to the unique nature of our proprietary operating environment, we could have difficulty finding personnel with the skills required to provide ongoing system maintenance and development as we seek to keep pace with changes in our products

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and business models, information processing technology, evolving industry and regulatory standards and policyholder needs.  Our success is dependent upon, among other things, maintaining and enhancing the effectiveness of existing systems, as well as continuing to integrate, develop and enhance our information systems to support business processes in a cost-effective manner.

Our failure to maintain effective and efficient information systems, or our failure to efficiently and effectively consolidate our information systems to eliminate redundant or obsolete applications, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Failures of disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, impair our ability to timely file reports with the SEC and subject us to litigation and/or regulatory scrutiny and penalties.

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that we timely report information as specified in SEC rules and regulations. We also maintain a system of internal control over financial reporting. However, these controls may not achieve, and in some cases have not achieved, their intended objectives. Control processes that involve human diligence and compliance, such as our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, are subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns. Controls that rely on models may be subject to inadequate design or inaccurate assumptions or estimates.  Controls also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override of such controls. Because of such limitations, there are risks that material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected, and that information may not be reported on a timely basis. The failure of our controls to be effective could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the market for our common stock, and could subject us to litigation, regulatory scrutiny and/or penalties.

As disclosed in Part II, Item 9A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, we have identified control deficiencies in our disclosure controls and financial reporting process that constitute material weaknesses and for which remediation is still in process as of September 30, 2017. If we fail to design effective controls, fail to remediate control deficiencies or fail to otherwise maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting in the future, such failures could result in a material misstatement of our annual or quarterly financial statements that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis and which could cause investors to lose confidence in our financial statements, have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock, limit our ability to obtain financing if needed or increase the cost of any financing we may obtain.  In addition, these failures may negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations, impair our ability to timely file our periodic reports with the SEC, subject us to litigation and regulatory scrutiny and cause us to incur substantial additional costs in future periods relating to the implementation of remedial measures.

Our failure to protect confidential information and privacy could result in the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential corporate or customer information, damage to our reputation, loss of customers, fines, penalties and adverse effects on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to privacy regulations.  The actions we take to protect confidential information include among other things: monitoring our record retention plans and policies and any changes in state or federal privacy and compliance requirements; maintaining secure storage facilities for tangible records; and limiting access to electronic information in order to safeguard certain information.

In addition, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requires that we deliver a notice regarding our privacy policy both at the delivery of an insurance policy and annually thereafter.  Certain exceptions are allowed for sharing of information under joint marketing agreements. However, certain state laws may require us to obtain a policyholder's consent before we share information.

We have a written information security program with appropriate administrative, technical and physical safeguards to protect such confidential information.  Cyber security attacks are on the rise throughout the world and while we believe we have taken reasonable steps to secure our customer information we could experience a breach of data. We closely monitor cyber attack attempts on our system, and we are not aware of any material breach of our cybersecurity, administrative, technical and physical safeguards or client data. Nevertheless, it is possible a cyber attack could go undetected and that preventative actions we take to reduce this risk of cyber-incidents and protect our information may be insufficient to prevent cyber attacks or other security breaches.

If we do not comply with privacy regulations and protect confidential information, we could experience adverse consequences, including regulatory sanctions, loss of reputation, litigation exposure, disruptions to our operations or significant technical, legal

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and operating expenses, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

General economic, financial market and political conditions may materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Our results of operations and financial condition may be materially adversely affected from time to time by general economic, financial market and political conditions, both in the United States and in the foreign countries where our policyowners reside.  These conditions include economic cycles such as:  levels of consumer spending; levels of inflation; movements of the financial markets; availability of credit; fluctuations in interest rates, monetary policy or demographics; and legislative and competitive changes.

During periods of economic downturn, our insureds may choose not to purchase our insurance products, may terminate existing policies, permit policies to lapse or may choose to reduce the amount of coverage purchased, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.  Also, our sales of new insurance policies might decrease.

Our insurance subsidiaries are restricted by applicable laws and regulations in the amounts of fees, dividends and other distributions they may make to us.  The inability of our subsidiaries to make payments to us in sufficient amounts for us to conduct our operations could adversely affect our ability to meet our obligations or expand our business.

As a holding company, our principal asset is the stock of our subsidiaries.  We rely primarily on statutorily permissible payments from our insurance company subsidiaries, principally through service agreements we have with our subsidiaries, to meet our working capital and other corporate expenses.  The ability of our insurance company subsidiaries to make payments to us is subject to regulation by the states in which they are domiciled, and these payments depend primarily on approved service agreements between us and these subsidiaries and, to a lesser extent, the statutory surplus (which is the excess of assets over liabilities as determined under statutory accounting practices prescribed by an insurance company's state of domicile), future statutory earnings (which are earnings as determined in accordance with statutory accounting practices) and regulatory restrictions.

Generally, the net assets of our insurance company subsidiaries available for dividends are limited to either the lesser or greater (depending on the state of domicile) of the subsidiary's net gain from operations during the preceding year and 10% of the subsidiary's net statutory surplus as of the end of the preceding year as determined in accordance with accounting practices prescribed by insurance regulatory authorities.

Except to the extent that we are a creditor with recognized claims against our subsidiaries, claims of our subsidiaries' creditors, including policyholders, have priority with respect to the assets and earnings of the subsidiaries over the claims of our creditors and shareholders.  If any of our subsidiaries becomes insolvent, liquidates or otherwise reorganizes, our creditors and shareholders will have no right to proceed in their own right against the assets of that subsidiary or to cause the liquidation, bankruptcy or winding-up of the subsidiary under applicable liquidation, bankruptcy or winding-up laws.

Adverse capital and credit market conditions may significantly affect our access to debt and equity capital and our cost of capital in seeking to expand our business.

The availability of equity and debt financing to us will depend on a variety of factors such as market conditions, the general availability of credit, the overall availability of credit to the financial services industry, our credit capacity, as well as the possibility that investors or lenders could develop a negative perception of our long- or short-term financial prospects.  Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the capital markets may also limit our access to equity capital for us to seek to expand our business.  As such, we may be forced to delay raising debt or equity capital, or bear an unattractive cost of capital, which could adversely affect our ability to seek any acquisitions and negatively impact profitability of an acquisition.

Unexpected losses in future reporting periods may require us to adjust the valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets.

We evaluate our deferred tax asset (“DTA”) quarterly for recoverability based on available evidence.  This process involves management's judgment about assumptions, which are subject to change from period to period due to tax rate changes or variances between our projected operating performance and our actual results.  Ultimately, future adjustments to the DTA valuation allowance, if any, will be determined based upon changes in the expected realization of the net deferred tax assets.  The realization of the deferred tax assets depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income in either the carry back or carry forward periods under applicable tax law.  Due to significant estimates utilized in establishing the valuation allowance and the potential for changes in

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facts and circumstances, it is reasonably possible that we may be required to record a valuation allowance in future reporting periods.  Such an adjustment could have a material adverse effect on our results of operation, financial condition and capital position.

We face a greater risk of money laundering activity associated with sales derived from residents of certain foreign countries.

Some of our top international markets are in countries identified by the U.S. Department of State as jurisdictions of high risk for money laundering. As required by Bank Secrecy Act “(BSA”("BSA”) regulations applicable to insurance companies, we have developed and implemented an anti-money laundering program that includes policies and procedures for complying with applicable BSA program, reporting and recordkeeping requirements and for deterring, preventing and detecting potential money laundering and other criminal activity (“BSA Program”). Based on ana prior internal risk assessment, completed in 2015, we have enhanced our BSA Program with additional controls, such as list screening software beyond sanctions screening required by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), enhanced payment due diligence and transaction controls. However, there can be no assurance that these enhanced controls will entirely mitigate money laundering risk associated with these jurisdictions.

Risks Relating to Our Capital Stock

If our foreign policyholders reduced or ceased participation in our Stock Investment Plan (the “Plan”) or if a securities regulatory authority were to deem the Plan's operation contrary to securities laws, the volume of Class A common stock purchased on the open market through the Plan, and the price of our Class A common stock, could fall.

More than 98%95% percent of the shares of Class A common stock purchased under the Plan in 20152016 were purchased by foreign holders of life insurance policies (or related brokers); the remaining 2%5% of the shares of Class A common stock purchased under the Plan in 20152016 were purchased by approximately 6402,123 participants resident in the United States. The Plan is registered with the SEC pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, but is not registered under the laws of any foreign jurisdiction.  If a foreign securities regulatory authority were to determine the offer and sale of our Class A common stock under the Plan were contrary to applicable laws and regulations of its jurisdiction, such authority may issue or assert a fine, penalty or cease and desist order against us in that foreign jurisdiction. There is a risk our Class A common stock price could be negatively impacted by a decrease in participation in the Plan.  If fewer policyholders elect to participate in the Plan, or our international premium collections were to decrease as a result of regulatory, economic, or marketing impediments, the trading volume of our Class A common stock may decline from its present levels, the demand for our Class A common stock could be negatively impacted and the price of our Class A common stock could fall.


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Control of our Company, through the ownership of our Class B Common Stock, may transferhas transferred from our Founderfounder to a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation established by our Founder,founder, and we cannot determine whether any change in our management, operations, or operating strategies will occur as a result of such anthis ownership change.

Harold E. Riley, our Founder and Chairman Emeritus, isfounder, was the beneficial owner of 100% of our Class B common stock, which iswas held in the name of the Harold E. Riley Trust ("Trust"), of which he serveshad served as Trustee.Trustee until his death in September 2017.  Our Class A and Class B common stock are identical in all respects, except the Class B common stock elects a simple majority of the Board and receives one-half of any cash dividends paid, on a per share basis, to the Class A shares.  Therefore, Mr. Riley controls our Company.  The Class A common stock elects the remainder of the Board.  The Trust documents provideprovided that upon Mr. Riley's death, the Class B common stock will bewas transferred from the Trust to the Harold E. Riley Foundation, a charitable organization established under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Foundation"). Therefore, the Foundation controls our Company.   The Foundation is organized as a public support charity for the benefit of its charitable beneficiaries, Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The Foundation is governed by 11 trustees, five of which arewere appointed by its sole member, Harold Riley, three of which arewere appointed by Baylor University and three of which arewere appointed by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The trustees appointed by Harold Riley include himself, Dottie Riley and Rick Riley. In addition, the Trust documents provide that Mr. Riley may at any time transfer the Class B common stock held by the Trust to the Foundation.  It is unclear what, if any, changes wouldchange will occur to our board, management, structure, or corporate operating strategies as a result of different ownership of our Class B common stock.


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our Class B common stock from the Trust also may trigger certain “change in control” provisions in the employment agreements of our top two executives. Under each employment agreement, a “change in control" includes, among other things (1) the transfer of at least a majority of the Company’s Class B Common Stock from the Harold E. Riley Trust to an individual other than Harold E. Riley, an entity not beneficially owned by Harold E. Riley or a trust not controlled by Harold E. Riley and (2) the exercise of a power of attorney granted by Harold E. Riley over the Company’s Class B Common Stock. Upon a termination by Citizens without cause or the executive’s voluntary termination with Good Reason, in each case other than within the ninety (90) day period prior to the consummation of a change in control or within one (1) year following a change in control, each executive is entitled to certain cash payments and benefits.

There are a substantial number of our shares of Class A common stock issued to our executive officers directors and managementdirectors which are eligible for future sale in the public market.  The sale of these shares could cause the market price of our Class A common stock to fall.

There were 49,080,114 shares of our Class A common stock issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2015.2016.  Our executive officers directors and managementdirectors owned approximately 3,172,9272,480,354 shares of our Class A common stock as of December 31, 2015,2016, representing approximately 6.5%5.1% of our then outstanding Class A common stock.  Almost all of these shares have been registered for public resale and generally may be sold freely.  In the event of a sale of some or all of these shares or the perceived sale of these shares, the market price of our Class A common stock could fall substantially.

The price of our Class A common stock may be volatile and may be affected by market conditions beyond our control.

Our Class A common stock price has historically fluctuated and is likely to fluctuate in the future and could decline materially because of the volatility of the stock market in general, decreased participation in the Plan referred to above or a variety of other factors, many of which are beyond our control, including: quarterly or annual variations in actual or anticipated results of our operations; interest rate fluctuations; changes in financial estimates by securities analysts; competition and other factors affecting the life insurance business generally; and conditions in the U.S. and world economies.

Our international markets, and the specific manner in which we conduct our business in those jurisdictions, may be subject to negative publicity in social media or other channels, which may negatively impact the market price of our Class A common stockstock.

We interface with and distribute our products to residents of foreign countries that may be subject to the risks disclosed in our Item 1A. Risk Factor under the heading, “The majority of our sales derive from residents of foreign countries and are subject to risks associated with widespread political instability, currency control laws and foreign insurance laws. A significant loss of sales in these foreign markets could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition". Venezuela is one such example. Accordingly, from time to time, bloggers or other social media outlets relevant to investors may focus attention on our exposure to these countries and the negative circumstances surrounding their governments, thereby subjecting us to periodic negative publicity.  Negative publicity on investor blogs or through other media channels could impact trading in our stock and ultimately cause the market price of our Class A common stock to fall.


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Our articles of incorporation and bylaws, as well as applicable state insurance laws, may discourage takeovers and business combinations that our shareholders might consider to be in their best interests.

Our articles of incorporation and bylaws, as well as various state insurance laws, may delay, deter, render more difficult or prevent a takeover attempt our shareholders might consider in their best interests.  As a result, our shareholders will be prevented from receiving the benefit from any premium to the market price of our Class A common stock that may be offered by a bidder in a takeover context.  Even in the absence of a takeover attempt, the existence of these provisions may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our Class A common stock if they are viewed as discouraging takeover attempts in the future.

The following provisions in our articles of incorporation and bylaws make it difficult for our Class A shareholders to replace or remove our directors and have other anti-takeover effects that may delay, deter or prevent a takeover attempt:

holders of shares of our Class B common stock elect a simple majority of our board of directors, and all of these shares are owned by the Harold E. Riley Trust;Foundation; and
our board of directors may issue one or more series of preferred stock without the approval of our shareholders.

State insurance laws generally require prior approval of a change in control of an insurance company.  Generally, such laws provide that control over an insurer is presumed to exist if any person, directly or indirectly, owns, controls, holds with the power to vote, or holds proxies representing 10% or more of the voting securities of the insurer.  In considering an application to acquire control of an insurer, an insurance commissioner generally will consider such factors as the experience, competence and financial strength of the proposed acquirer, the integrity of the proposed acquirer's board of directors and executive officers, the proposed acquirer's plans for the management and operation of the insurer, and any anti-competitive results that may arise from the acquisition.  In addition, a person seeking to acquire control of an insurance company is required in some states to make filings prior to completing an acquisition if the acquirer and the target insurance company and their affiliates have sufficiently large market shares in particular

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lines of insurance in those states.  These state insurance requirements may delay, deter or prevent our ability to complete an acquisition.

We have never paid any cash dividends on our Class A common stock and do not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future.

We have never paid cash dividends on our Class A common stock, as it is our policy to retain earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business.  We do not expect to pay cash dividends on our Class A common stock for the foreseeable future.


Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.


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Item 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number The following exhibits are filed herewith:
3.1 
   
 
   
4.1 Amendment to State Series A-1
   
 
  ��
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
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*
  __________________

* Filed herewith.
(a) Filed on March 15, 2004 with the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2003 as Exhibit 3.1, and incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Filed on June 10, 2016 with the Registrants' Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 3.2 and incorporated herein by reference.
(c) Filed on July 15, 2004,September 13, 2017 as Exhibit 10.1 with the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 4.1, and incorporated herein by reference.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
  CITIZENS, INC.
   
    
  By:/s/ Kay E. OsbournGeoffrey M. Kolander
   Kay E. OsbournGeoffrey M. Kolander
   Interim CEO & President
(Principal and Chief Executive Officer)Officer
    
    
  By:/s/ David S. JorgensenKay E. Osbourn
   David S. JorgensenKay E. Osbourn
   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer
   (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)Chief Investment Officer
    
Date:November 7, 20162017  

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