UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C.D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008.

 

¨ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from            to            .

Commission File Number 1-6028

 

 

LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

    Indiana         35-1140070    

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

    150 N. Radnor Chester Road, Radnor, Pennsylvania         19087    
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

    (484) 583-1400    

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area codecode)

    Not Applicable    

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last reportreport)

 

 

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 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.    Yes  x    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. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

(Check one): Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated filer  ¨    Non- acceleratedNon-accelerated filer  ¨    Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of August 1,November 3, 2008, there were 256,827,934255,881,396 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

 

 

 


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.Financial Statements

LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions, except share data)

 

  As of
June 30,
2008
 As of
December 31,
2007
  As of
September 30,
2008
 As of
December 31,
2007
  (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)  

ASSETS

      

Investments:

      

Available-for-sale securities, at fair value:

      

Fixed maturity (amortized cost: 2008 - $56,553; 2007 - $56,069)

  $54,518  $56,276

Equity (cost: 2008 - $617; 2007 - $548)

   464   518

Fixed maturity (amortized cost: 2008 – $56,211; 2007 – $56,069)

  $51,931  $56,276

Equity (cost: 2008 – $612; 2007 – $548)

   493   518

Trading securities

   2,550   2,730   2,393   2,730

Mortgage loans on real estate

   7,678   7,423   7,688   7,423

Real estate

   136   258   127   258

Policy loans

   2,802   2,835   2,870   2,885

Derivative investments

   890   807   1,262   807

Other investments

   1,163   1,075   1,193   1,075
            

Total investments

   70,201   71,922   67,957   71,972

Cash and invested cash

   1,921   1,665   2,160   1,665

Deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired

   10,608   9,580   11,652   9,580

Premiums and fees receivable

   399   401   463   401

Accrued investment income

   876   843   921   843

Reinsurance recoverables

   8,220   8,237   8,222   8,187

Goodwill

   4,045   4,144   4,041   4,144

Other assets

   2,716   3,530   2,884   3,530

Separate account assets

   85,295   91,113   74,971   91,113
            

Total assets

  $184,281  $191,435  $173,271  $191,435
            

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

      

Liabilities

      

Future contract benefits

  $16,218  $16,007  $16,281  $16,007

Other contract holder funds

   60,363   59,640   60,678   59,640

Short-term debt

   900   550   635   550

Long-term debt

   4,102   4,618   4,569   4,618

Reinsurance related derivative liability

   112   220   (9)  220

Funds withheld reinsurance liabilities

   2,069   2,117   2,062   2,117

Deferred gain on indemnity reinsurance

   658   696   639   696

Payables for collateral under securities loaned and derivatives

   1,490   1,135   1,668   1,135

Other liabilities

   2,576   3,621   2,277   3,621

Separate account liabilities

   85,295   91,113   74,971   91,113
            

Total liabilities

   173,783   179,717   163,771   179,717
            

Contingencies and Commitments (See Note 9)

   

Contingencies and Commitments (See Note 10)

   

Stockholders’ Equity

      

Series A preferred stock - 10,000,000 shares authorized

   —     —  

Common stock - 800,000,000 shares authorized; 256,801,622 and 264,233,303 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively

   7,023   7,200

Series A preferred stock – 10,000,000 shares authorized

   —     —  

Common stock – 800,000,000 shares authorized; 255,841,633 and 264,233,303 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively

   7,006   7,200

Retained earnings

   4,283   4,293   4,304   4,293

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   (808)  225   (1,810)  225
            

Total stockholders’ equity

   10,498   11,718   9,500   11,718
            

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $184,281  $191,435  $173,271  $191,435
            

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1


LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in millions, except per share data)

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007  2008 2007  2008 2007 2008 2007 
  (Unaudited)  (Unaudited) 

Revenues

           

Insurance premiums

  $530  $489  $1,039  $948  $533  $491  $1,572  $1,439 

Insurance fees

   842   742   1,654   1,506   791   836   2,446   2,342 

Investment advisory fees

   76   93   152   183   68   89   220   272 

Net investment income

   1,077   1,133   2,142   2,223   1,089   1,062   3,231   3,285 

Realized gain (loss)

   (108)  7   (143)  41

Realized loss

   (204)  (65)  (347)  (24)

Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance

   19   26   38   45   19   19   57   65 

Other revenues and fees

   146   181   292   346   140   169   431   514 
                         

Total revenues

   2,582   2,671   5,174   5,292   2,436   2,601   7,610   7,893 
                         

Benefits and Expenses

           

Interest credited

   613   606   1,225   1,206   625   611   1,849   1,817 

Benefits

   684   651   1,362   1,244   836   623   2,199   1,866 

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

   847   816   1,656   1,625   754   850   2,408   2,475 

Interest and debt expense

   65   73   140   135   69   69   209   204 

Impairment of intangibles

   173   —     173   —     —     —     175   —   
                         

Total benefits and expenses

   2,382   2,146   4,556   4,210   2,284   2,153   6,840   6,362 
                         

Income from continuing operations before taxes

   200   525   618   1,082   152   448   770   1,531 

Federal income taxes

   75   155   200   324   3   125   203   450 
                         

Income from continuing operations

   125   370   418   758   149   323   567   1,081 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of federal incomes taxes

   —     6   (4)  14   (1)  7   (5)  21 
                         

Net income

  $125  $376  $414  $772  $148  $330  $562  $1,102 
                         

Earnings Per Common Share – Basic

           

Income from continuing operations

  $0.48  $1.37  $1.61  $2.78  $0.58  $1.20  $2.20  $3.98 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

   —     0.02   (0.02)  0.05   —     0.02   (0.02)  0.08 
                         

Net income

  $0.48  $1.39  $1.59  $2.83  $0.58  $1.22  $2.18  $4.06 
                         

Earnings Per Common Share – Diluted

           

Income from continuing operations

  $0.48  $1.35  $1.60  $2.74  $0.58  $1.19  $2.18  $3.93 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

   —     0.02   (0.02)  0.05   —     0.02   (0.02)  0.07 
                         

Net income

  $0.48  $1.37  $1.58  $2.79  $0.58  $1.21  $2.16  $4.00 
                         

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

2


LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in millions, except per share data)

 

  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007   2008 2007 
  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 

Series A Preferred Stock

      

Balance at beginning-of-year

  $—    $1   $—    $1 
              

Balance at end-of-period

   —     1    —     1 
              

Common Stock

      

Balance at beginning-of-year

   7,200   7,449    7,200   7,449 

Issued for acquisition

   —     20    —     20 

Stock compensation

   41   85    51   113 

Deferred compensation payable in stock

   3   4    4   5 

Retirement of common stock/cancellation of shares

   (221)  (195)   (249)  (278)
              

Balance at end-of-period

   7,023   7,363    7,006   7,309 
              

Retained Earnings

      

Balance at beginning-of-year

   4,293   4,138    4,293   4,138 

Cumulative effect of adoption of SOP 05-1

   —     (41)   —     (41)

Cumulative effect of adoption of FIN 48

   —     (15)   —     (15)

Cumulative effect of adoption of EITF 06-10

   (4)  —      (4)  —   

Comprehensive income (loss)

   (619)  308    (1,473)  686 

Less other comprehensive loss, net of tax

   (1,033)  (464)   (2,035)  (416)
              

Net income

   414   772    562   1,102 

Retirement of common stock

   (205)  (317)   (227)  (408)

Dividends declared: Common (2008 - $.83; 2007 - $ .79)

   (215)  (214)

Dividends declared: Common (2008 – $1.245; 2007 – $1.185)

   (320)  (320)
              

Balance at end-of-period

   4,283   4,323    4,304   4,456 
              

Net Unrealized Gain on Available-for-Sale Securities

      

Balance at beginning-of-year

   86   493    86   493 

Change during the period

   (1,025)  (476)   (1,990)  (437)
              

Balance at end-of-period

   (939)  17    (1,904)  56 
              

Net Unrealized Gain on Derivative Instruments

      

Balance at beginning-of-year

   53   39    53   39 

Change during the period

   (12)  (4)   1   (7)
              

Balance at end-of-period

   41   35    54   32 
              

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment

      

Balance at beginning-of-year

   175   165    175   165 

Change during the period

   2   16    (54)  29 
              

Balance at end-of-period

   177   181    121   194 
              

Funded Status of Employee Benefit Plans

      

Balance at beginning-of-year

   (89)  (84)   (89)  (84)

Change during the period

   2   —      8   (1)
              

Balance at end-of-period

   (87)  (84)   (81)  (85)
              

Total stockholders’ equity at end-of-period

  $10,498  $11,836   $9,500  $11,963 
              

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

3


LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)

 

  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007   2008 2007 
  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities      

Net income

  $414  $772   $562  $1,102 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired deferrals and interest, net of amortization

   (357)  (484)

Deferred acquisition costs, value of business acquired, deferred sales inducements and deferred front end loads deferrals and interest, net of amortization

   (838)  (907)

Trading securities purchases, sales and maturities, net

   96   218    141   319 

Change in derivative investments

   (7)  (8)

Change in premiums and fees receivable

   2   (76)   47   1 

Change in accrued investment income

   (33)  5    (78)  (50)

Change in reinsurance recoverables

   17   (120)

Change in future contract benefits

   223   196    159   113 

Change in other contract holder funds

   183   895    548   1,033 

Change in funds withheld reinsurance liability

   (48)  61 

Change in funds withheld reinsurance liability and reinsurance recoverables

   (57)  (125)

Change in federal income tax accruals

   (230)  295    (228)  358 

Change in net periodic benefit accruals

   —     (4)

Realized (gain) loss

   143   (41)

Realized loss

   347   24 

Loss on disposal of discontinued operations

   12   —      13   —   

Impairment of intangibles

   173   —      175   —   

Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance

   (38)  (45)   (57)  (65)

Stock-based compensation expense

   19   29    23   39 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net

   24   15 

Other

   (142)  (319)   54   288 
              

Net adjustments

   37   617    249   1,028 
              

Net cash provided by operating activities

   451   1,389    811   2,130 
              

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

      

Purchases of available-for-sale securities

   (3,615)  (7,995)   (5,578)  (10,740)

Sales of available-for-sale securities

   1,014   5,206    1,803   6,456 

Maturities of available-for-sale securities

   1,924   2,125    2,978   3,162 

Purchases of other investments

   (1,213)  (1,251)   (1,848)  (1,849)

Sales or maturities of other investments

   914   1,157    1,383   1,617 

Increase (decrease) in payables for collateral under securities loaned and derivatives

   355   (132)   533   (184)

Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries/businesses and disposal of discontinued operations

   644   —      645   —   

Other

   (53)  10    (90)  (75)
              

Net cash used in investing activities

   (30)  (880)   (174)  (1,613)
              

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

      

Payment of long-term debt, including current maturities

   (100)  (553)   (285)  (653)

Issuance of long-term debt

   —     750    450   1,050 

Issuance (decrease) in commercial paper

   (65)  30    (145)  226 

Deposits of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable

   4,913   4,500    7,366   7,030 

Withdrawals of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable

   (2,787)  (4,071)   (4,373)  (5,805)

Transfers to and from separate accounts, net

   (1,233)  (1,131)   (1,838)  (1,732)

Maturities of funding agreements

   (300)  —   

Payment of funding agreements

   (550)  —   

Common stock issued for benefit plans and excess tax benefits

   25   62    32   81 

Repurchase of common stock

   (401)  (512)   (476)  (686)

Dividends paid to stockholders

   (217)  (216)   (323)  (323)
              

Net cash used in financing activities

   (165)  (1,141)   (142)  (812)
              

Net increase (decrease) in cash and invested cash

   256   (632)   495   (295)

Cash and invested cash at beginning-of-year

   1,665   1,621    1,665   1,621 
              

Cash and invested cash at end-of-period

  $1,921  $989   $2,160  $1,326 
              

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

4


LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Nature of Operations

Lincoln National Corporation and its majority-owned subsidiaries (“LNC” or the “Company,” which also may be referred to as “we,” “our” or “us”) operate multiple insurance and investment management businesses through six business segments, see Note 16.17. The collective group of businesses uses “Lincoln Financial Group” as its marketing identity. Through our business segments, we sell a wide range of wealth protection, accumulation and retirement income products and solutions.products. These products include institutional and/or retail fixed and indexed annuities, variable annuities, universal life insurance, term life insurance, mutual funds and managed accounts.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States of America generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions for the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. Therefore, the information contained in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 (“2007 Form 10-K”), should be read in connection with the reading of these interim unaudited consolidated financial statements.

In the opinion of management, these statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s results. Operating results for the three and sixnine month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2008. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Certain amounts reported in prior periods’ consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the presentation adopted in the current year. These reclassifications have no effect on net income or stockholders’ equity of the prior periods.

We have reclassified the results of certain derivatives and embedded derivatives to realized gain (loss),loss, which were previously reported within insurance fees, net investment income, interest credited or benefits. The associated amortization expense of deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) and value of business acquired (“VOBA”) (previously reported within underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses), deferred sales inducements (“DSI”) (previously reported within interest credited), deferred front-end loads (“DFEL”) (previously reported within insurance fees) and changes in future contract holder fundsbenefits (previously reported within benefits) have also been reclassified to realized gain (loss).loss.

The detail of the reclassifications from what was previously reported in prior period financial statements (in millions) was as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
 For the
Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2007
   For the
Three Months
Ended
September 30,

2007
 For the
Nine Months

Ended
September 30,
2007
 
March 31,
2008
 June 30,
2007
 

Realized gain (loss), as previously reported

  $(38) $(5) $22 

Realized loss, as previously reported

  $(37) $(15)

Effect of reclassifications to:

       

Insurance fees

   32   16   31    16   47 

Net investment income

   (97)  37   36    5   41 

Interest credited

   102   (25)  (30)   (15)  (44)

Benefits

   (13)  (5)  (1)   (55)  (57)

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

   (21)  (11)  (17)   21   4 
                 

Realized gain (loss), as adjusted

  $(35) $7  $41 

Realized loss, as adjusted

  $(65) $(24)
                 

 

5


2. New Accounting Standards

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 – Fair Value Measurements

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under current accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurement and enhances disclosures about fair value instruments. SFAS 157 retains the exchange price notion, but clarifies that exchange price is the price in an orderly transaction between market participants to sell the asset or transfer the liability (exit price) in the principal market, or the most advantageous market in the absence of a principal market, for that asset or liability, as opposed to the price that would be paid to acquire the asset or receive a liability (entry price). Fair value measurement is based on assumptions used by market participants in pricing the asset or liability, which may include inherent risk, restrictions on the sale or use of an asset or non-performance risk, which would include the reporting entity’s own credit risk. SFAS 157 establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The three-level hierarchy for fair value measurement is defined as follows:

 

Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date. “Blockage discounts” for large holdings of unrestricted financial instruments where quoted prices are readily and regularly available for an identical asset or liability in an active market are prohibited;

 

Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date, and fair value can be determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies; and

 

Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable inputs in situations where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability and the reporting entity makes estimates and assumptions related to the pricing of the asset or liability, including assumptions regarding risk.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the investment.

We have certain guaranteed benefit features within our annuity products that, prior to January 1, 2008, were recorded using fair value pricing. These benefits will continue to be measured on a fair value basis with the adoption of SFAS 157, utilizing Level 3 inputs and some Level 2 inputs, which are reflective of the hypothetical market participant perspective for fair value measurement, including liquidity assumptions and assumptions regarding the Company’s own credit or non-performance risk. In addition, SFAS 157 expands the disclosure requirements for annual and interim reporting to focus on the inputs used to measure fair value, including those measurements using significant unobservable inputs and the effects of the measurements on earnings. See Note 1516 for additional information.

 

6


We adopted SFAS 157 effective January 1, 2008, by recording increases (decreases) to the following categories (in millions) on our consolidated financial statements:

 

Assets

    

DAC

  $13   $13 

VOBA

   (8)   (8)

Other assets – DSI

   2    2 
        

Total assets

  $7   $7 
        

Liabilities

    

Other contract holder funds:

  

Future Contract Benefits:

  

Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts

  $(20)  $(20)

Embedded derivative instruments – living benefits liabilities

   48    48 

DFEL

   3    3 

Other liabilities – income tax liabilities

   (8)   (8)
        

Total liabilities

  $23   $23 
        

Revenues

    

Realized loss

  $(24)  $(24)

Federal income tax benefit

   (8)   (8)
        

Loss from continuing operations

  $(16)  $(16)
        

The impact for the first quarter adoption of SFAS 157 to basic and diluted per share amounts was a decrease of $0.06.

FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2– Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157

In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP 157-2”). FSP 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). Accordingly, we did not apply the provisions of SFAS 157 to nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities within the scope of FSP 157-2. Examples of items to which the deferral is applicable include, but are not limited to:

 

Nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities initially measured at fair value in a business combination or other new basis event, but not measured at fair value in subsequent periods;

 

Reporting units measured at fair value in the goodwill impairment test under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS 142”), and indefinite-lived intangible assets measured at fair value for impairment assessment under SFAS 142;

 

Nonfinancial long-lived assets measured at fair value for an impairment assessment under SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”;

 

Asset retirement obligations initially measured at fair value under SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”; and

 

Nonfinancial liabilities for exit or disposal activities initially measured at fair value under SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.”

FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-3 – Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset is Not Active

In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset is Not Active” (“FSP 157-3”). FSP 157-3 clarifies the application of SFAS 157 in a market that is not active and provides an illustrative example of key considerations to analyze in determining fair value of a financial asset when the market for the asset is not active. During times when there is little market activity for a financial asset, the objective of fair value measurement remains the same, that is, to value the asset at the price that would be received by the holder of the financial asset in an orderly transaction (exit price) that is not a forced liquidation or distressed sale at the measurement date. Determining fair value of a financial asset during a period of market inactivity may require the use of significant judgment and an evaluation of the facts and circumstances to determine if transactions for a financial asset represent a forced liquidation or distressed sale. An entity’s own assumptions regarding future cash flows and risk-adjusted discount rates for financial assets are acceptable when relevant observable inputs are not available. FSP 157-3 was effective on October 10, 2008, and for all prior periods for which financial statements have not been issued. Any changes in valuation techniques resulting from the adoption of FSP 157-3 shall be accounted for as a change in accounting estimated in accordance with SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.” We adopted the guidance

7


in FSP 157-3 in our financial statements for the reporting period ending September 30, 2008. The adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

SFAS No. 159 – The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”), which allows an entity to make an irrevocable election, on specific election dates, to measure eligible items at fair value. The election to measure an item at fair value may be determined on an instrument by instrument basis, with certain exceptions. If the fair value option is elected, unrealized gains and losses will be recognized in earnings at each subsequent reporting date, and any upfront costs and fees related to the item will be recognized in earnings as incurred. In addition, the presentation and disclosure requirements of SFAS 159 are designed to assist in the comparison between entities that select different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS 159 applies to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, with early adoption permitted for an entity that has also elected to apply the provisions of SFAS 157. At the effective date, the fair value option may be elected for eligible items that exist on that date. Effective January 1, 2008, we elected not to adopt the fair value option for any financial assets or liabilities that existed as of January 1, 2008.that date.

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Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 06-10 – Accounting for Collateral Assignment Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements

In March 2007, the FASB Board ratified the consensus reached by the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) in EITF Issue No. 06-10, “Accounting for Collateral Assignment Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements” (“EITF 06-10”). EITF 06-10 requires an employer to recognize a liability related to a collateral assignment split-dollar life insurance arrangement in accordance with SFAS No. 106, “Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions,” if the employer has agreed to maintain a life insurance policy during the employee’s retirement. In addition, based on the split-dollar arrangement, an asset should be recognized by the employer for the estimated future cash flows to which the employer is entitled. The adoption of EITF 06-10 can be recognized either as a change in accounting principle through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings or through retrospective application to all prior periods. The consensus is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007, including interim periods within those fiscal years.

We maintain collateral assignment split-dollar life insurance arrangements related to frozen policies that are within the scope of EITF 06-10. Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted EITF 06-10 by recording a $4 million cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings, offset by an increase to our liability for postretirement benefits. We also recorded notes receivable for the amounts due to us from participants under the split-dollar arrangements. The recording of the notes receivable did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Derivative Implementation Group Statement 133 Implementation Issue No. E23 – Issues Involving the Application of the Shortcut Method Under Paragraph 68

In December 2007, the FASB issued Derivative Implementation Group (“DIG”) Statement 133 Implementation Issue No. E23, “Issues Involving the Application of the Shortcut Method under Paragraph 68” (“DIG E23”), which gives clarification to the application of the shortcut method of accounting for qualifying fair value hedging relationships involving an interest-bearing financial instrument and/or an interest rate swap, originally outlined in paragraph 68 in SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 133”). We adopted DIG E23 effective January 1, 2008, for hedging relationships designated on or after that date. The adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Future Adoption of New Accounting Standards

SFAS No. 141(R) – Business Combinations

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141(R)”), which is a revision of SFAS No. 141 “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141”). SFAS 141(R) retains the fundamental requirements of SFAS 141, but establishes principles and requirements for the acquirer in a business combination to recognize and measure the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree and the goodwill acquired or the gain from a bargain purchase. The revised statement requires, among other things, that assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree shall be measured at their acquisition-date fair values. For business combinations completed upon adoption of SFAS 141(R), goodwill will be measured as the excess of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, in excess of the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired. Any contingent consideration shall be recognized at the acquisition-date fair value, which improves the accuracy of the goodwill measurement. Under SFAS 141(R), contractual pre-acquisition contingencies will be recognized at their acquisition-date fair values and non-contractual pre-acquisition contingencies will be recognized at their acquisition date fair values if it is more likely than not that the contingency gives rise to an asset or liability. Deferred recognition of pre-acquisition contingencies will no longer be permitted. Acquisition costs will be expensed in the period the costs are incurred, rather than included in the cost of the acquiree, and disclosure requirements will be

8


enhanced to provide users with information to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS 141(R) applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period on or after December 15, 2008, with earlier adoption prohibited. We will adopt SFAS 141(R) for acquisitions occurring after January 1, 2009.

SFAS No. 160 – Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an Amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51” (“SFAS 160”), which aims to improve the relevance, comparability and transparency of the financial information that a reporting entity provides in its consolidated financial statements by establishing accounting and reporting standards surrounding noncontrolling interests, or minority interests, which are the portions of equity in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to a parent. The ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent shall be clearly identified, labeled and presented in the consolidated statement of financial position within equity, but separate from the parent’s equity. The amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling

8


interest must be clearly identified and presented on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Income. Changes in a parent’s ownership interest while the parent retains its controlling financial interest in its subsidiary must be accounted for consistently as equity transactions. A parent’s ownership interest in a subsidiary changes if the parent purchases additional ownership interests in its subsidiary, sells some of its ownership interests in its subsidiary, the subsidiary reacquires some of its ownership interests or the subsidiary issues additional ownership interests. When a subsidiary is deconsolidated, any retained noncontrolling equity investment in the former subsidiary must be initially measured at fair value. The gain or loss on the deconsolidation of the subsidiary is measured using the fair value of any noncontrolling equity investment rather than the carrying amount of that retained investment. Entities must provide sufficient disclosures that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We will adopt SFAS 160 effective January 1, 2009, and do not expect the adoption will have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

FSP FAS No. 140-3 – Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets and Repurchase Financing Transactions

In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS No. 140-3, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets and Repurchase Financing Transactions” (“FSP 140-3”), regarding the criteria for a repurchase financing to be considered a linked transaction under SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities.” A repurchase financing is a transaction where the buyer (“transferee”) of a financial asset obtains financing from the seller (“transferor”) and transfers the financial asset back to the seller as collateral until the financing is repaid. Under FSP 140-3, the transferor and the transferee shall not separately account for the transfer of a financial asset and a related repurchase financing unless the two transactions have a valid and distinct business or economic purpose for being entered into separately and the repurchase financing does not result in the initial transferor regaining control over the financial asset. In addition, an initial transfer of a financial asset and a repurchase financing entered into contemporaneously with, or in contemplation of, one another, must meet the criteria identified in FSP 140-3 in order to receive separate accounting treatment. FSP 140-3 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. FSP 140-3 will be applied prospectively to initial transfers and repurchase financings executed on or after the beginning of the fiscal year in which FSP 140-3 is initially applied. Early application is not permitted. We will adopt FSP 140-3 effective January 1, 2009, and do not expect the adoption will have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

SFAS No. 161 – Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (“SFAS 161”), which amends and expands current qualitative and quantitative disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. Enhanced disclosures will include: how and why we use derivative instruments; how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS 133; and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect our financial position, financial performance and cash flows. Quantitative disclosures will be enhanced by requiring a tabular format by primary underlying risk and accounting designation for the fair value amount and location of derivative instruments in the financial statements and the amount and location of gains and losses in the financial statements for derivative instruments and related hedged items. The tabular disclosures should improve transparency of derivative positions existing at the end of the reporting period and the effect of using derivatives during the reporting period. SFAS 161 also requires the disclosure of credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative instruments and cross-referencing within the notes to the consolidated financial statements to assist users in locating information about derivative instruments. The amended and expanded disclosure requirements apply to all derivative instruments within the scope of SFAS 133, non-derivative hedging instruments and all hedged items designated and qualifying as hedges under SFAS 133. SFAS 161 is effective prospectively for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. We will adopt SFAS 161 effective January 1, 2009, at which time we will include these required enhanced disclosures related to derivative instruments and hedging activities in our financial statements.

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FSP FAS No. 142-3 – Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets

In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS No. 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets” (“FSP 142-3”), which applies to recognized intangible assets accounted for under the guidance in SFAS 142. When developing renewal or extension assumptions in determining the useful life of recognized intangible assets, FSP 142-3 requires an entity to consider its own historical experience in renewing or extending similar arrangements. Absent the historical experience, an entity should use the assumptions a market participant would make when renewing and extending the intangible asset consistent with the highest and best use of the asset by market participants. In addition, FSP 142-3 requires financial statement disclosure regarding the extent to which expected future cash flows associated with the asset are affected by an entity’s intent and/or ability to renew or extend an arrangement. FSP 142-3 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2008, with early adoption prohibited. FSP 142-3 should be applied prospectively to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset acquired after the effective date. In addition, FSP 142-3 requires prospective application of the disclosure

9


requirements to all intangible assets recognized as of, and subsequent to, the effective date. We will adopt FSP 142-3 on January 1, 2009, and do not expect the adoption will have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

SFAS No. 163 – Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts – an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 60

In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 163, “Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 60” (“SFAS 163”), which applies to financial guarantee insurance and reinsurance contracts not accounted for as derivative instruments, and issued by entities within the scope of SFAS No. 60, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises.” SFAS 163 changes current accounting practice related to the recognition and measurement of premium revenue and claim liabilities such that premium revenue recognition is linked to the amount of insurance protection and the period in which it is provided, and a claim liability is recognized when it is expected that a claim loss will exceed the unearned premium revenue. In addition, SFAS 163 expands disclosure requirements to include information related to the premium revenue and claim liabilities, as well as information related to the risk-management activities used to evaluate credit deterioration in insured financial obligations. SFAS 163 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and all interim periods within those fiscal years; early application is not permitted. However, the disclosure requirements related to risk-management activities are effective in the first period (including interim periods) beginning after May 2008. We will adopt SFAS 163 effective January 1, 2009, except for the disclosure requirements which, if applicable, will be provided in the third quarter of 2008. Since we do not hold a significant amount of financial guarantee insurance and reinsurance contracts, no additional disclosures have been made and we expect the adoption of SFAS 163 will not be material to our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

EITF No. 07-5 – Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock

In June 2008, the FASB issued EITF No. 07-5, “Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock” (“EITF 07-5”). EITF 07-5 provides guidance to determine whether an instrument (or an embedded feature) is indexed to an entity’s own stock when evaluating the instrument as a derivative under SFAS 133. An instrument that is both indexed to an entity’s own stock and classified in stockholders’ equity in the entity’s statement of financial position is not considered a derivative for the purposes of applying the guidance in SFAS 133. EITF 07-5 provides a two-step process to determine whether an equity-linked instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to its own stock first by evaluating the instrument’s contingent exercise provisions, if any, and second, by evaluating the instrument’s settlement provisions. EITF 07-5 is applicable to outstanding instruments as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which the issue is adopted and is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We will adopt EITF 07-5 on January 1, 2009, and do not expect the adoption will be material to our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

FSP FAS No. 133-1 and FIN 45-4 – Disclosures about Credit Derivatives and Certain Guarantees: An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and FASB Interpretation No. 45; and Clarification of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 161

In September 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS No. 133-1 and FIN 45-4, “Disclosures about Credit Derivatives and Certain Guarantees: An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and FASB Interpretation No. 45; and Clarification of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 161” (“FSP 133-1”). FSP 133-1 amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS 133 to require the seller of credit derivatives, including hybrid financial instruments with embedded credit derivatives, to disclose additional information regarding, among other things, the nature of the credit derivative, information regarding the facts and circumstances that may require performance or payment under the credit derivative, and the nature of any recourse provisions the seller can use for recovery of payments made under the credit derivative. In addition, FSP 133-1 amends the disclosure requirements in FASB Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others” (“FIN 45”) to require additional disclosure about the payment/performance risk of a guarantee. Finally, FSP 133-1 clarifies the intent of the FASB regarding the effective date of SFAS 161. The provisions of FSP 133-1 related to SFAS 133 and FIN 45 are effective for annual and interim reporting periods ending after November 15, 2008, with comparative disclosures required only for those periods ending subsequent to initial adoption. The clarification of the effective date of SFAS 161 was effective upon the issuance of FSP 133-1, and will not impact the effective date of SFAS 161 in our financial statements.

 

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We will adopt FSP 133-1 on December 31, 2008, at which time we will include these required enhanced disclosures related to credit derivatives and guarantees in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

3. Dispositions

Discontinued Media Operations

During the fourth quarter of 2007, we entered into a definitive agreementagreements to sell our television broadcasting, Charlotte radio and sports programming businesses. These businesses were acquired as part of the Jefferson-Pilot merger on April 3, 2006. The sports programming sale closed on November 30, 2007, the Charlotte radio broadcasting sale closed on January 31, 2008, and the television broadcasting sale closed on March 31, 2008. Accordingly, in the periods prior to the closings, the assets and liabilities of these businesses were reclassified as held-for-sale and were reported within other assets and other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The major classes of assets and liabilities held-for-sale (in millions) were as follows:

 

  As of
June 30,
2008
  As of
December 31,
2007
  As of
September 30,
2008
  As of
December 31,
2007

Goodwill

  $—    $340  $—    $340

Specifically identifiable intangible assets

   —     266   —     266

Other

   —     146   —     146
            

Total assets held-for-sale

  $—    $752  $—    $752
            

Liabilities held-for-sale

  $—    $354  $—    $354
            

The results of operations of these businesses were reclassified into income (loss) from discontinued operations on our Consolidated Statements of Income, and the amounts (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  2008  2007  2008 2007  2008 2007  2008 2007

Discontinued Operations Before Disposal

             

Media revenues, net of agency commissions

  $—    $29  $22  $71  $—    $33  $22  $104
                        

Income from discontinued operations before disposal, before federal income taxes

  $—    $10  $8  $22  $—    $10  $8  $32

Federal income taxes

   —     4   3   8   —     3   3   11
                        

Income from discontinued operations before disposal

   —     6   5   14   —     7   5   21
                        

Disposal

             

Loss on disposal, before federal income taxes

   —     —     (12)  —     —     —     (13)  —  

Federal income tax benefit

   —     —     (3)  —  

Federal income tax expense (benefit)

   1   —     (3)  —  
                        

Loss on disposal

   —     —     (9)  —     (1)  —     (10)  —  
                        

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

  $—    $6  $(4) $14  $(1) $7  $(5) $21
                        

Fixed Income Investment Management Business

During the fourth quarter of 2007, we sold certain institutional taxable fixed income business to an unaffiliated investment management company. Investment Management transferred $12.3 billion of assets under management as part of this transaction. Based upon the assets transferred as of October 31, 2007, the purchase price is expected to be no more than $49 million. We expect this transaction to decrease income from operations, compared to the corresponding periods in 2007, by approximately $3 million, after-tax, per quarter in 2008.

During the fourth quarter of 2007, we received $25 million of the purchase price, with additional scheduled payments over the next three years. During 2007, we recorded an after-tax loss of $2 million on our Consolidated Statements of Income as a result of the goodwill we attributed to this business. Any adjustment to the purchase price, if necessary, will be determined at October 31, 2008. During the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, we recorded an after-tax gain of $1 million and $3$4 million, respectively, on our Consolidated Statements of Income in realized loss related to this transaction.

 

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4. Investments

Available-for-Sale Securities

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of available-for-sale securities (in millions) were as follows:

 

   As of June 30, 2008
   Amortized
Cost
  Gross Unrealized  Fair
Value
    Gains  Losses  

Corporate bonds

  $44,160  $675  $2,216  $42,619

U.S. Government bonds

   191   13   1   203

Foreign government bonds

   887   43   23   907

Asset and mortgage-backed securities:

        

Mortgage pass-through securities

   1,712   17   24   1,705

Collateralized mortgage obligations

   6,730   64   418   6,376

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   2,628   21   182   2,467

State and municipal bonds

   142   1   2   141

Redeemable preferred stocks

   103   2   5   100
                

Total fixed maturity securities

   56,553   836   2,871   54,518

Equity securities

   617   39   192   464
                

Total available-for-sale securities

  $57,170  $875  $3,063  $54,982
                
   As of December 31, 2007
   Amortized
Cost
  Gross Unrealized  Fair
Value
    Gains  Losses  

Corporate bonds

  $43,973  $1,120  $945  $44,148

U.S. Government bonds

   205   17   —     222

Foreign government bonds

   979   67   9   1,037

Asset and mortgage-backed securities:

        

Mortgage pass-through securities

   1,226   24   4   1,246

Collateralized mortgage obligations

   6,721   78   130   6,669

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   2,711   49   70   2,690

State and municipal bonds

   151   2   —     153

Redeemable preferred stocks

   103   9   1   111
                

Total fixed maturity securities

   56,069   1,366   1,159   56,276

Equity securities

   548   13   43   518
                

Total available-for-sale securities

  $56,617  $1,379  $1,202  $56,794
                

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   As of September 30, 2008
   Amortized
Cost
  Gross Unrealized  Fair
Value
    Gains  Losses  

Corporate bonds

  $43,461  $425  $3,866  $40,020

U.S. Government bonds

   200   17   —     217

Foreign government bonds

   784   30   28   786

Mortgage-backed securities:

        

Mortgage pass-through securities

   2,021   25   27   2,019

Collateralized mortgage obligations

   6,896   46   618   6,324

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   2,588   10   279   2,319

State and municipal bonds

   130   2   2   130

Redeemable preferred stocks

   131   1   16   116
                

Total fixed maturity securities

   56,211   556   4,836   51,931

Equity securities

   612   9   128   493
                

Total available-for-sale securities

  $56,823  $565  $4,964  $52,424
                
   As of December 31, 2007
   Amortized
Cost
  Gross Unrealized  Fair
Value
     Gains  Losses  

Corporate bonds

  $43,973  $1,120  $945  $44,148

U.S. Government bonds

   205   17   —     222

Foreign government bonds

   979   67   9   1,037

Mortgage-backed securities:

        

Mortgage pass-through securities

   1,226   24   4   1,246

Collateralized mortgage obligations

   6,721   78   130   6,669

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   2,711   49   70   2,690

State and municipal bonds

   151   2   —     153

Redeemable preferred stocks

   103   9   1   111
                

Total fixed maturity securities

   56,069   1,366   1,159   56,276

Equity securities

   548   13   43   518
                

Total available-for-sale securities

  $56,617  $1,379  $1,202  $56,794
                

The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity available-for-sale securities by contractual maturities (in millions) were as follows:

 

  As of June 30, 2008  As of September 30, 2008
  Amortized
Cost
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Fair
Value

Due in one year or less

  $1,893  $1,901  $1,992  $1,984

Due after one year through five years

   12,993   13,049   12,940   12,632

Due after five years through ten years

   15,715   14,916   15,018   13,593

Due after ten years

   14,882   14,104   14,756   13,060
            

Subtotal

   45,483   43,970   44,706   41,269

Asset and mortgage-backed securities

   11,070   10,548

Mortgage-backed securities

   11,505   10,662
            

Total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities

  $56,553  $54,518  $56,211  $51,931
            

Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or pre-pay obligations.

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The fair value and gross unrealized losses of available-for-sale securities (in millions), aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, were as follows:

 

  As of June 30, 2008  As of September 30, 2008
  Less Than Or Equal
to Twelve Months
  Greater Than
Twelve Months
  Total  Less Than Or Equal
to Twelve Months
  Greater Than
Twelve Months
  Total
  Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Corporate bonds

  $17,482  $945  $6,742  $1,271  $24,224  $2,216  $22,046  $1,943  $6,384  $1,923  $28,430  $3,866

U.S. Government bonds

   37   1   —     —     37   1   12   —     —     —     12   —  

Foreign government bonds

   274   8   98   15   372   23   236   11   95   17   331   28

Asset and mortgage-backed securities:

            

Mortgage-backed securities:

            

Mortgage pass-through securities

   664   16   67   8   731   24   521   16   62   11   583   27

Collateralized mortgage obligations

   2,024   159   896   259   2,920   418   2,425   231   930   387   3,355   618

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   1,082   51   647   131   1,729   182   1,222   81   652   198   1,874   279

State and municipal bonds

   55   2   5   —     60   2   43   2   4   —     47   2

Redeemable preferred stocks

   60   5   1   —     61   5   78   16   —     —     78   16
                                    

Total fixed maturity securities

   21,678   1,187   8,456   1,684   30,134   2,871   26,583   2,300   8,127   2,536   34,710   4,836

Equity securities

   350   190   15   2   365   192   420   126   12   2   432   128
                                    

Total available-for-sale securities

  $22,028  $1,377  $8,471  $1,686  $30,499  $3,063  $27,003  $2,426  $8,139  $2,538  $35,142  $4,964
                                    

Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position

             3,320

Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position

   3,911
                          
  As of December 31, 2007
  Less Than Or Equal
to Twelve Months
  Greater Than
Twelve Months
  Total
  Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Corporate bonds

  $11,540  $679  $4,467  $266  $16,007  $945

U.S. Government bonds

   —     —     3   —     3   —  

Foreign government bonds

   95   4   51   4   146   8

Mortgage-backed securities:

            

Mortgage pass-through securities

   32   1   193   4   225   5

Collateralized mortgage obligations

   1,742   101   1,116   29   2,858   130

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   520   47   562   23   1,082   70

State and municipal bonds

   29   —     17   —     46   —  

Redeemable preferred stocks

   13   1   —     —     13   1
                  

Total fixed maturity securities

   13,971   833   6,409   326   20,380   1,159

Equity securities

   402   42   8   1   410   43
                  

Total available-for-sale securities

  $14,373  $875  $6,417  $327  $20,790  $1,202
                  

Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position

Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position

   2,441
             

We had perpetual preferred securities in unrealized loss positions as of September 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, which are included in the corporate bonds and redeemable preferred stock line items above. As of September 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, our amortized cost of perpetual preferred securities reported in corporate bonds was $1.3 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively, and the fair value was $1.1 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively.

 

13


   As of December 31, 2007
   Less Than Or Equal
to Twelve Months
  Greater Than
Twelve Months
  Total
   Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Corporate bonds

  $11,540  $679  $4,467  $266  $16,007  $945

U.S. Government bonds

   —     —     3   —     3   —  

Foreign government bonds

   95   4   51   4   146   8

Asset and mortgage-backed securities:

            

Mortgage pass-through securities

   32   1   193   4   225   5

Collateralized mortgage obligations

   1,742   101   1,116   29   2,858   130

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   520   47   562   23   1,082   70

State and municipal bonds

   29   —     17   —     46   —  

Redeemable preferred stocks

   13   1   —     —     13   1
                        

Total fixed maturity securities

   13,971   833   6,409   326   20,380   1,159

Equity securities

   402   42   8   1   410   43
                        

Total available-for-sale securities

  $14,373  $875  $6,417  $327  $20,790  $1,202
                        

Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position

             2,441
              

The fair value, gross unrealized losses (in millions) and number of available-for-sale securities where the fair value had declined below amortized cost by greater than 20%, were as follows:

 

   As of June 30, 2008
   Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Number
of
Securities

Less than six months

  $198  $102  59

Six months or greater, but less than nine months

   354   255  27

Nine months or greater, but less than twelve months

   225   128  38

Twelve months or greater

   1,512   981  255
           

Total available-for-sale securities

  $2,289  $1,466  379
           

  As of December 31, 2007  As of September 30, 2008
  Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Number
of
Securities
  Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Number
of
Securities

Less than six months

  $136  $49  22  $640  $302  131

Six months or greater, but less than nine months

   427   138  32   711   299  108

Nine months or greater, but less than twelve months

   364   110  17   667   300  73

Twelve months or greater

   183   81  60   2,733   1,827  490
                  

Total available-for-sale securities

  $1,110  $378  131  $4,751  $2,728  802
                  
  As of December 31, 2007
  Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Number
of
Securities

Less than six months

  $136  $49  22

Six months or greater, but less than nine months

   427   138  32

Nine months or greater, but less than twelve months

   364   110  17

Twelve months or greater

   183   81  60
         

Total available-for-sale securities

  $1,110  $378  131
         

As described more fully in Note 1 of our 2007 Form 10-K, we regularly review our investment holdings for other-than-temporary impairments. Based upon this review, the cause of the $1.9$3.8 billion increase in our gross available-for-sale securities unrealized losses for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, was attributable primarily to the combination of reduced liquidity in severalall market segments and deterioration in credit fundamentals and an increase in treasury rates.fundamentals. We believe that the securities in an unrealized loss position as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, were not other-than-temporarily impaired due to our ability and intent to hold for a period of time sufficient for recovery.

 

14


Trading Securities

Trading securities at fair value retained in connection with modified coinsurance and coinsurance with funds withheld reinsurance arrangements (in millions) consisted of the following:

 

  As of
June 30,
2008
  As of
December 31,
2007
  As of
September 30,
2008
  As of
December 31,
2007

Corporate bonds

  $1,850  $1,999  $1,690  $1,999

U.S. Government bonds

   376   367   383   367

Foreign government bonds

   39   46   39   46

Asset and mortgage-backed securities:

    

Mortgage-backed securities:

    

Mortgage pass-through securities

   21   22   32   22

Collateralized mortgage obligations

   137   160   129   160

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   99   107   92   107

State and municipal bonds

   17   19   17   19

Redeemable preferred stocks

   9   8   9   8
            

Total fixed maturity securities

   2,548   2,728   2,391   2,728

Equity securities

   2   2   2   2
            

Total trading securities

  $2,550  $2,730  $2,393  $2,730
            

The portion of trading losses that relate to trading securities still held as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, was $91$187 million for the secondthird quarter of 2008.

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate

Mortgage loans on real estate principally involve commercial real estate. The commercial loans are geographically diversified throughout the United States with the largest concentrations in California and Texas, which accounted for approximately 29% of mortgage loans as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008.

Net Investment Income

The major categories of net investment income (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities

  $855  $845  $1,713  $1,689   $856  $856  $2,569  $2,543 

Equity available-for-sale securities

   8   12   17   20    7   10   24   31 

Trading securities

   42   44   85   90    41   44   126   134 

Mortgage loans on real estate

   129   132   250   262    121   123   371   385 

Real estate

   6   13   14   28    6   16   20   43 

Policy loans

   43   44   88   87    46   43   134   130 

Invested cash

   15   17   34   36    12   14   46   52 

Alternative investments

   13   70   8   90    27   —     36   90 

Other investments

   (3)  3   (2)  12    2   5   (1)  17 
                          

Investment income

   1,108   1,180   2,207   2,314    1,118   1,111   3,325   3,425 

Investment expense

   (31)  (47)  (65)  (91)   (29)  (49)  (94)  (140)
                          

Net investment income

  $1,077  $1,133  $2,142  $2,223   $1,089  $1,062  $3,231  $3,285 
                          

 

15


Realized Gain (Loss)Loss Related to Investments

The detail of the realized gain (loss)loss related to investments (in millions) was as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities:

          

Gross gains

  $22  $26  $31  $82   $27  $26  $58  $108 

Gross losses

   (138)  (46)  (238)  (53)   (380)  (44)  (618)  (97)

Equity available-for-sale securities:

          

Gross gains

   —     4   3   6    1   1   4   7 

Gross losses

   (7)  —     (7)  —      (26)  —     (33)  —   

Gain on other investments

   3   5   28   1 

Gain (loss) on other investments

   (1)  6   27   7 

Associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and changes in other contract holder funds and funds withheld reinsurance liabilities

   95   (14)  144   (36)
             

Total realized loss on investments, excluding trading securities

   (284)  (25)  (418)  (11)

Loss on certain derivative instruments

   (30)  (11)  (62)  (7)

Associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and changes in other contract holder funds

   24   (2)  49   (22)   —     1   —     —   
                          

Total realized gain (loss) on investments, excluding trading securities

   (96)  (13)  (134)  14 

Gain (loss) on certain derivative instruments

   (29)  4   (32)  4 
             

Total realized gain (loss) on investments and certain derivative instruments, excluding trading securities

  $(125) $(9) $(166) $18 

Total realized loss on investments and certain derivative instruments, excluding trading securities

  $(314) $(35) $(480) $(18)
                          

Write-downs for other-than-temporary impairments included in realized loss on available-for-sale securities above

  $(120) $(30) $(211) $(34)  $(312) $(34) $(523) $(68)
                          

See Note 1112 for a comprehensive listing of realized gain (loss).loss.

Securities Lending

The carrying values of securities pledged under securities lending agreements were $602$463 million and $655 million as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively. The fair values of these securities were $578$435 million and $634 million as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

The carrying values of securities pledged under reverse repurchase agreements were $280 million and $480 million as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007.2007, respectively. The fair values of these securities were $508$293 million and $502 million as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively.

Investment Commitments

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, our investment commitments for fixed maturity securities (primarily private placements), limited partnerships, real estate and mortgage loans on real estate were $1.2$1.1 billion, which includes $337$314 million of standby commitments to purchase real estate upon completion and leasing.

Concentrations of Financial Instruments

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, we did not have a significant concentration of financial instruments in a single investee, industry or geographic region of the U.S.

16


Credit-Linked Notes

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, other contract holder funds on our Consolidated Balance Sheets included $850$600 million and $1.2 billion outstanding in funding agreements of the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company (“LNL”), respectively. LNL invested the proceeds of $850 million received for issuing three funding agreements in 2006 and 2007 into three separate credit-linked notes originated by third party companies. TheseOne of the credit linked notes totaling $250 million was paid off at par in September and as a result, the related structure, including the $250 million funding agreement, was terminated. The two remaining credit-linked notes are asset-backed securities, classified as asset-backed securitiescorporate bonds in the tables above and are

16


included in our reported as fixed maturity securities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. An additional $300 million funding agreement was assumed as a result of the merger of Jefferson-Pilot, but was not invested into credit-linked notes. This $300 million funding agreement matured on June 2, 2008.

We earn a spread between the coupon received on the credit-linked notes and the interest credited on the funding agreement. Our credit-linked notes were created using a trust that combines highly rated assets with credit default swaps to produce a multi-class structured security. Our affiliate, Delaware Investments, actively manages the credit default swaps in the underlying portfolios. The high quality asset in two of these transactions is a AAA-rated asset-backed security secured by a pool of credit card receivables. The high quality asset in the third transaction is a guaranteed investment contract issued by MBIA, which is further secured by a pool of high quality assets.

Consistent with other debt market instruments, we are exposed to credit losses within the structure of the credit-linked notes, which could result in principal losses to our investments. However, we have attempted to protect our investments from credit losses through the multi-tiered class structure of the credit-linked note, which requires the subordinated classes of the investment pool to absorb all of the initial credit losses. LNL owns the mezzanine tranche of these investments, which currently carries a mid- or low-AA rating.investments. To date, there havehas been no defaultsone default in any of the underlying collateral pools.pool of the $400 million credit-linked note and two defaults in the underlying collateral pool of the $200 million credit-linked note. There has been no event of default on the credit-linked notes themselves, and we feel the remaining subordination is sufficient to absorb future initial credit losses. Similar to other debt market instruments, our maximum principal loss is limited to our original investment of $850$600 million as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008.

As in the general markets, spreads on these transactions have widened, causing unrealized losses. We had unrealized losses of $390$421 million on the $600 million in credit-linked notes as of September 30, 2008 and $190 million on the $850 million in credit-linked notes as of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively.2007. As described more fully in Note 1 of our 2007 Form 10-K, we regularly review our investment holdings for other-than-temporary impairments. Based upon this review, we believe that these securities were not other-than-temporarily impaired as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007.

The following summarizes information regarding our investments in these securities (dollars in millions):

 

   Amount and Date of Issuance
   $400
December 2006
  $200
April 2007
  $250
April 2007

Amount of subordination(1)

  $2,184  $410  $1,167

Maturity

   12/20/16   3/20/17   6/20/17

Current rating of tranche (1)

   AA-   Aa2   A-

Number of entities(1)

   125   100   102

Number of countries(1)

   20   21   14
   Amount and Date of Issuance
   $400
December 2006
  $200
April 2007

Amount of subordination (1)

  $1,944  $296

Maturity

   12/20/16   3/20/17

Current rating of tranche (1)

   A+   Baa2

Number of entities (1)

   124   98

Number of countries (1)

   20   21

 

(1)

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008.2008

 

17


5. DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL

On a quarterly basis, we may record an adjustment to the amounts included within our Consolidated Balance Sheets for DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL with an offsetting benefit or charge to revenue or expense for the impact of the difference between the estimates of future gross profits used in the prior quarter and the emergence of actual and updated estimates of future gross profits in the current quarter (“retrospective unlocking”). In addition, in the third quarter of each year, we conduct our annual comprehensive review of the assumptions and the projection models used for our estimates of future gross profits underlying the amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and the calculations of the embedded derivatives and reserves for annuity and life insurance products with living benefit and death benefit guarantees. These assumptions include investment margins, mortality, retention and rider utilization. Based on our review, the cumulative balances of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL, included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, are adjusted with an offsetting benefit or charge to revenue or amortization expense to reflect such change (“prospective unlocking – assumption changes”). We may also identify and implement actuarial modeling refinements (“prospective unlocking – model refinements”) that result in increases or decreases to the carrying values of DAC, VOBA, DSI, DFEL, embedded derivatives and reserves for annuity and life insurance products with living benefit and death benefit guarantees. The primary distinction between retrospective and prospective unlocking is that retrospective unlocking is driven by the emerging experience period-over-period, while prospective unlocking is driven by changes in assumptions or projection models related to estimated future gross profits.

Changes in DAC (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007   2008 2007 

Balance at beginning-of-year

  $6,510  $5,116   $6,510  $5,116 

Cumulative effect of adoption of Statement of Position (“SOP”) 05-1 (“SOP 05-1”)

   —     (31)   —     (31)

Deferrals

   896   968    1,354   1,469 

Amortization, net of interest:

   

Unlocking

   (10)  31 

Other amortization

   (403)  (385)

DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:

   

Prospective unlocking – assumption changes

   24   35 

Prospective unlocking – model refinements

   44   (56)

Retrospective unlocking

   (69)  46 

Other amortization, net of interest

   (585)  (600)

Adjustment related to realized gains on available-for-sale securities and derivatives

   (10)  (27)   (16)  (10)

Adjustment related to unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities and derivatives

   332   188    715   184 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   1   13    (51)  23 
              

Balance at end-of-period

  $7,316  $5,873   $7,926  $6,176 
              

18


Changes in VOBA (in millions) were as follows:

 

   For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2008  2007 

Balance at beginning-of-year

  $3,070  $3,304 

Cumulative effect of adoption of SOP 05-1

   —     (35)

Business acquired

   —     14 

Deferrals

   26   24 

Amortization:

   

Unlocking

   (20)  9 

Other amortization

   (199)  (233)

Accretion of interest

   67   70 

Adjustment related to realized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities and derivatives

   13   (11)

Adjustment related to unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities and derivatives

   334   78 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   1   8 
         

Balance at end-of-period

  $3,292  $3,228 
         

18


   For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2008  2007 

Balance at beginning-of-year

  $3,070  $3,304 

Cumulative effect of adoption of SOP 05-1

   —     (35)

Business acquired

   —     14 

Deferrals

   32   35 

DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:

   

Prospective unlocking – assumption changes

   26   14 

Prospective unlocking – model refinements

   (15)  (7)

Retrospective unlocking

   (21)  16 

Other amortization, net of interest

   (288)  (348)

Accretion of interest

   100   108 

Adjustment related to realized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities and derivatives

   53   (6)

Adjustment related to unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities and derivatives

   796   53 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   (27)  13 
         

Balance at end-of-period

  $3,726  $3,161 
         

Changes in DSI (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007   2008 2007 

Balance at beginning-of-year

  $279  $194   $279  $194 

Cumulative effect of adoption of SOP 05-1

   —     (3)   —     (3)

Deferrals

   52   51    77   81 

Amortization, net of interest:

   

Unlocking

   1   2 

Other amortization

   (15)  (16)

DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:

   

Prospective unlocking – assumption changes

   —     2 

Prospective unlocking – model refinements

   —     (1)

Retrospective unlocking

   (2)  2 

Other amortization, net of interest

   (21)  (25)

Adjustment related to realized gains on available-for-sale securities and derivatives

   (3)  (3)   (5)  (1)
              

Balance at end-of-period

  $314  $225   $328  $249 
              

19


Changes in DFEL (in millions) were as follows:

 

   For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2008  2007 

Balance at beginning-of-year

  $1,183  $977 

Cumulative effect of adoption of SOP 05-1

   —     (2)

Deferrals

   206   203 

Amortization, net of interest:

   

Unlocking

   (14)  9 

Other amortization

   (95)  (90)

Adjustment related to realized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities and derivatives

   1   (1)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   1   10 
         

Balance at end-of-period

  $1,282  $1,106 
         

19


   For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2008  2007 

Balance at beginning-of-year

  $1,183  $977 

Cumulative effect of adoption of SOP 05-1

   —     (2)

Deferrals

   316   300 

DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:

   

Prospective unlocking – assumption changes

   5   4 

Prospective unlocking – model refinements

   25   (34)

Retrospective unlocking

   (29)  10 

Other amortization, net of interest

   (135)  (144)

Adjustment related to realized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities and derivatives

   (2)  —   

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   (38)  17 
         

Balance at end-of-period

  $1,325  $1,128 
         

6. Goodwill and Specifically Identifiable Intangibles

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill (in millions) by reportable segment were as follows:

 

  For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008  For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
  Balance At
Beginning-
of-Year
  Purchase
Accounting
Adjustments
 Impairment Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustment
  Balance
At End-
of-Period
  Balance At
Beginning-
of-Year
  Purchase
Accounting
Adjustments
 Impairment Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustment
 Balance
At End-
of-Period

Individual Markets:

        

Retirement Solutions:

       

Annuities

  $1,046  $(6) $—    $—    $1,040

Defined Contribution

   20   —     —     —     20

Insurance Solutions:

       

Life Insurance

  $2,201  $(9) $—    $—    $2,192   2,201   (11)  —     —     2,190

Annuities

   1,046   (6)  —     —     1,040

Employer Markets:

        

Retirement Products

   20   —     —     —     20

Group Protection

   274   —     —     —     274   274   —     —     —     274

Investment Management

   247   1   —     —     248   247   1   —     —     248

Lincoln UK

   17   —     —     —     17   17   —     —     (2)  15

Other Operations

   339   (2)  (83)  —     254   339   (2)  (83)  —     254
                              

Total goodwill

  $4,144  $(16) $(83) $—    $4,045  $4,144  $(18) $(83) $(2) $4,041
                              

The purchase accounting adjustments above relate to income tax deductions recognized when stock options attributable to mergers were exercised.exercised or the release of unrecognized tax benefits acquired through mergers.

As a result of declines in current and forecasted advertising revenue for the entire radio market, we updated our intangible impairment review in the second quarter of 2008, which was outside of our annual process normally completed as of October 1 each year. This impairment test showed the implied fair value of our remaining radio properties were lower than their carrying amounts, therefore we recorded non-cash impairments of goodwill (set forth above) and specifically identifiable intangible (set forth below), based upon the guidance of SFAS 142. The impairment of goodwill did not have any offsetting tax benefit; therefore, our effective tax rate for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, was elevated over the corresponding periodsperiod in 2007.

20


The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization (in millions) for each major specifically identifiable intangible asset class by reportable segment were as follows:

 

  As of
June 30, 2008
  As of
December 31, 2007
  As of
September 30, 2008
  As of
December 31, 2007
  Gross
Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortiza-
tion
  Gross
Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortiza-
tion
  Gross
Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Gross
Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization

Individual Markets – Life Insurance:

        

Insurance Solutions – Life Insurance:

        

Sales force

  $100  $9  $100  $7  $100  $10  $100  $7

Employer Markets – Retirement Products:

        

Retirement Solutions – Defined Contribution:

        

Mutual fund contract rights(1)

   3   —     3   —     3   —     3   —  

Investment Management:

                

Client lists

   92   91   92   90   92   92   92   90

Other(1)

   4   —     3   —     5   —     3   —  

Other Operations:

                

FCC licenses(1) (2)

   294   —     384   —     292   —     384   —  

Other

   4   3   4   3   4   3   4   3
                        

Total

  $497  $103  $586  $100  $496  $105  $586  $100
                        

 

(1)

No amortization recorded as the intangible asset has indefinite life.

(2)

We recorded FCC licenses impairment of $90 million during the second quarter of 2008, as discussed above.

20


See Note 3 for goodwill and specifically identifiable intangibles included within discontinued operations.

7. Guaranteed Benefit Features

We issue variable annuity contracts through our separate accounts for which investment income and investment gains and losses accrue directly to, and investment risk is borne by, the contract holder (traditional variable annuities). We also issue variable annuity and life contracts through separate accounts that include various types of guaranteed death benefit (“GDB”), guaranteed withdrawal benefit (“GWB”) and guaranteed income benefit (“GIB”) features. The GDB features include those where we contractually guarantee to the contract holder either: return of no less than total deposits made to the contract less any partial withdrawals (“return of net deposits”); total deposits made to the contract less any partial withdrawals plus a minimum return (“minimum return”); or the highest contract value on any contract anniversary date through age 80 minus any payments or withdrawals following the contract anniversary (“anniversary contract value”).

These guarantees are considered embedded derivatives and are recorded in future contract benefits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value under SFAS 133 and SFAS 157. Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS 157, which affected the valuation of our embedded derivatives. See Note 2 of this report for details on the adoption of SFAS 157. We use derivative instruments to hedge our exposure to the risks and earnings volatility that result from the embedded derivatives for living benefits in certain of our variable annuity products. The change in fair value of these instruments tends to move in the opposite direction of the change in fair value of the embedded derivatives. The net impact of these changes is reported as guaranteed living benefit (“GLB”), which is a component of realized loss discussed in Note 12.

21


Information on the GDB features outstanding (dollars in millions) was as follows (our variable contracts with guarantees may offer more than one type of guarantee in each contract; therefore, the amounts listed are not mutually exclusive):

   As of
September 30,
2008
  As of
December 31,
2007
 

Return of Net Deposits

   

Variable annuity account value

  $39,646  $44,833 

Net amount at risk(1)

   2,503   93 

Average attained age of contract holders

   56 years   55 years 

Minimum Return

   

Variable annuity account value

  $256  $355 

Net amount at risk(1)

   72   25 

Average attained age of contract holders

   68 years   68 years 

Guaranteed minimum return

   5%  5%

Anniversary Contract Value

   

Variable annuity account value

  $20,794  $25,537 

Net amount at risk(1)

   4,821   359 

Average attained age of contract holders

   65 years   64 years 

(1)

Represents the amount of death benefit in excess of the current account balance at the end-of-period. The increase in net amount of risk when comparing September 30, 2008, to December 31, 2007, was attributed primarily to the decline in equity markets and associated reduction in the account values.

The determination of GDB liabilities is based on models that involve a range of scenarios and assumptions, including those regarding expected market rates of return and volatility, contract surrender rates and mortality experience. The following summarizes the balances of and changes in the liabilities for GDB (in millions), which were recorded in future contract benefits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets:

   For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2008  2007 

Balance at beginning-of-year

  $38  $23 

Cumulative effect of adoption of SOP 05-1

   —     (4)

Changes in reserves

   87   17 

Benefits paid

   (22)  (4)
         

Balance at end-of-period

  $103  $32 
         

The changes to the benefit reserves amounts above are reflected in benefits on our Consolidated Statements of Income.

Account balances of variable annuity contracts with guarantees (in millions) were invested in separate account investment options as follows:

   As of
September 30,
2008
  As of
December 31,
2007
 

Asset Type

   

Domestic equity

  $32,578  $44,982 

International equity

   9,974   8,076 

Bonds

   9,559   8,034 

Money market

   4,849   6,545 
         

Total

  $56,960  $67,637 
         

Percent of total variable annuity separate account values

   98%  97%

22


8. Other Contract Holder Funds

Details of other contract holder funds (in millions) were as follows:

 

  As of
June 30,
2008
  As of
December 31,
2007
  As of
September 30,
2008
  As of
December 31,
2007

Account values and other contract holder funds

  $58,337  $57,698  $58,632  $57,698

Deferred front-end loads

   1,282   1,183   1,325   1,183

Contract holder dividends payable

   519   524   499   524

Premium deposit funds

   133   140   129   140

Undistributed earnings on participating business

   92   95   93   95
            

Total other contract holder funds

  $60,363  $59,640  $60,678  $59,640
            

8.9. Federal Income Taxes

The effective tax rate was 38%2% and 30%28% for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The effective tax rate for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 and 2007 was 32%26% and 30%29%, respectively. Differences in the effective rates and the U.S. statutory rate of 35% in 2008 were the result of certain tax preferred investment income, separate account dividends-received deduction (“DRD”), foreign tax credits and other tax preference itemsitems. For information about the unfavorable impact to our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, due from impairment of goodwill, see Note 6.

Federal income tax expense for the third quarter and the impactfirst nine months of the goodwill impairment2008 included a reduction of $34 million related to media operations, which did not havefavorable adjustments from the 2007 tax return, filed in the third quarter of 2008, primarily relating to the separate account DRD, foreign tax credits and other tax preference items. Federal income tax expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2007 included a correspondingreduction of $13 million related to favorable adjustments from the 2006 tax effect. See Note 6 for additional information.return, filed in the third quarter of 2007, relating to the separate account DRD, foreign tax credits and other tax preference items.

Changes to the Internal Revenue Code, administrative rulings or court decisions could increase our effective tax rate. In this regard, on August 16, 2007, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued a revenue ruling that purports, among other things, to modify the calculation of the separate account DRD received by life insurance companies. Subsequently, the IRS issued another revenue ruling that suspended the August 16, 2007, ruling and announced a new regulation project on the issue. The current separate account DRD lowered the effective tax rate by approximately 12%15% and 4%5% for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and 7%9% and 4% for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The separate account deduction for dividends was relatively flat compared to prior quarters; however, its impact to the effective tax rate was the result of lower pre-tax income for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008.

We are required to establish a valuation allowance for any gross deferred tax assets that are unlikely to reduce taxes payable in future years’ tax returns. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, we believed that it was more likely than not that all gross deferred tax assets will reduce taxes payable in future years.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, there have been no material changes to the balance of unrecognized tax benefits reported at December 31, 2007. We anticipate a change to our unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months in the range of none to $12 million.

We recognize interest and penalties, if any, accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of tax expense.

In the normal course of business, we are subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the U.S. and the U.K. At any given time, we may be under examination by state, local or non-U.S. income tax authorities. During the third quarter of 2008, the IRS completed its examination for the tax years 2003 and 2004 resulting in a proposed assessment. We believe a portion of the assessment is inconsistent with existing law and are protesting it through the established IRS appeals process. We do not anticipate that any adjustments that might result from such appeals would be material to our consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

23


9.10. Contingencies and Commitments

See “Contingencies and Commitments” in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements in our 2007 Form 10-K for a discussion of commitments and contingencies, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

Regulatory and Litigation Matters

Federal and state regulators continue to focus on issues relating to fixed and variable insurance products, including, but not limited to, suitability, replacements and sales to seniors. Like others in the industry, we have received inquiries including requests for information regarding sales to seniors from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and we have responded to these inquiries. We continue to cooperate fully with such authority.

21


In the ordinary course of its business, LNC and its subsidiaries are involved in various pending or threatened legal proceedings, including purported class actions, arising from the conduct of business. In some instances, these proceedings include claims for unspecified or substantial punitive damages and similar types of relief in addition to amounts for alleged contractual liability or requests for equitable relief. After consultation with legal counsel and a review of available facts, it is management’s opinion that these proceedings, after consideration of any reserves and rights to indemnification, ultimately will be resolved without materially affecting the consolidated financial position of LNC. However, given the large and indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these proceedings and the inherent difficulty in predicting the outcome of such legal proceedings, including the proceeding described below, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain matters could be material to our operating results for any particular reporting period.

Transamerica Investment Management, LLC and Transamerica Investments Services, Inc. v. Delaware Management Holdings, Inc. (dba Delaware Investments), Delaware Investment Advisers and certain individuals, was filed in the San Francisco County Superior Court on April 28, 2005. The plaintiffs are seeking substantial compensatory and punitive damages. The complaint alleges breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty of loyalty, breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unfair competition, interference with prospective economic advantage, conversion, unjust enrichment and conspiracy, in connection with Delaware Investment Advisers’ hiring of a portfolio management team from the plaintiffs. We and the individual defendants dispute the allegations and are vigorously defending these actions.

10.11. Stockholders’ Equity and Shares

Stockholders’ Equity

The changes in our preferred and common stock (number of shares) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Series A Preferred Stock

          

Balance at beginning-of-period

  11,662  12,526  11,960  12,706   11,662  12,361  11,960  12,706 

Conversion into common stock

  —    (165) (298) (345)  (100) (155) (398) (500)
                          

Balance at end-of-period

  11,662  12,361  11,662  12,361   11,562  12,206  11,562  12,206 
                          

Common Stock

          

Balance at beginning-of-period

  259,206,033  270,685,522  264,233,303  275,752,668   256,801,622  271,441,613  264,233,303  275,752,668 

Conversion of Series A preferred stock

  —    2,640  4,768  5,520   1,600  2,480  6,368  8,000 

Stock compensation(1)

  300,262  734,675  691,644  2,838,673   96,454  774,931  775,676  3,610,276 

Deferred compensation payable in stock

  17,725  25,929  67,079  69,161   18,465  35,149  85,544  104,310 

Retirement of common stock by repurchase/cancellation of shares

  (2,722,398) (7,153) (8,195,172) (7,224,409)  (1,076,508) (3,096,069) (9,259,258) (10,317,150)
                          

Balance at end-of-period

  256,801,622  271,441,613  256,801,622  271,441,613   255,841,633  269,158,104  255,841,633  269,158,104 
                          

Common stock at end-of-period:

          

Assuming conversion of preferred stock

  256,988,214  271,639,389  256,988,214  271,639,389   256,026,625  269,353,400  256,026,625  269,353,400 

Diluted basis

  257,825,399  274,489,187  257,825,399  274,489,187   256,908,832  271,722,491  256,908,832  271,722,491 

 

(1)

Amount includes non stock option awards issued, including issuances for benefit plans and stock options exercised.

 

2224


Earnings Per Share

The income used in the calculation of our diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) is our income from continuing operations and net income, reduced by minority interest adjustments related to outstanding stock options under the Delaware Investments U.S., Inc. (“DIUS”) stock option incentive plan of $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 and less than $1 million for all periods presented,the three months ended September 30, 2008 and preferred dividends declared and payable.2007. A reconciliation of the denominator (number of shares) in the calculations of basic and diluted net income and income from discontinued operations per share was as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Weighted-average shares, as used in basic calculation

  257,785,473  270,566,521  259,368,519  272,716,140   255,865,067  269,395,799  258,192,178  271,597,197 

Shares to cover conversion of preferred stock

  186,592  199,012  187,824  199,980   185,672  196,509  187,101  198,811 

Shares to cover non-vested stock

  273,307  354,054  256,615  751,427   315,939  361,084  276,132  621,802 

Average stock options outstanding during the period

  9,199,383  13,307,765  9,596,842  13,815,359   6,241,386  12,182,185  8,478,357  13,270,967 

Assumed acquisition of shares with assumed proceeds and benefits from exercising stock options (at average market price for the year)

  (8,998,441) (11,111,321) (9,411,397) (11,613,259)  (6,240,810) (10,811,052) (8,392,562) (11,352,163)

Shares repurchasable from measured but unrecognized stock option expense

  (100,707) (257,704) (85,157) (256,675)  (2,279) (168,157) (57,531) (227,169)

Average deferred compensation shares

  1,271,413  1,345,246  1,277,542  1,326,853   1,280,279  1,331,319  1,278,454  1,328,341 
                          

Weighted-average shares, as used in diluted calculation

  259,617,020  274,403,573  261,190,788  276,939,825   257,645,254  272,487,687  259,962,129  275,437,786 
                          

In the event the average market price of LNC common stock exceeds the issue price of stock options, such options would be dilutive to our EPS and will be shown in the table above. Participants in our deferred compensation plans that select LNC stock for measuring the investment return attributable to their deferral amounts will be paid out in LNC stock. The obligation to satisfy these deferred compensation plan liabilities is dilutive and is shown in the table above.

 

2325


11.12. Realized Gain (Loss)Loss

Details underlying realized gain (loss)loss (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Total realized gain (loss) on investments and certain derivative instruments, excluding trading securities(1)

  $(125) $(9) $(166) $18 

Total realized loss on investments and certain derivative instruments, excluding trading securities(1)

  $(314) $(35) $(480) $(18)

Gain (loss) on certain reinsurance derivative/trading securities(2)

   1   4   2   4    (2)  (1)  —     3 

Indexed annuity net derivative results(3):

          

Gross

   3   13   11   11    8   (13)  19   (2)

Associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL

   (1)  (6)  (6)  (6)   (5)  7   (10)  1 

Guaranteed living benefits(4):

          

Gross

   20   12   38   30    159   (37)  196   (6)

Associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL

   (8)  (6)  (27)  (15)   (59)  15   (85)  —   

Guaranteed death benefits(5):

          

Gross

   —     (2)  2   (2)   8   (2)  10   (3)

Associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL

   —     1   (1)  1    (1)  1   (3)  1 

Gain on sale of subsidiaries/businesses

   2   —     4   —      2   —     6   —   
                          

Total realized gain (loss)

  $(108) $7  $(143) $41 

Total realized loss

  $(204) $(65) $(347) $(24)
                          

 

(1)

See Note 4 “Realized Gain (Loss)Loss Related to Investments” for detail.

(2)

Represents changes in the fair value of total return swaps (embedded derivatives) related to various modified coinsurance and coinsurance with funds withheld reinsurance arrangements that have contractual returns related to various assets and liabilities associated with these arrangements. Changes in the fair value of these derivatives are offset by the change in fair value of trading securities in the portfolios that support these arrangements.

(3)

Represents the net difference between the change in the fair value of the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index®Index® call options that we hold and the change in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities of our indexed annuity products along with changes in the fair value of embedded derivative liabilities related to index call options we may purchase in the future to hedge contract holder index allocations applicable to future reset periods for our indexed annuity products as required under SFAS 133 and 157. The sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, includes a $10 million gain from the initial impact of adopting SFAS 157.

(4)

Represents the net difference in the change in fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities of our guaranteed living benefit (“GLB”)GLB products and the change in the fair value of the derivative instruments we own to hedge, including the cost of purchasing the hedging instruments. The sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, includes a $34 million loss from the initial impact of adopting SFAS 157.

(5)

Represents the change in the fair value of the derivatives used to hedge our guaranteed death benefit (“GDB”)GDB riders.

Guaranteed Benefit Features

We issue variable annuity contracts through our separate accounts for which investment income and investment gains and losses accrue directly to, and investment risk is borne by, the contract holder (traditional variable annuities). We also issue variable annuity and life contracts through separate accounts that include various types of GDB, guaranteed withdrawal benefit (“GWB”) and guaranteed income benefit (“GIB”) features. The GDB features include those where we contractually guarantee to the contract holder either: return of no less than total deposits made to the contract less any partial withdrawals (“return of net deposits”); total deposits made to the contract less any partial withdrawals plus a minimum return (“minimum return”); or the highest contract value on any contract anniversary date through age 80 minus any payments or withdrawals following the contract anniversary (“anniversary contract value”).

2426


These guarantees are considered embedded derivatives and are recorded in future contract benefits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value under SFAS 133 and SFAS 157. Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS 157, which affected the valuation of our embedded derivatives. See Note 2 of this report for details on the adoption of SFAS 157. We use derivative instruments to hedge our exposure to the risks and earnings volatility that result from the embedded derivatives for living benefits in certain of our variable annuity products. The change in fair value of these instruments tends to move in the opposite direction of the change in fair value of the embedded derivatives. The net impact of these changes is reported as GLB, which is a component of realized gain (loss) discussed above.

Information in the event of death on the GDB features outstanding (dollars in millions) was as follows (our variable contracts with guarantees may offer more than one type of guarantee in each contract; therefore, the amounts listed are not mutually exclusive):

   As of
June 30,
2008
  As of
December 31,
2007
 

Return of Net Deposits

   

Variable annuity account value

  $43,337  $44,833 

Net amount at risk(1)

   701   93 

Average attained age of contract holders

   56 years   55 years 

Minimum Return

   

Variable annuity account value

  $297  $355 

Net amount at risk(1)

   46   25 

Average attained age of contract holders

   68 years   68 years 

Guaranteed minimum return

   5%  5%

Anniversary Contract Value

   

Variable annuity account value

  $23,625  $25,537 

Net amount at risk(1)

   2,104   359 

Average attained age of contract holders

   64 years   64 years 

(1)

Represents the amount of death benefit in excess of the current account balance at the end-of-period.

The determination of GDB liabilities is based on models that involve a range of scenarios and assumptions, including those regarding expected market rates of return and volatility, contract surrender rates and mortality experience. The following summarizes the balances of and changes in the liabilities for GDB (in millions), which were recorded in future contract benefits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets:

   For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2008  2007 

Balance at beginning-of-year

  $38  $23 

Cumulative effect of adoption of SOP 05-1

   —     (4)

Changes in reserves

   25   10 

Benefits paid

   (11)  (3)
         

Balance at end-of-period

  $52  $26 
         

The changes to the benefit reserves amounts above are reflected in benefits on our Consolidated Statements of Income.

The results of the hedging program are included in realized gain (loss), which included gains of less than $1 million and $2 million for GDB for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively, and losses of $1 million and $2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively.

25


Account balances of variable annuity contracts with guarantees (in millions) were invested in separate account investment options as follows:

   As of
June 30,
2008
  As of
December 31,
2007
 

Asset Type

   

Domestic equity

  $37,447  $44,982 

International equity

   11,899   8,076 

Bonds

   9,740   8,034 

Money market

   4,831   6,545 
         

Total

  $63,917  $67,637 
         

Percent of total variable annuity separate account values

   98%  97%

12.13. Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

Details underlying underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Commissions

  $499  $536  $992  $1,050   $495  $542  $1,486  $1,592 

General and administrative expenses

   422   452   844   863    416   438   1,260   1,300 

DAC and VOBA deferrals and interest, net of amortization

   (156)  (272)  (357)  (484)   (245)  (228)  (602)  (712)

Other intangibles amortization

   2   3   3   5    1   3   5   8 

Media expenses

   15   15   31   30    14   13   45   43 

Taxes, licenses and fees

   49   52   112   117    60   52   170   169 

Merger-related expenses

   16   30   31   44    13   30   44   75 
                          

Total

  $847  $816  $1,656  $1,625   $754  $850  $2,408  $2,475 
                          

 

2627


13.14. Employee Benefit Plans

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

The components of net defined benefit pension plan and postretirement benefit plan expense (in millions) were as follows:

 

   For the Three Months Ended June 30, 
   Pension Benefits  Other
Postretirement Benefits
 
   2008  2007  2008  2007 

U.S. Plans

     

Service cost

  $—    $7  $1  $1 

Interest cost

   15   14   2   2 

Expected return on plan assets

   (20)  (20)  —     —   

Amortization of prior service cost

   —     (1)  —     —   

Recognized net actuarial gain

   —     —     (1)  (1)
                 

Net periodic benefit expense (recovery)

  $(5) $—    $2  $2 
                 

Non-U.S. Plans

     

Service cost

  $1  $—     

Interest cost

   5   5   

Expected return on plan assets

   (5)  (5)  

Recognized net actuarial loss

   1   1   
           

Net periodic benefit expense

  $2  $1   
           

  For the Six Months Ended June 30,   For the Three Months Ended September 30, 
  Pension Benefits Other
Postretirement Benefits
   Pension Benefits Other
Postretirement Benefits
 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 

U.S. Plans

          

Service cost

  $—    $16  $1  $2   $—    $9  $1  $—   

Interest cost

   30   30   4   4    15   14   2   2 

Expected return on plan assets

   (39)  (40)  (1)  (1)   (19)  (19)  —     (1)

Amortization of prior service cost

   —     (1)  —     —      —     1   —     —   

Recognized net actuarial gain

   1   —     (1)  (1)   1   —     —     —   
                          

Net periodic benefit expense (recovery)

  $(8) $5  $3  $4   $(3) $5  $3  $1 
                          

Non-U.S. Plans

          

Service cost

  $1  $1     $—    $—     

Interest cost

   10   9      5   5   

Expected return on plan assets

   (11)  (10)     (5)  (5)  

Recognized net actuarial loss

   2   2      1   1   
                  

Net periodic benefit expense

  $2  $2     $1  $1   
                  
  For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  Pension Benefits Other
Postretirement Benefits
 
  2008 2007 2008 2007 

U.S. Plans

     

Service cost

  $1  $25  $2  $2 

Interest cost

   46   44   6   6 

Expected return on plan assets

   (58)  (59)  (1)  (2)

Amortization of prior service cost

   —     —     —     —   

Recognized net actuarial gain

   3   —     (1)  (1)
             

Net periodic benefit expense (recovery)

  $(8) $10  $6  $5 
             

Non-U.S. Plans

     

Service cost

  $2  $1   

Interest cost

   15   14   

Expected return on plan assets

   (16)  (15)  

Recognized net actuarial loss

   2   3   
         

Net periodic benefit expense

  $3  $3   
         

On May 1, 2007, simultaneous with our announcement of the freeze of our primary defined benefit pension plans, we announced a number of enhancements to our employees’ 401(k) plan effective January 1, 2008. Consequently, we are no longer accruing service costs in our U.S. pension plans.

For any additional disclosures and other general information regarding our benefit plans, see Note 16 in our 2007 Form 10-K.

 

2728


14.15. Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans

We sponsor various incentive plans for our employees, agents and directors and our subsidiaries that provide for the issuance of stock options, stock incentive awards, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units (“performance shares”), and deferred stock units. DIUSDelaware Investments U.S., Inc. (“DIUS”) has a separate stock-based incentive compensation plan, which has DIUS stock underlying the awards.

In the first quarter of 2008, a performance period from 2008-2010 was approved for our executive officers by the Compensation Committee. Executive officers participating in this performance period received one-half of their award in 10-year LNC or DIUS restricted stock units, with the remainder of the award in a combination of either: 100% performance shares or 75% performance shares and 25% cash. LNC stock options granted for this performance period vest ratably over the three-year period, based solely on a service condition. DIUS restricted stock units granted for this performance period vest ratably over a four-year period, based solely on a service condition and were granted only to employees of DIUS. Depending on the performance, the actual amount of performance shares could range from zero to 200% of the granted amount. Under the 2008-2010 plan, a total of 1,564,800 LNC stock options were granted; 2,726 DIUS restricted stock units were granted; and 218,308 LNC performance shares were granted during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008.

In addition to the stock-based grants noted above, various other LNC stock-based awards were granted in the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, which are summarized in the table below:and were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30, 2008
  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30, 2008
  For the Three
Months Ended
September 30, 2008
  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30, 2008

Awards

        

10-year LNC stock options

  10,772  14,326  —    14,326

Non-employee director stock options

  —    60,489  —    60,489

Non-employee agent stock options

  20,982  197,113  210  197,323

Restricted stock

  18,776  163,397  1,732  165,129

Stock appreciation rights

  —    234,800  —    234,800

 

2829


15.16. Financial Instruments Carried at Fair Value

See “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” in Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements in our 2007 Form 10-K andSFAS No. 157 – Fair Value Measurements in Note 2 above for discussions of the methodologies and assumptions used to determine the fair value of our financial instruments.

The following table summarizes our financial instruments carried at fair value (in millions) on a recurring basis by the SFAS 157 fair value hierarchy levels described in Note 2. We did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during the secondthird quarter of 2008 or as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008.

 

  As of June 30, 2008   As of September 30, 2008 
  Quoted
Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
  Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
 Total
Fair
Value
   Quoted
Prices

in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
  Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
 Total
Fair
Value
 

Assets

             

Investments:

             

Available-for-sale securities:

             

Fixed maturities

  $234  $50,053  $4,231  $54,518   $238  $47,877  $3,816  $51,931 

Equity

   66   252   146   464    52   337   104   493 

Trading securities

   5   2,444   101   2,550    3   2,293   97   2,393 

Derivative instruments

   —     24   866   890    —     161   1,101   1,262 

Cash and invested cash

   —     1,921   —     1,921    —     2,160   —     2,160 

Separate account assets

   —     85,295   —     85,295    —     74,971   —     74,971 
                          

Total assets

  $305  $139,989  $5,344  $145,638   $293  $127,799  $5,118  $133,210 
                          

Liabilities

             

Other contract holder funds:

      

Future Contract Benefits:

       

Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts

  $—    $—    $(298) $(298)  $—    $—    $(265) $(265)

Embedded derivative instruments – living benefits liabilities

   —     —     (335)  (335)   —     —     (564)  (564)

Reinsurance related derivative liability

   —     (112)  —     (112)   —     9   —     9 
                          

Total liabilities

  $—    $(112) $(633) $(745)  $—    $9  $(829) $(820)
                          

Our investment securities are valued using market inputs, including benchmark yields, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data. In addition, market indicators, industry and economic events are monitored and further market data is acquired if certain triggers are met. For certain security types, additional inputs may be used, or some of the inputs described above may not be applicable. For broker-quoted only securities, quotes from market makers or broker-dealers are obtained from sources recognized to be market participants. In order to validate the pricing information and broker-dealer quotes, we employ, where possible, procedures that include comparisons with similar observable positions, comparisons with subsequent sales, discussions with senior business leaders and brokers as well as observations of general market movements for those asset classes.

30


The following tables summarize changes to our financial instruments carried at fair value (in millions) and classified within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. This summary excludes any impact of amortization on DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL. When a determination is made to classify an asset or liability within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the determination is based upon the significance of the unobservable inputs to the overall fair value measurement. Certain securities trade in less liquid or illiquid markets with limited or no pricing information, and the determination of fair value for these securities is inherently more difficult. However, level 3 fair value investments may include, in addition to the unobservable or level 3 inputs, observable components (that is, components that are actively quoted or can be validated to market-based sources). The gains and losses in the table below may include changes in fair value due in part to observable inputs that are a component of the valuation methodology.

 

29


   For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 
   Beginning
Fair
Value
  Items
Included
in
Earnings,
Net
  Gains
(Losses)
in

OCI
  Sales,
Issuances,
Maturities,
Settlements,
Calls,

Net
  Transfers
In or

Out
of
Level 3,
Net (1)
  Ending
Fair
Value
 

Investments:

       

Available-for-sale securities:

       

Fixed maturities

  $4,223  $(13) $(22) $133  $(90) $4,231 

Equity

   35   (6)  50   67   —     146 

Trading securities

   108   (6)  —     (1)  —     101 

Derivative instruments

   969   (118)  (5)  20   —     866 

Other contract holder funds:

       

Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts

   (321)  21   —     2   —     (298)

Embedded derivative instruments – living benefits liabilities

   (535)  2   234   (36)  —     (335)
        ��                

Total, net

  $4,479  $(120) $257  $185  $(90) $4,711 
                         

  For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008   For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2008 
  Beginning
Fair
Value
 Items
Included
in
Earnings,
Net
 Gains
(Losses)
in

OCI
 Sales,
Issuances,
Maturities,
Settlements,
Calls,

Net
 Transfers
In or

Out
of
Level 3,
Net (1)
  Ending
Fair
Value
   Beginning
Fair
Value
 Items
Included
in

Net
Income
 Gains
(Losses)
in

OCI
 Sales,
Issuances,
Maturities,
Settlements,
Calls,

Net
 Transfers
In or

Out
of
Level 3,
Net(1)
 Ending
Fair
Value
 

Investments:

               

Available-for-sale securities:

               

Fixed maturities

  $4,420  $(15) $(428) $62  $192  $4,231   $4,231  $(25) $(206) $(90) $(94) $3,816 

Equity

   54   (6)  31   67   —     146    146   (23)  (38)  19   —     104 

Trading securities

   112   (8)  —     (8)  5   101    101   (2)  —     (5)  3   97 

Derivative instruments

   767   (8)  5   102   —     866    866   127   6   102   —     1,101 

Other contract holder funds:

        

Future Contract Benefits:

       

Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts

   (389)  47   —     44   —     (298)   (298)  23   —     10   —     (265)

Embedded derivative instruments – living benefits liabilities

   (279)  4   9   (69)  —     (335)   (335)  (190)  —     (39)  —     (564)
                                      

Total, net

  $4,685  $14  $(383) $198  $197  $4,711   $4,711  $(90) $(238) $(3) $(91) $4,289 
                                      
  For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 
  Beginning
Fair
Value
 Items
Included
in

Net
Income
 Gains
(Losses)
in

OCI
 Sales,
Issuances,
Maturities,
Settlements,
Calls,

Net
 Transfers
In or

Out
of
Level 3,
Net(1)
 Ending
Fair
Value
 

Investments:

       

Available-for-sale securities:

       

Fixed maturities

  $4,420  $(44) $(646) $(55) $141  $3,816 

Equity

   54   (30)  (6)  86   —     104 

Trading securities

   112   (11)   (12)  8   97 

Derivative instruments

   767   118   13   203   —     1,101 

Future Contract Benefits:

       

Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts

   (389)  34   —     90   —     (265)

Embedded derivative instruments – living benefits liabilities

   (279)  (177)  —     (108)  —     (564)
                   

Total, net

  $4,685  $(110) $(639) $204  $149  $4,289 
                   

 

(1)

Transfers in or out of level 3 for available-for-sale and trading securities are displayed at amortized cost at the beginning of the period. For available-for-sale and trading securities, the difference between beginning of period amortized cost and beginning of period fair value was included in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and earnings, respectively, in prior periods.

 

3031


The following tables provide the components of the items included in earnings, net income, excluding any impact of amortization on DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and changes in otherfuture contract holder funds,benefits, (in millions) as reported in the table above:

 

   For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 
   (Amortization)
Accretion,

Net
  Other-
Than-
Temporary
Impairment
  Gains
(Losses)
from

Sales,
Maturities,
Settlements,
Calls
  Unrealized
Holding
Gains
(Losses)
  Total 

Investments:

        

Available-for-sale securities:

        

Fixed maturities (1)

  $1  $(14) $—    $—    $(13)

Equity

   —     (6)  —     —     (6)

Trading securities(1)

   1   (7)  —     —     (6)

Derivative instruments(2)

   —     —     4   (122)  (118)

Other contract holder funds:

        

Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts (2)

   —     —     6   15   21 

Embedded derivative instruments – living benefits liabilities(2)

   —     —     —     2   2 
                     

Total, net

  $2  $(27) $10  $(105) $(120)
                     

  For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008   For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2008 
  (Amortization)
Accretion,

Net
  Other-
Than-
Temporary
Impairment
 Gains
(Losses)
from

Sales,
Maturities,
Settlements,
Calls
 Unrealized
Holding
Gains
(Losses)
 Total   (Amortization)
Accretion,

Net
  Other-
Than-
Temporary
Impairment
 Gains
(Losses)
from

Sales,
Maturities,
Settlements,
Calls
 Unrealized
Holding
Gains
(Losses)(3)
 Total 

Investments:

              

Available-for-sale securities:

              

Fixed maturities(1)

  $1  $(16) $—    $—    $(15)  $1  $(29) $3  $—    $(25)

Equity

   —     (6)  —     —     (6)   —     (24)  1   —     (23)

Trading securities(1)

   1   (7)  —     (2)  (8)   1   (2)  —     (1)  (2)

Derivative instruments(2)

   —     —     (23)  15   (8)   —     —     (15)  142   127 

Other contract holder funds:

       

Future Contract Benefits:

       

Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts(2)

   —     —     10   37   47    —     —     5   18   23 

Embedded derivative instruments – living benefits liabilities(2)

   —     —     —     4   4    —     —     1   (191)  (190)
                                

Total, net

  $2  $(29) $(13) $54  $14   $2  $(55) $(5) $(32) $(90)
                                
  For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 
  (Amortization)
Accretion,

Net
  Other-
Than-
Temporary
Impairment
 Gains
(Losses)
from

Sales,
Maturities,
Settlements,
Calls
 Unrealized
Holding
Gains
(Losses)(3)
 Total 

Investments:

       

Available-for-sale securities:

       

Fixed maturities(1)

  $2  $(52) $6  $—    $(44)

Equity

   —     (31)  1   —     (30)

Trading securities(1)

   2   (8)  —     (5)  (11)

Derivative instruments(2)

   —     —     (61)  179   118 

Future Contract Benefits:

       

Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts (2)

   —     —     14   20   34 

Embedded derivative instruments – living benefits liabilities(2)

   —     —     5   (182)  (177)
                

Total, net

  $4  $(91) $(35) $12  $(110)
                

 

(1)

Amortization and accretion, net and unrealized holding losses are included in net investment income on our Consolidated Statements of Income. All other amounts are included in realized gain (loss)loss on our Consolidated Statements of Income.

(2)

All amounts are included in realized gain (loss)loss on our Consolidated Statements of Income.

(3)

This change in unrealized gains or losses relates to assets and liabilities that we still held as of September 30, 2008.

 

3132


The fair value of available-for-sale fixed maturity securities (in millions) classified within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy was as follows:

 

   As of June 30, 2008 
   Fair
Value
  % of Total
Fair Value
 

Corporate bonds

  $2,327  55.0%

Asset-backed securities

   807  19.1%

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   360  8.5%

Collateralized mortgage obligations

   223  5.3%

Mortgage pass-through securities

   105  2.5%

Municipals

   129  3.0%

Government and government agencies

   249  5.9%

Redeemable preferred stock

   31  0.7%
        

Total available-for-sale fixed maturity securities

  $4,231  100.0%
        
   As of December 31, 2007 
   Fair
Value
  % of Total
Fair Value
 

Corporate bonds

  $2,143  48.5%

Asset-backed securities

   1,113  25.2%

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   395  8.9%

Collateralized mortgage obligations

   296  6.7%

Mortgage pass-through securities

   31  0.7%

Municipals

   139  3.1%

Government and government agencies

   272  6.2%

Redeemable preferred stock

   31  0.7%
        

Total available-for-sale fixed maturity securities

  $4,420  100.0%
        

32


   As of September 30, 2008 
   Fair
Value
  % of Total
Fair Value
 

Corporate bonds

  $2,330  61.1%

Asset-backed securities

   483  12.7%

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   356  9.3%

Collateralized mortgage obligations

   182  4.8%

Mortgage pass-through securities

   25  0.7%

Municipals

   118  3.1%

Government and government agencies

   272  7.1%

Redeemable preferred stock

   50  1.3%
        

Total available-for-sale fixed maturity securities

  $3,816  100.0%
        
   As of December 31, 2007 
   Fair
Value
  % of Total
Fair Value
 

Corporate bonds

  $2,143  48.5%

Asset-backed securities

   1,113  25.2%

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   395  8.9%

Collateralized mortgage obligations

   296  6.7%

Mortgage pass-through securities

   31  0.7%

Municipals

   139  3.1%

Government and government agencies

   272  6.2%

Redeemable preferred stock

   31  0.7%
        

Total available-for-sale fixed maturity securities

  $4,420  100.0%
        

16.17. Segment Information

As of June 30, 2008, we provided products and services in four operating businesses: Individual Markets, Employer Markets, Investment Management and Lincoln UK, and report results through six business segments. We also have Other Operations, which includes the financial data for operations that are not directly related to the business segments. Other Operations also includes the Institutional Pension business, which was previously reported in Employer Markets – Retirement Products.

On July 21, 2008, we announced the realignment of our segments under our former Employer Markets and Individual Markets operating businesses into two new operating businesses – Retirement Solutions and Insurance Solutions. We believe the new structure more closely aligns with consumer needs and should lead to more coordinated product development and greater effectiveness across the enterprise. The only change to our current segment reporting will be to report the results of the Executive Benefits business, which as of June 30, 2008, was part of the Retirement Products segment, in the Life Insurance segment. Accordingly, for the third quarter of 2008, we will provide products and services in four operating business and report results through six segments as follows:

Business

Corresponding Segments

Retirement Solutions

Annuities
Defined Contribution (formerly Retirement Products)

Insurance Solutions

Life Insurance (including Executive Benefits business)
Group Protection

Investment Management

Investment Management

Lincoln UK

Lincoln UK

These changes to the Retirement Products and the Life Insurance segments are in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” and reflect the manner in which we are organized for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing performance. Our segment results will be reported under this new structure beginning in the third quarter of 2008, andAccordingly, we will restatehave restated results from prior periods in a consistent manner.manner with our realigned segments.

Under our newly realigned segments, we will report the results of the Executive Benefits business, which as of June 30, 2008, was part of the Retirement Products segment, in the Life Insurance segment. We do not view thethese changes to the existingour segment reporting as material to our consolidated financial statements.

We provide products and services in four operating businesses and report results through six segments as immaterial.follows:

Business

Corresponding Segments

Retirement SolutionsAnnuities
Defined Contribution (formerly Retirement Products)
Insurance SolutionsLife Insurance (including Executive Benefits business)
Group Protection
Investment ManagementInvestment Management
Lincoln UKLincoln UK

33


We also have Other Operations, which includes the financial data for operations that are not directly related to the business segments. Other Operations also includes our run-off Institutional Pension business, which was previously reported in Employer Markets – Retirement Products and the results of our remaining media businesses.

Beginning with the quarter ended June 30, 2008, we changed our definitions of segment operating revenues and income from operations to better reflect: the underlying economics of our variable and indexed annuities that employ derivative instruments to hedge policy benefits and the manner in which management evaluates that business. Our change in the definition of income from operations is primarily the result of our adoption of SFAS 157 during the first quarter of 2008. See Note 2. Under SFAS 157’s fair value calculation,157, we are required to measure the fair value of these annuities from an “exit value” perspective, (i.e., what a market participant or willing buyer would charge to assume the liability). We, therefore, must include margins that a market participant buyer would require as well as a factor for non-performance risk related to our credit quality.risk. We do not believe that these factors relate to the economics of the underlying business and do not reflect the manner in which management evaluates the business. The items that are now excluded from our operating results that were previously included are as follows: GLB net derivatives results; indexed annuity forward-starting option; and GDB derivatives results. See Note 1112 for more information about these items.

We continue to exclude the effects of any realized gain (loss) on investments from segment operating revenues and income from operations as we believe that such items are not necessarily indicative of current operating fundamentals or future performance of the business segments, and, in many instances, decisions regarding these items do not necessarily relate to the operations of the individual segments.

We believe that our new definitions of operating revenues and income (loss) from operations will provide investors with a more valuable measure of our performance because it better reveals trends in our business.

33


Segment operating revenues and income (loss) from operations are internal measures used by our management and Board of Directors to evaluate and assess the results of our segments. Income (loss) from operations is GAAP net income excluding the after-tax effects of the following items, as applicable:

 

Realized gains and losses associated with the following (“excluded realized gain (loss)”):

 

Sale or disposal of securities;

 

Impairments of securities;

 

Change in the fair value of embedded derivatives within certain reinsurance arrangements and the change in the fair value of related trading securities;

 

Change in the fair value of the embedded derivatives of our GLBs within our variable annuities net of the change in the fair value of the derivatives we own to hedge the changes in the embedded derivative;

 

Net difference between the benefit ratio unlocking of SOP No. 03-1, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Nontraditional Long-Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts” reserves on our GDB riders within our variable annuities and the change in the fair value of the derivatives excluding our expected cost of purchasing the hedging instruments; and

 

Changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities related to index call options we may purchase in the future to hedge contract holder index allocations applicable to future reset periods for our indexed annuity products as required under SFAS 133 and 157.

 

Income (loss) from the initial adoption of changes in accounting principles;

 

Income (loss) from reserve changes (net of related amortization) on business sold through reinsurance;

 

Losses on early retirement of debt, including subordinated debt;

 

Losses from the impairment of intangible assets; and

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations.

Operating revenues represent GAAP revenues excluding the pre-tax effects of the following items, as applicable:

 

Excluded realized gain (loss);

 

Amortization of deferred gains arising from the reserve changes on business sold through reinsurance; and

 

Revenue adjustments from the initial impact of the adoption of changes in accounting principles.

Operating revenues and income (loss) from operations do not replace revenues and net income as the GAAP measures of our consolidated results of operations.

 

34


Segment information (in millions) was as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007  2008 2007  2008 2007 2008 2007 

Revenues

           

Operating revenues:

           

Individual Markets:

      

Retirement Solutions:

     

Annuities

  $618  $624  $1,241  $1,214  $675  $647  $1,916  $1,861 

Defined Contribution

   241   243   718   742 
             

Total Retirement Solutions

   916   890   2,634   2,603 
             

Insurance Solutions:

     

Life Insurance

   1,021   957   2,008   1,929   1,072   1,056   3,210   3,121 
            

Total Individual Markets

   1,639   1,581   3,249   3,143
            

Employer Markets:

      

Retirement Products

   304   318   608   634

Group Protection

   425   391   824   751   403   368   1,227   1,119 
                         

Total Employer Markets

   729   709   1,432   1,385

Total Insurance Solutions

   1,475   1,424   4,437   4,240 
                         

Investment Management(1)

   125   151   245   301   110   150   354   451 

Lincoln UK(2)

   98   93   183   183   80   89   263   272 

Other Operations

   110   123   229   233   111   113   341   345 

Excluded realized gain (loss), pre-tax

   (120)  6   (166)  39

Excluded realized loss, pre-tax

   (256)  (66)  (421)  (27)

Amortization of deferred gain arising from reserve changes on business sold through reinsurance, pre-tax

   1   8   2   8   —     1   2   9 
                         

Total revenues

  $2,582  $2,671  $5,174  $5,292  $2,436  $2,601  $7,610  $7,893 
                         

 

(1)

Revenues for the Investment Management segment included inter-segment revenues for asset management services provided to our other segments. These inter-segment revenues totaled $21 million and $19$23 million for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $41$61 million and $44$67 million for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

(2)

Revenues from our Lincoln UK segment represent our revenues from a foreign country.

 

35


  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Net Income

          

Income (loss) from operations:

          

Individual Markets:

     

Retirement Solutions:

     

Annuities

  $116  $123  $234  $240   $131  $126  $365  $366 

Defined Contribution

   42   41   124   138 
             

Total Retirement Solutions

   173   167   489   504 
             

Insurance Solutions:

     

Life Insurance

   153   176   298   343    137   182   458   548 
             

Total Individual Markets

   269   299   532   583 
             

Employer Markets:

     

Retirement Products

   52   58   104   120 

Group Protection

   32   29   58   52    27   33   86   85 
                          

Total Employer Markets

   84   87   162   172 

Total Insurance Solutions

   164   215   544   633 
                          

Investment Management

   15   11   27   28    5   22   32   49 

Lincoln UK

   18   12   29   23    12   10   41   33 

Other Operations

   (44)  (35)  (86)  (65)   (39)  (49)  (127)  (115)

Excluded realized gain (loss), after-tax

   (78)  4   (108)  25 

Excluded realized loss, after-tax

   (166)  (42)  (274)  (16)

Income (loss) from reserve changes (net of related amortization) on business sold through reinsurance, after-tax

   —     (8)  1   (8)   —     —     1   (7)

Impairment of intangibles, after-tax

   (139)  —     (139)  —      —     —     (139)  —   
                          

Income from continuing operations, after-tax

   125   370   418   758    149   323   567   1,081 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, after-tax

   —     6   (4)  14    (1)  7   (5)  21 
                          

Net income

  $125  $376  $414  $772   $148  $330  $562  $1,102 
                          

17.18. Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Information

The following summarizes our supplemental cash flow data (in millions):

 

  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007   2008 2007 

Significant non-cash investing and financing transactions:

      

Business combinations:

      

Fair value of assets acquired (includes cash and invested cash)

  $—    $86   $—    $86 

Fair value of common stock issued and stock options recognized

   —     (20)   —     (20)

Cash paid for common shares

   —     (1)   —     (1)
              

Liabilities assumed

   —     65    —     65 

Business dispositions:

      

Assets disposed (includes cash and invested cash)

   (732)  —      (732)  —   

Liabilities disposed

   127   —      126   —   

Cash received

   647   —      647   —   
              

Realized gain on disposal

   42   —      41   —   

Estimated gain on net assets held-for-sale in prior periods

   (54)    (54) 
              

Loss on discontinued operations in current period

  $(12) $—     $(13) $—   
              

Sale of subsidiaries/businesses:

      

Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries/businesses, reported as gain on sale of subsidiaries/businesses

  $5  $—     $6  $—   
              

 

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The carrying values and estimated fair values of our debt financial instruments (in millions) were as follows:

 

   As of
June 30, 2008
  As of
December 31, 2007
 
   Carrying
Value
  Fair
Value
  Carrying
Value
  Fair
Value
 

Short-term debt

  $(900) $(896) $(550) $(550)

Long-term debt

   (4,102)  (3,817)  (4,618)  (4,511)

18. Subsequent Event

During July 2008, we borrowed $200 million under a new $200 million borrowing facility. The facility expires, and all outstanding loans under the facility mature, on July 18, 2013. Proceeds from this borrowing were used for general corporate purposes and to repay maturing debt.

On July 21, 2008, we announced the realignment of our Employer Markets and Individual Markets businesses into two new businesses – Retirement Solutions and Insurance Solutions. Our other businesses, including Investment Management, Lincoln UK and Other Operations, remain unchanged. The new structure is more closely aligned with consumer needs and will lead to more coordinated product development and greater effectiveness across the enterprise. Our segment results will be reported under this new structure beginning in the third quarter of 2008, and we will restate results from prior periods in a consistent manner. For more information regarding the realignment, see Note 16.

   As of
September 30, 2008
  As of
December 31, 2007
 
   Carrying
Value
  Fair
Value
  Carrying
Value
  Fair
Value
 

Short-term debt

  $(635) $(600) $(550) $(550)

Long-term debt

   (4,569)  (3,930)  (4,618)  (4,511)

 

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Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand the financial condition of Lincoln National Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries (“LNC,” “Lincoln” or the “Company,” which also may be referred to as “we,” “our” or “us”) as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, compared with December 31, 2007, and the results of operations of LNC for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, as compared with the corresponding periods in 2007. The MD&A is provided as a supplement to and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements (“Notes”) presented in “Item 1. Financial Statements” and our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 (“2007 Form 10-K”), including the sections entitled “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors,” “Part II – Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”Data”, as well as “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” below.

In this report, in addition to providing consolidated revenues and net income (loss), we also provide segment operating revenues and income (loss) from operations because we believe they are meaningful measures of revenues and the profitability of our operating segments. Income (loss) from operations is net income recorded in accordance with United States of America generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) excluding the after-tax effects of the following items, as applicable:

 

Realized gains and losses associated with the following (“excluded realized gain (loss)”):

 

Sale or disposal of securities;

 

Impairments of securities;

 

Change in the fair value of embedded derivatives within certain reinsurance arrangements and the change in the fair value of related trading securities;

 

Change in the fair value of the embedded derivatives of our guaranteed living benefits (“GLB”) within our variable annuities net of the change in the fair value of the derivatives we own to hedge the changes in the embedded derivative;

 

Net difference between the benefit ratio unlocking of Statement of Position (“SOP”) No. 03-1, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Nontraditional Long-Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts” (“SOP 03-1”) reserves on our guaranteed death benefit (“GDB”) riders within our variable annuities and the change in the fair value of the derivatives excluding our expected cost of purchasing the hedging instruments; and

 

Changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities related to index call options we may purchase in the future to hedge contract holder index allocations applicable to future reset periods for our indexed annuity products as required under Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 133”) and SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”).

 

Income (loss) from the initial adoption of changes in accounting principles;

 

Income (loss) from reserve changes (net of related amortization) on business sold through reinsurance;

 

Losses on early retirement of debt, including subordinated debt;

 

Losses from the impairment of intangible assets; and

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations.

Operating revenues represent GAAP revenues excluding the pre-tax effects of the following items, as applicable:

 

Excluded realized gain (loss);

 

Amortization of deferred gains arising from the reserve changes on business sold through reinsurance; and

 

Revenue adjustments from the initial impact of the adoption of changes in accounting principles.

Operating revenues and income (loss) from operations are the financial performance measures we use to evaluate and assess the results of our segments. Accordingly, we report operating revenues and income (loss) from operations by segment in Note 16.17. Our management and Board of Directors believe that operating revenues and income (loss) from operations explain the results of our ongoing businesses in a manner that allows for a better understanding of the underlying trends in our current businesses because the excluded items are unpredictable and not necessarily indicative of current operating fundamentals or future performance of the business segments, and, in many instances, decisions regarding these items do not necessarily relate to the operations of the individual segments. Operating revenues and income (loss) from operations do not replace revenues and net income as the GAAP measures of our consolidated results of operations.

Beginning with the quarter ended June 30, 2008, we changed our definitions of segment operating revenues and income from operations to better reflect: the underlying economics of our variable and indexed annuities that employ derivative instruments to hedge policy benefits; and the manner in which management evaluates that business. Our change in the definition of income from operations is primarily the result of our adoption of SFAS 157 during the first quarter of 2008. See Note 2. Under SFAS 157’s fair value calculation, we are required to fair value these annuities from an “exit value” perspective, (i.e., what a market participant or

38


willing buyer would charge to assume the liability). We, therefore, must include margins that a market participant buyer would require as well as a factor for non-performance risk related to our credit quality. We do not believe that these factors relate to the

38


economics of the underlying business and do not reflect the manner in which management evaluates the business. The items that are now excluded from our operating results that were previously included are as follows: GLB net derivatives results; indexed annuity forward-starting option; and GDB derivatives results. For more information regarding this change, see our current report on Form 8-K dated July 16, 2008.

We continue to exclude the effects of any realized gain (loss) on investments from segment operating revenues and income from operations as we believe that such items are not necessarily indicative of current operating fundamentals or future performance of the business segments, and, in many instances, decisions regarding these items do not necessarily relate to the operations of the individual segments.

We believe that our new definitions of operating revenues and income (loss) from operations will provide investors with a more valuable measure of our performance because it better reveals trends in our business. See “Realized Gain (Loss)”Loss” below for more information about these items.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods’ financial information. Included in these reclassifications is the change in our definition of segment operating revenues and income (loss) from operations as discussed above. In addition, we have reclassified the results of certain derivatives and embedded derivatives to realized gain (loss), which were previously reported within insurance fees, net investment income, interest credited or benefits. The associated amortization expense of deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) and value of business acquired (“VOBA”) (previously reported within underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses), deferred sales inducements (“DSI”) (previously reported within interest credited), deferred front-end loads (“DFEL”) (previously reported within insurance fees) and changes in contract holder funds (previously reported within benefits) have also been reclassified to realized gain (loss). See Note 1 for additional information.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSCAUTIONARY LANGUAGE

Certain statements made in this report and in other written or oral statements made by LNC or on LNC’s behalf are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”). A forward-looking statement is a statement that is not a historical fact and, without limitation, includes any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain words like: “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “will,” “shall” and other words or phrases with similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, trends in our businesses, prospective services or products, future performance or financial results and the outcome of contingencies, such as legal proceedings. LNC claims the protection afforded by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the PSLRA.

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results contained in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary materially, some of which are described within the forward-looking statements, include, among others:

Continued deterioration in general economic and business conditions, both domestic and foreign, that may affect foreign exchange rates, premium levels, claims experience, the level of pension benefit costs and funding and investment results;

Continued economic declines and credit market illiquidity could cause us to realize additional impairments on investments and certain intangible assets including a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets, which may reduce future earnings and/or affect our financial condition and ability to raise additional capital or refinance existing debt as it matures;

Uncertainty about the effectiveness of the U.S. government’s plan to purchase large amounts of illiquid, mortgage-backed and other securities from financial institutions;

 

Legislative, regulatory or tax changes, both domestic and foreign, that affect the cost of, or demand for, LNC’s products, the required amount of reserves and/or surplus, or otherwise affect our ability to conduct business, including changes to statutory reserves and/or risk-based capital (“RBC”) requirements related to secondary guarantees under universal life and variable annuity products such as Actuarial Guideline VACARVM (“VACARVM”); restrictions on revenue sharing and 12b-1 payments; and the potential for U.S. Federal tax reform;

 

The initiation of legal or regulatory proceedings against LNC or its subsidiaries, and the outcome of any legal or regulatory proceedings, such as: adverse actions related to present or past business practices common in businesses in which LNC and its subsidiaries compete; adverse decisions in significant actions including, but not limited to, actions brought by federal and state authorities and extra-contractual and class action damage cases; new decisions that result in changes in law; and unexpected trial court rulings;

 

Changes in interest rates causing a reduction of investment income, the margins of LNC’s fixed annuity and life insurance businesses and demand for LNC’s products;

 

A decline in the equity markets causing a reduction in the sales of LNC’s products, a reduction of asset-based fees that LNC charges on various investment and insurance products, an acceleration of amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and an increase in liabilities related to guaranteed benefit features of LNC’s variable annuity products;

 

39


Ineffectiveness of LNC’s various hedging strategies used to offset the impact of changes in the value of liabilities due to changes in the level and volatility of the equity markets and interest rates;

 

A deviation in actual experience regarding future persistency, mortality, morbidity, interest rates or equity market returns from LNC’s assumptions used in pricing its products, in establishing related insurance reserves and in the amortization of intangibles that may result in an increase in reserves and a decrease in net income, including as a result of stranger-originated life insurance business;

 

39


Changes in GAAP that may result in unanticipated changes to LNC’s net income, including the impact of SFAS 157 and SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”;

 

Lowering of one or more of LNC’s debt ratings issued by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations and the adverse impact such action may have on LNC’s ability to raise capital and on its liquidity and financial condition;

 

Lowering of one or more of the insurer financial strength ratings of LNC’s insurance subsidiaries and the adverse impact such action may have on the premium writings, policy retention and profitability of its insurance subsidiaries;

 

Significant credit, accounting, fraud or corporate governance issues that may adversely affect the value of certain investments in the portfolios of LNC’s companies requiring that LNC realize losses on such investments;

 

The impact of acquisitions and divestitures, restructurings, product withdrawals and other unusual items, including LNC’s ability to integrate acquisitions and to obtain the anticipated results and synergies from acquisitions, including LNC’s ability to successfully integrate Jefferson-Pilot Corporation (“Jefferson-Pilot”) businesses acquired on April 3, 2006, to achieve the expected synergies from the merger or to achieve such synergies within our expected timeframe;

 

The adequacy and collectibility of reinsurance that LNC has purchased;

 

Acts of terrorism, war or other man-made and natural catastrophes that may adversely affect LNC’s businesses and the cost and availability of reinsurance;

 

Competitive conditions, including pricing pressures, new product offerings and the emergence of new competitors, that may affect the level of premiums and fees that LNC can charge for its products;

 

The unknown impact on LNC’s business resulting from changes in the demographics of LNC’s client base, as aging baby-boomers move from the asset-accumulation stage to the asset-distribution stage of life; and

 

Loss of key management, portfolio managers in the Investment Management segment, financial planners or wholesalers;

Changes in general economic or business conditions, both domestic and foreign, that may be less favorable than expected and may affect foreign exchange rates, premium levels, claims experience, the level of pension benefit costs and funding and investment results; and

Continued economic declines and credit market volatility that could cause us to realize additional impairments on investments and certain intangible assets and dampen future earnings.wholesalers.

The risks included here are not exhaustive. Other sections of this report, our 2007 Form 10-K, current reports on Form 8-K and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) include additional factors that could impact LNC’s business and financial performance, including “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and the risk discussions included in this section under “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates,” “Consolidated Investments” and “Reinsurance,” which are incorporated herein by reference. Moreover, LNC operates in a rapidly changing and competitive environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors.

Further, it is not possible to assess the impact of all risk factors on LNC’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. In addition, LNC disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this report.

INTRODUCTION

Executive Summary

We are a holding company that operates multiple insurance and investment management businesses through subsidiary companies. Through our business segments, we sell a wide range of wealth protection, accumulation and retirement income products and solutions. These products include institutional and/or retail fixed and indexed annuities, variable annuities, universal life insurance (“UL”), variable universal life insurance (“VUL”), linked-benefit UL, term life insurance, mutual funds and managed accounts.

As of June 30, 2008, we provided products and services in four operating businesses: Individual Markets, Employer Markets, Investment Management and Lincoln UK, and reported results through six business segments: Individual Markets – Annuities; Individual Markets – Life Insurance; Employer Markets – Retirement Products; Employer Markets – Group Protection; Investment Management; and Lincoln UK. These operating businesses and their segments are described in “Part I – Item 1. Business” of our 2007 Form 10-K. We also have Other Operations, which includes the financial data for operations that are not directly related to the business segments. Other Operations also includes the Institutional Pension business, which was previously reported in Employer Markets – Retirement Products.

 

40


On July 21, 2008, we announced the realignment of our segments under our former Employer Markets and Individual Markets operating businesses into two new operating businesses – Retirement Solutions and Insurance Solutions. We believe the new structure more closely aligns with consumer needs and should lead to more coordinated product development and greater effectiveness across the enterprise. The only change to our current segment reporting will be to reportis reporting the results of the Executive Benefits business, which as of June 30, 2008, was part of the Retirement Products segment, in the Life Insurance segment. Accordingly, forbeginning in the third quarter of 2008, we will provide products and services in four operating business and report results through six segments as follows:

 

Business

 

Corresponding Segments

Retirement SolutionsAnnuities

Retirement Solutions

 Annuities
  Defined Contribution (formerly Retirement Products)

Insurance Solutions

  Life Insurance (including Executive Benefits business)
  Group Protection

Investment Management

  Investment Management

Lincoln UK

  Lincoln UK

These changes to the Retirement Products and the Life Insurance segments are in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” and reflect the manner in which we are organized for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing performance. Our segment results will beare reported under this new structure beginning in the third quarter of 2008, and we will restatehave restated results from prior periods in a consistent manner. We view the changes to the existing segments as immaterial.

We also have Other Operations, which includes the financial data for operations that are not directly related to the business segments. Other Operations also includes our run-off Institutional Pension business, which was previously reported in Employer Markets – Retirement Products and the results of our remaining media businesses.

Current Market Conditions

During the first halfnine months of the year, the capital markets continued to experience high volatility that affected both equity market returns and interest rates. In addition, we also saw the widening of credit spreads widened across asset classes and reduced liquidity in the credit markets. Earnings infor the second halfremainder of 2008 will continue to be unfavorably impacted by the significant decline in the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index®equity markets during June. While the average S&P 500 Index® for second quarter was higher than first quarter, the S&P 500 Index® ended June at a lower level than the average because favorable equity market performance in April and May was largely offset by unfavorable performance in June.nine months of 2008. Due to these challenges, the capital markets had a significant effect on our segment operating income and consolidated net income for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008. Furthermore, although the fourth quarter is normally the strongest in terms of sales for our Life Insurance segment, we expect that those results will be muted in the fourth quarter. The markets impact primarily the following areas:

Earnings from Assets Under Management

Our asset-gathering segments: Individual MarketsRetirement Solutions – Annuities; Employer MarketsRetirement SolutionsRetirement Products;Defined Contribution; and Investment Management; are sensitive to the equity markets. We discuss the earnings impact of the equity markets on account values, assets under management and the related asset-based fees below in “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk – Equity Market Risk – Impact of Equity Market Sensitivity.” From the end of 2007 to JuneSeptember 30, 2008, the daily average value of the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P&P”) 500 Index®Index® decreased 7%10%. Solely as a result of the equity markets, our assets under management as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, were down $14.1$30.1 billion from the end of the prior year. Strong deposits over the last year have only helped to more thanpartially offset this impact for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, compared to the same periods in 2007.

We have continued to experience unfavorable equity markets as the October 2008 daily average of the S&P 500 Index® declined 17% from its value as of September 30, 2008, resulting in an approximate $18 billion decline in our assets under management. We expect our income from operations to be negatively impacted in our asset-gathering businesses from lower asset-based earnings and expect our net flows in these businesses to continue to be pressured from these unfavorable equity market conditions.

Investment Income on Alternative Investments

We believe that overall market conditions in both the equity and credit markets caused our alternative investments portfolio, which consists mostly of hedge funds and various limited partnership investments, to under-performperform in line relative to our long-term expectations, andbut we expect these assets to under-perform, going forward, in the prior periods.short term. This impact was primarily in our Individual MarketsInsurance Solutions – Life Insurance, Employer MarketsRetirement SolutionsAnnuities and Retirement Products and Individual MarketsSolutionsAnnuitiesDefined Contribution segments. See “Consolidated Investments – Alternative Investments” for additional information on our investment portfolio.

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Variable Annuity Living Benefit Hedge Program Results

We offer variable annuity products with living benefit guarantees. These guarantees are considered embedded derivatives and are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value under SFAS 133 and SFAS 157. Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS 157, which affected the valuation of our embedded derivatives. See Note 2 of this report for details on the adoption of SFAS 157. As described below in “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – Derivatives – Guaranteed Living Benefits,” we use

41


derivative instruments to hedge our exposure to the risks and earnings volatility that result from the embedded derivatives for living benefits in certain of our variable annuity products. The change in fair value of these instruments tends to move in the opposite direction of the change in fair value of the embedded derivatives. For the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, the market conditions noted above negatively affected the net result of the change in the fair value of the living benefit embedded derivative, excluding the effect of a change in our non-performance risk factor, and the change in fair value of the hedging derivatives. The change in our non-performance risk factor used in the calculation of the embedded derivative liability had a favorable effect resulting in an overall positive outcome. These results are excluded from operating revenues and income (loss) from operations.

Credit Losses, Impairments and Unrealized Losses

Related to the our investments in fixed income and equity securities, we experienced net realized losses of $125$314 million and $166$480 million for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, which included gross write-downs of securities for other-than-temporary impairments of $120$312 million and $211$523 million, respectively. Widening spreads was the primary cause of an increase in gross unrealized losses of $1.7$3.7 billion on investments in our general account for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, for our available-for-sale fixed maturity securities. These unrealized losses were concentrated in the investment grade category of investments and demonstrate how reduced liquidity in the credit markets have resulted in a decline in asset values as investors shift their investments to safer government securities, such as U.S. Treasuries.

We recorded $139 million, after-tax, of impairment of goodwill and our Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) license intangible assets on our remaining radio clusters attributable primarily to declines in advertising revenues for the entire radio market.

The effect of the negative equity markets on our assets under management in the first sixnine months of 2008 will continue to dampen our earnings throughout 2008 even if, for the remainder of the year, the equity market returns are consistent with our long-term assumptions. Accordingly, we may continue to report lower asset-based fees relative to expectations or prior periods. The volatility and uncertainty in the capital markets will also likely result in lower than expected returns in the short term on alternative investments. In addition, a continued weakness in the economic environment could lead to increased credit defaults.defaults, resulting in additional write-downs of securities for other-than-temporary impairments.

In the face of these capital market challenges, we continue to focus on building our businesses through these difficult markets and beyond by developing and introducing high quality products, expanding distribution in new and existing key accounts and channels and targeting market segments that have high growth potential while maintaining a disciplined approach to managing our expenses.

Capital Preservation

On October 10, 2008, the Board of Directors approved a decrease in the quarterly dividend to stockholders from $0.415 per share to $0.21 per share effective in 2009, which is expected to add approximately $50 million to capital each quarter. Additionally, we have suspended further stock repurchase activity. Both of these changes will favorably impact our capital position prospectively.

Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008

In reaction to the credit market illiquidity and global financial crisis experienced during September and October of 2008, Congress enacted the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (“EESA”) on October 3, 2008, in an effort to restore liquidity to the U.S. credit markets. The EESA defines financial institutions to include insurance companies. The EESA contains the Troubled Assets Relief Program (“TARP”). The TARP authorized the U.S. Treasury to purchase “troubled assets” (as defined in the TARP) from financial institutions, including insurance companies. Pursuant to the authority granted under the TARP, the U.S. Treasury also adopted the Capital Purchase Program. Under the Capital Purchase Program, as currently adopted, bank and thrift holding companies may apply to the U.S. Treasury for the direct sale of preferred stock and warrants to the U.S. Treasury. It remains unclear at this point, if and when the EESA will restore sustained liquidity and confidence in the markets and its affect on the fair value of our invested assets.

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Strategic and Operational Review

Continual productProduct development and strong distribution expansion are important to our ability to meet the challenges of the competitive marketplace. In the third quarter of 2008, our Insurance Solutions – Life Insurance segment launchedLincoln AssetEdgeSM VUL, a variable life insurance product offering clients the ability to align their portfolio to match investment goals, while retaining the flexibility to change allocations as needs change. In February 2008, our Individual MarketsRetirement Solutions – Annuities segment launched a new guaranteed withdrawal benefit (“GWB”),Lincoln Lifetime IncomeSMAdvantage, which includes features such as: a reduced minimum age for lifetime income eligibility; a 5% benefit enhancement in each year an owner does not take a withdrawal; a health care benefit; and a guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit. In our Individual Markets – Life Insurance segment, we intend to launch a variable life insurance product in the third quarter of 2008 after receiving appropriate regulatory approvals. Within the mid-sized market of our Employer MarketsRetirement SolutionsRetirement ProductsDefined Contribution segment, in the first quarter we launched ourLincoln SmartFutureSM retirement program to fill the gap between our Alliance program and our group variable annuities.

In the third quarter we launched our new LINCOLN DIRECTORSM product that offers more than 80 investment options and will be positioned as our primary product in the micro-to small 401(k) plan marketplace. This product includes fiduciary support for plan sponsors, accumulation strategies and tools for plan participants and will also offer our patented distribution option,i4LIFE® Advantage.

In terms of increasing our distribution breadth, we launched variable annuity products into three large banks during the first halfnine months of 2008. In support of these and other activities, Lincoln Financial Distributors (“LFD”) increased the number of wholesalers by 9%13% since the end of 2007 with additional increases expected in the remainder of the year.2007.

Challenges and Outlook

For the remainder of 2008, we expect major challenges to include:

 

Continuation of volatility in the equity markets and hedge breakage, as the October 2008 daily average of the S&P 500 Index® declined 17% from its value as of September 30, 2008, causing continued variable account value erosion;

Continuation of illiquid credit markets;markets and impact on spreads and on other-than-temporary impairments;

 

Continuation of the low interest rate environment, which creates a challenge for our products that generate investment margin profits, such as fixed annuities and UL;

 

Continuation of challenges in the economy, orincluding the potential for a recession;

 

Achieving success in our portfolio of products, and marketplace acceptance of new variable annuity features and maintaining management and wholesalers that will help maintain our competitive position;

Continuation of the successful expansion of our wholesale distribution businesses;

42


Ability to improve financial and sales results and increase scale in our Employer Markets – Defined Contribution and Investment Management businesses;

 

Continuation of focus by the government on tax reform including potential changes in company dividends-received deduction (“DRD”) calculations, which may impact our products and overall earnings;

Continuation of competitive pressures in the life insurance and annuity marketplace; and

Regulatory scrutiny of the life and annuity industry, which may lead to higher product costs and negative perceptions about the industry.earnings.

In the face of these challenges, we expect to focus on the following throughout the remainder of 2008:

Continue to significantly invest in expanding our distribution in each of our core Retirement Solutions, Insurance Solutions and Investment Management businesses;

 

Continue near term product development in our manufacturing units and future product development initiatives in our Retirement Income Security Venture unit related to the evolving retirement income security marketplace;

 

Explore strategies to increase scaleEngage in our Employer Markets – Defined Contributioncost reduction initiatives and Investment Management businesses;

Furtherfurther embed financial and execution discipline throughout our operations by using technology and making other investments to improve operating effectiveness and lower unit costs; and

 

Substantially complete the remaining platform and system consolidations necessary to achieve the final portion of integration cost saves as well as prepare us for more effective customer interaction in the future.

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The MD&A included in our 2007 Form 10-K contains a detailed discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates. The following information updates the critical accounting policies and estimates provided in our 2007 Form 10-K and, accordingly, should be read in conjunction with the critical accounting policies and estimates discussed in our 2007 Form 10-K.

Adoption of SFAS No. 157 – Fair Value Measurements

We adopted SFAS 157 for all our financial instruments effective January 1, 2008. For detailed discussions of the methodologies and assumptions used to determine the fair value of our financial instruments and a summary of our financial instruments carried at fair value as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, see Notes 2 and 1516 of this report and Notes 1 and 19 to the consolidated financial statements in our 2007 Form 10-K.

The adoption of SFAS 157 decreased income from continuing operations by $16 million. The impact to revenue is reported in realized gain (loss) and such amount along with the associated federal income taxes is excluded from income from operations of our segments. For a detailed description of the impact of adoption on our consolidated financial statements, see Note 2.

We did not make any material changes to valuation techniques or models used to determine the fair value of our assets and liabilities carried at fair value during the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, subsequent to the adoption of SFAS 157. As part of our on-going valuation process, we assess the reasonableness of all our valuation techniques or models and make adjustments as necessary.

Our investment securities are valued using market inputs, including benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data. In addition, market indicators and industry and economic events are monitored, and further market data is acquired if certain triggers are met. Credit risk is also incorporated and considered in the valuation of our investment securities as we incorporate the issuer’s credit rating and a risk premium, if warranted, due to the issuer’s industry and the security’s time to maturity. The credit rating is based upon internal and external analysis of the issuer’s financial strength. For certain security types, additional inputs may be used, or some of the inputs described above may not be applicable. For broker-quoted only securities, quotes from market makers or broker-dealers are obtained from sources recognized to be market participants. In order to validate the pricing information and broker/dealer quotes, we employ, where possible, procedures that include comparisons with similar observable positions, comparisons with subsequent sales, discussions with senior business leaders and brokers as well as observations of general market movements for those asset classes. The broker/dealer quotes are non-binding. Our broker-quoted only securities are generally classified as Level 3 in the SFAS 157 hierarchy.

It is possible that different valuation techniques and models, other than those described above, could produce materially different estimates of fair values.

The following summarizes our financial instruments carried at fair value by pricing source and SFAS 157 hierarchy level (in millions):

   As of September 30, 2008 
   Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 

Priced by third party pricing services

  $293  $43,861  $—    $44,154 

Priced by independent broker quotations

   —     —     2,528   2,528 

Priced by matrices

   —     6,807   —     6,807 

Priced by other methods (1)

   —     —     2,590   2,590 

Cash and invested cash(2)

   —     2,160   —     2,160 
                 

Total

  $293  $52,828  $5,118  $58,239 
                 

Percent of total

   1%  90%  9%  100%

(1)

Represents primarily securities for which pricing models were used to compute the fair values.

(2)

Valued primarily at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

Our insurance liabilities that contain embedded derivatives are valued based on a stochastic projection of scenarios of the embedded derivative fees, benefits and expenses. The scenario assumptions, at each valuation date, are those we view to be appropriate for a hypothetical market participant and include assumptions for capital markets, actuarial lapse, benefit utilization, mortality, risk margin, administrative expenses and a margin for profit. In addition, a non-performance risk component is determined each valuation date that reflects our risk of not fulfilling the obligations of the underlying liability. The spread for the non-performance risk is added to the discount rates used in determining the fair value from the net cash flows. We believe these

44


assumptions are consistent with those that would be used by a market participant; however, as the related markets develop we will continue to reassess our assumptions. It is possible that different valuation techniques and assumptions could produce a materially different estimate of fair value.

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The adoption of SFAS 157 increased our exposure to earnings volatility from period to period due primarily to the inclusion of the non-performance risk into the calculation of the GLB embedded derivative liability. For additional information, see our discussion in “Realized Gain (Loss)Loss” below and “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. below.

The following summarizes the percentages of our financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis by the SFAS 157 hierarchy levels:

 

  As of June 30, 2008   As of September 30, 2008 
  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Fair
Value
   Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Fair
Value
 

Assets

  1% 90% 9% 100%  1% 90% 9% 100%

Liabilities

  0% 15% 85% 100%  0% 0% 100% 100%

Note: The percentages above are calculated excluding separate account assets.

Changes of our financial instruments carried at fair value and classified within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy result from changes in market conditions, as well as changes in our portfolio mix and increases and decreases in fair values as a result of those classifications. During the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, there were no material changes in financial instruments classified as level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. For further detail, see Note 15.16.

See “Consolidated Investments” below for a summary of our investments in available-for-sale securities backed by pools of residential mortgages.

DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL

On a quarterly basis, we may record an adjustment to the amounts included within our Consolidated Balance Sheets for DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL with an offsetting benefit or charge to revenue or expense for the impact of the difference between the estimates of future gross profits used in the prior quarter and the emergence of actual and updated estimates of future gross profits in the current quarter (“retrospective unlocking”). In addition, in the third quarter of each year, we conduct our annual comprehensive review of the assumptions and the projection models used for our estimates of future gross profits underlying the amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and the calculations of the embedded derivatives and reserves for annuity and life insurance products with living benefit and death benefit guarantees. These assumptions include investment margins, mortality, retention and rider utilization. Based on our review, the cumulative balances of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL, included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, are adjusted with an offsetting benefit or charge to revenue or amortization expense to reflect such change (“prospective unlocking – assumption changes”). We may also identify and implement actuarial modeling refinements (“prospective unlocking – model refinements”) that result in increases or decreases to the carrying values of DAC, VOBA, DSI, DFEL, embedded derivatives and reserves for annuity and life insurance products with living benefit and death benefit guarantees. The primary distinction between retrospective and prospective unlocking is that retrospective unlocking is driven by the emerging experience period-over-period, while prospective unlocking is driven by changes in assumptions or projection models related to estimated future gross profits.

In discussing our results of operations below in this MD&A, we refer to favorable and unfavorable unlocking. With respect to DAC, VOBA and DSI, favorable unlocking refers to a decrease in the amortization expense in the period, whereas unfavorable unlocking refers to an increase in the amortization expense in the period. With respect to DFEL, favorable unlocking refers to an increase in the amortization expense in the period, whereas unfavorable unlocking refers to a decrease in the amortization expense in the period. With respect to the calculations of the embedded derivatives and reserves for annuity and life insurance products with living benefit and death benefit guarantees, favorable unlocking refers to a decrease in the change in reserves in the period, whereas unfavorable unlocking refers to an increase in the change in reserves in the period.

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Details underlying the increase to income from continuing operations from our prospective unlocking (in millions) were as follows:

   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2008  2007 

Insurance fees:

   

Retirement Solutions – Annuities

  $(1) $(1)

Insurance Solutions – Life Insurance

   (28)  26 

Lincoln UK

   (1)  5 
         

Total insurance fees

   (30)  30 
         

Realized gain (loss):

   

Indexed annuity forward-starting option

   —     1 

GLB

   48   2 
         

Total realized gain (loss)

   48   3 
         

Total revenues

   18   33 
         

Interest credited:

   

Retirement Solutions – Annuities

   —     (1)
         

Total interest credited

   —     (1)
         

Benefits:

   

Retirement Solutions – Annuities

   —     2 

Insurance Solutions – Life Insurance

   85   —   
         

Total benefits

   85   2 
         

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses:

   

Retirement Solutions – Annuities

   (2)  (12)

Retirement Solutions – Defined Contribution

   —     3 

Insurance Solutions – Life Insurance

   (81)  21 

Lincoln UK

   4   2 
         

Total underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

   (79)  14 
         

Total benefits and expenses

   6   15 
         

Income from continuing operations before taxes

   12   18 

Federal income taxes

   4   6 
         

Income from continuing operations

  $8  $12 
         

As equity markets do not move in a systematic manner, we use a “reversion to the mean” (“RTM”) process to compute our best estimate long-term gross growth rate assumption. Under our current RTM process, on each valuation date, future estimated gross profits (“EGPs”) are projected using stochastic modeling of a large number of future equity market scenarios in conjunction with best estimates of lapse rates, interest rate spreads and mortality to develop a statistical distribution of the present value of future EGPs for our variable annuity, annuity-based 401(k) and unit-linked product blocks of business. This process is not applied to our life insurance and fixed annuity businesses, as equity market performance does not have as significant of an impact on these products. Because future equity market returns are unpredictable, the underlying premise of this process is that best estimate projections of future EGPs, as required by SFAS No. 97, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Long-Duration Contracts and for Realized Gains and Losses from the Sale of Investments” (“SFAS 97”), need not be affected by random short-term and insignificant deviations from expectations in equity market returns. However, long-term or significant deviations from expected equity market returns require a change to best estimate projections of EGPs and prospective unlocking of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL. The statistical distribution is designed to identify when the equity market return deviations from expected returns have become significant enough to warrant a change of the future equity return EGP assumption.

The stochastic modeling performed for our variable annuity blocks of business as described above is used to develop a range of reasonably possible future EGPs. We compare the range of the present value of the future EGPs from the stochastic modeling to that used in our amortization model. A set of intervals around the mean of these scenarios is utilized to calculate two separate statistical ranges of reasonably possible EGPs. These intervals are then compared again to the present value of the EGPs used in the amortization model. If the present value of EGP assumptions utilized for amortization were to exceed the margin of the

46


reasonable range of statistically calculated EGPs, a revision of the EGPs used to calculate amortization would occur. If a revision is deemed necessary, future EGPs would be re-projected using the current account values at the end of the period during which the revision occurred along with a revised long-term annual equity market gross return assumption such that the reprojected EGPs would be our best estimate of EGPs.

Notwithstanding these intervals, if a severe decline or advance in equity markets were to occur or should other circumstances, including contract holder behavior, suggest that the present value of future EGPs no longer represents our best estimate, we could determine that a revision of the EGPs is necessary.

Our practice is not necessarily to unlock immediately after exceeding the first of the two statistical ranges, but, rather, if we stay between the first and second statistical range for several quarters, we would likely unlock. Additionally, if we exceed the ranges as a result of a short-term market reaction, we would not necessarily unlock. However, if the second statistical range is exceeded for more than one quarter, it is likely that we would unlock. While this approach reduces adjustments to DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL due to short-term equity market fluctuations, significant changes in the equity markets that extend beyond one or two quarters could result in a significant favorable or unfavorable unlocking.

The October 2008 daily average of the S&P 500 Index® declined 17% from its value as of September 30, 2008, negatively impacting our variable account values. If equity markets do not materially improve over the remainder of the fourth quarter, we may unlock our model assumption for equity market returns for DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and the calculations of the embedded derivatives and reserves for annuity products with living and death benefit guarantees, resulting in a significant unfavorable impact to net income. We estimate that if the variable account values were to decline approximately 20% at December 31, 2008 from the levels at September 30, 2008, an unlocking during the fourth quarter could reduce net income by approximately $250 million, after-tax.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but are subject to impairment tests conducted at least annually. Intangibles that do not have indefinite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. We use October 1 as the annual review date for goodwill and other intangible assets impairment testing.

The valuation techniques we use to estimate the fair value of the group of assets comprising the different reporting units varies based on the characteristics of each reporting unit’s business and operations. A market-based valuation technique that focuses on price-to-earnings multiplier and the segment-level operating income is used for the Retirement Solutions and Insurance Solutions segments and the remaining media business that is now reported in Other Operations. For the Lincoln UK segment, a discounted cash flow model is utilized to determine the fair value. A valuation technique combining multiples of revenues, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and assets under management is used to assess the goodwill in our Investment Management segment.

Derivatives

To protect us from a variety of equity market and interest rate risks that are inherent in many of our life insurance and annuity products, we use various derivative instruments. Assessing the effectiveness of these hedging programs and evaluating the carrying values of the related derivatives often involve a variety of assumptions and estimates. We use derivatives to hedge equity market risks, interest rate risk and foreign currency exposures that are embedded in our annuity and life insurance product liabilities or investment portfolios. Derivatives held as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, contain industry standard terms and are entered into with financial institutions with long-standing, superior performance records. Our accounting policies for derivatives and the potential impact on interest spreads in a falling rate environment are discussed in “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” of this report and “Part II – Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements in our 2007 Form 10-K.

Guaranteed Living Benefits

We have a dynamic hedging strategy designed to mitigate theselected risk and income statement volatility caused by changes in the equity markets, interest rates and market implied volatilities associated with theLincoln SmartSecurity® Advantage GWB feature and ouri4LIFE® Advantage guaranteed income benefit (“GIB”) feature that is available in our variable annuity products. In the second quarter of 2007, we also began hedging our 4LATER®4LATER® Advantage GIB feature available in our variable annuity products. These living benefit features are collectively referred to as GLBs. During 2007, we made adjustments to our hedging program to purchase longer dated volatility protection and increased our hedges related to volatility to better match liability sensitivities under SFAS 157. In addition, in early January 2008, we added the variable annuity business in our New York insurance subsidiary, with total account values of approximately $1.2$1.1 billion as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, to our hedge program. In February 2008, we also added our new GWBLincoln Lifetime IncomeSMAdvantage to our hedging program. In addition to mitigating selected risk and

47


income statement volatility, the hedge program is also focused on long-term performance of the hedge program recognizing that any material potential claims under the GLBs are approximately a decade in the future.

The hedging strategy is designed such that changes in the value of the hedge contracts move in the opposite direction of changes in the value of the embedded derivative of the GWB and GIB features. This dynamic hedging strategy utilizes options on U.S.-based equity indices, futures on U.S.-based and international equity indices and variance swaps on U.S.-based equity indices, as well as interest rate futures and swaps. The notional amounts of the underlying hedge instruments are such that the magnitude of the change in the value of the hedge instruments due to changes in equity markets, interest rates and implied volatilities is designed to offset the magnitude of the change in the fair value of the GWB and GIB guarantees caused by those same factors. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, the embedded derivatives for GWB, thei4LIFE® Advantage GIB and the 4LATER®4LATER® Advantage GIB were liabilities valued at $220$249 million, $74$200 million and $41$115 million, net of the non-performance risk factor (“NPR”) required by SFAS 157, respectively.

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For additional information on our hedging results, see our discussion in “Realized Gain (Loss)”Loss” below.

Acquisitions and Dispositions

Dispositions

Media Business

On June 7, 2007, we announced plans to explore strategic options for our former business segment, Lincoln Financial Media. During the fourth quarter of 2007, we decided to divest our television and Charlotte radio broadcasting and sports programming businesses, and, on November 12, 2007, we signed agreements to sell them. The divestiture of the sports programming business closed on November 30, 2007, the Charlotte radio broadcasting business closed on January 31, 2008, and the television broadcasting business closed on March 31, 2008. Accordingly, we have reported the results of these businesses as discontinued operations on our Consolidated Statements of Income and the assets and liabilities as held for sale on our Consolidated Balance Sheets for all periods presented. We continue to actively manage our investment in our remaining radio clusters, which are now being reported within Other Operations, to maximize station performance and future valuation. For additional information, see Note 3.

The proceeds from the sales of the above media properties were used for repurchase of shares, repayment of debt and other strategic initiatives.

The results of operations of these businesses have been reclassified into income from discontinued operations for all periods presented on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The amounts (in millions) related to operations of these businesses, included in income from discontinued operations, were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
   For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
   
  2008  2007   2008 2007    2008 2007  Change 2008 2007  Change 

Discontinued Operations Before Disposal

                   

Media revenues, net of agency commissions

  $—    $29  -100% $22  $71  -69%  $—    $33  -100% $22  $104  -79%
                              

Income from discontinued operations before disposal, before federal income taxes

  $—    $10  -100% $8  $22  -64%  $—    $10  -100% $8  $32  -75%

Federal income taxes

   —     4  -100%  3   8  -63%   —     3  -100%  3   11  -73%
                              

Income from discontinued operations before disposal

   —     6  -100%  5   14  -64%   —     7  -100%  5   21  -76%
                              

Disposal

                   

Loss on disposal, before federal income taxes

   —     —    NM   (12)  —    NM    —     —    NM   (13)  —    NM 

Federal income tax benefit

   —     —    NM   (3)  —    NM    1   —    NM   (3)  —    NM 
                              

Loss on disposal

   —     —    NM   (9)  —    NM    (1)  —    NM   (10)  —    NM 
                              

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

  $—    $6  -100% $(4) $14  NM   $(1) $7  NM  $(5) $21  NM 
                              

During the first quarter of 2008, we adjusted our loss on disposal of discontinued media properties due primarily to changes in the net assets disposed of for the television broadcasting business.

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Fixed Income Investment Management Business

During the fourth quarter of 2007, we sold certain institutional taxable fixed income business to an unaffiliated investment management company. Investment Management transferred $12.3 billion of assets under management as part of this transaction. Based upon the assets transferred as of October 31, 2007, the purchase price is expected to be no more than $49 million. We expectThe impact of this transaction to decrease income from operations, compared to the corresponding periodsis discussed further below in 2007, by approximately $3 million, after-tax, per quarter in 2008.results of Investment Management.

During the fourth quarter of 2007, we received $25 million of the purchase price, with additional scheduled payments over the next three years. During 2007, we recorded an after-tax realized loss of $2 million on our Consolidated Statements of Income as a result

45


of goodwill we attributed to this business. There were certain other pipeline accounts in process at the time of the transaction closing, and any adjustment to the purchase price, if necessary, will be determined at October 31, 2008. During the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, we recorded an after-tax gain of $1 million and $3$4 million, respectively, on our Consolidated Statements of Income related to this transaction.

For additional information about acquisitions and dispositions, Seesee “Part II – Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Introduction – Acquisition and Dispositions” in our 2007 Form 10-K.

RESULTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS

Net Income

Details underlying the consolidated results and assets under management (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  

Change

   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007   2008 2007   ��2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change 

Revenues

                

Insurance premiums

  $530  $489  8% $1,039  $948  10%  $533  $491  9% $1,572  $1,439  9%

Insurance fees

   842   742  13%  1,654   1,506  10%   791   836  -5%  2,446   2,342  4%

Investment advisory fees

   76   93  -18%  152   183  -17%   68   89  -24%  220   272  -19%

Net investment income

   1,077   1,133  -5%  2,142   2,223  -4%   1,089   1,062  3%  3,231   3,285  -2%

Realized gain (loss)

   (108)  7  NM   (143)  41  NM 

Realized loss

   (204)  (65) NM   (347)  (24) NM 

Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance

   19   26  -27%  38   45  -16%   19   19  0%  57   65  -12%

Other revenues and fees

   146   181  -19%  292   346  -16%   140   169  -17%  431   514  -16%
                              

Total revenues

   2,582   2,671  -3%  5,174   5,292  -2%   2,436   2,601  -6%  7,610   7,893  -4%
                              

Benefits and Expenses

                

Interest credited

   613   606  1%  1,225   1,206  2%   625   611  2%  1,849   1,817  2%

Benefits

   684   651  5%  1,362   1,244  9%   836   623  34%  2,199   1,866  18%

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

   847   816  4%  1,656   1,625  2%   754   850  -11%  2,408   2,475  -3%

Interest and debt expense

   65   73  -11%  140   135  4%   69   69  0%  209   204  2%

Impairment of intangibles

   173   —    NM   173   —    NM    —     —    NM   175   —    NM 
                              

Total benefits and expenses

   2,382   2,146  11%  4,556   4,210  8%   2,284   2,153  6%  6,840   6,362  8%
                              

Income from continuing operations before taxes

   200   525  -62%  618   1,082  -43%   152   448  -66%  770   1,531  -50%

Federal income taxes

   75   155  -52%  200   324  -38%   3   125  -98%  203   450  -55%
                              

Income from continuing operations

   125   370  -66%  418   758  -45%   149   323  -54%  567   1,081  -48%

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of federal incomes taxes

   —     6  -100%  (4)  14  NM    (1)  7  NM   (5)  21  NM 
                              

Net income

  $125  $376  -67% $414  $772  -46%  $148  $330  -55% $562  $1,102  -49%
                              

 

4649


   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Revenues

       

Operating revenues:

       

Individual Markets:

       

Annuities

  $618  $624  -1% $1,241  $1,214  2%

Life Insurance

   1,021   957  7%  2,008   1,929  4%
                   

Total Individual Markets

   1,639   1,581  4%  3,249   3,143  3%
                   

Employer Markets:

       

Retirement Products

   304   318  -4%  608   634  -4%

Group Protection

   425   391  9%  824   751  10%
                   

Total Employer Markets

   729   709  3%  1,432   1,385  3%
                   

Investment Management

   125   151  -17%  245   301  -19%

Lincoln UK

   98   93  5%  183   183  0%

Other Operations

   110   123  -11%  229   233  -2%

Excluded realized gain (loss), pre-tax

   (120)  6  NM   (166)  39  NM 

Amortization of deferred gain arising from reserve changes on business sold through reinsurance, pre-tax

   1   8  -88%  2   8  -75%
                   

Total revenues

  $2,582  $2,671  -3% $5,174  $5,292  -2%
                   
   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Net Income

       

Income (loss) from operations:

       

Individual Markets:

       

Annuities

  $116  $123  -6% $234  $240  -3%

Life Insurance

   153   176  -13%  298   343  -13%
                   

Total Individual Markets

   269   299  -10%  532   583  -9%
                   

Employer Markets:

       

Retirement Products

   52   58  -10%  104   120  -13%

Group Protection

   32   29  10%  58   52  12%
                   

Total Employer Markets

   84   87  -3%  162   172  -6%
                   

Investment Management

   15   11  36%  27   28  -4%

Lincoln UK

   18   12  50%  29   23  26%

Other Operations

   (44)  (35) -26%  (86)  (65) -32%

Excluded realized gain (loss), after-tax

   (78)  4  NM   (108)  25  NM 

Income (loss) from reserve changes (net of related amortization) on business sold through reinsurance, after-tax

   —     (8) 100%  1   (8) 113%

Impairment of intangibles, after-tax

   (139)  —    NM   (139)  —    NM 
                   

Income from continuing operations

   125   370  -66%  418   758  -45%

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

   —     6  -100%  (4)  14  NM 
                   

Net income

  $125  $376  -67% $414  $772  -46%
                   
   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
     For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
    
   2008  2007  Change  2008  2007  Change 

Revenues

       

Operating revenues:

       

Retirement Solutions:

       

Annuities

  $675  $647  4% $1,916  $1,861  3%

Defined Contribution

   241   243  -1%  718   742  -3%
                   

Total Retirement Solutions

   916   890  3%  2,634   2,603  1%
                   

Insurance Solutions:

       

Life Insurance

   1,072   1,056  2%  3,210   3,121  3%

Group Protection

   403   368  10%  1,227   1,119  10%
                   

Total Insurance Solutions

   1,475   1,424  4%  4,437   4,240  5%
                   

Investment Management

   110   150  -27%  354   451  -22%

Lincoln UK

   80   89  -10%  263   272  -3%

Other Operations

   111   113  -2%  341   345  -1%

Excluded realized loss, pre-tax

   (256)  (66) NM   (421)  (27) NM 

Amortization of deferred gain arising from reserve changes on business sold through reinsurance, pre-tax

   —     1  -100%  2   9  -78%
                   

Total revenues

  $2,436  $2,601  -6% $7,610  $7,893  -4%
                   

   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
     For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
    
   2008  2007  Change  2008  2007  Change 

Net Income

       

Income (loss) from operations:

       

Retirement Solutions:

       

Annuities

  $131  $126  4% $365  $366  0%

Defined Contribution

   42   41  2%  124   138  -10%
                   

Total Retirement Solutions

   173   167  4%  489   504  -3%
                   

Insurance Solutions:

       

Life Insurance

   137   182  -25%  458   548  -16%

Group Protection

   27   33  -18%  86   85  1%
                   

Total Insurance Solutions

   164   215  -24%  544   633  -14%
                   

Investment Management

   5   22  -77%  32   49  -35%

Lincoln UK

   12   10  20%  41   33  24%

Other Operations

   (39)  (49) 20%  (127)  (115) -10%

Excluded realized loss, after-tax

   (166)  (42) NM   (274)  (16) NM 

Income (loss) from reserve changes (net of related amortization) on business sold through reinsurance, after-tax

   —     —    NM   1   (7) 114%

Impairment of intangibles, after-tax

   —     —    NM   (139)  —    NM 
                   

Income from continuing operations

   149   323  -54%  567   1,081  -48%

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

   (1)  7  NM   (5)  21  NM 
                   

Net income

  $148  $330  -55% $562  $1,102  -49%
                   

 

4750


  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change 

Deposits

              

Individual Markets:

       

Retirement Solutions:

       

Annuities

  $3,436  $3,277  5% $6,462  $6,098  6%  $2,948  $3,478  -15% $9,410  $9,577  -2%

Life Insurance

   952   1,005  -5%  1,919   2,044  -6%

Employer Markets:

       

Retirement Products – Defined Contribution

   1,421   1,273  12%  2,972   2,760  8%

Retirement Products – Executive Benefits

   110   79  39%  275   144  91%

Defined Contribution

   1,334   1,525  -13%  4,306   4,285  0%

Insurance Solutions – Life Insurance

   1,082   1,032  5%  3,276   3,219  2%

Investment Management

   3,507   6,150  -43%  8,229   12,185  -32%   3,988   5,745  -31%  12,217   17,929  -32%

Consolidating adjustments (1)

   (811)  (1,077) 25%  (2,394)  (1,989) -20%   (1,118)  (907) -23%  (3,514)  (2,896) -21%
                              

Total deposits

  $8,615  $10,707  -20% $17,463  $21,242  -18%  $8,234  $10,873  -24% $25,695  $32,114  -20%
                              

Net Flows

              

Individual Markets:

       

Retirement Solutions:

       

Annuities

  $1,589  $1,137  40% $2,770  $1,892  46%  $944  $1,291  -27% $3,714  $3,185  17%

Life Insurance

   627   586  7%  1,207   1,283  -6%

Employer Markets:

       

Retirement Products – Defined Contribution

   237   73  225%  517   294  76%

Retirement Products – Executive Benefits

   50   26  92%  121   (49) NM 

Defined Contribution

   93   133  -30%  610   428  43%

Insurance Solutions – Life Insurance

   690   629  10%  2,018   1,863  8%

Investment Management

   (1,471)  (424) NM   (2,638)  (512) NM    (3,332)  90  NM   (5,970)  (423) NM 

Consolidating adjustments (1)

   (24)  304  NM   (90)  348  NM    169   200  -16%  79   547  -86%
                              

Total net flows

  $1,008  $1,702  -41% $1,887  $3,256  -42%  $(1,436) $2,343  NM  $451  $5,600  -92%
                              

 

(1)

Consolidating adjustments represents the elimination of deposits and net flows on products affecting more than one segment.

 

  As of June 30,  Change   As of
September 30,
   
  2008  2007    2008  2007  Change 

Assets Under Management by Advisor

            

Investment Management:

            

External assets

  $75,691  $97,725  -23%  $57,662  $89,540  -36%

Inter-segment assets

   65,997   66,423  -1%   72,468   77,500  -6%

Lincoln UK

   7,833   9,168  -15%   6,585   9,192  -28%

Policy loans

   2,802   2,787  1%   2,870   2,841  1%

Assets administered through unaffiliated third parties

   68,292   68,925  -1%   59,922   72,406  -17%
                

Total assets under management

  $220,615  $245,028  -10%  $199,507  $251,479  -21%
                

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

Net income decreased due primarily to the following:

Impairment of goodwill and our FCC license intangible assets on our remaining radio clusters attributable primarily to declines in advertising revenues for the entire radio market; however, these non-cash impairments will not impact our future liquidity;

 

Higher write-downs for other-than-temporary impairments on our available-for-sale securities attributable primarily to unfavorable changes in credit quality and increases in credit spreads;

 

Lower net investment income driven by less favorable results from our alternative investmentsA $72 million unfavorable retrospective unlocking of DAC, VOBA, DSI, DFEL and prepaymentthe reserves for annuity and bond makewhole premiums as well as certain capital transactions providing relief from Actuarial Guideline 38 (“AG38”) reserve requirementslife insurance products with living benefit and death benefit guarantees in the fourththird quarter of 2008 compared to a $9 million favorable retrospective unlocking in the third quarter of 2007;

 

Higher benefits due to growth in business in force and higher death claims;

 

48


NetUnfavorable GDB derivative results driven by lower account values from unfavorable retrospective unlocking of DAC, VOBA, DSIequity markets; and DFEL compared to net favorable retrospective unlocking for the same periods in 2007;

 

Lower earnings from our variable annuity and mutual fund products as a result of declines in assets under management caused by decreases in the level of the equity markets; and

The results for the second quarter of 2007 included a $6 million one-time curtailment gain related to a change in our employee pension plan.markets.

The causes of decreases in net income were partially offset by:

Favorable GLB net derivatives results as gains attributable to the SFAS 157 non-performance risk adjustment attributable primarily to widening credit spreads more than offset the GLB hedge program ineffectiveness and unfavorable GDB results, both excluding the impact of unlocking, due to extreme market conditions;

51


Lower DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest and excluding unlocking, due primarily to declines in variable account values from unfavorable equity markets during 2008;

A reduction in income tax expense related to favorable tax return true-ups and other items driven primarily by the separate account DRD in 2008, compared to unfavorable tax return true-ups and other items in 2007;

Higher net investment income driven by more favorable results from our surplus and alternative investments; and

Lower broker-dealer expenses driven by lower sales and lower merger-related expenses.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 to 2007

In addition to the items discussed above, excluding the unfavorable retrospective unlocking, lower earnings on variable annuity and mutual fund products and higher net investment income items, net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to the same period in 2007 was also affected by:

Impairment of goodwill and our FCC license intangible assets on our remaining radio clusters during the second quarter of 2008 attributable primarily to declines in advertising revenues for the entire radio market; however, these non-cash impairments will not impact our future liquidity;

A $73 million unfavorable retrospective unlocking of DAC, VOBA, DSI, DFEL and the reserves for annuity and life insurance products with living benefit and death benefit guarantees in 2008 compared to a $34 million favorable retrospective unlocking in 2007;

 

Growth in insurance fees driven by increases in life insurance in force as a result of new sales since JuneSeptember 30, 2007, and favorable persistency along with increases in variable account values from positive net flows and transfers from fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable, partially offset by unfavorable equity markets and adjustments during the second quarter of 2007 resulting from adjusting account values for certain of our life insurance policies and modifying the accounting for certain of our life insurance policies;

 

Lower litigationnet investment income driven by less favorable results from our alternative investments and merger-related expenses;prepayment and bond makewhole premiums;

 

Lower incentive compensation accruals as a result of lower earnings and production performance relative to planned goals;

 

The results in the secondfirst quarter of 2007 included an $8 million expense for an increase in reserves (net2008 adjustment to our loss on disposition of related deferred gain amortization) on the personal accident business that was sold to Swiss Re through an indemnity reinsurance transaction in 2001;our discontinued operations;

 

Lower broker-dealer expenses driven by lower sales;A $16 million effect of the initial adoption of SFAS 157 on January 1, 2008; and

 

Favorable benefit reserve adjustments in the second quarter of 2008 for our Lincoln UK segment.

In addition to the items discussed above, net income for the six months ended June 30, 2008, compared to the same period in 2007 was affected by:

A $14 million reduction in benefits in the first quarter of 2007 related to a purchase accounting adjustment to the opening balance sheet of Jefferson-Pilot;

A $16 million effect of the initial adoption of SFAS 157 on January 1, 2008;

Higher interest and debt expenses from increased debt; and

The first quarter of 2008 adjustment to our loss on disposition of our discontinued operations.Jefferson-Pilot.

The foregoing items are discussed in further detail in results of operations by segment discussions and “Realized Gain (Loss)”Loss” below. In addition, for a discussion of the earnings impact of the equity markets, see “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk – Equity Market Risk – Impact of Equity Market Sensitivity.”

 

4952


RESULTS OF INDIVIDUAL MARKETSRETIREMENT SOLUTIONS

The Individual MarketsRetirement Solutions business provides its products through two segments: Annuities and Life Insurance. Through itsDefined Contribution. The Retirement Solutions – Annuities segment Individual Markets provides tax-deferred investment growth and lifetime income opportunities for its clients by offering individual fixed annuities, including indexed annuities, and variable annuities. The Life InsuranceRetirement Solutions – Defined Contribution segment offers wealth protectionprovides employer-sponsored variable and transfer opportunities through term insurance, a linked-benefit product (whichfixed annuities and mutual-fund based programs in the 401(k), 403(b) and 457 marketplaces.

Details underlying the results for Retirement Solutions (in millions) were as follows:

   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
     For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
    
   2008  2007  Change  2008  2007  Change 

Operating Revenues

           

Insurance premiums

  $52  $43  21% $103  $72  43%

Insurance fees

   302   324  -7%  927   916  1%

Net investment income

   424   422  0%  1,263   1,315  -4%

Operating realized gain

   52   1  NM   74   3  NM 

Other revenues and fees

   86   100  -14%  267   297  -10%
                   

Total operating revenues

   916   890  3%  2,634   2,603  1%
                   

Operating Expenses

           

Interest credited

   277   269  3%  816   806  1%

Benefits

   112   56  100%  199   108  84%

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

   331   341  -3%  1,003   1,009  -1%
                   

Total operating expenses

   720   666  8%  2,018   1,923  5%
                   

Income from operations before taxes

   196   224  -13%  616   680  -9%

Federal income taxes

   23   57  -60%  127   176  -28%
                   

Income from operations

  $173  $167  4% $489  $504  -3%
                   

53


Details underlying account values for Retirement Solutions (in millions) were as follows:

   As of September 30,    
   2008  2007  Change 

Account Values

    

Variable portion of variable annuities

  $63,462  $76,873  -17%

Fixed portion of variable annuities

   9,661   9,418  3%
          

Total variable annuities

   73,123   86,291  -15%
          

Fixed annuities, including indexed

   19,446   19,286  1%

Fixed annuities ceded to reinsurers

   (1,196)  (1,430) 16%
          

Total fixed annuities

   18,250   17,856  2%
          

Total annuities

   91,373   104,147  -12%

Mutual funds

   7,675   7,165  7%
          

Total annuities and mutual funds

  $99,048  $111,312  -11%
          

   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
     For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
    
   2008  2007  Change  2008  2007  Change 

Average daily variable account values

  $70,299  $73,989  -5% $72,298  $70,965  2%

Average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable

   28,495   28,263  1%  28,524   28,534  0%

The discussion of Retirement Solutions is a UL policy linked with riders that provide for long-term care costs)provided in “Retirement Solutions – Annuities” and both single and survivorship versions of UL and VUL.“Retirement Solutions – Defined Contribution” below.

54


Individual MarketsRetirement Solutions – Annuities

Income from Operations

Details underlying the results for Individual MarketsRetirement Solutions – Annuities (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
  2008  2007   2008  2007    2008  2007   2008  2007  

Operating Revenues

                      

Insurance premiums

  $19  $17  12% $51  $29  76%  $52  $43  21% $103  $72  43%

Insurance fees

   257   244  5%  503   465  8%   246   259  -5%  749   724  3%

Net investment income

   245   265  -8%  493   531  -7%   243   249  -2%  736   780  -6%

Operating realized gain

   12   1  NM   23   2  NM    52   1  NM   74   3  NM 

Other revenues and fees(1)

   85   97  -12%  171   187  -9%   82   95  -14%  254   282  -10%
                              

Total operating revenues

   618   624  -1%  1,241   1,214  2%   675   647  4%  1,916   1,861  3%
                              

Operating Expenses

                      

Interest credited

   163   165  -1%  325   326  0%   170   165  3%  496   492  1%

Benefits

   35   27  30%  87   52  67%   112   56  100%  199   108  84%

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

   268   267  0%  520   517  1%   254   256  -1%  774   772  0%
                              

Total operating expenses

   466   459  2%  932   895  4%   536   477  12%  1,469   1,372  7%
                              

Income from operations before taxes

   152   165  -8%  309   319  -3%   139   170  -18%  447   489  -9%

Federal income taxes

   36   42  -14%  75   79  -5%   8   44  -82%  82   123  -33%
                              

Income from operations

  $116  $123  -6% $234  $240  -3%  $131  $126  4% $365  $366  0%
                              

(1)

Other revenues and fees consists primarily of broker-dealer earnings that are subject to market volatility.

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations for this segment increased due primarily to the following:

Lower DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest and excluding unlocking, due primarily to declines in variable account values from unfavorable equity markets during 2008 and lower incentive compensation accruals as a result of production performance relative to planned goals; and

A reduction in income tax expense related to favorable tax return true-ups and other items driven primarily by the separate account DRD in 2008, compared to unfavorable tax return true-ups and other items in 2007.

The increase in income from operations was partially offset by the following:

A $9 million unfavorable retrospective unlocking of DAC, VOBA, DSI, DFEL and reserves for annuity products with living benefit and death benefit guarantees in 2008 compared to a $4 million favorable retrospective unlocking in 2007;

A $7 million favorable prospective unlocking of DAC, VOBA, DSI, DFEL and reserves for annuity products with living benefit and death benefit guarantees (an $18 million favorable unlocking from assumption changes net of a $11 million unfavorable unlocking from model refinements) in 2007;

Lower insurance fees driven by lower average daily variable account values due to unfavorable equity markets, partially offset by an increase in surrender charges; and

A decline in surplus investment income, which was attributable to a decision to hold more cash, thereby lowering earnings, and declines in investment income on alternative investments and commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums.

55


Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations for this segment modestly decreased due primarily to a decrease inthe following:

Lower investment income from fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other net investment income fromprimarily attributable to the decline in the average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable, driven primarily by transfers to variable account values in excess of net flows;

A $6 million unfavorable retrospective unlocking of DAC, VOBA, DSI, DFEL and reserves for annuity products with living benefit and death benefit guarantees in 2008 compared to a $14 million favorable retrospective unlocking in 2007;

The impact of prospective unlocking discussed above; and

A less favorable net broker-dealer margin attributable to lower earnings on surplus investments and alternative investments due tofrom unfavorable equity markets.

The decrease in income from operations was partially offset by growththe following:

Lower DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest and excluding unlocking, due primarily to a decline in the emergence of gross profits and lower incentive compensation accruals as a result of lower earnings and production performance relative to planned goals;

A reduction in income tax expense related to favorable tax return true-ups and other items driven primarily by the separate account DRD in 2008, compared to unfavorable tax return true-ups and other items in 2007; and

An increase in insurance fees attributable to increases indriven by higher average daily variable annuity account values fromattributable to positive net flows and transfers from fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable, partially offset by the increase in attributed fees. The positive net flows served to mitigate the negative effect on fees from the decline in account values driven by the unfavorable performance of the equity markets.

The decrease in income from operations isforegoing items are discussed further below.below following “Impact of Current Market Conditions.” For detail on the operating realized gain, see “Realized Gain (Loss)”Loss” below.

Impact of Current Market Conditions

The October 2008 daily average of the S&P 500 Index® declined 17% from its value as of September 30, 2008, negatively impacting our variable account values. Consequently, we expect lower earnings in the fourth quarter as a result of October’s results, including the following:

Lower variable account values, which will reduce expense assessment revenue, partially offset by lower asset-based expenses;

Higher unfavorable retrospective unlocking due to lower equity market performance than our model projections assumed; and

If equity markets do not materially improve over the remainder of the fourth quarter, we may unlock our amortization model assumption for equity market returns for DAC, VOBA, DSI, DFEL and reserves for annuity products with living and death benefit guarantees, resulting in a significant decrease to income from operations in the period. For more information, see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL” above.

For factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in this section, see “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2007 Form 10-K as updated by “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements – Cautionary Language” in this report.

 

5056


Insurance Fees

Details underlying insurance fees, account values and net flows (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Insurance Fees

              

Mortality, expense and other assessments

  $257  $242  6% $503  $460  9%  $245  $258  -5% $748  $717  4%

Surrender charges

   9   10  -10%  19   20  -5%   13   10  30%  32   30  7%

DFEL:

              

Deferrals

   (13)  (12) -8%  (25)  (22) -14%   (13)  (12) -8%  (38)  (33) -15%

Amortization, excluding unlocking

   4   4  0%  7   7  0%

Amortization, net of interest:

       

Prospective unlocking – assumption changes

   (1)  (1) 0%  (1)  (1) 0%

Retrospective unlocking

   —     —    NM   (1)  —    NM    3   —    NM   3   (1) NM 

Other amortization, net of interest

   (1)  4  NM   5   12  -58%
                              

Total insurance fees

  $257  $244  5% $503  $465  8%  $246  $259  -5% $749  $724  3%
                              

 

  As of June 30, Change   As of September 30, Change 
  2008 2007   2008 2007 

Account Values

        

Variable portion of variable annuities

  $55,855  $55,171  1%  $49,982  $58,293  -14%

Fixed portion of variable annuities

   3,478   3,458  1%   3,547   3,470  2%
                

Total variable annuities

   59,333   58,629  1%   53,529   61,763  -13%
                

Fixed annuities, including indexed

   14,321   14,409  -1%   14,142   14,343  -1%

Fixed annuities ceded to reinsurers

   (1,255)  (1,598) 21%   (1,196)  (1,430) 16%
                

Total fixed annuities

   13,066   12,811  2%   12,946   12,913  0%
                

Total account values

  $72,399  $71,440  1%  $66,475  $74,676  -11%
                

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
  2008  2007   2008  2007    2008  2007   2008  2007  

Averages

                      

Daily variable account values

  $57,763  $53,465  8% $56,541  $51,327  10%  $54,717  $55,827  -2% $55,929  $52,922  6%
                              

Daily S&P 500 Index®

   1,371.26   1,496.87  -8%  1,360.21   1,461.02  -7%   1,255.42   1,489.60  -16%  1,325.03   1,470.65  -10%
                              

 

5157


  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Net Flows

              

Variable portion of variable annuity deposits

  $2,065  $2,295  -10% $3,931  $4,295  -8%  $1,672  $2,247  -26% $5,602  $6,543  -14%

Variable portion of variable annuity withdrawals

   (1,229)  (1,247) 1%  (2,488)  (2,426) -3%   (1,216)  (1,296) 6%  (3,704)  (3,722) 0%
                              

Variable portion of variable annuity net flows

   836   1,048  -20%  1,443   1,869  -23%   456   951  -52%  1,898   2,821  -33%
                              

Fixed portion of variable annuity deposits

   878   662  33%  1,734   1,197  45%   896   746  20%  2,631   1,943  35%

Fixed portion of variable annuity withdrawals

   (110)  (155) 29%  (234)  (306) 24%   (124)  (181) 31%  (358)  (486) 26%
                              

Fixed portion of variable annuity net flows

   768   507  51%  1,500   891  68%   772   565  37%  2,273   1,457  56%
                              

Total variable annuity deposits

   2,943   2,957  0%  5,665   5,492  3%   2,568   2,993  -14%  8,233   8,486  -3%

Total variable annuity withdrawals

   (1,339)  (1,402) 4%  (2,722)  (2,732) 0%   (1,340)  (1,477) 9%  (4,062)  (4,208) 3%
                              

Total variable annuity net flows

   1,604   1,555  3%  2,943   2,760  7%   1,228   1,516  -19%  4,171   4,278  -3%
                              

Fixed indexed annuity deposits

   356   191  86%  574   351  64%   215   199  8%  789   550  43%

Fixed indexed annuity withdrawals

   (102)  (61) -67%  (186)  (123) -51%   (114)  (59) -93%  (299)  (182) -64%
                              

Fixed indexed annuity net flows

   254   130  95%  388   228  70%   101   140  -28%  490   368  33%
                              

Other fixed annuity deposits

   137   129  6%  223   255  -13%   165   286  -42%  388   541  -28%

Other fixed annuity withdrawals

   (406)  (677) 40%  (784)  (1,351) 42%   (550)  (651) 16%  (1,335)  (2,002) 33%
                              

Other fixed annuity net flows

   (269)  (548) 51%  (561)  (1,096) 49%   (385)  (365) -5%  (947)  (1,461) 35%
                              

Total annuity deposits

   3,436   3,277  5%  6,462   6,098  6%   2,948   3,478  -15%  9,410   9,577  -2%

Total annuity withdrawals

   (1,847)  (2,140) 14%  (3,692)  (4,206) 12%   (2,004)  (2,187) 8%  (5,696)  (6,392) 11%
                              

Total annuity net flows

  $1,589  $1,137  40% $2,770  $1,892  46%  $944  $1,291  -27% $3,714  $3,185  17%
                              

We charge contract holders mortality and expense assessments on variable annuity accounts to cover insurance and administrative expenses. These assessments are a function of the rates priced into the product and the average daily variable account values. Average daily account values are driven by net flows and equity markets. In addition, for our fixed annuity contracts and for some variable contracts, we collect surrender charges when contract holders surrender their contracts during their surrender charge periods to protect us from premature withdrawals. Insurance fees include charges on both our variable and fixed annuity products, but exclude the attributed fees on our GLB products. The attributed fees are the portion of rider charges used in the calculation of the embedded derivative and represent net valuation premium plus a margin that a theoretical market participant would include for risk/profit, including a non-performance risk factor required by SFAS 157. Net valuation premium represents a level portion of rider fees required to fund potential claims for the living benefit. Operating realized gain is the attributed fees less the net valuation premium, net of the associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL.

New deposits are an important component of our effort to grow the annuity business. Although deposits do not significantly impact current period income from operations, they are an important indicator of future profitability.

The other component of net flows relates to the retention of the business. One of the key assumptions in pricing a product is the account persistency, which we refer to as the lapse rate. The lapse rate compares the amount of withdrawals to the average account values.

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in insurance fees was due primarily to lower expense assessments attributable to a decrease in average daily variable annuity account values partially offset by expense assessments based on guaranteed amounts, which, in some cases, are above actual account values. Additionally, an increase in surrender charges and continued growth in expense assessmentsrider elections partially offset the overall decline in insurance fees.

Overall lapse rates for the three months ended September 30, 2008, were 9% compared to 10% for the same period in 2007.

The decrease in DFEL amortization, net of interest and excluding unlocking, was attributable primarily to andeclines in variable account values from unfavorable equity markets during 2008.

The three months ended September 30, 2008, had favorable retrospective unlocking due primarily to actual gross profits being lower than EGPs driven by lower maintenance and expense charges and lower equity market performance than our model projections assumed.

58


Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in insurance fees was due primarily to growth in average daily variable annuity account values. The increase in account values reflects cumulative positive net flows, which offset the reduction in variable account values from unfavorable equity markets during the first nine months of 2008. Additionally, an increase in surrender charges, continued growth in rider elections and an increase in the three and six months ended June 30, 2008.

Inaverage expense assessment rates contributed to the past several years, we have concentrated our efforts on expanding both product and distribution breadth. Annuity deposits increased as a result of continued strong sales of products with GLB riders and the expansion of the wholesaling forceoverall increase in LFD.insurance fees.

Overall lapse rates for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, were 8% compared to 10% for the same periodsperiod in 2007.

The nine months ended September 30, 2008, had favorable retrospective unlocking due primarily to lower maintenance and expense charges and lower equity market performance than our model projections assumed. The nine months ended September 30, 2007, had unfavorable retrospective unlocking due primarily to lower lapses and higher equity market performance than our model projections assumed.

52


Net Investment Income and Interest Credited

Details underlying net investment income, interest credited (in millions) and our interest rate spread were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Net Investment Income

              

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses

  $224  $229  -2% $453  $467  -3%  $222  $224  -1% $675  $691  -2%

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (1)

   —     3  -100%  1   5  -80%   1   2  -50%  2   7  -71%

Alternative investments(2)

   —     1  -100%  (1)  2  NM    —     (1) 100%  (1)  1  NM 

Surplus investments(3)

   20   31  -35%  38   54  -30%   19   24  -21%  57   78  -27%

Broker-dealer

   1   1  0%  2   3  -33%   1   —    NM   3   3  0%
                              

Total net investment income

  $245  $265  -8% $493  $531  -7%  $243  $249  -2% $736  $780  -6%
                              

Interest Credited

              

Amount provided to contract holders

  $180  $184  -2% $363  $367  -1%  $187  $186  1% $550  $555  -1%

Opening balance sheet adjustment(4)

   —     —    NM   —     (4) 100%   —     —    NM   —     (4) 100%

DSI deferrals

   (26)  (27) 4%  (52)  (51) -2%   (25)  (30) 17%  (76)  (81) 6%
                              

Interest credited before DSI amortization

   154   157  -2%  311   312  0%   162   156  4%  474   470  1%

DSI amortization:

              

Excluding unlocking

   9   9  0%  15   16  -6%

Prospective unlocking – assumption changes

   —     (2) 100%  —     (2) 100%

Prospective unlocking – model refinements

   —     1  -100%  —     1  -100%

Retrospective unlocking

   —     (1) 100%  (1)  (2) 50%   3   —    NM   2   (2) 200%

Other amortization

   5   10  -50%  20   25  -20%
                              

Total interest credited

  $163  $165  -1% $325  $326  0%  $170  $165  3% $496  $492  1%
                              

 

(1)

See “Consolidated Investments – Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums” below for additional information.

(2)

See “Consolidated Investments – Alternative Investments” below for additional information.

(3)

Represents net investment income on the required statutory surplus for this segment.

(4)

Net adjustment to the opening balance sheet of Jefferson-Pilot finalized in 2007.

 

   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Basis
Point
Change
  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Basis
Point
Change
 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Interest Rate Spread

       

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses

  5.88% 5.82% 6  5.86% 5.84% 2 

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond make whole premiums

  0.00% 0.08% (8) 0.02% 0.06% (4)

Alternative investments

  -0.01% 0.02% (3) -0.01% 0.02% (3)
               

Net investment income yield on reserves

  5.87% 5.92% (5) 5.87% 5.92% (5)

Interest rate credited to contract holders

  3.73% 3.73% —    3.77% 3.68% 9 
               

Interest rate spread

  2.14% 2.19% (5) 2.10% 2.24% (14)
               

59


   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Basis
Point
Change
  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Basis
Point
Change
 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Interest Rate Spread

       

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses

  5.82% 5.82% —    5.85% 5.83% 2 

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond make whole premiums

  0.02% 0.05% (3) 0.02% 0.06% (4)

Alternative investments

  0.00% -0.03% 3  -0.01% 0.01% (2)
               

Net investment income yield on reserves

  5.84% 5.84% —    5.86% 5.90% (4)

Interest rate credited to contract holders

  3.95% 3.77% 18  3.83% 3.71% 12 
               

Interest rate spread

  1.89% 2.07% (18) 2.03% 2.19% (16)
      ��        

Note: The yields, rates and spreads above are calculated using whole dollars instead of dollars rounded to millions.

 

53


  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
  2008  2007   2008  2007    2008  2007   2008  2007  

Average invested assets on reserves

  $15,743  $16,077  -2% $15,729  $16,289  -3%  $15,615  $15,749  -1% $15,691  $16,109  -3%

Average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable

   17,373   17,548  -1%  17,343   17,697  -2%   17,174   17,358  -1%  17,291   17,590  -2%

Net flows for fixed annuities, including the fixed portion of variable

   753   89  NM   1,327   23  NM    488   340  44%  1,816   364  NM 

A portion of our investment income earned is credited to the contract holders of our fixed annuity products, including the fixed portion of variable annuity contracts. We expect to earn a spread between what we earn on the underlying general account investments supporting the fixed annuity product line, including the fixed portion of variable annuity contracts, and what we credit to our fixed annuity contract holders’ accounts, including the fixed portion of variable annuity contracts. The interest rate spread for this segment represents the excess of the yield on invested assets on reserves over the average crediting rate. The yield on invested assets on reserves is calculated as net investment income, excluding the amounts attributable to our surplus investments, reverse repurchase agreement interest expense, inter-segment cash management account interest expense and interest on collateral divided by average invested assets on reserves. The average invested assets on reserves is calculated based upon total invested assets, excluding hedge derivatives and collateral. The average crediting rate is calculated as interest credited before DSI amortization, plus the immediate annuity reserve change (included within benefits) divided by the average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable, net of coinsured account values. Fixed account values reinsured under modified coinsurance agreements are included in account values for this calculation. Changes in commercial mortgage loan prepayments and bond makewhole premiums, investment income on alternative investments and surplus investment income can vary significantly from period to period due to a number of factors and, therefore, may contribute to investment income results that are not indicative of the underlying trends.

We expect to manage the effect of spreads for near-term income from operations through a combination of rate actions and portfolio management. Our expectation includes the assumption that there are no significant changes in net flows in or out of our fixed accounts or other changes that may cause interest rate spreads to differ from our expectation. For information on interest rate spreads and the interest rate risk due to falling interest rates, see “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

The declinedecrease in net investment income related primarily to declines in surplus investment income, which was attributable to less favorablea decision to hold more cash, thereby lowering earnings, and declines in investment income on alternative investments.investments and commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums.

The declinethree months ended September 30, 2008, had unfavorable retrospective unlocking due primarily to lower maintenance and expense charges and lower equity market performance than our model projections assumed.

60


Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in investment income from fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other net investment income was due primarily attributable to a decreasethe decline in the average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable, which included a $300 million funding agreement that matured on June 2, 2008. Interest crediteddriven primarily by transfers to contract holders remained relatively flat as a decline in our fixedvariable account values including the fixed portionin excess of variable,net flows. The decrease in investment income on surplus and alternative investments was offset by an elevated rate.primarily attributable to less favorable results from our limited partnership investments.

The nine months ended September 30, 2008, had unfavorable retrospective unlocking due primarily to lower maintenance and expense charges and lower equity market performance than our model projections assumed. The nine months ended September 30, 2007, had favorable retrospective unlocking due primarily to lower lapses and higher equity market performance than our model projections assumed.

Our fixed annuity business includes products with crediting rates that are reset on an annual basis and are not subject to surrender charges. Account values for these products were $5.1$5.0 billion as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, with 42%41% already at their minimum guaranteed rates. The average crediting rates for these products were approximately 4147 basis points in excess of average minimum guaranteed rates. Our ability to retain annual reset annuities will be subject to current competitive conditions at the time interest rates for these products reset. In addition to the separate items identified in the interest rate spread table above, the other component of the interest rate credited to contract holders decreased due primarily to a roll-off of multi-year guarantee and annual reset annuities with higher interest rates.

54


Benefits

Benefits for this segment include changes in reserves on immediate annuity account values driven by premiums, death benefits paid and changes in reserves on guaranteed death benefits.

Comparison of the Three and SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in benefits was attributable to an increase in reserves for single premium immediate annuities, which resulted in a corresponding increase in insurance premiums. Additionally, benefits increased due to an unfavorable variance in the SOP 03-1 benefit ratio unlocking, which was offset by changes in the value of the derivative included in operating realized gain, as well as an increasegain.

On August 15, 2007, we entered into a reinsurance arrangement with Swiss Re coveringLincoln SmartSecurity® Advantage, our GWB rider related to our variable annuity products. For additional information about this agreement, refer to “Reinsurance” in reserves for single premium immediate annuities, which had a corresponding increase in insurance premiums.this report.

61


Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

Details underlying underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

              

Commissions

  $186  $179  4% $352  $331  6%  $161  $188  -14% $513  $520  -1%

General and administrative expenses

   80   82  -2%  160   152  5%   83   82  1%  243   231  5%

Taxes, licenses and fees

   8   6  33%  18   15  20%   5   5  0%  21   17  24%
                              

Total expenses incurred, excluding broker-dealer

   274   267  3%  530   498  6%   249   275  -9%  777   768  1%

DAC and VOBA deferrals

   (192)  (189) -2%  (364)  (347) -5%   (170)  (196) 13%  (534)  (543) 2%
                              

Total pre-broker-dealer expenses incurred, excluding amortization, net of interest

   82   78  5%  166   151  10%   79   79  0%  243   225  8%

DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:

              

Prospective unlocking – assumption changes

   (2)  (28) 93%  (2)  (28) 93%

Prospective unlocking – model refinements

   —     16  -100%  —     16  -100%

Retrospective unlocking

   —     (9) 100%  —     (15) 100%   35   (7) NM   35   (21) 267%

Other amortization

   101   105  -4%  180   201  -10%

Other amortization, net of interest

   63   103  -39%  241   304  -21%

Broker-dealer expenses incurred:

              

Commissions

   64   72  -11%  131   141  -7%   60   72  -17%  191   212  -10%

General and administrative expenses

   21   20  5%  43   39  10%   18   20  -10%  62   60  3%

Taxes, licenses and fees

   —     1  -100%  —     —    NM    1   1  0%  4   4  0%
                              

Total underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

  $268  $267  0% $520  $517  1%  $254  $256  -1% $774  $772  0%
                              

DAC and VOBA deferrals

              

As a percentage of sales/deposits

   5.6%  5.8%   5.6%  5.7%    5.8%  5.6%   5.7%  5.7% 

Commissions and other costs that vary with and are related primarily to the production of new business are deferred to the extent recoverable and are amortized over the lives of the contracts in relation to estimated gross profits (“EGPs”).EGPs. We have certain trail commissions that are based upon account values that are expensed as incurred rather than being deferred and amortized.

Broker-dealer expenses that vary with and are related to sales are expensed as incurred and not deferred and amortized. These expenses are more than offset by increases to other income.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in expenses incurred, excluding broker-dealer, was attributable primarily to the decrease in commissions from lower sales and lower incentive compensation accruals as a result of production performance relative to planned goals.

The decrease in DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest and excluding unlocking, was attributable primarily to lower emergence of gross profits.

The decrease in broker-dealer commissions was due to lower sales of non-proprietary products.

The third quarter of 2008 had favorable prospective unlocking – assumption changes related primarily to maintenance expenses and fee margins partially offset by lapses. The third quarter of 2007 had favorable prospective unlocking – assumption changes related primarily to favorable interest rates, maintenance expense and account retention assumptions partially offset by unfavorable asset-based commission assumptions.

62


The third quarter of 2008 had unfavorable retrospective unlocking due primarily to lower maintenance and expense charges and lower equity market performance than our model projections assumed. The third quarter of 2007 had favorable retrospective unlocking due primarily to lower lapses and higher equity market performance than our model projections assumed.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in expenses incurred, excluding broker-dealer, was attributable primarily to growthincreased distribution expenses and Federal Insurance Contributions Act taxes associated with the expansion of the wholesaling force in LFD, partially offset by lower incentive compensation accruals as a result of lower earnings and production performance relative to planned goals.

The decrease in DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest and excluding unlocking, was attributable primarily to declines in variable account values from sales, which increased commissions and general and administrative expenses.unfavorable equity markets during 2008.

The decrease in broker-dealer commissions was due to lower sales of non-proprietary products.

See the discussion above regarding prospective unlocking in 2008 and 2007.

The second quarterfirst nine months of 2008 had unfavorable retrospective unlocking due primarily to lower maintenance and expense charges and lower equity market performance than our model projections assumed. The first nine months of 2007 had favorable retrospective unlocking (decrease to DAC and VOBA amortization) due primarily to lower lapses and higher equity market returnsperformance than estimated in our model projections.projections assumed.

Federal Income Taxes

55


Comparison of the SixThree and Nine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

The increaseeffective federal income tax rate decreased to 6% and 18% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, from 26% and 25% for the same periods in expenses incurred, excluding broker-dealer, was attributable2007. Federal income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, included a reduction of $21 million related to favorable tax return true-ups and other items driven primarily by the separate account DRD in 2008, compared to growtha $2 million unfavorable tax return true-up and other items for the same periods in account values from sales, which increased commissions and general and administrative expenses.2007. For additional information on our effective tax rates, see Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements.

The decrease in broker-dealer commissions was due to lower sales of non-proprietary products. The increase in broker-dealer general and administrative expenses was attributable primarily to increases in personnel costs.

The first six months of 2007 had favorable retrospective unlocking (decrease to DAC and VOBA amortization) due primarily to lower lapses and higher equity market returns than estimated in our model projections.63


Individual Markets Retirement Solutions Life InsuranceDefined Contribution

Income from Operations

Details underlying the results for Individual MarketsRetirement SolutionsLife InsuranceDefined Contribution (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
     For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
  2008  2007  Change 2008  2007  Change   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Operating Revenues

                      

Insurance premiums

  $89  $88  1% $176  $176  0%

Insurance fees

   460   368  25%  905   787  15%  $56  $65  -14% $178  $192  -7%

Net investment income

   467   493  -5%  914   947  -3%   181   173  5%  527   535  -1%

Other revenues and fees

   5   8  -38%  13   19  -32%   4   5  -20%  13   15  -13%
                              

Total operating revenues

   1,021   957  7%  2,008   1,929  4%   241   243  -1%  718   742  -3%
                              

Operating Expenses

                      

Interest credited

   262   254  3%  520   506  3%   107   104  3%  320   314  2%

Benefits

   300   263  14%  597   509  17%

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

   228   171  33%  440   392  12%   77   85  -9%  229   237  -3%
                              

Total operating expenses

   790   688  15%  1,557   1,407  11%   184   189  -3%  549   551  0%
                              

Income from operations before taxes

   231   269  -14%  451   522  -14%   57   54  6%  169   191  -12%

Federal income taxes

   78   93  -16%  153   179  -15%   15   13  15%  45   53  -15%
                              

Income from operations

  $153  $176  -13% $298  $343  -13%  $42  $41  2% $124  $138  -10%
                              

Comparison of the Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations for this segment modestly increased due primarily to the following:

Higher net investment income attributable primarily to the growth in the average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable, driven by transfers from variable to fixed, and more favorable results from commercial mortgage loan prepayments and bond makewhole premiums and investment income on alternative investments;

Lower underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses due in part to the implementation of several expense management controls and practices that are focused on aggressively managing expenses and lower incentive compensation accruals as a result of production performance relative to planned goals; and

A $2 million unfavorable prospective unlocking from assumption changes of DAC and VOBA in 2007.

The increase in income from operations was partially offset by lower insurance fees driven by lower average daily account values due to unfavorable equity markets. In addition, the third quarters of 2008 and 2007 had $2 million unfavorable retrospective unlocking of DAC, VOBA and DSI.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations for this segment decreased due primarily to the following:

 

Lower insurance fees driven by lower average daily account values due to unfavorable equity markets; and

Lower net investment income attributable to less favorable investment income on surplus and alternative investments.

The decrease in income from operations was partially offset by the following:

Lower underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses due in part to the implementation of several expense management controls and practices that are focused on aggressively managing expenses and lower incentive compensation accruals as a result of lower earnings and production performance relative to planned goals; and

The impact of prospective unlocking discussed above.

In addition, the first nine months of 2008 and 2007 had $3 million unfavorable retrospective unlocking of DAC, VOBA and DSI.

The foregoing items are discussed further below following “Impact of Current Market Conditions.”

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Impact of Current Market Conditions

The October 2008 daily average of the S&P 500 Index® declined 17% from its value as of September 30, 2008, negatively impacting our variable account values. Consequently, we expect lower earnings in the fourth quarter as a result of October’s results, including the following:

Lower variable account values, which will reduce expense assessment revenue, partially offset by lower asset-based expenses;

Higher unfavorable retrospective unlocking due to lower equity market performance than our model projections assumed; and

If equity markets do not materially improve over the remainder of the fourth quarter, we may unlock our amortization model assumption for equity market returns for DAC, VOBA and DSI, resulting in a significant increase to amortization in the period. For more information, see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL” above.

Due to a change in business mix, a substantial increase in new deposit production in other products is necessary to maintain earnings at current levels.

For factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in this section, see “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2007 Form 10-K as updated by “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements – Cautionary Language” in this report.

Insurance Fees

Details underlying insurance fees, account values and net flows (in millions) were as follows:

   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Insurance Fees

           

Annuity expense assessments

  $50  $59  -15% $159  $174  -9%

Mutual fund fees

   5   4  25%  14   12  17%
                   

Total expense assessments

   55   63  -13%  173   186  -7%

Surrender charges

   1   2  -50%  5   6  -17%
                   

Total insurance fees

  $56  $65  -14% $178  $192  -7%
                   

Average Daily Variable Account Values

  $15,582  $18,162  -14% $16,369  $18,043  -9%
                   

Average Daily S&P 500 Index®

   1,255.42   1,489.60  -16%  1,325.03   1,470.65  -10%
                   

   As of September 30,  Change 
   2008  2007  

Account Values

      

Variable portion of variable annuities

  $13,480  $18,580  -27%

Fixed portion of variable annuities

   6,114   5,948  3%
          

Total variable annuities

   19,594   24,528  -20%
          

Fixed annuities

   5,304   4,943  7%
          

Total annuities

   24,898   29,471  -16%

Mutual funds

   7,675   7,165  7%
          

Total annuities and mutual funds

  $32,573  $36,636  -11%
          

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   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Account Value Roll Forward – By Product

       

Total Micro – Small Segment:

       

Balance at beginning-of-period

  $7,286  $8,012  -9% $7,798  $7,535  3%

Gross deposits

   389   391  -1%  1,276   1,229  4%

Withdrawals and deaths

   (465)  (481) 3%  (1,429)  (1,366) -5%
                   

Net flows

   (76)  (90) 16%  (153)  (137) -12%

Transfers between fixed and variable accounts

   —     —    NM   (12)  (5) NM 

Inter-product transfer(1)

   (653)  —    NM   (653)  —    NM 

Investment increase and change in market value

   (767)  155  NM   (1,190)  684  NM 
                   

Balance at end-of-period

  $5,790  $8,077  -28% $5,790  $8,077  -28%
                   

Total Mid – Large Segment:

       

Balance at beginning-of-period

  $9,985  $8,555  17% $9,463  $6,975  36%

Gross deposits

   687   861  -20%  2,203   2,162  2%

Withdrawals and deaths

   (222)  (263) 16%  (679)  (512) -33%
                   

Net flows

   465   598  -22%  1,524   1,650  -8%

Transfers between fixed and variable accounts

   (4)  (51) 92%  (44)  (14) NM 

Inter-product transfer(1)

   653   —    NM   653   —    NM 

Investment increase and change in market value

   (789)  130  NM   (1,286)  621  NM 
                   

Balance at end-of-period

  $10,310  $9,232  12% $10,310  $9,232  12%
                   

TotalMulti-Fund® and Other Variable Annuities:

       

Balance at beginning-of-period

  $17,771  $19,396  -8% $18,797  $19,146  -2%

Gross deposits

   258   273  -5%  827   894  -7%

Withdrawals and deaths

   (554)  (648) 15%  (1,588)  (1,979) 20%
                   

Net flows

   (296)  (375) 21%  (761)  (1,085) 30%

Transfers between fixed and variable accounts

   (1)  (1) —     (1)  (5) 80%

Inter-segment transfer

   —     —    NM   295   —    NM 

Investment increase and change in market value

   (1,001)  307  NM   (1,857)  1,271  NM 
                   

Balance at end-of-period

  $16,473  $19,327  -15% $16,473  $19,327  -15%
                   

Total Annuities and Mutual Funds:

       

Balance at beginning-of-period

  $35,042  $35,963  -3% $36,058  $33,656  7%

Gross deposits

   1,334   1,525  -13%  4,306   4,285  0%

Withdrawals and deaths

   (1,241)  (1,392) 11%  (3,696)  (3,857) 4%
                   

Net flows

   93   133  -30%  610   428  43%

Transfers between fixed and variable accounts

   (5)  (52) 90%  (57)  (24) NM 

Inter-segment transfer

   —     —    NM   295   —    NM 

Investment increase and change in market value

   (2,557)  592  NM   (4,333)  2,576  NM 
                   

Balance at end-of-period(2)

  $32,573  $36,636  -11% $32,573  $36,636  -11%
                   

(1)

The Lincoln Employee 401(k) Plan transferred from DIRECTORSM toLincoln Alliance® effective September 30, 2008.

(2)

Includes mutual fund account values. Mutual funds are not included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Net Flows

       

Variable portion of variable annuity deposits

  $532  $564  -6% $1,767  $1,795  -2%

Variable portion of variable annuity withdrawals

   (723)  (810) 11%  (2,202)  (2,370) 7%
                   

Variable portion of variable annuity net flows

   (191)  (246) 22%  (435)  (575) 24%
                   

Fixed portion of variable annuity deposits

   94   84  12%  279   272  3%

Fixed portion of variable annuity withdrawals

   (228)  (235) 3%  (620)  (704) 12%
                   

Fixed portion of variable annuity net flows

   (134)  (151) 11%  (341)  (432) 21%
                   

Total variable annuity deposits

   626   648  -3%  2,046   2,067  -1%

Total variable annuity withdrawals

   (951)  (1,045) 9%  (2,822)  (3,074) 8%
                   

Total variable annuity net flows

   (325)  (397) 18%  (776)  (1,007) 23%
                   

Fixed annuity deposits

   196   221  -11%  623   565  10%

Fixed annuity withdrawals

   (183)  (215) 15%  (541)  (520) -4%
                   

Fixed annuity net flows

   13   6  117%  82   45  82%
                   

Total annuity deposits

   822   869  -5%  2,669   2,632  1%

Total annuity withdrawals

   (1,134)  (1,260) 10%  (3,363)  (3,594) 6%
                   

Total annuity net flows

   (312)  (391) 20%  (694)  (962) 28%
                   

Mutual fund deposits

   512   656  -22%  1,637   1,653  -1%

Mutual fund withdrawals

   (107)  (132) 19%  (333)  (263) -27%
                   

Mutual fund net flows

   405   524  -23%  1,304   1,390  -6%
                   

Total annuity and mutual fund deposits

   1,334   1,525  -13%  4,306   4,285  0%

Total annuity and mutual fund withdrawals

   (1,241)  (1,392) 11%  (3,696)  (3,857) 4%
                   

Total annuity and mutual fund net flows

  $93  $133  -30% $610  $428  43%
                   

We charge expense assessments to cover insurance and administrative expenses. Expense assessments are generally equal to a percentage of the daily variable account values. Our expense assessments include fees we earn for the services that we provide to our mutual fund programs. In addition, we collect surrender charges when contract holders surrender their contracts during the surrender charge periods to protect us from premature withdrawals.

New deposits are an important component of our effort to grow our business. Although deposits do not significantly impact current period income from operations, they are an important indicator of future profitability.

The other component of net flows relates to the retention of the business. One of the key assumptions in pricing a product is the account persistency, which we refer to as the lapse rate. The lapse rate compares the amount of withdrawals to the average account values.

We serve the mid-large case 401(k) and 403(b) markets with our mutual fund programs. Our programs bundle our fixed annuity products with mutual funds, along with record keeping and employee education components. The amounts associated with the mutual fund programs are not included in the assets or liabilities reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The distribution model for the micro-small case 401(k) market is focused on driving growth through financial intermediaries. As of September 30, 2008, we had approximately 70 wholesalers in place to support this business and plan for additional growth during the remainder of 2008. We are beginning to experience an increase in new business activity as a result of building our own wholesaling force for this market.

Comparison of the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in expense assessments was driven by lower average daily variable annuity account values due to unfavorable equity markets, customer transfers out of variable and into fixed account values and an overall shift in business mix toward products with lower expense assessment rates.

Overall lapse rates for our annuity products for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, were 14% and 15%, respectively, compared to 16% and 15%, respectively, for the same periods in 2007. The return on assets, calculated as income

67


divided by average assets under management, forMulti-Fund® and Other Variable Annuities, our oldest block of annuity business, is more than two times that of new deposits. Therefore, a substantial increase in new deposit production in other products is necessary to maintain earnings at current levels.

As of September 30, 2008, $12.1 billion, or 62%, of variable annuity contract account values contained a return of premium death benefit feature, and the net amount at risk related to these contracts was $115 million. The remaining variable annuity contract account values contain no GDB feature.

Additionally, deposits in our mid-large segment (including mutual fund program fixed annuity deposits) increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to the same period in 2007 due to an increase in the number of mutual fund program accounts, which resulted in both an increase in initial deposits and an increase in ongoing periodic deposits.

Net Investment Income and Interest Credited

Details underlying net investment income, interest credited (in millions) and our interest rate spread were as follows:

   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Net Investment Income

         

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses

  $165  $161  2% $489  $485  1%

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums(1)

   5   2  150%  7   5  40%

Alternative investments(2)

   —     (3) 100%  (2)  2  NM 

Surplus investments(3)

   11   13  -15%  33   43  -23%
                   

Total net investment income

  $181  $173  5% $527  $535  -1%
                   

Interest Credited

  $107  $104  3% $320  $314  2%
                   

(1)

See “Consolidated Investments – Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums” below for additional information.

(2)

See “Consolidated Investments – Alternative Investments” below for additional information.

(3)

Represents net investment income on the required statutory surplus for this segment.

   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Basis
Point
Change
  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Basis
Point
Change
 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Interest Rate Spread

       

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses

  5.94% 6.04% (10) 5.91% 6.04% (13)

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums

  0.17% 0.07% 10  0.08% 0.06% 2 

Alternative investments

  -0.01% -0.10% 9  -0.02% 0.02% (4)
               

Net investment income yield on reserves

  6.10% 6.01% 9  5.97% 6.12% (15)

Interest rate credited to contract holders

  3.77% 3.84% (7) 3.79% 3.82% (3)
               

Interest rate spread

  2.33% 2.17% 16  2.18% 2.30% (12)
               

Note: The yields, rates and spreads above are calculated using whole dollars instead of dollars rounded to millions.

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   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Average invested assets on reserves

  $11,146  $10,666  5% $11,034  $10,721  3%

Average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable

   11,321   10,905  4%  11,233   10,944  3%

Net flows for fixed annuities, including the fixed portion of variable

   (121)  (145) 17%  (259)  (387) 33%

A portion of our investment income earned is credited to the contract holders of our fixed annuity products, including the fixed portion of variable annuity contracts. We expect to earn a spread between what we earn on the underlying general account investments supporting the fixed annuity product line, including the fixed portion of variable annuity contracts, and what we credit to our fixed annuity contract holders’ accounts, including the fixed portion of variable annuity contracts. The interest rate spread for this segment represents the excess of the yield on invested assets on reserves over the average crediting rate. The yield on invested assets on reserves is calculated as net investment income, excluding the amounts attributable to our surplus investments, reverse repurchase agreement interest expense, inter-segment cash management account interest expense and interest on collateral, divided by average invested assets on reserves. The average invested assets on reserves are calculated based upon total invested assets, excluding hedge derivatives. The average crediting rate is calculated as interest credited before DSI amortization, plus the immediate annuity reserve change (included within benefits), divided by the average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable annuities. Commercial mortgage loan prepayments and bond makewhole premiums, investment income on alternative investments and surplus investment income can vary significantly from period to period due to a number of factors and, therefore, may contribute to investment income results that are not indicative of the underlying trends.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other net investment income was attributable primarily to the growth in the average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable, driven by transfers from variable to fixed, partially offset by the yield decline due to lower reinvestment rates. Towards the end of the third quarter of 2008, this segment held less cash than in previous periods in an effort to be more invested in higher yielding assets.

The increase in investment income on alternative investments was driven primarily by more favorable results from our limited partnership investments. Earnings on investments supporting statutory surplus were negatively impacted by unfavorable equity markets.

The increase in interest credited was primarily attributable to the growth in the average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable, driven by transfers from variable to fixed. In response to the competitive environment, during the third quarter of 2008, we reduced crediting rates by 10 basis points forMulti-Fund® products andLincoln Alliance® program fixed annuity products and increased new money rates by 25 basis points forMulti-Fund® products. For information on interest rate spreads and the interest rate risk due to falling interest rates, see “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in investment income on surplus and alternative investments was driven by less favorable results from our limited partnership investments.

The modest increase in fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other net investment income was attributable primarily to the growth in the average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable, driven by transfers from variable to fixed, partially offset by the yield decline due to lower reinvestment rates.

The increase in interest credited was attributable primarily to the growth in the average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable, driven by transfers from variable account values. The 10 basis point crediting rate reduction discussed above was the first such rate change in 2008, while the 25 basis point increase in new money rates followed a reduction in the previous quarter. We plan to take further crediting rate action in the fourth quarter of 2008, with the expectation of maintaining stable spreads over the near term, excluding the effects of prepayment and makewhole premiums.

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Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

Details underlying underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

       

Commissions

  $17  $20  -15% $56  $60  -7%

General and administrative expenses

   53   60  -12%  158   164  -4%

Taxes, licenses and fees

   3   2  50%  10   12  -17%
                   

Total expenses incurred

   73   82  -11%  224   236  -5%

DAC deferrals

   (20)  (24) 17%  (66)  (68) 3%
                   

Total expenses recognized before amortization

   53   58  -9%  158   168  -6%

DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:

       

Prospective unlocking – assumption changes

   —     3  -100%  —     3  -100%

Retrospective unlocking

   3   2  50%  5   5  0%

Other amortization, net of interest

   21   22  -5%  66   61  8%
                   

Total underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

  $77  $85  -9% $229  $237  -3%
                   

DAC deferrals

       

As a percentage of sales/deposits

   1.5%  1.6%   1.5%  1.6% 

Commissions and other costs, that vary with and are related primarily to the production of new business, excluding those associated with our mutual fund products, are deferred to the extent recoverable and are amortized over the lives of the contracts in relation to EGPs. We do not pay commissions on sales of our mutual fund products, and distribution expenses associated with the sale of these mutual fund products are not deferred and amortized, as is the case for our insurance products.

Comparison of the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in expenses incurred was due in part to the implementation of several expense management controls and practices that are focused on aggressively managing expenses and lower incentive compensation accruals as a result of production performance relative to planned goals. Additionally, lower earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, contributed to the decrease in incentive compensation accruals. The decrease in commissions was primarily a result of lower sales.

The third quarter and first nine months of 2007 had unfavorable prospective unlocking due to assumption changes primarily reflecting higher lapse rates and separate account fees partially offset by lower expenses.

The third quarter and first nine months of 2008 and 2007 had unfavorable retrospective unlocking due primarily to higher lapses and lower equity market performance than our model projections assumed.

70


RESULTS OF INSURANCE SOLUTIONS

The Insurance Solutions business provides its products through two segments: Life Insurance and Group Protection. The Insurance Solutions – Life Insurance segment offers wealth protection and transfer opportunities through term insurance, a linked-benefit product (which is a UL policy linked with riders that provide for long-term care costs) and both single and survivorship versions of UL and VUL, including our Executive Benefits business’s corporate-owned UL and VUL (“COLI”) and bank-owned UL and VUL (“BOLI”) products. The Insurance Solutions – Group Protection segment offers group life, disability and dental insurance to employers and its products are marketed primarily through a national distribution system of regional group offices. These offices develop business through employee benefit brokers, third-party administrators and other employee benefit firms.

For factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in this section, see “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2007 Form 10-K as updated by “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements – Cautionary Language” in this report.

Insurance Solutions – Life Insurance

Income from Operations

Details underlying the results for Insurance Solutions – Life Insurance (in millions) were as follows:

   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Operating Revenues

           

Insurance premiums

  $91  $85  7% $267  $261  2%

Insurance fees

   449   469  -4%  1,380   1,283  8%

Net investment income

   522   496  5%  1,541   1,553  -1%

Other revenues and fees

   10   6  67%  22   24  -8%
                   

Total operating revenues

   1,072   1,056  2%  3,210   3,121  3%
                   

Operating Expenses

           

Interest credited

   305   293  4%  902   875  3%

Benefits

   398   266  50%  1,000   780  28%

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

   167   227  -26%  621   639  -3%
                   

Total operating expenses

   870   786  11%  2,523   2,294  10%
                   

Income from operations before taxes

   202   270  -25%  687   827  -17%

Federal income taxes

   65   88  -26%  229   279  -18%
                   

Income from operations

  $137  $182  -25% $458  $548  -16%
                   

Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations for this segment decreased due primarily to the following:

A $9 million unfavorable retrospective unlocking of DAC, VOBA, DFEL, and reserves for life insurance products with secondary guarantees in 2008 compared to an $11 million favorable retrospective unlocking in 2007; and

A $21 million unfavorable prospective unlocking (a $34 million unfavorable unlocking from model refinements net of a $13 million favorable unlocking from assumption changes) of DAC, VOBA, DFEL and reserves for life insurance products with secondary guarantees in 2008 compared to a $4 million favorable prospective unlocking (a $12 million favorable unlocking from assumption changes net of an $8 million unfavorable unlocking from model refinements) in 2007.

The $9 million unfavorable retrospective unlocking and the $21 million unfavorable prospective unlocking to DAC, VOBA, DFEL and reserves for life insurance products with secondary guarantees discussed above resulted in an additional unfavorable earnings impact for the current period of $7 million that will recur in future periods.

The decrease in income from operations was partially offset by higher investment income from growth in fixed product account values driven by positive net flows and more favorable results from our alternative investments.

71


Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations for this segment decreased due primarily to the following:

A $17 million unfavorable retrospective unlocking of DAC, VOBA, and DFEL in 2008 compared to a $23 million favorable retrospective unlocking in 2007;

The impact of prospective unlocking discussed above;

Higher death claims resulting in increased benefits;2008 and lower benefits in the first quarter of 2007 partially related to a reduction in benefits related to a purchase accounting adjustment to the opening balance sheet of Jefferson-Pilot; and

 

Lower net investment income from a reduction in statutory reserves as a result of the merger of several of our insurance subsidiaries and certain assumption changes in the fourth quarter of 2007, capital transactions providing relief from AG38 reserve requirements in the fourth quarter of 2007 and less favorable results from our investment income on alternative investments and prepayment and bond makewhole premiums; and

A decrease attributable to unfavorable retrospective unlocking of DAC and VOBA for the second quarter of 2008 compared to favorable retrospective unlocking for the second quarter of 2007.premiums.

The decrease in income from operations was partially offset by the following:

Growthgrowth in insurance fees driven by an increase in business in force as a result of new sales since JuneSeptember 30, 2007, and favorable persistency partially offset by the impact on insurance fees from lower sales in the second quarter of 2008 compared to the second quarter of 2007 and adjustments during the second quarter of 2007 resulting from adjusting account values for certain of our life insurance policies and modifying the accounting for certain of our life insurance policies.

56


Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations for this segment decreased due primarily to the following:

Higher death claims in 2008 and lower benefits in the first quarter of 2007 partially related to a $14 million reduction in benefits related to a purchase accounting adjustment to the opening balance sheet of Jefferson-Pilot;

Lower net investment income from a reduction in statutory reserves as a result of the merger of several of our insurance subsidiaries and certain assumption changes in the fourth quarter of 2007, capital transactions providing relief from AG38 reserve requirements in the fourth quarter of 2007 and less favorable results from our investment income on alternative investments and prepayment and bond makewhole premiums; and

A decrease attributable to unfavorable retrospective unlocking of DAC and VOBA for the first six months of 2008 compared to favorable retrospective unlocking for the first six months of 2007.

The decrease in income from operations was partially offset by the following:

Growth in insurance fees driven by an increase in business in force as a result of new sales since June 30, 2007, and favorable persistency partially offset by the impact on insurance fees from lower sales in the first six months of 2008 compared to the first six months of 2007 and adjustments during the second quarter of 2007 resulting from adjusting account values for certain of our life insurance policies and modifying the accounting for certain of our life insurance policies.

The foregoing items are discussed further below.

Insurance Premiums

Insurance premiums relate to traditional products and are a function of the rates priced into the product and the level of insurance in force. Insurance in force, in turn, is driven by sales, persistency and mortality experience.

Comparison of the Three and SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

Traditional in-force face amount, and thus premiums, remained relatively flat.

Insurance Fees

Details underlying insurance fees, sales, net flows, account values and in-force face amount (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change 
  2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Insurance Fees

              

Mortality assessments

  $321  $282  14% $633  $575  10%  $332  $312  6% $982  $903  9%

Expense assessments

   164   148  11%  330   301  10%   178   160  11%  520   472  10%

Surrender charges

   15   16  -6%  31   31  0%   16   14  14%  46   45  2%

DFEL:

              

Deferrals

   (89)  (112) 21%  (177)  (178) 1%   (97)  (85) -14%  (276)  (265) -4%

Amortization, excluding unlocking

   38   41  -7%  73   68  7%

Amortization, net of interest:

       

Prospective unlocking – assumption changes

   (4)  —    NM   (4)  —    NM 

Prospective unlocking – model refinements

   (25)  26  NM   (25)  26  NM 

Retrospective unlocking

   11   (7) 257%  15   (10) 250%   12   1  NM   27   (8) NM 

Other amortization, net of interest

   37   41  -10%  110   110  0%
                              

Total insurance fees

  $460  $368  25% $905  $787  15%  $449  $469  -4% $1,380  $1,283  8%
                              

 

5772


  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change 
  2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Sales by Product

              

UL:

              

ExcludingMoneyGuard®

  $124  $145  -14% $237  $311  -24%  $144  $144  0% $382  $455  -16%

MoneyGuard®

   12   10  20%  23   17  35%   14   11  27%  37   28  32%
                              

Total UL

   136   155  -12%  260   328  -21%   158   155  2%  419   483  -13%

VUL

   12   17  -29%  27   38  -29%   12   18  -33%  39   55  -29%

COLI and BOLI

   13   18  -28%  54   52  4%

Term/whole life

   5   8  -38%  11   17  -35%   7   7  0%  18   25  -28%
                              

Total sales

  $153  $180  -15% $298  $383  -22%  $190  $198  -4% $530  $615  -14%
                              

Net Flows

              

Deposits

  $952  $1,005  -5% $1,919  $2,044  -6%  $1,082  $1,032  5% $3,276  $3,219  2%

Withdrawals and deaths

   (325)  (419) 22%  (712)  (761) 6%   (392)  (403) 3%  (1,258)  (1,356) 7%
                              

Net flows

  $627  $586  7% $1,207  $1,283  -6%  $690  $629  10% $2,018  $1,863  8%
                              

Contract holder assessments

  $675  $586  15% $1,318  $1,188  11%  $705  $623  13% $2,060  $1,845  12%
                              

 

  As of June 30,  Change   As of September 30,  Change 
  2008  2007    2008  2007  

Account Values

            

UL

  $21,321  $20,261  5%  $24,951  $23,896  4%

VUL

   4,473   4,948  -10%   5,056   6,104  -17%

Interest-sensitive whole life

   2,283   2,256  1%   2,276   2,266  0%
                

Total account values

  $28,077  $27,465  2%  $32,283  $32,266  0%
                

In-Force Face Amount

            

UL and other

  $288,668  $276,040  5%  $306,293  $294,833  4%

Term insurance

   234,109   236,155  -1%   233,671   236,414  -1%
                

Total in-force face amount

  $522,777  $512,195  2%  $539,964  $531,247  2%
                

Insurance fees relate only to interest-sensitive products and include mortality assessments, expense assessments (net of deferrals and amortization related to DFEL) and surrender charges. Mortality and expense assessments are deducted from our contract holders’ account values. These amounts are a function of the rates priced into the product and premiums received, face amount in force and account values. Insurance in force, in turn, is driven by sales, persistency and mortality experience. In-force growth should be considered independently with respect to term products versus UL and other products, as term products have a lower profitability relative to face amount compared to whole life and interest-sensitive products.

Sales in the table above and as discussed below were reported as follows:

 

UL, VUL,MoneyGuard® – 100% of annualized expected target

UL (excluding linked-benefit products) and VUL (including COLI and BOLI) – first year commissionable premiums plus 5% of paid excess premiums received, including an adjustment for internal replacements at approximately 50% of target;

MoneyGuard® (our linked-benefit product) – 15% of premium deposits; and

 

Whole life and term – 100% of first year paid premiums.

Sales are not recorded as a component of revenues (other than for traditional products) and do not have a significant impact on current quarter income from operations but are indicators of future profitability. Generally, we have higher sales during the last half of the year with the fourth quarter being our strongest; however, expectations for this year are muted given the current economic conditions.

We have screening procedures to identify sales that we believe have characteristics associated with stranger-originated life insurance in order to prevent policies with these characteristics from being issued. However, accurate identification of these policies can be difficult, and we continue to modify our screening procedures. We believe that our sales of UL products include some sales with stranger-originated life insurance characteristics. We expect no significant impact to our profitability; however, returns on UL business sold as part of stranger-originated designs are believed to be lower than traditional estate planning UL sales due in part to no expected lapses.

 

5873


UL and VUL products with secondary guarantees represented approximately 33% of interest-sensitive life insurance in force as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and approximately 77%74% and 76%69% of sales for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008. AG38 imposes additional statutory reserve requirements for these products. See “Review of Consolidated Financial Condition – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Sources of Liquidity and Cash Flow” for further information on the manner in which we reinsure our AG38 reserves.

Comparison of the Three and SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

The growth in mortality and expense assessments was attributable primarily to the impact of a $41 million reductionincreased business in insurance fees, net of DFEL amortization, related to the impact of the correction to account values and modification of accounting related to certain insurance contracts during the second quarter of 2007. In addition, mortality and expense assessments grew as a result of increased lifeforce. Life insurance in force and account values grew from new sales since JuneSeptember 30, 2007, an increase in the average attained age of the in-force block (which also led to increases in benefits as discussed below) and favorable persistency.

The secondthird quarter of 2008 had unfavorable prospective unlocking – assumption changes, which reflected primarily improved investment spreads, lower death claims, improved lapse and expense rates and adjustments to the reserves for products with secondary guarantees.

The third quarter of 2008 had favorable retrospective unlocking (increase to DFEL amortization) due primarily to lower premiums received and higher death claims, partially offset by higher investment income on alternative investments and prepayment and bond makewhole premiums and lower maintenance expenses than estimated in our model projections.

The second quarter of 2007 had unfavorable retrospective unlocking (decrease to DFEL amortization) due primarily to higher investment income on alternative investments and prepayment and bond makewhole premiums, higher premiums received and lower maintenance expenses than estimated in our model projections partially offset by the impact of the correction to account values in the second quarter of 2007 mentioned above.assumed.

The first sixnine months of 2008 had favorable retrospective unlocking (increase to DFEL amortization) due primarily to lower premiums received and higher death claims than estimated in our model projections assumed and model adjustments on certain life insurance policies, partially offset by lower maintenance expenses than estimated in our model projections.

projections assumed. The first sixnine months of 2007 had unfavorable retrospective unlocking (decrease to DFEL amortization) due primarily to higher persistency, higher investment income on alternative investments and prepayment and bond makewhole premiums higher premiums received and lower maintenance expenses than estimated in our model projections assumed, partially offset by the impact of the correction to account values in the second quarter of 2007 mentioned above.

Net Investment Income and Interest Credited

Details underlying net investment income, interest credited (in millions) and our interest rate spread were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
     For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
  2008  2007  Change 2008  2007  Change   2008  2007 2008  2007  

Net Investment Income

                     

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses

  $423  $413  2% $846  $825  3%  $478  $468  2% $1,425  $1,399  2%

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums(1)

   9   10  -10%  12   21  -43%   1   6  -83%  14   27  -48%

Alternative investments(2)

   14   43  -67%  14   50  -72%   21   (2) NM   35   48  -27%

Surplus investments(3)

   21   27  -22%  42   51  -18%   22   24  -8%  67   79  -15%
                              

Total net investment income

  $467  $493  -5% $914  $947  -3%  $522  $496  5% $1,541  $1,553  -1%
                              

Interest Credited

  $262  $254  3% $520  $506  3%  $305  $293  4% $902  $875  3%
                              

 

(1)

See “Consolidated Investments – Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums” below for additional information.

(2)

See “Consolidated Investments – Alternative Investments” below for additional information.

(3)

Represents net investment income on the required statutory surplus for this segment.segment and includes the impact of investment income on alternative investments for such assets that are held in the surplus portfolios versus the product portfolios.

 

5974


  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 Basis
Point
Change
  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 Basis
Point
Change
   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 Basis
Point
Change
  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 Basis
Point
Change
 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Interest Rate Yields and Spread

              

Attributable to interest-sensitive products:

       

Attributable to interest sensitive products:

       

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses

  5.88% 6.10% (22) 5.95% 6.13% (18)  5.92% 6.01% (9) 5.94% 6.07% (13)

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums

  0.15% 0.14% 1  0.09% 0.17% (8)  0.02% 0.08% (6) 0.06% 0.13% (7)

Alternative investments

  0.24% 0.75% (51) 0.12% 0.44% (32)  0.31% -0.01% 32  0.18% 0.25% (7)
                              

Net investment income yield on reserves

  6.27% 6.99% (72) 6.16% 6.74% (58)  6.25% 6.08% 17  6.18% 6.45% (27)

Interest rate credited to contract holders

  4.33% 4.45% (12) 4.33% 4.46% (13)  4.35% 4.43% (8) 4.36% 4.45% (9)
                              

Interest rate spread

  1.94% 2.54% (60) 1.83% 2.28% (45)  1.90% 1.65% 25  1.82% 2.00% (18)
                              

Attributable to traditional products:

              

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses

  6.23% 6.29% (6) 6.17% 6.33% (16)  6.06% 6.15% (9) 6.13% 6.27% (14)

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums

  0.00% 0.14% (14) 0.06% 0.08% (2)  0.00% 0.09% (9) 0.04% 0.08% (4)

Alternative investments

  -0.02% 0.05% (7) -0.02% 0.04% (6)  -0.01% -0.06% 5  -0.01% 0.01% (2)
                              

Net investment income yield on reserves

  6.21% 6.48% (27) 6.21% 6.45% (24)  6.05% 6.18% (13) 6.16% 6.36% (20)
                              

Note: The yields, rates and spreads above are calculated using whole dollars instead of dollars rounded to millions.

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
     For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
  2008  2007  Change 2008  2007  Change   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Averages

                      

Attributable to interest-sensitive products:

                      

Invested assets on reserves

  $23,245  $22,155  5% $23,081  $21,925  5%  $27,398  $26,071  5% $26,773  $25,636  4%

Account values – universal and whole life

   23,480   22,372  5%  23,369   22,215  5%   27,713   26,013  7%  27,063   25,753  5%

Attributable to traditional products:

                      

Invested assets on reserves

   5,291   5,012  6%  5,298   5,015  6%   4,814   5,040  -4%  5,137   5,023  2%

A portion of the investment income earned for this segment is credited to contract holder accounts. Invested assets will typically grow at a faster rate than account values because of the AG38 reserve requirements.requirements, which cause statutory reserves to grow at an accelerated rate. Invested assets are alsobased upon the statutory reserve liabilities and are therefore affected by various reserve adjustments, primarily the result of the merger of several of our insurance subsidiaries, the modification of accounting for certain of our life insurance policies, and by capital transactions providing relief from AG38 reserve requirements, which leads to a transfer of invested assets from this segment to Other Operations for use in other corporate purposes. We expect to earn a spread between what we earn on the underlying general account investments and what we credit to our contract holders’ accounts. The interest rate spread for this segment represents the excess of the yield on invested assets on reserves over the average crediting rate on interest sensitive products. The yield on invested assets on reserves is calculated as net investment income, excluding amounts attributable to our surplus investments and reverse repurchase agreement interest expense, divided by average invested assets on reserves. In addition, we exclude the impact of earnings from affordable housing tax credit securities, which is reflected as a reduction to federal income tax expense, from our spread calculations. Traditional products use interest income to build the policy reserves. Commercial mortgage loan prepayments and bond makewhole premiums and investment income on alternative investments can vary significantly from period to period due to a number of factors, and, therefore, may contribute to investment income results that are not indicative of the underlying trends.

60


Comparison of the Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other net investment income was due to continued growth of business in force partially offset by the impact of reductions in statutory reserves. The decreaseincrease in investment income on alternative investments was driven primarily by less favorable results from limited partnership investments. Higher AG38 statutory

75


reserve liabilities on UL policies with secondary guarantees contributed to invested asset growth. At June 30, 2007, we reduced statutory reserves related to our secondary guarantee UL products by approximately $150 million, which has reduced the amount of net investment income allocated to this segment by $2 million per quarter. This statutory reserve reduction related to modifying the accounting for certain of our life insurance policies. In October 2007, we released approximately $300 million of capital that had previously supported our UL products with secondary guarantees as a result of executing on a capital transaction to provide AG38 relief. This release of capital lowered the level of assets supporting this business and has reduced net investment income by approximately $5 million per quarter. As of December 31, 2007, we reduced statutory reserves related primarily to legal entity consolidation by $344 million, which has reduced the amount of net investment income allocated to this segment by approximately $5 million in the first quarter of 2008. This reduction in statutory reserves was primarily a result of the merger of several of our insurance subsidiaries.

The increase in interest credited was attributable primarily to growth in UL account values. On June 1, 2007, we implemented a 10 basis point decrease in crediting rates on most interest-sensitive products not already at contractual guarantees, which has increased spreads approximately 5 basis points. On June 1, 2008, we implemented a 10 basis point decrease in crediting rates on most interest-sensitive products not already at contractual guarantees, which is expected to increase futurehas increased spreads by approximately 5 basis points.

At the end of the secondthird quarter of 2008, new money rates exceeded the portfolio rate by roughly 1624 basis points. At the end of the secondthird quarter of 2007, new money rates exceeded the portfolio rate by roughly 1017 basis points. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, 54%45% of interest-sensitive account values have crediting rates at contract guaranteed levels, and 36%39% have crediting rates within 50 basis points of contractual guarantees. Going forward, we expect to be able to manage the effects of spreads on near-term income from operations through a combination of rate actions and portfolio management, which assumes no significant changes in net flows into or out of our fixed accounts or other changes that may cause interest rate spreads to differ from our expectations. For information on interest rate spreads and the interest rate risk due to falling interest rates, see “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

Comparison of the SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other net investment income was due to continued growth of business in force partially offset by the impact of reductions in statutory reserves. The decrease in investment income on alternative investments was driven primarily by less favorable results from limited partnership investments.

Benefits

Details underlying benefits (dollars in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change 
  2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Benefits

              

Death claims direct and assumed

  $509  $428  19% $1,054  $912  16%  $536  $430  25% $1,612  $1,270  27%

Death claims ceded

   (229)  (166) -38%  (466)  (354) -32%   (249)  (172) -45%  (722)  (532) -36%

Reserves released on death

   (81)  (80) -1%  (179)  (172) -4%   (80)  (69) -16%  (271)  (160) -69%
                              

Net death benefits

   199   182  9%  409   386  6%   207   189  10%  619   578  7%

Change in reserves for products with secondary guarantees

   28   18  56%  54   18  200%

Change in reserves for products with secondary guarantees:

       

Prospective unlocking – assumption changes

   8   (3) NM   8   (3) NM 

Prospective unlocking – model refinements

   76   3  NM   76   3  NM 

Other

   38   19  100%  92   37  149%

Other benefits(1)

   73   63  16%  134   105  28%   69   58  19%  205   165  24%
                              

Total benefits

  $300  $263  14% $597  $509  17%  $398  $266  50% $1,000  $780  28%
                              

Death claims per $1,000 of inforce

   1.48   1.34  10%  1.48   1.40  6%   1.47   1.33  11%  1.46   1.36  7%

 

(1)

Other benefits includes primarily traditional product changes in reserves and dividends.

61


Benefits for this segment include death claims incurred during the period in excess of the associated reserves for its interest-sensitive and traditional products. In addition, benefits include the change in reserves for our products with secondary guarantees. The reserve for secondary guarantees is impacted by changes in expected future trends of claims and assessments causing unlocking adjustments to this liability similar to DAC, VOBA and DFEL.

76


Comparison of the Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in benefits, excluding unlocking, was due primarily to an increase in reserves for products with secondary guarantees from continued growth inof business in force and the effects of model refinements and higher mortality due to an increase in the average attained age of the in-force block (which also led to increases in insurance fees as discussed above).

The third quarter of 2008 had unfavorable prospective unlocking – assumption changes, which reflected primarily improved lapse rates and improved investment spreads.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in benefits, excluding unlocking, was due primarily to an increase in reserves for products with secondary guarantees from continued growth of business in force and the effects of model refinements and higher mortality due to an increase in the average attained age of the in-force block (which also led to increases in insurance fees as discussed above) and an increase in reserves for products with secondary guarantees.

An adjustment to account values and modification of accounting related to certain life insurance policies in the second quarter of 2007 increased reserves for products with secondary guarantees. In the third quarter of 2007, we had an unfavorable prospective unlocking that also resulted in an increase in reserves for products with secondary guarantees. As a result of these changes, we have experienced an increase in reserves of approximately $4 million.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in benefits was due primarily to growth in business in force, higher mortality due to an increase in the average attained age of the in-force block (which also led to increases in insurance fees as discussed above) and an increase in reserves for products with secondary guarantees, partially offset by a $14 million increasedecrease to benefits in the first quarter of 2007 related to a purchase accounting adjustment to the opening balance sheet of Jefferson-Pilot.

The nine months ended September 30, 2008, had unfavorable prospective unlocking – assumption changes, discussed above.

Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

Details underlying underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change 
  2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

              

Commissions

  $174  $212  -18% $357  $439  -19%  $209  $220  -5% $584  $672  -13%

General and administrative expenses

   98   114  -14%  201   225  -11%   102   107  -5%  308   335  -8%

Taxes, licenses and fees

   26   26  0%  55   58  -5%   36   27  33%  95   90  6%
                              

Total expenses incurred

   298   352  -15%  613   722  -15%   347   354  -2%  987   1,097  -10%

DAC and VOBA deferrals

   (231)  (272) 15%  (465)  (561) 17%   (261)  (277) 6%  (744)  (852) 13%
                              

Total expenses recognized before amortization

   67   80  -16%  148   161  -8%   86   77  12%  243   245  -1%

DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:

              

Prospective unlocking – assumption changes

   (31)  (15) NM   (31)  (15) NM 

Prospective unlocking – model refinements

   (49)  36  NM   (49)  36  NM 

Retrospective unlocking

   18   (21) 186%  28   (33) 185%   26   (16) 263%  53   (43) 223%

Other amortization

   142   111  28%  262   262  0%

Other amortization, net of interest

   134   144  -7%  402   413  -3%

Other intangible amortization

   1   1  0%  2   2  0%   1   1  0%  3   3  0%
                              

Total underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

  $228  $171  33% $440  $392  12%  $167  $227  -26% $621  $639  -3%
                              

DAC and VOBA deferrals

              

As a percentage of sales

   151.0%  151.1%   156.0%  146.5%    137.4%  139.9%   140.4%  138.5% 

Commissions and other general and administrative expenses that vary with and are related primarily to the production of new business are deferred to the extent recoverable and for our interest-sensitive products are generally amortized over the lives of the contracts in relation to EGPs. For our traditional products, DAC and VOBA are amortized on either a straight-line basis or as a level percent of premium of the related contracts, depending on the block of business.

 

6277


Comparison of the Three and Nine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in expenses incurred was primarily a result of lower sales.sales and lower incentive compensation accruals based upon lower earnings and production performance relative to planned goals. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in taxes, licenses and fees due primarily to premium tax true-ups.

The decrease in DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest and excluding unlocking, was due partiallyprimarily attributable to model refinements and decreased business growth and the impact from the rise in the ratio of deferrable expenses to EGPs from unfavorable unlocking.force on traditional products.

The secondthird quarter of 2008 had favorable prospective unlocking – assumption changes, which reflected primarily improved investment spreads, lower death claims, improved lapse and expense rates and adjustments to the reserves for products with secondary guarantees.

The third quarter of 2007 had favorable prospective unlocking – assumption changes, which reflected primarily improved lapse, expense and interest rates.

The third quarter of 2008 had unfavorable retrospective unlocking (increase to DAC and VOBA amortization) due primarily to lower premiums received and higher death claims, partially offset by higher investment income on alternative investments and prepayment and bond makewhole premiums and lower maintenance expenses than estimated in our model projections.projections assumed.

The secondthird quarter of 2007 had favorable retrospective unlocking (decrease to DAC and VOBA amortization) due primarily to higher persistency and lower maintenance expenses than our model projections assumed.

The first nine months of 2008 had unfavorable retrospective unlocking due primarily to lower premiums received and higher death claims than our model projections assumed and model adjustments on certain life insurance policies, partially offset by lower maintenance expenses than our model projections assumed.

The first nine months of 2007 had favorable retrospective unlocking due primarily to higher persistency, higher investment income on alternative investments and prepayment and bond makewhole premiums higher premiums received and lower maintenance expenses than estimated in our model projections assumed, partially offset by the impact of the correction to account values in the second quarter of 2007 mentioned above.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in expenses incurred was primarily a result of lower sales. The increase in DAC and VOBA amortization, excluding unlocking, for the three months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the corresponding period in 2007 as discussed above was offset by lower DAC and VOBA amortization due to less favorable investment income during the six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the corresponding period in 2007 and the impact of an adjustment to the opening balance sheet of Jefferson-Pilot, which increased DAC and VOBA amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2007, by $10 million.

The first six months of 2008 had unfavorable retrospective unlocking (increase to DAC and VOBA amortization) due primarily to lower premiums received and higher death claims than estimated in our model projections and model adjustments on certain life insurance policies, partially offset by lower maintenance expenses than estimated in our model projections.

The first six months of 2007 had favorable retrospective unlocking (decrease to DAC and VOBA amortization) due primarily to higher investment income on alternative investments and prepayment and bond makewhole premiums, higher premiums received and lower maintenance expenses than estimated in our model projections, partially offset by the impact of the correction to account values in the second quarter of 2007 mentioned above.

 

63


RESULTS OF EMPLOYER MARKETS

The Employer Markets business provides its products through two segments: Retirement Products and Group Protection. The Retirement Products segment operates through two lines of business – Defined Contribution, which provides employer-sponsored variable and fixed annuities, and mutual-fund based programs in the 401(k), 403(b) and 457 marketplaces, and Executive Benefits, which provides corporate-owned life insurance (“COLI”) and bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”). Our Institutional Pension business, which was previously reported as part of the Retirement Products segment, is now being reported in Other Operations. The Group Protection segment of Employer Markets offers group life, disability and dental insurance to employers.

Employer Markets – Retirement Products

Income from Operations

Details underlying the results for Employer MarketsRetirement Products (in millions) were as follows:

   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    
   2008  2007  Change  2008  2007  Change 

Operating Revenues

           

Insurance fees

  $74  $78  -5% $148  $153  -3%

Net investment income

   227   235  -3%  451   472  -4%

Other revenues and fees

   3   5  -40%  9   9  0%
                   

Total operating revenues

   304   318  -4%  608   634  -4%
                   

Operating Expenses

           

Interest credited

   145   141  3%  290   285  2%

Benefits

   4   3  33%  6   5  20%

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

   81   90  -10%  165   171  -4%
                   

Total operating expenses

   230   234  -2%  461   461  0%
                   

Income from operations before taxes

   74   84  -12%  147   173  -15%

Federal income taxes

   22   26  -15%  43   53  -19%
                   

Income from operations

  $52  $58  -10% $104  $120  -13%
                   

The discussion of Employer Markets – Retirement Products is provided in “Retirement Products – Defined Contribution” and “Retirement Products – Executive Benefits” below.

64


Retirement Products – Defined Contribution

Income from Operations

Details underlying the results for Employer Markets – Retirement Products – Defined Contribution (in millions) were as follows:

   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    
   2008  2007  Change  2008  2007  Change 

Operating Revenues

           

Insurance fees

  $61  $65  -6% $122  $127  -4%

Net investment income

   175   182  -4%  346   363  -5%

Other revenues and fees

   3   5  -40%  9   9  —   
                   

Total operating revenues

   239   252  -5%  477   499  -4%
                   

Operating Expenses

           

Interest credited

   107   104  3%  213   209  2%

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

   75   81  -7%  152   152  —   
                   

Total operating expenses

   182   185  -2%  365   361  1%
                   

Income from operations before taxes

   57   67  -15%  112   138  -19%

Federal income taxes

   16   20  -20%  31   41  -24%
                   

Income from operations

  $41  $47  -13% $81  $97  -16%
                   

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations for this line of business decreased due primarily to the following:

Lower net investment income driven by less favorable results from our investment income on alternative investments and prepayment and bond makewhole premiums; and

Unfavorable impact of lower average daily account values due to unfavorable equity markets.

A substantial increase in new deposit production in other products is necessary to maintain earnings at current levels, and increased uncertainty in the market has weakened the overall outlook.

The foregoing items are discussed further below.

65


Insurance Fees

Details underlying insurance fees, account values and net flows (in millions) were as follows:

   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    
   2008  2007  Change  2008  2007  Change 

Insurance Fees

           

Annuity expense assessments

  $55  $59  -7% $110  $115  -4%

Mutual fund fees

   5   4  25%  9   8  13%
                   

Total expense assessments

   60   63  -5%  119   123  -3%

Surrender charges

   1   2  -50%  3   4  -25%
                   

Total insurance fees

  $61  $65  -6% $122  $127  -4%
                   

Average Daily Variable Account Values

  $16,892  $18,377  -8% $16,766  $17,982  -7%
                   

Average Daily S&P 500 Index®

   1,371.26   1,496.87  -8%  1,360.21   1,461.02  -7%
                   

   As of June 30,    
   2008  2007  Change 

Account Values

      

Variable portion of variable annuities

  $16,195  $18,480  -12%

Fixed portion of variable annuities

   6,073   6,023  1%
          

Total variable annuities

   22,268   24,503  -9%
          

Fixed annuities

   5,221   4,917  6%
          

Total annuities

   27,489   29,420  -7%

Mutual funds

   7,553   6,543  15%
          

Total annuities and mutual funds

  $35,042  $35,963  -3%
          

66


   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    
   2008  2007  Change  2008  2007  Change 

Account Value Roll Forward – By Product

       

Total Micro – Small Segment:

       

Balance at beginning-of-period

  $7,218  $7,689  -6% $7,798  $7,535  3%

Gross deposits

   389   378  3%  887   838  6%

Withdrawals and deaths

   (395)  (434) 9%  (964)  (885) -9%
                   

Net flows

   (6)  (56) 89%  (77)  (47) -64%

Transfers between fixed and variable accounts

   —     —    NM   (12)  (5) NM 

Investment increase and change in market value

   74   379  -80%  (423)  529  NM 
                   

Balance at end-of-period

  $7,286  $8,012  -9% $7,286  $8,012  -9%
                   
       

Total Mid – Large Segment:

       

Balance at beginning-of-period

  $9,621  $7,734  24% $9,463  $6,975  36%

Gross deposits

   748   589  27%  1,517   1,302  17%

Withdrawals and deaths

   (299)  (132) NM   (458)  (250) -83%
                   

Net flows

   449   457  -2%  1,059   1,052  1%

Transfers between fixed and variable accounts

   (11)  36  NM   (40)  37  NM 

Investment increase and change in market value

   (74)  328  NM   (497)  491  NM 
                   

Balance at end-of-period

  $9,985  $8,555  17% $9,985  $8,555  17%
                   
       

TotalMulti-Fund® and Other Variable Annuities:

       

Balance at beginning-of-period

  $17,925  $19,053  -6% $18,797  $19,146  -2%

Gross deposits

   284   306  -7%  568   620  -8%

Withdrawals and deaths

   (490)  (634) 23%  (1,033)  (1,331) 22%
                   

Net flows

   (206)  (328) 37%  (465)  (711) 35%

Transfers between fixed and variable accounts

   —     (1) 100%  —     (4) 100%

Inter-segment transfer

   —     —    NM   295   —    NM 

Investment increase and change in market value

   52   672  -92%  (856)  965  NM 
                   

Balance at end-of-period

  $17,771  $19,396  -8% $17,771  $19,396  -8%
                   
       

Total Annuities and Mutual Funds:

       

Balance at beginning-of-period

  $34,764  $34,476  1% $36,058  $33,656  7%

Gross deposits

   1,421   1,273  12%  2,972   2,760  8%

Withdrawals and deaths

   (1,184)  (1,200) 1%  (2,455)  (2,466) 0%
                   

Net flows

   237   73  225%  517   294  76%

Transfers between fixed and variable accounts

   (11)  35  NM   (52)  28  NM 

Inter-segment transfer

   —     —    NM   295   —    NM 

Investment increase and change in market value

   52   1,379  -96%  (1,776)  1,985  NM 
                   

Balance at end-of-period(1)

  $35,042  $35,963  -3% $35,042  $35,963  -3%
                   

(1)

Includes mutual fund account values. Mutual funds are not included in the separate accounts.

67


   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    
   2008  2007  Change  2008  2007  Change 

Net Flows

       

Variable portion of variable annuity deposits

  $561  $577  -3% $1,235  $1,232  0%

Variable portion of variable annuity withdrawals

   (646)  (747) 14%  (1,479)  (1,560) 5%
                   

Variable portion of variable annuity net flows

   (85)  (170) 50%  (244)  (328) 26%
                   

Fixed portion of variable annuity deposits

   93   87  7%  185   187  -1%

Fixed portion of variable annuity withdrawals

   (182)  (236) 23%  (392)  (470) 17%
                   

Fixed portion of variable annuity net flows

   (89)  (149) 40%  (207)  (283) 27%
                   

Total variable annuity deposits

   654   664  -2%  1,420   1,419  0%

Total variable annuity withdrawals

   (828)  (983) 16%  (1,871)  (2,030) 8%
                   

Total variable annuity net flows

   (174)  (319) 45%  (451)  (611) 26%
                   

Fixed annuity deposits

   187   146  28%  427   344  24%

Fixed annuity withdrawals

   (198)  (140) -41%  (358)  (305) -17%
                   

Fixed annuity net flows

   (11)  6  NM   69   39  77%
                   

Total annuity deposits

   841   810  4%  1,847   1,763  5%

Total annuity withdrawals

   (1,026)  (1,123) 9%  (2,229)  (2,335) 5%
                   

Total annuity net flows

   (185)  (313) 41%  (382)  (572) 33%
                   

Mutual fund deposits

   580   463  25%  1,125   997  13%

Mutual fund withdrawals

   (158)  (77) NM   (226)  (131) -73%
                   

Mutual fund net flows

   422   386  9%  899   866  4%
                   

Total annuity and mutual fund deposits

   1,421   1,273  12%  2,972   2,760  8%

Total annuity and mutual fund withdrawals

   (1,184)  (1,200) 1%  (2,455)  (2,466) 0%
                   

Total annuity and mutual fund net flows

  $237  $73  225% $517  $294  76%
                   

We charge expense assessments to cover insurance and administrative expenses. Expense assessments are generally equal to a percentage of the daily variable account values. Our expense assessments include fees we earn for the services that we provide to our mutual fund programs. In addition, we collect surrender charges when contract holders surrender their contracts during the surrender charge periods to protect us from premature withdrawals.

New deposits are an important component of our effort to grow our business. Although deposits do not significantly impact current period income from operations, they are an important indicator of future profitability. The other component of net flows relates to the retention of our business as demonstrated by our lapse rates.

We serve the mid-large case 401(k) and 403(b) markets with our mutual fund programs. Our programs bundle our fixed annuity products with mutual funds, along with record keeping and employee education components. The amounts associated with the mutual fund programs are not included in the assets or liabilities reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The distribution model for the micro-small case 401(k) market is focused on driving growth through financial intermediaries. As of June 30, 2008, we had 68 wholesalers in place to support this business and plan for additional growth in the second half of 2008. We are beginning to experience an increase in new business activity as a result of building our own wholesaling force for this market.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in expense assessments was driven by lower average daily variable annuity account values due to unfavorable equity markets.

Deposits in our mid-large segment (including mutual fund program fixed annuity deposits) increased due to an increase in the number of mutual fund program accounts, which resulted in both an increase in initial deposits and an increase in ongoing periodic deposits.

68


The overall lapse rate for our annuity products was 13% for the second quarter of 2008 compared to 15% for the same period in 2007. The return on assets, calculated as income divided by average assets under management, forMulti-Fund® and Other Variable Annuities, our oldest block of annuity business, is more than two times that of new deposits. Therefore, a substantial increase in new deposit production in other products is necessary to maintain earnings at current levels.

As of June 30, 2008, approximately $13.2 billion, or 59%, of variable annuity contract account values contained a return of premium death benefit feature, and the net amount at risk related to these contracts was $27 million. The remaining variable annuity contract account values contain no GDB feature.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in expense assessments was driven by lower average daily variable annuity account values due to unfavorable equity markets.

Deposits in our mid-large segment (including mutual fund program fixed annuity deposits) increased due to an increase in the number of mutual fund program accounts, which resulted in both an increase in initial deposits and an increase in ongoing periodic deposits.

The overall lapse rate for our annuity products remained flat at 15%.

Net Investment Income and Interest Credited

Details underlying net investment income, interest credited (in millions) and our interest rate spread were as follows:

   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    
   2008  2007  Change  2008  2007  Change 

Net Investment Income

         

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses

  $164  $159  3% $324  $325  0%

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums(1)

   1   2  -50%  2   3  -33%

Alternative investments(2)

   (1)  3  NM   (2)  5  NM 

Surplus investments(3)

   11   18  -39%  22   30  -27%
                   

Total net investment income

  $175  $182  -4% $346  $363  -5%
                   

Interest Credited

  $107  $104  3% $213  $209  2%
                   

(1)

See “Consolidated Investments – Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums” below for additional information.

(2)

See “Consolidated Investments – Alternative Investments” below for additional information.

(3)

Represents net investment income on the required statutory surplus for this segment.

69


   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Basis
Point
Change
  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Basis
Point
Change
 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Interest Rate Spread

       

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses

  5.89% 5.95% (6) 5.90% 6.03% (13)

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums

  0.05% 0.09% (4) 0.04% 0.06% (2)

Alternative investments

  -0.03% 0.10% (13) -0.03% 0.09% (12)
               

Net investment income yield on reserves

  5.91% 6.14% (23) 5.91% 6.18% (27)

Interest rate credited to contract holders

  3.80% 3.82% (2) 3.80% 3.81% (1)
               

Interest rate spread

  2.11% 2.32% (21) 2.11% 2.37% (26)
               

Note: The yields, rates and spreads above are calculated using whole dollars instead of dollars rounded to millions.

   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    
   2008  2007  Change  2008  2007  Change 

Average invested assets on reserves

  $11,067  $10,719  3% $10,978  $10,748  2%

Average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable

   11,266   10,957  3%  11,191   10,966  2%

Net flows for fixed annuities, including the fixed portion of variable

   (100)  (143) 30%  (138)  (244) 43%

A portion of our investment income earned is credited to the contract holders of our fixed annuity products, including the fixed portion of variable annuity contracts. We expect to earn a spread between what we earn on the underlying general account investments supporting the fixed annuity product line, including the fixed portion of variable annuity contracts, and what we credit to our fixed annuity contract holders’ accounts, including the fixed portion of variable annuity contracts. The interest rate spread for this segment represents the excess of the yield on invested assets on reserves over the average crediting rate. The yield on invested assets on reserves is calculated as net investment income, excluding the amounts attributable to our surplus investments, reverse repurchase agreement interest expense, inter-segment cash management account interest expense and interest on collateral, divided by average invested assets on reserves. The average invested assets on reserves are calculated based upon total invested assets, excluding hedge derivatives. The average crediting rate is calculated as interest credited before DSI amortization, plus the immediate annuity reserve change (included within benefits), divided by the average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable annuities. Commercial mortgage loan prepayments and bond makewhole premiums, investment income on alternative investments and surplus investment income can vary significantly from period to period due to a number of factors and, therefore, may contribute to investment income results that are not indicative of the underlying trends.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The decline in surplus investment income was attributable to less favorable investment income on alternative investments.

The modest increase in fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other net investment income was attributable to the growth in the average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable, driven by transfers from variable annuities partially offset by the yield decline due to lower reinvestment rates. During the second quarter of 2008, in response to the competitive environment, we held credit rates constant and reduced new money rates by 25 basis points for Multi-Fund® and mutual fund products. We have taken further crediting rate actions in the third quarter of 2008, with the expectation of maintaining stable spreads over the near term, excluding the effects of prepayment and makewhole premiums. For information on interest rate spreads and the interest rate risk due to falling interest rates, see “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

70


Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The decline in surplus investment income was attributable to less favorable investment income on alternative investments.

While fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other net investment income remained flat, the yield declined due to lower reinvestment rates, which was offset by the increase in average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable, driven by transfers from variable annuities.

Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

Details underlying underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    
   2008  2007  Change  2008  2007  Change 

Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

       

Commissions

  $19  $21  -10% $39  $41  -5%

General and administrative expenses

   52   55  -5%  104   105  -1%

Taxes, licenses and fees

   3   4  -25%  7   9  -22%
                   

Total expenses incurred

   74   80  -8%  150   155  -3%

DAC deferrals

   (22)  (21) -5%  (45)  (45) 0%
                   

Total expenses recognized before amortization

   52   59  -12%  105   110  -5%

DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:

       

Retrospective unlocking

   —     2  -100%  3   2  50%

Other amortization

   23   20  15%  44   40  10%
                   

Total underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

  $75  $81  -7% $152  $152  0%
                   

DAC deferrals

       

As a percentage of sales/deposits

   1.5%  1.6%   1.5%  1.6% 

Commissions and other costs, that vary with and are related primarily to the production of new business, excluding those associated with our mutual fund products, are deferred to the extent recoverable and are amortized over the lives of the contracts in relation to EGPs. We do not pay commissions on sales of our mutual fund products, and distribution expenses associated with the sale of these mutual fund products are not deferred and amortized, as is the case for our insurance products.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses was due in part to the implementation of several expense management controls and practices that are focused on aggressively managing expenses and lower incentive compensation accruals as a result of lower earnings and production performance relative to planned goals.

The second quarter of 2007 had unfavorable retrospective unlocking (increase to DAC and VOBA amortization) due primarily to higher lapses than estimated in our model projections.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The first six months of 2008 and 2007 had unfavorable retrospective unlocking (increase to DAC and VOBA amortization) due primarily to higher lapses than estimated in our model projections.

71


Retirement Products – Executive Benefits

Income from Operations

Details underlying the results for Retirement Products – Executive Benefits (in millions) were as follows:

   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    
   2008  2007  Change  2008  2007  Change 

Operating Revenues

           

Insurance fees

  $13  $13  0% $26  $26  0%

Net investment income

   52   53  -2%  105   109  -4%
                   

Total operating revenues

   65   66  -2%  131   135  -3%
                   

Operating Expenses

           

Interest credited

   38   37  3%  77   76  1%

Benefits

   4   3  33%  6   5  20%

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

   6   9  -33%  13   19  -32%
                   

Total operating expenses

   48   49  -2%  96   100  -4%
                   

Income from operations before taxes

   17   17  0%  35   35  0%

Federal income taxes

   6   6  0%  12   12  0%
                   

Income from operations

  $11  $11  0% $23  $23  0%
                   

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations remained flat as lower earnings on surplus investments due to unfavorable equity markets and increased interest credited driven by modest fixed account fund value growth were offset by lower DAC and VOBA amortization expense due to unfavorable retrospective unlocking in the second quarter of 2007.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations remained flat as lower earnings on surplus investments due to unfavorable equity markets and lower consent fees were offset by lower DAC and VOBA amortization expense due to unfavorable retrospective unlocking in the first six months of 2007.

The foregoing items are discussed further below.

Insurance Fees

Details underlying insurance fees, sales, net flows, account values and in-force face amount (in millions) were as follows:

   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    
   2008  2007  Change  2008  2007  Change 

Insurance Fees

       

Mortality assessments

  $8  $8  0% $17  $17  0%

Expense assessments

   6   5  20%  11   9  22%

DFEL:

       

Deferrals

   (1)  (1) 0%  (2)  (2) 0%

Amortization

   —     —    NM   —     1  -100%

Retrospective unlocking

   —     1  -100%  —     1  -100%
                   

Total insurance fees

  $13  $13  0% $26  $26  0%
                   

72


   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    
   2008  2007  Change  2008  2007  Change 

Sales

  $13  $14  -7% $41  $34  21%
                   

Account Values

       

Balance at beginning-of-period

  $4,460  $4,264  5% $4,436  $4,305  3%

Deposits(1)

   110   79  39%  275   144  91%

Withdrawals and deaths(1)

   (60)  (53) -13%  (154)  (193) 20%
                   

Net flows

   50   26  92%  121   (49) NM 

Policyholder assessments

   (17)  (17) 0%  (37)  (35) -6%

Interest credited and change in market value

   33   80  -59%  6   132  -95%
                   

Balance at end-of-period

  $4,526  $4,353  4% $4,526  $4,353  4%
                   

In Force

  $14,939  $14,809  1% $14,939  $14,809  1%
                   

(1)

Deposits and withdrawals and deaths include $23 million and $67 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, related to the exchange of legacy Jefferson-Pilot products with new Lincoln products.

Our mortality and expense assessments are deducted from our contract holders’ account values and reported as insurance fees. For this business, the mortality and expense assessments amounts are a function of the rates priced into the product and face amount of our insurance in force. Insurance in force, in turn, is driven by sales, persistency and mortality experience.

Included in the business acquired with the Jefferson-Pilot companies are BOLI products, which accounted for $1.7 billion in contract holder fund balances as of June 30, 2008. VOBA balances, net of unearned revenue reserves, related to these blocks were approximately $113 million as of June 30, 2008. These contracts, which are generally not subject to surrender charges, are owned by several thousand contract holders. These contracts were primarily originated through, and continue to be serviced by, two marketing organizations. The surrender rate for this product may increase beyond current experience due to the absence of surrender charges and rising interest rates that may result in returns available to contract holders on competitors’ products being more attractive than on our policies in force. The following factors may influence contract holders to continue these coverages: our ability to adjust crediting rates; relatively high minimum rate guarantees; the difficulty of re-underwriting existing and additional covered lives; and unfavorable tax attributes of certain surrenders. Our assumptions for amortizing VOBA and unearned revenue for these policies reflect a higher long-term expected lapse rate than other blocks of business due to the factors noted above. Lapse experience for this block in a particular period could vary significantly from our long-term lapse assumptions.

Consistent with the way we report UL sales, we report COLI and BOLI sales as 100% of annualized expected target premium plus 5% of paid excess premium, including an adjustment for internal replacements at approximately 50% of target. Sales in this business tend to be of large case nature and can fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Mortality and expense assessments for this business increased as client deposits were primarily in variable products partially offset by declines in variable account values from unfavorable equity markets.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Mortality and expense assessments for this business were favorably impacted by higher variable fees resulting from a customer transferring $55 million of fixed account value to variable account value in the second quarter of 2007 partially offset by declines in variable account values from unfavorable equity markets. This transfer had an offsetting impact on investment income and interest credited as discussed below. Expense assessments also increased as client deposits were primarily in variable products.

Insurance in force increased modestly as growth over the prior year due to sales was partially offset by term rider face reductions in the second quarter of 2008.

73


Net Investment Income and Interest Credited

Details underlying net investment income and interest credited (in millions) were as follows:

   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    
   2008  2007  Change  2008  2007  Change 

Net Investment Income

           

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses

  $51  $51  0% $101  $104  -3%

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums(1)

   —     —    NM   1   1  0%

Surplus investments(2)

   1   2  -50%  3   4  -25%
                   

Total net investment income

  $52  $53  -2% $105  $109  -4%
                   

Interest Credited

  $38  $37  3% $77  $76  1%
                   

(1)

See “Consolidated Investments – Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums” below for additional information.

(2)

Represents net investment income on the required statutory surplus for this segment.

When analyzing the impact of net investment income for this segment, it is important to understand that a portion of the investment income earned is credited to the contract holders of our fixed products, including the fixed portion of variable. We expect to earn a spread between what we earn on the underlying general account investments supporting the fixed product line and what we credit to our fixed contract holders’ accounts.

Commercial mortgage loan prepayments and bond makewhole premiums, investment income on alternative investments and surplus investment income can vary significantly from period to period due to a number of factors and, therefore, can provide results that are not indicative of the underlying trends.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Earnings on surplus investments were negatively impacted by unfavorable equity markets.

On January 1, 2008, we implemented a 25 basis point increase in crediting rates on a small block of policies that have approximately $150 million of fixed account value. Despite this crediting rate action, interest credited remained relatively flat as fixed account values have only modestly increased as client deposits were primarily in variable products.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other net investment income decreased due to the unfavorable impact of a customer transferring $55 million from fixed account value to variable account value in the second quarter of 2007, reducing the interest margin, and higher consent fees in 2007. Additionally, earnings on surplus investments were negatively impacted by unfavorable equity markets.

Interest credited remained relatively flat as modest fixed account value growth and the crediting rate action discussed above were partially offset by the impact of a customer transferring $55 million from fixed account value to variable account value in the second quarter of 2007.

Benefits

Benefits for this segment include claims incurred during the period in excess of the associated account balance for its interest-sensitive products.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Benefits increased modestly due to slightly less favorable mortality yet remained in line with growth in business in force.

74


Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Benefits increased modestly due to slightly less favorable mortality yet remained in line with growth in business in force. Additionally, benefits were favorably impacted by a recovery on a reinsurance agreement in the first quarter of 2007.

Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

Details underlying underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

       

Commissions

  $6  $7  -14% $18  $13  38%

General and administrative expenses

   3   2  50%  6   5  20%

Taxes, licenses and fees

   1   1  0%  3   2  50%
                   

Total expenses incurred

   10   10  0%  27   20  35%

DAC and VOBA deferrals

   (6)  (7) 14%  (18)  (14) -29%
                   

Total expenses recognized before amortization

   4   3  33%  9   6  50%

DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:

       

Retrospective unlocking

   —     2  -100%  (1)  5  NM 

Other amortization

   2   4  -50%  5   8  -38%
                   

Total underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

  $6  $9  -33% $13  $19  -32%
                   

DAC and VOBA deferrals

       

As a percentage of sales

   46.2%  50.0%   43.9%  41.2% 

Commissions and other costs that vary with and are related primarily to the production of new business are deferred to the extent recoverable and, for our interest-sensitive products, are amortized over the lives of the contracts in relation to EGPs.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Expenses incurred remained flat as decreased sales and lower incentive compensation expense were offset by a change in expense allocation methodology within Employer Markets that did not affect consolidated expenses.

The unfavorable retrospective unlocking (increase to DAC and VOBA amortization) in the second quarter of 2007 was due to actual gross profits being lower than EGPs due to the impact of a customer transferring $55 million of fixed account value to variable account value, partially offset by favorable retrospective unlocking from market conditions.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in expenses incurred was primarily a result of increased sales and the change in expense allocation discussed above.

The favorable retrospective unlocking (decrease to DAC and VOBA amortization) in the first six months of 2008 was due primarily to higher premiums received and lower death claims than estimated in our model projections. The unfavorable retrospective unlocking (increase to DAC and VOBA amortization) in the first six months 2007 was due to the impact of a customer transferring $55 million in fixed account value to variable account value discussed above and higher surrender activity than estimated in our model projections. The surrender activity occurred for a variety of reasons, and no systemic issues, such as service or product competitiveness, contributed to this surrender activity.

7578


Employer MarketsInsurance SolutionsGroup Protection

The Group Protection segment offers group life, disability and dental insurance to employers. The segment’s products are marketed primarily through a national distribution system of regional group offices. These offices develop business through employee benefit brokers, third-party administrators and other employee benefit firms.

Income from Operations

Details underlying the results for Employer MarketsInsurance Solutions – Group Protection (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
  2008  2007   2008 2007    2008  2007   2008  2007  

Operating Revenues

                     

Insurance premiums

  $393  $361  9% $763  $693  10%  $371  $337  10% $1,134  $1,029  10%

Net investment income

   31   29  7%  58   56  4%   31   30  3%  89   86  3%

Other revenues and fees

   1   1  0%  3   2  50%   1   1  0%  4   4  0%
                              

Total operating revenues

   425   391  9%  824   751  10%   403   368  10%  1,227   1,119  10%
                              

Operating Expenses

                     

Interest credited

   1   —    NM   1   —    NM 

Benefits

   287   266  8%  555   512  8%   268   236  14%  823   748  10%

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

   89   80  11%  179   159  13%   92   81  14%  271   240  13%
                              

Total operating expenses

   376   346  9%  734   671  9%   361   317  14%  1,095   988  11%
                              

Income from operations before taxes

   49   45  9%  90   80  13%   42   51  -18%  132   131  1%

Federal income taxes

   17   16  6%  32   28  14%   15   18  -17%  46   46  0%
                              

Income from operations

  $32  $29  10% $58  $52  12%  $27  $33  -18% $86  $85  1%
                              
  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change 
  2008  2007   2008 2007  

Income from Operations by Product Line

          

Life

  $11  $10  10% $21  $19  11%

Disability

   20   18  11%  36   31  16%

Dental

   —     —    NM   (1)  —    NM 
               

Total non-medical

   31   28  11%  56   50  12%

Medical

   1   1  0%  2   2  0%
               

Total income from operations

  $32  $29  10% $58  $52  12%
               

   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Income from Operations by Product Line

           

Life

  $9  $11  -18% $30  $30  0%

Disability

   16   19  -16%  51   50  2%

Dental

   1   1  0%  1   1  0%
                   

Total non-medical

   26   31  -16%  82   81  1%

Medical

   1   2  -50%  4   4  0%
                   

Total income from operations

  $27  $33  -18% $86  $85  1%
                   

Comparison of the Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations for this segment increaseddecreased due to less favorable total non-medical loss ratio experience, although still on the following:low end of our expected range.

GrowthThe decrease in income from operations was partially offset by a growth in insurance premiums driven by normal, organic business growth in our non-medical products and better than expected persistency; andfavorable persistency.

Combined total non-medical loss ratio experience below the lower end of our expected range.

The increase in income from operations was partially offset by an increase to underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses due to growth in our business in force, elevated costs associated with investments in strategic initiatives and an increase in the allocation of expenses to this segment.

76


Comparison of the SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations for this segment modestly increased due primarily to the following:

Growthgrowth in insurance premiums driven by normal, organic business growth in our non-medical products and better than expected persistency; andfavorable persistency.

Combined total non-medical loss ratio experience at the lower end of our expected range.

The increase in income from operations was partially offset by an increase to underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses due to growth in our business in force, higher 401(k) expenses, elevated costs associated with investments in strategic initiatives and an increase in the allocation of expenses to this segment.

The foregoing items are discussed further below.

79


Insurance Premiums

Details underlying insurance premiums (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
  2008  2007   2008  2007    2008  2007   2008  2007  

Insurance Premiums by Product Line

                      

Life

  $134  $125  7% $267  $244  9%  $136  $124  10% $402  $367  10%

Disability

   167   150  11%  330   295  12%   168   151  11%  499   446  12%

Dental

   37   34  9%  74   66  12%   38   34  12%  112   101  11%
                              

Total non-medical

   338   309  9%  671   605  11%   342   309  11%  1,013   914  11%

Medical

   55   52  6%  92   88  5%   29   28  4%  121   115  5%
                              

Total insurance premiums

  $393  $361  9% $763  $693  10%  $371  $337  10% $1,134  $1,029  10%
                              

Sales

  $65  $62  5% $119  $123  -3%  $68  $61  11% $187  $183  2%
                              

Our cost of insurance and policy administration charges are embedded in the premiums charged to our customers. The premiums are a function of the rates priced into the product and our business in force. Business in force, in turn, is driven by sales and persistency experience.

Sales in the table above and as discussed below are the combined annualized premiums for our life, disability and dental products. Sales relate to long-duration contracts sold to new contract holders and new programs sold to existing contract holders. The trend in sales is an important indicator of development of business in force over time.

Comparison of the Three and SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in insurance premiums in our non-medical business reflects normal business growth and favorable persistency experience.

Net Investment Income

We use our interest income to build the associated policy reserves, which is a function of our insurance premiums and the yields on our invested assets.

Comparison of the Three and SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

Net investment income remained relatively flat as continued growth of business in force was offset by lower yields on requiredinvestments supporting statutory surplus due to weaker results from our alternative investments.

 

7780


Benefits and Interest Credited

Details underlying benefits and interest credited (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Benefits by Product Line

       

Benefits and Interest Credited by Product Line

       

Life

  $97  $92  5% $192  $181  6%  $100  $88  14% $293  $269  9%

Disability

   111   100  11%  221   200  11%   116   99  17%  337   300  12%

Dental

   30   27  11%  60   53  13%   29   26  12%  89   78  14%
                              

Total non-medical

   238   219  9%  473   434  9%   245   213  15%  719   647  11%

Medical

   49   47  4%  82   78  5%   24   23  4%  105   101  4%
                              

Total benefits

  $287  $266  8% $555  $512  8%

Total benefits and interest credited

  $269  $236  14% $824  $748  10%
                              

Loss Ratios by Product Line

              

Life

   72.3%  73.9%   72.1%  74.5%    74.0%  71.2%   72.7%  73.3% 

Disability

   66.1%  66.4%   67.1%  67.9%    68.6%  65.0%   67.6%  66.9% 

Dental

   81.1%  79.3%   81.0%  79.2%    75.9%  74.9%   79.2%  77.8% 

Total non-medical

   70.2%  70.8%   70.6%  71.8%    71.6%  68.6%   70.9%  70.7% 

Medical

   88.6%  89.3%   88.2%  89.0%    86.2%  82.8%   87.7%  87.5% 

Note: Loss ratios presented above are calculated using whole dollars instead of dollars rounded to millions.

Management has chosen to focusfocuses on trends in loss ratios to compare actual experience with pricing expectations because group-underwriting risks change over time. We believe that loss ratios in the 71-74% range are more representative of longer-term expectations for the composite non-medical portion of this segment. We expect normal fluctuations in this range, as claim experience is inherently uncertain, and there can be no assurance that experience will fall inside this expected range.

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

We experienced favorableexceptional claim experience on allour total non-medical products during 2007 that we did not believe was sustainable. The experience during 2008 was less favorable, but still on the low end of our non-medical and medical products, except for dental. expected range.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 to 2007

Our improved total non-medical loss ratio remained relatively flat and was driven by exceptional life and disability results.within our expected range. Our life loss ratio benefited from favorable waiver claims experience. Our disability loss ratio benefited from favorablewas affected by unfavorable termination and incidence experience. The termination experience, but was only relevant for the six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.still well below our expected range.

 

7881


Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

Details underlying underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

              

Commissions

  $43  $41  5% $87  $81  7%  $44  $40  10% $132  $121  9%

General and administrative expenses

   41   37  11%  83   70  19%   43   38  13%  125   108  16%

Taxes, licenses and fees

   9   10  -10%  19   19  0%   9   8  13%  28   27  4%
                              

Total expenses incurred

   93   88  6%  189   170  11%   96   86  12%  285   256  11%

DAC and VOBA deferrals

   (13)  (14) 7%  (27)  (25) -8%   (13)  (13) 0%  (40)  (38) -5%
                              

Total expenses recognized before amortization

   80   74  8%  162   145  12%   83   73  14%  245   218  12%

DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest

   9   6  50%  17   14  21%   9   8  13%  26   22  18%
                              

Total underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

  $89  $80  11% $179  $159  13%  $92  $81  14% $271  $240  13%
                              

DAC and VOBA Deferrals

              

As a percentage of insurance premiums

   3.3%  3.9%   3.5%  3.6%    3.5%  3.9%   3.5%  3.7% 

Expenses, excluding broker commissions, that vary with and are related primarily to the production of new business are deferred to the extent recoverable and are amortized on either a straight-line basis or as a level percent of premium of the related contracts depending on the block of business. Commissions,Broker commissions, which vary with and are related to paid premiums, are expensed as incurred. The level of expenses is an important driver of profitability for this segment as group insurance contracts are offered within an environment that competes on the basis of price and service.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses was in line with the increase in insurance premiums.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses was in line with the increase in insurance premiums and iswas attributable to growth in our business in force, elevated costs associated with investments in strategic initiatives and an increase in the allocation of expenses to this segment.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses was in line with the increase in insurance premiums and is attributable to higher 401(k) expenses, elevated costs associated with investments in strategic initiatives and an increase in the allocation of expenses to this segment. Partially offsetting the increase in expenses were higher deferrals, driven by strategic sales expenses.

 

7982


RESULTS OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

The Investment Management segment, through Delaware Investments, provides a broad range of managed account portfolios, mutual funds, sub-advised funds and other investment products to individual investors and to institutional investors such as private and public pension funds, foundations and endowment funds. Delaware Investments is the marketing name for Delaware Management Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Income from Operations

Details underlying the results for Investment Management (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Operating Revenues

              

Investment advisory fees – external

  $76  $93  -18% $152  $183  -17%  $68  $89  -24% $220  $272  -19%

Investment advisory fees – inter-segment

   21   19  11%  41   44  -7%   21   23  -9%  61   67  -9%

Other revenues and fees

   28   39  -28%  52   74  -30%   21   38  -45%  73   112  -35%
                              

Total operating revenues

   125   151  -17%  245   301  -19%   110   150  -27%  354   451  -22%
               

Operating Expenses

              

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

   101   133  -24%  202   258  -22%   102   116  -12%  303   374  -19%
                              

Income from operations before taxes

   24   18  33%  43   43  0%   8   34  -76%  51   77  -34%

Federal income taxes

   9   7  29%  16   15  7%   3   12  -75%  19   28  -32%
                              

Income from operations

  $15  $11  36% $27  $28  -4%  $5  $22  -77% $32  $49  -35%
                              

Pre-tax operating margin(1)

   19%  12%   17%  14%    7%  23%   14%  17% 
                              

 

(1)

The pre-tax operating margin is determined by dividing pre-tax income from operations by operating revenues.

Comparison of the Three and Nine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations increaseddecreased due primarily to the following:

 

Expenses incurredA reduction in investment advisory fees and other revenue and fees due to lower assets under management resulting from equity market declines, negative net flows and the second quartersale of 2007 for the launch of a closed-end fund as well as additions to a reserve for legal matters in that quarter;certain institutional fixed income business; and

 

LowerNegative returns on seed capital driven by equity market declines.

The decrease in income from operations was partially offset by lower expenses due to exiting certain businesses, lower asset-based expenses and lower incentive compensation accruals as a result of lower earnings and production performance relative to planned goals.

The increase in income from operations was partially offset by:

Lower investment advisory fees due to lower assets under management driven by the sale of certain institutional fixed income business and less favorable equity markets; and

Negative returns on seed capital driven by the unfavorable equity markets in the second quarter of 2008.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations decreased slightly due primarily to the following:

Lower investment advisory fees due to lower assets under management driven by the sale of certain institutional fixed income business and less favorable equity markets; and

Negative returns on seed capital driven by the unfavorable equity markets in 2008.

The decrease in income from operations was partially offset by:

Expenses incurred in the first six months of 2007 for the launch of a closed-end fund as well as additions to a reserve for legal matters; and

80


Lower incentive compensation accruals as a result of lower earnings and production performance relative to planned goals.

The foregoing items are discussed further below.below following “Impact of Current Market Conditions.”

Impact of Current Market Conditions

The October 2008 daily average of the S&P 500 Index® declined 17% from its value as of September 30, 2008, negatively impacting our assets under management and seed capital investments. Consequently, we expect lower earnings in the fourth quarter as a result of lower investment advisory fees and negative returns on seed capital, partially offset by lower asset-based expenses.

For factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in this section, see “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2007 Form 10-K as updated by “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements – Cautionary Language” in this report.

83


Investment Advisory Fees

Details underlying assets under management and net flows (in millions) were as follows:

 

  As of June 30,  Change   As of September 30,  Change 
  2008  2007    2008  2007  

Assets Under Management

            

Retail – equity

  $25,824  $33,468  -23%  $21,256  $33,131  -36%

Retail – fixed

   11,473   9,799  17%   11,306   10,403  9%
                

Total retail

   37,297   43,267  -14%   32,562   43,534  -25%
                

Institutional – equity

   18,515   21,663  -15%   14,945   22,108  -32%

Institutional – fixed

   10,884   22,569  -52%   10,155   23,898  -58%
                

Total institutional

   29,399   44,232  -34%   25,100   46,006  -45%
                

Inter-segment assets – retail and institutional

   8,995   10,226  -12%   8,937   10,176  -12%

Inter-segment assets – general account

   65,997   66,423  -1%   63,531   67,324  -6%
                

Total inter-segment assets

   74,992   76,649  -2%   72,468   77,500  -6%
                

Total assets under management

  $141,688  $164,148  -14%  $130,130  $167,040  -22%
                

Total Sub-Advised Assets, Included Above

            

Retail

  $13,651  $16,329  -16%  $11,168  $16,380  -32%

Institutional

   3,794   4,594  -17%   3,035   4,734  -36%
                

Total sub-advised assets

  $17,445  $20,923  -17%  $14,203  $21,114  -33%
                

 

   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Net Flows – External(1)

       

Retail equity sales

  $1,042  $1,637  -36% $2,535  $3,760  -33%

Retail equity redemptions and transfers

   (2,181)  (2,189) 0%  (4,796)  (4,332) -11%
                   

Retail equity net flows

   (1,139)  (552) NM   (2,261)  (572) NM 
                   

Retail fixed income sales

   1,213   1,115  9%  2,588   2,208  17%

Retail fixed income redemptions and transfers

   (894)  (756) -18%  (1,872)  (1,409) -33%
                   

Retail fixed income net flows

   319   359  -11%  716   799  -10%
                   

Total retail sales

   2,255   2,752  -18%  5,123   5,968  -14%

Total retail redemptions and transfers

   (3,075)  (2,945) -4%  (6,668)  (5,741) -16%
                   

Total retail net flows

   (820)  (193) NM   (1,545)  227  NM 
                   

Institutional equity inflows

   567   1,218  -53%  1,534   2,035  -25%

Institutional equity withdrawals and transfers

   (848)  (1,626) 48%  (1,891)  (3,782) 50%
                   

Institutional equity net flows

   (281)  (408) 31%  (357)  (1,747) 80%
                   

Institutional fixed income inflows

   310   1,472  -79%  479   2,973  -84%

Institutional fixed income withdrawals and transfers

   (512)  (1,237) 59%  (1,086)  (1,674) 35%
                   

Institutional fixed income net flows

   (202)  235  NM   (607)  1,299  NM 
                   

Total institutional inflows

   877   2,690  -67%  2,013   5,008  -60%

Total institutional redemptions and transfers

   (1,360)  (2,863) 52%  (2,977)  (5,456) 45%
                   

Total institutional net flows

   (483)  (173) NM   (964)  (448) NM 
                   

Total sales/inflows

   3,132   5,442  -42%  7,136   10,976  -35%

Total redemptions and transfers

   (4,435)  (5,808) 24%  (9,645)  (11,197) 14%
                   

Total net flows

  $(1,303) $(366) NM  $(2,509) $(221) NM 
                   

81


   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Net Flows – External(1) (2)

       

Retail equity sales

  $800  $1,268  -37% $3,335  $5,026  -34%

Retail equity redemptions and transfers

   (2,437)  (1,894) -29%  (7,233)  (6,225) -16%
                   

Retail equity net flows

   (1,637)  (626) NM   (3,898)  (1,199) NM 
                   

Retail fixed income sales

   1,137   1,029  10%  3,725   3,237  15%

Retail fixed income redemptions and transfers

   (863)  (656) -32%  (2,735)  (2,065) -32%
                   

Retail fixed income net flows

   274   373  -27%  990   1,172  -16%
                   

Total retail sales

   1,937   2,297  -16%  7,060   8,263  -15%

Total retail redemptions and transfers

   (3,300)  (2,550) -29%  (9,968)  (8,290) -20%
                   

Total retail net flows

   (1,363)  (253) NM   (2,908)  (27) NM 
                   

Institutional equity inflows

   688   689  0%  2,222   2,725  -18%

Institutional equity withdrawals and transfers

   (1,924)  (1,132) -70%  (3,815)  (4,914) 22%
                   

Institutional equity net flows

   (1,236)  (443) NM   (1,593)  (2,189) 27%
                   

Institutional fixed income inflows

   551   2,215  -75%  1,030   5,188  -80%

Institutional fixed income withdrawals and transfers

   (1,068)  (1,219) 12%  (2,154)  (2,894) 26%
                   

Institutional fixed income net flows

   (517)  996  NM   (1,124)  2,294  NM 
                   

Total institutional inflows

   1,239   2,904  -57%  3,252   7,913  -59%

Total institutional redemptions and transfers

   (2,992)  (2,351) -27%  (5,969)  (7,808) 24%
                   

Total institutional net flows

   (1,753)  553  NM   (2,717)  105  NM 
                   

Total sales/inflows

   3,176   5,201  -39%  10,312   16,176  -36%

Total redemptions and transfers

   (6,292)  (4,901) -28%  (15,937)  (16,098) 1%
                   

Total net flows

  $(3,116) $300  NM  $(5,625) $78  NM 
                   

 

(1)

Includes Delaware Variable Insurance Product (“VIP”) funds. Lincoln Financial Insuranceinsurance subsidiaries as well as unaffiliated insurers participate in these funds. In addition, sales/inflows includes contributions, dividend reinvestments and transfers in kind, transfers, and redemptions/transfers includes dividends and capital gainsgain distributions.

(2)

Excludes $12.3 billion in institutional fixed income business sold to an unaffiliated investment management company in the fourth quarter of 2007 and $154 million of 529 Plan assets transferred to an unaffiliated 529 Plan provider in the second quarter of 2007 because we do not consider these to be net flows.

 

   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Net Flows – Inter-Segment(1)

       

Total sales/inflows (2)

  $375  $708  -47% $1,093  $1,209  -10%

Total redemptions and transfers(3)

   (543)  (766) 29%  (1,222)  (1,500) 19%
                   

Total net flows

  $(168) $(58) NM  $(129) $(291) 56%
                   

84


   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Net Flows – Inter-Segment(1)

       

Total sales/inflows (2)

  $812  $544  49% $1,905  $1,753  9%

Total redemptions and transfers(3)

   (1,028)  (754) -36%  (2,250)  (2,254) 0%
                   

Total net flows

  $(216) $(210) -3% $(345) $(501) 31%
                   

 

(1)

Includes net flows from retail and institutional and excludes net flows from the general account. Also, it excludes the transfer of $3.0 billion in assets to another internal advisor, and $154 million of 529 Plan assets to an unaffiliated 529 Plan provider in both the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, as well as the transfer of $780 million in assets to Other Operations for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2007, and the transfer in of $709 million in assets primarily from another internal advisor in the third quarter of 2008, because we do not consider these to be net flows.

(2)

Includes contributions, dividend reinvestments and transfers in kind transfers.kind.

(3)

Redemptions and transfers includesIncludes dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Average daily S&P 500 Index®

  1,371.26  1,496.87  -8% 1,360.21  1,461.02  -7%
               
   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Average daily S&P 500 Index®

  1,255.42  1,489.60  -16% 1,325.03  1,470.65  -10%
               

Investment advisory fees are generally a function of the rates priced into the product and our average assets under management, which is driven by net flows and equitycapital markets. Investment advisory fees – external includesinclude amounts that are ultimately paid to sub-advisors for managing the sub-advised assets. The amounts paid to sub-advisors are generally included in the segment’s expenses.

Investment advisory fees – inter-segment consists of fees for asset management services this segment provides to Individual MarketsRetirement Solutions and Employer MarketsInsurance Solutions for managing general account assets supporting fixed income products, and surplus and separate account assets. These inter-segment amounts are not reported on our Consolidated Statements of Income as they are eliminated along with the associated expenses incurred by Individual MarketsRetirement Solutions and Employer Markets. Individual MarketsInsurance Solutions. Retirement Solutions and Employer MarketsInsurance Solutions report the cost as a reduction to net investment income, which is the same methodology that would be used if these services were provided by an external party.

The level of net flows may vary considerably from period to period, and therefore results in one period are not indicative of net flows in subsequent periods.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

Investment advisory fees – external decreased due primarily to lower third-party average assets under management as a result of less favorable equity market returns, an increase indeclines, negative net flows and lower advisory revenues as a resultthe impact of the fixed income transaction, as discussed below. Market value changes on assets under management in the secondthird quarter of 2008 were $(530)$(3.4) billion in retail and $(2.6) billion in institutional compared to $520 million in retail and $(816) million in institutional compared to $1.9$1.2 billion in retail and $984 million in institutional for the same period in 2007.

On October 31, 2007, we sold certain institutional taxable fixed income business to an unaffiliated investment management company. As a result of this transaction, assets under management decreased by $12.3 billion, which resulted in an estimateda $5 million decrease to investment advisory fees – external in the secondthird quarter of 2008. We expect a similar impact in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Investment advisory fees – inter-segment decreased due to lower average inter-segment assets under management as a result of market declines and negative net flows.

85


Comparison of the SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

Investment advisory fees – external decreased due primarily to lower third-party average assets under management as a result of less favorable equity market returns, an increase indeclines, negative net flows and lower advisory revenues of $9$14 million as a result of the

82


2007 fixed income transaction, as discussed above. Market value changes on assets under management in the first sixnine months of 2008 were $(3.6)$(6.9) billion in retail and $(2.9)$(5.5) billion in institutional compared to $2.7$3.2 billion in retail and $1.6$2.8 billion in institutional for the same period in 2007.

Investment advisory fees – inter-segment decreased due to a decline in totallower average inter-segment assets under management primarily related toas a result of market declines, negative net flows and as a result of the transition of the investment advisory role for the Lincoln Variable Insurance Trust product effective May 1, 2007, to Employer Markets.Retirement Solutions. In the role of investment advisor, Investment Management provided investment performance and compliance oversight on third-party investment managers in exchange for a fee. Investment Management continueswill continue to manage certain of the assets as a sub-advisor. As a result of this change, Investment Management’s assets under management decreased by $3 billion,$3.0 billion; however, there was no impact to our consolidated assets under management or consolidated net income.

Other Revenues and Fees

Comparison of the Three and SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

Other revenues and fees decreased for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 and 2007, partly due to a $4$7 million and $9$16 million decrease, respectively, in the return on seed capital due to unfavorable equity markets. Seed capital investments are important to establishing a track record for products that will later be sold to investors. These investments are valued at market value each reporting period and the change in market value impacts other revenues. Other revenues and fees waswere also negatively impacted by the loss of fees from the movement of the investment accounting function to a third party and by lower 12b-1 revenue related to lower average assets under management.

Operating Expenses

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

Operating expenses decreased due primarily to selling certain fixed income business to an unaffiliated investment management company and transitioning the investment accounting function to a third party. Also, accruals for variable compensation based on revenue and results decreased. These reductions were partially offset by an accrual for legal expenses.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 to 2007

Operating expenses decreased due primarily to the elimination of certain expenses as a result of transferring the investment advisory role of Lincoln Variable Insurance Trust to another internal advisor, selling certain fixed income business to an unaffiliated investment management company and transitioning the investment accounting function to a third party. Also, accruals for variable compensation based on revenue and results have decreased. The prior year periods included a $6 million accrual for legal expenses. In addition, in the prior year periods,2007, a new closed-end fund was launched. Costs associated with the launch of this fund were $5 million.

 

8386


RESULTS OF LINCOLN UK

Lincoln UK is headquartered in Barnwood, Gloucester, England, and is licensed to do business throughout the United Kingdom. Lincoln UK primarily focuses primarily on protecting and enhancing the value of its existing customer base. The segment accepts new deposits from existing relationships and markets a limited range of new products including retirement income solutions.products. Lincoln UK’s product portfolio principally consists of unit-linked life and pension products, which are similar to U.S. produced variable life and annuity products, where the risk associated with the underlying investments is borne by the contract holders. The segment is sensitive to changes in the foreign currency exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the British pound sterling. A significant increase in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the British pound would have a significant adverse effect on the segment’s operating results.

For factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in this section, see “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2007 Form 10-K as updated by “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements – Cautionary Language” in this report.

Income from Operations

Details underlying the results for Lincoln UK (in millions) were as follows:

 

   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Operating Revenues

           

Insurance premiums

  $26  $24  8% $45  $48  -6%

Insurance fees

   52   50  4%  98   96  2%

Net investment income

   20   19  5%  40   39  3%
                   

Total operating revenues

   98   93  5%  183   183  0%
                   

Operating Expenses

           

Benefits

   30   34  -12%  61   70  -13%

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

   40   41  -2%  78   78  0%
                   

Total operating expenses

   70   75  -7%  139   148  -6%
                   

Income from operations before taxes

   28   18  56%  44   35  26%

Federal income taxes

   10   6  67%  15   12  25%
                   

Income from operations

  $18  $12  50% $29  $23  26%
                   
   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Exchange Rate Ratio-U.S. Dollars to Pounds Sterling

           

Average for the period

   1.986   1.989  0%  1.987   1.977  1%

End-of-period

   1.992   2.008  -1%  1.992   2.008  -1%

As presented in the tables above, the change in the average exchange rate was immaterial when comparing the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, to the corresponding periods in 2007.

   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Operating Revenues

           

Insurance premiums

  $19  $26  -27% $64  $74  -14%

Insurance fees

   40   42  -5%  138   138  0%

Net investment income

   21   21  0%  61   60  2%
                   

Total operating revenues

   80   89  -10%  263   272  -3%
                   

Operating Expenses

           

Benefits

   27   30  -10%  87   100  -13%

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

   34   43  -21%  113   121  -7%
                   

Total operating expenses

   61   73  -16%  200   221  -10%
                   

Income from operations before taxes

   19   16  19%  63   51  24%

Federal income taxes

   7   6  17%  22   18  22%
                   

Income from operations

  $12  $10  20% $41  $33  24%
                   
   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Exchange Rate Ratio-U.S. Dollars to Pounds Sterling

           

Average for the period

   1.897   2.025  -6%  1.957   1.993  -2%

End-of-period

   1.778   2.046  -13%  1.778   2.046  -13%

Comparison of the Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

IncomeExcluding the effect of the exchange rate, income from operations for this segment increased 28% due primarily to modest revenue increasesthe following:

An unfavorable adjustment in 2007 to our mis-selling reserves; and

The recording of a Value Added Tax (“VAT”) refund in 2008.

The increase in income from operations was partially offset by the following:

A reduction in premiums due to declines in the annuitization of vesting pension policies and the face amount of our insurance in force attributable to the maturity of the block of business; and

A $3 million unfavorable prospective unlocking (a $13 million unfavorable unlocking from model refinements net of a $10 million favorable benefit reserve adjustments, which are discussed further below.unlocking from assumption changes) of DAC, VOBA and DFEL in 2008 compared to a $2 million favorable prospective unlocking (a $4 million favorable unlocking from assumption changes net of a $2 million unfavorable unlocking from model refinements) in 2007.

87


Comparison of the SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

IncomeExcluding the effect of the exchange rate, income from operations for this segment increased 27% due primarily to netthe following:

A favorable benefit reserve adjustmentsadjustment in 2008 to our mis-selling reserves;

An unfavorable adjustment in 2007 to our mis-selling reserves; and

The recording of a VAT refund in 2008.

The increase in income from operations was partially offset by the following:

A reduction in benefits relatedpremiums due to lower levelsdeclines in the annuitization of vested annuity premiums, which arevesting pension policies and the face amount of our insurance in force attributable to the maturity of the block of business; and

The impact of prospective unlocking discussed further below.above.

The foregoing items are discussed further below.

84


Insurance Premiums

Insurance premiums are primarily a function of the rates priced into the product and face amount of our insurance in force.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

InsuranceExcluding the effect of the exchange rate, insurance premiums increased duedecreased 22%, primarily toreflecting a $2 million increasedecrease in the annuitization of vesting pension policies. The increase in the amount of premiums received resulted inpolicies, partially offset by a corresponding increasedecrease in benefits.

Comparison of the SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

InsuranceExcluding the effect of the exchange rate, insurance premiums decreased due12%, primarily toreflecting a $2 million decrease in the annuitization of vesting pension policies. The decrease in the amount of premiums received resulted inpolicies, partially offset by a corresponding decrease in benefits.

Our annualized policy lapse rate as of the secondthird quarter of 2008 was 6.3% as compared to 6.7%6.5% for the corresponding period in 2007, as measured by the number of policies in force.

Insurance Fees

Details underlying insurance fees, business in force and unit-linked assets (in millions) were as follows:

 

   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Insurance Fees

       

Mortality assessments

  $9  $9  0% $18  $19  -5%

Expense assessments

   37   35  6%  67   65  3%

DFEL:

       

Deferrals

   (1)  (1) 0%  (2)  (2) 0%

Amortization, excluding unlocking

   8   7  14%  15   15  0%

Retrospective unlocking

   (1)  —    NM   —     (1) 100%
                   

Total insurance fees

  $52  $50  4% $98  $96  2%
                   
   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Unit-Linked Assets

       

Balance at beginning-of-period

  $8,079  $8,906  -9% $8,850  $8,757  1%

Deposits

   101   100  1%  161   168  -4%

Withdrawals and deaths

   (227)  (251) 10%  (439)  (491) 11%
                   

Net flows

   (126)  (151) 17%  (278)  (323) 14%

Investment income and change in market value

   (150)  229  NM   (758)  506  NM 

Foreign currency adjustment

   30   184  -84%  19   228  -92%
                   

Balance at end-of-period

  $7,833  $9,168  -15% $7,833  $9,168  -15%
                   
   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Insurance Fees

       

Mortality assessments

  $9  $9  0% $27  $28  -4%

Expense assessments

   27   21  29%  94   86  9%

DFEL:

       

Deferrals

   (1)  (1) 0%  (2)  (2) 0%

Amortization, net of interest:

       

Prospective unlocking – assumption changes

   (1)  (3) 67%  (1)  (3) 67%

Prospective unlocking – model refinements

   —     8  -100%  —     8  -100%

Retrospective unlocking

   —     —    NM   —     (1) 100%

Other amortization, net of interest

   6   8  -25%  20   22  -9%
                   

Total insurance fees

  $40  $42  -5% $138  $138  0%
                   

   As of September 30,    
   2008  2007  Change 

Individual life insurance in force

  $15,605  $19,757  -21%

88


   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Unit-Linked Assets

       

Balance at beginning-of-period

  $7,833  $9,168  -15% $8,850  $8,757  1%

Deposits

   81   79  3%  242   247  -2%

Withdrawals and deaths

   (189)  (251) 25%  (629)  (742) 15%
                   

Net flows

   (108)  (172) 37%  (387)  (495) 22%

Investment income and change in market value

   (304)  25  NM   (1,062)  531  NM 

Foreign currency adjustment

   (836)  171  NM   (816)  399  NM 
                   

Balance at end-of-period

  $6,585  $9,192  -28% $6,585  $9,192  -28%
                   

The insurance fees reflect mortality and expense assessments on unit-linked account values to cover insurance and administrative charges. These assessments are primarily a function of the rates priced into the product, the face amount of insurance in force and the average unit-linked assets, which is driven by net flows on the account values and the financial markets. Although the use of the reversion to the mean process has lessened the impact of short-term volatility in equity markets, the segment’s fee income remains subject to volatility in the equity markets as it affects the level of the underlying assets that drive the fee income.

85


Comparison of the Three and SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

Excluding the effecteffects of the exchange rate and unlocking, insurance fees increased 18% and 6% in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in 2007 due primarily to a $9 million correction in the third quarter of 2007 that reduced expense assessments in 2007 and higher U.K. Department of Work and Pensions premiums, partially offset by lower dividend income, andlower equity gains partially offset byand decreasing bond values resulting in a $2 million higherreduced linked tax deduction from the unit-linked account. Additionally, expense assessments increased $1 million dueExcluding the effect of the exchange rate, individual life insurance in force decreased 9%, and unit linked assets decreased 18%, which also contributed to higher U.K. Departmenta reduction in linked fees.

The three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, had unfavorable prospective unlocking – assumption changes related primarily to refinements to the methodology regarding future expectations of Workinvestment income and Pensions premiums.expenses offset by the expected mortality experience in the future.

Net Investment Income

We use our interest income to build the associated policy reserves, which is a function of our insurance premiums and the yields on our invested assets.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

NetExcluding the effect of the exchange rate, net investment income increased by 7%, due primarily to increased investments in short term bonds.short-term bonds and interest due on the VAT refund.

Comparison of the SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

NetExcluding the effect of the exchange rate, net investment income increased by 4%, due primarily to higher yields and increased investments in short term bonds.short-term bonds and interest due on the VAT refund.

Benefits

Benefits for this segment include claims incurred during the period in excess of the associated account balance for its unit-linked products. Benefits are recognized when incurred.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

BenefitsExcluding the effects of the exchange rate, benefits decreased 4% due primarily to an increase in 2007 in mis-selling reserves and a decrease in reserves due to lower levels of vested annuity premiums, partially offset by an increase from unfavorable claim experience and lower reinsurance recoveries.

89


Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 to 2007

Excluding the effects of the exchange rate, benefits decreased 11% due primarily to a reduction of $6 million in the liability for mis-selling reservepractices following a favorable conclusionfinding in the second quarter of 2008 by the U.K. Financial Ombudsman Service (“FOS”) regarding Lincoln UK’s time barring of claims compared to an increase in the liability for mis-selling practices in 2007, a one-time reduction in the death claim reserve of $3 million and better permanent health income experience of $2 million. These decreases were partially offset by an unfavorable tax reserve adjustment of $5 million as well as a $2 million increase in reserves due to higher levels of vested annuity premiums.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Benefits decreased due primarily to a reduction of $6 million in the mis-selling reserve following a favorable finding by the U.K. FOS regarding Lincoln UK’s time barring of claims, a one-time reduction in the death claim reserve of $3 million following a reconciliation of previously paid claims better permanent health income experience of $2 million and a decrease in reserves of $2 million due to lower levels of vested annuity premiums. These decreases were partially offset by an unfavorable tax reserve adjustment of $5 million.and lower reinsurance recoveries.

86


Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

Details underlying underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

              

Commissions

  $1  $1  0% $2  $2  0%  $1  $1  0% $3  $3  0%

General and administrative expenses

   26   27  -4%  52   53  -2%   23   27  -15%  74   80  -8%
                              

Total expenses incurred

   27   28  -4%  54   55  -2%   24   28  -14%  77   83  -7%

DAC and VOBA deferrals

   (1)  (1) 0%  (1)  (1) 0%   (1)  (1) 0%  (2)  (3) 33%
                              

Total expenses recognized before amortization

   26   27  -4%  53   54  -2%   23   27  -15%  75   80  -6%

DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:

              

Prospective unlocking – assumption changes

   (16)  (9) -78%  (16)  (9) -78%

Prospective unlocking – model refinements

   20   11  82%  20��  11  82%

Retrospective unlocking

   1   —    NM   —     (1) 100%   (2)  (1) -100%  (3)  (2) -50%

Other amortization, net of interest

   13   14  -7%  25   25  0%   9   15  -40%  37   41  -10%
                              

Total underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

  $40  $41  -2% $78  $78  0%  $34  $43  -21% $113  $121  -7%
                              

Commissions and other costs, which vary with and are related primarily to the production of new business, are deferred to the extent recoverable. DAC and VOBA related to unit-linked business are amortized over the lives of the contracts in relation to EGPs. For our traditional products, DAC and VOBA are amortized on either a straight-line basis or as a level percent of premium of the related contracts depending on the block of business.

Comparison of the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 to 2007

87Excluding the effect of the exchange rate, general and administrative expenses decreased 9% and 6% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to the corresponding periods in 2007, respectively, due primarily to a refund of VAT based on approval of our claim by Customs and Excise.

The three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, had favorable prospective unlocking – assumption changes related primarily to lower maintenance costs and higher persistency than our model projections assumed. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, had favorable prospective unlocking – assumption changes related primarily to changes in investment income, expense and mortality expectations.

90


RESULTS OF OTHER OPERATIONS

Other Operations includes investments related to the excess capital in our insurance subsidiaries, investments in media properties and other corporate investments, benefit plan net assets, the unamortized deferred gain on indemnity reinsurance, which was sold to Swiss Re in 2001, corporate debt and corporate reinsurance. We are actively managing our remaining radio station clusters to maximize performance and future value. Other Operations also includes the Institutional Pension business, which was previously reported in Employer Markets – Retirement Products.Products prior to our segment realignment discussed in “Introduction – Executive Summary.” The Institutional Pension business is a closed-block of pension business, the majority of which was sold on a group annuity basis, and is currently in run-off.

Loss from Operations

Details underlying the results for Other Operations (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change 
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Operating Revenues

              

Insurance premiums

  $2  $(1) 300% $3  $1  200%  $1  $1  0% $4  $3  33%

Net investment income

   87   91  -4%  186   179  4%   90   93  -3%  277   271  2%

Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance

   18   19  -5%  38   37  3%   19   19  0%  55   56  -2%

Media revenues (net)

   23   29  -21%  45   54  -17%   21   27  -22%  66   80  -18%

Other revenues and fees

   1   4  -75%  (2)  6  NM    1   (4) 125%  —     2  -100%

Inter-segment elimination of investment advisory fees

   (21)  (19) -11%  (41)  (44) 7%   (21)  (23) 9%  (61)  (67) 9%
                              

Total operating revenues

   110   123  -11%  229   233  -2%   111   113  -2%  341   345  -1%
                              

Operating Expenses

              

Interest credited

   42   44  -5%  88   88  0%   43   48  -10%  131   137  -4%

Benefits

   29   37  -22%  57   75  -24%   31   36  -14%  88   110  -20%

Media expenses

   15   15  0%  31   30  3%   14   13  8%  45   43  5%

Other expenses

   48   39  23%  85   64  33%   33   52  -37%  120   116  3%

Interest and debt expenses

   65   73  -11%  140   136  3%   69   68  1%  209   204  2%

Inter-segment elimination of investment advisory fees

   (21)  (19) -11%  (41)  (44) 7%   (21)  (23) 9%  (61)  (67) 9%
                              

Total operating expenses

   178   189  -6%  360   349  3%   169   194  -13%  532   543  -2%
                              

Loss from operations before taxes

   (68)  (66) -3%  (131)  (116) -13%   (58)  (81) 28%  (191)  (198) 4%

Federal income taxes

   (24)  (31) 23%  (45)  (51) 12%   (19)  (32) 41%  (64)  (83) 23%
                              

Loss from operations

  $(44) $(35) -26% $(86) $(65) -32%  $(39) $(49) 20% $(127) $(115) -10%
                              

Comparison of the Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

Loss from operations for this segment decreased due primarily to the following:

Lower other expenses due primarily to higher merger-related expenses in 2007 and a separation benefit recorded in the third quarter of 2007, partially offset by increases in litigation expense; and

Unfavorable mortality in our Institutional Pension business in the third quarter of 2007.

The decrease in loss from operations was partially offset by the following:

Lower media earnings related primarily to lower advertising revenues caused by market conditions; and

Less favorable tax items that impacted the effective tax rate.

91


Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 to 2007

Loss from operations for this segment increased due primarily to the following:

 

Lower media earnings related primarily to lower advertising revenues caused by market conditions;

 

Lower net investment income from a reduction in yields, partially offset by an increase in invested assets;

Higher other expenses attributable primarily due to the one-time curtailment gain recorded in the second quarter of 2007 related to a change in our employee pension plan; and

Less favorable tax items that impacted the effective tax rate.

The increase in loss from operations was partially offset by the following:

Lower interest and debt expenses as a result of a decline in interest rates that affect our variable rate borrowings partially offset by higher average balances of outstanding debt in the current period; and

Unfavorable mortality in our Institutional Pension business in the second quarter of 2007.

88


Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Loss from operations for this segment increased due primarily to the following:

Lower media earnings related primarily due to lower advertising revenues caused by market conditions;

Higher other expenses primarily attributable to the impact of the one-time curtailment gain recorded in the second quarter of 2007 related to our employee pension plan and the relocation costs associated with the move of our corporate office;office, partially offset by a separation benefit recorded in the third quarter of 2007 and lower merger-related expenses in 2008;

 

Higher interest and debt expenses from increased debt; and

 

Less favorable tax items that impacted the effective tax rate.

The increase in loss from operations was partially offset by the following:

 

Higher net investment income from an increase in invested assets driven by distributable earnings received from our insurance segments, dividends received from our other segments and issuances of debt as these items exceeded share repurchases and dividends paid to stockholders; and

 

Unfavorable mortality in our Institutional Pension business in the second quarter of 2007.

Certain of the foregoing items are discussed further below.below following “Impact of Current Market Conditions.”

Impact of Current Market Conditions

Media earnings continue to experience deterioration as customers reduce their advertising expenses in response to the credit markets. Due to seasonality, the fourth quarter is generally our strongest quarter; however, expectations for this year are that fourth quarter will be the lowest quarter in 2008 given the current economic conditions;

Investment income is expected to be lower as a result of lower dividend income from our holdings of Bank of America common stock, following its announcement in early October to reduce its dividend rate by half; and

Additional other-than-temporary impairments that will further reduce investment income for this segment. See below for further detail on this impact.

For factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in this section, see “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2007 Form 10-K as updated by “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements – Cautionary Language” in this report.

Net Investment Income and Interest Credited

We utilize an internal formula to determine the amount of capital that is allocated to our business segments. Investment income on capital in excess of the calculated amounts is reported in Other Operations. If regulations require increases in our insurance segments’ statutory reserves and surplus, the amount of capital allocated to Other Operations would decrease and net investment income would be negatively impacted. In addition, as discussed below in “Review of Consolidated Financial Condition – Alternative Sources of Liquidity,” the holding company maintains an inter-segment cash management account where other segments can borrow from or lend money to the holding company. The inter-segment cash management account affects net investment income for Other Operations, as all inter-segment eliminations are reported within Other Operations.

Write-downs for other-than-temporary impairments decrease the recorded value of our invested assets owned by our business segments. These write-downs are not included in the income from operations of our operating segments. When impairment occurs, assets are transferred to the business segments’ portfolios and will reduce the future net investment income for Other Operations, but should not have an impact on a consolidated basis unless the impairments are related to defaulted securities. Statutory reserve adjustments for our business segments can also cause allocations of invested assets between the affected segments and Other Operations.

The majority of our interest credited relates to our reinsurance operations sold to Swiss Re in 2001. A substantial amount of the business was sold through indemnity reinsurance transactions resulting in some of the business still flowing through our consolidated financial statements. The interest credited corresponds to investment income earnings on the assets we continue to hold for this business. There is no impact to income or loss in Other Operations or on a consolidated basis for these amounts.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in net investment income was attributable to a decrease in yields, partially offset by an increase in invested assets that was driven by share repurchases, dividends paid to stockholders and transfers to other segments for other-than-temporary impairments. The decrease in invested assets from these items exceeded distributable earnings received from our insurance segments, dividends received from our other segments and issuances of debt. The increase in invested assets from these items exceeded the amount utilized by share repurchases, dividends paid to stockholders and transfers to other segments for other-than-temporary impairments. Also,In addition, decreases in our inter-segment cash management account andincome on standby real estate equity commitments unfavorably impacted net investment income, partially offset by the favorable impact from decreases in collateral under securities loaned favorably impacted net investment income.loaned.

92


Comparison of the SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in net investment income was attributable to an increase in invested assets that was driven by distributable earnings received from our insurance segments, dividends received from our other segments and issuances of debt. These items exceeded the amount of share repurchases, dividends paid to stockholders and transfers to other segments for other-than-temporary impairments. This increaseIn addition, increases in invested assets wasour inter-segment cash management account payable and decreases in income on standby real estate commitments unfavorably impacted net investment income, partially offset by lower yields as a result of lower interest ratesthe favorable impact from decreases in the current period.collateral under securities loaned.

89


Benefits

Benefits are recognized when incurred for Institutional Pension products.

Comparison of the Three and SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in benefits was a result of unfavorable mortality in our Institutional Pension business in the second quarterand third quarters of 2007.

Other Expenses

Details underlying other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
  2008  2007 Change 2008  2007 Change   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Other Expenses

                    

Merger-related expenses

  $16  $30  -47% $31  $44  -30%  $13  $30  -57% $44  $75  -41%

Branding

   11   9  22%  18   16  13%   8   8  0%  27   24  13%

Retirement Income Security Ventures

   2   3  -33%  4   4  0%   4   3  33%  9   6  50%

Taxes, licenses and fees

   1   1  0%  3   4  -25%   2   4  -50%  5   8  -38%

Other

   18   (4) NM   29   (4) NM    6   7  -14%  35   3  NM 
                              

Total other expenses

  $48  $39  23% $85  $64  33%  $33  $52  -37% $120  $116  3%
                              

Other expenses for Other Operations includes expenses that are corporate in nature such as merger-related expenses, restructuring costs, branding, charitable contributions, certain litigation reserves, amortization of FCC license intangibles on our radio clusters,media intangible assets with a definite life, other expenses not allocated to our business segments and inter-segment expense eliminations, excluding those associated with our inter-segment investment advisory fees.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

The increasedecrease in other expenses was attributable primarily to the effect of the one-time curtailment gain recorded in the second quarter of 2007 related to our employee pension plan after we announced on May 1, 2007, our plan to freeze our defined benefit pension benefits and replace them with an enhanced match in our 401(k) defined contribution plan beginning January 1, 2008, and an increase in incentive compensation expense, strategic initiative costs and facilities expense. These increases in other expenses were partially offset by a decrease indecreased merger-related expenses as a resultbecause of higher system integration work related to our administrative systems in 2007, as well as a separation benefit related to the retirement of certain key executives in 2007. These decreases were partially offset by increases in litigation and facilities expense.

Comparison of the SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in other expenses was attributable primarily to the impact of the one-time curtailment gain recorded in the second quarter of 2007 related to our employee pension plan and relocation costs associated with the move of our corporate office and an increase in incentive compensation expense, strategic costs and facilities expense. These increases in other expenses were partially offset by a decrease in merger-related expenses as a result of higher system integration work related to our administrative systems in 2007 and a separation benefit related to the retirement of certain key executives recorded in the third quarter of 2007.

Merger-related expenses were the result of actions undertaken by us to eliminate duplicate operations and functions as a result of the Jefferson-Pilot merger along with costs related to the implementation of our new unified product portfolio and other initiatives. These actions will be ongoing and are expected to be substantially complete by the first half of 2009. Our current estimate of the cumulative integration expenses is approximately $215 million to $225 million, pre-tax, and excludes amounts capitalized or recorded to goodwill.

93


Interest and Debt Expense

The timing and/or discretionary nature of uses of cash for the repurchase of stock, incentive compensation and the availability of funds from our cash management account may result in changes in external financing and volatility in interest expense. For additional information on our financing activities, see “Review of Consolidated Financial Condition – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Sources of Liquidity and Cash Flow – Financing Activities” below.

90


Comparison of the Three and Nine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

The decreaseincrease in interest and debt expense was due primarily to thean increase in our average outstanding debt balance in 2008 as compared to 2007, partially offset by decrease in interest rates on our variable rate borrowings partially offset by an increased average outstanding debt balance in the second quarter of 2008 as compared to the second quarter of 2007.borrowings. The increased debt was primarily the result of: $450 million issued in the third quarter of 2008 to repay maturing debt, to fund reductions in our outstanding commercial paper balances and for general corporate purposes; and $375 million issued in the fourth quarter of 2007 to fund a captive reinsurance company (calculated under AG38), which was created for the purpose of reinsuring liabilities of our existing insurance affiliates, related primarily related to statutory reserves on UL products with secondary guarantees.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in interest and debt expense was due primarily to an increase in our debt, which was primarily the result of $375 million issued in the fourth quarter of 2007 to fund a captive reinsurance company. This increase was partially offset by lower interest rates on our variable borrowings in the first six months of 2008 compared to the first six months of 2007.

Federal Income Tax Benefit

Comparison of the Three and SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in the federal income tax benefit was due to less favorable tax items that impacted the effective tax rate related primarily to changes in tax preferred investments.

 

9194


REALIZED GAIN (LOSS)LOSS

Details underlying realized gain (loss),loss, after-DAC(1) (in millions) were as follows:

 

   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    
   2008  2007  Change  2008  2007  Change 

Pre-Tax

       

Operating realized gain:

       

Indexed annuity net derivatives results

  $—    $2  -100% $(2) $2  NM 

GLB

   10   1  NM   16   2  NM 

GDB hedge cost

   2   (2) 200%  9   (2) NM 
                   

Total operating realized gain

   12   1  NM   23   2  NM 
                   

Realized gain (loss) related to certain investments

   (125)  (9) NM   (166)  18  NM 

Gain (loss) on certain reinsurance derivative/trading securities

   1   4  -75%  2   4  -50%

GLB derivatives results:

       

Attributed fees for net valuation premium(2)

   23   12  92%  42   23  83%

Change in reserves hedged(2)

   213   48  NM   (161)  74  NM 

Change in market value of derivative assets(2)

   (248)  (51) NM   63   (74) 185%
                   

Hedge program effectiveness(2) (3)

   (12)  9  NM   (56)  23  NM 

Change in reserves not hedged(2)

   17   —    NM   109   —    NM 

Loss from the initial impact of adopting SFAS 157(2)

   —     —    NM   (33)  —    NM 

Associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL

   (2)  (4) 50%  (25)  (10) NM 
                   

GLB net derivatives results

   3   5  -40%  (5)  13  NM 

Indexed annuity forward-starting option

   2   5  -60%  7   3  133%

GDB derivatives results

   (3)  1  NM   (8)  1  NM 

Gain on sale of subsidiaries/businesses

   2   —    NM   4   —    NM 
                   

Excluded realized gain (loss)

   (120)  6    (166)  39  NM 
                   

Total realized gain (loss)

  $(108) $7  NM  $(143) $41  NM 
                   
   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    
   2008  2007  Change  2008  2007  Change 

After-Tax

       

Operating realized gain:

       

Indexed annuity net derivatives results

  $—    $1  -100% $(1) $1  NM 

GLB

   7   1  NM   10   1  NM 

GDB hedge cost

   1   (1) 200%  6   (1) NM 
                   

Total operating realized gain

   8   1  NM   15   1  NM 
                   

Realized gain (loss) related to certain investments

   (80)  (5) NM   (108)  12  NM 

Gain (loss) on certain reinsurance derivative/trading securities

   1   3  -67%  1   2  -50%

GLB net derivatives results(4)

   1   3  -67%  (3)  9  NM 

GDB derivative results

   (2)  —    NM   (5)  —    NM 

Indexed annuity forward-starting option

   1   3  -67%  4   2  100%

Gain on sale of subsidiaries/businesses

   1   —    NM   3   —    NM 
                   

Excluded realized gain (loss)

   (78)  4    (108)  25  NM 
                   

Total realized gain (loss)

  $(70) $5  NM  $(93) $26  NM 
                   

92


   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
Pre-Tax  2008  2007   2008  2007  

Operating realized gain:

       

Indexed annuity net derivatives results

  $2  $—    NM  $—    $2  -100%

GLB

   11   2  NM   27   4  NM 

GDB hedge cost

   39   (1) NM   47   (3) NM 
                   

Total operating realized gain

   52   1  NM   74   3  NM 
                   

Realized loss related to certain investments

   (314)  (35) NM   (480)  (18) NM 

Gain (loss) on certain reinsurance derivative/trading securities

   (2)  (1) -100%  —     3  -100%

GLB net derivatives results

   89   (24) NM   85   (10) NM 

GDB derivatives results

   (33)  —    NM   (41)  1  NM 

Indexed annuity forward-starting option

   2   (6) 133%  9   (3) NM 

Gain on sale of subsidiaries/businesses

   2   —    NM   6   —    NM 
                   

Total excluded realized loss

   (256)  (66) NM   (421)  (27) NM 
                   

Total realized loss

  $(204) $(65) NM  $(347) $(24) NM 
                   
   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
After-Tax  2008  2007   2008  2007  

Operating realized gain:

       

Indexed annuity net derivatives results

  $1  $—    NM  $—    $1  -100%

GLB

   7   1  NM   18   3  NM 

GDB hedge cost

   25   (1) NM   31   (2) NM 
                   

Total operating realized gain

   33   —    NM   49   2  NM 
                   

Realized loss related to certain investments

   (203)  (23) NM   (311)  (11) NM 

Gain (loss) on certain reinsurance derivative/trading securities

   (1)  —    NM   —     2  -100%

GLB net derivatives results

   58   (15) NM   54   (6) NM 

GDB derivative results

   (22)  —    NM   (27)  1  NM 

Indexed annuity forward-starting option

   1   (4) 125%  6   (2) NM 

Gain on sale of subsidiaries/businesses

   1   —    NM   4   —    NM 
                   

Total excluded realized loss

   (166)  (42) NM   (274)  (16) NM 
                   

Total realized loss

  $(133) $(42) NM  $(225) $(14) NM 
                   

 

(1)

DAC refers to the associated amortization of expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and changes in other contract holder funds.funds and funds withheld reinsurance liabilities.

95


Operating Realized Gain

Details underlying operating realized gain (dollars in millions) were as follows:

   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007    2008  2007  

Indexed Annuity Net Derivatives Results

        

Change in fair value of S&P 500 Index® call options

  $42  $(4) NM  $167  $(37) NM 

Change in fair value of embedded derivatives

   (37)  4  NM   (167)  42  NM 

Associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL

   (3)  —    NM   —     (3) 100%
                    

Total indexed annuity net derivatives results

   2   —    NM   —     2  -100%
                    

GLB

        

Attributed fee in excess of the net valuation premium

   18   4  NM   51   10  NM 

Associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL:

        

Retrospective unlocking(2)

   4   —    NM   7   —    NM 

Other amortization

   (11)  (2) NM   (31)  (6) NM 
                    

Total GLB

   11   2  NM   27   4  NM 
                    

GDB hedge cost

        

Pre-DAC(1) amount

   51   (2) NM   66   (5) NM 

Associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL:

        

Retrospective unlocking(2)

   18   —    NM   19   —    NM 

Other amortization

   (30)  1  NM   (38)  2  NM 
                    

Total GDB hedge cost

   39   (1) NM   47   (3) NM 
                    

Total Operating Realized Gain

  $52  $1  NM  $74  $3  NM 
                    

(2)(1)

Amounts are beforeDAC refers to the associated amortization of expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL.

(3)(2)

Our hedge performance after-DAC and after-tax, excluding DAC unlocking and changes inRelated primarily to the non-performance risk factor, was an estimated $(4) million and $(15) million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively.emergence of gross profits.

(4)

The components of the GLB net derivatives results are presented in the pre-tax section above.

Operating Realized Gain

Operating realized gain includes the following:

 

 

Indexed annuity net derivative results – Represents the net difference between the change in the fair value of the S&P 500 Index® call options that we hold and the change in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities of our indexed annuities products. The change in the fair value of the liability for the embedded derivative represents the amount that is credited to the indexed annuity contract.

 

GLB – Represents the portion of the GLB rider fees calculated as the attributed fees in excess of the net valuation premium. Net valuation premium represents a level portion of rider fees required to fund potential claims for living benefits. The attributed fees are the fees used in the calculation of the embedded derivative and represent net valuation premium plus a margin that a theoretical market participant would include for risk/profit, as well as the non-performance risk factor required by SFAS 157 benefit costs.derivative.

 

GDB hedge cost – Represents the change in the fair value of the derivatives that offsets the benefit ratio unlocking of our SOP 03-1 reserves on our GDB riders, including our expected cost of the hedging instrumentsinstruments.

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Our operating realized gain increased due primarily to the market participant risk/profit margins partially offset by the non-performance risk factor required by SFAS 157.96


Realized Gain (Loss) Related to Certain Investments

See “Consolidated Investments – Realized Gain (Loss) Related to Investments” below.

Gain (Loss) on Certain Reinsurance Derivative/Trading Securities

Gain (loss) on certain reinsurance derivative/trading securities represents changes in the fair values of total return swaps (embedded derivatives) theoretically included in our various modified coinsurance and coinsurance with funds withheld reinsurance arrangements that have contractual returns related to various assets and liabilities associated with these arrangements. Changes in the fair value of these derivatives are offset by the change in fair value of trading securities in the portfolios that support these arrangements.

GLB Net Derivatives Results and GDB Derivatives Results

Details underlying GLB net derivatives results and GDB derivative results (dollars in millions) were as follows:

   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

GLB Net Derivatives Results

       

Net valuation premium, net of reinsurance

  $21  $13  62% $58  $36  61%
                   

Change in reserves hedged :

       

Prospective unlocking – assumption changes

   80   (6) NM   80   (6) NM 

Prospective unlocking – model refinements

   —     8  -100%  —     8  -100%

Other

   (651)  (123) NM   (812)  (49) NM 

Change in market value of derivative assets

   319   67  NM   388   (6) NM 
                   

Hedge program ineffectiveness

   (252)  (54) NM   (344)  (53) NM 
                   

Change in reserves not hedged (NPR Component)

   372   —    NM   481   —    NM 

Associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL:

       

Prospective unlocking – assumption changes

   (31)  —    NM   (31)  —    NM 

Retrospective unlocking(2)

   (69)  (7) NM   (59)  (1) NM 

Other amortization

   48   24  100%  14   8  75%

Loss from the initial impact of adopting SFAS 157, after-DAC(1)

   —     —    NM   (34)  —    NM 
                   

Total GLB net derivatives results

  $89  $(24) NM  $85  $(10) NM 
                   

GDB Derivatives Results

       

Benefit ratio unlocking of SOP 03-1 reserves

  $(51) $2  NM  $(67) $5  NM 

Change in fair value of derivatives, excluding expected cost of hedging instruments

   8   (2) NM   10   (3) NM 

Associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL:

       

Retrospective unlocking(2)

   (16)  —    NM   (17)  —    NM 

Other amortization

   26   —    NM   33   (1) NM 
                   

Total GDB derivatives results

  $(33) $—    NM  $(41) $1  NM 
                   

(1)

DAC refers to the associated amortization of expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL.

(2)

Related primarily to the emergence of gross profits.

Our GLB net derivatives results represents the net valuation premium, the change in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities of our GLB products and the change in the fair value of the derivative instruments we own to hedge. This includes the cost of purchasing the hedging instruments.

Our GDB derivatives results represents the net difference between the benefit ratio unlocking of SOP 03-1 reserves on our GDB riders and the change in the fair value of the derivatives excluding our expected cost of the hedging instruments.

We have a hedge program that is designed to mitigate the risk and earnings volatility caused by changes in equity markets, interest rates and volatility associated with the guaranteed benefit features of our variable annuity products, including GDB and GLB riders.

97


The GLB guarantees in our variable annuity products are considered embedded derivatives and are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value under SFAS 133 and SFAS 157. We use derivative instruments to hedge our exposure to the risks and earnings volatility that result from the embedded derivatives for GLBs. The change in fair value of these instruments tends to move in the opposite direction of the change in fair value of the embedded derivatives. In the table above, we have presented the components of our GLB results, which can be volatile especially when sudden and significant changes in equity markets and/or interest rates occur. When we assess the effectiveness of our hedge program, we exclude the impact of the change in the liability not hedged. This reserve represents the portion of our GLB liabilities related to the NPR required by SFAS 157. This component of the liability is not included in our hedging program. The impact of the change in NPR has had the effect of reducing our GLB liabilities on our balance sheet by $481 million since the adoption of SFAS 157 on January 1, 2008. For additional information on our guaranteed benefits, see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – Derivatives – Guaranteed Living Benefits” above. For additional information on our hedge program see “Reinsurance” below.

93


Comparison of the Three and SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 to 2007

The less favorable GLB net derivatives resultshedge program ineffectiveness, excluding the impact of unlocking, in 2008 was attributable primarily to current period unfavorable fund performance of our hedges designed to mitigate our basis risk over the long-term, unfavorable and GDB derivatives results were driven primarily by volatile capital marketsmarket conditions that affected both interest ratesresulted in non-linear changes in reserves that our derivatives are not specifically designed to mitigate, and equitylosses from the strengthening of the dollar as compared to the euro, pound and yen. A large portion of our third quarter hedge ineffectiveness was attributable to four days in September including the first market returns. day after the Lehman bankruptcy and the day the House originally failed to pass the original EESA legislation. The ineffectiveness in the quarter can be attributed to a combination of basis risk, currency movements and the impact of extreme intra-day volatility. These same conditions have continued into the month of October. We are focused on managing the long-term performance of the hedge program recognizing that any material potential claims under the GLBs are approximately a decade in the future.

The increased GLB losses were partiallyhedge program ineffectiveness in 2008 was more than offset by the gains attributable to the SFAS 157 non-performanceNPR adjustments attributable primarily to theour widening credit spreads.

The third quarter of 2008 had favorable GLB change in reserves hedged on our prospective unlocking due to assumption changes reflecting primarily updates to implied ultimate volatility. The third quarter of 2007 had unfavorable GLB change in reserves hedged prospective unlocking due to assumption changes reflecting improved persistency experience.

The third quarter of 2008 had unfavorable GLB DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL prospective unlocking reflecting the impact of incorporating the related GLB gross profits due to the change in reserves hedged prospective unlocking discussed above into the DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL models.

The unfavorable GDB derivatives results, excluding the retrospective unlocking of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL were driven primarily by current period unfavorable fund performance of our hedges designed to mitigate our basis risk over the long-term, losses from the strengthening of the dollar as compared to the euro, pound and yen, and unfavorable and volatile capital market conditions that resulted in non-linear changes in reserves that our derivatives are not specifically designed to mitigate.

See “Market Risk – Credit Risk” for information on our counterparty exposure.

98


Indexed Annuity Forward-Starting Option

ChangesA detail underlying indexed annuity forward-starting option (dollars in millions) was as follows:

   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Indexed Annuity Forward-Starting Option

       

Pre-DAC(1) amounts:

       

Prospective unlocking – assumption changes

  $—    $1  -100% $—    $1  -100%

Other

   4   (14) 129%  (2)  (8) 75%

Associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL

   (2)  7  NM   1   4  -75%

Gain from the initial impact of adopting SFAS 157, after-DAC(1)

   —     —    NM   10   —    NM 
                   

Total

  $2  $(6) 133% $9  $(3) NM 
                   

(1)

DAC refers to the associated amortization of expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL.

The liability for the forward-starting option reflects changes in the fair value of embedded derivative liabilities related to index call options we may purchase in the future to hedge contract holder index allocations applicable to future reset periods for our indexed annuity products as required under SFAS 133 and SFAS 157. These fair values represent an estimate of the cost of the options we will purchase in the future, discounted back to the date of the balance sheet, using current market indications of volatility and interest rates, which can vary significantly from period to period due to a number of factors and therefore can provide results that are not indicative of the underlying trends.

The six months ended June 30, 2008, includes a pre-tax $10 million ($6 million, after-tax) gain from the initial impact of adopting SFAS 157.

Gain on Sale of Subsidiaries/Businesses

See “Acquisitions and Dispositions – Fixed Income Management Business” for details.

 

9499


CONSOLIDATED INVESTMENTS

Details underlying our consolidated investment balances (in millions) were as follows:

 

        Percentage of
Total Investments
         Percentage of
Total Investments
 
  As of
June 30,
2008
  As of
December 31,
2007
  As of
June 30,
2008
 As of
December 31,
2007
   As of
September 30,
2008
  As of
December 31,
2007
  As of
September 30,
2008
 As of
December 31,
2007
 

Investments

              

Available-for-sale securities:

              

Fixed maturity

  $54,518  $56,276  77.7% 78.2%  $51,931  $56,276  76.5% 78.2%

Equity

   464   518  0.7% 0.7%   493   518  0.7% 0.7%

Trading securities

   2,550   2,730  3.6% 3.8%   2,393   2,730  3.5% 3.8%

Mortgage loans on real estate

   7,678   7,423  10.9% 10.3%   7,688   7,423  11.3% 10.3%

Real estate

   136   258  0.2% 0.4%   127   258  0.2% 0.4%

Policy loans

   2,802   2,835  4.0% 4.0%   2,870   2,885  4.2% 4.0%

Derivative instruments

   890   807  1.3% 1.1%   1,262   807  1.9% 1.1%

Alternative investments

   833   799  1.1% 1.1%   826   799  1.2% 1.1%

Other investments

   330   276  0.5% 0.4%   367   276  0.5% 0.4%
                          

Total investments

  $70,201  $71,922  100.0% 100.0%  $67,957  $71,972  100.0% 100.0%
                          

Investment Objective

Invested assets are an integral part of our operations. We follow a balanced approach to investing for both current income and prudent risk management, with an emphasis on generating sufficient current income, net of income tax, to meet our obligations to customers, as well as other general liabilities. This balanced approach requires the evaluation of expected return and risk of each asset class utilized, while still meeting our income objectives. This approach is important to our asset-liability management, since decisions can be made based upon both the economic and current investment income considerations affecting assets and liabilities. For a discussion on our risk management process, see “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

Investment Portfolio Composition and Diversification

Fundamental to our investment policy is diversification across asset classes. Our investment portfolio, excluding cash and invested cash, is composed of fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate, real estate (either wholly-owned or in joint ventures) and other long-term investments. We purchase investments for our segmented portfolios that have yield, duration and other characteristics that take into account the liabilities of the products being supported.

We have the ability to maintain our investment holdings throughout credit cycles because of our capital position, the long-term nature of our liabilities and the matching of our portfolios of investment assets with the liabilities of our various products.

Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Portfolios

Fixed maturity securities and equity securities consist of portfolios classified as available-for-sale and trading. Mortgage-backed and private securities are included in both available-for-sale and trading portfolios.

Details underlying our fixed maturity and equity securities portfolios by industry classification (in millions) are presented in the below tables. These tables agree in total with the presentation of available-for-sale securities in Note 4; however, the categories below represent a more detailed breakout of the available-for-sale portfolio; therefore, the investment classifications listed below do not agree to the investment categories provided in Note 4.

 

95100


  As of June 30, 2008   As of September 30, 2008 
  Amortized
Cost
  Unrealized
Gains
  Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
  % Fair
Value
   Amortized
Cost
  Unrealized
Gains
  Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
  % Fair
Value
 

Fixed Maturity Available-For-Sale Securities

                    

Corporate bonds:

                    

Financial services

  $10,896  $82  $681  $10,297  18.9%  $10,363  $52  $1,351  $9,064  17.4%

Basic industry

   2,195   33   81   2,147  3.9%   2,339   14   155   2,198  4.2%

Capital goods

   2,683   42   58   2,667  4.9%   2,675   24   116   2,583  5.0%

Communications

   2,803   63   100   2,766  5.1%   2,637   22   170   2,489  4.8%

Consumer cyclical

   2,933   36   159   2,810  5.2%   2,954   15   273   2,696  5.2%

Consumer non-cyclical

   4,110   54   76   4,088  7.5%   4,269   37   166   4,140  8.0%

Energy

   2,886   71   43   2,914  5.4%   2,937   47   143   2,841  5.5%

Technology

   744   11   11   744  1.4%   737   4   32   709  1.4%

Transportation

   1,291   25   54   1,262  2.3%   1,271   25   72   1,224  2.4%

Industrial other

   675   11   15   671  1.2%   680   7   26   661  1.3%

Utilities

   8,391   125   202   8,314  15.3%   8,374   71   471   7,974  15.3%

Asset-backed securities:

                    

Collateralized debt obligations and credit-linked notes

   1,049   9   418   640  1.2%   797   7   460   344  0.7%

Commercial real estate collateralized debt obligations

   62   —     8   54  0.1%   61   —     12   49  0.1%

Credit card

   172   1   11   162  0.3%   165   —     23   142  0.3%

Home equity

   1,185   1   251   935  1.7%   1,183   1   316   868  1.7%

Manufactured housing

   154   4   8   150  0.3%   151   4   9   146  0.3%

Auto loan

   1   —     —     1  0.0%   —     —     —     —    0.0%

Other

   223   4   7   220  0.4%   204   1   9   196  0.4%

Commercial mortgage-backed securities:

                    

Non-agency backed

   2,628   21   182   2,467  4.5%   2,588   10   280   2,318  4.5%

Collateralized mortgage obligations:

                    

Agency backed

   4,643   66   37   4,672  8.6%   4,902   50   54   4,898  9.3%

Non-agency backed

   2,245   1   381   1,865  3.4%   2,146   —     568   1,578  3.0%

Mortgage pass-throughs:

                    

Agency backed

   1,438   13   10   1,441  2.6%   1,756   20   6   1,770  3.4%

Non-agency backed

   149   —     17   132  0.2%   147   —     26   121  0.2%

Municipals:

                    

Taxable

   125   4   1   128  0.2%   113   4   1   116  0.2%

Tax-exempt

   5   —     —     5  0.0%   5   —     —     5  0.0%

Government and government agencies:

                    

United States

   1,195   93   7   1,281  2.3%   1,170   91   14   1,247  2.4%

Foreign

   1,570   64   48   1,586  2.9%   1,456   49   67   1,438  2.8%

Redeemable preferred stock

   102   2   5   99  0.2%   131   1   16   116  0.2%
                                

Total available-for-sale – fixed maturity

   56,553   836   2,871   54,518  100.0%   56,211   556   4,836   51,931  100.0%
                        

Equity Available-For-Sale Securities

   617   39   192   464     612   9   128   493  
                            

Total available-for-sale securities

   57,170   875   3,063   54,982     56,823   565   4,964   52,424  

Trading Securities(1)

   2,423   222   95   2,550     2,363   193   163   2,393  
                            

Total available-for-sale and trading securities

  $59,593  $1,097  $3,158  $57,532    $59,186  $758  $5,127  $54,817  
                            

 

96101


   As of December 31, 2007 
   Amortized
Cost
  Unrealized
Gains
  Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
  % Fair
Value
 

Fixed Maturity Available-For-Sale Securities

          

Corporate bonds:

          

Financial services

  $11,234  $187  $300  $11,121  19.8%

Basic industry

   2,148   52   35   2,165  3.8%

Capital goods

   2,665   66   16   2,715  4.8%

Communications

   2,903   123   46   2,980  5.3%

Consumer cyclical

   3,038   56   94   3,000  5.3%

Consumer non-cyclical

   3,898   101   25   3,974  7.1%

Energy

   2,688   121   14   2,795  5.0%

Technology

   660   15   5   670  1.2%

Transportation

   1,409   39   19   1,429  2.5%

Industrial other

   710   22   6   726  1.3%

Utilities

   8,051   195   77   8,169  14.5%

Asset-backed securities:

          

Collateralized debt obligations and credit-linked notes

   996   8   205   799  1.4%

Commercial real estate collateralized debt obligations

   42   —     4   38  0.1%

Mortgage-backed securities collateralized debt obligations

   1   —     —     1  0.0%

Credit card

   160   1   2   159  0.3%

Home equity

   1,209   4   76   1,137  2.0%

Manufactured housing

   161   7   5   163  0.3%

Auto loan

   4   —     —     4  0.0%

Other

   235   4   1   238  0.4%

Commercial mortgage-backed securities:

          

Non-agency backed

   2,711   48   70   2,689  4.8%

Collateralized mortgage obligations:

          

Agency backed

   4,547   74   19   4,602  8.2%

Non-agency backed

   2,347   10   110   2,247  4.0%

Mortgage pass-throughs:

          

Agency backed

   933   18   2   949  1.7%

Non-agency backed

   153   1   4   150  0.3%

Municipals:

          

Taxable

   133   5   —     138  0.2%

Tax-exempt

   6   —     —     6  0.0%

Government and government agencies:

          

United States

   1,261   108   4   1,365  2.4%

Foreign

   1,663   92   19   1,736  3.1%

Redeemable preferred stock

   103   9   1   111  0.2%
                    

Total available-for-sale – fixed maturity

   56,069   1,366   1,159   56,276  100.0%
            

Equity Available-For-Sale Securities

   548   13   43   518  
                  

Total available-for-sale securities

   56,617   1,379   1,202   56,794  

Trading Securities(1)

   2,512   265   47   2,730  
                  

Total available-for-sale and trading securities

  $59,129  $1,644  $1,249  $59,524  
                  

 

(1)

Our trading securities support our modified coinsurance arrangements (“Modco”) and the investment results are passed directly to the reinsurers. Refer below to “Trading Securities” section for further details.

102


Available-for-Sale Securities

Because the general intent of the available-for-sale accounting guidance is to reflect stockholders’ equity as if unrealized gains and

97


losses were actually recognized, it is necessary that we consider all related accounting adjustments that would occur upon such a hypothetical recognition of unrealized gains and losses. Such related balance sheet effects include adjustments to the balances of DAC, VOBA, DFEL, other contract holder funds and deferred income taxes. Adjustments to each of these balances are charged or credited to accumulated other comprehensive income. For instance, DAC is adjusted upon the recognition of unrealized gains or losses since the amortization of DAC is based upon an assumed emergence of gross profits on certain insurance business. Deferred income tax balances are also adjusted, since unrealized gains or losses do not affect actual taxes currently paid.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, 91.8%92.3% and 90.7%, respectively, of total publicly traded and private securities in unrealized loss status were rated as investment grade. See Note 4 for ratings and maturity date information for our fixed maturity investment portfolio.

As more fully described in Note 1 of our 2007 Form 10-K, we regularly review our investment holdings for other-than-temporary impairments. Based on this review, the cause of the $1.9$3.8 billion increase in our gross available-for-sale securities unrealized losses for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, was attributable primarily to a combination of reduced liquidity in several market segments and deterioration in credit fundamentals and an increase in treasury rates.fundamentals. We believe that the securities in an unrealized loss position as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008 were not other-than-temporarily impaired due to our ability and intent to hold for a period of time sufficient for recovery. For further information on our available-for-sales securities unrealized losses, see “Additional Details on our Unrealized Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities” below.

The quality of our available-for-sale fixed maturity securities portfolio, as measured at estimated fair value and by the percentage of fixed maturity securities invested in various ratings categories, relative to the entire fixed maturity available-for-sale security portfolio (in millions) was as follows:

 

NAIC

Designation

  

Rating Agency

Equivalent

Designation

  As of June 30, 2008 As of December 31, 2007   

Rating Agency Equivalent Designation

  As of September 30, 2008 As of December 31, 2007 
  Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 % of
Total
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 % of
Total
    Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 % of
Total
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 % of
Total
 

Investment Grade Securities

Investment Grade Securities

       

Investment Grade Securities

       
1  Aaa / Aa / A  $34,410  $33,210  60.9% $34,648  $34,741  61.8%  Aaa / Aa / A  $34,518  $32,178  62.0% $34,648  $34,741  61.8%
2  Baa   18,594   18,101  33.2%  18,168   18,339  32.6%  Baa   18,431   16,999  32.7%  18,168   18,339  32.6%
                                          
     53,004   51,311  94.1%  52,816   53,080  94.4%     52,949   49,177  94.7%  52,816   53,080  94.4%

Below Investment Grade Securities

Below Investment Grade Securities

       

Below Investment Grade Securities

       
3  Ba   2,426   2,266  4.2%  2,184   2,159  3.8%  Ba   2,186   1,928  3.7%  2,184   2,159  3.8%
4  B   797   678  1.2%  787   783  1.4%  B   795   611  1.2%  787   783  1.4%
5  Caa and lower   313   246  0.5%  270   238  0.4%  Caa and lower   240   175  0.3%  270   238  0.4%
6  In or near default   13   17  0.0%  12   16  0.0%  In or near default   41   40  0.1%  12   16  0.0%
                                          
     3,549   3,207  5.9%  3,253   3,196  5.6%     3,262   2,754  5.3%  3,253   3,196  5.6%
                                          

Total securities

Total securities

  $56,553  $54,518  100.0% $56,069  $56,276  100.0%

Total securities

  $56,211  $51,931  100.0% $56,069  $56,276  100.0%
                                          

Securities below investment grade as a % of total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities

Securities below investment grade as a % of total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities

   6.3%  5.9%   5.8%  5.7% 

Securities below investment grade as a % of total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities

   5.8%  5.3%   5.8%  5.7% 

Comparisons between the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) ratings and rating agency designations are published by the NAIC. The NAIC assigns securities quality ratings and uniform valuations, which are used by insurers when preparing their annual statements. The NAIC ratings are similar to the rating agency designations of the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations for marketable bonds. NAIC ratings 1 and 2 include bonds generally considered investment grade (rated Baa3 or higher by Moody’s, or rated BBB- or higher by S&P and Fitch), by such ratings organizations. NAIC ratings 3 through 6 include bonds generally considered below investment grade (rated Ba1 or lower by Moody’s, or rated BB+ or lower by S&P and Fitch).

The estimated fair value for all private securities was $7.7$7.5 billion as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, compared to $7.8 billion as of December 31, 2007, representing approximately 11% of total invested assets as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007.

Trading Securities

Trading securities, which support certain reinsurance funds withheld and our Modco reinsurance agreements, are carried at estimated fair value and changes in estimated fair value are recorded in net income as they occur. Investment results for these

 

98103


portfolios, including gains and losses from sales, are passed directly to the reinsurers through the contractual terms of the reinsurance arrangements. Offsetting these amounts are corresponding changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative liability associated with the underlying reinsurance arrangement. See Note 1 in our 2007 Form 10-K for more information regarding our accounting for Modco.

Mortgage-Backed Securities (Included in Available-for-Sale and Trading Securities)

Our fixed maturity securities include mortgage-backed securities. These securities are subject to risks associated with variable prepayments. This may result in differences between the actual cash flow and maturity of these securities than that expected at the time of purchase. Securities that have an amortized cost greater than par and are backed by mortgages that prepay faster than expected will incur a reduction in yield or a loss. Those securities with an amortized cost lower than par that prepay faster than expected will generate an increase in yield or a gain. In addition, we may incur reinvestment risks if market yields are lower than the book yields earned on the securities. Prepayments occurring slower than expected have the opposite impact. We may incur reinvestment risks if market yields are higher than the book yields earned on the securities and we are forced to sell the securities. The degree to which a security is susceptible to either gains or losses is influenced by: the difference between its amortized cost and par; the relative sensitivity of the underlying mortgages backing the assets to prepayment in a changing interest rate environment; and the repayment priority of the securities in the overall securitization structure.

We limit the extent of our risk on mortgage-backed securities by prudently limiting exposure to the asset class, by generally avoiding the purchase of securities with a cost that significantly exceeds par, by purchasing securities backed by stable collateral and by concentrating on securities with enhanced priority in their trust structure. Such securities with reduced risk typically have a lower yield (but higher liquidity) than higher-risk mortgage-backed securities. At selected times, higher-risk securities may be purchased if they do not compromise the safety of the general portfolio. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, we did not have a significant amount of higher-risk mortgage-backed securities. A significant amount of assets in our mortgage-backed securities portfolio are either guaranteed by U.S. government-sponsored enterprises or are supported in the securitization structure by junior securities enabling the assets to achieve high investment grade status.

Our exposure to subprime mortgage lending is limited to investments in banks and other financial institutions that may be impacted by subprime lending and direct investments in asset-backed securities collateralized debt obligations, asset-backed securities (“ABS”) and residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”). Mortgage-related ABS are backed by home equity loans and RMBS are backed by residential mortgages. These securities are backed by loans that are characterized by borrowers of differing levels of creditworthiness: prime, Alt-A and subprime. Prime lending is the origination of residential mortgage loans to customers with excellent credit profiles. Alt-A lending is the origination of residential mortgage loans to customers who have Prime credit profiles but lack documentation to substantiate income. Subprime lending is the origination of loans to customers with weak or impaired credit profiles.

The slowing U.S. housing market, increased interest rates and relaxed underwriting standards for some originators of residential mortgage loans and home equity loans have recently led to higher delinquency rates, especially for loans originated in the past few years. We expect delinquency rates and loss rates on residential mortgages and home equity loans to increase in the future; however, we continue to expect to receive payments in accordance with contractual terms for a significant amount of our securities, largely due to the seniority of the claims on the collateral of the securities that we own. The tranches of the securities will experience losses according to their seniority level with the least senior (or most junior), typically the unrated residual tranche, taking the initial loss. The credit ratings of our securities reflect the seniority of the securities that we own. Our RMBS had a market value of $9.2$9.4 billion and an unrealized loss of $636$923 million, or 7%10%, as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008. The unrealized loss was due primarily to deteriorating market fundamentals and a general level of illiquidity in the market and resulting in price declines in many structured products.

 

99104


The market value of investments backed by subprime loans was $602$574 million and represented 1% of our total investment portfolio as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008. Investments rated A or above represented 91% of the subprime investments and $293$288 million in market value of our subprime investments was backed by loans originating in 2005 and forward. Available-for-sale securities represent most of the subprime exposure with trading securities being only $16$15 million, or 3%, as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008. The tables below summarize our investments in available-for-sale securities backed by pools of residential mortgages (in millions):

 

  Fair Value as of June 30, 2008  Fair Value as of September 30, 2008
  Prime
Agency
  Prime/
Non -
Agency
  Alt-A  Subprime  Total  Prime
Agency
  Prime/
Non -
Agency
  Alt-A  Subprime  Total

Type

                    

Collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-throughs

  $6,030  $1,343  $737  $—    $8,110  $6,588  $1,146  $634  $—    $8,368

Asset-backed securities home equity

   —     15   334   586   935   —     —     309   559   868
                              

Total(1)

  $6,030  $1,358  $1,071  $586  $9,045  $6,588  $1,146  $943  $559  $9,236
                              

Rating

                    

AAA

  $5,990  $1,108  $913  $423  $8,434  $6,549  $915  $645  $385  $8,494

AA

   20   209   107   87   423   20   125   119   104   368

A

   20   17   12   21   70   19   46   44   19   128

BBB

   —     10   —     50   60   —     47   91   47   185

BB and below

   —     14   39   5   58   —     13   44   4   61
                              

Total(1)

  $6,030  $1,358  $1,071  $586  $9,045  $6,588  $1,146  $943  $559  $9,236
                              

Origination Year

                    

2004 and prior

  $3,131  $402  $362  $297  $4,192  $3,183  $376  $337  $275  $4,171

2005

   806   252   291   204   1,553   865   225   243   201   1,534

2006

   342   249   343   85   1,019   361   186   310   83   940

2007

   1,751   455   75   —     2,281   2,179   359   53   —     2,591
                              

Total(1)

  $6,030  $1,358  $1,071  $586  $9,045  $6,588  $1,146  $943  $559  $9,236
                              

 

(1)

Does not include the fair value of trading securities totaling $195$196 million, which support our Modco reinsurance agreements because investment results for these agreements are passed directly to the reinsurers. The $195$196 million in trading securities consisted of $152$158 million prime, $27$23 million Alt-A and $16$15 million subprime.

 

100105


  Amortized Cost as of June 30, 2008  Amortized Cost as of September 30, 2008
  Prime
Agency
  Prime/
Non -
Agency
  Alt-A  Subprime  Total  Prime
Agency
  Prime/
Non -
Agency
  Alt-A  Subprime  Total

Type

                    

Collateralized mortgage obligations and pass throughs

  $5,989  $1,546  $940  $—    $8,475  $6,565  $1,500  $885  $—    $8,950

Asset-backed securities home equity

   —     15   406   764   1,185   —     —     427   756   1,183
                              

Total(1)

  $5,989  $1,561  $1,346  $764  $9,660  $6,565  $1,500  $1,312  $756  $10,133
                              

Rating

                    

AAA

  $5,949  $1,201  $1,063  $494  $8,707  $6,526  $1,103  $785  $469  $8,883

AA

   21   275   151   130   577   20   175   170   152   517

A

   19   27   20   33   99   18   106   75   32   231

BBB

   —     19   —     94   113   1   78   144   94   317

BB and below

   —     39   112   13   164   —     38   138   9   185
                              

Total(1)

  $5,989  $1,561  $1,346  $764  $9,660  $6,565  $1,500  $1,312  $756  $10,133
                              

Origination Year

                    

2004 and prior

  $3,098  $441  $409  $358  $4,306  $3,167  $430  $399  $340  $4,336

2005

   819   279   345   254   1,697   883   273   331   265   1,752

2006

   344   307   480   152   1,283   361   272   471   151   1,255

2007

   1,728   534   112   —     2,374   2,154   525   111   —     2,790
                              

Total(1)

  $5,989  $1,561  $1,346  $764  $9,660  $6,565  $1,500  $1,312  $756  $10,133
                              

 

(1)

Does not include the amortized cost of trading securities totaling $217$221 million, which support our Modco reinsurance agreements because investment results for these agreements are passed directly to the reinsurers. The $217$221 million in trading securities consisted of $158$167 million prime, $40$35 million Alt-A and $19 million subprime.

None of these investments include any direct investments in subprime lenders or mortgages. We are not aware of material exposure to subprime loans in our alternative asset portfolio.

The following summarizes our investments in available-for-sale securities backed by pools of consumer loan asset-backed securities (in millions):

 

  As of June 30, 2008  As of September 30, 2008
  Credit Card(1)  Auto Loans  Total  Credit Card(1)  Auto Loans  Total
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost

Rating

                        

AAA

  $130  $139  $—    $—    $130  $139  $119  $139  $—    $—    $119  $139

AA

   —     —     1   1   1   1   —     —     —     —     —     —  

BBB

   32   33   —     —     32   33   23   26   —     —     23   26
                                    

Total(2)

  $162  $172  $1  $1  $163  $173  $142  $165  $—    $—    $142  $165
                                    

 

(1)

Additional indirect credit card exposure through structured securities is excluded from this table. See “Credit-Linked Notes” section below and in Note 4.

(2)

Does not include the fair value of trading securities totaling $5$3 million, which support our Modco reinsurance agreements because investment results for these agreements are passed directly to the reinsurers. The $5$3 million in trading securities consisted of credit card securities.

 

101106


The following summarizes our investments in available-for-sale securities backed by pools of commercial mortgages (in millions):

 

  As of June 30, 2008  As of September 30, 2008
  Multiple Property  Single Property  Commercial Real
Estate Collateralized
Debt Obligations
  Total  Multiple Property  Single Property  Commercial Real
Estate Collateralized
Debt Obligations
  Total
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost

Type

                                

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

  $2,331  $2,461  $136  $167  $—    $—    $2,467  $2,628  $2,194  $2,422  $124  $166  $—    $—    $2,318  $2,588

Commercial real estate collateralized debt obligations

   —     —     —     —     54   62   54   62   —     —     —     —     49   61   49   61
                                                

Total(1)

  $2,331  $2,461  $136  $167  $54  $62  $2,521  $2,690  $2,194  $2,422  $124  $166  $49  $61  $2,367  $2,649
                                                

Rating

                                

AAA

  $1,666  $1,700  $75  $77  $31  $38  $1,772  $1,815  $1,553  $1,637  $68  $71  $27  $38  $1,648  $1,746

AA

   396   424   7   17   3   4   406   445   372   419   —     —     3   3   375   422

A

   158   194   52   67   20   20   230   281   151   187   51   72   19   20   221   279

BBB

   86   104   2   6   —     —     88   110   95   140   5   23   —     —     100   163

BB and below

   25   39   —     —     —     —     25   39   23   39   —     —     —     —     23   39
                                                

Total(1)

  $2,331  $2,461  $136  $167  $54  $62  $2,521  $2,690  $2,194  $2,422  $124  $166  $49  $61  $2,367  $2,649
                                                

Origination Year

                                

2004 and prior

  $1,673  $1,705  $80  $81  $23  $24  $1,776  $1,810  $1,562  $1,647  $77  $80  $22  $23  $1,661  $1,750

2005

   331   370   44   61   10   15   385   446   310   370   40   61   10   15   360   446

2006

   202   242   12   25   21   23   235   290   192   242   7   25   17   23   216   290

2007

   125   144   —     —     —     —     125   144   130   163   —     —     —     —     130   163
                                                

Total(1)

  $2,331  $2,461  $136  $167  $54  $62  $2,521  $2,690  $2,194  $2,422  $124  $166  $49  $61  $2,367  $2,649
                                                

 

(1)

Does not include the fair value of trading securities totaling $102$95 million, which support our Modco reinsurance agreements because investment results for these agreements are passed directly to the reinsurers. The $102$95 million in trading securities consisted of $99$92 million commercial mortgage-backed securities and $3 million commercial real estate collateralized debt obligations.

 

102107


Monoline insurers provide guarantees on debt for issuers, often in the form of credit wraps, which enhance the credit of the issuer. Monoline insurers guarantee the timely repayment of bond principal and interest when a bond issuer defaults and generally provide credit enhancement for bond issues such as municipal bonds and private placements as well as other types and structures of securities. Our direct exposure represents our bond holdings of the actual Monoline insurers. Our insured bonds represent our holdings in bonds of other issuers that are insured by Monoline insurers.

The following summarizes our exposure to Monoline insurers (in millions):

 

  As of June 30, 2008  As of September 30, 2008
  Direct
Exposure
  Insured
Bonds (1) (2)
  Total
Amortized
Cost
  Total
Unrealized
Gain
  Total
Unrealized
Loss
  Total
Fair
Value
  Direct
Exposure
  Insured
Bonds (1)
  Total
Amortized
Cost
  Total
Unrealized
Gain
  Total
Unrealized
Loss
  Total
Fair
Value

Monoline Name

                        

AMBAC

  $—    $275  $275  $3  $48  $230  $—    $272  $272  $2  $49  $225

ASSURED GUARANTY LTD

   30   —     30   —     —     30   30   —     30   —     —     30

CAPMAC

   —     3   3   —     —     3

FGIC

   3   101   104   —     31   73   3   100   103   —     31   72

FSA

   —     71   71   1   5   67   —     68   68   1   5   64

MBIA

   12   137   149   2   15   136   12   125   137   1   20   118

MGIC

   12   7   19   —     2   17   11   7   18   1   4   15

PMI GROUP INC

   27   —     27   —     7   20   27   —    ��27   —     12   15

RADIAN GROUP INC

   19   —     19   —     9   10   19   —     19   —     9   10

SECURITY CAPITAL ASSURANCE LTD

   1   —     1   —     —     1   1   —     1   1   —     2

XL CAPITAL LTD

   72   74   146   2   19   129   73   73   146   1   27   120
                                    

Total(3)

  $176  $668  $844  $8  $136  $716

Total(2)

  $176  $645  $821  $7  $157  $671
                                    

 

(1)

Additional indirect insured exposure through structured securities is excluded from this table. See “Credit-Linked Notes” in Note 4.

(2)

Insured bonds with an amortized cost of $318 million and fair value of $242 million as of June 30, 2008, were not reported in the above table in our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008.

(3)

Does not include the fair value of trading securities totaling $33 million, which support our Modco reinsurance agreements because investment results for these agreements are passed directly to the reinsurers. The $33 million in trading securities consisted of $9$10 million of direct exposure and $24$23 million of insured exposure. This table also excludes insured exposure totaling $16$15 million for a guaranteed investment tax credit partnership.

Credit-Linked Notes

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, other contract holder funds on our Consolidated Balance Sheets included $850$600 million and $1.2 billion outstanding in funding agreements of the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company (“LNL”), respectively. LNL invested the proceeds of $850 million received for issuing three funding agreements in 2006 and 2007 into three separate credit-linked notes originated by third party companies. TheseOne of the credit linked notes totaling $250 million was paid off at par in September 2008 and as a result, the related structure, including the funding agreement, was terminated. The two remaining credit-linked notes are asset-backed securities classified as asset-backed securitiescorporate bonds in the tables in Note 4, and are included in ourreported as fixed maturity securities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. An additional $300 million funding agreement was assumed as a result of the merger of Jefferson-Pilot, but was not invested into credit-linked notes. This $300 million funding agreement matured on June 2, 2008.

We earn a spread between the coupon received on the credit-linked notenotes and the interest credited on the funding agreement. Our credit-linked notes were created using a trust that combines highly rated assets with credit default swaps to produce a multi-class structured security. Our affiliate, Delaware Investments, actively manages the credit default swaps in the underlying portfolios. The high quality asset in two of these transactions is a AAA-rated ABSasset-backed security secured by a pool of credit card receivables. The high quality asset in the third transaction is a guaranteed investment contract issued by MBIA, which is further secured by a pool of high quality assets.

Consistent with other debt market instruments, we are exposed to credit losses within the structure of the credit-linked notes, which could result in principal losses to our investments. However, we have attempted to protect our investments from credit losses through the multi-tiered class structure of the credit-linked note, which requires the subordinated classes of the investment pool to absorb all of the initial credit losses. LNL owns the mezzanine tranche of these investments, which currently carries a mid-

103


or low-AA rating.investments. Generally, based upon our models, the transactions can sustain anywhere from 6-116-10 defaults, depending on the transaction, in the underlying collateral pools with no loss to LNL. However, if that number of defaults is realized, any additional defaults will significantly impact our recovery. Once the subordination is completely exhausted, losses will be incurred on LNL’s investment. In general, the entire investment can be lost with 3-54-5 additional defaults. To date, there havehas been no defaultsone default in any of the underlying collateral pools.pool of the $400 million credit-linked note and two defaults in the underlying collateral pool of the $200 million credit-linked note. There has not been an event of default on the credit linked notes themselves and we believe our subordination remains sufficient to absorb future initial credit losses. Similar to other debt market instruments our maximum principal loss is limited to our original investment of $850$600 million as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008.

108


As in the general markets, spreads on these transactions have widened, causing unrealized losses. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, we had unrealized losses of $390$421 million on the $850$600 million in credit-linked notes. As described more fully in Note 1 of our 2007 Form 10-K, we regularly review our investment holdings for other-than-temporary impairments. Based upon this review and the information in the paragraph above, we believe that these securities were not other-than-temporarily impaired as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007. The following summarizes the fair value to amortized cost ratio of the credit-linked notes:

 

  As of
July 31,
2008
 As of
June 30,
2008
 As of
December 31,
2007
   As of
October 31,
2008
 As of
September 30,
2008
 As of
December 31,
2007
 

Fair value

  $460  $460  $660   $104  $179  $660 

Amortized cost

   850   850   850    600   600   850 

Fair value to amortized cost ratio

   54%  54%  78%   17%  30%  78%

The following summarizes the exposure of the credit-linked notes’ underlying collateral by industry and rating as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008:

 

Industry

 AAA  AA  A  BBB  BB  B  Total 

Financial intermediaries

 0% 7% 2% 1% 1% 0% 11%

Telecommunications

 0% 0% 5% 4% 0% 1% 10%

Oil and gas

 0% 1% 2% 4% 0% 0% 7%

Chemicals and plastics

 0% 0% 3% 1% 0% 0% 4%

Insurance

 0% 2% 1% 1% 0% 0% 4%

Utilities

 0% 0% 4% 0% 0% 0% 4%

Drugs

 1% 2% 1% 0% 0% 0% 4%

Monoline insurance

 1% 1% 0% 2% 0% 0% 4%

Retailers, except food and drug

 0% 0% 2% 2% 0% 0% 4%

Other industry < 4% (32 industries)

 2% 4% 25% 16% 1% 0% 48%
                     

Total

 4% 17% 45% 31% 2% 1% 100%
                     

104


Industry

  AAA  AA  A  BBB  BB  B  Total 

Telecommunications

  0% 0% 5% 5% 0% 1% 11%

Financial intermediaries

  0% 7% 2% 2% 0% 0% 11%

Oil and gas

  0% 2% 2% 4% 0% 0% 8%

Insurance

  0% 1% 3% 0% 0% 0% 4%

Utilities

  0% 0% 4% 0% 0% 0% 4%

Chemicals and plastics

  0% 0% 2% 2% 0% 0% 4%

Retailers, except food and drug

  0% 0% 1% 2% 0% 0% 3%

Industrial equipment

  0% 0% 3% 0% 0% 0% 3%

Sovereigns

  0% 0% 1% 2% 0% 0% 3%

Other industry < 4% (32 industries)

  2% 5% 20% 19% 3% 0% 49%
                      

Total

  2% 15% 43% 36% 3% 1% 100%
                      

Additional Details on our Unrealized Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities

When considering unrealized gain and loss information, it is important to recognize that the information relates to the status of securities at a particular point in time and may not be indicative of the status of our investment portfolios subsequent to the balance sheet date. Further, since the timing of the recognition of realized investment gains and losses through the selection of which securities are sold is largely at management’s discretion, it is important to consider the information provided below within the context of the overall unrealized gain or loss position of our investment portfolios. These are important considerations that should be included in any evaluation of the potential impact of unrealized loss securities on our future earnings.

 

105109


We have no concentrations of issuers or guarantors of fixed maturity and equity securities. The composition by industry categories of securities subject to enhanced analysis and monitoring for potential changes in unrealized loss status (in millions), was as follows:

 

  As of June 30, 2008   As of September 30, 2008 
  Fair
Value
  %
Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
  %
Amortized
Cost
 Unrealized
Loss
  %
Unrealized
Loss
   Fair
Value
  %
Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
  %
Amortized
Cost
 Unrealized
Loss
  %
Unrealized
Loss
 

Media – non-cable

  $36  27.9% $70  36.7% $34  54.9%

Non-captive diversified

  $92  23.7% $194  32.0% $102  47.2%

Banking

   178  45.6%  222  36.5%  44  20.4%

Gaming

   15  3.8%  43  7.1%  29  13.4%

Property and casualty

   32  24.8%  50  26.2%  18  29.0%   30  7.7%  50  8.3%  20  9.2%

Non-captive consumer

   14  10.8%  20  10.5%  6  9.7%   18  4.6%  28  4.6%  9  4.2%

Food and beverage

   3  0.8%  7  1.2%  4  1.9%

Financial – other

   3  2.3%  5  2.6%  2  3.2%   6  1.5%  9  1.5%  3  1.4%

Real estate investment trusts

   5  1.3%  7  1.2%  2  0.9%

Consumer cyclical services

   2  1.5%  3  1.6%  1  1.6%   2  0.5%  3  0.5%  2  0.9%

Entertainment

   24  18.6%  25  13.1%  1  1.6%   6  1.5%  8  1.3%  1  0.5%

Building materials

   9  7.0%  9  4.7%  —    0.0%   9  2.3%  9  1.5%  —    0.0%

Brokerage

   1  0.3%  1  0.2%  —    0.0%

Collateralized mortgage obligations

   6  4.7%  6  3.1%  —    0.0%   13  3.3%  13  2.1%  —    0.0%

Media – non-cable

   11  2.8%  11  1.8%  —    0.0%

ABS

   1  0.8%  1  0.5%  —    0.0%   1  0.3%  1  0.2%  —    0.0%

Non-captive diversified

   2  1.6%  2  1.0%  —    0.0%
                                      

Total

  $129  100.0% $191  100.0% $62  100.0%  $390  100.0% $606  100.0% $216  100.0%
                                      

 

   As of December 31, 2007 
   Fair
Value
  %
Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  %
Amortized
Cost
  Unrealized
Loss
  %
Unrealized
Loss
 

Property and casualty

  $33  30.5% $48  35.8% $15  57.7%

Collateralized mortgage obligations

   17  15.7%  25  18.7%  8  30.8%

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   2  1.9%  5  3.7%  3  11.5%

ABS

   6  5.6%  6  4.5%  —    0.0%

Non-captive consumer

   37  34.3%  37  27.6%  —    0.0%

Banking

   8  7.4%  8  6.0%  —    0.0%

Consumer cyclical services

   5  4.6%  5  3.7%  —    0.0%
                      

Total

  $108  100.0% $134  100.0% $26  100.0%
                      

 

106110


The composition by industry categories of all securities in unrealized loss status (in millions), was as follows:

 

  As of June 30, 2008   As of September 30, 2008 
  Fair
Value
  %
Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
  %
Amortized
Cost
 Unrealized
Loss
  %
Unrealized
Loss
   Fair
Value
  %
Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
  %
Amortized
Cost
 Unrealized
Loss
  %
Unrealized
Loss
 

ABS

  $1,896  6.2% $2,598  7.7% $702  22.9%  $1,651  4.7% $2,481  6.2% $830  16.7%

Banking

   3,658  12.0%  4,205  12.5%  547  17.9%   3,851  11.0%  4,603  11.5%  752  15.1%

Collateralized mortgage obligations

   3,017  9.9%  3,435  10.2%  418  13.6%   3,393  9.7%  4,014  10.0%  621  12.5%

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   1,729  5.7%  1,911  5.7%  182  5.9%   1,874  5.3%  2,153  5.4%  279  5.6%

Electric

   2,528  8.3%  2,630  7.8%  102  3.3%   3,340  9.5%  3,587  8.9%  247  5.0%

Property and casualty insurers

   819  2.7%  890  2.7%  71  2.3%

Non-captive diversified

   343  1.1%  410  1.2%  67  2.2%   375  1.1%  532  1.3%  157  3.2%

Pipelines

   1,197  3.9%  1,254  3.7%  57  1.9%   1,504  4.3%  1,638  4.1%  134  2.7%

Property and casualty insurers

   864  2.5%  993  2.5%  129  2.6%

Brokerage

   531  1.5%  654  1.6%  123  2.5%

Non-captive consumer

   302  0.9%  391  1.0%  89  1.8%

Food and beverage

   1,148  3.3%  1,233  3.1%  85  1.7%

Real estate investment trusts

   822  2.3%  900  2.2%  78  1.6%

Distributors

   870  2.5%  945  2.4%  75  1.5%

Retailers

   654  1.9%  727  1.8%  73  1.5%

Wirelines

   742  2.1%  814  2.0%  72  1.5%

Financial – other

   444  1.3%  513  1.3%  69  1.4%

Paper

   482  1.4%  543  1.4%  61  1.2%

Metals and mining

   594  1.7%  654  1.6%  60  1.2%

Media – non-cable

   581  1.9%  638  1.9%  57  1.9%   632  1.8%  692  1.7%  60  1.2%

Real estate investment trusts

   799  2.6%  848  2.5%  49  1.6%

Brokerage

   628  2.1%  675  2.0%  47  1.5%

Food and beverage

   968  3.2%  1,011  3.0%  43  1.4%

Retailers

   493  1.6%  535  1.6%  42  1.4%

Paper

   439  1.4%  481  1.4%  42  1.4%

Gaming

   245  0.7%  304  0.8%  59  1.2%

Independent

   575  1.6%  633  1.6%  58  1.2%

Life

   496  1.4%  550  1.4%  54  1.1%

Diversified manufacturing

   704  2.0%  757  1.9%  53  1.1%

Home construction

   271  0.9%  308  0.9%  37  1.2%   256  0.7%  309  0.8%  53  1.1%

Distributors

   751  2.5%  783  2.3%  32  1.0%

Non-captive consumer

   317  1.0%  349  1.0%  32  1.0%

Gaming

   232  0.8%  263  0.8%  31  1.0%

Financial – other

   408  1.3%  436  1.3%  28  0.9%

Wirelines

   476  1.6%  501  1.5%  25  0.8%

Diversified manufacturing

   498  1.6%  523  1.6%  25  0.8%

Metals and mining

   435  1.4%  459  1.4%  24  0.8%

Integrated

   392  1.1%  434  1.1%  42  0.8%

Entertainment

   518  1.5%  556  1.4%  38  0.8%

Building materials

   396  1.3%  418  1.3%  22  0.7%   442  1.3%  478  1.2%  36  0.7%

Owned no guarantee

   245  0.7%  281  0.7%  36  0.7%

Transportation services

   359  1.2%  380  1.1%  21  0.7%   388  1.1%  422  1.1%  34  0.7%

Chemicals

   484  1.4%  518  1.3%  34  0.7%

Pharmaceuticals

   572  1.6%  605  1.5%  33  0.7%

Technology

   483  1.4%  515  1.3%  32  0.6%

Automotive

   219  0.6%  251  0.6%  32  0.6%

Refining

   216  0.6%  243  0.6%  27  0.5%

Health insurance

   296  0.8%  322  0.8%  26  0.5%

Sovereigns

   331  1.1%  353  1.1%  22  0.7%   287  0.8%  313  0.8%  26  0.5%

Owned no guarantee

   250  0.8%  272  0.8%  22  0.7%

Automotive

   204  0.7%  224  0.7%  20  0.7%

Entertainment

   431  1.4%  450  1.3%  19  0.6%

Life

   359  1.2%  376  1.1%  17  0.6%

Non agency

   131  0.4%  148  0.5%  17  0.6%

Airlines

   82  0.3%  100  0.3%  18  0.6%

Independent

   365  1.2%  381  1.1%  16  0.5%

Industrial other

   315  1.0%  330  1.0%  15  0.5%

Chemicals

   317  1.0%  332  1.0%  15  0.5%

Railroads

   243  0.8%  258  0.8%  15  0.5%

Technology

   363  1.2%  374  1.1%  11  0.4%

Health insurance

   322  1.1%  335  1.0%  13  0.4%

Consumer products

   314  1.0%  326  1.0%  12  0.4%

Healthcare

   293  1.0%  304  0.9%  11  0.4%

Wireless

   206  0.7%  220  0.7%  14  0.4%   257  0.7%  283  0.7%  26  0.5%

Refining

   169  0.5%  180  0.6%  11  0.4%

Utility-other

   118  0.4%  131  0.4%  13  0.4%

Conventional 30 year

   532  1.7%  542  1.6%  10  0.3%

Industries with unrealized losses less than $10

   1,916  6.3%  1,985  5.9%  69  2.3%
                   

Total

  $30,499  100.0% $33,562  100.0% $3,063  100.0%
                   

 

107111


   As of September 30, 2008 
   Fair
Value
  %
Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  %
Amortized
Cost
  Unrealized
Loss
  %
Unrealized
Loss
 

(Continued from Above)

          

Industrial other

   395  1.1%  420  1.0%  25  0.5%

Non agency

   121  0.3%  146  0.4%  25  0.5%

Oil field services

   366  1.0%  388  1.0%  22  0.4%

Railroads

   231  0.7%  253  0.6%  22  0.4%

Consumer products

   360  1.0%  379  0.9%  19  0.4%

Healthcare

   357  1.0%  376  0.9%  19  0.4%

Airlines

   71  0.2%  88  0.2%  17  0.3%

Utility – other

   112  0.3%  126  0.3%  14  0.3%

Media – cable

   111  0%  125  0.3%  14  0.3%

Unassigned

   65  0%  76  0.2%  11  0.2%

Packaging

   168  0.5%  179  0.4%  11  0.2%

Industries with unrealized losses less than $10

   1,638  4.6%  1,710  4.2%  72  1.6%
                      

Total

  $35,143  100.0% $40,107  100.0% $4,964  100.0%
                      

   As of December 31, 2007 
   Fair
Value
  %
Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  %
Amortized
Cost
  Unrealized
Loss
  %
Unrealized
Loss
 

ABS

  $1,946  9.4% $2,239  10.2% $293  24.4%

Banking

   3,147  15.0%  3,328  15.1%  181  15.1%

Collateralized mortgage obligations

   2,881  13.8%  3,010  13.7%  129  10.8%

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   1,083  5.2%  1,153  5.2%  70  5.8%

Electric

   1,406  6.8%  1,440  6.5%  34  2.9%

Property and casualty insurers

   494  2.4%  528  2.4%  34  2.8%

Non-captive diversified

   314  1.5%  347  1.6%  33  2.7%

Home construction

   287  1.4%  319  1.5%  32  2.7%

Media – non-cable

   223  1.1%  254  1.2%  31  2.6%

Retailers

   443  2.1%  469  2.1%  26  2.2%

Non-captive consumer

   258  1.2%  284  1.3%  26  2.2%

Pipelines

   593  2.9%  614  2.8%  21  1.7%

Real estate investment trusts

   572  2.8%  593  2.7%  21  1.7%

Paper

   273  1.3%  291  1.3%  18  1.5%

Financial – other

   354  1.7%  371  1.7%  17  1.4%

Brokerage

   434  2.1%  449  2.0%  15  1.2%

Gaming

   126  0.6%  140  0.6%  14  1.2%

Distributors

   429  2.1%  442  2.0%  13  1.1%

Food and beverage

   419  2.0%  431  2.0%  12  1.0%

Metals and mining

   328  1.6%  338  1.5%  10  0.8%

Building materials

   226  1.1%  236  1.1%  10  0.8%

Automotive

   184  0.9%  194  0.9%  10  0.8%

Industries with unrealized losses less than $10

   4,370  21.0%  4,522  20.6%  152  12.6%
                      

Total

  $20,790  100.0% $21,992  100.0% $1,202  100.0%
                      

112


Unrealized Loss on Below-Investment-Grade Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturity Securities

Gross unrealized losses on available-for-sale below-investment-grade fixed maturity securities represented 13.3%11.0% and 12.1% of total gross unrealized losses on all available-for-sale securities as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively. Generally, below-investment-grade fixed maturity securities are more likely than investment-grade securities to develop credit concerns. The remaining 86.7%89.0% and 87.9% of the gross unrealized losses as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively, relate to investment grade available-for-sale securities. The ratios of estimated fair value to amortized cost reflected in the table below were not necessarily indicative of the market value to amortized cost relationships for the securities throughout the entire time that the securities have been in an unrealized loss position nor are they necessarily indicative of these ratios subsequent to JuneSeptember 30, 2008.

108


Details underlying fixed maturity securities below investment grade and in an unrealized loss position (in millions) were as follows:

 

Aging Category

  Ratio of
Amortized
Cost to
Fair Value
  As of June 30, 2008
    Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Unrealized
Loss

< or = 90 days

  70% to 100%  $669  $698  $29
  40% to 70%   7   11   4
  Below 40%   3   13   10
              

< or = 90 days total

     679   722   43
              

>90 days but < or = 180 days

  70% to 100%   222   239   17
  40% to 70%   7   11   4
  Below 40%   1   3   2
              

>90 days but < or = 180 days total

     230   253   23
              

>180 days but < or = 270 days

  70% to 100%   175   197   22
  40% to 70%   37   63   26
              

>180 days but < or = 270 days total

     212   260   48
              

>270 days but < or = 1 year

  70% to 100%   178   197   19
  40% to 70%   10   18   8
  Below 40%   4   16   12
              

>270 days but < or = 1 year total

     192   231   39
              

>1 year

  70% to 100%   779   883   104
  40% to 70%   62   116   54
  Below 40%   29   125   96
              

>1 year total

     870   1,124   254
              

Total below-investment-grade

    $2,183  $2,590  $407
              

Aging Category

  Ratio of
Amortized
Cost to

Fair Value
  As of December 31, 2007  

Ratio of
Amortized
Cost to
Fair Value

  As of September 30, 2008
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Unrealized
Loss
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Unrealized
Loss

< or = 90 days

  70% to 100%  $446  $468  $22  70% to 100%  $481  $505  $24
  40% to 70%   —     —     —  
  40% to 70%   —     1   1  Below 40%   2   10   8
                      

< or = 90 days total

     446   469   23     483   515   32
                      

>90 days but < or = 180 days

  70% to 100%   218   231   13  70% to 100%   478   520   42
  40% to 70%   1   1   —    40% to 70%   12   19   7
             Below 40%   1   12   11
           

>90 days but < or = 180 days total

     219   232   13     491   551   60
                      

>180 days but < or = 270 days

  70% to 100%   378   408   30  70% to 100%   156   180   24
             40% to 70%   19   30   11
  Below 40%   2   9   7
           

>180 days but < or = 270 days total

     378   408   30     177   219   42
                      

>270 days but < or = 1 year

  70% to 100%   121   135   14  70% to 100%   139   160   21
  40% to 70%   23   39   16
  Below 40%   20   65   45
                      

>270 days but < or = 1 year total

     121   135   14     182   264   82
                      

>1 year

  70% to 100%   328   362   34  70% to 100%   796   930   134
  40% to 70%   52   84   32  40% to 70%   126   196   70
             Below 40%   31   156   125
           

>1 year total

     380   446   66     953   1,282   329
                      

Total below-investment-grade

    $1,544  $1,690  $146    $2,286  $2,831  $545
                      

 

109113


Aging Category

  

Ratio of
Amortized
Cost to
Fair Value

  As of December 31, 2007
    Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Unrealized
Loss

< or = 90 days

  70% to 100%  $446  $468  $22
  40% to 70%   —     1   1
              

< or = 90 days total

     446   469   23
              

>90 days but < or = 180 days

  70% to 100%   218   231   13
  40% to 70%   1   1   —  
              

>90 days but < or = 180 days total

     219   232   13
              

>180 days but < or = 270 days

  70% to 100%   378   408   30
              

>180 days but < or = 270 days total

     378   408   30
              

>270 days but < or = 1 year

  70% to 100%   121   135   14
              

>270 days but < or = 1 year total

     121   135   14
              

>1 year

  70% to 100%   328   362   34
  40% to 70%   52   84   32
              

>1 year total

     380   446   66
              

Total below-investment-grade

    $1,544  $1,690  $146
              

114


Unrealized Loss on Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale in Excess of $10 million

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities with gross unrealized losses greater than $10 million (in millions) for investment grade securities were as follows:

 

  

Length of Time

in Loss Position

  As of June 30, 2008     As of September 30, 2008
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Unrealized
Loss
  

Average Length of Time

in Loss Position

  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Unrealized
Loss

Investment Grade

                

Domestic bank and finance

  >180 days but < = 270 days  $314  $496  $182

Credit-linked notes

  >1 year   89   250   161

Credit-linked notes

  >1 year   241   400   159  >1 year  $122  $400  $278

Credit-linked notes

  >1 year   130   200   70  >1 year   57   200   143

Domestic bank and finance

  >1 year   85   107   22  >270 days but < = 1 year   420   522   102

Domestic bank and finance

  >1 year   123   143   20  >180 days but < or = 270 days   127   195   68

UK bank and finance

  >1 year   130   147   17

Domestic brokerage

  >180 days but < or = 270 days   101   148   47

UK bank and finance

  >270 days but < = 1 year   44   60   16  >270 days but < = 1 year   138   179   41

Domestic bank and finance

  >180 days but < = 270 days   110   126   16  >1 year   74   113   39

Domestic finance

  >180 days but < or = 270 days   43   82   39

Domestic brokerage

  >180 days but < or = 270 days   163   198   35

Domestic bank and finance

  >1 year   117   145   28

Domestic bank and finance

  >180 days but < or = 270 days   117   144   27

International technology and services

  >180 days but < or = 270 days   170   196   26

Domestic finance

  >1 year   43   67   24

Mortgage related ABS

  >1 year   22   46   24

Domestic bank and finance

  >90 days but < or = 180 days   181   203   22

Domestic bank and finance

  >180 days but < or = 270 days   139   161   22

Domestic bank and finance

  >180 days but < or = 270 days   54   76   22

Domestic brokerage

  >1 year   77   98   21

Domestic finance

  >1 year   23   44   21

Mortgage related MBS

  >270 days but < = 1 year   21   42   21

UK bank and finance

  >270 days but < = 1 year   42   62   20

International communications

  >1 year   175   194   19

International aircraft leasing

  >270 days but < = 1 year   25   44   19

Domestic bank and finance

  >1 year   35   54   19

Domestic bank and finance

  >270 days but < = 1 year   40   59   19

UK bank and finance

  >1 year   131   149   18

International beverage

  >1 year   97   115   18

Mortgage related MBS

  >1 year   19   37   18

Mortgage related MBS

  >1 year   22   40   18

Domestic bank and finance

  >1 year   29   46   17

Mortgage related ABS

  >1 year   8   25   17

Property and casualty insurance

  >1 year   56   72   16

International bank and finance

  >90 days but < or = 180 days   15   30   15  >1 year   86   102   16

Domestic brokerage

  >1 year   95   109   14

International forestry

  >1 year   84   98   14  >1 year   82   98   16

Domestic bank and finance

  >1 year   114   127   13

International bank and finance

  >1 year   87   99   12

Domestic retailer

  >1 year   66   78   12

Mortgage related MBS

  >1 year   13   29   16

International real estate

  >1 year   60   76   16

Domestic bank and finance

  >1 year   48   59   11  >1 year   69   85   16

UK bank and finance

  >1 year   100   112   12  >1 year   52   68   16

Property and casualty insurance

  >270 days but < = 1 year   61   72   11  >90 days but < or = 180 days   56   72   16

Domestic bank and finance

  >1 year   54   65   11

International communications

  >1 year   112   122   10

Domestic brokerage

  >1 year   138   148   10

Domestic bank and finance

  >90 days but < or = 180 days   172   182   10
           

Total investment grade

    $2,412  $3,230  $818
           

Non Investment Grade

        

Domestic media company

  >1 year  $36  $70  $34

Domestic bank and finance

  >180 days but < = 270 days   42   69   27

Domestic entertainment

  > 1 year   26   43   17

Domestic homebuilding

  > 1 year   79   91   12

Domestic homebuilding

  >1 year   41   51   10
           

Total non investment grade

    $224  $324  $100
           

Domestic retailer

  >1 year   65   80   15

International finance

  >180 days but < or = 270 days   88   103   15

Mortgage related MBS

  >1 year   40   55   15

Domestic energy

  >180 days but < or = 270 days   111   126   15

International energy

  >90 days but < or = 180 days   97   111   14

Mortgage related MBS

  >180 days but < or = 270 days   49   63   14

115


      As of September 30, 2008
   

Length of Time

in Loss Position

  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Unrealized
Loss

(Continued from Above)

        

Investment Grade

        
Mortgage related MBS  >1 year   3   17   14
Mortgage related ABS  >1 year   26   40   14
International bank and finance  >180 days but < or = 270 days   16   30   14
Mortgage related ABS  >180 days but < or = 270 days   19   33   14
International energy  >270 days but < = 1 year   147   160   13
Domestic bank and finance  >90 days but < or = 180 days   58   71   13
International bank and finance  >1 year   49   62   13
Domestic communications  >90 days but < or = 180 days   132   145   13
Mortgage related MBS  >1 year   21   34   13
Domestic energy  >90 days but < or = 180 days   120   133   13
International energy  >1 year   76   89   13
Mortgage related ABS  >1 year   44   57   13
International energy  >1 year   95   108   13
International bank and finance  >1 year   35   48   13
International energy  >1 year   27   40   13
Professional services  >270 days but < = 1 year   68   80   12
Mortgage related MBS  >180 days but < or = 270 days   22   34   12
Domestic energy  >1 year   81   93   12
Mortgage related ABS  >270 days but < = 1 year   17   29   12
Domestic insurance  >1 year   15   27   12
International bank and finance  >270 days but < = 1 year   82   94   12
International metals and mining  >1 year   76   88   12
International bank and finance  >1 year   8   19   11
Mortgage related MBS  >1 year   9   20   11
International investment company  >270 days but < = 1 year   46   57   11
Mortgage related ABS  >1 year   5   16   11
Automotive rentals  >1 year   46   57   11
Domestic healthcare  >180 days but < or = 270 days   129   140   11
Domestic energy  >270 days but < = 1 year   99   110   11
Property and casualty insurance  >270 days but < = 1 year   29   40   11
Domestic energy  >1 year   114   125   11
Domestic healthcare  >180 days but < or = 270 days   113   124   11
Domestic energy  >1 year   65   75   10
Mortgage related MBS  >1 year   28   38   10
Domestic energy  >180 days but < or = 270 days   111   121   10
Mortgage related MBS  >1 year   15   25   10
              

Total investment grade

    $5,802  $7,703  $1,901
              

116


As of September 30, 2008, available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities with gross unrealized losses greater than $10 million (in millions) for non investment grade securities were as follows:

      As of September 30, 2008
   

Length of Time

in Loss Position

  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Unrealized
Loss

Non Investment Grade

        

Domestic bank and finance

  >270 days but < = 1 year  $24  $70  $46

Domestic entertainment

  > 1 year   15   44   29

Mortgage related MBS

  >1 year   4   19   15

Domestic homebuilding

  > 1 year   38   51   13

Domestic homebuilding

  > 1 year   77   91   14

Mortgage related MBS

  >1 year   2   15   13

Mortgage related MBS

  >1 year   1   15   14

Mortgage related MBS

  >1 year   2   14   12

Mortgage related ABS

  >270 days but < = 1 year   15   27   12

International communications

  > 1 year   48   60   12

Mortgage related MBS

  >90 days but < or = 180 days   1   12   11

International forestry

  > 1 year   51   61   10

Mortgage related ABS

  >1 year   10   20   10
              

Total non investment grade

    $288  $499  $211
              

The information presented above is presented by investment grade and length of time in a loss position on an issuer basis. These investments are subject to rapidly changing conditions. As such, we expect that the level of securities with overall unrealized losses will fluctuate, as will the level of unrealized loss securities that are subject to enhanced analysis and monitoring. The volatility of financial market conditions results in increased recognition of both investment gains and losses, as portfolio risks are adjusted through sales and purchases. As discussed above, this is consistent with the classification of our investment portfolios as available-for-sale.

 

110117


Mortgage Loans on Real Estate

The following summarizes key information on mortgage loans (in millions):

 

  As of June 30, 2008   As of September 30, 2008 
  Amount  %   Amount  % 

Property Type

        

Office Building

  $2,559  33%  $2,568  33%

Industrial

   1,988  26%   2,020  26%

Retail

   1,852  24%   1,839  24%

Apartment

   742  10%   727  9%

Hotel/Motel

   297  4%   293  4%

Mixed Use

   132  2%   135  2%

Other Commercial

   108  1%   106  2%
              
  $7,678  100%  $7,688  100%
              

Geographic Region

        

New England

  $193  2%  $191  2%

Middle Atlantic

   512  7%   482  6%

East North Central

   832  11%   822  11%

West North Central

   421  5%   433  6%

South Atlantic

   1,806  24%   1,824  24%

East South Central

   426  5%   464  5%

West South Central

   680  9%   676  9%

Mountain

   752  10%   746  10%

Pacific

   2,056  27%   2,050  27%
              
  $7,678  100%  $7,688  100%
              
  As of June 30, 2008   As of September 30, 2008 
  Amount  %   Amount  % 

State Exposure

        

CA

  $1,614  21%  $1,610  21%

TX

   628  8%   626  8%

MD

   437  6%   442  6%

FL

   339  4%   337  4%

TN

   325  4%   326  4%

AZ

   323  4%

NC

   320  4%   324  4%

VA

   319  4%   316  4%
AZ   315  4%

WA

   302  4%   299  4%

IL

   290  4%   287  4%
GA   257  3%

PA

   261  3%   242  3%

GA

   244  3%

OH

   221  3%   221  3%

NV

   211  3%   215  3%

IN

   196  3%   195  3%
MN   161  2%

NJ

   148  2%   147  2%

MN

   139  2%

SC

   136  2%   138  2%

MA

   134  2%   133  2%

Other states 1% and under

   1,091  14%   1,097  14%
              
  $7,678  100%  $7,688  100%
              

 

All mortgage loans that are impaired have an established allowance for credit loss. Changing economic conditions impact our valuation of mortgage loans. Changing vacancies and rents are incorporated into the discounted cash flow analysis that we perform for monitored loans and may contribute to the establishment of (or an increase or decrease in) an allowance for credit losses. In addition, we continue to monitor the entire commercial mortgage loan portfolio to identify risk. Areas of emphasis are properties that have deteriorating credits or have experienced debt coverage reduction. Where warranted, we have established or increased loss reserves based upon this analysis. There were no impaired mortgage loans as of JuneSeptember 30 2008, and December 31, 2007. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, there were no commercial mortgage loans that were two or more payments delinquent. As of December 31, 2007, we had one commercial mortgage loan that was two or more payments delinquent. The total principal and interest due on these loans as of December 31, 2007, was less than $1 million. See Note 4 for additional detail regarding impaired mortgage loans. See Note 1 in our 2007 Form 10-K for more information regarding our accounting policy relating to the impairment of mortgage loans.

 

111118


Alternative Investments

The carrying value of our consolidated alternative investments by business segment (in millions), which consists primarily of investments in limited partnerships, were as follows:

 

  As of
June 30,
2008
  As of
December 31,
2007
  As of
September 30,
2008
  As of
December 31,
2007

Individual Markets:

    

Retirement Solutions:

    

Annuities

  $99  $108  $97  $108

Defined Contribution Products

   76   130

Insurance Solutions:

    

Life Insurance

   584   528   606   526

Employer Markets:

    

Retirement Products

   133   130

Group Protection

   36   2

Other Operations

   17   33   11   33
            

Total alternative investments

  $833  $799  $826  $799
            

Income derived from our consolidated alternative investments by business segment (in millions) was as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
  2008 2007   2008 2007    2008  2007 2008 2007  

Individual Markets:

         

Retirement Solutions:

         

Annuities

  $—    $11  -100% $(1) $15  NM   $2  $1  100% $1  $15  -93%

Defined Contribution Products

   1   (1) 200%  (2)  15  NM 

Insurance Solutions:

         

Life Insurance

   14   48  -71%  13   58  -78%   23   —    NM   36   58  -38%

Employer Markets:

         

Retirement Products

   (1)  11  NM   (3)  16  NM 

Group Protection

   1   —    NM   1   —    

Other Operations

   —     —    NM   (1)  1  NM    —     —    NM   —     2  -100%
                              

Total alternative investments (1)

  $13  $70  -81% $8  $90  -91%  $27  $—    NM  $36  $90  -60%
                              

 

(1)

Includes net investment income on the alternative investments supporting the required statutory surplus of our insurance businesses.

The decline in our investment income on alternative investments presented in the table above when comparing the first nine months of 2008 to the corresponding period in 2007 was due to deterioration of the financial markets during the second quarter of 2008, as compared to exceptionally strong returns in the second quarterfirst half of 2007. This weakness was spread across the various categories of investments within our alternative investment portfolio.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, alternative investments include investments in approximately 105 and 102 different partnerships, respectively, that allow us to gain exposure to a broadly diversified portfolio of asset classes such as venture capital, hedge funds, oil and gas and real estate. The partnerships do not represent off-balance sheet financing and generally involve several third-party partners. Select partnerships contain capital calls, which require us to contribute capital upon notification by the general partner. These capital calls are contemplated during the initial investment decision and are planned for well in advance of the call date. The capital calls are not material in size and are not material to our liquidity. Alternative investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and are included in other investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Non-Income Producing Investments

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, the carrying amount of fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and real estate that were non-income producing was $18$17 million and $21 million, respectively.

 

112119


Net Investment Income

Details underlying net investment income (in millions) and our investment yield were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 Change 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Net Investment Income

              

Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities

  $851  $844  1% $1,709  $1,687  1%  $849  $854  -1% $2,558  $2,539  1%

Equity available-for-sale securities

   8   12  -33%  17   20  -15%   7   10  -30%  24   31  -23%

Trading securities

   42   44  -5%  85   90  -6%   41   44  -7%  126   134  -6%

Mortgage loans on real estate

   119   117  2%  235   233  1%   120   114  5%  354   347  2%

Real estate

   5   12  -58%  12   23  -48%   5   11  -55%  17   34  -50%

Standby real estate equity commitments

   1   1  0%  2   5  -60%   1   5  -80%  3   9  -67%

Policy loans

   43   44  -2%  88   87  1%   46   43  7%  134   130  3%

Invested cash

   15   17  -12%  34   36  -6%   12   14  -14%  46   52  -12%

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (1)

   14   16  -13%  19   31  -39%   8   11  -27%  28   42  -33%

Alternative investments (2)

   13   70  -81%  8   90  -91%   27   —    NM   36   90  -60%

Consent fees

   2   1  100%  2   7  -71%   2   1  100%  4   9  -56%

Other investments

   (5)  2  NM   (4)  5  NM    —     4  -100%  (5)  8  NM 
                              

Investment income

   1,108   1,180  -6%  2,207   2,314  -5%   1,118   1,111  1%  3,325   3,425  -3%

Investment expense

   (31)  (47) 34%  (65)  (91) 29%   (29)  (49) 41%  (94)  (140) 33%
                              

Net investment income

  $1,077  $1,133  -5% $2,142  $2,223  -4%  $1,089  $1,062  3% $3,231  $3,285  -2%
                              

 

(1)

See “Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums” below for additional information.

(2)

See “Alternative Investments” above for additional information.

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 Basis
Point
Change
  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 Basis
Point

Change
   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 Basis
Point

Change
  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 Basis
Point

Change
 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Interest Rate Yield

              

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses

  5.87% 5.94% (7) 5.93% 5.96% (3)  5.91% 5.92% (1) 5.92% 5.94% (2)

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums

  0.08% 0.09% (1) 0.05% 0.09% (4)  0.04% 0.06% (2) 0.05% 0.08% (3)

Alternative investments

  0.07% 0.40% (33) 0.02% 0.26% (24)  0.15% 0.00% 15  0.07% 0.17% (10)

Consent fees

  0.01% 0.01% —    0.01% 0.02% (1)  0.01% 0.01% —    0.01% 0.02% (1)

Standby real estate equity commitments

  0.01% 0.01% —    0.01% 0.01% —     0.01% 0.03% (2) 0.01% 0.02% (1)
                              

Net investment income yield on invested assets

  6.04% 6.45% (41) 6.02% 6.34% (32)  6.12% 6.02% 10  6.06% 6.23% (17)
                              

 

   For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Average invested assets at amortized cost

  $71,267  $70,273  1% $71,104  $70,150  1%
   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
   2008  2007   2008  2007  

Average invested assets at amortized cost

  $71,218  $70,575  1% $71,142  $70,291  1%

We earn investment income on our general account assets supporting fixed annuity, term life, whole life, UL and interest-sensitive whole life insurance products. The profitability of our fixed annuity and life insurance products is affected by our ability to achieve target spreads, or margins, between the interest income earned on the general account assets and the interest credited to the contract holder on our average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable. Net investment income and the

113


interest rate yield table each include commercial mortgage loan prepayments and bond makewhole premiums, alternative investments and contingent interest and standby real estate equity commitments. These items can vary significantly from period to period due to a number of factors and therefore can provide results that are not indicative of the underlying trends.

120


The decline in net investment income when comparing the first sixnine months of 2008 to the same period in 2007 was attributable largely attributable to a decline in investment income on alternative investments, which had an extraordinarily strong first half of 2007.

Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums

Prepayment and makewhole premiums are collected when borrowers elect to call or prepay their debt prior to the stated maturity. A prepayment or makewhole premium allows investors to attain the same yield as if the borrower made all scheduled interest payments until maturity. These premiums are designed to make investors indifferent to prepayment.

The decline in prepayment and makewhole premiums when comparing the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, to 2007 was attributable primarily to the general tightening of credit conditions in the market resulting in less refinancing activity and less prepayment income.

Realized Gain (Loss)Loss Related to Investments

The detail of the realized gain (loss) related to investments (in millions) was as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 Change   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
 For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change 

Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities:

              

Gross gains

  $22  $26  -15% $31  $82  -62%  $27  $26  4% $58  $108  -46%

Gross losses

   (138)  (46) NM   (238)  (53) NM    (380)  (44) NM   (618)  (97) NM 

Equity available-for-sale securities:

              

Gross gains

   —     4  -100%  3   6  -50%   1   1  0%  4   7  -43%

Gross losses

   (7)  —    NM   (7)  —    NM    (26)  —    NM   (33)  —    NM 

Gain on other investments

   3   5  -40%  28   1  NM    (1)  6  NM   27   7  286%

Associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA,

              

DSI and DFEL and changes in other contract holder funds

   24   (2) NM   49   (22) NM    95   (14) NM   144   (36) NM 
                              

Total realized gain (loss) on investments, excluding trading securities

   (96)  (13) NM   (134)  14  NM    (284)  (25) NM   (418)  (11) NM 

Gain (loss) on certain derivative instruments

   (29)  4  NM   (32)  4  NM    (30)  (11) NM   (62)  (7) NM 

Associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and changes in other contract holder funds

   —     1  -100%  —     —    NM 
                              

Total realized gain (loss) on investments and certain derivative instruments, excluding trading securities

  $(125) $(9) NM  $(166) $18  NM   $(314) $(35) NM  $(480) $(18) NM 
                              

Write-downs for other-than-temporary impairments included in realized loss on available-for-sale securities above

  $(120) $(30) NM  $(211) $(34) NM   $(312) $(34) NM  $(523) $(68) NM 
                              

Amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI, DFEL and changes in other contract holder funds reflects an assumption for an expected level of credit-related investment losses. When actual credit-related investment losses are realized, we recognize a true up to our DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL amortization and changes in other contract holder funds within realized gain (loss) reflecting the incremental impact of actual versus expected credit-related investment losses. These actual to expected amortization adjustments could create volatility in net realized gains (loss). The write-down for impairments includes both credit-related and interest-rate related impairments.

Realized gains and losses generally originate from asset sales to reposition the portfolio or to respond to product experience. During the first sixnine months of 2008 and 2007, respectively, we sold securities for gains and losses. In the process of evaluating whether a security with an unrealized loss reflects declines that are other-than-temporary, we consider our ability and intent to hold the security until its value recovers. However, subsequent decisions on securities sales are made within the context of overall risk

114


monitoring, assessing value relative to other comparable securities and overall portfolio maintenance. Although our portfolio managers may, at a given point in time, believe that the preferred course of action is to hold securities with unrealized losses that

121


are considered temporary until such losses are recovered, the dynamic nature of portfolio management may result in a subsequent decision to sell. These subsequent decisions are consistent with the classification of our investment portfolio as available-for-sale. We expect to continue to manage all non-trading invested assets within our portfolios in a manner that is consistent with the available-for-sale classification.

We consider economic factors and circumstances within countries and industries where recent write-downs have occurred in our assessment of the status of securities we own of similarly situated issuers. While it is possible for realized or unrealized losses on a particular investment to affect other investments, our risk management has been designed to identify correlation risks and other risks inherent in managing an investment portfolio. Once identified, strategies and procedures are developed to effectively monitor and manage these risks. The areas of risk correlation that we pay particular attention to are risks that may be correlated within specific financial and business markets, risks within specific industries and risks associated with related parties.

When the detailed analysis by our credit analysts and investment portfolio managers leads to the conclusion that a security’s decline in fair value is other-than-temporary, the security is written down to estimated fair value. In instances where declines are considered temporary, the security will continue to be carefully monitored. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis – Introduction – Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in our 2007 Form 10-K for additional information on our portfolio management strategy.

Details underlying write-downs taken as a result of other-than-temporary impairments (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change   For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
     For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
   
  2008  2007   2008  2007    2008  2007  Change  2008  2007  Change
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments                       

Corporate bonds

  $37  $29  28% $127  $33  285%  $210  $32  NM  $336  $66  NM

Asset and mortgage-backed securities:

   77   —    NM   78   —    NM 

Redeemable Preferred Stock

   1   —    NM   1   —    NM

Mortgage-backed securities

   76   2  NM   154   2  NM
                               

Total fixed maturity securities

   114   29  293%  205   33  NM    287   34  NM   491   68  NM

Equity securities

   6   1  NM   6   1  NM    25   —    NM   32   —    NM
                               

Total other-than-temporary impairments

  $120  $30  300% $211  $34  NM   $312  $34  NM  $523  $68  NM
                               

The $211$523 million of impairments taken during the first sixnine months of 2008 are split between $155$424 million of credit related impairments and $56$99 million on non-credit related impairments. The credit related impairments are largely attributable to our financial sector holdings, RMBS, and mortgage related ABS holdings that have suffered from continued deterioration in housing fundamentals. The non-credit related impairments were incurred due to declines in values of securities for which we are uncertain of our intent to hold until recovery or maturity.

 

115122


REINSURANCE

Our insurance companies cede insurance to other companies. The portion of risks exceeding each of our insurance companies’ retention limits is reinsured with other insurers. We seek reinsurance coverage within the businesses that sell life insurance to limit our exposure to mortality losses and enhance our capital management.

Portions of our deferred annuity business have been reinsured on a modified coinsurance basis with other companies to limit our exposure to interest rate risks. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, the reserves associated with these reinsurance arrangements totaled $1.2 billion. To cover products other than life insurance, we acquire other insurance coverage with retentions and limits that management believes are appropriate for the circumstances. The consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 reflect premiums, benefits and DAC, net of insurance ceded. Our insurance companies remain liable if their reinsurers are unable to meet contractual obligations under applicable reinsurance agreements.

Our amounts recoverable from reinsurers represent receivables from and reserves ceded to reinsurers. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, the amounts recoverable from reinsurers were $8.2 billion. We obtain reinsurance from a diverse group of reinsurers, and we monitor concentration and financial strength ratings of our principal reinsurers. Swiss Re represents our largest exposure. In 2001, we sold our reinsurance business to Swiss Re primarily through indemnity reinsurance arrangements. Because we are not relieved of our liability to the ceding companies for this business, the liabilities and obligations associated with the reinsured policies remain on our Consolidated Balance Sheets with a corresponding reinsurance receivable from the business sold to Swiss Re, which totaled $4.5 billion and $4.3 billion as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007.2007, respectively. Swiss Re has funded a trust with a balance of $1.8 billion as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, to support this business. In addition to various remedies that we would have in the event of a default by Swiss Re, we continue to hold assets in support of certain of the transferred reserves. These assets consist of those reported as trading securities and certain mortgage loans. Our liabilities for funds withheld and embedded derivatives included $2.1$2.0 billion and $0.1 billion,less than $1 million, respectively, as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, related to the business sold to Swiss Re.

Included in the business sold to Swiss Re through indemnity reinsurance in 2001 was disability income business. Swiss Re is disputing its obligation to pay approximately $45$47 million of reinsurance recoverables on certain of this disability income disability business. We have agreed to arbitrateare currently arbitrating this dispute with Swiss Re. Although the outcome of the arbitration is uncertain, we currently believe that it is probable that we will ultimately collect the full amount of the reinsurance recoverable from Swiss Re and that Swiss Re will ultimately remain at risk on all of its obligations on the disability income business that it acquired from us in 2001. In addition, we are disputing with Swiss Re the contractual terms for interest crediting rates under two funds withheld reinsurance arrangements. One of these disputed arrangements is part of the current arbitration, and any action on the other disputed arrangement is pending the decision of the current arbitration results. Our estimate of the maximum loss exposure on these open matters is $45 million (pre-tax) as of September 30, 2008. Although the outcome of these open disputes is uncertain, we currently believe that the ultimate resolution will not result in a material financial impact to us.

On July 31, 2007, we entered into a reinsurance arrangement with Swiss Re coveringLincoln SmartSecurity® Advantage, our rider related to our Individual Market’sRetirement Solutions’ variable annuity products. Under the arrangement, Swiss Re provides 50% quota share coinsurance of the lifetime GWB for business written in 2007 and 2008, up to a total of $3.8 billion in rider sales. The sales level covered under this arrangement was achieved in the second quarter of 2008. The arrangement will not be renewed for new business, but this will not affect our ability to continue to write new business.

During the third quarter of 2006, one of our reinsurers, Scottish Re Group Ltd (“Scottish Re”), received rating downgrades from various rating agencies. Of the $744$706 million of fixed annuity business that we reinsure with Scottish Re, approximately 76%78% is reinsured through the use of modified coinsurance treaties, in which we possess the investments that support the reserves ceded to Scottish Re. For our annuity business ceded on a coinsurance basis, Scottish Re had previously established an irrevocable investment trust supporting the reserves for the benefit of LNC. In addition to fixed annuities, we have approximately $116$122 million of policy liabilities on the life insurance business that we have reinsured with Scottish Re. Scottish Re continues to perform under its contractual responsibilities to us. We continue to evaluate the impact of these rating downgrades with respect to our existing exposures to Scottish Re. Based on current information, we do not believe that Scottish Re’s rating downgrades will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, we had reinsurance recoverables of $710$703 million and policy loans of $47$46 million that were related to the businesses of Jefferson-Pilot that are coinsured with Household International (“HI”) affiliates. HI has provided payment, performance and capital maintenance guarantees with respect to the balances receivable. We regularly evaluate the financial condition of our reinsurers and monitor concentrations of credit risk related to reinsurance activities.

We have a reinsurance treaty between LNL and a subsidiary of LNC, Lincoln National Reinsurance Company (Barbados) Limited (“LNBAR”) under which LNL reinsures its variable annuity product guarantees, including GDB and GLB riders. This treaty is a traditional reinsurance program where LNL pays premiums to LNBAR and LNBAR assumes the variable annuity guarantee reserves. LNBAR has a hedge program that is designed to mitigate selected risk and income statement volatility from changes in

116

123


equity markets, interest rates and volatility associated with the guaranteed benefit features of these variable annuity products. In addition to mitigating selected risk and income statement volatility, the hedge program is also focused on long-term performance of the hedge program recognizing that any material potential claims under the GLBs are approximately a decade in the future.

The LNBAR hedge program uses put options to hedge a portion of the liability related to our variable annuity products with a GLB feature. Put options are contracts that require counterparties to pay us at a specified future date the amount, if any, by which a specified equity index is less than the strike rate stated in the agreement, applied to a notional amount. Variance swaps are used to hedge the liability exposure on certain options in variable annuity products. Variance swaps are contracts entered into at no cost and whose payoff is the difference between the realized variance of an underlying index and the fixed variance rate determined at inception. Equity futures are used to hedge a portion of the liability related to our variable annuity products with GLB and GDB features. These futures contracts require payment between us and our counterparty on a daily basis for changes in the futures index price. For more information on the results of our hedge program, see “Realized Loss” above.

124


REVIEW OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL CONDITION

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources of Liquidity and Cash Flow

Liquidity refers to the ability of an enterprise to generate adequate amounts of cash from its normal operations to meet cash requirements with a prudent margin of safety. Our principal sources of cash flow from operating activities are insurance premiums and fees, investment advisory fees and investment income, while sources of cash flows from investing activities result from maturities and sales of invested assets. Our operating activities provided cash of $451$811 million and $1.4$2.1 billion for the first sixnine months of 2008 and 2007, respectively. The decline in cash provided by operating activities was related primarily to the timing of federal income tax payments. When considering our liquidity and cash flow, it is important to distinguish between the needs of our insurance subsidiaries and the needs of the holding company, LNC. As a holding company with no operations of its own, LNC derives its cash primarily from its operating subsidiaries.

The sources of liquidity of the holding company are principally comprised of dividends and interest payments from subsidiaries, augmented by holding company short-term investments, bank lines of credit, a commercial paper program and the ongoing availability of long-term public financing under an SEC-filed shelf registration statement. These sources of liquidity and cash flow support the general corporate needs of the holding company, including its common stock dividends, interest and debt service, funding of callable securities, securities repurchases and acquisitions.

Details underlying the primary sources of our holding company cash flows (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,

2007
  For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
  For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,

2007
  2008  2007  2008  2007    2008  2007  2008  2007  

Dividends from Subsidiaries

                    

LNL

  $100  $148  $300  $294  $769  $100  $175  $400  $469  $769

First Penn-Pacific

   50   150   50   150   150   —     —     50   150   150

Lincoln Financial Media(1)

   3   5   653   22   86   3   14   656   36   86

Delaware Investments

   13   15   28   30   55   15   15   43   45   55

Other non-regulated companies (1)(2)

   —     —     —     —     395   —     395   —     395   395

Lincoln UK

   24   16   24   32   75   —     16   24   48   75

Loan Repayments and Interest from Subsidiary

                    

LNL interest on intercompany notes(2)(3)

   19   20   41   41   82   22   20   63   59   82
                              
  $209  $354  $1,096  $569  $1,612  $140  $635  $1,236  $1,202  $1,612
                              

Other Cash Flow and Liquidity Items

                    

Net capital received from stock option exercises

  $10  $29  $13  $76  $107  $1  $25  $15  $101  $107
                              

 

(1)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, amount includes proceeds on the sale of certain discontinued media operations. For more information, see Note 3.

(2)

For the year ended December 31, 2007, amount represents a dividend of Bank of America shares to LNC from a subsidiary occurring in September 2007.

(2)(3)

Primarily representsRepresents primarily interest on the holding company’s $1.3 billion in surplus note investments in LNL.

The table above focuses on significant and recurring cash flow items and excludes the effects of certain financing activities, namely the periodic issuance and retirement of debt and cash flows related to our inter-company cash management account (discussed below). Taxes have been eliminated from the analysis due to a tax sharing agreement among our primary subsidiaries resulting in a modest impact on net cash flows at the holding company. Also excluded from this analysis is the modest amount of investment income on short-term investments of the holding company.

 

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Subsidiaries

Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to certain insurance department regulatory restrictions as to the transfer of funds and payment of dividends to the holding company. Under Indiana laws and regulations, our Indiana insurance subsidiaries, including our primary insurance subsidiary, LNL, may pay dividends to LNC without prior approval of the Indiana Insurance Commissioner (the “Commissioner”) up to a certain threshold, or must receive prior approval of the Commissioner to pay a dividend if such dividend, along with all other dividends paid within the preceding twelve consecutive months exceed the statutory limitation. The current statutory limitation is the greater of 10% of the insurer’s contract holders’ surplus, as shown on its last annual statement on file with the Commissioner or the insurer’s statutory net gain from operations for the prior calendar year. Indiana law gives the Commissioner broad discretion to disapprove requests for dividends in excess of these limits. New York, the state of domicile of our other major insurance subsidiary, Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, has similar restrictions, except that in New York it is the lesser of 10% of surplus to contract holders as of the immediately preceding calendar year or net gain from operations for the immediately preceding calendar year, not including realized capital gains.

Based upon anticipated ongoing positive statutory earnings and favorable credit markets, we expect our domestic insurance subsidiaries could pay dividends of approximately $957 million in 2008 without prior approval from the respective state commissioners. The actual amount of surplus that our insurance subsidiaries could pay as dividends is constrained by the amount of surplus we hold to maintain our ratings, to provide an additional layer of margin for risk protection and for future investment in our businesses.

Our insurance subsidiaries have statutory surplus and RBC levels well above current regulatory required levels. As mentioned earlier, more than 76%69% of our life sales consist of products containing secondary guarantees, which require reserving practices under AG38. Our insurance subsidiaries are employing strategies to lessen the burden of increased AG38 and Valuation of Life Insurance Policies Model Regulation (“XXX”) statutory reserves associated with certain UL products and other products with secondary guarantees subject to these statutory reserving requirements. See “Financing Activities” below for additional details. LNC will guarantee that its wholly-owned subsidiary, which reinsures a portion of the XXX reserves, will maintain a minimum level of capital and surplus, as required under the insurance laws of South Carolina, its state of domicile. The surplus maintenance agreement will remain in effect until such time that we securitize the reserves, transfer the business to an unrelated party, sell or dissolve the wholly-owned subsidiary or receive notification from the state insurance department permitting the rescission of the guarantee.

Included in the letters of credit (“LOCs”) issued as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, reported in the revolving credit facilities table in “Financing Activities,” was approximately $1.2 billion of LOCs supporting the reinsurance obligations of our non-U.S. domiciled subsidiary to LNLLNBAR on UL business with secondary guarantees. Recognizing that LOCs are generally one to five years in duration, it is likely that our insurance companies will apply a mix of LOCs, reinsurance and capital market strategies in addressing long-term AG38 and XXX needs. LOCs and related capital market alternatives lower the RBC impact of the UL business with secondary guarantee products. An inability to obtain the necessary LOC capacity or other capital market alternatives could impact our returns on UL business with secondary guarantee products. We are continuing to pursue capital management strategies related to our AG38 reserves involving reinsurance and securitizations. We completed our issuanceIn the fourth quarter of 2007, we issued $375 million of 6.30% senior notes, in the fourth quarter of 2007, which resulted in the release of approximately $300 million of capital previously supporting our UL products with secondary guarantees. See “Results of Other Operations” for additional information. We are targeting to complete another transaction during the fourth quarter of 2008 that will finance a portion of statutory reserves related to our insurance products with secondary guarantees. In addition, a portion of our term life insurance business is reinsured with a domestic reinsurance captive as part of our overall strategy of managing the statutory capital of our insurance subsidiaries. There are no outstanding LOCs related to this business.

A new statutory reserving standard (VACARVM) is being developed byOn August 20, 2008, the NAIC replacing current statutory reserve practices for variable annuities with guaranteed benefits, such as GWBs. The timing for adoption ofadopted Actuarial Guideline VACARVM, is anticipated to occur sometime in 2008, towhich will be effective for the year endingDecember 31, 2009. Because the NAIC has not determined the final version of VACARVM, we cannot estimate the ultimate impact that VACARVM will have on our liquidity and capital resources. However, in its current draft form, VACARVM has the potential to require statutory reserves well in excess of current levels for certain variable annuity riders sold by us. We plan to utilize existing captive reinsurance structures, as well as pursue additional third-party reinsurance arrangements, to lessen any negative impact on statutory capital and dividend capacity in our life insurance subsidiaries. However, additional statutory reserves could lead to lower risk-based capital ratios and potentially reduce future dividend capacity from our insurance subsidiaries. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting VACARVM. For a discussion of RBC ratios, see “Part I – Item 1. Business – Regulatory – Risk-Based Capital” in our 2007 Form 10-K.

As a result of the unfavorable impacts from equity markets in the third quarter of 2008, we recognized higher reserves under Commissioners Annuity Reserve Valuation Method (“CARVM”) for our annuity products and higher reserves for GDB riders, which are only partially reinsured. CARVM is the current statutory actuarial method used for determining reserves for the base annuity contract. The impact of these items reduced the statutory surplus of LNL by approximately $110 million in the third quarter of 2008. We estimate that a 30% drop in the equity markets from September 30, 2008, levels could require an increase in statutory reserves, and thereby, further reduce statutory surplus of LNL by $275-$300 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2008, related primarily to CARVM. As a result, we estimate that LNL’s estimated RBC ratio at the end of September 30, 2008, would be reduced by approximately 25 percentage points. The estimated potential increase to statutory reserves is based on the current statutory reserve formulas and does not take into account the reserve and asset adequacy analysis performed by our actuaries on an annual basis to determine appropriateness of the reserves at year-end. This analysis incorporates the adequacy of assets in LNBAR, our captive reinsurance company, supporting the liabilities that it assumes from LNL. The outcome of this analysis may result in an additional reserve increase and could further reduce the RBC ratio.

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The sensitivity of our statutory reserves and surplus established for our variable annuity base contracts and riders to changes in the equity markets will vary depending on the magnitude of the decline. The sensitivity will also be affected by the level of account values relative to the level of guaranteed amounts, product design and reinsurance. Because the calculation of statutory reserves for variable annuities depends upon the cumulative equity market impacts on the business in-force, the reserves do not move in a linear relationship with respect to the level of equity market performance within any given reporting period. The RBC ratio is also affected by the product mix of the in-force book of business; i.e. the amount of business without guarantees is not subject to the same level of reserves as the business with guarantees. All of these factors affect the RBC ratio of LNL, which is an important factor in the determination of the credit and financial strength ratings of LNC and its subsidiaries.

We have a reinsurance treaty between LNL and LNBAR under which LNL reinsures its variable annuity products, including GDB and GLB riders. We also entered into a reinsurance arrangement where Swiss Re provides 50% quota share coinsurance of the certain GLB business written in 2007 and 2008, up to a total of $3.8 billion in rider sales.

These reinsurance arrangements serve to reduce LNL’s exposure to changes in the statutory reserves associated with changes in the equity markets. Both LNBAR and Swiss Re have established reserves for the business assumed and hold assets to support both the reserves and capital required by the respective regulatory agencies. For more details on LNBAR, see “Reinsurance” above.

Lincoln UK’s operations consist primarily of unit-linked life and pension products, which are similar to U.S. produced variable life and annuity products. Lincoln UK’s insurance subsidiaries are regulated by the U.K. Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) and are subject to capital requirements as defined by the U.K. Capital Resources Requirement. All insurance companies operating in the U.K. also have to complete an RBC assessment to demonstrate to the FSA that they hold sufficient capital to cover their risks.

118


RBC requirements in the U.K. are different than the NAIC requirements. In addition, the FSA has imposed certain minimum capital requirements for the combined U.K. subsidiaries. Lincoln UK typically maintains approximately 1.5 to 2 times the required capital as prescribed by the regulatory margin. As is the case with regulated insurance companies in the U.S., changes to regulatory capital requirements can impact the dividend capacity of the U.K. insurance subsidiaries and cash flow to the holding company. During the first quarter of 2008, Lincoln UK fell below its targeted capital levels due toAdverse market conditions resulted in a significant increasesincrease in corporate bond spreads, and combined with the restrictions imposed by the U.K. statutory valuation basis. As a result of falling below targetedbasis, surplus capital levels Lincoln UK did not paywere insufficient to support payment of the planned dividends to the holding company. Subsequent tocompany in the first quarter, corporate bond spreads have eased, and third quarters of 2008, which did not negatively impact our liquidity. A dividend of $24 million was paid by Lincoln UK paid $24 millionto LNC in the second quarter of 2008, and we anticipate that Lincoln UK will again resume the payment of dividends to LNC.when market conditions ease.

Financing Activities

Although our subsidiaries generate adequate cash flow to meet the needs of our normal operations, periodically we may issue debt or equity securities to fund internal growth, acquisitions and the retirement of our debt and equity securities.

We currently have an effective shelf registration statement, which allows us to issue, in unlimited amounts, securities, including debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units and trust preferred securities of our affiliated trusts.

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Details underlying debt and financing activity (in millions) were as follows:

 

  For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008  For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
  Beginning
Balance
  Issuance  Maturities
and
Repayments
 Change
in Fair
Value
Hedges
 Other
Changes (1)
 Ending
Balance
  Beginning
Balance
  Issuance  Maturities
and
Repayments
 Change
in Fair
Value
Hedges
  Other
Changes (1)
 Ending
Balance

Short-Term Debt

                   

Commercial paper

  $265  $—    $—    $—    $(65) $200  $265  $—    $—    $—    $(145) $120

Current maturities of long-term debt

   285   —     (100)  —     515   700   285   —     (285)  —     515   515
                                    

Total short-term debt

  $550  $—    $(100) $—    $450  $900  $550  $—    $(285) $—    $370  $635
                                    

Long-Term Debt

                   

Senior notes

  $2,892  $—    $—    $(4) $(512) $2,376  $2,892  $450  $—    $14  $(513) $2,843

Junior subordinated debentures issued to affiliated trusts

   155   —     —     —     —     155   155   —     —     —     —     155

Capital securities

   1,571   —     —     —     —     1,571   1,571   —     —     —     —     1,571
                                    

Total long-term debt

  $4,618  $—    $—    $(4) $(512) $4,102  $4,618  $450  $—    $14  $(513) $4,569
                                    

 

(1)

Other changes includes the net increase (decrease) in commercial paper, non-cash reclassification of long-term debt to current maturities of long-term debt, accretion of discounts and (amortization) of premiums.

Details underlying our credit facilities with a group of domestic and foreign banks (in millions) were as follows:

 

      As of June 30, 2008
   Expiration
Date
  Maximum
Available
  Loans
Outstanding

Revolving Credit Facilities

      

Five-year revolving credit facility

  March 2011  $1,750  $—  

Five-year revolving credit facility

  February 2011   1,350   —  

U.K. revolving credit facility

  November 2008   20   —  
          

Total

    $3,120  $—  
          

Letters of credit issued

      $1,794
        

During July 2008, LNC borrowed $200 million under a new $200 million borrowing facility. The facility expires, and all outstanding loans under this facility mature, on July 18, 2013. Proceeds from this borrowing were used for general corporate purposes and to repay maturing debt.

      As of September 30, 2008
   

Expiration
Date

  Maximum
Available
  Borrowings
Outstanding

Revolving Credit Facilities

      

Credit facility with Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis(1)

  Not Applicable  $378  $378

Five-year revolving credit facility

  July 2013   200   200

Five-year revolving credit facility

  March 2011   1,750   —  

Five-year revolving credit facility

  February 2011   1,350   —  

U.K. revolving credit facility

  November 2008   20   —  
          

Total

    $3,698  $578
          

Letters of credit issued

      $1,794
        

 

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(1)

Our borrowing capacity under this credit facility does not have an expiration date and continues while our investment in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (“FHLBI”) common stock remains outstanding. The maturity dates of the borrowings are discussed below.

The LOCs support inter-company reinsurance transactions and specific treaties associated with our former Reinsurance segment. LOCs are primarily used to satisfy the U.S. regulatory requirements of domestic clients of the former Reinsurance segment who have contracted with the reinsurance subsidiaries not domiciled in the U.S. and, as discussed above, for the reserve credit provided by our affiliated offshore reinsurance company to our domestic insurance companies for ceded business.

Under the credit agreements, we must maintain a minimum consolidated net worth level. In addition, the agreements contain covenants restricting our ability to incur liens, merge or consolidate with another entity where we are not the surviving entity and dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, we were in compliance with all such covenants. All of our credit agreements are unsecured.

If current debt ratings and claims paying ratings were downgraded in the future, certain covenants of various contractual obligationsterms in LFG’s derivative agreements may be triggered, which could negatively impact overall liquidity. In addition, contractual selling agreements with intermediaries could be negatively impacted which could have an adverse impact on overall sales of annuities, life insurance and

128


investment products. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, we maintained adequate current financial strength and senior debt ratings and do not anticipate any ratings-based impact to future liquidity. See “Part I – Item 1. Business – Ratings” in our 2007 Form 10-K for additional information on our ratings.

Divestitures

ForIn the third quarter of 2008, LNL made an investment of $19 million in the FHLBI, a discussionAAA-rated entity. This relationship provides the company with another source of liquidity as an alternative to commercial paper and repurchase agreements as well as provides funding at comparatively low borrowing rates. We are allowed to borrow up to 20 times the amount of our divestitures, see “Introduction – Acquisitions and Dispositions.”common stock investment in FHLBI. All borrowings from the FHLBI are required to be secured by certain investments owned by LNL. As of September 30, 2008, based on our common stock investment, we had borrowing capacity of up to approximately $378 million from FHLBI. We had a $250 million floating-rate term loan outstanding under the facility due June 20, 2017, which may be prepaid beginning June 20, 2010. We also had a 90-day variable rate note outstanding (due December 16, 2008) of $128 million, which may be prepaid at any time. On October 2, 2008, our Board of Directors approved an additional common stock investment of $31 million, which would increase our total borrowing capacity up to $1.0 billion.

Alternative Sources of Liquidity

In order to maximize the use of available cash, the holding company maintains an inter-company cash management account where subsidiaries can borrow from the holding company to meet their short-term needs and can invest their short-term funds with the holding company. The holding company finances this program from its primary sources of cash flow discussed above. Depending on the overall cash availability or need, the holding company invests excess cash in short-term investments or borrows funds in the financial markets.

The holding company had an average loanborrowing balance of $97$162 million from the cash management account during the secondthird quarter of 2008. The holding company had a maximum and minimum amount of financing that is used from the cash management account during this period of $225$334 million and none, respectively.

Our insurance subsidiaries, by virtue of their general account fixed income investment holdings, can access liquidity through securities lending programs and repurchase agreements. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, our insurance subsidiaries had securities with a carrying value of $602$463 million out on loan under the securities lending program and $480$280 million carrying value subject to reverse-repurchase agreements. The cash received in our securities lending program is typically invested in cash equivalents, short-term investments or fixed maturity securities.

LNC has a $1.0 billion commercial paper program that is rated A-1, P-2 and F-1.F1. The commercial paper program is backed by a bank line of credit. During the secondthird quarter of 2008, LNC had an average of $157$257 million in commercial paper outstanding with a maximum amount of $349$394 million outstanding at any time. LNC had $200$120 million of commercial paper outstanding as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008.

The Federal Reserve Board authorized the Commercial Paper Funding Facility (“CPFF”) on October 7, 2008, under Section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act to provide a liquidity backstop to U.S. issuers of commercial paper. The CPFF is intended to improve liquidity in short-term funding markets by increasing the availability of term commercial paper funding to issuers and by providing greater assurance to both issuers and investors that firms will be able to roll over their maturing commercial paper. The commercial paper must be U.S. dollar-denominated and rated A-1/P-1/F1 by at least two rating agencies to be eligible for the program. On October 29, 2008, we were granted approval to participate in the CPFF, under which we may issue up to $575 million of commercial paper. Access to the CPFF is scheduled to terminate on April 30, 2009, unless such date is extended by the Federal Reserve.

Divestitures

For a discussion of our divestitures, see “Introduction – Acquisitions and Dispositions.”

Uses of Capital

Our principal uses of cash are to pay policy claims and benefits, operating expenses, commissions and taxes, to purchase new investments, to purchase reinsurance, to fund policy surrenders and withdrawals, to pay dividends to our stockholders and to repurchase our stock and debt securities.

 

120129


Return of Capital to Stockholders

One of the holding company’s primary goals is to provide a return to our stockholders. Through dividends and stock repurchases, we have an established record of providing cash returns to our stockholders. In determining dividends, the Board takes into consideration items such as current and expected earnings, capital needs, rating agency considerations and requirements for financial flexibility. Details underlying this activity (in millions, except per share data) were as follows:

 

  For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  Change  For the
Year Ended
December 31,

2007
  For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
   For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
   

For the

Year Ended
December 31,

2008  2007   2008  2007     2008  2007  Change 2008  2007  Change 2007

Dividends to stockholders

  $107  $108  -1% $217  $214  1% $430  $106  $107  -1% $323  $324  0% $430

Repurchase of common stock(1)

   140   —    NM   426   512  -17%  986   50   175  -71%  476   686  -31%  986
                                  

Total cash returned to stockholders

  $247  $108  129% $643  $726  -11% $1,416  $156  $282  -45% $799  $1,010  -21% $1,416
                                  

Number of shares repurchased

   2.631   —    NM   8.081   7.215  12%  15.381   1.010   3.092  -67%  9.091   10.307  -12%  15.381

Average price per share

  $53.13  $ —    NM  $52.66  $70.92  -26% $64.13  $49.55  $56.45  -12% $52.31  $66.58  -21% $64.13

Note: Average price per share above is calculated using whole dollars instead of dollars rounded to millions

(1)

Includes repurchases that were not settled as of June 30, 2008, of $25 million for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2008.

On November 6, 2007,October 10, 2008, the Board of Directors approved an increasea decrease in the quarterly dividend to stockholders from $0.395$0.415 per share to $0.415$0.21 per share effective in 2008.2009, which is expected to add approximately $50 million to capital each quarter. Additionally, we have suspended further stock repurchase activity. Both of these changes will favorably impact our capital position prospectively.

Significant Trends in Sources and Uses of Cash Flow

As stated above, LNC’s cash flow, as a holding company, is largely dependent upon the dividend capacity and surplus note interest payments of its insurance company subsidiaries. The insurance company subsidiaries’ dividend capacity is impacted by factors influencing their risk-based capital and statutory earnings performance. Currently,Although we currently expect to have sufficient liquidity and capital resources to meet our obligations in 2008.2008, a continuation of or an acceleration of poor capital market conditions, which reduces our statutory surplus and RBC, may require us to retain more capital in our insurance company subsidiaries and may pressure our subsidiaries’ dividends to the holding company, which may lead us to take steps to raise additional capital. For factors that could affect our expectations for liquidity and capital,cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in this section, see “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2007 Form 10-K.10-K as updated by “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this report.

OTHER MATTERS

Other Factors Affecting Our Business

In general, our businesses are subject to a changing social, economic, legal, legislative and regulatory environment. Some of the changes include initiatives to require more reserves to be carried by our insurance subsidiaries, to make permanent recent reductions in individual tax rates, to permanently repeal the estate tax and to increase regulation of our annuity and investment management businesses. Although the eventual effect on us of the changing environment in which we operate remains uncertain, these factors and others could have a material effect on our results of operations, liquidity and capital resources. For factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in this section, see “Part I – Item 1A –1A. Risk Factors” in our 2007 Form 10-K as updated by “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Forward-looking Statements – Cautionary Language” in this report.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements that have been implemented during the periods presented or that have been issued and are to be implemented in the future.

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES

See Note 15 in our 2007 Form 10-K for discussion of our restructuring activities.

121130


Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We analyze and manage the risks arising from market exposures of financial instruments, as well as other risks, in an integrated asset-liability management process that takes diversification into account. By aggregating the potential effect of market and other risks on the entire enterprise, we estimate, review and in some cases manage the risk to our earnings and shareholder value. We have exposures to several market risks including interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange risk, equity market risk, default risk, basis risk and credit risk. The exposures of financial instruments to market risks, and the related risk management processes, are most important into the Employer MarketsRetirement Solutions and Individual MarketsInsurance Solutions businesses, where most of the invested assets support accumulation and investment-oriented insurance products. As an important element of our integrated asset-liability management process, we use derivatives to minimize the effects of changes in interest levels and the shape of the yield curve. In this context, derivatives are designated as a hedge and serve to reduce interest rate risk by mitigating the effect of significant increases in interest rates on our earnings. Additional market exposures exist in our other general account insurance products and in our debt structure and derivatives positions. The primary sources of market risk are: substantial, relatively rapid and sustained increases or decreases in interest rates; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; or a sharp drop in equity market values. These market risks are discussed in detail in the following pages.

Interest Rate Risk

With respect to accumulation and investment-oriented products, we seek to earn a stable and profitable spread, or margin, between investment income and interest credited to account values. If we have adverse experience on investments that cannot be passed on to customers, our spreads are reduced. Provided interest rates continue to gradually return to levels that are more typical from a long-term perspective, we do not view the near term risk to spreads over the next twelve months to be material. The combination of a probable range of interest rate changes over the next twelve months, asset-liability management strategies, flexibility in adjusting policy crediting rate levels and protection afforded by policy surrender charges and other switching costs all work together to mitigate this risk. The interest rate scenarios of concern are those in which there is a substantial, relatively rapid increase or decrease in interest rates that is then sustained over a long period.

 

122131


Interest Rate Risk – Falling Rates

The spreads on our fixed annuity and interest-sensitive whole life, universal life (“UL”) and fixed portion of variable universal life (“VUL”) insurance policies are at risk if interest rates decline and remain low for a period of time, which has generally been the case in recent years. Should interest rates remain at current levels that are significantly lower than those existing prior to the declines of recent years, the average earned rate of return on our annuity and UL investment portfolios will continue to decline. Declining portfolio yields may cause the spreads between investment portfolio yields and the interest rate credited to contract holders to deteriorate as our ability to manage spreads can become limited by minimum guaranteed rates on annuity and UL policies. Minimum guaranteed rates on annuity and UL policies generally range from 1.5% to 5.0%, with an average guaranteed rate of approximately 4%. The following table provides detail on the percentage differences between the current interest rates being credited to contract holders and the respective minimum guaranteed policy rate, broken out by contract holder account values reported within the Employer MarketsRetirement Solutions and Individual MarketsInsurance Solutions businesses (in millions):

 

  As of June 30, 2008   As of September 30, 2008 
Account Values     Account Values 
Individual Markets  Employer
Markets –

Defined
Contribution
  Total  Percent
of Total
Account
Values
   Retirement Solutions  Insurance
Solutions -
     Percent
of Total
 
Annuities  Life
Insurance
    Annuities  Defined
Contribution
  Life
Insurance
  Total  Account
Values
 

Excess of Crediting Rates over Contract Minimums

                    

CD and on-benefit type annuities

  $10,480  $—    $1,477  $11,957  23.67%  $1,606  $—    $10,422  $12,028  21.95%

Discretionary rate setting products(1)

                    

No difference

   3,237   11,872   7,227   22,336  44.21%   8,787   11,660   3,238   23,685  43.23%

up to .10%

   1,603   4,196   —     5,799  11.48%   —     4,641   1,518   6,159  11.24%

0.11% to .20%

   845   2,662   2   3,509  6.95%   2   2,638   848   3,488  6.37%

0.21% to .30%

   171   202   5   378  0.75%   79   947   161   1,187  2.17%

0.31% to .40%

   162   358   1   521  1.03%   1   572   144   717  1.31%

0.41% to .50%

   55   631   1,266   1,952  3.86%   191   1,262   62   1,515  2.77%

0.51% to .60%

   40   870   83   993  1.97%   80   1,016   33   1,129  2.06%

0.61% to .70%

   274   43   —     317  0.63%   —     442   281   723  1.32%

0.71% to .80%

   11   3   —     14  0.03%   1   471   4   476  0.87%

0.81% to .90%

   2   178   —     180  0.36%   —     356   9   365  0.67%

0.91% to 1.0%

   6   541   156   703  1.39%   36   631   7   674  1.23%

1.01% to 1.50%

   53   203   29   285  0.56%   149   282   52   483  0.88%

1.51% to 2.00%

   432   347   176   955  1.89%   189   636   426   1,251  2.28%

2.01% to 2.50%

   425   3   —     428  0.85%   —     207   479   686  1.25%

2.51% to 3.00%

   —     —     12   12  0.02%   13   —     —     13  0.02%

3.01% and above

   —     —     178   178  0.35%   184   22   —     206  0.38%
                                

Total discretionary rate setting products

   7,316   22,109   9,135   38,560  76.33%   9,712   25,783   7,262   42,757  78.05%
                                

Total account values

  $17,796  $22,109  $10,612  $50,517  100.00%  $11,318  $25,783  $17,684  $54,785  100.00%
                                

 

(1)

Contracts currently within new money rate bands are grouped according to the corresponding portfolio rate band in which they will fall upon their first anniversary.

The maturity structure and call provisions of the related portfolios are structured to afford protection against erosion of investment portfolio yields during periods of declining interest rates. We devote extensive effort to evaluating the risks associated with falling interest rates by simulating asset and liability cash flows for a wide range of interest rate scenarios. We seek to manage these exposures by maintaining a suitable maturity structure and by limiting our exposure to call risk in each respective investment portfolio.

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Interest Rate Risk – Rising Rates

For both annuities and UL, a rapid and sustained rise in interest rates poses risks of deteriorating spreads and high surrenders. The portfolios supporting these products have fixed-rate assets laddered over maturities generally ranging from one to ten years or more. Accordingly, the earned rate on each portfolio lags behind changes in market yields. As rates rise, the lag may be increased

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by slowing mortgage-backed securities prepayments. The greater and faster the rise in interest rates, the more the earned rate will tend to lag behind market rates. If we set renewal crediting rates to earn the desired spread, the gap between our renewal crediting rates and competitors’ new money rates may be wide enough to cause increased surrenders that could cause us to liquidate a portion of our portfolio to fund these surrenders. If we credit more competitive renewal rates to limit surrenders, our spreads will narrow. We devote extensive effort to evaluating these risks by simulating asset and liability cash flows for a wide range of interest rate scenarios. Such analysis has led to adjustments in the target maturity structure and to hedging the risk of rising rates by buying out-of-the-money interest rate cap agreements and swaptions. With these instruments in place, the potential adverse impact of a rapid and sustained rise in rates is kept within our risk tolerances.

Debt

We manage the timing of maturities and the mixture of fixed-rate and floating-rate debt as part of the process of integrated management of interest rate risk for the entire enterprise.

Derivatives

We have entered into derivative transactions to reduce our exposure to rapid changes in interest rates. The derivative programs are used to help us achieve more stable margins while providing competitive crediting rates to policyholders during periods when interest rates are changing. Such derivatives include interest rate swaps, interest rate futures, interest rate caps and treasury locks. During the first sixnine months of 2008, the more significant changes in our derivative positions were as follows:

 

InterestWe entered into and terminated interest rate swap agreements hedging floating rate bond coupon payments with a notional amount of $400$17 million matured or terminated,and $492 million, respectively, resulting in a remaining notional amount of $635$544 million. A loss of $6 million was recognized on the terminations. We also entered into $2$3.0 billion notional amount of interest rate swap agreements hedging a portion of the liability exposure on certain options in our variable annuity products, resulting in a total notional amount of $6.7$7.8 billion. These interest rate swap agreements convert floating rate bond coupon payments into a fixed rate of return;return.

 

InterestWe entered into and terminated interest rate swap agreements hedging fixed rate bond coupon payments with a notional amount of $6 million terminated,and $14 million, resulting in a remaining notional amount of $298$295 million. A loss of less than $1 million was recognized on the terminations. These interest rate swap agreements are used to hedge our exposure to fixed rate bond coupon payments and the change in underlying asset values as interest rates fluctuate;fluctuate.

 

Interest rate cap agreements with a notional amount of $450 million$1.3 billion matured, resulting in a remaining notional amount of $3.7$2.9 billion. These interest rate cap agreements are used to hedge our annuity business against a negative impact of a significant and sustained rise in interest rates; andrates.

 

We entered into and terminated forward-starting interest rate swap agreements with a notional amount of $230$365 million and $230$355 million, respectively, resulting in a remaining notional amount of $50$60 million. These swaps are used to hedge interest rate risk associated with assets that support our annuity liabilities. A loss of $3$2 million was recognized on certain terminations and was reported in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). The loss will be reclassified from accumulated OCI recognized in income over the life of the purchased assets. A loss of $1 million was recognized on other terminations and was recorded in net income as benefits.

In addition to continuing existing programs, we may use derivative instruments in other strategies to limit risk and enhance returns, particularly in the management of investment spread businesses. We have established policies, guidelines and internal control procedures for the use of derivatives as tools to enhance management of the overall portfolio of risks assumed in our operations. Annually, our Board of Directors reviews our derivatives policy.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

Foreign Currency Denominated Investments

We invest in foreign currency securities for incremental return and risk diversification relative to United States Dollar-Denominated (“USD”) securities. We use foreign currency swaps and foreign currency forwards to hedge some of the foreign exchange risk related to our investment in securities denominated in foreign currencies. The currency risk is hedged using foreign currency derivatives of the same currency as the bonds.

We use foreign currency swaps to convert the cash flow of foreign currency securities to U.S. dollars. A foreign currency swap is a contractual agreement to exchange the currencies of two different countries at a specified rate of exchange in the future.

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We use foreign currency forward contracts to hedge dividends received from our U.K. based subsidiary, Lincoln UK. The foreign currency forward contracts obligate us to deliver a specified amount of currency at a future date and a specified exchange rate.

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During the first sixnine months of 2008, a significant change in our foreign currency derivative positions was as follows:

 

We entered into and terminated foreign exchange forward contracts with a notional amount of $48$231 million and $48 million, respectively, resulting in no$183 million remaining notional amount. These contracts are hedging the net investment in as well as dividends received from our Lincoln UK subsidiary. A loss of less than $1 million was recognized on the terminations.

Equity Market Risk

Our revenues, assets, liabilities and derivatives are exposed to equity market risk. Due to the use of our reversion to the mean (“RTM”) process and our hedging strategies, we expect that, in general, short-term fluctuations in the equity markets should not have a significant impact on our quarterly earnings from unlocking of assumptions for deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”), deferred sales inducements (“DSI”), value of business acquired (“VOBA”) and deferred front-end sales loads (“DFEL”). However, there is an impact to earnings from the effects of equity market movements on account values and assets under management and the related fees we earn on those assets. Refer to our Critical Accounting Policy – DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL for further discussion on the impact of equity markets on our RTM.

Fee Revenues

The fee revenues of our Investment Management segment and fees earned from variable annuities and variable life insurance products are exposed to the risk of a decline in equity market values. These fees are generally a fixed percentage of the market value of assets under management. In a severe equity market decline, fee income could be reduced by not only reduced market valuations but also by customer withdrawals and redemptions. Such withdrawals and redemptions from equity funds and accounts might be partially offset by transfers to our fixed-income accounts and the transfer of funds to us from our competitors’ customers.

Assets and Liabilities

While we invest in equity assets with the expectation of achieving higher returns than would be available in our core fixed-income investments, the returns on, and values of, these equity investments are subject to somewhat greater market risk than our fixed-income investments. These investments, however, add diversification benefits to our fixed-income investments.

We have exposure to changes in our stock price through stock appreciation rights issued. This program is being hedged with equity derivatives.

Derivatives Hedging Equity Market Risk

During the first sixnine months of 2008, the more significant changes in our derivative positions hedging equity market risk were as follows:

 

We had less than one million call options on an equal number of shares of Lincoln National Corporation (“LNC”) stock hedging the increase in liabilities arising from stock appreciation rights granted on LNC stock;

 

We entered into and terminated variance swaps used to hedge the liability exposure on certain options in variable annuity products with a notional amount of $25$28 million and $2$3 million, respectively, resulting in a remaining notional amount of $29 million;$31 million. A gain of $1 million was recognized on the terminations.

 

We entered into Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index® call options with a notional amount of $1.2 billion, call options with a notional amount of $1 billion expired, resulting in a remaining notional amount of $3 billion to hedge the impact of the equity-index interest credited to our equity annuity products;

We entered into Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index® call options with a notional amount of $2.1 billion, call options with a notional amount of $2.0 billion expired and terminated, resulting in a remaining notional amount of $3.0 billion to hedge the impact of the equity-index interest credited to our equity annuity products. A loss of $10 million was recognized on the terminations;

 

We entered into and terminated put option agreements with a notional amount of $825 million$1.3 billion and $400$650 million, respectively, resulting in a remaining notional amount of $4.5$4.7 billion to hedge a portion of the liability exposure on certain options in our variable annuity products;products. A loss of $12 million was recognized on the terminations; and

 

We had net purchases and terminations in financial futures with a notional amount of $1$2.5 billion, resulting in a remaining notional amount of $1.6$3.0 billion to hedge a portion of the liability exposure on certain options in variable annuity products.

 

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Impact of Equity Market Sensitivity

Due to the use of our RTM process and our hedging strategies as described in “Critical“MD& A—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in Item 2 above and in Item 7 of our 2007 Form 10-K, we expect that in general, short-term fluctuations in the equity markets should not have a significant impact on our quarterly earnings from unlocking of assumptions for DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL, as we do not unlock our long-term equity market assumptions based upon short-term fluctuations in the equity markets. However, there is an impact to earnings from the effects of equity market movements on account values and assets under management and the related asset-based fees we earn on those assets net of related expenses we incur based upon the level of assets. The table below presents our estimate of the annual, after-tax, after-DAC, impact on income from operations, from both a 1% and 10% decline in the equity markets (in millions), excluding any impact related to sales, prospective and retrospective unlocking, persistency, hedge program performance or customer behavior caused by the equity market change:

 

Segment

  

Relevant Measure

  Impact per
1% Change
  Impact per
10% Change
  

Relevant Measure

  Impact per
1% Change
  Impact per
10% Change
Investment Management  Composite of Equity Assets(1)  $1  $14  Composite of Equity Assets (1)  $1  $12
Individual Markets – Annuities  Average daily change in the S&P 500   3   38
Retirement Solutions – Annuities  Average daily change in the S&P 500   3   25
Employer Markets – Defined Contribution  Average daily change in the S&P 500   1   12
Retirement Solutions – Defined Contribution  Average daily change in the S&P 500   1   8
Lincoln UK  Average daily change in the FTSE 100   —     4  Average daily change in the FTSE 100   —     4

 

(1)

The Investment Management segment manages equity-based assets of varying styles (growth, value, blend and international) and underlying products (mutual funds, institutional accounts, insurance separate accounts, etc.). No single equity benchmark is an accurate predictor of the change in earnings for this segment and the earnings impact summarized above includes the return on seed capital.

The impact on earnings summarized above is an expected annual effect. The result of the above factors should be multiplied by 25% to arrive at an estimated quarterly effect. The effect of quarterly equity market changes upon fee revenues and asset-based expenses will not be fully recognized in the current quarter due to the fact that fee revenues are earned and related expenses are incurred based upon daily variable account values. The difference between the current period average daily variable account values compared to the end of period variable account values impacts fee revenues in subsequent periods. Additionally, the impact on earnings may not necessarily be symmetrical with comparable increases in the equity markets. This discussion concerning the estimated effects of ongoing equity market volatility on the fees we earn from account values and assets under management is intended to be illustrative. Actual effects may vary depending on a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control, such as changing customer behaviors that might result in changes in the mix of our business between variable and fixed annuity contracts, switching among investment alternatives available within variable products, changes in sales production levels or changes in policy persistency. For purposes of this guidance, the change in account values is assumed to correlate with the change in the relevant index.

Default Risk

Our portfolio of invested assets was $70.2$68.0 billion and $71.9 billion as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively. Of this total, $44.5$41.7 billion and $46.1 billion consist of corporate bonds and $7.7 billion and $7.4 billion consist of commercial mortgages as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively. We manage the risk of adverse default experience on these investments by applying disciplined credit evaluation and underwriting standards, prudently limiting allocations to lower-quality, higher-yielding investments and diversifying exposures by issuer, industry, region and property type. For each counterparty or borrowing entity and its affiliates, our exposures from all transactions are aggregated and managed in relation to formal limits set by rating quality andquality. Additional diversification limits, such as limits per industry, group.are also applied. We remain exposed to occasional adverse cyclical economic downturns during which default rates may be significantly higher than the long-term historical average used in pricing.

We are depending on the ability of derivative product dealers and their guarantors to honor their obligations to pay the contract amounts under various derivatives agreements. In order to minimize the risk of default losses, we diversify our exposures among several dealers and limit the amount of exposure to each in accordance with the credit rating of each dealer or its guarantor. We generally limit our selection of counterparties that are obligated under these derivative contracts to those with an A credit rating or above.

 

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Credit-Related Derivatives

We use various credit-relatedCredit default swaps are derivatives to minimize exposure to various credit-related risks. We use credit default swapsthat can be used by companies to hedge against a drop in bond prices due to credit concerns of certain bond issuers. A credit default swap allows usan investor to put the bond back to the counterparty at par upon a defaultcredit event by the bond issuer. A defaultcredit event is defined ascan include, among other items, bankruptcy, failure to pay or obligation acceleration. Wecan use various credit-related derivatives to minimize exposure to various credit-related risks. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, we had no purchased credit default swaps outstanding.

We On a limited basis we also sell credit default swaps to offer credit protection to investors. Theinvestors through trades that replicate the purchase of a fixed maturity security. When credit default swaps hedgeprotection is sold, it is typically to replicate the investor againstpurchase of a drop in bond, prices duesimilar to credit concerns of certain bond issuers. A credit swap allows the investor to put the bond back to us at par upon a default event by the bond issuer.other investing activities. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, we had credit default swaps with a notional amount of $82 million and $60 million, which expire in 2010 through 2017.

Credit Risk

By using derivative instruments, we are exposed to credit risk (our counterparty fails to make payment) and market risk (the value of the instrument falls and we are required to make a payment)falls). When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, this generally indicates that the counterparty owes us and, therefore, creates a credit risk for us equal to the extent of the fair value gain in the derivative. When the fair value of a derivative contract is negative, this generally indicates we owe the counterparty and therefore we have no credit risk, but have been affected by market risk. We minimize the credit risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high quality counterparties with minimum credit ratings that are reviewed regularly by us, by limiting the amount of credit exposure to any one counterparty, and by requiring certain counterparties to post collateral if our credit risk exceeds certain limits. We also maintain a policy of requiring all derivative contracts to be governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) Master Agreement. We do not believe that the credit or market risks associated with derivative instruments are material to any insurance subsidiary or the Company.

We have derivative positions with counterparties. Assuming zero recovery value, our exposure is the positive market value of the derivative positions with a counterparty, less collateral, that would be lost if the counterparty were to default. As of September 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, our counterparty risk exposure, net of collateral, was $429 million and $781 million, respectively. Of this exposure, $300 million and $567 million, respectively was related to our program to hedge our variable annuity guaranteed benefits. We have exposure to 17 counterparties, with a maximum exposure of $88 million, net of collateral, to a single counterparty. The credit risk associated with such agreements is minimized by purchasing such agreements from financial institutions with long-standing, superior performance records. Additionally, we maintain a policy of requiring all derivative contracts to be governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) Master Agreement.

 

Item 4.Controls and Procedures

Conclusions Regarding Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures, which are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. As of the end of the period covered by this report, we, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to us and our consolidated subsidiaries required to be disclosed in our periodic reports under the Exchange Act.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.Legal Proceedings

Information regarding reportable legal proceedings is contained in “Part I – Item 3. Legal Proceedings” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Item 21A..Risk Factors

The risk factors set forth below update those set forth in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. You should carefully consider the risks described below before investing in our securities. The risks and uncertainties described are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. If any of these risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially affected. In that case, the value of our securities could decline substantially.

Adverse capital and credit market conditions may significantly affect our ability to meet liquidity needs, access to capital and cost of capital.

The capital and credit markets have been experiencing extreme volatility and disruption for more than twelve months. Over the last month, the volatility and disruption have reached unprecedented levels. In some cases, the markets have exerted downward pressure on availability of liquidity and credit capacity for certain issuers.

We need liquidity to pay our operating expenses, interest on our debt and dividends on our capital stock, maintain our securities lending activities and replace certain maturing liabilities. Without sufficient liquidity, we will be forced to curtail our operations, and our business will suffer. As a holding company with no direct operations, our principal asset is the capital stock of our insurance and investment management subsidiaries. Our ability to meet our obligations for payment of interest and principal on outstanding debt obligations and to pay dividends to shareholders and corporate expenses depends significantly upon the surplus and earnings of our subsidiaries and the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or to advance or repay funds to us. Payments of dividends and advances or repayment of funds to us by our insurance subsidiaries are restricted by the applicable laws of their respective jurisdictions, including laws establishing minimum solvency and liquidity thresholds. Changes in these laws can constrain the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or to advance or repay funds to us in sufficient amounts and at times necessary to meet our debt obligations and corporate expenses. For our insurance subsidiaries, the principal sources of our liquidity are insurance premiums and fees, annuity considerations, investment advisory fees, and cash flow from our investment portfolio and assets, consisting mainly of cash or assets that are readily convertible into cash. At the holding company level, sources of liquidity in normal markets also include a variety of short- and long-term instruments, including repurchase agreements, credit facilities, commercial paper, and medium- and long-term debt.

In the event current resources do not satisfy our needs, we may have to seek additional financing. The availability of additional financing will depend on a variety of factors such as market conditions, the general availability of credit, the volume of trading activities, the overall availability of credit to the financial services industry, our credit ratings and credit capacity, as well as the possibility that customers or lenders could develop a negative perception of our long- or short-term financial prospects if we incur large investment losses or if the level of our business activity decreased due to a market downturn. Similarly, our access to funds may be impaired if regulatory authorities or rating agencies take negative actions against us. Our internal sources of liquidity may prove to be insufficient, and in such case, we may not be able to successfully obtain additional financing on favorable terms, or at all.

Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the capital and credit markets may also limit our access to capital required to operate our business, most significantly our insurance operations. Such market conditions may limit our ability to replace, in a timely manner, maturing liabilities; satisfy statutory capital requirements; generate fee income and market-related revenue to meet liquidity needs; and access the capital necessary to grow our business. As such, we may be forced to delay raising capital, issue shorter tenor securities than we prefer, or bear an unattractive cost of capital which could decrease our profitability and significantly reduce our financial flexibility. Recently, our credit spreads have widened considerably which increases the interest rate we must pay on any new debt obligation we may issue. Our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and statutory capital position could be materially adversely affected by disruptions in the financial markets.

Difficult conditions in the global capital markets and the economy generally may materially adversely affect our business and results of operations and we do not expect these conditions to improve in the near future.

Our results of operations are materially affected by conditions in the global capital markets and the economy generally, both in the U.S. and elsewhere around the world. The stress experienced by global capital markets that began in the second half of 2007

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continued and substantially increased during the third quarter of 2008. Recently, concerns over inflation, energy costs, geopolitical issues, the availability and cost of credit, the U.S. mortgage market and a declining real estate market in the U.S. have contributed to increased volatility and diminished expectations for the economy and the markets going forward. These factors, combined with volatile oil prices, declining business and consumer confidence and increased unemployment, have precipitated an economic slowdown and fears of a possible recession. In addition, the fixed-income markets are experiencing a period of extreme volatility which has negatively impacted market liquidity conditions. Initially, the concerns on the part of market participants were focused on the subprime segment of the mortgage-backed securities market. However, these concerns have since expanded to include a broad range of mortgage-and asset-backed and other fixed income securities, including those rated investment grade, the U.S. and international credit and interbank money markets generally, and a wide range of financial institutions and markets, asset classes and sectors. As a result, the market for fixed income instruments has experienced decreased liquidity, increased price volatility, credit downgrade events, and increased probability of default. Securities that are less liquid are more difficult to value and may be hard to dispose of. Domestic and international equity markets have also been experiencing heightened volatility and turmoil, with issuers (such as our company) that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage and credit markets particularly affected. These events and the continuing market upheavals may have an adverse effect on us, in part because we have a large investment portfolio and are also dependent upon customer behavior. Our revenues are likely to decline in such circumstances and our profit margins could erode. In addition, in the event of extreme prolonged market events, such as the global credit crisis, we could incur significant losses. Even in the absence of a market downturn, we are exposed to substantial risk of loss due to market volatility.

We are a significant writer of variable annuity products. The account values of these products will be affected by the downturn in capital markets. Any decrease in account values will decrease the fees generated by our variable annuity products.

Factors such as consumer spending, business investment, government spending, the volatility and strength of the capital markets, and inflation all affect the business and economic environment and, ultimately, the amount and profitability of our business. In an economic downturn characterized by higher unemployment, lower family income, lower corporate earnings, lower business investment and lower consumer spending, the demand for our financial and insurance products could be adversely affected. In addition, we may experience an elevated incidence of claims and lapses or surrenders of policies. Our policyholders may choose to defer paying insurance premiums or stop paying insurance premiums altogether. Adverse changes in the economy could affect earnings negatively and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. The current mortgage crisis has also raised the possibility of future legislative and regulatory actions in addition to the recent enactment of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the “EESA”) that could further impact our business. We cannot predict whether or when such actions may occur, or what impact, if any, such actions could have on our business, results of operations and financial condition. A further material deterioration in economic conditions may require us to raise additional capital or consider other transactions to manage our capital position or our liquidity.

There can be no assurance that actions of the U.S. Government, Federal Reserve and other governmental and regulatory bodies for the purpose of stabilizing the financial markets will achieve the intended effect.

In response to the financial crises affecting the banking system and financial markets and going concern threats to investment banks and other financial institutions, on October 3, 2008, President Bush signed the EESA into law. Pursuant to the EESA, the U.S. Treasury has the authority to, among other things, purchase up to $700 billion of mortgage-backed and other securities from financial institutions for the purpose of stabilizing the financial markets. The Federal Government, Federal Reserve and other governmental and regulatory bodies have taken or are considering taking other actions to address the financial crisis. There can be no assurance as to what impact such actions will have on the financial markets, including the extreme levels of volatility currently being experienced. As of September 30, 2008 our residential mortgage-backed securities balance was $9.2 billion, of which 96% was rated AA or above, and our unrealized loss was $897 million. Such continued volatility could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, or the trading price of our common stock. See “Item 7–Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Consolidated Investments – Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Portfolios” for additional information on our investment portfolio.

The impairment of other financial institutions could adversely affect us.

We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, and other institutions. Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of default of our counterparty. In addition, with respect to secured transactions, our credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by us cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the loan or derivative exposure due to it. We also may have exposure to these financial institutions in the form of unsecured debt instruments, derivative transactions and/or equity investments. There can be no assurance that any such losses or impairments to the carrying value of these assets would not materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

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Our participation in a securities lending program subjects us to potential liquidity and other risks.

We participate in a securities lending program for our general account whereby fixed income securities are loaned by our agent bank to third parties, primarily major brokerage firms and commercial banks. The borrowers of our securities provide us with collateral, typically in cash, which we separately maintain. We invest such cash collateral in other securities, primarily in commercial paper and money market or other short term funds. Securities with a cost or amortized cost of $481 million and $612 million and an estimated fair value of $435 million and $634 million were on loan under the program at September 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively. Securities loaned under such transactions may be sold or repledged by the transferee. We were liable for cash collateral under our control of $463 million and $655 million at September 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively.

As of September 30, 2008, approximately all securities on loan under the program could be returned to us by the borrowers at any time. Returns of loaned securities would require us to return the cash collateral associated with such loaned securities. In addition, in some cases, the maturity of the securities held as invested collateral (i.e., securities that we have purchased with cash received from the third parties) may exceed the term of the related securities loan and the market value may fall below the amount of cash received as collateral and invested. If we are required to return significant amounts of cash collateral on short notice and we are forced to sell securities to meet the return obligation, we may have difficulty selling such collateral that is invested in securities in a timely manner, be forced to sell securities in a volatile or illiquid market for less than we otherwise would have been able to realize under normal market conditions, or both. In addition, under stressful capital market and economic conditions, such as those conditions we have experienced recently, liquidity broadly deteriorates, which may further restrict our ability to sell securities.

Our reserves for future policy benefits and claims related to our current and future business as well as businesses we may acquire in the future may prove to be inadequate.

Our reserves for future policy benefits and claims may prove to be inadequate. We establish and carry, as a liability, reserves based on estimates of how much we will need to pay for future benefits and claims. For our life insurance and annuity products, we calculate these reserves based on many assumptions and estimates, including estimated premiums we will receive over the assumed life of the policy, the timing of the event covered by the insurance policy, the lapse rate of the policies, the amount of benefits or claims to be paid and the investment returns on the assets we purchase with the premiums we receive. The assumptions and estimates we use in connection with establishing and carrying our reserves are inherently uncertain. Accordingly, we cannot determine with precision the ultimate amounts that we will pay, or the timing of payment of, actual benefits and claims or whether the assets supporting the policy liabilities will grow to the level we assume prior to payment of benefits or claims. If our actual experience is different from our assumptions or estimates, our reserves may prove to be inadequate in relation to our estimated future benefits and claims. As a result, we would incur a charge to our earnings in the quarter in which we increase our reserves.

Because the equity markets and other factors impact the profitability and expected profitability of many of our products, changes in equity markets and other factors may significantly affect our business and profitability.

The fee revenue that we earn on equity-based variable annuities, unit-linked accounts, VUL insurance policies and investment advisory business is based upon account values. Because strong equity markets result in higher account values, strong equity markets positively affect our net income through increased fee revenue. Conversely, a weakening of the equity markets results in lower fee income and may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and capital resources.

The increased fee revenue resulting from strong equity markets increases the expected gross profits (“EGPs”) from variable insurance products as do better than expected lapses, mortality rates and expenses. As a result, the higher EGPs may result in lower net amortized costs related to deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”), deferred sales inducements (“DSI”), value of business acquired (“VOBA”), and deferred front-end sales loads (“DFEL”). However, a decrease in the equity markets as well as worse than expected increases in lapses, mortality rates and expenses depending upon their significance, may result in higher net amortized costs associated with DAC, DSI, VOBA and DFEL and may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and capital resources. For example, if equity markets continued to decline by 20% and remained at those levels during the fourth quarter of 2008, we may have to reset our “reversion to the mean” (RTM) process that we use to compute our best estimate of long-term gross growth rate assumption. We estimate that such a reset would result in a cumulative unfavorable prospective unlocking in the range of approximately $200-$300 million, after-tax. For more information on DAC, DSI, VOBA and DFEL amortization, see “Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation – Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” on page 40 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and “Part I. Item 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation – Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” above.

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Changes in the equity markets, interest rates and/or volatility affects the profitability of our products with guaranteed benefits; therefore, such changes may have a material adverse effect on our business and profitability.

Certain of our variable annuity products include guaranteed minimum benefit riders. These include guaranteed minimum death benefit (“GDB”), guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit (“GWB”) and guaranteed minimum income benefit (“GIB”) riders. The amount of reserves related to GDB for variable annuities is tied to the difference between the value of the underlying accounts and the guaranteed death benefit, calculated using a benefit ratio approach. The GDB reserves take into account the present value of total expected GDB payments and the present value of total expected assessments over the life of the contract and claims and assessments to date. The amount of reserves related to GWB and GIB for variable annuities is based on the fair value of the underlying benefit. Both the level of expected GDB payments and expected total assessments used in calculating the benefit ratio are affected by the equity markets. The liabilities related to GWB and GIB benefits valued at fair value are impacted by changes in equity markets, interest rates and volatility. Accordingly, strong equity markets will decrease the amount of GDB reserves that we must carry, and strong equity markets, increases in interest rates and decreases in volatility will generally decrease the fair value of the liabilities underlying the GWB and GIB benefits.

Conversely, a decrease in the equity markets will increase the net amount at risk under the GDB benefits we offer as part of our variable annuity products, which has the effect of increasing the amount of GDB reserves that we must carry. Also, a decrease in the equity market along with a decrease in interest rates and an increase in volatility will generally result in an increase in the fair value of the liabilities underlying GWB and GIB benefits, which has the effect of increasing the amount of GWB and GIB reserves that we must carry. Such an increase in reserves would result in a charge to our earnings in the quarter in which we increase our reserves. We maintain a customized dynamic hedge program that is designed to mitigate the risks associated with income volatility around the change in reserves on guaranteed benefits. However, the hedge positions may not be effective to exactly offset the changes in the carrying value of the guarantees due to, among other things, the time lag between changes in their values and corresponding changes in the hedge positions, high levels of volatility in the equity markets and derivatives markets, extreme swings in interest rates, contract holder behavior different than expected, and divergence between the performance of the underlying funds and hedging indices. For example, the quarter ended September 30, 2008, we experienced a breakage between the change in our guaranteed benefit reserve and the value of our hedges of $252 million. Breakage is defined as the difference between the change in the fair value of the liabilities, excluding the amount related to the non-performance risk component and the change in the fair value of the derivatives. The breakage also excludes the amount we determine to be the cost of hedging. In addition, we remain liable for the guaranteed benefits in the event that derivative counterparties are unable or unwilling to pay, and we are also subject to the risk that the cost of hedging these guaranteed benefits increases, resulting in a reduction to net income. We also must consider our own credit standing, which is not hedged, in the valuation of certain of these liabilities. A decrease in our own credit spread could cause the value of these liabilities to increase, resulting in a reduction to net income. For more information on our hedging program, see “Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation – Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – Future Contract Benefits and Other Contract Holder Funds” on page 47 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. These, individually or collectively, may have a material adverse effect on net income, financial condition or liquidity.

Changes in interest rates may cause interest rate spreads to decrease and may result in increased contract withdrawals.

Because the profitability of our fixed annuity and interest-sensitive whole life, universal life (“UL”) and fixed portion of variable universal life (“VUL”) insurance business depends in part on interest rate spreads, interest rate fluctuations could negatively affect our profitability. Changes in interest rates may reduce both our profitability from spread businesses and our return on invested capital. Some of our products, principally fixed annuities and interest-sensitive whole life, universal life and the fixed portion of variable universal life insurance, have interest rate guarantees that expose us to the risk that changes in interest rates will reduce our “spread,” or the difference between the amounts that we are required to pay under the contracts and the amounts we are able to earn on our general account investments intended to support our obligations under the contracts. Declines in our spread or instances where the returns on our general account investments are not enough to support the interest rate guarantees on these products could have a material adverse effect on our businesses or results of operations.

In periods of increasing interest rates, we may not be able to replace the assets in our general account with higher yielding assets needed to fund the higher crediting rates necessary to keep our interest sensitive products competitive. We therefore may have to accept a lower spread and thus lower profitability or face a decline in sales and greater loss of existing contracts and related assets. In periods of declining interest rates, we have to reinvest the cash we receive as interest or return of principal on our investments in lower yielding instruments then available. Moreover, borrowers may prepay fixed-income securities, commercial mortgages and mortgage-backed securities in our general account in order to borrow at lower market rates, which exacerbates this risk. Because we are entitled to reset the interest rates on our fixed rate annuities only at limited, pre-established intervals, and since many of our contracts have guaranteed minimum interest or crediting rates, our spreads could decrease and potentially become negative.

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Increases in interest rates may cause increased surrenders and withdrawals of insurance products. In periods of increasing interest rates, policy loans and surrenders and withdrawals of life insurance policies and annuity contracts may increase as contract holders seek to buy products with perceived higher returns. This process may lead to a flow of cash out of our businesses. These outflows may require investment assets to be sold at a time when the prices of those assets are lower because of the increase in market interest rates, which may result in realized investment losses. A sudden demand among consumers to change product types or withdraw funds could lead us to sell assets at a loss to meet the demand for funds.

Our requirements to post collateral or make payments related to declines in market value of specified assets may adversely affect our liquidity and expose us to counterparty credit risk.

Many of our transactions with financial and other institutions specify the circumstances under which the parties are required to post collateral. The amount of collateral we may be required to post under these agreements may increase under certain circumstances, which could adversely affect our liquidity. In addition, under the terms of some of our transactions we may be required to make payment to our counterparties related to any decline in the market value of the specified assets.

Defaults on our mortgage loans and volatility in performance may adversely affect our profitability.

Our mortgage loans face default risk and are principally collateralized by commercial and residential properties. Mortgage loans are stated on our balance sheet at unpaid principal balance, adjusted for any unamortized premium or discount, deferred fees or expenses, and are net of valuation allowances. We establish valuation allowances for estimated impairments as of the balance sheet date based information such as the market value of the underlying real estate securing the loan, any third party guarantees on the loan balance or any cross collateral agreements and their impact on expected recovery rates. At September 30, 2008, no loans were either delinquent or in the process of foreclosure for our mortgage loan investments. The performance of our mortgage loan investments, however, may fluctuate in the future. In addition, some of our mortgage loan investments have balloon payment maturities. An increase in the default rate of our mortgage loan investments could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Further, any geographic or sector exposure in our mortgage loans may have adverse effects on our investment portfolios and consequently on our consolidated results of operations or financial condition. While we seek to mitigate this risk by having a broadly diversified portfolio, events or developments that have a negative effect on any particular geographic region or sector may have a greater adverse effect on the investment portfolios to the extent that the portfolios are exposed.

Our investments are reflected within the consolidated financial statements utilizing different accounting basis and accordingly we may not have recognized differences, which may be significant, between cost and fair value in our consolidated financial statements.

Our principal investments are in fixed maturity and equity securities, mortgage loans on real estate, real estate (either wholly owned or in joint ventures), policy loans, short-term investments, derivative instruments and limited partnerships and other invested assets. The carrying value of such investments is as follows:

Fixed maturity and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale, except for those designated as trading securities, and are reported at their estimated fair value. The difference between the estimated fair value and amortized cost of such securities, i.e., unrealized investment gains and losses, are recorded as a separate component of other comprehensive income or loss, net of policyholder related amounts and deferred income taxes.

Fixed maturity and equity securities designated as trading securities, which support certain reinsurance arrangements, are recorded at fair value with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in realized gains and losses. However, offsetting the changes to fair value of the trading securities are corresponding changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative liability associated with the underlying reinsurance arrangement. In other words, the investment results for the trading securities, including gains and losses from sales, are passed directly to the reinsurers through the contractual terms of the reinsurance arrangements.

Short-term investments include investments with remaining maturities of one year or less, but greater than three months, at the time of acquisition and are stated at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

Mortgage loans are stated at unpaid principal balance, adjusted for any unamortized premium or discount, deferred fees or expenses, net of valuation allowances.

Policy loans are stated at unpaid principal balances.

Real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests are carried using the equity method of accounting.

Other invested assets consist principally of derivatives with positive fair values. Derivatives are carried at fair value with changes in fair value reflected in income from non-qualifying derivatives and derivatives in fair value hedging relationships. Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships are reflected as a separate component of other comprehensive income or loss.

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Investments not carried at fair value in our consolidated financial statements — principally, mortgage loans, policy loans and real estate — may have fair values which are substantially higher or lower than the carrying value reflected in our consolidated financial statements. In addition, unrealized losses are not reflected in net income unless we realize the losses by either selling the security at below amortized cost or determine that the decline in fair value is deemed to be other than temporary, i.e., impaired. Each of such asset classes is regularly evaluated for impairment under the accounting guidance appropriate to the respective asset class.

Our valuation of fixed maturity, equity and trading securities may include methodologies, estimations and assumptions which are subject to differing interpretations and could result in changes to investment valuations that may materially adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.

Fixed maturity, equity, trading securities and short-term investments which are reported at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet represented the majority of our total cash and invested assets. Pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 (“SFAS No. 157”) “Fair Value Measurements,” we have categorized these securities into a three-level hierarchy, based on the priority of the inputs to the respective valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). An asset or liability’s classification within the fair value hierarchy is based of the lowest level of significant input to its valuation. SFAS No. 157 defines the input levels as follows:

Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date. “Blockage discounts” for large holdings of unrestricted financial instruments where quoted prices are readily and regularly available for an identical asset or liability in an active market are prohibited;

Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date, and fair value can be determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies; and

Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable inputs in situations where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability and the reporting entity makes estimates and assumptions related to the pricing of the asset or liability, including assumptions regarding risk.

At September 30, 2008, approximately .5%, 90.4%, and 9.1% of these securities represented Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3, respectively. The Level 1 securities primarily consist of certain U.S. Treasury and agency fixed maturity securities and exchange-traded common stock. The Level 2 assets include fixed maturity securities priced principally through independent pricing services including most U.S. Treasury and agency securities as well as the majority of U.S. and foreign corporate securities, residential mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, state and political subdivision securities, foreign government securities, and asset-backed securities as well as equity securities, including non-redeemable preferred stock, priced by independent pricing services. Management reviews the valuation methodologies used by the pricing services on an ongoing basis and ensures that any valuation methodologies are justified. Level 3 assets include fixed maturity securities priced principally through independent broker quotes or market standard valuation methodologies. This level consists of less liquid fixed maturity securities with very limited trading activity or where less price transparency exists around the inputs to the valuation methodologies including: U.S. and foreign corporate securities — including below investment grade private placements; residential mortgage-backed securities; asset backed securities; and other fixed maturity securities such as structured securities. Equity securities classified as Level 3 securities consist principally of common stock of privately held companies and non-redeemable preferred stock where there has been very limited trading activity or where less price transparency exists around the inputs to the valuation.

Prices provided by independent pricing services and independent broker quotes can vary widely even for the same security.

The determination of fair values in the absence of quoted market prices is based on: (i) valuation methodologies; (ii) securities we deem to be comparable; and (iii) assumptions deemed appropriate given the circumstances. The fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on available market information and judgments about financial instruments, including estimates of the timing and amounts of expected future cash flows and the credit standing of the issuer or counterparty. Factors considered in estimating fair value include: coupon rate, maturity, estimated duration, call provisions, sinking fund requirements, credit rating, industry sector of the issuer, and quoted market prices of comparable securities. The use of different methodologies and assumptions may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

During periods of market disruption including periods of significantly rising or high interest rates, rapidly widening credit spreads or illiquidity, it may be difficult to value certain of our securities, if trading becomes less frequent and/or market data becomes less observable. There may be certain asset classes that were in active markets with significant observable data that become illiquid due to the current financial environment. In such cases, more securities may fall to Level 3 and thus require more subjectivity and management judgment. As such, valuations may include inputs and assumptions that are less observable or require greater

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estimation as well as valuation methods which are more sophisticated or require greater estimation thereby resulting in values which may be less than the value at which the investments may be ultimately sold. Further, rapidly changing and unprecedented credit and equity market conditions could materially impact the valuation of securities as reported within our consolidated financial statements and the period-to-period changes in value could vary significantly. Decreases in value may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

Some of our investments are relatively illiquid and are in asset classes that have been experiencing significant market valuation fluctuations.

We hold certain investments that may lack liquidity, such as privately placed fixed maturity securities; mortgage loans; policy loans; and equity real estate, including real estate joint venture; and other limited partnership interests. These asset classes represented 27% of the carrying value of our total cash and invested assets as of September 30, 2008. Even some of our very high quality assets have been more illiquid as a result of the recent challenging market conditions.

If we require significant amounts of cash on short notice in excess of normal cash requirements or are required to post or return collateral in connection with our investment portfolio, derivatives transactions or securities lending activities, we may have difficulty selling these investments in a timely manner, be forced to sell them for less than we otherwise would have been able to realize, or both.

The reported value of our relatively illiquid types of investments, our investments in the asset classes described in the paragraph above and, at times, our high quality, generally liquid asset classes, do not necessarily reflect the lowest current market price for the asset. If we were forced to sell certain of our assets in the current market, there can be no assurance that we will be able to sell them for the prices at which we have recorded them and we may be forced to sell them at significantly lower prices.

We invest a portion of our invested assets in investment funds, many of which make private equity investments. The amount and timing of income from such investment funds tends to be uneven as a result of the performance of the underlying investments, including private equity investments. The timing of distributions from the funds, which depends on particular events relating to the underlying investments, as well as the funds’ schedules for making distributions and their needs for cash, can be difficult to predict. As a result, the amount of income that we record from these investments can vary substantially from quarter to quarter. Recent equity and credit market volatility may reduce investment income for these types of investments.

The determination of the amount of allowances and impairments taken on our investments is highly subjective and could materially impact our results of operations or financial position.

The determination of the amount of allowances and impairments vary by investment type and is based upon our periodic evaluation and assessment of known and inherent risks associated with the respective asset class. Such evaluations and assessments are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available. Management updates its evaluations regularly and reflects changes in allowances and impairments in operations as such evaluations are revised. There can be no assurance that our management has accurately assessed the level of impairments taken and allowances reflected in our financial statements. Furthermore, additional impairments may need to be taken or allowances provided for in the future. Historical trends may not be indicative of future impairments or allowances.

For example, the cost of our fixed maturity and equity securities is adjusted for impairments in value deemed to be other-than-temporary in the period in which the determination is made. The assessment of whether impairments have occurred is based on management’s case-by-case evaluation of the underlying reasons for the decline in fair value. In evaluating whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary, we consider several factors including, but not limited to: 1) our ability and intent to hold the security for a sufficient period of time to allow for a recovery in value; 2) the cause of the decline; 3) fundamental analysis of the liquidity, business prospects and overall financial condition of the issuer; and 4) severity of the decline in value.

Additionally, our management considers a wide range of factors about the security issuer and uses their best judgment in evaluating the cause of the decline in the estimated fair value of the security and in assessing the prospects for recovery. Inherent in management’s evaluation of the security are assumptions and estimates about the operations of the issuer and its future earnings potential. Another key factor in whether determining an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred is our “intent or ability to hold to recovery or maturity.” In the event that we determine that we do not have the intent or ability to hold to recovery or maturity, we are required to write down the security. A write-down is necessary even in situations where the unrealized loss is not due to an underlying credit issue, but may be solely related to the impact of changes in interest rates on the fair value of the security. Where such analysis results in a conclusion that declines in fair values are other-than-temporary, the security is written down to fair value.

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Our gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities available-for-sale at September 30, 2008, were $4.8 billion pre-tax and the component of gross unrealized losses for securities trading down 20% or more for six months is approximately $2.4 billion pre-tax. Related to our unrealized losses we establish deferred tax assets for the tax benefit we may receive in the event that losses are realized. The realization of significant realized losses could result in an inability to recover the tax benefits and may result in the establishment of valuation allowances against our deferred tax assets. Realized losses or impairments may have a material adverse impact on our results of operation and financial position.

A downgrade in our financial strength or credit ratings could limit our ability to market products, increase the number or value of policies being surrendered and/or hurt our relationships with creditors.

Nationally recognized rating agencies rate the financial strength of our principal insurance subsidiaries and rate our debt. Ratings are not recommendations to buy our securities. Each of the rating agencies reviews its ratings periodically, and our current ratings may not be maintained in the future. Please see “Item 1 – Business – Ratings” on page 20 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, for a complete description of our ratings.

Our financial strength ratings, which are intended to measure our ability to meet contract holder obligations, are an important factor affecting public confidence in most of our products and, as a result, our competitiveness. A downgrade of the financial strength rating of one of our principal insurance subsidiaries could affect our competitive position in the insurance industry and make it more difficult for us to market our products as potential customers may select companies with higher financial strength ratings. This could lead to a decrease in fees as outflows of assets increase, and therefore, result in lower fee income. Furthermore, sales of assets to meet customer withdrawal demands could also result in losses, depending on market conditions. The interest rates we pay on our borrowings are largely dependent on our credit ratings. A downgrade of our debt ratings could affect our ability to raise additional debt, including bank lines of credit, with terms and conditions similar to our current debt, and accordingly, likely increase our cost of capital. In addition, a downgrade of these ratings could make it more difficult to raise capital to refinance any maturing debt obligations, to support business growth at our insurance subsidiaries and to maintain or improve the current financial strength ratings of our principal insurance subsidiaries described above.

Our businesses are heavily regulated and changes in regulation may reduce our profitability.

Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to extensive supervision and regulation in the states in which we do business. The supervision and regulation relate to numerous aspects of our business and financial condition. The primary purpose of the supervision and regulation is the protection of our insurance contract holders, and not our investors. The extent of regulation varies, but generally is governed by state statutes. These statutes delegate regulatory, supervisory and administrative authority to state insurance departments. This system of supervision and regulation covers, among other things:

Standards of minimum capital requirements and solvency, including risk-based capital measurements;

Restrictions of certain transactions between our insurance subsidiaries and their affiliates;

Restrictions on the nature, quality and concentration of investments;

Restrictions on the types of terms and conditions that we can include in the insurance policies offered by our primary insurance operations;

Limitations on the amount of dividends that insurance subsidiaries can pay;

The existence and licensing status of the company under circumstances where it is not writing new or renewal business;

Certain required methods of accounting;

Reserves for unearned premiums, losses and other purposes; and

Assignment of residual market business and potential assessments for the provision of funds necessary for the settlement of covered claims under certain policies provided by impaired, insolvent or failed insurance companies.

In any particular year, statutory surplus amounts and RBC ratios may increase or decrease depending on a variety of factors – the amount of statutory income or losses generated by our insurance subsidiaries (which itself is sensitive to equity market and credit market conditions), the amount of additional capital our insurance subsidiaries must hold to support business growth, changes in equity market levels, the value of certain fixed-income and equity securities in our investment portfolio, the value of certain derivative instruments that do not get hedge accounting, changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, as well as changes to the NAIC RBC formulas. Most of these factors are outside of our control. LNC’s credit ratings are significantly influenced by the statutory surplus amounts and RBC ratios of our insurance company subsidiaries. In addition, rating agencies may implement changes to their internal models that have the effect of increasing or decreasing the amount of statutory capital we must hold in order to maintain our current ratings. In addition, in extreme scenarios of equity market declines, the amount of additional statutory reserves that we are required to hold for our variable annuity products increases at a greater than linear rate. This reduces the statutory surplus used in calculating our RBC ratios. To the extent that our statutory capital resources are deemed

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to be insufficient to maintain a particular rating by one or more rating agencies, we may seek to raise additional capital. Alternatively, if we were not to raise additional capital in such a scenario, either at our discretion or because we were unable to do so, our financial strength and credit ratings might be downgraded by one or more rating agencies.

We may be unable to maintain all required licenses and approvals and our business may not fully comply with the wide variety of applicable laws and regulations or the relevant authority’s interpretation of the laws and regulations, which may change from time to time. Also, regulatory authorities have relatively broad discretion to grant, renew or revoke licenses and approvals. If we do not have the requisite licenses and approvals or do not comply with applicable regulatory requirements, the insurance regulatory authorities could preclude or temporarily suspend us from carrying on some or all of our activities or impose substantial fines. Further, insurance regulatory authorities have relatively broad discretion to issue orders of supervision, which permit such authorities to supervise the business and operations of an insurance company. As of 2008, no state insurance regulatory authority had imposed on us any substantial fines or revoked or suspended any of our licenses to conduct insurance business in any state or issued an order of supervision with respect to our insurance subsidiaries, which would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

In addition, LFN and LFD, as well as our variable annuities and variable life insurance products, are subject to regulation and supervision by the SEC and FINRA. Our Investment Management segment, like other investment management companies, is subject to regulation and supervision by the SEC, FINRA, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and jurisdictions of the states, territories and foreign countries in which they are licensed to do business. Lincoln UK is subject to regulation by the FSA in the U.K. These laws and regulations generally grant supervisory agencies and self-regulatory organizations broad administrative powers, including the power to limit or restrict the subsidiaries from carrying on their businesses in the event that they fail to comply with such laws and regulations. Finally, our radio operations require a license, subject to periodic renewal, from the Federal Communications Commission to operate. While management considers the likelihood of a failure to renew remote, any station that fails to receive renewal would be forced to cease operations.

Many of the foregoing regulatory or governmental bodies have the authority to review our products and business practices and those of our agents and employees. In recent years, there has been increased scrutiny of our businesses by these bodies, which has included more extensive examinations, regular “sweep” inquiries and more detailed review of disclosure documents. These regulatory or governmental bodies may bring regulatory or other legal actions against us if, in their view, our practices, or those of our agents or employees, are improper. These actions can result in substantial fines, penalties or prohibitions or restrictions on our business activities and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

For further information on regulatory matters relating to us, see “Item 1. Business – Regulatory,” beginning on page 21 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

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Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(c) The following table summarizes purchases of equity securities by the issuer during the quarter ended September 30, 2008 (dollars in millions, except per share data):

(c)The following table summarizes purchases of equity securities by the issuer during the quarter ended June 30, 2008 (dollars in millions, except per share data):

 

Period

  (a) Total
Number

of Shares
(or Units)
Purchased (1)
  (b) Average
Price Paid
per Share
(or Unit)
  (c) Total Number
of Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs (2)
  (d) Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares (or
Units) that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs(3)

4/1/08 – 4/30/08

  19,491  $51.50  —    $1,377.9

5/1/08 – 5/31/08

  1,813,049   54.69  1,800,000   1,279.5

6/1/08 – 6/30/08

  831,379   49.67  831,200   1,238.2

Period

  (a) Total
Number

of Shares
(or Units)
Purchased (1)
  (b) Average
Price Paid
per Share
(or Unit)
  (c) Total Number
of Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced

Plans or Programs (2)
  (d) Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares (or
Units) that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs(3)

7/1/08 - 7/31/08

  3,439  $44.41  —    $1,238.2

8/1/08 - 8/31/08

  684,227   48.76  665,000   1,205.8

9/1/08 - 9/30/08

  344,659   50.93  344,644   1,204.0

 

(1)

Of the total number of shares purchased, 13,049no shares were received in connection with the exercise of stock options and related taxes and 19,67022,681 shares were withheld for taxes on the vesting of restricted stock. For the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, there were 2,631,2001,009,644 shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs.

(2)

On February 23, 2007, our Board approved a $2 billion increase to our securities repurchase authorization, bringing the total authorization at that time to $2.6 billion. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, our security repurchase authorization was $1.2 billion. The security repurchase authorization does not have an expiration date. The amount and timing of share repurchase depends on key capital ratios, rating agency expectations, the generation of free cash flow and an evaluation of the costs and benefits associated with alternative uses of capital. The shares repurchased in connection with the awards described in footnote (1) are not included in our security repurchase.

(3)

As of the last day of the applicable month.

 

Item 4.5.SubmissionOther Information

(a) (1) On November 6, 2008, J. Patrick Barrett, a director and the non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, informed the Board that pursuant to the retirement age policy set forth in Lincoln National Corporation’s (the “Company”) corporate governance guidelines, he would be retiring and resigning from the board at the end of the second day immediately preceding the 2009 annual meeting of shareholders, or May 12, 2009.

(2) Effective November 6, 2008, the board of directors approved amendments to the Company’s Bylaws. The amendments made the following substantive changes:

(i)Article I, Section 3. Place of MattersMeetings. We have deleted reference to a Votethe principal office of Security Holdersthe Company in Philadelphia.

 

(a)Our 2008(ii)Article I, Section 10. Notice of Shareholder Business. The changes provide for additional requirements for shareholders desiring to bring business before an annual meetingmeeting. Such shareholders must now disclose, among other things, (a) other shareholder(s) controlling, controlled by or acting in concert with such shareholder (“Shareholder Associated Person”), (b) the number of shareholders wasshares beneficially owned or held of record by the shareholder or any Shareholder Associated Person and any derivative instruments entered into by such persons with respect to the Company’s shares, (c) whether any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions to mitigate potential stock losses or to increase or decrease voting power or pecuniary or economic interests has been made by or on May 8, 2008.

(b)Proxies were solicitedbehalf of such persons, and (d) a description of any interest of such shareholder or any Shareholder Associated Person in the business desired to be brought before the meeting. The changes also clarify that except for a proposal properly made pursuant to Regulation 14ARule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Section 10 is the exclusive means for shareholders to propose business to be brought before an annual meeting and there was no solicitationfurther clarifies that shareholder may not propose business to be brought before a special meeting of shareholders. The changes require the proposing shareholder to update any information given, if necessary, so it is true and correct as of the record date for the annual meeting and provide that if any information submitted is materially inaccurate, then such information may be deemed not to have been properly given in opposition to the management nominees. Four nominees were elected to serve as directors for three-year terms expiring at the 2011 Annual Meeting or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.accordance with Section 10.

 

(c)(iii)

Article I, Section 11. Notice of Shareholder Nominees. The matters voted uponchanges set forth the requirement for timely notice, which has not changed, and restates the information required with respect to shareholders (or any Shareholder

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Associated Person) who wish to nominate persons for election to the board of directors at an annual meeting or special meeting called for such purpose, rather than, in both cases, as before, cross-referencing to Section 10 above. As described in subparagraph (3) above, nominating shareholders must now disclose, among other things, (a) other shareholder(s) controlling, controlled by or acting in concert with such shareholder (“Shareholder Associated Person”), (b) the number of shares beneficially owned or held of record by the shareholder or any Shareholder Associated Person and any derivative instruments entered into by such persons with respect to the Company’s shares, (c) whether any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions to mitigate potential stock losses or to increase or decrease voting power or pecuniary or economic interests has been made by or on behalf of such persons, and (d) to the extent known by the shareholder giving notice, the name and address of any other shareholder supporting the nominee for election as a director. The changes also require additional information regarding the person whom the shareholder proposes to nominate as a director, including (a) the number of shares beneficially owned or held of record by such person and any derivative instruments entered into by such person with respect to the Company’s shares and (b) whether any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions to mitigate potential stock losses or to increase or decrease voting power or pecuniary or economic interests has been made by or on behalf of such person. The changes require the nominating shareholder to update any information given, if necessary, so it is true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and provide that if any information submitted is materially inaccurate, then such information may be deemed not to have been properly given in accordance with Section 11. The changes also give the votes castboard of directors the right to request that a nominee furnish the information required to be set forth in the notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee.

(iv)Article II, Section 2. Additional Provisions. We have deleted this section and renumbered the sections that follow and have made conforming changes to other section of the Bylaws. This section included certain corporate governance provisions adopted in connection with our merger with Jefferson-Pilot Corporation and have expired by their terms.

(v)Article VIII, Section 6. Amendment or Repeal. We have added this section to make it clear that no amendment or repeal of the indemnification provisions of Article VIII will adversely affect the rights of any persons under Article VIII with respect to such matters are as follows:acts or omission occurring prior to the amendment or repeal.

Item 1 – Election of Directors

Nominee

 Votes Cast For Votes Withheld

J. Patrick Barrett

 221,141,596 11,240,704

Dennis R. Glass

 222,230,537 10,151,763

Michael F. Mee

 210,607,716 21,774,584

David A. Stonecipher

 221,435,175 10,947,125

Item 2 – To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2008.

For Against Abstain Broker Non-Votes
221,628,582 7,520,921 3,232,796 —  

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Item 5.Other Information

(1) On August 6, 2008, the Compensation CommitteeThe foregoing is merely a summary of the Board of Directors approvedmaterial amendments to the Lincoln National Corporation Executives’ Severance Benefit Plan (as amended and restated), or the Plan, to reduce the change of control benefit period from three years to two years. Therefore, a change of control benefit under the Plan, as amended, can only be triggered within two years of a change of control (as defined under the Plan) instead of the current three years. In addition, the Committee made other immaterial changes to the Plan, including changes necessary to bring the Plan into documentary compliance with the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 and to eliminate references to frozen, terminated or expired plans. The Plan covers all of our executive officers and other designated employees.

The above description is a summaryCompany’s by-laws and is qualified in its entirety by the Plan document,Amended and Restated Bylaws, a copy of which is attached heretoincluded as Exhibit 10.33.1 to this Form 10-Q and is incorporated into this Item 5(a) by reference.

(b) The description in (a)(2)(iii) above is incorporated herein by reference herein.

(2)in answer to this Item 5(b). The Employment Agreement, dated December 6, 2003, as amended, between Dennis R. Glass, our President and CEO and us (as successor to Jefferson-Pilot Corporation), terminated by its own terms on March 1, 2008. However, under Section 5.1description in (a)(2)(iii) is merely a summary of the Employment Agreement, we were obligatedmaterial changes to providethe procedures by which shareholders may propose nominees for election to the Company’s board of directors at a non-qualified defined benefit pension to Mr. Glass upon his retirement. Assuming a lump-sum payment undershareholder’s meeting and is qualified in its entirety by Article I, Section 5.111 of the Employment Agreement payable at age 65, the present valueAmended and Restated Bylaws, a copy of the difference between that amountwhich is included as part of Exhibit 3.1 to this Form 10-Q and the projected vested value at age 65 of our contributions to Mr. Glass’s supplemental retirement benefit under the Lincoln National Corporation Deferred Compensation & Supplemental/Excess Retirement Plan (“DC SERP”) was estimated to be $1,620,000 based upon various actuarial assumptions. On August 6, 2008, the Compensation Committee approved a $1,620,000 contribution to Mr. Glass’s Shortfall Balance Account under the DC SERP in consideration of Mr. Glass agreeing to terminate our obligation under Section 5.1 of the Agreement. All amounts, including the contribution above described, in Mr. Glass’s Shortfall Balance Account are approximately 21% vested as of the date ofis incorporated into this report. The remaining balance will vest ratably and will be 100% vested on the first day of the month after Mr. Glass reaches age 62.Item 5(b) by reference.

 

Item 6.Exhibits

The Exhibits included in this report are listed in the Exhibit Index beginning on page E-1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

129147


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.

 

LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
By: 

/s/ FREDERICK J. CRAWFORD

 

Frederick J. Crawford

SeniorExecutive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

By: 

/s/ DOUGLAS N. MILLER

 

Douglas N. Miller

Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

Date: August 8,November 10, 2008

 

130148


LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION

Exhibit Index for the Report on Form 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008

 

10.1

  3.1

  Form

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the LNC Incentive Plan, adopted MayLincoln National Corporation effective November 6, 2008 (marked to show changes),

is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of LNC’s Form 8-K (File No. 1-6028) filed with the SEC on May 6, 2008.herewith.

10.2

10.1

  Agreement, Waiver and General Release between Elizabeth L. Reeves and LNC is filed herewith.
10.3

Amended and Restated Lincoln National Corporation Executives’ Severance Benefit Plan (effectiveis incorporated by reference to

Exhibit 10.3 of LNC’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008.

10.2

Amendment No. 3 to Employment Agreement of Dennis R. Glass, effective as of August 7, 2008)6, 2008, is filed herewith.

12.1

  Historical Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

31.1

  Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2

  Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1

  Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2

  Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

E-1