| CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) | |||||||||||||||||||
| In Thousands | Sep. 30, 2009
| Dec. 31, 2008
| |||||||||||||||||
| Investments: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2009-$9,449,079; 2008-$9,609,856) | $9,053,521 | $7,817,186 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 2009-$14,875; 2008-$16,876) | 16,842 | 16,346 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Policy loans | 375,937 | 360,431 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term investments | 55,286 | 72,284 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Short-term investments | 250,250 | 130,954 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Total investments | 9,751,836 | 8,397,201 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash | 171,520 | 46,400 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Accrued investment income | 177,698 | 176,068 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Receivable from sale of securities | 669,413 | 0 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Other receivables | 211,332 | 151,684 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Deferred acquisition costs and value of insurance purchased | 3,417,898 | 3,395,211 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill | 423,519 | 423,519 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Other assets | 238,599 | 180,944 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Separate account assets | 788,155 | 758,023 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | 15,849,970 | 13,529,050 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Future policy benefits | 8,992,853 | 8,475,020 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Unearned and advance premiums | 84,700 | 85,190 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Policy claims and other benefits payable | 221,010 | 236,313 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Other policyholders' funds | 90,079 | 89,709 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Total policy liabilities | 9,388,642 | 8,886,232 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Current and deferred income taxes payable | 959,135 | 419,203 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | 245,102 | 215,508 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Short-term debt | 233,410 | 403,707 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt (fair value: 2009-$873,054; 2008-$515,249) | 795,846 | 499,049 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Due to affiliates | 124,421 | 124,421 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Separate account liabilities | 788,155 | 758,023 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 12,534,711 | 11,306,143 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock, par value $1 per share-Authorized 5,000,000 shares; outstanding: -0- in 2009 and in 2008 | 0 | 0 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Common stock, par value $1 per share-Authorized 320,000,000 shares; outstanding: (2009-85,874,748 issued, less 3,090,412 held in treasury and 2008-85,874,748 issued, less 1,167,101 held in treasury) | 85,875 | 85,875 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 449,398 | 446,065 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (297,532) | (1,170,417) | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | 3,185,308 | 2,928,950 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Treasury stock, at cost | (107,790) | (67,566) | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Total shareholders' equity | 3,315,259 | 2,222,907 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $15,849,970 | $13,529,050 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| [1]Derived from audited financial statements | |||||||||||||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $) | |||||||||||||||||||
| In Thousands, except Share data | Sep. 30, 2009
| Dec. 31, 2008
| |||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities, available for sale, amortized cost | $9,449,079 | $9,609,856 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities, cost | 14,875 | 16,876 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt, fair value | $873,054 | $515,249 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock, par value | $1 | $1 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock, Authorized | 5,000,000 | 5,000,000 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock, outstanding | 0 | 0 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Common stock, par value | $1 | $1 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Common stock, Authorized | 320,000,000 | 320,000,000 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Common stock, issued | 85,874,748 | 85,874,748 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Common stock, held in treasury | 3,090,412 | 1,167,101 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||
| [1]Derived from audited financial statements | |||||||||||||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) | ||||
| In Thousands, except Per Share data | 3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 | 3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2008 | 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 | 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2008 |
| Revenue: | ||||
| Life premium | $414,392 | $406,114 | $1,242,184 | $1,215,554 |
| Health premium | 241,054 | 268,940 | 776,408 | 861,688 |
| Other premium | 2,324 | 3,543 | 7,204 | 11,352 |
| Total premium | 657,770 | 678,597 | 2,025,796 | 2,088,594 |
| Net investment income | 169,608 | 169,034 | 506,005 | 503,763 |
| Realized investment gains (losses) | 8,434 | (2,046) | 17,026 | (3,784) |
| Other-than-temporary impairments | (74,677) | (93,175) | (161,755) | (106,099) |
| Portion of impairment loss recognized in other comprehensive income | 23,268 | 0 | 25,830 | 0 |
| Other income | 451 | 942 | 1,324 | 3,803 |
| Total revenue | 784,854 | 753,352 | 2,414,226 | 2,486,277 |
| Benefits and expenses: | ||||
| Life policyholder benefits | 272,353 | 268,338 | 818,789 | 809,540 |
| Health policyholder benefits | 152,312 | 174,363 | 528,514 | 592,995 |
| Other policyholder benefits | 10,667 | 8,535 | 29,978 | 24,500 |
| Total policyholder benefits | 435,332 | 451,236 | 1,377,281 | 1,427,035 |
| Amortization of deferred acquisition costs | 104,967 | 101,429 | 323,840 | 297,701 |
| Commissions and premium taxes | 34,542 | 34,514 | 96,783 | 111,318 |
| Other operating expense | 42,613 | 45,035 | 131,639 | 135,059 |
| Interest expense | 20,343 | 15,507 | 50,923 | 46,497 |
| Total benefits and expenses | 637,797 | 647,721 | 1,980,466 | 2,017,610 |
| Income before income taxes | 147,057 | 105,631 | 433,760 | 468,667 |
| Income taxes | (46,257) | (42,480) | (142,136) | (153,617) |
| Net income | $100,800 | $63,151 | $291,624 | $315,050 |
| Basic net income per share | 1.22 | 0.73 | 3.51 | 3.54 |
| Diluted net income per share | 1.22 | 0.72 | 3.51 | 3.49 |
| Dividends declared per common share | 0.14 | 0.14 | 0.42 | 0.42 |
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) | ||||
| In Thousands | 3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 | 3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2008 | 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 | 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2008 |
| Net income | $100,800 | $63,151 | $291,624 | $315,050 |
| Unrealized gains (losses) on securities: | ||||
| Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period | 933,409 | (860,298) | 1,299,645 | (1,437,612) |
| Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses on securities included in net income | 66,040 | 94,563 | 144,430 | 107,813 |
| Less: reclassification adjustment for other-than-temporarily impaired debt securities for which a portion of the loss was recognized in earnings | (23,268) | 0 | (25,830) | 0 |
| Less: reclassification adjustment for amortization of (discount) and premium | (602) | (3,199) | (5,105) | (9,250) |
| Less: foreign exchange adjustment on securities marked to market | (7,524) | 2,481 | (13,531) | 4,262 |
| Unrealized gains (losses) on securities | 968,055 | (766,453) | 1,399,609 | (1,334,787) |
| Unrealized gains (losses) on deferred acquisition costs | (59,689) | 46,947 | (82,095) | 79,462 |
| Total unrealized investment gains (losses) | 908,366 | (719,506) | 1,317,514 | (1,255,325) |
| Less applicable taxes | (317,928) | 251,827 | (461,130) | 439,364 |
| Unrealized gains (losses), net of tax | 590,438 | (467,679) | 856,384 | (815,961) |
| Foreign exchange translation adjustments | 9,860 | (5,470) | 17,059 | (7,920) |
| Less applicable taxes | (3,453) | 1,396 | (5,972) | 2,253 |
| Foreign exchange translation adjustments, net of tax | 6,407 | (4,074) | 11,087 | (5,667) |
| Amortization of pension costs | 3,028 | 872 | 8,331 | 2,617 |
| Less applicable taxes | (1,061) | (305) | (2,917) | (916) |
| Amortization of pension costs, net of tax | 1,967 | 567 | 5,414 | 1,701 |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | 598,812 | (471,186) | 872,885 | (819,927) |
| Comprehensive income (loss) | $699,612 | ($408,035) | $1,164,509 | ($504,877) |
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) | ||
| In Thousands | 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 | 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2008 |
| Cash provided from operations | $588,751 | $613,881 |
| Investments sold or matured: | ||
| Fixed maturities available for sale-sold | 184,760 | 117,074 |
| Fixed maturities available for sale-matured, called, and repaid | 656,111 | 449,289 |
| Other long-term investments | 7,287 | 4,847 |
| Total investments sold or matured | 848,158 | 571,210 |
| Investments acquired: | ||
| Fixed maturities | (1,432,463) | (934,082) |
| Other long-term investments | (15,547) | (13,539) |
| Total investments acquired | (1,448,010) | (947,621) |
| Net (increase) decrease in short-term investments | (119,296) | 45,415 |
| Net change in payable or receivable for securities | 17,344 | (2,277) |
| Disposition of properties | 35 | 768 |
| Additions to properties | (4,936) | (8,605) |
| Investment in low-income housing interests | (19,058) | (26,761) |
| Cash used for investment activities | (725,763) | (367,871) |
| Cash provided from (used for) financing activities: | ||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 2,389 | 25,402 |
| Net proceeds from issuance of 9 1/4% Senior Notes | 296,308 | 0 |
| Repayment of 8 1/4% Senior Debentures | (99,050) | 0 |
| Net borrowings (repayments) of commercial paper | (71,226) | 43,805 |
| Tax benefit from stock option exercises | 138 | 3,611 |
| Acquisition of treasury stock | (47,564) | (379,283) |
| Cash dividends paid to shareholders | (35,024) | (36,702) |
| Net receipts (withdrawals) from deposit product operations | 214,107 | 101,593 |
| Cash provided by (used for) financing activities | 260,078 | (241,574) |
| Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash | 2,054 | (8,039) |
| Net increase (decrease) in cash | 125,120 | (3,603) |
| Cash at beginning of year | 46,400 | 20,098 |
| Cash at end of period | $171,520 | $16,495 |
| Note A-Accounting Policies | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| Note A-Accounting Policies | Note AAccounting Policies The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q. Therefore, they do not include all of the disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). However, in the opinion of management, these statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position at September30, 2009, and the consolidated results of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the periods ended September30, 2009 and 2008. |
| Note B-Earnings Per Share | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| Note B-Earnings Per Share | Note BEarnings Per Share A reconciliation of basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding is as follows: Forthethreemonthsended September30, Fortheninemonthsended September 2009 2008 2009 2008 Basic weighted average shares outstanding 82,746,244 87,019,210 83,114,675 89,082,094 Weighted average dilutive options outstanding 97,330 792,057 0 1,121,648 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 82,843,574 87,811,267 83,114,675 90,203,742 Antidilutive shares* 8,892,805 1,867,112 9,433,017 1,621,602 * Antidilutive shares are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share. Unless otherwise specified, earnings per share data is assumed to be on a diluted basis. |
| Note C-Postretirement Benefit Plans | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| Note C-Postretirement Benefit Plans | Note CPostretirement Benefit Plans Components of Post-Retirement Benefit Costs ThreeMonthsendedSeptember30, Pension Benefits OtherBenefits 2009 2008 2009 2008 Service cost $ 1,644 $ 1,985 $ 141 $ 164 Interest cost 3,791 3,404 243 244 Expected return on assets (3,943 ) (3,715 ) 0 0 Prior service cost 518 540 0 0 Net actuarial (gain)/loss 2,602 15 56 (83 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ 4,612 $ 2,229 $ 440 $ 325 Components of Post-Retirement Benefit Costs Nine Months ended September30, Pension Benefits OtherBenefits 2009 2008 2009 2008 Service cost $ 5,612 $ 5,766 $ 473 $ 501 Interest cost 10,843 10,678 731 737 Expected return on assets (11,540 ) (11,475 ) 0 0 Prior service cost 1,553 2,250 0 0 Net actuarial (gain)/loss 6,976 2 191 (252 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ 13,444 $ 7,221 $ 1,395 $ 986 During the 2009 nine months, Torchmark has contributed $14 million to its qualified pension plan. The Company does not plan to contribute anything more during 2009. |
| Note D-Adoption of New Accounting Standards | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| Note D-Adoption of New Accounting Standards | Note DAdoption of New Accounting Standards Fair Value Measurements: Earlier in 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) provided additional guidance for estimating the fair value of assets or liabilities when the level of transaction activity has decreased and for identifying when transactions are not orderly. The new guidance re-emphasizes that fair value continues to be the exit price in an orderly market. The amended guidance was effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June15, 2009 with early adoption permitted. It does not require disclosure for comparative periods ending prior to the period of initial adoption. Torchmark elected to early adopt the new guidance for the periods beginning January1, 2009. There were no significant changes in valuation techniques to arrive at fair value as a result of the adoption, other than techniques used to value holdings in collateralized debt obligations (CDOs). CDOs were valued based on the present value of expected cash flows under the new guidance, rather than by broker quotes as determined previously. The use of the technique to determine fair value by the present value of expected cash flows resulted in an immaterial difference in fair value. Therefore, the impact of adoption was not material to the investment portfolio. See Note EInvestments under the caption Fair Value Measurements for the fair value disclosures required by the new guidance. Other-Than-Temporary Impairments: The FASB also amended previous guidance concerning other-than-temporary impairments of debt securities and changed the presentation of other-than-temporary impairments in the financial statements. If an entity intends to sell or if it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell an impaired security prior to recovery of its cost basis, the security is to be considered other-than-temporarily impaired and the full amount of impairment must be charged to earnings. Otherwise, losses on securities which are other-than-temporarily impaired are separated into two categories, the portion of loss which is considered credit loss and the portion of loss which is due to other factors. The credit loss portion is charged to earnings while the loss due to other factors is charged to other comprehensive income, both charges net of tax. The revised guidance called for an opening cumulative effect adjustment to reclassify any additional unrecognized after-tax credit loss on each previously other-than-temporarily impaired security held at the beginning of the period of adoption as an adjustment to retained earnings and a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income. The revisions were effective for interim and annual periods ending after June15, 2009, but early adoption was permitted for periods ending after March15, 2009. Disclosures for earlier periods for comparative purposes are not required until the comparative periods end after initial adoption. Torchmark elected to early adopt the amended guidance as of the periods beginning January1, 2009. Adoption resulted in no cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings or to accumulated other comprehens |
| Note E-Investments | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| Note E-Investments | Note EInvestments Portfolio Composition: A summary of fixed maturities and equity securities available for sale by cost or amortized cost and estimated fair value at September30, 2009 is as follows: Amortized Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Value Total Fixed Maturities* Fixed maturities available for sale: Bonds: U.S. Government direct obligations and agencies $ 17,085 $ 656 $ 0 $ 17,741 0 % Government-sponsored enterprises 81,992 101 (1,755 ) 80,338 1 GNMAs 10,239 1,224 0 11,463 0 States, municipalities and political subdivisions 689,825 24,324 (4,555 ) 709,594 8 Foreign governments 20,886 1,193 0 22,079 0 Corporates 7,083,587 325,575 (468,755 ) 6,940,407 77 Residential mortgage-backed securities 10,659 886 0 11,545 0 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 2,722 29 0 2,751 0 Collateralized debt obligations 60,636 0 (40,715 ) 19,921 0 Asset-backed securities 39,025 1,164 (2,386 ) 37,803 1 Redeemable preferred stocks 1,432,423 21,009 (253,553 ) 1,199,879 13 Total fixed maturities $ 9,449,079 $ 376,161 $ (771,719 ) $ 9,053,521 100 % Equity securities: Common stocks: Banks and insurance companies $ 776 $ 219 $ 0 $ 995 Industrial and all others 0 1 0 1 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 14,099 1,747 0 15,846 Total equity securities $ 14,875 $ 1,967 $ 0 $ 16,842 Total fixed maturities and equity securities $ 9,463,954 $ 378,128 $ (771,719 ) $ 9,070,363 * At fair value A schedule of fixed maturities by contractual maturity date at September30, 2009 is shown below on an amortized cost basis and on a fair value basis. Actual maturity dates could differ from contractual maturities due to call or prepayment provisions. Amortized Cost Fair Value Fixed maturities available for sale: Due in one year or less $ 319,676 $ 326,206 Due from one to five years 622,755 656,348 Due from five to ten years 618,072 646,855 Due from ten to twenty years 2,497,320 2,364,490 Due after twenty years 5,267,975 4,976,139 9,325,798 8,970,038 Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities 123,281 83,483 $ 9,449,079 $ 9,053,521 Cash proceeds received from sales of fixed maturities available for sale were $185 million in the nine months of 2009 and $117 million in the same period of 2008. Gross gains realized on those sales were $76 million in the nine months of 2009 and $2 million in the same period of 2008. Gross losses we |
| Note F-Income Taxes | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| Note F-Income Taxes | The effective income tax rate differed from the expected 35% rate as shown below: Three Months Ended September30, Nine Months Ended September30, 2009 2008 2009 2008 Amount % Amount % Amount % Amount % Expected income taxes $ 51,470 35.0 $ 36,971 35.0 $ 151,816 35.0 $ 164,033 35.0 Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from: Tax-exempt investment income (1,149 ) (0.8 ) (1,327 ) (1.3 ) (3,065 ) (0.7 ) (3,445 ) (0.7 ) Tax settlements (163 ) 0.0 (1,113 ) (1.1 ) (3,194 ) (.7 ) (12,400 ) (2.6 ) Low income housing investments (1,540 ) (1.0 ) (1,279 ) (1.2 ) (4,500 ) (1.0 ) (3,853 ) (0.8 ) Tax valuation allowance (2,568 ) (1.7 ) 9,500 9.0 882 .2 9,500 2.0 Other 207 0.1 (272 ) (0.3 ) 197 0.0 (218 ) (0.1 ) Income tax expense $ 46,257 31.5 $ 42,480 40.2 $ 142,136 32.8 $ 153,617 32.8 The effective income tax rate for the three and nine month periods ended September30, 2009 differed from the effective income tax rate for the same periods of 2008, primarily due to the changes in the deferred tax valuation allowance and settlements with Canadian income tax authorities in 2008. As discussed in Note EInvestments under the caption Other-Than-Temporary Impairments, the Company wrote down certain fixed maturities through realized investment losses. Before tax, the losses totaled $136 million for the nine month period ended September30, 2009. At the 35% statutory tax rate, the related income tax benefit would have been $48 million. To recognize this tax benefit, the Company had to determine whether it is more likely than not that the benefit will be realized through the offset of future capital gains. In making this determination, current accounting rules required management to consider gains already recognized and potential gains only if they existed on the balance sheet as of September30. As a result of such analysis, management determined that $1 million of the $48 million tax benefit should not be recognized for the nine month period ended September30, 2009 and accordingly established a tax valuation allowance for that amount. The Company had previously established a valuation allowance of $3 million as of June30 resulting in a $2 million tax benefit for the three month period ended September30, 2009. For the three-month and nine-month periods ending September30, 2008, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of $9.5 million primarily for deferred tax assets related to differences between financial statement book values and tax bases of other-than-temporarily impaired securities. For federal income tax purposes, the realized losses from impairments will not be incurred until the related securitie |
| Note G-Business Segments | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| Note G-Business Segments | Note GBusiness Segments Torchmark is comprised of life insurance companies which market primarily individual life and supplemental health insurance products through niche distribution systems primarily to middle income Americans. To a limited extent, the Company also markets fixed annuities. Torchmarks core operations are insurance marketing and underwriting, and management of its investments. Insurance marketing and underwriting is segmented by the types of insurance products offered: life, health, and annuity. Managements measure of profitability for each insurance segment is insurance underwriting margin, which is underwriting income before other income and insurance administrative expenses. It represents the profit margin on insurance products before administrative expenses, and is calculated by deducting net policy obligations, commissions and other acquisition expenses from premium revenue. Torchmark further views the profitability of each insurance product segment by the marketing groups that distribute the products of that segment: direct response, independent, or captive/career agencies. The investment segment includes the management of the investment portfolio, debt, and cash flow. Managements measure of profitability for this segment is excess investment income, which is the income earned on the investment portfolio less the interest credited on net policy liabilities and financing costs. Financing costs include the interest on Torchmarks debt. Other income and insurance administrative expense are classified in a separate Other segment. As noted, Torchmarks core operations are insurance and investment management. The insurance segments issue policies for which premiums are collected for the eventual payment of policy benefits. In addition to policy benefits, operating expenses are incurred including acquisition costs, administrative expenses, and taxes. Because life and health contracts can be long term, premium receipts in excess of current expenses are invested. Investment activities, conducted by the Investment segment, focus on seeking quality investments with a yield and term appropriate to support the insurance product obligations. These investments generally consist of fixed maturities, and, over the long term, the expected yields are taken into account when setting insurance premium rates and product profitability expectations. As a result, fixed maturities are generally held for long periods to support the liabilities, and Torchmark generally expects to hold investments until maturity. Dispositions of investments occur from time to time, generally as a result of credit deterioration, calls by issuers, or other factors usually beyond the control of management. Dispositions are sometimes required in order to maintain the Companys investment policies and objectives. Investments are also occasionally written down as a result of other-than-temporary impairment. Torchmark does not actively trade investments for profit. As a result, realized gains and losses from the disposition and write down of investments are generally incidental to operations and are not considered a material factor in insurance pricing or produc |
| Note H-Debt Transactions | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| Note H-Debt Transactions | On June30, 2009, Torchmark issued $300 million principal amount of 9.25% Senior Notes due June15, 2019. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually commencing on December15, 2009. Proceeds from the issuance of this debt, net of expenses, were $296 million. The Notes are redeemable by Torchmark in whole or in part at any time subject to a make-whole premium, whereby the Company would be required to pay the greater of the full principal amount of the Notes or otherwise the present value of the remaining repayment schedule of the Notes discounted at a rate of interest equivalent to the rate of a United States Treasury security of comparable term plus a spread of 75 basis points. Torchmark used a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to repay its $99 million 81/4% Senior Debentures which matured on August15, 2009 (plus accrued interest). Remaining funds were invested. |
| Document Information | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Document Information [Text Block] | |
| Document Type | 10-Q |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Document Period End Date | 2009-09-30 |
| Entity Information (USD $) | ||
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 | Oct. 30, 2009
| |
| Entity [Text Block] | ||
| Trading Symbol | TMK | |
| Entity Registrant Name | TORCHMARK CORP | |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000320335 | |
| Current Fiscal Year End Date | --12-31 | |
| Entity Filer Category | Large Accelerated Filer | |
| Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 82,784,636 |
