
|
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, 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 June 30, 2008 OR |
o | 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: 333-133154, 333-133076, 333-133156, 333-133153, 333-133155, 333-133152 |
ING USA ANNUITY AND LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
Iowa (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 1475 Dunwoody Drive West Chester, Pennsylvania (Address of principal executive offices) | 41-0991508 (IRS Employer Identification No.) 19380-1478 (Zip Code) |
(610) 425-3400 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) |
|
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) |
| | |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o |
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 o | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer x (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company o |
|
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x |
|
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS: |
|
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 250,000 shares of Common Stock, $10 par value, as of August 11, 2008, are authorized, issued, and outstanding, all of which were directly owned by Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc. |
|
NOTE: WHEREAS ING USA ANNUITY AND LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY MEETS THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTION H(1)(a) AND (b) OF FORM 10-Q, THIS FORM IS BEING FILED WITH THE REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT PURSUANT TO GENERAL INSTRUCTION H(2). |
1
2
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company |
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.) |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) |
|
Item 1. Financial Statements |
Condensed Statements of Operations |
(Unaudited) |
(In millions) |
| | | | | | | | | | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | Six Months Ended June 30, |
| | | | | | | | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net investment income | $ | 390.7 | | $ | 320.4 | | $ | 764.0 | | $ | 621.7 |
| Fee income | | | | 343.4 | | | 286.3 | | | 665.8 | | | 554.2 |
| Premiums | | | | | 4.6 | | | 4.9 | | | 9.3 | | | 9.9 |
| Net realized capital (losses) gains | | (98.1) | | | 21.1 | | | (369.2) | | | (40.8) |
| Other income | | | (0.4) | | | - | | | 0.2 | | | 0.1 |
Total revenue | | | | 640.2 | | | 632.7 | | | 1,070.1 | | | 1,145.1 |
Benefits and expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest credited and other benefits | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | to contractowners | | 281.8 | | | 315.7 | | | 547.8 | | | 561.9 |
| Operating expenses | | 77.7 | | | 66.0 | | | 149.6 | | | 124.9 |
| Net amortization of deferred policy acquisition | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | costs and value of business acquired | | 130.1 | | | 98.2 | | | 321.7 | | | 194.7 |
| Interest expense | | 7.6 | | | 7.8 | | | 15.1 | | | 15.0 |
| Other expense | | | 5.4 | | | 6.9 | | | 11.6 | | | 13.9 |
Total benefits and expenses | | 502.6 | | | 494.6 | | | 1,045.8 | | | 910.4 |
Income before income taxes | | 137.6 | | | 138.1 | | | 24.3 | | | 234.7 |
Income tax expense (benefit) | | 34.7 | | | 41.0 | | | (16.7) | | | 67.9 |
Net income | | | | $ | 102.9 | | $ | 97.1 | | $ | 41.0 | | $ | 166.8 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
3
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company |
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.) |
Condensed Balance Sheets |
(In millions, except share data) |
| | | | | | As of | | | As of |
| | | | | | June 30, | | | December 31, |
| | | | | | 2008 | | | 2007 |
| | | | | | (Unaudited) | | | |
Assets | | | | | | |
Investments: | | | | | |
| Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value | | | | | |
| | (amortized cost of $21,576.5 at 2008 and $21,945.0 at 2007) | $ | 20,525.6 | | $ | 21,833.4 |
| Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value | | | | | |
| | (cost of $183.8 at 2008 and $216.6 at 2007) | | 176.3 | | | 211.1 |
| Short-term investments | | 380.4 | | | 188.0 |
| Mortgage loans on real estate | | 3,883.9 | | | 3,701.7 |
| Policy loans | | 147.7 | | | 155.8 |
| Limited partnerships/corporations | | 545.6 | | | 454.5 |
| Other investments | | 213.2 | | | 394.1 |
| Securities pledged (amortized cost of $971.1 at 2008 and $953.3 at 2007) | | 945.4 | | | 942.6 |
Total investments | | 26,818.1 | | | 27,881.2 |
Cash and cash equivalents | | 1,172.6 | | | 204.4 |
Short-term investments under securities loan agreement, | | | | | |
| including collateral delivered | | 156.9 | | | 128.5 |
Accrued investment income | | 226.2 | | | 216.9 |
Receivable for securities sold | | 7.2 | | | 4.6 |
Deposits and reinsurance recoverable from affiliates | | 5,719.3 | | | 4,616.1 |
Deferred policy acquisition costs | | 3,294.0 | | | 2,908.4 |
Value of business acquired | | 243.2 | | | 128.7 |
Sales inducements to contractowners | | 699.9 | | | 645.4 |
Short-term loan to affiliate | | 160.0 | | | - |
Due from affiliates | | 78.2 | | | 22.9 |
Current income tax asset | | 42.2 | | | - |
Other assets | | 341.6 | | | 41.3 |
Assets held in separate accounts | | 43,887.9 | | | 44,477.8 |
Total assets | $ | 82,847.3 | | $ | 81,276.2 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
4
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company |
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.) |
Condensed Balance Sheets |
(In millions, except share data) |
| | | | | | As of | | | As of |
| | | | | | June 30, | | | December 31, |
| | | | | | 2008 | | | 2007 |
| | | | | | (Unaudited) | | | |
Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity | | | | | |
Future policy benefits and claims reserves | $ | 32,250.0 | | $ | 31,461.6 |
Payable for securities purchased | | 29.8 | | | - |
Collateral held, including payables under securities loan agreement | | 144.9 | | | 140.0 |
Borrowed money | | 634.7 | | | 715.5 |
Notes to affiliates | | 435.0 | | | 435.0 |
Due to affiliates | | 823.5 | | | 95.6 |
Current income taxes | | - | | | 40.7 |
Deferred income taxes | | 143.6 | | | 184.5 |
Other liabilities | | 652.0 | | | 606.5 |
Liabilities related to separate accounts | | 43,887.9 | | | 44,477.8 |
Total liabilities | | 79,001.4 | | | 78,157.2 |
| | | | | | | | | |
Shareholder's equity: | | | | | |
| Common stock (250,000 shares authorized, issued, | | | | | |
| | and outstanding; $10 per share value) | | 2.5 | | | 2.5 |
| Additional paid-in capital | | 5,234.0 | | | 4,132.7 |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | (576.1) | | | (160.7) |
| Retained earnings (deficit) | | (814.5) | | | (855.5) |
Total shareholder's equity | | 3,845.9 | | | 3,119.0 |
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity | $ | 82,847.3 | | $ | 81,276.2 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
5
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company |
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.) |
Condensed Statements of Changes in Shareholder's Equity |
(Unaudited) |
(In millions) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Accumulated | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | Additional | | Other | | | Retained | | Total |
| | | | | | | | Common | | | Paid-In | | Comprehensive | | | Earnings | | Shareholder's |
| | | | | | | | Stock | | | Capital | | Income (Loss) | | | (Deficit) | | Equity |
Balance at December 31, 2006 | $ | 2.5 | | $ | 3,978.4 | | $ | (12.1) | | $ | (979.7) | | $ | 2,989.1 |
| Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles | | - | | | - | | | - | | | (4.8) | | | (4.8) |
Balance at January 1, 2007 | | 2.5 | | | 3,978.4 | | | (12.1) | | | (984.5) | | | 2,984.3 |
| Comprehensive income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Net income | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 166.8 | | | 166.8 |
| | Other comprehensive income, net of tax: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Change in net unrealized capital gains | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | (losses) on securities ($(104.3) pretax), | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | including tax valuation allowance of $(74.1) | | - | | | - | | | (141.9) | | | - | | | (141.9) |
| | | Pension liability ($0.2 pretax) | | - | | | - | | | 0.1 | | | - | | | 0.1 |
| Total comprehensive income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 25.0 |
| | Contribution of capital | | - | | | 150.0 | | | - | | | - | | | 150.0 |
| Employee share-based payments | | - | | | 2.8 | | | - | | | - | | | 2.8 |
Balance at June 30, 2007 | $ | 2.5 | | $ | 4,131.2 | | $ | (153.9) | | $ | (817.7) | | $ | 3,162.1 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at December 31, 2007 | $ | 2.5 | | $ | 4,132.7 | | $ | (160.7) | | $ | (855.5) | | $ | 3,119.0 |
| Comprehensive loss: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Net income | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 41.0 | | | 41.0 |
| | Other comprehensive loss, net of tax: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Change in net unrealized capital gains | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | (losses) on securities ($(649.7) pretax), | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | including tax valuation allowance of $6.8 | | - | | | - | | | (415.5) | | | - | | | (415.5) |
| | Pension liability ($0.2 pretax) | | - | | | - | | | 0.1 | | | - | | | 0.1 |
| Total comprehensive loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (374.4) |
| | Contribution of capital | | - | | | 1,100.0 | | | - | | | - | | | 1,100.0 |
| Employee share-based payments | | - | | | 1.3 | | | - | | | - | | | 1.3 |
Balance at June 30, 2008 | $ | 2.5 | | $ | 5,234.0 | | $ | (576.1) | | $ | (814.5) | | $ | 3,845.9 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
6
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company |
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.) |
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows |
(Unaudited) |
(In millions) |
| | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, |
| | | | | | | 2008 | | | 2007 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 975.1 | | $ | 715.9 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | | | | | |
| Proceeds from the sale, maturity, or redemption of: | | | | | |
| | Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | | 3,921.0 | | | 5,895.1 |
| | Equity securities, available-for-sale | | 52.7 | | | 8.7 |
| | Mortgage loans on real estate | | 199.0 | | | 391.6 |
| Acquisition of: | | | | | |
| | Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | | (3,737.0) | | | (6,987.1) |
| | Equity securities, available-for-sale | | (28.7) | | | (66.8) |
| | Mortgage loans on real estate | | (384.1) | | | (330.9) |
| Derivatives, net | | (47.5) | | | (36.6) |
| Limited partnerships, net | | (93.7) | | | (115.7) |
| Short-term investments, net | | (192.0) | | | 114.4 |
| Collateral (delivered) held | | (23.5) | | | 81.7 |
| Other investments, net | | 1.5 | | | 0.7 |
| Other, net | | 8.1 | | | 3.3 |
Net cash used in investing activities | | (324.2) | | | (1,041.6) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | | | | | |
| Deposits received for investment contracts | | 4,868.3 | | | 2,765.7 |
| Maturities and withdrawals from investment contracts | | (4,633.8) | | | (2,537.0) |
| Reinsurance recoverable on investment contracts | | (776.4) | | | (303.0) |
| Short-term loans to affiliate | | (160.0) | | | (154.1) |
| Short-term repayments | | (80.8) | | | (25.0) |
| Capital contribution from Parent | | 1,100.0 | | | 150.0 |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | 317.3 | | | (103.4) |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | 968.2 | | | (429.1) |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | 204.4 | | | 608.6 |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 1,172.6 | | $ | 179.5 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
7
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
1. | Organization and Significant Accounting Policies |
Basis of Presentation
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company (“ING USA” or the “Company,” as appropriate) is a stock life insurance company domiciled in the State of Iowa and provides financial products and services in the United States. ING USA is authorized to conduct its insurance business in all states, except New York, and the District of Columbia.
ING USA is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc. (“Lion” or “Parent”), which is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of ING Groep N.V. (“ING”). ING is a global financial services holding company based in The Netherlands, with American Depository Shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ING”.
The condensed financial statements and notes as of June 30, 2008, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”) and are unaudited.
The condensed financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring accruals) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows, for the interim periods. These condensed financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes as presented in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for the interim periods may not be considered indicative of results to be expected for the full year.
Description of Business
The Company offers various insurance products, including immediate and deferred variable and fixed annuities. The Company’s annuity products are distributed by national wirehouses, regional securities firms, independent broker-dealers, banks, life insurance companies with captive agency sales forces, independent insurance agents, independent marketing organizations, and an affiliated broker-dealer network. The Company’s primary annuity customers are individual consumers.
The Company also offers guaranteed investment contracts and funding agreements (collectively referred to as “GICs”), sold primarily to institutional investors and corporate benefit plans. These products are marketed by home office personnel or through specialty insurance brokers.
8
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from reported results using those estimates.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year financial information to conform to the current year classifications.
Significant Accounting Policies
For a description of significant accounting policies, see the Organization and Significant Accounting Policies footnote to the Financial Statements included in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies since the filing of the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K, except as noted in the Recently Adopted Accounting Standards footnote.
2. | Recently Adopted Accounting Standards |
Fair Value Measurements
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS No. 157”). FAS No. 157 provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. FAS No. 157 does not expand the use of fair value to any new circumstances.
Under FAS No. 157, the FASB clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. In support of this principle, FAS No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop such assumptions. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data. FAS No. 157 also requires separate disclosure of fair value measurements by level within the hierarchy and expanded disclosure of the effect on earnings for items measured using unobservable data.
9
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
FAS No. 157 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2008. As a result of implementing FAS No. 157, the Company recognized $69.6, before tax, as an increase to Net income on the date of adoption related to the fair value measurements of investment contract guarantees. The impact of implementation was included in Interest credited and other benefits to contractholders on the Condensed Statements of Operations. The Company recognized no other adjustments to its financial statements related to the adoption of FAS No. 157, and new disclosures are included in the Financial Instruments footnote.
The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
In February 2007, the FASB issued FAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“FAS No. 159”), which allows a company to make an irrevocable election, on specific election dates, to measure eligible items at fair value with unrealized gains and losses recognized in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. 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, any upfront costs and fees related to the item will be recognized in earnings as incurred. Items eligible for the fair value option include:
| § | Certain recognized financial assets and liabilities; |
| § | Rights and obligations under certain insurance contracts that are not financial instruments; |
| § | Host financial instruments resulting from the separation of an embedded nonfinancial derivative instrument from a nonfinancial hybrid instrument; and |
FAS No. 159 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2008. In implementing FAS No. 159, the Company elected not to take the fair value option for any eligible assets or liabilities in existence on January 1, 2008.
Offsetting of Amounts Related to Certain Contracts
On April 30, 2007, the FASB issued a Staff Position on FASB Interpretation No. 39, “Offsetting of Amounts Related to Certain Contracts” (“FSP FIN 39-1”), which permits a reporting entity to offset fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim or the obligation to return cash collateral against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments under master netting arrangements. FSP FIN 39-1 had no effect on the financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows upon adoption by the Company on January 1, 2008, as it is the Company’s accounting policy not to offset such fair value amounts.
10
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), which creates a single model to address the accounting for the uncertainty in income tax positions recognized in a company’s financial statements. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement criteria that must be satisfied to recognize a financial statement benefit of tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, on an income tax return. Additionally, FIN 48 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.
FIN 48 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2007. As a result of implementing FIN 48, the Company recognized a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle of $1.7 as a reduction to January 1, 2007 Retained earnings (deficit).
Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection With Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts
In September 2005, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) issued Statement of Position (“SOP”) 05-1, “Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection with Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts” (“SOP 05-1”), which states that when an internal replacement transaction results in a substantially changed contract, the unamortized deferred acquisition costs, unearned revenue liabilities, and deferred sales inducement assets, related to the replaced contract should not be deferred in connection with the new contract. Contract modifications that meet various conditions defined by SOP 05-1 and result in a new contract that is substantially unchanged from the replaced contract, however, should be accounted for as a continuation of the replaced contract.
SOP 05-1 defines an internal replacement as a modification in product benefits, features, rights, or coverage, that occurs by the exchange of a contract for a new contract, by amendment, endorsement, or rider, to a contract, or by the election of a feature or coverage within a contract. SOP 05-1 applies to internal replacements made primarily to contracts defined by FAS No. 60, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises” (“FAS No. 60”), as short-duration and long-duration insurance contracts, and by FAS No. 97, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Long-Duration Contracts and for Realized Gains and Losses from the Sale of Investments” (“FAS No. 97”), as investment contracts.
11
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
SOP 05-1 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2007, and is effective for internal replacements occurring on or after that date. As a result of implementing SOP 05-1, the Company recognized a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle of $4.8, before tax, or $3.1, net of $1.7 of income taxes, as a reduction to January 1, 2007 Retained earnings (deficit). In addition, the Company revised its accounting policy on the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) and value of business acquired (“VOBA”) to include internal replacements.
3. | New Accounting Pronouncements |
Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
In March 2008, the FASB issued FAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS No. 161”), which requires enhanced disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements, including:
| § | How and why derivative instruments are used; |
| § | How derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under FAS No. 133,“Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS No. 133”), and its related interpretations; and |
| § | How derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial statements. |
The provisions of FAS No. 161 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. As the pronouncement only pertains to additional disclosure, the Company has determined the adoption of FAS No. 161 for its derivative instruments will have no financial statement impact. In addition, the Company’s derivatives are generally not accounted for using hedge accounting treatment under FAS No. 133, as the Company has not historically sought hedge accounting treatment.
Business Combinations
In December 2007, the FASB issued FAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“FAS No. 141R”), which replaces FAS No. 141, “Business Combinations,” as issued in 2001. FAS No. 141R requires most identifiable assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interest, and goodwill, acquired in a business combination to be recorded at full fair value as of the acquisition date, even for acquisitions achieved in stages. In addition, the statement requires:
12
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
| § | Acquisition-related costs to be recognized separately and generally expensed; |
| § | Non-obligatory restructuring costs to be recognized separately when the liability is incurred; |
| § | Contractual contingencies acquired to be recorded at acquisition-date fair values; |
| § | A bargain purchase, which occurs when the fair value of net assets acquired exceeds the consideration transferred plus any non-controlling interest in the acquiree, to be recognized as a gain; and |
| § | The nature and financial effects of the business combination to be disclosed. |
FAS No. 141R also amends or eliminates various other authoritative literature.
The provisions of FAS No. 141R are effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 for all business combinations occurring on or after that date. As such, this standard will impact any Company acquisitions that occur on or after January 1, 2009. Also, the Company will consider transition costs related to any acquisitions that may occur prior to January 1, 2009.
Fair Value Measurements
FAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value, and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements.
Fair Value Hierarchy
The Company has categorized its financial instruments into a three level hierarchy based on the priority of the inputs to the 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). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the Condensed Balance Sheets are categorized as follows:
| § | Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market. |
13
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
| § | Level 2 - Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. |
Level 2 inputs include the following:
| a) | Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; |
| b) | Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets; |
| c) | Inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable; and |
| d) | Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means. |
| § | Level 3 - Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These valuations, whether derived internally or obtained from a third party, use critical assumptions that are not widely available to estimate market participant expectations in valuing the asset or liability. |
The following table presents the Company’s hierarchy for its assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2008.
| | | | | | | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3(1) | | | Total |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, including | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | securities pledged | $ | 152.9 | | $ | 19,989.3 | | $ | 1,328.8 | | $ | 21,471.0 |
| Equity securities, available-for-sale | | 176.3 | | | - | | | - | | | 176.3 |
| Other investments (primarily derivatives) | | - | | | 63.8 | | | 124.5 | | | 188.3 |
| Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | and short-term investments under securities | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | loan agreement | | 1,709.9 | | | - | | | - | | | 1,709.9 |
| Assets held in separate accounts | | 43,887.9 | | | - | | | - | | | 43,887.9 |
Total | | | | $ | 45,927.0 | | $ | 20,053.1 | | $ | 1,453.3 | | $ | 67,433.4 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Investment contract guarantees: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fixed Indexed Annuities ("FIA") | | - | | | - | | | 737.1 | | | 737.1 |
| | Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal and | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Accumulation Benefits ("GMWB" and "GMAB") | | - | | | - | | | 16.1 | | | 16.1 |
| | Other liabilities (primarily derivatives) | | - | | | 336.2 | | | - | | | 336.2 |
Total | | | | $ | - | | $ | 336.2 | | $ | 753.2 | | $ | 1,089.4 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Level 3 net assets and liabilities accounted for 1.1% of total net assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. |
| Excluding separate accounts assets for which the policyholder bears the risk, the Level 3 net assets and liabilities in relation |
| to total net assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis totaled 3.1%. | | | | | | |
14
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
The following valuation methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of the following financial instruments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale: The fair values for the actively traded marketable bonds are determined based upon the quoted market prices or dealer quotes. The fair values for marketable bonds without an active market are obtained through several commercial pricing services, which provide the estimated fair values. Fair values of privately placed bonds are determined using a matrix-based pricing model. The model considers the current level of risk-free interest rates, current corporate spreads, the credit quality of the issuer, and cash flow characteristics of the security. Also considered are factors such as the net worth of the borrower, the value of collateral, the capital structure of the borrower, the presence of guarantees, and the Company’s evaluation of the borrower’s ability to compete in their relevant market. Using this data, the model generates estimated market values which the Company considers reflective of the fair value of each privately placed bond.
Equity securities, available-for-sale: Fair values of these securities are based upon quoted market price.
Cash and cash equivalents, Short-term investments, and Short-term investments under securities loan agreement: The carrying amounts for cash reflect the assets’ fair values. The fair values for cash equivalents and short-term investments are determined based on quoted market prices.
Assets held in separate accounts: Assets held in separate accounts are reported at the quoted fair values of the underlying investments in the separate accounts.
Other financial instruments reported as assets and liabilities: The carrying amounts for these financial instruments (primarily derivatives) reflect the fair value of the assets and liabilities. Derivatives are carried at fair value (on the Condensed Balance Sheets), which is determined using the Company’s derivative accounting system in conjunction with key financial data from third party sources or through values established by third party brokers.
Investment contract guarantees: The Company records liabilities, which can be either positive or negative, for annuity contracts containing guaranteed riders for GMABs and GMWBs without life contingencies in accordance with FAS No. 133. The guarantee is treated as an embedded derivative and is required to be reported separately from the host variable annuity contract. The fair value of the obligation is calculated based on actuarial and capital market assumptions related to the projected cash flows, including benefits and related contract charges, over the anticipated life of the related contracts. The cash flow estimates are produced by using stochastic techniques under a variety of market return scenarios and other best estimate assumptions.
15
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
The Company also records for its FIA contracts an embedded derivative liability for interest payments to contractholders above the minimum guaranteed interest rate, in accordance with FAS No. 133. The guarantee is treated as an embedded derivative and is required to be reported separately from the host contract. The fair value of the obligation is calculated based on actuarial and capital market assumptions related to the projected cash flows, including benefits and related contract charges, over the anticipated life of the related contracts. The cash flow estimates are produced by best estimate assumptions.
The following tables summarize the changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 assets and liabilities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008.
| | | | | | | | | | | Fixed maturities, | | | | | | Investment | |
| | | | | | | | | | | available-for-sale | | | | | | Contract Guarantees | |
| | | | | | | | | | | including | | | | | | | | | GMWB/ | |
| | | | | | | | | | | securities pledged | | | Derivatives | | | FIA | | | GMAB | |
Balance at March 31, 2008 | | $ | 1,492.2 | | $ | 148.8 | | $ | (776.3) | | $ | (19.3) | |
| Capital gains (losses): | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Net realized capital gains (losses) | | | 1.5 | (1) | | (83.5) | (3) | | 48.6 | (4) | | 5.5 | (4) |
| | Net unrealized capital gains (losses)(2) | | (86.5) | | | - | | | - | | | - | |
| Total net realized and unrealized capital | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | gains (losses) | | | (85.0) | | | (83.5) | | | 48.6 | | | 5.5 | |
| | Purchases, sales, issuances, and | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | settlements, net | | | (78.4) | | | 59.2 | | | (9.4) | | | (2.3) | |
| | Transfer in (out) of Level 3 | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | |
Balance at June 30, 2008 | | $ | 1,328.8 | | $ | 124.5 | | $ | (737.1) | | $ | (16.1) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | Fixed maturities, | | | | | | Investment | |
| | | | | | | | | | | available-for-sale | | | | | | Contract Guarantees | |
| | | | | | | | | | | including | | | | | | | | | GMWB/ | |
| | | | | | | | | | | securities pledged | | | Derivatives | | | FIA | | | GMAB | |
Balance at January 1, 2008 | | $ | 1,396.3 | | $ | 298.2 | | $ | (925.6) | | $ | (2.7) | |
| Capital gains (losses): | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Net realized capital gains (losses) | | | 1.8 | (1) | | (112.7) | (3) | | 200.7 | (4) | | (8.9) | (4) |
| | Net unrealized capital gains (losses)(2) | | (48.0) | | | - | | | - | | | - | |
| Total net realized and unrealized capital | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | gains (losses) | | | (46.2) | | | (112.7) | | | 200.7 | | | (8.9) | |
| | Purchases, sales, issuances, and | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | settlements, net | | | (21.3) | | | (61.0) | | | (12.2) | | | (4.5) | |
| | Transfer in (out) of Level 3 | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | |
Balance at June 30, 2008 | | $ | 1,328.8 | | $ | 124.5 | | $ | (737.1) | | $ | (16.1) | |
16
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
(1) | This amount is included in Net realized capital gains (losses) on the Condensed Statements of Operations. | | | | |
(2) | The amounts in this line are included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the Condensed Balance Sheets. | |
(3) | This amount is included in Net realized capital gains (losses) on the Condensed Statements of Operations and contains | |
| unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 derivatives held at June 30, 2008. All gains and losses on Level 3 assets are | | |
| classified as realized gains (losses) for the purpose of this disclosure because it is impracticable to track realized and unrealized | |
| gains (losses) separately by security. | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(4) | These amounts are included in Interest credited and other benefits to contractowners on the Condensed Statements of Operations. |
| All gains and losses on Level 3 liabilities are classified as realized gains (losses) for the purpose of this disclosure because it is | |
| impracticable to track realized and unrealized gains (losses) separately on a contract-by-contract basis. | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The decline in the fair values of the FIA reserves was partially offset by a decline in the value of Level 3 derivatives that hedge the FIA exposure. The gains on the FIA embedded derivatives were primarily driven by unfavorable equity market performance and changes in interest rates during the three and six months ended June 30, 2008. In addition, derivatives experienced losses related to unfavorable equity market performance, resulting in a decline in the fair values of these assets.
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments
The following tables identify the Company’s other-than-temporary impairments by type for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
| | | | | | | Three Months Ended June 30, |
| | | | | | | 2008 | | | 2007 |
| | | | | | | | | No. of | | | | | | No. of |
| | | | | | | Impairment | | Securities | | | Impairment | | | Securities |
U.S. Treasuries | $ | - | | - | | $ | - | * | | 1 |
U.S. corporate | | 17.5 | | 37 | | | 7.1 | | | 31 |
Foreign(1) | | | 17.3 | | 11 | | | 6.6 | | | 29 |
Residential mortgage-backed | | 26.5 | | 11 | | | 0.7 | | | 7 |
Other asset-backed | | 13.9 | | 19 | | | 10.7 | | | 43 |
Equity securities | | 2.8 | | 1 | | | - | | | - |
Mortgage loans on real estate | | 3.0 | | 1 | | | - | | | - |
Total | | | | $ | 81.0 | | 80 | | $ | 25.1 | | | 111 |
(1) Primarily U.S. dollars denominated. | | | | | | | | | | |
* Less than $0.1. | | | | | | | | | | | |
17
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
| | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, |
| | | | | | | 2008 | | | 2007 |
| | | | | | | | | No. of | | | | | | No. of |
| | | | | | | Impairment | | Securities | | | Impairment | | | Securities |
U.S. Treasuries | $ | - | | - | | $ | - | * | | 1 |
U.S. corporate | | 44.4 | | 87 | | | 13.4 | | | 57 |
Foreign(1) | | | 57.1 | | 35 | | | 8.8 | | | 37 |
Residential mortgage-backed | | 41.8 | | 18 | | | 0.9 | | | 11 |
Other asset-backed | | 41.5 | | 42 | | | 10.7 | | | 43 |
Equity securities | | 2.8 | | 1 | | | - | | | - |
Mortgage loans on real estate | | 3.0 | | 1 | | | - | | | - |
Limited partnerships | | 0.5 | | 1 | | | - | | | - |
Total | | | | $ | 191.1 | | 185 | | $ | 33.8 | | | 149 |
(1) Primarily U.S. dollars denominated. | | | | | | | | | | |
* Less than $0.1. | | | | | | | | | | | |
The above schedules include $62.0 and $112.7 in other-than-temporary write-downs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively, and $4.1 and $4.4 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively, in other-than-temporary write-downs related to the analysis of credit risk, the possibility of significant prepayment risk, and severity and duration of unrealized losses. The remaining write-downs are related to investments that the Company does not have the intent to retain for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery in fair value. The following tables summarize these write-downs by type for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
| | Three Months Ended June 30, |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 |
| | | | | No. of | | | | | | No. of |
| | Impairment | | | Securities | | | Impairment | | | Securities |
U.S. Treasuries | $ | - | | | - | | $ | - | * | | 1 |
U.S. corporate | | 14.6 | | | 35 | | | 7.1 | | | 31 |
Foreign(1) | | 4.4 | | | 6 | | | 3.5 | | | 26 |
Other asset-backed | | - | | | - | | | 10.4 | | | 42 |
Total | $ | 19.0 | | | 41 | | $ | 21.0 | | | 100 |
(1) Primarily U.S. dollars denominated. | | | | | | | | | | | |
* Less than $0.1. | | | | | | | | | | | |
18
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
| | Six Months Ended June 30, |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 |
| | | | | No. of | | | | | | No. of |
| | Impairment | | | Securities | | | Impairment | | | Securities |
U.S. Treasuries | $ | - | | | - | | $ | - | * | | 1 |
U.S. corporate | | 34.1 | | | 74 | | | 13.4 | | | 57 |
Foreign(1) | | 44.2 | | | 30 | | | 5.6 | | | 34 |
Residential mortgage-backed | | 0.1 | | | 2 | | | - | | | - |
Other asset-backed | | - | | | - | | | 10.4 | | | 42 |
Total | $ | 78.4 | | | 106 | | $ | 29.4 | | | 134 |
(1) Primarily U.S. dollars denominated. | | | | | | | | | | | |
* Less than $0.1. | | | | | | | | | | | |
The remaining fair value of fixed maturities with other-than-temporary impairments as of June 30, 2008 and 2007 was $2,373.4 and $1,367.1, respectively.
The Company may sell securities during the period in which fair value has declined below amortized cost for fixed maturities or cost for equity securities. In certain situations new factors, including changes in the business environment, can change the Company’s previous intent to continue holding a security.
6. | Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired |
Activity within DAC was as follows for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
| | | | | | | | | | 2008 | | | 2007 |
Balance at January 1 | $ | 2,908.4 | | $ | 2,669.9 |
| Deferrals of commissions and expenses | | 429.4 | | | 303.2 |
| Amortization: | | | | | | |
| | Amortization | | (407.9) | | | (266.4) |
| | Interest accrued at 5% to 6% | | 90.2 | | | 74.7 |
| Net amortization included in the Condensed | | | | | |
| | Statements of Operations | | (317.7) | | | (191.7) |
| Change in unrealized capital (gains) losses on | | | | | |
| | available-for-sale securities | | 188.2 | | | 91.5 |
| Effect of variable annuity guaranteed living | | | | | |
| | benefits reinsurance | | 85.7 | | | - |
| Implementation of SOP 05-1 | | - | | | (4.8) |
Balance at June 30 | $ | 3,294.0 | | $ | 2,868.1 |
19
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Activity within VOBA was as follows for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
| | | | | | | | | | 2008 | | | 2007 |
Balance at January 1 | $ | 128.7 | | $ | 110.1 |
| Amortization: | | | | | | |
| | Amortization | | (7.5) | | | (5.6) |
| | Interest accrued at 3% to 5% | | 3.5 | | | 2.6 |
| Net amortization included in the Condensed | | | | | |
| | Statements of Operations | | (4.0) | | | (3.0) |
| Change in unrealized capital (gains) losses on | | | | | |
| | available-for-sale securities | | 118.5 | | | 14.3 |
Balance at June 30 | $ | 243.2 | | $ | 121.4 |
During the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company revised and unlocked the assumptions related to mutual fund revenue, persistency and lapse for its annuity products, resulting in an $80.5 increase in amortization of DAC and VOBA. The Company also recognized an $85.7 offset related to variable annuity guaranteed living benefits reinsurance. See the Related Party Transactions footnote for more information on the variable annuity guaranteed living benefits reinsurance agreement.
During the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company revised and unlocked the assumptions related to mutual fund revenue, separate account returns, and persistency for its annuity products, resulting in a $44.2 reduction in amortization of DAC and VOBA.
7. | Capital Contributions and Distributions |
During the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company received a $1.1 billion capital contribution from its Parent. During the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company received a $150.0 capital contribution from its Parent.
During the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company did not pay any dividends or return of capital distributions to its Parent.
The Company’s effective tax rates for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 were 25.2% and 29.7%, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rates for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 were (68.7)% and 28.9%, respectively. The effective rates differ from the statutory rate due to the following items:
20
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
| | Three Months Ended June 30, |
| | 2008 | | 2007 |
Statutory rate | | 35.0% | | 35.0% |
| | | | |
Dividends received deduction | | (7.9)% | | (5.4)% |
IRS audit settlement | | (1.9)% | | - |
Other | | - | | 0.1% |
Balance at June 30 | | 25.2% | | 29.7% |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, |
| | 2008 | | 2007 |
Statutory rate | | 35.0% | | 35.0% |
| | | | |
Dividends received deduction | | (89.5)% | | (6.4)% |
IRS audit settlement | | (9.6)% | | - |
Other | | (4.6)% | | 0.3% |
Balance at June 30 | | (68.7)% | | 28.9% |
Temporary Differences
Valuation allowances are provided when it is considered unlikely that deferred tax assets will be realized. At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had a valuation allowance of $40.1 and $46.9, respectively, related to unrealized capital losses on investments, which is included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
In the first quarter of 2008, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) finalized the audit of tax year 2003. The 2003 settlement did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position. The IRS is currently examining tax years 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006. In addition, the Company and the IRS have agreed to enter the Compliance Assurance Program (“CAP”) for tax year 2008.
A reconciliation of the change in unrecognized income tax benefits for the second quarter of 2008 is as follows:
Balance at December 31, 2007 | $ | 66.4 |
Additions for tax positions related to current year | | 3.4 |
Additions for tax positions related to prior years | | 0.4 |
Reductions for tax positions related to prior years | | (12.2) |
Reductions for settlements with taxing authorities | | (0.4) |
Balance at June 30 | $ | 57.6 |
21
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
The Company had $42.3 of unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2008 and $43.2 of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2007 that would affect the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized.
Interest and Penalties
The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in Current income taxes and Income tax expense on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, respectively. The Company had accrued interest of $2.8 as of June 30, 2008 and $4.7 as of December 31, 2007. The decrease in accrued interest during the six months ended June 30, 2008 primarily relates to the settlement of the 2003 IRS audit.
9. | Related Party Transactions |
Reinsurance Agreement
Effective June 30, 2008, ING USA entered into an automatic reinsurance agreement with its affiliate, Security Life of Denver International Limited (“SLDI”). Under the terms of the agreement, ING USA ceded to SLDI 100% of the benefits guaranteed under specific variable annuity guaranteed living benefit riders (the “Covered Benefits”) attached to certain variable annuity contracts issued by ING USA on or after January 1, 2000 (the “Contracts”). ING USA paid SLDI initial consideration of $665.0. Thereafter, ING USA will pay (i) new business consideration equal to 1.62% of premiums received from contractholders on the Contracts and (ii) a base premium equal to the actual fees paid by contractholders for the Covered Benefits. Under the terms of the agreement, SLDI is required to provide ING USA full reserve credit for reinsurance by providing a letter of credit to ING USA or establishing a trust for its benefit, or a combination of a letter of credit and assets in trust. SLDI has provided ING USA with letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $368.0, with $217.0 issued under a letter of credit facility with its affiliate, ING Bank N.V. and the balance issued under a third party letter of credit facility. SLDI has also established a trust with The Bank of New York as trustee and ING USA as beneficiary in which SLDI assets totaling $483.0 have been deposited.
The value of reserves ceded by the Company under this agreement and the accompanying impact on DAC were $272.6 and $85.7, respectively, at June 30, 2008. In addition, a deferred loss on the transaction in the amount of $306.7 is presented in Other Assets on the Condensed Balance Sheets and will be amortized over the period of benefit.
22
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Effective June 30, 2008, ING USA also entered into a services agreement with SLDI pursuant to which ING USA will provide certain actuarial risk modeling consulting services to SLDI with respect to hedge positions undertaken by SLDI in connection with the Covered Benefits reinsured by SLDI under the automatic reinsurance agreement.
Reciprocal Loan Agreement
The Company maintains a reciprocal loan agreement with ING America Insurance Holdings, Inc. (“ING AIH”), an affiliate, to facilitate the handling of unanticipated short-term cash requirements that arise in the ordinary course of business. Under this agreement, which became effective in January 2004 and expires on January 14, 2014, either party can borrow from the other up to 3.0% of the Company's statutory admitted assets as of the preceding December 31. Interest on any ING USA borrowing is charged at the rate of ING AIH’s cost of funds for the interest period, plus 0.15%. Interest on any ING AIH borrowing is charged at a rate based on the prevailing interest rate of U.S. commercial paper available for purchase with a similar duration.
Under this agreement, the Company incurred interest expense of $0.3 and $0.6 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively and $0.5 and $0.6 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively. The Company earned interest income of $0.8 and $1.4 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively and $1.4 and $4.0 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively. Interest expense and income are included in Interest expense and Net investment income, respectively, on the Condensed Statements of Operations. As of June 30, 2008, the Company had an outstanding receivable of $160.0 from ING AIH under the reciprocal loan agreement. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had no amounts due to or due from ING AIH under the reciprocal loan agreement.
For information on the Company’s additional financing agreements, see the Financing Agreements footnote to the Financial Statements included in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
23
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
11. | Commitments and Contingent Liabilities |
Commitments
Through the normal course of investment operations, the Company commits to either purchase or sell securities, commercial mortgage loans, or money market instruments, at a specified future date and at a specified price or yield. The inability of counterparties to honor these commitments may result in either a higher or lower replacement cost. Also, there is likely to be a change in the value of the securities underlying the commitments.
As of June 30, 2008, the Company had off-balance sheet commitments to purchase investments equal to their fair value of $686.8, $183.2 of which was with related parties. At December 31, 2007, the Company had off-balance sheet commitments to purchase investments equal to their fair value of $616.3, $156.5 of which was with related parties. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, $50.8 and $78.7, respectively, were funded to related parties under these commitments.
Financial Guarantees
The Company owns a 3-year credit-linked note arrangement, whereby the Company will reimburse the guaranteed party upon payment default of the referenced obligation. Upon such default, the Company will reimburse the guaranteed party for the loss under the reference obligation, and the Company receives that reference obligation in settlement. The Company can seek recovery of any losses under the agreement by sale or collection of the received reference obligation. As of June 30, 2008, the maximum liability of the Company under the guarantee was $32.5.
Cash Collateral
Under the terms of the Company’s Over-The-Counter Derivative International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Agreements (“ISDA Agreements”), the Company may receive from, or deliver to, counterparties, collateral to assure that all terms of the ISDA Agreements will be met with regard to the Credit Support Annex (“CSA”). The terms of the CSA call for the Company to pay interest on any cash received equal to the Federal Funds rate. As of June 30, 2008, the Company delivered $12.0 of cash collateral, which was included in Short-term investments under securities loan agreement, including collateral delivered, on the Condensed Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2007, the Company held $11.5 of cash collateral, which was included in Collateral held, including payables under securities loan agreement on the Balance Sheets and was reinvested in short-term investments.
24
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Litigation
The Company is involved in threatened or pending lawsuits/arbitrations arising from the normal conduct of business. Due to the climate in insurance and business litigation/arbitrations, suits against the Company sometimes include claims for substantial compensatory, consequential, or punitive damages, and other types of relief. Moreover, certain claims are asserted as class actions, purporting to represent a group of similarly situated individuals. While it is not possible to forecast the outcome of such lawsuits/arbitrations, in light of existing insurance, reinsurance, and established reserves, it is the opinion of management that the disposition of such lawsuits/arbitrations will not have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s operations or financial position.
Regulatory Matters
As with many financial services companies, the Company and its affiliates have received informal and formal requests for information from various state and federal governmental agencies and self-regulatory organizations in connection with inquiries and investigations of the products and practices of the financial services industry. In each case, the Company and its affiliates have been and are providing full cooperation. For information on the focus of such regulatory inquiries and the actions undertaken by ING in connection therewith, see the Other Regulatory Matters section of the Commitments and Contingent Liabilities footnote to the Financial Statements included in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
12. | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
Shareholder’s equity included the following components of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of June 30, 2008 and 2007.
| | | | | | | | | | | 2008 | | | 2007 |
Net unrealized capital gains (losses): | | | | | | |
| Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | | $ | (1,076.6) | | $ | (243.9) |
| Equity securities, available-for-sale | | | (7.5) | | | 2.1 |
| DAC/VOBA adjustment on available-for-sale securities | | | 269.8 | | | 128.0 |
| Sales inducements adjustment on available-for-sale securities | | | (0.2) | | | 4.4 |
| Other investments | | | (5.8) | | | (5.7) |
Unrealized capital (losses) gains, before tax | | | (820.3) | | | (115.1) |
Deferred income tax asset (liability) | | | 287.1 | | | 40.3 |
Deferred tax liability valuation allowance | | | (40.1) | | | (74.1) |
Net unrealized capital (losses) gains | | | (573.3) | | | (148.9) |
Pension liability, net of tax | | | (2.8) | | | (5.0) |
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | | $ | (576.1) | | $ | (153.9) |
25
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of DAC, VOBA, and tax (excluding the tax valuation allowance), related to changes in unrealized capital gains (losses) on securities, including securities pledged, were as follows for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
| | | | | | | | | | 2008 | | | 2007 |
Net unrealized capital holding gains (losses) arising | | | | | |
| during the period(1) | $ | (522.7) | | $ | (100.8) |
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) and | | | | | |
| other items included in Net income(2) | | (100.4) | | | (33.0) |
Net change in unrealized capital gains (losses) on securities | $ | (422.3) | | $ | (67.8) |
| (1) | Pretax net unrealized capital holding gains (losses) arising during the period were $(804.1) and $(155.0) for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. |
| (2) | Pretax reclassification adjustments for gains (losses) and other items included in Net income were $(154.4) and $(50.7) for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. |
26
Item 2. | Management’s Narrative Analysis of the Results of Operations and Financial Condition |
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Overview
The following narrative analysis presents a review of the results of operations of ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company (“ING USA” or the “Company”, as appropriate) for each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, and financial condition as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007. This item should be read in its entirety and in conjunction with the condensed financial statements and related notes, which can be found under Part I, Item 1. contained herein, as well as the “Management’s Narrative Analysis of the Results of Operations and Financial Condition” section contained in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Forward-Looking Information/Risk Factors
In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company cautions readers regarding certain forward-looking statements contained in this report and in any other statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company, whether or not in future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Forward-looking statements are statements not based on historical information and which relate to future operations, strategies, financial results, or other developments. Statements using verbs such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” or words of similar import, generally involve forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, forward-looking statements include statements that represent the Company’s beliefs concerning future levels of sales and redemptions of the Company’s products, investment spreads and yields, or the earnings and profitability of the Company’s activities.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to significant business, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Company’s control and many of which are subject to change. These uncertainties and contingencies could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. Whether or not actual results differ materially from forward-looking statements may depend on numerous foreseeable and unforeseeable developments, including, but not limited to the following:
| (1) | Equity market volatility could negatively impact profitability and financial condition; |
| (2) | Changes in interest rates could have a negative impact on profitability and financial condition; |
| (3) | The Company’s investment portfolio is subject to risks that may reduce the value of invested assets and adversely affect sales, profitability, and investment returns credited to contractowners; |
27
| (4) | Changes in underwriting and actual experience could materially affect profitability; |
| (5) | Changes in reserve estimates may reduce profitability; |
| (6) | A downgrade in the Company’s ratings may negatively affect profitability and financial condition; |
| (7) | The continued availability of capital may affect the ability to grow; |
| (8) | The Company’s results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected by general economic and business conditions or adverse capital market conditions that are less favorable than anticipated; |
| (9) | A loss of key product distribution relationships could materially affect sales; |
| (10) | Competition could negatively affect the ability to maintain or increase profitability; |
| (11) | Changes in federal income tax law or interpretations of existing tax law could affect profitability and financial condition by making some products less attractive to contractowners and increasing tax costs of contractowners or the Company; |
| (12) | Litigation may adversely affect profitability and financial condition; |
| (13) | Changes in regulation in the United States and recent regulatory investigations may reduce profitability; |
| (14) | The Company’s products are subject to extensive regulation and failure to meet any of the complex product requirements may reduce profitability; |
| (15) | A failure of the Company’s operating systems or a compromise of security with respect to operating systems or portable electronic devices could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition; |
| (16) | Reinsurance subjects the Company to the credit risk of reinsurers and may not be adequate to protect against losses arising from ceded reinsurance; |
| (17) | The occurrence of natural or man-made disasters may adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition; and |
| (18) | The occurrence of unidentified or unanticipated risks could negatively affect the Company’s business or result in losses. |
Investors are also directed to consider the risks and uncertainties discussed in this Item 2. and in Item 1A. of Part II contained herein, as well as in other documents filed by the Company with the SEC. Except as may be required by the federal securities laws, the Company disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking information.
Basis of Presentation
The Company is a stock life insurance company domiciled in the State of Iowa and provides financial products and services in the United States. ING USA is authorized to conduct its insurance business in all states, except New York, and in the District of Columbia.
28
ING USA is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc. (“Lion” or “Parent”), which is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of ING Groep N.V. (“ING”). ING is a global financial services holding company based in The Netherlands, with American Depository Shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ING”.
The Company has one operating segment.
Critical Accounting Policies
There have been no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies since the filing of the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Results of Operations
Overview
Products offered by the Company include immediate and deferred variable and fixed annuities, designed to address individual customer needs for tax-advantaged savings, retirement needs, and wealth-protection concerns, and guaranteed investment contracts and funding agreements (collectively referred to as “GICs”), sold primarily to institutional investors and corporate benefit plans.
The Company derives its revenue mainly from (a) fee income generated on variable assets under management (“AUM”), (b) investment income earned on fixed AUM, and (c) certain other management fees. Fee income is primarily generated from separate account assets supporting variable options under variable annuity contract investments, as designated by contractowners. Investment income from fixed AUM is mainly generated from annuity products with fixed investment options and GICs. The Company’s expenses primarily consist of (a) interest credited and other benefits to contractowners, (b) amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) and value of business acquired (“VOBA”), (c) expenses related to the selling and servicing of the various products offered by the Company, and (d) other general business expenses.
Economic Analysis
The current economic environment presents challenges and opportunities for the Company and the insurance industry. The Company’s financial results continue to be affected by economic trends.
Equity market performance affects the Company, as fee revenue from variable AUM is generally impacted by equity market performance as well as other factors. While the decline in equity market performance presented challenges for the Company’s variable products, the increase in sales during 2007 and the first half of 2008 favorably impacted variable AUM in 2008, relative to the same period in 2007.
29
The changing market interest rate environment during the first half of 2008 resulted in a substantial increase in unrealized and realized losses in 2008, as compared to the same period for 2007.
Results of Operations
The Company’s results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, and changes therein, reflected higher dollar margins on GICs from higher AUM levels as well as higher realized capital losses driven by unfavorable market conditions, higher Net amortization of DAC and VOBA and operating expenses. These losses, however, were partially offset by lower interest credited and other benefits to contractowners and positive product experience as a result of increased AUM, primarily driven by higher sales of variable annuity products during 2007 and 2008, and a higher block of business in force.
| | | | | | | | | | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | $ Increase | | % Increase |
| | | | | | | | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net investment income | $ | 390.7 | | $ | 320.4 | | $ | 70.3 | | 21.9% |
| Fee income | | | | 343.4 | | | 286.3 | | | 57.1 | | 19.9% |
| Premiums | | | | | 4.6 | | | 4.9 | | | (0.3) | | (6.1)% |
| Net realized capital (losses) gains | | (98.1) | | | 21.1 | | | (119.2) | | NM |
| Other income | | | (0.4) | | | - | | | (0.4) | | NM |
Total revenue | | | | 640.2 | | | 632.7 | | | 7.5 | | 1.2% |
Benefits and expenses: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest credited and other | | | | | | | | | | |
| | benefits to contractowners | | 281.8 | | | 315.7 | | | (33.9) | | (10.7)% |
| Operating expenses | | 77.7 | | | 66.0 | | | 11.7 | | 17.7% |
| Net amortization of deferred policy | | | | | | | | | |
| | acquisition costs and value | | | | | | | | | | |
| | of business acquired | | 130.1 | | | 98.2 | | | 31.9 | | 32.5% |
| Interest expense | | 7.6 | | | 7.8 | | | (0.2) | | (2.6)% |
| Other expense | | | 5.4 | | | 6.9 | | | (1.5) | | (21.7)% |
Total benefits and expenses | | 502.6 | | | 494.6 | | | 8.0 | | 1.6% |
Income before income taxes | | 137.6 | | | 138.1 | | | (0.5) | | (0.4)% |
Income tax expense | | 34.7 | | | 41.0 | | | (6.3) | | (15.4)% |
Net income | | | | $ | 102.9 | | $ | 97.1 | | $ | 5.8 | | 6.0% |
Effective tax rate | | | 25.2% | | | 29.7% | | | | | |
NM - Not meaningful. | | | | | | | | | | |
30
| | | | | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, | | | $ Increase | | % Increase |
| | | | | | | | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net investment income | $ | 764.0 | | $ | 621.7 | | $ | 142.3 | | 22.9% |
| Fee income | | | | 665.8 | | | 554.2 | | | 111.6 | | 20.1% |
| Premiums | | | | | 9.3 | | | 9.9 | | | (0.6) | | (6.1)% |
| Net realized capital losses | | (369.2) | | | (40.8) | | | (328.4) | | NM |
| Other income | | | 0.2 | | | 0.1 | | | 0.1 | | 100.0% |
Total revenue | | | | 1,070.1 | | | 1,145.1 | | | (75.0) | | (6.5)% |
Benefits and expenses: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest credited and other | | | | | | | | | | |
| | benefits to contractowners | | 547.8 | | | 561.9 | | | (14.1) | | (2.5)% |
| Operating expenses | | 149.6 | | | 124.9 | | | 24.7 | | 19.8% |
| Net amortization of deferred policy | | | | | | | | | |
| | acquisition costs and value | | | | | | | | | | |
| | of business acquired | | 321.7 | | | 194.7 | | | 127.0 | | 65.2% |
| Interest expense | | 15.1 | | | 15.0 | | | 0.1 | | 0.7% |
| Other expense | | | 11.6 | | | 13.9 | | | (2.3) | | (16.5)% |
Total benefits and expenses | | 1,045.8 | | | 910.4 | | | 135.4 | | 14.9% |
Income before income taxes | | 24.3 | | | 234.7 | | | (210.4) | | (89.6)% |
Income tax (benefit) expense | | (16.7) | | | 67.9 | | | (84.6) | | NM |
Net income | | | | $ | 41.0 | | $ | 166.8 | | $ | (125.8) | | (75.4)% |
Effective tax rate | | | (68.7)% | | | 28.9% | | | | | |
NM - Not meaningful. | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues
Total revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, was mainly impacted by increases in Net investment income and Fee income, offset by increases in Net realized capital losses.
Net investment income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, increased as the result of higher average assets supporting fixed AUM and surplus, which reflects a larger block of GICs, and fixed indexed annuities in force.
The increase in Fee income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, reflected an increase in average variable AUM, primarily driven by higher sales of variable annuities in 2007 and the first half of 2008.
Net realized capital losses increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, primarily due to higher losses on derivatives and fixed maturities. The decline in gains on derivatives for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and the losses on derivatives for the six months ended June 30, 2008, were driven by poor equity market performance that resulted in losses on call options, partially offset by gains on futures. In addition, for the three months ended June 30, 2008 the Company experienced gains on interest rate swaps due to the slight increase in LIBOR rates and larger notional outstanding.
31
During the first six months of 2008, the interest rate swaps resulted in losses driven by lower LIBOR rates. The losses on fixed maturities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, were due to other-than-temporary impairments driven by the interest rate environment and widening of credit spreads in the first half of 2008.
Benefits and Expenses
Total benefits and expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, increased primarily due to higher Net amortization of DAC and VOBA and Operating expenses, partially offset by lower Interest credited and other benefits to contractowners.
The Net amortization of DAC and VOBA increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, reflecting lower estimated future gross profits driven by the decline in equity market performance.
Operating expenses increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, primarily due to higher non-deferred asset-based commissions and marketing expenses, as well as the continued growth of the business.
Interest credited and other benefits to contractowners decreased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, primarily driven by the impact of the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS No. 157”), and by a decrease in reserves on fixed indexed annuities due to unfavorable equity market performance. These increases were partially offset by the rise in interest credited on GICs mainly attributable to higher reserves on GICs primarily due to favorable sales, as well as an increase in reserves for variable annuity guarantees, which was primarily due to the decline in equity market performance.
Income Taxes
Income tax (benefit) expense decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2008, primarily due to a higher deduction allowed for dividends. Income tax (benefit) expense decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2008, due to lower Income before taxes relative to the deduction allowed for dividends received.
Financial Condition
Investments
Investment Strategy
The Company’s investment strategy focuses on diversification by asset class. The Company seeks to achieve economic diversification, while reducing overall credit risk and liquidity risks. In addition, the Company seeks to mitigate the impact of cash flow variability from embedded options within certain investment products, such as prepayment options and interest rate options embedded in collateralized mortgage obligations and call options embedded in corporate bonds. The investment
32
management function is centralized under ING Investment Management LLC, an affiliate, pursuant to an investment advisory agreement. Separate portfolios are established for groups of products with similar liability characteristics within the Company.
Fair Value Measurements
The fair values of certain assets and liabilities are determined using prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement (i.e., Level 3 as defined by FAS No. 157). These valuations, whether derived internally or obtained from a third party, use critical assumptions that are not widely available to estimate market participant expectations in valuing the asset or liability. In light of the methodologies employed to obtain the fair values of financial assets and liabilities classified as Level 3, additional information is presented in Note 4 to the Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) included in Part I, Item 1, contained herein, with particular attention addressed to changes in derivatives, fixed indexed annuities (“FIA”), and guaranteed minimum withdrawal and accumulation benefits (“GMWB” and “GMAB”) due to their impacts on current Net income.
Portfolio Composition
The following table presents the investment portfolio at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
| | | | | | 2008 | | | 2007 |
| | | | | | | | % of | | | | | % of |
| | | | | | Carrying Value | | Total | | | Carrying Value | | Total |
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, | | | | | | | | | |
| including securities pledged | $ | 21,471.0 | | 80.1% | | $ | 22,776.0 | | 81.7% |
Equity securities, available-for-sale | | 176.3 | | 0.7% | | | 211.1 | | 0.8% |
Short-term investments | | 380.4 | | 1.4% | | | 188.0 | | 0.7% |
Mortgage loans on real estate | | 3,883.9 | | 14.5% | | | 3,701.7 | | 13.3% |
Policy loans | | 147.7 | | 0.5% | | | 155.8 | | 0.5% |
Other investments | | 758.8 | | 2.8% | | | 848.6 | | 3.0% |
Total investments | $ | 26,818.1 | | 100.0% | | $ | 27,881.2 | | 100.0% |
33
Fixed Maturities
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, were as follows as of June 30, 2008.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Gross | | | Gross | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Unrealized | | | Unrealized | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Amortized | | | Capital | | | Capital | | | Fair |
| | | | | | | | | | Cost | | | Gains | | | Losses | | | Value |
Fixed maturities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasuries | | $ | 153.6 | | $ | 0.9 | | $ | 1.8 | | $ | 152.7 |
| U.S. government agencies and authorities | | 81.9 | | | 0.9 | | | 0.2 | | | 82.6 |
| State, municipalities, and political subdivisions | | 73.4 | | | 0.5 | | | 3.2 | | | 70.7 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. corporate securities: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Public utilities | | | 1,522.8 | | | 11.7 | | | 32.1 | | | 1,502.4 |
| | Other corporate securities | | 6,937.8 | | | 53.4 | | | 213.7 | | | 6,777.5 |
| Total U.S. corporate securities | | 8,460.6 | | | 65.1 | | | 245.8 | | | 8,279.9 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Foreign securities(1): | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Government | | | 463.7 | | | 6.2 | | | 13.3 | | | 456.6 |
| | Other | | | | | | 3,222.1 | | | 24.2 | | | 131.0 | | | 3,115.3 |
| Total foreign securities | | 3,685.8 | | | 30.4 | | | 144.3 | | | 3,571.9 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | | 4,612.0 | | | 36.0 | | | 393.6 | | | 4,254.4 |
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | | 3,777.1 | | | 2.5 | | | 227.3 | | | 3,552.3 |
| Other asset-backed securities | | 1,703.2 | | | 4.0 | | | 200.7 | | | 1,506.5 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total fixed maturities, including securities pledged | | 22,547.6 | | | 140.3 | | | 1,216.9 | | | 21,471.0 |
| Less: securities pledged | | 971.1 | | | 3.0 | | | 28.7 | | | 945.4 |
Total fixed maturities | $ | 21,576.5 | | $ | 137.3 | | $ | 1,188.2 | | $ | 20,525.6 |
(1) Primarily U.S. dollar denominated. | | | | | | | | | | | |
34
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, were as follows as of December 31, 2007.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Gross | | | Gross | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Unrealized | | | Unrealized | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Amortized | | | Capital | | | Capital | | | Fair |
| | | | | | | | | | Cost | | | Gains | | | Losses | | | Value |
Fixed maturities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasuries | | $ | 18.4 | | $ | 1.0 | | $ | - | | $ | 19.4 |
| U.S. government agencies and authorities | | 86.1 | | | 1.0 | | | 0.3 | | | 86.8 |
| State, municipalities, and political subdivisions | | 49.7 | | | - | | | 2.5 | | | 47.2 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. corporate securities: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Public utilities | | | 1,417.5 | | | 22.8 | | | 13.4 | | | 1,426.9 |
| | Other corporate securities | | 6,742.7 | | | 81.1 | | | 67.0 | | | 6,756.8 |
| Total U.S. corporate securities | | 8,160.2 | | | 103.9 | | | 80.4 | | | 8,183.7 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Foreign securities(1): | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Government | | | 525.2 | | | 14.9 | | | 7.1 | | | 533.0 |
| | Other | | | | | | 3,280.6 | | | 40.5 | | | 59.4 | | | 3,261.7 |
| Total foreign securities | | 3,805.8 | | | 55.4 | | | 66.5 | | | 3,794.7 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | | 4,988.4 | | | 53.3 | | | 85.8 | | | 4,955.9 |
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | | 3,842.2 | | | 37.6 | | | 36.4 | | | 3,843.4 |
| Other asset-backed securities | | 1,947.5 | | | 5.7 | | | 108.3 | | | 1,844.9 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total fixed maturities, including securities pledged | | 22,898.3 | | | 257.9 | | | 380.2 | | | 22,776.0 |
| Less: securities pledged | | 953.3 | | | 6.1 | | | 16.8 | | | 942.6 |
Total fixed maturities | $ | 21,945.0 | | $ | 251.8 | | $ | 363.4 | | $ | 21,833.4 |
(1) Primarily U.S. dollar denominated. | | | | | | | | | | | |
It is management’s objective that the portfolio of fixed maturities be of high quality and be well diversified by market sector. The fixed maturities in the Company’s portfolio are generally rated by external rating agencies and, if not externally rated, are rated by the Company on a basis believed to be similar to that used by the rating agencies. The average quality rating of the Company's fixed maturities portfolio was AA- at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Ratings are calculated using a rating hierarchy that considers S&P, Moody’s Investor’s Service, Inc., and internal ratings.
35
Total fixed maturities by quality rating category, including securities pledged to creditors, were as follows at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
| | | | | | 2008 | | | 2007 |
| | | | | | Fair | | % of | | | Fair | | % of |
| | | | | | Value | | Total | | | Value | | Total |
AAA | | | $ | 8,973.6 | | 41.8% | | $ | 10,023.0 | | 43.9% |
AA | | | | 1,609.4 | | 7.5% | | | 1,743.6 | | 7.7% |
A | | | | | 4,122.4 | | 19.2% | | | 4,112.4 | | 18.1% |
BBB | | | | 5,806.7 | | 27.0% | | | 5,945.3 | | 26.1% |
BB | | | | | 698.2 | | 3.3% | | | 676.0 | | 3.0% |
B and below | | 260.7 | | 1.2% | | | 275.7 | | 1.2% |
Total | | | $ | 21,471.0 | | 100.0% | | $ | 22,776.0 | | 100.0% |
95.5% and 95.8% of the fixed maturities were invested in securities rated BBB and above (Investment Grade) at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.
Fixed maturities rated BB and below (Below Investment Grade) may have speculative characteristics, and changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the issuer to make principal and interest payments than is the case with higher rated fixed maturities.
Total fixed maturities, including securities pledged to creditors, by market sector were as follows at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
| | | | | | | | | | 2008 | | | 2007 |
| | | | | | | | | | Fair | | % of | | | Fair | | % of |
| | | | | | | | | | Value | | Total | | | Value | | Total |
U.S. Treasuries | | $ | 152.7 | | 0.7% | | $ | 19.4 | | 0.1% |
U.S. government agencies and authorities | | 82.6 | | 0.4% | | | 86.8 | | 0.4% |
U.S. corporate, state, and municipalities | | 8,350.6 | | 38.9% | | | 8,230.9 | | 36.0% |
Foreign | | | | | | | 3,571.9 | | 16.7% | | | 3,794.7 | | 16.7% |
Residential mortgage-backed | | 4,254.4 | | 19.8% | | | 4,955.9 | | 21.8% |
Commercial mortgage-backed | | 3,552.3 | | 16.5% | | | 3,843.4 | | 16.9% |
Other asset-backed | | 1,506.5 | | 7.0% | | | 1,844.9 | | 8.1% |
Total | | | | | | | $ | 21,471.0 | | 100.0% | | $ | 22,776.0 | | 100.0% |
36
The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturities, excluding securities pledged, as of June 30, 2008, are shown below by contractual maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities as securities may be restructured, called, or prepaid.
| | | | | | | | | Amortized | | | Fair |
| | | | | | | | | Cost | | | Value |
Due to mature: | | | | | | |
| One year or less | $ | 358.0 | | $ | 359.5 |
| After one year through five years | | 6,012.1 | | | 5,966.7 |
| After five years through ten years | | 3,624.3 | | | 3,509.7 |
| After ten years | | 2,460.9 | | | 2,321.9 |
| Mortgage-backed securities | | 8,389.1 | | | 7,806.7 |
| Other asset-backed securities | | 1,703.2 | | | 1,506.5 |
Less: securities pledged | | 971.1 | | | 945.4 |
Fixed maturities, excluding securities pledged | $ | 21,576.5 | | $ | 20,525.6 |
Subprime and Alt-A Mortgage Exposure
Since the third quarter of 2007, credit markets have become more turbulent amid concerns about subprime and Alt-A mortgages and collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”). This in turn has resulted in a general widening of credit spreads, reduced price transparency, reduced liquidity, increased rating agency downgrades and increased volatility across certain markets.
To date, this market disruption has had a limited impact on the Company, which does not originate or purchase subprime or Alt-A whole-loan mortgages. Subprime lending is the origination of loans to customers with weaker credit profiles. The Company defines Alt-A Loans to include residential mortgage loans to customers who have strong credit profiles but lack some element(s), such as documentation to substantiate income. Commencing in the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company expanded its definition of Alt-A loans to include residential mortgage loans to borrowers that would otherwise be classified as prime but whose loan structure provides repayment options to the borrower that increase the risk of default. Further, during the fourth quarter, the industry coalesced around classifying any securities backed by residential mortgage collateral not clearly identifiable as prime or subprime into the Alt-A category, and the Company is following that lead. The following summarizes the Company’s exposure to subprime and Alt-A mortgages as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
The Company’s exposure to subprime mortgages was primarily in the form of asset-backed securities (“ABS”) structures collateralized by subprime residential mortgages, and the majority of these holdings were included in other asset-backed securities in the fixed maturities by market sector table above. As of June 30, 2008, the fair value and gross unrealized losses related to the Company’s exposure to subprime mortgages were $716.5 and $162.6, respectively, representing 3.3% of total fixed maturities. As of December 31, 2007, the fair value and gross unrealized losses related to the Company’s exposure to subprime mortgages were $879.3 and $86.4,respectively, representing 3.9% of total fixed maturities.
37
The following tables summarize the Company’s exposure to subprime mortgage-backed holdings by credit quality and vintage year as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007:
2008 | | 2007 |
% of Total | | | | | | | | % of Total | | | | | |
Subprime Mortgage-backed | | | | | | | | Subprime Mortgage-backed | | | | | |
Securities | | Vintage | | Securities | | Vintage |
AAA | 59.4% | | 2007 | | 38.1% | | AAA | 60.7% | | 2007 | | 28.0% |
AA | 27.1% | | 2006 | | 10.6% | | AA | 28.8% | | 2006 | | 11.5% |
A | 12.7% | | 2005 and prior | | 51.3% | | A | 9.9% | | 2005 and prior | | 60.5% |
BBB | 0.6% | | | | | 100.0% | | BBB | 0.6% | | | | | 100.0% |
BB and below | 0.2% | | | | | | | 100.0% | | | | |
| | 100.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The Company’s exposure to Alt-A mortgages was included in residential mortgage-backed securities in the fixed maturities by market sector table above. As of June 30, 2008, the fair value and gross unrealized losses aggregated to $1.5 billion and $321.3, respectively, representing 6.8% of total fixed maturities. As of December 31, 2007, the fair value and gross unrealized losses related to the Company’s exposure to Alt-A mortgages were $1.9 billion and $69.9, respectively, representing 8.3% of total fixed maturities.
The following tables summarize the Company’s exposure to Alt-A mortgage-backed holdings by credit quality and vintage year as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007:
2008 | | 2007 |
% of Total Alt-A | | | | | | | % of Total Alt-A | | | | | |
Mortgage-backed Securities | | Vintage | | Mortgage-backed Securities | | Vintage |
AAA | 99.5% | | 2007 | | 32.6% | | AAA | 99.9% | | 2007 | | 36.2% |
A | 0.5% | | 2006 | | 23.4% | | AA | 0.1% | | 2006 | | 24.0% |
| 100.0% | | 2005 and prior | | 44.0% | | | 100.0% | | 2005 and prior | | 39.8% |
| | | | | | 100.0% | | | | | | | | 100.0% |
Commercial Mortgage-backed and Other Asset-backed Securities
While the delinquency rates on commercial mortgages have been stable in recent years, commercial real estate rents and property values have recently become more volatile. In addition, there are growing concerns with consumer loans as a result of the current economic environment, which includes lower family income and higher unemployment rates.
38
As of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, the fair value of the Company’s commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) totaled $3.5 billion and $3.8 billion, respectively, and other ABS, excluding subprime exposure, totaled $784.9 and $984.1, respectively. CMBS investments represent pools of commercial mortgages that are broadly diversified across property types and geographical areas.
As of June 30, 2008, the other ABS was also broadly diversified both by type and issuer with credit card receivables, collateralized loan obligations, and automobile receivables comprising 38.9%, 34.2%, and 12.8%, respectively, of total other ABS, excluding subprime exposure. As of December 31, 2007, the other ABS was broadly diversified both by type and issuer with credit card receivables, collateralized loan obligations, and automobile receivables comprising 41.3%, 29.7%, and 14.3%, respectively, of total other ABS, excluding subprime exposure.
The following tables summarize the Company’s exposure to CMBS holdings by credit quality and vintage year as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007:
2008 | | 2007 |
% of Total CMBS | | Vintage | | % of Total CMBS | | Vintage |
AAA | 96.0% | | 2008 | | 0.4% | | AAA | 95.1% | | 2007 | | 39.4% |
AA | 2.2% | | 2007 | | 30.7% | | AA | 2.5% | | 2006 | | 13.2% |
A | 1.0% | | 2006 | | 29.3% | | A | 1.2% | | 2005 and prior | | 47.4% |
BBB | 0.6% | | 2005 and prior | | 39.6% | | BBB | 1.0% | | | | | 100.0% |
BB and below | 0.2% | | | | 100.0% | | BB and below | 0.2% | | | | |
| | 100.0% | | | | | | | | | 100.0% | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The following tables summarize the Company’s exposure to Other ABS holdings, excluding subprime exposure, by credit quality and vintage year as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007:
2008 | | 2007 |
% of Total Other ABS | | Vintage | | % of Total Other ABS | | Vintage |
AAA | 58.0% | | 2008 | | 0.5% | | AAA | 59.3% | | 2007 | | 30.5% |
AA | 17.1% | | 2007 | | 21.7% | | AA | 5.9% | | 2006 | | 11.8% |
A | 11.2% | | 2006 | | 18.9% | | A | 10.1% | | 2005 and prior | | 57.7% |
BBB | 13.5% | | 2005 and prior | | 58.9% | | BBB | 24.5% | | | | | 100.0% |
BB and below | 0.2% | | | | 100.0% | | BB and below | 0.2% | | | | |
| | 100.0% | | | | | | | | | 100.0% | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate
Mortgage loans on real estate, primarily commercial mortgage loans, totaled $3,883.9 and $3,701.7 at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. These loans are reported at amortized cost, less impairment write-downs. If the value of any mortgage loan is determined to be impaired (i.e., when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect on all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement), the carrying value of the mortgage loan is reduced to
39
either the present value of expected cash flows from the loan, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or fair value of the collateral. If the loan is in foreclosure, the carrying value is reduced to the fair value of the underlying collateral, net of estimated costs to obtain and sell. At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had no allowance for mortgage loan credit losses. The properties collateralizing mortgage loans are geographically dispersed throughout the United States, with the largest concentration of 24.7% and 24.5% of properties in California at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.
Unrealized Capital Losses
Unrealized capital losses in fixed maturities, including securities pledged to creditors, for Investment Grade (“IG”) and Below Investment Grade (“BIG”) securities by duration were as follows at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 |
| | | | | % of IG | | | | | % of IG | | | | | % of IG | | | | | % of IG |
| | | IG | | and BIG | | | BIG | | and BIG | | | IG | | and BIG | | | BIG | | and BIG |
Less than six months | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| below amortized cost | $ | 251.1 | | 20.6% | | $ | 10.9 | | 0.9% | | $ | 106.1 | | 27.9% | | $ | 5.0 | | 1.3% |
More than six months | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| and less than twelve | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| months below | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| amortized cost | | 458.3 | | 37.7% | | | 6.2 | | 0.5% | | | 171.3 | | 45.1% | | | 12.7 | | 3.3% |
More than twelve months | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| below amortized cost | | 473.6 | | 38.9% | | | 16.8 | | 1.4% | | | 81.6 | | 21.5% | | | 3.5 | | 0.9% |
Total unrealized capital loss | $ | 1,183.0 | | 97.2% | | $ | 33.9 | | 2.8% | | $ | 359.0 | | 94.5% | | $ | 21.2 | | 5.5% |
Unrealized losses in fixed maturities at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, were primarily related to interest rate movement or changes in credit spreads to mortgage and other asset-backed securities. Mortgage and other asset-backed securities include U.S. government-backed securities, principal protected securities, and structured securities, which did not have an adverse change in cash flows. The following table summarizes the unrealized capital losses by duration and reason, along with the fair value of fixed maturities, including securities pledged to creditors, in unrealized capital loss positions at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
| | | | | | More Than | | | | | | |
| | | Less Than | | | Six Months | | | More Than | | | |
| | | Six Months | | | and Less Than | | | Twelve Months | | | |
| | | Below | | | Twelve Months | | | Below | | | |
| | | Amortized | | | Below | | | Amortized | | | |
2008 | | Cost | | | Amortized Cost | | | Cost | | | Total |
Interest rate or spread widening | $ | 131.4 | | $ | 105.5 | | $ | 158.4 | | $ | 395.3 |
Mortgage and other asset-backed securities | | 130.6 | | | 359.0 | | | 332.0 | | | 821.6 |
Total unrealized capital loss | $ | 262.0 | | $ | 464.5 | | $ | 490.4 | | $ | 1,216.9 |
Fair value | $ | 7,930.3 | | $ | 4,230.9 | | $ | 3,592.2 | | $ | 15,753.4 |
40
| | | | | | More Than | | | | | | |
| | | Less Than | | | Six Months | | | More Than | | | |
| | | Six Months | | | and Less Than | | | Twelve Months | | | |
| | | Below | | | Twelve Months | | | Below | | | |
| | | Amortized | | | Below | | | Amortized | | | |
2007 | | Cost | | | Amortized Cost | | | Cost | | | Total |
Interest rate or spread widening | $ | 37.8 | | $ | 49.2 | | $ | 62.7 | | $ | 149.7 |
Mortgage and other asset-backed securities | | 73.3 | | | 134.8 | | | 22.4 | | | 230.5 |
Total unrealized capital loss | $ | 111.1 | | $ | 184.0 | | $ | 85.1 | | $ | 380.2 |
Fair value | $ | 5,322.0 | | $ | 3,248.4 | | $ | 3,300.6 | | $ | 11,871.0 |
Unrealized capital losses in fixed maturities, including securities pledged to creditors, by market sector and duration were as follows at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
| | | | | | | | | | | | More Than | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Less Than | | | Six Months | | | More Than | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Six Months | | | and Less Than | | | Twelve Months | | | Total |
| | | | | | | | | Below | | | Twelve Months | | | Below | | | Unrealized |
| | | | | | | | | Amortized | | | Below | | | Amortized | | | Capital |
2008 | | | | | | | Cost | | | Amortized Cost | | | Cost | | | Loss |
U.S. Treasuries | | $ | 1.8 | | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | 1.8 |
U.S. government agencies and authorities | | 0.2 | | | - | | | - | | | 0.2 |
U.S. corporate, state, and municipalities | | 97.0 | | | 58.8 | | | 93.2 | | | 249.0 |
Foreign | | | | | | 32.4 | | | 46.7 | | | 65.2 | | | 144.3 |
Residential mortgage-backed | | 64.8 | | | 226.7 | | | 102.1 | | | 393.6 |
Commercial mortgage-backed | | 43.7 | | | 96.9 | | | 86.7 | | | 227.3 |
Other asset-backed | | 22.1 | | | 35.4 | | | 143.2 | | | 200.7 |
Total unrealized capital loss | $ | 262.0 | | $ | 464.5 | | $ | 490.4 | | $ | 1,216.9 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | More Than | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Less Than | | | Six Months | | | More Than | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Six Months | | | and Less Than | | | Twelve Months | | | Total |
| | | | | | | | | Below | | | Twelve Months | | | Below | | | Unrealized |
| | | | | | | | | Amortized | | | Below | | | Amortized | | | Capital |
2007 | | | | | | | Cost | | | Amortized Cost | | | Cost | | | Loss |
U.S. government agencies and authorities | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | 0.3 | | $ | 0.3 |
U.S. corporate, state, and municipalities | | 16.6 | | | 31.4 | | | 34.9 | | | 82.9 |
Foreign | | | | | | 21.2 | | | 17.8 | | | 27.5 | | | 66.5 |
Residential mortgage-backed | | 51.1 | | | 29.3 | | | 5.4 | | | 85.8 |
Commercial mortgage-backed | | 3.8 | | | 27.0 | | | 5.6 | | | 36.4 |
Other asset-backed | | 18.4 | | | 78.5 | | | 11.4 | | | 108.3 |
Total unrealized capital loss | $ | 111.1 | | $ | 184.0 | | $ | 85.1 | | $ | 380.2 |
41
Of the unrealized losses aged more than twelve months, the average market value of the related fixed maturities was 88.0% of the average book value as of June 30, 2008. In addition, this category includes 594 securities, which have an average quality rating of AA-. No other-than-temporary impairment loss was considered necessary for these fixed maturities as of June 30, 2008.
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments
The Company analyzes the general account investments to determine whether there has been an other-than-temporary decline in fair value below amortized cost basis. Management considers the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost, the issuer’s financial condition and near-term prospects, future economic conditions and market forecasts, interest rate changes, and the Company’s intent to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery in fair value. If it is probable that all amounts due according to the contractual terms of an investment will not be collected, an other-than-temporary impairment is considered to have occurred.
In addition, the Company invests in asset-backed securities. Determination of the required impairment is based on the analysis discussed in the preceding paragraph, as well as credit risk and the possibility of significant prepayment risk that restricts the Company’s ability to recover the investment. An impairment is recognized if the fair value of the security is less than book value and there has been an adverse change in cash flow since the last remeasurement date.
When a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the individual security is written down to fair value, and the loss is recorded in Net realized capital gains (losses).
The following tables identify the Company’s other-than-temporary impairments by type for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
| | Three Months Ended June 30, |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 |
| | | | | No. of | | | | | | No. of |
| | Impairment | | | Securities | | | Impairment | | | Securities |
U.S. Treasuries | $ | - | | | - | | $ | - | * | | 1 |
U.S. corporate | | 17.5 | | | 37 | | | 7.1 | | | 31 |
Foreign(1) | | 17.3 | | | 11 | | | 6.6 | | | 29 |
Residential mortgage-backed | | 26.5 | | | 11 | | | 0.7 | | | 7 |
Other asset-backed | | 13.9 | | | 19 | | | 10.7 | | | 43 |
Equity securities | | 2.8 | | | 1 | | | - | | | - |
Mortgage loans on real estate | | 3.0 | | | 1 | | | - | | | - |
Total | $ | 81.0 | | | 80 | | $ | 25.1 | | | 111 |
(1) Primarily U.S. dollar denominated. | | | | | | | | | | | |
* Less than $0.1. | | | | | | | | | | | |
42
| | Six Months Ended June 30, |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 |
| | | | | No. of | | | | | | No. of |
| | Impairment | | | Securities | | | Impairment | | | Securities |
U.S. Treasuries | $ | - | | | - | | $ | - | * | | 1 |
U.S. corporate | | 44.4 | | | 87 | | | 13.4 | | | 57 |
Foreign(1) | | 57.1 | | | 35 | | | 8.8 | | | 37 |
Residential mortgage-backed | | 41.8 | | | 18 | | | 0.9 | | | 11 |
Other asset-backed | | 41.5 | | | 42 | | | 10.7 | | | 43 |
Equity securities | | 2.8 | | | 1 | | | - | | | - |
Mortgage loans on real estate | | 3.0 | | | 1 | | | - | | | - |
Limited partnerships | | 0.5 | | | 1 | | | - | | | - |
Total | $ | 191.1 | | | 185 | | $ | 33.8 | | | 149 |
(1) Primarily U.S. dollar denominated. | | | | | | | | | | | |
* Less than $0.1. | | | | | | | | | | | |
The above schedules include $62.0 and $112.7 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively, and $4.1 and $4.4 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively, in other-than-temporary write-downs related to the analysis of credit risk, the possibility of significant prepayment risk, and severity and duration of unrealized losses. The remaining write-downs are related to investments that the Company does not have the intent to retain for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery in fair value. The following tables summarize these write-downs by type for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
| | Three Months Ended June 30, |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 |
| | | | | No. of | | | | | | No. of |
| | Impairment | | | Securities | | | Impairment | | | Securities |
U.S. Treasuries | $ | - | | | - | | $ | - | * | | 1 |
U.S. corporate | | 14.6 | | | 35 | | | 7.1 | | | 31 |
Foreign | | 4.4 | | | 6 | | | 3.5 | | | 26 |
Other asset-backed | | - | | | - | | | 10.4 | | | 42 |
Total | $ | 19.0 | | | 41 | | $ | 21.0 | | | 100 |
* Less than $0.1. | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 |
| | | | | No. of | | | | | | No. of |
| | Impairment | | | Securities | | | Impairment | | | Securities |
U.S. Treasuries | $ | - | | | - | | $ | - | * | | 1 |
U.S. corporate | | 34.1 | | | 74 | | | 13.4 | | | 57 |
Foreign | | 44.2 | | | 30 | | | 5.6 | | | 34 |
Residential mortgage-backed | | 0.1 | | | 2 | | | - | | | - |
Other asset-backed | | - | | | - | | | 10.4 | | | 42 |
Total | $ | 78.4 | | | 106 | | $ | 29.4 | | | 134 |
* Less than $0.1. | | | | | | | | | | | |
43
The Company may sell securities during the period in which fair value has declined below amortized cost for fixed maturities or cost for equity securities. In certain situations new factors, including changes in the business environment, can change the Company’s previous intent to continue holding a security.
Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses)
Net realized capital gains (losses) are comprised of the difference between the amortized cost of investments and proceeds from sale, and redemption, as well as losses incurred due to the other-than-temporary impairment of investments and changes in fair value of derivatives. The cost of the investments on disposal is determined based on specific identification of securities. Net realized capital gains (losses) on investments were as follows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
| | Three Months Ended June 30, |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 |
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | $ | (100.8) | | $ | (48.7) |
Equity securities, available-for-sale | | (9.2) | | | 0.3 |
Derivatives | | 15.1 | | | 67.8 |
Other | | (3.2) | | | 1.7 |
Net realized capital (losses) gains | $ | (98.1) | | $ | 21.1 |
After-tax net realized capital (losses) gains | $ | (63.8) | | $ | 13.7 |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 |
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | $ | (148.7) | | $ | (56.7) |
Equity securities, available-for-sale | | (8.8) | | | 0.3 |
Derivatives | | (207.9) | | | 15.6 |
Other | | (3.8) | | | - |
Net realized capital losses | $ | (369.2) | | $ | (40.8) |
After-tax net realized capital losses | $ | (240.0) | | $ | (26.5) |
Net realized capital losses increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, primarily due to higher losses on derivatives and fixed maturities. The decline in gains on derivatives for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and the losses on derivatives for the six months ended June 30, 2008, were driven by poor equity market performance that resulted in losses on call options, partially offset by gains on futures. In addition, for the three months ended June 30, 2008 the Company experienced gains on interest rate swaps due to the slight increase in LIBOR rates and larger notional outstanding. During the first six months of 2008, the interest rate swaps resulted in losses driven by lower LIBOR rates. The losses on fixed maturities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, were due to other-than-temporary impairments driven by the interest rate environment and widening of credit spreads in the first half of 2008.
44
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is the ability of the Company to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the cash requirements of operating, investing, and financing activities.
Sources and Uses of Liquidity
The Company’s principal sources of liquidity are annuity product charges, GIC deposits, investment income, proceeds from the maturing and sale of investments, proceeds from debt issuance, and capital contributions. Primary uses of these funds are payments of commissions and operating expenses, interest and premium credits, payments under guaranteed death and living benefits, investment purchases, repayment of debt, and contract maturities, withdrawals, and surrenders.
The Company’s liquidity position is managed by maintaining adequate levels of liquid assets, such as cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments. Asset/liability management is integrated into many aspects of the Company’s operations, including investment decisions, product development, and determination of crediting rates. As part of the risk management process, different economic scenarios are modeled, including cash flow testing required for insurance regulatory purposes, to determine that existing assets are adequate to meet projected liability cash flows. Key variables in the modeling process include interest rates, anticipated contractowner behavior, and variable separate account performance. Contractowners bear the investment risk related to variable annuity products, subject to the minimum guaranteed death and living benefits included in these contracts.
The fixed account liabilities are supported by a general account portfolio, principally composed of fixed rate investments with matching duration characteristics that can generate predictable, steady rates of return. The portfolio management strategy for the fixed account considers the assets available-for-sale. This strategy enables the Company to respond to changes in market interest rates, prepayment risk, relative values of asset sectors and individual securities and loans, credit quality outlook, and other relevant factors. The objective of portfolio management is to maximize returns, taking into account interest rate and credit risk, as well as other risks. The Company’s asset/liability management discipline includes strategies to minimize exposure to loss as interest rates and economic and market conditions change.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Additional sources of liquidity include borrowing facilities to meet short-term cash requirements that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company maintains the following agreements:
45
| § | A reciprocal loan agreement with ING America Insurance Holdings, Inc. (“ING AIH”), an affiliate, whereby either party can borrow from the other up to 3.0% of the Company’s statutory admitted assets as of the prior December 31. As of June 30, 2008, the Company had an outstanding receivable of $160.0 from ING AIH under the reciprocal loan agreement. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had no amounts due to or due from ING AIH under the reciprocal loan agreement. |
| § | A $100.0 uncommitted, perpetual revolving note facility with the Bank of New York. As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had no amounts outstanding under the revolving note facility. |
| § | A $75.0 uncommitted line-of-credit agreement with PNC Bank. Borrowings are guaranteed by ING AIH, with maximum aggregate borrowings outstanding at anytime to ING AIH and its affiliates of $75.0. As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had no amounts outstanding under the line-of-credit agreement. |
| § | A $100.0 uncommitted line-of-credit agreement with Svenska Handelsbanken AB (Publ.), effective June 2, 2006. Borrowings are guaranteed by ING AIH, with maximum aggregate borrowings outstanding at anytime to ING AIH and its affiliates of $100.0. As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had no amounts outstanding under the line-of-credit agreement. |
Management believes that these sources of liquidity are adequate to meet the Company’s short-term cash obligations.
The Company is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (“FHLB”) and is required to maintain a collateral deposit that backs funding agreements issued to the FHLB. As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had $2,075.3 and $2,898.7, respectively, in non-putable funding agreements, including accrued interest, issued to FHLB. As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, assets with a carrying value of approximately $3,243.5 and $3,270.1, respectively, collateralized the funding agreements issued to the FHLB. Assets pledged to the FHLB are included in Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, on the Condensed Balance Sheets.
Capital Contributions and Distributions
During the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company received a $1.1 billion capital contribution from its Parent. During the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company received a $150.0 capital contribution from its Parent.
During the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company did not pay any dividends or return of capital distributions to its Parent.
46
Financial Guarantees
The Company owns a 3-year credit-linked note arrangement, whereby the Company will reimburse the guaranteed party upon payment default of the referenced obligation. Upon such default, the Company will reimburse the guaranteed party for the loss under the reference obligation, and the Company receives that reference obligation in settlement. The Company can seek recovery of any losses under the agreement by sale or collection of the received reference obligation. As of June 30, 2008, the maximum liability of the Company under the guarantee was $32.5.
Cash Collateral
Under the terms of the Company’s Over-The-Counter Derivative International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Agreements (“ISDA Agreements”), the Company may receive from, or deliver to, counterparties, collateral to assure that all terms of the ISDA Agreements will be met with regard to the Credit Support Annex (“CSA”). The terms of the CSA call for the Company to pay interest on any cash received equal to the Federal Funds rate. As of June 30, 2008, the Company delivered $12.0 of cash collateral, which was included in Short-term investments under securities loan agreement, including collateral delivered, on the Condensed Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2007, the Company held $11.5 of cash collateral, which was included in Collateral held, including payables under securities loan agreement on the Balance Sheets and was reinvested in short-term investments.
Reinsurance Agreements
The Company is a party to a Facultative Coinsurance Agreement with its affiliate, Security Life of Denver Insurance Company (“Security Life”) effective August 20, 1999. Under the terms of this agreement, the Company facultatively cedes to Security Life, from time to time, certain GICs on a 100% coinsurance basis. The value of GIC reserves ceded by the Company under this agreement was $3.3 billion and $2.3 billion at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. The Company utilizes this reinsurance facility primarily for diversification and asset-liability management purposes in connection with this business, which is facilitated by the fact that Security Life is also a major GIC issuer. Senior management of the Company has established a current maximum of $4.0 billion for GIC reserves ceded under this agreement.
The Company entered into an automatic reinsurance agreement with Security Life of Denver International Limited (“SLDI”), an affiliate, dated June 30, 2008, covering 100% of the benefits guaranteed under specific variable annuity guaranteed living benefit riders attached to certain variable annuity contracts, which had been issued and in force as of, as well as any such policies issued after, the effective date of the agreement. The value of reserves ceded by the Company under this agreement was $272.6 at June 30, 2008. In addition, a deferred loss on the transaction in the amount of $306.7 is presented in Other Assets on the Condensed Balance Sheets and will be amortized over the period of benefit.
47
Minimum Guarantees
Variable annuity contracts containing minimum guaranteed death and living benefits expose the Company to equity risk. A decrease in the equity markets may cause a decrease in the account values, thereby increasing the possibility that the Company may be required to pay amounts to contractowners due to guaranteed death and living benefits. An increase in the value of the equity markets may increase account values for these contracts, thereby decreasing the Company’s risk associated with guaranteed death and living benefits.
The Company’s variable annuities offer one or more of the following guaranteed death and living benefits:
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefits (“GMDBs”):
| § | Standard - Guarantees that, upon death, the death benefit will be no less than the premiums paid by the contractowner, adjusted for any contract withdrawals. |
| § | Ratchet - Guarantees that, upon death, the death benefit will be no less than the greater of (1) Standard or (2) the maximum contract anniversary (or quarterly) value of the variable annuity, adjusted for contract withdrawals. |
| § | Rollup (7.0% or 5.5% Solution) - Guarantees that, upon death, the death benefit will be no less than the aggregate premiums paid by the contractowner accruing interest at 7.0% or 5.5% per annum, adjusted for contract withdrawals, which may be subject to a maximum cap on the rolled up amount. (The Company has discontinued this option for new sales.) |
| § | Combo (Max 7) - Guarantees that, upon death, the death benefit will be no less than the greater of (1) Ratchet or (2) Rollup. |
For contracts issued prior to January 1, 2000, most contracts with enhanced death benefit guarantees were reinsured to third party reinsurers to mitigate the risk produced by such guaranteed death benefits. For contracts issued after December 31, 1999, the Company instituted an equity hedging program in lieu of reinsurance. The equity hedging program is based on the Company entering into derivative positions to offset exposures to guaranteed minimum death benefits due to adverse changes in the equity markets.
As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the guaranteed value of these death benefits in excess of account values was estimated to be $5.7 billion and $2.7 billion, respectively, before reinsurance. The increase was primarily driven by the decrease in the account values of contractowners due to unfavorable equity market performance in the first half of 2008.
48
As of June 30, 2008, the guaranteed value of minimum guaranteed death benefits in excess of account values, net of reinsurance, was estimated to be $4.6 billion, of which $2.0 billion was projected to be covered by the Company’s equity hedging program. At December 31, 2007, the guaranteed value of minimum guaranteed death benefits in excess of account values, net of reinsurance, was estimated to be $1.8 billion, of which $537.6 was projected to be covered by the Company’s equity hedging program. As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company recorded a liability of $266.7 and $209.4, respectively, net of reinsurance, representing the estimated net present value of the Company’s future obligation for guaranteed minimum death benefits in excess of account values. The liability increased mainly due to the accumulation of fees used to fund the reserve in the first half of 2008, higher future projected benefits in excess of account values, and a change in the discount rate on reserves.
Guaranteed Living Benefits:
| § | Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit - Guarantees a minimum income payout, exercisable each contract anniversary on or after a specified date, in most cases the 10th rider anniversary. |
| § | Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit (“GMWB”) - Guarantees lifetime annual withdrawals, after certain ages are reached, of a percentage of premiums paid. The percentage may vary by age at first withdrawal and depending on the base annuity contract. For certain (more recent) versions, there are annual step-up (for up to 10 years) and quarterly ratchet features that may increase the amount to which the percentage is applied for the annual withdrawal amount calculation. Other versions have a quarterly ratchet feature only. A joint life-time withdrawal benefit option is available to include coverage for spouses. Most versions of the withdrawal benefit have reset and/or step up features that may increase the guaranteed withdrawal amount in certain conditions. Earlier versions of the withdrawal benefit guarantee that annual withdrawals of up to 7.0% of eligible premiums may be made until eligible premiums previously paid by the contractowner are returned, regardless of account value performance. Asset allocation requirements apply at all times where withdrawals are guaranteed for life. |
| § | Guaranteed Minimum Accumulation Benefit - Guarantees that the account value will be at least 100% of the eligible premiums paid by the contractowner after 10 years, net of any contract withdrawals (GMAB 10). In the past, the Company offered an alternative design that guaranteed the account value to be at least 200% of the eligible premiums paid by contractowners after 20 years (GMAB 20). The Company has discontinued both of these options for new sales. |
49
Effective June 30, 2008, the Company reinsured most of its living benefit guarantees to an affiliated reinsurer to mitigate the risk produced by such benefits. Prior to June 30, 2008, the Company utilized an equity hedging program to mitigate these risks. Certain, relatively smaller, blocks of living benefit guarantees (GMABs and certain older versions of GMWBs) are still covered by the Company’s equity hedging program.
As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the guaranteed value of these living benefits in excess of account values, net of reinsurance, was $70.8 and $506.5, respectively. The decrease was primarily driven by the living benefit reinsurance agreement. As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company recorded a liability of $16.1 and $149.3, respectively, representing the estimated net present value of its future obligation for living benefits in excess of account values. The liability decreased mainly due to the living benefit reinsurance agreement.
Equity Hedging Program: In order to hedge equity risk associated with non-reinsured GMDBs and guaranteed living benefits, the Company enters into futures positions or put options on various public market equity indices chosen to closely replicate contractowner variable fund returns. The Company uses market consistent valuation techniques to establish its derivative position and to rebalance the derivative positions in response to market fluctuations. One aspect of the hedging program is designed to offset changes related to equity experience in the liability and to pay excess claims not covered by the contractowner account value. The Company also administers a hedging program that mitigates both equity risk and equity volatility risk associated with its Principal Guard GMWB product issued in 2005 and beyond. This hedge strategy primarily involves entering into put options.
Other risks posed by market conditions, such as interest rate risk and the majority of the Company’s equity volatility risk, and risks posed by contractowner experience, such as surrender and mortality experience deviations, are not explicitly mitigated by this program. In addition, certain funds, where there is no replicating market index and where hedging is not appropriate, are excluded from the program.
For those risks addressed by the equity hedging program, the Company is exposed to the risk that the market indices will not adequately replicate actual contractowner variable fund growth. Any differences between actual results and the market indices result in income volatility.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
(See the Recently Adopted Accounting Standards and New Accounting Pronouncements footnotes to the condensed financial statements.)
50
Legislative and Regulatory Initiatives
Legislative proposals, which have been or may, in the future, be considered by Congress, include repealing/modifying the estate tax, reducing the taxation on annuity benefits, changing the tax treatment of insurance products relative to other financial products, and changing life insurance company taxation. Some of these proposals, if enacted, could have a material adverse effect on life insurance, annuity, and other retirement savings product sales, while others could have a material beneficial effect. It is unlikely that Congress will enact tax changes that will adversely affect the Company’s products in 2008. The SEC has a regulatory initiative underway to improve fee disclosure in financial products and has proposed regulations that would require registration of certain index annuity products offered by the Company. However, the timing and content of these regulatory actions are uncertain at this time. The IRS and the Treasury have published final regulations, effective in 2009, that update and consolidate the rules applicable to 403(b) tax deferred annuity arrangements. As a result of these final regulations, the Company is no longer offering new 403(b) contracts; however, 403(b) products will continue to be offered by the Company’s affiliates, including ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company.
51
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures |
| a) | The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s current disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that material information relating to the Company required to be disclosed in the Company’s periodic SEC filings is made known to them in a timely manner. |
| b) | There has not been any change in the internal controls over financial reporting of the Company that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect these internal controls. |
52
PART II. | OTHER INFORMATION |
ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company ("the Company") is involved in threatened or pending lawsuits/arbitrations arising from the normal conduct of business. Due to the climate in insurance and business litigation/arbitrations, suits against the Company sometimes include claims for substantial compensatory, consequential, or punitive damages, and other types of relief. Moreover, certain claims are asserted as class actions, purporting to represent a group of similarly situated individuals. While it is not possible to forecast the outcome of such lawsuits/arbitrations, in light of existing insurance, reinsurance, and established reserves, it is the opinion of management that the disposition of such lawsuits/arbitrations will not have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s operations or financial position.
As with many financial services companies, the Company and its affiliates have received informal and formal requests for information from various state and federal governmental agencies and self-regulatory organizations in connection with inquiries and investigations of the products and practices of the financial services industry. In each case, the Company and its affiliates have been and are providing full cooperation. For information on the focus of such regulatory inquiries and the actions undertaken by ING in connection therewith, see the “Other Regulatory Matters” section of “Management’s Narrative Analysis of the Results of Operations and Financial Condition” included in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 28, 2008 (SEC File No. 001-32625).
In addition to the normal risks of business, the Company is subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including those which are described below.
Equity market volatility could negatively impact profitability and financial condition
The decline of the United States and international equity markets over an extended period of time may reduce the profitability and negatively affect the financial condition of the Company due to the following:
53
| § | Sales of new contracts and profitability of in force variable annuity products that provide returns based on equities or equity indices may decrease, which results in a decrease in fees and profits earned on the accounts. The amount of fees the Company earns on variable annuity products is based on such account values. |
| § | The Company’s exposure under certain guarantees related to the equity markets may increase due to equity markets decline. As a result, the Company may need to increase reserves through a charge to earnings while at the same time receiving lower fees from such products. |
| § | The Company tries to minimize its exposure to guaranteed benefits by using reinsurance and other risk management strategies, including a hedging program. If the Company is not successful in minimizing these risks, the Company’s future profitability may be negatively impacted. The factors that could cause the Company to be unsuccessful in minimizing these risks would include, though not be limited to, the risk that reinsurers or derivative counterparties would be unable or unwilling to meet their contractual obligations; the risk that our other risk management strategies would not be effective; the risk that a long-term decline in interest rates would result in higher than anticipated costs of guarantees; and the risk that unfavorable market changes would produce losses beyond what is covered by our risk management strategies. |
| § | If the Company’s expectations of future performance and profits decrease, it may be required to accelerate the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, decreasing profits. |
Changes in interest rates could have a negative impact on profitability and financial condition
Changes in interest rates may be caused by either changes in the underlying risk free rates or changes in the credit spreads required for various levels of risk within the market. Changes in interest rates may negatively affect the Company’s attempts to maintain profitable margins between the amounts earned on its general account investments and the amounts paid under its annuity and insurance contracts.
As interest rates rise, fixed annuity contract surrenders and withdrawals may increase as contractowners seek higher returns. To raise the cash necessary to fund such surrenders and withdrawals, the Company may need to sell assets at capital losses. An increase in contract surrenders and withdrawals may also require the Company to accelerate amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs relating to such contracts, further reducing profits. In addition, rising interest rates increase unrealized losses for fixed maturities and certain derivatives where the Company assumes credit exposure. Significant or sustained increases in interest rates may result in increased other-than-temporary impairments.
54
As interest rates decline, borrowers may prepay or redeem mortgages and bonds with embedded call options that are owned as investments by the Company. This may force the Company to reinvest the proceeds at lower interest rates. In addition, many of the Company’s annuity products contain minimum interest rate guarantees that limit the Company’s ability to lower interest rates credited to contractowners in response to lower investment returns. A decrease in the difference between earned investment income and the interest credited to contractowners further reduces profits. This decrease in profits may also require the Company to accelerate amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs.
The Company’s investment portfolio is subject to risks that may reduce the value of invested assets and adversely affect sales, profitability, and investment returns credited to contractowners
The Company’s investment portfolio is subject to several risks, including the following:
| § | An increase in defaults or delinquency in investment portfolios, including derivative contracts; |
| § | Greater difficulty selling privately placed and certain asset-backed fixed maturity securities and commercial mortgage loans at attractive prices and in a timely manner, as all are less liquid than publicly traded fixed maturity securities; |
| § | Borrower prepayment or redemption, prior to maturity, of mortgages that back mortgage-backed securities and bonds with embedded call options could force the Company to reinvest proceeds at lower interest rates; |
| § | An increase in environmental liability exposure from the Company’s commercial mortgage loan portfolio; and |
| § | Losses in the commercial mortgage loan portfolio as a result of economic downturns or natural disasters. |
Changes in underwriting and actual experience could materially affect profitability
The Company prices its products based on long-term assumptions regarding investment returns, mortality, morbidity, persistency, and operating costs. Management establishes target returns for each product based upon these factors and the average amount of regulatory and rating agency capital that the Company must hold to support in-force contracts. The Company monitors and manages pricing and sales mix to achieve target returns. Profitability from a new business emerges over a period of years, depending on the nature and life of the product, and is subject to variability, either positive or negative, as actual results may differ from pricing assumptions.
55
The Company’s profitability depends on the following:
| § | Adequacy of investment margins; |
| § | Management of market and credit risks associated with investments; |
| § | Ability to maintain premiums and contract charges at a level adequate to cover mortality and morbidity benefits and contract administration expenses; |
| § | Adequacy of contract charges on variable contracts to cover the cost of product features; |
| § | Persistency of policies to ensure recovery of acquisition expenses; and |
| § | Management of operating costs and expenses within anticipated pricing allowances. |
Changes in reserve estimates may reduce profitability
The Company establishes reserves based upon estimates of how much the Company will pay for future benefits and claims. The Company calculates reserves based on many assumptions and estimates including future investment yields, mortality, morbidity, policy terminations, and expenses. The assumptions and estimates used in connection with the reserve estimation process are inherently uncertain. The Company periodically reviews the adequacy of reserves. The Company cannot, however, determine with precision the amounts that the Company will pay for, or the timing of payment of, actual benefits and claims or whether the assets supporting the policy liabilities will grow to the level assumed prior to payment of benefits or claims. If actual experience differs significantly from assumptions or estimates, reserves may not be adequate. As a result, the Company would incur a charge to earnings in the quarter in which the reserves are increased.
A downgrade in the Company’s ratings may negatively affect profitability and financial condition
Ratings are an important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies. A downgrade, or the potential for a downgrade, of any of the Company’s ratings may lead to lower margins and fee income as follows:
| § | Increase in contract surrenders and withdrawals; |
| § | Termination of relationships with broker-dealers, banks, agents, wholesalers, and other distributors of products and services; and |
| § | Reduction of new annuity contract and guaranteed investment contract and funding agreement sales. |
The Company cannot predict what actions rating organizations may take, or what actions it may be required to take in response to the actions of rating organizations, which could adversely affect the Company. Rating organizations assign ratings based upon several factors, including the following:
56
| § | Risk of investment portfolio; |
| § | Economic trends affecting the financial services industry; |
| § | Changes in models and formulas used by rating organizations to assess the financial strength of a rated company; |
| § | Enterprise risk management; and |
| § | Other circumstances outside the rated company’s control. |
The continued availability of capital may affect the ability to grow
The Company has, from time to time, required capital to increase its reserves associated with growth from product sales. Although the Company believes it has sufficient capital to fund its immediate growth and capital needs, the amount of capital required and available can vary due to a variety of circumstances that may not be predictable, foreseeable, or within its control. A lack of sufficient capital could hinder the Company’s ability to grow.
The Company’s results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected by general economic and business conditions or adverse capital market conditions that are less favorable than anticipated
Factors such as consumer spending, business investment, government spending, the volatility and strength of capital markets and inflation affect the business and economic environment and, ultimately, the amount and profitability of the Company’s business. For example, in an economic downturn characterized by high unemployment, lower family income, lower corporate earnings, lower business investment and lower consumer spending, the demand for financial and insurance products could be adversely affected. Additionally, slow growth and recessionary periods are often associated with declining asset prices, lower interest rates, credit rating agency downgrades and increasing default losses.
Adverse capital market conditions, such as that recently experienced with the decrease in the value and liquidity of asset-backed securities supported by subprime mortgages, as well as other investments, could also impact the cost of and ability of the Company to issue debt, including commercial paper borrowings. While the Company has various sources of liquidity available, adverse market conditions could impact the cost and availability of these borrowing sources. This capital market environment has reduced the liquidity of institutional investors, which has limited their ability to purchase guaranteed investment contracts and funding agreements (collectively, “GICs”). These market conditions may constrain the Company’s ability to issue GICs in the near term.
57
A loss of key product distribution relationships could materially affect sales
The Company distributes certain products under agreements with other members of the financial services industry that are not affiliated with the Company. Termination of one or more of these agreements due to, for example, a change in control of one of the distributors, could reduce sales.
Competition could negatively affect the ability to maintain or increase profitability
The insurance industry is intensely competitive. The Company competes based on factors including the following:
| § | Name recognition and reputation; |
| § | Perceived financial strength; and |
| § | Claims paying and credit ratings. |
The Company’s competitors include insurers, broker-dealers, financial advisors, asset managers, and other financial institutions, which may, for example, have greater market share, offer a broader range of products, or have higher claims-paying or credit ratings than the Company.
In recent years, there has been substantial consolidation among companies in the financial services industry resulting in increased competition from large, well-capitalized financial services firms. Many of these firms also have been able to increase their distribution systems through mergers or contractual arrangements. Furthermore, larger competitors may lower operating costs and have an ability to absorb greater risk, while maintaining financial strength ratings, allowing them to price products more competitively. While the Company cannot predict the future level of consolidation, the Company expects consolidation to continue and perhaps accelerate in the future, increasing competitive pressure.
Changes in federal income tax law or interpretations of existing tax law could affect profitability and financial condition by making some products less attractive to contractowners and increasing tax costs of contractowners or the Company
Annuity products that the Company sells currently benefit from one or more forms of tax favored status under current federal tax law. The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 and the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation
58
Act of 2003 contain provisions that will, over time, significantly lower individual tax rates. This decrease will reduce the benefits of deferral on the build-up of value of annuities. Many of these provisions expire in 2008 and 2010. The Bush Administration, however, has proposed that many of the rate reductions and tax-favored savings initiatives be made permanent. Although the Company cannot predict the overall effect on product sales, some of these tax law changes could hinder sales and result in the increased surrender of annuity contracts.
Additionally, the Company is subject to federal corporation income tax, and benefits from certain federal tax provisions, including but not limited to, dividends received deductions, various tax credits, and insurance reserve deductions. There is risk that changes to federal tax law or in Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) interpretation of existing tax law may be enacted or adopted, and could result in materially higher corporate taxes than would be incurred under existing tax law or interpretation and adversely impact profitability.
Litigation may adversely affect profitability and financial condition
The Company is, and may be in the future, subject to legal actions in the ordinary course of insurance, investment management, and other business operations. These legal actions may include proceedings relating to aspects of businesses and operations that are specific to the Company, and proceedings that are typical of the businesses in which the Company operates. Some of these proceedings may be brought on behalf of a class. Plaintiffs may seek large or indeterminate amounts of damage, including compensatory, liquidated, treble, and/or punitive damages. Given the large or indeterminate amounts sometimes sought, and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, it is possible that an adverse outcome could, from time to time, have an adverse effect on the Company’s reputation, results of operations, or cash flows, in particular quarterly or annual periods.
Changes in regulation in the United States and recent regulatory investigations may reduce profitability
The Company’s insurance and securities business is subject to comprehensive state and federal regulation and supervision throughout the United States. The primary purpose of state regulation is to protect contractowners, and not necessarily to protect creditors and investors. State insurance and securities regulators, state attorneys general, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), the Department of Labor (“DOL”) and the IRS continually reexamine existing laws and regulations and may impose changes in the future. Changes in legislation and administrative policies, or new interpretations of existing laws, in areas such as employee benefit plan regulation, financial services regulation, and federal taxation,
59
could lessen the competitive advantages of certain of the Company’s products, result in the surrender of existing contracts and policies, increase costs, reduce new product sales, or result in higher taxes affecting the Company, thus reducing the Company’s profitability.
Since 2002, the insurance industry has become the focus of increased regulatory scrutiny as various state and federal governmental agencies and self-regulatory organizations conduct inquiries and investigations into the products and practices of the financial services industries. These initiatives currently focus on areas such as:
| § | Inappropriate trading of fund shares; |
| § | Revenue sharing and directed brokerage; |
| § | Sales and marketing practices (including sales to seniors); |
| § | Arrangements with service providers; |
| § | Compensation and sales incentives; |
| § | Potential conflicts of interest; |
| § | Potential anti-competitive activity; |
| § | Specific product types, including group annuities and indexed annuities; and |
It is likely that the scope of these industry investigations will become broader before they conclude.
In some cases, this regulatory scrutiny has led to new proposed legislation and regulation that could significantly affect the financial services industry, including businesses in which the Company is engaged, or has resulted in regulatory penalties, and litigation. At this time, the Company does not believe that any of this regulatory scrutiny will have a material adverse affect on it. The Company cannot, however, guarantee that new laws, regulations, and other regulatory action aimed at the business practices under scrutiny would not adversely affect its business. The adoption of new laws and regulations, enforcement actions, or litigation, whether or not involving the Company, could influence the manner in which the Company distributes its products, result in negative coverage of the industry by the media, cause significant harm to the Company’s reputation, and adversely impact profitability.
60
The Company’s products are subject to extensive regulation and failure to meet any of the complex product requirements may reduce profitability
The Company’s insurance and annuity products are subject to a complex and extensive array of state and federal tax, securities and insurance laws, and regulations, which are administered and enforced by a number of different governmental and self-regulatory authorities, including state insurance regulators, state securities administrators, the SEC, the FINRA, the DOL, and the IRS.
For example, U.S. federal income tax law imposes requirements relating to insurance and annuity product design, administration, and investments that are conditions for beneficial tax treatment of such products under the Internal Revenue Code. Failure to administer certain contract features (for example, contractual annuity start dates in nonqualified annuities) could affect such beneficial tax treatment. Additionally, state and federal securities and insurance laws impose requirements relating to insurance and annuity product design, offering and distribution, and administration. Failure to meet any of these complex tax, securities, or insurance requirements could subject the Company to administrative penalties imposed by a particular governmental or self-regulatory authority, unanticipated costs associated with remedying such failure or other claims, harm to the Company's reputation, interruption of the Company's operations, or adversely impact profitability.
A failure of the Company’s operating systems or a compromise of security with respect to operating systems or portable electronic devices could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition
The Company is highly dependent on automated systems to record and process Company and contractowner transactions. The Company may experience a failure of its operating systems or a compromise of security due to technical system flaws, clerical or record-keeping errors, or tampering or manipulation of those systems by employees or unauthorized third parties. Information security risks also exist with respect to the use of portable electronic devices, such as laptops, which are particularly vulnerable to loss and theft. The Company may also be subject to disruptions of its operating systems arising from events that are wholly or partially beyond its control (for example, natural disasters, acts of terrorism, epidemics, computer viruses, and electrical/telecommunications outages). All of these risks are also applicable where the Company relies on outside vendors to provide services to it and its contractowners. Operating system failures or disruptions or the compromise of security with respect to operating systems or portable electronic devices could subject the Company to regulatory sanctions, or other claims, harm the Company’s reputation, interrupt the Company’s operations, and adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations, or financial condition.
61
Reinsurance subjects the Company to the credit risk of reinsurers and may not be adequate to protect against losses arising from ceded reinsurance
The collectibility of reinsurance recoverables is subject to uncertainty arising from a number of factors, including whether the insured losses meet the qualifying conditions of the reinsurance contract and whether reinsurers, or their affiliates, have the financial capacity and willingness to make payments under the terms of the reinsurance treaty or contract. The Company’s inability to collect a material recovery from a reinsurer could have a material adverse effect on profitability and financial condition.
The occurrence of natural or man-made disasters may adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition
The Company is exposed to various risks arising from natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and pandemic disease, caused by a virus such as H5N1 (the “Avian flu” virus), as well as man-made disasters, including acts of terrorism and military actions, which may adversely affect assets under management, results of operations and financial condition, as follows:
| § | Losses in the Company’s investment portfolio due to significant volatility in global financial markets or the failure of counterparties to perform. |
| § | Changes in the rate of mortality lapses and surrenders of existing policies/contracts, as well as sales of new policies/contracts. |
| § | Reduced collectibility of reinsurance. |
| § | Disruption of the Company’s normal business operations due to catastrophic property damage, loss of life, or disruption of public and private infrastructure, including communications and financial services. |
While the Company has a business continuation and crisis management plan, there can be no assurance that the Company’s plan and insurance coverages would be effective in mitigating any negative effects on operations or profitability in the event of a disaster.
The occurrence of unidentified or unanticipated risks could negatively affect the Company’s business or result in losses
The Company has developed risk management policies and procedures and expects to continue to do so in the future. Nonetheless, the Company's policies and procedures to identify, monitor, and manage risks may not be fully effective. Many of the Company's methods of managing risk and exposures are based upon observed historical market behavior or statistics based on historical models. As a result, these methods may not predict future exposures, which could be significantly greater than historical measures indicate. Other risk management methods depend on the evaluation of information regarding markets, clients, catastrophe occurrence, or other
62
matters, that is publicly available or otherwise accessible to the Company. This information may not always be accurate, complete, up-to-date, or properly evaluated. Management of operational, legal, and regulatory risks requires, among other things, policies and procedures to record and verify large numbers of transactions and events. These policies and procedures may not be fully effective.
See Exhibit Index on pages 65-67 hereof.
63
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
August 11, 2008 (Date) | ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company (Registrant) |
| By: /s/ | David A. Wheat |
| | David A. Wheat Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer) |
64
| Exhibit Index |
| |
Exhibit Number | Description of Exhibit |
| |
2.1 | Agreement and Plan of Merger dated June 25, 2003, by and between USG Annuity & Life Company, United Life & Annuity Insurance Company, Equitable Life Insurance Company of Iowa and Golden American Life Insurance Company, incorporated by reference in Exhibit 99-8 in the Company’s Form 8K filed with the SEC on January 2, 2004 (File No. 333-87270). |
| |
3.1 | Restated Articles of Incorporation Providing for the Redomestication of Golden American Life Insurance Company dated July 2 and 3, 2003, effective January 1, 2004, incorporated by reference to Company’s 10-K, as filed with the SEC on March 29, 2004 (File No. 033-87270). |
| |
3.2 | Amendment to Articles of Incorporation Providing for the Name Change of Golden American Life Insurance Company dated November 20, 2003, effective January 1, 2004, incorporated by reference to the Company’s 10-K, as filed with the SEC on March 29, 2004 (File No. 033-87270). |
| |
3.3 | Amendment to Articles of Incorporation Providing for the Change in Purpose and Powers of ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company dated March 3 and 4, 2004, effective March 11, 2004, incorporated by reference to the Company’s 10-Q, as filed with the SEC on May 17, 2004 (File No. 033-87270). |
| |
3.4 | Amended and Restated By-Laws of ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company effective January 1, 2005, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC on May 13, 2005 (File No. 033-87270). |
| |
4.1 | Single Premium Deferred Modified Guaranteed Annuity Contract, Single Premium Deferred modified Guaranteed Annuity Master Contract, and Single Premium Deferred Modified Guaranteed Annuity Certificate - Incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 for Golden American Life Insurance Company as filed with the SEC on February 8, 2002 (File No. 333-67660). |
| |
4.2 | Single Premium Deferred Modified Guaranteed Annuity Master Contract and Single Premium Deferred Modified guaranteed Annuity Certificate – Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 for Golden American Life Insurance Company, as filed with the SEC on September 13, 2000 (File No. 333-40596). |
| |
65
4.3 | Individual Retirement Annuity Rider; Roth Individual Retirement Annuity Rider; Simple Retirement Account Rider; and 403(b) Rider - Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 for Golden American Life Insurance Company Separate Account B, as filed with the SEC on April 15, 2003 (File No. 033-23351). |
| |
4.4 | 403(b) Rider - Incorporated herein by reference to Initial Registration Statement on Form S-2 for Golden American Life Insurance Company, as filed with the SEC on April 15, 2003 (File No. 333-104547). |
| |
4.5 | Single Premium Deferred Equity Indexed Modified Guaranteed Annuity Contract; Single Premium Deferred Modified Guaranteed Annuity Group Master Contract; and Single Premium Deferred Equity Indexed Modified Guaranteed Annuity Certificate, - Incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-2, as filed with the SEC on August 13, 2004 (File No. 333-116137). |
| |
4.6 | Interest in Fixed Account I under Variable Annuity Contracts - Incorporated herein by reference to: Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 for Golden American Life Insurance Company Separate Account B, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23, 1999 (File Nos. 033-59261, 811-5626); Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 for Golden American life Insurance Company, as filed with the SEC on April 23, 1999 (File Nos. 333-28769, 811-5626); and Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration statement on Form N-4 for Golden American Life Insurance Company Separate Account B, as filed with the SEC on June 24, 2000 (File Nos. 333-33914, 811-5626). |
| |
66
4.7 | Interests in Fixed Account II under Variable Annuity Contracts - Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 for Separate Account B of Golden American Life Insurance Company as filed with the SEC on October 2, 2000 (File No. 333-28679, 811-5626), Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 for Separate Account B of Golden American Life Insurance Company as filed with the SEC on October 2, 2000 (File No. 333-30180, 811-5626), Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 for Separate Account B of Golden American Life Insurance Company as filed with the SEC on April 23, 1999 (File No. 333-28755, 811-5626), Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 for Separate Account B of Golden American Life Insurance Company as filed with the SEC on April 23, 1999 (File No. 333-66757, 811-5626), Incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 for Separate Account B of Golden American Life Insurance Company as filed with the SEC on October 26, 2001 (File No. 333-63692, 811-5626), Incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 for Separate Account B of Golden American Life Insurance Company as filed with the SEC on December 11, 2001 (File No.333-70600, 811-5626), Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 for Golden American Life Insurance Company Separate Account B, as filed with the SEC on April 16, 2003 (File No. 333-90516, 811-5626) and Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 for Golden American Life Insurance Company Separate Account B, as filed with the SEC on July 3, 2003 (File No. 333-101487, 811-5626). |
| |
4.8 | Interest in the Guaranteed Account under Variable Annuity Contracts - Incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-2 for Golden American Life Insurance Company, as filed with the SEC on June 29, 2001 (File No. 333-57212). |
| |
12.+ | Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges, filed herewith. |
| |
31.1+ | Certificate of David A. Wheat pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| |
31.2+ | Certificate of Valerie G. Brown pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| |
32.1+ | Certificate of David A. Wheat pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| |
32.2+ | Certificate of Valerie G. Brown pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| |
+ Filed herewith. |
67