Exhibit 99.1
NEWS
For Release Immediate
Contacts (News Media) Tony Zehnder, Corporate Communications 312.396.7086
(Investors) Scott Galovic, Investor Relations 317.817.3228
Conseco announces preliminary second quarter 2009 results;
Expects second consecutive profitable quarter
Carmel, Ind. July 28, 2009 - Conseco, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) today announced
preliminary results for second quarter of 2009.
"Conseco, on a preliminary basis, and consistent with its first quarter
performance, expects to report continued profitability in the second quarter,"
CEO Jim Prieur said. "Also consistent with our expectations was an increase in
second quarter earnings over the seasonally weak first quarter by our Bankers
Life business, which also had a 6 percent increase over 2008 in core sales for
the quarter," Prieur said, adding that, "we are issuing preliminary results in
an effort to provide timely information to the investment community."
All financial results described in this press release should be considered
preliminary and are subject to change to reflect any adjustments that are
identified before the Company completes its financial statements and files its
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter-ended June 30, 2009.
The Company expects to release its final second quarter 2009 results on August
4, 2009.
Preliminary Second Quarter 2009 Results
o $86.7 million of income before net realized investment losses,
corporate interest and taxes ("EBIT") (1), up 47%, compared to $59.0
million in 2Q08
o Net operating income (2) of $40.8 million, up 62%, compared to $25.2
million in 2Q08
o Net operating income per diluted share: 22 cents, up 69%, compared to
13 cents in 2Q08
o Net income in the range of $15.8 million to $27.8 million, compared to
a net loss of $488.5 million in 2Q08 (including net realized
investment losses in the range of $13.0 million to $25.0 million in
2Q09 vs. $513.7 million of net realized investment losses, valuation
allowance for deferred tax assets and losses related to discontinued
operations in 2Q08)
o Net income per diluted share in the range of 9 cents to 15 cents,
compared to a net loss per diluted share of $2.65 in 2Q08 (including
net realized investment losses in the range of 7 cents to 13 cents in
2Q09 vs. $2.78 of net realized investment losses, valuation allowance
for deferred tax assets and losses related to discontinued operations
in 2Q08)
o Total New Annualized Premium ("NAP") excluding Private-Fee-For-Service
("PFFS") (3): $91.8 million, down 1% from 2Q08
o Bankers NAP excluding PFFS (3): $63.1 million, up 6 percent from 2Q08
o PFFS NAP (sold through a marketing agreement with Coventry): $6.3
million in 2Q09 compared to $(6.8) million in 2Q08 (4), reflecting a
change in sales recognition policy
Preliminary Six-Month 2009 Results
o $159.0 million of EBIT (1), up 47%, compared to $108.4 million in the
first six months of 2008
o Net operating income (2) of $72.2 million, up 59%, compared to $45.3
million in the first six months of 2008
o Net operating income per diluted share: 39 cents, up 56%, compared to
25 cents in the first six months of 2008
o Net income in the range of $40.3 million to $52.3 million, compared to
a net loss of $495.7 million in the first six months of 2008
(including net realized investment losses in the range of $19.9
million to $31.9 million in the first six months of 2009 vs. $541.0
million of net realized investment losses, valuation allowance for
deferred tax assets and losses related to discontinued operations in
the first six months of 2008)
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Conseco (2)
July 28, 2009
o Net income per diluted share in the range of 22 cents to 28 cents,
compared to a net loss per diluted share of $2.68 in the first six
months of 2008 (including net realized investment losses in the range
of 11 cents to 17 cents in the first six months of 2009 vs. $2.93 of
net realized investment losses, valuation allowance for deferred tax
assets and losses related to discontinued operations in the first six
months of 2008)
o Total NAP excluding PFFS (3): $179.3 million, up 1% from the first six
months of 2008
o Bankers NAP excluding PFFS (3): $123.5 million, up 7 percent from the
first six months of 2008
o PFFS NAP (4): $40.3 million, down 30 percent, from the first six
months of 2008 reflecting changes in consumer preference
Preliminary Financial Strength at June 30, 2009
Conseco's financial statements are expected to show compliance, as of June 30,
2009, with all covenants in its credit agreement including those related to
combined insurance subsidiary capital, the combined risk-based capital ratio of
its insurance subsidiaries, the Company's debt to capital ratio and the
Company's interest coverage ratio. The combined risk-based capital ratio is
expected to increase by 10 to 15 percentage points to 240 to 245 percent at June
30, 2009. The improved ratio reflects: (i) a 29 percentage point increase
resulting from the actions by the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners to modify the mortgage experience adjustment factor described in
our Form 8-K dated June 22, 2009; (ii) an approximate 12 to 14 percentage point
increase due to the preliminary second quarter statutory income; and (iii) an
approximate 27 to 30 percentage point decrease due to preliminary losses,
valuation changes and security downgrades related to the Company's investment
portfolio.
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Conseco (3)
July 28, 2009
Preliminary Operating Results
Preliminary operating results by segment for the quarter were as follows ($ in
millions, except per share data):
Three Months Ended
June 30,
------------------------
2009 2008
---- ----
EBIT (1):
Bankers Life.................................................................... $ 63.3 $ 34.6
Colonial Penn................................................................... 11.0 8.3
Conseco Insurance Group......................................................... 21.2 32.3
Corporate Operations, excluding corporate interest expense...................... (8.8) (16.2)
------ -------
EBIT......................................................................... 86.7 59.0
Corporate interest expense........................................................ (23.9) (16.1)
------ -------
Income before net realized investment losses, taxes and
discontinued operations................................................... 62.8 42.9
Tax expense on period income...................................................... 22.0 17.7
------ -------
Net income before net realized investment losses, valuation allowance for
deferred tax assets and discontinued operations................................ 40.8 25.2
Net realized investment losses (excluding the increase in unrealized losses on
those investments transferred to an independent trust and net of related
amortization and taxes and the establishment of a valuation allowance for
deferred tax assets related to such losses).................................... (25.0) - (13.0) (5) (17.4)
--------------- -------
Net income before valuation allowance for deferred
tax assets and discontinued operations......................................... 15.8 - 27.8 7.8
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets (excluding the establishment of a
valuation allowance for realized investment losses and discontinued operations) - (298.0)
Discontinued operations........................................................... - (198.3)
-------- --------
Net income (loss) applicable to common stock................................. $15.8 - $27.8 $(488.5)
============= =======
Per diluted share:
Net income before net realized investment losses, valuation allowance for
deferred tax assets and discontinued operations.............................. $ .22 $ .13
Net realized investment losses, net of related amortization and taxes.......... (.13) - (.07) (.09)
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.................................... - (1.61)
Discontinued operations........................................................ - (1.08)
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Net income (loss)............................................................. $.09 - $.15 $(2.65)
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Conseco (4)
July 28, 2009
Preliminary Segment Results
In our Bankers Life segment, pre-tax operating earnings were $63.3 million in
the second quarter of 2009, up 83%, compared to $34.6 million in the second
quarter of 2008. Results for the second quarter of 2009 were primarily affected
by:
- an increase in earnings of approximately $18 million from the
long-term care block resulting from the release of liabilities for
insurance products on lapsed policies and policy owner elected benefit
reductions following recent rate increase actions, partially offset by
an increase in incurred claims;
- an increase in earnings of approximately $7 million from Medicare
supplement products resulting from lower benefit ratios due to
decreased morbidity and lower amortization of insurance intangibles
due to decreased policy lapses; and
- an increase in earnings of approximately $7 million related to the
Company-owned life insurance policies which were purchased to fund the
segment's deferred compensation plan for certain agents (such variance
resulted from a $3 million death benefit recognized as income in the
second quarter of 2009 and an increase in the estimated fair value of
investments underlying such policies in the second quarter of 2009).
In our Colonial Penn segment, the pre-tax operating earnings were $11.0 million
in the second quarter of 2009, up 33%, compared to $8.3 million in the second
quarter of 2008. Results for the second quarter of 2009 were primarily affected
by the recognition of a $3 million final distribution and commutation amount
following the termination of a group insurance pool that Colonial Penn
previously participated in.
In our Conseco Insurance Group segment, pre-tax operating earnings were $21.2
million in the second quarter of 2009, down 34%, compared to $32.3 million in
the second quarter of 2008. Results for the second quarter of 2009 were
primarily affected by:
- a reduction in earnings of approximately $7 million from the annuity
block primarily due to additional amortization expenses resulting
from: (i) increased surrenders of certain equity-indexed products with
market value adjustment features (which have the effect of reducing
related surrender charges); and (ii) changes in our estimates of
future surrenders of these products;
- an increase in earnings of approximately $8 million from life products
primarily due to: (i) improved mortality experience; and (ii) a
reduction in the amortization of insurance intangibles resulting from
increased expected future profitability of the block (a change in the
mix of the inforce business due to recent lapses has changed the
future expected projected profits);
- a reduction in earnings of approximately $7 million from specified
disease products primarily resulting from an increase in the benefit
ratio driven by higher incurred claims; and
- a reduction in earnings of approximately $5 million from long-term
care products primarily resulting from an increase in the
interest-adjusted benefit ratio due to higher claim expenses.
The Corporate Operations segment includes our investment advisory subsidiary and
corporate expenses. The second quarter of 2008 reflects a $9.6 million charge
related to the consolidation of our Chicago facilities.
Corporate interest expense reflects both the higher interest rate paid on debt
following the amendment to our credit facility in the first quarter of 2009, and
Conseco's higher average debt outstanding.
Preliminary Investments Results
During the second quarter of 2009, accumulated other comprehensive loss is
expected to improve by approximately $0.8 billion to approximately $(1.1)
billion, reflecting the net increase in the estimated fair value of our actively
managed fixed maturity investments.
Conseco is expected to recognize net realized investment losses in the second
quarter of 2009 in the range of $13 million to $25 million (net of related
amortization and taxes and the establishment of a valuation allowance for
deferred tax assets related to such losses). Such net realized investment losses
include no tax benefit, as it is more likely than not that tax benefits related
to investment losses recognized in the second quarter of 2009 will not be
utilized to offset future taxable income.
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Conseco (5)
July 28, 2009
Sales Results
At Bankers Life (career distribution), total NAP in 2Q09 was $69.4 million, up
30% from 2Q08 (NAP, excluding PFFS, was $63.1 million, up 6 percent from 2Q08).
In addition to the sales of proprietary products, Bankers Life, through a
partnership with Coventry, distributes Medicare PDP and PFFS plans through
Bankers career agents. Coventry has decided to cease selling PFFS plans
effective January 1, 2010. On July 22, 2009, the Company announced a strategic
alliance under which the Bankers Life segment will offer Humana's Medicare
Advantage plans to its policyholders and consumers nationwide through its career
agency force and will receive marketing fees based on sales. Effective January
1, 2010, the Company will no longer be assuming the underwriting risk related to
PFFS business.
At Colonial Penn (direct distribution), total NAP was $10.6 million, down 24%
from 2Q08.
At Conseco Insurance Group (independent distribution), total NAP was $18.1
million, down 0.5% from 2Q08 as sales continue to be repositioned to more
profitable products.
Accounting Matters
Results for the second quarter of 2008 have been restated to reflect the
operations of Senior Health Insurance Company of Pennsylvania as a discontinued
operation resulting from the Transfer which was completed in the fourth quarter
of 2008.
Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted FSP No. APB 14-1, "Accounting for
Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash Upon Conversion
(Including Partial Cash Settlement)" ("FSP APB 14-1"). FSP APB 14-1 was required
to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. In the second quarter of
2008, this reduced previously reported earnings by $1.4 million, net of income
taxes, or 1 cent per diluted share.
Final Results and Conference Call
The company expects to release its final second quarter 2009 results on August
4, 2009 and host a conference call to discuss results on August 5, 2009 at 10:00
a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
About Conseco
Conseco, Inc.'s insurance companies help protect working American families /and
seniors from financial adversity: Medicare supplement, long-term care, cancer,
critical illness and accident policies protect people against major unplanned
expenses; annuities and life insurance products help people plan for their
financial futures. For more information, visit Conseco's web site at
www.conseco.com.
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(1) Management believes that an analysis of earnings or loss before net
realized investment gains (losses), discontinued operations, corporate
interest and taxes ("EBIT," a non-GAAP financial measure) provides a
clearer comparison of the operating results of the company
quarter-over-quarter because it excludes: (i) corporate interest expense;
and (ii) net realized investment gains (losses) that are unrelated to the
company's underlying fundamentals. In addition, 2Q08 earnings exclude the
discontinued operations resulting from the transfer of Senior Health
Insurance Company of Pennsylvania (the "Transfer") to an independent trust.
A reconciliation of EBIT to Net Income applicable to common stock is
provided in the tables on pages 3 and 7.
(2) Management believes that an analysis of Net income (loss) applicable to
common stock before net realized investment gains or losses, discontinued
operations, net of related amortization and income taxes, ("Net Operating
Income," a non-GAAP financial measure) is important to evaluate the
financial performance of the company, and is a key measure commonly used in
the life insurance industry. Management uses this measure to evaluate
performance because realized investment gains or losses can be affected by
events that are unrelated to the company's underlying fundamentals. A
reconciliation of Net Operating Income to Net Income applicable to common
stock is provided in the tables on pages 3 and 7. Additional information
concerning this non-GAAP measure is included in our periodic filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission that are available in the "Investor
- SEC Filings" section of Conseco's website, www.conseco.com.
(3) Measured by new annualized premium, which includes 6% of annuity and 10% of
single premium whole life deposits and 100% of all other premiums, PDP
sales equal $210 per enrolled policy ($200 in 2008), PFFS sales equal
$2,320 per enrolled policy ($2,250 in 2008).
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Conseco (6)
July 28, 2009
(4) PFFS NAP in 2Q08 reflected significant charge backs of prior period
premiums for sales that were ultimately canceled. In 2009, we
implemented a more conservative sales recognition policy in an effort
to avoid these effects in the future. Effective January 1, 2010, we
will no longer be assuming PFFS business. On July 22, 2009, we
announced a strategic alliance under which the Bankers Life segment
will offer Humana's Medicare Advantage plans to its policyholders and
consumers nationwide through their career agency force.
(5) Such net realized investment losses include no tax benefit, as it is
more likely than not that tax benefits related to investment losses
recognized in the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, will not
be utilized to offset future taxable income.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements. Our statements, trend
analyses and other information contained in this press release relative to
markets for Conseco's products and trends in Conseco's operations or financial
results, as well as other statements, contain forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the federal securities laws and the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by the
use of terms such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect,"
"project," "intend," "may," "will," "would," "contemplate," "possible,"
"attempt," "seek," "should," "could," "goal," "target," "on track," "comfortable
with," "optimistic" and similar words, although some forward-looking statements
are expressed differently. You should consider statements that contain these
words carefully because they describe our expectations, plans, strategies and
goals and our beliefs concerning future business conditions, our results of
operations, financial position, and our business outlook or they state other
"forward-looking" information based on currently available information.
Assumptions and other important factors that could cause our actual results to
differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements
include, among other things: (i) general economic, market and political
conditions, including the performance and fluctuations of the financial markets
which may affect our ability to raise capital or refinance existing indebtedness
and the cost of doing so; (ii) our ability to continue to satisfy the financial
ratio and balance requirements and other covenants of our debt agreements; (iii)
our ability to generate sufficient liquidity to meet our debt service
obligations and other cash needs; (iv) our ability to obtain adequate and timely
rate increases on our supplemental health products including our long-term care
business; (v) the receipt of required regulatory approvals for dividend and
surplus debenture interest payments from our insurance subsidiaries; (vi)
mortality, morbidity, the increased cost and usage of health care services,
persistency, the adequacy of our previous reserve estimates and other factors
which may affect the profitability of our insurance products; (vii) changes in
our assumptions related to the cost of policies produced or the value of
policies in force at the effective date of our emergence from bankruptcy; (viii)
the recoverability of our deferred tax asset and the effect of potential tax
rate changes on its value; (ix) changes in accounting principles and the
interpretation thereof; (x) our ability to achieve anticipated expense
reductions and levels of operational efficiencies including improvements in
claims adjudication and continued automation and rationalization of operating
systems, (xi) performance and valuation of our investments, including the impact
of realized losses (including other-than-temporary impairment charges); (xii)
our ability to identify products and markets in which we can compete effectively
against competitors with greater market share, higher ratings, greater financial
resources and stronger brand recognition; (xiii) the ultimate outcome of
lawsuits filed against us and other legal and regulatory proceedings to which we
are subject; (xiv) our ability to complete the remediation of the material
weakness in internal controls over our actuarial reporting process and to
maintain effective controls over financial reporting; (xv) our ability to
continue to recruit and retain productive agents and distribution partners and
customer response to new products, distribution channels and marketing
initiatives; (xvi) our ability to achieve eventual upgrades of the financial
strength ratings of Conseco and our insurance company subsidiaries as well as
the potential impact of ratings downgrades on our business; (xvii) the risk
factors or uncertainties listed from time to time in our filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission; (xviii) regulatory changes or actions,
including those relating to regulation of the financial affairs of our insurance
companies, such as the payment of dividends and surplus debenture interest to
us, regulation of financial services affecting (among other things) bank sales
and underwriting of insurance products, regulation of the sale, underwriting and
pricing of products, and health care regulation affecting health insurance
products; and (xix) changes in the Federal income tax laws and regulations which
may affect or eliminate the relative tax advantages of some of our products.
Other factors and assumptions not identified above are also relevant to the
forward-looking statements, and if they prove incorrect, could also cause actual
results to differ materially from those projected. All written or oral
forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their
entirety by the foregoing cautionary statement. Our forward-looking statements
speak only as of the date made. We assume no obligation to update or to publicly
announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements
to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions
or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements.
- Tables Follow -
Conseco (7)
July 28, 2009
Preliminary Operating Results
Results by segment for the six months ended June 30 were as follows ($ in
millions, except per share data):
Six Months Ended
June 30,
------------------------
2009 2008
---- ----
EBIT (1):
Bankers Life.................................................................... $108.0 $ 63.7
Colonial Penn................................................................... 16.1 12.0
Conseco Insurance Group......................................................... 52.4 55.6
Corporate Operations, excluding corporate interest expense...................... (17.5) (22.9)
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EBIT......................................................................... 159.0 108.4
Corporate interest expense........................................................ (37.6) (34.6)
Expenses related to debt modification............................................. (9.5) -
------ -------
Income before net realized investment losses, taxes and
discontinued operations...................................................... 111.9 73.8
Tax expense on period income...................................................... 39.7 28.5
------ -------
Net income before net realized investment losses, valuation allowance for
deferred tax assets and discontinued operations................................ 72.2 45.3
Net realized investment losses (excluding the increase in unrealized losses on
those investments transferred to an independent trust and net of related
amortization and taxes and the establishment of a valuation allowance for
deferred tax assets related to such losses).................................... (31.9) - (19.9) (5) (45.2)
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Net income before valuation allowance for deferred
tax assets and discontinued operations......................................... 40.3 - 52.3 .1
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets (excluding the establishment of a
valuation allowance for realized investment losses and discontinued operations) - (298.0)
Discontinued operations........................................................... - (197.8)
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Net income (loss) applicable to common stock................................. $40.3 - $52.3 $(495.7)
============= =======
Per diluted share:
Net income before net realized investment losses, valuation allowance for
deferred tax assets and discontinued operations.............................. $.39 $ .25
Net realized investment losses, net of related amortization and taxes.......... (.17) - (.11) (.25)
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.................................... - (1.61)
Discontinued operations........................................................ - (1.07)
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Net income (loss)............................................................. $.22 - $.28 $(2.68)
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Conseco (8)
July 28, 2009
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COLLECTED PREMIUMS
(Dollars in millions)
Three months ended
June 30,
----------------------
2009 2008
---- ----
Bankers Life segment:
Annuity.................................................................................... $275.4 $261.1
Supplemental health........................................................................ 422.0 470.8
Life....................................................................................... 55.3 53.8
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Total collected premiums................................................................... $752.7 $785.7
====== ======
Colonial Penn segment:
Life....................................................................................... $ 45.8 $ 43.8
Supplemental health........................................................................ 2.1 2.3
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Total collected premiums.................................................................. $ 47.9 $ 46.1
====== ======
Conseco Insurance Group segment:
Annuity.................................................................................... $ 22.3 $ 37.1
Supplemental health........................................................................ 149.3 153.2
Life....................................................................................... 62.4 66.9
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Total collected premiums................................................................... $234.0 $257.2
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PRELIMINARY BENEFIT RATIOS ON MAJOR SUPPLEMENTAL HEALTH LINES OF BUSINESS
Three Months Ended
June 30,
----------------------
2009 2008
---- ----
Bankers Life segment:
Medicare Supplement:
Earned premium........................................................................ $166 million $158 million
Benefit ratio(a)...................................................................... 68.6% 71.3%
PDP and PFFS:
Earned premium........................................................................ $119 million $172 million
Benefit ratio(a)...................................................................... 94.3% 94.0%
Long-Term Care:
Earned premium........................................................................ $152 million $156 million
Benefit ratio(a)...................................................................... 103.2% 114.7%
Interest-adjusted benefit ratio (a non-GAAP measure)(b)............................... 66.4% 81.4%
Conseco Insurance Group (CIG) segment:
Medicare Supplement:
Earned premium........................................................................ $46 million $51 million
Benefit ratio(a)...................................................................... 71.2% 71.9%
Specified Disease:
Earned premium........................................................................ $95 million $92 million
Benefit ratio(a)...................................................................... 83.3% 80.4%
Interest-adjusted benefit ratio (a non-GAAP measure)(b)............................... 49.7% 46.7%
Long-Term Care:
Earned premium........................................................................ $8 million $9 million
Benefit ratio(a)...................................................................... 182.2% 133.8%
Interest-adjusted benefit ratio (a non-GAAP measure)(b)............................... 103.1% 57.0%
<FN>
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(a) The benefit ratio is calculated by dividing the related product's insurance
policy benefits by insurance policy income.
(b) The interest-adjusted benefit ratio (a non-GAAP measure) is calculated by
dividing the product's insurance policy benefits less interest income on
the accumulated assets backing the insurance liabilities by insurance
policy income. Interest income is an important factor in measuring the
performance of longer duration health products. The net cash flows
generally cause an accumulation of amounts in the early years of a policy
(accounted for as reserve increases), which will be paid out as benefits in
later policy years (accounted for as reserve decreases). Accordingly, as
the policies age, the benefit ratio will typically increase, but the
increase in the change in reserve will be partially offset by interest
income earned on the accumulated assets. The interest-adjusted benefit
ratio reflects the interest income offset. Since interest income is an
important factor in measuring the performance of these products, management
believes a benefit ratio, which includes the effect of interest income, is
useful in analyzing product performance. Additional information concerning
this non-GAAP measure is included in our periodic filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission that are available in the "Investor -
SEC Filings" section of Conseco's website, www.conseco.com.
</FN>
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