Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2005

 

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                      to                    

 

Commission file number 1-10890

 


 

HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   37-0911756

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

1 Horace Mann Plaza, Springfield, Illinois 62715-0001

(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: 217-789-2500

 


 

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  ¨

 

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

 

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

 

As of October 31, 2005, 42,962,778 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, were outstanding, net of 17,503,371 shares of treasury stock.

 



Table of Contents

HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

 

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

 

INDEX

 

          Page

PART I -

   FINANCIAL INFORMATION     
     Item 1. Financial Statements     
    

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   1
    

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   2
    

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

   3
    

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

   4
    

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

   5
    

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    
    

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

   6
    

Note 2 - Stock Based Compensation

   7
    

Note 3 - Debt

   8
    

Note 4 - Investments

   10
    

Note 5 - Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

   11
    

Note 6 - Catastrophes and Reinsurance

   13
    

Note 7 - Segment Information

   15
     Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    16
     Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    46
     Item 4. Controls and Procedures    46

PART II -

   OTHER INFORMATION     
     Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    48
     Item 5. Other Information    48
     Item 6. Exhibits    48
SIGNATURES    49


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Horace Mann Educators Corporation:

 

We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Horace Mann Educators Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 30, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, and the related consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

 

We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

 

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

We have previously audited, in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2004, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated March 31, 2005, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2004, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it was derived.

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP

 

Chicago, Illinois

November 9, 2005

 

1


Table of Contents

 

HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    

September 30,

2005


   

December 31,

2004


 
     (Unaudited)        
ASSETS                 

Investments

                

Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost, 2005, $3,626,284; 2004, $3,399,254)

   $ 3,700,676     $ 3,541,255  

Short-term and other investments

     134,429       115,835  

Short-term investments, loaned securities collateral

     370,356       142  
    


 


Total investments

     4,205,461       3,657,232  

Accrued investment income and premiums receivable

     106,954       104,530  

Deferred policy acquisition costs

     226,116       209,576  

Goodwill

     47,396       47,396  

Value of acquired insurance in force

     17,638       21,522  

Other assets

     131,223       76,883  

Separate Account (variable annuity) assets

     1,292,354       1,254,763  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 6,027,142     $ 5,371,902  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                 

Policy liabilities

                

Fixed annuity contract liabilities

   $ 1,793,082     $ 1,688,075  

Interest-sensitive life contract liabilities

     612,639       593,694  

Unpaid claims and claim expenses

     415,261       342,445  

Future policy benefits

     180,401       181,648  

Unearned premiums

     207,609       204,706  
    


 


Total policy liabilities

     3,208,992       3,010,568  

Other policyholder funds

     147,587       142,634  

Liability for securities lending agreements

     370,686       —    

Other liabilities

     231,857       218,011  

Short-term debt

     —         25,000  

Long-term debt

     190,879       144,720  

Separate Account (variable annuity) liabilities

     1,292,354       1,254,763  
    


 


Total liabilities

     5,442,355       4,795,696  
    


 


Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, authorized 1,000,000 shares; none issued

     —         —    

Common stock, $0.001 par value, authorized 75,000,000 shares; issued, 2005, 60,464,999; 2004, 60,350,014

     60       60  

Additional paid-in capital

     345,077       343,178  

Retained earnings

     542,182       494,665  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:

                

Net unrealized gains on fixed maturities and equity securities

     45,037       85,872  

Minimum pension liability adjustment

     (14,992 )     (14,992 )

Treasury stock, at cost, 17,503,371 shares

     (332,577 )     (332,577 )
    


 


Total shareholders’ equity

     584,787       576,206  
    


 


Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 6,027,142     $ 5,371,902  
    


 


 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

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HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,


   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

Revenues

                              

Insurance premiums and contract charges earned

   $ 158,387     $ 165,111     $ 494,907     $ 501,771

Net investment income

     48,912       47,988       144,921       143,461

Net realized investment gains

     87       4,791       9,137       9,262
    


 


 


 

Total revenues

     207,386       217,890       648,965       654,494
    


 


 


 

Benefits, losses and expenses

                              

Benefits, claims and settlement expenses

     130,615       159,424       328,588       377,852

Interest credited

     29,360       27,316       86,054       80,599

Policy acquisition expenses amortized

     17,275       18,058       54,443       51,841

Operating expenses

     34,898       30,166       95,841       98,297

Amortization of intangible assets

     1,219       1,350       4,307       3,804

Interest expense

     2,275       1,710       6,603       5,085
    


 


 


 

Total benefits, losses and expenses

     215,642       238,024       575,836       617,478
    


 


 


 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (8,256 )     (20,134 )     73,129       37,016

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (9,277 )     (7,490 )     11,953       9,032
    


 


 


 

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,021     $ (12,644 )   $ 61,176     $ 27,984
    


 


 


 

Net income (loss) per share

                              

Basic

   $ 0.02     $ (0.30 )   $ 1.43     $ 0.65
    


 


 


 

Diluted

   $ 0.02     $ (0.30 )   $ 1.32     $ 0.63
    


 


 


 

Weighted average number of shares and equivalent shares (in thousands)

                              

Basic

     42,933       42,773       42,895       42,743

Diluted

     43,686       42,773       47,829       47,317

Comprehensive income (loss)

                              

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,021     $ (12,644 )   $ 61,176     $ 27,984

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:

                              

Change in net unrealized gains on fixed maturities and equity securities

     (47,157 )     59,139       (40,835 )     872

Change in minimum pension liability adjustment

     —         —         —         —  
    


 


 


 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     (47,157 )     59,139       (40,835 )     872
    


 


 


 

Total

   $ (46,136 )   $ 46,495     $ 20,341     $ 28,856
    


 


 


 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

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HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Common stock

                

Beginning balance

   $ 60     $ 60  

Options exercised, 2005, 114,224 shares; 2004, 52,302 shares

     —         —    

Conversion of Director Stock Plan units, 2005, 761 shares; 2004, 20,511 shares

     —         —    
    


 


Ending balance

     60       60  
    


 


Additional paid-in capital

                

Beginning balance

     343,178       342,306  

Options exercised and conversion of Director Stock Plan units

     1,899       1,168  

Catastrophe-linked equity put option premium

     —         (1,125 )
    


 


Ending balance

     345,077       342,349  
    


 


Retained earnings

                

Beginning balance

     494,665       456,330  

Net income

     61,176       27,984  

Cash dividends, $0.315 per share

     (13,659 )     (13,477 )
    


 


Ending balance

     542,182       470,837  
    


 


Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:

                

Beginning balance

     70,880       64,356  

Change in net unrealized gains on fixed maturities and equity securities

     (40,835 )     872  

Change in minimum pension liability adjustment

     —         —    
    


 


Ending balance

     30,045       65,228  
    


 


Treasury stock, at cost

                

Beginning and ending balance, 2005 and 2004, 17,503,371 shares

     (332,577 )     (332,577 )
    


 


Shareholders’ equity at end of period

   $ 584,787     $ 545,897  
    


 


 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

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HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Cash flows - operating activities

                

Premiums collected

   $ 514,221     $ 522,158  

Policyholder benefits paid

     (316,116 )     (347,009 )

Policy acquisition and other operating expenses paid

     (168,078 )     (159,918 )

Federal income taxes recovered (paid)

     1,096       (3,933 )

Investment income collected

     142,953       141,010  

Interest expense paid

     (4,143 )     (4,043 )

Contribution to defined benefit pension plan trust fund

     (4,514 )     (3,500 )

Other

     7,804       8,800  
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     173,223       153,565  
    


 


Cash flows - investing activities

                

Fixed maturities

                

Purchases

     (789,494 )     (1,218,703 )

Sales

     367,368       732,466  

Maturities

     216,241       268,524  

Net cash used in short-term and other investments

     (18,169 )     (21,288 )
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (224,054 )     (239,001 )
    


 


Cash flows - financing activities

                

Dividends paid to shareholders

     (13,659 )     (13,477 )

Principal repayments on Bank Credit Facility

     (25,000 )     —    

Exercise of stock options

     1,881       1,168  

Catastrophe-linked equity put option premium

     —         (1,125 )

Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes due 2015

     74,245       —    

Repurchase of Senior Notes due 2006

     (29,077 )     —    

Annuity contracts, variable and fixed

                

Deposits

     240,170       248,424  

Benefits and withdrawals

     (91,483 )     (72,928 )

Net transfer to Separate Account (variable annuity) assets

     (86,487 )     (83,677 )

Net decrease in life policy account balances

     (3,497 )     (4,135 )

Change in bank overdrafts

     (16,262 )     11,186  
    


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     50,831       85,436  
    


 


Net increase (decrease) in cash

     —         —    

Cash at beginning of period

     —         —    
    


 


Cash at end of period

   $ —       $ —    
    


 


 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

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Table of Contents

 

HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

September 30, 2005 and 2004

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Horace Mann Educators Corporation (“HMEC”; and together with its subsidiaries, the “Company” or “Horace Mann”) have been prepared in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted. The Company believes that these financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the Company’s consolidated financial position as of September 30, 2005, the consolidated results of operations and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 and the consolidated changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

The subsidiaries of HMEC market and underwrite tax-qualified retirement annuities and private passenger automobile, homeowners, and life insurance products, primarily to educators and other employees of public schools and their families. The Company’s principal operating subsidiaries are Horace Mann Life Insurance Company, Horace Mann Insurance Company, Teachers Insurance Company, Horace Mann Property & Casualty Insurance Company and Horace Mann Lloyds.

 

It is suggested that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

The Company has reclassified the presentation of certain prior period information to conform with the September 30, 2005 presentation.

 

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Note 2 - Stock Based Compensation

 

The Company grants stock options to executive officers, other employees and directors. The exercise price of the option is equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Additional information regarding the Company’s stock-based compensation plans is contained in “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Note 6 — Shareholders’ Equity and Stock Options” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. The Company accounts for stock option grants using the intrinsic value based method in accordance with Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, and accordingly, recognizes no compensation expense for the stock option grants which have an exercise price equal to market price on the date of grant resulting in an intrinsic value of $0.

 

Alternatively, Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, allows companies to recognize compensation cost for stock-based compensation plans, determined based on the fair value at the grant dates. If the Company had applied this alternative accounting method, net income and net income per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,


   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


     2005

   2004

    2005

   2004

Net income (loss)

                            

As reported

   $ 1,021    $ (12,644 )   $ 61,176    $ 27,984

Add: Stock-based compensation expense, after tax, included in reported net income

     —        —         —        —  

Deduct: Stock-based compensation expense, after tax, determined under the fair value based method for all awards (1)

     11      5       34      10,961
    

  


 

  

Pro forma

   $ 1,010    $ (12,649 )   $ 61,142    $ 17,023
    

  


 

  

Net income (loss) per share – basic

                            

As reported

   $ 0.02    $ (0.30 )   $ 1.43    $ 0.65

Pro forma

   $ 0.02    $ (0.30 )   $ 1.43    $ 0.40

Net income (loss) per share – diluted

                            

As reported

   $ 0.02    $ (0.30 )   $ 1.32    $ 0.63

Pro forma

   $ 0.02    $ (0.30 )   $ 1.32    $ 0.40

(1) The fair value of each option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Modified Roll-Geske option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions for 2005 and 2004, respectively: risk-free interest rates of 4.3% and 4.1%; dividend yield of 2.3% and 2.5%; expected lives of 7 and 10 years; and volatility of 19.4% and 23.8%. The nine-month expense amounts represent three-fourths of the full year expense, reflecting options granted through September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and vesting during the respective calendar years. The expense amount for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 also includes the impact of accelerated vesting of stock options, as described in “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Stock Based Compensation” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

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Note 3 - Debt

 

Indebtedness outstanding was as follows:

 

    

September 30,

2005


  

December 31,

2004


Short-term debt:

             

Bank Credit Facility

   $ —      $ 25,000

Long-term debt:

             

1.425% Senior Convertible Notes, due May 14, 2032. Aggregate principal amount of $244,500 less unaccrued discount of $128,362 (3.0% imputed rate)

     116,138      116,138

6.05% Senior Notes, due June 15, 2015. Aggregate principal amount of $75,000 less unaccrued discount of $259 (6.1% imputed rate)

     74,741      —  

6 5/8% Senior Notes, due January 15, 2006. Aggregate principal amount of $28,600 less unaccrued discount of $18 (6.7% imputed rate)

     —        28,582
    

  

Total

   $ 190,879    $ 169,720
    

  

 

The 1.425% Senior Convertible Notes due 2032 and 6 5/8% Senior Notes due 2006 are described in “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Note 5 — Debt” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

Credit Agreement with Financial Institutions (“Bank Credit Facility”)

 

On May 31, 2005, the Company entered into a new Bank Credit Agreement which provides for unsecured borrowings of up to $100,000 (the “Current Bank Credit Facility”). The Current Bank Credit Facility expires on May 30, 2009. Interest accrues at varying spreads relative to corporate or eurodollar base rates and is payable monthly or quarterly depending on the applicable base rate. The unused portion of the Current Bank Credit Facility is subject to a variable commitment fee, which was 0.175% on an annual basis at September 30, 2005. On May 31, 2005, the Company borrowed $25,000 and subsequently repaid this balance in full on June 13, 2005, utilizing a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Notes due 2015, described below.

 

On May 29, 2002, Horace Mann Educators Corporation entered into a Bank Credit Agreement that was amended effective June 1, 2004, increasing the commitment amount to $35,000, and May 3, 2005, extending the commitment termination date to June 30, 2005 from the previous termination date of May 31, 2005 (the “Previous Bank Credit Agreement”). The Previous Bank Credit Agreement was terminated on May 31, 2005, when the Company entered into the Current Bank Credit Facility. The $25,000 balance outstanding under the Previous Bank Credit Agreement was repaid in full on May 31, 2005, utilizing the borrowing under the Current Bank Credit Facility, described above.

 

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Note 3 – Debt-(Continued)

 

6.05% Senior Notes due 2015 (“Senior Notes due 2015”)

 

On June 9, 2005, the Company issued $75,000 face amount of senior notes at an effective yield of 6.1%, which will mature on June 15, 2015. Interest on the Senior Notes due 2015 is payable semi-annually at a rate of 6.05%. The Senior Notes due 2015 are redeemable in whole or in part, at any time, at the Company’s option, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of their principal amount or (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted, on a semi-annual basis, at the Treasury yield (as defined in the indenture) plus 30 basis points, plus, in either of the above cases, accrued interest to the date of redemption.

 

The net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes due 2015 were used to (1) repay the Current Bank Credit Facility, (2) redeem the Senior Notes due 2006, described below, and (3) make a capital contribution to HMEC’s primary life insurance subsidiary to substantially offset the early recapture of the Company’s life reinsurance agreement with the United States branch of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada. See also “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Financial Resources — Capital Resources”.

 

6  5/8% Senior Notes due 2006 (“Senior Notes due 2006”)

 

On June 30, 2005, the Company redeemed all of its outstanding Senior Notes due 2006, $28,600 aggregate principal amount, utilizing a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Notes due 2015, described above. The aggregate cost of the repurchase was $29,107.

 

Universal Shelf Registration

 

To provide additional capital management flexibility, the Company filed a “universal shelf” registration on Form S-3 with the SEC in December 2003. The registration statement, which registers the offer and sale by the Company from time to time of up to $300,000 of various securities, which may include debt securities, preferred stock, common stock and/or depositary shares, was declared effective on December 30, 2003. The $75,000 face amount of Senior Notes due 2015 was issued utilizing this registration statement. No other securities associated with the registration statement have been issued as of the date of this Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Debt Retirement Charges

 

The repurchase of the Senior Notes due 2006 resulted in a pretax charge to income for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 of $507, which was reported as a component of interest expense for this period.

 

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Note 4 - Investments

 

Fixed Maturity Securities

 

The following table presents the composition and value of the Company’s fixed maturity securities portfolio by rating category. The Company has classified the entire fixed maturity securities portfolio as available for sale, which is carried at fair value.

 

     Percent of Fair Value

    September 30, 2005

Rating of Fixed

Maturity Securities (1)


  

September 30,

2005


   

December 31,

2004


   

Fair

Value (2)


   Amortized
Cost


AAA

   43.1 %   42.0 %   $ 1,595,458    $ 1,593,640

AA

   7.6     7.5       281,642      279,027

A

   24.2     24.3       897,293      856,407

BBB

   19.2     20.3       710,066      682,734

BB

   2.3     1.8       85,919      86,868

B

   3.4     3.7       124,309      123,537

CCC or lower

   0.1     0.3       3,657      1,734

Not rated (3)

   0.1     0.1       2,332      2,337
    

 

 

  

Total

   100.0 %   100.0 %   $ 3,700,676    $ 3,626,284
    

 

 

  


(1) Ratings are as assigned primarily by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) when available, with remaining ratings as assigned on an equivalent basis by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”). Ratings for publicly traded securities are determined when the securities are acquired and are updated monthly to reflect any changes in ratings.
(2) Fair values are based on quoted market prices, when available. Fair values for private placements and certain other securities that are infrequently traded are estimated by the Company with the assistance of its investment advisors utilizing recognized valuation methodology, including cash flow modeling.
(3) This category includes $2,332 of private placement securities not rated by either S&P or Moody’s. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) has rated 100% of these private placement securities as investment grade.

 

The following table presents the distribution of the Company’s fixed maturity securities portfolio by estimated expected maturity. Estimated expected maturities differ from contractual maturities by reflecting assumptions regarding borrowers’ utilization of the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Estimated expected maturities consider broker dealer survey values and are verified for consistency with the interest rate and economic environments.

 

     Percent of Total

    Fair Value

    

September 30,

2005


   

December 31,

2004


   

September 30,

2005


Due in 1 year or less

   9.4 %   7.9 %   $ 349,700

Due after 1 year through 5 years

   27.0     26.1       998,424

Due after 5 years through 10 years

   38.3     40.7       1,417,384

Due after 10 years through 20 years

   8.6     7.5       318,484

Due after 20 years

   16.7     17.8       616,684
    

 

 

Total

   100.0 %   100.0 %   $ 3,700,676
    

 

 

 

The average option adjusted duration for the Company’s fixed maturity securities was 5.6 years at both September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004.

 

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Note 4 - Investments-(Continued)

 

The Company’s investment portfolio includes no derivative financial instruments (futures, forwards, swaps, option contracts or other financial instruments with similar characteristics).

 

Securities Lending

 

The Company loans fixed income securities to third parties, primarily major brokerage firms. As of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, fixed maturities with a fair value of $370,686 and $0, respectively, were on loan. Loans of securities are required at all times to be secured by collateral from borrowers at least equal to 100% of the market value of the securities loaned. The Company maintains effective control over the loaned securities and therefore reports them as Fixed Maturity Securities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Securities lending collateral is classified as investments with a corresponding liability in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Note 5 - Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

 

The Company has the following retirement plans: a defined contribution plan; a 401(k) plan; a defined benefit plan for employees hired on or before December 31, 1998; and certain employees participate in a supplemental defined benefit plan or a supplemental defined contribution plan or both. Additional information regarding the Company’s retirement plans is contained in “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Note 10 — Pension Plans and Postretirement Benefits” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

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Table of Contents

Note 5 - Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits-(Continued)

 

The following table summarizes the components of net periodic pension cost recognized for the defined benefit plan and the supplemental defined benefit plans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004.

 

     Defined Benefit Plan

    Supplemental
Defined Benefit Plans


 
     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Three Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 

Components of net periodic pension expense:

                                

Service cost

   $ —       $ —       $ (8 )   $ (8 )

Interest cost

     624       777       230       239  

Expected return on plan assets

     (595 )     (678 )     —         —    

Recognized net actuarial loss

     381       382       156       127  

Settlement loss

     (17 )     (115 )     —         —    
    


 


 


 


Net periodic pension expense

   $ 393     $ 366     $ 378     $ 358  
    


 


 


 


     Defined Benefit Plan

    Supplemental
Defined Benefit Plans


 
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 

Components of net periodic pension expense:

                                

Service cost

   $ —       $ —       $ (22 )   $ (22 )

Interest cost

     1,874       2,329       688       725  

Expected return on plan assets

     (1,783 )     (2,034 )     —         —    

Recognized net actuarial loss

     1,141       1,146       468       391  

Settlement loss

     807       932       —         —    
    


 


 


 


Net periodic pension expense

   $ 2,039     $ 2,373     $ 1,134     $ 1,094  
    


 


 


 


 

In September 2005, the Company contributed $4,514 to the defined benefit plan and does not anticipate making any additional contributions to this plan during the remaining three months of 2005. At the time of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company expects to contribute approximately $1,035 to the supplemental defined benefit plans in 2005, of which $768 was contributed during the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

 

12


Table of Contents

Note 5 - Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits-(Continued)

 

In addition to providing pension benefits, the Company also provides certain health care and life insurance benefits to retired employees, who meet the eligibility requirements, and their eligible dependents. The following table summarizes the components of the net periodic benefit cost of postretirement benefits other than pension for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 

Components of net periodic cost:

                                

Service cost

   $ 21     $ 26     $ 65     $ 77  

Interest cost

     450       455       1,348       1,367  

Amortization of prior service cost

     (178 )     (180 )     (538 )     (539 )

Recognized net actuarial loss

     118       (782 )     354       (715 )
    


 


 


 


Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 411     $ (481 )   $ 1,229     $ 190  
    


 


 


 


 

Consistent with disclosure in “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Note 10 — Pension Plans and Postretirement Benefits” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company expects to contribute $2,140 to the postretirement benefit plan in 2005, of which $1,145 was contributed during the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

 

Note 6 - Catastrophes and Reinsurance

 

For the three months ended September 30, the Company’s net catastrophe losses were significant in both 2005 and 2004. For the three months ended September 30, 2005, net catastrophe losses of approximately $35,500 were primarily as a result of Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, Minnesota storms and Hurricane Dennis. Property and casualty net reserves for unpaid claims and claim expenses at September 30, 2005 of $334,266 included approximately $24,300 attributable to these catastrophes. For the three months ended September 30, 2004, net catastrophe losses of approximately $55,500 were attributable primarily to Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne.

 

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Table of Contents

Note 6 - Catastrophes and Reinsurance-(Continued)

 

The Company recognizes the cost of reinsurance premiums over the contract periods for such premiums in proportion to the insurance protection provided. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers for unpaid claims and claim settlement expenses, including estimated amounts for unsettled claims, claims incurred but not reported and policy benefits, are estimated in a manner consistent with the insurance liability associated with the policy. The effects of reinsurance on premiums written and contract deposits; premiums and contract charges earned; and benefits, claims and settlement expenses were as follows:

 

Three months ended September 30, 2005


   Gross
Amount


   Ceded

   Assumed

   Net

Premiums written and contract deposits

   $ 262,106    $ 15,426    $ 2,193    $ 248,873

Premiums and contract charges earned

     171,263      15,452      2,576      158,387

Benefits, claims and settlement expenses

     185,733      58,866      3,748      130,615

Three months ended September 30, 2004


                   

Premiums written and contract deposits

   $ 262,653    $ 11,863    $ 4,768    $ 255,558

Premiums and contract charges earned

     172,429      11,825      4,507      165,111

Benefits, claims and settlement expenses

     240,336      83,927      3,015      159,424

Nine months ended September 30, 2005


                   

Premiums written and contract deposits

   $ 751,288    $ 28,592    $ 7,229    $ 729,925

Premiums and contract charges earned

     515,274      29,578      9,211      494,907

Benefits, claims and settlement expenses

     388,063      68,352      8,877      328,588

Nine months ended September 30, 2004


                   

Premiums written and contract deposits

   $ 766,315    $ 23,447    $ 13,542    $ 756,410

Premiums and contract charges earned

     512,698      24,518      13,591      501,771

Benefits, claims and settlement expenses

     461,538      93,276      9,590      377,852

 

Gross and ceded benefits, claims and settlement expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 reflect the impact of property and casualty catastrophe losses, as described above. Ceded premiums written and earned for the same periods included approximately $9 million in 2005 and $4 million in 2004 of catastrophe reinsurance reinstatement premiums.

 

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Table of Contents

Note 7 - Segment Information

 

The Company conducts and manages its business through four segments. The three operating segments, representing the major lines of insurance business, are: property and casualty insurance, principally personal lines automobile and homeowners products; annuity products, principally individual, tax-qualified fixed and variable deposits; and life insurance. The Company does not allocate the impact of corporate level transactions to the insurance segments, consistent with management’s evaluation of the results of those segments, but classifies those items in the fourth segment, corporate and other. In addition to debt service, realized investment gains and losses and certain public company expenses, such charges historically have included restructuring charges, debt retirement costs, litigation charges and the provision for prior years’ taxes. Summarized financial information for these segments is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 

Insurance premiums and contract charges earned

                                

Property and casualty

   $ 130,336     $ 136,467     $ 409,892     $ 417,459  

Annuity

     4,551       4,155       13,277       12,428  

Life

     23,500       24,489       71,738       71,884  
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ 158,387     $ 165,111     $ 494,907     $ 501,771  
    


 


 


 


Net investment income

                                

Property and casualty

   $ 8,252     $ 8,495     $ 24,689     $ 25,462  

Annuity

     28,401       27,505       84,017       81,697  

Life

     12,403       12,290       36,778       37,212  

Corporate and other

     139       (16 )     288       (48 )

Intersegment eliminations

     (283 )     (286 )     (851 )     (862 )
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ 48,912     $ 47,988     $ 144,921     $ 143,461  
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

                                

Property and casualty

   $ (8,037 )   $ (21,306 )   $ 33,886     $ 7,003  

Annuity

     6,462       2,491       11,942       9,083  

Life

     1,984       4,804       10,093       11,134  

Corporate and other

     612       1,367       5,255       764  
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ 1,021     $ (12,644 )   $ 61,176     $ 27,984  
    


 


 


 


Amortization of intangible assets, pretax (included in segment net income)

                                

Value of acquired insurance in force

                                

Annuity

   $ 853     $ 966     $ 3,197     $ 2,640  

Life

     366       384       1,110       1,164  
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ 1,219     $ 1,350     $ 4,307     $ 3,804  
    


 


 


 


 

     September 30,
2005


    December 31,
2004


 

Assets

                

Property and casualty

   $ 960,746     $ 870,627  

Annuity

     3,787,367       3,489,688  

Life

     1,217,203       962,564  

Corporate and other

     85,418       94,513  

Intersegment eliminations

     (23,592 )     (45,490 )
    


 


Total

   $ 6,027,142     $ 5,371,902  
    


 


 

15


Table of Contents

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

 

Forward-looking Information

 

Statements made in the following discussion that state the Company’s or management’s intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions of future events or the Company’s future financial performance are forward-looking statements and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Horace Mann is not under any obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. It is important to note that the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements due to, among other risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company’s business, the following important factors:

 

    Changes in the composition of the Company’s assets and liabilities which may result from occurrences such as acquisitions, divestitures, impairment in asset values or changes in estimates of insurance reserves.

 

    Fluctuations in the market value of securities in the Company’s investment portfolio and the related after-tax effect on the Company’s shareholders’ equity and total capital through either realized or unrealized investment losses. In addition, the impact of fluctuations in the financial markets on the Company’s defined benefit pension plan assets and the related after-tax effect on the Company’s operating expenses, shareholders’ equity and total capital.

 

    The impact of fluctuations in the financial markets on the Company’s variable annuity fee revenues, valuations of deferred policy acquisition costs and value of acquired insurance in force, and the level of guaranteed minimum death benefit reserves.

 

    The impact of fluctuations in the capital markets on the Company’s ability to refinance outstanding indebtedness or repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

    Defaults on interest or dividend payments in the Company’s investment portfolio due to credit issues and the resulting impact on investment income.

 

    Prevailing interest rate levels, including the impact of interest rates on (i) unrealized gains and losses in the Company’s investment portfolio and the related after-tax effect on the Company’s shareholders’ equity and total capital, (ii) the book yield of the Company’s investment portfolio and (iii) the Company’s ability to maintain appropriate interest rate spreads over the fixed rates guaranteed in the Company’s life and annuity products.

 

    The cyclicality of the insurance industry and the related effects of changes in price competition and industry-wide underwriting results.

 

    The frequency and severity of catastrophes such as hurricanes, earthquakes, storms and wildfires and the ability of the Company to provide accurate estimates of ultimate catastrophe costs in its consolidated financial statements in light of such factors as: the proximity of the catastrophe occurrence date to the date of the consolidated financial statements; potential inflation of property repair costs in the affected area; the occurrence of multiple catastrophes in a geographic area over a relatively short period of time; the outcome of litigation which may be filed against the Company by policyholders, state attorneys general and other parties relative to loss coverage disputes and loss settlement payments; and the ability of state insurance facilities to assess participating insurers when financial deficits occur.

 

16


Table of Contents
    Based on property and casualty direct earned premiums for 2004, the Company’s ten largest states represented 55% of the segment total. Included in this top ten group are certain states in which catastrophe occurrences are relatively common: California, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana and Texas.

 

    The ability of the Company to maintain a favorable catastrophe reinsurance program considering both availability and cost; and the collectibility of reinsurance receivables.

 

    Adverse development of property and casualty loss experience and its impact on estimated claims and claim settlement expenses for losses occurring in prior years.

 

    Business risks inherent in the Company’s restructuring of its property and casualty claims operation.

 

    Adverse changes in business persistency, policyholder mortality and morbidity rates and the resulting impact on both estimated reserves and the valuations of deferred policy acquisition costs and value of acquired insurance in force.

 

    Changes in insurance regulations, including (i) those affecting the ability of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries to distribute cash to the holding company and (ii) those impacting the Company’s ability to profitably write property and casualty insurance policies in one or more states.

 

    Changes in accounting or financial reporting standards issued by the FASB, SEC or other standard-setting bodies which may have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and/or cost of doing business.

 

    Changes in federal income tax laws and changes resulting from federal tax audits affecting corporate tax rates or taxable income.

 

    Changes in federal and state laws and regulations which affect the relative tax and other advantages of the Company’s life and annuity products to customers, including, but not limited to, adverse changes in IRS regulations governing 403(b) plans.

 

    The resolution of legal proceedings and related matters including the potential adverse impact on the Company’s reputation and charges against the Company’s earnings resulting from legal defense costs, a settlement agreement and/or an adverse finding or findings against the Company from the proceedings.

 

    The Company’s ability to maintain favorable claims-paying ability, financial strength and debt ratings.

 

    The competitive impact of entrants such as mutual funds and banks into the tax-deferred annuity products markets, and the Company’s ability to profitably expand its property and casualty business in highly competitive environments.

 

    The Company’s ability to develop and expand its agent force and its direct product distribution systems, as well as the Company’s ability to maintain and secure product sponsorships by local, state and national education associations.

 

    The risk related to the Company’s dated and complex information systems, which are more prone to error than advanced technology systems.

 

    Disruptions of the general business climate, investments, capital markets and consumer attitudes caused by geopolitical acts such as terrorism, war or other similar events.

 

    The impact of a disaster or catastrophic event affecting the Company’s employees or its home office facilities and the Company’s ability to recover and resume its business operations on a timely basis.

 

17


Table of Contents

Executive Summary

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company’s net income increased compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily reflecting improved property and casualty segment earnings. This improvement was driven by aggressive underwriting and pricing actions taken in recent years, ongoing improvements in claims processes, cost containment initiatives and a continuing low level of non-catastrophe claim frequency. For the Company, and for the property and casualty insurance industry, catastrophe costs were significant in the third quarters of both 2005 and 2004. However, catastrophe costs for the first nine months of 2005 were lower than the same period in 2004. Property and casualty earnings in the current period also reflected $7.8 million pretax from favorable development of prior years’ claim reserves.

 

Horace Mann received refunds from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) in April 2005, including amounts related to tax years 1996 and 1997, which were deemed to be closed. In September 2005, tax years 1998 through 2001 were also deemed closed. This resulted in the elimination of the contingent tax liability related to those six years which reduced federal income tax expense for the first nine months of 2005 by $9.1 million ($2.7 million and $6.4 million in the second and third quarters, respectively). In addition, $1.4 million of interest on the tax refund amounts was received and recorded as pretax income in the second quarter.

 

Premiums written and contract deposits decreased 4% compared to the first nine months of 2004. Property and casualty premiums written declined as increases in average voluntary automobile and homeowners premium per policy — which were moderated to some extent by the improvement in quality in the books of business — were more than offset by the decline in policies in force in these lines. Also, property and casualty catastrophe reinsurance reinstatement premiums were higher in the current period representing nearly 1 percentage point of the decline. In addition to the decline in property and casualty premiums written, new annuity single premium and rollover deposit receipts declined compared to 2004.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions based on information available at the time the consolidated financial statements are prepared. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of the Company’s consolidated assets, liabilities, shareholders’ equity and net income. Certain accounting estimates are particularly sensitive because of their significance to the Company’s consolidated financial statements and because of the possibility that subsequent events and available information may differ markedly from management’s judgements at the time the consolidated financial statements were prepared. Management has discussed with the Audit Committee the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Company’s accounting principles as applied in its financial reporting. The discussions generally included such matters as the consistency of the Company’s accounting policies and their application, and the clarity and completeness of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which include related disclosures. For the Company, the areas most subject to significant management judgements include: liabilities for property and casualty claims and claim settlement expenses, liabilities for future policy benefits, deferred policy acquisition costs, value of acquired insurance in force for annuity and interest-sensitive life products, valuation of investments and valuation of assets and liabilities related to the defined benefit pension plan.

 

18


Table of Contents

Liabilities for Property and Casualty Claims and Claim Settlement Expenses

 

Underwriting results of the property and casualty segment are significantly influenced by estimates of the Company’s ultimate liability for insured events. There is a high degree of uncertainty inherent in the estimates of ultimate losses underlying the liability for unpaid claims and claim settlement expenses. This inherent uncertainty is particularly significant for liability-related exposures due to the extended period, often many years, that transpires between a loss event, receipt of related claims data from policyholders and ultimate settlement of the claim. Reserves for property and casualty claims include provisions for payments to be made on reported claims, claims incurred but not yet reported (“IBNR”) and associated settlement expenses. The process by which these reserves are established requires reliance upon estimates based on known facts and on interpretations of circumstances, including the Company’s experience with similar cases and historical trends involving claim payments and related patterns, pending levels of unpaid claims and product mix, as well as other factors including court decisions, economic conditions and public attitudes.

 

The Company continually updates loss estimates using both quantitative and qualitative information from its reserving actuaries and information derived from other sources. Adjustments may be required as information develops which varies from experience, or, in some cases, augments data which previously were not considered sufficient for use in determining liabilities. The effects of these adjustments may be significant and are charged or credited to income for the period in which the adjustments are made. Detailed discussion of the impact of adjustments recorded during recent years is included in “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Note 4 — Property and Casualty Unpaid Claims and Claim Expenses” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. Due to the nature of the Company’s personal lines business, the Company has no exposure to claims for toxic waste cleanup, other environmental remediation or asbestos-related illnesses other than claims under homeowners insurance policies for environmentally related items such as mold.

 

The Company completes a detailed study of property and casualty reserves based on information available at the end of each quarter and year. Trends of reported losses (paid amounts and case reserves on claims reported to the Company) for each accident year are reviewed and ultimate loss costs for those accident years are estimated. The Company engages an independent property and casualty actuarial consulting firm to prepare an independent study of the Company’s property and casualty reserves at June 30 and December 31 of each year.

 

The Company’s liabilities for property and casualty unpaid claims and claim settlement expenses were as follows:

 

     September 30, 2005

   December 31, 2004

     Case
Reserves


   IBNR
Reserves


   Total (1)

   Case
Reserves


   IBNR
Reserves


   Total (1)

Automobile

   $ 95.0    $ 151.6    $ 246.6    $ 102.5    $ 141.1    $ 243.6

Homeowners

     67.1      56.8      123.9      17.0      44.0      61.0

All other

     8.3      27.0      35.3      5.0      25.4      30.4
    

  

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 170.4    $ 235.4    $ 405.8    $ 124.5    $ 210.5    $ 335.0
    

  

  

  

  

  


(1) In compliance with GAAP, these amounts are before reduction for ceded reinsurance reserves.

 

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Table of Contents

Property and casualty unpaid claims and claim settlement expenses (“loss reserves”) represent management’s estimate of ultimate unpaid costs of losses and settlement expenses for claims that have been reported and claims that have been incurred but not yet reported. The process for estimating these liabilities begins with the collection and analysis of claim data. Data on individual reported claims, both current and historical, including paid amounts and individual claim adjuster estimates, are grouped by common characteristics and evaluated by actuaries in their analyses of ultimate claim liabilities by product line. Such data is supplemented with external data as available and when appropriate. The process of analyzing loss reserves for all product lines is undertaken on a quarterly basis.

 

Multiple estimation methods are available for the analysis of ultimate claim liabilities. Each estimation method has its own set of assumption variables and its own advantages and disadvantages, with no single estimation method being better than the others in all situations and no one set of assumption variables being meaningful for all product lines. The relative strengths and weaknesses of the particular estimation methods when applied to a particular group of claims can also change over time. Therefore, the actual choice of estimation method(s) can change with each evaluation. The estimation method(s) chosen are those that are believed to produce the most reliable indication at that particular evaluation date for the claim liabilities being evaluated.

 

In most cases, multiple estimation methods will be valid for the particular facts and circumstances of the claim liabilities being evaluated. This will result in a range of reasonable estimates for any particular claim liability. The Company uses such range analyses to back test whether previously established estimates for reserves are reasonable, given subsequent information. Reported values found to be closer to the endpoints of a range of reasonable estimates are subject to further detailed reviews. These reviews may substantiate the validity of management’s recorded estimate or lead to a change in the reported estimate.

 

The exact boundary points of these ranges are more qualitative than quantitative in nature, as no clear line of demarcation exists to determine when the set of underlying assumptions for an estimation method switches from being reasonable to unreasonable. As a result, the Company does not believe that the endpoints of these ranges are or would be comparable across companies. In addition, potential interactions among the different estimation assumptions for different product lines make the aggregation of individual ranges a highly judgmental and inexact process.

 

A key assumption in most actuarial analyses is that past patterns demonstrated in the data will repeat themselves in the future, absent a significant change in the associated risk factors discussed below. To the extent a significant change affecting the ultimate claim liability is known, such change is quantified to the extent possible through an analysis of internal Company and, if available and when appropriate, external data. Such a measurement is specific to the facts and circumstances of the particular claim portfolio and the known change being evaluated.

 

Informed management judgment is applied throughout the reserving process. This includes the application, on a consistent basis over time of various individual experiences and expertise to multiple sets of data and analyses. In addition to actuaries, individuals involved with the reserving process also include underwriting and claims personnel as well as other Company management. Therefore, it is quite possible and generally likely that management must consider varying individual viewpoints as part of its estimation of loss reserves.

 

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Table of Contents

The variables discussed above in this general discussion have different impacts on reserve estimation uncertainty for a given product line, depending on the length of the claim tail (described below), the reporting lag, the impact of individual claims and the complexity of the claim process for a given product line.

 

Product lines are generally classified as either long-tail or short-tail, based on the average length of time between the event triggering claims under a policy and the final resolution of those claims. Short-tail claims are reported and settled quickly, resulting in less estimation variability. The longer the time before final claim resolution, the greater the exposure to estimation risks and hence the greater the estimation uncertainty.

 

A major component of the claim tail is the reporting lag. The reporting lag, which is the time between the event triggering a claim and the reporting of the claim to the insurer, makes estimating IBNR reserves inherently more uncertain. In addition, the greater the reporting lag, the greater the proportion of IBNR claims to the total claim liability for the product line.

 

For some lines, the impact of large individual claims can be material to the analysis. These lines are generally referred to as being low frequency/high severity, while lines without this large claim sensitivity are referred to as high frequency/low severity. Estimates of claim liabilities for low frequency/high severity lines can be sensitive to a few key assumptions. As a result, the role of judgment is much greater for these reserve estimates. In contrast, high frequency/low severity lines tend to have a lower level of volatility, such that the range of reasonable reserve estimates is narrower and more stable.

 

Claim complexity can also greatly affect the estimation process by impacting the number of assumptions needed to produce the estimate, the potential stability of the underlying data and claim process and the ability to gain an understanding of the data. Product lines with greater claim complexity have inherently greater estimation uncertainty.

 

Actuaries have to exercise a considerable degree of judgment in the evaluation of all these factors in their analysis of reserves. The human element in the application of actuarial judgment is unavoidable when faced with material uncertainty. Different actuaries will choose different assumptions when faced with such uncertainty, based on their individual backgrounds, professional experiences and areas of focus. Hence, the estimate selected by the various actuaries may differ materially from each other.

 

The major causes of significant uncertainty (“risk factors”) generally will vary for each product line, as well as for each separately analyzed coverage of the product line. In some cases, such risk factors are explicit assumptions of the estimation method, and in others, they are implicit. For example, a method may explicitly assume a certain claim reporting pattern, but implicitly assume that the Company’s claim handling process is consistent over time. Actual results will likely vary from expectations for each of these assumptions, resulting in an ultimate claim liability that is different from that being estimated currently.

 

Some risk factors will affect more than one product line. Examples include changes in claim department practices, changes in settlement patterns, regulatory and legislative actions, court actions, timeliness of claim reporting, the state in which the claim occurred, and degree of claimant fraud. The extent of the impact of a risk factor will also vary by coverages within a product line. Individual risk factors are also subject to interactions with other risk factors within product line coverages.

 

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Table of Contents

Liabilities for Future Policy Benefits

 

Liabilities for future benefits on life and annuity policies are established in amounts adequate to meet the estimated future obligations on policies in force. Liabilities for future policy benefits on certain life insurance policies are computed using the net level premium method and are based on assumptions as to future investment yield, mortality and withdrawals. Mortality and withdrawal assumptions for all policies have been based on actuarial tables which are consistent with the Company’s own experience. Liabilities for future benefits on annuity contracts and certain long-duration life insurance contracts are carried at accumulated policyholder values without reduction for potential surrender or withdrawal charges. In the event actual experience varies from the estimated liabilities, adjustments are charged or credited to income for the period in which the adjustments are made.

 

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Acquired Insurance in Force for Annuity and Interest-Sensitive Life Products

 

Policy acquisition costs, consisting of commissions, policy issuance and other costs, which vary with and are primarily related to the production of business, are capitalized and amortized on a basis consistent with the type of insurance coverage. For investment (annuity) contracts, acquisition costs, and also the value of annuity business acquired in the 1989 acquisition of the Company (“Annuity VIF”), are amortized over 20 years in proportion to estimated gross profits. Capitalized acquisition costs for interest-sensitive life contracts are also amortized over 20 years in proportion to estimated gross profits.

 

The most significant assumptions that are involved in the estimation of annuity gross profits include future financial market performance, interest rate spreads, business surrender/lapse rates and the impact of realized investment gains and losses. For the variable deposit portion of the annuity segment, the Company amortizes policy acquisition costs and the Annuity VIF utilizing a future financial market performance assumption of a 10% reversion to the mean approach with a 200 basis point corridor around the mean. At September 30, 2005, the ratio of capitalized annuity policy acquisition costs and the Annuity VIF asset to the total annuity accumulated cash value was approximately 4%.

 

In the event actual experience differs significantly from assumptions or assumptions are significantly revised, the Company may be required to record a material charge or credit to amortization expense for the period in which the adjustment is made. As noted above, there are a number of assumptions involved in the valuation of capitalized policy acquisition costs and the Annuity VIF. As one example of the volatility of this amortization, if all other assumptions are met, a 1% deviation from the targeted financial market performance for the underlying mutual funds of the Company’s variable annuities would currently impact amortization between $0.1 million and $0.2 million. This result may change depending on the magnitude and direction of the deviation. Detailed discussion of the impact of adjustments to the amortization of capitalized acquisition costs and Annuity VIF is included in “Results of Operations — Amortization of Policy Acquisition Expenses and Intangible Assets”.

 

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Table of Contents

Valuation of Investments

 

The Company’s methodology of assessing other-than-temporary impairments is based on security-specific facts and circumstances as of the date of the reporting period. Based on these facts, if management believes it is probable that amounts due will not be collected according to the contractual terms of a debt security not impaired at acquisition, or if the Company does not have the ability or intent to hold a security with an unrealized loss until it matures or recovers in value, an other-than-temporary impairment shall be considered to have occurred. As a general rule, if the fair value of a debt security has fallen below 80% of book value for more than six months, this security will be reviewed for an other-than-temporary impairment. Additionally, if events become known that call into question whether the security issuer has the ability to honor its contractual commitments, whether or not such security has been trading above an 80% fair value to book value relationship, such security holding will be evaluated to determine whether or not such security has suffered an other-than-temporary decline in value.

 

The Company reviews the fair value of all investments in its portfolio on a monthly basis to assess whether an other-than-temporary decline in value has occurred. These reviews, in conjunction with the Company’s investment managers’ monthly credit reports and relevant factors such as (1) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, (2) the Company’s ability or intent to retain the investment long enough to allow for the anticipated recovery in fair value, (3) the stock price trend of the issuer, (4) the market leadership position of the issuer, (5) the debt ratings of the issuer and (6) the cash flows of the issuer, are all considered in the impairment assessment. A write-down of an investment is recorded when a decline in the fair value of that investment is deemed to be other-than-temporary, with a realized investment loss charged to income for the period.

 

A decline in fair value below amortized cost is not assumed to be other-than-temporary for fixed maturity investments with unrealized losses due to market conditions or industry-related events where there exists a reasonable expectation that fair value will recover versus historical cost and the Company has the intent and ability to hold the investment until maturity or a market recovery is realized. An other-than-temporary impairment loss will be recognized based upon all relevant facts and circumstances for each investment, as appropriate.

 

Valuation of Assets and Liabilities Related to the Defined Benefit Pension Plan

 

Effective April 1, 2002, participants stopped accruing benefits under the defined benefit pension plan but continue to retain the benefits they had accrued to date.

 

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Table of Contents

The Company’s cost estimates for its defined benefit pension plan are determined annually based on assumptions which include the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, anticipated retirement rate and estimated lump sum distributions. A discount rate of 5.75% was used by the Company for estimating accumulated benefits under the plan at December 31, 2004, which was based on the average yield for long-term, high grade securities having maturities generally consistent with the defined benefit pension payout period. To set its discount rate, the Company looks to leading indicators, including Moody’s Aa long-term bond index. The expected annual return on plan assets assumed by the Company at December 31, 2004 was 7.50%. The assumption for the long-term rate of return on plan assets was determined by considering actual investment experience during the lifetime of the plan, balanced with reasonable expectations of future growth considering the various classes of assets and percentage allocation for each asset class. Management believes that it has adopted realistic assumptions for investment returns, discount rates and other key factors used in the estimation of pension costs and asset values.

 

To the extent that actual experience differs from the Company’s assumptions, subsequent adjustments may be required, with the effects of those adjustments charged or credited to income and/or shareholders’ equity for the period in which the adjustments are made. Generally, a change of 50 basis points in the discount rate would inversely impact pension expense and accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by approximately $0.2 million and $2 million, respectively. In addition, for every $1 million increase in the value of pension plan assets, there is an equal increase in AOCI.

 

Results of Operations

 

Insurance Premiums and Contract Charges

 

Insurance Premiums Written and Contract Deposits

(Includes annuity and life contract deposits)

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


    Increase (Decrease)

 
     2005

    2004

    Percent

    Amount

 

Property & casualty

                              

Automobile and property (voluntary)

   $ 403.5     $ 420.4     -4.0 %   $ (16.9 )

Involuntary and other property & casualty

     9.7       9.0     7.8 %     0.7  
    


 


       


Total property & casualty

     413.2       429.4     -3.8 %     (16.2 )

Annuity deposits

     240.2       248.4     -3.3 %     (8.2 )

Life

     76.5       78.6     -2.7 %     (2.1 )
    


 


       


Total

   $ 729.9     $ 756.4     -3.5 %   $ (26.5 )
    


 


       


Effect of property and casualty catastrophe reinsurance reinstatement premiums, included above

   $ (9.4 )   $ (4.0 )         $ (5.4 )

 

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Table of Contents

Insurance Premiums and Contract Charges Earned

(Excludes annuity and life contract deposits)

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


    Increase (Decrease)

 
     2005

    2004

    Percent

    Amount

 

Property & casualty

                              

Automobile and property (voluntary)

   $ 403.5     $ 411.7     -2.0 %   $ (8.2 )

Involuntary and other property & casualty

     6.4       5.8     10.3 %     0.6  
    


 


       


Total property & casualty

     409.9       417.5     -1.8 %     (7.6 )

Annuity

     13.3       12.4     7.3 %     0.9  

Life

     71.7       71.9     -0.3 %     (0.2 )
    


 


       


Total

   $ 494.9     $ 501.8     -1.4 %   $ (6.9 )
    


 


       


Effect of property and casualty catastrophe reinsurance reinstatement premiums, included above

   $ (9.4 )   $ (4.0 )         $ (5.4 )

 

For the first nine months of 2005, the Company’s premiums written and contract deposits decreased 3.5% compared to the prior year. Property and casualty premiums written declined as increases in average voluntary automobile and homeowners premium per policy — which were moderated to some extent by the improvement in quality in the books of business — were more than offset by the decline in policies in force in these lines. Also, property and casualty catastrophe reinsurance reinstatement premiums were higher in the current period representing nearly 1 percentage point of the decline. Voluntary property and casualty business represents policies sold through the Company’s marketing organization and issued under the Company’s underwriting guidelines. Involuntary property and casualty business consists of allocations of business from state mandatory insurance facilities and assigned risk business. In addition to the decline in property and casualty premiums written, new annuity single premium and rollover deposit receipts declined compared to 2004.

 

The Company’s exclusive agent force totaled 849 at September 30, 2005, reflecting an increase of 6.1% compared to 800 agents at both December 31, 2004 and September 30, 2004. Management currently anticipates additional growth in the size of the Company’s exclusive agent force in the fourth quarter of 2005, although at a more modest rate than the first nine months. During 2005, additional emphasis is being placed on further improvements in agent retention, as well as on hiring an increased number of quality candidates. Of the current period-end total, 263 agents were in their first 24 months with the Company, reflecting a decrease of 6.4% compared to September 30, 2004, largely due to the reduced number of new hires in 2004 and retention levels in the last three months of 2004. A greater number of new agents were hired in the first nine months of 2005 compared to prior year. Terminations of agents in their first 24 months with the Company were approximately one-half of the level experienced in the first nine months of the prior year. The number of experienced agents in the agent force, 586, increased 12.9% compared to a year earlier as a result of improved retention. In the first nine months of 2005, average agent productivity decreased somewhat compared to the same period in 2004 in total and for all product lines. Average agent productivity is measured as new sales premiums from the exclusive agent force per the average number of exclusive agents for the period.

 

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Table of Contents

For the first nine months of 2005, total sales, which include the independent agent distribution channel, decreased 5.3% compared to a year earlier, largely due to a decrease in new annuity business. Compared to a record level of annuity sales in the prior year, total new annuity sales decreased 5.2% in the first nine months of 2005. This decline was due primarily to a lower level of annuity new business from independent agents with the rate of decline narrowing in the third quarter following a transition period to implement the Company’s desired shift in mix of business from this channel. Total career agent sales decreased in the current nine month period compared to a year earlier in all product lines.

 

Total voluntary automobile and homeowners premium written decreased 4.0% in the first nine months of 2005 with 1.3 percentage points of the decline attributable to the higher level of catastrophe reinsurance reinstatement premiums in 2005. While the quality of the Company’s voluntary automobile and homeowners business continues to improve, the premium impact of increases in average premium per policy for both lines were more than offset by the decline in policies in force. Voluntary automobile insurance premium written decreased 5.3% ($16.1 million) compared to the first nine months of 2004, while homeowners premium decreased 0.7% ($0.8 million) including a decrease of $5.4 million due to the higher level of catastrophe reinsurance reinstatement premiums in 2005. Average written premium increased approximately 1% for voluntary automobile and approximately 8% for homeowners compared to the prior year. Average earned premium also increased 2% for voluntary automobile and 10% for homeowners compared to the first nine months of 2004. Through September 30, 2005, approved rate increases for the Company’s automobile and homeowners business were minimal compared to approved increases of 7% and 15%, respectively, during the first nine months of 2004. As of September 30, 2005, automobile policies in force decreased by 13,000 compared to December 31, 2004 and 21,000 compared to September 30, 2004. The Company continues to increase educator business as a percentage of both new and total voluntary automobile policies. Homeowners policies in force decreased 6,000 compared to December 31, 2004 and 7,000 compared to September 30, 2004, reflecting expected reductions primarily in non-educator policies due to the Company’s pricing and underwriting actions. At September 30, 2005, there were 532,000 voluntary automobile and 267,000 homeowners policies in force, for a total of 799,000 policies, compared to a total of 818,000 policies at December 31, 2004 and 827,000 policies at September 30, 2004. To curtail the decline in automobile policies in force, in 2005 the Company is implementing both short- and medium-term initiatives to increase new business and improve policy retention.

 

Based on policies in force, the total property and casualty 12-month retention rate for new and renewal policies was 85% at September 30, 2005, equal to September 30, 2004.

 

Due to rate limitations for coastal homeowners policies in Florida and to further reduce exposure to catastrophic losses, the Company has undertaken a reunderwriting program which is anticipated to result in non-renewal of approximately 3,300 homeowners policies. Following state mandated delays as a result of the four hurricanes that impacted Florida in 2004, the Company’s non-renewal process resumed in the first quarter of 2005 and is expected to result in a full year reduction of approximately $3 million and $2 million in direct written premiums and direct earned premiums, respectively. In the Spring 2005 session, the Florida legislature implemented measures, including a single deductible per hurricane season and requiring up-front payment by insurance companies of full replacement cost, to address the impact of future and past multi-hurricane seasons. The impact on the Company of these measures is not determinable at the time of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition, an independent financial audit has determined a $515 million deficit in the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation’s (“Florida Citizens”) high-risk account as a result of the four hurricanes in Florida in 2004. Following their

 

26


Table of Contents

installation in August 2005, the new Florida Citizens’ board of governors approved a $515 million assessment to replenish the surplus of Florida Citizens. Based on its market share, the Company was required to pay its portion of the assessment, $1.8 million, in the third quarter of 2005 (reflected as a component of benefits, claims and settlement expenses) and intends to in turn assess its Florida property policyholders over the next 12-24 months to recoup this amount. The Company continues to evaluate potential actions to further mitigate its exposure risk in Florida and other coastal areas.

 

Recently, the Company received notification of a $1.3 million assessment from the Louisiana Citizens Fair and Coastal Plan which was driven by current year hurricane catastrophe losses in that state. This assessment is payable by the Company to the plan in November 2005, and the Company will in turn assess its Louisiana property policyholders to recoup this amount.

 

New annuity deposits decreased 3.3% compared to the first nine months of 2004. The decline reflected a 9.6% increase in new scheduled annuity deposits offset by a 15.8% decrease in single premium and rollover deposits. While new deposits to fixed accounts decreased 7.4%, or $11.4 million, compared to the prior year due to the current low interest rate environment, new deposits to variable accounts increased 3.4%, or $3.2 million, compared to the first nine months of 2004.

 

In 2001, the Company began building a nationwide network of independent agents who will comprise a second distribution channel for the Company’s 403(b) tax-qualified annuity products. The independent agent distribution channel included 679 authorized agents at September 30, 2005. During the first nine months of 2005, this channel generated $26.7 million in annualized new annuity sales for the Company compared to $31.9 million for the first nine months of 2004 and $38.0 million for the full year 2004, with the lack of growth in the current period reflecting the Company’s efforts to change the product mix from this channel to more tax-qualified and variable annuity sales.

 

Total annuity accumulated cash value of $3.2 billion at September 30, 2005 increased 10.0% compared to a year earlier, reflecting the increase from new business over the 12 months, continued favorable retention and improving financial markets compared to September 30, 2004. At September 30, 2005, the number of annuity contracts outstanding of 160,000 increased 0.6%, or 1,000 contracts, compared to December 31, 2004 and increased 2.6%, or 4,000 contracts, compared to September 30, 2004.

 

Variable annuity accumulated balances were 12.7% higher at September 30, 2005 than at September 30, 2004, while annuity segment contract charges earned increased 7.3%, or $0.9 million, compared to the first nine months of 2004.

 

Life segment premiums and contract deposits declined 2.7%, or $2.1 million, compared to the first nine months of 2004, primarily reflecting the shift in new business mix toward partner company products. The ordinary life insurance in force lapse ratio was 6.6% for the 12 months ended September 30, 2005, compared to 7.4% for the same period a year earlier.

 

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Table of Contents

Net Investment Income

 

Pretax investment income of $144.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 increased 1.0%, or $1.4 million, (0.8%, or $0.8 million, after tax) compared to the prior year. Growth in the size of the investment portfolio more than offset a decrease of approximately $3.3 million pretax in prepayment income along with a decline in the portfolio yield. Average invested assets (excluding securities lending collateral) increased 8.5% over the past 12 months. The average pretax yield on the investment portfolio was 5.3% (3.6% after tax) for the first nine months of 2005, compared to a pretax yield of 5.7% (3.9% after tax) for the same period in 2004.

 

Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses

 

Net realized investment gains were $9.1 million for the first nine months of 2005 compared to net realized investment gains of $9.3 million in the prior year. There were no impairment charges from the Company’s fixed income security portfolio in either period. Gains realized in the current period included $1.9 million from sales of securities for which impairment charges were recorded in 2003. The net gains in both years were realized from ongoing investment portfolio management activity.

 

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Table of Contents

The table below presents the Company’s fixed maturity securities portfolio as of September 30, 2005 by major asset class, including the ten largest sectors of the Company’s corporate bond holdings.

 

Fixed Maturity Securities

 

     Number of
Issuers


   Fair
Value


   Amortized
Cost


   Pretax
Unrealized
Gain


 

Corporate bonds

                           

Banking and Finance

   41    $ 418.2    $ 403.4    $ 14.8  

Energy

   51      220.2      203.0      17.2  

Utilities

   28      181.2      173.4      7.8  

Telecommunications

   25      149.6      143.5      6.1  

Food and Beverage

   24      112.3      109.3      3.0  

Health Care

   26      98.4      97.8      0.6  

Insurance

   13      94.0      90.1      3.9  

Transportation

   13      88.1      87.2      0.9  

Real Estate

   13      70.2      68.1      2.1  

Industry, Manufacturing

   19      56.6      53.7      2.9  

All Other Corporates (1)

   163      506.3      496.9      9.4  
    
  

  

  


Total corporate bonds

   416      1,995.1      1,926.4      68.7  

Mortgage-backed securities

                           

U.S. government and federally sponsored agencies

   438      716.9      722.4      (5.5 )

Other

   17      62.2      60.4      1.8  

Municipal bonds

   171      579.5      572.0      7.5  

Government bonds

                           

U.S.

   7      231.5      232.7      (1.2 )

Foreign

   10      38.4      34.8      3.6  

Collateralized debt obligations (2)

   3      15.5      15.2      0.3  

Asset-backed securities

   11      61.6      62.4      (0.8 )
    
  

  

  


Total fixed maturity securities

   1,073    $ 3,700.7    $ 3,626.3    $ 74.4  
    
  

  

  



  (1) The All Other Corporates category contains 19 additional industry classifications. Broadcasting and media; defense; building and materials; automobiles; consumer products and paper represented $288.3 million of fair value at September 30, 2005, with the remaining 13 classifications each representing less than $34 million of the fair value at September 30, 2005.
  (2) All of the securities were rated investment grade by Standard and Poor’s Corporation and/or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. at September 30, 2005.

 

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Table of Contents

At September 30, 2005, the Company’s diversified fixed maturity portfolio consisted of 1,281 investment positions, issued by 1,073 entities, and totaled approximately $3.7 billion in fair value. The portfolio was 94.1% investment grade, based on fair value, with an average quality rating of A+. At September 30, 2005, the portfolio had $30.8 million pretax of total gross unrealized losses related to 480 positions. At December 31, 2004, the total pretax gross unrealized losses were $8.8 million related to 178 positions. The following table provides information regarding fixed maturity securities that had an unrealized loss at September 30, 2005, including the length of time that the securities have continuously been in an unrealized loss position.

 

Investment Positions With Unrealized Losses Segmented by Quality

and Period of Continuous Unrealized Loss

As of September 30, 2005

 

     Number of
Positions


   Fair
Value


   Amortized
Cost


   Pretax
Unrealized
Loss


 

Investment grade

                           

6 Months or less

   178    $ 996.7    $ 1,007.8    $ (11.1 )

7 through 12 months

   74      384.7      392.1      (7.4 )

13 through 24 months

   40      238.0      243.3      (5.3 )

25 through 36 months

   13      67.1      70.4      (3.3 )

37 through 48 months

   —        —        —        —    

Greater than 48 months

   —        —        —        —    
    
  

  

  


Total

   305    $ 1,686.5    $ 1,713.6    $ (27.1 )
    
  

  

  


Non-investment grade

                           

6 Months or less

   97    $ 46.2    $ 46.9    $ (0.7 )

7 through 12 months

   70      41.8      44.7      (2.9 )

13 through 24 months

   4      1.3      1.4      (0.1 )

25 through 36 months

   —        —        —        —    

37 through 48 months

   —        —        —        —    

Greater than 48 months

   —        —        —        —    
    
  

  

  


Total

   171    $ 89.3    $ 93.0    $ (3.7 )
    
  

  

  


Not rated

                           

Total, all 37 through 48 months

   4    $ 2.3    $ 2.3      *  
    
  

  

  


Grand total

   480    $ 1,778.1    $ 1,808.9    $ (30.8 )
    
  

  

  



* Less than $(0.1) million

 

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Table of Contents

Of the investment positions with unrealized losses, no issuers had pretax unrealized losses greater than $1.3 million. One security, issued by Ford Motor Credit Company, was trading below 80% of book value (at 78.9% of the $5.9 million amortized cost) at September 30, 2005. The Company views the decrease in value of all of the securities with unrealized losses at September 30, 2005 as temporary, expects recovery in fair value, anticipates continued payments under the terms of the securities, and has the intent and ability to hold these securities until maturity or a recovery in fair value occurs. Therefore, no impairment of these securities was recorded at September 30, 2005. Future changes in circumstances related to these and other securities could require subsequent impairment in value. The Company’s investment guidelines generally limit single corporate issuer concentrations to 1.0% of invested assets for “AA” or “AAA” rated securities, 0.75% of invested assets for “A” rated securities, 0.5% of invested assets for “BBB” rated securities, and 0.2% of invested assets for non-investment grade securities.

 

Benefits, Claims and Settlement Expenses

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,


   Increase (Decrease)

 
     2005

   2004

   Percent

    Amount

 

Property and casualty

   $ 296.2    $ 344.1    -13.9 %   $ (47.9 )

Annuity

     0.4      1.4    -71.4 %     (1.0 )

Life

     32.0      32.4    -1.2 %     (0.4 )
    

  

        


Total

   $ 328.6    $ 377.9    -13.0 %   $ (49.3 )
    

  

        


Property and casualty catastrophe losses, included above

   $ 39.5    $ 59.2          $ (19.7 )
    

  

        


 

Property and Casualty Claims and Claim Expenses

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Incurred claims and claim expenses:

                

Claims occurring in the current year

   $ 304.0     $ 344.1  

Decrease in estimated reserves for claims occurring in prior years (1):

                

Policies written by the Company

     (7.8 )     —    

Business assumed from state reinsurance facilities

     —         —    
    


 


Total decrease

     (7.8 )     —    
    


 


Total claims and claim expenses incurred

   $ 296.2     $ 344.1  
    


 


Property and casualty loss ratio:

                

Total

     72.3 %     82.4 %

Effect of catastrophe costs, included above

     11.1 %     14.8 %

(1) Shows the amounts by which the Company decreased its reserves in each of the periods indicated for claims occurring in previous periods to reflect subsequent information on such claims and changes in their projected final settlement costs.

 

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For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company’s benefits, claims and settlement expenses decreased compared to the prior year, primarily reflecting improvements in non-catastrophe property and casualty current accident year trends, particularly in claim frequencies. In addition, while significant in both years, the Company’s catastrophe losses decreased compared to the first nine months of 2004. Development of prior years’ property and casualty reserves had a $7.8 million favorable effect on benefits, claims and settlement expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and no effect for the same period in 2004. The current year favorable development was the result of actual and remaining projected losses for prior years being below the level anticipated in the December 31, 2004 loss reserve estimate.

 

Catastrophe losses were $39.5 million, representing 11.1 percentage points of the loss ratio, and $59.2 million, representing 14.8 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. In both years, these catastrophe losses were largely attributed to hurricanes which occurred in the third quarter. In the third quarter of 2005, Hurricane Katrina, with estimated gross losses of $70 million, represented $13 million, net of anticipated reinsurance. Losses from Hurricane Rita, which occurred in late September 2005, were approximately $10 million, while losses from Hurricane Dennis and storms in Minnesota were approximately $5 million each. In addition, third quarter 2005 catastrophe losses included a $1.8 million assessment from Florida Citizens, as described in “Insurance Premiums and Contract Charges”. In the third quarter of 2004, catastrophe losses of $55.5 million were due primarily to Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne.

 

The catastrophe amounts recorded in the third quarter of 2005 represent the estimated net losses both from claims reported to the Company and from future expected claims from policyholders with hurricane damage, as well as estimated reinsurance recoverables for Hurricane Katrina. These estimates are based upon information received through October 31, 2005 on claims that have been settled, on-site evaluations by loss adjusters and loss estimates from catastrophe modeling. Due to the magnitude and complexity of Hurricane Katrina, including limited access to certain portions of the affected areas, the preliminary nature of the information used to prepare the estimate and an uncertain legal and regulatory environment, there can be no assurance that the ultimate costs associated with this and other catastrophic events will not exceed the Company’s current estimates. These estimates will be refined as necessary, as additional information becomes available.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the voluntary automobile loss ratio of 67.4% decreased by 5.1 percentage points compared to the same period a year earlier and improved 3.2 percentage points compared to the loss ratio of 70.6% for full year 2004. The homeowners loss ratio of 82.5% improved 25.3 percentage points compared to the first nine months of 2004 and 14.4 percentage points compared to the 12 months ended December 31, 2004 reflecting an increase in average premium per policy; an improvement in non-catastrophe loss frequency as a result of loss containment initiatives such as tightened underwriting guidelines, deductible management, an aggressive reunderwriting program and benefits of the Company’s claims initiatives, which have focused on loss and expense control; and a reduced level of catastrophe losses in 2005. Catastrophe losses represented 35.4 percentage points of the homeowners loss ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to 53.6 percentage points for the same period in 2004 representing a decrease of 18.2 percentage points.

 

The Company’s GAAP guaranteed minimum death benefits (“GMDB”) reserve was $0.5 million at September 30, 2005, compared to $0.1 million at both December 31, 2004 and September 30, 2004.

 

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Interest Credited to Policyholders

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,


   Increase (Decrease)

     2005

   2004

   Percent

    Amount

Annuity

   $ 60.4    $ 56.0    7.9 %   $ 4.4

Life

     25.7      24.6    4.5 %     1.1
    

  

        

Total

   $ 86.1    $ 80.6    6.8 %   $ 5.5
    

  

        

 

Compared to prior year, the current period increase in annuity segment interest credited reflected a 9.4% increase in average accumulated fixed deposits, partially offset by a 6 basis point decline in the average annual interest rate credited to 4.4%. Life insurance interest credited increased as a result of the growth in interest-sensitive life insurance reserves.

 

The net interest spread on fixed annuity account value on deposit measures the difference between the rate of income earned on the underlying invested assets and the rate of interest which policyholders are credited on their account values. Fixed annuity crediting rates were lowered throughout 2004 and 2003 to reflect the decline in the rate of income on invested assets caused by lower investment rates on new and reinvested funds. The annualized net interest spreads for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 were 131 basis points and 162 basis points, respectively. Excluding the benefit of prepayment income on a structured mortgage-backed security, the corresponding annualized net interest spreads were 130 and 150 basis points.

 

As of September 30, 2005, fixed annuity account values totaled $1.9 billion, including $1.7 billion of deferred annuities. Approximately 20% of the deferred annuity account values had minimum guaranteed interest rates ranging from 3.0% to 4.0% while approximately 76% of account values had minimum guaranteed rates of 4.5% or greater. For $1.6 billion of the deferred annuity account values, the credited interest rate was equal to the minimum guaranteed rate. Due to limitations on the Company’s ability to further lower interest crediting rates, coupled with the potential for continued low interest rates and expected reductions in prepayment income in 2005, the Company expects to experience additional fixed annuity spread compression in future periods.

 

Operating Expenses

 

For the first nine months of 2005, operating expenses decreased 2.6%, or $2.6 million, compared to the prior year, primarily reflecting benefits from the Company’s expense control initiatives partially offset by timing differences between periods. The property and casualty expense ratio of 23.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 increased 0.7 percentage point compared to the prior year, reflecting this segment’s portion of corporate-wide expense reductions offset by variances in expense incurral timing between periods as well as the effect on this ratio of higher current period catastrophe reinsurance reinstatement premiums.

 

The Company offers long-term care and variable and fixed interest rate universal life policies, with three third-party vendors underwriting and bearing the risk of such insurance (“Life Partner Products”) and the Company receiving a commission on the sale of that business. The volume of Life Partner Product sales by the Company’s agents decreased somewhat during the first nine months of 2005. The amount of commissions received by the Company in the first nine months of 2005 in excess of costs for agent commissions and commission related expenses was approximately $0.7 million, also less than the same period in 2004.

 

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Amortization of Policy Acquisition Expenses and Intangible Assets

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the combined amortization of policy acquisition expenses and intangible assets was $58.7 million compared to $55.6 million recorded for the same period in the prior year. Amortization of intangible assets was $4.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to $3.8 million for the same period a year earlier. The September 30, 2005 valuation of Annuity VIF resulted in a $0.3 million increase in amortization compared to no effect from a similar valuation at September 30, 2004.

 

Amortized policy acquisition expenses were $54.4 million for the first nine months of 2005 compared to $51.8 million for the same period in 2004. The September 30, 2005 valuation of annuity deferred policy acquisition costs resulted in a $2.0 million increase in amortization compared to a $0.4 million increase in amortization resulting from a similar valuation at September 30, 2004. For the life segment, the September 30, 2005 valuation of deferred policy acquisition costs resulted in a $0.6 million decrease in amortization compared to a $0.4 million increase from the 2004 valuation. The remaining increase in amortized policy acquisition costs was due to scheduled amortization of capitalized costs.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

The effective income tax rate on the Company’s pretax income, including realized investment gains and losses, was 16.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to 24.3% for the same period in 2004. Income from investments in tax-advantaged securities reduced the effective income tax rate 7.7 and 14.9 percentage points for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

 

The Company records contingent tax liabilities for exposures from uncertain tax filing positions based upon management’s assessment of the amounts that are probable of being sustained upon Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) audit. These liabilities are reevaluated routinely and are adjusted appropriately based upon changes in facts or law. The Company has no unrecorded contingent tax exposures.

 

At September 30, 2005, the Company had federal income tax returns for the 2002 through 2004 tax years still open and subject to adjustment upon IRS examination. The Company has recorded $3.2 million of contingent tax liabilities related to those open tax years.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company recorded reductions in federal income tax expense of $9.1 million due to favorable resolution of contingent tax liabilities ($5.5 million in the corporate and other segment and $3.6 million in the annuity segment) and recorded $1.4 million of pretax income representing interest on federal income tax refunds received. In April 2005, the Company received refunds for tax years 1996 through 2001 from the IRS totaling $8.1 million, an amount consistent with the Company’s tax refund accruals related to those years. As a result of the receipt of IRS refunds for tax years 1996 and 1997, which were then deemed to be closed, the contingent tax liability related to those two years was eliminated, which resulted in a decrease in federal income tax expense of $2.7 million in the second quarter of 2005. The remaining refunds received related to tax years 1998 through 2001, which were deemed to be closed on September 15, 2005, resulting in an additional reduction in the contingent tax liability related to those four years of $6.4 million that was recorded in the third quarter of 2005.

 

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Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 also reflected the impact of updating the estimated effective rate for the year. While the effect of this change in estimate was minimal in total, income tax expense increased approximately $1 million for the life segment and decreased approximately $1 million for the property and casualty segment in the current period.

 

Net Income

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company’s net income was significantly affected by catastrophe costs, yet still increased compared to the prior year, primarily reflecting improved property and casualty segment earnings. This improvement was driven by lower catastrophe costs, aggressive underwriting and pricing actions taken in recent years, ongoing improvements in claims processes, cost containment initiatives and continuing favorable non-catastrophe claims frequency trends.

 

Net income by segment and net income per share were as follows:

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


    Increase (Decrease)

 
     2005

    2004

    Percent

    Amount

 

Analysis of net income by segment:

                              

Property and casualty

   $ 33.9     $ 7.0           $ 26.9  

Annuity

     11.9       9.1     30.8 %     2.8  

Life

     10.1       11.1     -9.0 %     (1.0 )

Corporate and other (1)

     5.3       0.8             4.5  
    


 


       


Net income

   $ 61.2     $ 28.0     118.6 %   $ 33.2  
    


 


       


Effect of catastrophe costs, after tax, included above

   $ (31.8 )   $ (41.1 )         $ 9.3  
    


 


       


Diluted:

                              

Net income per share

   $ 1.32     $ 0.63     109.5 %   $ 0.69  
    


 


       


Weighted average number of shares and equivalent shares (in millions)

     47.8       47.3     1.1 %     0.5  

Property and casualty combined ratio:

                              

Total

     95.3 %     104.7 %           -9.4 %

Effect of catastrophe costs, included above

     11.6 %     15.1 %           -3.5 %

(1) The corporate and other segment includes interest expense on debt, realized investment gains and losses, certain public company expenses and other corporate level items. The Company does not allocate the impact of corporate level transactions to the insurance segments, consistent with management’s evaluation of the results of those segments.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, net income for the property and casualty segment increased as described above.

 

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Compared to the first nine months of 2004, annuity segment net income for the current period increased primarily as a result of the contingent income tax liability reduction of $3.6 million, which more than offset the negative effect of valuations of deferred policy acquisition costs and Annuity VIF. Annuity segment net income for the current period also reflected a decline in the interest margin.

 

Life segment net income decreased compared to the first nine months of 2004 primarily as a result of the increase in income tax expense.

 

The change in net income for the corporate and other segment compared to the first nine months of 2004 included a $5.5 million reduction in federal income tax expense in the current period from the elimination of the contingent tax liability for the 1996 through 2001 tax years.

 

Return on shareholders’ equity based on net income was 15% and 10% for the trailing 12 months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

 

Based on results for the first nine months of the year, at the time of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, management anticipates that 2005 full year net income before realized investment gains and losses will be within a range of $1.70 to $1.80 per share. This projection reflects the significant level of catastrophe costs experienced in the third quarter and the favorable resolution of contingent tax liabilities discussed above along with management’s anticipation of an average level of catastrophe costs and continued favorable property and casualty underwriting trends in the fourth quarter of 2005. As described in “Critical Accounting Policies”, certain of the Company’s significant accounting measurements require the use of estimates and assumptions. As additional information becomes available, adjustments may be required. Those adjustments are charged or credited to income for the period in which the adjustments are made and may impact actual results compared to management’s current estimate. A projection of net income is not accessible on a forward-looking basis because it is not possible to provide a reliable forecast of realized investment gains and losses, which can vary substantially from one period to another and may have a significant impact on net income.

 

Liquidity and Financial Resources

 

Special Purpose Entities

 

At September 30, 2005 and 2004, the Company did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or for other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As such, the Company is not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if the Company had engaged in such relationships.

 

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Related Party Transactions

 

The Company does not have any contracts or other transactions with related parties that are required to be reported under the applicable securities laws and regulations.

 

Ariel Capital Management, Inc., HMEC’s largest shareholder with 24% of the common shares outstanding per their SEC filing on Form 13G as of June 30, 2005, is the investment adviser for two of the mutual funds offered to the Company’s annuity customers. In addition, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., HMEC’s third largest shareholder with 5% of the common shares outstanding per their SEC filing on Form 13G as of June 30, 2005, is the investment advisor for three of the mutual funds offered to the Company’s annuity customers.

 

Investments

 

Information regarding the Company’s investment portfolio, which is comprised primarily of investment grade, fixed income securities, is located in “Results of Operations — Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses” and in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Note 4 — Investments”.

 

Cash Flow

 

The short-term liquidity requirements of the Company, within a 12-month operating cycle, are for the timely payment of claims and benefits to policyholders, operating expenses, interest payments and federal income taxes. Cash flow generated from operations has been, and is expected to be, adequate to meet the Company’s operating cash needs in the next 12 months. Cash flow in excess of operational needs has been used to fund business growth, retire short-term debt, pay dividends to shareholders and repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock. Long-term liquidity requirements, beyond one year, are principally for the payment of future insurance policy claims and benefits and retirement of long-term debt.

 

Operating Activities

 

As a holding company, HMEC conducts its principal operations in the personal lines segment of the property and casualty and life insurance industries through its subsidiaries. HMEC’s insurance subsidiaries generate cash flow from premium and investment income, generally well in excess of their immediate needs for policy obligations, operating expenses and other cash requirements. Cash provided by operating activities primarily reflects net cash generated by the insurance subsidiaries. For the first nine months of 2005, net cash provided by operating activities increased compared to the same period in 2004 primarily reflecting a reduced level of policyholder claim payments in the current year.

 

Payment of principal and interest on debt, dividends to shareholders and parent company operating expenses are dependent upon the ability of the insurance subsidiaries to pay cash dividends or make other cash payments to HMEC, including tax payments pursuant to tax sharing agreements. Historical payments for fees related to the catastrophe-linked equity put option and reinsurance agreement, as well as the share repurchase program, also had this dependency. The insurance subsidiaries are subject to various regulatory restrictions which limit the amount of annual dividends or other distributions, including loans or cash advances, available to HMEC without prior approval of the insurance regulatory authorities. Dividends which may be paid by the insurance subsidiaries to HMEC during 2005 without prior approval are approximately $73 million,

 

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of which $17 million was paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Although regulatory restrictions exist, dividend availability from subsidiaries has been, and is expected to be, adequate for HMEC’s capital needs.

 

Investing Activities

 

HMEC’s insurance subsidiaries maintain significant investments in fixed maturity securities to meet future contractual obligations to policyholders. In conjunction with its management of liquidity and other asset/liability management objectives, the Company, from time to time, will sell fixed maturity securities prior to maturity and reinvest the proceeds in other investments with different interest rates, maturities or credit characteristics. Accordingly, the Company has classified the entire fixed maturity securities portfolio as “available for sale”.

 

Financing Activities

 

Financing activities include primarily payment of dividends, the receipt and withdrawal of funds by annuity contractholders, repurchases of the Company’s common stock, fluctuations in bank overdraft balances and borrowings, repayments and repurchases related to its debt facilities. Fees related to the catastrophe-linked equity put option and reinsurance agreement, which through May 7, 2005 augmented the Company’s traditional reinsurance program, were charged directly to additional paid-in capital.

 

In June 2005, the Company issued $75.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.05% senior notes which will mature on June 15, 2015 (“Senior Notes due 2015”) at a discount of 0.05%. The net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes due 2015 were used to (1) repay the $25.0 million balance outstanding on the Bank Credit Facility, (2) redeem all of the Senior Notes due 2006 at an aggregate cost of $29.1 million and (3) make a capital contribution to HMEC’s primary life insurance subsidiary to substantially offset the early recapture of the Company’s life reinsurance agreement with the United States branch of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada. See also “Capital Resources” for additional description of the Senior Notes due 2015 and the recapture of the life reinsurance agreement.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, receipts from annuity contracts decreased 3.3%. Annuity contract benefits and withdrawals increased 25.4% compared to the prior year. Cash value retentions for variable and fixed annuity options were 92.0% and 94.9%, respectively, for the 12 month period ended September 30, 2005, each slightly lower than the respective retention level for the 12 month period ended September 30, 2004. Net transfers to variable annuity accumulated cash values increased slightly compared to the prior year.

 

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Contractual Obligations

 

    

Payments Due By Period

As of September 30, 2005


     Total

  

Less Than

1 Year

(2005)(1)


  

1 - 3 Years

(2006 and

2007)


  

3 - 5 Years

(2008 and

2009)


  

More Than

5 Years

(2010 and

beyond)


Short-term Debt Obligations (2):

                                  

Bank Credit Facility (expires May 30, 2009) (3)

     —        —        —        —        —  

Long-Term Debt Obligations (2):

                                  

Senior Convertible Notes Due May 14, 2032

   $ 251.4    $ 1.7    $ 5.2      —      $ 244.5

Senior Notes Due June 15, 2015 (4)

     120.4      2.3      9.1    $ 9.1      99.9

Senior Notes Due January 15, 2006 (5)

     —        —        —        —        —  
    

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 371.8    $ 4.0    $ 14.3    $ 9.1    $ 344.4
    

  

  

  

  


(1) October 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005.

 

(2) Includes principal and interest.

 

(3) Repaid on June 13, 2005. See also “Capital Resources”.

 

(4) Issued on June 9, 2005. See also “Capital Resources”.

 

(5) Redeemed on June 30, 2005. See also “Capital Resources”.

 

As of September 30, 2005, the Company had purchase obligations of approximately $2.5 million to be completed in the following 12 months. The Company has entered into various operating lease agreements, primarily for computer equipment, computer software and real estate (agency and claims offices across the country and portions of the home office complex). These leases have varying commitment periods with most in the 1 to 3 year range. Payments on these leases were approximately $10 million in 2004. It is anticipated that the Company’s payments under operating leases for the full year 2005 will be comparable to the 2004 payments. The Company does not have any other arrangements that expose it to material liability that are not recorded in the financial statements.

 

Capital Resources

 

The Company has determined the amount of capital which is needed to adequately fund and support business growth, primarily based on risk-based capital formulas including those developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”). Historically, the Company’s insurance subsidiaries have generated capital in excess of such needed capital. These excess amounts have been paid to HMEC through dividends. HMEC has then utilized these dividends and its access to the capital markets to service and retire long-term debt, pay dividends to its shareholders, fund growth initiatives, repurchase shares of its common stock and for other corporate purposes. Management anticipates that the Company’s sources of capital will continue to generate capital in excess of the needs for business growth, debt interest payments and shareholder dividends.

 

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The total capital of the Company was $775.7 million at September 30, 2005, including $190.9 million of long-term debt and no short-term debt outstanding. Total debt represented 26.1% of capital excluding unrealized investment gains and losses (24.6% including unrealized investment gains and losses) at September 30, 2005, slightly above the Company’s long-term target of 25%.

 

Shareholders’ equity was $584.8 million at September 30, 2005, including a net unrealized gain in the Company’s investment portfolio of $45.0 million after taxes and the related impact on deferred policy acquisition costs and the value of acquired insurance in force associated with annuity and interest-sensitive life policies. The market value of the Company’s common stock and the market value per share were $849.8 million and $19.78, respectively, at September 30, 2005. Book value per share was $13.61 at September 30, 2005 ($12.56 excluding investment fair value adjustments).

 

As of September 30, 2005, the Company had outstanding $244.5 million aggregate principal amount of 1.425% Senior Convertible Notes (“Senior Convertible Notes”), which will mature on May 14, 2032, issued at a discount of 52.5% resulting in an effective yield of 3.0%. Interest on the Senior Convertible Notes is payable semi-annually at a rate of 1.425% from November 14, 2002 until May 14, 2007. After that date, cash interest will not be paid on the Senior Convertible Notes prior to maturity unless contingent cash interest becomes payable. From May 15, 2007 through maturity of the Senior Convertible Notes, interest will be recognized at the effective rate of 3.0% and will represent the accrual of discount, excluding any contingent cash interest that may become payable. Contingent cash interest becomes payable if the average market price of a Senior Convertible Note for a five trading day measurement period preceding the applicable six-month period equals 120% or more of the sum of the Senior Convertible Note’s issue price, accrued original issue discount and accrued cash interest, if any, for such Senior Convertible Note. The contingent cash interest payable per Senior Convertible Note with respect to any quarterly period within any six-month period will equal the then applicable conversion rate multiplied by the greater of (1) $0.105 or (2) any regular cash dividends paid by the Company per share on HMEC’s common stock during that quarterly period.

 

The Senior Convertible Notes will be convertible at the option of the holders into shares of HMEC’s common stock at a conversion price of $26.74 if the conditions for conversion are satisfied. The Senior Convertible Notes are potentially convertible into 4,343,054 shares (17.763 shares per $1 thousand face amount) and with the implementation of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) consensus on issue 04-8, “The Effect of Contingently Convertible Instruments on Diluted Earnings per Share”, these shares are included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share to the extent dilutive. The Company may elect to pay holders surrendering notes cash or a combination of cash and shares of HMEC’s common stock for the notes surrendered. Holders may also surrender Senior Convertible Notes for conversion during any period in which the credit rating assigned to the Senior Convertible Notes is Ba2 or lower by Moody’s or BB+ or lower by S&P, the Senior Convertible Notes are no longer rated by either Moody’s or S&P, or the credit rating assigned to the Senior Convertible Notes has been suspended or withdrawn by either Moody’s or S&P. The Senior Convertible Notes will cease to be convertible pursuant to this credit rating criteria during any period or periods in which all of the credit ratings are increased above such levels. The Senior Convertible Notes are redeemable by HMEC in whole or in part, at any time on or after May 14, 2007, at redemption prices equal to the sum of the issue price plus accrued original issue discount and accrued cash interest, if any, on the applicable redemption date. The holders of the Senior Convertible Notes may require HMEC to purchase all or a portion of their Senior Convertible Notes on either May 14, 2007, 2012, 2017,

 

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2022, or 2027 at stated prices plus accrued cash interest, if any, to the purchase date. HMEC may pay the purchase price in cash or shares of HMEC common stock or in a combination of cash and shares of HMEC common stock.

 

The Senior Convertible Notes have an investment grade rating from Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) (BBB), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) (Baa3), A.M. Best Company, Inc. (“A.M. Best”) (bbb-) and Fitch Ratings, Ltd. (“Fitch”) (BBB). Also see “Financial Ratings”. The Senior Convertible Notes are traded in the open market (HMN 1.425).

 

On June 9, 2005, the Company issued $75.0 million face amount of senior notes at an effective yield of 6.1%, which will mature on June 15, 2015 (“Senior Notes due 2015”). Interest on the Senior Notes due 2015 is payable semi-annually at a rate of 6.05%. The Senior Notes due 2015 are redeemable in whole or in part, at any time, at the Company’s option, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of their principal amount or (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted, on a semi-annual basis, at the Treasury yield (as defined in the indenture) plus 30 basis points, plus, in either of the above cases, accrued interest to the date of redemption. For information regarding the use of proceeds, see “Liquidity and Financial Resources — Cash Flow — Financing Activities”.

 

The Senior Notes due 2015 have an investment grade rating from S&P (BBB), Moody’s (Baa3), A.M. Best (bbb-) and Fitch (BBB). Also see “Financial Ratings”. The Senior Notes due 2015 are traded in the open market (HMN 6.05).

 

On June 30, 2005, the Company redeemed all of its outstanding $28.6 million aggregate principal amount of 6 5/8% Senior Notes due 2006 (“Senior Notes due 2006”). For information regarding the funding of the redemption, see “Liquidity and Financial Resources — Cash Flow — Financing Activities”.

 

As of September 30, 2005, the Company had no balance outstanding under its Bank Credit Agreement. On May 31, 2005, the Company entered into a new Bank Credit Agreement which provides for unsecured borrowings of up to $100.0 million (the “Current Bank Credit Facility”). The Current Bank Credit Facility expires on May 30, 2009. Interest accrues at varying spreads relative to corporate or eurodollar base rates and is payable monthly or quarterly depending on the applicable base rate. The unused portion of the Current Bank Credit Facility is subject to a variable commitment fee, which was 0.175% on an annual basis at September 30, 2005. On May 31, 2005, the Company borrowed $25.0 million under the Current Bank Credit Facility and subsequently repaid this balance in full on June 13, 2005 utilizing a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Notes due 2015.

 

On May 29, 2002, Horace Mann Educators Corporation entered into a Bank Credit Agreement that was amended effective June 1, 2004, increasing the commitment amount to $35.0 million, and May 3, 2005, extending the commitment termination date to June 30, 2005 from the previous termination date of May 31, 2005 (the “Previous Bank Credit Agreement”). The Previous Bank Credit Agreement was terminated on May 31, 2005, when the Company entered into the Current Bank Credit Facility. The $25.0 million balance outstanding under the Previous Bank Credit Agreement was repaid in full on May 31, 2005 utilizing the borrowing under the Current Bank Credit Facility, described above.

 

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To provide additional capital management flexibility, the Company filed a “universal shelf” registration on Form S-3 with the SEC in December 2003. The registration statement, which registers the offer and sale by the Company from time to time of up to $300 million of various securities, which may include debt securities, preferred stock, common stock and/or depositary shares, was declared effective on December 30, 2003. The $75.0 million face amount of Senior Notes due 2015 was issued utilizing this registration statement. No other securities associated with the registration statement have been issued as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

The Company’s ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was 12.1x, compared to 8.3x for the same period in 2004.

 

Total shareholder dividends were $13.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. In March, June and September 2005, the Board of Directors announced regular quarterly dividends of $0.105 per share.

 

Information regarding the reinsurance program for the Company’s property and casualty segment is located in “Business — Property and Casualty Segment — Property and Casualty Reinsurance” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. The Company’s catastrophe reinsurance treaty was utilized in the third quarter of 2005 as a result of claims from Hurricane Katrina. As a result of reinstatement premiums, coverage under this program was reinstated to the level described in Form 10-K which is: 95% coverage of catastrophe losses above a retention of $10.0 million per occurrence up to $80.0 million per occurrence. In addition to the Company’s excess and catastrophe reinsurance program, the Company’s predominant insurance subsidiary for property and casualty business written in Florida reinsures 90% of hurricane losses in that state above an estimated retention of $14.0 million up to $66.2 million with the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (“FHCF”), based on the FHCF’s financial resources. The FHCF contract is a 12-month contract, beginning on June 1. Effective June 1, 2005, each company will be required to keep a full retention on the two largest hurricane loss occurrences and will be reimbursed by the FHCF on a retention equal to one-third of the full retention for all other occurrences within the contract period. For the contract period June 1, 2004 through May 31, 2005, the Company’s predominant insurance subsidiary for property and casualty business written in Florida was able to reinsure 90% of hurricane losses in that state above an estimated retention of $15.6 million up to $73.3 million with the FHCF. Prior to June 1, 2005, retention limits were required to be met for each hurricane occurrence.

 

Effective May 7, 2002, the Company entered into a 36-month equity put and reinsurance agreement with a subsidiary of Swiss Reinsurance Company, which provided a source of up to $75 million of contingent capital for catastrophe losses above the Company’s reinsurance coverage limits. Due to relatively unfavorable pricing and terms, the Company elected not to renew this agreement on the May 7, 2005 expiration date. Management believes that the Company’s current catastrophe protection as well as other potential sources of capital would be sufficient in the event of excessive catastrophe losses.

 

Information regarding the interest-sensitive life reinsurance program for the Company’s life segment is located in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Financial Resources — Capital Resources” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. In the third quarter of 2005, a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Notes due 2015 was utilized to make a capital contribution to HMEC’s primary life insurance subsidiary to substantially offset the early

 

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recapture of the reinsurance agreement with the United States branch of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada. This agreement was terminated effective July 1, 2005 for a minimal recapture fee. This early recapture will result in the reduction of total anticipated pretax fees of approximately $1.2 million, including $0.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2005, $0.5 million in 2006 and the remainder over subsequent years.

 

Financial Ratings

 

The Company’s principal insurance subsidiaries are rated by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), A.M. Best Company, Inc. (“A.M. Best”) and Fitch Ratings, Ltd. (“Fitch”). These rating agencies have also assigned ratings to the Company’s long-term debt securities.

 

Assigned ratings as of October 31, 2005 were as follows (the insurance financial strength ratings for the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries and the Company’s principal life insurance subsidiary are the same):

 

    

Insurance

Financial

Strength Ratings

(Outlook)


  

Debt Ratings

(Outlook)


As of October 31, 2005

         

S&P (1)

   A (stable)    BBB (stable)

Moody’s (1)

   A3 (stable)    Baa3 (stable)

A.M. Best

   A- (stable)    bbb-(stable)

Fitch

   A (stable)    BBB (stable)

(1) This agency has not yet rated Horace Mann Lloyds.

 

The ratings above were unchanged from the disclosure in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2004 except for the ratings by Fitch which were changed in October 2005. In June 2005, all four of the rating agencies affirmed their debt ratings as they assigned a rating to the Senior Notes due 2015. In April 2005, Fitch affirmed the Company’s insurance financial strength and debt ratings and the accompanying Negative outlook. In October 2005, Fitch lowered by one notch the insurance financial strength and senior debt ratings of Horace Mann Educators Corporation. The financial strength ratings of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries were lowered to “A” from “A+”, the senior debt ratings were lowered to “BBB” from “BBB+” and the outlook for each of the ratings was revised to stable. While acknowledging the insurance subsidiaries’ solid risk-based capitalization, high-quality liquid investment portfolios, well-defined niche in the educators market, conservative capital structure and strong interest coverage ratio, Fitch’s rating action reflects their concerns about the Company’s (1) catastrophe risk management and earnings volatility derived in part from property exposure in catastrophe-prone states, (2) recent underwriting profitability as compared to comparably rated peers and personal lines writers and (3) effect on earnings of the property and casualty segment, which Fitch views as generating more volatile results than the Company’s life and annuity segments.

 

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Market Value Risk

 

Market value risk, the Company’s primary market risk exposure, is the risk that the Company’s invested assets will decrease in value. This decrease in value may be due to a change in (1) the yields realized on the Company’s assets and prevailing market yields for similar assets, (2) an unfavorable change in the liquidity of the investment, (3) an unfavorable change in the financial prospects of the issuer of the investment, or (4) a downgrade in the credit rating of the issuer of the investment. See also “Results of Operations — Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses”.

 

Significant changes in interest rates expose the Company to the risk of experiencing losses or earning a reduced level of income based on the difference between the interest rates earned on the Company’s investments and the credited interest rates on the Company’s insurance liabilities.

 

The Company manages its market value risk by coordinating the projected cash outflows of assets with the projected cash outflows of liabilities. For all its assets and liabilities, the Company seeks to maintain reasonable durations, consistent with the maximization of income without sacrificing investment quality, while providing for liquidity and diversification. The investment risk associated with variable annuity deposits and the underlying mutual funds is assumed by those contractholders, and not by the Company. Certain fees that the Company earns from variable annuity deposits are based on the market value of the funds deposited.

 

More detailed descriptions of the Company’s exposure to market value risks and the management of those risks is presented in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Market Value Risk” and “— Results of Operations for the Three Years Ended December 31, 2004 — Interest Credited to Policyholders” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

Recent Accounting Changes

 

SFAS No. 154

 

In May 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections”. This standard will be effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. SFAS No. 154 replaces Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 20, “Accounting Changes”, and FASB SFAS No. 3, “Reporting Changes in Interim Financial Statements”. SFAS No. 154 changes the accounting for, and reporting of, a change in accounting principle and also requires retrospective application to prior period’s financial statements of voluntary changes in accounting principle and changes required by new accounting standards when the standard does not include specific transition provisions, unless it is impracticable to do so. At the time of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, management is not aware of outstanding circumstances that would result in a currently quantifiable impact on the Company’s operating results or financial position.

 

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SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004) (“SFAS No. 123(R)”), SAB 107 and SEC Release 34-51558

 

In April 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued Release No. 34-51558, “Amendment to Rule 4-01(a) of Regulation S-X Regarding the Compliance Date for SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment”. This amendment to Regulation S-X states that each registrant that is not a small business issuer will be required to adopt the provisions of FASB SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” beginning with the first interim or annual reporting period of the registrant’s first fiscal year beginning on or after June 15, 2005, which for the Company will be January 1, 2006. Release No. 34-51558 does not change the accounting required by SFAS No. 123 (R); it changes only the dates for compliance with the Standard.

 

In March 2005, the SEC released Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 107 which summarizes the views of the SEC staff regarding the interaction between SFAS No. 123(R) and certain SEC rules and regulations and provides the SEC staff’s views regarding the valuation of share-based payment arrangements for public companies.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R) and, as issued by the FASB, this standard was to be effective as of the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005 for public entities that do not file as small business issuers, which for the Company was to be July 1, 2005. See discussion above regarding the delay in the effective date. This statement revises SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” and supersedes Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, and its related implementation guidance. SFAS No. 123(R) establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services and identifies required disclosures for share-based payment arrangements. It also addresses transactions in which an entity incurs liabilities in exchange for goods or services that are based on the fair value of the entity’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of those equity instruments. In addition, the statement addresses the accounting and financial statement presentation for income tax benefits resulting from share-based payments.

 

This statement focuses primarily on accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions and requires measurement of the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the fair value of the award. That cost will be recognized as expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award.

 

The Company has accounted for share-based payments using the intrinsic value based method in accordance with APB Opinion No. 25 and, accordingly, recognized no compensation expense for awards representing options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock which have an exercise price equal to market price on the date of grant resulting in an intrinsic value of $0. Disclosures regarding the pro forma effect of stock-based compensation expense have been included in the Company’s quarterly and annual consolidated financial statements in compliance with SFAS No. 123. Excluding the acceleration of stock option vesting which occurred in 2004, pro forma pretax stock-based compensation expense was approximately $7 million to $8 million in each of the three years ended December 31, 2004. Although the evaluation of the impact of SFAS No. 123(R) is not yet complete, at the time of this Report on Form 10-Q management anticipates that the impact of adopting SFAS No. 123(R) will be comparable to the historical pro forma expense assuming that the number and characteristics of equity instruments granted in the future are similar to past awards.

 

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FASB Staff Position Regarding EITF Issue No. 03-1

 

In September 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) to delay the effective date for the measurement and recognition guidance contained in paragraphs 10 through 20 of the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Consensus regarding EITF Issue No. 03-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments”. The delay resulting from FSP No. EITF Issue 03-1-1, “Effective Date of Paragraphs 10-20 of EITF Issue No. 03-1, ‘The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments and Its Application to Certain Investments’ ”, will be superseded concurrent with the final issuance of FSP EITF Issue 03-1-a. This FSP did not have a material impact on the Company’s operating results or financial position.

 

Other Matters

 

The Company described proposed regulations regarding the nature of Section 403(b) arrangements, including annuities, in “Business — Regulation — Regulation at Federal Level” in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. While these proposals are still being considered, it is now generally understood that any changes would be effective no earlier than January 1, 2007 versus the previously proposed effective date of January 1, 2006. At this time the final form of any changes, their timing, or their impact on the Section 403(b) market is unknown.

 

Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

The information required by Item 305 of Regulation S-K is contained in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Item 4: Controls and Procedures

 

Management’s Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of September 30, 2005 pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) of the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2005 due to the two material weaknesses disclosed in “Item 9A. Controls and Procedures” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. No additional material weaknesses in the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were identified in the current evaluation.

 

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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

The following changes have been made subsequent to December 31, 2004 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Income Tax Financial Reporting

 

While the Company has not fully remediated the material weakness in its internal control over income tax deferred assets and liabilities, management is in the process of implementing the following remedial actions, the status of which is reviewed periodically with the Company’s Audit Committee:

 

    A remediation plan to compute and reconcile the book to tax basis differences at an asset and liability transaction level, including documentation and testing of enhanced processes and procedures by November 30, 2005;

 

    A qualified tax officer was employed by the Company in March 2005 to allow for appropriate segregation of duties and to strengthen processes related to the preparation and review of tax asset and liability documentation and an additional tax accountant was employed by the Company in September 2005 to assist in the reconciliation process; and

 

    A tax consulting firm was engaged to review the Company’s first quarter, second quarter and third quarter 2005 federal income tax provisions, along with related reconciliations and supporting documentation, for validity and consistency and will perform a similar review for the fourth quarter of 2005 and annually, if warranted, thereafter.

 

Reporting of Cash Balances

 

While the Company has not fully remediated the material weakness in its internal control over the reporting of cash balances, management is in the process of implementing the following remedial actions, the status of which is reviewed periodically with the Company’s Audit Committee:

 

Bank Account and Suspense Account Reconciliations

 

    A remediation plan to reconcile and clear all suspense accounts on a timely basis, including a review of staffing levels and proficiencies, training, documentation and testing of enhanced processes and procedures by November 30, 2005;

 

    A remediation plan to enhance and document processes and procedures for the timely completion, review and testing of bank account reconciliations, including a review of staffing levels, proficiencies and training has been completed; and

 

    The remediation plan to address controller department staffing and training needs is nearing completion, including redeployment and retraining of existing staff, increased utilization of temporary employees and hiring of additional full-time employees.

 

Accounting Policy for Outstanding Check Amounts

 

    Documentation of processes and procedures, along with appropriate training, to ensure that the Company’s accounting policy, which has been corrected to conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, is consistently applied on a going forward basis has been completed.

 

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PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 4: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

None.

 

Item 5: Other Information

 

The Company is not aware of any information required to be disclosed in a report on Form 8-K during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 which has not been filed with the SEC.

 

Item 6: Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.


  

Description      


(a)   The following items are filed as Exhibits. Management contracts and compensatory plans are indicated by an asterisk (*).
    (10)    Material contracts:
         10.1    Credit Agreement dated as of May 31, 2005 among HMEC, certain financial institutions named therein and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Agent”), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to HMEC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 9, 2005.
         10.1(a)    First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of August 19, 2005 among HMEC, certain financial institutions named therein and the Agent.
         10.2*    Severance Agreements between HMEC and certain officers of HMEC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to HMEC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, filed with the SEC on March 29, 2002.
         10.2(a)*    Revised Schedule to Severance Agreements between HMEC and certain officers of HMEC.
    (11)    Statement re computation of per share earnings.
    (15)    KPMG LLP letter regarding unaudited interim financial information.
    (31)    Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
         31.1    Certification by Louis G. Lower II, Chief Executive Officer of HMEC.
         31.2    Certification by Peter H. Heckman, Chief Financial Officer of HMEC.
    (32)    Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
         32.1    Certification by Louis G. Lower II, Chief Executive Officer of HMEC.
         32.2    Certification by Peter H. Heckman, Chief Financial Officer of HMEC.
    (99.1)    Glossary of Selected Terms.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

       

HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

       

(Registrant)

Date November 9, 2005

     

/s/ Louis G. Lower II

       

Louis G. Lower II

       

President and Chief Executive Officer

Date November 9, 2005

     

/s/ Peter H. Heckman

       

Peter H. Heckman

       

Executive Vice President

       

and Chief Financial Officer

Date November 9, 2005

     

/s/ Bret A. Conklin

       

Bret A. Conklin

       

Senior Vice President

       

and Controller

 

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HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

 

EXHIBITS

 

To

 

FORM 10-Q

 

For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2005

 

VOLUME 1 OF 1

 



Table of Contents

The following items are filed as Exhibits to Horace Mann Educators Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005. Management contracts and compensatory plans are indicated by an asterisk (*).

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.    


  

Description    


(10)    Material contracts:
     10.1    Credit Agreement dated as of May 31, 2005 among HMEC, certain financial institutions named therein and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Agent”), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to HMEC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 9, 2005.
     10.1(a)    First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of August 19, 2005 among HMEC, certain financial institutions named therein and the Agent.
     10.2*    Severance Agreements between HMEC and certain officers of HMEC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to HMEC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, filed with the SEC on March 29, 2002.
     10.2(a)*    Revised Schedule to Severance Agreements between HMEC and certain officers of HMEC.
(11)    Statement re computation of per share earnings.
(15)    KPMG LLP letter regarding unaudited interim financial information.
(31)    Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     31.1    Certification by Louis G. Lower II, Chief Executive Officer of HMEC.
     31.2    Certification by Peter H. Heckman, Chief Financial Officer of HMEC.
(32)    Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     32.1    Certification by Louis G. Lower II, Chief Executive Officer of HMEC.
     32.2    Certification by Peter H. Heckman, Chief Financial Officer of HMEC.
(99.1)    Glossary of Selected Terms