Edgar Filing: AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING CO

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FORM 10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)



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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011



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

For the transition period from ________ to ________

Commission File Number : 001-31911

American Equity Investment Life Holding Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Iowa		42-1447959
(State of Incorporation)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
6000 Westown Parkway
West Des Moines, Iowa		50266
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code		(515) 221-0002
		(Telephone)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:



Title of each class		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $1		New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, par value $1

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filed, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.



Large accelerated filer o		Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o		Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

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

APPLICABLE TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

Shares of common stock outstanding at April 30, 2011: 59,497,039

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)



	March 31, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(Unaudited)
Assets
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities:
Available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2011 - $15,588,780; 2010 - $15,621,894)	$	15,745,405		$	15,830,663
Held for investment, at amortized cost (fair value: 2011 - $1,527,349; 2010 - $781,748)	1,593,459			822,200
Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value (cost: 2011 - $62,787; 2010 - $61,185)	69,644			65,961
Mortgage loans on real estate	2,730,841			2,598,641
Derivative instruments	622,106			479,786
Other investments	23,357			19,680
Total investments	20,784,812			19,816,931

Cash and cash equivalents	746,737			597,766
Coinsurance deposits	2,657,102			2,613,191
Accrued investment income	197,648			167,645
Deferred policy acquisition costs	1,827,090			1,747,760
Deferred sales inducements	1,313,986			1,227,328
Deferred income taxes	192,518			143,253
Income taxes recoverable	—			6,134
Other assets	114,983			106,755
Total assets	$	27,834,876		$	26,426,763

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Liabilities:
Policy benefit reserves	$	24,983,321		$	23,655,807
Other policy funds and contract claims	268,676			222,860
Notes payable	334,000			330,835
Subordinated debentures	268,473			268,435
Income taxes payable	50,447			—
Other liabilities	968,782			1,010,779
Total liabilities	26,873,699			25,488,716

Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, no par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized, 2011 and 2010 no shares issued and outstanding	—			—
Common stock, par value $1 per share, 125,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: 2011 - 57,688,425 shares (excluding 5,568,360 treasury shares); 2010 - 56,968,446 shares (excluding 5,874,392 treasury shares)	57,688			56,968
Additional paid-in capital	459,498			454,454
Unallocated common stock held by ESOP; 2011 - 447,048 shares; 2010 - 447,048 shares	(4,551		)	(4,815		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	67,579			81,820
Retained earnings	380,963			349,620
Total stockholders' equity	961,177			938,047
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	27,834,876		$	26,426,763

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2011			2010
Revenues:
Traditional life and accident and health insurance premiums	$	2,916		$	3,287
Annuity product charges	16,962			15,518
Net investment income	292,128			242,910
Change in fair value of derivatives	148,653			82,015
Net realized gains (losses) on investments, excluding other than temporary impairment ("OTTI") losses	(1,193		)	9,903
OTTI losses on investments:
Total OTTI losses	(5,100		)	(12,584		)
Portion of OTTI losses recognized in (from) other comprehensive income	(1,471		)	9,361
Net OTTI losses recognized in operations	(6,571		)	(3,223		)
Total revenues	452,895			350,410

Benefits and expenses:
Insurance policy benefits and change in future policy benefits	1,895			2,332
Interest sensitive and index product benefits	159,665			196,869
Amortization of deferred sales inducements	30,692			13,089
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives	128,303			63,875
Interest expense on notes payable	7,907			4,651
Interest expense on subordinated debentures	3,466			3,685
Interest expense on amounts due under repurchase agreements	4			—
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	55,223			27,268
Other operating costs and expenses	17,474			15,985
Total benefits and expenses	404,629			327,754
Income before income taxes	48,266			22,656
Income tax expense	16,923			7,771
Net income	$	31,343		$	14,885

Earnings per common share	$	0.53		$	0.26
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	$	0.48		$	0.25

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)



	Common Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital			Unallocated Common Stock Held by ESOP			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Retained Earnings		Total Stockholders' Equity

Balance at December 31, 2010	$	56,968		$	454,454		$	(4,815	)	$	81,820		$	349,620	$	938,047
Other comprehensive income:
Net income for the period	—			—			—			—			31,343		31,343
Change in net unrealized investment gains/losses	—			—			—			(14,660		)	—		(14,660		)
Noncredit component of OTTI losses, available for sale securities, net	—			—			—			419			—		419
Other comprehensive income															17,102
Allocation of 24,492 shares of common stock by ESOP, including excess income tax benefits	—			37			264			—			—		301
Share-based compensation, including excess income tax benefits	—			2,630			—			—			—		2,630
Issuance of 719,979 shares of common stock under compensation plans, including excess income tax benefits	720			2,377			—			—			—		3,097
Balance at March 31, 2011	$	57,688		$	459,498		$	(4,551	)	$	67,579		$	380,963	$	961,177

Balance at December 31, 2009	$	56,203		$	422,225		$	(5,679	)	$	(30,456	)	$	312,330	$	754,623
Other comprehensive income:
Net income for period	—			—			—			—			14,885		14,885
Change in net unrealized investment gains/losses	—			—			—			41,770			—		41,770
Noncredit component of OTTI losses, available for sale securities, net	—			—			—			(6,084		)	—		(6,084		)
Other comprehensive income															50,571
Acquisition of 6,300 shares of common stock	(6		)	(44		)	—			—			—		(50		)
Allocation of 16,813 shares of common stock by ESOP, including excess income tax benefits	—			(24		)	181			—			—		157
Share-based compensation, including excess income tax benefits	—			2,056			—			—			—		2,056
Issuance of 231,215 shares of common stock under compensation plans, including excess income tax benefits	231			312			—			—			—		543
Balance at March 31, 2010	$	56,428		$	424,525		$	(5,498	)	$	5,230		$	327,215	$	807,900

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2011			2010
Operating activities
Net income	$	31,343		$	14,885
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Interest sensitive and index product benefits	159,665			196,869
Amortization of deferred sales inducements	30,693			13,089
Annuity product charges	(16,962		)	(15,518		)
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives	128,303			63,875
Increase in traditional life and accident and health insurance reserves	24,356			2,677
Policy acquisition costs deferred	(117,501		)	(64,441		)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	55,223			27,268
Provision for depreciation and other amortization	4,515			2,345
Amortization of discounts and premiums on investments	(45,564		)	(53,692		)
Realized losses (gains) on investments and net OTTI losses recognized	7,764			(6,680		)
Change in fair value of derivatives	(149,241		)	(82,653		)
Deferred income taxes	(41,597		)	(21,440		)
Share-based compensation	1,719			1,881
Change in accrued investment income	(30,003		)	(17,590		)
Change in income taxes recoverable/payable	56,581			127,782
Change in other assets	253			4,303
Change in other policy funds and contract claims	45,816			13,169
Change in collateral held for derivatives	122,437			(25,005		)
Change in other liabilities	(28,408		)	(1,971		)
Other	317			143
Net cash provided by operating activities	239,709			179,296

Investing activities
Sales, maturities, or repayments of investments:
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	1,732,408			1,074,998
Fixed maturity securities - held for investment	—			616,334
Equity securities - available for sale	—			23,014
Mortgage loans on real estate	52,768			26,058
Derivative instruments	97,878			135,601
Acquisition of investments:
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	(1,824,696		)	(2,068,305		)
Fixed maturity securities - held for investment	(760,505		)	—
Equity securities - available for sale	(1,600		)	(10,125		)
Mortgage loans on real estate	(191,583		)	(45,230		)
Derivative instruments	(83,409		)	(60,809		)
Other investments	(33		)	(26		)
Purchases of property, furniture and equipment	(2,656		)	(604		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(981,428		)	(309,094		)

AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2011			2010
Financing activities
Receipts credited to annuity policyholder account balances	$	1,341,844		$	846,855
Coinsurance deposits	(16,207		)	(139,240		)
Return of annuity policyholder account balances	(438,371		)	(382,706		)
Financing fees incurred and deferred	(1,566		)	—
Acquisition of common stock	—			(50		)
Excess tax benefits realized from share-based compensation plans	935			199
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	3,052			533
Change in checks in excess of cash balance	1,003			(19,653		)
Other	—			24
Net cash provided by financing activities	890,690			305,962
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	148,971			176,164

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	597,766			528,002
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	746,737		$	704,166

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash paid during period for:
Interest expense	$	6,792		$	3,911
Income taxes	1,000			390
Income tax refunds received	—			100,000
Non-cash operating activity:
Deferral of sales inducements	106,249			61,206
Non-cash investing activity:
Real estate acquired in satisfaction of mortgage loans	3,781			2,905

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2010

(Unaudited)

1. Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (“we”, “us” or “our”) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, which are necessary to present fairly our financial position and results of operations on a basis consistent with the prior audited consolidated financial statements. Operating results for the three month period ended March 31, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2011. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of financial statements requires the use of management estimates. For further information related to a description of areas of judgment and estimates and other information necessary to understand our financial position and results of operations, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we discovered a prior period error related to policy benefit reserves for our single premium immediate annuity products. Accordingly, we made an adjustment in the current period which resulted in a decrease of policy benefit reserves and a decrease in interest sensitive and index product benefits of $4.2 million. On an after-tax basis, the adjustment resulted in a $2.7 million increase in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an accounting standards update that expands the disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements. A reporting entity is now required to present on a gross basis rather than as one net number information about the purchases, sales, issuances and settlements of financial instruments that are categorized as Level 3 for fair value measurements. Clarification on existing disclosure requirements is also provided in this update relating to the level of disaggregation of information as to determining appropriate classes of assets and liabilities as well as disclosure requirements regarding valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. This standard was effective for us on January 1, 2011, and has not had a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In October 2010, as a result of a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force, the FASB issued an accounting standards update that modifies the definition of the types of costs incurred that can be capitalized in the acquisition of new and renewal insurance contracts. This guidance defines the costs that qualify for deferral as incremental direct costs that result directly from and are essential to successful contract transactions and would not have been incurred by the insurance entity had the contract transactions not occurred. In addition, it lists certain costs as deferrable as those that are directly related to underwriting, policy issuance and processing, medical and inspection, and sales force contract selling as deferrable, as well as the portion of an employee's total compensation related directly to time spent performing those activities for actual acquired contracts and other costs related directly to those activities that would not have been incurred if the contract had not been acquired. This amendment to current GAAP should be applied prospectively and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2011, with retrospective application permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the guidance on our consolidated financial statements. See note 6 to our audited consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, for the policy issue costs that could be subject to non-deferral.

2. Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The following sets forth a comparison of the carrying amounts and fair values of our financial instruments:



	March 31, 2011				December 31, 2010
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Fixed maturity securities:
Available for sale	$	15,745,405	$	15,745,405	$	15,830,663	$	15,830,663
Held for investment	1,593,459		1,527,349		822,200		781,748
Equity securities, available for sale	69,644		69,644		65,961		65,961
Mortgage loans on real estate	2,730,841		2,791,645		2,598,641		2,670,009
Derivative instruments	622,106		622,106		479,786		479,786
Policy loans	567		567		558		558
Cash and cash equivalents	746,737		746,737		597,766		597,766
Coinsurance deposits	2,657,102		2,336,020		2,613,191		2,282,998
2015 notes hedges	71,864		71,864		66,595		66,595

Liabilities
Policy benefit reserves - annuities	24,769,905		20,590,974		23,464,810		19,594,396
Notes payable	334,000		501,474		330,835		489,097
Subordinated debentures	268,473		254,655		268,435		213,369
2015 notes embedded derivatives	71,864		71,864		66,595		66,595
Interest rate swaps	1,456		1,456		1,976		1,976

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The objective of a fair value measurement is to determine that price for each financial instrument at each measurement date. We meet this objective using various methods of valuation that include market, income and cost approaches.

We categorize our financial instruments into three levels of fair value hierarchy based on the priority of inputs used in determining fair value. The hierarchy defines the highest priority inputs (Level 1) as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The lowest priority inputs (Level 3) are our own assumptions about what a market participant would use in determining fair value such as estimated future cash flows. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, a financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument. We categorize financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:

Level 1— Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical financial instruments as of the reporting date. We do not adjust the quoted price for these financial instruments, even in situations where we hold a large position and a sale could reasonably impact the quoted price.

Level 2— Quoted prices in active markets for similar financial instruments, quoted prices for identical or similar financial instruments in markets that are not active; and models and other valuation methodologies using inputs other than quoted prices that are observable.

Level 3— Models and other valuation methodologies using significant inputs that are unobservable for financial instruments and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the financial instrument. The inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation. Financial instruments that are included in Level 3 are securities for which no market activity or data exists and for which we used discounted expected future cash flows with our own assumptions about what a market participant would use in determining fair value.

Transfers of securities among the levels occur at times and depend on the type of inputs used to determine fair value of each security, however there were no transfers between levels during the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Our assets and liabilities which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are presented below based on the fair value hierarchy levels:



	Total Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2011
Assets
Fixed maturity securities:
Available for sale:
United States Government full faith and credit	$	4,335	$	4,335	$	—	$	—
United States Government sponsored agencies	2,389,503		—		2,389,503		—
United States municipalities, states and territories	2,489,998		—		2,489,998		—
Corporate securities	7,959,187		64,862		7,894,325		—
Residential mortgage backed securities	2,902,382		—		2,899,681		2,701
Equity securities, available for sale: finance, insurance and real estate	69,644		48,223		19,821		1,600
Derivative instruments	622,106		—		622,106		—
Cash and cash equivalents	746,737		746,737		—		—
2015 notes hedges	71,864		—		71,864		—
	$	17,255,756	$	864,157	$	16,387,298	$	4,301
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps	$	1,456	$	—	$	1,456	$	—
2015 notes embedded derivatives	71,864		—		71,864		—
Fixed index annuities - embedded derivatives	2,242,000		—		—		2,242,000
	$	2,315,320	$	—	$	73,320	$	2,242,000

December 31, 2010
Assets
Fixed maturity securities:
Available for sale:
United States Government full faith and credit	$	4,388	$	4,388	$	—	$	—
United States Government sponsored agencies	3,003,651		—		3,003,651		—
United States municipalities, states and territories	2,367,003		—		2,367,003		—
Corporate securities	7,577,064		71,230		7,505,834		—
Residential mortgage backed securities	2,878,557		—		2,875,855		2,702
Equity securities, available for sale: finance, insurance and real estate	65,961		46,925		19,036		—
Derivative instruments	479,786		—		479,786		—
Cash and cash equivalents	597,766		597,766		—		—
2015 notes hedges	66,595		—		66,595		—
	$	17,040,771	$	720,309	$	16,317,760	$	2,702
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps	$	1,976	$	—	$	1,976	$	—
2015 notes embedded derivatives	66,595		—		66,595		—
Fixed index annuities - embedded derivatives	1,971,383		—		—		1,971,383
	$	2,039,954	$	—	$	68,571	$	1,971,383

The following methods and assumptions were used in estimating the fair values of financial instruments during the periods presented in these consolidated financial statements.

Fixed maturity securities, equity securities, and short-term investments

The fair values of fixed maturity securities, equity securities, and short-term investments in an active and orderly market are determined by utilizing independent pricing services. The independent pricing services incorporate a variety of observable market data in their valuation techniques, including:


•	reported trading prices,


•	benchmark yields


•	broker-dealer quotes,


•	benchmark securities,


•	bids and offers,


•	credit ratings,


•	relative credit information, and


•	other reference data.

The independent pricing services also take into account perceived market movements and sector news, as well as a security's terms and conditions, including any features specific to that issue that may influence risk and marketability. Depending on the security, the priority of the use of observable market inputs may change as some observable market inputs may not be relevant or additional inputs may be necessary.

The independent pricing services provide quoted market prices when available. Quoted prices are not always available due to market inactivity. When quoted market prices are not available, the third parties use yield data and other factors relating to instruments or securities with similar characteristics to determine fair value for securities that are not actively traded. We generally obtain one value from our primary external pricing service. In situations where a price is not available from this service, we may obtain further quotes or prices from additional parties as needed. In addition, for our callable United States Government sponsored agencies we obtain two broker quotes and take the average of two broker prices received. Market indices of similar rated asset class spreads are considered for valuations and broker indications of similar securities are compared. Inputs used by the broker include market information, such as yield data and other factors relating to instruments or securities with similar characteristics. Valuations and quotes obtained from third party commercial pricing services are non-binding and do not represent quotes on which one may execute the disposition of the assets.

We validate external valuations at least quarterly through a combination of procedures that include the evaluation of methodologies used by the pricing services, analytical reviews and performance analysis of the prices against trends, and maintenance of a securities watch list. Additionally, as needed we utilize discounted cash flow models or perform independent valuations on a case-by-case basis of inputs and assumptions similar to those used by the pricing services. Although we do identify differences from time to time as a result of these validation procedures, we did not make any significant adjustments as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

Mortgage loans on real estate

The fair values of mortgage loans on real estate are calculated using discounted expected cash flows using current competitive market interest rates currently being offered for similar loans which are not fair value exit prices.

Derivative instruments

The fair values of derivative instruments, primarily call options, are based upon the amount of cash that we will receive to settle each derivative instrument on the reporting date. These amounts are obtained from each of the counterparties using industry accepted valuation models and are adjusted for the nonperformance risk of each counterparty net of any collateral held. Inputs include market volatility and risk free interest rates and are used in income valuation techniques in arriving at a fair value for each option contract. The nonperformance risk for each counterparty is based upon its credit default swap rate. We have no performance obligations related to the call options purchased to fund our fixed index annuity policy liabilities.

Policy loans

We have not attempted to determine the fair values associated with our policy loans, as we believe any differences between carrying value and the fair values afforded these instruments are immaterial to our consolidated financial position and, accordingly, the cost to provide such disclosure does not justify the benefit to be derived.

Cash and cash equivalents

Amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for these instruments are reported at their historical cost which approximates fair value due to the nature of the assets assigned to this category.

2015 notes hedges

The fair value of these call options is determined by a third party who applies market observable data such as our common stock price, its dividend yield and its volatility, as well as the time to expiration of the call options to determine a fair value of the buy side of these options.

Policy benefit reserves and coinsurance deposits

The fair values of the liabilities under contracts not involving significant mortality or morbidity risks (principally deferred annuities), are stated at the cost we would incur to extinguish the liability (i.e., the cash surrender value) as these contracts are generally issued without an annuitization date. The coinsurance deposits related to the annuity benefit reserves have fair values determined in a similar fashion. We are not required to and have not estimated the fair value of the liabilities under contracts that involve significant mortality or morbidity risks, as these liabilities fall within the definition of insurance contracts that are exceptions from financial instruments that require disclosures of fair value.

Notes payable

The fair value of the convertible senior notes is based upon quoted market prices. Fair values of other notes payable are estimated using discounted cash flow calculations based principally on observable inputs including our incremental borrowing rates, which reflect our credit rating, for similar types of borrowings with maturities consistent with those remaining for the debt being valued.

Subordinated debentures

Fair values for subordinated debentures are estimated using discounted cash flow calculations based principally on observable inputs including our incremental borrowing rates, which reflect our credit rating, for similar types of borrowings with maturities consistent with those remaining for the debt being valued.

Interest rate swaps

The fair values of our pay fixed/receive variable interest rate swaps are obtained from third parties and are determined by discounting expected future cash flows using projected LIBOR rates for the term of the swaps.

2015 notes embedded derivatives

The fair value of this embedded derivative is determined by pricing the call options that hedge this potential liability. The terms of the conversion premium are identical to the 2015 notes hedges and the method of determining fair value of the call options is based upon observable market data.

Fixed index annuities - embedded derivatives

We estimate the fair value of the embedded derivative component of our fixed index annuity policy liabilities at each valuation date by (i) projecting policy contract values and minimum guaranteed contract values over the expected lives of the contracts and (ii) discounting the excess of the projected contract value amounts at the applicable risk free interest rates adjusted for our nonperformance risk related to those liabilities. The projections of policy contract values are based on our best estimate assumptions for future policy growth and future policy decrements. Our best estimate assumptions for future policy growth include assumptions for the expected index credit on the next policy anniversary date which are derived from the fair values of the underlying call options purchased to fund such index credits and the expected costs of annual call options we will purchase in the future to fund index credits beyond the next policy anniversary. The projections of minimum guaranteed contract values include the same best estimate assumptions for policy decrements as were used to project policy contract values.

The following tables provide a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for our Level 3 assets and liabilities, which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2011			2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Available for sale securities
Beginning balance	$	2,702		$	17,918
Purchases	1,600			—
Principal returned	(188		)	(158		)
Accretion of discount	12			22
Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized):
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)	175			1,127
Net OTTI losses recognized in operations	—			—
Ending balance	$	4,301		$	18,909



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2011		2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Fixed index annuities - embedded derivatives
Beginning balance	$	1,971,383	$	1,375,866
Premiums less benefits	215,943		163,148
Change in unrealized gains, net	54,674		(12,897		)
Ending balance	$	2,242,000	$	1,526,117

Change in unrealized gains, net for each period in our embedded derivatives are included in change in fair value of embedded derivatives in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations.

3. Investments

At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities and equity securities were as follows:



	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2011
Fixed maturity securities:
Available for sale:
United States Government full faith and credit	$	4,083	$	278	$	(26	)	$	4,335
United States Government sponsored agencies	2,397,874		5,068		(13,439		)	2,389,503
United States municipalities, states and territories	2,533,833		22,083		(65,918		)	2,489,998
Corporate securities	7,756,861		366,497		(164,171		)	7,959,187
Residential mortgage backed securities	2,896,129		89,976		(83,723		)	2,902,382
	$	15,588,780	$	483,902	$	(327,277	)	$	15,745,405

Held for investment:
United States Government sponsored agencies	$	1,517,637	$	169	$	(46,081	)	$	1,471,725
Corporate security	75,822		—		(20,198		)	55,624
	$	1,593,459	$	169	$	(66,279	)	$	1,527,349
Equity securities, available for sale:
Finance, insurance, and real estate	$	62,787	$	7,877	$	(1,020	)	$	69,644

December 31, 2010
Fixed maturity securities:
Available for sale:
United States Government full faith and credit	$	4,082	$	324	$	(18	)	$	4,388
United States Government sponsored agencies	2,994,174		11,123		(1,646		)	3,003,651
United States municipalities, states and territories	2,397,622		22,765		(53,384		)	2,367,003
Corporate securities	7,325,988		387,916		(136,840		)	7,577,064
Residential mortgage backed securities	2,900,028		86,950		(108,421		)	2,878,557
	$	15,621,894	$	509,078	$	(300,309	)	$	15,830,663

Held for investment:
United States Government sponsored agencies	$	746,414	$	—	$	(15,309	)	$	731,105
Corporate security	75,786		—		(25,143		)	50,643
	$	822,200	$	—	$	(40,452	)	$	781,748
Equity securities, available for sale:
Finance, insurance, and real estate	$	61,185	$	6,722	$	(1,946	)	$	65,961

During the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, we received $1.5 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively, in redemption proceeds related to calls of our callable United States Government sponsored agency securities and public and private corporate bonds, of which $616.3 million were classified as held for investment for the three months ended March 31, 2010. There were no calls of held for investment securities during the three months ended March 31, 2011. We reinvested proceeds from these redemptions primarily in United States Government sponsored agencies, United States municipalities, states and territories, corporate securities, and residential mortgage backed securities. At March 31, 2011, 37% of our fixed income securities have call features and 1% ($0.1 billion) of those securities were subject to call redemption. Another 22% ($3.8 billion) will become subject to call redemption during the next twelve months.

The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2011, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. All of our residential mortgage backed securities provide for periodic payments throughout their lives and are shown below as a separate line.



	Available-for-sale				Held for investment
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	36,754	$	37,468	$	—	$	—
Due after one year through five years	394,166		436,490		—		—
Due after five years through ten years	1,862,941		2,029,935		—		—
Due after ten years through twenty years	3,463,416		3,470,211		—		—
Due after twenty years	6,935,374		6,868,919		1,593,459		1,527,349
	12,692,651		12,843,023		1,593,459		1,527,349
Residential mortgage backed securities	2,896,129		2,902,382		—		—
	$	15,588,780	$	15,745,405	$	1,593,459	$	1,527,349

Net unrealized gains on available for sale fixed maturity securities and equity securities reported as a separate component of stockholders' equity were comprised of the following:



	March 31, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net unrealized gains on available for sale fixed maturity securities and equity securities	$	163,482		$	213,545
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements	(94,182		)	(122,336		)
Deferred income tax valuation allowance reversal	22,534			22,534
Deferred income tax benefit	(24,255		)	(31,923		)
Net unrealized gains reported as accumulated other comprehensive income	$	67,579		$	81,820

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) assigns designations to fixed maturity securities. These designations range from Class 1 (highest quality) to Class 6 (lowest quality). In general, securities are assigned a designation based upon the ratings they are given by the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (“NRSRO’s”). The NAIC designations are utilized by insurers in preparing their annual statutory statements. NAIC Class 1 and 2 designations are considered “investment grade” while NAIC Class 3 through 6 designations are considered “non-investment grade”. Based on the NAIC designations, we had 98% of our fixed maturity portfolio rated investment grade at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

The following table summarizes the credit quality, as determined by NAIC designation, of our fixed maturity portfolio as of the dates indicated:



	March 31, 2011				December 31, 2010
NAIC Designation	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
1	$	12,876,546	$	12,879,124	$	12,152,552	$	12,246,954
2	3,984,690		4,100,086		3,892,680		4,012,076
3	293,391		264,229		368,680		323,113
4	17,926		18,026		19,820		19,178
5	5,589		6,173		6,089		6,262
6	4,097		5,116		4,273		4,828
	$	17,182,239	$	17,272,754	$	16,444,094	$	16,612,411

The following tables show our investments' gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities (consisting of 870 and 780 securities, respectively) have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:



	Less than 12 months					12 months or more					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2011
Fixed maturity securities:
Available for sale:
United States Government full faith and credit	$	858	$	(26	)	$	—	$	—		$	858	$	(26	)
United States Government sponsored agencies	1,810,087		(13,439		)	—		—			1,810,087		(13,439		)
United States municipalities, states and territories	1,658,830		(65,108		)	8,118		(810		)	1,666,948		(65,918		)
Corporate securities:
Finance, insurance and real estate	670,851		(26,521		)	110,842		(11,283		)	781,693		(37,804		)
Manufacturing, construction and mining	1,078,807		(51,105		)	21,931		(1,763		)	1,100,738		(52,868		)
Utilities and related sectors	1,026,357		(48,820		)	15,365		(3,334		)	1,041,722		(52,154		)
Wholesale/retail trade	139,580		(6,762		)	9,400		(1,077		)	148,980		(7,839		)
Services, media and other	284,892		(13,506		)	—		—			284,892		(13,506		)
Residential mortgage backed securities	251,963		(4,008		)	910,363		(79,715		)	1,162,326		(83,723		)
	$	6,922,225	$	(229,295	)	$	1,076,019	$	(97,982	)	$	7,998,244	$	(327,277	)
Held for investment:
United States Government sponsored agencies	967,860		(46,081		)	—		—			967,860		(46,081		)
Corporate security:
Insurance	—		—			55,624		(20,198		)	55,624		(20,198		)
	967,860		(46,081		)	55,624		(20,198		)	1,023,484		(66,279		)

Equity securities, available for sale:
Finance, insurance and real estate	$	2,452	$	(205	)	$	23,310	$	(815	)	$	25,762	$	(1,020	)

December 31, 2010
Fixed maturity securities:
Available for sale:
United States Government full faith and credit	$	548	$	(18	)	$	—	$	—		$	548	$	(18	)
United States Government sponsored agencies	110,101		(1,646		)	—		—			110,101		(1,646		)
United States municipalities, states and territories	1,510,354		(51,989		)	7,525		(1,395		)	1,517,879		(53,384		)
Corporate securities:
Finance, insurance and real estate	626,363		(31,352		)	114,128		(13,001		)	740,491		(44,353		)
Manufacturing, construction and mining	1,032,170		(33,893		)	34,490		(2,333		)	1,066,660		(36,226		)
Utilities and related sectors	933,727		(34,657		)	14,157		(4,552		)	947,884		(39,209		)
Wholesale/retail trade	153,699		(4,947		)	9,175		(1,304		)	162,874		(6,251		)
Services, media and other	195,516		(10,801		)	—		—			195,516		(10,801		)
Residential mortgage backed securities	396,083		(14,100		)	966,332		(94,321		)	1,362,415		(108,421		)
	$	4,958,561	$	(183,403	)	$	1,145,807	$	(116,906	)	$	6,104,368	$	(300,309	)
Held for investment:
United States Government sponsored agencies	$	731,105	$	(15,309	)	$	—	$	—		$	731,105	$	(15,309	)
Corporate security:
Insurance	—		—			50,643		(25,143		)	50,643		(25,143		)
	$	731,105	$	(15,309	)	$	50,643	$	(25,143	)	$	781,748	$	(40,452	)

Equity securities, available for sale:
Finance, insurance and real estate	$	14,583	$	(1,199	)	$	16,253	$	(747	)	$	30,836	$	(1,946	)

The following is a description of the factors causing the temporary unrealized losses by investment category as of March 31, 2011:

United States Government sponsored agencies; and United States municipalities, states and territories: These securities are relatively long in duration, making the value of such securities sensitive to changes in market interest rates. During the last fifteen months spreads on agency securities have improved; however, long term interest rates have risen by a greater amount. These securities carry yields less than those available at March 31, 2011 as the result of these rising interest rates.

Corporate securities: The unrealized losses in these securities are due partially to a rise in interest rates in 2011 as well as the continuation of wider than historic credit spreads in certain sectors of the corporate bond market. While credit spreads narrowed, several sectors remain at spreads wider than pre-crisis levels, such as financial and select economic sensitive issuers. As the result of wider spreads, these issues carry yields less than those available in the market as of March 31, 2011.

Residential mortgage backed securities: At March 31, 2011, we had no exposure to sub-prime residential mortgage backed securities. All of our residential mortgage backed securities are pools of first-lien residential mortgage loans. Substantially all of the securities that we own are in the most senior tranche of the securitization in which they are structured and are not subordinated to any other tranche. Our "Alt-A" residential mortgage backed securities are comprised of 36 securities with a total amortized cost basis of $466.2 million and a fair value of $438.5 million. Despite recent improvements in the capital markets, the fair values of RMBS continue at prices below amortized cost. RMBS prices will likely remain below our cost basis until the housing market is able to absorb current and future foreclosures.

Equity securities: The unrealized loss on equity securities, which are primarily investment grade perpetual preferred stocks with exposure to REITS, investment banks and finance companies, are due to the ongoing concerns relating to capital, asset quality and earnings stability due to the financial crisis. All of the equity securities in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more are investment grade perpetual preferred stocks that are absent credit deterioration. A continued difficult housing market has raised concerns in regard to earnings and dividend stability in many companies which directly affect the values of these securities.

Where the decline in market value of debt securities is attributable to changes in market interest rates or to factors such as market volatility, liquidity and spread widening, and we anticipate recovery of all contractual or expected cash flows, we do not consider these investments to be other than temporarily impaired because we do not intend to sell these investments and it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell these securities before a recovery of amortized cost, which may be maturity. For equity securities, we recognize an impairment charge in the period in which we do not have the intent and ability to hold the securities until a recovery of cost or we determine that the security will not recover to book value within a reasonable period of time. We determine what constitutes a reasonable period of time on a security-by-security basis based upon consideration of all the evidence available to us, including the magnitude of an unrealized loss and its duration. In any event, this period does not exceed 18 months from the date of impairment for perpetual preferred securities for which there is evidence of deterioration in credit of the issuer and common equity securities. For perpetual preferred securities absent evidence of a deterioration in credit of the issuer we apply an impairment model, including an anticipated recovery period, similar to a debt security. For equity securities we measure impairment charges based upon the difference between the book value of a security and its fair value.

All of the fixed maturity securities with unrealized losses are current with respect to the payment of principal and interest.

Changes in net unrealized gains/losses on investments for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2011			2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Fixed maturity securities held for investment carried at amortized cost	$	(25,658	)	$	7,496

Investments carried at fair value:
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale	$	(52,144	)	$	137,007
Equity securities, available for sale	2,081			1,582
	(50,063		)	138,589
Adjustment for effect on other balance sheet accounts:
Deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements	28,154			(83,687		)
Deferred income tax asset	7,668			(19,216		)
	35,822			(102,903		)
(Decrease) increase in net unrealized gains/losses on investments carried at fair value	$	(14,241	)	$	35,686

Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 were $40.5 million and $138.2 million, respectively. Scheduled principal repayments, calls and tenders for available for sale securities for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 were $1.7 billion and $801.6 million, respectively. Calls of held for investment fixed maturity securities for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were $616.3 million. There were no calls of held for investment fixed maturity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Realized gains and losses on sales are determined on the basis of specific identification of investments based on the trade date. Realized gains (losses) on investments, excluding net OTTI losses for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2011			2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Available for sale fixed maturity securities:
Gross realized gains	$	1,641		$	7,894
Gross realized losses	—			(129		)
	1,641			7,765
Equity securities:
Gross realized gains	—			6,207
Mortgage loans on real estate:
Impairment losses	(2,834		)	(4,069		)
	$	(1,193	)	$	9,903

We review and analyze all investments on an ongoing basis for changes in market interest rates and credit deterioration. This review process includes analyzing our ability to recover the amortized cost basis of each investment that has a fair value that is materially lower than its amortized cost and requires a high degree of management judgment and involves uncertainty. The evaluation of securities for other than temporary impairments is a quantitative and qualitative process, which is subject to risks and uncertainties.

We have a policy and process in place to identify securities that could potentially have an impairment that is other than temporary. This process involves monitoring market events and other items that could impact issuers. The evaluation includes but is not limited to such factors as:


•	the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost or cost;


•	whether the issuer is current on all payments and all contractual payments have been made as agreed;


•	the remaining payment terms and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer;


•	the lack of ability to refinance due to liquidity problems in the credit market;


•	the fair value of any underlying collateral;


•	the existence of any credit protection available;


•	our intent to sell and whether it is more likely than not we would be required to sell prior to recovery for debt securities;


•	our assessment in the case of equity securities including perpetual preferred stocks with credit deterioration that the security cannot recover to cost in a reasonable period of time;


•	our intent and ability to retain equity securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery;


•	consideration of rating agency actions; and


•	changes in estimated cash flows of residential mortgage and asset backed securities.

We determine whether other than temporary impairment losses should be recognized for debt and equity securities by assessing all facts and circumstances surrounding each security. Where the decline in market value of debt securities is attributable to changes in market interest rates or to factors such as market volatility, liquidity and spread widening, and we anticipate recovery of all contractual or expected cash flows, we do not consider these investments to be other than temporarily impaired because we do not intend to sell these investments and it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell these investments before a recovery of amortized cost, which may be maturity. For equity securities, we recognize an impairment charge in the period in which we do not have the intent and ability to hold the securities until recovery of cost or we determine that the security will not recover to book value within a reasonable period of time. We determine what constitutes a reasonable period of time on a security-by-security basis by considering all the evidence available to us, including the magnitude of any unrealized loss and its duration. In any event, this period does not exceed 18 months from the date of impairment for perpetual preferred securities for which there is evidence of deterioration in credit of the issuer and common equity securities. For perpetual preferred securities absent evidence of a deterioration in credit of the issuer we apply an impairment model, including an anticipated recovery period, similar to a debt security.

Other than temporary impairment losses on equity securities are recognized in operations. If we intend to sell a debt security or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell a debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, other than temporary impairment has occurred and the difference between amortized cost and fair value will be recognized as a loss in operations.

If we do not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell the debt security but also do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security, an impairment loss would be recognized in operations in the amount of the expected credit loss. We calculate the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected discounted at each security's acquisition yield based on our consideration of whether the security was of high credit quality at the time of acquisition. The difference between the present value of expected future cash flows and the amortized cost basis of the security is the amount of credit loss recognized in operations. The remaining amount of the other than temporary impairment is recognized in other comprehensive income.

The determination of the credit loss component of a residential mortgage backed security is based on a number of factors. The primary consideration in this evaluation process is the issuer's ability to meet current and future interest and principal payments as contractually stated at time of purchase. Our review of these securities includes an analysis of the cash flow modeling under various default scenarios considering independent third party benchmarks, the seniority of the specific tranche within the structure of the security, the composition of the collateral and the actual

default, loss severity and prepayment experience exhibited. With the input of third party assumptions for default projections, loss severity and prepayment expectations, we evaluate the cash flow projections to determine whether the security is performing in accordance with its contractual obligation.

We utilize the models from a leading structured product software specialist serving institutional investors. These models incorporate each security's seniority and cash flow structure. In circumstances where the analysis implies a potential for principal loss at some point in the future, we use the "best estimate" cash flow projection discounted at the security's effective yield at acquisition to determine the amount of our potential credit loss associated with this security. The discounted expected future cash flows equates to our expected recovery value. Any shortfall of the expected recovery when compared to the amortized cost of the security will be recorded as the credit loss component of other than temporary impairment.

The cash flow modeling is performed on a security-by-security basis and incorporates actual cash flows on the residential mortgage backed securities through the current period, as well as the projection of remaining cash flows using a number of assumptions including default rates, prepayment rates and loss severity rates. The default curves we use are tailored to the Prime or Alt-A residential mortgage backed securities that we own, which assume lower default rates and loss severity for Prime securities versus Alt-A securities. These default curves are scaled higher or lower depending on factors such as current underlying mortgage loan performance, rating agency loss projections, loan to value ratios, geographic diversity, as well as other appropriate considerations. The default curves generally assume lower loss levels for older vintage securities versus more recent vintage securities, which reflects the decline in underwriting standards over the years.

The following table presents the range of significant assumptions used to determine the credit loss component of other than temporary impairments we have recognized on residential mortgage backed securities which are all senior level tranches within the structure of the securities:



		Discount Rate				Default Rate				Loss Severity
Sector	Vintage	Min		Max		Min		Max		Min		Max
Three months ended March 31, 2011
Prime	2005	7.7	%	7.7	%	8	%	8	%	50	%	50	%
	2006	7.3	%	7.6	%	9	%	11	%	50	%	55	%
	2007	5.8	%	7.3	%	8	%	30	%	40	%	60	%
Alt-A	2005	6.0	%	7.7	%	18	%	18	%	50	%	50	%
	2006	6.0	%	6.0	%	30	%	30	%	50	%	50	%
	2007	6.2	%	7.4	%	29	%	41	%	50	%	60	%

Three months ended March 31, 2010
Prime	2006	7.3	%	7.3	%	11	%	11	%	45	%	45	%
	2007	5.8	%	5.8	%	19	%	19	%	50	%	50	%
Alt-A	2005	6.8	%	7.4	%	12	%	26	%	45	%	50	%

The determination of the credit loss component of a corporate bond (including redeemable preferred stocks) is based on the underlying financial performance of the issuer and their ability to meet their contractual obligations. Considerations in our evaluation include, but are not limited to, credit rating changes, financial statement and ratio analysis, changes in management, significant changes in credit spreads, breaches of financial covenants and a review of the economic outlook for the industry and markets in which they trade. In circumstances where an issuer appears unlikely to meet its future obligation, or the security's price decline is deemed other than temporary, an estimate of credit loss is determined. Credit loss is calculated using default probabilities as derived from the credit default swaps markets in conjunction with recovery rates derived from independent third party analysis or a best estimate of credit loss. This credit loss rate is then incorporated into a present value calculation based on an expected principal loss in the future discounted at the yield at the date of purchase and compared to amortized cost to determine the amount of credit loss associated with the security.

The following table summarizes other than temporary impairments for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, by asset type:



	Number of Securities	Total OTTI Losses			Portion of OTTI Losses Recognized in (from) Other Comprehensive Income			Net OTTI Losses in Operations
		(Dollars in thousands)
Three months ended March 31, 2011
Residential mortgage backed securities	24	$	(5,100	)	$	(1,471	)	$	(6,571	)

Three months ended March 31, 2010
Residential mortgage backed securities	4	$	(12,584	)	$	9,361		$	(3,223	)

The cumulative portion of other than temporary impairments determined to be credit losses which have been recognized in operations for debt securities are summarized as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2011			2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Cumulative credit loss at beginning of period	$	(96,893	)	$	(82,930	)
Credit losses on securities for which OTTI has not previously been recognized	(789		)	(2,419		)
Additional credit losses on securities for which OTTI has previously been recognized	(5,782		)	(804		)
Accumulated losses on securities that were disposed of during the period	1,213			1,622
	$	(102,251	)	$	(84,531	)

The following table summarizes the cumulative noncredit portion of OTTI and the change in fair value since recognition of OTTI, both of which were recognized in other comprehensive income, by major type of security for securities that are part of our investment portfolio at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:



	Amortized Cost		OTTI Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income			Change in Fair Value Since OTTI was Recognized		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2011
Corporate fixed maturity securities	$	3,200	$	(2,151	)	$	5,748	$	6,797
Residential mortgage backed securities	953,683		(199,450		)	135,735		889,968
Equity securities:
Finance, insurance and real estate	14,771		—			6,396		21,167
	$	971,654	$	(201,601	)	$	147,879	$	917,932
December 31, 2010
Corporate fixed maturity securities	$	5,055	$	(2,151	)	$	5,437	$	8,341
Residential mortgage backed securities	904,704		(200,921		)	124,240		828,023
Equity securities:
Finance, insurance and real estate	14,771		—			5,783		20,554
	$	924,530	$	(203,072	)	$	135,460	$	856,918

4. Mortgage Loans on Real Estate

Our mortgage loan portfolio totaled $2.7 billion and $2.6 billion at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, with commitments outstanding of $94.1 million at March 31, 2011. The portfolio consists of commercial mortgage loans collateralized by the related properties and diversified as to property type, location and loan size. Our mortgage lending policies establish limits on the amount that can be loaned to one borrower and other criteria to attempt to reduce the risk of default. The mortgage loan portfolio is summarized by geographic region and property type as follows:



	March 31, 2011					December 31, 2010
	Carrying Amount			Percent		Carrying Amount			Percent
	(Dollars in thousands)
Geographic distribution
East	$	653,566		23.8	%	$	618,250		23.6	%
Middle Atlantic	182,514			6.6	%	172,443			6.6	%
Mountain	409,555			14.9	%	402,965			15.4	%
New England	42,225			1.5	%	42,695			1.6	%
Pacific	282,415			10.3	%	247,254			9.5	%
South Atlantic	505,099			18.4	%	496,606			19.0	%
West North Central	438,083			15.9	%	419,002			16.0	%
West South Central	234,326			8.6	%	215,650			8.3	%
	$	2,747,783		100.0	%	$	2,614,865		100.0	%
Loan loss allowance	(16,942		)			(16,224		)
	2,730,841					2,598,641

Property type distribution
Office	$	739,960		26.9	%	$	683,404		26.1	%
Medical Office	168,376			6.1	%	166,930			6.4	%
Retail	613,582			22.3	%	589,369			22.5	%
Industrial/Warehouse	691,448			25.2	%	666,908			25.6	%
Hotel	150,241			5.5	%	151,516			5.8	%
Apartment	149,019			5.4	%	131,682			5.0	%
Mixed use/other	235,157			8.6	%	225,056			8.6	%
	$	2,747,783		100.0	%	$	2,614,865		100.0	%
Loan loss allowance	(16,942		)			(16,224		)
	2,730,841					2,598,641

We evaluate our mortgage loan portfolio for the establishment of a loan loss reserve by specific identification of impaired loans and the measurement of an estimated loss for each individual loan identified. A mortgage loan is impaired when it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. In addition, we analyze the mortgage loan portfolio for the need of a general loan allowance for probable losses on all other loans. If we determine that the value of any specific mortgage loan is impaired, the carrying amount of the mortgage loan will be reduced to its fair value, based upon the present value of expected future cash flows from the loan discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, or the fair value of the underlying collateral less estimated costs to sell. The amount of the general loan allowance is based upon management's evaluation of the collectability of the loan portfolio, historical loss experience, delinquencies, credit concentrations, underwriting standards and national and local economic conditions. Based upon this process and analysis, we increased our general loan loss allowance by $0.1 million to $3.1 million during the first quarter of 2011. No general loan loss allowance was necessary at March 31, 2010.

Our specific allowance for credit losses on mortgage loans totaled $13.8 million and $13.2 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, on mortgage loans with total outstanding balances of $36.3 million and $31.0 million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. One loan during each of the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, was satisfied by taking ownership of the real estate serving as collateral. These loans had an aggregate principal amounts outstanding of $5.9 million and $2.9 million, for which specific loan loss allowances totaling $2.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, were established and recognized in periods prior to foreclosure.

Mortgage loans summarized in the following table represent all loans that we are either not currently collecting or those we feel it is probable we will not collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreements (all loans that we have worked with the borrower to alleviate short-term cash flow issues and loans delinquent for more than 60 days at the reporting date).



	March 31, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Impaired mortgage loans with allowances	$	36,275		$	31,027
Impaired mortgage loans with no allowance for losses	73,831			81,994
Allowance for probable loan losses	(13,842		)	(13,224		)
Net carrying value of impaired mortgage loans	$	96,264		$	99,797

Our financing receivables currently consist of one portfolio segment which is our commercial mortgage loan portfolio. These are mortgage loans with collateral consisting of commercial real estate and borrowers consisting mostly of limited liability partnerships or limited liability corporations with some personal guarantors. Credit loss experience in our mortgage loan portfolio has been limited to the most recent fiscal years. In 2009, we experienced our first credit loss from our mortgage loan portfolio.

Since 2008, we have consistently had a population of mortgage loans that we have been carrying with workout terms (e.g. short-term interest only periods, short-term suspended payments, etc.) and a population of mortgage loans that have been in a delinquent status (i.e. more than 60 days past due). It is from this population that we have been recognizing some impairment loss due to nonpayment and eventual satisfaction of the loan by taking ownership of the collateral real estate, which in most cases the fair value of the collateral less estimated costs to sell such collateral has been less than the outstanding principal amount of the mortgage loan.

Beginning in 2010, we calculated a general loan loss allowance on the cumulative outstanding principal on loans making up the group of loans currently in workout terms and loans currently more than 60 days past due. We apply a factor to the total outstanding principal of these loans that is calculated as the average specific impairment loss for the most recent 4 quarters divided by the sum of the average of the total outstanding principal of delinquent loans for the most recent 4 quarters and the average of the total outstanding principal of loans in workout for the most recent 4 quarters. If any of the loans within our general loan loss allowance are deemed to be at a higher risk (factors such as single tenant, bankruptcy of borrower, etc.) we apply a factor to the higher risk loans that is double that of what we calculated.

The following table presents a rollforward of our valuation allowance for Commercial Mortgage Loans for the three months ended March 31, 2011 (dollars in thousands):



	Three months ended March 31, 2011
Allowance for Credit Losses:
Beginning allowance balance	$	(16,224	)
Charge-offs	2,116
Recoveries	—
Provision for credit losses	(2,834		)
Ending allowance balance	$	(16,942	)

The following table presents the ending balances of our allowance by basis of impairment and the totals of the loans that were evaluated for impairment at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:



	March 31, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Ending allowance balance by type of impairment:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	(13,842	)	$	(13,224	)
Collectively evaluated for impairment	(3,100		)	(3,000		)
Ending allowance balance	$	(16,942	)	$	(16,224	)
Financing Receivables:
Individually evaluated for impairment	36,275			31,027
Collectively evaluated for impairment	73,831			81,994

The amount of charge-offs include the amount of allowance that has been established for loans that we were in the process of satisfying the outstanding principal of certain loans by taking ownership of the collateral. When the property is taken it is recorded at its fair value and the mortgage loan is recorded as fully paid, with any allowance for credit loss that has been established charged off. There could be other situations that develop where we have established a larger specific loan loss allowance than is needed based on increases in the fair value of collateral supporting collateral dependent loans, or improvements in the financial position of a borrower so that a loan would become reliant on cash flows from debt service instead of dependent upon sale of the collateral. Charge-offs of the allowance would be recognized in those situations as well.

All of our commercial mortgage loans depend on the cash flow of each borrower to be at a sufficient level to service the principal and interest payments as they come due. In general, cash inflows of the borrowers are generated by collecting monthly rent from tenants occupying space within the borrowers' facilities. Our borrowers face collateral risks such as tenants going out of business, tenants struggling to make rent payments as they become due, and tenants canceling leases and moving to other locations. We have a number of loans where the real estate is occupied by a single tenant. The current depressed and somewhat inactive commercial real estate market has resulted in some of our borrowers experiencing both a reduction in cash flow on their mortgage property as well as a reduction in the fair value of the real estate collateral. If these borrowers are unable to replace lost rent revenue and increases in the fair value of their property do not materialize we could potentially incur more losses than what we have allowed for in our specific and general loan loss allowances.

We analyze credit risk of our mortgage loans by analyzing all available evidence on loans that are delinquent and loans that are in a workout period.



	March 31, 2011		December 31, 2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Credit Exposure--By Payment Activity
Performing	$	2,637,677	$	2,501,843
In workout	66,112		68,477
Delinquent	10,002		20,482
Collateral dependent	33,992		24,063
	$	2,747,783	$	2,614,865

Mortgage loans are considered delinquent when they become 60 days past due. When loans become 90 days past due, become collateral dependent or enter a period with no debt service payments required we place them on non-accrual status and discontinue recognizing interest income. If payments are received on a delinquent loan, interest income is recognized to the extent it would have been recognized if normal principal and interest would have been received timely. If payments are received to bring a delinquent loan current we will resume accruing interest income on that loan. Outstanding principal of loans in a non-accrual status at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 totaled $51.0 and $41.0 million, respectively.

Aging of financing receivables as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:



	30 - 59 Days		60 - 89 Days		90 Days and Over		Total Past Due		Current		Collateral Dependent Receivables		Total Financing Receivables
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2011
Commercial mortgage loans	$	9,243	$	—	$	10,002	$	19,245	$	2,694,546	$	33,992	$	2,747,783
December 31, 2010
Commercial mortgage loans	$	3,002	$	9,169	$	11,313	$	23,484	$	2,567,318	$	24,063	$	2,614,865

Financing receivables summarized in the following table represent all loans that we are either not currently collecting or those we feel it is probable we will not collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreements (all loans that we have worked with the borrower to alleviate short-term cash flow issues and loans delinquent for more than 60 days at the reporting date).



	Recorded Investment		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance			Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2011
Mortgage loans with an allowance	$	22,433	$	36,275	$	(13,842	)	$	27,754	$	148
Mortgage loans with no related allowance	73,831		73,831		—			74,224		1,184
	$	96,264	$	110,106	$	(13,842	)	$	101,978	$	1,332
December 31, 2010
Mortgage loans with an allowance	$	17,803	$	31,027	$	(13,224	)	$	24,062	$	656
Mortgage loans with no related allowance	81,994		81,994		—			82,535		4,921
	$	99,797	$	113,021	$	(13,224	)	$	106,597	$	5,577

We have not experienced any troubled debt restructures in our commercial mortgage loan portfolio.

5. Derivative Instruments

We recognize all derivative instruments as assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. None of our derivatives qualify for hedge accounting, thus, any change in the fair value of the derivatives is recognized immediately in the consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of our derivative instruments, including derivative instruments embedded in fixed index annuity contracts, presented in the unaudited consolidated balance sheets are as follows:



	March 31, 2011		December 31, 2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Derivative Instruments
Call options	$	622,106	$	479,786
Other Assets
2015 notes hedges	71,864		66,595
	$	693,970	$	546,381
Liabilities
Policy benefit reserves - annuity products
Fixed index annuities - embedded derivatives	$	2,242,000	$	1,971,383
Other liabilities
2015 notes embedded derivatives	71,864		66,595
Interest rate swaps	1,456		1,976
	$	2,315,320	$	2,039,954

The changes in fair value of derivatives included in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations are as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2011			2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Change in fair value of derivatives:
Call options	$	143,452		$	83,302
2015 notes hedges	5,269			—
Interest rate swaps	(68		)	(1,287		)
	$	148,653		$	82,015
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives:
2015 notes embedded derivatives	$	5,269		$	—
Fixed index annuities	123,034			63,875
	$	128,303		$	63,875

We have fixed index annuity products that guarantee the return of principal to the policyholder and credit interest based on a percentage of the gain in a specified market index. When fixed index annuity deposits are received, a portion of the deposit is used to purchase derivatives consisting of call options on the applicable market indices to fund the index credits due to fixed index annuity policyholders. Substantially all such call options are one year options purchased to match the funding requirements of the underlying policies. The call options are marked to fair value with the change in fair value included as a component of revenues. The change in fair value of derivatives includes the gains or losses recognized at the expiration of the option term or upon early termination and the changes in fair value for open positions. On the respective anniversary dates of the index policies, the index used to compute the annual index credit is reset and we purchase new one-year call options to fund the next annual index credit. We manage the cost of these purchases through the terms of our fixed index annuities, which permit us to change caps, participation rates, and/or asset fees, subject to guaranteed minimums on each policy's anniversary date. By adjusting caps, participation rates, or asset fees, we can generally manage option costs except in cases where the contractual features would prevent further modifications.

Our strategy attempts to mitigate any potential risk of loss under these agreements through a regular monitoring process which evaluates the program's effectiveness. We do not purchase call options that would require payment or collateral to another institution and our call options do not contain counterparty credit-risk-related contingent features. We are exposed to risk of loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties and, accordingly, we purchase our option contracts from multiple counterparties and evaluate the creditworthiness of all counterparties prior to purchase of the contracts. All of these options have been purchased from nationally recognized financial institutions with a Standard and Poor's credit rating of A- or higher at the time of purchase and the maximum credit exposure to any single counterparty is subject to concentration limits. We also have credit support agreements that allow us to request the counterparty to provide collateral to us when the fair value of our exposure to the counterparty exceeds specified amounts.

The notional amount and maximum amount of loss due to credit risk that we would incur if parties to the call options failed completely to perform according to the terms of the contracts are as follows:



			March 31, 2011				December 31, 2010
Counterparty	Credit Rating (S&P)	Credit Rating (Moody's)	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Notional Amount		Fair Value
			(Dollars in thousands)
Bank of America	A+	Aa3	$	937,662	$	45,103	$	588,650	$	25,704
BNP Paribas	AA	Aa2	992,069		45,757		786,561		34,772
Bank of New York	AA-	Aa2	18,082		185		18,082		111
Credit Suisse	A+	Aa1	2,361,933		133,027		2,462,920		95,910
Barclays	AA-	Aa3	2,175,573		102,371		1,728,218		72,751
SunTrust	BBB+	A3	—		—		50,540		3,164
Wells Fargo (Wachovia)	NR	Aa2	1,923,835		95,258		1,745,775		76,250
J.P. Morgan	AA-	Aa1	2,817,155		151,377		2,858,902		133,368
UBS	A+	Aa3	831,833		46,331		921,596		37,756
HSBC	AA	Aa2	82,817		2,697		—		—
			$	12,140,959	$	622,106	$	11,161,244	$	479,786

As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we held $503.6 million and $381.2 million, respectively, of cash and cash equivalents received from counterparties for derivative collateral, which is included in other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. This derivative collateral limits the maximum amount of economic loss due to credit risk that we would incur if parties to the call options failed completely to perform according to the terms of the contracts to $118.7 million and $108.1 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

We entered into interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk associated with the floating rate component on certain of our subordinated debentures and our revolving line of credit. See notes 9 and 10 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for more information on our revolving line of credit and subordinated debentures. The terms of the interest rate swaps provide that we pay a fixed rate of interest and receive a floating rate of interest. The interest rate swaps are not effective hedges under accounting guidance for derivative instruments and hedging activities. Therefore, we record the interest rate swaps at fair value and any net cash payments received or paid are included in the change in fair value of derivatives in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations.

Details regarding the interest rate swaps are as follows:



	Notional			Pay		March 31, 2011			December 31, 2010
Maturity Date	Amount		Receive Rate	Rate	Counterparty	Fair Value			Fair Value
						(Dollars in thousands)
April 7, 2011	20,000		*LIBOR (a)	5.23	Bank of America	(49		)	(99		)
October 15, 2011	15,000		**LIBOR	1.54	SunTrust	(149		)	(193		)
October 31, 2011	30,000		**LIBOR	1.51	SunTrust	(289		)	(374		)
October 31, 2011	30,000		**LIBOR	1.61	SunTrust	(312		)	(405		)
October 31, 2011	75,000		**LIBOR	1.77	SunTrust	(657		)	(905		)
	$	170,000				$	(1,456	)	$	(1,976	)

___________________________________

* - three month London Interbank Offered Rate

** - one month London Interbank Offered Rate

(a) - subject to a floor of 4.25%

6. Notes Payable

The liability and equity components of the 2024 notes and 2029 notes are accounted for separately in the consolidated balance sheets. The liability component of the 2015 notes and the liability and equity components of the 2024 notes and 2029 notes are as follows:



	March 31, 2011									December 31, 2010
	September 2015 Notes			December 2029 Notes			December 2024 Notes			September 2015 Notes			December 2029 Notes			December 2024 Notes
	(Dollars in thousands)
Notes payable:
Principal amount of liability component	$	200,000		$	115,839		$	74,494		$	200,000		$	115,839		$	74,494
Unamortized discount	(33,776		)	(21,171		)	(1,386		)	(35,335		)	(22,306		)	(1,857		)
Net carrying amount of liability component	$	166,224		$	94,668		$	73,108		$	164,665		$	93,533		$	72,637
Additional paid-in capital:
Carrying amount of equity component				$	15,586		$	22,637					$	15,586		$	22,637
Amount by which the if-converted value exceeds principal	$	9,920		$	41,005		$	—		$	800		$	34,191		$	—

The discount is being amortized over the expected life of the notes, which is December 15, 2011 for the 2024 notes, December 15, 2014 for the 2029 notes and September 15, 2015 for the 2015 notes. The expected life of the notes are based on the dates at which we may redeem the notes or the holders may require us to repurchase the notes. The effective interest rates are 8.9%, 8.5% and 11.9% on the 2015 notes, 2024 notes and 2029 notes, respectively. The interest cost recognized in operations for the convertible senior notes, inclusive of the coupon and amortization of the discount and debt issue costs was $7.8 million and $4.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

We are required to include the dilutive effect of the 2024 and 2029 notes in our diluted earnings per share calculation. Because these notes include a mandatory cash settlement feature for the principal amount, incremental dilutive shares will only exist when the fair value of our common stock at the end of the reporting period exceeds the conversion price per share of $14.24 for the 2024 notes and $9.69 for the 2029 notes. At March 31, 2011 the conversion premium of the 2029 notes was dilutive and the effect has been included in diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The 2015 notes and the 2015 notes hedges are excluded from the dilutive effect in our diluted earnings per share calculation as they are currently to be settled only in cash. The 2015 warrants could have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share to the extent that the price of our common stock exceeds the strike price of the 2015 warrants.

During the first quarter 2011, we terminated our existing $150 million revolving line of credit agreement and entered into a $160 million revolving line of credit agreement with seven banks. The revolving period of the $160 million facility is three years. The interest rate is floating at a rate based on our election that will be equal to the alternate base rate (as defined in the credit agreement) plus the applicable margin or the adjusted LIBOR rate (as defined in the credit agreement) plus the applicable margin. We also pay a commitment fee on the available unused portion of the credit facility. The applicable margin and commitment fee rate are based on our credit rating and can change throughout the period of the credit facility. Based upon our current credit rating, the applicable margin is 2.00% for alternate base rate borrowings and 3.00% for adjusted LIBOR rate borrowings and the commitment fee is 0.50%. The commitment fee for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was $0.1 million. Under this agreement, we are required to maintain a minimum risk-based capital ratio at American Equity Life, a maximum ratio of debt to total capital, a minimum cash coverage ratio, and a minimum level of statutory surplus at American Equity Life.

7. Contingencies

We are occasionally involved in litigation, both as a defendant and as a plaintiff. In addition, state regulatory bodies, such as state insurance departments, the SEC, FINRA, the Department of Labor, and other regulatory bodies regularly make inquiries and conduct examinations or investigations concerning our compliance with, among other things, insurance laws, securities laws, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and laws governing the activities of broker-dealers.

In recent years, companies in the life insurance and annuity business have faced litigation, including class action lawsuits, alleging improper product design, improper sales practices and similar claims. We are currently a defendant in two lawsuits, one class action and one purported class action, involving allegations of improper sales practices and similar claims as described below. In February 2011, we entered into a settlement with the plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit, which is subject to final court approval and is more fully described below. The pending purported class action lawsuit referred to below is in the pre-litigation and discovery stages and we do not have sufficient information to make an assessment of the plaintiffs' claims for liability or damages. The plaintiffs are seeking undefined amounts of damages or other relief, including punitive damages, which are difficult to quantify and cannot be estimated based on the information currently available. While we are uncertain as to the ultimate outcome of the pending purported class action lawsuit, there can be no assurance that such litigation, or any other pending or future litigation, will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

We are a defendant in two cases, including (i) Stephens v. American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company, et. al., in the San Luis Obispo Superior Court, San Francisco, California (complaint filed November 29, 2004) (the "SLO Case") and (ii) McCormack, et al. v. American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company, et al., in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division and Anagnostis v. American Equity, et al., coordinated in the Central District, entitled, In Re: American Equity Annuity Practices and Sales Litigation, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division (complaint filed September 7, 2005) (the "Los Angeles Case").

The plaintiffs in the SLO Case represent a class of individuals who are California residents age 65 and older and who either purchased their annuity from us through a co-defendant marketing organization or who purchased one of a defined set of particular annuities issued by us. The named plaintiffs in this case are: Chalys M. Stephens and John P. Stephens. Following a mediation conducted on January 21, 2011, we reached a settlement in principal with the plaintiffs. Preliminary approval of the settlement was issued by the court on March 1, 2011, with the fairness hearing for final court approval scheduled for May 9, 2011. Although we anticipate final court approval of the settlement, there can be no assurance of such final approval. The settlement, if final court approval is received, will provide a total settlement benefit of $36 million to past and present policyholders who are members of the class and, if awarded by the court, will provide for attorneys' fees payable to the plaintiff's counsel up to $11 million, litigation expenses in an amount up to $950,000, and incentives of $25,000 payable to each of the two class representatives. These amounts were recorded as an other liability in the consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The net charge to operations of the settlement (after related reductions in amortization of deferred sales inducements and deferred policy acquisition costs and income taxes) was $27.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.

The Los Angeles Case is a consolidated action involving several lawsuits filed by individuals, and the individuals are seeking class action status for a national class of purchasers of annuities issued by us. The named plaintiffs in this consolidated case are Bernard McCormack, Gust Anagnostis by and through Gary S. Anagnostis and Robert C. Anagnostis, Regina Bush by and through Sharon Schipiour, Lenice Mathews by and through Mary Ann Maclean and George Miller. The allegations generally attack the suitability of sales of deferred annuity products to persons over the age of 65. The plaintiffs seek recessionary and injunctive relief including restitution and disgorgement of profits on behalf of all class members under California Business & Professions Code section 17200 et seq. and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act; compensatory damages for breach of fiduciary duty and aiding and abetting of breach of fiduciary duty; unjust enrichment and constructive trust; and other pecuniary damages under California Civil Code section 1750 and California Welfare & Institutions Codes section 15600 et seq. We are vigorously defending against both class action status as well as the underlying claims.

8. Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of earnings per common share and earnings per common share - assuming dilution:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2011		2010
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Numerator:
Net income - numerator for earnings per common share	$	31,343	$	14,885
Interest on convertible subordinated debentures (net of income tax benefit)	258		259
Numerator for earnings per common share - assuming dilution	$	31,601	$	15,144

Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding (1)	59,182,019		58,224,964
Effect of dilutive securities:
Convertible subordinated debentures	2,727,084		2,734,528
Convertible senior notes	2,981,680		—
Stock options and deferred compensation agreements	820,192		178,158
Denominator for earnings per common share - assuming dilution	65,710,975		61,137,650

Earnings per common share	$	0.53	$	0.26
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	$	0.48	$	0.25

_____________________________



(1)	Weighted average common shares outstanding include shares vested under the NMO Deferred Compensation Plan and exclude unallocated shares held by the ESOP.

Options to purchase shares of the Company's common stock that were outstanding during the respective periods indicated but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the options' exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares are as follows:



Period	Number of Shares	Range of Exercise Prices
Three months ended March 31, 2011	2,500	$14.34
Three months ended March 31, 2010	1,918,789	$8.75 - $14.34

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

Management's discussion and analysis reviews our unaudited consolidated financial position at March 31, 2011, and the unaudited consolidated results of operations for the three month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, and where appropriate, factors that may affect future financial performance. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, and the audited consolidated financial statements, notes thereto and selected consolidated financial data appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

All statements, trend analyses and other information contained in this report and elsewhere (such as in filings by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), press releases, presentations by us or our management or oral statements) relative to markets for our products and trends in our operations or financial results, as well as other statements including words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", and other similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements. We caution that these statements may and often do vary from actual results and the differences between these statements and actual results can be material. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could contribute to these differences include, among other things:

•

general economic conditions and other factors, including prevailing interest rate levels and stock and credit market performance which may affect (among other things) our ability to sell our products, our ability to access capital resources and the costs associated therewith, the fair value of our investments, which could result in other than temporary impairments, and certain liabilities, and the lapse rate and profitability of policies;


•	customer response to new products and marketing initiatives;


•	changes in Federal income tax laws and regulations which may affect the relative income tax advantages of our products;


•	increasing competition in the sale of annuities;


•	regulatory changes or actions, including those relating to regulation of financial services affecting (among other things) bank sales and underwriting of insurance products and regulation of the sale, underwriting and pricing of products; and


•	the risk factors or uncertainties listed from time to time in our filings with the SEC.

For a detailed discussion of these and other factors that might affect our performance, see Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Overview

We specialize in the sale of individual annuities (primarily deferred annuities) and, to a lesser extent, we also sell life insurance policies. Under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), premium collections for deferred annuities are reported as deposit liabilities instead of as revenues. Similarly, cash payments to policyholders are reported as decreases in the liabilities for policyholder account balances and not as expenses. Sources of revenues for products accounted for as deposit liabilities are net investment income, surrender and other charges deducted from policyholder account balances, net realized gains (losses) on investments and changes in fair value of derivatives. Components of expenses for products accounted for as deposit liabilities are interest sensitive and index product benefits (primarily interest credited to account balances), changes in fair value of embedded derivatives, amortization of deferred sales inducements and deferred policy acquisition costs, other operating costs and expenses, and income taxes.

Annuity deposits by product type collected during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, were as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
Product Type	2011		2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Fixed index annuities:
Index strategies	$	778,582	$	403,124
Fixed strategy	357,472		337,782
	1,136,054		740,906
Fixed rate annuities:
Single-year rate guaranteed	128,743		52,768
Multi-year rate guaranteed	77,047		53,181
	205,790		105,949
Total before coinsurance ceded	1,341,844		846,855
Coinsurance ceded	65,877		189,122
Net after coinsurance ceded	$	1,275,967	$	657,733

Annuity deposits before coinsurance ceded increased 58% during the first quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. We attribute this increase to several factors, including the highly competitive rates of our products, our continued strong relationships with our national marketing organizations and field force of licensed, independent insurance agents, the increased attractiveness of safe money products in volatile

markets, lower interest rates on competing products such as bank certificates of deposit and product enhancements including a new generation of guaranteed income withdrawal benefit riders. In addition, we continue to benefit from the actions of several competitors who have been less aggressive in marketing their products than in prior periods. The extent to which this trend will continue is uncertain.

As reported in our previous filings, we undertook several actions in 2010 and 2009 to manage our statutory capital position to facilitate growth. These actions included a restructuring of commission payments to agents, amendments to a reinsurance agreement to expand such agreement to cover certain policy forms that were not in existence when the agreement was executed and the entry into two funds withheld coinsurance agreements. To help support further sales growth in 2011, we entered into a $50 million "financing" reinsurance transaction in the first quarter of 2011 that provided $31.8 million in after tax statutory surplus benefit. We believe our existing statutory capital and surplus and the statutory surplus we expect to generate internally through statutory earnings will support a higher level of new business than in previous years. However, while we have the capital resources to accept more business than was sold in 2010 and 2009, our capacity is not unlimited and sales growth must be matched with available resources to maintain desired financial strength ratings from credit rating agencies and in particular, A.M. Best Company. Should sales growth accelerate to levels that cannot be support by internal capital generation, we would intend to obtain capital from external sources to facilitate such growth.

Earnings from products accounted for as deposit liabilities are primarily generated from the excess of net investment income earned over the interest credited or the cost of providing index credits to the policyholder, or the "investment spread." Our investment spread is summarized as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2011		2010
Average yield on invested assets	5.96	%	6.13	%

Cost of money:
Aggregate	2.82	%	2.96	%
Cost of money for fixed index annuities	2.77	%	2.91	%
Average crediting rate for fixed rate annuities:
Annually adjustable	3.19	%	3.26	%
Multi-year rate guaranteed	3.69	%	3.78	%

Investment spread:
Aggregate	3.14	%	3.17	%
Fixed index annuities	3.19	%	3.22	%
Fixed rate annuities:
Annually adjustable	2.77	%	2.87	%
Multi-year rate guaranteed	2.27	%	2.35	%

The cost of money for fixed index annuities and average crediting rates for fixed rate annuities are computed based upon policyholder account balances and do not include the impact of amortization of deferred sales inducements. See Critical Accounting Policies - Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducements included in Management's Discussion and Analysis in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. With respect to our fixed index annuities, the cost of money includes the average crediting rate on amounts allocated to the fixed rate strategy, expenses we incur to fund the annual index credits and where applicable, minimum guaranteed interest credited. Proceeds received upon expiration or early termination of call options purchased to fund annual index credits are recorded as part of the change in fair value of derivatives, and are largely offset by an expense for interest credited to annuity policyholder account balances. See Critical Accounting Policies - Policy Liabilities for Fixed Index Annuities and Financial Condition - Derivative Instruments included in Management's Discussion and Analysis in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Our profitability depends in large part upon the amount of assets under our management, investment spreads we earn on our policyholder account balances, our ability to manage our investment portfolio to maximize returns and minimize risks such as interest rate changes and defaults or impairment of investments, our ability to manage interest rates credited to policyholders and costs of the options purchased to fund the annual index credits on our fixed index annuities, our ability to manage the costs of acquiring new business (principally commissions to agents and bonuses credited to policyholders) and our ability to manage our operating expenses.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 and 2010

Net income increased 111% to $31.3 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $14.9 million for the same period in 2010.

Net income has been positively impacted by the growth in the volume of business in force and the investment spread earned on this business. Average annuity account values outstanding increased 24% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to March 31, 2010. Our investment spread measured in dollars was $146.0 million for the first quarter of 2011 compared to $116.1 million for the same period in 2010.

Our investment spread measured on a percentage basis was 3.14% in the first quarter of 2011 compared to 3.17% for same period in 2010. The decrease in investment spread for the three months ended March 31, 2011 resulted from a decline in the average yield in investments, offset in part, by a smaller decline in the aggregate cost of money on our fixed index annuities. The lower cost of money for fixed index annuities during 2011 was due to lower costs of options purchased to fund the annual index credits on fixed index annuities and lower rates for the fixed rate strategy in fixed index annuities. The decrease in the average yield on invested assets was primarily attributable to lower yields on investments purchased in 2010 and the first quarter of 2011.

During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we discovered a prior period error related to policy benefit reserves for our single premium immediate annuity products. We evaluated the materiality of the error from qualitative and quantitative perspectives and concluded it was not material to any prior periods. The correction of the error in the current period could be considered material to the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011, but is not material to the projected results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2011. Accordingly, we made an adjustment in the current period which resulted in a decrease of policy benefit reserves and a decrease in interest sensitive and index product benefits of $4.2 million. On an after-tax basis, the adjustment resulted in a $2.7 million increase in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Operating income (a non-GAAP financial measure) increased 19% to $30.6 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $25.8 million for the same period in 2010.

In addition to net income, we have consistently utilized operating income, a non-GAAP financial measure commonly used in the life insurance industry, as an economic measure to evaluate our financial performance. Operating income equals net income adjusted to eliminate the impact of net realized gains (losses) on investments, including net other than temporary impairment ("OTTI") losses recognized in operations and fair value changes in derivatives and embedded derivatives. Because these items fluctuate from period to period in a manner unrelated to core operations, we believe measures excluding their impact are useful in analyzing operating trends. We believe the combined presentation and evaluation of operating income together with net income, provides information that may enhance an investor's understanding of our underlying results and profitability.

Operating income is not a substitute for net income determined in accordance with GAAP. The adjustments made to derive operating income are important to understanding our overall results from operations and, if evaluated without proper context, operating income possesses material limitations. As an example, we could produce a low level of net income in a given period, despite strong operating performance, if in that period we generate significant net realized losses from our investment portfolio. We could also produce a high level of net income in a given period, despite poor operating performance, if in that period we generate significant net realized gains from our investment portfolio. As an example of another limitation of operating income, it does not include the decrease in cash flows expected to be collected as a result of credit loss OTTI. Therefore, our management and board of directors also separately review net realized investment gains (losses) and analyses of our net investment income, including impacts related to OTTI write-downs, in connection with their review of our investment portfolio. In addition, our management and board of directors examine net income as part of their review of our overall financial results. The adjustments made to net income to arrive at operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 are set forth in the table that follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2011			2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Operating Income	$	30,574		$	25,783

Reconciliation to net income:
Net income	$	31,343		$	14,885
Net realized losses (gains) and net OTTI losses on investments, net of offsets	2,472			(2,369		)
Net effect of derivatives, embedded derivatives and other index annuity, net of offsets	(3,241		)	13,267
Operating income	$	30,574		$	25,783

Net realized gains on investments and net impairment losses recognized in operations fluctuate from period to period based upon changes in the interest rate and economic environment and the timing of the sale of investments or the recognition of other than temporary impairments. The amounts disclosed above are net of related reductions in amortization of deferred sales inducements and deferred policy acquisition costs and income taxes.

Amounts attributable to the fair value accounting for fixed index annuity derivatives and embedded derivatives fluctuate from period to period based upon changes in the fair values of call options purchased to fund the annual index credits for fixed index annuities and changes in the interest rates used to discount the embedded derivative liability. The amounts disclosed above are net of related adjustments to amortization of deferred sales inducements and deferred policy acquisition costs and income taxes.

Annuity product charges (surrender charges assessed against policy withdrawals and fees deducted from policyholder account balances for living income benefit riders) increased 9% to $17.0 million for the first quarter of 2011 compared to $15.5 million for the same period in 2010. The increase was principally attributable to an increase in the amount of fees assessed for lifetime income benefit riders which were $3.5 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The increase in these fees for 2011 is attributable to a larger volume of business in force subject to the fee. Withdrawals from annuity and single premium universal life policies subject to surrender charges were $105.1 million and $105.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The average surrender charge collected on withdrawals subject to a surrender charge was 12.7% and 13.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Net investment income increased 20% to $292.1 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $242.9 million for the same period in 2010. The increase was principally attributable to the growth in our annuity business and a corresponding increase in our invested assets. Average invested assets excluding derivative instruments (on an amortized cost basis) increased 24% to $19.6 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $15.9 billion for the same period in 2010, while the average yield earned on average invested assets was 5.96% and 6.13% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The decrease in yield earned on average invested assets was primarily attributable to lower yields on investments purchased in 2010 and the first quarter of 2011. In addition, net investment income and average yield for both quarterly periods were negatively impacted by a lag in reinvestment of proceeds from bonds called for redemption during the quarters into new assets causing excess liquidity. Based on yields received for purchases of fixed maturity securities during the first quarter of 2011 and 2010, we estimate that approximately $2.5 million and $4.9 million, respectively, in net investment income was foregone as a result of the excess liquidity and the average yield on invested assets for the first quarter of 2011 and 2010 would have been 6.01% and 6.25%, respectively, if such income had been earned.

Change in fair value of derivatives (principally call options purchased to fund annual index credits on fixed index annuities) is affected by the performance of the indices upon which our options are based and the aggregate cost of options purchased. The components of change in fair value of derivatives are as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2011			2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Call options:
Gain (loss) on option expiration	$	32,118		$	78,381
Change in unrealized gain/loss	111,334			4,921
2015 notes hedges	5,269			—
Interest rate swaps	(68		)	(1,287		)
	$	148,653		$	82,015

The differences between the change in fair value of derivatives between periods are primarily due to the performance of the indices upon which our call options are based. A substantial portion of our call options are based upon the S&P 500 Index with the remainder based upon other equity and bond market indices. The range of index appreciation for options expiring during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2011	2010
S&P 500 Index
Point-to-point strategy	8.4% - 25.3%	19.7% - 68.6%
Monthly average strategy	0.0% - 10.4%	1.5% - 51.2%
Monthly point-to-point strategy	0.0% - 12.1%	0.0% - 23.4%
Fixed income (bond index) strategies	4.0% - 8.8%	0.0% - 9.8%

Actual amounts credited to policyholder account balances may be less than the index appreciation due to contractual features in the fixed index annuity policies (caps, participation rates and asset fees) which allow us to manage the cost of the options purchased to fund the annual index credits. The change in fair value of derivatives is also influenced by the aggregate costs of options purchased. The aggregate cost of options has increased primarily due to an increased amount of fixed index annuities in force. The aggregate cost of options is also influenced by the amount of policyholder funds allocated to the various indices and market volatility which affects option pricing. Costs for options purchased during the three months ended March 31, 2011 decreased compared to the same period in 2010 due to lower caps for the policies for which options were purchased and lower volatility in equity markets. See Critical Accounting Policies - Policy Liabilities for Fixed Index Annuities included in Management's Discussion and Analysis in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Concurrently with the issuance of the 2015 notes, we entered into hedge transactions (the “2015 notes hedges”) to provide the cash needed to meet our cash obligations in excess of the principal amount of the 2015 notes upon conversion of the 2015 notes. The fair value of the 2015 notes hedges changes based upon changes in the price of our common stock which increased in 2011. Similarly, the fair value of the conversion option obligation to the holders of the 2015 notes changes based upon changes in the price of our common stock and the conversion option obligation is accounted for as an embedded derivative liability with changes in fair value reported in the Change in fair value of embedded derivatives. The amount for the change in fair value of the 2015 notes hedges equals the amount for the change in the related embedded derivative liabilities and there is an offsetting expense in the change in fair value of embedded derivatives. See Note 9 to our audited consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for a discussion of the 2015 notes hedges.

Net realized gains (losses) on investments, excluding OTTI losses include gains and losses on the sale of securities and impairment losses on mortgage loans on real estate which fluctuate from year to year due to changes in the interest rate and economic environment and the timing of the sale of investments. The components of realized gains (losses) on investments for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 are set forth in the table that follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2011			2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Available for sale fixed maturity securities:
Gross realized gains	$	1,641		$	7,894
Gross realized losses	—			(129		)
	1,641			7,765
Equity securities:
Gross realized gains	—			6,207
Mortgage loans on real estate:
Impairment losses	(2,834		)	(4,069		)
	$	(1,193	)	$	9,903

Gross realized gains in 2011 and 2010 are due to tax planning strategies to generate taxable capital gains that will permit deductions of capital losses for income tax purposes. See Financial Condition - Investments for additional discussion of impairment losses recognized on mortgage loans on real estate.

Net OTTI losses recognized in operations increased to $6.6 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $3.2 million for the same period in 2010. The impairments recognized in the first quarter of 2011 were all residential mortgage backed securities and were principally due to our ongoing analysis of expected cash flow projections. See Financial Condition - Investments for additional discussion of write downs of securities for other than temporary impairments.

Interest sensitive and index product benefits decreased 19% to $159.7 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $196.9 million for the same period in 2010. The components of interest credited to account balances are summarized as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2011		2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Index credits on index policies	$	87,394	$	133,559
Interest credited (including changes in minimum guaranteed interest for index annuities)	68,782		62,198
Living income benefit rider	3,489		1,112
	$	159,665	$	196,869

The changes in index credits were attributable to changes in the appreciation of the underlying indices (see discussion above under change in fair value of derivatives) and the amount of funds allocated by policyholders to the respective index options. Total proceeds received upon expiration of the call options purchased to fund the annual index credits were $88.0 million and $125.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The increase in interest credited was due to an increase in the average amount of annuity liabilities outstanding receiving a fixed rate of interest. The average amount of annuity liabilities outstanding (net of annuity liabilities ceded under coinsurance agreements) increased 24% during the three months ended March 31, 2011 to $20.8 billion from $16.8 billion during the same period in 2010.

Amortization of deferred sales inducements increased 134% to $30.7 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $13.1 million for the same period in 2010. In general, amortization of deferred sales inducements has been increasing each period due to growth in our annuity business and the deferral of sales inducements incurred with respect to sales of premium bonus annuity products. Bonus products represented 95% of our net annuity deposits during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. The anticipated increase in amortization from these factors has been affected by amortization associated with fair value accounting for derivatives and embedded derivatives utilized in our fixed index annuity business and amortization associated with net realized gains on investments and net OTTI losses recognized in operations.

Fair value accounting for derivatives and embedded derivatives utilized in our fixed index annuity business creates differences in the recognition of revenues and expenses from derivative instruments including the embedded derivative liabilities in our fixed index annuity contracts. The change in fair value of the embedded derivatives will not correspond to the change in fair value of the derivatives (purchased call options) because the purchased call options are one-year options while the options valued in the fair value of embedded derivatives cover the expected life of the contracts which typically exceeds ten years. The gross profit adjustments resulting from fair value accounting for derivatives and embedded derivatives utilized in our fixed index annuity business increased amortization by $2.0 million in the first quarter of 2011 and decreased amortization by $10.9 million in the first quarter of 2010. The gross profit adjustments from net realized gains on investments and net OTTI losses recognized in operations decreased amortization by $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and increased amortization by $1.3 million for the same period in 2010. Excluding the amortization amounts attributable to fair value accounting for derivatives and embedded derivatives, net realized gains (losses) on investments and net OTTI losses recognized in operations, amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2011 would have been $30.3 million compared to $22.8 million for the same period in 2010. See Critical Accounting Policies - Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducements included in Management's Discussion and Analysis in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Change in fair value of embedded derivatives was an increase of $128.3 million in the first quarter of 2011 and $63.9 million for the same period in 2010. The 2011 increase includes $5.3 million for the increase in the fair value of the 2015 notes embedded conversion derivative. As discussed previously, this amount was offset by an increase in the fair value of the 2015 notes hedges. The remainder of the 2011 increase and the 2010 increase resulted from (i) changes in the expected index credits on the next policy anniversary dates, which are related to the change in fair value of the call options acquired to fund these index credits discussed above in change in fair value of derivatives; (ii) changes in discount rates used in estimating our liability for policy growth; and (iii) the growth in the host component of the policy liability. See Critical Accounting Policies - Policy Liabilities for Fixed Index Annuities included in Management's Discussion and Analysis in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. The primary reason for the increase in the change in fair value of the embedded derivatives in the first quarter of 2011 was an increase in the expected index credits on the next policy anniversary dates which correlated with the increase in the change in fair value of derivatives for the first quarter of 2011 discussed above. The primary reason for the increase in the change in fair value of the embedded derivatives in the first quarter of 2010 was decreases in the discount rates used in estimating our liability for policy growth.

Interest expense on notes payable increased 70% to $7.9 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $4.7 million for the same period in 2010. This increase was primarily due to the September 2010 issuance of $200.0 million principal amount of 3.50% convertible senior notes. The increase in interest expense on the 3.50% convertible notes was partially offset by a decrease in interest expense on borrowings under our revolving lines of credit with banks. The weighted average interest on the bank credit facility was 1.03% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and average borrowings outstanding were $150.0 million. We had no borrowings outstanding on our revolving lines of credit during the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Interest expense on subordinated debentures decreased 6% to $3.5 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $3.7 million for the same period in 2010. This decrease was primarily due to decreases in the weighted average interest rate on the outstanding subordinated debentures which were 5.07% and 5.41% for the first quarter of 2011 and 2010, respectively. The weighted average interest rates have decreased because $169.6 million principal amount of the subordinated debentures have a floating rate of interest based upon the three month London Interbank Offered Rate plus an applicable margin. See Financial Condition - Liabilities included in Management's Discussion and Analysis in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Interest expense on amounts due under repurchase agreements was immaterial for the first quarter of 2011. There were no amounts outstanding during the first quarter of 2010. The weighted average interest rate and average borrowings outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2011 were 0.30% and $6.0 million , respectively.

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs increased 103% to $55.2 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $27.3 million for the same period in 2010. In general, amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs has been increasing each period due to the growth in our annuity business and the deferral of policy acquisition costs incurred with respect to sales of annuity products. The anticipated increase in amortization from these factors has been affected by amortization associated with fair value accounting for derivatives and embedded derivatives utilized in our fixed index annuity business and amortization associated with net realized gains on investments and net OTTI losses recognized in operations.

As discussed above, fair value accounting for derivatives and embedded derivatives utilized in our fixed index annuity business creates differences in the recognition of revenues and expenses from derivative instruments including the embedded derivative liabilities in our fixed index annuity contracts. The gross profit adjustments resulting from fair value accounting for derivatives and embedded derivatives utilized in our fixed index annuity business increased amortization by $3.7 million in the first quarter of 2011 and decreased amortization by $18.7 million for the same period in 2010. The gross profit adjustments from net realized gains on investments and net OTTI losses recognized in operations decreased amortization by $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and increased amortization by $1.8 million for the same period in 2010. Excluding the amortization amounts attributable to fair value accounting for derivatives, net realized gains on investments and net OTTI losses recognized in operations, amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2011 would have been $53.8 million compared to $44.2 million for the same period in 2010.

Other operating costs and expenses increased 9% to $17.5 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $16.0 million for the same period in 2010. This increase was primarily attributable to fees and risk charges on reinsurance of $1.1 million and state insurance taxes and fees of $0.6 million. The increase in fees and risk charges on reinsurance was due to a reinsurance treaty entered into on March 31, 2011. State insurance taxes and fees increased due to growth in taxable income apportioned to applicable states.

Income tax expense increased 118% to $16.9 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $7.8 million for the same period in 2010. This increase was primarily due to the increase in income before income taxes. The effective tax rates were 35.1% and 34.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2010 was less than the applicable statutory federal income tax rate of 35% due to state income tax benefits attributable to losses in the non-life subgroup.

Financial Condition

Investments

Our investment strategy is to maintain a predominantly investment grade fixed income portfolio, provide adequate liquidity to meet our cash obligations to policyholders and others and maximize current income and total investment return through active investment management. Consistent with this strategy, our investments principally consist of fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans on real estate.

Insurance statutes regulate the type of investments that our life subsidiaries are permitted to make and limit the amount of funds that may be used for any one type of investment. In light of these statutes and regulations and our business and investment strategy, we generally seek to invest in United States government and government-sponsored agency securities and corporate securities rated investment grade by established nationally recognized statistical rating organizations ("NRSRO's") or in securities of comparable investment quality, if not rated and commercial mortgage loans on real estate.

The composition of our investment portfolio is summarized in the table below:



	March 31, 2011				December 31, 2010
	Carrying Amount		Percent		Carrying Amount		Percent
	(Dollars in thousands)
Fixed maturity securities:
United States Government full faith and credit	$	4,335	—	%	$	4,388	—	%
United States Government sponsored agencies	3,907,140		18.8	%	3,750,065		18.9	%
United States municipalities, states and territories	2,489,998		12.0	%	2,367,003		12.0	%
Corporate securities	8,035,009		38.7	%	7,652,850		38.6	%
Residential mortgage backed securities	2,902,382		14.0	%	2,878,557		14.5	%
Total fixed maturity securities	17,338,864		83.5	%	16,652,863		84.0	%
Equity securities	69,644		0.3	%	65,961		0.4	%
Mortgage loans on real estate	2,730,841		13.1	%	2,598,641		13.1	%
Derivative instruments	622,106		3.0	%	479,786		2.4	%
Other investments	23,357		0.1	%	19,680		0.1	%
	$	20,784,812	100.0	%	$	19,816,931	100.0	%

Fixed Maturity Securities

Our fixed maturity security portfolio is managed to minimize risks such as interest rate changes and defaults or impairments while earning a sufficient and stable return on our investments. Historically, we have had a high percentage of our fixed maturity securities in U.S. Government sponsored agency securities (for the most part Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and Federal National Mortgage Association). While U.S. Government sponsored agency securities are of high credit quality, the call features have resulted in our excess cash position. These calls resulted from the low interest rate and tight agency spread environment. Since 2007, when we had almost 80% of our fixed maturity portfolio invested in callable agencies, we have reallocated a significant portion of our fixed maturities from the callable agency securities to other highly rated, long-term securities. The largest portion of our fixed maturity securities are now in investment grade (NAIC designation 1 or 2) publicly traded or privately placed corporate securities. We have also built a portfolio of residential mortgage backed securities ("RMBS") that provide our investment portfolio a source of regular cash flow and higher yielding assets than our agency securities. Additionally, in 2009 we began building a portfolio of taxable bonds issued by municipalities, states and territories of the United States that provide us with attractive yields while consistent with our aversion to credit risk.

A summary of our fixed maturity securities by NRSRO ratings is as follows:



	March 31, 2011				December 31, 2010
Rating Agency Rating	Carrying Amount		Percent		Carrying Amount		Percent
	(Dollars in thousands)
Aaa/Aa/A	$	12,154,165	70.1	%	$	11,599,255	69.6	%
Baa	3,881,390		22.4	%	3,725,920		22.4	%
Total investment grade	16,035,555		92.5	%	15,325,175		92.0	%
Ba	281,832		1.6	%	294,200		1.8	%
B	64,098		0.4	%	69,033		0.4	%
Caa and lower	903,293		5.2	%	959,437		5.8	%
In or near default	54,086		0.3	%	5,018		—	%
Total below investment grade	1,303,309		7.5	%	1,327,688		8.0	%
	$	17,338,864	100	%	$	16,652,863	100.0	%

The NAIC's Securities Valuation Office ("SVO") is responsible for the day-to-day credit quality assessment and valuation of securities owned by state regulated insurance companies. Insurance companies report ownership of securities to the SVO when such securities are eligible for regulatory filings. The SVO conducts credit analysis on these securities for the purpose of assigning an NAIC designation and/or unit price. Typically, if a security has been rated by an NRSRO, the SVO utilizes that rating and assigns an NAIC designation based upon the following system:



NAIC Designation		NRSRO Equivalent Rating
1		Aaa/Aa/A
2		Baa
3		Ba
4		B
5		Caa and lower
6		In or near default

In November 2010, the NAIC membership approved continuation of a process developed in 2009 to assess non-agency RMBS for the 2010 filing year that does not rely on NRSRO ratings. The NAIC retained the services of PIMCO Advisory to model each non-agency RMBS owned by U.S. insurers at year-end 2010. PIMCO Advisory has provided 5 prices for each security for life insurance companies to utilize in determining the NAIC designation for each RMBS based on each insurer's statutory book value price. This process is used to determine the level of RBC requirements for non-agency RMBS.

The table below presents our fixed maturity securities by NAIC designation:



	March 31, 2011								December 31, 2010
NAIC Designation	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Percent of Total Carrying Amount		Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Percent of Total Carrying Amount
	(Dollars in thousands)								(Dollars in thousands)
1	$	12,876,546	$	12,879,124	$	12,925,036	74.6	%	$	12,152,552	$	12,246,954	$	12,262,263	73.6	%
2	3,984,690		4,100,086		4,100,086		23.6	%	3,892,680		4,012,076		4,012,076		24.1	%
3	293,391		264,229		284,427		1.6	%	368,680		323,113		348,256		2.1	%
4	17,926		18,026		18,026		0.1	%	19,820		19,178		19,178		0.1	%
5	5,589		6,173		6,173		0.1	%	6,089		6,262		6,262		0.1	%
6	4,097		5,116		5,116		—	%	4,273		4,828		4,828		—	%
	$	17,182,239	$	17,272,754	$	17,338,864	100.0	%	$	16,444,094	$	16,612,411	$	16,652,863	100.0	%

A summary of our RMBS by collateral type and split by NAIC designation, as well as a separate summary of securities for which we have recognized OTTI and those which we have not yet recognized any OTTI is as follows as of March 31, 2011:



Collateral Type	NAIC Designation	Principal Amount		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
		(Dollars in thousands)
OTTI has not been recognized
Government agency	1	$	510,558	$	450,155	$	463,901
Prime	1	1,489,525		1,411,806		1,469,445
	2	1,437		1,418		1,335
	3	28,104		27,505		24,942
Alt-A	1	45,965		46,347		48,069
	2	5,123		5,214		4,713
		$	2,080,712	$	1,942,445	$	2,012,405
OTTI has been recognized
Prime	1	$	257,187	$	229,819	$	220,220
	2	297,017		274,922		252,962
	3	35,900		34,275		31,117
Alt-A	1	346,133		293,903		279,164
	2	130,335		102,554		89,478
	3	16,541		14,327		14,335
	6	4,521		3,884		2,701
		$	1,087,634	$	953,684	$	889,977
Total by collateral type
Government agency		$	510,558	$	450,155	$	463,901
Prime		2,109,170		1,979,745		2,000,021
Alt-A		548,618		466,229		438,460
		$	3,168,346	$	2,896,129	$	2,902,382
Total by NAIC designation
	1	$	2,649,368	$	2,432,030	$	2,480,799
	2	433,912		384,108		348,488
	3	80,545		76,107		70,394
	6	4,521		3,884		2,701
		$	3,168,346	$	2,896,129	$	2,902,382



	Available-for-sale				Held for investment
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	36,754	$	37,468	$	—	$	—
Due after one year through five years	394,166		436,490		—		—
Due after five years through ten years	1,862,941		2,029,935		—		—
Due after ten years through twenty years	3,463,416		3,470,211		—		—
Due after twenty years	6,935,374		6,868,919		1,593,459		1,527,349
	12,692,651		12,843,023		1,593,459		1,527,349
Residential mortgage backed securities	2,896,129		2,902,382		—		—
	$	15,588,780	$	15,745,405	$	1,593,459	$	1,527,349

Unrealized Losses

The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities and equity securities that were in an unrealized loss position were as follows:



	Number of Securities	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2011
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale:
United States Government full faith and credit	3	$	884	$	(26	)	$	858
United States Government sponsored agencies	12	1,823,526		(13,439		)	1,810,087
United States municipalities, states and territories	341	1,732,866		(65,918		)	1,666,948
Corporate securities:
Finance, insurance and real estate	82	819,497		(37,804		)	781,693
Manufacturing, construction and mining	119	1,153,606		(52,868		)	1,100,738
Utilities and related sectors	161	1,093,876		(52,154		)	1,041,722
Wholesale/retail trade	23	156,819		(7,839		)	148,980
Services, media and other	28	298,398		(13,506		)	284,892
Residential mortgage backed securities	90	1,246,049		(83,723		)	1,162,326
	859	$	8,325,521	$	(327,277	)	$	7,998,244
Fixed maturity securities, held for investment:
United States Government sponsored agencies	4	1,013,941		(46,081		)	967,860
Corporate security:
Insurance	1	$	75,822	$	(20,198	)	$	55,624
	5	$	1,089,763	$	(66,279	)	$	1,023,484
Equity securities, available for sale:
Finance, insurance and real estate	6	$	26,782	$	(1,020	)	$	25,762

December 31, 2010
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale:
United States Government full faith and credit	2	$	566	$	(18	)	$	548
United States Government sponsored agencies	1	111,747		(1,646		)	110,101
United States municipalities, states and territories	289	1,571,263		(53,384		)	1,517,879
Corporate securities:
Finance, insurance and real estate	79	784,844		(44,353		)	740,491
Manufacturing, construction and mining	111	1,102,886		(36,226		)	1,066,660
Utilities and related sectors	145	987,093		(39,209		)	947,884
Wholesale/retail trade	25	169,125		(6,251		)	162,874
Services, media and other	18	206,317		(10,801		)	195,516
Residential mortgage backed securities	98	1,470,836		(108,421		)	1,362,415
	768	$	6,404,677	$	(300,309	)	$	6,104,368
Fixed maturity securities, held for investment:
United States Government sponsored agencies	3	$	746,414	$	(15,309	)	$	731,105
Corporate security:
Insurance	1	75,786		(25,143		)	50,643
	4	$	822,200	$	(40,452	)	$	781,748
Equity securities, available for sale:
Finance, insurance and real estate	8	$	32,782	$	(1,946	)	$	30,836

Unrealized losses increased $51.9 million from $342.7 million at December 31, 2010 to $394.6 million at March 31, 2011. Unrealized losses increased due to changes in market interest rates on United States Government sponsored agencies and United States municipalities, states and territories and a continuation of wider than historic credit spreads in certain sectors of the corporate bond market, resulting in securities carrying yields less than those available at March 31, 2011.

The following table sets forth the composition by credit quality (NAIC designation) of fixed maturity securities with gross unrealized losses:



NAIC Designation	Carrying Value of Securities with Gross Unrealized Losses		Percent of Total		Gross Unrealized Losses			Percent of Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2011
1	$	7,273,506	80.0	%	$	(262,719	)	66.8	%
2	1,605,578		17.7	%	(95,984		)	24.4	%
3	206,222		2.3	%	(33,670		)	8.5	%
4	—		—	%	—			—	%
5	—		—	%	—			—	%
6	2,701		—	%	(1,183		)	0.3	%
	$	9,088,007	100.0	%	$	(393,556	)	100.0	%
December 31, 2010
1	$	5,017,596	72.4	%	$	(186,066	)	54.6	%
2	1,619,437		23.4	%	(102,931		)	30.2	%
3	269,555		3.9	%	(49,764		)	14.6	%
4	17,278		0.2	%	(642		)	0.2	%
5	—		—	%	—			—	%
6	2,702		0.1	%	(1,358		)	0.4	%
	$	6,926,568	100.0	%	$	(340,761	)	100.0	%



	Less than 12 months					12 months or more					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2011
Fixed maturity securities:
Available for sale:
United States Government full faith and credit	$	858	$	(26	)	$	—	$	—		$	858	$	(26	)
United States Government sponsored agencies	1,810,087		(13,439		)	—		—			1,810,087		(13,439		)
United States municipalities, states and territories	1,658,830		(65,108		)	8,118		(810		)	1,666,948		(65,918		)
Corporate securities:
Finance, insurance and real estate	670,851		(26,521		)	110,842		(11,283		)	781,693		(37,804		)
Manufacturing, construction and mining	1,078,807		(51,105		)	21,931		(1,763		)	1,100,738		(52,868		)
Utilities and related sectors	1,026,357		(48,820		)	15,365		(3,334		)	1,041,722		(52,154		)
Wholesale/retail trade	139,580		(6,762		)	9,400		(1,077		)	148,980		(7,839		)
Services, media and other	284,892		(13,506		)	—		—			284,892		(13,506		)
Residential mortgage backed securities	251,963		(4,008		)	910,363		(79,715		)	1,162,326		(83,723		)
	$	6,922,225	$	(229,295	)	$	1,076,019	$	(97,982	)	$	7,998,244	$	(327,277	)
Held for investment:
United States Government sponsored agencies	967,860		(46,081		)	—		—			967,860		(46,081		)
Corporate security:
Insurance	—		—			55,624		(20,198		)	55,624		(20,198		)
	967,860		(46,081		)	55,624		(20,198		)	1,023,484		(66,279		)

Equity securities, available for sale:
Finance, insurance and real estate	$	2,452	$	(205	)	$	23,310	$	(815	)	$	25,762	$	(1,020	)

December 31, 2010
Fixed maturity securities:
Available for sale:
United States Government full faith and credit	$	548	$	(18	)	$	—	$	—		$	548	$	(18	)
United States Government sponsored agencies	110,101		(1,646		)	—		—			110,101		(1,646		)
United States municipalities, states and territories	1,510,354		(51,989		)	7,525		(1,395		)	1,517,879		(53,384		)
Corporate securities:
Finance, insurance and real estate	626,363		(31,352		)	114,128		(13,001		)	740,491		(44,353		)
Manufacturing, construction and mining	1,032,170		(33,893		)	34,490		(2,333		)	1,066,660		(36,226		)
Utilities and related sectors	933,727		(34,657		)	14,157		(4,552		)	947,884		(39,209		)
Wholesale/retail trade	153,699		(4,947		)	9,175		(1,304		)	162,874		(6,251		)
Services, media and other	195,516		(10,801		)	—		—			195,516		(10,801		)
Residential mortgage backed securities	396,083		(14,100		)	966,332		(94,321		)	1,362,415		(108,421		)
	$	4,958,561	$	(183,403	)	$	1,145,807	$	(116,906	)	$	6,104,368	$	(300,309	)
Held for investment:
United States Government sponsored agencies	$	731,105	$	(15,309	)	$	—	$	—		$	731,105	$	(15,309	)
Corporate security:
Insurance	—		—			50,643		(25,143		)	50,643		(25,143		)
	$	731,105	$	(15,309	)	$	50,643	$	(25,143	)	$	781,748	$	(40,452	)

Equity securities, available for sale:
Finance, insurance and real estate	$	14,583	$	(1,199	)	$	16,253	$	(747	)	$	30,836	$	(1,946	)

The following is a description of the factors causing the unrealized losses by investment category as of March 31, 2011:

Corporate securities: The unrealized losses in these securities are due partially to a rise in interest rates in 2011 as well as the continuation of wider than historic credit spreads in certain sectors of the corporate bond market. While credit spreads narrowed, several sectors remain at spreads wider than pre-crisis levels, such as financials and select economic sensitive issuers. As the result of wider spreads, these issues carry yields less than those available in the market as of March 31, 2011.

All of the fixed maturity securities with unrealized losses are current with respect to the payment of principal and interest.

The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities and equity securities in an unrealized loss position and the number of months in an unrealized loss position with fixed maturity securities that carry an NRSRO rating of BBB/Baa or higher considered investment grade were as follows:



	Number of Securities	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses
		(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2011
Fixed maturity securities:
Investment grade:
Less than six months	549	$	6,412,766	$	6,241,481	$	(171,285	)
Six months or more and less than twelve months	206	1,685,750		1,582,509		(103,241		)
Twelve months or greater	33	296,225		277,241		(18,984		)
Total investment grade	788	8,394,741		8,101,231		(293,510		)
Below investment grade:
Less than six months	4	57,551		56,735		(816		)
Six months or more and less than twelve months	1	9,394		9,360		(34		)
Twelve months or greater	71	953,598		854,402		(99,196		)
Total below investment grade	76	1,020,543		920,497		(100,046		)
Equity securities:
Less then six months	—	—		—		—
Six months or more and less than twelve months	1	2,657		2,452		(205		)
Twelve months or greater	5	24,125		23,310		(815		)
Total equity securities	6	26,782		25,762		(1,020		)
	870	$	9,442,066	$	9,047,490	$	(394,576	)

December 31, 2010
Fixed maturity securities:
Investment grade:
Less than six months	656	$	5,805,583	$	5,611,000	$	(194,583	)
Six months or more and less than twelve months	1	7,874		7,848		(26		)
Twelve months or greater	34	313,127		292,173		(20,954		)
Total investment grade	691	6,126,584		5,911,021		(215,563		)
Below investment grade:
Less than six months	5	65,359		61,296		(4,063		)
Six months or more and less than twelve months	1	9,562		9,522		(40		)
Twelve months or greater	75	1,025,372		904,277		(121,095		)
Total below investment grade	81	1,100,293		975,095		(125,198		)
Equity securities:
Less then six months	1	3,000		2,995		(5		)
Six months or more and less than twelve months	2	12,782		11,588		(1,194		)
Twelve months or greater	5	17,000		16,253		(747		)
Total equity securities	8	32,782		30,836		(1,946		)
	780	$	7,259,659	$	6,916,952	$	(342,707	)

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities (excluding United States Government and United States Government sponsored agency securities) segregated by investment grade (NRSRO rating of BBB/Baa or higher) and below investment grade and equity securities that had unrealized losses greater than 20% and the number of months in an unrealized loss position greater than 20% were as follows:



	Number of Securities	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses
		(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2011
Below investment grade:
Less than six months	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Six months or more and less than twelve months	—	—		—		—
Twelve months or greater	5	85,312		62,593		(22,719		)
Total below investment grade	5	$	85,312	$	62,593	$	(22,719	)

December 31, 2010
Below investment grade:
Less than six months	2	$	24,645	$	19,648	$	(4,997	)
Six months or more and less than twelve months	—	—		—		—
Twelve months or greater	7	104,129		71,368		(32,761		)
Total below investment grade	9	$	128,774	$	91,016	$	(37,758	)

The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities, by contractual maturity, that were in an unrealized loss position are shown below. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. All of our residential mortgage backed securities provide for periodic payments throughout their lives, and are shown below as a separate line.



	Available for sale				Held for investment
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2011
Due in one year or less	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Due after one year through five years	9,775		9,690		—		—
Due after five years through ten years	299,155		293,946		—		—
Due after ten years through twenty years	1,829,894		1,772,016		—		—
Due after twenty years	4,940,648		4,760,266		1,089,763		1,023,484
	7,079,472		6,835,918		1,089,763		1,023,484
Residential mortgage backed securities	1,246,049		1,162,326		—		—
	$	8,325,521	$	7,998,244	$	1,089,763	$	1,023,484

December 31, 2010
Due in one year or less	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Due after one year through five years	30,367		29,858		—		—
Due after five years through ten years	257,793		249,838		—		—
Due after ten years through twenty years	1,274,273		1,224,989		—		—
Due after twenty years	3,371,408		3,237,268		822,200		781,748
	4,933,841		4,741,953		822,200		781,748
Residential mortgage backed securities	1,470,836		1,362,415		—		—
	$	6,404,677	$	6,104,368	$	822,200	$	781,748

Watch List

At each balance sheet date, we identify invested assets which have characteristics (i.e. significant unrealized losses compared to amortized cost and industry trends) creating uncertainty as to our future assessment of an other than temporary impairment. As part of this assessment we review not only a change in current price relative to its amortized cost but the issuer's current credit rating and the probability of full recovery of principal based upon the issuer's financial strength. Specifically for corporate issues we evaluate the financial stability and quality of asset coverage for the securities relative to the term to maturity for the issues we own. A security which has a 25% or greater change in market price relative to its amortized cost and a possibility of a loss of principal will be included on a list which is referred to as our watch list. We exclude from this list securities with unrealized losses which are related to market movements in interest rates and which have no factors indicating that such unrealized losses may be other than temporary as we do not intend to sell these securities and it is more likely than not we will not have to sell these securities before a recovery is realized. In addition, we exclude our RMBS as we monitor all of our RMBS on a quarterly basis for changes in default rates, loss severities and expected cash flows for the purpose of assessing potential other than temporary impairments and related credit losses to be recognized in operations. At March 31, 2011, the amortized cost and fair value of securities on the watch list are as follows:



General Description	Number of Securities	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains/ (Losses)			Fair Value		Months in Continuous Unrealized Loss Position	Months Unrealized Losses Greater Than 20%
		(Dollars in thousands)
Investment grade
Corporate fixed maturity securities:
Finance and insurance	2	$	6,009	$	(694	)	$	5,315	41-48	—
Below investment grade
Corporate fixed maturity securities:
Finance	1	4,157		—			4,157		—	—
Retail	1	10,477		(1,077		)	9,400		70	—
	2	14,634		(1,077		)	13,557
	4	$	20,643	$	(1,771	)	$	18,872

Our analysis of these securities that we have determined are temporarily impaired and their credit performance at March 31, 2011 is as follows:

Finance and Insurance: The decline in value of these securities is due to the continued wide spreads as a result of the ongoing concerns relating to capital, asset quality and earnings stability due to the financial events of the past two years. While these issuers have had their financial position and profitability weakened by the credit and liquidity crisis, we have determined that these securities were not other than temporarily impaired due to our evaluation of the operating performance and the credit worthiness of each individual issuer.

Retail: The decline in value of this bond relates to a debt-financed share repurchase combined with a weakening economy which has led to a decrease in sales. We have determined that this security was not other than temporarily impaired due to the issuer's very strong market position and a consistent history of strong operating performance, improving economic conditions and rising security prices.

We do not intend to sell these securities and it is more likely than not we will not have to sell these securities before recovery of their amortized cost and, as such, there were no other than temporary impairments on these securities at March 31, 2011.

Other Than Temporary Impairments

We have a policy and process in place to identify securities in our investment portfolio for which we should recognize impairments. See Critical Accounting Policies—Evaluation of Other Than Temporary Impairments included in Management's Discussion and Analysis in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

We recognized other than temporary impairments and additional credit losses on a number of securities for which we have previously recognized OTTI as follows:



	Number of Securities	Total OTTI Losses			Portion of OTTI Losses recognized in (from) Other Comprehensive Income			Net OTTI Losses in Operations
		(Dollars in thousands)
Three months ended March 31, 2011
Residential mortgage backed securities	24	$	(5,100	)	$	(1,471	)	$	(6,571	)

Three months ended March 31, 2010
Residential mortgage backed securities	4	$	(12,584	)	$	9,361		$	(3,223	)

Several factors have led us to believe that full recovery of amortized cost of these residential mortgage backed securities will not be expected. We considered the ratings downgrades, increased default projections, actual defaults, and expected cash flow projections to determine that other than temporary impairments were present. We continue to monitor the cash flows and economics surrounding these securities to determine changes in expected future cash flows.



		Discount Rate				Default Rate				Loss Severity
Sector	Vintage	Min		Max		Min		Max		Min		Max
Three months ended March 31, 2011
Prime	2005	7.7	%	7.7	%	8	%	8	%	50	%	50	%
	2006	7.3	%	7.6	%	9	%	11	%	50	%	55	%
	2007	5.8	%	7.3	%	8	%	30	%	40	%	60	%
Alt-A	2005	6.0	%	7.7	%	18	%	18	%	50	%	50	%
	2006	6.0	%	6.0	%	30	%	30	%	50	%	50	%
	2007	6.2	%	7.4	%	29	%	41	%	50	%	60	%

Three months ended March 31, 2010
Prime	2006	7.3	%	7.3	%	11	%	11	%	45	%	45	%
	2007	5.8	%	5.8	%	19	%	19	%	50	%	50	%
Alt-A	2005	6.8	%	7.4	%	12	%	26	%	45	%	50	%

See our discussion in note 3 of our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of how we determine the credit loss component of a residential mortgage backed security.

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate

Our commercial mortgage loan portfolio consists of mortgage loans collateralized by the related properties and diversified as to property type, location, and loan size. Our mortgage lending policies establish limits on the amount that can be loaned to one borrower and other criteria to attempt to reduce the risk of default. Our commercial mortgage loans on real estate are reported at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accrual of discounts net of allowances for loan loss. At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 the largest principal amount outstanding for any single mortgage loan was $10.6 million and $10.7 million, respectively, and the average loan size was $2.4 million. We have the contractual ability to pursue full personal recourse on 12.8% of the loans and partial personal recourse on 32.6% of the loans, and master leases provide us recourse against the principals of the borrowing entity on 5.3% of the loans. In addition, the average loan to value ratio for the overall portfolio was 53.8% and 54.7% at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, based upon the underwriting and appraisal at the time the loan was made. This loan to value is indicative of our conservative underwriting policies and practices for making commercial mortgage loans and may not be indicative of collateral values at the current reporting date. Our current practice is to only obtain market value appraisals of the underlying collateral at the inception of the loan unless we identify indicators of impairment in our ongoing analysis of the portfolio, in which case, we may obtain a current appraisal of the underlying collateral. The commercial mortgage loan portfolio is summarized by geographic region and property type as follows:



	March 31, 2011					December 31, 2010
	Carrying Amount			Percent		Carrying Amount			Percent
	(Dollars in thousands)
Geographic distribution
East	$	653,566		23.8	%	$	618,250		23.6	%
Middle Atlantic	182,514			6.6	%	172,443			6.6	%
Mountain	409,555			14.9	%	402,965			15.4	%
New England	42,225			1.5	%	42,695			1.6	%
Pacific	282,415			10.3	%	247,254			9.5	%
South Atlantic	505,099			18.4	%	496,606			19.0	%
West North Central	438,083			15.9	%	419,002			16.0	%
West South Central	234,326			8.6	%	215,650			8.3	%
	$	2,747,783		100.0	%	$	2,614,865		100.0	%
Loan loss allowance	(16,942		)			(16,224		)
	2,730,841					2,598,641

Property type distribution
Office	$	739,960		26.9	%	$	683,404		26.1	%
Medical Office	168,376			6.1	%	166,930			6.4	%
Retail	613,582			22.3	%	589,369			22.5	%
Industrial/Warehouse	691,448			25.2	%	666,908			25.6	%
Hotel	150,241			5.5	%	151,516			5.8	%
Apartment	149,019			5.4	%	131,682			5.0	%
Mixed use/other	235,157			8.6	%	225,056			8.6	%
	$	2,747,783		100.0	%	$	2,614,865		100.0	%
Loan loss allowance	(16,942		)			(16,224		)
	2,730,841					2,598,641

In the normal course of business, we commit to fund commercial mortgage loans up to 90 days in advance. At March 31, 2011, we had commitments to fund commercial mortgage loans totaling $94.1 million, with fixed interest rates ranging from 5.75% to 6.17%.

During the three months ended March 31, 2011, one mortgage loan was satisfied by taking ownership of the real estate serving as collateral on the loan. This loan had a principal amount outstanding of $5.9 million, for which a specific loan loss allowance of $2.1 million was established and recognized in a prior period. No additional impairments were recognized when ownership of the real estate was taken as the fair value of the property less the estimated costs to sell approximated the outstanding loan balance of the relative mortgage, net of any specific loan loss allowance established. We recorded impairment losses of $2.7 million on five mortgage loans with outstanding principal due totaling $11.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to impairment losses of and $4.1 million on two mortgage loans with outstanding principal due totaling $9.5 million during the same period in 2010.

At March 31, 2011, we have twelve mortgage loans that are in the process of being satisfied by our taking ownership of the real estate serving as collateral on the loan. These loans have a total outstanding principal balance of $34.0 million and we have recorded specific loan loss allowances totaling $11.3 million with $9.0 million recognized prior periods. We also have 25 mortgage loans at March 31, 2011 with an outstanding principal balance of $66.1 million that have been given "workout" terms which generally allow for interest only payments or the

capitalization of interest for a specified period of time and we have recorded a specific loan loss allowance on three of these loans (principal balance of $8.7 million) of $2.6 million. In addition, at March 31, 2011, we have two mortgage loans with an outstanding principal balance of $10.0 million that were delinquent (60 days or more at the reporting date) in their principal and interest payments. The total outstanding principal balance of these 39 loans is $110.1 million, which represents less than 5% of our total mortgage loan portfolio.

We evaluate our mortgage loan portfolio for the establishment of a loan loss reserve by specific identification of impaired loans and the measurement of an estimated loss for each individual loan identified and an analysis of the mortgage loan portfolio for the need for a general loan allowance for probable losses on all other loans. If we determine that the value of any specific mortgage loan is impaired, the carrying amount of the mortgage loan will be reduced to its fair value, based upon the present value of expected future cash flows from the loan discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, or the fair value of the underlying collateral less estimated costs to sell that collateral. The amount of the general loan allowance is based upon management's evaluation of the collectability of the loan portfolio, historical loss experience, delinquencies, credit concentrations, underwriting standards and national and local economic conditions. Based upon this process and analysis, we increased our general loan loss allowance by $0.1 million to $3.1 million during the first quarter of 2011. We established a general loan loss allowance of $3.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2010.



	March 31, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Impaired mortgage loans with allowances	$	36,275		$	31,027
Impaired mortgage loans with no allowance for losses	73,831			81,994
Allowance for probable loan losses	(13,842		)	(13,224		)
Net carrying value of impaired mortgage loans	$	96,264		$	99,797

Derivative Instruments

Our derivative instruments primarily consist of call options purchased to provide the income needed to fund the annual index credits on our fixed index annuity products. The fair value of the call options is based upon the amount of cash that would be required to settle the call options obtained from the counterparties adjusted for the nonperformance risk of the counterparty. The nonperformance risk for each counterparty is based upon its credit default swap rate. We have no performance obligations related to the call options.

The fair value of our derivative instruments, including derivative instruments embedded in fixed index annuity contracts, presented in the unaudited consolidated balance sheets are as follows:



	March 31, 2011		December 31, 2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Derivative Instruments
Call options	$	622,106	$	479,786
Other Assets
2015 notes hedges	71,864		66,595
	$	693,970	$	546,381
Liabilities
Policy benefit reserves - annuity products
Fixed index annuities - embedded derivatives	$	2,242,000	$	1,971,383
Other liabilities
2015 notes embedded derivatives	71,864		66,595
Interest rate swaps	1,456		1,976
	$	2,243,456	$	1,973,359

The changes in fair value of derivatives included in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations are as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2011			2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Change in fair value of derivatives:
Call options	$	143,452		$	83,302
2015 notes hedges	5,269			—
Interest rate swaps	(68		)	(1,287		)
	$	148,653		$	82,015
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives:
2015 notes embedded derivatives	$	5,269		$	—
Fixed index annuities	123,034			63,875
	$	128,303		$	63,875

Our strategy attempts to mitigate any potential risk of loss under these agreements through a regular monitoring process which evaluates the program's effectiveness. We do not purchase call options that would require payment or collateral to another institution and our call options do not contain counterparty credit-risk-related contingent features. We are exposed to risk of loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties and, accordingly, we purchase our option contracts from multiple counterparties and evaluate the creditworthiness of all counterparties prior to purchase of the contracts. All of these options have been purchased from nationally recognized financial institutions with a Standard and Poor's credit rating of A- or higher at the time of purchase and the maximum credit exposure to any single counterparty is subject to concentration limits. We also have credit support agreements with several counterparties that allow us to request the counterparty to provide collateral to us when the fair value of our exposure to the counterparty exceeds specified amounts.



			March 31, 2011				December 31, 2010
Counterparty	Credit Rating (S&P)	Credit Rating (Moody's)	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Notional Amount		Fair Value
			(Dollars in thousands)
Bank of America	A+	Aa3	$	937,662	$	45,103	$	588,650	$	25,704
BNP Paribas	AA	Aa2	992,069		45,757		786,561		34,772
Bank of New York	AA-	Aa2	18,082		185		18,082		111
Credit Suisse	A+	Aa1	2,361,933		133,027		2,462,920		95,910
Barclays	AA-	Aa3	2,175,573		102,371		1,728,218		72,751
SunTrust	BBB+	A3	—		—		50,540		3,164
Wells Fargo (Wachovia)	NR	Aa2	1,923,835		95,258		1,745,775		76,250
J.P. Morgan	AA-	Aa1	2,817,155		151,377		2,858,902		133,368
UBS	A+	Aa3	831,833		46,331		921,596		37,756
HSBC	AA	Aa2	82,817		2,697		—		—
			$	12,058,142	$	622,106	$	11,161,244	$	479,786

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our insurance subsidiaries continue to have adequate cash flows from annuity deposits and investment income to meet their policyholder and other obligations. Net cash flows from annuity deposits and funds returned to policyholders as surrenders, withdrawals and death claims were $887.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $324.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 with the increase attributable to a $618.2 million increase in net annuity deposits after coinsurance and a $55.9 million (after coinsurance) increase in funds returned to policyholders. We continue to invest the net proceeds from policyholder transactions and investment activities in high quality fixed maturity securities and fixed rate commercial mortgage loans. As reported above under Financial Condition - Investments, during the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 we experienced a significant amount of calls of United States Government sponsored agency securities. As a result we have had elevated levels of cash and cash equivalents during the first quarters of 2011 and 2010. The accelerated pace of these calls may continue in the second quarter of 2011. We have been reinvesting the proceeds from the called securities in United States Government sponsored agencies securities, investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities and United States municipalities, states and territories with yields that meet our investment spread objectives. At March 31, 2011, 37% of our fixed income securities have call features and 1% ($0.1 billion) of those securities were subject to call redemption. Another 22% ($3.8 billion) will become subject to call redemption during the next twelve months. Our ability to continue to reinvest the proceeds from called securities in assets with acceptable credit quality and yield characteristics similar to the called securities will be dependent on future market conditions.

We, as the parent company, are a legal entity separate and distinct from our subsidiaries, and have no business operations. We need liquidity primarily to service our debt, including the convertible senior notes and subordinated debentures issued to subsidiary trusts, pay operating expenses and pay dividends to stockholders. Our assets consist primarily of the capital stock and surplus notes of our subsidiaries. Accordingly, our future cash flows depend upon the availability of dividends, surplus note interest payments and other statutorily permissible payments from our subsidiaries, such as payments under our investment advisory agreements and tax allocation agreement with our subsidiaries. These sources provide adequate cash flow to us to meet our current and reasonably foreseeable future obligations and we expect they will be adequate to fund our parent company cash flow requirements for the rest of 2011. During 2011, we may redeem and holders may require us to repurchase the $74.5 million principal amount outstanding of the 2024 notes. At March 31, 2011, we have cash and cash equivalents totaling $61.6 million on hand available to extinguish this debt.

The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends and to make such other payments will be limited by applicable laws and regulations of the states in which our subsidiaries are domiciled, which subject our subsidiaries to significant regulatory restrictions. These laws and regulations require, among other things, our insurance subsidiaries to maintain minimum solvency requirements and limit the amount of dividends these subsidiaries can pay. Along with solvency regulations, the primary driver in determining the amount of capital used for dividends is the level of capital needed to maintain desired financial strength ratings from A.M. Best. Given recent economic events that have affected the insurance industry, both regulators and rating agencies could become more conservative in their methodology and criteria, including increasing capital requirements for our insurance subsidiaries which, in turn, could negatively affect the cash available to us from insurance subsidiaries.

The statutory capital and surplus of our life insurance subsidiaries at March 31, 2011 was $1.5 billion. American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company (American Equity Life) made surplus note interest payments to us of $1.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011. For the remainder of 2011, up to $187.5 million can be distributed by American Equity Life as dividends under applicable laws and regulations without prior regulatory approval. Dividends may be made only out of earned surplus, and all surplus note payments are subject to prior approval by regulatory authorities. American Equity Life had $537.5 million of statutory earned surplus at March 31, 2011. The transfer of funds by American Equity Life is also restricted by a covenant in our revolving line of credit which requires American Equity Life to maintain a minimum risk-based capital ratio of 275%.

During the first quarter 2011, we terminated our existing $150 million revolving line of credit agreement and entered into a $160 million revolving line of credit agreement with seven banks (see note 6 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q). The new revolving line of credit terminates January 28, 2014, and borrowings are available for general corporate purposes of the parent company and its subsidiaries. We also have the ability to issue equity, debt or other types of securities through one or more methods of distribution under a currently effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3. The terms of any offering would be established at the time of the offering, subject to market conditions.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We seek to invest our available funds in a manner that will maximize shareholder value and fund future obligations to policyholders and debtors, subject to appropriate risk considerations. We seek to meet this objective through investments that: (i) consist predominately of investment grade fixed maturity securities; (ii) have projected returns which satisfy our spread targets; and (iii) have characteristics which support the underlying liabilities. Many of our products incorporate surrender charges, market interest rate adjustments or other features to encourage persistency.

We seek to maximize the total return on our available for sale investments through active investment management. Accordingly, we have determined that our available for sale portfolio of fixed maturity securities is available to be sold in response to: (i) changes in market interest rates; (ii) changes in relative values of individual securities and asset sectors; (iii) changes in prepayment risks; (iv) changes in credit quality outlook for certain securities; (v) liquidity needs: and (vi) other factors. An OTTI shall be considered to have occurred when we have an intention to sell available for sale securities in an unrealized loss position. If we do not intend to sell a debt security, we consider all available evidence to make an assessment of whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost basis. If it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, an OTTI will be considered to have occurred. We have a portfolio of held for investment securities which consists principally of long duration bonds issued by U.S. government agencies. These securities are purchased to secure long-term yields which meet our spread targets and support the underlying liabilities.

Interest rate risk is our primary market risk exposure. Substantial and sustained increases and decreases in market interest rates can affect the profitability of our products, the fair value of our investments, and the amount of interest we pay on our floating rate subordinated debentures. Our floating rate trust preferred securities issued by Trust III, IV, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI (beginning on December 31, 2010) and XII bear interest at the three month LIBOR plus 3.50% - 4.00%. Our outstanding balance of floating rate trust preferred securities was $164.5 million at March 31, 2011, of which $20 million had been swapped to fixed rates (see note 5 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q). This $20 million swap expired on April 7, 2011. In 2009, we swapped the floating interest rate to fixed rates for the $150 million of the borrowings outstanding on our now terminated revolving line of credit (see notes 5 and 6 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q). These swaps remain outstanding and expire in 2011. The profitability of most of our products depends on the spreads between interest yield on investments and rates credited on insurance liabilities. We have the ability to adjust crediting rates (caps, participation rates or asset fee rates for index annuities) on substantially all of our annuity liabilities at least annually (subject to minimum guaranteed values). In addition, substantially all of our annuity products have surrender and withdrawal penalty provisions designed to encourage persistency and to help ensure targeted spreads are earned. However, competitive factors, including the impact of the level of surrenders and withdrawals, may limit our ability to adjust or maintain crediting rates at levels necessary to avoid narrowing of spreads under certain market conditions.

A major component of our interest rate risk management program is structuring the investment portfolio with cash flow characteristics consistent with the cash flow characteristics of our insurance liabilities. We use computer models to simulate cash flows expected from our existing business under various interest rate scenarios. These simulations enable us to measure the potential gain or loss in fair value of our interest rate-sensitive financial instruments, to evaluate the adequacy of expected cash flows from our assets to meet the expected cash requirements of our liabilities and to determine if it is necessary to lengthen or shorten the average life and duration of our investment portfolio. The "duration" of a security is the time weighted present value of the security's expected cash flows and is used to measure a security's sensitivity to changes in interest rates. When the durations of assets and liabilities are similar, exposure to interest rate risk is minimized because a change in value of assets should be largely offset by a change in the value of liabilities.

If interest rates were to increase 10% (45 basis points) from levels at March 31, 2011, we estimate that the fair value of our fixed maturity securities would decrease by approximately $718.8 million. The impact on stockholders' equity of such decrease (net of income taxes and certain adjustments for changes in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements) would be a decrease of $172.6 million in the accumulated other comprehensive income and a decrease in stockholders' equity. The computer models used to estimate the impact of a 10% change in market interest rates incorporate numerous assumptions, require significant estimates and assume an immediate and parallel change in interest rates without any management of the investment portfolio in reaction to such change. Consequently, potential changes in value of our financial instruments indicated by the simulations will likely be different from the actual changes experienced under given interest rate scenarios, and the differences may be material. Because we actively manage our investments and liabilities, our net exposure to interest rates can vary over time. However, any such decreases in the fair value of our fixed maturity securities (unless related to credit concerns of the issuer requiring recognition of an other than temporary impairment) would generally be realized only if we were required to sell such securities at losses prior to their maturity to meet our liquidity needs, which we manage using the surrender and withdrawal provisions of our annuity contracts and through other means. See Financial Condition - Liquidity for Insurance Operations included in Management's Discussion and Analysis in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

At March 31, 2011, 37% of our fixed income securities have call features and 1% ($0.1 billion) of those securities were subject to call redemption. Another 22% ($3.8 billion) will become subject to call redemption during the next twelve months. During the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, we received $1.5 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively, in redemption proceeds related to the exercise of such call options. We have reinvestment risk related to these redemptions to the extent we cannot reinvest the net proceeds in assets with credit quality and yield characteristics similar to the redeemed bonds. Such reinvestment risk typically occurs in a declining rate environment. Should rates decline to

levels which tighten the spread between our average portfolio yield and average cost of interest credited on annuity liabilities, we have the ability to reduce crediting rates (caps, participation rates or asset fees for index annuities) on most of our annuity liabilities to maintain the spread at our targeted level. At March 31, 2011, approximately 99% of our annuity liabilities were subject to annual adjustment of the applicable crediting rates at our discretion, limited by minimum guaranteed crediting rates specified in the policies.

We purchase call options on the applicable indices to fund the annual index credits on our fixed index annuities. These options are primarily one-year instruments purchased to match the funding requirements of the underlying policies. Fair value changes associated with those investments are substantially offset by an increase or decrease in the amounts added to policyholder account balances for fixed index products. For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, the annual index credits to policyholders on their anniversaries were $87.4 million and $133.6 million, respectively. Proceeds received at expiration of these options related to such credits were $88.0 million and $125.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The difference between proceeds received at expiration of these options and index credits is primarily due to credits attributable to minimum guaranteed interest self funded by us.

Within our hedging process we purchase options out of the money to the extent of anticipated minimum guaranteed interest on index policies. On the anniversary dates of the index policies, we purchase new one-year call options to fund the next annual index credits. The risk associated with these prospective purchases is the uncertainty of the cost, which will determine whether we are able to earn our spread on our index business. We manage this risk through the terms of our fixed index annuities, which permit us to change caps, participation rates and asset fees, subject to contractual features. By modifying caps, participation rates or asset fees, we can limit option costs to budgeted amounts, except in cases where the contractual features would prevent further modifications. Based upon actuarial testing which we conduct as a part of the design of our index products and on an ongoing basis, we believe the risk that contractual features would prevent us from controlling option costs is not material.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

In accordance with the Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15, our management, under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2011 in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are occasionally involved in litigation, both as a defendant and as a plaintiff. In addition, state regulatory bodies, such as state insurance departments, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"), the Department of Labor, and other regulatory bodies regularly make inquiries and conduct examinations or investigations concerning our compliance with, among other things, insurance laws, securities laws, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and laws governing the activities of broker-dealers.

The plaintiffs in the SLO Case represent a class of individuals who are California residents age 65 and older and who either purchased their annuity from us through a co-defendant marketing organization or who purchased one of a defined set of particular annuities issued by us. The named plaintiffs in this case are: Chalys M. Stephens and John P. Stephens. Following a mediation conducted on January 21, 2011, we reached a settlement in principal with the plaintiffs. Preliminary approval of the settlement was issued by the court on March 1, 2011, with the fairness hearing for final court approval scheduled for May 9, 2011. Although we anticipate final court approval of the settlement, there can be no assurance of such final approval. The settlement, if final court approval is received, will provide a total settlement benefit of $36 million to past and present policyholders who are members of the class and, if awarded by the court, will provide for attorneys' fees payable to the plaintiffs' counsel of up to $11 million, litigation expenses in an amount up to $950,000, and incentives of $25,000 payable to each of the two class representatives. The net charge to operations for the settlement (after related reductions in amortization of deferred sales inducements and deferred policy acquisition costs and income taxes) was $27.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K described our Risk Factors. There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors during the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

There were no issuer purchases of equity securities for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

We have a Rabbi Trust, the NMO Deferred Compensation Trust, which purchases our common shares to fund the amount of shares earned by our agents under the NMO Deferred Compensation Plan. At March 31, 2011, agents had earned 81,745 shares which had vested but had not yet been purchased and contributed to the Rabbi Trust.

In addition, we have a share repurchase program under which we are authorized to purchase up to 10,000,000 shares of our common stock. As of March 31, 2011, we have repurchased 3,845,296 shares of our common stock under this program. We suspended the repurchase of our common stock under this program in August of 2008.

The maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under these plans is 6,236,449 at March 31, 2011.

Item 6. Exhibits



(a)	Exhibits:

	12.1	Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

	31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

	31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

	32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

	32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

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.



Date: May 6, 2011	AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE
	HOLDING COMPANY

	By:	/s/ Wendy C. Waugaman
		Wendy C. Waugaman, President and Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)

	By:	/s/ John M. Matovina
		John M. Matovina, Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
		(Principal Financial Officer)

	By:	/s/ Ted M. Johnson
		Ted M. Johnson, Vice President - Controller
		(Principal Accounting Officer)