UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
____________________
  
FORM 10-Q
____________________
 
 
(Mark One)
xQuarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012
 OR

¨Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the transition period from             to             
 
Commission File Number:  1-6028
 
____________________
 
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
____________________
 
 
 
  
               Indiana                
35-1140070
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
  
150 N. Radnor Chester Road, Suite A305, Radnor, Pennsylvania19087
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
 
(484) 583-1400
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x    No ¨

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 x    No ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

Large accelerated filer x   Accelerated filer ¨ Non-accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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 ¨ No x
 
As of July 31,November 5, 2012, there were 279,173,774275,015,830 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

 
 

 

Lincoln National Corporation
 
Table of Contents

ItemItem  Page   
Page
PART I
PART I
PART I
1.Financial Statements
1
Financial Statements1
    
2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations45Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations48
 Forward-Looking Statements – Cautionary Language45 Forward-Looking Statements – Cautionary Language48
 Introduction46 Introduction49
 Executive Summary46     Executive Summary49
  Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates47     Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates50
  Acquisitions and Dispositions49     Acquisitions and Dispositions53
 Results of Consolidated Operations49 Results of Consolidated Operations53
 Results of Annuities51 Results of Annuities55
 Results of Retirement Plan Services57 Results of Retirement Plan Services61
 Results of Life Insurance63 Results of Life Insurance67
 Results of Group Protection70 Results of Group Protection74
 Results of Other Operations73 Results of Other Operations77
 Realized Gain (Loss) and Benefit Ratio Unlocking75 Realized Gain (Loss) and Benefit Ratio Unlocking79
 Consolidated Investments77 Consolidated Investments81
 Review of Consolidated Financial Condition92 Review of Consolidated Financial Condition96
 Liquidity and Capital Resources92     Liquidity and Capital Resources96
 Other Matters96 Other Matters100
  Other Factors Affecting Our Business96     Other Factors Affecting Our Business100
  Recent Accounting Pronouncements96     Recent Accounting Pronouncements100
   
3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk96Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk100
    
4.Controls and Procedures100Controls and Procedures104
    
PART II
PART II
PART II
    
1.Legal Proceedings100Legal Proceedings104
    
1A.Risk Factors100Risk Factors104
    
2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds101Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds105
    
6.Exhibits102Exhibits105
    
Signatures103Signatures106
    
Exhibit Index for the Report on Form 10-QE-1Exhibit Index for the Report on Form 10-QE-1

 

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  Financial Statements
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except share data)

      As of As of 
      September 30, December 31, 
      2012  2011 
      (Unaudited)    
ASSETS      
Investments:      
 Available-for-sale securities, at fair value:      
  Fixed maturity securities (amortized cost: 2012 - $71,778; 2011 - $68,988)$ 81,179 $ 75,433 
  Variable interest entities' fixed maturity securities (amortized cost: 2012 - $676; 2011 - $673)  706   700 
  Equity securities (cost: 2012 - $143; 2011 - $135)  156   139 
 Trading securities  2,650   2,675 
 Mortgage loans on real estate  6,690   6,942 
 Real estate  112   137 
 Policy loans  2,780   2,884 
 Derivative investments  3,072   3,151 
 Other investments  1,123   1,069 
   Total investments  98,468   93,130 
Cash and invested cash  4,373   4,510 
Deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired  5,813   6,776 
Premiums and fees receivable  366   408 
Accrued investment income  1,067   981 
Reinsurance recoverables  6,424   6,526 
Funds withheld reinsurance assets  846   874 
Goodwill  2,273   2,273 
Other assets  2,502   2,536 
Separate account assets  93,326   83,477 
    Total assets$ 215,458 $ 201,491 
            
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY      
Liabilities      
Future contract benefits$ 19,232 $ 19,813 
Other contract holder funds  70,706   69,466 
Short-term debt  200   300 
Long-term debt  5,494   5,391 
Reinsurance related embedded derivatives  215   168 
Funds withheld reinsurance liabilities  987   1,045 
Deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance  338   394 
Payables for collateral on investments  4,566   3,733 
Variable interest entities' liabilities  121   193 
Other liabilities  5,036   4,273 
Separate account liabilities  93,326   83,477 
    Total liabilities  200,221   188,253 
            
Contingencies and Commitments (See Note 9)      
            
Stockholders' Equity      
Preferred stock - 10,000,000 shares authorized; Series A - 9,532 and 10,072 sharesissued and outstanding as of September 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, respectively  -   - 
Common stock - 800,000,000 shares authorized; 275,073,618 and 291,319,222 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, respectively  7,214   7,590 
Retained earnings  3,873   2,969 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  4,150   2,679 
    Total stockholders' equity  15,237   13,238 
     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$ 215,458 $ 201,491 

       As of As of 
       June 30,December 31,
       2012  2011  
       (Unaudited)    
ASSETS      
Investments:      
 Available-for-sale securities, at fair value:      
  Fixed maturity securities (amortized cost: 2012 - $71,394; 2011 - $68,988)$ 79,191 $ 75,433 
  Variable interest entities' fixed maturity securities (amortized cost: 2012 - $675; 2011 - $673)  705   700 
  Equity securities (cost: 2012 - $143; 2011 - $135)  154   139 
 Trading securities  2,649   2,675 
 Mortgage loans on real estate  6,804   6,942 
 Real estate  116   137 
 Policy loans  2,829   2,884 
 Derivative investments  3,399   3,151 
 Other investments  1,041   1,069 
   Total investments  96,888   93,130 
Cash and invested cash  5,257   4,510 
Deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired  6,505   6,776 
Premiums and fees receivable  388   408 
Accrued investment income  1,021   981 
Reinsurance recoverables  6,601   6,526 
Funds withheld reinsurance assets  863   874 
Goodwill  2,273   2,273 
Other assets  2,475   2,536 
Separate account assets  88,839   83,477 
     Total assets$ 211,110 $ 201,491 
             
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY      
Liabilities      
Future contract benefits$ 19,930 $ 19,813 
Other contract holder funds  70,422   69,466 
Short-term debt  300   300 
Long-term debt  5,719   5,391 
Reinsurance related embedded derivatives  185   168 
Funds withheld reinsurance liabilities  999   1,045 
Deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance  356   394 
Payables for collateral on investments  5,070   3,733 
Variable interest entities' liabilities  158   193 
Other liabilities  4,950   4,273 
Separate account liabilities  88,839   83,477 
    Total liabilities  196,928   188,253 
             
Contingencies and Commitments (See Note 8)      
             
Stockholders' Equity      
Preferred stock - 10,000,000 shares authorized; Series A - 9,632 and 10,072 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, respectively  -   - 
Common stock - 800,000,000 shares authorized; 279,168,971 and 291,319,222 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, respectively  7,310   7,590 
Retained earnings  3,493   2,969 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  3,379   2,679 
    Total stockholders' equity  14,182   13,238 
     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$ 211,110 $ 201,491 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 

 
1

 
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited, in millions, except per share data)
 
 

       For the Three For the Nine 
       Months Ended Months Ended 
       September 30, September 30, 
       2012  2011  2012  2011  
Revenues            
Insurance premiums$ 606 $ 559 $ 1,825 $ 1,721 
Insurance fees  990   864   2,784   2,582 
Net investment income  1,146   1,151   3,509   3,522 
Realized gain (loss):            
 Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities  (47)  (44)  (194)  (135
 Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income  15   18   82   37 
  Net other-than-temporary impairment losses on securitiesrecognized in earnings  (32)  (26)  (112)  (98
  Realized gain (loss), excluding other-than-temporaryimpairment losses on securities  102   (137)  140   (72
   Total realized gain (loss)  70   (163)  28   (170
Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance  19   19   56   56 
Other revenues and fees  123   117   366   362 
  Total revenues  2,954   2,547   8,568   8,073 
Expenses            
Interest credited  610   625   1,851   1,864 
Benefits  811   664   2,615   2,527 
Commissions and other expenses  1,047   1,024   2,731   2,467 
Interest and debt expense  68   79   203   223 
 Total expenses  2,536   2,392   7,400   7,081 
  Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes  418   155   1,168   992 
  Federal income tax expense (benefit)  45   (6)  224   214 
   Income (loss) from continuing operations  373   161   944   778 
   Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of federalincome taxes  29   (8)  27   (8
    Net income (loss)  402   153   971   770 
    Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  771   1,437   1,471   1,813 
     Comprehensive income (loss)$ 1,173 $ 1,590 $ 2,442 $ 2,583 
                   
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Basic            
Income (loss) from continuing operations$ 1.35 $ 0.53 $ 3.33 $ 2.51 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations  0.10   (0.03)  0.10   (0.03
 Net income (loss)$ 1.45 $ 0.50 $ 3.43 $ 2.48 
                   
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Diluted            
Income (loss) from continuing operations$ 1.31 $ 0.50 $ 3.26 $ 2.43 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations  0.10   (0.03)  0.09   (0.03
 Net income (loss)$ 1.41 $ 0.47 $ 3.35 $ 2.40 

       For the Three For the Six 
       Months Ended Months Ended 
       June 30, June 30, 
       2012  2011  2012  2011  
Revenues            
Insurance premiums$ 630 $ 594 $ 1,219 $ 1,162 
Insurance fees  887   900   1,794   1,718 
Net investment income  1,197   1,181   2,362   2,372 
Realized gain (loss):            
 Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities  (50)  (47)  (147)  (91
 Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income  17   16   67   19 
  Net other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities recognized in earnings  (33)  (31)  (80)  (72
  Realized gain (loss), excluding other-than-temporaryimpairment losses on securities  76   22   37   65 
   Total realized gain (loss)  43   (9)  (43)  (7
Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance  18   19   38   37 
Other revenues and fees  124   122   244   244 
  Total revenues  2,899   2,807   5,614   5,526 
Expenses            
Interest credited  616   625   1,241   1,239 
Benefits  945   1,027   1,804   1,862 
Commissions and other expenses  828   674   1,684   1,443 
Interest and debt expense  68   72   135   144 
 Total expenses  2,457   2,398   4,864   4,688 
  Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes  442   409   750   838 
  Federal income tax expense (benefit)  118   105   180   221 
   Income (loss) from continuing operations  324   304   570   617 
   Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of federal income taxes  -   -   (1)  - 
    Net income (loss)  324   304   569   617 
    Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  757   354   700   376 
     Comprehensive income (loss)$ 1,081 $ 658 $ 1,269 $ 993 
                   
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Basic            
Income (loss) from continuing operations$ 1.15 $ 0.98 $ 1.99 $ 1.97 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations  -   -   -   - 
 Net income (loss)$ 1.15 $ 0.98 $ 1.99 $ 1.97 
                   
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Diluted            
Income (loss) from continuing operations$ 1.10 $ 0.95 $ 1.94 $ 1.92 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations  -    -   -   -  
 Net income (loss)$ 1.10 $ 0.95 $ 1.94 $ 1.92 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 

 
2

 
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited, in millions, except per share data)
 
 

   For the Nine 
   Months Ended 
   September 30, 
   2012 2011 
       
Common Stock    
Balance as of beginning-of-year$7,590 $8,124 
Stock compensation/issued for benefit plans 24  13 
Retirement of common stock/cancellation of shares (400) (345)
 Balance as of end-of-period 7,214  7,792 
         
Retained Earnings      
Balance as of beginning-of-year 2,969  3,934 
Cumulative effect from adoption of new accounting standards -  (1,095)
Net income (loss) 971  770 
Retirement of common stock -  (30)
Dividends declared:  Common (2012 - $0.240; 2011 - $0.150) (67) (48)
 Balance as of end-of-period 3,873  3,531 
         
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)      
Balance as of beginning-of-year 2,679  748 
Cumulative effect from adoption of new accounting standards -  103 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 1,471  1,813 
 Balance as of end-of-period 4,150  2,664 
  Total stockholders' equity as of end-of-period$15,237 $13,987 

   For the Six 
   Months Ended 
   June 30, 
   2012 2011 
Common Stock    
Balance as of beginning-of-year$7,590 $8,124 
Stock compensation/issued for benefit plans 20  9 
Retirement of common stock/cancellation of shares (300) (195)
 Balance as of end-of-period 7,310  7,938 
         
Retained Earnings      
Balance as of beginning-of-year 2,969  3,934 
Cumulative effect from adoption of new accounting standards -  (1,095)
Net income (loss) 569  617 
Retirement of common stock -  (31)
Dividends declared:  Common (2012 - $0.160; 2011 - $0.100) (45) (32)
 Balance as of end-of-period 3,493  3,393 
         
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)      
Balance as of beginning-of-year 2,679  748 
Cumulative effect from adoption of new accounting standards -  103 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 700  376 
 Balance as of end-of-period 3,379  1,227 
  Total stockholders' equity as of end-of-period$14,182 $12,558 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 

 
3

 
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited, in millions)
 
 

   For the Nine 
   Months Ended 
   September 30, 
   2012 2011 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities    
Net income (loss)$971 $770 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:      
 Deferred acquisition costs, value of business acquired, deferred sales inducements and deferred front-end loads deferrals and interest, net of amortization (96) (44)
 Trading securities purchases, sales and maturities, net 124  33 
 Change in premiums and fees receivable 42  (48)
 Change in accrued investment income (86) (90)
 Change in future contract benefits and other contract holder funds (264) 141 
 Change in reinsurance related assets and liabilities 71  (210)
 Change in federal income tax accruals 44  255 
 Realized (gain) loss (28) 170 
 (Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt -  8 
 Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance (56) (56)
 (Gain) loss on disposal of discontinued operations 1  3 
 Other (57) 2 
  Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 666  934 
         
Cash Flows from Investing Activities      
Purchases of available-for-sale securities (8,437) (8,540)
Sales of available-for-sale securities 965  1,274 
Maturities of available-for-sale securities 4,471  3,988 
Purchases of other investments (1,418) (2,202)
Sales or maturities of other investments 1,622  2,336 
Increase (decrease) in payables for collateral on investments 833  2,196 
Other (103) (63)
  Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (2,067) (1,011)
         
Cash Flows from Financing Activities      
Payment of long-term debt, including current maturities (300) (275)
Issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs 300  298 
Increase (decrease) in commercial paper, net -  (100)
Deposits of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable 7,612  8,187 
Withdrawals of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable (4,103) (3,750)
Transfers to and from separate accounts, net (1,775) (1,763)
Common stock issued for benefit plans and excess tax benefits (3) (6)
Repurchase of common stock (400) (375)
Dividends paid to common and preferred stockholders (67) (48)
  Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 1,264  2,168 
         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and invested cash, including discontinued operations (137) 2,091 
Cash and invested cash, including discontinued operations, as of beginning-of-year 4,510  2,741 
 Cash and invested cash, including discontinued operations, as of end-of-period$4,373 $4,832 

   For the Six 
   Months Ended 
   June 30, 
   2012  2011  
Cash Flows from Operating Activities      
Net income (loss)$ 569 $ 617 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:      
 Deferred acquisition costs, value of business acquired, deferred sales inducements      
  and deferred front-end loads deferrals and interest, net of amortization  (114)  (215
 Trading securities purchases, sales and maturities, net  67   26 
 Change in premiums and fees receivable  20   (35
 Change in accrued investment income  (40)  (61
 Change in future contract benefits and other contract holder funds  120   371 
 Change in reinsurance related assets and liabilities  (111)  (72
 Change in federal income tax accruals  197   297 
 Realized (gain) loss  43   7 
 (Income) loss attributable to equity method investments (81 (75
 Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance  (38)  (37
 (Gain) loss on disposal of discontinued operations  1   - 
 Other  (19)  55 
  Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  614   878  
         
Cash Flows from Investing Activities      
Purchases of available-for-sale securities  (5,717)  (5,901
Sales of available-for-sale securities  369   1,042 
Maturities of available-for-sale securities  2,983   2,857 
Purchases of other investments  (1,398)  (1,701
Sales or maturities of other investments  1,451   1,527 
Increase (decrease) in payables for collateral on investments  1,337   146 
Other  (47)  (42
  Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities  (1,022)  (2,072)
         
Cash Flows from Financing Activities      
Issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs  298   298 
Increase (decrease) in commercial paper, net  -   (100
Deposits of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable  4,979   5,335 
Withdrawals of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable  (2,611)  (2,515
Transfers to and from separate accounts, net  (1,160)  (1,391
Common stock issued for benefit plans and excess tax benefits  (5)  (5
Repurchase of common stock  (300)  (226
Dividends paid to common and preferred stockholders  (46)  (31
  Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  1,155   1,365 
         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and invested cash, including discontinued operations  747   171 
Cash and invested cash, including discontinued operations, as of beginning-of-year  4,510   2,741 
 Cash and invested cash, including discontinued operations, as of end-of-period$ 5,257 $ 2,912 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 

 
4

 
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
 

1.  Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Nature of Operations

Lincoln National Corporation and its majority-owned subsidiaries (“LNC” or the “Company,” which also may be referred to as “we,” “our” or “us”) operate multiple insurance businesses through four business segments.  See Note 1314 for additional details.  The collective group of businesses uses “Lincoln Financial Group” as its marketing identity.  Through our business segments, we sell a wide range of wealth protection, accumulation and retirement income products.  These products include institutional and/or retail fixed and indexed annuities, variable annuities, universal life insurance (��(“UL”), variable universal life insurance (“VUL”), linked-benefit UL, term life insurance, mutual funds and group life, disability and dental.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States of America generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions for the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  Therefore, the information contained in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (“2011 Form 10-K”), should be read in connection with the reading of these interim unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Certain GAAP policies, which significantly affect the determination of financial position, results of operations and cash flows, are summarized in our 2011 Form 10-K.

In the opinion of management, these statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s results.  Operating results for the sixnine month period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2012.  All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

See Note 2 “Financial Services – Insurance Industry Topic” below for information about the retrospective restatement of amounts due to the adoption of new accounting guidance.  In addition, certain amounts reported in prior years’ consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the presentation adopted in the current year.  These reclassifications had no effect on net income or stockholders’ equity of the prior years.

2.  New Accounting Standards

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Comprehensive Income Topic

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2011-05”), with an objective of increasing the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income (“OCI”); however, in December 2011, the FASB deferred a portion of the presentation requirements by issuing ASU No. 2011-12, “Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05” (“ASU 2011- 12”).  For a more detailed description of ASU 2011-05 and ASU 2011-12, see “Future Adoption of New Accounting Standards – Comprehensive Income Topic” in Note 2 of our 2011 Form 10-K.  We adopted the provisions of ASU 2011-05 as of January 1, 2012, after considering the deferral in ASU 2011-12, and have included a single continuous statement of comprehensive income in Item 1 of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012.

Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards” (“ASU 2011-04”), which was issued to create a consistent framework for the application of fair value measurement across jurisdictions.  For a more detailed description of ASU 2011-04 see “Future Adoption of New Accounting Standards – Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic” in Note 2 of our 2011 Form 10-K.  We adopted the provisions of ASU 2011-04 effective January 1, 2012, and have included the additional disclosures required for fair value measurements in Note 1213 for the quarterly period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012.

 
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Financial Services – Insurance Industry Topic

In October 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-26, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts” (“ASU 2010-26”), which clarifies the types of costs incurred by an insurance entity that can be capitalized in the acquisition of insurance contracts.  Only those costs incurred that result directly from and are essential to the successful acquisition of new or renewal insurance contracts may be capitalized as deferrable acquisition costs.  The determination of deferability must be made on a contract-level basis.

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2010-26, we defined deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) as commissions and other costs of acquiring UL insurance, VUL insurance, traditional life insurance, annuities and other investments contracts that vary with and are related primarily to new or renewal business, regardless of whether the acquisition efforts were successful or unsuccessful.  Upon the adoption of ASU 2010-26, we revised our accounting policy to only defer acquisition costs directly related to successful contract acquisitions or renewals, and excluded from DAC those costs incurred for soliciting potential customers, market research, training, administration, management of distribution and underwriting functions, unsuccessful acquisition or renewal efforts and product development.  In addition, indirect acquisition costs including administrative costs, rent, depreciation, occupancy costs, equipment costs and other general overhead are excluded from DAC.  The costs that are considered non-deferrable acquisition costs under ASU 2010-26 are expensed in the period incurred.
 
We adopted the provisions of ASU 2010-26 as of January 1, 2012, and elected to retrospectively restate all prior periods.  The following summarizes the prior period increases (decreases) (in millions) reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity related to the adoption:

    As of December 31, 
    2011  2010  
Assets      
Deferred acquisition costs$ (1,415)$ (1,516)
          
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity      
Other liabilities - deferred income taxes$ (490)$ (524)
          
Stockholders' equity:      
 Retained earnings  (1,157)  (1,095)
 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  232   103 
  Total stockholders' equity  (925)  (992)
   Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$ (1,415)$ (1,516)


 
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The following summarizes the prior period increases (decreases) to income from continuing operations and earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) (in millions, except per share data) reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2011, related to the adoption:

  For the ThreeFor the Six   For the Three For the Nine 
   Months Months   Months Months 
   Ended Ended   Ended Ended 
   June 30, June 30,   September 30, September 30, 
   2011 2011   2011 2011 
RevenuesRevenues       Revenues      
Realized gain (loss)Realized gain (loss) $ 4 $ 8 Realized gain (loss)$ - $ 8 
                 
ExpensesExpenses       Expenses      
Commissions and other expensesCommissions and other expenses   (37)  (81Commissions and other expenses  15   (66
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes   (33)  (73Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes  15   (58
Federal income tax expense (benefit)   12   26 Federal income tax expense (benefit)  (5)  20 
 Income (loss) from continuing operations $ (21)$ (47 Income (loss) from continuing operations$ 10 $ (38
                 
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - BasicEarnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Basic $ (0.07)$ (0.15Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Basic$ 0.03 $ (0.12
                 
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - DilutedEarnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Diluted $ (0.07)$ (0.15)Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Diluted$ 0.03 $ (0.12

Intangibles – Goodwill and Other Topic

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, “Testing Goodwill for Impairment” (“ASU 2011-08”), which provides an option to first assess qualitative factors to determine if it is necessary to complete the two-step goodwill impairment test.  For a more detailed description of ASU 2011-08, see “Future Adoption of New Accounting Standards – Intangibles – Goodwill and Other Topic” in Note 2 of our 2011 Form 10-K.  We adopted the provisions of ASU 2011-08 effective January 1, 2012.  The adoption did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
 
Transfers and Servicing Topic

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-03, “Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements” (“ASU 2011-03”), which revises the criteria for assessing effective control for repurchase agreements and other agreements that both entitle and obligate a transferor to repurchase or redeem financial assets before their maturity.  For a more detailed description of ASU 2011-03, see “Future Adoption of New Accounting Standards – Transfers and Servicing Topic” in Note 2 of our 2011 Form 10-K.  We adopted the provisions of ASU 2011-03 effective January 1, 2012.  The adoption did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

Future Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Balance Sheet Topic

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2011-11”), to address certain comparability issues between financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP and those prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.  For a more detailed description of ASU 2011-11, see “Future Adoption of New Accounting Standards – Balance Sheet Topic” in Note 2 of our 2011 Form 10-K.  We will adopt the disclosure requirements in ASU 2011-11 beginning with our first quarter 2013 financial statements and are currently evaluating the appropriate location for these disclosures in the notes to our financial statements.

Intangibles – Goodwill and Other

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02, “Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment” (“ASU 2012-02”), which provides an option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired.  If based on the qualitative assessment an entity determines that it is not more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, then the quantitative impairment test is not required.  In addition, an entity has the option to bypass the qualitative assessment in any period and proceed directly to

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the quantitative assessment, with the option to return to the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period.  The amendments in ASU 2012-02 are effective for interim and annual impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted.  We will adopt the provisions of ASU 2012-02 in the fourth quarter of 2012 and do not expect the adoption will have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

3.  Dispositions

Discontinued Operations

On January 4, 2010, we closed on the stock sale of our subsidiary Delaware Management Holdings, Inc. (“Delaware”), which provided investment products and services to individuals and institutions, to Macquarie Bank Limited.  On October 1, 2009, we closed on the stock sale of Lincoln National (UK) plc (“Lincoln UK”), our subsidiary, which focused primarily on providing life and retirement income products in the United Kingdom to SLF of Canada UK Limited, and we retained Lincoln UK’s pension plan assets and liabilities.

Amounts (in millions) reflected in income (loss) from discontinued operations on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) were as follows:

    For the Three For the Nine 
    Months Ended Months Ended 
    September 30, September 30, 
    2012 2011 2012 2011 
Disposal        
Gain (loss) on disposal, before federal income taxes$- $(3)$(1)$(3)
Federal income tax expense (benefit) (29) 5  (28) 5 
  Gain (loss) on disposal 29  (8) 27  (8)
   Income (loss) from discontinued operations$29 $(8)$27 $(8)

The income from discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, related to the release of reserves associated with prior tax years that were closed out during the quarter associated with our former subsidiaries.  In addition, the nine months ended September 30, 2012, included a purchase price adjustment associated with the termination of a portion of the investment advisory agreement with Delaware.  The loss from discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, related to prior year tax return true-ups.

4.  Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”)

Consolidated VIEs


See Note 4 in our 2011 Form 10-K for a detailed discussion of our consolidated VIEs, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

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The following summarizes information regarding the credit-linked note (“CLN”) structures (dollars in millions) as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012:

 Amount and Date of Issuance Amount and Date of Issuance 
  $400  $200   $400  $200  
  December  April  December April  
  2006  2007   2006  2007  
Original attachment point (subordination)Original attachment point (subordination) 5.50% 2.05
%
  5.50% 2.05% 
Current attachment point (subordination)Current attachment point (subordination) 4.17% 1.48
%
  4.17% 1.48% 
MaturityMaturity 12/20/2016  3/20/2017  12/20/2016  3/20/2017  
Current rating of trancheCurrent rating of tranche BB-  Ba2   BB-  Ba2  
Current rating of underlying collateral poolCurrent rating of underlying collateral pool Aa1-B3  Aaa-Caa1   Aa1-B3  Aaa-Caa2  
Number of defaults in underlying collateral poolNumber of defaults in underlying collateral pool 2   2    2   2  
Number of entitiesNumber of entities  123   99    123   99  
Number of countriesNumber of countries 20   22    20   21  
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The following summarizes the exposure of the CLN structures’ underlying collateral by industry and rating as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012:

                          
   AAA AA A BBB BB B CCC Total
Industry                       
Telecommunications-% -% 5.5% 4.5% 0.7% 0.5% -%  11.2%
Financial intermediaries-% 2.1% 7.5% 0.9% -% -% -%  10.5%
Oil and gas-% 1.8% 1.0% 4.6% -% -% -%  7.4%
Utilities-% -% 2.6% 2.0% -% -% -%  4.6%
Chemicals and plastics-% -% 2.3% 1.2% 0.3% -% -%  3.8%
Drugs0.3% 2.7% 0.7% -% -% -% -%  3.7%
Retailers (except food and drug)
-% -% 2.1% 0.9% 0.5% -% -%  3.5%
Industrial equipment-% -% 3.0% 0.3% -% -% -%  3.3%
Sovereign-% 0.7% 1.6% 1.0% -% -% -%  3.3%
Conglomerates-% 2.3% 0.9% -% -% -% -%  3.2%
Forest products-% -% -% 1.6% 1.4% -% -%  3.0%
Other-% 3.9% 16.0% 17.7% 3.7% 0.9% 0.3%  42.5%
 Total0.3% 13.5% 43.2% 34.7% 6.6% 1.4% 0.3% 100.0%


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  AAA AA A BBB BB B CCC Total
Industry                       
Financial intermediaries - %  2.1 %  7.6 %  0.9 %  - %  - %  - %  10.6 %
Telecommunications - %  - %  5.5 %  4.5 %  - %  0.5 %  - %  10.5 %
Oil and gas 0.3 %  2.1 %  1.0 %  4.6 %  - %  - %  - %  8.0 %
Utilities - %  - %  2.6 %  2.0 %  - %  - %  - %  4.6 %
Chemicals and plastics - %  - %  2.3 %  1.2 %  0.3 %  - %  - %  3.8 %
Drugs 0.3 %  2.7 %  0.7 %  - %  - %  - %  - %  3.7 %
Retailers (except foodand drug) - %  - %  2.1 %  0.9 %  0.5 %  - %  - %  3.5 %
Industrial equipment - %  - %  3.0 %  0.3 %  - %  - %  - %  3.3 %
Sovereign - %  0.7 %  1.2 %  1.3 %  - %  - %  - %  3.2 %
Conglomerates - %  2.3 %  0.9 %  - %  - %  - %  - %  3.2 %
Forest products - %  - %  - %  1.6 %  1.4 %  - %  - %  3.0 %
Other - %  4.5 %  14.9 %  17.9 %  4.1 %  0.9 %  0.3 %  42.6 %
 Total 0.6 %  14.4 %  41.8 %  35.2 %  6.3 %  1.4 %  0.3 %  100.0 %

Asset and liability information (dollars in millions) for these consolidated VIEs included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets was as follows:

   As of June 30, 2012 As of December 31, 2011   As of September 30, 2012 As of December 31, 2011 
   Number       Number        Number       Number     
    of Notional Carrying of Notional Carrying    of Notional Carrying of Notional Carrying 
   Instruments Amounts Value Instruments Amounts Value   Instruments Amounts Value Instruments Amounts Value 
AssetsAssets                Assets               
Fixed maturity securities:Fixed maturity securities:                Fixed maturity securities:               
Asset-backed credit card loans  N/A $ - $ 595 N/A $ - $ 592 Asset-backed credit card loan N/A $ - $ 596 N/A $ - $ 592 
U.S. government bonds  N/A   -   110 N/A   -  108 U.S. government bonds N/A   -   110 N/A  -  108 
Excess mortality swapExcess mortality swap   1   100   -   1   100   - Excess mortality swap  1   100   -   1   100   - 
 
Total assets (1)
   1 $ 100 $ 705   1 $ 100 $ 700  
Total assets (1)
  1 $ 100 $ 706   1 $ 100 $ 700 
                                   
LiabilitiesLiabilities                 Liabilities               
Non-qualifying hedges:Non-qualifying hedges:                Non-qualifying hedges:               
Credit default swaps   2 $ 600 $ 234   2 $ 600 $ 295 Credit default swaps  2 $ 600 $ 175   2 $ 600 $ 295 
Contingent forwards   2   -   (3)  2   -   (4Contingent forwards  2   -   (1)  2   -   (4
 Total non-qualifying hedges   4   600   231  4  600  291  Total non-qualifying hedges ��4   600   174  4  600  291 
Federal income taxFederal income tax  N/A   -   (73) N/A   -   (98Federal income tax N/A   -   (53) N/A   -   (98
 
Total liabilities (2)
   4 $ 600 $ 158   4 $ 600 $ 193  
Total liabilities (2)
  4 $ 600 $ 121   4 $ 600 $ 193 

(1)  Reported in VIEs’ fixed maturity securities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2)  Reported in VIEs’ liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

For details related to the fixed maturity available-for-sale (“AFS”) securities for these VIEs, see Note 4.

As described more fully in Note 1 of our 2011 Form 10-K, we regularly review our investment holdings for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”).  Based upon this review, we believe that the fixed maturity securities were not other-than-temporarily impaired as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012.

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The gains (losses) for these consolidated VIEs (in millions) recorded on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) were as follows:

 For the Three For the Six   For the Three For the Nine 
 Months Ended Months Ended   Months Ended Months Ended 
 June 30, June 30,   September 30, September 30, 
 2012  2011  2012  2011    2012 2011 2012 2011 
Non-Qualifying HedgesNon-Qualifying Hedges            Non-Qualifying Hedges        
Credit default swapsCredit default swaps$ (10)$ 6 $ 61 $ 13  Credit default swaps$58 $(105)$120 $(92)
Contingent forwardsContingent forwards  -   (1)  (2)  (3 Contingent forwards (1) 2  (3) 1 
Total non-qualifying hedges (1)
$ (10)$ 5 $ 59 $ 10  
Total non-qualifying hedges (1)
$57 $(103)$117 $(91)

(1)  Reported in realized gain (loss) on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Unconsolidated VIEs

See Note 4 in our 2011 Form 10-K for a detailed discussion of our unconsolidated VIEs, which information is incorporated herein by reference.


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4.5.  Investments

AFS Securities

Pursuant to the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM (“ASC”), we have categorized AFS securities into a three-level hierarchy, based on the priority of the inputs to the respective valuation technique.  The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3), as described in Note 1 in our 2011 Form 10-K, which also includes additional disclosures regarding our fair value measurements.

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, losses and OTTI and fair value of AFS securities (in millions) were as follows:

  As of June 30, 2012   As of September 30, 2012 
  Amortized Gross Unrealized Fair   Amortized Gross Unrealized Fair 
  Cost Gains Losses OTTI Value   Cost Gains Losses OTTI Value 
Fixed maturity securities:Fixed maturity securities:           Fixed maturity securities:          
Corporate bonds$ 57,342 $ 7,068 $ 393 $ 103 $ 63,914 Corporate bonds$58,531 $8,335 $292 $98 $66,476 
U.S. Government bonds  449   68   -   -   517 U.S. government bonds 441  67  -  -  508 
Foreign government bonds  583   81   -   -   664 Foreign government bonds 570  91  -  -  661 
Residential mortgage-backed securities ("RMBS")  6,808   522   41   92   7,197 Residential mortgage-backed securities ("RMBS") 6,278  530  11  60  6,737 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS")  1,304   71   43   25   1,307 Commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS") 1,104  75  32  21  1,126 
Collateralized debt obligations ("CDOs")  135   -   15   -   120 Collateralized debt obligations ("CDOs") 159  -  4  8  147 
State and municipal bonds  3,525   767   8   -   4,284 State and municipal bonds 3,519  826  7  -  4,338 
Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities  1,248   63   123   -   1,188 Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities 1,176  95  85  -  1,186 
VIEs' fixed maturity securities  675   30   -   -   705 VIEs' fixed maturity securities 676  30  -  -  706 
 Total fixed maturity securities  72,069   8,670   623   220   79,896  Total fixed maturity securities 72,454  10,049  431  187  81,885 
Equity securitiesEquity securities  143   19   8   -   154 Equity securities 143  21  8  -  156 
 Total AFS securities$ 72,212 $ 8,689 $ 631 $ 220 $ 80,050  Total AFS securities$72,597 $10,070 $439 $187 $82,041 

   As of December 31, 2011 
   Amortized Gross Unrealized Fair 
   Cost Gains Losses OTTI Value 
Fixed maturity securities:               
 Corporate bonds$ 53,661  $ 6,185  $ 517  $ 68  $ 59,261  
 U.S. Government bonds  439    55    -    -    494  
 Foreign government bonds  668    65    -    -    733  
 RMBS  7,690    548    73    126    8,039  
 CMBS  1,642    73    106    9    1,600  
 CDOs  121    -    19    -    102  
 State and municipal bonds  3,490    566    9    -    4,047  
 Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities  1,277    50    170    -    1,157  
 VIEs' fixed maturity securities  673    27    -    -    700  
  Total fixed maturity securities  69,661    7,569    894    203    76,133  
Equity securities  135    16    12    -    139  
  Total AFS securities$ 69,796  $ 7,585  $ 906  $ 203  $ 76,272  


 
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    As of December 31, 2011 
    Amortized Gross Unrealized Fair 
    Cost Gains Losses OTTI Value 
Fixed maturity securities:          
 Corporate bonds$53,661 $6,185 $517 $68 $59,261 
 U.S. government bonds 439  55  -  -  494 
 Foreign government bonds 668  65  -  -  733 
 RMBS 7,690  548  73  126  8,039 
 CMBS 1,642  73  106  9  1,600 
 CDOs 121  -  19  -  102 
 State and municipal bonds 3,490  566  9  -  4,047 
 Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities 1,277  50  170  -  1,157 
 VIEs' fixed maturity securities 673  27  -  -  700 
  Total fixed maturity securities 69,661  7,569  894  203  76,133 
Equity securities 135  16  12  -  139 
   Total AFS securities$69,796 $7,585 $906 $203 $76,272 

The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity AFS securities by contractual maturities (in millions) as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, were as follows:

  Amortized Fair   Amortized Fair 
  Cost Value   Cost Value 
Due in one year or lessDue in one year or less$ 2,931  $ 2,989  Due in one year or less$2,841 $2,895 
Due after one year through five yearsDue after one year through five years  12,188    13,136  Due after one year through five years 12,308  13,414 
Due after five years through ten yearsDue after five years through ten years  23,651    26,185  Due after five years through ten years 24,171  27,194 
Due after ten yearsDue after ten years  25,052    28,962  Due after ten years 25,593  30,372 
Subtotal  63,822    71,272  Subtotal 64,913  73,875 
Mortgage-backed securities ("MBS")Mortgage-backed securities ("MBS")  8,112    8,504  Mortgage-backed securities ("MBS") 7,382  7,863 
CDOsCDOs  135    120  CDOs 159  147 
 Total fixed maturity AFS securities$ 72,069  $ 79,896   Total fixed maturity AFS securities$72,454 $81,885 

Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or pre-pay obligations.

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The fair value and gross unrealized losses, including the portion of OTTI recognized in OCI, of AFS securities (dollars in millions), aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, were as follows:

  As of June 30, 2012   As of September 30, 2012 
  Less Than or Equal Greater Than     Less Than or Equal Greater Than   
  to Twelve Months Twelve Months Total   to Twelve Months Twelve Months Total 
    Gross   Gross   Gross     Gross   Gross   Gross 
    Unrealized   Unrealized   Unrealized      Unrealized   Unrealized   Unrealized 
  Fair Losses and Fair Losses and Fair Losses and   Fair Losses and Fair Losses and Fair Losses and 
  Value OTTI Value OTTI Value OTTI   Value OTTI Value OTTI Value OTTI 
Fixed maturity securities:Fixed maturity securities:             Fixed maturity securities:            
Corporate bonds$ 2,389  $ 175  $ 1,293  $ 321  $ 3,682  $ 496  Corporate bonds$1,534 $140 $1,095 $250 $2,629 $390 
RMBS  521    90    314    43    835    133  RMBS 257  41  226  30  483  71 
CMBS  110    25    146    43    256    68  CMBS 64  21  137  32  201  53 
CDOs  -    -    68    15    68    15  CDOs 20  8  57  4  77  12 
State and municipal bonds  5    -    22    8    27    8  State and municipal bonds -  -  23  7  23  7 
Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities
  125    4    425    119    550    123  Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities 12  3  405  82  417  85 
 Total fixed maturity securities  3,150    294    2,268    549    5,418    843   Total fixed maturity securities 1,887  213  1,943  405  3,830  618 
Equity securitiesEquity securities  10    1    4    7    14    8  Equity securities 8  1  4  7  12  8 
 Total AFS securities$ 3,160  $ 295  $ 2,272  $ 556  $ 5,432  $ 851   Total AFS securities$1,895 $214 $1,947 $412 $3,842 $626 
                                        
Total number of AFS securities in an unrealized loss positionTotal number of AFS securities in an unrealized loss position   734  Total number of AFS securities in an unrealized loss position  583 


11

    As of December 31, 2011 
    Less Than or Equal Greater Than   
    to Twelve Months Twelve Months Total 
      Gross   Gross   Gross 
      Unrealized   Unrealized   Unrealized 
    Fair Losses and Fair Losses and Fair Losses and 
    Value OTTI Value OTTI Value OTTI 
Fixed maturity securities:            
 Corporate bonds$2,848 $162 $1,452 $423 $4,300 $585 
 RMBS 565  125  429  74  994  199 
 CMBS 178  15  146  100  324  115 
 CDOs 9  1  80  18  89  19 
 State and municipal bonds 31  -  30  9  61  9 
 Hybrid and redeemablepreferred securities 324  23  353  147  677  170 
  Total fixed maturity securities 3,955  326  2,490  771  6,445  1,097 
Equity securities 38  12  -  -  38  12 
   Total AFS securities$3,993 $338 $2,490 $771 $6,483 $1,109 
                      
Total number of AFS securities in an unrealized loss position  897 


    As of December 31, 2011 
    Less Than or Equal Greater Than   
    to Twelve Months Twelve Months Total 
      Gross   Gross   Gross 
      Unrealized   Unrealized   Unrealized 
    Fair Losses and Fair Losses and Fair Losses and 
    Value OTTI Value OTTI Value OTTI 
Fixed maturity securities:                  
 Corporate bonds$ 2,848 $ 162 $ 1,452 $ 423 $ 4,300 $ 585 
 RMBS  565   125   429   74   994   199 
 CMBS  178   15   146   100   324   115 
 CDOs  9   1   80   18   89   19 
 State and municipal bonds  31   -   30   9   61   9 
 
Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities
  324   23   353   147   677   170 
  Total fixed maturity securities  3,955   326   2,490   771   6,445   1,097 
Equity securities  38   12   -   -   38   12 
   Total AFS securities$ 3,993 $ 338 $ 2,490 $ 771 $ 6,483 $ 1,109 
                      
Total number of AFS securities in an unrealized loss position   897 

For information regarding our investments in VIEs, see Note 3.4.

12


We perform detailed analysis on the AFS securities backed by pools of residential and commercial mortgages that are most at risk of impairment based on factors discussed in Note 1 in our 2011 Form 10-K.  Selected information for these securities in a gross unrealized loss position (in millions) was as follows:

 As of June 30, 2012  As of September 30, 2012 
 Amortized Fair Unrealized  Amortized Fair Unrealized 
 Cost Value Loss  Cost Value Loss 
TotalTotal         Total      
AFS securities backed by pools of residential mortgagesAFS securities backed by pools of residential mortgages$ 1,734 $ 1,363 $ 371 AFS securities backed by pools of residential mortgages$1,283 $1,016 $267 
AFS securities backed by pools of commercial mortgagesAFS securities backed by pools of commercial mortgages  355   274   81 AFS securities backed by pools of commercial mortgages 282  219  63 
Total$ 2,089 $ 1,637 $ 452 Total$1,565 $1,235 $330 
                  
Subject to Detailed AnalysisSubject to Detailed Analysis         Subject to Detailed Analysis         
AFS securities backed by pools of residential mortgagesAFS securities backed by pools of residential mortgages$ 1,724 $ 1,353 $ 371 AFS securities backed by pools of residential mortgages$1,279 $1,012 $267 
AFS securities backed by pools of commercial mortgagesAFS securities backed by pools of commercial mortgages  79   42   37 AFS securities backed by pools of commercial mortgages 63  39  24 
Total$ 1,803 $ 1,395 $ 408 Total$1,342 $1,051 $291 

  As of December 31, 2011 
  Amortized Fair Unrealized 
  Cost Value Loss 
Total      
AFS securities backed by pools of residential mortgages$2,023 $1,553 $470 
AFS securities backed by pools of commercial mortgages 472  344  128 
 Total$2,495 $1,897 $598 
           
Subject to Detailed Analysis         
AFS securities backed by pools of residential mortgages$2,015 $1,545 $470 
AFS securities backed by pools of commercial mortgages 126  61  65 
 Total$2,141 $1,606 $535 
12


For the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, we recorded OTTI for AFS securities backed by pools of residential and commercial mortgages of $34$6 million and $44$42 million, pre-tax, respectively, and before associated amortization expense for DAC, value of business acquired (“VOBA”), deferred sales inducements (“DSI”) and deferred front-end loads (“DFEL”), of which $(3)$(31) million and $4$9 million, respectively, was recognized in OCI and $37 million and $40$33 million, respectively, was recognized in net income (loss).

The fair value, gross unrealized losses, the portion of OTTI recognized in OCI (in millions) and number of AFS securities where the fair value had declined and remained below amortized cost by greater than 20% were as follows:

 As of June 30, 2012  As of September 30, 2012 
        Number        Number 
 Fair Gross Unrealized of  Fair Gross Unrealized of 
 Value Losses OTTI Securities(1) Value Losses OTTI 
Securities
(1)
Less than six monthsLess than six months$ 115 $ 41 $ 2  25 Less than six months$13 $5 $1  11 
Six months or greater, but less than nine monthsSix months or greater, but less than nine months  13  4  1  4 Six months or greater, but less than nine months 18  10  -  5 
Nine months or greater, but less than twelve monthsNine months or greater, but less than twelve months  104  40  12  17 Nine months or greater, but less than twelve months 7  2  -  1 
Twelve months or greaterTwelve months or greater  584   342   165   167 Twelve months or greater 546  289  142  154 
Total$ 816 $ 427 $ 180   213 Total$584 $306 $143  171 
 
13


  As of December 31, 2011 
        Number 
  Fair Gross Unrealized of 
  Value Losses OTTI 
Securities
(1)
Less than six months$385 $125 $31  56 
Six months or greater, but less than nine months 53  30  12  18 
Nine months or greater, but less than twelve months 2  -  1  7 
Twelve months or greater 615  470  111  175 
 Total$1,055 $625 $155  256 

(1)  We may reflect a security in more than one aging category based on various purchase dates.

We regularly review our investment holdings for OTTI.  Our gross unrealized losses on AFS securities decreased $258$483 million for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012.  As discussed further below, we believe the unrealized loss position as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, did not represent OTTI as we did not intend to sell these fixed maturity AFS securities, it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the fixed maturity AFS securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis, the estimated future cash flows were equal to or greater than the amortized cost basis of the debt securities, or we had the ability and intent to hold the equity AFS securities for a period of time sufficient for recovery.

Based upon this evaluation as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, management believed we had the ability to generate adequate amounts of cash from our normal operations (e.g., insurance premiums and fees and investment income) to meet cash requirements with a prudent margin of safety without requiring the sale of our temporarily-impaired securities.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, the unrealized losses associated with our corporate bond securities were attributable primarily to securities that were backed by commercial loans and individual issuer companies.  For our corporate bond securities with commercial loans as the underlying collateral, we evaluated the projected credit losses in the underlying collateral and concluded that we had sufficient subordination or other credit enhancement when compared with our estimate of credit losses for the individual security and we expected to recover the entire amortized cost for each security.  For individual issuers, we performed detailed analysis of the financial performance of the issuer and determined that we expected to recover the entire amortized cost for each security.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, the unrealized losses associated with our MBS and CDOs were attributable primarily to collateral losses and credit spreads.  We assessed for credit impairment using a cash flow model as discussed above.  The key assumptions included default rates, severities and prepayment rates.  We estimated losses for a security by forecasting the underlying loans in each transaction.  The forecasted loan performance was used to project cash flows to the various tranches in the structure, as applicable.  Our forecasted cash flows also considered, as applicable, independent industry analyst reports and forecasts, sector credit ratings and other independent market data.  Based upon our assessment of the expected credit losses of the security given the performance of the underlying collateral compared to our subordination or other credit enhancement, we expected to recover the entire amortized cost basis of each security.
13


As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, the unrealized losses associated with our hybrid and redeemable preferred securities were attributable primarily to wider credit spreads caused by illiquidity in the market and subordination within the capital structure, as well as credit risk of specific issuers.  For our hybrid and redeemable preferred securities, we evaluated the financial performance of the issuer based upon credit performance and investment ratings and determined we expected to recover the entire amortized cost of each security.
 
14


Changes in the amount of credit loss of OTTI recognized in net income (loss) where the portion related to other factors was recognized in OCI (in millions) on fixed maturity AFS securities were as follows:

    For the Three For the Six 
   Months Ended Months Ended 
   June 30, June 30, 
   2012  2011  2012  2011  
Balance as of beginning-of-period$ 410 $ 352 $ 390 $ 319 
Increases attributable to:            
 Credit losses on securities for which an OTTI was not previously recognized  21   3   56   29 
 
Credit losses on securities for which an OTTI was previously recognized
  19   19   42   40 
Decreases attributable to:            
 Securities sold  (35)  (34)  (73)  (48
  Balance as of end-of-period$ 415 $ 340 $ 415 $ 340 
     For the Three For the Nine 
    Months Ended Months Ended 
    September 30, September 30, 
    2012  2011  2012  2011  
Balance as of beginning-of-period$ 415 $ 340 $ 390 $ 319 
 Increases attributable to:            
  Credit losses on securities for which an OTTI was not previously recognized  19   11   74   40 
  Credit losses on securities for which an OTTI waspreviously recognized  18   17   60   57 
 Decreases attributable to:            
  Securities sold  (19)  (6)  (91)  (54
   Balance as of end-of-period$ 433 $ 362 $ 433 $ 362 

During 2012 and 2011, we recorded credit losses on securities for which an OTTI was not previously recognized as we determined the cash flows expected to be collected would not be sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the debt security.  The credit losses we recorded on securities for which an OTTI was not previously recognized were attributable primarily to one or a combination of the following reasons:

·  Failure of the issuer of the security to make scheduled payments;
·  Deterioration of creditworthiness of the issuer;
·  Deterioration of conditions specifically related to the security;
·  Deterioration of fundamentals of the industry in which the issuer operates;
·  Deterioration of fundamentals in the economy including, but not limited to, higher unemployment and lower housing prices; and
·  Deterioration of the rating of the security by a rating agency.

We recognize the OTTI attributed to the noncredit portion as a separate component in OCI referred to as unrealized OTTI on AFS securities.

Details of the amount of credit loss of OTTI recognized in net income (loss) where the portion related to other factors was recognized in OCI (in millions), were as follows:

 As of June 30, 2012  As of September 30, 2012 
   Gross Unrealized   OTTI in    Gross Unrealized   OTTI in 
 Amortized   Losses and Fair Credit  Amortized   Losses and Fair Credit 
 Cost Gains OTTI Value Losses  Cost Gains OTTI Value Losses 
Corporate bondsCorporate bonds$ 239 $ 1 $ 104 $ 136 $ 73 Corporate bonds$259 $2 $104 $157 $78 
RMBSRMBS  697   5   91   611   268 RMBS 662  19  42  639  267 
CMBSCMBS  46   -   24   22   74 CMBS 43  1  20  24  88 
Total$ 982 $ 6 $ 219 $ 769 $ 415 Total$964 $22 $166 $820 $433 

  As of December 31, 2011 
    Gross Unrealized   OTTI in 
  Amortized   Losses and Fair Credit 
  Cost Gains OTTI Value Losses 
Corporate bonds$169 $1 $67 $103 $51 
RMBS 690  1  128  563  301 
CMBS 17  -  10  7  38 
 Total$876 $2 $205 $673 $390 

 
1415

 
  As of December 31, 2011 
    Gross Unrealized   OTTI in 
  Amortized   Losses and Fair Credit 
  Cost Gains OTTI Value Losses 
Corporate bonds$ 169 $ 1 $ 67 $ 103 $ 51 
RMBS  690   1   128   563   301 
CMBS  17   -   10   7   38 
 Total$ 876 $ 2 $ 205 $ 673 $ 390 

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate

Mortgage loans on real estate principally involve commercial real estate.  The commercial loans are geographically diversified throughout the U.S. with the largest concentrations in California and Texas, which accounted for 31% and 32% of mortgage loans on real estate as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, respectively.2011.

The following provides the current and past due composition of our mortgage loans on real estate (in millions):

 As of As of   As of As of 
 June 30,December 31,  September 30, December 31, 
 2012  2011    2012 2011 
CurrentCurrent$ 6,736 $ 6,858  Current$6,646 $6,858 
60 to 90 days past due60 to 90 days past due  3   26  60 to 90 days past due 15  26 
Greater than 90 days past dueGreater than 90 days past due  80   76  Greater than 90 days past due 40  76 
Valuation allowance associated with impaired mortgage loans on real estateValuation allowance associated with impaired mortgage loans on real estate  (26)  (31) Valuation allowance associated with impaired mortgage loans on real estate (21) (31)
Unamortized premium (discount)Unamortized premium (discount)  11   13  Unamortized premium (discount) 10  13 
Total carrying value$ 6,804 $ 6,942  Total carrying value$6,690 $6,942 

The number of impaired mortgage loans on real estate, each of which had an associated specific valuation allowance, and the carrying value of impaired mortgage loans on real estate (dollars in millions) were as follows:

 As of As of   As of As of 
 June 30,December 31,  September 30, December 31, 
 2012  2011    2012  2011  
Number of impaired mortgage loans on real estateNumber of impaired mortgage loans on real estate 9  12  Number of impaired mortgage loans on real estate 9  12 
              
Principal balance of impaired mortgage loans on real estatePrincipal balance of impaired mortgage loans on real estate$ 66 $ 100  Principal balance of impaired mortgage loans on real estate$ 65 $ 100 
Valuation allowance associated with impaired mortgage loans on real estateValuation allowance associated with impaired mortgage loans on real estate  (26)  (31) Valuation allowance associated with impaired mortgage loans on real estate  (21)  (31)
Carrying value of impaired mortgage loans on real estate$ 40 $ 69  Carrying value of impaired mortgage loans on real estate$ 44 $ 69 

The average carrying value on the impaired mortgage loans on real estate (in millions) was as follows:

For the Three For the Six  For the Three For the Nine 
Months Ended Months Ended  Months Ended Months Ended 
June 30, June 30,  September 30, September 30, 
2012 2011 2012 2011  2012 2011 2012 2011 
Average carrying value for impaired mortgage loans on real estate$49 $53 $56 $54  $42 $58 $52 $55 
Interest income recognized on impaired mortgage loans on real estate -  -  -  1   1  -  1  2 
Interest income collected on impaired mortgage loans on real estate -  1  -  2   1  -  1  2 
15


As described in Note 1 in our 2011 Form 10-K, we use the loan-to-value and debt-service coverage ratios as credit quality indicators for our mortgage loans, which were as follows (dollars in millions):

 As of June 30, 2012 As of December 31, 2011  As of September 30, 2012 As of December 31, 2011 
       Debt-       Debt-        Debt-       Debt- 
       Service       Service        Service       Service 
 Principal % of Coverage Principal % of Coverage  Principal  % of  Coverage Principal  % of  Coverage 
Loan-to-ValueLoan-to-ValueAmount Total Ratio Amount Total Ratio Loan-to-ValueAmount  Total  Ratio Amount  Total  Ratio 
Less than 65%Less than 65%$ 5,395   79.1% 1.63  $ 5,338   76.7% 1.61  Less than 65%$5,258  78.5% 1.66 $5,338  76.7% 1.61 
65% to 74%65% to 74%  1,008   14.8% 1.41   1,198   17.2% 1.37  65% to 74% 948  14.1% 1.39  1,198  17.2% 1.37 
75% to 100%75% to 100%  334   4.9% 0.90   308   4.4% 0.92  75% to 100% 424  6.3% 0.80  308  4.4% 0.92 
Greater than 100%Greater than 100%  82   1.2% 0.32    116   1.7% 0.36  Greater than 100% 71  1.1% 0.60  116  1.7% 0.36 
Total mortgage loans on real estate$ 6,819   100.0%   $ 6,960   100.0%   Total mortgage loans on real estate$6,701  100.0%   $6,960  100.0%   

 
16


Alternative Investments 

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, alternative investments included investments in 9799 and 96 different partnerships, respectively, and the portfolio represented less than 1% of our overall invested assets.

Realized Gain (Loss) Related to Certain Investments

The detail of the realized gain (loss) related to certain investments (in millions) was as follows:

  For the Three For the Six   For the Three For the Nine 
  Months Ended Months Ended   Months Ended Months Ended 
  June 30, June 30,   September 30, September 30, 
  2012  2011  2012  2011    2012  2011  2012  2011  
Fixed maturity AFS securities:Fixed maturity AFS securities:           Fixed maturity AFS securities:           
Gross gains$ 3 $ 31 $ 8 $ 67 Gross gains$ 4 $ 17 $ 12 $ 84 
Gross losses  (49)  (51)  (112)  (114Gross losses  (49)  (63)  (161)  (177
Equity AFS securities:Equity AFS securities:           Equity AFS securities:           
Gross gains  -   1  1   9 Gross gains  -   -  1   10 
Gain (loss) on other investmentsGain (loss) on other investments  (5)  (8)  2   5 Gain (loss) on other investments  (10)  (3)  (8)  1 
Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and changes in other contract holder funds
Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and changes in other contract holder funds
  -   (5)  2   (14)Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and changes in other contract holder funds  1   4   3   (10
 Total realized gain (loss) related to certain investments$ (51)$ (32)$ (99)$ (47) Total realized gain (loss) related to certain investments$ (54)$ (45)$ (153)$ (92
16


Details underlying write-downs taken as a result of OTTI (in millions) that were recognized in net income (loss) and included in realized gain (loss) on AFS securities above, and the portion of OTTI recognized in OCI (in millions) were as follows:

  For the Three For the Six   For the Three For the Nine 
  Months Ended Months Ended   Months Ended Months Ended 
  June 30, June 30,   September 30, September 30, 
  2012  2011  2012  2011    2012 2011 2012 2011 
OTTI Recognized in Net Income (Loss)OTTI Recognized in Net Income (Loss)           OTTI Recognized in Net Income (Loss)        
Corporate bondsCorporate bonds$ (10)$ (2)$ (29)$ (6Corporate bonds$(5)$(3)$(34)$(9)
RMBSRMBS  (14)  (23)  (32)  (43)RMBS (16) (22) (48) (65)
CMBSCMBS  (16)  (15)  (36)  (39)CMBS (14) (8) (50) (47)
CDOsCDOs  -  -  -  (1)CDOs (2) -  (2) (1)
Hybrid and redeemable preferred securitiesHybrid and redeemable preferred securities  -   -   -   (2)Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities -  -  -  (2)
Gross OTTI recognized in net income (loss)  (40)  (40)  (97)  (91)Gross OTTI recognized in net income (loss) (37) (33) (134) (124)
Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL  7   9   17   19 Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL 5  7  22  26 
 Net OTTI recognized in net income (loss), pre-tax$ (33)$ (31)$ (80)$ (72) Net OTTI recognized in net income (loss), pre-tax$(32)$(26)$(112)$(98)
                    .    
Portion of OTTI Recognized in OCIPortion of OTTI Recognized in OCI         Portion of OTTI Recognized in OCI            
Gross OTTI recognized in OCIGross OTTI recognized in OCI$ 21 $ 19 $ 79 $ 27 Gross OTTI recognized in OCI$(17)$(21)$(96)$(48)
Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFELChange in DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL  (4)  (3)  (12)  (8)Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL 2  3  14  11 
Net portion of OTTI recognized in OCI, pre-tax$ 17 $ 16 $ 67 $ 19 Net portion of OTTI recognized in OCI, pre-tax$(15)$(18)$(82)$(37)

Determination of Credit Losses on Corporate Bonds and CDOs

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, we reviewed our corporate bond and CDO portfolios for potential shortfall in contractual principal and interest based on numerous subjective and objective inputs.  The factors used to determine the amount of credit loss for each individual security, include, but are not limited to, near term risk, substantial discrepancy between book and market value, sector or company-specific volatility, negative operating trends and trading levels wider than peers.

17


Credit ratings express opinions about the credit quality of a security.  Securities rated investment grade, that is those rated BBB- or higher by Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) Rating Services or Baa3 or higher by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), are generally considered by the rating agencies and market participants to be low credit risk.  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, 96% of the fair value of our corporate bond portfolio was rated investment grade.  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, the portion of our corporate bond portfolio rated below investment grade had an amortized cost of $2.7$2.8 billion and $2.6 billion and a fair value of $2.5$2.7 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively.  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, 98% and 97%, respectively, of the fair value of our CDO portfolio was rated investment grade.  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, the portion of our CDO portfolio rated below investment grade had an amortized cost and fair value of $3 million.$3.5 million and $2.6 million, respectively. Based upon the analysis discussed above, we believed as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, that we would recover the amortized cost of each investment grade corporate bond and CDO security.

For securities where we recorded an OTTI recognized in net income (loss) for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, the recovery as a percentage of amortized cost was 92%93% and 98%, respectively, for corporate bonds and 90% and  0% respectively for CDOs.

Determination of Credit Losses on MBS

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, default rates were projected by considering underlying MBS loan performance and collateral type.  Projected default rates on existing delinquencies vary between 25% to 100% depending on loan type and severity of delinquency status.  In addition, we estimate the potential contributions of currently performing loans that may become delinquent in the future based on the change in delinquencies and loan liquidations experienced in the recent history.  Finally, we develop a default rate timing curve by aggregating the defaults for all loans (delinquent loans, foreclosure and real estate owned and new delinquencies from currently performing loans) in the pool to project the future expected cash flows. 

We use certain available loan characteristics such as lien status, loan sizes and occupancy to estimate the loss severity of loans.  Second lien loans are assigned 100% severity, if defaulted.  For first lien loans, we assume a minimum of 30% severity with higher severity assumed for investor properties and further housing price depreciation.


 
1718

 

Payables for Collateral on Investments

The carrying values of the payables for collateral on investments (in millions) included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and the fair value of the related investments or collateral consisted of the following:

 As of June 30, 2012 As of December 31, 2011 
 Carrying Fair Carrying Fair  As of September 30, 2012 As of December 31, 2011 
 Value Value Value Value  Carrying Fair Carrying Fair 
 of Payables of Collateral of Payables of Collateral  Value Value Value Value 
Collateral payable held for derivative investments (1)
Collateral payable held for derivative investments (1)
$3,441 $3,441 $2,980 $2,980 
Collateral payable held for derivative investments (1)
$2,953 $2,953 $2,980 $2,980 
Securities pledged under securities lending agreements (2)
Securities pledged under securities lending agreements (2)
200  194  200  193 
Securities pledged under securities lending agreements (2)
 196  190  200  193 
Securities pledged under reverse repurchase agreements (3)
Securities pledged under reverse repurchase agreements (3)
 280  293  280  294 
Securities pledged under reverse repurchase agreements (3)
 280  294  280  294 
Securities pledged for Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility ("TALF") (4)
Securities pledged for Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility ("TALF") (4)
 49  66  173  199 
Securities pledged for Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility ("TALF") (4)
 37  52  173  199 
Investments pledged for Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis ("FHLBI") (5)
 1,100  2,013  100  142 
Investments pledged for Federal Home Loan Bank ofIndianapolis Securities ("FHLBI") (5)
Investments pledged for Federal Home Loan Bank ofIndianapolis Securities ("FHLBI") (5)
 1,100  1,870  100  142 
Total payables for collateral on investments$5,070 $6,007 $3,733 $3,808 Total payables for collateral on investments$4,566 $5,359 $3,733 $3,808 

(1)  We obtain collateral based upon contractual provisions with our counterparties.  These agreements take into consideration the counterparties’ credit rating as compared to ours, the fair value of the derivative investments and specified thresholds that if exceeded result in the receipt of cash that is typically invested in cash and invested cash.  See Note 6 for details about maximum collateral potentially required to post on our credit default swaps.
(2)  Our pledged securities under securities lending agreements are included in fixed maturity AFS securities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  We generally obtain collateral in an amount equal to 102% and 105% of the fair value of the domestic and foreign securities, respectively.  We value collateral daily and obtain additional collateral when deemed appropriate.  The cash received in our securities lending program is typically invested in cash and invested cash or fixed maturity AFS securities.
(3)  Our pledged securities under reverse repurchase agreements are included in fixed maturity AFS securities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  We obtain collateral in an amount equal to 95% of the fair value of the securities, and our agreements with third parties contain contractual provisions to allow for additional collateral to be obtained when necessary.  The cash received in our reverse repurchase program is typically invested in fixed maturity AFS securities.
(4)  Our pledged securities for TALF are included in fixed maturity AFS securities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  We obtain collateral in an amount that has typically averaged 90% of the fair value of the TALF securities.  The cash received in these transactions is invested in fixed maturity AFS securities.
(5)  Our pledged investments for FHLBI are included in fixed maturity AFS securities and mortgage loans on real estate on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The collateral requirements are generally 105% to 115% of the fair value for fixed maturity AFS securities and 155% to 175% of the fair value for mortgage loans on real estate.  The cash received in these transactions is primarily invested in cash and invested cash or fixed maturity AFS securities.

Increase (decrease) in payables for collateral on investments (in millions) included on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows consisted of the following:

 For the Six   For the Nine 
 Months Ended   Months Ended 
 June 30,   September 30, 
 2012 2011   2012 2011 
Collateral payable held for derivative investmentsCollateral payable held for derivative investments$461 $223  Collateral payable held for derivative investments$(27)$1,793 
Securities pledged under securities lending agreementsSecurities pledged under securities lending agreements -  1  Securities pledged under securities lending agreements (4) (1)
Securities pledged for TALFSecurities pledged for TALF (124) (78) Securities pledged for TALF (136) (96)
Investments pledged for FHLBIInvestments pledged for FHLBI 1,000  -  Investments pledged for FHLBI 1,000  500 
Total increase (decrease) in payables for collateral on investments$1,337 $146  Total increase (decrease) in payables for collateral on investments$833 $2,196 

Investment Commitments

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, our investment commitments were $754$966 million, which included $233$231 million of limited partnerships (“LPs”), $339$405 million of private placements and $182$330 million of mortgage loans on real estate.


 
1819

 

Concentrations of Financial Instruments

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, our most significant investments in one issuer were our investments in securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation with a fair value of $4.5$4.1 billion and $5.0 billion, respectively, or 4% and 5% of our invested assets portfolio, respectively, and our investments in securities issued by Fannie Mae with a fair value of $2.5$2.4 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively, or 2% and 3% of our invested assets portfolio.portfolio, respectively.  These investments are included in corporate bonds in the tables above.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, our most significant investments in one industry were our investment securities in the electric industry with a fair value of $8.1$8.5 billion and $7.7 billion, respectively, or 9% and 8% of our invested assets portfolio, respectively, and our investment securities in the collateralized mortgage obligationsbanking industry with a fair value of $5.0$4.9 billion and $5.6 billion, or 5% and 6% of our invested assets portfolio, respectively.  We utilized the industry classifications to obtain the concentration of financial instruments amount; as such, this amount will not agree to the AFS securities table above.

5.6.  Derivative Instruments
 
We maintain an overall risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to minimize significant unplanned fluctuations in earnings that are caused by interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange risk, equity market risk, default risk, basis risk and credit risk.  See Note 1 in our 2011 Form 10-K for a detailed discussion of the accounting treatment for derivative instruments.  See Note 6 in our 2011 Form 10-K for a detailed discussion of our derivative instruments and use of them in our overall risk management strategy which information is incorporated herein by reference.  In addition, we have entered into forward-starting interest rate swaps that hedge the interest rate risk of floating rate bond coupon payments by replicating a fixed rate bond.  See Note 1213 for additional disclosures related to the fair value of our derivative instruments and Note 34 for derivative instruments related to our consolidated VIEs.

We have derivative instruments with off-balance-sheet risks whose notional or contract amounts exceed the credit exposure.  Outstanding derivative instruments with off-balance-sheet risks (in millions) were as follows:

  As of June 30, 2012 As of December 31, 2011   As of September 30, 2012 As of December 31, 2011 
  Notional Fair Value Notional Fair Value   Notional Fair Value Notional Fair Value 
  Amounts Asset Liability Amounts Asset Liability   Amounts Asset Liability Amounts Asset Liability 
Qualifying HedgesQualifying Hedges               Qualifying Hedges            
Cash flow hedges:Cash flow hedges:             Cash flow hedges:            
Interest rate contracts (1)
$ 3,418 $ 190 $ - $ 2,512 $ 130 $ - Interest rate contracts (1)$3,336 $210 $- $2,512 $130 $- 
Foreign currency contracts (1)
  420   37   -   340   38   - Foreign currency contracts (1) 420  25  -  340  38  - 
 Total cash flow hedges  3,838   227   -   2,852   168   -  Total cash flow hedges 3,756  235  -  2,852  168  - 
Fair value hedges:Fair value hedges:             Fair value hedges:                  
Interest rate contracts (1)
  1,175  325  -  1,675  319  - Interest rate contracts (1) 875  307  -  1,675  319  - 
Equity collar (1)
  9   -   -   -   -   - Equity collar (1) 9  -  -  -  -  - 
 Total fair value hedges  1,184   325   -   1,675   319   -  Total fair value hedges 884  307  -  1,675  319  - 
Non-Qualifying HedgesNon-Qualifying Hedges             Non-Qualifying Hedges                  
Interest rate contracts (1)
Interest rate contracts (1)
  36,599  777  -  30,232  568  - 
Interest rate contracts (1)
 36,714  750  -  30,232  568  - 
Foreign currency contracts (1)
Foreign currency contracts (1)
  196  -  -  4  -  - 
Foreign currency contracts (1)
 138  -  -  4  -  - 
Equity market contracts (1)
Equity market contracts (1)
  19,182  2,071  -  16,401  2,096  - 
Equity market contracts (1)
 19,276  1,780  -  16,401  2,096  - 
Credit contracts (1)
Credit contracts (1)
  46  (1)  -  48  -  - 
Credit contracts (1)
 47  -  3  48  -  - 
Credit contracts (2)
Credit contracts (2)
  148  -  11  148  -  16 
Credit contracts (2)
 188  -  16  148  -  16 
Embedded derivatives:Embedded derivatives:             Embedded derivatives:                  
Indexed annuity contracts (3)
  -  -  431  -  -  399 Indexed annuity contracts (3) -  -  733  -  -  399 
Guaranteed living benefits ("GLB") reserves (3)
  -  -  1,926  -  -  2,217 Guaranteed living benefits ("GLB") reserves (3) -  -  1,411  -  -  2,217 
Reinsurance related (4)
  -   -   185   -   -   168 Reinsurance related (4) -  -  215  -  -  168 
 Total derivative instruments$ 61,193 $ 3,399 $ 2,553 $ 51,360 $ 3,151 $ 2,800   Total derivative instruments$61,003 $3,072 $2,378 $51,360 $3,151 $2,800 

(1)  Reported in derivative investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2)  Reported in other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(3)  Reported in future contract benefits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(4)  Reported in reinsurance related embedded derivatives on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 
1920

 

The maturity of the notional amounts of derivative instruments (in millions) was as follows:

 Remaining Life as of June 30, 2012  Remaining Life as of September 30, 2012 
 Less Than 1 – 5 6 – 10 11 – 30 Over 30    Less Than 1 – 5 6 – 10 11 – 30 Over 30   
 1 Year Years Years Years Years Total  1 Year Years Years Years Years Total 
Interest rate contracts (1)
Interest rate contracts (1)
$ 3,389 $ 11,942 $ 14,478 $ 10,169 $ 1,213 $ 41,191 
Interest rate contracts (1)
$ 3,110 $ 20,203 $ 6,307 $ 10,092 $ 1,213 $ 40,925 
Foreign currency contracts (2)
Foreign currency contracts (2)
  196   179   130   111   -   616 
Foreign currency contracts (2)
  138   179   191   50   -   558 
Equity market contractsEquity market contracts  9,978   3,305   5,881   24   3   19,191 Equity market contracts  9,917   3,863   5,477   25   3   19,285 
Credit contractsCredit contracts  40   155   -   -   -   195 Credit contracts  40   195   -   -   -   235 
Total derivative instruments with notional amounts
$ 13,603 $ 15,581 $ 20,489 $ 10,304 $ 1,216 $ 61,193 Total derivative instruments with notional amounts$ 13,205 $ 24,440 $ 11,975 $ 10,167 $ 1,216 $ 61,003 

(1)  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, the latest maturity date for which we were hedging our exposure to the variability in future cash flows for these instruments was April 2067.June 2042.
(2)  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, the latest maturity date for which we were hedging our exposure to the variability in future cash flows for these instruments was April 2028.

The change in our unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments in accumulated OCI (in millions) was as follows:

  For the Six    For the Nine 
  Months Ended    Months Ended 
  June 30,    September 30, 
  2012 2011    2012  2011  
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative InstrumentsUnrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments     Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments      
Balance as of beginning-of-yearBalance as of beginning-of-year$119 $(15) Balance as of beginning-of-year$ 119 $ (15
Other comprehensive income (loss):Other comprehensive income (loss):       Other comprehensive income (loss):      
Cumulative effect from adoption of new accounting standardsCumulative effect from adoption of new accounting standards  -   4 
Cumulative effect from adoption of new accounting standards -  3  Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the year:      
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the year:        Cash flow hedges:      
 Cash flow hedges:        Interest rate contracts  67   178 
 Interest rate contracts 38  (41)  Foreign currency contracts  (3)  7 
 Foreign currency contracts (3 5   Fair value hedges:      
 Fair value hedges:        Interest rate contracts  3   3 
 Interest rate contracts 2  2  Change in foreign currency exchange rate adjustment  (7)  (1
Change in foreign currency exchange rate adjustment 2  (14) Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL  9   (1
Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL 4  -  Transfers from derivative instruments to bonds through basis adjustment 13  - 
Income tax benefit (expense) (16 18  Income tax benefit (expense)  (30)  (65
Less:       Less:      
 Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income (loss):        Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income (loss):      
 Cash flow hedges:        Cash flow hedges:     
 Interest rate contracts (1) (11 (5)  
Interest rate contracts (1)
  (17)  (6
 Interest rate contracts (2) -  1   
Interest rate contracts (2)
  -   3 
 Foreign currency contracts (1) 2  (7)  
Foreign currency contracts (1)
  3   (3
 Fair value hedges:        Fair value hedges:      
 Interest rate contracts (2) 2  2   
Interest rate contracts (2)
  3   3 
 Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL 1  1   Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL  2   - 
 Income tax benefit (expense) 2  3   Income tax benefit (expense)  3   1 
 Balance as of end-of-period$150 $(37)  Balance as of end-of-period$ 177 $ 112 

(1)  The OCI offset is reported within net investment income on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
(2)  The OCI offset is reported within interest and debt expense on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

 
2021

 

The gains (losses) on derivative instruments (in millions) recorded within income (loss) from continuing operations on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) were as follows:

For the Three For the Six   For the Three For the Nine 
Months Ended Months Ended   Months Ended Months Ended 
June 30, June 30,   September 30, September 30, 
2012 2011 2012 2011   2012 2011 2012 2011 
Qualifying Hedges        Qualifying Hedges        
Cash flow hedges:        Cash flow hedges:        
Interest rate contracts (1)$(4)$(4)$(11)$(5)
Foreign currency contracts (1) -  (1) 2  1 
Total cash flow hedges (4) (5) (9) (4)
Interest rate contracts (1)$(6)$(2)$(17)$(7)
Foreign currency contracts (1) 2  2  4  3 
 Total cash flow hedges (4) -  (13) (4)
Fair value hedges:            Fair value hedges:            
Interest rate contracts (2) 11  13  23  25 
Interest rate contracts (2) 5  13  28  38 
Non-Qualifying Hedges            Non-Qualifying Hedges            
Interest rate contracts (1) (16) (10 (18) (16)
Interest rate contracts (1)
 (4) (25) (23) (41)
Interest rate contracts (3) 622  88  208  27 
Interest rate contracts (3)
 (2) 982  206  1,008 
Foreign currency contracts (3) -  (1) (4) (5)
Foreign currency contracts (3)
 (4) (5) (8) (11)
Equity market contracts (3) 241  64  (430) (135)
Equity market contracts (3)
 (343) 694  (773) 560 
Equity market contracts (4) 26  (15) (109) (34)
Equity market contracts (4)
 (136) 154  (246) 120 
Credit contracts (1) (1) -  (2) - 
Credit contracts (1)
 -  (1) (1) (1)
Credit contracts (3) 1  (1) 6  3 
Credit contracts (3)
 (7) (8) (2) (6)
Embedded derivatives:            Embedded derivatives:            
Indexed annuity contracts (3) 23  6  (80) 54 
GLB reserves (3) (862) (160) 291  130 
Reinsurance related (3) (27) (28) (18) (18)
AFS securities (1) -  -  -  1 
Total derivative instruments$14 $(49)$(142)$28 
Indexed annuity contracts (3) (63) 135  (143) 81 
GLB reserves (3) 570  (2,065) 861  (1,935)
Reinsurance related (3) (30) (58) (48) (76)
AFS securities (1) -  -  -  1 
 Total derivative instruments$(18)$(184)$(162)$(266)

(1)  Reported in net investment income on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
(2)  Reported in interest and debt expense on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
(3)  Reported in realized gain (loss) on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
(4)  Reported in commissions and other expenses on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Gains (losses) (in millions) on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges were as follows:

 For the Three For the Six 
 Months Ended Months Ended 
 June 30, June 30, 
 2012 2011 2012 2011 
Gain (loss) recognized as a component of OCI with the offset to net investment income
$(6)$(4)$(10)$(4)
 For the Three For the Nine 
 Months Ended Months Ended 
 September 30, September 30, 
 2012 2011 2012 2011 
Gain (loss) recognized as a component of OCI with the offset to net investment income$(5)$- $(15)$(4)

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, $21$22 million of the deferred net losses on derivative instruments in accumulated OCI were expected to be reclassified to earnings during the next 12 months.  This reclassification would be due primarily to the interest rate variances related to the interest rate swap agreements.

For the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, there were no material reclassifications to earnings due to hedged firm commitments no longer deemed probable or due to hedged forecasted transactions that had not occurred by the end of the originally specified time period.


 
2122

 

Gains (losses) (in millions) on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as fair value hedges were as follows:

 For the Three For the Six 
 Months Ended Months Ended 
 June 30, June 30, 
 2012  2011  2012  2011  
Gain (loss) recognized as a component of OCI with the offset to interest expense
$ 1 $ 1 $ 2 $ 2 
 For the Three For the Nine 
 Months Ended Months Ended 
 September 30, September 30, 
 2012 2011 2012 2011 
Gain (loss) recognized as a component of OCI with the offset to interest expense$1 $1 $3 $3 

Information related to our open credit default swap liabilities for which we are the seller (dollars in millions) was as follows:

As of June 30, 2012 
As of September 30, 2012As of September 30, 2012 
        Credit             Credit       
  Reason Nature Rating of Number   Maximum  Reason Nature Rating of Number   Maximum 
  for of Underlying of Fair Potential  for of Underlying of Fair Potential 
MaturityMaturity Entering Recourse Obligation (1) Instruments 
Value (2)
 Payout  Entering Recourse Obligation (1) Instruments 
Value (2)
 Payout 
12/20/2012(3)12/20/2012(3)(3)(5) (6) BBB+   4  $ -  $ 40  12/20/2012(3)  (5)  (6) BBB+  4  $ -  $ 40  
12/20/2016(4)12/20/2016(4)(4)(5) (6) BBB   3   (8)   68  12/20/2016(4)  (5)  (6) BBB-  3   (6)   68  
03/20/2017(4)03/20/2017(4)(4)(5) (6) BBB   2    (3)   40  03/20/2017(4)  (5)  (6) BBB-  4    (11)   81  
            9  $ (11) $ 148          11  $ (17) $ 189  

As of December 31, 2011 
As of December 31, 2011As of December 31, 2011 
        Credit              Credit        
  Reason Nature Rating of Number   Maximum  Reason Nature Rating of Number   Maximum 
  for of Underlying of Fair Potential  for of Underlying of Fair Potential 
Maturity Maturity Entering Recourse Obligation (1) Instruments 
Value (2)
 Payout  Entering Recourse 
Obligation (1)
 Instruments 
Value (2)
 Payout 
12/20/2012(3)12/20/2012(3)(3)(5) (6) BBB+   4  $ -  $ 40  12/20/2012(3)  (5)  (6) BBB+  4  $ -  $ 40  
12/20/2016(4)12/20/2016(4)(4)(5) (6) BBB+   3   (12)   68  12/20/2016(4)  (5)  (6) BBB+  3   (12)   68  
03/20/2017(4)03/20/2017(4)(4)(5) (6) BBB   2    (4)   40  03/20/2017(4)  (5)  (6) BBB  2    (4)   40  
            9  $ (16) $ 148          9  $ (16) $ 148  

(1)  Represents average credit ratings based on the midpoint of the applicable ratings among Moody’s, S&P and Fitch Ratings, as scaled to the corresponding S&P ratings.
(2)  Broker quotes are used to determine the market value of credit default swaps.
(3)  These credit default swaps were sold to our contract holders prior to 2007, where we determined there was a spread versus premium mismatch.
(4)  These credit default swaps were sold to a counter-party of the consolidated VIEs as discussed in Note 4 in our 2011 Form 10-K.
(5)  Credit default swaps were entered into in order to generate income by providing default protection in return for a quarterly payment.
(6)  Sellers do not have the right to demand indemnification or compensation from third parties in case of a loss (payment) on the contract.
 
23


Details underlying the associated collateral of our open credit default swaps for which we are the seller, if credit risk related contingent features were triggered (in millions), are as follows:

   As of As of   As of As of 
  June 30,December 31,   September 30, December 31, 
   2012  2011    2012  2011  
Maximum potential payoutMaximum potential payout $ 148 $ 148 Maximum potential payout$ 189 $ 148 
Less:Less:       Less:      
Counterparty thresholds   -   - Counterparty thresholds  -   - 
 Maximum collateral potentially required to post $ 148 $ 148  Maximum collateral potentially required to post$ 189 $ 148 
22


Certain of our credit default swap agreements contain contractual provisions that allow for the netting of collateral with our counterparties related to all of our collateralized financing transactions that we have outstanding.  If these netting agreements were not in place, we would have been required to post approximately $11$16 million as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, after considering the fair values of the associated investments counterparties’ credit ratings as compared to ours and specified thresholds that once exceeded result in the payment of cash.

Credit Risk

We are exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by our counterparties on various derivative contracts and reflect assumptions regarding the credit or nonperformance risk.  The nonperformance risk is based upon assumptions for each counterparty’s credit spread over the estimated weighted average life of the counterparty exposure less collateral held.  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, the nonperformance risk adjustment was $6$4 million. The credit risk associated with such agreements is minimized by purchasing such agreements from financial institutions with long-standing, superior performance records.  Additionally, we maintain a policy of requiring all derivative contracts to be governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) Master Agreement.  We are required to maintain minimum ratings as a matter of routine practice in negotiating ISDA agreements.  Under some ISDA agreements, our insurance subsidiaries have agreed to maintain certain financial strength or claims-paying ratings.  A downgrade below these levels could result in termination of derivative contracts, at which time any amounts payable by us would be dependent on the market value of the underlying derivative contracts.  In certain transactions, we and the counterparty have entered into a collateral support agreement requiring either party to post collateral when net exposures exceed pre-determined thresholds.  These thresholds vary by counterparty and credit rating.  The amount of such exposure is essentially the net replacement cost or market value less collateral held for such agreements with each counterparty if the net market value is in our favor.  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, our exposure was $47$50 million.

The amounts recognized (in millions) by S&P credit rating of counterparty, for which we had the right to reclaim cash collateral or were obligated to return cash collateral, were as follows:

  As of June 30, 2012 As of December 31, 2011   As of September 30, 2012 As of December 31, 2011 
  Collateral Collateral Collateral Collateral   Collateral Collateral Collateral Collateral 
  Posted by Posted by Posted by Posted by   Posted by Posted by Posted by Posted by 
S&PS&P Counter- LNC Counter- LNC   Counter- LNC Counter- LNC 
CreditCredit Party (Held by Party (Held by   Party (Held by Party (Held by 
Rating ofRating of (Held by Counter- (Held by Counter-   (Held by Counter- (Held by Counter- 
CounterpartyCounterparty LNC) Party) LNC) Party)   LNC) Party) LNC) Party) 
                      
AAAA $ 43 $ - $ 35 $ -   $46 $- $35 $- 
AA-AA-   121  -  219  -    76  -  219  - 
A+A+   908  -  848  -    668  -  848  - 
AA   845  (109)  1,681  (120   879  (83) 1,681  (120)
A-A-   1,529   -   387   -    1,415  -  387  - 
BBB  2  -  -  - 
  $ 3,446 $ (109)$ 3,170 $ (120  $3,086 $(83)$3,170 $(120)

6.
24


7.  Federal Income Taxes

A reconciliation of the effective tax rate differences (in millions) was as follows:

   For the Three For the Nine 
   Months Ended Months Ended 
   September 30, September 30, 
 �� 2012 2011 2012 2011 
Tax rate times pre-tax income$146 $54 $409 $347 
Effect of:            
 Tax-preferred investment income (32) (47) (101) (107)
 Tax credits (17) (14) (38) (35)
 Change in uncertain tax positions (83) -  (83) - 
 Other items 31  1  37  9 
  Federal income tax expense (benefit)$45 $(6)$224 $214 
Effective tax rate 11% -4% 19% 22%
The effective tax rate is athe ratio of tax expense over pre-tax income (loss).  The effective tax rate was 27% and 24% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively.  The effective tax rate was 26% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011.  The effective tax rate on pre-taxtax-preferred investment income from continuing operations was lower than the prevailing corporate federal income tax rate.  Differences in the effective rates and the U.S. statutory rate of 35% were the result of certain tax preferred investment income,relates primarily to separate account dividends-received deduction, foreigndeductions.  The change in uncertain tax creditspositions relates primarily to the lapse of statute of limitations for prior year tax returns and excludes amounts included in other items.  Additional amounts related to uncertain tax preference items.positions are included in discontinued operations.  See Note 3 for information on amounts reflected in discontinued operations.  Other items include corrections of immaterial errors in prior period financial statements.  
As of September 30, 2012 and 2011, $94 million and $231 million, respectively, of our unrecognized tax benefits presented below, if recognized, would have affected our income tax expense and effective tax rate.  A reconciliation of the unrecognized tax benefits (in millions) was as follows:

   For the Nine 
   Months Ended 
   September 30, 
   2012 2011 
Balance as of beginning-of-year$316 $318 
 Decreases for prior year tax positions (200) (12)
 Increases for current year tax positions 27  2 
 Decreases for lapse of statute of limitations (74) - 
  Balance as of end-of-period$69 $308 
 
 
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7.8.  Guaranteed Benefit Features

Information on the guaranteed death benefit (“GDB”) features outstanding (dollars in millions) was as follows (our variable contracts with guarantees may offer more than one type of guarantee in each contract; therefore, the amounts listed are not mutually exclusive):

 As of As ofAs of As of 
 June 30,December 31,September 30, December 31, 
 2012 20112012  2011  
Return of Net Deposits             
Total account value $58,260 $54,004 $ 61,418 $ 54,004 
Net amount at risk (1)
  812  1,379   460   1,379 
Average attained age of contract holders  59 years  59 years  60 years  59 years 
Minimum Return             
Total account value $151 $155 $ 152 $ 155 
Net amount at risk (1)
  42  48   37   48 
Average attained age of contract holders  72 years  72 years  72 years  72 years 
Guaranteed minimum return  5
%
 5% 5% 5%
Anniversary Contract Value             
Total account value $22,255 $21,648 $ 22,968 $ 21,648 
Net amount at risk (1)
  1,963  2,939   1,305   2,939 
Average attained age of contract holders  67 years  67 years  67 years  67 years 

(1)  Represents the amount of death benefit in excess of the account balance.  The decrease in net amount at risk when comparing JuneSeptember 30, 2012, to December 31, 2011, was attributable primarily to the increase in the equity markets during the first sixnine months of 2012.

The determination of GDB liabilities is based on models that involve a range of scenarios and assumptions, including those regarding expected market rates of return and volatility, contract surrender rates and mortality experience.  The following summarizes the balances of and changes in the liabilities for GDB (in millions), which were recorded in future contract benefits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets:

   For the Six 
   Months Ended 
   June 30, 
   2012  2011  
Balance as of beginning-of-year$ 84 $ 44 
 Changes in reserves  7   16 
 Benefits paid  (24)  (19
  Balance as of end-of-period$ 67 $ 41 
   For the Nine 
   Months Ended 
   September 30, 
   2012 2011 
Balance as of beginning-of-year$84 $44 
 Changes in reserves 54  108 
 Benefits paid (36) (34)
  Balance as of end-of-period$102 $118 

Account balances of variable annuity contracts with guarantees (in millions) were invested in separate account investment options as follows:

 As of As of  As of As of 
 June 30,December 31, September 30, December 31, 
 2012  2011   2012 2011 
Asset TypeAsset Type      Asset Type      
Domestic equityDomestic equity$ 34,700 $ 34,286 Domestic equity$37,679 $34,286 
International equityInternational equity  13,194   13,095 International equity 14,466  13,095 
BondsBonds  18,148   17,735 Bonds 20,347  17,735 
Money marketMoney market  5,948   5,892 Money market 7,225  5,892 
Total$ 71,990 $ 71,008 Total$79,717 $71,008 
              
Percent of total variable annuity separate account valuesPercent of total variable annuity separate account values 93
%
 98
%
Percent of total variable annuity separate account values 98 % 98 %
 
 
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Future contract benefits also includes reserves for our products with secondary guarantees for our products sold through our Life Insurance segment.  These UL and VUL products with secondary guarantees represented 38% of permanent life insurance in force as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and 34%26% and 33%31% of total sales for these products for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012, respectively.respectively.

8.9.  Contingencies and Commitments

Regulatory bodies, such as state insurance departments, the SEC, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and other regulatory bodies, regularly make inquiries and conduct examinations or investigations concerning our compliance with, among other things, insurance laws, securities laws, laws governing the activities of broker-dealers, registered investment advisors and unclaimed property laws.

LNC and its subsidiaries are involved in various pending or threatened legal or regulatory proceedings, including purported class actions, arising from the conduct of business both in the ordinary course and otherwise.  In some of the matters, very large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages, are sought.  Modern pleading practice in the U.S. permits considerable variation in the assertion of monetary damages or other relief.  Jurisdictions may permit claimants not to specify the monetary damages sought or may permit claimants to state only that the amount sought is sufficient to invoke the jurisdiction of the trial court.  In addition, jurisdictions may permit plaintiffs to allege monetary damages in amounts well exceeding reasonably possible verdicts in the jurisdiction for similar matters.  This variability in pleadings, together with the actual experiences of LNC in litigating or resolving through settlement numerous claims over an extended period of time, demonstrates to management that the monetary relief which may be specified in a lawsuit or claim bears little relevance to its merits or disposition value.

Due to the unpredictable nature of litigation, the outcome of a litigation matter and the amount or range of potential loss at particular points in time is normally difficult to ascertain.  Uncertainties can include how fact finders will evaluate documentary evidence and the credibility and effectiveness of witness testimony, and how trial and appellate courts will apply the law in the context of the pleadings or evidence presented, whether by motion practice, or at trial or on appeal.  Disposition valuations are also subject to the uncertainty of how opposing parties and their counsel will themselves view the relevant evidence and applicable law.

We establish liabilities for litigation and regulatory loss contingencies when information related to the loss contingencies shows both that it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.  It is possible that some matters could require us to pay damages or make other expenditures or establish accruals in amounts that could not be estimated as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012.  While the potential future charges could be material in the particular quarterly or annual periods in which they are recorded, based on information currently known by management, management does not believe any such charges are likely to have a material adverse effect on LNC’s financial position.

For some matters, the Company is able to estimate a reasonably possible range of loss.  For such matters in which a loss is probable, an accrual has been made.  For such matters where a loss is believed to be reasonably possible, but not probable, no accrual has been made.  Accordingly, the estimate contained in this paragraph reflects two types of matters.  For some matters included within this estimate, an accrual has been made, but there is a reasonable possibility that an exposure exists in excess of the amount accrued.  In these cases, the estimate reflects the reasonably possible range of loss in excess of the accrued amount.  For other matters included within this estimation, no accrual has been made because a loss, while potentially estimable, is believed to be reasonably possible but not probable.  In these cases, the estimate reflects the reasonably possible loss or range of loss. As of September 30, 2012, we estimate the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses, including amounts in excess of amounts accrued for these matters as of such date, to be up to approximately $200 million.

27

On June 13, 2009, a single named plaintiff filed a putative national class action in the Circuit Court of Allen County, Indiana, captioned Peter S. Bezich v. LNL, No. 02C01-0906-PL73, asserting he was charged a cost-of-insurance fee that exceeded the applicable mortality charge, and that this fee breached the terms of the insurance contract.  The parties are conducting fact discovery, and no class certification motion has yet been filed. We dispute the allegations and are vigorously defending this matter.

On July 23, 2012, The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company (“LNL”) was added as a noteholder defendant to a putative class action adversary proceeding (“Adversary Proceeding”) captioned Lehman Brothers Special Financing, Inc. v. Bank of America, N.A. et al., Adv. Pro. No. 10-03547 (JMP) and instituted under In re Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. in the United States Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York.  Plaintiff  Lehman Brothers Special Financing Inc. (“LBSF”) seeks to (i) overturn the application of certain priority of payment provisions in 47 collateralized debt obligation transactions on the basis such provisions are unenforceable under the Bankruptcy Code; and (ii) recover funds paid out to Noteholders in accordance with the Note agreements.  The Adversary proceeding is stayed through January 20, 2013, and LNL’s response is currently due to be filed on March 5, 2013.

Our life insurance subsidiaries are currently being audited on behalf of multiple states’ treasury and controllers’ offices for compliance with laws and regulations concerning the identification, reporting and escheatment of unclaimed contract benefits or abandoned funds.  The audits focus on insurance company processes and procedures for identifying unreported death claims, and their use of the Social Security Master Death File to identify deceased policy and contract holders.  In addition, our life insurance subsidiaries are the subject of multiple regulatory inquiries and examinations with a similar focus on the handling of unreported claims and abandoned property.  The audits and related examination activity may result in payments to beneficiaries, escheatment of funds deemed abandoned under state laws, administrative penalties and changes in our procedures for the identification of unreported claims and handling of escheatable property.

See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements in our 2011 Form 10-K for aadditional discussion of commitments and contingencies, which information is incorporated herein by reference.


 
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9.10.  Shares and Stockholders’ Equity

Common and Preferred Shares

The changes in our preferred and common stock (number of shares) were as follows:

 For the Three For the Six  For the Three For the Nine 
 Months Ended Months Ended  Months Ended Months Ended 
 June 30, June 30,  September 30, September 30, 
 2012 2011 2012 2011  2012 2011 2012 2011 
Series A Preferred StockSeries A Preferred Stock        Series A Preferred Stock        
Balance as of beginning-of-periodBalance as of beginning-of-period 9,632  10,914  10,072  10,914 Balance as of beginning-of-period 9,632  10,854  10,072  10,914 
Conversion of convertible preferred stock (1)Conversion of convertible preferred stock (1) -  (60) (440) (60)
Conversion of convertible preferred stock (1)
 (100) -  (540) (60)
Balance as of end-of-period 9,632  10,854  9,632  10,854 Balance as of end-of-period 9,532  10,854  9,532  10,854 
                         
Common StockCommon Stock            Common Stock            
Balance as of beginning-of-periodBalance as of beginning-of-period 285,412,303  313,456,824  291,319,222  315,718,554 Balance as of beginning-of-period 279,168,971  308,339,163  291,319,222  315,718,554 
Conversion of convertible preferred stock (1)Conversion of convertible preferred stock (1) -  960  7,040  960 
Conversion of convertible preferred stock (1)
 1,600  -  8,640  960 
Stock compensation/issued for benefit plansStock compensation/issued for benefit plans 230,198  30,772  334,395  182,906 Stock compensation/issued for benefit plans 60,238  32,712  394,633  215,618 
Retirement/cancellation of sharesRetirement/cancellation of shares (6,473,530) (5,149,393) (12,491,686) (7,563,257)Retirement/cancellation of shares (4,157,191) (6,712,700) (16,648,877) (14,275,957)
Balance as of end-of-period 279,168,971  308,339,163  279,168,971  308,339,163 Balance as of end-of-period 275,073,618  301,659,175  275,073,618  301,659,175 
                         
Common Stock as of End-of-PeriodCommon Stock as of End-of-Period            Common Stock as of End-of-Period            
Assuming conversion of preferred stockAssuming conversion of preferred stock 279,323,083  308,512,827  279,323,083  308,512,827 Assuming conversion of preferred stock 275,226,130  301,832,839  275,226,130  301,832,839 
Diluted basisDiluted basis 286,820,300  316,821,550  286,820,300  316,821,550 Diluted basis 282,361,186  306,899,902  282,361,186  306,899,902 

(1)Represents the conversion of Series A preferred stock into common stock.

Our common and Series A preferred stocks are without par value.


26


Average Shares

A reconciliation of the denominator (number of shares) in the calculations of basic and diluted EPS was as follows:

 For the Three For the Six  For the Three For the Nine 
 Months Ended Months Ended  Months Ended Months Ended 
 June 30, June 30,  September 30, September 30, 
 2012 2011 2012 2011  2012 2011 2012 2011 
Weighted-average shares, as used in basic calculationWeighted-average shares, as used in basic calculation 282,085,602  311,391,263  285,570,764  313,192,667 Weighted-average shares, as used in basic calculation 277,883,878  304,779,641  282,989,766  310,357,508 
Shares to cover exercise of outstanding warrantsShares to cover exercise of outstanding warrants 10,150,192  10,150,292  10,150,231  10,150,292 Shares to cover exercise of outstanding warrants 10,150,192  10,150,292  10,150,218  10,150,292 
Shares to cover conversion of preferred stockShares to cover conversion of preferred stock 154,112  174,603  154,305  174,613 Shares to cover conversion of preferred stock 153,886  173,664  154,165  174,293 
Shares to cover non-vested stockShares to cover non-vested stock 1,110,662  816,834  1,060,676  794,095 Shares to cover non-vested stock 1,141,821  815,594  1,087,724  801,261 
Average stock options outstanding during the periodAverage stock options outstanding during the period 507,944  633,711  554,614  796,792 Average stock options outstanding during the period 513,722  500,578  540,976  698,054 
Assumed acquisition of shares with assumed proceeds from exercising outstanding warrants
Assumed acquisition of shares with assumed proceeds from exercising outstanding warrants
 (4,887,102) (3,846,217) (4,760,822) (3,758,105)Assumed acquisition of shares with assumed proceeds from exercising outstanding warrants (4,840,576) (5,153,660) (4,787,407) (4,223,290)
Assumed acquisition of shares with assumed proceeds and benefits from exercising stock options (at average market price for the period)
Assumed acquisition of shares with assumed proceeds and benefits from exercising stock options (at average market price for the period)
 (346,700) (400,374) (380,239) (517,329)Assumed acquisition of shares with assumed proceeds and benefits from exercising stock options (at average market price for the period) (352,501) (342,848) (371,115) (459,168)
Shares repurchaseable from measured but unrecognized stock option expense
Shares repurchaseable from measured but unrecognized stock option expense
 (1,768) (36,857) (8,224) (104,962)Shares repurchaseable from measured but unrecognized stock option expense (210) (31,025) (5,553) (80,317)
Average deferred compensation sharesAverage deferred compensation shares 1,187,598  1,031,814  1,206,501  1,053,100 Average deferred compensation shares -  1,105,447  -  1,070,549 
Weighted-average shares, as used in diluted calculation 289,960,540  319,915,069  293,547,806  321,781,163 Weighted-average shares, as used in diluted calculation 284,650,212  311,997,683  289,758,774  318,489,182 

In the event the average market price of LNC common stock exceeds the issue price of stock options and the options have a dilutive effect to our EPS, such options will be shown in the table above.
We have participants in our deferred compensation plans who selected LNC stock as the measure for the investment return attributable to their deferral amounts.  For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the effect of settling this obligation in LNC stock (“equity classification”) was more dilutive than the scenario of settling it in cash (“liability classification”).  Therefore, for our EPS calculation for these periods, we added these shares to the denominator and adjusted the numerator to present net income as if the shares had been accounted for under equity classification by removing the mark-to-market adjustment included in net income attributable to these deferred units of LNC stock.  The amount of this adjustment was $4 million and $(2) million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and $1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011.

The income used in the calculation of our diluted EPS is our net income (loss), reduced by preferred stock dividends and accretion of discount.  These amounts are presented on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).


 
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Accumulated OCI

The following summarizes the components and changes in accumulated OCI (in millions):

  For the Six   For the Nine 
  Months Ended   Months Ended 
  June 30,   September 30, 
  2012  2011    2012  2011  
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on AFS SecuritiesUnrealized Gain (Loss) on AFS Securities     Unrealized Gain (Loss) on AFS Securities     
Balance as of beginning-of-yearBalance as of beginning-of-year$ 2,947 $ 1,072 Balance as of beginning-of-year$ 2,947 $ 1,072 
Cumulative effect from adoption of new accounting standards  -   105 Cumulative effect from adoption of new accounting standards  -   105 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period  1,276   627 Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period  2,804   3,232 
Change in foreign currency exchange rate adjustment  (6)  22 Change in foreign currency exchange rate adjustment  9   2 
Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI and other contract holder funds  (261)  (168)Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI and other contract holder funds  (724)  (791)
Income tax benefit (expense)  (395)  (136)Income tax benefit (expense)  (779)  (837)
Less:      Less:      
 Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income (loss)  (103)  (38) Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income (loss)  (148)  (83
 Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL  1   (15) Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL  1   (10)
 Income tax benefit (expense)  36   19  Income tax benefit (expense)  51   33 
 Balance as of end-of-period$ 3,627 $ 1,556  Balance as of end-of-period$ 4,353 $ 2,843 
Unrealized OTTI on AFS SecuritiesUnrealized OTTI on AFS Securities      Unrealized OTTI on AFS Securities      
Balance as of beginning-of-yearBalance as of beginning-of-year$ (110)$ (129)Balance as of beginning-of-year$ (110)$ (129)
(Increases) attributable to:      (Increases) attributable to:      
 Cumulative effect from adoption of new accounting standards  -   (5) Cumulative effect from adoption of new accounting standards  -   (5)
 Gross OTTI recognized in OCI during the period  (79)  (27) Gross OTTI recognized in OCI during the period  (96)  (48)
 Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI and other contract holder funds  12   8  Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL  14   11 
 Income tax benefit (expense)  26   7  Income tax benefit (expense)  31   13 
Decreases attributable to:      Decreases attributable to:      
 Sales, maturities or other settlements of AFS securities  62   67  Sales, maturities or other settlements of AFS securities  112   91 
 Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI and other contract holder funds  (8)  (13) Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL  (14)  (18)
 Income tax benefit (expense)  (20)  (19) Income tax benefit (expense)  (35)  (25)
 Balance as of end-of-period$ (117)$ (111) Balance as of end-of-period$ (98)$ (110)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative InstrumentsUnrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments      Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments      
Balance as of beginning-of-yearBalance as of beginning-of-year$ 119 $ (15)Balance as of beginning-of-year$ 119 $ (15)
Cumulative effect from adoption of new accounting standards  -   3 Cumulative effect from adoption of new accounting standards  -   4 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period  37   (34)Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period  67   188 
Change in foreign currency exchange rate adjustment  2   (14)Change in foreign currency exchange rate adjustment  (7)  (1)
Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL  4   - Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL  9   (1)
Income tax benefit (expense)  (16)  18 Transfers from derivative instruments to bonds through basis adjustment  13   - 
Less:      Income tax benefit (expense)  (30)  (65)
 Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income (loss)  (7)  (9)Less:      
 Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL  1   1  Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income (loss)  (11)  (3)
 Income tax benefit (expense)  2   3  Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL  2   - 
 Balance as of end-of-period$ 150 $ (37) Income tax benefit (expense)  3   1 
 Balance as of end-of-period$ 177 $ 112 
Foreign Currency Translation AdjustmentForeign Currency Translation Adjustment      Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment      
Balance as of beginning-of-yearBalance as of beginning-of-year$ 1 $ 1 Balance as of beginning-of-year$ 1 $ 1 
Foreign currency translation adjustment arising during the period  (8)  (6)Foreign currency translation adjustment arising during the period  (6)  3 
Income tax benefit (expense)  3   2 Income tax benefit (expense)  2   (1)
 Balance as of end-of-period$ (4)$ (3) Balance as of end-of-period$ (3)$ 3 
Funded Status of Employee Benefit PlansFunded Status of Employee Benefit Plans      Funded Status of Employee Benefit Plans      
Balance as of beginning-of-yearBalance as of beginning-of-year$ (278)$ (181)Balance as of beginning-of-year$ (278)$ (181)
Adjustment arising during the period  1   5 Adjustment arising during the period  (2)  (3)
Income tax benefit (expense)  -   (2)Income tax benefit (expense)  1   1 
 Balance as of end-of-period$ (277)$ (178) Balance as of end-of-period$ (279)$ (183)

 
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10.11.  Realized Gain (Loss)

Details underlying realized gain (loss) (in millions) reported on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) were as follows:

  For the Three For the Six   For the Three For the Nine 
  Months Ended Months Ended   Months Ended Months Ended 
  June 30, June 30,   September 30, September 30, 
  2012  2011  2012  2011    2012 2011 2012 2011 
Total realized gain (loss) related to certain investments (1)
Total realized gain (loss) related to certain investments (1)
$ (51)$ (32)$ (99)$ (47
Total realized gain (loss) related to certain investments (1)
$(54)$(45)$(153)$(92)
Realized gain (loss) on the mark-to-market on certain instruments (2)
Realized gain (loss) on the mark-to-market on certain instruments (2)
  (19)  (1)  39   9 
Realized gain (loss) on the mark-to-market on certain instruments (2)
 59  (105) 99  (95)
Indexed annuity net derivative results: (3)
Indexed annuity net derivative results: (3)
          
Indexed annuity net derivative results: (3)
            
Gross gain (loss)  (3)  1   19   7 Gross gain (loss) (5) (4) 14  3 
Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL  1   -   (5)  (2Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL -  1  (6) (2)
Variable annuity net derivatives results: (4)
Variable annuity net derivatives results: (4)
          
Variable annuity net derivatives results: (4)
            
Gross gain (loss)  148   34   14   44 Gross gain (loss) 92  (12) 107  33 
Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL  (33)  (11)  (11)  (18Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL (22) 2  (33) (17)
 Total realized gain (loss)$ 43 $ (9)$ (43)$ (7 Total realized gain (loss)$70 $(163)$28 $(170)

(1)  See “Realized Gain (Loss) Related to Certain Investments” section in Note 4.5.
(2)  Represents changes in the fair values of certain derivative investments (including those associated with our consolidated VIEs), total return swaps (embedded derivatives that are theoretically included in our various modified coinsurance and coinsurance with funds withheld reinsurance arrangements that have contractual returns related to various assets and liabilities associated with these arrangements) and trading securities.
(3)  Represents the net difference between the change in the fair value of the S&P 500 call options that we hold and the change in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities of our indexed annuity products along with changes in the fair value of embedded derivative liabilities related to index call options we may purchase in the future to hedge contract holder index allocations applicable to future reset periods for our indexed annuity products.
(4)  Includes the net difference in the change in embedded derivative reserves of our GLB products and the change in the fair value of the derivative instruments we own to hedge GDB and GLB products, including the cost of purchasing the hedging instruments.

11.
31


12.  Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans

We sponsor various incentive plans for our employees and directors and for the employees and agents of our subsidiaries that provide for the issuance of stock options, performance shares (performance-vested shares as opposed to time-vested shares), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) and restricted stock units.  We have a policy of issuing new shares to satisfy option exercises.

LNC stock-based awards granted were as follows:

 For the For the   For the For the 
 Three Six   Three Nine 
 Months Months   Months Months 
 Ended Ended   Ended Ended 
 June 30, June 30,   September 30, September 30, 
  2012   2012    2012  2012  
AwardsAwards      Awards     
10-year LNC stock options10-year LNC stock options  41,536  870,210  10-year LNC stock options  33,292  903,502 
Performance sharesPerformance shares  15,815  294,758  Performance shares  11,698  306,456 
SARsSARs  -  80,225  SARs  -  80,225 
Restricted stock unitsRestricted stock units  82,004  686,230  Restricted stock units  44,191  730,421 
Non-employee:Non-employee:      Non-employee:     
Agent stock options  90  99,178  Agent stock options  -  99,113 
Director stock options  -  51,140  Director stock options  -  51,140 
Director restricted stock units  12,218  22,346  Director restricted stock units  11,037  33,383 

 
2932

 


12.13.  Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying values and estimated fair values of our financial instruments (in millions) were as follows:

 As of June 30, 2012 As of December 31, 2011  As of September 30, 2012 As of December 31, 2011 
 Carrying Fair Carrying Fair  Carrying Fair Carrying Fair 
 Value Value Value Value  Value Value Value Value 
AssetsAssets        Assets        
AFS securities:AFS securities:        AFS securities:        
Fixed maturity securities$79,191 $79,191 $75,433 $75,433 Fixed maturity securities$81,179 $81,179 $75,433 $75,433 
VIEs' fixed maturity securities 705  705  700  700 VIEs' fixed maturity securities 706  706  700  700 
Equity securities 154  154  139  139 Equity securities 156  156  139  139 
Trading securitiesTrading securities 2,649  2,649  2,675  2,675 Trading securities 2,650  2,650  2,675  2,675 
Mortgage loans on real estateMortgage loans on real estate 6,804  7,463  6,942  7,608 Mortgage loans on real estate 6,690  7,338  6,942  7,608 
Derivative investmentsDerivative investments 3,399  3,399  3,151  3,151 Derivative investments 3,072  3,072  3,151  3,151 
Other investmentsOther investments 1,041  1,041  1,069  1,069 Other investments 1,123  1,123  1,069  1,069 
Cash and invested cashCash and invested cash 5,257  5,257  4,510  4,510 Cash and invested cash 4,373  4,373  4,510  4,510 
Separate account assetsSeparate account assets 88,839  88,839  83,477  83,477 Separate account assets 93,326  93,326  83,477  83,477 
                          
LiabilitiesLiabilities            Liabilities            
Future contract benefits:Future contract benefits:            Future contract benefits:            
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives (431) (431) (399) (399)Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives (733) (733) (399) (399)
GLB reserves embedded derivatives (1,926) (1,926) (2,217) (2,217)GLB reserves embedded derivatives (1,411) (1,411) (2,217) (2,217)
Other contract holder funds:Other contract holder funds:            Other contract holder funds:            
Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts (1,034) (1,034) (1,114) (1,114)Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts (914) (914) (1,114) (1,114)
Account values of certain investment contracts (27,916) (31,554) (27,468) (30,812)Account values of certain investment contracts (28,161) (32,344) (27,468) (30,812)
Short-term debt (1)Short-term debt (1) (300) (302) (300) (309)Short-term debt (1) (200) (201) (300) (309)
Long-term debtLong-term debt (5,719) (6,659) (5,391) (5,345)Long-term debt (5,494) (6,266) (5,391) (5,345)
Reinsurance related embedded derivativesReinsurance related embedded derivatives (185) (185) (168) (168)Reinsurance related embedded derivatives (215) (215) (168) (168)
VIEs' liabilities - derivative instrumentsVIEs' liabilities - derivative instruments (231) (231) (291) (291)VIEs' liabilities - derivative instruments (174) (174) (291) (291)
Other liabilities:Other liabilities:            Other liabilities:            
Deferred compensation plans (358) (358) (354) (354)Deferred compensation plans (378) (378) (354) (354)
Credit default swaps (11) (11) (16) (16)Credit default swaps (16) (16) (16) (16)

(1)  The difference between the carrying value and fair value of short-term debt as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, related to current maturities of long-term debt.

Valuation Methodologies and Associated Inputs for Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value

The following discussion outlines the methodologies and assumptions used to determine the fair value of our financial instruments not carried at fair value on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Considerable judgment is required to develop these assumptions used to measure fair value.  Accordingly, the estimates shown are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that would be realized in a one-time, current market exchange of all of our financial instruments.

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate

The fair value of mortgage loans on real estate is established using a discounted cash flow method based on credit rating, maturity and future income.  The ratings for mortgages in good standing are based on property type, location, market conditions, occupancy, debt-service coverage, loan-to-value, quality of tenancy, borrower and payment record.  The fair value for impaired mortgage loans is based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  The inputs used to measure the fair value of our mortgage loans on real estate are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.


 
3033

 

Other Investments

The carrying value of our assets classified as other investments approximates fair value.  Other investments include LPs and other privately held investments that are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and the carrying value is based on our proportional share of the net assets of the LPs.  The inputs used to measure the fair value of our other investments are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.

Other Contract Holder Funds

Other contract holder funds include remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts and account values of certain investment contracts.  The fair value for the remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts is estimated using discounted cash flow calculations as of the balance sheet date.  These calculations are based on interest rates currently offered on similar contracts with maturities that are consistent with those remaining for the contracts being valued.  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, the remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts carrying value approximated fair value.  The fair value of the account values of certain investment contracts is based on their approximate surrender value as of the balance sheet date.  The inputs used to measure the fair value of our other contract holder funds are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.

Short-Term and Long-Term Debt

The fair value of long-term debt is based on quoted market prices.  For short-term debt, excluding current maturities of long-term debt, the carrying value approximates fair value.  The inputs used to measure the fair value of our short-term and long-term debt are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.


31


Financial Instruments Carried at Fair Value

We did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, or December 31, 2011, and we noted no changes in our valuation methodologies between these periods.

34


The following summarizes our financial instruments carried at fair value (in millions) on a recurring basis by the fair value hierarchy levels described  in “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in Note 1 of our 2011 Form 10-K:

  As of June 30, 2012   As of September 30, 2012 
  Quoted         Quoted       
   Prices          Prices       
  in Active           in Active         
  Markets for Significant Significant     Markets for Significant Significant   
  IdenticalObservableUnobservable Total   IdenticalObservableUnobservable Total 
   Assets Inputs Inputs Fair    Assets Inputs Inputs Fair 
  (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Value   (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Value 
AssetsAssets            Assets            
Investments:Investments:            Investments:            
Fixed maturity AFS securities:            Fixed maturity AFS securities:            
 Corporate bonds$62 $ 62,174 $ 1,678 $ 63,914  Corporate bonds$65 $ 64,556 $ 1,855 $ 66,476 
 U.S. government bonds 482   34  1   517  U.S. government bonds 476   31  1   508 
 Foreign government bonds  -   562  102   664  Foreign government bonds  -   585  76   661 
 RMBS  -   7,013  184   7,197  RMBS  -   6,734  3   6,737 
 CMBS  -   1,268  39   1,307  CMBS  -   1,083  43   1,126 
 CDOs  -   -  120   120  CDOs  -   -  147   147 
 State and municipal bonds  -   4,252   32   4,284  State and municipal bonds  -   4,305   33   4,338 
 Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities 20   1,039  129   1,188  Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities 20   1,053  113   1,186 
VIEs' fixed maturity securities 110   595   -   705 VIEs' fixed maturity securities 111   595   -   706 
Equity AFS securities 45   24  85   154 Equity AFS securities 44   26  86   156 
Trading securities 2   2,575  72   2,649 Trading securities 2   2,588  60   2,650 
Derivative investments  -   882   2,517   3,399 Derivative investments  -   839   2,233   3,072 
Cash and invested cashCash and invested cash  -   5,257   -   5,257 Cash and invested cash  -   4,373   -   4,373 
Separate account assetsSeparate account assets  -   88,839   -   88,839 Separate account assets  -   93,326   -   93,326 
 Total assets$ 721 $ 174,514 $ 4,959 $ 180,194  Total assets$ 718 $ 180,094 $ 4,650 $ 185,462 
                            
LiabilitiesLiabilities            Liabilities            
Future contract benefits:Future contract benefits:            Future contract benefits:            
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives$ - $ - $ (431)$ (431Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives$ - $ - $ (733)$ (733)
GLB reserves embedded derivatives  -   -   (1,926)  (1,926GLB reserves embedded derivatives  -   -   (1,411)  (1,411)
Long-term debtLong-term debt  -   (1,203)  -   (1,203Long-term debt  -   (1,203)  -   (1,203)
Reinsurance related embedded derivativesReinsurance related embedded derivatives  -   (185)  -   (185Reinsurance related embedded derivatives  -   (215)  -   (215)
VIEs' liabilities - derivative instrumentsVIEs' liabilities - derivative instruments  -   -   (231)  (231VIEs' liabilities - derivative instruments  -   -   (174)  (174)
Other liabilities:Other liabilities:            Other liabilities:            
Deferred compensation plans  -   -   (358)  (358Deferred compensation plans  -   -   (378)  (378)
Credit default swaps  -   -   (11)  (11Credit default swaps  -   -   (16)  (16)
 Total liabilities$ - $ (1,388)$ (2,957)$ (4,345) Total liabilities$ - $ (1,418)$ (2,712)$ (4,130)


 
3235

 


    As of December 31, 2011 
    Quoted          
     Prices          
    in Active          
    Markets for Significant Significant    
    IdenticalObservableUnobservable Total 
     Assets Inputs Inputs Fair 
    (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Value 
Assets            
Investments:            
 Fixed maturity AFS securities:            
  Corporate bonds$ 63 $ 57,310 $ 1,888 $ 59,261 
  U.S. government bonds  475   18   1   494 
  Foreign government bonds  -   636   97   733 
  RMBS  -   7,881   158   8,039 
  CMBS  -   1,566   34   1,600 
  CDOs  -   -   102   102 
  State and municipal bonds  -   4,047   -   4,047 
  Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities  15   1,042   100   1,157 
 VIEs' fixed maturity securities  108   592   -   700 
 Equity AFS securities  37   46   56   139 
 Trading securities  2   2,605   68   2,675 
 Derivative investments  -   681   2,470   3,151 
Cash and invested cash  -   4,510   -   4,510 
Separate account assets  -   83,477   -   83,477 
   Total assets$ 700 $ 164,411 $ 4,974 $ 170,085 
                
Liabilities            
Future contract benefits:            
 Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives$ - $ - $ (399)$ (399
 GLB reserves embedded derivatives  -   -   (2,217)  (2,217
Long-term debt  -   (1,688)  -   (1,688
Reinsurance related embedded derivatives  -   (168)  -   (168
VIEs' liabilities - derivative instruments  -   -   (291)  (291
Other liabilities:            
 Deferred compensation plans  -   -   (354)  (354
 Credit default swaps  -   -   (16)  (16
   Total liabilities$ - $ (1,856)$ (3,277)$ (5,133


 
3336

 

The following summarizes changes to our financial instruments carried at fair value (in millions) and classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.  This summary excludes any effect of amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL.  The gains and losses below may include changes in fair value due in part to observable inputs that are a component of the valuation methodology.

  For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2012 
        Purchases,       For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 
       GainsIssuances,Transfers         Gains Issuances, Transfers   
     Items (Losses) Sales, In or       Items (Losses) Sales, In or   
     Included inMaturities,Out       Included in Maturities, Out   
  Beginning in OCISettlements,of Ending   Beginning in OCI Settlements, of Ending 
  Fair Net and Calls, Level 3, Fair   Fair Net and Calls, Level 3, Fair 
  Value Income 
Other (1)
 Net 
Net (2)
 Value   Value Income 
Other (1)
 Net 
Net (2)
 Value 
Investments: (3)
Investments: (3)
                  Investments: (3)            
Fixed maturity AFS securities:                  Fixed maturity AFS securities:            
 Corporate bonds$ 1,932 $ (4)$ (11)$ 45 $ (284)$ 1,678  Corporate bonds$1,678 $1 $24 $225 $(73)$1,855 
 U.S. government bonds  1   -   -   -   -   1  U.S. government bonds 1  -  -  -  -  1 
 Foreign government bonds  99   -   3   -   -   102  Foreign government bonds 102  -  -  (2) (24) 76 
 RMBS  98   -   1   98   (13)  184  RMBS 184  -  -  -  (181) 3 
 CMBS  32   (2)  2   (1)  8   39  CMBS 39  (2) 4  (2) 4  43 
 CDOs  102   -   -   18   -   120  CDOs 120  (2) 2  27  -  147 
 State and municipal bonds  -   -   -   32   -   32  State and municipal bonds 32  -  1  -  -  33 
 
Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities
  116   -   (3)  -   16   129  Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities 129  -  13  -  (29) 113 
Equity AFS securities  61   -   (1)  25   -   85 Equity AFS securities 85  -  1  -  -  86 
Trading securities  68   1   -   2   1   72 Trading securities 72  -  4  (2) (14) 60 
Derivative investments  2,037   228   155   97   -   2,517 Derivative investments 2,517  (268) 47  (63) -  2,233 
Future contract benefits: (4)
Future contract benefits: (4)
                  Future contract benefits: (4)                  
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives
  (480)  24   -   25   -   (431Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives (431) (63) -  (239) -  (733)
GLB reserves embedded derivatives  (1,064)  (862)  -   -   -   (1,926GLB reserves embedded derivatives (1,926) 570  -  -  -  (1,356)
VIEs' liabilities - derivative instruments (5)
VIEs' liabilities - derivative instruments (5)
  (221)  (10)  -   -   -   (231VIEs' liabilities - derivative instruments (5) (231) 57  -  -  -  (174)
Other liabilities:Other liabilities:                  Other liabilities:                  
Deferred compensation plans (6)
  (375)  10   -   7   -   (358Deferred compensation plans (6) (358) (18) -  (2) -  (378)
Credit default swaps (7)
  (10)  (1)  -   -   -   (11Credit default swaps (7) (11) (5) -  -  -  (16)
 Total, net$ 2,396 $ (616)$ 146 $ 348 $ (272)$ 2,002  Total, net$2,002 $270 $96 $(58)$(317)$1,993 


 
3437


    For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011 
        Gains Issuances, Transfers   
      Items (Losses) Sales In or   
      Included in Maturities, Out   
    Beginning in OCI Settlements, of Ending 
    Fair Net and Calls, Level 3, Fair 
    Value Income 
Other (1)
 Net 
Net (2)
 Value 
Investments: (3)            
 Fixed maturity AFS securities:            
  Corporate bonds$1,573 $(18)$(33)$(11)$(11)$1,500 
  U.S. government bonds 2  -  -  (1) -  1 
  Foreign government bonds 96  1  9  (1) -  105 
  RMBS 161  (1) 2  24  (47) 139 
  CMBS 53  (7) 3  (12) -  37 
  CDOs 126  5  (8) (12) -  111 
  Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities 106  -  (12) (18) 16  92 
 Equity AFS securities 96  -  (14) 10  -  92 
 Trading securities 71  1  1  (5) 1  69 
 Derivative investments 1,492  684  340  10  -  2,526 
Future contract benefits: (4)                  
 Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives (506) 135  -  29  -  (342)
 GLB reserves embedded derivatives (278) (2,065) -  -  -  (2,343)
VIEs' liabilities - derivative instruments (5) (198) (109) -  -  -  (307)
Other liabilities:                  
 Deferred compensation plans (6) (360) 22  -  13  -  (325)
 Credit default swaps (7) (7) (8) -  -  -  (15)
   Total, net$2,427 $(1,360)$288 $26 $(41)$1,340 

38

 


    For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 
        Gains Issuances, Transfers   
      Items (Losses) Sales, In or   
      Included in Maturities, Out   
    Beginning in OCI Settlements, of Ending 
    Fair Net and Calls, Level 3, Fair 
    Value Income 
Other (1)
 Net 
Net (2)
 Value 
Investments: (3)            
 Fixed maturity AFS securities:            
  Corporate bonds$1,888 $(16)$14 $327 $(358)$1,855 
  U.S. government bonds 1  -  -  -  -  1 
  Foreign government bonds 97  -  -  (4) (17) 76 
  RMBS 158  (3) 3  (8) (147) 3 
  CMBS 34  (9) 15  (10) 13  43 
  CDOs 102  (2) 7  34  6  147 
  State and municipal bonds -  -  1  32  -  33 
  Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities 100  (1) 19  -  (5) 113 
 Equity AFS securities 56  -  5  25  -  86 
 Trading securities 68  2  3  (2) (11) 60 
 Derivative investments 2,470  (557) 114  206  -  2,233 
Future contract benefits: (4)                  
 Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives (399) (143) -  (191) -  (733)
 GLB reserves embedded derivatives (2,217) 861  -  -  -  (1,356)
VIEs' liabilities - derivative instruments (5) (291) 117  -  -  -  (174)
Other liabilities:                  
 Deferred compensation plans (6) (354) (37) -  13  -  (378)
 Credit default swaps (7) (16) -  -  -  -  (16)
   Total, net$1,697 $212 $181 $422 $(519)$1,993 
     For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011 
              Purchases,       
           Gains Issuances, Transfers    
        Items (Losses) Sales In or    
        Included in Maturities, Out    
     Beginning in OCI Settlements, of Ending 
     Fair Net and Calls, Level 3, Fair 
     Value Income 
Other (1)
 Net 
Net (2)
 Value 
Investments: (3)
                  
 Fixed maturity AFS securities:                  
  Corporate bonds$ 1,806 $ 23 $ 33 $ (200)$ (89)$ 1,573 
  U.S. government bonds  2   -   -   -   -   2 
  Foreign government bonds  100   -   (4)  -   -   96 
  RMBS  115   (1)  3   44   -   161 
  CMBS  64   (22)  24   (12)  (1)  53 
  CDOs  136   -   2   (12)  -   126 
  
Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities
  124   -   4   -   (22)  106 
 Equity AFS securities:  96   -   (2)  2   -   96 
 Trading securities  71   -   4   (1)  (3)  71 
 Derivative investments  1,439   62   7   (16)  -   1,492 
Future contract benefits: (4)
                  
 
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives
  (528)  6   -   16   -   (506
 GLB reserves embedded derivatives  (118)  (160)  -   -   -   (278
VIEs' liabilities - derivative instruments (5)
  (203)  5   -   -   -   (198
Other liabilities:                  
 
Deferred compensation plans (6)
  (357)  (5)  -   2   -   (360
 
Credit default swaps (7)
  (6)  (1)  -   -   -   (7
    Total, net$ 2,741 $ (93)$ 71 $ (177)$ (115)$ 2,427 


 
3539

 


     For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 
              Purchases,       
           Gains Issuances, Transfers    
        Items (Losses) Sales, In or    
        Included in Maturities, Out    
     Beginning in OCI Settlements, of Ending 
     Fair Net and Calls, Level 3, Fair 
     Value Income 
Other (1)
 Net 
Net (2)
 Value 
Investments: (3)
                  
 Fixed maturity AFS securities:                  
  Corporate bonds$ 1,888 $ (17)$ (5)$ 25 $ (213)$ 1,678 
  U.S. government bonds  1   -   -   -   -   1 
  Foreign government bonds  97   -   4   -   1   102 
  RMBS  158   (3)  3   94   (68)  184 
  CMBS  34   (5)  9   (8)  9   39 
  CDOs  102   -   4   14   -   120 
  State and municipal bonds  -   -   -   32   -   32 
  
Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities
  100   -   3   -   26   129 
 Equity AFS securities  56   -   4   25   -   85 
 Trading securities  68   1   1   -   2   72 
 Derivative investments  2,470   (289)  67   269   -   2,517 
Future contract benefits: (4)
                  
 
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives
  (399)  (80) -   48  -   (431
 GLB reserves embedded derivatives  (2,217)  291   -   -   -   (1,926
VIEs' liabilities - derivative instruments (5)
  (291)  60   -   -   -   (231
Other liabilities:                  
 
Deferred compensation plans (6)
  (354)  (18)  -   14   -   (358
 
Credit default swaps (7)
  (16)  5   -   -   -   (11
    Total, net$ 1,697 $ (55)$ 90 $ 513 $ (243)$ 2,002 


36



  For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 
         Purchases,       For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 
       Gains Issuances, Transfers         Gains Issuances, Transfers   
     Items (Losses) Sales, In or       Items (Losses) Sales, In or   
     Included in Maturities, Out       Included in Maturities, Out   
  Beginning in OCI Settlements, of Ending   Beginning in OCI Settlements, of Ending 
  Fair Net and Calls, Level 3, Fair   Fair Net and Calls, Level 3, Fair 
  Value Income 
Other (1)
 Net 
Net (2)
 Value   Value Income 
Other (1)
 Net 
Net (2)
 Value 
Investments: (3)
Investments: (3)
                  Investments: (3)            
Fixed maturity AFS securities:                  Fixed maturity AFS securities:            
 Corporate bonds$ 1,816 $ 23 $ 44 $ (221)$ (89)$ 1,573  Corporate bonds$1,816 $5 $10 $(247)$(84)$1,500 
 U.S. government bonds  2   -   -   -   -   2  U.S. government bonds 2  -  -  (1) -  1 
 Foreign government bonds  113   -   3   (3)  (17)  96  Foreign government bonds 113  -  12  (3) (17) 105 
 RMBS  119   (3)  4   41   -   161  RMBS 119  (3) 7  16  -  139 
 CMBS  109   (45)  54   (64)  (1)  53  CMBS 109  (53) 57  (75) (1) 37 
 CDOs  172   14   (9)  (51)  -   126  CDOs 172  19  (17) (63) -  111 
 
Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities
  119   (1)  5   -   (17)  106  Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities 119  -  (5) (18) (4) 92 
Equity AFS securities  92   8   1   (7)  2   96 Equity AFS securities 92  8  (13) 3  2  92 
Trading securities  76   -   2   (3)  (4)  71 Trading securities 76  -  4  (8) (3) 69 
Derivative investments  1,495   (84)  (11)  92   -   1,492 Derivative investments 1,495  600  335  96  -  2,526 
Future contract benefits: (4)
Future contract benefits: (4)
                  Future contract benefits: (4)                  
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives
  (497)  54   -   (63)  -   (506Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives (497) 80  -  75  -  (342)
GLB reserves embedded derivatives  (408)  130   -   -   -   (278GLB reserves embedded derivatives (408) (1,935) -  -  -  (2,343)
VIEs' liabilities - derivative instruments (5)VIEs' liabilities - derivative instruments (5)  (209)  11   -   -   -   (198VIEs' liabilities - derivative instruments (5) (209) (98) -  -  -  (307)
Other liabilities:Other liabilities:                  Other liabilities:                  
Deferred compensation plans (6)
  (363)  (13)  -   16   -   (360Deferred compensation plans (6) (363) 10  -  28  -  (325)
Credit default swaps (7)
  (16)  2   -   7   -   (7Credit default swaps (7) (16) (5) -  6  -  (15)
 Total, net$ 2,620 $ 96 $ 93 $ (256)$ (126)$ 2,427  Total, net$2,620 $(1,372)$390 $(191)$(107)$1,340 

(1)  The changes in fair value of the interest rate swaps are offset by an adjustment to derivative investments (see Note 5).
(2)  Transfers in or out of Level 3 for AFS and trading securities are displayed at amortized cost as of the beginning-of-period.  For AFS and trading securities, the difference between beginning-of-period amortized cost and beginning-of-period fair value was included in OCI and earnings, respectively, in prior periods.
(3)  Amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts are included in net investment income on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).  Gains (losses) from sales, maturities, settlements and calls and OTTI are included in realized gain (loss) on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
(4)  Gains (losses) from sales, maturities, settlements and calls are included in realized gain (loss) on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
(5)  The changes in fair value of the credit default swaps and contingency forwards are included in realized gain (loss) on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
(6)  Deferrals and subsequent changes in fair value for the participants’ investment options are reported in commissions and other expenses on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
(7)  Gains (losses) from sales, maturities, settlements and calls are included in net investment income on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
 
 
3740

 

The following provides the components of the items included in issuances, sales, maturities, settlements, calls, net, excluding any effect of amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and changes in future contract benefits, (in millions) as reported above:

  For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2012   For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 
  Issuances Sales Maturities Settlements Calls Total   Issuances Sales Maturities Settlements Calls Total 
Investments:Investments:                  Investments:            
Fixed maturity AFS securities:                  
 Corporate bonds$ 80 $ (26)$ - $ (8)$ (1)$ 45 
 RMBS  103   -   -   (5)  -   98 Fixed maturity AFS securities:            
 CMBS  -   -   -   (1)  -   (1 Corporate bonds$247 $- $(7)$(14)$(1)$225 
 CDOs  23   -   -   (5)  -   18  Foreign government bonds -  -  -  (2) -  (2)
 State and municipal bonds  32   -   -   -   -   32  CMBS -  -  -  (2) -  (2)
Equity AFS securities  25   -   -   -   -   25  CDOs 30  -  -  (3) -  27 
Trading securities  2   -   -   -   -   2 Trading securities -  (1) -  (1) -  (2)
Derivative investments  165   (10)  (58)  -   -   97 Derivative investments 55  (43) (75) -  -  (63)
Future contract benefits:Future contract benefits:                  Future contract benefits:                  
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives
  (25)  -   -   50   -   25 Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives (31) -  -  (208) -  (239)
Other liabilities:Other liabilities:                  Other liabilities:                  
Deferred compensation plans  -   -   -   7   -   7 Deferred compensation plans -  -  -  (2) -  (2)
 Total, net$ 405 $ (36)$ (58)$ 38 $ (1)$ 348  Total, net$301 $(44)$(82)$(232)$(1)$(58)

  For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011   For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011 
  Issuances Sales Maturities Settlements Calls Total   Issuances Sales Maturities Settlements Calls Total 
Investments:Investments:                  Investments:            
Fixed maturity AFS securities:            
 Corporate bonds$22 $(14)$(10)$(9)$- $(11)
 U.S. government bonds -  -  -  (1) -  (1)
Fixed maturity AFS securities:                   Foreign government bonds -  -  -  -  (1) (1)
 Corporate bonds$ 22 $ (125)$ - $ (9)$ (88)$ (200 RMBS 28  (1) -  (3) -  24 
 RMBS  47   -   -   (3)  -   44  CMBS -  -  -  (12) -  (12)
 CMBS  -   (9)  -   (3)  -   (12 CDOs -  -  -  (12) -  (12)
 CDOs  -   -   -   (12)  -   (12 Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities -  (18) -  -  -  (18)
Equity AFS securities  2   -   -   -   -   2 Equity AFS securities 10  -  -  -  -  10 
Trading securities  -   (1)  -   -   -   (1Trading securities -  (2) -  (3) -  (5)
Derivative investments  107   (25)  (98)  -   -   (16Derivative investments 87  6  (83) -  -  10 
Future contract benefits:Future contract benefits:                  Future contract benefits:                  
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives
  (20)  -   -   36   -   16 Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives (11) -  -  40  -  29 
Other liabilities:Other liabilities:                  Other liabilities:                  
Deferred compensation plans  -   -   -   2   -   2 Deferred compensation plans -  -  -  13  -  13 
 Total, net$ 158 $ (160)$ (98)$ 11 $ (88)$ (177 Total, net$136 $(29)$(93)$13 $(1)$26 


 
3841

 

    For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 
    Issuances Sales Maturities Settlements Calls Total 
Investments:            
 Fixed maturity AFS securities:            
  Corporate bonds$404 $(27)$(5)$(41)$(4)$327 
  Foreign government bonds -  -  -  (4) -  (4)
  RMBS -  -  (7) (1) -  (8)
  CMBS -  -  -  (10) -  (10)
  CDOs 47  -  -  (13) -  34 
  State and municipal bonds 32  -  -  -  -  32 
 Equity AFS securities 25  -  -  -  -  25 
 Trading securities -  -  -  (2) -  (2)
 Derivative investments 428  (40) (182) -  -  206 
Future contract benefits:                  
 Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives (66) -  -  (125) -  (191)
Other liabilities:                  
 Deferred compensation plans -  -  -  13  -  13 
   Total, net$870 $(67)$(194)$(183)$(4)$422 


    For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 
    Issuances Sales Maturities Settlements Calls Total 
Investments:            
 Fixed maturity AFS securities:            
  Corporate bonds$45 $(146)$(11)$(46)$(89)$(247)
  U.S. government bonds -  -  -  (1) -  (1)
  Foreign government bonds -  (2) -  -  (1) (3)
  RMBS 28  (1) -  (11) -  16 
  CMBS -  (53) -  (22) -  (75)
  CDOs -  (34) -  (29) -  (63)
  Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities -  (18) -  -  -  (18)
 Equity AFS securities 18  (15) -  -  -  3 
 Trading securities -  (3) -  (5) -  (8)
 Derivative investments 362  (27) (239) -  -  96 
Future contract benefits:                  
 Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives (49) -  -  124  -  75 
Other liabilities:                  
 Deferred compensation plans -  -  -  28  -  28 
 Credit default swaps -  6  -  -  -  6 
   Total, net$404 $(293)$(250)$38 $(90)$(191)
    For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 
    Issuances Sales Maturities Settlements Calls Total 
Investments:                  
 Fixed maturity AFS securities:                  
  Corporate bonds$ 91 $ (27)$ - $ (35)$ (4)$ 25 
  RMBS  103   -   -   (9)  -   94 
  CMBS  -   -   -   (8)  -   (8
  CDOs  23   -   -   (9)  -   14 
  State and municipal bonds  32   -   -   -   -   32 
 Equity AFS securities  25   -   -   -   -   25 
 Trading securities  2   -   -   (2)  -   - 
 Derivative investments  373   3   (107)  -   -   269 
Future contract benefits:                  
 
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives
  (35)  -   -   83   -   48 
Other liabilities:                  
 Deferred compensation plans  -   -   -   14   -   14 
   Total, net$ 614 $ (24)$ (107)$ 34 $ (4)$ 513 

    For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 
    Issuances Sales Maturities Settlements Calls Total 
Investments:                  
 Fixed maturity AFS securities:                  
  Corporate bonds$ 38 $ (133)$ (1)$ (36)$ (89)$ (221
  Foreign government bonds  -   (3)  -   -   -   (3
  RMBS  48   -   -   (7)  -   41 
  CMBS  -   (53)  -   (11)  -   (64
  CDOs  -   (33)  -   (18)  -   (51
 Equity AFS securities  8   (15)  -   -   -   (7
 Trading securities  -   (1)  -   (2)  -   (3
 Derivative investments  275   (27)  (156)  -   -   92 
Future contract benefits:                  
 
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives
  (38)  -   -   (25)  -   (63
Other liabilities:                  
 Deferred compensation plans  -   -   -   16   -   16 
 Credit Default swaps  -   7   -   -   -   7 
   Total, net$ 331 $ (258)$ (157)$ (83)$ (89)$ (256


 
3942

 

The following summarizes changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income, excluding any effect of amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and changes in future contract benefits, related to financial instruments carried at fair value classified within Level 3 that we still held (in millions):

  For the Three For the Six    For the Three For the Nine 
  Months Ended Months Ended    Months Ended Months Ended 
  June 30, June 30,    September 30, September 30, 
  2012  2011  2012  2011     2012 2011 2012 2011 
Investments: (1)
Investments: (1)
           Investments: (1)        
Derivative investments$ 240 $ 62 $ (332)$ (94 Derivative investments$(279)$696 $(618)$574 
Future contract benefits: (1)
Future contract benefits: (1)
             Future contract benefits: (1)            
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives  (3)  -   19   (4 Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives 4  (4) 22  - 
GLB reserves embedded derivatives  (814)  (108)  369   229  GLB reserves embedded derivatives 556  (2,011) 924  (1,781)
VIEs' liabilities - derivative instruments (1)
VIEs' liabilities - derivative instruments (1)
  (10)  5   60   11  VIEs' liabilities - derivative instruments (1) 57  (108) 117  (98)
Other liabilities:Other liabilities:             Other liabilities:            
Deferred compensation plans (2)
  (10)  5   18   13  Deferred compensation plans (2) (18) 22  (37) 10 
Credit default swaps (3)
  (1)  (1)  5   1  Credit default swaps (3) (5) (8) -  (7)
 Total, net$ (598)$ (37)$ 139 $ 156   Total, net$315 $(1,413)$408 $(1,302)

(1)  Included in realized gain (loss) on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
(2)  Included in commissions and other expenses on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
(3)  Included in net investment income on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

The following provides the components of the transfers in and out of Level 3 (in millions) as reported above:

    For the Three Months For the Three Months 
    Ended June 30, 2012 Ended June 30, 2011 
    Transfers Transfers    Transfers Transfers    
    In to Out of    In to Out of    
    Level 3 Level 3 Total Level 3 Level 3 Total 
Investments:                  
 Fixed maturity AFS securities:                  
  Corporate bonds$ 90 $ (374)$ (284)$ 21 $ (110)$ (89
  RMBS  -   (13)  (13)  -   -   - 
  CMBS  8   -   8   -   (1) (1
  Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities  16   -   16   -   (22)  (22
 Trading securities  1   -   1   -   (3)  (3
   Total, net$ 115 $ (387)$ (272)$ 21 $ (136)$ (115
    For the Three Months For the Three Months 
    Ended September 30, 2012 Ended September 30, 2011 
    Transfers Transfers   Transfers Transfers   
    In to Out of   In to Out of   
    Level 3 Level 3 Total Level 3 Level 3 Total 
Investments:            
 Fixed maturity AFS securities:            
  Corporate bonds$241 $(314)$(73)$4 $(15)$(11)
  Foreign government bonds 27  (51) (24) -  -  - 
  RMBS -  (181) (181) -  (47) (47)
  CMBS 4  -  4  -  -  - 
  Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities -  (29) (29) 16  -  16 
 Trading securities 3  (17) (14) 1  -  1 
   Total, net$275 $(592)$(317)$21 $(62)$(41)


 
4043

 


    For the Six Months For the Six Months 
    Ended June 30, 2012 Ended June 30, 2011 
    Transfers Transfers    Transfers Transfers    
    In to Out of    In to Out of    
    Level 3 Level 3 Total Level 3 Level 3 Total 
Investments:                  
 Fixed maturity AFS securities:                  
  Corporate bonds$ 146 $ (359)$ (213)$ 34 $ (123)$ (89
  Foreign government bonds  1   -   1   -   (17)  (17
  RMBS  -   (68)  (68)  -   -   - 
  CMBS  9   -   9   -   (1)  (1
  
Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities
  35   (9)  26   4   (21)  (17
 Equity AFS securities  -   -   -   2   -   2 
 Trading securities  2   -   2   -   (4)  (4
   Total, net$ 193 $ (436)$ (243)$ 40 $ (166)$ (126
    For the Nine Months For the Nine Months 
    Ended September 30, 2012 Ended September 30, 2011 
    Transfers Transfers   Transfers Transfers   
    In to Out of   In to Out of   
    Level 3 Level 3 Total Level 3 Level 3 Total 
Investments:            
 Fixed maturity AFS securities:            
  Corporate bonds$163 $(521)$(358)$33 $(117)$(84)
  Foreign government bonds 29  (46) (17) -  (17) (17)
  RMBS -  (147) (147) -  -  - 
  CMBS 13  -  13  -  (1) (1)
  CDOs 6  -  6  -  -  - 
  Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities 35  (40) (5) 18  (22) (4)
 Equity AFS securities -  -  -  2  -  2 
 Trading securities 5  (16) (11) 1  (4) (3)
   Total, net$251 $(770)$(519)$54 $(161)$(107)

Transfers in and out of Level 3 are generally the result of observable market information on a security no longer being available or becoming available to our pricing vendors.  For the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, our corporate bonds transfers in and out were attributable primarily to the securities’ observable market information no longer being available or becoming available, respectively.  Transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 are generally the result of a change in the type of input used to measure the fair value of an asset or liability at the end of the reporting period.  When quoted prices in active markets become available or when these prices become unavailable, but we are able to employ a valuation methodology using significant observable inputs, transfers between Levels 1 and 2 will result.  For the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, the transfers between Levels 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy were less than $1 million for our financial instruments carried at fair value.


 
4144

 

The following summarizes the fair value (in millions), valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs of the Level 3 fair value measurements that were developed as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012:

               
   Fair Valuation Significant    
   Value Technique Unobservable Inputs Range 
Assets           
Investments:           
 Fixed maturity AFS and trading securities         
  securities
Corporate bonds$ 8991,065  Discounted cash flow 
Liquidity/duration adjustment (1)
 1.1%1.8% - 13.2% 
  Foreign government bonds  5277 Discounted cash flow
Liquidity/duration adjustment (1)
1.8% - 6.1%
Hybrid and redeemable preferred stock 21  Discounted cash flow 
Liquidity/duration adjustment (1)
 2.7% - 6.1%2.8% 
 
Hybrid and redeemable preferred stock
 21Discounted cash flow
Liquidity/duration adjustment (1)
 2.7% - 2.7%
Equity AFS and trading securities
 11 12  Discounted cash flow 
Liquidity/duration adjustment (1)
 4.3% - 4.5% 
              
Liabilities           
Future contract benefits:           
 
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives
  (431(733))Discounted cash flow 
Lapse rate (2)
 1.0% - 15.0% 
         
Mortality rate (3)
  (8)(7) 
 
GLB reserves embedded derivatives
  (1,926(1,411))Monte Carlo simulation 
Long-term lapse rate (2)
 0.3%1.0% - 13.1%27.0% 
         
Wait periodUtilization of guaranteedwithdrawal (5)
 0 - 25 years (or years
until the eligible age)
Percent of maximum withdrawal amount (6)
95.0%90.0% - 100.0% 
         
Non-performance risk ("NPR") (7)(6)
 0.22%0.04% - 0.55%0.47% 
         
Mortality rate (3)
 (8) (7) 
         
Volatility (4)
 1.0% - 35.0% 

(1)  The liquidity/duration adjustment input represents an estimated market participant composite of adjustments attributable to liquidity premiums, expected durations, structures and credit quality that would be applied to the market observable information of an investment.
(2)  The lapse rate input represents the estimated probability of a contract surrendering during a year, and thereby forgoing any future benefits.  The range represents the lapse rates during the surrender charge period for indexed annuity contracts.
(3)  The mortality rate input represents the estimated probability of when an individual belonging to a particular group, categorized according to age or some other factor such as occupation, will die.
(4)  The volatility input represents overall volatilities assumed for the underlying variable annuity funds, which include a mixture of equity and fixed income assets.  Fair value of the variable annuity GLB embedded derivatives would increase if higher volatilities were used for valuation.
(5)  The wait periodutilization of guaranteed withdrawals input represents the estimated period apercentage of contract holder would wait to withdraw after becoming eligible.holders that utilize the guaranteed withdrawal feature.
(6)The percent of maximum withdrawal amount input represents the estimated ratio of contract withdrawal amount to the maximum withdrawal amount specified.
(7)  The NPR input represents the estimated additional credit spread that market participants would apply to the market observable discount rate when pricing a contract.
(8)(7)  Based on the “Annuity 2000 Mortality Table” developed by the Society of Actuaries Committee on Life Insurance Research that was adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 1996 for our mortality input.

From the table above, we have excluded Level 3 fair value measurements obtained from independent, third-party pricing sources.  We do not develop the significant inputs used to measure the fair value of these assets and liabilities, and the information regarding the significant inputs is not readily available to us.  Independent broker-quoted fair values are non-binding quotes developed by market makers or broker-dealers obtained from third-party sources recognized as market participants.  The fair value of a broker-quoted asset or liability is based solely on the receipt of an updated quote from a single market maker or a broker-dealer recognized

42


as a market participant as we do not adjust broker quotes when used as the fair value measurement for an asset or liability.  Significant increases or decreases in any of the quotes received from a third-party broker-dealer may result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement.
45


Changes in any of the significant inputs presented in the table above may result in a significant change in the fair value measurement of the asset or liability as follows:

·  
Investments – An increase in the liquidity/duration adjustment input would result in a decrease in the fair value measurement.
·  
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives – An increase in the lapse rate or mortality rate inputs would result in a decrease in the fair value measurement.
·  
GLB reserves embedded derivatives – An increase in our lapse rate, wait period, NPR or mortality rate inputs would result in a decrease in the fair value measurement.  An increase in the percent of maximum withdrawal amount input would result in an increase in the fair value measurement.

For each category discussed above, the unobservable inputs are not inter-related; therefore, a directional change in one input will not affect the other inputs.

As part of our on-going valuation process, we assess the reasonableness of our valuation techniques or models and make adjustments as necessary.  For more information, see “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in Note 1 of our 2011 Form 10-K.

13.14.  Segment Information

We provide products and services and report results through our Annuities, Retirement Plan Services, Life Insurance and Group Protection segments.  We also have Other Operations, which includes the financial data for operations that are not directly related to the business segments.  Our reporting segments reflect the manner by which our chief operating decision makers view and manage the business.  See Note 22 of our 2011 Form 10-K for a brief description of these segments and Other Operations.

Segment operating revenues and income (loss) from operations are internal measures used by our management and Board of Directors to evaluate and assess the results of our segments.  Income (loss) from operations is GAAP net income excluding the after-tax effects of the following items, as applicable:

·  Realized gains and losses associated with the following (“excluded realized gain (loss)”):
§ Sales or disposals of securities;
§ Impairments of securities;
§ Changes in the fair value of derivatives, embedded derivatives within certain reinsurance arrangements and trading securities;
§ Changes in the fair value of the derivatives we own to hedge our GDB riders within our variable annuities;
§ Changes in the fair value of the embedded derivatives of our GLB riders accounted for at fair value, net of the change in the fair value of the derivatives we own to hedge them; and
§ Changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities related to index call options we may purchase in the future to hedge contract holder index allocations applicable to future reset periods for our indexed annuity products accounted for at fair value;
·  Changes in reserves resulting from benefit ratio unlocking on our GDB and GLB riders;
·  Income (loss) from reserve changes, net of related amortization, on business sold through reinsurance;
·  Gains (losses) on early extinguishment of debt;
·  Losses from the impairment of intangible assets;
·  Income (loss) from discontinued operations; and
·  Income (loss) from the initial adoption of new accounting standards.

Operating revenues represent GAAP revenues excluding the pre-tax effects of the following items, as applicable:

·  Excluded realized gain (loss);
·  Revenue adjustments from the initial adoption of new accounting standards;
·  Amortization of DFEL arising from changes in GDB and GLB benefit ratio unlocking; and
·  Amortization of deferred gains arising from the reserve changes on business sold through reinsurance.

We use our prevailing corporate federal income tax rate of 35% while taking into account any permanent differences for events recognized differently in our financial statements and federal income tax returns when reconciling our non-GAAP measures to the

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most comparable GAAP measure.  Operating revenues and income (loss) from operations do not replace revenues and net income as the GAAP measures of our consolidated results of operations.

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Segment information (in millions) was as follows:

  For the Three For the Six   For the Three For the Nine 
  Months Ended Months Ended   Months Ended Months Ended 
  June 30, June 30,   September 30, September 30, 
  2012  2011  2012  2011    2012 2011 2012 2011 
RevenuesRevenues            Revenues        
Operating revenues:Operating revenues:            Operating revenues:        
Annuities$ 734 $ 735 $ 1,465 $ 1,468 Annuities$745 $711 $2,210 $2,179 
Retirement Plan Services  258   260   510   523 Retirement Plan Services 255  247  765  771 
Life Insurance  1,237   1,229   2,469   2,376 Life Insurance 1,296  1,176  3,765  3,552 
Group Protection  540   501   1,043   979 Group Protection 517  479  1,560  1,458 
Other Operations  113   114   220   232 Other Operations 101  122  321  352 
Excluded realized gain (loss), pre-taxExcluded realized gain (loss), pre-tax  18   (33)  (95)  (53Excluded realized gain (loss), pre-tax 39  (186) (55) (239)
Amortization of deferred gain arising from reserve changes on business sold through reinsurance, pre-tax
Amortization of deferred gain arising from reserve changes on business sold through reinsurance, pre-tax
  -   1   1   1 Amortization of deferred gain arising from reserve changes on business sold through reinsurance, pre-tax 1  1  2  2 
Amortization of DFEL associated with benefit ratio unlocking, pre-taxAmortization of DFEL associated with benefit ratio unlocking, pre-tax  (1)  -   1   - Amortization of DFEL associated with benefit ratio unlocking, pre-tax -  (3) -  (2)
 Total revenues$ 2,899 $ 2,807 $ 5,614 $ 5,526  Total revenues$2,954 $2,547 $8,568 $8,073 

  For the Three For the Six   For the Three For the Nine 
  Months Ended Months Ended   Months Ended Months Ended 
  June 30, June 30,   September 30, September 30, 
  2012  2011  2012  2011    2012 2011 2012 2011 
Net Income (Loss)Net Income (Loss)            Net Income (Loss)        
Income (loss) from operations:Income (loss) from operations:            Income (loss) from operations:        
Annuities$ 158 $ 145 $ 294 $ 289 Annuities$139 $153 $433 $442 
Retirement Plan Services  38   41   72   90 Retirement Plan Services 29  39  101  129 
Life Insurance  138   136   281   279 Life Insurance 154  154  434  433 
Group Protection  27   26   43   50 Group Protection 16  27  59  77 
Other Operations  (39)  (22)  (73)  (60Other Operations (3) (44) (75) (104)
Excluded realized gain (loss), after-taxExcluded realized gain (loss), after-tax  12   (21)  (61)  (34Excluded realized gain (loss), after-tax 25  (121) (35) (156)
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, after-taxGain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, after-tax -  (5) -  (5)
Income (expense) from reserve changes (net of related amortization) on business sold through reinsurance, after-taxIncome (expense) from reserve changes (net of related amortization) on business sold through reinsurance, after-tax 1  -  1  1 
Impairment of intangibles, after-taxImpairment of intangibles, after-tax 2  -  2  - 
Benefit ratio unlocking, after-taxBenefit ratio unlocking, after-tax  (10)  (1)  14   3 Benefit ratio unlocking, after-tax 10  (42) 24  (39)
 Income (loss) from continuing operations, after-tax  324   304   570   617  Income (loss) from continuing operations, after-tax 373  161  944  778 
 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, after-tax  -   -   (1)  -  Income (loss) from discontinued operations, after-tax 29  (8) 27  (8)
 Net income (loss)$ 324 $ 304 $ 569 $ 617  Net income (loss)$402 $153 $971 $770 

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

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand the financial condition as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, compared with December 31, 2011, and the results of operations for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012, compared with the corresponding periods in 2011 of Lincoln National Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.  Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, “LNC,” “Lincoln,” “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us” refers to Lincoln National Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.  The MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements (“Notes”) presented in “Part I – Item 1. Financial Statements”; our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (“2011 Form 10-K”), including the sections entitled “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors,” as updated in “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” below, “Part II – Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”; our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed in 2012; and our current reports on Form 8-K filed in 2012.

In this report, in addition to providing consolidated revenues and net income (loss), we also provide segment operating revenues and income (loss) from operations because we believe they are meaningful measures of revenues and the profitability of our operating segments.  Financial information that follows is presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), unless otherwise indicated.  See Note 1 in our 2011 Form 10-K for a discussion of GAAP.

Operating revenues and income (loss) from operations are the financial performance measures we use to evaluate and assess the results of our segments.  Accordingly, we define and report operating revenues and income (loss) from operations by segment in Note 13.14.  Our management believes that operating revenues and income (loss) from operations explain the results of our ongoing businesses in a manner that allows for a better understanding of the underlying trends in our current businesses because the excluded items are unpredictable and not necessarily indicative of current operating fundamentals or future performance of the business segments, and, in many instances, decisions regarding these items do not necessarily relate to the operations of the individual segments.  In addition, we believe that our definitions of operating revenues and income (loss) from operations will provide investors with a more valuable measure of our performance because it better reveals trends in our business.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods’ financial information.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE

Certain statements made in this report and in other written or oral statements made by us or on our behalf are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”).  A forward-looking statement is a statement that is not a historical fact and, without limitation, includes any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain words like:  “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “will,” “shall” and other words or phrases with similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance.  In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, trends in our businesses, prospective services or products, future performance or financial results and the outcome of contingencies, such as legal proceedings.  We claim the protection afforded by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the PSLRA.

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results contained in the forward-looking statements.  Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary materially, some of which are described within the forward-looking statements, include, among others:

·Deterioration in general economic and business conditions that may affect account values, investment results, guaranteed benefit liabilities, premium levels, claims experience and the level of pension benefit costs, funding and investment results;
·Adverse global capital and credit market conditions could affect our ability to raise capital, if necessary, and may cause us to realize impairments on investments and certain intangible assets, including goodwill and athe valuation allowance against deferred tax assets, which may reduce future earnings and/or affect our financial condition and ability to raise additional capital or refinance existing debt as it matures;
·Because of our holding company structure, the inability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends to the holding company in sufficient amounts could harm the holding company’s ability to meet its obligations;
·Legislative, regulatory or tax changes, both domestic and foreign, that affect the cost of, or demand for, our subsidiaries’ products, the required amount of reserves and/or surplus, or otherwise affect our ability to conduct business, including changes to statutory reserve requirements related to secondary guarantees underguarantee universal life such as a change to reserve calculations under Actuarial Guideline 38 (also known as The Application of the Valuation of Life Insurance Policies Model Regulation, or “AG38”), and variable annuity products under Actuarial Guideline 43 (also known as Commissioners Annuity Reserve Valuation Method for Variable Annuities, or “AG43”);annuities; regulations regarding captive reinsurance arrangements; restrictions on revenue sharing and 12b-1 payments; and the potential for U.S. federal tax reform;
·  Declines in or sustained low interest rates causing a reduction in investment income, the interest margins of our businesses, estimated gross profits (“EGPs”) and demand for our products;

 
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·
Uncertainty about the effect of rules and regulations to be promulgated under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act on us and the economy and the financial services sector in particular;
·The initiation of legal or regulatory proceedings against us, and the outcome of any legal or regulatory proceedings, such as:  adverse actions related to present or past business practices common in businesses in which we compete; adverse decisions in significant actions including, but not limited to, actions brought by federal and state authorities and class action cases; new decisions that result in changes in law; and unexpected trial court rulings;
·Declines in or sustained low interest rates causing a reduction in investment income, the interest margins of our businesses, estimated gross profits and demand for our products;
    ·A decline in the equity markets causing a reduction in the sales of our subsidiaries’ products, a reduction of asset-based fees that our subsidiaries charge on various investment and insurance products, an acceleration of the net amortization of deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”), value of business acquired (“VOBA”), deferred sales inducements (“DSI”) and deferred front-end loads (“DFEL”) and an increase in liabilities related to guaranteed benefit features of our subsidiaries’ variable annuity products;
·Ineffectiveness of our risk management policies and procedures, including various hedging strategies used to offset the effect of changes in the value of liabilities due to changes in the level and volatility of the equity markets and interest rates;
·A deviation in actual experience regarding future persistency, mortality, morbidity, interest rates or equity market returns from the assumptions used in pricing our subsidiaries’ products, in establishing related insurance reserves and in the net amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL, which may reduce future earnings;
·Changes in GAAP, including the potential incorporation of International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) into the U.S. financial reporting system, that may result in unanticipated changes to our net income;
·Lowering of one or more of our debt ratings issued by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations and the adverse effect such action may have on our ability to raise capital and on our liquidity and financial condition;
·Lowering of one or more of the insurer financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries and the adverse effect such action may have on the premium writings, policy retention, profitability of our insurance subsidiaries and liquidity;
·Significant credit, accounting, fraud, corporate governance or other issues that may adversely affect the value of certain investments in our portfolios, as well as counterparties to which we are exposed to credit risk, requiring that we realize losses on investments;
·Inability to protect our intellectual property rights or claims of infringement of the intellectual property rights of others;
·Ineffectiveness of risk management policies and procedures in identifying, monitoring and managing material risks;
    ·Interruption in telecommunication, information technology or other operational systems or failure to safeguard the confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data on such systems;
·The effect of acquisitions and divestitures, restructurings, product withdrawals and other unusual items;
·The adequacy and collectibility of reinsurance that we have purchased;
·Acts of terrorism, a pandemic, war or other man-made and natural catastrophes that may adversely affect our businesses and the cost and availability of reinsurance;
·Competitive conditions, including pricing pressures, new product offerings and the emergence of new competitors, that may affect the level of premiums and fees that our subsidiaries can charge for their products;
·The unknown effect on our subsidiaries’ businesses resulting from changes in the demographics of their client base, as aging baby-boomers move from the asset-accumulation stage to the asset-distribution stage of life; and
·Loss of key management, financial planners or wholesalers.

The risks included here are not exhaustive.  Our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) include additional factors that could affect our businesses and financial performance.  Moreover, we operate in a rapidly changing and competitive environment.  New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors.

Further, it is not possible to assess the effect of all risk factors on our businesses or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.  Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results.  In addition, we disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this report.

INTRODUCTION

Executive Summary

We are a holding company that operates multiple insurance and retirement businesses through subsidiary companies.  Through our business segments, we sell a wide range of wealth protection, accumulation and retirement income products and solutions.  These products include fixed and indexed annuities, variable annuities, universal life insurance (“UL”), variable universal life insurance

46


(“VUL”), indexed UL, linked-benefit UL, term life insurance, employer-sponsored defined contribution retirement plans, mutual funds and group life, disability and dental.

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We provide products and services and report results through our Annuities, Retirement Plan Services, Life Insurance and Group Protection segments.  We also have Other Operations.  These segments and Other Operations are described in “Part I – Item 1. Business” of our 2011 Form 10-K.

For information on how we derive our revenues, see the discussion in results of operations by segment below.

Our current market conditions, significant operational matters, industry trends, issues and outlook are described in “Introduction – Executive Summary” of our 2011 Form 10-K.

For factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in this section, see “Forward-Looking Statements – Cautionary Language” above and “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2011 Form 10-K, as updated in “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” below.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The MD&A included in our 2011 Form 10-K contains a detailed discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates.  The following information updates the “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” provided in our 2011 Form 10-K and, accordingly, should be read in conjunction with the “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” discussed in our 2011 Form 10-K.

DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL

New DAC Methodology

In October 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-26, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts” (referred to herein as the “new DAC methodology”), which clarifies the types of costs incurred by an insurance entity that can be capitalized in the acquisition of insurance contracts.  Only those costs incurred that result directly from and are essential to the successful acquisition of new or renewal insurance contracts may be capitalized as deferrable acquisition costs.  This determination of deferability must be made on a contract-level basis.  This new DAC methodology contrasts to the prior guidance we followed that defined deferrable acquisition costs as costs that vary with and are related primarily to new or renewal business, regardless of whether the acquisition efforts were successful or unsuccessful.

Some examples of acquisition costs that remain subject to deferral as part of the new DAC methodology include the following:

·Employee, agent or broker commissions for successful contract acquisitions;
·Wholesaler production bonuses for successful contract acquisitions;
·Renewal commissions and bonuses to agents or brokers;
·Medical and inspection fees for successful contract acquisitions;
·Premium-related taxes and assessments; and
·A portion of the salaries and benefits of certain employees involved in the underwriting, contract issuance and processing, medical and inspection and sales force contract selling functions related to the successful issuance or renewal of an insurance contract.

All other acquisition-related costs, including costs incurred by the insurer for soliciting potential customers, market research, training, administration, management of distribution and underwriting functions, unsuccessful acquisition or renewal efforts and product development, are considered non-deferrable acquisition costs and must be expensed in the period incurred.

In addition, the following indirect costs are considered non-deferrable acquisition costs as part of the new DAC methodology and must be charged to expense in the period incurred:

·Administrative costs;
·Rent;
·Depreciation;
·Occupancy costs;
·Equipment costs (including data processing equipment dedicated to acquiring insurance contracts); and
·Other general overhead.

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We adopted the new DAC methodology as of January 1, 2012, and elected to apply the guidance retrospectively.  The retrospective adoption resulted in the restatement of all periods presented with a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) for the earliest period presented.  Further, our adoption of

50


the new DAC methodology resulted in an overall reduction in deferrable acquisition costs, partially offset by lower DAC amortization, in each of our business segments.  See Note 2 for more discussion of the effect of adoption.

Unlocking

As discussed in our 2011 Form 10-K, we conduct an annual comprehensive review of the assumptions and the projection models used for our estimates of future gross profits underlying the amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and the calculations of the embedded derivatives and reserves for life insurance and annuity products with living benefit and death benefit guarantees in the third quarter of each year.  As a result of this review, we may record prospective unlocking on an annual basis that result in increases or decreases to the carrying values of these items.  Prospective unlocking is driven by changes in assumptions or projection models related to our expectations of future EGPs.

Details underlying the increase (decrease) to income (loss) from continuing operations from our prospective unlocking as a result of our annual comprehensive review (in millions) were as follows:

   For the Three   
   Months Ended   
   September 30,   
   2012 2011 Change 
Income (loss) from operations:      
 Annuities$(5)$(18) 72%
 Retirement Plan Services (3) (2) -50%
 Life Insurance 36  51  -29%
Excluded realized gain (loss) (1) 76  (78) 197%
  Income (loss) from continuing operations$104 $(47)NM 

(1)  Includes unlocking related to the non-performance risk (“NPR”) component of our guaranteed living benefit (“GLB”) embedded derivative reserves (see “Realized Gain (Loss) and Benefit Ratio Unlocking – Variable Annuity Net Derivative Results” below for more information).

Our prospective unlocking – assumption changes were attributable primarily to the following:

2012

During the third quarter of 2012, we lowered our new money investment yield assumption to reflect the current new money rates and to approximate the forward curve for interest rates.  This reduction in the interest rate assumption resulted in resetting the current new money investment rate followed by a gradual annual recovery over seven years to a rate 50 basis points below our previous ultimate long-term assumption.  As a result of this assumption revision, we recorded unfavorable prospective unlocking of $110 million, after-tax, for Life Insurance, $4 million, after-tax, for Annuities, and $6 million, after-tax, for Retirement Plan Services.

·  For Annuities and Retirement Plan Services, we modified our policyholder behavior assumptions and lowered our new money investment yield assumption as discussed above;
·  For Life Insurance, we modified our policyholder behavior assumptions, partially offset by lowering our new money investment yield assumption as discussed above; and
·  For excluded realized gain (loss), we modified our policyholder behavior assumptions for GLB riders.
2011

·  For Annuities, we lowered our long-term equity market growth rate and interest margin assumptions, partially offset by lowering our lapse assumptions;
·  For Life Insurance, we updated our crediting rate assumptions to reflect actions implemented to reduce interest crediting rates; and
·  For excluded realized gain (loss), we lowered our assumptions for long-term volatility, partially offset by lowering our lapse assumptions.

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Reversion to the Mean (“RTM”)

As equity markets do not move in a systematic manner, we reset the baseline of account values from which estimated gross profits (“EGPs)EGPs are projected, which we refer to as our RTM process, as discussed in our 2011 Form 10-K.

Our long-term variable fund growth rate assumption, which is used in the determination of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL amortization for our variable annuity and VUL products, is an immediate drop of approximately 9%11% followed by growth going forward of 8% to 9% depending on the block of business and reflecting differences in contract holder fund allocations between fixed income and equity-type investments.  If we were to have unlocked our RTM assumption in the corridor as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, we would have recorded a favorable prospective unlocking of approximately $170$215 million, pre-tax, for Annuities, approximately $15$20 million, pre-tax, for Retirement Plan Services, and approximately $15$20 million, pre-tax, for Life Insurance.

Investments

Investment Valuation
 
The following summarizes our available-for-sale (“AFS”) and trading securities and derivative investments carried at fair value by pricing source and fair value hierarchy level (in millions):

   As of June 30, 2012  As of September 30, 2012 
  Quoted         Quoted          
  Prices         Prices          
  in Active         in Active          
  Markets forSignificantSignificant    Markets for Significant Significant    
  IdenticalObservableUnobservableTotal  Identical Observable Unobservable Total 
  AssetsInputsInputsFair  Assets Inputs Inputs Fair 
   (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Value  (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Value 
Priced by third party pricing servicesPriced by third party pricing services $ 721 $ 70,177 $ - $ 70,898 Priced by third party pricing services$ 719 $ 71,629 $ - $ 72,348 
Priced by independent broker quotationsPriced by independent broker quotations   -   -   3,976   3,976 Priced by independent broker quotations  -   -   3,475   3,475 
Priced by matricesPriced by matrices   -   10,241   -   10,241 Priced by matrices  -   10,766   -   10,766 
Priced by other methods (1)
Priced by other methods (1)
   -   -   983   983 
Priced by other methods (1)
  -   -   1,175   1,175 
Total $ 721 $ 80,418 $ 4,959 $ 86,098 Total$ 719 $ 82,395 $ 4,650 $ 87,764 
                            
Percent of totalPercent of total  1% 93% 6% 100%Percent of total 1% 94% 5% 100%

(1)Represents primarily securities for which pricing models were used to compute fair value.

For more information about the valuation of our financial instruments carried at fair value, see “Part II – Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Introduction – Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – Investments – Investment Valuation” in our 2011 Form 10-K and Note 12.13.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, we evaluated the markets that our securities trade in and concluded that none were inactive.  We will continue to re-evaluate this conclusion, as needed, based on market conditions.  We use unobservable inputs to measure the fair value of securities trading in less liquid or illiquid markets with limited or no pricing information.  We obtain broker quotes for securities such as synthetic convertibles, index-linked certificates of deposit and collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) when sufficient security structure or other market information is not available to produce an evaluation.  For broker-quoted only securities, non-binding quotes from market makers or broker-dealers are obtained from sources recognized as market participants.  Broker-quoted securities are based solely on receipt of updated quotes from a single market maker or a broker-dealer recognized as a market participant.  Our broker-quoted only securities are generally classified as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, we used broker quotes for 10574 securities as our final price source, representing 2%1% of total securities owned.
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Derivatives

Our accounting policies for derivatives and the potential effect on interest spreads in a falling rate environment are discussed in Note 56 of this report and “Part II – Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our 2011 Form 10-K.

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Guaranteed Living Benefits

Approximately 49%Within our individual annuity business, approximately 50% of our variable annuity account values contained a guaranteed withdrawal benefit (“GWB”) rider as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012.  Declines in the equity markets increase our exposure to potential benefits under the GWB contracts, leading to an increase in our existing liability for those benefits.  For example, a GWB contract is “in the money” if the contract holder’s account balance falls below the guaranteed amount.  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, 65%

44% and 34%91%, respectively, of all GWB in-force contracts were “in the money,” and our exposure to the guaranteed amounts, after reinsurance, as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, was $1.8$1.1 billion and $853 million,$3.8 billion, respectively.  Our exposure before reinsurance for these same periods was $2.0$1.2 billion and $968 million,$4.1 billion, respectively.  However, the only way the GWB contract holder can monetize the excess of the guaranteed amount over the account value of the contract is upon death or through a series of withdrawals that do not exceed a specific percentage per year of the guaranteed amount.  If, after the series of withdrawals, the account value is exhausted, the contract holder will receive a series of annuity payments equal to the remaining guaranteed amount, and, for our lifetime GWB products, the annuity payments can continue beyond the guaranteed amount.  The account value can also fluctuate with equity market returns on a daily basis resulting in increases or decreases in the excess of the guaranteed amount over account value.

For information on our variable annuity hedge program performance, see our discussion in “Realized Gain (Loss) and Benefit Ratio Unlocking – Variable Annuity Net Derivatives Results” below.

Acquisitions and Dispositions

The loss from discontinued operations for the six months ended June 30, 2012, related to a purchase price adjustment associated with the termination of a portion of the investment advisory agreement with Delaware Management Holdings, Inc., our former subsidiary.

For information about acquisitions and divestitures, see “Part II – Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Acquisitions and Dispositions” and Note 3 in our 2011 Form 10-K.3.

RESULTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
 
Details underlying the consolidated results, deposits, net flows and account values (in millions) were as follows:

  For the Three     For the Six      For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended     Months Ended      Months Ended    Months Ended   
  June 30,     June 30,      September 30,    September 30,   
  2012  2011  Change  2012  2011  Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Net Income (Loss)Net Income (Loss)                   Net Income (Loss)             
Income (loss) from operations:Income (loss) from operations:                   Income (loss) from operations:             
Annuities$ 158 $ 145  9% $ 294 $ 289  2Annuities$139 $153  -9% $433 $442  -2%
Retirement Plan Services  38   41  -7%   72   90  -20%Retirement Plan Services 29  39  -26%  101  129  -22%
Life Insurance  138   136  1%   281   279  1%Life Insurance 154  154  0%  434  433  0%
Group Protection  27   26  4%   43    50  -14%Group Protection 16  27  -41%  59  77  -23%
Other Operations  (39)  (22) -77%   (73)  (60) -22%Other Operations (3) (44) 93%  (75) (104) 28%
Excluded realized gain (loss), after-taxExcluded realized gain (loss), after-tax  12   (21) 157%   (61)  (34) -79%Excluded realized gain (loss), after-tax 25  (121) 121%  (35) (156) 78%
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, after-taxGain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, after-tax -  (5) 100%  -  (5) 100%
Income (expense) from reserve changes (net of related amortization) on business sold through reinsurance, after-taxIncome (expense) from reserve changes (net of related amortization) on business sold through reinsurance, after-tax 1  - NM   1  1  0%
Impairment of intangibles, after-taxImpairment of intangibles, after-tax 2  - NM   2  - NM 
Benefit ratio unlocking, after-taxBenefit ratio unlocking, after-tax  (10)  (1) NM    14   3  NM Benefit ratio unlocking, after-tax 10  (42) 124%  24  (39) 162%
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations, after-tax
  324   304  7%   570   617  -8% Income (loss) from continuing operations, after-tax 373  161  132%  944  778  21%
 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, after-tax
  -   -  NM    (1)  -  NM  Income (loss) from discontinued operations, after-tax 29  (8)NM   27  (8)NM 
 Net income (loss)$ 324 $ 304  7% $ 569 $ 617  -8% Net income (loss)$402 $153  163% $971 $770  26%
 
 
4953

 

  For the Three     For the Six     For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended     Months Ended     Months Ended    Months Ended   
  June 30,     June 30,     September 30,    September 30,   
  2012  2011  Change  2012  2011  Change  2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
DepositsDeposits                 Deposits             
AnnuitiesAnnuities$ 2,867 $ 2,927  -2% $ 5,347 $ 5,566  -4Annuities$2,677 $2,709  -1% $8,025 $8,274  -3%
Retirement Plan ServicesRetirement Plan Services  1,291   1,199  8%   2,802   2,540  10 %Retirement Plan Services 1,717  1,456  18%  4,519  3,996  13%
Life InsuranceLife Insurance  1,137   1,274  -11%   2,297   2,544  -10 %Life Insurance 1,106  1,343  -18%  3,403  3,887  -12%
Total deposits$ 5,295 $ 5,400  -2% $ 10,446 $ 10,650  -2 %Total deposits$5,500 $5,508  0% $15,947 $16,157  -1%
                                         
Net FlowsNet Flows                   Net Flows                   
AnnuitiesAnnuities$ 701 $ 700  0% $ 994 $ 1,183  -16 %Annuities$396 $663  -40% $1,391 $1,845  -25%
Retirement Plan ServicesRetirement Plan Services  194   (178) 209%   406   (44) NM Retirement Plan Services 232  329  -29%  638  285  124%
Life InsuranceLife Insurance  723   868  -17%   1,474   1,689  -13 %Life Insurance 695  963  -28%  2,169  2,652  -18%
Total net flows$ 1,618 $ 1,390  16% $ 2,874 $ 2,828  2 %Total net flows$1,323 $1,955  -32% $4,198 $4,782  -12%

 As of June 30,      As of September 30,    
 2012  2011  Change   2012 2011 Change  
Account ValuesAccount Values          Account Values       
AnnuitiesAnnuities$ 90,377 $ 88,840  2 Annuities$94,158 $81,229  16% 
Retirement Plan ServicesRetirement Plan Services  41,397   40,287  3% Retirement Plan Services 43,103  37,020  16% 
Life InsuranceLife Insurance  36,121   34,567  4 Life Insurance 36,589  34,419  6% 
Total account values$ 167,895 $ 163,694  3% Total account values$173,850 $152,668  14% 

Comparison of the Three and Nine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 to 2011

Net income increased due primarily to the following:

·WideningThe effect of our credit spreadsfavorable prospective unlocking;
·  Favorable tax adjustments during 2012 leadingdue primarily to the release of reserves associated with prior tax years that were closed in the third quarter;
·  Realized gains on the mark-to-market on certain instruments during 2012 as compared to realized gains relatedlosses during 2011 attributable to our non-performance risk (“NPR”)spreads narrowing on guaranteed living benefit (“GLB”) liabilities;corporate credit default swaps; and
·Growth in account values, insurance in force and group earned premiums.

The increase in net income was partially offset by the following:

·Higher gross realized gains during 2011 originating from asset sales to reposition the investment portfolio;
·  Spread compression due to new money rates averaging below our portfolio yields, partially offset by actions implemented to reduce interest crediting rates; and
·InvestmentsStrategic investments in strategic initiatives related to expandingtechnology platforms and distribution and support and updating information technology,processes, partially offset by aggressively managing expenses.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 to 2011

Net income decreased due primarily to the following:

    ·Higher gross realized gains during 2011 originating from asset sales to reposition the investment portfolio;
    ·Spread compression due to new money rates averaging below our portfolio yields, partially offset by actions implemented to reduce interest crediting rates; and
    ·Investments in strategic initiatives related to expanding distribution and support and updating information technology, partially offset by aggressively managing expenses.

The decrease in net income was partially offset by growth in account values, insurance in force and group earned premiums.
 
5054

 

RESULTS OF ANNUITIES

Income (Loss) from Operations
 
Details underlying the results for Annuities (in millions) were as follows:

  For the Three   For the Six     For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended   Months Ended     Months Ended    Months Ended   
  June 30,   June 30,     September 30,    September 30,   
  2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Operating RevenuesOperating Revenues            Operating Revenues             
Insurance premiums (1)
Insurance premiums (1)
$18 $22  -18% $35 $45  -22%Insurance premiums (1)$29 $15  93% $64 $60  7%
Insurance feesInsurance fees 323  321  1%  648  631  3%Insurance fees 332  317  5%  980  948  3%
Net investment incomeNet investment income 279  278  0%  551  566  -3%Net investment income 268  271  -1%  819  837  -2%
Operating realized gain (loss)Operating realized gain (loss) 25  23  9%  53  46  15%Operating realized gain (loss) 30  23  30%  82  69  19%
Other revenues and fees (2)
Other revenues and fees (2)
 89  91  -2%  178  180  -1%Other revenues and fees (2) 86  85  1%  265  265  0%
Total operating revenues 734  735  0%  1,465  1,468  0%Total operating revenues 745  711  5%  2,210  2,179  1%
Operating ExpensesOperating Expenses                  Operating Expenses                   
Interest creditedInterest credited 163  178  -8%  333  352  -5%Interest credited 146  177  -18%  480  530  -9%
BenefitsBenefits 49  43  14%  95  78  22%Benefits 131  87  51%  226  165  37%
Commissions and other expensesCommissions and other expenses 326  335  -3%  679  675  1%Commissions and other expenses 295  287  3%  974  961  1%
Total operating expenses 538  556  -3%  1,107  1,105  0%Total operating expenses 572  551  4%  1,680  1,656  1%
                     
Income (loss) from operations before taxes
Income (loss) from operations before taxes
 196  179  9%  358  363  -1%Income (loss) from operations before taxes 173  160  8%  530  523  1%
Federal income tax expense (benefit)Federal income tax expense (benefit) 38  34  12%  64  74  -14%Federal income tax expense (benefit) 34  7 NM   97  81  20%
 Income (loss) from operations$158 $145  9% $294 $289  2% Income (loss) from operations$139 $153  -9% $433 $442  -2%

(1)Includes primarily our single-premium immediate annuities (“SPIA”), which have a corresponding offset in benefits for changes in reserves.
(2)Consists primarily of fees attributable to broker-dealer services that are subject to market volatility.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 to 2011
 
Income from operations for this segment increaseddecreased due primarily to the following:

·More favorable tax return true-ups recorded in 2011 than in 2012 driven by the separate account dividends-received deduction (“DRD”) and other items;
·  Higher benefits attributable to the effect of prospective unlocking (see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL – Unlocking” for more information); and
·  Higher commissions and other expenses driven by higher account values driving higher trail commissions and strategic investments in technology platforms and distribution processes.

The decrease in income from operations was partially offset by the following:

·  Higher net investment income, net of interest credited, driven by:
§ The effect of prospective unlocking (see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL – Unlocking” for more information);
§Higher average fixed account values since the secondthird quarter of 2011 (see the “Other Information” table within “Net Investment Income and Interest Credited” below for drivers of changes in our account values); and
§More favorable investment income on alternative investments within our surplus portfolio (see “Consolidated Investments – Alternative Investments” below for more information);
partially offset by:
§Spread compression due to new money rates averaging below our portfolio yields, partially offset by actions implemented to reduce interest crediting rates; and
    ·§ Lower commissionsprepayment and other expenses driven by higher average equity markets than our model projections assumed resulting in higher projected EGPsbond makewhole premiums (see “Consolidated Investments – Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and a lower amortization rate, partially offset by higher trail commissionsBond Makewhole Premiums” below for more information); and investments in strategic initiatives related to expanding distribution and support and updating information technology during 2012.


The increase in income from operations was partially offset by higher benefits due to an increase in the growth in benefit reserves from higher than expected GLB and guaranteed death benefit payments.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 to 2011
 
Income from operations for this segment increased due primarily to the following:
55


·Higher insurance fees driven by higher average daily variable account values since the secondthird quarter of 2011 (see the “Account Value Information” table within “Insurance Fees” below for drivers of changes in our account values);.

51

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 to 2011
 
Income from operations for this segment decreased due primarily to the following:

·Higher benefits attributable to the following:
§ The effect of prospective unlocking (see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL – Unlocking” for more information);
§ Unfavorable mortality experience on SPIA during 2012 as compared to favorable experience during 2011; and
§ An increase in the growth in benefit reserves from higher than expected GLB payments;
·  More favorable tax itemsreturn true-ups recorded in 20122011 than in 20112012 driven by tax preferred investmentsthe separate account DRD and other items; and
·Higher commissions and other expenses driven by higher account values driving higher trail commissions and strategic investments in technology platforms and distribution processes.

The decrease in income from operations was partially offset by the following:

·  Higher insurance fees driven by higher average daily variable account values since the third quarter of 2011 (see the “Account Value Information” table within “Insurance Fees” below for drivers of changes in our account values); and
·  Higher net investment income, net of interest credited, driven by:
§ The effect of prospective unlocking (see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL – Unlocking” for more information);
§Higher average fixed account values since the secondthird quarter of 2011 (see the “Other Information” table within “Net Investment Income and Interest Credited” below for drivers of changes in our account values); and
§More favorable investment income on alternative investments within our surplus portfolio (see “Consolidated Investments – Alternative Investments” below for more information);
partially offset by:
§Spread compression due to new money rates averaging below our portfolio yields, partially offset by actions implemented to reduce interest crediting rates; and
§Lower prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (See(see “Consolidated Investments – Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums” below for more information).

The increase in income from operations was partially offset by the following:

    ·Higher benefits attributable to the following:
§Unfavorable mortality experience on SPIA during 2012 as compared to favorable experience during 2011; and
§An increase in the growth in benefit reserves from higher than expected GLB payments; and
    ·Higher commissions and other expenses due to higher trail commissions and investments in strategic initiatives related to updating information technology and expanding distribution and support during 2012, partially offset by higher average equity markets than our model projections assumed resulting in higher projected EGPs and a lower amortization rate.

Additional Information

In the third quarter of each year, we conduct our annual comprehensive review of the assumptions and models used for our estimates of future gross profits underlying the amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and the calculations of the embedded derivatives and reserves for annuity products with living benefit and death benefit guarantees.  See “DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL” in Note 1 of our 2011 Form 10-K for a detailed discussion of our prospective unlocking process.

New deposits are an important component of net flows and key to our efforts to grow our business.  Although deposits do not significantly affect current period income from operations, they are an important indicator of future profitability.

The other component of net flows relates to the retention of the business.  An important measure of retention is the lapse rate, which compares the amount of withdrawals to the average account values.  The overall lapse rate for our annuity products was 7% and 8% for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 respectively, compared to 8% for the corresponding periods inand 2011.

Our fixed annuity business includes products with discretionary crediting rates that are reset on an annual basis and are not subject to surrender charges.  Our ability to retain annual reset annuities will be subject to current competitive conditions at the time interest rates for these products reset.  We expect to manage the effects of spreads on near-term income from operations through portfolio management and, to a lesser extent, crediting rate actions, which assumes no significant changes in net flows into or out of our fixed accounts or other changes that may cause interest rate spreads to differ from our expectations.  As mentioned in “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL – Unlocking” above, during the third quarter of 2012, we lowered our new money investment yield assumption to reflect the current new money rates and to approximate the forward curve for interest rates.

For information on interest rate spreads, see “Part I – Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk – Interest Rate Risk – Interest Rate Risk on Fixed Insurance Businesses – Falling Rates” herein.  For information on the interest rate risk due to falling interest rates, see “Part II – Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk – Interest Rate Risk – Interest Rate Risk on Fixed Insurance Businesses – Falling Rates” and “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors – Market Conditions – Changes in interest rates and sustained low interest rates may cause interest rate spreads to decrease and changes in interest rates may also result in increased contract withdrawals” in our 2011 Form 10-K.

We provide information about this segment’s operating revenue and operating expense line items, the period in which amounts are recognized, key drivers of changes and historical details underlying the line items and their associated drivers below.  For detail on the operating realized gain (loss), see “Realized Gain (Loss) and Benefit Ratio Unlocking” below.

56

For factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in this section, see “Forward-Looking Statements – Cautionary Language” above and “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2011 Form 10-K, as updated in “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” below.
52


Insurance Fees

Details underlying insurance fees, account values and net flows (in millions) were as follows:

  For the Three   For the Six     For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended   Months Ended     Months Ended    Months Ended   
  June 30,   June 30,     September 30,    September 30,   
  2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Insurance FeesInsurance Fees            Insurance Fees             
Mortality, expense and other assessmentsMortality, expense and other assessments$323 $325  -1% $642 $636  1%Mortality, expense and other assessments$337 $316  7% $979 $950  3%
Surrender chargesSurrender charges 4  10  -60%  10  20  -50%Surrender charges 2  8  -75%  12  29  -59%
DFEL:DFEL:                  DFEL:                   
Deferrals (7) (19) 63%  (13) (35) 63%Deferrals (5) (16) 69%  (18) (51) 65%
Amortization, net of interest 3  5  -40%  9  10  -10%Amortization, net of interest:                   
 Total insurance fees$323 $321  1% $648 $631  3% Prospective unlocking (6) 6 NM   (6) 6 NM 
 Amortization, net of interest, excluding unlocking 4  3  33%  13  14  -7%
 Total insurance fees$332 $317  5% $980 $948  3%

 As of or For the Three   As of or For the Six    As of or For the Three    As of or For the Nine   
 Months Ended   Months Ended    Months Ended    Months Ended   
 June 30,   June 30,    September 30,    September 30,   
 2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Account Value InformationAccount Value Information            Account Value Information             
Variable annuity deposits (1)
Variable annuity deposits (1)
$1,631 $1,620  1% $3,103 $3,143  -1%Variable annuity deposits (1)$1,518 $1,415  7% $4,621 $4,558  1%
Increases (decreases) in variable annuity account values:
Increases (decreases) in variable annuity account values:
                  Increases (decreases) in variable annuity account values:                   
Net flows (1) 11  (82) 113%  (155) (202) 23%
Net flows (1)
 (97) (41)NM   (251) (243) -3%
Change in market value (1) (2,154) 147 NM  3,390  2,364  43%
Change in market value (1)
 3,186  (8,345) 138%  6,576  (5,981) 210%
Transfers to the variable portion of variable annuity products from the fixed portion of variable annuity products 696  699 0  1,368  1,531  -11%
Transfers to the variable portion of variable annuity products from the fixed portion of variable annuity products
 696  609  14%  2,064  2,140  -4%
Variable annuity account values (1)
Variable annuity account values (1)
 69,615  68,551  2%  69,615  68,551  2%Variable annuity account values (1) 73,400  60,774  21%  73,400  60,774  21%
Average daily variable annuity account values (1)
Average daily variable annuity account values (1)
 69,222  68,262  1%  69,113  67,365  3%Average daily variable annuity account values (1) 71,535  65,169  10%  69,926  66,625  5%
Average daily S&P 500Average daily S&P 500 1,350.01  1,318.52  2%  1,348.13  1,310.42  3%Average daily S&P 500 1,402.14  1,227.42  14%  1,366.26  1,282.45  7%

(1)
Excludes the fixed portion of variable.

We charge contract holders mortality and expense assessments on variable annuity accounts to cover insurance and administrative expenses.  These assessments are a function of the rates priced into the product and the average daily variable account values.  Average daily account values are driven by net flows and the equity markets.  In addition, for our fixed annuity contracts and for some variable contracts, we collect surrender charges when contract holders surrender their contracts during their surrender charge periods to protect us from premature withdrawals.  Insurance fees include charges on both our variable and fixed annuity products, but exclude the attributed fees on our GLB products; see “Part II – Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Realized Gain (Loss) and Benefit Ratio Unlocking – Operating Realized Gain (Loss)” in our 2011 Form 10-K for discussion of these attributed fees.
 
 
5357

 

Net Investment Income and Interest Credited

Details underlying net investment income, interest credited (in millions) and our interest rate spread were as follows:

  For the Three   For the Six     For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended   Months Ended     Months Ended    Months Ended   
  June 30,   June 30,     September 30,    September 30,   
  2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Net Investment IncomeNet Investment Income            Net Investment Income             
Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses
Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses
$237 $245  -3% $475 $493  -4%Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses$236 $243  -3% $711 $735  -3%
Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (1)
Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (1)
 4  5  -20%  6  17  -65%Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (1) 2  6  -67%  8  23  -65%
Alternative investments (2)
Alternative investments (2)
 -  - NM  1  - NM Alternative investments (2) -  - NM   1  - NM 
Surplus investments (3)
Surplus investments (3)
 38  28  36%  69  56  23%Surplus investments (3) 30  22  36%  99  79  25%
Total net investment income $279 $278  0% $551 $566  -3%Total net investment income$268 $271  -1% $819 $837  -2%
                                         
Interest CreditedInterest Credited                  Interest Credited                   
Amount provided to contract holdersAmount provided to contract holders$163 $176  -7% $329 $346  -5%Amount provided to contract holders$160 $176  -9% $491 $525  -6%
DSI deferralsDSI deferrals (10) (9) -11%  (18) (18) 0%DSI deferrals (11) (10) -10%  (30) (29) -3%
Interest credited before DSI amortization 153  167  -8%  311  328  -5%Interest credited before DSI amortization 149  166  -10%  461  496  -7%
DSI amortization 10  11  -9%  22  24  -8%
DSI amortization:DSI amortization:                   
 Total interest credited$163 $178  -8% $333 $352  -5%Prospective unlocking (14) 2 NM   (14) 2 NM 
Amortization, excluding unlocking 11  9  22%  33  32  3%
 Total interest credited$146 $177  -18% $480 $530  -9%

(1)See “Consolidated Investments – Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums” below for additional information.
(2)See “Consolidated Investments – Alternative Investments” below for additional information.
(3)Represents net investment income on the required statutory surplus for this segment and includes the effect of investment income on alternative investments for such assets that are held in the portfolios supporting statutory surplus versus the portfolios supporting product liabilities.

   For the Three    For the Nine   
   Months Ended Basis  Months Ended Basis 
   September 30, Point  September 30, Point 
   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Interest Rate Spread             
Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses 4.83% 5.08% (25)  4.88% 5.18% (30)
Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums 0.04% 0.12% (8)  0.05% 0.16% (11)
 Net investment income yield on reserves 4.87% 5.20% (33)  4.93% 5.34% (41)
                      
 Interest rate credited to contract holders 2.94% 3.33% (39)  3.04% 3.34% (30)
  Interest rate spread 1.93% 1.87% 6   1.89% 2.00% (11)

   For the Three     For the Six    
   Months Ended Basis  Months Ended Basis 
   June 30, Point  June 30, Point 
   2012 2011 Change  2012  2011  Change 
Interest Rate Spread                   
Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses
 4.86% 5.19%  (33)  4.89% 5.24%  (35
Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums
 0.07% 0.11%  (4)  0.06% 0.18%  (12
Alternative investments 0.01% 0.00%  1   
0.01
% 0.00%  1 
 
Net investment income yield on reserves
 4.94% 5.30%  (36)  4.96% 5.42%  (46
                      
 
Interest rate credited to contract holders
 3.03% 3.38%  (35)  3.09% 3.34%  (25
  Interest rate spread 1.91% 1.92%  (1)  1.87% 2.08%  (21


 
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 As of or For the Three     As of or For the Six     As of or For the Three    As of or For the Nine   
 Months Ended     Months Ended     Months Ended    Months Ended   
 June 30,    June 30,     September 30,    September 30,   
 2012  2011  Change  2012  2011  Change  2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Other InformationOther Information                 Other Information             
Fixed annuity deposits (1)
Fixed annuity deposits (1)
$ 1,236 $ 1,307  -5% $ 2,244 $ 2,423  -7Fixed annuity deposits (1)$1,159 $1,294  -10% $3,403 $3,717  -8%
Increases (decreases) in fixed annuity account values:
Increases (decreases) in fixed annuity account values:
                   Increases (decreases) in fixed annuity account values:                   
Net flows (1)
  690   782  -12%   1,149   1,385  -17%
Net flows (1)
 493  704  -30%  1,641  2,089  -21%
Transfers from the fixed portion of variable annuity products to the variable portion of variable annuity products
  (696)  (699) 0%   (1,368)  (1,531) 11%Transfers from the fixed portion of variable annuity products to the variable portion of variable annuity products (696) (609) -14%  (2,064) (2,140) 4%
Reinvested interest credited (1)
  138   185  -25%   408   400  2%
Reinvested interest credited (1)
 201  45 NM   609  445  37%
Fixed annuity account values (1)
Fixed annuity account values (1)
  20,762  20,289  2%   20,762  20,289  2%Fixed annuity account values (1) 20,757  20,455  1%  20,757  20,455  1%
Average fixed account values (1)
Average fixed account values (1)
  20,668   20,170  2%   20,601   20,080  3%Average fixed account values (1) 20,788  20,415  2%  20,678  20,190  2%
Average invested assets on reservesAverage invested assets on reserves  19,554   18,892  4%   19,538   18,841  4%Average invested assets on reserves 19,493  19,160  2%  19,523  18,947  3%

(1)Includes the fixed portion of variable.

A portion of our investment income earned is credited to the contract holders of our fixed annuity products, including the fixed portion of variable annuity contracts.  We expect to earn a spread between what we earn on the underlying general account investments supporting the fixed annuity product line, including the fixed portion of variable annuity contracts, and what we credit to our fixed annuity contract holders’ accounts, including the fixed portion of variable annuity contracts.  Changes in commercial mortgage loan prepayments and bond makewhole premiums, investment income on alternative investments and surplus investment income can vary significantly from period to period due to a number of factors and, therefore, may contribute to investment income results that are not indicative of the underlying trends.
 
Benefits

Details underlying benefits (in millions) were as follows:

  For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended    Months Ended   
  September 30,    September 30,   
  2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Benefits             
Prospective unlocking$73 $43  70% $73 $43  70%
Net death and other benefits, excluding unlocking 58  44  32%  153  122  25%
 Total benefits$131 $87  51% $226 $165  37%

Benefits for this segment include changes in reserves of immediate annuity account values driven by premiums, changes in benefit reserves and our expected costs associated with purchases of derivatives used to hedge our benefit ratio unlocking.
 
 
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Commissions and Other Expenses

Details underlying commissions and other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

  For the Three    For the Nine   
  For the Three     For the Six      Months Ended    Months Ended   
  Months Ended     Months Ended      September 30,    September 30,   
  June 30,     June 30,      2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
  2012  2011   Change  2012  2011   Change                
Commissions and Other ExpensesCommissions and Other Expenses                 Commissions and Other Expenses             
Commissions:Commissions:                 Commissions:             
Deferrable$ 132��$ 125  6% $ 243 $ 237  3Deferrable$124 $121  2% $367 $357  3%
Non-deferrable  70   68  3%   142   133  7%Non-deferrable 79  61  30%  221  195  13%
General and administrative expensesGeneral and administrative expenses  96   93  3%   193   180  7%General and administrative expenses 97  85  14%  292  265  10%
Inter-segment reimbursement associated with reserve financing and LOC expenses (1)Inter-segment reimbursement associated with reserve financing and LOC expenses (1) -  (1) 100%  -  (1) 100%
Taxes, licenses and feesTaxes, licenses and fees  6   7  -14%   14   15  -7%Taxes, licenses and fees 9  5  80%  23  20  15%
 
Total expenses incurred, excluding broker-dealer
  304   293  4%   592   565  5% Total expenses incurred, excluding broker-dealer 309  271  14%  903  836  8%
DAC deferralsDAC deferrals  (149)  (141) -6%   (273)  (268) -2%DAC deferrals (138) (137) -1%  (411) (405) -1%
 
Total pre-broker-dealer expenses incurred, excluding amortization, net of interest
  155   152  2%   319   297  7% Total pre-broker-dealer expenses incurred, excluding amortization, net of interest 171  134  28%  492  431  14%
DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest
  86   93  -8%   184   196  -6%
DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:                   
Prospective unlocking (57) (11)NM   (57) (11)NM 
Amortization, net of interest, excluding unlocking 96  78  23%  280  272  3%
Broker-dealer expenses incurredBroker-dealer expenses incurred  85   90  -6%   176   182   -3%Broker-dealer expenses incurred 85  86  -1%  259  269  -4%
 
Total commissions and other expenses
$ 326 $ 335  -3% $ 679 $ 675  1% Total commissions and other expenses$295 $287  3% $974 $961  1%
                                        
DAC DeferralsDAC Deferrals                 DAC Deferrals                   
As a percentage of sales/depositsAs a percentage of sales/deposits 5.2% 4.8%     5.1% 4.8%   As a percentage of sales/deposits 5.2% 5.1%     5.1% 4.9%   

(1)  Represents reimbursements to Annuities from the Life Insurance segment for reserve financing, net of expenses incurred by Annuities for its use of letters of credit (“LOCs”).  The inter-segment amounts are not reported on our Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).
Commissions and other costs that result directly from and are essential to the successful acquisition of new or renewal business are deferred to the extent recoverable and are amortized over the lives of the contracts in relation to EGPs.  Certain of our commissions, such as trail commissions that are based on account values, are expensed as incurred rather than deferred and amortized.

Broker-dealer expenses that vary with and are related to sales are expensed as incurred and not deferred and amortized.  Fluctuations in these expenses correspond with fluctuations in other revenues and fees.
 
 
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RESULTS OF RETIREMENT PLAN SERVICES

Income (Loss) from Operations
 
Details underlying the results for Retirement Plan Services (in millions) were as follows:

   For the Three   For the Six     For the Three    For the Nine   
   Months Ended   Months Ended     Months Ended    Months Ended   
   June 30,   June 30,     September 30,    September 30,   
   2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Operating RevenuesOperating Revenues             Operating Revenues             
Insurance feesInsurance fees $53 $55  -4% $105 $110  -5%Insurance fees$53 $51  4% $158 $161  -2%
Net investment incomeNet investment income  202  200  1%  399  405  -1%Net investment income 199  193  3%  598  598  0%
Other revenues and fees (1)
Other revenues and fees (1)
  3  5  -40%  6  8  -25%Other revenues and fees (1) 3  3  0%  9  12  -25%
Total operating revenues  258  260  -1%  510  523  -2%Total operating revenues 255  247  3%  765  771  -1%
Operating ExpensesOperating Expenses                   Operating Expenses                   
Interest creditedInterest credited  112  109  3%  223  217  3%Interest credited 114  109  5%  337  326  3%
BenefitsBenefits -  2  -100%  -  2  -100%
Commissions and other expensesCommissions and other expenses  96  93  3%  190  178  7%Commissions and other expenses 102  83  23%  293  262  12%
Total operating expenses  208  202  3%  413  395  5%Total operating expenses 216  194  11%  630  590  7%
Income (loss) from operations before taxes
Income (loss) from operations before taxes
  50  58  -14%  97  128  -24%Income (loss) from operations before taxes 39  53  -26%  135  181  -25%
Federal income tax expense (benefit)Federal income tax expense (benefit)  12  17  -29%  25  38  -34%Federal income tax expense (benefit) 10  14  -29%  34  52  -35%
 Income (loss) from operations $38 $41  -7% $72 $90  -20% Income (loss) from operations$29 $39  -26% $101 $129  -22%

(1)Consists primarily of mutual fund account program fees for mid to large employers.

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 to 2011
Income from operations for this segment decreased due primarily to higher commissions and other expenses driven by the following:

·  Strategic investments in technology platforms and distribution expansion efforts; and
·  The effect of prospective unlocking (see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL – Unlocking” for more information).
Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 to 2011
 
Income from operations for this segment decreased due primarily to the following:

·Higher commissions and other expenses driven by strategic investments in technology platforms and distribution expansion efforts;
·  Lower net investment income, net of interest credited, driven by:
§Lower prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (see “Consolidated Investments – Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums” below for more information); and
§Spread compression due to new money rates averaging below our portfolio yields, partially offset by actions implemented to reduce interest crediting rates;
partially offset by:
§Higher average fixed account values since the secondthird quarter of 2011 (see the “Other Information” table within “Net Investment Income and Interest Credited” below for drivers of changes in our account values); and
§More favorable investment income on alternative investments within our surplus portfolio (see “Consolidated Investments – Alternative Investments” below for more information);
    ·Higher commissions and other expenses due to investments in strategic initiatives related to expanding distribution and support and updating information technology during 2012; and
·Lower insurance fees driven by lower average daily variable account values since the secondthird quarter of 2011 (see the “Account Value Information” table within “Insurance Fees” below for drivers of changes in our account values).

The decrease in income from operations was partially offset by more favorable tax items recorded in 2012 than in 2011.
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Additional Information

In the third quarter of each year, we conduct our annual comprehensive review of the assumptions and models used for our estimates of future gross profits underlying the amortization of DAC, VOBA and DSI.  See “DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL” in Note 1 of our 2011 Form 10-K for a detailed discussion of our prospective unlocking process.

Net flows in this business fluctuate based on the timing of larger plans rolling ontoimplementing on our platform and rolling offterminating over the course of the year, and we expect this trend will continue duringfor the remainder of 2012.

New deposits are an important component of net flows and key to our efforts to grow our business.  Although deposits do not
57


significantly affect current period income from operations, they are an important indicator of future profitability.  The other component of net flows relates to the retention of the business.  An important measure of retention is the lapse rate, which compares the amount of withdrawals to the average account values.  The overall lapse rate for our annuity and mutual fund products was 11%14% and 12% for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012, respectively, compared to 14% and 13%12% for the corresponding periods in 2011. 

Our lapse rate is negatively affected by the continued net outflows from our oldest blocks of annuities business (as presented on our Account Value Roll Forward table below as “Total Multi-Fund® and Other Variable Annuities”), which are also our higher margin product lines in this segment, due to the fact that they are mature blocks with much of the account values out of their surrender charge period.  The proportion of these products to our total account values was 38%37% and 41% as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and 2011, respectively.  Due to this expected overall shift in business mix toward products with lower returns, a significant increase in new deposit production will be necessary to maintain earnings at current levels.

Our fixed annuity business includes products with discretionary and index-based crediting rates that are reset on a quarterly basis.  Our ability to retain quarterly reset annuities will be subject to current competitive conditions at the time interest rates for these products reset.  We expect to manage the effects of spreads on near-term income from operations through portfolio management and, to a lesser extent, crediting rate actions, which assumes no significant changes in net flows into or out of our fixed accounts or other changes that may cause interest rate spreads to differ from our expectations.  As mentioned in “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL – Unlocking” above, during the third quarter of 2012, we lowered our new money investment yield assumption to reflect the current new money rates and to approximate the forward curve for interest rates.

For information on interest rate spreads, see “Part I – Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk – Interest Rate Risk – Interest Rate Risk on Fixed Insurance Businesses – Falling Rates” herein.  For information on the interest rate risk due to falling interest rates, see “Part II – Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk – Interest Rate Risk – Interest Rate Risk on Fixed Insurance Businesses – Falling Rates” and “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors – Market Conditions – Changes in interest rates and sustained low interest rates may cause interest rate spreads to decrease and changes in interest rates may also result in increased contract withdrawals” in our 2011 Form 10-K.

We provide information about this segment’s operating revenue and operating expense line items, the period in which amounts are recognized, key drivers of changes and historical details underlying the line items and their associated drivers below.

For factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in this section, see “Forward-Looking Statements – Cautionary Language” above and “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2011 Form 10-K, as updated in “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” below.

Insurance Fees

Details underlying insurance fees, account values and net flows (in millions) were as follows:

  For the Three   For the Six     For the Three   For the Nine   
  Months Ended   Months Ended     Months Ended   Months Ended   
  June 30,   June 30,     September 30,   September 30,   
  2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change   2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change 
Insurance FeesInsurance Fees            Insurance Fees            
Annuity expense assessmentsAnnuity expense assessments$44 $46  -4% $88 $93  -5%Annuity expense assessments$45 $43  5% $133 $136  -2%
Mutual fund feesMutual fund fees 9  8  13%  16  16  0%Mutual fund fees 8  7  14%  24  23  4%
Total expense assessments 53  54  -2%  104  109  -5%Total expense assessments 53  50  6%  157  159  -1%
Surrender chargesSurrender charges -  1  -100%  1  1  0%Surrender charges -  1  -100%  1  2  -50%
 Total insurance fees$53 $55  -4% $105 $110  -5% Total insurance fees$53 $51  4% $158 $161  -2%
 
 
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  For the Three     For the Six      For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended     Months Ended      Months Ended    Months Ended   
  June 30,     June 30,      September 30,    September 30,   
  2012  2011  Change  2012  2011  Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Account Value Roll Forward – By Product
Account Value Roll Forward – By Product
                 Account Value Roll Forward – By Product            
Total Micro – Small Segment:Total Micro – Small Segment:                 Total Micro – Small Segment:             
Balance as of beginning-of-periodBalance as of beginning-of-period$ 6,641 $ 6,594  1% $ 6,167 $ 6,396  -4Balance as of beginning-of-period$6,470 $6,566  -1% $6,168 $6,396  -4%
Gross depositsGross deposits  372   315  18%   790   641  23%Gross deposits 362  312  16%  1,152  953  21%
Withdrawals and deathsWithdrawals and deaths  (368)  (325) -13%   (780)  (709) -10%Withdrawals and deaths (330) (336) 2%  (1,110) (1,045) -6%
Net flows  4   (10) 140%   10   (68) 115%Net flows 32  (24) 233%  42  (92) 146%
Transfers between fixed and variable accounts
Transfers between fixed and variable accounts
  -   -  NM    (11)  (6) -83%Transfers between fixed and variable accounts (5) - NM   (16) (6)NM 
Investment increase and change in market value
Investment increase and change in market value
  (175)  (18) NM    304   244  25%Investment increase and change in market value 269  (686) 139%  572  (442) 229%
 Balance as of end-of-period$ 6,470 $ 6,566  -1% $ 6,470 $ 6,566  -1% Balance as of end-of-period$6,766 $5,856  16% $6,766 $5,856  16%
                                         
Total Mid – Large Segment:Total Mid – Large Segment:                   Total Mid – Large Segment:                   
Balance as of beginning-of-periodBalance as of beginning-of-period$ 19,199 $ 17,224  11% $ 17,435 $ 16,207  8%Balance as of beginning-of-period$19,139 $17,333  10% $17,434 $16,207  8%
Gross depositsGross deposits  740   704  5%   1,660   1,535  8%Gross deposits 1,186  969  22%  2,852  2,504  14%
Withdrawals and deathsWithdrawals and deaths  (395)  (657) 40%   (900)  (1,055) 15%Withdrawals and deaths (798) (408) -96%  (1,697) (1,463) -16%
Net flows  345   47  NM    760   480  58%Net flows 388  561  -31%  1,155  1,041  11%
Transfers between fixed and variable accounts
Transfers between fixed and variable accounts
  (5)  (17) 71%   (7)  (38) 82%Transfers between fixed and variable accounts (17) (19) 11%  (24) (57) 58%
Investment increase and change in market value
Investment increase and change in market value
  (406)  79  NM    945   684  38%Investment increase and change in market value 783  (1,769) 144%  1,728  (1,085) 259%
 Balance as of end-of-period$ 19,133 $ 17,333  10% $ 19,133 $ 17,333  10% Balance as of end-of-period$20,293 $16,106  26% $20,293 $16,106  26%
                                   
Total Multi-Fund® and Other Variable Annuities:
Total Multi-Fund® and Other Variable Annuities:
                   
Total Multi-Fund® and Other Variable Annuities:
                   
Balance as of beginning-of-periodBalance as of beginning-of-period$ 16,180 $ 16,490  -2% $ 15,531 $ 16,221  -4%Balance as of beginning-of-period$15,788 $16,388  -4% $15,531 $16,221  -4%
Gross depositsGross deposits  179   180  -1%   352   364  -3%Gross deposits 169  175  -3%  515  539  -4%
Withdrawals and deathsWithdrawals and deaths  (334)  (395) 15%   (716)  (820) 13%Withdrawals and deaths (357) (383) 7%  (1,074) (1,203) 11%
Net flows  (155)  (215) 28%   (364)  (456) 20%Net flows (188) (208) 10%  (559) (664) 16%
Investment increase and change in market value
Investment increase and change in market value
  (231)  113  NM    627   623  1%Investment increase and change in market value 444  (1,122) 140%  1,072  (499)NM 
 Balance as of end-of-period$ 15,794 $ 16,388  -4% $ 15,794 $ 16,388  -4% Balance as of end-of-period$16,044 $15,058  7% $16,044 $15,058  7%
                                         
Total Annuities and Mutual Funds:Total Annuities and Mutual Funds:                   Total Annuities and Mutual Funds:                   
Balance as of beginning-of-periodBalance as of beginning-of-period$ 42,020 $ 40,308  4% $ 39,133 $ 38,824  1%Balance as of beginning-of-period$41,397 $40,287  3% $39,133 $38,824  1%
Gross depositsGross deposits  1,291   1,199  8%   2,802   2,540  10%Gross deposits 1,717  1,456  18%  4,519  3,996  13%
Withdrawals and deathsWithdrawals and deaths  (1,097)  (1,377) 20%   (2,396)  (2,584) 7%Withdrawals and deaths (1,485) (1,127) -32%  (3,881) (3,711) -5%
Net flows  194   (178) 209%   406   (44) NM Net flows 232  329  -29%  638  285  124%
Transfers between fixed and variable accounts
Transfers between fixed and variable accounts
  (5)  (17) 71%   (18)  (44) 59%Transfers between fixed and variable accounts (22) (19) -16%  (40) (63) 37%
Investment increase and change in market value
Investment increase and change in market value
  (812)  174  NM    1,876   1,551  21%Investment increase and change in market value 1,496  (3,577) 142%  3,372  (2,026) 266%
 
Balance as of end-of-period (1)
$ 41,397 $ 40,287  3% $ 41,397 $ 40,287  3% Balance as of end-of-period (1)$43,103 $37,020  16% $43,103 $37,020  16%

(1)Includes mutual fund account values and other third-party trustee-held assets.  These items are not included in the separate accounts reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as we do not have any ownership interest in them.

 
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 As of or For the Three   As of or For the Six    As of or For the Three    As of or For the Nine   
 Months Ended   Months Ended    Months Ended    Months Ended   
 June 30,   June 30,    September 30,    September 30,   
 2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Account Value InformationAccount Value Information            Account Value Information             
Variable annuity deposits (1)
Variable annuity deposits (1)
$409 $393  4% $877 $808  9%Variable annuity deposits (1)$343 $391  -12% $1,219 $1,199  2%
Increases (decreases) in variable annuity account values:
Increases (decreases) in variable annuity account values:
                  Increases (decreases) in variable annuity account values:                   
Net flows (1)
 (83) (123) 33%  (188) (295) 36%
Net flows (1)
 (103) (120) 14%  (291) (415) 30%
Change in market value (1)
 (484) 16 NM  773  712  9%
Change in market value (1)
 632  (1,888) 133%  1,405  (1,176) 219%
Transfers from the variable portion of variable annuity products to the fixed portion of variable annuity products
 (53) (40) -33%  (114) (90) -27%Transfers from the variable portion of variable annuity products to the fixed portion of variable annuity products (79) (124) 36%  (193) (214) 10%
Variable annuity account values (1)
Variable annuity account values (1)
 13,338  14,254  -6%  13,338  14,254  -6%Variable annuity account values (1) 13,788  12,122  14%  13,788  12,122  14%
Average daily variable annuity account values (1)
Average daily variable annuity account values (1)
 13,373  14,284  -6%  13,481  14,231  -5%Average daily variable annuity account values (1) 13,558  13,217  3%  13,507  13,889  -3%
Average daily S&P 500Average daily S&P 500 1,350.01  1,318.52  2%  1,348.13  1,310.42  3%Average daily S&P 500 1,402.14  1,227.42  14%  1,366.26  1,282.45  7%

(1)
Excludes the fixed portion of variable.

We charge expense assessments to cover insurance and administrative expenses.  Expense assessments are generally equal to a percentage of the daily variable account values.  Average daily account values are driven by net flows and the equity markets.  Our expense assessments include fees we earn for the services that we provide to our mutual fund programs.  In addition, for both our fixed and variable annuity contracts, we collect surrender charges when contract holders surrender their contracts during the surrender charge periods to protect us from premature withdrawals.

Net Investment Income and Interest Credited

Details underlying net investment income, interest credited (in millions) and our interest rate spread were as follows:

 For the Three   For the Six    For the Three    For the Nine   
 Months Ended   Months Ended    Months Ended    Months Ended   
 June 30,   June 30,    September 30,    September 30,   
 2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Net Investment IncomeNet Investment Income            Net Investment Income             
Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses
Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses
$182 $179  2% $364 $356  2%Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses$184 $180  2% $547 $536  2%
Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (1)
Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (1)
 1  7  -86%  2  18  -89%Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (1) -  1  -100%  3  20  -85%
Alternative investments (2)
Alternative investments (2)
 1  - NM  1  1  0%
Alternative investments (2)
 -  - NM   1  1  0%
Surplus investments (3)
Surplus investments (3)
 18  14  29%  32  30  7%
Surplus investments (3)
 15  12  25%  47  41  15%
Total net investment income$202 $200  1% $399 $405  -1%Total net investment income$199 $193  3% $598 $598  0%
                                      
Interest CreditedInterest Credited$112 $109  3% $223 $217  3%Interest Credited$114 $109  5% $337 $326  3%

(1)See “Consolidated Investments – Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums” below for additional information.
(2)See “Consolidated Investments – Alternative Investments” below for additional information.
(3)Represents net investment income on the required statutory surplus for this segment and includes the effect of investment income on alternative investments for such assets that are held in the portfolios supporting statutory surplus versus the portfolios supporting product liabilities.

 
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  For the Three   For the Six     For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended Basis Months Ended Basis   Months Ended Basis  Months Ended Basis 
  June 30, Point June 30, Point   September 30, Point  September 30, Point 
  2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Interest Rate SpreadInterest Rate Spread            Interest Rate Spread             
Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses
Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses
 5.28% 5.55% (27)  5.30% 5.58% (28)Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses 5.23% 5.53% (30)  5.28% 5.57% (29)
Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums
Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums
 0.02% 0.23% (21)  0.03% 0.29% (26)Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums 0.01% 0.04% (3)  0.02% 0.20% (18)
Alternative investmentsAlternative investments 0.02% 0.01% 1  0.02% 0.02% - Alternative investments 0.00% 0.00% -   0.01% 0.01% - 
Net investment income yield on reserves 5.32% 5.79% (47)  5.35% 5.89% (54)Net investment income yield on reserves 5.24% 5.57% (33)  5.31% 5.78% (47)
Interest rate credited to contract holders 3.22% 3.34% (12)  3.22% 3.35% (13)Interest rate credited to contract holders 3.22% 3.31% (9)  3.22% 3.34% (12)
 Interest rate spread 2.10% 2.45% (35)  2.13% 2.54% (41) Interest rate spread 2.02% 2.26% (24)  2.09% 2.44% (35)

 As of or For the Three   As of or For the Six    As of or For the Three    As of or For the Nine   
 Months Ended   Months Ended    Months Ended    Months Ended   
 June 30,   June 30,    September 30,    September 30,   
 2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Other InformationOther Information            Other Information             
Fixed annuity deposits (1)
Fixed annuity deposits (1)
$346 $319  8% $716 $664  8%
Fixed annuity deposits (1)
$489 $378  29% $1,206 $1,042  16%
Increases (decreases) in fixed annuity account values:
Increases (decreases) in fixed annuity account values:
                  Increases (decreases) in fixed annuity account values:                   
Net flows (1)
 (23) (118) 81%  (58) (109) 47%
Net flows (1)
 44  22  100%  (13) (87) 85%
Transfers to the fixed portion of variable annuity products from the variable portion of variable annuity products
 53  40  33  114  90  27%Transfers to the fixed portion of variable annuity products from the variable portion of variable annuity products 79  124  -36%  193  214  -10%
Reinvested interest credited (1)
 112  109  3%  222  216  3%
Reinvested interest credited (1)
 114  111  3%  336  327  3%
Fixed annuity account values (1)
Fixed annuity account values (1)
 14,003  13,025  8%  14,003  13,025  8%
Fixed annuity account values (1)
 14,242  13,395  6%  14,242  13,395  6%
Average fixed account values (1)
Average fixed account values (1)
 13,903  13,000  7%  13,812  12,933  7%
Average fixed account values (1)
 14,126  13,244  7%  13,918  13,048  7%
Average invested assets on reservesAverage invested assets on reserves 13,800  12,830  8%  13,695  12,738  8%Average invested assets on reserves 14,095  13,068  8%  13,829  12,848  8%

(1)Includes the fixed portion of variable.

A portion of our investment income earned is credited to the contract holders of our fixed annuity products, including the fixed portion of variable annuity contracts.  We expect to earn a spread between what we earn on the underlying general account investments supporting the fixed annuity product line, including the fixed portion of variable annuity contracts, and what we credit to our fixed annuity contract holders’ accounts, including the fixed portion of variable annuity contracts.  Commercial mortgage loan prepayments and bond makewhole premiums, investment income on alternative investments and surplus investment income can vary significantly from period to period due to a number of factors and, therefore, may contribute to investment income results that are not indicative of the underlying trends.
 
Benefits

Benefits for this segment include changes in benefit reserves and our expected costs associated with purchases of derivatives used to hedge our benefit ratio unlocking.
 
 
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Commissions and Other Expenses

Details underlying commissions and other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

  For the Three     For the Six      For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended     Months Ended      Months Ended    Months Ended   
  June 30,     June 30,      September 30,    September 30,   
  2012  2011  Change  2012  2011  Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Commissions and Other ExpensesCommissions and Other Expenses                   Commissions and Other Expenses             
Commissions:Commissions:                   Commissions:             
Deferrable$ 5 $ 5  0% $ 10 $ 10  0Deferrable$4 $5  -20% $14 $15  -7%
Non-deferrable  12   12  0%   25   24  4%Non-deferrable 13  11  18%  38  35  9%
General and administrative expensesGeneral and administrative expenses  75   71  6%   147   134  10%General and administrative expenses 77  65  18%  224  200  12%
Taxes, licenses and feesTaxes, licenses and fees  3   4  -25%   8   9  -11%Taxes, licenses and fees 4  3  33%  12  12  0%
 Total expenses incurred  95   92  3%   190   177  7% Total expenses incurred 98  84  17%  288  262  10%
DAC deferralsDAC deferrals  (9)  (9) 0%   (19)  (17) -12%DAC deferrals (9) (8) -13%  (28) (26) -8%
 
Total expenses recognized before amortization
  86   83  4%   171   160  7% Total expenses recognized before amortization 89  76  17%  260  236  10%
DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest
  10   10  0%   19   18  6%
DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:                   
Prospective unlocking 4  2  100%  4  2  100%
Amortization, net of interest, excluding unlocking 9  5  80%  29  24  21%
 
Total commissions and other expenses
$ 96 $ 93  3% $ 190 $ 178  7% Total commissions and other expenses$102 $83  23% $293 $262  12%
                                          
DAC DeferralsDAC Deferrals                   DAC Deferrals                   
As a percentage of annuity sales/depositsAs a percentage of annuity sales/deposits 1.2% 1.3%     1.2% 1.2%   As a percentage of annuity sales/deposits 1.1% 1.0%     1.2% 1.2%   

Commissions and other costs that result directly from and are essential to the successful acquisition of new or renewal business are deferred to the extent recoverable and are amortized over the lives of the contracts in relation to EGPs.  Certain of our commissions, such as trail commissions that are based on account values, are expensed as incurred rather than deferred and amortized.  We do not pay commissions on sales of our mutual fund products, and distribution expenses associated with the sale of these mutual fund products are expensed as incurred.
 
 
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RESULTS OF LIFE INSURANCE

Income (Loss) from Operations
 
Details underlying the results for Life Insurance (in millions) were as follows:

  For the Three   For the Six     For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended   Months Ended     Months Ended    Months Ended   
  June 30,   June 30,     September 30,    September 30,   
  2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Operating RevenuesOperating Revenues            Operating Revenues             
Insurance premiumsInsurance premiums$114 $112  2% $222 $220  1%Insurance premiums$103 $104  -1% $326 $324  1%
Insurance feesInsurance fees 511  523  -2%  1,040  975  7%Insurance fees 605  498  21%  1,645  1,473  12%
Net investment incomeNet investment income 606  588  3%  1,195  1,167  2%Net investment income 578  569  2%  1,773  1,736  2%
Operating realized gainOperating realized gain 1  - NM   1  - NM 
Other revenues and feesOther revenues and fees 6  6  0%  12  14  -14%Other revenues and fees 9  5  80%  20  19  5%
Total operating revenues 1,237  1,229  1%  2,469  2,376  4%Total operating revenues 1,296  1,176  10%  3,765  3,552  6%
Operating ExpensesOperating Expenses                  Operating Expenses                   
Interest creditedInterest credited 311  307  1%  622  610  2%Interest credited 319  312  2%  941  921  2%
BenefitsBenefits 477  609  -22%  952  1,056  -10%Benefits 296  152  95%  1,248  1,209  3%
Commissions and other expensesCommissions and other expenses 248  111  123%  486  298  63%Commissions and other expenses 465  493  -6%  951  791  20%
Total operating expenses 1,036  1,027  1%  2,060  1,964  5%Total operating expenses 1,080  957  13%  3,140  2,921  7%
Income (loss) from operations before taxesIncome (loss) from operations before taxes 201  202  0%  409  412  -1%Income (loss) from operations before taxes 216  219  -1%  625  631  -1%
Federal income tax expense (benefit)Federal income tax expense (benefit) 63  66  -5%  128  133  -4%Federal income tax expense (benefit) 62  65  -5%  191  198  -4%
 Income (loss) from operations$138 $136  1% $281 $279  1% Income (loss) from operations$154 $154  0% $434 $433  0%

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 to 2011

Income from operations for this segment remained flat due primarily to the following:

·  Higher insurance fees due to the effect of prospective unlocking and growth in business in force; and
·  
Lower commissions and other expenses due to the effect of prospective unlocking, partially offset by a higher amortization rate as a result of higher gross profits than our model projections assumed and other reserve changes;
entirely offset by:
·  Higher benefits due to:
§ The effect of prospective unlocking; and
§ Continued growth in our secondary guarantee life insurance business;
partially offset by:
§ Lower death claims.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 to 2011

Income from operations for this segment increased due primarily to the following:

·Lower benefits attributableHigher insurance fees due to the effect of prospective unlocking during 2011, partially offset by higher death claims and surrender benefits and continued growth in our secondary guarantee life insurance business;
    ·Higher insurance fees due to growth in insurancebusiness in force; and
·Higher net investment income, net of interest credited, driven by:
§Growth in business in force;
partially offset by:
§Less favorable investment income on alternative investments and lower prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (see “Consolidated Investments – Alternative Investments” and “Consolidated Investments – Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums” below for more information); and
§Spread compression due to new money rates averaging below our portfolio yields, partially offset by lower interest crediting rates.
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The increase in income from operations was partially offset by higher commissions and other expenses attributable to the effect of prospective unlocking during 2011.following:

When comparing the three months ended June 30, 2012 to 2011, the decrease in insurance fees was due to lower surrender charges and the effect of prospective unlocking during 2011,
·  Higher commissions and other expenses attributable to the effect of prospective unlocking and other reserve changes; and
·  Higher benefits due to:
§ Higher death claims; and
§ Continued growth in our secondary guarantee life insurance business;
partially offset by growth in business in force.by:
§ The effect of prospective unlocking.

See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL – Unlocking” for more information about our third quarter prospective unlocking.

Strategies to Address Statutory Reserve Strain

Our insurance subsidiaries have statutory surplusTerm products and risk-based capital (“RBC”) levels above current regulatory required levels.  ProductsUL products containing secondary guarantees require reserves calculated pursuant to the Valuation of Life Insurance Policies Model Regulation (“XXX”) and Actuarial Guideline 38 (“AG38”), respectively.  The calculated reserve levels exceed the expected economic levels of benefits that will arise under AG38.these products; therefore, our surplus is reduced to hold these higher reserve levels.  Our insurance subsidiaries are employing strategies to reduce the surplus strain of increasing AG38 and Valuation of Life Insurance Policies Model Regulation (“XXX”)holding the higher statutory reserves associated with term products and UL products containing secondary guarantee UL and term products.guarantees.  As discussednoted below, we have been successful in executing reinsurance solutions to release capitalsurplus to Other Operations.  We expect to regularly execute transactions designed to release capital as wewill continue to sell products that are subjectmanage our present reinsurance solutions and enter into new solutions to these reserving requirements.  We also plan to refinance prior transactions with long-term structured solutions.minimize the strain on our surplus.

63

Included in the letters of credit (“LOCs”)LOCs issued as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, was approximately $1.9$2.3 billion of long-dated LOCs issued to support inter-company reinsurance arrangements, of which approximately $65 million and $1.0$1.4 billion was issued for UL business withproducts containing secondary guarantees throughthat will expire in 2015 and 2031, respectively, and approximately $855 million was issued for term business throughthat will expire in 2023.  We have also used the proceeds from senior note issuances of approximately $1.1 billion$875 million to execute long-term structured solutions supporting UL products containing secondary guarantee UL and term business.guarantees.  LOCs and related capital market alternatives lower the capital effect of term and UL products containing secondary guarantee UL products.guarantees.  An inability to obtain the necessary LOC capacity or other capital market alternatives could affect our returns on our in-force UL products containing secondary guarantee UL business.guarantees.  However, we believe that our insurance subsidiaries have sufficient capital to support the increase in statutory reserves, based on our current reserve projections, if such structures are not available.  See “Part III – Item 1A. Risk Factors – Legislative, Regulatory and Tax – Changes to the calculation of reserves and attempts to mitigate the impact of Regulation XXX and Actuarial Guideline 38 may fail in whole or in part resulting in an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations” as updated in “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” below for further information on XXX and AG38 reserves.  See the table in “Commissions and Other Expenses” below for the presentation of our expenses associated with reserve financing.

Additional Information

In the third quarter of each year, we conduct our annual comprehensive review of the assumptions and models used for our estimates of future gross profits underlying the amortization of DAC, VOBA, DFEL and secondary guarantee life insurance product reserves.  See “DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL” in Note 1 of our 2011 Form 10-K for a detailed discussion of our prospective unlocking process.

We expect to manage the effects of spreads on near-term income from operations through portfolio management, which assumes no significant changes in net flows into or out of our fixed accounts or other changes that may cause interest rate spreads to differ from our expectations.  As mentioned in “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL – Unlocking” above, during the third quarter of 2012, we lowered our new money investment yield assumption to reflect the current new money rates and to approximate the forward curve for interest rates.

For information on interest rate spreads, see “Part I – Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk – Interest Rate Risk – Interest Rate Risk on Fixed Insurance Businesses – Falling Rates” herein.  For information on the interest rate risk due to falling interest rates, see “Part II – Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk – Interest Rate Risk – Interest Rate Risk on Fixed Insurance Businesses – Falling Rates” and “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors – Market Conditions – Changes in interest rates and sustained low interest rates may cause interest rate spreads to decrease and changes in interest rates may also result in increased contract withdrawals” in our 2011 Form 10-K.

Sales are not recorded as a component of revenues (other than for traditional products) and do not have a significant effect on current quarter income from operations but are indicators of future profitability.  Generally, we have higher sales during the second half of the year with the fourth quarter being our strongest.  However, we face conditions in the marketplace as discussed in “Part II – Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Introduction – Executive Summary – Current Market Conditions” in our 2011 Form 10-K that may challenge our sales volume for the remainder of 2012.  For example, we are implementing pricing changes to our products that reflect the current low interest rate environment that we believe will lower our sales volumes and could potentially reduce our market share until competitive conditions change.

We provide information about this segment’s operating revenue and operating expense line items, the period in which amounts are recognized, key drivers of changes and historical details underlying the line items and their associated drivers below.  For detail on the operating realized gain (loss), see “Realized Gain (Loss) and Benefit Ratio Unlocking” below.
68


For factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in this section, see “Forward-Looking Statements – Cautionary Language” above and “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2011 Form 10-K, as updated in “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” below.
 
Insurance Premiums

Insurance premiums relate to traditional products and are a function of the rates priced into the product and the level of insurance in force.  Insurance in force, in turn, is driven by sales, persistency and mortality experience.


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Insurance Fees

Details underlying insurance fees, sales, net flows, account values and in-force face amount (in millions) were as follows:

  For the Three   For the Six     For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended   Months Ended     Months Ended    Months Ended   
  June 30,   June 30,     September 30,    September 30,   
  2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Insurance FeesInsurance Fees            Insurance Fees             
Mortality assessmentsMortality assessments$329 $327  1% $667 $651  2%Mortality assessments$324 $335  -3% $991 $986  1%
Expense assessmentsExpense assessments 205  234  -12%  411  464  -11%Expense assessments 197  230  -14%  608  694  -12%
Surrender chargesSurrender charges 20  29  -31%  43  53  -19%Surrender charges 25  21  19%  68  73  -7%
DFEL:DFEL:                  DFEL:                   
Deferrals (82) (116) 29%  (165) (242) 32%Deferrals (73) (119) 39%  (238) (360) 34%
Amortization, net of interest:                  Amortization, net of interest:                   
 Prospective unlocking - assumption changes -  19  -100%  -  17  -100% Prospective unlocking 81  (13)NM   75  (28)NM 
 Prospective unlocking - model refinements -  (14) 100%  (6) (32) 81% Amortization, net of interest, excluding unlocking 51  44  16%  141  108  31%
 Amortization, net of interest, excluding unlocking 39  44  -11%  90  64  41% Total insurance fees$605 $498  21% $1,645 $1,473  12%
 Total insurance fees$511 $523  -2% $1,040 $975  7%

  For the Three   For the Six     For the Three    For the Nine    
  Months Ended   Months Ended     Months Ended    Months Ended    
  June 30,   June 30,     September 30,    September 30,    
  2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011  Change 
Sales by ProductSales by Product            Sales by Product              
UL:UL:            UL:              
Excluding MoneyGuard®$51 $83  -39% $98 $168  -42%Excluding MoneyGuard®$38 $74  -49% $136 $242  -44%
MoneyGuard® 41  39  5%  82  73  12%MoneyGuard® 40  48  -17%  121  121  0%
 Total UL 92  122  -25%  180  241  -25% Total UL 78  122  -36%  257  363  -29%
VULVUL 12  11  9%  21  21  0%VUL 9  13  -31%  31  34  -9%
COLI and BOLICOLI and BOLI 11  10  10%  22  27  -19%COLI and BOLI 9  8  13%  31  35  -11%
TermTerm 13  14  -7%  26  27  -4%Term 16  12  33%  42  39  8%
 Total sales$128 $157  -18% $249 $316  -21% Total sales$112 $155  -28% $361 $471  -23%
                                         
Net FlowsNet Flows                  Net Flows                   
DepositsDeposits$1,137 $1,274  -11% $2,297 $2,544  -10%Deposits$1,106 $1,343  -18% $3,403 $3,887  -12%
Withdrawals and deathsWithdrawals and deaths (414) (406) -2%  (823) (855) 4%Withdrawals and deaths (411) (380) -8%  (1,234) (1,235) 0%
Net flows$723 $868  -17% $1,474 $1,689  -13%Net flows$695 $963  -28% $2,169 $2,652  -18%
                                         
Contract Holder Assessments$800 $815  -2% $1,605 $1,622  -1%
Contract holder assessmentsContract holder assessments$816 $819  0% $2,421 $2,441  -1%
 
 
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 As of June 30,    As of September 30,   
 2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Account ValuesAccount Values      Account Values      
ULUL$28,607 $26,990  6%UL$28,883 $27,485  5%
VULVUL 5,230  5,300  -1%VUL 5,450  4,658  17%
Interest-sensitive whole lifeInterest-sensitive whole life 2,284  2,277  0%Interest-sensitive whole life 2,256  2,276  -1%
Total account values$36,121 $34,567  4%Total account values$36,589 $34,419  6%
                    
In-Force Face AmountIn-Force Face Amount         In-Force Face Amount         
UL and otherUL and other$308,763 $302,205  2%UL and other$308,470 $304,475  1%
Term insuranceTerm insurance 273,305  268,520  2%Term insurance 275,992  269,969  2%
Total in-force face amount$582,068 $570,725  2%Total in-force face amount$584,462 $574,444  2%

Insurance fees relate only to interest-sensitive products and include mortality assessments, expense assessments (net of deferrals and amortization related to DFEL) and surrender charges.  Mortality and expense assessments are deducted from our contract holders’ account values.  These amounts are a function of the rates priced into the product and premiums received, face amount in force and account values.  Insurance in force, in turn, is driven by sales, persistency and mortality experience.  In-force growth should be considered independently with respect to term products versus UL and other products, as term products have a lower profitability relative to face amount compared to interest-sensitive and other products.

Sales in the table above and as discussed above were reported as follows:

·
MoneyGuard® (ourMoneyGuard® (our linked-benefit product) – 15% of single premium deposits;
·
MoneyGuard® (flexible premium option), UL (excluding linked-benefit products) and VUL (including corporate-owned UL and VUL (“COLI”) and bank-owned UL and VUL (“BOLI”)) – first year commissionable premiums plus 5% of excess premiums received, including an adjustment for internal replacements of approximately 50% of commissionable premiums; and
·Term – 100% of first year paid premiums.

The following table summarizes key information pertaining to our UL and VUL products with secondary guarantees represented 38% of interest-sensitive life insurance in force as of June 30, 2012, and 34% and 33% of sales for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, as compared to 51% and 50% of sales for the corresponding periods in 2011.  guarantees:

 As of or For the Three As of or For the Nine 
 Months Ended Months Ended 
 September 30, September 30, 
 2012 2011 2012 2011 
              
As a percentage of interest sensitive life insurance in force 38%  38% 38% 38%
As a percentage of sales 26%  46% 31% 49%
              

Changes in the marketplace and continuing efforts to increase sales of higher return products are resulting in a shift in our business mix away from UL products with secondary guarantees to products like Indexed UL, VUL and term.  Actuarial Guideline 37, or Variable Life Reserves for Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefits, and AG38 impose additional statutory reserve requirements for these products.
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Net Investment Income and Interest Credited

Details underlying net investment income, interest credited (in millions) and our interest rate spread were as follows:

 For the Three   For the Six    For the Three    For the Nine   
 Months Ended   Months Ended    Months Ended    Months Ended   
 June 30,   June 30,    September 30,    September 30,   
 2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Net Investment IncomeNet Investment Income            Net Investment Income             
Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expensesFixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses$547 $522  5% $1,089 $1,040  5%Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses$541 $524  3% $1,630 $1,563  4%
Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (1)Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (1) 6  11  -45%  8  15  -47%Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (1) 2  5  -60%  10  21  -52%
Alternative investments (2)Alternative investments (2) 13  23  -43%  27  48  -44%
Alternative investments (2)
 3  13  -77%  30  61  -51%
Surplus investments (3)Surplus investments (3) 40  32  25%  71  64  11%
Surplus investments (3)
 32  27  19%  103  91  13%
Total net investment income$606 $588  3% $1,195 $1,167  2%Total net investment income$578 $569  2% $1,773 $1,736  2%
                                       
Interest CreditedInterest Credited$311 $307  1% $622 $610  2%Interest Credited$319 $312  2% $941 $921  2%
66


(1)See “Consolidated Investments – Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums” below for additional information.
(2)See “Consolidated Investments – Alternative Investments” below for additional information.
(3)Represents net investment income on the required statutory surplus for this segment and includes the effect of investment income on alternative investments for such assets that are held in the portfolios supporting statutory surplus versus the portfolios supporting product liabilities.

  For the Three   For the Six     For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended Basis Months Ended Basis   Months Ended Basis  Months Ended Basis 
  June 30, Point June 30, Point   September 30, Point  September 30, Point 
  2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Interest Rate Yields and SpreadInterest Rate Yields and Spread            Interest Rate Yields and Spread             
Attributable to interest-sensitive products:Attributable to interest-sensitive products:            Attributable to interest-sensitive products:             
Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expensesFixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses 5.75% 5.82% (7)  5.75% 5.86% (11)Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses 5.60% 5.74% (14)  5.70% 5.82% (12)
Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiumsCommercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums 0.07% 0.14% (7)  0.05% 0.09% (4)Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums 0.02% 0.06% (4)  0.04% 0.08% (4)
Alternative investmentsAlternative investments 0.15% 0.29% (14)  0.16% 0.31% (15)Alternative investments 0.03% 0.16% (13)  0.12% 0.26% (14)
Net investment income yield on reserves 5.97% 6.25% (28)  5.96% 6.26% (30)Net investment income yield on reserves 5.65% 5.96% (31)  5.86% 6.16% (30)
Interest rate credited to contract holdersInterest rate credited to contract holders 3.92% 4.09% (17)  3.94% 4.09% (15)Interest rate credited to contract holders 3.92% 4.10% (18)  3.93% 4.09% (16)
 Interest rate spread 2.05% 2.16% (11)  2.02% 2.17% (15) Interest rate spread 1.73% 1.86% (13)  1.93% 2.07% (14)
                                         
Attributable to traditional products:Attributable to traditional products:                  Attributable to traditional products:                   
Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expensesFixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses 5.79% 6.00% (21)  5.76% 5.95% (19)Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses 5.67% 5.90% (23)  5.73% 5.93% (20)
Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiumsCommercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums 0.04% 0.00% 4  0.02% 0.05% (3)Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums 0.00% 0.03% (3)  0.01% 0.04% (3)
Alternative investmentsAlternative investments 0.02% 0.00% 2  0.01% 0.01% - Alternative investments 0.00% 0.00% -   0.01% 0.01% - 
Net investment income yield on reserves 5.85% 6.00% (15)  5.79% 6.01% (22)Net investment income yield on reserves 5.67% 5.93% (26)  5.75% 5.98% (23)

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For the Three   For the Six   For the Three   For the Nine   
Months Ended   Months Ended   Months Ended   Months Ended   
June 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,   
2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change 
Averages                        
Attributable to interest-sensitive products:                        
Invested assets on reserves$33,809 $31,488  7% $33,540 $31,140  8%$34,321 $32,080  7% $33,801 $31,454  7%
Account values - universal and whole life
 31,450  29,817  5%  31,330  29,629  6% 31,666  30,237  5%  31,442  29,832  5%
                                    
Attributable to traditional products:                                    
Invested assets on reserves 4,273  4,285  0%  4,278  4,279  0% 4,374  4,311  1%  4,310  4,290  0%
 
A portion of the investment income earned for this segment is credited to contract holder accounts.  Invested assets will typically grow at a faster rate than account values because of the AG38 reserve requirements, which cause statutory reserves to grow at a faster rate than account values.  Invested assets are based upon the statutory reserve liabilities and are, therefore, affected by various reserve adjustments, including capital transactions providing relief from AG38 reserve requirements, which leads to a transfer of invested assets from this segment to Other Operations for use in other corporate purposes.  We expect to earn a spread

67

between what we earn on the underlying general account investments and what we credit to our contract holders’ accounts.  We use our investment income to offset the earnings effect of the associated build of our policy reserves for traditional products.  Commercial mortgage loan prepayments and bond makewhole premiums and investment income on alternative investments can vary significantly from period to period due to a number of factors, and, therefore, may contribute to investment income results that are not indicative of the underlying trends.
 
Benefits

Details underlying benefits (dollars in millions) were as follows:

  For the Three   For the Six     For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended   Months Ended     Months Ended    Months Ended   
  June 30,   June 30,     September 30,    September 30,   
  2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
BenefitsBenefits            Benefits             
Death claims direct and assumedDeath claims direct and assumed$777 $721  8% $1,580 $1,420  11%Death claims direct and assumed$703 $759  -7% $2,283 $2,179  5%
Death claims cededDeath claims ceded (370) (351) -5%  (785) (669) -17%Death claims ceded (317) (377) 16%  (1,102) (1,047) -5%
Reserves released on deathReserves released on death (136) (105) -30%  (242) (237) -2%Reserves released on death (132) (108) -22%  (375) (345) -9%
Net death benefits 271  265  2%  553  514  8%Net death benefits 254  274  -7%  806  787  2%
Change in secondary guarantee life insurance product reserves:Change in secondary guarantee life insurance product reserves:                  Change in secondary guarantee life insurance product reserves:                   
Prospective unlocking - assumption changes -  18  -100%  -  29  -100%Prospective unlocking (154) (355) 57%  (145) (162) 10%
Prospective unlocking - model refinements -  129  -100%  9  162  -94%Change in reserves, excluding unlocking 111  128  -13%  356  362  -2%
Other benefits:Other benefits:                   
Change in reserves, excluding unlocking 126  125  1%  245  234  5%Prospective unlocking -  33  -100%  -  33  -100%
Other benefits (1) 80  72  11%  145  117  24%
Other benefits, excluding unlocking (1) 85  72  18%  231  189  22%
 Total benefits$477 $609  -22% $952 $1,056  -10% Total benefits$296 $152  95% $1,248 $1,209  3%
                                         
Death claims per $1,000 of in-forceDeath claims per $1,000 of in-force 1.87  1.86  1%  1.91  1.81  6%Death claims per $1,000 of in-force 1.74  1.91  -9%  1.85  1.85  0%

(1)Includes primarily traditional product changes in reserves and dividends.

Benefits for this segment includes claims incurred during the period in excess of the associated reserves for its interest-sensitive and traditional products.  In addition, benefits includes the change in secondary guarantee life insurance product reserves.  The reserve for secondary guarantees is affected by changes in expected future trends of expense assessments causing prospective unlocking adjustments to this liability similar to DAC, VOBA and DFEL.  See “Future Contract Benefits and Other Contract Holder Funds” in Note 1 of our 2011 Form 10-K for additional information.


 
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Commissions and Other Expenses

Details underlying commissions and other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

  For the Three   For the Six     For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended   Months Ended     Months Ended    Months Ended   
  June 30,   June 30,     September 30,    September 30,   
  2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Commissions and Other ExpensesCommissions and Other Expenses            Commissions and Other Expenses             
CommissionsCommissions$126 $166  -24% $256 $339  -24%Commissions$115 $161  -29% $371 $500  -26%
General and administrative expensesGeneral and administrative expenses 116  114  2%  239  227  5%General and administrative expenses 118  116  2%  357  343  4%
Expenses associated with reserve financingExpenses associated with reserve financing 16  14  14%  32  28  14%Expenses associated with reserve financing 17  14  21%  49  42  17%
Taxes, licenses and feesTaxes, licenses and fees 35  35  0%  69  70  -1%Taxes, licenses and fees 33  40  -18%  102  110  -7%
Total expenses incurred 293  329  -11%  596  664  -10%Total expenses incurred 283  331  -15%  879  995  -12%
DAC and VOBA deferralsDAC and VOBA deferrals (143) (192) 26%  (289) (386) 25%DAC and VOBA deferrals (131) (183) 28%  (420) (569) 26%
 Total expenses recognized before amortization 150  137  9%  307  278  10% Total expenses recognized before amortization 152  148  3%  459  426  8%
DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:                  DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:                   
Prospective unlocking - assumption changes -  (4) 100%  -  (11) 100%Prospective unlocking 180  231  -22%  147  17 NM 
Prospective unlocking - model refinements -  (134) 100%  (33) (203) 84%Amortization, net of interest, excluding unlocking 132  113  17%  342  345  -1%
Amortization, net of interest, excluding unlocking 97  111  -13%  210  232  -9%
Other intangible amortization 1  1  0%  2  2  0%
Other intangible amortizationOther intangible amortization 1  1  0%  3  3  0%
 
Total commissions and other expenses
$248 $111  123% $486 $298  63% Total commissions and other expenses$465 $493  -6% $951 $791  20%
                                         
DAC and VOBA DeferralsDAC and VOBA Deferrals                  DAC and VOBA Deferrals                   
As a percentage of salesAs a percentage of sales 111.7% 122.3%    116.1% 122.2%   As a percentage of sales 117.0% 118.1%     116.3% 120.8%   

Commissions and costs that result directly from and are essential to successful acquisition of new or renewal business are deferred to the extent recoverable and for our interest-sensitive products are generally amortized over the lives of the contracts in relation to EGPs.  For our traditional products, DAC and VOBA are amortized on either a straight-line basis or as a level percent of premium of the related contracts, depending on the block of business.


 
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RESULTS OF GROUP PROTECTIONInsurance Premiums

Income (Loss) from OperationsInsurance premiums relate to traditional products and are a function of the rates priced into the product and the level of insurance in force.  Insurance in force, in turn, is driven by sales, persistency and mortality experience.

Insurance Fees

Details underlying the results for Group Protectioninsurance fees, sales, net flows, account values and in-force face amount (in millions) were as follows:

   For the Three    For the Six   
   Months Ended    Months Ended   
   June 30,    June 30,   
   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Operating Revenues             
Insurance premiums$495 $460  8% $958 $897  7%
Net investment income 42  39  8%  80  78  3%
Other revenues and fees 3  2  50%  5  4  25%
 Total operating revenues 540  501  8%  1,043  979  7%
Operating Expenses                   
Interest credited 1  1  0%  2  2  0%
Benefits 368  345  7%  718  672  7%
Commissions and other expenses 129  115  12%  257  228  13%
 Total operating expenses 498  461  8%  977  902  8%
Income (loss) from operations before taxes 42  40  5%  66  77  -14%
Federal income tax expense (benefit) 15  14  7%  23  27  -15%
  Income (loss) from operations$27 $26  4% $43 $50  -14%
    For the Three    For the Nine   
    Months Ended    Months Ended   
    September 30,    September 30,   
    2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Insurance Fees             
Mortality assessments$324 $335  -3% $991 $986  1%
Expense assessments 197  230  -14%  608  694  -12%
Surrender charges 25  21  19%  68  73  -7%
DFEL:                   
 Deferrals (73) (119) 39%  (238) (360) 34%
 Amortization, net of interest:                   
  Prospective unlocking 81  (13)NM   75  (28)NM 
  Amortization, net of interest, excluding unlocking 51  44  16%  141  108  31%
   Total insurance fees$605 $498  21% $1,645 $1,473  12%

   For the Three    For the Six   
   Months Ended    Months Ended   
   June 30,    June 30,   
   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Income (Loss) from Operations by Product Line             
Life$10 $9  11% $13 $17  -24%
Disability 17  17  0%  30  33  -9%
Dental (1) (1) 0%  (2) (3) 33%
 Total non-medical 26  25  4%  41  47  -13%
Medical 1  1  0%  2  3  -33%
  Income (loss) from operations$27 $26  4% $43 $50  -14%
    For the Three    For the Nine    
    Months Ended    Months Ended    
    September 30,    September 30,    
    2012 2011 Change  2012 2011  Change 
Sales by Product              
UL:              
 Excluding MoneyGuard®$38 $74  -49% $136 $242  -44%
 MoneyGuard® 40  48  -17%  121  121  0%
  Total UL 78  122  -36%  257  363  -29%
VUL 9  13  -31%  31  34  -9%
COLI and BOLI 9  8  13%  31  35  -11%
Term 16  12  33%  42  39  8%
   Total sales$112 $155  -28% $361 $471  -23%
                       
Net Flows                   
Deposits$1,106 $1,343  -18% $3,403 $3,887  -12%
Withdrawals and deaths (411) (380) -8%  (1,234) (1,235) 0%
 Net flows$695 $963  -28% $2,169 $2,652  -18%
                       
Contract holder assessments$816 $819  0% $2,421 $2,441  -1%
69


Comparison
  As of September 30,   
  2012 2011 Change 
Account Values      
UL$28,883 $27,485  5%
VUL 5,450  4,658  17%
Interest-sensitive whole life 2,256  2,276  -1%
 Total account values$36,589 $34,419  6%
           
In-Force Face Amount         
UL and other$308,470 $304,475  1%
Term insurance 275,992  269,969  2%
 Total in-force face amount$584,462 $574,444  2%

Insurance fees relate only to interest-sensitive products and include mortality assessments, expense assessments (net of deferrals and amortization related to DFEL) and surrender charges.  Mortality and expense assessments are deducted from our contract holders’ account values.  These amounts are a function of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2012rates priced into the product and premiums received, face amount in force and account values.  Insurance in force, in turn, is driven by sales, persistency and mortality experience.  In-force growth should be considered independently with respect to 2011term products versus UL and other products, as term products have a lower profitability relative to face amount compared to interest-sensitive and other products.

Income from operations for this segment increased due primarily toSales in the following:table above and as discussed above were reported as follows:

·More favorable non-medical loss ratio experience;
MoneyGuard® (our linked-benefit product) – 15% of single premium deposits;
·Growth in insurance
MoneyGuard® (flexible premium option), UL (excluding linked-benefit products) and VUL (including corporate-owned UL and VUL (“COLI”) and bank-owned UL and VUL (“BOLI”)) – first year commissionable premiums driven by normal, organic business growth in our non-medical products;plus 5% of excess premiums received, including an adjustment for internal replacements of approximately 50% of commissionable premiums; and
·More favorable investment income on alternative investments (see “Consolidated InvestmentsTermAlternative Investments” below for more information).100% of first year paid premiums.

The increase in income from operations was partially offset by higher commissionsfollowing table summarizes key information pertaining to our UL and other expenses attributable to an increase in business and investments in strategic initiatives associatedVUL products with enhancements to sales and distribution processes and improvements to technology platforms.secondary guarantees:

 As of or For the Three As of or For the Nine 
 Months Ended Months Ended 
 September 30, September 30, 
 2012 2011 2012 2011 
              
As a percentage of interest sensitive life insurance in force 38%  38% 38% 38%
As a percentage of sales 26%  46% 31% 49%
              

Changes in the marketplace and continuing efforts to increase sales of higher return products are resulting in a shift in our business mix away from UL products with secondary guarantees to products like Indexed UL, VUL and term.  Actuarial Guideline 37, or Variable Life Reserves for Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefits, and AG38 impose additional statutory reserve requirements for these products.
 
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Net Investment Income and Interest Credited

ComparisonDetails underlying net investment income, interest credited (in millions) and our interest rate spread were as follows:

  For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended    Months Ended   
  September 30,    September 30,   
  2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Net Investment Income             
Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses$541 $524  3% $1,630 $1,563  4%
Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (1) 2  5  -60%  10  21  -52%
Alternative investments (2)
 3  13  -77%  30  61  -51%
Surplus investments (3)
 32  27  19%  103  91  13%
 Total net investment income$578 $569  2% $1,773 $1,736  2%
                     
Interest Credited$319 $312  2% $941 $921  2%

(1)  See “Consolidated Investments – Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums” below for additional information.
(2)  See “Consolidated Investments – Alternative Investments” below for additional information.
(3)  Represents net investment income on the required statutory surplus for this segment and includes the effect of investment income on alternative investments for such assets that are held in the portfolios supporting statutory surplus versus the portfolios supporting product liabilities.

   For the Three    For the Nine   
   Months Ended Basis  Months Ended Basis 
   September 30, Point  September 30, Point 
   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Interest Rate Yields and Spread             
Attributable to interest-sensitive products:             
Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses 5.60% 5.74% (14)  5.70% 5.82% (12)
Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums 0.02% 0.06% (4)  0.04% 0.08% (4)
Alternative investments 0.03% 0.16% (13)  0.12% 0.26% (14)
 Net investment income yield on reserves 5.65% 5.96% (31)  5.86% 6.16% (30)
Interest rate credited to contract holders 3.92% 4.10% (18)  3.93% 4.09% (16)
  Interest rate spread 1.73% 1.86% (13)  1.93% 2.07% (14)
                      
Attributable to traditional products:                   
Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses 5.67% 5.90% (23)  5.73% 5.93% (20)
Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums 0.00% 0.03% (3)  0.01% 0.04% (3)
Alternative investments 0.00% 0.00% -   0.01% 0.01% - 
 Net investment income yield on reserves 5.67% 5.93% (26)  5.75% 5.98% (23)

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 For the Three    For the Nine   
 Months Ended    Months Ended   
 September 30,    September 30,   
 2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Averages             
Attributable to interest-sensitive products:             
Invested assets on reserves$34,321 $32,080  7% $33,801 $31,454  7%
Account values - universal and whole life 31,666  30,237  5%  31,442  29,832  5%
                    
Attributable to traditional products:                   
Invested assets on reserves 4,374  4,311  1%  4,310  4,290  0%
A portion of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 to 2011

Income from operationsinvestment income earned for this segment decreased due primarilyis credited to higher commissionscontract holder accounts.  Invested assets will typically grow at a faster rate than account values because of the AG38 reserve requirements, which cause statutory reserves to grow at a faster rate than account values.  Invested assets are based upon the statutory reserve liabilities and are, therefore, affected by various reserve adjustments, including capital transactions providing relief from AG38 reserve requirements, which leads to a transfer of invested assets from this segment to Other Operations for use in other expenses attributablecorporate purposes.  We expect to an increase in businessearn a spread between what we earn on the underlying general account investments and investments in strategic initiativeswhat we credit to our contract holders’ accounts.  We use our investment income to offset the earnings effect of the associated with enhancements to salesbuild of our policy reserves for traditional products.  Commercial mortgage loan prepayments and distribution processesbond makewhole premiums and improvements to technology platforms.

The decrease in income from operations was partially offset by growth in insurance premiums driven by normal, organic business growth in our non-medical products and more favorable investment income on alternative investments (see “Consolidated Investments – Alternative Investments” below for more information).can vary significantly from period to period due to a number of factors, and, therefore, may contribute to investment income results that are not indicative of the underlying trends.
Benefits

Additional InformationDetails underlying benefits (dollars in millions) were as follows:

Management compares trends in actual loss ratios to pricing expectations because group-underwriting risks change over time.  We expect normal fluctuations in our composite non-medical loss ratios of
   For the Three    For the Nine   
   Months Ended    Months Ended   
   September 30,    September 30,   
   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Benefits             
Death claims direct and assumed$703 $759  -7% $2,283 $2,179  5%
Death claims ceded (317) (377) 16%  (1,102) (1,047) -5%
Reserves released on death (132) (108) -22%  (375) (345) -9%
 Net death benefits 254  274  -7%  806  787  2%
Change in secondary guarantee life insurance product reserves:                   
 Prospective unlocking (154) (355) 57%  (145) (162) 10%
 Change in reserves, excluding unlocking 111  128  -13%  356  362  -2%
Other benefits:                   
 Prospective unlocking -  33  -100%  -  33  -100%
 Other benefits, excluding unlocking (1) 85  72  18%  231  189  22%
  Total benefits$296 $152  95% $1,248 $1,209  3%
                      
Death claims per $1,000 of in-force 1.74  1.91  -9%  1.85  1.85  0%

(1)  Includes primarily traditional product changes in reserves and dividends.

Benefits for this segment asincludes claims experience is inherently uncertain.  Non-medical loss ratios in general are likely to remain within our long-term expectation of 71% to 74%incurred during 2012.  For every one percent increase in the loss ratio above our expectation, we would expect an approximate annual $10 million to $12 million decrease to income from operations.

We are evaluating the potential effects that health care reform may have on the value and profitability of this segment’s products and income from operations, including, but not limited to, potential changes to traditional sources of income for our brokers who may seek additional portfolio options and/or modification to compensation structures.

For information on the effects of current interest rates on our long-term disability claim reserves, see “Part II – Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk – Interest Rate Risk – Interest Rate Risk on Fixed Insurance Businesses – Falling Rates” in our 2011 Form 10-K.

Sales relate to long-duration contracts sold to new contract holders and new programs sold to existing contract holders.  We believe that the trend in sales is an important indicator of development of business in force over time.

We provide information about this segment’s operating revenue and operating expense line items, the period in which amounts are recognized, key driversexcess of the associated reserves for its interest-sensitive and traditional products.  In addition, benefits includes the change in secondary guarantee life insurance product reserves.  The reserve for secondary guarantees is affected by changes in expected future trends of expense assessments causing prospective unlocking adjustments to this liability similar to DAC, VOBA and historical details underlying the line itemsDFEL.  See “Future Contract Benefits and their associated drivers below.

For factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forthOther Contract Holder Funds” in this section, see “Forward-Looking Statements – Cautionary Language” above and “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” inNote 1 of our 2011 Form 10-K as updated in “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” below.for additional information.

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Commissions and Other Expenses

Details underlying commissions and other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

    For the Three    For the Nine   
    Months Ended    Months Ended   
    September 30,    September 30,   
    2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Commissions and Other Expenses             
Commissions$115 $161  -29% $371 $500  -26%
General and administrative expenses 118  116  2%  357  343  4%
Expenses associated with reserve financing 17  14  21%  49  42  17%
Taxes, licenses and fees 33  40  -18%  102  110  -7%
 Total expenses incurred 283  331  -15%  879  995  -12%
DAC and VOBA deferrals (131) (183) 28%  (420) (569) 26%
  Total expenses recognized before amortization 152  148  3%  459  426  8%
DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:                   
 Prospective unlocking 180  231  -22%  147  17 NM 
 Amortization, net of interest, excluding unlocking 132  113  17%  342  345  -1%
Other intangible amortization 1  1  0%  3  3  0%
   Total commissions and other expenses$465 $493  -6% $951 $791  20%
                       
DAC and VOBA Deferrals                   
As a percentage of sales 117.0% 118.1%     116.3% 120.8%   

Commissions and costs that result directly from and are essential to successful acquisition of new or renewal business are deferred to the extent recoverable and for our interest-sensitive products are generally amortized over the lives of the contracts in relation to EGPs.  For our traditional products, DAC and VOBA are amortized on either a straight-line basis or as a level percent of premium of the related contracts, depending on the block of business.
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Insurance Premiums

Insurance premiums relate to traditional products and are a function of the rates priced into the product and the level of insurance in force.  Insurance in force, in turn, is driven by sales, persistency and mortality experience.

Insurance Fees

Details underlying insurance fees, sales, net flows, account values and in-force face amount (in millions) were as follows:

    For the Three    For the Nine   
    Months Ended    Months Ended   
    September 30,    September 30,   
    2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Insurance Fees             
Mortality assessments$324 $335  -3% $991 $986  1%
Expense assessments 197  230  -14%  608  694  -12%
Surrender charges 25  21  19%  68  73  -7%
DFEL:                   
 Deferrals (73) (119) 39%  (238) (360) 34%
 Amortization, net of interest:                   
  Prospective unlocking 81  (13)NM   75  (28)NM 
  Amortization, net of interest, excluding unlocking 51  44  16%  141  108  31%
   Total insurance fees$605 $498  21% $1,645 $1,473  12%

    For the Three    For the Nine    
    Months Ended    Months Ended    
    September 30,    September 30,    
    2012 2011 Change  2012 2011  Change 
Sales by Product              
UL:              
 Excluding MoneyGuard®$38 $74  -49% $136 $242  -44%
 MoneyGuard® 40  48  -17%  121  121  0%
  Total UL 78  122  -36%  257  363  -29%
VUL 9  13  -31%  31  34  -9%
COLI and BOLI 9  8  13%  31  35  -11%
Term 16  12  33%  42  39  8%
   Total sales$112 $155  -28% $361 $471  -23%
                       
Net Flows                   
Deposits$1,106 $1,343  -18% $3,403 $3,887  -12%
Withdrawals and deaths (411) (380) -8%  (1,234) (1,235) 0%
 Net flows$695 $963  -28% $2,169 $2,652  -18%
                       
Contract holder assessments$816 $819  0% $2,421 $2,441  -1%
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  As of September 30,   
  2012 2011 Change 
Account Values      
UL$28,883 $27,485  5%
VUL 5,450  4,658  17%
Interest-sensitive whole life 2,256  2,276  -1%
 Total account values$36,589 $34,419  6%
           
In-Force Face Amount         
UL and other$308,470 $304,475  1%
Term insurance 275,992  269,969  2%
 Total in-force face amount$584,462 $574,444  2%

Insurance fees relate only to interest-sensitive products and include mortality assessments, expense assessments (net of deferrals and amortization related to DFEL) and surrender charges.  Mortality and expense assessments are deducted from our contract holders’ account values.  These amounts are a function of the rates priced into the product and premiums received, face amount in force and account values.  Insurance in force, in turn, is driven by sales, persistency and mortality experience.  In-force growth should be considered independently with respect to term products versus UL and other products, as term products have a lower profitability relative to face amount compared to interest-sensitive and other products.

Sales in the table above and as discussed above were reported as follows:

·  
MoneyGuard® (our linked-benefit product) – 15% of single premium deposits;
·  
MoneyGuard® (flexible premium option), UL (excluding linked-benefit products) and VUL (including corporate-owned UL and VUL (“COLI”) and bank-owned UL and VUL (“BOLI”)) – first year commissionable premiums plus 5% of excess premiums received, including an adjustment for internal replacements of approximately 50% of commissionable premiums; and
·  Term – 100% of first year paid premiums.

The following table summarizes key information pertaining to our UL and VUL products with secondary guarantees:

 As of or For the Three As of or For the Nine 
 Months Ended Months Ended 
 September 30, September 30, 
 2012 2011 2012 2011 
              
As a percentage of interest sensitive life insurance in force 38%  38% 38% 38%
As a percentage of sales 26%  46% 31% 49%
              

Changes in the marketplace and continuing efforts to increase sales of higher return products are resulting in a shift in our business mix away from UL products with secondary guarantees to products like Indexed UL, VUL and term.  Actuarial Guideline 37, or Variable Life Reserves for Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefits, and AG38 impose additional statutory reserve requirements for these products.
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Net Investment Income and Interest Credited

Details underlying net investment income, interest credited (in millions) and our interest rate spread were as follows:

  For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended    Months Ended   
  September 30,    September 30,   
  2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Net Investment Income             
Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses$541 $524  3% $1,630 $1,563  4%
Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (1) 2  5  -60%  10  21  -52%
Alternative investments (2)
 3  13  -77%  30  61  -51%
Surplus investments (3)
 32  27  19%  103  91  13%
 Total net investment income$578 $569  2% $1,773 $1,736  2%
                     
Interest Credited$319 $312  2% $941 $921  2%

(1)  See “Consolidated Investments – Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums” below for additional information.
(2)  See “Consolidated Investments – Alternative Investments” below for additional information.
(3)  Represents net investment income on the required statutory surplus for this segment and includes the effect of investment income on alternative investments for such assets that are held in the portfolios supporting statutory surplus versus the portfolios supporting product liabilities.

   For the Three    For the Nine   
   Months Ended Basis  Months Ended Basis 
   September 30, Point  September 30, Point 
   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Interest Rate Yields and Spread             
Attributable to interest-sensitive products:             
Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses 5.60% 5.74% (14)  5.70% 5.82% (12)
Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums 0.02% 0.06% (4)  0.04% 0.08% (4)
Alternative investments 0.03% 0.16% (13)  0.12% 0.26% (14)
 Net investment income yield on reserves 5.65% 5.96% (31)  5.86% 6.16% (30)
Interest rate credited to contract holders 3.92% 4.10% (18)  3.93% 4.09% (16)
  Interest rate spread 1.73% 1.86% (13)  1.93% 2.07% (14)
                      
Attributable to traditional products:                   
Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses 5.67% 5.90% (23)  5.73% 5.93% (20)
Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums 0.00% 0.03% (3)  0.01% 0.04% (3)
Alternative investments 0.00% 0.00% -   0.01% 0.01% - 
 Net investment income yield on reserves 5.67% 5.93% (26)  5.75% 5.98% (23)

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 For the Three    For the Nine   
 Months Ended    Months Ended   
 September 30,    September 30,   
 2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Averages             
Attributable to interest-sensitive products:             
Invested assets on reserves$34,321 $32,080  7% $33,801 $31,454  7%
Account values - universal and whole life 31,666  30,237  5%  31,442  29,832  5%
                    
Attributable to traditional products:                   
Invested assets on reserves 4,374  4,311  1%  4,310  4,290  0%
A portion of the investment income earned for this segment is credited to contract holder accounts.  Invested assets will typically grow at a faster rate than account values because of the AG38 reserve requirements, which cause statutory reserves to grow at a faster rate than account values.  Invested assets are based upon the statutory reserve liabilities and are, therefore, affected by various reserve adjustments, including capital transactions providing relief from AG38 reserve requirements, which leads to a transfer of invested assets from this segment to Other Operations for use in other corporate purposes.  We expect to earn a spread between what we earn on the underlying general account investments and what we credit to our contract holders’ accounts.  We use our investment income to offset the earnings effect of the associated build of our policy reserves for traditional products.  Commercial mortgage loan prepayments and bond makewhole premiums and investment income on alternative investments can vary significantly from period to period due to a number of factors, and, therefore, may contribute to investment income results that are not indicative of the underlying trends.
Benefits

Details underlying benefits (dollars in millions) were as follows:

   For the Three    For the Nine   
   Months Ended    Months Ended   
   September 30,    September 30,   
   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Benefits             
Death claims direct and assumed$703 $759  -7% $2,283 $2,179  5%
Death claims ceded (317) (377) 16%  (1,102) (1,047) -5%
Reserves released on death (132) (108) -22%  (375) (345) -9%
 Net death benefits 254  274  -7%  806  787  2%
Change in secondary guarantee life insurance product reserves:                   
 Prospective unlocking (154) (355) 57%  (145) (162) 10%
 Change in reserves, excluding unlocking 111  128  -13%  356  362  -2%
Other benefits:                   
 Prospective unlocking -  33  -100%  -  33  -100%
 Other benefits, excluding unlocking (1) 85  72  18%  231  189  22%
  Total benefits$296 $152  95% $1,248 $1,209  3%
                      
Death claims per $1,000 of in-force 1.74  1.91  -9%  1.85  1.85  0%

(1)  Includes primarily traditional product changes in reserves and dividends.

Benefits for this segment includes claims incurred during the period in excess of the associated reserves for its interest-sensitive and traditional products.  In addition, benefits includes the change in secondary guarantee life insurance product reserves.  The reserve for secondary guarantees is affected by changes in expected future trends of expense assessments causing prospective unlocking adjustments to this liability similar to DAC, VOBA and DFEL.  See “Future Contract Benefits and Other Contract Holder Funds” in Note 1 of our 2011 Form 10-K for additional information.

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Commissions and Other Expenses

Details underlying commissions and other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

    For the Three    For the Nine   
    Months Ended    Months Ended   
    September 30,    September 30,   
    2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Commissions and Other Expenses             
Commissions$115 $161  -29% $371 $500  -26%
General and administrative expenses 118  116  2%  357  343  4%
Expenses associated with reserve financing 17  14  21%  49  42  17%
Taxes, licenses and fees 33  40  -18%  102  110  -7%
 Total expenses incurred 283  331  -15%  879  995  -12%
DAC and VOBA deferrals (131) (183) 28%  (420) (569) 26%
  Total expenses recognized before amortization 152  148  3%  459  426  8%
DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:                   
 Prospective unlocking 180  231  -22%  147  17 NM 
 Amortization, net of interest, excluding unlocking 132  113  17%  342  345  -1%
Other intangible amortization 1  1  0%  3  3  0%
   Total commissions and other expenses$465 $493  -6% $951 $791  20%
                       
DAC and VOBA Deferrals                   
As a percentage of sales 117.0% 118.1%     116.3% 120.8%   

Commissions and costs that result directly from and are essential to successful acquisition of new or renewal business are deferred to the extent recoverable and for our interest-sensitive products are generally amortized over the lives of the contracts in relation to EGPs.  For our traditional products, DAC and VOBA are amortized on either a straight-line basis or as a level percent of premium of the related contracts, depending on the block of business.
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RESULTS OF GROUP PROTECTION

Income (Loss) from Operations
Details underlying the results for Group Protection (in millions) were as follows:

   For the Three    For the Nine   
   Months Ended    Months Ended   
   September 30,    September 30,   
   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Operating Revenues             
Insurance premiums$473 $440  8% $1,431 $1,337  7%
Net investment income 41  37  11%  121  115  5%
Other revenues and fees 3  2  50%  8  6  33%
 Total operating revenues 517  479  8%  1,560  1,458  7%
Operating Expenses                   
Interest credited 1  1  0%  3  2  50%
Benefits 360  319  13%  1,078  991  9%
Commissions and other expenses 132  118  12%  389  347  12%
 Total operating expenses 493  438  13%  1,470  1,340  10%
Income (loss) from operations before taxes 24  41  -41%  90  118  -24%
Federal income tax expense (benefit) 8  14  -43%  31  41  -24%
  Income (loss) from operations$16 $27  -41% $59 $77  -23%

   For the Three    For the Nine   
   Months Ended    Months Ended   
   September 30,    September 30,   
   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Income (Loss) from Operations by Product Line             
Life$6 $11  -45% $18 $28  -36%
Disability 7  15  -53%  37  48  -23%
Dental 2  - NM   -  (3) 100%
 Total non-medical 15  26  -42%  55  73  -25%
Medical 1  1  0%  4  4  0%
  Income (loss) from operations$16 $27  -41% $59 $77  -23%

Comparison of the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 to 2011

Income from operations for this segment decreased due primarily to the following:

·  Unfavorable total non-medical loss ratio experience; and
·  Higher commissions and other expenses attributable to strategic investments in sales and distribution processes and technology platforms as well as an increase in business.

The decrease in income from operations was partially offset by growth in insurance premiums driven by normal, organic business growth in our non-medical products.

Additional Information

Management compares trends in actual loss ratios to pricing expectations because group-underwriting risks change over time.  We expect normal fluctuations in our composite non-medical loss ratios of this segment, as claims experience is inherently uncertain.  During the third quarter of 2012, our total non-medical loss ratio of 75.7% was above our long-term expectation of 71% to 74%

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due primarily to unfavorable long-term disability claims severity and, to a lesser extent, adverse mortality experience.  Non-medical loss ratios in general are likely to remain at the high end of our long-term expectation of 71% to 74% during the fourth quarter of 2012.  For every one percent increase in the loss ratio above our expectation, we would expect an approximate annual $10 million to $12 million decrease to income from operations.

We are evaluating the potential effects that health care reform may have on the value and profitability of this segment’s products and income from operations, including, but not limited to, potential changes to traditional sources of income for our brokers who may seek additional portfolio options and/or modification to compensation structures.

For information on the effects of current interest rates on our long-term disability claim reserves, see “Part II – Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk – Interest Rate Risk – Interest Rate Risk on Fixed Insurance Businesses – Falling Rates” in our 2011 Form 10-K.

Sales relate to long-duration contracts sold to new contract holders and new programs sold to existing contract holders.  We believe that the trend in sales is an important indicator of development of business in force over time.

We provide information about this segment’s operating revenue and operating expense line items, the period in which amounts are recognized, key drivers of changes and historical details underlying the line items and their associated drivers below.

For factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in this section, see “Forward-Looking Statements – Cautionary Language” above and “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2011 Form 10-K, as updated in “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” below.

Insurance Premiums

Details underlying insurance premiums (in millions) were as follows:

  For the Three   For the Six     For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended   Months Ended     Months Ended    Months Ended   
  June 30,   June 30,     September 30,    September 30,   
  2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Insurance Premiums by Product LineInsurance Premiums by Product Line            Insurance Premiums by Product Line             
LifeLife$191 $174  10% $377 $344  10%Life$194 $174  11% $570 $517  10%
DisabilityDisability 204  190  7%  402  376  7%Disability 207  190  9%  610  568  7%
DentalDental 47  45  4%  93  92  1%Dental 49  46  7%  142  137  4%
Total non-medical 442  409  8%  872  812  7%Total non-medical 450  410  10%  1,322  1,222  8%
MedicalMedical 53  51  4%  86  85  1%Medical 23  30  -23%  109  115  -5%
 Total insurance premiums$495 $460  8% $958 $897  7% Total insurance premiums$473 $440  8% $1,431 $1,337  7%
                                         
 Sales$89 $67  33% $156 $113  38%
SalesSales$97 $75  29% $252 $187  35%

Our cost of insurance and policy administration charges are embedded in the premiums charged to our customers.  The premiums are a function of the rates priced into the product and our business in force.  Business in force, in turn, is driven by sales and persistency experience.  Sales in the table above are the combined annualized premiums for our life, disability and dental products.
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Net Investment Income

We use our investment income to offset the earnings effect of the associated build of our policy reserves, which are a function of our insurance premiums and the yields on our invested assets.
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Benefits and Interest Credited

Details underlying benefits and interest credited (in millions) and loss ratios by product line were as follows:

  For the Three    For the Nine   
  For the Three   For the Six     Months Ended    Months Ended   
  Months Ended   Months Ended     September 30,    September 30,   
  June 30,   June 30,     2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
  2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change                
Benefits and Interest Credited by Product LineBenefits and Interest Credited by Product Line            Benefits and Interest Credited by Product Line             
LifeLife$143 $132  8% $289 $261  11%Life$149 $125  19% $437 $386  13%
DisabilityDisability 142  132  8%  281  263  7%Disability 158  134  18%  440  396  11%
DentalDental 36  36  0%  74  75  -1%Dental 34  35  -3%  107  110  -3%
Total non-medical 321  300  7%  644  599  8%Total non-medical 341  294  16%  984  892  10%
MedicalMedical 48  46  4%  76  75  1%Medical 20  26  -23%  97  101  -4%
 Total benefits and interest credited$369 $346  7% $720 $674  7% Total benefits and interest credited$361 $320  13% $1,081 $993  9%
                                         
Loss Ratios by Product LineLoss Ratios by Product Line                  Loss Ratios by Product Line                   
LifeLife 75.0% 76.1%    76.6% 76.0%   Life 76.8% 72.1%     76.7% 74.7%   
DisabilityDisability 69.6% 69.4%    69.8% 69.7%   Disability 76.3% 70.4%     72.0% 70.0%   
DentalDental 76.5% 79.9%    79.2% 81.8%   Dental 69.0% 76.2%     75.7% 80.0%   
Total non-medical 72.7% 73.4%    73.8% 73.7%   Total non-medical 75.7% 71.8%     74.4% 73.1%   
MedicalMedical 89.7% 89.4%    88.9% 88.1%   Medical 85.4% 86.9%     88.1% 87.8%   
 
Commissions and Other Expenses

Details underlying commissions and other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

  For the Three   For the Six     For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended   Months Ended     Months Ended    Months Ended   
  June 30,   June 30,     September 30,    September 30,   
  2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Commissions and Other ExpensesCommissions and Other Expenses            Commissions and Other Expenses             
CommissionsCommissions$53 $49  8% $107 $100  7%Commissions$55 $50  10% $162 $150  8%
General and administrative expensesGeneral and administrative expenses 69  57  21%  130  107  21%General and administrative expenses 70  60  17%  200  169  18%
Taxes, licenses and feesTaxes, licenses and fees 13  10  30%  25  21  19%Taxes, licenses and fees 12  12  0%  37  32  16%
Total expenses incurred 135  116  16%  262  228  15%Total expenses incurred 137  122  12%  399  351  14%
DAC deferralsDAC deferrals (17) (10) -70%  (28) (19) -47%DAC deferrals (15) (13) -15%  (43) (32) -34%
 Total expenses recognized before amortization 118  106  11%  234  209  12% Total expenses recognized before amortization 122  109  12%  356  319  12%
DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interestDAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest 11  9  22%  23  19  21%DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest 10  9  11%  33  28  18%
 
Total commissions and other expenses
$129 $115  12% $257 $228  13% Total commissions and other expenses$132 $118  12% $389 $347  12%
                                         
DAC DeferralsDAC Deferrals                  DAC Deferrals                   
As a percentage of insurance premiumsAs a percentage of insurance premiums 3.4% 2.2%    2.9% 2.1%   As a percentage of insurance premiums 3.2% 3.0%     3.0% 2.4%   

Commissions and other costs that result directly from and are essential to the successful acquisition of new or renewal business are
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deferred to the extent recoverable and are amortized on either a straight-line basis or as a level percent of premium of the related contracts depending on the block of business.  Certain broker commissions that vary with and are related to paid premiums are expensed as incurred.  The level of expenses is an important driver of profitability for this segment as group insurance contracts are offered within an environment that competes on the basis of price and service.

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RESULTS OF OTHER OPERATIONS

Income (Loss) from Operations
 
Details underlying the results for Other Operations (in millions) were as follows:

  For the Three   For the Six     For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended   Months Ended     Months Ended    Months Ended   
  June 30,   June 30,     September 30,    September 30,   
  2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Operating RevenuesOperating Revenues            Operating Revenues             
Insurance premiumsInsurance premiums$3 $- NM $4 $- NM Insurance premiums$- $1  -100% $4 $1  300%
Net investment incomeNet investment income 68  76  -11%  137  156  -12%Net investment income 61  80  -24%  198  237  -16%
Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsuranceAmortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance 18  18  0%  36  36  0%Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance 18  18  0%  54  54  0%
Media revenues (net)Media revenues (net) 21  19  11%  38  36  6%Media revenues (net) 21  20  5%  60  56  7%
Other revenues and feesOther revenues and fees 3  1  200%  5  4  25%Other revenues and fees 1  3  -67%  5  4  25%
Total operating revenues 113  114  -1%  220  232  -5%Total operating revenues 101  122  -17%  321  352  -9%
Operating ExpensesOperating Expenses                  Operating Expenses                   
Interest creditedInterest credited 30  29  3%  61  58  5%Interest credited 30  27  11%  91  85  7%
BenefitsBenefits 35  28  25%  63  62  2%Benefits 43  34  26%  105  95  11%
Media expensesMedia expenses 16  17  -6%  32  34  -6%Media expenses 16  17  -6%  49  51  -4%
Other expensesOther expenses 15  3 NM  36  29  24%Other expenses 33  34  -3%  69  62  11%
Interest and debt expenseInterest and debt expense 68  72  -6%  135  144  -6%Interest and debt expense 68  71  -4%  203  215  -6%
Total operating expenses 164  149  10%  327  327  0%Total operating expenses 190  183  4%  517  508  2%
Income (loss) from operations before taxesIncome (loss) from operations before taxes (51) (35) -46%  (107) (95) -13%Income (loss) from operations before taxes (89) (61) -46%  (196) (156) -26%
Federal income tax expense (benefit)Federal income tax expense (benefit) (12) (13) 8%  (34) (35) 3%Federal income tax expense (benefit) (86) (17)NM   (121) (52)NM 
 Income (loss) from operations$(39)$(22) -77% $(73)$(60) -22% Income (loss) from operations$(3)$(44) 93% $(75)$(104) 28%

Comparison of the Three and SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 to 2011

Loss from operations for Other Operations increaseddecreased due primarily to favorable tax adjustments during 2012 related to the release of reserves associated with prior tax years that were closed in the third quarter.

The increase in income from operations was partially offset by lower net investment income, net of interest credited, attributable to the following:

·Lower net investment income, net of interest credited, attributable to:
§New money rates averaging below our portfolio yields; and
§·  Repurchases of common stock, net cash used in operating activities due to interest payments and transfers to other segments for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) resulting in lower average invested assets;
    ·Higher other expenses due to timing of general and administrative expenses, such as branding; and
    ·Less favorable tax items recorded in 2012 than in 2011 driven by tax preferred investments and other items.assets.

The increase in loss from operations was partially offset by lower interest and debt expenses attributable to a decline in the rate on outstanding debt during 2012.Additional Information

Additional InformationOther Operations experienced elevated levels of expense during both 2012 and 2011 related primarily to restructuring charges and a state guaranty funds assessment associated with Executive Life Insurance Company of New York, respectively.

We provide information about Other Operations’ operating revenue and operating expense line items, the period in which amounts are recognized, key drivers of changes and historical details underlying the line items and their associated drivers below.

For factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in this section, see “Forward-Looking Statements – Cautionary Language” above and “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2011 Form 10-K, as updated in “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” below.

 
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Risk Factors” below.

Net Investment Income and Interest Credited

We utilize an internal formula to determine the amount of capital that is allocated to our business segments.  Investment income on capital in excess of the calculated amounts is reported in Other Operations.  If regulations require increases in our insurance segments’ statutory reserves and surplus, the amount of capital retained by Other Operations would decrease and net investment income would be negatively affected.

Write-downs for OTTI decrease the recorded value of our invested assets owned by our business segments.  These write-downs are not included in the income from operations of our operating segments.  When impairment occurs, assets are transferred to the business segments’ portfolios and will reduce the future net investment income for Other Operations, but should not have an effect on a consolidated basis unless the impairments are related to defaulted securities.  Statutory reserve adjustments for our business segments can also cause allocations of invested assets between the affected segments and Other Operations.

The majority of our interest credited relates to our reinsurance operations sold to Swiss Re in 2001.  A substantial amount of the business was sold through indemnity reinsurance transactions, which is still recorded in our consolidated financial statements.  The interest credited corresponds to investment income earnings on the assets we continue to hold for this business.  There is no effect to income or loss in Other Operations or on a consolidated basis for these amounts because interest earned on the blocks that continue to be reinsured is passed through to Swiss Re in the form of interest credited.

Benefits

Benefits are recognized when incurred for Institutional Pension products and disability income business.

Other Expenses

Details underlying other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

  For the Three   For the Six     For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended   Months Ended     Months Ended    Months Ended   
  June 30,   June 30,     September 30,    September 30,   
  2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Other ExpensesOther Expenses           Other Expenses             
General and administrative expenses:General and administrative expenses:            General and administrative expenses:             
Legal$- $(7) 100% $1 $2  -50%Legal$- $- NM  $1 $2  -50%
Branding 9  5  80%  17  10  70%Branding 4  9  -56%  21  19  11%
Other (1) 13  10  30%  27  24  13%Other (1) 7  13  -46%  34  37  -8%
 Total general and administrative expenses 22  8  175%  45  36  25% Total general and administrative expenses 11  22  -50%  56  58  -3%
Restructuring chargesRestructuring charges 14  - NM   14  - NM 
Taxes, licenses and feesTaxes, licenses and fees (4) (3) -33%  (3) (3) 0%Taxes, licenses and fees 11  14  -21%  7  11  -36%
Inter-segment reimbursement associated with reserve financing and LOC expenses (2)Inter-segment reimbursement associated with reserve financing and LOC expenses (2) (3) (2) -50%  (6) (4) -50%Inter-segment reimbursement associated with reserve financing and LOC expenses (2) (3) (2) -50%  (8) (7) -14%
 Total other expenses$15 $3 NM $36 $29  24% Total other expenses$33 $34  -3% $69 $62  11%

(1)Includes expenses that are corporate in nature including charitable contributions, amortization of media intangible assets with a definite life, other expenses not allocated to our business segments and inter-segment expense eliminations.
(2)Consists of reimbursements to Other Operations from the Life Insurance segment for the use of proceeds from certain issuances of senior notes that were used as long-term structured solutions, net of expenses incurred by Other Operations for its use of LOCs.

Interest and Debt Expense

Our current level of interest expense may not be indicative of the future due to, among other things, the timing of the use of cash, the availability of funds from our inter-company cash management program and the future cost of capital.  For additional information on our financing activities, see “Review of Consolidated Financial Condition – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Sources of Liquidity and Cash Flow – Financing Activities” below.

 
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REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) AND BENEFIT RATIO UNLOCKING
 
Details underlying realized gain (loss), after-DAC (1) and benefit ratio unlocking (in millions) were as follows:


  For the Three   For the Six     For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended   Months Ended     Months Ended    Months Ended   
  June 30,   June 30,     September 30,    September 30,   
  2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Components of Realized Gain (Loss), Pre-TaxComponents of Realized Gain (Loss), Pre-Tax            Components of Realized Gain (Loss), Pre-Tax             
Total operating realized gain (loss)Total operating realized gain (loss)$25 $24  4% $52 $46  13%Total operating realized gain (loss)$31 $23  35% $83 $69  20%
Total excluded realized gain (loss)Total excluded realized gain (loss) 18  (33) 155%  (95) (53) -79%Total excluded realized gain (loss) 39  (186) 121%  (55) (239) 77%
 Total realized gain (loss), pre-tax$43 $(9)NM $(43)$(7)NM  Total realized gain (loss), pre-tax$70 $(163) 143% $28 $(170) 116%
                                         
Reconciliation of Excluded Realized Gain (Loss) Net of Benefit Ratio Unlocking, After-Tax                  
Reconciliation of Excluded Realized Gain (Loss), Net of Benefit Ratio Unlocking, After-TaxReconciliation of Excluded Realized Gain (Loss), Net of Benefit Ratio Unlocking, After-Tax                   
Total excluded realized gain (loss)Total excluded realized gain (loss)$12 $(21) 157% $(61)$(34) -79%Total excluded realized gain (loss)$25 $(121) 121% $(35)$(156) 78%
Benefit ratio unlockingBenefit ratio unlocking (10) (1)NM  13  3 NM Benefit ratio unlocking 10  (42) 124%  24  (39) 162%
 Excluded realized gain (loss) net of benefit ratio unlocking, after-tax$2 $(22) 109% $(48)$(31) -55% Excluded realized gain (loss) net of benefit ratio unlocking, after-tax$35 $(163) 121% $(11)$(195) 94%
                                         
Components of Excluded Realized Gain (Loss) Net of Benefit Ratio Unlocking, After-TaxComponents of Excluded Realized Gain (Loss) Net of Benefit Ratio Unlocking, After-Tax                  Components of Excluded Realized Gain (Loss) Net of Benefit Ratio Unlocking, After-Tax                   
Realized gain (loss) related to certain investmentsRealized gain (loss) related to certain investments$(33)$(21)NM $(64)$(31)NM Realized gain (loss) related to certain investments$(35)$(29) 155% $(99)$(60) 202%
Gain (loss) on the mark-to-market on certain instrumentsGain (loss) on the mark-to-market on certain instruments (12) (1)NM  25  6 NM Gain (loss) on the mark-to-market on certain instruments 38  (69)NM   64  (63)NM 
Variable annuity net derivatives results:Variable annuity net derivatives results:                  Variable annuity net derivatives results:                   
Hedge program performance (38) (11)NM  (20) (29) 31%Hedge program performance 15  (91) 208%  (3) (121) 98%
GLB NPR component 86  11 NM  2  21  -90%Unlocking for GLB reserves hedged 84  (78)NM   84  (78) 208%
 Total variable annuity net derivatives results 48  - NM  (18) (8)NM 
Indexed annuity forward-starting option (1) - NM  9  2 NM 
 
Excluded realized gain (loss) net of benefit ratio unlocking, after-tax
$2 $(22) 109% $(48)$(31) -55%
 GLB NPR component (61) 106  160%  (60) 127 NM 
  Total variable annuity net derivatives results 38  (63) 160%  21  (72) 129%
Indexed annuity forward-starting option (2) (6) (2)NM   3  - NM 
   Excluded realized gain (loss) net of benefit ratio unlocking, after-tax$35 $(163) 121% $(11)$(195) 94%

(1)DAC refers to the associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and changes in other contract holder funds and funds withheld reinsurance liabilities.
(2)  Includes unfavorable prospective unlocking – model refinements of $8 million, after-tax, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.

For factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in this section, see “Forward-Looking Statements – Cautionary Language” above and “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2011 Form 10-K, as updated in “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” below.

For information on our counterparty exposure, see “Part I – Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”
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Comparison of the Three and Nine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 to 2011

Realized gain (loss) is driven primarily by the following components of excluded realized gain (loss), which we have described net of benefit ratio unlocking.

We had realized gains during 2012 as compared to losses during 2011 due primarily to gains on variable annuity net derivatives results attributable to widening of our credit spreads during 2012 resulting in a more favorable GLB NPR component (see
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“Variable Annuity Net Derivatives Results” below for a discussion of how our NPR adjustment is determined), partially offset by more volatile capital markets during 2012 resulting in less favorable hedge program performance.

The realized gains were partially offset by the following:

·Higher grossRealized gains on the mark-to-market on certain instruments during 2012 as compared to realized gainslosses during 2011 originating from asset salesattributable to reposition the investment portfoliospreads narrowing on corporate credit default swaps; and
·  Gains on variable annuity net derivatives results during 2012 as compared to losses during 2011 attributable to:
§ The effect of prospective unlocking (see “Consolidated Investments“Critical Accounting Policies and EstimatesRealized Gain (Loss) Related to Certain Investments” belowDAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL – Unlocking” for more information); and
    ·Higher losses on the mark-to-market on certain instruments attributable to spreads widening on corporate credit default swaps, partially offset by declines in interest rates leading to an increase in the value of our trading securities.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 to 2011

We had higher realized losses during 2012 as compared to 2011 due primarily to the following:

    ·Higher gross realized gains during 2011 originating from asset sales to reposition the investment portfolio; and
    ·Higher losses on variable annuity net derivatives results attributable to:
§Narrowing of our credit spreads during 2012 resulting in a less favorable GLB NPR component;
partially offset by:
§Less volatile capital markets during 2012 resulting in more favorable hedge program performance.performance;
partially offset by:
§ Narrowing of our credit spreads during 2012 resulting in an unfavorable GLB NPR component.

The higher realized lossesgains during 2012 were partially offset by higher gross realized gains onrelated to certain investments during 2011 originating from asset sales to reposition the mark-to-market on certain instruments attributableinvestment portfolio (see “Consolidated Investments – Realized Gain (Loss) Related to spreads narrowing on corporate credit default swaps, partially offset by increases in interest rates leading to a decrease in the value of our trading securities.Certain Investments” below for more information).

Operating Realized Gain (Loss)

See “Realized Gain (Loss) and Benefit Ratio Unlocking – Operating Realized Gain (Loss)” in our 2011 Form 10-K for a discussion of our operating realized gain (loss).

Realized Gain (Loss) Related to Certain Investments

See “Consolidated Investments – Realized Gain (Loss) Related to Certain Investments” below.

Gain (Loss) on the Mark-to-Market on Certain Instruments

See “Realized Gain (Loss) and Benefit Ratio Unlocking – Gain (Loss) on the Mark-to-Market on Certain Instruments” in our 2011 Form 10-K for a discussion on the mark-to-market on certain instruments and Note 34 for information about consolidated variable interest entities.

Variable Annuity Net Derivatives Results

See “Realized Gain (Loss) and Benefit Ratio Unlocking – Variable Annuity Net Derivatives Results” in our 2011 Form 10-K for a discussion of our variable annuity net derivatives results.  In addition, for information on the unlocking for GLB reserves hedged, see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL – Unlocking.”

The variable annuity hedge program ended the secondthird quarter of 2012 with assets of $2.7$2.3 billion, which were in excess of the estimated liability of $2.3$1.6 billion as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, the net effect of the NPR resulted in a $200$76 million decrease in the liability for our GLB embedded derivative reserves.

Details underlying the NPR component and associated effect to our GLB embedded derivative reserves (dollars in millions) were as follows:

 As of  As of  As of  As of  As of 
 June 30,  March 31, December 31,September 30, June 30, 
 2012   2012   2011   2011   2011  
10-year CDS spread 3.48%  2.40%  3.65%  4.42%  2.02%
NPR factor related to 10-year CDS spread 0.45%  0.25%  0.43%  0.51%  0.24%
Unadjusted embedded derivative liability$ 2,116  $ 1,083  $ 2,418  $ 2,642  $ 306 
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  As of  As of  As of  As of  As of 
 September 30,June 30,March 31,December 31,September 30,
  2012  2012  2012  2011  2011 
10-year CDS spread  2.40%  3.48%  2.40%  3.65%  4.42%
NPR factor related to 10-year CDS spread  0.29%  0.45%  0.25%  0.43%  0.51%
Unadjusted embedded derivative liability $ 1,432  $ 2,116  $ 1,083  $ 2,418  $ 2,642 

Estimating what the absolute amount of the NPR effect will be period to period is difficult due to the utilization of all cash flows and the shape of the spread curve.  Currently, we estimate that if the NPR factors as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, were to have been zero along all points on the spread curve, then the NPR offset to the unadjusted liability would have resulted in an unfavorable

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effect to net income of approximately $330$225 million, pre-DAC and pre-tax. Under this scenario, the effect of the NPR would result in an increase rather than a decrease to the unadjusted embedded derivative liability.  Alternatively, if the NPR factors were 20 basis points higher along all points on the spread curve as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, then there would have been a favorable effect to net income of approximately $120$105 million, pre-DAC and pre-tax.  In the preceding two sentences, “DAC” refers to the associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL.  Changing market conditions could cause this relationship to deviate significantly in future periods.  Sensitivity within this range is primarily a result of volatility in our credit default swap (“CDS”) spreads and the slope of the CDS spread term structure.

For additional information on our guaranteed benefits, see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – Derivatives – Guaranteed Living Benefits” above.

Indexed Annuity Forward-Starting Option

See “Realized Gain (Loss) and Benefit Ratio Unlocking – Indexed Annuity Forward-Starting Option” in our 2011 Form 10-K for a discussion of our indexed annuity forward-starting option.

CONSOLIDATED INVESTMENTS

Details underlying our consolidated investment balances (in millions) were as follows:

      Percentage of       Percentage of 
      Total Investments       Total Investments 
  As of As of As of As of   As of As of As of As of 
  June 30,December 31,June 30,December 31,  September 30, December 31, September 30, December 31, 
  2012 2011 2012 2011   2012 2011 2012 2011 
InvestmentsInvestments        Investments        
AFS securities:AFS securities:        AFS securities:        
Fixed maturity$79,191 $75,433  81.8% 81.0%Fixed maturity$81,179 $75,433  82.4% 81.0%
VIEs' fixed maturity 705  700  0.7% 0.8%VIEs' fixed maturity 706  700  0.7% 0.8%
 Total fixed maturity 79,896  76,133  82.5% 81.8% Total fixed maturity 81,885  76,133  83.1% 81.8%
Equity 154  139  0.2% 0.1%Equity 156  139  0.2% 0.1%
Trading securitiesTrading securities 2,649  2,675  2.7% 2.9%Trading securities 2,650  2,675  2.7% 2.9%
Mortgage loans on real estateMortgage loans on real estate 6,804  6,942  7.0% 7.4%Mortgage loans on real estate 6,690  6,942  6.8% 7.4%
Real estateReal estate 116  137  0.1% 0.1%Real estate 112  137  0.1% 0.1%
Policy loansPolicy loans 2,829  2,884  3.0% 3.1%Policy loans 2,780  2,884  2.8% 3.1%
Derivative investmentsDerivative investments 3,399  3,151  3.5% 3.4%Derivative investments 3,072  3,151  3.1% 3.4%
Alternative investmentsAlternative investments 802  807  0.8% 0.9%Alternative investments 873  807  0.9% 0.9%
Other investmentsOther investments 239  262  0.2% 0.3%Other investments 250  262  0.3% 0.3%
 Total investments$96,888 $93,130  100.0% 100.0% Total investments$98,468 $93,130  100.0% 100.0%

Investment Objective

Invested assets are an integral part of our operations.  We follow a balanced approach to investing for both current income and prudent risk management, with an emphasis on generating sufficient current income, net of income tax, to meet our obligations to customers, as well as other general liabilities.  This balanced approach requires the evaluation of expected return and risk of each asset class utilized, while still meeting our income objectives.  This approach is important to our asset-liability management because decisions can be made based upon both the economic and current investment income considerations affecting assets and liabilities.  For a discussion on our risk management process, see “Part II – Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our 2011 Form 10-K.

Investment Portfolio Composition and Diversification

Fundamental to our investment policy is diversification across asset classes.  Our investment portfolio, excluding cash and invested cash, is composed of fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate, real estate (either wholly-owned or in joint ventures)
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and other long-term investments.  We purchase investments for our segmented portfolios that have yield, duration and other characteristics that take into account the liabilities of the products being supported.

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We have the ability to maintain our investment holdings throughout credit cycles because of our capital position, the long-term nature of our liabilities and the matching of our portfolios of investment assets with the liabilities of our various products.

Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Portfolios

Fixed maturity securities and equity securities consist of portfolios classified as AFS and trading.  Mortgage-backed and private securities are included in both of the AFS and trading portfolios.
 
 
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Details underlying our fixed maturity and equity securities portfolios by industry classification (in millions) are presented in the tables below.  These tables agree in total with the presentation of AFS securities in Note 4;5; however, the categories below represent a more detailed breakout of the AFS portfolio.  Therefore, the investment classifications listed below do not agree to the investment categories provided in Note 4.5.

     As of September 30, 2012 
       Gross Unrealized   % 
     Amortized   Losses Fair Fair 
     Cost Gains and OTTI Value Value 
Fixed Maturity AFS Securities          
Industry corporate bonds:          
 Financial services$9,129 $1,075 $87 $10,117  12.4%
 Basic industry 3,836  428  18  4,246  5.2%
 Capital goods 4,383  602  19  4,966  6.1%
 Communications 3,611  554  21  4,144  5.1%
 Consumer cyclical 3,641  486  24  4,103  5.0%
 Consumer non-cyclical 9,101  1,519  3  10,617  13.0%
 Energy 5,489  897  2  6,384  7.8%
 Technology 1,974  255  1  2,228  2.7%
 Transportation 1,543  193  1  1,735  2.1%
 Industrial other 991  98  1  1,088  1.3%
 Utilities 11,495  1,816  16  13,295  16.2%
Collateralized mortgage and other obligations ("CMOs"):               
 Agency backed 2,613  304  -  2,917  3.6%
 Non-agency backed 1,267  39  71  1,235  1.5%
Mortgage pass through securities ("MPTS"):               
 Agency backed 2,397  187  -  2,584  3.2%
 Non-agency backed 1  -  -  1  0.0%
Commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS"):               
 Non-agency backed 1,104  75  53  1,126  1.4%
Corporate asset-backed securities ("ABS"):               
 CDOs 131  -  2  129  0.2%
 Commercial real estate ("CRE") CDOs 28  -  10  18  0.0%
 Credit card 666  48  -  714  0.9%
 Home equity 821  5  196  630  0.8%
 Manufactured housing 73  5  -  78  0.1%
 Auto loan 14  -  -  14  0.0%
 Other 313  35  -  348  0.4%
Municipals:               
 Taxable 3,483  822  7  4,298  5.2%
 Tax-exempt 36  4  -  40  0.0%
Government and government agencies:               
 United States 1,479  253  -  1,732  2.1%
 Foreign 1,659  254  1  1,912  2.3%
Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities 1,176  95  85  1,186  1.4%
  Total fixed maturity AFS securities 72,454  10,049  618  81,885  100.0%
Equity AFS Securities 143  21  8  156    
   Total AFS securities 72,597  10,070  626  82,041    
Trading Securities (1) 2,211  456  17  2,650    
    Total AFS and trading securities$74,808 $10,526 $643 $84,691    
     As of June 30, 2012 
       Gross Unrealized   % 
     Amortized   Losses Fair Fair 
     Cost Gains and OTTI Value Value 
Fixed Maturity AFS Securities          
Industry corporate bonds:          
 Financial services$9,065 $831 $100 $9,796  12.3%
 Basic industry 3,669  374  21  4,022  5.0%
 Capital goods 4,300  528  26  4,802  6.0%
 Communications 3,543  429  34  3,938  4.9%
 Consumer cyclical 3,484  408  37  3,855  4.8%
 Consumer non-cyclical 8,846  1,344  3  10,187  12.8%
 Energy 5,483  725  4  6,204  7.8%
 Technology 1,923  212  2  2,133  2.7%
 Transportation 1,501  180  1  1,680  2.1%
 Industrial other 951  85  1  1,035  1.3%
 Utilities 11,266  1,596  25  12,837  16.1%
Collateralized mortgage and other obligations ("CMOs"):               
 Agency backed 2,805  325  -  3,130  3.9%
 Non-agency backed 1,348  19  133  1,234  1.5%
Mortgage pass through securities ("MPTS"):               
 Agency backed 2,654  178  -  2,832  3.6%
 Non-agency backed 1  -  -  1  0.0%
Commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS"):               
 Non-agency backed 1,304  71  68  1,307  1.6%
Corporate asset-backed securities ("ABS"):               
 CDOs 104  -  3  101  0.1%
 Commercial real estate ("CRE") CDOs 31  -  12  19  0.0%
 Credit card 665  46  -  711  0.9%
 Home equity 845  4  238  611  0.8%
 Manufactured housing 77  5  1  81  0.1%
 Auto loan 23  -  -  23  0.0%
 Other 292  28  2  318  0.4%
Municipals:               
 Taxable 3,488  764  8  4,244  5.3%
 Tax-exempt 37  3  -  40  0.1%
Government and government agencies:               
 United States 1,465  250  -  1,715  2.1%
 Foreign 1,651  202  1  1,852  2.3%
Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities 1,248  63  123  1,188  1.5%
  Total fixed maturity AFS securities 72,069  8,670  843  79,896  100.0%
Equity AFS Securities 143  19  8  154    
   Total AFS securities 72,212  8,689  851  80,050    
Trading Securities (1) 2,258  420  29  2,649    
    Total AFS and trading securities$74,470 $9,109 $880 $82,699    

 
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     As of December 31, 2011 
        Gross Unrealized     % 
     Amortized   Losses Fair  Fair 
     Cost Gains and OTTI Value  Value 
Fixed Maturity AFS Securities               
Industry corporate bonds:               
 Financial services$ 8,926 $ 607 $ 158 $ 9,375  12.3
 Basic industry  3,394   323   27   3,690  4.8%
 Capital goods  3,933   455   9   4,379  5.8%
 Communications  3,247   364   37   3,574  4.7%
 Consumer cyclical  3,226   345   36   3,535  4.6%
 Consumer non-cyclical  7,956   1,190   1   9,145  12.0%
 Energy  5,026   690   6   5,710  7.5%
 Technology  1,682   192   3   1,871  2.5%
 Transportation  1,360   166   1   1,525  2.0%
 Industrial other  755   74   3   826  1.1%
 Utilities  10,644   1,457   27   12,074  15.8%
CMOs:               
 Agency backed  3,226   357   -   3,583  4.7%
 Non-agency backed  1,481   12   199   1,294  1.7%
MPTS:               
 Agency backed  2,982   179   -   3,161  4.2%
 Non-agency backed  1   -   -   1  0.0%
CMBS:               
 Non-agency backed  1,642   73   115   1,600  2.1%
ABS:               
 CDOs  88   -   6   82  0.1%
 CRE CDOs  33   -   13   20  0.0%
 Credit card  790   47   -   837  1.1%
 Home equity  905   3   271   637  0.8%
 Manufactured housing  85   5   1   89  0.1%
 Auto loan  52   1   -   53  0.1%
 Other  246   29   1   274  0.4%
Municipals:               
 Taxable  3,452   565   9   4,008  5.3%
 Tax-exempt  38   1   -   39  0.1%
Government and government agencies:               
 United States  1,468   232   -   1,700  2.2%
 Foreign  1,746   152   4   1,894  2.5%
Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities  1,277   50   170   1,157  1.5%
  Total fixed maturity AFS securities  69,661   7,569   1,097   76,133  100.0%
Equity AFS Securities  135   16   12   139    
   Total AFS securities  69,796   7,585   1,109   76,272    
Trading Securities (1)
  2,301   408   34   2,675    
    Total AFS and trading securities$ 72,097 $ 7,993 $ 1,143 $ 78,947    

(1)Certain of our trading securities support our modified coinsurance arrangements (“Modco”), and the investment results are passed directly to the reinsurers.  Refer to “Part II – Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Consolidated Investments – Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Portfolios – Trading Securities” in our 2011 Form 10-K for further details.

 
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AFS Securities

In accordance with the AFS accounting guidance, we reflect stockholders’ equity as if unrealized gains and losses were actually recognized and consider all related accounting adjustments that would occur upon such a hypothetical recognition of unrealized gains and losses.  Such related balance sheet effects include adjustments to the balances of DAC, VOBA, DFEL, other contract holder funds and deferred income taxes.  Adjustments to each of these balances are charged or credited to AOCI.  For instance, DAC is adjusted upon the recognition of unrealized gains or losses because the amortization of DAC is based upon an assumed emergence of gross profits on certain insurance business.  Deferred income tax balances are also adjusted because unrealized gains or losses do not affect actual taxes currently paid.

The quality of our AFS fixed maturity securities portfolio, as measured at estimated fair value and by the percentage of fixed maturity securities invested in various ratings categories, relative to the entire fixed maturity AFS security portfolio (in millions) was as follows:

   Rating Agency As of June 30, 2012  As of December 31, 2011    Rating Agency As of September 30, 2012 As of December 31, 2011 
NAICNAIC Equivalent Amortized Fair % of  Amortized Fair % of NAIC Equivalent Amortized Fair % of Amortized Fair  % of 
Designation (1)
Designation (1)
 
Designation (1)
 Cost Value Total  Cost Value Total 
Designation (1)
 
Designation (1)
 Cost Value Total Cost Value  Total 
                   
Investment Grade SecuritiesInvestment Grade Securities                Investment Grade Securities                 
1 1  Aaa / Aa / A$ 42,102 $ 48,004 60.1% $ 42,436 $ 47,490 62.41  Aaa / Aa / A $ 41,422  $ 48,010  58.6% $ 42,436  $ 47,490   62.4
2 2  Baa  26,153   28,438 35.6%   23,323   25,237 33.1%2  Baa   27,286    30,315  37.0%   23,323    25,237   33.1
Total investment grade securities  68,255   76,442 95.7%   65,759   72,727 95.5%Total investment grade securities     68,708    78,325  95.6%   65,759    72,727   95.5
                                            
Below Investment Grade SecuritiesBelow Investment Grade Securities                 Below Investment Grade Securities                    
3 3  Ba  2,504   2,439 3.0%   2,466   2,350 3.1%3  Ba   2,474    2,497  3.0%   2,466    2,350   3.1
4 4  B  884   723 0.9%   960   750 1.0%4  B   875    768  0.9%   960    750   1.0
5 5  Caa and lower  315   211 0.3%   318   218 0.3%5  Caa and lower   298    218  0.3%   318    218   0.3
6 6  In or near default  111   81 0.1%   158   88 0.1%6  In or near default   99    77  0.2%   158    88   0.1
Total below investment grade securities  3,814   3,454 4.3%   3,902   3,406 4.5%Total below investment grade securities     3,746    3,560  4.4%   3,902    3,406   4.5
 Total fixed maturity AFS securities$ 72,069 $ 79,896 100.0% $ 69,661 $ 76,133 100.0% Total fixed maturity AFS securities   $ 72,454  $ 81,885  100.0% $ 69,661  $ 76,133   100.0
                                            
Total securities below investment grade as a percentage of total fixed maturity AFS securities
Total securities below investment grade as a percentage of total fixed maturity AFS securities
 5.3% 4.3%    5.6% 4.5%  Total securities below investment grade as a percentage of total fixed maturity AFS securities 5.2% 4.3%   5.6% 4.5%   

(1)Based upon the rating designations determined and provided by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) or the major credit rating agencies (Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”), Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) and Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”)).  For securities where the ratings assigned by the major credit agencies are not equivalent, the second highest rating assigned is used.  For those securities where ratings by the major credit rating agencies are not available, which does not represent a significant amount of our total fixed maturity AFS securities, we base the ratings disclosed upon internal ratings.

Comparisons between the NAIC ratings and rating agency designations are published by the NAIC.  The NAIC assigns securities quality ratings and uniform valuations, which are used by insurers when preparing their annual statements.  The NAIC ratings are similar to the rating agency designations of the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations for marketable bonds.  NAIC ratings 1 and 2 include bonds generally considered investment grade (rated Baa3 or higher by Moody’s, or rated BBB- or higher by S&P and Fitch), by such ratings organizations.  However, securities rated NAIC 1 and NAIC 2 could be deemed below investment grade by the rating agencies as a result of the current RBC rules for residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) and CMBS for statutory reporting.  NAIC ratings 3 through 6 include bonds generally considered below investment grade (rated Ba1 or lower by Moody’s, or rated BB+ or lower by S&P and Fitch).

We have identified exposure to select countries in Europe that are currently experiencing stress in the credit markets, notably Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Hungary, Cyprus and Cyprus.Slovenia.  These countries were identified due to high credit spreads and political and economic uncertainty in these countries.  The exposure was determined by country of domicile, provided that a meaningful portion of revenues is generated from the country of domicile.  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, we had direct sovereign exposure only to Italy with an amortized cost and fair value of $3 million.  We had no exposure to any issuers, sovereign or non-sovereign, located in Greece, Hungary, Cyprus or Cyprus.Slovenia.  Our exposure to banks in Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Hungary, Cyprus and CyprusSlovenia is limited to two large Spanish banks where our investments are in subsidiaries located outside of Spain with an amortized cost and fair value of $63$59 million.

 
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Our total non-banking and non-sovereign AFS securities exposure to Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Greece and Spain had an amortized cost of $756$733 million and a fair value of $752$763 million as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, of which 51%53% was related to large multinational companies domiciled in those countries.  The detailed breakout by country (in millions) as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, was as follows:

 Amortized Fair  Amortized Fair 
 Cost Value  Cost Value 
SpainSpain$361 $365 Spain$342 $362 
IrelandIreland 215  207 Ireland 212  210 
ItalyItaly 140  148 Italy 139  154 
PortugalPortugal 40  32 Portugal 40  37 
GreeceGreece -  - Greece -  - 
Total$756 $752 Total$733 $763 

We purchasedhold a European subordinated investment grade financial index hedge in the amount of €35 million with a maturity of June 20, 2017, to provide some protection on possible defaults on our European investments.

We manage European and other investment risks through our internal investment department and outside asset managers.  The risk management is focused on monitoring spreads, pricing and monitoring of global economic developments.  We have incorporated these risks into our stress testing.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, 67.9%63.5% and 67.4%, respectively, of the total publicly traded and private securities in an unrealized loss status were rated as investment grade.  See Note 45 for maturity date information for our fixed maturity investment portfolio.  Our gross unrealized losses on AFS securities as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, decreased $258$483 million.  As more fully described in Note 1 in our 2011 Form 10-K, we regularly review our investment holdings for OTTI.  We believe the unrealized loss position as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, does not represent OTTI as we do not intend to sell these debt securities, it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the debt securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis, the estimated future cash flows are equal to or greater than the amortized cost basis of the debt securities, or we have the ability and intent to hold the equity securities for a period of time sufficient for recovery.  For further information on our unrealized losses on AFS securities, see “Composition by Industry Categories of our Unrealized Losses on AFS Securities” below.

Selected information for certain AFS securities in a gross unrealized loss position (dollars in millions) as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, was as follows:

As of September 30, 2012 
  Gross Estimated Estimated     
   Gross Estimated Estimated        Unrealized Years Average     
   Unrealized Years Average        Losses until Call Years     
   Losses until Call Years      Fair and or Until Subordination Level 
Fair and or Until Subordination Level             
Value OTTI Maturity Recovery Current Origination Value OTTI Maturity Recovery Current Origination 
CMBS$ 256  $ 68  1 to 41 28   29.0% 17.0%$201 $53 1 to 41  27  26.0% 13.0%
Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities
  550   123  1 to 54 30   N/A N/A  417  85 1 to 54  29  N/A  N/A 
                 
As provided in the table above, many of the securities in these categories are long-dated with some of the preferred securities being perpetual.  This is purposeful as it matches the long-term nature of our liabilities associated with our life insurance and annuity products.  See “Part II – Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our 2011 Form 10-K where we present information related to maturities of securities and the expected cash flows for rate sensitive liabilities and maturities of our holding company debt, which also demonstrates the long-term nature of the cash flows associated with these items.  Because of this relationship, we do not believe it will be necessary to sell these securities before they recover or mature.  For these securities, the estimated range and average period until recovery is the call or maturity period.  It is difficult to predict or project when the securities will recover as it is dependent upon a number of factors including the overall economic climate.  We do not believe it is necessary to impair these securities as long as the expected future cash flows are projected to be sufficient to recover the amortized cost of these securities.

The actual range and period until recovery could vary significantly depending on a variety of factors, many of which are out of our control.  There are several items that could affect the length of the period until recovery, such as the pace of economic recovery,

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level of delinquencies, performance of the underlying collateral, changes in market interest rates, exposures to various industry or geographic conditions, market behavior and other market conditions.

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We concluded that it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the fixed maturity AFS securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis, that the estimated future cash flows are equal to or greater than the amortized cost basis of the debt securities, and that we have the ability to hold the equity AFS securities for a period of time sufficient for recovery.  This conclusion is consistent with our asset-liability management process.  Management considers the following as part of the evaluation:

·The current economic environment and market conditions;
·Our business strategy and current business plans;
·The nature and type of security, including expected maturities and exposure to general credit, liquidity, market and interest rate risk;
·Our analysis of data from financial models and other internal and industry sources to evaluate the current effectiveness of our hedging and overall risk management strategies;
·The current and expected timing of contractual maturities of our assets and liabilities, expectations of prepayments on investments and expectations for surrenders and withdrawals of life insurance policies and annuity contracts;
·The capital risk limits approved by management; and
·Our current financial condition and liquidity demands.

To determine the recoverability of a debt security, we consider the facts and circumstances surrounding the underlying issuer including, but not limited to, the following:

·Historical and implied volatility of the security;
·Length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost;
·Adverse conditions specifically related to the security or to specific conditions in an industry or geographic area;
·Failure, if any, of the issuer of the security to make scheduled payments; and
·Recoveries or additional declines in fair value subsequent to the balance sheet date.

As reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, we had $102.1$102.8 billion of investments and cash, which exceeded the liabilities for our future obligations under insurance policies and contracts, net of amounts recoverable from reinsurers, which totaled $83.8$83.5 billion as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012.  If it were necessary to liquidate securities prior to maturity or call to meet cash flow needs, we would first look to those securities that are in an unrealized gain position, which had a fair value of $73.9$77.5 billion, excluding consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in the amount of $705$706 million, as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, rather than selling securities in an unrealized loss position.  The amount of cash that we have on hand at any point of time takes into account our liquidity needs in the future, other sources of cash, such as the maturities of investments, interest and dividends we earn on our investments and the on-going cash flows from new and existing business.

See “AFS Securities – Evaluation for Recovery of Amortized Cost” in Note 1 in our 2011 Form 10-K and Note 45 for additional discussion.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, the estimated fair value for all private securities was $10.5$11.3 billion and $9.3 billion, respectively, representing 11% and 10%, respectively, of total invested assets.

For information regarding our VIEs’ fixed maturity securities, see Note 34 in this report and Note 4 in our 2011 Form 10-K.

Mortgage-Backed Securities (“MBS”) (Included in AFS and Trading Securities)

See “Consolidated Investments – Mortgage-Backed Securities” in our 2011 Form 10-K for a discussion of our MBS.

Our RMBS had a market value of $7.4$6.9 billion and an unrealized gain of $406$477 million, or 6%7%, as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012.

 
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The market value of AFS and trading securities backed by subprime loans was $422$431 million and represented less than 1% of our total investment portfolio as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012.  AFS securities represented $409$418 million, or 97%, and trading securities represented $13 million, or 3%, of the subprime exposure as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012.  AFS and trading securities rated A or above represented 39%37% of the subprime investments and $216$225 million in market value of our subprime investments was backed by loans originating in 2005 and forward as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012.  The table below summarizes our investments in AFS securities backed by pools of residential mortgages (in millions) as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012:

 Prime Agency Prime/ Non-Agency Alt-A Subprime Total  Prime Agency Prime/ Non-Agency Alt-A Subprime Total 
                      
 Fair Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Amortized  Fair Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Amortized 
 Value Cost Value Cost Value Cost Value Cost Value Cost  Value Cost Value Cost Value Cost Value Cost Value Cost 
TypeType                    Type                    
RMBSRMBS$5,962 $5,458 $789 $821 $446 $529 $- $- $7,197 $6,808 RMBS$5,500 $5,010 $778 $760 $459 $508 $- $- $6,737 $6,278 
ABS home equityABS home equity 4  4  -  -  199  262  408  579  611  845 ABS home equity 4  4  -  -  209  254  417  563  630  821 
Total by type (1)(2)
$5,966 $5,462 $789 $821 $645 $791 $408 $579 $7,808 $7,653 Total by type (1)(2)$5,504 $5,014 $778 $760 $668 $762 $417 $563 $7,367 $7,099 
                                                              
RatingRating                              Rating                              
AAAAAA$5,900 $5,401 $36 $35 $4 $4 $30 $31 $5,970 $5,471 AAA$5,442 $4,958 $30 $28 $4 $4 $29 $29 $5,505 $5,019 
AAAA 52  48  48  46  11  11  62  69  173  174 AA 48  44  42  40  10  10  62  66  162  160 
AA 14  13  45  44  45  44  61  62  165  163 A 14  12  39  38  46  45  59  59  158  154 
BBBBBB -  -  54  56  52  54  38  41  144  151 BBB -  -  52  51  47  48  37  40  136  139 
BB and belowBB and below -  -  606  640  533  678  217  376  1,356  1,694 BB and below -  -  615  603  561  655  230  369  1,406  1,627 
Total by rating (1)(2)(3)
$5,966 $5,462 $789 $821 $645 $791 $408 $579 $7,808 $7,653 Total by rating (1)(2)(3)$5,504 $5,014 $778 $760 $668 $762 $417 $563 $7,367 $7,099 
                                                              
Origination YearOrigination Year                              Origination Year                              
2004 and prior2004 and prior$1,181 $1,079 $191 $191 $214 $238 $196 $244 $1,782 $1,752 2004 and prior$1,054 $959 $173 $169 $209 $230 $196 $234 $1,632 $1,592 
20052005 776  691  112  125  239  282  158  222  1,285  1,320 2005 726  644  109  113  248  274  162  218  1,245  1,249 
20062006 230  204  153  159  157  219  53  111  593  693 2006 210  187  156  148  170  210  58  109  594  654 
20072007 1,039  923  333  346  35  52  1  2  1,408  1,323 2007 998  891  340  330  41  48  -  -  1,379  1,269 
20082008 208  188  -  -  -  -  -  -  208  188 2008 184  167  -  -  -  -  -  -  184  167 
20092009 1,026  952  -  -  -  -  -  -  1,026  952 2009 929  856  -  -  -  -  1  2  930  858 
20102010 933  874  -  -  -  -  -  -  933  874 2010 858  796  -  -  -  -  -  -  858  796 
20112011 445  423  -  -  -  -  -  -  445  423 2011 416  389  -  -  -  -  -  -  416  389 
20122012 128  128  -  -  -  -  -  -  128  128 2012 129  125  -  -  -  -  -  -  129  125 
Total by origination year (1)(2)
$5,966 $5,462 $789 $821 $645 $791 $408 $579 $7,808 $7,653 Total by origination year (1)(2)$5,504 $5,014 $778 $760 $668 $762 $417 $563 $7,367 $7,099 
                                                              
Total AFS RMBS as a percentage of total AFS securitiesTotal AFS RMBS as a percentage of total AFS securities                         9.8% 10.6%Total AFS RMBS as a percentage of total AFS securities                         9.0% 9.8%
                                                              
Total prime/non-agency, Alt-A and subprime as a percentage of total AFS securitiesTotal prime/non-agency, Alt-A and subprime as a percentage of total AFS securities                         2.3% 3.0%Total prime/non-agency, Alt-A and subprime as a percentage of total AFS securities                         2.3% 2.9%

(1)Does not include the fair value of trading securities totaling $238$228 million, which support our Modco reinsurance agreements because investment results for these agreements are passed directly to the reinsurers.  The $238$228 million in trading securities consisted of $215$204 million prime, $10 million Alt-A and $13$14 million subprime.
(2)Does not include the amortized cost of trading securities totaling $226$213 million, which support our Modco reinsurance agreements because investment results for these agreements are passed directly to the reinsurers.  The $226$213 million in trading securities consisted of $199$186 million prime, $12$11 million Alt-A and $15 million subprime.
(3)Based upon the rating designations determined and provided by the major credit rating agencies (Fitch, Moody’s and S&P).  For securities where the ratings assigned by the major credit agencies are not equivalent, the second highest rating assigned is used.  For those securities where ratings by the major credit rating agencies are not available, which does not represent a significant amount of our total fixed maturity AFS securities, we base the ratings disclosed upon internal ratings.

None of these investments included any direct investments in subprime lenders or mortgages.  We are not aware of material exposure to subprime loans in our alternative asset portfolio.
 
 
8488

 

The following summarizes our investments in AFS securities backed by pools of commercial mortgages (in millions) as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012:

 Multiple Property Single Property CRE CDOs Total  Multiple Property Single Property CRE CDOs Total 
 Fair Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Amortized  Fair Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Amortized 
 Value Cost Value Cost Value Cost Value Cost  Value Cost Value Cost Value Cost Value Cost 
TypeType                Type                
CMBSCMBS$1,263 $1,235 $44 $69 $- $- $1,307 $1,304 CMBS$1,082 $1,039 $44 $65 $- $- $1,126 $1,104 
CRE CDOsCRE CDOs -  -  -  -  19  31  19  31 CRE CDOs -  -  -  -  18  28  18  28 
 Total by type (1)(2)$1,263 $1,235 $44 $69 $19 $31 $1,326 $1,335 Total by type (1)(2)$1,082 $1,039 $44 $65 $18 $28 $1,144 $1,132 
                                                  
RatingRating                        Rating                        
AAAAAA$817 $760 $13 $13 $- $- $830 $773 AAA$661 $604 $13 $13 $- $- $674 $617 
AAAA 137  135  10  10  -  -  147  145 AA 109  106  10  10  -  -  119  116 
AA 134  131  6  6  -  -  140  137 A 137  130  6  6  -  -  143  136 
BBBBBB 91  92  5  6  6  7  102  105 BBB 92  92  6  6  6  7  104  105 
BB and belowBB and below 84  117  10  34  13  24  107  175 BB and below 83  107  9  30  12  21  104  158 
 Total by rating (1)(2)(3)$1,263 $1,235 $44 $69 $19 $31 $1,326 $1,335 Total by rating (1)(2)(3)$1,082 $1,039 $44 $65 $18 $28 $1,144 $1,132 
                                                  
Origination YearOrigination Year                        Origination Year                        
2004 and prior2004 and prior$620 $615 $23 $23 $3 $3 $646 $641 2004 and prior$444 $436 $22 $22 $2 $3 $468 $461 
20052005 312  294  20  44  6  7  338  345 2005 309  289  21  42  6  7  336  338 
20062006 137  134  1  2  10  21  148  157 2006 138  133  1  1  10  18  149  152 
20072007 136  138  -  -  -  -  136  138 2007 131  127  -  -  -  -  131  127 
20082008                   -  - 
20092009                   -  - 
20102010 58  54  -  -  -  -  58  54 2010 60  54  -  -  -  -  60  54 
 Total by origination year (1)(2)$1,263 $1,235 $44 $69 $19 $31 $1,326 $1,335 Total by origination year (1)(2)$1,082 $1,039 $44 $65 $18 $28 $1,144 $1,132 
                                                  
Total AFS securities backed by pools of commercial mortgages as a percentage of total AFS securities
                   1.7% 1.8%
Total AFS securities backed by pools of commercial mortgages as a percentage of total AFS securitiesTotal AFS securities backed by pools of commercial mortgages as a percentage of total AFS securities                   1.4% 1.6%

(1)Does not include the fair value of trading securities totaling $24$22 million, which support our Modco reinsurance agreements because investment results for these agreements are passed directly to the reinsurers.  The $24$22 million in trading securities consisted of $21$19 million CMBS and $3 million CRE CDOs.
(2)Does not include the amortized cost of trading securities totaling $28$23 million, which support our Modco reinsurance agreements because investment results for these agreements are passed directly to the reinsurers.  The $28$23 million in trading securities consisted of $25$20 million CMBS and $3 million CRE CDOs.
(3)Based upon the rating designations determined and provided by the major credit rating agencies (Fitch, Moody’s and S&P).  For securities where the ratings assigned by the major credit agencies are not equivalent, the second highest rating assigned is used.  For those securities where ratings by the major credit rating agencies are not available, which does not represent a significant amount of our total fixed maturity AFS securities, we base the ratings disclosed upon internal ratings.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, the amortized cost and fair value of our AFS exposure to Monoline insurers was $553$550 million and $507$521 million, respectively.

Composition by Industry Categories of our Unrealized Losses on AFS Securities

When considering unrealized gain and loss information, it is important to recognize that the information relates to the status of securities at a particular point in time and may not be indicative of the status of our investment portfolios subsequent to the balance sheet date.  Further, because the timing of the recognition of realized investment gains and losses through the selection of which securities are sold is largely at management’s discretion, it is important to consider the information provided below within the context of the overall unrealized gain or loss position of our investment portfolios.  These are important considerations that should be included in any evaluation of the potential effect of unrealized loss securities on our future earnings.
 
 
8589

 

The composition by industry categories of all securities in unrealized loss status (in millions) as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, was as follows:

           %                 % 
         Gross Gross              Gross Gross 
   %   % Unrealized Unrealized     %     % UnrealizedUnrealized 
 Fair Fair Amortized Amortized Losses Losses  Fair Fair  Amortized Amortized  Losses Losses 
 Value Value Cost Cost and OTTI and OTTI  Value Value  Cost Cost  and OTTI and OTTI 
ABSABS$655  12.0% $911  14.5% $256  30.1%ABS$ 643 16.8% $ 851 19.0% $ 208 33.2
BankingBanking 740  13.6%  921  14.6%  181  21.3%Banking  499 13.0%   643 14.4%   144 23.0%
CMOsCMOs 818  15.0%  951  15.1%  133  15.6%CMOs  466 12.1%   536 12.0%   71 11.3%
CMBSCMBS 256  4.7%  324  5.1%  68  8.0%CMBS  203 5.3%   256 5.7%   53 8.5%
Media - non-cableMedia - non-cable  117 3.0%   140 3.1%   23 3.7%
Property and casualty insurersProperty and casualty insurers  51 1.3%   71 1.6%   20 3.2%
RetailersRetailers 79  1.5%  105  1.7%  26  3.1%Retailers  81 2.1%   98 2.2%   17 2.7%
Property and casualty insurers 116  2.1%  141  2.2%  25  2.9%
Media - non-cable 186  3.4%  209  3.3%  23  2.7%
Electric 242  4.4%  264  4.2%  22  2.6%
Diversified manufacturingDiversified manufacturing 244  4.5%  266  4.2%  22  2.6%Diversified manufacturing  124 3.2%   139 3.1%   15 2.4%
Wirelines 174  3.2%  189  3.0%  15  1.8%
PaperPaper 113  2.1%  127  2.0%  14  1.6%Paper 97 2.5%   108 2.4%   11 1.8%
Local authorities 29  0.5%  39  0.6%  10  1.2%
Industries with unrealized losses less than $10 million
Industries with unrealized losses less than $10 million
 1,799  33.0%  1,855  29.5%  56  6.5%Industries with unrealized losses less than $10 million  1,565 40.7%   1,630 36.5%   64 10.2%
Total by industry$5,451  100.0% $6,302  100.0% $851  100.0%Total by industry$ 3,846 100.0% $ 4,472 100.0% $ 626 100.0%
                                     
Total by industry as a percentage of total AFS securities
Total by industry as a percentage of total AFS securities
 6.8%    8.7%    100.0%   Total by industry as a percentage of total AFS securities 4.7%    6.2%    100.0%  
                  

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, the amortized cost and fair value of securities subject to enhanced analysis and monitoring for potential changes in unrealized loss status was $947$666 million and $652$442 million, respectively.

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate

The following tables summarize key information on mortgage loans on real estate (in millions):

 As of June 30, 2012 As of December 31, 2011  As of September 30, 2012 As of December 31, 2011 
 Carrying   Carrying    Carrying   Carrying   
 Value % Value %  Value % Value % 
Credit Quality IndicatorCredit Quality Indicator        Credit Quality Indicator        
CurrentCurrent$6,743  99.1% $6,854  98.7%Current$6,646  99.3% $6,854  98.7%
Delinquent and in foreclosure (1)
Delinquent and in foreclosure (1)
 61  0.9%  88  1.3%
Delinquent and in foreclosure (1)
 44  0.7%  88  1.3%
Total mortgage loans on real estate$6,804  100.0% $6,942  100.0%Total mortgage loans on real estate$6,690  100.0% $6,942  100.0%

(1)As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, there were 1410 and 16 mortgage loans on real estate, respectively, that were delinquent and in foreclosure.

 As of As of  As of As of 
 June 30,December 31, September 30, December 31, 
 2012 2011  2012 2011 
By SegmentBy Segment    By Segment    
AnnuitiesAnnuities$1,310 $1,341 Annuities$1,298 $1,341 
Retirement Plan ServicesRetirement Plan Services 1,087  1,080 Retirement Plan Services 1,095  1,080 
Life InsuranceLife Insurance 3,670  3,731 Life Insurance 3,601  3,731 
Group ProtectionGroup Protection 274  278 Group Protection 267  278 
Other OperationsOther Operations 463  512 Other Operations 429  512 
Total mortgage loans on real estate$6,804 $6,942 Total mortgage loans on real estate$6,690 $6,942 
 
 
8690

 
 
  As of    
  June 30,    
 2012    
Allowance for Losses      
Balance as of beginning-of-year$31    
Additions 6    
Charge-offs, net of recoveries (11)   
 Balance as of end-of-period$26    
As of
September 30,
2012 
Allowance for Losses
Balance as of beginning-of-year$ 31
Additions 10
Charge-offs, net of recoveries (12)
Recoveries (8)
Balance as of end-of-period$ 21

 As of June 30, 2012     As of June 30, 2012  As of September 30, 2012    As of September 30, 2012 
 Carrying       Carrying    Carrying      Carrying   
 Value %     Value  %  Value %    Value % 
Property TypeProperty Type       State Exposure       Property Type      State Exposure     
Office buildingOffice building$ 2,135  31.4 CA $ 1,491  21.9Office building$ 2,066 31.0% CA$ 1,464 22.0
IndustrialIndustrial  1,722  25.3 TX   642  9.4%Industrial  1,705 25.5% TX  637 9.5%
RetailRetail  1,549  22.8 MD   454  6.7%Retail  1,541 23.0% MD  462 6.9%
ApartmentApartment  1,016  14.9 VA   344  5.1%Apartment  1,017 15.2% VA  341 5.1%
Mixed useMixed use  150  2.2 TN   279  4.1%Mixed use  149 2.2% TN  273 4.1%
Hotel/MotelHotel/Motel  126  1.8 NC   276  4.1%Hotel/Motel  110 1.6% NC  272 4.1%
Other commercialOther commercial  106  1.6 WA   260  3.8%Other commercial  102 1.5% FL  254 3.8%
Total$ 6,804  100.0 FL   260  3.8%Total$ 6,690 100.0% WA  228 3.4%
       GA   223  3.3%       AZ  220 3.3%
Geographic RegionGeographic Region       AZ   217  3.2%Geographic Region      GA  214 3.2%
PacificPacific$ 1,873  27.5 IN   206  3.0%Pacific$ 1,813 27.1% NY  210 3.1%
South AtlanticSouth Atlantic  1,690  24.9 NY   191  2.8%South Atlantic  1,674 25.1% IN  204 3.0%
West South CentralWest South Central  662  9.7 IL   189  2.8%West South Central  656 9.8% IL  177 2.6%
East North CentralEast North Central  654  9.6 NV   176  2.6%East North Central  648 9.7% NV  171 2.6%
MountainMountain  543  8.0 OH   164  2.4%Mountain  535 8.0% OH 168 2.5%
Middle AtlanticMiddle Atlantic  460  6.8 PA   156  2.3%Middle Atlantic  458 6.8% PA  155 2.3%
East South CentralEast South Central  443  6.5 MN   145  2.1%East South Central  436 6.5% MN  141 2.1%
West North CentralWest North Central  340  5.0 Other states under 2%   1,131  16.6%West North Central  333 5.0% Other states under 2%  1,099 16.4%
New EnglandNew England  139  2.0  Total $ 6,804  100.0%New England  137 2.0%  Total$ 6,690 100.0%
Total$ 6,804  100.0          Total$ 6,690 100.0%        

 As of June 30, 2012     As of June 30, 2012  As of September 30, 2012    As of September 30, 2012 
 Principal        Principal     Principal      Principal   
 Amount %     Amount  %  Amount %    Amount % 
Origination YearOrigination Year       Future Principal Payments       Origination Year      Future Principal Payments     
2004 and prior2004 and prior$ 2,254  33.0% 2012  $ 151  2.22004 and prior$ 2,120 31.6 2012 $ 65 1.0
20052005  732  10.7% 2013    365  5.4%2005  707 10.6% 2013   351 5.2%
20062006  629  9.2% 2014    388  5.7%2006  622 9.3 2014   381 5.7%
20072007  863  12.7% 2015    572  8.4%2007  846 12.6% 2015   558 8.3%
20082008  788  11.6% 2016    508  7.4%2008  780 11.6% 2016   503 7.5%
20092009  147  2.2% 2017 and thereafter   4,835  70.9%2009  146 2.2% 2017 and thereafter  4,843 72.3%
20102010  276  4.0%  Total $ 6,819  100.0%2010  274 4.1%  Total$ 6,701 100.0%
20112011  901  13.2%          2011  896 13.4%        
2012 2012   229  3.4%          2012   310 4.6%        
Total$ 6,819  100.0%          Total$ 6,701 100.0%        
 
 
8791

 


The global financial markets and credit market conditions experienced a period of extreme volatility and disruption that began in the second half of 2007 and continued and substantially increased throughout 2008 that led to a decrease in the overall liquidity and availability of capital in the mortgage loan market, and in particular a decrease in activity by securitization lenders.  These conditions and the overall economic downturn put pressure on the fundamentals of mortgage loans through rising vacancies, falling rents and falling property values.

See Note 45 for information regarding our loan-to-value and debt-service coverage ratios.

There were 9 and 12 impaired mortgage loans on real estate, or less than 1% and 1% of the total dollar amount of mortgage loans on real estate as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.2011.  The carrying value on the mortgage loans on real estate that were two or more payments delinquent as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, was $61$44 million, or less than 1% of total mortgage loans on real estate.  The total principal and interest past due on the mortgage loans on real estate that were two or more payments delinquent as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, was $48$25 million.  The carrying value on the mortgage loans on real estate that were two or more payments delinquent as of December 31, 2011, was $76 million, or 1% of total mortgage loans on real estate.  The total principal and interest past due on the mortgage loans on real estate that were two or more payments delinquent as of December 31, 2011, was $41 million.  See Note 1 in our 2011 Form 10-K for more information regarding our accounting policy relating to the impairment of mortgage loans on real estate.

Alternative Investments

Investment income (loss) on alternative investments by business segment (in millions) was as follows:

 For the Three    For the Six    For the Three   For the Nine   
 Months Ended    Months Ended    Months Ended   Months Ended   
 June 30,    June 30,    September 30,   September 30,   
 2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change 
AnnuitiesAnnuities$13 $4  225% $19 $9  111%Annuities$4 $1  300% $23 $11  109%
Retirement Plan ServicesRetirement Plan Services 7  2  250%  10  6  67%Retirement Plan Services 2  1  100%  11  6  83%
Life InsuranceLife Insurance 25  27  -7%  46  57  -19%Life Insurance 7  15  -53%  52  72  -28%
Group ProtectionGroup Protection 4  1  300%  5  3  67%Group Protection 1  - NM  7  3  133%
Other OperationsOther Operations 1  (1) 200%  1  - NM Other Operations -  - NM  2  - NM 
Total (1)$50 $33  52% $81 $75  8%Total (1)$14 $17  -18% $95 $92  3%

(1)Includes net investment income on the alternative investments supporting the required statutory surplus of our insurance businesses.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, alternative investments included investments in 9799 and 96 different partnerships, respectively, and the portfolio represented less thanapproximately 1% of our overall invested assets.  The partnerships do not represent off-balance sheet financing and generally involve several third-party partners.  Some of our partnerships contain capital calls, which require us to contribute capital upon notification by the general partner.  These capital calls are contemplated during the initial investment decision and are planned for well in advance of the call date.  The capital calls are not material in size and are not material to our liquidity.  Alternative investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and are included in other investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
 
8892

 

As discussed in “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – Investments – Valuation of Alternative Investments” in our 2011 Form 10-K, we update the carrying value of our alternative investment portfolio whenever audited financial statements of the investees for the preceding year become available.  Net investment income (loss) derived from our consolidated alternative investments by segment (in millions) related to the effect of preceding year audit adjustments recorded during the indicated year at the investee was as follows:

 For the Three    For the Six    For the Three   For the Nine   
 Months Ended    Months Ended    Months Ended   Months Ended   
 June 30,    June 30,    September 30,   September 30,   
 2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change 
AnnuitiesAnnuities$1 $1  0% $5 $4  25%Annuities$- $- NM $5 $4  25%
Retirement Plan ServicesRetirement Plan Services -  - NM   2  2  0%Retirement Plan Services -  - NM  2  2  0%
Life InsuranceLife Insurance 10  9  11%  23  30  -23%Life Insurance -  (1) 100%  23  29  -21%
Group ProtectionGroup Protection -  - NM   2  2  0%Group Protection -  - NM  2  2  0%
 Total$11 $10  10% $32 $38  -16%Total$- $(1) 100% $32 $37  -14%

Non-Income Producing Investments

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, the carrying amount of fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and real estate that were non-income producing was $16$11 million and $14 million, respectively.

Net Investment Income

Details underlying net investment income (in millions) and our investment yield were as follows:

  For the Three    For the Six     For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended    Months Ended     Months Ended    Months Ended   
  June 30,    June 30,     September 30,    September 30,   
  2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Net Investment IncomeNet Investment Income             Net Investment Income             
Fixed maturity AFS securitiesFixed maturity AFS securities$980 $961  2% $1,949 $1,914  2%Fixed maturity AFS securities$981 $964  2% $2,929 $2,878  2%
VIEs' fixed maturity AFS securities 4  3  33%  8  6  33%
Equity AFS securitiesEquity AFS securities 1  1  0%  3  3  0%Equity AFS securities 2  1  100%  4  4  0%
Trading securitiesTrading securities 37  39  -5%  75  77  -3%Trading securities 36  38  -5%  111  116  -4%
Mortgage loans on real estateMortgage loans on real estate 100  101  -1%  201  204  -1%Mortgage loans on real estate 97  102  -5%  299  306  -2%
Real estateReal estate 4  6  -33%  8  13  -38%Real estate 4  5  -20%  13  17  -24%
Standby real estate equity commitmentsStandby real estate equity commitments -  - NM   -  1  -100%Standby real estate equity commitments -  - NM   -  1  -100%
Policy loansPolicy loans 42  43  -2%  87  84  4%Policy loans 37  42  -12%  124  125  -1%
Invested cashInvested cash 1  1  0%  2  2  0%Invested cash 1  1  0%  3  3  0%
Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (1)
Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (1)
 12  25  -52%  18  59  -69%Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (1) 5  14  -64%  22  73  -70%
Alternative investments (2)
Alternative investments (2)
 50  33  52%  81  75  8%Alternative investments (2) 14  17  -18%  95  92  3%
Consent feesConsent fees 1  2  -50%  1  2  -50%Consent fees 1  - NM   3  2  50%
Other investmentsOther investments (10) (7) -43%  (19) (12) -58%Other investments (5) (3) -67%  (15) (9) -67%
Investment income 1,222  1,208  1%  2,414  2,428  -1%Investment income 1,173  1,181  -1%  3,588  3,608  -1%
Investment expenseInvestment expense (25) (27) 7%  (52) (56) 7%Investment expense (27) (30) 10%  (79) (86) 8%
 Net investment income$1,197 $1,181  1% $2,362 $2,372  0% Net investment income$1,146 $1,151  0% $3,509 $3,522  0%

(1)See “Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums” below for additional information.
(2)See “Alternative Investments” above for additional information.

 
8993

 

  For the Three    For the Nine    
  Months Ended Basis  Months Ended  Basis 
  September 30, Point  September 30,  Point 
  2012 2011 Change  2012 2011  Change 
Interest Rate Yield              
Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses5.25% 5.45% (20)  5.33% 5.52% (19)
Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums0.02% 0.07% (5)  0.03% 0.12% (9)
Alternative investments0.07% 0.08% (1)  0.15% 0.15% - 
Consent fees0.00% 0.00% -   0.00% 0.00% - 
 
Net investment income yield on invested assets
5.34% 5.60% (26)  5.51% 5.79% (28)
 
  For the Three     For the Six   
  Months Ended Basis   Months Ended Basis 
  June 30, Point   June 30, Point 
  2012 2011 Change   2012 2011 Change 
Interest Rate Yield              
Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses 5.34% 5.53% (19)  5.37% 5.55% (18)
Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums 0.06% 0.12% (6)  0.04% 0.15% (11)
Alternative investments 0.24% 0.16% 8   0.19% 0.19% - 
Consent fees 0.00% 0.01% (1)  0.00% 0.00% - 
 
Net investment income yield on invested assets
 5.64% 5.82% (18)  5.60% 5.89% (29)

 For the Three    For the Six   
 Months Ended    Months Ended   
 June 30,    June 30,   
 2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Average invested assets at amortized cost$84,958 $81,102  5% $84,420 $80,549  5%
 For the Three    For the Nine   
 Months Ended    Months Ended   
 September 30,    September 30,   
 2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Average invested assets at amortized cost$85,802 $82,254  4% $84,881 $81,117  5%
 
We earn investment income on our general account assets supporting fixed annuity, term life, whole life, UL, interest-sensitive whole life and fixed portion of retirement plan and VUL products.  The profitability of our fixed annuity and life insurance products is affected by our ability to achieve target spreads, or margins, between the interest income earned on the general account assets and the interest credited to the contract holder on our average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable.  Net investment income and the interest rate yield table each include commercial mortgage loan prepayments and bond makewhole premiums, alternative investments and contingent interest and standby real estate equity commitments.  These items can vary significantly from period to period due to a number of factors and, therefore, can provide results that are not indicative of the underlying trends.

Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums

Prepayment and makewhole premiums are collected when borrowers elect to call or prepay their debt prior to the stated maturity.  A prepayment or makewhole premium allows investors to attain the same yield as if the borrower made all scheduled interest payments until maturity.  These premiums are designed to make investors indifferent to prepayment.

The decrease in prepayment and makewhole premiums when comparing 2012 to 2011 was attributable primarily to abnormally high prepayments and makewhole premiums during 2011 due to a rapid decline in interest rates leading to increased refinancing activity.
 
 
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Realized Gain (Loss) Related to Certain Investments

The detail of the realized gain (loss) related to certain investments (in millions) was as follows:

  For the Three    For the Six      For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended    Months Ended      Months Ended    Months Ended   
  June 30,    June 30,      September 30,    September 30,   
  2012 2011 Change  2012 2011  Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Fixed maturity AFS securities:Fixed maturity AFS securities:              Fixed maturity AFS securities:             
Gross gains$3 $31  -90% $8 $67  -88%Gross gains$4 $17  -76% $12 $84  -86%
Gross losses (49) (51) 4%  (112) (114) 2%Gross losses (49) (63) 22%  (161) (177) 9%
Equity AFS securities:Equity AFS securities:                   Equity AFS securities:                   
Gross gains -  1  -100%  1  9  -89%Gross gains -  - NM   1  10  -90%
Gain (loss) on other investmentsGain (loss) on other investments (5) (8) 38%  2  5  -60%Gain (loss) on other investments (10) (3)NM   (8) 1 NM 
Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI, and DFEL and changes in other contract holder fundsAssociated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI, and DFEL and changes in other contract holder funds -  (5) 100%  2  (14) 114%Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI, and DFEL and changes in other contract holder funds 1  4  -75%  3  (10) 130%
 
Total realized gain (loss) related to certain investments, pre-tax
$(51)$(32) -59% $(99)$(47) NM  Total realized gain (loss) related to certain investments, pre-tax$(54)$(45) -20% $(153)$(92) -66%

Amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and changes in other contract holder funds reflect an assumption for an expected level of credit-related investment losses.  When actual credit-related investment losses are realized, we recognize a true-up to our DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL amortization and changes in other contract holder funds within realized loss reflecting the incremental effect of actual versus expected credit-related investment losses.  These actual to expected amortization adjustments could create volatility in net realized gains and losses.  The write-down for impairments includes both credit-related and interest-rate related impairments.

Realized gains and losses generally originate from asset sales to reposition the portfolio or to respond to product experience.  During the first sixnine months of 2012 and 2011, we sold securities for gains and losses.  In the process of evaluating whether a security with an unrealized loss reflects declines that are other-than-temporary, we consider our ability and intent to sell the security prior to a recovery of value.  However, subsequent decisions on securities sales are made within the context of overall risk monitoring, assessing value relative to other comparable securities and overall portfolio maintenance.  Although our portfolio managers may, at a given point in time, believe that the preferred course of action is to hold securities with unrealized losses that are considered temporary until such losses are recovered, the dynamic nature of portfolio management may result in a subsequent decision to sell.  These subsequent decisions are consistent with the classification of our investment portfolio as AFS.  We expect to continue to manage all non-trading invested assets within our portfolios in a manner that is consistent with the AFS classification.

We consider economic factors and circumstances within countries and industries where recent write-downs have occurred in our assessment of the status of securities we own of similarly situated issuers.  While it is possible for realized or unrealized losses on a particular investment to affect other investments, our risk management has been designed to identify correlation risks and other risks inherent in managing an investment portfolio.  Once identified, strategies and procedures are developed to effectively monitor and manage these risks.  The areas of risk correlation that we pay particular attention to are risks that may be correlated within specific financial and business markets, risks within specific industries and risks associated with related parties.

When the detailed analysis by our credit analysts and investment portfolio managers leads us to the conclusion that a security’s decline in fair value is other-than-temporary, the security is written down to estimated recovery value.  In instances where declines are considered temporary, the security will continue to be carefully monitored.  See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in our 2011 Form 10-K for additional information on our portfolio management strategy.
 
 
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Details underlying write-downs taken as a result of OTTI (in millions) were as follows:

  For the Three    For the Six     For the Three    For the Nine   
  Months Ended    Months Ended     Months Ended    Months Ended   
  June 30,    June 30,     September 30,    September 30,   
  2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change   2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
OTTI Recognized in Net Income (Loss)OTTI Recognized in Net Income (Loss)             OTTI Recognized in Net Income (Loss)             
Corporate bondsCorporate bonds$(10)$(2)NM  $(29)$(6)NM Corporate bonds$(5)$(3) -67% $(34)$(9)NM 
RMBSRMBS (14) (23) 39%  (32) (43) 26%RMBS (16) (22) 27%  (48) (65) 26%
CMBSCMBS (16) (15) -7%  (36) (39) 8%CMBS (14) (8) -75%  (50) (47) -6%
CDOsCDOs -  - NM   -  (1) 100%CDOs (2) - NM   (2) (1) -100%
Hybrid and redeemable preferred securitiesHybrid and redeemable preferred securities -  - NM   -  (2) 100%Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities -  - NM   -  (2) 100%
Gross OTTI recognized in net income (loss) (40) (40) 0%  (97) (91) -7%Gross OTTI recognized in net income (loss) (37) (33) -12%  (134) (124) -8%
Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL 7  9  -22%  17  19  -11%Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL 5  7  -29%  22  26  -15%
 
Net OTTI recognized in net income (loss), pre-tax
$(33)$(31) -6% $(80)$(72) -11% Net OTTI recognized in net income (loss), pre-tax$(32)$(26) -23% $(112)$(98) -14%
                                          
Portion of OTTI Recognized in OCI                   
Portion of OTTI Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI")Portion of OTTI Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI")                   
Gross OTTI recognized in OCIGross OTTI recognized in OCI$21 $19  11% $79 $27  193%Gross OTTI recognized in OCI$(17)$(21) 19% $(96)$(48) -100%
Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFELChange in DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL (4) (3) -33%  (12) (8) -50%Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL 2  3  -33%  14  11  27%
Net portion of OTTI recognized in OCI, pre-tax$17 $16  6% $67 $19  253%Net portion of OTTI recognized in                   
OCI, pre-tax$(15)$(18) 17% $(82)$(37)NM 

The increase in write-downs for OTTI when comparing 2012 to 2011 was primarily due to structured interest only corporate bonds with floating rate coupons where the projected cash flows were less than expected based on current and expected future Libor rates.  The $176$230 million of impairments taken during 2012 were split between $97$134 million of credit-related impairments and $79$96 million of noncredit-related impairments.  The credit-related impairments were largely attributable to our RMBS and CMBS holdings primarily as a result of continued weakness within the commercial and residential real estate market that affected select RMBS and CMBS holdings.  The noncredit-related impairments were incurred due to declines in values of securities for which we do not have an intent to sell or it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the securities before recovery.

REVIEW OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL CONDITION

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources of Liquidity and Cash Flow

Liquidity refers to the ability of an enterprise to generate adequate amounts of cash from its normal operations to meet cash requirements with a prudent margin of safety.  Our principal sources of cash flow from operating activities are insurance premiums and fees and investment income, while sources of cash flows from investing activities result from maturities and sales of invested assets.  Our operating activities provided cash of $614$666 million and $878$934 million for the first sixnine months of 2012 and 2011, respectively.  When considering our liquidity and cash flow, it is important to distinguish between the needs of our insurance subsidiaries and the needs of the holding company, LNC.  As a holding company with no operations of its own, LNC derives its cash primarily from its operating subsidiaries.

The sources of liquidity of the holding company are principally comprised of dividends and interest payments from subsidiaries, augmented by holding company short-term investments, bank lines of credit and the ongoing availability of long-term public financing under an SEC-filed shelf registration statement.  These sources of liquidity and cash flow support the general corporate needs of the holding company, including its common and preferred stock dividends, interest and debt service, funding of callable securities, securities repurchases, acquisitions and investment in core businesses.  Our cash flows associated with collateral received from and posted with counterparties change as the market value of the underlying derivative contract changes.  As the value of a derivative asset declines (or increases), the collateral required to be posted by our counterparties would also decline (or increase).

 
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Likewise, when the value of a derivative liability declines (or increases), the collateral we are required to post for our counterparties’ benefit would also decline (or increase).  During the first sixnine months of 2012, our payables for collateral on derivative investments increaseddecreased by $461$27 million attributable primarily to increased notional amounts, volatility in theas steadily rising equity markets and declining interest rates, which increasedless volatility lowered the fair values of the associated derivative investments.  For additional information, see “Credit Risk” in Note 5.6.

Details underlying the primary sources of our holding company cash flows (in millions) were as follows:

For the Three   For the Six   For the Three    For the Nine   
Months Ended   Months Ended   Months Ended    Months Ended   
June 30,   June 30,   September 30,    September 30,   
2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 
Dividends from Subsidiaries                         
The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company$200 $150  33% $350 $300  17%$200 $250  -20% $550 $550  0%
Other -  7  -100%  -  12  -100% -  7  -100%  -  19  -100%
Loan Repayments and Interest from Subsidiaries
                                     
Interest on inter-company notes 31  30  3%  64  62  3% 33  32  3%  97  95  2%
$231 $187  24% $414 $374  11%$233 $289  -19% $647 $664  -3%
Other Cash Flow and Liquidity Items                                     
Increase (decrease) in commercial paper, net
$- $(100) 100% $- $(100) 100%$- $- NM  $- $(100) 100%
Net capital received from (paid for taxes on) stock option exercises and restricted stock
 (3) - NM  (3) (1)NM  -  - NM   (3) (1)NM 
$(3)$(100) 97% $(3)$(101) 97%$- $- NM  $(3)$(101) 97%

The table above focuses on significant and recurring cash flow items and excludes the effects of certain financing activities, namely the periodic issuance and retirement of debt and cash flows related to our inter-company cash management program (discussed below).  Taxes have been eliminated from the analysis due to a tax sharing agreement among our primary subsidiaries resulting in a modest effect on net cash flows at the holding company.  Also excluded from this analysis is the modest amount of investment income on short-term investments of the holding company.

Subsidiaries’ Statutory Reserving and Surplus

For discussion of our strategies to lessen the burden of increased AG38 and XXX statutory reserves associated with certain UL products and other products with secondary guarantees on our insurance subsidiaries, see “Results of Life Insurance – Income (Loss) from Operations – Strategies to Address Statutory Reserve Strain.”

Financing Activities

Although our subsidiaries currently generate adequate cash flow to meet the needs of our normal operations, periodically we may issue debt or equity securities to maintain ratings and increase liquidity, as well as to fund internal growth, acquisitions and the retirement of our debt and equity securities.

We currently have an effective shelf registration statement, which allows us to issue, in unlimited amounts, securities, including debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, depository shares and trust preferred securities of our affiliated trusts.
 
 
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Details underlying debt and financing activities (in millions) were as follows:

 For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012  For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 
       Change            Change     
     Maturities in Fair          Maturities in Fair     
 Beginning   and Value Other Ending  Beginning   and Value Other Ending 
 Balance Issuance Repayments Hedges 
Changes (1)
 Balance  Balance Issuance Repayments Hedges 
Changes (1)
 Balance 
Short-Term DebtShort-Term Debt            Short-Term Debt            
Current maturities of long-term debt (2)Current maturities of long-term debt (2)$300 $- $- $- $- $300 
Current maturities of long-term debt (2)
$300 $- $(300)$- $200 $200 
Total short-term debt$300 $- $- $- $- $300 Total short-term debt$300 $- $(300)$- $200 $200 
                                      
Long-Term DebtLong-Term Debt                  Long-Term Debt                  
Senior notesSenior notes$3,730 $300 $- $27 $1 $4,058 Senior notes$3,730 $300 $- $(12)$(185)$3,833 
Bank borrowingBank borrowing 200  -  -  -  -  200 Bank borrowing 200  -  -  -  -  200 
Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis advance 250  -  -  -  -  250 
Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis ("FHLBI") advanceFederal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis ("FHLBI") advance 250  -  -  -  -  250 
Capital securitiesCapital securities 1,211  -  -  -  -  1,211 Capital securities 1,211  -  -  -  -  1,211 
Total long-term debt$5,391 $300 $- $27 $1 $5,719 Total long-term debt$5,391 $300 $- $(12)$(185)$5,494 

(1)Includes the net increase (decrease) in commercial paper, non-cash reclassification of long-term debt to current maturities of long-term debt, accretion of discounts and (amortization) of premiums, as applicable.
(2)ConsistedConsists of a $300$200 million 5.65% fixedfloating rate senior note that matures in less than one year.maturing on July 18, 2013.

On March 29, 2012, we completed the issuance and sale of $300 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.20% senior notes due 2022.  We expect to repay therepaid a $300 million 5.65% fixed rate senior note maturingthat matured on August 27, 2012, with these proceeds.  In addition to the maturing note discussed above, within the next two years, we have a $200 million floating rate senior note maturing on July 18, 2013; a $300 million 4.75% senior note maturing on January 30, 2014; and a $200 million 4.75% senior note maturing on February 14, 2014.  The specific resources or combination of resources that we will use to meet these maturities will depend upon, among other things, the financial market conditions present at the time of maturity.  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, the holding company had approximately $1 billion$700 million in cash and cash equivalents and $25 million invested in fixed maturity corporate bonds; however, as discussed below, it had a $50$51 million payable under the inter-company cash management program.

For information about our short-term and long-term debt and our credit facilities and LOCs, see Note 12 in our 2011 Form 10-K.

We have not accounted for repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions, or other transactions involving the transfer of financial assets with an obligation to repurchase the transferred assets as sales and do not have any other transactions involving the transfer of financial assets with an obligation to repurchase the transferred assets.  For information about our collateralized financing transactions on our investments, see “Payables for Collateral on Investments” in Note 4.5.

If current credit ratings and claims-paying ratings were downgraded in the future, terms in our derivative agreements may be triggered, which could negatively affect overall liquidity.  For the majority of our counterparties, there is a termination event should the long-term senior debt ratings of LNC drop below BBB-/Baa3 (S&P/Moody’s).  Our long-term senior debt held a rating of A-/Baa2 (S&P/Moody’s) as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012.  In addition, contractual selling agreements with intermediaries could be negatively affected, which could have an adverse effect on overall sales of annuities, life insurance and investment products.  See “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors – Liquidity and Capital Position – A decrease in the capital and surplus of our insurance subsidiaries may result in a downgrade to our credit and insurer financial strength ratings” and “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors – Covenants and Ratings – A downgrade in our financial strength or credit ratings could limit our ability to market products, increase the number or value of policies being surrendered and/or hurt our relationships with creditors” in our 2011 Form 10-K for more information.  See “Part I – Item 1. Business – Financial Strength Ratings” in our 2011 Form 10-K for additional information on our current financial strength ratings.

See “Part II – Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Review of Consolidated Financial Condition – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Financing Activities” in our 2011 Form 10-K for information on our credit ratings.

Alternative Sources of Liquidity

In order to manage our capital more efficiently, we have an inter-company cash management program where certain subsidiaries can lend to or borrow from the holding company to meet short-term borrowing needs.  The cash management program is

 
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essentially a series of demand loans, which are permitted under applicable insurance laws, among LNC and its affiliates that reduces overall borrowing costs by allowing LNC and its subsidiaries to access internal resources instead of incurring third-party transaction costs.  For our Indiana-domiciled insurance subsidiaries, the borrowing and lending limit is currently the lesser of 3% of the insurance company’s admitted assets and 25% of its surplus, in both cases, as of its most recent year end.  The holding company did not borrowhad a maximum and minimum amount of financing that was used from the cash management program during the secondthird quarter of 2012; however,2012 of $1 million and $0, respectively.  There was no balance as of September 30, 2012.  In addition, it had an outstanding payable of $50$51 million to certain subsidiaries resulting from amounts placed by the subsidiaries in the inter-company cash management account in excess of funds borrowed by those subsidiaries as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012.  Any increase (decrease) in either of these holding company cash management program payable balances results in an immediate and equal increase (decrease) to holding company cash and cash equivalents.

Our insurance subsidiaries, by virtue of their investment holdings, can access liquidity through investments pledged programs and repurchase agreements.  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, our insurance subsidiaries had investments with a carrying value of $1.6 billion out on loan or subject to reverse-repurchase agreements.  The cash received in our investments pledged programs and repurchase agreements is typically invested in cash equivalents, short-term investments or fixed maturity securities.  For additional details, see “Payables for Collateral on Investments” in Note 4.5.

For factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in this section, see “Forward-Looking Statements – Cautionary Language” above and “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2011 Form 10-K, as updated in “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” below.

Divestitures

For a discussion of our divestitures, see Note 3 herein and Note 3 in our 2011 Form 10-K.

Uses of Capital

Our principal uses of cash are to pay policy claims and benefits, operating expenses, commissions and taxes, to purchase new investments, to purchase reinsurance, to fund policy surrenders and withdrawals, to pay dividends to our stockholders and to repurchase our stock and debt securities.

Return of Capital to Common Stockholders

One of the Company’s primary goals is to provide a return to our common stockholders through share price accretion, dividends and stock repurchases.  In determining dividends, the Board takes into consideration items such as current and expected earnings, capital needs, rating agency considerations and requirements for financial flexibility.  The amount and timing of share repurchase depends on key capital ratios, rating agency expectations, the generation of free cash flow and an evaluation of the costs and benefits associated with alternative uses of capital.  Free cash flow for the holding company generally represents the amount of dividends and interest received from subsidiaries less interest paid on debt.

Details underlying this activity (in millions, except per share data), were as follows:

 For the Three   For the Six    For the Three   For the Nine   
 Months Ended   Months Ended    Months Ended   Months Ended   
 June 30,   June 30,    September 30,   September 30,   
 2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change 
Common dividends to stockholdersCommon dividends to stockholders$23 $16  44% $46 $31  48%Common dividends to stockholders$22 $15  47% $67 $48  40%
Repurchase of common stockRepurchase of common stock 150  151  -1%  300  226  33%Repurchase of common stock 100  150  -33%  400  375  7%
 Total cash returned to stockholders$173 $167  4% $346 $257  35%Total cash returned to stockholders$122 $165  -26% $467 $423  10%
                                      
Number of shares repurchasedNumber of shares repurchased 6.474  5.149  26%  12.492  7.563  65%Number of shares repurchased 4.157  6.713  -38%  16.649  14.276  17%
Average price per shareAverage price per share$23.19 $29.15  -20% $24.04 $29.77  -19%Average price per share$24.07 $22.36  8% $24.05 $26.29  -9%

On November 10, 2011, our Board of Directors approved an increase of the quarterly dividend on our common stock from $0.05 to $0.08 per share.  Additionally, we expect to repurchase additional shares of common stock during the remainder of 2012 depending on market conditions and alternative uses of capital.  For more information regarding share repurchases, see “Part II – Item 2(c)” below.


 
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Other Uses of Capital

In addition to the amounts in the table above in “Return of Capital to Common Stockholders,” other uses of holding company cash flow (in millions) were as follows:

 For the Three   For the Six    For the Three   For the Nine   
 Months Ended   Months Ended    Months Ended   Months Ended   
 June 30,   June 30,    September 30,   September 30,   
 2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change  2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change 
Debt service (interest paid)Debt service (interest paid)$74 $80  -8% $131 $142  -8%Debt service (interest paid)$64 $62  3% $195 $204  -4%
Capital contribution to subsidiariesCapital contribution to subsidiaries -  8  -100%  -  16  -100%Capital contribution to subsidiaries -  - NM  -  16  -100%
 Total$74 $88  -16% $131 $158  -17%Total$64 $62  3% $195 $220  -11%

The above table focuses on significant and recurring cash flow items and excludes the effects of certain financing activities, namely the periodic retirement of debt and cash flows related to our inter-company cash management account.  Taxes have been eliminated from the analysis due to a tax sharing agreement among our primary subsidiaries resulting in a modest effect on net cash flows at the holding company.

Significant Trends in Sources and Uses of Cash Flow

As stated above, LNC’s cash flow, as a holding company, is largely dependent upon the dividend capacity of its insurance company subsidiaries as well as their ability to advance funds to it through inter-company borrowing arrangements, which may be affected by factors influencing the insurance subsidiaries’ RBC and statutory earnings performance.  We currently expect to be able to meet the holding company’s ongoing cash needs and to have sufficient capital to offer downside protection in the event that the capital and credit markets experience another period of extreme volatility and disruption.  A decline in capital market conditions, which reduces our insurance subsidiaries’ statutory surplus and RBC, may require them to retain more capital and may pressure our subsidiaries’ dividends to the holding company, which may lead us to take steps to preserve or raise additional capital.  For factors that could affect our expectations for liquidity and capital, see “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2011 Form 10-K, as updated in “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” below.

OTHER MATTERS

Other Factors Affecting Our Business
 
In general, our businesses are subject to a changing social, economic, legal, legislative and regulatory environment.  Some of the changes include initiatives to require more reserves to be carried by our insurance subsidiaries.  Although the eventual effect on us of the changing environment in which we operate remains uncertain, these factors and others could have a material effect on our results of operations, liquidity and capital resources.  For factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in this section, see “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2011 Form 10-K, as updated in “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” below, and “Forward-Looking Statements – Cautionary Language” above.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements that have been implemented during the periods presented or that have been issued and are to be implemented in the future.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We analyze and manage the risks arising from market exposures of financial instruments, as well as other risks, in an integrated asset-liability management process that takes diversification into account.  By aggregating the potential effect of market and other risks on the entire enterprise, we estimate, review and in some cases manage the risk to our earnings and shareholder value.  We have exposures to several market risks including interest rate risk, equity market risk, default risk, basis risk, credit risk and, to a lesser extent, foreign currency exchange risk.  The exposures of financial instruments to market risks, and the related risk management processes, are most important to our business where most of the invested assets support accumulation and investment-oriented insurance products.  As an important element of our integrated asset-liability management processes, we use derivatives to minimize the effects of changes in interest levels, the shape of the yield curve, currency movements and volatility.  In this context, derivatives are designated as a hedge and serve to minimize interest rate risk by mitigating the effect of significant increases in interest rates on our earnings.  Additional market exposures exist in our other general account insurance products and in our debt structure and derivatives positions.  Our primary sources of market risk are:  substantial, relatively rapid and sustained increases or decreases in interest rates or a sharp drop in equity market values.  These market risks are discussed in detail in the

 
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following pages and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements (“Notes”) presented in “Item 1. Financial Statements,” as well as “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”).”
 
Interest Rate Risk

Interest Rate Risk on Fixed Insurance Businesses – Falling Rates

In periods of declining interest rates, we have to reinvest the cash we receive as interest or return of principal on our investments in lower yielding instruments.  Moreover, borrowers may prepay fixed income securities, commercial mortgages and mortgage-backed securities in our general accounts in order to borrow at lower market rates, which exacerbates this risk.  Because we are entitled to reset the interest rates on our fixed rate annuities only at limited, pre-established intervals, and because many of our contracts have guaranteed minimum interest or crediting rates, our spreads could decrease and potentially become negative.

Prolonged historically low rates are not healthy for our business fundamentals.  However, we have recognized this threat and have been proactive in our investment strategies, product designs, crediting rate strategies and overall asset-liability practices to mitigate the risk of unfavorable consequences in this type of environment.  For some time now, new products have been sold with low minimum crediting floors, and we apply disciplined asset-liability management standards, such as locking in spreads on these products at the time of issue.

If we were to assume a hypothetical stress scenario where the 10-year U.S. Treasury rate remains static at approximately 150 basis points through the end of 2014 as compared to a hypothetical scenario where our current portfolio yields remain flat, we estimate the difference between these hypothetical scenarios would result in an approximate unfavorable earnings effect of $10 million for the remainder of 2012, $75 million in 2013 and $140 million in 2014.  The earnings drag from this hypothetical stress scenario related to the effect of continued low new money rates is largely concentrated in our Life Insurance and Retirement Plan Services segments.

The estimates above are based upon hypothetical scenarios and are only representative of the effects of assumptions around rates through 2014 keeping all else equal and does not give consideration to the aggregate effect of other factors, including but not limited to:  contract holder activity; sales; hedge positions; changing equity markets; shifts in implied volatilities; and changes in other capital market sectors as well as actions we might take to mitigate the effect of the low rate environment.  In addition, the scenarios only illustrated the effect to spreads and certain unlocking and reserve changes.  Other potential effects of the scenarios were not considered in the analysis.  See “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors – Market Conditions – Changes in interest rates and sustained low interest rates may cause interest rate spreads to decrease and changes in interest rates may also result in increased contract withdrawals” in our 2011 Form 10-K for additional information on interest rates.
 
 
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The following provides detail on the percentage differences between the JuneSeptember 30, 2012, interest rates being credited to contract holders based on the second quarter of 2012 declared rates and the respective minimum guaranteed policy rate (in millions), broken out by contract holder account values reported within our segments:

   Account Values   Account Values 
     Retirement 
Life
   %     Retirement     % 
     Plan Insurance   Account     Plan Life   Account 
   Annuities Services  (1) Total Values   Annuities Services 
Insurance (1)
 Total Values 
Excess of Crediting Rates over Contract MinimumsExcess of Crediting Rates over Contract Minimums          Excess of Crediting Rates over Contract Minimums          
Discretionary rate setting products (2)(3)Discretionary rate setting products (2)(3)          Discretionary rate setting products (2)(3)          
No difference$7,352 $9,648 $25,952 $42,952  69.0%No difference$7,967 $9,823 $26,401 $44,191  70.4%
Up to 0.10% 85  2  -  87  0.1%Up to 0.10% 81  2  -  83  0.1%
0.11% to 0.20% 75  79  -  154  0.3%0.11% to 0.20% 57  -  -  57  0.1%
0.21% to 0.30% 110  1  270  381  0.6%0.21% to 0.30% 91  1  264  356  0.6%
0.31% to 0.40% 123  4  -  127  0.2%0.31% to 0.40% 121  15  -  136  0.2%
0.41% to 0.50% 105  184  111  400  0.7%0.41% to 0.50% 91  179  -  270  0.3%
0.51% to 0.60% 64  -  -  64  0.1%0.51% to 0.60% 59  -  -  59  0.1%
0.61% to 0.70% 52  -  -  52  0.1%0.61% to 0.70% 48  69  -  117  0.2%
0.71% to 0.80% 45  -  -  45  0.1%0.71% to 0.80% 43  -  -  43  0.1%
0.81% to 0.90% 38  -  -  38  0.1%0.81% to 0.90% 32  -  -  32  0.1%
0.91% to 1.00% 24  101  103  228  0.4%0.91% to 1.00% 22  121  -  143  0.2%
1.01% to 1.50% 86  60  -  146  0.2%1.01% to 1.50% 75  30  -  105  0.2%
1.51% to 2.00% 6  -  146  152  0.2%1.51% to 2.00% 5  -  162  167  0.3%
2.01% to 2.50% 2  1  -  3  0.0%2.01% to 2.50% 3  1  -  4  0.0%
2.51% to 3.00% 5  -  -  5  0.0%2.51% to 3.00% 5  -  -  5  0.0%
3.01% and above -  1  -  1  0.0%3.01% and above -  1  -  1  0.0%
Multi-year guarantee and indexed annuity products (4)
 11,277  -  -  11,277  18.1%Multi-year guarantee and indexed annuity products (4) 10,829  -  -  10,829  17.3%
 Total discretionary rate setting products 19,449  10,081  26,582  56,112  90.2% Total discretionary rate setting products 19,529  10,242  26,827  56,598  90.2%
Other contracts (5)Other contracts (5) 2,184  3,922  -  6,106  9.8%Other contracts (5) 2,116  4,000  -  6,116  9.8%
  Total account values  $21,633 $14,003 $26,582 $62,218  100.0% Total account values$21,645 $14,242 $26,827 $62,714  100.0%
                                   
Percentage of discretionary rate setting product account values at minimum guaranteed ratesPercentage of discretionary rate setting product account values at minimum guaranteed rates 37.8% 95.7% 97.6% 76.5%   Percentage of discretionary rate setting product account values at minimum guaranteed rates 40.8% 95.9% 98.4% 78.1%   

(1)Excludes policy loans.
(2)Contracts currently within new money rate bands are grouped according to the corresponding portfolio rate band in which they will fall upon their first anniversary.
(3)The average crediting rates for discretionary rate setting products were 6358 basis points, 32 basis points and 21 basis pointspoint in excess of average minimum guaranteed rates for our Annuities, Retirement Plan Services and Life Insurance segments, respectively.
(4)The average crediting rates were 166162 basis points in excess of average minimum guaranteed rates for multi-year guarantee products; 14%6%, 13%17% and 73%77% of our total multi-year guarantee account values are scheduled to reset in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and beyond, respectively.  Our indexed renewal business resets either annually or bi-annually.  Upon reset, we are able to adjust product features to reflect changes in option prices.
(5)For Annuities, this amount relates primarily to immediate annuity and short-term dollar cost averaging business.  For Retirement Plan Services, this amount relates to indexed-based rate setting products in which the average crediting rates were 31 basis pointspoint in excess of average minimum guaranteed rates and 91%93% of account values were already at their minimum guaranteed rates.

The maturity structure and call provisions of the related portfolios are structured to afford protection against erosion of investment portfolio yields during periods of declining interest rates.  We devote extensive effort to evaluating the risks associated with falling interest rates by simulating asset and liability cash flows for a wide range of interest rate scenarios.  We seek to manage these exposures by maintaining a suitable maturity structure and by limiting our exposure to call risk in each respective investment portfolio.

 
98102

 

Derivatives

See Note 56 for information on our derivatives used to hedge our exposure to changes in interest rates.

Equity Market Risk

Our revenues, assets, liabilities and derivatives are exposed to equity market risk.  Due to the use of our reversion to the mean (“RTM”) process and our hedging strategies, we expect that, in general, short-term fluctuations in the equity markets should not have a significant effect on our quarterly earnings from unlocking of assumptions for deferred acquisition costs, value of business acquired, deferred sales inducements and deferred front-end loads.  However, earnings are affected by equity market movements on account values and assets under management and the related fees we earn on those assets.  Refer to “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Introduction – Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL”  in our 2011 Form 10-K for further discussion on the effects of equity markets on our RTM.

Effect of Equity Market Sensitivity
 
The following presents our estimate of the effect on income (loss) from operations (in millions), from the change in asset-based fees and related expenses, if the level of the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index® (“S&P 500”), which ended at 13621441 as of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, were to decrease to 10901153 over six months after JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and remain at that level through the next six months or increase to 16341729 over six months after JuneSeptember 30, 2012, and remain at that level through the next six months, excluding any effect related to sales, prospective unlocking, persistency, hedge program performance or customer behavior caused by the equity market change:

S&P 500 S&P 500 S&P 500 S&P 500 
at 1090 (1)
 
at 1634 (1)
 
at 1153 (1)
 
at 1729 (1)
 
Segment          
Annuities$ (92) $ 41  $ (84)$ 45 
Retirement Plan Services  (15)  17    (8)  8 

(1)The baseline for these effects assumes a 4% annual equity market growth rate, depending on the block of business, beginning on JulyOctober 1, 2012.  The baseline is then compared to scenarios of the S&P 500 at the 10901153 and 16341729 levels, which assume the index moves to those levels over six months and remains at those levels through the next six months.  The difference between the baseline and the S&P 500 at the 10901153 and 16341729 level scenarios is presented in the table.

Refer to “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Introduction – Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL – Reversion to the Mean” in our 2011 Form 10-K for discussion of the effects of equity markets on our RTM.

The effect on earnings summarized above is a hypothetical scenario for the next 12 months.  The effect of quarterly equity market changes upon fee revenues and asset-based expenses is generally not fully recognized in the first quarter of the change because fee revenues are earned and related expenses are incurred based upon daily variable account values.  The difference between the current period average daily variable account values compared to the end of period variable account values affects fee revenues in subsequent periods.  Additionally, the effect on earnings may not necessarily be symmetrical with comparable increases in the equity markets.  This discussion concerning the estimated effects of ongoing equity market volatility on the fees we earn from account values and assets under management is intended to be illustrative.  Actual effects may vary depending on a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control, such as changing customer behaviors that might result in changes in the mix of our business between variable and fixed annuity contracts, switching among investment alternatives available within variable products, changes in sales production levels or changes in policy persistency.  For purposes of this guidance, the change in account values is assumed to correlate with the change in the relevant index.
 
Credit-Related Derivatives

We use credit-related derivatives to minimize our exposure to credit-related events and we also sell credit default swaps to offer credit protection to our contract holders and investors.  See Note 56 for additional information.

Credit Risk

See Note 56 for information on our credit risk.

 
99103

 

In addition to the information provided about our counterparty exposure in Note 5,6, the fair value of our exposure by rating (in millions) was as follows:

  As of As of  As of As of 
 June 30,December 31,  September 30, December 31, 
  2012  2011    2012  2011  
RatingRating        Rating      
AAAA $ 10 $ 23  AA$ 9 $ 23 
AA  37   56  A  41   56 
BBBBBB   -   2  BBB  -   2 
Total $ 47 $ 81  Total$ 50 $ 81 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Conclusions Regarding Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures, which are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. As of the end of the period required by this report, we, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act).  Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to us and our consolidated subsidiaries required to be disclosed in our periodic reports under the Exchange Act.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met.  Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected.  Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks.  Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

Information regarding reportable legal proceedings is contained in Note 89 to the consolidated financial statements in “Part I – Item 1.”

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

The risk factors set forth below update those set forth in Lincoln National Corporation and its majority-owned subsidiaries’ (“LNC” or the “Company,” which also may be referred to as “we,” “our” or “us”) Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.  You should carefully consider the risks described in our Form 10-K and those described below, as well as other information contained in the Form 10-K and this Form 10-Q, including our financial statements and the notes thereto, before making an investment decision.  The risks and uncertainties described in our Form 10-K and below are not the only ones facing our company.  Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. If any of these risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially affected. In that case, the value of our securities could decline substantially.


 
100104

 

Legislative, Regulatory and Tax

Changes to the calculation of reserves and attempts to mitigate the impact of Regulation XXX and Actuarial Guideline 38 may fail in whole or in part resulting in an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

The Valuation of Life Insurance Policies Model Regulation (“XXX”) requires insurers to establish additional statutory reserves for term life insurance policies with long-term premium guarantees and ULuniversal life (“UL”) policies with secondary guarantees.  In addition, Actuarial Guideline 38 (“AG38”), commonly known as “AXXX,” clarifies the application of XXX with respect to certain universal life (“UL”)UL insurance policies with secondary guarantees.  Virtually all of our newly issued term and the majority of our newly issued UL insurance products are now affected by XXX and AG38.  The application of both AG38 and XXX involve numerous interpretations. In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Life Actuarial Task Force, an advisory group to the Life Insurance and Annuities (A) Committee of

On September 12, 2012, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”), submitted a draft statement on the application of AG38 (the “Statement”) adopted revisions to the Committee.  The NAIC’s Executive Committee set up a joint working group (the “Joint Working Group”) comprised of members of the Life Insurance and Annuities (A) Committee and the Financial Condition (E) Committee to review the Statement and the current application of AG38 to determine whether new interim guidelines should be developedAG38.  Effective for the products within the scope of AG38.  On July 17,year-end 2012, the Joint Working Group exposed for comment draft proposals for the reserving of in-force and new business.  Reservesreserves on in-force business wouldwritten between July 1, 2005, and December 31, 2012, will be subject to a new minimum floor calculation.  This floor calculation is based on assumptions that are generally consistent with the principles-based reserving framework developed by the NAIC.  While there are certain judgmental interpretive issues with the floor calculation, at this point, we do not expect the AG38 revisions to have a material impact on our total in-force reserves.  Reserves on new business written after December 31, 2012, wouldwill be calculated using a modified formulaic approach.  Because the draft proposals contain many open issues, we cannot predict the impact on our statutoryapproach that will generally result in higher reserves.  However, a change to the method for calculating reserves may require us to significantly increase our statutory reserves for UL policies with secondary guarantees.  Further, changes in the method of calculating reserves may also impact the future profitability and sales of our UL insurance policies with secondary guarantees.

We have implemented, and plan to continue to implement, reinsurance and capital management actions to mitigate the capital impact of XXX and AG38, including the use of letters of credit to support the reinsurance provided by captive reinsurance subsidiaries.  These arrangements are subject to review by state insurance regulators and rating agencies.  For example, the NAIC has established a subgroup to study the use of captives and special purpose vehicles to transfer insurance risk in relation to existing state laws and regulations.  Therefore, we cannot provide assurance regarding what, if any, regulatory, rating agency or other reactions may be to the actions we have taken to date or the impact of any potential reactions.

We also cannot provide assurance that we will be able to continue to implement actions to mitigate the impact of XXX or AG38 on future sales of term and UL insurance products.  If we are unable to continue to implement those actions, we may have lower returns on such products sold than we currently anticipate and/or reduce our sales of these products.

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

(c)  The following table summarizes purchases of equity securities by the issuer during the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012 (dollars in millions, except per share data):

   (a) Total    (c) Total Number (d) Approximate Dollar  
   Number (b) Average of Shares (or Units) Value of Shares (or  
    of Shares Price Paid Purchased as Part of Units) that May Yet Be  
    (or Units) per Share Publicly Announced Purchased Under the  
Period 
Purchased (1)
 (or Unit) 
Plans or Programs (2)
 
Plans or Programs (3)
  
4/1/12 - 4/30/12   1,091 $27.43   - $ 390  
                
5/1/12 - 5/31/12   6,582,408  23.16   6,473,530   240  
                
6/1/12 - 6/30/12   337  24.33   -   240  
  (a) Total    (c) Total Number (d) Approximate Dollar 
  Number (b) Average of Shares (or Units) Value of Shares (or 
   of Shares Price Paid Purchased as Part of Units) that May Yet Be 
   (or Units) per Share Publicly Announced Purchased Under the 
Period 
Purchased (1)
 (or Unit) 
Plans or Programs (2)
 
Plans or Programs (2)(3)
 
7/1/12 - 7/31/12  364 $23.48  - $ 240 
            
8/1/12 - 8/31/12  2,630,625  23.62  2,612,644   938 
            
9/1/12 - 9/30/12  1,544,579  24.70  1,544,547   900 

(1)Of the total number of shares purchased, no shares were received in connection with the exercise of stock options and related taxes and 110,30618,377 shares were withheld for taxes on the vesting of restricted stock units.  For the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012, there were 6,473,5304,157,191 shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs.
(2)On February 23, 2007,August 8, 2012, our Board approved a $2.0 billionauthorized an increase toin our securities repurchase authorization, bringing the total aggregate repurchase authorization at that time to $2.6$1 billion.  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2012, our remaining security repurchase authorization was $240$900 million.  The security repurchase authorization does not have an expiration date.  The amount and timing of share repurchase depends on key capital ratios, rating agency expectations, the generation of free cash flow and an evaluation of the costs and benefits associated with alternative uses of capital.  The shares repurchased in connection with the awards described in Note 2019 to the consolidated financial statements of our 2011 Form 10-K are not included in our security repurchase.
(3)As of the last day of the applicable month.
101


Item 6.  Exhibits

The Exhibits included in this report are listed in the Exhibit Index beginning on page E-1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 
102105

 

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.
   
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
    
 By:/s/  RANDAL J. FREITAG 
  
Randal J. Freitag
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
    
 By:/s/  DOUGLAS N. MILLER 
  
Douglas N. Miller
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
 
Dated:  August 2,November 7, 2012
  
 
 
103106

 

LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
Exhibit Index for the Report on Form 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012


10.1Amendment No. 2 to the Severance Plan for Officers.
10.2Amendment No. 3 to the Severance Plan for Officers.
12Historical Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
31.1Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INSXBRL Instance Document.
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

E-1