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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004

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 1-8323

CIGNA Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 06-1059331
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

One Liberty Place, 1650 Market Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19192

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (215) 761-1000

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 is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes x No _

        As of June 30, 2004, 137,526,222 shares of the issuer’s common stock were outstanding.


CIGNA CORPORATION

INDEX

       
Page No.
 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Financial Statements
 
Consolidated Income Statements 1
Consolidated Balance Sheets 2
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive
  Income and Changes in Shareholders' Equity
3
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 4
Notes to the Financial Statements 5
 
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis
  of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
20
 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 45
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 46
 
Item 2. Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and
  Issuer Pruchases of Equity Securities
46
 
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 47
 
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 48
 
SIGNATURE 49
 
EXHIBIT INDEX E-1

As used herein, CIGNA refers to one or more of CIGNA Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.


Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements

CIGNA CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In millions, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended
June 30,   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
    2004   2003   2004   2003  

REVENUES                    
Premiums and fees   $ 3,507   $ 3,859   $ 7,131   $ 7,774  
Net investment income    355    668    958    1,326  
Other revenues    356    (2 )  830    356  
Realized investment gains    415    109    436    78  




    Total revenues    4,633    4,634    9,355    9,534  




BENEFITS, LOSSES AND EXPENSES  
Benefits, losses and settlement expenses    2,485    3,330    5,449    6,579  
Policy acquisition expenses    61    61    125    120  
Other operating expenses    1,311    1,320    2,678    2,630  




    Total benefits, losses and expenses    3,857    4,711    8,252    9,329  




INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS  
    BEFORE INCOME TAXES (BENEFITS)    776    (77 )  1,103    205  




Income taxes (benefits):  
    Current    451    63    595    (8 )
    Deferred    (190 )  (87 )  (224 )  78  




        Total taxes (benefits)    261    (24 )  371    70  




INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS    515    (53 )  732    135  
 
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS    -    -    -    48  




INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT  
    OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE    515    (53 )  732    183  
 
CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE,  
    NET OF TAXES    -    -    (139 )  -  




NET INCOME (LOSS)   $ 515   $ (53 ) $ 593   $ 183  


EARNINGS PER SHARE - BASIC  
 
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS   $ 3.71   $ (0.38 ) $ 5.25   $ 0.97  
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS    -    -    -    0.34  

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT  
    OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE    3.71    (0.38 )  5.25    1.31  
 
CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE,  
    NET OF TAXES    -    -    (1.00 )  -  

    NET INCOME (LOSS)   $ 3.71   $ (0.38 ) $ 4.25   $ 1.31  


EARNINGS PER SHARE - DILUTED  
 
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS   $ 3.67   $ (0.38 ) $ 5.19   $ 0.96  
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS    -    -    -    0.34  

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT  
    OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE    3.67    (0.38 )  5.19    1.30  
 
CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE,  
    NET OF TAXES    -    -    (0.98 )  -  

    NET INCOME (LOSS)   $ 3.67   $ (0.38 ) $ 4.21   $ 1.30  


DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE   $ 0.025   $ 0.330   $ 0.355   $ 0.660  


The accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

1


CIGNA CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except per share amounts)

As of
June 30,
2004
As of
December 31,
2003

 
ASSETS                    
Investments:  
   Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost, $15,776; $15,772)      $ 16,415      $ 17,121  
   Securities supporting experience-rated pension policyholder       
   contracts, at fair value (amortized cost, $-; $10,558)       -       11,222  
   Equity securities, at fair value (cost, $111; $47)       155       78  
   Mortgage loans       3,707       8,655  
   Policy loans       1,585       1,572  
   Real estate       74       146  
   Other long-term investments       379       717  
   Short-term investments       284       147  


       Total investments       22,599       39,658  
Cash and cash equivalents       3,033       1,392  
Accrued investment income       275       468  
Premiums, accounts and notes receivable       2,672       3,026  
Reinsurance recoverables       21,759       6,395  
Deferred policy acquisition costs       481       580  
Property and equipment       868       973  
Deferred income taxes       1,583       1,001  
Goodwill       1,620       1,620  
Other assets, including other intangibles       465       447  
Separate account assets       36,658       35,393  

        Total assets      $ 92,013      $ 90,953  


LIABILITIES  
Contractholder deposit funds      $ 26,339      $ 26,979  
Unpaid claims and claim expenses       4,144       4,708  
Future policy benefits       11,298       11,545  
Unearned premiums       357       326  


         Total insurance and contractholder liabilities       42,138       43,558  
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities       7,460       5,960  
Long-term debt       1,438       1,500  
Nonrecourse obligations       47       23  
Separate account liabilities       36,658       35,393  

         Total liabilities       87,741       86,434  

CONTINGENCIES - NOTE 13  
 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY  
Common stock (par value per share, $0.25; shares issued, 276; 275)       69       69  
Additional paid-in capital       3,331       3,279  
Net unrealized appreciation, fixed maturities   $219      $610     
Net unrealized appreciation, equity securities   25      29     
Net unrealized depreciation, derivatives   (6)     (12)    
Net translation of foreign currencies   (16)     (14)    
Minimum pension liability adjustment   (819)     (667)    


   Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)       (597 )     (54 )
Retained earnings       10,325       9,782  
Less treasury stock, at cost       (8,856 )     (8,557 )

         Total shareholders' equity       4,272       4,519  

         Total liabilities and shareholders' equity      $ 92,013      $ 90,953  


SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY PER SHARE      $ 31.09      $ 32.14  


The accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

2


CIGNA CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND CHANGES IN
   SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In millions)

Three Months Ended June 30, 2004 2003

Compre-
hensive
Income
Share-
holders'
Equity
Compre-
hensive
Income
Share-
holders'
Equity

 
Common stock       $ 69     $68  


Additional paid-in capital, April 1        3,322        3,241  
  Issuance of common stock for employee benefits plans        9        5  


Additional paid-in capital, June 30        3,331        3,246  


Accumulated other comprehensive loss, April 1        1        (125 )
  Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation), fixed maturities   $ (544 )  (544 ) $ 186    186  
  Net unrealized depreciation, equity securities    (3 )  (3 )  (1 )  (1 )


      Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on securities    (547 )      185      
  Net unrealized depreciation, derivatives    (1 )  (1 )  (3 )  (3 )
  Net translation of foreign currencies    (11 )  (11 )  6    6  
  Minimum pension liability adjustment    (39 )  (39 )  (13 )  (13 )


          Other comprehensive income (loss)    (598 )      175      


Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), June 30        (597 )      50  


Retained earnings, April 1        9,813        9,489  
  Net income (loss)    515    515    (53 )  (53 )
  Common dividends declared        (3 )      (46 )


Retained earnings, June 30        10,325        9,390  


Treasury stock, April 1        (8,577 )      (8,538 )
  Repurchase of common stock        (284 )      -  
  Other treasury stock transactions, net        5        (5 )


Treasury stock, June 30        (8,856 )      (8,543 )

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   $ (83 ) $ 4,272   $122   $4,211  


Six Months Ended June 30,  

Common stock       $ 69     $68  


Additional paid-in capital, January 1        3,279        3,212  
  Issuance of common stock for employee benefits plans        52        34  


Additional paid-in capital, June 30        3,331        3,246  


Accumulated other comprehensive loss, January 1        (54 )      (202 )
  Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation), fixed maturities   $ (391 )  (391 ) $ 254    254  
  Net unrealized depreciation, equity securities    (4 )  (4 )  (4 )  (4 )


      Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on securities    (395 )    250  
  Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation), derivatives    6    6    (5 )  (5 )
  Net translation of foreign currencies    (2 )  (2 )  20    20  
  Minimum pension liability adjustment    (152 )  (152 )  (13 )  (13 )


          Other comprehensive income (loss)    (543 )    252  


Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), June 30        (597 )      50  


Retained earnings, January 1        9,782        9,299  
  Net income    593    593    183    183  
  Common dividends declared        (50 )      (92 )


Retained earnings, June 30        10,325        9,390  


Treasury stock, January 1        (8,557 )      (8,510 )
  Repurchase of common stock        (284 )      -  
  Other treasury stock transactions, net        (15 )      (33 )


Treasury stock, June 30        (8,856 )      (8,543 )

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   $ 50   $ 4,272   $435   $4,211  


The accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

3


CIGNA CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)

Six Months Ended June 30,
   2004   2003  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES            
    Income from continuing operations   $ 732   $ 135  
    Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations  
        to net cash provided by operating activities:  
            Insurance liabilities    (699 )  (19 )
            Reinsurance recoverables    155    128  
            Deferred policy acquisition costs    (49 )  (33 )
            Premiums, accounts and notes receivable    341    69  
            Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities    (63 )  (70 )
            Current income taxes    475    319  
            Deferred income taxes    (224 )  78  
            Realized investment (gains)    (436 )  (78 )
            Depreciation and amortization    113    117  
            Gains on sales of businesses (excluding discontinued operations)    (75 )  (33 )
            Proceeds from sales and maturities of securities supporting  
              experience-rated pension policyholder contracts,  
              net of purchases    954    -  
            Other, net    39    27  


           Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations    1,263    640  


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES  
    Proceeds from investments sold:  
        Fixed maturities    1,124    4,049  
        Equity securities    19    184  
        Mortgage loans    79    541  
        Other (primarily short-term investments)    4,474    3,090  
    Investment maturities and repayments:  
        Fixed maturities    447    1,343  
        Mortgage loans    408    505  
    Investments purchased:  
        Fixed maturities    (2,477 )  (5,428 )
        Equity securities    (14 )  (67 )
        Mortgage loans    (478 )  (1,058 )
        Other (primarily short-term investments)    (4,344 )  (3,221 )
    Proceeds from sale of business    2,103    209  
    Property and equipment, net    (32 )  (46 )
    Other, net    (25 )  -  


         Net cash provided by investing activities of continuing operations    1,284    101  


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES  
    Deposits and interest credited to contractholder deposit funds    2,045    3,242  
    Withdrawals and benefit payments from contractholder deposit funds    (2,577 )  (3,561 )
    Net change in short-term debt    -    (3 )
    Repayment of long-term debt    (76 )  (127 )
    Repurchase common stock    (272 )  -  
    Issuance of common stock    24    -  
    Common dividends paid    (50 )  (92 )


                Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations    (906 )  (541 )



Net increase in cash and cash equivalents    1,641    200  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period    1,392    1,575  

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   $ 3,033   $ 1,775  


Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Information:  
    Income taxes paid (received), net   $ 107   $ (327 )
    Interest paid   $ 57   $ 59  

The accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

4


CIGNA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CIGNA Corporation, its significant subsidiaries, and variable interest entities of which CIGNA is the primary beneficiary, which are referred to collectively as “CIGNA.” Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. These consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

The interim financial statements are unaudited but include all adjustments (including normal recurring adjustments) necessary, in the opinion of management, for a fair statement of financial position and results of operations for the period reported. The interim consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes in CIGNA’s 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders and Form 10-K for the year ended 2003.

The preparation of interim financial statements necessarily relies heavily on estimates. This and certain other factors, such as the seasonal nature of portions of the insurance business as well as competitive and other market conditions, call for caution in estimating full year results based on interim results of operations. In the second quarter of 2004, CIGNA sold its retirement benefits business. See Note 4 regarding this sale.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the 2004 presentation.

NOTE 2 - RECENT ACCOUNTING
PRONOUNCEMENTS

Derivative Instruments. In April 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an amendment and finalized an implementation issue related to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (SFAS 133). Implementation of the SFAS 133 amendment and the implementation issue in the third quarter of 2003 had no material effect on CIGNA’s financial statements.

As permitted by the implementation issue and the Statement of Position (SOP) described below, CIGNA reclassified securities supporting experience-rated pension policyholder contracts associated with its retirement benefits business to trading in the fourth quarter of 2003, and reported these securities in a separate balance sheet caption until the sale of the retirement benefits business on April 1, 2004. Under the experience-rating process, unrealized gains and losses recognized for these securities accrued to policyholders. Accordingly, the reclassification did not affect CIGNA’s net income.

Long-Duration Contracts. Effective January 1, 2004, CIGNA implemented SOP 03-01, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Nontraditional Long-Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts.”

The SOP addresses accounting for certain contractual features of investment-related and universal life contracts and for separate accounts. The cumulative effect of implementing the SOP in the first quarter of 2004 was a reduction to net income of $139 million, of which $136 million resulted from recording liabilities for certain experience-rated pension policyholder contracts based on the appreciated value of associated pools of investments, primarily mortgage loans and real estate. CIGNA recorded additional benefits expense of $17 million pre-tax ($11 million after-tax) in the first quarter of 2004 to reflect the post-implementation effect of this accounting requirement. The sale of CIGNA’s retirement benefits business generally resulted in the transfer to the buyer of the pool of investments and securities supporting experience-rated pension policyholder contracts discussed above. See Note 4 for information about this sale.

The remaining cumulative effect resulted from implementing the SOP’s requirements applicable to universal life contracts. CIGNA’s accounting for reinsurance of guaranteed minimum death benefit contracts and guaranteed minimum income benefit



5


contracts was not affected by the provisions of the SOP.

Consolidation. On March 31, 2004, CIGNA implemented FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” as revised, that provides criteria for consolidating certain entities based on majority ownership of expected losses or residual returns. At implementation, CIGNA recorded additional assets and liabilities, primarily associated with real estate joint ventures, of $98 million each, including $83 million of nonrecourse liabilities.

At June 30, 2004, CIGNA had consolidated real estate joint venture assets of $117 million, including $54 million of real estate investments and liabilities of $90 million, including $13 million of variable rate debt due by 2008, $25 million of nonrecourse obligations and $52 million of other liabilities.

At June 30, 2004, CIGNA had consolidated amounts associated with certain variable interest entities that issue investment products secured by commercial loan pools as follows: investments of $143 million and nonrecourse liabilities of $37 million, including $22 million of nonrecourse obligations and $15 million of other nonrecourse liabilities.

At December 31, 2003, CIGNA had recorded variable interest entities as follows: real estate joint ventures with assets of $20 million and nonrecourse liabilities of $5 million and, for entities that issue investment products secured by commercial loan pools, assets of $215 million and nonrecourse liabilities of $40 million, including $23 million of nonrecourse obligations and $17 million of other nonrecourse liabilities.

Other postretirement benefits. See Note 7 for a discussion of the effects of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003.

NOTE 3 - STOCK COMPENSATION

Stock compensation. CIGNA uses the intrinsic value method of accounting for stock options granted to employees. The following table illustrates the effect on CIGNA’s reported net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share (using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for stock options) if compensation expense was based on the fair value method of accounting for all stock awards.


     Three Months
     Ended
     June 30,
    Six Months
    Ended
    June 30,
(In millions,
except per share amounts)
2004 2003 2004 2003

Net income (loss) as reported  $515   $(53 ) $593   $183  
Compensation expense 
  (recovery) for restricted 
  stock grants at fair value, 
  net of taxes (benefits), 
  included in net income 
  (loss) as reported  (3 ) --   1   4  
Total compensation 
  expense for stock 
  options and restricted 
  stock grants under 
  fair value method for all 
  awards, net of taxes  (8 ) (9 ) (22 ) (22 )

Pro forma net income 
  (loss)  $504   $(62 ) $572   $165  


Basic - as reported  $3.71 $(0.38 ) $4.25 $1.31
Basic - pro forma  $3.63 $(0.44 ) $4.10 $1.18
Diluted - as reported  $3.67 $(0.38 ) $4.21 $1.30
Diluted - pro forma  $3.59 $(0.44 ) $4.07 $1.18


Recovery of compensation costs for restricted stock grants is due to increased forfeitures resulting from attrition, restructuring activities and the sale of the retirement benefits business. See Notes 4 and 5 for additional information.

NOTE 4 - ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS

CIGNA may from time to time acquire or dispose of assets, subsidiaries or lines of business. Significant transactions are described below.

Sale of Retirement Benefits Business. On April 1, 2004, CIGNA sold its retirement benefits business, excluding the corporate life insurance business, for cash proceeds of $2.1 billion. The sale resulted in an after-tax gain of $809 million, of which $267 million after-tax was recognized immediately. Of this amount, $259 million after-tax was recorded in



6


realized investment gains and $8 million after-tax was recorded in other revenues.

As this transaction was primarily in the form of a reinsurance arrangement, $542 million of the after-tax gain was deferred and will be amortized over future periods at the rate that earnings from the sold business would have been expected to emerge (primarily over 15 years on a declining basis). The gain amortization is subject to acceleration as the reinsured liabilities are directly assumed by the buyer. In the second quarter of 2004, CIGNA recognized $33 million pre-tax ($22 million after-tax) in other revenues in the Run-off Retirement segment for gain amortization. The sales agreement provides for post-closing adjustments; however, any future adjustments are not expected to be material to CIGNA’s consolidated results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Upon closing the sale, CIGNA reinsured $16.0 billion of contractholder liabilities under an indemnity reinsurance arrangement and $35.3 billion of insurance, contractholder and separate account liabilities under modified coinsurance arrangements, including $32.0 billion in separate account liabilities. CIGNA also transferred $17.3 billion of invested assets along with other assets and liabilities.

At June 30, 2004, CIGNA had approximately $3.3 billion of invested assets, primarily fixed maturities and mortgage loans, supporting certain modified coinsurance arrangements with the buyer, of which $2.0 billion was held in a business trust established by CIGNA. CIGNA pays or receives cash quarterly to settle the results of the reinsured business, including the investment results of the assets underlying modified coinsurance arrangements. As a result of these modified coinsurance arrangements, CIGNA has embedded derivatives that transfer to the buyer certain unrealized changes in fair value due to interest rate and credit risks of these assets. CIGNA records these effects in other liabilities and other revenues. Decreases or significant increases in interest rates or credit risks could result in material volatility in CIGNA’s consolidated net income into 2006. In the second quarter of 2004, CIGNA recorded $41 million pre-tax in other revenues for these effects. These effects were offset by a pre-tax charge of $41 million reflecting the amortization for the period of the excess of the fair value of related assets over the liabilities under these arrangements.

The modified coinsurance arrangement supported by the $2.0 billion business trust provides for conversion to an indemnity reinsurance structure. The buyer will assume ownership of the trust assets in 2006 unless the buyer elects termination, in which case CIGNA would retain the trust assets and the insurance liabilities. In the second quarter of 2004, CIGNA reclassified unrealized appreciation of $166 million after-tax from shareholders’ equity to other liabilities for this modified coinsurance arrangement.

See Note 11 for additional information.

Sale of Lovelace Health Systems, Inc. In January 2003, CIGNA sold the operations of Lovelace, an integrated health care system, for cash proceeds of $209 million and recognized an after-tax gain of $32 million, which is reported in discontinued operations.

Sale of Brazilian Health Care Operations. In January 2003, CIGNA sold its Brazilian health care operations. The sale generated an after-tax gain of $18 million, primarily as a result of the disposition of the net liabilities associated with these operations. The gain is reported in discontinued operations.

Lovelace and Brazilian Health Care Discontinued Operations. Summarized financial data for discontinued operations (which includes Lovelace and the gain on the sale of the Brazilian health care operations) are outlined below:


FINANCIAL SUMMARY Six Months
Ended
(In millions) June 30, 2003


Income Statement Data 
Revenues  $--  

Loss before income tax
  benefits
  $(3 )
Income tax benefits  (1 )

Loss from operations  (2 )
Gains on sales, net of
  taxes of $25
  50  

Income from discontinued
  operations
  $48  





7


NOTE 5 - RESTRUCTURING PROGRAMS

Operational effectiveness review. In the first quarter of 2004, CIGNA adopted a restructuring program associated with planned organizational changes to streamline functional support resources and to adjust its operations to current business volumes. As a result, CIGNA recognized in other operating expenses a total after-tax charge of $49 million ($75 million pre-tax) primarily in the Health Care segment and Corporate, mostly for severance costs.

The table below shows CIGNA’s restructuring activity (pre-tax) related to severance and real estate for this program:


(In millions)   Health
Care/ Disability
and Life*
Corporate Total  

First quarter 2004 charge: 
  Severance  $39   $31   $70  
  Real estate and other  5   --   5  
 
    Total  44   31   75  
 
First quarter 2004 
  payments: 
  Severance  (2 ) (4 ) (6 )
 
Balance as of March 31, 2004  42   27   69  
 
Second quarter 2004 
  charge: 
  Severance  --   4   4  
  Real estate and other  3   --   3  
 
    Total  3   4   7  
 
Second quarter 2004 
  payments: 
  Severance  (10 ) (8 ) (18 )
  Real estate and other  (1 ) --   (1 )

Balance as of June 30, 2004  $34   $23   $57  



In the second quarter of 2004, CIGNA approved the outsourcing of certain staff functions and recorded a pre-tax charge of $4 million for severance costs. CIGNA also vacated certain leased facilities during the quarter and recorded a pre-tax charge of $3 million.

Corporate effectiveness initiative. In the second quarter of 2003, CIGNA adopted a restructuring program to attain certain operational efficiencies in its corporate staff functions and to achieve additional cost savings. As a result, CIGNA recognized in other operating expenses an after-tax charge in Corporate of $9 million ($13 million pre-tax) for severance costs. As of June 30, 2004, this program was substantially completed.

NOTE 6 - GUARANTEED MINIMUM DEATH BENEFIT AND INCOME BENEFIT CONTRACTS

CIGNA’s reinsurance operations, which were discontinued in 2000 and are now an inactive business in run-off mode, reinsured a guaranteed minimum death benefit under certain variable annuities issued by other insurance companies. These variable annuities are essentially investments in mutual funds combined with a death benefit. CIGNA has equity market exposures as a result of this product.

As a result of equity market declines and volatility early in the third quarter of 2002, CIGNA evaluated alternatives for addressing the exposures associated with these reinsurance contracts, considering the possibility of continued depressed equity market conditions, the potential effects of further equity market declines and the impact on future earnings and capital. As a result of this evaluation, CIGNA implemented a program to substantially reduce the equity market exposures of this business by selling exchange-traded futures contracts, which are expected to rise in value as the equity market declines and decline in value as the equity market rises. In the second quarter of 2003, CIGNA began using foreign-denominated, exchange-traded futures contracts and foreign currency forward contracts to reduce international equity market risks associated with this business.

CIGNA expects to adjust the futures and forward contract positions and may enter into other contract positions over time, to reflect changing equity market levels and changes in the investment mix of the underlying variable annuity investments. For further information and details on these contracts and the program adopted to reduce related equity market risk, refer to Note 5 of CIGNA’s 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders.

The determination of reserves for guaranteed minimum death benefits requires CIGNA to make critical accounting estimates. CIGNA describes the assumptions used to develop the reserves for these death benefits, and provides the effects of hypothetical changes in those assumptions on page 17 of CIGNA’s 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders. CIGNA regularly evaluates the assumptions used in


_________________

*  

Includes restructuring charges of $2 million pre-tax for the six months of 2004 in the Disability and Life segment.




8


establishing reserves and changes its estimates if actual experience or other evidence suggests that earlier assumptions should be revised. If actual experience differs from the assumptions and other considerations (including lapse, partial surrender, mortality, interest rates and volatility) used in estimating these reserves, the resulting change could have a material adverse effect on CIGNA’s consolidated results of operations, and in certain situations, could have a material adverse effect on CIGNA’s financial condition.

In the third quarter of 2002, CIGNA recognized an after-tax charge of $720 million ($1.1 billion pre-tax) to strengthen reserves related to these guaranteed minimum death benefit contracts and to adopt the program described above to substantially reduce equity market risks related to these contracts.

The $720 million after-tax charge consisted of:

 

$580 million, reflecting the reduction in assumed future equity market returns as a result of implementing the program. CIGNA determines liabilities under the reinsurance contracts using an assumption for expected future performance of equity markets. A consequence of implementing the program is, effectively, a reduction in the assumption for expected future performance of equity markets, as the futures contracts essentially eliminate the opportunity to achieve previously expected market returns;


 

$100 million, reflecting deterioration in equity markets that occurred in the third quarter of 2002 (prior to implementation of the program); and


 

$40 million, driven by changes for the following:

 

lower assumed lapse rates based on expectations that lower surrenders will occur due to increased death benefits resulting from stock market declines;

 

higher assumed mortality based on experience since mid-2001;

 

higher assumed market volatility, based on recent experience and expected higher S&P 500 volatility; and

 

a lower assumed discount rate to reflect anticipated funding of the reserve increase at yields lower than the existing assumption.


In the second quarter of 2003, CIGNA recognized an after-tax charge to increase reserves related to these guaranteed minimum death benefit contracts of $286 million ($441 million pre-tax) following an analysis of experience and reserve assumptions relating to these reserves.

Prior to the second quarter of 2003, CIGNA’s experience of partial surrenders under its guaranteed minimum death benefit contracts was not sufficient to support an explicit reserve assumption. Separately, from mid-2002 through the first quarter of 2003, CIGNA experienced continued adverse mortality development under these contracts. During the second quarter of 2003, CIGNA conducted a special review of the emerging partial surrender activity to determine if sufficient credible data existed for an explicit reserve assumption. The review also included a detailed study of other reserve assumptions, including mortality, to validate the cause of the adverse experience and to determine whether or not long-term mortality expectations should be changed.

As a result of the review, CIGNA recorded the after-tax charge of $286 million referenced above consisting of the following:

 

$169 million for the addition of an explicit assumption for both actual and projected future partial surrenders. This estimate is based on annual election rates that vary depending on the net amount at risk for each policy (see below for more information);

 

$56 million primarily reflecting refinements to assumptions relating to the timing of lapses, death benefits and premiums to better reflect CIGNA’s experience;

 

$39 million due to higher assumed mortality reflecting adverse experience based on annuitant deaths during the period from late 2000 into 2003; and

 

$22 million resulting from a decrease in assumed mean investment performance reflecting experience and future expectations based on history for similar investments and considering CIGNA’s program to reduce equity market exposures.


CIGNA had future policy benefit reserves for these guaranteed minimum death benefit contracts of approximately $1.1 billion as of June 30, 2004 and $1.2 billion as of December 31, 2003. Benefits



9


incurred, net of ceded amounts, were $4 million for the second quarter and $16 million for the six months of 2004 compared with $176 million for the second quarter and $265 million for the six months of 2003. Benefits paid, net of ceded amounts, were $37 million for the second quarter and $79 million for the six months of 2004, compared with $85 million for the second quarter and $174 million for the six months of 2003.

CIGNA recorded in other revenues pre-tax losses of $29 million for the second quarter and $60 million for the six months of 2004, and pre-tax losses of $312 million for the second quarter and $256 million for the six months of 2003 from the futures and forward contracts. Expense offsets reflecting corresponding changes in liabilities for these guaranteed minimum death benefit contracts were included in benefits, losses and settlement expenses. The notional or face amount of the futures and forward contract positions held by CIGNA at June 30, 2004, was $1.7 billion.

As of June 30, 2004, the aggregate fair value of the underlying mutual fund investments was approximately $46.7 billion. The death benefit coverage in force as of that date (representing the amount that CIGNA would have to pay if all 1.2 million contractholders had died on that date) was approximately $11.2 billion. The death benefit coverage in force represents the excess of the guaranteed benefit amount over the fair value of the underlying mutual fund investments.

CIGNA is providing the following information about its reserving methodology and assumptions for guaranteed minimum death benefits in response to SOP 03-01, described in Note 2, which was effective in the first quarter of 2004.

 

The reserves represent estimates of the present value of net amounts expected to be paid, less the present value of net future premiums. Included in net amounts expected to be paid is the excess of the guaranteed death benefits over the values of the contractholders’ accounts (based on underlying equity and bond mutual fund investments).

 

The reserves include an estimate for partial surrenders that essentially lock in the death benefit for a particular policy based on annual election rates that vary from 0-10% depending on the net amount at risk for each policy.

 

The mean investment performance assumption is 5% considering CIGNA’s program to reduce equity market exposures using futures and forward contracts (described above).

 

The volatility assumption is 16-31%, varying by equity fund type; 4-8%, varying by bond fund type; and 1% for money market funds.

 

The mortality assumption is 70-75% of the 1994 Group Annuity Mortality table, with 1% annual improvement beginning January 1, 2000.

 

The lapse rate assumption is 0-15%, depending on contract type, policy duration and the ratio of the net amount at risk to account value.

 

The discount rate is 5.75%.


The table below presents the account value, net amount at risk and average attained age of underlying contractholders for guarantees in the event of death, by type of benefit as of June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003. The net amount at risk is the death benefit coverage in force or the amount that CIGNA would have to pay if all contractholders had died as of the specified date, and represents the excess of the guaranteed benefit amount over the fair value of the underlying mutual fund investments.


  As of  
(Dollars in millions)  June 30,
2004
  December 31,
2003
 

Highest annuity value 
  Account value  $39,241   $41,497  
  Net amount at risk  $9,658   $10,951  
  Average attained age of contractholders  65   65  
Anniversary value reset 
  Account value  $3,122   $4,474  
  Net amount at risk  $260   $309  
  Average attained age of contractholders  59   59  
Other 
  Account value  $4,347   $6,530  
  Net amount at risk  $1,258   $1,660  
  Average attained age of contractholders  63   64  
Total 
  Account value  $46,710   $52,501  
  Net amount at risk  $11,176   $12,920  
  Average attained age of contractholders 
    (weighted by exposure)  65   64  
  Number of contractholders  1.2 million   1.4 million  

 

CIGNA has also written reinsurance contracts with issuers of variable annuity contracts that provide annuitants with certain guarantees related to minimum income benefits. See Note 13 for further information.



10


NOTE 7 - PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

Pension benefits. CIGNA funds its qualified pension plans at least at the minimum amount required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). As a result of recent changes in minimum funding requirements, CIGNA expects to make total domestic pension plan contributions of approximately $175 million in 2004.

Components of net pension cost were as follows:


     Three Months
     Ended
     June 30,
    Six Months
    Ended
    June 30,
(In millions) 2004 2003 2004 2003

Service cost  $16   $20   $38   $40  
Interest cost  55   56   110   111  
Expected return on plan 
  assets  (48 ) (50 ) (96 ) (100 )
Amortization of 
  net loss from past 
  experience  30   5   48   11  


Net pension cost  $53   $31   $100   $62  



In connection with the sale of the retirement benefits business and the operational effectiveness review, CIGNA had a pension curtailment event, which required CIGNA to remeasure the assets and obligations of its domestic qualified plan as of March 31, 2004. In addition, CIGNA completed the annual update of plan participant data in the second quarter of 2004. As a result, CIGNA increased plan obligations, which decreased equity by $39 million after-tax for the second quarter and $152 million after-tax for the six months of 2004. These charges were primarily due to a reduction in long-term interest rates (from 6.25% to 5.75%) used to determine the accumulated benefit obligation, as well as the annual update of plan participant data, partially offset by the effect of stock market appreciation on plan assets.

Other postretirement benefits. In the second quarter of 2004, CIGNA recognized the effects of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, retroactive to January 1, 2004 in determining its accumulated other postretirement benefit obligation and net other postretirement benefit cost. The effects of retroactive application were to reduce the accumulated other postretirement benefit obligation as of January 1, 2004, by $18 million pre-tax and to reduce the net other postretirement benefit cost by less than $1 million pre-tax. In addition, in the second quarter of 2004, CIGNA amended its postretirement medical benefits plan to integrate pharmacy benefits with the 2003 Act. This amendment reduced the accumulated other postretirement benefit obligation as of June 30, 2004 by $29 million pre-tax.

Components of net other postretirement benefit cost were as follows:


     Three Months
     Ended
     June 30,
    Six Months
    Ended
    June 30,
(In millions) 2004 2003 2004 2003

Service cost  $--   $--   $1   $1  
Interest cost  8   7   17   18  
Expected return on plan 
  assets  --   --   (1 ) (1 )
Amortization of prior 
  service cost  (4 ) (3 ) (8 ) (8 )


Net other postretirement 
  benefit cost  $4   $4   $9   $10  



CIGNA also recognized gains of $9 million after-tax ($14 million pre-tax) for the second quarter and six months of 2004 for other postretirement benefits in connection with the 2004 operational effectiveness review and the sale of the retirement benefits business.

CIGNA recognized gains of $2 million after-tax ($3 million pre-tax) for the second quarter and $6 million after-tax ($9 million pre-tax) for the six months of 2003 for other postretirement benefits in connection with the 2002 health care restructuring program.



11


NOTE 8 - INVESTMENTS

Realized Investment Gains and Losses

The following realized gains and losses on investments exclude amounts required to adjust future policy benefits and amounts that were attributable to experience-rated pension policyholder contracts prior to the reclassification of securities to trading in the fourth quarter of 2003.


     Three Months
     Ended
     June 30,
    Six Months
    Ended
    June 30,
(In millions) 2004 2003 2004 2003

Fixed maturities  $107   $40   $116   $17  
Equity securities  10   52   12   36  
Mortgage loans  219   --   219   (1 )
Real estate  54   --   52   (1 )
Derivatives and other  25   17   37   27  
 
Realized investment gains,  415   109   436   78  
  before income taxes 
Less income taxes  146   37   153   27  

Net realized investment 
  gains  $269   $72   $283   $51  



Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities

The following sales of available-for-sale fixed maturities and equity securities include amounts required to adjust future policy benefits and amounts that were attributable to experience-rated pension policyholder contracts prior to the reclassification of securities to trading in the fourth quarter of 2003.


     Three Months
     Ended
     June 30,
    Six Months
    Ended
    June 30,
(In millions) 2004 2003 2004 2003

Proceeds from sales  $490   $2,610   $1,143   $4,233  
Gross gains on sales  $176   $134   $210   $189  
Gross losses on sales  $(31 ) $(5 ) $(34 ) $(44 )


As of June 30, 2004, fixed maturities includes $196 million of securities classified as trading and carried at fair value with changes in fair value reported in other revenues. The change in fair value of these securities was $4 million pre-tax for the second quarter and six months of 2004.

Review of Declines in Fair Value. Management reviews fixed maturities and equity securities for impairment based on criteria that include:

 

length of time of decline;

 

financial health and specific near term prospects of the issuer; and

 

changes in the regulatory, economic or general market environment of the issuer’s industry or geographic region.


As of June 30, 2004, fixed maturities with a decline in fair value from cost (primarily investment grade corporate bonds) were as follows, including the length of time of such decline:


(In millions) Fair Value Amortized
Cost
Unrealized
Depreciation

One year or less:  
   Investment grade   $ 4,226   $ 4,365   $ (139 )
   Below investment  
   grade   $ 349   $ 375   $ (26 )
More than one year:  
   Investment grade   $ 181   $ 187   $ (6 )
   Below investment  
   grade   $ 52   $ 55   $ (3 )


There were no equity securities with a material decline in fair value from cost at June 30, 2004.



12


NOTE 9 - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The following changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) exclude amounts required to adjust future policy benefits and amounts that were attributable to experience-rated pension policyholder contracts prior to the reclassification of securities to trading in the fourth quarter of 2003.


(In millions) Pre-Tax Tax
(Expense)
Benefit
After-
Tax

Three Months Ended June 30, 

2004 

Net unrealized depreciation, securities: 
Unrealized depreciation on securities held  $(462 ) $157   $(305 )
Gains realized on securities  (117 ) 41   (76 )
Reclassification to other liabilities for 
  modified coinsurance  (256 ) 90   (166 )

Net unrealized depreciation, securities  $(835 ) $288   $(547 )

Net unrealized depreciation, 
   derivatives  $(3 ) $2   $(1 )

Net translation of foreign currencies  $(17 ) $6   $(11 )

Minimum pension liability adjustment  $(60 ) $21   $(39 )

2003 

Net unrealized appreciation, 
  securities: 
Unrealized appreciation on securities held  $377   $(133 ) $244  
Gains realized on securities  (92 ) 33   (59 )

Net unrealized appreciation, securities  $285   $(100 ) $185  

Net unrealized depreciation, 
   derivatives  $(5 ) $2   $(3 )

Net translation of foreign currencies  $9   $(3 ) $6  

Minimum pension liability adjustment  $(21 ) $8   $(13 )

Six Months Ended June 30, 

2004 

Net unrealized depreciation, securities: 
Unrealized depreciation on securities held  $(218 ) $72   $(146 )
Gains realized on securities  (128 ) 45   (83 )
Reclassification to other liabilities for 
   modified coinsurance  (256 ) 90   (166 )

Net unrealized depreciation, securities  $(602 ) $207   $(395 )

Net unrealized appreciation,
   derivatives
  $8   $(2 ) $6  

Net translation of foreign currencies  $(4 ) $2   $(2 )

Minimum pension liability adjustment  $(234 ) $82   $(152 )

2003 

Net unrealized appreciation, 
   securities: 
Unrealized appreciation on securities held  $437   $(153 ) $284  
Gains realized on securities  (53 ) 19   (34 )

Net unrealized appreciation, securities  $384   $(134 ) $250  

Net unrealized depreciation,
   derivatives
  $(8 ) $3   $(5 )

Net translation of foreign currencies: 
Net translation on foreign currencies held  $14   $(5 ) $9  
Foreign currency translation losses 
  realized on sale of business  17   (6 ) 11  

Net translation of foreign currencies  $31   $(11 ) $20  

Minimum pension liability adjustment  $(21 ) $8   $(13 )


NOTE 10 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic and diluted earnings per share were computed as follows:


(Dollars in millions, except
per share amounts)
Basic Effect of
Dilution
Diluted

Three Months Ended June 30,

2004

Income from continuing operations  $515   $--   $515  

Shares (in thousands): 
Weighted average  138,801   --   138,801  
Options and restricted stock 
 grants    1,701   1,701  

Total shares  138,801   1,701   140,502  

EPS  $3.71   $(0.04 ) $3.67  

2003 

Loss from continuing operations  $(53 ) $--   $(53 )

Shares (in thousands): 
Weighted average  139,735   --   139,735  
Options and restricted stock 
 grants*    --   --  

Total shares  139,735   --   139,735  

EPS  $(0.38 ) --   $(0.38 )

Six Months Ended June 30, 

2004 

Income from continuing operations  $732   $--   $732  

Shares (in thousands): 
Weighted average  139,402   --   139,402  
Options and restricted stock 
 grants    1,503   1,503  

Total shares  139,402   1,503   140,905  

EPS  $5.25   $(0.06 ) $5.19  

2003 

Income from continuing operations  $135   $--   $135  

Shares (in thousands): 
Weighted average  139,712   --   139,712  
Options and restricted stock 
 grants    695   695  

Total shares  139,712   695   140,407  

EPS  $0.97   $(0.01 ) $0.96  


Common shares held as Treasury shares were 138,583,374 as of June 30, 2004, and 133,835,494 as of June 30, 2003.

_________________

*  

Because of the loss from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2003, the number of shares used to compute loss per share does not reflect the dilution caused by stock options and restricted stock grants of approximately 1.0 million.




13


NOTE 11 - REINSURANCE

In the normal course of business, CIGNA’s insurance subsidiaries enter into agreements with other insurance companies to assume and cede reinsurance. Reinsurance is ceded primarily to limit losses from large exposures and to permit recovery of a portion of direct losses. Reinsurance does not relieve the originating insurer of liability. CIGNA evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors their concentrations of credit risk.

Retirement benefits business. CIGNA had a reinsurance recoverable of $15.6 billion at June 30, 2004 from Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company resulting from the sale of the retirement benefits business, which was primarily in the form of a reinsurance arrangement. The reinsurance recoverable is secured primarily by fixed maturities and mortgage loans held in a business trust established by the reinsurer. This recoverable is reduced as CIGNA’s reinsured liabilities are directly assumed by the reinsurer.

Individual life and annuity reinsurance. CIGNA had a reinsurance recoverable of $5.3 billion at June 30, 2004, and $5.4 billion at December 31, 2003, from Lincoln National Corporation that arose from the 1998 sale of CIGNA’s individual life insurance and annuity business through an indemnity reinsurance arrangement.

Unicover and other run-off reinsurance. The Run-off Reinsurance operations participate in a workers’ compensation reinsurance pool, which ceased accepting new risks in early 1999. This pool was formerly managed by Unicover Managers, Inc. Although an arbitration over the most significant reinsurance (retrocessional) contracts for the pool was completed in 2002, some disputes over collection of amounts due CIGNA from the retrocessionaires continue and may require further arbitration actions to resolve. Also, disputes and arbitrations regarding other reinsurance (retrocessional) contracts for the pool remain and may not be resolved for some time.

Run-off Reinsurance also includes other workers’ compensation reinsurance contracts, as well as personal accident reinsurance contracts, including contracts assumed in the London market. CIGNA obtained retrocessional reinsurance coverage for a significant portion of its liabilities under these contracts. Some of these retrocessionaires have disputed the validity of their contracts with CIGNA and arbitration over some of these disputes has commenced.

The retrocessional disputes are not expected to be resolved for some time. In addition, unfavorable claims experience related to workers’ compensation and personal accident exposures is possible and could result in future losses, including losses attributable to the inability to recover amounts from retrocessionaires (either due to disputes with the retrocessionaires or their financial condition).

CIGNA’s reserves for amounts recoverable from retrocessionaires, as well as for reserves for liabilities associated with underlying reinsurance exposures assumed by CIGNA, are considered appropriate as of June 30, 2004, based on current information. However, it is possible that future developments could have a material adverse effect on CIGNA’s consolidated results of operations, and, in certain situations, could have a material adverse effect on CIGNA’s financial condition.

Other reinsurance. CIGNA could have losses if reinsurers fail to indemnify CIGNA on other reinsurance arrangements, either because of reinsurer insolvencies or contract disputes. However, management does not expect charges for other unrecoverable reinsurance to have a material adverse effect on CIGNA’s consolidated results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.



14


Effects of reinsurance. In CIGNA’s consolidated income statements, premiums and fees were net of ceded premiums, and benefits, losses and settlement expenses were net of reinsurance recoveries, in the following amounts:


     Three Months
     Ended
     June 30,
    Six Months
    Ended
    June 30,
(In millions) 2004 2003 2004 2003

Premiums and fees 
Individual life insurance and 
  annuity business sold  $74   $81   $147   $159  
Other  39   40   77   85  

Total  $113   $121   $224   $244  


Reinsurance recoveries 
Individual life insurance and 
  annuity business sold  $70   $74   $149   $149  
Other  15   53   52   85  

Total  $85   $127   $201   $234  



NOTE 12 - SEGMENT INFORMATION

Operating segments generally reflect groups of related products, but the International segment is based on geography. CIGNA measures the financial results of its segments using “segment earnings” which is defined as income (loss) from continuing operations before realized investment gains (losses).

In the second quarter of 2004, CIGNA completed the sale of its retirement benefits business and also realigned management responsibility for operations that provide case management and related services to workers’ compensation insurers and employers who self-fund workers’ compensation and disability benefits. To appropriately reflect the impact of these actions, CIGNA has changed its segment reporting, and prior periods have been reclassified to conform to this presentation:

 

the sold retirement benefits business is now reported in the Run-off Retirement segment;

 

the corporate life insurance business (previously reported in the Retirement segment) was retained and is now reported in Other Operations; and

 

results from the disability and workers’ compensation case management activities (previously reported in the Health Care segment) are now included in the Disability and Life segment.


Beginning in the second quarter of 2004, corporate overhead previously allocated to the sold retirement benefits business is now reported in Corporate.

In the third quarter of 2003, CIGNA changed its segment presentation to report its health care operations (Health Care segment) and its separately managed group disability and life insurance operations (Disability and Life segment) as two discrete segments. Previously, results from both of these operations were combined as a single segment.

Disability and life insurance products which were historically sold in connection with certain experience-rated medical accounts continue to be managed by CIGNA’s health care business and are reported in the Health Care segment.

Summarized segment financial information was as follows:


     Three Months
     Ended
     June 30,
    Six Months
    Ended
    June 30,
(In millions) 2004 2003 2004 2003

Premiums and fees and other revenues 
Health Care  $2,944   $3,325   $5,987   $6,690  
Disability and Life  519   483   1,046   956  
International  255   208   496   422  
Run-off Retirement  94   63   328   135  
Run-off Reinsurance  (9 ) (297 ) (18 ) (218 )
Other Operations  71   92   152   180  
Corporate  (11 ) (17 ) (30 ) (35 )
 
Total  $3,863   $3,857   $7,961   $8,130  


Income (loss) from continuing 
  operations 
Health Care  $175   $80   $327   $200  
Disability and Life  48   40   87   79  
International  20   11   35   21  
Run-off Retirement  29   52   56   97  
Run-off Reinsurance  (13 ) (306 ) (23 ) (321 )
Other Operations  18   26   36   56  
Corporate  (31 ) (28 ) (69 ) (48 )
 
Segment earnings  246   (125 ) 449   84  
Realized investment gains, 
  net of taxes  269   72   283   51  


Income from 
  continuing operations  $515   $(53 ) $732   $135  



NOTE 13 - CONTINGENCIES AND OTHER MATTERS

CIGNA, through its subsidiaries, is contingently liable for various financial guarantees provided in the ordinary course of business.



15


Financial Guarantees Associated with the Retirement Benefits Business

Separate account assets, primarily associated with the sold retirement benefits business, are contractholder funds maintained in accounts with specific investment objectives. CIGNA records separate account liabilities equal to separate account assets. In certain cases, CIGNA guarantees a minimum level of benefits for retirement and insurance contracts written in separate accounts. CIGNA establishes an additional liability if management believes that CIGNA will be required to make a payment under these guarantees. Except as noted below, these guarantees are fully reinsured by an affiliate of the buyer:

 

CIGNA guarantees that separate account assets will be sufficient to pay certain retiree or life benefits. The sponsoring employers are primarily responsible for ensuring that assets are sufficient to pay these benefits and are required to maintain assets that exceed a certain percentage of benefit obligations. This percentage varies depending on the asset class within a sponsoring employer's portfolio (for example, a bond fund would require a lower percentage than a riskier equity fund) and thus will vary as the composition of the portfolio changes. If employers do not maintain the required levels of separate account assets, CIGNA has the right to redirect the management of the related assets to provide for benefit payments. As of June 30, 2004, employers maintained assets that exceeded 102% to 133% of benefit obligations. Benefit obligations under these arrangements were $3.5 billion as of June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003. As of June 30, 2004 approximately 90% of these guarantees are reinsured by an affiliate of the buyer of the retirement benefits business. There were no additional liabilities required for these guarantees as of June 30, 2004, or December 31, 2003.


 

For certain employer-sponsored savings and retirement plans, CIGNA guarantees that participants will receive the value of their accounts at the time of withdrawal. These guarantees could require payment by CIGNA in the event that a significant number of plan participants withdraw their accounts when the market value of the related separate account assets is less than plan participant account values at the time of withdrawal. Participant account values under these arrangements are invested primarily in fixed income investments and were $2.0 billion as of June 30, 2004, and December 31, 2003. There were no additional liabilities required for these guarantees as of June 30, 2004, or December 31, 2003.


 

CIGNA guarantees a minimum level of earnings (based on investment, mortality and retirement experience) for a certain group annuity contract. If the actual investment return is less than the minimum guaranteed level, CIGNA is required to fund the difference. The guaranteed benefit obligation was $303 million as of June 30, 2004, and $304 million as of December 31, 2003. CIGNA had additional liabilities for this guarantee of $16 million as of June 30, 2004, and $15 million as of December 31, 2003. The fair value of separate account assets for this group annuity contract were as follows:


 
  (In millions) June 30,
2004
December 31,
2003
 
           
  Fixed maturities   $329   $342  
  Mortgage loans   105   134  
  Other   20   3  
 
    Total   $454   $479  
 


Other Financial Guarantees

CIGNA guaranteed construction loans of $26 million as of June 30, 2004, and December 31, 2003, related to real estate joint venture investments. The loans are secured by joint venture real estate property with fair values in excess of the loan amounts and mature by 2008, including extension options. CIGNA would be required to repay the construction loans if permanent financing could not be obtained. There were no liabilities required for these guarantees as of June 30, 2004, or December 31, 2003.

CIGNA had indemnification obligations to lenders up to $253 million as of June 30, 2004, and $329 million as of December 31, 2003, related to borrowings by certain real estate joint ventures which CIGNA either records as an investment or consolidates. These borrowings, which are nonrecourse to CIGNA, are secured by the joint ventures’ real estate properties with fair values in excess of the loan amounts and mature at various dates from 2005 to 2015. CIGNA’s indemnification



16


obligations would require payment to lenders for any actual damages resulting from certain acts such as unauthorized ownership transfers, misappropriation of rental payments by others or environmental damages. Based on initial and ongoing reviews of property management and operations, CIGNA does not expect that payments will be required under these indemnification obligations. Any payments that might be required could be recovered through a refinancing or sale of the assets. In some cases, CIGNA also has recourse to partners for their proportionate share of amounts paid. There were no liabilities required for these indemnification obligations as of June 30, 2004, or December 31, 2003.

As of June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, CIGNA guaranteed that it would compensate the lessor for a shortfall of up to $49 million in the market value of leased equipment at the end of the lease. Guarantees of $21 million expire in 2006 and $28 million expire in 2012. CIGNA had additional liabilities for these guarantees of $3 million as of June 30, 2004, and $2 million as of December 31, 2003.

CIGNA has indemnification obligations as of June 30, 2004, and December 31, 2003, in connection with acquisition and disposition transactions. These indemnification obligations are triggered by the breach of representations or covenants provided by CIGNA, such as representations for the presentation of financial statements, the filing of tax returns, compliance with law or the identification of outstanding litigation. These obligations are typically subject to various time limitations, defined by the contract or by operation of law, such as statutes of limitation. In some cases, the maximum potential amount due is subject to contractual limitations based on a percentage of the transaction purchase price, while in other cases limitations are not specified or applicable. CIGNA does not believe that it is possible to determine the maximum potential amount due under these guarantees, since not all amounts due under these indemnification obligations are subject to limitation. There were no liabilities required for these indemnification obligations as of June 30, 2004, or December 31, 2003.

CIGNA does not expect that these guarantees will have a material adverse effect on CIGNA’s consolidated results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Guaranteed minimum income benefit contracts. CIGNA’s reinsurance operations, which were discontinued in 2000 and are now an inactive business in run-off mode, reinsured variable annuity contracts that provide annuitants with certain guarantees related to minimum income benefits. When annuitants elect to receive these minimum income benefits, CIGNA may be required to make payments based on changes in underlying mutual fund values and interest rates.

CIGNA estimates the fair value of the assets and liabilities associated with these contracts using assumptions as to equity market returns, volatility of the underlying equity and bond mutual fund investments, interest rates, mortality, policy surrenders, credit risk and annuity election rates.

CIGNA is required to disclose the maximum potential undiscounted future payments for guarantees related to minimum income benefits using worst-case assumptions, defined as follows:

 

No annuitants surrendered their accounts, and

 

All annuitants lived to elect their benefits; and

 

All annuitants elected to receive their benefit on the first available date (beginning in 2004 through 2014); and

 

All underlying mutual fund investment values remained at the June 30, 2004 value of $3.3 billion, with no future returns.


The maximum potential undiscounted payments that CIGNA would make under those assumptions would aggregate $1.7 billion before reinsurance recoveries. CIGNA believes the likelihood of such payment is remote and expects the amount of actual payments to be significantly less than this hypothetical undiscounted aggregate amount.

CIGNA has purchased reinsurance from third parties which covers 80% of the exposures on these contracts. CIGNA has revised credit risk assumptions for about 25% of the exposures on these contracts and reduced its amount recoverable from reinsurers by $6 million pre-tax in the second quarter of 2004 and $9 million pre-tax in the first quarter of 2003. As a result, CIGNA expects recovery of approximately 55% of any increased exposures on these contracts.



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As of June 30, 2004, CIGNA had liabilities of $92 million related to these contracts and amounts recoverable from reinsurers of $59 million. CIGNA had an additional liability of $38 million associated with the cost of reinsurance as of June 30, 2004. As of December 31, 2003, CIGNA had liabilities of $74 million related to these contracts and amounts recoverable from reinsurers of $51 million. CIGNA had an additional liability of $40 million associated with the cost of reinsurance as of December 31, 2003. Management believes the current assumptions used to estimate reserves for these liabilities are appropriate.

Leases and Rentals

Commitments made in 2004 for future net minimum rental payments under new non-cancelable operating leases were $83 million, net of future minimum rental payments assumed by the buyer of the retirement benefits business.

Regulatory and Industry Developments

Health care regulation. The business of administering and insuring employee benefit programs, particularly health care programs, is heavily regulated by federal and state laws and administrative agencies, such as state departments of insurance and the federal Departments of Labor and Justice, as well as the courts. Regulation and judicial decisions have resulted in changes to industry and CIGNA’s business practices and will continue to do so in the future. In addition, CIGNA’s subsidiaries are routinely involved with various claims, lawsuits and regulatory audits and investigations that could result in financial liability, changes in business practices, or both. Health care regulation in its various forms could have an adverse effect on CIGNA’s health care operations if it inhibits CIGNA’s ability to respond to market demands or results in increased medical or administrative costs without improving the quality of care or services.

In June 2004, the United States Supreme Court ruled, in a case involving a CIGNA subsidiary, that ERISA preempts a state law tort claim in circumstances involving a determination, based on medical judgment, that benefits were not covered. Under ERISA, plan participants have access to internal and external appeals processes to resolve coverage disputes and may bring actions in the federal courts to resolve health care coverage issues.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and related regulations have created significant regulatory requirements related to, among other things, the privacy of individually identifiable health care information, electronic data interchange and the security of electronic health information. CIGNA has instituted systems enhancements and training, and has undertaken other administrative efforts to satisfy these requirements.

Other possible regulatory changes that could have an adverse effect on CIGNA’s health care operations include:

 

additional mandated benefits or services that increase costs without improving the quality of care;

 

legislation that would grant plan participants broader rights to sue their health plans;

 

changes in ERISA regulations resulting in increased administrative burdens and costs;

 

additional restrictions on the use of prescription drug formularies;

 

additional privacy legislation and regulations that interfere with the proper use of medical information for research, coordination of medical care and disease management;

 

additional rules establishing the time periods for payment of health care provider claims that vary from state to state; and

 

legislation that would exempt independent physicians from antitrust laws.


The health care industry remains under scrutiny by various state and federal government agencies and could be subject to government efforts to bring criminal actions in circumstances that could previously have given rise only to civil or administrative proceedings.

Tax benefits for corporate life insurance. Federal legislation in 1996 eliminated on a prospective basis the tax deductibility of policy loan interest for most leveraged corporate life insurance products, and an Internal Revenue Service initiative in 2001 encouraged policyholders to settle tax disputes regarding these products. As a result, some customers have surrendered their policies and management expects earnings associated with these products to continue to decline.



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Litigation and Other Legal Matters

In January 2004, a Florida federal court handling multi-district health care litigation against CIGNA and several health care industry competitors approved a settlement agreement between the physician class and CIGNA, and dismissed all claims by class members against CIGNA. All appeals of the courts’ approval have been withdrawn, which permits implementation of the settlement. The settlement resolves for CIGNA and the plaintiff class all physician claims reflected in the litigation.

CIGNA recorded an after-tax charge of $37 million ($57 million pre-tax) in the third quarter of 2003 to increase the reserve for this settlement and other non-physician provider health care litigation. CIGNA had previously recognized an after-tax charge of $50 million ($77 million pre-tax) in 2002 for expected costs associated with the multi-district litigation. The reserve reflects expected insurance recoveries.

The U. S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has been investigating compliance with federal laws in connection with pharmaceutical companies’ marketing practices and their impact on prices paid by the government to pharmaceutical companies for products under federal health programs. As part of this investigation, CIGNA responded to subpoenas concerning contractual relationships between pharmaceutical companies and CIGNA’s health care operations. No criminal charges and no civil claims have been brought against CIGNA or any of its employees and none are anticipated.

In June 2004, CIGNA and some of its competitors received subpoenas from the New York Attorney General relating to the investigation of fees paid to insurance brokers. CIGNA is cooperating with the inquiry.

On August 4, 2004, the New York Attorney General commenced a lawsuit against Express Scripts, Inc. and two CIGNA insurance companies.   Under an agreement with the CIGNA companies, Express Scripts is responsible for administering the prescription drug benefit program under New York State’s principal employee health plan, the Empire Plan.  The CIGNA companies insure the prescription drug benefit program and hold the contract with the New York State Department of Civil Service.  The complaint primarily focuses on administration of the prescription drug benefit program.

In 2002, several purported class action lawsuits, as well as two shareholder derivative complaints nominally brought on behalf of CIGNA, were filed in federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against CIGNA and certain of its senior officers and directors. These suits allege securities law violations and breaches of fiduciary duty. Two other purported class action lawsuits asserting violations of ERISA were filed against CIGNA and certain officers in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by individuals who seek to represent a class of participants in the CIGNA 401(k) Plan who allegedly suffered losses on investments in CIGNA stock.

During 2002, a Connecticut federal court certified a class action lawsuit against CIGNA and the CIGNA Pension Plan. The plaintiffs are participants in the Plan who earned certain Plan benefits prior to 1998. The plaintiffs allege, among other things, that the Plan violated ERISA by impermissibly conditioning certain post-1997 benefit accruals on the amount of pre-1998 benefit accruals, that these conditions are not adequately disclosed to Plan participants, and that the Plan’s cash balance formula discriminates against older employees.

See “Unicover and other run-off reinsurance” in Note 11 for a description of legal matters arising out of the run-off reinsurance operations.

CIGNA is routinely involved in numerous claims, lawsuits, regulatory audits, investigations and other legal matters arising, for the most part, in the ordinary course of the business of administering and insuring employee benefit programs. An increasing number of claims are being made for substantial non-economic, extra-contractual or punitive damages. The outcome of litigation and other legal matters is always uncertain, and outcomes that are not justified by the evidence can occur. CIGNA believes that it has valid defenses to the legal matters pending against it and is defending itself vigorously. Nevertheless, it is possible that resolution of one or more of the legal matters currently pending or threatened could result in losses material to CIGNA’s consolidated results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.



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


INDEX  
   
Introduction 20
   
Overview 20
   
Consolidated Results of Operations 21
   
Sale of Retirement Benefits Business 23
   
Other Matters 24
   
Health Care 28
   
Disability and Life 30
   
International 31
   
Run-off Retirement 31
   
Run-off Reinsurance 32
   
Other Operations 35
   
Corporate 35
   
Discontinued Operations 36
   
Liquidity and Capital Resources 36
   
Investment Assets 40
   
Market Risk 41
   
Cautionary Statement 43

INTRODUCTION

In this filing and in other marketplace communications, CIGNA makes certain forward-looking statements relating to its financial condition and results of operations, as well as to trends and assumptions that may affect CIGNA. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified through the use of predictive words (e.g., “Outlook for 2004”). Actual results may differ from CIGNA’s predictions. Some factors that could cause results to differ are discussed throughout Management’s Discussion and Analysis, including in the Cautionary Statement on page 43.

The following discussion addresses the financial condition of CIGNA as of June 30, 2004, compared with December 31, 2003, and its results of operations for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2004, compared with the same periods last year. This discussion should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in CIGNA’s 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders, to which the reader is directed for additional information.

The preparation of interim financial statements necessarily relies heavily on estimates. This and certain other factors, such as the seasonal nature of portions of the insurance business as well as competitive and other market conditions, call for caution in estimating full year results based on interim results of operations.

OVERVIEW

CIGNA Corporation’s subsidiaries provide health care and related benefits offered through the workplace. Key product lines include health care products and services (medical, pharmacy, behavioral health, clinical information management, dental benefits, and disease management) as well as group disability, life and accident insurance, and disability and workers’ compensation case management and related services. In addition, CIGNA has an international operation that offers similar products to businesses and individuals in selected markets, and has certain inactive businesses including a run-off retirement operation (see page 23 for further discussion) and a run-off reinsurance operation.

CIGNA’s results are influenced by a range of economic and other factors, including:

 

cost trends and inflation levels for medical and related services;

 

patterns of utilization of medical and other services;

 

employment levels;

 

the tort liability system;

 

interest rates and equity market returns;

 

regulations and tax rules related to the provision and administration of employee benefit plans; and

 

initiatives to increase health care regulation.


CIGNA generates revenues, income and cash flows by maintaining and growing its relationships with employers and consumers, charging prices that

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reflect emerging experience and investing available cash at attractive rates of return for appropriate durations. CIGNA’s ability to increase operating results in terms of growth in revenues, net income and operating cash flow is directly related to its ability to execute plans that address broad economic factors as well as company-specific drivers.

Key company-specific drivers affecting CIGNA’s results include:

 

the absolute level of and trends in benefit costs;

 

the volume of customers served and the mix of products and services purchased by those customers;

 

competitiveness of CIGNA’s product design and service quality;

 

the ability to price products and services competitively at levels that appropriately account for underlying cost inflation and utilization patterns; and

 

the relationship between administrative costs and revenue.


Management regularly monitors trends in the above mentioned economic and other factors and the company-specific drivers of operating results. CIGNA develops strategic and tactical plans designed to improve performance and maximize its competitive position in the markets served. CIGNA’s ability to achieve its financial objectives is dependent upon its ability to effectively execute these plans and to appropriately respond to emerging economic and company-specific trends.

Management is focused, in particular, on improving the performance of the health care operations and on the risks associated with the run-off reinsurance operations. In the health care operations, CIGNA has initiatives in place to (1) lower medical cost trends; (2) deliver quality member service; (3) lower administrative expenses; and (4) improve medical membership results (see page 29 for further discussion). In the run-off reinsurance operations, CIGNA maintains a program to reduce the equity market risk associated with its guaranteed minimum death benefit reinsurance exposures.

The recent sale of the retirement benefits business improved parent company liquidity and enhanced financial flexibility for CIGNA but reduced revenues, net income, cash flows from operating activities and invested assets.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


FINANCIAL SUMMARY      Three Months
     Ended
     June 30,
    Six Months
    Ended
    June 30,
(In millions) 2004 2003 2004 2003

Premiums and fees  $3,507   $3,859   $7,131   $7,774  
Net investment income  355   668   958   1,326  
Other revenues  356   (2 ) 830   356  
Realized investment gains  415   109   436   78  
 
Total revenues  4,633   4,634   9,355   9,534  
Benefits and expenses  3,857   4,711   8,252   9,329  
 
Income (loss) from 
  continuing operations 
  before taxes (benefits)  776   (77 ) 1,103   205  
Income taxes (benefits)  261   (24 ) 371   70  
 
Income (loss) from 
  continuing operations  515   (53 ) 732   135  
Income from discontinued 
  operations  --   --   --   48  
 
Income (loss) before 
  cumulative effect of 
  accounting change  515   (53 ) 732   183  
Cumulative effect of 
  accounting change, net of 
  taxes (See Note 2 to the 
  Financial Statements)  --   --   (139 ) --  

Net income (loss)  $515   $(53 ) $593   $183  


Realized investment gains, 
   net of taxes  $269   $72   $283   $51  



Income (loss) from continuing operations includes special items, which are discussed below. Excluding these special items, CIGNA’s results increased for the second quarter and six months of 2004, compared with the same periods last year, primarily due to the gain recognition on the sale of the retirement benefits business and higher earnings in the Health Care segment (see page 28 for discussion of the drivers of these results).

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In order to facilitate an understanding and comparison of results of operations and permit analysis of trends in underlying revenues, expenses and income from continuing operations, the following table presents special items, which management believes are not representative of the underlying results of continuing operations.


SPECIAL ITEMS
   (In millions)
Pre-Tax
Benefit
(Charge)
After-Tax
Benefit
(Charge)

Three Months Ended June 30,      

2003

Reserve charge on guaranteed minimum
 death benefit contracts (see page 32)
  $(441 ) $(286 )
Restructuring items, net*  5   3  

Total  $(436 ) $(283 )


Six Months Ended June 30, 

2004 

Restructuring charge (see page 24)  $(75 ) $(49 )
Effect of new accounting pronouncement 
 (see page 31)  (17 ) (11 )

Total  $(92 ) $(60 )


2003 

Reserve charge on guaranteed minimum 
 death benefit contracts (see page 32)  $(441 ) $(286 )
Restructuring items, net*  11   7  

Total  $(430 ) $(279 )



Revenues

Revenues decreased for the second quarter and six months of 2004 compared with the same periods last year primarily because of:

 

lower premiums and fees in the Health Care segment primarily due to lower membership; and

 

reduced net investment income primarily related to the sale of the retirement benefits business.


These declines were partially offset by:

 

higher realized investment gains primarily due to the recognition of a portion of the gain on sale of the retirement benefits business; and

 

lower losses recognized from futures and forward contracts, in connection with the program to reduce equity market risks (see guaranteed minimum death benefit contracts on page 32).


In addition, the decrease for the six months of 2004 was offset by higher other revenues from securities supporting experience-rated pension policyholder contracts, prior to the sale of the retirement benefits business.

Outlook for 2004

Subject to the factors noted in the Cautionary Statement on page 43, management expects full year 2004 income from continuing operations excluding realized investment results and special items to be lower than the first six months on an annualized basis. The Company’s full year consolidated outlook reflects lower earnings resulting from the sale of the retirement benefits business. In addition, CIGNA’s outlook assumes that favorable prior year claims development and certain favorable expense items included in Health Care segment earnings for the first six months of 2004 will not recur.

Information is not available for management to reasonably estimate:

 

realized investment gains (losses); or

 

special items for the second half of 2004 including:

 

any accelerated recognition of the deferred gain associated with the sale of the retirement benefits business (see below for additional information); and

 

the impact of any ongoing volatility from certain modified coinsurance arrangements with the buyer of the retirement benefits business (see below).


Realized investment gains, net of taxes, were $269 million for the second quarter and $283 million for the six months of 2004, of which $259 million after-tax related to the immediate gain recognition on the sale of the retirement benefits business.

_________________

* Restructuring items include a reduction of costs of $10 million after-tax ($15 million pre-tax) in the second quarter of 2003 associated with the 2002 health care restructuring program, charges of $9 million after-tax ($13 million pre-tax) in the second quarter of 2003 associated with restructuring certain corporate functions (see page 24), as well as gains on other postretirement benefits recognized through the six months of 2003 in connection with the 2002 health care restructuring program.

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Realized investment results are not predictable and therefore these amounts are not necessarily indicative of full year results.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures in the financial statements. Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if:

 

it requires assumptions to be made that were uncertain at the time the estimate was made; and

 

changes in the estimate or different estimates that could have been selected could have a material impact on CIGNA's consolidated results of operations or financial condition.


CIGNA’s most critical accounting estimates, as well as the effects of hypothetical changes in material assumptions used to develop each estimate, are described in CIGNA’s 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders beginning on page 16 and include the following:

 

future policy benefits – guaranteed minimum death benefits;

 

unpaid claims and claim expenses for guaranteed cost and minimum premium programs and retrospectively experience-rated health care products;

 

reinsurance recoverables for Run-off Reinsurance; and

 

investments – recognition of losses from “other than temporary” impairments of public and private placement fixed maturities.


In addition, there are other accounting estimates used in the preparation of CIGNA’s consolidated financial statements, including estimates of liabilities for unpaid claims and claim expenses and future policy benefits other than those identified above, as well as estimates with respect to contracts that guarantee a minimum level of income benefits (see page 39 for further discussion), post-employment and postretirement benefits, certain compensation accruals and income taxes.

Management believes the current assumptions and other considerations used to estimate amounts reflected in CIGNA’s consolidated financial statements are appropriate. However, if actual experience differs from the assumptions and other considerations used in estimating amounts reflected in CIGNA’s consolidated financial statements, the resulting changes could have a material adverse effect on CIGNA’s consolidated results of operations, and in certain situations, could have a material adverse effect on liquidity and CIGNA’s financial condition.

SALE OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS BUSINESS

On April 1, 2004, CIGNA sold its retirement benefits business, excluding the corporate life insurance business, for cash proceeds of $2.1 billion. The sale resulted in an after-tax gain of $809 million, of which $267 million after-tax was recognized immediately. Of this amount, $259 million after-tax was recorded in realized investment gains and $8 million after-tax was recorded in other revenues.

As this transaction was primarily in the form of a reinsurance arrangement, $542 million of the after-tax gain was deferred and will be amortized over future periods at the rate that earnings from the sold business would have been expected to emerge (primarily over 15 years on a declining basis). The gain amortization is subject to acceleration as described below. In the second quarter of 2004, CIGNA recognized $33 million pre-tax ($22 million after-tax) in other revenues in the Run-off Retirement segment for gain amortization. The sales agreement provides for post-closing adjustments; however, any future adjustments are not expected to be material to CIGNA’s consolidated results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Upon closing the sale, CIGNA reinsured $16.0 billion of contractholder liabilities under an indemnity reinsurance arrangement and $35.3 billion of insurance, contractholder and separate account liabilities under modified coinsurance arrangements, including $32.0 billion in separate account liabilities. CIGNA also transferred $17.3 billion of invested assets along with other assets and liabilities. Over time, CIGNA expects the buyer of the retirement benefits business to enter into agreements with the insured parties, relieving

23


CIGNA of any remaining contractual obligations to those parties. As such agreements are entered into, CIGNA will accelerate recognition of the deferred gain and reduce reinsurance recoverables, contractholder deposit funds and separate account balances. Although CIGNA expects the majority of the insured parties to enter into these agreements during the next two years, the pace and amount of these agreements is unknown.

At June 30, 2004, CIGNA had approximately $3.3 billion of invested assets, primarily fixed maturities and mortgage loans, supporting certain modified coinsurance arrangements with the buyer, of which $2.0 billion was held in a business trust established by CIGNA. CIGNA pays or receives cash quarterly to settle the results of the reinsured business, including the investment results of the assets underlying modified coinsurance arrangements. As a result of these modified coinsurance arrangements, CIGNA has embedded derivatives that transfer to the buyer certain unrealized changes in fair value due to interest rate and credit risks of these assets. CIGNA records these effects in other liabilities and other revenues. Decreases or significant increases in interest rates or credit risks could result in material volatility in CIGNA’s consolidated net income into 2006. In the second quarter of 2004, CIGNA recorded $41 million pre-tax in other revenues for these effects. These effects were offset by a pre-tax charge of $41 million reflecting the amortization for the period of the excess of the fair value of related assets over the liabilities under these arrangements.

The modified coinsurance arrangement supported by the $2.0 billion business trust provides for conversion to an indemnity reinsurance structure. The buyer will assume ownership of the trust assets in 2006 unless the buyer elects termination, in which case CIGNA would retain the trust assets and the insurance liabilities. In the second quarter of 2004, CIGNA reclassified unrealized appreciation of $166 million after-tax from shareholders’ equity to other liabilities for this modified coinsurance arrangement.

See Note 11 to the Financial Statements for additional information.

OTHER MATTERS

Restructuring Programs

Operational effectiveness review. In the first quarter of 2004, CIGNA adopted a restructuring program associated with planned organizational changes to streamline functional support resources and to adjust its operations to current business volumes. As a result, CIGNA recognized in other operating expenses a total after-tax charge of $49 million ($75 million pre-tax) primarily for severance costs. This charge was primarily related to the Health Care segment and Corporate.

The table below shows CIGNA’s restructuring activity (pre-tax) related to severance and real estate for this program:


(In millions)   Health Care/
Disability and Life*
Corporate Total  

First quarter 2004 charge: 
  Severance  $39   $31   $70  
  Real estate and other  5   --   5  
 
    Total  44   31   75  
 
First quarter 2004 payments: 
  Severance  (2 ) (4 ) (6 )
 
Balance as of March 31, 2004  42   27   69  
 
Second quarter 2004 charge: 
  Severance  --   4   4  
  Real estate and other  3   --   3  
 
    Total  3   4   7  
 
Second quarter 2004 payments: 
  Severance  (10 ) (8 ) (18 )
  Real estate and other  (1 ) --   (1 )

Balance as of June 30, 2004  $34   $23   $57  



In the second quarter of 2004, CIGNA approved the outsourcing of certain staff functions and recorded a pre-tax charge of $4 million for severance costs. CIGNA also vacated certain leased facilities during the quarter and recorded a pre-tax charge of $3 million. As further assessments under this review are completed, CIGNA expects to record additional charges during the remainder of 2004. The total of all charges is not expected to exceed $60 million after-tax for 2004. CIGNA estimates after-tax savings from the charges recorded through June 30, 2004 to be approximately $85 million annually.

_________________

* Includes restructuring charges of $2 million pre-tax for the six months of 2004 in the Disability and Life segment.

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Corporate effectiveness initiative. In the second quarter of 2003, CIGNA adopted a restructuring program to attain certain operational efficiencies in its corporate staff functions and to achieve additional cost savings. As a result, CIGNA recognized in other operating expenses an after-tax charge in Corporate of $9 million ($13 million pre-tax) for severance costs. As of June 30, 2004, this program was substantially completed and is expected to result in annualized after-tax savings of approximately $15 million reflecting the elimination of salary and benefit costs for terminated employees.

Minimum Pension Liability

In connection with the sale of the retirement benefits business and the operational effectiveness review, CIGNA had a pension curtailment event, which required CIGNA to remeasure the assets and obligations of its domestic qualified plan as of March 31, 2004. In addition, CIGNA completed the annual update of plan participant data in the second quarter of 2004. As a result, CIGNA increased plan obligations, which decreased equity by $39 million after-tax for the second quarter and $152 million after-tax for the six months of 2004. These charges were primarily due to a reduction in long-term interest rates (from 6.25% to 5.75%) used to determine the accumulated benefit obligation, as well as the annual update of plan participant data, partially offset by the effect of stock market appreciation on plan assets.

Other Acquisitions and Dispositions

CIGNA may from time to time acquire or dispose of assets, subsidiaries or lines of business. Significant transactions, other than the sale of the retirement benefits business, are described below.

Sale of Lovelace Health Systems, Inc. In January 2003, CIGNA sold the operations of Lovelace, an integrated health care system, for cash proceeds of $209 million and recognized an after-tax gain of $32 million, which is reported in discontinued operations.

Sale of Brazilian Health Care Operations. In January 2003, CIGNA sold its Brazilian health care operations. The sale generated an after-tax gain of $18 million, primarily as a result of the disposition of the net liabilities associated with these operations. The gain is reported in discontinued operations.

Regulatory and Industry Developments

Health care regulation. The business of administering and insuring employee benefit programs, particularly health care programs, is heavily regulated by federal and state laws and administrative agencies, such as state departments of insurance and the federal Departments of Labor and Justice, as well as the courts. Regulation and judicial decisions have resulted in changes to industry and CIGNA’s business practices and will continue to do so in the future. In addition, CIGNA’s subsidiaries are routinely involved with various claims, lawsuits and regulatory audits and investigations that could result in financial liability, changes in business practices, or both. Health care regulation in its various forms could have an adverse effect on CIGNA’s health care operations if it inhibits CIGNA’s ability to respond to market demands or results in increased medical or administrative costs without improving the quality of care or services.

In June 2004, the United States Supreme Court ruled, in a case involving a CIGNA subsidiary, that the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) preempts a state law tort claim in circumstances involving a determination, based on medical judgment, that benefits were not covered. Under ERISA, plan participants have access to internal and external appeals processes to resolve coverage disputes and may bring action in the federal courts to resolve health care coverage issues.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and related regulations have created significant regulatory requirements related to, among other things, the privacy of individually identifiable health care information, electronic data interchange and the security of electronic health information. CIGNA has instituted systems enhancements and training, and has undertaken other administrative efforts to satisfy these requirements.

25


Other possible regulatory changes that could have an adverse effect on CIGNA’s health care operations include:

 

additional mandated benefits or services that increase costs without improving the quality of care;

 

legislation that would grant plan participants broader rights to sue their health plans;

 

changes in ERISA regulations resulting in increased administrative burdens and costs;

 

additional restrictions on the use of prescription drug formularies;

 

additional privacy legislation and regulations that interfere with the proper use of medical information for research, coordination of medical care and disease management;

 

additional rules establishing the time periods for payment of health care provider claims that vary from state to state; and

 

legislation that would exempt independent physicians from antitrust laws.


The health care industry remains under scrutiny by various state and federal government agencies and could be subject to government efforts to bring criminal actions in circumstances that could previously have given rise only to civil or administrative proceedings.

Litigation and other legal matters. In January 2004, a Florida federal court handling multi-district health care litigation against CIGNA and several health care industry competitors approved a settlement agreement between the physician class and CIGNA, and dismissed all claims by class members against CIGNA. All appeals of the court’s approval have been withdrawn, which permits implementation of the settlement. The settlement resolves for CIGNA and the plaintiff class all physician claims reflected in the litigation.

CIGNA recorded an after-tax charge of $37 million ($57 million pre-tax) in the third quarter of 2003 to increase the reserve for this settlement and other non-physician provider health care litigation. CIGNA had previously recognized an after-tax charge of $50 million ($77 million pre-tax) in 2002 for expected costs associated with the multi-district litigation. The reserve reflects expected insurance recoveries.

The U. S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has been investigating compliance with federal laws in connection with pharmaceutical companies’ marketing practices and their impact on prices paid by the government to pharmaceutical companies for products under federal health programs. As part of this investigation, CIGNA responded to subpoenas concerning contractual relationships between pharmaceutical companies and CIGNA’s health care operations. No criminal charges and no civil claims have been brought against CIGNA or any of its employees and none are anticipated.

In June 2004, CIGNA and some of its competitors received subpoenas from the New York Attorney General relating to the investigation of fees paid to insurance brokers. CIGNA is cooperating with the inquiry.

On August 4, 2004, the New York Attorney General commenced a lawsuit against Express Scripts, Inc. and two CIGNA insurance companies.   Under an agreement with the CIGNA companies, Express Scripts is responsible for administering the prescription drug benefit program under New York State’s principal employee health plan, the Empire Plan.  The CIGNA companies insure the prescription drug benefit program and hold the contract with the New York State Department of Civil Service.  The complaint primarily focuses on administration of the prescription drug benefit program.

In 2002, several purported class action lawsuits, as well as two shareholder derivative complaints nominally brought on behalf of CIGNA, were filed in federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against CIGNA and certain of its senior officers and directors. These suits allege securities law violations and breaches of fiduciary duty. Two other purported class action lawsuits asserting violations of ERISA were filed against CIGNA and certain officers in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by individuals who seek to represent a class of participants in the CIGNA 401(k) Plan who allegedly suffered losses on investments in CIGNA stock.

During 2002, a Connecticut federal court certified a class action lawsuit against CIGNA and the CIGNA Pension Plan. The plaintiffs are participants in the Plan who earned certain Plan benefits prior to

26


1998. The plaintiffs allege, among other things, that the Plan violated ERISA by impermissibly conditioning certain post-1997 benefit accruals on the amount of pre-1998 benefit accruals, that these conditions are not adequately disclosed to Plan participants, and that the Plan’s cash balance formula discriminates against older employees.

See “Unicover and other run-off reinsurance” on page 34 for a description of legal matters arising out of the run-off reinsurance operations.

CIGNA is routinely involved in numerous claims, lawsuits, regulatory audits, investigations and other legal matters arising, for the most part, in the ordinary course of the business of administering and insuring employee benefit programs. An increasing number of claims are being made for substantial non-economic, extra-contractual or punitive damages. The outcome of litigation and other legal matters is always uncertain, and outcomes that are not justified by the evidence can occur. CIGNA believes that it has valid defenses to the legal matters pending against it and is defending itself vigorously. Nevertheless, it is possible that resolution of one or more of the legal matters currently pending or threatened could result in losses material to CIGNA’s consolidated results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Summary. The eventual effect on CIGNA of the changing environment in which it operates remains uncertain. For additional information on contingencies that could affect CIGNA’s results, see Note 13 to the Financial Statements.

Accounting Pronouncements

For information on recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 2 to the Financial Statements.

Segment Reporting

In the second quarter of 2004, CIGNA completed the sale of its retirement benefits business and also realigned management responsibility for operations that provide case management and related services to workers’ compensation insurers and employers who self-fund workers’ compensation and disability benefits. To appropriately reflect the impact of these actions, CIGNA has changed its segment reporting, and prior periods have been reclassified to conform to this presentation:

 

the sold retirement benefits business is now reported in the Run-off Retirement segment;

 

the corporate life insurance business (previously reported in the Retirement segment) was retained and is now reported in Other Operations; and

 

results from the disability and workers’ compensation case management activities (previously reported in the Health Care segment) are now included in the Disability and Life segment.


Beginning in the second quarter of 2004, corporate overhead previously allocated to the sold retirement benefits business is now reported in Corporate.

In the third quarter of 2003, CIGNA changed its segment presentation to report its health care operations (Health Care segment) and its separately managed group disability and life insurance operations (Disability and Life segment) as two discrete segments. Previously, results from both of these operations were combined as a single segment.

Disability and life insurance products which were historically sold in connection with certain experience-rated medical accounts continue to be managed by CIGNA’s health care business and are reported in the Health Care segment.

Operating segments generally reflect groups of related products, but the International segment is based on geography. CIGNA measures the financial results of its segments using “segment earnings,” which is defined as income (loss) from continuing operations before realized investment gains (losses).

27


HEALTH CARE


FINANCIAL SUMMARY      Three Months
     Ended
     June 30,
    Six Months
    Ended
    June 30,
(In millions) 2004 2003 2004 2003

Premiums and fees  $2,689   $3,097   $5,475   $6,240  
Net investment income  69   74   141   142  
Other revenues  255   228   512   450  
 
Segment revenues  3,013   3,399   6,128   6,832  
Benefits and expenses  2,748   3,269   5,627   6,513  
 
Income before taxes  265   130   501   319  
Income taxes  90   50   174   119  
 
Segment earnings  $175   $80   $327   $200  


Realized investment gains, 
   net of taxes  $--   $19   $4   $11  


Special items (after-tax) included 
   in segment earnings: 
Restructuring charge  $--   $--   $(28 ) $--  
Restructuring item  $--   $11   $--   $15  



Results

Segment earnings increased for the second quarter and six months of 2004, compared to the same periods last year, reflecting lower operating expenses, improvement in the experience-rated and guaranteed cost businesses, favorable prior year claims development and higher specialty health care results, partially offset by the impact of lower membership.

Medical membership decreased from June 30, 2003, due to a decline in new business sales and lower retention of existing accounts. These declines are attributable, in part, to CIGNA maintaining underwriting discipline in a competitive pricing environment, while continuing to work to reduce medical and operating expenses.

See the “Operational Improvement” section below for discussion of the key areas of focus in improving the results of the health care operations.

CIGNA reports the results of this segment in two parts, Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Indemnity operations. HMO includes medical managed care and specialty health care operations such as managed behavioral health, medical cost and utilization management, managed dental, managed pharmacy programs and pharmaceutical fulfillment services. Indemnity includes medical and dental indemnity, and that portion of CIGNA’s group disability and life insurance business that continues to be managed by the health care business.

Segment earnings for the HMO and Indemnity operations were as follows:


     Three Months
     Ended
     June 30,
    Six Months
    Ended
    June 30,
(In millions) 2004 2003 2004 2003

HMO operations  $149   $72   $287   $175  
Indemnity operations  26   8   40   25  

Total  $175   $80   $327   $200  


Total special items (after- 
  tax) for HMO and 
  Indemnity operations: 
HMO operations  $--   $6   $(3 ) $8  
Indemnity operations  $--   $5   $(25 ) $7  


HMO results, excluding the special items noted above, increased for the second quarter and six months of 2004, compared with the same periods last year, primarily reflecting:

 

favorable prior year claims development compared to unfavorable development in the same period last year;

 

underlying improvement in the Commercial HMO medical cost ratio, excluding the impact of prior year claims development, reflecting execution of CIGNA’s medical management model resulting in improved inpatient utilization and pricing actions;

 

reduced operating expenses due to lower spending and increased productivity largely resulting from organizational changes, restructuring actions and higher attrition; and

 

higher earnings in pharmaceutical fulfillment and disease management services.


These factors were partially offset by the impact of membership declines.

28


Indemnity results, excluding the special items noted above, improved for the second quarter and six months of 2004, compared with the same periods last year, because of:

 

improved underwriting and medical cost management in the experience-rated and guaranteed cost businesses; and

 

the impact of reprocessing certain claims reflected in 2003 results.


These increases were partially offset by membership declines in all businesses.

Premiums and Fees

Premiums and fees decreased for the second quarter and six months of 2004, compared with the same periods last year, because of membership declines partially offset by rate increases.

Premiums and fees by funding arrangement type were as follows:


     Three Months
     Ended
     June 30,
    Six Months
    Ended
    June 30,
(In millions) 2004 2003 2004 2003

Guaranteed cost  $1,369   $1,528   $2,731   $3,086  
Experience-rated  962   1,156   2,003   2,307  
Administrative services only  358   413   741   847  

Total premiums and fees  $2,689   $3,097   $5,475   $6,240  


Experience-rated premiums and fees include amounts associated with minimum premium funding arrangements because the risk profiles are similar. See page 11 of CIGNA’s 2003 Form 10-K for a description of funding arrangement types.

Medical Membership

As of June 30, medical membership was as follows for the HMO and Indemnity operations:


(In millions)  2004   2003  

HMO  5.4 6.3
Indemnity (estimated)  4.6 5.7


The decline in HMO medical membership is primarily due to lower case retention and lower new sales in both Commercial HMO plans and HMO ASO programs.

The decline in Indemnity medical membership primarily reflects cancellations of and lower new sales in Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans.

Operational Improvement

CIGNA continues to focus on improving operational effectiveness and the financial results of its health care operations. Key areas of focus are:

 

lowering medical cost trends;

 

continuing to deliver quality member service;

 

lowering administrative expenses; and

 

improving medical membership results.


Lowering medical cost trend. In early 2003, CIGNA implemented a new centralized medical management model to help facilitate consistent levels of care for its members and to reduce infrastructure expenses. As a result of solid execution of CIGNA’s medical management model, inpatient utilization rates, particularly in the Commercial HMO line of business, continued to decline through the first six months of 2004.

CIGNA is working to reduce its medical cost trend by managing unit medical costs more effectively. To help achieve this end, CIGNA continues to focus on renegotiating contracts with certain facilities to limit increases in medical reimbursement costs.

Continuing to deliver quality member service. During 2002, CIGNA began transitioning to a new service and systems platform to improve the level and quality of service to its customers. Approximately 70% of health care members were served on this new platform by June 30, 2004. A recent survey of CIGNA’s new and existing customers who have moved to the new platforms suggests strong satisfaction rates. Migration to this new platform will continue through early 2006.

29


Lowering administrative expenses. Early in 2004, CIGNA took additional steps to realign its organization and consolidate support functions in an effort to increase efficiency and responsiveness to customers. Reducing costs and operating more efficiently are components of CIGNA’s plan to improve profitability. See page 24 for further discussion of charges recorded through the first six months of 2004 related to this matter. CIGNA continues to perform operational reviews in order to identify additional cost savings.

Improving medical membership results. CIGNA is working to improve medical membership with:

 

a diverse product portfolio;

 

consistent member service delivery;

 

competitive provider networks;

 

strong clinical quality in medical, specialty health care and disability management; and

 

an effective suite of customer and provider tools;


and by making progress on the other operational improvements described above. In addition, CIGNA believes that its medical management model, focus on clinical quality and ability to integrate health and related benefit solutions position the company to improve membership results.

DISABILITY AND LIFE


FINANCIAL SUMMARY      Three Months
     Ended
     June 30,
    Six Months
    Ended
    June 30,
(In millions) 2004 2003 2004 2003

Premiums and fees  $471   $432   $946   $855  
Net investment income  64   60   124   121  
Other revenues  48   51   100   101  

Segment revenues  583   543   1,170   1,077  
Benefits and expenses  518   488   1,051   970  

Income before taxes  65   55   119   107  
Income taxes  17   15   32   28  

Segment earnings  $48   $40   $87   $79  


Realized investment gains, 
  net of taxes  $--   $31   $1   $22  


Special item (after-tax) 
  included in segment 
  earnings: 
Restructuring items, net  $--   $1   $(1 ) $1  


The Disability and Life segment includes group accident and specialty association business in addition to its disability and life insurance products.

Results

Disability and Life segment earnings increased for the second quarter and six months of 2004, primarily reflecting:

 

favorable mortality experience in the life insurance business and continued strong disability management execution; and

 

reduced operating expenses due to restructuring-related actions and improved expense management.


These factors were partially offset by an increase to reserves in the specialty association business.

Premiums and Fees

Premiums and fees increased for the second quarter and six months of 2004 compared to the same periods last year primarily reflecting higher new business and strong customer retention in both life and disability products.

30


INTERNATIONAL


FINANCIAL SUMMARY      Three Months
     Ended
     June 30,
    Six Months
    Ended
    June 30,
(In millions) 2004 2003 2004 2003

Premiums and fees  $252   $207   $491   $421  
Net investment income  14   15   26   26  
Other revenues  3   1   5   1  
 
Segment revenues  $269   223   $522   448  
Benefits and expenses  238   206   468   415  
 
Income before taxes  31   17   54   33  
Income taxes  11   6   19   12  
 
Segment earnings  $20   $11   $35   $21  


Realized investment gains, 
  net of taxes  $--   $5   $1   $5  




Results

International segment earnings increased for the second quarter and six months of 2004, compared with the same periods last year, primarily due to improved results in the life, accident and health insurance business, primarily in Korea, and the positive impact of the divestiture of non-strategic businesses.

Premiums and Fees

Premiums and fees increased for the second quarter and six months of 2004 compared to the same periods last year reflecting:

 

sales growth in the life, accident and health insurance operations, primarily in Korea; and

 

higher premiums and fees for the expatriate employee benefit business principally resulting from membership growth.


RUN-OFF RETIREMENT


FINANCIAL SUMMARY      Three Months
     Ended
     June 30,
    Six Months
    Ended
    June 30,
(In millions) 2004 2003 2004 2003

Premiums and fees  $47   $63   $116   $135  
Net investment income  55   367   371   733  
Other revenues  47   --   212   --  
 
Segment revenues  149   430   699   868  
Benefits and expenses  111   357   627   732  
 
Income before taxes  38   73   72   136  
Income taxes  9   21   16   39  
 
Segment earnings  $29   $52   $56   $97  
Realized investment gains, 
   net of taxes  $262   $6   $267   $4  


Special item (after-tax) 
  included in segment 
  earnings: 
Effect of new accounting 
  pronouncement (see Note 
  2 to the Financial 
  Statements)  $--   $--   $(11 ) $--  



Segment earnings for Run-off Retirement include:

 

gain recognition related to the sale of the retirement benefits business;

 

expenses associated with the run-off of this business; and

 

results of the retirement benefits business prior to the sale.


Beginning in the second quarter of 2004, premiums and fees and net investment income represent amounts associated with the portion of the retirement benefits business reinsured under modified coinsurance arrangements and are offset by amounts included in benefits and expenses.

Results

Run-off Retirement segment earnings decreased for the second quarter and six months of 2004, compared with the same periods last year primarily due to the sale of the retirement benefits business. In addition to this factor, the decrease for the six months of 2004 includes the impact of the special item noted above and higher compensation and related benefit expenses to retain key employees associated with the sold business.

31


Other Revenues

Other revenues include gain recognition of $46 million pre-tax in the second quarter of 2004. Beginning October 1, 2003, through the sale of the retirement benefits business on April 1, 2004, other revenues also included changes in fair value of securities supporting experience-rated pension policyholder contracts. Under the experience-rating process, gains and losses on assets related to these contracts generally accrued to policyholders and were offset by amounts included in benefits, losses and settlement expenses.

RUN-OFF REINSURANCE


FINANCIAL SUMMARY      Three Months
     Ended
     June 30,
    Six Months
    Ended
    June 30,
(In millions) 2004 2003 2004 2003

Premiums and fees  $19   $14   $40   $37  
Net investment income  24   20   48   35  
Other revenues  (28 ) (311 ) (58 ) (255 )
 
Segment revenues  15   (277 ) 30   (183 )
Benefits and expenses  34   181   58   298  
 
Loss before income tax 
  benefits  (19 ) (458 ) (28 ) (481 )
Income taxes (benefits)  (6 ) (152 ) (5 ) (160 )
 
Segment loss  $(13 ) $(306 ) $(23 ) $(321 )


Realized investment gains 
 (losses), net of taxes  $(3 ) $10   $(2 ) $9  


Special item (after-tax) 
  included in segment loss: 
Reserve charge on 
  guaranteed minimum 
  death benefit contracts  $--   $(286 ) $--   $(286 )


Results

Segment loss for the Run-off Reinsurance segment was lower for the second quarter and six months of 2004, compared with the same periods last year, primarily because of the 2003 reserve charge for guaranteed minimum death benefit contracts. Excluding this special item, segment loss was lower for the second quarter and six months of 2004 resulting from:

 

lower losses in the personal accident business; and

 

the impact of charges in 2003 related to disputed contracts.


These items were partially offset by lower stock market appreciation during 2004 related to guaranteed minimum income benefit contracts.

Other Revenues

CIGNA maintains a program to substantially reduce the equity market exposures relating to guaranteed minimum death benefit contracts by entering into exchange-traded futures contracts and foreign currency forward contracts (see below). Other revenues included pre-tax losses of $29 million for the second quarter and $60 million for the six months of 2004, and pre-tax losses of $312 million for the second quarter and $256 million for the six months of 2003 from these contracts. Expense offsets reflecting corresponding changes in liabilities for these guaranteed minimum death benefit contracts were included in benefits, losses and settlement expenses.

Other Matters

Guaranteed minimum death benefit contracts. CIGNA’s reinsurance operations, which were discontinued in 2000 and are now an inactive business in run-off mode, reinsured a guaranteed minimum death benefit under certain variable annuities issued by other insurance companies. These variable annuities are essentially investments in mutual funds combined with a death benefit. CIGNA has equity market exposures as a result of this product.

As a result of equity market declines and volatility early in the third quarter of 2002, CIGNA evaluated alternatives for addressing the exposures associated

32


with these reinsurance contracts, considering the possibility of continued depressed equity market conditions, the potential effects of further equity market declines and the impact on future earnings and capital. As a result of this evaluation, CIGNA implemented a program to substantially reduce the equity market exposures of this business by selling exchange-traded futures contracts, which are expected to rise in value as the equity market declines and decline in value as the equity market rises. In the second quarter of 2003, CIGNA began using foreign-denominated, exchange-traded futures contracts and foreign currency forward contracts to reduce international equity market risks associated with this business.

CIGNA expects to adjust the futures and forward contract positions and may enter into other contract positions over time, to reflect changing equity market levels and changes in the investment mix of the underlying variable annuity investments. For further information and details on these contracts and the program adopted to reduce related equity market risk, refer to Note 5 of CIGNA’s 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders.

The determination of reserves for guaranteed minimum death benefits requires CIGNA to make critical accounting estimates. CIGNA describes the assumptions used to develop the reserves for these death benefits, and provides the effects of hypothetical changes in those assumptions on page 17 of CIGNA’s 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders. CIGNA regularly evaluates the assumptions used in establishing reserves and changes its estimates if actual experience or other evidence suggests that earlier assumptions should be revised. If actual experience differs from the assumptions and other considerations (including lapse, partial surrender, mortality, interest rates and volatility as discussed in Note 6 to the Financial Statements) used in estimating these reserves, the resulting change could have a material adverse effect on CIGNA’s consolidated results of operations, and in certain situations, could have a material adverse effect on CIGNA’s financial condition.

In the third quarter of 2002, CIGNA recognized an after-tax charge of $720 million ($1.1 billion pre-tax) to strengthen reserves related to these guaranteed minimum death benefit contracts and to adopt the program described above to substantially reduce equity market risks related to these contracts.

The $720 million after-tax charge consisted of:

 

$580 million, reflecting the reduction in assumed future equity market returns as a result of implementing the program. CIGNA determines liabilities under the reinsurance contracts using an assumption for expected future performance of equity markets. A consequence of implementing the program is, effectively, a reduction in the assumption for expected future performance of equity markets, as the futures contracts essentially eliminate the opportunity to achieve previously expected market returns;

 

$100 million, reflecting deterioration in equity markets that occurred in the third quarter of 2002 (prior to implementation of the program); and

 

$40 million, driven by changes for the following:

 

lower assumed lapse rates based on expectations that lower surrenders will occur due to increased death benefits resulting from stock market declines;

 

higher assumed mortality based on experience since mid-2001;

 

higher assumed market volatility, based on recent experience and expected higher S&P 500 volatility; and

 

a lower assumed discount rate to reflect anticipated funding of the reserve increase at yields lower than the existing assumption.


In the second quarter of 2003, CIGNA recognized an after-tax charge to increase reserves related to these guaranteed minimum death benefit contracts of $286 million ($441 million pre-tax) following an analysis of experience and reserve assumptions relating to these reserves.

Prior to the second quarter of 2003, CIGNA’s experience of partial surrenders under its guaranteed minimum death benefit contracts was not sufficient to support an explicit reserve assumption. Separately, from mid-2002 through the first quarter of 2003, CIGNA experienced continued adverse mortality development under these contracts. During the second quarter of 2003, CIGNA conducted a special review of the emerging partial surrender activity to determine if sufficient credible data existed for an explicit reserve assumption. The review also included a detailed

33


study of other reserve assumptions, including mortality, to validate the cause of the adverse experience and to determine whether or not long-term mortality expectations should be changed.

As a result of the review, CIGNA recorded the after- tax charge of $286 million referenced above consisting of the following:

 

$169 million for the addition of an explicit assumption for both actual and projected future partial surrenders. This estimate is based on annual election rates that vary depending on the net amount at risk for each policy (see Note 6 for more information);

 

$56 million primarily reflecting refinements to assumptions relating to the timing of lapses, death benefits and premiums to better reflect CIGNA’s experience;

 

$39 million due to higher assumed mortality reflecting adverse experience based on annuitant deaths during the period from late 2000 into 2003; and

 

$22 million resulting from a decrease in assumed mean investment performance reflecting experience and future expectations based on history for similar investments and considering CIGNA’s program to reduce equity market exposures.


CIGNA had future policy benefit reserves for these guaranteed minimum death benefit contracts of approximately $1.1 billion as of June 30, 2004 and $1.2 billion as of December 31, 2003.

As of June 30, 2004, the aggregate fair value of the underlying mutual fund investments was approximately $46.7 billion. The death benefit coverage in force as of that date (representing the amount that CIGNA would have to pay if all 1.2 million contractholders had died on that date) was approximately $11.2 billion. The death benefit coverage in force represents the excess of the guaranteed benefit amount over the fair value of the underlying mutual fund investments. The notional or face amount of the futures and forward contract positions held by CIGNA at June 30, 2004, was $1.7 billion.

Guaranteed minimum income benefit contracts. CIGNA has also written reinsurance contracts with issuers of variable annuity contracts that provide annuitants with certain guarantees related to minimum income benefits. See page 39 for further information.

Unicover and other run-off reinsurance. The Run-off Reinsurance operations participate in a workers’ compensation reinsurance pool, which ceased accepting new risks in early 1999. This pool was formerly managed by Unicover Managers, Inc. Although an arbitration over the most significant reinsurance (retrocessional) contracts for the pool was completed in 2002, some disputes over collection of amounts due CIGNA from the retrocessionaires continue and may require further arbitration actions to resolve. Also, disputes and arbitrations regarding other reinsurance (retrocessional) contracts for the pool remain and may not be resolved for some time.

Run-off Reinsurance also includes other workers’ compensation reinsurance contracts, as well as personal accident reinsurance contracts, including contracts assumed in the London market. CIGNA obtained retrocessional reinsurance coverage for a significant portion of its liabilities under these contracts. Some of these retrocessionaires have disputed the validity of their contracts with CIGNA and arbitration over some of these disputes has commenced. CIGNA also bears the risk of the financial condition of its retrocessionaires and their ability to meet their reinsurance obligations to CIGNA.

The retrocessional disputes are not expected to be resolved for some time. In addition, unfavorable claims experience related to workers’ compensation and personal accident exposures is possible and could result in future losses, including losses attributable to the inability to recover amounts from retrocessionaires (either due to disputes with the retrocessionaires or their financial condition).

Summary. CIGNA’s reserves for amounts recoverable from retrocessionaires, as well as for reserves for liabilities associated with underlying reinsurance exposures assumed by CIGNA, are considered appropriate as of June 30, 2004, based on current information. However, it is possible that future developments could have a material adverse effect on CIGNA’s consolidated results of operations and, in certain situations, could have a material adverse effect on CIGNA’s financial condition.

34


OTHER OPERATIONS


FINANCIAL SUMMARY      Three Months
     Ended
     June 30,
    Six Months
    Ended
    June 30,
(In millions) 2004 2003 2004 2003

Premiums and fees  $29   $46   $63   $86  
Net investment income  125   132   244   269  
Other revenues  42   46   89   94  
 
Segment revenues  196   224   396   449  
Benefits and expenses  167   184   340   362  
 
Income before taxes  29   40   56   87  
Income taxes  11   14   20   31  
 
Segment earnings  $18   $26   $36   $56  


Realized investment gains, 
  net of taxes  $10   $1   $12   $--  



Other Operations consist of:

 

deferred gains recognized from the 1998 sale of the individual life insurance and annuity business;

 

corporate life insurance;

 

leveraged corporate life insurance (corporate life insurance on which policy loans are outstanding);

 

settlement annuity business; and

 

certain investment management services.


Results

Segment earnings for Other Operations declined for the second quarter and six months of 2004 compared to the same periods last year primarily due to:

 

higher severance and employee retention costs for investment operations supporting the sold retirement benefits business; and

 

lower earnings in the individual life insurance and annuity business as a result of an increase to litigation reserves and lower amortized gains.


Other Matters

Tax benefits for corporate life insurance. Federal legislation in 1996 eliminated on a prospective basis the tax deductibility of policy loan interest for most leveraged corporate life insurance products, and an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) initiative in 2001 encouraged policyholders to settle tax disputes regarding these products. As a result, some customers have surrendered their policies and management expects earnings associated with these products to continue to decline.

CORPORATE


FINANCIAL SUMMARY      Three Months
     Ended
     June 30,
    Six Months
    Ended
    June 30,
(In millions) 2004 2003 2004 2003

Segment loss  $(31) $(28 ) $(69 ) $(48 )


Special item (after-tax) 
  included in segment 
  loss: 
Restructuring charge  $--  $(9 ) $(20 ) $(9 )


Corporate reflects amounts not allocated to segments, such as interest expense on corporate debt, net investment income on unallocated investments, intersegment eliminations and certain corporate overhead expenses.

The loss increased for the second quarter and six months of 2004, compared with the same periods last year primarily because of:

 

the inclusion of overhead costs previously allocated to the sold retirement benefits business; and

 

costs associated with retiring $76 million of long-term debt (see Contractual obligations on page 40 for additional information).


The loss for six months of 2004 also increased due to higher restructuring charges.

Management expects to eliminate the excess overhead from its operations by year end 2004 through restructuring actions and other cost reduction initiatives.

35


DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS


FINANCIAL SUMMARY Six Months
Ended
(In millions) June 30, 2003


Revenues  $--  

Loss before income tax benefits  $(3 )
Income tax benefits  (1 )
 
Loss from operations  (2 )
Gains on sales, net of taxes of $25  50  

Income from discontinued operations  $48  



Results from discontinued operations primarily consist of after-tax gains on sales of businesses (see page 25 for additional information).

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity

CIGNA normally meets its operating requirements by:

 

maintaining appropriate levels of liquidity in its investment portfolio;

 

using cash flows from operating activities; and

 

matching investment maturities to the estimated duration of the related insurance and contractholder liabilities.


Cash flows from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2004 are as follows:


(In millions) 2004 2003

           
Operating activities  $1,263   $640  
Investing activities  $1,284 $101  
Financing activities  $(906 ) $(541 )


Cash and cash equivalents increased $1.6 billion in 2004 and $200 million in 2003. Cash flows from operating activities consist of cash receipts and disbursements for premiums and fees, gains (losses) recognized in connection with CIGNA’s program to manage equity market risk related to reinsured guaranteed minimum death benefit contracts, investment income, taxes, and benefits, losses and expenses.

2004:

 

The increase in cash flows from operating activities primarily reflects 2004 net proceeds from sales and maturities of securities supporting experience-rated pension policyholder contracts of $954 million. The classification of such proceeds as operating began in the fourth quarter of 2003; accordingly there was no comparable amount for the first six months of 2003. Such proceeds were used to fund most of the 2004 withdrawals from contractholder deposit funds discussed below under financing. In addition, CIGNA reported lower losses in 2004 compared with 2003 of $196 million associated with futures and forward contracts entered into as part of a program to manage equity market risks in the Run-off Reinsurance segment. Partially offsetting these items were tax payments in 2004 of $107 million compared with tax refunds in 2003 of $327 million, and payment of $70 million related to the provider class action litigation (charges reported in prior years).

 

Cash provided by investing activities primarily consisted of proceeds from the sale of the retirement benefits business of $2.1 billion, partially offset by net purchases of investments ($762 million), and net purchases of property and equipment ($32 million).

 

Cash used in financing activities consisted primarily of repurchase of and payments of dividends on common stock ($322 million), net withdrawals from contractholder deposit funds ($532 million) and repayment of debt ($76 million).


2003:

 

Cash provided by investing activities consisted of proceeds on sale of a business ($209 million), partially offset by net purchases of investments ($62 million) and net purchases of property and equipment ($46 million).

 

Cash used in financing activities consisted primarily of payments of dividends on common stock ($92 million), net withdrawals from contractholder deposit funds ($319 million) and repayment of debt ($130 million).


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Capital Resources

CIGNA’s capital resources (primarily retained earnings and the proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and equity securities) provide protection for policyholders, furnish the financial strength to underwrite insurance risks and facilitate continued business growth.

Senior management, guided by regulatory requirements and rating agency capital guidelines, determines the amount of capital resources that CIGNA maintains. Management allocates resources to new long-term business commitments when returns, considering the risks, look promising and when the resources available to support existing business are adequate.

With the net proceeds from the sale of the retirement benefits business and dividends from its subsidiaries, CIGNA expects to continue to:

 

provide capital necessary to support growth and maintain or improve the financial strength ratings of subsidiaries;

 

maintain at least $500 million of uncommitted cash at the parent company level through 2004; and

 

return capital to investors through debt retirement and share repurchase.


Upon closing the sale of the retirement benefits business, CIGNA reinitiated its share repurchase program and actively began repurchasing shares. From April 1, 2004 through August 3, 2004, CIGNA repurchased 5.1 million shares through this program at an average price of $67.25 per share for an aggregate cost of $340 million. On July 28, 2004, CIGNA’s Board of Directors increased the share repurchase authorization by an additional $500 million. The total remaining authorization as of August 3, 2004, was for $732 million.

See also the table in Part II, Item 2 of CIGNA’s Form 10-Q for more information on share repurchase activity for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

CIGNA has $500 million remaining under an effective shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which may be issued as debt securities, equity securities or both. Management and the Board of Directors will consider market conditions and internal capital requirements when deciding whether CIGNA should issue new securities.

In May 2004, CIGNA entered into a three-year syndicated revolving credit and letter of credit agreement for $1.0 billion. Of this amount, up to $600 million may be used to support an internal reinsurance arrangement and the remaining portion will serve as an available line of credit commitment for CIGNA.

Liquidity and Capital Resources Outlook

The availability of resources at the parent/holding company level is dependent on dividends from CIGNA’s subsidiaries, most of which are subject to regulatory restrictions and rating agency capital guidelines. CIGNA expects, based on current projections for cash activity (including projections for dividends from subsidiaries), to have sufficient resources to:

 

provide any funding to subsidiaries needed to support growth and maintain or improve their financial strength ratings;

 

provide for the capital requirements of its subsidiaries;

 

meet debt service requirements and pay dividends to CIGNA shareholders;

 

satisfy pension plan funding requirements; and

 

fund CIGNA’s program to reduce the equity market risks associated with guaranteed minimum death benefit contracts.


However, if CIGNA’s projections are not realized, the demand for funds could exceed available cash if:

 

management uses cash for investment opportunities;

 

a substantial insurance or contractholder liability becomes due before related investment assets mature; or

 

regulatory restrictions prevent the insurance and HMO subsidiaries from distributing cash.


37


In those cases, CIGNA has the flexibility to satisfy liquidity needs through short-term borrowings, such as a line of credit.

Ratings

CIGNA and certain of its insurance subsidiaries are rated by nationally recognized rating agencies. Ratings are always subject to change and there can be no assurance that CIGNA’s current ratings will continue for any given period of time. As of August 3, 2004, the ratings of CIGNA and CG Life (CIGNA’s principal subsidiary) were as follows:


CG Life Insurance
Ratings
CIGNA Corporation
Debt Ratings

Senior
Debt
Commercial
Paper

A.M. Best A- -- --
Moody's A3 Baa3 P3
S&P A- BBB A2
Fitch A BBB F2


As anticipated, following the close of the sale of the retirement benefits business, Standard and Poor’s and Fitch reduced by one notch CG Life’s rating, and Fitch reduced by one notch CIGNA’s senior debt rating.

CIGNA is committed to maintaining appropriate levels of capital in its subsidiaries to support ratings that meet customers’ expectations, and to improving the earnings of the health care business. While CIGNA does not expect the recent ratings changes to have a material impact on its business, further ratings downgrades of CG Life could adversely affect new sales and retention of current business. Lower ratings at the parent company level would increase the cost to borrow funds.

Guarantees and Contractual Obligations

CIGNA, through its subsidiaries, is contingently liable for various financial guarantees provided and contractual obligations entered into in the ordinary course of business.

Financial guarantees associated with the retirement benefits business. Separate account assets, primarily associated with the sold retirement benefits business, are contractholder funds maintained in accounts with specific investment objectives. CIGNA records separate account liabilities equal to separate account assets. In certain cases, CIGNA guarantees a minimum level of benefits for retirement and insurance contracts written in separate accounts. CIGNA establishes an additional liability if management believes that CIGNA will be required to make a payment under these guarantees. Except as noted below, these guarantees are fully reinsured by an affiliate of the buyer:

 

CIGNA guarantees that separate account assets will be sufficient to pay certain retiree or life benefits. The sponsoring employers are primarily responsible for ensuring that assets are sufficient to pay these benefits and are required to maintain assets that exceed a certain percentage of benefit obligations. This percentage varies depending on the asset class within a sponsoring employer’s portfolio (for example, a bond fund would require a lower percentage than a riskier equity fund) and thus will vary as the composition of the portfolio changes. If employers do not maintain the required levels of separate account assets, CIGNA has the right to redirect the management of the related assets to provide for benefit payments. As of June 30, 2004, employers maintained assets that exceeded 102% to 133% of benefit obligations. Benefit obligations under these arrangements were $3.5 billion as of June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003. As of June 30, 2004, approximately 90% of these guarantees are reinsured by an affiliate of the buyer of the retirement benefits business. There were no additional liabilities required for these guarantees as of June 30, 2004, or December 31, 2003.


 

For certain employer-sponsored savings and retirement plans, CIGNA guarantees that participants will receive the value of their accounts at the time of withdrawal. These guarantees could require payment by CIGNA in the event that a significant number of plan participants withdraw their accounts when the market value of the related separate account assets is less than plan participant account values at the time of withdrawal. Participant account values under these arrangements are invested primarily in fixed income investments and were $2.0 billion as of June 30, 2004, and December 31, 2003. There were no additional


38


 

liabilities required for these guarantees as of June 30, 2004, or December 31, 2003.


 

CIGNA guarantees a minimum level of earnings (based on investment, mortality and retirement experience) for a certain group annuity contract. If the actual investment return is less than the minimum guaranteed level, CIGNA is required to fund the difference. The guaranteed benefit obligation was $303 million as of June 30, 2004, and $304 million as of December 31, 2003. CIGNA had additional liabilities for this guarantee of $16 million as of June 30, 2004, and $15 million as of December 31, 2003.


Other financial guarantees. CIGNA guaranteed construction loans of $26 million as of June 30, 2004, and December 31, 2003, related to real estate joint venture investments. The loans are secured by joint venture real estate property with fair values in excess of the loan amounts and mature by 2008, including extension options. CIGNA would be required to repay the construction loans if permanent financing could not be obtained. There were no liabilities required for these guarantees as of June 30, 2004, or December 31, 2003.

CIGNA had indemnification obligations to lenders up to $253 million as of June 30, 2004, and $329 million as of December 31, 2003, related to borrowings by certain real estate joint ventures, which CIGNA either records as an investment or consolidates. These borrowings, which are nonrecourse to CIGNA, are secured by the joint ventures’ real estate properties with fair values in excess of the loan amounts and mature at various dates from 2005 to 2015. CIGNA’s indemnification obligations would require payment to lenders for any actual damages resulting from certain acts such as unauthorized ownership transfers, misappropriation of rental payments by others or environmental damages. Based on initial and ongoing reviews of property management and operations, CIGNA does not expect that payments will be required under these indemnification obligations. Any payments that might be required could be recovered through a refinancing or sale of the assets. In some cases, CIGNA also has recourse to partners for their proportionate share of amounts paid. There were no liabilities required for these indemnification obligations as of June 30, 2004, or December 31, 2003.

As of June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, CIGNA guaranteed that it would compensate the lessor for a shortfall of up to $49 million in the market value of leased equipment at the end of the lease. Guarantees of $21 million expire in 2006 and $28 million expire in 2012. CIGNA had additional liabilities for these guarantees of $3 million as of June 30, 2004, and $2 million as of December 31, 2003.

CIGNA has indemnification obligations as of June 30, 2004, and December 31, 2003, in connection with acquisition and disposition transactions. These indemnification obligations are triggered by the breach of representations or covenants provided by CIGNA, such as representations for the presentation of financial statements, the filing of tax returns, compliance with law or the identification of outstanding litigation. These obligations are typically subject to various time limitations, defined by the contract or by operation of law, such as statutes of limitation. In some cases, the maximum potential amount due is subject to contractual limitations based on a percentage of the transaction purchase price, while in other cases limitations are not specified or applicable. CIGNA does not believe that it is possible to determine the maximum potential amount due under these guarantees, since not all amounts due under these indemnification obligations are subject to limitation. There were no liabilities required for these indemnification obligations as of June 30, 2004, or December 31, 2003.

CIGNA does not expect that these guarantees will have a material adverse effect on CIGNA’s consolidated results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Guaranteed minimum income benefit contracts. CIGNA’s reinsurance operations, which were discontinued in 2000 and are now an inactive business in run-off mode, reinsured variable annuity contracts that provide annuitants with certain guarantees related to minimum income benefits. When annuitants elect to receive these minimum income benefits, CIGNA may be required to make payments based on changes in underlying mutual fund values and interest rates.

CIGNA estimates the fair value of the assets and liabilities associated with these contracts using

39


assumptions as to equity market returns, volatility of the underlying equity and bond mutual fund investments, interest rates, mortality, policy surrenders, credit risk and annuity election rates. As annuitants begin to become eligible to elect their income benefit annuity in 2004 and 2005, CIGNA will monitor actual experience against its annuity election rate assumptions.

CIGNA is required to disclose the maximum potential undiscounted future payments for guarantees related to minimum income benefits using worst-case assumptions, defined as follows:

 

No annuitants surrendered their accounts; and

 

All annuitants lived to elect their benefits; and

 

All annuitants elected to receive their benefit on the first available date (beginning in 2004 through 2014); and

 

All underlying mutual fund investment values remained at the June 30, 2004 value of $3.3 billion, with no future returns.


The maximum potential undiscounted payments that CIGNA would make under those assumptions would aggregate $1.7 billion before reinsurance recoveries. CIGNA believes the likelihood of such payment is remote and expects the amount of actual payments to be significantly less than this hypothetical undiscounted aggregate amount.

CIGNA has purchased reinsurance from third parties which covers 80% of the exposures on these contracts. CIGNA has revised credit risk assumptions for about 25% of the exposures on these contracts and reduced its amount recoverable from reinsurers by $6 million pre-tax in the second quarter of 2004 and $9 million pre-tax in the first quarter of 2003. As a result, CIGNA expects recovery of approximately 55% of any increased exposures on these contracts.

As of June 30, 2004, CIGNA had liabilities of $92 million related to these contracts and amounts recoverable from reinsurers of $59 million. CIGNA had an additional liability of $38 million associated with the cost of reinsurance as of June 30, 2004. As of December 31, 2003, CIGNA had liabilities of $74 million related to these contracts and amounts recoverable from reinsurers of $51 million. CIGNA had an additional liability of $40 million associated with the cost of reinsurance as of December 31, 2003. Management believes the current assumptions used to estimate reserves for these liabilities are appropriate.

Contractual obligations. As of June 30, 2004, CIGNA’s contractual obligations included $47 million in nonrecourse obligations due as follows: $22 million in 2005 and 2006; and $25 million in 2007 and 2008. See Note 2 to the Financial Statements for additional information.

CIGNA funds its qualified pension plans at least at the minimum amount required by ERISA. As a result of recent changes in minimum funding requirements, CIGNA expects to make total domestic pension plan contributions of approximately $175 million in 2004.

In addition, in the second quarter of 2004:

 

CIGNA retired approximately $76 million of long-term debt. The retired debt comprised $15 million in 8.25% notes, maturing in 2007; $9 million in 7.4% notes, maturing in 2007; $28 million in 7% notes, maturing in 2011; and $24 million in 6.375% notes, maturing in 2011;

 

other long-term liabilities decreased by $232 million for derivatives transferred to the buyer of the retirement benefits business; and

 

commitments made in 2004 for future net minimum rental payments under new non-cancelable operating leases beginning in 2006 through 2016 were $83 million, net of future minimum rental payments assumed by the buyer of the retirement benefits business.


INVESTMENT ASSETS

CIGNA’s investment assets do not include separate account assets. A significant portion of CIGNA’s investment assets was attributable to experience-rated pension policyholder contracts associated with the retirement benefits business that was sold on April 1, 2004. Additional information regarding CIGNA’s investment assets and related accounting policies is included in Notes 2, 8, 9, and 10 to the Financial Statements in CIGNA’s 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders and Form 10-K.

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Investments in fixed maturities (bonds) include publicly traded and privately placed debt securities, mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities and redeemable preferred stocks. Securities that were supporting experience-rated pension policyholder contracts predominantly consisted of fixed maturities.

CIGNA’s mortgage loans are diversified by property type, location and borrower to reduce exposure to potential losses.

Problem and Potential Problem Investments

“Problem” bonds and mortgage loans are either delinquent or have been restructured as to terms (interest rate or maturity date). “Potential problem” bonds and mortgage loans are fully current, but management believes they have certain characteristics that increase the likelihood that they will become “problems.” For example, CIGNA considers mortgage loans to be potential problems if the borrower has requested restructuring, or principal or interest payments are past due by more than 30 but fewer than 60 days.

CIGNA recognizes interest income on “problem” bonds and mortgage loans only when payment is actually received because of the risk profile of the underlying investment. This resulted in lower net income of $4 million for the second quarter and $7 million for the six months of 2004, compared to $1 million for the second quarter and $3 million for the six months of 2003. These amounts would have been recorded if interest on problem investments had been recognized in accordance with the original terms of these investments.

The following table shows problem and potential problem bonds and mortgage loans as well as foreclosed real estate, net of valuation reserves and write-downs (including amounts attributable to experience-rated pension policyholder contracts as of December 31, 2003):


(In millions) June 30,
2004
December 31,
2003

Problem bonds  $92   $132  
Potential problem bonds  $48   $161  
Problem mortgage loans  $35   $24  
Potential problem mortgage loans  $170   $335  
Foreclosed real estate held and used  $--   $23  


The decrease in the 2004 amounts is primarily due to reduced investment assets as a result of the sale of the retirement benefits business.

Summary

The effects of investment asset write-downs and changes in valuation reserves on CIGNA’s net income are shown below. Other includes amounts attributable to experience-rated pension policyholder contracts and modified coinsurance arrangements with the buyer of the retirement benefits business.


     Three Months
     Ended
     June 30,
    Six Months
    Ended
    June 30,
(In millions) 2004 2003 2004 2003

CIGNA  $5  $3   $11   $26  
Other  $--  $12   $1   $48  


CIGNA’s portion of these losses is a component of realized investment results. The 2004 amounts attributable to policyholder contracts generally decreased because securities supporting experience-rated pension policyholder business were classified as trading beginning in October 2003 through the closing of the retirement benefits business sale.

The weakness in certain sectors of the economy and rising interest rates are likely to cause additional investment losses. These investment losses could materially affect future results of operations, although CIGNA does not currently expect them to have a material effect on its liquidity or financial condition, or to result in a significant decline in the aggregate carrying value of its assets.

MARKET RISK

Market Risk of Financial Instruments

CIGNA’s assets and liabilities include financial instruments subject to the risk of potential losses from adverse changes in market rates and prices. The primary market risk exposures are interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk, and equity price risk.

CIGNA uses futures and forward contracts as part of a program to substantially reduce the effect of equity market changes on certain reinsurance contracts that guarantee minimum death benefits based on unfavorable changes in variable annuity account values. The hypothetical effect of a 10%

41


increase in the S&P 500, Russell 2000, NASDAQ, TOPIX (Japanese) and PAN-EURO equity indices and a 10% weakening in the U.S. dollar to the Japanese yen and Euro would have been a decrease of approximately $150 million in the fair value of the futures and forward contracts outstanding under this program as of June 30, 2004. A corresponding decrease in liabilities for these guaranteed minimum death benefit contracts would result from this hypothetical 10% increase in these equity indices and 10% weakening in the U.S. dollar. See Note 6 to the Financial Statements for further discussion of this program and the related guaranteed minimum death benefit contracts.

As discussed on page 23, CIGNA sold its retirement benefits busniess on April 1, 2004. As a result, the effect of a hypothetical increase in interest rates of 100 basis points on the fair values of certain of CIGNA’s financial instruments decreased from December 31, 2003 to approximately $1 billion as of June 30, 2004. Certain financial instruments, such as separate account assets and liabilities, reinsurance recoverables, insurance contract liabilities and reinsured contractholder deposit funds are excluded from this hypothetical calculation. In addition, CIGNA reports the effects of embedded derivatives under modified coinsurance arrangements that transfer to the buyer of the retirement benefits business certain unrealized changes in fair value due to interest rate and credit risks of the underlying invested assets, primarily fixed maturities and mortgage loans. As of June 30, 2004, a hypothetical 100 basis point decline in interest rates would decrease net income by approximately $35 million for the effects of these embedded derivatives. A hypothetical 200 basis point decline in interest rates would decrease net income by approximately $140 million for the effects of these embedded derivatives. Associated increases in the fair values of the underlying fixed maturities would be reflected in shareholders’ equity.

Stock Market Performance

The performance of equity markets can have a significant effect on CIGNA’s businesses including on:

 

risks and exposures associated with guaranteed minimum death benefit contracts (see page 32) and guaranteed minimum income benefit contracts (see page 39); and

 

minimum pension liabilities since equity securities comprise a key portion of the assets of CIGNA’s employee pension plans.


42


CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE
PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

CIGNA and its representatives may from time to time make written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in press releases, in CIGNA’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in its reports to shareholders and in meetings with analysts and investors. Forward-looking statements may contain information about financial prospects, economic conditions, trends and other uncertainties. For example, this Management’s Discussion and Analysis includes forward-looking information regarding, among other things, the use of proceeds from CIGNA’s sale of its retirement benefits business, CIGNA’s restructuring programs and activities, litigation and other legal matters, operational improvement in the health care operations, and the outlook for CIGNA’s full year 2004 results. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. CIGNA cautions that actual results could differ materially from those that management expects, depending on the outcome of certain factors. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include:

1.  

increases in medical costs that are higher than anticipated in establishing premium rates in CIGNA’s health care operations, including increased use and costs of medical services;

2.  

increased medical, administrative, technology or other costs resulting from legislative and regulatory challenges to, and new regulatory requirements imposed on, CIGNA’s health care business (see Health care regulation on page 25 for more information);

3.  

challenges and risks associated with implementing the improvement initiatives in the health care operations, the organizational realignment and the reduction of overall CIGNA and health care cost structure, including that operational efficiencies and medical cost benefits do not emerge as expected;

4.  

risks associated with the amount and timing of gain recognition on the sale of CIGNA’s retirement benefits business;

5.  

risks associated with pending and potential state and federal health care class action lawsuits, purported securities class action lawsuits, disputes regarding reinsurance arrangements, other litigation challenging CIGNA’s businesses and the outcome of pending government proceedings;

6.  

heightened competition, particularly price competition, which could reduce product margins and constrain growth in CIGNA’s businesses, primarily the health care business;

7.  

significantly greater than expected reductions in medical membership;

8.  

significant changes in interest rates;

9.  

downgrades in the financial strength ratings of CIGNA’s insurance subsidiaries, which could, among other things, adversely affect new sales and retention of current business;

10.  

limitations on the ability of CIGNA’s insurance subsidiaries to dividend capital to the parent company as a result of downgrades in the subsidiaries’ financial strength ratings, changes in statutory reserve or capital requirements or other financial constraints;

11.  

inability of the program adopted by CIGNA to substantially reduce equity market risks for reinsurance contracts that guarantee minimum death benefits under certain variable annuities (including possible market difficulties in entering into appropriate futures and forward contracts and in matching such contracts to the underlying equity risk);

12.  

adjustments to the reserve assumptions and other considerations (including lapse, partial surrender, mortality, interest rates and volatility) used in estimating CIGNA’s liabilities for reinsurance contracts that guarantee minimum death benefits under certain variable annuities;

13.  

adjustments to the assumptions (including annuity election rates) used in estimating CIGNA’s assets and liabilities for reinsurance contracts that guarantee minimum income benefits under certain variable annuities;

14.  

significant stock market declines, which could, among other things, result in increased pension expenses in CIGNA’s pension plan in future periods and the recognition of additional pension obligations;

15.  

unfavorable claims experience related to workers’ compensation and personal accident exposures of the run-off reinsurance business, including losses attributable to the inability to recover claims from retrocessionaires;


43


16.  

significant deterioration in economic conditions, which could have an adverse effect on CIGNA’s operations and investments; and

17.  

changes in federal income tax laws.

This list of important factors is not intended to be exhaustive. There may be other risk factors that would preclude CIGNA from realizing the forward-looking statements. While CIGNA may periodically update this discussion of risk factors, CIGNA does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made by or on behalf of CIGNA prior to its next required filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.




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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Based on an evaluation of the effectiveness of CIGNA’s disclosure controls and procedures, CIGNA’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, CIGNA’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by CIGNA in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

There have been no changes in CIGNA’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation described in the above paragraph that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, CIGNA’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

CIGNA described In re CIGNA Corp. ERISA Litigation in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. As reported in the Form 10-K, CIGNA filed a motion to dismiss this case. On August 2, 2004, the judge in this matter ordered that the motion to dismiss should be treated as a motion for summary judgment and invited additional briefing.

In its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, CIGNA disclosed that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has been investigating compliance with federal laws in connection with pharmaceutical companies’ marketing practices and their impact on prices paid by the government to pharmaceutical companies for products under federal health programs. As part of this investigation, CIGNA responded to subpoenas concerning contractual relationships between pharmaceutical companies and CIGNA’s health care operations. No criminal charges and no civil claims have been brought against CIGNA or any of its employees and none are anticipated.

On August 4, 2004, the New York Attorney General filed a complaint in the Supreme Court of the State of New York against Express Scripts, Inc., ESI Mail Pharmacy Service, Inc. and two CIGNA insurance subsidiaries, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company and CIGNA Life Insurance Company of New York. The complaint alleges certain breaches of contract and violations of civil law in connection with the management of the prescription drug benefit program under New York State’s principal employee health plan, the Empire Plan. Under an agreement with the CIGNA companies, Express Scripts is responsible for administering the prescription drug benefit program. The CIGNA companies insure the prescription drug benefit program and hold the contract with the New York State Department of Civil Service. Plaintiffs seek, among other things, injunctive relief, damages and civil penalties.

CIGNA is routinely involved in numerous claims, lawsuits, regulatory audits, investigations and other legal matters arising, for the most part, in the ordinary course of the business of administering and insuring employee benefit programs. An increasing number of claims are being made for substantial non-economic, extra-contractual or punitive damages. The outcome of litigation and other legal matters is always uncertain, and outcomes that are not justified by the evidence can occur. CIGNA believes that it has valid defenses to the legal matters pending against it and is defending itself vigorously. Nevertheless, it is possible that resolution of one or more of the legal matters currently pending or threatened could result in losses material to CIGNA’s consolidated results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Item 2. Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

         (e) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table provides information about CIGNA’s share repurchase activity for the quarter ended June 30, 2004:


Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Period Total #
of shares
purchased(1)
Average price
paid per share
Total #
of shares
purchased
as part
of publicly announced
program(2)
Approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased as part of publicly announced program(3)

April 1-30, 2004     522,814  $68.55     522,715  $535,760,517 
May 1-31, 2004  1,922,170  $65.94  1,817,000  $415,970,398 
June 1-30, 2004  1,878,500  $68.28  1,878,500  $287,709,641 

Total  4,323,484  $67.27  4,218,215  N/A 

(1)

Includes shares tendered by employees as payment of the exercise price of stock options granted under the Company’s equity compensation plans.  Employees tendered 99 shares in April and 105,170 shares in May.  In addition, during the quarter ended March 31, 2004, employees tendered 51,971 shares in February at an average price of $55.28 and 83,284 shares in March at an average price of $56.15.


(2)

CIGNA has had a share repurchase program for many years, and has had varying levels of repurchase authority and activity under this program. The program has no expiration date.  CIGNA suspends activity under this program from time to time, generally without public announcement.  CIGNA announced a suspension of the program in 2002 and announced a resumption of the program in November 2003.  CIGNA began repurchases April 2004.  As of June 30, 2004, remaining authorization under the program was approximately $288 million.


(3)

Approximate dollar value of shares is as of the last date of the applicable month.


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

CIGNA held its annual meeting of shareholders on April 28, 2004. As of March 1, 2004, the record date for the meeting, 141,017,109 shares of CIGNA common stock were outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting. At the meeting, 121,370,878 shares of CIGNA common stock were represented in person or by proxy. CIGNA shareholders elected all four nominees to the Board of Directors and ratified the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent auditors for 2004.

Election of nominees to
Board of Directors for
Terms expiring in 2007:
Votes For Votes Withheld
 
Robert H. Campbell 113,809,043  7,561,835 
Jane E. Henney, M.D 119,485,964  1,884,914 
Charles R. Shoemate 104,584,770  16,786,108 
 
For term expiring in 2006:
 
Louis W. Sullivan, M.D. 102,447,835  18,923,043 

Ratification of Pricewaterhouse-
Coopers LLP as Independent
Votes For Votes Against Abstained
Auditors 115,822,972  5,417,653  130,253 

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Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

(a)  

See Exhibit Index.


(a)  

During the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004, and between such date and the filing of this Form 10-Q, CIGNA filed or furnished the following reports on Form 8-K:


dated August 4, 2004, Item 12 — containing a news release announcing results for the second quarter of 2004;


dated July 22, 2004, Item 5 — containing a news release announcing upcoming changes in its segment reporting;


dated June 8, 2004, Item 9 — containing a Regulation FD disclosure; and


dated June 1, 2004, Item 9 — containing a Regulation FD disclosure.


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SIGNATURE

        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.

     
CIGNA CORPORATION
     
     
     
Date: August 4, 2004 By: /s/ Michael W. Bell

Michael W. Bell
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer



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Exhibit Index

Number Description Method of Filing
     
12 Computation of Ratio of
Earnings to Fixed Charges
Filed herewith
     
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
of CIGNA Corporation pursuant to
Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed herewith.
     
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
of CIGNA Corporation pursuant to
Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed herewith.
     
32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
of CIGNA Corporation pursuant to Rule
13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and 18
U.S.C. Section 1350
Furnished herewith.
     
32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
of CIGNA Corporation pursuant to Rule
13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and 18
U.S.C. Section 1350
Furnished herewith.





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