Attached files

file filename
EX-99.5 - EX-99.5 - UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COa09-34374_1ex99d5.txt
EX-99.24 - EX-99.24 - UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COa09-34374_1ex99d24.txt
EX-99.23(B) - EX-99.23(B) - UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COa09-34374_1ex99d23b.txt


AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 3, 2010. FILE NO. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON D.C. 20549 ------------ FORM S-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ------------ UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) KANSAS (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 6311 (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) 81-0170040 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) 2323 GRAND BOULEVARD KANSAS CITY, MO 64108 (816) 474-2345 (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices) RICHARD J. WIRTH HARTFORD LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY P.O. BOX 2999 HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06104-2999 (860) 843-1941 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number including area code, of agent for service) ------------ AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT. (APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC) ------------ /X/ If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box. / / If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. / / If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. / / If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE PROPOSED PROPOSED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM AGGREGATE TOTAL OF EACH CLASS OF AMOUNT TO BE OFFERING REGISTRATION AMOUNT SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED PER UNIT PRICE FEE* OF FEE --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deferred Annuity Contracts & Participating Interests Therein N/A * N/A ** * The maximum aggregate offering price is estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee. The amount being registered and the proposed maximum offering price per unit are not applicable in that these contracts are not issued in predetermined amounts or units. ** Pursuant to Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act of 1933, unsold securities previously registered on Form S-1 (File No. 333-43805, CIK 0000823533, filed on January 7, 1998) are being carried forward to this Registration Statement. As of March 31, 2010, the amount of unsold securities was $35,600,000. A registration fee in the amount of $13,275.00 was previously paid in connection with the above-referenced filing. Registrant is relying upon Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the registration of an indeterminate amount of securities of each class identified above. The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART I
EMPOWER VARIABLE ANNUITY VARIABLE ACCOUNT D ISSUED BY: UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 2323 GRAND BOULEVARD KANSAS CITY, MO 64108 ADMINISTERED BY: HARTFORD LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY P.O. BOX 5085 HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06102-5085 TELEPHONE: 1-800-862-6668 (CONTRACT OWNERS) 1-800-862-7155 (REGISTERED REPRESENTATIVES) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This prospectus describes information you should know before you purchase the EmPower Variable Annuity. Please read it carefully before you purchase your variable annuity. EmPower Variable Annuity is a contract between you and Union Security Insurance Company (formerly Fortis Benefits Insurance Company) where you agree to make at least one Premium Payment and Union Security agrees to make a series of Annuity Payouts at a later date. This Contract is a flexible premium, tax-deferred, variable annuity offered to both individuals and groups. It is: X Flexible, because you may add Premium Payments at any time. X Tax-deferred, which means you don't pay taxes until you take money out or until we start to make Annuity Payouts. X Variable, because the value of your Contract will fluctuate with the performance of the underlying Funds. At the time you purchase your Contract, you allocate your Premium Payment to "Sub-Accounts." These are subdivisions of our Separate Account, an account that keeps your Contract assets separate from our company assets. The Sub-Accounts then purchase shares of mutual funds set up exclusively for variable annuity or variable life insurance products. These are not the same mutual funds that you buy through your stockbroker or through a retail mutual fund. They may have similar investment strategies and the same portfolio managers as retail mutual funds. This Contract offers you Funds with investment strategies ranging from conservative to aggressive and you may pick those Funds that meet your investment goals and risk tolerance. The Funds are part of the following Portfolio companies: Hartford Series Fund, Inc. and Hartford HLS Series Fund II, Inc. You may also allocate some or all of your Premium Payment to a Guarantee Period in our General Account. A Guarantee Period guarantees a rate of interest until a specified maturity date and may be subject to a Market Value Adjustment. Premium Payments allocated to a Guarantee Period are not segregated from our company assets like the assets of the Separate Account. If you decide to buy this Contract, you should keep this prospectus for your records. You can also call us to get a Statement of Additional Information, free of charge. The Statement of Additional Information contains more information about this Contract, and, like this prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Although we file the prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information with the SEC, the SEC doesn't approve or disapprove these securities or determine if the information in this prospectus is truthful or complete. Anyone who represents that the SEC does these things may be guilty of a criminal offense. This prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information can also be obtained from the SEC's website (www.sec.gov). This Contract IS NOT: - A bank deposit or obligation - Federally insured - Endorsed by any bank or governmental agency This Contract and its features are no longer available for sale. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PROSPECTUS DATED: MAY 3, 2010 STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DATED: MAY 3, 2010
2 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DEFINITIONS 3 FEE TABLES 5 HIGHLIGHTS 7 GENERAL CONTRACT INFORMATION 8 Union Security Insurance Company 8 The Separate Account 8 The Funds 8 PERFORMANCE RELATED INFORMATION 11 GUARANTEE PERIODS 12 THE CONTRACT 13 Purchases and Contract Value 13 Charges and Fees 17 Death Benefit 17 Surrenders 19 ANNUITY PAYOUTS 20 OTHER PROGRAMS AVAILABLE 21 OTHER INFORMATION 23 Legal Proceedings 24 More Information 25 FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS 25 INFORMATION REGARDING TAX-QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS 31 ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUES 39 FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 42 TABLE OF CONTENTS TO STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 127 APPENDIX I -- SAMPLE MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT CALCULATIONS 128 APPENDIX II -- INVESTMENTS BY UNION SECURITY 130 UNION SECURITY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS F-1
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DEFINITIONS These terms are capitalized when used throughout this prospectus. Please refer to these defined terms if you have any questions as you read your prospectus. ACCOUNT: Any of the Sub-Accounts or Guarantee Periods. ACCUMULATION PERIOD: The time after you purchase the Contract until we begin to make Annuity Payouts. ACCUMULATION UNITS: If you allocate your Premium Payment to any of the Sub-Accounts, we will convert those payments into Accumulation Units in the selected Sub-Accounts. Accumulation Units are valued at the end of each Valuation Day and are used to calculate the value of your Contract prior to Annuitization. ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUE: The daily price of Accumulation Units on any Valuation Day. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE: Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company administers these Contracts. Their location and overnight mailing address is: 1 Griffin Road North, Windsor, CT 06095-1512. Their standard mailing address is: P.O. Box 5085, Hartford, Connecticut 06102-5085. ANNIVERSARY VALUE: The value equal to the Contract Value as of a Contract Anniversary, adjusted for subsequent Premium Payments and partial Surrenders. ANNUAL MAINTENANCE FEE: An annual $30 charge deducted on a Contract Anniversary or upon full Surrender if the Contract Value at either of those times is less than $100,000. The charge is deducted proportionately from each Account in which you are invested. ANNUITANT: The person on whose life the Contract is issued. The Annuitant may not be changed after your Contract is issued. ANNUITY CALCULATION DATE: The date we calculate the first Annuity Payout. ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE: The later of the 10th Contract Anniversary or the date the Annuitant reaches age 90, unless you elect an earlier date or we, in our sole discretion, agree to postpone to another date following our receipt of an extension request. ANNUITY PAYOUT: The money we pay out after the Annuity Commencement Date for the duration and frequency you select. ANNUITY PAYOUT OPTION: Any of the options available for payout after the Annuity Commencement Date or death of the Contract Owner or Annuitant. ANNUITY PERIOD: The time during which we make Annuity Payouts. ANNUITY UNIT: The unit of measure we use to calculate the value of your Annuity Payouts under a variable dollar amount Annuity Payout Option. ANNUITY UNIT VALUE: The daily price of Annuity Units on any Valuation Day. BENEFICIARY: The person entitled to receive benefits pursuant to the terms of the Contract upon the death of any Contract Owner, joint Contract Owner or Annuitant. CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST: An irrevocable trust, where an individual donor makes a gift to the trust, and in return receives an income tax deduction. In addition, the individual donor has the right to receive a percentage of the trust earnings for a specified period of time. CODE: The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. COMMUTED VALUE: The present value of any remaining guaranteed Annuity Payouts. This amount is calculated using the Assumed Investment Return for variable dollar amount Annuity Payouts and a rate of return determined by us for fixed dollar amount Annuity Payouts. CONTINGENT ANNUITANT: The person you may designate to become the Annuitant if the original Annuitant dies before the Annuity Commencement Date. You must name a Contingent Annuitant before the original Annuitant's death. This is only available if you own a Non-Qualified Contract. CONTRACT: The individual Annuity Contract and any endorsements or riders. Group participants and some individuals may receive a certificate rather than a Contract. CONTRACT ANNIVERSARY: The anniversary of the date we issued your Contract. If the Contract Anniversary falls on a Non-Valuation Day, then the Contract Anniversary will be the next Valuation Day. CONTRACT OWNER, OWNER OR YOU: The owner or holder of the Contract described in this prospectus including any joint Owners. We do not capitalize "you" in the prospectus. CONTRACT VALUE: The total value of the Accounts on any Valuation Day. CONTRACT YEAR: Any 12 month period between Contract Anniversaries, beginning with the date the Contract was issued. DEATH BENEFIT: The amount payable after the Contract Owner or the Annuitant dies. GENERAL ACCOUNT: This account holds our company assets and any assets not allocated to a Separate Account. JOINT ANNUITANT: The person on whose life Annuity Payouts are based if the Annuitant dies after Annuitization. You may name a Joint Annuitant only if your Annuity Payout Option provides for a survivor. The Joint Annuitant may not be changed. MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT: An adjustment that either increases or decreases the amount we pay you under certain circumstances. NET INVESTMENT FACTOR: This is used to measure the investment performance of a Sub-Account from one Valuation Day to
4 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- the next, and is also used to calculate your Annuity Payout amount. NON-VALUATION DAY: Any day the New York Stock Exchange is not open for trading. PAYEE: The person or party you designate to receive Annuity Payouts. PREMIUM PAYMENT: Money sent to us to be invested in your Contract. PREMIUM TAX: A tax charged by a state or municipality on Premium Payments. QUALIFIED CONTRACT: A Contract that is defined as a tax-qualified retirement plan in the Code. REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION: A federal requirement that individuals age 70 1/2 and older must take a distribution from their tax-qualified retirement account by December 31, each year. For employer sponsored Qualified Contracts, the individual must begin taking distributions at the age of 70 1/2 or upon retirement, whichever comes later. SUB-ACCOUNT VALUE: The value on or before the Annuity Calculation Date, which is determined on any day by multiplying the number of Accumulation Units by the Accumulation Unit Value for that Sub-Account. SURRENDER: A complete or partial withdrawal from your Contract. SURRENDER VALUE: The amount we pay you if you terminate your Contract before the Annuity Commencement Date. The Surrender Value is equal to the Contract Value minus any applicable charges (subject to rounding) and increased or decreased, as applicable, by any Market Value Adjustment. UNION SECURITY: Union Security Insurance Company, the company that issued this Contract. VALUATION DAY: Every day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading. Values of the Separate Account are determined as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange, generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. VALUATION PERIOD: The time span between the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange from one Valuation Day to the next.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FEE TABLES THE FOLLOWING TABLES DESCRIBE THE FEES AND EXPENSES THAT YOU WILL PAY WHEN BUYING, OWNING, AND SURRENDERING THE CONTRACT. THIS TABLE DESCRIBES THE FEES AND EXPENSES THAT YOU WILL PAY AT THE TIME THAT YOU PURCHASE THE CONTRACT OR SURRENDER THE CONTRACT. CHARGES FOR STATE PREMIUM TAXES MAY ALSO BE DEDUCTED WHEN YOU PURCHASE THE CONTRACT, UPON SURRENDER OR WHEN WE START TO MAKE ANNUITY PAYOUTS. CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTION EXPENSES DURING ACCUMULATION PERIOD ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Premium Payments) None Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of Premium Payments) None SUB-ACCOUNT TRANSFER FEE (1) $25 (1) The Sub-Account Transfer Fee is currently being waived. THIS TABLE DESCRIBES THE FEES AND EXPENSES THAT YOU WILL PAY PERIODICALLY AND ON A DAILY BASIS DURING THE TIME THAT YOU OWN THE CONTRACT, NOT INCLUDING FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE UNDERLYING FUNDS. ANNUAL MAINTENANCE FEE (2) $30 SEPARATE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES (as a percentage of average daily Sub-Account value) Mortality and Expense Risk Charge 1.10% Administrative Charge 0.15% Total Separate Account Annual Expenses 1.25% (2) An annual $30 charge deducted on a Contract Anniversary or upon Surrender if the Contract Value at either of those times is less than $100,000. It is deducted proportionately from the Sub-Accounts in which you are invested at the time of the charge. THIS TABLE SHOWS THE MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES CHARGED BY THE UNDERLYING FUNDS THAT YOU MAY PAY ON A DAILY BASIS DURING THE TIME THAT YOU OWN THE CONTRACT. MORE DETAIL CONCERNING EACH FUND'S FEES AND EXPENSES IS CONTAINED IN THE PROSPECTUS FOR EACH FUND. MINIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES 0.35% 1.05% (these are expenses that are deducted from Fund assets, including management fees, Rule 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees, and other expenses) EXAMPLE THIS EXAMPLE IS INTENDED TO HELP YOU COMPARE THE COST OF INVESTING IN THE CONTRACT WITH THE COST OF INVESTING IN OTHER VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS. THESE COSTS INCLUDE CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTION EXPENSES, MAXIMUM SEPARATE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES, AND TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES. THE EXAMPLE ASSUMES THAT YOU INVEST $10,000 IN THE CONTRACT FOR THE TIME PERIODS INDICATED. THE EXAMPLE ALSO ASSUMES THAT YOUR INVESTMENT HAS A 5% RETURN EACH YEAR AND ASSUMES THE MAXIMUM FEES AND EXPENSES OF ANY OF THE FUNDS. ALTHOUGH YOUR ACTUAL COSTS MAY BE HIGHER OR LOWER, BASED ON THESE ASSUMPTIONS, YOUR COSTS WOULD BE: (1) If you Surrender your Contract at the end of the applicable time period: 1 year $266 3 years $814 5 years $1,385 10 years $2,924
6 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) If you annuitize at the end of the applicable time period: 1 year $236 3 years $784 5 years $1,355 10 years $2,894 (3) If you do not Surrender your Contract: 1 year $266 3 years $814 5 years $1,385 10 years $2,924 CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When Premium Payments are credited to your Sub-Accounts, they are converted into Accumulation Units by dividing the amount of your Premium Payments, minus any Premium Taxes, by the Accumulation Unit Value for that day. For more information on how Accumulation Unit Values are calculated see "How is the value of my Contract calculated before the Annuity Commencement Date?". Please refer to the section entitled "Accumulation Unit Values" in this prospectus for information regarding Accumulation Unit Values.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HIGHLIGHTS IS THERE AN ANNUAL MAINTENANCE FEE? We deduct this $30 Fee each year on your Contract Anniversary or when you fully Surrender your Contract, if, on either of those dates, the value of your Contract is less than $100,000. WHAT CHARGES WILL I PAY ON AN ANNUAL BASIS? In addition to the Annual Maintenance Fee, you pay the following charges each year: - MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE -- This charge is deducted daily and is equal to an annual charge of 1.10% of your Contract Value invested in the Sub-Accounts. - ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGE -- This charge is for administration. It is deducted daily and is equal to an annual charge of 0.15% of the Contract Value held in the Sub-Accounts. - ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES -- These are charges for the Funds. See the Funds' prospectuses for more complete information. Charges and fees may have a significant impact on Contract Values and the investment performance of Sub-Accounts. This impact may be more significant with Contracts with lower Contract Values. CAN I TAKE OUT ANY OF MY MONEY? You may Surrender all or part of the amounts you have invested at any time before we start making Annuity Payouts. - You may have to pay income tax on the money you take out and, if you Surrender before you are age 59 1/2 , you may have to pay an income tax penalty. - You may have to pay a Market Value Adjustment on the amount you Surrender. IS THERE A MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT? Surrenders and other withdrawals from a Guarantee Period in our General Account more than fifteen days from the end of a Guarantee Period are subject to a Market Value Adjustment. The Market Value Adjustment may increase or reduce the General Account value of your Contract. A Market Value Adjustment will also be applied to any General Account value that is transferred from the General Account to other Sub-Accounts before the end of the Guarantee Period. The Market Value Adjustment is computed using a formula that is described in this prospectus under "Market Value Adjustment." WHAT INVESTMENT CHOICES ARE AVAILABLE? You may allocate your Premium Payment or Contract Values among the following investment choices: - The variable Sub-Accounts that invest in underlying Funds; and/or - One or more Guarantee Periods, which may be subject to a Market Value Adjustment. Guarantee Periods are not available for Contracts issued in Pennsylvania and Nevada. WILL UNION SECURITY PAY A DEATH BENEFIT? There is a Death Benefit if the Contract Owner dies before we begin to make Annuity Payouts. If the Contract Owner is a non-natural person, we will pay the Death Benefit upon the death of the Annuitant prior to the Annuity Commencement Date. In such case, if more than one Annuitant has been named, we will pay the Death Benefit only upon the death of the last survivor of the Annuitants. The Death Benefit amount will remain invested in the Sub-Accounts according to your last instructions and will fluctuate with the performance of the underlying Funds until we receive proof of death and complete instructions from the Beneficiary. The Death Benefit is the greatest of: - The total Premium Payments you have made to us minus adjustments for partial Surrenders; or - The Contract Value of your Contract; or - The highest Anniversary Value before the earlier of the decedent's death or the Contract Owner's age 75. See "Death Benefit" for a complete description for the Death Benefit applicable to your Contract. WHAT ANNUITY PAYOUT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE? When it comes time for us to make payouts, you may choose one of the following Annuity Payout Options: Life Annuity, Life Annuity with Payments for 10 or 20 years, Joint and Full Survivor Life Annuity, and Joint and 1/2 Contingent Survivor Life Annuity. We may make other Annuity Payout Options available at any time. You must begin to take payouts by the Annuitant's 110th birthday unless you elect a later date to begin receiving payments subject to the laws and regulations then in effect and our approval. The date you select may have tax consequences, so please check with a qualified tax advisor. You cannot begin to take Annuity Payouts until the completion of the 2nd Contract Year. If you do not tell us what Annuity Payout Option you want before that time, we will make Automatic Annuity Payouts under the Life Annuity with Payments for a Period Certain Payout Option with a ten-year period certain payment option. Depending on the investment allocation of your Contract in effect on the Annuity Commencement Date, we will make Automatic Annuity Payouts that are: - fixed dollar amount Automatic Annuity Payouts, - variable dollar amount Automatic Annuity Payouts, or - a combination of fixed dollar amount and variable dollar amount Automatic Annuity Payouts.
8 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GENERAL CONTRACT INFORMATION UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY Union Security Insurance Company ("Union Security" or the "Company") is the issuer of the contracts. Union Security is a Kansas corporation founded in 1910. It is qualified to sell life insurance and annuity contracts in the District of Columbia and in all states except New York. Union Security is a wholly owned subsidiary of Assurant, Inc. ("Assurant" or the "Parent") and Assurant is the ultimate parent of Union Security Insurance Company. Assurant is a premier provider of specialized insurance products and related services in North America and selected other international markets. Its stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AIZ. All of the guarantees and commitments under the contracts are general obligations of Union Security. None of Union Security's affiliated companies has any legal obligation to back Union Security's obligations under the contracts. On April 1, 2001, Union Security entered into an agreement with Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company ("Hartford") to co-insure the obligations of Union Security under the variable annuity Contracts and to provide administration for the Contracts. Hartford was originally incorporated under the laws of Wisconsin on January 9, 1956, and subsequently redomiciled to Connecticut. Hartford's offices are located in Simsbury, Connecticut. Hartford is ultimately controlled by The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., one of the largest financial service providers in the United States. THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT The Separate Account is where we set aside and invest the assets of some of our annuity contracts, including this Contract. The Separate Account was established on October 14, 1987 as "Variable Account D" and is registered as a unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940. This registration does not involve supervision by the SEC of the management or the investment practices of the Separate Account, Union Security or Hartford. The Separate Account meets the definition of "Separate Account" under federal securities law. This Separate Account holds only assets for variable annuity contracts. The Separate Account: - Holds assets for your benefit and the benefit of other Contract Owners, and the persons entitled to the payouts described in the Contract. - Is not subject to the liabilities arising out of any other business Union Security or Hartford may conduct. - Is not affected by the rate of return of Union Security's General Account or Hartford's General Account or by the investment performance of any of Union Security's or Hartford's other Separate Accounts. - May be subject to liabilities from a Sub-Account of the Separate Account that holds assets of other variable annuity contracts offered by the Separate Account, which are not described in this prospectus. - Is credited with income and gains, and takes losses, whether or not realized, from the assets it holds. We do not guarantee the investment results of the Separate Account. There is no assurance that the value of your Contract will equal the total of the payments you make to us. THE FUNDS FUNDING OPTION INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE SUMMARY INVESTMENT ADVISER/SUB-ADVISER --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HARTFORD HLS SERIES FUND II, INC. HARTFORD GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES HLS FUND Seeks capital appreciation HL Investment Advisors, LLC -- CLASS IA Sub-advised by Wellington Management Company, LLP HARTFORD SMALL/MID CAP EQUITY HLS FUND Seeks long-term growth of capital HL Investment Advisors, LLC -- CLASS IA (1) Sub-advised by Hartford Investment Management Company HARTFORD SMALLCAP GROWTH HLS FUND -- Seeks long-term capital appreciation HL Investment Advisors, LLC CLASS IA Sub-advised by Wellington Management Company, LLP and Hartford Investment Management Company HARTFORD SMALLCAP VALUE HLS FUND -- Seeks capital appreciation HL Investment Advisors, LLC CLASS IA Sub-advised by Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management, LLC, Metropolitan West Capital Management, LLC and SSgA Funds Management, Inc.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 9 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FUNDING OPTION INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE SUMMARY INVESTMENT ADVISER/SUB-ADVISER --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HARTFORD U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES Seeks to maximize total return while HL Investment Advisors, LLC HLS FUND -- CLASS IA providing shareholders with a high level of Sub-advised by Hartford Investment current income consistent with prudent Management Company investment risk HARTFORD SERIES FUND, INC. HARTFORD ADVISERS HLS FUND -- CLASS IA Seeks maximum long-term total return HL Investment Advisors, LLC Sub-advised by Wellington Management Company, LLP HARTFORD CAPITAL APPRECIATION HLS FUND Seeks growth of capital HL Investment Advisors, LLC -- CLASS IA Sub-advised by Wellington Management Company, LLP HARTFORD DISCIPLINED EQUITY HLS FUND Seeks growth of capital HL Investment Advisors, LLC -- CLASS IA Sub-advised by Wellington Management Company, LLP HARTFORD DIVIDEND AND GROWTH HLS FUND Seeks a high level of current income HL Investment Advisors, LLC -- CLASS IA consistent with growth of capital Sub-advised by Wellington Management Company, LLP HARTFORD GLOBAL GROWTH HLS FUND -- Seeks growth of capital HL Investment Advisors, LLC CLASS IA (2) Sub-advised by Wellington Management Company, LLP HARTFORD GROWTH HLS FUND -- CLASS IA Seeks long-term capital appreciation HL Investment Advisors, LLC Sub-advised by Wellington Management Company, LLP HARTFORD HIGH YIELD HLS FUND -- CLASS Seeks high current income with growth of HL Investment Advisors, LLC IA capital as a secondary objective Sub-advised by Hartford Investment Management Company HARTFORD INDEX HLS FUND -- CLASS IA Seeks to provide investment results which HL Investment Advisors, LLC approximate the price and yield performance Sub-advised by Hartford Investment of publicly traded common stocks in the Management Company aggregate HARTFORD INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES Seeks long-term growth of capital HL Investment Advisors, LLC HLS FUND -- CLASS IA Sub-advised by Wellington Management Company, LLP HARTFORD MONEY MARKET HLS FUND -- Maximum current income consistent with HL Investment Advisors, LLC CLASS IA* liquidity and preservation of capital Sub-advised by Hartford Investment Management Company HARTFORD STOCK HLS FUND -- CLASS IA Seeks long-term growth of capital HL Investment Advisors, LLC Sub-advised by Wellington Management Company, LLP HARTFORD TOTAL RETURN BOND HLS FUND -- Seeks a competitive total return, with HL Investment Advisors, LLC CLASS IA income as a secondary objective Sub-advised by Hartford Investment Management Company HARTFORD VALUE HLS FUND -- CLASS IA Seeks long-term total return HL Investment Advisors, LLC Sub-advised by Wellington Management Company, LLP NOTES (1) Formerly Hartford MidCap Growth HLS Fund -- Class IA (2) Formerly Hartford Global Leaders HLS Fund -- Class IA * In a low interest rate environment, yields for money market funds, after deduction of Contract charges may be negative even though the fund's yield, before deducting for such charges, is positive. If you allocate a portion of your Contract Value to a money market Sub-Account or participate in an Asset Allocation Program where Contract Value is allocated to a money market Sub-Account, that portion of your Contract Value may decrease in value.
10 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We do not guarantee the investment results of any of the underlying Funds. Since each underlying Fund has different investment objectives, each is subject to different risks. These risks and the Funds' expenses are more fully described in the Funds' prospectus, and the Funds' Statement of Additional Information which may be ordered from us. The Funds' prospectus should be read in conjunction with this Prospectus before investing. The Funds may not be available in all states. MIXED AND SHARED FUNDING -- Shares of the Funds may be sold to our other separate accounts and our insurance company affiliates or other unaffiliated insurance companies to serve as the underlying investment for both variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies, a practice known as "mixed and shared funding." As a result, there is a possibility that a material conflict may arise between the interests of Contract Owners, and of owners of other contracts whose contract values are allocated to one or more of these other separate accounts investing in any one of the Funds. In the event of any such material conflicts, we will consider what action may be appropriate, including removing the Fund from the Separate Account or replacing the Fund with another underlying fund. There are certain risks associated with mixed and shared funding. These risks are disclosed in the Funds' prospectus. Certain underlying Fund shares may also be sold to tax-qualified plans pursuant to an exemptive order and applicable tax laws. If Fund shares are sold to non-qualified plans, or to tax-qualified plans that later lose their tax-qualified status, the affected Funds may fail the diversification requirements of Code Section 817(h), which could have adverse tax consequences for Contract Owners with premiums allocated to the affected Funds. See "Federal Tax Considerations" for more information. VOTING RIGHTS -- We are the legal owners of all Fund shares held in the Separate Account and we have the right to vote at the Fund's shareholder meetings. To the extent required by federal securities laws or regulations, we will: - Notify you of any Fund shareholders' meeting if the shares held for your Contract may be voted. - Send proxy materials and a form of instructions that you can use to tell us how to vote the Fund shares held for your Contract. - Arrange for the handling and tallying of proxies received from Contract Owners. - Vote all Fund shares attributable to your Contract according to instructions received from you, and - Vote all Fund shares for which no voting instructions are received in the same proportion as shares for which instructions have been received. If any federal securities laws or regulations, or their present interpretation, change to permit us to vote Fund shares on our own, we may decide to do so. You may attend any shareholder meeting at which shares held for your Contract may be voted. After we begin to make Annuity Payouts to you, the number of votes you have will decrease. As a result of proportional voting, a small number of Contract Owners could determine the outcome of a proposition subject to shareholder vote. SUBSTITUTIONS, ADDITIONS, OR DELETIONS OF FUNDS -- We reserve the right, subject to any applicable law, to make certain changes to the Funds offered under your Contract. We may, in our sole discretion, establish new Funds. New Funds will be made available to existing Contract Owners as we determine appropriate. We may also close one or more Funds to additional Premium Payments or transfers from existing Sub-Accounts. Unless otherwise directed, investment instructions will be automatically updated to reflect the Fund surviving after any merger, substitution or liquidation. We may eliminate the shares of any of the Funds from the Contract for any reason and we may substitute shares of another registered investment company for the shares of any Fund already purchased or to be purchased in the future by the Separate Account. To the extent required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), substitutions of shares attributable to your interest in a Fund will not be made until we have the approval of the Commission and we have notified you of the change. In the event of any substitution or change, we may, by appropriate endorsement, make any changes in the Contract necessary or appropriate to reflect the substitution or change. If we decide that it is in the best interest of Contract Owners, the Separate Account may be operated as a management company under the 1940 Act or any other form permitted by law, may be deregistered under the 1940 Act in the event such registration is no longer required, or may be combined with one or more other Separate Accounts. ADMINISTRATIVE AND DISTRIBUTION SERVICES -- Union Security has entered into agreements with the investment advisers or distributors of many of the Funds. Under the terms of these agreements, Union Security or its agents, provide administrative and distribution related services and the Funds pay fees that are usually based on an annual percentage of the average daily net assets of the Funds. These agreements may be different for each Fund or each Fund family and may include fees under a distribution and/or servicing plan adopted by a Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. FEES WE RECEIVE FROM FUNDS AND RELATED PARTIES -- We receive substantial and varying administrative service payments and Rule 12b-1 fees from certain Funds or related parties. These types of payments and fees are sometimes referred to as "revenue sharing" payments. We consider revenue sharing payments and fees among a number of factors when deciding to add or keep a fund on the menu of Funds that we offer through the Contract. We collect these payments and fees under agreements between us and a Fund's principal underwriter, transfer agent, investment adviser and/or other entities related to the Fund. We expect to make a profit on these fees. The availability of these types of arrangements creates an incentive for us to seek and offer Funds (and classes of shares of such Funds) that pay us revenue sharing. Other funds (or available classes of shares) may have lower fees and better overall investment performance.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 11 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As of December 31, 2009, we have entered into arrangements to receive administrative service payments and/or Rule 12b-1 fees from each of the following Fund complexes (or affiliated entities): AIM Advisors, Inc., AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Funds & Alliance Bernstein Investments, American Century Investment Services, Inc., DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc., Federated Securities Corp, Gartmore Variable Insurance Trust, Gartmore Distribution Services, Gartmore Asset Management Trust, ING Fund Services, MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. & Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Neuberger Berman Management Inc., Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust & Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. & Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc., Van Eck Securities Corp; Van Eck Fund, Inc., Van Eck World Wide Investment Trust Funds, LLC, and Wells Fargo Variable Trust & Wells Fargo Fund Management, LLC. We are affiliated with Hartford Series Fund, Inc. and Hartford HLS Series Fund II, Inc. (collectively, the "HLS Funds") based on our affiliation with their investment advisers HL Investment Advisors, LLC and Hartford Investment Management Company. In addition to investment advisory fees, we, or our other insurance company affiliates, receive fees to provide, among other things, administrative, processing, accounting and shareholder services for the HLS Funds. Not all Fund complexes pay the same amounts of revenue sharing payments and/or Rule 12b-1 fees. Therefore, the amount of fees we collect may be greater or smaller based on the Funds you select. Revenue sharing and Rule 12b-1 fees did not exceed 0.50% and 0.35%, respectively, in 2009, of the annual percentage of the average daily net assets (for instance, in 2009, assuming that you invested in a Fund that paid us the maximum fees and you maintained a hypothetical average balance of $10,000, we would collect $85 from that fund). We will endeavor to update this listing annually and interim arrangements may not be reflected. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, revenue sharing and Rule 12b-1 fees did not exceed approximately $51,000. These fees do not take into consideration indirect benefits received by offering HLS Funds as investment options. PERFORMANCE RELATED INFORMATION The Separate Account may advertise certain performance-related information concerning the Sub-Accounts, Performance information about a Sub-Account is based on the Sub-Account's past performance only and is no indication of future performance. When a Sub-Account advertises its standardized total return, it will usually be calculated from the date of either the Separate Account's inception or the Sub-Account's inception, whichever is later, for one year, five years, and ten years or some other relevant periods if the Sub-Account has not been in existence for at least ten years. Total return is measured by comparing the value of an investment in the Sub-Account at the beginning of the relevant period to the value of the investment at the end of the period. Total return calculations reflect a deduction for Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses, any Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, Separate Account Annual Expenses without any optional charge deductions, and the Annual Maintenance Fee. The Separate Account may also advertise non-standardized total returns that pre-date the inception of the Separate Account. These non-standardized total returns are calculated by assuming that the Sub-Accounts have been in existence for the same periods as the underlying Funds and by taking deductions for charges equal to those currently assessed against the Sub-Accounts. Non-standardized total return calculations reflect a deduction for Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses and Separate Account Annual Expenses without any optional charge deductions, and do not include deduction for Contingent Deferred Sales Charge or the Annual Maintenance Fee. This means the non-standardized total return for a Sub-Account is higher than the standardized total return for a Sub-Account. These non-standardized returns must be accompanied by standardized returns. If applicable, the Sub-Accounts may advertise yield in addition to total return. This yield is based on the 30-day SEC yield of the underlying Fund less the recurring charges at the Separate Account level. A money market Sub-Account may advertise yield and effective yield. The yield of a Sub-Account over a seven-day period and then annualized, i.e. the income earned in the period is assumed to be earned every seven days over a 52-week period and stated as a percentage of the investment. Effective yield is calculated similarly but when annualized, the income earned by the investment is compounded in the course of a 52-week period. Yield and effective yield include the recurring charges at the Separate Account level. We may provide information on various topics to Contract Owners and prospective Contract Owners in advertising, sales literature or other materials. These topics may include the relationship between sectors of the economy and the economy as a whole and its effect on various securities markets, investment strategies and techniques (such as systematic investing and asset allocation), the advantages and disadvantages of investing in tax-deferred and taxable instruments, customer profiles and hypothetical purchase scenarios, financial management and tax and retirement planning, and other investment alternatives, including comparisons between the Contract and the characteristics of and market for such alternatives.
12 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GUARANTEE PERIODS Any amount you allocate to our General Account under this Contract earns a guaranteed interest rate beginning on the date you make the allocation. The guaranteed interest rate continues for the number of years you select, up to a maximum of ten years. We call this a Guarantee Period. At the end of your Guarantee Period, your Contract Value, including accrued interest, will be allocated to a new Guarantee Period that is the same length as your original Guarantee Period. However, you may reallocate your Contract Value to different then available Guarantee Periods or to the Sub-Accounts. If you decide to reallocate your Contract Value, you must do so by sending us a written request. We must receive your written request at least three business days before the end of your Guarantee Period. The first day of your new Guarantee Period or other reallocation will be the day after the end of your previous Guarantee Period. We will notify you at least 45 days and not more than 75 days before the end of your Guarantee Period. Each Guarantee Period has its own guaranteed interest rate, which may differ from other Guarantee Periods. We will, at our discretion, change the guaranteed interest rate for future Guarantee Periods. These changes will not affect the guaranteed interest rates we are paying on current Guarantee Periods. The guaranteed interest rate will never be less than an effective annual rate of 3%. We cannot predict or assure the level of any future guaranteed interest rates in excess of an effective annual rate of 3%. We declare the guaranteed interest rates from time to time as market conditions dictate. We advise you of the guaranteed interest rate for a Guarantee Period at the time we receive a Purchase Payment from you, or at the time we execute a transfer you have requested, or at the time a Guarantee Period is renewed. You may obtain information concerning the guaranteed interest rates that apply to the various Guarantee Periods. You may obtain this information from our home office or from your sales representative at any time. The maximum amount you can invest in a Guarantee Period is $500,000. We do not have a specific formula for establishing the guaranteed interest rates for the Guarantee Periods. Guaranteed interest rates may be influenced by the available interest rates on the investments we acquire with the amounts you allocate for a particular Guarantee Period. Guaranteed interest rates do not necessarily correspond to the available interest rates on the investments we acquire with the amounts you allocate for a particular Guarantee Period. In addition, when we determine guaranteed interest rates, we may consider: - the duration of a Guarantee Period, - regulatory and tax requirements, - sales and administrative expenses we bear, - risks we assume, - our profitability objectives, and - general economic trends. Guarantee Periods are not available for Contracts issued in Pennsylvania or Nevada. MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT Except as described below, we will apply a Market Value Adjustment to any general account value that is surrendered, transferred, or otherwise paid out (annuitized) before the end of a Guarantee Period. For example, we will apply a Market Value Adjustment to the general account value that we pay as an amount applied to an Annuity Payout option, or as an amount paid as a single sum in lieu of an Annuity Payout. The purpose of the Market Value Adjustment is to generally transfer the risk to you of prematurely liquidating your investment. The Market Value Adjustment reflects both the amount of time left in your Guarantee period and the difference between the rate of interest credited to your current Guarantee period and the interest rate we are crediting to a new Guarantee Period with a duration equal to the amount of time left in your Guarantee Period. If your Guarantee Period's rate of interest is lower than the sum of the new Guarantee Period interest rate and the Market Value Adjustment factor, then the application of the Market Value Adjustment will reduce the amount you receive or transfer. Conversely, if your Guarantee Period's rate of interest is higher than the sum of the rate of interest we are crediting for the new Guarantee Period and the Market Value Adjustment factor, then the application of the Market Value Adjustment will increase the amount you receive or transfer. You will find a sample Market Value Adjustment calculation in Appendix I. We do not apply a Market Value Adjustment to withdrawals and transfers of the general account value in the following circumstances: 1. Death benefits paid pursuant to a Contract; 2. Surrenders or transfers from the one-year Guarantee Period; 3. Surrenders during a 30 day period that begins 15 days before the end of the Guarantee Period in which the general account value was being held, and that ends 15 days after the end of the Guarantee Period in which the general account value was being held; and 4. Surrenders or transfers from a Guarantee Period on a periodic, automatic basis. This exception only applies to such withdrawals or transfers under a formal company program. We may impose conditions and limitations on any formal company program for the withdrawal or transfer of general account values. Ask your representative about the availability of such a program in your state and applicable conditions and limitations.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 13 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE CONTRACT PURCHASES AND CONTRACT VALUE WHAT TYPES OF CONTRACTS ARE AVAILABLE? The Contract is an individual or group tax-deferred variable annuity contract. It is designed for retirement planning purposes and may be purchased by any individual, group or trust, including: - Any trustee or custodian for a retirement plan qualified under Sections 401(a) or 403(a) of the Code; - Individual Retirement Annuities adopted according to Section 408 of the Code; - Employee pension plans established for employees by a state, a political subdivision of a state, or an agency of either a state or a political subdivision of a state; and - Certain eligible deferred compensation plans as defined in Section 457 of the Code. We will no longer accept additional Premium Payments into any individual annuity contract funded through a 403(b) plan. The examples above represent Qualified Contracts, as defined by the Code. In addition, individuals and trusts can also purchase Contracts that are not part of a tax qualified retirement plan. These are known as Non-Qualified Contracts. If you are purchasing the Contract for use in an IRA or other qualified retirement plan, you should consider other features of the Contract besides tax deferral, since any investment vehicle used within an IRA or other qualified plan receives tax-deferred treatment under the Code. HOW DO I PURCHASE A CONTRACT? This Contract is no longer available for new sales. Premium Payments sent to us must be made in U.S. dollars and checks must be drawn on U.S. banks. We do not accept cash, third party checks or double endorsed checks. We reserve the right to limit the number of checks processed at one time. If your check does not clear, your purchase will be cancelled and you could be liable for any losses or fees incurred. A check must clear our account through our Administrative Office to be considered to be in good order. Premium Payments may not exceed $1 million without our prior approval. We reserve the right to impose special conditions on anyone who seeks our approval to exceed this limit. You and your Annuitant must not be older than age 85 on the date that your Contract is issued. You must be of minimum legal age in the state where the Contract is being purchased or a guardian must act on your behalf. Optional riders are subject to additional maximum issue age restrictions. It is important that you notify us if you change your address. If your mail is returned to us, we are likely to suspend future mailings until an updated address is obtained. In addition, we may rely on a third party, including the US Postal Service, to update your current address. Failure to give us a current address may result in payments due and payable on your annuity contract being considered abandoned property under state law, and remitted to the applicable state. HOW ARE PREMIUM PAYMENTS APPLIED TO MY CONTRACT? Your initial Premium Payment will be invested within two Valuation Days of our receipt of both a properly completed application order request and the Premium Payment. If we receive your subsequent Premium Payment before the close of the New York Stock Exchange, it will be priced on the same Valuation Day. If we receive your Premium Payment after the close of the New York Stock Exchange, it will be invested on the next Valuation Day. If we receive your subsequent Premium Payment on a Non-Valuation Day, the amount will be invested on the next Valuation Day. Unless we receive new instructions, we will invest the Premium Payment based on your last allocation instructions on record. We will send you a confirmation when we invest your Premium Payment. If the request or other information accompanying the initial Premium Payment is incomplete when received, we will hold the money in a non-interest bearing account for up to five Valuation Days (from the Valuation Day that we actually receive your initial Premium Payment at our Administrative Office together with the Premium Payment) while we try to obtain complete information. If we cannot obtain the information within five Valuation Days, we will either return the Premium Payment and explain why the Premium Payment could not be processed or keep the Premium Payment if you authorize us to keep it until you provide the necessary information. CAN I CANCEL MY CONTRACT AFTER I PURCHASE IT? If, for any reason, you are not satisfied with your Contract, simply return it within ten days after you receive it with a written request for cancellation that indicates your tax-withholding instructions. In some states, you may be allowed more time to cancel your Contract. We may require additional information, including a signature guarantee, before we can cancel your Contract. Unless otherwise required by state law, we will pay you your Contract Value as of the Valuation Date we receive your request to cancel and will refund any sales or contract charges incurred during the period you owned the Contract. The Contract Value may be more or less than your Premium Payments depending upon the investment performance of your Account. This means that you bear the risk of any decline in your Contract Value until we receive your notice of cancellation. In certain states, however, we are required to return your Premium Payment without deduction for any fees or charges. HOW IS THE VALUE OF MY CONTRACT CALCULATED BEFORE THE ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE? The Contract Value is the sum of all Accounts. There are two things that affect your Sub-Account value: (1) the number of Accumulation Units and (2) the Accumulation Unit Value. The Sub-Account value is determined by multiplying the number of
14 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Accumulation Units by the Accumulation Unit Value. On any Valuation Day your Contract Value reflects the investment performance of the Sub-Accounts and will fluctuate with the performance of the underlying Funds. When Premium Payments are credited to your Sub-Accounts, they are converted into Accumulation Units by dividing the amount of your Premium Payments, minus any Premium Taxes, by the Accumulation Unit Value for that day. The more Premium Payments you make to your Contract, the more Accumulation Units you will own. You decrease the number of Accumulation Units you have by requesting Surrenders, transferring money out of an Account, settling a Death Benefit claim or by annuitizing your Contract. To determine the current Accumulation Unit Value, we take the prior Valuation Day's Accumulation Unit Value and multiply it by the Net Investment Factor for the current Valuation Day. The Net Investment Factor is used to measure the investment performance of a Sub-Account from one Valuation Day to the next. The Net Investment Factor for each Sub-Account equals: - The net asset value per share plus applicable distributions per share of each Fund at the end of the current Valuation Day divided by - The net asset value per share of each Fund at the end of the prior Valuation Day; multiplied by - The daily expense factor for the mortality and expense risk charge adjusted for the number of days in the period, and any other applicable charges. We will send you a statement at least annually, which tells you how many Accumulation Units you have, their value and your total Contract Value. A Contract's Guarantee Period value is guaranteed by Union Security. We bear the investment risk with respect to amounts allocated to a Guarantee Period, except to the extent that (1) we may vary the guaranteed interest rate for future Guarantee Periods (subject to the 3% effective annual minimum) and (2) the Market Value Adjustment imposes investment risks on you. The Contract's Guarantee Period value on any Valuation Date is the sum of its General Account values in each Guarantee Period on that date. The General Account value in a Guarantee Period is equal to the following amounts, in each case increased by accrued interest at the applicable guaranteed interest rate: - The amount of Premium Payments or transferred amounts allocated to the Guarantee Period; less - The amount of any transfers or Surrenders out of the Guarantee Period. CAN I TRANSFER FROM ONE INVESTMENT CHOICE TO ANOTHER? Subject to the restrictions below, you may transfer Contract Value: - From a Sub-Account to another Sub-Account; - From a Sub-Account to a Guarantee Period; - From a Guarantee Period to a Sub-Account; - From a Guarantee Period to another Guarantee Period. Transfers from a Guarantee Period may be subject to a Market Value Adjustment. CAN I TRANSFER FROM ONE SUB-ACCOUNT TO ANOTHER? You may make transfers between the Sub-Accounts offered in this Contract according to our policies and procedures as amended from time to time. WHAT IS A SUB-ACCOUNT TRANSFER? A Sub-Account transfer is a transaction requested by you that involves reallocating part or all of your Contract Value among the Funds available in your Contract. Your transfer request will be processed as of the end of the Valuation Day that it received is in good order. Otherwise, your request will be processed on the following Valuation Day. We will send you a confirmation when we process your transfer. You are responsible for verifying transfer confirmations and promptly advising us of any errors within 30 days of receiving the confirmation. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I REQUEST A SUB-ACCOUNT TRANSFER? Many Contract Owners request Sub-Account transfers. Some request transfers into (purchases) a particular Sub-Account, and others request transfers out of (redemptions) a particular Sub-Account. In addition, some Contract Owners allocate new Premium Payments to Sub-Accounts, and others request Surrenders. We combine all the daily requests to transfer out of a Sub-Account along with all Surrenders from that Sub-Account and determine how many shares of that Fund we would need to sell to satisfy all Contract Owners' "transfer-out" requests. At the same time, we also combine all the daily requests to transfer into a particular Sub-Account or new Premium Payments allocated to that Sub-Account and determine how many shares of that Fund we would need to buy to satisfy all Contract Owners' "transfer-in" requests. In addition, many of the Funds that are available as investment options in our variable annuity products are also available as investment options in variable life insurance policies, retirement plans, funding agreements and other products offered by us or our affiliates. Each day, investors and participants in these other products engage in similar transfer transactions. We take advantage of our size and available technology to combine sales of a particular Fund for many of the variable annuities, variable life insurance policies, retirement plans, funding agreements or other products offered by us or our affiliates. We also combine many of the purchases of that particular Fund for many of the products we offer. We then "net" these trades by offsetting purchases against redemptions. Netting trades has no impact on the net asset value of the Fund shares that you purchase or sell. This means that we sometimes reallocate shares of a Fund rather than buy new shares or sell shares of the Fund.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 15 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For example, if we combine all transfer-out (redemption) requests and Surrenders of a stock Fund Sub-Account with all other sales of that Fund from all our other products, we may have to sell $1 million dollars of that Fund on any particular day. However, if other Contract Owners and the owners of other products offered by us, want to transfer-in (purchase) an amount equal to $300,000 of that same Fund, then we would send a sell order to the Fund for $700,000 (a $1 million sell order minus the purchase order of $300,000) rather than making two or more transactions. WHAT RESTRICTIONS ARE THERE ON MY ABILITY TO MAKE A SUB-ACCOUNT TRANSFER? FIRST, YOU MAY MAKE ONLY ONE SUB-ACCOUNT TRANSFER REQUEST EACH DAY. We limit each Contract Owner to one Sub-Account transfer request each Valuation Day. We count all Sub-Account transfer activity that occurs on any one Valuation Day as one "Sub-Account transfer;" however, you cannot transfer the same Contract Value more than once a Valuation Day. EXAMPLES TRANSFER REQUEST PER VALUATION DAY PERMISSIBLE? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transfer $10,000 from a money market Sub-Account to a growth Yes Sub-Account Transfer $10,000 from a money market Sub-Account to any number Yes of other Sub-Accounts (dividing the $10,000 among the other Sub-Accounts however you chose) Transfer $10,000 from any number of different Sub-Accounts to Yes any number of other Sub-Accounts Transfer $10,000 from a money market Sub-Account to a growth No Sub-Account and then, before the end of that same Valuation Day, transfer the same $10,000 from the growth Sub-Account to an international Sub-Account SECOND, YOU ARE ALLOWED TO SUBMIT A TOTAL OF 20 SUB-ACCOUNT TRANSFERS EACH CONTRACT YEAR (THE "TRANSFER RULE") BY U.S. MAIL, VOICE RESPONSE UNIT, INTERNET OR TELEPHONE. Once you have reached the maximum number of Sub-Account transfers, you may only submit any additional Sub-Account transfer requests and any trade cancellation requests in writing through U.S. Mail or overnight delivery service. In other words, Voice Response Unit, Internet or telephone transfer requests will not be honored. We may, but are not obligated to, notify you when you are in jeopardy of approaching these limits. For example, we will send you a letter after your 10th Sub-Account transfer to remind you about the Transfer Rule. After your 20th transfer request, our computer system will not allow you to do another Sub-Account transfer by telephone, Voice Response Unit or via the Internet. You will then be instructed to send your Sub-Account transfer request by U.S. Mail or overnight delivery service. We reserve the right to aggregate your Contracts (whether currently existing or those recently surrendered) for the purposes of enforcing these restrictions. The Transfer Rule does not apply to Sub-Account transfers that occur automatically as part of a Company-sponsored asset allocation or Dollar Cost Averaging program. Reallocations made based on a Fund merger, substitution or liquidation also do not count toward this transfer limit. Restrictions may vary based on state law. We make no assurances that the Transfer Rule is or will be effective in detecting or preventing market timing. THIRD, POLICIES HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO RESTRICT EXCESSIVE SUB-ACCOUNT TRANSFERS. You should not purchase this Contract if you want to make frequent Sub-Account transfers for any reason. In particular, don't purchase this Contract if you plan to engage in "market timing," which includes frequent transfer activity into and out of the same Fund, or frequent Sub-Account transfers in order to exploit any inefficiencies in the pricing of a Fund. Even if you do not engage in market timing, certain restrictions may be imposed on you, as discussed below: Generally, you are subject to Fund trading policies, if any. We are obligated to provide, at the Fund's request, tax identification numbers and other shareholder identifying information contained in our records to assist Funds in identifying any pattern or frequency of Sub-Account transfers that may violate their trading policy. In certain instances, we have agreed to serve as a Fund's agent to help monitor compliance with that Fund's trading policy. We are obligated to follow each Fund's instructions regarding enforcement of their trading policy. Penalties for violating these policies may include, among other things, temporarily or permanently limiting or banning you from making Sub-Account transfers into a Fund or other funds within that fund complex. We are not authorized to grant exceptions to a Fund's trading policy. Please refer to each Fund's prospectus for more information. Transactions that cannot be processed because of Fund trading policies will be considered not in good order. In certain circumstances, Fund trading policies do not apply or may be limited. For instance: - Certain types of financial intermediaries may not be required to provide us with shareholder information. - "Excepted funds" such as money market funds and any Fund that affirmatively permits short-term trading of its securities may opt not to adopt this type of policy. This type of policy may not apply to any financial intermediary that a Fund treats as a single investor. - A Fund can decide to exempt categories of contract holders whose contracts are subject to inconsistent trading restrictions or none at all. - Non-shareholder initiated purchases or redemptions may not always be monitored. These include Sub-Account transfers that are executed: (i) automatically pursuant to a company- sponsored contractual or systematic program such as
16 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- transfers of assets as a result of "dollar cost averaging" programs, asset allocation programs, automatic rebalancing programs, annuity payouts, loans, or systematic withdrawal programs; (ii) as a result of the payment of a Death Benefit; (iii) as a step-up in Contract Value pursuant to a Contract Death Benefit or guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit; (iv) as a result of any deduction of charges or fees under a Contract; or (v) as a result of payments such as loan repayments, scheduled contributions, scheduled withdrawals or surrenders, retirement plan salary reduction contributions, or planned premium payments. POSSIBILITY OF UNDETECTED ABUSIVE TRADING OR MARKET TIMING. We may not be able to detect or prevent all abusive trading or market timing activities. For instance, - Since we net all the purchases and redemptions for a particular Fund for this and many of our other products, transfers by any specific market timer could be inadvertently overlooked. - Certain forms of variable annuities and types of Funds may be attractive to market timers. We cannot provide assurances that we will be capable of addressing possible abuses in a timely manner. - These policies apply only to individuals and entities that own this Contract or have the right to make transfers (regardless of whether requests are made by you or anyone else acting on your behalf). However, the Funds that make up the Sub-Accounts of this Contract are also available for use with many different variable life insurance policies, variable annuity products and funding agreements, and are offered directly to certain qualified retirement plans. Some of these products and plans may have less restrictive transfer rules or no transfer restrictions at all. - In some cases, we are unable to count the number of Sub-Account transfers requested by group annuity participants co-investing in the same Funds ("Participants") or enforce the Transfer Rule because we do not keep Participants' account records for a Contract. In those cases, the Participant account records and Participant Sub-Account transfer information are kept by such owners or its third party service provider. These owners and third party service providers may provide us with limited information or no information at all regarding Participant Sub-Account transfers. HOW AM I AFFECTED BY FREQUENT SUB-ACCOUNT TRANSFERS? We are not responsible for losses or lost investment opportunities associated with the effectuation of these policies. Frequent Sub-Account transfers may result in the dilution of the value of the outstanding securities issued by a Fund as a result of increased transaction costs and lost investment opportunities typically associated with maintaining greater cash positions. This can adversely impact Fund performance and, as a result, the performance of your Contract. This may also lower the Death Benefit paid to your Beneficiary or lower Annuity Payouts for your Payee as well as reduce value of other optional benefits available under your Contract. Separate Account investors could be prevented from purchasing Fund shares if we reach an impasse on the execution of a Fund's trading instructions. In other words, a Fund complex could refuse to allow new purchases of shares by all our variable product investors if the Fund and we cannot reach a mutually acceptable agreement on how to treat an investor who, in a Fund's opinion, has violated the Fund's trading policy. In some cases, we do not have the tax identification number or other identifying information requested by a Fund in our records. In those cases, we rely on the Contract Owner to provide the information. If the Contract Owner does not provide the information, we may be directed by the Fund to restrict the Contract Owner from further purchases of Fund shares. In those cases, all participants under a plan funded by the Contract will also be precluded from further purchases of Fund shares. POWER OF ATTORNEY -- You may authorize another person to make transfers on your behalf by submitting a completed power of attorney form. Once we have the completed form on file, we will accept transfer instructions from your designated third party, subject to any transfer restrictions in place, until we receive new instructions in writing from you. You will not be able to make transfers or other changes to your Contract if you have authorized someone else to act under a power of attorney. TRANSFERS BETWEEN THE SUB-ACCOUNTS AND GUARANTEE PERIODS: You may transfer from the Sub-Accounts to a Guarantee Period or from one Guarantee Period to another Guarantee Period. Transfers from a Guarantee Period, other than the one-year Guarantee Period, are subject to a Market Value Adjustment if the transfer is: - more than 15 days before or 15 days after the expiration of the existing Guarantee Period, or - are not part of a formal Union Security program for the transfer of General Account value. The amount of any positive or negative Market Value Adjustment will be added or deducted from the transferred amount. You may not make a transfer into the one-year Guarantee Period within six months of a transfer out of the one-year Guarantee Period. GENERAL ACCOUNT TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS -- We reserve the right to defer transfers from the General Account for up to 6 months from the date of your request (a "transfer moratorium"). After any transfer, you must wait six months before moving Sub-Account Values back to a Guarantee Period in the General Account. After the Annuity Commencement Date, you may not make transfers from the General Account. We generally intend to enforce these restrictions during periods of extreme volatility within the U.S. stock markets or when we have significant concerns about disintermediation. If we enforce this restriction:
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 17 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - The last then effective Guarantee Period and guaranteed interest rate will remain in effect until the end of the transfer moratorium; - The Market Value Adjustment will take into consideration the amount of time consumed by the transfer moratorium only with regard to the Guaranteed Period during which the transfer moratorium was declared; and - Rates of interest that we will credit for the new Guaranteed Period will be automatically reset to the rate of interest we declare as of the conclusion of the transfer moratorium. CHARGES AND FEES The following charges and fees are associated with the Contract: MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE For assuming mortality and expense risks under the Contract, we deduct a daily charge at an annual rate of 1.10% of Sub-Account Value. The mortality and expense risk charge is broken into charges for mortality risks and an expense risk: - MORTALITY RISK -- There are two types of mortality risks that we assume, those made while your Premium Payments are accumulating and those made once Annuity Payouts have begun. During the period your Premium Payments are accumulating, we are required to cover any difference between the Death Benefit paid and the Surrender Value. These differences may occur during periods of declining value or in periods where the Contingent Deferred Sales Charges would have been applicable. The risk that we bear during this period is that actual mortality rates, in aggregate, may exceed expected mortality rates. Once Annuity Payouts have begun, we may be required to make Annuity Payouts as long as the Annuitant is living, regardless of how long the Annuitant lives. The risk that we bear during this period is that actual mortality rates, in aggregate, may be lower than expected mortality rates. - EXPENSE RISK -- We also bear an expense risk that the Contingent Deferred Sales Charges collected before the Annuity Commencement Date may not be enough to cover the actual cost of selling, distributing and administering the Contract. Although variable Annuity Payouts will fluctuate with the performance of the underlying Fund selected, your Annuity Payouts will NOT be affected by (a) the actual mortality experience of our Annuitants, or (b) our actual expenses if they are greater than the deductions stated in the Contract. Because we cannot be certain how long our Annuitants will live, we charge this percentage fee based on the mortality tables currently in use. The mortality and expense risk charge enables us to keep our commitments and to pay you as planned. ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGE For administration, we deduct a daily charge at the rate of 0.15% per year against all Contract Values held in the Separate Account during both the accumulation and annuity phases of the Contract. There is not necessarily a relationship between the amount of administrative charge imposed on a given Contract and the amount of expenses that may be attributable to that Contract; expenses may be more or less than the charge. ANNUAL MAINTENANCE FEE The Annual Maintenance Fee is a flat fee that is deducted from your Contract Value to reimburse us for expenses relating to the administrative maintenance of the Contract and the Accounts. The annual $30 charge is deducted on a Contract Anniversary or when the Contract is fully Surrendered if the Contract Value at either of those times is less than $100,000. The charge is deducted proportionately from each Account in which you are invested. WHEN IS THE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE FEE WAIVED? We will waive the Annual Maintenance Fee if your Contract Value is $100,000 or more on your Contract Anniversary or when you fully Surrender your Contract. We reserve the right to waive the Annual Maintenance Fee under certain other conditions. PREMIUM TAXES We deduct Premium Taxes, if imposed on us by a state or other government agency. Some states collect the taxes when Premium Payments are made; others collect at Annuitization. Since we pay Premium Taxes when they are required by applicable law, we may deduct them from your Contract when we pay the taxes, upon Surrender, or on the Annuity Commencement Date. The Premium Tax rate varies by state or municipality and currently ranges from 0% - 3.5%. CHARGES AGAINST THE FUNDS The Separate Account purchases shares of the Funds at net asset value. The net asset value of the Fund shares reflects investment advisory fees and administrative expenses already deducted from the assets of the Funds. These charges are described in the Fund prospectuses. DEATH BENEFIT WHAT IS THE DEATH BENEFIT AND HOW IS IT CALCULATED? The Death Benefit is the amount we will pay if the Contract Owner or Annuitant dies before the Annuity Commencement Date. The Death Benefit is calculated when we receive a certified death certificate or other legal document acceptable to us along with complete instructions from all beneficiaries on how to pay the death benefit. Until we receive proof of death and the completed instructions from the Beneficiary, the Death Benefit will remain invested in the same Accounts, according to the Contract Owner's last instructions. Therefore, the Death Benefit amount will fluctuate with the performance of the underlying Funds. When there is more than one Beneficiary, we will calculate the Accumulation
18 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Units for each Sub-Account for each Beneficiary's portion of the proceeds. The Death Benefit is the greatest of: - The total Premium Payments you have made to us minus adjustments for partial Surrenders; or - The Contract Value of your Contract; or - The highest Anniversary Value before the earlier of the decedent's death or the Contract Owner's age 75. Adjustments for partial Surrenders to total Premium Payments are calculated by: - Taking the amount of the partial Surrender and - Dividing that amount by the Contract Value immediately prior to the partial Surrender and - Multiplying that amount by all prior Premium Payments minus prior adjustments for partial Surrenders. Adjustments for partial Surrenders to the highest Anniversary Value are calculated by: - Taking the amount of the partial Surrender and - Dividing that amount by the Contract Value immediately prior to the partial Surrender and - Multiplying that amount by an amount equal to the Contract Value on the highest Anniversary Value, plus Premium Payments made since that Anniversary, minus adjustments for partial Surrenders since that Anniversary. HOW IS THE DEATH BENEFIT PAID? The Death Benefit may be taken in one lump sum or under any of the Annuity Payout Options then being offered by us. On the date we receive proof of death and complete instructions from the Beneficiary, we will compute the Death Benefit to be paid out or applied to a selected Annuity Payout Option. When there is more than one Beneficiary, we will calculate the Death Benefit amount for each Beneficiary's portion of the proceeds and then pay it out or apply it to a selected Annuity Payout Option according to each Beneficiary's instructions. If we receive the complete instructions on a Non-Valuation Day, computations will take place on the next Valuation Day. If your Beneficiary elects to receive the Death Benefit amount as a lump sum payment, we may transfer that amount to our General Account and issue the Beneficiary a draftbook. The Beneficiary can write one draft for the total payment of the Death Benefit, or keep the money in the General Account and write drafts as needed. We will credit interest at a rate determined periodically in our sole discretion. For Federal income tax purposes, the Beneficiary will be deemed to have received the lump sum payment on transfer of the Death Benefit amount to the General Account. The interest will be taxable in the tax year that it is credited. If the Beneficiary resides or the Contract was purchased in a state that imposes restrictions on this method of lump sum payment, we may issue a check to the Beneficiary. The Beneficiary may elect, under the Annuity Proceeds Settlement Option, "Death Benefit Remaining with the Company", to leave proceeds from the Death Benefit invested with us for up to five years from the date of death if the death occurred before the Annuity Commencement Date. Once we receive a certified death certificate or other legal document acceptable to us, the Beneficiary can: (a) make Sub-Account transfers and (b) take Surrenders. The Beneficiary of a non-qualified Contract or IRA may also elect the "Single Life Expectancy Only" option. This option allows the Beneficiary to take the Death Benefit in a series of payments spread over a period equal to the Beneficiary's remaining life expectancy. Distributions are calculated based on IRS life expectancy tables. This option is subject to different limitations and conditions depending on whether the Contract is non-qualified or an IRA. REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS -- If the Contract Owner dies before the Annuity Commencement Date, the Death Benefit must be distributed within five years after death, or be distributed under a distribution option or Annuity Payout Option that satisfies the Alternatives to the Required Distributions described below. If the Contract Owner dies on or after the Annuity Commencement Date under an Annuity Payout Option that permits the Beneficiary to elect to continue Annuity Payouts or receive the Commuted Value, any remaining value must be distributed at least as rapidly as under the payment method being used as of the Contract Owner's death. If the Contract Owner is not an individual (e.g. a trust), then the original Annuitant will be treated as the Contract Owner in the situations described above and any change in the original Annuitant will be treated as the death of the Contract Owner. WHAT SHOULD THE BENEFICIARY CONSIDER? ALTERNATIVES TO THE REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS -- The selection of an Annuity Payout Option and the timing of the selection will have an impact on the tax treatment of the Death Benefit. To receive favorable tax treatment, the Annuity Payout Option selected: (a) cannot extend beyond the Beneficiary's life or life expectancy, and (b) must begin within one year of the date of death. If these conditions are NOT met, the Death Benefit will be treated as a lump sum payment for tax purposes. This sum will be taxable in the year in which it is considered received. SPOUSAL CONTRACT CONTINUATION -- If the Contract Owner dies and the Beneficiary is the Contract Owner's spouse, the Beneficiary may elect to continue the Contract as the Contract Owner, receive the death benefit in one lump sum payment or elect an Annuity Payout Option. If the Contract continues with the spouse as Contract Owner, we will adjust the Contract Value to the amount that we would have paid as the Death Benefit payment, had the spouse elected to receive the Death Benefit as a lump sum payment. Spousal Contract Continuation will only apply one time for each Contract.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 19 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SURRENDERS WHAT KINDS OF SURRENDERS ARE AVAILABLE? FULL SURRENDERS BEFORE THE ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE -- When you Surrender your Contract before the Annuity Commencement Date and while the Annuitant is living, the Surrender Value of the Contract will be made in a lump sum payment. The Surrender Value is the Contract Value minus any applicable Contingent Deferred Sales Charge and Premium Taxes and adjusted for any positive or negative Market Value Adjustment. The Surrender Value may be more or less than the amount of the Premium Payments made to a Contract. PARTIAL SURRENDERS BEFORE THE ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE -- You may request a partial Surrender of Contract Values at any time before the Annuity Commencement Date and while the Annuitant is living. There are two restrictions: - The partial Surrender amount must be at least equal to $1,000, our current minimum for partial Surrenders, and - The Contract must have a minimum Contract Value of $1,000 after the Surrender. We reserve the right to close your Contract and pay the full Surrender Value if the Contract Value is under the minimum after the Surrender. HOW DO I REQUEST A SURRENDER? Requests for full Surrenders must be in writing. Requests for partial Surrenders can be made in writing or by telephone. We will send your money within seven days of receiving complete instructions. However, we may postpone payment of Surrenders whenever: (a) the New York Stock Exchange is closed, (b) trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted by the SEC, (c) the SEC permits and orders postponement, or (d) the SEC determines that an emergency exists to restrict valuation. We may also defer payment of Surrender proceeds payable out of the Fixed Accumulation Feature for a period of up to 6 months. WRITTEN REQUESTS -- To request a full or partial Surrender, complete a Surrender Form or send us a letter, signed by you, stating: - the dollar amount that you want to receive, either before or after we withhold taxes and deduct for any applicable charges, - your tax withholding amount or percentage, if any, and - your mailing address. You may submit this form via facsimile. If there are joint Contract Owners, both must authorize all Surrenders. For a partial Surrender, specify the Accounts that you want your Surrender to come from, otherwise, the Surrender will be taken in proportion to the value in each Account. TELEPHONE REQUESTS -- To request a partial Surrender by telephone, we must have received your completed Telephone Redemption Program Enrollment Form. If there are joint Contract Owners, both must sign this form. By signing the form, you authorize us to accept telephone instructions for partial Surrenders from either Contract Owner. Telephone authorization will remain in effect until we receive a written cancellation notice from you or your joint Contract Owner, we discontinue the program; or you are no longer the owner of the Contract. There are some restrictions on telephone surrenders, please call us with any questions. We may record telephone calls and use other procedures to verify information and confirm that instructions are genuine. We will not be liable for losses or expenses arising from telephone instructions reasonably believed to be genuine. WE MAY MODIFY THE REQUIREMENTS FOR TELEPHONE REDEMPTIONS AT ANY TIME. Telephone Surrender instructions received before the close of the New York Stock Exchange will be processed on that Valuation Day. Otherwise, your request will be processed on the next Valuation Day. COMPLETING A POWER OF ATTORNEY FORM FOR ANOTHER PERSON TO ACT ON YOUR BEHALF MAY PREVENT YOU FROM MAKING SURRENDERS VIA TELEPHONE. WHAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ABOUT TAXES? There are certain tax consequences associated with Surrenders: PRIOR TO AGE 59 1/2 -- If you make a Surrender prior to age 59 1/2, there may be adverse tax consequences including a 10% federal income tax penalty on the taxable portion of the Surrender payment. Surrendering before age 59 1/2 may also affect the continuing tax-qualified status of some Contracts. WE DO NOT MONITOR SURRENDER REQUESTS. TO DETERMINE WHETHER A SURRENDER IS PERMISSIBLE, WITH OR WITHOUT FEDERAL INCOME TAX PENALTY, PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PERSONAL TAX ADVISER. MORE THAN ONE CONTRACT ISSUED IN THE SAME CALENDAR YEAR -- If you own more than one contract issued by us or our affiliates in the same calendar year, then these contracts may be treated as one contract for the purpose of determining the taxation of distributions prior to the Annuity Commencement Date. Please consult your tax adviser for additional information. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 403(b) ANNUITIES -- As of December 31, 1988, all section 403(b) annuities have limits on full and partial Surrenders. Contributions to your Contract made after December 31, 1988 and any increases in cash value after December 31, 1988 may not be distributed unless you are: (a) age 59 1/2, (b) no longer employed, (c) deceased, (d) disabled, or (e) experiencing a financial hardship (cash value increases may not be distributed for hardships prior to age 59 1/2). Distributions prior to age 59 1/2 due to financial hardship; unemployment or retirement may still be subject to a penalty tax of 10%. We will no longer accept any incoming 403(b) exchanges or applications for 403(b) individual annuity contracts. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONSULT WITH YOUR QUALIFIED TAX ADVISER BEFORE MAKING ANY SURRENDERS. PLEASE SEE THE "FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS" SECTION FOR MORE INFORMATION.
20 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUITY PAYOUTS THIS SECTION DESCRIBES WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE BEGIN TO MAKE REGULAR ANNUITY PAYOUTS FROM YOUR CONTRACT. YOU, AS THE CONTRACT OWNER, SHOULD ANSWER FIVE QUESTIONS: - When do you want Annuity Payouts to begin? - Which Annuity Payout Option do you want to use? - How often do you want to receive Annuity Payouts? - What level of Assumed Investment Return should you choose? - Do you want Annuity Payouts to be fixed or variable or a combination? Please check with your Registered Representative to select the Annuity Payout Option that best meets your income needs. 1. WHEN DO YOU WANT ANNUITY PAYOUTS TO BEGIN? You select an Annuity Commencement Date when you purchase your Contract or at any time before you begin receiving Annuity Payouts. You may change the Annuity Commencement Date by notifying us within thirty days prior to the date. The Annuity Commencement Date cannot be deferred beyond the Annuitant's 110th birthday, subject to the laws and regulations then in effect and our approval. The date you select may have tax consequences, so please check with a qualified tax advisor. You cannot begin to take Annuity Payouts until the end of the 2nd Contract Year. If this Contract is issued to the trustee of a Charitable Remainder Trust, the Annuity Commencement Date may be deferred to the Annuitant's 100th birthday. The Annuity Calculation Date is when the amount of your Annuity Payout is determined. This occurs within five Valuation Days before your selected Annuity Commencement Date. All Annuity Payouts, regardless of frequency, will occur on the same day of the month as the Annuity Commencement Date. After the initial payout, if an Annuity Payout date falls on a Non-Valuation Day, the Annuity Payout is computed on the prior Valuation Day. If the Annuity Payout date does not occur in a given month due to a leap year or months with only 28 days (i.e. the 31st), the Annuity Payout will be computed on the last Valuation Day of the month. 2. WHICH ANNUITY PAYOUT OPTION DO YOU WANT TO USE? Your Contract contains the Annuity Payout Options described below. The Annuity Proceeds Settlement Option is an option that can be elected by the Beneficiary and is described in the "Death Benefit" section. We may at times offer other Annuity Payout Options. Once we begin to make Annuity Payouts, the Annuity Payout Option cannot be changed. LIFE ANNUITY We make Annuity Payouts as long as the Annuitant is living. When the Annuitant dies, we stop making Annuity Payouts. A Payee would receive only one Annuity Payout if the Annuitant dies after the first payout, two Annuity Payouts if the Annuitant dies after the second payout, and so forth. LIFE ANNUITY WITH PAYMENTS GUARANTEED FOR 10 OR 20 YEARS We will make Annuity Payouts as long as the Annuitant is living, but we at least guarantee to make Annuity Payouts for a time period you select either 10 or 20 years. If the Annuitant dies before the guaranteed number of years have passed, then the Beneficiary may elect to continue Annuity Payouts for the remainder of the guaranteed number of years. JOINT AND FULL SURVIVOR LIFE ANNUITY We will make Annuity Payouts as long as the Annuitant and Joint Annuitant are living. When one Annuitant dies, we continue to make Annuity Payouts to the Contract Owner until that second Annuitant dies. JOINT AND 1/2 CONTINGENT SURVIVOR LIFE ANNUITY We make Payouts as long as both the Annuitant and Joint Annuitant are alive. If the Annuitant dies first, we will make Payouts equal to 1/2 the original payout. If the Joint Annuitant dies first, we will continue to make Payouts at the full amount. We may offer other Annuity Payout Options available. - YOU CANNOT SURRENDER YOUR CONTRACT ONCE ANNUITY PAYOUTS BEGIN - For Qualified Contracts, if you elect an Annuity Payout Option with a Period Certain, the guaranteed number of years must be less than the life expectancy of the Annuitant at the time the Annuity Payouts begin. We compute life expectancy using the IRS mortality tables. - AUTOMATIC ANNUITY PAYOUTS -- If you do not elect an Annuity Payout Option, Annuity Payouts will automatically begin on the Annuity Commencement Date under the Life Annuity with Payments for a Period Certain Annuity Payout Option with a ten-year period certain. Automatic Annuity Payouts will be fixed dollar amount Annuity Payouts, variable dollar amount Annuity Payouts, or a combination of fixed or variable dollar amount Annuity Payouts, depending on the investment allocation of your Account in effect on the Annuity Commencement Date. 3. HOW OFTEN DO YOU WANT THE PAYEE TO RECEIVE ANNUITY PAYOUTS? In addition to selecting an Annuity Commencement Date and an Annuity Payout Option, you must also decide how often you want the Payee to receive Annuity Payouts. You may choose to receive Annuity Payouts: - monthly, - quarterly, - semiannually, or - annually.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 21 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Once you select a frequency, it cannot be changed. If you do not make a selection, the Payee will receive monthly Annuity Payouts. You must select a frequency that results in an Annuity Payout of at least $50. If the amount falls below $50, we have the right to change the frequency to bring the Annuity Payout up to at least $50 ($20 in Texas). WHAT IS THE ASSUMED INVESTMENT RETURN? The Assumed Investment Return ("AIR") is the investment return before we start to make Annuity Payouts. It is a critical assumption for calculating variable dollar amount Annuity Payouts. The first Annuity Payout will be based upon the AIR. The remaining Annuity Payouts will fluctuate based on the performance of the underlying Funds. The AIR for this Contract is 3%. For example, if the Sub-Accounts earned exactly the same as the AIR, then the second monthly Annuity Payout Option is the same as the first. If the Sub-Accounts earned more than the AIR, then the second monthly Annuity Payout Option is higher than the first. If the Sub-Accounts earned less than the AIR, then the second monthly Annuity Payout Option is lower than the first. Level variable dollar Annuity Payouts would be produced if the investment returns remained constant and equal to the AIR. In fact, Annuity Payouts will vary up or down as the investment rate varies up or down from the AIR. DO YOU WANT FIXED DOLLAR AMOUNT OR VARIABLE DOLLAR AMOUNT ANNUITY PAYOUTS OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH? You may choose an Annuity Payout Option with fixed dollar amounts, variable dollar amounts or a combination depending on your income needs. FIXED DOLLAR AMOUNT ANNUITY PAYOUTS -- Once a fixed dollar amount Annuity Payout begins, you cannot change your selection to receive variable dollar amount Annuity Payout. You will receive equal fixed dollar amount Annuity Payouts throughout the Annuity Payout period. Fixed dollar amount Annuity Payout amounts are determined by multiplying the Contract Value, minus any applicable Premium Taxes, by an annuity rate. The annuity rate is set by us and is not less than the rate specified in the fixed dollar amount Annuity Payout Option tables in your Contract. VARIABLE DOLLAR AMOUNT ANNUITY PAYOUTS -- A variable dollar amount Annuity Payout is based on the investment performance of the Sub-Accounts. The variable dollar amount Annuity Payouts may fluctuate with the performance of the underlying Funds. To begin making variable dollar amount Annuity Payouts, we convert the first Annuity Payout amount to a set number of Annuity Units and then price those units to determine the Annuity Payout amount. The number of Annuity Units that determines the Annuity Payout amount remains fixed unless you transfer units between Sub-Accounts. The dollar amount of the first variable Annuity Payout depends on: - the Annuity Payout Option chosen, - the Annuitant's attained age and gender (if applicable), - the applicable annuity purchase rates based on the 1983a Individual Annuity Mortality table and, - the Assumed Investment Return. The total amount of the first variable dollar amount Annuity Payout is determined by dividing the Contract Value minus any applicable Premium Taxes, by $1,000 and multiplying the result by the payment factor defined in the Contract for the selected Annuity Payout Option. The dollar amount of each subsequent variable dollar amount Annuity Payout is equal to the total of: - Annuity Units for each Sub-Account multiplied by Annuity Unit Value for each Sub-Account. The Annuity Unit Value of each Sub-Account for any Valuation Period is equal to the Accumulation Unit Value Net Investment Factor for the current Valuation Period multiplied by the Annuity Unit Factor, multiplied by the Annuity Unit Value for the preceding Valuation Period. The Annuity Unit Factor for a 3% AIR is 0.999919%. COMBINATION ANNUITY PAYOUTS -- You may choose to receive a combination of fixed dollar amount and variable dollar amount annuity payouts as long as they total 100% of your Annuity Payout. For example, you may choose to receive 40% fixed dollar amount and 60% variable dollar amount to meet your income needs. Combination Annuity Payouts are not available during the first two Contract Years. TRANSFER OF ANNUITY UNITS -- After the Annuity Calculation Date, you may transfer dollar amounts of Annuity Units from one Sub-Account to another. On the day you make a transfer, the dollar amounts are equal for both Sub-Accounts and the number of Annuity Units will be different. We will transfer the dollar amount of your Annuity Units the day we receive your written request if received before the close of the New York Stock Exchange. Otherwise, the transfer will be made on the next Valuation Day. All Sub-Account transfers must comply with our Sub-Account transfer restriction policies. For more information on Sub-Account transfer restrictions please see the sub-section entitled "Can I transfer from one Sub-Account to another?" under the section entitled "The Contract". OTHER PROGRAMS AVAILABLE We may discontinue, modify or amend any of these Programs or any other programs we establish. Any changes to a Program will not affect Contract Owners currently enrolled in the Program. If you are enrolled in any of these programs while a
22 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- fund merger, substitution or liquidation takes place, unless otherwise noted in any communication from us, your Contract Value invested in such underlying Fund will be transferred automatically to the designated surviving Fund in the case of mergers and any available Money Market Fund in the case of Fund liquidations. Your enrollment instructions will be automatically updated to reflect the surviving Fund or a Money Market Fund for any continued and future investments. INVESTEASE(R) -- InvestEase, which was formerly called "PAC," is an electronic transfer program that allows you to have money automatically transferred from your checking or savings account, and invested in your Contract. It is available for Premium Payments made after your initial Premium Payment. The minimum amount for each transfer is $50. You can elect to have transfers occur either monthly or quarterly, and they can be made into any Account available in your Contract. AUTOMATIC INCOME PROGRAM -- The Automatic Income Program allows you to Surrender a percentage of your total Premium Payments each Contract Year. You can Surrender from the Accounts you select systematically on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual basis. Please see Federal Tax Considerations and Information Regarding Tax-Qualified Retirement Plans for more information regarding the tax consequences associated with your Contract. STATIC ASSET ALLOCATION MODELS This feature allows you to select an asset allocation model of Funds based on several potential factors including your risk tolerance, time horizon, investment objectives, or your preference to invest in certain funds or fund families. Based on these factors, you can select one of several asset allocation models, with each specifying percentage allocations among various Funds available under your Contract. Asset allocation models can be based on generally accepted investment theories that take into account the historic returns of different asset classes (e.g., equities, bonds or cash) over different time periods, or can be based on certain potential investment strategies that could possibly be achieved by investing in particular funds or fund families and are not based on such investment theories. If you choose to participate in one of these asset allocation models, you must invest all of your Premium Payment into one model. You may invest in an asset allocation model through the Dollar Cost Averaging Program where the Fixed Accumulation Feature, a Money Market sub-account, or a Dollar Cost Averaging Plus Program is the source of the assets to be invested in the asset allocation model you have chosen. You can also participate in these asset allocation models while enrolled in the Automatic Income Program. You may participate in only one asset allocation model at a time. Asset allocation models cannot be combined with other asset allocation models or with individual sub-account elections. You can switch asset allocation models up to twelve times per year. Your ability to elect or switch into and between asset allocation models may be restricted based on fund abusive trading restrictions. Your investments in an asset allocation model will be rebalanced quarterly to reflect the model's original percentages. We have no discretionary authority or control over your investment decisions. These asset allocation models are based on then available Funds and do not include the Fixed Accumulation Feature. We make available educational information and materials (e.g., risk tolerance questionnaire, pie charts, graphs, or case studies) that can help you select an asset allocation model, but we do not recommend asset allocation models or otherwise provide advice as to what asset allocation model may be appropriate for you. While we will not alter allocation percentages used in any asset allocation model, allocation weightings could be affected by mergers, liquidations, fund substitutions or closures. Individual availability of these models is subject to fund company restrictions. Please refer to WHAT RESTRICTIONS ARE THERE ON YOUR ABILITY TO MAKE A SUB-ACCOUNT TRANSFER? for more information. You will not be provided with information regarding periodic updates to the Funds and allocation percentages in the asset allocation models, and we will not reallocate your Account Value based on those updates. Information on updated asset allocation models may be obtained by contacting your Registered Representative. If you wish to update your asset allocation model, you may do so by terminating your existing model and re-enrolling into a new one. Investment alternatives other than these asset allocation models are available that may enable you to invest your Contract Value with similar risk and return characteristics. When considering an asset allocation model for your individual situation, you should consider your other assets, income and investments in addition to this annuity. - Asset Rebalancing In asset rebalancing, you select a portfolio of Funds, and we will rebalance your assets at the specified frequency to reflect the original allocation percentages you selected. You can choose how much of your Contract Value you want to invest in this program. You can also combine this program with others such as the Automatic Income Program and Dollar Cost Averaging Program (subject to restrictions). You may designate only one set of asset allocation instructions at a time. - Dollar Cost Averaging We offer three dollar cost averaging programs: - DCA Plus - Fixed Amount DCA - Earnings/Interest DCA OTHER PROGRAM CONSIDERATIONS - You may terminate your enrollment in any Program (other than Dollar Cost Averaging Programs) at any time. - We may discontinue, modify or amend any of these Programs at any time. We will automatically and unilaterally amend your enrollment instructions if: - any Fund is merged or substituted into another Fund -- then your allocations will be directed to the surviving Fund;
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 23 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - any Fund is liquidated -- then your allocations will be directed to any available money market Fund. You may always provide us with updated instructions following any of these events. - Continuous or periodic investment neither insures a profit nor protects against a loss in declining markets. Because these Programs involve continuous investing regardless of fluctuating price levels, you should carefully consider your ability to continue investing through periods of fluctuating prices. - If you make systematic transfers from the Fixed Accumulation Feature under a Dollar Cost Averaging Program or DCA Plus Program, you must wait 6 months after your last systematic transfer before moving Sub-Account Values back to the Fixed Accumulation Feature. - We make available educational information and materials (e.g., pie charts, graphs, or case studies) that can help you select a model portfolio, but we do not recommend models or otherwise provide advice as to what model portfolio may be appropriate for you. - Asset allocation does not guarantee that your Contract Value will increase nor will it protect against a decline if market prices fall. If you choose to participate in an asset allocation program, you are responsible for determining which model portfolio is best for you. Tools used to assess your risk tolerance may not be accurate and could be useless if your circumstances change over time. Although each model portfolio is intended to maximize returns given various levels of risk tolerance, a model portfolio may not perform as intended. Market, asset class or allocation option class performance may differ in the future from historical performance and from the assumptions upon which the model portfolio is based, which could cause a model portfolio to be ineffective or less effective in reducing volatility. A model portfolio may perform better or worse than any single Fund, allocation option or any other combination of Funds or allocation options. In addition, the timing of your investment and automatic rebalancing may affect performance. Quarterly rebalancing and periodic updating of model portfolios can cause their component Funds to incur transactional expenses to raise cash for money flowing out of Funds or to buy securities with money flowing into the Funds. Moreover, large outflows of money from the Funds may increase the expenses attributable to the assets remaining in the Funds. These expenses can adversely affect the performance of the relevant Funds and of the model portfolios. In addition, these inflows and outflows may cause a Fund to hold a large portion of its assets in cash, which could detract from the achievement of the Fund's investment objective, particularly in periods of rising market prices. For additional information regarding the risks of investing in a particular fund, see that Fund's prospectus. - Additional considerations apply for qualified Contracts with respect to Static Asset Allocation Model programs. Neither we, nor any third party service provider, nor any of their respective affiliates, is acting as a fiduciary under The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA) or the Code, in providing any information or other communication contemplated by any Program, including, without limitation, any model portfolios. That information and communications are not intended, and may not serve as a primary basis for your investment decisions with respect to your participation in a Program. Before choosing to participate in a Program, you must determine that you are capable of exercising control and management of the assets of the plan and of making an independent and informed decision concerning your participation in the Program. Also, you are solely responsible for determining whether and to what extent the Program is appropriate for you and the assets contained in the qualified Contract. Qualified Contracts are subject to additional rules regarding participation in these Programs. It is your responsibility to ensure compliance of any recommendation in connection with any model portfolio with governing plan documents. - These Programs may be adversely affected by Fund trading policies. OTHER INFORMATION ASSIGNMENT -- A Non-Qualified Contract may be assigned. We must be properly notified in writing of an assignment. Any Annuity Payouts or Surrenders requested or scheduled before we record an assignment will be made according to the instructions we have on record. We are not responsible for determining the validity of an assignment. Assigning a Non-Qualified Contract may require the payment of income taxes and certain penalty taxes. Please consult a qualified tax adviser before assigning your Contract. A Qualified Contract may not be transferred or otherwise assigned, unless allowed by applicable law. CONTRACT MODIFICATION -- The Annuitant may not be changed. However, if the Annuitant is still living, the Contingent Annuitant may be changed at any time prior to the Annuity Commencement Date by sending us written notice. We may modify the Contract, but no modification will affect the amount or term of any Contract unless a modification is required to conform the Contract to applicable federal or state law. No modification will effect the method by which Contract Values are determined. HOW CONTRACTS ARE SOLD -- Woodbury Financial Services ("WFS") serves as principal underwriter for the Contracts. WFS is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a broker-dealer and is a member of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). The principal business address of WFS is 7755 3rd Street North, Oakdale, MN 55128.
24 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contracts will be sold by individuals who have been appointed by us as insurance agents and who are registered representatives of broker-dealers that have entered into selling agreements with Woodbury. We generally bear the expenses of providing services pursuant to Contracts, including the payment of expenses relating to the distribution of prospectuses for sales purposes as well as any advertising or sales literature (provided, however, we may offset some or all of these expenses by, among other things, administrative service fees received from Fund complexes). Commissions -- We pay compensation to broker-dealers, financial institutions and other affiliated broker-dealers ("Financial Intermediaries") for the sale of the Contracts according to selling agreements with Financial Intermediaries. Affiliated broker-dealers also employ wholesalers in the sales process. Wholesalers typically receive commissions based on the type of Contract or optional benefits sold. Commissions are based on a specified amount of Premium Payments or Contract Value. Your Registered Representative may be compensated on a fee for services and/or commission basis. We pay an up-front commission of up to 7% of your Contract Value at the time of sale to the Financial Intermediary that your Registered Representative is associated with. Your Registered Representative's Financial Intermediary may also receive on-going or trail commissions of generally not more than 1% of your Contract Value. Registered Representatives may have multiple options on how they wish to allocate their commissions and/or compensation. Compensation paid to your Registered Representative may also vary depending on the particular arrangements between your Registered Representative and their Financial Intermediary. We are not involved in determining your Registered Representative's compensation. You are encouraged to ask your Registered Representative about the basis upon which he or she will be personally compensated for the advice or recommendations provided in connection with this transaction. Additional Payments -- In addition to commissions and any Rule 12b-1 fees, we or our affiliates pay significant additional compensation ("Additional Payments") to some Financial Intermediaries (who may or may not be affiliates), in connection with the promotion, sale and distribution of our variable annuities. Additional Payments are generally based on average net assets (or on aged assets) of the Contracts attributable to a particular Financial Intermediary; on sales of the Contracts attributable to a particular Financial Intermediary and/or on reimbursement of sales expenses. Additional Payments may take the form of, among other things: (1) sponsorship of due diligence meetings to educate Financial Intermediaries about our variable products; (2) payments for providing training and information relating to our variable products; (3) expense allowances and reimbursements; (3) override payments and bonuses; (4) personnel education or training; (5) marketing support fees (or allowances) for providing assistance in promoting the sale of our variable products; and/or (6) shareholder services, including sub-accounting and the preparation of account statements and other communications. We are among several insurance companies that pay Additional Payments to certain Financial Intermediaries to receive "preferred" or recommended status. These privileges include our ability to gain additional or special access to sales staff, provide and/or attend training and other conferences; placement of our products on customer lists ("shelf-space arrangements"); and otherwise improve sales by featuring our products over others. We also may pay Additional Payments to certain key Financial Intermediaries based on assets under management. Consistent with FINRA Conduct Rules, we provide cash and non-cash compensation in the form of: (1) occasional meals and entertainment; (2) occasional tickets to sporting events; (3) nominal gifts (not to exceed $100 annually); (4) sponsorship of sales contests and/or promotions in which participants receive prizes such as travel awards, merchandise and recognition; (5) sponsorship of training and educational events; and/or (6) due diligence meetings. In addition to FINRA rules governing limitations on these payments, we also follow our guidelines and those of Financial Intermediaries which may be more restrictive than FINRA rules. Additional Payments create a potential conflict of interest in the form of an additional financial incentive to the Registered Representative and/or Financial Intermediary to recommend the purchase of this Contract over another variable annuity or another investment option. As of December 31, 2009, we have entered into arrangements to make Additional Payments (excluding Marketing Expense Allowances) to the following Financial Intermediaries: AIG Advisors Group, Inc. (FSC Securities Corporation, Royal Alliance Associates, Inc., Sagepoint Financial, Inc.) and Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. Inclusion on this list does not imply that these sums necessarily constitute "special cash compensation" as defined by FINRA Conduct Rule 2830(l)(4). We will endeavor to update this listing annually and interim arrangements may not be reflected. We assume no duty to notify any investor whether their Registered Representative is or should be included in any such listing. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, Additional Payments did not in the aggregate exceed approximately $428 thousand (excluding corporate-sponsorship related perquisites) or approximately 0.04% based on average assets. INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM -- The consolidated financial statements of Union Security Insurance Company as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009 included in this Registration Statement have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and are included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. The business address of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is 300 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS Union Security is regularly involved in litigation in the ordinary course of business, both as a defendant and as a plaintiff.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 25 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We may from time to time be subject to a variety of legal and regulatory actions relating to our current and past business operations. While we cannot predict the outcome of any pending or future litigation, examination, or investigation and although no assurances can be given, we do no believe that any pending matter will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. On January 21, 2010, the SEC filed a civil complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in connection with the previously disclosed SEC investigation into a finite reinsurance arrangement entered into by the Parent. In the complaint, the SEC charged the Parent with violating Sections 13(a), 13(b)(2)(A) and 13(b)(2)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rules 12b-20, 13a-11 and 13a-13 thereunder. As previously disclosed by the Parent in a Current Report on Form 8-K on January 21, 2010, the Parent entered into a settlement with the SEC in which the Parent consented, without admitting or denying the allegations in the complaint, to the entry of a judgment requiring payment of a civil penalty of $3.5 million and enjoining the Parent from violating the aforementioned federal securities laws. The court approved the settlement in a final judgment entered on January 25, 2010 and the Parent has paid the penalty. As part of the settlement, the SEC granted permanent relief to the Company, exempting it from limitations on serving as depositor to investment companies under Section 9(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The validity of the securities offered in this prospectus is being passed upon for us in house counsel. Advice on certain federal securities law issues was provided by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, New York, NY. MORE INFORMATION You may call your Registered Representative if you have any questions or write or call us at the address below: P.O. Box 5085 Hartford, Connecticut 06102-5085. Telephone: 1-800-862-6668 (Contract Owners) 1-800-862-7155 (Registered Representatives) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS You can find financial statements of the Separate Account and Union Security in the Statement of Additional Information. To receive a copy of the Statement of Additional Information free of charge, call your representative or complete the form at the end of this prospectus and mail the form to us at the address indicated on the form. As of May 1, 2009 Union Security intends to rely on the exemption provided by Rule 12h-7 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and accordingly does not intend to file with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, or any other reports under such Act. FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS A. INTRODUCTION The following summary of tax rules does not provide or constitute any tax advice. It provides only a general discussion of certain of the expected federal income tax consequences with respect to amounts contributed to, invested in or received from a Contract, based on our understanding of the existing provisions of the Internal Revenue Code ("Code"), Treasury Regulations thereunder, and public interpretations thereof by the IRS (e.g., Revenue Rulings, Revenue Procedures or Notices) or by published court decisions. This summary discusses only certain federal income tax consequences to United States Persons, and does not discuss state, local or foreign tax consequences. The term United States Persons means citizens or residents of the United States, domestic corporations, domestic partnerships, trust or estates that are subject to United States federal income tax, regardless of the source of their income. See "Annuity Purchases by Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Corporations," regarding annuity purchases by non-U.S. Persons or residents. This summary has been prepared by us after consultation with tax counsel, but no opinion of tax counsel has been obtained. We do not make any guarantee or representation regarding any tax status (e.g., federal, state, local or foreign) of any Contract or any transaction involving a Contract. In addition, there is always a possibility that the tax treatment of an annuity contract could change by legislation or other means (such as regulations, rulings or judicial decisions). Moreover, it is always possible that any such change in tax treatment could be made retroactive (that is, made effective prior to the date of the change). Accordingly, you should consult a qualified tax adviser for complete information and advice before purchasing a Contract. In addition, although this discussion addresses certain tax consequences if you use the Contract in various arrangements, including Charitable Remainder Trusts, tax-qualified retirement arrangements, deferred compensation plans, split-dollar insurance arrangements, or other employee benefit arrangements, this discussion is not exhaustive. The tax consequences of any such arrangement may vary depending on the particular facts and circumstances of each individual arrangement and whether the arrangement satisfies certain tax qualification or classification requirements. In addition, the tax rules affecting such an arrangement may have changed recently, e.g., by legislation or regulations that affect compensatory or employee benefit arrangements. Therefore, if you are contemplating the use of a Contract in any arrangement the value of which to you depends in part on its tax consequences, you should consult a qualified tax adviser regarding the tax treatment of the proposed arrangement and of any Contract used in it.
26 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pursuant to Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act ("DOMA"), same-sex marriages currently are not recognized for purposes of federal law. Therefore, the favorable income-deferral options afforded by federal tax law to an opposite-sex spouse under Internal Revenue Code sections 72(s) and 401(a)(9) are currently NOT available to a same-sex spouse. Same-sex spouses who own or are considering the purchase of annuity products that provide benefits based upon status as a spouse should consult a tax advisor. To the extent that an annuity contract or certificate accords to spouses other rights or benefits that are not affected by DOMA, same-sex spouses remain entitled to such rights or benefits to the same extent as any annuity holder's spouse. The federal, as well as state and local, tax laws and regulations require the Company to report certain transactions with respect to Your contract (such as an exchange of or a distribution from the contract) to the Internal Revenue Service and state and local tax authorities, and generally to provide You with a copy of what was reported. This copy is not intended to supplant Your own records. It is Your responsibility to ensure that what You report to the Internal Revenue Service and other relevant taxing authorities on your income tax returns is accurate based on Your books and records. You should review whatever is reported to the taxing authorities by the Company against your own records, and in consultation with your own tax advisor, and should notify the Company if You find any discrepancies in case corrections have to be made. THE DISCUSSION SET FORTH BELOW IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL PURPOSES ONLY. SPECIAL TAX RULES MAY APPLY WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN SITUATIONS THAT ARE NOT DISCUSSED HEREIN. EACH POTENTIAL PURCHASER OF A CONTRACT IS ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH A QUALIFIED TAX ADVISER AS TO THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY AMOUNTS INVESTED IN A CONTRACT UNDER APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAW. B. TAXATION OF THE COMPANY AND THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT The Separate Account is taxed as part of the Company which is taxed as a life insurance company under Subchapter L of Chapter 1 of the Code. Accordingly, the Separate Account will not be taxed as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of Chapter 1 of the Code. Investment income and any realized capital gains on assets of the Separate Account are reinvested and taken into account in determining the value of the Accumulation and Annuity Units. As a result, such investment income and realized capital gains are automatically applied to increase reserves under the Contract. Currently, no taxes are due on interest, dividends and short-term or long-term capital gain earned by the Separate Account with respect to the Contracts. The Company is entitled to certain tax benefits related to the investment of company assets, including assets of the Separate Account. These tax benefits, which may include the foreign tax credit and the corporate dividends received deduction, are not passed back to you since the Company is the owner of the assets from which the tax benefits are derived. C. TAXATION OF ANNUITIES -- GENERAL PROVISIONS AFFECTING CONTRACTS NOT HELD IN TAX-QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS Section 72 of the Code governs the taxation of annuities in general. 1. NON-NATURAL PERSONS AS OWNERS Pursuant to Code Section 72(u), an annuity contract held by a taxpayer other than a natural person generally is not treated as an annuity contract under the Code. Instead, such a non-natural Contract Owner generally could be required to include in gross income currently for each taxable year the excess of (a) the sum of the Contract Value as of the close of the taxable year and all previous distributions under the Contract over (b) the sum of net premiums paid for the taxable year and any prior taxable year and the amount includable in gross income for any prior taxable year with respect to the Contract under Section 72(u). However, Section 72(u) does not apply to: - A contract the nominal owner of which is a non-natural person but the beneficial owner of which is a natural person (e.g., where the non-natural owner holds the contract as an agent for the natural person), - A contract acquired by the estate of a decedent by reason of such decedent's death, - Certain contracts acquired with respect to tax-qualified retirement arrangements, - Certain contracts held in structured settlement arrangements that may qualify under Code Section 130, or - A single premium immediate annuity contract under Code Section 72(u)(4), which provides for substantially equal periodic payments and an annuity starting date that is no later than 1 year from the date of the contract's purchase. A non-natural Contract Owner that is a tax-exempt entity for federal tax purposes (e.g., a tax-qualified retirement trust or a Charitable Remainder Trust) generally would not be subject to federal income tax as a result of such current gross income under Code Section 72(u). However, such a tax-exempt entity, or any annuity contract that it holds, may need to satisfy certain tax requirements in order to maintain its qualification for such favorable tax treatment. See, e.g., IRS Tech. Adv. Memo. 9825001 for certain Charitable Remainder Trusts. Pursuant to Code Section 72(s), if the Contract Owner is a non-natural person, the primary annuitant is treated as the "holder" in applying the required distribution rules described below. These rules require that certain distributions be made upon the death of a "holder." In addition, for a non-natural owner, a change in the primary annuitant is treated as the death of the "holder." However, the provisions of Code Section 72(s) do not apply to certain contracts held in tax-qualified retirement arrangements or structured settlement arrangements. 2. OTHER CONTRACT OWNERS (NATURAL PERSONS). A Contract Owner is not taxed on increases in the value of the Contract until an amount is received or deemed received, e.g., in the form of a lump sum payment (full or partial value of a
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 27 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contract) or as Annuity payments under the settlement option elected. The provisions of Section 72 of the Code concerning distributions are summarized briefly below. Also summarized are special rules affecting distributions from Contracts obtained in a tax-free exchange for other annuity contracts or life insurance contracts which were purchased prior to August 14, 1982. a. DISTRIBUTIONS PRIOR TO THE ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE. i. Total premium payments less amounts received which were not includable in gross income equal the "investment in the contract" under Section 72 of the Code. ii. To the extent that the value of the Contract (ignoring any surrender charges except on a full surrender) exceeds the "investment in the contract," such excess constitutes the "income on the contract." It is unclear what value should be used in determining the "income on the contract." We believe that the current Contract Value (determined without regard to surrender charges) generally is an appropriate measure. However, in some instances the IRS could take the position that the value should be the current Contract Value (determined without regard to surrender charges) increased by some measure of the value of certain future cash-value type benefits. iii. Any amount received or deemed received prior to the Annuity Commencement Date (e.g., upon a withdrawal or partial surrender) is deemed to come first from any such "income on the contract" and then from "investment in the contract," and for these purposes such "income on the contract" shall be computed by reference to any aggregation rule in subparagraph 2.c. below. As a result, any such amount received or deemed received (1) shall be includable in gross income to the extent that such amount does not exceed any such "income on the contract," and (2) shall not be includable in gross income to the extent that such amount does exceed any such "income on the contract." If at the time that any amount is received or deemed received there is no "income on the contract" (e.g., because the gross value of the Contract does not exceed the "investment in the contract" and no aggregation rule applies), then such amount received or deemed received will not be includable in gross income, and will simply reduce the "investment in the contract." iv. The receipt of any amount as a loan under the Contract or the assignment or pledge of any portion of the value of the Contract shall be treated as an amount received for purposes of this subparagraph a. and the next subparagraph b. v. In general, the transfer of the Contract, without full and adequate consideration, will be treated as an amount received for purposes of this subparagraph a. and the next subparagraph b. This transfer rule does not apply, however, to certain transfers of property between Spouses or incident to divorce. vi. In general, any amount actually received under the Contract as a Death Benefit, including an optional Death Benefit, if any, will be treated as an amount received for purposes of this subparagraph a. and the next subparagraph b. b. DISTRIBUTIONS AFTER ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE. Annuity payments made periodically after the Annuity Commencement Date are includable in gross income to the extent the payments exceed the amount determined by the application of the ratio of the "investment in the contract" to the total amount of the payments to be made after the Annuity Commencement Date (the "exclusion ratio"). i. When the total of amounts excluded from income by application of the exclusion ratio is equal to the investment in the contract as of the Annuity Commencement Date, any additional payments (including surrenders) will be entirely includable in gross income. ii. If the annuity payments cease by reason of the death of the Annuitant and, as of the date of death, the amount of annuity payments excluded from gross income by the exclusion ratio does not exceed the investment in the contract as of the Annuity Commencement Date, then the remaining portion of unrecovered investment shall be allowed as a deduction for the last taxable year of the Annuitant. iii. Generally, non-periodic amounts received or deemed received after the Annuity Commencement Date are not entitled to any exclusion ratio and shall be fully includable in gross income. However, upon a full surrender after such date, only the excess of the amount received (after any surrender charge) over the remaining "investment in the contract" shall be includable in gross income (except to the extent that the aggregation rule referred to in the next subparagraph c. may apply). c. AGGREGATION OF TWO OR MORE ANNUITY CONTRACTS. Contracts issued after October 21, 1988 by the same insurer (or affiliated insurer) to the same owner within the same calendar year (other than certain contracts held in connection with tax-qualified retirement arrangements) will be aggregated and treated as one annuity contract for the purpose of determining the taxation of distributions prior to the Annuity Commencement Date. An annuity contract received in a tax-free exchange for another annuity contract or life insurance contract may be treated as a new contract for this purpose. We believe that for any Contracts subject to such aggregation, the values under the Contracts and the investment in the contracts will be added together to determine the taxation under subparagraph 2.a., above, of amounts received or deemed received prior to the Annuity Commencement Date. Withdrawals will be treated first as withdrawals of income until all of the income from all such Contracts is withdrawn. In
28 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- addition, the Treasury Department has specific authority under the aggregation rules in Code Section 72(e)(12) to issue regulations to prevent the avoidance of the income-out-first rules for non-periodic distributions through the serial purchase of annuity contracts or otherwise. As of the date of this prospectus, there are no regulations interpreting these aggregation provisions. d. 10% PENALTY TAX -- APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN WITHDRAWALS AND ANNUITY PAYMENTS. i. If any amount is received or deemed received on the Contract (before or after the Annuity Commencement Date), the Code applies a penalty tax equal to ten percent of the portion of the amount includable in gross income, unless an exception applies. ii. The 10% penalty tax will not apply to the following distributions: 1. Distributions made on or after the date the recipient has attained the age of 59 1/2. 2. Distributions made on or after the death of the holder or where the holder is not an individual, the death of the primary annuitant. 3. Distributions attributable to a recipient's becoming disabled. 4. A distribution that is part of a scheduled series of substantially equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) for the life (or life expectancy) of the recipient (or the joint lives or life expectancies of the recipient and the recipient's designated Beneficiary). 5. Distributions made under certain annuities issued in connection with structured settlement agreements. 6. Distributions of amounts which are allocable to the "investment in the contract" prior to August 14, 1982 (see next subparagraph e.). 7. Distributions purchased by an employer upon termination of certain qualified plans and held by the employer until the employee separates from service. If the taxpayer avoids this 10% penalty tax by qualifying for the substantially equal periodic payments exception and later such series of payments is modified (other than by death or disability), the 10% penalty tax will be applied retroactively to all the prior periodic payments (i.e., penalty tax plus interest thereon), unless such modification is made after both (a) the taxpayer has reached age 59 1/2 and (b) 5 years have elapsed since the first of these periodic payments. e. SPECIAL PROVISIONS AFFECTING CONTRACTS OBTAINED THROUGH A TAX-FREE EXCHANGE OF OTHER ANNUITY OR LIFE INSURANCE CONTRACTS PURCHASED PRIOR TO AUGUST 14, 1982. If the Contract was obtained by a tax-free exchange of a life insurance or annuity Contract purchased prior to August 14, 1982, then any amount received or deemed received prior to the Annuity Commencement Date shall be deemed to come (1) first from the amount of the "investment in the contract" prior to August 14, 1982 ("pre-8/14/82 investment") carried over from the prior Contract, (2) then from the portion of the "income on the contract" (carried over to, as well as accumulating in, the successor Contract) that is attributable to such pre-8/14/82 investment, (3) then from the remaining "income on the contract" and (4) last from the remaining "investment in the contract." As a result, to the extent that such amount received or deemed received does not exceed such pre-8/14/82 investment, such amount is not includable in gross income. In addition, to the extent that such amount received or deemed received does not exceed the sum of (a) such pre-8/14/82 investment and (b) the "income on the contract" attributable thereto, such amount is not subject to the 10% penalty tax. In all other respects, amounts received or deemed received from such post-exchange Contracts are generally subject to the rules described in this subparagraph e. f. REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS i. Death of Contract Owner or Primary Annuitant Subject to the alternative election or Spouse beneficiary provisions in ii or iii below: 1. If any Contract Owner dies on or after the Annuity Commencement Date and before the entire interest in the Contract has been distributed, the remaining portion of such interest shall be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution being used as of the date of such death; 2. If any Contract Owner dies before the Annuity Commencement Date, the entire interest in the Contract shall be distributed within 5 years after such death; and 3. If the Contract Owner is not an individual, then for purposes of 1. or 2. above, the primary annuitant under the Contract shall be treated as the Contract Owner, and any change in the primary annuitant shall be treated as the death of the Contract Owner. The primary annuitant is the individual, the events in the life of whom are of primary importance in affecting the timing or amount of the payout under the Contract. ii. Alternative Election to Satisfy Distribution Requirements If any portion of the interest of a Contract Owner described in i. above is payable to or for the benefit of a designated beneficiary, such beneficiary may elect to have the portion distributed over a period that does not extend beyond the life or life expectancy of the beneficiary. Such distributions must begin within a year of the Contract Owner's death. iii. Spouse Beneficiary If any portion of the interest of a Contract Owner is payable to or for the benefit of his or her Spouse, and the Annuitant or Contingent Annuitant is living, such Spouse shall be treated as the Contract Owner of such portion
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 29 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- for purposes of section i. above. This spousal contract continuation shall apply only once for this Contract. iv. Civil Union or Domestic Partner Upon the death of the Contract Owner prior to the Annuity Commencement Date, if the designated beneficiary is the surviving civil union or domestic partner of the Contract Owner pursuant to a civil union or domestic partnership recognized under state law, then such designated beneficiary's right to continue the Contract as the succeeding Contract Owner will be contingent, among other things, upon the treatment of such designated beneficiary as the spouse of the Contract Owner under Code Section 72(s) (or any successor provision). Currently, Federal tax law only recognizes spouses if they are married individuals of the opposite sex. Consequently, such designated beneficiary who is not recognized as a "spouse" under Federal tax law will not be able to continue the Contract and the entire interest in the Contract must be distributed within five years of the Contract Owner's death or under the Alternative Election. g. ADDITION OF RIDER OR MATERIAL CHANGE. The addition of a rider to the Contract, or a material change in the Contract's provisions, could cause it to be considered newly issued or entered into for tax purposes, and thus could cause the Contract to lose certain grandfathered tax status. Please contact your tax adviser for more information. h. PARTIAL EXCHANGES. The IRS in Rev. Rul. 2003-76 confirmed that the owner of an annuity contract can direct its insurer to transfer a portion of the contract's cash value directly to another annuity contract (issued by the same insurer or by a different insurer), and such a direct transfer can qualify for tax-free exchange treatment under Code Section 1035 (a "partial exchange"). However, Rev. Rul. 2003-76 also refers to caveats and additional guidance in the companion Notice 2003-51, which discusses cases in which a partial exchange is followed by a surrender, withdrawal or other distribution from either the old contract or the new contract. Notice 2003-51 specifically indicates that the IRS is considering (1) under what circumstances it should treat a partial exchange followed by such a distribution within 24 months as presumptively for "tax avoidance" purposes (e.g., to avoid the income-out-first rules on amounts received under Code Section 72) and (2) what circumstances it should treat as rebutting such a presumption (e.g., death, disability, reaching age 59 1/2, divorce or loss of employment). Notice 2003-51 was superseded by Revenue Procedure 2008-24, effective for partial exchanges completed on or after June 30, 2008. Partial exchanges completed on or after this date will qualify for tax free treatment if: (1) no amounts are withdrawn from, or received in surrender of, either of the contracts involved in the exchange during the 12 months beginning on the date on which amounts are treated as received as premiums or other consideration paid for the contract received in the exchange (the date of transfer); or (2) the taxpayer demonstrates that certain conditions (e.g., death, disability, reaching age 59 1/2, divorce, loss of employment) occurred between the date of transfer and the date of the withdrawal or surrender. A transfer within the scope of the revenue procedure, but not treated as a tax-free exchange, will be treated as a taxable distribution, followed by a payment for a second contract. Two annuity contracts that are the subject of a tax-free exchange pursuant to the revenue procedure will not be aggregated, even if issued by the same insurance company. We advise you to consult with a qualified tax adviser as to potential tax consequences before attempting any partial exchange. The applicability of the IRS's partial exchange guidance to the splitting of an annuity contract is not clear. You should consult with a tax adviser if you plan to split an annuity contract as part of an exchange of annuity contracts. 3. DIVERSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. The Code requires that investments supporting your Contract be adequately diversified. Code Section 817(h) provides that a variable annuity contract will not be treated as an annuity contract for any period during which the investments made by the separate account or Fund are not adequately diversified. If a contract is not treated as an annuity contract, the contract owner will be subject to income tax on annual increases in cash value. The Treasury Department's diversification regulations under Code Section 817(h) require, among other things, that: - no more than 55% of the value of the total assets of the segregated asset account underlying a variable contract is represented by any one investment, - no more than 70% is represented by any two investments, - no more than 80% is represented by any three investments, and - no more than 90% is represented by any four investments. In determining whether the diversification standards are met, all securities of the same issuer, all interests in the same real property project, and all interests in the same commodity are each treated as a single investment. In the case of government securities, each government agency or instrumentality is treated as a separate issuer. A separate account must be in compliance with the diversification standards on the last day of each calendar quarter or within 30 days after the quarter ends. If an insurance company inadvertently fails to meet the diversification requirements, the company may still comply within a reasonable period and avoid the taxation of contract income on an ongoing basis. However, either the insurer or the contract owner must agree to make adjustments or pay such amounts as may be required by the IRS for the period during which the diversification requirements were not met. Fund shares may also be sold to tax-qualified plans pursuant to an exemptive order and applicable tax laws. If Fund shares are sold to non-qualified plans, or to tax-qualified plans that later lose their tax-qualified status, the affected Funds may fail the diversification requirements of Code Section 817(h), which
30 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- could have adverse tax consequences for Contract Owners with premiums allocated to affected Funds. In order to prevent a Fund diversification failure from such an occurrence, the Company obtained a private letter ruling ("PLR") from the IRS. As long as the Funds comply with certain terms and conditions contained in the PLR, Fund diversification will not be prevented if purported tax-qualified plans invest in the Funds. The Company and the Funds will monitor the Funds' compliance with the terms and conditions contained in the PLR. 4. TAX OWNERSHIP OF THE ASSETS IN THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT. In order for a variable annuity contract to qualify for tax income deferral, assets in the separate account supporting the contract must be considered to be owned by the insurance company, and not by the contract owner, for tax purposes. The IRS has stated in published rulings that a variable contract owner will be considered the "owner" of separate account assets for income tax purposes if the contract owner possesses sufficient incidents of ownership in those assets, such as the ability to exercise investment control over the assets. In circumstances where the variable contract owner is treated as the "tax owner" of certain separate account assets, income and gain from such assets would be includable in the variable contract owner's gross income. The Treasury Department indicated in 1986 that it would provide guidance on the extent to which contract owners may direct their investments to particular Sub-Accounts without being treated as tax owners of the underlying shares. Although no such regulations have been issued to date, the IRS has issued a number of rulings that indicate that this issue remains subject to a facts and circumstances test for both variable annuity and life insurance contracts. Rev. Rul. 2003-92, amplified by Rev. Rul. 2007-7, indicates that, where interests in a partnership offered in an insurer's separate account are not available exclusively through the purchase of a variable insurance contract (e.g., where such interests can be purchased directly by the general public or others without going through such a variable contract), such "public availability" means that such interests should be treated as owned directly by the contract owner (and not by the insurer) for tax purposes, as if such contract owner had chosen instead to purchase such interests directly (without going through the variable contract). None of the shares or other interests in the fund choices offered in our Separate Account for your Contract are available for purchase except through an insurer's variable contracts or by other permitted entities. Rev. Rul. 2003-91 indicates that an insurer could provide as many as 20 fund choices for its variable contract owners (each with a general investment strategy, e.g., a small company stock fund or a special industry fund) under certain circumstances, without causing such a contract owner to be treated as the tax owner of any of the Fund assets. The ruling does not specify the number of fund options, if any, that might prevent a variable contract owner from receiving favorable tax treatment. As a result, although the owner of a Contract has more than 20 fund choices, we believe that any owner of a Contract also should receive the same favorable tax treatment. However, there is necessarily some uncertainty here as long as the IRS continues to use a facts and circumstances test for investor control and other tax ownership issues. Therefore, we reserve the right to modify the Contract as necessary to prevent you from being treated as the tax owner of any underlying assets. D. FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING The portion of an amount received under a Contract that is taxable gross income to the Payee is also subject to federal income tax withholding, pursuant to Code Section 3405, which requires the following: 1. Non-Periodic Distributions. The portion of a non-periodic distribution that is includable in gross income is subject to federal income tax withholding unless an individual elects not to have such tax withheld ("election out"). We will provide such an "election out" form at the time such a distribution is requested. If the necessary "election out" form is not submitted to us in a timely manner, generally we are required to withhold 10 percent of the includable amount of distribution and remit it to the IRS. 2. Periodic Distributions (payable over a period greater than one year). The portion of a periodic distribution that is includable in gross income is generally subject to federal income tax withholding as if the Payee were a married individual claiming 3 exemptions, unless the individual elects otherwise. An individual generally may elect out of such withholding, or elect to have income tax withheld at a different rate, by providing a completed election form. We will provide such an election form at the time such a distribution is requested. If the necessary "election out" forms are not submitted to us in a timely manner, we are required to withhold tax as if the recipient were married claiming 3 exemptions, and remit this amount to the IRS. Generally no "election out" is permitted if the distribution is delivered outside the United States and any possession of the United States. Regardless of any "election out" (or any amount of tax actually withheld) on an amount received from a Contract, the Payee is generally liable for any failure to pay the full amount of tax due on the includable portion of such amount received. A Payee also may be required to pay penalties under estimated income tax rules, if the withholding and estimated tax payments are insufficient to satisfy the Payee's total tax liability. E. GENERAL PROVISIONS AFFECTING QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS The Contract may be used for a number of qualified retirement plans. If the Contract is being purchased with respect to some form of qualified retirement plan, please refer to the section entitled "Information Regarding Tax-Qualified Retirement Plans" for information relative to the types of plans for which it may be used and the general explanation of the tax features of such plans.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 31 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- F. ANNUITY PURCHASES BY NONRESIDENT ALIENS AND FOREIGN CORPORATIONS The discussion above provides general information regarding U.S. federal income tax consequences to annuity purchasers that are U.S. citizens or residents. Purchasers that are not U.S. citizens or residents will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax and mandatory withholding on U.S. source taxable annuity distributions at a 30% rate, unless a lower treaty rate applies and any required tax forms are submitted to us. If withholding applies, we are required to withhold tax at the 30% rate, or a lower treaty rate if applicable, and remit it to the IRS. In addition, purchasers may be subject to state premium tax, other state and/or municipal taxes, and taxes that may be imposed by the purchaser's country of citizenship or residence. G. ESTATE, GIFT AND GENERATION-SKIPPING TAX AND RELATED TAX CONSIDERATIONS Any amount payable upon a Contract Owner's death, whether before or after the Annuity Commencement Date, is generally includable in the Contract Owner's estate for federal estate tax purposes. Similarly, prior to the Contract Owner's death, the payment of any amount from the Contract, or the transfer of any interest in the Contract, to a beneficiary or other person for less than adequate consideration may have federal gift tax consequences. In addition, any transfer to, or designation of, a non-Spouse beneficiary who either is (1) 37 1/2 or more years younger than a Contract Owner or (2) a grandchild (or more remote further descendent) of a Contract Owner may have federal generation-skipping-transfer ("GST") tax consequences under Code Section 2601. Regulations under Code Section 2662 may require us to deduct any such GST tax from your Contract, or from any applicable payment, and pay it directly to the IRS. However, any federal estate, gift or GST tax payment with respect to a Contract could produce an offsetting income tax deduction for a beneficiary or transferee under Code Section 691(c) (partially offsetting such federal estate or GST tax) or a basis increase for a beneficiary or transferee under Code Section 691(c) or Section 1015(d). In addition, as indicated above in "Distributions Prior to the Annuity Commencement Date," the transfer of a Contract for less than adequate consideration during the Contract Owner's lifetime generally is treated as producing an amount received by such Contract Owner that is subject to both income tax and the 10% penalty tax. To the extent that such an amount deemed received causes an amount to be includable currently in such Contract Owner's gross income, this same income amount could produce a corresponding increase in such Contract Owner's tax basis for such Contract that is carried over to the transferee's tax basis for such Contract under Code Section 72(e)(4)(C)(iii) and Section 1015. H. TAX DISCLOSURE OBLIGATIONS In some instances certain transactions must be disclosed to the IRS or penalties could apply. See, for example, IRS Notice 2004-67. The Code also requires certain "material advisers" to maintain a list of persons participating in such "reportable transactions," which list must be furnished to the IRS upon request. It is possible that such disclosures could be required by The Company, the Owner(s) or other persons involved in transactions involving annuity contracts. It is the responsibility of each party, in consultation with their tax and legal advisers, to determine whether the particular facts and circumstances warrant such disclosures. INFORMATION REGARDING TAX-QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS This summary does not attempt to provide more than general information about the federal income tax rules associated with use of a Contract by a tax-qualified retirement plan. State income tax rules applicable to tax-qualified retirement plans often differ from federal income tax rules, and this summary does not describe any of these differences. Because of the complexity of the tax rules, owners, participants and beneficiaries are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors as to specific tax consequences. The Contracts are available to a variety of tax-qualified retirement plans and arrangements (a "Qualified Plan" or "Plan"). Tax restrictions and consequences for Contracts or accounts under each type of Qualified Plan differ from each other and from those for Non-Qualified Contracts. In addition, individual Qualified Plans may have terms and conditions that impose additional rules. Therefore, no attempt is made herein to provide more than general information about the use of the Contract with the various types of Qualified Plans. Participants under such Qualified Plans, as well as Contract Owners, annuitants and beneficiaries, are cautioned that the rights of any person to any benefits under such Qualified Plans may be subject to terms and conditions of the Plans themselves or limited by applicable law, regardless of the terms and conditions of the Contract issued in connection therewith. Qualified Plans generally provide for the tax deferral of income regardless of whether the Qualified Plan invests in an annuity or other investment. You should consider if the Contract is a suitable investment if you are investing through a Qualified Plan. THE FOLLOWING IS ONLY A GENERAL DISCUSSION ABOUT TYPES OF QUALIFIED PLANS FOR WHICH THE CONTRACTS MAY BE AVAILABLE. WE ARE NOT THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR FOR ANY QUALIFIED PLAN. THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR OR CUSTODIAN, WHICHEVER IS APPLICABLE, (BUT NOT US) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL PLAN ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, NOTIFICATION OF DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS, DISBURSEMENT OF PLAN BENEFITS, HANDLING ANY PROCESSING AND ADMINISTRATION OF QUALIFIED PLAN LOANS, COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND FEDERAL AND STATE TAX REPORTING OF INCOME/DISTRIBUTIONS FROM THE PLAN TO PLAN PARTICIPANTS AND, IF APPLICABLE, BENEFICIARIES OF PLAN PARTICIPANTS AND IRA CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PLAN PARTICIPANTS. OUR ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES ARE LIMITED TO ADMINISTRATION OF THE CONTRACT AND ANY DISBURSEMENTS OF ANY CONTRACT BENEFITS TO THE OWNER, ANNUITANT OR BENEFICIARY OF THE CONTRACT, AS APPLICABLE. OUR TAX REPORTING RESPONSIBILITY IS LIMITED
32 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TO FEDERAL AND STATE TAX REPORTING OF INCOME/DISTRIBUTIONS TO THE APPLICABLE PAYEE AND IRA CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE OWNER OF A CONTRACT, AS RECORDED ON OUR BOOKS AND RECORDS. IF YOU ARE PURCHASING A CONTRACT THROUGH A QUALIFIED PLAN, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR PLAN ADMINISTRATOR AND/OR A QUALIFIED TAX ADVISER. YOU ALSO SHOULD CONSULT WITH A QUALIFIED TAX ADVISER AND/OR PLAN ADMINISTRATOR BEFORE YOU WITHDRAW ANY PORTION OF YOUR CONTRACT VALUE. The tax rules applicable to Qualified Contracts and Qualified Plans, including restrictions on contributions and distributions, taxation of distributions and tax penalties, vary according to the type of Qualified Plan, as well as the terms and conditions of the Plan itself. Various tax penalties may apply to contributions in excess of specified limits, plan distributions (including loans) that do not comply with specified limits, and certain other transactions relating to such Plans. Accordingly, this summary provides only general information about the tax rules associated with use of a Qualified Contract in such a Qualified Plan. In addition, some Qualified Plans are subject to distribution and other requirements that are not incorporated into our administrative procedures. Owners, participants, and beneficiaries are responsible for determining that contributions, distributions and other transactions comply with applicable tax (and non-tax) law and any applicable Qualified Plan terms. Because of the complexity of these rules, Owners, participants and beneficiaries are advised to consult with a qualified tax adviser as to specific tax consequences. We do not currently offer the Contracts in connection with all of the types of Qualified Plans discussed below, and may not offer the Contracts for all types of Qualified Plans in the future. 1. INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES ("IRAS"). In addition to "traditional" IRAs governed by Code Sections 408(a) and (b) ("Traditional IRAs"), there are Roth IRAs governed by Code Section 408A, SEP IRAs governed by Code Section 408(k), and SIMPLE IRAs governed by Code Section 408(p). Also, Qualified Plans under Code Section 401, 403(b) or 457(b) that include after-tax employee contributions may be treated as deemed IRAs subject to the same rules and limitations as Traditional IRAs. Contributions to each of these types of IRAs are subject to differing limitations. The following is a very general description of each type of IRA for which a Contract is available. a. TRADITIONAL IRAS Traditional IRAs are subject to limits on the amounts that may be contributed each year, the persons who may be eligible, and the time when minimum distributions must begin. Depending upon the circumstances of the individual, contributions to a Traditional IRA may be made on a deductible or non-deductible basis. Failure to make required minimum distributions ("RMDs") when the Owner reaches age 70 1/2 or dies, as described below, may result in imposition of a 50% penalty tax on any excess of the RMD amount over the amount actually distributed. In addition, any amount received before the Owner reaches age 59 1/2 or dies is subject to a 10% penalty tax on premature distributions, unless a special exception applies, as described below. Under Code Section 408(e), an IRA may not be used for borrowing (or as security for any loan) or in certain prohibited transactions, and such a transaction could lead to the complete tax disqualification of an IRA. You (or your surviving spouse if you die) may rollover funds tax-free from certain existing Qualified Plans (such as proceeds from existing insurance contracts, annuity contracts or securities) into a Traditional IRA under certain circumstances, as indicated below. However, mandatory tax withholding of 20% may apply to any eligible rollover distribution from certain types of Qualified Plans if the distribution is not transferred directly to the Traditional IRA. In addition, under Code Section 402(c)(11) a non-spouse "designated beneficiary" of a deceased Plan participant may make a tax-free "direct rollover" (in the form of a direct transfer between Plan fiduciaries, as described below in "Rollover Distributions") from certain Qualified Plans to a Traditional IRA for such beneficiary, but such Traditional IRA must be designated and treated as an "inherited IRA" that remains subject to applicable RMD rules (as if such IRA had been inherited from the deceased Plan participant). In addition, such a Plan is not required to permit such a rollover. IRAs generally may not invest in life insurance contracts. However, an annuity contract that is used as an IRA may provide a death benefit that equals the greater of the premiums paid or the contract's cash value. The Contract offers an enhanced death benefit that may exceed the greater of the Contract Value or total premium payments. The tax rules are unclear as to what extent an IRA can provide a death benefit that exceeds the greater of the IRA's cash value or the sum of the premiums paid and other contributions into the IRA. Please note that the IRA rider for the Contract has provisions that are designed to maintain the Contract's tax qualification as an IRA, and therefore could limit certain benefits under the Contract (including endorsement, rider or option benefits) to maintain the Contract's tax qualification. b. SEP IRAS Code Section 408(k) provides for a Traditional IRA in the form of an employer-sponsored defined contribution plan known as a Simplified Employee Pension ("SEP") or a SEP IRA. A SEP IRA can have employer, and in limited circumstances employee and salary reduction contributions, as well as higher overall contribution limits than a Traditional IRA, but a SEP is also subject to special tax-qualification requirements (e.g., on participation, nondiscrimination and withdrawals) and sanctions. Otherwise, a SEP IRA is generally subject to the same tax rules as for a Traditional IRA, which are described above. Please note that the IRA rider for the Contract has provisions that are designed to maintain the Contract's tax qualification as an IRA, and therefore could limit certain benefits under the Contract (including endorsement, rider or option benefits) to maintain the Contract's tax qualification.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 33 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- c. SIMPLE IRAS The Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees of small employers ("SIMPLE Plan") is a form of an employer-sponsored Qualified Plan that provides IRA benefits for the participating employees ("SIMPLE IRAs"). Depending upon the SIMPLE Plan, employers may make plan contributions into a SIMPLE IRA established by each eligible participant. Like a Traditional IRA, a SIMPLE IRA is subject to the 50% penalty tax for failure to make a full RMD, and to the 10% penalty tax on premature distributions, as described below. In addition, the 10% penalty tax is increased to 25% for amounts received during the 2-year period beginning on the date you first participated in a qualified salary reduction arrangement pursuant to a SIMPLE Plan maintained by your employer under Code Section 408(p)(2). Contributions to a SIMPLE IRA may be either salary deferral contributions or employer contributions, and these are subject to different tax limits from those for a Traditional IRA. Please note that the SIMPLE IRA rider for the Contract has provisions that are designed to maintain the Contract's tax qualification as an SIMPLE IRA, and therefore could limit certain benefits under the Contract (including endorsement, rider or option benefits) to maintain the Contract's tax qualification. A SIMPLE Plan may designate a single financial institution (a Designated Financial Institution) as the initial trustee, custodian or issuer (in the case of an annuity contract) of the SIMPLE IRA set up for each eligible participant. However, any such Plan also must allow each eligible participant to have the balance in his SIMPLE IRA held by the Designated Financial Institution transferred without cost or penalty to a SIMPLE IRA maintained by a different financial institution. Absent a Designated Financial Institution, each eligible participant must select the financial institution to hold his SIMPLE IRA, and notify his employer of this selection. If we do not serve as the Designated Financial Institution for your employer's SIMPLE Plan, for you to use one of our Contracts as a SIMPLE IRA, you need to provide your employer with appropriate notification of such a selection under the SIMPLE Plan. If you choose, you may arrange for a qualifying transfer of any amounts currently held in another SIMPLE IRA for your benefit to your SIMPLE IRA with us. d. ROTH IRAS Code Section 408A permits eligible individuals to establish a Roth IRA. Contributions to a Roth IRA are not deductible, but withdrawals of amounts contributed and the earnings thereon that meet certain requirements are not subject to federal income tax. In general, Roth IRAs are subject to limitations on the amounts that may be contributed by the persons who may be eligible to contribute, certain Traditional IRA restrictions, and certain RMD rules on the death of the Contract Owner. Unlike a Traditional IRA, Roth IRAs are not subject to RMD rules during the Contract Owner's lifetime. Generally, however, upon the Owner's death the amount remaining in a Roth IRA must be distributed by the end of the fifth year after such death or distributed over the life expectancy of a designated beneficiary. The Owner of a Traditional IRA or other qualified plan assets may convert a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA under certain circumstances. The conversion in the year of conversion (special rules apply to 2010 conversions) of a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA will subject the fair market value of the converted Traditional IRA to federal income tax in the year of conversion. In addition to the amount held in the converted Traditional IRA, the fair market value may include the value of additional benefits provided by the annuity contract on the date of conversion, based on reasonable actuarial assumptions. Tax-free rollovers from a Roth IRA can be made only to another Roth IRA under limited circumstances, as indicated below. Distributions from eligible Qualified Plans can be "rolled over" directly (subject to tax) into a Roth IRA under certain circumstances. Anyone considering the purchase of a Qualified Contract as a Roth IRA or a "conversion" Roth IRA should consult with a qualified tax adviser. Please note that the Roth IRA rider for the Contract has provisions that are designed to maintain the Contract's tax qualification as a Roth IRA, and therefore could limit certain benefits under the Contract (including endorsement, rider or option benefits) to maintain the Contract's tax qualification. 2. QUALIFIED PENSION OR PROFIT-SHARING PLAN OR SECTION 401(K) PLAN Provisions of the Code permit eligible employers to establish a tax-qualified pension or profit sharing plan (described in Section 401(a), and Section 401(k) if applicable, and exempt from taxation under Section 501(a)). Such a Plan is subject to limitations on the amounts that may be contributed, the persons who may be eligible to participate, the amounts of "incidental" death benefits, and the time when RMDs must commence. In addition, a Plan's provision of incidental benefits may result in currently taxable income to the participant for some or all of such benefits. Amounts may be rolled over tax-free from a Qualified Plan to another Qualified Plan under certain circumstances, as described below. Anyone considering the use of a Qualified Contract in connection with such a Qualified Plan should seek competent tax and other legal advice. In particular, please note that these tax rules provide for limits on death benefits provided by a Qualified Plan (to keep such death benefits "incidental" to qualified retirement benefits), and a Qualified Plan (or a Qualified Contract) often contains provisions that effectively limit such death benefits to preserve the tax qualification of the Qualified Plan (or Qualified Contract). In addition, various tax-qualification rules for Qualified Plans specifically limit increases in benefits once RMDs begin, and Qualified Contracts are subject to such limits. As a result, the amounts of certain benefits that can be provided by any option under a Qualified Contract may be limited by the provisions of the Qualified Contract or governing Qualified Plan that are designed to preserve its tax qualification. 3. TAX SHELTERED ANNUITY UNDER SECTION 403(B) ("TSA") Code Section 403(b) permits public school employees and employees of certain types of charitable, educational and scientific organizations described in Code Section 501(c)(3) to purchase a "tax-sheltered annuity" ("TSA") contract and, subject to certain limitations, exclude employer contributions to
34 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- a TSA from such an employee's gross income. Generally, total contributions may not exceed the lesser of an annual dollar limit or 100% of the employee's "includable compensation" for the most recent full year of service, subject to other adjustments. There are also legal limits on annual elective deferrals that a participant may be permitted to make under a TSA. In certain cases, such as when the participant is age 50 or older, those limits may be increased. A TSA participant should contact his plan administrator to determine applicable elective contribution limits. Special provisions may allow certain employees different overall limitations. A TSA is subject to a prohibition against distributions from the TSA attributable to contributions made pursuant to a salary reduction agreement, unless such distribution is made: a. after the employee reaches age 59 1/2; b. upon the employee's separation from service; c. upon the employee's death or disability; d. in the case of hardship (as defined in applicable law and in the case of hardship, any income attributable to such contributions may not be distributed); or e. as a qualified reservist distribution upon certain calls to active duty. An employer sponsoring a TSA may impose additional restrictions on your TSA through its plan document. Please note that the TSA rider for the Contract has provisions that are designed to maintain the Contract's tax qualification as a TSA, and therefore could limit certain benefits under the Contract (including endorsement, rider or option benefits) to maintain the Contract's tax qualification. In particular, please note that tax rules provide for limits on death benefits provided by a Qualified Plan (to keep such death benefits "incidental" to qualified retirement benefits), and a Qualified Plan (or a Qualified Contract) often contains provisions that effectively limit such death benefits to preserve the tax qualification of the Qualified Plan (or Qualified Contract). In addition, various tax-qualification rules for Qualified Plans specifically limit increases in benefits once RMDs begin, and Qualified Contracts are subject to such limits. As a result, the amounts of certain benefits that can be provided by any option under a Qualified Contract may be limited by the provisions of the Qualified Contract or governing Qualified Plan that are designed to preserve its tax qualification. In addition, a life insurance contract issued after September 23, 2007 is generally ineligible to qualify as a TSA under Reg. Section 1.403(b)-8(c)(2). Amounts may be rolled over tax-free from a TSA to another TSA or Qualified Plan (or from a Qualified Plan to a TSA) under certain circumstances, as described below. However, effective for TSA contract exchanges after September 24, 2007, Reg. 1.403(b)-10(b) allows a TSA contract of a participant or beneficiary under a TSA Plan to be exchanged tax-free for another eligible TSA contract under that same TSA Plan, but only if all of the following conditions are satisfied: (1) such TSA Plan allows such an exchange, (2) the participant or beneficiary has an accumulated benefit after such exchange that is no less than such participant's or beneficiary's accumulated benefit immediately before such exchange (taking into account such participant's or beneficiary's accumulated benefit under both TSA contracts immediately before such exchange), (3) the second TSA contract is subject to distribution restrictions with respect to the participant that are no less stringent than those imposed on the TSA contract being exchanged, and (4) the employer for such TSA Plan enters into an agreement with the issuer of the second TSA contract under which such issuer and employer will provide each other from time to time with certain information necessary for such second TSA contract (or any other TSA contract that has contributions from such employer) to satisfy the TSA requirements under Code Section 403(b) and other federal tax requirements (e.g., plan loan conditions under Code Section 72(p) to avoid deemed distributions). Such necessary information could include information about the participant's employment, information about other Qualified Plans of such employer, and whether a severance has occurred, or hardship rules are satisfied, for purposes of the TSA distribution restrictions. Consequently, you are advised to consult with a qualified tax advisor before attempting any such TSA exchange, particularly because it requires an agreement between the employer and issuer to provide each other with certain information. We are no longer accepting any incoming exchange request, or new contract application, for any individual TSA contract. 4. DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS UNDER SECTION 457 ("SECTION 457 PLANS") Certain governmental employers, or tax-exempt employers other than a governmental entity, can establish a Deferred Compensation Plan under Code Section 457. For these purposes, a "governmental employer" is a State, a political subdivision of a State, or an agency or an instrumentality of a State or political subdivision of a State. A Deferred Compensation Plan that meets the requirements of Code Section 457(b) is called an "Eligible Deferred Compensation Plan" or "Section 457(b) Plan." Code Section 457(b) limits the amount of contributions that can be made to an Eligible Deferred Compensation Plan on behalf of a participant. Generally, the limitation on contributions is the lesser of (1) 100% of a participant's includible compensation or (2) the applicable dollar amount ($16,500 for 2010). The Plan may provide for additional "catch-up" contributions. In addition, under Code Section 457(d) a Section 457(b) Plan may not make amounts available for distribution to participants or beneficiaries before (1) the calendar year in which the participant attains age 70 1/2, (2) the participant has a severance from employment (including death), or (3) the participant is faced with an unforeseeable emergency (as determined in accordance with regulations). Under Code Section 457(g) all of the assets and income of an Eligible Deferred Compensation Plan for a governmental employer must be held in trust for the exclusive benefit of participants and their beneficiaries. For this purpose, annuity contracts and custodial accounts described in Code Section 401(f) are treated as trusts. This trust requirement does
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 35 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- not apply to amounts under an Eligible Deferred Compensation Plan of a tax-exempt (non-governmental) employer. In addition, this trust requirement does not apply to amounts held under a Deferred Compensation Plan of a governmental employer that is not a Section 457(b) Plan. Where the trust requirement does not apply, amounts held under a Section 457 Plan must remain subject to the claims of the employer's general creditors under Code Section 457(b)(6). 5. TAXATION OF AMOUNTS RECEIVED FROM QUALIFIED PLANS Except under certain circumstances in the case of Roth IRAs or Roth accounts in Qualified plans, amounts received from Qualified Contracts or Plans generally are taxed as ordinary income under Code Section 72, to the extent that they are not treated as a tax-free recovery of after-tax contributions or other "investment in the contract." For annuity payments and other amounts received after the Annuity Commencement Date from a Qualified Contract or Plan, the tax rules for determining what portion of each amount received represents a tax-free recovery of "investment in the contract" are generally the same as for Non-Qualified Contracts, as described above. For non-periodic amounts from certain Qualified Contracts or Plans, Code Section 72(e)(8) provides special rules that generally treat a portion of each amount received as a tax-free recovery of the "investment in the contract," based on the ratio of the "investment in the contract" over the Contract Value at the time of distribution. However, in determining such a ratio, certain aggregation rules may apply and may vary, depending on the type of Qualified Contract or Plan. For instance, all Traditional IRAs owned by the same individual are generally aggregated for these purposes, but such an aggregation does not include any IRA inherited by such individual or any Roth IRA owned by such individual. In addition, penalty taxes, mandatory tax withholding or rollover rules may apply to amounts received from a Qualified Contract or Plan, as indicated below, and certain exclusions may apply to certain distributions (e.g., distributions from an eligible Government Plan to pay qualified health insurance premiums of an eligible retired public safety officer). Accordingly, you are advised to consult with a qualified tax adviser before taking or receiving any amount (including a loan) from a Qualified Contract or Plan. 6. PENALTY TAXES FOR QUALIFIED PLANS Unlike Non-Qualified Contracts, Qualified Contracts are subject to federal penalty taxes not just on premature distributions, but also on excess contributions and failures to make required minimum distributions ("RMDs"). Penalty taxes on excess contributions can vary by type of Qualified Plan and which person made the excess contribution (e.g., employer or an employee). The penalty taxes on premature distributions and failures to make timely RMDs are more uniform, and are described in more detail below. a. PENALTY TAXES ON PREMATURE DISTRIBUTIONS Code Section 72(t) imposes a penalty income tax equal to 10% of the taxable portion of a distribution from certain types of Qualified Plans that is made before the employee reaches age 59 1/2. However, this 10% penalty tax does not apply to a distribution that is either: (i) made to a beneficiary (or to the employee's estate) on or after the employee's death; (ii) attributable to the employee's becoming disabled under Code Section 72(m)(7); (iii) part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually -- "SEPPs") made for the life (or life expectancy) of the employee or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of such employee and a designated beneficiary ("SEPP Exception"), and for certain Qualified Plans (other than IRAs) such a series must begin after the employee separates from service; (iv) (except for IRAs) made to an employee after separation from service after reaching age 55 (or made after age 50 in the case of a qualified public safety employee separated from certain government plans); (v) (except for IRAs) made to an alternate payee pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order under Code Section 414(p) (a similar exception for IRAs in Code Section 408(d)(6) covers certain transfers for the benefit of a spouse or ex-spouse); (vi) not greater than the amount allowable as a deduction to the employee for eligible medical expenses during the taxable year; or (vii) certain qualified reservist distributions under Code Section 72(t)(2)(G) upon a call to active duty. In addition, the 10% penalty tax does not apply to a distribution from an IRA that is either: (viii) made after separation from employment to an unemployed IRA owner for health insurance premiums, if certain conditions are met; (ix) not in excess of the amount of certain qualifying higher education expenses, as defined by Code Section 72(t)(7); or (x) for a qualified first-time home buyer and meets the requirements of Code Section 72(t)(8). If the taxpayer avoids this 10% penalty tax by qualifying for the SEPP Exception and later such series of payments is modified (other than by death or disability), the 10% penalty tax will be applied retroactively to all the prior periodic payments (i.e., penalty tax plus interest thereon), unless such modification is made after both (a) the employee has reached age 59 1/2 and (b) 5 years have elapsed since the first of these periodic payments.
36 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For any premature distribution from a SIMPLE IRA during the first 2 years that an individual participates in a salary reduction arrangement maintained by that individual's employer under a SIMPLE Plan, the 10% penalty tax rate is increased to 25%. b. RMDS AND 50% PENALTY TAX If the amount distributed from a Qualified Contract or Plan is less than the amount of the required minimum distribution ("RMD") for the year, the participant is subject to a 50% penalty tax on the amount that has not been timely distributed. An individual's interest in a Qualified Plan generally must be distributed, or begin to be distributed, not later than the Required Beginning Date. Generally, the Required Beginning Date is April 1 of the calendar year following the later of -- (i) the calendar year in which the individual attains age 70 1/2, or (ii) (except in the case of an IRA or a 5% owner, as defined in the Code) the calendar year in which a participant retires from service with the employer sponsoring a Qualified Plan that allows such a later Required Beginning Date. A special rule applies to individuals who attained age 70 1/2 in 2009. Such individuals should consult with a qualified tax adviser before taking RMDs in 2010. The entire interest of the individual must be distributed beginning no later than the Required Beginning Date over -- (a) the life of the individual or the lives of the individual and a designated beneficiary (as specified in the Code), or (b) over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of the individual or the joint life expectancy of the individual and a designated beneficiary. If an individual dies before reaching the Required Beginning Date, the individual's entire interest generally must be distributed within 5 years after the individual's death. However, this RMD rule will be deemed satisfied if distributions begin before the close of the calendar year following the individual's death to a designated beneficiary and distribution is over the life of such designated beneficiary (or over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of such beneficiary). If such beneficiary is the individual's surviving spouse, distributions may be delayed until the deceased individual would have attained age 70 1/2. If an individual dies after RMDs have begun for such individual, any remainder of the individual's interest generally must be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution in effect at the time of the individual's death. The RMD rules that apply while the Contract Owner is alive do not apply with respect to Roth IRAs. The RMD rules applicable after the death of the Owner apply to all Qualified Plans, including Roth IRAs. In addition, if the Owner of a Traditional or Roth IRA dies and the Owner's surviving spouse is the sole designated beneficiary, this surviving spouse may elect to treat the Traditional or Roth IRA as his or her own. The RMD amount for each year is determined generally by dividing the account balance by the applicable life expectancy. This account balance is generally based upon the account value as of the close of business on the last day of the previous calendar year. RMD incidental benefit rules also may require a larger annual RMD amount, particularly when distributions are made over the joint lives of the Owner and an individual other than his or her spouse. RMDs also can be made in the form of annuity payments that satisfy the rules set forth in Regulations under the Code relating to RMDs. In addition, in computing any RMD amount based on a contract's account value, such account value must include the actuarial value of certain additional benefits provided by the contract. As a result, electing an optional benefit under a Qualified Contract may require the RMD amount for such Qualified Contract to be increased each year, and expose such additional RMD amount to the 50% penalty tax for RMDs if such additional RMD amount is not timely distributed. 7. TAX WITHHOLDING FOR QUALIFIED PLANS Distributions from a Qualified Contract or Qualified Plan generally are subject to federal income tax withholding requirements. These federal income tax withholding requirements, including any "elections out" and the rate at which withholding applies, generally are the same as for periodic and non-periodic distributions from a Non-Qualified Contract, as described above, except where the distribution is an "eligible rollover distribution" from a Qualified Plan (described below in "ROLLOVER DISTRIBUTIONS"). In the latter case, tax withholding is mandatory at a rate of 20% of the taxable portion of the "eligible rollover distribution," to the extent it is not directly rolled over to an IRA or other Eligible Retirement Plan (described below in "ROLLOVER DISTRIBUTIONS"). Payees cannot elect out of this mandatory 20% withholding in the case of such an "eligible rollover distribution." Also, special withholding rules apply with respect to distributions from non-governmental Section 457(b) Plans, and to distributions made to individuals who are neither citizens nor resident aliens of the United States. Regardless of any "election out" (or any actual amount of tax actually withheld) on an amount received from a Qualified Contract or Plan, the payee is generally liable for any failure to pay the full amount of tax due on the includable portion of such amount received. A payee also may be required to pay penalties under estimated income tax rules, if the withholding and estimated tax payments are insufficient to satisfy the payee's total tax liability. 8. ROLLOVER DISTRIBUTIONS The current tax rules and limits for tax-free rollovers and transfers between Qualified Plans vary according to (1) the type of transferor Plan and transferee Plan, (2) whether the amount involved is transferred directly between Plan (a "direct transfer" or a "direct rollover") or is distributed first to a participant or
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 37 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- beneficiary who then transfers that amount back into another eligible Plan within 60 days (a "60-day rollover"), and (3) whether the distribution is made to a participant, spouse or other beneficiary. Accordingly, we advise you to consult with a qualified tax adviser before receiving any amount from a Qualified Contract or Plan or attempting some form of rollover or transfer with a Qualified Contract or Plan. For instance, generally any amount can be transferred directly from one type of Qualified Plan to the same type of Plan for the benefit of the same individual, without limit (or federal income tax), if the transferee Plan is subject to the same kinds of restrictions as the transfer or Plan and certain other conditions to maintain the applicable tax qualification are satisfied. Such a "direct transfer" between the same kinds of Plan is generally not treated as any form of "distribution" out of such a Plan for federal income tax purposes. By contrast, an amount distributed from one type of Plan into a different type of Plan (e.g., a Traditional IRA) generally is treated as a "distribution" out of the first Plan for federal income tax purposes, and therefore to avoid being subject to such tax, such a distribution must qualify either as a "direct rollover" (made directly to another Plan) or as a "60-day rollover." The tax restrictions and other rules for a "direct rollover" and a "60-day rollover" are similar in many ways, but if any "eligible rollover distribution" made from certain types of Qualified Plan is not transferred directly to another Plan by a "direct rollover," then it is subject to mandatory 20% withholding, even if it is later contributed to that same Plan in a "60-day rollover" by the recipient. If any amount less than 100% of such a distribution (e.g., the net amount after the 20% withholding) is transferred to another Plan in a "60-day rollover", the missing amount that is not rolled over remains subject to normal income tax plus any applicable penalty tax. Under Code Sections 402(f)(2)(A) and 3405(c)(3) an "eligible rollover distribution" (which is both eligible for rollover treatment and subject to 20% mandatory withholding absent a "direct rollover") is generally any distribution to an employee of any portion (or all) of the balance to the employee's credit in any of the following types of "Eligible Retirement Plan": (1) a Qualified Plan under Code Section 401(a) ("Qualified 401(a) Plan"), (2) a qualified annuity plan under Code Section 403(a) ("Qualified Annuity Plan"), (3) a TSA under Code Section 403(b), or (4) a governmental Section 457(b) Plan. However, an "eligible rollover distribution" does not include any distribution that is either -- a. an RMD amount; b. one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) made either (i) for the life (or life expectancy) of the employee or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the employee and a designated beneficiary, or (ii) for a specified period of 10 years or more; or c. any distribution made upon hardship of the employee. Before making an "eligible rollover distribution," a Plan administrator generally is required under Code Section 402(f) to provide the recipient with advance written notice of the "direct rollover" and "60-day rollover" rules and the distribution's exposure to the 20% mandatory withholding if it is not made by "direct rollover." Generally, under Code Sections 402(c), 403(b)(8) and 457 (e)(16), a "direct rollover" or a "60-day rollover" of an "eligible rollover distribution" can be made to a Traditional IRA or to another Eligible Retirement Plan that agrees to accept such a rollover. However, the maximum amount of an "eligible rollover distribution" that can qualify for a tax-free "60-day rollover" is limited to the amount that otherwise would be includable in gross income. By contrast, a "direct rollover" of an "eligible rollover distribution" can include after-tax contributions as well, if the direct rollover is made either to a Traditional IRA or to another form of Eligible Retirement Plan that agrees to account separately for such a rollover, including accounting for such after-tax amounts separately from the otherwise taxable portion of this rollover. Separate accounting also is required for all amounts (taxable or not) that are rolled into a governmental Section 457(b) Plan from either a Qualified Section 401(a) Plan, Qualified Annuity Plan, TSA or IRA. These amounts, when later distributed from the governmental Section 457(b) Plan, are subject to any premature distribution penalty tax applicable to distributions from such a "predecessor" Qualified Plan. Rollover rules for distributions from IRAs under Code Sections 408(d)(3) and 408A(d)(3) also vary according to the type of transferor IRA and type of transferee IRA or other Plan. For instance, generally no tax-free "direct rollover" or "60-day rollover" can be made between a "NonRoth IRA" (Traditional, SEP or SIMPLE IRA) and a Roth IRA, and a transfer from NonRoth IRA to a Roth IRA, or a "conversion" of a NonRoth IRA to a Roth IRA, is subject to special rules. In addition, generally no tax-free "direct rollover" or "60-day rollover" can be made between an "inherited IRA" (NonRoth or Roth) for a beneficiary and an IRA set up by that same individual as the original owner. Generally, any amount other than an RMD distributed from a Traditional or SEP IRA is eligible for a "direct rollover" or a "60-day rollover" to another Traditional IRA for the same individual. Similarly, any amount other than an RMD distributed from a Roth IRA is generally eligible for a "direct rollover" or a "60-day rollover" to another Roth IRA for the same individual. However, in either case such a tax-free 60-day rollover is limited to 1 per year (365-day period); whereas no 1-year limit applies to any such "direct rollover." Similar rules apply to a "direct rollover" or a "60-day rollover" of a distribution from a SIMPLE IRA to another SIMPLE IRA or a Traditional IRA, except that any distribution of employer contributions from a SIMPLE IRA during the initial 2-year period in which the individual participates in the employer's SIMPLE Plan is generally disqualified (and subject to the 25% penalty tax on premature distributions) if it is not rolled into another SIMPLE IRA for that individual. Amounts other than RMDs distributed from a Traditional or SEP IRA (or SIMPLE IRA after the initial 2-year period) also are eligible for a "direct rollover" or a "60-day rollover" to an Eligible Retirement Plan (e.g., a TSA) that accepts such a rollover, but any such rollover is limited to the amount of the distribution that otherwise would
38 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- be includable in gross income (i.e., after-tax contributions are not eligible). Special rules also apply to transfers or rollovers for the benefit of a spouse (or ex-spouse) or a nonspouse designated beneficiary, Plan distributions of property, and obtaining a waiver of the 60-day limit for a tax-free rollover from the IRS. The Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005 (KETRA) allows certain amounts to be recontributed within three years as a rollover contribution to a plan from which a KETRA distribution was taken.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 39 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUES (FOR AN ACCUMULATION UNIT OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD) The following information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements for the Separate Account included in the Statement of Additional Information, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. AS OF DECEMBER 31, SUB-ACCOUNT 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HARTFORD ADVISERS HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $9.724 $14.403 $13.677 $12.510 $11.813 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $12.512 $9.724 $14.403 $13.677 $12.510 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 62 72 90 136 191 HARTFORD CAPITAL APPRECIATION HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $1.352 $2.517 $2.181 $1.894 $1.660 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $1.945 $1.352 $2.517 $2.181 $1.894 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 393 576 736 853 947 HARTFORD DISCIPLINED EQUITY HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $8.087 $13.055 $12.201 $10.987 $10.438 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $10.035 $8.087 $13.055 $12.201 $10.987 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 44 61 75 105 156 HARTFORD DIVIDEND AND GROWTH HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $2.789 $4.179 $3.909 $3.289 $3.139 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $3.434 $2.789 $4.179 $3.909 $3.289 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 68 50 83 84 22 HARTFORD EQUITY INCOME HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $1.065 $1.514 $1.434 $1.202 $1.173 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $1.238 $1.065 $1.514 $1.434 $1.202 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 75 82 116 139 6 HARTFORD FUNDAMENTAL GROWTH HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $0.769 $1.325 $1.165 $1.076 $0.993 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $1.082 $0.769 $1.325 $1.165 $1.076 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 1 1 15 13 13 HARTFORD GLOBAL ADVISERS HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $1.561 $2.341 $2.034 $1.892 $1.794 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $1.888 $1.561 $2.341 $2.034 $1.892 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) -- -- -- -- -- HARTFORD GLOBAL GROWTH HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $7.529 $16.036 $12.985 $11.519 $11.369 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $10.085 $7.529 $16.036 $12.985 $11.519 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 32 41 53 69 86 AS OF DECEMBER 31, SUB-ACCOUNT 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- HARTFORD ADVISERS HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $11.529 $9.853 $11.572 $12.288 $12.537 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $11.813 $11.529 $9.853 $11.572 $12.288 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 266 352 487 729 848 HARTFORD CAPITAL APPRECIATION HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $1.408 $1.000 -- -- -- Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $1.660 $1.408 -- -- -- Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 947 483 -- -- -- HARTFORD DISCIPLINED EQUITY HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $9.749 $7.663 $10.299 $11.338 $12.167 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $10.438 $9.749 $7.663 $10.299 $11.338 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 191 222 248 246 276 HARTFORD DIVIDEND AND GROWTH HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period -- -- -- -- -- Accumulation Unit Value at end of period -- -- -- -- -- Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) -- -- -- -- -- HARTFORD EQUITY INCOME HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period -- -- -- -- -- Accumulation Unit Value at end of period -- -- -- -- -- Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) -- -- -- -- -- HARTFORD FUNDAMENTAL GROWTH HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period -- -- -- -- -- Accumulation Unit Value at end of period -- -- -- -- -- Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) -- -- -- -- -- HARTFORD GLOBAL ADVISERS HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period -- -- -- -- -- Accumulation Unit Value at end of period -- -- -- -- -- Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) -- -- -- -- -- HARTFORD GLOBAL GROWTH HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $9.659 $7.214 $9.075 $11.016 $12.003 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $11.369 $9.659 $7.214 $9.075 $11.016 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 103 121 147 170 243
40 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AS OF DECEMBER 31, SUB-ACCOUNT 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HARTFORD GROWTH HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $0.886 $1.541 $1.336 $1.293 $1.232 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $1.174 $0.886 $1.541 $1.336 $1.293 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 16 16 12 21 -- HARTFORD GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $12.755 $23.770 $18.564 $16.776 $14.605 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $16.326 $12.755 $23.770 $18.564 $16.776 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 89 49 74 105 134 HARTFORD HIGH YIELD HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $8.800 $11.918 $11.740 $10.694 $10.603 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $13.076 $8.800 $11.918 $11.740 $10.694 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 14 17 26 34 30 HARTFORD INDEX HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $8.090 $13.025 $12.537 $10.995 $10.654 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $10.078 $8.090 $13.025 $12.537 $10.995 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 73 92 116 170 215 HARTFORD INTERNATIONAL GROWTH HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $0.861 $2.018 $1.649 $1.345 $1.181 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $1.094 $0.861 $2.018 $1.649 $1.345 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 30 41 82 56 19 HARTFORD INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $1.572 $2.757 $2.191 $1.782 $1.575 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $2.072 $1.572 $2.757 $2.191 $1.782 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 335 374 524 378 249 HARTFORD INTERNATIONAL SMALL COMPANY HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $1.403 $2.468 $2.292 $1.795 $1.558 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $1.913 $1.403 $2.468 $2.292 $1.795 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 8 11 212 214 22 HARTFORD MIDCAP GROWTH HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $8.799 $16.763 $15.203 $13.711 $13.280 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $12.849 $8.799 $16.763 $15.203 $13.711 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 16 23 28 37 47 HARTFORD MONEY MARKET HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $12.505 $12.398 $11.962 $11.568 $11.390 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $12.358 $12.505 $12.398 $11.962 $11.568 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 39 63 65 61 79 AS OF DECEMBER 31, SUB-ACCOUNT 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- HARTFORD GROWTH HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period -- -- -- -- -- Accumulation Unit Value at end of period -- -- -- -- -- Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) -- -- -- -- -- HARTFORD GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $12.620 $8.887 $12.438 $16.327 $15.898 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $14.605 $12.620 $8.887 $12.438 $16.327 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 173 200 246 327 399 HARTFORD HIGH YIELD HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $9.996 $8.217 $8.932 $8.807 $8.827 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $10.603 $9.996 $8.217 $8.932 $8.807 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 43 77 59 93 72 HARTFORD INDEX HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $9.772 $7.723 $10.083 $11.644 $13.028 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $10.654 $9.772 $7.723 $10.083 $11.644 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 322 413 501 642 830 HARTFORD INTERNATIONAL GROWTH HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period -- -- -- -- -- Accumulation Unit Value at end of period -- -- -- -- -- Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) -- -- -- -- -- HARTFORD INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $1.350 $1.000 -- -- -- Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $1.575 $1.350 -- -- -- Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 346 379 -- -- -- HARTFORD INTERNATIONAL SMALL COMPANY HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period -- -- -- -- -- Accumulation Unit Value at end of period -- -- -- -- -- Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) -- -- -- -- -- HARTFORD MIDCAP GROWTH HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $11.918 $9.208 $10.725 $11.333 $10.555 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $13.280 $11.918 $9.208 $10.725 $11.333 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 63 90 126 151 139 HARTFORD MONEY MARKET HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $11.425 $11.483 $11.459 $11.171 $10.662 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $11.390 $11.425 $11.483 $11.459 $11.171 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 143 228 515 743 646
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 41 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AS OF DECEMBER 31, SUB-ACCOUNT 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HARTFORD SMALLCAP GROWTH HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $11.700 $18.933 $19.530 $18.507 $16.879 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $15.644 $11.700 $18.933 $19.530 $18.507 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 26 31 37 51 83 HARTFORD SMALLCAP VALUE HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $16.950 $24.297 $25.746 $22.035 $20.638 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $21.548 $16.950 $24.297 $25.746 $22.035 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 53 57 61 74 97 HARTFORD STOCK HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $0.943 $1.678 $1.605 $1.417 $1.309 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $1.318 $0.943 $1.678 $1.605 $1.417 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 74 95 154 216 204 HARTFORD TOTAL RETURN BOND HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $13.235 $14.508 $14.035 $13.560 $13.403 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $15.033 $13.235 $14.508 $14.035 $13.560 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 72 71 68 88 104 HARTFORD U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $13.913 $14.180 $13.756 $13.391 $13.352 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $14.205 $13.913 $14.180 $13.756 $13.391 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 84 122 106 200 199 HARTFORD VALUE HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $0.956 $1.467 $1.363 $1.133 $1.083 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $1.174 $0.956 $1.467 $1.363 $1.133 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 15 29 39 49 8 HARTFORD VALUE OPPORTUNITIES HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $9.705 $16.673 $18.017 $15.328 $14.328 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $14.065 $9.705 $16.673 $18.017 $15.328 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 26 42 60 75 98 AS OF DECEMBER 31, SUB-ACCOUNT 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- HARTFORD SMALLCAP GROWTH HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $14.807 $9.991 $14.216 $18.036 $21.505 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $16.879 $14.807 $9.991 $14.216 $18.036 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 109 142 164 218 352 HARTFORD SMALLCAP VALUE HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $18.334 $13.408 $16.003 $13.392 $10.677 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $20.638 $18.334 $13.408 $16.003 $13.392 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 93 125 163 257 190 HARTFORD STOCK HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $1.273 $1.000 -- -- -- Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $1.309 $1.273 -- -- -- Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 264 285 -- -- -- HARTFORD TOTAL RETURN BOND HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $12.972 $12.179 $11.202 $10.437 $9.437 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $13.403 $12.972 $12.179 $11.202 $10.437 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 118 112 153 156 126 HARTFORD U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $13.246 $13.131 $12.007 $11.307 $10.243 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $13.352 $13.246 $13.131 $12.007 $11.307 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 352 457 657 605 473 HARTFORD VALUE HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period -- -- -- -- -- Accumulation Unit Value at end of period -- -- -- -- -- Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) -- -- -- -- -- HARTFORD VALUE OPPORTUNITIES HLS FUND WITHOUT ANY OPTIONAL BENEFITS Accumulation Unit Value at beginning of period $12.205 $8.710 $11.753 $12.212 $10.435 Accumulation Unit Value at end of period $14.328 $12.205 $8.710 $11.753 $12.212 Number of Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in thousands) 118 133 170 256 151
42 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ITEM 3. RISK FACTORS Certain factors may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and you should carefully consider them. It is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Amounts in this section are presented in U.S. dollars and in thousands, except for number of shares. GENERAL ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL MARKET AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITIONS. General economic, financial market and political conditions may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. These may include, among others, insurance industry cycles, fluctuations in industry rates, monetary policy, demographics, and legislative and competitive factors. Recently, concerns over inflation, energy costs, geopolitical issues, the availability and cost of credit, the declining global mortgage and real estate markets, the loss of consumer confidence and a reduction in consumer spending have contributed to increased volatility and diminished expectations for the economy and the markets going forward. These factors, combined with increased unemployment, have precipitated an economic slowdown and fears of a global recession. This may affect our operational results in various ways, including but not limited to the following: - individuals and businesses (i) may choose not to purchase our insurance products and other related products and services, (ii) may terminate existing policies or contracts or permit them to lapse, (iii) may choose to reduce the amount of coverage purchased, or (iv) in the case of business customers of Assurant Employee Benefits, may have fewer employees requiring insurance coverage due to reductions in their staffing levels; - disability insurance claims and claims on other specialized insurance products tend to rise; or - clients are more likely to experience financial distress or to declare bankruptcy or liquidation, which could have a material and adverse impact on the remittance of premiums and the collection of receivables such as unearned premiums. For the fiscal year ended on December 31, 2009, the Company recognized net realized losses on fixed maturity and equity securities totaling $13,931 after tax and reported gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity and equity securities of $66,061. If the recent economic downturn continues to negatively affect companies, industry sectors or countries, the Company may have additional investment losses and further increases in other-than-temporary impairments. As part of the Parent's process, our investment portfolio is regularly monitored to ensure investments that may be other-than-temporarily impaired are identified in a timely fashion, properly valued, and any impairments are charged against earnings in the proper period. Assessment factors include, but are not limited to, the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost, the financial condition and rating of the issuer, whether any collateral is held, and the intent and ability of the Company to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery. However, the determination that a security has incurred an other-than-temporary decline in value requires the judgment of management. Inherently, there are risks and uncertainties involved in making these judgments. Therefore, changes in facts and circumstances and critical assumptions could also result in management's decision that further impairments have occurred. A.M. BEST, MOODY'S, AND S&P RATE THE FINANCIAL STRENGTH OF THE COMPANY, AND A DECLINE IN THESE RATINGS COULD AFFECT OUR STANDING IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY AND CAUSE OUR SALES AND EARNINGS TO DECREASE. Ratings are an increasingly important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies. A.M. Best, Moody's and S&P ratings reflect their opinions of our financial strength, operating performance, strategic position and ability to meet our obligations to policyholders. These ratings are subject to periodic review by A.M. Best, Moody's, and S&P, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to retain these ratings. In 2008, A.M. Best downgraded our financial strength ratings and issuer credit ratings from "A" to "A-" and from "a" to "a-", respectively. Additionally, S&P lowered our counterparty credit and financial strength ratings from "A" to "A-". Given recent economic developments that have negatively affected the entire insurance industry, we believe that we could be more susceptible to ratings downgrades. If our ratings are lowered from their current levels by A.M. Best, Moody's, or S&P, our competitive position in the respective insurance industry segments could be negatively impacted and it could be more difficult for us to market our products. Rating agencies may take action to lower our ratings in the future due to, among other things, perceived concerns about our liquidity or solvency, the competitive environment in the insurance industry, which may adversely affect our revenues, the inherent uncertainty in determining reserves for future claims, which may cause us to increase our reserves for claims, the outcome of pending litigation and regulatory investigations, which may adversely affect our financial position and reputation and possible changes in the methodology or criteria applied by the rating agencies. In addition, rating agencies have come under recent scrutiny over their ratings on various mortgage-backed products. As a result, they may have become more conservative in their methodology and criteria, which could adversely affect our ratings. Finally, rating agencies or regulators could increase capital requirements for the Company or its subsidiaries, which in turn could negatively affect our financial position as well.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 43 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As customers and their advisors place importance on our financial strength ratings, we may lose customers and compete less successfully if we are downgraded. In addition, ratings impact our ability to attract investment capital on favorable terms. If our financial strength ratings are reduced from their current levels by A.M. Best, Moody's, or S&P, our cost of borrowing would likely increase, our sales and earnings could decrease and our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. As of December 31, 2009, contracts representing approximately 4% of the Company's net earned premiums contain provisions requiring the Company to maintain minimum A.M. Best financial strength ratings of "A-" or better. The Company's clients may terminate the agreements and in some instances recapture in force business if the Company's ratings fall below "A-". OUR EARNINGS COULD BE MATERIALLY AFFECTED BY AN IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL. If we experience a decline in our results of operations and cash flows, or other indicators of impairment exist, we may incur a material non-cash charge to earnings relating to impairment of our goodwill, which could have a material adverse effect on our results. In the fourth quarter of 2009, we conducted our annual assessment of goodwill using the methodologies discussed above. After completing the Step 1 analysis, we determined that the Company had an estimated fair value less than its net book value. Accordingly, Management performed a Step 2 test for the Company. Step 2 utilizes acquisition accounting guidance and requires the fair value calculation of all individual assets and liabilities of the Company (excluding goodwill, but including any unrecognized intangible assets). The net fair value of assets less liabilities was then compared to the Company's total estimated fair value as calculated in Step 1. The excess of fair value over the net asset value equals the implied fair value of goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill was then compared to the carrying value of goodwill to determine the Company's impairment. Based on our Step 2 test it was determined that $75,244 of goodwill of the Company was impaired, resulting in a non-cash charge. This impairment reflects the challenging near term growth environment for the Company and an increased net book value, primarily related to its investment portfolio. Please see the section entitled "Management's Discussion & Analysis -- Valuation and Recoverability of Goodwill" for more information. Union Security is also subject to additional risks associated with its business. These risks include, among others: - RELIANCE ON RELATIONSHIPS WITH SIGNIFICANT CLIENTS, DISTRIBUTORS AND OTHER PARTIES. If our significant clients, distributors and other parties with which we do business decline to renew or seek to terminate our relationships or contractual arrangements, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. We are also subject to the risk that these parties may face financial difficulties, reputational issues or problems with respect to their own products and services, which may lead to decreased sales of products and services. - FAILURE TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN SALES REPRESENTATIVES OR DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN DISTRIBUTION SOURCES. Our sales representatives interface with clients and third party distributors. Our inability to attract and retain our sales representatives or an interruption in, or changes to, our relationships with various third-party distributors could impair our ability to compete and market our insurance products and services and materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, our ability to market our products and services depends on our ability to tailor our channels of distribution to comply with changes in the regulatory environment. - FAILURE TO ACCURATELY PREDICT BENEFITS AND OTHER COSTS AND CLAIMS. We may be unable to accurately predict benefits, claims and other costs or to manage such costs through our loss limitation methods, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition if claims substantially exceed our expectations. - CHANGES IN REGULATION. Legislation or other regulatory reform that increases the regulatory requirements imposed on us or that changes the way we are able to do business may significantly harm our business or results of operations in the future. During 2009 and early 2010, health care reform was a major initiative of President Obama and the U.S. Congress. Certain health reform legislation that would address the affordability and availability of health insurance and reduce the number of uninsureds was passed by the Senate in 2009 and by the House of Representatives on March 21, 2010. President Obama subsequently signed the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" on March 23, 2010. While Assurant is still assessing the exact impact of this reform, we believe it could materially affect Assurant's business, particularly the health and employee benefits businesses, by, among other things, increasing costs, affecting our distribution, exposing us to expanded liability, requiring us to modify the way in which we conduct business or putting us at risk for loss of business. Additionally, our operating results and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected by this reform. - REINSURERS' FAILURE TO FULFILL OBLIGATIONS. In the past, the Parent has sold, and in the future the Parent may sell, businesses through reinsurance ceded to third parties. For example, in 2001 the Parent sold the insurance operations of its FFG division to The Hartford and in 2000 we sold our LTC division to John Hancock, now a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation. Most of the assets backing reserves coinsured under these sales are held in trusts or separate
44 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- accounts. However, if the reinsurers become insolvent, we would be exposed to the risk that the assets in the trust and/or the separate accounts would be insufficient to support the liabilities that would revert to us. The A.M. Best ratings of The Hartford and John Hancock are currently A and A+, respectively. A.M. Best maintains a negative outlook on the issuer credit and financial strength ratings of The Hartford. The A.M. Best ratings of John Hancock are stable. We also have the risk of becoming responsible for administering these businesses in the event of reinsurer insolvency. We do not currently have the administrative systems and capabilities to process this business. Accordingly, we would need to obtain those capabilities in the event of an insolvency of one or more of the reinsurers of these businesses. We might be forced to obtain such capabilities on unfavorable terms with a resulting material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. - CREDIT RISK OF SOME OF OUR AGENTS. We advance agents' commissions as part of our preneed insurance product offerings. These advances are a percentage of the total face amount of coverage as opposed to a percentage of the first-year premium paid, the formula that is more common in other life insurance markets. There is a one-year payback provision against the agency if death or lapse occurs within the first policy year. - RISKS RELATED TO LITIGATION AND REGULATORY ACTIONS. From time to time we may be involved in various regulatory investigations and examinations relating to our insurance and other related business operations. We are subject to comprehensive regulation and oversight by insurance departments in jurisdictions in which we do business. These insurance departments have broad administrative powers with respect to all aspects of the insurance business and, in particular, monitor the manner in which an insurance company offers, sells and administers its products. Therefore, we may from time to time be subject to a variety of legal and regulatory actions relating to our current and past business operations and practices. The prevalence and outcomes of any such actions cannot be predicted, and no assurances can be given that such actions or any litigation would not materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, if we were to experience difficulties with our relationship with a regulatory body in a given jurisdiction, it could have a material adverse effect on our ability to do business in that jurisdiction. One particular area of focus which has affected our parent, Assurant, Inc., has been the accounting treatment for finite reinsurance or other non-traditional or loss mitigation insurance products. On January 21, 2010, the SEC filed a civil complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in connection with the previously disclosed SEC investigation into a finite reinsurance arrangement entered into by the parent. In the complaint, the SEC charged the Parent with violating Sections 13(a), 13(b)(2)(A) and 13(b)(2)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rules 12b-20, 13a-11 and 13a-13 thereunder. As previously disclosed by the Parent in a Current Report on Form 8-K on January 21, 2010, the Parent entered into a settlement with the SEC in which the Company consented, without admitting or denying the allegations in the complaint, to the entry of a judgment requiring payment of a civil penalty of $3,500 and enjoining the Parent from violating the aforementioned federal securities laws. The court approved the settlement in a final judgment entered on January 25, 2010 and the Parent has paid the penalty. As part of the settlement, the SEC granted permanent relief to the Company, exempting it from limitations on serving as depositor to investment companies under Section 9(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. If the Company fails to continue to meet the conditions in the application for permanent relief, then the Company could lose its ability to act as depositor of the separate accounts related to the FFG businesses sold to the Hartford in 2001. This could result in significant costs to restructure the modified coinsurance structure currently in place. We depend on our parent, Assurant, for certain administrative, strategic and operational support. We cannot predict at this time the effect that current litigation, investigations and regulatory activity will have on Assurant or our business, but any adverse outcome could have a material adverse affect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. For additional risks that relate to our business and additional detail on the risks outlined above, please see the Risk Factors in Assurant's 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and available on Assurant's website at www.assurant.com. ITEM 10. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL. Raj B. Dave, who has given a legal opinion as to the validity of the Contracts, serves as Assistant Secretary of the Company. ITEM 11. INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO THE REGISTRANT (A) DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS 1. LEGAL ORGANIZATION Union Security Insurance Company is a stock life insurance company formed in 1910 and organized under the laws of the State of Kansas. Since 1984, it has been an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Assurant, Inc. ("Assurant"), which owns and
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 45 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- operates companies that provide specialty insurance products and related services in North America and selected other markets. Assurant is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AIZ. In this report, references to "Union Security," the "Company," "we," "us" or "our" refer to Union Security Insurance Company. References to "Assurant" or the "Parent" refer to Assurant , Inc. Amounts are presented in United States of America ("U.S.") dollars and all amounts are in thousands, except number of shares and number of employees. 2. BUSINESS ORGANIZATION The Company which is licensed to sell life, health and annuity insurance in the District of Columbia and in all states except New York, writes insurance products that are marketed by Assurant's business segments (see Assurant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 for a full description of each of these segments). We perform substantially all of the operations of the Assurant Employee Benefits segment. We directly market, sell and administer the group disability, group life and certain group dental insurance products, and we manage other Assurant subsidiaries that provide prepaid dental products. With respect to the Assurant Health segment, we issue small group health insurance policies that are sold through an independent agency. Finally, with respect to the Assurant Solutions segment, we issue accidental death and dismemberment policies for which the segment performs the selling, marketing, and administration functions. As an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Assurant, Union Security does not have any publicly issued equity or debt securities. We are, however, subject to certain filing requirements under the federal securities laws, because we have issued certain variable and market value adjusted insurance contracts, which are required to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Effective April 2001, Assurant and its subsidiaries exited this line of business and sold the business segment, then referred to as Fortis Financial Group ("FFG"), to The Hartford. This sale was accomplished by means of reinsurance and modified coinsurance. As a result, The Hartford is contractually responsible for servicing the insurance contracts, including the payment of benefits, oversight of investment management, overall contract administration and funding of reserves. If The Hartford fails to fulfill its obligations, however, we will be obligated to perform the services and make the required payments and funding for the remaining contract liabilities. Union Security was redomesticated to Kansas from Iowa in 2009. As of February 15, 2010, we had approximately 1,594 employees. For additional information that relates to our business, we refer you to Assurant's 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov or through Assurant's website at www.assurant.com. (B) DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY Our principal office is in Kansas City, Missouri, where we lease office space in a building owned by Assurant. We also lease office space in Atlanta, Georgia which is used for our preneed and credit division. In addition, we have regional claims and sales offices throughout the U.S. We believe that our leased properties are adequate for our current business operations. (C) LEGAL PROCEEDINGS The Company is involved in litigation in the ordinary course of business, both as a defendant and as a plaintiff. We may from time to time be subject to a variety of legal and regulatory actions relating to our current and past business operations. While the Company cannot predict the outcome of any pending or future litigation, examination or investigation and although no assurances can be given, the Company does not believe that any pending matter will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. On January 21, 2010, the SEC filed a civil complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in connection with the previously disclosed SEC investigation into a finite reinsurance arrangement entered into by the Parent. In the complaint, the SEC charged the Parent with violating Sections 13(a), 13(b)(2)(A) and 13(b)(2)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rules 12b-20, 13a-11 and 13a-13 thereunder. As previously disclosed by the Parent in a Current Report on Form 8-K on January 21, 2010, the Parent entered into a settlement with the SEC in which the Parent consented, without admitting or denying the allegations in the complaint, to the entry of a judgment requiring payment of a civil penalty of $3.5 million and enjoining the Parent from violating the aforementioned federal securities laws. The court approved the settlement in a final judgment entered on January 25, 2010 and the Parent has paid the penalty. As part of the settlement, the SEC granted permanent relief to the Company, exempting it from limitations on serving as depositor to investment companies under Section 9(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. (D) NOT APPLICABLE. (E) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
46 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of Union Security Insurance Company: In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholder's equity and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Union Security Insurance Company and its subsidiaries (the "Company"), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Assurant, Inc. at December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the accompanying financial statement schedules present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for other-than-temporary impairment of debt securities on April 1, 2009. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP April 23, 2010 New York, New York
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 47 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AND SHARE AMOUNTS) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ASSETS Investments: Fixed maturity securities available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost -- $2,493,265 in 2009 and $2,399,676 in 2008) $2,555,863 $2,199,547 Equity securities available for sale, at fair value (cost -- $160,510 in 2009 and $189,973 in 2008) 157,993 144,770 Commercial mortgage loans on real estate, at amortized cost 772,912 838,254 Policy loans 13,981 14,422 Short-term investments 70,367 159,847 Collateral held under securities lending 106,896 113,191 Other investments 88,736 82,628 ---------- ---------- TOTAL INVESTMENTS 3,766,748 3,552,659 ---------- ---------- Cash and cash equivalents 43,819 17,171 Premiums and accounts receivable, net 79,516 71,850 Reinsurance recoverables 1,434,405 1,359,251 Accrued investment income 41,476 40,610 Deferred acquisition costs 37,908 43,020 Deferred income taxes, net 56,569 179,413 Goodwill 81,573 156,817 Value of business acquired 18,783 21,461 Other assets 39,732 32,893 Assets held in separate accounts 1,740,344 1,557,313 ---------- ---------- TOTAL ASSETS $7,340,873 $7,032,458 ---------- ---------- LIABILITIES Future policy benefits and expenses $2,675,069 $2,687,488 Unearned premiums 37,692 35,962 Claims and benefits payable 1,751,501 1,778,563 Commissions payable 13,242 14,998 Deferred gain on disposal of businesses 97,021 113,927 Obligations under securities lending 108,186 124,063 Accounts payable and other liabilities 188,958 188,053 Taxes payable 10,523 2,331 Liabilities related to separate accounts 1,740,344 1,557,313 ---------- ---------- TOTAL LIABILITIES 6,622,536 6,502,698 ---------- ---------- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 16) STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY Common stock, par value $5 per share, 1,000,000 shares authorized, issued, and outstanding 5,000 5,000 Additional paid-in capital 475,635 460,635 Retained earnings 203,109 229,837 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 34,593 (165,712) ---------- ---------- TOTAL STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY 718,337 529,760 ---------- ---------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY $7,340,873 $7,032,458 ---------- ---------- SEE THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
48 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 (IN THOUSANDS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REVENUES Net earned premiums and other considerations $1,092,512 $1,173,790 $1,259,930 Net investment income 216,725 238,451 286,235 Net realized losses on investments, excluding other-than-temporary investment losses (13,925) (26,621) (7,093) Total other-than-temporary investment losses (11,330) (109,075) (21,126) Portion of gain recognized in other comprehensive income, before taxes (257) -- -- ------------- ------------- ------------- Net other-than-temporary investment losses recognized in earnings (11,587) (109,075) (21,126) Amortization of deferred gains on disposal of businesses 16,906 20,680 23,548 Fees and other income 14,859 11,449 16,395 ------------- ------------- ------------- TOTAL REVENUES 1,315,490 1,308,674 1,557,889 ------------- ------------- ------------- BENEFITS, LOSSES AND EXPENSES Policyholder benefits 849,531 889,498 934,609 Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired 46,398 46,678 43,575 Underwriting, general and administrative expenses 340,342 353,774 383,106 Goodwill impairment 75,244 -- -- ------------- ------------- ------------- TOTAL BENEFITS, LOSSES AND EXPENSES 1,311,515 1,289,950 1,361,290 ------------- ------------- ------------- Income before provision for income taxes 3,975 18,724 196,599 Provision for income taxes 27,127 10,867 57,121 ------------- ------------- ------------- NET (LOSS) INCOME $(23,152) $7,857 $139,478 ------------- ------------- ------------- SEE THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 49 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007 ACCUMULATED COMMON ADDITIONAL OTHER STOCK PAID-IN RETAINED COMPREHENSIVE CAPITAL EARNINGS INCOME (LOSS) TOTAL (IN THOUSANDS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance, January 1, 2007 $5,000 $545,635 $286,350 $62,279 $899,264 Dividends -- -- (197,000) -- (197,000) Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles -- -- (4,118) -- (4,118) Comprehensive income: Net income -- -- 139,478 -- 139,478 Other comprehensive loss: Net change in unrealized gains on securities, net of taxes -- -- -- (56,642) (56,642) Net change in foreign currency translation, net of taxes -- -- -- 59 59 --------- Total other comprehensive loss (56,583) --------- Total comprehensive income 82,895 -------- --------- --------- --------- --------- BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2007 5,000 545,635 224,710 5,696 781,041 -------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Return of capital (Note 7) -- (100,000) -- -- (100,000) Capital contribution (Note 7) -- 15,000 -- -- 15,000 Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles (Note 2) -- -- (2,730) -- (2,730) Comprehensive loss: Net income -- -- 7,857 -- 7,857 Other comprehensive loss: Net change in unrealized gains on securities, net of taxes -- -- -- (171,408) (171,408) --------- Total other comprehensive loss (171,408) --------- Total comprehensive income (163,551) -------- --------- --------- --------- --------- BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2008 5,000 460,635 229,837 (165,712) 529,760 -------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Dividends -- -- (20,000) -- (20,000) Capital contribution (Note 7) -- 15,000 -- -- 15,000 Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles (Note 2) -- -- 16,424 (16,424) -- Comprehensive Income: Net loss -- -- (23,152) -- (23,152) Other comprehensive income: Net change in unrealized losses on securities, net of taxes -- -- -- 210,552 210,552 Net change in other-than-temporary impairment gains, recognized in other comprehensive income, net of taxes -- -- -- 6,177 6,177 --------- Total other comprehensive income 216,729 --------- Total comprehensive income 193,577 -------- --------- --------- --------- --------- BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2009 $5,000 $475,635 $203,109 $34,593 718,337 -------- --------- --------- --------- --------- SEE THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
50 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 (IN THOUSANDS) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net (loss) income $(23,152) $7,857 $139,478 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Change in reinsurance recoverable (75,154) (51,605) (8,648) Change in premiums and accounts receivable (5,590) 40,739 (2,976) Depreciation and amortization 3,418 1,173 2,124 Change in deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired 7,790 8,910 10,512 Change in accrued investment income (866) 1,742 3,980 Change in insurance policy reserves and expenses (45,507) (53,850) (73,896) Change in accounts payable and other liabilities (3,222) (20,638) (13,212) Change in commissions payable (1,756) (509) (681) Change in reinsurance balances payable -- (2,706) (437) Change in funds held under reinsurance -- (118) 11 Amortization of deferred gain on disposal of businesses (16,906) (20,680) (23,548) Change in income taxes 7,501 (22,869) (47,888) Net realized losses on investments 25,512 135,696 28,219 Goodwill impairment 75,244 -- Other (5,251) (84) 302 ----------- ------------ ------------ NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES (57,939) 23,058 13,340 ----------- ------------ ------------ INVESTING ACTIVITIES Sales of: Fixed maturity securities available for sale 244,094 451,988 382,557 Equity securities available for sale 27,345 96,375 116,117 Property and equipment (105) 25 -- Maturities, prepayments, and scheduled redemption of: Fixed maturity securities available for sale 129,687 76,593 208,303 Purchase of: Fixed maturity securities available for sale (449,662) (357,887) (394,138) Equity securities available for sale (11,750) (74,181) (116,049) Property and equipment -- -- (25) Subsidiary, net of cash transferred (1) 4,923 -- -- Change in other invested assets (6,108) (7,847) 12,542 Change in commercial mortgage loans on real estate 61,242 (16,070) (72,213) Change in short-term investments 89,480 (115,755) 4,049 Change in collateral held under securities lending 15,877 111,102 (63,112) Change in policy loans 441 (2,076) 116 ----------- ------------ ------------ NET CASH PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES 105,464 162,267 78,147 ----------- ------------ ------------ FINANCING ACTIVITIES Dividends paid (20,000) -- (197,000) Change in obligation under securities lending (15,877) (115,986) 63,112 Return of capital -- (100,000) -- Contributed capital 15,000 15,000 -- ----------- ------------ ------------ NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES (20,877) (200,986) (133,888) ----------- ------------ ------------ Change in cash and cash equivalents 26,648 (15,661) (42,401) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 17,171 32,832 75,233 ----------- ------------ ------------ Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $43,819 $17,171 $32,832 ----------- ------------ ------------ Supplemental information: Income taxes paid, net of refunds $19,597 $33,270 $104,754 (1) This relates to Shenandoah Life Insurance Company ("Shenandoah"), acquired through reinsurance agreement on October 1, 2009. SEE THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 51 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007 (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT SHARE DATA) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS Union Security Insurance Company (the "Company") is a provider of life and health insurance products, including group disability insurance, group dental insurance, group life insurance, small employer group health insurance and preneed. The Company is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Assurant, Inc. (the "Parent"). The Parent's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AIZ. The Company distributes its products in the District of Columbia and in all states except New York. 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES BASIS OF PRESENTATION The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Amounts are presented in United States of America ("U.S.") dollars and all amounts are in thousands, except for number of shares. PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. USE OF ESTIMATES The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities. The items on the Company's balance sheet affected by the use of estimates include but are not limited to, investments, premiums and accounts receivable, reinsurance recoverables, deferred acquisition costs ("DAC"), deferred income taxes and associated valuation allowances, goodwill, valuation of business acquired ("VOBA"), future policy benefits and expenses, unearned premiums, claims and benefits payable, deferred gain on disposal of businesses, and commitments and contingencies. The estimates are sensitive to market conditions, investment yields, mortality, morbidity, commissions and other acquisition expenses, policyholder behavior and other factors. Actual results may differ from the estimates reported. The Company believes the amounts reported are reasonable and adequate. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net income, net unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency translation, net unrealized gains and losses on securities classified as available-for-sale and net unrealized gains and losses on other-than-temporarily impaired securities, less deferred income taxes. RECLASSIFICATIONS Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2009 presentation. REVENUE RECOGNITION The Company recognizes revenue when realized or realizable and earned. Revenue generally is realized or realizable and earned when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION For those foreign affiliates where the local currency is the functional currency, unrealized foreign currency translation gains and losses net of deferred income taxes have been reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI"). FAIR VALUE The Company uses an exit price for its fair value measurements. An exit price is defined as the amount received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In measuring fair value, the Company gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. Please see Note 4 for more information on the Company's fair value policies. INVESTMENTS Fixed maturity and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale, as defined in the investments guidance, which is included within the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 320, INVESTMENTS -- DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES and reported at fair value. If the fair value is higher than the amortized cost for fixed
52 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- maturity securities or the purchase cost for equity securities, the excess is an unrealized gain; and, if lower than cost, the difference is an unrealized loss. The net unrealized gains and losses, less deferred income taxes, are included in AOCI. Commercial mortgage loans on real estate are reported at unpaid balances, adjusted for amortization of premium or discount, less allowance for losses. The allowance is based on management's analysis of factors including actual loan loss experience, specific events based on geographical, political or economic conditions, industry experience, loan groupings that have probable and estimable losses and individually impaired loan loss analysis. A loan is considered individually impaired when it becomes probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due, including principal and interest, according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Indicative factors of impairment include, but are not limited to, whether the loan is current, the value of the collateral and the financial position of the borrower. If a loan is individually impaired, the Company uses one of the following valuation methods based on the individual loans facts and circumstances to measure the impairment amount: (1) the present value of expected future cash flows, (2) the loan's observable market price, or (3) the fair value of collateral. Changes in the allowance for loan losses are recorded in net realized losses on investments, excluding other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") losses. The Company has determined that a loan be placed on non-accrual status after 90 days of delinquent payments (unless the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection). A loan may be placed on non-accrual status before this time if information is available that suggests it is probable a loan may be impaired. Policy loans are reported at unpaid principal balances, which do not exceed the cash surrender value of the underlying policies. Short-term investments include money market funds and short maturity investments. These amounts are reported at cost, which approximates fair value. The collateral held under securities lending is reported at fair value. The obligation under securities lending is reported at the amount of the collateral received. Other investments consist primarily of investments in joint ventures and partnerships. The joint ventures and partnerships are valued according to the equity method of accounting. The Company monitors its investment portfolio to identify investments that may be other-than-temporarily impaired. In addition, securities, aggregated by issuer, whose market price is equal to 80% or less of their original purchase price or which had a discrete credit event resulting in the debtor defaulting or seeking bankruptcy protection are added to a potential write-down list, which is discussed at quarterly meetings attended by members of the Company's investment, accounting and finance departments. Please see Note 3 for more information. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are recognized on the specific identification basis. Investment income is recorded as earned net of investment expenses. The Company uses the interest method to recognize interest income on its commercial mortgage loans. The Company anticipates prepayments of principal in the calculation of the effective yield for mortgage-backed securities and structured securities. The retrospective method is used to adjust the effective yield. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS The Company considers cash on hand, all operating cash and working capital cash to be cash equivalents. These amounts are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Cash balances are reviewed at the end of each reporting period to determine if negative cash balances exist. If negative cash balances do exist, the cash accounts are netted with other positive cash accounts of the same bank provided the right of offset exists between the accounts. If the right of offset does not exist, the negative cash balances are reclassified to accounts payable. RECEIVABLES The Company records a receivable when revenue has been earned but the cash has not been collected. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for probable losses resulting from the inability to collect payments. REINSURANCE Reinsurance recoverables include amounts related to paid benefits and estimated amounts related to unpaid policy and contract claims, future policyholder benefits and policyholder contract deposits. The cost of reinsurance is recognized over the terms of the underlying reinsured policies using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the policies. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with claim and claim adjustment expense reserves or future policy benefits reserves and are reported in the consolidated balance sheets. The cost of reinsurance related to long-duration contracts is recognized over the life of the underlying reinsured policies. The ceding of insurance does not discharge the Company's primary liability to insureds. An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded on the basis
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 53 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- of periodic evaluations of balances due from reinsurers, reinsurer solvency, management's experience and current economic conditions. Reinsurance balances payable include amounts related to ceded premiums and estimated amounts related to assumed paid or incurred losses, which are reported based upon ceding entities' estimations. Funds held under reinsurance represent amounts contractually held from assuming companies in accordance with reinsurance agreements. Reinsurance premiums assumed are calculated based upon payments received from ceding companies together with accrual estimates, which are based on both payments received and in-force policy information received from ceding companies. Any subsequent differences arising on such estimates are recorded in the period in which they are determined. INCOME TAXES The Company reports its taxable income in a consolidated federal income tax return along with other affiliated subsidiaries of the Parent. Income tax expense or benefit is allocated among the affiliated subsidiaries by applying corporate income tax rates to taxable income or loss determined on a separate return basis according to a tax allocation agreement. Current federal income taxes are recognized based upon amounts estimated to be payable or recoverable as a result of taxable operations for the current year. Deferred income taxes are recorded for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and income tax basis of assets and liabilities, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the Company expects the temporary differences to reverse. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that an amount will not be realized. The Company classifies net interest expense related to tax matters and any applicable penalties as a component of income tax expense. DEFERRED ACQUISITION COSTS The costs of acquiring new business that vary with and are primarily related to the production of new business are deferred to the extent that such costs are deemed recoverable from future premiums or gross profits. Acquisition costs primarily consist of commissions, policy issuance expenses, premium taxes and certain direct marketing expenses. Premium deficiency testing is performed annually and generally reviewed quarterly. Such testing involves the use of best estimate assumptions including the anticipation of interest income to determine if anticipated future policy premiums are adequate to recover all DAC and related claims, benefits and expenses. To the extent a premium deficiency exists, it is recognized immediately by a charge to the consolidated statement of operations and a corresponding reduction in DAC. If the premium deficiency is greater than unamortized DAC, a liability will be accrued for the excess deficiency. Long Duration Contracts Acquisition costs for preneed life insurance policies and life insurance policies (no longer offered) are deferred and amortized in proportion to anticipated premiums over the premium-paying period. These acquisition costs consist primarily of first year commissions paid to agents and sales and policy issue costs. Acquisition costs relating to group worksite insurance products consist primarily of first year commissions to brokers and one time policy transfer fees and costs of issuing new certificates. These acquisition costs are front-end loaded, thus they are deferred and amortized over the estimated terms of the underlying contracts. For preneed investment-type annuities, DAC is amortized in proportion to the present value of estimated gross profits from investment, mortality, expense margins and surrender charges over the estimated life of the policy or contract. The assumptions used for the estimates are consistent with those used in computing the policy or contract liabilities. Acquisition costs on Fortis Financial Group ("FFG") and Long-Term Care ("LTC") disposed businesses were written off when the businesses were sold. Short Duration Contracts Acquisition costs relating to monthly pay credit insurance business consist mainly of direct marketing costs and are deferred and amortized over the estimated average terms and balances of the underlying contracts. Acquisition costs relating to group term life, group disability and group dental consist primarily of compensation to sales representatives. These acquisition costs are front-end loaded; thus, they are deferred and amortized over the estimated terms of the underlying contracts. Acquisition costs on small group medical contracts consist primarily of commissions to agents and brokers and compensation to representatives. These contracts are considered short duration because the terms of the contracts are not fixed at issue and they are not guaranteed renewable. As a result, these costs are not deferred, but rather they are recorded in the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which they are incurred.
54 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property and equipment are reported at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives with a maximum of 39.5 years for buildings, a maximum of 7 years for furniture and a maximum of 5 years for equipment. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to income as incurred. Expenditures for improvements are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining useful life of the asset. Property and equipment also includes capitalized software costs, which represent costs directly related to obtaining, developing or upgrading internal use software. Such costs are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. GOODWILL Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition costs over the net fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Goodwill is deemed to have an indefinite life and is not amortized, but rather is tested at least annually for impairment. The Company reviews goodwill annually in the fourth quarter for impairment, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. The Company regularly assesses whether any indicators of impairment exist. Such indicators include, but are not limited to: a significant decline in expected future cash flows due to changes in company-specific factors or the broader business climate. The evaluation of such factors requires considerable management judgment. The goodwill impairment test has two steps. The Company first compares its estimated fair value with its net book value. If the estimated fair value exceeds its net book value, goodwill is deemed not to be impaired, and no further testing is necessary. If the net book value exceeds its estimated fair value, the Company would perform a second test to measure the amount of impairment if any. To determine the amount of any impairment, the Company would determine the implied fair value of goodwill in the same manner as if the Company were being acquired in a business combination. Specifically, the Company would determine the fair value of all of the assets and liabilities, including any unrecognized intangible assets, in a hypothetical calculation that would yield the implied fair value of goodwill. If the implied fair value of goodwill were less than the recorded goodwill, the Company would record an impairment charge for the difference. In the fourth quarters of 2009 and 2008, the Company conducted annual assessments of goodwill. Based on the results of the 2009 assessment, the Company concluded that the net book value of its goodwill exceeded the estimated fair value and therefore performed a Step 2 test. Based on the results of the Step 2 test, the Company recorded a $75,244 impairment charge. Based on the results of the 2008 assessment, the Company concluded that its estimated fair value exceeded its net book value and therefore goodwill was not impaired. See Note 4 and 13 for further information. VALUE OF BUSINESSES ACQUIRED VOBA is the identifiable intangible asset representing the value of the insurance businesses acquired. The amount is determined using best estimates for mortality, lapse, maintenance expenses and investment returns at date of purchase. The amount determined represents the purchase price paid to the seller for producing the business. Similar to the amortization of DAC, the amortization of VOBA is over the premium payment period for traditional life insurance policies and preneed limited payment policies. For preneed annuities, the amortization of VOBA is over the expected lifetime of the policies. VOBA is tested for recoverability annually. If it is determined that future policy premiums and investment income or gross profits are not adequate to cover related losses or loss expenses, then an expense is reported in current earnings. Based on 2009 and 2008 testing, future policy premiums and investment income or gross profits were deemed adequate to cover related losses or loss expenses. OTHER ASSETS Other assets primarily include prepaid items and intangible assets. Intangible assets that have finite lives, including but not limited to, customer relationships, customer contracts and other intangible assets, are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Intangible assets deemed to have indefinite useful lives, primarily certain state licenses, are not amortized and are subject to at least annual impairment tests. Impairment exists if the carrying amount of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value. For other intangible assets subject to amortization, impairment is recognized if the carrying amount is not recoverable and exceeds the fair value of the intangible asset. There were no impairments of finite-lived or indefinite-lived intangible assets in either 2009 or 2008. SEPARATE ACCOUNTS Assets and liabilities associated with separate accounts relate to premium and annuity considerations for variable life and annuity products for which the contract-holder, rather than the Company, bears the investment risk. Separate account assets (with matching liabilities) are reported at fair value. Revenues and expenses related to the separate account assets and liabilities, to the extent of benefits paid or provided to the separate account policyholders, are excluded from the amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations because the accounts are administered by reinsurers. Prior to April 2, 2001, FFG had issued variable insurance products registered as securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These products featured fixed premiums, a minimum death benefit, and policyholder returns linked to an
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 55 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- underlying portfolio of securities. The variable insurance products issued by FFG have been 100% reinsured with The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries ("The Hartford"). RESERVES Reserves are established in accordance with GAAP, using generally accepted actuarial methods and are based on a number of factors. These factors include experience derived from historical claim payments and actuarial assumptions. Such assumptions and other factors include trends, the incidence of incurred claims, the extent to which all claims have been reported, and internal claims processing charges. The process used in computing reserves cannot be exact, since actual claim costs are dependent upon such complex factors as inflation, changes in doctrines of legal liabilities and damage awards. The methods of making such estimates and establishing the related liabilities are periodically reviewed and updated. Reserves do not represent an exact calculation of exposure, but instead represent our best estimates, generally involving actuarial projections at a given time, of what we expect the ultimate settlement and administration of a claim or group of claims will cost based on our assessment of facts and circumstances then known. The adequacy of reserves will be impacted by future trends in claims severity, frequency, judicial theories of liability and other factors. These variables are affected by both external and internal events, including but not limited to: changes in the economic cycle, changes in the social perception of the value of work, emerging medical perceptions regarding physiological or psychological causes of disability, emerging health issues and new methods of treatment or accommodation, inflation, judicial trends, legislative changes and claims handling procedures. Many of these items are not directly quantifiable, particularly on a prospective basis. Reserve estimates are refined as experience develops. Adjustments to reserves, both positive and negative, are reflected in the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which such estimates are updated. Because establishment of reserves is an inherently uncertain process involving estimates of future losses, there can be no certainty that ultimate losses will not exceed existing claims reserves. Future loss development could require reserves to be increased, which could have a material adverse effect on our earnings in the periods in which such increases are made. However, based on information currently available, we believe our reserve estimates are adequate. Long Duration Contracts The Company's long duration contracts include Canadian pre-funded funeral ("preneed") life insurance policies and annuity contracts, traditional life insurance policies (no longer offered), FFG and LTC contracts disposed. Future policy benefits and expense reserves on preneed life insurance and, life insurance policies (no longer offered) are reported at the present value of future benefits to be paid to policyholders and related expenses less the present value of the future net premiums. These amounts are estimated and include assumptions as to the expected investment yield, inflation, mortality, morbidity, expenses, and withdrawal rates as well as other assumptions that are based on the Company's experience. These assumptions reflect anticipated trends and include provisions for possible adverse deviations. An unearned revenue reserve is also recorded for these contracts which represents the balance of the excess of gross premiums over net premiums that is still to be recognized in future years' income in a constant relationship to insurance in force. Future policy benefits and expense reserves for preneed investment-type annuities consist of policy account balances before applicable surrender charges and certain deferred policy initiation fees that are being recognized in income over the terms of the policies. Policy benefits charged to expense during the period include amounts paid in excess of policy account balances and interest credited to policy account balances. For worksite group disability, which typically has high front-end costs and are expected to remain in-force for an extended period of time, the case reserves and incurred but not reported ("IBNR") reserves are recorded at an amount equal to the net present value of the expected future claims payments. Worksite group long term disability reserves are discounted to the valuation date at the valuation interest rate. The valuation interest rate is reviewed quarterly by taking into consideration actual and expected earned rates on our asset portfolio. Changes in the estimated liabilities are reported as a charge or credit to policyholder benefits as the estimates are revised. Short Duration Contracts The Company's short duration contracts include group term life contracts, group disability contracts, medical contracts, dental contracts, credit life and disability contracts. For short duration contracts, claims and benefits payable reserves are recorded when insured events occur. The liability is based on the expected ultimate cost of settling the claims. The claims and benefits payable reserves include (1) case reserves for known but unpaid claims as of the balance sheet date; (2) IBNR reserves for claims where the insured event has occurred but has not been reported to the Company as of the balance sheet date; and (3) loss adjustment expense reserves for the expected handling costs of settling the claims. For group disability, the case reserves and IBNR reserves are recorded at an amount equal to the net present value of the expected future claims payments. Group long-term disability and group term life waiver of premiums reserves are discounted to the valuation date at the valuation interest rate. The valuation interest rate is reviewed quarterly by taking into
56 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- consideration actual and expected earned rates on our asset portfolio. Group long term disability and group term life reserve adequacy studies are performed annually, and morbidity and mortality assumptions are adjusted where appropriate. Changes in the estimated liabilities are recorded as a charge or credit to policyholder benefits as estimates are revised. DEFERRED GAIN ON DISPOSAL OF BUSINESSES The Company recorded a deferred gain on disposal of businesses utilizing reinsurance. On March 1, 2000, the Company sold its LTC business using a coinsurance contract. On April 2, 2001, the Company sold its FFG business using coinsurance and a modified coinsurance contract. Since the form of sale did not discharge the Company's primary liability to the insureds, the gain on these disposals was deferred and reported as a liability. The liability is decreased and recognized as revenue over the estimated life of the contracts' terms. The Company reviews and evaluates the estimates affecting the deferred gain on disposal of businesses annually or when significant information affecting the estimates becomes known to the Company. PREMIUMS Long Duration Contracts Currently, the Company's long duration contracts being sold are group worksite disability and life insurance. Revenues are recognized when earned on group worksite insurance products. For life insurance policies previously sold by the preneed business (no longer offered), revenue is recognized when due from policyholders. For investment-type annuity contracts previously sold by the preneed business (no longer offered), revenues consist of charges assessed against policy balances. Premiums for LTC insurance and traditional life insurance contracts within FFG are recognized as revenue when due from the policyholder. For universal life insurance and investment-type annuity contracts within FFG, revenues consist of charges assessed against policy balances. For the FFG and LTC businesses previously sold, all revenue is ceded. Short Duration Contracts The Company's short duration contracts are those on which the Company recognizes revenue on a pro-rata basis over the contract term. The Company's short duration contracts primarily include group term life, group disability, medical, dental, and credit life and disability. TOTAL OTHER-THAN-TEMPORARY IMPAIRMENT LOSSES For debt securities with credit losses and non-credit losses or gains, total other-than-temporary impairment losses is the total of the decline in fair value from either the most recent OTTI determination or a prior period end in which the fair value declined until the current period end valuation date. This amount does not include any securities that had fair value increases. For equity securities and debt securities that the Company has the intent to sell or if it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, for equity securities that have an OTTI or for debt securities if there are only credit losses, total other-than-temporary impairment losses is the total amount by which the fair value of the security is less than its amortized cost basis at the period end valuation date and the decline in fair value is deemed to be other- than-temporary. FEE AND OTHER INCOME The Company derives fee and other income primarily from providing administrative services. Fee income is recognized when services are performed. UNDERWRITING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES Underwriting, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of commissions, premium taxes, licenses, fees, salaries and personnel benefits and other general operating expenses. LEASES The Company records expenses for operating leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. CONTINGENCIES The Company follows the guidance on contingencies, which is included within ASC Topic 450, CONTINGENCIES, which requires the Company to evaluate each contingent matter separately. A loss contingency is recorded if reasonably estimable and probable. The Company establishes reserves for these contingencies at the best estimate, or if no one estimated number within the range of possible losses is more probable than any other, the Company records an estimated reserve at the low end of the estimated range. Contingencies affecting the Company primarily relate to litigation matters which are inherently difficult to evaluate and are subject to significant changes. The Company believes the contingent amounts recorded are adequate and reasonable.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 57 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS -- ADOPTED On July 1, 2009, the Company adopted the new guidance on GAAP, which is within ASC Topic 105, GAAP. The new guidance establishes a single source of authoritative accounting and reporting guidance recognized by the FASB for nongovernmental entities (the "Codification"). The Codification does not change current GAAP, but is intended to simplify user access to all authoritative GAAP by providing all the authoritative literature related to a particular topic in one place. All existing accounting standard documents will be superseded and all other accounting literature not included in the Codification will be considered non-authoritative. The adoption of the new guidance did not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. References to accounting guidance contained in the Company's consolidated financial statements and disclosures have been updated to reflect terminology consistent with the Codification. Plain English references to the accounting guidance have been made along with references to the ASC topic number and name. On October 1, 2009, the Company adopted the new guidance on measuring the fair value of liabilities, which is within ASC Topic 820, FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURES. When the quoted price in an active market for an identical liability is not available, this new guidance requires that either the quoted price of the identical or similar liability when traded as an asset or another valuation technique that is consistent with the fair value measurements and disclosures guidance be used to fair value the liability. The adoption of this new guidance did not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. On June 30, 2009, the Company adopted the new subsequent events guidance, which is within ASC Topic 855, SUBSEQUENT EVENTS. This new guidance establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosures of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The adoption of the new guidance did not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. See Note 18. On April 1, 2009, the Company adopted the new OTTI guidance, which is within ASC Topic 320. This new guidance amends the previous guidance for debt securities and modifies the presentation and disclosure requirements for debt and equity securities. In addition, it amends the requirement for an entity to positively assert the intent and ability to hold a debt security to recovery to determine whether an OTTI exists and replaces this provision with the assertion that an entity does not intend to sell or it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell a security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis. Additionally, this new guidance modifies the presentation of certain OTTI debt securities to only present the impairment loss within the results of operations that represents the credit loss associated with the OTTI with the remaining impairment loss being presented within other comprehensive income (loss) ("OCI"). At adoption, the Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to reclassify the non-credit component of previously recognized OTTI securities which resulted in an increase of $16,424 (after-tax) in retained earnings and a decrease of $16,424 (after-tax) in AOCI. See Note 3 for further information. On April 1, 2009, the Company adopted the new guidance on determining fair value in illiquid markets, which is within ASC Topic 820. This new guidance clarifies how to estimate fair value when the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased. This new guidance also clarifies how to identify circumstances indicating that a transaction is not orderly. Under this new guidance, significant decreases in the volume and level of activity of an asset or liability, in relation to normal market activity, requires further evaluation of transactions or quoted prices and exercise of significant judgment in arriving at fair values. This new guidance also requires additional interim and annual disclosures. The adoption of this new guidance did not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the revised business combinations guidance, which is within ASC Topic 805, BUSINESS COMBINATIONS. The revised guidance retains the fundamental requirements of the previous guidance in that the acquisition method of accounting be used for all business combinations, that an acquirer be identified for each business combination and for goodwill to be recognized and measured as a residual. The revised guidance expands the definition of transactions and events that qualify as business combinations to all transactions and other events in which one entity obtains control over one or more other businesses. The revised guidance broadens the fair value measurement and recognition of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and interests transferred as a result of business combinations. It also increases the disclosure requirements for business combinations in the consolidated financial statements. The adoption of the revised guidance did not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. However, should the Company enter into any business combination in 2010 or beyond, our financial position or results of operations could incur a significantly different impact than had it recorded the acquisition under the previous business combinations guidance. Earnings volatility could result, depending on the terms of the acquisition. On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the new consolidations guidance, which is within ASC Topic 810, CONSOLIDATION. The new guidance requires that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary be separately reported within equity and the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest be presented in the statement of operations. The new guidance also calls for consistency in reporting changes in the parent's ownership interest in a subsidiary and necessitates fair value measurement of any noncontrolling equity investment retained in a deconsolidation. The adoption of the new guidance did not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
58 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On January 1, 2009, the Company applied the fair value measurements and disclosures guidance, which is within ASC Topic 820, FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURES, for all non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. The application of this guidance for those assets and liabilities did not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. The Company's non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include goodwill and intangible assets. In a business combination, the non-financial assets and liabilities of the acquired company would be measured at fair value in accordance with the fair value measurements and disclosures guidance. The requirements of this guidance include using an exit price based on an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date assuming the highest and best use of the asset by market participants. To perform a market valuation, the Company is required to use a market, income or cost approach valuation technique(s). The Company performed its annual impairment analyses of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets in the fourth quarter of 2009. Step 1 of the impairment test indicated that the net book value of the Company's goodwill was greater than its estimated fair value. Based on the results of the Step 1 test, the Company was required to measure the fair value of its goodwill in Step 2 of the impairment test. As mentioned above, the application of this guidance which was used to measure the fair value of goodwill in Step 2 of the impairment test did not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations during 2009. On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted the fair value measurements and disclosures guidance, which is within ASC Topic 820. This guidance defined fair value, addressed how companies should measure fair value when they are required to use a fair value measure for recognition or disclosure purposes under GAAP and expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. This guidance was applied prospectively for financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis as of January 1, 2008 except for certain financial assets that were measured at fair value using a transaction price. For these financial instruments, which the Company has, this guidance required limited retrospective adoption and thus the difference between the fair values using a transaction price and the fair values using an exit price of the relevant financial instruments was shown as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the January 1, 2008 retained earnings balance. At adoption, the Company recognized a $4,200 decrease to other assets, and a corresponding decrease of $2,730 (after-tax) to retained earnings. See Notes 3 and 4 for further information regarding these financial instruments and the fair value disclosures, respectively. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS -- NOT YET ADOPTED In June 2009, the FASB issued new guidance on transfers of financial assets, which is within ASC Topic 860, TRANSFERS AND SERVICING. This new guidance amends the derecognition guidance in the Codification and eliminates the exemption from consolidation for qualifying special-purpose entities. This new guidance is effective for transfers of financial assets occurring in fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009 and in interim periods within those fiscal years. Therefore, the Company is required to adopt this guidance on January 1, 2010. The adoption of this new guidance will not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. In June 2009, the FASB issued new guidance on the accounting for a variable interest entity ("VIE"), which is within ASC Topic 810, CONSOLIDATION. This new guidance amends the consolidation guidance applicable to VIEs to require a qualitative assessment in the determination of the primary beneficiary of the VIE, to require an ongoing reconsideration of the primary beneficiary, to amend the events that trigger a reassessment of whether an entity is a VIE and to change the consideration of kick-out rights in determining if an entity is a VIE. This new guidance provides two transition alternatives: (i) retrospective application with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first year adjusted; or (ii) application as of the date of adoption with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings recognized on that date. This new guidance is effective as of the beginning of the Company's first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2009, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Therefore, the Company is required to adopt this guidance on January 1, 2010. The adoption of this new guidance will not have a material impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 59 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. INVESTMENTS The following table shows the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, fair value and OTTI of our fixed maturity and equity securities as of the dates indicated. DECEMBER 31, 2009 COST OR GROSS GROSS AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED OTTI IN COST GAINS LOSSES FAIR VALUE AOCI (1) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES: United States Government and government agencies and authorities $2,888 $124 $ -- $3,012 $ -- States, municipalities and political subdivisions 58,962 1,194 (1,762) 58,394 -- Foreign governments 34,969 1,984 (1,825) 35,128 -- Asset-backed 3,782 56 (58) 3,780 -- Commercial mortgage-backed 20,369 121 (168) 20,322 -- Residential mortgage-backed 122,036 5,947 (454) 127,529 (132) Corporate 2,250,259 107,017 (49,578) 2,307,698 6,218 ------------ ---------- --------- ------------ ------- TOTAL FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES $2,493,265 $116,443 $(53,845) $2,555,863 $6,086 ------------ ---------- --------- ------------ ------- EQUITY SECURITIES: Non-redeemable preferred stocks $160,510 $9,699 $(12,216) $157,993 $ -- ------------ ---------- --------- ------------ ------- (1) Represents the amount of other-than-temporary impairment (losses) gains in AOCI, which, from April 1, 2009, were not included in earnings under the new OTTI guidance for debt securities. DECEMBER 31, 2008 COST OR GROSS GROSS AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED COST GAINS LOSSES FAIR VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES: United States Government and government agencies and authorities $3,276 $386 $ -- $3,662 States, municipalities and political subdivisions 53,580 568 (2,671) 51,477 Foreign governments 40,202 2,019 (1,941) 40,280 Asset-backed 7,036 33 (397) 6,672 Commercial mortgage-backed 19,409 19 (3,348) 16,080 Residential mortgage-backed 148,097 5,460 (354) 153,203 Corporate 2,128,076 42,478 (242,381) 1,928,173 ------------- --------- ------------ ------------- TOTAL FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES $2,399,676 $50,963 $(251,092) $2,199,547 ------------- --------- ------------ ------------- EQUITY SECURITIES: Non-redeemable preferred stocks $189,973 $3,938 $(49,141) $144,770 ------------- --------- ------------ ------------- The cost or amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2009 by contractual maturity are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers of the securities may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. COST OR AMORTIZED COST FAIR VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------- Due in one year or less $26,443 $27,130 Due after one year through five years 409,189 424,109 Due after five years through ten years 433,202 448,572 Due after ten years 1,478,244 1,504,421 ------------ ------------ TOTAL 2,347,078 2,404,232 Asset-backed 3,782 3,780 Commercial mortgage-backed 20,369 20,322 Residential mortgage-backed 122,036 127,529 ------------ ------------ TOTAL $2,493,265 $2,555,863 ------------ ------------
60 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Major categories of net investment income were as follows: YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fixed maturity securities $158,678 $165,334 $177,108 Equity securities 12,522 15,860 20,997 Commercial mortgage loans on real estate 51,287 54,535 52,990 Policy loans 830 806 459 Short-term investments 1,207 2,888 4,060 Other investments 603 6,351 38,140 Cash and cash equivalents 95 1,208 1,928 ----------- ----------- ----------- INVESTMENT INCOME 225,222 246,982 295,682 Investment expenses (8,497) (8,531) (9,447) ----------- ----------- ----------- NET INVESTMENT INCOME $216,725 $238,451 $286,235 ----------- ----------- ----------- No material investments of the Company were non-income producing for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007. The following table summarizes the proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities and the gross realized gains and gross realized losses that have been included in earnings as a result of those sales. YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Proceeds from sales $271,086 $548,341 $490,403 Gross realized gains 10,045 20,231 11,155 Gross realized losses 20,503 44,001 18,121 For securities sold at a loss during 2009, the average period of time these securities were trading continuously at a price below book value was approximately 13 months. After a period of declining market values in the fixed maturity and equity security markets, the credit markets have shown continued improvement throughout 2009. This is primarily due to specific U.S. government intervention which resulted in a lower threat of systemic collapse, enhanced liquidity in the market, and improved economic prospects. As a result, many securities in the portfolio have shown improved market values throughout the year. We recorded net realized (losses) gains, including other-than-temporary impairments, in the statement of operations as follows: YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net realized (losses) gains related to sales: Fixed maturity securities $(198) $(5,350) $(2,495) Equity securities (9,647) (16,153) (4,471) Commercial mortgage loans on real estate (4,100) (234) (312) Other investments 20 -- 185 Collateral held under securities lending -- (4,884) -- ---------- ----------- ---------- TOTAL NET REALIZED LOSSES RELATED TO SALES (13,925) (26,621) (7,093) ---------- ----------- ---------- Net realized losses related to other-than-temporary impairments: Fixed maturity securities (6,990) (57,271) (13,757) Equity securities (4,597) (51,804) (7,369) ---------- ----------- ---------- TOTAL NET REALIZED LOSSES RELATED TO OTHER-THAN-TEMPORARY IMPAIRMENTS (11,587) (109,075) (21,126) ---------- ----------- ---------- TOTAL NET REALIZED LOSSES $(25,512) $(135,696) $(28,219) ---------- ----------- ---------- OTHER-THAN-TEMPORARY IMPAIRMENTS Adoption of the New OTTI Guidance On April 1, 2009, the Company adopted the new OTTI guidance, which is within ASC Topic 320. See Note 2 for further information. The new OTTI guidance requires entities to separate an OTTI of a debt security into two components when there are credit related losses associated with the impaired debt security for which the Company asserts that it does not have the intent to sell, and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell before recovery of its cost basis. Prior to April 1, 2009, the Company had to determine whether it had the intent and ability to hold the investment for a sufficient period of time for the value to recover. When the analysis of the above factors resulted in the Company's conclusion that declines in market values were other-than-temporary, the cost of the securities was written down to market value and the
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 61 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- reduction in value was reflected as a realized loss in the statement of operations. Under the new OTTI guidance, the amount of the OTTI related to a credit loss is recognized in earnings, and the amount of the OTTI related to other, non-credit, factors (E.G., interest rates, market conditions, etc.) is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. In instances where no credit loss exists but it is more likely than not that the Company will have to sell the debt security prior to the anticipated recovery, the decline in market value below amortized cost is recognized as an OTTI in earnings. In periods after the recognition of an OTTI on debt securities, the Company accounts for such securities as if they had been purchased on the measurement date of the OTTI at an amortized cost basis equal to the previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in earnings. For debt securities for which OTTI were recognized in earnings, the difference between the new amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected will be accreted or amortized into net investment income. The new OTTI guidance required that the Company record, as of April 1, 2009, the date of adoption, a cumulative effect adjustment to reclassify the noncredit component of a previously recognized OTTI from retained earnings to other comprehensive income. For purposes of calculating the cumulative effect adjustment, the Company reviewed OTTI it had recorded through realized losses on securities held at March 31, 2009, which were $64,705, and estimated the portion related to credit losses (I.E., where the present value of cash flows expected to be collected are lower than the amortized cost basis of the security) and the portion related to all other factors. The Company determined that $36,462 of the OTTI previously recorded related to specific credit losses and $28,243 related to all other factors. Under the new OTTI guidance, the Company increased the amortized cost basis of these debt securities by $25,268 and recorded a cumulative effect adjustment, net of tax, in its shareholder's equity section. The cumulative effect adjustment had no effect on total shareholder's equity as it increased retained earnings and reduced accumulated other comprehensive income. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded $11,330 of OTTI of which $11,587 was related to credit losses and recorded as net OTTI losses recognized in earnings, while the remaining $(257) related to all other factors was recorded as an unrealized gain component of AOCI. The following table sets forth the amount of credit loss impairments recognized within the results of operations on fixed maturity securities held by the Company as of the dates indicated, for which a portion of the OTTI loss was recognized in AOCI, and the corresponding changes in such amounts. BALANCE, APRIL 1, 2009 $ 36,462 Additions for credit loss impairments recognized in the current period on securities not previously impaired 681 Additions for credit loss impairments recognized in the current period on securities previously impaired 680 Reductions for increases in cash flows expected to be collected that are recognized over the remaining life of the security (275) Reductions for credit loss impairments previously recognized on securities which matured, paid down, prepaid, or were sold during the period (8,301) --------- BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2009 $29,247 --------- We regularly monitor our investment portfolio to ensure investments that may be other-than-temporarily impaired are identified in a timely fashion, properly valued, and charged against earnings in the proper period. The determination that a security has incurred an other-than-temporary decline in value requires the judgment of management. Assessment factors include, but are not limited to, the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost, the financial condition and rating of the issuer, whether any collateral is held, the intent and ability of the Company to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery for equity securities and the intent to sell or whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell for fixed maturity securities. Inherently, there are risks and uncertainties involved in making these judgments. Changes in circumstances and critical assumptions such as a continued weak economy, a more pronounced economic downturn or unforeseen events which affect one or more companies, industry sectors, or countries could result in additional impairments in future periods for other-than-temporary declines in value. Any equity security whose price decline is deemed other-than-temporary is written down to its then current market value with the amount of the impairment reported as a realized loss in that period. The impairment of a fixed maturity security that the Company has the intent to sell or that it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell is deemed other-than-temporary and is written down to its market value at the balance sheet date with the amount of the impairment reported as a realized loss in that period. For all other-than-temporarily impaired fixed maturity securities that do not meet either of these two criteria, the Company is required to analyze its ability to recover the amortized cost of the security by calculating the net present value of projected future cash flows. For these other-than-temporarily impaired fixed maturity securities, the net amount recognized in earnings is equal to the difference between the amortized cost of the fixed maturity security and its net present value. The Company considers different factors to determine the amount of projected future cash flows and discounting methods for corporate debt and residential and commercial mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities. For corporate debt securities, the split between the credit and non-credit losses is driven principally by assumptions regarding the amount and timing of projected future cash flows. The net present value is calculated by discounting the Company's best estimate of projected future cash flows at the effective interest rate implicit in the security at the date of acquisition. For residential and
62 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- commercial mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, cash flow estimates, including prepayment assumptions, are based on data from widely accepted third-party data sources or internal estimates. In addition to prepayment assumptions, cash flow estimates vary based on assumptions regarding the underlying collateral including default rates, recoveries and changes in value. The net present value is calculated by discounting the Company's best estimate of projected future cash flows at the effective interest rate implicit in the fixed maturity security prior to impairment at the balance sheet date. The discounted cash flows become the new amortized cost basis of the fixed maturity security. In periods subsequent to the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment, the Company generally accretes the discount (or amortize the reduced premium) into net investment income, up to the non-discounted amount of projected future cash flows, resulting from the reduction in cost basis, based upon the amount and timing of the expected future cash flows over the estimated period of cash flows. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are recognized on the specific identification basis. The investment category and duration of the Company's gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities and equity securities at December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows: DECEMBER 31, 2009 LESS THAN 12 MONTHS 12 MONTHS OR MORE FAIR UNREALIZED FAIR UNREALIZED VALUE LOSSES VALUE LOSSES ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES: States, municipalities and political subdivisions $8,053 $(347) $13,143 $(1,415) Foreign governments 653 (28) 12,874 (1,797) Asset-backed 1,499 (21) 1,005 (37) Commercial mortgage-backed 10,342 (64) 1,070 (104) Residential mortgage-backed 2,284 (289) 1,184 (165) Corporate 249,368 (8,761) 389,551 (40,817) ---------- -------- ---------- --------- TOTAL FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES $272,199 $(9,510) $418,827 $(44,335) ---------- -------- ---------- --------- EQUITY SECURITIES: Non-redeemable preferred stocks $505 $(39) $83,260 $(12,177) ---------- -------- ---------- --------- DECEMBER 31, 2009 TOTAL FAIR UNREALIZED VALUE LOSSES -------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES: States, municipalities and political subdivisions $21,196 $(1,762) Foreign governments 13,527 (1,825) Asset-backed 2,504 (58) Commercial mortgage-backed 11,412 (168) Residential mortgage-backed 3,468 (454) Corporate 638,919 (49,578) ---------- --------- TOTAL FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES $691,026 $(53,845) ---------- --------- EQUITY SECURITIES: Non-redeemable preferred stocks $83,765 $(12,216) ---------- --------- DECEMBER 31, 2008 LESS THAN 12 MONTHS 12 MONTHS OR MORE FAIR UNREALIZED FAIR UNREALIZED VALUE LOSSES VALUE LOSSES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES: States, municipalities and political subdivisions $19,525 $(1,534) $11,085 $(1,137) Foreign governments 15,043 (1,446) 7,443 (495) Asset-backed 2,156 (98) 2,387 (299) Commercial mortgage-backed 8,780 (2,042) 6,631 (1,306) Residential mortgage-backed 1,210 (93) 1,067 (261) Corporate 783,894 (111,976) 498,897 (130,405) ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- TOTAL FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES $830,608 $(117,189) $527,510 $(133,903) ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- EQUITY SECURITIES: Non-redeemable preferred stocks $54,750 $(21,217) $65,285 $(27,924) ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- DECEMBER 31, 2008 TOTAL FAIR UNREALIZED VALUE LOSSES -------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES: States, municipalities and political subdivisions $30,610 $(2,671) Foreign governments 22,486 (1,941) Asset-backed 4,543 (397) Commercial mortgage-backed 15,411 (3,348) Residential mortgage-backed 2,277 (354) Corporate 1,282,791 (242,381) ------------ ----------- TOTAL FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES $1,358,118 $(251,092) ------------ ----------- EQUITY SECURITIES: Non-redeemable preferred stocks $120,035 $(49,141) ------------ ----------- Total gross unrealized losses represent less than 9% and 21% of the aggregate fair value of the related securities at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Approximately 14% and 46% of these gross unrealized losses have been in a continuous loss position for less than twelve months at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The total gross unrealized losses are comprised of 328 and 677 individual securities at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. In accordance with its policy described above, the Company concluded that for these securities an adjustment to its results of operations for other-than-temporary impairments of the gross unrealized losses was not warranted at December 31, 2009 and 2008. These conclusions are based on a detailed analysis of the underlying credit and expected cash flows of each security. As of December 31, 2009, the gross unrealized losses that have been in a continuous loss position for twelve months or more were concentrated in non-redeemable preferred stocks and in the financial, energy and industrial industries of the Company's corporate fixed maturity securities. For these concentrations, gross unrealized losses of twelve months or more were $43,794, or 77%, of the total. The gross unrealized losses are primarily attributable to widening credit spreads associated with an underlying shift in overall credit risk premium. As of December 31, 2009, the Company did not intend to sell the securities and it was not more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell the securities before the anticipated recovery of their amortized cost basis.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 63 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The cost or amortized cost and fair value of available for sale fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2009, by contractual maturity, is shown below: COST OR AMORTIZED COST FAIR VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Due in one year or less $563 $549 Due after one year through five years 52,031 49,938 Due after five years through ten years 116,070 110,073 Due after ten years 558,145 513,082 ---------- ---------- TOTAL 726,809 673,642 Asset-backed 2,561 2,504 Commercial mortgage-backed 11,579 11,412 Residential mortgage-backed 3,922 3,468 ---------- ---------- TOTAL $744,871 $691,026 ---------- ---------- The Company has exposure to sub-prime and related mortgages within our fixed maturity security portfolio. At December 31, 2009, approximately 3.1% of the residential mortgage-backed holdings had exposure to sub-prime mortgage collateral. This represented approximately 1.5% of the total fixed income portfolio and 0.6% of the total unrealized loss position. Of the securities with sub-prime exposure, approximately 51% are rated as investment grade. All residential mortgage-backed securities, including those with sub-prime exposure, are reviewed as part of the ongoing other-than-temporary impairment monitoring process. The Company has made commercial mortgage loans, collateralized by the underlying real estate, on properties located throughout the U.S. and Canada. At December 31, 2009, approximately 39% of the outstanding principal balance of commercial mortgage loans was concentrated in the states of California, New York and Utah. Although the Company has a diversified loan portfolio, an economic downturn could have an adverse impact on the ability of its debtors to repay their loans. The outstanding balance of commercial mortgage loans range in size from $54 to $13,926 at December 31, 2009 and from $7 to $14,345 at December 31, 2008. The mortgage loan valuation allowance for losses was $8,552 and $3,252 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. At December 31, 2009, there are no outstanding mortgage loan commitments. At December 31, 2009, the Company is committed to fund additional capital contributions of $3,500 to joint ventures and to certain investments in limited partnerships. The Company has short term investments and fixed maturities of $7,378 and $4,937 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, on deposit with various governmental authorities as required by law. Securities Lending The Company engages in transactions in which fixed maturity securities, especially bonds issued by the U.S. government, government agencies and authorities, and U.S. corporations, are loaned to selected broker/dealers. Collateral, greater than or equal to 102% of the fair value of the securities lent, plus accrued interest, is received in the form of cash and cash equivalents held by a custodian bank for the benefit of the Company. The use of cash collateral received is unrestricted. The Company reinvests the cash collateral received, generally in investments of high credit quality that are designated as available-for-sale under the debt and equity securities guidance, which is within ASC Topic 320. The Company monitors the fair value of securities loaned and the collateral received, with additional collateral obtained, as necessary. The Company is subject to the risk of loss to the extent there is a loss on the re-investment of cash collateral. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, our collateral held under securities lending, of which its use is unrestricted, was $106,896 and $113,191, respectively, while our liability to the borrower for collateral received was $108,186 and $124,063, respectively. The difference between the collateral held and obligations under securities lending is recorded as an unrealized loss and is included as part of AOCI. All securities with unrealized losses have been in a continuous loss position for twelve months or longer as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. The Company has actively reduced the size of the securities lending to mitigate counter-party exposure. The Company includes the available-for-sale investments purchased with the cash collateral in its evaluation of other-than-temporary impairments. Cash proceeds that the Company receives as collateral for the securities it lends and subsequent repayment of the cash are regarded by the Company as cash flows from financing activities, since the cash received is considered a borrowing. Since the Company reinvests the cash collateral generally in investments that are designated as available-for-sale, the reinvestment is presented as cash flows from investing activities.
64 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES Inputs and Valuation Techniques for Financial Assets and Liabilities Disclosures The fair value measurements and disclosures guidance, which is within ASC Topic 820, defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, creates a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In accordance with this guidance, the Company has categorized its recurring basis financial assets and liabilities into a three-level fair value hierarchy based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. The levels of the fair value hierarchy and its application to the Company's financial assets and liabilities are described below: - Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 1 inputs include certain U.S. mutual funds, money market funds and certain foreign securities. - Level 2 inputs utilize other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable in the marketplace for the asset. The observable inputs are used in valuation models to calculate the fair value for the asset. Financial assets utilizing Level 2 inputs include corporate, municipal, foreign government and private placement bonds, U.S. Government and agency securities, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, non-redeemable preferred stocks and certain U.S. and foreign mutual funds. - Level 3 inputs are unobservable but are significant to the fair value measurement for the asset, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset. These inputs reflect management's own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset. Financial assets utilizing Level 3 inputs include certain non-redeemable preferred stocks, foreign government and corporate bonds, and commercial mortgage-backed securities that were quoted by brokers and could not be corroborated by Level 2 inputs and derivatives. A review of fair value hierarchy classifications is conducted on a quarterly basis. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification of levels for certain securities within the fair value hierarchy. The following tables present the Company's fair value hierarchy for those recurring basis assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2009 and 2008. DECEMBER 31, 2009 FINANCIAL ASSETS Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fixed maturity securities: United States government and government agencies and authorities $3,012 $ -- $3,012 $ -- States, municipalities and political subdivisions 58,394 -- 58,394 -- Foreign governments 35,128 -- 34,613 515 Asset-backed 3,780 -- 3,780 -- Commercial mortgage-backed 20,322 -- 18,130 2,192 Residential mortgage-backed 127,529 -- 127,529 -- Corporate 2,307,698 -- 2,275,987 31,711 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 157,993 -- 154,774 3,219 Short-term investments 70,367 65,875 4,492 -- Collateral held under securities lending 66,896(b) 27,833 39,063 -- Cash equivalents 32,491(b) 32,491 -- -- Other assets 10,406(c) -- -- 10,406 Assets held in separate accounts 1,738,969(b) 1,653,588(a) 85,381 -- ------------- ------------- ------------- --------- TOTAL FINANCIAL ASSETS $4,632,985 $1,779,787 $2,805,155 $48,043 ------------- ------------- ------------- ---------
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 65 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DECEMBER 31, 2008 FINANCIAL ASSETS Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fixed maturity securities: United States government and government $3,662 $ -- $3,662 $ -- agencies and authorities States, municipalities and political 51,477 -- 51,477 -- subdivisions Foreign governments 40,280 -- 33,952 6,328 Asset-backed 6,672 -- 6,672 -- Commercial mortgage-backed 16,080 -- 14,156 1,924 Residential mortgage backed securities 153,203 -- 153,203 -- Corporate 1,928,173 -- 1,902,538 25,635 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 144,770 -- 140,126 4,644 Short-term investments 159,847 159,398 449 -- Collateral held under securities 76,916 (b) 26,211 50,705 -- lending Cash equivalents 11,724 (b) 11,724 -- -- Other assets 4,821 (c) -- -- 4,821 Assets held in separate accounts 1,556,089 (b) 1,490,877 (a) 65,212 -- ------------- --- ------------- --- ------------- --------- TOTAL FINANCIAL ASSETS $4,153,714 $1,688,210 $2,422,152 $43,352 ------------- ------------- ------------- --------- (a) Mainly includes mutual fund investments (b) The amounts presented differ from the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets because certain cash equivalent investments are not measured at estimated fair value (e.g., certificates of deposit, etc.). (c) The amounts presented differ from the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets because only certain assets or liabilities within these line items are measured at estimated fair value (e.g., debt and equity securities and derivatives, etc.). The following table summarizes the change in balance sheet carrying value associated with Level 3 financial assets carried at fair value during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008: YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 TOTAL FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES LEVEL 3 FOREIGN COMMERCIAL ASSETS GOVERNMENT MORTGAGE-BACKED CORPORATE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance, beginning of period $43,352 $6,328 $1,924 $25,635 Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized) included in earnings 5,039 147 24 (717) Net unrealized gains (losses) included in stockholder's equity 4,079 (1,335) 308 4,748 Purchases, issuances, (sales) and (settlements) 10,816 -- (64) 10,880 Net transfers out (15,243) (4,625) -- (8,835) --------- -------- -------- --------- BALANCE, END OF PERIOD $48,043 $515 $2,192 $31,711 --------- -------- -------- --------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 EQUITY SECURITIES NON-REDEEMABLE OTHER PREFERRED ASSETS -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Balance, beginning of period $4,644 $4,821 Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized) included in earnings -- 5,585 Net unrealized gains (losses) included in stockholder's equity 358 -- Purchases, issuances, (sales) and (settlements) -- -- Net transfers out (1,783) -- -------- --------- BALANCE, END OF PERIOD $3,219 $10,406 -------- --------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008 TOTAL FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES LEVEL 3 FOREIGN COMMERCIAL ASSETS GOVERNMENT MORTGAGE-BACKED CORPORATE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Balance, beginning of period $67,436 $499 $1,247 $58,429 Total (losses) gains (realized/unrealized) included in earnings (1,324) 196 22 (3,928) Net unrealized (losses) gains included in stockholder's equity (7,919) 536 (411) (6,939) Purchases, issuances, (sales) and (settlements) 1,652 2,898 1,066 (2,797) Net transfers (out) in (16,493) 2,199 -- (19,130) --------- -------- -------- --------- BALANCE, END OF PERIOD $43,352 $6,328 $1,924 $25,635 --------- -------- -------- --------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008 EQUITY SECURITIES NON-REDEEMABLE OTHER PREFERRED ASSETS -------------------------------------- --------------------------------- Balance, beginning of period $4,826 $2,435 Total (losses) gains (realized/unrealized) included in earnings -- 2,386 Net unrealized (losses) gains included in stockholder's equity (1,105) -- Purchases, issuances, (sales) and (settlements) 485 -- Net transfers (out) in 438 -- -------- -------- BALANCE, END OF PERIOD $4,644 $4,821 -------- --------
66 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three different valuation techniques can be used in determining fair value for financial assets and liabilities: the market, income or cost approaches. The three valuation techniques described in the fair value measurements and disclosures guidance, which is within ASC Topic 820, are consistent with generally accepted valuation methodologies. The market approach valuation techniques use prices and other relevant information from market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. When possible, quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets are used as of the period-end date. Otherwise, valuation techniques consistent with the market approach including matrix pricing and comparables are used. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique employed principally to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for those securities but rather by relying on the securities' relationship to other benchmark quoted securities. Market approach valuation techniques often use market multiples derived from a set of comparables. Multiples might lie in ranges with a different multiple for each comparable. The selection of where within the range the appropriate multiple falls requires judgment, considering both qualitative and quantitative factors specific to the measurement. Income approach valuation techniques convert future amounts, such as cash flows or earnings, to a single present amount, or a discounted amount. These techniques rely on current market expectations of future amounts as of the period-end date. Examples of income approach valuation techniques include present value techniques, option-pricing models, binomial or lattice models that incorporate present value techniques, and the multi-period excess earnings method. Cost approach valuation techniques are based upon the amount that would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset at the period-end date, or the current replacement cost. That is, from the perspective of a market participant (seller), the price that would be received for the asset is determined based on the cost to a market participant (buyer) to acquire or construct a substitute asset of comparable utility, adjusted for obsolescence. While not all three approaches are applicable to all financial assets or liabilities, where appropriate, one or more valuation techniques may be used. For all the financial assets and liabilities included in the above hierarchy, excluding derivatives and private placement bonds, the market valuation technique is generally used. For private placement bonds and derivatives, the income valuation technique is generally used. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the application of the valuation technique applied to similar assets and liabilities has been consistent. Level 1 and Level 2 securities are valued using various observable market inputs obtained from a pricing service. The pricing service prepares estimates of fair value measurements for our Level 2 securities using proprietary valuation models based on techniques such as matrix pricing which include observable market inputs. The fair value measurements and disclosures guidance, defines observable market inputs as the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. The extent of the use of each observable market input for a security depends on the type of security and the market conditions at the balance sheet date. Depending on the security, the priority of the use of observable market inputs may change as some observable market inputs may not be relevant or additional inputs may be necessary. The following observable market inputs, listed in the approximate order of priority, are utilized in the pricing evaluation of Level 2 securities: benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data. The pricing service also evaluates each security based on relevant market information including: relevant credit information, perceived market movements and sector news. Valuation models can change period to period, depending on the appropriate observable inputs that are available at the balance sheet date to price a security. When market observable inputs are unavailable, the remaining unpriced securities are submitted to independent brokers who provide non-binding broker quotes or are priced by other qualified sources and are categorized as Level 3 securities. Management evaluates the following factors in order to determine whether the market for a financial asset is inactive. The factors include, but are not limited to: - There are few recent transactions, - Little information is released publicly, - The available prices vary significantly over time or among market participants, - The prices are stale (i.e., not current), and - The magnitude of the bid-ask spread. Illiquidity did not have a material impact in the fair value determination of the Company's financial assets. The Company generally obtains one price for each financial asset. The Company performs a monthly analysis to assess if the evaluated prices represent a reasonable estimate of their fair value. This process involves quantitative and qualitative analysis and is overseen by investment and accounting professionals. Examples of procedures performed include, but are not limited to, initial and on-going review of pricing service methodologies, review of the prices received from the pricing service, review of pricing statistics and trends, and comparison of prices for certain securities with two different appropriate price sources for reasonableness. Following this analysis, the Company generally uses the best estimate of fair value based upon all available inputs. On infrequent occasions, a non-pricing service source may be more familiar with the market activity for a
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 67 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- particular security than the pricing service. In these cases the price used is taken from the non-pricing service source. The pricing service provides information to indicate which securities were priced using market observable inputs so that the Company can properly categorize our financial assets in the fair value hierarchy. Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis The Company also measures the fair value of certain assets on a non-recurring basis, generally on an annual basis, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. These assets include goodwill and finite-lived intangible assets. In accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 350, INTANGIBLES -- GOODWILL AND OTHER, since the carrying amount of the Company was greater than its fair value as determined in Step 1 of the impairment test, the Company was required to measure the estimated fair value of goodwill in Step 2 of the impairment test. Goodwill of the Company with a carrying amount of $156,817 was written down to its implied fair value of $81,573, resulting in an impairment charge of $75,244, which was included in earnings for the period. See Note 13 for further information. To estimate the fair value, the Company utilized both the income and market valuation approaches. Under the income approach, the Company determined the fair value considering distributable earnings which were estimated from operating plans. The resulting cash flows were then discounted using a market participant weighted average cost of capital estimated for the Company. After discounting the future discrete earnings to their present value, the Company estimated the terminal value attributable to the years beyond the discrete operating plan period. The discounted terminal value was then added to the aggregate discounted distributable earnings from the discrete operating plan period to estimate the fair value of Company. Under the market approach, the Company derived the fair value based on various financial multiples, including but not limited to: price to tangible book value of equity, price to estimated 2009 earnings and price to estimated 2010 earnings which were estimated based on publicly available data related to comparable guideline companies. In addition, financial multiples were also estimated from publicly available purchase price data for acquisitions of companies operating in the insurance industry. The estimated fair value of the Company was more heavily weighted towards the income approach because the earnings capacity of a business is generally considered the most important factor in the valuation of a business enterprise. This fair value determination was categorized as Level 3 (unobservable) in the fair value hierarchy. The following tables present the Company's fair value hierarchy for goodwill measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis on which an impairment charge was recorded, and the related impairment charge as of December 31, 2009: ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE NON-RECURRING BASIS LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3 TOTAL --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At December 31, 2009 Goodwill- $ -- $ -- $81,573 $81,573 ---- ---- --------- --------- IMPAIRMENT CHARGES TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Goodwill- $75,244 $ -- --------- ---- Fair Value of Financial Instruments Disclosures The financial instruments guidance, which is within ASC Topic 825, requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, as defined therein, for which it is practicable to estimate such fair value. Therefore, it requires fair value disclosure for financial instruments that are not recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. However, this guidance excludes certain financial instruments, including those related to insurance contracts and those accounted for under the equity method and joint ventures guidance, which is within ASC Topic 323, INVESTMENTS -- EQUITY METHOD AND JOINT VENTURES (such as real estate joint ventures). Please refer to the INPUTS AND VALUATION TECHNIQUES FOR FINANCIAL AND LIABILITIES DISCLOSURE section above for the methods and assumptions used to estimate fair value for the following assets and liabilities: - Fixed maturity securities - Equity securities - Short-term investments - Other assets Fair values for collateral held and obligations under securities lending and for separate account assets (with matching liabilities) are obtained from an independent pricing service which uses observable market information.
68 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In estimating the fair value of the financial instruments presented, the Company used the following methods and assumptions: CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS: the carrying value reported approximates fair value because of the short maturity of the instruments. COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE LOANS AND POLICY LOANS: the fair values of mortgage loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on interest rates currently being offered for similar loans to borrowers with similar credit ratings. Mortgage loans with similar characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations. The carrying value of policy loans reported in the balance sheets approximates fair value. OTHER INVESTMENTS: the carrying value of the other investments approximates fair value. COLLATERAL AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER SECURITIES LENDING: the invested assets of the collateral held under securities lending are reported at their estimated fair values, which are primarily based on matrix pricing models and quoted market prices. The obligations under securities lending are reported at the amount received from the selected broker/dealers. POLICY RESERVES UNDER INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: the fair values for the Company's policy reserves under the investment products are determined using discounted cash flow analysis. SEPARATE ACCOUNT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES: separate account assets and liabilities are reported at their estimated fair values, which are primarily based on quoted market prices. The following table demonstrates the carrying value and fair value of our financial assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. DECEMBER 31, 2009 DECEMBER 31, 2008 CARRYING FAIR CARRYING FAIR VALUE VALUE VALUE VALUE --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FINANCIAL ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $43,819 $43,819 $17,171 $17,171 Fixed maturities securities 2,555,863 2,555,863 2,199,547 2,199,547 Equity securities 157,993 157,993 144,770 144,770 Commercial mortgage loans on real estate 772,912 782,922 838,254 843,128 Policy loans 13,981 13,981 14,422 14,422 Short-term investments 70,367 70,367 159,847 159,847 Other investments 3,123 3,123 3,938 3,938 Other assets 10,406 10,406 4,821 4,821 Assets held in separate accounts 1,740,344 1,740,344 1,557,313 1,557,313 Collateral held under securities lending 106,896 106,896 113,191 113,191 FINANCIAL LIABILITIES Policy reserves under investment products (Individual and group $262,990 $245,356 $282,175 $261,661 annuities, subject to discretionary withdrawal) Liabilities related to separate accounts 1,740,344 1,740,344 1,557,313 1,557,313 Obligations under securities lending 108,186 108,186 124,063 124,063 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ The fair value of the Company's liabilities for insurance contracts other than investment-type contracts are not required to be disclosed. However, the fair values of liabilities under all insurance contracts are taken into consideration in the Company's overall management of interest rate risk, such that the Company's exposure to changing interest rates is minimized through the matching of investment maturities with amounts due under insurance contracts. 5. INCOME TAXES The Company is subject to U.S. tax and files a U.S. consolidated federal income tax return with its parent, Assurant Inc. Information about the Company's current and deferred tax expense follows: YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current expense: Federal and state $28,000 $37,814 $39,405 Deferred (benefit) expense: Federal and state (873) (26,947) 17,716 --------- --------- --------- TOTAL INCOME TAX EXPENSE $27,127 $10,867 $57,121 --------- --------- ---------
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 69 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A reconciliation of the federal income tax rate to the Company's effective income tax rate follows: DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL INCOME TAX RATE: 35.0% 35.0% 35.0% RECONCILING ITEMS: Goodwill impairment* 662.5 -- -- Change in liability for prior years' taxes 46.0 6.0 (5.0) Permanent nondeductible expenses 10.9 2.2 0.2 Dividends-received deduction (57.1) (21.4) (1.7) Tax-exempt interest (4.3) (0.9) (0.1) Change in valuation allowance -- 36.3 -- Other (10.6) 0.8 0.7 ------- ------ ----- EFFECTIVE INCOME TAX RATE 682.4% 58.0% 29.1% ------- ------ ----- * See note 13 for more information on Goodwill impairment. The increase in the deduction for dividends received is due mainly to the decrease in pre-tax income, partially offset by a decrease in the Company's eligible dividends. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 is as follows: 2009 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ BALANCE AT BEGINNING OF YEAR $ (4,723) $ (7,271) Additions for tax positions related to the current year (536) (733) Reductions for tax positions related to the current year 7,838 3,717 Additions for tax positions related to prior years (8,039) (467) Reductions for tax positions related to prior years 416 31 --------- --------- BALANCE AT END OF YEAR $(5,044) $(4,723) --------- --------- Of the total unrecognized tax benefit, $6,064, $5,260 and $8,249, for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, which includes interest, if recognized, would impact the Company's consolidated effective tax rate. The liability for unrecognized tax benefits is included in the Company's tax payable on its balance sheet. The Company's continuing practice is to recognize interest related to income tax matters in income tax expense. During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company recognized $464 and $372 of interest expense, and $4,880 of interest income, respectively, related to income tax matters. The Company had $2,099 and $1,635 of interest accrued at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and various state jurisdictions. The Company has substantially concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 2004. Substantially all state and non-U.S. income tax matters have been concluded for the years through 2002.
70 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The tax effects of temporary differences that result in significant deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows: DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 (1) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- DEFERRED TAX ASSETS: Deferred gains on reinsurance $33,957 $39,875 Investments 25,535 40,229 Capital loss carryforwards 24,034 14,446 Deferred acquisition costs 19,293 22,350 Compensation related 1,182 970 Accrued liabilities 1,735 1,863 Net unrealized depreciation on securities -- 90,493 Employee and post-retirement benefits -- 1,417 ----------- ----------- TOTAL DEFERRED TAX ASSET 105,736 211,643 Less: valuation allowance (10,415) (7,195) ----------- ----------- Deferred tax assets net of valuation allowance $95,321 $204,448 ----------- ----------- DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES: Net unrealized appreciation on securities $20,588 $ -- Policyholder and separate account reserves 5,238 11,110 Employee and post-retirement benefits 361 -- Other 12,565 13,925 ----------- ----------- TOTAL DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY 38,752 25,035 ----------- ----------- NET DEFERRED INCOME TAX ASSET $56,569 $179,413 ----------- ----------- (1) Components of the 2008 net deferred income tax asset have been reclassified to conform to the 2009 presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the overall net deferred income tax asset. The Company's total valuation allowance against deferred tax assets increased $3,220, from $7,195 at December 31, 2008 to $10,415 at December 31, 2009, respectively, through other comprehensive income and retained earnings. The calculation of the valuation allowance is made at the consolidated return group level. A portion of the valuation allowance has been assigned to the Company based on the provisions of the tax sharing agreement. A cumulative valuation allowance of $10,415 has been recorded because it is management's assessment that it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets of $10,415 will not be realized. The Company's ability to realize deferred tax assets depends on its ability to generate sufficient taxable income of the same character within the carryback or carryforward periods. In assessing future GAAP taxable income, the Company has considered all sources of taxable income available to realize the deferred tax asset, including the future reversal of existing temporary differences, future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carry forwards, taxable income in carryback years and tax-planning strategies. If changes occur in the assumptions underlying the Company's tax planning strategies or in the scheduling of the reversal of the Company's deferred tax liabilities, the valuation allowance may need to be adjusted in the future. At December 31, 2009, the Company had no net operating loss carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes. At December 31, 2009, the Company had a capital loss carryover for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the amount of $68,670. The 2008 capital loss carryovers which represent $39,439 will expire if not utilized in 2013, while the 2009 capital loss carryovers of $29,231 will expire if not utilized in 2014. 6. PREMIUMS AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE Receivables are reported net of an allowance for uncollectible items. A summary of such receivables is as follows: DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------- Insurance premiums receivable $64,906 $60,991 Other receivables 19,421 15,699 Allowance for uncollectible (4,811) (4,840) items --------- --------- TOTAL $79,516 $71,850 --------- --------- 7. STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY The Board of Directors of the Company has authorized 1,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $5.00 per share. All the shares are issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2009 and 2008. All the outstanding shares at December 31, 2009 are owned by the Parent (see Note 1). The Company paid dividends of $20,000 and $197,000 at December 31, 2009 and 2007, respectively. No dividends were paid during 2008.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 71 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The maximum amount of dividends which can be paid by the Company to its shareholder without prior approval of the Insurance Commissioner is subject to restrictions relating to statutory surplus (see Note 8). The Company received contributed capital of $15,000 at December 31, 2009 and 2008. No contributed capital was received during 2007. In 2008, based on operating lines of business, management determined that the Company was over capitalized. As a result, with the approval of the Iowa Insurance Division, on June 27, 2008, the Company returned $100,000 of contributed capital to its parent company, Interfinancial Inc. 8. STATUTORY INFORMATION The Company prepares consolidated financial statements on the basis of statutory accounting principles ("SAP") prescribed or permitted by the Kansas Department of Commerce. Prescribed SAP includes the Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") as well as state laws, regulations and administrative rules. The principal differences between SAP and GAAP are: 1) policy acquisition costs are expensed as incurred under SAP, but are deferred and amortized under GAAP; 2) the value of business acquired is not capitalized under SAP but is under GAAP; 3) amounts collected from holders of universal life-type and annuity products are recognized as premiums when collected under SAP, but are initially recorded as contract deposits under GAAP, with cost of insurance recognized as revenue when assessed and other contract charges recognized over the periods for which services are provided; 4) the classification and carrying amounts of investments in certain securities are different under SAP than under GAAP; 5) the criteria for providing asset valuation allowances, and the methodologies used to determine the amounts thereof, are different under SAP than under GAAP; 6) the timing of establishing certain reserves, and the methodologies used to determine the amounts thereof, are different under SAP than under GAAP; 7) certain assets are not admitted for purposes of determining surplus under SAP; 8) methodologies used to determine the amounts of deferred taxes and goodwill are different under SAP than under GAAP; and 9) the criteria for obtaining reinsurance accounting treatment is different under SAP than under GAAP. The Company's statutory net income and capital and surplus are as follows: YEARS ENDED AND AT DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Statutory net income $59,863 $1,754 (1) $138,496 ---------- ---------- --- ---------- Statutory capital and surplus $418,397 $350,383 $438,924 ---------- ---------- ---------- (1) The $1,754 net income in 2008 includes realized capital losses on investments of $135,094 due to other-than-temporary impairments in our investment portfolio of $108,913 in 2008 compared to $21,291 in 2007. Insurance enterprises are required by state insurance departments to adhere to minimum risk-based capital ("RBC") requirements developed by the NAIC. The Company exceeds the minimum RBC requirements. Dividend distributions to the Parent are restricted as to the amount by state regulatory requirements. A dividend is extraordinary when combined with all other dividends and distributions made within the preceding 12 months exceeds the greater of 10% of the insurers surplus as regards to policyholders on December 31 of the next preceding year, or the net gain from operations. In 2009, the Company declared and paid dividends of $20,000, all of which were ordinary. There were no dividends declared and paid during 2008. Dividends may only be paid out of earned surplus. In 2007, the Company declared and paid dividends of $197,000, of which $30,442 was ordinary and $166,558 was extraordinary. The Company has the ability, under state regulatory requirements, to dividend up to $50,830 to its parent in 2010 without permission from Kansas regulators. 9. REINSURANCE In the ordinary course of business, the Company is involved in both the assumption and cession of reinsurance with non-affiliated companies. The following table provides details of the reinsurance recoverables balance for the years ended December 31: DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ceded future policyholder benefits and expenses $1,300,352 $1,248,756 Ceded unearned premium 18,942 18,502 Ceded claims and benefits payable 105,900 80,414 Ceded paid losses 9,211 11,579 ------------- ------------- TOTAL $1,434,405 $1,359,251 ------------- -------------
72 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The effect of reinsurance on premiums earned and benefits incurred was as follows: YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 LONG SHORT DURATION DURATION TOTAL --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Direct earned Premiums and other considerations $248,457 $909,099 $1,157,556 Premiums assumed 8,419 128,425 136,844 Premiums ceded (190,555) (11,333) (201,888) --------- ---------- ---------- NET EARNED PREMIUMS AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS $66,321 $1,026,191 $1,092,512 --------- ---------- ---------- Direct policyholder Benefits $492,058 $644,290 $1,136,348 Benefits assumed 28,667 114,577 143,244 Benefits ceded (424,066) (5,995) (430,061) --------- ---------- ---------- NET POLICYHOLDER BENEFITS $96,659 $752,872 $849,531 --------- ---------- ---------- YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008 LONG SHORT DURATION DURATION TOTAL ------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------ Direct earned Premiums and other considerations $270,883 $980,899 $1,251,782 Premiums assumed 9,599 127,656 137,255 Premiums ceded (204,503) (10,744) (215,247) --------- ---------- ---------- NET EARNED PREMIUMS AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS $75,979 $1,097,811 $1,173,790 --------- ---------- ---------- Direct policyholder Benefits $614,911 $658,421 $1,273,332 Benefits assumed 33,913 117,260 151,173 Benefits ceded (531,732) (3,275) (535,007) --------- ---------- ---------- NET POLICYHOLDER BENEFITS $117,092 $772,406 $889,498 --------- ---------- ---------- YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007 LONG SHORT DURATION DURATION TOTAL ------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------ Direct earned Premiums and other considerations $293,346 $1,003,971 $1,297,317 Premiums assumed 9,732 179,395 189,127 Premiums ceded (219,490) (7,024) (226,514) --------- ---------- ---------- NET EARNED PREMIUMS AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS $83,588 $1,176,342 $1,259,930 --------- ---------- ---------- Direct policyholder Benefits $756,784 $643,161 $1,399,945 Benefits assumed 31,002 177,909 208,911 Benefits ceded (671,497) (2,750) (674,247) --------- ---------- ---------- NET POLICYHOLDER BENEFITS $116,289 $818,320 $934,609 --------- ---------- ---------- The Company had $843,194 and $714,556 of assets held in trusts as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, for the benefit of others related to certain reinsurance arrangements. The Company utilizes ceded reinsurance for loss protection and capital management, business divestitures, client risk and profit sharing. LOSS PROTECTION AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT As part of the Company's overall risk and capacity management strategy, the Company purchases reinsurance for certain risks underwritten by the Company, including significant individual or catastrophic claims, which enables the Company to free up capital to write additional business. Under indemnity reinsurance transactions in which the Company is the ceding insurer, the Company remains liable for policy claims if the assuming company fails to meet its obligations. To mitigate this risk, the Company has control procedures to evaluate the financial condition of reinsurers and to monitor the concentration of credit risk. The selection of reinsurance companies is based on criteria related to solvency and reliability and, to a lesser degree, diversification as well as developing strong relationships with the Company's reinsurers for the sharing of risks. A.M. Best ratings for The Hartford and John Hancock Life Insurance Company ("John Hancock"), the reinsurers we have the most exposure to, are A and A+, respectively, although A.M. Best recently placed a negative outlook on the issuer credit and financial strength ratings of The Hartford and a stable outlook for John Hancock. BUSINESS DIVESTITURES The Company has used reinsurance to exit certain businesses. In 2005, the Parent signed an agreement with Forethought whereby the Company agreed to discontinue writing new preneed insurance policies in the United States via independent funeral homes and funeral homes other than those owned and operated by SCI for a period of ten years. In 2001, the Parent entered into a reinsurance agreement with The Hartford for the sale of the FFG division. In 2000, the Company divested its LTC operations to John Hancock. Assets supporting liabilities ceded relating to these businesses are held in trusts and the separate accounts relating to FFG are still reflected in the Company's balance sheet. If the reinsurers became insolvent, we would be exposed to the risk that the assets in the trusts and/or the separate accounts would be insufficient to support the liabilities that would revert back to us. The reinsurance recoverable from The Hartford was $648,919 and $677,836 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The reinsurance recoverable from John Hancock was $669,407 and $561,342 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The reinsurance agreement associated with the FFG sale also stipulates that The Hartford contribute funds to increase the value of the separate account assets relating to Modified Guaranteed Annuity business sold if such value declines below the value of the associated liabilities. If The Hartford fails to fulfill these obligations, the Company will be obligated to make these payments. In addition, the Company would be responsible for administering this business in the event of reinsurer insolvency. We do not currently have the administrative systems and capabilities to process this business. Accordingly, we would need to obtain those capabilities in the event of an insolvency of one or more of the reinsurers of these businesses. We might be forced to obtain such capabilities on unfavorable terms with a resulting material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 73 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As of December 31, 2009, we were not aware of any regulatory actions taken with respect to the solvency of the insurance subsidiaries of The Hartford or John Hancock that reinsure the FFG and LTC businesses, and the Company has not been obligated to fulfill any such reinsurers' obligations. On April 1, 2008, the Company and United Family Life Insurance Company ("UFLIC") amended an existing Agreement of Reinsurance (the"Agreement") between the two companies. Under the terms of the amendment, UFLIC will cede to the Company 100% of its remaining reinsured liabilities, as defined in the Agreement, on a coinsurance basis. No gain or loss was recognized as a result of this amendment to the Agreement, and the Company paid a ceding fee of $8,159 to UFLIC. 10. RESERVES The following table provides reserve information of our major product lines at the dates shown: DECEMBER 31, 2009 CLAIMS AND BENEFITS FUTURE PAYABLE INCURRED POLICY BUT NOT BENEFITS AND UNEARNED CASE REPORTED EXPENSES PREMIUMS RESERVES RESERVES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LONG DURATION CONTRACTS: Pre-funded funeral life insurance policies and investment-type annuity contracts $1,185,901 $1,105 $3,737 $1,192 Life insurance no longer offered 287,590 627 1,036 33 FFG and LTC disposed businesses 1,196,373 19,056 6,851 89,323 All other 5,205 335 8,084 18,792 SHORT DURATION CONTRACTS: Group term life -- 3,501 36,977 202,823 Group disability -- 6,716 137,402 1,209,968 Medical -- 2,582 3,245 7,603 Dental -- 3,769 18,297 4,722 Credit life and disability -- 1 -- 1,416 ---------- ------- --------- ---------- TOTAL $2,675,069 $37,692 $215,629 $1,535,872 ---------- ------- --------- ---------- DECEMBER 31, 2008 CLAIMS AND BENEFITS FUTURE PAYABLE INCURRED POLICY BUT NOT BENEFITS AND UNEARNED CASE REPORTED EXPENSES PREMIUMS RESERVES RESERVES ------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- LONG DURATION CONTRACTS: Pre-funded funeral life insurance policies and investment-type annuity contracts $1,237,749 $1,316 $4,076 $1,168 Life insurance no longer offered 303,660 673 932 31 FFG and LTC disposed businesses 1,141,011 18,277 8,451 62,945 All other 5,068 290 20,499 7,767 SHORT DURATION CONTRACTS: Group term life -- 5,988 196,875 41,470 Group disability -- 2,104 1,256,171 138,956 Medical -- 3,315 5,537 9,494 Dental -- 3,995 2,600 20,207 Credit life and disability -- 4 -- 1,384 ---------- ------- ---------- --------- TOTAL $2,687,488 $35,962 $1,495,141 $283,422 ---------- ------- ---------- ---------
74 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following table provides a roll forward of the Company's product lines with the most significant short duration claims and benefits payable balances: group term life and group disability lines of business. Claims and benefits payable is comprised of case and IBNR reserves. GROUP GROUP TERM LIFE DISABILITY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BALANCE AS OF JANUARY 1, 2007, GROSS OF REINSURANCE $276,995 $1,448,571 Less: Reinsurance ceded and other (1) (412) (10,054) ----------- ------------- Balance as of January 1, 2007, net of reinsurance 276,583 1,438,517 Incurred losses related to: Current year 168,613 367,871 Prior year's interest 9,150 62,073 Prior year(s) (51,190) (93,096) ----------- ------------- TOTAL INCURRED LOSSES 126,573 336,848 Paid losses related to: Current year 107,361 71,413 Prior year(s) 34,609 289,046 ----------- ------------- TOTAL PAID LOSSES 141,970 360,459 Balance as of December 31, 2007, net of reinsurance 261,186 1,414,906 Plus: Reinsurance ceded and other (1) 955 34,237 ----------- ------------- BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2007, GROSS OF REINSURANCE $ 262,141 $ 1,449,143 Less: Reinsurance ceded and other (1) (955) (34,237) ----------- ------------- Balance as of January 1, 2008, net of reinsurance 261,186 1,414,906 Incurred losses related to: Current year 158,899 317,328 Prior year's interest 8,358 62,678 Prior year(s) (54,593) (85,403) ----------- ------------- TOTAL INCURRED LOSSES 112,664 294,603 Paid losses related to: Current year 104,535 77,684 Prior year(s) 32,204 268,345 ----------- ------------- TOTAL PAID LOSSES 136,739 346,029 Balance as of December 31, 2008, net of reinsurance 237,111 1,363,480 Plus: Reinsurance ceded and other (1) 1,234 31,647 ----------- ------------- BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008, GROSS OF REINSURANCE $ 238,345 $ 1,395,127 Less: Reinsurance ceded and other (1) (1,234) (31,647) Balance as of January 1, 2009, net of reinsurance 237,111 1,363,480 Incurred losses related to: Current year 138,168 300,046 Prior year's interest 8,299 60,625 Prior year(s) (22,243) (75,016) ----------- ------------- TOTAL INCURRED LOSSES 124,224 285,655 Paid losses related to: Current year 83,520 69,424 Prior year(s) 39,399 264,809 ----------- ------------- TOTAL PAID LOSSES 122,919 334,233 Balance as of December 31, 2009, net of reinsurance 238,416 1,314,902 Plus: Reinsurance ceded and other (1) 1,384 32,468 ----------- ------------- BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, GROSS OF REINSURANCE $239,800 $1,347,370 ----------- ------------- (1) Reinsurance ceded and other includes claims and benefits payable balances that have either been (a) reinsured to third parties, (b) established for claims related expenses whose subsequent payment is not recorded as a paid claim, or (c) reserves established for obligations that would persist even if contracts were cancelled (such as extension of benefits), which cannot be analyzed appropriately under a roll-forward approach. SHORT DURATION CONTRACTS The Company's short duration contracts are comprised of group term life, group disability, medical, dental, and credit life and disability. The principal products and services included in these categories are described in the summary of significant accounting polices. See note 2 for further information.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 75 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case and IBNR reserves are developed using actuarial principles and assumptions that consider, among other things, contractual requirements, historical utilization trends and patterns, benefits changes, medical inflation, seasonality, membership, product mix, legislative and regulatory environment, economic factors, disabled life mortality and claim termination rates and other relevant factors. The Company consistently applies the principles and assumptions listed above from year to year, while also giving due consideration to the potential variability of these factors. Since case and IBNR reserves include estimates developed from various actuarial methods, the Company's actual losses incurred may be more or less than the Company's previously developed estimates. As shown in the table above, if the amounts listed on the line labeled "Incurred losses related to: Prior year" are negative (redundant) this means that the Company's actual losses incurred related to prior years for these lines were less than the estimates previously made by the Company. If the line labeled "Incurred losses related to: Prior year" are positive (deficient) this means that the Company's actual losses incurred related to prior years for these lines were greater than the estimates previously made by the Company. The Group Term Life case and IBNR reserves redundancies in all years are due to actual mortality rates running below those assumed in prior year reserves, and actual recovery rates running higher than those assumed in prior year reserves. Group Disability case and IBNR reserves show redundancies in all years due to actual claim recovery rates exceeding those assumed in prior year reserves. The Company's short duration group disability category includes short and long term disability products. Case and IBNR reserves for long-term disability have been discounted at 5.25%. The December 31, 2009 and 2008 liabilities net of reinsurance include $1,288,589 and $1,334,794, respectively, of such reserves. The amount of discounts deducted from outstanding reserves as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 are $451,267 and $465,786, respectively LONG DURATION CONTRACTS The Company's long duration contracts are comprised of preneed funeral life insurance policies and annuity contracts, life insurance policies (no longer offered), and FFG and LTC disposed businesses. The principal products and services included in these categories are described in the summary of significant accounting polices. See note 2 for further information. PRENEED BUSINESS Interest and discount rates for preneed life insurance vary by year of issuance and product, are based on pricing assumptions and modified to allow for provisions for adverse deviation. During 2009 and 2008, interest and discount rates ranged between 4.7% and 7.3%. Interest and discount rates for traditional life insurance (no longer offered) vary by year of issuance and products and were 7.5% grading to 5.3% over 20 years in 2009 and 2008 with the exception of a block of pre-1980 business which had a level 8.8% discount rate in both 2009 and 2008. Mortality assumptions are based upon pricing assumptions and modified to allow provisions for adverse deviation. Surrender rates vary by product and are based upon pricing assumptions. Future policy benefit increases on preneed life insurance policies ranged from 1.0% to 7.0% in 2009 and 2008. Some policies have future policy benefit increases that are guaranteed or tied to equal some measure of inflation. The inflation assumption for most of these inflation-linked benefits was 3.0% in both 2009 and 2008 with the exception of most policies issued in 2005 and later where the assumption was 2.3%. The reserves for annuities are based on credited interest rates, which vary by year of issue, and ranged from 1.5% to 5.5% in 2009 and 2008. Withdrawal charges, if any, generally range from 7.0% to 0.0% and grade to zero over a period of seven years. FFG AND LTC The reserves for FFG and LTC are included in the Company's reserves in accordance with the insurance guidance, which is within ASC Topic 944. The Company maintains an offsetting reinsurance recoverable related to these reserves. See note 9 for further information. 11. RETIREMENT AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS The Parent sponsors a defined benefit pension plan and certain other post retirement benefits covering employees who meet eligibility requirements as to age and length of service. Plan assets of the defined benefit plans are not specifically identified by each participating subsidiary. Therefore, a breakdown of plan assets is not reflected in these consolidated financial statements. The Company has no legal obligation for benefits under these plans. The benefits are based on years of service and career compensation. The Parent's pension plan funding policy is to contribute amounts to the plan sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirements set forth in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, plus additional amounts as the Parent may determine to be appropriate from time to time up to the maximum permitted, and to charge
76 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- each subsidiary an allocable amount based on its employee census. Pension costs allocated to the Company amounted to $6,349, $5,327 and $6,902 for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Parent sponsors a defined contribution plan covering substantially all employees. The defined contribution plan provides benefits payable to participants on retirement or disability and to beneficiaries of participants in the event of the participant's death. The amounts expensed by the Company related to this plan were $6,206, $5,927 and $5,853 for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. With respect to retirement benefits, the Company participates in other health care and life insurance benefit plans (postretirement benefits) for retired employees, sponsored by the Parent. Heath care benefits, either through the Parent's sponsored retiree plan for retirees under age 65 or through a cost offset for individually purchased Medigap policies for retirees over age 65, are available to employees who retire on or after January 1, 1993, at age 55 or older, with 10 years or more service. Life insurance, on a retiree pay all basis, is available to those who retire on or after January 1, 1993. The Company made contributions to the postretirement benefit plans of $1,500, $1,152 and $1,108 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, as claims were incurred. During 2009, 2008 and 2007 the Company incurred expenses related to retirement benefits of $981, $1,284 and $1,522, respectively. 12. DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS Information about deferred policy acquisition costs follows: DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beginning balance $43,020 $50,575 $63,571 Costs deferred 38,608 35,680 33,063 Amortization (43,720) (43,235) (39,724) Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle -- -- (6,335) --------- --------- --------- ENDING BALANCE $37,908 $43,020 $50,575 --------- --------- --------- 13. GOODWILL, VOBA AND INTANGIBLES Information about goodwill is as follows: GOODWILL FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance as of January 1: $156,817 $156,817 $156,817 Impairments* (75,244) -- -- ---------- ----------- ----------- Goodwill 156,817 156,817 156,817 Accumulated impairment losses (75,244) -- -- ---------- ----------- ----------- BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31: $81,573 $156,817 $156,817 ---------- ----------- ----------- * See Notes 2 and 4 for further information. In accordance with ASC Topic 350, goodwill is deemed to have an indefinite life and should not be amortized, but rather must be tested, at least annually, for impairment. In addition, goodwill should be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would "more likely than not" reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its net book value. The goodwill impairment test has two steps. Step 1 of the test identifies potential impairments, by comparing the estimated fair value of the Company to its net book value. If the estimated fair value exceeds its net book value, there is no impairment of goodwill and Step 2 is unnecessary. However, if the net book value exceeds the estimated fair value, then Step 1 is failed, and Step 2 is performed to determine the amount of the potential impairment. Since the Company failed the Step 1 test, we were required to perform a Step 2 test to determine the amount of the potential impairment. Step 2 utilizes acquisition accounting guidance and requires the fair value calculation of all individual assets and liabilities of the Company (excluding goodwill, but including any unrecognized intangible assets). The net fair value of assets less liabilities is then compared to the total estimated fair value as calculated in Step 1. The excess of estimated fair value over the net asset value equals the implied fair value of goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is then compared to the carrying value of goodwill to determine the Company's goodwill impairment. Based on our Step 2 test it was determined that 48% of the goodwill of the Company was impaired, resulting in a non-cash charge of $75,244. This impairment reflects the challenging near term growth environment for the Company and an increased net book value, primarily related to its investment portfolio. Management remains confident in the long-term prospects of the Company.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 77 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information about VOBA and intangibles are as follows: VOBA FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beginning Balance $21,461 $22,816 $26,667 Acquisitions -- 2,088 -- Amortization, net of interest (2,678) (3,443) (3,851) accrued --------- --------- --------- ENDING BALANCE $18,783 $21,461 $22,816 --------- --------- --------- INTANGIBLES FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 --------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Beginning Balance $25,485 $27,273 $29,061 Acquisitions -- -- -- Amortization, net of interest (1,788) (1,788) (1,788) accrued --------- --------- --------- ENDING BALANCE $23,697 $25,485 $27,273 --------- --------- --------- As of December 31, 2009, the majority of the outstanding balance of VOBA relates to the Company's preneed business. VOBA in this segment assumes an interest rate ranging from 5.4% to 7.5%. At December 31, 2009 the estimated amortization of VOBA for the next five years and thereafter is as follows: YEAR AMOUNT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2010 $2,086 2011 1,863 2012 1,729 2013 1,550 2014 1,425 Thereafter 10,130 --------- TOTAL $18,783 --------- Intangibles assets that have finite lives, including customer relationships, customer contracts and other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. At December 31, 2009, the estimated amortization of intangibles with finite lives for the next five years is as follows: YEAR AMOUNT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2010 $1,788 2011 1,788 2012 1,788 2013 1,788 2014 1,788 Thereafter 14,757 --------- TOTAL $23,697 --------- 14.OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) The Company's components of other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax at December 31 are as follows: UNREALIZED ACCUMULATED OTHER GAINS (LOSSES) ON COMPREHENSIVE SECURITIES OTTI INCOME (LOSS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance at December 31, 2007 $5,696 $ -- $5,696 Activity in 2008 (171,408) -- (171,408) ----------- -------- ----------- Balance at December 31, 2008 (165,712) -- (165,712) ----------- -------- ----------- Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (14,203) (2,221) (16,424) (after-tax) (1) ----------- -------- ----------- Activity in 2009 210,552 6,177 216,729 ----------- -------- ----------- BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2009 $30,637 $3,956 $34,593 ----------- -------- ----------- (1) Related to the adoption of the new OTTI guidance for debt securities. See Notes 3 and 4 for further information. The amounts in the unrealized gains (losses) on securities column are net of reclassification adjustments of $(14,951), $(82,824) and $(13,827), net of tax, in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, for net realized gains (losses) on sales of securities included in net income. The amounts in the OTTI column are net of reclassification adjustments of $(753), net of tax, in 2009, for net realized gains (losses) on sales of securities included in net income. 15.RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS The Company receives various services from the Parent and its affiliates. These services include assistance in benefit plan administration, corporate insurance, accounting, tax, auditing, investment, information technology and other administrative functions. The fees paid to the Parent for these services for years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, were $33,398, $28,525 and $27,581, respectively. Net expenses paid to affiliates were $12,986, $25,324 and $26,714, for the years ended
78 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. Information technology expenses were $20,309, $22,451and $43,369 for years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Administrative expenses allocated for the Company may be greater or less than the expenses that would be incurred if the Company were operating on its own. In, 2008, the Company assumed the remaining business not already reinsured through an existing, but amended agreement with its affiliate, UFLIC. Later in 2008, Assurant sold UFLIC to IA American Life Insurance Company. The Company has assumed premiums from IA American Life Insurance Company of $8,157 and $9,450 and reserves of $473,088 and $498,663 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 respectively. In 2007, premiums and reserves assumed from UFLIC were $8,146 and $520,904, respectively. The Company assumes group disability business from its affiliate, Union Security Life Insurance Company of New York ("USLICONY"). The Company assumed $4,777, $7,806 and $6,813 of premiums from USLICONY in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company assumed $30,149, $30,802 and $29,569 of reserves in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, from USLICONY. This agreement between the Company and its affiliate USICONY was discontinued effective January 1st, 2010, for new incurrals. 16.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES The Company and its subsidiaries lease office space and equipment under operating lease arrangements. Certain facility leases contain escalation clauses based on increases in the lessors' operating expenses. At December 31, 2009, the aggregate future minimum lease payments under these operating lease agreements that have initial or non-cancelable terms in excess of one year are: 2010 $8,463 2011 7,158 2012 2,196 2013 1,109 2014 503 Thereafter 769 --------- TOTAL MINIMUM FUTURE LEASE PAYMENTS $20,198 --------- Rent expense was $8,760, $7,961 and $8,277 for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company is involved in litigation in the ordinary course of business, both as a defendant and as a plaintiff. The Company may from time to time be subject to a variety of legal and regulatory actions relating to the Company's current and past business operations. While the Company cannot predict the outcome of any pending or future litigation, examination or investigation and although no assurances can be given, the Company does not believe that any pending matter will have a material adverse effect individually or in the aggregate, on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. On January 21, 2010, the SEC filed a civil complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in connection with the previously disclosed SEC investigation into a finite reinsurance arrangement entered into by the Parent. In the complaint, the SEC charged the Parent with violating Sections 13(a), 13(b)(2)(A) and 13(b)(2)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rules 12b-20, 13a-11 and 13a-13 thereunder. As previously disclosed by the Parent in a Current Report on Form 8-K on January 21, 2010, the Parent entered into a settlement with the SEC in which the Parent consented, without admitting or denying the allegations in the complaint, to the entry of a judgment requiring payment of a civil penalty of $3,500 and enjoining the Parent from violating the aforementioned federal securities laws. The court approved the settlement in a final judgment entered on January 25, 2010 and the Parent has paid the penalty. As part of the settlement, the SEC granted permanent relief to the Company, exempting it from limitations on serving as depositor to investment companies under Section 9(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. In the course of implementing procedures for compliance with the new mandatory reporting requirements under the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007, the Parent's Health segment identified a possible ambiguity in the Medicare Secondary Payer Act and related regulations about which the Company has since had a meeting with representatives of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS"). The Parent believes that its historical interpretation and application of such laws and regulations is correct and has requested that CMS issue a written determination to that effect. CMS has not made a determination. The Company does not believe that any loss relating to this issue is probable, nor can the Company make any estimate of any possible loss or range of possible loss associated with this issue.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 79 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS On October 1, 2009, the Company acquired, through a reinsurance agreement, a block of business from Shenandoah Life Insurance Company ("Shenandoah"). The Company will assume, on a coinsurance basis, 100% of the group life, disability, dental and vision insurance business in force with Shenandoah. There were no goodwill or intangible assets associated with this agreement. 18. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law. The Company is in the process of evaluating the law's impact on its operations, which may be materially adverse. (F) SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA FIVE-YEAR SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 (IN THOUSANDS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REVENUES Net earned premiums and other considerations $1,092,512 $1,173,790 $1,259,930 $1,366,820 $1,710,771 Net investment income 216,725 238,451 286,235 286,974 293,910 Net realized (losses) gains on investments (1) (25,512) (135,696) (28,219) 8,490 (1,651) Amortization of deferred gains on disposal of businesses 16,906 20,680 23,548 14,929 33,098 Fees and other income 14,859 11,449 16,395 73,183 10,427 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- TOTAL REVENUES 1,315,490 1,308,674 1,557,889 1,750,396 2,046,555 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- BENEFITS, LOSSES AND EXPENSES Policyholder benefits 849,531 889,498 934,609 1,023,627 1,291,384 Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired 46,398 46,678 43,575 47,972 78,258 Underwriting, general and administrative expenses 340,342 353,774 383,106 425,589 492,150 Goodwill impairment (2) 75,244 -- -- -- -- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- TOTAL BENEFITS, LOSSES AND EXPENSES 1,311,515 1,289,950 1,361,290 1,497,188 1,861,792 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Income before provision for income taxes 3,975 18,724 196,599 253,208 184,763 Provision for income taxes 27,127 10,867 57,121 106,576 68,792 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- NET (LOSS) INCOME $(23,152) $7,857 $139,478 $146,632 $115,971 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents and investments $3,810,567 $3,569,830 $4,145,303 $4,381,113 $5,119,810 Total assets $7,340,873 $7,032,458 $8,807,658 $9,196,832 $10,111,429 Policy liabilities (3) $4,464,262 $4,502,013 $4,555,863 $4,629,759 $5,131,168 Total stockholder's equity $718,337 $529,760 $781,041 $899,264 $1,001,929 (1) Included in net realized losses are other-than-temporary impairments of $11,587, $109,075 and $21,126 for 2009, 2008 and 2007 respectively. (2) During the fourth quarter of 2009, following the completion of our annual goodwill impairment analysis, we recorded an impairment charge of $75,244. The impairment charge resulted in a decrease to net income but did not have any related tax benefit. (3) Policy Liabilities include future policy benefits and expenses, unearned premiums and claims and benefits payable. (G) SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA. NOT APPLICABLE. (H) MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
80 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Some of the statements under "Business," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and elsewhere in this registration statement may contain forward-looking statements which reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events, financial performance, business prospects, growth and operating strategies and similar matters. You can identify these statements by the fact that they may use words such as "will," "may," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates," "projects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "targets," "forecasts," "potential," "approximately," or the negative version of those words and other words and terms with a similar meaning. Any forward-looking statements contained in this registration statement are based upon our historical performance and on current plans, estimates and expectations. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. Our actual results might differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or other developments. In addition to other factors described in this statement, the following risk factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those currently estimated by management: (i) general global economic, financial market and political conditions (including difficult conditions in financial markets and the global economic slowdown, fluctuations in interest rates, mortgage rates, monetary policies and inflationary pressure); (ii) failure to maintain significant client relationships, distribution sources and contractual arrangements; (iii) failure to attract and retain sales representatives; (iv) deterioration in the Company's market capitalization compared to its book value that could impair the Company's goodwill; (v) negative publicity and impact on our business due to unfavorable outcomes in litigation and/or regulatory investigations; (vi) current or new laws and regulations, including recently passed legislation relating to health care reform, that could increase our costs and/or decrease our revenues; (vii) inadequacy of reserves established for future claims losses; (viii) failure to predict or manage benefits, claims and other costs; (ix) diminished value of invested assets in our investment portfolio (due to, among other things, recent volatility in financial markets, other-than-temporary impairments, the global economic slowdown, credit and liquidity risk, and inability to assume an appropriate overall risk level); (x) inability of reinsurers to meet their obligations; (xi) insolvency of third parties to whom we have sold or may sell businesses through reinsurance or modified co-insurance; (xii) a decline in our credit or financial strength ratings (including the risk of ratings downgrades in the insurance industry); (xiii) credit risk of some of our agents; (xiv) failure to protect client information and privacy; and (xv) significant competitive pressures in our businesses and cyclicality of the insurance industry. These risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this report. For a more detailed discussion of the risk factors that could affect our actual results, please refer to the section entitled "Risk Factors" in this registration statement. The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes which appear elsewhere in this report. It contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Please see "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" for more information. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed below and elsewhere in this report, particularly under the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements." CRITICAL FACTORS AFFECTING RESULTS Our results depend on the adequacy of our product pricing, underwriting and the accuracy of our methodology for the establishment of reserves for future policyholder benefits and claims, returns on invested assets and our ability to manage our expenses. Therefore, factors affecting these items may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. For a listing of those factors see the section entitled "Risk Factors." REVENUES We generate our revenues primarily from the sale of our insurance policies, fee income by providing administrative services to certain clients and investment income from the securities we own. Sales of insurance policies are recognized in revenue as earned premiums while sales of administrative services are recognized as fee income. Our premium and fee income is supplemented by income earned from our investment portfolio. We recognize revenue from interest payments, dividends and sales of investments. Currently, our investment portfolio is primarily invested in fixed maturity securities. Both investment income and realized capital gains on these investments can be significantly impacted by changes in interest rates. Interest rate volatility can increase or reduce unrealized gains (losses) in our portfolio. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary policies, domestic and international economic and political conditions and other factors beyond our control. Fluctuations in interest rates affect our returns on, and the market value of, fixed maturity securities and short-term investments.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 81 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The fair market value of the fixed maturity securities in our portfolio and the investment income from these securities fluctuate depending on general economic and market conditions. The fair market value generally increases or decreases in an inverse relationship with fluctuations in interest rates, while net investment income realized by us from future investments in fixed maturity securities will generally increase or decrease with interest rates. We also have investments that carry pre-payment risk, such as mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. Actual net investment income and/or cash flows from investments that carry prepayment risk may differ from estimates at the time of investment as a result of interest rate fluctuations. In periods of declining interest rates, mortgage prepayments generally increase and mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage obligations and bonds are more likely to be prepaid or redeemed as borrowers seek to borrow at lower interest rates. Therefore, we may be required to reinvest those funds in lower interest-bearing investments. EXPENSES Our expenses are primarily policyholder benefits, selling, underwriting and general expenses. Our profitability depends in part on accurately predicting policyholder benefits, claims and other costs. It also depends on our ability to manage future policyholder benefits and other costs through product design, underwriting criteria, and in health and dental insurance, negotiation of favorable provider contracts. Changes in the composition of the kinds of work available in the economy, market conditions and numerous other factors may also materially adversely affect our ability to manage claim costs. As a result of one or more of these factors or other factors, claims could substantially exceed our expectations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Selling, underwriting and general expenses consist primarily of commissions, premium taxes, licenses, fees, amortization of deferred acquisition costs ("DAC") and value of business acquired ("VOBA") and general operating expenses. For a description of DAC and VOBA, see Notes 2 and 12 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this registration statement. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES There are certain accounting policies that we consider to be critical due to the amount of judgment and uncertainty inherent in the application of those policies. In calculating financial statement estimates, the use of different assumptions could produce materially different estimates. In addition, if factors such as those described above or in the section entitled "Risk Factors" cause actual events to differ from the assumptions used in applying the accounting policies and calculating financial estimates, there could be a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. The following critical accounting policies require significant estimates. The actual amounts realized could ultimately be materially different from the amounts currently provided for in our consolidated financial statements. RESERVES Reserves are established according to GAAP using generally accepted actuarial methods and are based on a number of factors. These factors include experience derived from historical claim payments and actuarial assumptions to arrive at loss development factors. Such assumptions and other factors include trends, the incidence of incurred claims, and the extent to which all claims have been reported and internal claims processing charges. The process used in computing reserves cannot be exact since actual claim costs are dependent upon such complex factors as inflation, changes in doctrines of legal liabilities and damage awards. The methods of making such estimates and establishing the related liabilities are periodically reviewed and updated. Reserves do not represent an exact calculation of exposure, but instead represent our best estimates, generally involving actuarial projections at a given time of what we expect the ultimate settlement and administration of a claim or group of claims will cost based on our assessment of facts and circumstances then known. The adequacy of reserves will be impacted by future trends in claims severity, frequency, judicial theories of liability and other factors. These variables are affected by both external and internal events, including but not limited to: changes in the economic cycle, changes in the social perception of the value of work, emerging medical perceptions regarding physiological or psychological causes of disability, emerging health issues and new methods of treatment or accommodation, inflation, judicial trends, legislative changes and claims handling procedures. Many of these items are not directly quantifiable, particularly on a prospective basis. Reserve estimates are refined as experience develops. Adjustments to reserves, both positive and negative, are reflected in the statement of operations of the period in which such estimates are updated. Because establishment of reserves is an inherently uncertain process involving estimates of future losses, there can be no certainty that ultimate losses will not exceed existing claims reserves. Future loss development could require reserves to be increased, which could have a material adverse effect on our earnings in the periods in which such increases are made.
82 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following table provides reserve information of our major product lines for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008: CLAIMS AND BENEFITS DECEMBER 31, 2009 PAYABLE FUTURE INCURRED POLICY BUT NOT BENEFITS AND UNEARNED CASE REPORTED EXPENSES PREMIUMS RESERVES RESERVES ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LONG DURATION CONTRACTS: Preneed funeral life insurance policies and investment-type annuity contracts $1,185,901 $1,105 $3,737 $1,192 Life insurance no longer offered 287,590 627 1,036 33 FFG, LTC and other disposed businesses 1,196,373 19,056 6,851 89,323 All other 5,205 335 8,084 18,792 SHORT DURATION CONTRACTS: Group term life -- 3,501 36,977 202,823 Group disability -- 6,716 137,402 1 ,209,968 Medical -- 2,582 3,245 7,603 Dental -- 3,769 18,297 4,722 Credit Life and Disability -- 1 -- 1,416 ---------- ------- --------- ---------------- TOTAL $2,675,069 $37,692 $215,629 $1,535,872 ---------- ------- --------- ---------------- CLAIMS AND BENEFITS DECEMBER 31, 2008 PAYABLE FUTURE INCURRED POLICY BUT NOT BENEFITS AND UNEARNED CASE REPORTED EXPENSES PREMIUMS RESERVES RESERVES ----------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- LONG DURATION CONTRACTS: Preneed funeral life insurance policies and investment-type annuity contracts $1,237,749 $1,316 $4,076 $1,168 Life insurance no longer offered 303,660 673 932 31 FFG, LTC and other disposed businesses 1,141,011 18,277 8,451 62,945 All other 5,068 290 20,499 7,767 SHORT DURATION CONTRACTS: Group term life -- 5,988 196,875 41,470 Group disability -- 2,104 1,256,171 138,956 Medical -- 3,315 5,537 9,494 Dental -- 3,995 2,600 20,207 Credit Life and Disability -- 4 -- 1,384 ---------- ------- ---------- --------------- TOTAL $2,687,488 $35,962 $1,495,141 $283,422 ---------- ------- ---------- --------------- For a description of our reserving methodology, see Notes 2 and 10 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this registration statement The following discusses the reserving process for our runoff preneed operations and reserves recorded for our significant discontinued operations, FFG and LTC. LONG DURATION CONTRACTS Reserves for future policy benefits are recorded as the present value of future benefits to policyholders and related expenses less the present value of future net premiums. Reserve assumptions are selected using best estimates for expected investment yield, inflation, mortality, morbidity, expenses and withdrawal rates. These assumptions reflect current trends, are based on our experience and may include a provision for possible adverse deviation. We also record an unearned revenue reserve which represents the balance of the excess of gross premiums over net premiums that is still to be recognized in future years' income in a constant relationship to either estimated gross profits or insurance in force. Premium deficiency testing is performed annually. Such testing involves the use of best estimate assumptions to determine if the net liability position (all liabilities less DAC) exceeds the minimum liability needed to meet our obligations. Any premium deficiency would first be addressed by removing the provision for adverse deviation, if any. To the extent a premium deficiency still remains, it would be recognized immediately by a charge to the statement of operations and a corresponding reduction in DAC. Any additional deficiency would be recognized as a premium deficiency reserve. Historically, premium deficiency testing has not resulted in a material adjustment to DAC or reserves. Such adjustments would occur only if economic or mortality conditions significantly deteriorated. Risks related to the reserves recorded for contracts from FFG and LTC disposed businesses have been 100% ceded via reinsurance. While the Company has not been released from the contractual obligation to the policyholders, changes in and deviations from economic and mortality assumptions used in the calculation of these reserves will not directly affect our results of operations unless there is a default by the assuming reinsurer. SHORT DURATION CONTRACTS For short duration contracts, claims and benefits payable reserves are reported when insured events occur. The liability is based on the expected ultimate cost of settling the claims. The claims and benefits payable reserves include (1) case reserves for known but unpaid claims as of the balance sheet date; (2) IBNR reserves for claims where the insured event has occurred but has not been reported to us as of the balance sheet date; and (3) loss adjustment expense reserves for the expected handling costs of settling the claims. Periodically, we review emerging experience and make adjustments to our case reserves and assumptions where necessary. Below are further discussions on the reserving process for our major short duration products. The Company's short duration contracts are comprised of group term life, group disability, medical, dental, and credit life and disability. The principal products and services included in these categories are described in the summary of significant accounting polices. See note 2 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report for further information.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 83 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case and IBNR reserves are developed using actuarial principles and assumptions that consider, among other things, contractual requirements, historical utilization trends and patterns, benefits changes, medical inflation, seasonality, membership, product mix, legislative and regulatory environment, economic factors, disabled life mortality and claim termination rates and other relevant factors. The Company consistently applies the principles and assumptions listed above from year to year, while also giving due consideration to the potential variability of these factors. Case or claim reserves are set for active individual claims on group long term disability policies and for disability waiver of premium benefits on group term life policies. Assumptions considered in setting such reserves include disabled life mortality and claim recovery rates, claim management practices, awards for social security and other benefit offsets and yield rates earned on assets supporting the reserves. Group long term disability and group term life waiver of premium reserves are discounted because the payment pattern and ultimate cost are fixed and determinable on an individual claim basis. Factors considered for when setting IBNR reserves include patterns in elapsed time from claim incidence to claim reporting, and elapsed time from claims reporting to claim payment. Since case and IBNR reserves include estimates developed from various actuarial methods, the Company's actual losses incurred may be more or less than the Company's previously developed estimates. As shown in the table above, if the amounts listed on the line labeled "Incurred losses related to: Prior year" are negative (redundant) this means that the Company's actual losses incurred related to prior years for these lines were less than the estimates previously made by the Company. If the line labeled "Incurred losses related to: Prior year" are positive (deficient) this means that the Company's actual losses incurred related to prior years for these lines were greater than the estimates previously made by the Company. The Group Term Life case and IBNR reserves redundancies in all years are due to actual mortality rates running below those assumed in prior year reserves, and actual recovery rates running higher than those assumed in prior year reserves. Group Disability case and IBNR reserves show redundancies in all years due to actual claim recovery rates exceeding those assumed in prior year reserves. The Company's short duration group disability category includes short and long term disability products. Case and IBNR reserves for long-term disability have been discounted at 5.25%. The December 31, 2009 and 2008 liabilities net of reinsurance include $1,288,589 and $1,334,794, respectively, of such reserves. The amount of discounts deducted from outstanding reserves as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 are $451,267 and $465,786, respectively DAC The costs of acquiring new business that vary with and are primarily related to the production of new business are deferred to the extent that such costs are deemed recoverable from future premiums or gross profits. Acquisition costs primarily consist of commissions, policy issuance expenses, premium tax and certain direct marketing expenses. Premium deficiency testing is performed annually. Such testing involves the use of best estimate assumptions, including the anticipation of interest income to determine if anticipated future policy premiums are adequate to recover all DAC and related claims, benefits and expenses. To the extent a premium deficiency exists, it is recognized immediately by a charge to the statement of operations and a corresponding reduction in DAC. If the premium deficiency is greater than unamortized DAC, a liability will be accrued for the excess deficiency. Long Duration Contracts Acquisition costs for preneed life insurance policies and life insurance policies (no longer offered) are deferred and amortized in proportion to anticipated premiums over the premium-paying period. These acquisition costs consist primarily of first year commissions paid to agents and sales and policy issue costs. For preneed investment-type annuities, DAC is amortized in proportion to the present value of estimated gross profits from investment, mortality, expense margins and surrender charges over the estimated life of the policy or contract. The assumptions used for the estimates are consistent with those used in computing the policy or contract liabilities. Acquisition costs relating to worksite group life and disability consist primarily of first year commissions to brokers and one time policy transfer fees and costs of issuing new certificates. These acquisition costs are front-end loaded, thus they are deferred and amortized over the estimated terms of the underlying contracts. Acquisition costs on FFG and LTC disposed businesses were written off when the businesses were sold. Short Duration Contracts Acquisition costs relating to monthly pay credit insurance business consist mainly of direct marketing costs and are deferred and amortized over the estimated average terms and balances of the underlying contracts.
84 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Acquisition costs relating to group term life, group disability and group dental consist primarily of compensation to sales representatives. These acquisition costs are front-end loaded; thus, they are deferred and amortized over the estimated terms of the underlying contracts. Acquisition costs on small group medical contracts consist primarily of commissions to agents and brokers and compensation to representatives. These contracts are considered short duration because the terms of the contract are not fixed at issue and they are not guaranteed renewable. As a result, these costs are not deferred, but rather are recorded in the statement of operations in the period in which they are incurred. INVESTMENTS We regularly monitor our investment portfolio to ensure investments that may be other-than-temporarily impaired are identified in a timely fashion, properly valued, and charged against earnings in the proper period. The determination that a security has incurred an other-than-temporary decline in value requires the judgment of management. Assessment factors include, but are not limited to, the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost, the financial condition and rating of the issuer, whether any collateral is held, the intent and ability of the Company to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery for equity securities and the intent to sell or whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell for fixed maturity securities. Inherently, there are risks and uncertainties involved in making these judgments. Changes in circumstances and critical assumptions such as a continued weak economy, a more pronounced economic downturn or unforeseen events which affect one or more companies, industry sectors, or countries could result in additional impairments in future periods for other-than-temporary declines in value. Any equity security whose price decline is deemed other-than-temporary is written down to its then current market value with the amount of the impairment reported as a realized loss in that period. The impairment of a fixed maturity security that the Company has the intent to sell or that it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell is deemed other-than-temporary and is written down to its market value at the balance sheet date, with the amount of the impairment reported as a realized loss in that period. For all other-than-temporarily impaired fixed maturity securities that do not meet either of these two criteria, the Company is required to analyze its ability to recover the amortized cost of the security by calculating the net present value of projected future cash flows. For these other-than-temporarily impaired fixed maturity securities, the net amount recognized in earnings is equal to the difference between the amortized cost of the fixed maturity security and its net present value. See also "Investments" in Note 3 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report. REINSURANCE Reinsurance recoverables include amounts related to paid benefits and estimated amounts related to unpaid policy and contract claims, future policyholder benefits and policyholder contract deposits. The cost of reinsurance is accounted for over the terms of the underlying reinsured policies using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the policies. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with claim and claim adjustment expense reserves or future policy benefits reserves and are reported in our consolidated balance sheets. The ceding of insurance does not discharge our primary liability to our insureds. An estimated allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded on the basis of periodic evaluations of balances due from reinsurers, reinsurer solvency, management's experience and current economic conditions. The following table sets forth our reinsurance recoverables as of the dates indicated: AS OF AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 DECEMBER 31, 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reinsurance recoverables $1,434,405 $1,359,251 We have used reinsurance to exit certain businesses, such as the dispositions of FFG and LTC. The reinsurance recoverables relating to these dispositions amounted to $1,318,326 and $1,239,178 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in both the assumption and cession of reinsurance with non-affiliated companies. The following table provides details of the reinsurance recoverables balance for the years ended December 31: 2009 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ceded future policyholder benefits and expense $1,300,352 $1,248,756 Ceded unearned premium 18,942 18,502 Ceded claims and benefits payable 105,900 80,414 Ceded paid losses 9,211 11,579 ------------ ------------ TOTAL $1,434,405 $1,359,251 ------------ ------------ We utilize reinsurance for loss protection and capital management and business dispositions. See also section entitled "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk -- Credit Risk."
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 85 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Liquidity and Capital Resources The primary sources of funds for the Company consist of premiums and fees collected, the proceeds from the sales and maturity of investments and investment income. Cash is primarily used to pay insurance claims, agent commissions, operating expenses and taxes. We generally invest our excess funds in order to generate investment income. We also have the ability to receive capital infusions from our Parent, if needed. Please see Assurant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 for additional information related to our Parent. RETIREMENT AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS The Parent sponsors a defined benefit pension plan and certain other post retirement benefits covering employees who meet eligibility requirements as to age and length of service. Plan assets of the defined benefits plans are not specifically identified by each participating subsidiary. Therefore, a breakdown of plan assets is not reflected in these consolidated financial statements. The Company has no legal obligation for benefits under these plans. The benefits are based on years of service and career compensation. The Parent's pension plan funding policy is to contribute amounts to the plan sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirements set forth in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, plus additional amounts as the Parent may determine to be appropriate from time to time up to the maximum permitted, and to charge each subsidiary an allocable amount based on its employee census. Pension costs allocated to the Company amounted to $6,349, $5,327and $6,902 for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. See Note 11 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report for additional information. CONTINGENCIES We follow the requirements of the contingencies guidance, which is included within ASC Topic 450, CONTINGENCIES. This requires management to evaluate each contingent matter separately. A loss is reported if reasonably estimable and probable. We establish reserves for these contingencies at the best estimate, or, if no one estimated number within the range of possible losses is more probable than any other, we report an estimated reserve at the low end of the estimated range. Contingencies affecting the Company include litigation matters which are inherently difficult to evaluate and are subject to significant changes. DEFERRED TAXES Deferred income taxes are recorded for temporary differences between the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the Company expects the temporary differences to reverse. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that an amount will not be realized. The Company has significant deferred tax assets resulting from capital loss carry forwards and other temporary differences that may reduce taxable income in future periods. The detailed components of our deferred tax assets, liabilities and valuation allowance are included in Note 5 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report. ASC Topic 740 states that a deferred tax asset should be reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of all available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The valuation allowance should be sufficient to reduce the deferred tax asset to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In determining whether the Company's deferred tax asset is realizable, the Company considered all available evidence, including both positive and negative evidence. The realization of deferred tax assets depends upon the existence of sufficient taxable income of the same character during the carryback or carryforward period. The Company considered all sources of taxable income available to realize the deferred tax asset, including the future reversal of existing temporary differences, future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carry forwards, taxable income in carry back years and tax-planning strategies. The Company has concluded that it is not more likely than not that it will generate sufficient taxable income of the same character in the foreseeable future to realize all of its deferred tax assets related to capital loss carryovers. The realization of deferred tax assets depends upon the existence of sufficient taxable income of the same character during the carry back or carryforward period. U.S. tax rules mandate that capital losses can only be recovered against capital gains. An example of capital gains would be gains from the sale of investments. The Company is dependent upon the consolidated group, of which it is a member, having capital gain income in the foreseeable future to use the capital loss carryforward in its entirety. To support the capital deferred tax asset, the Company is able to rely on future taxable capital gain income from unrealized gains in the group's investment portfolios, which increased from the prior year's unprecedented market declines. The Company is also able to rely on the use of various tax planning strategies to forecast taxable capital gains in the foreseeable future. ASC Topic 740 indicates that a tax planning strategy is an action that management ordinarily might not take, but would take, if necessary, to realize a tax benefit for a carryforward before it expires. These are actions that are prudent and feasible and would result in the realization of deferred tax assets. Examples include, but are not limited to, changing the character of taxable or deductible amounts from ordinary income or loss to capital gain or loss or accelerating taxable amounts.
86 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Company's total valuation allowance against deferred tax assets increased $3,220, from $7,195 at December 31, 2008 to $10,415 at December 31, 2009, respectively, through other comprehensive income and retained earnings. The calculation of the valuation allowance is made at the consolidated return group level. A portion of the valuation allowance has been assigned to the Company based on the provisions of the tax sharing agreement. Accordingly, a cumulative valuation allowance of $10,415 has been recorded because it is management's assessment that it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets of $10,415 will not be realized. The Company believes it is more likely than not that the remainder of its deferred tax assets will be realized in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, other than noted herein for capital loss carryovers, a valuation allowance has not been established. Future reversal of the valuation allowance will be recognized either when the benefit is realized or when it has been determined that it is more likely than not that the benefit will be realized. Depending on the nature of the taxable income that results in a reversal of the valuation allowance, and on management's judgment, the reversal will be recognized either through other comprehensive income (loss) or through continuing operations in the statement of operations. Likewise, if the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that it would be able to realize all or part of the deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance would be recorded through a charge to continuing operations in the statement of operations in the period such determination is made. In determining the appropriate valuation allowance, certain judgments are made by management relating to recoverability of deferred tax assets, use of tax loss and tax credit carryforwards, levels of expected future taxable income and available tax planning strategies. The assumptions in making these judgments are updated periodically by management based on current business conditions that affect the Company and overall economic conditions. These management judgments are therefore subject to change based on factors that include, but are not limited to, changes in expected capital gain income in the foreseeable future and the ability of the Company to successfully execute its tax planning strategies. VALUATION AND RECOVERABILITY OF GOODWILL Goodwill represented $81,573 and $156,817 of our $7,342,413 and $7,032,458 total assets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. We review our goodwill annually in the fourth quarter for impairment or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. We regularly assess whether any indicators of impairment exist. Such indicators include, but are not limited to: a significant decline in our expected future cash flows due to changes in company-specific factors or the broader business climate. The evaluation of such factors requires considerable management judgment. Any adverse change in these factors could have a significant impact on the recoverability of goodwill and could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. The goodwill impairment test has two steps. The Company first compares its estimated fair value with its net book value. If the estimated fair value exceeds its net book value, goodwill is deemed not to be impaired, and no further testing is necessary. If the net book value exceeds its estimated fair value, we then perform a second test to measure the amount of impairment, if any. To determine the amount of any impairment, we would determine the implied fair value of goodwill in the same manner as if the Company were being acquired in a business combination. Specifically, we would determine the fair value of all of the assets and liabilities of the Company, including any unrecognized intangible assets, in a hypothetical calculation that would yield the implied fair value of goodwill. If the implied fair value of goodwill were less than the recorded goodwill, we would record an impairment charge for the difference. The following describes the valuation methodologies used in both 2009 and 2008 to derive the fair value of the Company. For the Company we identify a group of peer companies, which have operations that are as similar as possible. A Guideline Company Method is used to value the Company based upon its relative performance to its peer companies, based on several measures, including price to trailing 12 month earnings, price to projected earnings, price to tangible net worth and return on equity. A Dividend Discount Method ("DDM") is used to value the Company based upon the expected earnings available for distribution over future periods. The Company determined the estimated fair value considering distributable earnings which were estimated from operating plans. Operating plan cash flows were then discounted using a market participant weighted average cost of capital estimated for the Company. After discounting the future discrete earnings to their present value, the Company estimated the terminal value attributable to the years beyond the discrete operating plan period. The discounted terminal value was then added to the aggregate discounted distributable earnings from the discrete operating plan period to estimate the fair value of the Company. A Guideline Transaction Method values the Company based on available data concerning the purchase prices paid in acquisitions of companies operating in the insurance industry. The application of certain financial multiples calculated from these transactions provides an indication of estimated fair value of the Company. While all three valuation methodologies are considered in assessing fair value, the DDM received the highest weighting of the three methodologies, since it uses the earnings capacity of a business which is generally considered the most important
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 87 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- factor in the valuation of a business enterprise. Also, the DDM received the highest weight given recent dislocations in the economy, the scarcity of M&A transactions in the insurance marketplace and the relative lack of directly comparable companies. In the fourth quarter, we conducted our annual assessment of goodwill using the methodologies discussed above. After completing the Step 1 analysis, we determined that the Company had an estimated fair value less than its net book value. Accordingly, Management performed a Step 2 test for the Company. Step 2 utilizes acquisition accounting guidance and requires the fair value calculation of all individual assets and liabilities of the Company (excluding goodwill, but including any unrecognized intangible assets). The net fair value of assets less liabilities is then compared to the Company's total estimated fair value as calculated in Step 1. The excess of fair value over the net asset value equals the implied fair value of goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is then compared to the carrying value of goodwill to determine the Company's impairment. Based on our Step 2 test it was determined that $75,244 of goodwill of the Company was impaired, resulting in a non-cash charge. This impairment reflects the challenging near term growth environment for the Company and an increased net book value, primarily related to its investment portfolio. Management remains confident in the long-term prospects of the Company. The determination of fair value of the Company requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions primarily include, but are not limited to, earnings and required capital projections discussed above, discount rates, terminal growth rates, operating income and dividend forecasts and the weighting assigned to the results of each of the three valuation methods described above. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making these estimates, actual results could differ materially from those estimates. We evaluated the significant assumptions used to determine the fair values of the Company, both individually and in the aggregate and concluded they are reasonable. Changes in certain assumptions could have a significant impact on the goodwill impairment assessment. Should weak market conditions continue for an extended period, or should the operating results decline substantially compared to projected results, we could determine that we need to record an additional non-cash impairment charge related to goodwill. Any such charge would have no effect on either the Company's cash balance or future cash flows. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS -- ADOPTED See Note 2 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this registration statement. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS -- NOT YET ADOPTED See Note 2 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this registration statement. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The table below presents information regarding our consolidated results of operations: FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REVENUES: Net earned premiums and other considerations (2) $1,092,512 $1,173,790 $1,259,930 Net investment income 216,725 238,451 286,235 Net realized losses on investments (25,512) (135,696) (28,219) Amortization of deferred gains on disposal of businesses 16,906 20,680 23,548 Fees and other income 14,859 11,449 16,395 ------------- ------------- ------------- TOTAL REVENUES 1,315,490 1,308,674 1,557,889 ------------- ------------- ------------- BENEFITS, LOSSES AND EXPENSES: Policyholder benefits 849,531 889,498 934,609 Selling, underwriting and general expenses (1) 386,740 400,452 426,681 Total benefits, losses and expenses 1,236,271 1,289,950 1,361,290 INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES AND GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT 79,219 18,724 196,599 Provision for income taxes 27,127 10,867 57,121 ------------- ------------- ------------- NET INCOME BEFORE GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT 52,092 7,857 139,478 Goodwill impairment 75,244 -- -- ------------- ------------- ------------- NET (LOSS) INCOME $(23,152) $7,857 $139,478 ------------- ------------- ------------- (1) Includes amortization of deferred acquisition costs ("DAC") and value of business acquired ("VOBA") and underwriting, general and administrative expenses. (2) Includes single premiums on closed blocks of group disability business. For closed blocks of business we receive a single, upfront premium and in turn we record a virtual equal amount of claim reserves. We then manage the claims using our claim management practices.
88 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following discussion provides a general overall analysis of the consolidated results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 ("Twelve Months 2009") and twelve months ended December 31, 2008 ("Twelve Months 2008"). Please see the discussion that follows for a more detailed analysis of the fluctuations. YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 COMPARED TO DECEMBER 31, 2008 NET (LOSS) INCOME Net (loss) income decreased $31,009, or 395%, to a net loss of (23,152) for Twelve Months 2009 from net income of $7,857 for Twelve Months 2008. This was mainly due to a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $75,244 that was recorded for Twelve Months 2009. The decrease in net income was also driven by lower net earned premiums and less favorable life, dental and disability loss experience. In addition, lower net investment income of $14,122 (after-tax) due to decreased average invested assets and lower investment yields contributed to the overall decrease in net income. This was partially offset by lower net realized losses on investments of $73,160 (after-tax). Other-than-temporary impairments included in net realized losses on investments were $7,532 (after-tax) in Twelve Months 2009 compared with $70,899 (after-tax) in Twelve Months 2008. Total Revenues Total revenues increased $6,816, or 1%, to $1,315,490 for Twelve Months 2009 from $1,308,674 for Twelve Months 2008. The increase was primarily due to lower net realized losses on investments of $112,554 driven by the write-down of other-than-temporary impairments in our investment portfolio of $11,587 in Twelve Months 2009 compared to $109,075 in Twelve Months 2008. This was partially offset by a decrease in net earned premiums of $81,278 due primarily to increased lapses and fewer covered lives due to higher unemployment, along with a difficult sales environment which presents a challenge to revenue growth. Although we added two new clients in the fourth quarter of 2009, assumed premiums from our Disability RMS distribution channel decreased for Twelve Months 2009 compared to the prior year, excluding single premiums from closed blocks of business. The decrease in assumed premium was partially offset by the acquisition of a block of group business from Shenandoah Life Insurance Company. In addition, net investment income decreased by $21,726 due to decreased average invested assets and lower investment yields. Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses Total benefits, losses and expenses decreased $53,679, or 4%, to $1,236,271 for Twelve Months 2009 from $1,289,950 for Twelve Months 2008. This was primarily due to a decrease in policyholder benefits resulting from a decline in our small employer group health business and a decline in our prefunded funeral business due to run-off of closed blocks of business. Selling, underwriting and general expenses decreased as a result of lower net earned premiums. Income Taxes Income taxes increased $16,260, or 150%, to $27,127 for Twelve Months 2009 from $10,867 for Twelve Months 2008. The change in income taxes was not proportionate to pretax income due to an increase in 2008 income taxes for the establishment of a tax valuation allowance against deferred taxes, which is primarily attributable to capital losses resulting from dispositions of investments of $7,195. YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008 COMPARED TO DECEMBER 31, 2007 NET INCOME Net income decreased $131,621, or 94%, to $7,857 for the Twelve Months 2008 from $139,478 for the Twelve Months 2007. The decrease in net income was primarily due to an increase in net realized losses on investments of $69,860 (after-tax) driven by the write-down of other-than-temporary impairments in our investment portfolio of $70,899 (after-tax) in 2008 compared to $13,732 (after-tax) in 2007. Also contributing to the decrease was a reduction in net investment income of $31,060 (after-tax) of which $22,425 was from real estate joint venture partnerships, a $9,881 favorable tax settlement in 2007 and less favorable group dental experience. The decrease in real estate joint venture partnership income is due to greater sales of underlying properties in 2007 compared to 2008 given the more favorable real estate market conditions in 2007. Total Revenues Total revenues decreased $249,215, or 16%, to $1,308,674 for Twelve Months 2008 from $1,557,889 for Twelve Months 2007. The decrease was primarily due to an increase in net realized losses on investments of $107,477, driven by the write-down of other-than-temporary impairments in our investment portfolio of $109,075 in 2008 compared to $21,126 in 2007. Net investment income decreased $47,784 of which $34,500 was due to lower distributions from real estate joint venture partnerships. Net earned premiums decreased $86,140, primarily due to a decline in our small employer group health business, a decrease in disability net earned premiums due to the transfer of a closed block of business in the prior year and a decrease in group life net earned premiums. Also contributing to the decrease was a reduction in fees and other income due to contract settlement fee income recorded in the prior year related to the sale of marketing rights for our Independent -- U.S. channel in our prefunded funeral business. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in net earned premiums in our group dental business.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 89 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses Total benefits, losses and expenses decreased $71,340, or 5%, to $1,289,950 for Twelve Months 2008 from $1,361,290 for Twelve Months 2007. This decrease was primarily due to a decline in our small employer group health business, a reduction in disability policyholder benefits due to the transfer of a closed block of business in the prior year, favorable experience in our group life business and a decline in our prefunded funeral business due to run-off of closed blocks of business. These decreases were partially offset by less favorable group dental experience. Income Taxes Income taxes decreased $46,254, or 81%, to $10,867 for Twelve Months 2008 from $57,121 for Twelve Months 2007. The change in income taxes was not proportionate to pretax income, primarily due to a $9,881 favorable tax settlement in 2007 and an increase in 2008 income taxes due to the establishment of a tax valuation allowance against deferred taxes, which is primarily attributable to capital losses resulting from dispositions of investments of $7,195. INVESTMENTS See Note 3 (Investments) and Note 4 (Fair Value Disclosures) to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report. CASH FLOWS We monitor cash flows, and forecasts are provided on a monthly basis. Trend and variance analyses are used to project future cash needs making adjustments to the forecasts when needed. The table below shows our recent net cash flows: FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN): Operating activities $(57,939) $23,058 $13,340 Investing activities 105,464 162,267 78,147 Financing activities (20,877) (200,986) (133,888) ---------- ----------- ----------- NET CHANGE IN CASH $26,648 $(15,661) $(42,401) ---------- ----------- ----------- CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007 Operating activities: Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities was $ (57,939) and $23,058 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities between years is primarily due to lower gross written premiums in 2009 as well as lower net investment income due to decreased average invested assets and lower investment yields. Net cash provided by operating activities was $23,058 and $13,340 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in cash provided by operating activities between years was mainly due to a decrease in total policyholder benefits paid out, as well as a decrease in taxes paid. Investing activities: Net cash provided by investing activities was $105,464 and $162,267 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The decrease in cash between years is primarily due to increased purchase of fixed maturity securities, partially offset by a decrease in sales of fixed maturity and equity securities. Net cash provided by investing activities was $162,267 and $78,172 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in cash between years was mainly due to a change in collateral held under securities lending, a decrease in purchases of fixed maturity and equity securities, partially offset by an overall decrease of sales/redemptions of Fixed Maturities securities. Financing activities: Net cash used in financing activities was $20,877 and $200,986 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The decrease in cash used in financing activities is primarily due to the change in obligation under securities lending, a $100,000 return of capital to the parent in 2008, partially offset by $20,000 of dividends paid to the parent in 2009. Net cash used in financing activities was $200,986 and $133,888 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in net cash used in financing activities was mainly due to a change in obligation under securities lending, offset by a net decrease in dividends/return of capital paid to the parent.
90 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES We have obligations and commitment to third parties as a result of our operations. These obligations and commitments, as of December 31, 2009, are detailed in the table below by maturity date as of the dates indicated: AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 LESS THAN 1 1-3 3-5 MORE THAN 5 TOTAL YEAR YEARS YEARS YEARS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS : Insurance liabilities (1) $6,651,571 $593,109 $808,299 $695,287 $4,554,876 Operating leases 20,198 8,463 9,354 1,612 769 COMMITMENTS: Liability for unrecognized tax benefit 6,064 -- 5,529 535 -- ----------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- TOTAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS $6,677,833 $601,572 $823,182 $697,434 $4,555,645 ----------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- (1) Insurance liabilities, reflected in the commitments and contingencies table above, include products for which we are currently making periodic payments and products for which we are not making periodic payments, but for which we believe the amount and timing of future payments is essentially fixed and determinable. Amounts included in insurance liabilities reflect estimated cash payments to be made to policyholders. Liabilities for future policy benefits and expenses of $2,675,069 and claims and benefits payable of $1,751,501 have been included in the commitments and contingencies table. Significant uncertainties relating to these liabilities include mortality, morbidity, expenses, persistency, investment returns, inflation, contract terms and the timing of payments. OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on the financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, or capital resources of the Company. (I) CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS. NONE (J) QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK As a provider of insurance products, effective risk management is fundamental to our ability to protect both our customers' and our stockholder's interests. We are exposed to potential loss from various market risks, in particular interest rate risk, credit risk and inflation risk. Interest rate risk is the possibility that the fair value of liabilities will change more or less than the market value of investments in response to changes in interest rates, including changes in the slope or shape of the yield curve and changes in spreads due to credit risks and other factors. Credit risk is the possibility that counterparties may not be able to meet payment obligations when they become due. We assume counterparty credit risk in many forms. A counterparty is any person or entity from which cash or other forms of consideration are expected to extinguish a liability or obligation to us. Primarily, our credit risk exposure is concentrated in our fixed maturity securities portfolio and, to a lesser extent, in our reinsurance recoverables. Inflation risk is the possibility that a change in domestic price levels produces an adverse effect on earnings. This typically happens when only one of invested assets or liabilities is indexed to inflation. INTEREST RATE RISK Interest rate risk arises as we invest substantial funds in interest-sensitive fixed maturity securities, such as fixed maturity investments, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities and commercial mortgage loans. There are two forms of interest rate risk -- price risk and reinvestment risk. Price risk occurs when fluctuations in interest rates have a direct impact on the market valuation of these investments. As interest rates rise, the market value of these investments falls, and conversely, as interest rates fall, the market value of these investments rises. Reinvestment risk occurs when fluctuations in interest rates have a direct impact on expected cash flows from mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. As interest rates fall, an increase in prepayments on these assets results in earlier than expected receipt of cash flows forcing us to reinvest the proceeds in an unfavorable lower interest rate environment. Conversely as interest rates rise, a decrease in prepayments on these assets results in later than expected receipt of cash flows forcing us to forgo reinvesting in a favorable higher interest rate environment. As of December 31, 2009, we held $2,555,863 of fixed maturity securities at fair market value and $772,912 of commercial mortgages at amortized cost for a combined total of 88% of total invested assets. As of December 31, 2008 we held $2,199,547 of fixed maturity securities at fair market value and $838,254 of commercial mortgages at amortized cost for a combined total of 86% of total invested assets. We manage interest rate risk by selecting investments with characteristics such as duration, yield, currency and liquidity tailored to the anticipated cash outflow characteristics of our insurance and reinsurance liabilities.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 91 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our group long-term disability reserves are also sensitive to interest rates. Group long-term disability and group term life waiver of premium reserves are discounted to the valuation date at the valuation interest rate. The valuation interest rate is determined by taking into consideration actual and expected earned rates on our asset portfolio. The interest rate sensitivity relating to price risk of our fixed maturity security assets is assessed using hypothetical scenarios that assume several positive and negative parallel shifts of the yield curves. We have assumed that the United States and Canadian yield curve shifts are of equal direction and magnitude. The individual securities are repriced under each scenario using a valuation model. For investments such as callable bonds and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, a prepayment model was used in conjunction with a valuation model. Our actual experience may differ from the results noted below particularly due to assumptions utilized or if events occur that were not included in the methodology. The following table summarizes the results of this analysis for bonds, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities held in our investment portfolio: INTEREST RATE MOVEMENT ANALYSIS OF MARKET VALUE OF FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 -100 -50 0 50 100 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total market value $2,780,930 $2,665,282 $2,555,863 $2,452,931 $2,356,612 % Change in market value from base 8.81% 4.28% --% (4.03)% (7.80)% case $ Change in market value from base $225,067 $109,419 $ -- $(102,933) $(199,252) case CREDIT RISK We have exposure to credit risk primarily from our customers, as a holder of fixed maturity securities and by entering into reinsurance cessions. Our risk management strategy and investment policy is to invest in debt instruments of high credit quality issuers and to limit the amount of credit exposure with respect to any one issuer. We attempt to limit our credit exposure by imposing fixed maturity portfolio limits on individual issuers based upon credit quality. Currently our portfolio limits are 1.5% for issuers rated AA- and above, 1% for issuers rated A- to A+, 0.75% for issuers rated BBB- to BBB+ and 0.38% for issuers rated BB- to BB+. These portfolio limits are further reduced for certain issuers with whom we have credit exposure on reinsurance agreements. We use the lower of Moody's or Standard & Poor's ratings to determine an issuer's rating. We are also exposed to the credit risk of our reinsurers. When we reinsure, we are still liable to our insureds regardless of whether we get reimbursed by our reinsurer. As part of our overall risk and capacity management strategy, we purchase reinsurance for certain risks that we underwrite. For at least 50% of our $1,434,405 of reinsurance recoverables at December 31, 2009, we are protected from the credit risk by using various types of risk mitigation mechanisms such as a trusts, letters of credit or by withholding the assets in a modified coinsurance or co-funds-withheld arrangement. For example, reserves of $648,919 and $669,407 as of December 31, 2009 relating to two large coinsurance arrangements with The Hartford and John Hancock, respectively, related to sales of businesses are held in trusts. If the value of the assets in these trusts falls below the value of the associated liabilities, The Hartford and John Hancock, as the case may be, will be required to put more assets in the trusts. We may be dependent on the financial condition of The Hartford and John Hancock, whose A.M. Best ratings are currently A and A+, respectively. However, A.M. Best recently placed a negative outlook on the issuer credit ratings and financial strength ratings of The Hartford and a stable outlook for John Hancock. For recoverables that are not protected by these mechanisms, we are dependent solely on the credit of the reinsurer. Occasionally, the creditworthiness of the reinsurer becomes questionable. See the section entitled "Risk Factors -- Reinsurers' Failure to Fulfill Obligations" for further information. A majority of our reinsurance exposure has been ceded to companies rated A- or better by A.M. Best. INFLATION RISK Inflation risk arises as we invest substantial funds in nominal assets which are not indexed to the level of inflation, whereas the underlying liabilities are indexed to the level of inflation. Approximately 21% of our preneed policies with reserves of approximately $285,000 as of December 31, 2009 have death benefits that are guaranteed to grow with the Consumer Price Index. In times of rapidly rising inflation the credited death benefit growth on these liabilities increases relative to the investment income earned on the nominal assets resulting in an adverse impact on earnings. We have partially mitigated this risk by purchasing a contract with payments tied to the Consumer Price Index. See " -- Derivatives." In addition, we have inflation risk in our individual and small employer group health insurance businesses to the extent that medical costs increase with inflation and we have not been able to increase premiums to keep pace with inflation.
92 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DERIVATIVES Derivatives are financial instruments whose values are derived from interest rates, foreign exchange rates, financial indices or the prices of securities or commodities. Derivative financial instruments may be exchange-traded or contracted in the over-the-counter market and include swaps, futures, options and forward contracts. Under insurance statutes, our insurance companies may use derivative financial instruments to hedge actual or anticipated changes in their assets or liabilities, to replicate cash market instruments or for certain income-generating activities. These statutes generally prohibit the use of derivatives for speculative purposes. We generally do not use derivative financial instruments. We have purchased a contract to partially hedge the inflation risk exposure inherent in some of our preneed insurance policies. (K) EXECUTIVE OFFICERS The table below sets forth certain information, as of April 30, 2010, concerning each person deemed to be an Executive Officer of the Company. There are no arrangements or understandings between any Executive Officer and any other person pursuant to which the officer was selected. NAME AGE POSITIONS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John S. Roberts 54 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director; Executive Vice President, Assurant, Inc. Kenneth D. Bowen 56 Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary Dianna D. Duvall 49 Senior Vice President Matthew K. Gilligan 57 Senior Vice President Timothy W. Knott 48 Senior Vice President Sheryle L. Ohme 60 Senior Vice President Rosemary Polk 56 Senior Vice President Karla Schacht 50 Senior Vice President Joseph A. Sevcik 51 Senior Vice President Joi A. Tillman 38 Vice President J. Marc Warrington 42 Senior Vice President Miles B. Yakre 41 Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer JOHN S. ROBERTS, PRESIDENT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND DIRECTOR; EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, ASSURANT, INC. Please see Mr. Roberts' biography in the section below entitled "DIRECTORS". KENNETH D. BOWEN, VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY. Mr. Bowen has served as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company since May 2008, having previously served as Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Company. Mr. Bowen has served in various in-house legal roles at Assurant Employee Benefits since 1983. DIANNA D. DUVALL, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT. Ms. Duvall has served as Senior Vice President of the Company since January 2004. Ms. Duvall has served in various management positions at Assurant Employee Benefits since its acquisition, including customer service, Life and Disability Underwriting, True Group and Dental Health Alliance networks. MATTHEW K. GILLIGAN, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT. Mr. Gilligan has served as Senior Vice President of the Company since February 2009. He also currently serves as President of Disability RMS, having served in various management positions at Disability RMS since 2003. TIMOTHY W. KNOTT, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT. Mr. Knott has served as Senior Vice President of the Company since February 2009, having previously served as Vice President since July 2008. Prior to this, he served as Vice President of Specialty Benefits Products and Operations for Principal Financial from April 2004 to July 2008. SHERYLE L. OHME, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT. Ms. Ohme has served as Senior Vice President of the Company since July 2008. Since the acquisition of Assurant Employee Benefits, Ms. Ohme has served in various management-related roles, including as Vice President, Claims of Assurant Employee Benefits from 2000 to 2008.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 93 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROSEMARY POLK, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT. Ms. Polk has served as Senior Vice President of the Company, where she oversees human resources and development, since April 2009. She has served in the human resources and development areas of Assurant Employee Benefits since its acquisition, previously serving as Vice President beginning in 2000. KARLA J. SCHACHT, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT. Ms. Schacht has served as Senior Vice President of the Company since 2004. She also has served as Chief Information Officer of Assurant Employee Benefits since 2004 and as Chief Service Officer of Assurant Employee Benefits since 2008. JOSEPH A. SEVCIK, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT. Mr. Sevcik has served as Senior Vice President of the Company since July 2008. He leads Assurant Employee Benefits' marketing efforts and previously served as Vice President, Marketing from August 2007 to July 2008 and Second Vice President, Voluntary Marketing from August 2005 to August 2007. Prior to joining Assurant Employee Benefits, Mr. Sevcik was Assistant Vice President, Marketing and Client Experience at H&R Block. JOI A. TILLMAN, VICE PRESIDENT. Ms. Tillman has served as Vice President since May 2008. Since she joined Assurant Employee Benefits in 1989, Ms. Tillman has held a variety of progressively senior roles at Assurant Employee Benefits, including officer and manager in 2005, Second Vice President and Regional Team Leader of Underwriting from 2006 to August 2007, Second Vice President and co-lead of the Easy To Do Business With team from August 2007 to January 2008 and Vice President, Voluntary Growth Initiative from January 2008 to January 2009 and Vice President, Customer Advocacy from January 2009 to the present. J. MARC WARRINGTON, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT. Mr. Warrington has served as Senior Vice President of the Company since 2005, and as Senior Vice President, Sales of Assurant Employee Benefits since 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Warrington served as Vice President of Sales at Assurant Employee Benefits since 2003. MILES B. YAKRE, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND TREASURER. Mr. Yakre has served as Senior Vice President of the Company since August 2007 and as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company since November 2009. He has also served as Chief Financial Officer of Assurant Employee Benefits since April 2008, having previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Actuary of Assurant Employee Benefits from August 2007 to April 2008and Senior Vice President, Corporate Actuary and Treasurer of Assurant, Inc. from January 2005 to August 2007. DIRECTORS We currently have five directors. The biographies of each of the directors below contain information regarding the person's service as a director, business experience and director positions held currently and/or during the last five years. Each individual was selected to serve as a director of the Company because of his or her leadership position at the Company, Assurant, Inc., or the Assurant Employee Benefits division of Assurant, and the valuable experience with, and knowledge of, Assurant's operations and business lines that he or she brings to the Company's Board. MICHAEL J. PENINGER, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. Mr. Peninger, 55, has served as Chairman of the Board since January 15, 2010. He has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Assurant, Inc. since March 2009, having served as Executive Vice President and Interim Chief Financial Officer since July 2007. Prior to this, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Assurant Employee Benefits since January 1999. S. CRAIG LEMASTERS, DIRECTOR. Mr. Lemasters, 49, has served as a director of the Company since July 2006. He has also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Assurant Solutions, a division of Assurant, and Executive Vice President of Assurant, Inc. since July 2005. From 2003 to 2005, Mr. Lemasters served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the consumer protection business line of Assurant Solutions. CHRISTOPHER J. PAGANO, DIRECTOR. Mr. Pagano, 46, has served as a director of the Company since April 2009. He also has served as Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Investment Officer of Assurant, Inc. since July 2007 and President of Assurant Asset Management, a division of Assurant, Inc., since January 2005. JOHN S. ROBERTS, DIRECTOR. Mr. Roberts currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and of Assurant Employee Benefits, and Executive Vice President of Assurant, Inc. He served as on an interim basis as President and Chief Executive Officer of Assurant Employee Benefits from July 2007 to March 2009. He has served as a director of the Company since March 2009. Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice President of Assurant Employee Benefits and President of Disability RMS, an affiliate of the Company, since 2003. SYLVIA R. WAGNER, DIRECTOR. Ms. Wagner, 61, was appointed as a director of the Company in January 2010. She has also served as Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Development of Assurant, Inc. since April 2009. She has previously served as Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Development of Assurant Employee Benefits since May 1995, where she was responsible for overseeing human resources and development, employee communications, clinical and behavioral health services, and community relations.
94 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (L) EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION This Compensation Discussion and Analysis ("CD&A") provides a detailed review of the compensation principles and strategic objectives governing the compensation of the following individuals, who were serving as our named executive officers during 2009: John S. Roberts President and Chief Executive Officer; Executive Vice President, Assurant, Inc. Miles B. Yakre Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Stacia N. Almquist Vice President (formerly Treasurer) Michael J. Peninger Executive Vice President; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Assurant, Inc. Sylvia R. Wagner Senior Vice President; Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Development, Assurant, Inc. J. Marc Warrington Senior Vice President Throughout this CD&A, we refer to the above-named individuals as our "named executive officers" or "NEOs," and to Mr. Roberts as our "Chief Executive Officer" or "CEO." Ms. Almquist served as Treasurer until November 2009 and currently serves as Vice President, Dental Division of Assurant Employee Benefits. Because the Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Assurant, Inc. (hereafter, "Assurant" or the "Parent") and each of the NEOs have roles at the Parent (or a division of the Parent) in addition to serving as officers of the Company, our compensation programs, awards and measures are primarily based on and part of the compensation program of the Parent. The 2009 compensation of Mr. Peninger and Ms. Wagner, each of whom serves on the Parent's Management Committee, (1) was based on the Parent's compensation program, goals and objectives. The 2009 compensation of Messrs. Warrington and Yakre and Ms. Almquist was based on a compensation program focused principally on the goals and objectives of Assurant Employee Benefits, a division of Assurant. The Company comprises a large majority of Assurant Employee Benefits' business. Because Mr. Roberts serves as both the Chief Executive Officer of Assurant Employee Benefits and an Executive Vice President of the Parent, his 2009 compensation was based on a combination of both Assurant- and Assurant Employee Benefits-specific goals and objectives. All of our NEOs participate in the Parent's long-term equity incentive program. For more detailed information on Assurant's 2009 compensation programs, awards and objectives, please see Assurant's Proxy Statement, as filed with the SEC on April 8, 2010. OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PRINCIPLES Our core executive compensation principles are based on the principles of Assurant and are set forth below: - Executive compensation opportunities at the Company should be sufficiently competitive to attract and retain talented executives who can successfully execute the Company's business strategy while remaining at levels that are aligned with the long-term interests of shareholders. (2) - Annual incentive and long-term equity incentive programs at Assurant, including at the Company, should support both Assurant's and the Company's business strategy and motivate our executives to deliver above-average results over a sustained period. - A substantial portion of target total direct compensation provided to our named executive officers should be tied to business performance. - Our executive compensation programs should reinforce a culture of accountability that views risk management as a priority. ------------ (1) The Management Committee of Assurant, Inc. consists of the President and Chief Executive Officer, all of the Executive Vice Presidents of Assurant and the Chief Executive Officers of each of Assurant's operating segments. The Management Committee is ultimately responsible for setting the policies, strategy and direction of Assurant, subject to the overall discretion and supervision of the Assurant Board of Directors. (2) Union Security Insurance Company does not have securities that are traded publicly and therefore, all references to shares and shareholders in this CD&A refer to those of the Parent.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 95 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- II. THE COMPENSATION DECISION MAKING PROCESS The Compensation Committee of the Parent's Board of Directors (the "Assurant Compensation Committee") oversees Assurant's executive compensation program and advises the full Board on general aspects of Assurant's compensation and benefit policies. The Assurant Compensation Committee determined the compensation of Messrs. Peninger and Roberts and Ms. Wagner because they served as executive officers of the Parent during 2009. Mr. Roberts is not involved in the Assurant Compensation Committee's determination of his own compensation, or that of Mr. Peninger or Ms. Wagner. As part of its process, the Assurant Compensation Committee evaluates the recommendations of Assurant's Chief Executive Officer along with information and analysis provided by Towers Watson & Co. ("Towers Watson"), its independent compensation consultant. The Assurant Compensation Committee exercises its discretion in evaluating, modifying, approving or rejecting the Chief Executive Officer's recommendations, and makes all final decisions with regard to base salary, short term incentives and long-term incentives for Assurant's executive officers. The Assurant Compensation Committee meets periodically in executive session without any members of management present to discuss recommendations and make decisions with respect to compensation of Assurant's executive officers (including Messrs. Peninger and Roberts and Ms. Wagner). The compensation of Mr. Yakre is determined through a process whereby the Chief Financial Officer of Assurant, Inc. annually reviews Mr. Yakre's performance in consultation with Mr. Roberts as President and Chief Executive Officer of Assurant Employee Benefits, and makes decisions regarding his compensation. The compensation of Mr. Warrington is determined through a process whereby Mr. Roberts annually reviews the performance and compensation of his direct reports in consultation with Company's Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Development, and makes decisions regarding their compensation. The compensation of Ms. Almquist is determined through a process whereby Ms. Almquist's immediate supervisor annually reviews her performance and compensation in consultation with the Company's Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Development, and makes decisions regarding her compensation. The Chief Executive Officer also provides input, in consultation with the Company's Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Development, on the annual incentive plan performance goals that apply to the Company's NEOs other than those who serve as executive officers of the Parent. LEVEL OF COMPENSATION PROVIDED MARKET POSITIONING. Assurant and the Company believe that the best way to attract and retain top talent while maintaining appropriate levels of compensation is to provide target total direct compensation opportunities to our NEOs at levels and on terms that are competitive with the market and/or peer companies, as further described below. The relative levels of each element of total direct compensation (base salary, annual incentive and long-term equity incentive) are also determined by reference to these benchmarks. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE-LEVEL NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS -- ASSURANT'S COMPENSATION PEER GROUP. Assurant's goal is to provide target total direct compensation for its executive officers at levels and on terms consistent with those of a select group of publicly traded companies that it views as its peers (its "compensation peer group"). Assurant aims to set target total direct compensation for each Management Committee-level NEO at approximately the median level provided to executives with similar responsibilities at companies in the Parent's compensation peer group. While Assurant faces competition in each of its businesses, it does not believe that any single competitor directly competes in all of its business lines. Additionally, the business lines in which Assurant operate are generally characterized by a limited number of competitors. Assurant believes that the following companies collectively represent the best match for Assurant because they operate in the insurance or financial services sector and may share one or more of the following characteristics : similar product lines; similar services and business models; similar revenues and assets and a similar talent pool for recruiting new employees: - Aetna Inc. - Coventry Health Care, Inc. - Stancorp Financial Group, Inc. - Aflac Incorporated - Genworth Financial, Inc. - Sunlife Financial, Inc. - Cigna Corporation - Hanover Insurance Group Inc. - Torchmark Corporation - Conseco, Inc. - Humana Inc. - Unum Group - CAN Financial Corporation - Markel Corporation - W.R. Berkley Corporation - Principal Financial Group, Inc. COMPANY-LEVEL NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS -- COMPANY MARKET SURVEY DATA. The Company is not a publicly-traded company and does not have a compensation peer group, however, it does rely on certain market survey data to set target total direct compensation that is competitive with the market. The Company targets base compensation at the 50th percentile of market. Compensation levels for total direct compensation (including mix of base pay, short-term incentive compensation and long-term incentive compensation) is established based upon market data for comparable positions at comparable
96 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- companies in the insurance and financial services industries. Short-term incentive compensation and long-term incentive compensation are aligned with recommended targets for each NEO's grade and scope of responsibility. III. ELEMENTS OF OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM BASE SALARIES MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE-LEVEL NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. In December 2008, Towers Watson presented to the Assurant Compensation Committee peer group proxy statement data on annual base salaries for certain Assurant executive officers. Based on that information and its desire to compensate Mr. Roberts at the same level paid to his Management Committee peers ($500,000), Mr. Roberts' base salary was increased to $500,000. Additionally, upon Ms. Wagner's promotion to the position of Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Development of Assurant, her base salary increased to $400,000, effective March 1, 2009. Although the data indicated that base salaries for Assurant's named executive officers remained below median levels for comparable positions in the compensation peer group, in light of the extraordinary economic environment, the Assurant Compensation Committee did not approve any increases in base salary for these named executive officers, other than to increase Mr. Roberts' base salary to a level commensurate with that of his peers, and to increase Ms. Wagner's base salary upon her promotion. Mr. Peninger did not receive a base salary increase in 2009. COMPANY-LEVEL NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. The base salaries for Messrs. Warrington and Yakre and Ms. Almquist are intended to be competitive with that of available market data reviewed by the Company. In 2009, base salaries for these NEOs were increased to the amounts shown in column (c) of the Summary Compensation Table below. ANNUAL INCENTIVE COMPENSATION OVERVIEW. Since Assurant's inception as a public company, and consistent with its sustainable growth strategy, it has allocated 40% of the target annual incentive opportunity provided to its executives to profitability measures and 40% to top-line revenue growth for specified areas. As further described below, Assurant uses operating measures for these financial targets because they exclude the impact of net realized gains (losses) on investments and other unusual and/or non-recurring or infrequent items. The remaining 20% of the target opportunity is allocated to strategic development goals that, in 2009 and 2010, focus on specific risk management objectives. Management takes a number of factors into account when developing recommended performance goals. In any given year, these factors may include analyst expectations, results from prior years, opportunities for strategic growth and economic trends that may impact our business (E.G., levels of consumer spending, unemployment rates, mortgage default rates or prevailing conditions in the credit markets). MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE-LEVEL NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. For Mr. Peninger and Ms. Wagner, top-line revenue growth is measured by a weighted average of the performance results of the business segments, and profitability is measured using consolidated operating earnings per share ("EPS") and operating return on equity ("ROE"). Consolidated operating EPS is determined by dividing net operating income ("NOI") for Assurant as a whole by the weighted average number of diluted shares of Assurant Common Stock outstanding during the year. Operating ROE for Assurant is determined by dividing NOI for Assurant as a whole by average stockholders' equity for the year, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"). For additional information regarding these measures, please see the earnings release and financial supplement furnished as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, respectively, to Assurant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 4, 2010. For Mr. Roberts, financial targets apply to the Assurant Employee Benefits business segment. Top-line growth is measured through a combination of gross or net earned premiums and fees and gross written premium/new sales of designated products. Profitability is measured using NOI and operating return on equity ROE for the segment. NOI is determined by excluding net realized gains or losses on investments and unusual and/or infrequent items from net income. Operating ROE for the business segment is determined by dividing NOI for the segment by average stockholders' equity for the segment. For additional information regarding these measures, please see the earnings release and financial supplement furnished as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, respectively, to Assurant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 4, 2010. Performance against strategic development goals was evaluated for Messrs. Peninger and Roberts and Ms. Wagner in 2009 based on a composite of business-level results. 2009 PERFORMANCE GOALS AND RESULTS. - FINANCIAL METRICS. In setting performance goals for 2009 for Messrs. Peninger and Roberts and Ms. Wagner, the Assurant Compensation Committee sought to establish challenging goals while recognizing the need to implement strategies for containing risk in a highly volatile market environment. The Assurant Compensation Committee anticipated that many financial services organizations would continue to experience fallout from the 2008 financial crisis in 2009. Accordingly, certain financial targets were adjusted downward from 2008 levels to encourage prudent deployment of available capital.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 97 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT. To reinforce a culture that views risk management as a priority, in 2009 the Assurant Compensation Committee approved the following enterprise risk management objectives as our strategic development goals: (i) (a) establishing a structure for identifying material enterprise risks, and (b) defining parameters for catastrophe and portfolio risk and incorporating these parameters into strategic decision making, (ii) development and achievement of specified goals under a compliance plan for each business segment and (iii) retention of individuals identified as key contributors and potential future senior executives. Each goal was weighted equally. The following table sets forth performance goals applicable to Messrs. Peninger and Roberts and Ms. Wagner for 2009, along with the resulting multipliers: MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE-LEVEL NEOS 2009 ANNUAL INCENTIVE PERFORMANCE TARGETS AND RESULTS (1) (DOLLAR AMOUNTS EXPRESSED IN MILLIONS) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2009 WEIGHT PERFORMANCE METRIC 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 RESULTS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSURANT ENTERPRISE (25%) EPS $4.50 $4.70 $4.90 $5.10 $5.30 $3.9 (15%) Annualized operating Return on Equity (ROE) 11.50 % 12.00 % 12.50 % 13.00 % 13.50 % 10.06 (40%) Revenue Growth (2) N/A (20%) Enterprise Risk Management (3) N/A ASSURANT EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (25%) Net Operating Income (NOI) $56 $60 $64 $68 $72 $42.2 (15%) Operating Return on Equity (ROE) 10.75 % 11.50 % 12.25 % 13.00 % 13.75 % 8.11 (40%) Revenue Growth 25% Net earned premium $740 $770 $800 $830 $860 $747.0 75% New sales $145 $155 $165 $175 $185 $130.9 (20%) Enterprise Risk Management (3) N/A PERFORMANCE COMPOSITE WEIGHT MULTIPLIER MULTIPLIER ------ (25%) 0.00 (15%) % 0.00 0.76 (40%) 0.91 (20%) 1.97 (25%) 0.00 (15%) % 0.00 0.41 (40%) 0.12 0.00 (20%) 1.97 (1) Dollar amounts applicable to performance metrics other than EPS are expressed in millions. (2) The corporate-level revenue growth multiplier is determined based on a weighted average of the performance multipliers applicable to each business segment, which are weighted as follows: Assurant Specialty Property -- 25%; Assurant Solutions -- 30%; Assurant Health -- 25%; and Assurant Employee Benefits -- 20%. The revenue growth multiplier for Assurant Health was 1.47, based on weighted targets of $1.38 billon for net earned premium and fee income (25%) and $460 million for new sales (75%), and results of $1.42 billion for net earned premium and fee income and $490.9 million for new sales. The revenue growth multiplier for Assurant Solutions was 1.17, based on weighted targets of $2.1 billion for net earned premium and fee income (25%) and $2.9 billion for gross written premium (75%) and results of $2.29 billion for net earned premium and fee income and $2.86 billion for gross written premium. The revenue growth multiplier for Assurant Specialty Property was 0.75, based on weighted targets of $1.38 billion for net earned premium and fee income (25%) and $2.2 billion for gross earned written premium (75%) and results of $1.46 billion for net earned premium and fee income and $2.1 billion for gross written premium. (3) The corporate-level enterprise risk management multiplier of 1.97 was determined based on the average of the multipliers for the following objectives, which were weighted equally: (i) (a) establishing a structure for identifying material enterprise risks, and (b) defining parameters for catastrophe and portfolio risk and incorporating these parameters into strategic decision making (2.0), (ii) development and achievement of specified goals under a compliance plan for each business segment (1.92) and (iii) retention of individuals identified as key contributors and future senior executives (2.0). The performance targets included in the table above are disclosed only to assist investors and other readers in understanding executive compensation provided to certain of the Company's executive officers. They are not intended to provide guidance on, and should not be relied on as predictive of, Assurant's future performance or the future performance of the Company or any of Assurant's operating segments. The following table shows target annual incentive compensation, the weighted average multipliers for each Management Committee-level NEO and the resulting annual incentive award payout for 2009: MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE-LEVEL NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS: 2009 ANNUAL INCENTIVE PAYMENTS 2009 TARGET 2009 2009 ANNUAL NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER ANNUAL INCENTIVE MULTIPLIER INCENTIVE PAYMENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Michael J. Peninger $400,000 0.76 $304,000 (Assurant Enterprise) John S. Roberts $400,000 0.41 $164,000 (Assurant Employee Benefits) Sylvia Wagner $287,507 0.76 $218,506 (Assurant Enterprise)
98 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2009 TARGET ANNUAL INCENTIVE AWARDS. Mr. Roberts' target annual incentive award opportunity was increased to the same level awarded to his Assurant Management Committee peers (80% of base salary). Upon her promotion to the position of Executive Vice President of the Parent, Ms. Wagner received an increase in annual incentive opportunity from 45% to 75% of base salary. Target annual incentive award levels remained at 80% of base salary for Mr. Peninger. COMPANY-LEVEL NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. Financial targets for Messrs. Yakre and Warrington and Ms. Almquist apply to the Assurant Employee Benefits business segment. Top-line growth is measured through a combination of net earned premiums and new sales of designated products. Profitability is measured using NOI and operating return on equity ROE for the segment. NOI is determined by excluding net realized gains or losses on investments and unusual and/or infrequent items from net income. Operating ROE for the business segment is determined by dividing NOI for the segment by average stockholders' equity for the segment. For additional information regarding these measures, please see the earnings release and financial supplement furnished as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, respectively, to Assurant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 4, 2010. Performance against strategic development goals was evaluated for Messrs. Warrington and Yakre and Ms. Almquist based on division-level results at Assurant Employee Benefits. 2009 PERFORMANCE GOALS AND RESULTS. - FINANCIAL METRICS. Financial metrics for Assurant Employee Benefits were determined on the same basis that financial metrics were determined for each of the Assurant's business segments, as described above under the heading " -- ANNUAL INCENTIVE COMPENSATION -- MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE-LEVEL NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS --2009 PERFORMANCE GOALS AND RESULTS" above. - ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT. For Messrs Warrington and Yakre, the components of the Enterprise Risk Management goal are based largely upon the components described above for the Management Committee-level NEOs, with objectives for the Assurant Employee Benefits segment's compliance-based sub-component that relate to: (i) the establishment of an ongoing compliance program for contract preparation and processing; (ii) oversight of third party administrators and (iii) information privacy and security. The 20% strategic development goal applicable to Ms. Almquist is comprised of two equally weighted components: (i) achievement of customer service results and (ii) level of completion of business specific training. The following table sets forth performance goals applicable to Messrs. Warrington and Yakre and Ms. Almquist for 2009, along with the resulting multipliers: COMPANY-LEVEL NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 2009 ANNUAL INCENTIVE PERFORMANCE TARGETS AND RESULTS (dollar amounts expressed in millions) PERFORMANCE WEIGHT METRIC 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSURANT EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (25%) Net Operating Income (NOI) $56 $60 $64 $68 $72 (15%) Operating Return on Equity 10.75 % 11.50 % 12.25 % 13.00 % 13.75 % (ROE) (40%) Revenue Growth 25% Net earned premium $740 $770 $800 $830 $860 75% New sales $145 $155 $165 $175 $185 (20%) Enterprise Risk Management 2009 PERFORMANCE COMPOSITE ADJUSTED WEIGHT RESULTS MULTIPLIER MULTIPLIER MULTIPLIER ------ (25%) $42.2 0.00 (15%) 8.11 % 0.00 (40%) 0.41 0.70 $747.0 0.12 $130.9 0.00 (20%) N/A 2.00 (1) Dollar amounts expressed in millions. The annual incentive compensation result for Messrs. Warrington and Yakre and Ms. Almquist is based on an adjusted multiplier of 0.70 in light of increased revenues at Disability RMS, a division of Assurant Employee Benefits, and as a result of the acquisition of policies from the Shenandoah Life Insurance Company during 2009. In approving the adjusted multiplier, the Assurant Compensation Committee determined that it was appropriate to include the revenue from these two lines of business in the overall revenue growth component for Assurant Employee Benefits. The performance targets included in the table above are disclosed only to assist investors and other readers in understanding executive compensation provided to certain of the Company's executive officers. They are not intended to provide guidance on, and should not be relied on as predictive of, Assurant's future performance or the future performance of the Company or any of Assurant's operating segments.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 99 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following table shows target annual incentive compensation, the weighted average multipliers for each Company-level NEO and the resulting annual incentive award payout for 2009: COMPANY-LEVEL NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS: 2009 ANNUAL INCENTIVE PAYMENTS 2009 TARGET 2009 2009 ANNUAL NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER ANNUAL INCENTIVE MULTIPLIER INCENTIVE PAYMENT --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0.70 Stacia Almquist $41,663 (Assurant Employee Benefits) $29,164 0.70 J. Marc. Warrington $140,400 (Assurant Employee Benefits) $98,280 0.70 Miles B. Yakre $130,275 (Assurant Employee Benefits) $91,193 2009 TARGET ANNUAL INCENTIVE AWARDS. Ms. Almquist's target annual incentive award opportunity was increased from 20% to 25% of base salary and Mr. Yakre's target annual incentive award opportunity was increased from 40% to 45% of base salary. Mr. Warrington's target annual incentive award opportunity remained at 45% of base salary in 2009. LONG-TERM EQUITY INCENTIVE COMPENSATION Both Management Committee- and Company-level NEOs participate in Assurant's long-term equity incentive compensation program. INTRODUCTION OF RSUS AND PSUS IN 2009. In connection with the adoption of the Assurant, Inc. Long Term Equity Incentive Plan (the "ALTEIP") in 2008, the Assurant Compensation Committee reviewed Assurant's long-term equity compensation program. All of the Company's NEOs participated in the program in 2009. The purpose of the review was to select a new vehicle that would: - Encourage executives to focus on long-term decision making rather than on short-term changes in our stock price - Enable us to measure our performance with respect to key financial measures (in addition to stock price) over an extended period relative to our competitors - Promote collaboration and cooperation across the global enterprise At the conclusion of its review process, the Assurant Compensation Committee approved the use of RSUs and PSUs as Assurant's equity compensation vehicles. A stock unit represents the right to receive a share of common stock at a specified date in the future, subject, in the case of PSUs, to the attainment of pre-established performance criteria. Because stock units reflect the performance of actual shares of stock, the Assurant Compensation Committee determined that RSUs and PSUs were best suited to the promotion of an ownership culture. In addition, the relatively uniform tax treatment afforded to stock units internationally provides an effective platform for collaboration and cooperation throughout the global enterprise. The Assurant Compensation Committee also believes that a 50/50 split between RSU and PSU components of our long-term equity compensation program provides an appropriate balance between direct alignment with shareholders through equity holdings and performance-weighted equity compensation. PSUS -- MEASURING RELATIVE PERFORMANCE. The Assurant Compensation Committee selected PSUs as an equity compensation vehicle to ensure that a portion of long-term equity compensation would be paid only if the Assurant made tangible progress with respect to key financial measures over an extended period. For each year in the applicable performance cycle, Assurant's performance with respect to selected metrics is compared against the performance of the other companies in the A.M. Best U.S. Insurance Index and assigned a percentile ranking. These rankings are then averaged to determine the composite percentile ranking for the performance period. The Assurant Compensation Committee established the following metrics for the 2009 - 2011 PSU performance cycle: METRIC DEFINITION WEIGHTING ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Growth in EPS Year-over-year growth in Assurant's GAAP EPS 1/3 Growth in Revenue Year-over-year growth in total Assurant's GAAP revenue 1/3 Total Shareholder Return Percent change in Assurant stock price plus dividend yield percentage 1/3 As indicated in the chart below, executives do not receive any payout if the Parent's composite percentile ranking falls below the 25th percentile. If the composite percentile ranking is at or above the 75th percentile, the maximum payout is attained. Payouts for performance between the 25th and the 75th percentiles are determined on a straight-line basis using linear interpolation.
100 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2009 TARGET LONG-TERM EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARDS. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE-LEVEL NEOS. In February 2009, Towers Watson presented data to the Assurant Compensation Committee demonstrating that target total direct compensation was low compared to Assurant's compensation peer group, particularly with respect to long-term equity compensation. To bring the target total direct compensation opportunity for these NEOs to between the 25th and 50th percentiles of Assurant's compensation peer group, the Assurant Compensation Committee approved an increase in the target long-term incentive opportunity from 125% of base salary to 150% of base salary for Mr. Peninger and from 65% of base salary to 150% of base salary for Mr. Roberts. Additionally, upon Ms. Wagner's promotion to the position of Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Development of Assurant, the Assurant Compensation Committee approved an increase in her target long-term incentive opportunity from 40% of base salary to 75% of base salary. COMPANY-LEVEL NEOS. Ms. Almquist's target long-term incentive opportunity was increased from 20% of base salary to 25% of base salary and Mr. Yakre's target long-term incentive opportunity was increased from 45% to 50% of base salary. Mr. Warrington's target long-term incentive opportunity remained the same at 40% of base salary for 2009. CHANGES FOR 2010 - 2012 PSU PERFORMANCE CYCLE. - SHIFT TO BOOK VALUE. In light of the significant volatility in EPS across the financial services sector, and in response to comments from our investors, the Assurant Compensation Committee decided to replace growth in GAAP EPS with growth in Assurant's book value per diluted share excluding AOCI as a performance metric for the 2010 - 2012 PSU performance cycle. The Assurant Compensation Committee believes that this change will provide a more consistent basis for comparing the Assurant's long-term financial performance to that of our competitors. The other metrics (growth in revenue and total shareholder return) remain the same for PSUs awarded in 2010. - ADJUSTMENTS TO INDEX. The Assurant Compensation Committee also approved a change to the group of competitors used in the determination of our composite percentile ranking. For the 2010 - 2012 performance cycle, Assurant's performance will be measured against companies in the A.M. Best U.S. Insurance Index, excluding those with revenues of less than $1 billion or that are not in the health or insurance Global Industry Classification Standard codes. This change will enable us to more accurately benchmark our performance against the performance of companies of comparable size that operate one or more businesses similar to ours. Payments in respect of PSUs awarded under the ALTEIP are intended to be deductible, to the maximum extent possible, as "performance based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m). Additional information regarding the terms and conditions of RSUs and PSUs awarded under the ALTEIP is provided under the heading "NARRATIVE TO THE SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE AND GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE -- LONG TERM INCENTIVE AWARDS" below. STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES. Ownership of Assurant stock is an important vehicle for aligning the interests of executives and the Parent's shareholders. For this reason, Assurant has implemented ownership requirements that apply to those NEOs who serve on Assurant's Management Committee (Messrs. Peninger and Roberts and Ms. Wagner). If any of them fails to comply with the guidelines by the later of July 1, 2011 or five years following the date of his or her permanent appointment to a specified position, he or she will be prohibited from selling any shares of Assurant stock until compliance is achieved. Additional information about Assurant's Stock Ownership Guidelines is provided under the heading " -- STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES" below. COMPENSATION LEVELS AND PAY MIX FOR 2010 MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE-LEVEL NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS In January 2010, Towers Watson presented data to the Assurant Compensation Committee demonstrating that the target total direct compensation opportunity provided to the Management Committee-level NEOs continued to fall below median levels for similarly-situated executives at companies in Assurant's compensation peer group. The Assurant Compensation Committee approved compensation increases designed to bring target total direct compensation opportunities closer to median levels for each position. To ensure that the interests of the Management Committee-level NEOs and Assurant's shareholders remain aligned, adjustments were made primarily to the long-term incentive pay component for Messrs. Peninger and Roberts and Ms. Wagner, as detailed below: - CEO COMPENSATION. To reflect Mr. Roberts' permanent appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Assurant Employee Benefits, Mr. Roberts's annual incentive opportunity for 2010 increased from 80% to 90% of base salary. The Assurant Compensation Committee approved an increase in the long-term incentive component of Mr. Roberts's compensation from 150% to 175% of base salary. - MR. PENINGER'S COMPENSATION. To reflect Mr. Peninger's permanent appointment as the Assurant's Chief Financial Officer, the Assurant Compensation Committee approved an increase in base salary from $500,000 to $550,000, an increase in
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 101 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- annual incentive opportunity from 80% to 100% of base salary and an increase in long-term incentive opportunity from 150% to 200% of base salary. - MS. WAGNER'S COMPENSATION. To bring Ms. Wagner's compensation closer to that of her Management Committee peers, the Assurant Compensation Committee approved an increase in base salary from $400,000 to $440,000, an increase in annual incentive opportunity from 75% to 90% of base salary and an increase in long-term incentive opportunity from 75% to 125% of base salary. Ms. Wagner was also awarded a transition bonus of $65,000 to provide assistance with travel expenses incurred by Ms. Wagner in commuting between the Company's offices in Kansas City and the Parent's offices in New York. COMPANY-LEVEL NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. Other NEOs. For 2010, Ms. Almquist, Mr. Yakre and Mr. Warrington received increases in base salary to $185,000, $295,300 and $318,240, respectively. Mr. Yakre also received an increase in his annual incentive opportunity from 45% to 50% of base salary. IV. BENEFITS AND PERQUISITES The Company's named executive officers participate in the same health care, disability, life insurance, pension and 401(k) benefit plans made available generally to the Assurant's U.S. employees. In addition, some of these executives are eligible for certain change of control benefits, supplemental retirement plans and limited perquisites described below. CHANGE OF CONTROL BENEFITS. Assurant is party to a change of control agreement (each, a "COC Agreement") with Messrs Peninger, Roberts, Warrington and Yakre and Ms. Wagner. The purpose of these COC Agreements is to enable these executives to focus on maximizing shareholder value in the context of a control transaction without regard to personal concerns related to job security. COC Agreements with Messrs. Peninger and Ms. Wagner apply in the context of a change of control of Assurant (as defined in the COC Agreement); COC Agreements with Messrs. Roberts, Warrington and Yakre apply in the context of a change of control of Assurant Employee Benefits (as defined in the COC Agreement). During 2009, the COC Agreements with all applicable NEOs included tax gross-up provisions intended to mitigate the impact of the federal excise tax imposed on certain payments under IRC Section 280G. However, effective as of February 1, 2010, Messrs. Peninger and Roberts and Ms. Wagner, who serve as members of Assurant's Management Committee, entered into an amendment eliminating the excise tax gross up provisions in his or her COC Agreement with Assurant. Accordingly, they are entitled to receive either (i) the full benefits payable in connection with a change of control (whether under the COC Agreement or otherwise) or (ii) a reduced amount that falls below the applicable safe harbor provided under the IRC, whichever amount generates the greater after-tax value for the executive. Tax gross-up provisions in the COC Agreement with Messrs. Warrington and Yakre still exist. These agreements provide that, in the event that change of control payments are subject to an excise tax under IRC Section 4999, the executive will be entitled to receive an additional payment such that he is placed in the same after-tax position as if no excise tax had been imposed. However, if the change of control payments exceeded the maximum amount that the executive could have received without being subject to the tax by five percent or less, then the executive will not receive the gross-up payment and instead the change of control payments will be reduced to the maximum amount that the executive could have received without being subject to the tax. The COC Agreement with each NEO contains a "double trigger," meaning that benefits are generally payable only upon a termination of employment "without cause" or for "good reason" within two years following a change of control. Executives who have COC Agreements are also subject to non-compete and non-solicitation provisions. Additional information regarding the terms and conditions of the COC Agreements is provided under the heading "NARRATIVE TO THE POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE OF CONTROL TABLE -- CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENTS" below. RETIREMENT PLANS. Certain NEOs participate in the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the "SERP"), the Assurant Executive Pension Plan (the "Executive Pension Plan"), the Assurant Executive 401(k) Plan (the "Executive 401(k) Plan") and/or the Assurant Pension Plan (the "Pension Plan"). The goals of these retirement plans are to provide certain senior executives with competitive levels of income replacement upon retirement and provide a package that will both attract and retain talented executives in key positions. The Executive Pension Plan is designed to replace income levels capped under the Pension Plan by the compensation limit of IRC Section 401(a)(17) ($245,000 for 2009). The SERP is designed to supplement the pension benefits provided under the Pension Plan, Executive Pension Plan and Social Security so that total income replacement from these programs will equal up to 50% of an NEO's base salary plus his or her annual incentive target. Additional information regarding the terms and conditions of these plans is provided under the headings "NARRATIVE TO THE PENSION BENEFITS TABLE" below and "NARRATIVE TO THE NONQUALIFIED DEFINED CONTRIBUTION AND OTHER NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS TABLE" below. DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS. Certain NEOs are also eligible to participate in the Amended and Restated Assurant Deferred Compensation Plan (the "ADC Plan"). The ADC Plan provides key employees the ability to defer a portion of their eligible compensation which is then notionally invested in a variety of mutual funds. Deferrals and withdrawals under the ADC Plan
102 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- are intended to be fully compliant with IRC Section 409A ("Section 409A"). Prior to the adoption of Section 409A and the establishment of the ADC Plan in 2005, some of the NEOs were eligible to participate in the Assurant Investment Plan (the "AIP"). However, after the enactment of Section 409A, the AIP was frozen as of January 1, 2005 and, currently, only withdrawals may be made. Additional information regarding the terms and conditions of these plans is provided under the heading "NARRATIVE TO THE NONQUALIFIED DEFINED CONTRIBUTION AND OTHER NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS TABLE" below. HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS. As part of Assurant's general benefits program, it provides Long-Term Disability ("LTD") coverage for all benefits-eligible employees under a group policy. LTD benefits replace 60% of employees' monthly plan pay (which is generally defined as base salary plus the annual incentive target award amount), up to a maximum monthly benefit of $15,000. As an additional benefit, NEOs who are members of Assurant's Management Committee are eligible for Executive LTD coverage, subject to underwriting for amounts in excess of a guaranteed benefit of $3,000. Executive LTD supplements benefits payable under the standard coverage and provides a maximum monthly benefit of $25,000, less amounts payable under the group policy. (3) This coverage is provided through the purchase of individual policies on a bi-annual basis and is fully paid for by Assurant. COMMUTING EXPENSES. In 2009 and prior years, Assurant reimbursed Messrs. Peninger and Roberts for commuting expenses incurred in connection with their services as Interim Chief Financial Officer and Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Assurant Employee Benefits, respectively. Additionally, the Company reimbursed Ms. Wagner during 2009 for commuting expenses incurred in connection with her transition from Kansas City to New York. FINANCIAL PLANNING. In 2009 and prior years, certain NEOs and directors were entitled to financial planning services (and may have received a tax gross-up for such expenses). As part of Assurant's cost reduction initiatives, this benefit was eliminated for Management Committee-level NEOs effective January 1, 2010. Additional information regarding executive LTD, commuting and financial planning benefits is provided in footnote 4 to the Summary Compensation Table below. V. 2009 SPECIAL PROMOTION AWARDS 2009 was a transition year for Assurant's management team. Lesley Silvester, formerly the Company's Executive Vice President, retired on July 1, 2009, and Ms. Wagner was promoted to Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Development effective April 1, 2009. Effective as of March 15, 2009, Michael Peninger was promoted to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Assurant, Inc., a position he had held on an interim basis since July 18, 2007, and John Roberts was promoted to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer, Assurant Employee Benefits, a position he had held on an interim basis while Mr. Peninger was serving as Assurant's Interim Chief Financial Officer. Special promotion arrangements entered into in connection with these transitions are addressed below. 2009 SPECIAL PROMOTION AWARDS. Effective as of March 15, 2009, Mr. Peninger was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Assurant and Mr. Roberts was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer, Assurant Employee Benefits. In recognition of their respective appointments, and to facilitate Mr. Peninger's transition to Assurant's headquarters in New York, on July 13, 2009, the Assurant Compensation Committee awarded one-time special bonuses equal to 100% of base salary, or $500,000, in the case of Mr. Peninger and 60% of base salary, or $300,000, in the case of Mr. Roberts. Each award was paid in a cash lump sum on July 31, 2009. 2009 SPECIAL RSU AWARD. In recognition of Ms. Wagner's promotion to Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Development of Assurant, the Assurant Compensation Committee awarded her a grant of 40,000 RSUs that vest in five equal annual installments on each of the first five anniversaries of the grant date. VII. RELATED POLICIES AND CONSIDERATIONS PARENT STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES As noted above, Assurant believes that a sustained level of Assurant stock ownership is critical to ensuring that the creation of long-term value for its shareholders remains a primary objective for its executives (some of whom are NEOs of the Company) and non-employee directors. Accordingly, in 2006 Assurant adopted the following Stock Ownership Guidelines and holding requirements for Assurant's non-employee directors and senior executives: Assurant, Inc. Non-Employee Director Must own Assurant stock with a market value equal to 5 times the annual base cash retainer Assurant, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Must own Assurant stock with a market value equal to 5 times current base salary Assurant, Inc. Executive Vice Must own Assurant stock with a market President (including Chief Financial value equal to 3 times current base Officer and operating segment Chief salary Executive Officers)
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 103 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Individuals have five years from the later of July 1, 2006 or the date of their permanent appointment to a specified position to acquire the required holdings. These requirements only apply to Messrs. Peninger and Roberts and Ms. Wagner who serve as members of Assurant's Management Committee. Mr. Peninger has a compliance date of July 1, 2011. Compliance dates for Messrs. Roberts and Wagner are March 15, 2014 and April 1, 2014 respectively. Eligible sources of Assurant shares include personal holdings, restricted stock, RSUs, 401(k) holdings and Assurant's Employee Stock Purchase Plan shares. The Assurant Compensation Committee tracks the ownership amount of Assurant's non-employee directors and Management Committee on an annual basis. Individuals who do not comply with the guidelines as of the applicable compliance date will be prohibited from selling shares of Assurant stock until they achieve compliance. TIMING OF EQUITY GRANTS Assurant does not coordinate the timing of equity awards with the release of material non-public information. Under Assurant's Equity Grant Policy, equity awards granted by the Assurant Compensation Committee pursuant to the ALTEIP must be granted on the second Thursday in March each year. If the Assurant Compensation Committee decides that a second grant in the same calendar year is necessary for, among other reasons, salary adjustments, promotions or new hires, additional awards under the ALTEIP may be granted on the second Thursday in November. TAX AND ACCOUNTING IMPLICATIONS Under Section 162(m), certain compensation amounts in excess of $1million paid to a public corporation's chief executive officer and the three other most highly-paid executive officers (other than the chief financial officer) is not deductible for federal income tax purposes unless the executive compensation is awarded under a performance-based plan approved by shareholders. The Assurant Compensation Committee continues to emphasize performance-based compensation for Assurant's executives and seeks to minimize the impact of Section 162(m). However, because the Assurant Compensation Committee believes that its primary responsibility is to provide a compensation program that attracts, retains and rewards the executives necessary to successfully execute the Company's business strategy, in any year the Assurant Compensation Committee may approve non-performance based compensation (as defined for purposes of Section 162(m)) in excess of $1 million. The compensation that Assurant pays to the NEOs is reflected in our financial statements as required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Assurant Compensation Committee considers the financial statement impact, along with other factors, in determining the amount and form of compensation provided to executive officers of Assurant. We account for stock-based compensation under the ALTEIP and all predecessor plans in accordance with the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 718.
104 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS SUMMARY COMPENSATION The following table sets forth the cash and other compensation earned by the NEOs for all services in all capacities during 2009, 2008 and 2007, as applicable. SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE FOR FISCAL YEARS 2009, 2008 AND 2007 NAME AND STOCK OPTION PRINCIPAL SALARY BONUS (3) AWARDS (1) AWARDS (1) POSITION YEAR ($) ($) ($) ($) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John S. Roberts, President and Chief 2009 500,000 300,000 752,391 (4) -- Executive Officer; 2008 415,000 67,438 444,610 283,307 Executive Vice 2007 340,998 0 35,618 130,415 President, Assurant, Inc. Miles Yakre, Senior Vice President, 2009 289,500 0 145,202 0 Chief Financial Officer 2008 276,196 28,000 45,759 125,051 and Treasurer 2007 254,600 0 269,381 131,010 Stacia Almquist, Vice President 2009 166,561 0 40,894 0 and former Treasurer 2008 157,850 7,893 7,885 33,912 2007 142,313 0 0 15,824 Michael J. Peninger, Executive Vice President; 2009 500,000 500,000 752,391 -- Executive Vice President 2008 500,000 100,000 406,242 649,274 and Chief Financial 2007 470,000 500,000 105,730 386,480 Officer, Assurant, Inc. Sylvia Wagner, Senior Vice President; 2009 383,343 0 1,111,373 0 Executive Vice 2008 287,000 32,288 28,687 122,225 President, Human 2007 275,828 0 33,180 100,640 Resources and Development, Assurant, Inc. J. Marc Warrington, Senior Vice President 2009 312,000 125,202 0 2008 300,000 33,750 30,022 127,877 2007 284,625 0 42,411 104,213 CHANGE IN PENSION VALUE AND NON-EQUITY NONQUALIFIED ALL NAME AND INCENTIVE PLAN DEFERRED OTHER PRINCIPAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION COMPENSATION (4) TOTAL POSITION ($) EARNINGS (2)($) ($) ($) (A) (G) (H) (I) (J) ----------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- John S. Roberts, President and Chief 164,000 242,105 139,797 2,098,293 Executive Officer; 310,213 0 64,192 1,584,760 Executive Vice 317,250 0 38,425 862,706 President, Assurant, Inc. Miles Yakre, Senior Vice President, 91,193 39,994 32,423 598,312 Chief Financial Officer 127,050 51,974 37,683 691,713 and Treasurer 190,441 43,150 55,246 943,828 Stacia Almquist, Vice President 29,164 10,401 14,717 261,737 and former Treasurer 36,305 9,894 15,384 269,123 53,225 6,386 11,325 229,073 Michael J. Peninger, Executive Vice President; 304,000 602,190 228,301 2,886,882 Executive Vice President 460,000 422,417 198,915 2,736,848 and Chief Financial 658,000 296,736 152,379 2,569,325 Officer, Assurant, Inc. Sylvia Wagner, Senior Vice President; 218,506 205,843 107,120 2,026,185 Executive Vice 148,522 207,110 40,631 866,463 President, Human 206,319 106,435 28,653 751,055 Resources and Development, Assurant, Inc. J. Marc Warrington, Senior Vice President 98,280 40,911 80,920 657,313 155,250 46,350 74,557 767,806 239,512 20,825 72,148 763,734 (1) The amounts reported in column (e) for 2009 represent awards of PSUs and RSUs, and for 2008 and 2007 represent awards of restricted stock. These amounts are consistent with the grant date fair values of each award computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The 2009 PSU values included in column (e) are computed based on the achievement of target level performance for each award. Assuming the achievement of maximum level performance for each NEO, the amounts in column (e)(representing both RSUs and PSUs) would be as follows: for Mr. Peninger, $941,090; for Mr Yakre $181,619; for Mr. Roberts, $941,090; and for Ms. Almquist $51,151; for Ms. Wagner $1,186,856 and for Mr. Warrington, $156,603. The grant date fair value of PSUs was estimated on the grant date using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Please see Footnote 18, "STOCK BASED COMPENSATION -- PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS", of the Assurant Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, as filed with the SEC (the "Assurant 2009 Form 10-K") for a discussion of the Monte Carlo simulation model and the assumptions used in this valuation. The SARs amounts reported in column (f) for 2008 and 2007 are consistent with the grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The fair value of each outstanding SAR was estimated on the grant date using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model and expense is amortized over the applicable vesting period. Please see Footnote 18, "STOCK BASED COMPENSATION -- STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS", of the Assurant 2009 Form 10-K for a discussion of the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the assumptions used in this valuation. (2) The change in pension value is the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of the respective NEO's accumulated benefit under the Parent's three defined benefit pension plans (the Assurant SERP, the Assurant Executive Pension Plan and the Assurant Pension Plan) from December 31, 2008 to December 31, 2009, from December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2008 and from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007. For each plan, the change in the pension value is determined as the present value of the NEO's accumulated benefits at December 31, 2007, December 31, 2008 or December 31, 2009 plus the amount of any benefits paid from the plan during the year less the present value of the accumulated benefits at December 31, 2006, December 31, 2007 or December 31, 2008, as applicable. Present values of accumulated benefits at December 31, 2006, December 31, 2007, December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2009 use the same assumptions as included in the financial statements in
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 105 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assurant's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2006, December 31, 2007, December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2009, respectively, as filed with the SEC. (3) The amounts in column (d) for each of Messrs. Peninger and Roberts reflect special promotion bonuses awarded on July 13, 2009. Mr. Peninger received a special bonus equal to 100% of his base salary, or $500,000, in recognition of his promotion to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Parent, and Mr. Roberts received a special bonus equal to 60% of his base salary, or $300,000, in recognition of his promotion to President and Chief Executive Officer, Assurant Employee Benefits. The 2008 amounts in column (d) for each NEO represent a one-time special appreciation bonus, equal to 25% of the NEO's 2008 annual short term incentive program target award, paid by the Parent to express its special appreciation for the NEO's efforts during 2007. The 2007 amount in column (d) represents a discretionary bonus of $500,000 granted to Mr. Peninger in 2007 recognition of his increased responsibilities as Interim Chief Financial Officer and because his compensation was not adjusted at the time of his appointment. (4) The table below details the amounts reported in the "All Other Compensation" column, which include premiums paid for Executive Long Term Disability, Parent contributions to the Executive 401(k) Plan, Parent contributions to the Assurant 401(k) Plan, perquisites and other personal benefits, dividends and dividend equivalents; and certain other amounts during 2009: PARENT PARENT PERQUISITES CONTRIBUTIONS CONTRIBUTIONS AND OTHER EXECUTIVE TO EXECUTIVE TO ASSURANT PERSONAL NAME LTD 401(K) 401(K) BENEFITS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John S. Roberts $817 $60,566 $17,150 $45,315 (2) Miles Yakre $0 $12,009 $17,150 Stacia Almquist $0 $0 $14,207 Michael J. Peninger $4,533 $85,050 $17,150 $105,183 (3) Sylvia Wagner $633 $20,081 $17,150 $47,564 (4) J. Marc Warrington $0 $15,558 $17,150 40,361 (5) DIVIDENDS AND DIVIDEND TAX GROSS-UP NAME EQUIVALENTS (1) PAYMENTS TOTAL ----------------------------- --------------------------------------------- John S. Roberts $15,949 -- $139,797 Miles Yakre $3,264 -- $32,423 Stacia Almquist $510 -- $14,717 Michael J. Peninger $16,385 -- $228,301 Sylvia Wagner $21,692 -- $107,120 J. Marc Warrington $1,760 $6,091 (6) $80,920 (1) The amounts in this column reflect the dollar value of dividends and dividend equivalents paid in 2009 on unvested awards of restricted stock and RSUs, respectively, that were not factored into the grant date fair value required to be reported for these awards in column (e). The amounts in column (i) for each of 2008 and 2007 also reflect the dollar value of dividends paid on restricted stock that were not factored into the grant date fair values reported in column (e). No dividends or dividend equivalents were paid on PSUs in 2009. (2) This amount includes (1) Parent paid expenses totaling $32,301 for Mr. Roberts' commuting expenses to Kansas City, including lease payments, incidental expenses and related payments in connection with his service as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of Assurant Employee Benefits; and (2) expenses totaling $13,000 for Mr. Roberts' use of financial planning services. (3) This amount includes (1) Parent paid expenses totaling $20,697 for airfare and related commuting expenses incurred by Mr. Peninger in traveling to and from his primary residence in Kansas; and (2) Parent paid expenses relating to spousal travel in connection with his service as Interim Chief Financial Officer (4) This amount includes (1) Parent paid expenses totaling $38,899 for airfare and related commuting expenses incurred by Ms. Wagner in traveling to and from her primary residence in Kansas City and (2) Ms. Wagner's use of financial planning services totaling $8,665 offered by the Parent. (5) This amount includes (1) expenses paid totaling $30,611 for club membership dues and (2) $9,750 for Mr. Warrington's use of financial planning services. While only a portion of the club membership dues listed above may have been for personal use by Mr. Warrington, the Company has elected to list the full amount as a perquisite. (6) This amount represents a gross-up of taxes for Mr. Warrington's use of financial planning services.
106 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS The table below sets forth individual grants of awards made to each NEO during 2009. GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009 ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYOUTS UNDER NON-EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS (1) THRESHOLD TARGET MAXIMUM NAME GRANT DATE ($) ($) ($) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John S. Roberts 3/12/2009 -- -- -- 3/12/2009 -- -- -- -- 0 400,000 800,000 Miles B. Yakre 3/12/2009 -- -- -- 3/12/2009 -- -- -- -- 0 130,275 260,550 Stacia N. Almquist 3/12/2009 -- -- -- 3/12/2009 -- -- -- -- 0 41,663 83,325 Michael J. Peninger 3/12/2009 -- -- -- 3/12/2009 -- -- -- -- 0 400,000 800,000 Sylvia R. Wagner 3/12/2009 -- -- -- 3/12/2009 -- -- -- 3/12/2009 -- -- -- -- 0 287,507 575,014 J. Marc Warrington 3/12/2009 -- -- -- 3/12/2009 -- -- -- -- 0 140,400 280,800 ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYOUTS UNDER EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS THRESHOLD TARGET MAXIMUM NAME (#) (#) (#) (A) (F) (G) (H) ------------------- --------------------------------------------------- John S. Roberts -- -- -- 9,255 18,509 27,764 -- -- -- Miles B. Yakre -- -- -- 1,786 3,572 5,358 -- -- -- Stacia N. Almquist -- -- -- 503 1,006 1,509 -- -- -- Michael J. Peninger -- -- -- 9,255 18,509 27,764 -- -- -- Sylvia R. Wagner -- -- -- 3,702 7,404 11,106 -- -- -- -- -- -- J. Marc Warrington -- -- -- 1,540 3,080 4,620 -- -- -- ALL OTHER ALL OTHER STOCK OPTION AWARDS: AWARDS: EXERCISE GRANT NUMBER OF NUMBER OF OR BASE DATE FAIR SHARES SECURITIES PRICE OF STOCK AND OF STOCK UNDERLYING OPTION OPTION OR UNITS OPTIONS AWARDS AWARDS NAME (#) (#) ($/SH) (2) ($) (2) (A) (I) (J) (K) (L) ------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- John S. Roberts 18,509 -- 20.26 $374,992 -- -- 20.39 $377,399 -- -- -- -- Miles B. Yakre 3,572 -- 20.26 $72,369 -- -- 20.39 $72,833 -- -- -- -- Stacia N. Almquist 1,006 -- 20.26 $20,382 -- -- 20.39 $20,512 -- -- -- -- Michael J. Peninger 18,509 -- 20.26 $374,992 -- -- 20.39 $377,399 -- -- -- -- Sylvia R. Wagner 7,404 -- 20.26 $150,005 -- -- 20.39 $150,968 40,000 -- 20.26 $810,400 -- -- -- -- J. Marc Warrington 3,080 -- 20.26 $62,401 -- -- 20.39 $62,801 -- -- -- -- (1) The values in columns (c), (d), and (e) are based on multiplying a 0 (threshold), 1 (target), and 2 (maximum) multiplier times each NEO's annual incentive target award percentage. The actual annual incentive award earned by each NEO for 2009 performance is reported in the column entitled "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" in the Summary Compensation Table. (2) The base price of 2009 RSU awards is equal to the closing price of Assurant, Inc. Common Stock on the grant date. The grant date fair value of each RSU award was computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 using the closing price of Assurant, Inc. Common Stock on the grant date. The base price of 2009 PSU awards and the grant date fair value of each PSU award were computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 based on achievement of target performance and estimated on the grant date using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Please see Footnote 18, "STOCK BASED COMPENSATION --PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS", of the Assurant 2009 Form 10-K for a discussion of the Monte Carlo simulation model and the assumptions used in this valuation. NARRATIVE TO THE SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE AND GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE ANNUAL INCENTIVE AWARDS Annual incentive awards for Messrs. Peninger and Roberts are paid pursuant to the Assurant, Inc. Executive Short Term Incentive Plan, a plan intended to meet the requirements of IRC Section 162(m). The aggregate payments to all ESTIP participants for any performance period cannot exceed 5% of the Parent's net income (as defined in the ESTIP). At the end of each year, the Compensation Committee of the Parent's Board of Directors (the "Parent Compensation Committee") certifies the amount of the Parent's net income and the maximum award amounts that can be paid under the ESTIP. The Parent Compensation Committee then has discretion to pay an incentive award that is less than the applicable maximum. In 2009, the Parent Compensation Committee exercised negative discretion to reduce participants' awards by applying the performance goals described in the CD&A under the heading " -- ANNUAL INCENTIVE COMPENSATION" above. The threshold, target and maximum payout amounts disclosed in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table reflect the application of these performance goals. Annual incentive payments for Messrs. Warrington and Yakre and Ms. Wagner and Ms. Almquist were paid pursuant to the annual incentive program applicable to the Parent or Assurant Employee Benefits, as applicable. For more information regarding the performance criteria applicable to each of our NEOs, please see the section entitled "CD&A -- ANNUAL INCENTIVE COMPENSATION."
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 107 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LONG TERM EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARDS The Parent's outstanding equity-based awards have been granted under two long-term incentive compensation plans, the ALTEIP and the Assurant, Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "ALTIP"). The ALTEIP was approved by the Parent's stockholders in May 2008. Since that time, equity grants to our named executive officers have been awarded pursuant to the ALTEIP. In 2009, 50% of each NEO's target long-term equity incentive award was provided in the form of RSUs, and 50% in the form of PSUs. The RSUs vest in three equal annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. Dividend equivalents on RSUs are paid in cash during the vesting period. Participants do not have voting rights with respect to RSUs. PSUs vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to a participant's continuous employment through the vesting date and the level of performance achieved. Dividend equivalents on PSUs are accrued and paid in cash at the end of the performance period in accordance with the level of performance achieved. Participants do not have voting rights with respect to PSUs. Prior to the adoption of the ALTEIP, our named executive officers were awarded stock appreciation rights ("SARs") and shares of restricted stock under the ALTIP. No additional equity awards may be granted under the ALTIP. Restricted stock awards granted under the ALTIP also vest in three equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. Restricted stock award recipients, as beneficial owners of the shares, have full voting and dividend rights with respect to the shares during and after the restricted period. Dividends are paid in cash and are not eligible for reinvestment during the restricted period. SARs granted under the ALTIP vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. To the extent not previously exercised, SARs are automatically exercised on the earliest of (i) the fifth anniversary of the grant date, (ii) the second anniversary of the participant's termination of employment for reason of death or disability or (iii) ninety days following the participant's termination of employment for reasons other than retirement, disability or death. OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END The table below provides information concerning unexercised options and stock that has not vested for each NEO outstanding as of December 31, 2009. OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS TABLE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009 OPTION AWARDS (1) STOCK AWARDS (1) ------------------------------ ------------------------------ EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS: NUMBER OF NUMBER OF NUMBER OF SECURITIES SECURITIES SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNDERLYING UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED UNEXERCISED UNEXERCISED OPTIONS OPTIONS UNEARNED OPTION EXERCISE (#) (#) OPTIONS PRICE(2) OPTION EXPIRATION NAME EXERCISABLE(2) UNEXERCISABLE (#) ($) DATE(2) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JOHN S. ROBERTS Converted) SARs(2 7,909 31.30 01/01/2014 All Other SARs 8,397 35.64 06/30/2010 9,595 49.25 04/01/2011 10,950 (4) 53.48 03/08/2012 20,050 (5) 60.65 03/13/2013 MILES B. YAKRE Converted) SARs(2 -- -- -- -- -- All Other SARs 10,313 49.25 04/01/2011 11,000 (4) 53.48 03/08/2012 8,850 (5) 60.65 03/13/2013 EQUITY INCENTIVE EQUITY PLAN INCENTIVE AWARDS: PLAN MARKET OR MARKET AWARDS: PAYOUT NUMBER OF VALUE OF NUMBER OF VALUE OF SHARES SHARES OR UNEARNED UNEARNED OR UNITS UNITS OF SHARES, SHARES, OF STOCK STOCK UNITS OR UNITS OR THAT THAT OTHER OTHER HAVE HAVE RIGHTS RIGHTS NOT NOT THAT HAVE THAT HAVE VESTED VESTED(3) NOT VESTED NOT VESTED(3) NAME (#) ($) (#) ($) (A) (G) (H) (I) (J) ----------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- JOHN S. ROBERTS 224 (6) 6,604 742 (7) 21,874 7,840 (8) 231,123 1,000 (9) 29,480 18,509 (10) 545,645 18,509 (11) 545,645 MILES B. YAKRE 199 (6) 5,867 1,336 (13) 39,385 328 (7) 9,669 125 (14) 3,685 3,572 (10) 105,303 3,572 (11) 105,303
108 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS: NUMBER OF NUMBER OF NUMBER OF SECURITIES SECURITIES SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNDERLYING UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED UNEXERCISED UNEXERCISED OPTIONS OPTIONS UNEARNED OPTION EXERCISE (#) (#) OPTIONS PRICE(2) OPTION EXPIRATION NAME EXERCISABLE(2) UNEXERCISABLE (#) ($) DATE(2) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STACIA N. ALMQUIST Converted) SARs(2 -- -- -- -- -- All Other SARs 1,600 (4) 53.48 03/08/2010 2,400 (5) 60.65 03/13/2013 MICHAEL J. PENINGER Converted) SARs(2 20,136 26.82 01/01/2010 14,801 22.00 01/01/2010 24,283 30.11 01/01/2011 16,053 22.00 01/01/2011 18,409 22.00 01/01/2012 24,668 30.83 01/01/2012 23,645 33.45 01/01/2013 15,746 22.00 01/01/2013 26,169 31.30 01/01/2014 12,409 22.00 01/01/2014 All Other SARs 32,893 35.64 06/30/2010 35,924 49.25 04/01/2011 32,450 (4) 53.48 03/08/2012 45,950 (5) 60.65 03/13/2013 SYLVIA R. WAGNER Converted) SARs(2 3,252 22.00 01/01/2010 4,416 26.82 01/01/2010 3,706 22.00 01/01/2011 5,603 30.11 01/01/2011 5,729 30.83 01/01/2012 4,271 22.00 01/01/2012 3,657 22.00 01/01/2013 5,494 33.45 01/01/2013 3,450 22.00 01/01/2014 7,276 31.30 01/01/2014 All Other SARs 7,717 35.64 06/30/2010 9,667 49.25 04/01/2011 8,450 (4) 53.48 03/08/2012 8,650 (5) 60.65 03/13/2013 J. MARC WARRINGTON Converted) SARs(2 -- -- -- -- -- All Other SARs 8,572 49.25 04/01/2011 8,750 (4) 53.48 03/08/2012 9,050 (5) 60.65 03/13/2013 EQUITY INCENTIVE EQUITY PLAN INCENTIVE AWARDS: PLAN MARKET OR MARKET AWARDS: PAYOUT NUMBER OF VALUE OF NUMBER OF VALUE OF SHARES SHARES OR UNEARNED UNEARNED OR UNITS UNITS OF SHARES, SHARES, OF STOCK STOCK UNITS OR UNITS OR THAT THAT OTHER OTHER HAVE HAVE RIGHTS RIGHTS NOT NOT THAT HAVE THAT HAVE VESTED VESTED(3) NOT VESTED NOT VESTED(3) NAME (#) ($) (#) ($) (A) (G) (H) (I) (J) ----------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- STACIA N. ALMQUIST 87 (7) 2,565 1,006 (10) 29,657 1,006 (11) 29,657 MICHAEL J. PENINGER 661 (6) 19,486 1,719 (7) 50,676 7,840 (8) 231,123 18,509 (10) 545,645 18,509 (11) 545,645 SYLVIA R. WAGNER 174 (6) 5,130 316 (7) 9,316 40,000 (12) 1,179,200 7,404 (10) 218,270 7,404 (11) 218,270 J. MARC WARRINGTON 178 (6) 5,247 331 (7) 9,758 3,080 (10) 90,798 3,080 (11) 90,798 (1) These columns represent awards under the ALTEIP, ALTIP, Business Value Rights Plan (the "BVR Plan") and their predecessor plans. Awards are either SARs, restricted stock, RSUs or PSUs. The BVR Plan is a subplan of the Assurant, Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan, under which SARs may be granted to eligible employees. SARs granted under the BVR Plan vest and are automatically exercised (and will thereupon expire) on the earliest of (i) the third anniversary of the grant date, (ii) the date of grantee's retirement, disability, or death, or (iii) the date of a Change of Control (as defined in the 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan"). While certain awards remain outstanding under the BVR Plan, no grants are being made any longer under the BVR Plan.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 109 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Until June 29, 2005, the Parent maintained the Assurant Appreciation Incentive Rights Plan ("AAIR Plan"), which provided for the issuance of Assurant, Inc. and operating segment cash settled appreciation rights ("AAIR Plan rights"). In 2005, the Parent decided to no longer issue operating segment rights or cash settled appreciation rights. The ALTIP was adopted to provide for the payment of appreciation to participants in the form of Assurant, Inc. Common Stock. As a result of the adoption of the ALTIP, the AAIR Plan rights were converted into SARs on June 30, 2005. The intrinsic value of the converted SARs did not change from that of the AAIR Plan rights. "Converted SARs" refers to the AAIR Plan rights (granted over several years prior to our initial public offering) that were converted to SARs on June 30, 2005. In delivering equivalent intrinsic value to the converted SARs, differing base prices may have resulted. Therefore, certain converted SARs with the same expiration date may have differing base prices in the table above. (3) The value was determined using the December 31, 2009 closing price of Assurant, Inc. Common Stock of $29.48. (4) This award vested on March 8, 2010. (5) This award vests on March 13, 2011. (6) This restricted stock award was granted on March 8, 2007 and vests in three equal annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. (7) This restricted stock award was granted on March 13, 2008 and vests in three equal annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. (8) This restricted stock award was granted on November 13, 2008 and vests in three equal annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. (9) This restricted stock award was granted on January 8, 2008 with 1,000 shares to vest on the first anniversary of the grant date and 500 shares to vest on each of the second and third anniversaries of the grant date. (10) This restricted stock unit award was granted on March 12, 2009 and vests in three equal annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. (11) This PSU award was granted on March 12, 2009 and vests on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to the level of achievement with respect to the applicable performance targets. The values in columns (i) and (j) are based on the Parent's achievement of target performance during 2009 with respect to the performance metrics as compared against the performance of the other companies in the A.M. Best U.S. Insurance Index. Please see the section entitled "CD&A -- LONG-TERM EQUITY INCENTIVE COMPENSATION -- PSUS -- MEASURING RELATIVE PERFORMANCE" above for further details. (12) This restricted stock unit award was granted on March 12, 2009 and vests in five equal annual installments on each of the first five anniversaries of the grant date. (13) This restricted stock award was granted on July 2, 2007 and vests in three equal annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. (14) This restricted stock unit award was granted on April 1, 2008 and vested in two equal annual installments on each of the first two anniversaries of the grant date. OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED IN LAST FISCAL YEAR The following table provides information regarding all of the SARs that were exercised by the NEOs during 2009, and all of the shares of restricted stock held by the NEOs that vested during 2009 on an aggregated basis. OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED TABLE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009 OPTION AWARDS STOCK AWARDS NUMBER OF NUMBER OF SHARES VALUE SHARES VALUE ACQUIRED ON REALIZED ON ACQUIRED ON REALIZED ON NAME EXERCISE(#) EXERCISE($) VESTING(#) VESTING($) (1) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ John S. Roberts -- -- 1,000 30,810 221 3,799 370 7,570 209 4,707 3,914 121,921 Miles B. Yakre -- -- 209 4,707 198 3,404 1,332 30,982 163 3,335 125 2,815 Stacia N. Almquist -- -- 43 880 Michael J. Peninger -- -- 658 11,311 857 17,534 655 14,751 3,914 121,921 Sylvia R. Wagner -- -- 171 2,939 157 3,212 181 4,076 J. Marc Warrington -- -- 188 4,234 177 3,043 164 3,355 (1) The value realized on vesting was determined using the closing price of Assurant, Inc. Common Stock on the vesting date (or prior trading day if the vesting date fell on a weekend or holiday).
110 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PENSION BENEFITS The Parent maintains three defined benefit pension plans. Two are nonqualified executive defined benefit pension plans, the Assurant Supplement Retirement Plan (the "Assurant SERP") and the Assurant Executive Pension Plan. In addition, the Parent maintains the Assurant Pension Plan, a broad-based, tax qualified, defined benefit pension plan. The table below describes each plan that provides for pension payments to the NEOs. PENSION BENEFITS TABLE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009 NUMBER OF PRESENT VALUE OF PAYMENTS YEARS OF CREDITED ACCUMULATED DURING LAST NAME PLAN NAME SERVICE (1)(#) BENEFIT($) FISCAL YEAR($) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Roberts Pension Plan 1 6,900 0 Executive Pension Plan 1 15,284 0 SERP 2.5 219,921 0 Miles Yakre Pension Plan 17.1 163,850 0 Executive Pension Plan 17.1 133,068 0 SERP -- -- 0 Stacia Almquist Pension Plan 9 43,939 0 Executive Pension Plan -- -- 0 SERP -- -- 0 Michael J Peninger Pension Plan 23 388,498 0 Executive Pension Plan 23 281,892 0 Sylvia Wagner SERP 20 3,677,161 0 Pension Plan 35.7 858,168 0 Executive Pension Plan 35.7 596,880 0 SERP -- -- 0 J Marc Warrington Pension Plan 12 94,920 0 Executive Pension Plan 12 89,721 0 SERP -- -- 0 (1) None of the NEOs have more years of credited service under any of the plans than actual years of service with the Company. NARRATIVE TO THE PENSION BENEFITS TABLE The following is a description of the plans and information reported in the Pension Benefits Table. THE ASSURANT PENSION PLAN Eligible employees may generally participate in the Assurant Pension Plan on January 1 or July 1 after completing one year of service with Assurant. Credited service for determining a participant's benefit accrues after an employee begins participating in the plan and has no limit. Eligible compensation under this plan is subject to the applicable limit under Internal Revenue Code ("IRC") Section 401(a)(17) (which was $245,000 for 2009). Each active plan participant on December 31, 2000 was given the choice of continuing to have his or her benefits calculated under the applicable prior plan formula or to have his or her benefits determined under the current pension formula. Benefits for employees joining (or rejoining) the plan after December 31, 2000 are determined under the current pension formula. Mr. Peninger and Ms. Wagner are covered under the prior plan formula. Messrs. Roberts, Warrington and Yakre and Ms. Almquist are covered under the current plan formula. Under the current plan formula, the lump sum value of the benefit is based on the participant's accumulated annual accrual credits multiplied by their final average earnings, but is not less than the present value of accrued benefits under the prior plan formula. Final average earnings (for both the current and prior plan formula) is defined as the highest average annual compensation for five consecutive complete calendar years of employment during the ten consecutive complete calendar years immediately prior to the participant's termination of employment. As set forth below, annual accrual credits are measured in percentages and increase as participants reach certain credited service milestones. YEARS OF SERVICE CREDIT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Years 1 through 10 3% Years 11 through 20 6% Years 21 through 30 9% Years over 30 12%
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 111 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Under the current plan formula, the present value of accumulated benefits at December 31, 2009 is determined as the lump sum value of the benefit based on the participant's accumulated annual accrual credits and final average earnings (which is limited by IRC Section 401(a)(17)) at December 31, 2009, but is not less than the present value of accrued benefits under the prior plan formula. The prior plan formula is calculated by taking (a) 0.9% multiplied by final average earnings up to Social Security covered compensation multiplied by years of credited service (up to 35 years) plus (b) 1.3% multiplied by final average earnings in excess of Social Security covered compensation multiplied by years of credited service (up to 35 years) plus (c) 1.3% multiplied by final average earnings multiplied by years of credited service in excess of 35. Under the prior plan formula, the present value of accumulated benefits at December 31, 2009 is determined based on the accrued plan benefit at that date and assumes the following: (1) the executives will retire from Assurant at age 65, (2) 30% of male executives and 60% of female executives will receive their payments in the form of a life annuity and 70% of male executives and 40% of female executives will receive their payments in the form of a 50% joint & survivor annuity, and (3) the present value of annuity benefits is based on an interest rate assumption of 5.94% and the RP 2000 generational mortality table (which is the mortality table assumption from the plan's most recent financial statement disclosure). The normal retirement age for the Assurant Pension Plan is 65. Benefits are actuarially reduced for any payment prior to age 65. A participant covered under the prior plan formula generally can commence his or her benefit at age 55, provided that he or she has accrued ten years of credited service, or elect to commence benefits at age 65. Participants covered under the current plan formula may immediately commence their benefit at termination of employment or they may elect to defer the commencement up to age 65. A participant becomes 100% vested in the benefits under the current plan formula after three years of vesting service. If the participant elected to participate in the prior plan formula, the benefits will become vested after five years of vesting service. All of the NEOs are 100% vested. If the participant is married, the normal form of payment is a 50% joint and survivor annuity. If the participant is not married, the normal form of payment is a life annuity. THE ASSURANT EXECUTIVE PENSION PLAN Eligible employees may generally begin participating in the Assurant Executive Pension Plan on January 1 or July 1 after completing one year of service with the Company and when their eligible compensation exceeds the IRC Section 401(a)(17) compensation limit (which was $245,000 for 2009). For participants who are covered under the prior plan formula, eligible compensation was capped for 2009 at $385,000 and this cap is adjusted annually for inflation. Eligible compensation for participants covered under the current plan formula is not capped. With respect to the plan formula to determine benefits, the elections made under the Assurant Pension Plan on December 31, 2000 also apply to the Assurant Executive Pension Plan. Mr. Peninger and Ms. Wagner are covered under the prior plan formula. Messrs. Roberts, Warrington and Yakre are covered under the current plan formula. A participant's benefit under the Assurant Executive Pension Plan is equal to the benefit he or she would have received under the Pension Plan at normal retirement age (65), recognizing all eligible compensation (not subject to the IRC limit) reduced by the benefit payable under the Pension Plan. The benefits under the Assurant Executive Pension Plan are payable only in a lump sum following termination of employment. Payments will be made following termination of employment and are subject to the restrictions under IRC Section 409A. Service covered under each of these formulas begins with participation in the Assurant Executive Pension Plan and has no limit. A participant becomes vested in the benefits under the Assurant Executive Pension Plan after three years of service if the participant has elected to participate in the current plan formula, and after five years of service if the participant has elected to participate in the prior plan formula. All of the participating NEOs are currently 100% vested in their Executive Pension Plan benefit. The methodology for determining the present value of the accumulated benefits under the Assurant Executive Pension Plan uses the same assumptions and methodologies as the Assurant Pension Plan described above, except that benefits calculated under the prior plan formula are paid as a lump sum rather than an annuity. For current plan formula participants, the present value of accumulated benefits at December 31, 2009 is determined as the lump sum value of the benefit based on the participant's accumulated annual accrual credits and unlimited final average earnings as of December 31, 2009 offset by the Assurant Pension Plan benefits. For prior plan benefits, the present value of accumulated benefits at December 31, 2009 is based on the benefit produced under the prior plan formula converted to a lump sum payment (1) at the plan's normal retirement age of 65. ------------ (1) The lump sum conversion basis at retirement consists of the greater of an interest rate of 4.25% and the 1994 Group Annuity Mortality Table and a blend of segmented high-quality corporate bond rates and 30 year treasury rates using the mortality required by IRC Section 417(e), as updated by the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the "PPA"). Accordingly, the lump sum values shown are based on an interest rate of 4.25%. The present value of the lump sum payment is determined using a pre-retirement interest rate of 5.73%.
112 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE ASSURANT SERP To participate in the Assurant SERP, an executive is nominated by the Parent and approved by the Parent Compensation Committee. Under the Assurant SERP, when a participant terminates employment, he or she is entitled to a benefit equal to a "Target Benefit" that is offset by the participant's benefit payable from the Pension Plan, the Assurant Executive Pension Plan and the participant's estimated Social Security benefit. The Target Benefit is equal to 50% of the participant's eligible compensation multiplied by a fraction, not to exceed 1.0, whose numerator is equal to the number of months of credited service at termination, and whose denominator is equal to 240. After 20 years of credited service and turning age 60 or 62, as applicable, a participant will earn a full 50% benefit under the Assurant SERP payable as a life annuity. Generally, credited service is based on the participant's years of service with the Company. If a participant was formerly employed by an acquired company, then service with that company may be recognized under the Assurant SERP at the discretion of the Parent Compensation Committee. In 2006, based on a study of the market practice, the Parent Compensation Committee approved a change to the normal retirement age from age 60 to age 62. This change is effective only for participants joining the Assurant SERP during 2007 or later. Since Mr. Roberts was approved for participation in the Assurant SERP after January 1, 2007, the change in normal retirement age applies to him. For participants who join the Assurant SERP on or after January 1, 2010, the normal retirement age has been increased to 65. A participant commences vesting in the Assurant SERP on the second anniversary of participation and continues to vest at the rate of 3% for each month of employment thereafter with the Company. For benefits earned and vested as of December 31, 2004, the participant may commence his or her vested SERP benefit at any time following termination and the default form of payment under the Assurant SERP is a single lump sum payment that is the actuarial equivalent of the Assurant SERP benefit payable as a life annuity (but a participant may elect a different form of benefit). For benefits earned or vested after December 31, 2004, the only form of payment available under the Assurant SERP is a single lump payment that is the actuarial equivalent of the Assurant SERP benefit payable as a life annuity. Mr. Peninger is 100% vested in his SERP. Mr. Roberts is 0% vested in his SERP benefit. Neither of them has attained normal retirement age as of December 31, 2009; therefore, if either had terminated employment on or prior to that date, their SERP benefit would have been actuarially reduced to his respective age. The present value of the accumulated benefits at December 31, 2009 was determined based on the December 31, 2009 accrued benefit using the base salary, target ESTIP award and credited service at December 31, 2009. The present value of the accumulated benefits at December 31, 2009 is determined assuming the following: (1) the executives will retire from the Company at the plan's normal retirement age; (2) the executives will receive their benefits in accordance with their current form of payment elections; and (3) the present value of single lump sum benefits is determined using an interest rate of 5.73% to the retirement date and a lump sum conversion factor (2) at retirement. NUMBER OF YEARS OF CREDITED SERVICE The number of years of credited service varies between plans for the following reasons. Eligibility for the Pension Plan and Executive Pension Plan is based on a one year waiting period from date of hire and results in the same amount of credited service under both plans. Eligibility under the Assurant SERP generally recognizes all service with the Company; however, if a participant was formerly employed by an acquired company, then service with that company may or may not be recognized under the Assurant SERP at the discretion of the Parent Compensation Committee. Mr. Roberts has prior service that was not recognized. For purposes of determining the amount of benefits payable under the Assurant SERP, credited service is capped at 20 years. NONQUALIFIED DEFINED CONTRIBUTION AND OTHER NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS The table below sets forth, for each NEO, information with respect to each defined contribution or other plan that provides for the deferral of compensation on a basis that is not tax-qualified. The Parent currently maintains the Amended and Restated Assurant Deferred Compensation Plan (the "ADC Plan"), which provides for the deferral of compensation on a basis that is not tax-qualified. The Assurant Investment Plan (the "AIP") was frozen in December 2004. The Assurant Executive 401(k) Plan (the "Executive 401(k) Plan") is a nonqualified defined contribution plan. Ms. Almquist does not participate in the ADC Plan and is not eligible to participate in the Executive 401(k) Plan. ------------ (2) The lump sum values shown for Mr. Roberts is based on December monthly bond segment rates of 2.35% for years 0-5, 5.65% for year 5-20 and 6.45% for years 20+. The mortality is based on the IRC Section 417(e) mortality prescribed by the PPA.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 113 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NONQUALIFIED DEFINED CONTRIBUTION AND OTHER NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS TABLE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009 EXECUTIVE REGISTRANT AGGREGATE AGGREGATE AGGREGATE CONTRIBUTIONS IN CONTRIBUTIONS IN EARNINGS IN WITHDRAWALS/ BALANCE AT LAST FY LAST FY (1),(2) LAST FY (1) DISTRIBUTIONS LAST FYE (1) NAME ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) (A) PLAN (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ John Roberts ADC Plan 0 0 (3) 0 0 0 AIP 0 (4) 0 (4) 0 0 0 Executive 401(k) 0 (4) 60,566 33,024 0 179,510 ---------------- --- ---------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- TOTAL 0 60,566 33,024 0 179,510 Miles Yakre ADC Plan 0 0 (3) 0 0 0 AIP 0 (4) 0 (4) 0 0 0 Executive 401(k) 0 (4) 12,009 21,528 0 105,138 TOTAL 0 12,009 21,528 0 105,138 Michae Peninger ADC Plan 0 0 (3) 0 0 0 AIP 0 (4) 0 (4) 83,714 1,035,288 0 Executive 401(k) 0 (4) 85,050 1,908 0 480,010 ---------------- --- ---------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- TOTAL 0 85,050 85,622 1,035,288 480,010 Sylvia Wagner ADC Plan 0 0 (3) 0 0 0 AIP 0 (4) 0 (4) 97,134 (5) 0 554,712 Executive 401(k) 0 (4) 20,080 30,794 0 162,737 TOTAL 0 20,080 127,928 0 717,449 J. Marc ADC Plan 0 (3) 0 0 0 Warrington AIP 0 (4) 0 (4) 0 0 0 Executive 401(k) 0 (4) 15,558 26,825 0 113,673 ---------------- --- ---------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- TOTAL 0 15,558 26,825 0 113,673 ---------------- ---------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- (1) The amounts in column (c) were reported as compensation in the last completed fiscal year in the "All Other Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table as follows: for Mr. Roberts, $60,566 of Company contributions to the Executive 401(k) Plan; for Mr. Yakre, $12,009 of Company contributions to the Executive 401(k) Plan; for Mr. Peninger, $85,050 of Company contributions to the Executive 401(k) Plan; for Ms. Wagner, $20,080 of Company contributions to the Executive 401(k) Plan; and for Mr. Warrington, $15,558 of Company contributions to the Executive 401(k) Plan. The NEOs' Aggregate Earnings in the last fiscal year reported in column (d) with respect to the ADC Plan, and AIP, as applicable, represent the capital gains or losses on investments in publicly available mutual funds, interest and dividends held in the plans during 2009. The Parent does not provide any preferential or above market earnings or contributions. These earnings are not reported in any column of the Summary Compensation Table. With respect to the Executive 401(k) Plan, the aggregate earnings represent capital gains or losses, interest and dividends on the aggregate balance during 2009. Similarly, the Parent does not provide any above market or preferential earnings and these earnings are not reported in the Summary Compensation Table. For the AIP, no contributions could have been made during the fiscal year 2009 since it has been frozen since December 2004. (2) The Executive 401(k) Plan amounts reported in this column reflect the Parent contribution to the Executive 401(k) Plan (7% of eligible compensation in excess of the limit under IRC Section 401(a)(17)) that was made in February 2010. (3) The Parent does not currently make any contributions to the ADC Plan. (4) Since the AIP has been frozen since December 2004, no contributions could have been made during fiscal year 2009. The Executive 401(k) Plan does not provide for participant contributions. (5) The earnings in the ADC Plan and AIP are based on a comparison of balances from March 31, 2009 through December 31, 2009 due to unavailability of data as of December 31, 2009. NARRATIVE TO THE NONQUALIFIED DEFINED CONTRIBUTION AND OTHER NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS TABLE The following is a description of the plans and information reported in the Nonqualified Defined Contribution and Other Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans Table. THE ADC PLAN Participation in the ADC Plan is restricted to a select group of management or highly compensated employees of Assurant. Under the terms of the ADC Plan, deferral elections can be made once a year with respect to base salary, incentive payments or (with respect to the Board of Directors) director fees to be earned in the following year. Benefits under the ADC Plan are notionally invested in accordance with participant elections among various publicly available mutual funds and deferred amounts and any notional earning or losses are notionally credited to a deemed investment account. Currently, Assurant does not provide any above market earnings or preferential earnings to the participants. Each deferral must remain in the plan for at least one full calendar year, until July 1 of the following year or until the earlier of termination, disability or death. Deferrals cannot be changed or revoked during the plan year, except as permitted by applicable law. Upon voluntary or involuntary termination (including retirement) or disability, participants can withdraw their account balances from the ADC Plan in a lump sum or in annual installments over five, ten or fifteen years or other agreed upon installment schedule between the participant and the administrator As a result of IRC Section 409A, certain key employees (including the NEOs) are subject to a six-month waiting period for distributions following termination.
114 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE AIP Prior to the establishment of the ADC Plan in 2005, eligible employees were able to participate in the AIP. The AIP provided key employees the ability to exchange a portion of their compensation for options to purchase certain publicly available mutual funds. Assurant did not provide any above market earnings or preferential earnings to the participants. The AIP was frozen in December 2004. Since then, participants have been able to withdraw from the AIP and have the ability to change their investment elections but any new deferrals of compensation have been made through the ADC Plan. THE EXECUTIVE 401(K) PLAN Eligible employees may generally participate in this plan after completing one year of service with the Company and when their eligible compensation exceeds the compensation limit under the IRC. The Parent makes an annual contribution for each participant in this plan equal to 7% of eligible compensation in excess of the IRC limit (which was $245,000 for 2009). The participant must be employed on the last regularly scheduled work day of the year in order to receive the contribution unless the participant retires, becomes totally disabled, dies or his or her employment is terminated in the fourth quarter of the year as a result of a reduction in work force. The participants select among various publicly available mutual funds in which the contributions are deemed to be invested on a tax deferred basis. These notional contributions are credited with notional earnings and losses based on the performance of the mutual funds. Currently, Assurant does not provide any above market earnings or preferential earnings to the participants. For the NEOs, eligibility for retirement under the Executive 401(k) Plan is based upon reaching age 55 and completing ten years of service. Please see footnote 4 to the Summary Compensation Table above, for quantification of Company contributions to the Executive 401(k) Plan in 2009. The benefits under the Executive 401(k) Plan are payable only in a lump sum following termination of employment. Payments made following termination of employment are subject to the restrictions of IRC Section 409A. A participant becomes vested in the benefits under the Executive 401(k) Plan after three years of service. Participants are currently 100% vested in their Executive 401(k) Plan benefit. POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE OF CONTROL The following section sets forth for each NEO, an estimate of potential payments the NEO would have received at, following, or in connection with termination of employment under the circumstances enumerated below on December 31, 2009. POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE OF CONTROL TABLE PAYOUT IF PAYOUT IF TERMINATES TERMINATES PAYOUT IF VOLUNTARILY VOLUNTARILY TERMINATED 12/31/09 12/31/09 INVOLUNTARILY NAME (NOT RETIREMENT) (1)(A) (RETIREMENT) (1)(B) 12/31/09 (2)(C) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JOHN S. ROBERTS Base Salary -- -- -- STIP Award -- -- -- Long-Term Equity Awards (4) -- -- $303,113 Executive Pension Plan (5) $15,284 -- $15,284 SERP (6) -- -- -- Executive 401(k) Plan (8) $179,510 -- $179,510 Welfare Benefit Lump Sum (9) -- -- -- Severance (12) -- -- $0 Outplacement -- -- -- Gross Up on Excise Tax -- -- -- ------------------ --------------- ----------- TOTAL $194,794 -- $497,907 ------------------ --------------- ----------- MILES B. YAKRE Base Salary -- -- -- STIP Award -- -- -- Long-Term Equity Awards (4) -- -- $58,488 Executive Pension Plan (5) $133,068 -- $133,068 SERP -- -- -- Executive 401(k) Plan (8) $105,138 -- $105,138 Welfare Benefit Lump Sum (9) -- -- -- Severance (12) -- -- -- Outplacement -- -- -- Gross Up on Excise Tax -- -- -- ------------------ --------------- ----------- TOTAL $238,206 -- $296,694 ------------------ --------------- ----------- MICHAEL J. PENINGER Base Salary -- -- -- STIP Award -- -- -- Long-Term Equity Awards (4) -- -- $303,113 Executive Pension Plan (5) $320,563 -- $320,563 SERP (6) $3,436,900 -- $3,436,900 Executive 401(k) Plan (8) $480,010 -- $480,010 Welfare Benefit Lump Sum (9) -- -- -- Severance (12) -- -- $0 Outplacement -- -- -- Gross Up on Excise Tax -- -- -- TOTAL $4,237,473 -- $4,540,586 ------------------ --------------- ----------- PAYOUT IF TERMINATED PAYOUT IF PAYOUT IF UPON CHANGE OF TERMINATED TERMINATED CONTROL UPON DEATH UPON DISABILITY NAME 12/31/09 (3)(D) 12/31/09(E) 12/31/09(F) ----------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- JOHN S. ROBERTS Base Salary -- -- -- STIP Award $200,000 $0 $0 Long-Term Equity Awards (4) $303,113 $346,950 $346,950 Executive Pension Plan (5) $15,284 $15,284 $15,284 SERP (6) $982,417 (7) $269,664 $269,664 Executive 401(k) Plan (8) $179,510 $179,510 $179,510 Welfare Benefit Lump Sum (9) $15,377 -- -- Severance (12) $2,700,000 -- -- Outplacement $30,000 (10) -- -- Gross Up on Excise Tax $1,895,146 (11) -- -- ------------- ----- ----------- ----------- TOTAL $6,320,847 $811,408 $811,408 ------------- ----------- ----------- MILES B. YAKRE Base Salary -- -- STIP Award $65,138 $0 $0 Long-Term Equity Awards (4) $58,488 $89,914 $89,914 Executive Pension Plan (5) $133,068 $133,068 $133,068 SERP -- -- -- Executive 401(k) Plan (8) $105,138 $105,138 $105,138 Welfare Benefit Lump Sum (9) $20,391 -- -- Severance (12) $839,550 -- -- Outplacement $13,500 (10) -- -- Gross Up on Excise Tax -- -- -- ------------- ----------- ----------- TOTAL $1,235,273 $328,120 $328,120 ------------- ----------- ----------- MICHAEL J. PENINGER Base Salary -- -- -- STIP Award -- -- -- Long-Term Equity Awards (4) -- $359,862 $359,862 Executive Pension Plan (5) -- $296,200 $320,563 SERP (6) -- $3,675,831 $3,436,900 Executive 401(k) Plan (8) -- $480,010 $480,010 Welfare Benefit Lump Sum (9) -- -- -- Severance (12) -- -- -- Outplacement -- -- -- Gross Up on Excise Tax -- -- -- TOTAL -- $4,811,903 $4,597,335 ------------- ----------- -----------
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 115 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PAYOUT IF PAYOUT IF TERMINATES TERMINATES PAYOUT IF VOLUNTARILY VOLUNTARILY TERMINATED 12/31/09 12/31/09 INVOLUNTARILY NAME (NOT RETIREMENT) (1)(A) (RETIREMENT) (1)(B) 12/31/09 (2)(C) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYLVIA R. WAGNER Base Salary -- -- -- STIP Award -- -- -- Long-Term Equity Awards (4) -- -- $317,824 Executive Pension Plan (5) -- $631,367 $631,367 SERP -- -- -- Executive 401(k) Plan (8) -- $162,737 $162,737 Welfare Benefit Lump Sum -- -- -- Severance (12) -- -- $0 Outplacement -- -- -- Gross Up on Excise Tax -- -- -- ------------------ --------------- ----------- TOTAL -- $794,104 $1,111,928 ------------------ --------------- ----------- J. MARC WARRINGTON Base Salary -- -- -- STIP Award -- -- -- Long-Term Equity Awards (4) -- -- -- Executive Pension Plan (5) -- -- $50,470 SERP $89,721 -- $89,721 Executive 401(k) Plan (8) -- -- -- Welfare Benefit Lump Sum (9) $113,673 -- $113,673 Severance (12) -- -- -- Outplacement -- -- -- Gross Up on Excise Tax -- -- -- -- -- -- ------------------ --------------- ----------- TOTAL $203,394 -- $253,864 ------------------ --------------- ----------- PAYOUT IF TERMINATED PAYOUT IF PAYOUT IF UPON CHANGE OF TERMINATED TERMINATED CONTROL UPON DEATH UPON DISABILITY NAME 12/31/09 (3)(D) 12/31/09(E) 12/31/09(F) ----------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SYLVIA R. WAGNER Base Salary -- -- -- STIP Award -- -- -- Long-Term Equity Awards (4) -- $325,990 $325,990 Executive Pension Plan (5) -- $586,414 $631,367 SERP -- -- -- Executive 401(k) Plan (8) -- $162,737 $162,737 Welfare Benefit Lump Sum -- -- -- Severance (12) -- -- -- Outplacement -- -- -- Gross Up on Excise Tax -- -- -- ------------- ----------- ----------- TOTAL -- $1,075,141 $1,120,094 ------------- ----------- ----------- J. MARC WARRINGTON Base Salary -- -- -- STIP Award -- -- -- Long-Term Equity Awards (4) $70,200 -- -- Executive Pension Plan (5) $50,470 $58,931 $58,931 SERP $89,721 $89,721 $89,721 Executive 401(k) Plan (8) -- -- -- Welfare Benefit Lump Sum (9) $113,673 $113,673 $113,673 Severance (12) $23,924 -- -- Outplacement $904,800 -- -- Gross Up on Excise Tax $13,500 (10) -- -- -- -- -- ------------- ----------- ----------- TOTAL $1,266,288 $262,325 $262,325 ------------- ----------- ----------- (1) As of December 31, 2009, Ms. Wagner met the requirements to be considered "retired" by the Company (age 55 with 10 years of service). Therefore, if Ms. Wagner were to terminate voluntarily, it would be considered a retirement and column (a) "Payout if Terminated Voluntarily (Not Retirement)" is not applicable to Ms. Wagner. Since none of the other NEOs qualify for retirement, the column entitled "Payout if Terminated Voluntarily (Retirement)" is not applicable to them. (2) The values in this column reflect involuntary termination not for cause. In the event of involuntary termination for cause, the same amounts would be payable except (1) the NEOs would not receive a SERP payment and (2) the NEOs would not receive a pro-rata vesting from the ALTEIP grants. (3) A sale of USIC would only trigger payments for Messrs. Roberts, Yakre and Warrington under the definition of change of control under their respective Change of Control Employment Agreements. (4) These amounts assume accelerated vesting and/or exercise of all or a portion of unvested equity awards on December 31, 2009 based on the closing stock price of $29.48. These amounts also reflect pro-rata vesting in the event of death or disability. Pro-rata vesting in the event of retirement only applies to awards granted prior to 2007. In the event of change of control of USIC, awards under the ALTEIP would be prorated based on treatment as an involuntary termination. (5) Executive Pension Plan benefits are payable only as a lump sum payment and as soon as administratively feasible following termination (in compliance with IRC Section 409A). (6) SERP payments are all shown as the present value of the retirement benefit. (7) Upon a change of control (under the Assurant SERP), participants are granted 3 additional years of benefit service (capped at 20 years) and are considered 3 years older. The amounts in this column represent the present value of the Assurant SERP benefit under these conditions. (8) This amount includes the Parent contribution to the Executive 401(k) Plan which was made in February 2010 since that amount would have been payable to an NEO if he or she terminated on December 31, 2009. (9) This represents a one-time lump sum payment by the Parent that equals the value of Parent paid premiums for the medical, dental, life insurance and disability plans as of December 31, 2009 for 18 months based on the individual's benefit election (in accordance with IRC Section 409A). (10) This represents the Parent's best estimate of the costs of outplacement services for an NEO. (11) The gross-up on excise tax has been eliminated as of February 1, 2010 for Messrs. Roberts and Peninger and Ms. Wagner. (12) Although no agreements exist with respect to the exact severance amounts an NEO would receive upon voluntary termination (retirement) or involuntary termination, the Parent may consider paying discretionary severance amounts (including a welfare benefit lump sum and costs of outplacement services) depending on the facts and circumstances of the NEO's termination. Additionally, under an annual incentive program policy, in the event of involuntary termination not for cause or due to death during the fourth quarter, a participant in the annual incentive program will receive an annual incentive payment based on the full-year results of the year in which the termination takes place. NARRATIVE TO THE POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE OF CONTROL TABLE The following is a description of the information reported in the Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control Table, including the material terms of the Change of Control Agreements and the methodology and material assumptions made in calculating the Executive Pension Plan and SERP benefits payable in the event of disability or death. The material terms of the Executive Pension Plan and the SERP are described in the section entitled "NARRATIVE TO THE PENSION BENEFITS TABLE" above. The material terms of the ADC Plan and the Executive 401(k) Plan are described in the section entitled "NARRATIVE TO THE NONQUALIFIED DEFINED CONTRIBUTION AND OTHER NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS TABLE" above. Additional information on the ALTEIP is described in the CD&A and the section entitled "NARRATIVE TO THE SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE AND GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE" above. Ms. Almquist (who is not listed in the table) would have only received payments in the event of involuntary termination not for cause or due to death or disability on December 31, 2009. In the case of involuntary termination not for cause, Ms. Almquist would have received $16,450, and in the case termination due to death or disability, Ms. Almquist would have received $17,511. Additionally, under an annual incentive program policy, participants in the short term incentive program
116 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- would have also received an annual short term incentive award on March 15, 2010 based on full-year 2009 results in the case of involuntarily termination not for cause or due to death. For more information on Ms. Almquist's annual incentive award, including the amount, please see the CD&A. TREATMENT OF ANNUAL INCENTIVE AWARDS Under the ESTIP (which applied to Messrs. Peninger and Roberts), if a participant's employment is terminated during a performance period due to disability or death, the Committee may grant the participant an award in any amount the Committee deems appropriate. If a participant's employment is terminated during a performance period due to retirement, any award for that participant will be subject to the maximum limits under the ESTIP (participant's allocated portion of 5% of the Parent Company's net income as defined under the ESTIP), based on the amount of the Parent Company's net income for the full performance period. If a participant's employment terminates for any other reason, any award paid to that participant will be subject to the maximum limits described above, pro-rated to reflect the number of days in the performance period that the participant was employed. Upon a change of control of the Parent Company, each participant will be paid an amount based on the level of achievement of the performance goals as determined by the Committee no later than the date of the change of control. ACCELERATED AND PRO-RATED VESTING OF EQUITY AWARDS Upon a termination due to death or disability, SARs, restricted stock, RSUs and PSUs vest on a pro-rata basis (subject, in the case of PSUs, to the level of performance achieved). Pro-rata vesting upon retirement is discretionary for restricted stock and SAR awards. RSUs and PSUs vest in full upon retirement (subject, in the case of PSUs, to the level of performance achieved), except for grants made in the year of retirement, which are forfeited. RSUs and PSUs vest on a pro-rata basis upon an involuntary termination without cause (subject, in the case of PSUs, to the level of performance achieved), and are forfeited upon a voluntary termination. Unvested SARs and restricted stock are forfeited in the event of a voluntary or involuntary termination. In the event of a change of control of the Company, awards under the ALTEIP would be prorated based on treatment as an involuntary termination. THE SERP Mr. Peninger is 100% vested in his SERP benefit and Mr. Roberts is 0% vested in SERP benefit. Mr. Peninger has 20 years of credited service and therefore will only continue to accrue benefits under the SERP due to increases in eligible compensation (as defined in the SERP). Neither Mr. Roberts nor Mr. Peninger had attained normal retirement age under the SERP as of December 31, 2009; therefore, if they terminated employment, their SERP benefit would have been actuarially reduced to their respective ages. If there is a change of control with respect to the Parent or applicable operating segment, and within two years after the change of control a participant's employment is terminated without cause or the participant terminates employment for good reason (as defined in the SERP), then (1) the participant will become 100% vested in his or her SERP benefit; (2) the participant will be credited with 36 additional months of service for purposes of computing his or her target benefit; (3) the actuarial reduction for commencement of the SERP benefit prior to normal retirement age will be calculated as though the participant was 36 months older than his or her actual age; and (4) the participant may receive his or her SERP benefit following a change of control at a time and in an optional form that is different than the time and optional form that he or she would receive under circumstances not related to a change of control. This election may not be changed within one year prior to the participant's termination date. In the event of a termination of employment other than described above, the following applies: (i) a participant will automatically become 100% vested in his or her SERP benefit in the event of death or disability, (ii) a participant will forfeit any remaining benefit in the event he or she is terminated for cause or commits a material breach of certain covenants regarding non-competition, confidentiality, non-solicitation of employees or non-solicitation of customers. As of December 31, 2009, for grandfathered benefits (the benefit portion of the SERP that was earned and vested as of December 31, 2004), in the event of termination, Mr. Peninger had elected to take his SERP benefit in the form of a 100% joint and survivor annuity as soon as practicable following termination and in accordance with IRC Section 409A. In the event of death, Mr. Peninger has elected single lump sum payments. Mr. Roberts does not have a grandfathered benefit earned and vested as of December 31, 2004. For Messrs. Peninger and Roberts, as of January 1, 2008, for benefits earned and vested after December 31, 2004, the only form of payment available under the SERP is a single lump payment that is the actuarial equivalent of the SERP benefit payable as a life annuity.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 117 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE EXECUTIVE 401(K) PLAN The benefits under the Executive 401(k) Plan are payable only in a lump sum following termination of employment. Payments made following termination of employment are subject to the restrictions of IRC Section 409A. CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENTS Assurant, Inc. is a party to a COC Agreement with Messrs. Peninger, Roberts, Warrington and Yakre and Ms. Wagner. The COC Agreements generally provide that if, during the two-year period following a change of control (as defined in the COC Agreements), the executive's employment is terminated by the Company other than for cause (as defined in the COC Agreements) or disability (as defined in the COC Agreements), or by the executive for good reason (as defined in the COC Agreements), the executive would be entitled to receive, subject to the executive's execution of a release of claims, within 60 days of the termination (or such later date that may be required by tax laws governing deferred compensation), a payment equal to 0.5 times the target annual ESTIP or short term incentive program ("STIP") award for the year in which the date of termination occurs, an amount of cash severance equal to two (in the case of Messrs. Warrington and Yakre) or three (in the case of Messrs. Peninger and Roberts and Ms. Wagner) times the sum of the executive's annual base salary plus target short term incentive program or ESTIP award, continued welfare benefits for the 18-month period following the date of termination, and outplacement benefits. The following provision was effective in 2009, but was eliminated for Messrs. Peninger and Roberts and Ms. Wagner, who served as members of the Management Committee in February 2010, as described above in the section entitled "CD&A -- BENEFITS AND PERQUISITES". In the event that an executive were subject to an excise tax under IRC Section 4999, the executive would have been entitled to receive an additional payment such that the executive is placed in the same after-tax position as if no excise tax had been imposed. However, if the executive's change of control payments exceeded the maximum amount that the executive could have received without being subject to the tax by five percent or less, then the executive would not have received the gross-up payment and instead the executive's change of control payments would have been reduced to the maximum amount that the executive could have received without being subject to the tax. TERMINATION IN ANTICIPATION OF A CHANGE OF CONTROL. If an executive's employment is terminated by Assurant without cause or by the executive for good reason prior to the date on which a change of control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party that has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a change of control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a change of control, then the executive will be entitled to the severance and other benefits described above. FUNDING OF SEVERANCE PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS. Within five business days of the executive's date of termination after a change of control, Assurant must establish and fund a trust in an amount of cash equal to the amount of the severance payments to which the executive is entitled. DEFINITION OF "CHANGE OF CONTROL". For purposes of the agreements, change of control is defined to mean: - a change in a majority of the Assurant's Board of Directors (the "Incumbent Board") excluding any persons approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Board other than in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest; - an acquisition by an individual, entity or a group of 30% or more of the Assurant's Common Stock or voting securities (excluding an acquisition directly from Assurant, by Assurant, by an employee benefit plan of Assurant or pursuant to a transaction described immediately below); - consummation of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction, or sale of all or substantially all of Assurant's assets other than a business combination in which all or substantially all of the stockholders of Assurant receive 60% or more of the stock of the company resulting from the business combination, at least a majority of the board of directors of the resulting corporation were members of the Incumbent Board, and after which no person owns 30% or more of the stock of the resulting corporation, who did not own such stock immediately before the business combination; - stockholder approval of a complete liquidation or dissolution of Assurant; or - for the NEOs who are officers of an operating division of Assurant only (Messrs. Roberts, Warrington and Yakre), the sale or other disposition of the companies, assets or businesses comprising the division having (A) book value equal to at least 70% of the book value of the aggregate consolidated assets of the division immediately prior to such sale or disposition; or (B) market value equal to at least 70% of the market value of the aggregate consolidated assets of the division immediately prior to such sale or disposition; provided, that neither an initial public offering of some or all of the division nor a spin-off to Assurant's stockholders of some or all of the companies or business divisions comprising the division (or a transaction having a similar effect) shall constitute a change of control. A sale or other disposition of the Company (followed by termination of employment within two years) would trigger the COC agreements of Messrs. Roberts, Warrington and Yakre. NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION. Under the COC Agreements, executives may not engage in activity competitive with Assurant (including as an employee or officer of a competitor) or solicit customers of Assurant during the period beginning
118 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- on January 1, 2009 and expiring on the date of a change of control. If the executive's employment is terminated before a change of control occurs, the length of the applicable non-competition period varies based on the type of termination. Specifically, if the executive's employment is terminated by Assurant for cause or by the executive without good reason, the non-competition period will expire six months after the date of termination. If the executive's employment is terminated by Assurant without cause or by the executive for good reason, the non-competition period will expire on the date of termination. Executives also may not employ or offer to employ officers or employees of Assurant or any of its subsidiaries during the period beginning on January 1, 2009 and ending one year after the date of termination of the executive's employment. AMOUNTS PREVIOUSLY EARNED AND PAYABLE REGARDLESS OF TERMINATION OR CHANGE OF CONTROL The amounts reflected in the Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control Table show payments that the NEOs could only receive in the event of termination or change of control. The amounts reflected below were earned in previous years and were already available to the NEOs through withdrawal or exercise regardless of termination or change of control. These amounts include vested and unexercised SARs and deferred compensation balances held in the AIP and/or ADC Plan. The vested and unexercised SARs amounts below assume a vesting date of December 31, 2009, an exercise date of December 31, 2009 and a base price of $29.48. The following amounts would have been available on December 31, 2009 for withdrawal or exercise by the NEOs regardless of termination or change of control: for Mr. Peninger, $632,646 in vested and unexercised SARs and for Ms. Wagner $554,712 from the AIP and $148,906 in vested and unexercised SARs. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS The directors of the Company are identified above. Each director of the Company is an employee and received no additional compensation for service as a director during 2009. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION The Company does not have a standing compensation committee of its Board, or any committee that performs similar functions. Compensation decisions regarding the executive officers of the Company are made either by the Assurant Compensation Committee of the Assurant, Inc. Board of Directors, by the Chief Financial Officer of the Parent or by senior management at the Company, as applicable. No member of the Assurant Compensation Committee is now, or was during 2009 or any time prior thereto, an officer or employee of Assurant, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries. No executive officer of the Company served as a member of the compensation committee (or other board committee performing similar functions) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served as a director of the Company. No executive officer of the Company served as a director of another entity, one of whose executive officers served as a director of the Company. No director of the Company had any relationship pursuant to which disclosure would be required under applicable rules of the SEC pertaining to the disclosure of transactions with related persons. (M) SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF BENEFICIAL HOLDERS Union Security Insurance Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Assurant, Inc. and does not have any other voting securities held by any entity or individual other than Assurant, Inc. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT The following table provides information concerning the beneficial ownership of Common Stock of Assurant, Inc. as of December 31, 2009 by Union Security Insurance Company's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and three most highly compensated executive officers, each director, and all executive officers and directors as a group. As of December 31, 2009, Assurant, Inc. had 116,797,887 outstanding shares of Common Stock. Except as otherwise indicated, all persons listed below have sole voting power and dispositive power with respect to their shares, except to the extent that authority is shared by their spouses, and have record and beneficial ownership of their shares.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 119 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OWNED PERCENTAGE NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIALLY (1) OF CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John S. Roberts 15,982 * Michael J. Peninger 64,459 * Stacia N. Almquist 255 * Sylvia R. Wagner 12,924 * J. Marc Warrington 2,073 * Miles B. Yakre 4,455 * Christopher J. Pagano 17,262 * S. Craig Lemasters 33,503 * All directors and executive 185,995 * officers as a group (18 persons) * Less than one percent of class. (1) (a) Includes: for Mr. Pagano, 1,736 and for all directors and executive officers as a group, 1,985 shares of Common Stock held through the Assurant 401(k) Plan, as of December 31, 2009. (b) Includes: for Mr. Roberts, 9,806 shares of restricted stock; for Mr. Peninger, 10,220 shares of restricted stock; for Ms. Almquist, 87 shares of restricted stock; for Ms. Wagner, 490 shares of restricted stock; for Mr. Warrington, 509 shares of restricted stock; for Mr. Yakre, 1,988 shares of restricted stock; for Mr. Pagano, 1,490 shares of restricted stock; for Mr. Lemasters, 2,461 shares of restricted stock; and for all executive officers and directors as a group, 30,315 shares of restricted stock awarded under the Assurant, Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan. (c) Includes vested and unexercised stock appreciation rights ("SARs") that could have been exercised on or within 60 days of December 31, 2009 in exchange for the following gross amounts of Common Stock as of December 31, 2009: for Mr. Peninger, 21,463 shares; for Ms. Wagner, 5,054 shares; and for Mr. Lemasters, 14,581 shares. Vested and unexercised SARs that could have been exercised on or within 60 days of December 31, 2009 in exchange for gross amounts of Common Stock, for all directors and executive officers as a group, totaled 43,267shares. (N) TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS The Company is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent and therefore receives various ordinary course services from the Parent and its affiliates. These services include assistance in benefit plan administration, corporate insurance, accounting, tax, auditing, investment, information technology and other administrative functions. The fees paid by the Company to the Parent for these services during 2009 were $33,398,000. Net expenses paid to affiliates were $12,986,000. Information technology expenses were $20,309,000. Administrative expenses allocated for the Company may be greater or less than the expenses that would be incurred if the Company were operating on its own. The Company assumes group disability business from its affiliate, Union Security Life Insurance Company of New York ("USLICONY") which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent. The Company assumed $4,777,000 of premiums and $30,149,000 of reserves from USLICONY during 2009. This relationship between the Company and its affiliate USICONY was discontinued effective January 1, 2010, for new incurrals. REVIEW, APPROVAL OR RATIFICATION OF TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS The Parent has adopted the Assurant, Inc. Related Person Transaction Policy in order to provide written guidelines on the review, approval and monitoring of transactions involving related persons (directors and executive officers or their immediate family members, or stockholders owning five percent or greater of the Company's outstanding Common Stock). The policy covers any related person transaction that meets the minimum threshold for disclosure under the relevant SEC rules (generally, transactions involving amounts exceeding $120,000 in which a related person has a direct or indirect material interest). POLICY: - Related person transactions must be approved by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Parent's Board of Directors (the "Nominating Committee"), which will approve the transaction only if it determines that the transaction is in, or is not inconsistent with, the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. In determining whether to approve or ratify a transaction, the Nominating Committee will take into account, among other factors it deems appropriate: (1) the benefits to the Company; (2) the extent of the related person's interest in the transaction, including the related person's position(s) or relationship(s) with, or ownership in, the entity that is a party to, or has an interest in, the transaction; (3) the impact on a director's independence if the related person is a director, an immediate family member of a director or an entity in which the director is a partner, stockholder or executive officer; and (4) whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unrelated third-party under similar circumstances.
120 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - If a related person transaction will be ongoing, the Nominating Committee may establish guidelines for management to follow in its ongoing dealings with the related person. Thereafter, the Nominating Committee, on at least an annual basis, will review and assess the ongoing relationship with the related person to see that it remains appropriate. PROCEDURES: - Prior to entering into a transaction, related persons must notify the Parent's law department of any potential related person transaction, as required by the Parent's Code of Ethics, and must provide all relevant facts and circumstances of the proposed transaction. In addition, the law department will periodically obtain information on proposed related person transactions through various sources. - If the law department determines that the proposed transaction involves a related person and an amount in excess of $120,000, the proposed transaction will be submitted to the Nominating Committee for consideration at its next meeting. In those instances where the law department determines that it is not practicable or desirable to wait until the next Nominating Committee meeting, the Nominating Committee will call a special meeting to consider proposed transaction. - The Nominating Committee will review the facts of all related person transactions that require approval and either approve or disapprove the entry into the transaction. If advance approval is not feasible, then the transaction will be considered and, if the Nominating Committee determines it to be appropriate, ratified at its next meeting. - No director will participate in any discussion or approval of a transaction in which he or she is a related person. DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE We are not a listed issuer and therefore are not subject to the listing requirements of any national securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system. As a result, currently, we are not required to have a board of directors comprised of a majority of "independent directors." The Company is an insurance company domiciled in Kansas and the Kansas insurance regulations do not require any independent directors to serve on the Board. We currently do not have any independent directors serving on our Board.
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 121 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY AT DECEMBER 31, 2009 SCHEDULE I -- SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS OTHER-THAN-INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES COST OR AMOUNT AT AMORTIZED FAIR WHICH SHOWN IN COST VALUE BALANCE SHEET (IN THOUSANDS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES: United States Government and government agencies and authorities $2,888 $3,012 $3,012 States, municipalities and political subdivisions 58,962 58,394 58,394 Foreign governments 34,969 35,128 35,128 Asset-backed 3,782 3,780 3,780 Commercial mortgage-backed 20,369 20,322 20,322 Residential mortgage-backed 122,036 127,529 127,529 Corporate 2,250,259 2,307,698 2,307,698 ------------- ------------- ------------- TOTAL FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES 2,493,265 2,555,863 2,555,863 ------------- ------------- ------------- EQUITY SECURITIES: Non-redeemable preferred stocks 160,510 157,993 157,993 Commercial mortgage loans on real estate, at amortized cost 772,912 782,922 772,912 Policy loans 13,981 13,981 13,981 Short-term investments 70,367 70,367 70,367 Collateral held under securities lending 108,186 106,896 106,896 Other investments 88,736 88,736 88,736 ------------- ------------- ------------- TOTAL INVESTMENTS $3,707,957 $3,776,758 $3,766,748 ------------- ------------- -------------
122 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 & 2007 SCHEDULE III -- SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION FUTURE DEFERRED POLICY CLAIMS AND ACQUISITION BENEFITS AND UNEARNED BENEFITS PREMIUM COSTS EXPENSES PREMIUMS PAYABLE REVENUES ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2009 $37,908 $2,675,069 $37,692 $1,751,501 $1,092,512 ------- --------- ------- --------- --------- 2008 $43,020 $2,687,488 $35,962 $1,778,563 $1,173,790 ------- --------- ------- --------- --------- 2007 $50,575 $2,675,363 $40,147 $1,840,353 $1,259,930 ------- --------- ------- --------- --------- BENEFITS AMORTIZATION CLAIMS, LOSSES OF DEFERRED NET AND POLICY OTHER* INVESTMENT SETTLEMENT ACQUISITION OPERATING INCOME EXPENSES COSTS EXPENSES ---------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2009 $216,725 $849,531 $43,720 $418,264 -------- -------- ------- -------- 2008 $238,451 $889,498 $43,235 $357,217 -------- -------- ------- -------- 2007 $286,235 $934,609 $39,724 $386,957 -------- -------- ------- -------- * Includes goodwill impairment and other expenses
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 123 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 SCHEDULE IV -- REINSURANCE CEDED TO ASSUMED FROM DIRECT OTHER OTHER AMOUNT COMPANIES COMPANIES (IN THOUSANDS) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LIFE INSURANCE IN FORCE $74,478,037 $14,220,902 $8,661,374 ------------- ------------- ------------ PREMIUMS: Life insurance 314,216 112,043 11,258 Accident and health insurance 843,340 89,845 125,586 ------------- ------------- ------------ TOTAL EARNED PREMIUMS $1,157,556 $201,888 $136,844 ------------- ------------- ------------ BENEFITS: Life insurance $457,403 $290,203 $31,302 Accident and health insurance 678,945 139,858 111,942 ------------- ------------- ------------ TOTAL POLICYHOLDER BENEFITS $1,136,348 $430,061 $143,244 ------------- ------------- ------------ PERCENTAGE OF NET AMOUNT AMOUNT ASSUMED TO NET (IN THOUSANDS) -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- LIFE INSURANCE IN FORCE 68,918,509 12.6% ------------- PREMIUMS: Life insurance 213,431 5.3% Accident and health insurance 879,081 14.3% ------------- TOTAL EARNED PREMIUMS $1,092,512 12.5% ------------- BENEFITS: Life insurance $198,502 15.8% Accident and health insurance 651,029 17.2% ------------- TOTAL POLICYHOLDER BENEFITS $849,531 16.9% -------------
124 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008 SCHEDULE IV -- REINSURANCE CEDED TO ASSUMED FROM DIRECT OTHER OTHER AMOUNT COMPANIES COMPANIES (IN THOUSANDS) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LIFE INSURANCE IN FORCE $80,291,791 $14,159,840 $1,734,842 ------------- ------------- ------------ PREMIUMS: Life insurance 350,710 127,910 9,861 Accident and health insurance 901,072 87,337 127,394 ------------- ------------- ------------ TOTAL EARNED PREMIUMS $1,251,782 $215,247 $137,255 ------------- ------------- ------------ BENEFITS: Life insurance $606,408 $439,880 $34,399 Accident and health insurance 666,924 95,127 116,774 ------------- ------------- ------------ TOTAL POLICYHOLDER BENEFITS $1,273,332 $535,007 $151,173 ------------- ------------- ------------ PERCENTAGE OF NET AMOUNT AMOUNT ASSUMED TO NET (IN THOUSANDS) -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- LIFE INSURANCE IN FORCE $67,866,793 2.6% ------------- PREMIUMS: Life insurance 232,661 4.2% Accident and health insurance 941,129 13.5% ------------- TOTAL EARNED PREMIUMS $1,173,790 11.7% ------------- BENEFITS: Life insurance $200,927 17.1% Accident and health insurance 688,571 17.0% ------------- TOTAL POLICYHOLDER BENEFITS $889,498 17.0% -------------
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 125 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007 SCHEDULE IV -- REINSURANCE CEDED TO ASSUMED FROM DIRECT OTHER OTHER AMOUNT COMPANIES COMPANIES (IN THOUSANDS) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LIFE INSURANCE IN FORCE $84,912,189 $15,365,458 $1,641,309 ------------- ------------- ------------ PREMIUMS: Life insurance 380,188 142,295 11,322 Accident and health insurance 917,129 84,219 177,805 ------------- ------------- ------------ TOTAL EARNED PREMIUMS $1,297,317 $226,514 $189,127 ------------- ------------- ------------ BENEFITS: Life insurance $777,527 $592,582 $32,556 Accident and health insurance 622,418 81,665 176,355 ------------- ------------- ------------ TOTAL POLICYHOLDER BENEFITS $1,399,945 $674,247 $208,911 ------------- ------------- ------------ PERCENTAGE OF NET AMOUNT AMOUNT ASSUMED TO NET (IN THOUSANDS) -------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- LIFE INSURANCE IN FORCE $71,188,040 2.3% ------------- PREMIUMS: Life insurance 249,215 4.5% Accident and health insurance 1,010,715 17.6% ------------- TOTAL EARNED PREMIUMS $1,259,930 15.0% ------------- BENEFITS: Life insurance $217,501 15.0% Accident and health insurance 717,108 24.6% ------------- TOTAL POLICYHOLDER BENEFITS $934,609 22.4% -------------
126 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007 SCHEDULE V -- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS BALANCE AT ADDITIONS BEGINNING OF CHARGED TO CHARGED TO YEAR COSTS AND OTHER EXPENSES ACCOUNTS (IN THOUSANDS) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2009: Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets $7,195 $(390) $3,610 Valuation allowance for mortgage loans on real estate 3,252 5,300 -- Valuation allowance for uncollectible agents balances 4,840 (21) -- --------- -------- -------- TOTAL $15,287 $4,889 $3,610 --------- -------- -------- 2008: Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets $ -- $7,195 $ -- Valuation allowance for mortgage loans on real estate 3,018 234 -- Valuation allowance for uncollectible agents balances 5,622 (424) -- --------- -------- -------- TOTAL $8,640 $7,005 $ -- --------- -------- -------- 2007: Valuation allowance for mortgage loans on real estate $2,706 $319 $ -- Valuation allowance for uncollectible agents balances 6,613 (953) -- --------- -------- -------- TOTAL $9,319 $(634) $ -- --------- -------- -------- BALANCE AT END OF DEDUCTIONS YEAR (IN THOUSANDS) -------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- 2009: Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets $ -- $10,415 Valuation allowance for mortgage loans on real estate -- $8,552 Valuation allowance for uncollectible agents balances 8 $4,811 ------ --------- TOTAL $8 $23,778 ------ --------- 2008: Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets $ -- $7,195 Valuation allowance for mortgage loans on real estate -- 3,252 Valuation allowance for uncollectible agents balances 358 4,840 ------ --------- TOTAL $358 $15,287 ------ --------- 2007: Valuation allowance for mortgage loans on real estate $7 $3,018 Valuation allowance for uncollectible agents balances 38 5,622 ------ --------- TOTAL $45 $8,640 ------ ---------
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 127 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS TO STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION GENERAL INFORMATION Safekeeping of Assets Experts Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Non-Participating Misstatement of Age or Sex Principal Underwriter PERFORMANCE RELATED INFORMATION Total Return for all Sub-Accounts Yield for Sub-Accounts Money Market Sub-Accounts Additional Materials Performance Comparisons FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
128 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- APPENDIX I -- SAMPLE MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT CALCULATIONS We will determine the Market Value Adjustment by multiplying the general account value that is withdrawn or transferred from the existing Guarantee Period (after deduction of any applicable surrender charge) by the following factor: [(1 + I)/(1 + J + .005)] TO THE POWER OF N/12 - 1 where, - I is the guaranteed interest rate we credit to the general account value that is withdrawn or transferred from the existing Guarantee Period. - J is the guaranteed interest rate we are then offering for new Guarantee Periods with durations equal to the number of years remaining in the existing Guarantee Period (rounded up to the next higher number of years). - N is the number of months remaining in the existing Guarantee Period (rounded up to the next higher number of months). SAMPLE CALCULATION 1: POSITIVE ADJUSTMENT Amount withdrawn or transferred $10,000 Existing Guarantee Period 7 Years Time of withdrawal or transfer Beginning of 3rd year of Existing Guarantee Period Guaranteed Interest Rate (I) 8%* Guaranteed Interest Rate for new 5-year guarantee (J) 7%* Remaining Guarantee Period (N) 60 months Market Value Adjustment: = $10,000 x [[(1 + .08)/(1 + .07 + .005)]60/12 -1] = $234.73 Amount transferred or withdrawn (adjusted for Market Value Adjustment): $10,234.73 SAMPLE CALCULATION 2: NEGATIVE ADJUSTMENT Amount withdrawn or transferred $10,000 Existing Guarantee Period 7 Years Time of withdrawal or transfer Beginning of 3rd year of Existing Guarantee Period Guaranteed Interest Rate (I) 8%* Guaranteed Interest Rate for new 5-year guarantee (J) 9%* Remaining Guarantee Period (N) 60 months Market Value Adjustment: = $10,000 x [[(1 + .08)/(1 + .09 +. 005)]TO THE POWER OF 60/12 -1] = -$666.42 Amount transferred or withdrawn (adjusted for Market Value Adjustment): $9,333.58 SAMPLE CALCULATION 3: NEGATIVE ADJUSTMENT Amount withdrawn or transferred $10,000 Existing Guarantee Period 7 Years Time of withdrawal or transfer Beginning of 3rd year of Existing Guarantee Period Guaranteed Interest Rate (I) 8%* Guaranteed Interest Rate for new 5-year guarantee (J) 7.75%* Remaining Guarantee Period (N) 60 months Market Value Adjustment: = $10,000 x [[(1 + .08)/(1 + .0775 + .005)]TO THE POWER OF 60/12 -1] = -$114.94 Amount transferred or withdrawn (adjusted for Market Value Adjustment): $9,885.06
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY 129 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SAMPLE CALCULATION 4: NEUTRAL ADJUSTMENT Amount withdrawn or transferred $10,000 Existing Guarantee Period 7 Years Time of withdrawal or transfer Beginning of 3rd year of Existing Guarantee Period Guaranteed Interest Rate (I) 8%* Guaranteed Interest Rate for new 5-year guarantee (J) 8%* Remaining Guarantee Period (N) 60 months Market Value Adjustment: = $10,000 x [[(1 + .08)/(1 + .08 + .005)]TO THE POWER OF 60/12 -1] = -$228.30 Amount transferred or withdrawn (adjusted for Market Value Adjustment): $ 9,771.70 * Assumed for illustrative purposes only.
130 UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- APPENDIX II -- INVESTMENTS BY UNION SECURITY Union Security's legal obligations with respect to the Guarantee Periods are supported by our General Account assets. These General Account assets also support our obligations under other insurance and annuity contracts. Investments purchased with amounts allocated to the Guarantee Periods are the property of Union Security, and you have no legal rights in such investments. Subject to applicable law, we have sole discretion over the investment of assets in our General Account. Neither our General Account nor the Guarantee Periods are subject to registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940. We will invest amounts in our General Account in compliance with applicable state insurance laws and regulations concerning the nature and quality of investments for the General Account. Within specified limits and subject to certain standards and limitations, these laws generally permit investment in: - federal, state and municipal obligations, - preferred and common stocks, - corporate bonds, - real estate mortgages and mortgage backed securities, - real estate, and - certain other investments, including various derivative investments. See the Financial Statements for information on our investments. When we establish guaranteed interest rates, we will consider the available return on the instruments in which we invest amounts allocated to the General Account. However, this return is only one of many factors we consider when we establish the guaranteed interest rates. See "Guarantee Periods." Generally, we expect to invest amounts allocated to the Guarantee Periods in debt instruments. We expect that these debt instruments will approximately match our liabilities with regard to the Guarantee Periods. We also expect that these debt instruments will primarily include: (1) securities issued by the United States Government or its agencies or instrumentalities. These securities may or may not be guaranteed by the United States Government; (2) debt securities that, at the time of purchase, have an investment grade within the four highest grades assigned by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. ("Moody's"), Standard & Poor's Corporation ("Standard & Poor's"), or any other nationally recognized rating service. Moody's four highest grades are: Aaa, Aa, A, and Baa. Standard & Poor's four highest grades are: AAA, AA, A, and BBB; (3) other debt instruments including, but not limited to, issues of, or guaranteed by, banks or bank holding companies and corporations. Although not rated by Moody's or Standard & Poor's, we deem these obligations to have an investment quality comparable to securities that may be purchased as stated above; (4) other evidences of indebtedness secured by mortgages or deeds of trust representing liens upon real estate. Except as required by applicable state insurance laws and regulations, we are not obligated to invest amounts allocated to the General Account according to any particular strategy. The Contracts are reinsured by Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company. As part of this reinsurance arrangement, the assets supporting the General Account under the Contracts are held by Union Security; however, these assets are managed by Hartford Investment Management Company ("HIMCO"), an affiliate of Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company. HIMCO generally invests those assets as described above for the Contract General Account related investments of Union Security.
To obtain a Statement of Additional Information, please complete the form below and mail to: Union Security Insurance Company c/o Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company P.O. Box 5085 Hartford, CT 06102-5085 Please send a Statement of Additional Information for EmPower Variable Annuity to me at the following address: ---------------------------------------------------------------- Name ---------------------------------------------------------------- Address ---------------------------------------------------------------- City/State Zip Code
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of Union Security Insurance Company: In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholder's equity and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Union Security Insurance Company and its subsidiaries (the "Company"), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Assurant, Inc. at December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the accompanying financial statement schedules present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for other-than-temporary impairment of debt securities on April 1, 2009. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP April 23, 2010 New York, New York F-1
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AND SHARE AMOUNTS) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSETS Investments: Fixed maturity securities available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost -- $2,493,265 in 2009 and $2,399,676 in 2008) $2,555,863 $2,199,547 Equity securities available for sale, at fair value (cost -- $160,510 in 2009 and $189,973 in 2008) 157,993 144,770 Commercial mortgage loans on real estate, at amortized cost 772,912 838,254 Policy loans 13,981 14,422 Short-term investments 70,367 159,847 Collateral held under securities lending 106,896 113,191 Other investments 88,736 82,628 ------------ ------------ TOTAL INVESTMENTS 3,766,748 3,552,659 ------------ ------------ Cash and cash equivalents 43,819 17,171 Premiums and accounts receivable, net 79,516 71,850 Reinsurance recoverables 1,434,405 1,359,251 Accrued investment income 41,476 40,610 Deferred acquisition costs 37,908 43,020 Deferred income taxes, net 56,569 179,413 Goodwill 81,573 156,817 Value of business acquired 18,783 21,461 Other assets 39,732 32,893 Assets held in separate accounts 1,740,344 1,557,313 ------------ ------------ TOTAL ASSETS $7,340,873 $7,032,458 ------------ ------------ LIABILITIES Future policy benefits and expenses $2,675,069 $2,687,488 Unearned premiums 37,692 35,962 Claims and benefits payable 1,751,501 1,778,563 Commissions payable 13,242 14,998 Deferred gain on disposal of businesses 97,021 113,927 Obligations under securities lending 108,186 124,063 Accounts payable and other liabilities 188,958 188,053 Taxes payable 10,523 2,331 Liabilities related to separate accounts 1,740,344 1,557,313 ------------ ------------ TOTAL LIABILITIES 6,622,536 6,502,698 ------------ ------------ COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 16) STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY Common stock, par value $5 per share, 1,000,000 shares authorized, issued, and outstanding 5,000 5,000 Additional paid-in capital 475,635 460,635 Retained earnings 203,109 229,837 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 34,593 (165,712) ------------ ------------ TOTAL STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY 718,337 529,760 ------------ ------------ TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY $7,340,873 $7,032,458 ------------ ------------ SEE THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS F-2
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 (IN THOUSANDS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REVENUES Net earned premiums and other considerations $1,092,512 $1,173,790 $1,259,930 Net investment income 216,725 238,451 286,235 Net realized losses on investments, excluding other-than-temporary investment losses (13,925) (26,621) (7,093) Total other-than-temporary investment losses (11,330) (109,075) (21,126) Portion of gain recognized in other comprehensive income, before taxes (257) -- -- ------------- ------------- ------------- Net other-than-temporary investment losses recognized in earnings (11,587) (109,075) (21,126) Amortization of deferred gains on disposal of businesses 16,906 20,680 23,548 Fees and other income 14,859 11,449 16,395 ------------- ------------- ------------- TOTAL REVENUES 1,315,490 1,308,674 1,557,889 ------------- ------------- ------------- BENEFITS, LOSSES AND EXPENSES Policyholder benefits 849,531 889,498 934,609 Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired 46,398 46,678 43,575 Underwriting, general and administrative expenses 340,342 353,774 383,106 Goodwill impairment 75,244 -- -- ------------- ------------- ------------- TOTAL BENEFITS, LOSSES AND EXPENSES 1,311,515 1,289,950 1,361,290 ------------- ------------- ------------- Income before provision for income taxes 3,975 18,724 196,599 Provision for income taxes 27,127 10,867 57,121 ------------- ------------- ------------- NET (LOSS) INCOME $(23,152) $7,857 $139,478 ------------- ------------- ------------- SEE THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS F-3
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007 ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE COMMON ADDITIONAL INCOME (LOSS) STOCK PAID-IN RETAINED CAPITAL EARNINGS TOTAL (IN THOUSANDS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance, January 1, 2007 $5,000 $545,635 $286,350 $62,279 $899,264 Dividends -- -- (197,000) -- (197,000) Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles -- -- (4,118) -- (4,118) Comprehensive income: Net income -- -- 139,478 -- 139,478 Other comprehensive loss: Net change in unrealized gains on securities, net of taxes -- -- -- (56,642) (56,642) Net change in foreign currency translation, net of taxes -- -- -- 59 59 ---------- Total other comprehensive loss (56,583) ---------- Total comprehensive income 82,895 ------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2007 5,000 545,635 224,710 5,696 781,041 ------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Return of capital (Note 7) -- (100,000) -- -- (100,000) Capital contribution (Note 7) -- 15,000 -- -- 15,000 Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles (Note 2) -- -- (2,730) -- (2,730) Comprehensive loss: Net income -- -- 7,857 -- 7,857 Other comprehensive loss: Net change in unrealized gains on securities, net of taxes -- -- -- (171,408) (171,408) ---------- Total other comprehensive loss (171,408) ---------- Total comprehensive income (163,551) ------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2008 5,000 460,635 229,837 (165,712) 529,760 ------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Dividends -- -- (20,000) -- (20,000) Capital contribution (Note 7) -- 15,000 -- -- 15,000 Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles (Note 2) -- -- 16,424 (16,424) -- Comprehensive Income: Net loss -- -- (23,152) -- (23,152) Other comprehensive income: Net change in unrealized losses on securities, net of taxes -- -- -- 210,552 210,552 Net change in other-than-temporary impairment gains, recognized in other comprehensive income, net of taxes -- -- -- 6,177 6,177 ---------- Total other comprehensive income 216,729 ---------- Total comprehensive income 193,577 ------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2009 $5,000 $475,635 $203,109 $34,593 $718,337 ------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- SEE THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS F-4
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 (IN THOUSANDS) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net (loss) income $(23,152) $7,857 $139,478 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Change in reinsurance recoverable (75,154) (51,605) (8,648) Change in premiums and accounts receivable (5,590) 40,739 (2,976) Depreciation and amortization 3,418 1,173 2,124 Change in deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired 7,790 8,910 10,512 Change in accrued investment income (866) 1,742 3,980 Change in insurance policy reserves and expenses (45,507) (53,850) (73,896) Change in accounts payable and other liabilities (3,222) (20,638) (13,212) Change in commissions payable (1,756) (509) (681) Change in reinsurance balances payable -- (2,706) (437) Change in funds held under reinsurance -- (118) 11 Amortization of deferred gain on disposal of businesses (16,906) (20,680) (23,548) Change in income taxes 7,501 (22,869) (47,888) Net realized losses on investments 25,512 135,696 28,219 Goodwill impairment 75,244 -- -- Other (5,251) (84) 302 ----------- ----------- ----------- NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES (57,939) 23,058 13,340 ----------- ----------- ----------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES Sales of: Fixed maturity securities available for sale 244,094 451,988 382,557 Equity securities available for sale 27,345 96,375 116,117 Property and equipment (105) 25 -- Maturities, prepayments, and scheduled redemption of: Fixed maturity securities available for sale 129,687 76,593 208,303 Purchase of: Fixed maturity securities available for sale (449,662) (357,887) (394,138) Equity securities available for sale (11,750) (74,181) (116,049) Property and equipment -- -- (25) Subsidiary, net of cash transferred (1) 4,923 -- -- Change in other invested assets (6,108) (7,847) 12,542 Change in commercial mortgage loans on real estate 61,242 (16,070) (72,213) Change in short-term investments 89,480 (115,755) 4,049 Change in collateral held under securities lending 15,877 111,102 (63,112) Change in policy loans 441 (2,076) 116 ----------- ----------- ----------- NET CASH PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES 105,464 162,267 78,147 ----------- ----------- ----------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES Dividends paid (20,000) -- (197,000) Change in obligation under securities lending (15,877) (115,986) 63,112 Return of capital -- (100,000) -- Contributed capital 15,000 15,000 -- ----------- ----------- ----------- NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES (20,877) (200,986) (133,888) ----------- ----------- ----------- Change in cash and cash equivalents 26,648 (15,661) (42,401) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 17,171 32,832 75,233 ----------- ----------- ----------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $43,819 $17,171 $32,832 ----------- ----------- ----------- Supplemental information: Income taxes paid, net of refunds $19,597 $33,270 $104,754 (1) This relates to Shenandoah Life Insurance Company ("Shenandoah"), acquired through reinsurance agreement on October 1, 2009. SEE THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS F-5
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007 (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT SHARE DATA) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS Union Security Insurance Company (the "Company") is a provider of life and health insurance products, including group disability insurance, group dental insurance, group life insurance, small employer group health insurance and preneed. The Company is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Assurant, Inc. (the "Parent"). The Parent's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AIZ. The Company distributes its products in the District of Columbia and in all states except New York. 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES BASIS OF PRESENTATION The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Amounts are presented in United States of America ("U.S.") dollars and all amounts are in thousands, except for number of shares. PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. USE OF ESTIMATES The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities. The items on the Company's balance sheet affected by the use of estimates include but are not limited to, investments, premiums and accounts receivable, reinsurance recoverables, deferred acquisition costs ("DAC"), deferred income taxes and associated valuation allowances, goodwill, valuation of business acquired ("VOBA"), future policy benefits and expenses, unearned premiums, claims and benefits payable, deferred gain on disposal of businesses, and commitments and contingencies. The estimates are sensitive to market conditions, investment yields, mortality, morbidity, commissions and other acquisition expenses, policyholder behavior and other factors. Actual results may differ from the estimates reported. The Company believes the amounts reported are reasonable and adequate. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net income, net unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency translation, net unrealized gains and losses on securities classified as available-for-sale and net unrealized gains and losses on other-than-temporarily impaired securities, less deferred income taxes. RECLASSIFICATIONS Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2009 presentation. REVENUE RECOGNITION The Company recognizes revenue when realized or realizable and earned. Revenue generally is realized or realizable and earned when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION For those foreign affiliates where the local currency is the functional currency, unrealized foreign currency translation gains and losses net of deferred income taxes have been reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI"). FAIR VALUE The Company uses an exit price for its fair value measurements. An exit price is defined as the amount received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In measuring fair value, the Company gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. Please see Note 4 for more information on the Company's fair value policies. INVESTMENTS Fixed maturity and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale, as defined in the investments guidance, which is included within the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 320, INVESTMENTS-DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES and reported at fair value. If the fair value is higher than the amortized cost for fixed F-6
maturity securities or the purchase cost for equity securities, the excess is an unrealized gain; and, if lower than cost, the difference is an unrealized loss. The net unrealized gains and losses, less deferred income taxes, are included in AOCI. Commercial mortgage loans on real estate are reported at unpaid balances, adjusted for amortization of premium or discount, less allowance for losses. The allowance is based on management's analysis of factors including actual loan loss experience, specific events based on geographical, political or economic conditions, industry experience, loan groupings that have probable and estimable losses and individually impaired loan loss analysis. A loan is considered individually impaired when it becomes probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due, including principal and interest, according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Indicative factors of impairment include, but are not limited to, whether the loan is current, the value of the collateral and the financial position of the borrower. If a loan is individually impaired, the Company uses one of the following valuation methods based on the individual loans facts and circumstances to measure the impairment amount: (1) the present value of expected future cash flows, (2) the loan's observable market price, or (3) the fair value of collateral. Changes in the allowance for loan losses are recorded in net realized losses on investments, excluding other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") losses. The Company has determined that a loan be placed on non-accrual status after 90 days of delinquent payments (unless the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection). A loan may be placed on non-accrual status before this time if information is available that suggests it is probable a loan may be impaired. Policy loans are reported at unpaid principal balances, which do not exceed the cash surrender value of the underlying policies. Short-term investments include money market funds and short maturity investments. These amounts are reported at cost, which approximates fair value. The collateral held under securities lending is reported at fair value. The obligation under securities lending is reported at the amount of the collateral received. Other investments consist primarily of investments in joint ventures and partnerships. The joint ventures and partnerships are valued according to the equity method of accounting. The Company monitors its investment portfolio to identify investments that may be other-than-temporarily impaired. In addition, securities, aggregated by issuer, whose market price is equal to 80% or less of their original purchase price or which had a discrete credit event resulting in the debtor defaulting or seeking bankruptcy protection are added to a potential write-down list, which is discussed at quarterly meetings attended by members of the Company's investment, accounting and finance departments. Please see Note 3 for more information. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are recognized on the specific identification basis. Investment income is recorded as earned net of investment expenses. The Company uses the interest method to recognize interest income on its commercial mortgage loans. The Company anticipates prepayments of principal in the calculation of the effective yield for mortgage-backed securities and structured securities. The retrospective method is used to adjust the effective yield. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS The Company considers cash on hand, all operating cash and working capital cash to be cash equivalents. These amounts are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Cash balances are reviewed at the end of each reporting period to determine if negative cash balances exist. If negative cash balances do exist, the cash accounts are netted with other positive cash accounts of the same bank provided the right of offset exists between the accounts. If the right of offset does not exist, the negative cash balances are reclassified to accounts payable. RECEIVABLES The Company records a receivable when revenue has been earned but the cash has not been collected. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for probable losses resulting from the inability to collect payments. REINSURANCE Reinsurance recoverables include amounts related to paid benefits and estimated amounts related to unpaid policy and contract claims, future policyholder benefits and policyholder contract deposits. The cost of reinsurance is recognized over the terms of the underlying reinsured policies using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the policies. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with claim and claim adjustment expense reserves or future policy benefits reserves and are reported in the consolidated balance sheets. The cost of reinsurance related to long-duration contracts is recognized over the life of the underlying reinsured policies. The ceding of insurance does not discharge the Company's primary liability to insureds. An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded on the basis of periodic evaluations of balances due from reinsurers, reinsurer solvency, management's experience and current economic conditions. F-7
Reinsurance balances payable include amounts related to ceded premiums and estimated amounts related to assumed paid or incurred losses, which are reported based upon ceding entities' estimations. Funds held under reinsurance represent amounts contractually held from assuming companies in accordance with reinsurance agreements. Reinsurance premiums assumed are calculated based upon payments received from ceding companies together with accrual estimates, which are based on both payments received and in-force policy information received from ceding companies. Any subsequent differences arising on such estimates are recorded in the period in which they are determined. INCOME TAXES The Company reports its taxable income in a consolidated federal income tax return along with other affiliated subsidiaries of the Parent. Income tax expense or benefit is allocated among the affiliated subsidiaries by applying corporate income tax rates to taxable income or loss determined on a separate return basis according to a tax allocation agreement. Current federal income taxes are recognized based upon amounts estimated to be payable or recoverable as a result of taxable operations for the current year. Deferred income taxes are recorded for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and income tax basis of assets and liabilities, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the Company expects the temporary differences to reverse. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that an amount will not be realized. The Company classifies net interest expense related to tax matters and any applicable penalties as a component of income tax expense. DEFERRED ACQUISITION COSTS The costs of acquiring new business that vary with and are primarily related to the production of new business are deferred to the extent that such costs are deemed recoverable from future premiums or gross profits. Acquisition costs primarily consist of commissions, policy issuance expenses, premium taxes and certain direct marketing expenses. Premium deficiency testing is performed annually and generally reviewed quarterly. Such testing involves the use of best estimate assumptions including the anticipation of interest income to determine if anticipated future policy premiums are adequate to recover all DAC and related claims, benefits and expenses. To the extent a premium deficiency exists, it is recognized immediately by a charge to the consolidated statement of operations and a corresponding reduction in DAC. If the premium deficiency is greater than unamortized DAC, a liability will be accrued for the excess deficiency. Long Duration Contracts Acquisition costs for preneed life insurance policies and life insurance policies (no longer offered) are deferred and amortized in proportion to anticipated premiums over the premium-paying period. These acquisition costs consist primarily of first year commissions paid to agents and sales and policy issue costs. Acquisition costs relating to group worksite insurance products consist primarily of first year commissions to brokers and one time policy transfer fees and costs of issuing new certificates. These acquisition costs are front-end loaded, thus they are deferred and amortized over the estimated terms of the underlying contracts. For preneed investment-type annuities, DAC is amortized in proportion to the present value of estimated gross profits from investment, mortality, expense margins and surrender charges over the estimated life of the policy or contract. The assumptions used for the estimates are consistent with those used in computing the policy or contract liabilities. Acquisition costs on Fortis Financial Group ("FFG") and Long-Term Care ("LTC") disposed businesses were written off when the businesses were sold. Short Duration Contracts Acquisition costs relating to monthly pay credit insurance business consist mainly of direct marketing costs and are deferred and amortized over the estimated average terms and balances of the underlying contracts. Acquisition costs relating to group term life, group disability and group dental consist primarily of compensation to sales representatives. These acquisition costs are front-end loaded; thus, they are deferred and amortized over the estimated terms of the underlying contracts. Acquisition costs on small group medical contracts consist primarily of commissions to agents and brokers and compensation to representatives. These contracts are considered short duration because the terms of the contracts are not fixed at issue and they are not guaranteed renewable. As a result, these costs are not deferred, but rather they are recorded in the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which they are incurred. F-8
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property and equipment are reported at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives with a maximum of 39.5 years for buildings, a maximum of 7 years for furniture and a maximum of 5 years for equipment. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to income as incurred. Expenditures for improvements are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining useful life of the asset. Property and equipment also includes capitalized software costs, which represent costs directly related to obtaining, developing or upgrading internal use software. Such costs are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. GOODWILL Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition costs over the net fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Goodwill is deemed to have an indefinite life and is not amortized, but rather is tested at least annually for impairment. The Company reviews goodwill annually in the fourth quarter for impairment, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. The Company regularly assesses whether any indicators of impairment exist. Such indicators include, but are not limited to: a significant decline in expected future cash flows due to changes in company-specific factors or the broader business climate. The evaluation of such factors requires considerable management judgment. The goodwill impairment test has two steps. The Company first compares its estimated fair value with its net book value. If the estimated fair value exceeds its net book value, goodwill is deemed not to be impaired, and no further testing is necessary. If the net book value exceeds its estimated fair value, the Company would perform a second test to measure the amount of impairment if any. To determine the amount of any impairment, the Company would determine the implied fair value of goodwill in the same manner as if the Company were being acquired in a business combination. Specifically, the Company would determine the fair value of all of the assets and liabilities, including any unrecognized intangible assets, in a hypothetical calculation that would yield the implied fair value of goodwill. If the implied fair value of goodwill were less than the recorded goodwill, the Company would record an impairment charge for the difference. In the fourth quarters of 2009 and 2008, the Company conducted annual assessments of goodwill. Based on the results of the 2009 assessment, the Company concluded that the net book value of its goodwill exceeded the estimated fair value and therefore performed a Step 2 test. Based on the results of the Step 2 test, the Company recorded a $75,244 impairment charge. Based on the results of the 2008 assessment, the Company concluded that its estimated fair value exceeded its net book value and therefore goodwill was not impaired. See Note 4 and 13 for further information. VALUE OF BUSINESSES ACQUIRED VOBA is the identifiable intangible asset representing the value of the insurance businesses acquired. The amount is determined using best estimates for mortality, lapse, maintenance expenses and investment returns at date of purchase. The amount determined represents the purchase price paid to the seller for producing the business. Similar to the amortization of DAC, the amortization of VOBA is over the premium payment period for traditional life insurance policies and preneed limited payment policies. For preneed annuities, the amortization of VOBA is over the expected lifetime of the policies. VOBA is tested for recoverability annually. If it is determined that future policy premiums and investment income or gross profits are not adequate to cover related losses or loss expenses, then an expense is reported in current earnings. Based on 2009 and 2008 testing, future policy premiums and investment income or gross profits were deemed adequate to cover related losses or loss expenses. OTHER ASSETS Other assets primarily include prepaid items and intangible assets. Intangible assets that have finite lives, including but not limited to, customer relationships, customer contracts and other intangible assets, are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Intangible assets deemed to have indefinite useful lives, primarily certain state licenses, are not amortized and are subject to at least annual impairment tests. Impairment exists if the carrying amount of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value. For other intangible assets subject to amortization, impairment is recognized if the carrying amount is not recoverable and exceeds the fair value of the intangible asset. There were no impairments of finite-lived or indefinite-lived intangible assets in either 2009 or 2008. SEPARATE ACCOUNTS Assets and liabilities associated with separate accounts relate to premium and annuity considerations for variable life and annuity products for which the contract-holder, rather than the Company, bears the investment risk. Separate account assets (with matching liabilities) are reported at fair value. Revenues and expenses related to the separate account assets and liabilities, to the extent of benefits paid or provided to the separate account policyholders, are excluded from the amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations because the accounts are administered by reinsurers. Prior to April 2, 2001, FFG had issued variable insurance products registered as securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These products featured fixed premiums, a minimum death benefit, and policyholder returns linked to an F-9
underlying portfolio of securities. The variable insurance products issued by FFG have been 100% reinsured with The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries ("The Hartford"). RESERVES Reserves are established in accordance with GAAP, using generally accepted actuarial methods and are based on a number of factors. These factors include experience derived from historical claim payments and actuarial assumptions. Such assumptions and other factors include trends, the incidence of incurred claims, the extent to which all claims have been reported, and internal claims processing charges. The process used in computing reserves cannot be exact, since actual claim costs are dependent upon such complex factors as inflation, changes in doctrines of legal liabilities and damage awards. The methods of making such estimates and establishing the related liabilities are periodically reviewed and updated. Reserves do not represent an exact calculation of exposure, but instead represent our best estimates, generally involving actuarial projections at a given time, of what we expect the ultimate settlement and administration of a claim or group of claims will cost based on our assessment of facts and circumstances then known. The adequacy of reserves will be impacted by future trends in claims severity, frequency, judicial theories of liability and other factors. These variables are affected by both external and internal events, including but not limited to: changes in the economic cycle, changes in the social perception of the value of work, emerging medical perceptions regarding physiological or psychological causes of disability, emerging health issues and new methods of treatment or accommodation, inflation, judicial trends, legislative changes and claims handling procedures. Many of these items are not directly quantifiable, particularly on a prospective basis. Reserve estimates are refined as experience develops. Adjustments to reserves, both positive and negative, are reflected in the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which such estimates are updated. Because establishment of reserves is an inherently uncertain process involving estimates of future losses, there can be no certainty that ultimate losses will not exceed existing claims reserves. Future loss development could require reserves to be increased, which could have a material adverse effect on our earnings in the periods in which such increases are made. However, based on information currently available, we believe our reserve estimates are adequate. Long Duration Contracts The Company's long duration contracts include Canadian pre-funded funeral ("preneed") life insurance policies and annuity contracts, traditional life insurance policies (no longer offered), FFG and LTC contracts disposed. Future policy benefits and expense reserves on preneed life insurance and, life insurance policies (no longer offered) are reported at the present value of future benefits to be paid to policyholders and related expenses less the present value of the future net premiums. These amounts are estimated and include assumptions as to the expected investment yield, inflation, mortality, morbidity, expenses, and withdrawal rates as well as other assumptions that are based on the Company's experience. These assumptions reflect anticipated trends and include provisions for possible adverse deviations. An unearned revenue reserve is also recorded for these contracts which represents the balance of the excess of gross premiums over net premiums that is still to be recognized in future years' income in a constant relationship to insurance in force. Future policy benefits and expense reserves for preneed investment-type annuities consist of policy account balances before applicable surrender charges and certain deferred policy initiation fees that are being recognized in income over the terms of the policies. Policy benefits charged to expense during the period include amounts paid in excess of policy account balances and interest credited to policy account balances. For worksite group disability, which typically has high front-end costs and are expected to remain in-force for an extended period of time, the case reserves and incurred but not reported ("IBNR") reserves are recorded at an amount equal to the net present value of the expected future claims payments. Worksite group long term disability reserves are discounted to the valuation date at the valuation interest rate. The valuation interest rate is reviewed quarterly by taking into consideration actual and expected earned rates on our asset portfolio. Changes in the estimated liabilities are reported as a charge or credit to policyholder benefits as the estimates are revised. Short Duration Contracts The Company's short duration contracts include group term life contracts, group disability contracts, medical contracts, dental contracts, credit life and disability contracts. For short duration contracts, claims and benefits payable reserves are recorded when insured events occur. The liability is based on the expected ultimate cost of settling the claims. The claims and benefits payable reserves include (1) case reserves for known but unpaid claims as of the balance sheet date; (2) IBNR reserves for claims where the insured event has occurred but has not been reported to the Company as of the balance sheet date; and (3) loss adjustment expense reserves for the expected handling costs of settling the claims. For group disability, the case reserves and IBNR reserves are recorded at an amount equal to the net present value of the expected future claims payments. Group long-term disability and group term life waiver of premiums reserves are discounted to the valuation date at the valuation interest rate. The valuation interest rate is reviewed quarterly by taking into consideration actual and expected earned rates on our asset portfolio. Group long term disability and group term life reserve adequacy studies are performed annually, and morbidity and mortality assumptions are adjusted where appropriate. F-10
Changes in the estimated liabilities are recorded as a charge or credit to policyholder benefits as estimates are revised. DEFERRED GAIN ON DISPOSAL OF BUSINESSES The Company recorded a deferred gain on disposal of businesses utilizing reinsurance. On March 1, 2000, the Company sold its LTC business using a coinsurance contract. On April 2, 2001, the Company sold its FFG business using coinsurance and a modified coinsurance contract. Since the form of sale did not discharge the Company's primary liability to the insureds, the gain on these disposals was deferred and reported as a liability. The liability is decreased and recognized as revenue over the estimated life of the contracts' terms. The Company reviews and evaluates the estimates affecting the deferred gain on disposal of businesses annually or when significant information affecting the estimates becomes known to the Company. PREMIUMS Long Duration Contracts Currently, the Company's long duration contracts being sold are group worksite disability and life insurance. Revenues are recognized when earned on group worksite insurance products. For life insurance policies previously sold by the preneed business (no longer offered), revenue is recognized when due from policyholders. For investment-type annuity contracts previously sold by the preneed business (no longer offered), revenues consist of charges assessed against policy balances. Premiums for LTC insurance and traditional life insurance contracts within FFG are recognized as revenue when due from the policyholder. For universal life insurance and investment-type annuity contracts within FFG, revenues consist of charges assessed against policy balances. For the FFG and LTC businesses previously sold, all revenue is ceded. Short Duration Contracts The Company's short duration contracts are those on which the Company recognizes revenue on a pro-rata basis over the contract term. The Company's short duration contracts primarily include group term life, group disability, medical, dental, and credit life and disability. TOTAL OTHER-THAN-TEMPORARY IMPAIRMENT LOSSES For debt securities with credit losses and non-credit losses or gains, total other-than-temporary impairment losses is the total of the decline in fair value from either the most recent OTTI determination or a prior period end in which the fair value declined until the current period end valuation date. This amount does not include any securities that had fair value increases. For equity securities and debt securities that the Company has the intent to sell or if it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, for equity securities that have an OTTI or for debt securities if there are only credit losses, total other-than-temporary impairment losses is the total amount by which the fair value of the security is less than its amortized cost basis at the period end valuation date and the decline in fair value is deemed to be other- than-temporary. FEE AND OTHER INCOME The Company derives fee and other income primarily from providing administrative services. Fee income is recognized when services are performed. UNDERWRITING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES Underwriting, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of commissions, premium taxes, licenses, fees, salaries and personnel benefits and other general operating expenses. LEASES The Company records expenses for operating leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. CONTINGENCIES The Company follows the guidance on contingencies, which is included within ASC Topic 450, CONTINGENCIES, which requires the Company to evaluate each contingent matter separately. A loss contingency is recorded if reasonably estimable and probable. The Company establishes reserves for these contingencies at the best estimate, or if no one estimated number within the range of possible losses is more probable than any other, the Company records an estimated reserve at the low end of the estimated range. Contingencies affecting the Company primarily relate to litigation matters which are inherently difficult to evaluate and are subject to significant changes. The Company believes the contingent amounts recorded are adequate and reasonable. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS -- ADOPTED On July 1, 2009, the Company adopted the new guidance on GAAP, which is within ASC Topic 105, GAAP. The new guidance establishes a single source of authoritative accounting and reporting guidance recognized by the FASB for nongovernmental entities (the "Codification"). The Codification does not change current GAAP, but is intended to simplify user access to all authoritative GAAP by providing all the authoritative literature related to a particular topic in one place. All existing accounting standard documents will be superseded and all other accounting literature not included in the Codification will be considered non-authoritative. The adoption of the new guidance did not have an impact on the F-11
Company's financial position or results of operations. References to accounting guidance contained in the Company's consolidated financial statements and disclosures have been updated to reflect terminology consistent with the Codification. Plain English references to the accounting guidance have been made along with references to the ASC topic number and name. On October 1, 2009, the Company adopted the new guidance on measuring the fair value of liabilities, which is within ASC Topic 820, FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURES. When the quoted price in an active market for an identical liability is not available, this new guidance requires that either the quoted price of the identical or similar liability when traded as an asset or another valuation technique that is consistent with the fair value measurements and disclosures guidance be used to fair value the liability. The adoption of this new guidance did not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. On June 30, 2009, the Company adopted the new subsequent events guidance, which is within ASC Topic 855, SUBSEQUENT EVENTS. This new guidance establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosures of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The adoption of the new guidance did not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. See Note 18. On April 1, 2009, the Company adopted the new OTTI guidance, which is within ASC Topic 320. This new guidance amends the previous guidance for debt securities and modifies the presentation and disclosure requirements for debt and equity securities. In addition, it amends the requirement for an entity to positively assert the intent and ability to hold a debt security to recovery to determine whether an OTTI exists and replaces this provision with the assertion that an entity does not intend to sell or it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell a security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis. Additionally, this new guidance modifies the presentation of certain OTTI debt securities to only present the impairment loss within the results of operations that represents the credit loss associated with the OTTI with the remaining impairment loss being presented within other comprehensive income (loss) ("OCI"). At adoption, the Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to reclassify the non-credit component of previously recognized OTTI securities which resulted in an increase of $16,424 (after-tax) in retained earnings and a decrease of $16,424 (after-tax) in AOCI. See Note 3 for further information. On April 1, 2009, the Company adopted the new guidance on determining fair value in illiquid markets, which is within ASC Topic 820. This new guidance clarifies how to estimate fair value when the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased. This new guidance also clarifies how to identify circumstances indicating that a transaction is not orderly. Under this new guidance, significant decreases in the volume and level of activity of an asset or liability, in relation to normal market activity, requires further evaluation of transactions or quoted prices and exercise of significant judgment in arriving at fair values. This new guidance also requires additional interim and annual disclosures. The adoption of this new guidance did not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the revised business combinations guidance, which is within ASC Topic 805, BUSINESS COMBINATIONS. The revised guidance retains the fundamental requirements of the previous guidance in that the acquisition method of accounting be used for all business combinations, that an acquirer be identified for each business combination and for goodwill to be recognized and measured as a residual. The revised guidance expands the definition of transactions and events that qualify as business combinations to all transactions and other events in which one entity obtains control over one or more other businesses. The revised guidance broadens the fair value measurement and recognition of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and interests transferred as a result of business combinations. It also increases the disclosure requirements for business combinations in the consolidated financial statements. The adoption of the revised guidance did not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. However, should the Company enter into any business combination in 2010 or beyond, our financial position or results of operations could incur a significantly different impact than had it recorded the acquisition under the previous business combinations guidance. Earnings volatility could result, depending on the terms of the acquisition. On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the new consolidations guidance, which is within ASC Topic 810, CONSOLIDATION. The new guidance requires that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary be separately reported within equity and the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest be presented in the statement of operations. The new guidance also calls for consistency in reporting changes in the parent's ownership interest in a subsidiary and necessitates fair value measurement of any noncontrolling equity investment retained in a deconsolidation. The adoption of the new guidance did not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. On January 1, 2009, the Company applied the fair value measurements and disclosures guidance, which is within ASC Topic 820, FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURES, for all non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. The application of this guidance for those assets and liabilities did not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. The Company's non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include goodwill and intangible assets. In a business combination, the non-financial assets and liabilities of the acquired company would be measured at fair value in accordance with the fair value measurements and disclosures guidance. The requirements of this guidance include using an exit price based on an orderly transaction between market participants at the F-12
measurement date assuming the highest and best use of the asset by market participants. To perform a market valuation, the Company is required to use a market, income or cost approach valuation technique(s). The Company performed its annual impairment analyses of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets in the fourth quarter of 2009. Step 1 of the impairment test indicated that the net book value of the Company's goodwill was greater than its estimated fair value. Based on the results of the Step 1 test, the Company was required to measure the fair value of its goodwill in Step 2 of the impairment test. As mentioned above, the application of this guidance which was used to measure the fair value of goodwill in Step 2 of the impairment test did not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations during 2009. On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted the fair value measurements and disclosures guidance, which is within ASC Topic 820. This guidance defined fair value, addressed how companies should measure fair value when they are required to use a fair value measure for recognition or disclosure purposes under GAAP and expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. This guidance was applied prospectively for financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis as of January 1, 2008 except for certain financial assets that were measured at fair value using a transaction price. For these financial instruments, which the Company has, this guidance required limited retrospective adoption and thus the difference between the fair values using a transaction price and the fair values using an exit price of the relevant financial instruments was shown as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the January 1, 2008 retained earnings balance. At adoption, the Company recognized a $4,200 decrease to other assets, and a corresponding decrease of $2,730 (after-tax) to retained earnings. See Notes 3 and 4 for further information regarding these financial instruments and the fair value disclosures, respectively. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS -- NOT YET ADOPTED In June 2009, the FASB issued new guidance on transfers of financial assets, which is within ASC Topic 860, TRANSFERS AND SERVICING. This new guidance amends the derecognition guidance in the Codification and eliminates the exemption from consolidation for qualifying special-purpose entities. This new guidance is effective for transfers of financial assets occurring in fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009 and in interim periods within those fiscal years. Therefore, the Company is required to adopt this guidance on January 1, 2010. The adoption of this new guidance will not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. In June 2009, the FASB issued new guidance on the accounting for a variable interest entity ("VIE"), which is within ASC Topic 810, CONSOLIDATION. This new guidance amends the consolidation guidance applicable to VIEs to require a qualitative assessment in the determination of the primary beneficiary of the VIE, to require an ongoing reconsideration of the primary beneficiary, to amend the events that trigger a reassessment of whether an entity is a VIE and to change the consideration of kick-out rights in determining if an entity is a VIE. This new guidance provides two transition alternatives: (i) retrospective application with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first year adjusted; or (ii) application as of the date of adoption with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings recognized on that date. This new guidance is effective as of the beginning of the Company's first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2009, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Therefore, the Company is required to adopt this guidance on January 1, 2010. The adoption of this new guidance will not have a material impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations. 3. INVESTMENTS The following table shows the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, fair value and OTTI of our fixed maturity and equity securities as of the dates indicated. DECEMBER 31, 2009 COST OR GROSS GROSS AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED OTTI IN COST GAINS LOSSES FAIR VALUE AOCI (1) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES: United States Government and government agencies and authorities $2,888 $124 $ -- $3,012 $ -- States, municipalities and political subdivisions 58,962 1,194 (1,762) 58,394 -- Foreign governments 34,969 1,984 (1,825) 35,128 -- Asset-backed 3,782 56 (58) 3,780 -- Commercial mortgage-backed 20,369 121 (168) 20,322 -- Residential mortgage-backed 122,036 5,947 (454) 127,529 (132) Corporate 2,250,259 107,017 (49,578) 2,307,698 6,218 ---------- -------- -------- ---------- ------ TOTAL FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES $2,493,265 $116,443 $(53,845) $2,555,863 $6,086 ---------- -------- -------- ---------- ------ EQUITY SECURITIES: Non-redeemable preferred stocks $160,510 $9,699 $(12,216) $157,993 $ -- ---------- -------- -------- ---------- ------ (1) Represents the amount of other-than-temporary impairment (losses) gains in AOCI, which, from April 1, 2009, were not included in earnings under the new OTTI guidance for debt securities. F-13
DECEMBER 31, 2008 COST OR GROSS GROSS AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED COST GAINS LOSSES FAIR VALUE --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES: United States Government and government agencies and authorities $3,276 $386 $ -- $3,662 States, municipalities and political subdivisions 53,580 568 (2,671) 51,477 Foreign governments 40,202 2,019 (1,941) 40,280 Asset-backed 7,036 33 (397) 6,672 Commercial mortgage-backed 19,409 19 (3,348) 16,080 Residential mortgage-backed 148,097 5,460 (354) 153,203 Corporate 2,128,076 42,478 (242,381) 1,928,173 ------------- --------- ------------ ------------- TOTAL FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES $2,399,676 $50,963 $(251,092) $2,199,547 ------------- --------- ------------ ------------- EQUITY SECURITIES: Non-redeemable preferred stocks $189,973 $3,938 $(49,141) $144,770 ------------- --------- ------------ ------------- The cost or amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2009 by contractual maturity are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers of the securities may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. COST OR AMORTIZED COST FAIR VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Due in one year or less $26,443 $27,130 Due after one year through five years 409,189 424,109 Due after five years through ten years 433,202 448,572 Due after ten years 1,478,244 1,504,421 ------------ ------------ TOTAL 2,347,078 2,404,232 Asset-backed 3,782 3,780 Commercial mortgage-backed 20,369 20,322 Residential mortgage-backed 122,036 127,529 ------------ ------------ TOTAL $2,493,265 $2,555,863 ------------ ------------ Major categories of net investment income were as follows: YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fixed maturity securities $158,678 $165,334 $177,108 Equity securities 12,522 15,860 20,997 Commercial mortgage loans on real estate 51,287 54,535 52,990 Policy loans 830 806 459 Short-term investments 1,207 2,888 4,060 Other investments 603 6,351 38,140 Cash and cash equivalents 95 1,208 1,928 ---------- ---------- ---------- INVESTMENT INCOME 225,222 246,982 295,682 Investment expenses (8,497) (8,531) (9,447) ---------- ---------- ---------- NET INVESTMENT INCOME $216,725 $238,451 $286,235 ---------- ---------- ---------- No material investments of the Company were non-income producing for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007. The following table summarizes the proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities and the gross realized gains and gross realized losses that have been included in earnings as a result of those sales. YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Proceeds from sales $271,086 $548,341 $490,403 Gross realized gains 10,045 20,231 11,155 Gross realized losses 20,503 44,001 18,121 F-14
For securities sold at a loss during 2009, the average period of time these securities were trading continuously at a price below book value was approximately 13 months. After a period of declining market values in the fixed maturity and equity security markets, the credit markets have shown continued improvement throughout 2009. This is primarily due to specific U.S. government intervention which resulted in a lower threat of systemic collapse, enhanced liquidity in the market, and improved economic prospects. As a result, many securities in the portfolio have shown improved market values throughout the year. We recorded net realized (losses) gains, including other-than-temporary impairments, in the statement of operations as follows: YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net realized (losses) gains related to sales: Fixed maturity securities $(198) $(5,350) $(2,495) Equity securities (9,647) (16,153) (4,471) Commercial mortgage loans on real estate (4,100) (234) (312) Other investments 20 -- 185 Collateral held under securities lending -- (4,884) -- --------- ----------- --------- TOTAL NET REALIZED LOSSES RELATED TO SALES (13,925) (26,621) (7,093) --------- ----------- --------- Net realized losses related to other-than-temporary impairments: Fixed maturity securities (6,990) (57,271) (13,757) Equity securities (4,597) (51,804) (7,369) --------- ----------- --------- TOTAL NET REALIZED LOSSES RELATED TO OTHER-THAN-TEMPORARY IMPAIRMENTS (11,587) (109,075) (21,126) --------- ----------- --------- TOTAL NET REALIZED LOSSES $(25,512) $(135,696) $(28,219) --------- ----------- --------- OTHER-THAN-TEMPORARY IMPAIRMENTS Adoption of the New OTTI Guidance On April 1, 2009, the Company adopted the new OTTI guidance, which is within ASC Topic 320. See Note 2 for further information. The new OTTI guidance requires entities to separate an OTTI of a debt security into two components when there are credit related losses associated with the impaired debt security for which the Company asserts that it does not have the intent to sell, and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell before recovery of its cost basis. Prior to April 1, 2009, the Company had to determine whether it had the intent and ability to hold the investment for a sufficient period of time for the value to recover. When the analysis of the above factors resulted in the Company's conclusion that declines in market values were other-than-temporary, the cost of the securities was written down to market value and the reduction in value was reflected as a realized loss in the statement of operations. Under the new OTTI guidance, the amount of the OTTI related to a credit loss is recognized in earnings, and the amount of the OTTI related to other, non-credit, factors (E.G., interest rates, market conditions, etc.) is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. In instances where no credit loss exists but it is more likely than not that the Company will have to sell the debt security prior to the anticipated recovery, the decline in market value below amortized cost is recognized as an OTTI in earnings. In periods after the recognition of an OTTI on debt securities, the Company accounts for such securities as if they had been purchased on the measurement date of the OTTI at an amortized cost basis equal to the previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in earnings. For debt securities for which OTTI were recognized in earnings, the difference between the new amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected will be accreted or amortized into net investment income. The new OTTI guidance required that the Company record, as of April 1, 2009, the date of adoption, a cumulative effect adjustment to reclassify the noncredit component of a previously recognized OTTI from retained earnings to other comprehensive income. For purposes of calculating the cumulative effect adjustment, the Company reviewed OTTI it had recorded through realized losses on securities held at March 31, 2009, which were $64,705, and estimated the portion related to credit losses (I.E., where the present value of cash flows expected to be collected are lower than the amortized cost basis of the security) and the portion related to all other factors. The Company determined that $36,462 of the OTTI previously recorded related to specific credit losses and $28,243 related to all other factors. Under the new OTTI guidance, the Company increased the amortized cost basis of these debt securities by $25,268 and recorded a cumulative effect adjustment, net of tax, in its shareholder's equity section. The cumulative effect adjustment had no effect on total shareholder's equity as it increased retained earnings and reduced accumulated other comprehensive income. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded $11,330 of OTTI of which $11,587 was related to credit losses and recorded as net OTTI losses recognized in earnings, while the remaining $(257) related to all other factors was recorded as an unrealized gain component of AOCI. F-15
The following table sets forth the amount of credit loss impairments recognized within the results of operations on fixed maturity securities held by the Company as of the dates indicated, for which a portion of the OTTI loss was recognized in AOCI, and the corresponding changes in such amounts. BALANCE, APRIL 1, 2009 $ 36,462 Additions for credit loss impairments recognized in the current period on securities not previously impaired 681 Additions for credit loss impairments recognized in the current period on securities previously impaired 680 Reductions for increases in cash flows expected to be collected that are recognized over the remaining life of the security (275) Reductions for credit loss impairments previously recognized on securities which matured, paid down, prepaid, or were sold during the period (8,301) --------- BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2009 $29,247 --------- We regularly monitor our investment portfolio to ensure investments that may be other-than-temporarily impaired are identified in a timely fashion, properly valued, and charged against earnings in the proper period. The determination that a security has incurred an other-than-temporary decline in value requires the judgment of management. Assessment factors include, but are not limited to, the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost, the financial condition and rating of the issuer, whether any collateral is held, the intent and ability of the Company to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery for equity securities and the intent to sell or whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell for fixed maturity securities. Inherently, there are risks and uncertainties involved in making these judgments. Changes in circumstances and critical assumptions such as a continued weak economy, a more pronounced economic downturn or unforeseen events which affect one or more companies, industry sectors, or countries could result in additional impairments in future periods for other-than-temporary declines in value. Any equity security whose price decline is deemed other-than-temporary is written down to its then current market value with the amount of the impairment reported as a realized loss in that period. The impairment of a fixed maturity security that the Company has the intent to sell or that it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell is deemed other-than-temporary and is written down to its market value at the balance sheet date with the amount of the impairment reported as a realized loss in that period. For all other-than-temporarily impaired fixed maturity securities that do not meet either of these two criteria, the Company is required to analyze its ability to recover the amortized cost of the security by calculating the net present value of projected future cash flows. For these other-than-temporarily impaired fixed maturity securities, the net amount recognized in earnings is equal to the difference between the amortized cost of the fixed maturity security and its net present value. The Company considers different factors to determine the amount of projected future cash flows and discounting methods for corporate debt and residential and commercial mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities. For corporate debt securities, the split between the credit and non-credit losses is driven principally by assumptions regarding the amount and timing of projected future cash flows. The net present value is calculated by discounting the Company's best estimate of projected future cash flows at the effective interest rate implicit in the security at the date of acquisition. For residential and commercial mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, cash flow estimates, including prepayment assumptions, are based on data from widely accepted third-party data sources or internal estimates. In addition to prepayment assumptions, cash flow estimates vary based on assumptions regarding the underlying collateral including default rates, recoveries and changes in value. The net present value is calculated by discounting the Company's best estimate of projected future cash flows at the effective interest rate implicit in the fixed maturity security prior to impairment at the balance sheet date. The discounted cash flows become the new amortized cost basis of the fixed maturity security. In periods subsequent to the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment, the Company generally accretes the discount (or amortize the reduced premium) into net investment income, up to the non-discounted amount of projected future cash flows, resulting from the reduction in cost basis, based upon the amount and timing of the expected future cash flows over the estimated period of cash flows. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are recognized on the specific identification basis. F-16
The investment category and duration of the Company's gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities and equity securities at December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows: DECEMBER 31, 2009 LESS THAN 12 MONTHS 12 MONTHS OR MORE FAIR UNREALIZED FAIR UNREALIZED VALUE LOSSES VALUE LOSSES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES: States, municipalities and political subdivisions $8,053 $(347) $13,143 $(1,415) Foreign governments 653 (28) 12,874 (1,797) Asset-backed 1,499 (21) 1,005 (37) Commercial mortgage-backed 10,342 (64) 1,070 (104) Residential mortgage-backed 2,284 (289) 1,184 (165) Corporate 249,368 (8,761) 389,551 (40,817) ---------- -------- ---------- --------- TOTAL FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES $272,199 $(9,510) $418,827 $(44,335) ---------- -------- ---------- --------- EQUITY SECURITIES: Non-redeemable preferred stocks $505 $(39) $83,260 $(12,177) ---------- -------- ---------- --------- DECEMBER 31, 2009 TOTAL FAIR UNREALIZED VALUE LOSSES ----------------------------- ----------------------------------------- FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES: States, municipalities and political subdivisions $21,196 $(1,762) Foreign governments 13,527 (1,825) Asset-backed 2,504 (58) Commercial mortgage-backed 11,412 (168) Residential mortgage-backed 3,468 (454) Corporate 638,919 (49,578) ---------- --------- TOTAL FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES $691,026 $(53,845) ---------- --------- EQUITY SECURITIES: Non-redeemable preferred stocks $83,765 $(12,216) ---------- --------- DECEMBER 31, 2008 LESS THAN 12 MONTHS 12 MONTHS OR MORE FAIR UNREALIZED FAIR UNREALIZED VALUE LOSSES VALUE LOSSES ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES: States, municipalities and political subdivisions $19,525 $(1,534) $11,085 $(1,137) Foreign governments 15,043 (1,446) 7,443 (495) Asset-backed 2,156 (98) 2,387 (299) Commercial mortgage-backed 8,780 (2,042) 6,631 (1,306) Residential mortgage-backed 1,210 (93) 1,067 (261) Corporate 783,894 (111,976) 498,897 (130,405) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- TOTAL FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES $830,608 $(117,189) $527,510 $(133,903) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- EQUITY SECURITIES: Non-redeemable preferred stocks $54,750 $(21,217) $65,285 $(27,924) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- DECEMBER 31, 2008 TOTAL FAIR UNREALIZED VALUE LOSSES -------------------------- --------------------------------- FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES: States, municipalities and political subdivisions $30,610 $(2,671) Foreign governments 22,486 (1,941) Asset-backed 4,543 (397) Commercial mortgage-backed 15,411 (3,348) Residential mortgage-backed 2,277 (354) Corporate 1,282,791 (242,381) ----------- ---------- TOTAL FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES $1,358,118 $(251,092) ----------- ---------- EQUITY SECURITIES: Non-redeemable preferred stocks $120,035 $(49,141) ----------- ---------- Total gross unrealized losses represent less than 9% and 21% of the aggregate fair value of the related securities at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Approximately 14% and 46% of these gross unrealized losses have been in a continuous loss position for less than twelve months at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The total gross unrealized losses are comprised of 328 and 677 individual securities at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. In accordance with its policy described above, the Company concluded that for these securities an adjustment to its results of operations for other-than-temporary impairments of the gross unrealized losses was not warranted at December 31, 2009 and 2008. These conclusions are based on a detailed analysis of the underlying credit and expected cash flows of each security. As of December 31, 2009, the gross unrealized losses that have been in a continuous loss position for twelve months or more were concentrated in non- redeemable preferred stocks and in the financial, energy and industrial industries of the Company's corporate fixed maturity securities. For these concentrations, gross unrealized losses of twelve months or more were $43,794, or 77%, of the total. The gross unrealized losses are primarily attributable to widening credit spreads associated with an underlying shift in overall credit risk premium. As of December 31, 2009, the Company did not intend to sell the securities and it was not more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell the securities before the anticipated recovery of their amortized cost basis. The cost or amortized cost and fair value of available for sale fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2009, by contractual maturity, is shown below: COST OR AMORTIZED COST FAIR VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Due in one year or less $563 $549 Due after one year through five years 52,031 49,938 Due after five years through ten years 116,070 110,073 Due after ten years 558,145 513,082 ----------- ----------- TOTAL 726,809 673,642 Asset-backed 2,561 2,504 Commercial mortgage-backed 11,579 11,412 Residential mortgage-backed 3,922 3,468 ----------- ----------- TOTAL $744,871 $691,026 ----------- ----------- F-17
The Company has exposure to sub-prime and related mortgages within our fixed maturity security portfolio. At December 31, 2009, approximately 3.1% of the residential mortgage-backed holdings had exposure to sub-prime mortgage collateral. This represented approximately 1.5% of the total fixed income portfolio and 0.6% of the total unrealized loss position. Of the securities with sub-prime exposure, approximately 51% are rated as investment grade. All residential mortgage-backed securities, including those with sub-prime exposure, are reviewed as part of the ongoing other-than-temporary impairment monitoring process. The Company has made commercial mortgage loans, collateralized by the underlying real estate, on properties located throughout the U.S. and Canada. At December 31, 2009, approximately 39% of the outstanding principal balance of commercial mortgage loans was concentrated in the states of California, New York and Utah. Although the Company has a diversified loan portfolio, an economic downturn could have an adverse impact on the ability of its debtors to repay their loans. The outstanding balance of commercial mortgage loans range in size from $54 to $13,926 at December 31, 2009 and from $7 to $14,345 at December 31, 2008. The mortgage loan valuation allowance for losses was $8,552 and $3,252 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. At December 31, 2009, there are no outstanding mortgage loan commitments. At December 31, 2009, the Company is committed to fund additional capital contributions of $3,500 to joint ventures and to certain investments in limited partnerships. The Company has short term investments and fixed maturities of $7,378 and $4,937 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, on deposit with various governmental authorities as required by law. Securities Lending The Company engages in transactions in which fixed maturity securities, especially bonds issued by the U.S. government, government agencies and authorities, and U.S. corporations, are loaned to selected broker/dealers. Collateral, greater than or equal to 102% of the fair value of the securities lent, plus accrued interest, is received in the form of cash and cash equivalents held by a custodian bank for the benefit of the Company. The use of cash collateral received is unrestricted. The Company reinvests the cash collateral received, generally in investments of high credit quality that are designated as available-for-sale under the debt and equity securities guidance, which is within ASC Topic 320. The Company monitors the fair value of securities loaned and the collateral received, with additional collateral obtained, as necessary. The Company is subject to the risk of loss to the extent there is a loss on the re-investment of cash collateral. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, our collateral held under securities lending, of which its use is unrestricted, was $106,896 and $113,191, respectively, while our liability to the borrower for collateral received was $108,186 and $124,063, respectively. The difference between the collateral held and obligations under securities lending is recorded as an unrealized loss and is included as part of AOCI. All securities with unrealized losses have been in a continuous loss position for twelve months or longer as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. The Company has actively reduced the size of the securities lending to mitigate counter-party exposure. The Company includes the available-for-sale investments purchased with the cash collateral in its evaluation of other-than-temporary impairments. Cash proceeds that the Company receives as collateral for the securities it lends and subsequent repayment of the cash are regarded by the Company as cash flows from financing activities, since the cash received is considered a borrowing. Since the Company reinvests the cash collateral generally in investments that are designated as available-for-sale, the reinvestment is presented as cash flows from investing activities. 4. FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES Inputs and Valuation Techniques for Financial Assets and Liabilities Disclosures The fair value measurements and disclosures guidance, which is within ASC Topic 820, defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, creates a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In accordance with this guidance, the Company has categorized its recurring basis financial assets and liabilities into a three-level fair value hierarchy based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. F-18
The levels of the fair value hierarchy and its application to the Company's financial assets and liabilities are described below: - Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 1 inputs include certain U.S. mutual funds, money market funds and certain foreign securities. - Level 2 inputs utilize other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable in the marketplace for the asset. The observable inputs are used in valuation models to calculate the fair value for the asset. Financial assets utilizing Level 2 inputs include corporate, municipal, foreign government and private placement bonds, U.S. Government and agency securities, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, non-redeemable preferred stocks and certain U.S. and foreign mutual funds. - Level 3 inputs are unobservable but are significant to the fair value measurement for the asset, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset. These inputs reflect management's own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset. Financial assets utilizing Level 3 inputs include certain non-redeemable preferred stocks, foreign government and corporate bonds, and commercial mortgage-backed securities that were quoted by brokers and could not be corroborated by Level 2 inputs and derivatives. A review of fair value hierarchy classifications is conducted on a quarterly basis. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification of levels for certain securities within the fair value hierarchy. The following tables present the Company's fair value hierarchy for those recurring basis assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2009 and 2008. DECEMBER 31, 2009 TOTAL LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FINANCIAL ASSETS Fixed maturity securities: United States government and government agencies and authorities $3,012 $ -- $3,012 $ -- States, municipalities and political subdivisions 58,394 -- 58,394 -- Foreign governments 35,128 -- 34,613 515 Asset-backed 3,780 -- 3,780 -- Commercial mortgage-backed 20,322 -- 18,130 2,192 Residential mortgage-backed 127,529 -- 127,529 -- Corporate 2,307,698 -- 2,275,987 31,711 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 157,993 -- 154,774 3,219 Short-term investments 70,367 65,875 4,492 -- Collateral held under securities lending 66,896(b) 27,833 39,063 -- Cash equivalents 32,491(b) 32,491 -- -- Other assets 10,406(c) -- -- 10,406 Assets held in separate accounts 1,738,969(b) 1,653,588(a) 85,381 -- ------------- ------------- ------------- --------- TOTAL FINANCIAL ASSETS $4,632,985 $1,779,787 $2,805,155 $48,043 ------------- ------------- ------------- --------- F-19
DECEMBER 31,2008 TOTAL LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FINANCIAL ASSETS Fixed maturity securities: United States government and government agencies and authorities $3,662 $ -- $3,662 $ -- States, municipalities and political subdivisions 51,477 -- 51,477 -- Foreign governments 40,280 -- 33,952 6,328 Asset-backed 6,672 -- 6,672 - Commercial mortgage-backed 16,080 -- 14,156 1,924 Residential mortgage backed securities 153,203 -- 153,203 - Corporate 1,928,173 -- 1,902,538 25,635 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 144,770 -- 140,126 4,644 Short-term investments 159,847 159,398 449 -- Collateral held under securities lending 76,916(b) 26,211 50,705 -- Cash equivalents 11,724(b) 11,724 -- -- Other assets 4,821(c) -- -- 4,821 Assets held in separate accounts 1,556,089(b) 1,490,877(a) 65,212 -- ------------- ------------- ------------- --------- TOTAL FINANCIAL ASSETS $4,153,714 $1,688,210 $2,422,152 $43,352 ------------- ------------- ------------- --------- (a) Mainly includes mutual fund investments (b) The amounts presented differ from the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets because certain cash equivalent investments are not measured at estimated fair value (e.g., certificates of deposit, etc.). (c) The amounts presented differ from the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets because only certain assets or liabilities within these line items are measured at estimated fair value (e.g., debt and equity securities and derivatives, etc.). The following table summarizes the change in balance sheet carrying value associated with Level 3 financial assets carried at fair value during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008: YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 TOTAL LEVEL 3 ASSETS -------------------------------------------- Balance, beginning of period $43,352 Total gains (losses) (realized/ unrealized) included in earnings 5,039 Net unrealized gains (losses) included in stockholder's equity 4,079 Purchases, issuances, (sales) and (settlements) 10,816 Net transfers out (15,243) --------- BALANCE, END OF PERIOD $48,043 --------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES EQUITY SECURITIES FOREIGN COMMERCIAL NON-REDEEMABLE GOVERNMENT MORTGAGE-BACKED CORPORATE PREFERRED ----------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance, beginning of period $6,328 $1,924 $25,635 $4,644 Total gains (losses) (realized/ unrealized) included in earnings 147 24 (717) -- Net unrealized gains (losses) included in stockholder's equity (1,335) 308 4,748 358 Purchases, issuances, (sales) and (settlements) -- (64) 10,880 -- Net transfers out (4,625) -- (8,835) (1,783) -------- -------- --------- -------- BALANCE, END OF PERIOD $515 $2,192 $31,711 $3,219 -------- -------- --------- -------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 OTHER ASSETS ----------------------------- --------- Balance, beginning of period $4,821 Total gains (losses) (realized/ unrealized) included in earnings 5,585 Net unrealized gains (losses) included in stockholder's equity -- Purchases, issuances, (sales) and (settlements) -- Net transfers out -- --------- BALANCE, END OF PERIOD $10,406 --------- F-20
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008 TOTAL LEVEL 3 ASSETS -------------------------------------------- Balance, beginning of period $67,436 Total (losses) gains (realized/ unrealized) included in earnings (1,324) Net unrealized (losses) gains included in stockholder's equity (7,919) Purchases, issuances, (sales) and (settlements) 1,652 Net transfers (out) in (16,493) --------- BALANCE, END OF PERIOD $43,352 --------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008 FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES EQUITY SECURITIES FOREIGN COMMERCIAL NON-REDEEMABLE GOVERNMENT MORTGAGE-BACKED CORPORATE PREFERRED ----------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance, beginning of period $499 $1,247 $58,429 $4,826 Total (losses) gains (realized/ unrealized) included in earnings 196 22 (3,928) -- Net unrealized (losses) gains included in stockholder's equity 536 (411) (6,939) (1,105) Purchases, issuances, (sales) and (settlements) 2,898 1,066 (2,797) 485 Net transfers (out) in 2,199 -- (19,130) 438 -------- -------- --------- -------- BALANCE, END OF PERIOD $6,328 $1,924 $25,635 $4,644 -------- -------- --------- -------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008 OTHER ASSETS ----------------------------- -------- Balance, beginning of period $2,435 Total (losses) gains (realized/ unrealized) included in earnings 2,386 Net unrealized (losses) gains included in stockholder's equity -- Purchases, issuances, (sales) and (settlements) -- Net transfers (out) in -- -------- BALANCE, END OF PERIOD $4,821 -------- Three different valuation techniques can be used in determining fair value for financial assets and liabilities: the market, income or cost approaches. The three valuation techniques described in the fair value measurements and disclosures guidance, which is within ASC Topic 820, are consistent with generally accepted valuation methodologies. The market approach valuation techniques use prices and other relevant information from market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. When possible, quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets are used as of the period-end date. Otherwise, valuation techniques consistent with the market approach including matrix pricing and comparables are used. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique employed principally to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for those securities but rather by relying on the securities' relationship to other benchmark quoted securities. Market approach valuation techniques often use market multiples derived from a set of comparables. Multiples might lie in ranges with a different multiple for each comparable. The selection of where within the range the appropriate multiple falls requires judgment, considering both qualitative and quantitative factors specific to the measurement. Income approach valuation techniques convert future amounts, such as cash flows or earnings, to a single present amount, or a discounted amount. These techniques rely on current market expectations of future amounts as of the period-end date. Examples of income approach valuation techniques include present value techniques, option-pricing models, binomial or lattice models that incorporate present value techniques, and the multi-period excess earnings method. Cost approach valuation techniques are based upon the amount that would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset at the period-end date, or the current replacement cost. That is, from the perspective of a market participant (seller), the price that would be received for the asset is determined based on the cost to a market participant (buyer) to acquire or construct a substitute asset of comparable utility, adjusted for obsolescence. While not all three approaches are applicable to all financial assets or liabilities, where appropriate, one or more valuation techniques may be used. For all the financial assets and liabilities included in the above hierarchy, excluding derivatives and private placement bonds, the market valuation technique is generally used. For private placement bonds and derivatives, the income valuation technique is generally used. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the application of the valuation technique applied to similar assets and liabilities has been consistent. Level 1 and Level 2 securities are valued using various observable market inputs obtained from a pricing service. The pricing service prepares estimates of fair value measurements for our Level 2 securities using proprietary valuation models based on techniques such as matrix pricing which include observable market inputs. The fair value measurements and disclosures guidance, defines observable market inputs as the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. The extent of the use of each observable market input for a security depends on the type of security and the market conditions at the balance sheet date. Depending on the security, the priority of the use of observable market inputs may change as some observable market inputs may not be relevant or additional inputs may be necessary. The following observable market inputs, listed in the approximate order of priority, are utilized in the pricing evaluation of Level 2 securities: benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data. The pricing service also evaluates each security based on relevant market information including: relevant credit information, perceived market movements and sector news. Valuation models can change period to period, depending on the appropriate observable inputs that are available at the balance sheet date to price a security. When market observable inputs are unavailable, the remaining unpriced securities are submitted to independent brokers who provide non-binding broker quotes or are priced by other qualified sources and are categorized as Level 3 securities. F-21
Management evaluates the following factors in order to determine whether the market for a financial asset is inactive. The factors include, but are not limited to: - There are few recent transactions, - Little information is released publicly, - The available prices vary significantly over time or among market participants, - The prices are stale (i.e., not current), and - The magnitude of the bid-ask spread. Illiquidity did not have a material impact in the fair value determination of the Company's financial assets. The Company generally obtains one price for each financial asset. The Company performs a monthly analysis to assess if the evaluated prices represent a reasonable estimate of their fair value. This process involves quantitative and qualitative analysis and is overseen by investment and accounting professionals. Examples of procedures performed include, but are not limited to, initial and on-going review of pricing service methodologies, review of the prices received from the pricing service, review of pricing statistics and trends, and comparison of prices for certain securities with two different appropriate price sources for reasonableness. Following this analysis, the Company generally uses the best estimate of fair value based upon all available inputs. On infrequent occasions, a non-pricing service source may be more familiar with the market activity for a particular security than the pricing service. In these cases the price used is taken from the non-pricing service source. The pricing service provides information to indicate which securities were priced using market observable inputs so that the Company can properly categorize our financial assets in the fair value hierarchy. Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis The Company also measures the fair value of certain assets on a non-recurring basis, generally on an annual basis, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. These assets include goodwill and finite-lived intangible assets. In accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 350, INTANGIBLES-- GOODWILL AND OTHER, since the carrying amount of the Company was greater than its fair value as determined in Step 1 of the impairment test, the Company was required to measure the estimated fair value of goodwill in Step 2 of the impairment test. Goodwill of the Company with a carrying amount of $156,817 was written down to its implied fair value of $81,573, resulting in an impairment charge of $75,244, which was included in earnings for the period. See Note 13 for further information. To estimate the fair value, the Company utilized both the income and market valuation approaches. Under the income approach, the Company determined the fair value considering distributable earnings which were estimated from operating plans. The resulting cash flows were then discounted using a market participant weighted average cost of capital estimated for the Company. After discounting the future discrete earnings to their present value, the Company estimated the terminal value attributable to the years beyond the discrete operating plan period. The discounted terminal value was then added to the aggregate discounted distributable earnings from the discrete operating plan period to estimate the fair value of Company. Under the market approach, the Company derived the fair value based on various financial multiples, including but not limited to: price to tangible book value of equity, price to estimated 2009 earnings and price to estimated 2010 earnings which were estimated based on publicly available data related to comparable guideline companies. In addition, financial multiples were also estimated from publicly available purchase price data for acquisitions of companies operating in the insurance industry. The estimated fair value of the Company was more heavily weighted towards the income approach because the earnings capacity of a business is generally considered the most important factor in the valuation of a business enterprise. This fair value determination was categorized as Level 3 (unobservable) in the fair value hierarchy. The following tables present the Company's fair value hierarchy for goodwill measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis on which an impairment charge was recorded, and the related impairment charge as of December 31, 2009: ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE NON-RECURRING BASIS LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3 TOTAL --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At December 31, 2009 Goodwill- $ -- $ -- $81,573 $81,573 ----- ----- --------- --------- IMPAIRMENT CHARGES TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Goodwill- $75,244 $ -- --------- ----- F-22
Fair Value of Financial Instruments Disclosures The financial instruments guidance, which is within ASC Topic 825, requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, as defined therein, for which it is practicable to estimate such fair value. Therefore, it requires fair value disclosure for financial instruments that are not recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. However, this guidance excludes certain financial instruments, including those related to insurance contracts and those accounted for under the equity method and joint ventures guidance, which is within ASC Topic 323, INVESTMENTS -- EQUITY METHOD AND JOINT VENTURES (such as real estate joint ventures). Please refer to the INPUTS AND VALUATION TECHNIQUES FOR FINANCIAL AND LIABILITIES DISCLOSURE section above for the methods and assumptions used to estimate fair value for the following assets and liabilities: - Fixed maturity securities - Equity securities - Short-term investments - Other assets Fair values for collateral held and obligations under securities lending and for separate account assets (with matching liabilities) are obtained from an independent pricing service which uses observable market information. In estimating the fair value of the financial instruments presented, the Company used the following methods and assumptions: CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS: the carrying value reported approximates fair value because of the short maturity of the instruments. COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE LOANS AND POLICY LOANS: the fair values of mortgage loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on interest rates currently being offered for similar loans to borrowers with similar credit ratings. Mortgage loans with similar characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations. The carrying value of policy loans reported in the balance sheets approximates fair value. OTHER INVESTMENTS: the carrying value of the other investments approximates fair value. COLLATERAL AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER SECURITIES LENDING: the invested assets of the collateral held under securities lending are reported at their estimated fair values, which are primarily based on matrix pricing models and quoted market prices. The obligations under securities lending are reported at the amount received from the selected broker/dealers. POLICY RESERVES UNDER INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: the fair values for the Company's policy reserves under the investment products are determined using discounted cash flow analysis. SEPARATE ACCOUNT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES: separate account assets and liabilities are reported at their estimated fair values, which are primarily based on quoted market prices. The following table demonstrates the carrying value and fair value of our financial assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. DECEMBER 31, 2009 DECEMBER 31, 2008 CARRYING FAIR CARRYING FAIR VALUE VALUE VALUE VALUE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FINANCIAL ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $43,819 $43,819 $17,171 $17,171 Fixed maturities securities 2,555,863 2,555,863 2,199,547 2,199,547 Equity securities 157,993 157,993 144,770 144,770 Commercial mortgage loans on real estate 772,912 782,922 838,254 843,128 Policy loans 13,981 13,981 14,422 14,422 Short-term investments 70,367 70,367 159,847 159,847 Other investments 3,123 3,123 3,938 3,938 Other assets 10,406 10,406 4,821 4,821 Assets held in separate accounts 1,740,344 1,740,344 1,557,313 1,557,313 Collateral held under securities lending 106,896 106,896 113,191 113,191 FINANCIAL LIABILITIES Policy reserves under investment products (Individual and group annuities, subject to discretionary withdrawal) $262,990 $245,356 $282,175 $261,661 Liabilities related to separate accounts 1,740,344 1,740,344 1,557,313 1,557,313 Obligations under securities lending 108,186 108,186 124,063 124,063 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ F-23
The fair value of the Company's liabilities for insurance contracts other than investment-type contracts are not required to be disclosed. However, the fair values of liabilities under all insurance contracts are taken into consideration in the Company's overall management of interest rate risk, such that the Company's exposure to changing interest rates is minimized through the matching of investment maturities with amounts due under insurance contracts. 5. INCOME TAXES The Company is subject to U.S. tax and files a U.S. consolidated federal income tax return with its parent, Assurant Inc. Information about the Company's current and deferred tax expense follows: YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current expense: Federal and state $28,000 $37,814 $39,405 Deferred (benefit) expense: Federal and state (873) (26,947) 17,716 --------- --------- --------- TOTAL INCOME TAX EXPENSE $27,127 $10,867 $57,121 --------- --------- --------- A reconciliation of the federal income tax rate to the Company's effective income tax rate follows: DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL INCOME TAX RATE: 35.0% 35.0% 35.0% RECONCILING ITEMS: Goodwill impairment* 662.5 -- -- Change in liability for prior years' taxes 46.0 6.0 (5.0) Permanent nondeductible expenses 10.9 2.2 0.2 Dividends-received deduction (57.1) (21.4) (1.7) Tax-exempt interest (4.3) (0.9) (0.1) Change in valuation allowance -- 36.3 -- Other (10.6) 0.8 0.7 ------ ------ ----- EFFECTIVE INCOME TAX RATE 682.4% 58.0% 29.1% ------ ------ ----- * See note 13 for more information on Goodwill impairment. The increase in the deduction for dividends received is due mainly to the decrease in pre-tax income, partially offset by a decrease in the Company's eligible dividends. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 is as follows: 2009 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BALANCE AT BEGINNING OF YEAR $ (4,723) $ (7,271) Additions for tax positions related to the current year (536) (733) Reductions for tax positions related to the current year 7,838 3,717 Additions for tax positions related to prior years (8,039) (467) Reductions for tax positions related to prior years 416 31 -------- -------- BALANCE AT END OF YEAR $(5,044) $(4,723) -------- -------- Of the total unrecognized tax benefit, $6,064, $5,260 and $8,249, for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, which includes interest, if recognized, would impact the Company's consolidated effective tax rate. The liability for unrecognized tax benefits is included in the Company's tax payable on its balance sheet. The Company's continuing practice is to recognize interest related to income tax matters in income tax expense. During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company recognized $464 and $372 of interest expense, and $4,880 of interest income, respectively, related to income tax matters. The Company had $2,099 and $1,635 of interest accrued at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and various state jurisdictions. The Company has substantially concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 2004. Substantially all state and non-U.S. income tax matters have been concluded for the years through 2002. F-24
The tax effects of temporary differences that result in significant deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows: DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 (1) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DEFERRED TAX ASSETS: Deferred gains on reinsurance $33,957 $39,875 Investments 25,535 40,229 Capital loss carryforwards 24,034 14,446 Deferred acquisition costs 19,293 22,350 Compensation related 1,182 970 Accrued liabilities 1,735 1,863 Net unrealized depreciation on securities -- 90,493 Employee and post-retirement benefits -- 1,417 ---------- ---------- TOTAL DEFERRED TAX ASSET 105,736 211,643 Less: valuation allowance (10,415) (7,195) ---------- ---------- Deferred tax assets net of valuation allowance $95,321 $204,448 ---------- ---------- DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES: Net unrealized appreciation on securities $20,588 $ -- Policyholder and separate account reserves 5,238 11,110 Employee and post-retirement benefits 361 -- Other 12,565 13,925 ---------- ---------- TOTAL DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY 38,752 25,035 ---------- ---------- NET DEFERRED INCOME TAX ASSET $56,569 $179,413 ---------- ---------- (1) Components of the 2008 net deferred income tax asset have been reclassified to conform to the 2009 presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the overall net deferred income tax asset. The Company's total valuation allowance against deferred tax assets increased $3,220, from $7,195 at December 31, 2008 to $10,415 at December 31, 2009, respectively, through other comprehensive income and retained earnings. The calculation of the valuation allowance is made at the consolidated return group level. A portion of the valuation allowance has been assigned to the Company based on the provisions of the tax sharing agreement. A cumulative valuation allowance of $10,415 has been recorded because it is management's assessment that it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets of $10,415 will not be realized. The Company's ability to realize deferred tax assets depends on its ability to generate sufficient taxable income of the same character within the carryback or carryforward periods. In assessing future GAAP taxable income, the Company has considered all sources of taxable income available to realize the deferred tax asset, including the future reversal of existing temporary differences, future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carry forwards, taxable income in carryback years and tax-planning strategies. If changes occur in the assumptions underlying the Company's tax planning strategies or in the scheduling of the reversal of the Company's deferred tax liabilities, the valuation allowance may need to be adjusted in the future. At December 31, 2009, the Company had no net operating loss carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes. At December 31, 2009, the Company had a capital loss carryover for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the amount of $68,670. The 2008 capital loss carryovers which represent $39,439 will expire if not utilized in 2013, while the 2009 capital loss carryovers of $29,231 will expire if not utilized in 2014. 6. PREMIUMS AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE Receivables are reported net of an allowance for uncollectible items. A summary of such receivables is as follows: DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Insurance premiums receivable $64,906 $60,991 Other receivables 19,421 15,699 Allowance for uncollectible items (4,811) (4,840) --------- --------- TOTAL $79,516 $71,850 --------- --------- F-25
7. STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY The Board of Directors of the Company has authorized 1,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $5.00 per share. All the shares are issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2009 and 2008. All the outstanding shares at December 31, 2009 are owned by the Parent (see Note 1). The Company paid dividends of $20,000 and $197,000 at December 31, 2009 and 2007, respectively. No dividends were paid during 2008. The maximum amount of dividends which can be paid by the Company to its shareholder without prior approval of the Insurance Commissioner is subject to restrictions relating to statutory surplus (see Note 8). The Company received contributed capital of $15,000 at December 31, 2009 and 2008. No contributed capital was received during 2007. In 2008, based on operating lines of business, management determined that the Company was over capitalized. As a result, with the approval of the Iowa Insurance Division, on June 27, 2008, the Company returned $100,000 of contributed capital to its parent company, Interfinancial Inc. 8. STATUTORY INFORMATION The Company prepares consolidated financial statements on the basis of statutory accounting principles ("SAP") prescribed or permitted by the Kansas Department of Commerce. Prescribed SAP includes the Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") as well as state laws, regulations and administrative rules. The principal differences between SAP and GAAP are: 1) policy acquisition costs are expensed as incurred under SAP, but are deferred and amortized under GAAP; 2) the value of business acquired is not capitalized under SAP but is under GAAP; 3) amounts collected from holders of universal life-type and annuity products are recognized as premiums when collected under SAP, but are initially recorded as contract deposits under GAAP, with cost of insurance recognized as revenue when assessed and other contract charges recognized over the periods for which services are provided; 4) the classification and carrying amounts of investments in certain securities are different under SAP than under GAAP; 5) the criteria for providing asset valuation allowances, and the methodologies used to determine the amounts thereof, are different under SAP than under GAAP; 6) the timing of establishing certain reserves, and the methodologies used to determine the amounts thereof, are different under SAP than under GAAP; 7) certain assets are not admitted for purposes of determining surplus under SAP; 8) methodologies used to determine the amounts of deferred taxes and goodwill are different under SAP than under GAAP; and 9) the criteria for obtaining reinsurance accounting treatment is different under SAP than under GAAP. The Company's statutory net income and capital and surplus are as follows: YEARS ENDED AND AT DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Statutory net income $59,863 $1,754 (1) $138,496 ---------- ---------- --- ---------- Statutory capital and surplus $418,397 $350,383 $438,924 ---------- ---------- ---------- (1) The $1,754 net income in 2008 includes realized capital losses on investments of $135,094 due to other-than-temporary impairments in our investment portfolio of $108,913 in 2008 compared to $21,291 in 2007. Insurance enterprises are required by state insurance departments to adhere to minimum risk-based capital ("RBC") requirements developed by the NAIC. The Company exceeds the minimum RBC requirements. Dividend distributions to the Parent are restricted as to the amount by state regulatory requirements. A dividend is extraordinary when combined with all other dividends and distributions made within the preceding 12 months exceeds the greater of 10% of the insurers surplus as regards to policyholders on December 31 of the next preceding year, or the net gain from operations. In 2009, the Company declared and paid dividends of $20,000, all of which were ordinary. There were no dividends declared and paid during 2008. Dividends may only be paid out of earned surplus. In 2007, the Company declared and paid dividends of $197,000, of which $30,442 was ordinary and $166,558 was extraordinary. The Company has the ability, under state regulatory requirements, to dividend up to $50,830 to its parent in 2010 without permission from Kansas regulators. F-26
9. REINSURANCE In the ordinary course of business, the Company is involved in both the assumption and cession of reinsurance with non-affiliated companies. The following table provides details of the reinsurance recoverables balance for the years ended December 31: DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ceded future policyholder benefits and expenses $1,300,352 $1,248,756 Ceded unearned premium 18,942 18,502 Ceded claims and benefits payable 105,900 80,414 Ceded paid losses 9,211 11,579 ------------ ------------ TOTAL $1,434,405 $1,359,251 ------------ ------------ The effect of reinsurance on premiums earned and benefits incurred was as follows: YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 LONG SHORT LONG SHORT DURATION DURATION TOTAL DURATION DURATION TOTAL --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Direct earned Premiums and other considerations $248,457 $909,099 $1,157,556 $270,883 $980,899 $1,251,782 Premiums assumed 8,419 128,425 136,844 9,599 127,656 137,255 Premiums ceded (190,555) (11,333) (201,888) (204,503) (10,744) (215,247) -------- --------- ---------- -------- ---------- ---------- NET EARNED PREMIUMS AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS $66,321 $1,026,191 $1,092,512 $75,979 $1,097,811 $1,173,790 -------- --------- ---------- -------- ---------- ---------- Direct policyholder Benefits $492,058 $644,290 $1,136,348 $614,911 $658,421 $1,273,332 Benefits assumed 28,667 114,577 143,244 33,913 117,260 151,173 Benefits ceded (424,066) (5,995) (430,061) (531,732) (3,275) (535,007) -------- --------- ---------- -------- ---------- ---------- NET POLICYHOLDER BENEFITS $96,659 $752,872 $849,531 $117,092 $772,406 $889,498 -------- --------- ---------- -------- ---------- ---------- YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007 LONG SHORT DURATION DURATION TOTAL ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------ Direct earned Premiums and other considerations $293,346 $1,003,971 $1,297,317 Premiums assumed 9,732 179,395 189,127 Premiums ceded (219,490) (7,024) (226,514) -------- ---------- ---------- NET EARNED PREMIUMS AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS $83,588 $1,176,342 $1,259,930 -------- ---------- ---------- Direct policyholder Benefits $756,784 $643,161 $1,399,945 Benefits assumed 31,002 177,909 208,911 Benefits ceded (671,497) (2,750) (674,247) -------- ---------- ---------- NET POLICYHOLDER BENEFITS $116,289 $818,320 $934,609 -------- ---------- ---------- The Company had $843,194 and $714,556 of assets held in trusts as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, for the benefit of others related to certain reinsurance arrangements. The Company utilizes ceded reinsurance for loss protection and capital management, business divestitures, client risk and profit sharing. LOSS PROTECTION AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT As part of the Company's overall risk and capacity management strategy, the Company purchases reinsurance for certain risks underwritten by the Company, including significant individual or catastrophic claims, which enables the Company to free up capital to write additional business. Under indemnity reinsurance transactions in which the Company is the ceding insurer, the Company remains liable for policy claims if the assuming company fails to meet its obligations. To mitigate this risk, the Company has control procedures to evaluate the financial condition of reinsurers and to monitor the concentration of credit risk. The selection of reinsurance companies is based on criteria related to solvency and reliability and, to a lesser degree, diversification as well as developing strong relationships with the Company's reinsurers for the sharing of risks. A.M. Best ratings for The Hartford and John Hancock Life Insurance Company ("John Hancock"), the reinsurers we have the most exposure to, are A and A+, respectively, although A.M. Best recently placed a negative outlook on the issuer credit and financial strength ratings of The Hartford and a stable outlook for John Hancock. BUSINESS DIVESTITURES The Company has used reinsurance to exit certain businesses. In 2005, the Parent signed an agreement with Forethought whereby the Company agreed to discontinue writing new preneed insurance policies in the United States via independent funeral homes and funeral homes other than those owned and operated by SCI for a period of ten years. In 2001, the Parent entered into a reinsurance agreement with The Hartford for the sale of the FFG division. In 2000, the Company divested its LTC operations to John Hancock. Assets supporting liabilities ceded relating to these businesses are held in trusts and the separate accounts relating to FFG are still reflected in the Company's balance sheet. If the reinsurers became insolvent, we would be exposed to the risk that the assets in the trusts and/or the separate accounts would be insufficient to support the liabilities that would revert back to us. The reinsurance recoverable from The Hartford was $648,919 and $677,836 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The reinsurance recoverable from John Hancock was $669,407 and $561,342 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. F-27
The reinsurance agreement associated with the FFG sale also stipulates that The Hartford contribute funds to increase the value of the separate account assets relating to Modified Guaranteed Annuity business sold if such value declines below the value of the associated liabilities. If The Hartford fails to fulfill these obligations, the Company will be obligated to make these payments. In addition, the Company would be responsible for administering this business in the event of reinsurer insolvency. We do not currently have the administrative systems and capabilities to process this business. Accordingly, we would need to obtain those capabilities in the event of an insolvency of one or more of the reinsurers of these businesses. We might be forced to obtain such capabilities on unfavorable terms with a resulting material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. As of December 31, 2009, we were not aware of any regulatory actions taken with respect to the solvency of the insurance subsidiaries of The Hartford or John Hancock that reinsure the FFG and LTC businesses, and the Company has not been obligated to fulfill any such reinsurers' obligations. On April 1, 2008, the Company and United Family Life Insurance Company ("UFLIC") amended an existing Agreement of Reinsurance (the"Agreement") between the two companies. Under the terms of the amendment, UFLIC will cede to the Company 100% of its remaining reinsured liabilities, as defined in the Agreement, on a coinsurance basis. No gain or loss was recognized as a result of this amendment to the Agreement, and the Company paid a ceding fee of $8,159 to UFLIC. 10. RESERVES The following table provides reserve information of our major product lines at the dates shown: CLAIMS AND BENEFITS DECEMBER 31, 2009 PAYABLE FUTURE INCURRED POLICY BUT NOT BENEFITS AND UNEARNED CASE REPORTED EXPENSES PREMIUMS RESERVES RESERVES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ LONG DURATION CONTRACTS: Pre-funded funeral life $1,185,901 $1,105 $3,737 $1,192 insurance policies and investment-type annuity contracts Life insurance no longer 287,590 627 1,036 33 offered FFG and LTC disposed 1,196,373 19,056 6,851 89,323 businesses All other 5,205 335 8,084 18,792 SHORT DURATION CONTRACTS: Group term life -- 3,501 36,977 202,823 Group disability -- 6,716 137,402 1,209,968 Medical -- 2,582 3,245 7,603 Dental -- 3,769 18,297 4,722 Credit life and disability -- 1 -- 1,416 ---------- ------- -------- ---------- TOTAL $2,675,069 $37,692 $215,629 $1,535,872 ---------- ------- -------- ---------- CLAIMS AND BENEFITS DECEMBER 31, 2008 PAYABLE FUTURE INCURRED POLICY BUT NOT BENEFITS AND UNEARNED CASE REPORTED EXPENSES PREMIUMS RESERVES RESERVES ------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- LONG DURATION CONTRACTS: Pre-funded funeral life $1,237,749 $1,316 $4,076 $1,168 insurance policies and investment-type annuity contracts Life insurance no longer 303,660 673 932 31 offered FFG and LTC disposed 1,141,011 18,277 8,451 62,945 businesses All other 5,068 290 20,499 7,767 SHORT DURATION CONTRACTS: Group term life -- 5,988 196,875 41,470 Group disability -- 2,104 1,256,171 138,956 Medical -- 3,315 5,537 9,494 Dental -- 3,995 2,600 20,207 Credit life and disability -- 4 -- 1,384 ---------- ------- ---------- -------- TOTAL $2,687,488 $35,962 $1,495,141 $283,422 ---------- ------- ---------- -------- F-28
The following table provides a roll forward of the Company's product lines with the most significant short duration claims and benefits payable balances: group term life and group disability lines of business. Claims and benefits payable is comprised of case and IBNR reserves. GROUP GROUP TERM LIFE DISABILITY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BALANCE AS OF JANUARY 1, 2007, GROSS OF REINSURANCE $276,995 $1,448,571 Less: Reinsurance ceded and other (1) (412) (10,054) ----------- ------------- Balance as of January 1, 2007, net of reinsurance 276,583 1,438,517 Incurred losses related to: Current year 168,613 367,871 Prior year's interest 9,150 62,073 Prior year(s) (51,190) (93,096) ----------- ------------- TOTAL INCURRED LOSSES 126,573 336,848 Paid losses related to: Current year 107,361 71,413 Prior year(s) 34,609 289,046 ----------- ------------- TOTAL PAID LOSSES 141,970 360,459 Balance as of December 31, 2007, net of reinsurance 261,186 1,414,906 Plus: Reinsurance ceded and other (1) 955 34,237 ----------- ------------- BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2007, GROSS OF REINSURANCE $ 262,141 $ 1,449,143 Less: Reinsurance ceded and other (1) (955) (34,237) ----------- ------------- Balance as of January 1, 2008, net of reinsurance 261,186 1,414,906 Incurred losses related to: Current year 158,899 317,328 Prior year's interest 8,358 62,678 Prior year(s) (54,593) (85,403) ----------- ------------- TOTAL INCURRED LOSSES 112,664 294,603 Paid losses related to: Current year 104,535 77,684 Prior year(s) 32,204 268,345 ----------- ------------- TOTAL PAID LOSSES 136,739 346,029 Balance as of December 31, 2008, net of reinsurance 237,111 1,363,480 Plus: Reinsurance ceded and other (1) 1,234 31,647 ----------- ------------- BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008, GROSS OF REINSURANCE $ 238,345 $ 1,395,127 Less: Reinsurance ceded and other (1) (1,234) (31,647) ----------- ------------- Balance as of January 1, 2009, net of reinsurance 237,111 1,363,480 Incurred losses related to: Current year 138,168 300,046 Prior year's interest 8,299 60,625 Prior year(s) (22,243) (75,016) ----------- ------------- TOTAL INCURRED LOSSES 124,224 285,655 Paid losses related to: Current year 83,520 69,424 Prior year(s) 39,399 264,809 ----------- ------------- TOTAL PAID LOSSES 122,919 334,233 Balance as of December 31, 2009, net of reinsurance 238,416 1,314,902 Plus: Reinsurance ceded and other (1) 1,384 32,468 ----------- ------------- BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, GROSS OF REINSURANCE $239,800 $1,347,370 ----------- ------------- (1) Reinsurance ceded and other includes claims and benefits payable balances that have either been (a) reinsured to third parties, (b) established for claims related expenses whose subsequent payment is not recorded as a paid claim, or (c) reserves established for obligations that would persist even if contracts were cancelled (such as extension of benefits), which cannot be analyzed appropriately under a roll-forward approach. SHORT DURATION CONTRACTS The Company's short duration contracts are comprised of group term life, group disability, medical, dental, and credit life and disability. The principal products and services included in these categories are described in the summary of significant accounting polices. See note 2 for further information. Case and IBNR reserves are developed using actuarial principles and assumptions that consider, among other things, contractual requirements, historical utilization trends and patterns, benefits changes, medical inflation, seasonality, membership, product mix, legislative and regulatory environment, economic factors, disabled life mortality and claim termination rates and other relevant factors. The Company consistently applies the principles and assumptions listed above from year to year, while also giving due consideration to the potential variability of these factors. F-29
Since case and IBNR reserves include estimates developed from various actuarial methods, the Company's actual losses incurred may be more or less than the Company's previously developed estimates. As shown in the table above, if the amounts listed on the line labeled "Incurred losses related to: Prior year" are negative (redundant) this means that the Company's actual losses incurred related to prior years for these lines were less than the estimates previously made by the Company. If the line labeled "Incurred losses related to: Prior year" are positive (deficient) this means that the Company's actual losses incurred related to prior years for these lines were greater than the estimates previously made by the Company. The Group Term Life case and IBNR reserves redundancies in all years are due to actual mortality rates running below those assumed in prior year reserves, and actual recovery rates running higher than those assumed in prior year reserves. Group Disability case and IBNR reserves show redundancies in all years due to actual claim recovery rates exceeding those assumed in prior year reserves. The Company's short duration group disability category includes short and long term disability products. Case and IBNR reserves for long-term disability have been discounted at 5.25%. The December 31, 2009 and 2008 liabilities net of reinsurance include $1,288,589 and $1,334,794, respectively, of such reserves. The amount of discounts deducted from outstanding reserves as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 are $451,267 and $465,786, respectively LONG DURATION CONTRACTS The Company's long duration contracts are comprised of preneed funeral life insurance policies and annuity contracts, life insurance policies (no longer offered), and FFG and LTC disposed businesses. The principal products and services included in these categories are described in the summary of significant accounting polices. See note 2 for further information. PRENEED BUSINESS Interest and discount rates for preneed life insurance vary by year of issuance and product, are based on pricing assumptions and modified to allow for provisions for adverse deviation. During 2009 and 2008, interest and discount rates ranged between 4.7% and 7.3%. Interest and discount rates for traditional life insurance (no longer offered) vary by year of issuance and products and were 7.5% grading to 5.3% over 20 years in 2009 and 2008 with the exception of a block of pre-1980 business which had a level 8.8% discount rate in both 2009 and 2008. Mortality assumptions are based upon pricing assumptions and modified to allow provisions for adverse deviation. Surrender rates vary by product and are based upon pricing assumptions. Future policy benefit increases on preneed life insurance policies ranged from 1.0% to 7.0% in 2009 and 2008. Some policies have future policy benefit increases that are guaranteed or tied to equal some measure of inflation. The inflation assumption for most of these inflation-linked benefits was 3.0% in both 2009 and 2008 with the exception of most policies issued in 2005 and later where the assumption was 2.3%. The reserves for annuities are based on credited interest rates, which vary by year of issue, and ranged from 1.5% to 5.5% in 2009 and 2008. Withdrawal charges, if any, generally range from 7.0% to 0.0% and grade to zero over a period of seven years. FFG AND LTC The reserves for FFG and LTC are included in the Company's reserves in accordance with the insurance guidance, which is within ASC Topic 944. The Company maintains an offsetting reinsurance recoverable related to these reserves. See note 9 for further information. 11. RETIREMENT AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS The Parent sponsors a defined benefit pension plan and certain other post retirement benefits covering employees who meet eligibility requirements as to age and length of service. Plan assets of the defined benefit plans are not specifically identified by each participating subsidiary. Therefore, a breakdown of plan assets is not reflected in these consolidated financial statements. The Company has no legal obligation for benefits under these plans. The benefits are based on years of service and career compensation. The Parent's pension plan funding policy is to contribute amounts to the plan sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirements set forth in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, plus additional amounts as the Parent may determine to be appropriate from time to time up to the maximum permitted, and to charge each subsidiary an allocable amount based on its employee census. Pension costs allocated to the Company amounted to $6,349, $5,327 and $6,902 for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Parent sponsors a defined contribution plan covering substantially all employees. The defined contribution plan provides benefits payable to participants on retirement or disability and to beneficiaries of participants in the event of the participant's death. The amounts expensed by the Company related to this plan were $6,206, $5,927 and $5,853 for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. F-30
With respect to retirement benefits, the Company participates in other health care and life insurance benefit plans (postretirement benefits) for retired employees, sponsored by the Parent. Heath care benefits, either through the Parent's sponsored retiree plan for retirees under age 65 or through a cost offset for individually purchased Medigap policies for retirees over age 65, are available to employees who retire on or after January 1, 1993, at age 55 or older, with 10 years or more service. Life insurance, on a retiree pay all basis, is available to those who retire on or after January 1, 1993. The Company made contributions to the postretirement benefit plans of $1,500, $1,152 and $1,108 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, as claims were incurred. During 2009, 2008 and 2007 the Company incurred expenses related to retirement benefits of $981, $1,284 and $1,522, respectively. 12. DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS Information about deferred policy acquisition costs follows: DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beginning balance $43,020 $50,575 $63,571 Costs deferred 38,608 35,680 33,063 Amortization (43,720) (43,235) (39,724) Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle -- -- (6,335) --------- --------- --------- ENDING BALANCE $37,908 $43,020 $50,575 --------- --------- --------- 13. GOODWILL, VOBA AND INTANGIBLES Information about goodwill is as follows: GOODWILL FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance as of January 1: $156,817 $156,817 $156,817 Impairments* (75,244) -- -- ---------- ----------- ----------- Goodwill 156,817 156,817 156,817 Accumulated impairment losses (75,244) -- -- ---------- ----------- ----------- BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31: $81,573 $156,817 $156,817 ---------- ----------- ----------- * See Notes 2 and 4 for further information. In accordance with ASC Topic 350, goodwill is deemed to have an indefinite life and should not be amortized, but rather must be tested, at least annually, for impairment. In addition, goodwill should be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would "more likely than not" reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its net book value. The goodwill impairment test has two steps. Step 1 of the test identifies potential impairments, by comparing the estimated fair value of the Company to its net book value. If the estimated fair value exceeds its net book value, there is no impairment of goodwill and Step 2 is unnecessary. However, if the net book value exceeds the estimated fair value, then Step 1 is failed, and Step 2 is performed to determine the amount of the potential impairment. Since the Company failed the Step 1 test, we were required to perform a Step 2 test to determine the amount of the potential impairment. Step 2 utilizes acquisition accounting guidance and requires the fair value calculation of all individual assets and liabilities of the Company (excluding goodwill, but including any unrecognized intangible assets). The net fair value of assets less liabilities is then compared to the total estimated fair value as calculated in Step 1. The excess of estimated fair value over the net asset value equals the implied fair value of goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is then compared to the carrying value of goodwill to determine the Company's goodwill impairment. Based on our Step 2 test it was determined that 48% of the goodwill of the Company was impaired, resulting in a non-cash charge of $75,244. This impairment reflects the challenging near term growth environment for the Company and an increased net book value, primarily related to its investment portfolio. Management remains confident in the long-term prospects of the Company. Information about VOBA and intangibles are as follows: VOBA FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, INTANGIBLES FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 2008 2007 2009 2008 2007 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beginning Balance $21,461 $22,816 $26,667 $25,485 $27,273 $29,061 Acquisitions -- 2,088 -- -- -- -- Amortization, net of interest accrued (2,678) (3,443) (3,851) (1,788) (1,788) (1,788) --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ENDING BALANCE $18,783 $21,461 $22,816 $23,697 $25,485 $27,273 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- F-31
As of December 31, 2009, the majority of the outstanding balance of VOBA relates to the Company's preneed business. VOBA in this segment assumes an interest rate ranging from 5.4% to 7.5%. At December 31, 2009 the estimated amortization of VOBA for the next five years and thereafter is as follows: YEAR AMOUNT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2010 $2,086 2011 1,863 2012 1,729 2013 1,550 2014 1,425 Thereafter 10,130 --------- TOTAL $18,783 --------- Intangibles assets that have finite lives, including customer relationships, customer contracts and other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. At December 31, 2009, the estimated amortization of intangibles with finite lives for the next five years is as follows: YEAR AMOUNT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2010 $1,788 2011 1,788 2012 1,788 2013 1,788 2014 1,788 Thereafter 14,757 --------- TOTAL $23,697 --------- 14. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) The Company's components of other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax at December 31 are as follows: ACCUMULATED OTHER UNREALIZED GAINS COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSSES) ON SECURITIES OTTI (LOSS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance at December 31, 2007 $5,696 $ -- $5,696 Activity in 2008 (171,408) -- (171,408) ----------- -------- ----------- Balance at December 31, 2008 (165,712) -- (165,712) ----------- -------- ----------- Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (after-tax) (1) (14,203) (2,221) (16,424) ----------- -------- ----------- Activity in 2009 210,552 6,177 216,729 ----------- -------- ----------- BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2009 $30,637 $3,956 $34,593 ----------- -------- ----------- (1) Related to the adoption of the new OTTI guidance for debt securities. See Notes 3 and 4 for further information. The amounts in the unrealized gains (losses) on securities column are net of reclassification adjustments of $(14,951), $(82,824) and $(13,827), net of tax, in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, for net realized gains (losses) on sales of securities included in net income. The amounts in the OTTI column are net of reclassification adjustments of $(753), net of tax, in 2009, for net realized gains (losses) on sales of securities included in net income. 15. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS The Company receives various services from the Parent and its affiliates. These services include assistance in benefit plan administration, corporate insurance, accounting, tax, auditing, investment, information technology and other administrative functions. The fees paid to the Parent for these services for years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, were $33,398, $28,525 and $27,581, respectively. Net expenses paid to affiliates were $12,986, $25,324 and $26,714, for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. Information technology expenses were $20,309, $22,451and $43,369 for years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Administrative expenses allocated for the Company may be greater or less than the expenses that would be incurred if the Company were operating on its own. In, 2008, the Company assumed the remaining business not already reinsured through an existing, but amended agreement with its affiliate, UFLIC. Later in 2008, Assurant sold UFLIC to IA American Life Insurance Company. The Company has assumed premiums from IA American Life Insurance Company of $8,157 and $9,450 and reserves of $473,088 and $498,663 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 respectively. In 2007, premiums and reserves assumed from UFLIC were $8,146 and $520,904, respectively. F-32
The Company assumes group disability business from its affiliate, Union Security Life Insurance Company of New York ("USLICONY"). The Company assumed $4,777, $7,806 and $6,813 of premiums from USLICONY in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company assumed $30,149, $30,802 and $29,569 of reserves in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, from USLICONY. This agreement between the Company and its affiliate USICONY was discontinued effective January 1st, 2010, for new incurrals. 16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES The Company and its subsidiaries lease office space and equipment under operating lease arrangements. Certain facility leases contain escalation clauses based on increases in the lessors' operating expenses. At December 31, 2009, the aggregate future minimum lease payments under these operating lease agreements that have initial or non-cancelable terms in excess of one year are: 2010 $8,463 2011 7,158 2012 2,196 2013 1,109 2014 503 Thereafter 769 --------- TOTAL MINIMUM FUTURE LEASE PAYMENTS $20,198 --------- Rent expense was $8,760, $7,961 and $8,277 for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company is involved in litigation in the ordinary course of business, both as a defendant and as a plaintiff. The Company may from time to time be subject to a variety of legal and regulatory actions relating to the Company's current and past business operations. While the Company cannot predict the outcome of any pending or future litigation, examination or investigation and although no assurances can be given, the Company does not believe that any pending matter will have a material adverse effect individually or in the aggregate, on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. On January 21, 2010, the SEC filed a civil complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in connection with the previously disclosed SEC investigation into a finite reinsurance arrangement entered into by the Parent. In the complaint, the SEC charged the Parent with violating Sections 13(a), 13(b)(2)(A) and 13(b)(2)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rules 12b-20, 13a-11 and 13a-13 thereunder. As previously disclosed by the Parent in a Current Report on Form 8-K on January 21, 2010, the Parent entered into a settlement with the SEC in which the Parent consented, without admitting or denying the allegations in the complaint, to the entry of a judgment requiring payment of a civil penalty of $3,500 and enjoining the Parent from violating the aforementioned federal securities laws. The court approved the settlement in a final judgment entered on January 25, 2010 and the Parent has paid the penalty. As part of the settlement, the SEC granted permanent relief to the Company, exempting it from limitations on serving as depositor to investment companies under Section 9(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. In the course of implementing procedures for compliance with the new mandatory reporting requirements under the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007, the Parent's Health segment identified a possible ambiguity in the Medicare Secondary Payer Act and related regulations about which the Company has since had a meeting with representatives of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS"). The Parent believes that its historical interpretation and application of such laws and regulations is correct and has requested that CMS issue a written determination to that effect. CMS has not made a determination. The Company does not believe that any loss relating to this issue is probable, nor can the Company make any estimate of any possible loss or range of possible loss associated with this issue. 17. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS On October 1, 2009, the Company acquired, through a reinsurance agreement, a block of business from Shenandoah Life Insurance Company ("Shenandoah"). The Company will assume, on a coinsurance basis, 100% of the group life, disability, dental and vision insurance business in force with Shenandoah. There were no goodwill or intangible assets associated with this agreement. 18. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law. The Company is in the process of evaluating the law's impact on its operations, which may be materially adverse. F-33
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY AT DECEMBER 31, 2009 SCHEDULE I -- SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS OTHER -- THAN -- INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES COST OR AMOUNT AT AMORTIZED FAIR WHICH SHOWN IN COST VALUE BALANCE SHEET (IN THOUSANDS) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES: United States Government and government $2,888 $3,012 $3,012 agencies and authorities States, municipalities and political 58,962 58,394 58,394 subdivisions Foreign governments 34,969 35,128 35,128 Asset-backed 3,782 3,780 3,780 Commercial mortgage-backed 20,369 20,322 20,322 Residential mortgage-backed 122,036 127,529 127,529 Corporate 2,250,259 2,307,698 2,307,698 ------------- ------------- ------------- TOTAL FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES 2,493,265 2,555,863 2,555,863 ------------- ------------- ------------- EQUITY SECURITIES: Non-redeemable preferred stocks 160,510 157,993 157,993 Commercial mortgage loans on real estate, at 772,912 782,922 772,912 amortized cost Policy loans 13,981 13,981 13,981 Short-term investments 70,367 70,367 70,367 Collateral held under securities lending 108,186 106,896 106,896 Other investments 88,736 88,736 88,736 ------------- ------------- ------------- TOTAL INVESTMENTS $3,707,957 $3,776,758 $3,766,748 ------------- ------------- ------------- F-34
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 & 2007 SCHEDULE III -- SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION FUTURE DEFERRED POLICY CLAIMS AND ACQUISITION BENEFITS AND UNEARNED BENEFITS PREMIUM COSTS EXPENSES PREMIUMS PAYABLE REVENUES --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2009 $37,908 $2,675,069 $37,692 $1,751,501 $1,092,512 ------- ---------- -------- ---------- ---------- 2008 $43,020 $2,687,488 $35,962 $1,778,563 $1,173,790 ------- ---------- -------- ---------- ---------- 2007 $50,575 $2,675,363 $40,147 $1,840,353 $1,259,930 ------- ---------- -------- ---------- ---------- BENEFITS AMORTIZATION CLAIMS, LOSSES OF DEFERRED NET AND POLICY OTHER* INVESTMENT SETTLEMENT ACQUISITION OPERATING INCOME EXPENSES COSTS EXPENSES ---------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2009 $216,725 $849,531 $43,720 $418,264 --------- --------- --------- --------- 2008 $238,451 $889,498 $43,235 $357,217 --------- --------- --------- --------- 2007 $286,235 $934,609 $39,724 $386,957 --------- --------- --------- --------- * Includes goodwill impairment and other expenses F-35
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 SCHEDULE IV -- REINSURANCE ASSUMED FROM CEDED TO OTHER OTHER DIRECT AMOUNT COMPANIES COMPANIES (IN THOUSANDS) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LIFE INSURANCE IN FORCE $74,478,037 $14,220,902 $8,661,374 ------------- ------------- ------------ PREMIUMS: Life insurance 314,216 112,043 11,258 Accident and health insurance 843,340 89,845 125,586 ------------- ------------- ------------ TOTAL EARNED PREMIUMS $1,157,556 $201,888 $136,844 ------------- ------------- ------------ BENEFITS: Life insurance $457,403 $290,203 $31,302 Accident and health insurance 678,945 139,858 111,942 ------------- ------------- ------------ TOTAL POLICYHOLDER BENEFITS $1,136,348 $430,061 $143,244 ------------- ------------- ------------ PERCENTAGE OF AMOUNT ASSUMED TO NET NET AMOUNT (IN THOUSANDS) -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- LIFE INSURANCE IN FORCE 68,918,509 12.6% ------------- PREMIUMS: Life insurance 213,431 5.3% Accident and health insurance 879,081 14.3% ------------- TOTAL EARNED PREMIUMS $1,092,512 12.5% ------------- BENEFITS: Life insurance $198,502 15.8% Accident and health insurance 651,029 17.2% ------------- TOTAL POLICYHOLDER BENEFITS $849,531 16.9% ------------- F-36
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008 SCHEDULE IV -- REINSURANCE ASSUMED FROM CEDED TO OTHER OTHER DIRECT AMOUNT COMPANIES COMPANIES (IN THOUSANDS) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LIFE INSURANCE IN FORCE $80,291,791 $14,159,840 $1,734,842 ------------- ------------- ------------ PREMIUMS: Life insurance 350,710 127,910 9,861 Accident and health insurance 901,072 87,337 127,394 ------------- ------------- ------------ TOTAL EARNED PREMIUMS $1,251,782 $215,247 $137,255 ------------- ------------- ------------ BENEFITS: Life insurance $606,408 $439,880 $34,399 Accident and health insurance 666,924 95,127 116,774 ------------- ------------- ------------ TOTAL POLICYHOLDER BENEFITS $1,273,332 $535,007 $151,173 ------------- ------------- ------------ PERCENTAGE OF AMOUNT ASSUMED TO NET NET AMOUNT (IN THOUSANDS) -------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- LIFE INSURANCE IN FORCE $67,866,793 2.6% ------------- PREMIUMS: Life insurance 232,661 4.2% Accident and health insurance 941,129 13.5% ------------- TOTAL EARNED PREMIUMS $1,173,790 11.7% ------------- BENEFITS: Life insurance $200,927 17.1% Accident and health insurance 688,571 17.0% ------------- TOTAL POLICYHOLDER BENEFITS $889,498 17.0% ------------- F-37
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007 SCHEDULE IV -- REINSURANCE ASSUMED FROM CEDED TO OTHER OTHER DIRECT AMOUNT COMPANIES COMPANIES (IN THOUSANDS) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LIFE INSURANCE IN FORCE $84,912,189 $15,365,458 $1,641,309 ------------- ------------- ------------ PREMIUMS: Life insurance 380,188 142,295 11,322 Accident and health insurance 917,129 84,219 177,805 ------------- ------------- ------------ TOTAL EARNED PREMIUMS $1,297,317 $226,514 $189,127 ------------- ------------- ------------ BENEFITS: Life insurance $777,527 $592,582 $32,556 Accident and health insurance 622,418 81,665 176,355 ------------- ------------- ------------ TOTAL POLICYHOLDER BENEFITS $1,399,945 $674,247 $208,911 ------------- ------------- ------------ PERCENTAGE OF AMOUNT ASSUMED TO NET NET AMOUNT (IN THOUSANDS) -------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- LIFE INSURANCE IN FORCE $71,188,040 2.3% ------------- PREMIUMS: Life insurance 249,215 4.5% Accident and health insurance 1,010,715 17.6% ------------- TOTAL EARNED PREMIUMS $1,259,930 15.0% ------------- BENEFITS: Life insurance $217,501 15.0% Accident and health insurance 717,108 24.6% ------------- TOTAL POLICYHOLDER BENEFITS $934,609 22.4% ------------- F-38
UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007 SCHEDULE V -- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS BALANCE AT ADDITIONS BEGINNING OF CHARGED TO CHARGED TO YEAR COSTS AND OTHER EXPENSES ACCOUNTS (IN THOUSANDS) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2009: Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets $7,195 $(390) $3,610 Valuation allowance for mortgage loans on real estate 3,252 5,300 -- Valuation allowance for uncollectible agents balances 4,840 (21) -- --------- ------- ------- TOTAL $15,287 $4,889 $3,610 --------- ------- ------- 2008: Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets $ -- $7,195 $ -- Valuation allowance for mortgage loans on real estate 3,018 234 -- Valuation allowance for uncollectible agents balances 5,622 (424) -- --------- ------- ------- TOTAL $8,640 $7,005 $ -- --------- ------- ------- 2007: Valuation allowance for mortgage loans on real estate $2,706 $319 $ -- Valuation allowance for uncollectible agents balances 6,613 (953) -- --------- ------- ------- TOTAL $9,319 $(634) $ -- --------- ------- ------- BALANCE AT END OF DEDUCTIONS YEAR (IN THOUSANDS) -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 2009: Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets $ -- $10,415 Valuation allowance for mortgage loans on real estate -- 8,552 Valuation allowance for uncollectible agents balances 8 $4,811 ----- --------- TOTAL $8 $23,778 ----- --------- 2008: Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets $ -- $7,195 Valuation allowance for mortgage loans on real estate -- 3,252 Valuation allowance for uncollectible agents balances 358 4,840 ----- --------- TOTAL $358 $15,287 ----- --------- 2007: Valuation allowance for mortgage loans on real estate $7 $3,018 Valuation allowance for uncollectible agents balances 38 5,622 ----- --------- TOTAL $45 $8,640 ----- --------- F-39
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION Not applicable. ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS Union Security's By-Laws provide for indemnity and payment of expenses of Union Security's officers, directors and employees in connection with certain legal proceedings, judgments, and settlements arising by reason of their service as such, all to the extent and in the manner permitted by law. Applicable Kansas law generally permits payment of such indemnification and expenses if the person seeking indemnification has acted in good faith and in a manner that he reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company and if such person has received no improper personal benefit, and in a criminal proceeding, if the person seeking indemnification also has no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. There are agreements in place under which the underwriter and affiliated persons of the Registrant may be indemnified against liabilities arising out of acts or omissions in connection with the offer of the Contracts; provided however, that so such indemnity will be made to the underwriter or affiliated persons of the Registrant for liabilities to which they would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES During the period beginning on December 1, 2008 and ending on the date of effectiveness of this registration statement, the Registrant may be deemed to have inadvertently offered insurance contracts pursuant to registration statements on Form S-1 that were not in full compliance with Rule 415(a)(5) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The affected transactions did not involve the sale of new contracts or the receipt of proceeds from new contract holders by the Registrant, because the Registrant ceased offering contracts on December 31, 2002; rather, they consisted of investment reallocations and additional investments by existing contract holders with respect to certain of the contracts previously offered by the Registrant. The contract holders at all times received all material information relating to the securities in question prior to such transactions, including the complete prospectus from the existing registration statement on file with the Commission. Promptly upon discovery of the technical violation of Rule 415(a)(5), the Registrant filed this registration statement on Form S-1 with the Commission in order to comply with the requirements of Rule 415(a)(5) for a continuous offering. The Registrant has implemented new procedures to ensure compliance with the requirements of Rule 415(a)(5) henceforth.
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION METHOD OF FILING ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 Underwriting Agreement Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the Registration Statement File No. 333-65231, dated April 28, 2009. 3 (a) Restated Articles of Incorporation Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to Registration Statement on Form N-4, File No. 033-63935 filed on November 16, 2009. 3 (b) Restated By-laws Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to Registration Statement on Form N-4, File No. 033-63935 filed on November 16, 2009. 4 Variable Annuity Contract Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement File No. 333-43799 filed with the Commission on April 24, 1998. 5 Opinion re: legality Filed herewith. 21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to Registration Statement File No. 333-79701 filed with the Commission on May 3, 2010. 23 (a) Legal Consent Filed herewith as Exhibit 5. 23 (b) Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Filed herewith. Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 24 Copy of Power of Attorney Filed herewith. ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS (a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: i. To include any Prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; ii. To reflect in the Prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; iii. To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Town of Simsbury, State of Connecticut on this 3rd day of May, 2010. UNION SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY By: John Steven Roberts *By: /s/ Richard J. Wirth ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- John Steven Roberts Richard J. Wirth President and Chief Executive Attorney-In-Fact Officer, Director* Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. S. Craig Lemasters, Director* Christopher J. Pagano, Director* Michael J. Peninger, Chairman of the Board* John Steven Roberts, President and Chief Executive Officer, Director* *By: /s/ Richard J. Wirth ----------------------------------- Sylvia R. Wagner, Director* Richard J. Wirth Miles B. Yakre, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Attorney-in-Fact Officer and Treasurer* Date: May 3, 2010
EXHIBIT INDEX 5 Opinion and Consent of Counsel. 23(a) Legal Consent filed as part of Exhibit 5. 23(b) Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. 24 Copy of Power of Attorney.