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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the period ended March 31, 2005
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
------ -------
Commission File Number 001-31792
Conseco, Inc.
Delaware 75-3108137
---------------------- ------------------------------
State of Incorporation IRS Employer Identification No.
11825 N. Pennsylvania Street
Carmel, Indiana 46032 (317) 817-6100
-------------------------------------- --------------
Address of principal executive offices Telephone
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days: Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act): Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and
reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan
confirmed by a court: Yes [X] No [ ]
Shares of common stock outstanding as of May 2, 2005: 151,057,863
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION Page
----
Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004.................................. 3
Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004................ 5
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004...... 6
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004................ 7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements............................................................. 8
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.............................................. 26
Overview .............................................................................................. 27
Critical Accounting Policies .......................................................................... 27
Risk Factors .......................................................................................... 27
Results of Operations.................................................................................. 28
Premium Collections.................................................................................... 40
Liquidity and Capital Resources........................................................................ 46
Investments............................................................................................ 50
New Accounting Standards .............................................................................. 56
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk ............................................ 56
Item 4. Controls and Procedures................................................................................ 56
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Litigation and Other Legal Proceedings ................................................................ 56
Item 6. Exhibits .............................................................................................. 56
2
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(Dollars in millions)
ASSETS
March 31, December 31,
2005 2004
---- ----
(unaudited)
Investments:
Actively managed fixed maturities at fair value (amortized cost:
March 31, 2005 - $21,723.2; December 31, 2004 - $20,985.8)........................... $21,992.7 $21,599.0
Equity securities at fair value (cost: March 31, 2005 - $62.3;
December 31, 2004 - $62.3)........................................................... 68.1 68.3
Mortgage loans......................................................................... 1,116.9 1,123.8
Policy loans........................................................................... 436.4 448.5
Trading securities..................................................................... 858.5 902.3
Other invested assets ................................................................. 134.3 164.4
--------- ---------
Total investments.................................................................. 24,606.9 24,306.3
Cash and cash equivalents:
Unrestricted........................................................................... 287.4 776.6
Restricted............................................................................. 18.7 18.9
Accrued investment income................................................................. 324.3 308.4
Value of policies in force at the Effective Date.......................................... 2,606.4 2,629.6
Cost of policies produced................................................................. 503.2 409.1
Reinsurance receivables................................................................... 902.4 975.7
Income tax assets......................................................................... 1,017.7 967.2
Assets held in separate accounts.......................................................... 31.0 32.9
Other assets.............................................................................. 403.7 330.8
--------- ---------
Total assets....................................................................... $30,701.7 $30,755.5
========= =========
(continued on next page)
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of the consolidated financial statements.
3
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET, continued
(Dollars in millions)
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
March 31, December 31,
2005 2004
---- ----
(unaudited)
Liabilities:
Liabilities for insurance products:
Interest-sensitive products............................................................ $12,505.7 $12,508.2
Traditional products................................................................... 11,745.7 11,741.3
Claims payable and other policyholder funds............................................ 884.9 879.8
Liabilities related to separate accounts............................................... 31.0 32.9
Other liabilities........................................................................ 553.4 498.3
Investment borrowings.................................................................... 427.7 433.9
Notes payable - direct corporate obligations............................................. 758.4 758.9
--------- ---------
Total liabilities.................................................................. 26,906.8 26,853.3
--------- ---------
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock.......................................................................... 667.8 667.8
Common stock ($0.01 par value, 8,000,000,000 shares authorized, shares issued
and outstanding: March 31, 2005 - 151,057,863; December 31, 2004 - 151,057,863)........ 1.5 1.5
Additional paid-in capital............................................................... 2,600.1 2,597.8
Accumulated other comprehensive income................................................... 155.4 337.3
Retained earnings........................................................................ 370.1 297.8
--------- ---------
Total shareholders' equity......................................................... 3,794.9 3,902.2
--------- ---------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity......................................... $30,701.7 $30,755.5
========= =========
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of the consolidated financial statements.
4
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
(unaudited)
Three months ended
March 31,
-----------------------
2005 2004
---- ----
Revenues:
Insurance policy income............................................................. $ 727.7 $ 748.4
Net investment income (loss):
General account assets............................................................ 337.8 312.0
Policyholder and reinsurer accounts............................................... (23.3) 15.7
Net realized investment gains..................................................... 1.6 27.1
Fee revenue and other income........................................................ 4.2 7.4
-------- --------
Total revenues.................................................................. 1,048.0 1,110.6
-------- --------
Benefits and expenses:
Insurance policy benefits........................................................... 671.0 719.7
Interest expense.................................................................... 14.7 29.1
Amortization........................................................................ 94.7 98.2
Other operating costs and expenses.................................................. 140.4 151.2
-------- --------
Total benefits and expenses..................................................... 920.8 998.2
-------- --------
Income before income taxes...................................................... 127.2 112.4
Income tax expense on period income.................................................... 45.4 39.6
-------- --------
Net income...................................................................... 81.8 72.8
Preferred stock dividends.............................................................. 9.5 22.9
-------- --------
Net income applicable to common stock........................................... $ 72.3 $ 49.9
======== ========
Earnings per common share:
Basic:
Weighted average shares outstanding............................................... 151,058,000 100,116,000
=========== ===========
Net income........................................................................ $.48 $.50
==== ====
Diluted:
Weighted average shares outstanding............................................... 186,764,000 100,588,000
=========== ===========
Net income........................................................................ $.44 $.50
==== ====
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of the consolidated financial statements.
5
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
Common stock Accumulated other
Preferred and additional comprehensive Retained
Total stock paid-in capital income earnings
----- ----- --------------- ------ --------
Balance, January 1, 2005............................. $3,902.2 $667.8 $2,599.3 $337.3 $297.8
Comprehensive income, net of tax:
Net income...................................... 81.8 - - - 81.8
Change in unrealized appreciation of
investments (net of applicable income tax
benefit of $101.8)............................ (181.9) - - (181.9) -
--------
Total comprehensive loss.................... (100.1)
Stock option and restricted stock plans......... 2.3 - 2.3 - -
Dividends on preferred stock.................... (9.5) - - - (9.5)
-------- ------ -------- ------ ------
Balance, March 31, 2005.............................. $3,794.9 $667.8 $2,601.6 $155.4 $370.1
======== ====== ======== ====== ======
Balance, January 1, 2004............................. $2,817.6 $887.5 $1,642.9 $218.7 $ 68.5
Comprehensive income, net of tax:
Net income...................................... 72.8 - - - 72.8
Change in unrealized appreciation
of investments (net of applicable income tax
expense of $140.5)............................ 252.0 - - 252.0 -
--------
Total comprehensive income.................. 324.8
Stock option and restricted stock plans......... 4.5 - 4.5 - -
Payment-in-kind dividends on convertible
exchangeable preferred stock.................. 22.9 22.9 - - -
Dividends on preferred stock.................... (22.9) - - - (22.9)
-------- ------ -------- ------ ------
Balance, March 31, 2004.............................. $3,146.9 $910.4 $1,647.4 $470.7 $118.4
======== ====== ======== ====== ======
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of the consolidated financial statements.
6
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
Three months ended
March 31,
----------------------
2005 2004
---- ----
Cash flows from operating activities:
Insurance policy income............................................................... $ 635.3 $ 649.6
Net investment income................................................................. 348.6 358.8
Fee revenue and other income.......................................................... 4.2 7.4
Net sales (purchases) of trading securities........................................... 26.1 (1.6)
Insurance policy benefits............................................................. (450.6) (542.1)
Interest expense...................................................................... (11.6) (25.5)
Policy acquisition costs.............................................................. (107.2) (89.8)
Other operating costs................................................................. (153.0) (159.1)
Taxes................................................................................. 5.9 12.9
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities........................................... 297.7 210.6
--------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Sales of investments.................................................................. 3,148.0 2,324.0
Maturities and redemptions of investments............................................. 320.6 634.3
Purchases of investments.............................................................. (4,183.8) (3,395.5)
Change in restricted cash............................................................. .2 16.4
Other................................................................................. (4.8) 4.3
--------- ---------
Net cash used by investing activities .............................................. (719.8) (416.5)
--------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on notes payable............................................................. (.9) -
Amounts received for deposit products................................................. 402.1 359.6
Withdrawals from deposit products..................................................... (452.6) (453.7)
Investment borrowings................................................................. (6.2) 73.9
Dividends paid on preferred stock..................................................... (9.5) -
Other................................................................................. - (3.6)
--------- ---------
Net cash used by financing activities............................................. (67.1) (23.8)
--------- ---------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents......................................... (489.2) (229.7)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period........................................... 776.6 1,228.7
--------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period................................................. $ 287.4 $ 999.0
========= =========
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of the consolidated financial statements.
7
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
-------------------
The following notes should be read together with the notes to the
consolidated financial statements included in the 2004 Form 10-K of Conseco,
Inc.
Conseco, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("CNO"), is a holding company for a
group of insurance companies operating throughout the United States that
develop, market and administer supplemental health insurance, annuity,
individual life insurance and other insurance products. CNO is the successor to
Conseco, Inc., an Indiana corporation ("Old Conseco" or our "Predecessor"), in
connection with its bankruptcy reorganization which became effective on
September 10, 2003 (the "Effective Date"). The terms "Conseco", the "Company",
"we", "us", and "our" as used in this report refer to CNO and its subsidiaries
and, unless the context requires otherwise, Old Conseco and its subsidiaries. We
focus on serving the senior and middle-income markets, which we believe are
attractive, high growth markets. We sell our products through three distribution
channels: career agents, professional independent producers (some of whom sell
one or more of our product lines exclusively) and direct marketing.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Our unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect normal recurring
adjustments that are necessary for a fair statement of our financial position
and results of operations on a basis consistent with that of our prior audited
consolidated financial statements. As permitted by rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") applicable to quarterly reports
on Form 10-Q, we have condensed or omitted certain information and disclosures
normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). We have also reclassified certain
amounts from the prior periods to conform to the 2005 presentation. These
reclassifications have no effect on net income or shareholders' equity. Results
for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be
expected for a full year.
The balance sheet at December 31, 2004, presented herein, has been derived
from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of
the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.
When we prepare financial statements in conformity with GAAP, we are
required to make estimates and assumptions that significantly affect various
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent
assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and
expenses during the reporting periods. For example, we use significant estimates
and assumptions in calculating values for the cost of policies produced, the
value of policies in force at the Effective Date, certain investments, assets
and liabilities related to income taxes, liabilities for insurance and asset
accumulation products, liabilities related to litigation, guaranty fund
assessment accruals and amounts recoverable from loans to certain former
directors and former employees. If our future experience differs from these
estimates and assumptions, our financial statements would be materially
affected.
Our consolidated financial statements exclude the results of material
transactions between us and our consolidated affiliates, or among our
consolidated affiliates.
ACCOUNTING FOR INVESTMENTS
We classify our fixed maturity securities into three categories: (i)
"actively managed" (which we carry at estimated fair value with any unrealized
gain or loss, net of tax and related adjustments, recorded as a component of
shareholders' equity); (ii) "trading" (which we carry at estimated fair value
with changes in such value recognized as trading income); and (iii) "held to
maturity" (which we carry at amortized cost). We had no fixed maturity
securities classified as held to maturity during the periods presented in these
financial statements.
Our trading security accounts are designed to act as hedges for embedded
derivatives related to our equity-indexed annuity products and certain modified
coinsurance agreements. See the note entitled "Accounting for Derivatives" for
further discussion regarding the embedded derivatives and the trading accounts.
In addition, the trading account includes investments backing the market
strategies of our multibucket annuity products. The change in market value of
these securities is substantially offset by the change in insurance policy
benefits for these products. Our trading securities totaled $858.5 million and
$902.3 million at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. The change
in the market value of these securities is recognized currently in investment
income (classified as income from policyholder and reinsurer accounts).
8
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
-------------------
Accumulated other comprehensive income is comprised of the net effect of
unrealized appreciation on our investments. These amounts, included in
shareholders' equity as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, were as follows
(dollars in millions):
March 31, December 31,
2005 2004
---- ----
Net unrealized appreciation on investments............................................ $279.5 $ 621.6
Adjustment to value of policies inforce at the Effective Date......................... (33.9) (85.7)
Adjustment to cost of policies produced............................................... (3.6) (10.2)
Deferred income tax liability......................................................... (86.6) (188.4)
------ -------
Accumulated other comprehensive income........................................... $155.4 $ 337.3
====== =======
AMORTIZATION OF THE VALUE OF POLICIES INFORCE AT THE EFFECTIVE DATE
The value assigned to the right to receive future cash flows from contracts
existing at August 31, 2003 (the effective date of the reorganization of our
Predecessor) is referred to as the value of policies inforce as of the Effective
Date. We also defer renewal commissions paid in excess of ultimate commission
levels related to the existing policies in this account. For universal life or
investment products, we amortize these costs using the interest rate credited to
the underlying policies in relation to the established gross profits. For other
products, we amortize these costs using the projected investment earnings rate
in relation to future anticipated premium revenue.
When we realize a gain or loss on investments backing our universal life or
investment-type products, we adjust the amortization to reflect the change in
estimated gross profits from the products due to the gain or loss realized and
the effect of the event on future investment yields. We also adjust the value of
policies inforce at the Effective Date for the change in amortization that would
have been recorded if actively managed fixed maturity securities had been sold
at their stated aggregate fair value and the proceeds reinvested at current
yields. We included the impact of this adjustment in accumulated other
comprehensive income within shareholders' equity.
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 97
"Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Long-Duration
Contracts and Realized Gains and Losses from the Sale of Investments" ("SFAS
97"), we are required to amortize the value of policies inforce in relation to
estimated gross profits for universal life-type products and investment-type
products. SFAS 97 also requires that estimates of expected gross profits used as
a basis for amortization be evaluated regularly, and that the total amortization
recorded to date be adjusted by a charge or credit to the statement of
operations, if actual experience or other evidence suggests that earlier
estimates should be revised.
9
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
-------------------
EARNINGS PER SHARE
A reconciliation of net income and shares used to calculate basic and
diluted earnings per share is as follows (dollars in millions and shares in
thousands):
Three months ended
March 31,
-----------------------
2005 2004
---- ----
Net income................................................................................... $81.8 $ 72.8
Preferred stock dividends.................................................................... (9.5) (22.9)
----- -------
Net income applicable to common stock
for basic earnings per share.......................................................... 72.3 49.9
Effect of dilutive securities:
Preferred stock dividends................................................................. 9.5 -
----- -------
Net income applicable to common stock and assumed conversions for diluted earnings
per share............................................................................. $81.8 $49.9
===== =====
Shares:
Weighted average shares outstanding
for basic earnings per share............................................................ 151,058 100,116
------- -------
Effect of dilutive securities on weighted average shares:
Class B mandatorily convertible preferred stock......................................... 35,027 -
Stock option and restricted stock plans................................................. 679 472
------- -------
Dilutive potential common shares........................................................ 35,706 472
------- -------
Weighted average shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share........................ 186,764 100,588
======= =======
For the three months ended March 31, 2004, equivalent common shares of 44.2
million related to the assumed conversion of convertible exchangeable preferred
stock (which was redeemed in the second quarter of 2004) were not included in
the computation of diluted earnings per share because doing so would have been
antidilutive.
Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing income applicable
to common stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for
the period. Restricted shares are not included in basic earnings per share until
vested. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could
occur if outstanding stock options were exercised and restricted stock was
vested. The dilution from options and restricted shares is calculated using the
treasury stock method. Under this method we assume the proceeds from the
exercise of the options (or the unrecognized compensation expense with respect
to restricted stock) will be used to purchase shares of our common stock at the
average market price during the period, reducing the dilutive effect of the
exercise of the options (or the vesting of the restricted stock).
10
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
-------------------
ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK OPTIONS
We measure compensation cost for our stock option plans using the intrinsic
value method pursuant to Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting
for Stock Issued to Employees" and related interpretations ("APB 25"). Under
this method, compensation cost is recorded when the quoted market price at the
grant date exceeds the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock. When
the Company issues employee stock options with the exercise price equal to or
greater than the market price of our stock on the grant date, no compensation
cost is recorded. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS 123") and Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
- - Transition and Disclosure" ("SFAS 148") require disclosures of the pro forma
effects of using the fair value method of accounting for stock options.
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004) "Share-Based
Payment" ("SFAS 123R"), which revises SFAS 123 and supersedes APB 25. SFAS 123R
provides additional guidance on accounting for share-based payments and will
require all such awards to be measured at fair value with the related
compensation cost recognized in the statement of operations over the related
service period. In April 2005, the SEC delayed the implementation date of SFAS
123R. Conseco will implement SFAS 123R using the modified prospective method on
January 1, 2006. Under this method, the Company will begin recognizing
compensation cost for all awards granted, modified, repurchased or cancelled on
and after January 1, 2006. In addition, we will be required to recognize
compensation cost over the remaining vesting period for the portion of
outstanding awards that are not vested as of January 1, 2006. SFAS 123R also
requires the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation
cost to be reported as a financing cash flow rather than as an operating cash
flow, as currently required. The aggregate value of unvested options at March
31, 2005, as determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation model at the
date of grant, was $12.9 million, of which $9.0 million will be recognized as
compensation cost over the remaining vesting period after January 1, 2006. If
compensation cost had been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates
for all awards issued after the Effective Date, the Company's pro forma net
income and pro forma earnings per share would have been as follows (dollars in
millions, except per share amounts):
Three months ended
March 31,
----------------------
2005 2004
---- ----
Net income, as reported ................................................................. $81.8 $72.8
Less stock-based employee compensation expense determined
under the fair value method for all awards, net of
income taxes........................................................................ .6 .3
----- -----
Pro forma net income..................................................................... $81.2 $72.5
===== =====
Earnings per share:
Basic, as reported.................................................................. $.48 $.50
Basic, pro forma .................................................................. .47 .50
Diluted, as reported................................................................ $.44 $.50
Diluted, pro forma.................................................................. .43 .49
11
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
-------------------
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
We manage our business through the following: two primary operating
segments, Bankers Life and Conseco Insurance Group, which are defined on the
basis of product distribution; a third segment comprised of other business in
run-off; and corporate operations, which consists of holding company activities
and certain noninsurance businesses.
Operating information by segment was as follows (dollars in millions):
Three months ended
March 31,
-----------------------
2005 2004
---- ----
Revenues:
Bankers Life:
Insurance policy income:
Annuities.................................................................... $ 12.3 $ 12.2
Supplemental health.......................................................... 301.7 292.4
Life......................................................................... 42.2 37.7
Other........................................................................ 3.1 2.8
Net investment income (a)......................................................... 113.5 99.1
Fee revenue and other income (a).................................................. .6 .3
Net realized investment gains (a)................................................. 2.0 11.0
-------- --------
Total Bankers Life revenues.............................................. 475.4 455.5
-------- --------
Conseco Insurance Group:
Insurance policy income:
Annuities.................................................................... 5.6 5.4
Supplemental health.......................................................... 171.6 186.3
Life......................................................................... 96.2 103.8
Other........................................................................ 3.5 4.5
Net investment income (a)......................................................... 157.3 188.1
Fee revenue and other income (a).................................................. .5 1.8
Net realized investment gains (losses) (a)........................................ (2.5) 16.2
-------- --------
Total Conseco Insurance Group
revenues............................................................. 432.2 506.1
-------- --------
Other Business in Run-Off:
Insurance policy income - supplemental health..................................... 91.5 103.3
Net investment income (a)......................................................... 43.2 40.3
Fee revenue and other income (a).................................................. .1 .3
Net realized investment gains (a)................................................. 2.1 2.7
-------- --------
Total Other Business in Run-Off
revenues............................................................. 136.9 146.6
-------- --------
Corporate:
Net investment income............................................................. .5 .2
Fee and other income.............................................................. 3.0 5.0
Net realized investment losses.................................................... - (2.8)
-------- --------
Total corporate revenues................................................. 3.5 2.4
-------- --------
Total revenues........................................................... 1,048.0 1,110.6
-------- --------
(continued on next page)
12
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
-------------------
(continued from previous page)
Three months ended
March 31,
----------------------
2005 2004
---- ----
Expenses:
Bankers Life:
Insurance policy benefits........................................................ $329.4 $306.5
Amortization..................................................................... 46.9 45.7
Interest expense on investment borrowings........................................ .7 .4
Other operating costs and expenses............................................... 37.7 35.5
------ ------
Total Bankers Life expenses................................................. 414.7 388.1
------ ------
Conseco Insurance Group:
Insurance policy benefits........................................................ 255.1 311.9
Amortization..................................................................... 42.0 47.7
Interest expense on investment borrowings........................................ 2.0 .9
Other operating costs and expenses............................................... 69.6 76.3
------ ------
Total Conseco Insurance Group expenses...................................... 368.7 436.8
------ ------
Other Business in Run-Off:
Insurance policy benefits........................................................ 86.5 101.3
Amortization..................................................................... 5.8 4.8
Other operating costs and expenses............................................... 21.0 22.9
------ ------
Total Other Business in Run-Off expenses.................................... 113.3 129.0
------ ------
Corporate:
Interest expense on corporate debt............................................... 12.0 27.8
Other operating costs and expenses............................................... 12.1 16.5
------- ------
Total corporate expenses.................................................... 24.1 44.3
------- ------
Total expenses.............................................................. 920.8 998.2
------ ------
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Bankers Life................................................................ 60.7 67.4
Conseco Insurance Group..................................................... 63.5 69.3
Other Business in Run-Off................................................... 23.6 17.6
Corporate operations........................................................ (20.6) (41.9)
------ ------
Income before income taxes.............................................. $127.2 $112.4
====== ======
- -------------------
(a) It is not practicable to provide additional components of revenue by
product or services.
13
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
-------------------
ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVES
Our equity-indexed annuity products provide a guaranteed base rate of
return and a higher potential return linked to the performance of a particular
index, such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Index ("S&P 500 Index") based on a
percentage (the "participation rate") over an annual period. At the beginning of
each policy year, a new index period begins. We are able to change the
participation rate at the beginning of each index period, subject to contractual
minimums. We buy one-year call options on the applicable indices in an effort to
hedge potential increases to policyholder benefits resulting from increases in
the particular index to which the product's return is linked. We include the
cost of the options in the pricing of these products. Policyholder account
balances for these annuities fluctuate in relation to changes in the values of
these options. We reflect changes in the estimated market value of these options
in net investment income (classified as investment income from policyholder
accounts). Option costs that are attributable to benefits provided were $10.2
million and $12.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004,
respectively. These costs are reflected in the change in market value of the
options included in investment income. Net investment income (loss) related to
equity-indexed products before this expense was $(5.8) million and $17.5 million
in the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. These amounts
were substantially offset by the corresponding charge to insurance policy
benefits. The estimated fair value of the options was $41.2 million and $50.4
million at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. We classify these
instruments as other invested assets.
The Company accounts for the options attributed to the policyholder for the
estimated life of the annuity contract as embedded derivatives as defined by
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities", as amended by Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 137, "Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB Statement
No. 133" and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 138, "Accounting
for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities" (collectively
referred to as "SFAS 138"). We record the changes in the fair values of the
embedded derivatives in current earnings as a component of policyholder
benefits. The fair value of these derivatives, which are classified as
"liabilities for interest-sensitive products", was $215.9 million and $236.7
million at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. We have
transferred a specified block of investments which are equal to the balance of
these liabilities to our trading securities account, which we carry at estimated
fair value with changes in such value recognized as investment income
(classified as investment income from policyholder accounts). The change in
value of these trading securities should largely offset the portion of the
change in the value of the embedded derivative that is caused by interest rate
fluctuations.
If the counterparties for the derivatives we hold fail to meet their
obligations, we may have to recognize a loss. We limit our exposure to such a
loss by diversifying among several counterparties believed to be strong and
creditworthy. At March 31, 2005, all of our counterparties were rated "A" or
higher by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P").
Certain of our reinsurance payable balances contain embedded derivatives as
defined in SFAS No. 133 Implementation Issue No. B36, "Embedded Derivatives:
Modified Coinsurance Arrangements and Debt Instruments that Incorporate Credit
Risk Exposures that are Unrelated or Only Partially Related to the
Creditworthiness of the Obligor of Those Instruments". Such derivatives had an
estimated fair value of $25.5 million and $32.1 million at March 31, 2005 and
December 31, 2004, respectively. We record the change in the fair value of these
derivatives as a component of investment income (classified as investment income
from policyholder and reinsurer accounts). We have transferred the specific
block of investments related to these agreements to our trading securities
account, which we carry at estimated fair value with changes in such value
recognized as investment income (also classified as investment income from
reinsurer accounts). The change in value of these trading securities should
largely offset the change in value of the embedded derivatives.
GUARANTEES
We hold bank loans made to certain former directors and employees that
enabled them to purchase common stock of Old Conseco. These loans, with a
principal amount of $481.3 million, had been guaranteed by our Predecessor. We
received all rights to collect the balances due pursuant to the original terms
of these loans. In addition, we hold loans to participants for interest on the
bank loans which exceed $260 million. The former bank loans and the interest
loans are collectively referred to as the "D&O loans." We regularly evaluate the
collectibility of these loans in light of the collateral we hold, the credit
worthiness of the participants and the current status of various legal actions
we have taken to collect the D&O loans. At March 31, 2005, we have estimated
that approximately $43 million of the D&O loan balance (which is included in
other
14
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
-------------------
assets) is collectible (net of the cost of collection). An allowance has been
established to reduce the recorded balance of the D&O loans to this balance.
Pursuant to the settlement that was reached with the Official Committee of
the Trust Originated Preferred Securities ("TOPrS") Holders and the Official
Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Plan, the former holders of TOPrS
(issued by Old Conseco's subsidiary trusts and eliminated in our reorganization)
who did not opt out of the bankruptcy settlement, will be entitled to receive 45
percent of any net proceeds from the collection of certain D&O loans in an
aggregate amount not to exceed $30 million. We have established a liability of
$19 million (which is included in other liabilities), representing our estimate
of the amount which will be paid to the former holders of TOPrS pursuant to the
settlement.
In accordance with the terms of the employment agreements of two of the
Company's former chief executive officers, certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of
the Company are the guarantors of the former executives' nonqualified
supplemental retirement benefits. The liability for such benefits at March 31,
2005 and December 31, 2004 was $24.6 million and $22.0 million, respectively,
and is included in the caption "Other liabilities" in the consolidated balance
sheet.
REINSURANCE
The cost of reinsurance ceded totaled $60.6 million and $64.7 million in
the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. We deduct this
cost from insurance policy income. In each case, the ceding Conseco subsidiary
is contingently liable for claims reinsured if the assuming company is unable to
pay. Reinsurance recoveries netted against insurance policy benefits totaled
$71.9 million and $82.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2005 and
2004, respectively.
From time-to-time, we assume insurance from other companies. Any costs
associated with the assumption of insurance are amortized consistent with the
method used to amortize the cost of policies produced. Reinsurance premiums
assumed totaled $14.3 million and $18.2 million in the three months ended March
31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
See the note entitled "Accounting for Derivatives" for a discussion of the
derivatives embedded in the payable related to certain modified coinsurance
agreements.
INCOME TAXES
The components of income tax expense were as follows (dollars in millions):
Three months ended
March 31,
-----------------------
2005 2004
---- ----
Current tax provision.................................................................... $ - $ 1.8
Deferred tax provision................................................................... 45.4 37.8
----- -----
Income tax expense on period income............................................. $45.4 $39.6
===== =====
15
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
-------------------
A reconciliation of the U.S. statutory corporate tax rate to the effective
rate reflected in the consolidated statement of operations is as follows:
Three months ended
March 31,
-----------------------
2005 2004
---- ----
U.S. statutory corporate rate........................................................ 35.0% 35.0%
Other nondeductible expenses......................................................... .6 .3
State taxes.......................................................................... .5 .4
Provision for tax issues and other................................................... (.4) (.5)
---- ----
Effective tax rate.......................................................... 35.7% 35.2%
==== ====
The components of the Company's income tax assets and liabilities were as
follows (dollars in millions):
March 31, December 31,
2005 2004
---- ----
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards:
Portion attributable to worthless investment in Conseco Finance Corp........... $ 1,452.4 $ 1,452.4
Other.......................................................................... 107.8 99.9
Capital loss carryforwards........................................................ 375.2 388.6
Deductible temporary differences:
Insurance liabilities.......................................................... 1,547.0 1,598.0
Reserve for loss on loan guarantees............................................ 207.3 207.3
--------- ---------
Gross deferred tax assets.................................................... 3,689.7 3,746.2
--------- ---------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Actively managed fixed maturities.............................................. (55.4) (79.7)
Value of policies in force at the Effective Date and cost of policies produced. (735.2) (732.1)
Unrealized appreciation of investments......................................... (86.6) (188.4)
Other.......................................................................... (179.3) (169.4)
--------- ---------
Gross deferred tax liabilities............................................... (1,056.5) (1,169.6)
--------- ---------
Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance........................... 2,633.2 2,576.6
Valuation allowance................................................................... (1,629.6) (1,629.6)
--------- ---------
Net deferred tax assets...................................................... 1,003.6 947.0
Current income taxes prepaid.......................................................... 14.1 20.2
--------- ---------
Net income tax assets........................................................ $ 1,017.7 $ 967.2
========= =========
Conseco and its affiliates are currently under examination by the Internal
Revenue Service (the "IRS") for tax years ending December 31, 2002 through
December 31, 2003. The outcome of this examination is not expected to have a
material adverse affect on our operating results, but may result in utilization
or adjustment of the income tax loss carryforwards reported below, and is
expected to resolve the Section 382 limitation and the life insurance limitation
issues more fully discussed below.
Our income tax expense includes deferred income taxes arising from
temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets
and liabilities, capital loss carryforwards and net operating loss
carryforwards. The net
16
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
-------------------
deferred tax assets before valuation allowance totaled $2.6 billion at March 31,
2005. In evaluating our deferred income tax assets, we consider whether it is
more likely than not that the deferred income tax assets will be realized. The
ultimate realization of our deferred income tax assets depends upon generating
future taxable income during the periods in which our temporary differences
become deductible and before our capital loss carryforwards and net operating
loss carryforwards expire. In addition, the use of the Company's net ordinary
loss carryforwards is dependent, in part, on whether the IRS ultimately agrees
with the tax position we have taken and plan to take in our current and future
tax returns. We evaluate the realizability of our deferred income tax assets and
assess the need for a valuation allowance on an ongoing basis.
As of March 31, 2005, we believe that it is necessary to have a valuation
allowance on a portion of our deferred tax assets. This determination was made
by evaluating each component of the deferred tax assets and assessing the
effects of limitations or issues on such component's ability to be fully
recognized in the future. Two significant issues include whether section 382 of
the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") applies to limit the net operating losses
related to our previous subsidiary, Conseco Finance Corp. ("CFC"), and whether
such net operating losses are eligible to offset life insurance income without
limitation. We intend to maintain a sufficient valuation allowance against our
deferred tax assets until objective evidence exists to further reduce or
eliminate it.
Based upon our projections of future income that we completed in early
2005, we believe that we will more likely than not recover $1,003.6 million of
our deferred tax assets through reductions of our tax liabilities in future
periods. However, recovery is dependent on achieving our projections of future
taxable income, and failure to do so would result in an increase in the
valuation allowance in a future period. Any future increase in the valuation
allowance would result in additional income tax expense and reduce shareholders'
equity, and such an increase could have a significant impact upon our earnings
in the future. There was no change in our valuation allowance during the first
quarter of 2005.
As of March 31, 2005, we had $4.5 billion of net operating loss
carryforwards and $1.1 billion of capital loss carryforwards (including the loss
resulting from the worthlessness of CFC discussed below), which expire as
follows (dollars in millions):
Operating loss carryforwards Capital loss carryforwards
--------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Year of expiration Subject to section 382 Not subject to section 382 Subject to section 382 Not subject to section 382
------------------ ---------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------- --------------------------
2005...................... $ .2 $ - $ - $ -
2006...................... .1 - - -
2007...................... 5.8 - 454.2 -
2008 ..................... .1 - 583.7 -
2009...................... 10.5 - - 34.1
2010...................... 3.5 - - -
2011...................... .5 - - -
2016...................... 29.2 - - -
2017...................... 51.1 - - -
2018...................... 53.9 4,182.3 (a) - -
2019...................... .7 - - -
2020...................... 2.5 22.8 - -
2022...................... .6 - - -
2023...................... 84.0 - - -
2024...................... - 10.0 - -
------ -------- -------- -----
Total...................... $242.7 $4,215.1 $1,037.9 $34.1
====== ======== ======== =====
- -------------
(a) We have taken the position in our tax returns that the $4.1 billion tax
loss on the worthlessness of CFC included in this amount will not be
subject to Section 382 of the Code. Although we believe our position is
consistent with the Code, it is subject to interpretation and remains an
uncertainty with respect to the future utilization of this operating loss
carryforward. If the IRS disagrees with our position, the $4.1 billion tax
loss would be subject to Section 382 of the Code and the maximum
carryforward that could be utilized would be $2.7 billion (subject to our
ability to generate sufficient future taxable income in the relevant
carryforward period). See additional discussion below.
17
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
-------------------
The timing and manner in which we will utilize the net operating loss
carryforwards and capital loss carryforwards in any year or in total may be
limited by various provisions of the Code (and interpretation thereof) and our
ability to generate sufficient future taxable income in the relevant
carryforward period.
The following paragraphs summarize some of the unresolved limitations and
contingencies which exist with respect to the future utilization of our net
operating loss carryforwards, which will cause a reassessment of the need for a
major portion of the valuation allowance when resolved.
The Code limits the extent to which losses realized by a non-life entity
(or entities) may offset income from a life insurance company (or companies) to
the lesser of: (i) 35 percent of the income of the life insurance company; or
(ii) 35 percent of the total loss of the non-life entities. There is no
limitation on the ability to utilize net operating losses generated by a life
insurance company. Subsequent to our emergence from bankruptcy, we reorganized
certain of our subsidiaries to improve their capital position. As a result of
the reorganization, the loss related to CFC was realized by a life insurance
company. Accordingly, we believe the loss should be treated as a life insurance
loss and would not be subject to the Code limitations described above. However,
if the IRS were to disagree with our conclusion and such determination
ultimately prevailed, the loss related to CFC would be subject to such
limitation. The IRS has informed the Company that it will address this matter
during its examination of our tax returns for calendar years 2002-2003.
The timing and manner in which the Company will be able to utilize some or
all of its net operating loss carryforwards may be limited by Section 382 of the
Code. Section 382 imposes limitations on a corporation's ability to use its net
operating loss carryforwards when the company undergoes an ownership change.
Because the Company underwent an ownership change pursuant to its
reorganization, this limitation applies to the Company. In order to determine
the amount of this limitation, we must determine the amount of our net operating
loss carryforwards related to the period prior to our emergence from bankruptcy
(such amount will be subject to the 382 limitation) and the amount related to
the period after emergence (such amount will not be subject to the 382
limitation). When the Company filed its 2003 federal income tax return, it
elected to specifically identify transactions in each period and record them in
the period they actually occurred. As a result, we believe the loss related to
CFC will be treated as post emergence and therefore not subject to the Section
382 limitation. Any losses that are subject to the Section 382 limitation will
only be utilized by the Company up to approximately $140 million per year with
any unused amounts carried forward to the following year. The IRS has informed
the Company that it will address this matter during its examination of our tax
returns for calendar years 2002-2003.
NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS
The following notes payable were direct corporate obligations of the
Company as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 (dollars in millions):
March 31, December 31,
2005 2004
---- ----
$800.0 million secured credit agreement ("Credit Facility")............................. $767.1 $768.0
Unamortized issuance costs.............................................................. (8.7) (9.1)
------ ------
Direct corporate obligations....................................................... $758.4 $758.9
====== ======
On June 22, 2004, we entered into the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility
is a six-year term loan, the proceeds of which were used: (i) to refinance in
full all indebtedness, including accrued interest, under the $1.3 billion credit
agreement (the "Previous Credit Facility"); (ii) to repurchase $106.6 million of
certain affiliated preferred stock; and (iii) for other general corporate
purposes.
We are required to make: (i) a principal payment of $1.1 million on
December 31, 2005; and (ii) quarterly principal payments of $2.0 million
commencing March 31, 2006, and continuing until March 31, 2010. The remaining
principal balance is due on June 22, 2010. The Company made an optional
prepayment of $28.0 million in December 2004. The Company made a mandatory
prepayment of $.9 million (after consideration of the $28.0 million prepayment)
on March 31, 2005, based on the Company's excess cash flows at December 31,
2004, as defined in the Credit Facility. The borrowing bears interest, payable
at least quarterly, based on either a eurodollar rate or a base rate. The
eurodollar rate is equal to
18
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
-------------------
LIBOR plus 3.5 percent. The base rate is equal to 2.5 percent plus the greater
of: (i) the Federal funds rate plus .50 percent; or (ii) Bank of America's prime
rate. On March 31, 2005, the interest rate on our Credit Facility was 6.35
percent.
Pursuant to the Credit Facility, as long as the interest coverage ratio (as
defined in the Credit Facility) is less than 4.0:1.0, the Company is required to
make mandatory prepayments with all or a portion of the proceeds from the
following transactions or events including: (i) the issuance of certain
indebtedness; (ii) equity issuances; (iii) certain asset sales or casualty
events; and (iv) excess cash flows as defined in the Credit Facility. The
Company may make optional prepayments at any time in minimum amounts of $3.0
million. In the event that the Company refinances or otherwise repays in full
the Credit Facility prior to June 22, 2005, we will incur a one percent
prepayment fee on the remaining principal balance of the Credit Facility.
The Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain various financial
ratios and balances, as defined in the agreement, including: (i) a debt to total
capitalization ratio of not more than 25 percent at all times (such ratio was 17
percent at March 31, 2005); (ii) an interest coverage ratio greater than or
equal to 2.0:1.0 for each rolling four quarters ending (or, if less, the number
of full quarters commencing after June 22, 2004) during the period October 1,
2004 through June 30, 2007, and 2.5:1.0 for the four quarters ending September
30, 2007 and for each rolling four quarters thereafter (such ratio exceeded
2.25:1.0 for the three quarters ending March 31, 2005); (iii) EBITDA, as defined
in the Credit Facility, greater than or equal to $725.0 million for each rolling
four quarters ending during the period July 1, 2004 through December 31, 2005,
$775.0 million for each rolling four quarters ending during the period January
1, 2006 through December 31, 2006, and $825.0 million for each rolling four
quarters thereafter (such amount was greater than $990 million for the four
quarters ended March 31, 2005); (iv) an aggregate risk-based capital ratio, as
defined in the Credit Facility, greater than or equal to 240 percent for the
quarter ending March 31, 2005, 245 percent for each quarter ending during the
period June 30, 2005 through March 31, 2006, and 250 percent for each quarter
ending thereafter (such ratio exceeded the minimum risk-based capital
requirements at March 31, 2005); (v) a combined statutory capital and surplus
level, as defined in the Credit Facility of greater than $1,270.0 million
(combined statutory capital and surplus at March 31, 2005 exceeded such
requirement); and (vi) specified investment portfolio requirements (such
investment portfolio requirements were met at March 31, 2005).
The Credit Facility prohibits or restricts, among other things: (i) the
payment of cash dividends on the Company's common stock; (ii) the repurchase of
our common stock; (iii) the issuance of additional debt or capital stock; (iv)
liens; (v) asset dispositions; (vi) affiliate transactions; (vii) certain
investment activities; (viii) change in business; and (ix) prepayment of
indebtedness (other than the Credit Facility). The obligations under our Credit
Facility are guaranteed by Conseco's current and future domestic subsidiaries,
other than: (i) its insurance companies; (ii) subsidiaries of the insurance
companies; or (iii) certain immaterial subsidiaries as defined in the Credit
Facility. This guarantee was secured by granting liens on substantially all the
assets of the guarantors, including the capital stock of our top tier insurance
company, Conseco Life Insurance Company of Texas.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
The FASB issued SFAS 123R in December 2004. SFAS 123R revises SFAS 123
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" and supersedes APB 25. SFAS 123R
provides additional guidance on accounting for share-based payments and will
require all such awards to be measured at fair value with the related
compensation cost recognized in the statement of operations over the related
service period. SFAS 123R is effective for all awards granted, modified,
repurchased or cancelled in the interim period beginning after June 15, 2005 and
requires the recognition of compensation cost over the remaining vesting period
for the portion of outstanding awards that are not vested as of the effective
date. In April 2005, the SEC amended the compliance date to implement SFAS 123R
at the beginning of the next fiscal year, instead of the next reporting period
that begins after June 15, 2005. SFAS 123R also requires the benefits of tax
deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost to be reported as a
financing cash flow rather than as an operating cash flow, as currently
required. The Company's net income would have been reduced by $.6 million in the
quarter ended March 31, 2005, if we had recognized stock-based employee
compensation as determined under the fair value method, net of income taxes.
The FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 153,
"Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29" ("SFAS
153") in December 2004. SFAS 153 amends prior guidance to eliminate the
exception for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it
with a general exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have
commercial substance. A nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the
future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result
of the exchange. The provisions of SFAS 153 are
19
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
-------------------
effective for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning
after June 15, 2005 and shall be applied prospectively. SFAS 153 is not expected
to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements at
the date of adoption.
In March 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force issued Emerging Issues Task
Force Topic No. 03-01, "The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its
Application to Certain Investments" ("EITF 03-01"). EITF 03-01 provides
additional guidance for determining whether an impairment of an investment is
other than temporary. EITF 03-01 also includes guidance for accounting for an
investment subsequent to an other-than-temporary impairment and requires certain
disclosures about unrealized losses that have not been recognized as
other-than-temporary impairments. Certain guidance in EITF 03-01 was effective
beginning the quarter ended September 30, 2004; however, such guidance did not
significantly change our procedures for evaluating impairments. The FASB is
currently considering additional guidance, which we will evaluate when
finalized.
The Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position 03-01 "Accounting and
Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Nontraditional Long-Duration
Contracts and for Separate Accounts" ("SOP 03-01") in July 2003. SOP 03-01
provides guidance on several insurance company disclosure and accounting matters
including the appropriate accounting for: (i) separate accounts; (ii) additional
interest (for example, persistency bonus) accruing to the investment contract
holder; (iii) the liability for contracts where the amounts assessed against the
contract holder each period are assessed in a manner that is expected to result
in profits in earlier years and losses in subsequent years; (iv) potential
benefits to annuity holders in addition to their account balance; (v) sales
inducements to contract holders; and (vi) other provisions. The Company sold
most of its separate account business in 2002. Accordingly, the new guidance
related to separate accounts had no impact on the Company's consolidated
financial position, results of operations or cash flows. As a result of our
adoption of fresh start accounting, we were required to revalue our insurance
product liabilities and record them at their estimated fair market value. In
calculating the value of the liabilities for insurance and asset accumulation
products, we followed the guidance of SOP 03-01. We have changed the way we
classify the costs related to sales inducements in accordance with the new
guidance. However, such change was not material. Our reserve for persistency
bonus benefits was $311.8 million at March 31, 2005 and $313.2 million at
December 31, 2004. Our annuity products include contracts that offered enhanced
crediting rates or bonus payments. These enhanced rates are considered sales
inducements under SOP 03-01. Such amounts are deferred and amortized in the same
manner as the cost of policies produced. Sales inducements deferred totaled $4.7
million and $3.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004,
respectively. Amounts amortized totaled $1.0 million and $.3 million during the
three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The unamortized
balance of deferred sales inducements at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004
was $19.5 million and $15.8 million, respectively.
LITIGATION AND OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in various legal actions in
the normal course of business, in which claims for compensatory and punitive
damages are asserted, some for substantial amounts. Some of the pending matters
have been filed as purported class actions and some actions have been filed in
certain jurisdictions that permit punitive damage awards that are
disproportionate to the actual damages incurred. Although there can be no
assurances, at the present time the Company does not anticipate that the
ultimate liability from either pending or threatened legal actions, after
consideration of existing loss provisions, will have a material adverse effect
on the financial condition, operating results or cash flows of the Company.
Nonetheless, given the large or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these
actions, and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, it is possible that an
adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material
adverse effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations or cash flows
in particular quarterly or annual periods.
In the cases described below, we have disclosed any specific dollar amounts
sought in the complaints. In our experience, such monetary demands bear little
relation to the ultimate loss, if any, to the Company. However, for the reasons
stated above, it is not possible to make meaningful estimates of the amount or
range of loss that could result from some of these matters at this time. The
Company reviews these matters on an ongoing basis and follows the provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5, "Accounting for
Contingencies", when making accrual and disclosure decisions. When assessing
reasonably possible and probable outcomes, the Company bases its decisions on
its assessment of the ultimate outcome following all appeals.
20
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
-------------------
Securities Litigation
After our Predecessor announced its intention to restructure on August 9,
2002, eight purported securities fraud class action lawsuits were filed in the
United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. The
complaints named us as a defendant, along with certain of our former officers.
These lawsuits were filed on behalf of persons or entities who purchased our
Predecessor's common stock on various dates between October 24, 2001 and August
9, 2002. The plaintiffs allege claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and allege
material omissions and dissemination of materially misleading statements
regarding, among other things, the liquidity of Conseco and alleged problems in
CFC's manufactured housing division, allegedly resulting in the artificial
inflation of our Predecessor's stock price. On March 13, 2003, all of these
cases were consolidated into one case in the United States District Court for
the Southern District of Indiana, captioned Franz Schleicher, et al. v. Conseco,
Inc., Gary Wendt, William Shea, Charles Chokel and James Adams, et al., Case No.
02-CV-1332 DFH-TAB. The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages. The
plaintiffs have filed a consolidated class action complaint with respect to the
individual defendants. Our liability with respect to this lawsuit was discharged
in our Predecessor's plan of reorganization and our obligation to indemnify
individual defendants who were not serving as an officer or director on the
Effective Date is limited to $3 million in the aggregate under such plan. Our
liability to indemnify individual defendants who were serving as an officer or
director on the Effective Date, of which there is one such defendant, is not
limited by such plan. A motion to dismiss was filed on behalf of defendants
Shea, Wendt and Chokel. The motion was heard on November 19, 2004, and we await
a ruling. We believe this lawsuit is without merit and intend to defend it
vigorously; however, the ultimate outcome cannot be predicted with certainty.
Our current estimate of the maximum loss that we could reasonably incur on this
case is approximately $3.0 million (based on our obligation to indemnify
individual defendants under our Predecessor's plan of reorganization). We do not
believe that the potential loss related to the individual defendant who served
as an officer on the Effective Date is material.
Other Litigation
The Company and certain subsidiaries, including principally Conseco Life
Insurance Company ("Conseco Life"), have been named in numerous purported class
action and individual lawsuits alleging, among other things, breach of contract,
fraud and misrepresentation with regard to a change made in the way monthly
deductions are calculated for insurance coverage. These cases relate to life
insurance policies sold primarily under the names "Lifestyle" and "Lifetime".
Approximately 86,500 policies were subject to the change. Many of these
nationwide purported class action lawsuits were filed in Federal courts across
the United States. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated
these lawsuits into the case now referred to as In Re Conseco Life Insurance Co.
Cost of Insurance Litigation, Cause No. MDL 1610 (Central District, California).
The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory, punitive and exemplary damages and
specifically alleges, among other things, that the change made in the way
monthly deductions are calculated for insurance coverage enabled Conseco, Inc.
to add $360 million to its balance sheet. On April 26, 2005, the Judge issued an
order certifying a nationwide class on the claims for breach of contract and
injunctive relief. On April 27, 2005, the Judge issued an order certifying a
statewide California class for injunctive and restitutionary relief pursuant to
California statute section 17200 and breach of the duty of good faith and fair
dealing, but denied certification on the claims for fraud and intentional
misrepresentation and fraudulent concealment. Other cases now pending include
purported nationwide class actions in Indiana and California state courts. Those
cases filed in Indiana state courts have been consolidated into the case now
referred to as Alene P. Mangelson, et al. v. Conseco Life Insurance Company,
Cause No. 29D01-0403-PL-211 (Superior Court, Hamilton County, Indiana). Those
cases filed in California state courts have been consolidated and are being
coordinated under the new caption Cost of Insurance Cases, Judicial Council
Coordination Proceeding No. 4384 (Judicial Council of California). On January
25, 2005 an Amended Complaint making similar allegations was filed in the case
captioned William Schwartz v. Jeffrey Landerman, Diann P. Urbanek, Metro
Insurance, Inc., Samuels Jacky Insurance Agency, Conseco Life Insurance Company,
Successor to Philadelphia Life Insurance Company, Case no. GD 00-011432 (Court
of Common Pleas, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania). Additionally, Schwartz filed a
purported nationwide class action captioned William Schwartz and Rebecca R.
Frankel, Trustee of the Robert M. Frankel Irrevocable Insurance Trust v. Conseco
Life Ins. Co. et al., Case No. GD 05-3742 (Court of Common Pleas, Allegheny
County, Pennsylvania). We believe these lawsuits are without merit and intend to
defend them vigorously. The ultimate outcome of the lawsuits cannot be predicted
with certainty.
In October 2002, Roderick Russell, on behalf of himself and purportedly on
behalf of a class of persons similarly situated, and on behalf of the
ConsecoSave Plan, filed an action in the United States District Court for the
Southern District of
21
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
-------------------
Indiana against our Predecessor, our subsidiary Conseco Services, LLC ("Conseco
Services") and certain of our current and former officers, Roderick Russell, et
al. v. Conseco, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:02-CV-1639 LJM. The complaint seeks an
unspecified amount of damages. The purported class action consists of all
individuals whose 401(k) accounts held common stock of our Predecessor at any
time since April 28, 1999. The complaint alleges, among other things, breaches
of fiduciary duties under ERISA by continuing to permit employees to invest in
our Predecessor's common stock without full disclosure of the Company's true
financial condition. We reached a tentative settlement with the Russell
plaintiffs for $10 million in February 2005, subject to the negotiation of a
final settlement agreement. The proposed class action settlement must also be
approved by the district court after a fairness hearing is conducted. We have
established a liability of $10 million for the cost of the tentative settlement.
The Company will pursue recovery of any settlement in the Russell matter,
from its fiduciary insurance carrier, RLI Insurance Company ("RLI"). However, on
February 13, 2004, RLI filed a declaratory judgment action asking the court to
find no liability under its policy for the claims made in the Russell matter due
to certain releases provided to them pursuant to RLI's agreement to settle a
case involving the Predecessor related to a different policy coverage, RLI
Insurance Company v. Conseco, Inc., Stephen Hilbert, et al., Case No.
1:04-CV-0310DFH-TAB (Southern District, Indiana). On March 15, 2004, RLI filed
an amended complaint adding Conseco Services as an additional defendant. On
March 30, 2004, RLI filed a second amended complaint adding certain individual
plan fiduciaries as defendants. On May 24, 2004, we filed our answer to the
second amended complaint and counterclaims for declaratory judgment and breach
of contract. On September 2, 2004, RLI filed a motion for judgment on all
counterclaims. The court has stayed this matter until the Russell matter is
resolved. We believe RLI's position is without merit because the previous
release is not applicable to the Russell matter. We plan to vigorously pursue
all claims against RLI, but the ultimate outcome of the lawsuit cannot be
predicted with certainty. We expect to ultimately recover a substantial portion
of the $10 million we expect to pay in settlement of the Russell matter from
RLI.
On July 9, 1999, a complaint was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of
New York, County of New York, PRG Planning & Development, LLC v. LateNite Magic,
Inc., Daurio & Russo & Sons Construction Co., Inc., Specialized Audio Visual,
Inc., Farmore Realty, Inc. f/k/a Sweetheart Theatres, Inc., The City of New York
and the State of New York Cause No: 114077/99. The complaint seeks damages in
the amount of $3.9 million with interest thereon from January 20, 1998. This is
a lien foreclosure suit that is the result of an April 1996 lease agreement
entered into by LateNite Magic and Farmore Realty, Inc. to develop a theme
restaurant based on the magic of David Copperfield. A former subsidiary of the
Company, Conseco Variable Insurance Company ("CVIC"), and Conseco Annuity
Assurance Company (now known as Conseco Insurance Company) purchased preferred
stock of LateNite and acquired the right to an assignment of the April 1996
lease. An amended complaint was filed on December 2, 1999 naming CVIC and
Conseco Annuity Assurance Company as co-defendants. The trial in this case
commenced on March 10, 2005. We retained liability for CVIC's involvement in
this litigation in connection with the sale of CVIC. Conseco has established
adequate reserves in the event we are found liable under this lawsuit. The
ultimate outcome of the lawsuit cannot be predicted with certainty.
On February 7, 2003, Conseco Life was named in a purported Texas statewide
class action seeking unspecified damages in the County Court of Cameron County,
Texas, Lawrence Onderdonk and Yolanda Carrizales v. Conseco Life Insurance
Company and Pete Ramirez, III Cause No. 2003-CCL-102-C. On February 12, 2004,
the complaint was amended to allege a purported nationwide class and to name
Conseco Services as an additional defendant. On March 5, 2004, the complaint was
amended a second time naming additional plaintiffs. The purported class consists
of all former Massachusetts General Flexible Premium Adjustable Life Insurance
Policy policyholders who were converted to Conseco Life Flexible Premium
Adjustable Life Insurance Policies and whose accumulated values in the
Massachusetts General policies were applied to first year premiums on the
Conseco Life policies. The complaint alleged, among other things, civil
conspiracy to convert the accumulated cash values of the plaintiffs and the
class, and the violation of insurance laws nationwide. The parties have reached
a settlement agreement on a class wide basis which requires a payment which had
been accrued at March 31, 2005. On October 14, 2004, the judge signed an order
preliminarily approving the settlement. The hearing for final approval was held
January 31, 2005 and the final order approving class settlement became effective
March 31, 2005.
On December 10, 2004, an arbitration award was issued by the American
Arbitration Association finding for American Worldwide Insurance, Inc. ("AWI")
and Todd Green ("Green"), individually, and against Conseco Life. The arbitrated
dispute arises from a marketing agreement initially entered into in 1994. AWI
and Green alleged breach of contract and bad faith and sought $4.3 million
actual damages and unspecified punitive damages. The award resulted in total
actual damages of $2.1 million, as well as future payments of $.9 million due on
September 9, 2005, $.8 million due on September 9, 2006,
22
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
-------------------
and $.6 million due on September 9, 2007. The panel also found that AWI and
Green failed to prove that either Conseco Life or Conseco Marketing, LLC acted
in bad faith and refused an award of punitive damages. We have filed an
application in Federal court in the case captioned, Conseco Life Insurance
Company and Conseco Marketing, LLC v. American Worldwide Insurance, Inc. and
Todd Green, Cause No. 1:04-CV-2035-DFH-TAB (Southern District, Indiana)
requesting, among other things, to vacate the arbitration award because it is
contrary to applicable law and order a new arbitration proceeding. AWI and Green
have filed a motion in opposition and a motion to confirm the arbitration award.
The issues were fully briefed in April 2005. Our estimate of the ultimate loss
we may incur in this matter is between $1 million and $4.3 million.
On June 27, 2001, two suits against Conseco Life, both purported nationwide
class actions seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, were
consolidated in the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, In Re PLI
Sales Litigation, Cause No. 01-MDL-1404. The complaint alleges, among other
things, fraudulent sales and a "vanishing premium" scheme. Conseco Life filed a
motion for summary judgment against both named plaintiffs, which motion was
granted in June 2002. Plaintiffs appealed to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The 11th Circuit, in July 2003, affirmed in part and reversed in part, allowing
two fraud counts with respect to one plaintiff to survive. The plaintiffs'
request for a rehearing with respect to this decision has been denied. Conseco
Life filed a summary judgment motion with respect to the remaining claims. This
summary judgment was denied in February 2004. On April 23, 2004, a similar case
was filed. Harold R. Arthur, individually and as Trustee of the Harold A. Arthur
Revocable Living Trust, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated
v. Conseco Life Insurance Company, Case no. 6:04-CV-587-ORL-31KRS (U.S. District
Court, Middle District of Florida). The case was consolidated with the PLI Sales
Practices Litigation in May 2004. Conseco Life filed a motion for summary
judgment on all of Plaintiff Arthur's claims and the court took that motion
under advisement on February 10, 2005. Briefing continues on class
certification. If no class is certified and if Plaintiff Arthur's claims are not
summarily adjudicated, trial on the individual claims of both plaintiffs will be
set during the June 2005 trial term. Given the uncertainties regarding the
outcome of these proceedings, we are unable to estimate the possible range of
loss that may result from this pending litigation.
On September 27, 2004, Conseco Life was named in a purported nationwide
class action seeking unspecified compensatory damages in the District Court of
Clark County, Nevada, Emma Gilbertson individually and on behalf of others
similarly situated v. Conseco Life Insurance Company f/k/a Philadelphia Life
Insurance Company, Cause No. A492738, alleging breach of contract pertaining to
notice of premium increases. In April 2005, after Conseco Life filed a motion
for summary judgment, the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed this matter with
prejudice.
On December 1, 2000, the Company's former subsidiary, Manhattan National
Life Insurance Company, was named in a purported nationwide class action seeking
unspecified damages in the First Judicial District Court of Santa Fe, New
Mexico, Robert Atencio and Theresa Atencio, for themselves and all other
similarly situated v. Manhattan National Life Insurance Company, an Ohio
corporation, Cause No. D-0101-CV-2000-2817, alleging among other things fraud by
non-disclosure of additional charges for those policyholders paying via premium
modes other than annual. We retained liability for this litigation in connection
with the sale of Manhattan National Life in June 2002. We believe this lawsuit
is without merit and intend to defend it vigorously. Given the uncertainties
regarding the outcome of these proceedings, we are unable to estimate the
possible range of loss that may result from this pending litigation.
On December 19, 2001, four of the Company's subsidiaries were named in a
purported nationwide class action seeking unspecified damages in the District
Court of Adams County, Colorado, Jose Medina and others similarly situated v.
Conseco Annuity Assurance Company, Conseco Life Insurance Company, Bankers
National Life Insurance Company and Bankers Life and Casualty Company, Cause No.
01-CV-2465, alleging among other things breach of contract regarding alleged
non-disclosure of additional charges for those policyholders paying via premium
modes other than annual. On November 10, 2003, the court denied the plaintiff's
motion for class certification. On January 26, 2004, the plaintiff appealed the
trial court's ruling denying class certification. All further proceedings have
been stayed pending the outcome of the appeal. The defendants believe this
lawsuit is without merit and intend to defend it vigorously. Given the
uncertainties regarding the outcome of these proceedings, we are unable to
estimate the possible range of loss that may result from this pending
litigation.
In October 1997, an action was filed against CVIC and general agent Glenn
H. Guffey by nine South Carolina agents, who alleged that they had suffered
losses as a result of defendants' breach of contract, fraud and misleading
conduct relating to the sale of Flex II annuities. In the action, Thomas Allen
et al v. Great American Reserve Insurance Company, Glenn H. Guffey and American
Home Assurance Company, Case Number 29C01-9709-CP751 in the Circuit Court of
Hamilton County, Indiana, plaintiffs claim that Mr. Guffey told them that the
annuities would have no initial administrative fees charged to the owner of the
annuity (when in fact they did) and that as a result, they had been selling the
annuities on that
23
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
-------------------
basis. Plaintiffs demanded unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, and
allege that they have lost commissions and renewals and that their business
reputations have been damaged as a result of Mr. Guffey's misrepresentations.
They further contend that CVIC should be held liable as it negligently
supervised Mr. Guffey and knew about his fraudulent conduct. Defendants were
granted a Summary Judgment on February 9, 2000, but plaintiffs appealed the
judgment, and the Indiana Supreme Court overturned it on April 2, 2002. Mr.
Guffey has settled with plaintiffs, and the case against CVIC is now set for a
jury trial commencing July 11, 2005. We retained liability for CVIC's
involvement in this litigation in connection with the sale of CVIC. We believe
this action is without merit, and intend to defend it vigorously. The ultimate
outcome of the action cannot be predicted with certainty.
Collection efforts by the Company and Conseco Services related to the
1996-1999 director and officer loan programs have been commenced against various
past board members and executives with outstanding loan balances. In addition,
certain former officers and directors have sued the companies for declaratory
relief concerning their liability for the loans. Currently, we are involved in
litigation with Stephen C. Hilbert, James D. Massey, Dennis E. Murray, Sr.,
James S. Adams, Maxwell E. Bublitz, Ngaire E. Cuneo and David R. Decatur. The
specific lawsuits now pending include: Hilbert v. Conseco, Case No. 03CH 15330
(Circuit Court, Cook County, Illinois); Conseco Services v. Hilbert, Case No.
29C01-0310-MF-1296 (Circuit Court, Hamilton County, Indiana); Murray and Massey
v. Conseco, Case No. 1:03-CV-1701-LJM-VSS (Southern District, Indiana); Stephen
C. Hilbert v. Conseco, Inc. and Kroll Inc., Case No. 29D02-0312-PL-1026
(Superior Court, Hamilton County, Indiana); Conseco Services v. Adams, Case No.
29D02-0404-CC-000376 (Superior Court, Hamilton County, Indiana); Conseco
Services v. Bublitz, Case No. 29D02-0404-CC-377 (Superior Court, Hamilton
County, Indiana); Conseco Services v. Cuneo, et al., Case No.
1:04-CV-0929-DFH-WTL (Southern District, Indiana); Conseco Services v. Murray,
Case No. 29D02-0404-CC-381 (Superior Court, Hamilton County, Indiana); Conseco
Services v. Massey, Case No. 29D01-0406-CC-477 (Superior Court, Hamilton County,
Indiana); Conseco Inc. v. Adams, et al., Case No. 04 L 012974 (Circuit Court,
Cook County, Illinois); Conseco Inc. v. Cuneo, et al., Case No. 04 C 7469
(Northern District, Illinois). David Decatur filed for bankruptcy on May 12,
2004, Case No. 04-08772-JKC-11 (Southern District, Indiana). Maxwell E. Bublitz
filed for bankruptcy on May 2, 2005, Case No. 05-08168-7 (Southern District,
Indiana).
On October 20, 2004, the judge in the Conseco Services v. Hilbert case
granted partial final summary judgment in favor of Conseco Services in the
amount of $62.7 million plus interest. Mr. Hilbert has filed a notice of appeal.
We filed an objection to Decatur's bankruptcy on December 9, 2004. The Company
and Conseco Services believe that all amounts due under the director and officer
loan programs, including all applicable interest, are valid obligations owed to
the companies. As part of our Predecessor's plan of reorganization, we have
agreed to pay 45 percent of any net proceeds recovered in connection with these
lawsuits, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $30 million, to former holders of
our Predecessor's trust preferred securities that did not opt out of a
settlement reached with the committee representing holders of these securities.
We intend to prosecute these claims to obtain the maximum recovery possible.
Further, with regard to the various claims brought against the Company and
Conseco Services by certain former directors and officers, we believe that these
claims are without merit and intend to defend them vigorously. The ultimate
outcome of the lawsuits cannot be predicted with certainty. At March 31, 2005,
we estimated that approximately $43 million, net of collection costs, of the
remaining amounts due under the loan program will be collected and that $19
million will be paid to the former holders of our Predecessor's trust preferred
securities.
In addition, the Company and its subsidiaries are involved on an ongoing
basis in other arbitrations and lawsuits, including purported class actions,
related to their operations. The ultimate outcome of all of these other legal
matters pending against the Company or its subsidiaries cannot be predicted,
and, although such lawsuits are not expected individually to have a material
adverse effect on the Company, such lawsuits could have, in the aggregate, a
material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition, cash
flows or results of operations.
24
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
-------------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
The following disclosures supplement our consolidated statement of cash
flows (dollars in millions):
Three months ended
March 31,
-----------------------
2005 2004
---- ----
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income........................................................................... $ 81.8 $ 72.8
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Amortization and depreciation.................................................... 98.1 106.9
Income taxes..................................................................... 51.3 52.5
Insurance liabilities............................................................ 128.0 78.8
Accrual and amortization of investment income.................................... 34.1 31.1
Deferral of policy acquisition costs............................................. (107.2) (89.8)
Net realized investment gains.................................................... (1.6) (27.1)
Net sales (purchases) of trading securities...................................... 26.1 (1.6)
Other............................................................................ (12.9) (13.0)
------- ------
Net cash provided by operating activities...................................... $ 297.7 $210.6
======= ======
Non-cash items not reflected in the investing and financing activities sections
of the consolidated statement of cash flows:
Stock option and restricted stock plans............................................ $ 2.3 $ 4.5
Issuance of convertible preferred shares........................................... - 22.9
At March 31, 2005, restricted cash consisted of: (i) $15.1 million held in
an escrow account pursuant to a settlement with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the New York Attorney General concerning their joint
investigation into market timing in variable annuities issued by a former
subsidiary of Old Conseco; (ii) $3.4 million held in trust for the payment of
bankruptcy-related professional fees; and (iii) $.2 million of segregated cash
held for the benefit of the former holders of TOPrS.
25
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
In this section, we review the consolidated financial condition of Conseco
at March 31, 2005, and the consolidated results of operations for the three
months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, and, where appropriate, factors that may
affect future financial performance. Please read this discussion in conjunction
with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Our statements, trend analyses and other information contained in this
report and elsewhere (such as in filings by Conseco with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, press releases, presentations by Conseco or its management
or oral statements) relative to markets for Conseco's products and trends in
Conseco's operations or financial results, as well as other statements, contain
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities law and
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements
typically are identified by the use of terms such as "anticipate," "believe,"
"plan," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "may," "will," "would,"
"contemplate," "possible," "attempt," "seek," "should," "could," "goal,"
"target," "on track," "comfortable with," "optimistic" and similar words,
although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. You should
consider statements that contain these words carefully because they describe our
expectations, plans, strategies and goals and our beliefs concerning future
business conditions, our results of operations, financial position, and our
business outlook or they state other "forward-looking" information based on
currently available information. The "Risk Factors" section of our 2004 Annual
Report on Form 10-K provides examples of risks, uncertainties and events that
could cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations
expressed in our forward-looking statements. Assumptions and other important
factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those
anticipated in our forward-looking statements include, among other things:
o our ability to achieve an upgrade of the financial strength ratings of
our insurance company subsidiaries and the impact of prior rating
downgrades on our business;
o the ultimate outcome of lawsuits filed against us and other legal and
regulatory proceedings to which we are subject;
o our ability to obtain adequate and timely rate increases on our
supplemental health products including our long-term care business;
o mortality, morbidity, usage of health care services, persistency and
other factors which may affect the profitability of our insurance
products;
o our ability to achieve anticipated expense reductions and levels of
operational efficiencies;
o the adverse impact of our Predecessor's bankruptcy proceedings on our
business operations, and relationships with our customers, employees,
regulators, distributors and agents;
o performance of our investments;
o customer response to new products, distribution channels and marketing
initiatives;
o the risk factors or uncertainties listed from time to time in our
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission;
o general economic conditions and other factors, including prevailing
interest rate levels, stock and credit market performance and health
care inflation, which may affect (among other things) our ability to
sell products and access capital on acceptable terms, the returns on
and the market value of our investments, and the lapse rate and
profitability of policies;
o changes in the Federal income tax laws and regulations which may
affect or eliminate the relative tax advantages of some of our
products; and
26
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
o regulatory changes or actions, including those relating to regulation
of the financial affairs of our insurance companies, such as the
payment of dividends to us, regulation of financial services affecting
(among other things) bank sales and underwriting of insurance
products, regulation of the sale, underwriting and pricing of
products, and health care regulation affecting health insurance
products.
Other factors and assumptions not identified above are also relevant to the
forward-looking statements, and, if they prove incorrect, could also cause
actual results to differ materially from those projected.
All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are
expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statement. Our
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. We assume no
obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any
of the forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, future events or
developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the
forward-looking statements.
OVERVIEW
We are a holding company for a group of insurance companies operating
throughout the United States that develop, market and administer supplemental
health insurance, annuity, individual life insurance and other insurance
products. We focus on serving the senior and middle-income markets, which we
believe are attractive, high growth markets. We sell our products through three
distribution channels: career agents, professional independent producers (some
of whom sell one or more of our product lines exclusively) and direct marketing.
We conduct our business operations through two primary operating segments,
which are defined primarily on method of product distribution, and a third
segment comprised of businesses in run-off, as follows:
o Bankers Life, which consists of the businesses of Bankers Life and
Casualty Company ("Bankers Life and Casualty") and Colonial Penn Life
Insurance Company ("Colonial Penn"). Bankers Life and Casualty markets
and distributes Medicare supplement insurance, life insurance,
long-term care insurance and annuities to the senior market through
exclusive career agents and sales managers. Colonial Penn markets
graded benefit and simplified issue life insurance directly to
consumers through television advertising, direct mail, the internet
and telemarketing. Both Bankers Life and Casualty and Colonial Penn
market their products under their own brand names.
o Conseco Insurance Group, which markets and distributes specified
disease insurance, Medicare supplement insurance, and certain life and
annuity products to the senior and middle-income markets through
independent marketing organizations that represent independent agents.
This segment markets its products under the "Conseco" brand.
o Other Business in Run-off, which includes blocks of business that we
no longer market or underwrite and are managed separately from our
other businesses. This segment consists of long-term care insurance
sold through independent agents and major medical insurance.
We also have a corporate segment, which consists of holding company
activities and certain noninsurance company business that are not related to our
operating segments.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Refer to "Critical Accounting Policies" in Conseco's 2004 Annual Report on
Form 10-K for information on accounting policies that we consider critical in
preparing our consolidated financial statements.
RISK FACTORS
Conseco and its businesses are subject to a number of risks including
general business and financial risk factors. Any or all of such factors could
have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results
of operations of Conseco. Refer to "Risk Factors" in Conseco's 2004 Annual
Report on Form 10-K for further discussion of such risk factors. In addition,
please refer to the "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements"
above.
27
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
We manage our business through the following: two primary operating
segments, Bankers Life and Conseco Insurance Group, which are defined on the
basis of product distribution; a third segment comprised of other business in
run-off; and corporate operations, which consists of holding company activities
and certain noninsurance businesses. The following tables and narratives
summarize the operating results of our segments for the periods presented
(dollars in millions):
Three months ended
March 31,
-----------------------
2005 2004
---- ----
Income (loss) before net realized investment gains (losses), net of related
amortization, and income taxes (a non-GAAP measure) (a):
Bankers Life........................................................................ $ 58.8 $ 56.4
Conseco Insurance Group............................................................. 64.4 60.5
Other Business in Run-off........................................................... 21.5 14.9
Corporate operations................................................................ (20.6) (39.1)
------ ------
124.1 92.7
------ ------
Net realized investment gains (losses), net of related amortization:
Bankers Life........................................................................ 1.9 11.0
Conseco Insurance Group............................................................. (.9) 8.8
Other Business in Run-off........................................................... 2.1 2.7
Corporate operations................................................................ - (2.8)
------ ------
3.1 19.7
------ ------
Income (loss) before taxes:
Bankers Life........................................................................ 60.7 67.4
Conseco Insurance Group............................................................. 63.5 69.3
Other Business in Run-off........................................................... 23.6 17.6
Corporate operations................................................................ (20.6) (41.9)
------ ------
Income before taxes.............................................................. $127.2 $112.4
====== ======
- ------------
(a) We believe that an analysis of income (loss) before net realized investment
gains (losses), net of related amortization, and income taxes (a non-GAAP
measure) is important to evaluate the financial performance of the Company,
and is a measure commonly used in the life insurance industry. Management
uses this measure to evaluate performance because realized gains or losses
can be affected by events that are unrelated to a company's underlying
fundamentals. However, the non-GAAP measure does not replace the
corresponding GAAP measure. The table above reconciles the non-GAAP measure
to the corresponding GAAP measure.
General: Conseco is the top tier holding company for a group of insurance
companies operating throughout the United States that develop, market and
administer supplemental health insurance, annuity, individual life insurance and
other insurance products. We distribute these products through our Bankers Life
segment, which utilizes a career agency force and direct response marketing, and
through our Conseco Insurance Group segment, which utilizes professional
independent producers. Our Other Business in Run-off segment consists of: (i)
long-term care products written in prior years through independent agents; (ii)
small group and individual major medical business which we stopped renewing in
2001; and (iii) other group major medical business which we no longer market.
Most of the long-term care business in run-off relates to business written by
certain subsidiaries prior to their acquisitions by Conseco in 1996 and 1997.
28
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
Bankers Life (dollars in millions):
Three months ended
March 31,
----------------------
2005 2004
---- ----
Premium collections:
Annuities............................................................................ $ 221.7 $ 177.3
Supplemental health.................................................................. 313.6 303.1
Life................................................................................. 48.6 43.0
-------- -----------
Total collections.................................................................. $ 583.9 $ 523.4
======== ==========
Average liabilities for insurance products:
Annuities:
Mortality based.................................................................. $ 354.9 $ 355.0
Equity-indexed................................................................... 301.1 266.8
Deposit based.................................................................... 3,922.7 3,287.8
Health............................................................................. 2,963.3 2,712.0
Life:
Interest sensitive............................................................... 346.1 331.0
Non-interest sensitive........................................................... 739.4 755.6
-------- --------
Total average liabilities for insurance
products, net of reinsurance ceded............................................. $8,627.5 $7,708.2
======== ========
Revenues:
Insurance policy income.............................................................. $ 359.3 $ 345.1
Net investment income:
General account invested assets.................................................... 116.4 97.9
Equity-indexed products based on the change in value of the options................ (2.9) 1.2
Trading account income related to policyholder and reinsurer
accounts......................................................................... (4.9) 5.9
Change in value of embedded derivatives related to modified
coinsurance agreements........................................................... 4.9 (5.9)
Fee revenue and other income......................................................... .6 .3
-------- --------
Total revenues................................................................... 473.4 444.5
-------- --------
Expenses:
Insurance policy benefits............................................................ 291.8 268.5
Amounts added to policyholder account balances:
Annuity products and interest-sensitive life products
other than those listed below.................................................... 39.1 36.2
Equity-indexed products based on the change in value of indices.................... (1.5) 1.8
Amortization related to operations................................................... 46.8 45.7
Interest expense on investment borrowings............................................ .7 .4
Other operating costs and expenses................................................... 37.7 35.5
-------- --------
Total expenses................................................................... 414.6 388.1
-------- --------
Income before net realized investment gains, net of related amortization,
and income taxes...................................................................... 58.8 56.4
-------- --------
Net realized investment gains........................................................ 2.0 11.0
Amortization related to net realized investment gains................................ (.1) -
-------- --------
Net realized investment gains, net of related amortization....................... 1.9 11.0
-------- --------
Income before income taxes................................................................ $ 60.7 $ 67.4
======== ========
(continued)
29
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
(continued from previous page)
Three months ended
March 31,
-----------------------
2005 2004
---- ----
Health benefit ratios:
All health lines:
Insurance policy benefits........................................................ $246.4 $224.9
Benefit ratio (a)................................................................ 80.82% 76.18%
Medicare supplement:
Insurance policy benefits........................................................ $117.6 $106.0
Benefit ratio (a)................................................................ 71.86% 65.56%
Long-term care:
Insurance policy benefits........................................................ $126.8 $116.6
Benefit ratio (a)................................................................ 91.78% 89.26%
Interest-adjusted benefit ratio (b).............................................. 63.85% 62.86%
Other:
Insurance policy benefits........................................................ $2.0 $2.3
Benefit ratio (a)................................................................ 64.97% 79.70%
- ----------------
(a) We calculate benefit ratios by dividing the related product's insurance
policy benefits by insurance policy income.
(b) We calculate the interest-adjusted benefit ratio (a non-GAAP measure) for
Bankers Life's long-term care products by dividing such product's insurance
policy benefits less interest income on the accumulated assets backing the
insurance liabilities by insurance policy income. Interest income is an
important factor in measuring the performance of this product. The net cash
flows from long-term care products generally cause an accumulation of
amounts in the early years of a policy (accounted for as reserve increases)
which will be paid out as benefits in later policy years (accounted for as
reserve decreases). Accordingly, as the policies age, the benefit ratio
will typically increase, but the increase in the change in reserve will be
partially offset by interest income earned on the accumulated assets. The
interest-adjusted benefit ratio reflects the effects of the interest income
offset. Since interest income is an important factor in measuring the
performance of this product, management believes a benefit ratio which
includes the effect of interest income is useful in analyzing product
performance. The investment income earned on the accumulated assets backing
Bankers Life's long-term care reserves was $38.6 million and $34.5 million
in the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
Total premium collections were $583.9 million in the first quarter of 2005,
up 12 percent from 2004. See "Premium Collections" for further analysis of
Bankers Life's premium collections.
Average liabilities for insurance products, net of reinsurance ceded were
$8.6 billion in the first quarter of 2005, up 12 percent from 2004. The increase
in such liabilities was primarily due to increases in annuity reserves resulting
from higher sales of these products in recent periods.
Insurance policy income is comprised of premiums earned on policies which
provide mortality or morbidity coverage and fees and other charges assessed on
other policies. See "Premium Collections" for further analysis.
Net investment income on general account invested assets (which excludes
income on policyholder and reinsurer accounts) was $116.4 million in the first
quarter of 2005, up 19 percent from 2004. The average balance of general account
invested assets was $8.3 billion and $7.2 billion in the first quarters of 2005
and 2004, respectively. The yield on these assets was 5.6 percent and 5.4
percent in the first quarters of 2005 and 2004, respectively. The increase in
yield was primarily due to prepayments on investments with unamortized premiums
in the first quarter of 2004.
Net investment income related to equity-indexed products based on the
change in value of the options represents the change in the estimated fair value
of options which are purchased in an effort to cover certain benefits accruing
to the
30
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
policyholders of our equity-indexed products. Our equity-indexed products are
designed so that the investment income spread earned on the related insurance
liabilities is more than adequate to cover the cost of the options and other
costs related to these policies. Option costs attributable to benefits provided
were $1.8 million in each of the first quarters of 2005 and 2004. These costs
are reflected in net investment income. Investment income (loss) related to
equity-indexed products before these costs was $(1.1) million and $3.0 million
in the first quarters of 2005 and 2004, respectively. Such amounts are generally
offset by the corresponding charge (credit) to amounts added to policyholder
account balances for equity-indexed products based on the change in value of the
indices. Such income and related charges fluctuate based on the value of options
embedded in the segment's equity-indexed annuity policyholder account balances
subject to this benefit and to the performance of the index to which the returns
on such products are linked.
Trading account income related to policyholder and reinsurer accounts
represents the income on trading security accounts which are designed to act as
hedges for embedded derivatives related to certain modified coinsurance
agreements. The income on our trading account securities is designed to be
substantially offset by the change in value of embedded derivatives related to
modified coinsurance agreements described below.
Change in value of embedded derivatives related to modified coinsurance
agreements is described in the note to our consolidated financial statements
entitled "Accounting for Derivatives." We have transferred the specific block of
investments related to these agreements to our trading account, which we carry
at estimated fair value with changes in such value recognized as trading account
income. We expect the change in the value of the embedded derivatives to be
largely offset by the change in value of the trading securities.
Insurance policy benefits fluctuated as a result of the factors summarized
below for benefit ratios. Benefit ratios are calculated by dividing the related
insurance product's insurance policy benefits by insurance policy income.
The Medicare supplement business consists of both individual and group
policies. Governmental regulations generally require us to attain and maintain a
ratio of total benefits incurred to total premiums earned (as calculated based
on amounts reported for statutory accounting purposes), after three years, of
not less than 65 percent on individual products and not less than 75 percent on
group products. The benefit ratio experienced in the 2005 period reflected a
$2.9 million claim reserve deficiency resulting from the ultimate development of
reserves at December 31, 2004. The benefit ratio in the first quarter of 2004
was favorably impacted by positive developments of $3.5 million from insurance
liabilities established in prior periods.
The net cash flows from our long-term care products generally cause an
accumulation of amounts in the early years of a policy (accounted for as reserve
increases) which will be paid out as benefits in later policy years (accounted
for as reserve decreases). Accordingly, as the policies age, the benefit ratio
typically increases, but the increase in reserve is partially offset by
investment income earned on the accumulated assets. The benefit ratio on this
business has increased over the last year, consistent with the aging of this
block. In addition, the older policies which have higher benefit ratios have not
lapsed at the rate we expected. The interest-adjusted benefit ratio for
long-term care products is calculated by dividing the insurance product's
insurance policy benefits less interest income on the accumulated assets backing
the insurance liabilities by insurance policy income. The interest-adjusted
benefit ratio on this business increased from 62.86 percent in the first quarter
of 2004 to 63.85 percent in the first quarter of 2005.
The benefit ratios on our other products are subject to fluctuations due to
the smaller size of these blocks of business.
Amounts added to policyholder account balances for annuity products and
interest-sensitive life products were $39.1 million in the first quarter of
2005, up 8.0 percent from 2004. The increase is primarily due to increases in
annuity reserves (due to higher sales of these products in recent periods)
partially offset by decreases in average crediting rates. The weighted average
crediting rates for these products were 3.7 percent and 4.0 percent in the first
quarters of 2005 and 2004, respectively.
Amounts added to equity-indexed products based on the change in value of
the indices correspond to the related investment income accounts described
above.
Amortization related to operations includes amortization of the value of
policies inforce at the Effective Date and the cost of policies produced
(collectively referred to as "amortization of insurance acquisition costs").
Insurance acquisition costs are amortized either: (i) in relation to the
estimated gross profits for universal life-type and investment-type products; or
(ii) in relation to future anticipated premium revenue for other products. In
addition, for universal life-type and investment-
31
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
type products, we are required to adjust the total amortization recorded to date
through the statement of operations if actual experience or other evidence
suggests that earlier estimates of future gross profits should be revised.
Accordingly, amortization for universal life-type and investment-type products
is dependent on the profits realized during the period and on our expectation of
future profits. For other products, we amortize insurance acquisition costs in
relation to actual and expected premium revenue, and amortization is only
adjusted if expected premium revenue changes or if we determine the balance of
these costs is not recoverable from future profits. Bankers Life's amortization
expense was $46.8 million in the first quarter of 2005 compared to $45.7 million
in the first quarter of 2004. Such amounts were generally consistent with the
related premium revenue and gross profits for such periods and the assumptions
we made when we established the value of policies inforce as of the Effective
Date.
Interest expense on investment borrowings fluctuates with our investment
borrowing activities and the interest rates thereon. Average investment
borrowings in our Bankers Life segment were $130.6 million and $141.5 million
during the first quarters of 2005 and 2004, respectively. The weighted average
interest rates on such borrowings were 2.1 percent and 1.1 percent during the
first quarters of 2005 and 2004, respectively.
Other operating costs and expenses in our Bankers Life segment were $37.7
million in the first quarter of 2005, up 6.2 percent from 2004. This increase
was due primarily to higher sales and career agency infrastructure costs and
lower reinsurance expense allowances.
Net realized investment gains (losses) fluctuated each period. During the
three months ended March 31, 2005, we recognized net realized investment gains
in this segment of $2.0 million from the sales of investments (primarily fixed
maturities). During the first three months of 2004, net realized investment
gains in this segment included $14.3 million of net gains from the sales of
investments (primarily fixed maturities), net of $3.3 million of writedowns of
fixed maturities, equity securities and other invested assets resulting from
declines in fair values that we concluded were other than temporary. There were
no such writedowns in the first quarter of 2005.
32
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
Conseco Insurance Group (dollars in millions):
Three months ended
March 31,
----------------------
2005 2004
---- ----
Premium collections:
Annuities.......................................................................... $ 25.3 $ 13.4
Supplemental health................................................................ 174.6 190.9
Life............................................................................... 89.7 101.8
--------- ---------
Total collections................................................................ $ 289.6 $ 306.1
========= =========
Average liabilities for insurance products:
Annuities:
Mortality based.................................................................. $ 284.9 $ 240.8
Equity-indexed................................................................... 1,399.1 1,538.4
Deposit based.................................................................... 3,582.7 3,911.4
Separate accounts and investment trust liabilities............................... 31.9 36.3
Health............................................................................. 2,374.6 2,314.9
Life:
Interest sensitive............................................................... 3,146.6 3,318.2
Non-interest sensitive........................................................... 1,432.5 1,455.8
--------- ---------
Total average liabilities for insurance products, net of reinsurance ceded..... $12,252.3 $12,815.8
========= =========
Revenues:
Insurance policy income.............................................................. $ 276.9 $ 300.0
Net investment income:
General account invested assets.................................................... 177.7 173.5
Equity-indexed products based on the change in value of options.................... (13.1) 4.3
Trading account income related to policyholder and
reinsurer accounts............................................................... (9.0) 12.9
Change in value of embedded derivatives related to modified
coinsurance agreements........................................................... 1.7 (2.6)
Fee revenue and other income......................................................... .5 1.8
--------- ---------
Total revenues................................................................... 434.7 489.9
--------- ---------
Expenses:
Insurance policy benefits............................................................ 198.7 233.8
Amounts added to policyholder account balances:
Annuity products and interest-sensitive life products
other than those listed below.................................................... 64.3 67.9
Equity-indexed products based on the change in value of indices.................... (7.9) 10.2
Amortization related to operations................................................... 43.6 40.3
Interest expense on investment borrowings............................................ 2.0 .9
Other operating costs and expenses................................................... 69.6 76.3
--------- ---------
Total expenses................................................................... 370.3 429.4
--------- ---------
Income before net realized investment gains (losses), net of related amortization,
and income taxes..................................................................... 64.4 60.5
--------- ---------
Net realized investment gains (losses)............................................... (2.5) 16.2
Amortization related to net realized investment gains (losses)....................... 1.6 (7.4)
--------- ---------
Net realized investment gains (losses), net of related amortization.............. (.9) 8.8
--------- --------
Income before income taxes.............................................................. $ 63.5 $ 69.3
========= ========
(continued)
33
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
(continued from previous page)
Three months ended
March 31,
----------------------
2005 2004
---- ----
Health benefit ratios:
All health lines:
Insurance policy benefits....................................................... $115.1 $125.3
Benefit ratio (a)............................................................... 65.73% 65.72%
Medicare supplement:
Insurance policy benefits....................................................... $44.9 $58.8
Benefit ratio (a)............................................................... 55.13% 61.10%
Specified disease:
Insurance policy benefits....................................................... $68.0 $63.1
Benefit ratio (a)............................................................... 75.50% 70.15%
Interest-adjusted benefit ratio (b)............................................. 44.80% 40.88%
Other:
Insurance policy benefits....................................................... $2.2 $3.4
Benefit ratio(a)................................................................ 61.30% 75.96%
- -------------
(a) We calculate benefit ratios by dividing the related product's insurance
policy benefits by insurance policy income.
(b) We calculate the interest-adjusted benefit ratio (a non-GAAP measure) for
Conseco Insurance Group's specified disease products by dividing such
product's insurance policy benefits less interest income on the accumulated
assets backing the insurance liabilities by policy income. Interest income
is an important factor in measuring the performance of this product. The
net cash flows from specified disease products generally cause an
accumulation of amounts in the early years of a policy (accounted for as
reserve increases) which will be paid out as benefits in later policy years
(accounted for as reserve decreases). Accordingly, as the policies age, the
benefit ratio will typically increase, but the increase in the change in
reserve will be partially offset by interest income earned on the
accumulated assets. The interest-adjusted benefit ratio reflects the
effects of the interest income offset. Since interest income is an
important factor in measuring the performance of this product, management
believes a benefit ratio which includes the effect of interest income is
useful in analyzing product performance. The investment income earned on
the accumulated assets backing the specified disease reserves was $27.7
million and $26.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2005 and
2004, respectively.
Collections on insurance products were $289.6 million in the first quarter
of 2005, down 5.4 percent from the first quarter of 2004. This decrease was
primarily due to lower premiums collected from our Medicare supplement products.
During the remainder of 2005, we expect to increase our annuity sales efforts
and to continue to emphasize the sale of specified disease and Medicare
supplement insurance products. See "Premium Collections" for further analysis.
Average liabilities for insurance products, net of reinsurance ceded were
$12.3 billion in the first quarter of 2005, down 4.4 percent from 2004. This
decrease was primarily due to policyholder redemptions and lapses exceeding new
sales.
Insurance policy income is comprised of premiums earned on policies which
provide mortality or morbidity coverage and fees and other charges assessed on
other policies. See "Premium Collections" for further analysis.
Net investment income on general account invested assets (which excludes
income on policyholder and reinsurer accounts) was $177.7 million in the first
quarter of 2005, up 2.4 percent from 2004. The average balance of general
account invested assets was $12.3 billion and $12.6 billion in the first
quarters of 2005 and 2004, respectively. The yield on these assets was 5.8
percent and 5.5 percent in the first quarters of 2005 and 2004, respectively.
The increase in yield was primarily due to: (i) the higher prevailing interest
rate environment in the 2005 period compared to the same period in 2004; (ii)
the recognition in income of $2.4 million related to investments (which had a
par value in excess of the cost basis) which were
34
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
called by the issuer during the first quarter of 2005; and (iii) prepayments on
fixed maturity investments (primarily mortgage-backed securities) which had a
cost basis in excess of par value during the first quarter of 2004.
Net investment income related to equity-indexed products based on the
change in value of options represents the change in the estimated fair value of
options which are purchased in an effort to cover certain benefits accruing to
the policyholders of our equity-indexed products. Our equity-indexed products
are designed so that the investment income spread earned on the related
insurance liabilities is more than adequate to cover the cost of the options and
other costs related to these policies. Option costs that are attributable to
benefits provided were $8.4 million and $10.2 million in the first quarters of
2005 and 2004, respectively. These costs are reflected in net investment income.
Net investment income (loss) related to equity-indexed products before these
costs was $(4.7) million and $14.5 million in the first quarters of 2005 and
2004, respectively. Such amounts were partially offset by the corresponding
charge (credit) to amounts added to policyholder account balances for
equity-indexed products based on the change in value of the indices. Such income
and related charges fluctuate based on the value of options embedded in the
segment's equity-indexed annuity policyholder account balances subject to this
benefit and to the performance of the index to which the returns on such
products are linked.
Trading account income related to policyholder and reinsurer accounts
represents the income on trading security accounts, which are designed to act as
hedges for embedded derivatives related to: (i) Conseco Insurance Group's
equity-indexed products; and (ii) certain modified coinsurance agreements. In
addition, such income includes the income on investments backing the market
strategies of certain annuity products which provide for different rates of cash
value growth based on the experience of a particular market strategy. The income
on our trading account securities is designed to substantially offset: (i) the
change in value of embedded derivatives related to modified coinsurance
agreements described below; and (ii) certain amounts included in insurance
policy benefits.
Change in value of embedded derivatives related to modified coinsurance
agreements is described in the note to our consolidated financial statements
entitled "Accounting for Derivatives." We have transferred the specific block of
investments related to these agreements to our trading securities account, which
we carry at estimated fair value with changes in such value recognized as
trading account income. The change in the value of the embedded derivatives has
largely been offset by the change in value of the trading securities.
Insurance policy benefits fluctuated as a result of the factors summarized
below for benefit ratios. Benefit ratios are calculated by dividing the related
insurance product's insurance policy benefits by insurance policy income.
The benefit ratios on Conseco Insurance Group's Medicare Supplement
products in the first quarters of 2005 and 2004 were impacted by rate increases.
The higher rates increased policyholder lapses. The release of the policy
benefit reserve related to the lapsed business contributed to the lower benefit
ratios in the 2005 and 2004 periods. Governmental regulations generally require
us to attain and maintain a ratio of total benefits incurred to total premiums
earned (as calculated based on amounts reported for statutory accounting
purposes), after three years, of not less than 65 percent on these products.
Conseco Insurance Group's specified disease products generally provide
fixed or limited benefits. For example, payments under cancer insurance policies
are generally made directly to, or at the direction of, the policyholder
following diagnosis of, or treatment for, a covered type of cancer.
Approximately three-fourths of our specified disease policies inforce (based on
policy count) are sold with return of premium or cash value riders. The return
of premium rider generally provides that after a policy has been inforce for a
specified number of years or upon the policyholder reaching a specified age, we
will pay to the policyholder, or a beneficiary under the policy, the aggregate
amount of all premiums paid under the policy, without interest, less the
aggregate amount of all claims incurred under the policy. The cash value rider
is similar to the return of premium rider, but also provides for payment of a
graded portion of the return of premium benefit if the policy terminates before
the return of premium benefit is earned. Accordingly, the net cash flows from
these products generally result in the accumulation of amounts in the early
years of a policy (accounted for as reserve increases) which will be paid out as
benefits in later policy years (accounted for as reserve decreases).
Accordingly, as the policies age, the benefit ratio will typically increase, but
the increase in the change in reserve will be partially offset by investment
income earned on the accumulated assets. In addition, the benefit ratio for the
first quarter of 2005 reflects unfavorable claim experience. The
interest-adjusted benefit ratio for specified disease products is calculated by
dividing the insurance product's insurance policy benefits less interest income
on the accumulated assets backing the insurance liabilities by insurance policy
income.
35
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
The benefit ratios on Conseco Insurance Group's other products are subject
to fluctuations due to the smaller size of these blocks of business. The benefit
ratio on this business during the first three months of 2005 reflected improved
experience, but given the variability of this ratio in the past, we expect
continued fluctuations in the future.
From time-to-time, we experience higher (or lower) than expected death
claims in the life business of the Conseco Insurance Group segment. For example,
during the first quarter of 2004, we experienced adverse life mortality of
approximately $4.4 million. Since the first quarter of 2004, our life mortality
experience generally returned to levels comparable to previous periods.
Amounts added to policyholder account balances for annuity products and
interest-sensitive life products were $64.3 million in the first quarter of
2005, down 5.3 percent from 2004. The decrease was primarily due to a smaller
block of annuity business inforce. The weighted average crediting rate for these
products was 3.9 percent in both the first quarters of 2005 and 2004.
Amounts added to equity-indexed products based on the change in value of
the indices correspond to the related investment income accounts described
above.
Amortization related to operations includes amortization of insurance
acquisition costs. Insurance acquisition costs are amortized either: (i) in
relation to the estimated gross profits for universal life-type and
investment-type products; or (ii) in relation to future anticipated premium
revenue for other products. In addition, for universal life-type and
investment-type products, we are required to adjust the total amortization
recorded to date through the statement of operations if actual experience or
other evidence suggests that earlier estimates of future gross profits should be
revised. Accordingly, amortization for universal life-type and investment-type
products is dependent on the profits realized during the period and on our
expectation of future profits. For other products, we amortize insurance
acquisition costs in relation to actual and expected premium revenue, and
amortization is only adjusted if expected premium revenue changes or if we
determine the balance of these costs is not recoverable from future profits. The
rate increases implemented in early 2005 and 2004 on our Medicare supplement
products resulted in higher lapses than we anticipated. These lapses reduced our
estimates of future expected premium income and, accordingly, we recognized
additional amortization expense of $3.4 million and $1.9 million in the first
quarters of 2005 and 2004, respectively. The assumptions we use to estimate our
future gross profits and premiums involve significant judgment. A revision to
our current assumptions could result in increases or decreases to amortization
expense in future periods.
Interest expense on investment borrowings fluctuates with Conseco Insurance
Group's investment borrowing activities and the interest rates thereon. Average
investment borrowings were $310.1 million and $322.7 million during the first
quarters of 2005 and 2004, respectively. The weighted average interest rates on
such borrowings were 2.6 percent and 1.2 percent during the first quarters of
2005 and 2004, respectively.
Other operating costs and expenses were $69.6 million in the first quarter
of 2005, $6.7 million less than the same period of 2004, which is primarily due
to lower commission expenses resulting from lower premium collections.
Net realized investment gains (losses) fluctuate each period. During the
three months ended March 31, 2005, we recognized net realized investment losses
of $2.5 million from the sales of investments (primarily fixed maturities).
During the first three months of 2004, net realized investment gains included
$21.8 million of net gains from the sales of investments (primarily fixed
maturities), net of $5.6 million of writedowns of fixed maturities, equity
securities and other invested assets resulting from declines in fair values that
we concluded were other than temporary. There were no such writedowns in the
first quarter of 2005.
Amortization related to net realized investment gains (losses) represents
the increases or decreases in amortization which result from realized investment
gains or losses. When we sell securities at a gain (loss) and reinvest the
proceeds at a different yield, we increase (reduce) the amortization of
insurance acquisition costs in order to reflect the change in future expected
yields. Sales of fixed maturity investments resulted in an increase (decrease)
in the amortization of insurance acquisition costs of $(1.6) million and $7.4
million in the first quarters of 2005 and 2004, respectively.
36
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
Other Business in Run-Off (dollars in millions):
Three months ended
March 31,
----------------------
2005 2004
---- ----
Premium collections:
Long-term care..................................................................... $ 92.3 $ 98.6
Major medical..................................................................... .7 6.1
-------- --------
Total collections............................................................. $ 93.0 $ 104.7
======== ========
Average liabilities for insurance products:
Long-term care..................................................................... $3,295.2 $3,293.8
Major medical...................................................................... 50.6 85.2
-------- --------
Total average liabilities for insurance products,
net of reinsurance ceded.................................................. $3,345.8 $3,379.0
======== ========
Revenues:
Insurance policy income............................................................ $ 91.5 $ 103.3
Net investment income on general account invested assets........................... 43.2 40.3
Fee revenue and other income....................................................... .1 .3
-------- --------
Total revenues................................................................. 134.8 143.9
-------- --------
Expenses:
Insurance policy benefits.......................................................... 86.5 101.3
Amortization related to operations................................................. 5.8 4.8
Other operating costs and expenses................................................. 21.0 22.9
-------- --------
Total expenses................................................................. 113.3 129.0
-------- --------
Income before net realized investment gains and income taxes................... 21.5 14.9
Net realized investment gains...................................................... 2.1 2.7
-------- --------
Income before income taxes..................................................... $ 23.6 $ 17.6
======== ========
Health benefit ratios:
Insurance policy benefits........................................................ $86.5 $101.3
Benefit ratio (a)................................................................ 94.47% 98.06%
Interest-adjusted benefit ratio (b).............................................. 48.18% 59.99%
- -----------
(a) We calculate benefit ratios by dividing the related product's insurance
policy benefits by insurance policy income.
(b) We calculate the interest-adjusted benefit ratio (a non-GAAP measure) for
long-term care products by dividing such product's insurance policy
benefits less interest income on the accumulated assets backing such
insurance liabilities by policy income. Interest income is an important
factor in measuring the performance of this product. The net cash flows
from long-term care products generally cause an accumulation of amounts in
the early years of a policy (accounted for as reserve increases) which will
be paid out as benefits in later policy years (accounted for as reserve
decreases). Accordingly, as the policies age, the benefit ratio will
typically increase, but the increase in the change in reserve will be
partially offset by investment income earned on the accumulated assets. The
interest-adjusted benefit ratio reflects the effects of the interest income
offset. Since interest income is an important factor in measuring the
performance of this product, management believes a benefit ratio which
includes the effect of interest income is useful in analyzing product
37
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
performance. The investment income earned on the accumulated assets backing
long-term care reserves in our Other Business in Run-off segment was $42.4
million and $39.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2005 and
2004, respectively.
Total premium collections were $93.0 million in the first quarter of 2005,
down 11 percent from 2004, because we have ceased marketing the long-term care
business and major medical business of this segment. Accordingly, collected
premiums will decrease over time as policies lapse partially offset by premium
rate increases. See "Premium Collections" for further analysis.
Average liabilities of insurance products, net of reinsurance ceded were
$3.3 billion in the first quarter of 2005, down one percent from 2004.
Insurance policy income is comprised of premiums earned on the segment's
long-term care and major medical policies. See "Premium Collections" for further
analysis.
Net investment income on general account invested assets was $43.2 million
in the first quarter of 2005, up 7.2 percent from 2004. The average balance of
general account invested assets was $3.0 billion in both the first quarters of
2005 and 2004. The yield on these assets was 5.8 percent and 5.4 percent in the
first quarters of 2005 and 2004, respectively. The increase in yield was
primarily due to lengthening the duration of this portfolio to better match the
duration of the related insurance liabilities.
Insurance policy benefits fluctuated primarily as a result of the factors
summarized below related to benefit ratios in the blocks of long-term care
business included in this segment. Benefit ratios are calculated by dividing the
product's insurance policy benefits by insurance policy income.
This segment includes long-term care insurance inforce, substantially all
of which was issued through independent agents by certain subsidiaries prior to
their acquisitions by Conseco in 1996 and 1997. The loss experience on these
products has been worse than we originally expected. Although we anticipated a
higher level of benefits to be paid on these products as the policies aged, the
paid claims have exceeded our expectations. We have experienced adverse
developments on home health care policies issued in certain areas of Florida and
other states. This adverse experience is reflected in our high benefit ratios.
We have been aggressively seeking rate increases and pursuing other actions on
such long-term care policies. Since mid-2004, we have been actively managing our
long-term care cases and claim adjudication processes. On April 20, 2004, the
Florida Office of Insurance Regulation issued an order to our subsidiary,
Conseco Senior Health Insurance Company ("Conseco Senior"), that affected
approximately 11,000 home health care policies issued in Florida by Conseco
Senior and its predecessor companies. Pursuant to the order, Conseco Senior must
offer the following three alternatives to holders of these policies:
o retention of their current policy with a rate increase of 50 percent
in the first year and actuarially justified increases in subsequent
years;
o receipt of a replacement policy with reduced benefits and a rate
increase in the first year of 25 percent and no more than 15 percent
in subsequent years; or
o receipt of a paid up policy, allowing the holder to file future claims
up to 100 percent of the amount of premiums paid since the inception
of the policy.
We expect to complete the process of notifying our home health care
policyholders of these choices in the second quarter of 2005. We should know
which option each policyholder selects by September 30, 2005.
On July 1, 2004, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation issued a
similar order impacting approximately 4,500 home health care policies which are
obligations of our subsidiary, Washington National Insurance Company
("Washington National"). The orders also require Conseco Senior and Washington
National to pursue a similar course of action with respect to approximately
24,000 home health care policies in other states, subject to consideration and
approval by the other state insurance departments. If we are unsuccessful in
obtaining rate increases or other forms of relief in those states, or if the
policy changes approved by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation prove
inadequate, our future results of operations could be adversely affected.
38
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
We believe our actions to seek rate increases and to improve our claims
adjudication processes are resulting in improved benefit ratios on this
business. In addition, our benefit ratio in the first three months of 2004
reflected $7.0 million of favorable developments from insurance liabilities
established in prior periods for our discontinued major medical business.
The net cash flows from long-term care products generally cause an
accumulation of amounts in the early years of a policy (accounted for as reserve
increases) which will be paid out as benefits in later policy years (accounted
for as reserve decreases). Accordingly, as the policies age, the benefit ratio
will typically increase, but the increase in the change in reserve will be
partially offset by investment income earned on the assets which have
accumulated. The interest-adjusted benefit ratio for long-term care products is
calculated by dividing the insurance product's insurance policy benefits less
interest income on the accumulated assets backing the insurance liabilities by
insurance policy income.
Amortization related to operations includes amortization of insurance
acquisition costs.
Other operating costs and expenses were $21.0 million in the first quarter
of 2005, down 8.3 percent from 2004. The decrease is consistent with our goal to
reduce operating expenses and improve the efficiency of our operations.
Net realized investment gains fluctuated each period. During the three
months ended March 31, 2005, we recognized net realized investment gains in this
segment of $2.1 million from the sales of investments (primarily fixed
maturities). During the first three months of 2004, net realized investment
gains included $2.8 million of net gains from the sales of investments
(primarily fixed maturities), net of a writedown of $.1 million related to an
investment with a fair value decline that we concluded was other than temporary.
There were no such writedowns in the first quarter of 2005.
39
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
Corporate (dollars in millions):
Three months ended
March 31,
----------------------
2005 2004
---- ----
Corporate operations:
Interest expense on corporate debt.................................................. $(12.0) $(27.8)
Net investment income .............................................................. .5 .2
Fee revenue and other income........................................................ 3.0 5.0
Other operating costs and expenses.................................................. (12.1) (16.5)
------ ------
Loss before net realized investment losses and income taxes....................... (20.6) (39.l)
Net realized investment losses...................................................... - (2.8)
------ ------
Loss before income taxes.......................................................... $(20.6) $(41.9)
====== ======
Interest expense on corporate debt in the three months ended March 31, 2005
declined $15.8 million from the same period in 2004 primarily due to the
refinancing of our Previous Credit Facility in the second quarter of 2004 which
decreased our corporate debt and provided better interest rate terms. Our
average corporate debt outstanding was $768.0 million and $1.3 billion during
the first quarters of 2005 and 2004, respectively. The average interest rate on
our debt was 6.2 percent and 7.9 percent during the first quarters of 2005 and
2004, respectively.
Investment income primarily included income earned on short-term
investments held by the Corporate segment.
Fee revenue and other income includes: (i) revenues we receive for managing
investments for other companies; and (ii) fees received for marketing insurance
products of other companies. Fee revenue and other income decreased primarily as
a result of a decrease in the market value of investments managed for others,
upon which these fees are based.
Other operating costs and expenses include general corporate expenses, net
of amounts charged to subsidiaries for services provided by the corporate
operations. General corporate expenses included severance expense of $4.4
million in the three months ended March 31, 2004.
Net realized investment losses in the first three months of 2004 included a
writedown of $2.9 million due to an other-than-temporary decline in value.
PREMIUM COLLECTIONS
In accordance with GAAP, insurance policy income in our consolidated
statement of operations consists of premiums earned for policies that have life
contingencies or morbidity features. For annuity and universal life contracts
without such features, premiums collected are not reported as revenues, but as
deposits to insurance liabilities. We recognize revenues for these products over
time in the form of investment income and surrender or other charges.
Agents, insurance brokers and marketing companies who market our products
and prospective purchasers of our products use the financial strength ratings of
our insurance subsidiaries as an important factor in determining whether to
market or purchase. Ratings have the most impact on our annuity and
interest-sensitive life insurance products. Our insurance companies' financial
strength ratings were downgraded by all of the major rating agencies beginning
in July 2002, in connection with the financial distress that ultimately led to
our Predecessor's bankruptcy. In the second quarter of 2004, such ratings of our
primary insurance subsidiaries (except Conseco Senior) were upgraded by A.M.
Best Company ("A.M. Best"), S&P and Moody's Investors Services, Inc.
("Moody's"). In the third quarter of 2004, Moody's again upgraded the ratings of
our primary insurance subsidiaries (except Conseco Senior). The current
financial strength ratings of our primary insurance subsidiaries (except Conseco
Senior) from A.M. Best, S&P and Moody's are "B++ (Very Good), "BB+" and "Ba1",
respectively. The current financial strength ratings of Conseco Senior from A.M.
Best, S&P and Moody's are "B (Fair)", "CCC" and "Caa1", respectively. For a
description of these ratings and additional information on our ratings, see
"Liquidity
40
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
for Insurance Operations." Many of our competitors have higher financial
strength ratings and we believe it is critical for us to continue to improve our
ratings to be competitive.
We set premium rates on our health insurance policies based on facts and
circumstances known at the time we issue the policies and on assumptions about
numerous variables, including the actuarial probability of a policyholder
incurring a claim, the probable size of the claim, and the interest rate earned
on our investment of premiums. In setting premium rates, we consider historical
claims information, industry statistics, the rates of our competitors and other
factors. If our actual claims experience is less favorable than we anticipated
and we are unable to raise our premium rates, our financial results may be
adversely affected. Our estimates of insurance liabilities assume we will be
able to raise rates if blocks of our health insurance business become
unprofitable. We generally cannot raise our health insurance premiums in any
state until we obtain the approval of the state insurance regulator. We review
the adequacy of our premium rates regularly and file rate increases on our
products when we believe such rates are too low. It is possible that we will not
be able to obtain approval for premium rate increases from currently pending
requests or requests filed in the future. If such requests are denied in one or
more states, our net income may decrease. If such requests are approved,
increased premium rates may reduce the volume of our new sales and may cause
existing policyholders to lapse their policies. If the healthier policyholders
allow their policies to lapse, this would reduce our premium income and
profitability in future periods. Additionally, we may be required to expense all
or a portion of the insurance acquisition costs relating to such lapsed
policies, adversely affecting our financial results in that period.
Our insurance segments sell products through three primary distribution
channels -- career agents and direct marketing (our Bankers Life segment) and
independent producers (our Conseco Insurance Group segment). Our career agency
force in the Bankers Life segment sells primarily Medicare supplement and
long-term care insurance policies, senior life insurance and annuities. These
agents visit the customer's home, which permits one-on-one contact with
potential policyholders and promotes strong personal relationships with existing
policyholders. Bankers Life's direct marketing distribution channel is engaged
primarily in the sale of "graded benefit life" insurance policies which are sold
directly to the policyholder. Our independent producer distribution channel in
the Conseco Insurance Group segment consists of a general agency and insurance
brokerage distribution system comprised of independent licensed agents doing
business in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and certain
protectorates of the United States. Independent producers are a diverse network
of independent agents, insurance brokers and marketing organizations. Our
independent producer distribution channel sells primarily specified disease and
Medicare supplement insurance policies, universal life insurance and annuities.
41
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
Total premium collections by segment were as follows:
Bankers Life (dollars in millions):
Three months ended
March 31,
--------------------
2005 2004
---- ----
Premiums collected by product:
Annuities:
Equity-indexed (first-year)............................................................. $ 16.1 $ 6.5
------ ------
Other fixed (first-year)................................................................ 204.2 169.8
Other fixed (renewal)................................................................... 1.4 1.0
------ ------
Subtotal - other fixed annuities...................................................... 205.6 170.8
------ ------
Total annuities....................................................................... 221.7 177.3
------ ------
Supplemental health:
Medicare supplement (first-year)........................................................ 17.7 16.8
Medicare supplement (renewal)........................................................... 152.0 150.6
------ ------
Subtotal - Medicare supplement........................................................ 169.7 167.4
------ ------
Long-term care (first-year)............................................................. 17.1 16.8
Long-term care (renewal)................................................................ 123.7 115.7
------ ------
Subtotal - long-term care............................................................. 140.8 132.5
------ ------
Other health (first-year)............................................................... .2 .3
Other health (renewal).................................................................. 2.9 2.9
------ ------
Subtotal - other health............................................................... 3.1 3.2
------ ------
Total supplemental health............................................................. 313.6 303.1
------ ------
Life insurance:
First-year.............................................................................. 15.3 10.9
Renewal................................................................................. 33.3 32.1
------ ------
Total life insurance.................................................................. 48.6 43.0
------ ------
Collections on insurance products:
Total first-year premium collections on insurance products.............................. 270.6 221.1
Total renewal premium collections on insurance products................................. 313.3 302.3
------ ------
Total collections on insurance products............................................... $583.9 $523.4
====== ======
Annuities in this segment include equity-indexed and other fixed annuities
sold to the senior market through our career agents. Annuity collections from
career agents increased 25 percent, to $221.7 million, in the first quarter of
2005 as compared to the same period in 2004. The minimum guaranteed crediting
rates on certain of our annuity products sold in 2005 were attractive as these
rates were higher than those of some competitors.
Supplemental health products include Medicare supplement, long-term care
and other insurance products distributed through our career agency force. Our
profits on supplemental health policies depend on the overall level of sales,
the length of time the business remains inforce, investment yields, claim
experience and expense management.
Collected premiums on Medicare supplement policies were comparable in the
first quarters of 2004 and 2005.
42
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
Premiums collected on Bankers Life's long-term care policies increased 6.3
percent, to $140.8 million, in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same
period in 2004 primarily due to persistency of our existing business and new
sales in recent periods.
Other health products include various products which we no longer actively
market. Premiums collected were comparable in the first quarters of 2004 and
2005.
Life products in our Bankers Life segment are sold primarily to the senior
market through our career agents and our direct response distribution channel.
Life premiums collected in this segment increased 13 percent, to $48.6 million,
in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 as a result of
new sales.
43
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
Conseco Insurance Group (dollars in millions):
Three months ended
March 31,
--------------------
2005 2004
---- ----
Premiums collected by product:
Annuities:
Equity-indexed (first-year)........................................................ $ 19.3 $ 5.8
Equity-indexed (renewal)........................................................... 2.5 2.1
------ ------
Subtotal - equity-indexed annuities.............................................. 21.8 7.9
------ ------
Other fixed (first-year)........................................................... .9 .6
Other fixed (renewal).............................................................. 2.6 4.9
------ ------
Subtotal - other fixed annuities................................................. 3.5 5.5
------ ------
Total annuities.................................................................. 25.3 13.4
------ ------
Supplemental health:
Medicare supplement (first-year)................................................... 3.1 7.6
Medicare supplement (renewal)...................................................... 76.2 86.5
------ ------
Subtotal - Medicare supplement................................................... 79.3 94.1
------ ------
Specified disease (first-year)..................................................... 8.1 8.2
Specified disease (renewal)........................................................ 84.1 83.6
------ ------
Subtotal - specified disease..................................................... 92.2 91.8
------ ------
Other health (first-year).......................................................... - -
Other health (renewal)............................................................. 3.1 5.0
------ ------
Subtotal - other health.......................................................... 3.1 5.0
------ ------
Total supplemental health........................................................ 174.6 190.9
------ ------
Life insurance:
First-year......................................................................... 2.8 5.7
Renewal............................................................................ 86.9 96.1
------ ------
Total life insurance............................................................. 89.7 101.8
------ ------
Collections on insurance products:
Total first-year premium collections on insurance products......................... 34.2 27.9
Total renewal premium collections on insurance products............................ 255.4 278.2
------ ------
Total collections on insurance products.......................................... $289.6 $306.1
====== ======
Annuities in this segment include equity-indexed and other fixed annuities
sold through professional independent producers, many of whom discontinued
marketing our products after A.M. Best lowered our financial strength ratings in
2002. Total annuity premiums collected in this segment increased 89 percent, to
$25.3 million, in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004
due to increased sales efforts in this segment, particularly related to
equity-indexed products.
The accumulation value of equity-indexed annuities is credited with
interest at an annual guaranteed minimum rate of 3 percent (or, including the
effect of applicable sales loads, a 1.7 percent compound average interest rate
over the term of the contracts). These annuities provide for potentially higher
returns based on a percentage of the change in one of several equity market
indices during each year of their term. We purchase options in an effort to
hedge increases to policyholder benefits resulting from increases in the
indices. Total collected premiums for this product increased 176 percent, to
$21.8 million, in the first quarter of 2005 over the same period in 2004 due to
the recent introduction of two new products and certain sales
44
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
incentives provided to professional independent producers.
Other fixed rate annuity products include SPDAs, FPDAs and SPIAs, which are
credited with a declared rate. SPDA and FPDA policies typically have an interest
rate that is guaranteed for the first policy year, after which we have the
discretionary ability to change the crediting rate to any rate not below a
guaranteed minimum rate. The interest rate credited on SPIAs is based on market
conditions existing when a policy is issued and remains unchanged over the life
of the SPIA. Annuity premiums on these products decreased 36 percent, to $3.5
million, in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 due to
our emphasis on the sales of other products that are less ratings sensitive.
Supplemental health products in the Conseco Insurance Group segment include
Medicare supplement, specified disease and other insurance products distributed
through professional independent producers. Our profits on supplemental health
policies depend on the overall level of sales, the length of time the business
remains inforce, investment yields, claim experience and expense management.
Collected premiums on Medicare supplement policies in the Conseco Insurance
Group segment decreased 16 percent, to $79.3 million, in the first quarter of
2005 compared to the same period in 2004. In the first quarter of 2005,
increases in premium rates resulted in higher than expected lapses which
impacted the premiums collected for these products in this segment. In January
2005, we began selling a Medicare supplement policy in another subsidiary which
is more competitively priced.
Premiums collected on specified disease products in the first quarter of
2005 were comparable to the same period in 2004.
Premiums collected from other health products decreased 38 percent, to $3.1
million, in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004
because we no longer actively market many of these products.
Life products in the Conseco Insurance Group segment are sold through
professional independent producers. Life premiums collected decreased 12
percent, to $89.7 million, in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same
period in 2004. Our A.M. Best rating has negatively affected our sales of life
products.
45
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
Other Business in Run-Off (dollars in millions):
Three months ended
March 31,
--------------------
2005 2004
---- ----
Premiums collected by product:
Long-term care:
First-year.......................................................................... $ - $ .2
Renewal............................................................................. 92.3 98.4
----- ------
Subtotal - long-term care......................................................... 92.3 98.6
----- ------
Major medical:
Group (renewal)..................................................................... - 5.1
Individual (renewal)................................................................ .7 1.0
----- ------
Total major medical............................................................... .7 6.1
----- ------
Collections on insurance products:
Total first-year premium collections on insurance products.......................... - .2
Total renewal premium collections on insurance products............................. 93.0 104.5
----- ------
Total collections on insurance products........................................... $93.0 $104.7
===== ======
The Other Business in Run-off segment includes: (i) long-term care products
written in prior years through independent agents; and (ii) group and individual
major medical business in run-off.
Long-term care premiums collected in this segment decreased 6.4 percent, to
$92.3 million, in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004.
Most of the long-term care premiums in this segment relate to business written
by certain subsidiaries prior to their acquisitions by Conseco in 1996 and 1997.
We ceased selling new long-term care policies through professional independent
producers in the second quarter of 2003. We expect this segment's long-term care
premiums to reflect additional policy lapses in the future, partially offset by
premium rate increases. See "Results of Operations - Other Business in Run-Off"
for additional discussion related to orders issued by the Florida Office of
Insurance Regulation regarding certain blocks of our long-term care business.
Major medical premium collections continue to decrease as we manage the
run-off of this block of business.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Changes in our consolidated balance sheet between March 31, 2005 and
December 31, 2004, primarily reflect: (i) our net income for the three months
ended March 31, 2005; and (ii) changes in the fair value of actively managed
fixed maturity securities.
In accordance with GAAP, we record our actively managed fixed maturity
investments, equity securities and certain other invested assets at estimated
fair value with any unrealized gain or loss (excluding impairment losses, which
are recognized through earnings), net of tax and related adjustments, recorded
as a component of shareholders' equity. At March 31, 2005, we increased the
carrying value of such investments by $279.6 million as a result of this fair
value adjustment.
46
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
Our capital structure as of March 31, 2005, and December 31, 2004, was as
follows (dollars in millions):
March 31, December 31,
2005 2004
---- ----
Total capital:
Corporate notes payable................................................ $ 758.4 $ 758.9
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock..................................................... 667.8 667.8
Common stock........................................................ 1.5 1.5
Additional paid-in-capital.......................................... 2,600.1 2,597.8
Accumulated other comprehensive income.............................. 155.4 337.3
Retained earnings................................................... 370.1 297.8
-------- --------
Total shareholders' equity....................................... 3,794.9 3,902.2
-------- --------
Total capital.................................................... $4,553.3 $4,661.1
======== ========
The following table summarizes certain financial ratios as of and for the
three months ended March 31, 2005, and as of and for the year ended December 31,
2004:
March 31, December 31,
2005 2004
---- ----
Book value per common share................................................................... $20.70 $21.41
Book value per common share, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (a)............. 19.67 19.18
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges............................................................ 2.05x 1.90x
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends.................................... 1.83x 1.58x
Debt to total capital ratios:
Corporate debt to total capital............................................................ 17% 16%
Corporate debt to total capital, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (a)...... 17% 18%
Corporate debt and preferred stock to total capital........................................ 31% 31%
Corporate debt and preferred stock to total capital, excluding accumulated other
comprehensive income (a)................................................................. 32% 33%
- --------------------
(a) This non-GAAP measure differs from the corresponding GAAP measure presented
immediately above because accumulated other comprehensive income has been
excluded from the value of capital used to determine this measure.
Management believes this non-GAAP measure is useful because it removes the
volatility that arises from changes in accumulated other comprehensive
income. Such volatility is often caused by changes in the estimated fair
value of our investment portfolio resulting from changes in general market
interest rates rather than the business decisions made by management.
However, this measure does not replace the corresponding GAAP measure.
Liquidity for insurance operations
Our insurance operating companies generally receive adequate cash flow from
premium collections and investment income to meet their obligations. Life
insurance and annuity liabilities are generally long-term in nature.
Policyholders may, however, withdraw funds or surrender their policies, subject
to any applicable penalty provisions. We seek to balance the duration of our
invested assets with the estimated duration of benefit payments arising from
contract liabilities.
On June 25, 2004, A.M. Best upgraded the financial strength ratings of our
primary insurance subsidiaries from "B (Fair)" to "B++ (Very Good)", except
Conseco Senior (the issuer of most of our long-term care business in our Other
47
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
Business in Run-off segment), whose "B (Fair)" rating was affirmed by A.M. Best.
According to A.M. Best, these rating actions reflected the substantial
recapitalization of our balance sheet, improved absolute and risk-adjusted
capital on a statutory basis and improving operating fundamentals. The "B++"
rating is assigned to companies that have a good ability, in A.M. Best's
opinion, to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders. The "B" rating is
assigned to companies which have a fair ability in A.M. Best's opinion to meet
their current obligations to policyholders, but are financially vulnerable to
adverse changes in underwriting and economic conditions. A.M. Best ratings for
the industry currently range from "A++ (Superior)" to "F (In Liquidation)" and
some companies are not rated. An "A++" rating indicates a superior ability to
meet ongoing obligations to policyholders. The "B++" rating and the "B" rating
from A.M. Best are the fifth and seventh highest, respectively, of sixteen
possible ratings.
On May 27, 2004, S&P upgraded the financial strength ratings of our primary
insurance companies from "BB-" to "BB+", except Conseco Senior, which was
assigned a "CCC" rating. S&P financial strength ratings range from "AAA" to "R"
and some companies are not rated. Rating categories from "BB" to "CCC" are
classified as "vulnerable", and pluses and minuses show the relative standing
within a category. In S&P's view, an insurer rated "BB" has marginal financial
security characteristics and although positive attributes exist, adverse
business conditions could lead to an insufficient ability to meet financial
commitments. In S&P's view, an insurer rated "CCC" has very weak financial
security characteristics and is dependent on favorable business conditions to
meet financial commitments. The "BB+" rating and the "CCC" rating from S&P are
the eleventh and eighteenth highest, respectively, of twenty-one possible
ratings.
On May 27, 2004, Moody's upgraded the financial strength ratings of our
primary insurance companies from "Ba3" to "Ba2", except Conseco Senior, which
was assigned a "Caa1" rating. On August 9, 2004, Moody's again upgraded the
financial strength ratings of our primary insurance companies from "Ba2" to
"Ba1" and reaffirmed the "Caa1" rating of Conseco Senior. Moody's financial
strength ratings range from "Aaa" to "C". Rating categories from "Ba" to "C" are
considered "vulnerable" by Moody's, and may be supplemented with numbers "1",
"2", or "3" to show relative standing within a category. In Moody's view, an
insurer rated "Ba" offers questionable financial security and the ability of the
insurer to meet policyholder obligations may be very moderate and thereby not
well safeguarded in the future. In Moody's view, an insurer rated "Caa" offers
very poor financial security and may default on its policyholder obligations or
there may be elements of danger with respect to punctual payment of policyholder
obligations and claims. The "Ba1" rating and "Caal" rating from Moody's are the
eleventh and seventeenth highest, respectively, of twenty-one possible ratings.
We have adopted several initiatives designed to reduce the expense levels
in our Conseco Insurance Group segment. These initiatives include system
conversions that will eliminate duplicate processing systems. We expect to spend
over $23 million on capital expenditures in 2005 (including amounts related to
these initiatives). We believe we have adequate cash flows from operations to
fund these initiatives.
Liquidity of the Holding Companies
On June 22, 2004, we entered into the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility
is a six-year term loan, the proceeds of which were used: (i) to refinance in
full all indebtedness, including accrued interest, under the Previous Credit
Facility; (ii) to repurchase $106.6 million of certain affiliated preferred
stock; and (iii) for other general corporate purposes. We are required to make:
(i) a principal payment of $1.1 million on December 31, 2005; and (ii) quarterly
principal payments of $2.0 million commencing March 31, 2006, and continuing
until March 31, 2010. The remaining principal balance is due on June 22, 2010.
The Company made an optional prepayment of $28.0 million in December 2004. The
Company made a mandatory prepayment of $.9 million (after consideration of the
$28.0 million prepayment) on March 31, 2005, based on the Company's excess cash
flows at December 31, 2004, as defined in the Credit Facility. See the note to
the consolidated financial statements entitled "Notes Payable - Direct Corporate
Obligations" for further discussion related to the Credit Facility.
At March 31, 2005, Conseco Inc. and CDOC held unrestricted cash of $44.3
million. In addition, our other non-life insurance subsidiaries held
unrestricted cash of approximately $21.8 million which could be upstreamed to
the parent companies if needed.
Conseco and CDOC are holding companies with no business operations of their
own; they depend on their operating subsidiaries for cash to make principal and
interest payments on debt, and to pay administrative expenses and income taxes.
Conseco and CDOC receive cash from insurance subsidiaries, consisting of
dividends and distributions, principal and interest payments on surplus
debentures, fees for services and tax-sharing payments, as well as cash from
non-insurance subsidiaries consisting of loans and advances. A deterioration in
the financial condition, earnings or cash flow of the material subsidiaries
48
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
of Conseco or CDOC for any reason could hinder such subsidiaries' ability to pay
cash dividends or other disbursements to Conseco and/or CDOC, which, in turn,
would limit Conseco's and/or CDOC's ability to meet debt service requirements
and satisfy other financial obligations. In addition, we may need to contribute
additional capital to certain insurance subsidiaries to improve their Risk-Based
Capital ("RBC") ratios and this could affect the ability of our top tier
insurance subsidiary to pay dividends.
The ability of our insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends is subject to
state insurance department regulations and is based on the financial statements
of our insurance subsidiaries prepared in accordance with statutory accounting
practices prescribed or permitted by regulatory authorities, which differ from
GAAP. These regulations generally permit dividends to be paid from statutory
earned surplus of the insurance company for any 12-month period in amounts equal
to the greater of (or in a few states, the lesser of): (i) statutory net gain
from operations or net income for the prior year; or (ii) 10 percent of
statutory capital and surplus as of the end of the preceding year. Any dividends
in excess of these levels require the approval of the director or commissioner
of the applicable state insurance department.
Our cash flow may be affected by a variety of factors, many of which are
outside of our control, including insurance and banking regulatory issues,
competition, financial markets and other general business conditions. We cannot
provide assurance that we will possess sufficient income and liquidity to meet
all of our liquidity requirements and other obligations.
If an insurance company subsidiary were to be liquidated, that liquidation
would be conducted following the insurance laws of its state of domicile with
such state's insurance regulator as the receiver for such insurer's property and
business. In the event of a default on our debt or our insolvency, liquidation
or other reorganization, our creditors and stockholders would have no right to
proceed against the assets of our insurance subsidiaries or to cause their
liquidation under federal and state bankruptcy laws.
Under our Credit Facility, we have agreed to a number of covenants and
other provisions that restrict our ability to engage in various financing
transactions and pursue certain operating activities without the prior consent
of the lenders. We have also agreed to meet or maintain various financial
ratios. These requirements represent significant restrictions on the manner in
which we may operate our business and our ability to meet these financial
covenants may be affected by events beyond our control. If we default under any
of these requirements (subject to certain remedies), the lenders could declare
all outstanding borrowings, accrued interest and fees to be immediately due and
payable. If that were to occur, we cannot provide assurance that we would have
sufficient liquidity to repay or refinance this indebtedness.
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CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
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INVESTMENTS
At March 31, 2005, the amortized cost and estimated fair value of actively
managed fixed maturities and equity securities were as follows (dollars in
millions):
Gross Gross Estimated
Amortized unrealized unrealized fair
cost gains losses value
---- ----- ------ -----
Investment grade:
Corporate securities................................................ $12,183.5 $316.7 $ 85.3 $12,414.9
United States Treasury securities and obligations of
United States government corporations and agencies................ 1,774.7 11.1 10.5 1,775.3
States and political subdivisions................................... 1,148.0 15.4 7.2 1,156.2
Debt securities issued by foreign governments....................... 133.5 3.2 .6 136.1
Structured securities .............................................. 5,732.2 35.0 33.3 5,733.9
Below-investment grade (primarily corporate securities)................ 751.3 34.7 9.7 776.3
--------- ------ ------ ---------
Total actively managed fixed maturities............................. $21,723.2 $416.1 $146.6 $21,992.7
========= ====== ====== =========
Equity securities...................................................... $62.3 $6.0 $.2 $68.1
===== ==== === =====
Concentration of Actively Managed Fixed Maturity Securities
The following table summarizes the carrying values of our actively managed
fixed maturity securities by industry category as of March 31, 2005 (dollars in
millions):
Percent of
Carrying value fixed maturities
-------------- ----------------
Structured securities................................................................ $ 5,735.7 26.1%
Manufacturing........................................................................ 2,265.0 10.3
Bank and finance..................................................................... 2,209.9 10.1
U.S. Government...................................................................... 1,775.3 8.1
Services............................................................................. 1,478.0 6.7
Utilities............................................................................ 1,322.0 6.0
States and political subdivisions.................................................... 1,161.4 5.3
Communications....................................................................... 1,098.2 5.0
Agriculture, forestry and mining..................................................... 822.3 3.7
Asset-backed securities.............................................................. 741.7 3.4
Retail and wholesale................................................................. 629.9 2.8
Transportation....................................................................... 619.7 2.8
Other................................................................................ 2,133.6 9.7
--------- -----
Total fixed maturity securities................................................... $21,992.7 100.0%
========= =====
Below-Investment Grade Securities
At March 31, 2005, the amortized cost of the Company's below-investment
grade fixed maturity securities was $751.3 million, or 3.5 percent of the
Company's fixed maturity portfolio. The estimated fair value of the
below-investment grade portfolio was $776.3 million, or 103 percent of the
amortized cost. The value of these securities varies based on the economic terms
of the securities, structural considerations and the creditworthiness of the
issuer of the securities.
Below-investment grade securities have different characteristics than
investment grade corporate debt securities. Risk of loss upon default by the
borrower is significantly greater for below-investment grade securities and such
securities are
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CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------
generally unsecured and often subordinated to other creditors of the issuer.
Also, issuers of below-investment grade securities usually have higher levels of
debt and are more sensitive to adverse economic conditions, such as recession or
increasing interest rates, than are investment grade issuers. The Company
attempts to reduce the overall risk related to its investment in
below-investment grade securities, as in all investments, through careful credit
analysis, strict investment policy guidelines, and diversification by issuer
and/or guarantor and by industry.
Net Realized Investment Gains
During the three months ended March 31, 2005, we recognized net realized
investment gains of $1.6 million from the sales of investments (primarily fixed
maturities) with proceeds of $3.1 billion. During the first three months of
2004, we recognized net realized investment gains of $27.1 million, which were
comprised of $39.0 million of net gains from the sales of investments (primarily
fixed maturities) with proceeds of $2.3 billion, net of $11.9 million of
writedowns of fixed maturity investments, equity securities and other invested
assets resulting from declines in fair values that we concluded were other than
temporary. There were no such writedowns in the first quarter of 2005. At March
31, 2005, fixed maturity securities in default as to the payment of principal or
interest had an aggregate amortized cost of $4.6 million and a carrying value of
$5.8 million.
During the three months ended March 31, 2005, we sold $1.1 billion of fixed
maturity investments which resulted in gross investment losses (before income
taxes) of $20.7 million. We sell securities at a loss for a number of reasons
including, but not limited to: (i) changes in the investment environment; (ii)
expectation that the market value could deteriorate further; (iii) desire to
reduce our exposure to an issuer or an industry; (iv) changes in credit quality;
(v) identification of a superior investment alternative; or (vi) our analysis
indicates there is a high probability that the security is
other-than-temporarily impaired.
Recognition of Losses
We regularly evaluate all of our investments for possible impairment based
on current economic conditions, credit loss experience and other
investee-specific developments. If there is a decline in a security's net
realizable value that is other than temporary, the decline is recognized as a
realized loss and the cost basis of the security is reduced to its estimated
fair value.
Our assessment of whether unrealized losses are "other than temporary"
requires significant judgment. Factors considered include: (i) the extent to
which market value is less than the cost basis; (ii) the length of time that the
market value has been less than cost; (iii) whether the unrealized loss is event
driven, credit-driven or a result of changes in market interest rates; (iv) the
near-term prospects for improvement in the issuer and/or its industry; (v) our
view of the investment's rating and whether the investment is investment-grade
and/or has been downgraded since its purchase; (vi) whether the issuer is
current on all payments in accordance with the contractual terms of the
investment and is expected to meet all of its obligations under the terms of the
investment; (vii) our ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of
time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery; and (viii) the underlying
current and prospective asset and enterprise values of the issuer and the extent
to which our investment may be affected by changes in such values.
When a decline in value is determined to be other than temporary and the
cost basis of the security is written down to fair value, we review the
circumstances of that particular investment in relation to other investments in
our portfolio. If such circumstances exist with respect to other investments,
those investments are also written down to fair value. Future events may occur,
or additional or updated information may become available, which may necessitate
future realized losses of securities in our portfolio. Significant losses in the
carrying value of our investments could have a material adverse effect on our
earnings in future periods.
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CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
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The following table sets forth the amortized cost and estimated fair value
of those actively managed fixed maturities with unrealized losses at March 31,
2005, by contractual maturity. Actual maturities will differ from contractual
maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations
with or without call or prepayment penalties. Most of the structured securities
shown below provide for periodic payments throughout their lives (dollars in
millions).
Estimated
Amortized fair
cost value
--------- ---------
Due in one year or less................................................................... $ 68.5 $ 68.3
Due after one year through five years..................................................... 1,016.2 1,000.1
Due after five years through ten years.................................................... 3,337.4 3,284.0
Due after ten years....................................................................... 2,038.1 1,994.5
-------- --------
Subtotal............................................................................... 6,460.2 6,346.9
Structured securities..................................................................... 2,832.7 2,799.4
-------- --------
Total.................................................................................. $9,292.9 $9,146.3
======== ========
At March 31, 2005, we had no investments in fixed maturities rated
below-investment grade or classified as equity-type securities in an unrealized
loss position exceeding 20 percent of the cost basis.
Our investment strategy is to maximize, over a sustained period and within
acceptable parameters of risk, investment income and total investment return
through active investment management. Accordingly, we may sell securities at a
gain or a loss to enhance the total return of the portfolio as market
opportunities change or to better match certain characteristics of our
investment portfolio with the corresponding characteristics of our insurance
liabilities. While we have both the ability and intent to hold securities with
unrealized losses until they mature or recover in value, we may sell securities
at a loss in the future because of actual or expected changes in our view of the
particular investment, its industry, its type or the general investment
environment. As described in the note to our consolidated financial statements
entitled "Recently Issued Accounting Standards", certain guidance related to
determining when an impairment of an investment is other than temporary is being
considered by the Emerging Issues Task Force. Depending on the ultimate guidance
issued, including guidance regarding management's assertion about intent and
ability to hold actively managed fixed maturities for a period of time
sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery, the Company's practice of
selling securities at a loss could result in a requirement to report unrealized
losses in a different manner, including reflecting unrealized losses in the
income statement as other-than-temporary impairments.
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CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
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The following table summarizes the gross unrealized losses and fair values
of our investments with unrealized losses that are not deemed to be
other-than-temporarily impaired, aggregated by investment category and length of
time that such securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at
March 31, 2005 (dollars in millions):
Less than 12 months 12 months or greater Total
------------------------ ----------------------- -------------------
Estimated Estimated Estimated
fair Unrealized fair Unrealized fair Unrealized
Description of securities value losses value losses value losses
------------------------- ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------
United States Treasury securities
and obligations of United
States government
corporations and agencies........ $1,172.0 $ (10.2) $ 2.4 $ (.3) $1,174.4 $ (10.5)
States and political subdivisions... 312.9 (4.3) 62.7 (3.6) 375.6 (7.9)
Debt securities issued by
foreign governments.............. 57.1 (.7) 3.3 (.2) 60.4 (.9)
Corporate securities................ 4,609.9 (89.3) 126.6 (4.7) 4,736.5 (94.0)
Structured securities............... 2,770.6 (32.6) 28.8 (.7) 2,799.4 (33.3)
-------- ------- ------ ----- -------- -------
Total actively managed
fixed maturities................. $8,922.5 $(137.1) $223.8 $(9.5) $9,146.3 $(146.6)
======== ======= ====== ===== ======== =======
Equity securities................... $5.8 $(.2) $ - $ - $5.8 $(.2)
==== ==== === === ==== ====
Based on management's current assessment of investments with unrealized
losses at March 31, 2005, the Company believes the issuers of the securities
will continue to meet their obligations (or with respect to equity-type
securities, the investment value will recover to its cost basis). The Company
has no current plans to sell these securities and has the ability to hold them
to maturity. If the Company concludes in future periods that the unrealized loss
is other than temporary, a charge to earnings would be recognized.
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CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
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Structured Securities
At March 31, 2005, fixed maturity investments included $5.7 billion of
structured securities (or 26 percent of all fixed maturity securities).
Structured securities include mortgage-backed securities, collateralized
mortgage obligations, asset-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed
securities. The yield characteristics of structured securities differ in some
respects from those of traditional fixed-income securities. For example,
interest and principal payments on mortgage-backed securities occur more
frequently, often monthly. In addition, mortgage-backed securities are subject
to a higher degree of risk associated with variable prepayments. Prepayment
rates are influenced by a number of factors that cannot be predicted with
certainty, including: the relative sensitivity of the underlying mortgages
backing the assets to changes in interest rates; a variety of economic,
geographic and other factors; and various security-specific structural
considerations (for example the repayment priority of a given security in a
securitization structure).
In general, prepayments on the underlying mortgage loans and the securities
backed by these loans increase when prevailing interest rates decline
significantly in absolute terms and also relative to the interest rates on such
loans. The yields on mortgage-backed securities purchased at a discount to par
will increase when the underlying mortgages prepay faster than expected. The
yields on mortgage-backed securities purchased at a premium will decrease when
the underlying mortgages prepay faster than expected. When interest rates
decline, the proceeds from the prepayment of mortgage-backed securities may be
reinvested at lower rates than we were earning on the prepaid securities. When
interest rates increase, prepayments on mortgage-backed securities decrease as
fewer underlying mortgages are refinanced. When this occurs, the average
maturity and duration of the mortgage-backed securities increase, which
decreases the yield on mortgage-backed securities purchased at a discount,
because the discount is realized as income at a slower rate, and increases the
yield on those purchased at a premium, because of a decrease in the annual
amortization of the premium.
The following table sets forth the par value, amortized cost and estimated
fair value of structured securities, summarized by interest rates on the
underlying collateral at March 31, 2005 (dollars in millions):
Par Amortized Estimated
value cost fair value
----- ---- ----------
Below 4 percent..................................................................... $ 323.1 $ 323.6 $ 321.7
4 percent - 5 percent............................................................... 1,336.2 1,286.2 1,282.0
5 percent - 6 percent............................................................... 2,973.0 2,945.6 2,941.5
6 percent - 7 percent............................................................... 960.6 987.6 997.4
7 percent - 8 percent............................................................... 154.0 160.4 162.0
8 percent and above................................................................. 28.3 30.1 31.1
-------- -------- --------
Total structured securities (a).............................................. $5,775.2 $5,733.5 $5,735.7
======== ======== ========
- ---------------
(a) Includes below-investment grade structured securities with an amortized
cost and estimated fair value of $1.3 million and $1.8 million,
respectively.
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CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
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The amortized cost and estimated fair value of structured securities at
March 31, 2005, summarized by type of security, were as follows (dollars in
millions):
Estimated fair value
---------------------
Percent
Amortized of fixed
Type cost Amount maturities
- ---- ---- ------ ----------
Pass-throughs and sequential and targeted amortization classes............ $3,347.1 $3,347.8 15%
Planned amortization classes and accretion-directed bonds................. 1,170.5 1,171.1 5
Commercial mortgage-backed securities..................................... 1,205.5 1,206.4 6
Subordinated classes and mezzanine tranches............................... 9.9 9.9 -
Other..................................................................... .5 .5 -
-------- -------- --
Total structured securities (a).................................... $5,733.5 $5,735.7 26%
======== ======== ==
- ------------------
(a) Includes below-investment grade structured securities with an amortized
cost and estimated fair value of $1.3 million and $1.8 million,
respectively.
Pass-through securities and sequential and targeted amortization class
securities have different prepayment variability characteristics and can be used
as collateral for collateralized mortgage obligations. Sequential classes are a
series of tranches that return principal to the tranche holders sequentially.
Targeted amortization classes offer slightly better structure in return of
principal than sequentials when prepayment speeds are close to the speed
anticipated when created.
Planned amortization classes and accretion-directed bonds adhere to fixed
schedules of principal payments as long as the underlying mortgages experience
prepayments within a certain range. Changes in prepayment rates are first
absorbed by support or companion classes. This insulates planned amortization
classes from the consequences of both faster prepayments (average life
shortening) and slower prepayments (average life extension).
Commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS") are bonds secured by
commercial real estate mortgages, generally income producing properties that are
managed for profit. Property types include multi-family dwellings including
apartments, retail centers, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes,
warehouses, and office buildings. The CMBS market generally offers higher yields
than similar-rated corporate bonds. Most CMBS have call protection features
whereby underlying borrowers may not prepay their mortgages for stated periods
of time without incurring prepayment penalties.
Subordinated and mezzanine tranches are classes that provide credit
enhancement to senior tranches. The rating agencies require that this credit
enhancement not deteriorate due to prepayments for a period of time, usually
five years of complete lockout, followed by another period of time where
prepayments are shared pro rata with senior tranches. Subordinated and mezzanine
tranches bear a majority of the risk of loss due to property owner defaults.
Subordinated bonds are generally rated "AA" or lower; we typically do not hold
securities rated lower than "BB".
Mortgage Loans
At March 31, 2005, the mortgage loan balance was primarily comprised of
commercial loans. Less than one percent of the mortgage loan balance was
noncurrent at March 31, 2005.
Investment Borrowings
Our investment borrowings averaged approximately $440.7 million during the
first three months of 2005, compared with $473.7 million during the same period
of 2004 and were collateralized by investment securities with fair values
approximately equal to the loan value. The weighted average interest rates on
such borrowings were 2.4 percent and 1.1 percent during the first three months
of 2005 and 2004, respectively.
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CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
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NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
See "Recently Issued Accounting Standards" in the notes to consolidated
financial statements for a discussion of recently issued accounting standards.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Our market risks, and the ways we manage them, are summarized in
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations", included in Conseco's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004. There have been no material changes in the first three months
of 2005 to such risks or our management of such risks.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Conseco's management,
under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer
and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of Conseco's
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based on this
evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded
that, as of March 31, 2005, Conseco's disclosure controls and procedures were
effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Conseco in
reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified
in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.
Changes to Internal Controls and Procedures for Financial Reporting. There
were no significant changes in Conseco's internal controls over financial
reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2005, that have
materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Conseco's
internal controls over financial reporting.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LITIGATION AND OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
Information required for Part II, Item 1 is incorporated by reference to
the discussion under the heading "Litigation and Other Legal Proceedings" in the
footnotes to our consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of
this Form 10-Q.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.
a) Exhibits.
12.1 Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and
Preferred Dividends.
31.1 Certification Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act Rule
13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2 Certification Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act Rule
13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002.
32.2 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002.
56
CONSECO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
CONSECO, INC.
Dated: May 6, 2005 By: /s/ Eugene M. Bullis
--------------------
Eugene M. Bullis
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
(authorized officer and principal
financial officer)
57