filings.toolsItem 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with Globe Life's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report. The following management discussion will only include comparison to prior year.
"Globe Life" and the "Company" refer to Globe Life Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
Results of Operations
 | How Globe Life Views Its Operations. Globe Life Inc. is the holding company for a group of insurance companies that market primarily individual life and supplemental health insurance to lower middle to middle-income households throughout the United States. We view our operations by segments, which are the insurance product lines of life, supplemental health, and annuities, and the investment segment that supports the product lines. Segments are aligned based on their common characteristics, comparability of the profit margins, and management techniques used to operate each segment. | |||||||
 | Insurance Product Line Segments. The insurance product line segments involve the marketing, underwriting, and administration of policies. Each product line is further segmented by the various distribution channels that market the insurance policies. Each distribution channel operates in a niche market offering insurance products designed for that particular market. Whether analyzing profitability of a segment as a whole, or the individual distribution channels within the segment, the measure of profitability used by management is the underwriting margin, as seen below: | |||||||
| Premium revenue (Policy obligations) (Policy acquisition costs and commissions) Underwriting margin | ||||||||
 | Investment Segment. The investment segment involves the management of our capital resources, including investments and the management of corporate debt and liquidity. Our measure of profitability for the investment segment is excess investment income, as seen below: | |||||||
| Net investment income (Required interest on net policy liabilities) (Financing costs) Excess investment income |
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
GLOBE LIFE INC.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
Long-Duration Targeted Improvements. As discussed in further detail within Note 2—New Accounting Standards**, the Company will adopt ASU 2018-12, Financial Services–Insurance (Topic 944): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts (LDTI), effective on January 1, 2023. The Company has selected the modified retrospective transition method upon adoption as of the transition date (the “Transition Date”) of January 1, 2021. The accounting adoption will have no economic impact on the cash flows of our business nor influence our business model of providing basic protection-oriented products to the underserved and lower middle to middle-income market. In addition, it will not impact our statutory earnings, statutory capital, nor our capital management philosophies.
The adoption will, however, modify the timing of when profits emerge on our insurance policies and result in the restatement of 2021 and 2022 key figures in the consolidated financial statements. We are anticipating GAAP net income and net operating income to increase significantly under the new standard primarily due to a reduction in DAC amortization in the near to intermediate term. Additionally, future policy benefits on our life insurance business for 2021 and 2022, as restated to reflect the new standard, are expected to be lower than originally reported reflecting the treatment of adverse claims experience incurred in 2021 and 2022, which gets spread out over future periods from transition, including those relating to COVID-19. The expected decrease in future policy benefits related to this item in 2021 is expected to be between $160 million and $200 million, and the impact on 2022 has not yet been quantified. This will result in slightly higher future policy benefits, as a percentage of premium, in future years than what would have been expected under existing guidance. Finally, we expect some modest decreases to future policy benefits, as a percentage of premium, in our health business on some of our limited benefit plans under the new standard.
With respect to future policy benefits, we anticipate an increase of between $9.5 billion and $11.0 billion on the Transition Date, which will be reflected in other comprehensive income. This change reflects an unrealized interest rate loss at transition and is a result of several primary factors:
a.Life insurance future policy benefit cash flows tend to be long as death benefits, which are greater than premium amounts, are typically paid to beneficiaries many years after a policy is issued. This results in a generally longer overall liability duration than the overall asset duration.
b.The new methodology requires the use of current discount rates (upper-medium grade) rather than locked-in discount rates, which are determined when a policy is issued. Current discount rates are generally lower than the locked-in discount rates used to determine net income. The required current discount rate is inconsistent with historical practices, the current asset portfolio and current investment strategy.
c.The methodology requires the net premium ratio3 used to determine future policy benefits be based on locked-in rates rather than permitting the redetermination of the net premium ratio using current discount rates. This restricts the level of gross premiums allowed in the calculation, as well as the level of gross premiums available to offset the impact of current discount rates to the extent these rates are realized in future years. Because of this requirement, the change in future policy benefits results in a measure of unrealized gain (loss) due to differences in discount rates only.
For Globe Life, discount rates lower than the locked-in discount rate under LDTI have the effect of increasing the level of reserves carried due to the use of net premiums in the calculation as compared to current GAAP, which in the loss recognition test, uses the total gross premium. Once implemented, future policy benefits will be sensitive to changes in current discount rates for the reasons stated above. To demonstrate this sensitivity to discount rates, to the extent current discount rates were consistent with rates as of September 30, 2022, we estimate future policy benefits as of the Transition Date would have only increased between $1.2 billion and $2.0 billion. For every 50 basis-point movement in the average discount rate, we estimate the impact on future policy benefits is $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion.
With respect to shareholders’ equity, as of the end of 2020, reported shareholders’ equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets was $8.8 billion. We anticipate a decrease in the range of $7.5 billion to $8.5 billion, net of tax, as a result of the requirement to use current discount rates to remeasure the future policy benefits and record the offset through AOCI at adoption.
3 The net premium ratio is the ratio between the present value of benefits and the present value of gross premium.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
GLOBE LIFE INC.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
If we hold all else equal as of the Transition Date but use current discount rates as of September 30, 2022, the after-tax decrease in AOCI due solely to the increase in future policy benefits would have been in the range of $1.0 billion to $1.6 billion. AOCI would also be impacted by fluctuations in the valuation of the fixed maturity bond portfolio in this situation.
Another item impacting shareholders’ equity relates to increases in the liability for future policy benefits on smaller, older blocks of business with a minimum floor or net premium ratios capped at 100%. For blocks of business that require increases in future policy benefits to minimum levels, or a net premium ratio capped at 100% on the Transition Date, any difference between the future policy benefits calculated using the discount rate immediately before the Transition Date, and the existing carrying value as of the Transition Date is recorded as an adjustment (decrease) to opening retained earnings. At the Transition Date, we expect a $15 million to $50 million, net of tax, decrease to opening retained earnings related to these items.
As noted above, we expect GAAP net income and net operating income to increase under the new standard due to a significant decrease in the annual amortization of DAC in the near and intermediate term. This is a result of changes to the calculation of amortization rate, including use of only deferred costs through the valuation date. For business with deferrals of renewal commissions, as is the case with our captive agency channels, the expected amortization rate as a percentage of premium will no longer be level, but will increase over the period of time during which commissions are deferred. The decrease in amortization in the near term will primarily impact our life insurance line of business. In total, we expect the increase in net income in 2023, largely due to the decrease in amortization, to fall within a range of $105 million and $130 million, net of tax. As time progresses, we expect this impact to diminish as the deferral of future renewal commissions increases amortization amounts.
Regarding our measure of excess investment income, we expect a significant decrease in the figure as a result of the updated standard. This is driven by the removal of interest in the computation of DAC. Although non-GAAP measures, the review of underwriting margin and excess investment income will remain an important part of the Company’s measurement of performance.
Inflation Reduction Act. The Inflation Reduction Act (the Act) was enacted on August 16, 2022, and included a new corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT). The Act and CAMT go into effect for tax years beginning after 2022. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact the Act will have, if any, on the financial statements.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
GLOBE LIFE INC.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
Current Highlights, comparing year-to-date 2022 with 2021.
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Net income as a return on equity (ROE) for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was 11.2% and net operating income as an ROE, excluding net unrealized gains or losses on the fixed maturity portfolio(1) was 13.1%.
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Total premium increased 6% over the prior year. Life premium increased 5% for the period from $2.2 billion in 2021 to $2.3 billion in 2022. Life underwriting margin increased 16% from $477 million in 2021 to $556 million in 2022.
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Net investment income increased 3% over the same period in the prior year.
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Total net sales increased 4% over the same period in the prior year from $518 million in 2021 to $539 million in 2022.
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Book value per share declined 47% below the same period in the prior year from $84.52 to $44.56. Book value per share, excluding net unrealized gains or losses on the fixed maturity portfolio**(1)**, increased 9% over the prior year from $57.11 in 2021 to $62.01 in 2022.
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The Company incurred $44 million of COVID-19 net life claims (net of reserves released upon death) for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared with $82 million during the same period last year.
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For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company repurchased 2.8 million shares of Globe Life Inc. common stock at a total cost of $279 million for an average share price of $98.46.
The following graphs represent net income and net operating income for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.
(1)As shown in the charts above, net operating income is the consolidated total of segment profits after tax and as such is considered a non-GAAP measure. It has been used consistently by Globe Life's management for many years to evaluate the operating performance of the Company. It differs from net income primarily because it excludes certain non-operating items such as realized gains and losses and certain significant and unusual items included in net income. Net income is the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
Net operating income as an ROE, excluding net unrealized gains or losses on the fixed maturity portfolio, is considered a non-GAAP measure. Management utilizes this measure to view the business without the effect of the net unrealized gains or losses, which are primarily attributable to fluctuation in interest rates on the available-for-sale portfolio. The impact of the adjustment to exclude net unrealized gains or losses on fixed maturities, net of tax is $(1.7) billion and $2.8 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Book value per share, excluding net unrealized gains or losses on the fixed maturity portfolio, is also considered a non-GAAP measure. Management utilizes this measure to view the book value of the business without the effect of net unrealized gains or losses, which are primarily attributable to fluctuation in interest rates on the available-for-sale portfolio. The impact of the adjustment to exclude net unrealized gains or losses on fixed maturities is $(17.45) and $27.41 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Refer to Analysis of Profitability by Segment for non-GAAP reconciliation to GAAP.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
GLOBE LIFE INC.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
Summary of Operations. Net income declined 7% to $528 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared with $567 million in the same period in 2021. This decrease was primarily attributed to $53 million of after-tax realized losses on investments in the current period, as compared to $45 million of after tax realized gains on investments in the year-ago period, partially offset by a $38 million decrease in COVID-19 net life claims from the year-ago period. See further discussion under the caption Investments. On a diluted per common share basis, net income per common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 declined 2% from $5.46 to $5.33.
Net operating income is the consolidated total of segment profits after tax and as such is considered a non-GAAP measure. Net income is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. We do not consider realized gains and losses to be a component of our core insurance operations or operating segments. Additionally, net income was affected by certain significant and unusual non-operating items in 2021 and through the nine months ended September 30, 2022. We do not view these items as components of core operating results because they are not indicative of past performance or future prospects of the insurance operations. We remove items such as these that relate to prior periods or are non-operating items when evaluating the results of current operations, and therefore exclude such items from our segment analysis for current periods. Net operating income increased 9% to $586 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared with $536 million for the same period in 2021, primarily due to a 16% increase in life underwriting margin. On a diluted per common share basis, net operating income per common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 increased from $5.16 to $5.91.
For the second straight quarter, the Company has experienced less COVID-19 net life claims than expected, resulting in improved underwriting margins. In addition, the Company continues to see positive signs in its core operations, including strong sales and premium growth, favorable persistency and a strong ROE, excluding net unrealized gains or losses on the fixed maturity portfolio.
COVID-19. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company incurred $44 million of COVID-19 net life claims (net of reserves released upon death), compared with $82 million for the same period in 2021. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were approximately 215,000 U.S. COVID-19 deaths for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 including 30,000 deaths in the current quarter. For the full year 2022, we expect total U.S. COVID deaths to fall within a range of 240,000 to 260,000.
At the midpoint of our 2022 guidance, we expect to incur approximately $51 million of COVID life claims for the full year based on an estimated range of $1.9 million to $2.1 million of COVID life claims per 10,000 U.S. deaths. In 2023, we expect deaths from COVID-19 to persist in an endemic state. At the mid-point of our guidance, we anticipate total COVID life claims of approximately $20 million based on estimated total U.S. deaths of approximately 105,000.
The projected life claims are dependent on this estimate and many other variables, including, but not limited to, projected U.S. deaths from COVID-19, the timing and availability of effective treatments for the disease, vaccination rates and effectiveness of vaccines, impact from potential variants, and the ages and geographic areas in which infections and deaths occur.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
GLOBE LIFE INC.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
Globe Life's operations on a segment-by-segment basis are discussed in depth below. Net operating income has been used consistently by management for many years to evaluate the operating performance of the Company and is a measure commonly used in the life insurance industry. It differs from GAAP net income primarily because it excludes certain non-operating items such as realized gains and losses and other significant and unusual items included in net income. Management believes an analysis of net operating income is important in understanding the profitability and operating trends of the Company’s business. Net income is the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
Analysis of Profitability by Segment
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | Change | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance underwriting margin | $ | 556,159 | $ | 477,395 | $ | 78,764 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||
| Health insurance underwriting margin | 239,044 | 223,619 | 15,425 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Annuity underwriting margin | 6,268 | 6,541 | (273) | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Excess investment income | 175,257 | 179,737 | (4,480) | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other insurance: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 861 | 1,004 | (143) | (14) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Administrative expense | (221,313) | (201,715) | (19,598) | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate and other | (34,692) | (31,549) | (3,143) | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Pre-tax total | 721,584 | 655,032 | 66,552 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Applicable taxes | (135,777) | (119,468) | (16,309) | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net operating income | 585,807 | 535,564 | 50,243 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Reconciling items, net of tax: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gain (loss)—investments | (52,808) | 44,714 | (97,522) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized loss—redemption of debt | — | (7,358) | 7,358 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-operating expenses | (3,736) | (1,894) | (1,842) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Legal proceedings | (1,119) | (4,020) | 2,901 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 528,144 | $ | 567,006 | $ | (38,862) | (7) |
The life insurance segment is our primary segment and is the largest contributor to earnings in each period presented. The life insurance segment underwriting margin increased $79 million compared with the prior year nine month period due to growth in premiums and lower life claims. The health segment contributed to the growth in income as well, contributing $239 million of underwriting margin in the first nine months of 2022 compared with $224 million in the first nine months of 2021.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
GLOBE LIFE INC.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
In 2022, the largest contributor of total underwriting margin was the life insurance segment and the primary distribution channel was American Income Life Division. The following charts represent the breakdown of total underwriting margin by operating segment and distribution channel for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Total premium income rose 6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 to $3.2 billion. Total net sales increased 4% to $539 million, when compared with 2021. Total first-year collected premium (defined in the following section) was $436 million for 2022, compared with $435 million for 2021.
Life insurance premium income increased 5% to $2.3 billion over the prior-year total of $2.2 billion. Life net sales rose 3% to $405 million for the first nine months of 2022. First-year collected life premium declined 2% to $311 million. Life underwriting margins, as a percent of premium, increased to 25% in 2022 from 22%. Underwriting margin increased to $556 million in 2022, 16% over the same period in 2021.
Health insurance premium income increased 7% to $955 million over the prior-year total of $889 million. Health net sales rose 7% to $134 million for the first nine months of 2022. First-year collected health premium rose 6% to $124 million. Health underwriting margins, as a percent of premium, were 25% in 2022 and 2021. Health underwriting margin increased to $239 million for the first nine months of 2022, 7% over the same period in 2021.
Excess investment income, the measure of profitability of our investment segment, declined 2% during 2022 to $175 million from $180 million in the same period in 2021. Excess investment income per common share, reflecting the impact of our share repurchase program, increased 2% to $1.77 from $1.73 when compared with the same period in 2021.
Insurance administrative expenses increased 10% in 2022 when compared with the prior-year period. These expenses were 6.9% as a percent of premium during 2022 compared with 6.6% a year earlier.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company repurchased 2.8 million Globe Life Inc. shares at a total cost of $279 million for an average share price of $98.46.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
GLOBE LIFE INC.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
The discussions of our segments are presented in the manner we view our operations, as described in Note 10—Business Segments.
We use three statistical measures as indicators of premium growth and sales over the near term: “annualized premium in force,” “net sales,” and “first-year collected premium.”
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Annualized premium in force is defined as the premium income that would be received over the following twelve months at any given date on all active policies if those policies remain in force throughout the twelve-month period. Annualized premium in force is an indicator of potential growth in premium revenue.
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Net sales, a statistical performance measure, is calculated as annualized premium issued, net of cancellations in the first thirty days after issue, except in the case of Direct to Consumer, where net sales is annualized premium issued at the time the first full premium is paid after any introductory offer period has expired. Management considers net sales to be a better indicator of the rate of premium growth than annualized premium issued.
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First-year collected premium is defined as the premium collected during the reporting period for all policies in their first policy year. First-year collected premium takes lapses into account in the first year when lapses are more likely to occur, and thus is a useful indicator of how much new premium is expected to be added to premium income in the future.
See further discussion of the distribution channels below for Life and Health.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
GLOBE LIFE INC.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
LIFE INSURANCE
Life insurance is the Company's predominant segment. During 2022, life premium represented 70% of total premium and life underwriting margin represented 69% of the total underwriting margin. Additionally, investments supporting the reserves for life products produce the majority of excess investment income attributable to the investment segment.
The following table presents the summary of results of life insurance. Further discussion of the results by distribution channel is included below.
Life Insurance
Summary of Results
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % of Premium | Amount | % of Premium | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premium and policy charges | $ | 2,269,641 | 100 | $ | 2,165,213 | 100 | $ | 104,428 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policy obligations | 1,555,004 | 68 | 1,532,298 | 71 | 22,706 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Required interest on reserves | (575,710) | (25) | (547,715) | (25) | (27,995) | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net policy obligations | 979,294 | 43 | 984,583 | 46 | (5,289) | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition expenses | 190,028 | 8 | 174,130 | 8 | 15,898 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of acquisition costs | 544,160 | 24 | 529,105 | 24 | 15,055 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total expense | 1,713,482 | 75 | 1,687,818 | 78 | 25,664 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance underwriting margin | $ | 556,159 | 25 | $ | 477,395 | 22 | $ | 78,764 | 16 |
The higher life insurance underwriting margins, as well as the higher underwriting margins as a percentage of premium, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 are largely due to premium growth as well as a decrease in net policy obligations. Net policy obligations amounted to 43% of premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to 46% in the year-ago period.
The following table presents Globe Life's life insurance premium by distribution channel.
Life Insurance
Premium by Distribution Channel
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | Increase (Decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % of Total | Amount | % of Total | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| American Income | $ | 1,124,712 | 49 | $ | 1,039,047 | 48 | $ | 85,665 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct to Consumer | 743,041 | 33 | 734,046 | 34 | 8,995 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liberty National | 244,242 | 11 | 232,118 | 11 | 12,124 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 157,646 | 7 | 160,002 | 7 | (2,356) | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,269,641 | 100 | $ | 2,165,213 | 100 | $ | 104,428 | 5 |
Annualized life premium in force was $3.04 billion at September 30, 2022, an increase of 5% over $2.91 billion a year earlier.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
Globe Life Inc.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
An analysis of life net sales, an indicator of new business production, by distribution channel is presented below.
Life Insurance
Net Sales by Distribution Channel
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | Increase (Decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % of Total | Amount | % of Total | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| American Income | $ | 246,919 | 61 | $ | 216,505 | 55 | $ | 30,414 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct to Consumer | 95,303 | 23 | 115,041 | 29 | (19,738) | (17) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liberty National | 55,138 | 14 | 52,357 | 14 | 2,781 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 7,276 | 2 | 8,361 | 2 | (1,085) | (13) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 404,636 | 100 | $ | 392,264 | 100 | $ | 12,372 | 3 |
First-year collected life premium by distribution channel is presented in the table below.
Life Insurance
First-Year Collected Premium by Distribution Channel
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | Increase (Decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % of Total | Amount | % of Total | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| American Income | $ | 195,369 | 63 | $ | 186,143 | 59 | $ | 9,226 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct to Consumer | 67,072 | 22 | 87,135 | 27 | (20,063) | (23) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liberty National | 42,076 | 13 | 36,984 | 12 | 5,092 | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 6,841 | 2 | 7,262 | 2 | (421) | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 311,358 | 100 | $ | 317,524 | 100 | $ | (6,166) | (2) |
A discussion of life operations by distribution channel follows.
The American Income Life Division markets to members of labor unions and continues to diversify its lead sources by building relationships with other affinity groups, utilizing third-party internet vendor leads, and obtaining referrals to facilitate sustainable growth. This division is Globe Life's largest contributor to life premium of any distribution channel at 49% of the Company's September 30, 2022 total. Net sales increased 14% to $247 million during the first nine months of 2022 compared with $217 million in 2021 for the same period. The underwriting margin, as a percent of premium, was 33% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, up from 31% in the year-ago period.
This division incurred $15 million in COVID-19 net life claims, representing approximately 1% of premium, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared with $19 million in COVID-19 net life claims during the year-ago period.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
Globe Life Inc.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
This division is anticipating an increase in net sales for the full year 2022 as compared with 2021 due in part to increased productivity plus an improvement in issue rates as some challenges in underwriting, such as staffing and speed of obtaining medical records and other information, are resolving. The average producing agent count is based on the actual count at the end of each week during the year. Despite the division's ability to recruit both virtually and in-person, retention challenges still exist. As a result of these challenges the division anticipates a 4% to 1% decline for the full year 2022. Sales growth in this division, as well as within our other exclusive agencies, is generally dependent on growth in the size of the agency force.
Below is the average producing agent count year-to-date for the American Income Life Division.
| At September 30, | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| American Income | 9,511 | 10,118 | (607) | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||
American Income Life continues to focus on growing and strengthening the agency force, specifically through emphasis on agency middle-management growth and additional agency office openings. In addition to offering financial incentives and training opportunities, the agency has made considerable investments in information technology, including launching a customer relationship management (CRM) tool for the agency force. This tool is designed to drive productivity in lead distribution, conservation of business, manager dash boards and new agent recruiting. Additionally, this division has invested in and successfully implemented technology that allows the agency force to engage in virtual recruiting, training and sales activity. Over the course of the pandemic, the agents have shifted to primarily a virtual experience with the customers and have generated a vast majority of sales through virtual presentations. We find this flexibility to be enticing for new recruits as well as a driver of sustainability for our agency force.
The Direct to Consumer Division (DTC) offers adult and juvenile life insurance through a variety of marketing approaches, including direct mailings, insert media, and electronic media. In recent years, production from electronic media, which is comprised of sales through both the internet and inbound phone calls to our call center, has grown faster than direct mail response as customer demand increased marketing activity to internet and mobile technology. The proportion of sales from the internet and inbound phone calls had been steadily increasing prior to COVID-19, but accelerated after the start of the pandemic. The different approaches support and complement one another in the division's efforts to reach the consumer. The DTC's long-term growth has been fueled by constant innovation and name recognition. We continually introduce new initiatives in this division in an attempt to increase response rates.
While the juvenile market is an important source of sales, it is also a vehicle to reach the parents and grandparents of juvenile policyholders, who are more likely to respond favorably to a DTC solicitation for life coverage on themselves in comparison to the general adult population. Also, future offerings to juvenile policyholders and their parents are sources of low acquisition-cost life insurance sales in the future.
DTC net sales declined 17% to $95 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared with $115 million for the same period in the prior year. This decrease is primarily a result of the higher life net sales in the prior year, which we are seeing return to pre-pandemic levels. The decline is also due in part to the impact of recent record inflation on the cost of our direct mailings and on our customers, who generally have less discretionary income to purchase and retain life insurance. DTC incurred $21 million of COVID-19 net life claims, representing approximately 3% of premium, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared with $42 million for the same period in 2021, or 6% of premium. DTC’s underwriting margin, as a percent of premium, was 10% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 8% for the same period in 2021, reflecting the lessening impact of COVID-19 on the division's underwriting results.
The Liberty National Division markets individual life insurance to middle-income household and worksite customers. Recent investments in new sales technologies as well as recent growth in middle management within the agency are expected to help continue this growth. The underwriting margin as a percent of premium was 20% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, up from 18% during the same period a year ago. The increase is primarily attributable to lower net policy obligations in relation to premium during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared with the same period a year ago. Further, this division incurred $6 million of COVID-19 net life
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
Globe Life Inc.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
claims, representing approximately 3% of premium, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared with $18 million, or 8% of premium for the same period in 2021, another contributing factor to the current quarter increase in underwriting margin.
Net sales rose 5% in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 over the same period in 2021. With the division's ability to return to face-to-face customer interaction and the option of virtual sales, the Company continues to project total life net sales to increase for the remainder of 2022 as compared to the prior year.
Below is the average producing agent count year-to-date for the Liberty National Division.
| At September 30, | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Liberty National | 2,718 | 2,713 | 5 | — |
The Liberty National Division average producing agent count was flat compared with the prior-year comparable period. We continue to execute our long-term plan to grow this agency through expansion from small-town markets in the Southeast to more densely populated areas with larger pools of potential agent recruits and customers. Continued expansion of this agency’s presence into more heavily populated, less-penetrated areas will help create long-term agency growth. Additionally, the agency continues to help improve the ability of agents to develop new worksite marketing business. Systems that have been put in place, including the addition of a CRM platform and enhanced analytical capabilities, have helped the agents develop additional worksite marketing opportunities as well as improve the productivity of agents selling in the individual life market. As the division continues to gain momentum in its sales and recruiting initiatives and advances its technology and CRM platform, the agency anticipates an increase in recruiting of new agents and an increase in the average producing agent count.
The Other Agencies distribution channels primarily include non-exclusive independent agencies selling predominantly life insurance. The Other Agencies contributed $158 million of life premium income, or 7% of Globe Life's total premium income in the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and contributed 2% of net sales for the period.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Health insurance sold by the Company primarily includes Medicare Supplement insurance, accident coverage, and other limited-benefit supplemental health products including cancer, critical illness, heart, and intensive care coverage.
Health premium accounted for 30% of our total premium in 2022, while the health underwriting margin accounted for 30% of total underwriting margin. Health underwriting margin increased 7% to $239 million primarily due to higher premium growth. The Company continues to emphasize life insurance sales relative to health due to life’s superior long-term profitability and its greater contribution to excess investment income.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
Globe Life Inc.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
The following table presents underwriting margin data for health insurance.
Health Insurance
Summary of Results
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % of Premium | Amount | % of Premium | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premium | $ | 955,478 | 100 | $ | 888,902 | 100 | $ | 66,576 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policy obligations | 592,488 | 62 | 564,589 | 64 | 27,899 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Required interest on reserves | (81,740) | (9) | (76,288) | (9) | (5,452) | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net policy obligations | 510,748 | 53 | 488,301 | 55 | 22,447 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition expenses | 87,390 | 9 | 70,602 | 8 | 16,788 | 24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of acquisition costs | 118,296 | 13 | 106,380 | 12 | 11,916 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total expense | 716,434 | 75 | 665,283 | 75 | 51,151 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance underwriting margin | $ | 239,044 | 25 | $ | 223,619 | 25 | $ | 15,425 | 7 |
Globe Life markets supplemental health insurance products through a number of distribution channels. The following table is an analysis of our health premium by distribution channel.
Health Insurance
Premium by Distribution Channel
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | Increase (Decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % of Total | Amount | % of Total | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United American | $ | 401,657 | 42 | $ | 351,544 | 39 | $ | 50,113 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Family Heritage | 272,429 | 28 | 255,272 | 29 | 17,157 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liberty National | 139,650 | 15 | 140,874 | 16 | (1,224) | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| American Income | 87,940 | 9 | 85,210 | 10 | 2,730 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct to Consumer | 53,802 | 6 | 56,002 | 6 | (2,200) | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 955,478 | 100 | $ | 888,902 | 100 | $ | 66,576 | 7 |
Premium related to limited-benefit plans comprise $522 million, or 55%, of the total health premiums for 2022 compared with $467 million in the same period in the prior year. Premium from Medicare Supplement products comprises the remaining $433 million, or 45%, for 2022 compared with $422 million, or 47%, in the same period in the prior year.
Annualized health premium in force was $1.32 billion at September 30, 2022, an increase of 4% over $1.27 billion a year earlier.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
Globe Life Inc.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
Presented below is a table of health net sales by distribution channel.
Health Insurance
Net Sales by Distribution Channel
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | Increase (Decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % of Total | Amount | % of Total | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United American | $ | 38,491 | 29 | $ | 36,876 | 30 | $ | 1,615 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Family Heritage | 60,097 | 45 | 54,111 | 43 | 5,986 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liberty National | 20,304 | 15 | 18,943 | 15 | 1,361 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| American Income | 13,634 | 10 | 13,777 | 11 | (143) | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct to Consumer | 1,637 | 1 | 1,707 | 1 | (70) | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 134,163 | 100 | $ | 125,414 | 100 | $ | 8,749 | 7 |
Health net sales related to limited-benefit plans comprise $100 million, or 75%, of the total health net sales for 2022 compared with $87 million, or 70%, in the same period in the prior year. Medicare Supplement sales make up the remaining $34 million, or 25%, for 2022 compared with $38 million, or 30%, in the same period in the prior year.
The following table presents health insurance first-year collected premium by distribution channel.
Health Insurance
First-Year Collected Premium by Distribution Channel
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | Increase (Decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % of Total | Amount | % of Total | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United American | $ | 47,345 | 38 | $ | 43,038 | 37 | $ | 4,307 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Family Heritage | 44,617 | 36 | 42,835 | 36 | 1,782 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liberty National | 16,870 | 13 | 15,049 | 13 | 1,821 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| American Income | 13,167 | 11 | 14,220 | 12 | (1,053) | (7) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct to Consumer | 2,228 | 2 | 2,376 | 2 | (148) | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 124,227 | 100 | $ | 117,518 | 100 | $ | 6,709 | 6 |
First-year collected premium related to limited-benefit plans comprise $80 million, or 64%, of total first-year collected premium for 2022 compared with $73 million, or 62%, in the same period in the prior year. First-year collected premium from Medicare Supplement policies makes up the remaining $44 million, or 36%, for 2022 compared with $45 million, or 38%, in the same period in the prior year.
A discussion of health operations by distribution channel follows.
The United American Division consists of non-exclusive independent agencies who may also sell for other companies. The United American Division was Globe Life's largest health agency in terms of health premium income, with sales up 4% from the same period in the prior year.
This division is also Globe Life's largest producer of Medicare Supplement insurance. The United American Division represents 83% of all Medicare Supplement premium and 95% of Medicare Supplement net sales. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, Medicare Supplement premium in this agency rose 5% to $360 million in 2022 over the prior period total of $344 million. Finally, the United American Division underwriting margin as a percent of premium was flat at 15% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and 2021.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
Globe Life Inc.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
The Family Heritage Division primarily markets limited-benefit supplemental health insurance in non-urban areas. Most of its policies include a cash-back feature, such as a return of premium, where any excess of premiums over claims paid is returned to the policyholder at the end of a specified period stated within the insurance policy. Underwriting margin as a percent of premium was 27% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the same as the year-ago period.
The division experienced an 11% increase in health net sales as compared with the nine-month period a year ago, primarily due to an increase in agent productivity and training. The division will continue to launch incentive programs to help drive an increase in productivity and the number of producing agents.
Below is the average producing agent count year-to-date for the Family Heritage Division. While the agency has seen a decrease in agent count as compared with 2021, the division did have an increase in agent count during the third quarter. We anticipate that as COVID-19 and the job market stabilizes, agent recruitment opportunities should continue to increase.
| At September 30, | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Family Heritage Division | 1,169 | 1,219 | (50) | (4) |
The Liberty National Division represented 15% of all Globe Life health premium income for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2022. The Liberty National Division markets limited-benefit supplemental health products, consisting primarily of critical illness insurance. Much of Liberty National's health business is generated through worksite marketing targeting small businesses. Health premium at Liberty National Division was $140 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and $141 million for the same period in 2021. Liberty National's first-year collected premium rose 12% to $17 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared with $15 million for the same period in 2021. Health net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 rose 7% from the comparable period in 2021. We anticipate an increase in health net sales going forward as this division becomes more able to interact face-to-face with customers.
Other Distribution. The Company's other distribution channels, while primarily focused on selling life insurance, also market health products. The American Income Life Division primarily markets accident plans. The Direct to Consumer Division primarily markets Medicare Supplements to employer or union-sponsored groups. On a combined basis, these other channels accounted for 15% of health premium for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.
ANNUITIES
Annuities represent an insignificant part of our business. We do not currently market stand-alone fixed or deferred annuity products, favoring instead protection-oriented life and supplemental health insurance products.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
Globe Life Inc.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
INVESTMENTS
We manage our capital resources including investments, debt, and cash flow through the investment segment. Excess investment income represents the profit margin attributable to investment operations and is the measure that we use to evaluate the performance of the investment segment as described in Note 10—Business Segments. It is defined as net investment income less both the required interest on net insurance policy liabilities and the interest cost associated with capital funding or “financing costs.”
Management also views excess investment income per diluted common share as an important and useful measure to evaluate the performance of the investment segment. It is defined as excess investment income divided by the total diluted weighted average shares outstanding, representing the contribution by the investment segment to the consolidated earnings per share of the Company. Since implementing our share repurchase program in 1986, we have used $8.9 billion of excess cash flow at the Parent Company to repurchase Globe Life Inc. common shares after determining that the repurchases provided a greater risk adjusted after-tax return than other investment alternatives. If we had not used this excess cash to repurchase shares, but had instead invested it in interest-bearing assets, we would have earned more investment income and had more shares outstanding. As excess investment income per diluted common share incorporates all capital resources, we view excess investment income per diluted common share as a useful measure to evaluate the investment segment.
Excess Investment Income**.** The following table summarizes Globe Life's investment income, excess investment income, and excess investment income per diluted common share.
Analysis of Excess Investment Income
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for per share data)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | $ | 733,101 | $ | 713,103 | $ | 19,998 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest on net insurance policy liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest on reserves | (686,352) | (654,058) | (32,294) | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest on deferred acquisition costs | 194,245 | 184,525 | 9,720 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net required interest | (492,107) | (469,533) | (22,574) | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Financing costs | (65,737) | (63,833) | (1,904) | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Excess investment income | $ | 175,257 | $ | 179,737 | $ | (4,480) | (2) | ||||||||||||||||
| Excess investment income per diluted share | $ | 1.77 | $ | 1.73 | $ | 0.04 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Mean invested assets (at amortized cost) | $ | 19,633,407 | $ | 18,846,801 | $ | 786,606 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| Average net insurance policy liabilities(1) | 11,333,467 | 10,897,593 | 435,874 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Average debt and preferred securities (at amortized cost) | 2,126,284 | 2,060,672 | 65,612 | 3 |
(1)Net of deferred acquisition costs, excluding the associated unrealized gains and losses thereon.
Excess investment income declined $4.5 million, or 2%, compared with the year-ago period. Excess investment income per diluted common share was $1.77 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 an increase of 2% over the prior year period. Excess investment income per diluted common share generally increases at a faster pace than excess investment income because the number of diluted shares outstanding generally decreases from year to year as a result of our share repurchase program.
Net investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $733 million or 3% greater than the year-ago period. Mean invested assets increased 4% during the first nine months of 2022 over the same period last year. The effective annual yield rate earned on the fixed maturity portfolio was 5.16% in the first nine months of 2022, compared with 5.23% a year earlier. Growth in net investment income has been negatively impacted in recent
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
Globe Life Inc.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
years by the low interest rate environment. Generally, investment income grows at a slower rate than the assets when the yield on new investments is lower than the yield on dispositions or the average portfolio yield. It also increases at a faster rate than the assets when new investment yields exceed the yield on dispositions or the average portfolio yield. We currently expect that the average annual turnover rate of fixed maturity assets will be less than 2% over the next five years and will not have a material negative impact on net investment income. In addition to fixed maturities, the Company has also invested in limited partnerships with debt like characteristics that diversify risk and enhance risk-adjusted, capital-adjusted returns on the portfolio. The earned yield on the investment funds for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was 5.25%. See additional information in Note 4—Investments. For the full year 2022, we currently anticipate the average new money rate on our fixed maturity acquisitions to be approximately 170 basis points higher than the yield achieved on our 2021 acquisitions. This expected increase in yields should result in the investment income growth rate being closer to the growth of our invested assets.
Globe Life's net investment income benefits from higher interest rates on new investments. While increasing interest rates have resulted in a net unrealized loss on the fixed maturities portfolio as of September 30, 2022, we are not concerned because we do not generally intend to sell, nor is it likely that we will be required to sell, the fixed maturities prior to their anticipated recovery.
Required interest on net insurance policy liabilities reduces net investment income, as it is the amount of net investment income considered by management necessary to “fund” required interest on net insurance policy liabilities, which is the net of the benefit reserve liability and the deferred acquisition cost asset. As such, it is removed from the investment segment and applied to the insurance segments to offset the effect of the required interest from the insurance segments. As discussed in Note 10—Business Segments**, management regards this as a more meaningful analysis of the investment and insurance segments. Required interest is based on the actuarial interest assumptions used in discounting the benefit reserve liability and the amortization of deferred acquisition costs for our insurance policies in force.
The great majority of our life and health insurance policies are fixed interest rate protection policies, not investment products, and are accounted for under current GAAP accounting guidance for long-duration insurance products which mandate that interest rate assumptions for a particular block of business be “locked in” for the life of that block of business. Each calendar year, we set the discount rate to be used to calculate the benefit reserve liability and the amortization of the deferred acquisition cost asset for all insurance policies issued that year. That rate is based on the new money yields that we expect to earn on cash flow received in the future from policies of that issue year and cannot be changed. The discount rate used for policies issued in the current year has no impact on the in force policies issued in prior years as the rates of all prior issue years are also locked in. As such, the overall discount rate for the entire in force block of 5.8% is a weighted average of the discount rates being used from all issue years. Changes in the overall weighted-average discount rate over time are caused by changes in the mix of the reserves and the deferred acquisition cost asset by issue year on the entire block of in force business. Business issued in the current year has very little impact on the overall weighted-average discount rate due to the size of our in force business. In 2023, new guidance will become effective that will significantly impact the accounting for our long duration contracts including the determination of required interest. Please see Note 2—New Accounting Standards for additional information.
Since actuarial discount rates are locked in for life on essentially all of our business, benefit reserves and deferred acquisition costs are not affected by interest rate fluctuations unless a loss recognition event occurs. Due to the strength and consistency of our underwriting margins, we do not expect an extended low interest rate environment will cause a loss recognition event.
In comparison to the year-ago period, required interest on net insurance policy liabilities increased $23 million, or 5%, to $492 million, compared with the 4% growth in average net interest-bearing insurance policy liabilities.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
Globe Life Inc.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
Financing costs for the investment segment consist primarily of interest on our various debt instruments. The table below presents the components of financing costs and reconciles interest expense per the Consolidated Statements of Operations**.
Analysis of Financing Costs
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | Increase (Decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest on funded debt | $ | 60,235 | $ | 59,556 | $ | 679 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest on short-term debt | 5,463 | 4,257 | 1,206 | 28 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 39 | 20 | 19 | 95 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Financing costs | $ | 65,737 | $ | 63,833 | $ | 1,904 | 3 |
During the first nine months of 2022, financing costs increased 3% compared with the prior year. The increase in financing costs is primarily due to higher short-term interest rates. More information on our debt transactions is disclosed in the Financial Condition section of this report.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
Globe Life Inc.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
Realized Gains and Losses. Our life and health insurance companies collect premium income from policyholders for the eventual payment of policyholder benefits, sometimes paid many years or even decades in the future. Since benefits are expected to be paid in future periods, premium receipts in excess of current expenses are invested to provide for these obligations. For this reason, we hold a significant investment portfolio as a part of our core insurance operations. This portfolio consists primarily of high-quality fixed maturities containing an adequate yield to provide for the cost of carrying these long-term insurance product obligations. As a result, fixed maturities are generally held for long periods to support these obligations. Expected yields on these investments are taken into account when setting insurance premium rates and product profitability expectations.
Despite our intent to hold fixed maturity investments for a long period of time, investments are occasionally sold, exchanged, called, or experience a credit loss event, resulting in a realized gain or loss. Gains or losses are only secondary to our core insurance operations of providing insurance coverage to policyholders. In a bond exchange offer, bondholders may consent to exchange their existing bonds for another class of debt securities. The Company also has investments in certain limited partnerships, held under the fair value option, with fair value changes recognized in Realized gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations**.
Realized gains and losses can be significant in relation to the earnings from core insurance operations, and as a result, can have a material positive or negative impact on net income. The significant fluctuations caused by gains and losses can cause period-to-period trends of net income that are not indicative of historical core operating results or predictive of the future trends of core operations. Accordingly, they have no bearing on core insurance operations or segment results as we view operations. For these reasons, and in line with industry practice, we remove the effects of realized gains and losses when evaluating overall insurance operating results.
The following table summarizes our tax-effected realized gains (losses) by component.
Analysis of Realized Gains (Losses), Net of Tax
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for per share data)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | Per Share | Amount | Per Share | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales | $ | (43,802) | $ | (0.44) | $ | (8,424) | $ | (0.08) | |||||||||||||||
| Matured or other redemptions(1) | 20,001 | 0.20 | 34,161 | 0.33 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for credit losses | 306 | 0.01 | 2,643 | 0.02 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value option—change in fair value | (12,594) | (0.13) | 11,070 | 0.11 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other(2) | (16,719) | (0.17) | 5,264 | 0.05 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total realized gains (losses)—investments | (52,808) | (0.53) | 44,714 | 0.43 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on redemption of debt | — | — | (7,358) | (0.07) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total realized gains (losses) | $ | (52,808) | $ | (0.53) | $ | 37,356 | $ | 0.36 |
(1)During the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded $24.0 million and $108.3 million of exchanges of fixed maturity securities (noncash transactions) that resulted in $0 and $19.9 million, respectively, in realized gains, net of tax.
(2)Other realized gains (losses) are primarily a result of changes in the fair value of exchange traded funds.
As investment yields increased in the first nine months of 2022, the Company disposed of certain fixed maturity investments to improve the risk-adjusted, capital-adjusted returns on the portfolio. While we realized losses, we were able to enhance the yield, credit quality and diversification of the portfolio.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
Globe Life Inc.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
Investment Acquisitions**.** Globe Life's investment policy calls for investing primarily in investment grade fixed maturities that meet our quality and yield objectives. We generally invest in securities with longer maturities because they more closely match the long-term nature of our policy liabilities. We believe this strategy is appropriate since our expected future cash flows are generally stable and predictable and the likelihood that we will need to sell invested assets to raise cash is low.
The following table summarizes selected information for fixed maturity investments. The effective annual yield shown is based on the acquisition price and call features, if any, of the securities. For non-callable bonds, the yield is calculated to maturity date. For callable bonds acquired at a premium, the yield is calculated to the earliest known call date and call price after acquisition ("first call date"). For all other callable bonds, the yield is calculated to maturity date.
Fixed Maturity Acquisitions Selected Information
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Cost of acquisitions: | |||||||||||
| Investment-grade corporate securities | $ | 634,213 | $ | 490,169 | |||||||
| Investment-grade municipal securities | 541,670 | 239,754 | |||||||||
| Other investment-grade securities | 5,491 | 10,465 | |||||||||
| Total fixed maturity acquisitions**(1)** | $ | 1,181,374 | $ | 740,388 | |||||||
| Effective annual yield (one year compounded)(2) | 5.00 | % | 3.36 | % | |||||||
| Average life (in years, to next call) | 12.9 | 25.0 | |||||||||
| Average life (in years, to maturity) | 23.1 | 32.0 | |||||||||
| Average rating | A | A+ |
(1)Fixed maturity acquisitions included unsettled trades of $3 million in 2022 and $52 million in 2021.
(2)Tax-equivalent basis, where the yield on tax-exempt securities is adjusted to produce a yield equivalent to the pretax yield on taxable securities.
For investments in callable bonds, the actual life of the investment will depend on whether the issuer calls the investment prior to the maturity date. Given our investments in callable bonds, the actual average life of our investments cannot be known at the time of the investment. Absent sales and "make-whole calls", however, the average life will not be less than the average life to next call and will not exceed the average life to maturity. Data for both of these average life measures is provided in the above chart.
Acquisitions in both periods consisted primarily of corporate and municipal bonds with securities spanning a diversified range of issuers, industry sectors, and geographical regions. In the first nine months of 2022, we invested primarily in the municipal, financial and industrial sectors. For the entire portfolio, the taxable equivalent effective yield earned was 5.16%, down approximately 7 basis points from the yield in the first nine months of 2021. While the taxable equivalent effective yield earned on the portfolio is down from the prior year, the yield increased in each of the second and third quarters of 2022 due to the impact of rising rates. Further, as previously noted in the discussion of net investment income, the decrease in taxable equivalent effective yield was primarily due to the combination of lower interest rates applicable to new purchases and fixed maturity dispositions. For the remainder of 2022, the Company will continue to execute on its existing strategy by seeking to invest in assets that satisfy our quality and other objectives, while maximizing the highest risk-adjusted capital-adjusted return.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
Globe Life Inc.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
Since fixed maturities represent such a significant portion of our investment portfolio, the remainder of the discussion of portfolio composition will focus on fixed maturities. See a breakdown of the Company's Other long-term investments in Note 4—Investments.
Selected information concerning the fixed maturity portfolio is as follows:
Fixed Maturity Portfolio Selected Information
| At | |||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | September 30, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Average annual effective yield(1) | 5.18% | 5.17% | 5.20% | ||||||||||||||
| Average life, in years, to: | |||||||||||||||||
| Next call(2) | 14.9 | 15.7 | 15.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Maturity(2) | 18.6 | 19.0 | 19.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Effective duration to: | |||||||||||||||||
| Next call(2,3) | 8.8 | 10.6 | 10.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Maturity(2,3) | 10.3 | 12.2 | 12.1 |
(1)Tax-equivalent basis. The yield on tax-exempt securities is adjusted to produce a yield equivalent to the pretax yield on taxable securities.
(2)Globe Life calculates the average life and duration of the fixed maturity portfolio two ways:
(a) based on the next call date which is the next call date for callable bonds and the maturity date for noncallable bonds, and
(b) based on the maturity date of all bonds, whether callable or not.
(3)Effective duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to a 1% change in interest rates.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
Globe Life Inc.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
Credit Risk Sensitivity*.* The following tables summarize certain information about the major corporate sectors and security types held in our fixed maturity portfolio at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
Fixed Maturities by Sector
September 30, 2022
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
| Below Investment Grade | Total Fixed Maturities | % of Total Fixed Maturities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost, net | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Amortized Cost, net | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | At Amortized Cost, net | At Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporates: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance - life, health, P&C | $ | 107,437 | $ | — | $ | (14,758) | $ | 92,679 | $ | 2,356,333 | $ | 39,742 | $ | (222,270) | $ | 2,173,805 | 13 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Banks | 26,953 | 82 | (202) | 26,833 | 1,269,658 | 7,545 | (120,097) | 1,157,106 | 7 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other financial | 74,964 | — | (19,314) | 55,650 | 1,192,463 | 2,626 | (210,011) | 985,078 | 7 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total financial | 209,354 | 82 | (34,274) | 175,162 | 4,818,454 | 49,913 | (552,378) | 4,315,989 | 27 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Industrial | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Energy | 44,740 | — | (10,652) | 34,088 | 1,466,551 | 14,281 | (135,922) | 1,344,910 | 8 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic materials | — | — | — | — | 1,081,323 | 4,321 | (123,165) | 962,479 | 6 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer, non-cyclical | — | — | — | — | 2,143,385 | 12,625 | (278,030) | 1,877,980 | 12 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other industrials | 25,488 | — | (857) | 24,631 | 1,229,536 | 15,906 | (140,728) | 1,104,714 | 7 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Communications | 28,550 | — | (1,813) | 26,737 | 850,521 | 5,150 | (123,633) | 732,038 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transportation | — | — | — | — | 539,172 | 7,405 | (41,223) | 505,354 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer. cyclical | 150,309 | — | (27,177) | 123,132 | 590,783 | 3,801 | (91,898) | 502,686 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technology | — | — | — | — | 242,846 | — | (68,118) | 174,728 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total industrial | 249,087 | — | (40,499) | 208,588 | 8,144,117 | 63,489 | (1,002,717) | 7,204,889 | 45 | 45 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Utilities | 35,499 | 331 | (2,970) | 32,860 | 1,906,747 | 30,252 | (144,762) | 1,792,237 | 10 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total corporates | 493,940 | 413 | (77,743) | 416,610 | 14,869,318 | 143,654 | (1,699,857) | 13,313,115 | 82 | 83 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| States, municipalities, and political divisions: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General obligations | — | — | — | — | 899,094 | 3,716 | (202,376) | 700,434 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | — | — | — | — | 1,839,923 | 21,008 | (396,100) | 1,464,831 | 10 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total states, municipalities, and political divisions | — | — | — | — | 2,739,017 | 24,724 | (598,476) | 2,165,265 | 15 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other fixed maturities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Government (U.S. and foreign) | — | — | — | — | 439,501 | 44 | (46,787) | 392,758 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Collateralized debt obligations | 36,721 | 13,874 | — | 50,595 | 36,721 | 13,874 | — | 50,595 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other asset-backed securities | 12,707 | — | (624) | 12,083 | 88,914 | 5 | (5,512) | 83,407 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed maturities | $ | 543,368 | $ | 14,287 | $ | (78,367) | $ | 479,288 | $ | 18,173,471 | $ | 182,301 | $ | (2,350,632) | $ | 16,005,140 | 100 | 100 |
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
Globe Life Inc.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
Fixed Maturities by Sector
December 31, 2021
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
| Below Investment Grade | Total Fixed Maturities | % of Total Fixed Maturities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | At Amortized Cost, net | At Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporates: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance - life, health, P&C | $ | 57,470 | $ | 3,825 | $ | (4,807) | $ | 56,488 | $ | 2,345,116 | $ | 513,844 | $ | (5,553) | $ | 2,853,407 | 13 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Banks | 26,980 | 614 | — | 27,594 | 983,317 | 207,466 | (1,635) | 1,189,148 | 6 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other financial | 97,800 | 547 | (1,103) | 97,244 | 1,240,340 | 186,431 | (2,161) | 1,424,610 | 7 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total financial | 182,250 | 4,986 | (5,910) | 181,326 | 4,568,773 | 907,741 | (9,349) | 5,467,165 | 26 | 26 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Industrial | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Energy | 118,538 | 15,941 | (1,445) | 133,034 | 1,587,892 | 346,780 | (1,683) | 1,932,989 | 9 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic materials | — | — | — | — | 1,145,222 | 279,175 | (50) | 1,424,347 | 6 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer, non-cyclical | 84,106 | 13,059 | (2,697) | 94,468 | 2,256,802 | 475,012 | (3,397) | 2,728,417 | 13 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other industrials | 25,565 | 3,182 | — | 28,747 | 1,254,243 | 286,889 | (589) | 1,540,543 | 7 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Communications | 28,699 | 3,002 | — | 31,701 | 876,058 | 153,295 | (3,610) | 1,025,742 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transportation | 25,555 | 5,588 | — | 31,143 | 559,399 | 135,581 | (38) | 694,942 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer. cyclical | 150,624 | 18,805 | (3,429) | 166,000 | 575,597 | 106,438 | (3,594) | 678,441 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technology | — | — | — | — | 212,138 | 18,074 | (2,084) | 228,129 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total industrial | 433,087 | 59,577 | (7,571) | 485,093 | 8,467,351 | 1,801,244 | (15,045) | 10,253,550 | 47 | 48 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Utilities | 36,284 | 3,888 | — | 40,172 | 1,931,391 | 490,119 | (1,012) | 2,420,498 | 11 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total corporates | 651,621 | 68,451 | (13,481) | 706,591 | 14,967,515 | 3,199,104 | (25,406) | 18,141,213 | 84 | 85 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| States, municipalities, and political divisions: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General obligations | — | — | — | — | 736,853 | 56,163 | (2,060) | 790,956 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | — | — | — | — | 1,516,144 | 182,972 | (847) | 1,698,269 | 9 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total states, municipalities, and political divisions | — | — | — | — | 2,252,997 | 239,135 | (2,907) | 2,489,225 | 13 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other fixed maturities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Government (U.S., municipal, and foreign) | — | — | — | — | 442,944 | 65,413 | (5,296) | 503,061 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Collateralized debt obligations | 36,468 | 27,037 | — | 63,505 | 36,468 | 27,037 | — | 63,505 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other asset-backed securities | 13,457 | — | (414) | 13,043 | 104,998 | 3,715 | (430) | 108,283 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed maturities | $ | 701,546 | $ | 95,488 | $ | (13,895) | $ | 783,139 | $ | 17,804,922 | $ | 3,534,404 | $ | (34,039) | $ | 21,305,287 | 100 | 100 |
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
Globe Life Inc.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
Corporate securities, which consist of bonds and redeemable preferred stocks, were the largest component of the September 30, 2022 fixed maturity portfolio, representing 82% of amortized cost, net and 83% of fair value. The remainder of the portfolio is invested primarily in securities issued by the U.S. government and U.S. municipalities. The Company holds insignificant amounts in foreign government bonds, collateralized debt obligations, asset-backed securities, and mortgage-backed securities. Corporate securities are diversified over a variety of industry sectors and issuers. At September 30, 2022, the total fixed maturity portfolio consisted of 957 issuers.
Fixed maturities had a fair value of $16.0 billion at September 30, 2022, compared with $21.3 billion at December 31, 2021. The net unrealized gain (loss) position in the fixed-maturity portfolio decreased from a $3.5 billion gain position at December 31, 2021 to a loss position of $2.2 billion at September 30, 2022 due to an increase in market rates during the period.
For more information about our fixed maturity portfolio by component at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, including a discussion of allowance for credit losses, an analysis of unrealized investment losses and a schedule of maturities, see Note 4—Investments.
An analysis of the fixed maturity portfolio by a composite quality rating at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, is shown in the following tables. The composite rating for each security, other than private-placement securities managed by third parties, is the average of the security’s ratings as assigned by Moody’s Investor Service, Standard & Poor’s, Fitch Ratings, and Dominion Bond Rating Service, LTD. The ratings assigned by these four nationally recognized statistical rating organizations are evenly weighted when calculating the average. The composite quality rating is created utilizing a methodology developed by Globe Life using ratings from the various rating agencies noted above. The composite quality rating is not a Standard & Poor's credit rating. Standard & Poor's does not sponsor, endorse or promote the composite quality rating and shall not be liable for any use of the composite quality rating. Included in the following chart are private placement fixed maturity holdings of $496 million at amortized cost, net of allowance for credit losses ($452 million at fair value) for which the ratings were assigned by the third-party managers.
Fixed Maturities by Rating
At September 30, 2022
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
| Amortized Cost, net | % of Total | Fair Value | % of Total | Average Composite Quality Rating on Amortized Cost, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment grade: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AAA | $ | 808,711 | 4 | $ | 698,863 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| AA | 2,718,264 | 15 | 2,119,427 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A | 4,641,273 | 26 | 4,241,565 | 27 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BBB+ | 3,937,714 | 22 | 3,557,723 | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BBB | 4,268,902 | 23 | 3,785,672 | 24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BBB- | 1,255,239 | 7 | 1,122,602 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total investment grade | 17,630,103 | 97 | 15,525,852 | 97 | A- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Below investment grade: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BB | 462,670 | 3 | 391,574 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| B | 43,977 | — | 37,119 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Below B | 36,721 | — | 50,595 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total below investment grade | 543,368 | 3 | 479,288 | 3 | BB- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 18,173,471 | 100 | $ | 16,005,140 | 100 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average composite quality rating | A- |
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
Globe Life Inc.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
Fixed Maturities by Rating
At December 31, 2021
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
| Amortized Cost | % of Total | Fair Value | % of Total | Average Composite Quality Rating on Amortized Cost | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment grade: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AAA | $ | 761,526 | 4 | $ | 867,728 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| AA | 2,215,179 | 13 | 2,412,947 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A | 4,487,607 | 25 | 5,584,588 | 26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BBB+ | 3,779,051 | 21 | 4,616,977 | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BBB | 4,289,044 | 24 | 5,174,667 | 24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BBB- | 1,570,969 | 9 | 1,865,241 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total investment grade | 17,103,376 | 96 | 20,522,148 | 96 | A- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Below investment grade: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BB | 537,064 | 3 | 583,608 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| B | 128,402 | 1 | 136,026 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Below B | 36,080 | — | 63,505 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total below investment grade | 701,546 | 4 | 783,139 | 4 | BB- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 17,804,922 | 100 | $ | 21,305,287 | 100 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average composite quality rating | A- |
The overall quality rating of the portfolio is A-, the same as year-end 2021. Fixed maturities rated BBB are 52% of the total portfolio at September 30, 2022 compared with 54% at year-end 2021, and the percentage of BBB bonds to the overall portfolio has been declining since the end of 2018. While this ratio is high relative to our peers, we have limited exposure to higher-risk assets such as derivatives, equities, and asset-backed securities. Additionally, the Company does not participate in securities lending and has no off-balance sheet investments as of September 30, 2022. Of our fixed maturity purchases, BBB securities generally provide the Company with the best risk-adjusted, capital-adjusted returns largely due to our ability to hold securities to maturity regardless of fluctuations in interest rates or equity markets.
An analysis of changes in our portfolio of below-investment grade fixed maturities at amortized cost, net of allowance for credit losses is as follows:
Below-Investment Grade Fixed Maturities
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | $ | 701,546 | $ | 840,739 | |||||||
| Downgrades by rating agencies | 50,163 | — | |||||||||
| Upgrades by rating agencies | (97,495) | — | |||||||||
| Dispositions | (115,108) | (64,030) | |||||||||
| Provision for credit losses | (31) | 3,346 | |||||||||
| Amortization and other | 4,293 | 2,396 | |||||||||
| Balance at end of period | $ | 543,368 | $ | 782,451 |
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
Globe Life Inc.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
Our investment policy calls for investing primarily in fixed maturities that are investment grade and meet our quality and yield objectives. Thus, any increases in below-investment grade issues are typically a result of ratings downgrades of existing holdings. Below-investment grade bonds at amortized cost, net of allowance for credit losses, were 9% of our shareholders’ equity, excluding the effect of unrealized gains or losses on fixed maturities as of September 30, 2022. Globe Life invests long term and as such, one of our key criterion in our investment process is to select issuers that have the ability to weather multiple financial cycles.
OPERATING EXPENSES
Operating expenses are included in the "Corporate and Other" segment and are classified into two categories: insurance administrative expenses and expenses of the Parent Company. Insurance administrative expenses generally include expenses incurred after a policy has been issued. As these expenses relate to premium for a given period, management measures the expenses as a percentage of premium income. The Company also views stock-based compensation expense as a Parent Company expense. Expenses associated with the issuance of our insurance policies are reflected as acquisition expenses and included in the determination of underwriting margin.
An analysis of operating expenses is shown below.
Operating Expenses Selected Information
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | Increase | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % of Premium | Amount | % of Premium | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance administrative expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salaries | $ | 94,883 | 2.9 | $ | 85,616 | 2.8 | $ | 9,267 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other employee costs | 31,992 | 1.0 | 32,970 | 1.1 | (978) | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Information technology costs | 40,807 | 1.3 | 35,561 | 1.2 | 5,246 | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Legal costs | 9,175 | 0.3 | 10,743 | 0.3 | (1,568) | (15) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other administrative costs | 44,456 | 1.4 | 36,825 | 1.2 | 7,631 | 21 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total insurance administrative expenses | 221,313 | 6.9 | 201,715 | 6.6 | 19,598 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent company expense | 8,089 | 7,251 | 838 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock compensation expense | 26,603 | 24,298 | 2,305 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Legal proceedings | 1,416 | 5,089 | (3,673) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-operating expenses | 4,729 | 2,397 | 2,332 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses, per Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations | $ | 262,150 | $ | 240,750 | $ | 21,400 | 9 |
Total operating expenses for the first nine months increased 9% over the prior year period reflecting higher insurance administrative expenses. Insurance administrative expenses increased $20 million primarily due to higher information technology costs, including associated information technology salaries, higher employee costs in general, and higher administrative costs associated with the acquisition of Globe Life Benefits, which occurred in late 2021. Insurance administrative expenses as a percent of premium were 6.9%, compared to 6.6% for the same period in 2021.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
Globe Life Inc.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
SHARE REPURCHASES
Globe Life has an ongoing share repurchase program that began in 1986, and is reviewed with the Board of Directors by management quarterly and annually reaffirmed by the Board of Directors. With no specified authorization amount, we determine the amount of repurchases based on the amount of the excess cash flows after the payment of dividends to the Parent Company shareholders, general market conditions, and other alternative uses. Excess cash flow at the Parent Company is primarily comprised of dividends received from the insurance subsidiaries less interest expense paid on its debt and other limited operating activities. The majority of our share repurchases are made from excess cash flow after the payment of shareholder dividends. Additionally, when stock options are exercised, proceeds from these exercises and the resulting tax benefit are used to repurchase additional shares on the open market to minimize dilution as a result of the option exercises. On August 10, 2022, the Board of Directors reauthorized the Parent Company’s share repurchase program in amounts and with timing that management, in consultation with the Board, determines to be in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders.
The following chart summarizes share repurchases for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.
Analysis of Share Repurchases
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Average Price | Shares | Amount | Average Price | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchases with: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess cash flow at the Parent Company | 2,832 | $ | 278,822 | $ | 98.46 | 3,191 | $ | 310,047 | $ | 97.17 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Option exercise proceeds | 555 | 56,630 | 102.04 | 824 | 83,333 | 101.05 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 3,387 | $ | 335,452 | $ | 99.04 | 4,015 | $ | 393,380 | $ | 97.97 |
Throughout the remainder of this discussion, share repurchases will only refer to those made from excess cash flow at the Parent Company.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
Liquidity. Liquidity provides Globe Life with the ability to meet on demand the cash commitments required to support our business operations and meet our financial obligations. Our liquidity is primarily derived from multiple sources: positive cash flow from operations, a portfolio of marketable securities, a revolving credit facility, commercial paper and the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB).
Insurance Subsidiary Liquidity**.** The operations of our insurance subsidiaries have historically generated substantial cash inflows in excess of immediate cash needs. Cash inflows for the insurance subsidiaries primarily include premium and investment income. In addition to investment income, maturities and scheduled repayments in the investment portfolio are cash inflows. Cash outflows from operations include policy benefit payments, commissions, administrative expenses, and taxes. A portion of the excess cash inflows in the current year will provide for the payment of future policy benefits and are invested primarily in long-term fixed maturities as they better match the long-term nature of these obligations. Excess cash available from the insurance subsidiaries’ operations is generally distributed as a dividend to the Parent Company, subject to regulatory restrictions. The dividends are generally paid in amounts equal to the subsidiaries’ prior year statutory net income excluding realized capital gains. While the leading source of the excess cash is investment income, a significant portion of the excess cash also comes from underwriting income due to our high underwriting margins and effective expense control. While the insurance subsidiaries annually generate more operating cash inflows than cash outflows, the companies also have the entire available-for-sale fixed maturity investment portfolio available to create additional cash flows if required.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
Globe Life Inc.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
Four of our insurance subsidiaries are members of the FHLB of Dallas. FHLB membership provides the insurance subsidiaries with access to various low-cost collateralized borrowings and funding agreements. While not the only source of liquidity, the FHLB could provide the insurance subsidiaries with an additional source of liquidity, if needed. Refer to Note 9—Debt for further details.
Parent Company Liquidity. An important source of Parent Company liquidity is the dividends from its insurance subsidiaries. These dividends are received throughout the year and are used by the Parent Company to pay dividends on common and preferred stock, interest and principal repayment requirements on Parent Company debt, and operating expenses of the Parent Company.
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | Projected 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Liquidity Sources: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends from Subsidiaries | $ | 353,109 | $ | 422,622 | $ | 410,000 | $ | 478,535 | |||||||||||||||
| Excess Cash Flows(1) | 269,037 | 334,471 | 280,000 | 370,120 |
(1)Excess cash flows are reported net of shareholder dividends. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, shareholder dividends were $60 million. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, we project approximately $80 million in shareholder dividends, consistent with the $80 million paid in 2021.
Dividends from subsidiaries and excess cash flows are projected to be lower in 2022 than in 2021 primarily due to higher COVID life losses and the growth in our exclusive agency sales, both of which resulted in lower cash flows generated by the affiliates to the Parent. Additional sources of liquidity for the Parent Company are cash, intercompany receivables, intercompany borrowings, public debt markets, term loans, and a revolving credit facility. At September 30, 2022, the Parent Company had access to $141 million of invested cash, net intercompany receivables and other liquid assets.
Short-Term Borrowings. An additional source of Parent Company liquidity is a credit facility with a group of lenders allowing for unsecured borrowings and stand-by letters of credit up to $750 million, which could be extended up to $1 billion. While the Parent Company may request the extension, it is not guaranteed. Up to $250 million in letters of credit can be issued against the facility. The facility serves as a back-up line of credit for a commercial paper program under which commercial paper may be issued at any time, with total commercial paper outstanding not to exceed the facility maximum, less any letters of credit issued. Interest charged on the commercial paper program resembles variable rate debt due to its short term nature. On September 30, 2021, Globe Life amended the credit agreement dated August 24, 2020. The five-year credit agreement will now mature on September 30, 2026. As of September 30, 2022, the Parent Company was in full compliance with all covenants related to the aforementioned debt.
As a part of the credit facility, Globe Life has stand-by letters of credits. These letters of credit are issued on behalf of our insurance subsidiaries.
The following table presents certain information about our commercial paper borrowings.
Credit Facility—Commercial Paper
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
| At | |||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | September 30, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Balance of commercial paper at end of period (par value) | $ | 270,000 | $ | 330,033 | $ | 244,000 | |||||||||||
| Annualized interest rate | 3.13 | % | 0.29 | % | 0.20 | % | |||||||||||
| Letters of credit outstanding | $ | 125,000 | $ | 125,000 | $ | 135,000 | |||||||||||
| Remaining amount available under credit line | 355,000 | 294,967 | 371,000 |
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
Globe Life Inc.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
Credit Facility—Commercial Paper Activity
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Average balance of commercial paper outstanding during period (par value) | $ | 322,788 | $ | 306,126 | |||||||
| Daily-weighted average interest rate (annualized) | 1.15 | % | 0.23 | % | |||||||
| Maximum daily amount outstanding during period (par value) | $ | 500,529 | $ | 425,000 |
The Company reduced the commercial paper borrowings by $60 million since year-end, utilizing a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of a new senior debt offering. See Note 9—Debt for more information regarding this offering. We had no difficulties in accessing the commercial paper market under this facility during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.
Globe Life expects to have readily available funds for 2022 and the foreseeable future to conduct its operations and to maintain target capital ratios in the insurance subsidiaries through liquid assets currently available, internally-generated cash flow and the credit facility. In the unlikely event that more liquidity is needed, the Parent Company could generate additional funds through multiple sources including, but not limited to, the issuance of debt, an additional short-term credit facility or term loan, and intercompany borrowing.
Consolidated Liquidity. Consolidated net cash inflows from operations were $1.05 billion in the first nine months of 2022, compared with $1.06 billion in the same period of 2021. The decrease is primarily attributable to fluctuations in the settlement of certain amounts included in other liabilities. In addition to cash inflows from operations, our insurance companies received proceeds from dispositions of fixed maturities available for sale in the amount of $388 million during the 2022 period. As previously noted under the caption Credit Facility**, the Parent Company has in place a revolving credit facility. The insurance companies have no additional outstanding credit facilities.
Cash and short-term investments were $171 million at September 30, 2022, compared with $161 million at December 31, 2021. In addition to these liquid assets, the entire $16.0 billion (fair value at September 30, 2022) portfolio of fixed income securities is available for sale in the event of an unexpected need. Approximately 97% of our fixed income securities are publicly traded, freely tradable under SEC Rule 144, or qualified for resale under SEC Rule 144A. We generally expect to hold fixed income securities to maturity, and even though these securities are classified as available for sale, we have the ability and general intent to hold any securities to recovery. Our strong cash flows from operations, on-going investment maturities, and available liquidity under our credit facility make any need to sell securities for liquidity highly unlikely.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
Globe Life Inc.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
Capital Resources. The Parent Company's capital structure consists of short-term debt (the commercial paper facility and current maturities of long-term debt), long-term debt, and shareholders’ equity.
Long-Term Borrowings**.** The outstanding long-term debt at book value was $1.6 billion at September 30, 2022 and $1.5 billion at December 31, 2021. Refer to Note 9—Debt for a complete analysis and description of long-term debt issues outstanding.
Selected Information about Debt Issues
As of September 30, 2022
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
| Instrument | Issue Date | Maturity Date | Coupon Rate | Interest Payment Dates | Par Value | Book Value | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior notes | 05/27/1993 | 05/15/2023 | 7.875% | semiannual | $ | 165,612 | $ | 165,427 | $ | 167,781 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior notes | 09/27/2018 | 09/15/2028 | 4.550% | semiannual | 550,000 | 545,438 | 526,702 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior notes | 08/21/2020 | 08/15/2030 | 2.150% | semiannual | 400,000 | 396,109 | 310,560 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior notes(1) | 05/19/2022 | 06/15/2032 | 4.800% | semiannual | 250,000 | 245,384 | 231,700 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior notes | 11/17/2017 | 11/17/2057 | 5.275% | semiannual | 125,000 | 123,406 | 124,016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Junior subordinated debentures | 06/14/2021 | 06/15/2061 | 4.250% | quarterly | 325,000 | 317,210 | 252,545 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,815,612 | 1,792,974 | 1,613,304 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less current maturity of long-term debt | 165,612 | 165,427 | 167,781 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total long-term debt | 1,650,000 | 1,627,547 | 1,445,523 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current maturity of long-term debt | 165,612 | 165,427 | 167,781 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial paper | 270,000 | 269,310 | 269,310 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total short-term debt | 435,612 | 434,737 | 437,091 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total debt | $ | 2,085,612 | $ | 2,062,284 | $ | 1,882,614 |
(1)An additional $150 million par value and book value is held by insurance subsidiaries that eliminates in consolidation.
Subsidiary Capital*:* The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has established a risk-based factor approach for determining threshold risk-based capital levels for all insurance companies. This approach was designed to assist the regulatory bodies in identifying companies that may require regulatory attention. A Risk-Based Capital (RBC) ratio is typically determined by dividing adjusted total statutory capital by the amount of risk-based capital determined using the NAIC’s factors. If a company’s RBC ratio approaches two times the RBC amount, the company must file a plan with the NAIC for improving its capital levels (this level is commonly referred to as “Company Action Level” RBC). Companies typically hold a multiple of the Company Action Level RBC depending on their particular business needs and risk profile.
Our goal is to maintain statutory capital within our insurance subsidiaries at levels necessary to support our current ratings. For 2022, Globe Life has targeted a consolidated Company Action Level RBC ratio of 300% to 320%. The Company concludes that this capital level is more than adequate and sufficient to support its current ratings, given the nature of its business and its risk profile. As of December 31, 2021, our consolidated Company Action Level RBC ratio was 315%. The Parent Company is committed to maintaining the targeted consolidated RBC ratio at its insurance subsidiaries and has sufficient liquidity available to provide additional capital if necessary.
Shareholders' Equity*:* On September 7, 2022, the Parent Company announced that it had declared a quarterly dividend of $0.2075 per share. This dividend was paid on November 1, 2022.
Shareholders’ equity was $4.4 billion at September 30, 2022. This compares with $8.6 billion at December 31, 2021 and $8.6 billion at September 30, 2021. During the nine months since December 31, 2021, shareholders’ equity decreased primarily due to a $4.5 billion decline in the fair value of the fixed-maturity portfolio as interest rates have
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
GLOBE LIFE INC.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
increased over the period. In addition, shareholders' equity increased by net income of $528 million during the first nine months of 2022, but was offset by share repurchases of $279 million and an additional $57 million in share repurchases to offset the dilution from stock option exercises.
We plan to use excess cash available at the Parent Company as efficiently as possible in the future. Possible uses of excess cash flow include, but are not limited to, share repurchases, acquisitions, shareholder dividend payments, investments in securities, or repayment of short-term debt. We will determine the best use of excess cash after ensuring that targeted capital levels are maintained in our insurance subsidiaries. If market conditions are favorable, we currently expect that share repurchases will continue to be a primary use of those funds.
Globe Life is required under GAAP to revalue its available for sale fixed maturity portfolio to fair market value at the end of each accounting period. These changes, net of their associated impact on deferred acquisition costs and income tax, are reflected directly in shareholders’ equity. Fluctuations in interest rates cause undue volatility in the period-to-period presentation of our shareholders’ equity, capital structure, and financial ratios. Due to the long-term nature of our fixed maturity investments and policy liabilities and the strong cash flows consistently generated by our insurance subsidiaries, we have the ability to hold our securities to maturity. As such, we do not expect to incur losses due to fluctuations in market value of fixed maturities caused by market rate changes and temporarily illiquid markets. Accordingly, our management, credit rating agencies, lenders, many industry analysts, and certain other financial statement users prefer to remove the effect of this accounting rule when analyzing our balance sheet, capital structure, and financial ratios.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
GLOBE LIFE INC.
Management's Discussion & Analysis
The following table presents selected data related to our capital resources. Additionally, the table presents the effect of this accounting guidance on relevant line items, so that investors and other financial statement users may determine its impact on Globe Life's capital structure. Excluding the effect of unrealized gains or losses on the fixed maturity portfolio from shareholders' equity is considered non-GAAP. Below we include the reconciliation to GAAP.
Selected Financial Data
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
| At | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | September 30, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GAAP | Effect of Accounting Rule Requiring Revaluation**(1)** | GAAP | Effect of Accounting Rule Requiring Revaluation**(1)** | GAAP | Effect of Accounting Rule Requiring Revaluation**(1)** | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities | $ | 16,005,140 | $ | (2,168,331) | $ | 21,305,287 | $ | 3,500,365 | $ | 21,160,866 | $ | 3,538,838 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred acquisition costs(2) | 5,162,172 | 6,827 | 4,914,728 | (4,327) | 4,837,409 | (4,756) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | 24,838,788 | (2,161,504) | 29,768,048 | 3,496,038 | 29,496,578 | 3,534,082 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term debt | 434,737 | — | 479,644 | — | 393,593 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 1,627,547 | — | 1,546,494 | — | 1,546,194 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 4,361,598 | (1,707,588) | 8,642,806 | 2,761,870 | 8,608,151 | 2,791,925 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Book value per diluted share | 44.56 | (17.45) | 85.97 | 27.47 | 84.52 | 27.41 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt to capitalization(3) | 32.1 | % | 6.7 | % | 19.0 | % | (6.6) | % | 18.4 | % | (6.6) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted shares outstanding | 97,875 | 100,535 | 101,848 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual shares outstanding | 96,993 | 99,567 | 101,140 |
(1)Amount added to (deducted from) comprehensive income to produce the stated GAAP item, per accounting rule ASC 320-10-35-1.
(2)Includes the value of business acquired (VOBA).
(3)Globe Life's debt covenants require that the effect of this accounting rule be removed to determine this ratio. This ratio is computed by dividing total debt by the sum of total debt and shareholders’ equity.
GL Q3 2022 FORM 10-Q
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