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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2024

When we prepare financial statements in conformity with GAAP, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that significantly affect reported amounts of various assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. For example, we use significant estimates and assumptions to calculate values for deferred acquisition costs, the present value of future profits, fair value measurements of certain investments (including derivatives), allowance for credit losses and other-than-temporary impairments of investments, assets and liabilities related to income taxes, liabilities for insurance products, liabilities related to litigation, guaranty fund assessment accruals, goodwill and intangible assets, and fee revenue. If our future experience differs from these estimates and assumptions, our financial statements could be materially affected.

Consolidation

The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Our consolidated financial statements exclude transactions between us and our consolidated affiliates, or among our consolidated affiliates.

Investments

Fixed maturity securities include available for sale bonds and redeemable preferred stocks. We carry these investments at estimated fair value. We record any unrealized gain or loss, net of tax and related adjustments, as a component of shareholders’ equity.

Equity securities include investments in common stock, exchange-traded funds and non-redeemable preferred stock. We carry these investments at estimated fair value. Changes in the fair value of equity securities are recognized in net income.

Mortgage loans held in our investment portfolio are carried at amortized unpaid balance, net of allowance for estimated credit losses. Interest income is accrued on the principal amount of the loan based on the loan's contractual interest rate. Payment terms specified for mortgage loans may include a prepayment penalty for unscheduled payoff of the investment. Prepayment penalties are recognized as investment income when received. The allowance for estimated credit losses is measured using a loss-rate method on an individual asset basis. Inputs used include asset-specific characteristics, current economic conditions, historical loss information and reasonable and supportable forecasts about future economic conditions.

Policy loans are stated at current unpaid principal balances. Policy loans are collateralized by the cash surrender value of the life insurance policy. Interest income is recorded as earned using the contractual interest rate.

Trading securities include: (i) investments purchased with the intent of selling in the near term to generate income; and (ii) certain fixed maturity securities containing embedded derivatives for which we have elected the fair value option.

The change in fair value of the income generating investments is recognized in income from policyholder and other special-purpose portfolios in the consolidated statement of operations. The change in fair value of securities with embedded derivatives is recognized in other investment gains (losses) in the consolidated statement of operations.

Other invested assets include: (i) call options purchased in an effort to offset or hedge the effects of certain policyholder benefits related to our fixed indexed annuity and life insurance products; (ii) company-owned life insurance ("COLI"); (iii) investments in the common stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB"); and (iv) certain non-traditional investments. We carry the call options at estimated fair value as further described in the section of this note entitled "Accounting for Derivatives". We carry COLI at its cash surrender value, which approximates its net realizable value. Non-traditional investments include investments in certain limited partnerships and hedge funds which are accounted for using the equity method. In accounting for limited partnerships and hedge funds, we consistently use the most recently available financial information provided by the general partner or manager of each of these investments, which is generally three months prior to the end of our reporting period. Our share of earnings in our equity method investments is recorded within net investment income in the consolidated statement of operations.

Interest income on fixed maturity securities is recognized when earned using a constant effective yield method giving effect to amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Prepayment fees are recognized when earned. Dividends on equity securities are recognized on the ex-dividend date.

When we sell a security (other than trading securities), we report the difference between the sale proceeds and amortized cost (determined based on specific identification) as a realized investment gain or loss.

When an available for sale fixed maturity security's fair value is below the amortized cost, the security is considered impaired. If a portion of the decline is due to credit-related factors, we separate the credit loss component of the impairment from the amount related to all other factors. The credit loss component is recorded as an allowance and reported in other investment gains (losses) (limited to the difference between estimated fair value and amortized cost). The impairment related to all other factors (non-credit factors) is reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) along with unrealized gains related to fixed maturity investments, available for sale, net of tax and related adjustments. The allowance is adjusted for any additional credit losses and subsequent recoveries. When recognizing an allowance associated with a credit loss, the cost basis is not adjusted. When we determine a security is uncollectible, the remaining amortized cost will be written off.

In determining the credit loss component, we discount the estimated cash flows on a security by security basis. We consider the impact of macroeconomic conditions on inputs used to measure the amount of credit loss. For most structured securities, cash flow estimates are based on bond-specific facts and circumstances that may include collateral characteristics, expectations of delinquency and default rates, loss severity, prepayment speeds and structural support, including over-collateralization, excess spread, subordination and guarantees. For corporate bonds, cash flow estimates are derived by considering asset type, rating, time to maturity, and applying an expected loss rate.

If we intend to sell an impaired fixed maturity security, available for sale, or identify an impaired fixed maturity security, available for sale, for which it is more likely than not we will be required to sell before anticipated recovery, the difference between the fair value and the amortized cost is included in other investment gains (losses) and the fair value becomes the new amortized cost. The new cost basis is not adjusted for any subsequent recoveries in fair value.

The Company reports accrued investment income separately from fixed maturities, available for sale, and has elected not to measure an allowance for credit losses for accrued investment income. Accrued investment income is written off through net investment income at the time the issuer of the bond defaults or is expected to default on payments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include invested cash and other investments purchased with original maturities of less than three months. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at amortized cost, which approximates estimated fair value. It is the Company's policy to offset negative cash balances with positive balances in other accounts with the same counterparty when agreements are in place permitting legal right of offset.

Deferred Acquisition Costs, Present Value of Future Profits and Sales Inducements

Deferred acquisition costs represent policy acquisition costs that have been capitalized and are subject to amortization. Capitalized costs are incremental costs directly related to the successful acquisition of new or renewal insurance contracts. Such costs consist primarily of commissions, underwriting, sales and contract issuance, advertising, and processing expenses. All other costs not eligible for capitalization, including certain advertising, market research, agent training, product development, unsuccessful sales and underwriting efforts, as well as indirect costs, are expensed as incurred. Contracts are grouped by contract type and issue year into cohorts consistent with the grouping used in estimating the associated liability. Deferred acquisition costs are amortized on a constant level basis for the grouped contracts over the expected term of the related contracts to approximate straight-line amortization. For life and health insurance products, the constant level basis used is policy counts. For all annuity products, the constant level basis used is premiums in force. The constant level bases used for amortization are projected using mortality and lapse assumptions that are based on our experience, industry data, and other factors and are consistent with those used for the liability for future policy benefits. If those projected assumptions change in future periods, they will be reflected in the cohort level amortization basis at the time. Unexpected lapses, due to higher mortality and lapse experience than expected, are recognized in the current period as a reduction of the capitalized balances. Changes in future estimates are recognized prospectively over the remaining expected contract term. The carrying amount of deferred acquisition costs is not subject to recovery testing.

The present value of future profits is the value assigned to the right to receive future cash flows from policyholder insurance contracts existing at September 10, 2003 (the "Effective Date", the effective date of the bankruptcy reorganization of Conseco, Inc., an Indiana corporation (our "Predecessor")). The present value of future profits is amortized in the same manner as described above for deferred acquisition costs.

Certain of our annuity products offer sales inducements to contract holders in the form of enhanced crediting rates or bonus payments in the initial period of the contract. Certain of our life insurance products offer persistency bonuses credited to the contract holder's balance after the policy has been outstanding for a specified period of time. These enhanced rates and persistency bonuses are considered sales inducements in accordance with GAAP. Such amounts are deferred and amortized in the same manner as deferred acquisition costs and are classified as deferred acquisition costs in the consolidated balance sheet. Unlike deferred acquisition costs, such amounts are considered contractual cash flows and, as a result, are subject to periodic recovery testing.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

In February 2021, we acquired DirectPath, LLC ("DirectPath", now known as Optavise, LLC ("Optavise") subsequent to its name change in April 2022), a leading national provider of year-round, technology-driven employee benefits management services to employers and employees. Optavise provides personalized benefits education, advocacy and transparency, and communications compliance services that help employers reduce healthcare costs and assist employees with making informed benefits decisions. Another company acquired in 2019, Web Benefits Design Corporation ("WBD"), has been operating on an integrated basis with Optavise and was legally merged into Optavise during 2023. Goodwill and other intangible assets of Optavise totaled approximately $69.5 million and $28.1 million, respectively, at December 31, 2024 and are assigned to the Optavise reporting unit. The value of goodwill and other intangible assets were $69.5 million and $32.9 million, respectively, at December 31, 2023. The business of Optavise is included in our Fee income segment.

Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are reviewed for impairment if indicators of impairment arise. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment and whenever indicators of impairment arise in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 350, Intangibles and Other (“ASC 350”). The Company first performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not a goodwill impairment exists, and if an indication of potential impairment results from the qualitative assessment, a quantitative assessment is performed. The Company prepares a quantitative assessment to determine the fair value of the reporting unit by using a combination of the present value of expected future cash flows and a market approach based on revenue multiple data from peer companies and relevant observable market transactions, if available. If an impairment is identified, an impairment is recorded by the amount that the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit up to the carrying amount of goodwill.

During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company performed a quantitative impairment assessment in accordance with ASC 350. As a result of this impairment test, we determined that the fair value of the Optavise reporting unit exceeded its carrying value and therefore, goodwill was not impaired.

While future cash flows utilized in the quantitative impairment test are consistent with those that are used in our internal planning process, estimating cash flows requires significant judgment. Future changes to our projected cash flows can vary from the cash flows eventually realized, which may have a material impact on the outcomes of future goodwill impairment tests. The Company also uses a weighted average cost of capital that represents the blended average required rate of return for equity and debt capital based on observed market return data and company specific risk factors. The estimated fair value of the Optavise reporting unit is highly sensitive to changes in the weighted average cost of capital and terminal value estimates. For example, increasing the weighted average cost of capital by 300 basis points or decreasing the terminal value by 13 percent would result in the carrying value of the Optavise reporting unit exceeding its fair value, resulting in goodwill impairment.

Market Risk Benefits

Market risk benefits ("MRBs") are contracts or contract features that both provide protection to the contract holder from other-than-nominal capital market risk and expose the Company to other-than-nominal capital market risk. Many of our fixed indexed annuity products include a guaranteed living withdrawal benefit ("GLWB") that is considered a MRB. MRBs are measured at fair value using an option-based valuation model based on amount of exposure, market data, Company experience and other factors. The calculation of MRBs includes market assumptions (interest rate, equity returns, volatility and dividend yields) and non-market assumptions (mortality rates, surrender and withdrawal rates, GLWB utilization and spreads). Changes in fair value are recognized in earnings each period with the exception of the portion of the change in fair value due to a change in the instrument-specific credit risk, which is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). MRBs in an asset position are presented separately from those in a liability position as there is no legal right of offset between contracts.

Policyholder Account Balances

Policyholder account balances represent the contract value that has accrued to the benefit of the policyholder as of the balance sheet date. It includes the policyholder account values adjusted for the amount of reserves above (below) policyholder account values. Policyholder account values include accumulated account deposits, plus interest credited, less policyholder withdrawals and, if applicable, charges assessed. This balance also includes liabilities for the funding agreements associated with our funding agreement-backed notes ("FABN") program.

Total liabilities for insurance products related to our fixed indexed annuities are comprised of: (i) the liability related to the host contract; and (ii) the fair market value of the embedded derivatives as summarized below (dollars in millions):


	December 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Fixed indexed annuity insurance liabilities:
Host contract liability	$	8,972.6	$	8,301.9
Embedded derivatives at fair value	1,493.2		1,376.7
Total fixed indexed annuity insurance liabilities	$	10,465.8	$	9,678.6

Liability for Future Policy Benefits

The liability for future policy benefits is the present value of estimated future policy benefits to be paid to or on behalf of policyholders and certain related expenses (where the timing and amount of payment depends on policyholder mortality or morbidity), less the present value of estimated future net premiums to be collected from policyholders (where net premiums are gross premiums multiplied by the net premium ratio discussed below). The liability for future policy benefits is accrued over time as premium revenue is recognized. The liability is estimated using current assumptions that include discount rates, mortality, morbidity, lapse/withdrawal rates and expenses. Such assumptions are based on our historical experience, industry data, and other factors that are inherently uncertain.

The liability for future policy benefits is established using a net premium ratio approach where net premiums (the portion of gross premiums required to fund expected insurance benefits and claims settlement expenses) under the contract are accrued each period as the liability for future policy benefits. The net premium ratio used to accrue the liability for future policy benefits in each period is determined by using the historical and present value of expected future benefits and claim adjustment expenses for the cohort divided by the historical and present value of expected future gross premiums for the cohort.

Our long duration insurance contracts are grouped into annual calendar-year cohorts primarily based on the contractual issue date, marketing distribution channel, legal entity and product type. Single premium contracts are grouped into separate cohorts from other traditional products. Riders are generally combined with the base policy. Insurance contracts issued prior to the Effective Date are grouped by marketing distribution channel, legal entity and product type in a single issue year cohort. The liability is adjusted for differences between actual and expected experience. We review our historical and future cash flow assumptions quarterly and update the net premium ratio used to calculate the liability each time the assumptions are changed. Each quarter, we update our estimates of cash flows expected over the entire life of a group of contracts using actual historical experience and current future cash flow assumptions. These updated cash flows are used to calculate the revised net premiums and net premium ratio, which are used to derive an updated liability for future policy benefits as of the beginning of the current reporting period, discounted at the original contract issuance discount rate. This amount is then compared to the carrying amount of the liability as of that same date, before the updating of cash flow assumptions, to determine the current period change in liability estimate. This current period change in the liability is the liability remeasurement gain or loss and is presented as a separate component of benefit expense in the consolidated statement of operations. In subsequent periods, the revised net premiums are used to measure the liability for future policy benefits, subject to future revisions.

If a cohort is in a loss position where the liability for future policy benefits plus the present value of expected future gross premiums is determined to be insufficient to provide for expected future policy benefits and claim settlement costs, the net premium ratio is capped at 100 percent. When this occurs, all changes in expected benefits resulting from both actual experience deviations and changes in future assumptions are recognized immediately.

The locked-in discount rate is generally based on expected investment returns at contract inception for contracts issued prior to January 1, 2021 and the upper medium grade fixed income corporate instrument yield ("A" credit rated corporate bond yield) at contract inception for contracts issued after January 1, 2021. The contract inception date for contracts issued by the Predecessor is September 10, 2003. The discount rate in effect at contract inception is locked-in for the calculation of the net premium ratio and accretion of interest cost on the liability is recorded through net income. However, for balance sheet remeasurement purposes, the discount rate is updated using the current rate at each reporting period with the impact resulting from such updates recorded in other comprehensive income (loss).

We develop discount rate curves for discounting cash flows to calculate the liability for future policy benefits based on the duration characteristics of the underlying liabilities. For liability cash flows that are projected beyond the duration of market-observable A-credit-rated fixed income instruments, we use the last market-observable yield level and use linear interpolation to determine yield assumptions for durations that do not have market-observable yields.

Liability for Life Insurance Policy Claims

The liability for life insurance policy claims includes life policy and contract claims, including incurred but not reported claims. The liability for these claims is based on our estimated ultimate cost to settle all claims that have been incurred as of the reporting date. Such amounts are estimated based on an analysis of historical patterns of claims, which are continually reviewed and updated. Adjustments resulting from differences between our estimates and actual payments are recognized in the period the estimates are made or claims are paid.

Deferred Profit Liability

For limited-payment products, gross premiums received in excess of net premiums are deferred at initial recognition as a deferred profit liability ("DPL"). Gross premiums are measured using assumptions consistent with those used in the measurement of the liability for future policy benefits, including discount rate, mortality, lapses and expenses.

The DPL is amortized and recognized in insurance policy benefits in proportion to insurance in force for life insurance contracts and expected future benefit payments for annuity contracts. Interest is accreted on the balance of the DPL using the discount rate determined at contract issuance. We review and update the estimate of cash flows for the DPL at the same time as the estimate of cash flows for the liability for future policy benefits. When cash flows are updated, the updated estimates are used to recalculate the DPL at contract issuance. The recalculated DPL as of the beginning of the current reporting period is compared to the carrying amount of the DPL as of the beginning of the current reporting period and any difference is recognized as either a charge or credit to insurance policy benefits.

Recognition of Insurance Policy Income and Related Benefits and Expenses on Insurance Contracts

For interest-sensitive life and annuity contracts that do not involve significant mortality or morbidity risk and funding agreements, the amounts collected from policyholders are considered deposits and are not included in revenue. Revenues for these contracts consist of charges for policy administration, cost of insurance charges and surrender charges assessed against policyholders' account balances. Such revenues are recognized when the service or coverage is provided, or when the policy is surrendered.

Premiums from individual life products (other than interest-sensitive life contracts) and health products are recognized when due. When premiums are due over a significantly shorter period than the period over which benefits are provided, any gross premium in excess of the net premium (i.e., the portion of the gross premium required to provide for all expected future benefits and expenses) is deferred and recognized into revenue in a constant relationship to insurance in force. Benefits are recorded as an expense when they are incurred.

We establish claim reserves based on our estimate of the loss to be incurred on reported claims plus estimates of incurred but unreported claims based on our past experience.

Accounting for Certain Marketing Agreements and Other Fee Income

Bankers Life and Casualty Company ("Bankers Life") has entered into various distribution and marketing agreements with other insurance companies to use Bankers Life's exclusive agents to distribute prescription drug and Medicare Advantage plans. These agreements allow Bankers Life to offer these products to current and potential future policyholders without investment in management and infrastructure. We receive fee income related to the plans sold through our distribution channels and incur distribution expenses paid to our agents who sell such products.

The recognition of fee revenue and the distribution expenses paid to our agents results from approval of an application by the third-party insurance companies, which we define as our customers. We recognize the net lifetime revenue expected to be earned on these sales, but only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur and when such net lifetime revenue can be reasonably estimated. The assumptions and constraints used to recognize such net revenue are based on available historical data. To the extent we make changes to the assumptions we use to calculate revenue on these products, we will recognize the impact of the changes in the period in which the change is made. When sufficient historical data is not available or when we cannot otherwise reasonably estimate net lifetime revenue, revenue is recognized when payment is made.

In addition, services provided by Optavise and revenues from the operations of our broker-dealer and registered investment advisor are recorded as fee revenue and other income in our consolidated statement of operations.

Total revenues related to these arrangements was $190.5 million, $177.6 million, and $169.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. We typically collect payment related to these contract assets within one to five years.

Reinsurance

In the normal course of business, we seek to limit our loss exposure on any single insured or to certain groups of policies by ceding reinsurance to other insurance enterprises. We currently retain no more than $0.8 million of mortality risk on any one policy. We diversify the risk of reinsurance loss by using a number of reinsurers that have strong claims-paying ratings. In each case, the ceding CNO subsidiary is directly liable for claims reinsured in the event the assuming company is unable to pay. We have determined that each of our reinsurance agreements provide indemnification against loss or liability relating to insurance risk in accordance with applicable accounting standards. Such reinsurance permits recovery of the reinsured losses from reinsurers, although it does not discharge our primary liability as the direct insurer of the risks reinsured.

The reinsurance recoverable for traditional and limited-payment contracts is generally measured using a net premium ratio approach to accrue the projected net gain or loss on reinsurance in proportion to the gross premiums of the underlying reinsured cohorts. Such amount is adjusted on a quarterly basis for actual experience and at least once a year for any changes in cash flow assumptions.

Income Taxes

Our income tax expense includes deferred income taxes arising from temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which temporary differences are expected to be recovered or paid. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in earnings in the period when the changes are enacted.

A reduction of the net carrying amount of deferred tax assets by establishing a valuation allowance is required if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, all available evidence, both positive and negative, shall be considered to determine whether, based on the weight of that evidence, a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is needed. This assessment requires significant judgment and considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of carryforward periods, our experience with operating loss and tax credit carryforwards expiring unused, and tax planning strategies. We evaluate the need to establish a valuation allowance for our deferred income tax assets on an ongoing basis. The realization of our deferred tax assets depends upon generating sufficient future taxable income of the appropriate type during the periods in which our temporary differences become deductible and before our NOLs expire.

Investments in Variable Interest Entities

We have concluded that we are the primary beneficiary with respect to certain variable interest entities ("VIEs"), which are consolidated in our financial statements. All of the VIEs are collateralized loan trusts that were established to issue securities to finance the purchase of commercial bank loans and other permitted investments. The assets held by the trusts are legally isolated and not available to the Company. The liabilities of the VIEs are expected to be satisfied from the cash flows generated by the underlying loans held by the trusts, not from the assets of the Company. The Company has no financial obligation to the VIEs beyond its investment in each VIE.

The investment portfolios held by the VIEs are primarily comprised of commercial bank loans to corporate obligors which are almost entirely rated below-investment grade. Refer to the note to the consolidated financial statements entitled "Investments in Variable Interest Entities" for additional information about VIEs.

In addition, the Company, in the normal course of business, makes passive investments in structured securities issued by VIEs for which the Company is not the investment manager. These structured securities include asset-backed securities, agency residential mortgage-backed securities, non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities, collateralized loan obligations and commercial mortgage-backed securities. Our maximum exposure to loss on these securities is limited to our cost basis in the investment. We have determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of these structured securities due to the relative size of our investment in comparison to the total principal amount of the individual structured securities and the level of credit subordination which reduces our obligation to absorb gains or losses.

Investment Borrowings

Substantially all of such investments are classified as fixed maturities, available for sale, in our consolidated balance sheet.

Accounting for Derivatives

Our fixed indexed annuity products provide a guaranteed minimum rate of return and a higher potential return that is based on a percentage (the "participation rate") of the amount of increase in the value of a particular index, such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, over a specified period. We are generally able to change the participation rate at the beginning of each index period (typically on each policy anniversary date), subject to contractual minimums. The Company accounts for the options attributed to the policyholder for the estimated life of the contract as embedded derivatives. We are required to record the embedded derivatives related to our fixed indexed annuity products at estimated fair value.

The value of the embedded derivative is based on the estimated cost to fulfill our commitment to fixed indexed annuity policyholders by purchasing a series of annual forward options over the duration of the policy that back the potential return based on a percentage of the amount of increase in the value of the appropriate index. In estimating the future cost to purchase the options, we are required to make assumptions regarding: (i) future index values to determine both the future notional amounts at each anniversary date and the future prices of the forward starting options; (ii) future annual participation rates; and (iii) non-economic factors related to policy persistency.

The value of the embedded derivatives is determined based on the present value of estimated future option costs discounted using a risk-free rate adjusted for our non-performance risk and risk margins for non-capital market inputs. The non-performance risk adjustment is determined by taking into consideration publicly available information related to spreads in the secondary market for debt with credit ratings similar to ours. These observable spreads are then adjusted to reflect the priority of these liabilities and the claim paying ability of the issuing insurance subsidiaries. Changes in fair value of such embedded derivatives are included in insurance policy benefits in the consolidated statement of operations.

Risk margins are established to capture non-capital market risks which represent the additional compensation a market participant would require to assume the risks related to the uncertainties regarding the embedded derivatives, including future policyholder behavior related to persistency. The determination of the risk margin is highly judgmental given the lack of a market to assume the risks solely related to the embedded derivatives of our fixed indexed annuity products.

The determination of the appropriate risk-free rate and non-performance risk is sensitive to the economic and interest rate environment. Accordingly, the value of the derivative is volatile due to external market sensitivities, which may materially affect net income. Additionally, changes in the judgmental assumptions regarding the appropriate risk margin can significantly impact the value of the derivative.

We typically buy call options (including call spreads) referenced to the applicable indices in an effort to offset or hedge potential increases to policyholder benefits resulting from increases in the particular index to which the policy's return is linked.

We purchase certain fixed maturity securities that contain embedded derivatives that are required to be held at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet. We have elected the fair value option to carry the entire security at fair value with changes in fair value reported in net income.

Revision of Prior Period Amounts

Certain amounts presented in the prior years’ consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of operations as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, and related footnotes thereto have been corrected to conform with the 2024 presentation.

During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company corrected certain immaterial errors that resulted in misclassifications related to:

Market Risk Benefits

The Company previously recorded, at transaction inception, the fair value of the market risk benefit (MRB) in policyholder account balances, resulting in no initial MRB presented separately on the consolidated balance sheet. MRBs are required to be presented separately in the consolidated balance sheet. Subsequent to transaction inception, the resulting accumulated change in the fair value of the MRBs was recorded as market risk benefits within the consolidated balance sheet. Additionally, the transaction’s resulting policyholder account balance discount was accreted in change in fair value of MRBs. This accretion should have been recorded in insurance policy benefits within the consolidated statement of operations.

To correct for the error, the Company decreased market risk benefit assets by $75.4 million, increased market risk benefit liabilities by $109.7 million, and decreased policyholder account balances by $185.1 million on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023. Within the consolidated statement of operations for years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company increased insurance policy benefits by $12.9 million and $1.3 million, and decreased change in fair value of market risk benefits by $12.9 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

Embedded Derivatives

The Company previously presented embedded derivatives related to our annuities segment within policyholder account balances at contract inception, and the related accumulated change in fair value within future policy benefits. The entirety of the embedded derivatives are now reflected within policyholder account balances, resulting in a decrease in policyholder account balances of $260.2 million and increase in future policy benefits of $260.2 million in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023. The Company determined that these corrections were not material to the previously issued interim or annual consolidated financial statements. These corrections had no impact on the previously reported net income, total shareholders' equity, or to the consolidated statement of cash flows.

Adopted Accounting Standards and Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Adopted Accounting Standards

Effective January 1, 2023, we adopted Accounting Standards Update 2018-12 ("ASU 2018-12") related to targeted improvements to the accounting for long-duration insurance contracts, with a transition date of January 1, 2021 (the "Transition Date"). The new guidance: (i) improved the timeliness of recognizing changes in the liability for future benefits and modifies the rate used to discount future cash flows; (ii) simplified and improved the accounting for certain market-based options or guarantees associated with deposit (or account balance) contracts; (iii) simplified the amortization of deferred acquisition costs; and (iv) required enhanced disclosures, including disaggregated rollforwards of the liability for future policy benefits, policyholder account liabilities, MRBs and deferred acquisition costs. Additionally, qualitative and quantitative information about expected cash flows, estimates and assumptions is required. The new measurement guidance for traditional and limited-payment contract liabilities and the new guidance for the amortization of deferred acquisition costs was adopted on a modified retrospective transition approach. For contracts in-force at the Transition Date, we continue to use the existing locked-in investment yield interest rate assumption to calculate the net premium ratio, rather than the upper-medium grade fixed income corporate instrument yield. However, for balance sheet remeasurement purposes, the current upper-medium grade fixed income corporate instrument yield is used at transition through accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently through other comprehensive income (loss). For MRBs, we used the required retrospective application and were able to use actual assumption information to measure fair value components to the extent assumptions in a prior period were unobservable or otherwise unavailable.

We selected the modified retrospective transition method, except for MRBs where we are required to use the full retrospective approach. Pursuant to ASU 2018-12, the account balances subject to the guidance were recast on the Transition Date.

We adopted Accounting Standards Update 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures ("ASU 2023-07") effective January 1, 2024. ASU 2023-07 is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. Such requirements include: (i) disclosures on significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker ("CODM") and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss on an annual and interim basis; (ii) disclosures of an amount for other segment items by reportable segment and a description of its composition on an annual and interim basis (the other segment items category is the difference between segment revenues less the segment expenses disclosed pursuant to the new guidance); (iii) providing all annual disclosures on a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets currently required by Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting, in interim periods; and (iv) specifying the title and position of the CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measures to assess segment performance and make decisions about allocating resources. The adoption of ASU 2023-07 did not have an impact on our financial position or results of operations, and did not have a material impact on our disclosures. The adoption was made retrospectively.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In December 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures ("ASU 2023-09"). ASU 2023-09 is intended to improve the effectiveness of income tax disclosures by requiring, among other things, the disclosure on an annual basis of: (i) specific categories in the rate reconciliation; and (ii) additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. In addition, ASU 2023-09 requires disclosure (on an annual basis) of the following information about income taxes paid: (i) the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by federal (national), state, and foreign taxes; and (ii) the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by individual jurisdictions in which income taxes paid (net of refunds received) is equal to or greater than 5 percent of total income taxes paid (net of refunds received). ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning January 1, 2025, to be applied prospectively with an option for retrospective application (with early adoption permitted). The adoption of ASU 2023-09 will modify our disclosures but will not have an impact on our financial position or results of operations.

In November 2024, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (“ASU 2024-03”), which requires disclosure of additional information about specific expense categories in the notes to the financial statements. ASU 2024-03 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. ASU 2024-03 may be applied retrospectively or prospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of this update on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and, therefore, represents an exit price, not an entry price. We carry certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, including fixed maturities, equity securities, trading securities, investments held by VIEs, derivatives, separate account assets and embedded derivatives. We carry our COLI, which is invested in a series of mutual funds, at its cash surrender value, which approximates fair value. In addition, we disclose fair value for certain financial instruments that are not carried at fair value, including mortgage loans, policy loans, cash and cash equivalents, insurance liabilities for interest-sensitive products and funding agreements, investment borrowings, notes payable and borrowings related to VIEs.

The degree of judgment utilized in measuring the fair value of financial instruments is largely dependent on the level to which pricing is based on observable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our view of market assumptions in the absence of observable market information. Financial instruments with readily available active quoted prices would be considered to have fair values based on the highest level of observable inputs, and little judgment would be utilized in measuring fair value. Financial instruments that rarely trade would often have fair value based on a lower level of observable inputs, and more judgment would be utilized in measuring fair value.

Valuation Hierarchy

There is a three-level hierarchy for valuing assets or liabilities at fair value based on whether inputs are observable or unobservable.

•Level 1 – includes assets and liabilities valued using inputs that are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Our Level 1 assets primarily include cash and cash equivalents and exchange-traded securities.

•Level 2 – includes assets and liabilities valued using inputs that are quoted prices for similar assets in an active market, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in a market that is not active, observable inputs, or observable

inputs that can be corroborated by market data. Level 2 assets and liabilities include those financial instruments that are valued by independent pricing services using models or other valuation methodologies. These models consider various inputs such as credit rating, maturity, corporate credit spreads, reported trades and other inputs that are observable or derived from observable information in the marketplace or are supported by transactions executed in the marketplace. Financial assets in this category primarily include: certain publicly registered and privately placed corporate fixed maturity securities; certain government or agency securities; certain mortgage and asset-backed securities; certain equity securities; most investments held by our consolidated VIEs; and derivatives such as call options. Financial liabilities in this category include investment borrowings, notes payable and borrowings related to VIEs.

•Level 3 – includes assets and liabilities valued using unobservable inputs that are used in model-based valuations that contain management assumptions. Level 3 assets and liabilities include those financial instruments whose fair value is estimated based on broker-dealer quotes, pricing services or internally developed models or methodologies utilizing significant inputs not based on, or corroborated by, readily available market information. Financial assets in this category include certain corporate securities, certain structured securities, mortgage loans, policy loans, and other less liquid securities. Financial liabilities in this category include our insurance liabilities for interest-sensitive products, which includes embedded derivatives (including embedded derivatives related to our fixed indexed annuity products and to a modified coinsurance arrangement), and funding agreements since their values include significant unobservable inputs, including actuarial assumptions.

At each reporting date, we classify assets and liabilities into the three input levels based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the measurement of fair value for each asset and liability reported at fair value. This classification is impacted by a number of factors, including the type of financial instrument, whether the financial instrument is new to the market and not yet established, the characteristics specific to the transaction and overall market conditions. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement and the ultimate classification of each asset and liability requires judgment and is subject to change from period to period based on the observability of the valuation inputs.

The vast majority of our assets carried at fair value use Level 2 inputs for the determination of fair value. These fair values are obtained primarily from independent pricing services, which use Level 2 inputs for the determination of fair value. Our Level 2 assets are valued as follows:

•Fixed maturities available for sale, equity securities and trading securities

Corporate securities are generally priced using market and income approaches using independent pricing services. Inputs generally consist of trades of identical or similar securities, quoted prices in inactive markets, issuer rating, benchmark yields, maturity and credit spreads.

U.S. Treasuries and obligations of U.S. Government corporations and agencies are generally priced using the market approach. Inputs generally consist of trades of identical or similar securities, quoted prices in inactive markets and maturity.

States and political subdivisions are generally priced using the market approach using independent pricing services. Inputs generally consist of trades of identical or similar securities, quoted prices in inactive markets, new issuances and credit spreads.

Foreign governments are generally priced using the market approach using independent pricing services. Inputs generally consist of trades of identical or similar securities, quoted prices in inactive markets, new issuances, benchmark yields, credit spreads and issuer rating.

Asset-backed securities, agency and non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities, collateralized loan obligations and commercial mortgage-backed securities are generally priced using market and income approaches using independent pricing services. Inputs generally consist of quoted prices in inactive markets, spreads on actively traded securities, expected prepayments, expected default rates, expected recovery rates and issue specific information including, but not limited to, collateral type, seniority and vintage.

Equity securities are generally priced using the market approach. Inputs generally consist of trades of identical or similar securities, quoted prices in inactive markets, issuer rating, benchmark yields, maturity and credit spreads.

•Investments held by VIEs

Corporate securities are generally priced using market and income approaches using independent pricing vendors. Inputs generally consist of issuer rating, benchmark yields, maturity, and credit spreads.

•Other invested assets - derivatives

The fair value measurements for derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives requiring bifurcation, are determined based on the consideration of several inputs including closing exchange or over-the-counter market price quotes, time value and volatility factors underlying options, market interest rates and non-performance risk.

Third-party pricing services normally derive security prices through recently reported trades for identical or similar securities making adjustments through the reporting date based upon observable market information. If there are no recently reported trades, the third-party pricing services may use matrix or model processes to develop a security price where future cash flow expectations are discounted at an estimated risk-adjusted market rate. The number of prices obtained for a given security is dependent on the Company's analysis of such prices as further described below.

As the Company is responsible for the determination of fair value, we have control processes designed to ensure that the fair values received from third-party pricing sources are reasonable and the valuation techniques and assumptions used appear reasonable and consistent with prevailing market conditions. Additionally, when inputs are provided by third-party pricing sources, we have controls in place to review those inputs for reasonableness. As part of these controls, we perform monthly quantitative and qualitative analysis on the prices received from third parties to determine whether the prices are reasonable estimates of fair value. The Company's analysis includes: (i) a review of the methodology used by third-party pricing services; (ii) where available, a comparison of multiple pricing services' valuations for the same security; (iii) a review of month to month price fluctuations; (iv) a review to ensure valuations are not unreasonably dated; and (v) back testing to compare actual purchase and sale transactions with valuations received from third parties. As a result of such procedures, the Company may conclude a particular price received from a third party is not reflective of current market conditions. In those instances, we may request additional pricing quotes or apply internally developed valuations. However, the number of such instances is insignificant and the aggregate change in value of such investments is not materially different from the original prices received.

The categorization of the fair value measurements of our investments priced by independent pricing services was based upon the Company's judgment of the inputs or methodologies used by the independent pricing services to value different asset classes. The Company categorizes such fair value measurements based upon asset classes and the underlying observable or unobservable inputs used to value such investments.

For securities that are not priced by pricing services and may not be reliably priced using pricing models, we obtain broker quotes. These broker quotes are non-binding and represent an exit price, but assumptions used to establish the fair value may not be observable and therefore represent Level 3 inputs. Approximately 91 percent of our Level 3 fixed maturity securities and trading securities were valued using unadjusted broker quotes or broker-provided valuation inputs. The remaining Level 3 fixed maturity investments do not have readily determinable market prices and/or observable inputs. For these securities, we use internally developed valuations. Key assumptions used to determine fair value for these securities may include risk premiums, projected performance of underlying collateral and other factors involving significant assumptions which may not be reflective of an active market. For certain investments, we use a matrix or model process to develop a security price where future cash flow expectations are discounted at an estimated market rate. The pricing matrix incorporates term interest rates as well as a spread level based on the issuer's credit rating, other factors relating to the issuer, and the security's maturity. In some instances issuer-specific spread adjustments, which can be positive or negative, are made based upon internal analysis of security specifics such as liquidity, deal size, and time to maturity.

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets are primarily reported in either net investment income for policyholder and other special-purpose portfolios or investment gains (losses) within the consolidated statement of operations; or accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within shareholders' equity based on the appropriate accounting treatment for the instrument. The amount presented for gains (losses) included in our net income for assets still held as of the reporting date primarily represents: (i) the change in the allowance for credit losses for fixed maturities, available for sale; and (ii) changes in fair value of equity securities and trading securities that are held as of the reporting date. The amount presented for gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for assets still held as of the reporting date primarily represents changes in the fair value of fixed maturities, available for sale, that are held as of the reporting date.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Restricted shares (including our performance units) are not included in basic earnings per share until vested. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if outstanding stock options were exercised and restricted stock was vested. The dilution from options and restricted shares is calculated using the treasury stock method. Under this method, we assume the proceeds from the exercise of the options (or the unrecognized compensation expense with respect to restricted stock and performance units) will be used to purchase shares of our common stock at the average market price during the period, reducing the dilutive effect of the exercise of the options (or the vesting of the restricted stock and performance units).

Business Segments

We view our operations as three insurance product line segments (annuity, health and life) and the investment and fee income segments. Our segments are aligned based on their common characteristics, comparability of profit margins and the way the chief operating decision maker ("CODM") makes operating decisions and assesses the performance of the business. Our CODM is the Chief Executive Officer.

Our insurance product line segments (annuity, health and life) include marketing, underwriting and administration of the policies our insurance subsidiaries sell. The business written in each of the three product categories through all of our insurance subsidiaries is aggregated allowing management and investors to assess the performance of each product category. When analyzing profitability of these segments, we use insurance product margin as the measure of profitability, which is: (i) insurance policy income; and (ii) net investment income allocated to the insurance product lines; less (i) insurance policy benefits and interest credited to policyholders; and (ii) amortization of deferred acquisition costs and present value of future profits, non-deferred commissions and advertising expense. Net investment income is allocated to the product lines using the book yield of investments backing the block of business, which is applied to the average net insurance liabilities for the block in each period. Net insurance liabilities for the purpose of allocating investment income to product lines are equal to: (i) policyholder account values for interest sensitive products; (ii) total reserves before the fair value adjustments reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), if applicable, for all other products; less (iii) amounts related to reinsurance business; (iv) deferred acquisition costs; (v) the present value of future profits; and (vi) the value of unexpired options credited to insurance liabilities.

Income from insurance products is the sum of the insurance product margins of the annuity, health and life product lines, less expenses allocated to the insurance lines. It excludes the income from our fee income business, investment income not allocated to product lines, net expenses not allocated to product lines (primarily holding company expenses) and income taxes. Management believes insurance product margin and income from insurance products help provide a better understanding of the business and a more meaningful analysis of the results of our insurance product lines.

We market our products through the Consumer and Worksite Divisions that reflect the customers served by the Company. The Consumer and Worksite Divisions are primarily focused on marketing insurance products, several types of which are sold in both divisions and underwritten in the same manner.

The Consumer Division serves individual consumers, engaging with them on the phone, virtually, online, face-to-face with agents, or through a combination of sales channels. This structure unifies consumer capabilities into a single division and integrates the strength of our agent sales forces with one of the largest direct-to-consumer insurance businesses with proven experience in advertising, web/digital and call center support.

The Worksite Division focuses on the sale of voluntary benefit life and health insurance products in the workplace for businesses, associations, and other membership groups, interacting with customers at their place of employment and virtually. With a separate Worksite Division, we are bringing a sharper focus to this high-growth business while further capitalizing on the strength of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Optavise, a national provider of year-round technology-driven employee benefits management services.

The investment segment involves the management of our capital resources, including investments and the management of corporate debt and liquidity. Our measure of profitability of this segment is the total net investment income not allocated to the insurance products. Investment income not allocated to product lines represents net investment income less: (i) equity returns credited to policyholder account balances; (ii) the investment income allocated to our product lines; (iii) interest expense on notes payable, investment borrowings and financing agreements; (iv) expenses related to the FABN program; and (v) certain expenses related to benefit plans that are offset by special-purpose investment income; plus (vi) the impact of annual option forfeitures related to fixed indexed annuity surrenders. Investment income not allocated to product lines includes investment income on investments in excess of amounts allocated to product lines, investments held by our holding companies, the spread we earn from our FHLB investment borrowing and FABN programs and variable components of investment income (including call and prepayment income, adjustments to returns on structured securities due to cash flow changes, income (loss) from COLI and alternative investments income not allocated to product lines), net of interest expense on corporate debt and financing agreements. The spread earned from our FHLB

investment borrowing and FABN programs includes the investment income on the matched assets less: (i) interest on investment borrowings related to the FHLB investment borrowing program; (ii) interest credited on funding agreements; and (iii) amortization of deferred acquisition costs related to the FABN program.

Our fee income segment includes the earnings generated from sales of third-party insurance products, services provided by Optavise and the operations of our broker-dealer and registered investment advisor. The resulting fee income metric is the fee income segment's measure of profitability.

Our CODM allocates resources and assesses the performance of each operating segment based on the respective product line insurance margin, investment income not allocated, and fee income metrics described above.

Expenses not allocated to product lines include the expenses of our corporate operations, excluding interest expense on debt.

We measure segment performance by excluding total investment gains (losses), changes in fair value of embedded derivative liabilities and MRBs, fair value changes related to the agent deferred compensation plan, income taxes and other non-operating items including earnings attributable to VIEs ("pre-tax operating earnings") because we believe that this performance measure is a better indicator of the ongoing business and trends in our business. Our primary investment focus is on investment income to support our liabilities for insurance products as opposed to the generation of investment gains (losses), and a long-term focus is necessary to maintain profitability over the life of the business.

Investment gains (losses), changes in fair value of embedded derivative liabilities and MRBs, fair value changes related to the agent deferred compensation plan and other non-operating items consisting primarily of earnings attributable to VIEs depend on market conditions or represent unusual items that do not necessarily relate to the underlying business of our segments. Investment gains (losses) and changes in fair value of embedded derivative liabilities and MRBs may affect future earnings levels since our underlying business is long-term in nature and changes in our investment portfolio may impact our ability to earn the assumed interest rates needed to maintain the profitability of our business.

Marketable Securities

Future events may occur, or additional information may become available, which may necessitate future realized losses in our portfolio. Significant losses could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements in future periods.