10-Q
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission File Number: 001-13958
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  13-3317783
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06155
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(860) 547-5000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
             
Large accelerated filer þ
  Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
As of October 27, 2009, there were outstanding 383,008,419 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the registrant.
 
 

 

 


 

THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
             
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 Exhibit 10.01
 Exhibit 10.03
 Exhibit 15.01
 Exhibit 31.01
 Exhibit 31.02
 Exhibit 32.01
 Exhibit 32.02
 EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
 EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT

 

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Table of Contents

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  
Financial Statements
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
Hartford, Connecticut
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2009, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, and changes in equity, and cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, comprehensive loss, and cash flows for the year then ended prior to retrospective adjustment for the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 810, Consolidation, described in Note 1, (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 11, 2009 (which report includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the Company’s change in its method of accounting and reporting for the fair value measurement of financial instruments in 2008, and defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans in 2006), we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. We also audited the adjustments described in Note 1 that were applied to retrospectively adjust the December 31, 2008 consolidated balance sheet of the Company (not presented herein). In our opinion, such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied to the previously issued consolidated balance sheet in deriving the accompanying retrospectively adjusted condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Hartford, Connecticut
November 3, 2009

 

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Table of Contents

THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
(In millions, except for per share data)   2009     2008     2009     2008  
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
Revenues
                               
Earned premiums
  $ 3,499     $ 3,903     $ 10,920     $ 11,637  
Fee income
    1,140       1,333       3,369       4,056  
Net investment income (loss):
                               
Securities available-for-sale and other
    1,049       1,103       2,990       3,526  
Equity securities, trading
    638       (3,415 )     2,437       (5,840 )
 
                       
Total net investment income (loss)
    1,687       (2,312 )     5,427       (2,314 )
 
                               
Net realized capital losses:
                               
Total other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses
    (760 )     (3,077 )     (1,546 )     (3,545 )
OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income
    224             472        
 
                       
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings
    (536 )     (3,077 )     (1,074 )     (3,545 )
Net realized capital losses, excluding net OTTI losses recognized in earnings
    (683 )     (372 )     (742 )     (1,557 )
 
                       
 
                               
Total net realized capital losses
    (1,219 )     (3,449 )     (1,816 )     (5,102 )
Other revenues
    123       132       361       377  
 
                       
Total revenues
    5,230       (393 )     18,261       8,654  
 
                               
Benefits, losses and expenses
                               
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses
    3,070       3,994       10,799       10,937  
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses — returns credited on International variable annuities
    638       (3,415 )     2,437       (5,840 )
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits
    687       1,927       3,620       3,201  
Insurance operating costs and expenses
    945       1,029       2,802       3,026  
Interest expense
    118       84       357       228  
Goodwill impairment
                32        
Other expenses
    229       171       670       542  
 
                       
Total benefits, losses and expenses
    5,687       3,790       20,717       12,094  
Loss before income taxes
    (457 )     (4,183 )     (2,456 )     (3,440 )
Income tax benefit
    (237 )     (1,552 )     (1,012 )     (1,497 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net loss
  $ (220 )   $ (2,631 )   $ (1,444 )   $ (1,943 )
 
                       
Preferred stock dividends and accretion of discount
    62             65        
 
                       
 
                               
Net loss available to common shareholders
  $ (282 )   $ (2,631 )   $ (1,509 )   $ (1,943 )
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings (Loss) per common share
                               
Basic
  $ (0.79 )   $ (8.74 )   $ (4.52 )   $ (6.29 )
Diluted
  $ (0.79 )   $ (8.74 )   $ (4.52 )   $ (6.29 )
 
                               
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    356.1       301.1       334.1       308.8  
Weighted average common shares outstanding and dilutive potential common shares
    356.1       301.1       334.1       308.8  
 
                       
 
                               
Cash dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.05     $ 0.53     $ 0.15     $ 1.59  
 
                       
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
(In millions, except for share and per share data)   2009     2008  
    (Unaudited)  
Assets
               
Investments
               
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $74,429 and $78,238)
  $ 68,641     $ 65,112  
Equity securities, trading, at fair value (cost of $34,760 and $35,278)
    33,463       30,820  
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (cost of $1,403 and $1,554)
    1,397       1,458  
Mortgage loans
    6,328       6,469  
Policy loans, at outstanding balance
    2,209       2,208  
Limited partnerships and other alternative investments
    1,812       2,295  
Other investments
    1,679       1,723  
Short-term investments
    13,910       10,022  
 
           
Total investments
    129,439       120,107  
Cash
    2,417       1,811  
Premiums receivable and agents’ balances
    3,482       3,604  
Reinsurance recoverables
    5,604       6,357  
Deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits
    11,040       13,248  
Deferred income taxes
    3,820       5,239  
Goodwill
    1,204       1,060  
Property and equipment, net
    1,032       1,075  
Other assets
    2,724       4,898  
Separate account assets
    155,958       130,184  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 316,720     $ 287,583  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities
               
Reserve for future policy benefits and unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
               
Property and casualty
  $ 21,901     $ 21,933  
Life
    17,950       16,747  
Other policyholder funds and benefits payable
    47,996       53,753  
Other policyholder funds and benefits payable — International variable annuities
    33,439       30,799  
Unearned premiums
    5,324       5,379  
Short-term debt
    342       398  
Long-term debt
    5,493       5,823  
Consumer notes
    1,193       1,210  
Other liabilities
    9,643       11,997  
Separate account liabilities
    155,958       130,184  
 
           
Total liabilities
    299,239       278,223  
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9)
               
Equity
               
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value — 50,000,000 shares authorized, 3,400,000 and 6,048,387 shares issued, liquidation preference $1,000 and $0.02 per share
    2,940        
Common stock, $0.01 par value — 1,500,000,000 and 750,000,000 shares authorized, 410,192,882 and 329,920,310 shares issued
    4       3  
Additional paid-in capital
    8,976       7,569  
Retained earnings
    10,689       11,336  
Treasury stock, at cost — 27,162,478 and 29,341,378 shares
    (1,936 )     (2,120 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
    (3,217 )     (7,520 )
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity
    17,456       9,268  
Noncontrolling interest
    25       92  
 
           
Total equity
    17,481       9,360  
 
           
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 316,720     $ 287,583  
 
           
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
                 
    Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,  
(In millions, except for share data)   2009     2008  
    (Unaudited)  
Preferred Stock
               
Balance at beginning of period
  $     $  
Issuance of shares to U.S. Treasury
    2,920        
Accretion of preferred stock discount on issuance to U.S. Treasury
    20        
 
           
Balance at end of period
    2,940        
 
           
Common Stock
    4       3  
Additional Paid-in Capital
               
Balance at beginning of period
    7,569       6,627  
Issuance of warrants to U.S. Treasury
    480        
Issuance of shares under discretionary equity issuance plan
    887        
Issuance of shares under incentive and stock compensation plans
    (135 )     (39 )
Reclassification of warrants from other liabilities to equity and extension of warrants’ term
    186        
Tax (expense) benefit on employee stock options and awards
    (11 )     10  
 
           
Balance at end of period
    8,976       6,598  
 
           
Retained Earnings
               
Balance at beginning of period, before cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax
    11,336       14,686  
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax
          (3 )
 
           
Balance at beginning of period, as adjusted
    11,336       14,683  
Net loss
    (1,444 )     (1,943 )
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax
    912        
Accretion of preferred stock discount on issuance to U.S. Treasury
    (20 )      
Dividends on preferred stock
    (45 )      
Dividends declared on common stock
    (50 )     (491 )
 
           
Balance at end of period
    10,689       12,249  
 
           
Treasury Stock, at Cost
               
Balance at beginning of period
    (2,120 )     (1,254 )
Treasury stock acquired
          (1,000 )
Issuance of shares under incentive and stock compensation plans from treasury stock
    187       133  
Return of shares under incentive and stock compensation plans to treasury stock
    (3 )     (17 )
 
           
Balance at end of period
    (1,936 )     (2,138 )
 
           
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax
               
Balance at beginning of period
    (7,520 )     (858 )
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax
    (912 )      
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
    5,215       (3,297 )
 
           
Balance at end of period
    (3,217 )     (4,155 )
 
           
Total Stockholders’ Equity
    17,456       12,557  
 
           
Noncontrolling Interest (Note 13)
               
Balance at beginning of period
    92       92  
Change in noncontrolling interest ownership
    (61 )     60  
Noncontrolling loss
    (6 )     (27 )
 
           
Balance at end of period
    25       125  
 
           
Total Equity
  $ 17,481     $ 12,682  
 
           
Outstanding Preferred Shares (in thousands)
               
Balance at beginning of period
    6,048        
Conversion of preferred to common shares
    (6,048 )      
Issuance of shares to U.S. Treasury
    3,400        
 
           
Balance at end of period
    3,400        
 
           
Outstanding Common Shares (in thousands)
               
Balance at beginning of period
    300,579       313,842  
Treasury stock acquired
    (15 )     (14,682 )
Conversion of preferred to common shares
    24,194        
Issuance of shares under discretionary equity issuance plan
    56,109        
Issuance of shares under incentive and stock compensation plans
    2,353       1,442  
Return of shares under incentive and stock compensation plans to treasury stock
    (190 )     (248 )
 
           
Balance at end of period
    383,030       300,354  
 
           
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
(In millions)   2009     2008     2009     2008  
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
                               
Net loss
  $ (220 )   $ (2,631 )   $ (1,444 )   $ (1,943 )
 
                       
Other comprehensive income (loss)
                               
Change in net unrealized loss on securities
    3,232       (1,483 )     5,572       (3,509 )
Change in other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income
    (51 )           (176 )      
Change in net gain/loss on cash-flow hedging instruments
    99       163       (269 )     177  
Change in foreign currency translation adjustments
    102       (63 )     57       11  
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial net losses included in net periodic benefit costs
    11       8       31       24  
 
                       
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
    3,393       (1,375 )     5,215       (3,297 )
 
                       
Total comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 3,173     $ (4,006 )   $ 3,771     $ (5,240 )
 
                       
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                 
    Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,  
(In millions)   2009     2008  
    (Unaudited)  
Operating Activities
               
Net loss
  $ (1,444 )   $ (1,943 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities
               
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits
    3,620       3,201  
Additions to deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits
    (2,155 )     (2,837 )
Change in reserve for future policy benefits and unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums
    903       1,689  
Change in reinsurance recoverables
    152       (19 )
Change in receivables and other assets
    212       646  
Change in payables and accruals
    (600 )     (673 )
Change in accrued and deferred income taxes
    (252 )     (1,604 )
Net realized capital losses
    1,816       5,102  
Net receipts from investment contracts related to policyholder funds — International variable annuities
    2,691       1,740  
Net increase in equity securities, trading
    (2,694 )     (1,799 )
Depreciation and amortization
    360       263  
Goodwill impairment
    32        
Other operating activities, net
    104       (828 )
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    2,745       2,938  
Investing Activities
               
Proceeds from the sale/maturity/prepayment of:
               
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
    41,749       17,523  
Equity securities, available-for-sale
    598       995  
Mortgage loans
    480       351  
Partnerships
    405       130  
Payments for the purchase of:
               
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
    (42,990 )     (19,392 )
Equity securities, available-for-sale
    (284 )     (689 )
Mortgage loans
    (249 )     (1,161 )
Partnerships
    (228 )     (556 )
Derivative payments, net
    (540 )     (57 )
Purchase price of businesses acquired
    (15 )     (94 )
Change in policy loans, net
    (1 )     (98 )
Change in payables for collateral under securities lending, net
    (2,771 )     (339 )
Other investing activities, net
    25       (662 )
 
           
Net cash used for investing activities
    (3,821 )     (4,049 )
Financing Activities
               
Deposits and other additions to investment and universal life-type contracts
    11,158       15,752  
Withdrawals and other deductions from investment and universal life-type contracts
    (18,528 )     (20,276 )
Net transfers from separate accounts related to investment and universal life-type contracts
    5,418       5,584  
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
          1,487  
Repayments at maturity for long-term debt and payments on capital lease obligations
    (24 )     (462 )
Change in short-term debt
    (375 )      
Net issuance (repayments) at maturity or settlement of consumer notes
    (17 )     416  
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock and warrants to U.S. Treasury
    3,400        
Net proceeds from issuance of shares under discretionary equity issuance plan
    887        
Proceeds from net issuance of shares under incentive and stock compensation plans and excess tax benefit
    18       34  
Treasury stock acquired
          (1,000 )
Dividends paid on preferred stock
    (31 )      
Dividends paid on common stock
    (129 )     (501 )
Changes in bank deposits and payments on bank advances
    (85 )      
 
           
Net cash provided by financing activities
    1,692       1,034  
Foreign exchange rate effect on cash
    (10 )     29  
Net increase (decrease) in cash
    606       (48 )
Cash — beginning of period
    1,811       2,011  
 
           
Cash — end of period
  $ 2,417     $ 1,963  
 
           
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
               
Net Cash Paid (Received) During the Period For:
               
Income taxes
    (392 )     232  
Interest
    303       186  
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in millions, except for per share data, unless otherwise stated)
(Unaudited)
1. Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. is a financial holding company for a group of subsidiaries that provide investment products and life and property and casualty insurance to both individual and business customers in the United States and internationally (collectively, “The Hartford” or the “Company”). During the second quarter of 2009, the Company acquired Federal Trust Corporation and became a savings and loan holding company, see Note 16 for further information on the acquisition.
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared on the basis of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which differ materially from the accounting practices prescribed by various insurance regulatory authorities.
The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes as of September 30, 2009, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 are unaudited. These financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal accruals) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report. The results of operations for the interim periods should not be considered indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
Consolidation
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., companies in which the Company directly or indirectly has a controlling financial interest and those variable interest entities in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company determines if it is the primary beneficiary using both qualitative and quantitative analyses. Entities in which The Hartford does not have a controlling financial interest but in which the Company has significant influence over the operating and financing decisions are reported using the equity method. Material intercompany transactions and balances between The Hartford and its subsidiaries and affiliates have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with U.S. GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The most significant estimates include those used in determining property and casualty reserves, net of reinsurance; life estimated gross profits used in the valuation and amortization of assets and liabilities associated with variable annuity and other universal life-type contracts; living benefits required to be fair valued; valuation of investments and derivative instruments; evaluation of other-than-temporary impairments on available-for-sale securities; pension and other postretirement benefit obligations; contingencies relating to corporate litigation and regulatory matters; and goodwill impairment. Certain of these estimates are particularly sensitive to market conditions, and deterioration and/or volatility in the worldwide debt or equity markets could have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Subsequent Events
The Hartford has evaluated events subsequent to September 30, 2009, and through the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statement issuance date of November 3, 2009. The Company has not evaluated subsequent events after that date for presentation in these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Significant Accounting Policies
For a description of significant accounting policies, see Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report, which, accordingly, should be read in conjunction with these accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
1. Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies (continued)
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
Fair Value
In August 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) updated the accounting standard related to the fair value measurement of liabilities. This update provides guidance on the fair value measurement of liabilities and reaffirms that the fair value measurement of a liability assumes the transfer of a liability to a market participant, that is the liability is presumed to continue and is not settled with the counterparty. This guidance also provides clarification that in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available, a reporting entity is required to measure fair value using one or more of the following valuation techniques: a) quoted price of an identical liability when traded as an asset, b) quoted price of a similar liability or of a similar liability when traded as an asset, or c) another valuation technique consistent with the fair value principles within U.S. GAAP such as a market approach or an income approach. The amendments in this guidance also clarify that when estimating the fair value of a liability, a reporting entity is not required to include a separate adjustment relating to transfer restriction of the liability. This guidance is effective for the first reporting period, including interim periods, beginning after issuance. The Company adopted this guidance as of September 30, 2009, and the adoption did not have an impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments
In April 2009, the FASB updated the guidance related to the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairments which modifies the recognition of other-than-temporary impairment (“impairment”) losses for debt securities. This new guidance is also applied to certain equity securities with debt-like characteristics (collectively “debt securities”). Under the new guidance, a debt security is deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired if it meets the following conditions: 1) the Company intends to sell or it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security before a recovery in value, or 2) the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. If the Company intends to sell or it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security before a recovery in value, a charge is recorded in net realized capital losses equal to the difference between the fair value and amortized cost basis of the security. For those other-than-temporarily impaired debt securities which do not meet the first condition and for which the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis, the difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and the fair value is separated into the portion representing a credit impairment, which is recorded in net realized capital losses, and the remaining impairment, which is recorded in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). Generally, the Company determines a security’s credit impairment as the difference between its amortized cost basis and its best estimate of expected future cash flows discounted at the security’s effective yield prior to impairment. The previous amortized cost basis less the impairment recognized in net realized capital losses becomes the security’s new cost basis. The Company accretes the new cost basis to the estimated future cash flows over the expected remaining life of the security by prospectively adjusting the security’s yield, if necessary.
The Company evaluates whether a credit impairment exists by considering primarily the following factors: (a) the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than the amortized cost of the security, (b) changes in the financial condition, credit rating and near-term prospects of the issuer, (c) whether the issuer is current on contractually obligated interest and principal payments, (d) changes in the financial condition of the security’s underlying collateral and (e) the payment structure of the security. The Company’s best estimate of expected future cash flows used to determine the credit loss amount is a quantitative and qualitative process that incorporates information received from third party sources along with certain internal assumptions and judgments regarding the future performance of the security. The Company’s best estimate of future cash flows involves assumptions including, but not limited to, various performance indicators, such as historical and projected default and recovery rates, credit ratings, current delinquency rates, loan-to-value ratios and the possibility of obligor re-financing. In addition, for securitized debt securities, the Company considers factors including, but not limited to, commercial and residential property value declines that vary by property type and location and average cumulative collateral loss rates that vary by vintage year. These assumptions require the use of significant management judgment and include the probability of issuer default and estimates regarding timing and amount of expected recoveries which may include estimating the underlying collateral value. In addition, projections of expected future debt security cash flows may change based upon new information regarding the performance of the issuer and/or underlying collateral such as changes in the projections of the underlying property value estimates.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
1. Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies (continued)
This guidance does not impact the evaluation for impairment for equity securities. For those equity securities where the decline in the fair value is deemed to be other-than-temporary, a charge is recorded in net realized capital losses equal to the difference between the fair value and cost basis of the security. The previous cost basis less the impairment becomes the security’s new cost basis. The Company asserts its intent and ability to retain those equity securities deemed to be temporarily impaired until the price recovers. Once identified, these securities are systematically restricted from trading unless approved by a committee of investment and accounting professionals (“the Committee”). The Committee will only authorize the sale of these securities based on predefined criteria that relate to events that could not have been reasonably foreseen. Examples of the criteria include, but are not limited to, the deterioration in the issuer’s financial condition, security price declines, a change in regulatory requirements or a major business combination or major disposition.
The primary factors considered in evaluating whether an impairment exists for an equity security include, but are not limited to: (a) the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than the cost of the security, (b) changes in the financial condition, credit rating and near-term prospects of the issuer, (c) whether the issuer is current on contractually obligated payments and (d) the intent and ability of the Company to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery.
This guidance also expands and increases the frequency of existing disclosures about other-than-temporary impairments for debt and equity securities. The Company adopted this new guidance for its interim reporting period ending on June 30, 2009 and upon adoption of this guidance, the Company recognized a $912, net of tax and deferred acquisition costs, increase to retained earnings with an offsetting decrease in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”). See the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, Changes in Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss). See Note 5 for expanded interim disclosures. Disclosures regarding the effect of the adoption of this guidance on income and related per share amounts for interim periods subsequent to adoption have not been made, as it is not practicable to estimate the effect of such amounts.
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements
In December 2007, the FASB updated guidance for noncontrolling interests. A noncontrolling interest refers to the minority interest portion of the equity of a subsidiary that is not attributable directly or indirectly to a parent. This updated guidance establishes accounting and reporting standards that require for-profit entities that prepare consolidated financial statements to: (a) present noncontrolling interests as a component of equity, separate from the parent’s equity, (b) separately present the amount of consolidated net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the income statement, (c) consistently account for changes in a parent’s ownership interests in a subsidiary in which the parent entity has a controlling financial interest as equity transactions, (d) require an entity to measure at fair value its remaining interest in a subsidiary that is deconsolidated, and (e) require an entity to provide sufficient disclosures that identify and clearly distinguish between interests of the parent and interests of noncontrolling owners. This guidance applies to all for-profit entities that prepare consolidated financial statements, and affects those for-profit entities that have outstanding noncontrolling interests in one or more subsidiaries or that deconsolidate a subsidiary. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008 with earlier adoption prohibited. Upon adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2009, the Company reclassified $92 of noncontrolling interest, recorded in other liabilities, to equity as of January 1, 2008. See the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity. The adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) and the adoption did not impact the Company’s accounting for separate account assets and liabilities. The FASB has added a topic to the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) agenda, “Consideration of an Insurer’s Accounting for Majority Owned Investments When the Ownership Is Through a Separate Account”. In September 2009 the FASB issued for comment, a proposal on this topic in which they clarify that specialized accounting for investments held by a separate account should continue in consolidation. In addition, the proposed amendments would not require an insurer to consolidate a majority owned voting-interest investment held by a separate account if the investment is not or would not be consolidated in the stand-alone financial statement of the separate account. The Company currently follows this proposed guidance and excludes the noncontrolling interest from its majority owned separate accounts. The resolution of this FASB agenda item will continue to be followed by the Company; however it is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s accounting for separate account assets and liabilities.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
1. Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies (continued)
Future Adoption of New Accounting Standards
Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets
In June 2009, the FASB issued updated guidance related to the accounting for transfers of financial assets. These amendments revise derecognition guidance and eliminates the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entities (“QSPEs”). This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2009. Early adoption is prohibited. The Company will adopt this guidance on January 1, 2010 and has not yet determined the effect of the adoption on its consolidated financial statements.
Amendments to Consolidation Guidance for Variable Interest Entities
In June 2009, the FASB issued updated guidance which amends the consolidation requirements applicable to variable interest entities (“VIE”). An entity would consolidate a VIE, as the primary beneficiary, when the entity has both of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (b) The obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Ongoing reassessment of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE is required. This updated guidance replaces the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a VIE with a qualitative approach, modifies the criteria for determining whether a service provider or decision maker contract is a variable interest, and changes the consideration of removal rights in determining if an entity is a VIE. These changes may cause certain entities to now be considered a VIE. This updated guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2009. Although the Company has not yet determined the effect of the adoption on its consolidated financial statements, a review of the impact to The Hartford is currently being evaluated. The following areas of potential impact are being assessed: The Hartford managed mutual funds (both retail and those within the Company’s separate accounts), limited partnership investments, Company sponsored collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) and collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and the Company’s contingent capital facility and other similar structures or entities. The Company will adopt this guidance on January 1, 2010.
Income Taxes
The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was 52% and 37%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was 41% and 44%, respectively. The principal causes of the difference between the effective rate and the U.S. statutory rate of 35% were tax-exempt interest earned on invested assets and the separate account dividends received deduction (“DRD”) which increased the tax benefit on the pre-tax losses. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 also includes a non-deductible expense related to an amount due to Allianz as a result of the issuance of warrants to the U.S. Treasury in connection with the Company’s participation in the Capital Purchase Program.
The separate account DRD is estimated for the current year using information from the prior year-end, adjusted for current year equity market performance and other appropriate factors, including estimated levels of corporate dividend payments. The actual current year DRD can vary from estimates based on, but not limited to, changes in eligible dividends received by the mutual funds, amounts of distribution from these mutual funds, amounts of short-term capital gains at the mutual fund level and the Company’s taxable income before the DRD. The Company recorded benefits related to the separate account DRD of $33 and $50 in the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, and $108 and $158 in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The benefit recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2009 included prior period adjustments of $(6) related to the 2008 tax return and $1 related to the three months ended June 30, 2009.
The Company’s unrecognized tax benefits decreased by $8 during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as a result of the settlement of the 2002-2003 Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) audit, bringing the total unrecognized tax benefits to $83 as of September 30, 2009. This entire amount, if it were recognized, would increase the effective tax benefit rate for the applicable periods.
The Company’s federal income tax returns are routinely audited by the IRS. During the first quarter of 2009, the Company received notification of the approval by the Joint Committee on Taxation of the results of the 2002 through 2003 examination. As a result, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $7. The 2004 through 2006 examination began during the second quarter of 2008, and is expected to close in early 2010. In addition, the Company is working with the IRS on a possible settlement of a DRD issue related to prior periods which, if settled, may result in the booking of tax benefits. Such benefits are not expected to be material to the statement of operations.
The Company has recorded a deferred tax asset valuation allowance that is adequate to reduce the total deferred tax asset to an amount that will more likely than not be realized. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, management considered future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards, and taxable income in prior carry back years, as well as tax planning strategies that include holding debt securities with market value losses until recovery, selling appreciated securities to offset capital losses, and sales of certain corporate assets. Such tax planning strategies are viewed by management as prudent and feasible and will be implemented if necessary to realize the deferred tax asset. However, future realized losses on investment securities could result in the recognition of an additional valuation allowance, if additional tax planning strategies are not available.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
2. Earnings (Loss) Per Share
The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss and shares used in calculating basic earnings (loss) per common share to those used in calculating diluted earnings (loss) per common share.
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
(In millions, except for per share data)   2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
Income (loss)
                               
Net loss
  $ (220 )   $ (2,631 )   $ (1,444 )   $ (1,943 )
Less: Preferred stock dividends and accretion of discount
    62             65        
 
                       
Net loss available to common shareholders
  $ (282 )   $ (2,631 )   $ (1,509 )   $ (1,943 )
 
                       
 
                               
Common shares
                               
Basic
                               
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    356.1       301.1       334.1       308.8  
 
                               
Diluted
                               
Weighted average shares outstanding and dilutive potential common shares
    356.1       301.1       334.1       308.8  
 
                               
Earnings (loss) per common share
                               
Basic
  $ (0.79 )   $ (8.74 )   $ (4.52 )   $ (6.29 )
Diluted
  $ (0.79 )   $ (8.74 )   $ (4.52 )   $ (6.29 )
As a result of the net loss in the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company is required to use basic weighted average common shares outstanding in the calculation of the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 diluted loss per share, since the inclusion of shares for warrants of 25.3 million and 0, respectively, and stock compensation plans of 1.1 million and 1.0 million, respectively, would have been antidilutive to the earnings per share calculation. In the absence of the net loss, weighted average common shares outstanding and dilutive potential common shares would have totaled 382.5 million and 302.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
As a result of the net loss in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company is required to use basic weighted average common shares outstanding in the calculation of the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 diluted loss per share, since the inclusion of shares for warrants of 8.7 million and 0, respectively, and stock compensation plans of 0.8 million and 1.5 million, respectively, would have been antidilutive to the earnings per share calculation. In the absence of the net loss, weighted average common shares outstanding and dilutive potential common shares would have totaled 343.6 million and 310.3 million, respectively.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
3. Segment Information
The Hartford is organized into two major operations: Life and Property & Casualty, each containing reporting segments. Within the Life and Property & Casualty operations, The Hartford conducts business principally in eleven reporting segments. Corporate primarily includes the Company’s debt financing and related interest expense, as well as other capital raising activities, banking operations and certain purchase accounting adjustments.
Life
Life is organized into four groups which are comprised of six reporting segments: The Retail Products Group (“Retail”) and Individual Life segments make up the Individual Markets Group. The Retirement Plans and Group Benefits segments make up the Employer Markets Group. The International and Institutional Solutions Group (“Institutional”) segments each make up their own group.
Life charges direct operating expenses to the appropriate segment and allocates the majority of indirect expenses to the segments based on an intercompany expense arrangement. Inter-segment revenues primarily occur between Life’s Other category and the reporting segments. These amounts primarily include interest income on allocated surplus and interest charges on excess separate account surplus. In addition, during the first quarter of 2009, Institutional and International entered into a $1.5 billion funding agreement. The resulting interest income and interest expense in International and Institutional, respectively, are eliminated in consolidation.
Property & Casualty
Property & Casualty is organized into five reporting segments: the underwriting segments of Personal Lines, Small Commercial, Middle Market and Specialty Commercial (collectively, “Ongoing Operations”); and the Other Operations segment. For the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, AARP accounted for earned premiums of $712 and $695, respectively, in Personal Lines. For both the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, AARP accounted for earned premiums of $2.1 billion in Personal Lines.
Through inter-segment arrangements, Specialty Commercial reimburses Personal Lines, Small Commercial and Middle Market for losses incurred from uncollectible reinsurance and losses incurred under certain liability claims. Earned premiums assumed (ceded) under the inter-segment arrangements were as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
Net assumed (ceded) earned premiums under   September 30,     September 30,  
inter-segment arrangements   2009     2008     2009     2008  
Personal Lines
  $ (1 )   $ (1 )   $ (4 )   $ (4 )
Small Commercial
    (6 )     (8 )     (18 )     (23 )
Middle Market
    (6 )     (8 )     (17 )     (24 )
Specialty Commercial
    13       17       39       51  
 
                       
Total
  $     $     $     $  
 
                       
Financial Measures and Other Segment Information
For further discussion of the types of products offered by each segment, see Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report.
One of the measures of profit or loss used by The Hartford’s management in evaluating the performance of its Life segments is net income. Within Property & Casualty, net income is a measure of profit or loss used in evaluating the performance of Ongoing Operations and the Other Operations segment. Within Ongoing Operations, the underwriting segments of Personal Lines, Small Commercial, Middle Market and Specialty Commercial are evaluated by The Hartford’s management primarily based upon underwriting results. Underwriting results represent premiums earned less incurred losses, loss adjustment expenses and underwriting expenses. The sum of underwriting results, net servicing income, net investment income, net realized capital gains and losses, other expenses, and related income taxes is net income.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
3. Segment Information (continued)
The following table presents revenues by segment.
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Revenues   2009     2008     2009     2008  
Life
                               
Retail
  $ 109     $ 435     $ 1,961     $ 1,483  
Individual Life
    276       119       850       660  
 
                       
Total Individual Markets Group
    385       554       2,811       2,143  
Retirement Plans
    75       1       246       293  
Group Benefits
    1,142       779       3,509       3,099  
 
                       
Total Employer Markets Group
    1,217       780       3,755       3,392  
International [1]
    109       190       803       603  
Institutional
    130       (84 )     570       692  
Other [1]
    (15 )     (29 )     6       28  
 
                       
Total Life segment revenues
    1,826       1,411       7,945       6,858  
Net investment income (loss) on equity securities, trading [2]
    638       (3,415 )     2,437       (5,840 )
 
                       
Total Life
    2,464       (2,004 )     10,382       1,018  
Property & Casualty
                               
Ongoing Operations
                               
Earned premiums
                               
Personal Lines
    988       978       2,952       2,941  
Small Commercial
    640       678       1,935       2,048  
Middle Market
    510       569       1,596       1,737  
Specialty Commercial
    293       342       936       1,038  
 
                       
Ongoing Operations earned premiums
    2,431       2,567       7,419       7,764  
Net investment income
    254       285       678       929  
Other revenues [3]
    123       132       361       377  
Net realized capital losses
    (79 )     (1,268 )     (448 )     (1,455 )
 
                       
Total Ongoing Operations
    2,729       1,716       8,010       7,615  
Other Operations
    29       (109 )     79       (10 )
 
                       
Total Property & Casualty
    2,758       1,607       8,089       7,605  
Corporate
    8       4       (210 )     31  
 
                       
Total revenues
  $ 5,230     $ (393 )   $ 18,261     $ 8,654  
 
                       
     
[1]  
Included in International’s revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 are $19 and $49, respectively, of investment income from an inter-segment funding agreement with Institutional. This investment income is eliminated in Life Other.
 
[2]  
Management does not include net investment income (loss) and the mark-to-market effects of equity securities, trading, supporting the international variable annuity business in its segment revenues since corresponding amounts are credited to policyholders.
 
[3]  
Represents servicing revenue.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
3. Segment Information (continued)
The following table presents net income (loss) by segment. Underwriting results are presented for the Personal Lines, Small Commercial, Middle Market and Specialty Commercial segments, while net income (loss) is presented for each of Life’s reporting segments, total Property & Casualty, Ongoing Operations, Other Operations and Corporate.
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Net Income (Loss)   2009     2008     2009     2008  
Life
                               
Retail
  $ (172 )   $ (822 )   $ (724 )   $ (729 )
Individual Life
    4       (102 )     2       (52 )
 
                       
Total Individual Markets Group
    (168 )     (924 )     (722 )     (781 )
Retirement Plans
    (34 )     (160 )     (162 )     (134 )
Group Benefits
    65       (186 )     148       (78 )
 
                       
Total Employer Markets Group
    31       (346 )     (14 )     (212 )
International [1]
    (32 )     (107 )     (206 )     (27 )
Institutional [1]
    (101 )     (393 )     (341 )     (543 )
Other [1]
    (53 )     (45 )     (122 )     (73 )
 
                       
Total Life
    (323 )     (1,815 )     (1,405 )     (1,636 )
Property & Casualty
                               
Ongoing Operations
                               
Underwriting results
                               
Personal Lines
    (11 )     (45 )     54       78  
Small Commercial
    90       82       251       270  
Middle Market
    61       (37 )     186       21  
Specialty Commercial
    30       (44 )     89       13  
 
                       
Total Ongoing Operations underwriting results
    170       (44 )     580       382  
Net servicing income [2]
    10       14       25       21  
Net investment income
    254       285       678       929  
Net realized capital losses
    (79 )     (1,268 )     (448 )     (1,455 )
Other expenses
    (47 )     (58 )     (145 )     (180 )
 
                       
Income (loss) before income taxes
    308       (1,071 )     690       (303 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    79       (405 )     128       (195 )
 
                       
Ongoing Operations
    229       (666 )     562       (108 )
Other Operations
    (39 )     (108 )     (87 )     (91 )
 
                       
Total Property & Casualty
    190       (774 )     475       (199 )
Corporate
    (87 )     (42 )     (514 )     (108 )
 
                       
Net loss
  $ (220 )   $ (2,631 )   $ (1,444 )   $ (1,943 )
 
                       
     
[1]  
Included in net income (loss) of International and Institutional is investment income and interest expense, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 of $19 and $49, respectively, on an inter-segment funding agreement. This investment income and interest expense is eliminated in Life Other.
 
[2]  
Net of expenses related to service business.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements
The following financial instruments are carried at fair value in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements: fixed maturities and equity securities, available-for-sale (“AFS”), equity securities, trading, short-term investments, freestanding and embedded derivatives, and separate account assets.
The following section applies the fair value hierarchy and disclosure requirements for the Company’s financial instruments that are carried at fair value. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs in the valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad Levels (Level 1, 2 or 3).
     
Level 1
 
Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 1 securities include highly liquid U.S. Treasuries, money market funds and exchange traded equity, open-ended mutual funds reported in separate account assets and derivative securities, including futures and certain option contracts.
 
   
Level 2
 
Observable inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, for the asset or liability or prices for similar assets and liabilities. Most debt securities and preferred stocks, including those reported in separate account assets, are model priced by vendors using observable inputs and are classified within Level 2. Also included in the Level 2 category are derivative instruments that are priced using models with significant observable market inputs, including interest rate, foreign currency and certain credit swap contracts and have no significant unobservable market inputs.
 
   
Level 3
 
Valuations that are derived from techniques in which one or more of the significant inputs are unobservable (including assumptions about risk). Level 3 securities include less liquid securities such as highly structured and/or lower quality asset-backed securities (“ABS”), commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”), commercial real estate (“CRE”) CDOs, residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) primarily backed by below-prime loans, and private placement debt and equity securities. Embedded derivatives, including GMWB liabilities, and complex derivatives securities, including equity derivatives, longer dated interest rate swaps or swaps with optionality and certain complex credit derivatives are also included in Level 3. Because Level 3 fair values, by their nature, contain unobservable market inputs as there is little or no observable market for these assets and liabilities, considerable judgment is used to determine the Level 3 fair values. Level 3 fair values represent the Company’s best estimate of an amount that could be realized in a current market exchange absent actual market exchanges.
In many situations, inputs used to measure the fair value of an asset or liability position may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In these situations, the Company will determine the level in which the fair value falls based upon the lowest level input that is significant to the determination of the fair value. In most cases, both observable (e.g., changes in interest rates) and unobservable (e.g., changes in risk assumptions) inputs are used in the determination of fair values that the Company has classified within Level 3. Consequently, these values and the related gains and losses are based upon both observable and unobservable inputs. The Company’s fixed maturities included in Level 3 are classified as such as they are primarily priced by independent brokers and/or within illiquid markets (i.e. below prime RMBS).

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)
These disclosures provide information as to the extent to which the Company uses fair value to measure financial instruments and information about the inputs used to value those financial instruments to allow users to assess the relative reliability of the measurements. The following tables present assets and (liabilities) carried at fair value by hierarchy level.
                                 
    September 30, 2009  
            Quoted Prices              
            in Active     Significant     Significant  
            Markets for     Observable     Unobservable  
            Identical Assets     Inputs     Inputs  
    Total     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)  
Assets accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis
                               
Fixed maturities, AFS
                               
ABS
  $ 2,540     $     $ 1,966     $ 574  
CDOs
    2,818             34       2,784  
CMBS
    9,002             8,544       458  
Corporate
    34,011             26,874       7,137  
Foreign government/government agencies
    1,071             1,003       68  
RMBS
    4,821             3,671       1,150  
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
    11,815             11,552       263  
U.S. Treasuries
    2,563       186       2,377        
 
                       
Total fixed maturities, AFS
    68,641       186       56,021       12,434  
Equity securities, trading
    33,463       2,465       30,998        
Equity securities, AFS
    1,397       242       919       236  
Other investments
                               
Variable annuity hedging derivatives
    733             (21 )     754  
Other derivatives [1]
    729             681       48  
 
                       
Total other investments
    1,462             660       802  
Short-term investments
    13,910       9,715       4,195        
Reinsurance recoverable for U.S. guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit (“GMWB”)
    538                   538  
Separate account assets [2]
    144,023       110,064       33,241       718  
 
                       
Total assets accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis
  $ 263,434     $ 122,672     $ 126,034     $ 14,728  
 
                       
 
                               
Liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis
                               
Other policyholder funds and benefits payable
                               
Guaranteed living benefits
  $ (2,992 )   $     $     $ (2,992 )
Institutional notes
    (7 )                 (7 )
Equity linked notes
    (8 )                 (8 )
 
                       
Total other policyholder funds and benefits payable
    (3,007 )                 (3,007 )
Other liabilities [3]
                               
Variable annuity hedging derivatives
    (27 )           (44 )     17  
Other derivative liabilities
    (543 )           (278 )     (265 )
 
                       
Total other liabilities
    (570 )           (322 )     (248 )
Consumer notes [4]
    (5 )                 (5 )
 
                       
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis
  $ (3,582 )   $     $ (322 )   $ (3,260 )
 
                       
     
[1]  
Includes over-the-counter derivative instruments in a net asset value position which may require the counterparty to pledge collateral to the Company. As of September 30, 2009, $1.1 billion of cash collateral liability was netted against the derivative asset value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and is excluded from the table above. See footnote 3 below for derivative liabilities.
 
[2]  
As of September 30, 2009, excludes approximately $12 billion of investment sales receivable net of investment purchases payable that are not subject to fair value accounting.
 
[3]  
Includes over-the-counter derivative instruments in a net negative market value position (derivative liability). In the Level 3 roll-forward table included below in this Note 4, the derivative asset and liability are referred to as “freestanding derivatives” and are presented on a net basis.
 
[4]  
Represents embedded derivatives associated with non-funding agreement-backed consumer equity linked notes.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)
                                 
    December 31, 2008  
            Quoted Prices              
            in Active     Significant     Significant  
            Markets for     Observable     Unobservable  
            Identical Assets     Inputs     Inputs  
    Total     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)  
Assets accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis
                               
Fixed maturities, AFS
  $ 65,112     $ 3,541     $ 49,761     $ 11,810  
Equity securities, trading
    30,820       1,634       29,186        
Equity securities, AFS
    1,458       246       671       541  
Other investments
                               
Variable annuity hedging derivatives
    600             13       587  
Other derivatives [1]
    976             1,005       (29 )
 
                       
Total other investments
    1,576             1,018       558  
Short-term investments
    10,022       7,025       2,997        
Reinsurance recoverable for U.S. GMWB
    1,302                   1,302  
Separate account assets [2]
    126,777       94,804       31,187       786  
 
                       
Total assets accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis
  $ 237,067     $ 107,250     $ 114,820     $ 14,997  
 
                       
 
                               
Liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis
                               
Other policyholder funds and benefits payable
                               
Guaranteed living benefits
  $ (6,620 )   $     $     $ (6,620 )
Institutional notes
    (41 )                 (41 )
Equity linked notes
    (8 )                 (8 )
 
                       
Total other policyholder funds and benefits payable
    (6,669 )                 (6,669 )
Other liabilities [3]
                               
Variable annuity hedging derivatives
    2,201             14       2,187  
Other derivative liabilities
    (339 )           76       (415 )
 
                       
Total other liabilities
    1,862             90       1,772  
Consumer notes [4]
    (5 )                 (5 )
 
                       
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis
  $ (4,812 )   $     $ 90     $ (4,902 )
 
                       
     
[1]  
Includes over-the-counter derivative instruments in a net asset value position which may require the counterparty to pledge collateral to the Company. As of December 31, 2008, $574 of cash collateral liability was netted against the derivative asset value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and is excluded from the table above. See footnote 3 below for derivative liabilities.
 
[2]  
As of December 31, 2008, excludes approximately $3 billion of investment sales receivable net of investment purchases payable that are not subject to fair value accounting.
 
[3]  
Includes over-the-counter derivative instruments in a net negative market value position (derivative liability). In the Level 3 roll-forward table included below in this Note 4, the derivative asset and liability are referred to as “freestanding derivatives” and are presented on a net basis.
 
[4]  
Represents embedded derivatives associated with non-funding agreement-backed consumer equity linked notes.
Determination of fair values
The valuation methodologies used to determine the fair values of assets and liabilities under the “exit price” notion, reflect market-participant objectives and are based on the application of the fair value hierarchy that prioritizes relevant observable market inputs over unobservable inputs. The Company determines the fair values of certain financial assets and financial liabilities based on quoted market prices where available and where prices represent a reasonable estimate of fair value. The Company also determines fair value based on future cash flows discounted at the appropriate current market rate. Fair values reflect adjustments for counterparty credit quality, the Company’s default spreads, liquidity and, where appropriate, risk margins on unobservable parameters. The following is a discussion of the methodologies used to determine fair values for the financial instruments listed in the above tables.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)
Available-for-Sale Securities and Short-term Investments
The fair value of AFS securities and short-term investments in an active and orderly market (e.g. not distressed or forced liquidation) is determined by management after considering one of three primary sources of information: third party pricing services, independent broker quotations or pricing matrices. Security pricing is applied using a “waterfall” approach whereby publicly available prices are first sought from third party pricing services, the remaining unpriced securities are submitted to independent brokers for prices, or lastly, securities are priced using a pricing matrix. Typical inputs used by these three pricing methods include, but are not limited to, reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids, offers, and/or estimated cash flows and prepayments speeds. Based on the typical trading volumes and the lack of quoted market prices for fixed maturities, third party pricing services will normally derive the security prices from recent reported trades for identical or similar securities making adjustments through the reporting date based upon available market observable information as outlined above. If there are no recent reported trades, the third party pricing services and brokers may use matrix or model processes to develop a security price where future cash flow expectations are developed based upon collateral performance and discounted at an estimated market rate. Included in the pricing of ABS and RMBS are estimates of the rate of future prepayments of principal over the remaining life of the securities. Such estimates are derived based on the characteristics of the underlying structure and prepayment speeds previously experienced at the interest rate levels projected for the underlying collateral. Actual prepayment experience may vary from these estimates.
Prices from third party pricing services are often unavailable for securities that are rarely traded or are traded only in privately negotiated transactions. As a result, certain securities are priced via independent broker quotations which utilize inputs that may be difficult to corroborate with observable market based data. Additionally, the majority of these independent broker quotations are non-binding. A pricing matrix is used to price securities for which the Company is unable to obtain either a price from a third party pricing service or an independent broker quotation. The pricing matrix used by the Company begins with current spread levels to determine the market price for the security. The credit spreads, as assigned by a knowledgeable private placement broker, incorporate the issuer’s credit rating and a risk premium, if warranted, due to the issuer’s industry and the security’s time to maturity. The issuer-specific yield adjustments, which can be positive or negative, are updated twice per year, as of June 30 and December 31, by the private placement broker and are intended to adjust security prices for issuer-specific factors. The Company assigns a credit rating to these securities based upon an internal analysis of the issuer’s financial strength.
The Company performs a monthly analysis of the prices and credit spreads received from third parties to ensure that the prices represent a reasonable estimate of the fair value. As a part of this analysis, the Company considers trading volume and other factors to determine whether the decline in market activity is significant when compared to normal activity in an active market, and if so, whether transactions may not be orderly considering the weight of available evidence. If the available evidence indicates that pricing is based upon transactions that are stale or not orderly, the Company places little, if any, weight on the transaction price and will estimate fair value utilizing an internal pricing model. This process involves quantitative and qualitative analysis and is overseen by investment and accounting professionals. Examples of procedures performed include, but are not limited to, initial and on-going review of third party pricing services methodologies, review of pricing statistics and trends, back testing recent trades, and monitoring of trading volumes, new issuance activity and other market activities. In addition, the Company ensures that prices received from independent brokers represent a reasonable estimate of fair value through the use of internal and external cash flow models developed based on spreads, and when available, market indices. As a result of this analysis, if the Company determines that there is a more appropriate fair value based upon the available market data, the price received from the third party is adjusted accordingly. The Company’s internal pricing model utilizes the Company’s best estimate of expected future cash flows discounted at a rate of return that a market participant would require. The significant inputs to the model include, but are not limited to, current market inputs, such as credit loss assumptions, estimated prepayment speeds and market risk premiums.
The Company has analyzed the third party pricing services valuation methodologies and related inputs, and has also evaluated the various types of securities in its investment portfolio to determine an appropriate fair value hierarchy level based upon trading activity and the observability of market inputs. Most prices provided by third party pricing services are classified into Level 2 because the inputs used in pricing the securities are market observable. Due to a general lack of transparency in the process that brokers use to develop prices, most valuations that are based on brokers’ prices are classified as Level 3. Some valuations may be classified as Level 2 if the price can be corroborated. Internal matrix priced securities, primarily consisting of certain private placement debt, are also classified as Level 3 due to significant non-observable inputs.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)
Derivative Instruments, including Embedded Derivatives within Investments
Freestanding derivative instruments are reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value and are reported in other investments and other liabilities. Embedded derivatives are reported with the host instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Derivative instruments are fair valued using pricing valuation models, which utilize market data inputs or independent broker quotations. Excluding embedded and reinsurance related derivatives, as of September 30, 2009, 96% of derivatives, based upon notional values, were priced by valuation models, which utilize independent market data. The remaining derivatives were priced by broker quotations. The derivatives are valued using mid-market inputs that are predominantly observable in the market. Inputs used to value derivatives include, but are not limited to, interest swap rates, foreign currency forward and spot rates, credit spreads and correlations, interest and equity volatility and equity index levels. The Company performs a monthly analysis on derivative valuations which includes both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Examples of procedures performed include, but are not limited to, review of pricing statistics and trends, back testing recent trades, analyzing the impacts of changes in the market environment, and review of changes in market value for each derivative including those derivatives priced by brokers.
The Company utilizes derivative instruments to manage the risk associated with certain assets and liabilities. However, the derivative instrument may not be classified with the same fair value hierarchy level as the associated assets and liabilities. Therefore the realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivatives reported in Level 3 may not reflect the offsetting impact of the realized and unrealized gains and losses of the associated assets and liabilities.
U.S. GMWB Reinsurance Derivative
The fair value of the U.S. GMWB reinsurance derivative is calculated as an aggregation of the components described in the Living Benefits Required to be Fair Valued discussion below and is modeled using significant unobservable policyholder behavior inputs, identical to those used in calculating the underlying liability, such as lapses, fund selection, resets and withdrawal utilization and risk margins.
Separate Account Assets
Separate account assets are primarily invested in mutual funds but also have investments in fixed maturity and equity securities. The separate account investments are valued in the same manner, and using the same pricing sources and inputs, as the fixed maturity, equity security, and short-term investments of the Company.
Living Benefits Required to be Fair Valued (in Other Policyholder Funds and Benefits Payable)
Fair values for GMWB and guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit (“GMAB”) contracts and the related reinsurance and customized derivatives that hedge certain equity markets exposure for GMWB contracts are calculated based upon internally developed models because active, observable markets do not exist for those items. The fair value of the Company’s guaranteed benefit liabilities, classified as embedded derivatives, and the related reinsurance and customized freestanding derivatives is calculated as an aggregation of the following components: Best Estimate; Actively-Managed Volatility Adjustment; Credit Standing Adjustment; Market Illiquidity Premium; and Behavior Risk Margin. The resulting aggregation is reconciled or calibrated, if necessary, to market information that is, or may be, available to the Company, but may not be observable by other market participants, including reinsurance discussions and transactions. The Company believes the aggregation of each of these components, as necessary and as reconciled or calibrated to the market information available to the Company, results in an amount that the Company would be required to transfer, for a liability, or receive, for an asset, to or from market participants in an active liquid market, if one existed, for those market participants to assume the risks associated with the guaranteed minimum benefits and the related reinsurance and customized derivatives. The fair value is likely to materially diverge from the ultimate settlement of the liability as the Company believes settlement will be based on our best estimate assumptions rather than those best estimate assumptions plus risk margins. In the absence of any transfer of the guaranteed benefit liability to a third party, the release of risk margins is likely to be reflected as realized gains in future periods’ net income. Each of the components described below are unobservable in the marketplace and require subjectivity by the Company in determining their value.
 
Best Estimate. This component represents the estimated amount for which a financial instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between knowledgeable, unrelated willing parties using identifiable, measurable and significant inputs.
The Best Estimate is calculated based on actuarial and capital market assumptions related to projected cash flows, including benefits and related contract charges, over the lives of the contracts, incorporating expectations concerning policyholder behavior such as lapses, fund selection, resets and withdrawal utilization (for the customized derivatives, policyholder behavior is prescribed in the derivative contract). Because of the dynamic and complex nature of these cash flows, best estimate assumptions and a Monte Carlo stochastic process involving the generation of thousands of scenarios that assume risk neutral returns consistent with swap rates and a blend of observable implied index volatility levels were used. Estimating these cash flows involves numerous estimates and subjective judgments including those regarding expected markets rates of return, market volatility, correlations of market index returns to funds, fund performance, discount rates and policyholder behavior. At each valuation date, the Company assumes expected returns based on:
   
risk-free rates as represented by the current LIBOR forward curve rates;

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)
   
forward market volatility assumptions for each underlying index based primarily on a blend of observed market “implied volatility” data;
   
correlations of market returns across underlying indices based on actual observed market returns and relationships over the ten years preceding the valuation date;
   
three years of history for fund regression; and
   
current risk-free spot rates as represented by the current LIBOR spot curve to determine the present value of expected future cash flows produced in the stochastic projection process.
As many guaranteed benefit obligations are relatively new in the marketplace, actual policyholder behavior experience is limited. As a result, estimates of future policyholder behavior are subjective and based on analogous internal and external data. As markets change, mature and evolve and actual policyholder behavior emerges, management continually evaluates the appropriateness of its assumptions for this component of the fair value model.
On a daily basis, the Company updates capital market assumptions used in the GMWB liability model such as interest rates, equity indices and a blend of implied equity index volatilities. The Company continually monitors actual policyholder behavior and revises assumptions regarding policyholder behavior as credible trends of policyholder behavior emerge. With the unprecedented market conditions beginning in the third quarter of 2008, the Company, for the first time, was able to observe policyholder behavior on its living benefit products in adverse market conditions. As actual policyholder behavior emerged in this environment, new data suggested that policyholder behavior in declining market scenarios was not as adverse as our prior assumptions. As a result, in the second quarter the Company adjusted the behavior assumptions in the GMWB model. The Company is continually evaluating various aspects of policyholder behavior and may modify certain of its assumptions, including living benefit lapses and withdrawal rates, if credible emerging data indicates that changes are warranted. At a minimum, all policyholder behavior assumptions are reviewed and updated, as appropriate, in conjunction with the completion of the Company’s comprehensive study to refine its estimate of future gross profits during the third quarter of each year.
 
Actively-Managed Volatility Adjustment. This component incorporates the basis differential between the observable index implied volatilities used to calculate the Best Estimate component and the actively-managed funds underlying the variable annuity product. The Actively-Managed Volatility Adjustment is calculated using historical fund and weighted index volatilities.
 
Credit Standing Adjustment. This assumption makes an adjustment that market participants would make to reflect the risk that guaranteed benefit obligations or the GMWB reinsurance recoverables will not be fulfilled (“nonperformance risk”). As a result of sustained volatility in the Company’s credit default spreads, during the first quarter of 2009 the Company changed its estimate of the Credit Standing Adjustment to incorporate observable Company and reinsurer credit default spreads from capital markets, adjusted for market recoverability. Prior to the first quarter of 2009, the Company calculated the Credit Standing Adjustment by using default rates published by rating agencies, adjusted for market recoverability. The changes made in the first quarter of 2009 resulted in a realized gain of $198, before-tax. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the credit standing adjustment resulted in a pre-tax loss of $70 and pre-tax gain of $163, respectively.
 
Market Illiquidity Premium. This component makes an adjustment that market participants would require to reflect that guaranteed benefit obligations are illiquid and have no market observable exit prices in the capital markets.
 
Behavior Risk Margin and Other Policyholder Behavior Assumptions. The behavior risk margin adds a margin that market participants would require for the risk that the Company’s assumptions about policyholder behavior could differ from actual experience. The behavior risk margin is calculated by taking the difference between adverse policyholder behavior assumptions and best estimate assumptions. During the first half of 2009, the Company revised certain adverse assumptions in the behavior risk margin for withdrawals, lapses and annuitization behavior as emerging policyholder behavior experience suggested the prior adverse policyholder behavior assumptions were no longer representative of an appropriate margin for risk. These changes resulted in a realized gain of $352, before-tax, in the first quarter of 2009 and a realized gain of $118, before-tax, in the second quarter of 2009.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)
In addition to the credit standing update described above, during the third quarter of 2009, the Company recognized non-market-based updates driven by:
   
The impact of having lower future expected separate account growth assumption caused by the Company’s decision to increase the mortality and expense fees charged to policyholders and mortality assumption updates, resulting in a pre-tax loss of approximately $126; and
   
The relative outperformance of the underlying actively managed funds as compared to their respective indices and regression updates, resulting in a pre-tax gain of approximately $165.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recognized non-market-based assumption updates driven by:
   
The relative outperformance of the underlying actively managed funds as compared to their respective indices and regression updates, resulting in a pre-tax gain of approximately $528;
   
Updates to the behavior risk margin (described above), the third quarter increase in mortality and expense fees (described above) and other policyholder behavior assumption changes made during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, resulting in a pre-tax gain of approximately $306; and
   
The credit standing adjustment (described above), resulting in a pre-tax gain of approximately $163.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
The following tables provide a fair value roll forward for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2009 and 2008, for the financial instruments classified as Level 3.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)
Roll-forward of Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended September 30, 2009
                                                         
                                                    Changes in unrealized  
                                                    gains (losses)  
            Total realized/unrealized     Purchases,                     included in net income  
    Fair value     gains (losses) included in:     issuances,     Transfers in     Fair value     related to financial  
    as of     Net income             and     and/or (out)     as of     instruments still held at  
Asset (Liability)   July 1, 2009     [1], [2]     OCI [3]     settlements     of Level 3 [4]     September 30, 2009     September 30, 2009 [2]  
Assets
                                                       
Fixed maturities, AFS
                                                       
ABS
  $ 502     $ (32 )   $ 122     $ (36 )   $ 18     $ 574     $ (32 )
CDO
    2,562       (218 )     436       35       (31 )     2,784       (218 )
CMBS
    198       (117 )     171       (5 )     211       458       (117 )
Corporate
    6,530       (6 )     587       80       (54 )     7,137       (11 )
Foreign govt./govt. agencies
    68       1       4       (3 )     (2 )     68       1  
RMBS
    1,353       (66 )     158       (231 )     (64 )     1,150       (66 )
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
    214             13       29       7       263        
 
                                         
Fixed maturities, AFS
    11,427       (438 )     1,491       (131 )     85       12,434       (443 )
Equity securities, AFS
    228       (4 )     (5 )     1       16       236        
Derivatives [5]
                                                       
Variable annuity hedging derivatives
    1,135       (441 )           77             771       (234 )
Other freestanding derivatives
    (282 )     49       5       11             (217 )     54  
 
                                         
Total freestanding derivatives
    853       (392 )     5       88             554       (180 )
Reinsurance recoverable for U.S. GMWB [1]
    632       (103 )           9             538       (103 )
Separate accounts [6]
    673       40             29       (24 )     718       34  
 
                                         
Supplemental Asset Information:
                                                       
Total freestanding derivatives used to hedge U.S. GMWB including those in Levels 1, 2 and 3
  $ 855     $ (478 )   $     $ 7     $     $ 384     $ (478 )
 
                                         
 
Liabilities
                                                       
Other policyholder funds and benefits payable
                                                       
Guaranteed living benefits[1]
  $ (3,344 )   $ 392     $     $ (40 )   $     $ (2,992 )   $ 392  
Institutional notes
    2       (9 )                       (7 )     (9 )
Equity linked notes
    (6 )     (2 )                       (8 )     (2 )
 
                                         
Total other policyholder funds and benefits payable
    (3,348 )     381             (40 )           (3,007 )     381  
Consumer notes
    (4 )     (1 )                       (5 )     (1 )
 
                                         
Supplemental Liability Information
                                                       
Net U.S. GMWB (Embedded derivatives, freestanding derivatives including those in Levels 1, 2 and 3 and reinsurance recoverable) [7]
  $ (1,802 )   $ (198 )   $     $ (21 )   $     $ (2,021 )   $ (198 )
 
                                         
     
[1]  
The Company classifies gains and losses on GMWB reinsurance derivatives and Guaranteed Living Benefit embedded derivatives as unrealized gains (losses) for purposes of disclosure in this table because it is impracticable to track on a contract-by-contract basis the realized gains (losses) for these derivatives and embedded derivatives.
 
[2]  
All amounts in these columns are reported in net realized capital gains (losses). All amounts are before income taxes and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits (collectively referred to as “DAC”).
 
[3]  
All amounts are before income taxes and amortization of DAC.
 
[4]  
Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3 are attributable to a change in the availability of market observable information, as well as downgrades of CMBS.
 
[5]  
Derivative instruments are reported in this table on a net basis for asset/(liability) positions and reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in other investments and other liabilities.
 
[6]  
The realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income for separate account assets are offset by an equal amount for separate account liabilities, which results in a net zero impact on net income for the Company.
 
[7]  
The net (loss) on U.S. GMWB since July 1, 2009 was primarily due to losses of $154 resulting from the Company’s net market-based dynamic hedging position, of which approximately $97 related to falling long-term risk-free interest rates, and non-market-based assumption updates described above.

 

24


Table of Contents

THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)
Roll-forward of Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) for the nine months ended September 30, 2009
                                                         
                                                    Changes in unrealized  
                                                    gains (losses)  
    Fair value     Total realized/unrealized     Purchases,                     included in net income  
    as of     gains (losses) included in:     issuances,     Transfers in     Fair value     related to financial  
    January 1,     Net income             and     and/or (out)     as of     instruments still held at  
Asset (Liability)   2009     [1], [2]     OCI [3]     settlements     of Level 3 [4]     September 30, 2009     September 30, 2009 [2]  
Assets
                                                       
Fixed maturities, AFS
                                                       
ABS
  $ 536     $ (41 )   $ 158     $ (35 )   $ (44 )   $ 574     $ (37 )
CDO
    2,612       (313 )     534       (18 )     (31 )     2,784       (312 )
CMBS
    341       (165 )     199       (13 )     96       458       (143 )
Corporate
    6,396       (66 )     994       278       (465 )     7,137       (38 )
Foreign govt./govt. agencies
    100       1       2       (13 )     (22 )     68       1  
RMBS
    1,662       (235 )     (86 )     (130 )     (61 )     1,150       (150 )
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
    163             6       16       78       263        
 
                                         
Fixed maturities, AFS
    11,810       (819 )     1,807       85       (449 )     12,434       (679 )
Equity securities, AFS
    541       (5 )     (6 )     (1 )     (293 )     236        
Derivatives [5]
                                                       
Variable annuity hedging derivatives
    2,774       (1,534 )           (469 )           771       (1,276 )
Other freestanding derivatives
    (281 )     44       (5 )     31       (6 )     (217 )     63  
 
                                         
Total freestanding derivatives
    2,493       (1,490 )     (5 )     (438 )     (6 )     554       (1,213 )
Reinsurance recoverable for U.S. GMWB [1]
    1,302       (788 )           24             538       (788 )
Separate accounts [6]
    786       (82 )           139       (125 )     718       (39 )
 
                                         
Supplemental Asset Information
                                                       
Total freestanding derivatives used to hedge U.S. GMWB including those in Levels 1, 2 and 3
  $ 2,664     $ (1,878 )   $     $ (402 )   $     $ 384     $ (1,878 )
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Liabilities
                                                       
Other policyholder funds and benefits payable [1]
                                                       
Guaranteed living benefits [8]
  $ (6,620 )   $ 3,741     $ (3 )   $ (110 )   $     $ (2,992 )   $ 3,741  
Institutional notes
    (41 )     34                         (7 )     34  
Equity linked notes
    (8 )                             (8 )      
 
                                         
Total other policyholder funds and benefits payable [1]
    (6,669 )     3,775       (3 )     (110 )           (3,007 )     3,775  
Other derivative liabilities [7]
    (163 )     70             93                    
Consumer notes
    (5 )                             (5 )      
 
                                         
Supplemental Liability Information
                                                       
Net U.S. GMWB (Embedded derivatives, freestanding derivatives including those in Levels 1, 2 and 3 and reinsurance recoverable) [8]
  $ (2,560 )   $ 1,017     $     $ (478 )   $     $ (2,021 )   $ 1,017  
 
                                         
     
[1]  
The Company classifies gains and losses on GMWB reinsurance derivatives and Guaranteed Living Benefit embedded derivatives as unrealized gains (losses) for purposes of disclosure in this table because it is impracticable to track on a contract-by-contract basis the realized gains (losses) for these derivatives and embedded derivatives.
 
[2]  
All amounts in these columns are reported in net realized capital gains (losses) except for $2, which is reported in benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses. All amounts are before income taxes and amortization of DAC.
 
[3]  
All amounts are before income taxes and amortization of DAC.
 
[4]  
Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3 are attributable to a change in the availability of market observable information and re-evaluation of the observability of pricing inputs for individual securities within the respective categories.
 
[5]  
Derivative instruments are reported in this table on a net basis for asset/(liability) positions and reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in other investments and other liabilities.
 
[6]  
The realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income for separate account assets are offset by an equal amount for separate account liabilities, which results in a net zero impact on net income for the Company.
 
[7]  
On March 26, 2009, certain of the Allianz warrants were reclassified to equity, at their current fair value, as shareholder approval of the conversion of these warrants to common shares was received. See Note 13 for further discussion.
 
[8]  
The net gain on U.S. GMWB since January 1, 2009 was primarily due to the non-market-based assumption updates described above.

 

25


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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)
Roll-forward of Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended September 30, 2008
                                                         
                                                    Changes in unrealized  
                                                    gains (losses)  
    Fair value     Total realized/unrealized     Purchases,                     included in net income  
    as of     gains (losses) included in:     issuances,     Transfers in     Fair value     related to financial  
    July 1,     Net income             and     and/or (out)     as of     instruments still held at  
Asset (Liability)   2008     [1], [2]     OCI [3]     settlements     of Level 3 [4]     September 30, 2008     September 30, 2008 [2]  
Assets
                                                       
Fixed maturities, AFS
  $ 16,512     $ (683 )   $ (596 )   $ 77     $ 927     $ 16,237     $ (680 )
Equity securities, AFS
    1,367       (229 )     122       (232 )     85       1,113       (217 )
Derivatives [5]
                                                       
Variable annuity hedging derivatives
    793       437             9             1,239       394  
Other freestanding derivatives
    (404 )     (174 )     (4 )     31       2       (549 )     (174 )
 
                                         
Total freestanding derivatives
    389       263       (4 )     40       2       690       220  
Reinsurance recoverable for U.S. GMWB [1]
    250       106             82             438       106  
Separate accounts [6]
    665       (53 )           (25 )     426       1,013       (34 )
 
                                         
Supplemental Asset Information
                                                       
Total freestanding derivatives used to hedge U.S. GMWB including those in Levels 1, 2 and 3
  $ 784     $ 475     $     $ (106 )   $     $ 1,153     $ 475  
 
                                         
 
Liabilities
                                                       
Other policyholder funds and benefits payable
                                                       
Guaranteed living benefits [1]
  $ (1,703 )   $ (710 )   $ 2     $ (40 )   $     $ (2,451 )   $ (710 )
Institutional notes
    (21 )     12                         (9 )     12  
Equity linked notes
    (15 )     3                         (12 )     3  
 
                                         
Total other policyholder funds and benefits payable
    (1,739 )     (695 )     2       (40 )           (2,472 )     (695 )
Consumer notes
    (3 )     2             (5 )           (6 )     2  
 
                                         
Supplemental Liability Information
                                                       
Net U.S. GMWB (Embedded derivatives, freestanding derivatives including those in Levels 1, 2 and 3 and reinsurance recoverable) [7]
  $ (630 )   $ (116 )   $     $ (60 )   $     $ (806 )   $ (116 )
 
                                         
     
[1]  
The Company classifies gains and losses on GMWB reinsurance derivatives and Guaranteed Living Benefit embedded derivatives as unrealized gains (losses) for purposes of disclosure in this table because it is impracticable to track on a contract-by-contract basis the realized gains (losses) for these derivatives and embedded derivatives.
 
[2]  
All amounts in these columns are reported in net realized capital gains/losses except for $2, which is reported in benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses. All amounts are before income taxes and amortization of DAC.
 
[3]  
All amounts are before income taxes and amortization of DAC.
 
[4]  
Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3 are attributable to a change in the availability of market observable information and re-evaluation of the observability of pricing inputs for individual securities within the respective categories.
 
[5]  
Derivative instruments are reported in this table on a net basis for asset/(liability) positions and reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in other investments and other liabilities.
 
[6]  
The realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income for separate account assets are offset by an equal amount for separate account liabilities, which results in a net zero impact on net income for the Company.
 
[7]  
The net loss on U.S. GMWB was primarily related to market-based hedge ineffectiveness in the third quarter due to extremely volatile capital markets in September.

 

26


Table of Contents

THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)
Roll-forward of Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) for the nine months ended September 30, 2008
                                                         
                                                    Changes in unrealized  
                                                    gains (losses)  
    Fair value     Total realized/unrealized     Purchases,                     included in net income  
    as of     gains (losses) included in:     issuances,     Transfers in     Fair value     related to financial  
    January 1,     Net income             and     and/or (out)     as of     instruments still held at  
Asset (Liability)   2008     [1], [2]     OCI [3]     settlements     of Level 3 [4]     September 30, 2008     September 30, 2008 [2]  
Assets
                                                       
Fixed maturities, AFS
  $ 17,996     $ (860 )   $ (1,992 )   $ 1,355     $ (262 )   $ 16,237     $ (824 )
Equity securities, AFS
    1,339       (230 )     (7 )     95       (84 )     1,113       (228 )
Derivatives [5]
                                                       
Variable annuity hedging derivatives
    673       500             66             1,239       453  
Other freestanding derivatives
    (419 )     (441 )     (2 )     210       103       (549 )     (312 )
 
                                         
Total freestanding derivatives
    254       59       (2 )     276       103       690       141  
Reinsurance recoverable for U.S. GMWB [1]
    238       108             92             438       108  
Separate accounts [6]
    701       (109 )           (5 )     426       1,013       (89 )
 
                                         
Supplemental Asset Information
                                                       
Total freestanding derivatives used to hedge U.S. GMWB including those in Levels 1, 2 and 3
  $ 643     $ 520     $     $ (10 )   $     $ 1,153     $ 520  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Liabilities
                                                       
Other policyholder funds and benefits payable
                                                       
Guaranteed living benefits [1]
  $ (1,472 )   $ (880 )   $ 1     $ (100 )   $     $ (2,451 )   $ (880 )
Institutional notes
    (24 )     15                         (9 )     15  
Equity linked notes
    (21 )     9                         (12 )     9  
 
                                         
Total other policyholder funds and benefits payable
    (1,517 )     (856 )     1       (100 )           (2,472 )     (856 )
Consumer notes
    (5 )     4             (5 )           (6 )     4  
 
                                         
Supplemental Liability Information
                                                       
Net U.S. GMWB (Embedded derivatives, freestanding derivatives including those in Levels 1, 2 and 3 and reinsurance recoverable) [7]
  $ (552 )   $ (241 )   $     $ (13 )   $     $ (806 )   $ (241 )
 
                                         
     
[1]  
The Company classifies the gains and losses on GMWB reinsurance derivatives and Guaranteed Living Benefit embedded derivatives as unrealized gains (losses) for purposes of disclosure in this table because it is impracticable to track on a contract-by-contract basis the realized gains (losses) for these derivatives and embedded derivatives.
 
[2]  
All amounts in these columns are reported in net realized capital gains (losses) except for $3, which is reported in benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses. All amounts are before income taxes and amortization of DAC.
 
[3]  
All amounts are before income taxes and amortization of DAC.
 
[4]  
Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3 are attributable to a change in the availability of market observable information and re-evaluation of the observability of pricing inputs for individual securities within the respective categories.
 
[5]  
Derivative instruments are reported in this table on a net basis for asset/(liability) positions and reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in other investments and other liabilities.
 
[6]  
The realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income for separate account assets are offset by an equal amount for separate account liabilities, which results in a net zero impact on net income for the Company.
 
[7]  
The net loss on U.S. GMWB since January 1, 2008 was primarily related to liability model assumption updates for mortality in the first quarter and market-based hedge ineffectiveness in the third quarter due to extremely volatile capital markets in September.

 

27


Table of Contents

THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)
Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value
The following include disclosures for other financial instruments not carried at fair value and not included in the above fair value discussion.
The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments not carried at fair value as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 were as follows:
                                 
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
    Carrying     Fair     Carrying     Fair  
    Amount     Value     Amount     Value  
Assets
                               
Policy loans
  $ 2,209     $ 2,418     $ 2,208     $ 2,435  
Mortgage loans
    6,328       5,116       6,469       5,654  
 
                               
Liabilities
                               
Other policyholder funds and benefits payable [1]
  $ 13,121     $ 13,312     $ 14,839     $ 14,576  
Commercial paper [2]
                374       374  
Long-term debt [3]
    5,768       6,063       5,755       4,539  
Consumer notes [4]
    1,188       1,268       1,205       1,188  
     
[1]  
Excludes guarantees on variable annuities, group accident and health and universal life insurance contracts, including corporate owned life insurance.
 
[2]  
Included in short-term debt in the consolidated balance sheets. As of September 30, 2009, the Company has no commercial paper outstanding.
 
[3]  
Excludes capital lease obligations of $67 and $68 as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, and includes current maturities of long-term debt of $275 and $0 as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.
 
[4]  
Excludes amounts carried at fair value and included in disclosures above.
As of September 30, 2009, included in other liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are carrying amounts of $334 and $119 for deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank advances, respectively, related to Federal Trust Corporation. These carrying amounts approximate fair value.
The Company has not made any changes in its valuation methodologies for the following assets and liabilities since December 31, 2008.
 
Fair value for policy loans and consumer notes were estimated using discounted cash flow calculations using current interest rates.
 
Fair values for mortgage loans were estimated using discounted cash flow calculations based on current lending rates for similar type loans. Current lending rates reflect changes in credit spreads and the remaining terms of the loans.
 
Other policyholder funds and benefits payable, not carried at fair value, is determined by estimating future cash flows, discounted at the current market rate.
 
Carrying amounts approximate fair value for commercial paper. As of September 30, 2009, the Company has no outstanding commercial paper.
 
Fair value for long-term debt is based primarily on market quotations from independent third party pricing services.

 

28


Table of Contents

THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments
Available-for-Sale Securities
The following table presents the Company’s AFS securities by type.
                                                                         
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
    Cost or     Gross     Gross             Non-     Cost or     Gross     Gross        
    Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair     Credit     Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair  
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Value     OTTI [1]     Cost     Gains     Losses     Value  
ABS
  $ 3,130     $ 48     $ (638 )   $ 2,540     $ (53 )   $ 3,431     $ 6     $ (971 )   $ 2,466  
CDOs
    4,283       30       (1,495 )     2,818       (164 )     4,655       2       (2,045 )     2,612  
CMBS
    11,692       149       (2,839 )     9,002       9       12,973       43       (4,703 )     8,313  
Corporate
    34,224       1,597       (1,810 )     34,011       (21 )     31,059       623       (4,501 )     27,181  
Foreign govt./govt. agencies
    1,021       63       (13 )     1,071       2       2,786       100       (65 )     2,821  
RMBS
    5,807       118       (1,104 )     4,821       (135 )     6,045       96       (1,033 )     5,108  
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
    11,595       488       (268 )     11,815       (1 )     11,406       202       (953 )     10,655  
U.S. Treasuries
    2,677       37       (151 )     2,563             5,883       112       (39 )     5,956  
 
                                                     
Total fixed maturities
    74,429       2,530       (8,318 )     68,641       (363 )     78,238       1,184       (14,310 )     65,112  
Equity securities
    1,403       268       (274 )     1,397             1,554       203       (299 )     1,458  
 
                                                     
Total AFS securities
  $ 75,832     $ 2,798     $ (8,592 )   $ 70,038     $ (363 )   $ 79,792     $ 1,387     $ (14,609 )   $ 66,570  
 
                                                     
     
[1]  
Represents the amount of cumulative non-credit OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive loss on securities that also had a credit impairment. These losses are included in gross unrealized losses as of September 30, 2009.
The Company participates in securities lending programs to generate additional income. Through these programs, certain domestic fixed income securities are loaned from the Company’s portfolio to qualifying third party borrowers in return for collateral in the form of cash or U.S. Treasuries. As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, under terms of securities lending programs, the fair value of loaned securities was approximately $209 and $2.9 billion, respectively, which was included in fixed maturities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company held collateral associated with the loaned securities in the amount of $213 and $3.0 billion, respectively. The decrease in both the fair value of loaned securities and the associated collateral is attributable to the maturation of the loans in the term lending program throughout 2009.
The following table presents the Company’s fixed maturities by contractual maturity year.
                 
    September 30, 2009  
Maturity   Amortized Cost     Fair Value  
One year or less
  $ 1,510     $ 1,546  
Over one year through five years
    11,465       11,758  
Over five years through ten years
    13,556       13,653  
Over ten years
    22,986       22,503  
 
           
Subtotal
    49,517       49,460  
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities
    24,912       19,181  
 
           
Total fixed maturities
  $ 74,429     $ 68,641  
 
           
Estimated maturities may differ from contractual maturities due to security call or prepayment provisions. Due to the potential for variability in payment spreads (i.e. prepayments or extensions), mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are not categorized by contractual maturity.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)
Net Realized Capital Losses
The following table presents the Company’s net realized capital losses.
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
(Before-tax)   2009     2008     2009     2008  
Gross gains on sales
  $ 205     $ 58     $ 570     $ 226  
Gross losses on sales
    (104 )     (175 )     (1,013 )     (445 )
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings
    (536 )     (3,077 )     (1,074 )     (3,545 )
Japanese fixed annuity contract hedges, net [1]
    (7 )     36       28       13  
Periodic net coupon settlements on credit derivatives/Japan
    (7 )     (6 )     (39 )     (21 )
Fair value measurement transition impact
                      (650 )
Results of variable annuity hedge program
                               
GMWB derivatives, net
    (190 )     (133 )     1,070       (256 )
Macro hedge program
    (328 )     24       (692 )     29  
 
                       
Total results of variable annuity hedge program
    (518 )     (109 )     378       (227 )
Other, net [2]
    (252 )     (176 )     (666 )     (453 )
 
                       
Net realized capital losses
  $ (1,219 )   $ (3,449 )   $ (1,816 )   $ (5,102 )
 
                       
     
[1]  
Relates to derivative hedging instruments, excluding periodic net coupon settlements, and is net of the Japanese fixed annuity product liability adjustment for changes in the dollar/yen exchange spot rate.
 
[2]  
Consists of changes in fair value on non-qualifying derivatives, hedge ineffectiveness on qualifying derivatives, foreign currency gains and losses related to the internal reinsurance of the Japan variable annuity business, which is offset in AOCI, valuation allowances, a second quarter 2009 loss of approximately $300 related to contingent obligations associated with the Allianz transaction, and other investment gains and losses.
Net realized capital gains and losses from investment sales, after deducting the life and pension policyholders’ share for certain products, are reported as a component of revenues and are determined on a specific identification basis. Net realized capital losses reported for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 related to AFS impairments and net losses on sales were $435 and $1.5 billion, respectively, and were previously reported as unrealized losses in AOCI. Proceeds from sales of AFS securities totaled $6.2 billion and $34.3 billion, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, and $3.7 billion and $12.4 billion, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008.
Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Losses
The following table presents a roll-forward of the Company’s cumulative credit impairments on debt securities held as of September 30, 2009.
                       
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    September 30, 2009     September 30, 2009  
Balance as of beginning of period
  $ (1,578 )   $ (1,320 )
Additions for credit impairments recognized on [1]:
               
Securities not previously impaired
    (315 )     (527 )
Securities previously impaired
    (180 )     (229 )
Reductions for credit impairments previously recognized on:
               
Securities that matured or were sold during the period
    28       28  
Securities that the Company intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell before recovery
          3  
Securities due to an increase in expected cash flows
    2       2  
 
           
Balance as of September 30, 2009
  $ (2,043 )   $ (2,043 )
 
           
     
[1]  
Total additions of $495 and $756 for the three and six months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, are included in the net OTTI losses recognized in earnings of $536 and $1.1 billion, respectively, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)
Security Unrealized Loss Aging
The following tables present the Company’s unrealized loss aging for AFS securities by type and length of time the security was in a continuous unrealized loss position.
                                                                         
    September 30, 2009  
    Less Than 12 Months     12 Months or More     Total  
    Amortized     Fair     Unrealized     Amortized     Fair     Unrealized     Amortized     Fair     Unrealized  
    Cost     Value     Losses     Cost     Value     Losses     Cost     Value     Losses  
ABS
  $ 245     $ 163     $ (82 )   $ 2,019     $ 1,463     $ (556 )   $ 2,264     $ 1,626     $ (638 )
CDOs
    1,787       1,507       (280 )     2,479       1,264       (1,215 )     4,266       2,771       (1,495 )
CMBS
    1,770       1,367       (403 )     7,151       4,715       (2,436 )     8,921       6,082       (2,839 )
Corporate
    3,713       3,109       (604 )     8,221       7,015       (1,206 )     11,934       10,124       (1,810 )
Foreign govt./govt. agencies
    124       118       (6 )     70       63       (7 )     194       181       (13 )
RMBS
    340       265       (75 )     2,293       1,264       (1,029 )     2,633       1,529       (1,104 )
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
    278       240       (38 )     2,097       1,867       (230 )     2,375       2,107       (268 )
U.S. Treasuries
    1,314       1,163       (151 )                       1,314       1,163       (151 )
 
                                                     
Total fixed maturities
    9,571       7,932       (1,639 )     24,330       17,651       (6,679 )     33,901       25,583       (8,318 )
Equity securities
    737       543       (194 )     368       288       (80 )     1,105       831       (274 )
 
                                                     
Total securities in an unrealized loss
  $ 10,308     $ 8,475     $ (1,833 )   $ 24,698     $ 17,939     $ (6,759 )   $ 35,006     $ 26,414     $ (8,592 )
 
                                                     
                                                                         
    December 31, 2008  
    Less Than 12 Months     12 Months or More     Total  
    Amortized     Fair     Unrealized     Amortized     Fair     Unrealized     Amortized     Fair     Unrealized  
    Cost     Value     Losses     Cost     Value     Losses     Cost     Value     Losses  
ABS
  $ 1,190     $ 958     $ (232 )   $ 2,092     $ 1,353     $ (739 )   $ 3,282     $ 2,311     $ (971 )
CDOs
    688       440       (248 )     3,941       2,144       (1,797 )     4,629       2,584       (2,045 )
CMBS
    5,704       4,250       (1,454 )     6,647       3,398       (3,249 )     12,351       7,648       (4,703 )
Corporate
    16,604       14,145       (2,459 )     7,028       4,986       (2,042 )     23,632       19,131       (4,501 )
Foreign govt./govt. agencies
    1,263       1,211       (52 )     43       30       (13 )     1,306       1,241       (65 )
RMBS
    731       546       (185 )     2,607       1,759       (848 )     3,338       2,305       (1,033 )
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
    5,153       4,640       (513 )     2,578       2,138       (440 )     7,731       6,778       (953 )
U.S. Treasuries
    4,120       4,083       (37 )     66       64       (2 )     4,186       4,147       (39 )
 
                                                     
Total fixed maturities
    35,453       30,273       (5,180 )     25,002       15,872       (9,130 )     60,455       46,145       (14,310 )
Equity securities
    1,017       796       (221 )     277       199       (78 )     1,294       995       (299 )
 
                                                     
Total securities in an unrealized loss
  $ 36,470     $ 31,069     $ (5,401 )   $ 25,279     $ 16,071     $ (9,208 )   $ 61,749     $ 47,140     $ (14,609 )
 
                                                     
As of September 30, 2009, AFS securities in an unrealized loss position, comprised of 3,423 securities, primarily related to CMBS, corporate securities primarily within the financial services sector, CDOs and RMBS which have experienced significant price deterioration. The Company neither has an intention to sell nor does it expect to be required to sell the securities outlined above.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)
Mortgage Loans
The following table presents the Company’s mortgage loans by type.
                                                 
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
    Amortized     Valuation     Carrying     Amortized     Valuation     Carrying  
    Cost [1]     Allowance     Value     Cost [1]     Allowance     Value  
Agricultural
  $ 632     $ (1 )   $ 631     $ 646     $ (11 )   $ 635  
Commercial
    5,661       (175 )     5,486       5,849       (15 )     5,834  
Residential [2]
    211             211                    
 
                                   
Total mortgage loans
  $ 6,504     $ (176 )   $ 6,328     $ 6,495     $ (26 )   $ 6,469  
 
                                   
     
[1]  
Amortized cost represents carrying value prior to valuation allowances, if any.
 
[2]  
Represents residential mortgage loans held at Federal Trust Corporation, a company The Harford acquired in June 2009. For further information on Federal Trust Corporation, see Note 16 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company has a monitoring process that is overseen by a committee of investment and accounting professionals that identifies mortgage loans for impairment. For those mortgage loans that, based upon current information and events, it is probable that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement, an impairment is recognized and a valuation allowance is established with an offsetting charge to net realized capital losses.
The following table presents the activity within the Company’s valuation allowance for mortgage loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
         
    Valuation Allowance  
Balance at December 31, 2008
  $ (26 )
Additions
    (198 )
Deductions
    48  
 
     
Balance at September 30, 2009
  $ (176 )
 
     
The following tables present the Company’s mortgage loans by region and property type.
                                 
Mortgage Loans by Region  
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
    Carrying     Percent of     Carrying     Percent of  
    Value     Total     Value     Total  
East North Central
  $ 147       2.3 %   $ 162       2.5 %
Middle Atlantic
    744       11.8 %     825       12.8 %
Mountain
    163       2.6 %     223       3.4 %
New England
    468       7.4 %     487       7.5 %
Pacific
    1,482       23.4 %     1,495       23.1 %
South Atlantic [1]
    1,293       20.4 %     1,102       17.0 %
West North Central
    62       1.0 %     64       1.0 %
West South Central
    331       5.2 %     333       5.2 %
Other [2]
    1,638       25.9 %     1,778       27.5 %
 
                       
Total mortgage loans
  $ 6,328       100.0 %   $ 6,469       100.0 %
 
                       
     
[1]  
Includes mortgage loans held at Federal Trust Corporation as of September 30, 2009.
 
[2]  
Primarily represents multi-regional properties.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)
                                 
Mortgage Loans by Property Type  
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
    Carrying     Percent of     Carrying     Percent of  
    Value     Total     Value     Total  
Agricultural
  $ 631       10.0 %   $ 635       9.8 %
Industrial
    1,070       16.9 %     1,118       17.3 %
Lodging
    477       7.6 %     483       7.5 %
Multifamily
    949       15.0 %     1,131       17.5 %
Office
    1,798       28.4 %     1,885       29.1 %
Residential
    211       3.3 %            
Retail
    812       12.8 %     858       13.3 %
Other
    380       6.0 %     359       5.5 %
 
                       
Total mortgage loans
  $ 6,328       100.0 %   $ 6,469       100.0 %
 
                       
Variable Interest Entities
The Company is involved with VIEs primarily as a collateral manager and as an investor through normal investment activities. The Company’s involvement includes providing investment management and administrative services for a fee and holding ownership or other interests as an investor. The Company also has involvement with VIEs as a means of accessing capital.
The following table presents the carrying value of assets and liabilities and the maximum exposure to loss relating to VIEs for which the Company has concluded that it is the primary beneficiary and therefore are consolidated in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
                                                 
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
                    Maximum                     Maximum  
    Total     Total     Exposure     Total     Total     Exposure  
    Assets     Liabilities [1]     to Loss [2]     Assets     Liabilities [1]     to Loss  
CLOs
  $ 238     $ 28     $ 213     $ 339     $ 69     $ 257  
Limited partnerships
    32       2       30       151       43       108  
Other investments
    111       21       87       249       59       221  
 
                                   
Total
  $ 381     $ 51     $ 330     $ 739     $ 171     $ 586  
 
                                   
     
[1]  
Creditors have no recourse against the Company in the event of default by the VIE. Includes noncontrolling interest in limited partnerships and other investments of $13 and $82 as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, that is reported as a separate component of equity in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
[2]  
The Company’s maximum exposure to loss represents the maximum loss amount that the Company could recognize as a reduction in net investment income or as a realized capital loss and is the consolidated assets at cost net of liabilities. The Company has no implied or unfunded commitments to these VIEs.
During the three months ended September 30, 2009, the Company foreclosed on a mortgage loan investment and assumed a controlling interest in the associated real estate VIE which has the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits from significant activity, including management and sale of the real estate. Therefore, the Company concluded that it is the primary beneficiary and, accordingly, consolidated the transaction in other investments. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company partially liquidated one limited partnership and liquidated one other investment for which the Company had been the primary beneficiary. As a result of the liquidations, the Company is no longer deemed to be the primary beneficiary and accordingly, these VIEs were deconsolidated.

 

33


Table of Contents

THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)
The following table presents the carrying value of assets and liabilities and the maximum exposure to loss relating to VIEs for which the Company has a significant involvement with but has concluded that it is not the primary beneficiary and therefore are not consolidated. Each of these investments has been held by the Company for less than three years.
                                                 
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
                    Maximum                     Maximum  
                    Exposure                     Exposure  
    Assets     Liabilities     to Loss     Assets     Liabilities     to Loss  
CLOs [1]
  $ 273     $     $ 289     $ 308     $     $ 349  
CDOs [1]
    7             10       3             15  
Other [2]
    38       36       5       42       40       5  
 
                                   
Total [3]
  $ 318     $ 36     $ 304     $ 353     $ 40     $ 369  
 
                                   
     
[1]  
Maximum exposure to loss represents the Company’s investment in securities issued by CLOs/CDOs at cost.
 
[2]  
Maximum exposure to loss represents issuance costs that were incurred to establish the contingent capital facility. For further information on the contingent capital facility, see the Variable Interest Entities section of Note 5 in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report.
 
[3]  
The Company has no implied or unfunded commitments to these VIEs.
Derivative instruments
The Company utilizes a variety of over-the-counter and exchange traded derivative instruments as a part of its overall risk management strategy, as well as to enter into replication transactions. Derivative instruments are used to manage risk associated with interest rate, equity market, credit spread, issuer default, price, and currency exchange rate risk or volatility. Replication transactions are used as an economical means to synthetically replicate the characteristics and performance of assets that would otherwise be permissible investments under the Company’s investment policies. The Company also purchases and issues financial instruments and products that either are accounted for as free-standing derivatives, such as certain reinsurance contracts, or may contain features that are deemed to be embedded derivative instruments, such as the GMWB rider included with certain variable annuity products.
The Company designates each derivative instrument as either a cash flow hedging instrument (“cash flow hedge”), a fair value hedging instrument (“fair value hedge”), or not qualified as a hedging instrument (“non-qualifying strategies”).
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate swaps
Interest rate swaps are primarily used to convert interest receipts on floating-rate fixed maturity securities or interest payments on floating-rate guaranteed investment contracts to fixed rates. These derivatives are predominantly used to better match cash receipts from assets with cash disbursements required to fund liabilities.
The Company also enters into forward starting swap agreements to hedge the interest rate exposure related to the purchase of fixed-rate securities or the anticipated future cash flows of floating-rate fixed maturity securities due to changes in interest rates. These derivatives are primarily structured to hedge interest rate risk inherent in the assumptions used to price certain liabilities.
Foreign currency swaps
Foreign currency swaps are used to convert foreign denominated cash flows related to certain investment receipts and liability payments to U.S. dollars in order to minimize cash flow fluctuations due to changes in currency rates.
Fair value hedges
Interest rate swaps
Interest rate swaps are used to hedge the changes in fair value of certain fixed rate liabilities and fixed maturity securities due to fluctuations in interest rates.
Foreign currency swaps
Foreign currency swaps are used to hedge the changes in fair value of certain foreign denominated fixed rate liabilities due to changes in foreign currency rates by swapping the fixed foreign payments to floating rate U.S. dollar denominated payments.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)
Non-qualifying strategies
Interest rate swaps, caps, floors, and futures
The Company uses interest rate swaps, caps, floors, and futures to manage duration between assets and liabilities in certain investment portfolios. In addition, the Company enters into interest rate swaps to terminate existing swaps, thereby offsetting the changes in value of the original swap. As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the notional amount of interest rate swaps in offsetting relationships was $7.3 billion and $6.8 billion, respectively.
Foreign currency swap and forwards
The Company enters into foreign currency swaps and forwards to convert the foreign currency exposures to U.S. dollars in certain of its foreign denominated fixed maturity investments. The Company also enters into foreign currency forward contracts that convert Euros to Yen in order to economically hedge the foreign currency risk associated with certain assumed Japanese variable annuity products.
Japan 3Win related foreign currency swaps
During the first quarter of 2009, the Company entered into foreign currency swaps to hedge the foreign currency exposure related to the Japan 3Win product guaranteed minimum income benefit (“GMIB”) fixed liability payments.
Japanese fixed annuity hedging instruments
The Company enters into currency rate swaps and forwards to mitigate the foreign currency exchange rate and Yen interest rate exposures associated with the Yen denominated individual fixed annuity product.
Credit derivatives that purchase credit protection
Credit default swaps are used to purchase credit protection on an individual entity or referenced index to economically hedge against default risk and credit-related changes in value on fixed maturity securities. These contracts require the Company to pay a periodic fee in exchange for compensation from the counterparty should the referenced security issuers experience a credit event, as defined in the contract.
Credit derivatives that assume credit risk
Credit default swaps are used to assume credit risk related to an individual entity, referenced index, or asset pool, as a part of replication transactions. These contracts entitle the Company to receive a periodic fee in exchange for an obligation to compensate the derivative counterparty should the referenced security issuers experience a credit event, as defined in the contract. The Company is also exposed to credit risk due to embedded derivatives associated with credit linked notes.
Credit derivatives in offsetting positions
The Company enters into credit default swaps to terminate existing credit default swaps, thereby offsetting the changes in value of the original swap going forward.
Equity index swaps, options, and futures
The Company offers certain equity indexed products, which may contain an embedded derivative that requires bifurcation. The Company enters into S&P index swaps and options to economically hedge the equity volatility risk associated with these embedded derivatives. In addition, the Company is exposed to bifurcated options embedded in certain fixed maturity investments.
Warrants
During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company issued warrants to purchase the Company’s Series C Non-Voting Contingent Convertible Preferred Stock, which were required to be accounted for as a derivative liability at December 31, 2008. See Note 21 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report for a discussion of Allianz SE’s investment in The Hartford. As of March 31, 2009, the warrants were no longer required to be accounted for as derivatives and were reclassified to equity.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)
GMWB product derivatives
The Company offers certain variable annuity products with a GMWB rider in the U.S. and formerly in the U.K. and Japan. The GMWB is a bifurcated embedded derivative that provides the policyholder with a GRB if the account value is reduced to zero through a combination of market declines and withdrawals. The GRB is generally equal to premiums less withdrawals. Certain contract provisions can increase the GRB at contractholder election or after the passage of time. The notional value of the embedded derivative is the GRB balance.
GMWB reinsurance contracts
The Company has entered into reinsurance arrangements to offset a portion of its risk exposure to the GMWB for the remaining lives of covered variable annuity contracts. Reinsurance contracts covering GMWB are accounted for as free-standing derivatives. The notional amount of the reinsurance contracts is the GRB amount.
GMWB hedging instruments
The Company enters into derivative contracts to partially hedge exposure to the income volatility associated with the portion of the GMWB liabilities which are not reinsured. These derivative contracts include customized swaps, interest rate swaps and futures, and equity swaps, options, and futures, on certain indices including the S&P 500 index, EAFE index, and NASDAQ index. As of September 30, 2009, the notional amount related to the GMWB hedging instruments is $15.9 billion and consists of $10.9 billion of customized swaps, $1.4 billion of interest rate swaps and futures, and $3.6 billion of equity swaps, options, and futures.
Macro hedge program
The Company utilizes equity options, currency options, and equity futures contracts to partially hedge the statutory reserve impact of equity risk and foreign currency risk arising primarily from guaranteed minimum death benefit (“GMDB”), GMIB and GMWB obligations against a decline in the equity markets or changes in foreign currency exchange rates. As of September 30, 2009, the notional amount related to the macro hedge program is $18.1 billion and consists of $15.6 billion of equity options, $2.1 billion of currency options, and $0.4 billion of equity futures. The $2.1 billion of currency options include $1.1 billion of short put option contracts, therefore resulting in a net notional amount for the macro hedge program of approximately $17.0 billion.
GMAB product derivatives
The GMAB rider associated with certain of the Company’s Japanese variable annuity products is accounted for as a bifurcated embedded derivative. The GMAB provides the policyholder with their initial deposit in a lump sum after a specified waiting period. The notional amount of the embedded derivative is the Yen denominated GRB balance converted to U.S. dollars at the current foreign spot exchange rate as of the reporting period date.
Contingent capital facility put option
The Company entered into a put option agreement that provides the Company the right to require a third party trust to purchase, at any time, The Hartford’s junior subordinated notes in a maximum aggregate principal amount of $500. Under the put option agreement, The Hartford will pay premiums on a periodic basis and will reimburse the trust for certain fees and ordinary expenses.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)
Derivative Balance Sheet Classification
Derivative instruments are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. The Company offsets the fair value amounts, income accruals, and cash collateral held, related to derivative instruments executed in a legal entity and with the same counterparty under a master netting agreement. The table below summarizes the balance sheet classification of the Company’s derivative related fair value amounts, as well as the gross asset and liability fair value amounts. Derivatives in the Company’s separate accounts are not included because the associated gains and losses accrue directly to policyholders. The Company’s derivative instruments are held for risk management purposes, unless otherwise noted in the table below. The notional amount of derivative contracts represents the basis upon which pay or receive amounts are calculated and is presented in the table to quantify the volume of the Company’s derivative activity. Notional amounts are not necessarily reflective of credit risk.
                                                                 
                                    Asset     Liability  
    Net Derivatives     Derivatives     Derivatives  
    Notional Amount     Fair Value     Fair Value     Fair Value  
    Sep. 30,     Dec. 31,     Sep. 30,     Dec. 31,     Sep. 30,     Dec. 31,     Sep. 30,     Dec. 31,  
Hedge Designation/ Derivative Type   2009     2008     2009     2008     2009     2008     2009     2008  
Cash flow hedges
                                                               
Interest rate swaps
  $ 11,186     $ 9,030     $ 277     $ 640     $ 365     $ 643     $ (88 )   $ (3 )
Foreign currency swaps
    570       1,210       (3 )     (7 )     56       154       (59 )     (161 )
 
                                               
Total cash flow hedges
    11,756       10,240       274       633       421       797       (147 )     (164 )
 
                                               
Fair value hedges
                                                               
Interest rate swaps
    1,667       2,138       (41 )     (86 )     15       41       (56 )     (127 )
Foreign currency swaps
    696       696       (9 )     (57 )     53       47       (62 )     (104 )
 
                                               
Total fair value hedges
    2,363       2,834       (50 )     (143 )     68       88       (118 )     (231 )
 
                                               
Non-qualifying strategies
                                                               
Interest rate contracts
                                                               
Interest rate swaps, caps, floors, and futures
    8,481       8,156       (91 )     (97 )     452       931       (543 )     (1,028 )
Foreign exchange contracts
                                                               
Foreign currency swaps and forwards
    1,433       1,372       (23 )     56       11       68       (34 )     (12 )
Japan 3Win related foreign currency swaps
    2,740             15             36             (21 )      
Japanese fixed annuity hedging instruments
    2,270       2,334       396       383       396       383              
Credit contracts
                                                               
Credit derivatives that purchase credit protection
    3,201       3,668       (46 )     340       64       361       (110 )     (21 )
Credit derivatives that assume credit risk [1]
    1,162       1,199       (278 )     (403 )                 (278 )     (403 )
Credit derivatives in offsetting positions
    5,144       2,626       (53 )     (11 )     185       125       (238 )     (136 )
Equity contracts
                                                               
Equity index swaps, options, and futures
    225       256       (16 )     (16 )     3       3       (19 )     (19 )
Warrants [1]
          869             (163 )                       (163 )
Variable annuity hedge program
                                                               
GMWB product derivatives [1]
    47,899       48,767       (2,995 )     (6,620 )                 (2,995 )     (6,620 )
GMWB reinsurance contracts
    10,593       11,437       538       1,302       538       1,302              
GMWB hedging instruments
    15,870       18,620       384       2,664       584       2,697       (200 )     (33 )
Macro hedge program
    18,118       2,188       322       137       513       137       (191 )      
Other
                                                               
GMAB product derivatives [1]
    238       206       3             3                    
Contingent capital facility put option
    500       500       37       42       37       42              
 
                                               
Total non-qualifying strategies
    117,874       102,198       (1,807 )     (2,386 )     2,822       6,049       (4,629 )     (8,435 )
 
                                               
Total cash flow hedges, fair value hedges, and non-qualifying strategies
  $ 131,993     $ 115,272     $ (1,583 )   $ (1,896 )   $ 3,311     $ 6,934     $ (4,894 )   $ (8,830 )
 
                                               
Balance Sheet Location
                                                               
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
  $ 269     $ 304     $ (8 )   $ (3 )   $     $     $ (8 )   $ (3 )
Other investments
    47,379       18,667       1,462       1,576       2,192       2,172       (730 )     (596 )
Other liabilities
    25,493       35,763       (570 )     1,862       578       3,460       (1,148 )     (1,598 )
Consumer notes
    64       70       (5 )     (5 )                 (5 )     (5 )
Reinsurance recoverables
    10,593       11,437       538       1,302       538       1,302              
Other policyholder funds and benefits payable
    48,195       49,031       (3,000 )     (6,628 )     3             (3,003 )     (6,628 )
 
                                               
Total Derivatives
  $ 131,993     $ 115,272     $ (1,583 )   $ (1,896 )   $ 3,311     $ 6,934     $ (4,894 )   $ (8,830 )
 
                                               
     
[1]  
The derivative instruments related to these hedging strategies are held for other investment purposes.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)
Change in Notional Amount
The notional amount of derivatives increased since December 31, 2008, primarily related to derivatives associated with the macro hedge program, while GMWB related derivatives decreased, as a result of the Company rebalancing its risk management strategy to place a greater relative emphasis on the protection of statutory surplus. Approximately $1.1 billion of the $15.9 billion increase in the macro hedge notional amount represents short put option contracts therefore resulting in a net increase in notional of approximately $14.8 billion.
Change in Fair Value
The increase in the total fair value of derivative instruments since December 31, 2008, was primarily related to a net increase in fair value of all GMWB related derivatives, partially offset by a decline in fair value of interest rate derivatives and credit derivatives.
 
The net improvement in the fair value of all GMWB related derivatives is primarily due to lower implied market volatility and a general increase in long-term interest rates, partially offset by rising equity markets. Additional improvements in GMWB product derivatives beyond market impacts include the relative outperformance of the underlying actively managed funds as compared to their respective indices, liability model assumption updates, and changes in credit standing. For more information on the policyholder behavior and liability model assumption updates, refer to Note 4.
 
The fair value of interest rate derivatives used in cash flow hedge relationships declined due to rising long-term interest rates.
 
The fair value related to credit derivatives that economically hedge fixed maturity securities decreased as a result of credit spreads tightening. This decline was partially offset by an increase in the fair value related to credit derivatives that assume credit risk as a part of replication transactions.
Cash Flow Hedges
For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of OCI and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in current earnings. All components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.
The following table presents the components of the gain or loss on derivatives that qualify as cash-flow hedges:
                                                                 
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships  
                                    Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses)  
    Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI     Recognized in Income  
    on Derivative (Effective Portion)     on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)  
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,     September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008     2009     2008     2009     2008  
Interest rate swaps
  $ 156     $ 99     $ (310 )   $ 77     $     $     $ (2 )   $ 4  
Foreign currency swaps
    (23 )     129       (160 )     95       17             56       (1 )
 
                                               
Total
  $ 133     $ 228     $ (470 )   $ 172     $ 17     $       $54     $ 3  
 
                                               
                                     
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships  
        Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI  
        into Income (Effective Portion)  
        Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
        September 30,     September 30,  
        2009     2008     2009     2008  
Interest rate swaps
  Net realized capital gains   $     $     $ 11     $  
Interest rate swaps
  Net investment income (loss)     13       (5 )     33       (18 )
Foreign currency swaps
  Net realized capital losses     (31 )     (19 )     (102 )     (82 )
Foreign currency swaps
  Net investment income     1             2        
 
                           
Total
      $ (17 )   $ (24 )   $ (56 )   $ (100 )
 
                           

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)
As of September 30, 2009, the before-tax deferred net gains on derivative instruments recorded in AOCI that are expected to be reclassified to earnings during the next twelve months are $45. This expectation is based on the anticipated interest payments on hedged investments in fixed maturity securities that will occur over the next twelve months, at which time the Company will recognize the deferred net gains (losses) as an adjustment to interest income over the term of the investment cash flows. The maximum term over which the Company is hedging its exposure to the variability of future cash flows (for forecasted transactions, excluding interest payments on existing variable-rate financial instruments) is four years.
For the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company had no net reclassifications from AOCI to earnings resulting from the discontinuance of cash-flow hedges due to forecasted transactions that were no longer probable of occurring. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company had $1 and $(4), respectively, before-tax, of net reclassifications from AOCI to earnings resulting from the discontinuance of cash flow hedges due to forecasted transactions that were no longer probable of occurring.
Fair Value Hedges
For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative, as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in current earnings. The Company includes the gain or loss on the derivative in the same line item as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item. All components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.
The Company recognized in income gains (losses) representing the ineffective portion of all fair value hedges as follows:
                                                                 
Derivatives in Fair Value Hedging Relationships  
    Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income [1]  
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
            Hedged             Hedged             Hedged             Hedged  
    Derivative     Item     Derivative     Item     Derivative     Item     Derivative     Item  
Interest rate swaps
                                                               
Net realized capital gains (losses)
  $ (15 )   $ 15     $ (13 )   $ 12     $ 51     $ (47 )   $ (12 )   $ 9  
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses
    9       (9 )     (11 )     12       (33 )     35       (12 )     15  
Foreign currency swaps
                                                               
Net realized capital gains (losses)
    (1 )     1       (74 )     74       46       (46 )     (50 )     50  
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses
    2       (2 )     25       (25 )     2       (2 )     5       (5 )
 
                                               
Total
  $ (5 )   $ 5     $ (73 )   $ 73     $ 66     $ (60 )   $ (69 )   $ 69  
 
                                               
     
[1]  
The amounts presented do not include the periodic net coupon settlements of the derivative or the coupon income (expense) related to the hedged item. The net of the amounts presented represents the ineffective portion of the hedge.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)
Non-qualifying Strategies
For non-qualifying strategies, including embedded derivatives that are required to be bifurcated from their host contracts and accounted for as derivatives, the gain or loss on the derivative is recognized currently in earnings within net realized capital gains or losses. The following table presents the gain or loss recognized in income on non-qualifying strategies:
                                 
Non-qualifying Strategies  
Gain (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses)  
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
Interest rate contracts
                               
Interest rate swaps, caps, floors, and forwards
  $ 3     $ (8 )   $ 23     $ 14  
Foreign exchange contracts
                               
Foreign currency swaps and forwards
    (23 )     48       (64 )     20  
Japan 3Win related foreign currency swaps [1]
    128             18        
Japanese fixed annuity hedging instruments [2]
    178       28       60       69  
Credit contracts
                               
Credit derivatives that purchase credit protection
    (103 )     15       (493 )     104  
Credit derivatives that assume credit risk
    51       (163 )     128       (535 )
Equity contracts
                               
Equity index swaps, options, and futures
    3       1       (2 )     1  
Warrants
                70        
Variable annuity hedge program
                               
GMWB product derivatives
    391       (714 )     3,736       (1,620 )
GMWB reinsurance contracts
    (103 )     106       (788 )     218  
GMWB hedging instruments
    (478 )     475       (1,878 )     520  
Macro hedge program
    (328 )     24       (692 )     29  
Other
                               
GMAB product derivatives
    1       4       5       (19 )
Contingent capital facility put option
    (1 )     (1 )     (6 )     (4 )
 
                       
Total
  $ (281 )   $ (185 )   $ 117     $ (1,203 )
 
                       
     
[1]  
The associated liability is adjusted for changes in dollar/yen exchange spot rates through realized capital gains and losses and was $(150) for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and $(10) for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
 
[2]  
The associated liability is adjusted for changes in dollar/yen exchange spot rates through realized capital gains and losses and was $(176) and $0 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $(25) and $(82) for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
The net realized capital loss for the three months ended and the net realized capital gain for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, related to derivatives used in non-qualifying strategies was primarily due to the following:
 
The net loss on all GMWB related derivatives for the three months ended September 30, 2009, was primarily due to a general decrease in long-term interest rates, higher implied market volatility, and rising equity markets. Additional losses in the GMWB product derivatives beyond market impacts include liability model assumption updates and changes in credit standing, partially offset by gains due to the relative outperformance of the underlying actively managed funds as compared to their respective indices. The net gain for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, was primarily due to lower implied market volatility and a general increase in long-term interest rates, partially offset by rising equity markets. Additional gains on GMWB product derivatives beyond market impacts include the relative outperformance of the underlying actively managed funds as compared to their respective indices, liability model assumption updates, and changes in credit standing. For more information on the policyholder behavior and liability model assumption updates, refer to Note 4.
 
The net loss on the macro hedge program was primarily the result of an increase in the equity markets and the impact of trading activity.
 
The net gain on the Japanese fixed annuity and Japan 3Win hedging instruments for the three months ended September 30, 2009, was primarily due to weakening of the U.S. dollar against the Japanese Yen.
 
The net loss on credit derivatives that purchase credit protection to economically hedge fixed maturity securities and the net gain on credit derivatives that assume credit risk as a part of replication transactions resulted from credit spreads tightening.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the net realized capital loss related to derivatives used in non-qualifying strategies was primarily due to the following:
 
The net losses on GMWB related derivatives were primarily related to liability model assumption updates for mortality in the first quarter and market-based hedge ineffectiveness in the third quarter due to extremely volatile capital markets.
 
The losses on credit derivatives that assume credit risk and the gains on credit derivatives that purchase credit protection were a result of credit spreads widening.
 
The gains on the Japanese fixed annuity hedging instruments for nine months ended September 30, 2008, were primarily due to the Japanese yen strengthening against the U.S. dollar.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company has incurred losses of $(46) on derivative instruments due to counterparty default related to the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers Inc. These losses were a result of the contractual collateral threshold amounts and open collateral calls in excess of such amounts immediately prior to the bankruptcy filing, as well as interest rate and credit spread movements from the date of the last collateral call to the date of the bankruptcy filing.
Refer to Note 9 for additional disclosures regarding contingent credit related features in derivative agreements.
Credit Risk Assumed through Credit Derivatives
The Company enters into credit default swaps that assume credit risk from a single entity, referenced index, or asset pool in order to synthetically replicate investment transactions. The Company will receive periodic payments based on an agreed upon rate and notional amount and will only make a payment if there is a credit event. A credit event payment will typically be equal to the notional value of the swap contract less the value of the referenced security issuer’s debt obligation. A credit event is generally defined as a default on contractually obligated interest or principal payments or bankruptcy of the referenced entity. The credit default swaps in which the Company assumes credit risk primarily reference investment grade single corporate issuers and baskets, which include trades ranging from baskets of up to five corporate issuers to standard and customized diversified portfolios of corporate issuers. The diversified portfolios of corporate issuers are established within sector concentration limits and are typically divided into tranches that possess different credit ratings.
The following tables present the notional amount, fair value, weighted average years to maturity, underlying referenced credit obligation type and average credit ratings, and offsetting notional amounts and fair value for credit derivatives in which the Company is assuming credit risk as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
                                                         
As of September 30, 2009  
                            Underlying Referenced              
                    Weighted     Credit Obligation(s) [1]              
                    Average             Average     Offsetting        
Credit Derivative type by derivative   Notional     Fair     Years to             Credit     Notional     Offsetting  
risk exposure   Amount [2]     Value     Maturity     Type     Rating     Amount [3]     Fair Value [3]  
Single name credit default swaps
                                                       
Investment grade risk exposure
  $ 698     $ 10     5 years   Corporate Credit/
Foreign Gov.
    A+     $ 673     $ (46 )
Below investment grade risk exposure
    156       (8 )   4 years   Corporate Credit     B+       81       (12 )
Basket credit default swaps [4]
                                                       
Investment grade risk exposure
    1,393       14     4 years   Corporate Credit   BBB+     1,268       (17 )
Investment grade risk exposure
    525       (139 )   7 years   CMBS Credit     A-       525       139  
Below investment grade risk exposure
    875       (265 )   5 years   Corporate Credit   BBB     25       1  
Credit linked notes
                                                       
Investment grade risk exposure
    87       79     2 years   Corporate Credit   BBB+            
 
                                         
Total
  $ 3,734     $ (309 )                           $ 2,572     $ 65  
 
                                         

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)
                                                         
As of December 31, 2008  
                            Underlying Referenced              
                    Weighted     Credit Obligation(s) [1]              
                    Average             Average     Offsetting        
Credit Derivative type by derivative   Notional     Fair     Years to             Credit     Notional     Offsetting  
risk exposure   Amount [2]     Value     Maturity     Type     Rating     Amount [3]     Fair Value [3]  
Single name credit default swaps
                                                       
Investment grade risk exposure
  $ 60     $ (1 )   4 years   Corporate Credit     A-     $ 35     $ (9 )
Below investment grade risk exposure
    82       (19 )   4 years   Corporate Credit     B-              
Basket credit default swaps [4]
                                                       
Investment grade risk exposure
    1,778       (235 )   5 years   Corporate Credit     A-       1,003       21  
Investment grade risk exposure
    275       (92 )   8 years   CMBS Credit   AAA     275       92  
Below investment grade risk exposure
    200       (166 )   6 years   Corporate Credit   BB+            
Credit linked notes
                                                       
Investment grade risk exposure
    117       106     2 years   Corporate Credit   BBB+            
 
                                         
Total
  $ 2,512     $ (407 )                           $ 1,313     $ 104  
 
                                         
     
[1]  
The average credit ratings are based on availability and the midpoint of the applicable ratings among Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch. If no rating is available from a rating agency, then an internally developed rating is used.
 
[2]  
Notional amount is equal to the maximum potential future loss amount. There is no specific collateral related to these contracts or recourse provisions included in the contracts to offset losses.
 
[3]  
The Company has entered into offsetting credit default swaps to terminate certain existing credit default swaps, thereby offsetting the future changes in value of, or losses paid related to, the original swap.
 
[4]  
Includes $2.5 billion and $1.9 billion as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, of standard market indices of diversified portfolios of corporate issuers referenced through credit default swaps. These swaps are subsequently valued based upon the observable standard market index. Also includes $325 as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, of customized diversified portfolios of corporate issuers referenced through credit default swaps.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
6. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Profits
Changes in deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits by Life and Property & Casualty were as follows:
Life
Unlock Results
During the second quarter of 2009, the Company revised its estimation of future gross profits using a “Reversion to Mean” (“RTM”) estimation technique to estimate future separate account returns. RTM is an estimation technique commonly used by insurance entities to project future separate account returns. Through this estimation technique, the Company’s DAC model will be adjusted to reflect actual account values at the end of each quarter and through a consideration of recent returns, we will adjust future projected returns over a five year period so that the account value returns to the long-term expected rate of return, providing that those projected returns for the next five years do not exceed certain caps or floors. This will result in a “DAC Unlock”, described below, each quarter. However, benefits and assessments used in the determination of death benefits and other insurance benefit reserves, on variable annuity and universal life contracts which are in addition to the account value liability representing the policyholders’ funds, will be derived from a set of stochastic scenarios that have been calibrated to our RTM separate account returns. Refer to Note 7 for further information on death benefits and other insurance benefit reserves. In addition, at a minimum, annually during third quarter, the Company completes non-market related assumptions studies and incorporates the results of those studies into its projection of future gross profits.
The policy related in-force or account values at September 30, 2009 were used to project future gross profits using the RTM separate account return estimate. During the third quarter of 2009, the Company recorded an Unlock benefit of $63. This Unlock benefit included the effect of strong equity market returns generating an Unlock benefit of $228, offset by changes in non-market related assumptions generating an Unlock charge of $165. The Unlock benefit resulting from equity market growth was less than that recorded in the second quarter of 2009 despite comparable returns of the S&P 500. This decline was primarily due to actual Company separate account returns earning less than in the second quarter and, as equity markets rise, a slower decline in expected death benefits as policyholders become less “in-the-money”. Unlock charges from non-market assumption changes were primarily driven by the Company’s estimate of higher assumed macro hedge program costs in 2010. Other significant assumption changes included decreases in mortality, increases in credit loss estimates and declines in net investment spread. The Company is continually evaluating various aspects of policyholder behavior and may modify certain of its assumptions, including living benefit lapses and withdrawal rates, if credible emerging data indicates that changes are warranted. The following table displays the components, by segment, of the Company’s third quarter Unlock.
                                         
                    Death and                
                    Other                
            Unearned     Insurance     Sales          
Segment           Revenue     Benefit     Inducement          
After-tax (Charge) Benefit   DAC     Reserves     Reserves [1]     Assets   Total  
Retail
  $ 14     $ (13 )   $ 77     $ (9 )   $ 69  
Retirement Plans
    (1 )           1              
Individual Life
    (27 )     7       (4 )           (24 )
Institutional
    (1 )                       (1 )
International
    3             17       (2 )     18  
Corporate
    1                         1  
 
                             
Total
  $ (11 )   $ (6 )   $ 91     $ (11 )   $ 63  
 
                             
     
[1]  
As a result of the Unlock, reserves, in Retail, decreased $223, pre-tax, offset by a decrease of $105, pre-tax, in reinsurance recoverables. In International, reserves decreased $21, pre-tax, and increased $1, pre-tax, in reinsurance recoverables.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
6. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Profits (continued)
The after-tax impact on the Company’s assets and liabilities as a result of our Unlocks for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was:
                                         
                    Death and                
                    Other                
            Unearned     Insurance     Sales          
Segment           Revenue     Benefit     Inducement          
After-tax (Charge) Benefit   DAC     Reserves     Reserves [1]     Assets     Total [2]  
Retail
  $ (489 )   $ 18     $ (153 )   $ (39 )   $ (663 )
Retirement Plans
    (54 )           (1 )     (1 )     (56 )
Individual Life
    (91 )     47       (4 )           (48 )
Institutional
    (1 )                       (1 )
International [3]
    (96 )     6       (199 )     (11 )     (300 )
Corporate
    (3 )                       (3 )
 
                             
Total
  $ (734 )   $ 71     $ (357 )   $ (51 )   $ (1,071 )
 
                             
     
[1]  
As a result of the Unlock, reserves, in Retail, increased $518, pre-tax, offset by an increase of $281, pre-tax, in reinsurance recoverables. In International, reserves increased $339, pre-tax, offset by an increase of $30, pre-tax, in reinsurance recoverables.
 
[2]  
The most significant contributor to the Unlock amounts recorded during the first quarter of 2009 were as a result of actual separate account returns from the period ending October 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 being significantly below our aggregated estimated return while the opposite was true for the second and third quarters of 2009.
 
[3]  
Includes $(49) related to DAC recoverability impairment associated with the decision to suspend sales in the U.K. variable annuity business.
The after-tax impact on the Company’s assets and liabilities as a result of the Unlock during the third quarter 2008 was as follows:
                                         
                    Death and                
                    Other                
            Unearned     Insurance     Sales          
Segment           Revenue     Benefit     Inducement          
After-tax (charge) benefit   DAC     Reserves     Reserves [1]     Assets     Total  
Retail
  $ (648 )   $ 18     $ (75 )   $ (27 )   $ (732 )
Retirement Plans
    (49 )                       (49 )
Individual Life
    (29 )     (12 )     (3 )           (44 )
International
    (23 )     (1 )     (90 )     (2 )     (116 )
Corporate
    9                         9  
 
                             
Total
  $ (740 )   $ 5     $ (168 )   $ (29 )   $ (932 )
 
                             
     
[1]  
As a result of the Unlock, death benefit reserves, in Retail, increased $389, pre-tax, offset by an increase of $273, pre-tax, in reinsurance recoverables. In International, death benefit reserves increased $164, pre-tax, offset by an increase of $25, pre-tax, in reinsurance recoverables.
Changes in Life’s deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits were as follows:
                 
    2009     2008  
Balance, January 1
  $ 11,988     $ 10,514  
Deferred costs
    604       1,238  
Amortization — Deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits [1]
    (975 )     (481 )
Amortization — Unlock, pre-tax
    (1,089 )     (1,153 )
Adjustments to unrealized gains and losses on securities, available-for-sale and other [2]
    (692 )     820  
Effect of currency translation adjustment
    27       74  
Effect of new accounting guidance for investments other-than-temporarily impaired [3]
    (78 )      
 
           
Balance, September 30
  $ 9,785     $ 11,012  
 
           
     
[1]  
The increase in amortization from the prior year period is due to lower actual gross profits in 2008 resulting from increased realized capital losses primarily from the adoption of new accounting guidance for fair value at the beginning of the first quarter of 2008.
 
[2]  
The adjustment reflects the effect of credit spreads tightening, resulting in unrealized gains on securities in 2009.
 
[3]  
The effect of adopting new accounting guidance for investments other-than-temporarily impaired resulted in an increase to retained earnings and as a result a DAC charge of $78. In addition, an offsetting amount was recorded in unrealized losses as unrealized losses increased upon adoption of new accounting guidance for investments other-than-temporarily impaired.
                 
Property & Casualty   2009     2008  
Balance, January 1
  $ 1,260     $ 1,228  
Deferred costs
    1,551       1,599  
Amortization — Deferred policy acquisition costs
    (1,556 )     (1,567 )
 
           
Balance, September 30
  $ 1,255     $ 1,260  
 
           

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
7. Separate Accounts, Death Benefits and Other Insurance Benefit Features
The Company records the variable portion of individual variable annuities, 401(k), institutional, 403(b)/457, private placement life and variable life insurance products within separate account assets and liabilities. Separate account assets are reported at fair value. Separate account liabilities are set equal to separate account assets. Separate account assets are segregated from other investments. Investment income and gains and losses from those separate account assets, which accrue directly to, and whereby investment risk is borne by the policyholder, are offset by the related liability changes within the same line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The fees earned for administrative and contract holder maintenance services performed for these separate accounts are included in fee income. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, there were no gains or losses on transfers of assets from the general account to the separate account.
Many of the variable annuity and universal life (“UL”) contracts issued by the Company offer death benefits and other insurance benefit features including GMDB, GMIB, and UL secondary guarantee benefits. UL secondary guarantee benefits ensure that the policy will not terminate, and will continue to provide a death benefit, even if there is insufficient policy value to cover the monthly deductions and charges. GMDBs and GMIBs are offered in various forms as described in further detail throughout this Note 7. These death benefits and other insurance benefit features, on variable annuity and universal life contracts, require an additional liability be held above the account value liability representing the policyholders’ funds. The Company reinsures a portion of the GMDBs and UL secondary guarantees associated with its in-force block of business. Changes in the gross U.S. GMDB, Japan GMDB/GMIB, and UL secondary guarantee benefits sold with variable annuity and UL products are as follows:
                         
                    UL Secondary  
    U.S. GMDB [1]     Japan GMDB/GMIB [1]     Guarantees [1]  
Liability balance as of January 1, 2009
  $ 870     $ 229     $ 40  
Incurred
    243       62       21  
Paid
    (387 )     (89 )      
Unlock
    519       327       5  
Currency translation adjustment
          62        
 
                 
Liability balance as of September 30, 2009
  $ 1,245     $ 591     $ 66  
 
                 
     
[1]  
The reinsurance recoverable asset related to the U.S. GMDB was $802 as of September 30, 2009. The reinsurance recoverable asset related to the Japan GMDB was $42 as of September 30, 2009. The reinsurance recoverable asset related to the UL secondary guarantees was $20 as of September 30, 2009.
                         
                    UL Secondary  
    U.S. GMDB [1]     Japan GMDB/GMIB [1]     Guarantees [1]  
Liability balance as of January 1, 2008
  $ 529     $ 42     $ 19  
Incurred
    127       21       16  
Paid
    (127 )     (19 )      
Unlock
    389       164        
Currency translation adjustment
          4        
 
                 
Liability balance as of September 30, 2008
  $ 918     $ 212     $ 35  
 
                 
     
[1]  
The reinsurance recoverable asset related to the U.S. GMDB was $613 as of September 30, 2008. The reinsurance recoverable asset related to the Japan GMDB was $34 as of September 30, 2008. The reinsurance recoverable asset related to the UL secondary guarantees was $14 as of September 30, 2008.
The net death benefits and other insurance benefit reserves are established by estimating the expected value of net reinsurance costs and death benefits and other insurance benefits in excess of the projected account balance. The additional death benefits and other insurance benefits and net reinsurance costs are recognized ratably over the accumulation period based on total expected assessments. The death benefits and other insurance benefit reserves are recorded in reserve for future policy benefits in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the death benefits and other insurance benefit reserves are recorded in benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. In a manner consistent with the Company’s accounting policy for deferred acquisition costs, the Company regularly evaluates estimates used and adjusts the additional liability balances, with a related charge or credit to benefit expense if actual experience or other evidence suggests that earlier assumptions should be revised.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
7. Separate Accounts, Death Benefits and Other Insurance Benefit Features (continued)
The following table provides details concerning GMDB and GMIB exposure as of September 30, 2009:
                                 
Individual Variable and Group Annuity Account Value by GMDB/GMIB Type  
                    Retained Net     Weighted Average  
    Account     Net Amount     Amount     Attained Age of  
Maximum anniversary value (“MAV”) [1]   Value     at Risk [9]     at Risk [9]     Annuitant  
MAV only
  $ 27,380     $ 9,565     $ 2,929       66  
With 5% rollup [2]
    1,991       802       306       66  
With Earnings Protection Benefit Rider (“EPB”) [3]
    5,880       1,490       159       63  
With 5% rollup & EPB
    784       257       51       66  
 
                       
Total MAV
    36,035       12,114       3,445          
Asset Protection Benefit (“APB”) [4]
    28,303       6,480       4,158       64  
Lifetime Income Benefit (“LIB”) [5]
    1,299       260       260       62  
Reset [6] (5-7 years)
    3,715       604       604       67  
Return of Premium [7]/Other
    20,724       1,898       1,751       64  
 
                       
Subtotal U.S. GMDB [10]
    90,076     $ 21,356     $ 10,218       65  
Less: General Account Value Subject to U.S. GMDB
    6,858                          
 
                             
Subtotal Separate Account Liabilities Subject to U.S. GMDB
    83,218                          
Separate Account Liabilities Not Subject to U.S. GMDB
    72,740                          
 
                             
Total Separate Account Liabilities
    155,958                          
 
                       
Japan Guaranteed Minimum Death and Living Benefit [8]
  $ 31,698     $ 6,995     $ 5,804       67  
 
                       
     
[1]  
MAV: the death benefit is the greatest of current account value, net premiums paid and the highest account value on any anniversary before age 80 (adjusted for withdrawals).
 
[2]  
Rollup: the death benefit is the greatest of the MAV, current account value, net premium paid and premiums (adjusted for withdrawals) accumulated at generally 5% simple interest up to the earlier of age 80 or 100% of adjusted premiums.
 
[3]  
EPB: the death benefit is the greatest of the MAV, current account value, or contract value plus a percentage of the contract’s growth. The contract’s growth is account value less premiums net of withdrawals, subject to a cap of 200% of premiums net of withdrawals.
 
[4]  
APB: the death benefit is the greater of current account value or MAV, not to exceed current account value plus 25% times the greater of net premiums and MAV (each adjusted for premiums in the past 12 months).
 
[5]  
LIB: the death benefit is the greatest of current account value, net premiums paid, or for certain contracts a benefit amount that ratchets over time, generally based on market performance.
 
[6]  
Reset: the death benefit is the greatest of current account value, net premiums paid and the most recent five to seven year anniversary account value before age 80 (adjusted for withdrawals).
 
[7]  
Return of premium: the death benefit is the greater of current account value and net premiums paid.
 
[8]  
Death benefits include a Return of Premium and MAV (before age 80) paid in a single lump sum. The income benefit is a guarantee to return initial investment, adjusted for earnings liquidity, paid through a fixed annuity, after a minimum deferral period of 10, 15 or 20 years. An accumulation benefit is a guarantee to return initial investment, along with a premium based on an agreed-upon interest rate, paid through a fixed annuity or lump sum, after a deferral period of 10 years. A withdrawal benefit allows for an agreed-upon percentage of the investment to be withdrawn each period until the investment value is reached. Guaranteed income, accumulation and withdrawal benefits are considered a living benefit. The guaranteed remaining balance related to the Japan GMIB was $30.0 billion and $30.6 billion as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. The guaranteed remaining balance related to the Japan GMAB and GMWB was $680.3 and $567.1 as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008. These liabilities are not included in the Separate Account as they are not legally insulated from the general account liabilities of the insurance enterprise.
 
[9]  
Net amount at risk is defined as the guaranteed benefit in excess of the current account value. Retained net amount at risk is net amount at risk reduced by that amount which has been reinsured to third parties. Net amount at risk and retained net amount at risk are highly sensitive to equity markets movements for example, as equity market declines, net amount at risk and retained net amount at risk will generally increase.
 
[10]  
Account value includes the contractholder’s investment in the separate account and the general account.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
7. Separate Accounts, Death Benefits and Other Insurance Benefit Features (continued)
Account balances of contracts with guarantees were invested in variable separate accounts as follows:
                 
Asset type   As of September 30, 2009     As of December 31, 2008  
Equity securities (including mutual funds)
  $ 73,808     $ 63,114  
Cash and cash equivalents
    9,410       10,174  
 
           
Total
  $ 83,218     $ 73,288  
 
           
As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, approximately 15% and 16%, respectively, of the equity securities above were invested in fixed income securities through these funds and approximately 85% and 84%, respectively, were invested in equity securities.
See Note 4 for a description of the Company’s guaranteed living benefits that are accounted for at fair value.
8. Sales Inducements
The Company currently offers enhanced crediting rates or bonus payments to contract holders on certain of its individual and group annuity products. The expense associated with offering a bonus is deferred and amortized over the life of the related contract in a pattern consistent with the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs. Consistent with the Company’s Unlocks in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company unlocked the amortization of the sales inducement asset. See Note 6 for more information concerning the Unlocks.
Changes in deferred sales inducement activity were as follows for the nine months ended September 30:
                 
    2009     2008  
Balance, January 1
  $ 553     $ 467  
Sales inducements deferred
    48       128  
Amortization
    (94 )     13  
Amortization — Unlock
    (73 )     (43 )
 
           
Balance, September 30
  $ 434     $ 565  
 
           
9. Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
The Hartford is involved in claims litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, both as a liability insurer defending or providing indemnity for third-party claims brought against insureds and as an insurer defending coverage claims brought against it. The Hartford accounts for such activity through the establishment of unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves. Subject to the uncertainties discussed below under the caption “Asbestos and Environmental Claims,” management expects that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to such ordinary-course claims litigation, after consideration of provisions made for potential losses and costs of defense, will not be material to the consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of The Hartford.
The Hartford is also involved in other kinds of legal actions, some of which assert claims for substantial amounts. These actions include, among others, putative state and federal class actions seeking certification of a state or national class. Such putative class actions have alleged, for example, underpayment of claims or improper underwriting practices in connection with various kinds of insurance policies, such as personal and commercial automobile, property, life and inland marine; improper sales practices in connection with the sale of life insurance and other investment products; and improper fee arrangements in connection with investment products and structured settlements. The Hartford also is involved in individual actions in which punitive damages are sought, such as claims alleging bad faith in the handling of insurance claims. Like many other insurers, The Hartford also has been joined in actions by asbestos plaintiffs asserting, among other things, that insurers had a duty to protect the public from the dangers of asbestos and that insurers committed unfair trade practices by asserting defenses on behalf of their policyholders in the underlying asbestos cases. Management expects that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to such lawsuits, after consideration of provisions made for estimated losses, will not be material to the consolidated financial condition of The Hartford. Nonetheless, given the large or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these actions, and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
9. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
Broker Compensation Litigation — Following the New York Attorney General’s filing of a civil complaint against Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., and Marsh, Inc. (collectively, “Marsh”) in October 2004 alleging that certain insurance companies, including The Hartford, participated with Marsh in arrangements to submit inflated bids for business insurance and paid contingent commissions to ensure that Marsh would direct business to them, private plaintiffs brought several lawsuits against the Company predicated on the allegations in the Marsh complaint, to which the Company was not party. Among these is a multidistrict litigation in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. There are two consolidated amended complaints filed in the multidistrict litigation, one related to conduct in connection with the sale of property-casualty insurance and the other related to alleged conduct in connection with the sale of group benefits products. The Company and several of its subsidiaries are named in both complaints. The complaints assert, on behalf of a putative class of persons who purchased insurance through broker defendants, claims under the Sherman Act, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”), state law, and in the case of the group benefits complaint, claims under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). The claims are predicated upon allegedly undisclosed or otherwise improper payments of contingent commissions to the broker defendants to steer business to the insurance company defendants. The district court has dismissed the Sherman Act and RICO claims in both complaints for failure to state a claim and has granted the defendants’ motions for summary judgment on the ERISA claims in the group-benefits products complaint. The district court further has declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the state law claims, has dismissed those state law claims without prejudice, and has closed both cases. The plaintiffs have appealed the dismissal of the claims in both consolidated amended complaints, except the ERISA claims.
The Company is also a defendant in two consolidated securities actions and two consolidated derivative actions filed in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. The consolidated securities actions assert claims on behalf of a putative class of shareholders alleging that the Company and certain of its executive officers violated Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 by failing to disclose to the investing public that The Hartford’s business and growth was predicated on the unlawful activity alleged in the New York Attorney General’s complaint against Marsh. The consolidated derivative actions, brought by shareholders on behalf of the Company against its directors and an additional executive officer, allege that the defendants knew adverse non-public information about the activities alleged in the Marsh complaint and concealed and misappropriated that information to make profitable stock trades in violation of their duties to the Company. In July 2006, the district court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss the consolidated securities actions, and the plaintiffs appealed. In November 2008, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit vacated the decision and remanded the case to the district court. In May 2009, the parties reached an agreement in principle to settle the consolidated securities actions for an immaterial amount. A stipulation of settlement was executed and preliminarily approved by the district court in September 2009. The settlement is subject to final approval of the court. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated derivative actions in May 2005. In July 2009, the parties reached an agreement in principle to settle the consolidated derivative actions for an immaterial amount, subject to the execution of a written settlement agreement and approval of the court.
In September 2007, the Ohio Attorney General filed a civil action in Ohio state court alleging that certain insurance companies, including The Hartford, conspired with Marsh in violation of Ohio’s antitrust statute. The trial court denied defendants’ motion to dismiss the complaint in July 2008. The Company disputes the allegations and intends to defend this action vigorously.
Investment and Savings Plan ERISA Class Action Litigation — In November and December 2008, following a decline in the share price of the Company’s common stock, seven putative class action lawsuits were filed in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut on behalf of certain participants in the Company’s Investment and Savings Plan (“the Plan”), which offers the Company’s common stock as one of many investment options. These lawsuits have been consolidated, and a consolidated amended class-action complaint was filed on March 23, 2009, alleging that the Company and certain of its officers and employees violated ERISA by allowing the Plan’s participants to invest in the Company’s common stock and by failing to disclose to the Plan’s participants information about the Company’s financial condition. The lawsuit seeks restitution or damages for losses arising from the investment of the Plan’s assets in the Company’s common stock during the period from December 10, 2007 to the present. The Company has moved to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
9. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
Structured Settlement Class Action — In October 2005, a putative nationwide class action was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut against the Company and several of its subsidiaries on behalf of persons who had asserted claims against an insured of a Hartford property & casualty insurance company that resulted in a settlement in which some or all of the settlement amount was structured to afford a schedule of future payments of specified amounts funded by an annuity from a Hartford life insurance company (“Structured Settlements”). The operative complaint alleges that since 1997 the Company has systematically deprived the settling claimants of the value of their damages recoveries by secretly deducting 15% of the annuity premium of every Structured Settlement to cover brokers’ commissions, other fees and costs, taxes, and a profit for the annuity provider, and asserts claims under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”) and state law. The plaintiffs seek compensatory damages, punitive damages, pre-judgment interest, attorney’s fees and costs, and injunctive or other equitable relief. The Company vigorously denies that any claimant was misled or otherwise received less than the amount specified in the structured-settlement agreements. In March 2009, the district court certified a class for the RICO and fraud claims composed of all persons, other than those represented by a plaintiffs’ broker, who entered into a Structured Settlement since 1997 and received certain written representations about the cost or value of the settlement. The district court declined to certify a class for the breach-of-contract and unjust-enrichment claims. The Company’s petition to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit for permission to file an interlocutory appeal of the class-certification ruling was denied in October 2009.
Fair Credit Reporting Act Class Action — In February 2007, the United States District Court for the District of Oregon gave final approval of the Company’s settlement of a lawsuit brought on behalf of a class of homeowners and automobile policy holders alleging that the Company willfully violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act by failing to send appropriate notices to new customers whose initial rates were higher than they would have been had the customer had a more favorable credit report. The Company paid approximately $84.3 to eligible claimants and their counsel in connection with the settlement, and sought reimbursement from the Company’s Excess Professional Liability Insurance Program for the portion of the settlement in excess of the Company’s $10 self-insured retention. Certain insurance carriers participating in that program disputed coverage for the settlement, and one of the excess insurers commenced an arbitration that resulted in an award in the Company’s favor and payments to the Company of approximately $30.1, thereby exhausting the primary and first-layer excess policies. In June 2009, the second-layer excess carriers commenced an arbitration to resolve the dispute over coverage for the remainder of the amounts paid by the Company. Management believes it is probable that the Company’s coverage position ultimately will be sustained.
Asbestos and Environmental Claims — As discussed in Note 12, Commitments and Contingencies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under the caption “Asbestos and Environmental Claims”, included in the Company’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report, The Hartford continues to receive asbestos and environmental claims that involve significant uncertainty regarding policy coverage issues. Regarding these claims, The Hartford continually reviews its overall reserve levels and reinsurance coverages, as well as the methodologies it uses to estimate its exposures. Because of the significant uncertainties that limit the ability of insurers and reinsurers to estimate the ultimate reserves necessary for unpaid losses and related expenses, particularly those related to asbestos, the ultimate liabilities may exceed the currently recorded reserves. Any such additional liability cannot be reasonably estimated now but could be material to The Hartford’s consolidated operating results, financial condition and liquidity.
Shareholder Demand — Like the boards of directors of many other companies, The Hartford’s board of directors (the “Board”) has received a demand from SEIU Pension Plans Master Trust, which purports to be a current holder of the Company’s common stock. The demand requests the Board to bring suit to recover alleged excessive compensation paid to senior executives of the Company from 2005 through the present and to change the Company’s executive compensation structure. The Board is conducting an investigation of the allegations in the demand.
Derivative Commitments
Certain of the Company’s derivative agreements contain provisions that are tied to the financial strength ratings of the individual legal entity that entered into the derivative agreement as set by nationally recognized statistical rating agencies. If the insurance operating entity’s financial strength were to fall below certain ratings, the counterparties to the derivative agreements could demand immediate and ongoing full collateralization and in certain instances demand immediate settlement of all outstanding derivative positions traded under each impacted bilateral agreement. The settlement amount is determined by netting the derivative positions transacted under each agreement. If the termination rights were to be exercised by the counterparties, it could impact the insurance operating entity’s ability to conduct hedging activities by increasing the associated costs and decreasing the willingness of counterparties to transact with the insurance operating entity. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that are in a net liability position as of September 30, 2009, is $780. Of this $780, the insurance operating entities have posted collateral of $737 in the normal course of business. Based on derivative market values as of September 30, 2009, a downgrade of one level below the current financial strength ratings by either Moody’s or S&P could require approximately an additional $41 to be posted as collateral. Based on derivative market values as of September 30, 2009, a downgrade by either Moody’s or S&P of two levels below the insurance operating entities’ current financial strength ratings could require approximately an additional $63 (which includes the $41 described above) of assets to be posted as collateral. These collateral amounts could change as derivative market values change, as a result of changes in our hedging activities or to the extent changes in contractual terms are negotiated. The nature of the collateral that we may be required to post is primarily in the form of U.S. Treasury bills and U.S. Treasury notes.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
10. Pension Plans and Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefit Plans
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Total net periodic benefit cost for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 include the following components:
                                 
    Pension Benefits     Other Postretirement Benefits  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
Service cost
  $ 27     $ 30     $ 2     $ 2  
Interest cost
    61       57       6       5  
Expected return on plan assets
    (69 )     (69 )     (4 )     (3 )
Amortization of prior service credit
    (2 )     (2 )            
Amortization of actuarial loss
    19       15              
 
                       
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 36     $ 31     $ 4     $ 4  
 
                       
Total net periodic benefit cost for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 include the following components:
                                 
    Pension Benefits     Other Postretirement Benefits  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
Service cost
  $ 79     $ 90     $ 5     $ 5  
Interest cost
    182       171       18       17  
Expected return on plan assets
    (206 )     (207 )     (9 )     (9 )
Amortization of prior service credit
    (7 )     (7 )     (1 )     (1 )
Amortization of actuarial loss
    56       44              
 
                       
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 104     $ 91     $ 13     $ 12  
 
                       
Employer Contributions
In August 2009, the Company, at its discretion, made a $120 contribution to the U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan (the “Plan”). For 2009, the Company does not have a required minimum funding contribution for the Plan and the funding requirements for all of the pension plans are expected to be immaterial.
11. Stock Compensation Plans
The Company has two primary stock-based compensation plans, The Hartford 2005 Incentive Stock Plan and The Hartford Employee Stock Purchase Plan. For a description of these plans, see Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report.
Shares issued in satisfaction of stock-based compensation may be made available from authorized but unissued shares, shares held by the Company in treasury or from shares purchased in the open market. The Company typically issues shares from treasury in satisfaction of stock-based compensation. The compensation expense recognized for the stock-based compensation plans was $32 and $11 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The compensation expense recognized for the stock-based compensation plans was $54 and $49 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The income tax benefit recognized for stock-based compensation plans was $8 and $3 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The income tax benefit recognized for stock-based compensation plans was $14 and $15 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company did not capitalize any cost of stock-based compensation. As of September 30, 2009, the total compensation cost related to non-vested awards not yet recognized was $123, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years.
Effective July 31, 2009, the Compensation and Personnel Committee of the Board authorized The Hartford Deferred Stock Unit Plan (“Deferred Stock Unit Plan”), and, on October 22, 2009, it was amended. The Deferred Stock Unit Plan provides for contractual rights to receive cash payments based on the value of a specified number of shares of stock. The Deferred Stock Unit Plan provides for two award types, Deferred Units and Restricted Units. Deferred Units are earned ratably over a year, based on the number of regular pay periods occurring during such year. Deferred Units are credited to the participants account on a quarterly basis based on the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant and are fully vested at all times. Deferred Units credited to employees prior to January 1, 2010 (other than senior executive officers hired on or after October 1, 2009) are not paid until after two years from their grant date. Deferred Units credited on or after January 1, 2010 (and any credited to senior executive officers hired on or after October 1, 2009) are paid in three equal installments after the first, second and third anniversaries of their grant date. Restricted Units are intended to be incentive compensation and unlike Deferred Units, vest over time, generally three years, and are subject to forfeiture. The Deferred Stock Unit Plan is structured consistent with the limitations and restrictions on employee compensation arrangements imposed by the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 and the TARP Standards for Compensation and Corporate Governance Interim Final Rule issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury on June 10, 2009.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
12. Debt
Commercial Paper
The Federal Reserve Board authorized the Commercial Paper Funding Facility (“CPFF”) on October 7, 2008 under Section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act to provide a liquidity backstop to U.S. issuers of commercial paper. As a result of ratings downgrades in the first quarter of 2009, the Company was required to pay the commercial paper issued under the CPFF program from existing sources of liquidity. As of April 30, 2009, the Company has repaid commercial paper of $375, representing the full amount issued under the CPFF, at their maturity dates. As of September 30, 2009, the Company has no outstanding commercial paper.
13. Equity
Stockholders’ Equity
Conversion of outstanding preferred to common stock
On January 9, 2009, Allianz SE converted its 6,048,387 shares of Series D Preferred Stock into 24,193,548 shares of common stock.
Conversion of preferred stock underlying Allianz warrants to common stock
On March 26, 2009, the Company’s shareholders approved the conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock underlying certain warrants issued to Allianz in October 2008 into 34,308,872 shares of The Hartford’s common stock. As a result of this shareholder approval, the Company is not obligated to pay Allianz any cash payment related to these warrants and therefore these warrants no longer provide for any form of net cash settlement outside the Company’s control. As such, the warrants to purchase the Series C Preferred Stock were reclassified from other liabilities to equity at their fair value. As of March 26, 2009, the fair value of these warrants was $93. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recognized a gain of $70, representing the change in fair value of the warrants through March 26, 2009.
Increase in authorized shares
On May 27, 2009, at the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders, shareholders approved an increase in the aggregate authorized number of shares of common stock from 750 million to 1.5 billion.
The Company’s participation in the Capital Purchase Program
On June 26, 2009, as part of the Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”) established by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the “EESA”), the Company entered into a Private Placement Purchase Agreement with Treasury pursuant to which the Company issued and sold to Treasury 3,400,000 shares of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series E, having a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (the “Series E Preferred Stock”), and a ten-year warrant to purchase up to 52,093,973 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at an initial exercise price of $9.79 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $3.4 billion.
Cumulative dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock will accrue on the liquidation preference at a rate of 5% per annum for the first five years, and at a rate of 9% per annum thereafter. The Series E Preferred Stock has no maturity date and ranks senior to the Company’s common stock. The Series E Preferred Stock is non-voting.
The Company may redeem the Series E Preferred Stock with the consent of the Office of Thrift Supervisor, after consultation with the U.S. Treasury.
Upon issuance, the fair values of the Series E Preferred Stock and the associated warrants were computed as if the instruments were issued on a stand alone basis. The fair value of the Series E Preferred stock was estimated based on a five-year holding period and cash flows discounted at a rate of 13% resulting in a fair value estimate of approximately $2.5 billion. The Company used a Black-Scholes options pricing model including an adjustment for American-style options to estimate the fair value of the warrants, resulting in a stand alone fair value of approximately $400. The most significant and unobservable assumption in this valuation was the Company’s share price volatility. The Company used a long-term realized volatility of the Company’s stock of 62%. In addition, the Company assumed a dividend yield of 1.72%.
The individual fair values were then used to record the Preferred Stock and associated warrants on a relative fair value basis of $2.9 billion and $480, respectively. The warrants of $480 were recorded to Additional Paid-in Capital as permanent equity. The Preferred Stock amount was recorded at the liquidation value of $1,000 per share or $3.4 billion, net of discount of $480. The discount is being amortized over a five-year period from the date of issuance, using the effective yield method and is recorded as a direct reduction to retained earnings and deducted from income available to common stockholders in the calculation of earnings per share. The amortization of discount totaled $20 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
13. Equity (continued)
Extension of Allianz warrants and contingent liability payment
The Company also has an agreement that, for the one-year period following October 17, 2008, it will pay certain amounts to Allianz if the Company effects or agrees to effect any transaction (or series of transactions) pursuant to which any person or group (within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws) is issued common stock or certain equity-related instruments constituting more than 5% of the Company’s fully-diluted common stock outstanding at the time for an effective price per share (determined as provided in the Investment Agreement) of less than $25.32. Amounts so payable depend on the effective price for the applicable transaction (or the weighted average price for a series of transactions) and range from $50 if the effective price per share is between $25.31 and $23.00, $150 if the effective price per share is between $22.99 and $20.00, $200 if the effective price per share is between $19.99 and $15.00 and $300 if the effective price per share is $14.99 or less.
The issuance of warrants to Treasury triggered the contingency payment in the Investment Agreement related to additional investors. Upon receipt of preliminary approval to participate in the CPP, The Hartford reinitiated negotiations with Allianz to modify the form of the $300 contingency payment. The settlement of the contingency payment was renegotiated to allow Allianz a one-time extension of the exercise period of its outstanding warrants and $200 in cash paid on October 15, 2009. The Hartford recorded a liability for the cash payment and an adjustment to additional paid-in capital for the warrant modification resulting in a net realized capital loss of approximately $300.
Discretionary equity issuance program
On June 12, 2009, the Company announced that it had commenced a discretionary equity issuance program, and in accordance with that program entered into an equity distribution agreement pursuant to which it will offer up to 60 million shares of its common stock from time to time for aggregate sales proceeds of up to $750.
On August 5, 2009, the Company increased the aggregate sales proceeds from $750 to $900.
On August 6, 2009, the Company announced the completion of the discretionary equity issuance program. The Hartford issued 56.1 million shares of common stock and received net proceeds of $887 under this program.
Additionally, this program triggered an anti-dilution provision in The Hartford’s investment agreement with Allianz, which resulted in the adjustment to the warrant exercise price to $25.25 from $25.32 and to the number of shares that may be purchased to 69,314,987 from 69,115,324.
Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling interest includes VIEs in which the Company has concluded that it is the primary beneficiary, see Note 5 for further discussion of the Company’s involvement in VIEs, and general account mutual funds where the Company holds the majority interest due to seed money investments. The Company records noncontrolling interest as a component of equity. The noncontrolling interest within these entities is likely to change, as these entities represent investment vehicles whereby investors may frequently redeem or contribute to these investments. As such, the change in noncontrolling ownership interest represented in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity will primarily represent redemptions and additional subscriptions within these investment vehicles.
The following table represents the change in noncontrolling ownership interest recorded in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the VIEs and mutual fund seed investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:
                 
    Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,  
    2009     2008  
Redemptions of The Hartford’s interest in VIEs and mutual fund seed investments resulting in deconsolidation [1]
  $ (42 )   $ (13 )
Net (redemptions) and subscriptions from noncontrolling interests
    (19 )     73  
 
           
Total change in noncontrolling interest ownership
  $ (61 )   $ 60  
 
           
     
[1]  
The redemptions of The Hartford’s interest in VIEs and mutual fund seed investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 resulted in a loss of $6 and gain of $1, respectively which were recognized in realized capital gains (losses).

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
14. Goodwill
The carrying amount of goodwill allocated to reporting segments as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 is shown below.
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2009     2008  
Life
               
Retail
  $ 159     $ 159  
Individual Life
    224       224  
Retirement Plans
    87       79  
 
           
Total Life
    470       462  
Property & Casualty
               
Personal Lines
    119       119  
Specialty Commercial
    30       30  
 
           
Total Property & Casualty
    149       149  
Corporate
    585       449  
 
           
Total Goodwill
  $ 1,204     $ 1,060  
 
           
The Company’s goodwill impairment test performed during the first quarter of 2009 for the Life reporting units, resulted in a write-down of $32 in the Institutional reporting unit of Corporate. Goodwill within Corporate is primarily attributed to the Company’s “buy-back” of Life in 2000 and is allocated to the various Life reporting units. As a result of rating agency downgrades of Life’s financial strength ratings during the first quarter of 2009 and high credit spreads related to The Hartford, during the first quarter of 2009, the Company believed its ability to generate new business in the Institutional reporting unit would remain pressured for ratings-sensitive products. The Company believed goodwill associated with the Institutional line of business was impaired due to the pressure on new sales for Institutional’s ratings-sensitive business and the significant unrealized losses in Institutional’s investment portfolios.
On June 24, 2009, the Company completed the acquisition of Federal Trust Corporation, which resulted in additional goodwill of $168 in Corporate.

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
15. Sale of First State Management Group
On March 31, 2009, the Company sold First State Management Group, Inc. (“FSMG”), its core excess and surplus lines property business, to Beazley Group PLC (“Beazley”) for $27, resulting in a gain on sale of $18, before-tax, and $12, after-tax. Included in the sale were approximately $4 in net assets of FSMG and the sale price is adjustable subsequent to closing based on the value of the net assets at the closing date. The net assets sold to Beazley did not include invested assets, unearned premium or deferred policy acquisition costs related to the in-force book of business. Rather, the in-force book of business was ceded to Beazley under a separate reinsurance agreement, whereby the Company ceded $26 of unearned premium, net of $10 in ceding commission. Under the terms of the purchase and sale agreement, the Company continues to be obligated for all losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred on or before March 31, 2009. The retained net loss and loss adjustment expense reserves totaled $138 as of September 30, 2009.
16. Acquisition of Federal Trust Corporation
On June 24, 2009, the Company acquired 100% of the equity interests in Federal Trust Corporation (“FTC”), a savings and loan holding company, for $10, enabling the Company to participate in the CPP. The acquisition resulted in goodwill of $168. The goodwill generated, which is tax deductible, was due, in part, to the fair value discount on mortgage loans acquired in comparison to their expected cash flows. Mortgage loans acquired were fair valued at $288. Contractual cash flows from the mortgage loans acquired were $450. The Company’s best estimate of contractual cash flows not expected to be collected at the acquisition date was $129. Other assets acquired included $27 of fixed maturity securities, $46 of short-term investments and $3 of cash. Liabilities assumed included other liabilities of $389 in bank deposits and $149 in Federal Home Loan Bank advances and long-term debt of $25. The acquired assets and liabilities have been stated at fair value. The Company contributed $185 to FTC in June 2009 and received $20 in full repayment of amounts lent to FTC in March 2009. In the third quarter of 2009, The Hartford contributed an additional $10 to FTC. Revenue and earnings of FTC are immaterial to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Federal Trust Bank, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, (the “Bank”) is subject to certain restrictions on the amount of dividends that it may declare and distribute to The Hartford without prior regulatory notification or approval.
The Bank is also subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Bank’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
The following tables summarize the capital thresholds for the minimum and well capitalized designations at September 30, 2009. An institution’s capital category is based on whether it meets the threshold for all three capital ratios within the category. At September 30, 2009, the Bank’s Tier 1 capital ratio was 7.1%. The Bank was designated as a “well capitalized” institution at September 30, 2009.
                                                 
                                    To Be Well Capitalized  
                                    Under Prompt  
                    For Minimum Capital     Corrective Action  
    Actual     Adequacy Purposes     Provisions  
At September 30, 2009   Amount     %     Amount     %     Amount     %  
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
  $ 35.5       14.7 %   $ 19.4       8 %   $ 24.2       10 %
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)
  $ 35.5       14.7 %   $ 9.7       4 %   $ 14.5       6 %
Tier I capital (to average adjusted assets)
  $ 35.5       7.1 %   $ 20.0       4 %   $ 24.9       5 %

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
17. Restructuring, Severance and Other Costs
During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company completed a review of several strategic alternatives with a goal of preserving capital, reducing risk and stabilizing its ratings. These alternatives included the potential restructuring, discontinuation or disposition of various business lines. Following that review, the Company announced that it would suspend all new sales in International’s Japan and European operations. The Company has also begun to execute on plans to change the management structure of the organization and fundamentally reorganize the nature and focus of the Company’s operations. These plans will result in termination benefits to current employees, costs to terminate leases and other contracts and asset impairment charges. The Company intends to complete these restructuring activities and execute final payment by December 2010.
Termination benefits related to workforce reductions and lease and other contract terminations have been accrued through September 30, 2009. Additional lease terminations are expected to be accrued in subsequent quarters, as appropriate. Asset impairment charges have been and will be recorded in subsequent quarters, as appropriate.
The following pre-tax charges were incurred during the three months ended September 30, 2009 in connection with the restructuring initiatives previously announced:
         
Severance benefits
  $ 7  
Asset impairment charges
    10  
Other contract termination charges
    8  
 
     
Total severance and other costs for the three months ended September 30, 2009
  $ 25  
 
     
As of September 30, 2009 the liability for other contract termination charges was $8 as there were no payments made during the three months ended September 30, 2009 for these charges. The $25 incurred during the three months ended September 30, 2009 was recorded in other expenses with approximately $18 recorded in the Life Other segment, $6 recorded in the Corporate segment and $1 recorded in the Property & Casualty operation.
The following pre-tax charges were incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 in connection with the restructuring initiatives previously announced:
         
Severance benefits
  $ 50  
Asset impairment charges
    47  
Other contract termination charges
    8  
 
     
Total severance and other costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2009
  $ 105  
 
     
It is expected that the total costs associated with restructuring, severance and other costs will be approximately $150 — $160, pre-tax, with the additional costs attributable mainly to the costs to exit various contracts.
18. Subsequent Event
In October 2009, the Company sold its equity securities (17 million shares) in Verisk Analytics, Inc. (“Verisk”) for $360, pre-tax, as part of Verisk’s initial public offering. As a result of the sale, the Company expects to record a net realized capital gain in the fourth quarter of 2009 associated with this transaction of approximately $234, after-tax. The Company expects to reverse unrealized gains recorded in AOCI of $111, after-tax, as a result of the sale.

 

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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollar amounts in millions except share data unless otherwise stated)
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) addresses the financial condition of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “The Hartford” or the “Company”) as of September 30, 2009, compared with December 31, 2008, and its results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to the equivalent 2008 periods. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the MD&A in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report.
Certain of the statements contained herein are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and include estimates and assumptions related to economic, competitive and legislative developments. These forward-looking statements are subject to change and uncertainties that are, in many instances, beyond the Company’s control and have been made based upon management’s expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect upon the Company. There can be no assurance that future developments will be in accordance with management’s expectations or that the effect of future developments on The Hartford will be those anticipated by management. Actual results could differ materially from those expected by the Company, depending on the outcome of various factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth in Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors, as well as Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors of The Hartford’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended June 30, 2009 and March 31, 2009 and Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report. These important risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, uncertainties related to the depth and duration of the current recession and financial market conditions, which could continue to pressure our capital position and adversely affect the Company’s business and results; the extent of the impact on the Company’s results and prospects of recent downgrades in the Company’s financial strength and credit ratings and the impact of any further downgrades on the Company’s business and results; the success of management’s initiatives to stabilize the Company’s ratings and mitigate and reduce risks associated with various business lines; the additional restrictions, oversight, costs and other potential consequences of the Company’s participation in the Capital Purchase Program under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008; changes in financial and capital markets, including changes in interest rates, credit spreads, equity prices and foreign exchange rates; the inability to effectively mitigate the impact of equity market volatility on the Company’s financial position and results of operations arising from obligations under annuity product guarantees; the amount of statutory capital that the Company has, changes to the statutory reserves and/or risk based capital requirements, and the Company’s ability to hold and protect sufficient statutory capital to maintain financial strength and credit ratings; the possibility of general economic and business conditions that are less favorable than anticipated; the potential for differing interpretations of the methodologies, estimations and assumptions that underlie the valuation of the Company’s financial instruments that could result in changes to investment valuations; the subjective determinations that underlie the Company’s evaluation of other-than-temporary impairments on available-for-sale securities; losses due to nonperformance or defaults by others; the availability of our commercial paper program; the potential for further acceleration of amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits (collectively referred to as “DAC”); the potential for further impairments of our goodwill; the difficulty in predicting the Company’s potential exposure for asbestos and environmental claims; the possible occurrence of terrorist attacks; the response of reinsurance companies under reinsurance contracts and the availability, pricing and adequacy of reinsurance to protect the Company against losses; the possibility of unfavorable loss development; the incidence and severity of catastrophes, both natural and man-made; stronger than anticipated competitive activity; unfavorable judicial or legislative developments; the potential effect of domestic and foreign regulatory developments, including those which could increase the Company’s business costs and required capital levels; the Company’s ability to distribute its products through distribution channels, both current and future; the uncertain effects of emerging claim and coverage issues; the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries to pay dividends to the Company; the Company’s ability to adequately price its property and casualty policies; the ability to recover the Company’s systems and information in the event of a disaster or other unanticipated event; potential for difficulties arising from outsourcing relationships; potential changes in federal or state tax laws, including changes impacting the availability of the separate account dividends received deduction; the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and defend against claims of infringement; and other factors described in such forward-looking statements.
INDEX
         
    57  
 
       
    58  
 
       
    64  
 
       
    71  
 
       
    84  
 
       
    86  
 
       
    88  
 
       
    89  
 
       
    90  
 
       
    91  
 
       
    92  
 
       
    93  
 
       
    102  
 
       
    103  
 
       
    104  
 
       
    108  
 
       
    110  
 
       
    112  
 
       
    114  
 
       
    119  
 
       
    121  
 
       
    133  
 
       
    137  
 
       
    144  

 

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OVERVIEW
The Hartford is an insurance and financial services company with operations dating back to 1810. The Company is headquartered in Connecticut and is organized into two major operations: Life and Property & Casualty, each containing reporting segments. Within the Life and Property & Casualty operations, The Hartford conducts business principally in eleven reporting segments. Corporate primarily includes the Company’s debt financing and related interest expense, as well as other capital raising activities, banking operations and certain purchase accounting adjustments. To present its operations in a more meaningful and organized way, management has included separate overviews within the Life and Property & Casualty sections of MD&A. For further overview of Life’s profitability and analysis, see page 71. For further overview of Property & Casualty’s profitability and analysis, see page 93.
Financial Highlights
For the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008
 
Consolidated net loss of $220 in 2009 compared to a consolidated net loss of $2.6 billion in 2008
 
Diluted loss per share of $0.79 in 2009 compared to diluted loss per share of $8.74 in 2008
 
Life operations net loss of $323 in 2009 compared to a net loss of $1.8 billion in 2008
 
Property & Casualty operations net income of $190 in 2009 compared to a net loss of $774 in 2008
 
Total revenues, excluding net investment income on equity securities, trading, of $4.6 billion compared to $3.0 billion in 2008
 
Net realized losses were $1.2 billion and $3.4 billion in 2009 and 2008, respectively, which includes other-than-temporary impairments of $536 and $3.1 billion in 2009 and 2008, respectively
 
DAC Unlock, after-tax, impact to earnings was a benefit of $63 in 2009 compared to a charge of $932 in 2008
 
Ongoing operations combined ratio was 93.0 and 101.7 in 2009 and 2008, respectively
For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008
 
Consolidated net loss of $1.4 billion in 2009 compared to a consolidated net loss of $1.9 billion in 2008
 
Diluted loss per share of $4.52 in 2009 compared to diluted loss per share of $6.29 in 2008
 
Life operations net loss of $1.4 billion in 2009 compared to a net loss of $1.6 billion in 2008
 
Property & Casualty operations net income of $475 in 2009 compared to a net loss of $199 in 2008
 
Total revenues, excluding net investment income on equity securities, trading, of $15.8 billion compared to $14.5 billion in 2008
 
Net realized losses were $1.8 billion and $5.1 billion in 2009 and 2008, respectively, which include other-than-temporary impairments of $1.1 billion and $3.5 billion in 2009 and 2008, respectively
 
DAC Unlock, after-tax, impact to earnings was a charge of $1.1 billion and $932 in 2009 and 2008, respectively
 
Ongoing operations combined ratio was 92.2 and 95.1 in 2009 and 2008, respectively
As of September 30, 2009 compared to December 31, 2008
 
Total assets as of September 30, 2009 were $316.7 billion compared to total assets of $287.6 billion as of December 31, 2008
 
Life operations total assets under management as of September 30, 2009 were $334.3 billion compared to total assets under management of $298.0 billion as of December 31, 2008
 
Total investments, excluding equity securities, trading, as of September 30, 2009 were $96.0 billion compared to $89.3 billion as of December 31, 2008
 
Total stockholders’ equity as of September 30, 2009 was $17.5 billion, which includes the issuance of $3.4 billion in preferred stock and warrants to the U.S. Treasury in second quarter 2009, compared to $9.3 billion as of December 31, 2008

 

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The Company has identified the following estimates as critical in that they involve a higher degree of judgment and are subject to a significant degree of variability: property and casualty reserves, net of reinsurance; life estimated gross profits used in the valuation and amortization of assets and liabilities associated with variable annuity and other universal life-type contracts; living benefits required to be fair valued; valuation of investments and derivative instruments; evaluation of other-than-temporary impairments on available-for-sale securities; pension and other postretirement benefit obligations; contingencies relating to corporate litigation and regulatory matters; and goodwill impairment. Certain of these estimates are particularly sensitive to market conditions, and deterioration and/or volatility in the worldwide debt or equity markets could have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. In developing these estimates management makes subjective and complex judgments that are inherently uncertain and subject to material change as facts and circumstances develop. Although variability is inherent in these estimates, management believes the amounts provided are appropriate based upon the facts available upon compilation of the financial statements. For a discussion of the critical accounting estimates not discussed below, see MD&A in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report.
Life Estimated Gross Profits Used in the Valuation and Amortization of Assets and Liabilities Associated with Variable Annuity and Other Universal Life-Type Contracts
Accounting Policy and Assumptions
Life’s DAC intangible asset related to investment contracts and universal life-type contracts (including variable annuities) are amortized in the same way, over the estimated life of the contracts acquired using the retrospective deposit method. Under the retrospective deposit method, acquisition costs are amortized in proportion to the present value of estimated gross profits (“EGPs”). EGPs are also used to amortize other assets and liabilities in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, such as sales inducement assets and unearned revenue reserves (“URR”). Components of EGPs are used to determine reserves for variable annuity and universal life type contracts with guaranteed minimum death, income and universal life secondary guarantee benefits accounted for and collectively referred to as death benefit and other insurance benefit reserves which are in addition to the account value liability representing the policyholders’ funds. The specific breakdown of the most significant EGP based balances by segment is as follows:
                                                 
    Individual Variable     Individual Variable        
    Annuities — U.S.     Annuities — Japan     Individual Life  
    September 30,     December 31,     September 30,     December 31,     September 30,     December 31,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008     2009     2008  
DAC
  $ 3,539     $ 4,844     $ 1,658     $ 1,834     $ 2,525     $ 2,931  
Sales Inducements
  $ 324     $ 436     $ 29     $ 19     $ 40     $ 36  
URR
  $ 85     $ 109     $ 2     $     $ 1,148     $ 1,299  
Death Benefit and Other Insurance Benefit Reserves
  $ 1,243     $ 867     $ 591     $ 229     $ 66     $ 40  
 
                                   
For most contracts, the Company estimates gross profits over a 20-year horizon as estimated profits emerging subsequent to that timeframe are immaterial. The Company uses other amortization bases for amortizing DAC, such as gross costs (net of reinsurance), as a replacement for EGPs when EGPs are expected to be negative for multiple years of the contract’s life. Actual gross profits, in a given reporting period, that vary from management’s initial estimates result in increases or decreases in the rate of amortization, commonly referred to as a “true-up”, which are recorded in the current period.
Products sold in a particular year are aggregated into cohorts. Future gross profits for each cohort are projected over the estimated lives of the underlying contracts, and are, to a large extent, a function of future account value projections for variable annuity products and to a lesser extent for variable universal life products. The projection of future account values requires the use of certain assumptions. The assumptions considered to be important in the projection of future account value, and hence the EGPs, include separate account fund performance, which is impacted by separate account fund mix, less fees assessed against the contract holder’s account balance, surrender and lapse rates, interest margin, mortality, and hedging costs. The assumptions are developed as part of an on-going process and are dependent upon the Company’s current best estimates of future events.

 

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Through March 31, 2009, the Company estimated gross profits using the mean of EGPs derived from a set of stochastic scenarios that had been calibrated to our estimated separate account return. Beginning in the second quarter of 2009, the Company estimated gross profits from a single deterministic reversion to mean (“RTM”) separate account return projection. RTM is an estimation technique commonly used by insurance entities to project future separate account returns. Through this estimation technique, the Company’s DAC model will be adjusted to reflect actual account values at the end of each quarter and through a consideration of recent returns, we will adjust future projected returns over a five-year period so that the account value returns to the long-term expected rate of return, providing that those projected returns for the next five years do not exceed certain caps or floors. This will result in a “DAC Unlock”, described below, each quarter. However, benefits and assessments used in the determination of the death benefit and other insurance benefit reserves will still be derived from a set of stochastic scenarios that have been calibrated to our RTM separate account returns. Under RTM, the Company makes the following assumptions about the asset categories that comprise separate accounts:
 
Equities: The reversion period combines a five-year prospective period and a look-back period to April 1, 2009 intended to reflect the results of recent historical market experience. The expected long-term equity rate of return on the U.S. and Japan equity asset classes is 9.5% and 8.5%, respectively, subject to a 15% cap.
 
Fixed Income: The expected long-term fixed income rate of return on the U.S. and Japan fixed income asset classes is 6.0% and 4.0%, respectively.
The following table summarizes the general impacts to individual variable annuity EGPs and earnings for DAC amortization caused by changes in separate account returns, mortality and future lapse rate assumptions:
         
        Impact on Earnings for DAC
Assumption   Impact to EGPs   Amortization
Expected long-term rates of returns increase
  Increase: As expected fee income would increase and expected claims would decrease.   Benefit
 
       
Expected long-term rates of returns decrease
  Decrease: As expected fee income would decrease and expected claims would increase.   Charge
 
       
Future mortality increases
  Decrease: As expected fee income would decrease because the time period in which fees would be collected would be reduced and claims would increase.   Charge
 
       
Future mortality decreases
  Increase: As expected fee income would increase because the time period in which fees would be collected would increase and claims would decrease.   Benefit
 
       
Future lapse rate increases
  Decrease: As expected fee income would decrease because the time period in which fees would be collected would be reduced at a greater rate than claims would decrease. [1]   Charge [1]
 
       
Future lapse rate decreases
  Increase: As expected fee income would increase because the time period in which fees would be collected would increase at a greater rate than claims would increase. [1]   Benefit [1]
     
[1]  
If a contract is significantly in-the-money such that expected lifetime claims exceed lifetime fee income, this relationship would reverse.

 

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In addition to changes to the assumptions described above, changes to other policyholder behaviors such as resets, partial surrenders, reaction to price increases, and asset allocations could cause EGPs to fluctuate.
Estimating future gross profits is complex and requires considerable judgment and the forecasting of events well into the future. Even though the Company has adopted an RTM estimation technique for determining future separate account returns, the Company will continue to complete a comprehensive assumption study and refine its estimate of future gross profits. Upon completion of an assumption study, the Company revises its assumptions to reflect its current best estimate, thereby changing its estimate of projected account values and the related EGPs in the DAC, sales inducement and URR amortization models, as well as the death benefit and other insurance benefit reserving models. The DAC asset, as well as the sales inducement asset, URR and the death benefit and other insurance benefit reserves are adjusted with an offsetting benefit or charge to income to reflect such changes in the period of the revision. All assumption changes that affect the estimate of future EGPs including the update of current account values, the use of the RTM estimation technique or policyholder behavior assumptions are considered an Unlock in the period of revision. An Unlock that results in an after-tax benefit generally occurs as a result of actual experience or future expectations of product profitability being favorable compared to previous estimates. An Unlock that results in an after-tax charge generally occurs as a result of actual experience or future expectations of product profitability being unfavorable compared to previous estimates.
Prior to adopting the RTM estimation technique for determining future separate account returns, in addition to the comprehensive assumption study performed in the third quarter of each year, revisions to best estimate assumptions used to estimate future gross profits were also necessary when the EGPs in the Company’s models fell outside of an independently determined reasonable range of EGPs. In addition, the Company considered, on a quarterly basis, other qualitative factors such as product, regulatory and policyholder behavior trends and would also revise EGPs if those trends were expected to be significant and were not or could not be included in the statistically significant ranges of reasonable EGPs. After reviewing both the quantitative test results and certain qualitative factors as of March 31, 2009, the Company determined an interim Unlock was necessary.
Unlock Results
During the third quarter of 2009, the Company recorded an Unlock benefit of $63. This Unlock benefit included the effect of strong equity market returns generating an Unlock benefit of $228, offset by changes in non-market related assumptions generating an Unlock charge of $165. The Unlock benefit resulting from equity market growth was less than that recorded in the second quarter of 2009 despite comparable returns of the S&P 500. This decline was primarily due to actual Company separate account returns earnings less than in the second quarter and, as equity markets rise, a slower decline in expected death benefits as policyholders become less “in-the-money”. Unlock charges from non-market assumption changes were primarily driven by the Company’s estimate of higher assumed macro hedge program costs in 2010. Other significant assumption changes included decreases in mortality, increases in credit loss estimates and declines in net investment spread. The Company is continually evaluating various aspects of policyholder behavior and may modify certain of its assumptions, including living benefit lapses and withdrawal rates, if credible emerging data indicates that changes are warranted. The following table displays the components, by segment, of the Company’s third quarter Unlock.
                                         
                    Death and                
                    Other                
                    Insurance     Sales          
Segment                   Benefit     Inducement          
After-tax (Charge) Benefit   DAC     URR     Reserves [1]     Assets     Total  
Retail
  $ 14     $ (13 )   $ 77     $ (9 )   $ 69  
Retirement Plans
    (1 )           1              
Individual Life
    (27 )     7       (4 )           (24 )
Institutional
    (1 )                       (1 )
International
    3             17       (2 )     18  
Corporate
    1                         1  
 
                             
Total
  $ (11 )   $ (6 )   $ 91     $ (11 )   $ 63  
 
                             
     
[1]  
As a result of the Unlock, reserves, in Retail, decreased $223, pre-tax, offset by a decrease of $105, pre-tax, in reinsurance recoverables. In International, reserves decreased $21, pre-tax, and increased $1, pre-tax, in reinsurance recoverables.

 

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The after-tax impact on the Company’s assets and liabilities as a result of the Unlocks for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was:
                                         
                    Death and                
                    Other                
                    Insurance     Sales          
Segment                   Benefit     Inducement          
After-tax (Charge) Benefit   DAC     URR     Reserves [1]     Assets     Total [2]  
Retail
  $ (489 )   $ 18     $ (153 )   $ (39 )   $ (663 )
Retirement Plans
    (54 )           (1 )     (1 )     (56 )
Individual Life
    (91 )     47       (4 )           (48 )
Institutional
    (1 )                       (1 )
International [3]
    (96 )     6       (199 )     (11 )     (300 )
Corporate
    (3 )                       (3 )
 
                             
Total
  $ (734 )   $ 71     $ (357 )   $ (51 )   $ (1,071 )
 
                             
     
[1]  
As a result of the Unlock, reserves, in Retail, increased $518, pre-tax, offset by an increase of $281, pre-tax, in reinsurance recoverables. In International, reserves increased $339, pre-tax, offset by an increase of $30, pre-tax, in reinsurance recoverables.
 
[2]  
The most significant contributor to the Unlock amounts recorded during the first quarter of 2009 were as a result of actual separate account returns from the period ending October 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 being significantly below our aggregated estimated return while in the second quarter, the opposite was true.
 
[3]  
Includes $(49) related to DAC recoverability impairment associated with the decision to suspend sales in the U.K. variable annuity business.
The after-tax impact on the Company’s assets and liabilities as a result of the Unlock during the third quarter of 2008 was as follows:
                                         
                    Death and                
                    Other                
                    Insurance     Sales          
Segment                   Benefit     Inducement          
After-tax (charge) benefit   DAC     URR     Reserves [1]     Assets     Total [2]  
Retail
  $ (648 )   $ 18     $ (75 )   $ (27 )   $ (732 )
Retirement Plans
    (49 )                       (49 )
Individual Life
    (29 )     (12 )     (3 )           (44 )
International
    (23 )     (1 )     (90 )     (2 )     (116 )
Corporate
    9                         9  
 
                             
Total
  $ (740 )   $ 5     $ (168 )   $ (29 )   $ (932 )
 
                             
     
[1]  
As a result of the Unlock, death benefit reserves in Retail, increased $389, pre-tax, offset by an increase of $273, pre-tax, in reinsurance recoverables. In International, death benefit reserves increased $164, pre-tax, offset by an increase of $25, pre-tax, in reinsurance recoverables.
 
[2]  
The following were the most significant contributors to the Unlock amounts recorded during the third quarter of 2008:
   
Actual separate account returns from the period ending July 31, 2007 to September 30, 2008 were significantly below our aggregated estimated return.
   
The Company reduced its 20 year projected separate account return assumption from 7.8% to 7.2% in the U.S.
   
In Retirement Plans, the Company reduced its estimate of future fees as plans meet contractual size limits (“breakpoints”) causing a lower fee schedule to apply and the Company increased its assumption for future deposits by existing plan participants.
An Unlock only revises EGPs to reflect current best estimate assumptions. With or without an Unlock, and even after an Unlock occurs, the Company must also test the aggregate recoverability of the DAC and sales inducement assets by comparing the existing DAC balance to the present value of future EGPs. In addition, the Company routinely stress tests its DAC and sales inducement assets for recoverability against severe declines in its separate account assets, which could occur if the equity markets experienced a significant sell-off, as the majority of policyholders’ funds in the separate accounts is invested in the equity market. The Company’s decision to suspend its International sales negatively impacted the loss recognition testing on the DAC balance associated with the U.K. variable annuity business. As a result, a $49, after-tax, loss was reported in earnings during the second quarter of 2009 and included in the Unlock results in the table above. As of September 30, 2009, the Company believed U.S. individual and Japan individual variable annuity EGPs could fall, through a combination of negative market returns, lapses and mortality, and as a result of other policyholder behavior assumptions changes, by at least 22% and 46%, respectively, before portions of its DAC and sales inducement assets would be unrecoverable as compared to 23% and 45%, respectively, as of June 30, 2009.

 

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Valuation of Investments and Derivative Instruments
The Company’s investments in fixed maturities include bonds, redeemable preferred stock and commercial paper. These investments, along with certain equity securities, which include common and non-redeemable preferred stocks, are classified as “available-for-sale” (“AFS”) and are carried at fair value. The after-tax difference from cost or amortized cost is reflected in stockholders’ equity as a component of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), after adjustments for the effect of deducting the life and pension policyholders’ share of the immediate participation guaranteed contracts and certain life and annuity deferred policy acquisition costs and reserve adjustments. The equity investments associated with the variable annuity products offered in Japan are recorded at fair value and are classified as “trading” with changes in fair value recorded in net investment income. Policy loans are carried at outstanding balance. Mortgage loans are recorded at the outstanding principal balance adjusted for amortization of premiums or discounts and net of valuation allowances. Short-term investments are carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Limited partnerships and other alternative investments are reported at their carrying value with the change in carrying value accounted for under the equity method and accordingly the Company’s share of earnings are included in net investment income. Recognition of limited partnerships and other alternative investment income is delayed due to the availability of the related financial statements, as private equity and other funds are generally on a three-month delay and hedge funds are on a one-month delay. Accordingly, income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 may not include the full impact of current year changes in valuation of the underlying assets and liabilities, which are generally obtained from the limited partnerships and other alternative investments’ general partners. Other investments primarily consist of derivatives instruments which are carried at fair value.
Available-for-Sale Securities and Short-term Investments
The fair value of AFS securities and short-term investments in an active and orderly market (i.e. not distressed or forced liquidation) is determined by management after considering one of three primary sources of information: third party pricing services, independent broker quotations or pricing matrices. Security pricing is applied using a “waterfall” approach whereby prices are first sought from third party pricing services, the remaining unpriced securities are submitted to independent brokers for prices, or lastly, securities are priced using a pricing matrix. Typical inputs used by these pricing methods include, but are not limited to, reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids, offers, and/or estimated cash flows and prepayments speeds. Based on the typical trading volumes and the lack of quoted market prices for fixed maturities, third party pricing services will normally derive the security prices through recent reported trades for identical or similar securities making adjustments through the reporting date based upon available market observable information as outlined above. If there are no recent reported trades, the third party pricing services and brokers may use matrix or model processes to develop a security price where future cash flow expectations are developed based upon collateral performance and discounted at an estimated market rate. For further discussion, see the Available-for-Sale and Short-term Investments Section in Note 4 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company has analyzed the third party pricing services valuation methodologies and related inputs, and has also evaluated the various types of securities in its investment portfolio to determine an appropriate fair value hierarchy level based upon trading activity and the observability of market inputs. For further discussion of fair value measurement, see Note 4 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following table presents the fair value of AFS securities and short-term investments by pricing source and hierarchy level as of September 30, 2009.
                                 
    Quoted Prices in                    
    Active Markets     Significant     Significant        
    for Identical     Observable     Unobservable        
    Assets     Inputs     Inputs        
    (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     Total  
Priced via third party pricing services [1]
  $ 428     $ 56,814     $ 1,962     $ 59,204  
Priced via independent broker quotations
                3,962       3,962  
Priced via matrices
                6,272       6,272  
Priced via other methods [2]
          126       474       600  
Short-term investments
    9,715       4,195             13,910  
 
                       
Total
  $ 10,143     $ 61,135     $ 12,670     $ 83,948  
 
                       
% of Total
    12.1 %     72.8 %     15.1 %     100.0 %
 
                       
     
[1]  
Includes index pricing.
 
[2]  
Represents securities for which adjustments were made to reduce prices received from third parties and certain private equity investments that are carried at the Company’s determination of fair value from inception.
The fair value is the amount at which the security could be exchanged in a current transaction between knowledgeable, unrelated willing parties using inputs, including assumptions and estimates, a market participant would utilize. As the estimated fair value of a security utilizes assumptions and estimates, the amount that may be realized may differ significantly.

 

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Valuation of Derivative Instruments, excluding embedded derivatives within liability contracts
Derivative instruments are reported on the condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value and are reported in Other Investments and Other Liabilities. Derivative instruments are fair valued using pricing valuation models, which utilize market data inputs or independent broker quotations. Excluding embedded and reinsurance related derivatives, as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, 96% and 94% of derivatives, respectively, based upon notional values, were priced by valuation models, which utilize independent market data. The remaining derivatives were priced by broker quotations. The derivatives are valued using mid-market level inputs, with the exception of the customized swap contracts that hedge guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (“GMWB”) liabilities, that are predominantly observable in the market. Inputs used to value derivatives include, but are not limited to, interest swap rates, foreign currency forward and spot rates, credit spreads and correlations, interest and equity volatility and equity index levels. The Company performs a monthly analysis on derivative valuations which includes both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Examples of procedures performed include, but are not limited to, review of pricing statistics and trends, back testing recent trades, analyzing the impacts of changes in the market environment, and review of changes in market value for each derivative including those derivatives priced by brokers.
The following table presents the notional value and net fair value of derivatives instruments by hierarchy level as of September 30, 2009.
                 
    Notional Value     Fair Value  
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)
  $ 1,739     $  
Significant observable inputs (Level 2)
    34,043       338  
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
    37,091       554  
 
           
Total
  $ 72,873     $ 892  
 
           
The following table presents the notional value and net fair value of the derivative instruments within the Level 3 securities classification as of September 30, 2009.
                 
    Notional Value     Fair Value  
Credit derivatives
  $ 5,199     $ (222 )
Interest derivatives
    2,864       6  
Equity derivatives
    29,004       770  
Other
    24        
 
           
Total Level 3
  $ 37,091     $ 554  
 
           
Derivative instruments classified as Level 3 include complex derivatives, primarily consisting of equity options and swaps, interest rate derivatives which have interest rate optionality, certain credit default swaps, and long-dated interest rate swaps. These derivative instruments are valued using pricing models which utilize both observable and unobservable inputs and, to a lesser extent, broker quotations. A derivative instrument that is priced using both observable and unobservable inputs will be classified as a Level 3 financial instrument in its entirety if the unobservable input is significant in developing the price. The Company utilizes derivative instruments to manage the risk associated with certain assets and liabilities. However, the derivative instrument may not be classified with the same fair value hierarchy level as the associated assets and liabilities.
Evaluation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments on Available-for-Sale Securities
One of the significant estimates related to AFS securities is the evaluation for other-than-temporary impairments (“impairment”). The Company has a security monitoring process overseen by a committee of investment and accounting professionals that identifies AFS securities that are subjected to an enhanced evaluation on a quarterly basis to determine if an impairment is present. This evaluation is a quantitative and qualitative process, which is subject to risks and uncertainties and is intended to determine whether declines in the fair value of AFS securities should be recognized in current period earnings. For further discussion of the accounting policy, see the Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments Section of Note 1 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. For a discussion of results, see the Other-Than-Temporary Impairments Section of the MD&A.

 

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CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Operating Summary   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Earned premiums
  $ 3,499     $ 3,903       (10 %)   $ 10,920     $ 11,637       (6 %)
Fee income
    1,140       1,333       (14 %)     3,369       4,056       (17 %)
Net investment income (loss):
                                               
Securities available-for-sale and other
    1,049       1,103       (5 %)     2,990       3,526       (15 %)
Equity securities, trading [1]
    638       (3,415 )   NM       2,437       (5,840 )   NM  
 
                                   
Total net investment income (loss)
    1,687       (2,312 )   NM       5,427       (2,314 )   NM  
Net realized capital losses:
                                               
Total other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses
    (760 )     (3,077 )     75 %     (1,546 )     (3,545 )     56 %
OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income
    224                   472              
 
                                   
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings
    (536 )     (3,077 )     83 %     (1,074 )     (3,545 )     70 %
Net realized capital losses, excluding net OTTI losses recognized in earnings
    (683 )     (372 )     (84 %)     (742 )     (1,557 )     52 %
 
                                   
Total net realized capital losses
    (1,219 )     (3,449 )     65 %     (1,816 )     (5,102 )     64 %
Other revenues
    123       132       (7 %)     361       377       (4 %)
 
                                   
Total revenues
    5,230       (393 )   NM       18,261       8,654       111 %
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses
    3,070       3,994       (23 %)     10,799       10,937       (1 %)
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses — returns credited on International variable annuities [1]
    638       (3,415 )   NM       2,437       (5,840 )   NM  
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits
    687       1,927       (64 %)     3,620       3,201       13 %
Insurance operating costs and expenses
    945       1,029       (8 %)     2,802       3,026       (7 %)
Interest expense
    118       84       40 %     357       228       57 %
Goodwill impairment
                      32              
Other expenses
    229       171       34 %     670       542       24 %
 
                                   
Total benefits, losses and expenses
    5,687       3,790       50 %     20,717       12,094       71 %
Loss before income taxes
    (457 )     (4,183 )     89 %     (2,456 )     (3,440 )     29 %
Income tax benefit
    (237 )     (1,552 )     85 %     (1,012 )     (1,497 )     32 %
 
                                   
Net loss
  $ (220 )   $ (2,631 )     92 %   $ (1,444 )   $ (1,943 )     26 %
 
                                   
     
[1]  
Includes investment income (loss) and mark-to-market effects of equity securities, trading, supporting the international variable annuity business, which are classified in net investment income with corresponding amounts credited to policyholders within benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses.

 

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    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Segment Results   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Life
                                               
Retail
  $ (172 )   $ (822 )     79 %   $ (724 )   $ (729 )     1 %
Individual Life
    4       (102 )   NM       2       (52 )   NM  
 
                                   
Total Individual Markets Group
    (168 )     (924 )     82 %     (722 )     (781 )     8 %
Retirement Plans
    (34 )     (160 )     79 %     (162 )     (134 )     (21 %)
Group Benefits
    65       (186 )   NM       148       (78 )   NM  
 
                                   
Total Employer Markets Group
    31       (346 )   NM       (14 )     (212 )     93 %
International
    (32 )     (107 )     70 %     (206 )     (27 )   NM  
Institutional
    (101 )     (393 )     74 %     (341 )     (543 )     37 %
Other
    (53 )     (45 )     (18 %)     (122 )     (73 )     (67 %)
 
                                   
Total Life
    (323 )     (1,815 )     82 %     (1,405 )     (1,636 )     14 %
Property & Casualty
                                               
Ongoing Operations
                                               
Underwriting results
                                               
Personal Lines
    (11 )     (45 )     76 %     54       78       (31 %)
Small Commercial
    90       82       10 %     251       270       (7 %)
Middle Market
    61       (37 )   NM       186       21     NM  
Specialty Commercial
    30       (44 )   NM       89       13     NM  
 
                                   
Ongoing Operations underwriting results
    170       (44 )   NM       580       382       52 %
Net servicing income [1]
    10       14       (29 %)     25       21       19 %
Net investment income
    254       285       (11 %)     678       929       (27 %)
Net realized capital losses
    (79 )     (1,268 )     94 %     (448 )     (1,455 )     69 %
Other expenses
    (47 )     (58 )     19 %     (145 )     (180 )     19 %
 
                                   
Income (loss) before income taxes
    308       (1,071 )   NM       690       (303 )   NM  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    79       (405 )   NM       128       (195 )   NM  
 
                                   
Ongoing Operations
    229       (666 )   NM       562       (108 )   NM  
Other Operations
    (39 )     (108 )     64 %     (87 )     (91 )     4 %
 
                                   
Total Property & Casualty
    190       (774 )   NM       475       (199 )   NM  
Corporate
    (87 )     (42 )     (107 %)     (514 )     (108 )   NM  
 
                                   
Net loss
  $ (220 )   $ (2,631 )     92 %   $ (1,444 )   $ (1,943 )     26 %
 
                                   
     
[1]  
Net of expenses related to service business.
The Hartford defines “NM” as not meaningful for increases or decreases greater than 200%, or changes from a net gain to a net loss position, or vice versa.
Three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008
Net loss decreased primarily due to a decrease in Life’s net loss of $1.5 billion and an increase of $964 to Property & Casualty net income. See the Life and Property & Casualty sections of the MD&A for a discussion on the respective operations’ performance.
Nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008
Net loss decreased primarily due to a decrease in Life’s net loss of $231 and an increase of $674 to Property & Casualty net income, partially offset by an increased loss in Corporate primarily due to approximately $300 in net realized capital losses related to the settlement of a contingent obligation to Allianz and increased interest expense on debt issued to Allianz in October 2008. See the Life, Property & Casualty and Corporate sections of the MD&A for a discussion on the respective operations’ performance.
Outlook
The Hartford provides projections and other forward-looking information in the “Outlook” section within MD&A. The “Outlook” section contains many forward-looking statements, particularly relating to the Company’s future financial performance. These forward-looking statements are estimates based on information currently available to the Company, are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to the precautionary statements set forth in the introduction to MD&A above. Actual results are likely to differ, and in the past have differed, materially from those forecast by the Company, depending on the outcome of various factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth in the “Outlook” section, and in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report, as well as in Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors of The Hartford’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended June 30, 2009 and March 31, 2009 and Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors in this Form 10-Q.

 

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Life
Retail
In the long-term, management continues to believe the market for retirement products will expand as individuals increasingly save and plan for retirement. Demographic trends suggest that as the “baby boom” generation matures, a significant portion of the United States population will allocate a greater percentage of their disposable incomes to saving for their retirement years due to uncertainty surrounding the Social Security system and increases in average life expectancy.
Near-term, the Company is continuing to experience lower variable annuity sales as a result of market disruption and the competitiveness of the Company’s current product offerings. Despite the partial equity market recovery over the past six months, the current market level and market volatility have resulted in higher claim costs, and have increased the cost and volatility of hedging programs, and the level of capital needed to support living benefit guarantees. Many competitors have responded to recent market turbulence by increasing the price of their guaranteed living benefits and changing the amount of the guarantee offered. Management believes that the most significant industry de-risking changes have occurred. In the first six months of 2009, the Company adjusted pricing levels and took other actions to de-risk its variable annuity product features in order to address the risks and costs associated with variable annuity benefit features in the current economic environment and continues to explore other risk limiting techniques such as changes to hedging or other reinsurance structures. The Company will continue to evaluate the benefits offered within its variable annuities and launched a new variable annuity product in October 2009 that responds to customer needs for growth and income within the risk tolerances of The Hartford.
Continued equity market volatility or significant declines in interest rates are also likely to continue to impact the cost and effectiveness of our GMWB hedging program and could result in material losses in our hedging program. For more information on the GMWB hedging program, see the Life Equity Product Risk Management section within Capital Markets Risk Management.
The Company’s fixed annuity sales have declined throughout 2009 as a result of lower interest rates and the transition to a new product. Management expects fixed annuity sales to continue to be challenged until interest rates increase. In the third quarter of 2009, the Company has continued, but moderated, its policy of offering higher crediting rates available to renewals of its market value adjusted (“MVA”) fixed annuity business. This higher crediting rate strategy for MVA renewals is expected to continue for some time, which will strain earnings on this renewal business. The Company actively monitors this strategy and will continue to adjust crediting rates in response to market conditions and the Company’s capital position.
For the retail mutual fund business, net sales can vary significantly depending on market conditions, as was experienced in the first nine months of 2009. The continued declines in equity markets in the first quarter of 2009 helped drive declines in the Company’s mutual fund deposits and assets under management. During the second and third quarter, the equity markets improved from the first quarter and as a result the Company’s mutual fund assets under management and deposits have increased correspondingly. As this business continues to evolve, success will be driven by diversifying net sales across the mutual fund platform, delivering superior investment performance and creating new investment solutions for current and future mutual fund shareholders.
The decline in assets under management as compared to 2008 is the result of continued depressed values of the equity markets in 2009 as compared to 2008, which has decreased the extent of the scale efficiencies that Retail has benefited from in recent years. The significant reduction in assets under management has resulted in revenues declining faster than expenses causing lower earnings during the first three quarters of 2009 and management expects this strain to continue in the fourth quarter. Individual Annuity net investment spread has been impacted by losses on limited partnership and other alternative investments, lower yields on fixed maturities and an increase in crediting rates on renewals for MVA annuities. Management expects these conditions to persist in the fourth quarter of 2009 and beyond. Management has evaluated, and will continue to actively evaluate, its expense structure to ensure the business is controlling costs while maintaining an appropriate level of service to our customers.
Individual Life
Future sales for all products will be influenced by the Company’s ratings, as published by the various ratings agencies, and active management of current distribution relationships, responding to the negative impact of recent merger and consolidation activity on existing distribution relationships and the development of new sources of distribution, while offering competitive and innovative products and product features. The current economic environment poses challenges for future sales; while life insurance products respond well to consumer demand for financial security and wealth accumulation solutions, individuals may be reluctant to transfer funds when market volatility has recently resulted in significant declines in investment values. In addition, the availability and terms of capital solutions in the marketplace, as discussed below, to support universal life products with secondary guarantees, may reduce future growth in these products.
Even considering the previous six months of partial equity market recovery, sales and account values for variable universal life products have been under pressure due to continued equity market volatility. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, variable universal life sales decreased 64% and 66%, respectively, and variable account values decreased 5% compared to prior year. Continued volatility and declines in the equity markets may reduce the attractiveness of variable universal life products and put additional strain on future earnings as variable life fees earned by the Company are driven by the level of assets under management. The variable universal life mix was 38% of total life insurance in-force as of September 30, 2009.

 

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Individual Life has reinsured the policy liability related to statutory reserves in universal life with secondary guarantees to a captive reinsurance affiliate. An unaffiliated standby third party letter of credit supports a portion of the statutory reserves that have been ceded to this affiliate. As of September 30, 2009, the transaction provided approximately $490 of statutory capital relief associated with the Company’s universal life products with secondary guarantees. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the use of the letter of credit resulted in a decline in net investment income and increased expenses. At the current level of sales, the Company expects this transaction to accommodate future statutory capital needs for in-force business and new business written through 2009 and into 2010. Under the terms of the letter of credit, the issuer has the right to require The Hartford to terminate the reinsurance agreement with the captive reinsurance affiliate as it applies to new business, at any time after September 30, 2009. The Company is currently in discussions with the issuer of the letter of credit regarding the possible modification of terms of the letter of credit for business written after September 30, 2009. The modification of terms could lead to increased costs for Individual Life. Management is currently reviewing product design with the objective of developing a competitively priced product that meets the Company’s capital efficiency objectives.
For risk management purposes, Individual Life accepts and retains up to $10 in risk on any one life. Individual Life uses reinsurance where appropriate to protect against the severity of losses on individual claims; however, death claim experience may continue to lead to periodic short-term earnings volatility. In the fourth quarter of 2008, Individual Life began ceding insurance under a new reinsurance structure for all new business excluding term life insurance. The new reinsurance structure allows Individual Life greater flexibility in writing larger policies, while retaining less of the overall risk associated with individual insured lives. This new reinsurance structure will help balance the overall profitability of Individual Life’s business. The financial results of the new structure will be recognized over time as new business subject to the structure grows as a percentage of Individual Life’s total in-force. As a result of the new reinsurance structure, Individual Life will recognize increasing reinsurance premiums while reducing earnings volatility associated with mortality experience.
Individual Life continues to face uncertainty surrounding estate tax legislation, aggressive competition from other life insurance providers, reduced availability and higher price of reinsurance, and the current regulatory environment related to reserving for term life insurance and universal life products with no-lapse guarantees. These risks may have a negative impact on Individual Life’s future sales and earnings.
Retirement Plans
The future financial results of the Retirement Plans segment will depend on Life’s ability to increase assets under management across all businesses, achieve scale in areas with a high degree of fixed costs and maintain its investment spread earnings on the general account products sold largely in the 403(b)/457 business. Disciplined expense management will continue to be a focus of the Retirement Plans segment as necessary investments in service and technology are made to effect the integration of the acquisitions described below.
During 2008, the Company completed three Retirement Plans acquisitions. The acquisition of part of the defined contribution record keeping business of Princeton Retirement Group gives Life a foothold in the business of providing recordkeeping services to large financial firms which offer defined contribution plans to their clients and at acquisition added $2.9 billion in mutual funds to Retirement Plans assets under management and $5.7 billion of assets under administration. The acquisition of Sun Life Retirement Services, Inc., at acquisition added $15.8 billion in Retirement Plans assets under management across 6,000 plans and provides new service locations in Boston, Massachusetts and Phoenix, Arizona. The acquisition of TopNoggin LLC, provides web-based technology to address data management, administration and benefit calculations. These three acquisitions were not accretive to 2008 net income. Furthermore, return on assets has been lower in 2009 reflecting a full year of the new business mix represented by the acquisitions, which includes larger, more institutionally priced plans, predominantly executed on a mutual fund platform, and the cost of maintaining multiple technology platforms during the integration period.
Given the market declines in the fourth quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2009 and increased market volatility, the Company has seen and expects that growth in Retirement Plans deposits have been, and will continue to be, negatively affected if businesses reduce their workforces and offer more modest salary increases and as workers potentially allocate less to retirement accounts in the near term. The impact of the partial equity markets recovery over the last six months has been offset by a few large case surrenders, resulting in an overall decline in assets under management compared to 2008. The reduction in assets under management has strained net income over the past three quarters, and this earnings strain is expected to continue until average account value exceeds the level seen in the first half of 2008.
Group Benefits
Group Benefits’ sales may fluctuate based on the competitive pricing environment in the marketplace. The Company anticipates relatively stable loss ratios and expense ratios over the long-term based on underlying trends in the in-force business and disciplined new business and renewal underwriting. The Company has not seen a meaningful impact in its disability loss ratios as a result of the recent economic downturn. While claims incidence may increase during a recession, the Company would expect the impact to the disability loss ratio to be within the normal range of volatility.
The economic downturn, which has resulted in rising unemployment, combined with the potential for employees to lessen spending on the Company’s products, has begun to impact premium levels and is likely to impact future premium growth for the remainder of 2009. Over time, as employers design benefit strategies to attract and retain employees, while attempting to control their benefit costs, management believes that the need for the Company’s products will continue to expand. This combined with the significant number of employees who currently do not have coverage or adequate levels of coverage, creates opportunities for our products and services.

 

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International
During the second quarter of 2009, the Company suspended all new sales in International’s Japan and European operations. International is currently in the process of restructuring its operations to maximize profitability and capital efficiency while continuing to focus on risk management and maintaining appropriate service levels.
Profitability depends on the account values of our customers, which are affected by equity, bond and currency markets. Periods of favorable market performance will increase assets under management and thus increase fee income earned on those assets, while unfavorable market performance will have the reverse effect. In addition, higher or lower account value levels will generally reduce or increase, respectively, certain costs for individual annuities to the Company, such as guaranteed minimum death benefits (“GMDB”), guaranteed minimum income benefits (“GMIB”), guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits (“GMAB”) and GMWB. Prudent expense management is also an important component of product profitability.
Markets partly recovered in the second and third quarters of 2009, after a decline in the first quarter. Market appreciation resulted in recovering margins in the third quarter. Lower surrender fees due to lower than expected surrenders continue to pressure margins.
Institutional
The Company has completed the strategic review of the Institutional businesses and has decided to exit several businesses that have been determined to be outside of the Company’s core business model. Several lines — institutional mutual funds, private placement life insurance, income annuities and certain institutional annuities will continue to be managed for growth. The remaining businesses, structured settlements, guaranteed investment products, and most institutional annuities will be managed in conjunction with other businesses that the Company has previously decided will not be actively marketed. Certain guaranteed investment products may be offered on a selective basis.
The net income of this segment depends on Institutional’s ability to retain assets under management, the relative mix of business, and net investment spread. Net investment spread, as discussed in the Life’s Performance Measures section of this MD&A, has declined in the third quarter of 2009 versus prior year and management expects net investment spread will remain pressured in the intermediate future due to the low level of short-term interest rates, increased allocation to lower yielding U.S. Treasuries and short-term investments, and anticipated performance of limited partnerships and other alternative investments.
Stable value products will experience negative net flows in 2009 as a result of contractual maturities and the payments associated with certain contracts which allow an investor to accelerate principal repayments (after a defined notice period of typically thirteen months). Approximately $825 of account value will be paid out on stable value contracts during the remainder of 2009. Institutional will fund these obligations from cash and short-term investments presently held in its investment portfolios along with projected receipts of earned interest and principal maturities from long-term invested assets. As of September 30, 2009, Institutional has no remaining contracts that contain an unexercised investor option feature that allows for contract surrender at book value. The Company has the option to accelerate the repayment of principal for certain other stable value products and will evaluate calling these contracts on a contract by contract basis based upon the financial impact to the Company.
Property & Casualty
Ongoing Operations
During 2009, the downturn in the economy and the adverse impact of ratings downgrades in the first half of 2009 on certain segments of the portfolio, and a continuation of competitive market conditions has resulted in a decline in Ongoing Operations written premiums, a trend that management expects to continue for the remainder of 2009. The effects of the downturn in the economy are manifested in declining new car and home sales, lower rates of small business formations, higher rates of business failures, and declining payrolls. A continuation of these negative economic trends will adversely affect new business premium growth rates, increase mid-term cancellations, and exacerbate declining levels of coverage and average written premium, particularly across commercial lines of business. Written premium declines may be greater than expected if the economy deteriorates further or if pricing continues to soften.
Excluding catastrophes and prior accident year development, Ongoing Operations underwriting margins have declined in the first nine months of 2009 due primarily to increases in the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio, as well as the expense ratio, partially offset by lower anticipated policyholder dividends. This trend is expected to continue in the fourth quarter of 2009. The Ongoing Operations’ current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio before catastrophes is expected to increase for the fourth quarter and full year 2009 as compared to the equivalent periods in 2008 due to mid single-digit increases in claim cost severity and continued earned pricing decreases for Middle Market and large commercial lines, partially offset by favorable claim frequency in Small Commercial and Middle Market.
The Ongoing Operations’ expense ratio is expected to increase for the fourth quarter and full year 2009 as compared to the equivalent periods in 2008, in part, due to lower earned premiums in Small Commercial, Middle Market and Specialty Commercial, the amortization of a higher amount of acquisition costs on AARP and other business and an increase in the cost of investments in technology to support future growth. The policyholder dividend ratio was unusually high in 2008 due to the accrual of $26 in dividends due to certain workers’ compensation policyholders as a result of underwriting profits. See the Property and Casualty MD&A section for further discussion.
Current accident year catastrophe losses in 2008, at 5.3% of Ongoing Operations’ earned premium, were higher than the long-term historical average due principally to hurricane Ike and higher than average losses from tornadoes and thunderstorms in the South and Midwest. While catastrophe losses vary significantly from year to year and are unpredictable, management has assumed that catastrophe losses for the full year 2009 will be closer to 3.6% to 4.0% of earned premium. The Company will continue to manage its exposure to catastrophe losses through the ongoing assessment of its risk, disciplined underwriting and the use of reinsurance and other risk transfer alternatives, as appropriate. As of January 1, 2009, the Company’s retention under its principal property catastrophe reinsurance program remained at $250 per catastrophe event. With the January 1 and July 1, 2009 renewals, the cost of the Company’s principal property catastrophe reinsurance program has increased modestly.

 

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Driven primarily by a continued increase in loss costs and underwriting expenses and a decrease in earned premiums through the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company expects the Ongoing Operations’ combined ratio before catastrophes and prior accident year development for the full year 2009 to be higher than the 88.9 achieved in 2008.
Personal Lines
Consistent with the first nine months of 2009, the Company expects Personal Lines’ full year written premiums to be slightly higher than the equivalent 2008 period, with written premiums up modestly in AARP while relatively flat in Agency. The Company expects personal auto written premiums to be slightly higher and homeowners’ written premiums to be relatively flat. The expected increase in AARP written premiums will be largely driven by direct marketing to AARP members, the continued enhancement of the “Next Gen Auto” product and the cross-selling of homeowners’ insurance to auto policyholders. Agency written premiums will be relatively flat as the effect of stronger new business growth has been largely offset by the Company’s decision to stop renewing Florida homeowners’ policies sold through agents.
For full year 2009, the Company expects to increase its auto and homeowners’ written premiums generated from agents selling the AARP product and from direct sales to the consumer. The Company has launched a brand and channel expansion pilot in four states: Arizona, Illinois, Tennessee and Minnesota. In the targeted states, the Company increased Personal Lines brand advertising, launched direct marketing efforts beyond its existing AARP program and began selling the AARP product through agents. Through the first nine months of 2009, the Company has expanded the sale of the AARP product through agents to a total of fourteen states, with a planned rollout into six more states in the fourth quarter. In addition, in July, 2009, the Company extended its agreement to operate a member contact center for health insurance products offered through the AARP Health program. The agreement was extended through 2018.
While carriers in the personal lines industry will continue to compete on price, management expects that written pricing in Personal Lines will continue to increase modestly in 2009 in response to rising loss costs. While written pricing for auto increased 3% for the first nine months of 2009, average premium per auto policy has declined driven by a shift to more preferred market segment business and the effect of the economic downturn on consumer behavior and management expects this trend to continue for the remainder of 2009. Among other actions, insureds have been reducing their premiums by raising deductibles, reducing limits, dropping coverage and reducing mileage. In addition, the Company has seen an increase in consumer shopping driven by higher rates (instituted over the past year) and recessionary conditions. For homeowners’ business, written pricing has increased 5% for the first nine months of 2009, including the effect of increases in coverage limits due to rising replacement costs, and management expects this trend to continue for the remainder of 2009. As with auto, largely offsetting the increase in written pricing for home has been the shift to more preferred market segment business and the effect of consumer behavior.
The combined ratio before catastrophes and prior accident year development for Personal Lines is expected to be higher for the full year 2009 than the 87.6 achieved in 2008 due to an expected increase in both the current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio and the expense ratio. For auto business, emerged claim frequency in 2008 was favorable to the prior year and claim severity was slightly higher. In 2009, auto claim frequency has begun to increase and auto claim severity has continued to increase while average premium per policy has declined. As a result, management expects a higher current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio before catastrophes for auto for the full year 2009. Non-catastrophe loss costs of homeowners claims have increased in 2009 due to higher claim frequency and severity and management expects frequency and severity to be higher for full year 2009. Management expects the expense ratio for the fourth quarter and full year 2009 to be in line with the 23.7 expense ratio recognized in the first nine months of 2009, driven by higher amortization of AARP acquisition costs and costs incurred on the direct-to-consumer pilot while earned premium is expected to remain relatively flat.
Small Commercial
Within the Small Commercial segment, management expects written premiums will continue to be lower for the fourth quarter and full year 2009, driven by lower premium renewal retention in all lines, offset in part by higher new business premium. In the first nine months of 2009, Small Commercial’s written premiums decreased by 5% driven largely by the effects of the economic downturn. The Company has seen a decrease in earned audit premium and a reduction in endorsement activity, primarily as a result of lower payrolls. This has resulted in declining average premium on renewed policies. Small Commercial has introduced several initiatives including cross-sell programs aimed at improving premium renewal retention. The workers’ compensation business is expected to produce stronger policy growth than either the package business or commercial auto for the full year 2009 as management has broadened its underwriting appetite in selected industries and expanded business written through payroll service providers. For the remainder of 2009, average premium per policy in Small Commercial is expected to further decline due to decreases in written pricing and the effect of declining mid-term endorsements. Written pricing in Small Commercial decreased by 2% in 2008.
The Small Commercial segment’s combined ratio before catastrophes and prior accident year development is expected to be higher for full year 2009 than the 82.8 achieved in 2008. The increase in the combined ratio results from an expected increase in the current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio, as well as a higher expense ratio, partially offset by a lower policyholder dividend ratio. Small Commercial experienced favorable frequency on workers’ compensation claims in recent accident years and management expects favorable frequency to continue for the 2009 accident year though not as favorable in the second half of 2009 as it was in the first half of the year. While the Company experienced favorable non-catastrophe property losses on package business and commercial auto claims in 2008, management expects severity will continue its long-term upward trend for non-catastrophe property claims for the remainder of 2009, and frequency will be less favorable. Despite a decrease in total underwriting expenses, the expense ratio is expected to be higher for the full year 2009 largely driven by lower earned premiums.

 

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Middle Market
Management expects that full year 2009 written premiums for Middle Market will be lower due to a decrease in premium renewal retention as the downturn in the economy continues to reduce exposures across most lines of business, particularly payroll exposures for workers’ compensation and construction lines in marine. Written premiums in Middle Market decreased by 10% in the first nine months of 2009 driven by these recessionary pressures, which are partially reflected in lower earned audit premium.
The Company continues to take a disciplined approach to evaluating and pricing risks in the face of declines in written pricing. Written pricing for Middle Market business declined by 5% in 2008 and declined by 2% over the first nine months of 2009. While management expects written pricing to continue to stabilize through the remainder of 2009, management expects carriers will continue to price new business more aggressively than renewals. Management will seek to compete for new business and protect renewals in Middle Market by, among other actions, refining its pricing and risk selection models, targeting industries with growth potential and looking to cross-sell other lines on existing accounts.
Carriers in the commercial lines market segment reported some moderation in the rate of price declines during the fourth quarter of 2008 and first nine months of 2009. Like in the Personal Lines and Small Commercial market segments, current economic conditions (lower payrolls, declines in production, lower sales, etc.) have reduced written premium growth opportunities in Middle Market.
The combined ratio before catastrophes and prior accident year development for Middle Market is expected to be higher for the full year 2009 than the 93.4 achieved in 2008 due to an expected increase in the current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio and the expense ratio, partially offset by a decrease in the policyholder dividend ratio. Claim cost severity has been favorable on property and marine claims for the first nine months of 2009 as the Company experienced a number of individually large property losses in 2008. However, management expects that claim cost severity for property and marine claims will not be as favorable for the remainder of 2009 and that severity will continue to increase for general liability and workers’ compensation claims. The Company also expects a continuation of moderately lower frequency for the remainder of 2009.
Specialty Commercial
Within Specialty Commercial, management expects written premiums to be significantly lower for full year 2009 due to a combination of the sale of First State Management Group, the effects of the economic downturn, ratings concerns, and market-driven changes in a reinsurance arrangement. The Company sold its core excess and surplus lines property businesses in March 2009, a group which had generated $14 in written premiums in the third quarter of 2008. Additionally, as with other commercial lines segments, Specialty Commercial is seeing the same negative impacts of the recession on written premiums. And, while the Company’s ratings stabilized in May of 2009, concerns about the Company’s financial strength to that point had a negative effect on commercial directors’ and officers’ and contract surety lines of business. Lastly, the reinsurance program for the professional liability lines renewed in July 2009 with a change in structure from primarily an excess of loss program to a variable quota share arrangement. This change was market driven and consistent with the Company’s expectations. This will have the impact of depressing the net written premium growth through the second quarter of 2010. Specialty Commercial written premiums declined by 17% in the first nine months of 2009.
For professional liability business within Specialty Commercial, the Company expects its losses from the fallout of the sub-prime mortgage market and the broader credit crisis to be manageable based on several factors. Principal among them is the diversified nature of the Company’s product and customer portfolio, with a majority of the Company’s total in-force professional liability net written premium derived from policyholders with privately-held ownership and, therefore, relatively low shareholder class action exposure. Reinsurance substantially mitigates the net limits exposed per policy and no single industry segment comprises 15% or more of the Company’s professional liability book of business by net written premium. About half of the Company’s limits exposed to federal shareholder class action claims filed in 2008 and the first nine months of 2009 are under Side-A D&O insurance policies that provide protection to individual directors and officers only in cases where their company cannot indemnify them. In addition, 95% of the exposed limits are on excess policies rather than primary policies. Regarding the Madoff and Stanford alleged fraud cases which continue to evolve, based on a detailed ground-up review of all claims notices received to date and an analysis of potentially involved parties noted in press reports, the Company anticipates only a limited number of its policies and corresponding net limits to be exposed. The Company expects its losses from the sub-prime mortgage and credit crisis, as well as its exposure to the Madoff and Stanford cases, to be within its expected loss estimates.
For full year 2009, the combined ratio before catastrophes and prior accident year development for Specialty Commercial is expected to be higher than the 97.3 achieved in 2008 due to an expected increase in both the current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio and the expense ratio, partially offset by a decrease in the policyholder dividend ratio. A higher loss and loss adjustment expense ratio for professional liability claims is expected for the full year 2009, driven by earned pricing decreases.
Investment Income
Property & Casualty operating cash flow is expected to be less favorable in 2009 than in 2008, although still positive. Based upon expected losses from limited partnerships and other alternative investments and an increased allocation of investments to lower-yielding U.S. Treasuries and short-term investments, Property & Casualty expects a lower investment portfolio yield for 2009.

 

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LIFE
Executive Overview
Life is organized into four groups which are comprised of six reporting segments: The Retail Products Group (“Retail”) and Individual Life segments make up the Individual Markets Group. The Retirement Plans and Group Benefits segments make up the Employer Markets Group. The International and Institutional Solutions Group (“Institutional”) segments each make up their own group. Life provides investment and retirement products, such as variable and fixed annuities, mutual funds and retirement plan services and other institutional investment products, such as structured settlements; individual and private-placement life insurance and products including variable universal life, universal life, interest sensitive whole life and term life; and group benefit products, such as group life and group disability insurance.
The following provides a summary of the significant factors used by management to assess the performance of the Life businesses. For a complete discussion of these factors, see Life’s Executive Overview section within the MD&A in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report.
Performance Measures
DAC amortization ratio, return on assets (“ROA”) or after-tax margin, excluding realized gains (losses) or DAC Unlock are non-GAAP financial measures that the Company uses to evaluate, and believes are important measures of, segment operating performance. DAC amortization ratio, ROA or after-tax margin is the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure. The Hartford believes that the measures of DAC amortization ratio, ROA or after-tax margin, excluding realized gains (losses) and DAC Unlock provide investors with a valuable measure of the performance of the Company’s on-going businesses because it reveals trends in our businesses that may be obscured by the effect of realized gains (losses) or periodic DAC Unlocks. Some realized capital gains and losses are primarily driven by investment decisions and external economic developments, the nature and timing of which are unrelated to insurance aspects of our businesses. Accordingly, these non-GAAP measures exclude the effect of all realized gains and losses that tend to be highly variable from period to period based on capital market conditions. The Hartford believes, however, that some realized capital gains and losses are integrally related to our insurance operations, so DAC amortization ratio, ROA and after-tax margin, excluding the realized gains (losses) and DAC Unlock should include net realized gains and losses on net periodic settlements on the Japan fixed annuity cross-currency swap. These net realized gains and losses are directly related to an offsetting item included in the statement of operations such as net investment income. DAC Unlocks occur when the Company determines based on actual experience or other evidence, that estimates of future gross profits should be revised. As the DAC Unlock is a reflection of the Company’s new best estimates of future gross profits, the result and its impact on DAC amortization ratio, ROA and after-tax margin is meaningful; however, it does distort the trend of DAC amortization ratio, ROA and after-tax margin. DAC amortization ratio, ROA or after-tax margin, excluding realized gains (losses) and DAC Unlock should not be considered as a substitute for DAC amortization ratio, ROA or after-tax margin and does not reflect the overall profitability of our businesses. Therefore, the Company believes it is important for investors to evaluate both DAC amortization ratio, ROA and after-tax margin, excluding realized gains (losses) and DAC Unlock and DAC amortization ratio, ROA and after-tax margin when reviewing the Company’s performance.

 

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Fee Income
Fee income is largely driven from amounts collected as a result of contractually defined percentages of assets under management. These fees are generally collected on a daily basis. For individual life insurance products, fees are contractually defined as percentages based on levels of insurance, age, premiums and deposits collected and contract holder value. Life insurance fees are generally collected on a monthly basis. Therefore, the growth in assets under management either through positive net flows or net sales, or favorable equity market performance will have a favorable impact on fee income. Conversely, either negative net flows or net sales, or unfavorable equity market performance will reduce fee income.
                                 
    As of and For the     As of and For the  
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Product/Key Indicator Information   2009     2008     2009     2008  
Retail U.S. Individual Variable Annuities
                               
Account value, beginning of period
  $ 75,613     $ 105,345     $ 74,578     $ 119,071  
Net flows
    (1,683 )     (1,540 )     (5,243 )     (4,357 )
Change in market value and other
    9,385       (11,555 )     13,980       (22,464 )
 
                       
Account value, end of period
  $ 83,315     $ 92,250     $ 83,315     $ 92,250  
 
                       
 
                               
Retail Mutual Funds
                               
Assets under management, beginning of period
  $ 34,708     $ 47,239     $ 31,032     $ 48,383  
Net sales
    779       816       1,406       3,838  
Change in market value and other
    4,640       (7,152 )     7,689       (11,318 )
 
                       
Assets under management, end of period
  $ 40,127     $ 40,903     $ 40,127     $ 40,903  
 
                       
 
                               
Individual Life Insurance
                               
Variable universal life account value, end of period
  $ 5,552     $ 5,848     $ 5,552     $ 5,848  
Universal life/interest sensitive whole life insurance in-force
    53,906       51,355       53,906       51,355  
Variable universal life insurance in-force
  $ 75,667     $ 78,809     $ 75,667     $ 78,809  
 
                       
 
                               
Retirement Plans Group Annuities
                               
Account value, beginning of period
  $ 23,490     $ 27,029     $ 22,198     $ 27,094  
Net flows
    259       587       305       2,098  
Change in market value and other
    2,350       (2,448 )     3,596       (4,024 )
 
                       
Account value, end of period
  $ 26,099     $ 25,168     $ 26,099     $ 25,168  
 
                       
 
                               
Retirement Plans Mutual Funds
                               
Assets under management, beginning of period
  $ 15,342     $ 19,854     $ 14,838     $ 1,454  
Net sales
    (748 )     39       (1,388 )     (69 )
Acquisitions
                      18,725  
Change in market value and other
    2,054       (1,767 )     3,198       (1,984 )
 
                       
Assets under management, end of period
  $ 16,648     $ 18,126     $ 16,648     $ 18,126  
 
                       
 
                               
International Japan Annuities
                               
Account value, beginning of period
  $ 33,709     $ 38,122     $ 34,495     $ 37,637  
Net flows
    (304 )     579       (661 )     1,839  
Change in market value and other
    389       (3,499 )     1,897       (6,241 )
Effect of currency translation
    2,636       (80 )     699       1,887  
 
                       
Account value, end of period
  $ 36,430     $ 35,122     $ 36,430     $ 35,122  
 
                       
 
                               
S&P 500 Index
                               
Period end closing value
    1,057       1,165       1,057       1,165  
Daily average value
    996       1,252       900       1,324  
Assets under management, across most businesses, shown above, have had substantial reductions in values from prior year primarily due to declines in equity markets during 2008 and the first quarter of 2009. The changes in line of business assets under management have also been affected by:
 
Retail’s U.S. individual variable annuity business recorded lower deposits for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 as a result of equity market disruptions, recent pricing actions and management’s review of product offerings.
 
Retail Mutual Funds have seen a decline in net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 as a result of lower deposits driven by equity market declines and volatility.

 

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Individual Life increased its universal life/interest sensitive whole life insurance in-force by approximately 5% primarily as a result of continued strong sales of secondary guaranteed universal life insurance products. Individual life experienced decreases in variable life insurance account values as a result of the declines in equity markets, while variable universal life in-force declined as a result of lower sales in 2009 and aging of the variable universal life insurance block resulting in increasing surrender experience.
 
Retirement Plans has seen declines in net flows in group annuities and net sales in mutual funds due largely to a few large case surrenders.
 
International’s Japan annuities, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, have seen favorable effects from currency exchange rates and market returns. Outflows in Japan annuities are due to the suspension of new sales in the second quarter of 2009.
Net Investment Spread
Management evaluates performance of certain products based on net investment spread. These products include those that have insignificant mortality risk, such as fixed annuities, certain general account universal life contracts and certain institutional contracts. Net investment spread is determined by taking the difference between the earned rate, (excluding the effects of realized capital gains and losses, including those related to the Company’s GMWB product and related reinsurance and hedging programs), and the related crediting rates on average general account assets under management. The net investment spreads shown below are for the total portfolio of relevant contracts in each segment and reflect business written at different times. When pricing products, the Company considers current investment yields and not the portfolio average. The determination of credited rates is based upon consideration of current market rates for similar products, portfolio yields and contractually guaranteed minimum credited rates. Net investment spread can be volatile period over period, which can have a significant positive or negative effect on the operating results of each segment. The volatile nature of net investment spread is driven primarily by earnings on limited partnership and other alternative investments and prepayment premiums on securities. Investment earnings can also be influenced by factors such as changes in interest rates, credit spreads and decisions to hold higher levels of short-term investments.
Net investment spread is calculated as a percentage of general account assets and expressed in basis points (“bps”):
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
Retail — Individual Annuity
  64.7  bps   73.3  bps   22.3  bps   112.9  bps
Individual Life
  110.9  bps   86.0  bps   88.0  bps   115.9  bps
Retirement Plans
  93.8  bps   106.4  bps   65.2  bps   127.1  bps
Institutional-Stable Value (Guaranteed Investment Contracts (“GICs”), Funding Agreements, Funding Agreement Backed Notes and Consumer Notes)
  (33.2 ) bps   20.5  bps   (47.6 ) bps   63.0  bps
The primary reasons for the drop in net investment spread during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the comparable 2008 periods were negative limited partnership income, lower earnings on fixed maturities offset by certain reductions in credited rates. The Company expects these conditions to persist throughout 2009.
 
In Retail — Individual Annuity for the three months ended September 30, 2009 the drop in net investment spread is primarily related to higher crediting rates of 11 bps and lower earnings on fixed maturities of 10 bps, partially offset by improved partnership returns of 15 bps. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 the drop in net investment spread is primarily related to lower partnership returns of 35 bps, lower earnings on fixed maturities of 31 bps and higher crediting rates of 18 bps. The decline in fixed maturity returns was primarily related to a higher percentage of fixed maturities being held in short-term investments.
 
In Individual Life, the increase in net investment spread for the three months ended September 30, 2009 is attributable to increased limited partnership returns of 24 bps and a reduction in the credited rate of 20 bps partially offset by lower fixed maturity income returns. The drop in net investment spread for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 is attributable to lower limited partnership returns of 28 bps and lower fixed maturity income returns partially offset by a reduction in the credited rate of 20 bps.
 
In Retirement Plans, for the three months ended September 30, 2009, lower net investment spread was a result of lower fixed income returns of 46 bps, partially offset by higher limited partnership returns of 19 bps and lower crediting rates of 15 bps. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, lower net investment spread was a result of lower limited partnership returns of 32 bps and lower fixed income returns of 43 bps, partially offset by lower crediting rates of 13 bps.
 
In Institutional — Stable Value, for the three months ended September 30, 2009, net investment spreads were negatively impacted in the amount of 79 bps due to lower yields on variable rate securities and management’s desire to maintain additional liquidity in the Institutional portfolios, partially offset by 30 bps of higher limited partnership returns. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, net investment spreads were negatively impacted by 100 bps due to lower yields on variable rate securities and maintaining additional liquidity in the Institutional portfolios in the form of short term and Treasury securities, and 33 bps attributable to negative limited partnership returns. In both periods, the drop in variable rate yields was partially offset by lower credited rates on floating rate liabilities.

 

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Premiums
Traditional insurance type products, such as those sold by Group Benefits, collect premiums from policyholders in exchange for financial protection for the policyholder from a specified insurable loss, such as death or disability. These premiums together with net investment income earned from the overall investment strategy are used to pay the contractual obligations under these insurance contracts. Two major factors, new sales and persistency, impact premium growth. Sales can increase or decrease in a given year based on a number of factors, including but not limited to, customer demand for the Company’s product offerings, pricing competition, distribution channels and the Company’s reputation and ratings. Persistency refers to the percentage of premium remaining in-force from year-to-year.
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Group Benefits   2009     2008     2009     2008  
Total premiums and other considerations
  $ 1,069     $ 1,109     $ 3,281     $ 3,283  
Fully insured ongoing sales (excluding buyouts)
  $ 122     $ 158     $ 611     $ 674  
 
The decrease in premiums and other considerations, excluding buyouts, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was due primarily to reductions in the covered lives within our customer base.
 
The decrease in fully insured ongoing sales, excluding buyouts, was due primarily to the competitive marketplace and economic environment.
Expenses
There are three major categories for expenses. The first major category of expenses is benefits and losses. These include the costs of mortality and morbidity, particularly in the group benefits business, and mortality in the individual life businesses, as well as other contractholder benefits to policyholders. In addition, traditional insurance type products generally use a loss ratio which is expressed as the amount of benefits incurred during a particular period divided by total premiums and other considerations, as a key indicator of underwriting performance. Since Group Benefits occasionally buys a block of claims for a stated premium amount, the Company excludes this buyout from the loss ratio used for evaluating the underwriting results of the business as buyouts may distort the loss ratio.
The second major category is insurance operating costs and expenses, which is commonly expressed in a ratio of a revenue measure depending on the type of business. The third major category is the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and the present value of future profits (DAC amortization ratio), which is typically expressed as a percentage of pre-tax income before the cost of this amortization (an approximation of actual gross profits) and excludes the effects of realized capital gains and losses. Retail individual annuity business accounts for the majority of the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits for Life.
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
                               
Retail
                               
General insurance expense ratio (Individual Annuity)
  19.7  bps   20.5  bps   21.0  bps   19.5  bps
DAC amortization ratio (Individual Annuity) [1]
    33.2 %     555.9 %     433.6 %     154.6 %
DAC amortization ratio (Individual Annuity) excluding DAC Unlock [1] [2]
    56.0 %     42.3 %     63.2 %     42.8 %
 
                               
Individual Life
                               
Death benefits
  $ 86     $ 86     $ 258     $ 265  
 
                               
Group Benefits
                               
Total benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses
  $ 742     $ 780     $ 2,424     $ 2,379  
Loss ratio (excluding buyout premiums)
    69.4 %     70.3 %     73.9 %     72.5 %
Expense ratio (excluding buyout premiums)
    29.1 %     26.9 %     27.2 %     26.8 %
 
                               
International — Japan
                               
General insurance expense ratio
  37.6  bps   47.0  bps   41.0  bps   47.3  bps
DAC amortization ratio
    (2,100 %)     605.6 %     1,184.2 %     68.2 %
DAC amortization ratio excluding DAC Unlock [2] [3] [4]
    37.3 %     40.6 %     43.6 %     40.3 %
 
                               
Institutional
                               
General insurance expense ratio
  11.2  bps   14.3  bps   10.9  bps   14.6  bps
     
[1]  
Excludes the effects of realized gains and losses.
 
[2]  
See Critical Accounting Estimates section of the MD&A.
 
[3]  
Excludes the effects of realized gains and losses except for net periodic settlements. Included in the net realized capital gain (losses) are amounts that represent the net periodic accruals on currency rate swaps used in the risk management of Japan fixed annuity products.
 
[4]  
Excludes the effects of 3 Wins related charge of $62, pre-tax, on net income.

 

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The Retail general insurance expense ratio decreased for the three months ended September, 30 2009 as a result of management’s efforts to reduce expenses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 the Retail general expense ratio increased primarily due to the impact of a sharply declining asset base on lower expenses.
 
The Retail DAC amortization ratio (Individual Annuity) excluding realized gains (losses) and the effect of the DAC Unlock increased as a result of lower actual gross profits primarily as a result of lower fees earned on declining assets and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, lower net investment income due to a greater percentage of fixed maturities being held in short-term investments and lower returns on limited partnerships and other alternative investments.
 
Individual Life death benefits decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 due to favorable mortality volatility partially offset by an increase in net amount at risk for variable universal life policies caused by equity market declines.
 
Group Benefits loss ratio decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2009 primarily due to favorable mortality experience. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the segment’s loss ratio increased primarily due to unfavorable morbidity experience, which was largely the result of unfavorable reserve development from the 2008 incurral loss year.
 
Group Benefits expense ratio, excluding buyouts, increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the prior year due primarily to higher commission expense on the financial institutions business.
 
International — Japan general insurance expense ratio decreased due to the restructuring of Japan’s operations.
 
International — Japan DAC amortization ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, excluding DAC Unlock and certain realized gains or losses, increased due to actual gross profits being less than expected as a result of lower fees earned on declining assets. For the three months ended September 30, 2009, the DAC amortization ratio, excluding DAC Unlock and certain realized gains or losses, decreased due to actual gross profits being higher than expected as a result of higher fees earned on increasing assets.
 
Institutional general insurance expense ratio decreased due to active expense management efforts and reduced information technology expenses.

 

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Profitability
Management evaluates the rates of return various businesses can provide as an input in determining where additional capital should be invested to increase net income and shareholder returns. The Company uses the return on assets for the Individual Annuity, Retirement Plans and Institutional businesses for evaluating profitability. In Group Benefits and Individual Life, after-tax margin is a key indicator of overall profitability.
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Ratios   2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
                               
Retail
                               
Individual annuity ROA
  (80.0 ) bps   (305.1 ) bps   (109.0 ) bps   (88.2 ) bps
Effect of net realized losses, net of tax and DAC on ROA [1]
  (149.8 ) bps   (99.5 ) bps   (43.6 ) bps   (65.1 ) bps
Effect of DAC Unlock on ROA [2]
  30.2   bps   (267.4 ) bps   (97.5 ) bps   (84.0 ) bps
 
                       
ROA excluding realized losses and DAC Unlock
  39.6  bps   61.8  bps   32.1  bps   60.9  bps
 
                       
 
                               
Individual Life
                               
After-tax margin
    1.4 %     (85.7 %)     0.2 %     (7.9 %)
Effect of net realized losses, net of tax and DAC on after-tax margin [1]
    (5.7 %)     (68.4 %)     (7.0 %)     (15.6 %)
Effect of DAC Unlock on after-tax margin[2]
    (9.1 %)     (31.9 %)     (6.1 %)     (6.5 %)
 
                       
After-tax margin excluding realized losses and DAC Unlock
    16.2 %     14.6 %     13.3 %     14.2 %
 
                       
 
                               
Retirement Plans
                               
Retirement Plans ROA
  (33.3 ) bps   (141.9 ) bps   (54.1 ) bps   (49.7 ) bps
Effect of net realized losses, net of tax and DAC on ROA [1]
  (41.6 ) bps   (109.1 ) bps   (40.9 ) bps   (55.1 ) bps
Effect of DAC Unlock on ROA [2]
    bps   (43.4 ) bps   (18.7 ) bps   (18.1 ) bps
 
                       
ROA excluding realized losses and DAC Unlock
  8.3  bps   10.6  bps   5.5  bps   23.5  bps
 
                       
 
                               
Group Benefits
                               
After-tax margin (excluding buyouts)
    5.7 %     (23.9 %)     4.2 %     (2.5 %)
Effect of net realized losses, net of tax on after-tax margin [1]
    (1.6 %)     (32.2 %)     (1.2 %)     (9.6 %)
 
                       
After-tax margin excluding realized losses
    7.3 %     8.3 %     5.4 %     7.1 %
 
                       
 
                               
International — Japan
                               
International — Japan ROA
  (49.0 ) bps   (88.5 ) bps   (50.4 ) bps   0.7 bps
Effect of net realized losses excluding net periodic settlements, net of tax and DAC on ROA [1] [3]
  (131.2 ) bps   (32.8 ) bps   2.3   bps   (29.7 ) bps
Effect of DAC Unlock on ROA [2]
  12.6   bps   (125.6 ) bps   (86.9 ) bps   (42.2 ) bps
 
                       
ROA excluding realized losses and DAC Unlock
  69.6  bps   69.9  bps   34.2  bps   72.6  bps
 
                       
 
                               
Institutional
                               
Institutional ROA
  (66.8 ) bps   (255.6 ) bps   (75.8 ) bps   (118.5 ) bps
Effect of net realized losses, net of tax and DAC on ROA [1]
  (63.2 ) bps   (255.6 ) bps   (69.5 ) bps   (129.2 ) bps
 
                       
ROA excluding realized losses
  (3.6 ) bps         (6.3 ) bps   10.7  bps
 
                       
     
[1]  
See “Realized Capital Gains and Losses by Segment” table within the Life Section of the MD&A.
 
[2]  
See Unlock and Sensitivity Analysis within the Critical Accounting Estimates section of the MD&A.
 
[3]  
Included in the net realized capital gain (losses) are amounts that represent the net periodic accruals on currency rate swaps used in the risk management of Japan fixed annuity products.

 

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The decrease in Individual Annuity’s ROA, excluding realized losses and DAC Unlock, reflects higher DAC rates due to lower actual gross profits over the past year; lower tax benefits, primarily related to the dividends received deduction (“DRD”); and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 significant losses on limited partnership and other alternative investments.
 
The increase in Individual Life’s after-tax margin, excluding realized losses and DAC Unlock, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was primarily due to the recognition of tax benefits associated with the DRD. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 the after-tax margin decreased primarily due to reserve increases on secondary guaranteed universal life insurance products, lower fees from equity market declines and lower net investment income from limited partnership and other alternative investments, partially offset by increased cost of insurance charges, favorable mortality volatility and life insurance in-force growth.
 
The decrease in Retirement Plans ROA, excluding realized losses and DAC Unlock for the three months ended September 30, 2009, was primarily driven by lower fees from equity market declines. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the decrease in ROA, excluding realized losses and DAC Unlock was driven by lower returns on limited partnership and other alternative investments and lower fees from equity market declines.
 
The decrease in Group Benefits after-tax margin, excluding realized losses, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was primarily due to higher commission expenses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the after-tax margin, excluding realized losses decreased primarily due to the unfavorable loss ratio and higher commission expenses.
 
International-Japan ROA, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, excluding realized losses and DAC Unlock, declined primarily due to 3 Win related charges of $40, after-tax, in the first quarter of 2009. Excluding the effects of the 3 Win charge ROA would have been 49.3 bps. The decline of ROA excluding the 3 Win charge is due to lower surrender fees due to a reduction in lapses, an increase in the DAC amortization rate due to lower actual gross profits and a higher benefit margin.
 
The decrease in Institutional’s ROA, excluding realized losses, is primarily due to lower yields on investments and a decline in income from limited partnership and other alternative investments.

 

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    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Life Operating Summary   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Earned premiums
  $ 1,068     $ 1,335       (20 %)   $ 3,500     $ 3,869       (10 %)
Fee income
    1,136       1,329       (15 %)     3,359       4,042       (17 %)
Net investment income (loss):
                                               
Securities, available-for-sale and other
    748       759       (1 %)     2,176       2,407       (10 %)
Equity securities, trading [1]
    638       (3,415 )   NM       2,437       (5,840 )   NM  
 
                                   
Total net investment income (loss)
    1,386       (2,656 )   NM       4,613       (3,433 )   NM  
Net realized capital losses
    (1,126 )     (2,012 )     44 %     (1,090 )     (3,460 )     68 %
 
                                   
Total revenues [2]
    2,464       (2,004 )   NM     10,382       1,018     NM
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses
    1,421       2,045       (31 %)     5,834       5,523       6 %
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses — returns credited on International variable annuities [1]
    638       (3,415 )   NM       2,437       (5,840 )   NM  
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits
    172       1,404       (88 %)     2,064       1,634       26 %
Insurance operating costs and other expenses
    807       838       (4 %)     2,403       2,518       (5 %)
 
                                   
Total benefits, losses and expenses
    3,038       872     NM     12,738       3,835     NM
Loss before income taxes
    (574 )     (2,876 )     80 %     (2,356 )     (2,817 )     16 %
Income tax benefit
    (251 )     (1,061 )     76 %     (951 )     (1,181 )     19 %
 
                                   
Net loss [3]
  $ (323 )   $ (1,815 )     82 %   $ (1,405 )   $ (1,636 )     14 %
 
                                   
     
[1]  
Net investment income (loss) includes investment income and mark-to-market effects of equity securities, trading, supporting the international variable annuity business, which are classified in net investment income with corresponding amounts credited to policyholders.
 
[2]  
The transition impact related to the adoption of fair value accounting guidance was a reduction in revenues of $650 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
 
[3]  
The transition impact related to the adoption of fair value accounting guidance was a reduction in net income of $220 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
Three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008
The decrease in Life’s net loss was due to the following:
 
Realized losses decreased as compared to the comparable prior year period primarily due to higher impairments on investment securities in the third quarter 2008. For further discussion, please refer to the Realized Capital Gains and Losses by Segment table under the Operating Section of the MD&A.
 
Lower amortization of DAC as a result of third quarter 2008, after-tax, charges of $740 in the DAC component of the Unlock as compared to third quarter 2009, after-tax, charges of $11 in the DAC component of the Unlock.
 
Reductions in benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses on a comparable year basis are attributed to the third quarter 2008, after-tax, Unlock charges of $168 as compared to third quarter 2009, after-tax, Unlock benefit of $91.
 
Earned premiums decreased as ratings downgrades reduced payout annuity sales in the Institutional segment.
 
Declines in assets under management, primarily driven by market depreciation during the last twelve months, drove declines in fee income in the Retail segment.
Nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008
The decrease in Life’s net loss was due to the following:
 
Realized losses decreased in the first nine months of 2009 as compared to realized losses in the comparable prior year period. For further discussion, please refer to the Realized Capital Gains and Losses by Segment table under the Life Operating Section of the MD&A.
 
DAC amortization increased from the prior year comparable period as a result of higher realized capital losses which reduced actual gross profits in 2008.
 
Declines in assets under management in Retail, primarily driven by market depreciation during the last twelve months, drove declines in fee income in the Retail segment.
 
Net investment income on securities, available-for-sale, and other declined primarily due to declines in limited partnership and other alternative investments and fixed maturities income, as well as increased asset allocation to shorter term positions at lower yields. See Investment Results for further discussion.

 

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Investment Results
The primary investment objective of Life’s general account is to maximize economic value consistent with acceptable risk parameters, including the management of credit risk and interest rate sensitivity of invested assets, while generating sufficient after-tax income to support policyholder and corporate obligations.
The following table presents Life’s invested assets by type.
                                 
Composition of Invested Assets  
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
    Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent  
Fixed maturities, AFS, at fair value
  $ 45,927       71.7 %   $ 45,182       71.3 %
Equity securities, AFS, at fair value
    690       1.1 %     711       1.1 %
Mortgage loans
    5,365       8.4 %     5,684       9.0 %
Policy loans, at outstanding balance
    2,209       3.4 %     2,208       3.5 %
Limited partnerships and other alternative investments
    860       1.3 %     1,129       1.8 %
Other investments [1]
    1,513       2.4 %     1,473       2.3 %
Short-term investments
    7,478       11.7 %     6,937       11.0 %
 
                       
Total investments excl. equity securities, trading
    64,042       100.0 %     63,324       100.0 %
Equity securities, trading, at fair value [2]
    33,463               30,820          
 
                           
Total investments
  $ 97,505             $ 94,144          
 
                           
     
[1]  
Primarily relates to derivative instruments.
 
[2]  
These assets primarily support the International variable annuity business. Changes in these balances are also reflected in the respective liabilities.
Total investments increased primarily due to equity securities, trading, resulting from improved market performance of the underlying investments as the yen strengthened. Total investments, excluding equity securities, trading, increased primarily due to improved security valuations on fixed maturities due to credit spread tightening partially offset by the unwind of the term lending program of approximately $2.3 billion. Additionally, short-term investments increased primarily in preparation for funding liability outflows, as well as the contribution to Life of approximately $500 of funds initially received by the Company from the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program. For further information on the Capital Purchase Program, see the Capital Resources and Liquidity Section of the MD&A. Partially offsetting the increase in fixed maturities and short-term investments were declines in mortgage loans resulting from valuation allowances and maturities, as well as declines in limited partnerships and other alternative investments due to hedge fund redemptions and negative re-valuations of the underlying investments associated primarily with the real estate and private equity markets.
The following table summarizes Life’s net investment income (loss).
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
    Amount     Yield [1]     Amount     Yield [1]     Amount     Yield [1]     Amount     Yield [1]  
Fixed maturities [2]
  $ 594       4.6 %   $ 718       5.4 %   $ 1,861       4.6 %   $ 2,184       5.4 %
Equity securities, AFS
    17       8.0 %     17       5.2 %     48       7.4 %     73       7.0 %
Mortgage loans
    68       5.0 %     71       5.4 %     208       5.0 %     214       5.7 %
Policy loans
    36       6.5 %     34       6.3 %     108       6.5 %     101       6.3 %
Limited partnerships and other alternative investments
    (20 )     (8.0 %)     (59 )     (16.8 %)     (186 )     (23.1 %)     (67 )     (6.7 %)
Other [3]
    78               (3 )             198               (44 )        
Investment expense
    (25 )             (19 )             (61 )             (54 )        
 
                                               
Total net investment income excl. equity securities, trading
    748       4.4 %     759       4.8 %     2,176       4.2 %     2,407       5.2 %
Equity securities, trading
    638               (3,415 )             2,437               (5,840 )        
 
                                                       
Total net investment income (loss)
  $ 1,386             $ (2,656 )           $ 4,613             $ (3,433 )        
 
                                                       
     
[1]  
Yields calculated using annualized net investment income before investment expenses divided by the monthly average invested assets at cost, amortized cost, or adjusted carrying value, as applicable, excluding collateral received associated with the securities lending program and consolidated variable interest entity noncontrolling interests. Included in the fixed maturity yield is other, which primarily relates to fixed maturities (see footnote [3] below). Included in the total net investment income yield is investment expense.
 
[2]  
Includes net investment income on short-term investments.
 
[3]  
Includes income from derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting and hedge fixed maturities. Also includes fees associated with securities lending activities of $0 and $4, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, and $11 and $50 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively. The income from securities lending activities is included within fixed maturities.

 

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Three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008
Net investment income, excluding equity securities, trading, decreased slightly primarily due to lower income on fixed maturities as a result of increased allocation to short-term investments and lower yields on variable rate securities due to declines in short-term interest rates. This decline was partially offset by income from interest rate swaps reported above as other income, as well as decreased losses on limited partnerships and other alternative investments primarily on hedge fund and private equity investments.
Nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008
Net investment income, excluding equity securities, trading, decreased primarily due to lower income on fixed maturities and limited partnerships and other alternative investments, partially offset by other income. The decline in fixed maturity income was primarily due to increased allocation to short-term investments and lower yields on variable rate securities due to declines in short-term interest rates. The decline in limited partnerships and other alternative investment income was largely due to negative re-valuations of the underlying investments associated primarily with the real estate and private equity markets. These losses were partially offset by income from interest rate swaps reported above as other income.
The increase in net investment income on equity securities, trading, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the prior year periods was primarily attributed to the market performance of the underlying investment funds supporting the Japanese variable annuity product.

 

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Realized Capital Gains and Losses by Segment
Life includes net realized capital gains and losses in each reporting segment. Following is a summary of the types of realized gains and losses by segment:
Net realized gains (losses) for three months ended September 30, 2009
                                                                 
            Individual     Retirement     Group                          
    Retail     Life     Plans     Benefits     International     Institutional     Other     Total  
Gross gains on sales
  $ 29     $ 12     $ 10     $ 23     $ 3     $ 37     $ 16     $ 130  
Gross losses on sales
    (24 )     (11 )     (2 )     (9 )     (3 )     (8 )     (10 )     (67 )
Net OTTI losses
    (111 )     (28 )     (83 )     (33 )     (15 )     (168 )     (15 )     (453 )
Japanese fixed annuity contract hedges, net
                            (7 )                 (7 )
Periodic net coupon settlements on credit derivatives/Japan
    (4 )     (1 )     (2 )     (1 )     8       (2 )     (2 )     (4 )
Results of variable annuity hedge program
                                                               
GMWB derivatives, net
    (198 )                       8                   (190 )
Macro hedge program
    (282 )                       (46 )                 (328 )
 
                                               
Total results of variable annuity hedge program
    (480 )                       (38 )                 (518 )
Other, net
    (27 )     (8 )     (12 )     (12 )     (104 )     (4 )     (40 )     (207 )
 
                                               
Total net realized capital losses
    (617 )     (36 )     (89 )     (32 )     (156 )     (145 )     (51 )     (1,126 )
Income tax benefit and DAC
    (118 )     (12 )     (40 )     (12 )     (49 )     (51 )     (19 )     (301 )
 
                                               
Total net realized losses, net of tax and DAC
  $ (499 )   $ (24 )   $ (49 )   $ (20 )   $ (107 )   $ (94 )   $ (32 )   $ (825 )
 
                                               
Net realized gains (losses) for three months ended September 30, 2008
                                                                 
            Individual     Retirement     Group                          
    Retail     Life     Plans     Benefits     International     Institutional     Other     Total  
Gross gains on sales
  $ 6     $ 11     $ 1     $ 7     $ 2     $ 16     $ 1     $ 44  
Gross losses on sales
    (22 )     (11 )     (12 )     (7 )     (1 )     (26 )     (10 )     (89 )
Net OTTI losses
    (329 )     (175 )     (174 )     (428 )     (84 )     (498 )     (72 )     (1,760 )
Japanese fixed annuity contract hedges, net
                            36                   36  
Periodic net coupon settlements on credit derivatives/Japan
    (1 )           (1 )     (1 )     (8 )           3       (8 )
Results of variable annuity hedge program
                                                               
GMWB derivatives, net
    (116 )                       (17 )                 (133 )
Macro hedge program
    19                         5                   24  
 
                                               
Total results of variable annuity hedge program
    (97 )                       (12 )                 (109 )
Other, net
    (40 )     5       5       (12 )           (97 )     13       (126 )
 
                                               
Total net realized capital losses
    (483 )     (170 )     (181 )     (441 )     (67 )     (605 )     (65 )     (2,012 )
Income tax benefit and DAC
    (200 )     (59 )     (58 )     (154 )     (31 )     (211 )     (22 )     (735 )
 
                                               
Total net realized losses, net of tax and DAC
  $ (283 )   $ (111 )   $ (123 )   $ (287 )   $ (36 )   $ (394 )   $ (43 )   $ (1,277 )
 
                                               

 

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Net realized gains (losses) for nine months ended September 30, 2009
                                                                 
            Individual     Retirement     Group                          
    Retail     Life     Plans     Benefits     International     Institutional     Other     Total  
Gross gains on sales
  $ 81     $ 23     $ 28     $ 38     $ 61     $ 66     $ 52     $ 349  
Gross losses on sales
    (314 )     (33 )     (39 )     (15 )     (57 )     (119 )     (27 )     (604 )
Net OTTI losses
    (196 )     (41 )     (130 )     (51 )     (21 )     (406 )     (59 )     (904 )
Japanese fixed annuity contract hedges, net
                            28                   28  
Periodic net coupon settlements on credit derivatives/Japan
    (12 )     (3 )     (6 )     (2 )     5       (6 )     (5 )     (29 )
Results of variable annuity hedge program
                                                               
GMWB derivatives, net
    1,017                         53                   1,070  
Macro hedge program
    (596 )                       (96 )                 (692 )
 
                                               
Total results of variable annuity hedge program
    421                         (43 )                 378  
Other, net
    (135 )     (62 )     (81 )     (40 )     89       (14 )     (65 )     (308 )
 
                                               
Total net realized capital gains (losses)
    (155 )     (116 )     (228 )     (70 )     62       (479 )     (104 )     (1,090 )
Income tax expense (benefit) and DAC
    287       (46 )     (95 )     (25 )     33       (167 )     (38 )     (51 )
 
                                               
Total net realized gains (losses), net of tax and DAC
  $ (442 )   $ (70 )   $ (133 )   $ (45 )   $ 29     $ (312 )   $ (66 )   $ (1,039 )
 
                                               
Net realized gains (losses) for nine months ended September 30, 2008
                                                                 
            Individual     Retirement     Group                          
    Retail     Life     Plans     Benefits     International     Institutional     Other     Total  
Gross gains on sales
  $ 26     $ 13     $ 8     $ 20     $ 1     $ 29     $ 31     $ 128  
Gross losses on sales
    (50 )     (26 )     (33 )     (22 )     (11 )     (73 )     (29 )     (244 )
Net OTTI losses
    (393 )     (207 )     (210 )     (468 )     (106 )     (649 )     (82 )     (2,115 )
Japanese fixed annuity contract hedges, net
                            13                   13  
Periodic net coupon settlements on credit derivatives/Japan
    (3 )     (1 )     (2 )     (1 )     (26 )     1       6       (26 )
Fair value measurement transition impact
    (616 )                       (34 )                 (650 )
Results of variable annuity hedge program
                                                               
GMWB derivatives, net
    (241 )                       (15 )                 (256 )
Macro hedge program
    24                         5                   29  
 
                                               
Total results of variable annuity hedge program
    (217 )                       (10 )                 (227 )
Other, net
    (58 )     (6 )     1       (43 )     (5 )     (219 )     (9 )     (339 )
 
                                               
Total net realized capital losses
    (1,311 )     (227 )     (236 )     (514 )     (178 )     (911 )     (83 )     (3,460 )
Income tax benefit and DAC
    (735 )     (82 )     (87 )     (180 )     (81 )     (319 )     (29 )     (1,513 )
 
                                               
Total net realized losses, net of tax and DAC
  $ (576 )   $ (145 )   $ (149 )   $ (334 )   $ (97 )   $ (592 )   $ (54 )   $ (1,947 )
 
                                               

 

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For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the circumstances giving rise to Life’s net realized capital gains and losses are as follows:
     
Gross gains and losses on sales
 
     Gross gains and losses on sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 were predominantly within corporate securities resulting primarily from efforts to reduce portfolio risk and within U.S. Treasuries in order to reallocate the portfolio to securities with more favorable return profiles.
 
   
 
 
     Gross gains on sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 were predominantly within fixed maturities and were primarily comprised of corporate securities. Gross losses on sales were primarily comprised of corporate securities, CMBS and municipal securities. Gross gains and losses on sales primarily resulted from the decision to reallocate the portfolio to securities with more favorable risk/return profiles.
 
   
Net OTTI losses
 
     For further information, see Other-Than-Temporary Impairments within the Investment Credit Risk Section of the MD&A.
 
   
Variable annuity hedge program
 
     For the three months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded a loss of $190 on GMWB derivatives, net, comprised of a loss of $103 related to the Company’s GMWB reinsurance recoverable and a loss of $478 related to the Company’s GMWB dynamic hedging program partially offset by a gain of $391 related to the decrease in the liability for GMWB. Increasing equity markets resulted in a loss of $328 related to the Company’s macro hedge program.
 
   
 
 
     For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded a gain of $1.1 billion on GMWB derivatives, net, comprised of a gain of $3.7 billion related to the decrease in the liability for GMWB, significantly offset by a loss of $788 related to the Company’s GMWB reinsurance recoverable and a loss of $1.9 billion related to the Company’s GMWB dynamic hedging program. Increasing equity markets resulted in a loss of $692 related to the Company’s macro hedge program. For further information, see Investments and Derivative Instruments in Note 5 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. In addition, see the Company’s variable annuity hedging program sensitivity disclosures within Capital Markets Risk Management section of the MD&A.
 
   
Other, net
 
     Other, net losses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 primarily resulted from transactional foreign currency losses of $99, predominately on the internal reinsurance of the Japan variable annuity business, which is offset in AOCI. Also included were net additions to valuation allowances on impaired mortgage loans of $43.
 
   
 
 
     Other, net losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 primarily resulted from net losses of $246 on credit derivatives driven by credit spread tightening and net additions to valuation allowances on impaired mortgage loans of $144. These losses were partially offset by transactional foreign currency gains of $80, predominately on the internal reinsurance of the Japan variable annuity business.
 
   
 
 
     Other, net losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 were primarily related to net losses on credit derivatives of $106 and $314, respectively, due to significant credit spread widening on credit derivatives that assume credit exposure. Also included were derivative related losses of $39 due to counterparty default related to the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.

 

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RETAIL
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Operating Summary   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Fee income and other
  $ 526     $ 723       (27 %)   $ 1,560     $ 2,229       (30 %)
Earned premiums
    2       11       (82 %)           (2 )     100 %
Net investment income
    198       184       8 %     556       567       (2 %)
Net realized capital losses
    (617 )     (483 )     (28 %)     (155 )     (1,311 )     88 %
 
                                   
Total revenues [1]
    109       435       (75 %)     1,961       1,483       32 %
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses
    132       351       (62 %)     1,078       741       45 %
Insurance operating costs and other expenses
    263       294       (11 %)     768       933       (18 %)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits
    20       1,118       (98 %)     1,373       1,130       22 %
 
                                   
Total benefits, losses and expenses
    415       1,763       (76 %)     3,219       2,804       15 %
Loss before income taxes
    (306 )     (1,328 )     77 %     (1,258 )     (1,321 )     5 %
Income tax benefit
    (134 )     (506 )     74 %     (534 )     (592 )     10 %
 
                                   
Net loss [2]
  $ (172 )   $ (822 )     79 %   $ (724 )   $ (729 )     1 %
 
                                   
 
                                               
Assets Under Management
                                               
Individual variable annuity account values
                          $ 83,315     $ 92,250       (10 %)
Individual fixed annuity and other account values
                            12,084       10,687       13 %
Other retail products account values [3]
                                  500       (100 %)
 
                                         
Total account values [4]
                            95,399       103,437       (8 %)
Retail mutual fund assets under management
                            40,127       40,903       (2 %)
Other mutual fund assets under management
                            1,123       2,084       (46 %)
 
                                         
Total mutual fund assets under management
                            41,250       42,987       (4 %)
 
                                         
Total assets under management
                          $ 136,649     $ 146,424       (7 %)
 
                                         
     
[1]  
During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the transition impact related to the adoption of fair value accounting guidance was a reduction in revenues of $616.
 
[2]  
During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the transition impact related to the adoption of fair value accounting guidance was a reduction in net income of $209.
 
[3]  
Specialty products / Other transferred to International, effective January 1, 2009 on a prospective basis.
 
[4]  
Includes policyholders’ balances for investment contracts and reserves for future policy benefits for insurance contracts.
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008
Net loss improved for the three months ended September 30, 2009 primarily related to the third quarter 2009 DAC Unlock benefit of $69 compared with the third quarter 2008 DAC Unlock charge of $732, partially offset by higher realized capital losses and lower variable annuity and mutual fund fee income. The DAC Unlock benefit was driven primarily by improvements in equity markets throughout the second and third quarters of 2009. Net loss decreased slightly for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as decreases from the impacts of equity market declines on variable annuity and mutual fund fee income and higher 2009 individual annuity DAC amortization rate due to assumption changes from the DAC Unlocks and lower gross profits were offset by lower net realized capital losses due primarily to gains on GMWB derivatives and the transition impact related to the adoption of fair value accounting guidance, which resulted in the recognition of $616 of net realized capital losses in the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
Net realized capital losses worsened for the three months ended September 30, 2009, primarily due to the U.S. variable annuity hedge program, partially offset by lower impairment levels. Net realized capital losses improved for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 primarily due to gains in the variable annuity hedge program of $421 in 2009 compared with losses of $217 in 2008; as well as the recognition of $616 of losses associated with the transition impact related to the adoption of fair value accounting guidance.

 

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For further discussion of realized capital losses, see the Realized Capital Gains and Losses by Segment table under Life’s Operating Section of the MD&A. For further discussion of the 2009 and 2008 DAC Unlocks, see the Critical Accounting Estimates section of the MD&A. The following other factors contributed to the changes in net loss:
     
Fee income and other
 
     For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, fee income and other decreased primarily as a result of lower variable annuity and mutual fund fee income due to a decline in average account values. The decrease in average variable annuity account values can be attributed to market depreciation of $1.8 billion and net outflows of $7.1 billion during the last 12 months. Net outflows were driven by decreased sales, and continued surrender activity resulting from the aging of the variable annuity in-force block of business. The decline in mutual fund assets under management is primarily driven by market depreciation of $1.1 billion, partially offset by $408 of net flows during the last 12 months.
 
   
Net investment income
 
     For the three months ended September 30, 2009 net investment income increased primarily due to lower losses from limited partnerships and other alternative investments.
 
   
 
 
     For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 net investment income decreased primarily due to a decline in income from limited partnerships and other alternative investments, combined with lower yields on fixed maturities primarily due to interest rate declines and maintaining a greater percentage of short-term investments in the asset portfolio, partially offset by an increase in general account assets.
 
   
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
     For the three months ended September 30, 2009 benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses decreased primarily as a result of the impacts of the third quarter 2009 and 2008 Unlocks. The 2009 Unlock reduced death benefit expense, while the 2008 Unlock increased death benefit expense.
 
   
 
 
     For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses increased primarily as a result of the net impact of the Unlocks over the last twelve months, which increased the benefit ratio used in the calculation of GMDB reserves.
 
   
Insurance operating costs and other expenses
 
     For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, insurance operating costs and other expenses decreased primarily as a result of lower asset based trail commissions due to equity market declines, as well as ongoing efforts to actively reduce operating expenses.
 
   
Amortization of DAC
 
     For the three months ended September 30, 2009, amortization of DAC decreased primarily due to the impact of the third quarter 2009 Unlock benefit as compared to the third quarter of 2008 Unlock charge.
 
   
 
 
     For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, amortization of DAC increased primarily due to the higher individual annuity DAC amortization rate in 2009 as compared to 2008 due primarily to Unlock assumption changes made over the last twelve months and lower gross profits in 2009. Additionally, the adoption of fair value accounting guidance at the beginning of the first quarter of 2008 resulted in a DAC benefit.
 
   
Income tax benefit
 
     For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the income tax benefit is primarily due to the pre-tax losses driven by the factors discussed previously. For the three months ended September 30, 2009, the decline in tax benefits is relatively consistent with the improvement in pre-tax losses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, tax benefits declined primarily due to lower DRD benefit. The difference from a 35% tax rate is primarily due to the recognition of tax benefits associated with the DRD and foreign tax credits.

 

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INDIVIDUAL LIFE
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Operating Summary   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Fee income and other
  $ 248     $ 220       13 %   $ 778     $ 675       15 %
Earned premiums
    (22 )     (15 )     (47 %)     (61 )     (52 )     (17 %)
Net investment income
    86       84       2 %     249       264       (6 %)
Net realized capital losses
    (36 )     (170 )     79 %     (116 )     (227 )     49 %
 
                                   
Total revenues
    276       119       132 %     850       660       29 %
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses
    165       159       4 %     476       466       2 %
Insurance operating costs and other expenses
    44       49       (10 %)     138       147       (6 %)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits
    80       73       10 %     260       142       83 %
 
                                   
Total benefits, losses and expenses
    289       281       3 %     874       755       16 %
Loss before income taxes
    (13 )     (162 )     92 %     (24 )     (95 )     75 %
Income tax benefit
    (17 )     (60 )     72 %     (26 )     (43 )     40 %
 
                                   
Net income (loss)
  $ 4     $ (102 )   NM   $ 2     $ (52 )   NM
 
                                   
 
                                               
Account Values
                                               
Variable universal life insurance
                          $ 5,552     $ 5,848       (5 %)
Universal life/interest sensitive whole life
                            4,965       4,663       6 %
Modified guaranteed life and other
                            626       660       (5 %)
 
                                         
Total account values
                          $ 11,143     $ 11,171        
 
                                         
 
Life Insurance In-Force
                                               
Variable universal life insurance
                          $ 75,667     $ 78,809       (4 %)
Universal life/interest sensitive whole life
                            53,906       51,355       5 %
Term life
                            68,388       60,261       13 %
Modified guaranteed life and other
                            928       936       (1 %)
 
                                         
Total life insurance in-force
                          $ 198,889     $ 191,361       4 %
 
                                         
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008
Net income (loss) increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, driven primarily by lower net realized capital losses and the impact of the Unlocks. For further discussion of net realized capital losses, see Realized Capital Gains and Losses by Segment table under Life’s Operating section of the MD&A. For further discussion on the Unlock, see the Critical Accounting Estimates section of the MD&A. The following other factors contributed to the changes in net income (loss):
     
Fee income and other
 
     Fee income and other increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 primarily due to an increase in cost of insurance charges of $9 and $31, respectively, as a result of growth in guaranteed universal life insurance in-force. Also contributing to these increases was the impact of the 2009 Unlocks, partially offset by lower variable life fees as a result of equity market declines.
 
   
Earned premiums
 
     Earned premiums, which include premiums for ceded reinsurance, decreased for the three and nine months ended primarily due to increased ceded reinsurance premiums due to aging and growth in life insurance in-force.
 
   
Net investment income
 
     Net investment income was higher for the three months ended September 30, 2009 primarily due to lower losses from limited partnership and other alternative investments. Net investment income was lower for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 primarily due to higher losses from limited partnership and other alternative investments, combined with lower yields on fixed maturity investments, partially offset by growth in general account values.

 

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Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
     Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 increased slightly over the prior year periods primarily due to reserve increases on secondary guaranteed universal life products. Partially offsetting the nine month increase was lower death benefits related to favorable mortality experience.
 
   
Insurance operating costs and other expenses
 
     For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, insurance operating costs and other expenses decreased as a result of continued active expense management efforts.
 
   
Amortization of DAC
 
     For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the increase in DAC amortization was primarily attributed to additional Unlock charges in 2009 compared to 2008. DAC amortization had a partial offset in amortization of deferred revenues, included in fee income.
 
   
Income tax benefit
 
     For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, income tax benefit decreased as a result of improved earnings before income taxes primarily due to lower net realized capital losses and the effects of the 2009 Unlocks. The effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate of 35% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 primarily due to the recognition of the DRD.

 

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RETIREMENT PLANS
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Operating Summary   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Fee income and other
  $ 83     $ 94       (12 %)   $ 234     $ 259       (10 %)
Earned premiums
    1       1             3       3        
Net investment income
    80       87       (8 %)     237       267       (11 %)
Net realized capital losses
    (89 )     (181 )     51 %     (228 )     (236 )     3 %
 
                                   
Total revenues
    75       1     NM     246       293       (16 %)
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses
    62       69       (10 %)     204       200       2 %
Insurance operating costs and other expenses
    81       95       (15 %)     241       248       (3 %)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits
    (15 )     94     NM       63       93       (32 %)
 
                                   
Total benefits, losses and expenses
    128       258       (50 %)     508       541       (6 %)
Loss before income taxes
    (53 )     (257 )     79 %     (262 )     (248 )     (6 %)
Income tax benefit
    (19 )     (97 )     80 %     (100 )     (114 )     12 %
 
                                   
Net loss
  $ (34 )   $ (160 )     79 %   $ (162 )   $ (134 )     (21 %)
 
                                   
 
                                               
Assets Under Management
                                               
403(b)/457 account values
                          $ 10,760     $ 11,432       (6 %)
401(k) account values
                            15,339       13,736       12 %
 
                                         
Total account values [1]
                            26,099       25,168       4 %
403(b)/457 mutual fund assets under management
                            207       104       99 %
401(k) mutual fund assets under management
                            16,441       18,022       (9 %)
 
                                         
Total mutual fund assets under management
                            16,648       18,126       (8 %)
 
                                         
Total assets under management
                          $ 42,747     $ 43,294       (1 %)
 
                                         
Total assets under administration — 401(k)
                          $ 5,867     $ 5,853        
 
                                         
     
[1]  
Includes policyholder balances for investment contracts and reserves for future policy benefits for insurance contracts.
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008
Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2009 decreased primarily due to lower net realized capital losses, along with the third quarter 2009 DAC Unlock of $0 compared to the third quarter 2008 DAC Unlock charge of $49. Net loss in Retirement Plans increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 due to lower net investment income and fee income. For further discussion of net realized capital losses, see Realized Capital Gains and Losses by Segment table under Life’s Operating section of the MD&A. For further discussion of the DAC Unlock, see the Critical Accounting Estimates section of the MD&A. The following other factors contributed to the changes in net loss:
     
Fee income and other
 
     For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, fee income and other decreased primarily due to lower average account values.
 
   
Net investment income
 
     For the three months ended September 30, 2009, net investment income decreased primarily as a result of lower yields on fixed maturity investments. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, net investment income decreased primarily as a result of lower yields on fixed maturity investments and lower limited partnership and other alternative investment returns.
 
   
Insurance operating costs and other expenses
 
     Insurance operating costs and other expenses decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 due to expense management initiatives and higher expenses incurred in the prior year period associated with the acquired businesses. Partially offsetting this favorability for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 is that 2009 includes a full nine months of operating expenses associated with the businesses acquired in the latter part of the first quarter of 2008.
 
   
Amortization of DAC
 
     Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as a result of a higher DAC Unlock charge in the third quarter of 2008 as compared to an Unlock of $0 in the third quarter of 2009.
 
   
Income tax benefit
 
     For the three months ended September 30, 2009 the income tax benefit is lower than the prior year periods income tax benefit due to a lower loss before income taxes primarily due to decreased realized capital losses and the DAC Unlock change in the third quarter of 2008. The effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate of 35% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008 primarily due to the recognition of the DRD.

 

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GROUP BENEFITS
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Operating Summary   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Premiums and other considerations
  $ 1,069     $ 1,109       (4 %)   $ 3,281     $ 3,283        
Net investment income
    105       111       (5 %)     298       330       (10 %)
Net realized capital losses
    (32 )     (441 )     93 %     (70 )     (514 )     86 %
 
                                   
Total revenues
    1,142       779       47 %     3,509       3,099       13 %
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses
    742       780       (5 %)     2,424       2,379       2 %
Insurance operating costs and other expenses
    295       283       4 %     846       838       1 %
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
    16       15       7 %     45       42       7 %
 
                                   
Total benefits, losses and expenses
    1,053       1,078       (2 %)     3,315       3,259       2 %
Income (loss) before income taxes
    89       (299 )   NM     194       (160 )   NM
Income tax expense (benefit)
    24       (113 )   NM       46       (82 )   NM  
 
                                   
Net income (loss)
  $ 65     $ (186 )   NM   $ 148     $ (78 )   NM
 
                                   
 
                                               
Earned Premiums and Other
                                               
Fully insured — ongoing premiums
  $ 1,059     $ 1,099       (4 %)   $ 3,251     $ 3,255        
Buyout premiums
          1       (100 %)           1       (100 %)
Other
    10       9       11 %     30       27       11 %
 
                                   
Total earned premiums and other
  $ 1,069     $ 1,109       (4 %)   $ 3,281     $ 3,283    
 
                                   
 
Ratios, excluding buyouts
                                               
Loss ratio
    69.4 %     70.3 %             73.9 %     72.5 %        
Loss ratio, excluding financial institutions
    74.0 %     74.8 %             78.2 %     77.1 %        
Expense ratio
    29.1 %     26.9 %             27.2 %     26.8 %        
Expense ratio, excluding financial institutions
    22.9 %     22.1 %             22.5 %     22.3 %        
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008
The increase in net income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, was primarily due to lower realized capital losses in 2009 as compared to 2008. For further discussion, see Realized Capital Gains and Losses by Segment table under Life’s Operating Section of the MD&A. The following other factors contributed to the changes in net income (loss):
     
Premiums and other considerations
 
     Premiums and other considerations decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, primarily due to reductions in the covered lives within our customer base.
 
   
Net investment income
 
     For the three months ended September 30, 2009, net investment income decreased primarily as a result of lower yields on fixed maturity investments. Additionally, net investment income decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 due to lower limited partnership and other alternative investment returns.
 
   
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses/Loss ratio
 
     The segment’s loss ratio (defined as benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses as a percentage of premiums and other considerations excluding buyouts) decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2009 primarily due to favorable mortality experience. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the segment’s loss ratio increased primarily due to unfavorable morbidity experience, which was largely the result of unfavorable reserve development from the 2008 incurral loss year. Although the 2008 development was unfavorable, the 2008 loss year continues to perform within the normal range of volatility.
 
   
Expense ratio
 
     The segment’s expense ratio, excluding buyouts increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the prior year due primarily to a commission accrual adjustment recorded in the third quarter of 2009 on the financial institutions business.

 

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INTERNATIONAL
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Operating Summary   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Fee income
  $ 222     $ 225       (1 %)   $ 605     $ 684       (12 %)
Earned premiums
    (2 )     (2 )           (5 )     (7 )     29 %
Net investment income
    45       34       32 %     141       104       36 %
Net realized capital gains (losses)
    (156 )     (67 )     (133 %)     62       (178 )   NM  
 
                                   
Total revenues [1]
    109       190       (43 %)     803       603       33 %
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses
    39       157       (75 %)     554       188       195 %
Insurance operating costs and other expenses
    64       84       (24 %)     229       234       (2 %)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits
    65       99       (34 %)     310       211       47 %
 
                                   
Total benefits, losses and expenses
    168       340       (51 %)     1,093       633       73 %
Loss before income taxes
    (59 )     (150 )     61 %     (290 )     (30 )   NM
Income tax benefit
    (27 )     (43 )     37 %     (84 )     (3 )   NM  
 
                                   
Net loss [2]
  $ (32 )   $ (107 )     70 %   $ (206 )   $ (27 )   NM
 
                                   
 
Assets Under Management — Japan
                                               
Japan variable annuity account values [3]
                          $ 31,698     $ 32,706       (3 %)
Japan MVA fixed annuity and other account values [3]
                            4,732       2,416       96 %
 
                                         
Total assets under management — Japan
                          $ 36,430     $ 35,122       4 %
 
                                         
     
[1]  
The transition impact related to the adoption of fair value accounting guidance was a reduction in revenues of $34 during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
 
[2]  
The transition impact related to the adoption of fair value accounting guidance was a reduction in net income of $11 during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
 
[3]  
Japan fixed annuity and other account values include a $2 billion increase as of September 30, 2009 due to the impact of the GMIB pay-out annuity account value trigger for the 3 Win product with a corresponding decrease to Japan variable annuity account values. This payout annuity account value is not expected to generate material future profit or loss to the Company.
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008
Net loss decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as a result of a favorable third quarter 2009 Unlock, partially offset by a decrease in fee income and increased capital losses. Net loss increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 due to an unfavorable first quarter 2009 Unlock and lower fee income, partially offset by realized capital gains and a favorable second and third quarter 2009 Unlock. For further discussion on the Unlocks, see the Critical Accounting Estimates section of the MD&A. For further discussion of realized capital gains, see Realized Capital Gains and Losses by Segment table under Life’s Operating Section of the MD&A. The following other factors contributed to the changes in net loss:
     
Fee income
 
     Fee income decreased $3 and $79, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively. The decrease in fee income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was driven by lower variable annuity fee income due to a decline in Japan’s variable annuity account values. The decrease in account values over the prior year was attributed to market value depreciation of $2.8 billion and net outflows of $3.6 billion, partially offset by the strengthening of the Yen versus the U.S. Dollar.
 
   
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
     Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2009, as a result of a favorable Unlock in the third quarter of 2009, partially offset by increased claim costs. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, benefits, losses, and loss adjustment expenses increased, driven by an unfavorable Unlock in the first quarter of 2009, a 3 Win related charge of $39, after-tax, and increased claim cost. For further discussion on the Unlocks, see the Critical Accounting Estimates section of the MD&A.
 
   
Insurance operating costs and other expenses
 
     Insurance operating costs and other expenses decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 due to expense savings associated with the restructuring of the International operations.
 
   
Amortization of DAC
 
     Amortization of DAC decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2009, as a result of a favorable Unlock in the third quarter of 2009. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, amortization of DAC increased, driven by an unfavorable Unlock in the first quarter of 2009 partially offset by a favorable third quarter Unlock. For further discussion on the Unlocks, see the Critical Accounting Estimates section of the MD&A.
 
   
Income tax benefit
 
     Income tax benefit declined for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as a result of fluctuating earnings and varying tax rates by country.

 

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INSTITUTIONAL
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Operating Summary   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Fee income and other
  $ 28     $ 40       (30 %)   $ 106     $ 119       (11 %)
Earned premiums
    31       241       (87 %)     313       671       (53 %)
Net investment income
    216       240       (10 %)     630       813       (23 %)
Net realized capital losses
    (145 )     (605 )     76 %     (479 )     (911 )     47 %
 
                                   
Total revenues
    130       (84 )   NM     570       692       (18 %)
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses
    262       485       (46 %)     1,032       1,431       (28 %)
Insurance operating costs and other expenses
    19       35       (46 %)     63       93       (32 %)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits
    6       5       20 %     13       16       (19 %)
 
                                   
Total benefits, losses and expenses
    287       525       (45 %)     1,108       1,540       (28 %)
Loss before income taxes
    (157 )     (609 )     74 %     (538 )     (848 )     37 %
Income tax benefit
    (56 )     (216 )     74 %     (197 )     (305 )     35 %
 
                                   
Net loss
  $ (101 )   $ (393 )     74 %   $ (341 )   $ (543 )     37 %
 
                                   
 
                                               
Assets Under Management
                                               
Institutional account values [1]
                          $ 23,128     $ 24,496       (6 %)
Private Placement Life Insurance account values [1]
                            33,197       32,866       1 %
Mutual fund assets under management
                            4,453       3,325       34 %
 
                                         
Total assets under management
                          $ 60,778     $ 60,687        
 
                                         
     
[1]  
Includes policyholder balances for investment contracts and reserves for future policy benefits for insurance contracts.
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008
Net loss in Institutional decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 as lower net realized capital losses were partially offset by a decline in net investment spread. For further discussion of net realized capital losses, see Realized Capital Gains and Losses by Segment table under Life’s Operating Section of the MD&A. The following other factors contributed to changes in net loss:
     
Earned premiums
 
     Earned premiums decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 as ratings downgrades reduced payout annuity sales. The decrease in earned premiums was offset by a corresponding decrease in benefits, losses, and loss adjustment expenses.
 
   
Net investment income
 
     Net investment income declined for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decline is a result of lower yields on variable rate securities due to declines in short-term interest rates, an increased allocation to lower yielding U.S. Treasuries and short-term investments, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, decreased returns on limited partnership and other alternative investments. The lower yield on variable rate securities was partially offset by a corresponding decrease in interest credited on liabilities reported in benefits, losses, and loss adjustment expenses.
 
   
Insurance operating costs and other expenses
 
     Insurance operating costs and other expenses decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 due to active expense management efforts and reduced information technology expenses.

 

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OTHER
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Operating Summary   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Fee income and other
  $ 18     $ 17       6 %   $ 45     $ 49       (8 %)
Net investment income (loss):
                                               
Securities available-for sale and other
    18       19       (5 %)     65       62       5 %
Equity securities, trading [1]
    638       (3,415 )   NM       2,437       (5,840 )   NM  
 
                                   
Total net investment income (loss)
    656       (3,396 )   NM       2,502       (5,778 )   NM  
Net realized capital losses
    (51 )     (65 )     22 %     (104 )     (83 )     (25 %)
 
                                   
Total revenues
    623       (3,444 )   NM     2,443       (5,812 )   NM
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses
    19       44       (57 %)     66       118       (44 %)
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses — returns credited on International variable annuities [1]
    638       (3,415 )   NM       2,437       (5,840 )   NM  
Insurance operating costs and other expenses
    41       (2 )   NM       118       25     NM  
 
                                   
Total benefits, losses and expenses
    698       (3,373 )   NM     2,621       (5,697 )   NM
Loss before income taxes
    (75 )     (71 )     (6 %)     (178 )     (115 )     (55 %)
Income tax benefit
    (22 )     (26 )     15 %     (56 )     (42 )     (33 %)
 
                                   
Net loss
  $ (53 )   $ (45 )     (18 %)   $ (122 )   $ (73 )     (67 %)
 
                                   
     
[1]  
Includes investment income (loss) and mark-to-market effects of equity securities, trading, supporting the international variable annuity business, which are classified in net investment income with corresponding amounts credited to policyholders within benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses.
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008
     
Net investment income on securities available-for-sale and other
 
     Net investment income on securities available-for-sale and other increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the prior year period due to greater declines in yields and income on fixed maturity investments and limited partnerships and other alternative investments, offset by the effects of inter-segment eliminations in 2009.
 
   
Net realized capital losses
 
     See Realized Capital Gains and Losses by Segment table under Life’s Operating section of the MD&A.
 
   
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
     Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 due to intersegment eliminations of $19 and $49, respectively.
 
   
Insurance operating costs and other expenses
 
     Insurance operating costs and other expenses increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 due to restructuring costs that include severance benefits and other costs associated with the suspension of sales in International’s Japan and European operations. Additionally, litigation reserves increased in the third quarter of 2009. See Note 17 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on the Company’s restructuring, severance and other costs.

 

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PROPERTY & CASUALTY
Executive Overview
Property & Casualty is organized into five reporting segments: the underwriting segments of Personal Lines, Small Commercial, Middle Market and Specialty Commercial (collectively, “Ongoing Operations”); and the Other Operations segment.
Property & Casualty provides a number of coverages, as well as insurance related services, to businesses throughout the United States, including workers’ compensation, property, automobile, liability, umbrella, specialty casualty, marine, livestock, fidelity, surety, professional liability and directors and officers’ liability coverages. Property & Casualty also provides automobile, homeowners and home-based business coverage to individuals throughout the United States, as well as insurance-related services to businesses.
Property & Casualty derives its revenues principally from premiums earned for insurance coverages provided to insureds, investment income, and, to a lesser extent, from fees earned for services provided to third parties and net realized capital gains and losses. Premiums charged for insurance coverages are earned principally on a pro rata basis over the terms of the related policies in-force.
Service fees principally include revenues from third party claims administration services provided by Specialty Risk Services and revenues from member contact center services provided through the AARP Health program.
Premium Measures
Written premium is a statutory accounting financial measure which represents the amount of premiums charged for policies issued, net of reinsurance, during a fiscal period. Earned premium is a measure under both U.S. GAAP and statutory accounting principles. Premiums are considered earned and are included in the financial results on a pro rata basis over the policy period. Management believes that written premium is a performance measure that is useful to investors as it reflects current trends in the Company’s sale of property and casualty insurance products. Earned premium is also recorded net of ceded reinsurance premium. Reinstatement premium represents additional ceded premium paid for the reinstatement of the amount of reinsurance coverage that was reduced as a result of a reinsurance loss payment.
Key Performance Ratios and Measures
The Company considers several measures and ratios to be the key performance indicators for the property and casualty underwriting businesses. For a detailed discussion of the Company’s key performance and profitability ratios and measures, see the Property & Casualty Executive Overview section of the MD&A included in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report. The following table and the segment discussions include the more significant ratios and measures of profitability for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008. Management believes that these ratios and measures are useful in understanding the underlying trends in The Hartford’s property and casualty insurance underwriting business. However, these key performance indicators should only be used in conjunction with, and not in lieu of, underwriting income for the underwriting segments of Personal Lines, Small Commercial, Middle Market and Specialty Commercial and net income for the Property & Casualty business as a whole, Ongoing Operations and Other Operations. These ratios and measures may not be comparable to other performance measures used by the Company’s competitors.
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Ongoing Operations earned premium growth   2009     2008     2009     2008  
Personal Lines
    1 %     (1 %)           1 %
Small Commercial
    (6 %)     (1 %)     (6 %)      
Middle Market
    (10 %)     (5 %)     (8 %)     (5 %)
Specialty Commercial
    (14 %)     (6 %)     (10 %)     (5 %)
 
                       
Total Ongoing Operations
    (5 %)     (2 %)     (4 %)     (1 %)
 
                       
Ongoing Operations combined ratio
                               
Combined ratio before catastrophes and prior year development
    93.8       91.8       91.4       90.1  
Catastrophe ratio
                               
Current year
    4.7       12.7       4.3       7.0  
Prior years
    (0.4 )     (0.2 )     (0.1 )     (0.2 )
 
                       
Total catastrophe ratio
    4.4       12.5       4.3       6.8  
Non-catastrophe prior year development
    (5.2 )     (2.6 )     (3.4 )     (1.9 )
 
                       
Combined ratio
    93.0       101.7       92.2       95.1  
 
                       
 
                               
Other Operations net loss
  $ (39 )   $ (108 )   $ (87 )   $ (91 )
 
                       

 

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Three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008
Ongoing Operations earned premium growth
     
Personal Lines
 
    The change to 1% growth for the three-month period was primarily driven by the effect of new business growth since the first quarter of 2009 beginning to outpace the effect of lower average earned renewal premium per policy on auto business. The change to no growth for the nine-month period was primarily due to a lower earned premium growth rate on AARP business and a steeper earned premium decline on Agency business. The lower earned premium growth rate on AARP business was primarily due to a decrease in premium renewal retention since the third quarter of 2008 and the steeper earned premium decline on Agency was driven by a decrease in premium renewal retention in the first six months of 2009.
 
   
Small Commercial
 
    The change to a 6% earned premium decline in both the three- and nine-month periods of 2009 was primarily attributable to lower earned audit premium on workers’ compensation business and the effect of non-renewals outpacing new business over the last six months of 2008 and first three months of 2009 in all lines, including workers’ compensation, package business and commercial auto.
 
   
Middle Market
 
    The steeper earned premium decline in both the three- and nine-month periods of 2009 was primarily driven by decreases in general liability and commercial auto due to earned pricing decreases and the effect of a decline in new business and premium renewal retention over the last nine months of 2008 and first six months of 2009. Middle Market workers’ compensation earned premium increased modestly as the effect of an increase in new business written premium over the last six months of 2008 and first six months of 2009 was partially offset by lower earned audit premium.
 
   
Specialty Commercial
 
    For both the three and nine month periods, earned premium declined in all lines of business, primarily driven by a larger decrease in property earned premium. Effective March 31, 2009, the Company sold its core excess and surplus lines property business to Beazley Group PLC.
Ongoing Operations combined ratio
     
Combined ratio before catastrophes and prior accident years development
 
    For the three-month period, the 2.0 increase in the combined ratio before catastrophes and prior accident year development was primarily due to a 1.4 point increase in the current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio before catastrophes. For the nine-month period, the 1.3 point increase in the combined ratio before catastrophes and prior accident year development was due primarily to a 1.4 point increase in the expense ratio.

 
 
    The current loss and loss adjustment expense ratio before catastrophes increased by 1.4 points in the three-month period. Among other factors, the increase was driven by an increase for Personal Lines auto and homeowners’ business.

 
 
    The increase in the expense ratio for the nine-month period includes the effects of the decrease in earned premiums, higher amortization of Personal Lines acquisition costs and increased IT costs. The increase in the expense ratio also includes a $23 increase in taxes, licenses and fees due to a $6 increase in the assessment for a second injury fund and $17 reserve strengthening for other state funds and taxes. Partially offsetting these expense increases was a $34 decrease in TWIA assessments related to hurricane Ike and a $26 increase in the estimated amount of dividends payable to certain workers’ compensation policyholders due to underwriting profits recognized in the nine-month period of 2008.
 
   
Catastrophes
 
    The catastrophe ratio decreased 8.1 points for the three-month period and decreased 2.5 points for the nine-month period as losses from hurricane Ike in 2008 were higher than catastrophe losses in 2009 from hail and windstorms in Colorado, the Midwest and the Southeast.
 
   
Non-catastrophe prior accident years development
 
    Favorable reserve development for the three- and nine-month periods in 2009 included, among other reserve changes, the release of reserves for general liability claims, primarily related to accident years 2003 to 2007, the release of reserves for directors’ and officers’ claims for accident years 2003 to 2007 and the release of workers’ compensation reserves, partially offset by strengthening of reserves for Small Commercial package business. See the Reserves Section of the MD&A for a discussion of prior accident year reserve development for Ongoing Operations in 2009.

 

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Other Operations net income (loss)
 
Other Operations reported a lower net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the respective prior year periods. The lower net loss in the three-month period of 2009 was primarily due to a decrease in net realized capital losses, partially offset by a $22 increase in net unfavorable prior accident year reserve development for environmental reserves. For the nine-month period, the lower net loss was primarily due to a decrease in net realized capital losses and a decrease of $20 in the allowance for uncollectible reinsurance as a result of the Company’s annual evaluation of reinsurance recoverables. Offsetting these drivers was an increase in net unfavorable prior accident year reserve development for asbestos and environmental reserves and a decrease in net investment income. The nine months ended September 30, 2009 included $138 and $75 of reserve strengthening as a result of the Company’s annual asbestos and environmental evaluations, respectively. In comparison, the nine months ended September 30, 2008 included $50 and $53 of asbestos and environmental reserve strengthening, respectively. See the Other Operations segment MD&A for further discussion.
Investment Results
The primary investment objective for Property & Casualty’s Ongoing Operations segment is to maximize economic value while generating sufficient after-tax income to meet policyholder and corporate obligations. For Property & Casualty’s Other Operations segment, the investment objective is to ensure the full and timely payment of all liabilities. Property & Casualty’s investment strategies are developed based on a variety of factors including business needs, regulatory requirements and tax considerations.
The following table presents Property & Casualty’s invested assets by type.
                                 
Composition of Invested Assets  
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
    Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent  
Fixed maturities, AFS, at fair value
  $ 22,577       84.1 %   $ 19,775       81.7 %
Equity securities, AFS, at fair value
    620       2.3 %     674       2.8 %
Mortgage loans
    690       2.6 %     785       3.2 %
Limited partnerships and other alternative investments
    952       3.5 %     1,166       4.8 %
Other investments [1]
    113       0.4 %     207       0.9 %
Short-term investments
    1,902       7.1 %     1,597       6.6 %
 
                       
Total investments
  $ 26,854       100.0 %   $ 24,204       100.0 %
 
                       
     
[1]  
Primarily relates to derivative instruments.
Total investments increased primarily due to improved security valuations on fixed maturities due to credit spread tightening, partially offset by rising interest rates and declines in limited partnerships and other alternative investments due to hedge fund redemptions and negative re-valuations of the underlying investments associated primarily with real estate and private equity markets.
The following table below summarizes Property & Casualty’s net investment income.
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
(Before-tax)   Amount     Yield [1]     Amount     Yield [1]     Amount     Yield [1]     Amount     Yield [1]  
Fixed maturities [2]
  $ 288       4.7 %   $ 364       5.5 %   $ 898       4.9 %   $ 1,092       5.5 %
Equity securities, AFS
    6       4.4 %     17       5.8 %     25       6.7 %     56       6.2 %
Mortgage loans
    9       5.0 %     11       5.8 %     27       4.8 %     30       5.6 %
Limited partnerships and other
alternative investments
    (12 )     (4.5 %)     (42 )     (11.8 %)     (148 )     (17.5 %)     (45 )     (4.4 %)
Other [3]
    11               (8 )             18               (23 )        
Investment expense
    (8 )             (7 )             (21 )             (19 )        
 
                                               
Net investment income, before-tax
    294       4.3 %     335       4.6 %     799       4.0 %     1,091       4.9 %
 
                                               
Net investment income, after-tax [4]
  $ 224       3.3 %   $ 248       3.4 %   $ 616       3.1 %   $ 810       3.7 %
 
                                               
     
[1]  
Yields calculated using annualized investment income before investment expenses divided by the monthly average invested assets at cost, amortized cost, or adjusted carrying value, as applicable, excluding collateral received associated with the securities lending program. Included in the fixed maturity yield is other, which primarily relates to fixed maturities (see footnote [3] below). Included in the total net investment income yield is investment expense.
 
[2]  
Includes net investment income on short-term investments.
 
[3]  
Primarily represents income from derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting and hedge fixed maturities. Also includes fees associated with securities lending activities of $0 and $1, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, and $4 and $22 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively. The income from securities lending activities is included within fixed maturities.
 
[4]  
Due to significant holdings in tax-exempt investments, after-tax net investment income and yield are also included.

 

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Three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008
Net investment income decreased primarily due to lower income on fixed maturities as the result of increased allocation to short-term investments and lower yields on variable rate securities due to declines in short-term interest rates. This decline was partially offset by decreased losses on limited partnerships and other alternative investments primarily on hedge fund and private equity investments, as well as income from interest rate swaps reported above as other income.
Nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008
Net investment income decreased primarily due to lower income on fixed maturities and limited partnerships and other alternative investments. The decline in fixed maturity income was primarily due to an increased allocation to short-term investments and lower yields on variable rate securities due to declines in short-term interest rates. A portion of this decline was offset by income from interest rate swaps reported above as other income. The decline in limited partnerships and other alternative investment income was primarily due to negative re-valuations of the underlying investments associated primarily with the real estate and private equity markets.
The following table summarizes Property & Casualty’s net realized capital losses.
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
Gross gains on sales
  $ 74     $ 12     $ 219     $ 95  
Gross losses on sales
    (36 )     (82 )     (406 )     (195 )
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings
    (83 )     (1,312 )     (167 )     (1,425 )
Periodic net coupon settlements on credit derivatives
    (3 )     2       (10 )     5  
Other, net
    (42 )     (48 )     (127 )     (111 )
 
                       
Net realized capital losses, before-tax
  $ (90 )   $ (1,428 )   $ (491 )   $ (1,631 )
 
                       
The circumstances giving rise to Property& Casualty’s net realized capital losses are as follows:
     
Gross gains and losses on sales
 
    Gross gains on sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 were primarily comprised of corporate, government and municipal securities. Gross losses on sales were primarily within financial services, CMBS and government securities. These sales resulted primarily from efforts to reduce portfolio risk and reallocate the portfolio to securities with more favorable return profiles.
 
   
 
 
    Gross gains on sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 were predominantly within fixed maturities and were comprised of corporate and municipal securities. Gross losses on sales were primarily comprised of financial services securities. Gross gains and losses on sale primarily resulted from the decision to reallocate the portfolio to securities with more favorable risk/return profiles.
 
   
Net OTTI losses
 
    For further information, see Other-Than-Temporary Impairments within the Investment Credit Risk Section of the MD&A.
 
   
Other, net
 
    Other, net losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 primarily resulted from net losses of $13 and $74, respectively, on credit derivatives driven by credit spread tightening. Also included in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, were net additions to valuation allowances on impaired mortgage loans of $49, partially offset by a gain on the sale of First State Management Group (“FSMG”). For more information regarding the sale of FSMG, refer to Note 15 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
   
 
 
    Other, net losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, were primarily related to net losses on credit derivatives of $42 and $118, respectively, primarily due to significant credit spread widening on credit derivatives that assume credit exposure. Also included were derivative related losses of $7 due to counterparty default related to the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.

 

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Reserves
Reserving for property and casualty losses is an estimation process. As additional experience and other relevant claim data become available, reserve levels are adjusted accordingly. Such adjustments of reserves related to claims incurred in prior years are a natural occurrence in the loss reserving process and are referred to as “reserve development”. Reserve development that increases previous estimates of ultimate cost is called “reserve strengthening”. Reserve development that decreases previous estimates of ultimate cost is called “reserve releases”. Reserve development can influence the comparability of year over year underwriting results and is set forth in the paragraphs and tables that follow. The “prior accident years development (pts)” in the following table represents the ratio of reserve development to earned premiums. For a detailed discussion of the Company’s reserve policies, see Notes 1, 11 and 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and the Critical Accounting Estimates section of the MD&A included in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report.
Based on the results of the quarterly reserve review process, the Company determines the appropriate reserve adjustments, if any, to record. Recorded reserve estimates are changed after consideration of numerous factors, including but not limited to, the magnitude of the difference between the actuarial indication and the recorded reserves, improvement or deterioration of actuarial indications in the period, the maturity of the accident year, trends observed over the recent past and the level of volatility within a particular line of business. In general, changes are made more quickly to more mature accident years and less volatile lines of business. For information regarding reserving for asbestos and environmental claims within Other Operations, refer to the Other Operations segment discussion.
As part of its quarterly reserve review process, the Company is closely monitoring reported loss development in certain lines where the recent emergence of paid losses and case reserves could indicate a trend that may eventually lead the Company to change its estimate of ultimate losses in those lines. If, and when, the emergence of reported losses is determined to be a trend that changes the Company’s estimate of ultimate losses, prior accident years reserves would be adjusted in the period the change in estimate is made.
While the Company expects its losses from the sub-prime mortgage and credit crisis, as well as its exposure to the Madoff and Stanford cases to be manageable, there is nonetheless the risk that claims under directors’ and officers’ (“D&O”) and errors and omissions (“E&O”) insurance policies incurred in the 2007 and 2008 accident years may develop adversely as the claims are settled. However, so far, the Company has seen no evidence of adverse loss experience related to these events. In fact, reported losses to date for claims under D&O and E&O policies for the 2007 accident year have been emerging favorably to initial expectations. In addition, for the 2003 to 2006 accident years, reported losses for claims under D&O and E&O policies have been emerging favorably to initial expectations due to lower than expected claim severity. The Company released a total of $74 of reserves for D&O and E&O claims in the first nine months of 2009 related to the 2003 to 2007 accident years. Any continued favorable emergence of claims under D&O and E&O insurance policies for the 2007 and prior accident years could lead the Company to reduce reserves for these liabilities in future quarters.
During the first and second quarters of 2009, the Company increased its estimate of unreported claims related to customs bonds. Because the pattern of claim reporting for customs bonds has not been similar to the reporting pattern of other surety bonds, future claim activity is difficult to predict. It is possible that as additional claim activity emerges, our estimate of both the number of future claims and the cost of those claims could change substantially.
During the second and third quarters of 2009, the Company increased its estimate of the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio for the 2009 accident year on personal auto liability claims, strengthening prior quarter reserves by $12 in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The reserves were strengthened primarily as a result of increasing auto claim frequency coupled with lower average earned premium per policy as a result of a shift to more preferred market business which lowers average premium. The increasing frequency trend is still developing and if these trends continue, it is possible that the Company may need to strengthen 2009 accident year reserves in the fourth quarter of 2009.

 

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A roll-forward follows of Property & Casualty liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009:
                                                         
Three Months Ended September 30, 2009  
    Personal     Small     Middle     Specialty     Ongoing     Other     Total  
  Lines     Commercial     Market     Commercial     Operations     Operations     P&C  
Beginning liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses-gross
  $ 2,077     $ 3,626     $ 4,704     $ 6,939     $ 17,346     $ 4,556     $ 21,902  
Reinsurance and other recoverables
    54       168       447       2,001       2,670       835       3,505  
 
                                         
Beginning liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses-net
    2,023       3,458       4,257       4,938       14,676       3,721       18,397  
 
                                         
Provision for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
                                                       
Current accident year before
    695       349       333       209       1,586             1,586  
catastrophes
                                                       
Current accident year catastrophes
    90       19       6             115             115  
Prior accident years
    (25 )     (19 )     (52 )     (39 )     (135 )     83       (52 )
 
                                         
Total provision for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
    760       349       287       170       1,566       83       1,649  
Payments
    (746 )     (317 )     (328 )     (149 )     (1,540 )     (95 )     (1,635 )
 
                                         
Ending liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses-net
    2,037       3,490       4,216       4,959       14,702       3,709       18,411  
Reinsurance and other recoverables
    53       165       404       2,012       2,634       856       3,490  
 
                                         
Ending liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses-gross
  $ 2,090     $ 3,655     $ 4,620     $ 6,971     $ 17,336     $ 4,565     $ 21,901  
 
                                         
Earned premiums
  $ 988     $ 640     $ 510     $ 293     $ 2,431     $     $ 2,431  
Loss and loss expense paid ratio [1]
    75.5       49.6       64.2       51.4       63.4                  
Loss and loss expense incurred ratio
    76.9       54.5       56.2       58.3       64.4                  
Prior accident years development (pts) [2]
    (2.5 )     (3.1 )     (10.1 )     (13.0 )     (5.5 )                
     
[1]  
The “loss and loss expense paid ratio” represents the ratio of paid losses and loss adjustment expenses to earned premiums.
 
[2]  
“Prior accident years development (pts)” represents the ratio of prior accident years development to earned premiums.
                                                         
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009  
    Personal     Small     Middle     Specialty     Ongoing     Other     Total  
  Lines     Commercial     Market     Commercial     Operations     Operations     P&C  
Beginning liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses-gross
  $ 2,052     $ 3,572     $ 4,744     $ 6,981     $ 17,349     $ 4,584     $ 21,933  
Reinsurance and other recoverables
    60       176       437       2,110       2,783       803       3,586  
 
                                         
Beginning liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses-net
    1,992       3,396       4,307       4,871       14,566       3,781       18,347  
 
                                         
Provision for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
                                                       
Current accident year before catastrophes
    1,971       1,051       1,023       656       4,701             4,701  
Current accident year catastrophes
    242       48       30       2       322             322  
Prior accident years
    (15 )     (4 )     (132 )     (111 )     (262 )     204       (58 )
 
                                         
Total provision for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
    2,198       1,095       921       547       4,761       204       4,965  
Payments
    (2,153 )     (1,001 )     (1,012 )     (459 )     (4,625 )     (276 )     (4,901 )
 
                                         
Ending liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses-net
    2,037       3,490       4,216       4,959       14,702       3,709       18,411  
Reinsurance and other recoverables
    53       165       404       2,012       2,634       856       3,490  
 
                                         
Ending liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses-gross
  $ 2,090     $ 3,655     $ 4,620     $ 6,971     $ 17,336     $ 4,565     $ 21,901  
 
                                               
Earned premiums
  $ 2,952     $ 1,935     $ 1,596     $ 936     $ 7,419     $ 1     $ 7,420  
Loss and loss expense paid ratio [1]
    72.9       51.8       63.5       49.1       62.4                  
Loss and loss expense incurred ratio
    74.5       56.6       57.7       58.4       64.2                  
Prior accident years development (pts) [2]
    (0.5 )     (0.2 )     (8.3 )     (11.9 )     (3.5 )                
     
[1]  
The “loss and loss expense paid ratio” represents the ratio of paid losses and loss adjustment expenses to earned premiums.
 
[2]  
“Prior accident years development (pts)” represents the ratio of prior accident years development to earned premiums.

 

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Prior accident years development recorded in 2009
Included within prior accident years development for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were the following reserve strengthenings (releases):
                                                         
    Personal     Small     Middle     Specialty     Ongoing     Other     Total  
    Lines     Commercial     Market     Commercial     Operations     Operations     P&C  
General liability
  $     $     $ (14 )   $     $ (14 )   $     $ (14 )
Directors’ and officers’ claims
                      (24 )     (24 )           (24 )
Personal auto liability
    (20 )                       (20 )           (20 )
Workers’ compensation
          (13 )     (32 )           (45 )           (45 )
Net environmental reserves
                                  75       75  
Other reserve re-estimates, net [1]
    (5 )     (6 )     (6 )     (15 )     (32 )     8       (24 )
 
                                         
Total prior accident years development for the three months ended September 30, 2009
  $ (25 )   $ (19 )   $ (52 )   $ (39 )   $ (135 )   $ 83     $ (52 )
 
                                         
General liability
  $     $     $ (71 )   $     $ (71 )   $     $ (71 )
Workers’ compensation
          (13 )     (10 )           (23 )           (23 )
Directors’ and officers’ claims
                      (50 )     (50 )           (50 )
Personal auto liability
    (33 )                       (33 )           (33 )
Homeowners’ claims
    18                         18             18  
Package business liability
          36                   36             36  
Surety business
                      25       25             25  
Net asbestos reserves
                                  138       138  
Uncollectible reinsurance
                      (20 )     (20 )     (20 )     (40 )
Other reserve re-estimates, net [2]
    25       (8 )     1       (27 )     (9 )     3       (6 )
 
                                         
Total prior accident years development for the six months ended June 30, 2009
  $ 10     $ 15     $ (80 )   $ (72 )   $ (127 )   $ 121     $ (6 )
 
                                         
Total prior accident years development for the nine months ended September 30, 2009
  $ (15 )   $ (4 )   $ (132 )   $ (111 )   $ (262 )   $ 204     $ (58 )
 
                                         
     
[1]  
Includes reserve discount accretion of $6, including $2 in Small Commercial, $2 in Middle Market and $2 in Specialty Commercial.
 
[2]  
Includes reserve discount accretion of $12, including $4 in Small Commercial, $4 in Middle Market and $4 in Specialty Commercial.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company’s re-estimates of prior accident years reserves included the following significant reserve changes:
Ongoing Operations
 
Released reserves for general liability claims by $85, primarily related to accident years 2003 to 2007, in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Beginning in the third quarter of 2007, the Company observed that reported losses for high hazard and umbrella general liability claims, primarily related to the 2001 to 2006 accident years, were emerging favorably and this caused management to reduce its estimate of the cost of future reported claims for these accident years, resulting in a reserve release in each quarter since the third quarter of 2007. During the first nine months of 2009, management determined that the lower level of loss emergence was also evident in accident year 2007 and had continued for accident years 2003 to 2006 and, as a result, the Company reduced the reserves. In addition, during the third quarter of 2009, the Company recognized that the cost of late emerging exposures were likely to be higher than previously expected. Also in the third quarter, the Company recognized additional ceded losses on accident years 1999 and prior. These third quarter events were largely offsetting.
 
Released reserves for professional liability claims by $74, primarily related to accident years 2003 to 2007, in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, including $24 in the third quarter of 2009. Beginning in 2008, the Company observed that claim severity for both D&O and E&O claims for the 2003 to 2006 accident years was developing favorably to previous expectations and the Company released reserves for these accident years in 2008. During the first nine months of 2009, the Company’s updated analysis showed that claim severity for D&O losses in the 2003 to 2007 accident years continued to develop favorably to previous expectations, resulting in a reduction of reserves in each of the first three quarters of 2009.
 
Released reserves for Personal Lines auto liability claims by $53 in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, including $20 in the third quarter of 2009. Beginning in the first quarter of 2008, management observed an improvement in emerged claim severity for the 2005 through 2007 accident years attributed, in part, to changes made in claim handling procedures in 2007. In the first six months of 2009, the Company recognized that favorable development in reported severity was a sustained trend and, accordingly, management reduced its reserve estimate by $33, primarily related to accident years 2005 to 2007. The $20 release of reserves in the third quarter of 2009 was principally related to AARP business for the 2006 through 2008 accident years. The reduction in reserves related to accident years 2006 and 2007 reflects a continuation of the favorable severity development trends that were first observed in early 2008. For accident year 2008, management first lowered its estimate in the fourth quarter of 2008, reflecting favorable frequency due to higher gas prices and reduced driving mileage. With the third quarter 2009 release, management now recognizes sustained improvement in reported severity development as accident year 2008 has matured.

 

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Released workers’ compensation reserves by $68 in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The Company released reserves by $45 in the third quarter of 2009, including $32 in Middle Market, primarily related to additional ceded losses on accident years 1999 and prior. During the first quarter of 2009, the Company observed lower than expected expense payments on older accident years. As a result, the Company reduced its estimate by $23 for future expense payments on more recent accident years.
 
The Company reviewed its allowance for uncollectible reinsurance for Ongoing Operations in the second quarter of 2009 and reduced its allowance for Ongoing Operations by $20 driven, in part, by a reduction in gross ceded loss recoverables. The allowance for uncollectible reinsurance for Ongoing Operations is recorded within the Specialty Commercial segment.
 
Strengthened reserves for liability claims under Small Commercial package policies by $16 in the first quarter of 2009, primarily related to allocated loss adjustment expenses for accident years 2000 to 2005 and by $20 in the second quarter of 2009, principally related to allocated loss adjustment expenses for accident years 2007 and 2008. During the first quarter of 2009, the Company identified higher than expected expense payments on older accident years related to the liability coverage. Additional analysis in the second quarter of 2009 showed that this higher level of loss adjustment expense is likely to continue into more recent accident years. As a result, in the second quarter of 2009, the Company increased its estimates for future expense payments for the 2007 and 2008 accident years. In addition, during the third quarter of 2009, the Company recognized the cost of late emerging exposures were likely to be higher than previously expected. Also in the third quarter, the Company recognized a lower than expected frequency of high severity claims. These third quarter events were largely offsetting.
 
Strengthened reserves for surety business by a net of $10 in the first quarter of 2009 and by a net of $15 in the second quarter of 2009, primarily related to accident years 2004 to 2007. The net $10 of strengthening in the first quarter of 2009 consisted of $20 strengthening of reserves for customs bonds, partially offset by a $10 release of reserves for contract surety claims. The net $15 of strengthening in the second quarter of 2009 consisted of $25 strengthening of reserves for customs bonds, partially offset by a $10 release of reserves for contract surety claims. During 2008, the Company became aware that there were a large number of late reported surety claims related to customs bonds. Continued high volume of late reported claims during the first and second quarters of 2009 caused the Company to strengthen the reserves in each period.
 
Strengthened reserves for homeowners’ claims by $18 in the first quarter of 2009, primarily driven by increased claim settlement costs in recent accident years and increased losses from underground storage tanks in older accident years. In 2008, the Company began to observe increasing claim settlement costs for the 2005 to 2008 accident years and, in the first quarter of 2009, determined that this higher cost level would continue, resulting in a reserve strengthening of $9 for these accident years. In addition, beginning in 2008, the Company observed unfavorable emergence of homeowners’ casualty claims for accident years 2003 and prior, primarily related to underground storage tanks. Following a detailed review of these claims in the first quarter of 2009, management increased its estimate of the magnitude of this exposure and strengthened homeowners’ casualty claim reserves by $9.
Other Operations
See Other Operation’s Asbestos and Environmental Claims Reserve Activity for information concerning the Company’s annual evaluation of these reserves and related reinsurance.

 

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Risk Management Strategy
Refer to the MD&A in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report for an explanation of Property & Casualty’s risk management strategy.
Use of Reinsurance
The Company has several catastrophe reinsurance programs, including reinsurance treaties that cover property and workers’ compensation losses aggregating from single catastrophe events. The following table summarizes the primary catastrophe treaty reinsurance coverages that the Company has in place as of September 30, 2009. Refer to the MD&A in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report for an explanation of the Company’s primary catastrophe program that renewed on January 1, 2009.
                                 
Coverage   Treaty term     % of layer(s) reinsured     Per occurrence limit     Retention  
Principal property catastrophe program covering property catastrophe losses from a single event
  1/1/2009 to 1/1/2010   Varies by layer, but averages 90% across all layers   Aggregates to $750 across all layers   $ 250  
Layer covering property catastrophe losses from a single event
  6/1/2009 to 12/31/2009     45.8%   $100       1,000  
 
                               
Reinsurance with the FHCF covering Florida Personal Lines property catastrophe losses from a single event
  6/1/2009 to 6/1/2010     90%     410 [1]       83  
Workers’ compensation losses arising from a single catastrophe event
  7/1/2009 to 7/1/2010     95%     280       20  
     
[1]  
The per occurrence limit on the FHCF treaty is $410 for the 6/1/2009 to 6/1/2010 treaty year based on the Company’s election to purchase additional limits under the “Temporary Increase in Coverage Limit (TICL)” statutory provision in excess of the coverage the Company is required to purchase from the FHCF.
In addition to the property catastrophe reinsurance coverage described in the above table, the Company has other treaties and facultative reinsurance agreements that cover property catastrophe losses on an aggregate excess of loss and on a per risk basis. The principal property catastrophe reinsurance program and other reinsurance programs include a provision to reinstate limits in the event that a catastrophe loss exhausts limits on one or more layers under the treaties.
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (“TWIA”)
TWIA provides hail and windstorm coverage to Texas residents of 14 counties along the Texas Gulf coast who are unable to obtain insurance from other carriers. Insurance carriers who write property insurance in the state of Texas, including The Hartford, are required to be members of TWIA and are obligated to pay assessments in the event that TWIA losses exceed funds on hand, the available funds in the Texas Catastrophe Reserve Trust Fund (“CRTF”) and any available reinsurance. Assessments are allocated to carriers based on their share of premium writings in the state of Texas, as defined.
During 2008, the board of directors of TWIA notified its member companies that it would assess them $430 to cover TWIA losses from hurricane Ike. In the third quarter of 2008, the Company accrued a liability of $27 for its estimate of assessments it would ultimately get from TWIA. In the first quarter of 2009, the Company reduced its estimated assessments by $14, from $27 to $13, resulting in a reduction in insurance operating costs and expenses. The Company estimates that of the $13 of accrued assessments for Ike, it will ultimately be able to recoup $8 through premium tax credits.

 

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TOTAL PROPERTY & CASUALTY
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Operating Summary   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Earned premiums
  $ 2,431     $ 2,568       (5 %)   $ 7,420     $ 7,768       (4 %)
Net investment income
    294       335       (12 %)     799       1,091       (27 %)
Other revenues [1]
    123       132       (7 %)     361       377       (4 %)
Net realized capital losses
    (90 )     (1,428 )     94 %     (491 )     (1,631 )     70 %
 
                                   
Total revenues
    2,758       1,607       72 %     8,089       7,605       6 %
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
                                               
Current accident year before catastrophes
    1,586       1,638       (3 %)     4,701       4,902       (4 %)
Current accident year catastrophes
    115       325       (65 %)     322       546       (41 %)
Prior accident years
    (52 )     (14 )   NM       (58 )     (34 )     (71 %)
 
                                   
Total losses and loss adjustment expenses
    1,649       1,949       (15 %)     4,965       5,414       (8 %)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
    515       523       (2 %)     1,556       1,567       (1 %)
Insurance operating costs and expenses
    185       201       (8 %)     536       543       (1 %)
Other expenses
    159       175       (9 %)     481       537       (10 %)
 
                                   
Total losses and expenses
    2,508       2,848       (12 %)     7,538       8,061       (6 %)
Income (loss) before income taxes
    250       (1,241 )   NM       551       (456 )   NM  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    60       (467 )   NM       76       (257 )   NM  
 
                                   
Net income (loss)
  $ 190     $ (774 )   NM     $ 475     $ (199 )   NM  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Net Income (Loss)
                                               
Ongoing Operations
  $ 229     $ (666 )   NM     $ 562     $ (108 )   NM  
Other Operations
    (39 )     (108 )     64 %     (87 )     (91 )     4 %
 
                                   
Total Property & Casualty net income (loss)
  $ 190     $ (774 )   NM     $ 475     $ (199 )   NM  
 
                                   
     
[1]  
Represents servicing revenue.
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008
Net income (loss)
For the three-month period, net income increased by $964 as a result of an $895 increase in Ongoing Operations’ net income and a $69 decrease in Other Operations’ net loss. For the nine-month period, net income increased by $674 as a result of a $670 increase in Ongoing Operations’ net income and a $4 decrease in Other Operations’ net loss. See the Ongoing Operations segment MD&A and Other Operations MD&A for an analysis of underwriting results and see the Investment Results discussion within the Executive Overview Section of the MD&A for further analysis of investment performance driving the increase in net income.
Income tax expense (benefit)
A reconciliation of the tax provision at the U.S. Federal statutory rate to the provision for income taxes is as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
Tax provision at U.S. Federal statutory rate
  $ 88     $ (434 )   $ 193     $ (160 )
Tax-exempt interest
    (28 )     (33 )     (85 )     (96 )
Other, net [1]
                (32 )     (1 )
 
                       
Provision for income taxes
  $ 60     $ (467 )   $ 76     $ (257 )
 
                       
     
[1]  
For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, includes a $17 benefit from a tax true-up recognized in the first quarter of 2009 and a $15 tax benefit from the sale of an equity investment recognized in the second quarter of 2009.

 

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ONGOING OPERATIONS
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Operating Summary   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Written premiums
  $ 2,436     $ 2,592       (6 %)   $ 7,356     $ 7,759       (5 %)
Change in unearned premium reserve
    5       25       (80 %)     (63 )     (5 )   NM  
 
                                   
Earned premiums
    2,431       2,567       (5 %)     7,419       7,764       (4 %)
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
                                               
Current accident year before catastrophes
    1,586       1,638       (3 %)     4,701       4,902       (4 %)
Current accident year catastrophes
    115       325       (65 %)     322       546       (41 %)
Prior accident years
    (135 )     (70 )     (93 %)     (262 )     (160 )     (64 %)
 
                                   
Total losses and loss adjustment expenses
    1,566       1,893       (17 %)     4,761       5,288       (10 %)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
    515       523       (2 %)     1,556       1,567       (1 %)
Insurance operating costs and expenses
    180       195       (8 %)     522       527       (1 %)
 
                                   
Underwriting results
    170       (44 )   NM       580       382       52 %
Net servicing income [1]
    10       14       (29 %)     25       21       19 %
Net investment income
    254       285       (11 %)     678       929       (27 %)
Net realized capital losses
    (79 )     (1,268 )     94 %     (448 )     (1,455 )     69 %
Other expenses
    (47 )     (58 )     19 %     (145 )     (180 )     19 %
 
                                   
Income (loss) before income taxes
    308       (1,071 )   NM       690       (303 )   NM  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    79       (405 )   NM       128       (195 )   NM  
 
                                   
Net income (loss)
  $ 229     $ (666 )   NM     $ 562     $ (108 )   NM  
 
                                   
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio
                                               
Current accident year before catastrophes
    65.2       63.8       (1.4 )     63.4       63.1       (0.3 )
Current accident year catastrophes
    4.7       12.7       8.0       4.3       7.0       2.7  
Prior accident years
    (5.5 )     (2.8 )     2.7       (3.5 )     (2.1 )     1.4  
 
                                   
Total loss and loss adjustment expense ratio
    64.4       73.7       9.3       64.2       68.1       3.9  
Expense ratio
    28.4       27.3       (1.1 )     27.8       26.4       (1.4 )
Policyholder dividend ratio
    0.2       0.7       0.5       0.2       0.5       0.3  
 
                                   
Combined ratio
    93.0       101.7       8.7       92.2       95.1       2.9  
 
                                   
Catastrophe ratio
                                               
Current accident year
    4.7       12.7       8.0       4.3       7.0       2.7  
Prior accident years
    (0.4 )     (0.2 )     0.2       (0.1 )     (0.2 )     (0.1 )
 
                                   
Total catastrophe ratio
    4.4       12.5       8.1       4.3       6.8       2.5  
 
                                   
Combined ratio before catastrophes
    88.6       89.2       0.6       87.9       88.2       0.3  
Combined ratio before catastrophes and prior accident year development
    93.8       91.8       (2.0 )     91.4       90.1       (1.3 )
 
                                   
     
[1]  
Net of expenses related to service business.
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008
Net income (loss)
Net income increased by $895 and $670 for the three- and nine-month periods, respectively due to a decrease in net realized capital losses and an increase in underwriting results, partially offset by a decrease in net investment income. For analysis of Ongoing Operations’ underwriting results, see the segment MD&A discussions, and for further analysis of investment performance driving the increase in net income, refer to the Investment Results discussion within the Executive Overview Section of the MD&A.

 

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PERSONAL LINES
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Underwriting Summary   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Written premiums
  $ 1,048     $ 1,024       2 %   $ 3,037     $ 2,989       2 %
Change in unearned premium reserve
    60       46       30 %     85       48       77 %
 
                                   
Earned premiums
    988       978       1 %     2,952       2,941        
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
                                               
Current accident year before catastrophes
    695       634       10 %     1,971       1,914       3 %
Current accident year catastrophes
    90       168       (46 %)     242       295       (18 %)
Prior accident years
    (25 )     (9 )     (178 %)     (15 )     (16 )     6 %
 
                                   
Total losses and loss adjustment expenses
    760       793       (4 %)     2,198       2,193        
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
    171       159       8 %     505       470       7 %
Insurance operating costs and expenses
    68       71       (4 %)     195       200       (3 %)
 
                                   
Underwriting results
  $ (11 )   $ (45 )     76 %   $ 54     $ 78       (31 %)
 
                                   
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
Premiums   September 30,     September 30,  
Written Premiums [1]   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Business Unit
                                               
AARP
  $ 755     $ 741       2 %   $ 2,199     $ 2,144       3 %
Agency
    280       269       4 %     797       798        
Other
    13       14       (7 %)     41       47       (13 %)
 
                                   
Total
  $ 1,048     $ 1,024       2 %   $ 3,037     $ 2,989       2 %
 
                                   
Product Line
                                               
Automobile
  $ 741     $ 726       2 %   $ 2,190     $ 2,153       2 %
Homeowners
    307       298       3 %     847       836       1 %
 
                                   
Total
  $ 1,048     $ 1,024       2 %   $ 3,037     $ 2,989       2 %
 
                                   
 
                                               
Earned Premiums [1]
                                               
Business Unit
                                               
AARP
  $ 712     $ 695       2 %   $ 2,124     $ 2,073       2 %
Agency
    261       266       (2 %)     783       816       (4 %)
Other
    15       17       (12 %)     45       52       (13 %)
 
                                   
Total
  $ 988     $ 978       1 %   $ 2,952     $ 2,941        
 
                                   
Product Line
                                               
Automobile
  $ 716     $ 707       1 %   $ 2,131     $ 2,120       1 %
Homeowners
    272       271             821       821        
 
                                   
Total
  $ 988     $ 978       1 %   $ 2,952     $ 2,941        
 
                                   
     
[1]  
The difference between written premiums and earned premiums is attributable to the change in unearned premium reserve.

 

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    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Premium Measures   2009     2008     2009     2008  
Policies in-force end of period
                               
Automobile
                    2,394,043       2,324,124  
Homeowners
                    1,483,795       1,465,907  
 
                       
Total policies in-force end of period
                    3,877,838       3,790,031  
 
                       
 
                               
New business premium
                               
Automobile
  $ 117     $ 97     $ 356     $ 268  
Homeowners
  $ 42     $ 29     $ 113     $ 80  
 
                       
 
                               
Premium Renewal Retention
                               
Automobile
    86 %     86 %     85 %     87 %
Homeowners
    90 %     90 %     88 %     90 %
 
                       
 
                               
Written Pricing Increase
                               
Automobile
    3 %     4 %     3 %     4 %
Homeowners
    5 %     6 %     5 %     6 %
 
                       
 
                               
Earned Pricing Increase
                               
Automobile
    3 %     1 %     3 %     1 %
Homeowners
    6 %     2 %     6 %     3 %
 
                       
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Ratios and Supplemental Data   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio
                                               
Current accident year before catastrophes
    70.3       64.7       (5.6 )     66.8       65.1       (1.7 )
Current accident year catastrophes
    9.1       17.2       8.1       8.2       10.0       1.8  
Prior accident years
    (2.5 )     (0.9 )     1.6       (0.5 )     (0.6 )     (0.1 )
 
                                   
Total loss and loss adjustment expense ratio
    76.9       81.1       4.2       74.5       74.6       0.1  
Expense ratio
    24.2       23.5       (0.7 )     23.7       22.8       (0.9 )
 
                                   
Combined ratio
    101.1       104.6       3.5       98.2       97.3       (0.9 )
 
                                   
Catastrophe ratio
                                               
Current year
    9.1       17.2       8.1       8.2       10.0       1.8  
Prior years
    (1.0 )     0.8       1.8       0.3       0.2       (0.1 )
 
                                   
Total catastrophe ratio
    8.1       18.1       10.0       8.5       10.2       1.7  
 
                                   
Combined ratio before catastrophes
    93.0       86.5       (6.5 )     89.7       87.2       (2.5 )
Combined ratio before catastrophes and prior accident years development
    94.5       88.3       (6.2 )     90.5       87.9       (2.6 )
 
                                   
Other revenues [1]
  $ 38     $ 33       15 %   $ 110     $ 96       15 %
 
                                   
     
[1]  
Represents servicing revenues.
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Combined Ratios   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Automobile
    98.1       90.5       (7.6 )     94.3       92.5       (1.8 )
Homeowners
    109.2       141.2       32.0       108.2       109.9       1.7  
 
                                   
Total
    101.1       104.6       3.5       98.2       97.3       (0.9 )
 
                                   
Underwriting results, premium measures and ratios
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008
For the three-month period, underwriting results improved by $34, with a corresponding 3.5 point decrease in the combined ratio. For the nine-month period, underwriting results decreased by $24, with a corresponding 0.9 point increase in the combined ratio.

 

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Earned premiums
Earned premiums remained relatively flat for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, primarily due to earned premium growth in AARP, offset by earned premium decreases in Agency and Other.
 
AARP earned premiums grew $17 and $51, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, reflecting an increase in earned pricing and an increase in new business since the fourth quarter of 2008, partially offset by a decrease in premium renewal retention since the third quarter of 2008. Contributing to the decrease in premium renewal retention since the third quarter of 2008 was the effect of lower average premium per policy driven by a shift to more preferred market segment business and the effect of the economic downturn on consumer behavior. Among other actions, insureds have been reducing their premiums by raising deductibles, reducing limits, dropping coverage and reducing mileage.
 
Agency earned premiums decreased by $5 and $33, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 due primarily to a decline in premium renewal retention in the first six months of 2009 due to lower average premium per policy, driven by a shift to more preferred market segment business and the effect of the economic downturn on consumer behavior. Partially offsetting the factors decreasing earned premium was an increase in earned pricing and an increase in new business in the first nine months of 2009.
 
Other earned premiums decreased slightly, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, primarily due to a strategic decision to reduce other affinity business.
Auto earned premiums grew slightly for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 as the effect of modest earned pricing increases and an increase in new business over the first nine months of 2009 was largely offset by a decrease in premium renewal retention in the first six months of 2009. The decrease in Auto premium renewal retention was driven by a decline in average premium per policy. Homeowners’ earned premiums were relatively flat as the effect of earned pricing increases and an increase in new business over the first nine months of 2009 was offset by a decline in premium renewal retention over the first six months of 2009, driven by a decline in Agency home policy count retention largely due to the Company’s decision to stop renewing Florida homeowners’ policies.
     
New business premium
 
    Auto new business increased by $20 for the three-month period and by $88 for the nine-month period. Homeowners’ new business premium increased by $13 for the three-month period and by $33 for the nine-month period. AARP new business written premium increased for both auto and home primarily due to increased direct marketing spend, higher auto policy conversion rates and cross-selling homeowners’ insurance to insureds who have auto policies. Agency new business written premium increased for both auto and home primarily due to an increase in the number of agency appointments, an increase in the number of policy quotes and an increase in the policy issue rate for auto.
 
   
Premium renewal retention
 
    Premium renewal retention for auto remained flat in the three-month period and decreased by 2% in the nine month period. For the nine-month period, auto premium renewal retention decreased in both AARP and Agency, primarily due to the effects on average premium of a shift to more preferred market segment business and consumer actions to lower their premiums. For the three-month period, a decrease in auto premium renewal retention for AARP was offset by an increase in auto premium renewal retention for Agency due largely to an increase in policy count retention on 12-month policies. Premium renewal retention for homeowners remained flat in the three-month period and decreased by 2% in the nine-month period. The decrease in the nine-month period was primarily due to a decrease in policy retention for Agency business largely due to the Company’s decision to stop renewing Florida homeowners’ policies.
 
   
Earned pricing increase
 
    The changes in earned pricing during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 were primarily a reflection of written pricing changes over the last twelve months. Written pricing increased in auto by 3% in both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 as the Company has increased rates in certain states for certain classes of business to maintain profitability in the face of rising loss costs. Homeowners’ written pricing increased by 5% in both the three and nine month periods due largely to rate increases and increased coverage amounts reflecting higher rebuilding costs. Written and earned pricing do not include the effect on average policy premium of changes in exposure due to such things as shifts in the mix of business by state, territory or class plan and actions by consumers to lower their premium.
 
   
Policies in-force
 
    The number of policies in-force increased 3% in auto, primarily due to an increase in the number of AARP auto policies in-force and increased slightly for homeowners, as a 4% increase in the number of AARP homeowners’ policies in-force was partially offset by a 4% decline in the number of Agency homeowners’ policies in-force. The number of Agency policies in-force decreased primarily because of the Company’s decision to stop renewing Florida homeowners’ policies.

 

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Losses and loss adjustment expenses
Current accident year losses and loss adjustment expenses before catastrophes
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, Personal Lines current accident year losses and loss adjustment expenses before catastrophes increased by $61 and $57, respectively, primarily due to the increase in the current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio before catastrophes.
For the three-month period in 2009, the current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio before catastrophes for auto increased by 5.5 points, in part due to 1.3 points of prior quarter reserve releases in the third quarter of 2008 and 1.3 points of prior quarter reserve strengthening in the third quarter of 2009. Excluding the effect of the prior quarter reserve changes, the current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio before catastrophes for auto increased by 2.9 points driven by an increase in expected liability loss costs, an increase in auto physical damage frequency and a decline in average premium per policy. For the nine-month period, the current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio before catastrophes for auto increased by 0.6 points due to a decline in average premium per policy and an increase in auto physical damage frequency.
For homeowners’ business, the current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio before catastrophes increased by 5.7 points in the three-month period and by 4.4 points in the nine-month period due to increasing severity in AARP, increasing frequency in Agency and, for the three-month period, an overall decline in average premium.
Current accident year catastrophes
Current accident year catastrophes decreased by $78 and $53, respectively, for the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2009 as losses from hurricane Ike in 2008 were higher than catastrophe losses in 2009 from hail and windstorms in Colorado, the Midwest and the Southeast.
Prior accident year reserve development
Net favorable reserve development increased by $16 for the three-month period and was slightly lower for the nine-month period. Net favorable reserve development for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 included a $20 release of auto liability reserves principally related to AARP business for the 2006 through 2008 accident years. Net favorable reserve development in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 included a $23 release of auto liability reserves primarily related to accident years 2000 to 2007, partially offset by reserve increases for homeowners’ business.
Operating expenses
The expense ratio increased by 0.7 points for the three-month period and by 0.9 points for the nine-month period due largely to an increase in the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs of $12 for the three-month period and $35 for the nine-month period and an increase in other non-deferrable costs, partially offset by a decrease in TWIA assessments of $10 in the three-month period and $17 in the nine-month period. Amortization of acquisition costs increased for both AARP business and for business sold direct to the consumer in four pilot states as a result of increased direct marketing costs.

 

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SMALL COMMERCIAL
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Underwriting Summary   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Written premiums
  $ 626     $ 652       (4 %)   $ 1,962     $ 2,074       (5 %)
Change in unearned premium reserve
    (14 )     (26 )     46 %     27       26       4 %
 
                                   
Earned premiums
    640       678       (6 %)     1,935       2,048       (6 %)
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
                                               
Current accident year before catastrophes
    349       380       (8 %)     1,051       1,130       (7 %)
Current accident year catastrophes
    19       49       (61 %)     48       93       (48 %)
Prior accident years
    (19 )     (46 )     59 %     (4 )     (50 )     92 %
 
                                   
Total losses and loss adjustment expenses
    349       383       (9 %)     1,095       1,173       (7 %)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
    155       159       (3 %)     467       477       (2 %)
Insurance operating costs and expenses
    46       54       (15 %)     122       128       (5 %)
 
                                   
Underwriting results
  $ 90     $ 82       10 %   $ 251     $ 270       (7 %)
 
                                   
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Premium Measures   2009     2008     2009     2008  
New business premium
  $ 126     $ 105     $ 365     $ 349  
Premium renewal retention
    78 %     83 %     78 %     82 %
Written pricing decrease
    (1 %)     (2 %)     (1 %)     (2 %)
Earned pricing decrease
          (2 %)     (1 %)     (2 %)
Policies in-force end of period
                    1,069,157       1,062,291  
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Ratios   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio
                                               
Current accident year before catastrophes
    54.7       56.3       1.6       54.3       55.2       0.9  
Current accident year catastrophes
    2.9       7.0       4.1       2.5       4.5       2.0  
Prior accident years
    (3.1 )     (6.8 )     (3.7 )     (0.2 )     (2.4 )     (2.2 )
 
                                   
Total loss and loss adjustment expense ratio
    54.5       56.5       2.0       56.6       57.2       0.6  
Expense ratio
    31.2       30.1       (1.1 )     30.3       28.9       (1.4 )
Policyholder dividend ratio
    0.2       1.3       1.1       0.2       0.6       0.4  
 
                                   
Combined ratio
    85.9       87.9       2.0       87.0       86.8       (0.2 )
 
                                   
Catastrophe ratio
                                               
Current year
    2.9       7.0       4.1       2.5       4.5       2.0  
Prior years
    (0.1 )     (0.5 )     (0.4 )     (0.1 )     (0.1 )      
 
                                   
Total catastrophe ratio
    2.9       6.5       3.6       2.4       4.4       2.0  
 
                                   
Combined ratio before catastrophes
    83.0       81.4       (1.6 )     84.6       82.4       (2.2 )
Combined ratio before catastrophes and prior accident years development
    86.0       87.7       1.7       84.8       84.7       (0.1 )
 
                                   
Underwriting results, premium measures and ratios
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008
For the three-month period underwriting results increased by $8, with a corresponding 2.0 point decrease in the combined ratio. For the nine-month period underwriting results decreased by $19, with a corresponding 0.2 point increase in the combined ratio.
Earned premiums
Earned premiums for the Small Commercial segment decreased by $38 and $113, respectively for the three- and nine-month periods, primarily due to lower earned audit premium on workers’ compensation business and the effect of non-renewals outpacing new business over the last nine months of 2008 and first six months of 2009 for package business and commercial auto. While the Company has focused on increasing new business from its agents and expanding writings in certain territories, the effects of the economic downturn and competitor actions to increase market share and increase business appetite in certain classes of risks have contributed to the decrease in earned premiums in the first nine months of 2009.

 

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New business premium
 
     New business written premium was up $21, or 20%, in the three months ended September 30, 2009 and increased $16, or 5%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase in new business written premium in the three-month period was primarily driven by an increase in workers’ compensation and package business largely reflecting the roll-out of a new package product (Growing Spectrum) during 2009. The increase in new business written premium in the nine-month period was primarily due to an increase in workers’ compensation business. The Company continues to increase its new business for workers’ compensation through refinement of pricing and underwriting appetite in certain markets.
 
   
Premium renewal retention
 
     Premium renewal retention decreased in both the three- and nine-month periods due largely to the effect of a decrease in retention in all lines of business and the effect of written pricing decreases for workers’ compensation business. The decrease in premium renewal retention has been largely driven by the decline in the economy including the effects of increased mid-term cancellations.
 
   
Earned pricing increase (decrease)
 
     For both the three- and nine-month periods, earned pricing increased for package business, decreased for workers’ compensation and was relatively flat for commercial auto business. As written premium is earned over the 12-month term of the policies, the earned pricing changes for both the three- and nine-month periods were primarily a reflection of written pricing changes over the last twelve months. In addition to the effect of written pricing decreases in workers’ compensation, average premium per policy in Small Commercial has declined due to a reduction in the payrolls of workers’ compensation insureds and the effect of declining mid-term endorsements.
 
   
Policies in-force
 
     The number of policies-in-force increased slightly from September 30, 2008 to September 30, 2009. Despite the growth in policies, earned premiums have decreased by 6%, for both the three- and nine-month periods, reflecting the decrease in average premium per policy. The growth or decline in policies in-force does not correspond directly with the change in earned premiums due to the effect of changes in earned pricing, changes in the average premium per policy and because policy in-force counts are as of a point in time rather than over a period of time.
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
Current accident year losses and loss adjustment expenses before catastrophes
Small Commercial’s current accident year losses and loss adjustment expenses before catastrophes decreased by $31 and $79 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, primarily due to the decrease in earned premiums and a decrease in the current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio before catastrophes. The decrease in this ratio for both the three- and nine-month periods was primarily due to a lower loss and loss adjustment expense ratio on workers’ compensation and package business, driven by lower claim frequency. For the nine-month period, the lower loss and loss adjustment expense ratio on workers’ compensation business reflected a continuation of favorable expected frequency, partially offset by the effect of earned pricing declines and the effect of a 2009 decrease in estimated audit premium related to exposures earned in 2008.
Current accident year catastrophes
Current accident year catastrophe losses decreased by $30 and $45, respectively for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, as losses in 2008 from hurricane Ike and tornadoes and thunderstorms in the South and Midwest were higher than catastrophe losses in 2009 from hail and windstorms in Colorado, the Midwest and the Southeast.
Prior accident year reserve development
Net favorable prior accident year development decreased $27 and $46, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009. Net favorable prior accident year development for the three months ended September 30, 2009 included a $13 release of workers’ compensation reserves related to accident years 2007 and prior. Net favorable prior accident year development for the three months ended September 30, 2008 included a $33 release of workers’ compensation reserves related to accident years 2000 to 2007.
Net favorable prior accident year development for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 included, among other reserve changes, a $26 release of workers’ compensation reserves related to accident years 2007 and prior and $36 of strengthening of reserves for package business. Net favorable prior accident year development of $50 in the comparable prior year period included a $72 release of workers’ compensation reserves related to accident years 2000 to 2007, largely offset by a $17 strengthening of reserves for general liability and products liability claims primarily for accident years 2004 and prior.
Operating expenses
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs decreased slightly for the three-month period and decreased by $10 for the nine-month period, primarily driven by the decrease in earned premiums, partially offset by higher amortization of other underwriting expenses. The expense ratio increased by 1.1 points and 1.4 points, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, primarily due to the decrease in earned premiums. Partially offsetting the decrease in earned premiums was a decrease in TWIA assessments of $7 and $12, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and an increase in the estimated amount of dividends payable to certain workers’ compensation policyholders due to underwriting profits of $6 and $8, respectively, recognized in the three- and nine-month periods of 2008.

 

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MIDDLE MARKET
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Underwriting Summary   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Written premiums
  $ 496     $ 571       (13 %)   $ 1,504     $ 1,665       (10 %)
Change in unearned premium reserve
    (14 )     2     NM       (92 )     (72 )     (28 %)
 
                                   
Earned premiums
    510       569       (10 %)     1,596       1,737       (8 %)
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
                                               
Current accident year before catastrophes
    333       389       (14 %)     1,023       1,146       (11 %)
Current accident year catastrophes
    6       64       (91 %)     30       106       (72 %)
Prior accident years
    (52 )     (18 )     (189 %)     (132 )     (55 )     (140 %)
 
                                   
Total losses and loss adjustment expenses
    287       435       (34 %)     921       1,197       (23 %)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
    120       127       (6 %)     368       385       (4 %)
Insurance operating costs and expenses
    42       44       (5 %)     121       134       (10 %)
 
                                   
Underwriting results
  $ 61     $ (37 )   NM     $ 186     $ 21     NM  
 
                                   
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Premium Measures   2009     2008     2009     2008  
New business premium
  $ 103     $ 111     $ 324     $ 317  
Premium renewal retention
    71 %     78 %     73 %     78 %
Written pricing decrease
    (1 %)     (5 %)     (2 %)     (6 %)
Earned pricing decrease
    (3 %)     (6 %)     (5 %)     (6 %)
Policies in-force end of period
                    95,966       97,388  
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Ratios   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio
                                               
Current accident year before catastrophes
    65.1       68.1       3.0       64.1       65.9       1.8  
Current accident year catastrophes
    1.2       11.2       10.0       1.9       6.1       4.2  
Prior accident years
    (10.1 )     (3.2 )     6.9       (8.3 )     (3.2 )     5.1  
 
                                   
Total loss and loss adjustment expense ratio
    56.2       76.1       19.9       57.7       68.8       11.1  
Expense ratio
    31.4       29.6       (1.8 )     30.1       28.8       (1.3 )
Policyholder dividend ratio
    0.4       0.7       0.3       0.5       1.1       0.6  
Combined ratio
    88.0       106.4       18.4       88.3       98.8       10.5  
 
                                   
Catastrophe ratio
                                               
Current year
    1.2       11.2       10.0       1.9       6.1       4.2  
Prior years
    0.2       (1.1 )     (1.3 )     (0.6 )     (0.4 )     0.2  
 
                                   
Total catastrophe ratio
    1.4       10.1       8.7       1.3       5.7       4.4  
 
                                   
Combined ratio before catastrophes
    86.6       96.3       9.7       87.0       93.1       6.1  
Combined ratio before catastrophes and prior accident years development
    97.0       98.4       1.4       94.7       95.8       1.1  
 
                                   
Underwriting results, premium measures and ratios
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008
Underwriting results increased by $98 and $165 with corresponding decreases in the combined ratio of 18.4 points and 10.5 points, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.
Earned premiums
Earned premiums for the Middle Market segment decreased by $59 and $141, for the three- and nine-month periods, respectively. For both periods in 2009, the decrease was primarily driven by decreases in general liability and commercial auto due to earned pricing decreases and the effect of a decline in new business and premium renewal retention over the last nine months of 2008 and first six months of 2009. Middle Market workers’ compensation earned premium increased modestly as the effect of an increase in new business written premium over the last six months of 2008 and first six months of 2009 was partially offset by lower earned audit premium.

 

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New business premium
 
     New business written premium decreased by $8 for three-month period and increased by $7 for the nine-month period. For the three-month period, the decrease in new business written premium was primarily due to a decrease in new business for marine, commercial auto and general liability. For the nine-month period, an increase in new business written premium for workers’ compensation was partially offset by a decrease in new business for marine, general liability and commercial auto. The Company has increased new business for workers’ compensation by targeting business in selected industries and regions of the country where attractive new business opportunities remain, however, the ability to write new workers’ compensation premium slowed in the current quarter due to continued pricing competition.
 
   
Premium renewal retention
 
     Premium renewal retention decreased for both the three- and nine-month periods due largely to a decrease in workers’ compensation, general liability, commercial auto, property and marine. The Company continued to take actions to secure renewals in the first nine months of 2009, including the selective use of reduced pricing on targeted accounts. Nevertheless, premium renewal retention declined due to the effects of the downturn in the economy, particularly in workers’ compensation, where lower business payrolls resulted in lower premiums, and Marine construction lines. Retention was also dampened by the Company’s decision not to reduce its pricing in many lines, including property, auto and general liability business.
 
   
Earned pricing decrease
 
     For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, earned pricing decreased in all lines of business, including workers’ compensation, commercial auto, general liability, property and marine. The earned pricing changes for the three- and nine-month periods were primarily a reflection of written pricing changes over the last twelve months. A number of carriers have continued to compete fairly aggressively on price, particularly on larger accounts within Middle Market. Beginning in the second quarter of 2009, however, written pricing decreases moderated for workers’ compensation, general liability and marine and were flat or slightly positive for property and commercial auto.
 
   
Policies in-force
 
     While the number of policies in-force remained relatively flat from September 30, 2008 to September 30, 2009, earned premiums declined due to the reduction in the average premium per policy.
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
Current accident year losses and loss adjustment expenses before
Middle Market current accident year losses and loss adjustment expenses before catastrophes decreased by $56 and $123 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, primarily due to a decrease in earned premium and a decrease in the current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio before catastrophes. Before catastrophes, the current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio decreased in both periods, primarily due to lower non-catastrophe losses on property business, driven by favorable claim frequency and severity, partially offset by a higher loss and loss adjustment expense ratio on workers’ compensation and livestock business for the three-month period and a higher loss and loss adjustment expense ratio on workers’ compensation, general liability and livestock business for the nine-month period. For the nine-month period, the higher loss and loss adjustment expense ratio on workers’ compensation and general liability business was partially due to the effect of a 2008 increase in estimated audit premium related to exposures earned in 2007, which reduced the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio in 2008.
Current accident year catastrophes
Current accident year catastrophe losses decreased by $58 and $76, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, as losses in 2008 from hurricane Ike and tornadoes and thunderstorms in the South and Midwest were higher than losses in 2009 from hail and windstorms in Colorado, the Midwest and Southeast.
Prior accident year reserve development
Net favorable prior accident year reserve development increased by $34 and $77 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2009, net favorable reserve development included a $32 release of workers’ compensation reserves, primarily related to accident years 1999 and prior and a $14 release of general liability reserves related to accident years 2003 to 2007. Net favorable reserve development of $18 in 2008 included a $15 release of worker’s compensation reserves, primarily for the 2007 accident year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, net favorable reserve development included general liability reserve releases of $85 primarily related to accident years 2003 to 2007 and a $42 release of workers’ compensation reserves, primarily related to accident years 2007 and prior. Net favorable reserve development of $55 in 2008 included a $37 release of reserves for high hazard and umbrella general liability claims, and a $34 release of workers’ compensation reserves, partially offset by a $30 strengthening of reserves for general liability and products liability claims.
Operating expenses
Insurance operating costs and expenses decreased slightly for the three-month period and decreased by $13 for the nine-month period. For the nine-month period, the decrease was primarily due to a $14 increase in the estimated amount of dividends payable to certain workers’ compensation policyholders due to underwriting profits recognized in the nine-month period of 2008. Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs decreased by $7 and $17 for the three- and nine-month periods, respectively, largely due to the decrease in earned premiums. The expense ratio increased in both periods, as insurance operating costs and expenses other than policyholders dividends did not decrease commensurate with the decrease in earned premiums.

 

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SPECIALTY COMMERCIAL
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Underwriting Summary   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Written premiums
  $ 266     $ 345       (23 %)   $ 853     $ 1,031       (17 %)
Change in unearned premium reserve
    (27 )     3     NM       (83 )     (7 )   NM  
 
                                   
Earned premiums
    293       342       (14 %)     936       1,038       (10 %)
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
                                               
Current accident year before catastrophes
    209       235       (11 %)     656       712       (8 %)
Current accident year catastrophes
          44       (100 %)     2       52       (96 %)
Prior accident years
    (39 )     3     NM       (111 )     (39 )     (185 %)
 
                                   
Total losses and loss adjustment expenses
    170       282       (40 %)     547       725       (25 %)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
    69       78       (12 %)     216       235       (8 %)
Insurance operating costs and expenses
    24       26       (8 %)     84       65       29 %
 
                                   
Underwriting results
  $ 30     $ (44 )   NM     $ 89     $ 13     NM  
 
                                   
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Premiums   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Written Premiums [1]
                                               
Property
  $     $ 14       (100 %)   $ (16 )   $ 35     NM  
Casualty
    109       134       (19 %)     387       428       (10 %)
Professional liability, fidelity and surety
    140       178       (21 %)     431       506       (15 %)
Other
    17       19       (11 %)     51       62       (18 %)
 
                                   
Total
  $ 266     $ 345       (23 %)   $ 853     $ 1,031       (17 %)
 
                                   
 
Earned Premiums [1]
                                               
Property
  $ 3     $ 19       (84 %)   $ 19     $ 70       (73 %)
Casualty
    116       131       (11 %)     370       395       (6 %)
Professional liability, fidelity and surety
    158       173       (9 %)     494       512       (4 %)
Other
    16       19       (16 %)     53       61       (13 %)
 
                                   
Total
  $ 293     $ 342       (14 %)   $ 936     $ 1,038       (10 %)
 
                                   
     
[1]  
The difference between written premiums and earned premiums is attributable to the change in unearned premium reserve.
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Ratios   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio
                                               
Current accident year before catastrophes
    71.1       68.7       (2.4 )     70.0       68.6       (1.4 )
Current accident year catastrophes
    0.2       13.2       13.0       0.2       5.1       4.9  
Prior accident years
    (13.0 )     0.6       13.6       (11.9 )     (3.8 )     8.1  
 
                                   
Total loss and loss adjustment expense ratio
    58.3       82.5       24.2       58.4       69.9       11.5  
Expense ratio
    31.0       29.0       (2.0 )     31.6       27.9       (3.7 )
Policyholder dividend ratio
    0.5       1.3       0.8       0.5       1.0       0.5  
 
                                   
Combined ratio
    89.8       112.8       23.0       90.5       98.8       8.3  
 
                                   
Catastrophe ratio
                                               
Current year
    0.2       13.2       13.0       0.2       5.1       4.9  
Prior years
    0.2       (0.8 )     (1.0 )     (0.6 )     (1.0 )     (0.4 )
 
                                   
Total catastrophe ratio
    0.4       12.4       12.0       (0.4 )     4.0       4.4  
 
                                   
Combined ratio before catastrophes
    89.4       100.4       11.0       90.9       94.7       3.8  
Combined ratio before catastrophes and prior accident years development
    102.6       99.0       (3.6 )     102.1       97.4       (4.7 )
 
                                   
Other revenues [2]
  $ 86     $ 99       (13 %)   $ 252     $ 281       (10 %)
 
                                   
     
[2]  
Represents servicing revenue.

 

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Underwriting results and ratios
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008
Underwriting results increased by $74 and $76, with corresponding decreases in the combined ratio of 23.0 points and 8.3 points for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.
Earned premiums
Earned premiums for the Specialty Commercial segment decreased by $49 and $102 for the three- and nine-month periods, respectively due to decreases in all lines of business.
 
Property earned premiums decreased by $16 for the three-month period and by $51 for the nine-month period, primarily due to the sale of the Company’s core excess and surplus lines property business. Effective March 31, 2009, the Company sold its core excess and surplus lines property business, to Beazley Group PLC. Concurrent with the sale, the in-force book of business was ceded to Beazley under a separate reinsurance agreement, whereby the Company ceded $26 of unearned premium, net of $10 in ceding commission. The ceding of the unearned premium was reflected as a reduction of written premium in the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
 
Casualty earned premiums decreased by $15 and $25, respectively, for the three- and nine-month periods, primarily due to lower audit premiums and a decrease in insured exposures driven by the downturn in the economy.
 
Professional liability, fidelity and surety earned premium decreased by $15 and $18 for the three- and nine-months periods, respectively, primarily due to the effects of lower new business and renewal retention and earned pricing decreases. The adverse impact of ratings downgrades early in 2009 and the loss of key leadership personnel contributed to a decline in new business and renewal retention in the three-month period.
 
Within the “Other” category, earned premium decreased slightly in the three-month period and decreased by $8 in the nine-month period. The “Other” category of earned premiums includes premiums assumed under inter-segment arrangements.
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
Current accident year losses and loss adjustment expenses before catastrophes
For the three- and nine-month periods, current accident year losses and loss adjustment expenses before catastrophes decreased by $26 and $56, respectively, primarily due to a decrease in earned premiums. Partially offsetting the decrease in earned premiums was an increase in the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio before catastrophes and prior accident year reserve development, primarily due to a higher loss and loss adjustment ratio on specialty casualty business, driven largely by lower audit premiums.
Current accident year catastrophe losses
Current accident year catastrophe losses were $44 lower for the three-month period and $50 lower for the nine-month period as compared to the respective prior year periods, primarily due to losses from hurricane Ike in 2008.
Prior accident year development
For the three months ended September 30, 2009, net favorable prior accident year reserve development of $39 included a $24 release of reserves for directors’ and officers’ insurance claims. Net unfavorable reserve development of $3 in the third quarter of 2008 primarily included $28 of reserve strengthening for allocated loss adjustment expenses on casualty business, including a $15 strengthening of reserves on national account business, partially offset by a $25 release of reserves for directors and officers insurance for the 2004 to 2006 accident years. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, net favorable prior accident year reserve development of $111 included, among other reserve changes, releases of reserves for directors’ and officers’ insurance claims of $74 and a $20 release of reserves for uncollectible reinsurance. Net favorable prior accident year reserve development of $39 in 2008 primarily included a $45 release of reserves for directors’ and officers insurance and errors and omissions insurance claims related to accident years 2003 to 2006.
Operating expenses
Insurance operating costs and expenses decreased slightly in the three-month period and increased by $19 in the nine-month period. The increase in the nine-month period was primarily due to a $23 increase in taxes, licenses and fees due to a $6 increase in the assessment for a second injury fund and $17 reserve strengthening for other state funds and taxes, partially offset by a decrease in compensation-related costs. The expense ratio increased for both the three and nine month periods due to the decrease in earned premiums and the increase in insurance operating costs and expenses. Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs decreased by $9 and $19 for the three and nine month periods, respectively, due to the decrease in earned premiums.

 

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OTHER OPERATIONS (INCLUDING ASBESTOS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS)
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Operating Summary   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Written premiums
  $     $ 1       (100 %)   $ 2     $ 5       (60 %)
Change in unearned premium reserve
                      1       1        
 
                                   
Earned premiums
          1       (100 %)     1       4       (75 %)
Losses and loss adjustment expenses — prior years
    83       56       48 %     204       126       62 %
Insurance operating costs and expenses
    5       6       (17 %)     14       16       (13 %)
 
                                   
Underwriting results
    (88 )     (61 )     (44 %)     (217 )     (138 )     (57 %)
Net investment income
    40       50       (20 %)     121       162       (25 %)
Net realized capital losses
    (11 )     (160 )     93 %     (43 )     (176 )     76 %
Other expenses
    1       1                   (1 )     100 %
 
                                   
Loss before income taxes
    (58 )     (170 )     66 %     (139 )     (153 )     9 %
Income tax benefit
    19       62       (69 %)     52       62       (16 %)
 
                                   
Net loss
  $ (39 )   $ (108 )     64 %   $ (87 )   $ (91 )     4 %
 
                                   
Three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008
Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2009 increased $69 compared to the prior year period.
The increase in Other Operations’ net income was driven primarily by the following:
 
A $149 decrease in net realized capital losses, primarily due to fewer impairments and stabilizing market and credit conditions.
Partially offsetting the increase in Other Operations’ net income were the following:
 
A $27 decrease in underwriting results, due to an increase in unfavorable prior year loss development. Reserve development in the three months ended September 30, 2009 included $75 of environmental reserve strengthening as a result of the Company’s annual environmental reserve evaluation, an increase of $22 over the comparable three month period ended September 30, 2008.
 
A $10 decrease in net investment income, primarily as a result of a decrease in income on fixed maturity investments primarily driven by lower pre-tax yields.
 
A $43 decrease in income tax benefit due to the pre-tax factors described above.
Nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008
Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 increased $4 compared to the prior year period, driven primarily by the following:
 
A $133 decrease in net realized capital losses, primarily due to fewer impairments and stabilizing market and credit conditions.
Partially offsetting the decrease in Other Operations’ net income were the following:
 
A $79 decrease in underwriting results, primarily due to a $78 increase in unfavorable prior year loss development. Reserve development in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 included $75 of environmental reserve strengthening and $138 of asbestos reserve strengthening as a result of the Company’s annual environmental and asbestos reserve evaluations, partially offset by a decrease of $20 in the allowance for uncollectible reinsurance as a result of the Company’s annual evaluation of reinsurance recoverables. For the comparable nine month period ended September 30, 2008, reserve development included $53 of environmental reserve strengthening and $50 of asbestos reserve strengthening.
 
A $41 decrease in net investment income, primarily as a result of a decrease in investment yield for fixed maturities and, to a lesser extent, lower income on limited partnerships and other alternative investments.
 
A $10 decrease in income tax benefit due to the pre-tax factors described above.

 

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Asbestos and Environmental Claims
The Company continues to receive asbestos and environmental claims. Asbestos claims relate primarily to bodily injuries asserted by people who came in contact with asbestos or products containing asbestos. Environmental claims relate primarily to pollution and related clean-up costs.
The Company wrote several different categories of insurance contracts that may cover asbestos and environmental claims. First, the Company wrote primary policies providing the first layer of coverage in an insured’s liability program. Second, the Company wrote excess policies providing higher layers of coverage for losses that exhaust the limits of underlying coverage. Third, the Company acted as a reinsurer assuming a portion of those risks assumed by other insurers writing primary, excess and reinsurance coverages. Fourth, subsidiaries of the Company participated in the London Market, writing both direct insurance and assumed reinsurance business.
Significant uncertainty limits the ability of insurers and reinsurers to estimate the ultimate reserves necessary for unpaid losses and related expenses related to environmental and particularly asbestos claims. The degree of variability of reserve estimates for these exposures is significantly greater than for other more traditional exposures.
In the case of the reserves for asbestos exposures, factors contributing to the high degree of uncertainty include inadequate loss development patterns, plaintiffs’ expanding theories of liability, the risks inherent in major litigation, and inconsistent emerging legal doctrines. Furthermore, over time, insurers, including the Company, have experienced significant changes in the rate at which asbestos claims are brought, the claims experience of particular insureds, and the value of claims, making predictions of future exposure from past experience uncertain. Plaintiffs and insureds also have sought to use bankruptcy proceedings, including “pre-packaged” bankruptcies, to accelerate and increase loss payments by insurers. In addition, some policyholders have asserted new classes of claims for coverages to which an aggregate limit of liability may not apply. Further uncertainties include insolvencies of other carriers and unanticipated developments pertaining to the Company’s ability to recover reinsurance for asbestos and environmental claims. Management believes these issues are not likely to be resolved in the near future.
In the case of the reserves for environmental exposures, factors contributing to the high degree of uncertainty include expanding theories of liability and damages, the risks inherent in major litigation, inconsistent decisions concerning the existence and scope of coverage for environmental claims, and uncertainty as to the monetary amount being sought by the claimant from the insured.
The reporting pattern for assumed reinsurance claims, including those related to asbestos and environmental claims, is much longer than for direct claims. In many instances, it takes months or years to determine that the policyholder’s own obligations have been met and how the reinsurance in question may apply to such claims. The delay in reporting reinsurance claims and exposures adds to the uncertainty of estimating the related reserves.
It is also not possible to predict changes in the legal and legislative environment and their effect on the future development of asbestos and environmental claims.
Given the factors described above, the Company believes the actuarial tools and other techniques it employs to estimate the ultimate cost of claims for more traditional kinds of insurance exposure are less precise in estimating reserves for its asbestos and environmental exposures. For this reason, the Company relies on exposure-based analysis to estimate the ultimate costs of these claims and regularly evaluates new information in assessing its potential asbestos and environmental exposures. The Company supplements this exposure-based analysis with evaluations of the Company’s historical direct net loss and expense paid and reported experience, and net loss and expense paid and reported experience by calendar and/or report year, to assess any emerging trends, fluctuations or characteristics suggested by the aggregate paid and reported activity.

 

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Reserve Activity
Reserves and reserve activity in the Other Operations segment are categorized and reported as asbestos, environmental, or “all other”. The “all other” category of reserves covers a wide range of insurance and assumed reinsurance coverages, including, but not limited to, potential liability for construction defects, lead paint, silica, pharmaceutical products, molestation and other long-tail liabilities. In addition, within the “all other” category of reserves, Other Operations records its allowance for future reinsurer insolvencies and disputes that might affect reinsurance collectability associated with asbestos, environmental, and other claims recoverable from reinsurers.
The following table presents reserve activity, inclusive of estimates for both reported and incurred but not reported claims, net of reinsurance, for Other Operations, categorized by asbestos, environmental and “all other” claims, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.
Other Operations Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
                                 
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2009   Asbestos     Environmental     All Other [1]   Total  
Beginning liability — net [2][3]
  $ 1,997     $ 257     $ 1,467     $ 3,721  
Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred
          75       8       83  
Losses and loss adjustment expenses paid
    (57 )     (13 )     (25 )     (95 )
 
                       
Ending liability — net [2][3]
  $ 1,940 [5]   $ 319     $ 1,450     $ 3,709  
 
                       
                                 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009   Asbestos     Environmental     All Other [1]     Total  
Beginning liability — net [2][3]
  $ 1,884     $ 269     $ 1,628     $ 3,781  
Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred
    138       75       (9 )     204  
Losses and loss adjustment expenses paid
    (133 )     (28 )     (115 )     (276 )
Reclassification of asbestos and environmental liabilities [4]
    51       3       (54 )      
 
                       
Ending liability — net [2][3]
  $ 1,940 [5]   $ 319     $ 1,450     $ 3,709  
 
                       
     
[1]  
“All Other” includes unallocated loss adjustment expense reserves and the allowance for uncollectible reinsurance.
 
[2]  
Excludes asbestos and environmental net liabilities reported in Ongoing Operations of $11 and $5, respectively, as of September 30, 2009. Total net losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred in Ongoing Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 includes $4 and $12, respectively, related to asbestos and environmental claims. Total net losses and loss adjustment expenses paid in Ongoing Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 includes $3 and $13, respectively, related to asbestos and environmental claims.
 
[3]  
Gross of reinsurance, asbestos and environmental reserves, including liabilities in Ongoing Operations, were $2,550 and $384, respectively, as of September 30, 2009.
 
[4]  
During the three months ended June 30, 2009, the Company reclassified liabilities of $54 that were previously classified as “All Other” to “Asbestos” and “Environmental”.
 
[5]  
The one-year and average three-year net paid amounts for asbestos claims, including Ongoing Operations, are $204 and $225, respectively, resulting in a one year net survival ratio of 9.6 and a three year net survival ratio of 8.7. Net survival ratio is the quotient of the net carried reserves divided by the average annual payment amount and is an indication of the number of years that the net carried reserve would last (i.e., survive) if the future annual claim payments were consistent with the calculated historical average.
During the third quarter of 2009, the Company completed its annual ground up environmental reserve evaluation. As part of this evaluation, the Company reviewed all of its open direct domestic insurance accounts exposed to environmental liability, as well as assumed reinsurance accounts and its London Market exposures for both direct and assumed reinsurance. The Company found estimates for some individual accounts increased based upon additional sites identified, litigation developments and new damage and defense cost information obtained on these accounts since the last review. The net effect of these account-specific changes, as well as actuarial evaluations of new account emergence and historical loss and expense paid experience resulted in a $75 increase in net environmental reserves. The Company currently expects to continue to perform an evaluation of its environmental liabilities annually.
In reporting environmental results, the Company divides its gross exposure into Direct, which is subdivided further as: Accounts with future exposure greater than $2.5, Accounts with future exposure less than $2.5, and Other direct; Assumed Reinsurance; and London Market. The unallocated amounts in the Other direct category include an estimate of the necessary reserves for environmental claims related to direct insureds who have not previously tendered environmental claims to the Company.
An account may move between categories from one evaluation to the next. For example, an account with future expected exposure of greater than $2.5 in one evaluation may be reevaluated due to changing conditions and re-categorized as less than $2.5 in a subsequent evaluation or vice versa.

 

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The following table displays gross environmental reserves and other statistics by category as of September 30, 2009:
                 
            Total  
    Number of Accounts [1]     Reserves  
Accounts with future exposure > $2.5
    8     $ 43  
Accounts with future exposure < $2.5
    562       109  
Other direct [2]
          115  
 
           
Total Direct
    570     $ 267  
Assumed Reinsurance
            56  
London Market
            61  
 
           
Total as of September 30, 2009 [3] [4]
          $ 384  
 
           
     
[1]  
Number of accounts established as of June 2009.
 
[2]  
Includes unallocated IBNR.
 
[3]  
The one year gross paid amount for total environmental claims is $54, resulting in a one year gross survival ratio of 7.1.
 
[4]  
The three year average annual gross paid amount for total environmental claims is $78, resulting in a three year gross survival ratio of 4.9.
During the second quarter of 2009, the Company completed its annual ground-up asbestos reserve evaluation. As part of this evaluation, the Company reviewed all of its open direct domestic insurance accounts exposed to asbestos liability, as well as assumed reinsurance accounts and its London Market exposures for both direct insurance and assumed reinsurance. Based on this evaluation, the Company increased its net asbestos reserves by $138. For certain direct policyholders, the Company experienced increases in claim severity, expense and costs associated with litigating asbestos coverage matters. Increases in severity and expense were most prevalent among certain, peripheral defendant insureds. The Company also experienced unfavorable development on its assumed reinsurance accounts driven largely by the same factors experienced by the direct policyholders. The Company currently expects to continue to perform an evaluation of its asbestos liabilities annually.
For paid and incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses reporting, the Company classifies its asbestos and environmental reserves into three categories: Direct, Assumed Reinsurance, and London Market. Direct insurance includes primary and excess coverage. Assumed reinsurance includes both “treaty” reinsurance (covering broad categories of claims or blocks of business) and “facultative” reinsurance (covering specific risks or individual policies of primary or excess insurance companies). London Market business includes the business written by one or more of the Company’s subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, which are no longer active in the insurance or reinsurance business. Such business includes both direct insurance and assumed reinsurance.
Of the three categories of claims (Direct, Assumed Reinsurance and London Market), direct policies tend to have the greatest factual development from which to estimate the Company’s exposures.
Assumed reinsurance exposures are inherently less predictable than direct insurance exposures because the Company may not receive notice of a reinsurance claim until the underlying direct insurance claim is mature. This causes a delay in the receipt of information at the reinsurer level and adds to the uncertainty of estimating related reserves.
London Market exposures are the most uncertain of the three categories of claims. As a participant in the London Market (comprised of both Lloyd’s of London and London Market companies), certain subsidiaries of the Company wrote business on a subscription basis, with those subsidiaries’ involvement being limited to a relatively small percentage of a total contract placement. Claims are reported, via a broker, to the “lead” underwriter and, once agreed to, are presented to the following markets for concurrence. This reporting and claim agreement process makes estimating liabilities for this business the most uncertain of the three categories of claims.

 

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The following table sets forth, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, paid and incurred loss activity by the three categories of claims for asbestos and environmental.
Paid and Incurred Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense (“LAE”) Development — Asbestos and
Environmental
                                 
    Asbestos [1]     Environmental [1]  
    Paid     Incurred     Paid     Incurred  
Three Months Ended September 30, 2009   Losses & LAE     Losses & LAE     Losses & LAE     Losses & LAE  
Gross
                               
Direct
  $ 52     $     $ 9     $ 92  
Assumed Reinsurance
    16             1        
London Market
    5             2       12  
 
                       
Total
    73             12       104  
Ceded
    (16 )           1       (29 )
 
                       
Net
  $ 57     $     $ 13     $ 75  
 
                       
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
                               
Gross
                               
Direct
  $ 121       117       22       92  
Assumed Reinsurance
    33       52       5        
London Market
    14             4       12  
 
                       
Total
    168       169       31       104  
Ceded
    (35 )     (31 )     (3 )     (29 )
 
                       
Net prior to reclassification
    133       138       28       75  
Reclassification of asbestos and environmental liabilities [2]
          51             3  
 
                       
Net
  $ 133       189       28       78  
 
                       
     
[1]  
Excludes asbestos and environmental paid and incurred loss and LAE reported in Ongoing Operations. Total gross losses and LAE incurred in Ongoing Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 includes $4 and $12, respectively, related to asbestos and environmental claims. Total gross losses and LAE paid in Ongoing Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 includes $3 and $13, respectively, related to asbestos and environmental claims.
 
[2]  
During the three months ended June 30, 2009, the Company reclassified liabilities of $54 that were previously classified as “All Other” to “Asbestos” and “Environmental”.
A number of factors affect the variability of estimates for asbestos and environmental reserves including assumptions with respect to the frequency of claims, the average severity of those claims settled with payment, the dismissal rate of claims with no payment and the expense to indemnity ratio. The uncertainty with respect to the underlying reserve assumptions for asbestos and environmental adds a greater degree of variability to these reserve estimates than reserve estimates for more traditional exposures. While this variability is reflected in part in the size of the range of reserves developed by the Company, that range may still not be indicative of the potential variance between the ultimate outcome and the recorded reserves. The recorded net reserves as of September 30, 2009 of $2.28 billion ($1.95 billion and $324 for asbestos and environmental, respectively) is within an estimated range, unadjusted for covariance, of $1.81 billion to $2.58 billion. The process of estimating asbestos and environmental reserves remains subject to a wide variety of uncertainties, which are detailed in the Company’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report. The Company believes that its current asbestos and environmental reserves are appropriate. However, analyses of future developments could cause the Company to change its estimates and ranges of its asbestos and environmental reserves, and the effect of these changes could be material to the Company’s consolidated operating results, financial condition and liquidity.
The Company provides an allowance for uncollectible reinsurance, reflecting management’s best estimate of reinsurance cessions that may be uncollectible in the future due to reinsurers’ unwillingness or inability to pay. During the second quarter of 2009, the Company completed its annual evaluation of the collectibility of the reinsurance recoverables and the adequacy of the allowance for uncollectible reinsurance associated with older, long-term casualty liabilities reported in the Other Operations segment. In conducting this evaluation, the Company used its most recent detailed evaluations of ceded liabilities reported in the segment. The Company analyzed the overall credit quality of the Company’s reinsurers, recent trends in arbitration and litigation outcomes in disputes between cedants and reinsurers, and recent developments in commutation activity between reinsurers and cedants. Based on this evaluation, the Company reduced its allowance for uncollectible reinsurance by $20 principally to reflect decreased reinsurance recoverable dispute exposure and favorable activity since the last evaluation. As of September 30, 2009, the allowance for uncollectible reinsurance for Other Operations totals $224. The Company currently expects to perform its regular comprehensive review of Other Operations reinsurance recoverables annually. Due to the inherent uncertainties as to collection and the length of time before reinsurance recoverables become due, particularly for older, long-term casualty liabilities, it is possible that future adjustments to the Company’s reinsurance recoverables, net of the allowance, could be required.
Consistent with the Company’s long-standing reserve practices, the Company will continue to review and monitor its reserves in the Other Operations segment regularly, and where future developments indicate, make appropriate adjustments to the reserves. For a discussion of the Company’s reserving practices, see the Critical Accounting Estimates—Property & Casualty Reserves, Net of Reinsurance and Other Operations (Including Asbestos and Environmental Claims) sections of the MD&A included in the Company’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report.

 

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CORPORATE
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Operating Summary   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Fee income
  $ 4     $ 4           $ 10     $ 14       (29 %)
Net investment income
    7       9       (22 %)     15       28       (46 %)
Net realized capital losses
    (3 )     (9 )     67 %     (235 )     (11 )   NM  
 
                                   
Total revenues
    8       4       100 %     (210 )     31     NM  
Interest expense
    118       84       40 %     357       226       58 %
Goodwill impairment
                      32              
Other expenses
    23       (14 )   NM       52       (28 )   NM  
Total expenses
    141       70       101 %     441       198       123 %
Loss before income taxes
    (133 )     (66 )     (102 %)     (651 )     (167 )   NM  
Income tax benefit
    (46 )     (24 )     (92 %)     (137 )     (59 )     (132 %)
 
                                   
Net loss [1]
  $ (87 )   $ (42 )     (107 %)   $ (514 )   $ (108 )   NM  
 
                                   
     
[1]  
The three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 includes a net loss from Federal Trust Corporation of $2. See Note 16 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the Company’s acquisition of Federal Trust Corporation.
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008
     
Net realized capital losses
 
     The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was primarily due to approximately $300 in net realized losses related to the settlement of a contingent obligation to Allianz partially offset by realized gains of $70 on the change in fair value of the liability related to warrants issued to Allianz. See Note 13 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion on Allianz.
 
   
Interest expense
 
     The increase in interest expense for the three and nine months ended was primarily due to additional interest expense on the $1.75 billion 10% junior subordinated debentures issued on October 17, 2008, partially offset by a reduction in interest expense from debt repayments of $955 in 2008. For further discussion on the Company’s debt see Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report.
 
   
Other expenses
 
     The increase for the three months ended September 30, 2009 consisted of expenses incurred in 2009 of $8 from Federal Trust Corporation, a company The Hartford acquired in second quarter 2009, restructuring costs of $6 and a reduction of $11 in the DAC Unlock benefit recorded in Corporate. Additionally, 2008 included a benefit of $9 from interest charged by Corporate on the amount of capital held by the Life and Property & Casualty operations in excess of the amount needed to support the capital requirements of the Life and Property & Casualty operations.
 
   
 
 
     The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 consisted of expenses incurred in 2009 of $8 from Federal Trust Corporation, a company The Hartford acquired in second quarter 2009, restructuring costs of $6 and an increase of $17 in the DAC Unlock charge recorded in Corporate. Additionally, 2008 included a benefit of $43 from interest charged by Corporate on the amount of capital held by the Life and Property & Casualty operations in excess of the amount needed to support the capital requirements of the Life and Property & Casualty operations.
 
   
Goodwill impairment
 
     The Company’s goodwill impairment test performed during the first quarter of 2009 resulted in a write-down of $32 in Corporate related to the Institutional segment. See Note 14 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion on Goodwill.

 

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Invested Assets
The primary investment objective of Corporate is to raise capital through financing activities to support the Life and Property & Casualty operations of the Company and to maintain sufficient funds to support the cost of those financing activities including the payment of interest for The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (“HFSG”) issued debt and dividends to shareholders of The Hartford’s common and preferred stock. In addition, The Hartford acquired Federal Trust Corporation, a savings and loan holding company, in 2009, whose primary investments include mortgage loans and short-term investments to support deposits and other liabilities.
The following table presents Corporate’s invested assets by type.
                                 
Composition of Invested Assets  
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
    Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent  
 
                       
Fixed maturities, AFS, at fair value [1]
  $ 137       2.7 %   $ 155       8.8 %
Equity securities, AFS, at fair value
    87       1.7 %     73       4.2 %
Mortgage loans [2]
    273       5.4 %            
Other investments [3]
    53       1.0 %     43       2.4 %
Short-term investments [4]
    4,530       89.2 %     1,488       84.6 %
 
                       
Total investments
  $ 5,080       100.0 %   $ 1,759       100.0 %
 
                       
     
[1]  
Includes $21of fixed maturities held at Federal Trust Corporation as of September 30, 2009.
 
[2]  
Relates to residential and commercial loans held at Federal Trust Corporation.
 
[3]  
Relates to a put option agreement for the Company’s contingent capital facility of $38 and $43 as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 and real estate held at Federal Trust Corporation of $15 as of September 30, 2009.
 
[4]  
Includes $151 of short-term investments held at Federal Trust Corporation as of September 30, 2009.
Total investments increased primarily due to an increase in short-term investments as the result of the receipt of approximately $3.4 billion from the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”) which was primarily invested in short-term money market funds. Subsequent to the receipt of the CPP funds, $500 was contributed to the Company’s Life operations and $195 was contributed to Federal Trust Corporation within Corporate. For further information on the Capital Purchase Program, see the Capital Resources and Liquidity Section of the MD&A. Additionally, short-term investments increased $887 from the issuance of common stock related to The Hartford’s discretionary equity issuance in 2009.

 

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INVESTMENT CREDIT RISK
The Company has established investment credit policies that focus on the credit quality of obligors and counterparties, limit credit concentrations, encourage diversification and require frequent creditworthiness reviews. Investment activity, including setting of policy and defining acceptable risk levels, is subject to regular review and approval by senior management.
The Company invests primarily in securities which are rated investment grade and has established exposure limits, diversification standards and review procedures for all credit risks including borrower, issuer and counterparty. Creditworthiness of specific obligors is determined by consideration of external determinants of creditworthiness, typically ratings assigned by nationally recognized ratings agencies and is supplemented by an internal credit evaluation. Obligor, asset sector and industry concentrations are subject to established Company limits and are monitored on a regular basis.
The Company is not exposed to any credit concentration risk of a single issuer greater than 10% of the Company’s stockholders’ equity other than U.S. government and government agencies backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. For further discussion of concentration of credit risk, see the Concentration of Credit Risk Section in Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report.
Derivative Instruments
In the normal course of business, the Company uses various derivative counterparties in executing its derivative transactions. The use of counterparties creates credit risk that the counterparty may not perform in accordance with the terms of the derivative transaction. The Company has developed a derivative counterparty exposure policy which limits the Company’s exposure to credit risk.
The derivative counterparty exposure policy establishes market-based credit limits, favors long-term financial stability and creditworthiness of the counterparty and typically requires credit enhancement/credit risk reducing agreements.
The Company minimizes the credit risk of derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high quality counterparties rated A2/A or better, which are monitored and evaluated by the Company’s risk management team and reviewed by senior management. In addition, the internal compliance unit monitors counterparty credit exposure on a monthly basis to ensure compliance with Company policies and statutory limitations. The Company also maintains a policy of requiring that derivative contracts, other than exchange traded contracts, certain currency forward contracts, and certain embedded derivatives, be governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association Master Agreement which is structured by legal entity and by counterparty and permits right of offset.
The Company has developed credit exposure thresholds which are based upon counterparty ratings. Credit exposures are measured using the market value of the derivatives, resulting in amounts owed to the Company by its counterparties or potential payment obligations from the Company to its counterparties. Credit exposures are generally quantified daily based on the prior business day’s market value and collateral is pledged to and held by, or on behalf of, the Company to the extent the current value of derivatives exceeds the contractual thresholds. In accordance with industry standards and the contractual agreements, collateral is typically settled on the next business day. The Company has exposure to credit risk for amounts below the exposure thresholds which are uncollateralized, as well as for market fluctuations that may occur between contractual settlement periods of collateral movements.
The maximum uncollateralized threshold for a derivative counterparty for a single legal entity is $10. The Company currently transacts derivatives in five legal entities and therefore the maximum combined threshold for a single counterparty over all legal entities that use derivatives is $50. In addition, the Company may have exposure to multiple counterparties in a single corporate family due to a common credit support provider. As of September 30, 2009, the maximum combined threshold for all counterparties under a single credit support provider over all legal entities that use derivatives is $100. Based on the contractual terms of the collateral agreements, these thresholds may be immediately reduced due to a downgrade in a counterparty’s credit rating. For further discussion, see the Derivative Commitments Section of Note 9 of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company has incurred no losses on derivative instruments due to counterparty default.
In addition to counterparty credit risk, the Company enters into credit default swaps to manage credit exposure. Credit default swaps involve a transfer of credit risk of one or many referenced entities from one party to another in exchange for periodic payments. The party that purchases credit protection will make periodic payments based on an agreed upon rate and notional amount, and for certain transactions there will also be an upfront premium payment. The second party, who assumes credit risk, will typically only make a payment if there is a credit event and such payment will be equal to the notional value of the swap contract less the value of the referenced security issuer’s debt obligation. A credit event is generally defined as default on contractually obligated interest or principal payments or bankruptcy of the referenced entity.

 

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The Company uses credit derivatives to purchase credit protection and, to a lesser extent, assume credit risk with respect to a single entity, referenced index, or asset pool. The Company purchases credit protection through credit default swaps to economically hedge and manage credit risk of certain fixed maturity investments across multiple sectors of the investment portfolio. The Company has also entered into credit default swaps that assume credit risk as part of replication transactions. Replication transactions are used as an economical means to synthetically replicate the characteristics and performance of assets that would otherwise be permissible investments under the Company’s investment policies. These swaps reference investment grade single corporate issuers and baskets, which include trades ranging from baskets of up to five corporate issuers to standard and customized diversified portfolios of corporate issuers, which are established within sector concentration limits and are typically divided into tranches which possess different credit ratings ranging from AAA through the CCC rated first loss position.
Available-for-Sale Securities
The following table presents the Company’s fixed maturities by credit quality. The ratings referenced below are based on the ratings of a nationally recognized rating organization or, if not rated, assigned based on the Company’s internal analysis of such securities.
                                                 
Fixed Maturities by Credit Quality  
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
                    Percent of                     Percent of  
    Amortized             Total Fair     Amortized             Total Fair  
    Cost     Fair Value     Value     Cost     Fair Value     Value  
U.S. government/government agencies
  $ 6,222     $ 6,231       9.1 %   $ 9,409     $ 9,568       14.7 %
AAA
    12,250       11,227       16.3 %     17,844       13,489       20.7 %
AA
    13,923       13,019       19.0 %     14,093       11,646       17.9 %
A
    19,596       18,505       27.0 %     18,742       15,831       24.4 %
BBB
    17,777       16,566       24.1 %     15,749       12,794       19.6 %
BB & below
    4,661       3,093       4.5 %     2,401       1,784       2.7 %
 
                                   
Total fixed maturities
  $ 74,429     $ 68,641       100.0 %   $ 78,238     $ 65,112       100.0 %
 
                                   
The movement within the Company’s investment ratings was primarily attributable to rating agency downgrades across multiple sectors and sales of U.S. Treasuries being re-deployed into corporate securities. The ratings associated with the Company’s commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) and commercial real estate (“CRE”) collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) may be negatively impacted as rating agencies contemplate changes to their methodologies and/or continue to monitor security performance in the upcoming months.

 

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The following table presents the Company’s AFS securities by type.
                                                                                 
Available-for-Sale Securities by Type  
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
                                    Percent                                     Percent  
    Cost or     Gross     Gross             of Total     Cost or     Gross     Gross             of Total  
    Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair     Fair     Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair     Fair  
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Value     Value     Cost     Gains     Losses     Value     Value  
Asset-backed securities (“ABS”)
                                                                               
Consumer loans
  $ 2,060     $ 17     $ (333 )   $ 1,744       2.5 %   $ 2,251     $     $ (589 )   $ 1,662       2.6 %
Small business
    562             (239 )     323       0.5 %     570             (250 )     320       0.5 %
Other
    508       31       (66 )     473       0.7 %     610       6       (132 )     484       0.7 %
CDOs
                                                                               
CLOs [1]
    2,771             (406 )     2,365       3.4 %     2,865             (735 )     2,130       3.3 %
CREs
    1,504       28       (1,087 )     445       0.7 %     1,763       2       (1,302 )     463       0.7 %
Other
    8       2       (2 )     8             27             (8 )     19        
CMBS
                                                                               
Agency backed [2]
    212       12             224       0.3 %     433       16             449       0.7 %
Bonds
    10,304       70       (2,765 )     7,609       11.1 %     11,144       10       (4,370 )     6,784       10.4 %
Interest only (“IOs”)
    1,176       67       (74 )     1,169       1.7 %     1,396       17       (333 )     1,080       1.7 %
Corporate
                                                                               
Basic industry
    2,411       122       (88 )     2,445       3.6 %     2,138       33       (338 )     1,833       2.8 %
Capital goods
    2,858       158       (76 )     2,940       4.3 %     2,480       32       (322 )     2,190       3.3 %
Consumer cyclical
    2,039       74       (69 )     2,044       3.0 %     2,335       34       (388 )     1,981       3.0 %
Consumer non-cyclical
    4,559       323       (31 )     4,851       7.1 %     3,435       60       (252 )     3,243       5.0 %
Energy
    2,791       180       (19 )     2,952       4.3 %     1,669       24       (146 )     1,547       2.4 %
Financial services
    8,024       128       (1,120 )     7,032       10.2 %     8,422       254       (1,543 )     7,133       10.9 %
Tech./comm.
    3,707       218       (70 )     3,855       5.6 %     3,738       86       (400 )     3,424       5.3 %
Transportation
    657       27       (36 )     648       0.9 %     508       8       (90 )     426       0.7 %
Utilities
    5,629       342       (105 )     5,866       8.5 %     4,859       92       (578 )     4,373       6.7 %
Other [3]
    1,549       25       (196 )     1,378       2.0 %     1,475             (444 )     1,031       1.6 %
Foreign govt./govt. agencies
    1,021       63       (13 )     1,071       1.6 %     2,786       100       (65 )     2,821       4.3 %
Municipal
                                                                               
Taxable
    1,167       14       (178 )     1,003       1.5 %     1,115       8       (229 )     894       1.4 %
Tax-exempt
    10,428       474       (90 )     10,812       15.8 %     10,291       194       (724 )     9,761       15.0 %
RMBS
                                                                               
Agency
    3,333       114       (3 )     3,444       5.0 %     3,092       88       (15 )     3,165       4.9 %
Non-agency
    161             (30 )     131       0.2 %     213             (48 )     165       0.2 %
Alt-A
    262             (93 )     169       0.2 %     305             (108 )     197       0.3 %
Sub-prime
    2,051       4       (978 )     1,077       1.6 %     2,435       8       (862 )     1,581       2.4 %
U.S. Treasuries
    2,677       37       (151 )     2,563       3.7 %     5,883       112       (39 )     5,956       9.2 %
 
                                                           
Total fixed maturities
    74,429       2,530       (8,318 )     68,641       100.0 %     78,238       1,184       (14,310 )     65,112       100.0 %
Equity securities
                                                                               
Financial Services
    912       22       (250 )     684               973       13       (196 )     790          
Other
    491       246       (24 )     713               581       190       (103 )     668          
 
                                                           
Total equity securities
    1,403       268       (274 )     1,397               1,554       203       (299 )     1,458          
 
                                                           
Total AFS securities [4]
  $ 75,832     $ 2,798     $ (8,592 )   $ 70,038             $ 79,792     $ 1,387     $ (14,609 )   $ 66,570          
 
                                                           
     
[1]  
As of September 30, 2009, 84% of these senior secured bank loan collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) were rated AA and above with an average subordination of 27%.
 
[2]  
Represents securities with pools of loans by the Small Business Administration whose issued loans are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
 
[3]  
Includes structured investments with an amortized cost and fair value of $534 and $405, respectively, as of September 30, 2009 and $526 and $364, respectively, as of December 31, 2008. The underlying securities supporting these investments are primarily diversified pools of investment grade corporate issuers which can withstand a 15% cumulative default rate, assuming a 35% recovery.
 
[4]  
Gross unrealized gains represent gains of $1,809, $979, and $10 for Life, Property & Casualty, and Corporate, respectively, as of September 30, 2009 and $860, $526, and $1, respectively, as of December 31, 2008. Gross unrealized losses represent losses of $6,874, $1,716, and $2 for Life, Property & Casualty, and Corporate, respectively, as of September 30, 2009 and $10,766, $3,835, and $8, respectively, as of December 31, 2008.
The Company continued to reallocate its AFS investment portfolio to securities with more favorable return profiles, in particular corporate securities within consumer non-cyclical and other recession resistant sectors while reducing U.S. Treasuries. The Company’s AFS net unrealized loss position decreased primarily as a result of improved security valuations due to credit spread tightening, partially offset by $1.4 billion due to a before-tax cumulative effect of accounting change related to impairments. For further discussion on the accounting change, see Note 1 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The following sections highlight the Company’s significant investment sectors.

 

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Financial Services
Several positive developments occurred in the financial services sectors during the three months ended September 30, 2009. Earnings for large domestic banks surpassed expectations, and losses for banks that underwent the Supervisory Capital Assessment Program (“SCAP”), or stress test, were less than the Federal Reserve’s projections. In addition, unrealized losses on banks’ investment portfolios decreased as credit spreads tightened and banks improved their capitalization through common equity capital raises, exchanges and tenders. Banks and insurance firms were also able to access re-opened debt capital markets, reducing their dependence on government guarantee programs and enhancing their liquidity positions. Despite these positive developments, financial services companies continue to face a difficult macroeconomic environment and remain vulnerable to deteriorating asset performance and quality, as well as weak earnings prospects.
The Company has exposure to the financial services sector predominantly through banking and insurance firms. Since December 31, 2008, the Company has reduced its exposure to this sector. A comparison of fair value to amortized cost is not indicative of the pricing of individual securities as impairments have occurred. The following table presents the Company’s exposure to the financial services sector included in the AFS Securities by Type table above.
                                                 
Financial Services by Credit Quality [1]  
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
                    Percent of                     Percent of  
    Amortized             Total Fair     Amortized             Total Fair  
    Cost     Fair Value     Value     Cost     Fair Value     Value  
AAA
  $ 322     $ 316       4.1 %   $ 728     $ 628       7.9 %
AA
    1,861       1,790       23.2 %     2,067       1,780       22.5 %
A
    4,393       3,762       48.7 %     5,479       4,606       58.1 %
BBB
    1,637       1,309       17.0 %     1,015       816       10.3 %
BB & below
    723       539       7.0 %     106       93       1.2 %
 
                                   
Total
  $ 8,936     $ 7,716       100.0 %   $ 9,395     $ 7,923       100.0 %
 
                                   
     
[1]  
The credit qualities above include downgrades that have shifted the portfolio from higher rated assets to lower rated assets since December 31, 2008.

 

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Sub-Prime Residential Mortgage Loans
The following table presents the Company’s exposure to residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) supported by sub-prime mortgage loans by current credit quality and vintage year included in the AFS Securities by Type table above. These securities have been affected by deterioration in collateral performance caused by declining home prices and continued macroeconomic pressures. A comparison of fair value to amortized cost is not indicative of the pricing of individual securities as impairments have occurred. Credit protection represents the current weighted average percentage, excluding wrapped securities, of the outstanding capital structure subordinated to the Company’s investment holding that is available to absorb losses before the security incurs the first dollar loss of principal.
Sub-Prime Residential Mortgage Loans [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
                                                                                                 
September 30, 2009  
    AAA     AA     A     BBB     BB and Below     Total  
    Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair  
    Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value  
2003 & Prior
  $ 41     $ 31     $ 80     $ 59     $ 82     $ 53     $ 15     $ 10     $ 79     $ 46     $ 297     $ 199  
2004
    85       68       291       190       64       40       6       3       8       3       454       304  
2005
    70       32       278       179       148       81       86       23       175       38       757       353  
2006
    15       13       11       8       21       14       27       8       280       96       354       139  
2007
                                        7       1       182       81       189       82  
 
                                                                       
Total
  $ 211     $ 144     $ 660     $ 436     $ 315     $ 188     $ 141     $ 45     $ 724     $ 264     $ 2,051     $ 1,077  
 
                                                                       
Credit protection
  45.5%     52.3%     40.6%     35.2%     25.6%     40.5%  
                                                                                                 
December 31, 2008  
    AAA     AA     A     BBB     BB and Below     Total  
    Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair  
    Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value  
2003 & Prior
  $ 49     $ 41     $ 162     $ 136     $ 60     $ 43     $ 32     $ 26     $ 34     $ 20     $ 337     $ 266  
2004
    112       81       349       277       8       7       10       7                   479       372  
2005
    90       71       543       367       154       77       24       16       23       18       834       549  
2006
    77       69       126       56       18       9       120       50       143       54       484       238  
2007
    42       27       40       10       38       18       47       26       134       75       301       156  
 
                                                                       
Total
  $ 370     $ 289     $ 1,220     $ 846     $ 278     $ 154     $ 233     $ 125     $ 334     $ 167     $ 2,435     $ 1,581  
 
                                                                       
Credit protection
  40.5%     47.6%     31.4%     21.9%     19.9%     41.0%  
     
[1]  
The vintage year represents the year the underlying loans in the pool were originated.
 
[2]  
Includes second lien residential mortgages with an amortized cost and fair value of $104 and $42, respectively, as of September 30, 2009 and $173 and $82, respectively, as of December 31, 2008, which are composed primarily of loans to prime and Alt-A borrowers.
 
[3]  
As of September 30, 2009, the weighted average life of the sub-prime residential mortgage portfolio was 4.6 years.
 
[4]  
Approximately 89% of the portfolio is backed by adjustable rate mortgages.
 
[5]  
The credit qualities above include downgrades that have shifted the portfolio from higher rated assets to lower rated assets since December 31, 2008.

 

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Commercial Mortgage Loans
The Company has observed and expects continued pressure on commercial real estate market fundamentals including increased vacancies, rising delinquencies, lower rent growth and declining property values. The following tables present the Company’s exposure to CMBS bonds, CRE CDOs and CMBS IOs by current credit quality and vintage year, included in the AFS Securities by Type table above. A comparison of fair value to amortized cost is not indicative of the pricing of individual securities as impairments have occurred. Credit protection represents the current weighted average percentage of the outstanding capital structure subordinated to the Company’s investment holding that is available to absorb losses before the security incurs the first dollar loss of principal. This credit protection does not include any equity interest or property value in excess of outstanding debt. The ratings associated with the Company’s CMBS and CRE CDOs may be negatively impacted as rating agencies contemplate changes to their methodologies and/or continue to monitor security performance in the upcoming months.
CMBS — Bonds [1] [2]
                                                                                                 
September 30, 2009  
    AAA     AA     A     BBB     BB and Below     Total  
    Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair  
    Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value  
2003 & Prior
  $ 1,658     $ 1,662     $ 446     $ 359     $ 171     $ 125     $ 36     $ 33     $ 38     $ 27     $ 2,349     $ 2,206  
2004
    637       626       82       55       65       37       32       16                   816       734  
2005
    1,096       1,010       392       224       173       82       148       74       143       74       1,952       1,464  
2006
    1,856       1,520       230       138       458       207       657       332       426       153       3,627       2,350  
2007
    726       544       30       10       108       41       407       165       289       95       1,560       855  
 
                                                                       
Total
  $ 5,973     $ 5,362     $ 1,180     $ 786     $ 975     $ 492     $ 1,280     $ 620     $ 896     $ 349     $ 10,304     $ 7,609  
 
                                                                       
Credit protection
  26.3%     20.5%     14.8%     13.9%     7.5%     21.4%  
                                                                                                 
December 31, 2008  
    AAA     AA     A     BBB     BB and Below     Total  
    Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair  
    Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value  
2003 & Prior
  $ 2,057     $ 1,869     $ 455     $ 299     $ 175     $ 102     $ 36     $ 27     $ 37     $ 25     $ 2,760     $ 2,322  
2004
    667       576       85       35       65       22       23       10                   840       643  
2005
    1,142       847       475       152       325       127       55       27                   1,997       1,153  
2006
    2,562       1,498       385       110       469       168       385       140       40       12       3,841       1,928  
2007
    981       504       438       128       148       45       134       60       5       1       1,706       738  
 
                                                                       
Total
  $ 7,409     $ 5,294     $ 1,838     $ 724     $ 1,182     $ 464     $ 633     $ 264     $ 82     $ 38     $ 11,144     $ 6,784  
 
                                                                       
Credit protection
  24.4%     16.4%     12.2%     5.3%     4.4%     20.6%  
     
[1]  
The vintage year represents the year the pool of loans was originated.
 
[2]  
The credit qualities above include downgrades that have shifted the portfolio from higher rated assets to lower rated assets since December 31, 2008.

 

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CRE CDOs [1] [2] [3] [4]
                                                                                                 
September 30, 2009  
    AAA     AA     A     BBB     BB and Below     Total  
    Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair  
    Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value  
2003 & Prior
  $ 60     $ 38     $ 31     $ 14     $ 73     $ 26     $ 183     $ 46     $ 93     $ 15     $ 440     $ 139  
2004
    19       11       70       20       42       11       32       6       27       5       190       53  
2005
    18       9       73       12       42       13       61       8       16       5       210       47  
2006
    49       20       127       34       73       23       62       13       18       13       329       103  
2007
    66       32       28       7       64       10       37       9       40       15       235       73  
2008
    22       11       6       1       18       3       6       4       17       2       69       21  
2009
    12       6       2             7       1       2       1       8       1       31       9  
 
                                                                       
Total
  $ 246     $ 127     $ 337     $ 88     $ 319     $ 87     $ 383     $ 87     $ 219     $ 56     $ 1,504     $ 445  
 
                                                                       
Credit protection
  35.8%     10.7%     26.0%     32.1%     29.7%     26.3%  
                                                                                                 
December 31, 2008  
    AAA     AA     A     BBB     BB and Below     Total  
    Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair  
    Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value  
2003 & Prior
  $ 180     $ 59     $ 96     $ 29     $ 79     $ 17     $ 64     $ 7     $ 31     $ 7     $ 450     $ 119  
2004
    129       38       17       6       31       9       11       2       14       3       202       58  
2005
    94       37       62       15       65       12       10       2       1             232       66  
2006
    242       76       91       25       81       20       15       2                   429       123  
2007
    139       45       106       19       101       11       12       1                   358       76  
2008
    43       13       22       5       24       3       3                         92       21  
 
                                                                       
Total
  $ 827     $ 268     $ 394     $ 99     $ 381     $ 72     $ 115     $ 14     $ 46     $ 10     $ 1,763     $ 463  
 
                                                                       
Credit protection
  29.7%     21.3%     18.2%     19.4%     57.0%     25.4%  
     
[1]  
The vintage year represents the year that the underlying collateral in the pool was originated. Individual CDO market value is allocated by the proportion of collateral within each vintage year.
 
[2]  
As of September 30, 2009, approximately 37% of the underlying CRE CDOs collateral are seasoned, below investment grade securities.
 
[3]  
For certain CRE CDOs, the collateral manager has the ability to reinvest proceeds that become available, primarily from collateral maturities. The increase in the 2008 and 2009 vintage years represents reinvestment under these CRE CDOs.
 
[4]  
The credit qualities above include downgrades that have shifted the portfolio from higher rated assets to lower rated assets since December 31, 2008.
CMBS — IOs [1] [2]
                                                                                 
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
    AAA     A     BBB     Total     AAA  
    Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair  
    Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value  
2003 & Prior
  $ 357     $ 384     $     $     $     $     $ 357     $ 384     $ 440     $ 423  
2004
    221       232                               221       232       268       199  
2005
    298       289                   1       2       299       291       354       245  
2006
    143       118       4       6                   147       124       165       104  
2007
    152       138                               152       138       169       109  
 
                                                           
Total
  $ 1,171     $ 1,161     $ 4     $ 6     $ 1     $ 2     $ 1,176     $ 1,169     $ 1,396     $ 1,080  
 
                                                           
     
[1]  
The vintage year represents the year the pool of loans was originated.
 
[2]  
The credit qualities above include downgrades that have shifted the portfolio from higher rated assets to lower rated assets since December 31, 2008.
In addition to commercial mortgage-backed securities, the Company has commercial mortgage loans with a carrying value of $5.5 billion and $5.8 billion as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. These loans are collateralized by a variety of commercial properties and are diversified both geographically throughout the United States and by property type. These loans may be either in the form of a whole loan, where the Company is the sole lender, or a loan participation. Loan participations are loans where the Company has purchased or retained a portion of an outstanding loan or package of loans and participates on a pro-rata basis in collecting interest and principal pursuant to the terms of the participation agreement. In general, A-Note participations have senior payment priority, followed by B-Note participations and then mezzanine loan participations. As of September 30, 2009, loans within the Company’s mortgage loan portfolio have had minimal extension or restructurings.

 

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The following table presents the Company’s commercial mortgage loans by type and loan structure.
                                                 
Commercial Mortgage Loans  
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
    Amortized     Valuation     Carrying     Amortized     Valuation     Carrying  
    Cost [1]     Allowance     Value     Cost [1]     Allowance     Value  
Whole loans
  $ 3,446     $ (20 )   $ 3,426     $ 3,557     $ (2 )   $ 3,555  
A-Note participations
    392             392       460       (13 )     447  
B-Note participations
    719       (59 )     660       724             724  
Mezzanine loans
    1,104       (96 )     1,008       1,108             1,108  
 
                                   
Total [2]
  $ 5,661     $ (175 )   $ 5,486     $ 5,849     $ (15 )   $ 5,834  
 
                                   
     
[1]  
Amortized cost represents carrying value prior to valuation allowances, if any.
 
[2]  
Excludes agricultural and residential mortgage loans. For further information on the total mortgage loan portfolio, see Note 5 of Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
At origination, the weighted average loan-to-value (“LTV”) rate of the Company’s commercial mortgage loan portfolio was approximately 63%. As of September 30, 2009, the current weighted average LTV was approximately 81%. LTV rates compare the loan amount to the value of the underlying property collateralizing the loan. The loan values are updated periodically through property level reviews of the mortgage loan portfolio. Factors considered in the property valuation include, but are not limited to, actual and expected property cash flows, geographic market data and capitalization rates.
ABS Consumer Loans
The following table presents the Company’s exposure to ABS consumer loans by credit quality, included in the AFS Securities by Type table above. Currently, the Company expects its ABS consumer loan holdings will continue to pay contractual principal and interest payments due to the ultimate expected borrower repayment performance and structural credit enhancements, which remain sufficient to absorb a significantly higher level of defaults than are currently anticipated.
ABS Consumer Loans
                                                                                                 
September 30, 2009  
    AAA     AA     A     BBB     BB and Below     Total  
    Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair  
    Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value  
Auto [1]
  $ 113     $ 114     $ 90     $ 86     $ 106     $ 104     $ 124     $ 117     $ 23     $ 17     $ 456     $ 438  
Credit card
    508       523                   37       35       244       226       58       52       847       836  
Student loan [2]
    293       181       327       228       137       61                               757       470  
 
                                                                       
Total [3]
  $ 914     $ 818     $ 417     $ 314     $ 280     $ 200     $ 368     $ 343     $ 81     $ 69     $ 2,060     $ 1,744  
 
                                                                       
                                                                                                 
December 31, 2008  
    AAA     AA     A     BBB     BB and Below     Total  
    Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair     Amortized     Fair  
    Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value  
Auto
  $ 135     $ 109     $ 29     $ 27     $ 142     $ 103     $ 209     $ 162     $ 30     $ 20     $ 545     $ 421  
Credit card
    419       367       6       3       108       97       351       248       58       39       942       754  
Student loan
    294       159       332       244       138       84                               764       487  
 
                                                                       
Total
  $ 848     $ 635     $ 367     $ 274     $ 388     $ 284     $ 560     $ 410     $ 88     $ 59     $ 2,251     $ 1,662  
 
                                                                       
     
[1]  
As of September 30, 2009, approximately 9% of the auto consumer loan-backed securities were issued by lenders whose primary business is to sub-prime borrowers.
 
[2]  
As of September 30, 2009, approximately half of the student loan-backed exposure is guaranteed by the Federal Family Education Loan Program, with the remainder comprised of loans to prime borrowers.
 
[3]  
The credit qualities above include downgrades that have shifted the portfolio from higher rated assets to lower rated assets since December 31, 2008.

 

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Municipal Bonds
The Company has investments in securities backed by states, municipalities and political subdivisions issuers (“municipal bonds”) with an amortized cost and fair value of $11.6 billion and $11.8 billion, respectively, as of September 30, 2009 and $11.4 billion and $10.7 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2008. The Company’s municipal bond portfolio is diversified across the United States and primarily consists of general obligation and revenue bonds issued by states, cities, counties, school districts and similar issuers. As of September 30, 2009, the largest concentrations were in California, Georgia and Illinois, which each comprised less than 3% of the municipal bond portfolio and were primarily comprised of general obligation securities. Certain of the Company’s municipal bonds were enhanced by third-party insurance for the payment of principal and interest in the event of an issuer default. Excluding the benefit of this insurance, the average credit rating was AA- and AA, respectively, as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
Limited Partnerships and Other Alternative Investments
The Company has investments in limited partnerships and other alternative investments which include hedge funds, mortgage and real estate funds, mezzanine debt funds, and private equity and other funds. Hedge funds include investments in funds of funds and direct funds. Mortgage and real estate funds consist of investments in funds whose assets consist of mortgage loans, mortgage loan participations, mezzanine loans or other notes which may be below investment grade quality, as well as equity real estate and real estate joint ventures. Mezzanine debt funds include investments in funds whose assets consist of subordinated debt that often incorporates equity-based options such as warrants and a limited amount of direct equity investments. Private equity and other funds primarily consist of investments in funds whose assets typically consist of a diversified pool of investments in small non-public businesses with high growth potential.
The following table presents the Company’s limited partnerships and other alternative investments by type.
                                 
Limited Partnerships and Other Alternative Investments  
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
    Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent  
Hedge funds
  $ 604       33.3 %   $ 834       36.3 %
Mortgage and real estate funds
    338       18.7 %     551       24.0 %
Mezzanine debt funds
    130       7.2 %     156       6.8 %
Private equity and other funds
    740       40.8 %     754       32.9 %
 
                       
Total
  $ 1,812       100.0 %   $ 2,295       100.0 %
 
                       
Limited partnerships and other alternative investments decreased primarily due to hedge fund redemptions and negative re-valuations of the underlying investments associated primarily with the real estate and private equity markets. The Company expects further hedge fund redemptions and does not expect significant additions to limited partnerships and other alternative investments in 2009 except for the funding of existing commitments.

 

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Other-Than-Temporary Impairments
The following table presents the Company’s impairments recognized in earnings by type.
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
ABS
  $ 42     $ 27     $ 51     $ 27  
CDOs
                               
CREs
    199       225       304       357  
Other
    26             28        
CMBS
                               
Bonds
    132       70       202       93  
IOs
          59       25       59  
Corporate
                               
Financial services
    23       1,198       121       1,293  
Other
    20       286       42       344  
Equity securities
                               
Financial services
    27       1,052       68       1,119  
Other
    1       2       53       5  
Foreign govt./govt. agencies
          4             8  
Municipal
    1             18       5  
RMBS
                               
Non-agency
    2       13       3       13  
Alt-A
    28       24       29       24  
Sub-prime
    35       117       128       198  
U.S. Treasuries
                2        
 
                       
Impairments recognized in earnings
  $ 536     $ 3,077     $ 1,074     $ 3,545  
 
                       
Three months ended September 30, 2009
Impairments recognized in earnings were comprised of credit impairments of $495, impairments on debt securities for which the Company intends to sell of $13 and impairments on equity securities of $28.
Credit impairments were primarily concentrated on structured securities, mainly CRE CDOs, CMBS bonds and below-prime RMBS. These securities were impaired primarily due to increased severity in macroeconomic assumptions and continued deterioration of the underlying collateral. The Company determined these impairments using discounted cash flow models that considered losses under current and expected future economic conditions. Assumptions used over the current recessionary period included macroeconomic factors, such as a continued increase in the unemployment rate and continued gross domestic product contraction, as well as sector specific factors including, but not limited to:
 
Commercial property value declines that averaged 40% to 45% from the valuation peak but differed by property type and location.
 
Average cumulative CMBS collateral loss rates that varied by vintage year but reached approximately 11% for the 2006 and 2007 vintage years.
 
Residential property value declines that averaged approximately 40% from the valuation peak but differed by location.
 
Average cumulative RMBS collateral loss rates that varied by vintage year but reached approximately 40% for the 2007 vintage year.
Impairments on securities for which the Company had the intent to sell were primarily on corporate financial services securities where the Company has an active plan to dispose of the securities. Impairments on equity securities were primarily on below investment grade hybrid securities.
Nine months ended September 30, 2009
Impairments recognized in earnings were comprised of credit impairments of $840, including $84 of impairments taken prior to the accounting change related to impairments, impairments on securities for which the Company intends to sell of $113 primarily related to corporate financial services securities and impairments on equity securities of $121 primarily related to common stock and below investment grade hybrid securities.
Future impairments may develop as the result of changes in intent to sell or if actual results underperform current modeling assumptions, which may be the result of, but are not limited to, macroeconomic factors, changes in assumptions used, property value declines beyond current average assumptions or security loss rates exceeding average assumptions.
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2008
Impairments were primarily concentrated in subordinated fixed maturities and preferred equities within the financial services sector, as well as on structured securities. The remaining impairments were comprised of securities in various sectors that experienced significant credit spread widening and for which the Company was uncertain of its intent to retain the investments for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery.

 

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Security Unrealized Loss Aging
As part of the Company’s ongoing security monitoring process, the Company has reviewed its AFS securities in an unrealized loss position and concluded that there were no additional impairments as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008. During this analysis, the Company determined that it neither has an intention to sell nor does it expect to be required to sell the securities outlined below. For further discussion, see the Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments Section in Note 1 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following table presents the Company’s unrealized loss aging for AFS securities by length of time the security was in a continuous unrealized loss position.
                                                                 
Consolidated Securities  
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
            Cost or                             Cost or              
            Amortized     Fair     Unrealized             Amortized     Fair     Unrealized  
    Items     Cost     Value     Loss     Items     Cost     Value     Loss  
Three months or less
    366     $ 1,253     $ 1,204     $ (49 )     1,718     $ 16,425     $ 14,992     $ (1,433 )
Greater than three to six months
    410       3,596       2,954       (642 )     972       6,533       5,247       (1,286 )
Greater than six to nine months
    167       2,629       2,053       (576 )     764       7,053       5,873       (1,180 )
Greater than nine to twelve months
    232       2,830       2,264       (566 )     741       6,459       4,957       (1,502 )
Greater than twelve months
    2,248       24,698       17,939       (6,759 )     2,417       25,279       16,071       (9,208 )
 
                                               
Total
    3,423     $ 35,006     $ 26,414     $ (8,592 )     6,612     $ 61,749     $ 47,140     $ (14,609 )
 
                                               
The following tables present the Company’s unrealized loss aging for AFS securities by length of time the security was in a continuous greater than 20% unrealized loss position.
                                                                 
Securitized Assets Depressed over 20%  
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
            Cost or                             Cost or              
            Amortized     Fair     Unrealized             Amortized     Fair     Unrealized  
Consecutive Months   Items     Cost     Value     Loss     Items     Cost     Value     Loss  
Three months or less
    19     $ 73     $ 48     $ (25 )     786     $ 10,981     $ 6,474     $ (4,507 )
Greater than three to six months
    121       941       617       (324 )     162       1,790       629       (1,161 )
Greater than six to nine months
    70       1,496       977       (519 )     92       1,259       504       (755 )
Greater than nine to twelve months
    220       2,425       1,471       (954 )     157       1,743       471       (1,272 )
Greater than twelve months
    466       5,649       2,181       (3,468 )     32       360       64       (296 )
 
                                               
Total
    896     $ 10,584     $ 5,294     $ (5,290 )     1,229     $ 16,133     $ 8,142     $ (7,991 )
 
                                               
                                                                 
All Other Securities Depressed over 20%  
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
            Cost or                             Cost or              
            Amortized     Fair     Unrealized             Amortized     Fair     Unrealized  
Consecutive Months   Items     Cost     Value     Loss     Items     Cost     Value     Loss  
Three months or less
    68     $ 367     $ 280     $ (87 )     1,003     $ 10,531     $ 7,009     $ (3,522 )
Greater than three to six months
    100       2,010       1,445       (565 )     63       349       171       (178 )
Greater than six to nine months
    38       483       278       (205 )     20       189       114       (75 )
Greater than nine to twelve months
    113       1,409       977       (432 )     12       246       139       (107 )
Greater than twelve months
    95       1,489       1,016       (473 )     1       17       7       (10 )
 
                                               
Total
    414     $ 5,758     $ 3,996     $ (1,762 )     1,099     $ 11,332     $ 7,440     $ (3,892 )
 
                                               
                                                                 
Consolidated Securities Depressed over 20%  
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
            Cost or                             Cost or              
            Amortized     Fair     Unrealized             Amortized     Fair     Unrealized  
Consecutive Months   Items     Cost     Value     Loss     Items     Cost     Value     Loss  
Three months or less
    87     $ 440     $ 328     $ (112 )     1,789     $ 21,512     $ 13,483     $ (8,029 )
Greater than three to six months
    221       2,951       2,062       (889 )     225       2,139       800       (1,339 )
Greater than six to nine months
    108       1,979       1,255       (724 )     112       1,448       618       (830 )
Greater than nine to twelve months
    333       3,834       2,448       (1,386 )     169       1,989       610       (1,379 )
Greater than twelve months
    561       7,138       3,197       (3,941 )     33       377       71       (306 )
 
                                               
Total
    1,310     $ 16,342     $ 9,290     $ (7,052 )     2,328     $ 27,465     $ 15,582     $ (11,883 )
 
                                               

 

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The following tables present the Company’s unrealized loss aging for AFS securities (included in the tables above) by length of time the security was in a continuous greater than 50% unrealized loss position.
                                                                 
Securitized Assets Depressed over 50%  
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
            Cost or                             Cost or              
            Amortized     Fair     Unrealized             Amortized     Fair     Unrealized  
Consecutive Months   Items     Cost     Value     Loss     Items     Cost     Value     Loss  
Three months or less
    19     $ 64     $ 28     $ (36 )     521     $ 7,045     $ 2,374     $ (4,671 )
Greater than three to six months
    80       293       108       (185 )     38       352       56       (296 )
Greater than six to nine months
    74       710       224       (486 )     28       267       44       (223 )
Greater than nine to twelve months
    223       2,647       810       (1,837 )     3       15       3       (12 )
Greater than twelve months
    76       933       158       (775 )                        
 
                                               
Total
    472     $ 4,647     $ 1,328     $ (3,319 )     590     $ 7,679     $ 2,477     $ (5,202 )
 
                                               
                                                                 
All Other Securities Depressed over 50%  
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
            Cost or                             Cost or              
            Amortized     Fair     Unrealized             Amortized     Fair     Unrealized  
Consecutive Months   Items     Cost     Value     Loss     Items     Cost     Value     Loss  
Three months or less
        $     $     $       129     $ 1,305     $ 549     $ (756 )
Greater than three to six months
    6       46       18       (28 )                        
Greater than six to nine months
    14       159       55       (104 )                        
Greater than nine to twelve months
    8       46       19       (27 )                        
Greater than twelve months
                                               
 
                                               
Total
    28     $ 251     $ 92     $ (159 )     129     $ 1,305     $ 549     $ (756 )
 
                                               
                                                                 
Consolidated Securities Depressed over 50%  
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
            Cost or                             Cost or              
            Amortized     Fair     Unrealized             Amortized     Fair     Unrealized  
Consecutive Months   Items     Cost     Value     Loss     Items     Cost     Value     Loss  
Three months or less
    19     $ 64     $ 28     $ (36 )     650     $ 8,350     $ 2,923     $ (5,427 )
Greater than three to six months
    86       339       126       (213 )     38       352       56       (296 )
Greater than six to nine months
    88       869       279       (590 )     28       267       44       (223 )
Greater than nine to twelve months
    231       2,693       829       (1,864 )     3       15       3       (12 )
Greater than twelve months
    76       933       158       (775 )                        
 
                                               
Total
    500     $ 4,898     $ 1,420     $ (3,478 )     719     $ 8,984     $ 3,026     $ (5,958 )
 
                                               

 

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CAPITAL MARKETS RISK MANAGEMENT
The Hartford has a disciplined approach to managing risks associated with its capital markets and asset/liability management activities. Investment portfolio management is organized to focus investment management expertise on the specific classes of investments, while asset/liability management is the responsibility of a dedicated risk management unit supporting Life and Property & Casualty operations. Derivative instruments are utilized in compliance with established Company policy and regulatory requirements and are monitored internally and reviewed by senior management.
Market Risk
The Hartford is exposed to market risk, primarily relating to the market price and/or cash flow variability associated with changes in interest rates, credit spreads including issuer defaults, equity prices or market indices and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company is also exposed to credit and counterparty repayment risk. The Company analyzes interest rate risk using various models including parametric models that forecast cash flows of the liabilities and the supporting investments, including derivative instruments, under various market scenarios. For further discussion of market risk, see the Capital Markets Risk Management Section of the MD&A in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report.
Interest Rate Risk
The Company’s exposure to interest rate risk relates to the market price and/or cash flow variability associated with the changes in market interest rates. In addition, the Company manages net investment spread on certain products. The Company manages its exposure to interest rate risk through asset allocation limits, asset/liability duration matching and through the use of derivatives. For further discussion of interest rate risk, see the Interest Rate Risk discussion within the Capital Markets Risk Management Section of the MD&A in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report and in the Life Section of the MD&A.
The Company is also exposed to interest rate risk based upon the discount rate assumption associated with the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit obligations. The discount rate assumption is based upon an interest rate yield curve comprised of bonds rated Aa or higher with maturities primarily between zero and thirty years. For further discussion of interest rate risk associated with the benefit obligations, see the Critical Accounting Estimates Section of the MD&A under Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations and Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report.
Credit Risk
For further information on credit risk derivatives, see the Investment Credit Risk Section of the MD&A.
The Company is also exposed to credit spread risk related to security market price and cash flows associated with changes in credit spreads. Credit spread widening will reduce the fair value of the investment portfolio and will increase net investment income on new purchases. This will also result in losses associated with credit based non-qualifying derivatives where the Company assumes credit exposure. If issuer credit spreads increase significantly or for an extended period of time, it may result in higher OTTI losses. Credit spread tightening will reduce net investment income associated with new purchases of fixed maturities and increase the fair value of the investment portfolio. Credit spread tightening results in a decrease in the Company’s unrealized losses. For further discussion of sectors most significantly impacted, see the Investment Credit Risk Section of the MD&A. Also, for a discussion of the movement of credit spread impacts on the Company’s statutory financial results as it relates to the accounting and reporting for market value fixed annuities, see the Capital Resources and Liquidity Section of the MD&A.
Life’s Equity Product Risk
The Company’s Life operations are significantly influenced by changes in the U.S., Japanese, and other global equity markets. Appreciation or depreciation in equity markets impacts certain assets and liabilities related to the Company’s variable products and the Company’s earnings derived from those products. The Company’s variable products include variable annuities, mutual funds, and variable life insurance sold to retail and institutional customers. These variable products may include product guarantees such as GMWB, GMDB, and GMIB.
Substantially all of the Company’s variable annuity contracts contain GMDBs and a portion of those contracts also contain GMWBs or GMIBs. The Company’s maximum exposure disclosed below for death and living benefits are calculated independently, however, these exposures are substantially overlapping.
Generally, declines in equity markets, such as those experienced in 2008 and the first quarter of 2009, will and did:
 
reduce the value of assets under management and the amount of fee income generated from those assets;
 
reduce the value of equity securities, trading, for international variable annuities, the related policyholder funds and benefits payable, and the amount of fee income generated from those annuities;
 
increase the liability for GMWB benefits resulting in realized capital losses;
 
increase the value of derivative assets used to hedge product guarantees resulting in realized capital gains;
 
increase costs under the Company’s hedging program;
 
increase the Company’s net amount at risk for GMDB and GMIB benefits;
 
decrease the Company’s actual gross profits, resulting in increased DAC amortization;

 

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increase the amount of required statutory capital necessary to maintain targeted risk based capital (“RBC”) ratios;
 
 
turn customer sentiment toward equity-linked products negative, causing a decline in sales; and
 
cause a significant decrease in the Company’s estimates of future gross profits. See Life Estimated Gross Profits Used in the Valuation and Amortization of Assets and Liabilities Associated with Variable Annuity and Other Universal Life-Type Contracts within Critical Accounting Estimates for further information on DAC and related equity market sensitivities.
Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefits
The majority of the Company’s U.S. and U.K. variable annuities include a GMWB living benefit rider which is accounted for as an embedded derivative reported at fair value through earnings. As of May 8, 2009, the Company suspended all new product sales in the U.K. For the in-force block of U.S. and U.K. business, declines in the equity market will increase the Company’s exposure to benefits, under the GMWB contracts, leading to an increase in the Company’s existing liability for those benefits.
For example, a GMWB contract is ‘in the money’ if the contract holder’s guaranteed remaining benefit (“GRB”) becomes greater than the account value. As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, 53% and 88%, respectively, of all unreinsured U.S. GMWB in-force contracts were ‘in-the-money’. For U.S. and U.K. GMWB contracts that were ‘in-the-money’ the Company’s exposure to the GRB, after reinsurance, as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, was $3.4 billion and $7.7 billion, respectively.
However, the only ways the GMWB contract holder can monetize the excess of the GRB over the account value of the contract is upon death or if their account value is reduced to a contractually specified minimum level, through a combination of a series of withdrawals that do not exceed a specific percentage of the premiums paid per year and market declines. If the account value is reduced to the contractually specified minimum level, the contract holder will receive an annuity equal to the remaining GRB and, for the Company’s “life-time” GMWB products, the annuity can continue beyond the GRB. As the amount of the excess of the GRB over the account value can fluctuate with equity market returns on a daily basis, and the ultimate life-time GMWB payments can exceed the GRB, the ultimate amount to be paid by the Company, if any, is uncertain and could be significantly more or less than $3.4 billion. For additional information on the Company’s GMWB liability, see Note 4 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefits and Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefits
In the U.S., the Company sells variable annuity contracts that offer various GMDBs. Declines in the equity market will increase the Company’s liability for death benefits under these contracts. The Company accounts for these GMDBs as death benefit and other insurance benefit liabilities which are not reported at fair value.
The Company’s total gross exposure (i.e., before reinsurance) to U.S. GMDBs as of September 30, 2009 is $21.4 billion. The Company will incur these GMDB payments in the future only if the policyholder has an in-the-money GMDB at their time of death. The Company currently reinsures 52% of these GMDBs. Under certain of these reinsurance agreements, the reinsurers’ exposure is subject to an annual cap. For these products, the Company’s net exposure (i.e. after reinsurance), referred to as the retained net amount at risk, is $10.2 billion, as of September 30, 2009. For additional information on the Company’s GMDB liability, see Note 7 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
As of June 1, 2009, the Company suspended all new product sales in Japan. Prior to June 1, 2009, the Company offered certain variable annuity products in Japan with both a GMDB and a GMIB. For the in-force block of Japan business, declines in equity markets, as well as a strengthening of the Japanese yen in comparison to the U.S. dollar and other currencies may increase the Company’s exposure to these guaranteed benefits. This increased exposure may be significant in extreme market scenarios. The Company accounts for these GMDB and GMIB liabilities as death benefit and other insurance benefit liabilities which are not reported at fair value.
The Company’s total gross exposure (i.e., before reinsurance) to these GMDBs and GMIBs offered in Japan as of September 30, 2009 is $7.0 billion. The Company will incur these guaranteed death or income benefits in the future only if the contract holder has an in-the-money guaranteed benefit at either the time of their death or if the account value is insufficient to fund the guaranteed living benefits. The Company currently reinsures 17% of these death benefit guarantees. Under certain of these reinsurance agreements, the reinsurers’ exposure is subject to an annual cap. For these products, the Company’s retained net amount at risk is $5.8 billion, as of September 30, 2009. For additional information on the Company’s GMDB/GMIB liability, see Note 7 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Life’s Product Guarantee Accounting Models
The accounting for various living benefit and death benefit guarantees is significantly different and influences the form of risk management employed by the Company. GMWBs meet the definition of an embedded derivative and are accounted for at fair value, incorporating changes in equity indices, equity index volatility and interest rates, with changes in fair value reported in earnings. For contracts where the contract holder can only obtain the value of the guaranteed benefit upon the occurrence of an insurable event such as death (GMDB) or when the benefit received is in substance a long-term financing (GMIB), the accounting is not recorded at fair value. Rather, these death benefit or other insurance benefit features require a liability be established, in addition to the account value liability representing the policyholders funds, to recognize the portion of periodic assessments compensating the Company for benefits to be provided in the future. As a result of these accounting differences under U.S. GAAP, the liability valuation for GMWBs is significantly different than GMDBs and GMIBs.

 

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Life’s Equity Product Risk Management
The Company has made considerable investment in analyzing current and potential future market risk exposures arising from a number of factors, including but not limited to: product guarantees (GMDB, GMWB, and GMIB); equity market and interest rate risks (in the U.S., U.K., and Japan); and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company evaluates these risks individually and, increasingly, in the aggregate to determine the risk profiles of all of its products and to judge their potential impacts on financial metrics including U.S. GAAP earnings and statutory surplus. The Company suspended all new product sales in Japan as of June 1, 2009 and in the U.K. as of May 8, 2009. The Company continues to manage the product risk of all in-force blocks of business including the equity market, interest rate and foreign currency exchange risks embedded in these product guarantees through a combination of product design, reinsurance, customized derivatives, and dynamic hedging and macro hedging programs.
In consideration of current market conditions, the Company’s risk management program for the U.S. variable annuity market include redesigned product features and offerings which serve to lessen the financial risk of the product guarantees and increased rider fees charged for the product guarantees. Depending upon competitors’ reactions with respect to product suites and related rider charges, the Company’s strategies of reducing product risk and increasing fees may cause a further decline in market share.
Reinsurance
The Company uses reinsurance to manage the risk exposure for a portion of contracts issued with GMWB riders prior to the third quarter of 2003 and, in addition, in 2008, the Company entered into a reinsurance agreement to reinsure GMWB risks associated with a block of business sold between the third quarter of 2003 and the second quarter of 2006. The Company’s GMWB reinsurance is accounted for as a freestanding derivative and is reported at fair value.
The Company also uses reinsurance to manage the risk exposure for a majority of the death benefit riders issued in the U.S. and a portion of the death benefit riders issued in Japan.
Derivative Hedging Programs
The Company maintains derivative hedging programs for its product guarantee risk to meet multiple, and in some cases, competing risk management objectives, including providing protection against tail scenario equity market events, providing resources to pay product guarantee claims, and minimizing U.S. GAAP earnings volatility, statutory surplus volatility and other economic metrics. For reinsurance and derivatives, the Company retains credit risk associated with the third parties. Refer to the preceding “Credit Risk” section for the Company’s discussion of credit risk.
The Company is continually exploring new ways and new markets to manage or layoff the capital markets and policyholder behavior risks associated with its U.S. GMWB living benefits. During 2007 and 2008, the Company entered into customized derivative contracts to hedge certain capital market risk components for the remaining term of specific blocks of non-reinsured U.S. GMWB riders. These customized derivative contracts provide protection from capital markets risks based on policyholder behavior assumptions specified by the Company at the inception of the derivative transactions. The Company retains the risk for actual policyholder behavior that is different from assumptions within the customized derivatives.
The Company’s dynamic hedging program uses derivative instruments to manage the U.S. GAAP earnings volatility associated with variable annuity product guarantees including equity market declines, equity implied volatility, declines in interest rates and foreign currency exchange risk. The Company uses hedging instruments including: interest rate futures and swaps; S&P 500, NASDAQ and EAFE index put options; total return swaps; and futures contracts. The dynamic hedging program involves a detailed monitoring of policyholder behavior and capital markets conditions on a daily basis and rebalancing of the hedge position as needed depending upon the risk strategy employed. While the Company actively manages this dynamic hedging program, increased U.S. GAAP earnings volatility may result from factors including, but not limited to: policyholder behavior; capital markets dislocation or discontinuity; divergence between the performance of the underlying funds and the hedging indices; and the relative emphasis placed on various risk management objectives.
The Company’s macro hedge program uses derivative instruments to partially hedge the statutory tail scenario risk associated primarily with its U.S. and Japan living and death benefit statutory reserves, providing an additional measure of protection, under tail scenarios, on statutory surplus and the associated RBC ratios. A consequence of the macro hedge program will be additional cost and volatility, under non-tail scenarios, as the macro hedge is intended to partially hedge certain equity-market sensitive liabilities calculated under statutory accounting (see Capital Resources and Liquidity) and changes in the value of the derivatives may not be closely aligned to changes in liabilities determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, causing volatility in U.S. GAAP earnings including significant losses in periods of equity market growth.
Throughout 2009, the rebalancing of variable annuity hedging programs resulted in the sale of certain derivative positions, a portion of which proceeds were used to purchase other derivatives for the protection of statutory surplus and the associated target RBC ratios. The Company maintains hedge positions on the S&P 500 index and the U.S. dollar/yen exchange rate to economically hedge statutory reserves and to provide protection of statutory surplus arising primarily from GMDB and GMWB obligations. Refer to Note 5 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on hedging derivatives.

 

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The following table summarizes the Company’s U.S. GMWB account value by type of risk management strategy as of September 30, 2009:
                     
        GMWB        
        Account     % of GMWB  
Risk Management Strategy   Duration   Value     Account Value  
Entire GMWB risk reinsured with a third party
  Life of the product   $ 11,227       25 %
Capital markets risk transferred to a third party — behavior risk retained by the Company
  Designed to cover the effective life of the product     10,857       24 %
Dynamic hedging of capital markets risk using various derivative instruments [1]
  Weighted average of 3 years     22,421       51 %
 
               
 
      $ 44,505       100 %
 
               
     
[1]  
Through the third quarter of 2009, the Company continued to maintain a reduced level of dynamic hedge protection on U.S. GAAP earnings while placing a greater relative emphasis on the protection of statutory surplus. This shift in emphasis includes the macro hedge program.
Based on the construction of our derivative hedging program (both dynamic and macro hedge) as of September 30, 2009, which can change based on capital market conditions, notional amounts and other factors and has changed as we have disclosed elsewhere, an independent change in the following capital market factors is likely to have the following impacts. These sensitivities do not capture the impact of elapsed time on liabilities or hedge assets. Each of the sensitivities set forth below is estimated individually, without consideration of any correlation among the key assumptions. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to take each of the sensitivities below and add them together in an attempt to estimate the volatility in our variable annuity hedging program. In addition, there are other factors, including policyholder behavior, which could materially impact the GMWB liability. As a result, actual net changes in the value of the GMWB liability, the related dynamic hedging program derivative assets and the macro hedge program derivative assets may vary materially from those calculated using only the sensitivities disclosed below:
         
    Net Impact on Hedging Program  
Capital Market Factor   Pre-Tax/DAC Gain (Loss)  
Equity markets decrease 1% [1]
  $ 11  
Volatility increases 1% [2]
  $ (47 )
Interest rates decrease 1 basis point [3]
  $ (2 )
     
[1]  
Represents the aggregate net impact of a 1% decrease in each of the S&P 500, NASDAQ and EAFE indices.
 
[2]  
Represents the aggregate net impact of a 1% increase in blended implied volatility that is generally skewed towards longer durations of each of the S&P 500, NASDAQ and EAFE indices.
 
[3]  
Represents the aggregate net impact of a 1 basis point parallel shift on the LIBOR yield curve.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2009, U.S. GMWB liabilities, net of our dynamic and macro hedging program, incurred a net realized pre-tax loss of $480. This net realized loss was primarily driven by increases in U.S. equity markets of approximately 15%, increases in volatility of approximately 40 basis points, interest rate decreases of approximately 30 basis points, a tightening of the Company’s own credit spread and liability model assumption changes, partially offset by gains resulting from the relative outperformance of the underlying actively managed funds as compared to their respective indices. See Note 4 for a description and impact of the Company’s own credit spread and liability model assumption changes. During the quarter ended September 30, 2009, the Company rebalanced its hedging position, which decreased the net impact on hedging program amounts from $25 to $11 for the equity market factor and from $(38) to $(47) for the volatility factor. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, U.S. GMWB liabilities, net of our dynamic and macro hedging program, incurred a net realized pre-tax gain of $421. This net realized gain was primarily driven by decreases in volatility of approximately 7%, interest rate increases of approximately 50 basis points, an increase in the Company’s own credit risk, the relative outperformance of the underlying actively managed funds as compared to their respective indices and liability model assumption changes, partially offset by increases in U.S. equity markets of approximately 20%. See Note 4 for description and impact of the Company’s own credit spread and liability model assumption changes.
Equity Risk Impact on Statutory Capital and Risked Based Capital
See Capital Resources and Liquidity, Ratings for information on the equity risk impact on statutory results.
Derivative Instruments
The Company utilizes a variety of derivative instruments, including swaps, caps, floors, forwards, futures and options through one of four Company-approved objectives: to hedge risk arising from interest rate, equity market, credit spread including issuer default, price or currency exchange rate risk or volatility; to manage liquidity; to control transaction costs; or to enter into replication transactions.
Further downgrades to the credit ratings of The Hartford’s insurance operating companies may have adverse implications for its use of derivatives including those used to hedge benefit guarantees of variable annuities. In some cases, further downgrades may give derivative counterparties the unilateral contractual right to cancel and settle outstanding derivative trades or require additional collateral to be posted. In addition, further downgrades may result in counterparties becoming unwilling to engage in additional over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives or may require collateralization before entering into any new trades. This will restrict the supply of derivative instruments commonly used to hedge variable annuity guarantees, particularly long-dated equity derivatives and interest rate swaps. Under these circumstances, The Hartford’s operating subsidiaries could conduct hedging activity using available OTC derivatives, as well as a combination of cash and exchange-traded instruments.

 

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CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
Capital resources and liquidity represent the overall financial strength of The Hartford and the Life and Property & Casualty insurance operations and their ability to generate cash flows from each of their business segments, borrow funds at competitive rates and raise new capital to meet operating and growth needs over the next twelve months.
Liquidity Requirements and Sources of Capital
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (Holding Company)
The liquidity requirements of the holding company of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (“HFSG Holding Company”) have been and will continue to be met by HFSG Holding Company’s cash and short-term investments of $4.3 billion at September 30, 2009, dividends from the Life and Property & Casualty insurance operations, as well as the issuance of common stock, debt or other capital securities and borrowings from its credit facilities. Expected liquidity requirements of the HFSG Holding Company for the next twelve months include interest expense on debt of approximately $463, maturity of senior notes of $275, payment to Allianz for a contingent liability of $200, common stockholder dividends, subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors, of approximately $76, and preferred stock dividends of approximately $170.
Debt
The Hartford’s debt maturities over the next twelve months include $275 aggregate principal amount of its 7.9% senior notes that mature in June 2010 and capital lease obligations of approximately $71. For additional information regarding debt, see Notes 12 and 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report.
Dividends
On October 21, 2009, The Hartford’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per common share payable on January 4, 2010 to common shareholders of record as of December 1, 2009.
Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits
While the Company has significant discretion in making voluntary contributions to its U. S. qualified defined benefit pension plan (the “Plan”), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended by the Pension Protection Act of 2006 and further amended by the Worker, Retiree, and Employer Act of 2008, and Internal Revenue Code regulations mandate minimum contributions in certain circumstances. The Company does not have a required minimum funding contribution for the U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan for 2009 and the funding requirements for all of the pension plans are expected to be immaterial. The Company contributed $120, at its discretion, to its U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan in August 2009 and presently anticipates contributing approximately $80 to its pension plans and other postretirement plans in the fourth quarter of 2009, based upon certain economic and business assumptions. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, equity market performance, changes in interest rates and the Company’s other capital requirements.
Dividends from the Insurance Operations
Dividends to the HFSG Holding Company from its insurance subsidiaries are restricted. The payment of dividends by Connecticut-domiciled insurers is limited under the insurance holding company laws of Connecticut. These laws require notice to and approval by the state insurance commissioner for the declaration or payment of any dividend, which, together with other dividends or distributions made within the preceding twelve months, exceeds the greater of (i) 10% of the insurer’s policyholder surplus as of December 31 of the preceding year or (ii) net income (or net gain from operations, if such company is a life insurance company) for the twelve-month period ending on the thirty-first day of December last preceding, in each case determined under statutory insurance accounting principles. In addition, if any dividend of a Connecticut-domiciled insurer exceeds the insurer’s earned surplus, it requires the prior approval of the Connecticut Insurance Commissioner. The insurance holding company laws of the other jurisdictions in which The Hartford’s insurance subsidiaries are incorporated (or deemed commercially domiciled) generally contain similar (although in certain instances somewhat more restrictive) limitations on the payment of dividends. Through October 30, 2009, dividend payments from certain of the Company’s property-casualty insurance subsidiaries were subject to prior approval of the Connecticut Insurance Commissioner due to extraordinary dividend limitations under the insurance holding company laws of Connecticut. It is estimated that, beginning on October 31, 2009, the Company’s property-casualty insurance subsidiaries were permitted to pay up to a maximum of approximately $1.3 billion in dividends to the HFSG Holding Company in 2009 without prior approval from the applicable insurance commissioner. With respect to dividends to Hartford Life, Inc. (“HLI”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, it is estimated that the Company’s life insurance subsidiaries’ non-extraordinary dividend limitation under the insurance holding company laws of Connecticut is approximately $614 in 2009. However, because the life insurance subsidiaries’ earned surplus was $598 as of December 31, 2008, the Company’s life insurance subsidiaries will be permitted to pay dividends only up to this amount to HLI in 2009 without prior approval from the applicable insurance commissioner. During 2009, HFSG Holding Company and HLI received no dividends from the life insurance subsidiaries. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, HFSG Holding Company received $127 in dividends from its property-casualty insurance subsidiaries and through November 3, 2009, HFSG Holding Company received an additional $62 in dividends from its property-casualty insurance subsidiaries.

 

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Other Sources of Capital for the HFSG Holding Company
The Hartford endeavors to maintain a capital structure that provides financial and operational flexibility to its insurance subsidiaries, ratings that support its competitive position in the financial services marketplace (see the “Ratings” section below for further discussion), and shareholder returns. As a result, the Company may from time to time raise capital from the issuance of stock, debt or other capital securities and is continuously evaluating strategic opportunities. The issuance of common stock, debt or other capital securities could result in the dilution of shareholder interests or reduced net income due to additional interest expense.
Capital Purchase Program
On June 26, 2009, as part of the Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”) established by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the “EESA”), the Company entered into a Private Placement Purchase Agreement with Treasury pursuant to which the Company issued and sold to the U.S. Treasury 3,400,000 shares of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series E, having a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (the “Series E Preferred Stock”), and a ten-year warrant to purchase up to 52,093,973 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at an initial exercise price of $9.79 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $3.4 billion. To satisfy a key eligibility requirement for participation in the CPP, The Hartford acquired Federal Trust Corporation and has agreed with OTS to serve as a source of strength to its wholly-owned subsidiary Federal Trust Bank (“FTB”), which included the contribution of $195 of CPP funds to FTB in the second and third quarter of 2009 and could require even further contributions of additional capital to FTB in the future. In addition, The Hartford has contributed $500 of the CPP funds to its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary Hartford Life Insurance Company. The remaining $2.7 billion is held at the HFSG Holding Company in a segregated account.
Cumulative dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock will accrue on the liquidation preference at a rate of 5% per annum for the first five years, and at a rate of 9% per annum thereafter. The Series E Preferred Stock has no maturity date and ranks senior to the Company’s common stock. The Series E Preferred Stock is non-voting. Payments on the cumulative dividends are approximately $170 over the next twelve months. The cumulative dividends on preferred stock and related accretion of discount on preferred stock will reduce net income available to common shareholders.
Discretionary Equity Issuance Program
On June 12, 2009, the Company announced that it had commenced a discretionary equity issuance program, and in accordance with that program entered into an equity distribution agreement pursuant to which it will offer up to 60 million shares of its common stock from time to time for aggregate sales proceeds of up to $750. The Hartford intends to use net proceeds of sales under the program for general corporate purposes, to strengthen our capital position and for the possible repurchases of outstanding debt securities.
On August 5, 2009, the Company increased the aggregate sales proceeds from $750 to $900.
On August 6, 2009, the Company announced the completion of the discretionary equity issuance program. The Hartford issued 56.1 million shares of common stock and received net proceeds of $887 under this program. The Company has paid $13 in commissions to Goldman Sachs & Co. as sales agent for the discretionary equity issuance program.
Additionally, this program triggered an anti-dilution provision in The Hartford’s investment agreement with Allianz, which resulted in the adjustment to the warrant exercise price to $25.25 from $25.32 and to the number of shares that may be purchased to 69,314,987 from 69,115,324.
Shelf Registrations
On April 11, 2007, The Hartford filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission an automatic shelf registration statement (Registration No. 333-142044) for the potential offering and sale of debt and equity securities. The registration statement allows for the following types of securities to be offered: (i) debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares, warrants, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units and junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures of the Company, and (ii) preferred securities of any of one or more capital trusts organized by The Hartford (“The Hartford Trusts”). The Company may enter into guarantees with respect to the preferred securities of any of The Hartford Trusts. In that The Hartford is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, the registration statement went effective immediately upon filing and The Hartford may offer and sell an unlimited amount of securities under the registration statement during the three-year life of the shelf.
Contingent Capital Facility
On February 12, 2007, The Hartford entered into a put option agreement (the “Put Option Agreement”) with Glen Meadow ABC Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “ABC Trust”), and LaSalle Bank National Association, as put option calculation agent. The Put Option Agreement provides The Hartford with the right to require the ABC Trust, at any time and from time to time, to purchase The Hartford’s junior subordinated notes (the “Notes”) in a maximum aggregate principal amount not to exceed $500. Under the Put Option Agreement, The Hartford will pay the ABC Trust premiums on a periodic basis, calculated with respect to the aggregate principal amount of Notes that The Hartford had the right to put to the ABC Trust for such period. The Hartford has agreed to reimburse the ABC Trust for certain fees and ordinary expenses. The Company holds a variable interest in the ABC Trust where the Company is not the primary beneficiary. As a result, the Company did not consolidate the ABC Trust. As of September 30, 2009, The Hartford has not exercised its right to require ABC Trust to purchase the Notes. As a result, the Notes remain a source of capital for the HFSG Holding Company.

 

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Commercial Paper and Revolving Credit Facility
The table below details the Company’s short-term debt programs and the applicable balances outstanding.
                                                 
                    Maximum Available As of     Outstanding As of  
    Effective     Expiration     September 30,     December 31,     September 30,     December 31,  
Description   Date     Date     2009     2008     2009     2008  
Commercial Paper
                                               
The Hartford
    11/10/86       N/A     $ 2,000     $ 2,000     $     $ 374  
Revolving Credit Facility
                                               
5-year revolving credit facility
    8/9/07       8/9/12       1,900       1,900              
 
                                   
Total Commercial Paper, Revolving Credit Facility and Line of Credit
                  $ 3,900     $ 3,900     $     $ 374  
 
                                   
While The Hartford’s maximum borrowings available under its commercial paper program are $2.0 billion, the Company is dependent upon market conditions to access short-term financing through the issuance of commercial paper to investors. As of September 30, 2009, the Company has no commercial paper outstanding.
The revolving credit facility provides for up to $1.9 billion of unsecured credit through August 9, 2012, which excludes a $100 commitment from an affiliate of Lehman Brothers. Of the total availability under the revolving credit facility, up to $100 is available to support letters of credit issued on behalf of The Hartford or other subsidiaries of The Hartford. Under the revolving credit facility, the Company must maintain a minimum level of consolidated net worth of $12.5 billion. At September 30, 2009, the consolidated net worth of the Company as calculated in accordance with the terms of the credit facility was $22.4 billion. The definition of consolidated net worth under the terms of the credit facility, excludes AOCI and includes the Company’s outstanding junior subordinated debentures and perpetual preferred securities, net of discount. In addition, the Company must not exceed a maximum ratio of debt to capitalization of 40%. At September 30, 2009, as calculated in accordance with the terms of the credit facility, the Company’s debt to capitalization ratio was 15.5%. Quarterly, the Company certifies compliance with the financial covenants for the syndicate of participating financial institutions. As of September 30, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants.
The Hartford’s Life Japan operations also maintain a line of credit in the amount of $56, or ¥5 billion, which expires January 5, 2010 in support of the subsidiary operations.
Derivative Commitments
Certain of the Company’s derivative agreements contain provisions that are tied to the financial strength ratings of the individual legal entity that entered into the derivative agreement as set by nationally recognized statistical rating agencies. If the insurance operating entity’s financial strength were to fall below certain ratings, the counterparties to the derivative agreements could demand immediate and ongoing full collateralization and in certain instances demand immediate settlement of all outstanding derivative positions traded under each impacted bilateral agreement. The settlement amount is determined by netting the derivative positions transacted under each agreement. If the termination rights were to be exercised by the counterparties, it could impact the insurance operating entity’s ability to conduct hedging activities by increasing the associated costs and decreasing the willingness of counterparties to transact with the insurance operating entity. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that are in a net liability position as of September 30, 2009, is $780. Of this $780, the insurance operating entities have posted collateral of $737 in the normal course of business. Based on derivative market values as of September 30, 2009, a downgrade of one level below the current financial strength ratings by either Moody’s or S&P could require approximately an additional $41 to be posted as collateral. Based on derivative market values as of September 30, 2009, a downgrade by either Moody’s or S&P of two levels below the insurance operating entities’ current financial strength ratings could require approximately an additional $63 (which includes the $41 described above) of assets to be posted as collateral. These collateral amounts could change as derivative market values change, as a result of changes in our hedging activities or to the extent changes in contractual terms are negotiated. The nature of the collateral that we may be required to post is primarily in the form of U.S. Treasury bills and U.S. Treasury notes.
The table below presents the aggregate notional amount and fair value of derivative relationships that could be subject to immediate termination in the event of further rating agency downgrades.
                 
    As of September 30, 2009  
Ratings levels   Notional Amount     Fair Value  
Either BBB+ or Baa1
  $ 4,740     $ 253  
Both BBB+ and Baa1 [1] [2]
  $ 13,404     $ 588  
     
[1]  
The notional amount and fair value include both the scenario where only one rating agency takes action to this level, as well as where both rating agencies take action to this level.
 
[2]  
The notional and fair value amounts include a customized GMWB derivative with a notional amount of $5.4 billion and a fair value of $199, for which the Company has a contractual right to make a collateral payment in the amount of approximately $61 to prevent its termination.

 

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Insurance Operations
Current and expected patterns of claim frequency and severity or surrenders may change from period to period but continue to be within historical norms and, therefore, the Company’s insurance operations’ current liquidity position is considered to be sufficient to meet anticipated demands over the next twelve months, including any obligations related to the Company’s restructuring activities. For a discussion and tabular presentation of the Company’s current contractual obligations by period, refer to Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations within the Capital Resources and Liquidity section of the MD&A included in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report.
The principal sources of operating funds are premiums, fees earned from assets under management and investment income, while investing cash flows originate from maturities and sales of invested assets. The primary uses of funds are to pay claims, claim adjustment expenses, commissions and other underwriting expenses, to purchase new investments and to make dividend payments to the HFSG Holding Company. The Company’s insurance operations also participate in securities lending programs to generate additional income. Through these programs, the Company loans fixed income securities to third-party borrowers in exchange for cash collateral. Those loaned securities may be returned to the Company at various maturity dates, at which time the Company would be required to return the cash collateral. If the loaned securities had been returned to the Company as of September 30, 2009, the Company’s Life and Property & Casualty operating subsidiaries would have been required to fund the return of cash collateral of $213 and $0, respectively, out of operating funds, short-term investment holdings or, if necessary, from the sale of fixed maturity investments.
Property & Casualty
Property & Casualty holds fixed maturity securities including a significant short-term investment position (securities with maturities of one year or less at the time of purchase) to meet liquidity needs. As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, Property & Casualty held total fixed maturity investments of $24.5 billion and $21.4 billion, respectively, of which $1.9 billion and $1.6 billion were short-term investments, respectively. As of September 30, 2009, Property & Casualty’s cash and short-term investments of $2.2 billion, included $20 of collateral received from, and held on behalf of, derivative counterparties. Property & Casualty also held $551 of U.S. Treasuries, of which $115 had been pledged to derivative counterparties.
Liquidity requirements that are unable to be funded by Property & Casualty’s short-term investments would be satisfied with current operating funds, including premiums received or through the sale of invested assets. A sale of invested assets could result in significant realized losses.
Life
Life’s total contractholder obligations are supported by Life’s general account invested assets of $64.0 billion, including a significant short-term investment position to meet liquidity needs. As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, Life held total fixed maturity investments of $53.4 billion and $52.1 billion, respectively, of which $7.5 billion and $6.9 billion were short-term investments, respectively. As of September 30, 2009, Life’s cash and short-term investments of $9.6 billion, included $1.1 billion of collateral received from, and held on behalf of, derivative counterparties and $327 of collateral pledged to derivative counterparties, as well as $688 of cash associated with the Japanese variable annuity business which has an offsetting amount in other policyholder funds and benefits payable — International variable annuities. Life also held $2.0 billion of U.S. Treasury securities, of which $621 had been pledged to derivative counterparties.
Capital resources available to fund liquidity, upon contract holder surrender, are a function of the legal entity in which the liquidity requirement resides. Generally, obligations of Group Benefits will be funded by Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company; Individual Annuity and Individual Life obligations will be generally funded by both Hartford Life Insurance Company and Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company; obligations of Retirement and Institutional will be generally funded by Hartford Life Insurance Company; and obligations of International will be generally funded by the legal entity in the country in which the obligation was generated.

 

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    As of  
    September 30,  
Contractholder Obligations   2009  
    (In billions)  
Total Life contractholder obligations
  $ 318.9  
Less: Separate account assets [1]
    (156.0 )
Mutual funds [1]
    (62.4 )
International statutory separate accounts [1]
    (33.4 )
 
     
General account obligations
  $ 67.1  
 
     
 
       
Composition of General Account Obligations
       
 
     
Contracts without a surrender provision and/or fixed payout dates [2]
  $ 33.1  
Retail fixed market value adjusted annuities [3]
    11.0  
International fixed market value adjusted annuities
    2.7  
GICs [4]
    1.4  
Funding agreements [5]
    0.7  
Other [6]
    18.2  
 
     
General account obligations
  $ 67.1  
 
     
     
[1]  
In the event customers elect to surrender separate account assets, international statutory separate accounts or mutual funds, Life will use the proceeds from the sale of the assets to fund the surrender and Life’s liquidity position will not be impacted. In many instances Life will receive a percentage of the surrender amount as compensation for early surrender (surrender charge), increasing Life’s liquidity position. In addition, a surrender of variable annuity separate account or general account assets (see below) will decrease Life’s obligation for payments on guaranteed living and death benefits.
 
[2]  
Relates to contracts such as payout annuities or institutional notes, other than guaranteed investment products with a market value adjustment feature (discussed below) or surrenders of term life, group benefit contracts or death and living benefit reserves for which surrenders will have no current effect on Life’s liquidity requirements.
 
[3]  
Relates to annuities that are held in a statutory separate account, but under U.S. GAAP are recorded in the general account as Fixed MVA annuity contract holders are subject to the Company’s credit risk. In the statutory separate account, Life is required to maintain invested assets with a fair value equal to the market value adjusted surrender value of the Fixed MVA contract. In the event assets decline in value at a greater rate than the market value adjusted surrender value of the Fixed MVA contract, Life is required to contribute additional capital to the statutory separate account. Life will fund these required contributions with operating cash flows or short-term investments. In the event that operating cash flows or short-term investments are not sufficient to fund required contributions, the Company may have to sell other invested assets at a loss, potentially resulting in a decrease in statutory surplus. As the fair value of invested assets in the statutory separate account are generally equal to the market value adjusted surrender value of the Fixed MVA contract, surrender of Fixed MVA annuities will have an insignificant impact on the liquidity requirements of Life.
 
[4]  
GICs are subject to discontinuance provisions which allow the policyholders to terminate their contracts prior to scheduled maturity at the lesser of the book value or market value. Generally, the market value adjustment reflects changes in interest rates and credit spreads. As a result, the market value adjustment feature in the GIC serves to protect the Company from interest rate risks and limit Life’s liquidity requirements in the event of a surrender.
 
[5]  
Funding agreements allow the policyholders to terminate at book value without a market value adjustment after a defined notice period typically of 13 months. All policyholders with this provision have exercised it, and the associated account value will be paid out by December 31, 2009 and will be funded by cash flows from Institutional operations or existing short-term investments within the Institutional investment portfolio.
 
[6]  
Surrenders of, or policy loans taken from, as applicable, these general account liabilities, which include the general account option for Retail’s individual variable annuities and Individual Life’s variable life contracts, the general account option for Retirement Plans’ annuities and universal life contracts sold by Individual Life may be funded through operating cash flows of Life, available short-term investments, or Life may be required to sell fixed maturity investments to fund the surrender payment. Sales of fixed maturity investments could result in the recognition of significant realized losses and insufficient proceeds to fully fund the surrender amount. In this circumstance, Life may need to take other actions, including enforcing certain contract provisions which could restrict surrenders and/or slow or defer payouts.
Consolidated Liquidity Position
The following table summarizes the liquidity available to The Hartford as of September 30, 2009:
         
    As of  
    September 30,  
Liquidity available to The Hartford   2009  
    (In billions)  
U.S. Treasuries
  $ 2.6  
Short-term investments
    13.9  
Cash
    2.4  
Less: Derivative collateral
    (2.2 )
Cash associated with Japan variable annuities
    (0.7 )
 
     
Total liquidity available
  $ 16.0  
 
     

 

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Securities Lending
The Company participates in securities lending programs to generate additional income. Through these programs, certain domestic fixed income securities are loaned from the Company’s portfolio to qualifying third party borrowers in return for collateral in the form of cash or U.S. Treasuries. Borrowers of these securities provide collateral of 102% of the market value of the loaned securities at the time of the loan and can return the securities to the Company for cash at varying maturity dates. The market value of the loaned securities is monitored and additional collateral is obtained if the market value of the collateral falls below 100% of the market value of the loaned securities. As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, under terms of securities lending programs, the fair value of loaned securities was approximately $209 and $2.9 billion, respectively. The Company held collateral of $213 as of September 30, 2009 which represents collateral associated with the Company’s open lending program. This collateral may be returned to the borrowers in thirty days or less. The Company held collateral associated with the loaned securities of $3.0 billion at December 31, 2008. The decrease in both the fair value of loaned securities and the associated collateral is attributable to the maturation of the loans in the term lending program throughout 2009.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations
There have been no material changes to the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements and aggregate contractual obligations since the filing of the Company’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report.
Capitalization
The capital structure of The Hartford as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 consisted of debt and stockholders’ equity, summarized as follows:
                         
    September 30,     December 31,        
    2009     2008     Change  
Short-term debt (includes current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations)
  $ 342     $ 398       (14 %)
Long-term debt
    5,493       5,823       (6 %)
 
                 
Total debt [1]
    5,835       6,221       (6 %)
 
                 
Stockholders’ equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax (“AOCI”)
    20,673       16,788       23 %
AOCI, net of tax
    (3,217 )     (7,520 )     57 %
 
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
  $ 17,456     $ 9,268       88 %
 
                 
Total capitalization including AOCI
  $ 23,291     $ 15,489       50 %
 
                 
Debt to stockholders’ equity
    33 %     67 %        
Debt to capitalization
    25 %     40 %        
     
[1]  
Total debt of the Company excludes $1.2 billion of consumer notes as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 and $119 of Federal Home Loan Bank advances recorded in other liabilities as of September 30, 2009 that were acquired through the purchase of Federal Trust Corporation in the second quarter of 2009.
The Hartford’s total capitalization increased $7.8 billion, or 50%, from December 31, 2008 to September 30, 2009 primarily due to the following:
     
Stockholders’ equity excluding AOCI, net of tax
 
     Increased primarily due to the issuance of $3.4 billion in preferred stock and warrants to the U.S. Treasury as a part of the CPP, cumulative effect of accounting change of $912, issuance of common shares of $887 and reclassification of warrants from other liabilities to equity and extension of warrants’ term of $186 partially offset by a net loss of $1.4 billion. See Notes 1 and 13 for additional information on the cumulative effect of accounting change and issuance of preferred stock and warrants to the U.S. Treasury as a part of the CPP.
 
   
AOCI, net of tax
 
     Increased primarily due to decreases in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities of $5.4 billion primarily due to tightening credit spreads, partially offset by a cumulative effect of accounting change of $912, see Note 1 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the cumulative effect of accounting change.
 
   
Total debt
 
     Total debt has decreased due to the repayment of commercial paper of $375 and payments on capital lease obligations in 2009.
For additional information on debt, stockholders’ equity and AOCI, see Notes 14, 15 and 16, respectively, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report.

 

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    Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,  
Cash Flows   2009     2008  
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 2,745     $ 2,938  
Net cash used for investing activities
  $ (3,821 )   $ (4,049 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
  $ 1,692     $ 1,034  
Cash — end of period
  $ 2,417     $ 1,963  
The decrease in cash from operating activities compared to the prior year period was primarily the result of lower premiums, lower fee income and lower net investment income. Net purchases of available-for-sale securities and pay down of collateral under securities lending account for the majority of cash used for investing activities. Cash from financing activities increased primarily due to issuances of preferred stock and warrants to the U.S. Treasury for $3.4 billion and issuance of common stock through a discretionary equity issuance plan of $887 in 2009 and treasury stock acquired in 2008, partially offset by issuance of long-term debt and consumer notes in 2008 and repayments of commercial paper in 2009. Additionally, net flows on investment and universal life-type contracts decreased in 2009 compared to 2008.
Operating cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 have been adequate to meet liquidity requirements.
Equity Markets
For a discussion of the potential impact of the equity markets on capital and liquidity, see the Capital Markets Risk Management section of the MD&A under Market Risk above.
Ratings
Ratings are an important factor in establishing competitive position in the insurance and financial services marketplace. There can be no assurance that the Company’s ratings will continue for any given period of time or that they will not be changed. In the event the Company’s ratings are downgraded, the level of revenues or the persistency of the Company’s business may be adversely impacted.
The following table summarizes The Hartford’s significant member companies’ financial ratings from the major independent rating organizations as of November 3, 2009.
                 
Insurance Financial Strength Ratings:   A.M. Best   Fitch   Standard & Poor’s   Moody’s
Hartford Fire Insurance Company
  A   A+   A   A2
Hartford Life Insurance Company
  A   A-   A   A3
Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company
  A   A-   A   A3
Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company
  A   A-   A   A3
Hartford Life Insurance KK (Japan)
      A  
Hartford Life Limited (Ireland)
      A  
 
Other Ratings:
               
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.:
               
Senior debt
  bbb+   BBB-   BBB   Baa3
Commercial paper
  AMB-2   F2   A-2   P-3
Junior subordinated debentures
  bbb-   BB   BB+   Ba1
Hartford Life, Inc.:
               
Senior debt
  bbb+   BBB-   BBB   Baa3
Hartford Life Insurance Company:
               
Short term rating
      A-1   P-2
Consumer notes
  a   BBB+   A   Baa1
These ratings are not a recommendation to buy or hold any of The Hartford’s securities and they may be revised or revoked at any time at the sole discretion of the rating organization.
The agencies consider many factors in determining the final rating of an insurance company. One consideration is the relative level of statutory surplus necessary to support the business written. Statutory surplus represents the capital of the insurance company reported in accordance with accounting practices prescribed by the applicable state insurance department.
The table below sets forth statutory surplus for the Company’s insurance companies calculated in accordance with the NAIC’s Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual. The statutory surplus amount as of December 31, 2008 in the table below is based on actual statutory filings with the applicable U.S. regulatory authorities. The statutory surplus amount as of September 30, 2009 is an estimate, as the third quarter 2009 statutory filings have not yet been made.
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2009     2008  
Life Operations
  $ 5,976     $ 6,046  
Japan Life Operations
    1,866       1,718  
Property & Casualty Operations
    6,772       6,012  
 
           
Total
  $ 14,614     $ 13,776  
 
           

 

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The Company has received approval from the Connecticut Insurance Department regarding the use of two permitted practices in the statutory financial statements of its Connecticut-domiciled life insurance subsidiaries. The first permitted practice relates to the statutory accounting for deferred income taxes. The second permitted practice relates to the statutory reserving requirements for variable annuities with guaranteed living benefit riders. These permitted practices will expire in the fourth quarter of 2009.
As of September 30, 2009, the Company received a benefit to statutory surplus of $125 related to the deferred income tax permitted practice and a statutory surplus benefit of $224 related to the reserving permitted practice. When the reserving permitted practice expires in 2009, the Company will be required to adopt VA CARVM, which will differ from the current reserving standards. While it is difficult to predict what the ultimate impact of adopting VA CARVM will be at December 31, 2009, it is estimated that the adoption will likely result in increased required reserves if market conditions at September 30, 2009 persist.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) is actively considering modifying its statutory accounting practice for deferred tax assets to allow for greater admissibility of deferred income taxes for both life and property and casualty insurers. The proposal under consideration is similar in many respects to the permitted practice granted to the company by the State of Connecticut for year-end 2008, and the first three quarters of 2009. The NAIC proposal would apply to 2009 and 2010 during which time the NAIC would decide whether to make permanent changes in this area of statutory accounting. It is expected that the NAIC will act at or before its national meeting in early December 2009.
Contingencies
Legal Proceedings - For a discussion regarding contingencies related to The Hartford’s legal proceedings, see Part II, Item 1, Legal Proceedings.
Legislative Developments
On May 11, 2009, the Obama Administration released the “General Explanations of the Administration’s Revenue Proposals.” Although the Administration has not released proposed statutory language, the “General Explanations of the Administration’s Revenue Proposals” includes proposals which if enacted, would affect the taxation of life insurance companies and certain life insurance products. In particular, the proposals would affect the treatment of corporate owned life insurance policies or “COLIs” by limiting the availability of certain interest deductions for companies that purchase those policies. The proposals would also change the method used to determine the amount of dividend income received by a life insurance company on assets held in separate accounts used to support products, including variable life insurance and variable annuity contracts, that is eligible for the dividends-received deduction, or “DRD.” The DRD reduces the amount of dividend income subject to tax and is a significant component of the difference between the Company’s actual tax expense and expected amount determined using the federal statutory tax rate of 35%. If proposals of this type were enacted, the Company’s sale of COLI, variable annuities, and variable life products could be adversely affected and the Company’s actual tax expense could increase, reducing earnings.
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
For a discussion of accounting standards, see Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in The Hartford’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report and Note 1 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The information contained in the Capital Markets Risk Management section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
The Company’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer, based on their evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective for the purposes set forth in the definition thereof in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) as of September 30, 2009.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s third fiscal quarter of 2009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. On June 24, 2009, the Company acquired Federal Trust Corporation (“FTC”). As part of our ongoing internal control process, we have been and will continue to evaluate and implement changes to processes, information technology systems and other components of internal control over financial reporting related to the acquired business.

 

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Part II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
(Dollar amounts in millions)
Litigation
The Hartford is involved in claims litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, both as a liability insurer defending or providing indemnity for third-party claims brought against insureds and as an insurer defending coverage claims brought against it. The Hartford accounts for such activity through the establishment of unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves. Subject to the uncertainties discussed below under the caption “Asbestos and Environmental Claims,” management expects that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to such ordinary-course claims litigation, after consideration of provisions made for potential losses and costs of defense, will not be material to the consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of The Hartford.
The Hartford is also involved in other kinds of legal actions, some of which assert claims for substantial amounts. These actions include, among others, putative state and federal class actions seeking certification of a state or national class. Such putative class actions have alleged, for example, underpayment of claims or improper underwriting practices in connection with various kinds of insurance policies, such as personal and commercial automobile, property, life and inland marine; improper sales practices in connection with the sale of life insurance and other investment products; and improper fee arrangements in connection with investment products and structured settlements. The Hartford also is involved in individual actions in which punitive damages are sought, such as claims alleging bad faith in the handling of insurance claims. Like many other insurers, The Hartford also has been joined in actions by asbestos plaintiffs asserting, among other things, that insurers had a duty to protect the public from the dangers of asbestos and that insurers committed unfair trade practices by asserting defenses on behalf of their policyholders in the underlying asbestos cases. Management expects that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to such lawsuits, after consideration of provisions made for estimated losses, will not be material to the consolidated financial condition of The Hartford. Nonetheless, given the large or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these actions, and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.
Broker Compensation Litigation — Following the New York Attorney General’s filing of a civil complaint against Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., and Marsh, Inc. (collectively, “Marsh”) in October 2004 alleging that certain insurance companies, including The Hartford, participated with Marsh in arrangements to submit inflated bids for business insurance and paid contingent commissions to ensure that Marsh would direct business to them, private plaintiffs brought several lawsuits against the Company predicated on the allegations in the Marsh complaint, to which the Company was not party. Among these is a multidistrict litigation in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. There are two consolidated amended complaints filed in the multidistrict litigation, one related to conduct in connection with the sale of property-casualty insurance and the other related to alleged conduct in connection with the sale of group benefits products. The Company and various of its subsidiaries are named in both complaints. The complaints assert, on behalf of a putative class of persons who purchased insurance through broker defendants, claims under the Sherman Act, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”), state law, and in the case of the group benefits complaint, claims under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). The claims are predicated upon allegedly undisclosed or otherwise improper payments of contingent commissions to the broker defendants to steer business to the insurance company defendants. The district court has dismissed the Sherman Act and RICO claims in both complaints for failure to state a claim and has granted the defendants’ motions for summary judgment on the ERISA claims in the group-benefits products complaint. The district court further has declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the state law claims, has dismissed those state law claims without prejudice, and has closed both cases. The plaintiffs have appealed the dismissal of the claims in both consolidated amended complaints, except the ERISA claims.
The Company is also a defendant in two consolidated securities actions and two consolidated derivative actions filed in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. The consolidated securities actions assert claims on behalf of a putative class of shareholders alleging that the Company and certain of its executive officers violated Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 by failing to disclose to the investing public that The Hartford’s business and growth was predicated on the unlawful activity alleged in the New York Attorney General’s complaint against Marsh. The consolidated derivative actions, brought by shareholders on behalf of the Company against its directors and an additional executive officer, allege that the defendants knew adverse non-public information about the activities alleged in the Marsh complaint and concealed and misappropriated that information to make profitable stock trades in violation of their duties to the Company. In July 2006, the district court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss the consolidated securities actions, and the plaintiffs appealed. In November 2008, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit vacated the decision and remanded the case to the district court. In May 2009, the parties reached an agreement in principle to settle the consolidated securities actions for an immaterial amount. A stipulation of settlement was executed and preliminarily approved by the district court in September 2009. The settlement is subject to final approval of the court. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated derivative actions in May 2005. In July 2009, the parties reached an agreement in principle to settle the consolidated derivative actions for an immaterial amount, subject to the execution of a written settlement agreement and approval of the court.

 

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In September 2007, the Ohio Attorney General filed a civil action in Ohio state court alleging that certain insurance companies, including The Hartford, conspired with Marsh in violation of Ohio’s antitrust statute. The trial court denied defendants’ motion to dismiss the complaint in July 2008. The Company disputes the allegations and intends to defend this action vigorously.
Investment and Savings Plan ERISA Class Action Litigation — In November and December 2008, following a decline in the share price of the Company’s common stock, seven putative class action lawsuits were filed in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut on behalf of certain participants in the Company’s Investment and Savings Plan (“the Plan”), which offers the Company’s common stock as one of many investment options. These lawsuits have been consolidated, and a consolidated amended class-action complaint was filed on March 23, 2009, alleging that the Company and certain of its officers and employees violated ERISA by allowing the Plan’s participants to invest in the Company’s common stock and by failing to disclose to the Plan’s participants information about the Company’s financial condition. The lawsuit seeks restitution or damages for losses arising from the investment of the Plan’s assets in the Company’s common stock during the period from December 10, 2007 to the present. The Company has moved to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint.
Structured Settlement Class Action — In October 2005, a putative nationwide class action was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut against the Company and several of its subsidiaries on behalf of persons who had asserted claims against an insured of a Hartford property & casualty insurance company that resulted in a settlement in which some or all of the settlement amount was structured to afford a schedule of future payments of specified amounts funded by an annuity from a Hartford life insurance company (“Structured Settlements”). The operative complaint alleges that since 1997 the Company has systematically deprived the settling claimants of the value of their damages recoveries by secretly deducting 15% of the annuity premium of every Structured Settlement to cover brokers’ commissions, other fees and costs, taxes, and a profit for the annuity provider, and asserts claims under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”) and state law. The plaintiffs seek compensatory damages, punitive damages, pre-judgment interest, attorney’s fees and costs, and injunctive or other equitable relief. The Company vigorously denies that any claimant was misled or otherwise received less than the amount specified in the structured-settlement agreements. In March 2009, the district court certified a class for the RICO and fraud claims composed of all persons, other than those represented by a plaintiffs’ broker, who entered into a Structured Settlement since 1997 and received certain written representations about the cost or value of the settlement. The district court declined to certify a class for the breach-of-contract and unjust-enrichment claims. The Company’s petition to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit for permission to file an interlocutory appeal of the class-certification ruling was denied in October 2009.
Fair Credit Reporting Act Class Action — In February 2007, the United States District Court for the District of Oregon gave final approval of the Company’s settlement of a lawsuit brought on behalf of a class of homeowners and automobile policy holders alleging that the Company willfully violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act by failing to send appropriate notices to new customers whose initial rates were higher than they would have been had the customer had a more favorable credit report. The Company paid approximately $84.3 to eligible claimants and their counsel in connection with the settlement, and sought reimbursement from the Company’s Excess Professional Liability Insurance Program for the portion of the settlement in excess of the Company’s $10 self-insured retention. Certain insurance carriers participating in that program disputed coverage for the settlement, and one of the excess insurers commenced an arbitration that resulted in an award in the Company’s favor and payments to the Company of approximately $30.1, thereby exhausting the primary and first-layer excess policies. In June 2009, the second-layer excess carriers commenced an arbitration to resolve the dispute over coverage for the remainder of the amounts paid by the Company. Management believes it is probable that the Company’s coverage position ultimately will be sustained.
Asbestos and Environmental Claims — As discussed in Note 12, Commitments and Contingencies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under the caption “Asbestos and Environmental Claims”, included in the Company’s 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report, The Hartford continues to receive asbestos and environmental claims that involve significant uncertainty regarding policy coverage issues. Regarding these claims, The Hartford continually reviews its overall reserve levels and reinsurance coverages, as well as the methodologies it uses to estimate its exposures. Because of the significant uncertainties that limit the ability of insurers and reinsurers to estimate the ultimate reserves necessary for unpaid losses and related expenses, particularly those related to asbestos, the ultimate liabilities may exceed the currently recorded reserves. Any such additional liability cannot be reasonably estimated now but could be material to The Hartford’s consolidated operating results, financial condition and liquidity.
Shareholder Demand — Like the boards of directors of many other companies, The Hartford’s board of directors (the “Board”) has received a demand from SEIU Pension Plans Master Trust, which purports to be a current holder of the Company’s common stock. The demand requests the Board to bring suit to recover alleged excessive compensation paid to senior executives of the Company from 2005 through the present and to change the Company’s executive compensation structure. The Board is conducting an investigation of the allegations in the demand.

 

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Item 1A.  
RISK FACTORS
Refer to Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and in Item 1A of Part II of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009 for an explanation of the Company’s risk factors.
Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer
The following table summarizes the Company’s repurchases of its common stock for the three months ended September 30, 2009:
                                 
                    Total Number of     Approximate Dollar  
                Shares Purchased as     Value of Shares that  
    Total Number     Average Price     Part of Publicly     May Yet Be  
    of Shares     Paid Per     Announced Plans or     Purchased Under  
Period   Purchased [1]     Share     Programs     the Plans or Programs  
                      (in millions)  
July 1, 2009 – July 31, 2009
    3,463     $ 12.00           $ 807  
August 1, 2009 – August 31, 2009
    787     $ 18.26           $ 807  
September 1, 2009 – September 30, 2009
    928     $ 22.16           $ 807  
 
                       
Total
    5,178     $ 14.77             N/A  
 
                       
     
[1]  
Represents shares acquired from employees of the Company for tax withholding purposes in connection with the Company’s stock compensation plans.
The Hartford’s Board of Directors has authorized a $1 billion stock repurchase program. The Company’s repurchase authorization permits purchases of common stock, which may be in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The Company also may enter into derivative transactions to facilitate future repurchases of common stock. The timing of any future repurchases will be dependent upon several factors, including the market price of the Company’s securities, the Company’s capital position, consideration of the effect of any repurchases on the Company’s financial strength or credit ratings, restrictions arising from the Company’s participation in the CPP, and other corporate considerations. The repurchase program may be modified, extended or terminated by the Board of Directors at any time.
Sales of Equity Securities by the Issuer
On June 26, 2009, as part of the CPP established by Treasury under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, the Company entered into a Private Placement Purchase Agreement with Treasury pursuant to which the Company issued and sold to Treasury, under an exemption from registration pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, 3,400,000 shares of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series E, having a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, and a ten-year warrant to purchase up to 52,093,973 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at an initial exercise price of $9.79 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $3.4 billion.
Discretionary equity issuance program
On June 12, 2009, the Company announced that it commenced a discretionary equity issuance program under its automatic shelf registration statement (Registration No. 333-142044), and in accordance with that program entered into an equity distribution agreement pursuant to which it is offering up to 60 million shares of its common stock from time to time for aggregate sales proceeds of up to $750.
On August 5, 2009, the Company increased the aggregate sales proceeds from $750 to $900.
On August 6, 2009, the Company announced the completion of the discretionary equity issuance program. The Hartford issued 56.1 million shares of common stock and received net proceeds of $887 under this program.
Additionally, this program triggered an anti-dilution provision in The Hartford’s investment agreement with Allianz, which resulted in the adjustment to the warrant exercise price to $25.25 from $25.32 and to the number of shares that may be purchased to 69,314,987 from 69,115,324.
Item 6. EXHIBITS
See Exhibits Index on page 149.

 

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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
         
  The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.  
  (Registrant)
 
 
Date: November 3, 2009  /s/ Beth A. Bombara    
  Beth A. Bombara   
  Senior Vice President and Controller
(Chief accounting officer and duly
authorized signatory) 
 

 

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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
FORM 10-Q
EXHIBITS INDEX
         
Exhibit No.   Description
 
  10.01    
The Hartford’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended.
       
 
  10.02    
The Hartford Deferred Stock Unit Plan, as amended on October 22, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to The Hartford’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 22, 2009).
       
 
  10.03    
Form of Award Letters for Deferred Units and Restricted Units under The Hartford’s Deferred Stock Unit Plan.
       
 
  15.01    
Deloitte & Touche LLP Letter of Awareness.
       
 
  31.01    
Certification of Liam E. McGee pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  31.02    
Certification of Lizabeth H. Zlatkus pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  32.01    
Certification of Liam E. McGee pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  32.02    
Certification of Lizabeth H. Zlatkus pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
101.INS  
XBRL Instance Document [1]
       
 
101.SCH  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
       
 
101.CAL  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
       
 
101.DEF  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
       
 
101.LAB  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
       
 
101.PRE  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
     
[1]  
Includes the following materials contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, which is tagged as blocks of text.

 

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