DEF 14A
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 14A

(RULE 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Amendment No. )

 

 

Filed by the Registrant  x                            Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ¨

Check the appropriate box:

 

¨ Preliminary Proxy Statement
¨ Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
x Definitive Proxy Statement
¨ Definitive Additional Materials
¨ Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
American National Insurance Company
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
x No fee required.
¨ Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1)

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 

 

   

 

(2)

Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

 

 

   

 

(3)

Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

 

 

   

 

(4)

Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

 

 

   

 

(5) Total fee paid:
   

 

¨ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
¨ Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1)

Amount Previously Paid:

 

 

   

 

(2)

Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

 

 

   

 

(3)

Filing Party:

 

 

   

 

(4)

Date Filed:

 

 

   

 

 

 

 


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AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY

One Moody Plaza

Galveston, Texas 77550

NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING

To Be Held April 24, 2015

In Galveston, Texas

Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY, a Texas insurance company (the “Company”), will be held in the Mary Moody Northen Auditorium of the American National Insurance Company Building, Second Floor, One Moody Plaza, Galveston, Texas 77550, at 10:00 a.m. local time on April 24, 2015 for the following purposes:

 

  1. The election of a Board of nine (9) directors of the Company;

 

  2. A non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s executive officers as disclosed in the accompanying proxy statement;

 

  3. Ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as auditors for 2015; and

 

  4. The transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

Only holders of common stock of the Company of record at the close of business on March 2, 2015 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

Except for the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as auditors for 2015, your broker is not permitted to vote on your behalf on any matters to be considered at the stockholders’ meeting unless you provide specific instructions. For your vote to be counted, you will need to communicate your voting decisions to your broker, bank or other financial institution before the date of the stockholders’ meeting.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR STOCK BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND, PLEASE FILL IN, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE. A RETURN ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES, IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE.

By Order of the Board of Directors

J. Mark Flippin, Secretary

April 3, 2015

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials

for the Stockholders’ Meeting to Be Held on April 24, 2015:

Our proxy materials relating to our 2015 Annual Meeting (notice, proxy statement, proxy and 2014 Annual Report) are available at the following website: https://materials.proxyvote.com/028591. This information as well as similar information relating to all of our future Annual Meetings will also be available by calling 1-888-252-0177 or by email to investorrelations@anico.com. We have elected to deliver a full set of proxy materials to all of our stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting, and distribution will begin on or about April 3, 2015.

For the date, time and location of the 2015 Annual Meeting and the matters to be voted upon at the 2015 Annual Meeting, please see the “Notice of Annual Stockholders’ Meeting” above. For the Board’s recommendation regarding those matters, please refer to the accompanying proxy statement. For information on how to obtain directions to attend the meeting and vote in person, please contact Investor Relations at 1-888-252-0177 or by email to investorrelations@anico.com.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

Introduction

     3   

Information Concerning Proxy

     3   

Voting Securities

     3   

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

     4   

Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers

     5   

Security Ownership of Advisory Directors

     6   

PROPOSAL 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     7   

Information Concerning Nominees for Directors

     7   

Information Concerning Advisory Directors

     8   

Relationships Among Directors, Advisory Directors and Certain Entities

     9   

Director Attendance at Meetings

     9   

Board of Directors and Committees

     9   

Information Concerning Executive Officers

     11   

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

     12   

Compensation Committee Report

     21   

Compensation Tables

     22   

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

     32   

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

     33   

PROPOSAL 2. ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) VOTE ON EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

     34   

PROPOSAL 3. RATIFICATION OF AUDITORS FOR 2015

     34   

Audit Committee Report

     35   

Stockholder Proposals

     35   

Annual Report on Form 10-K

     36   

Householding of Annual Meeting Materials

     36   

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

     36   

Communications with the Board of Directors

     36   

Incorporation by Reference

     36   

Other Matters

     36   

 

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AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY

 

 

P R O X Y  S T A T E M E N T

 

For the Annual Meeting of Stockholders

To Be Held April 24, 2015

in the Mary Moody Northen Auditorium

on the Second Floor of the

American National Insurance Company Building

One Moody Plaza

Galveston, Texas 77550

INTRODUCTION

The Board of Directors of AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY, a Texas insurance company (sometimes referred to in this proxy statement as the “Company,” “American National,” or as “we,” “us” and “our”), is soliciting your proxy for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held at 10:00 a.m. local time, on April 24, 2015 (the “Annual Meeting”), and at any adjournment thereof. At such meeting, the stockholders will consider and vote upon the items set forth in the attached Notice of Annual Stockholders’ Meeting. These proxy materials will be available over the Internet.

INFORMATION CONCERNING PROXY

All shares represented by duly executed proxies received by the Company will be voted in accordance with the instructions shown thereon. If no contrary instructions are given, such proxies will be voted FOR the election as directors of the Company of each of the director nominees named under Proposal 1, FOR the advisory approval of the compensation of our executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement, and FOR the approval of KPMG LLP as auditors for 2015. The Board of Directors does not know of any other matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. As to any other matter of business that may properly be brought before the Annual Meeting, the enclosed proxy also confers discretionary authority upon the persons named therein to vote the shares represented by such proxy in accordance with their best judgment.

Any stockholder giving a proxy may revoke it by notice in writing addressed to the Secretary of the Company at One Moody Plaza, Galveston, Texas 77550, or by a proxy bearing a later date and properly signed, which may be delivered personally or by mail to the Secretary of the Company prior to the taking of a vote at the Annual Meeting. The execution of a proxy will not affect a stockholder’s right to attend the Annual Meeting and to give the Secretary of the Company notice of such stockholder’s intention to vote in person, in which event the proxy will not be used.

All costs of preparing, assembling and distributing the proxy materials and the cost of solicitation will be paid by the Company. The Company may pay persons holding shares in their names or the names of their nominees for the benefit of others, such as brokerage firms, banks, depositories, and other fiduciaries, for costs incurred in forwarding soliciting materials to their beneficial owners. The Company has retained Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., Edgewood, New York, to distribute proxies. The aggregate cost of these services is not expected to exceed $32,000. The Company may also retain other firms or individuals to assist with the solicitation of proxies.

VOTING SECURITIES

As of the close of business on March 2, 2015, which has been fixed as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting, there were 26,896,982 shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting. There were no other classes of shares issued and outstanding. A list of registered stockholders eligible to vote may be examined during business hours at the office of the Company’s Secretary, Eighth Floor, American National Insurance Company Building, One Moody Plaza, Galveston, Texas, during the ten day period immediately prior to the meeting, and it will also be available at the meeting.

Each share of Common Stock entitles the holder to one vote in the determination of all matters to be brought before the meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for the purpose of determining the presence or absence of a quorum, and abstentions will be counted for the purpose of determining the number of votes cast on a given proposal. However, broker non-votes will not be considered present at the Annual Meeting for such proposals and thus will have the practical effect of reducing the number of affirmative votes required to achieve a majority vote by reducing the total number of shares from which a majority is calculated. Any shares for which a broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting authority under applicable NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC (“NASDAQ”) rules will be considered as shares not entitled to vote and will not be considered in the tabulation of the votes. Votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be counted by the independent inspector(s) of election appointed by the Company.

 

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The required vote for each of the proposals expected to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting is as follows:

Proposal 1 – Election of Directors. The affirmative vote of a majority of shares present at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote is required to elect each nominee for director. Abstentions with respect to any director nominee will have the effect of a vote against such nominee.

Proposal 2 – Advisory (non-binding) vote on executive officer compensation (“say-on-pay”). The advisory proposal will be approved if a majority of the shares present at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote are voted in favor of the proposal. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against the proposal.

Proposal 3 – Ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as auditors for 2015. The appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s auditors for 2015 will be ratified by the affirmative vote of a majority of shares present at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against the proposal.

Please note that NASDAQ rules do not give brokers discretionary authority to vote on the election of directors or on the say-on-pay advisory proposal. This means that your broker, bank, or other nominee cannot vote your shares on such matters unless you provide it with voting instructions. Therefore, if you hold shares of our Common Stock in street name and do not provide voting instructions to your broker, bank, or other nominee, your shares will not be voted on the election of directors or on the say-on-pay advisory proposal.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

The following table sets forth information as of March 2, 2015, except as otherwise noted, concerning each person or group known to own more than five percent of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner    Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
     Percent of Class  

THE MOODY FOUNDATION(1)

2302 Postoffice Street, Suite 704

Galveston, Texas 77550

     6,131,123         22.79

LIBBIE SHEARN MOODY TRUST(2)

c/o Moody National Bank Trust Division, Trustee

2302 Postoffice Street

Galveston, Texas 77550

     9,949,585         36.99

MOODY NATIONAL BANK TRUST

DIVISION (as trustee or agent of the Libbie Shearn Moody Trust and other accounts)(3)

2302 Postoffice Street

Galveston, Texas 77550

     12,225,046         45.45

DONALD SMITH & CO., INC.(4)

152 West 57th Street

New York, New York 10019

     1,514,570         5.63

 

(1)  The Moody Foundation is a charitable trust classified as a private foundation established in 1942 by W. L. Moody, Jr., and his wife, Libbie Shearn Moody, for charitable and educational purposes. Its Trustees are Robert L. Moody, Sr., our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and two of his children, Frances A. Moody-Dahlberg, who is one of our directors, and Ross Rankin Moody. The beneficial ownership information shown for The Moody Foundation is based on information contained in an amended Schedule 13G filed by it on January 26, 2015.
(2)  The Libbie Shearn Moody Trust is a split-interest trust with both charitable and non-charitable beneficiaries. It was established in 1943 and funded by a residuary bequest under the Will of Libbie Shearn Moody. Moody National Bank is the Trustee of the Libbie Shearn Moody Trust and, as such, has voting power with respect to the shares of our Common Stock owned by the trust. Robert L. Moody, Sr. is the remaining life income beneficiary of the Libbie Shearn Moody Trust. Robert L. Moody, Sr. has advised management that he has assigned all of his life income interest in such trust to National Western Life Insurance Company, a Colorado insurance company controlled by him. Management has also been advised that the Libbie Shearn Moody Trust will terminate following the death of Robert L. Moody, Sr., and that upon such termination approximately 79% of our Common Stock held in the trust is to be distributed to The Moody Foundation, and the remaining portion is to be distributed to Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church in Galveston, Texas.
(3)  The beneficial ownership shown includes the shares of our Common Stock owned by the Libbie Shearn Moody Trust. Management has been advised that, in addition to acting as Trustee of and voting the Common Stock owned by the Libbie Shearn Moody Trust, the Moody National Bank Trust Division also acts as (i) trustee for and votes the 1,155,000 shares of our Common Stock owned by the W. L. Moody, Jr. Trust for Grandchildren (“Trust 19”) (see “Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers” for additional information regarding Trust 19); (ii) agent for and votes 896,678 shares of our Common Stock held pursuant to an Agency and Investment Services Agreement for the benefit of The Moody Endowment, a non-profit corporation; and (iii) trustee or agent for and votes the 223,783 shares of our Common Stock owned by other trust, agency and custodian accounts. Accordingly, the Moody National Bank Trust Division, as trustee, agent or custodian, votes an aggregate of 12,225,046 shares, which constitutes 45.45% of our outstanding shares.

 

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Management has been advised that Moody Bank Holding Company, Inc. (“MBHC”), which is wholly-owned by Moody Bancshares, Inc. (“Bancshares”), owns approximately 97.8% of the common stock of Moody National Bank. Management has further been advised that the Three R Trusts, trusts created by Robert L. Moody, Sr. for the benefit of his children (two of whom, Russell S. Moody and Frances A. Moody-Dahlberg, are among our directors, and one of whom, Robert L. Moody, Jr., is an advisory director), own 100% of Bancshares’ Class B Stock (which elects a majority of Bancshares’ directors) and 51.3% of Bancshares’ Class A Stock. Accordingly, the Three R Trusts, through ownership of Bancshares, control Moody National Bank. The Trustee of the Three R Trusts is Irwin M. Herz, Jr., one of our advisory directors, and a partner in Greer, Herz & Adams, L.L.P., One Moody Plaza, 18th Floor, Galveston, Texas, General Counsel to us and counsel to Moody National Bank, Bancshares and MBHC. Robert L. Moody, Sr. is Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Moody National Bank, Bancshares and MBHC.

The beneficial ownership information shown for the Moody National Bank Trust Division is based on information contained in an amended Schedule 13G filed jointly on February 11, 2015 by the Moody National Bank Trust Division, Bancshares, MBHC, Three R Trusts, and Irwin M. Herz, Jr. (the “Amended 13G”). According to the Amended 13G, as of December 31, 2014, the Moody National Bank Trust Division, Bancshares and MBHC have shared voting power with respect to 12,225,046 shares of our Common Stock and shared investment power with respect to 118,709 shares of our Common Stock; the Three R Trusts and Irwin M. Herz, Jr. have shared voting power with respect to 12,234,596 shares of our Common Stock and shared investment power with respect to 128,259 shares of our Common Stock; and Irwin M. Herz, Jr. has sole voting power with respect to 18,042 shares of our Common Stock and sole investment power with respect to 14,042 shares of our Common Stock. According to the Amended 13G, Bancshares, MBHC, Three R Trusts and Irwin M. Herz, Jr. disclaim beneficial ownership with respect to the shares of our Common Stock beneficially owned by the Moody National Bank Trust Division. In addition, Irwin M. Herz, Jr. disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to the 9,550 shares of our Common Stock beneficially owned by the Three R Trusts. The principal address of Bancshares and MBHC is 2302 Postoffice, Galveston, Texas 77550. The principal address of the Three R Trusts is 2302 Postoffice, Suite 702, Galveston, Texas 77550, and the principal address of Irwin M. Herz, Jr. is One Moody Plaza, 18th Floor, Galveston, Texas 77550.

 

(4)  The beneficial ownership information shown for Donald Smith & Co., Inc., an investment advisor, is based on information contained in a Schedule 13G filed jointly on February 3, 2015 by Donald Smith & Co., Inc. and Donald Smith Long/Short Equities Fund, L.P., which states that each such entity has sole investment power with respect to 1,514,570 shares of our Common Stock as of December 31, 2014. Further, according to such Schedule 13G and as of such date, Donald Smith & Co., Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 874,086 shares of our Common Stock, and Donald Smith Long/Short Equities Fund, L.P. has sole voting power with respect to 5,762 shares of our Common Stock.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The information contained in the following table is given with respect to the ownership of our Common Stock as of the close of business on March 2, 2015 by each of our director nominees, each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, and for our directors and executive officers as a group:

 

Name of Beneficial Owner    Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership(1)
 

Percent of

Class

 

William C. Ansell

     78,375       Indirect(2)       

Arthur O. Dummer

    

 

6,107

1,351

  

  

   Direct(3)

Indirect(4)

   

 

  

  


Frances A. Moody-Dahlberg(5)

     7,187       Direct(6)       
     6,131,123       Indirect(7)     22.79

Robert L. Moody, Sr.(5)(8)

     519,833       Direct(9)     1.93
     557,025       Indirect(10)(11)     2.07
     6,131,123       Indirect(7)     22.79

Russell S. Moody(5)

     8,562       Direct(6)       

James P. Payne

     —             —     

E. J. Pederson

     6       Direct       

James E. Pozzi

     14,457       Direct(12)       

James D. Yarbrough

     10,250       Direct(6)       

David A. Behrens

     1,792       Direct       

John J. Dunn, Jr.

     3,615       Direct       

Gregory V. Ostergren

    

 

4,639

500

  

  

   Direct

Indirect(2)

   

 

  

  


All Directors(13) and Executive Officers as a Group

     661,565       Direct     2.46
     6,781,821       Indirect     25.21
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
  7,443,386      27.67

 

* Less than 1%.

 

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(1) All of the named beneficial owners have sole voting power and sole investment power as to all the shares shown to be directly beneficially owned by them, with the exception of shares that may be owned jointly with their spouses.
(2)  Shares owned by spouse.
(3)  Includes 2,667 shares of our Restricted Stock.
(4)  Shares owned by a family trust.
(5)  Robert L. Moody, Sr. is the remaining life income beneficiary of Trust 19. Directors Frances A. Moody-Dahlberg and Russell S. Moody, and advisory director Robert L. Moody, Jr., as children of Robert L. Moody, Sr., have a contingent residuary interest in his beneficial interest in Trust 19. The numbers in the tables above and immediately below do not include shares held in Trust 19. (See Footnote 3 under “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” above for additional information about Trust 19).
(6)  Includes 4,000 shares of our Restricted Stock.
(7)  These shares are owned by The Moody Foundation, of which Frances A. Moody-Dahlberg and Robert L. Moody, Sr. are Trustees. (See “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” above).
(8)  The numbers in the table above do not include shares held in the Libbie Shearn Moody Trust. See Footnote 2 under “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” above for additional information about such trust.
(9)  Includes 100,000 shares of our Restricted Stock.
(10)  Robert L. Moody, Sr. is the sole owner of the 1% general partner in the M-N Family Limited Partnership (the “M-N Partnership”), which owns 507,025 shares of our Common Stock. As such, Robert L. Moody, Sr. has the indirect power to manage the assets of the M-N Partnership, including voting its shares of our Common Stock.
(11)  Robert L. Moody, Sr. is a 1% general partner in the RLMFLP Limited Partnership (the “RLMFLP Partnership”), which owns 50,000 shares of our Common Stock. As the sole general partner of the RLMFLP Partnership, Robert L. Moody, Sr. has the power to manage the assets of the RLMFLP Partnership, including voting its shares of our Common Stock.
(12)  Includes 10,000 shares of our Restricted Stock.
(13) Includes our Advisory Directors, whose security ownership is described in the next section below.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF ADVISORY DIRECTORS

The information contained in the following table is given with respect to the ownership of our Common Stock as of the close of business on March 2, 2015 by each of our advisory directors.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner    Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership(1)
  Percent of
Class
 

Shelby M. Elliott

     7,113       Direct (2)       

G. Richard Ferdinandtsen

     33,164       Direct       

Irwin M. Herz, Jr.(3)

     17,738       Direct (4)       

R. Eugene Lucas

     9,447       Indirect (4)(5)       

E. Douglas McLeod

     16,750       Direct(4)       

Robert L. Moody, Jr.

    

 

2,833

4,000

  

  

   Direct(6)

Indirect(7)

   

 

  

  


 

* Less than 1%.
(1) All of the named beneficial owners have sole voting power and sole investment power as to all the shares shown to be directly beneficially owned by them, with the exception of shares that may be owned jointly with their spouses.
(2) Includes 2,667 shares of our Restricted Stock.
(3) According to the Amended 13G, Mr. Herz may have beneficial ownership of the shares of our Common Stock beneficially owned by the Moody National Bank Trust Division and the Three R Trusts; however, Mr. Herz disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. Accordingly, such shares are not included in this table. (See Footnote 3 under “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” above for information regarding the Amended 13G).
(4)  Includes 4,000 shares of our Restricted Stock.
(5)  Shares owned by family trust.
(6)  Includes 1,333 shares of our Restricted Stock.
(7)  Shares owned by Moody Insurance Group, Inc., which includes 2,000 shares of our Restricted Stock.

Unless otherwise noted, the information shown in the previous three tables was obtained from ownership disclosures furnished to us by each of the persons or entities listed or from other communications with such persons or entities.

 

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PROPOSAL 1.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Nine (9) directors of the Company are to be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve until our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in April 2016. All nominees now serve as directors of the Company and have consented to be nominated as directors and to be named in this proxy statement. Accordingly, it is not contemplated that any nominee named herein will be unwilling or unable to serve as a director. However, if either of such events should occur, the enclosed proxy permits the persons named in the proxy to vote the shares represented by the proxy in favor of such person or persons as our Board of Directors may nominate upon the recommendation of the Nominating Committee.

William C. Ansell and James P. Payne are being nominated for election by our stockholders for the first time. Mr. Ansell and Mr. Payne were each appointed as directors by our Board at its regular meeting on February 26, 2015 to fill vacancies that existed as a result of the July 14, 2014 passing of William L. Moody, IV and the February 26, 2015 resignation as a director of Dr. Shelby M. Elliott.

The Board has determined that William C. Ansell, Arthur O. Dummer, James P. Payne, E. J. Pederson and James D. Yarbrough are “independent” as defined in the NASDAQ listing standards.

Board Recommendation: The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” each of the director nominees named under this Proposal 1.

INFORMATION CONCERNING NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS

The following information is given with respect to the nominees for election at the Annual Meeting:

William C. Ansell, CPA (age 57) has been a member of our Board since February 2015. Principal Occupation: Vice President and Shareholder of DRDA, PLLC (accounting firm), Galveston, Texas since 2001. Member of DRDA Wealth Management, LLC (wealth management and accounting services) since 2012; Treasurer of Ducks Unlimited de Mexico (non-profit conservation organization) since 2012; Past Director of Moody National Bank.

Mr. Ansell is a certified public accountant and brings to our Board his thirty-four years of experience in auditing, tax, and business and personal consulting. Mr. Ansell also holds Series 7 (general securities representative) and Series 66 (securities agent and investment adviser representative) licenses and a Texas general lines insurance agent’s license, which further enhance the experience and expertise he brings to our Board.

Arthur O. Dummer (age 81) was first elected to our Board in 2004. Principal Occupation: President, The Donner Company (privately owned actuarial consulting company), Salt Lake City, Utah since 1985. Director of American Underwriters Insurance Company (privately owned insurance company); Past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Organization of Life and Health Guaranty Associations, Herndon, Virginia; Past Director of American Community Mutual Insurance Company, Livonia, Michigan (mutual insurance company); Casualty Underwriters Insurance Company, Salt Lake City, Utah; Beneficial Life Insurance Company, Salt Lake City, Utah; Aurora National Life Assurance Company, Los Angeles, California; Continental Western Life Insurance Company, Des Moines, Iowa; Utah Home Fire Insurance Company, Salt Lake City, Utah; and PHA Life Insurance Company, Portland, Oregon (all privately owned insurance companies); Past Director of National Western Life Insurance Company, Austin, Texas (a publicly traded life insurance company controlled by Robert L. Moody, Sr.).

Mr. Dummer is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. He has fifty-five years of experience in the insurance industry, including service as the former Chief Examiner and Actuary of the Utah Insurance Department. His extensive background in the insurance industry and his knowledge of actuarial and accounting issues are valuable to our Board’s discussion and analysis of these issues.

Frances A. Moody-Dahlberg (age 45) was first elected to our Board in 1987. Principal Occupation: Executive Director of The Moody Foundation (charitable and educational foundation) since 1998, and a Trustee of The Moody Foundation since 2004; Director of National Western Life Insurance Company, Austin, Texas since 1990; Director of The Moody Endowment and Transitional Learning Center at Galveston (charitable organizations) since July 2009; Director of Gal-Tex Hotel Corporation (hotel management corporation) from March 2000 to December 2003.

Ms. Moody-Dahlberg has over twenty-seven years of experience as a member of our Board. Her service as Executive Director of The Moody Foundation, one of the largest charitable foundations in the State of Texas, provides her with valuable insight regarding the concerns of our significant non-profit stockholders.

Robert L. Moody, Sr. (age 79) was first elected to our Board in 1960. Principal Occupation: Chief Executive Officer since July 1991 and Chairman of the Board since 1982; Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Moody National Bank; Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director of National Western Life Insurance Company, Austin, Texas; Trustee of The Moody Foundation (charitable and educational foundation).

Mr. Moody has a lifetime of experience in the financial services industry, serving as a director or executive officer of a variety of insurance and banking interests. He has served on our Board for over fifty years and has served as our Chairman for over thirty years. His wealth of experience as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer provides our Board with an insightful, long-term perspective of our Company’s challenges, opportunities and operations.

 

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Russell S. Moody (age 53) was first elected to our Board in 1986. Principal Occupation: Investments, League City, Texas, since 2003. Director of National Western Life Insurance Company, Austin, Texas since 1988; Director of The Moody Endowment and Transitional Learning Center at Galveston (charitable organizations) since July 2009; Director of Gal-Tex Hotel Corporation (hotel management company) from March 2000 to December 2003.

Mr. Moody has served as a member of our Board for nearly twenty-nine years. Along with his sister, Frances A. Moody-Dahlberg, Mr. Moody helps to represent the concerns of our significant non-profit stockholders. Mr. Moody serves as a director of The Moody Endowment, a charitable organization that owns nearly 900,000 shares of our Common Stock.

James P. Payne (age 70) has been a member of our Board since February 2015. Principal Occupation: Retired Senior Vice President - Secretary, National Western Life Insurance Company, Austin, Texas, and officer and director of various of its subsidiary companies, 1998 to February 2015.

Mr. Payne has over forty years of experience in the insurance industry, primarily as chief legal officer for various insurance companies. His extensive industry knowledge, government relations background, and significant experience with board and committee processes and deliberations are an asset to our Board.

E. J. “Jere” Pederson (age 67) was first elected to our Board in 2014. Principal Occupation: Managing Director of CitareTx Management, LLC (manager of medical device venture development and investment company) since 2007; Special Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer, Texas A&M Health Science Center from October 2013 to June 2014; Interim President, Texas A&M Health Science Center and Interim Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, Texas A&M University System from October 2012 to October 2013; independent management consultant from September 2006 to October 2012; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, from 1986 to 2005; Director since 1992 and member of the Audit Committee and the Compensation and Stock Option Committee of National Western Life Insurance Company, Austin, Texas; Director of The Sealy & Smith Foundation, Galveston, Texas (charitable organization) since December 2010.

Mr. Pederson brings to our Board the benefit of his financial and administrative expertise gained through more than thirty years of experience in health care and university administration.

James E. Pozzi (age 64) was first elected to our Board in 2012. Principal Occupation: President and Chief Operating Officer since May 2012; Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer from 2008 to May 2012; Senior Executive Vice President, Corporate Planning, Systems and Life Administration from 2004 to 2008; Executive Vice President, Corporate Planning & Development from 1996 to 2004; also a director and/or officer of various Company subsidiaries.

Mr. Pozzi has been an officer of the Company for thirty-nine years. His past service as our Chief Administrative Officer and his current service as President and Chief Operating Officer have provided him with intimate knowledge of our operations.

James D. Yarbrough (age 59) was first elected to our Board in 2001. Principal Occupation: Mayor of the City of Galveston, Texas since May 2014; Owner and Consultant, James D. Yarbrough & Co., from October 2011 to May 2014, and October 1989 through December 1994 (privately owned contract management and financial consulting firm); Chairman of Galveston Industrial Development Corporation since May 2014 (municipal government body with responsibility for allocation of certain sales tax revenues); Member of Board of Trustees of the Port of Galveston since May 2014; Director of Economic Development, City of Galveston, Texas, February 2011 through September 2011; County Judge, County of Galveston, Texas, 1995 through 2010; Director and Member of the Governance and Executive Committees of American National Life Insurance Company of New York (subsidiary life insurance company).

Mayor Yarbrough has management experience in both the private and public sectors, including his current service as the Mayor of the City of Galveston and sixteen years as the chief executive of the County of Galveston. In the private sector, he has served as a bank president, owner of a business consulting firm, and director of numerous interests. This varied experience makes him a valuable contributor to the Board’s deliberations.

INFORMATION CONCERNING ADVISORY DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors has appointed the following advisory directors, who serve at the pleasure of the Board. Although advisory directors do not vote on matters considered by the Board, we benefit from their experience and advice. Advisory directors receive the same compensation and benefits as our directors who are not also our officers.

Dr. Shelby M. Elliott (age 88) was first elected to our Board in 2004 and resigned as a director in February 2015. Principal Occupation: President-Emeritus of Texas Chiropractic College since 2004; President of Texas Chiropractic College from 1990 through 2003; Director of Moody National Bank from March 2000 to March 2004; Past Director of First Texas Bank, Vidor, Texas (privately owned bank); Past Director of Yettie Kersting Memorial Hospital, Liberty, Texas; and Past Chairman of the American Chiropractic Association.

Dr. Elliott brings solid administrative and executive skills from his service as President of Texas Chiropractic College. His experience in the health care field, both as a practitioner and an educator, enables him to provide a unique perspective to our Board. Dr. Elliott is a member of the American Chiropractic Association, the Texas Chiropractic Association and the Florida Chiropractic Association.

G. Richard Ferdinandtsen (age 78) was first appointed as an advisory director in 2012, having previously served as a director from 1997 to 2012. Principal Occupation: Retired Company executive. Previously Vice Chairman of the Board, May 2012 to May 2014; and President of the Company from April 2000 to May 2012.

 

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Mr. Ferdinandtsen has over fifty years of experience in the insurance industry, including over thirty years as an executive officer. Mr. Ferdinandtsen’s experience in day-to-day leadership as our former President and Chief Operating Officer provides him with valuable insight into our operations.

Irwin M. Herz, Jr. (age 74) was first appointed as an advisory director in 2004, having previously served as a director from 1981 to 1983 and from 1984 to 2004. Principal Occupation: Since 1980, Partner of Greer, Herz & Adams, L.L.P., General Counsel to the Company; Trustee of the Three R Trusts (trusts for the benefit of the children of Robert L. Moody, Sr.).

Mr. Herz’s service as a director of numerous insurance companies, including over thirty years on our Board, has provided him with extensive knowledge of the insurance industry. In addition, his background as a corporate and commercial lawyer provides an invaluable source of knowledge and problem-solving skills to the Board.

R. Eugene Lucas (age 89) was first appointed as an advisory director in 2004, having previously served as a director from 1981 to 2004. Principal Occupation: Since 1971, President and Director of Gal-Tex Hotel Corporation (hospitality and hotel management company); President of Gal-Tenn Hotel Corporation, LHH Hospitality, LLC, Colorado Landmark Hotels, LLC, Kentucky Landmark Hotels, LLC, and Virginia Landmark Hotels, LLC (hospitality and hotel management companies); Director of Colonel Museum, Inc. (charitable corporation); President and Director of 1859-Beverage Company (hospitality company).

Mr. Lucas has served on our Board for over thirty years, including twenty-three years as a member of our Audit Committee. In addition, Mr. Lucas provides our Board with the perspective of an experienced and knowledgeable executive officer outside of the insurance industry. He has been associated with Gal-Tex Hotel Corporation since 1941, including over forty years as its President.

E. Douglas McLeod (age 73) was first appointed as an advisory director in 2004, having previously served as a director from 1984 to 2004. Principal Occupation: Chairman and Director of Moody Gardens, Inc. (charitable corporation); Attorney; Past Director of Development of The Moody Foundation (charitable and educational foundation) from 1982 to 2013 (retired); Director of National Western Life Insurance Company, Austin, Texas since 1979; Director of ANREM Corporation (subsidiary real estate management corporation); Vice President and Director of Colonel Museum, Inc. (charitable organization); Vice Chairman of Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area (Congressionally-designated area with outdoor recreation potential of national significance); Past Director and past Chairman of Center for Transportation and Commerce (charitable organization); Past Director and Executive Board Member, South Texas College of Law (law school); Past Member of State House of Representatives of the State of Texas (terms ended January 1983).

Mr. McLeod has experience as a lawyer and public servant, including as a state legislator, as well as experience in real estate development and non-profit administration. He brings a varied set of problem-solving skills and valuable insight to the Board.

Robert L. Moody, Jr. (age 55) was first appointed as an advisory director in 2009, having previously served as a director from 1982 to 1987. Principal Occupation: Since 1986, President and Director of Moody Insurance Group, Inc. (privately owned insurance agency); Director of Moody National Bank; Director of ANREM Corporation (subsidiary real estate management corporation); Director of HomeTown Bank, National Association (national bank); Director of The Moody Endowment (charitable organization).

Mr. Moody is the owner of Moody Insurance Group, Inc., a marketing consultant to the Company and one of the many significant producers marketing our products. Through this insurance agency experience, Mr. Moody brings the valuable perspective of an agent to our Board’s deliberations. In addition, Mr. Moody’s experience as an entrepreneur provides him with a broad perspective of business operations.

RELATIONSHIPS AMONG DIRECTORS, ADVISORY DIRECTORS AND CERTAIN ENTITIES

Robert L. Moody, Sr. is the father of Frances A. Moody-Dahlberg, Russell S. Moody and Robert L. Moody, Jr. and the brother-in-law of E. Douglas McLeod. William C. Ansell is the step son-in-law of E. Douglas McLeod. The Moody Foundation owns 34.0% and the Libbie Shearn Moody Trust owns 50.2% of Gal-Tex Hotel Corporation. Robert L. Moody, Sr. is Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and controlling stockholder of National Western Life Insurance Company, a publicly traded life insurance company.

DIRECTOR ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company held a total of five (5) meetings. All of the nominees for director who served as directors during the past year and all of the advisory directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (1) the total number of such meetings and (2) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which such nominees served during such year. It is the Company’s policy that all directors should make an effort to attend the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders. All directors attended the 2014 Annual Meeting.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES

Board Leadership Structure

Our Chief Executive Officer serves as our Chairman of the Board; however, the Board does not have a requirement that the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board be either combined or separated. The Board has found that its current leadership structure promotes strategy development and execution and facilitates information flow between management and the Board, which are essential to effective governance. The Board retains the authority to change its leadership structure if it determines that its responsibilities can be better fulfilled with a different approach.

 

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The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

The Company is exposed to a number of risks and undertakes enterprise risk management reviews to identify and evaluate these risks and to develop plans to manage them effectively. Two committees lend support to the Board in reviewing the Company’s consideration of material risks and overseeing the Company’s management of material risks. First, the Management Risk Committee coordinates the risk management efforts that occur within our business segments to (i) ensure alignment between our risk-taking activities and strategic objectives and (ii) ensure consistent application of enterprise risk management processes across all business units. The Management Risk Committee provides periodic reports to the Board of Directors concerning the Company’s risk management, which may cover risk identification, risk limits and related significant breaches, returns on risk-adjusted capital, and information related to the development of the Company’s enterprise risk management program. The Management Risk Committee is comprised of several members of our senior management team and is chaired by the Executive Vice President, Director of Multiple Line and Chief Corporate Risk Officer. Second, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors makes inquiries to senior management about the Company’s risk assessment and risk management policies, including risks related to our financial position and internal controls. These policies address our major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and mitigate these risks.

Additionally, our Board Compensation Committee considers risks that may result from our compensation policies, including working directly with senior management to determine whether such programs improperly encourage management to take risks relating to our business and whether risks arising from our compensation programs are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Independent Directors and Executive Sessions

The Board has determined, after considering all of the relevant facts and circumstances, that William C. Ansell, Arthur O. Dummer, James P. Payne, E. J. Pederson and James D. Yarbrough are “independent” from management in accordance with the NASDAQ listing standards. To be considered independent, the Board must determine that a director nominee does not have any direct or indirect material relationships with our Company. In making this determination, the Board considered that E. J. Pederson serves as an independent director of National Western Life Insurance Company, a company controlled by Robert L. Moody, Sr., that James P. Payne is a retired employee of National Western Life Insurance Company, and that William C. Ansell served as a director of Moody National Bank from April 2013 through 2014. The Board determined that such relationships do not impair the independence of these director nominees.

Our independent directors meet in executive session at least twice per year. We do not have a lead independent director.

Board Committees

The Company’s Board has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating Committee and an Executive Committee. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is referred to herein as the Board Compensation Committee to distinguish it from the Management Compensation Committee. The Board has determined that all of the members of the Audit Committee, the Board Compensation Committee and the Nominating Committee are independent in accordance with the NASDAQ listing standards and applicable independence requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

The Board of Directors has adopted written charters for the Audit Committee, the Board Compensation Committee and the Nominating Committee. Each of these committees reviews the adequacy of its charter annually. These charters are posted on the Company’s website and can be viewed by going to www.anico.com/InvestorRelations/CorporateGovernance/index.htm. Stockholders may also obtain a printed copy of the committee charters at no charge by writing to the office of the Secretary at One Moody Plaza, Galveston, Texas 77550.

Audit Committee

Arthur O. Dummer, Chairman, E. J. Pederson and James D. Yarbrough are the current members of the Audit Committee. The Board has determined that Mr. Dummer is the financial expert on the Audit Committee, as defined by NASDAQ listing standards and by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Audit Committee held fifteen meetings during 2014. The Audit Committee is responsible for, among other matters, recommending the appointment of independent auditors for the Company, reviewing the activities and independence of such independent auditors, including the plan and scope of the audit and audit fees, monitoring the adequacy of the Company’s reporting and internal controls, reviewing related party transactions, recommending the inclusion of the Company’s audited financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report, and meeting periodically with management and the Company’s independent auditors.

Board Compensation Committee

James D. Yarbrough, Chairman, and E. J. Pederson are the current members of the Board Compensation Committee. The Board Compensation Committee makes recommendations as to the compensation of the Company’s executive officers. The committee conducts regular executive sessions with its independent consultant without management present. A description of the Company’s process and procedures for the consideration and determination of executive compensation is provided below in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. The Board Compensation Committee held five meetings during 2014.

Nominating Committee

E. J. Pederson and James D. Yarbrough are the current members of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee recommends to the Board director nominees to be submitted for election at each Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Nominating Committee held one meeting during 2014. After receiving the Nominating Committee’s recommendations, the full Board nominates the slate of directors to be presented to the Company’s stockholders at the Annual Meeting.

 

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While there are no specific minimum qualifications that a potential nominee must possess, director nominees are evaluated based upon, among other things, their integrity, diversity of experience, business or other relevant experience, leadership, the ability to exercise sound judgment, satisfaction of applicable independence standards, civility, and ability to devote sufficient time to Board matters. The Board of Directors and the Nominating Committee believe that, based on their knowledge of the needs and qualifications of the Board at any given time, the Board, with the help of the Nominating Committee, is best equipped to select nominees that will result in a well-qualified and well-rounded Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee may (but is not required to) consider candidates suggested by management or other members of the Board. In addition, the Nominating Committee may (but is not required to) consider stockholder recommendations for candidates to the Board. In order to recommend a candidate to the Board, stockholders should submit the recommendation to the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee in the manner described in the section of this proxy statement titled “Communications with the Board of Directors.”

In making its nominations, the Board and the Nominating Committee identify nominees by first evaluating the current members of the Board willing to continue their service. Current members with qualifications and skills that are consistent with the criteria for Board service are re-nominated. The Nominating Committee did not receive any stockholder recommendations for Board nominees to be considered at the Annual Meeting. As to potential new candidates, it is expected that the Board and the Nominating Committee would discuss among themselves and members of management their respective recommendations and any recommendations submitted by stockholders and evaluate the qualifications, experience and background of the potential candidates. The Nominating Committee does not have a formal policy with respect to diversity; however, the Board and the Nominating Committee believe that it is valuable that Board members represent diverse experience and viewpoints.

Executive Committee

Robert L. Moody, Sr., Chairman, and James E. Pozzi are the present members of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may act on behalf of the full Board of Directors, within certain limitations, between regular Board meetings. The Executive Committee acted by unanimous written consent twice during 2014.

INFORMATION CONCERNING EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following are our executive officers, other than Messrs. Moody and Pozzi, who are also director nominees, their current ages, and their positions and offices for the past five years. For executive officers who have been with us for less than five years, information is also provided with respect to the nature of their responsibilities undertaken with their prior employers during such time.

 

Name of Officer    Age    Position (Year Elected to Position)
David A. Behrens    52    Executive Vice President, Independent Marketing Group (1999)
John J. Dunn, Jr.    56    Executive Vice President, Corporate Chief Financial Officer (July 2010) & Treasurer (2011); Vice President International Accounting of Ally Financial, Inc. (formerly GMAC, Inc.) (2009 - May 2010)
Johnny D. Johnson    62    Executive Vice President, Corporate Business Process Officer and Chief Information Officer (2013); Senior Vice President, Corporate Business Process Officer and Chief Information Officer (2012 - 2013); Senior Vice President, Corporate Chief Information Officer (2008 – 2012)
Gregory V. Ostergren    59    Executive Vice President, Director of Multiple Line (2000) and Chief Corporate Risk Officer (2015); President and Chief Executive Officer of American National Property and Casualty Company (1990)
James W. Pangburn    58    Executive Vice President, Credit Insurance Division (2014); Senior Vice President, Credit Insurance Division (2004-2014)
Steven H. Schouweiler    68    Executive Vice President, Health Insurance Operations (2012); Senior Vice President, Health Insurance Operations (1998-2012)
Hoyt J. Strickland    58    Executive Vice President, Career Sales and Service Division (2012); Senior Vice President, Career Sales and Service Division (2009 - 2012)
Timothy A. Walsh    53    President and Chief Executive Officer of Farm Family Casualty Insurance Company, Farm Family Life Insurance Company and United Farm Family Insurance Company (2003)
Frank V. Broll, Jr.    65    Senior Vice President & Actuary (2005)
William F. Carlton    56    Senior Vice President & Corporate Controller (2010)

There are no arrangements or understandings pursuant to which any officer was elected. All officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors and serve until their successors are elected and qualified, unless otherwise specified by the Board.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Executive Summary

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis explains the philosophy underlying our compensation strategy and the fundamental elements of compensation paid to our executive officers included in the Summary Compensation Table, to whom we refer collectively as our “Named Executive Officers,” or “NEOs.” The NEOs for 2014 were:

 

    Robert L. Moody, Sr., Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO

 

    James E. Pozzi, President and Chief Operating Officer

 

    Gregory V. Ostergren, Executive Vice President, Director of Multiple Line

 

    David A. Behrens, Executive Vice President, Independent Marketing Group

 

    John J. Dunn, Jr., Executive Vice President, Corporate Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

The overall goal of our executive compensation program is to retain and reward leaders who will help the Company create long-term value for our stockholders. With this goal in mind, our compensation program is designed to:

 

    Attract and retain experienced, highly qualified individuals who are in a position to make significant contributions to our long-term success;

 

    Drive exceptional performance and motivate our executive officers to achieve desired financial results;

 

    Provide opportunities for our executives to develop a significant ownership stake in our company; and

 

    Align the interests of our executive officers with the long-term interests of our stockholders through the use of performance-based incentives and stock ownership guidelines.

Our Board Compensation Committee (the “Committee”), comprised solely of independent directors, has oversight responsibility for our compensation program. The key components of the program include base salary, cash incentive awards and long-term equity-based incentive awards. The annual long-term incentive opportunities for our executives are based 100% on performance relative to a range of measures that are aligned with long-term stockholder value creation and outcomes that each executive has the ability to impact.

We do not grant or maintain any severance or employment agreements, nor do we provide any tax reimbursements or gross-ups for any of the NEOs. To help align the interests of our executive officers with those of our stockholders, we maintain stock ownership and retention guidelines and an incentive compensation clawback policy, both of which are described below. Further, our executive officers are prohibited from engaging in transactions involving puts, calls or short sales with respect to our stock.

Stockholder Say-on-Pay Advisory Voting

At the 2015 Annual Meeting, stockholders will have an opportunity to approve, in a non-binding advisory vote, our executive compensation for 2014 as disclosed in this proxy statement (Proposal 2 below). At the 2014 Annual Meeting, stockholders strongly approved our 2013 executive compensation (over 82% of the votes cast). At the 2014 Annual Meeting, our stockholders also approved by a substantial majority, in a separate non-binding advisory vote, an annual frequency for holding say-on-pay votes.

Highlights of our Executive Compensation Program

The Committee viewed the say-on-pay vote at the 2014 Annual Meeting as a strong indication of support for our compensation policies and practices and, therefore, made only minor changes to the overall program for 2014.

 

    Base Salaries in 2014. In response to competitive market base salary information provided to the Committee by its independent compensation consultant in early 2014, the salaries of Mr. Pozzi, Mr. Behrens and Mr. Dunn were increased modestly in 2014, as reflected in the Summary Compensation Table below.

 

    Annual Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (“EICP”). For 2014, the Committee approved slight increases to the annual performance-based incentive opportunities for Mr. Pozzi, Mr. Behrens and Mr. Ostergren to better align their compensation with market practices. For Mr. Pozzi, his total target incentive award opportunity was increased from 120% to 140% of base salary. Mr. Behrens’ total target incentive award opportunity was increased from 105% to 110% of base salary, and Mr. Ostergren’s total target incentive award opportunity was increased from 100% to 105% of base salary. Threshold and maximum incentive award opportunities for these NEOs were increased in proportion to the increase in each NEO’s target opportunity. The CEO’s target incentive award opportunity remained unchanged, and his maximum award opportunity remained capped at 112.5% of the target award opportunity, well below the 150% of target award opportunity that applies to the other NEOs.

 

    Long-Term Incentives. Long-term incentive awards are 100% performance-based and delivered in the form of restricted stock units (“RSUs”). The grant value of RSUs awarded is based on annual performance under the EICP, as described below. RSUs vest ratably over three years and do not convey any voting or dividend rights until such time as they vest and are converted into shares of Common Stock. Recipients may choose to have RSUs settled in cash upon vesting, subject to our stock ownership guidelines.

 

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    Stock Ownership and Retention Guidelines. In 2011, the Committee adopted stock ownership guidelines for our officers and directors in order to encourage ownership of our stock by these individuals and to further align their long-term goals and objectives with those of our stockholders. The stock ownership guidelines for our officers are based on a multiple of base salary, with each officer’s stock holdings based upon the greater of the market value or book value of such holdings. The recommended guidelines for stock ownership as a multiple of base salary are: CEO - five times; President - three times; other officers - one time. For those officers not currently meeting these guidelines, the Committee has recommended that they retain at least fifty percent of the after-tax value of all shares received as compensation, until such time as these individuals are in compliance with the guidelines. As of March 2, 2015, the CEO directly owned 519,833 shares of our Common Stock, including restricted stock, which represented an amount equal to approximately twenty-seven times his base salary.

 

    Clawback Policy. At its February 22, 2012 meeting, the Committee adopted a formal clawback policy with respect to incentive awards to executive officers made after 2011. Under this policy, the Company is authorized to recover all or a portion of any incentive awards paid within three years of a financial statement that is found to be inaccurate due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws. Recovery applies to the extent a lesser amount would have been paid under the restated financial statement.

 

    Retirement Benefit Changes for 2014. Effective December 31, 2013, the Board of Directors froze participation and future benefit accruals under our defined benefit pension plans. With this action, and the adoption of certain new retirement plans, we have shifted our retirement benefits to contributory defined contribution plans, as discussed further in the “Retirement Benefits” section below.

 

    CEO Incentive Payout Change for 2014. Beginning in 2014, any EICP award earned by the CEO is settled 60% in cash and 40% in RSUs up to the aggregate target award level, with any award in excess of the aggregate target award level delivered entirely in RSUs, as is the case with the other NEOs. Prior to 2014, the CEO’s incentive payout was 70% in cash and 30% in RSUs up to the target award level. The Committee believes this change better reflects market practices and places greater emphasis on long-term performance.

Approach for Determining Form and Amount of Compensation

The Committee oversees the compensation policies and programs for our senior officers, including the NEOs, and our equity-based incentive compensation plans. The Committee has retained an independent compensation consulting firm, Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. (“Cook & Co.”), to assist the Committee in developing its recommendations to the Board. Our Board of Directors, upon the recommendations of the Committee, ultimately makes all decisions regarding the amount and form of compensation paid to our NEOs, which may reflect factors and considerations other than the information and advice provided by Cook & Co. The Committee also considers recommendations from our Management Compensation Committee, which for 2014 was comprised of five of our most senior officers: Robert L. Moody, Sr., James E. Pozzi, Ronald J. Welch, John J. Dunn, Jr. and Gregory V. Ostergren. In early 2015, J. D. Johnson and Bruce M. LePard were appointed to the Management Compensation Committee, and Ronald J. Welch retired.

Role of Independent Compensation Consultant

During 2014, Cook & Co. performed the following services for the Committee:

 

    Briefed the Committee on executive compensation trends among our peers and the broader insurance industry, recent developments related to our executive compensation program and practices, and regulatory changes;

 

    Provided an annual evaluation of our executive compensation program compared to market practices and ongoing advice to the Committee as needed for periodic requests related to the determination of the amount and form of executive compensation, including incentive plan design and performance measures and goals;

 

    Provided an assessment of our compensation policies and practices to help the Committee determine whether the compensation program could encourage excessive risk taking that could be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company as a whole; and

 

    Provided advice regarding the Committee’s evaluation of board compensation practices, based on third-party survey data.

Cook & Co. is independent of us and has no relationship with us other than assisting the Committee with its executive compensation governance responsibilities. The Committee has established procedures that it considers adequate to ensure that the compensation consultant’s advice to the Committee remains objective and is not influenced by our management. These procedures include the following: a direct reporting relationship of the consultant to the Committee chairman; a provision in the Committee’s engagement letter with Cook & Co. specifying the information, data, and recommendations that can and cannot be shared with management; meeting with the consultant at least annually in executive session without management present; an annual update to the Committee on Cook & Co.’s financial relationship with us, including a summary of the work performed for us during the preceding twelve months; and an assessment and confirmation by the Committee of Cook & Co.’s independence from us. Additionally, Cook & Co. has no service lines other than executive compensation consulting, so the potential for any conflict of interest as a result of providing other services to us is nonexistent. With the consent of the Committee chair, Cook & Co. may, from time to time, contact our executive officers for information necessary to complete its assignments and may make reports and presentations to and on behalf of the Committee that the executive officers also receive.

 

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How We Determine Each Element of Compensation

The compensation process for our NEOs and other executive officers begins with an annual evaluation by the Management Compensation Committee, which considers Company performance against the stated performance measures and goals for the year, each executive officer’s individual performance over the prior year, any changes in responsibilities, internal equity and consistency, the future potential of each executive officer, and market data from a range of industry and general market sources. The Management Compensation Committee formulates recommendations based on this process for all executive officers other than the members of such committee. After review and approval of the recommendations by the CEO, they are presented to the Committee for its consideration and evaluation. Recommendations to the Committee with respect to Mr. Dunn and Mr. Ostergren are made solely by the President. The Committee evaluates these recommendations and develops its own recommendations to the Board of Directors for the compensation of our CEO and our President.

In determining the amounts of each element of compensation and the aggregate compensation for our NEOs, we review market practices as described under “Market Comparisons” below. We do not use any specific formulae or attempt to satisfy any specific ratio for compensation among our executive officers. We also do not generally target any particular allocation for base salary, annual incentive, or long-term equity awards as a percentage of total compensation. Target compensation levels are decided upon based on a review of relevant market practices; the responsibilities, past performance and future potential of each executive; internal equity considerations; each executive’s ability to impact financial and operational results; and the recommendations of the Committee’s independent compensation consultant.

Market Comparisons

During early 2014, Cook & Co. evaluated the total direct compensation (consisting of base salary, annual incentives, and long-term incentives) of our NEOs relative to market practices. The compensation of each of our NEOs was compared to that of individuals in comparable positions among a peer group of companies listed below, and to nationally published compensation survey data.

The peer group in place when 2014 compensation levels were set consisted of thirteen publicly traded companies in the insurance industry that compete with us for talent, face similar challenges in the financial services sector, and have senior executives with comparable responsibilities. As of the date of Cook & Co.’s report, the 2014 peer group revenues for the prior four quarters ranged from approximately $1.0 billion to $6.3 billion (median revenues of approximately $3.7 billion), and assets ranged from approximately $7.7 billion to $58.5 billion (median assets of approximately $17.3 billion). Our total revenues were approximately $3.1 billion in 2014, and our assets were approximately $23.5 billion at the end of 2014, placing us towards the middle of the revenue range and in the top half of the asset range of the peer group. The peer group was comprised of the following companies:

 

W.R. Berkley Corporation Cincinnati Financial Corporation
The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.
Horace Mann Educators Corporation Old Republic International Corporation
Phoenix Companies, Inc. Protective Life Corporation
StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. Torchmark Corporation
CNO Financial Group, Inc. Kemper Corporation
White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd.

In October 2014, the Committee approved several changes to the peer group upon the recommendation of Cook & Co. Allied World Assurance Company, American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company, American Financial Group, Inc., Arch Capital Group, Ltd., Markel Corporation and Symetra Financial Corporation were added to the peer group. Horace Mann Educators Corporation and Phoenix Companies, Inc. were removed from the peer group.

The published survey data covered a broader set of companies, including many if not all of the peer companies within the insurance industry. The specific surveys used for 2014 were:

 

    Mercer Executive Benchmark Database (containing tabular data of insurance companies based on asset size);

 

    Mercer Financial Services Survey Suite - Insurance Compensation Survey (containing tabular data of survey companies based on asset size);

 

    Towers Watson Top Management Calculator (containing insurance industry data regressed to each executive’s individual scope as measured in assets); and

 

    LOMA’s Executive Compensation Survey Report (containing tabular insurance industry data).

Cook & Co.’s evaluation for 2014 found that the target total direct compensation of our CEO was in the top quartile of the peer group and survey data. The Committee believes this compensation is appropriate, given the CEO’s outstanding stewardship of the Company for over twenty years and his superior track record of building the Company’s revenue base, assets and book value, allowing it to maintain a strong, consistent dividend for many years. The total direct compensation for the other NEOs approximated the 25th percentile of the peer group and survey data. The Committee determined that the total cash compensation of the other NEOs was reasonably competitive, but that long-term incentives and, as a result, total direct compensation lagged the market overall. Following this conclusion, the Committee increased the incentive opportunities of other NEOs for 2014, as described above in Highlights of our Executive Compensation Program and Changes for 2015. The Committee also approved modest increases to the salaries of Mr. Pozzi, Mr. Behrens and Mr. Dunn for 2014.

 

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After considering Cook & Co.’s report and the recommendations of the Management Compensation Committee, the Committee submitted its compensation recommendations to our Board of Directors for their consideration. The Board of Directors unanimously approved those recommendations.

Special Considerations for Pension-Related Amounts Reported in the Summary Compensation Table

It is important to note that the amounts reported in Column (e) (“Changes in Pension Value and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings”) of the Summary Compensation Table below are not the result of any Committee or Board decision to increase or decrease pay. Rather, such reported amounts are comprised of two exogenous components. First, for each of the NEOs, the amount reported includes the year-over-year change in accrued pension benefits, which varies annually based on interest rates, mortality factors, and the age of each individual. For 2014 and 2012, for example, some of our NEOs, including the CEO, experienced an increase in accrued pension benefits over prior years as a result of the lower interest rate environment and the effect of such rates on the pension calculations. Also adding to the 2014 increase was the updating of mortality table assumptions to reflect a slightly longer life expectancy than in prior years. For 2013, on the other hand, two of the NEOs, including the CEO, experienced a decrease in accrued pension benefits as a result of the effect of increased interest rates on the pension calculations.

Second, with respect to our CEO, the amount reported in Column (e) includes in-service distributions from our non-qualified and qualified pension plans. Such in-service distributions are substantial, representing over 50% of the total 2014 compensation of the CEO reported in the Summary Compensation Table. For 2013, however, such in-service distributions to the CEO did not fully offset the overall decrease in his accrued pension benefits. The Committee considers such in-service payments to be distributions of benefits earned in prior years and, as such, does not consider such payments to be current year compensation for purposes of its evaluation of CEO pay in relation to competitive market practices or the Committee’s pay for performance analysis. The Committee believes this distinction is critical to understanding the CEO’s total compensation as reported in the Summary Compensation Table.

Elements of Compensation Provided to the NEOs

The following table lists the primary elements of our executive compensation program and the primary purpose of each element. Additional explanation of each element is provided below.

 

Element    Purpose
Base Salary    Provides a fixed level of competitive compensation.
Annual Incentive Compensation (EICP)    Focuses executive attention on key financial and operational performance measures.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation, consisting of RSUs awarded under the EICP as a fixed percentage of any annual incentive compensation earned by achievement of performance objectives    Aligns executives’ interests with those of our stockholders and helps retain executive talent with deferred (three-year ratable) vesting of RSUs awarded.
Retirement Benefits, consisting of non-qualified deferred compensation plans, qualified and non-qualified Company pension plans (now frozen), and the Company’s 401(k) plan    Assists in providing for the long-term financial security and future well-being of our executives and their families.
Health and Welfare Benefits (consisting of basic and supplemental health insurance, disability protection, and life insurance)    Assists in providing for the current well-being and financial protection of our executives and their families.

Base Salary

Base salary is an important component of total compensation for our NEOs, and it is vital to our goal of recruiting and retaining executive officers with proven abilities. Base salaries are determined for each NEO based on abilities, qualifications, accomplishments, and prior work experience. Adjustments are considered annually based on current market data, the consistency of the executive officer’s individual performance over the prior year, changes in responsibilities, future potential and internal equity.

As stated above, for 2014, base salaries of Mr. Pozzi, Mr. Behrens and Mr. Dunn were increased modestly.

Annual Incentive Compensation

Our NEOs participate in the EICP. Eligibility to participate in the EICP is determined by the Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. Payouts are based on actual performance relative to predetermined performance objectives across a range of performance measures that an executive has the ability to impact. All incentive compensation is subject to review and approval by the Committee and the Board of Directors, both at the time of the setting of the performance objectives and at the time of payment of the award. In order to receive an incentive compensation award payout, an executive must be employed by us at the time of payout; provided, however, that in the event of death, disability or normal retirement after the age of 65 prior to such payout, the payout will be prorated for the portion of the calendar year up to the date of death, disability or retirement.

Incentive Opportunities: Annual incentive opportunities are expressed as a specified percentage of base salary. For each applicable performance measure, there are threshold, target and maximum levels of performance objectives. For each performance measure, the payout for threshold performance is equal to 50% of the target performance payout, and the payout for maximum

 

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performance is equal to 150% of the target performance payout. The earned percentage is prorated for performance between levels. For example, if performance is halfway between threshold and target levels, an NEO would receive his threshold award plus one-half of the additional award attributable to target level achievement for that measure.

Aggregate annual incentive awards earned in excess of the target amount are subject to certain limitations. Any percentage of base salary earned as incentive compensation in excess of the aggregate target amount is paid entirely in RSUs, which vest ratably over three years. This limitation is intended to give executives an opportunity to earn above-target payouts for superior performance and also to enhance executive stock ownership and the long-term retention incentive provided through RSU awards. The CEO’s aggregate incentive award is capped at 112.5% of his aggregate target incentive award, regardless of Company performance.

Incentive Payouts: For each of the NEOs, the total incentive, when earned at the end of each year, is paid out 60% in cash and 40% in RSUs up to his aggregate target award. Any award in excess of the aggregate target award is paid entirely in RSUs. RSUs have no voting or dividend rights unless they become vested and are converted into shares of our Common Stock. We believe that payment of a portion of the annual incentive in RSUs better aligns our pay-mix with market practices and encourages each NEO to remain a major contributor to our future growth and success. The executive bears the market risk of the value of our Common Stock from the time the RSUs are first awarded until the time the RSUs vest. As noted above, beginning in 2014, the CEO’s total incentive award payout was shifted from 70% cash and 30% RSUs to 60% cash and 40% RSUs to enhance the long-term incentive nature of the award and to better align with market practices.

Upon vesting, RSUs are converted into shares of our Common Stock or, at the election of the recipient, converted into cash based on the market price of our Common Stock on the date of vesting. We believe this cash settlement option preserves the long-term incentive value of the RSU award and maintains the alignment of recipients’ interests with those of our stockholders, as the amount of cash to be received on vesting is tied to our stock price on the date of vesting. This cash option also helps to mitigate concerns of stockholder dilution resulting from annual equity grants under the EICP.

The EICP total target annual and long-term incentive opportunity for the CEO is 385% of base salary. In maintaining this target incentive level for the CEO, the Committee considered the peer group’s practices regarding the combined annual and long-term incentive awards for CEOs, noting that, according to Cook & Co.’s 2014 report, the median annual target bonus opportunity among the peer group was 110% of base salary and the median long-term incentive grant was 230% of base salary, for a combined average annual short and long-term incentive opportunity of 340% of base salary at the market median, and 447% at the 75th percentile. Thus, Cook & Co. advised the Committee that the CEO’s combined annual and long-term incentive opportunity of 385% was slightly above average and consistent with the third quartile of the aggregate annual and long-term incentive opportunities among CEOs in our peer group.

The aggregate annual incentive award earned that is allocable to RSUs is divided by the market price of our Common Stock on a predetermined date to set the number of RSUs awarded to each NEO. Fractional RSUs are not awarded, but paid in cash. RSUs granted to our NEOs are subject to a three-year ratable vesting schedule. One-third of the RSUs granted for 2014 performance will vest on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date, provided the executive is employed on the vesting date. The employment service requirement will be waived in the event of death, disability or normal retirement after the age of 65, and RSUs will immediately vest upon any such event.

Our CEO and our President are eligible to receive quarterly incentive payments under the EICP. Because the potential incentive payout for these two NEOs constitutes a substantial portion of their compensation, the Committee decided to spread the payout throughout the year. Quarterly payments are based on the total incentive award projected for the year based on year-to-date performance following the end of each of the first three quarters of the year. The amount payable for any quarter is discounted by 20%, and then pro-rated by the percentage of the annual incentive to be paid in cash. Amounts paid in prior quarters are subtracted from payments due in subsequent quarters. The total cash incentive awards earned by our CEO and by Mr. Pozzi for 2014 performance were $4,620,000 and $564,200, respectively. Of these amounts, $2,772,000 and $327,600 were paid to our CEO and Mr. Pozzi, respectively, for the first three quarters of 2014, and the remaining cash incentive payments of $1,848,000 and $236,600, respectively, were made in February 2015.

Performance Measures: The Committee generally establishes specific performance measures and the corresponding levels of performance objectives for each of our NEOs after consideration of our annual corporate plan and after review of recommendations from the Management Compensation Committee. The specific performance measures and performance objectives for the 2014 EICP were approved in February 2014 and communicated to the NEOs in March 2014. With the exception of two of the NEOs noted below, we used the same performance measures for our NEOs in 2014 as in 2013, although the goals associated with those measures were adjusted to reflect changes in performance expectations. For 2014, the Committee determined to eliminate a performance measure used for Mr. Dunn in prior years that was based on home office expenses and to use the same five performance measures for him as for Mr. Moody and Mr. Pozzi. With respect to Mr. Ostergren, two performance measures used in prior years based on gain from operations before federal income taxes for our property and casualty insurance subsidiaries were eliminated, along with a measure based on gain from operations before federal income taxes for life, annuity and health insurance products sold through our Multiple Line distribution channel. These performance measures for Mr. Ostergren were replaced by two new performance measures discussed below – CID P&C Gain from Operations before FIT and Total P&C Combined Ratio (excluding catastrophes). The Committee believes that these performance measures for Mr. Ostergren better align with the financial and operational measures that he has the ability to impact.

Performance measures and goals are set with a level of stretch such that achieving target goals is not assured. NEOs are reasonably likely to meet some, but not all, threshold objectives. The Committee considers target objectives to be fairly aggressive.

 

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Maximum objectives are established at levels above the expected achievement associated with a particular performance measure. Achievement of an aggregate target payout generally means that the performance of the NEO and the Company has met yearly objectives established under the EICP.

Performance measures used in the 2014 EICP are listed and explained below. Specific performance measures and their relative weight are selected for each participant in the EICP based on the financial and operational measures that he has the ability to impact. Not all measures are used for every NEO, and many of the same measures are used for measuring the performance of EICP participants who are not NEOs.

 

  1. Consolidated Operating Revenues: This is total revenues less amounts reported as realized gains and losses.

 

  2. Five-Year Average Consolidated GAAP Operating Income (as a percentage of stockholders’ dividends): This is average consolidated GAAP operating income for the five-year period ending December 31, 2014 divided by stockholder dividends paid during 2014.

 

  3. Return on Equity from Insurance Lines (adjusted for unusual items): This is after-tax net gain from operations for the insurance lines (adjusted for unusual items) divided by the equity assigned to the insurance lines.

 

  4. Total Corporate Return on Equity: This is adjusted gain divided by total stockholder equity. Adjusted gain is consolidated net income adjusted for unusual items.

 

  5. Weighted Direct Earned Premium: This is the total weighted direct earned premium, which is premium income to us that is weighted in accordance with industry standards for measuring premium. Pursuant to such standards, recurring premiums are weighted at 100%; single life premiums, excess life premiums, and annuity deposits are weighted at 10%; and credit insurance premiums are weighted at 15% of the actual amount received. Direct earned premium refers to premium actually received.

 

  6. ML P&C Direct Written Premium: This is the total property and casualty direct written premium through our Multiple Line (“ML”) distribution channel.

 

  7. Total ML Gain from Operations before FIT: This is the GAAP gain from operations before federal income taxes for American National Property and Casualty Company and its subsidiaries, the Farm Family life and property and casualty companies and the ML distribution channel.

 

  8. CID P&C Gain from Operations before FIT: This is the GAAP gain from operations before federal income taxes attributable to sales through our Credit Insurance Division (“CID”).

 

  9. Total P&C Combined Ratio: This is the total combined ratio for our property and casualty insurance operations, excluding the impact of catastrophes, reinsurance reinstatement premiums, and CID property and casualty business. The combined ratio, an indication of underwriting profitability, measures incurred losses and operating expenses as a percentage of earned premium.

 

  10. Total ML Weighted Life Sales: This is the total ML annualized premium on paid life sales by our ML distribution channel, weighted in accordance with industry standards for measuring premium.

 

  11. Number of Multiple Line Exclusive Agents: This is the number of licensed, exclusive independent contractor agents within our ML marketing division.

 

  12. Combined IMG and Direct Marketing Weighted Life Sales: This is the annualized premium on paid life sales by our Independent Marketing Group (“IMG”) and Direct Marketing distribution channels, weighted in accordance with industry standards for measuring premium.

 

  13. IMG Annuity Statutory Reserves: This is IMG annuity statutory reserves plus IMG deposit-type liabilities.

 

  14. Combined IMG and Direct Marketing – Marketing Expense Ratio: This is the combined adjusted marketing expense of IMG and Direct Marketing as a percentage of the combined total target expense for these distribution channels.

 

  15. Combined IMG and Direct Marketing Gain from Operations Before FIT: This is the combined IMG and Direct Marketing profit before federal income taxes.

 

  16. IMG Annuity Sales: This is the total collected annuity deposits from sales generated from IMG.

 

  17. Combined IMG and Direct Marketing Weighted Life Direct Earned Premium: This is combined life direct earned premium income to us generated from IMG and Direct Marketing, weighted in accordance with industry standards for measuring premium.

The tables below show the performance measures and their approximate relative weightings as a percentage of the total incentive opportunity for each NEO during 2014.

2014 Annual Incentive Performance Measures and Approximate Weightings

For Messrs. Moody, Pozzi and Dunn

 

Performance Measure    Moody     Pozzi     Dunn  

Consolidated Operating Revenues

     20     21.4     22.5

Five-Year Average Consolidated GAAP Operating Income

     20     14.4     10

Return on Equity from Insurance Lines

     20     21.4     22.5

Total Corporate Return on Equity

     20     21.4     22.5

Weighted Direct Earned Premium

     20     21.4     22.5

 

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2014 Annual Incentive Performance Measures and Approximate Weightings For Mr. Ostergren

 

ML P&C Direct Written Premium

     25

Total ML Gain from Operations before FIT

     25

CID P&C Gain from Operations before FIT

     10

Total P&C Combined Ratio (excluding catastrophes)

     10

Five-Year Average Consolidated GAAP Operating Income

     10

Total ML Weighted Life Sales

     10

Number of Multiple Line Exclusive Agents

     10

2014 Annual Incentive Performance Measures and Approximate Weightings For Mr. Behrens

 

Combined IMG & Direct Marketing Weighted Life Sales

     20

IMG Annuity Statutory Reserves

     10

Combined IMG & Direct Marketing - Marketing Expense Ratio

     25

Combined IMG & Direct Marketing Gain from Operations before FIT

     25

IMG Annuity Sales

     10

Combined IMG & Direct Marketing Weighted Life Direct Earned Premium

     10

The table below shows each performance measure and the threshold, target and maximum goals associated with each, along with actual 2014 performance with respect to each performance measure. Information regarding our performance measures is provided in the limited context of our EICP and should not be understood to be statements of management’s expectations or estimates of results or other guidance. We specifically caution investors not to apply these statements to other contexts.

 

Performance Measure    Threshold   Target   Maximum   2014 Actual

Consolidated Operating Revenues

   $2.85 billion   $2.95 billion   $3.05 billion   $3.01 billion

Five-Year Average Consolidated GAAP Operating Income

   100% of
stockholders’
dividend
  125% of

stockholders’

dividend

  150% of

stockholders’

dividend

  190% of

stockholders’

dividend

Return on Equity from Insurance Lines

   6.75%   7.75%   8.75%   9.38%

Total Corporate Return on Equity

   5.00%   5.75%   6.50%   7.93%

Weighted Direct Earned Premium

   $1.95 billion   $2.00 billion   $2.05 billion   $2.02 billion

ML P&C Direct Written Premium

   $1.069 billion   $1.092 billion   $1.115 billion   $1.094 billion

Total ML Gain from Operations before FIT

   $48.8 million   $72.9 million   $97.0 million   $103.5 million

CID P&C Gain from Operations before FIT

   $19.0 million   $20.5 million   $22.0 million   $13.3 million

Total P&C Combined Ratio

   94.5%   93.0%   91.5%   91.0%

Total ML Weighted Life Sales

   $20.0 million   $21.0 million   $22.0 million   $22.5 million

Number of Multiple Line Exclusive Agents

   1,332   1,366   1,400   1,361

Combined IMG and Direct Marketing Weighted Life Sales

   $37.0 million   $40.0 million   $43.0 million   $41.1 million

IMG Annuity Statutory Reserves

   $8.95 billion   $9.10 billion   $9.25 billion   $9.30 billion

Combined IMG & Direct Marketing - Marketing Expense Ratio

   162%   147%   132%   122%

Combined IMG & Direct Marketing Gain from Operations before FIT

   $54.0 million   $59.0 million   $64.0 million   $91.8 million

IMG Annuity Sales

   $600.0 million   $675.0 million   $750.0 million   $746.5 million

Combined IMG & Direct Marketing Weighted Life Direct Earned Premium

   $174.0 million   $180.0 million   $186.0 million   $199.3 million

An NEO’s aggregate incentive opportunity is equal to the sum of the incentive opportunities tied to the specific performance measures applicable to that individual. As noted above, incentive opportunities are expressed as a percentage of base salary.

Following the completion of the 2014 performance year, the Committee assessed the performance of the NEOs against the objectives established at the beginning of the year to determine the aggregate incentive award payable to each. The actual aggregate

 

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EICP awards earned for 2014 by the NEOs ranged from 112.5% to 143.3% of their respective EICP target opportunities, with 60% of such awards settled in cash and 40% in RSUs with a three-year vesting schedule, up to the aggregate target award level. The excess of each NEO’s EICP award over his aggregate target award was paid entirely in RSUs.

The following table shows how each NEO performed relative to his aggregate threshold and target award opportunities under the 2014 EICP.

2014 Potential Aggregate Incentive Opportunities

for the NEOs Compared to Actual Aggregate Incentive Award Earned

 

Name    Threshold      Target      Actual Aggregate Incentive Award
Earned*
 
   As a %
of
Salary
   

As $

Amount

    

As a %

of
Salary

   

As $

Amount

    

As a %

of

Salary

   

As $

Amount

     As a % of
Target
EICP
 

Robert L. Moody, Sr.

     192.5   $ 3,850,000         385   $ 7,700,000         433.1   $ 8,662,500         112.5

James E. Pozzi

     70   $ 470,167         140   $ 940,334         194.9   $ 1,309,321         139.2

Gregory V. Ostergren

     52.5   $ 294,049         105   $ 588,099         123.6   $ 692,349         117.7

David A. Behrens

     55   $ 258,762         110   $ 517,523         157.6   $ 741,643         143.3

John J. Dunn, Jr.

     50   $ 193,163         100   $ 386,325         138.7   $ 535,842         138.7

 

* As noted above, the maximum incentive award for the CEO was limited to 112.5% of his aggregate target award opportunity.

The following table shows the portion of the actual aggregate incentive award paid in cash, the portion converted to RSUs, and the number of RSUs issued pursuant to the 2014 EICP. Because March 1, the usual payment date, of this year was a Sunday, these awards were made effective March 2, 2015 based on a stock price of $104.75 per share, the closing price of our Common Stock on February 27, 2015:

 

Name    Total 2014 EICP
Award Earned
     Paid in Cash     Converted to RSUs     Number of RSUs
Awarded
 

Robert L. Moody, Sr.

   $ 8,662,500       $ 4,620,000         (53.3 %)    $ 4,042,500         (46.7 %)      38,591   

James E. Pozzi

   $ 1,309,321       $ 564,200         (43.1 %)    $ 745,121         (56.9 %)      7,113   

Gregory V. Ostergren

   $ 692,349       $ 352,859         (51.0 %)    $ 339,490         (49.0 %)      3,240   

David A. Behrens

   $ 741,643       $ 310,513         (41.9 %)    $ 431,130         (58.1 %)      4,115   

John J. Dunn, Jr.

   $ 535,842       $ 231,795         (43.3 %)    $ 304,047         (56.7 %)      2,902   

Long-Term Incentive Compensation

The American National Insurance Company 1999 Stock and Incentive Plan (the “1999 Plan”) is administered by the Committee. Until 2010, we made grants only of restricted stock and freestanding stock appreciation rights under the 1999 Plan. Commencing in 2010, performance-based grants of RSUs have been made under the 1999 Plan based on the achievement of performance objectives under the EICP. For the 2014 EICP, the number of RSUs issued to the NEOs in accordance with the satisfaction of applicable performance measures under such plan is shown in the table immediately above.

We intend to continue to make performance-based grants of RSUs under the 1999 Plan on an annual basis, by paying a portion of the annual incentive to our NEOs in RSUs. We believe that providing equity opportunities on an annual basis provides stronger retention incentives for our executive officers and mitigates pricing problems in a volatile market through more frequent grants. In addition, such opportunities improve our competitive positioning with respect to long-term incentive compensation.

Retirement Benefits

We maintain Company-sponsored retirement and deferred compensation plans for the benefit of our salaried employees, including our NEOs. These benefits are designed to assist in providing for the long-term financial security of our employees and their families. Like all of our employees, our NEOs are eligible to participate in our 401(k) Savings Plan, which is a Company-wide, tax-qualified retirement plan. The intent of the plan is to provide all employees with a tax-advantaged savings opportunity for retirement. Beginning with the 2014 plan year, we make an annual matching contribution equal to 100% of each participant’s deferral, up to four percent of his or her compensation, and a non-elective contribution for all participants employed as of the last day of the plan year equal to two percent of his or her compensation for the year. As required, eligible pay under this plan is capped at annual limits established under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

Because eligible pay under the 401(k) Savings Plan is capped under the Code, we have offered additional means for certain employees to save for retirement. Prior to 2014, we offered a qualified defined benefit pension plan and two non-qualified defined benefit pension plans. The general purpose of the non-qualified defined benefit pension plans was to restore curtailments of benefits under the qualified plan required to comply with covered compensation limits under the Code. Each of these plans, and the benefits provided under each to the NEOs, is further discussed below in connection with the Pension Benefits table.

 

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In July 2013, management recommended and the Committee approved that we shift our retirement benefits from defined benefit pension plans to contributory defined contribution plans. In accordance with this recommendation, we amended our qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans effective December 31, 2013 to freeze participation and future benefit accruals, with no additional years of service credit or salary increase credit thereafter. Benefits earned by eligible employees prior to such date are not affected, including any such benefits earned by eligible employees who are not vested as of such date but become fully vested thereafter. All employees were affected by these amendments, including the NEOs.

In connection with the freezing of the defined benefit pension plans, we adopted the American National Family of Companies Executive Supplemental Savings Plan (the “Executive Plan”), an unfunded nonqualified deferred compensation plan, effective January 1, 2014. The Executive Plan permits certain executives and highly compensated employees to defer a portion of their compensation that they would otherwise receive and permits us to match such elective deferrals in the same manner as would be permitted under our qualified 401(k) Savings Plan in the absence of limitations imposed by the Code. The Executive Plan includes both employee deferral and Company contribution components. All of the NEOs participate in the Executive Plan.

Pursuant to the Executive Plan, participants may elect to defer a portion of their annual salary and certain performance-based compensation and bonuses. During each plan year, we will make a matching contribution equal to 100% of each participant’s deferral, up to four percent of his or her compensation in excess of the compensation cap under the 401(k) Savings Plan for that year. In addition, we will make a non-elective contribution to the Executive Plan on behalf of each participant equal to two percent of his or her compensation in excess of such cap, provided the participant is employed on the last day of the year (subject to certain exceptions under the Code). For 2015, we will contribute an additional amount to the Executive Plan on behalf of any participant in the plan who receives a lesser matching or non-elective contribution under the 401(k) Savings Plan because of the reduction in compensation considered under the 401(k) Savings Plan as a result of his or her Executive Plan deferral.

Executive Plan participant deferrals and Company contribution amounts are held in a grantor (rabbi) trust subject to the claims of the creditors of the participant’s employer and are deemed invested in the particular investment options selected by each participant. Participants vest in Company contributions after completing three years of service. Executive Plan participants may elect whether they will receive a distribution of their plan account balances upon termination of employment or at a specified date. Distributions can be made in a lump sum or in five or ten annual installments. As a result of certain restrictions under the Code, most participants (including all of the NEOs) may not actually receive or commence their benefits until six months after termination of employment.

For 2014, compensation for purposes of computing the Company’s contributions to an NEO’s Executive Plan account consisted of each participant’s W-2 compensation and amounts not included in income due to a salary reduction agreement, such as for 401(k) Savings Plan contributions. Compensation does not include the value of fringe benefits, welfare benefits or any amounts includable in income due to restricted stock, RSUs, stock appreciation rights, holiday bonuses, or the amount of any Life Marketing Bonus paid to the participant in excess of one times the base pay of the participant for the year to which the bonus relates. For 2015, the Committee determined to eliminate the limitation on the Life Marketing Bonus, which does not affect any of the NEOs. In addition, in determining the amount of the Company matching and non-elective contribution to the Executive Plan for 2015, the participant’s compensation will be determined before any deferral made under that plan.

The Executive Plan provides that the Company may make discretionary, supplemental contributions from time to time. During 2014, the Committee approved certain supplemental annual contributions to the Executive Plan for four key executives, three of whom are NEOs. These supplemental annual contributions are in addition to the employer matching contributions and non-elective contributions under the Executive Plan, as described above, and are also based on a percentage of compensation, as defined under the plan. The Committee approved an annual twenty percent supplemental contribution for Mr. Pozzi, until the end of the last calendar year in which he reaches age seventy, and annual ten percent supplemental contributions for Mr. Dunn and Mr. Behrens, until the end of the last calendar year in which each reaches age sixty-five. The Committee determined that such supplemental contributions were necessary and in the best interests of the Company in order to retain these executives and to minimize the negative impact of the freezing of the defined benefit pension plans on such individuals.

Other Benefits

Basic health benefits, disability protection, life insurance and similar programs are provided to make certain that access to healthcare and income protection is available to our employees and their family members. Each of our NEOs, as well as all of our officers at the parent company of the level of vice president and above, participates in our Merit Plan, a medical plan that supplements our core medical insurance plan. The Merit Plan provides coverage for co-pays, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket expenses that are not covered by the core medical insurance plan. Benefits under the Merit Plan are taxable to the recipient only to the extent any such benefits are provided for medical expenses that would not be deductible by the recipient for federal income tax purposes.

Perquisites

During 2014, perquisites to our NEOs included benefits under the Merit Plan discussed immediately above; a company car for Mr. Pozzi; a Company-employed driver for Mr. Moody; club memberships; payment of certain life insurance premiums; and guest travel, lodging, leisure activities, and food and beverage at our business conferences and other events. The perquisites and benefits provided to each NEO during 2014 are included in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table and are reported in further detail in the “All Other Compensation Table - NEOs.”

 

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Consideration of Risks from Compensation Policies and Practices

In early 2015, at the request of the Committee, Cook & Co. performed a review of our compensation policies and practices to determine whether those programs encourage excessive risk taking that is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company as a whole. Based on this review, the Committee concluded that our compensation programs do not present any such material adverse risk. In reaching its conclusion, the Committee considered several features of our compensation programs that were cited by Cook and Co. as discouraging excessive or unnecessary risk taking. Among such features are the following:

 

    appropriate pay philosophy, peer group for comparison purposes, and market positioning to support core business objectives;

 

    conservative overall pay positioning of total direct compensation for most executive positions;

 

    payment of 40% of any annual incentive awards earned in RSUs with three-year vesting;

 

    effective balance in: (i) short- and long-term performance focus; (ii) corporate, business unit, and individual performance focus and measurement; and (iii) financial and non-financial performance measurements used that are well balanced between growth, profitability, return on capital, and other relevant measures in the industry;

 

    a cap on non-equity incentive compensation payable to our executive officers;

 

    the adoption of stock ownership guidelines and an incentive compensation clawback policy for executive officers;

 

    a policy prohibiting directors, officers and employees from engaging in transactions involving puts, calls or short sales with respect to our stock; and

 

    independent Committee oversight.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Board Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based upon such review, the related discussions and such other matters deemed relevant and appropriate to the Board Compensation Committee, the Board Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (incorporated by reference) and in this proxy statement to be delivered to stockholders.

 

Submitted by the Board Compensation Committee:
James D. Yarbrough, Chairman
E. J. Pederson

 

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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table sets forth all of the compensation awarded to or earned by the Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”) for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

 

Name and Principal Position   Year  

Salary

(a)

   

Bonus

(b)

   

Stock
Awards

(c)

   

Non-Equity
Incentive
Compensation

(d)

   

Change in
Pension Value
and Non-
Qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings

(e)

   

All Other
Compensation

(f)

    Total  

Robert L. Moody, Sr.,
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

  2014

2013

2012

  $

$

$

2,000,000

2,000,000

2,000,000

  

  

  

  $

$

$

172

172

157

  

  

  

  $

$

$

1,539,943

1,154,997

1,154,944

  

  

  

  $

$

$

4,620,000

5,390,000

5,390,000

  

  

  

  $

$

$

4,623,269

0

6,790,025

(1) 

  

(1) 

  $

$

$

452,436

331,221

409,102

  

  

  

  $

$

$

13,235,820

8,876,390

15,744,244

(2) 

  

(2) 

James E. Pozzi,(3)
President and Chief Operating Officer

  2014

2013

2012

  $

$

$

671,667

650,000

594,142

  

  

  

  $

$

$

138

138

136

  

  

  

  $

$

$

188,022

959,698

142,590

  

  

  

  $

$

$

564,200

468,000

408,485

  

  

  

  $

$

$

898,489

545,565

1,167,924

  

  

  

  $

$

$

362,678

74,678

38,088

  

  

  

  $

$

$

2,685,194

2,698,079

2,351,365

  

  

  

               
               

Gregory V. Ostergren,
Executive Vice President, Director of Multiple Line

  2014

2013

2012

  $

$

$

540,094

540,094

540,094

  

  

  

  $

$

$

150

350

348

  

  

  

  $

$

$

117,514

108,017

107,962

  

  

  

  $

$

$

397,573

324,056

221,958

  

  

  

  $

$

$

621,871

0

435,787

  

  

  

  $

$

$

81,982

42,017

45,937

  

  

  

  $

$

$

1,759,184

1,014,534

1,352,086

  

  

  

David A. Behrens,
Executive Vice President, Independent Marketing Group

  2014

2013

2012

  $

$

$

470,475

457,500

450,000

  

  

  

  $

$

$

138

138

136

  

  

  

  $

$

$

103,435

96,042

94,467

  

  

  

  $

$

$

310,513

288,225

279,000

  

  

  

  $

$

$

383,530

36,446

311,539

  

  

  

  $

$

$

134,307

23,091

20,906

  

  

  

  $

$

$

1,402,398

901,442

1,156,048

  

  

  

               
               

John J. Dunn, Jr.,
Executive Vice President, Corporate Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

  2014

2013

2012

  $

$

$

386,325

377,500

366,667

  

  

  

  $

$

$

138

138

68

  

  

  

  $

$

$

77,207

75,467

73,260

  

  

  

  $

$

$

231,795

226,500

220,000

  

  

  

  $

$

$

55,980

54,398

90,353

  

  

  

  $

$

$

113,215

20,725

21,612

  

  

  

  $

$

$

864,660

754,728

771,960

  

  

  

 

(1) Includes in-service distributions from our non-qualified and qualified pension plans in the amounts of $6,668,278 and $6,617,346 for 2014 and 2012, respectively. The Committee considers such in-service payments to be distributions of benefits earned in prior years and, as such, does not consider such payments to be current year compensation for purposes of its evaluation of CEO pay in relation to competitive market practices or the Committee’s pay for performance analysis. See “Column (e) - Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings” below for further information.
(2) Excluding the effect of in-service distributions of pension benefits, Mr. Moody’s total compensation for 2014 and 2012 was $6,567,542 and $9,126,898, respectively.
(3) Mr. Pozzi began serving as our President and Chief Operating Officer on May 1, 2012. Prior to such promotion, Mr. Pozzi served as our Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer.

Column (a) - Salary. These amounts represent base salary, including any amount of base salary the NEO may have contributed to our 401(k) plan and to the Executive Plan.

Column (b) - Bonus. These amounts reflect an annual holiday bonus and, for Mr. Ostergren in 2012 and 2013, an employee health and wellness bonus paid by a Company subsidiary.

Column (c) - Stock Awards. The values shown for each NEO represent the grant date fair value of conditional performance-based restricted stock units granted under the EICP during 2012, 2013 and 2014, but not issued until 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively, based on the probable outcome (as of the grant date) of the performance based conditions applicable to the awards. For this purpose, the probable outcome is based on achievement at threshold performance levels (as discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis above), calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures, based on a closing stock price at the grant dates of February 23, 2012, February 28, 2013 and February 27, 2014 of $74.15, $80.37 and $113.54, respectively. The amounts in the table do not correspond to the actual value that is ultimately recognized by the NEOs. See the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table below for further information on these performance-based restricted stock units. For Mr. Pozzi, the 2013 row of this column also includes a grant date fair value of $803,700 for 10,000 shares of restricted stock awarded to him on February 28, 2013, with an effective date of March 1, 2013. These restricted shares will vest on March 1, 2023, assuming Mr. Pozzi’s continued employment at such time, or upon his earlier death, disability or retirement.

Column (d) - Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation. These amounts show the annual incentives paid in cash under the EICP for 2014, 2013 and 2012 performance. The amounts for 2014 are further described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section above and in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table below. With respect to Mr. Ostergren, the Board Compensation Committee determined in February 2015 that his base salary for EICP purposes should include the $20,000 annual compensation he receives as

 

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Chairman of the Board of the Farm Family insurance companies. In addition, the Committee recommended that the Company make a one-time cash payment to Mr. Ostergren representing incentive compensation that would have been paid under the EICP in 2011, 2012 and 2013 had such $20,000 been included in Mr. Ostergren’s base salary for EICP purposes. Such one-time payment, in the amount of $44,714, is included in the 2014 number shown in this column for Mr. Ostergren.

Column (e) - Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings. These amounts represent the increase, if any, in the present value of each NEO’s benefits under our tax-qualified pension plan and nonqualified pension plans for the years shown. As noted in the “Retirement Benefits” section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis above, participation and future benefit accruals under these plans were frozen effective December 31, 2013. For 2014 and 2012, some of our NEOs, including Mr. Moody, experienced an increase in accrued pension benefits greater than in other years as a result of the lower interest rate environment and the effect of such rates on the pension calculations. Conversely, for 2013, Mr. Moody and Mr. Ostergren experienced decreases in their accrued pension benefits of $301,918 and $163,048, respectively, as a result of the effect of increased interest rates on the pension calculations. The interest rates and mortality rates used in this calculation are determined by the plans’ enrolled actuary. The mortality table assumption used to calculate the present values of pension benefits was updated in 2014 and reflects a slightly longer life expectancy than that used in prior years, which added to the increase in present value for 2014. The 2013 decrease in accrued pension benefits for Mr. Moody includes the effect of in-service distributions totaling $6,669,669 from the Company’s non-qualified and qualified pension plans, which partially offset the decrease in pension value. The Pension Benefits Table below has more information. No part of any increase in accrued benefits reported in the Summary Compensation Table is the result of a decision to increase pay.

The Company does not pay above-market earnings on deferred compensation; therefore, no amounts are reported in this column for deferred compensation.

Column (f) - All Other Compensation. Amounts included in this column for 2014 are further detailed in the table that follows.

All Other Compensation Table - NEOs - 2014

 

Name    Restricted
Stock
Dividends
     Group Life
Insurance
Premium(1)
     Company
Contributions to
Defined
Contribution
Plans(2)
     Subsidiary
Compensation
    Perquisites     Total  

Robert L. Moody, Sr.

   $ 308,000       $ 721       $ 95,440       $ 0      $ 48,275  (3)(4)(5)    $ 452,436   

James E. Pozzi

   $ 30,800       $ 1,089       $ 289,962       $ 0      $ 40,827  (3)(6)    $ 362,678   

Gregory V. Ostergren

   $ 0       $ 710       $ 39,766       $ 20,000  (7)    $ 21,506  (3)    $ 81,982   

David A. Behrens

   $ 0       $ 380       $ 111,421       $ 0      $ 22,506  (3)(8)    $ 134,307   

John J. Dunn, Jr.

   $ 0       $ 710       $ 90,999       $ 0      $ 21,506  (3)    $ 113,215   

 

(1) Represents imputed income from group life insurance premiums paid by the Company.
(2) Primarily represents Company contributions to the Executive Plan, discussed in the “Retirement Benefits” section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis above. For each of the NEOs other than Mr. Moody, $15,600 of such amount represents a Company contribution to our 401(k) Plan. For Mr. Moody, $5,200 of such amount represents a Company contribution to our 401(k) Plan. Executive Plan amounts are further described in the “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans – Executive Plan” table below.
(3) Includes our Merit Plan benefit, described in “Other Benefits” above. The Merit Plan is underwritten by National Western Life Insurance Company, of which Robert L. Moody, Sr. is Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and the controlling stockholder. Total premium and fees paid to National Western Life Insurance Company for all Merit Plan participants in 2014 was $1,875,802. There is no individual underwriting or premium assessed in connection with the Merit Plan. The amount included in the table for this benefit ($21,506) is the average cost of the benefit for all Merit Plan participants.
(4)  Includes $25,494 for a Company-employed driver used by Mr. Moody for personal and business transportation.
(5) Includes guest travel, lodging, leisure activities, and/or food and beverage at our business conferences or other events.
(6) Includes use of company car.
(7) Received as Chairman of the Board of the Farm Family insurance company subsidiaries.
(8)  Includes country club membership.

 

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GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

The following table has information about 2014 awards made under the EICP. Please see the “Annual Incentive Compensation” section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis above for a more complete description of the EICP.

 

Name   Grant
Date
   

Estimated Possible Payouts Under

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards

   

Estimated Possible Payouts Under

Equity Incentive Plan Awards

    All
Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of
Shares
of Stock
or Units
(#)(h)
   

Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
Awards

(i)

 
    (a)    

Threshold

(b)

   

Target

(c)

   

Maximum

(d)

   

Threshold

(e)

   

Target

(f)

   

Maximum

(g)

     

Robert L. Moody, Sr.

    2/27/14      $ 2,310,000      $ 4,620,000      $ 4,620,000      $ 1,540,000      $ 3,080,000      $ 4,042,500        28,835      $ 1,539,943   

James E. Pozzi

    2/27/14      $ 282,100      $ 564,200      $ 564,200      $ 188,067      $ 376,134      $ 846,301        5,675      $ 188,022   

Gregory V. Ostergren

    2/27/14      $ 176,429      $ 352,859      $ 352,859      $ 117,620      $ 235,240      $ 529,289        3,204      $ 117,514   

David A. Behrens

    2/27/14      $ 155,257      $ 310,513      $ 310,513      $ 103,504      $ 207,009      $ 465,770        3,170      $ 103,435   

John J. Dunn, Jr.

    2/27/14      $ 115,898      $ 231,795      $ 231,795      $ 77,265      $ 154,530      $ 347,693        2,723      $ 77,207   

Column (a) - Grant Date. This is the date the award opportunity was approved by the Board of Directors upon recommendation of the Board Compensation Committee.

Column (b)-(d) - Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards. These columns include the threshold and target cash award opportunities for each NEO under the 2014 EICP that related to 2014 performance targets. Under this program, each NEO received an annual incentive award payable in a combination of cash and RSUs, with final payouts based on actual performance relative to predetermined performance objectives across a range of performance measures. Annual incentive opportunities were based on a percentage of base salary. For each applicable performance measure, there were three levels of performance objectives, with increased incentive opportunities associated with each level. Once a threshold performance objective was reached, the actual amount of the award was prorated toward each subsequent performance objective. For each NEO, the annual incentive award was paid out 60% in cash, except that the entire portion of the award, if any, in excess of his aggregate target opportunity was paid in RSUs. The annual incentive award for the Chairman and CEO was capped at 112.5% of his aggregate target opportunity. Cash incentive awards actually earned by the NEOs under the 2014 Executive Annual Incentive Compensation Program are reported in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table.

Column (e)-(g) - Estimated Possible Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards. These columns include the dollar value of threshold and target RSU award opportunities for each NEO under the 2014 EICP. The actual number of RSUs awarded for 2014 performance equals the aggregate annual incentive award earned for 2014 that was allocable to RSUs divided by the closing price of our Common Stock on February 27, 2015. For each NEO, the annual incentive award earned was paid out 40% in RSUs, except that the entire portion of the award, if any, in excess of the aggregate target opportunity is paid in RSUs. The remainder of the incentive award is paid in cash. The number of RSUs actually awarded to the NEOs for 2014 performance is disclosed in the “Long-Term Incentive Compensation” section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis above.

Column (h) - All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units. This column shows the number of RSUs issued to the NEOs in 2014 for 2013 performance attained under the 2013 EICP. Such RSUs vest annually in equal amounts over three years beginning March 1, 2015.

Column (i) - Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards. These amounts represent the grant date fair value of conditional performance-based RSU awards granted during 2014, but not issued until 2015, based on the probable outcome (as of the grant date) of the performance based conditions applicable to the awards. For information regarding the calculation of the grant date fair values shown, please see the notes to Column (c) of the Summary Compensation Table above. The grant date fair value of the RSU awards based on maximum performance across all applicable performance measures is as follows: For Mr. Moody, $4,042,478; for Mr. Pozzi, $846,214; for Mr. Ostergren, $529,210; for Mr. Behrens, $465,741; and for Mr. Dunn, $347,659.

 

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OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT YEAR END

The following table has information about each Named Executive Officer’s outstanding equity awards at December 31, 2014, which consist of restricted stock, RSUs and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”). An SAR gives its owner the right to exercise the SAR and receive, at such time, a cash amount equal in value to the excess, if any, of the then fair market value of one share of our Common Stock over an amount (the “exercise price”) specified in the owner’s SAR agreement. SARs vest 20% per year over a five-year period beginning the first anniversary date of the grant. No SARs were awarded to our NEOs in 2012, 2013 or 2014.

 

    SAR Awards     Stock Awards  
Name  

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
SARs
Exercisable

(a)

   

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
SARs
Unexercisable

(b)

   

SAR

Exercise

Price

(c)

   

SAR

Expiration

Date

(d)

   

Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested

(e)

   

Market Value of
Shares or Units
of Stock That
Have Not
Vested*

(f)

   

Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights that
Have  Not
Vested

(g)

   

Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards:
Market Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units or
Other  Rights
that Have Not
Vested

(h)

 

Robert L. Moody, Sr.

    —          —          —          —          50,000 1    $ 5,713,000        26,956 6    $ 3,079,993 7 
            50,000 2    $ 5,713,000       
            10,740 3    $ 1,227,152       
            19,237 4    $ 2,198,020       
            28,835 5    $ 3,294,687       

James E. Pozzi

    5,600 8      0      $ 116.48        5/1/2018        1,141 3    $ 130,371        3,291 6    $ 376,030 7 
            10,000 9    $ 1,142,600       
            4,241 4    $ 484,577       
            5,675 5    $ 648,426       

Gregory V. Ostergren

    4,000 8      0      $ 116.48        5/1/2018        278 3    $ 31,764        1,985 6    $ 226,806 7 
            1,232 4    $ 140,768       
            3,204 5    $ 366,089       

David A. Behrens

    1,000 8      0      $ 116.48        5/1/2018        811 3    $ 92,665        1,811 6    $ 206,925 7 
            3,154 4    $ 360,376       
            3,170 5    $ 362,204       

John J. Dunn, Jr.

    —          —          —          —          879 3    $ 100,435        1,352 6    $ 154,480 7 
            2,156 4    $ 246,345       
            2,723 5    $ 311,130       

 

* Based on an assumed stock price of $114.26, which was the closing price of our Common Stock on December 31, 2014.
1  Restrictions with respect to these shares of restricted stock lapse on May 1, 2015.
2  Restrictions with respect to these shares of restricted stock lapse on May 1, 2018.
3  These RSUs vest on March 1, 2015.
4 These RSUs vest in two equal annual installments beginning on March 1, 2015.
5  These RSUs vest in three substantially equal annual installments beginning on March 1, 2015.
6 This number represents the number of conditional performance-based RSUs awarded to each NEO under the 2014 EICP, assuming performance at target levels and a stock price of $114.26, the closing price of our Common Stock on December 31, 2014. These amounts do not correspond to the actual number of RSUs issued to the NEOs for 2014 performance. The actual number of RSUs issued to the NEOs in March 2015 were as follows: Mr. Moody – 38,591 RSUs; Mr. Pozzi – 7,113 RSUs; Mr. Ostergren – 3,240 RSUs; Mr. Behrens – 4,115 RSUs; and Mr. Dunn – 2,902 RSUs.
7  The dollar amount shown is determined by multiplying the applicable number of RSUs shown in column (g) by $114.26, the closing price of our Common Stock on December 31, 2014.
8 These SARs became exercisable in five equal annual installments beginning May 1, 2009, and SARs expire five years from the date they become exercisable. The expiration date in column (d) represents the expiration of the final SARs to become exercisable under the particular award shown.
9 Restrictions with respect to these shares of restricted stock lapse March 1, 2023.

SAR EXERCISES AND RSUs VESTED

The following table provides information about RSUs that vested during 2014. None of the Named Executive Officers exercised any SARs during 2014.

 

     RSUs Vested  
    

Number of Shares

Acquired on Vesting

    

Value Realized

on Vesting

 

Robert L. Moody, Sr.

     20,360    $ 2,310,656   

James E. Pozzi

     3,262       $ 370,204   

Gregory V. Ostergren

     895       $ 101,574   

David A. Behrens

     2,388       $ 271,014   

John J. Dunn, Jr.

     1,957       $ 222,100   

 

* Mr. Moody elected to settle his vesting RSUs in cash rather than shares.

The number of shares shown above does not reflect any withholding of shares that may have been directed by the individual for tax purposes. The dollar value shown above is based on a share price of $113.49, the closing price of our Common Stock on the last business day before Saturday, March 1, 2014, the date of vesting.

 

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PENSION BENEFITS

The following table provides information regarding benefits under the American National Employees Retirement Plan (the “Qualified Plan”), the American National Insurance Company Nonqualified Retirement Plan, and the American National Insurance Company Nonqualified Retirement Plan for Certain Salaried Employees. As noted in the “Retirement Benefits” section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis above, participation and future benefit accruals under these defined benefit pension plans were frozen effective December 31, 2013, with no additional years of service credit or salary increase credit thereafter.

 

Name    Plan Name   

Number of

Years of

Credited

Service

   Present Value
of Accumulated
Benefit
    

Payments During

Last Fiscal Year

 

Robert L. Moody, Sr.

   Qualified Plan    31.6    $ 1,268,248       $ 141,638   
  

 

Nonqualified Retirement Plan

   45.0    $ 55,361,374       $ 6,526,640   

James E. Pozzi

   Qualified Plan    35.0    $ 1,636,130       $ 0   
   Nonqualified Retirement Plan for Certain Salaried Employees    35.0    $ 4,245,354       $ 0   

Gregory V. Ostergren

   Qualified Plan    23.18    $ 908,444       $ 0   
  

 

Nonqualified Retirement Plan for Certain Salaried Employees

   23.18    $ 2,392,011       $ 0   

David A. Behrens

   Qualified Plan    15.0    $ 433,243       $ 0   
   Nonqualified Retirement Plan for Certain Salaried Employees    15.0    $ 1,157,247       $ 0   

John J. Dunn, Jr.

   Qualified Plan    3.33    $ 126,338       $ 0   
  

 

Nonqualified Retirement Plan for Certain Salaried Employees

   3.33    $ 139,641       $ 0   

The number of years of credited service are shown as of December 31, 2014. In connection with the freezing of these plans effective December 31, 2013, no additional years of service will be credited after such date. The present value of the accumulated benefit under each plan is calculated using the December 31, 2012 FASB ASC 715 disclosure assumptions as follows: (a) discount rate of 4.6%, (b) 1994 Group Annuity Mortality table, and (c) the calculated present value at age 65 is discounted with interest only to the current age. In-service distributions of benefits paid from the plans were determined according to the applicable plan terms for a life payout.

The Qualified Plan. The Qualified Plan covers substantially all employees and officers of the Company as of December 31, 2013 and provides benefits based on the participant’s years of service and compensation, which for purposes of the Qualified Plan have been frozen as of such date. The monthly benefit payable under the plan at normal retirement age (usually age 65) equals:

 

    1.667% of the employee’s final average pay times years of service (up to 35 years) at December 31, 2013,

 

    Less a “Social Security offset” amount equal to 0.7% (0.65% for Year of Birth after 1954) times the “Social Security covered pay.”

For purposes of this calculation, “final average pay” is the average of the employee’s pay for the sixty consecutive months prior to December 31, 2013 that produces the highest average (out of the prior ten years). Pay includes base salary, overtime, bonus incentives, stock dividends paid on restricted stock awards prior to the vesting of such awards, and gains on SAR exercises and vesting of restricted stock awarded before July 25, 2002. In addition, “Social Security covered pay” is one-twelfth of the average of the Social Security wage bases for the thirty-five year period ending when the employee reaches Social Security retirement age.

The benefit formula determines the employee’s monthly benefit as a life annuity. Unless special IRS rules apply, benefits are not paid before employment ends, or age 70  12 if sooner and if elected by the employee. Instead of taking a life annuity, the employee may elect one of three options: a 50%, 66 2/3%, 75% or 100% joint and survivor annuity; a 10, 15 or 20 year period certain and life annuity benefit; or a lump sum benefit, if eligible under the plan (most management/professional employees would be).

If an employee chooses one of these benefit options, the interest rate assumptions and mortality tables specified in the plan are used to adjust the benefit so it has the same value as the life annuity, on an actuarial basis.

 

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An employee whose employment ends before age 65 may begin benefit payments as early as age 55, if the employee had at least twenty years of vesting service; however, benefits may not begin before employment terminates. The plan actuary reduces this “vested” benefit below the level of the age 65 benefit to account for early commencement, so the benefit remains the actuarial equivalent of a benefit beginning at age 65.

If an employee retires after age 55 with at least twenty years of service, the employee may take an “early retirement” benefit, beginning immediately after employment ends. Mr. Pozzi and Mr. Ostergren are eligible for early retirement. The early retirement benefit is based on the pension plan formula. The benefit is reduced below the level of the age 65 benefit, similar in magnitude to the reductions Social Security exacts for early commencement. Mr. Moody is over 70  12 and is receiving in-service retirement benefits.

The Nonqualified Retirement Plan for Certain Salaried Employees and the Nonqualified Retirement Plan (together, the “Excess Benefit Plans”). As with the Qualified Plan, participation and future benefit accruals under the Excess Benefit Plans were frozen, with no additional years of service credit or salary increase credit, effective December 31, 2013. Benefits under the Qualified Plan are limited by the Code. Like many other large companies, therefore, we offered certain employees nonqualified “excess” benefit plans to make up the difference between the benefit determined under the Qualified Plan formula, without applying these limits, and the benefit actually payable under the Qualified Plan, taking these limits into account. To the extent that any individual’s annual retirement income benefit under the Qualified Plan exceeds the maximum amount payable from such plan, it is paid from one of the Excess Benefit Plans, provided the individual is a participant in such plans. Payment is made from our general assets and not from the assets of the Qualified Plan.

Mr. Moody is the only active NEO participant in the Nonqualified Retirement Plan, which has a higher maximum on years of service counted for benefit service (45 years versus 35 years for other plan participants), which could potentially increase benefits by as much as 28.5%; a guarantee of benefit continuation for 21 years after retirement benefits commence, in the event of death during that period; inclusion of service on our Board of Directors or service with a company acquired by us for pension benefit purposes; and the right to receive retirement benefits beginning at age 65 while in service as our employee, in lieu of an actuarially enhanced benefit deferred until the actual service termination date. Mr. Moody elected to begin receiving in-service benefits from the Nonqualified Retirement Plan while aged 65.

Under the Excess Benefit Plans, if an employee retires after age 55 with at least twenty years of service, the employee may take an “early retirement” benefit, beginning immediately after employment ends. Mr. Pozzi and Mr. Ostergren are eligible for early retirement under the Excess Benefit Plan in which they participate. The early retirement benefit is based on the pension plan formula. The benefit is reduced below the level of the age 65 benefit, similar in magnitude to the reductions Social Security exacts for early commencement.

NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS

Executive Plan

The table below has information about each NEO’s participation in our Executive Plan in 2014. The Executive Plan is discussed in the “Retirement Benefits” section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis above.

 

Name   

Executive
Contributions
in Last Fiscal
Year

(a)

    

Registrant
Contributions
in Last Fiscal
Year

(b)

    

Aggregate
Earnings in
Last Fiscal
Year

(c)

    

Aggregate
Withdrawals/

Distributions in
Last Fiscal
Year

(d)

    

Aggregate
Balance at
Last Fiscal
Year End

(e)

 

Robert L. Moody, Sr.

   $ 0       $ 90,240       $ 0       $ 0       $ 90,240   

James E. Pozzi

   $ 29,571       $ 274,362       $ 16,798       $ 0       $ 320,731   

Gregory V. Ostergren

   $ 108,025       $ 24,166       $ 2,636       $ 0       $ 134,827   

David A. Behrens

   $ 8,419       $ 94,821       $ 4,609       $ 0       $ 107,849   

John J. Dunn, Jr.

   $ 5,053       $ 75,399       $ 3,722       $ 0       $ 84,174   

Column (a) – Executive Contributions in Last Fiscal Year. These amounts are included within the “Salary” and “Non-Equity Incentive Compensation” columns of the Summary Compensation Table above. Executive contributions are made each pay period during the fiscal year and are based on each NEO’s elected deferral percentage. Participants are fully vested as to these amounts at the time of contribution.

Column (b) – Registrant Contributions in Last Fiscal Year. As discussed in the “Retirement Benefits” section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis above, these amounts include a Company matching component, a non-elective contribution component, and for Messrs. Pozzi, Behrens and Dunn, a discretionary supplemental contribution. These amounts are included within the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table above. Participants are fully vested as to these amounts after three years of employment, or upon their earlier attaining of age 65 or a change in control of the Company, in either event while actively employed by the Company.

 

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Column (c) – Aggregate Earnings in Last Fiscal Year. Earnings on amounts contributed to the Executive Plan are determined by investment selections made by each participant in investment alternatives that represent a subset of investment choices offered under our 401(k) Plan. Each participant in the Executive Plan can choose from twenty mutual fund offerings. The 2014 investment returns for each of the investment choices were as follows:

 

Fund

   Return    

Fund

   Return  

American Balanced Fund

     9.16   Dodge & Cox Income Fund      5.48

Shelton Core Value Fund

     13.43   Shelton US Government Securities Fund      2.86

T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation

     12.25   T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund      13.40

T. Rowe Price GNMA Fund

     5.42   T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Fund      8.83

T. Rowe Price Inflation Protected Fund

     3.42   T. Rowe Price International Stock Fund      -0.82

T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Value Fund

     10.60   T. Rowe Price Prime Reserve Fund      0.01

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2015 Fund

     5.37   T. Rowe Price Retirement 2020 Fund      5.63

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2030 Fund

     6.05   T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 Fund      6.18

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund

     6.19   T. Rowe Price Retirement Income Fund      3.91

T. Rowe Price Short Term Bond Fund

     0.60   T. Rowe Price Small Cap Fund      6.90

We do not provide any above-market or preferential earnings rates, nor do we guarantee that an officer’s investments will have positive earnings.

Column (d) – Aggregate Withdrawals/Distributions in Last Fiscal Year. None of the NEOs made withdrawals or received distributions from the Executive Plan during 2014.

Column (e) – Aggregate Balance at Last Fiscal Year End. Because fiscal year 2014 was the first year of existence of the Executive Plan, these amounts do not include any amounts that have been reported as compensation in prior years.

Farm Family Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans

Directors of certain of our Farm Family subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the Farm Family Holdings, Inc. 409A Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Current Farm Family Plan”), which became effective on January 1, 2005. Prior to the effectiveness of the Current Farm Family Plan, the Farm Family subsidiary directors were eligible to participate in the Farm Family Holdings, Inc. Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan, which was frozen as of December 31, 2004 (the “Frozen Farm Family Plan”).

Mr. Ostergren is the only NEO eligible to participate in such plans who has elected to participate. In certain prior years, Mr. Ostergren deferred the $20,000 annual compensation he received as Chairman of the Board of the Farm Family insurance companies under the Current Farm Family Plan. We do not contribute any amounts to these plans other than amounts elected to be deferred by a director.

Deferred compensation under both the Current Farm Family Plan and the Frozen Farm Family Plan accrues interest each month at the “Prime Rate” published in the “Money Rates” section of the Wall Street Journal on the first day of the calendar quarter containing such month. Under the Current Farm Family Plan, a director may elect to receive distributions from the plan only in a single lump sum. Under the Frozen Farm Family Plan, a director may elect to receive distributions from the plan in a lump sum or in five, ten or fifteen equal annual installments.

The following table provides information regarding Mr. Ostergren’s participation in the Current Farm Family Plan and the Frozen Farm Family Plan:

 

Plan

   Executive
Contributions
in Last Fiscal
Year
     Registrant
Contributions
in Last Fiscal
Year
     Aggregate
Earnings in
Last Fiscal
Year*
     Aggregate
Withdrawals/

Distributions in
Last Fiscal
Year
     Aggregate
Balance at
Last Fiscal
Year End
 

Frozen Farm Family Plan

   $ 0       $ 0       $ 3,280       $ 0       $ 102,709   

Current Farm Family Plan

   $ 0       $ 0       $ 7,006       $ 0       $ 223,774   

 

* These earnings are not above-market or preferential and thus are not reported in the Summary Compensation Table.

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

We do not have employment contracts, severance agreements, salary continuation agreements or severance plans with the NEOs. This section describes and quantifies certain compensation that would become payable under existing plans and arrangements if an NEO’s employment had terminated on December 31, 2014, given each NEO’s compensation and service levels as of such date and, if applicable, based on our closing stock price on that date, which was $114.26.

 

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Restricted Stock and Termination of Employment

Pursuant to the 1999 Plan and award terms approved by the Board of Directors, shares of restricted stock issued to Mr. Moody and Mr. Pozzi vest upon death, disability, or upon retirement with the consent of the Board of Directors. Such shares are forfeited upon other termination of employment. In addition, such shares vest upon a change of control of our company. For purposes of the 1999 Plan, a change of control occurs if (i) there is a change in ownership of our outstanding securities which causes any person other than The Moody Foundation to become the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of our outstanding securities then entitled to vote for the election of directors; (ii) the Board of Directors approves the sale of all or substantially all of our assets; or (iii) the Board of Directors approves any merger, consolidation, issuance of securities or purchase of assets, the result of which would be the occurrence of an event described in clause (i) above.

The aggregate market value of unvested restricted stock as of December 31, 2014 for Mr. Moody was $11,426,000 and for Mr. Pozzi was $1,142,600. The other NEOs had no restricted stock issued to them as of December 31, 2014.

SARs and Termination of Employment

Pursuant to the 1999 Plan and award terms approved by the Board of Directors, SARs vest upon death or upon retirement at or after attaining the age of 65. SARs expire upon any other termination of employment. SARs also vest immediately upon a change of control. The events constituting a change of control are described above in “Restricted Stock and Termination of Employment.”

Assuming a change of control or a termination by reason of death or retirement on December 31, 2014, Messrs. Pozzi, Ostergren and Behrens would not have received any amounts upon the exercise of their SARs that were then exercisable, because the closing price of our Common Stock on such date was less than the exercise price of all outstanding SARs granted to them. Mr. Moody and Mr. Dunn had no SARs issued to them as of December 31, 2014.

RSUs and Termination of Employment

Pursuant to the 1999 Plan and award terms approved by the Board of Directors, RSUs vest, at the election of the recipient, by either (i) converting to shares of our Common Stock on a one-for-one basis upon the officer’s death or disability or upon the officer’s retirement at or after attaining the age of 65, or (ii) converting into cash based on the market price of our Common Stock on the date of any such event. If the officer’s employment with us terminates for any other reason prior to the vesting of any RSUs, all of such RSUs are forfeited. In addition, all RSUs vest immediately upon a change of control. The events constituting a change of control are described above in “Restricted Stock and Termination of Employment.”

Assuming a change of control or a termination by reason of death, retirement or disability on December 31, 2014, the RSUs issued to our NEOs pursuant to the 2013, 2012 and 2011 EICPs would convert to shares of our Common Stock. As of such date, each of the NEOs would have received the following number of shares of our Common Stock with the following market value, or a cash payment equal to such market value:

 

Name   

No. of Shares

of Common Stock

     Market Value  

Robert L. Moody, Sr.

     58,812       $ 6,719,859   

James E. Pozzi

     11,057       $ 1,263,373   

Gregory V. Ostergren

     4,714       $ 538,622   

David A. Behrens

     7,135       $ 815,245   

John J. Dunn, Jr.

     5,758       $ 657,909   

Executive Plan Accounts and Termination of Employment

Assuming a change of control or a termination by reason of death, retirement or disability on December 31, 2014, each of the NEOs would have been entitled to receive the aggregate balance of his Executive Plan account as of such date, as shown in column (e) of the “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans – Executive Plan” table above.

 

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Pension Benefits

The following table describes the estimated benefits that would have been due to our NEOs under our existing pension plans in the event of any termination of employment as of December 31, 2014:

 

Name    Plan   

Potential Payout on
Retirement or
Voluntary
Termination

12/31/14

(a)

    

Potential Payout if
Terminated Upon
Disability

12/31/14

(b)

    

Potential Payout if
Terminated Upon
Death

12/31/14

(c)

    

Potential Payout if
Terminated
Involuntarily

12/31/14

(d)

 

Robert L. Moody, Sr.

   Qualified Plan    $ 1,268,248       $ 1,268,248       $ 653,127       $ 1,268,248   
  

 

Excess Benefit Plan

   $ 55,361,374       $ 55,361,374       $ 42,524,824       $ 55,361,374   

James E. Pozzi

   Qualified Plan    $ 1,636,130       $ 1,636,130       $ 1,566,637       $ 1,636,130   
  

Excess Benefit Plan

   $ 4,245,354       $ 4,245,354       $ 4,065,051       $ 4,245,354   

Gregory V. Ostergren

   Qualified Plan    $ 908,444       $ 908,444       $ 893,932       $ 908,444   
  

 

Excess Benefit Plan

   $ 2,392,011       $ 2,392,011       $ 2,353,799       $ 2,392,011   

David A. Behrens

   Qualified Plan    $ 433,243       $ 433,243       $ 787,751       $ 433,243   
  

Excess Benefit Plan

   $ 1,157,247       $ 1,157,247       $ 2,104,183       $ 1,157,247   

John J. Dunn, Jr.

   Qualified Plan    $ 0       $ 126,338       $ 176,043       $ 126,338   
  

 

Excess Benefit Plan

   $ 0       $ 139,641       $ 194,579       $ 139,641   

Column (a) - Potential Payout on Retirement or Voluntary Termination

The “potential payout” refers to the actuarial present value of the benefit payable. As explained in connection with the Pension Benefits table above, Mr. Moody is currently receiving in-service distributions under both the Qualified Plan and the Excess Benefit Plan, and Mr. Pozzi and Mr. Ostergren are currently eligible for early retirement under both the Qualified Plan and the Excess Benefit Plan. In the case of Mr. Moody, he would have been eligible to receive his accumulated benefit upon retirement or voluntary termination on December 31, 2014. Mr. Pozzi and Mr. Ostergren would have been eligible to receive the early retirement benefit disclosed in column (a). The early retirement benefit is an actuarially reduced value of accumulated benefits, which for Mr. Pozzi and Mr. Ostergren was 87.8% and 64.3%, respectively, of their deferred benefits at December 31, 2014.

Column (b) - Potential Payout if Terminated Upon Disability

The “potential payout” refers to the actuarial present value of the benefit payable. In the event of total disability prior to age 65, no additional benefits become immediately payable, unless the individual is entitled to retirement at the time of disability. Total disability must be validated by approval for Social Security disability. Had the employment of Mr. Moody been terminated by disability on December 31, 2014, he would be entitled to his accumulated benefit. In the case of the disability of Mr. Pozzi or Mr. Ostergren on December 31, 2014, each would have been entitled to his early retirement benefit.

Column (c) - Potential Payout if Terminated Upon Death

The “potential payout” refers to the actuarial present value of the benefit payable. This amount represents the value of a surviving spouse’s benefit as determined based upon a percentage of the accrued or projected benefit at age 65, as specified in the applicable plans. In the case of an individual who has already commenced receiving benefits under the plans, any surviving spouse’s benefit would be according to the form of payment elected at retirement. Mr. Moody has a guaranteed period of 21 years that would provide a surviving spouse’s benefit based on the remaining portion of such period since benefit commencement. In the event of death prior to retirement, a pension is available for the surviving spouse for the life of the spouse that would be at most 75% of the NEO’s projected monthly pension at age 65. Eligibility for this death benefit requires that the executive have been at least age 45 at the time of death and have age plus years of service equal to at least 55.

Column (d) - Potential Payout if Terminated Involuntarily

Please see the explanation provided above in connection with Column A - Potential Payout on Retirement or Voluntary Termination. No special benefits are triggered by involuntary termination.

 

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The following table has information about compensation of our directors and advisory directors for 2014, other than Mr. Moody and Mr. Pozzi. William C. Ansell and James P. Payne, current directors and director nominees, did not serve as directors during 2014.

 

Name   

Fees Earned or

Paid in Cash

(a)

   

Stock Awards

(b)

    

All Other
Compensation

(c)

     Total  

Directors

          

Arthur O. Dummer

   $ 68,500      $ 84,870       $ 28,612       $ 181,982   

Russell S. Moody

   $ 47,500      $ 84,870       $ 13,773       $ 146,143   

William L. Moody, IV(1)

   $ 43,000      $ 84,870       $ 6,160       $ 134,030   

Frances A. Moody-Dahlberg

   $ 47,500      $ 84,870       $ 86,324       $ 218,694   

E. J. Pederson

   $ 62,000      $ 0       $ 0       $ 62,000   

James D. Yarbrough

   $ 65,500      $ 84,870       $ 166,790       $ 317,160   

Advisory Directors

          

Shelby M. Elliott

   $ 56,500      $ 84,870       $ 21,978       $ 163,348   

G. Richard Ferdinandtsen

   $ 144,500 (2)    $ 0       $ 59,314       $ 203,814   

Irwin M. Herz, Jr.

   $ 47,500      $ 84,870       $ 63,332       $ 195,702   

R. Eugene Lucas

   $ 47,500      $ 84,870       $ 14,320       $ 146,690   

E. Douglas McLeod

   $ 47,500      $ 84,870       $ 27,205       $ 159,575   

Robert L. Moody, Jr.(3)

   $ 47,500      $ 84,870       $ 50,605       $ 182,975   

 

(1) William L. Moody, IV served as a director until his death in July 2014.
(2) During 2014, in addition to serving as an advisory director, Mr. Ferdinandtsen was employed as Vice Chairman of the Board until his retirement from such office on May 1. He received $100,000 in compensation for such service during 2014. As an employee advisory director, Mr. Ferdinandtsen did not receive any board fees for such service until after May 1, 2014. Until such date, Mr. Ferdinandtsen also participated in our Merit Plan, as well as our regular benefit plans and programs available to executives and employees. For 2014, Mr. Ferdinandtsen experienced an increase in his accrued pension benefits of $945,441, which includes the effect of in-service distributions totaling $1,515,443.
(3) Please see the section below entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” for a discussion of agent-related compensation paid to Robert L. Moody, Jr., primarily through his wholly-owned insurance agency, Moody Insurance Group, Inc.

Column (a) - Fees Earned or Paid in Cash. We pay cash compensation for service as a director or advisory director only to those individuals who are not employees. Such directors and advisory directors each receive a $40,000 annual retainer, plus $1,500 per meeting attended. Members of the Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee receive a $2,000 annual retainer per committee, plus $1,000 per meeting attended. Members of the Audit Committee receive a $4,000 annual retainer, plus $1,500 per meeting attended. The Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $4,000. Members of the Audit and Compensation Committees do not receive a per committee meeting fee for single-item agenda meetings, which are generally held by telephone conference and arise between regularly scheduled meetings. Directors may elect to defer their compensation, with interest accrued at the Wall Street Journal prime rate published on the first business day of each quarter. We do not provide any above-market or preferential earnings rates on compensation that is deferred.

Column (b) - Stock Awards. On March 3, 2014, we awarded each of our directors and advisor directors at such time, other than Mr. Ferdinandtsen, 750 RSUs. The amount shown represents the grant date fair value of such awards calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures, based on a closing stock price at the grant date of $113.16. These RSUs vest in three equal annual installments, beginning on March 1, 2015, or upon an individual’s earlier retirement, death or disability. Upon vesting, each director or advisory director will receive a number of shares of our Common Stock equal to the number of RSUs that have vested or, at the recipient’s election, cash based upon the market value of our Common Stock on the date of vesting. In addition to the restricted stock ownership of the directors and advisory directors as disclosed above under “Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers” and “Security Ownership of Advisory Directors,” each of the directors and advisory directors, other than G. Richard Ferdinandtsen, William L. Moody, IV and E. J. Pederson owned 1,500 RSUs at December 31, 2014. G. Richard Ferdinandtsen owned 6,207 RSUs that vested and converted to shares of our Common Stock upon his retirement as Vice Chairman of the Board on May 1, 2014. William L. Moody, IV owned 1,500 RSUs that vested and converted to shares of our Common Stock upon his passing in July 2014. E. J. Pederson was not a director at the time of the 2014 RSU grant.

 

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Column (c) - All Other Compensation. These amounts include the following:

All Other Compensation Table – Directors and Advisory Directors

 

Name    Restricted Stock
Dividends
    Perquisites     Subsidiary
Director Fees
     Total  

Directors

         

Arthur O. Dummer

   $ 11,294      $ 17,318 (1)(2)    $ 0       $ 28,612   

Russell S. Moody

   $ 12,320      $ 1,453 (2)    $ 0       $ 13,773   

William L. Moody, IV

   $ 6,160      $ 0      $ 0       $ 6,160   

Frances A. Moody-Dahlberg

   $ 12,320      $ 62,004 (1)(2)    $ 0       $ 86,324 (3) 

E. J. Pederson

   $ 0      $ 0      $ 0       $ 0   

James D. Yarbrough

   $ 12,320      $ 150,970 (1)(2)    $ 3,500       $ 166,790   

Advisory Directors

         

Shelby M. Elliott

   $ 11,294      $ 10,684 (1)(2)    $ 0       $ 21,978   

G. Richard Ferdinandtsen

   $ 30,800      $ 24,014 (1)    $ 4,500       $ 59,314   

Irwin M. Herz, Jr.

   $ 12,320      $ 42,012 (1)(2)    $ 9,000       $ 63,332   

R. Eugene Lucas

   $ 12,320      $ 0      $ 2,000       $ 14,320   

E. Douglas McLeod

   $ 12,320      $ 12,885 (1)    $ 2,000       $ 27,205   

Robert L. Moody, Jr.

   $ 4,106 (4)    $ 44,499 (1)(2)    $ 2,000       $ 50,605   

 

(1) We provide a medical reimbursement plan designed to reimburse certain medical expenses that are not covered by an underlying insurance policy for the benefit of (1) directors and advisory directors who are not current or former common law employees, (2) retired directors who have at least twenty (20) years of service who are not current or former common law employees, (3) designated consultants who are not current or former common law employees, and (4) the spouses and any dependents of the foregoing. The amounts of such benefit during 2014 with respect to Frances A. Moody-Dahlberg, James D. Yarbrough, Irwin M. Herz, Jr. and Robert L. Moody, Jr. were $54,946, $142,061, $29,886 and $36,861, respectively. The amount of such benefit to the other directors and advisory directors did not exceed thresholds for specific numerical disclosure under applicable proxy disclosure rules, although the value of such benefit is included in the Perquisites column.
(2) Includes guest travel, lodging, leisure activities, and food and beverage at our business conferences or other events.
(3) Includes $12,000, which Ms. Moody-Dahlberg received during 2014 as our Charitable Donations Request Coordinator.
(4) Moody Insurance Group, Inc., a company owned by Mr. Moody, was previously awarded shares of restricted stock as a Company consultant. Dividends on such shares are included in amounts reported in the “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” section below.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

No member of the Board Compensation Committee is or has been an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or had a relationship with us requiring disclosure under Regulation S-K Item 404. During 2014, no executive officer of the Company served as a member of the Board of Directors or compensation committee (or other Board committee performing similar functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire Board of Directors) of another corporation, one of whose executive officers served on our Board Compensation Committee. Robert L. Moody, Sr. serves as a director of Gal-Tex Hotel Corporation, and R. Eugene Lucas, the President of Gal-Tex Hotel Corporation, serves as one of our advisory directors. During 2014, no other executive officer of the Company served as a member of the compensation committee (or other Board committee performing similar functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire Board of Directors) of another corporation, one of whose executive officers served as a member of our Board of Directors. Certain transactions between us and Gal-Tex Hotel Corporation are discussed in the section that follows.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The following is a description of certain transactions and relationships existing since the beginning of 2014 between us and certain related parties.

Mortgage Loans to Gal-Tex Hotel Corporation: The Moody Foundation and the Libbie Shearn Moody Trust own 34% and 50.2%, respectively, of Gal-Tex Hotel Corporation (“Gal-Tex”). As of December 31, 2014, we held a first mortgage loan issued to Gal-Tex secured by hotel property in San Antonio, Texas. This loan was originated in 1999, had a balance of $6,508,016 as of December 31, 2014, has a current interest rate of 7.25%, and has a final maturity date of April 1, 2019. During 2014, Gal-Tex paid $1,233,821 in principal and $520,819 in interest with respect to this loan, which is current as to principal and interest payments. The largest principal amount outstanding during 2014 with respect to such loan was $7,741,837.

Management Contracts with Gal-Tex Hotel Corporation: We have entered into management contracts with a subsidiary of Gal-Tex for the management of a hotel and adjacent fitness center owned by us. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we paid Gal-Tex $207,477 and $122,869, respectively, for services rendered under these contracts. Both of such contracts are terminable by us upon thirty days’ prior written notice.

 

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Transactions with Robert L. Moody, Jr.: Robert L. Moody, Jr. (“RLM Jr.”), one of our advisory directors, is the son of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and brother of two of our directors. RLM Jr., mainly through his wholly-owned insurance agency, Moody Insurance Group, Inc. (“MIG”), has entered into a number of agency agreements with us and some of our subsidiaries. In 2014, total commissions paid under such agency contracts, primarily from the marketing of health insurance products, were $521,982. During 2014, we also paid compensation of $123,760 to MIG under a Consulting and Special Marketing Agreement and a related predecessor agreement concerning development and marketing of new products. In addition to consulting fees, such amount includes dividends on shares of our Restricted Stock granted to MIG as a consultant. During 2014, MIG also received $1,173,856 in commissions under a restructured National Marketing Director’s contract related to certain annuity sales in the financial institutions market. In addition, MIG receives commissions from an unrelated marketing company that has a marketing agreement with us. MIG has advised us that, during 2014, it received $53,052 in commissions from such company related to sales of our products. During 2014, MIG paid us $480 for certain software and related computer services we provided in connection with sales of health insurance products issued by one of our subsidiaries. Such amount is based on the same rates charged to our internal departments. As agreed by us and certain of our subsidiaries, MIG markets products of unrelated companies through certain of our agents. MIG receives commissions from the companies issuing such products.

Transactions with Moody National Bank: We and some of our subsidiaries have various depository, custodian and safekeeping arrangements with Moody National Bank in the ordinary course of our business. In addition, American National Registered Investment Advisor, Inc. (“ANRIA”), a registered investment advisor subsidiary of ours, provides investment management services to certain accounts maintained by others at the Trust Department of Moody National Bank. For such services, Moody National Bank compensates ANRIA from the fees the bank receives for its services as custodian, trustee or other agent of such accounts. During 2014, Moody National Bank paid ANRIA $417,236 in fees for such services.

Health Insurance Contracts with Certain Affiliates: Our Merit Plan is insured by National Western Life Insurance Company (“National Western”). Further information regarding the Merit Plan is provided in connection with the All Other Compensation Table – NEOs. Robert L. Moody, Sr. is also the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and controlling stockholder of National Western. During 2014, we paid National Western $1,875,802 in premium and fees with respect to the Merit Plan. In addition, we insure substantially similar plans offered by National Western, Gal-Tex, and The Moody Foundation to certain of their officers. During 2014, National Western, Gal-Tex, and The Moody Foundation paid us premium and fees with respect to such plans in the amounts of $241,260; $112,500; and $109,854, respectively. We also insure The Moody Foundation’s basic health insurance plan, for which we received $174,590 in premium during 2014.

Transactions with Greer, Herz & Adams, L.L.P.: Irwin M. Herz, Jr. is an advisory director of ours and a Partner with Greer, Herz & Adams, L.L.P. which serves as our General Counsel. In the year ended December 31, 2014, Greer, Herz & Adams, L.L.P. received approximately $10,145,549 in legal fees and reimbursements of expenses in connection with its services as our General Counsel. We also furnished offices, telephones and the use of certain office decorations to the law firm, the value of which was credited against additional fees due to such firm.

Other Family Relationships: E. Vince Matthews III, a step-son of Robert L. Moody, Sr., is a director of a mutual insurer managed by us and an advisory director of one of our subsidiaries. He is also employed as one of our officers, for which he received total compensation during 2014, including under our Merit Plan for officers, in excess of $185,000, but less than $210,000.

Procedure for Review, Approval or Ratification of Related Persons Transactions

The Audit Committee reviews, approves or ratifies any related party transactions in which we have or will have an amount involved exceeding $120,000 and a related person has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. The Audit Committee will approve or ratify the transaction only if it determines that the transaction is in our best interests. In considering the transaction, the Audit Committee will consider all relevant factors, including (as applicable) the business rationale for entering into the transaction; the alternatives to entering into the transaction; whether the transaction is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in arms-length dealings with an unrelated third party; and the overall fairness of the transaction to us. We have not adopted formal written procedures for the review of related party transactions. Rather, we are guided by the corporate governance rules of the NASDAQ, the requirements of Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and other SEC guidance on related party transactions.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Under the securities laws of the United States, our directors, executive officers, and any persons holding more than ten percent of our Common Stock are required to report their initial ownership of our Common Stock and other equity securities and any subsequent changes in that ownership to the SEC and to submit copies of these reports to the Company. To the Company’s knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company and the written representations of such reporting persons, during the year ended December 31, 2014, all required Section 16(a) filings applicable to our directors, executive officers, and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were timely and correctly made, except for the following inadvertent omissions by individuals who were executive officers for purposes of Section 16(a) during 2014: Hoyt J. Strickland and Gordon D. Dixon did not file a Form 4 to report their exercises of 134 and 600 stock appreciation rights, respectively, which exercises were subsequently reported in Forms 5 filed in February 2015, and L. Chad Ferrell filed a late Form 3.

 

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PROPOSAL 2.

ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) VOTE ON EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires that stockholders have the opportunity to cast an advisory (non-binding) vote on executive compensation at the Annual Meeting (a “say-on-pay” vote). The say-on-pay vote is a non-binding vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, as described in this proxy statement. The say-on-pay vote is not intended to be a vote on our general compensation policies, the compensation of our Board of Directors, or our compensation policies as they relate to risk management, nor is it intended to address any specific item of compensation. Accordingly, please read the “Executive Compensation” section of this proxy statement, which includes our Compensation Discussion and Analysis, executive officer compensation tables and related narrative discussions that describe in detail our compensation programs and policies for our executive officers and the decisions made by our Board Compensation Committee for 2014. We are required to hold the advisory vote on executive compensation at least once every three years. Pursuant to a separate advisory (non-binding) vote at the 2014 Annual Meeting, our stockholders voted to hold an annual say-on-pay vote.

The vote on this Proposal 2 is advisory and, therefore, not binding on the Board of Directors or the Board Compensation Committee. The Board, including the Board Compensation Committee, values the opinions of our stockholders and, to the extent there is any significant vote against the executive officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement, we will consider our stockholders’ concerns and evaluate what actions may be appropriate to address those concerns.

Stockholders will be asked at the Annual Meeting to approve the following resolution pursuant to this Proposal 2:

RESOLVED, that the stockholders of American National Insurance Company approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table and the related compensation tables, and the accompanying narrative disclosure contained in the proxy statement for the Company’s 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Board Recommendation: The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of the foregoing advisory resolution on executive compensation.

PROPOSAL 3.

RATIFICATION OF AUDITORS FOR 2015

Our Board Audit Committee has selected KPMG LLP, a firm of independent public accountants (“KPMG”), to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm to examine our consolidated financial statements for 2015. While the Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention, termination and oversight of the independent auditor, we are requesting, as a matter of good corporate governance, that the stockholders ratify the appointment of KPMG as our principal independent registered public accounting firm. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether to retain KPMG and may retain that firm or another without re-submitting the matter to our stockholders. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee may, in its discretion, direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such change would be in our best interests and in the best interests of our stockholders.

KPMG served as the Company’s principal independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2014. During 2014, such firm performed audit services and tax consulting services for the Company. KPMG has advised the Company that neither it nor any of its partners has any material financial interest in, or any connection (other than as independent auditors) with the Company.

Fees Paid to KPMG

The following table presents fees billed by KPMG for audit and other services during 2014 and 2013:

 

     2014      2013  

Audit Fees(1)

   $ 3,555,000       $ 3,639,605   

Audit-Related Fees(2)

   $ 23,500       $ 79,811   

Tax Fees(3)

   $ 740,287       $ 806,886   

All Other Fees

     —           —     

 

(1)  Aggregate fees billed for the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and insurance company statutory financial statements, review of our interim financial statements, and review of our systems of internal control over financial reporting.
(2) Aggregate fees billed for performing assurance or related services that were related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements but were not reportable as Audit Fees.
(3) Aggregate fees billed by KPMG for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services related to review of tax returns of the Company and certain subsidiaries, as well as tax research services related to tax return compliance.

Pre-Approval of Audit, Audit-Related, Tax and Non-Audit Services

The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit services and non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the Company by its independent registered public accounting firm, as required by applicable law or listing standards and the Charter of the Audit Committee. The committee may delegate authority to one or more of its members when appropriate,

 

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including the authority to grant pre-approvals of audit and permitted non-audit services, provided that decisions of any such member to grant pre-approvals are presented to the full Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee has determined the rendering of non-audit services by KPMG was compatible with maintaining KPMG’s independence.

Representatives of KPMG are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will be given the opportunity to make a statement and to respond to appropriate questions.

Board Recommendation: The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” ratification of the appointment of KPMG as our auditors for 2015.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by reviewing the Company’s consolidated financial reports, its internal financial and accounting controls, and its auditing, accounting and financial reporting processes generally. However, the committee is not professionally engaged in the practice of accounting or auditing and does not provide any expert or special assurance as to such financial statements concerning compliance with laws, regulations or generally accepted accounting principles or as to auditor independence. The committee relies, without independent verification, on the information provided to it and on the representations made by management and the independent registered accounting firm. Management is responsible for the financial reporting process, including the system of internal controls, for the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and for the report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing those financial statements and expressing an opinion as to their conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

In discharging its oversight responsibilities regarding the audit process, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 with Company management and KPMG LLP (“KPMG”), the independent auditors. The Audit Committee received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent accountant required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence, discussed with KPMG any relationships that might impair the firm’s independence from management and the Company, and satisfied itself as to the auditor’s independence. The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with KPMG all communications required by auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, including PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 16, Communications with Audit Committees.

Based upon these reviews and discussions, and subject to the limitations on the committee’s role and responsibilities referred to above and in the committee’s Charter, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for filing with the SEC.

 

Submitted by the Audit Committee:

 

Arthur O. Dummer, Chairman

E. J. Pederson

James D. Yarbrough

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

Any stockholder proposal intended to be presented for consideration at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and to be included in our Proxy Statement for such meeting must be in proper form and received by our Secretary at our principal executive offices by the close of business on December 1, 2015. We recommend that a proponent submit any proposal by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested and that all proposals be sent to the attention of the Secretary. If the date of the 2016 Annual Meeting is changed by more than thirty days from the date of the 2015 Annual Meeting, the deadline for submitting proposals to be included in the 2016 proxy statement is a reasonable time before the Company begins to print and mail its proxy materials for the 2016 Annual Meeting.

Stockholder proposals submitted outside of the procedure set forth above, which will not be included in our proxy statement, including nominations for directors, must be mailed to American National Insurance Company, One Moody Plaza, Galveston, Texas 77550, ATTN: Secretary, and must be received by the Secretary no later than February 14, 2016. If the proposal is received after that date, our proxy for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders may confer discretionary authority to vote on such matter without any discussion of such matter in the proxy statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting.

Nothing in this section shall be deemed to require us to permit presentation of a stockholder proposal or include in our proxy materials relating to our 2016 Annual Meeting any stockholder proposal that does not meet all of the requirements for such presentation or inclusion contained in our Bylaws and/or state and federal securities laws and regulations in effect at that time.

 

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ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

A copy of the Company’s Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and the financial statements and schedules thereto, accompanies this proxy statement. Upon written request and payment of copying costs, the exhibits to the Form 10-K will be furnished. These written requests should be directed to the Company’s Secretary, American National Insurance Company, One Moody Plaza, Galveston, Texas 77550, telephone (409)  766-6537.

HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS

The SEC allows us to deliver a single proxy statement and annual report to an address shared by two or more of our stockholders. This delivery method, referred to as “householding,” can result in significant cost savings for us. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, we, and banks and brokerage firms that hold your shares, have delivered only one proxy statement and annual report to multiple stockholders who share an address, unless one or more of the stockholders has provided contrary instructions. We will deliver promptly, upon written or oral request, a separate copy of the proxy statement and annual report to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the documents was delivered. A stockholder who wishes to receive a separate copy of the proxy statement and annual report, now or in the future, may obtain one, without charge, by calling or writing us at the following address or telephone number: Secretary, American National Insurance Company, One Moody Plaza, Galveston, Texas 77550, telephone (409) 766-6537.

Stockholders of record sharing an address who are receiving multiple copies of proxy materials and annual reports and wish to receive a single copy of such materials in the future should submit their request by contacting us in the same manner. If you are the beneficial owner, but not the record holder, of the Company’s shares and wish to receive only one copy of the proxy statement and annual report in the future, you will need to contact your broker, bank or other nominee to request that only a single copy of each document be mailed to all stockholders at the shared address in the future.

CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applies to all directors, officers and employees of our Company and is available through a link provided on our website at www.anico.com/InvestorRelations/CorporateGovernance/index.htm. A printed copy will be provided to any person free of charge upon request made to the Company’s Secretary at the address shown on page 1. We may satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding certain amendments to, or waivers from, provisions of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics by posting such information on our website where it is accessible through the same link noted above.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Stockholders may communicate with the full Board of Directors by writing to the Board or a specific director or directors in care of the Company’s Secretary at the address shown on page 1, by facsimile transmission to (409) 766-6803, or by e-mail to mark.flippin@anico.com. All such communications will be forwarded to the Board, as specified.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of our previous filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that might incorporate future filings including this proxy statement, in whole or in part, the report of the Compensation Committee and the report of the Audit Committee included in this proxy statement shall not be incorporated by reference to any such filings.

OTHER MATTERS

The Board of Directors knows of no other matters that may properly be, or which are likely to be, brought before the meeting. However, if any matters are properly brought before the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy or their substitutes will vote in accordance with their best judgment on such matters.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

J. Mark Flippin, Secretary

Galveston, Texas

April 3, 2015

 

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LOGO

 

          
    IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION        

 

 

 

  Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.     x         

 

 

Annual Meeting Proxy Card

 

q  PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.  q

 

 A    Proposals —   This proxy will be voted as directed, or if no direction is made, will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors, which are FOR all in Proposal 1, and FOR Proposals 2 and 3.
   
   +

1.  Election of Directors:

  For   Against   Abstain     For   Against   Abstain     For   Against   Abstain  
     01 -  William C. Ansell   ¨   ¨   ¨   02 - Arthur O. Dummer   ¨   ¨   ¨   03 - Frances A. Moody-Dahlberg   ¨   ¨   ¨  
     04 - Robert L. Moody, Sr.   ¨   ¨   ¨   05 - Russell S. Moody   ¨   ¨   ¨   06 - James P. Payne   ¨   ¨   ¨  
     07 - E.J. Pederson   ¨   ¨   ¨   08 - James E. Pozzi   ¨   ¨   ¨   09 - James D. Yarbrough   ¨   ¨   ¨  

 

     For   Against   Abstain             For   Against   Abstain    

2. A non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s executive officers disclosed in the “Executive Compensation” section of the proxy statement.

   ¨   ¨   ¨     

3. Ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as auditors for 2015.

   ¨   ¨   ¨  

4. In accordance with their best judgment upon all other matters which may properly come before the meeting.

                    

 

 B    Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below

NOTE: Please sign as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such.

 

 

Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.

 

 

Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.

 

 

Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.

 

    /    /                      

YOU MUST COMPLETE SECTIONS A - C ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS CARD.

 

¢       1 U P X    +
  

020SRA

     


Table of Contents

 

 

q PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q

 

LOGO    +

 

 

Proxy — American National Insurance Company

 

 

Proxy for Annual Meeting April 24, 2015.

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY

The undersigned hereby appoints Robert L. Moody, Sr. and James E. Pozzi, or either of them, as lawful attorneys and proxies of the undersigned with full powers of substitution and appointment, for and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned to act for and to vote all of the shares of Common Stock of American National Insurance Company (the “Company”) which the undersigned may be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting to be held in the Mary Moody Northen Auditorium of the American National Insurance Company Building, One Moody Plaza, Galveston, Texas, at 10:00 a.m., Local Time, on April 24, 2015 and at any and every adjournment thereof, and there to vote.

Proxy materials are available on-line at:

https://materials.proxyvote.com/028591

 

 C     Non-Voting Items   (Continued and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side)

 

Change of Address — Please print new address below.

 

   

 

Comments — Please print your comments below.

 

       
     
       

 

¢

  

YOU MUST COMPLETE SECTIONS A - C ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS CARD.

 

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