-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, R/Q4b/bpI7au5I5F67EVlfmY52/4KfkUuplMiRGwkNwAKvEhVsaeUYpIuoz9BQnn t0TaDKFZG1sx+bIoS3vsHg== 0000950133-07-002298.txt : 20070511 0000950133-07-002298.hdr.sgml : 20070511 20070511152854 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950133-07-002298 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 5 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20070331 FILED AS OF DATE: 20070511 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20070511 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000845091 IRS NUMBER: 911325756 STATE OF INCORPORATION: AR FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 033-26322 FILM NUMBER: 07842107 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1300 MERRILL LYNCH DRIVE CITY: PENNINGTON STATE: NJ ZIP: 08534 BUSINESS PHONE: 609-274-6900 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1300 MERRILL LYNCH DRIVE CITY: PENNINGTON STATE: NJ ZIP: 08534 10-Q 1 w34540e10vq.txt 10-Q - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2007 COMMISSION FILE NUMBERS 33-26322; 33-46827; 33-52254; 33-60290; 33-58303; 333-33863; 333-34192; 333-133223; 333-133225 MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) ARKANSAS 91-1325756 (State or other jurisdiction (IRS Employer of incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
1700 Merrill Lynch Drive, 3rd Floor Pennington, NJ 08534 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (609) 274-6900 (Registrant's telephone number including area code) Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No __ Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated filer [ ] Non-accelerated filer [X] Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ___ No X APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS: Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes ___ No ___ APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS: Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. COMMON 250,000 REGISTRANT MEETS THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTION H(1)(a) AND (b) OF FORM 10-Q AND IS THEREFORE FILING THIS FORM WITH THE REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART I. Financial Information Item 1. Financial Statements MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF MERRILL LYNCH INSURANCE GROUP, INC.) BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31, (dollars in thousands) 2007 2006 - ---------------------- ----------- ------------ ASSETS INVESTMENTS Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: 2007 - $1,526,499; 2006 - $1,586,196) $ 1,517,477 $ 1,570,383 Equity available-for-sale securities, at estimated fair value (cost: 2007 - $64,010; 2006 - $70,021) 65,281 72,728 Limited partnerships, at cost 11,321 11,417 Policy loans on insurance contracts, at outstanding loan balances 958,988 968,874 ----------- ----------- 2,553,067 2,623,402 ----------- ----------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 160,020 230,586 ACCRUED INVESTMENT INCOME 45,338 47,548 DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS 289,072 285,648 DEFERRED SALES INDUCEMENTS 22,865 20,606 REINSURANCE RECEIVABLES 12,658 10,522 RECEIVABLES FROM SECURITIES SOLD -- 23,921 OTHER ASSETS 43,851 49,241 SEPARATE ACCOUNTS ASSETS 11,340,954 11,330,397 ----------- ----------- TOTAL ASSETS $14,467,825 $14,621,871 =========== ===========
See Notes to Financial Statements. (Continued) 1 MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF MERRILL LYNCH INSURANCE GROUP, INC.) BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(dollars in thousands, MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31, except common stock par value and shares) 2007 2006 - ----------------------------------------- ----------- ------------ LIABILITIES POLICYHOLDER LIABILITIES AND ACCRUALS Policyholder account balances $ 2,011,663 $ 2,047,973 Future policy benefits 394,359 408,681 Claims and claims settlement expenses 38,956 42,426 ----------- ----------- 2,444,978 2,499,080 ----------- ----------- OTHER POLICYHOLDER FUNDS 7,540 6,973 LIABILITY FOR GUARANTY FUND ASSESSMENTS 6,007 6,005 FEDERAL INCOME TAXES - CURRENT 12,318 16,295 FEDERAL INCOME TAXES - DEFERRED 11,998 2,846 PAYABLES FOR SECURITIES PURCHASED 12,794 40,319 AFFILIATED PAYABLES - NET 11,226 9,982 UNEARNED POLICY CHARGE REVENUE 32,198 35,545 OTHER LIABILITIES 3,353 5,393 SEPARATE ACCOUNTS LIABILITIES 11,340,954 11,330,397 ----------- ----------- TOTAL LIABILITIES 13,883,366 13,952,835 ----------- ----------- STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY Common stock ($10 par value; authorized: 1,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 250,000 shares) 2,500 2,500 Additional paid-in capital 397,324 397,324 Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes (6,591) (10,233) Retained earnings 191,226 279,445 ----------- ----------- TOTAL STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY 584,459 669,036 ----------- ----------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY $14,467,825 $14,621,871 =========== ===========
See Notes to Financial Statements. 2 MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF MERRILL LYNCH INSURANCE GROUP, INC.) STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, ------------------ (dollars in thousands) 2007 2006 - ---------------------- -------- ------- NET REVENUES Policy charge revenue $ 68,975 $62,587 Net investment income 34,641 36,265 Net realized investment gains 240 778 -------- ------- TOTAL NET REVENUES 103,856 99,630 -------- ------- BENEFITS AND EXPENSES Interest credited to policyholder liabilities 24,044 26,279 Policy benefits (net of reinsurance recoveries: 2007 - $1,579; 2006 - $5,812) (97) 14,956 Reinsurance premium ceded 6,990 6,593 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs 4,459 12,485 Insurance expenses and taxes 15,170 13,229 -------- ------- TOTAL BENEFITS AND EXPENSES 50,566 73,542 -------- ------- EARNINGS BEFORE FEDERAL INCOME TAXES 53,290 26,088 -------- ------- FEDERAL INCOME TAX EXPENSE Current 9,318 4,524 Deferred 7,191 2,634 -------- ------- TOTAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX EXPENSE 16,509 7,158 -------- ------- NET EARNINGS $ 36,781 $18,930 ======== =======
See Notes to Financial Statements. 3 MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF MERRILL LYNCH INSURANCE GROUP, INC.) STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, ------------------ (dollars in thousands) 2007 2006 - ---------------------- ------- -------- NET EARNINGS $36,781 $ 18,930 ------- -------- OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities: Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period 5,595 (18,841) Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net earnings (240) (66) ------- -------- 5,355 (18,907) ------- -------- Adjustments for policyholder liabilities 248 2,234 Adjustments for deferred federal income taxes (1,961) 5,835 ------- -------- (1,713) 8,069 ------- -------- Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes 3,642 (10,838) ------- -------- COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $40,423 $ 8,092 ======= ========
See Notes to Financial Statements. 4 MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF MERRILL LYNCH INSURANCE GROUP, INC.) STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
ACCUMULATED ADDITONAL OTHER TOTAL COMMON PAID-IN COMPREHENSIVE RETAINED STOCKHOLDER'S (dollars in thousands) STOCK CAPITAL INCOME (LOSS) EARNINGS EQUITY - ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------- ------------- BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 2006 2,500 397,324 (11,699) 364,708 752,833 Net earnings 94,737 94,737 Cash dividend paid to parent (180,000) (180,000) Other comprehensive income, net of taxes 1,466 1,466 ------ -------- -------- --------- --------- BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2006 2,500 397,324 (10,233) 279,445 669,036 Net earnings 36,781 36,781 Cash dividend paid to parent (125,000) (125,000) Other comprehensive income, net of taxes 3,642 3,642 ------ -------- -------- --------- --------- BALANCE, MARCH 31, 2007 $2,500 $397,324 $ (6,591) $ 191,226 $ 584,459 ====== ======== ======== ========= =========
See Notes to Financial Statements. 5 MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF MERRILL LYNCH INSURANCE GROUP, INC.) STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, ------------------- (dollars in thousands) 2007 2006 - ---------------------- -------- -------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net earnings $ 36,781 $ 18,930 Noncash items included in earnings: Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs 4,459 12,485 Capitalization of policy acquisition costs (7,883) (7,245) Amortization of deferred sales inducements 506 336 Capitalization of sales inducements (2,765) (2,480) Amortization of unearned policy charge revenue (3,421) (17) Capitalization of unearned policy charge revenue 74 362 Amortization of investments 1,323 2,178 Interest credited to policyholder liabilities 24,044 26,279 Change in variable contract reserves (9,777) 1,639 Deferred federal income tax expense 7,191 2,634 (Increase) decrease in operating assets: Trading account securities -- 28,148 Accrued investment income 2,210 2,452 Reinsurance receivables (2,136) (554) Affiliated receivables - net -- 5,519 Other 5,390 (2,490) Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities: Claims and claims settlement expenses (3,470) 10,194 Other policyholder funds 567 5,652 Liability for guaranty fund assessments 2 (47) Federal income taxes - current (3,977) (10,048) Affiliated payables - net 1,244 724 Other (2,040) 440 Other operating activities: Net realized investment gains (240) (778) -------- -------- Net cash and cash equivalents provided by operating activities 48,082 94,313 -------- -------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from (payments for): Sales of available-for-sale securities 44,793 94,518 Maturities of available-for-sale securities 57,479 19,051 Purchases of available-for-sale securities (41,251) (40,921) Sales of limited partnerships 96 400 Purchases of limited partnerships -- (250) Policy loans on insurance contracts - net 9,886 8,554 -------- -------- Net cash and cash equivalents provided by investing activities 71,003 81,352 -------- --------
See Notes to Financial Statements. (Continued) 6 MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF MERRILL LYNCH INSURANCE GROUP, INC.) STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, --------------------- (dollars in thousands) 2007 2006 - ---------------------- --------- --------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from (payments for): Cash dividend paid to parent $(125,000) $(130,000) Policyholder deposits (excludes internal policy replacement deposits) 182,425 149,981 Policyholder withdrawals (including transfers from separate accounts) (247,076) (212,125) --------- --------- Net cash and cash equivalents used in financing activities (189,651) (192,144) --------- --------- Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (70,566) (16,479) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 230,586 56,319 --------- --------- Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 160,020 $ 39,840 ========= ========== SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Cash paid to affiliates for: Federal income taxes $ 13,295 $ 14,572 Interest 99 100
See Notes to Financial Statements. 7 MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF MERRILL LYNCH INSURANCE GROUP, INC.) NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES BASIS OF PRESENTATION Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company (the "Company") is a wholly owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group, Inc. ("MLIG"). The Company is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("Merrill Lynch & Co."). The Company sells non-participating annuity products, including variable annuities, modified guaranteed annuities, and immediate annuities. The Company is domiciled in the State of Arkansas. For a complete discussion of the Company's 2006 Financial Statements and accounting policies, refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. The interim Financial Statements for the three month period are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair statement of the Financial Statements have been included. These unaudited Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Financial Statements included in the 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The December 31, 2006 unaudited Balance Sheet was derived from the audited 2006 Financial Statements. The nature of the Company's business is such that the results of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. In presenting the Financial Statements, management makes estimates that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the Financial Statements. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Therefore, actual results could differ from those estimates and could have a material impact on the Financial Statements, and it is possible that such changes could occur in the near term. Certain reclassifications and format changes have been made to prior period Financial Statements, where appropriate, to conform to the current period presentation. ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 provides a fair value option election that allows companies to irrevocably elect fair value as the initial and subsequent measurement attribute for certain financial assets and liabilities, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings as they occur. SFAS No. 159 permits the fair value option election on an instrument by instrument basis at initial recognition of an asset or liability or upon an event that gives rise to a new basis of accounting for that instrument. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity's first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of a fiscal year that begins on or before November 15, 2007 provided that the entity makes that choice in the first 120 days of that fiscal year, has not yet issued financial statements for any interim period of the fiscal year of adoption, and also elects to apply the provisions of SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. The Company early adopted SFAS No. 159 as of the first quarter 2007. Since the Company did not elect the fair value option for any of its existing assets or liabilities, the adoption did not have an impact on the Company's Financial Statements. On January 1, 2007, the Company adopted Statement of Position ("SOP") 05-1, Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection With Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts. SOP 05-1 provides guidance on accounting by insurance enterprises for deferred acquisition costs on internal replacements of insurance and investment contracts other than those specifically described in SFAS No. 97. SOP 05-1 defines an internal replacement as a modification in product benefits, features, rights, or coverages that occurs by the exchange of a contract for a new contract, or by amendment, endorsement, or rider to a contract, or by the election of a feature or coverage within a contract. Since the Company's practice of accounting for deferred acquisition costs, in connection with modifications or exchanges, substantially meets the provisions prescribed within SOP 05-1, the adoption of SOP 05-1 did not have a material impact on the Company's Financial Statements. As of December 31, 2006, the Company adopted Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements. The interpretations in the SAB provide the Staff's views regarding the process of quantifying financial statement misstatements. Specifically, the SEC staff believes that registrants must quantify the impact on current period financial statements of correcting all misstatements, including both those occurring in the current period and the effect of reversing those that have accumulated from prior periods. Since the Company's 8 method for quantifying financial statement misstatements already considers those occurring in the current period and the effect of reversing those that have accumulated from prior periods, the adoption of the SAB did not have an impact on the Company's Financial Statements. In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157 Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 with early adoption permitted, provided the entity has not yet issued financial statements for the fiscal year, including any interim periods. The provisions of SFAS No. 157 are to be applied prospectively. The Company early adopted SFAS No. 157 as of the first quarter 2007. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's Financial Statements. See Note 2 to the Financial Statements for the additional disclosures. In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 ("FIN 48"). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company's Financial Statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The Company adopted FIN 48 in the first quarter of 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have an impact on the Company's Financial Statements. NOTE 2. FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND HIERARCHY SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. In compliance with SFAS No. 157, the Company has categorized its financial instruments, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three level hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the Balance Sheets are categorized as follows: Level 1. Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market. Level 2. Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include the following: a) Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets b) Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets c) Inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable d) Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means Level 3. Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. They reflect management's own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability. 9 The following table presents the Company's hierarchy for its assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2007:
DESCRIPTION LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3 TOTAL - ----------- ----------- ---------- ------- ----------- ASSETS: Fixed maturity securities (1) $ 1,317,962 $ 199,515 $-- $ 1,517,477 Equity securities (1) 65,281 -- -- 65,281 Limited partnerships (2) -- 11,321 -- 11,321 Policy loans on insurance contracts (3) -- 958,988 -- 958,988 Cash and cash equivalents (4) 160,020 -- -- 160,020 Separate accounts assets (5) 11,340,954 -- -- 11,340,954 ----------- ---------- --- ----------- Total $12,884,217 $1,169,824 $-- $14,054,041 =========== ========== === =========== LIABILITIES: Policyholder account balances (6) $ 2,011,663 $ -- $-- $ 2,011,663 Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit liability (7) -- -- -- -- Separate accounts liabilities (5) 11,340,954 -- -- 11,340,954 ----------- ---------- --- ----------- $13,352,617 $ -- $-- $13,352,617 =========== ========== === ===========
(1) For publicly traded securities (Level 1) fair value is determined using quoted market prices. For securities without a readily ascertainable market value (Level 2), the Company utilizes pricing services and broker quotes. Such estimated fair values do not necessarily represent the values for which these securities could have been sold at the dates of the balance sheets. (2) The Company has investments in three limited partnerships that do not have readily ascertainable market values. Based on the review of the underlying investments of the partnerships, Management has estimated the fair value of two of the partnerships as equal to cost and the third partnership equal to zero. (3) The Company estimates the fair value of policy loans as equal to the book value of the loans. Policy loans are fully collateralized by the account value of the associated insurance contracts, and the spread between the policy loan interest rate and the interest rate credited to the account value held as collateral is fixed. (4) The estimated fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates the carrying value. (5) Separate accounts assets and underlying liabilities are carried at the net asset value provided by the fund managers. (6) The Company's liability for policyholder account balances represents the contract value that has accrued to the benefit of the policyholder as of the balance sheet date. The liability is generally equal to the accumulated account deposits plus interest credited less policyholders' withdrawals and other charges assessed against the account balance. The Company records certain adjustments to policyholder account balances in conjunction with the unrealized holding gains or losses on investments classified as available-for-sale. The Company adjusts a portion of these liabilities as if the unrealized holding gains or losses had actually been realized, with corresponding credits or charges reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes. (7) The Company records liabilities for contracts containing guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit ("GMWB") provisions as a component of other policyholder funds in the Balance Sheets, with changes in the fair value recognized as a component of policy benefits in the Statement of Earnings. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, the GMWB provision is treated as an embedded derivative and is required to be reported separately from the host variable annuity contract. The fair value of the GMWB obligation is calculated based on actuarial and capital market assumptions related to the projected cash flows, including benefits and related contract 10 charges, over the anticipated life of the related contracts. The cash flow estimates are produced by using stochastic techniques under a variety of market return scenarios and other best estimate assumptions. Based on the Company's modeling assumptions, the variable annuity GMWB liability at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 was $0. NOTE 3. INVESTMENTS The Company's investments in fixed maturity and equity securities are classified as either available-for-sale or trading and are carried at estimated fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are included in stockholder's equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes. If management determines that a decline in the value of an available-for-sale security is other-than-temporary, the carrying value is adjusted to estimated fair value and the decline in value is recorded as a net realized investment loss. There were no realized investment losses on securities deemed to have incurred other-than-temporary declines in fair value for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006. The components of net unrealized gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes were as follows:
MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31, 2007 2006 --------- ------------ Assets: Fixed maturity securities $(9,022) $(15,813) Equity securities 1,271 2,707 ------- -------- (7,751) (13,106) ------- -------- Liabilities: Policyholder account balances 2,388 2,636 Federal income taxes - deferred (3,548) (5,509) ------- -------- (1,160) (2,873) ------- -------- Stockholder's Equity: Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes $(6,591) $(10,233) ======= ========
NOTE 4. DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS ("DAC") The components of amortization of DAC for the three month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 were as follows:
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, --------------------- 2007 2006 -------- ---------- Normal amortization related to variable life and annuity insurance products $ 15,104 $12,485 Unlocking related to variable annuity insurance products (10,645) -- -------- ------- Total amortization of DAC $ 4,459 $12,485 ======== =======
During the first quarter 2007, the Company experienced favorable DAC unlocking primarily resulting from actual separate account returns that exceeded assumptions. The impact of unlocking was mitigated to a certain extent by the application of the mean reversion technique. 11 NOTE 5. VARIABLE ANNUITY GUARANTEED BENEFIT LIABILITIES The components of the variable annuity guaranteed minimum death benefit ("GMDB") liability for the three month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 were as follows:
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, ------------------- 2007 2006 -------- -------- Beginning Balance $100,301 $106,209 Guaranteed benefits incurred 6,427 7,112 Guaranteed benefits paid (4,130) (6,157) Unlocking (15,695) -- -------- -------- Ending Balance $ 86,903 $107,164 ======== ========
During the first quarter 2007, the Company experienced favorable GMDB liability unlocking primarily resulting from actual separate account returns that exceeded assumptions. The impact of unlocking was mitigated to a certain extent by the projection of additional claim costs. NOTE 6. STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY AND STATUTORY ACCOUNTING PRACTICES The Company's statutory financial statements are presented on the basis of accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Insurance Department of the State of Arkansas. The State of Arkansas has adopted the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' statutory accounting practices as the basis of its statutory accounting practices. Statutory capital and surplus at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were $318,211 and $418,100, respectively. For the three month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, statutory net income was $24,789 and $33,174, respectively. During the first quarter of 2007, the Company paid cash dividends of $125,000 to MLIG, of which $41,560 were ordinary and $83,440 were extraordinary. In addition, the Company received regulatory approval to pay a $69,000 extraordinary dividend during the second quarter 2007 to MLIG. During 2006, the Company paid cash dividends of $180,000 to MLIG, of which $39,800 were ordinary dividends and $140,200 were extraordinary. NOTE 7. SEGMENT INFORMATION In reporting to management, the Company's operating results are categorized into two business segments: Annuities and Life Insurance. The Company's Annuity segment consists of variable annuities and interest sensitive annuities. The Company's Life Insurance segment consists of variable life insurance products and interest-sensitive life insurance products. The Company no longer manufactures or issues life insurance products. The accounting policies of the business segments are the same as those for the Company's financial statements included herein. All revenue and expense transactions are recorded at the product level and accumulated at the business segment level for review by management. The "Other" category, presented in the following segment financial information, represents net revenues and net earnings on invested assets that do not support annuity or life insurance contract owner liabilities. 12 The following table summarizes each business segment's contribution to consolidated net revenues and net earnings.
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, ------------------ 2007 2006 ------- -------- Net Revenues (1): Annuities $48,230 $45,416 Life Insurance 28,195 23,973 Other 3,387 3,962 ------- ------- Net Revenues $79,812 $73,351 ======= ======= Net Earnings: Annuities $27,578 $10,674 Life Insurance 7,001 5,680 Other 2,202 2,576 ------- ------- Net Earnings $36,781 $18,930 ======= =======
(1) Net revenues include total net revenues net of interest credited to policyholder liabilities. 13 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS This Management's Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements and Notes to Financial Statements included herein. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements in this report may be considered forward-looking, including those about management expectations, strategic objectives, growth opportunities, business prospects, anticipated financial results and other similar matters. These forward-looking statements represent only management's beliefs regarding future performance, which is inherently uncertain. There are a variety of factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which affect its operations, performance, business strategy and results and could cause its actual results and experience to differ materially from the expectations and objectives expressed in any forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, actions and initiatives taken by current and potential competitors, general economic conditions, the effects of current, pending and future legislation, regulation and regulatory actions, and the other risks and uncertainties detailed in this report. See Risk Factors in the 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the dates they are made. The reader should, however, consult further disclosures the Company may make in future filings of its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. BUSINESS OVERVIEW The Company conducts its business primarily in the annuity markets and to a lesser extent in the life insurance markets of the financial services industry. These markets are highly regulated with particular emphasis on company solvency and sales practice monitoring. Demographically, the population is aging and there is a growing number of individuals preparing for retirement, which favors life insurance and annuity products. The Company has strategically placed its marketing emphasis on the sale of variable annuities. The Company currently offers the following guaranteed benefits within its variable annuity product suite: guaranteed minimum death benefits (GMDB's), guaranteed minimum income benefits (GMIB's) and guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (GMWB's). The Company believes that the demand for retirement products containing guarantee features will continue to increase in the future. The Company believes it is well positioned to continue meeting these demands for guaranteed benefits. The Company's gross earnings are principally derived from two sources: - - the charges imposed on variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts, and - - the net earnings from investment of fixed rate life insurance and annuity contract owner deposits less interest credited to contract owners, commonly known as interest spread The costs associated with acquiring contract owner deposits (deferred policy acquisition costs) are amortized over the period in which the Company anticipates holding those funds, as noted in the Critical Accounting Policies section below. Insurance expenses and taxes reported in the Statements of Earnings are net of amounts deferred. In addition, the Company incurs expenses associated with the maintenance of inforce contracts. BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT The Company's financial position and/or results of operations are primarily impacted by the following economic factors: equity market performance, fluctuations in medium term interest rates, and the corporate credit environment via credit quality and fluctuations in credit spreads. The following discusses the impact of each economic factor. EQUITY MARKET PERFORMANCE The investment performance of the underlying U.S. equity-based mutual funds supporting the Company's variable products do not replicate the returns of any specific U.S. equity market index. However, investment performance will generally increase or decrease with corresponding increases or decreases of the overall U.S. equity market. There are several standard indices published on a daily basis that measure performance of selected components of the U.S. equity market. Examples include the Dow Jones Industrial Average ("Dow"), the NASDAQ Composite Index ("NASDAQ") and the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index ("S&P"). Despite month-to-month market volatility during the first three months of 2007, U.S. equity indices ended the quarter essentially flat to year end 2006. The Dow ended the quarter with a decrease of 0.9%, while the NASDAQ and S&P ended the quarter with slight increases of 0.3% and 0.2%, respectively. 14 Changes in the U.S. equity market directly affect the values of the underlying U.S. equity-based mutual funds supporting separate accounts assets and, accordingly, the values of variable contract owner account balances. Approximately 78% of separate accounts assets were invested in equity-based mutual funds at March 31, 2007. Since asset-based fees collected on inforce variable contracts represent a significant source of revenue, the Company's financial condition will be impacted by fluctuations in investment performance of equity-based separate accounts assets. Fluctuations in the U.S. equity market also directly impact the Company's exposure to guaranteed benefit provisions contained in the variable contracts it manufactures. Minimal or negative investment performance generally results in greater exposure to guaranteed provisions, to the extent there is an increase in the number of variable contracts (and amount per contract) in which the guaranteed benefit exceeds the variable account balance. Prolonged periods of minimal or negative investment performance may result in greater guaranteed benefit costs as compared to assumptions. If the Company determines that it needs to increase its estimated long term cost of guaranteed benefits, it will result in establishing greater guaranteed benefit liabilities as compared to current practice. During the first quarter 2007 average variable account balances increased $331.4 million (or 3%) to $11.3 billion as compared to the same period in 2006. The increase in average variable account balances contributed to a $1.4 million (or 3%) increase in asset-based policy charge revenue during the three month period ended March 31, 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006. MEDIUM TERM INTEREST RATES, CORPORATE CREDIT AND CREDIT SPREADS Changes in interest rates affect the value of investments, primarily fixed maturity securities and preferred equity securities, as well as interest sensitive liabilities. Changes in interest rates have an inverse relationship to the value of investments and interest sensitive liabilities. Also, since the Company has certain fixed products that contain guaranteed minimum crediting rates, decreases in interest rates can decrease the amount of interest spread earned. Changes in the corporate credit environment directly impact the value of the Company's investments, primarily fixed maturity securities. The Company primarily invests in investment-grade corporate debt to support its fixed rate product liabilities. Credit spreads represent the credit risk premiums required by market participants for a given credit quality, i.e. the additional yield that a debt instrument issued by a AA-rated entity must produce over a risk-free alternative (e.g., U.S. Treasury instruments). Changes in credit spreads have an inverse relationship to the value of investments. The impact of changes in medium term interest rates, corporate credit and credit spreads on market valuations were as follows:
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, ------------------ 2007 2006 ------ ------ Average medium term interest rate yield (1) 4.65% 4.83% Increase (decrease) in medium term interest rates (in basis points) (12) 47 Credit spreads (in basis points) (2) 78 80 Expanding (contracting) of credit spreads (in basis points) 1 (26) Increase (decrease) on market valuations: (in millions) Available-for-sale investment securities $ 5.4 $(18.9) Interest-sensitive policyholder liabilities 0.2 2.2 ----- ------ Net increase (decrease) on market valuations $ 5.6 $(16.7) ===== ======
(1) The Company defines medium term interest rates as the average interest rate on U.S. Treasury securities with terms of 1 to 5 years. (2) The Company defines credit spreads according to the Merrill Lynch U.S. Corporate Bond Index for BBB-A Rated bonds with three to five year maturities. 15 CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Therefore, actual results could differ and could have a material impact on the Financial Statements, and it is possible that such changes could occur in the near term. The Company's critical accounting policies and estimates are discussed below. For a full description of these and other accounting policies see Note 1 of the 2006 Annual Report. VALUATION OF FIXED MATURITY AND EQUITY SECURITIES The Company's principal investments are available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities as defined by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. The fair value of publicly traded fixed maturity and equity securities are based on independently quoted market prices. For non-publicly traded fixed maturity and equity securities, the Company utilizes pricing services and broker quotes to determine fair value. Since significant judgment is required for the valuation of non-publicly traded securities, the estimated fair value of these securities may differ from amounts realized upon an immediate sale. At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, approximately, $199.5 million (or 13%) and $203.2 million (or 12%), respectively, of the Company's fixed maturity and equity securities portfolio consisted of non-publicly traded securities. Changes in the fair value of fixed maturity and equity securities are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes on the Balance Sheets and are not reflected in the Statements of Earnings until a sale transaction occurs or when declines in fair value are deemed other-than-temporary. OTHER-THAN-TEMPORARY IMPAIRMENT LOSSES ON INVESTMENTS The Company regularly reviews each investment in its fixed maturity and equity securities portfolio to evaluate the necessity of recording impairment losses for other-than-temporary ("OTT") declines in the fair value of investments. Management makes this determination through a series of discussions with the Company's portfolio managers and credit analysts, information obtained from external sources (i.e. company announcements, ratings agency announcements, or news wire services) and the Company's ability and intent to hold the investments for a period of time sufficient for a forecasted market price recovery up to or beyond the amortized cost of the investment. The factors that may give rise to a potential OTT impairment include, but are not limited to, i) certain credit-related events such as default of principal or interest payments by the issuer, ii) bankruptcy of issuer, iii) certain security restructurings, and iv) fair market value less than amortized cost for an extended period of time. In the absence of a readily ascertainable market value, the estimated fair value on these securities represents management's best estimate and is based on comparable securities and other assumptions as appropriate. Management bases this determination on the most recent information available. OTT impairment losses result in a permanent reduction of the cost basis of the investment. There were no OTT impairments on investments in fixed maturity securities for the three month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006. DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS FOR VARIABLE ANNUITIES AND VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE The costs of acquiring business, principally commissions, certain expenses related to policy issuance, and certain variable sales expenses that relate to and vary with the production of new and renewal business, are deferred and amortized in accordance with SFAS No. 97, Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Long-Duration Contracts and for Realized Gains and Losses from the Sale of Investments. Deferred policy acquisition costs ("DAC") are subject to recoverability testing at the time of policy issuance and loss recognition testing at the end of each reporting period. At March 31, 2007, variable annuities and variable life insurance accounted for $201.4 million (or 70%) and $77.4 million (or 27%), respectively, of the Company's DAC asset. At December 31, 2006, variable annuities and variable life insurance accounted for $191.9 million (or 67%) and $83.2 million (or 29%), respectively, of The Company's DAC asset. DAC for variable annuities is amortized with interest over the anticipated lives of the insurance contracts in relation to the present values of estimated future gross profits from asset-based fees, contract fees, and surrender charges, less provisions for guaranteed death and living benefit expenses, policy maintenance expenses, and non-capitalized commissions. DAC for variable life insurance is amortized with interest over the anticipated lives of the insurance contracts in relation to the present values of estimated future gross profits from fees related to contract loans, asset-based fees, and cost of insurance charges, less claims (net of reinsurance), cost of mortality reinsurance, policy maintenance expenses, and non-capitalized commissions. 16 The most significant assumptions involved in the estimation of future gross profits are future net separate accounts performance, surrender rates, mortality rates and reinsurance costs. For variable annuities, the Company generally establishes a long-term rate of net separate accounts growth. If returns over a determined historical period differ from the long-term assumption, returns for future determined periods are calculated so that the long-term assumption is achieved. The result is that the long-term rate is assumed to be realized over a period of approximately ten years. However, the long-term rate may be adjusted if expectations change. This method for projecting market returns is known as reversion to the mean, a standard industry practice. For variable life insurance, the Company generally assumes a level long-term rate of net variable life separate accounts growth for all future years and the long-term rate may be adjusted if expectations change. Additionally, the Company may modify the rate of net separate accounts growth over the short term to reflect near-term expectations of the economy and financial market performance in which separate accounts assets are invested. Surrender and mortality rates for all variable contracts are based on historical experience and a projection of future experience. Future gross profit estimates are subject to periodic evaluation with necessary revisions applied against amortization to date. The impact of revisions and assumptions to estimates on cumulative amortization is recorded as a charge or benefit to current operations, commonly referred to as "unlocking". Changes in assumptions can have a significant impact on the amount of DAC reported and their related amortization patterns. In general, increases in the estimated separate accounts return and decreases in surrender or mortality assumptions increase the expected future profitability of the underlying business and may lower the rate of DAC amortization. Conversely, decreases in the estimated separate accounts returns and increases in surrender or mortality assumptions reduce the expected future profitability of the underlying business and may increase the rate of DAC amortization. For the three month period ended March 31, 2007, the favorable impact to pre-tax earnings related to DAC unlocking was $10.6 million. There was no DAC unlocking during the three month period ended March 31, 2006. See Note 4 to the Financial Statements for a further discussion of DAC. POLICYHOLDER LIABILITIES The Company establishes liabilities for amounts payable on its life and annuity contracts based on methods and underlying assumptions in accordance with SFAS 60, Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises, SFAS 97, Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Long-Duration Contracts and for Realized Gains and Losses from the Sale of Investments, and Statement of Position ("SOP") 03-1, Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Nontraditional Long-Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts and applicable actuarial standards. The Company's liability for policyholder account balances represents the contract value that has accrued to the benefit of the policyholder as of the balance sheet date. The liability is generally equal to the accumulated account deposits plus interest credited less policyholders' withdrawals and other charges assessed against the account balance. Policyholder account balances at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were $2.0 billion. Future policy benefits are actuarially determined reserves, which are calculated to meet future obligations and are generally payable over an extended period of time. Principal assumptions used in the establishment of liabilities for future policy benefits are mortality, surrender rates, policy expenses, investment yields and inflation. These estimates and assumptions are influenced by historical experience, current developments and anticipated market trends. At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, future policy benefits were $394.4 million and $408.7 million, respectively. Included within future policy benefits are liabilities for GMDB and GMIB provisions contained in the variable products that the Company issues. At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, GMDB and GMIB liabilities included within future policy benefits were $98.6 million and $108.4 million, respectively. The Company regularly evaluates the assumptions used to establish these liabilities, as well as actual experience and adjusts the GMDB and/or GMIB liability balances with a related charge or credit to earnings ("unlocking"), if actual experience or evidence suggests that the assumptions should be revised. For the three month period ended March 31, 2007 the favorable impact to pre-tax earnings related to GMDB liability unlocking was $15.7 million. There was no unlocking during the three month period ended March 31, 2006. See Note 5 to the Financial Statements for a further discussion of the GMDB liability. UNEARNED POLICY CHARGE REVENUE ("UPCR") LIABILITY FOR VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE The Company's variable universal life insurance product includes a premium load that is higher in early policy years than in later years. The excess of the initial load over the ultimate load is accreted into revenue over time in the same manner that DAC is amortized. In addition, the UPCR liability is subject to the same periodic reassessment as DAC. At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the Company's UPCR liability was $32.2 million and $35.5 million, respectively. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES The Company uses the asset and liability method in providing income taxes on all transactions that have been recognized in the financial statements. The asset and liability method requires that deferred taxes be adjusted to reflect the tax rates at which future taxable amounts will be settled or realized. The Company provides for federal income taxes based on amounts it believes it will 17 ultimately owe. Inherent in the provision for federal income taxes are estimates regarding the realization of certain tax deductions and credits. Specific estimates include the realization of dividend-received deductions ("DRD") and foreign tax credits ("FTC"). A portion of the Company's investment income related to separate accounts business qualifies for the DRD and FTC. Information necessary to calculate these tax adjustments is typically not available until the following year. However, within the current year's provision, management makes estimates regarding the future tax deductibility of these items. These estimates are primarily based on recent historic experience. During the three month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company reduced its provision for federal income taxes by $2.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively due to DRD and FTC adjustments. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 provides a fair value option election that allows companies to irrevocably elect fair value as the initial and subsequent measurement attribute for certain financial assets and liabilities, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings as they occur. SFAS No. 159 permits the fair value option election on an instrument by instrument basis at initial recognition of an asset or liability or upon an event that gives rise to a new basis of accounting for that instrument. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity's first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of a fiscal year that begins on or before November 15, 2007 provided that the entity makes that choice in the first 120 days of that fiscal year, has not yet issued financial statements for any interim period of the fiscal year of adoption, and also elects to apply the provisions of SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. The Company early adopted SFAS No. 159 as of the first quarter 2007. Since the Company did not elect the fair value option for any of its existing assets or liabilities, the adoption did not have an impact on the Company's Financial Statements. On January 1, 2007, the Company adopted SOP 05-1, Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection With Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts. SOP 05-1 provides guidance on accounting by insurance enterprises for deferred acquisition costs on internal replacements of insurance and investment contracts other than those specifically described in SFAS No. 97. SOP 05-1 defines an internal replacement as a modification in product benefits, features, rights, or coverages that occurs by the exchange of a contract for a new contract, or by amendment, endorsement, or rider to a contract, or by the election of a feature or coverage within a contract. Since the Company's practice of accounting for deferred acquisition costs, in connection with modifications or exchanges, substantially meets the provisions prescribed within SOP 05-1, the adoption of SOP 05-1 did not have a material impact on the Company's Financial Statements. As of December 31, 2006, the Company adopted Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements. The interpretations in the SAB provide the Staff's views regarding the process of quantifying financial statement misstatements. Specifically, the SEC staff believes that registrants must quantify the impact on current period financial statements of correcting all misstatements, including both those occurring in the current period and the effect of reversing those that have accumulated from prior periods. Since the Company's method for quantifying financial statement misstatements already considers those occurring in the current period and the effect of reversing those that have accumulated from prior periods, the adoption of the SAB did not have an impact on the Company's Financial Statements. In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157 Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 with early adoption permitted, provided the entity has not yet issued financial statements for the fiscal year, including any interim periods. The provisions of SFAS No. 157 are to be applied prospectively. The Company early adopted SFAS No. 157 as of the first quarter 2007. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's Financial Statements. See Note 2 to the Financial Statements for the additional disclosures. In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 ("FIN 48"). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company's Financial Statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The Company adopted FIN 48 in the first quarter of 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have an impact on the Company's Financial Statements. 18 NEW BUSINESS The Company has strategically placed its marketing emphasis on the sale of variable annuity products. These products are designed to address the retirement planning needs of Merrill Lynch & Co.'s clients. Each variable annuity product is designed to provide tax-deferred retirement savings with the opportunity for diversified investing in a wide selection of underlying mutual fund portfolios. During March 2005, the Company introduced a new variable annuity product line called Merrill Lynch Investor Choice Annuity ("ICA"), which replaced all new sales of existing variable annuity products. ICA provides the ability to customize variable annuity products with specific contract features including guaranteed minimum death, income and withdrawal benefits, charge structures, and investment options. The Company has also enhanced ICA income and withdrawal benefits and investment options in the succeeding two years. ICA is offered in B-Share, C-Share and L-Share classes similar to previous variable annuity products. These classes are differentiated by the surrender charge period and the types of contract fees charged to the contract owner. Additionally, ICA offers a bonus class in which a specified amount is added to the contract value with each deposit. Total direct deposits increased $31.3 million (or 19%) to $200.5 million during the three month period ended March 31, 2007, as compared to the same period in 2006. Total direct deposits by product were as follows:
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS) ----------------------------- CHANGE FIRST QUARTER FIRST QUARTER ---------- 2007 2006 $ % ------------- ------------- ---- --- Variable Annuities (including ICA): L-Share $ 83.7 $ 57.6 26.1 45% Bonus 54.3 46.7 7.6 16 B-Share 45.2 40.3 4.9 12 C-Share 12.6 16.1 (3.5) (22) ------ ------ ---- --- 195.8 160.7 35.1 22 ------ ------ ---- --- All Other Deposits 4.7 8.5 (3.8) (45) ------ ------ ---- --- Total Direct Deposits $200.5 $169.2 31.3 19% ====== ====== ==== ===
During the first three months of 2007 variable annuity deposits increased $35.1 million (or 22%) to $195.8 million as compared to the same period in 2006. The increase in variable annuity deposits is primarily due to the product enhancements included in ICA as well as the continued demand for guaranteed benefit provisions. All other deposits include deposits on modified guaranteed annuities and immediate annuities as well as renewal deposits on existing life insurance and fixed annuity contracts that are no longer manufactured. FINANCIAL CONDITION At March 31, 2007, the Company's assets were $14.5 billion or $154.0 million lower than the $14.6 billion in assets at December 31, 2006. Assets excluding separate accounts assets decreased $164.6 million (or 5%) primarily due to a $125.0 million dividend payment to its parent and a reduction in the number of fixed rate contracts inforce. Separate accounts assets, which represent 78% of total assets, increased $10.6 million to $11.3 billion. Changes in separate accounts assets were as follows:
FIRST QUARTER (dollars in millions) 2007 - --------------------- ------ Investment performance $193.7 Deposits 200.1 Policy fees and charges (55.0) Surrenders, benefits and withdrawals (328.2) ------ Net increase $ 10.6 ======
During the first three months of 2007, the Company experienced contract owner withdrawals that exceeded deposits on all products by $199.4 million. The components of contract owner transactions were as follows: 19
FIRST QUARTER (dollars in millions) 2007 - --------------------- ------- Deposits collected $ 200.5 Internal tax-free exchanges (18.1) ------- Net contract owner deposits 182.4 ------- Contract owner withdrawals 247.1 Net transfers from separate accounts 134.7 ------- Net contract owner withdrawals 381.8 ------- Net contract owner activity $(199.4) =======
At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, approximately $1.5 billion (or 99%) and $1.6 billion (or 99%), respectively, of fixed maturity securities were considered investment grade. The Company defines investment grade securities as unsecured debt obligations that have a rating equivalent to Standard and Poor's BBB- or higher (or similar rating agency). Also, at March 31, 2007, approximately $62.4 million (or 4%) of fixed maturity securities were rated BBB-, which is the lowest investment grade rating given by Standard and Poor's. This compares to $58.7 million (or 4%) of BBB- rated fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2006. At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, approximately $18.4 million (or 1%) and $17.5 million (or 1%), respectively, of fixed maturity securities were considered below investment grade. Below investment grade securities are speculative and are subject to significantly greater risks related to the creditworthiness of the issuers and the liquidity of the market for such securities. Current below investment grade holdings are the result of ratings downgrades on existing securities as the Company does not purchase below investment grade securities. The Company closely monitors such investments. LIQUIDITY To fund all business activities, the Company maintains a high quality and liquid investment portfolio. As of March 31, 2007, the Company's assets included $1.7 billion of cash, short-term investments and investment grade publicly traded available-for-sale securities that could be liquidated if funds were required. In order to continue to issue annuity products, the Company must meet or exceed the statutory capital and surplus requirements of the insurance departments of the states in which it conducts business. The Company has developed a comprehensive capital management plan that will continue to provide appropriate levels of capital for the risks assumed, but will allow the Company to reduce its absolute level of surplus. During the first quarter of 2007, the Company paid cash dividends of $125.0 million to its parent, Merrill Lynch Insurance Group Inc. ("MLIG"), of which $41.6 million were ordinary dividends and $83.4 million were extraordinary. In addition, the Company received regulatory approval to pay a $69.0 million extraordinary dividend to MLIG during the second quarter 2007. During the first half of 2006, the Company paid cash dividends of $180.0 million to MLIG, of which $39.8 million were ordinary dividends and $140.2 million were extraordinary. The Company and Merrill Lynch & Co. are parties to a "keepwell" agreement. This agreement obligates Merrill Lynch & Co. to maintain a level of capital in the Company in excess of minimum regulatory requirements. 20 CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS The following table summarizes the Company's contractual obligations as of March 31, 2007:
LESS THAN THREE TO MORE THAN (dollars in millions) THREE YEARS FIVE YEARS FIVE YEARS TOTAL - --------------------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ------ Contractual Obligations: Long-term liabilities (1) $20.4 $33.7 $241.7 $295.8
(1) Long-term liabilities include policyholder liabilities for which the Company believes the amount and timing of the payments are essentially fixed and determinable. These amounts primarily relate to contracts where the Company is currently making payments to policyholders and will continue to do so until the occurrence of a specific event. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS For the three month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded net earnings of $36.8 million and $18.9 million, respectively. Policy charge revenue increased $6.4 million (or 10%) during the three month period ended March 31, 2007, as compared to the same period in 2006. The following table provides the changes in policy charge revenue by type for each respective period:
FIRST FIRST QUARTER QUARTER (dollars in millions) 2007 2006 CHANGE - --------------------- ------- ------- ------ Non-asset based policy charge revenue $21.8 $18.8 $3.0(1) Guarantee benefits based policy charge revenue 4.6 2.6 2.0(2) Asset-based policy charge revenue 42.6 41.2 1.4(3) ----- ----- ---- $69.0 $62.6 $6.4 ===== ===== ====
(1) The increase in non-asset based policy charge revenue is primarily due to an increase in UPCR accretion resulting from lower mortality. (2) The increase in guarantee benefits based policy charge revenue is due to the increase in inforce variable annuity contracts containing guaranteed benefit riders. (3) Asset-based policy charge revenue was favorably impacted by the increase in average variable account balances. Net earnings derived from interest spread increased $0.6 million (or 6%) during the three month period ended March 31, 2007, as compared to the same period in 2006. The increase is primarily due to higher portfolio yields as compared to the same period in 2006. Net realized investment gains decreased $0.5 million during the three month period ended March 31, 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006 primarily due to decreased trading portfolio gains. During the first quarter 2006 the Company liquidated its trading portfolio. Policy benefits decreased $15.1 million (or 101%) during the three month period ended March 31, 2007, as compared to the same period in 2006, primarily due to period-to-period differences in variable annuity benefit reserve unlocking as noted in the Critical Accounting Policies section above. Reinsurance premium ceded increased $0.4 million (or 6%) during the three month period ended March 31, 2007, as compared to the same period in 2006. The increase during the first three months of 2007 is attributable to an increase in net amount at risk for certain variable life insurance policies containing reinsurance provisions. Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs decreased $8.0 million (or 64%) during the three month period ended March 31, 2007, as compared to the same period in 2006 primarily due to period-to-period differences in variable annuity DAC unlocking as 21 noted in the Critical Accounting Policies section above. Excluding the impact of DAC unlocking, amortization increased $2.6 million (or 21%) primarily due to lower mortality during the first three months of 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006. Insurance expenses and taxes increased $2.0 million (or 15%) during the three month period ended March 31, 2007, as compared to the same period in 2006. The following table provides the changes in insurance expenses and taxes for each respective period:
FIRST FIRST QUARTER QUARTER (dollars in millions) 2007 2006 CHANGE - --------------------- ------- ------- ------ General insurance expenses $ 6.3 $ 5.5 $0.8(1) Commissions 8.2 7.5 0.7(2) Taxes, licenses, and fees 0.7 0.2 0.5(3) ----- ----- ---- $15.2 $13.2 $2.0 ===== ===== ====
(1) The increase in general insurance expenses is due to an increase in occupancy expenses. During the first quarter 2006, the Company received a credit for the termination of a lease agreement relating to office space the Company no longer occupies. (2) The increase in commissions is primarily due to an increase in variable annuity asset-based commissions resulting from higher variable account balances. (3) The increase in taxes, licenses and fees is primarily due to increased state income tax expenses. SEGMENT INFORMATION The products that comprise the Annuity and Life Insurance segments generally possess similar economic characteristics. As such, the financial condition and results of operations of each business segment are generally consistent with the Company's consolidated financial condition and results of operations presented herein. 22 ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures The Company's Disclosure Committee assists with the monitoring and evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures. The Company's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Disclosure Committee have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based on that evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective. In addition, no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) occurred during the first fiscal quarter of 2007 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting. 23 PART II Other Information Item 1. Legal Proceedings. Nothing to report. Item 1A. Risk Factors. In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which could materially affect the Company's business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company or that the Company currently deems to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition and/or operating results. Item 5. Other Information. (a) Nothing to report. (b) Nothing to report. Item 6. Exhibits. 2.1 Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company Board of Directors Resolution in Connection with the Merger between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and Tandem Insurance Group, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1, filed September 5, 1991, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 2.2 Plan and Agreement of Merger between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and Tandem Insurance Group, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1a, filed September 5, 1991, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 3.1 Articles of Amendment, Restatement and Redomestication of the Articles of Incorporation of Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account A's registration statement on Form N-4, File No. 33-43773, filed December 10, 1996.) 3.2 Amended and Restated By-Laws of Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account A's registration statement on Form N-4, File No. 33-43773, filed December 10, 1996.) 4.1 Group Modified Guaranteed Annuity Contract, ML-AY-361. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1, filed February 23, 1989, as part of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 4.2 Individual Certificate, ML-AY-362. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2, filed February 23, 1989, as part of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 4.2a Individual Certificate, ML-AY-362 KS. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 4.2b Individual Certificate, ML-AY-378. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2b, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 4.2c Modified Guaranteed Annuity Contract. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a), filed August 18, 1997, as part of the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-3, File No. 333-33863.) 4.3 Individual Tax-Sheltered Annuity Certificate, ML-AY-372. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3, filed February 23, 1989, as part of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 4.3a Individual Tax-Sheltered Annuity Certificate, ML-AY-372 KS. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 4.4 Qualified Retirement Plan Certificate, ML-AY-373. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.) 4.4a Qualified Retirement Plan Certificate, ML-AY-373 KS. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 4.5 Individual Retirement Annuity Certificate, ML-AY-374. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.) 4.5a Individual Retirement Annuity Certificate, ML-AY-374 KS. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 4.5b Individual Retirement Annuity Certificate, ML-AY-375 KS. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5b, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 4.5c Individual Retirement Annuity Certificate, ML-AY-379. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5c, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 4.6 Individual Retirement Account Certificate, ML-AY-375. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6, filed February 23, 1989, as part of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 4.6a Individual Retirement Account Certificate, ML-AY-380. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 4.7 Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Certificate, ML-AY-376. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.) 4.7a Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Certificate, ML-AY-376 KS. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 4.8 Tax-Sheltered Annuity Endorsement, ML-AY-366. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33- 26322, filed January 3, 1989.) 4.8a Tax-Sheltered Annuity Endorsement, ML-AY-366 190. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 4.8b Tax-Sheltered Annuity Endorsement, ML-AY-366 1096. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(h)(3), filed March 27, 1997, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-58303.) 4.9 Qualified Retirement Plan Endorsement, ML-AY-364. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.) 4.10 Individual Retirement Annuity Endorsement, ML-AY-368. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.) 4.10a Individual Retirement Annuity Endorsement, ML-AY-368 190. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 4.10b Individual Retirement Annuity Endorsement, ML009. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(j)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-60290, filed March 31, 1994.) 4.10c Individual Retirement Annuity Endorsement. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b) to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-3, File No. 333-33863, filed October 31, 1997.) 4.11 Individual Retirement Account Endorsement, ML-AY-365. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.) 4.11a Individual Retirement Account Endorsement, ML- AY-365 190. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 4.12 Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Endorsement, ML-AY-367. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.) 4.12a Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Endorsement, ML-AY-367 190. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 4.13 Qualified Plan Endorsement, ML-AY-369. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.) 4.13a Qualified Plan Endorsement, ML-AY-448. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 4.13b Qualified Plan Endorsement. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c), filed October 31, 1997, as part of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-3, File No. 333-33863.) 4.14 Application for Group Modified Guaranteed Annuity Contract. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.) 4.15 Annuity Application for Individual Certificate Under Modified Guaranteed Annuity Contract. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.) 4.15a Application for Modified Guaranteed Annuity Contract. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(d), filed August 18, 1997, as part of the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-3, File No. 333-33863.) 4.16 Form of Company Name Change Endorsement. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16, filed September 5, 1991, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 4.17 Group Modified Guaranteed Annuity Contract, ML-AY-361/94. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(2), filed December 7, 1994, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-60290.) 4.18 Individual Certificate, ML-AY-362/94. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b)(4), filed December 7, 1994, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-60290.) 4.19 Individual Tax-Sheltered Annuity Certificate, ML-AY-372/94. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c)(3), filed December 7, 1994, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-60290.) 4.20 Qualified Retirement Plan Certificate, ML-AY-373/94. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(d)(3), filed December 7, 1994, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-60290.) 4.21 Individual Retirement Annuity Certificate, ML-AY-374/94. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(e)(5), filed December 7, 1994, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-60290.) 4.22 Individual Retirement Account Certificate, ML-AY-375/94. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(f)(3), filed December 7, 1994, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-60290.) 4.23 Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Certificate, ML-AY-376/94. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(g)(3), filed December 7, 1994, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-60290.) 4.24 Qualified Plan Endorsement, ML-AY-448/94. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(m)(3), filed December 7, 1994, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-60290.) 10.1 Management Services Agreement between Family Life Insurance Company and Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.) 10.2 General Agency Agreement between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and Merrill Lynch Life Agency, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2, filed February 23, 1989, as part of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 10.3 Service Agreement among Merrill Lynch Insurance Group, Inc., Family Life Insurance Company and Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3, filed March 13, 1991, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 10.3a Amendment to Service Agreement among Merrill Lynch Insurance Group, Inc., Family Life Insurance Company and Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-60290, filed March 31, 1994.) 10.4 Indemnity Reinsurance Agreement between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and Family Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4, filed March 13, 1991, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 10.5 Assumption Reinsurance Agreement between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company, Tandem Insurance Group, Inc. and Royal Tandem Life Insurance Company and Family Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6, filed April 24, 1991, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 10.6 Amended General Agency Agreement between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and Merrill Lynch Life Agency, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(g) to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-46827, filed March 30, 1992.) 10.7 Indemnity Agreement between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and Merrill Lynch Life Agency, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(h) to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-46827, filed March 30, 1992.) 10.8 Management Agreement between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(i) to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-46827, filed March 30, 1992.) 10.9 Amendment No. 1 to Indemnity Reinsurance Agreement between Family Life Insurance Company and Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5, filed April 24, 1991, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.) 10.10 Insurance Administrative Services Agreement between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and Liberty Insurance Services Corporation. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K, File Nos. 33-26322, 33-46827, 33-52254, 33-60290, 33-58303, 333-33863, filed March 30, 2005.) 31.1 Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 15d-14(a). 31.2 Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 15d-14(a). 32.1 Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 32.2 Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY /s/ Joseph E. Justice ----------------------------------------- Joseph E. Justice Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Date: May 11, 2007 EXHIBIT INDEX 31.1 Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 15d-14(a). 31.2 Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 15d-14(a). 32.1 Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 32.2 Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
EX-31.1 2 w34540exv31w1.txt EXHIBIT 31.1 EXHIBIT 31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer I, Deborah J. Adler, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have: a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and c) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function): a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. /s/ Deborah J. Adler ------------------------------------- Deborah J. Adler President and Chief Executive Officer Dated: May 7, 2007 EX-31.2 3 w34540exv31w2.txt EXHIBIT 31.2 EXHIBIT 31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer I, Joseph E. Justice, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have: a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and c) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function): a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. /s/ Joseph E. Justice ----------------------------- Joseph E. Justice Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Dated: May 7, 2007 EX-32.1 4 w34540exv32w1.txt EXHIBIT 32.1 EXHIBIT 32.1 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 In connection with the Quarterly Report of Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Deborah J. Adler, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. /s/ Deborah J. Adler ------------------------------------- Deborah J. Adler President and Chief Executive Officer Dated: May 7, 2007 A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and will be retained by Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. EX-32.2 5 w34540exv32w2.txt EXHIBIT 32.2 EXHIBIT 32.2 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 In connection with the Quarterly Report of Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Joseph E. Justice, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. /s/ Joseph E. Justice ------------------------------------ Joseph E. Justice Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Dated: May 7, 2007 A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and will be retained by Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
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