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Globe Life

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FY2015 Annual Report · Globe Life
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ANNUAL REPORT

PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE

3700 South Stonebridge Drive
McKinney, Texas 75070
(972) 569-4000

ANNUAL MEETING  
OF SHAREHOLDERS

10:00 a.m. CDT, Thursday, May 12, 2016 
Corporate Headquarters
3700 South Stonebridge Drive
McKinney, Texas 75070
The proceedings will be webcast live and in 
replay on the Investors page of the Torchmark 
Corporation website. The Company’s Annual 
Meeting will be conducted in accordance 
with its Shareholder Rights Policy. A copy 
of this policy can be obtained on the 
Company’s website, or by contacting the 
Corporate Secretary at the Torchmark 
Corporation headquarters address.

INVESTOR RELATIONS 
Contact: Mike Majors
Phone: (972) 569-3239
Fax: (972) 569-3282
E-Mail: tmkir@torchmarkcorp.com

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC 
ACCOUNTANTS

Deloitte & Touche LLP
2200 Ross Avenue
Suite 1600
Dallas, Texas 75201

STOCK EXCHANGE LISTINGS
New York Stock Exchange 
Symbol:  TMK
The London Stock Exchange, 
London, England

INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR   
9 1/4%, 77/8%, 63/8%, AND 34/5% SENIOR NOTES AND 
5 7/8% JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES 

The Bank of New York Mellon 
Trust Company, N.A.
601 Travis Street, 16th Floor
Houston, TX  77002
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Toll-Free Number: (800) 254-2826
Website: www.bnymellon.com/corporatetrust
The 5 7/8% debentures trade through 
Depository Trust Company under global 
certificates listed on the New York Stock 
Exchange (NYSE Symbol TMKPRB).

STOCK TRANSFER AGENT AND SHAREHOLDER 
ASSISTANCE

Wells Fargo Shareowner Services
P.O. Box 64854
St. Paul, MN  55164-0854
or
1110 Centre Pointe Curve, Suite 101
Mendota Heights, MN  55120-4100
Toll-Free Number: (866) 557-8699
TDD: Hearing impaired can use  
a relay service
Outside the U.S.: (651) 450-4064
Website: www.shareowneronline.com

TORCHMARK CORPORATION WEBSITE

On the www.torchmarkcorp.com home 
page are links to the web pages of:

 (cid:121) Company
 (cid:121) Brands
 (cid:121) Careers
 (cid:121) Community
 (cid:121)  Investors
 (cid:121) Contact

The Investors page contains a menu with 
links to many topics of interest to investors 
and other interested third parties:

 (cid:121) Annual Reports, 10-K and 

Proxy Statements

 (cid:121) Calendar
 (cid:121) News Releases
 (cid:121) SEC Filings
 (cid:121) XBRL

(cid:121) Financial Reports and Other 

Financial Information

(cid:121) Investor Contact Information
(cid:121) Calls and Meetings

- Management Presentations
- Conference Calls on the Web
- Conference Call Replays and 

Transcripts

- Annual Meeting of Shareholders

(cid:121) Stock Information

- Stock Transfer Agent and Shareholder 

Assistance

- Dividend Reinvestment
- Automatic Deposit of Dividends

(cid:121) Corporate Governance

- Shareholders’ Rights Policy
- Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
- Corporate By-laws
- Code of Ethics for CEO and Senior 

Financial Officers

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT

Torchmark maintains a dividend reinvestment 
plan for all holders of its common stock. 
Under the plan, shareholders may reinvest 
all or part of their dividends in additional 
shares of common stock and may also make 
periodic additional cash payments of up to 
$3,000 toward the purchase of Torchmark 
stock. Participation is voluntary. More 
information on the plan may be obtained 
from the Stock Transfer Agent by calling toll-
free (866) 557-8699 or by writing:  Torchmark 
Corporation, c/o Wells Fargo Shareowner 
Services, P.O. Box 64874, St. Paul, MN  55164-
0874 or 1110 Centre Pointe Curve, Suite 
101, Mendota Heights, MN 55120-4100.

AUTOMATIC DEPOSIT  
OF DIVIDENDS

Automatic deposit of dividends is available 
to shareholders who wish to have their 
dividends directly deposited into the financial 
institution of their choice. Authorization forms 
may be obtained from the Stock Transfer 
Agent by calling toll-free (866) 557-8699.

- Corporate Governance Guidelines
- Related Party Policy
- Employee Complaint Procedure

(cid:121) Board of Directors

- Members of the Board
- Committees

- Audit Committee
- Compensation Committee
- Governance and Nominating 

Committee

- Executive Sessions
- Director Qualification Standards
- Director Independence Criteria
- Director Resignation Policy

   |  TORCHMARK CORPORATION  |  1

2015 IN FOCUS

$ in thousands

$2,998,720
Total Premium 
From 
Continuing Operations

$522,913
Net Operating  
Income From  
Continuing Operations

$2,150,498
Annualized Life  
Premium In Force

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS*

In thousands, except percentage and per share amounts

OPERATIONS

Total Premium From  
    Continuing Operations

Net Operating Income From  
    Continuing Operations
Annualized Life Premium In Force 

Annualized Health Premium In Force 

Diluted Average Shares Outstanding
Net Operating Income From All  
    Operations as a Return on Average  
    Common Equity 

2015

2014

% CHANGE

$2,998,720 

$2,836,140 

522,913 

519,603 

2,150,498 

2,044,545 

973,042 

126,757 

947,323 

132,640 

14.5%

14.9%

5.7 

0.6 

5.2 

2.7 

4.4 

$973,042
Annualized Health  
Premium In Force

PER COMMON SHARE (ON A DILUTED BASIS)

Net Operating Income From  
    Continuing Operations
Shareholders‘ Equity at Year End

$4.13 

$30.09 

$3.92 

$27.91 

5.4 

7.8 

* Certain financial data differ from the comparable GAAP financial data. Reconciliations to GAAP financial 
data are presented on pages 14-15. 

2  |  TORCHMARK CORPORATION  |   

 
 
 
 
 
“ We are very enthusiastic 
about Torchmark’s prospects. 
The Company is uniquely 
positioned to meet the basic 
protection needs of a vastly 
underserved market – a 
market that we believe offers 
unlimited growth potential. ”

LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS*

2015 was another good year for Torchmark. We had life sales growth in each of our distribution channels for the second 
year in a row, life premium grew 5.4% (the highest growth rate in ten years) and return on equity, excluding net unrealized 
gains on fixed maturities, was 14.5%. As we have stated in previous years, we believe Torchmark’s long-term success is 
driven by distinctive components of our business model that set it apart from other life insurers. These components, 
which have allowed the Company to thrive regardless of general economic conditions, are discussed below:

INSURANCE MARKET
We operate in niches of the vastly 
underinsured middle-income market.

CONTROLLED DISTRIBUTION
We distribute our insurance products 
primarily through exclusive agency and 
direct response marketing channels.

CASH FLOWS
Our highly persistent block of inforce 
business produces very strong free cash 
flows year in and year out. Our persistency 
has been consistent throughout the years, 
even during the global financial crisis of 
2008-2009. Nearly 90% of our revenue each 
year is generated by policies that were sold 
in prior years. 

PRODUCTS
We offer basic life and health protection 
products that match up well with 
the needs of our customers and are 
not impacted by equity or credit 
market fluctuations.

MARGINS
Torchmark is well known for its 
administrative efficiencies. Our ability to 
control both administrative and acquisition 
expenses helps produce high underwriting 
margins. 

RETURN OF EXCESS CAPITAL TO 
SHAREHOLDERS
We are committed to returning excess capital 
to our shareholders. Due to the high level of 
excess cash flows generated year after year, 
we have returned approximately 77% of our 
net income to shareholders through share 
repurchases and dividends since 1986.

*    Certain financial data differ from the comparable GAAP financial data. Reconciliations to GAAP financial data are presented on pages 14-15. Unless 
noted otherwise, net operating income represents net operating income from continuing operations. 

LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS  |  TORCHMARK CORPORATION  |  3

The below chart illustrates the strong return on equity generated by 
Torchmark over the years.

RETURN ON EQUITY
(Excluding Net Unrealized Gains or Losses on Fixed Maturities)*

15.9%*

15.8%*

14.7%

15.5%

14.5%

14.3%*

2005

2007

2009

2011

2013

2015

* Values prior to 2011 are not retroactively adjusted for the effect of ASU 2010-26.

While we believe strongly in our business model and will continue 
to take advantage of the significant opportunity it provides, we are 
committed to finding innovative and strategic ways to constantly 
improve and grow our business. 

Our society is currently undergoing vast changes. In recent years 
there has been considerable discussion regarding the potential 
impact of digital technology, data analytics and the millennial 
generation on the insurance marketplace. It is critical to maintain 
an awareness of key technological and societal developments and 
understand the potential opportunities and challenges they present. 
We intend to quickly adapt to these changes in a manner that will 
help maintain our market position and enhances our business 
model. We are currently exploring and implementing several 
strategic initiatives designed to take advantage of digital technology 
that will help us do just that. 

Torchmark has consistently generated strong growth in operating 
income per share and book value per share as can be seen in the 
charts below.

NET OPERATING INCOME PER SHARE*
Compound Annual Growth Rate 10 Year – 7.3%, 5 Year – 10.4%

$4.13

$3.65

$2.91

$2.33

$2.04*

$2.18

2005

2007

2009

2011

2013

2015

* Values prior to 2007 are not restated for the effect of accounting standards ASU 2010-26 
due to lack of information. 

BOOK VALUE PER SHARE
(Excluding Net Unrealized Gains or Losses on Fixed Maturities)*
Compound Annual Growth Rate 10 Year – 8.3%, 5 Year – 8.7%

$30.09

$25.85

$21.31

$17.88

$13.51*

$14.77

2005

2007

2009

2011

2013

2015

* Values prior to 2007 are not retroactively adjusted for the effect of ASU 2010-26.

4  |  TORCHMARK CORPORATION  |  LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS

INSURANCE OPERATIONS

DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS

COMPONENTS OF NET OPERATING INCOME 
($ in millions, except per share data)

Underwriting Income

Excess Investment Income

Tax and Parent Expenses

Net Operating Income

Discontinued Operations - Part D

Net Operating Income from all Operations

PER SHARE

$4.69

  1.73

(2.29)

$4.13

.08

$4.21

$595

  220

(292)

$523

11

$534

Underwriting income reflects premiums less policy benefits, 
acquisition costs, and administrative expenses. While many 
life insurers depend heavily on investment income to generate 
earnings, most of Torchmark’s operating income is generated by 
insurance underwriting margin. Underwriting income accounted 
for approximately 73% of pre-tax operating income before parent 
expenses in 2015.

Torchmark serves niche markets through several distinct distribution 
channels. The following charts illustrate the relative contributions of 
these channels.

2015 TOTAL UNDERWRITING MARGIN

19%

6%

21%

American Income

Globe Life Direct Response

16%

General Agency

Family Heritage

Liberty National

38%

COMPONENTS OF UNDERWRITING INCOME 
($ in millions)

Underwriting Margin

Life

Health

Other

Total

Administrative Expenses net of Other Income

Underwriting Income

$

$569

204

5

$778

(183)

$595

AS % OF 
PREMIUM

27.5%

22.1%

26.0%

6.1%

19.8%

Our core focus is life insurance due to its superior profitability.

LIFE AND HEALTH NET SALES* 
($ in millions)

2015

2014

LIFE

American Income

Globe Life Direct Response

Liberty National

Other Distribution

$198

164

36

14

$172

158

34

14

TOTAL LIFE

$412

$378

HEALTH

General Agency

Family Heritage

Globe Life Direct Response

Liberty National 

American Income

$71

50

5

18

12

$84

47

23

18

9

TOTAL HEALTH

$156

$181

% CHANGE

15 

  4 

  4 

   2 

  9 

15 

  7 

78 

  4 

26 

13 

*  Net sales is defined as annualized premium issued, net of cancellations in the first 30 days 
after issue, except for Direct Response where net sales is annualized premium issued at 
the time the first full premium is paid after any introductory offer period has expired. 

Life sales increased in each distribution channel for the second 
consecutive year in 2015. The decline in general agency health 
sales was anticipated due to the unusually large amount of group 
sales that occurred in 2014. Individual general agency health sales 
increased 35% in 2015.

LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS  |  TORCHMARK CORPORATION  |  5

AMERICAN INCOME LIFE

GLOBE LIFE DIRECT RESPONSE

American Income (AIL) is our largest contributor to premium and 
underwriting margin. As seen in the chart below, AIL has enjoyed a 
long history of growth, with life premium growing at a compound 
annual growth rate of 8.1% over the past ten years. Life sales have 
grown at a double digit pace for the last two years. 

Our second largest distribution system is the Direct Response 
operation at Globe Life (Globe). Like AIL, Globe has a long history of 
consistent growth. As can be seen in the chart below, life premium 
has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 5.8% over the past 
ten years.  

Deep-rooted ties with organized labor help provide a strong niche 
market position for AIL. While union relationships continue to 
anchor AIL’s business, a concerted effort over the last ten years to 
push for referrals and other sources of new business has greatly 
expanded AIL’s marketing base in the middle-income market. Today, 
30% of new sales come from union-endorsed leads compared to 
70% ten years ago. In the last ten years, the producing agent count 
at AIL has grown from approximately 2,000 to over 6,500, while net 
life sales have grown from $84 million to $198 million.  

AIL operates in a greatly underserved market which offers 
unlimited opportunity as long as we continue to grow our agency 
force. To ensure sustainable growth, the agency must be grown in 
a deliberate manner through prudent development of leadership 
talent. We believe that an agent count of 10,000 is an achievable 
goal over the next several years and know that our market could 
support an agency of 20,000 agents. We see a very bright future 
for AIL.  

AMERICAN INCOME - LIFE PREMIUM
($ in millions)
10-Year Compound Annual Growth Rate - 8.1%

$831

$715

$608

$508

$380

$440

2005

2007

2009

2011

2013

2015

DIRECT RESPONSE - LIFE PREMIUM
($ in millions)
10-Year Compound Annual Growth Rate - 5.8%

$747

$664

$594

$537

$424

$484

2005

2007

2009

2011

2013

2015

Globe’s roots go back fifty years in the direct mail business. The 
secret to Globe’s success over the years has been an ongoing 
process of innovation, supported by the extensive experience and 
data developed in this market. Over the years, we’ve added insert 
media and electronic media to the Direct Response distribution. 
The combination of these distribution channels allows us to more 
effectively monetize leads and connect with consumers, giving us 
an advantage over our competitors.

While many companies are placing significant focus on big 
data and analytics these days as a new tool, the use of data and 
analytic models has been a foundation of Globe’s marketing 
approach for many years. We will continue to search for ways to 
improve our operations and leverage new technologies as they 
become available.

Another area of focus for Globe is branding. It’s now been two 
years since we began our naming rights partnership with the Texas 
Rangers. During that time, we have seen significant increases in 
name recognition, response rates, and sales in the five-state region 
associated with the Rangers. We have even seen a nationwide 
increase in name recognition outside of that region. Due to the 
success of this partnership, we continue to explore additional cost-
effective branding opportunities.

6  |  TORCHMARK CORPORATION  |  LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS

LIBERTY NATIONAL LIFE

UNITED AMERICAN

Liberty National Life (Liberty) markets products through in-home 
and worksite channels. In recent years, we have restructured the 
Liberty agency operations from a fixed cost sales model to a variable 
cost model. While completely transforming the agency has been a 
significant challenge, this change was necessary to put Liberty in a 
position to create profitable long-term growth. 

Liberty’s life and health sales both increased for the second year in 
a row in 2015. The key to sustainable future growth at Liberty will 
be agency growth through continued geographic expansion out of 
the southeast into more densely populated urban areas across the 
country. This expansion has been slow and steady as expected and 
we are very encouraged by Liberty’s progress.

FAMILY HERITAGE LIFE

Family Heritage Life (FHL) primarily markets supplemental health 
insurance products in non-urban areas. Most of these products 
include a unique return-of-premium feature which differentiates 
them from typical supplemental health insurance offerings. This 
feature helps produce a longer revenue stream, a higher margin, 
and an opportunity to produce significant investment income.

FHL has been a very good acquisition for Torchmark. We continue 
to see positive agent growth. Net health sales increased 7% in 2015, 
while the producing agent count increased 16%. We believe FHL 
has the potential to produce significant long-term growth through 
continued improvement in recruiting and the development of 
new agencies. 

United American primarily markets individual and group Medicare 
Supplement products via independent agents and Direct Response. 
While we focus primarily on life insurance at Torchmark, we take an 
opportunistic approach in the Medicare Supplement market. Our 
Medicare Supplement business delivers consistently strong margins 
and we administer it very efficiently. Overall Medicare Supplement 
sales were down in 2015 due to an unusually large amount of group 
sales in 2014, but individual Medicare Supplement sales increased 
36% in 2015. While group Medicare Supplement sales fluctuate 
significantly from year to year due to the impact of large groups, 
group sales have grown significantly over the long run. 

United American has also participated in the Medicare Part D 
Prescription Drug Program for the last ten years. As we have noted 
before, Part D is in effect a one year term business that is re-bid 
annually. Accordingly, we have evaluated our Part D involvement 
on an annual basis. While historically beneficial for us, this line 
of business has changed rapidly during the past few years. 
When we evaluated the Part D business this year, we considered 
the following factors:

•   Deteriorating margin

•  Increasing competition

•   Shifting of risk from the government to carriers

•   Skyrocketing drug costs

•   Negative impact on investment income

•  Increased compliance requirements resulting in increased 
administrative expenses

For these reasons, and because Part D has become a distraction 
taking focus from our core business, we have committed to a plan 
to sell our Part D business in 2016. Therefore, we have reflected its 
financial results in discontinued operations.

LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS  |  TORCHMARK CORPORATION  |  7

INVESTMENT OPERATIONS

INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO 

COMPONENTS OF NET OPERATING INCOME 
($ in millions, except per share data)

Underwriting Income

Excess Investment Income

Tax and Parent Expenses

Net Operating Income

Discontinued Operations - Part D

$595

  220

(292)

$523

11

Net Operating Income from all Operations

$534

PER SHARE

$4.69

  1.73

(2.29)

$4.13

.08

$4.21

EXCESS INVESTMENT INCOME

Excess investment income is net investment income less the 
required interest on the net policy liabilities and the interest on our 
debt. Approximately 27% of our pre-tax operating income before 
parent expenses was produced by excess investment income.

EXCESS INVESTMENT INCOME 
($ in millions)

Net Investment Income

Required Interest on Net Policy Liabilities

Interest on Debt

Excess Investment Income

$774

(478)

(76)

$220

Low interest rates have been a drag on our growth for several years 
now. In recent years excess investment income has either not grown 
at all or has grown at a slower pace than our invested assets largely 
due to the impact of our Part D operations. Going forward, we 
expect that our excess investment income will grow at about the 
same rate as our invested assets.

INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - DECEMBER 31, 2015
Invested Assets ($ in millions)

Fixed Maturities (at amortized cost)

$13,252

96%

$

% OF TOTAL

Equities

Policy Loans

Other Investments

Total

1

492

92

0

4

0

$13,837

100%

Torchmark maintains a conservative investment philosophy. Our 
investment portfolio consists primarily of investment grade fixed-
maturity assets. Due to the strength of our insurance underwriting 
margins, we don’t need to pursue an aggressive investment 
strategy. When making investment decisions, the most important 
criteria we consider is preservation of principal. 

We invest in long-term, investment grade fixed-rate assets as they 
best match our fixed-rate long-term liabilities. As such, we seek to 
invest in entities that we expect to be around for a very long time. 
The ability to weather severe downturns is a critical component of 
our selection criteria. This is particularly true in the energy industry, 
due to the volatility of oil prices. 

We closely monitor our energy holdings and believe there is 
minimal risk of realizing losses over the next year or two for the 
following reasons:

•  94% of our energy holdings are investment grade. For NAIC 
purposes, 91% of our energy holdings are investment grade;

•   Only about 9% of our energy holdings are in the oil field service 
and drilling sector. Approximately 70% of the oil field service and 
drilling holdings are investment grade;

•   Based on a consensus of industry expert views, we believe oil is 
more likely to increase to over $45 a barrel during the next 12 to 24 
months than remain at the $30 a barrel level we saw in 2015. We 
believe the companies in our portfolio can continue to operate 
for a very long time with oil prices at $45 to $50 a barrel. However, 
even if oil was around $30 a barrel for the next 12 to 24 months, we 
wouldn’t expect to have significant defaults during that period; 

8  |  TORCHMARK CORPORATION  |  LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS

$320  
- $330

2016 

Estimate

•  And finally, the companies we have invested in have a variety 
of options they can utilize to avoid default, including but not 
limited to:  

interest rate environment. We would like to see rising new money 
interest rates because of the positive effect that it would have on 
our investment income.

- reducing distributions to partners,

- drawing on lines of credit, and 

- reducing exploration activities.

While we don’t currently expect to realize losses, we do believe 
that rating agency downgrades could occur which could pressure 
our RBC ratio. To illustrate the potential impact of downgrades, let’s 
consider a stress scenario in which each of our energy holdings is 
downgraded one NAIC risk classification level. In this scenario, our 
consolidated RBC ratio would be reduced by about 25 percentage 
points. To fully restore the RBC ratio, approximately $125 million 
of capital would be required to be contributed to the insurance 
companies. While we certainly don’t expect such a scenario to 
occur, we have sufficient sources of liquidity to address such a 
situation without materially impacting the cash flow returned to 
shareholders through stock buybacks and shareholder dividends. 

We are not concerned about the possibility of unrealized losses 
generated by significant rate increases, as we have the intent and 
more importantly, the ability, to hold our investments to maturity. 

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

FREE CASH FLOW
($ in Millions)

$353

$300

$281

$367*

$364

$358

BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE BONDS
As a Percent of Fixed Maturities*

2005

2007

2009

2011

2013

2015

8.0%

8.1%

8.1%

*Excludes $305 of free cash flow from the sale of United Investors.

6.4%

4.8%

4.5%

2005

2007

2009

2011

2013

2015

* Excluding net unrealized gains and losses

Our below investment grade (BIG) bonds make up 4.8% of our fixed 
maturity portfolio at amortized cost. Because of our relatively low 
portfolio leverage, the ratio of BIG bonds to equity, excluding net 
unrealized gains on fixed maturities, is only 17%.

INTEREST RATE ENVIRONMENT
While low interest rates have a negative impact on our investment 
income, we are not concerned about an impact on our balance 
sheet should new money rates remain low for an extended period. 
The products we sell are not interest-sensitive and therefore are 
accounted for using interest rate assumptions that are locked in for 
the life of the business.

Due to the high underwriting margins generated by our insurance 
operations, we don’t expect to be required to increase reserves or 
write-off deferred acquisition costs as a result of an extended low 

We define free cash flow as the cash that is available to the parent 
company from the annual dividends received from the insurance 
subsidiaries after paying interest expense on debt and dividends 
to Torchmark shareholders. We have a large, stable block of inforce 
policies that generates substantial free cash flow year after year. As 
you can see in the chart above, we generated significant free cash 
flow even during the global financial crisis. 

On a per share basis, free cash flow has increased from $1.26 per 
share in 2005 to $2.82 per share at the end of 2015. Once again, free 
cash flow is cash available after paying shareholder dividends and 
interest expense. Shareholder dividends have grown from $0.20 per 
share to $0.53 per share over that same period. 

In 2016, we expect to generate free cash flow of around $320 to 
$330 million. The reduction from prior years is due to a decline in 
dividends from the insurance subsidiaries in 2016. These dividends 
will be lower in 2016 because of a decline in 2015 statutory net 
income caused primarily by the strong life sales growth we’ve had 
over the past few years. High first-year acquisition costs associated 
with life sales have a negative short-term impact on statutory net 
income and therefore reduce the amount of dividends available to 
the parent. This is a good problem to have, as high sales growth will 
ultimately create long-term growth in free cash flow.

LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS  |  TORCHMARK CORPORATION  |  9

SHARE REPURCHASES

AVERAGE  
PRICE

NO. OF SHARES  
(IN 000’S)

TOTAL SPENT 
(IN MILLIONS)

P/E 
RATIO†

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

$56.99

$52.42

$43.48

$32.13

$27.78

$23.78

$10.12

$24.83

$29.06

$25.54

6,292

7,155

8,280

11,219

28,347

8,560

4,613

17,185

13,837

12,544

$359

$375

$360

$360

$788

$204

$47

$427

$402

$320

13.5

13.0

11.4

9.3

9.3

8.7

4.0

10.1

12.7

11.5

†  Values prior to 2007 are not restated for the effect of accounting standard ASU 2010-26 
due to lack of information. Ratios were calculated using total net operating income, 
including discontinued operations.

We have been conducting our share repurchase program for thirty 
years now. During that time, the only year we didn’t repurchase 
stock was in 1995 due to the acquisition of American Income. 
Since 1986 we have spent $6.5 billion to repurchase 78% of the 
outstanding shares of the Company.

We are firmly committed to returning excess capital to our 
shareholders. As noted earlier, we have returned approximately 
77% of our net income to shareholders since 1986 through 
dividends and share repurchases. Over the past ten years, that 
percentage has been approximately 85%.

RETURN TO SHAREHOLDERS
($ in Millions) 

SHARE 
REPURCHASES

DIVIDENDS 
PAID

(A) TOTAL CASH 
RETURNED

(B) NET 
INCOME

(A)/(B)

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

$359

$375

$360

$360

$788

$204

$47

$427

$402

$320

$67

$65

$61

$56

$49

$50

$47

$49

$50

$48

$426

$440

$421

$416

$837

$254

$94

$476

$452

$368

$527

$543

$528

$529

$497

$499

$383

$427

$497

$519

10-Year Total

$4,184

$4,949

81%

81%

80%

79%

168%

51%

24%

111%

91%

71%

85%

10  |  TORCHMARK CORPORATION  |  LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS

CONCLUSION
We are very enthusiastic about Torchmark’s prospects. The 
Company is uniquely positioned to meet the basic protection 
needs of a vastly underserved market – a market that we believe 
offers unlimited growth potential. We are going to focus intently on 
executing our fundamental business model while taking advantage 
of opportunities created by technological and societal evolution. 
We expect this powerful combination of old-fashioned hard work 
and strategic innovation to deliver significant shareholder value for 
years to come. Thank you for your investment in Torchmark.

GARY L. COLEMAN
Co-Chairman and  
Chief Executive Officer

LARRY M. HUTCHISON
Co-Chairman and  
Chief Executive Officer

Torchmark cautions you that this Letter to Shareholders may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities law. These 
prospective statements reflect management’s current expectations, but are not guarantees of future performance. Accordingly, please refer to Torchmark’s 
cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements and the business environment in which the Company operates, contained in the Company’s 
Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2015, found on the following pages and on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Torchmark 
specifically disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement because of new information, future developments or otherwise.

LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS  |  TORCHMARK CORPORATION  |  11

12  |  TORCHMARK CORPORATION  |  LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS

DIRECTORS

CHARLES E. ADAIR
Partner of Cordova Ventures
Montgomery, Alabama

MARILYN A. ALEXANDER
Principal of Alexander and Friedman, LLC
Laguna Beach, California

DAVID L. BOREN
President of the University of Oklahoma
Norman, Oklahoma

JANE M. BUCHAN
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Pacific 
Alternative Asset Management Company, LLC
Irvine, California

GARY L. COLEMAN
Co-Chairman and Chief Executive  
Officer of Torchmark

OFFICERS

GARY L. COLEMAN
Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

LARRY M. HUTCHISON
Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

ARVELIA M. BOWIE
Vice President and 
Director of Human Resources

JOHN T. DALY
Corporate Actuary

J. MATTHEW DARDEN
Executive Vice President,  
Innovations and Business Development

VERN D. HERBEL
Executive Vice President and
Chief Administrative Officer

OFFICERS OF SUBSIDIARIES

AMERICAN INCOME LIFE
ROGER SMITH
Chief Executive Officer and President

FAMILY HERITAGE LIFE
KENNETH J. MATSON
President

LARRY M. HUTCHISON
Co-Chairman and Chief Executive  
Officer of Torchmark

ROBERT W. INGRAM
Retired Ross-Culverhouse Professor of Accounting in 
Culverhouse College of Commerce, University of Alabama
Gulf Breeze, Florida

LLOYD W. NEWTON
Retired Executive Vice President  
Military Engines of Pratt & Whitney,  
Retired General, United States Air Force
Lithia, Florida

DARREN M. REBELEZ
President of International 
House of Pancakes, LLC 
Glendale, California

LAMAR C. SMITH
Retired Executive Chairman of  
Vista Machining Company,
Retired Chief Executive Officer of  
First Command Financial Services, Inc. 
Fort Worth, Texas

PAUL J. ZUCCONI
Retired Partner of KPMG LLP
Plano, Texas

CHRISTOPHER T. MOORE
Assistant Secretary

W. MICHAEL PRESSLEY
Executive Vice President and  
Chief Investment Officer

FRANK M. SVOBODA
Executive Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer

UNITED AMERICAN
MICHAEL C. MAJORS
President

BEN W. LUTEK
Executive Vice President and  
Chief Actuary

MICHAEL C. MAJORS
Vice President, Investor Relations

CAROL A. MCCOY
Vice President, Associate Counsel  
and Corporate Secretary

JAMES E. MCPARTLAND
Executive Vice President and
Chief Information Officer

R. BRIAN MITCHELL
Executive Vice President and
General Counsel

GLOBE LIFE
BILL E. LEAVELL
President

LIBERTY NATIONAL LIFE
ROGER SMITH
Chief Executive Officer

STEVEN J. DICHIARO
 President

LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS  |  TORCHMARK CORPORATION  |  13

OPERATING SUMMARY

Unaudited and in thousands except per share amounts

UNDERWRITING INCOME

Life:

Premium
Net policy obligations
Non-deferred commissions and amortization
Non-deferred acquisition expense

Underwriting margin

Health:

Premium
Net policy obligations
Non-deferred commissions and amortization
Non-deferred acquisition expense

Underwriting margin

Annuity underwriting margin

Total underwriting margin
Other income
Insurance administration expenses

Underwriting income
EXCESS INVESTMENT INCOME

Net investment income
Required interest on:

Net policy liabilities:
Policy reserves
Deferred acquisition costs

Debt

Total excess investment income

Corporate expenses

Pre-tax operating income
Income tax
Net Operating Income before stock compensation expense
Stock compensation expense, net of tax
Net operating income from continuing operations
Operating EPS on a diluted basis from continuing operations
Discontinued operations - Part D
NET OPERATING INCOME
Operating EPS on a diluted basis
Diluted average shares outstanding

Reconciliation of Net Operating Income to Net Income:
Net operating income
Non operating items, net of tax:

Realized gains/(losses) - investments
Administrative settlements
Legal settlement expenses 

Net Income

EPS on a diluted basis

Twelve months ended December 31,

2015

2014

%  Increase
 or Decrease

5 

2 

6 

3 

6 
1 

2 

2 

0  

5 

0   
4 

$2,073,065 
(822,310)
(621,583)
(59,770)
569,402 

925,520 
(533,553)
(167,624)
(19,966)
204,377 

4,568 

778,347 
2,379 
(186,191)
594,535 

$1,966,300
(763,192)
(590,894)
(55,725)
556,489

869,440 
(495,416)
(155,779)
(18,926)
199,319 

4,312

760,120 
2,354 
(174,832)
587,642 

773,951 

758,286 

(674,650)
196,845 
(76,642)
219,504 
(9,003)

805,036 
(263,491)
541,545 
(18,632)
$522,913
$4.13
10,807

$533,720 
$4.21 
126,757 

(649,848)
192,052 
(76,126)
224,364 
(8,159)

803,847 
(263,312)
540,535
(20,932)
$519,603
$3.92
14,865

$534,468 
$4.03
132,640

$533,720 

$534,468

(5,714)
(906)
0
$527,100 

$4.16 

15,306
(5,316)
(1,519)
$542,939

$4.09

The Operating Summary has been prepared in the manner Torchmark management uses to evaluate the operating results of the company. It differs 
from the Consolidated Statement of Operations found in the accompanying SEC Form 10-K.

14  |  TORCHMARK CORPORATION  |  OPERATING SUMMARY

 
 
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET

Unaudited and in thousands except percentage and per share amounts

Assets:

Fixed maturities at amortized cost*
Cash and short-term investments
Mortgages and real estate
Other investments
Deferred acquisition costs* 
Goodwill
Other assets
Assets held for sale
Total assets* 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity:

Policy liabilities
Accrued income taxes* 
Short-term debt
Long-term debt and trust preferred securities
Other liabilities
Liabilities held for sale
Shareholders’ equity, excluding ASC 320  *+

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

Actual shares outstanding:

Basic
Diluted

Book value (shareholders’ equity, excluding ASC 320) per diluted share
Net operating income as a return on average equity, excluding ASC 320

Average equity, excluding ASC 320
Debt to capital ratio, excluding ASC 320

At December 31,

2015

2014

$

$

$

$

$

$

13,251,871 
116,149 
203 
530,697 
3,625,004 
441,591 
1,076,571 
312,843 
19,354,929 

12,681,718 
1,276,489 
490,129 
743,733 
380,158 
51,035 
3,731,667 
19,354,929 

122,370 
123,996 

30.09 
14.5%
3,670,364 
24.8%

$

$

$

$

$

$

12,823,612 
81,901 
203 
483,832 
3,473,948 
441,591 
1,026,230 
288,045 
18,619,362 

12,171,793 
1,207,556 
238,398 
992,130 
347,526 
38,876 
3,623,083 
18,619,362 

127,930 
129,812 

27.91 
14.9%
3,577,014 
25.4%

Reconciliation of Torchmark management’s view of selected financial measures to comparable GAAP measures*:

Shareholders’ equity, excluding fair value adjustments*

Effect of fair value adjustments required by ASC 320*:

Increase fixed maturities
Decrease deferred acquisition costs
Increase accrued income taxes

Shareholders’ equity*

Other comparable GAAP measures:

Fixed maturities
Deferred acquisition costs
Total assets
Shareholders’ equity
Accrued income taxes
Book value (shareholders’ equity) per diluted share
Net income as a return on average equity

Average equity
Debt to capital ratio

$

3,731,667 

$

3,623,083

506,153 
(7,869)
(174,399)
4,055,552 

13,758,024 
3,617,135 
19,853,213 
4,055,552 
1,450,888 
32.71 
11.9%
4,445,201 
23.3%

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,669,448
(16,551)
(578,514)
4,697,466

14,493,060 
3,457,397 
20,272,259 
4,697,466 
1,786,070 
36.19 
12.5%
4,340,254 
20.8%

*The Condensed Balance Sheet, Excluding ASC 320 has been prepared in the manner Torchmark management, industry analysts, rating agencies and financial 
institutions use to evaluate the financial position of the company. It differs from the Consolidated Balance Sheet found in the accompanying SEC Form 10-K.
+Formerly known as FAS 115

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET  |  TORCHMARK CORPORATION  |  15

16  |  TORCHMARK CORPORATION  |  CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                              to                             

Commission file number: 001-08052

TORCHMARK CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

3700 South Stonebridge Drive, McKinney, TX

(Address of principal executive offices)

63-0780404
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

75070

(Zip Code)

972-569-4000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
None
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share

Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share

CUSIP

891027104

891027104

Name of each exchange on
which registered

New York Stock Exchange

The International Stock Exchange, London, England

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.          

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:     None

Yes  

      No   

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. 

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 

        No 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not 
be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part 
III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. 

  Yes  

      No 

 
 
 
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every 
Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during 
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller 
reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 
of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Yes  

     No  

Large accelerated filer

  Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

  Smaller reporting company

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). 

Yes  

    No  

As of June 30, 2015, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was 
$7,291,560,829 based on the closing sale price as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class
Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share

Outstanding at February 19, 2016
121,264,589 shares

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Document
Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be
held May 12, 2016 (Proxy Statement)

Parts Into Which Incorporated
Part III

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
PART I.

PART II.

TORCHMARK CORPORATION
INDEX

Item 1.

Business .........................................................................................................................................

Item 1A. Risk Factors ...................................................................................................................................

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments ...........................................................................................................

Item 2.

Properties .......................................................................................................................................

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings ..........................................................................................................................

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures .................................................................................................................

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of 
Equity Securities .............................................................................................................................

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data ..................................................................................................................

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ............

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk ...........................................................

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data ..............................................................................

Consolidated Balance Sheets .........................................................................................................
Consolidated Statements of Operations .........................................................................................
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income .....................................................................
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity ..........................................................................
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ........................................................................................
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ..................................................................................
Note 1- Significant Accounting Policies ...........................................................................................
Note 2- Statutory Accounting ..........................................................................................................

Note 3- Supplemental Information About Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Note 4- Investments .......................................................................................................................

Note 5- Deferred Acquisition Costs .................................................................................................

Note 6- Discontinued Operations ....................................................................................................

Note 7- Liability for Unpaid Health Claims ......................................................................................

Note 8- Income Taxes .....................................................................................................................

Note 9- Postretirement Benefits ......................................................................................................

Note 10-Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information ........................................................

Note 11- Debt

.................................................................................................................................

Note 12- Shareholders' Equity ........................................................................................................

Note 13- Stock-Based Compensation .............................................................................................

Note 14- Business Segments .........................................................................................................

Note 15- Commitments and Contingencies ....................................................................................

Note 16- Selected Quarterly Data ...................................................................................................

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure ...........

Page

1

6

11

12

12

12

13

15

16

47

48

50
51
52
53
54
55
55
64

65

67

77

78

80

81

83

90

91

93

94

99

106

108

109

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures ................................................................................................................

109

Item 9B. Other Information ...........................................................................................................................

109

 
  
 
 
PART III.

PART IV.

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance ..............................................................

Item 11. Executive Compensation ................................................................................................................

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder 
Matters ...........................................................................................................................................

112

112

112

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence .................................

112

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services .........................................................................................

112

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules ..................................................................................

113

PART I

Item 1.  Business

Torchmark Corporation (Torchmark) is an insurance holding company incorporated in Delaware in 1979. Its primary 
subsidiaries  are  American  Income  Life  Insurance  Company  (American  Income),  Liberty  National  Life  Insurance 
Company  (Liberty  National),  Globe  Life  And  Accident  Insurance  Company  (Globe),  United  American  Insurance 
Company (United American), and Family Heritage Life Insurance Company of America (Family Heritage).

Torchmark’s website is: www.torchmarkcorp.com. Torchmark makes available free of charge through its website, its 
annual report on Form 10-K, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to 
those  reports  as  soon  as  reasonably  practicable  after  they  have  been  electronically  filed  with  or  furnished  to  the 
Securities and Exchange Commission.

The following table presents Torchmark’s business by primary marketing distribution method. 

Primary
Distribution 
Method

Company

Products and Target
Markets

Distribution

American
Income
Exclusive
Agency

American Income 
Life Insurance 
Company
Waco, Texas

Individual life and
supplemental health
insurance marketed to
working families.

6,552 producing
agents in the U.S.,
Canada, and New
Zealand.

Globe Life Direct
Response

Globe Life And 
Accident Insurance 
Company
Oklahoma City, 
Oklahoma

Individual life and
supplemental health
insurance including juvenile
and senior life coverage and
Medicare Supplement to
middle-income Americans.

Direct mail,
internet, television,
magazine;
nationwide.

Family Heritage
Exclusive
Agency

Family Heritage Life 
Insurance Company 
of America
Cleveland, Ohio

Supplemental limited-benefit
health insurance to middle-
income families.

911 captive agents
in the U.S.

Liberty National
Exclusive
Agency

Liberty National Life 
Insurance Company
McKinney, Texas

Individual life and
supplemental health
insurance marketed to
middle-income families.

1,478 producing
agents in the U.S.

United American
Independent
Agency

United American
Insurance Company
McKinney, Texas

Medicare Supplement
coverage to Medicare
beneficiaries and, to a lesser
extent, supplemental limited-
benefit health coverage to
people under age 65.

3,893 independent
producing agents in
the U.S.

Additional information concerning industry segments may be found in Management’s Discussion and Analysis and in 
Note 14—Business Segments in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life Insurance

Insurance

Torchmark’s insurance subsidiaries write a variety of nonparticipating ordinary life insurance products. These include 
traditional and interest sensitive whole-life insurance, term life insurance, and other life insurance. The following table 
presents selected information about Torchmark’s life products.

Annualized Premium in Force
(Amounts in thousands)
2014

2013

2015

Whole life:

Traditional ........................................................................................ $ 1,378,290
50,808
Interest-sensitive ..............................................................................
642,599
Term .....................................................................................................
78,801
Other ....................................................................................................
$ 2,150,498

$ 1,296,403
54,490
619,782
73,870
$ 2,044,545

$ 1,235,904
58,549
591,628
69,320
$ 1,955,401

The distribution methods for life insurance products include sales by direct response, exclusive agents and independent 
agents. These methods are described in more depth in the Distribution Method chart earlier in this report. The following 
table presents life annualized premium in force by distribution method.

Globe Life Direct Response ................................................................. $
Exclusive agents:

Annualized Premium in Force
(Amounts in thousands)
2014
721,261

2015
757,518

$

$

2013
688,866

American Income ...............................................................................
Liberty National ..................................................................................

880,021
284,597

807,935
285,201

749,165
287,079

Independent agents:

United American .................................................................................
Other ..................................................................................................

14,488
213,874
$ 2,150,498

15,831
214,317
$ 2,044,545

17,846
212,445
$ 1,955,401

Health Insurance

Torchmark  offers  limited-benefit  supplemental  health  insurance  products  that  include  primarily  critical  illness  and 
accident plans. These policies are designed to supplement health coverage that applicants already own. Medicare 
Supplements are also offered to enrollees in the traditional fee-for-service Medicare program. Medicare Supplement 
plans are standardized by federal regulation and are designed to pay deductibles and co-payments not paid by Medicare. 

On February 4, 2016, Torchmark announced that management has committed to a plan to sell its Medicare Part D 
business during the calendar year 2016.  Torchmark no longer wishes to emphasize its Medicare Part D business due 
to  declining  margins,  increased  risks,  higher  drug  costs,  and  increased  administrative  and  compliance  costs. 
Management believes this sale will allow the Company to better focus on its core protection life and health insurance 
businesses.  As the historical results for the Medicare Part D business are accounted for as discontinued operations, 
all business results and  relevant forward looking statements of the Company are reported as continuing operations. 
 For further discussion of the disposition of the Medicare Part D business, see Note 6—Discontinued Operations in 
the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table presents supplemental health annualized premium in force information for the three years ended 
December 31, 2015 by product category.

Annualized Premium in Force
(Amounts in thousands)
2014

2013

2015

Amount
Medicare Supplement ............................................... $498,696
474,346
Limited-benefit plans ................................................
$973,042

% of
Total
51
49
100

Amount
$488,142
459,181
$947,323

% of
Total
52
48
100

Amount  
$435,788
451,656
$887,444

% of
Total
49
51
100

The following table presents supplemental health annualized premium in force for the three years ended 
December 31, 2015 by marketing (distribution) method.

Annualized Premium in Force
(Amounts in thousands)
2014

2013

2015

Globe Life Direct Response ..................................................................... $
Exclusive agents:

72,423

$

72,659

$

55,270

Liberty National ...................................................................................
American Income ................................................................................
Family Heritage ...................................................................................

216,139
74,058
234,120

226,599
71,942
217,742

240,581
71,354
201,054

Independent agents:

United American ..................................................................................

376,302
$ 973,042

358,381
$ 947,323

319,185
$ 887,444

Annuities

Annuity products include single-premium and flexible-premium deferred annuities. Annuities in each of the three years 
ended December 31, 2015 comprised less than 1% of premium.

Pricing

Premium rates for life and health insurance products are established using assumptions as to future mortality, morbidity, 
persistency, and expenses. These assumptions are based on Company experience and projected investment earnings. 
Revenues for individual life and health insurance products are primarily derived from premium income, and, to a lesser 
extent, through policy charges to the policyholder account values on annuity products and certain individual life products. 
Profitability is affected to the extent actual experience deviates from the assumptions made in pricing and to the extent 
investment income varies from that which is required for policy reserves.

Collections for annuity products and certain life products are not recognized as revenues but are added to policyholder 
account values. Revenues from these products are derived from charges to the account balances for insurance risk 
and administrative costs. Profits are earned to the extent these revenues exceed actual costs. Profits are also earned 
from investment income on the deposits invested in excess of the amounts credited to policyholder accounts.

Underwriting

The underwriting standards of each Torchmark insurance subsidiary are established by management. Each subsidiary 
uses information from the application and, in some cases, telephone interviews with applicants, inspection reports, 
pharmacy data, doctors’ statements and/or medical examinations to determine whether a policy should be issued in 
accordance with the application, with a different rating, with a rider, with reduced coverage or rejected.

3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reserves

The life insurance policy reserves reflected in Torchmark’s financial statements as future policy benefits are calculated 
based on generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). These reserves, with premiums to be received in the future 
and  the  interest  thereon  compounded  annually  at  assumed  rates,  must  be  sufficient  to  cover  policy  and  contract 
obligations as they mature. Generally, the mortality and persistency assumptions used in the calculations of reserves 
are based on Company experience. Similar reserves are held on most of the health policies written by Torchmark’s 
insurance subsidiaries, since these policies generally are issued on a guaranteed-renewable basis. The assumptions 
used in the calculation of Torchmark’s reserves are reported in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes 
to  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  Reserves  for  annuity  products  and  certain  life  products  consist  of  the 
policyholders’ account values and are increased by policyholder deposits and interest credited and are decreased by 
policy charges and benefit payments.

Investments

The nature, quality, and percentage mix of insurance company investments are regulated by state laws. The investments 
of Torchmark insurance subsidiaries consist predominantly of high-quality, investment-grade securities. Fixed maturities 
represented 96% of total investments at fair value at December 31, 2015. (See Note 4—Investments  in the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis.)

Competition

Torchmark competes with other insurance carriers through policyholder service, price, product design, and sales efforts. 
While there are insurance companies competing with Torchmark, no individual company dominates any of Torchmark’s 
life or health markets.

Torchmark’s health insurance products compete with, in addition to the products of other health insurance carriers, 
health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations, and other health care-related institutions which 
provide medical benefits based on contractual agreements.

Management believes Torchmark companies operate at lower policy acquisition and administrative expense levels 
than peer companies. This allows Torchmark to have competitive rates while maintaining higher underwriting margins.

Regulation

Insurance.  Insurance companies are subject to regulation and supervision in the states in which they do business. 
The laws of the various states establish agencies with broad administrative and supervisory powers which include, 
among other things, granting and revoking licenses to transact business, regulating trade practices, licensing agents, 
approving  policy  forms,  approving  certain  premium  rates,  setting  minimum  reserve  and  loss  ratio  requirements, 
determining the form and content of required financial statements, and prescribing the type and amount of investments 
permitted. They are also required to file detailed annual reports with supervisory agencies, and records of their business 
are subject to examination at any time. Under the rules of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), 
insurance companies are examined periodically by one or more of the supervisory agencies.

Risk Based Capital.  The NAIC requires a risk based capital formula be applied to all life and health insurers. The risk 
based capital formula is a threshold formula rather than a target capital formula. It is designed only to identify companies 
that require regulatory attention and is not to be used to rate or rank companies that are adequately capitalized. All 
Torchmark insurance subsidiaries are more than adequately capitalized under the risk based capital formula.

Guaranty Assessments.  State guaranty laws provide for assessments from insurance companies to be placed into a 
fund which is used, in the event of failure or insolvency of an insurance company, to fulfill the obligations of that company 
to its policyholders. The amount which a company is assessed is based on its proportional share of the premium in 
each state. Assessments are recoverable to a great extent as offsets against state premium taxes.

Holding  Company.    States  have  enacted  legislation  requiring  registration  and  periodic  reporting  by  insurance 
companies domiciled within their respective jurisdictions that control or are controlled by other corporations so as to 
constitute a holding company system. Torchmark and its subsidiaries have registered as a holding company system 
pursuant to such legislation in Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio, and New York.

4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Insurance holding company system statutes and regulations impose various limitations on investments in subsidiaries, 
and may require prior regulatory approval for material transactions between insurers and affiliates and for the payment 
of certain dividends and other distributions.

Personnel

At the end of 2015, Torchmark had 3,115 employees.

5

 
 
Item 1A.  Risk Factors

Risks Related to Our Business

Product Marketplace and Operational Risks:

The insurance industry is a regulated industry, populated by many firms. We operate in the life and health insurance 
sectors of the insurance industry, each with its own set of risks.

The development and maintenance of our various distribution systems are critical to growth in product sales 
and profits. As our life and health insurance sales are primarily made to individuals, rather than groups, and the face 
amounts sold are lower than that of policies sold in the higher income market, the development, maintenance, and 
retention of adequate numbers of producing agents and Globe Life Direct Response systems to support growth of 
sales in this market are critical. Adequate compensation that is competitive with other career opportunities and that 
also motivates producing agents to increase sales is critical. In Globe Life Direct Response, continuous development 
of new offerings and cost efficiency are key. Less than optimum execution of these strategies may result in reduced 
sales and profits.

Economic conditions may materially adversely affect our business and results of operations. We serve primarily 
the middle-income market for individual protection life and health insurance and, as a result, we compete directly with 
alternative uses of a customer’s disposable income. If disposable income within this demographic group declines or 
the use of disposable income becomes more limited, as a result of a significant, sustained economic downturn or 
otherwise,  then  new  sales  of  our  insurance  products  could  become  more  challenging,  and  our  policyholders  may 
choose to defer paying insurance premiums or stop paying insurance premiums altogether. Economic conditions could 
also impact our investment portfolio as discussed under Investment Risks below.

Variations in expected to actual rates of mortality, morbidity, and persistency could materially negatively affect 
our  results  of  operations  and  financial  condition.  We  establish  a  liability  for  our  policy  reserves  to  pay  future 
policyholder benefits and claims. These reserves do not represent an exact calculation of liability, but rather are actuarial 
estimates based on models that include many assumptions and projections which are inherently uncertain. The reserve 
computations involve the exercise of significant judgment with respect to levels of mortality, morbidity, and persistency 
as well as the timing of premium and benefit payments. Even though our actuaries continually test expected-to-actual 
results, actual levels that occur may differ significantly from the levels assumed when premium rates were first set. 
Accordingly, we cannot determine with precision the ultimate amounts of claims or benefits that we will pay or the 
timing of such payments. Significant variations from the levels assumed when policy reserves are first set could require 
policy obligations to be increased and negatively affect our profit margins and income.

A ratings downgrade or other negative action by a rating agency could materially affect our business, financial 
condition  and  results  of  operations.  Various  rating  agencies  review  the  financial  performance  and  condition  of 
insurers, including our insurance subsidiaries, and publish their financial strength ratings as indicators of an insurer’s 
ability to meet policyholder and contract holder obligations. These ratings are important to maintaining public confidence 
in our insurance products. A downgrade or other negative action by a rating agency with respect to the financial strength 
ratings of our insurance subsidiaries could negatively affect us in many ways, including the following: limiting or restricting 
the ability of our insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends to us and adversely affecting our ability to sell insurance 
products through our independent agencies.

Rating agencies also publish credit ratings for us. Credit ratings are indicators of a debt issuer’s ability to meet the 
terms of debt obligations in a timely manner. These ratings are important to our overall ability to access certain types 
of liquidity. Actual or anticipated downgrades in our credit ratings, or an announcement that our ratings are under further 
review for a downgrade, could potentially have a negative effect on our operations, by limiting our access to capital 
markets, increasing the cost of debt, impairing our ability to raise capital to refinance maturing debt obligations, limiting 
our capacity to support growth at our insurance subsidiaries, or making it more difficult to maintain or improve the 
current financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries.

Ratings reflect only the rating agency’s views and are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold our securities. Rating 
agencies assign ratings based upon several factors. While most of the factors relate to the rated company, some of 
the factors relate to the views of the rating agency, general economic conditions and circumstances outside the rated 
company’s control. In addition, rating agencies use various models and formulas to assess the strength of a rated 

6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
company, and from time to time rating agencies have, in their discretion, altered the models. Changes to the models 
could impact the rating agencies’ judgment of the rating to be assigned to the rated company. There can be no assurance 
that current credit ratings will remain in effect for any given period of time or that such ratings will not be lowered, 
suspended or withdrawn entirely by the rating agencies, if in each rating agency’s judgment, circumstances so warrant. 
We cannot predict what actions the rating agencies may take, or what actions we may take in response to the actions 
of the rating agencies, which could negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Reputational Risk:

Damage to the reputation of Torchmark or its subsidiaries could affect our ability to conduct business. Negative 
publicity through traditional media, internet, social media, and other public forums could damage our reputation and 
adversely impact our agent recruiting efforts, the ability to market our products, and the persistency of our block of 
inforce policies.

Life Insurance Marketplace Risk:

Our life products are sold in selected niche markets. We are at risk should any of these markets diminish. We 
have two life distribution channels that focus on distinct market niches: labor union members and sales via Globe Life 
Direct Response solicitation. Deterioration of our relationships with organized labor or adverse changes in the public’s 
receptivity to unsolicited Globe Life Direct Response marketing could negatively affect this business.

Health Insurance Marketplace Risks:

The health insurance market is subject to substantial legislative scrutiny. Legislative changes could impact our 
Medicare Supplement and other supplemental health businesses. The nature and timing of any such changes cannot 
be predicted and could have a material adverse effect on that business.

Competition in the health market can be significant. Sales of our health insurance products are subject to competition 
from other health insurance companies and alternative healthcare providers, such as those that provide alternatives 
to traditional Medicare to seniors. In addition, some insurers may be willing to significantly reduce their profit margins 
or under price new sales in order to gain market share. We choose not to compete for market share based on these 
terms. Accordingly, changes in the competitive landscape, including the pricing strategies employed by our competitors, 
could negatively impact the future sales of our health insurance products.

An inability to obtain timely and appropriate premium rate increases for the health insurance policies we sell 
due to regulatory delay could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. A significant 
percentage  of  the  health  insurance  premiums  that  our  insurance  subsidiaries  earn  is  from  Medicare  Supplement 
insurance. Medicare Supplement insurance and the terms under which the premiums for such policies may be increased 
are highly regulated at both the state and federal level. As a result, it is characterized by lower profit margins than life 
insurance  and  requires  strict  administrative  discipline  and  economies  of  scale  for  success.  Because  Medicare 
Supplement policies are coordinated with the federal Medicare program, which experiences health care inflation every 
year,  annual  premium  rate  increases  for  the  Medicare  Supplement  policies  are  necessary.  Obtaining  timely  rate 
increases is of critical importance to our success in this market. Accordingly, the inability of our insurance subsidiaries 
to obtain approval of premium rate increases in a timely manner from state insurance regulatory authorities in the future 
could adversely impact their profitability.

Investment Risks:

Our investments are subject to market and credit risks. Our invested assets are subject to the customary risks of 
defaults, downgrades, and changes in market values. Substantially all of our investment portfolio consists of fixed-
maturity and short-term investments. A significant portion of our fixed-maturity investments is comprised of corporate 
bonds, exposing us to the risk that individual corporate issuers will not have the ability to make required interest or 
principal payments on the investment. Factors that may affect both market and credit risks include interest rate levels, 
financial market performance, disruptions in credit markets, general economic conditions, legislative changes, particular 
circumstances affecting the businesses or industries of each issuer, and other factors beyond our control. Additionally, 
because the majority of our investments are longer-term fixed maturities that we typically hold until maturity, significant 
increases in interest rates, widening of credit spreads, or inactive markets associated with market downturns could 
cause a material temporary decline in the fair value of our fixed investment portfolio, even with regard to performing 
assets. These declines could cause a material increase in unrealized losses in our investment portfolio. Significant 
7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
unrealized losses can substantially reduce our capital position and shareholders’ equity. It is possible that our investment 
in certain of these securities with unrealized losses may experience a default event and that a portion or all of that 
unrealized loss may not be recoverable. In that case, the unrealized loss will be realized, at which point we would take 
an impairment charge, reducing our net income.

Difficulties in the business of particular issuers or in industries in which we hold investments could cause 
significant downgrades, delinquencies and defaults in our investment portfolio, potentially resulting in lower 
net investment income and increased realized and unrealized investment losses. A default by an issuer could 
result in a significant other-than-temporary impairment of that investment, causing us to write the investment down 
and take a charge against net income. The risk of default is higher for bonds with longer-term maturities, which we 
acquire  in  order  to  match  our  long-term  insurance  obligations.  We  attempt  to  reduce  this  risk  by  purchasing  only 
investment grade securities and by carefully evaluating an issuer before entering into an investment. We cannot be 
assured that any particular issuer, regardless of industry, will be able to make required interest and principal payments, 
on a timely basis or at all. Significant downgrades of issuers could negatively  impact our risk-based capital ratios, 
leading to potential downgrades by our rating agencies, potential reduction in future dividend capacity, and/or higher 
financing costs at the holding company should additional statutory capital be required. Material other-than-temporary 
impairments could reduce our statutory surplus, leading to lower risk-based capital ratios, potential downgrades of our 
ratings by rating agencies and a potential reduction of future dividend capacity from our insurance subsidiaries. While 
we intend to hold our investments until maturity, a severe increase in defaults could cause us to suffer a significant 
decrease in investment income or principal repayments, resulting in substantial realized losses from the write downs 
of impaired investments. Current net income would be negatively impacted by the write downs, and prospective net 
income would be adversely impacted by the loss of future interest income.

Declines in interest rates could negatively affect income. Declines in interest rates expose insurance companies 
to the risk of not earning anticipated spreads between the interest rate earned on investments and the discount rates 
used to calculate the net policy liabilities. While we attempt to manage our investments to preserve the excess investment 
income spread, we provide no assurance that a significant and persistent decline in interest rates will not materially 
affect such spreads. Significant decreases in interest rates could result in calls by issuers of investments, where such 
features are available to issuers. These calls could result in a decline in our investment income, as reinvestment of 
the proceeds would likely be at lower rates.

Liquidity Risks:

Our liquidity to fund operations is substantially dependent on funds available, primarily dividends, from our 
insurance subsidiaries. As a holding company with no direct operations, our principal asset is the capital stock of 
our insurance subsidiaries, which periodically declare and distribute dividends on their capital stock. Moreover, our 
liquidity,  including  our  ability  to  pay  our  operating  expenses  and  to  make  principal  and  interest  payments  on  debt 
securities or other indebtedness owed by us, as well as our ability to pay dividends on our common stock or any 
preferred stock, depends significantly upon the surplus and earnings of our insurance subsidiaries and the ability of 
these subsidiaries to pay dividends or to advance or repay funds to us. Other sources of liquidity also include a variety 
of short-term and long-term instruments, including our credit facility, commercial paper, long-term debt, intercompany 
financing, and reinsurance.

The principal sources of our insurance subsidiaries’ liquidity are insurance premiums, as well as investment income, 
maturities, repayments, and other cash flow from our investment portfolio. Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to 
various state statutory and regulatory restrictions applicable to insurance companies that limit the amount of cash 
dividends, loans, and advances that those subsidiaries may pay to us, including laws establishing minimum solvency 
and liquidity thresholds. For example, in the states where our companies are domiciled, an insurance company generally 
may pay dividends only out of its unassigned surplus as reflected in its statutory financial statements filed in that state. 
Additionally, dividends paid by insurance subsidiaries are generally limited to the greater of prior year statutory net 
income,  excluding  capital  gains,  on  an  annual  noncumulative  basis  or  10%  of  prior  year  statutory  surplus  without 
regulatory approval. Accordingly, impairments in invested assets or a disruption in our insurance subsidiaries’ operations 
that reduces their capital or cash flow could limit or disallow payment of dividends to us, a principal source of our cash 
flow.

We can give no assurance that more stringent restrictions will not be adopted from time to time by states in which our 
insurance subsidiaries are domiciled, which could, under certain circumstances, significantly reduce dividends or other 
amounts paid to us by our subsidiaries. Although we do not anticipate changes, changes in these laws could constrain 

8

 
 
 
 
 
the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or to advance or repay funds to us in sufficient amounts and at times 
necessary to meet our debt obligations and corporate expenses. Additionally, the inability of our insurance subsidiaries 
to obtain approval of premium rate increases in a timely manner from state insurance regulatory authorities could 
adversely impact their profitability, and thus their ability to declare and distribute dividends to us. Limitations on the 
flow of dividends from our subsidiaries could limit our ability to service and repay debt or to pay dividends on our capital 
stock.

Adverse capital and credit market conditions may significantly affect our ability to meet liquidity needs or 
access capital, as well as affect our cost of capital. Should credit spreads widen in the future, the interest rate on 
any new debt obligation we may issue could increase, and our net income could be reduced. If the credit and capital 
markets were to experience significant disruption, uncertainty, and instability, these conditions could adversely affect 
our access to capital. Such market conditions may limit our ability to replace maturing liabilities (in a timely manner or 
at all) and/or access the capital necessary to grow our business.

In the unlikely event that current resources do not satisfy our needs, we may have to seek additional financing or raise 
capital. The availability of additional financing or capital will depend on a variety of factors such as market conditions, 
the general availability of credit or capital, the volume of trading activities, the overall availability of credit to the insurance 
industry,  and  our  credit  ratings  and  credit  capacity. Additionally,  customers,  lenders,  or  investors  could  develop  a 
negative perception of our long- or short-term financial prospects if we incur large investment losses or if the level of 
our business activity decreases due to a market downturn. Our access to funds may also be impaired if regulatory 
authorities  or  rating  agencies  take  negative  actions  against  us.  Our  internal  sources  of  liquidity  may  prove  to  be 
insufficient, and, in such case, we may not be able to successfully obtain additional financing on favorable terms, or 
at all. As such, we may be forced to delay raising capital, issue shorter term securities than we prefer, or bear an 
unattractive  cost  of  capital  which  could  decrease  our  profitability  and  significantly  reduce  our  financial  flexibility. 
Therefore, as a result, our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows could be materially negatively 
affected by disruptions in the financial markets.

Regulatory Risks:

Our businesses are heavily regulated, and changes in regulation may reduce our profitability and growth. 
Insurance companies, including our insurance subsidiaries, are subject to extensive supervision and regulation in the 
states  in  which  we  do  business.  The  primary  purpose  of  this  supervision  and  regulation  is  the  protection  of  our 
policyholders,  not  our  investors.  State  agencies  have  broad  administrative  power  over  numerous  aspects  of  our 
business, including premium rates and other terms and conditions that we can include in the insurance policies offered 
by  our  insurance  subsidiaries,  marketing  practices,  advertising,  licensing  agents,  policy  forms,  capital  adequacy, 
solvency, reserves, and permitted investments. Also, regulatory authorities have relatively broad discretion to grant, 
renew, or initiate procedures to revoke licenses or approvals. The insurance laws, regulations and policies currently 
affecting Torchmark and its insurance subsidiaries may change at any time, possibly having an adverse effect on our 
business.  Should  these  changes  to  our  business  occur,  we  may  be  unable  to  maintain  all  required  licenses  and 
approvals, and our business may not fully comply with the wide variety of applicable laws and regulations or the relevant 
authority’s interpretation of the laws and regulations, which may change from time to time. If we do not have the requisite 
licenses and approvals or do not comply with applicable regulatory requirements, the insurance regulatory authorities 
could preclude or temporarily suspend us from carrying on some or all of our activities or impose substantial fines.

We cannot predict the timing or substance of any future regulatory initiatives. In recent years, there has been increased 
scrutiny of insurance companies, including our insurance subsidiaries, by insurance regulatory authorities, which has 
included more extensive examinations and more detailed review of disclosure documents. These regulatory authorities 
may bring regulatory or other legal actions against us if, in their view, our practices, or those of our agents or employees, 
are improper. These actions can result in substantial fines, penalties, or prohibitions or restrictions on our business 
activities  and  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our  business,  results  of  operations,  or  financial  condition. 
Additionally, changes in the overall legal or regulatory environment may, even absent any particular regulatory authority’s 
interpretation of an issue changing, cause us to change our views regarding the actions that we need to take from a 
legal or regulatory risk management perspective, thus necessitating changes to our practices that may, in some cases, 
limit our ability to grow, impact regulatory capital requirements, or otherwise negatively impact the profitability of our 
business.

Currently, the U.S. federal government does not directly regulate the business of insurance. However, the Dodd-Frank 
Wall Street Record and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 has established a Federal Insurance Office (FIO) within the 

9

 
 
 
 
 
 
Department of the Treasury, and the Affordable Care Act and a Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) created 
the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO), originally established under the Department 
of Health and Human Services and subsequently transferred to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). 
The creation of these insurance regulatory offices may indicate that the federal government intends to play a larger 
role in the direct oversight or regulation of the insurance industry. We cannot predict what impact, if any, the FIO, FSOC 
and CCIIO, as well as any other proposals for federal oversight or regulation of insurance could have on our business, 
results of operations, or financial condition. 

Changes in U.S. federal income tax law could increase our tax costs. Changes to the Internal Revenue Code, 
administrative rulings, or court decisions affecting the insurance industry, including the products it offers, could increase 
our effective tax rate and lower our net income, or negatively affect our ability to sell some of our products.

Changes  in  accounting  standards  issued  by  accounting  standard-setting  bodies  may  affect  our  financial 
statements,  reduce  our  reported  profitability,  and  change  the  timing  of  profit  recognition.  Our  financial 
statements are subject to the application of generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America 
(GAAP), which principles are periodically revised and/or expanded. Accordingly, from time to time, we are required to 
adopt new or revised accounting standards or guidance issued by recognized authoritative bodies. It is possible that 
future accounting standards that we are required to adopt could change the current accounting treatment that we apply 
to our consolidated financial statements and that such changes could have a material adverse effect on our financial 
condition and results of operations. Further, standard setters have a full agenda of unissued topics under review at 
any given time, any of which have the potential to negatively impact our profitability.

If we fail to comply with restrictions on patient privacy and information security, including taking steps to 
ensure  that  our  business  associates  who  obtain  access  to  sensitive  patient  information  maintain  its 
confidentiality, our reputation and business operations could be materially adversely affected. The collection, 
maintenance, use, disclosure and disposal of individually identifiable data by our insurance subsidiaries are regulated 
at the international, federal and state levels. These laws and rules are subject to change by legislation or administrative 
or judicial interpretation. Various state laws address the use and disclosure of individually identifiable health data to 
the extent they are more restrictive than those contained in the privacy and security provisions in the federal Gramm-
Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (GLBA) and in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). HIPAA 
also requires that we impose privacy and security requirements on our business associates (as that term is defined in 
the HIPAA regulations). Noncompliance with any privacy laws or any security breach involving the misappropriation, 
loss or other unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential information, whether by us or by one of our business 
associates, could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation and results of operations and could include 
material fines and penalties, various forms of damages, consent orders regarding our privacy and security practices, 
adverse actions against our licenses to do business and injunctive relief.

Litigation Risk:

Litigation could result in substantial judgments against us or our subsidiaries. We are, and in the future may 
be, subject to litigation in the ordinary course of business. Some of these proceedings have been brought on behalf 
of various alleged classes of complainants, and, in certain of these matters, the plaintiffs are seeking large and/or 
indeterminate  amounts,  including  punitive  or  exemplary  damages.  Members  of  our  management  and  legal  teams 
review litigation on a quarterly and annual basis. However, the outcome of any such litigation cannot be predicted with 
certainty. A number of civil jury verdicts have been returned against insurers in the jurisdictions in which Torchmark 
and its insurance subsidiaries do business involving the insurers’ sales practices, alleged agent misconduct, failure to 
properly supervise agents, and other matters. These lawsuits have resulted in the award of substantial judgments 
against insurers that are disproportionate to the actual damages, including material amounts of punitive damages. In 
some states in which we operate, juries have substantial discretion in awarding punitive damages. This discretion 
creates the potential for unpredictable material adverse judgments in any given punitive damages suit.

Our pending and future litigation could adversely affect us because of the costs of defending these cases, the costs 
of settlement or judgments against us, or changes in our operations that could result from litigation. Substantial legal 
liability  in  these  or  future  legal  actions  could  also  have  a  material  financial  effect  or  cause  significant  harm  to  our 
reputation, which, in turn, could materially harm our business and our business prospects.

10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Catastrophic Event Risk:

Our business is subject to the risk of the occurrence of catastrophic events. Our insurance policies are issued 
to and held by a large number of policyholders throughout the United States in relatively low-face amounts. Accordingly, 
it is unlikely that a large portion of our policyholder base would be affected by a single natural disaster. However, our 
insurance operations could be exposed to the risk of catastrophic mortality or morbidity, caused by events such as a 
pandemic, hurricane, earthquake, or man-made catastrophes, including acts of terrorism or war, which may produce 
significant claims in larger areas, especially those that are heavily populated. Claims resulting from natural or man-
made catastrophic events could cause substantial volatility in our financial results for any fiscal quarter or year and 
could materially reduce our profitability or harm our financial condition.

Information Security and Technology Risk:

A security breach, the introduction of malware in our computing environment, employee error or malfeasance, 
unauthorized access, a natural or man-made disaster, or other unanticipated event could compromise the 
information security systems of Torchmark or its subsidiaries, and could damage our business and adversely 
affect our financial condition and results of operations.  

A failure in our information security systems could result in a loss or disclosure of confidential information, damage to 
our reputation, loss of cash flow and impairment of our ability to conduct business effectively. In some cases we may 
not become aware of such incident for some time after it occurs, which could increase our exposure.

Anyone who is able to circumvent our security measures could access, view, misappropriate, alter or delete confidential 
information in the systems, including personally identifiable customer information and proprietary business information.  
In addition, an increasing number of states require that customers be notified of unauthorized access, use, or disclosure 
of their information.  Any such breach of confidential information could damage our reputation in the marketplace, deter 
people from purchasing our products, result in the loss of existing customers, subject us to significant civil and criminal 
liability, and require us to incur significant technical, legal and other expenses.

In the event of a disaster, such as a natural catastrophe, an industrial accident, a blackout, or a terrorist attack 
or war, our computer systems may be inaccessible to our employees or customers for a period of time. Even 
if our employees are able to report to work, they may be unable to perform their duties for an extended period of time 
if our data or systems are disabled or destroyed and if existing contingency plans cannot function as designed.

As of December 31, 2015, Torchmark had no unresolved staff comments.

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments

11

 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.  Properties

Torchmark, through its subsidiaries, owns or leases buildings that are used in the normal course of business. Torchmark 
owns and occupies a 300,000 square foot facility in McKinney, Texas (a north Dallas suburb). This facility is Torchmark’s 
corporate headquarters and also houses the operations of a subsidiary, United American, as well as the operations of 
other subsidiaries. In addition, United American leases 5,000 square feet of space in Omaha, Nebraska and, through 
a subsidiary, leases 2,500 square feet in an office area in Syracuse, New York.

Liberty National, though headquartered in McKinney, Texas, operates its main activities out of a 24,000 square foot 
facility leased in Hoover, Alabama (a Birmingham suburb). An 8,000 square foot facility is leased for storage in Pelham, 
Alabama, close to the Hoover facility.

Globe leases a 30,300 square foot office area in the City Place Tower building located in downtown Oklahoma City, 
Oklahoma. Globe also leases 11,000 square feet at a nearby facility used for storage. Globe Marketing Services, a 
subsidiary of Globe, owns a 133,000 square foot facility in Oklahoma City which houses the Globe Life Direct Response 
operation.

American Income owns and is the sole occupant of an office building located in Waco, Texas. The two-floored building 
contains 70,000 square feet. American Income also has leased 10,800 square feet in a building across the street from 
the main office building. American Income Marketing Services, a subsidiary of American Income, owns a 43,000 square 
foot facility located in Waco, Texas, housing American Income’s direct response operation. American Income also 
leases office space throughout the United States to support its marketing operations.

Family Heritage owns 50% of a partnership that owns an approximate 66,000 square foot building in Broadview Heights, 
Ohio (a suburb of Cleveland), serving as Family Heritage’s headquarters. The partnership also leases a portion of the 
building to unrelated tenants.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

Torchmark and its subsidiaries, in common with the insurance industry in general, are subject to litigation, including 
claims involving tax matters, alleged breaches of contract, torts, including bad faith and fraud claims based on alleged 
wrongful or fraudulent acts of agents of Torchmark’s subsidiaries, employment discrimination, and miscellaneous other 
causes of action. Based upon information presently available, and in light of legal and other factual defenses available 
to Torchmark and its subsidiaries, management does not believe that such litigation will have a material adverse effect 
on Torchmark’s financial condition, future operating results or liquidity; however, assessing the eventual outcome of 
litigation necessarily involves forward-looking speculation as to judgments to be made by judges, juries and appellate 
courts in the future. This bespeaks caution, particularly in states with reputations for high punitive damage verdicts. 
Torchmark’s management recognizes that large punitive damage awards bearing little or no relation to actual damages 
continue to be awarded by juries in jurisdictions in which Torchmark and its subsidiaries have substantial business, 
creating the potential for unpredictable material adverse judgments in any given punitive damage suit. 

Torchmark subsidiaries are currently the subject of audits regarding the identification, reporting and escheatment of 
unclaimed property arising from life insurance policies and a limited number of annuity contracts. These audits are 
being  conducted  by  private  entities  that  have  contracted  with  forty-seven  various  states  through  their  respective 
Departments of Revenue, and have not resulted in any financial assessment from any state nor indicated any liability. 
The audits are wide-ranging and seek large amounts of data regarding claims handling, procedures, and payments of 
contract  benefits  arising  from  unreported  death  claims.  No  estimate  of  range  can  be  made  at  this  time  for  loss 
contingencies  related  to  possible  administrative  penalties  or  amounts  that  could  be  payable  to  the  states  for  the 
escheatment of abandoned property.

Not Applicable.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures.

12

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity,
Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

(a) Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

The principal market in which Torchmark’s common stock is traded is the New York Stock Exchange. There were 2,915 
shareholders of record on December 31, 2015, excluding shareholder accounts held in nominee form. The market 
prices and cash dividends paid by calendar quarter for the past two years are presented in the following table. 

Year-end closing price

Quarter
1
2
3
4

Quarter
1
2
3
4

$ 57.16

$

$

2015
Market Price

High

Low

Dividends
Per Share

55.66 $
59.15
63.12
61.19

50.07 $
54.98
55.62
55.36

0.1267
0.1350
0.1350
0.1350

2014
Market Price

High

Low

Dividends
Per Share

53.51 $
55.07
55.68
55.42

48.37 $
50.97
52.37
50.32

0.1133
0.1267
0.1267
0.1267

Year-end closing price

$ 54.17

The line graph shown below compares Torchmark’s cumulative total return on its common stock with the cumulative 
total returns of the Standard and Poor’s 500 Stock Index (S&P 500) and the Standard and Poor’s Life & Health Insurance 
Index (S&P Life & Health Insurance). Torchmark is one of the companies whose stock is included within both the S&P 
500 and the S&P Life & Health Insurance Index.

  *100 invested on 12/31/10 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends. (Copyright © 2016 S&P, a division of McGraw Hill Financial.)

13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(c) Purchases of Certain Equity Securities by the Issuer and Others for the Fourth Quarter 2015 

(a) Total Number
of Shares
Purchased

(b) Average
Price Paid
Per Share

(c) Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs

(d) Maximum Number
of Shares (or
Approximate Dollar
Amount) that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs

400,649 $

447,661

657,764

56.95

59.69

59.17

400,649

447,661

657,764

Period
October 1-31, 2015

November 1-30, 2015

December 1-31, 2015

On August  5,  2015, Torchmark’s  Board  reaffirmed  its  continued  authorization  of  the  Company’s  stock  repurchase 
program in amounts and with timing that management, in consultation with the Board, determined to be in the best 
interest of the Company. The program has no defined expiration date or maximum shares to be purchased.

14

 
 
 
 
Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

The  following  information  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with Torchmark’s  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  and 
related notes reported elsewhere in this Form 10-K:

(Amounts in thousands except per share and percentage data)

Year ended December 31,

Premium revenue:

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Life .................................................................................. $ 2,073,065

$ 1,966,300

$ 1,885,332

$ 1,808,524

$ 1,726,244

Health ..............................................................................

Other ...............................................................................

925,520

135

869,440

863,818

730,019

733,783

400

532

559

608

Total ...........................................................................
Net investment income(1) ....................................................

Realized investment gains (losses) ....................................
Total revenue(1) ..................................................................

Income from continuing operations ....................................

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

Loss on disposal, net of tax ................................................

2,998,720

2,836,140

2,749,682

2,539,102

2,460,635

773,951

(8,791)

758,286

23,548

734,650

7,990

716,132

37,833

707,305

25,904

3,766,065

3,620,095

3,494,253

3,294,644

3,195,995

516,293

10,807

—

528,074

14,865

—

507,205

21,267

—

509,297

20,027

—

483,237

14,379

(455)

Net income .........................................................................

527,100

542,939

528,472

529,324

497,161

Per common share:

Basic earnings:

Income from continuing operations ...........................

Income (loss) from discontinued operations ..............

Net income ...........................................................

Diluted  earnings:

Income from continuing operations ...........................

Income (loss) from discontinued operations ..............

Net income ...........................................................

Cash dividends declared ...............................................

Cash dividends paid ......................................................

4.13

0.08

4.21

4.07

0.09

4.16

0.54

0.53

4.04

0.11

4.15

3.98

0.11

4.09

0.51

0.49

3.68

0.16

3.84

3.63

0.16

3.79

0.45

0.44

3.51

0.14

3.65

3.47

0.13

3.60

0.40

0.38

2.98

0.08

3.06

2.93

0.09

3.02

0.31

0.30

Basic average shares outstanding .....................................

Diluted average shares outstanding ...................................

125,095

126,757

130,722

132,640

137,647

139,564

144,921

146,848

162,417

164,723

As of December 31,
Cash and invested assets(2) ............................................... $ 14,405,073
Total assets(2) .....................................................................
Short-term debt ..................................................................
Long-term debt(3) ................................................................
Shareholders' equity ..........................................................

19,853,213

490,129

743,733

4,055,552

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

$ 15,058,996

$ 13,456,944

$ 14,155,919

$ 12,437,699

20,272,259

18,217,757

18,810,132

16,611,781

238,398

992,130

229,070

990,865

319,043

989,686

224,842

914,282

4,697,466

3,776,342

4,361,786

3,859,631

Per diluted share ...........................................................

Effect of fixed maturity revaluation on diluted equity per 
share(4) ...............................................................................
Annualized premium in force:

Life(2) ..............................................................................
Health(2) .........................................................................
Total ...........................................................................

32.71

2.62

36.19

8.28

27.66

1.81

30.56

7.07

25.27

3.96

2,150,498

2,044,545

1,955,401

1,895,017

1,813,705

973,042

947,323

887,444

902,753

733,406

3,123,540

2,991,868

2,842,845

2,797,770

2,547,111

Basic shares outstanding ...................................................

Diluted shares outstanding .................................................

122,370

123,996

127,930

129,812

134,252

136,537

141,353

142,707

150,869

152,712

Note: Certain balances were retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the discontinued continued operations presentation as described in Note 6-Discontinued Operations.
(1) Net investment income retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the adoption of new accounting guidance as described in Note 1- Significant Accounting Policies 
under the caption "Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Interests."
(2) At December 31, 2012, cash and invested assets included $615 million, total assets included $869 million, annualized life premium in force included $949 thousand, 
and annualized health premium in force included $188 million, representing the business acquired in the acquisition of Family Heritage in 2012.
(3) Includes Torchmark's 7.1% Junior Subordinated Debentures reported as "Due to affiliates" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at year end 2011 in the amount of 
$123.7 million.
(4) There is an accounting rule (ASC 320-10-35-1, Investments- Debt and Equity Securities) requiring available-for-sale fixed maturities to be revalued at fair value each 
period. The effect of this rule on diluted equity per share reflects the amount added or (deducted) under this rule to produce GAAP Shareholders’ equity per share. See 
discussion under the caption Capital Resources in Management’s Discussion and Analysis in this report concerning the effect this rule has on Torchmark’s equity.

15

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Selected Financial Data and Torchmark’s 
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

How Torchmark Views Its Operations: Torchmark is the holding company for a group of insurance companies which 
market primarily individual life, and supplemental health insurance to middle income households throughout the United 
States. We view our operations by segments, which are the insurance product lines of life, health, and annuities, and 
the investment segment that supports the product lines. Segments are aligned based on their common characteristics, 
comparability of the profit margins, and management techniques used to operate each segment. 

Insurance  Product  Line  Segments.  As  fully  explained  in  Note  14—Business  Segments  in  the  Notes  to  the 
Consolidated Financial Statements, the insurance product line segments involve the marketing, underwriting, and the 
administration  of  policies.  Each  product  line  is  further  segmented  by  the  various  distribution  units  that  market  the 
insurance policies. Each distribution unit operates in a niche market offering insurance products designed for that 
particular market. Whether analyzing profitability of a segment as a whole, or the individual distribution units within the 
segment, the measure of profitability used by management is the underwriting margin, which is:

Premium revenue
Less:

Policy obligations
Policy acquisition costs and commissions

Investment  Segment.  The  investment  segment  involves  the  management  of  our  capital  resources,  including 
investments and the management of corporate debt and liquidity. Our measure of profitability for the investment segment 
is excess investment income, which is:

Net investment income
Less:

Required interest on net policy liabilities
Financing costs

The  tables  in  Note  14—Business  Segments  in  the  Notes  to  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  reconcile 
Torchmark’s revenues and expenses by segment to its major income statement line items for each of the years in the 
three-year period ended December 31, 2015. Additionally, this Note provides a summary of the profitability measures 
that demonstrates year-to-year comparability and which reconciles to net income. That summary is reproduced below 
from the Consolidated Financial Statements to present our overall operations in the manner that we use to manage 
the business.

16

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
%

2

1

9

3

7

—

18

2

2

2

1

6

(7)

1

1

1

146

819

(6,225)

15,558

(5,355)

10,203

1

3,801

11,341

(522)

4,412

751

(5,316)

Analysis of Profitability by Segment
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Life insurance underwriting margin .............................................. $ 569,402

$ 556,489

$ 545,059

$ 12,913

Health insurance underwriting margin .........................................

204,377

199,319

196,507

Annuity underwriting margin ........................................................

4,568

4,312

3,939

5,058

256

2015

2014

2013

2015
Change

%

2

3

6

Excess investment income ..........................................................

219,504

224,364

218,161

(4,860)

(2)

2014
Change

$ 11,430

2,812

373

6,203

Other insurance:

Other income ..........................................................................

2,379

2,354

2,208

25

Administrative expense ..........................................................

(186,191)

(174,832)

(175,651)

(11,359)

Corporate and adjustments ..........................................................

(37,667)

(40,362)

(34,137)

Pre-tax total .......................................................................

776,372

771,644

756,086

2,695

4,728

Applicable taxes ..........................................................................

(253,459)

(252,041)

(246,686)

(1,418)

After-tax total, before discontinued operations ..................
Discontinued operations (after tax)(1) ...........................................
Total ..................................................................................

522,913

519,603

509,400

3,310

10,807

14,865

21,267

(4,058)

(27)

(6,402)

(30)

533,720

534,468

530,667

(748) —

Realized gains (losses)—investments (after tax) .........................

(5,714)

15,306

3,965

(21,020)

Family Heritage acquisition finalization adjustments (after tax)....

Legal settlement expenses (after tax) ..........................................

Guaranty Fund assessment (after tax) .........................................

—

—

—

Administrative settlements (after tax) ...........................................

(906)
Net income ........................................................................ $ 527,100

—

522

—

(1,519)

(5,931)

1,519

—

(5,316)

(751)

—

—

4,410

$ 542,939

$ 528,472

$ (15,839)

(3) $ 14,467

3

(1) Income from discontinued operations (after tax) is included for purposes of reconciling to net income.

Torchmark’s operations on a segment-by-segment basis are discussed in depth under the appropriate captions following 
in this report.

Summary of Operations: Net income was $527 million in 2015, compared with $543 million in 2014. Net income 
increased in 2014 from $528 million in 2013. On a diluted per share basis, 2015 net income rose 2% to $4.16 after an 
8% increase in 2014. Net income per diluted share in 2014 rose to $4.09 from $3.79 in 2013. The per-share results 
have exceeded the growth in dollar amounts due to our share repurchase program. Also, each year’s per share net 
income was affected by realized investment gains, which were $(0.05), $0.12, and $0.03, in 2015, 2014 and 2013, 
respectively. More information concerning realized investment gains and losses can be found under the caption Realized 
Gains and Losses in this report where there is a more complete discussion. Also, as explained in Note 14—Business 
Segments in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we do not consider realized gains and losses to be 
a component of our core insurance operations or operating segments. Additionally, we do not consider non-operating 
items which are not related to the current ongoing reporting performance of our segments to be part of our segment 
operating income.

Management has committed to a plan to sell the Medicare Part D business in 2016. Torchmark no longer emphasizes 
its Medicare Part D business due to declining margins, increased risks, higher drug costs, and increased administrative 
and compliance costs. Management believes this sale will allow the Company to better focus on its core protection life 
and health insurance businesses as well as provide additional capital to invest. The Medicare Part D business met the 
criteria for discontinued operations in accordance with applicable accounting guidance, and as such, the business is 
reflected as discontinued operations in the financial statements. As this business has been classified as held for sale 
and its operations are discontinued, the financial results of this business are excluded from Torchmark's continuing 
operations. For more information, refer to Note 6—Discontinued Operations in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements.

As shown in the above chart, after-tax segment results of continuing operations rose each year over the prior year 
from $509 million in 2013 to $520 million in 2014 to $523 million in 2015. The primary contributor to the growth in both 
2015 and 2014 was the underwriting margin in our life insurance segment, in which margins rose $13 million in 2015 
and $11 million in 2014. The life insurance segment is our strongest segment and is the largest contributor to earnings 

17

 
 
 
in each year presented. Also contributing to growth in income in both years was our health insurance segment, which 
provided $5 million of additional margin in 2015 and $3 million in 2014. 

Excess investment income, the measure of profitability of our investment segment, decreased to $220 million or 2% 
from the prior year amount of $224 million. In 2014, excess investment income increased 3%. Although interest rates 
increased slightly in 2015, the low interest rate environment continued to pressure investment yields and spreads 
related to required interest on net policy liabilities throughout the three-year period. Excess investment income has 
also been hampered by a lag in government reimbursements of Medicare Part D costs. The impact of the lost investment 
income  from  delayed  receipt  of  reimbursements  is  reflected  in  income  from  continuing  operations  rather  than 
discontinued operations in accordance with applicable accounting rules. As noted previously, the Medicare Part D 
business has been classified as discontinued operations. In 2015 and 2014, the timing of cash flows in the Medicare 
Part D business had a negative impact on excess investment income, pre-tax of approximately $8 million and $5 million, 
respectively.

Total revenues rose 4% in 2015 to $3.8 billion, or $146 million over the prior year total of $3.6 billion. Life premium 
rose 5% or $107 million in 2015 to $2.1 billion. Life premium increased $81 million in 2014 to $2.0 billion. Net investment 
income rose $24 million or 3% in 2014, and rose 2% or $16 million in 2015. Health premium increased 6% to $926 
million in 2015 and contributed $56 million to 2015 revenue growth, after having gained 1% to $869 million in 2014. 
Health premium contributed $6 million to 2014 revenue growth.

Life insurance premium and underwriting margins have grown steadily in each of the three years ended December 
31, 2015. The increase in life premium was driven by sales growth and improvements in persistency. While premium 
and underwriting margins grew, margin as a percent of premium fell slightly in 2015 to 27%, after decreasing from 29% 
to 28% from 2013 to 2014. These fluctuations were due primarily to higher than expected claims. Net life sales increased 
9% in 2015 to $412 million after increasing 12% in 2014. The life insurance segment is discussed further in this report 
under the caption Life Insurance.

With regard to health insurance, we primarily market Medicare Supplement insurance and limited-benefit products 
including critical illness and accident products. In 2013 and 2014, the limited-benefit health premiums have exceeded 
the  Medicare  supplement  premiums  due  to  the  inclusion  of  Family  Heritage  at  the  end  of  2012.  In  late  2014,  we 
experienced an unusually large volume of group sales of our Medicare Supplement product.  As a result of increased 
growth in group sales, the Medicare Supplement premiums increased $43 million, which exceeded the limit-benefit 
premiums. Health insurance premium income increased 6% to $926 million in 2015. Health net sales fell 13% to $156 
million during 2015, as a result of a 29% decrease in Medicare Supplement sales.  First-year collected health premium 
rose 32% to $157 million from the prior year total of $119 million. The decrease in 2015 Health net sales and increase 
in 2015 first-year collected premium was reflective of the previously mentioned large volume of group sales in 2014. 
Health margins declined to 22%, with underwriting income increasing to $204 million for 2015. Margins were $199 
million for the same period in 2014. The 2015 change was due to lower pricing margins on the group business sold in 
2014.

We do not currently market annuities. See the caption Annuities for discussion of the Annuity segment.

The investment segment’s pretax profitability, or excess investment income, is based on three major components: net 
investment income, required interest on net policy liabilities (interest applicable to insurance products), and financing 
costs. In 2015, net investment income rose 2%, compared with 3% in 2014. At the same time, our investment portfolio 
grew 3% in both 2015 and 2014. In recent years, net investment income has not grown as fast as the portfolio due to 
new investments being made at yield rates lower than the yield rates earned on securities that matured or were otherwise 
disposed of. Also, there is sometimes a lag between the time when proceeds from maturities and dispositions are 
received and when the proceeds are reinvested, during which the funds are held in cash. Growth in total investment 
income is also somewhat negatively affected by Torchmark’s share repurchase program (described later under this 
caption), which has diverted cash that could have otherwise been used to acquire investments. In 2015 and 2014, net 
investment income was negatively impacted by our Medicare Part D business. Under the program, we are required to 
cover certain claim costs in the current period that are the federal government’s responsibility, but are not reimbursed 
until late in the next calendar year. This delay in reimbursement reduced our funds available for investment in 2015 
and 2014, resulting in reduced investment income in both periods.

The interest required on net policy liabilities is deducted from net investment income, and generally grows in conjunction 
with the net policy liabilities that are supported by the invested assets. The lower new-money yields resulting from the 

18

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
low-interest-rate  environment  noted  above  have  compressed  excess  investment  income  as  required  interest  has 
continued to grow at approximately the same rate that net policy liabilities have grown. Financing costs, which consist 
of the interest required for debt service on our long and short-term debt, are also deducted from net investment income. 
Financing costs in 2015 were up slightly to $77 million from $76 million in 2014. This increase was primarily the result 
of increased short term borrowings coupled with slightly higher short term interest rates. The 2014 decline resulted 
from the maturity and repayment in 2013 of our $94.5 million principal amount 7.375% Notes.

Torchmark’s current investment policy regarding fixed maturities limits new fixed maturity acquisitions to investment-
grade  securities  generally  with  longer  maturities  (often  exceeding  twenty  years)  that  meet  our  quality  and  yield 
objectives. Approximately  96%  of  our  invested  assets  at  fair  value  consist  of  fixed  maturities  of  which  96%  were 
investment grade at December 31, 2015. The average quality rating of the portfolio was A-. The portfolio contains no 
securities backed by sub prime or Alt-A mortgages, no direct investment in residential mortgages, no credit default 
swaps, or other derivative contracts. See the analysis of excess investment income and investment activities under 
the caption Investments in this report and Note 4—Investments in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  
for a more detailed discussion of this segment.

Insurance administrative expenses were up 6.5% in 2015 when compared with the prior year period. The primary 
reasons for the increase in administrative expenses are higher information technology and employee costs, including 
pension-related costs. Stock compensation expense declined $4 million in 2015 to $28.7 million compared with an 
increase of $7 million in 2014 to $32.2 million. The decline in stock compensation expense in 2015 resulted primarily 
from lower expense associated with performance shares as well as lower option values on 2015 option awards.

In each of the years 2013 through 2015, net income was affected by certain significant, unusual, and nonrecurring 
nonoperating items. We do not view these items as components of core operating results because they are not indicative 
of past performance or future prospects of the insurance operations. Accordingly, as described in Note 14—Business 
Segments in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we remove items such as these that relate to prior 
periods  or  are  non-operating  items  when  evaluating  the  results  of  current  operations,  and  therefore  exclude  such 
matters from our segment analysis for current periods.

Torchmark has in place an ongoing share repurchase program which began in 1986. With no specified authorization 
amount, we determine the amount of repurchases based on the amount of the Company’s excess cash flow, general 
market conditions, and other alternative uses. The majority of these purchases are made from excess operating cash 
flow. Additionally, when stock options are exercised, proceeds from these exercises and the tax benefit are used to 
repurchase additional shares on the open market to minimize dilution as a result of the option exercises. The Board 
of Directors has authorized the Company’s share repurchase program in amounts and with timing that management, 
in consultation with the Board, determines to be in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders. The following 
chart summarizes share purchase activity for each of the last three years.

Analysis of Share Purchases
(Amounts in thousands)

Purchases
Excess cash flow ..................................................
Option proceeds ...................................................
Total .....................................................................

Shares Amount

Shares Amount

Shares Amount

6,292 $ 358,552

7,155 $ 375,042

8,280 $ 360,001

1,049

59,974

1,394

74,266

2,789

122,263

7,341 $ 418,526

8,549 $ 449,308

11,069 $ 482,264

2015

2014

2013

Throughout the remainder of this discussion, share purchases refer only to those made from excess cash flow and 
borrowings.

19

 
 
 
 
 
 
A discussion of each of Torchmark’s segments follows. The following discussions are presented in the manner we 
view our operations, as described in Note 14—Business Segments in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements.

Life Insurance.  Life insurance is our largest insurance segment, with 2015 life premium representing 69% of total 
premium. Life underwriting income before other income and administrative expense represented 73% of the total in 
2015. Additionally, investments supporting the reserves for life products produce the majority of excess investment 
income attributable to the investment segment.

Life insurance premium rose 5% to $2.1 billion in 2015 after having increased 4% in 2014 to $2.0 billion. Life insurance 
products are marketed through several distribution channels. Premium income by channel for each of the last three 
years is as follows:

LIFE INSURANCE
Premium by Distribution Method
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

2015

2014

2013

Amount

% of
Total

Amount

% of
Total

Amount

% of
Total

American Income Exclusive Agency............. $ 830,903
Globe Life Direct Response ..........................
746,693

Liberty National Exclusive Agency................

Other Agencies .............................................

271,113

224,356

40 $ 766,458

39 $ 715,366

36

13

11

702,023

272,265

225,554

36

14

11

663,544

275,980

230,442

38

35

15

12

$ 2,073,065

100 $ 1,966,300

100 $ 1,885,332

100

We use three statistical measures as indicators of premium growth and sales over the near term: “annualized premium 
in force,” “net sales,” and “first-year collected premium.” Annualized premium in force is defined as the premium income 
that would be received over the following twelve months at any given date on all active policies if those policies remain 
in force throughout the twelve-month period. Annualized premium in force is an indicator of potential growth in premium 
revenue. Net sales is annualized premium issued, net of cancellations in the first thirty days after issue, except in the 
case of Globe Life Direct Response where net sales is annualized premium issued at the time the first full premium is 
paid after any introductory offer period has expired. We believe that net sales is a superior indicator of the rate of 
premium growth relative to annualized premium issued. First-year collected premium is defined as the premium collected 
during the reporting period for all policies in their first policy year. First-year collected premium takes lapses into account 
in the first year when lapses are more likely to occur, and thus is a useful indicator of how much new premium is 
expected to be added to premium income in the future.

Annualized life premium in force was $2.15 billion at December 31, 2015, an increase of 5% over $2.04 billion a year 
earlier. Annualized life premium in force was $1.96 billion at December 31, 2013.

20

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table shows net sales information for each of the last three years by distribution method.

LIFE INSURANCE
Net Sales by Distribution Method
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

2015

2014

2013

Amount

% of
Total

Amount

% of
Total

Amount

% of
Total

American Income Exclusive Agency............ $ 198,046
164,348
Globe Life Direct Response .........................
35,782
Liberty National Exclusive Agency...............
13,705
Other Agencies ............................................
$ 411,881

48 $ 172,271
158,089
40
34,402
9
13,492
3

45 $ 152,646
144,363
42
31,050
9
11,000
4

45
43
9
3

100 $ 378,254

100 $ 339,059

100

The table below discloses first-year collected life premium by distribution channel.

LIFE INSURANCE
First-Year Collected Premium by Distribution Method
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

2015

2014

2013

Amount

% of
Total

Amount

% of
Total

Amount

% of
Total

American Income Exclusive Agency............ $ 156,206
Globe Life Direct Response .........................
106,417

Liberty National Exclusive Agency...............

27,554

Other Agencies ............................................

12,036
$ 302,213

52 $ 134,202

50 $ 127,978

35

9

4

100,287

25,777

10,473

37

9

4

93,089

25,580

9,962

50

36

10

4

100 $ 270,739

100 $ 256,609

100

The American Income Exclusive Agency has historically marketed primarily to members of labor unions. While labor 
unions are still the core market for this agency, American Income has diversified in recent years by focusing heavily 
on other affinity groups and referrals to help ensure sustainable growth. The life business of this agency is Torchmark’s 
highest-margin  life  business  and  it  is  the  largest  contributor  to  life  premium  of  any  distribution  channel  at  40%  of 
Torchmark’s 2015 total. This group produced premium income of $831 million, an increase of 8% over the prior year 
total of $766 million, after having risen 7% in 2014. First-year collected premium was $156 million compared to $134 
million in 2014, an increase of 16%. First-year collected premium rose 5% in 2014. Net sales increased 15% to $198 
million in 2015 over the 2014 total of $172 million. Net sales increased 13% in 2014 over the 2013 total of $153 million. 
Sales growth in our captive agencies is generally dependent on growth in the size of the agency force. The American 
Income Agency's average agent count rose 11% to 6,529 for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared with 5,868 
for the same period in 2014. The average agent count is based on the actual count at the end of each week during 
the period. The American Income Agency has been focusing on growing and strengthening middle management to 
support sustainable growth of the agency force. To accomplish this, we have placed an increased emphasis on agent 
training programs and financial incentives that appropriately reward agents at all levels for helping develop and train 
personnel. The agency continues to provide more home-office and webinar training programs. These programs are 
designed to provide each agent, from new recruits to top level managers, coaching and instruction specifically designed 
for each individual’s level of experience and responsibility.

The Globe Life Direct Response unit offers adult and juvenile life insurance through a variety of direct-to-consumer 
marketing approaches, which include direct mailings, insert media, and electronic media. These different approaches 
support and complement one another in the unit’s efforts to reach the consumer. The Globe Life Direct Response 
channel’s growth has been fueled by constant innovation. In recent years, electronic media production has grown 
rapidly as management has aggressively increased marketing activities related to internet and mobile technology, and 

21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
has focused on driving traffic to the inbound call center. We continually introduce new initiatives in this unit in an attempt 
to increase response rates.

While the juvenile market is an important source of sales, it also is a vehicle to reach the parents and grandparents of 
juvenile policyholders, who are more likely to respond favorably to a Globe Life Direct Response solicitation for life 
coverage on themselves than is the general adult population. Also, both juvenile policyholders and their parents are 
low acquisition-cost targets for sales of additional coverage over time.

Globe Life Direct Response’s life premium income rose 6% to $747 million, representing 36% of Torchmark’s total life 
premium during 2015. Life premium in this channel increased 6% in 2014 to $702 million over the 2013 total of $664 
million. Net sales of $164 million for this group increased 4% from $158 million in 2014, after a 10% in 2014. First-year 
collected premium increased 6% to $106 million in 2015 after having risen 8% in 2014.

The Liberty National Exclusive Agency markets individual and group life insurance to middle-income customers. 
Life premium income for this agency was $271 million in 2015, a slight decline from $272 million in 2014. Life premium 
income in 2013 totaled $276 million. Net sales increased 4% during 2015 to $36 million over the 2014 total of $34 
million. Net sales in 2014 increased 11%. The increase in net sales during 2014 marked the first increase in several 
years,  reflecting  changes  in  structure  of  the  agency  that  management  has  put  in  place  in  recent  years.  First-year 
collected premium increased 7% to $28 million during 2015 and was flat in 2014 compared to 2013 at $26 million.

The Liberty average agent count increased 2% to 1,535 for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared with 1,505 
for the same period in 2014. We continue to execute our long term plan to grow this agency through expansion from 
small-town markets in the southeast to more densely populated areas with larger pools of potential agent recruits and 
customers. Expansion of this agency’s presence into more heavily populated, less-penetrated areas will help create 
long term agency growth. Additionally, our prospecting training program has helped to improve the ability of agents to 
develop new work site marketing business.

The Other Agencies distribution channels offering life insurance include the Military Agency, the UA Independent 
Agency (which predominantly writes health insurance), and various smaller distribution channels. The Other Agencies 
contributed $224 million of life premium income, or 11% of Torchmark’s total in 2015, but contributed only 3% of net 
sales for the year.

LIFE INSURANCE
Summary of Results
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

2015

2014

2013

Amount

% of
Premium

Amount

% of
Premium

Amount

% of
Premium

Premium and policy charges ..................... $2,073,065
1,374,608
Policy obligations .......................................
Required interest on reserves ...................
(552,298)
822,310

Net policy obligations ..............................

Commissions, premium taxes, and non-
deferred acquisition expenses ...................
Amortization of acquisition costs ...............

154,811

526,542

Total expense ..........................................

1,503,663

Insurance underwriting margin before
other income and administrative
expenses ................................................... $ 569,402

100 $1,966,300

100 $1,885,332

67

(27)

40

1,293,384

(530,192)

763,192

66

(27)

39

1,227,857

(508,236)

719,621

8

25

73

143,174

503,445

1,409,811

7

26

72

131,721

488,931

1,340,273

27 $ 556,489

28 $ 545,059

100

65

(27)

38

7

26

71

29

Life insurance underwriting income before insurance administrative expense was $569 million in 2015 compared with 
$556 million in 2014 and $545 million in 2013. As a percentage of premium, underwriting margins declined to 27% in 
2015 from 28% in 2014. The decrease in underwriting margin as a percentage of premium in 2015 and 2014 was due 
primarily  to  higher  than  expected  Globe  Life  Direct  Response  policy  obligations  and  to  increases  in  non-deferred 
acquisition costs in the Globe Life Direct Response and American Income units. Non-deferred acquisition expense 

22

 
 
 
 
 
increased primarily as a result of additional investments made to support our distribution channels which are expected 
to result in increased sales and premium income in future periods. The higher than expected claims in the Globe Life 
Direct Response Unit primarily relate to policies issued since 2011 where prescription information was used in the 
underwriting  process  for  certain  policies  in  order  to  improve  the  overall  mortality  of  the  policies  written.  To  date, 
improvements in the actual mortality on such policies have been less than expected, causing an increase in our net 
policy obligations.

Health Insurance.  Health insurance sold by Torchmark includes primarily Medicare Supplement insurance, critical 
illness coverage, accident coverage, and other limited-benefit supplemental health products. In this analysis, all health 
coverage plans other than Medicare Supplement are classified as limited-benefit plans.

Health premium accounted for 31% of our total premium in 2015, while the health underwriting margin accounted for 
26% of total underwriting margin, reflective of the lower underwriting margin as a percent of premium for health compared 
with life insurance. As noted under the caption Life Insurance, we have emphasized life insurance sales relative to 
health, due to life’s superior profitability and its greater contribution to excess investment income.

HEALTH INSURANCE
Premium by Distribution Method
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

2015

2014

2013

Amount

% of
Total

Amount

% of
Total

Amount

% of
Total

United American Independent Agency

Limited-benefit plans .......................................... $ 15,260
Medicare Supplement ........................................
330,070

345,330

37

Family Heritage Exclusive Agency

Limited-benefit plans ..........................................

221,091

Medicare Supplement ........................................

—

$ 19,028

286,340

305,368

204,667

—

35

$ 24,173

274,125

298,298

190,923

—

35

221,091

24

204,667

24

190,923

22

Liberty National Exclusive Agency

Limited-benefit plans ..........................................

Medicare Supplement ........................................

American Income Exclusive Agency

Limited-benefit plans ..........................................

Medicare Supplement ........................................

Direct Response

Limited-benefit plans ..........................................

Medicare Supplement ........................................

Total Premium

142,130
67,020

209,150

79,984

355
80,339

869
68,741

69,610

143,722

78,295

152,415

88,849

23

222,017

25

241,264

28

78,244
478
78,722

805

57,861

58,666

9

7

78,862
573
79,435

313

53,585

53,898

9

6

9

7

Limited-benefit plans ..........................................

Medicare Supplement ........................................

459,334

466,186

50

50

446,466

422,974

51

49

446,686

417,132

52

48

$925,520

100

$869,440

100

$863,818

100

23

 
 
 
 
We market supplemental health insurance products through a number of distribution channels. The following table 
presents net sales by distribution method for the last three years.

HEALTH INSURANCE
Net Sales by Distribution Method
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

2015

2014

2013

Amount

% of
Total

Amount

% of
Total

Amount

% of
Total

United American Independent Agency

Limited-benefit plans .......................................... $
Medicare Supplement ........................................

Family Heritage Exclusive Agency

Limited-benefit plans ..........................................

Medicare Supplement ........................................

Liberty National Exclusive Agency

Limited-benefit plans ..........................................

Medicare Supplement ........................................

American Income Exclusive Agency

Limited-benefit plans ..........................................

Medicare Supplement ........................................

Direct Response

Limited-benefit plans ..........................................

Medicare Supplement ........................................

Total Net Sales

Limited-benefit plans ..........................................

Medicare Supplement ........................................

734
70,891

71,625

50,266

—
50,266

18,021

41
18,062

11,501

—
11,501

—

5,003

5,003

46

$

873
82,971

83,844

47,102

—

46

$

916
40,512

41,428

43,520

—

38

32

47,102

26

43,520

39

17,084

299

13,906

394

12

17,383

10

14,300

13

9,162

—

9,162

6

23,099

23,105

7

3

6,985

—

5

6,985

6

591

3,685

4,276

65,918

44,591
$110,509

4

60

40
100

13

41

59
100

80,522

75,935

$156,457

51

49
100

74,227

106,369
$180,596

24

 
 
 
 
The following table discloses first-year collected health premium by distribution method.

HEALTH INSURANCE
First-Year Collected Premium by Distribution Method
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

2015

2014

2013

Amount

% of
Total

Amount

% of
Total

Amount

% of
Total

United American Independent Agency

Limited-benefit plans .......................................... $
Medicare Supplement ........................................

Family Heritage Exclusive Agency

Limited-benefit plans ..........................................
Medicare Supplement ........................................

Liberty National Exclusive Agency

Limited-benefit plans ..........................................

Medicare Supplement ........................................

American Income Exclusive Agency

Limited-benefit plans ..........................................

Medicare Supplement ........................................

Direct Response

Limited-benefit plans ..........................................

Medicare Supplement ........................................

Total First-Year Collected Premium

Limited-benefit plans ..........................................

Medicare Supplement ........................................

660
76,575

77,235

39,196

—
39,196

14,690

168
14,858

12,041

—
12,041

(2)
13,843

13,841

66,585

90,586

$

710
49,519

50,229

49

$

795
38,399

39,194

42

39

36,392

—

36,340

—

25

36,392

31

36,340

36

13,132

306

12,010

558

9

13,438

11

12,568

12

9,500

—

9,500

143

9,196

9,339

59,877

59,021

8

9

42

58

8,957

—

8,957

544

3,310

3,854

58,646

42,267

9

4

58

42

8

8

50

50

$157,171

100

$118,898

100

$100,913

100

Health premium increased 6% to $926 million in 2015 compared with $869 million in 2014 after an increase of 1% in 
2014 over the 2013 total of $864 million. Medicare Supplement premium increased 10% to $466 million, while other 
limited-benefit health premium increased 3% to $459 million.

Health net sales declined 13% to $156 million in 2015 from $181 million in 2014. Net sales in 2013 totaled $111 million. 
Medicare Supplement net sales decreased 29% to $76 million in 2015. A decrease in 2015 Medicare Supplement net 
sales was expected due to the unusually high level of group sales and individual sales in late 2014. Group sales can 
vary significantly from period to period due to the impact of large groups that can occur from time to time. Limited-
benefit net sales increased 8% to $81 million. Health first-year collected premium rose 32% to $157 million due to the 
aforementioned high level of group sales in 2014. Health first-year collected premium was up 18% during 2014. First 
year Medicare Supplement premium was up 53% as a result of an increase in the UA independent agency individual 
sales and the 2014 group sales noted above. As a result of the Medicare Supplement sales activity occurring in the 
fourth quarter, the full impact of this activity on collected premium is seen in the following year. 

25

 
 
 
 
 
We do not expect recent health care reform activity to have a significant impact on our operations. The Affordable Care  
Act (ACA) imposes an annual fee to health insurance issuers offering commercial health insurance as well as another 
fee for premium stabilization. These taxes totaled $1.2 million and $1.8 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The UA Independent Agency consists of independent agencies appointed with Torchmark who may also sell for other 
companies. The UA Independent Agency was Torchmark’s largest health agency in terms of health premium income. 
In 2015, premium income was $345 million, representing 37% of Torchmark’s total health premium. Net sales were 
$72 million, or 46% of Torchmark’s health sales. This agency is Torchmark’s largest producer of Medicare Supplement 
insurance,  with  Medicare  Supplement  premium  income  of  $330  million.  The  UA  Independent Agency  represents 
approximately  71%  of  all Torchmark  Medicare  Supplement  premium  and  93%  of  Medicare  Supplement  net  sales. 
Medicare Supplement premium in this agency rose 15%. Total health premium increased 13% in 2015 and 2% in 2014. 
Medicare Supplement net sales decreased 15% in 2015 from prior year. Individual sales were up 36% due to the high 
volume of sales in late 2014 and 2015. As previously discussed, group sales significantly increased in late 2014 resulting 
in a 42% decline in the current year, which is consistent with historical fluctuation from period to period.

The Family Heritage Exclusive Agency primarily markets limited-benefit supplemental health insurance in non-urban 
areas. Most of their policies include a cash-back feature, such as a return of premium whereby any excess of premiums 
over claims paid is returned to the policyholder at the end of a specified period stated within the insurance policy. 
Management expects to grow this agency through geographic expansion and continuing incorporation of Torchmark’s 
recruiting programs. The Family Heritage Agency contributed $50 million in net sales in 2015, compared with $47 
million  in  2014  and  $44  million  in  2013.  Health  premium  income  was  $221  million  in  2015,  representing  24%  of 
Torchmark’s health premium. This compared with $205 million or 24% of health premium in 2014 and $191 million or 
22% in 2013. The average agent count was 882 for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with 740 for the 
same period in 2014, an increase of 19%.

The Liberty National Exclusive Agency represented 23% of all Torchmark health premium income at $209 million 
in 2015. The Liberty Agency markets limited-benefit supplemental health products consisting primarily of critical illness 
insurance. Much of Liberty’s health business is now generated through work site marketing targeting small businesses 
of 10 to 25 employees. In 2015, health premium income in the Agency declined 6% from prior year premium of $222 
million after declining 8% during 2014. Liberty’s health premium decline has been due primarily to its declining Medicare 
Supplement block.

Other distribution. Certain of our other distribution channels market health products, although their main emphasis 
is on life insurance. On a combined basis, they accounted for 16% of health premium in 2015. The American Income 
Exclusive  Agency  primarily  markets  accident  plans.  The  Direct  Response  group  markets  primarily  Medicare 
Supplements to employer or union-sponsored groups. Direct Response added $5 million of Medicare Supplement net 
sales in 2015 compared with $23 million in 2014. The higher net sales in 2014 were due to the addition of a large new 
group in the third quarter of 2014.

As  presented  in  the  following  table,  Torchmark’s  health  insurance  underwriting  margin  before  other  income  and 
administrative expense increased 3% to $204 million in 2015, after an increase of 1% to $199 million in 2014. As a 
percentage of health premium, margins were down slightly to 22% in 2015, due to increased benefit ratios in the Direct 
Response and UA channels. The group business sold in 2014 was priced at higher benefit ratios.

26

 HEALTH INSURANCE
Summary of Results
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

2015

2014

2013

Amount

% of
Premium

Amount

% of
Premium

Amount

Premium ...................................................... $ 925,520
Policy obligations .........................................
Required interest on reserves......................

602,610

Net policy obligations.................................

(69,057)
533,553

Commissions, premium taxes, and non-
deferred acquisition expenses .....................
Amortization of acquisition costs .................
Total expense ............................................
Insurance underwriting income before other
income and administrative expense ............ $ 204,377

81,489
106,101
721,143

100 $ 869,440

100 $ 863,818

65

(7)
58

9
11
78

559,817

(64,401)
495,416

79,475
95,230
670,121

64

(7)
57

9
11
77

558,982

(59,858)
499,124

75,895
92,292
667,311

22 $ 199,319

23 $ 196,507

% of
Premium
100

65

(7)
58

9
10
77

23

Annuities.    Our  fixed  annuity  balances  at  the  end  of  2015,  2014,  and  2013  were  $1.32 billion,  $1.36 billion,  and 
$1.38 billion, respectively. Underwriting income was $4.6 million, $4.3 million, and $3.9 million in each of the respective 
years.

While the fixed annuity account balance has been declining slightly year over year, underwriting income has increased 
each year over the prior year. Policy charges have actually declined slightly in each successive year. The majority of 
policy charges consist of surrender charges which are based on a function of account size and time lapsed since 
deposit. A considerable portion of fixed annuity profitability is derived from the spread of investment income exceeding 
contractual interest requirements, which can result in negative net policy obligations. In the three-year period, however, 
spreads tended to level as crediting rates reached guaranteed minimums.

We do not currently market annuity products, favoring instead protection-oriented life and health insurance products. 
Therefore, we do not expect that annuities will be a significant portion of our business or marketing strategy going 
forward.

27

 
 
 
 
 
Administrative expenses.  Operating expenses are included in the Other and Corporate Segments and are classified 
into two categories: insurance administrative expenses and expenses of the parent company. The following table is 
an analysis of operating expenses for the three years ended December 31, 2015.

Operating Expenses Selected Information
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

2015

2014

2013

Amount

% of
Premium

Amount

% of
Premium

Amount

% of
Premium

Insurance administrative expenses:

Salaries .................................................... $ 87,262
Non-salary employee costs .....................
30,683
Other administrative expense ..................
61,001
Legal expense—insurance ......................
7,245
Total insurance administrative expenses.
186,191
9,003

Parent company expense ..............................

Stock compensation expense ........................

28,664

Litigation settlements .....................................

State Guaranty Fund Assessment..................

—

—

Total operating expenses, per 
Consolidated Statements of 
Operations ............................................ $223,858

2.9
1.0
2.0
0.3

6.2

$ 81,227
27,471
56,169
9,965

174,832

8,159

32,203

2,337

—

2.9
1.0
2.0
0.3

6.2

$ 81,002
33,221
51,834
9,594

175,651

8,495

25,642

500

1,155

2.9
1.2
1.9
0.4

6.4

$217,531

$211,443

Insurance administrative expenses:

Increase (decrease) over prior year .............

Total operating expenses:

Increase (decrease) over prior year .............

6.5%

2.9%

(0.5)%

2.9%

8.2%

8.4%

Insurance administrative expenses were up 6.5% in 2015 when compared with the prior year after declining slightly 
during 2014. As a percentage of total premium, insurance administrative expenses were flat during 2015 when compared 
to 2014 at 6.2% and down when compared to 2013 which stood at 6.4%. Total operating expenses increased 2.9%, 
consistent with the 2014 increase over 2013. The primary reasons for the increase in administrative expenses are 
higher information technology and employee costs, including pension-related costs. The decline in stock compensation 
expense is primarily due to lower expense associated with performance share awards and lower option values on the 
2015 grants. The decline in legal settlement expense was attributable to certain legal and administrative settlements 
that  occurred  in  2014. As  described  in  Note  14—Business  Segments  in  the  Notes  on  the  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements, we recorded legal accruals involving non-insurance matters, partially offset by proceeds for investment 
litigation. Litigation not related to our direct insurance operations is not considered an insurance administrative expense 
by Torchmark management and is removed from its analysis of core insurance operations in its segment reporting.

28

 
 
 
 
 
Investments.  We manage our capital resources including investments, debt, and cash flow through the investment 
segment. Excess investment income represents the profit margin attributable to investment operations. It is the measure 
that we use to evaluate the performance of the investment segment as described in Note 14—Business Segments in 
the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. It is defined as net investment income less both the required 
interest attributable to net policy liabilities and the interest cost associated with capital funding or “financing costs.”

We  also  view  excess  investment  income  per  diluted  share  as  an  important  and  useful  measure  to  evaluate  the 
performance of the investment segment. It is defined as excess investment income divided by the total diluted weighted 
average shares outstanding, representing the contribution by the investment segment to the consolidated earnings 
per share of the Company. Since implementing our share repurchase program in 1986, we have used over $6.5 billion 
of cash flow to repurchase Torchmark shares after determining that the repurchases provided a greater return than 
other investment alternatives. Share repurchases reduce excess investment income because of the foregone earnings 
on the cash that would otherwise have been invested in interest-bearing assets, but they also reduce the number of 
shares outstanding. In order to put all capital resource uses on a comparable basis, we believe that excess investment 
income per diluted share is an appropriate measure of the investment segment.

Excess Investment Income.  The following table summarizes Torchmark’s investment income and excess investment 
income.

Analysis of Excess Investment Income
(Dollar amounts in thousands except for per share data)

Net investment income (1) ..................................................................... $
Interest on net insurance policy liabilities:

2015
773,951

2014
758,286

$

2013
734,650

$

Interest on reserves .......................................................................

(674,650)

(649,848)

(625,388)

Interest on deferred acquisition costs ............................................

196,845

192,052

189,360

Net required interest ................................................................

(477,805)

(457,796)

(436,028)

Financing costs ....................................................................................
Excess investment income ................................................................... $
Excess investment income per diluted share ....................................... $
1.73
Mean invested assets (at amortized cost) ............................................ $13,697,129
Average net insurance policy liabilities(2) ..............................................
8,574,699
Average debt and preferred securities (at amortized cost)...................

219,504

1,343,663

(76,642)

(76,126)

224,364

1.69

$

$

(80,461)

218,161

1.56

$

$

$13,278,028

$12,838,010

8,240,435

1,287,740

7,851,625

1,321,102

(1) Net investment income has been retrospectively adjusted for ASU 2014-01 Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures: Accounting for 
Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects; see additional information at Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2) Net of deferred acquisition costs, excluding the associated unrealized gains and losses thereon.

Excess investment income decreased $5 million or 2% in 2015 over the prior year. Excess investment income increased 
$6 million or 3% in 2014. Excess investment income has been pressured over the past three years as a result of the 
impact of lower interest rates on net investment income coupled with the increase in required interest on net policy 
liabilities discussed later under this caption. On a per diluted share basis, excess investment income increased 2% to 
$1.73 in 2015. Excess investment income increased 8% to $1.69 per share in 2014, after having declined 3% in the 
prior year. The significant increase in the 2014 per share amount over 2013 and the increase in the 2015 per share 
amount over 2014, versus the decrease in dollar amount of excess investment income, is a result of the share repurchase 
program. 

The largest component of excess investment income is net investment income, which rose 2% to $774 million in 2015. 
It increased 3% to $758 million in 2014 from $735 million in 2013. Growth in net investment income has generally been 
slower than growth in mean invested assets in recent years due to the declining interest rate environment. In 2015, 
fixed maturity yields averaged 5.84% on a tax-equivalent and effective-yield basis, compared with 5.91% in 2014 and 
5.94% in 2013. Even though mean invested assets have increased each period, net investment income has grown at 
a slower pace as a result of the decline in average yields. The overall average portfolio yield decreased in the 2013 

29

 
 
 
 
to 2015 periods as new money is being invested at lower prevailing yields, and from the result of reinvesting proceeds 
from bonds that matured or were called at yield rates less than the rates we earned on the bonds before they matured 
or were called. A significant amount of calls were a negative factor on net investment income in 2013, but calls and 
maturities were very limited in their affect in 2014 and 2015. During 2014 and 2015, the proceeds from all dispositions 
have been reinvested at yield rates closer to the yield rates on the disposed assets.

Net investment income has also been negatively affected in 2014 and 2015 by the CMS requirement for us to pay 
certain Medicare Part D claims costs during the current period that are ultimately the responsibility of the government, 
but are not reimbursed until the following year. Because of the overall design of the program and higher Part D claims 
due to the approval of new Hepatitis C drugs and higher overall drug costs, we have incurred extensive upfront costs 
that are not reimbursed by CMS until late in the following respective year. These delays in reimbursements have caused 
a delay in cash flows available for new investments that resulted in a loss of approximately $5 million and $8 million 
of pre-tax net investment income in 2014 and 2015, respectively, and will cause us to lose approximately $9 million of 
additional investment income in 2016. 

Presented in the following chart is the growth in net investment income and the growth in mean invested assets.

Growth in net investment income ...................................................
Growth in mean invested assets (at amortized cost) ......................

2.1%
3.2%

3.2%
3.4%

2.6%
9.3%

2015

2014

2013

While net investment income in recent years has been negatively impacted by the factors discussed above, we would 
expect to see only modest declines in the average portfolio yield rate over the next few years. We anticipate that less 
than 2% of fixed maturities on average are expected to run off each year over the next five years and the average yield 
rate on assets acquired with the proceeds of dispositions is not expected to be significantly less than the yield rate 
earned on the assets prior to their disposal. Accordingly, we believe it is unlikely that dispositions will have a significant 
negative impact on net investment income and the growth rate of net investment income in the next few years.

Required interest on net insurance policy liabilities reduces net investment income as it is the amount of net investment 
income considered by management necessary to “fund” the required interest included in the insurance segments.  As 
such, it is removed from the investment segment and applied to the insurance segments to offset the effect of the 
required  interest  from  the  insurance  segments. As  discussed  in  Note  14-Business  Segments  in  the  Notes  to  the 
Consolidated Financial Statements, management believes this provides a more meaningful analysis of the investment 
and insurance segments. Required interest is based on the actuarial interest assumptions used in discounting the 
benefit reserve liability and the amortization of deferred acquisition costs for our insurance policies in force. The great 
majority of our life and health insurance policies are fixed interest-rate protection policies, not investment products, 
and are accounted for under current accounting guidance for long-duration insurance products which mandates that 
interest rate assumptions for a particular block of business be “locked in” for the life of that block of business. Each 
calendar year, we set the discount rate to be used to calculate the benefit reserve liability and the amortization of the 
deferred acquisition cost asset for all insurance policies issued that year. That rate is based on the new money yields 
that we expect to earn on cash flow received in the future from policies of that issue year, and cannot be changed. The 
discount rate used for policies issued in the current year has no impact on the in force policies issued in prior years 
as the rates of all prior issue years are also locked in. As such, the overall discount rate for the entire in force block is 
a weighted average of the discount rates being used from all issue years. Changes in the overall weighted-average 
discount rate over time are caused by changes in the mix of the reserves and the deferred acquisition cost asset by 
issue year on the entire block of in force business. Business issued in the current year has very little impact on the 
overall weighted-average discount rate due to the size of our in force business.

Because actuarial discount rates are locked in for life on essentially all of our business, benefit reserves and deferred 
acquisition costs are not affected by interest rate fluctuations unless a loss recognition event occurs. Due to the strength 
of our underwriting margins and the current positive spread between the yield on our investment portfolio and the 
weighted-average discount rate of our in force block, we don’t expect an extended low-interest-rate environment to 
cause a loss recognition event.

30

 
 
 
 
 
Information about interest on policy liabilities is shown in the following table.

Required Interest on Net Insurance Policy Liabilities
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Required
Interest

Average Net
Insurance
Policy  
Liabilities

Average
Discount
Rate

2015

Life and Health .................................................................................. $ 418,432
Annuity ..............................................................................................
59,373
Total ................................................................................................... $ 477,805
Increase in 2015 ................................................................................

4.37%

$ 7,256,732
1,317,967
$ 8,574,699

4.06%

2014

Life and Health .................................................................................. $ 396,658
61,138
Annuity ..............................................................................................
Total ................................................................................................... $ 457,796
Increase in 2014 ................................................................................

4.99%

$ 6,901,566
1,338,869
$ 8,240,435

4.95%

2013

Life and Health .................................................................................. $ 373,079
Annuity ..............................................................................................
62,949
Total ................................................................................................... $ 436,028
Increase in 2013 ................................................................................

9.13%

$ 6,528,469
1,323,156
$ 7,851,625

10.53%

5.77%
4.50
5.57

5.75%
4.57
5.56

5.71%
4.76
5.55

The large increases in 2013 are due to the inclusion of Family Heritage for a full year.

Excess investment income is also impacted by financing costs. Financing costs for the investment segment primarily 
consist of interest on our various debt instruments and are deducted from excess investment income. The table below 
presents  the  components  of  financing  costs  and  reconciles  interest  expense  per  the  Consolidated  Statements  of 
Operations.

Analysis of Financing Costs
(Amounts in thousands)

Interest on funded debt ....................................................................... $
Interest on short-term debt ..................................................................
Other ...................................................................................................
Financing costs ................................................................................... $

71,180 $

5,457
5
76,642 $

71,072 $

5,013
41
76,126 $

75,136
5,299
26
80,461

2015

2014

2013

Financing costs increased slightly from 2014 to 2015. The decrease of $4 million or 5% in 2014 was related to the 
maturity and repayment of our $94 million par amount 7.375% Notes during the third quarter of 2013. In 2015, interest 
on short-term debt increased primarily because of the increase in the weighted-average interest rate and the average 
balance on short-term debt. More information on our debt transactions are disclosed in the Financial Condition section 
of this report and in Note 11—Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

As previously noted, growth rates in our excess investment income decline when growth in income from the portfolio 
is less than that of the interest required by policy liabilities and financing costs as has been the case in recent years. 
In an extended low-interest-rate environment, the portfolio yield will tend to decline as we invest new money at lower 
long-term rates. We believe, however, the decline would be relatively slow as on average less than 2% of fixed maturities 
are expected to run off each year over the next five years.

31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In response to the lower interest rates, we raised the premium rates for new business on major life products in early 
2012 and again in late 2013. The increased premium provides additional margin on these policies to help offset higher 
mandatory cash values and the possible future reductions in excess investment income. Despite these increases in 
premium rates, we have continued to see growth in net sales.

Excess investment income benefits from increases in long-term rates available on new investments and decreases in 
short-term borrowing rates. Of these two factors, higher investment rates have the greater impact because the amount 
of cash that we invest is significantly greater than the amount that we borrow at short-term rates. Therefore, Torchmark 
would benefit if rates, especially long-term rates, were to rise.

Investment Acquisitions.  Torchmark’s investment policy calls for investing in fixed maturities that are investment grade 
and meet our quality and yield objectives. We generally prefer to invest in securities with longer maturities because 
they more closely match the long-term nature of our policy liabilities. We believe this strategy is appropriate because 
our cash flows are generally stable and predictable. If longer-term securities that meet our quality and yield objectives 
are not available, we do not relax our quality objectives, but instead, consider investing in shorter term or lower yielding 
securities, taking into consideration the slope of the yield curve and other factors.

During calendar years 2013 through 2015, Torchmark invested almost exclusively in fixed maturity securities, primarily 
in corporate bonds with longer-term maturities. The following table summarizes selected information for fixed maturity 
purchases for the last three years. The effective annual yield shown is the yield calculated to the potential termination 
date that produces the lowest yield, commonly referred to as the “worst call date.” For non-callable bonds, the worst-
call date is always the maturity date. For callable bonds, the worst-call date is the call date that produces the lowest 
yield, typically the first call date. 

Fixed Maturity Acquisitions Selected Information
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

Cost of acquisitions:

Investment-grade corporate securities ............................................. $ 1,026,520
Taxable municipal securities ............................................................
29,092

Other investment-grade securities ...................................................

15,296
Total fixed-maturity acquisitions ............................................. $ 1,070,908

$

696,264

$ 1,113,175

—

8,729

—

30,666

$

704,993

$ 1,143,841

Effective annual yield (one year compounded)(1)................................
Average life (in years, to next call) .....................................................

Average life (in years to maturity) .......................................................
Average rating ....................................................................................

4.79%

27.2

27.9

BBB+

4.77%

22.9

23.4

BBB+

4.65%

26.0

26.5

BBB+

 (1) Tax-equivalent basis, where the yield on tax-exempt securities, is adjusted to produce a yield equivalent to the pretax yield on taxable      

securities.

We prefer to invest primarily in bonds that are not callable (on other than a make-whole basis) prior to maturity, but 
we periodically invest some funds in callable bonds when the incremental yield available on such bonds warrants doing 
so. For investments in callable bonds, the actual life of the investment will depend on whether the issuer calls the 
investment prior to the maturity date. Given our investments in callable bonds, the actual average life of our investments 
cannot be known at the time of the investment. However absent sales, the average life will not be less than the average 
life to next call and will not exceed the average life to maturity. Data for both of these average life measures is provided 
in the above chart.

During the three years 2013 through 2015, acquisitions consisted of securities spanning a diversified range of issuers, 
industry sectors, and geographical regions.  All of the acquired securities were investment grade. In addition to the 
fixed maturity acquisitions, Torchmark invested $30 million in a limited partnership in 2015. The limited partnership is 
a diversified investment fund that currently invests opportunistically in global credit assets with the potential for attractive 
returns relative to risk. It is classified within long-term investments.

32

 
 
 
 
 
New cash flow available for investment has been primarily provided through our insurance operations and coupons 
received on existing investments. In some years, a significant amount of new investments can be derived from proceeds 
from dispositions including issuer calls. Issuer calls, as a result of the low-interest environment experienced during the 
past three years were an important factor, especially in 2013. Calls increase funds available for investment, but as 
noted earlier in this discussion, they can have a negative impact on investment income if the proceeds from the calls 
are reinvested in bonds that have lower yields than those of the bonds that were called. Issuer calls were $178 million 
in 2015, $160 million in 2014, and $344 million in 2013. The higher level of acquisitions in 2013 was primarily due to 
the additional funds available from the higher level of 2013 calls. The lower level of acquisitions in 2014 was primarily 
due to the delay in receiving CMS reimbursements as discussed earlier.

Portfolio  Composition.  The composition of the investment portfolio at book value on December 31, 2015 was as 
follows:

Invested Assets At December 31, 2015
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Fixed maturities(at amortized cost) ................................................................................ $ 13,251,871
Equities (at cost) ............................................................................................................
776

Policy loans ....................................................................................................................

Other long-term investments ..........................................................................................

492,462

36,803

Short-term investments ..................................................................................................
54,766
Total ............................................................................................................................... $ 13,836,678

96

—

4

—

—

100

Amount

% of Total

Approximately 96% of our investments at book value are in a diversified fixed maturity portfolio. Policy loans, which 
are  secured  by  policy  cash  values,  make  up  approximately  4%  of  our  investments.  We  also  have  insignificant 
investments in equity securities and other long-term investments. Because fixed maturities represent such a significant 
portion of our investment portfolio, the remainder of the discussion of portfolio composition will focus on fixed maturities.

Selected information concerning the fixed maturity portfolio is as follows:

Fixed Maturities
Fixed Maturity Portfolio Selected Information

Average annual effective yield (1) .........................................................................................
Average life, in years, to:

Next call (2) ...................................................................................................................
Maturity (2) ....................................................................................................................

Effective duration to:

Next call (2, 3) .................................................................................................................
Maturity (2, 3) ..................................................................................................................

At December 31,
2014
2015

5.83%

5.89%

17.8
20.3

10.2
11.2

17.8
20.5

10.9
12.0

(1)  Tax-equivalent basis, where the yield on tax-exempt securities is adjusted to produce a yield equivalent to the pretax yield on taxable 

securities.

(2)  Torchmark calculates the average life and duration of the fixed-maturity portfolio two ways:

(a)  based on the next call date which is the next call date for callable bonds and the maturity date for noncallable bonds, and
(b)  based on the maturity date of all bonds, whether callable or not.

(3)  Effective duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to a particular change in interest rates.

33

 
 
 
 
Credit  Risk  Sensitivity.    The  following  table  summarizes  certain  information  about  the  major  corporate  sectors 
(representing 4% or more of the portfolio) and security types held in our fixed-maturity portfolio at December 31, 2015.

Fixed Maturities by Sector
At December 31, 2015 
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Below Investment Grade

Total FIxed Maturities

% of Total Fixed 
Maturities

Cost or
Amortized
Cost

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fair
Value

Cost or
Amortized
Cost

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fair
Value

At 
Amortized 
Cost

At 
Fair 
Value

Corporates:

Financial

Insurance - life, 
health, P&C ............
Banks .....................

Other financial ........

$

58,534

$

2,410

$

(6,366) $

54,578

$ 1,912,580

$ 212,640

$

(21,634)

$ 2,103,586

41,606

74,954

452

—

(4,781)

(29,916)

37,277

45,038

605,957

624,532

65,740

69,170

(5,942)

(32,086)

665,755

661,616

Total financial ......

175,094

2,862

(41,063)

136,893

3,143,069

347,550

(59,662)

3,430,957

Utilities

Electric....................

Gas and water ........

Total utilities.........

Industrial - Energy

Pipelines.................

Exploration and 
production...............
Oil field services .....

Refiner....................

Driller ......................

9,646

—

9,646

45,420

10,923

38,962

—

5,382

Total energy.........

100,687

Industrial - Basic 
materials

Chemicals...............

—

Metals and mining ..

49,891

—

49,891

13,499

76,457

26,771

123,889

575,934

Forestry products 
and paper ...............

Total basic 
materials..............

Industrial - 
Consumer, non-
cyclical.......................
Other industrials ........

Industrial - 
Transportation ...........

Other corporate 
sectors.......................
Total corporates ...

Other fixed 
maturities:

Government (U.S., 
municipal, and 
foreign) ......................

Collateralized debt 
obligations .................

Other asset-backed 
securities ...................

Mortgage-backed 
securities(1) ................

Total fixed 
maturities .............. $

(1) Includes GNMA's

1,003

—

1,003

—

—

—

10,649

1,571,784

—

438,101

10,649

2,009,885

(16,971)

(872)

28,449

10,051

(11,088)

27,874

—

(2,600)

—

2,782

830,190

532,425

87,986

63,072

54,719

194,932

29,334

224,266

29,638

15,975

4,226

3,937

—

(20,000)

1,746,716

(8,319)

459,116

(28,319)

2,205,832

(124,357)

(61,838)

(11,455)

(1,162)

(20,289)

735,471

486,562

80,757

65,847

34,430

(31,531)

69,156

1,568,392

53,776

(219,101)

1,403,067

—

—

(27,661)

22,230

—

—

493,634

402,545

103,599

16,254

4,389

8,386

(21,339)

(90,070)

(2,952)

488,549

316,864

109,033

(27,661)

22,230

999,778

29,029

(114,361)

914,446

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1,106

1,195

—

(5,704)

14,605

71,948

1,158,828

979,187

86,401

64,579

(26,917)

1,218,312

(36,555)

1,007,211

—

(7,953)

18,818

571,474

44,720

(26,702)

589,492

1,337

7,503

(7,339)

117,887

1,051,925

(121,251)

462,186

11,482,538

69,297

919,618

(26,376)

1,094,846

(537,993)

11,864,163

87

86

554

—

(255)

299

1,684,846

133,117

(16,148)

1,801,815

63,662

16,158

(9,438)

70,382

63,662

16,158

(9,438)

70,382

—

—

—

0

—

0

—

—

16,078

4,747

550

290

—

(1)

16,628

5,036

13

—

—

—

13

1

—

—

640,150

$

23,661

$ (130,944) $ 532,867

$13,251,871

$1,069,733

$ (563,580)

$13,758,024

100

100

34

14

5

5

24

12

3

15

6

4

1

1

—

12

4

3

1

8

9

7

4

8

15

5

5

25

13

3

16

5

4

1

—

—

10

4

2

1

7

9

7

4

8

 
 
 
At December 31, 2015, fixed maturities had a fair value of $13.8 billion, compared with $14.5 billion at December 31, 
2014. The net unrealized gain position in the fixed maturity portfolio decreased from  $1.7 billion at December 31, 2014 
to $506 million at December 31, 2015, primarily as a result of an increase in market interest rates. The December 31, 
2015 net unrealized gain consisted of gross unrealized gains of $1.1 billion offset by $564 million of gross unrealized 
losses, compared with the December 31, 2014 net unrealized gain which consisted of a gross unrealized gain of $1.7 
billion and a gross unrealized loss of $79 million. As described in Note 4—Investments in the Notes to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements, the increase in gross unrealized losses was partially attributable to rising interest rates in the 
financial markets, but also resulted from deteriorating conditions in the energy and metals and mining sectors.

Corporate  securities  are  diversified  over  a  variety  of  industry  sectors  and  issuers.The  total  fixed  maturity  portfolio 
consists of 563 issuers, with 205 issuers within the financial, utility, and energy sectors.

Financial and Utilities.  At December 31, 2015, the fixed maturity securities in the financial and utility sectors had net 
unrealized gains of $288 million and $196 million, respectively. Less than 6% of the book value of the holdings in each 
of these sectors was rated below-investment grade. While the fair market value of the securities in these two sectors 
declined during the year, Torchmark does not believe that its fixed maturity securities in the financial and utility sectors 
pose a significant credit risk in the foreseeable future or that any of these securities are other-than-temporarily impaired. 

Energy  and  Basic  Materials.   The  current  low  price  of  oil  and  other  commodities  is  putting  some  downward  price 
pressure on some of our holdings in the energy and basic materials sectors, resulting in lower fair values of these 
sectors as noted above. Our energy sector investments accounted for 12% of fixed maturities at amortized cost and 
10% of fixed maturities at fair value as of December 31, 2015.  At amortized cost, over 93% of the energy holdings 
are investment grade. Within our energy portfolio, 53% of the holdings at amortized cost are in pipelines, 34% are in 
exploration and production, 6% are in oil field services, and the remainder are in refineries and drilling. We believe 
securities in drilling and oil field services with an amortized cost of $44 million rated below investment grade have the 
greatest risk of exposure to the current market conditions. Our investments in basic materials accounted for 8% of 
fixed maturities at amortized cost and 7% of fixed maturities at fair value as of December 31, 2015. At amortized cost, 
over 95% of these holdings are investment grade. Within this sector, 49% of the holdings at amortized cost are in 
chemicals, 40% are in mining, and the remainder are in forestry products. 

While a sustained period of low oil and natural gas prices and depressed demand for commodities may lead to some 
downgrades in these sectors, we believe that our investments will be able to withstand lower energy and commodity 
prices  for  an  extended  duration.    Due  to  the  strong  and  stable  cash  flows  generated  by  our  insurance  products, 
Torchmark has the ability to hold securities with temporary unrealized losses until recovery. Even though these fixed 
maturity investments are classified as available for sale, Torchmark generally intends to hold to maturity any securities 
which are temporarily impaired.  As of December 31, 2015, Torchmark does not believe that any of its holdings in the 
energy and basic materials sectors are other-than-temporarily impaired.

For more information about our fixed maturity portfolio by component at December 31, 2015 and 2014, including a 
discussion  of  other-than-temporary  impairments,  an  analysis  of  unrealized  investment  losses  and  a  schedule  of 
maturities, see Note 4—Investments in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

An analysis of the fixed maturity portfolio by a composite rating at December 31, 2015 is shown in the following table. 
The composite rating for each security, other than private-placement securities managed by third parties, is the average 
of the security’s ratings as assigned by Moody’s Investor Service, Standard & Poor’s, Fitch Ratings, and Dominion 
Bond Rating Service, LTD. The ratings assigned by these four nationally recognized statistical rating organizations are 
evenly weighted when calculating the average. Included in the chart below are private placement fixed maturity holdings 
of $542 million at amortized cost ($546 million at fair value) for which the ratings were assigned by the third party 
managers.

35

 
 
Fixed Maturities by Rating
At December 31, 2015 
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Amortized
Cost

%

Fair
Value

%

Investment grade:

AAA ................................................................................ $
AA ..................................................................................
A ....................................................................................
BBB+ .............................................................................
BBB ...............................................................................
BBB- ..............................................................................
Investment grade .....................................................

679,571
1,377,164
3,880,303
2,746,917
2,881,888
1,045,878
12,611,721

Below investment grade:

BB ..................................................................................
B ....................................................................................
Below B ..........................................................................
Below investment grade ..........................................

396,995
125,018
118,137
640,150
$ 13,251,871

5
10
29
21
22
8
95

3
1
1
5
100

$

692,509
1,516,112
4,281,509
2,874,861
2,861,855
998,311
13,225,157

308,036
101,979
122,852
532,867
$ 13,758,024

5
11
31
21
21
7
96

2
1
1
4
100

Of the $13.3 billion of fixed maturities at amortized cost as of December 31, 2015, $12.6 billion or 95% were investment 
grade with an average rating of A-. Below-investment-grade bonds were $640 million with an average rating of B+.  
Below-investment-grade  bonds  at  amortized  cost  were  17%  of  our  shareholders’  equity,  excluding  the  effect  of 
unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturities as of December 31, 2015. Overall, the total portfolio had a weighted 
average quality rating of A- based on amortized cost, the same as at the end of 2014.

An analysis of changes in our portfolio of below-investment grade fixed maturities at amortized cost is as follows:

Below-investment grade fixed maturities
At December 31, 2015 
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Balance at December 31, 2014 ......................................................................................................... $
Downgrades by rating agencies .................................................................................................

Upgrades by rating agencies ......................................................................................................
Disposals ....................................................................................................................................
Amortization ................................................................................................................................
Balance at December 31, 2015 ......................................................................................................... $

2015

560,890

164,968

(38,821)

(51,322)

4,435

640,150

Our investment policy regarding fixed maturities is to acquire only investment-grade obligations. Thus, any increases 
in below investment-grade issues are a result of ratings downgrades of existing holdings. Our investment portfolio 
contains no securities backed by sub-prime or Alt-A mortgages (loans for which some of the typical documentation 
was not provided by the borrower). We have no direct investments in residential mortgages and we are not a party to 
any credit default swaps or other derivative contracts. We do not participate in securities lending, we have no off-
balance sheet investments, and we have only an insignificant exposure to European sovereign debt consisting of $2 
million in German government bonds at December 31, 2015. Our exposure to Puerto Rican obligations is insignificant.

36

 
 
 
Market Risk Sensitivity.  Torchmark’s investment securities are exposed to interest rate risk, meaning the effect of 
changes in financial market interest rates on the current fair value of the company’s investment portfolio. Since 96% 
of the book value of our investments is attributable to fixed maturity investments (and virtually all of these investments 
are fixed-rate investments), the portfolio is highly subject to market risk. Declines in market interest rates generally 
result in the fair value of the investment portfolio exceeding the book value of the portfolio and increases in interest 
rates cause the fair value to decline below the book value. Under normal market conditions, we do not expect to realize 
these unrealized gains and losses because we have the ability and the intent to hold these investments to maturity. 
The long-term nature of our insurance policy liabilities and strong cash-flow operating position substantially mitigate 
any future need to liquidate portions of the portfolio. The increase or decrease in the fair value of insurance liabilities 
and debt due to increases or decreases in market interest rates largely offsets the impact of rates on the investment 
portfolio. However, as is permitted by GAAP, these liabilities are not recorded at fair value.

The  following  table  illustrates  the  market  risk  sensitivity  of  our  interest-rate  sensitive  fixed-maturity  portfolio  at 
December 31, 2015 and 2014. This table measures the effect of a change in interest rates (as represented by the U.S. 
Treasury curve) on the fair value of the fixed-maturity portfolio. The data measures the change in fair value arising 
from an immediate and sustained change in interest rates in increments of 100 basis points.    

Market Value of Fixed Maturity Portfolio
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Change in Interest Rates (1)
(200)
(100)
0
100
200

$

At December 31,

2015
17,184,975 $
15,337,923
13,758,025
12,397,872
11,219,241

2014
18,401,177
16,286,904
14,493,061
12,961,260
11,644,621

                                             (1) In basis points.

Realized Gains and Losses.  Our life and health insurance companies collect premium income from policyholders 
for the eventual payment of policyholder benefits, sometimes paid many years or even decades in the future. In addition 
to the payment of these benefits, we also incur acquisition costs, administrative expenses, and taxes as a part of 
insurance operations. Because benefits are expected to be paid in future periods, premium receipts in excess of current 
expenses are invested to provide for these obligations. For this reason, we hold a significant investment portfolio as 
a part of our core insurance operations. This portfolio consists primarily of high-quality fixed maturities containing an 
adequate yield to provide for the cost of carrying these long-term insurance product obligations. As a result, fixed 
maturities are generally held for long periods to support the liabilities. Expected yields on these investments are taken 
into account when setting insurance premium rates and product profitability expectations.

Investments are occasionally sold or called, resulting in a realized gain or loss. These gains and losses generally occur 
only incidentally, usually as the result of bonds sold because of deterioration in investment quality of issuers or calls 
by the issuers. Investment losses are also caused by write downs due to impairments. We do not engage in trading 
investments for profit. Therefore, gains or losses which occur in protecting the portfolio or its yield, or which result from 
events that are beyond our control, are only secondary to our core insurance operations of providing insurance coverage 
to policyholders.

Realized gains and losses can be significant in relation to the earnings from core insurance operations, and as a result, 
can have a material positive or negative impact on net income. The significant fluctuations caused by gains and losses 
can cause period-to-period trends of net income that are not indicative of historical core operating results or predictive 
of the future trends of core operations. Accordingly, they have no bearing on core insurance operations or segment 
results as we view operations. For these reasons, and in line with industry practice, we remove the effects of realized 
gains and losses when evaluating overall insurance operating results.

37

 
 
 
 
The following table summarizes our tax-effected realized gains (losses) by component for each of the years in the 
three-year period ended December 31, 2015.

Analysis of Realized Gains (Losses), Net of Tax
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for per share data)

2015

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

Amount

Per Share

Amount

Per Share

Amount

Per Share

Fixed maturities:

Sales ........................................... $ (10,813) $
Called or tendered .......................
Loss on redemption of debt................
Other ..................................................

4,652
—
447

(0.09) $ 10,209 $
0.04
—
—

4,851
(168)
414

Total ...................................... $ (5,714) $

(0.05) $ 15,306 $

0.08 $
0.04
—
—
0.12 $

3,015 $
5,525
—
(4,575)
3,965 $

0.02
0.04
—
(0.03)
0.03

As described in Note 4—Investments under the caption Other-than-temporary impairments, we have not incurred any 
write downs in our fixed maturity portfolio as a result of other-than-temporary impairment for the years 2013 through 
2015. During 2013, we sold investment real estate for an after-tax loss of $1.9 million, of which $1.7 million had been 
written down due to other-than-temporary impairment earlier in that year. 

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Liquidity.  Liquidity provides Torchmark with the ability to meet on demand the cash commitments required by its 
business operations and financial obligations. Our liquidity is primarily derived from three sources: positive cash flow 
from operations, a portfolio of marketable securities, and a line of credit facility.

Insurance Subsidiary Liquidity.  The operations of our insurance subsidiaries have historically generated substantial 
cash inflows in excess of immediate cash needs. Sources of cash flows for the insurance subsidiaries include primarily 
premium  and  investment  income.  Cash  outflows  from  operations  include  policy  benefit  payments,  commissions, 
administrative expenses, and taxes. The funds to provide for policy benefits, the majority of which are paid in future 
periods, are invested primarily in long-term fixed maturities to meet these long-term obligations. In addition to investment 
income, maturities and scheduled repayments in the investment portfolio are sources of cash. Excess cash available 
from the insurance subsidiaries’ operations is generally distributed as a dividend to the Parent Company, subject to 
regulatory restriction. The dividends are generally paid in amounts equal to the subsidiaries’ prior year statutory net 
income excluding realized capital gains. While the leading source of the excess cash is investment income, due to our 
high underwriting margins and effective expense control, a significant portion of the excess cash also comes from 
underwriting income.

Parent  Company  Liquidity.    Cash  flows  from  the  insurance  subsidiaries  are  used  to  pay  interest  and  principal 
repayments on Parent Company debt, operating expenses of the Parent, and Parent Company dividends to Torchmark 
shareholders. In 2015, the Parent received $466 million of cash dividends from its subsidiaries, compared with $479 
million in 2014 and $488 million in 2013. Including transfers from other subsidiaries and after paying debt obligations, 
shareholder dividends, and other expenses (but before share repurchases), Torchmark Parent had excess operating 
cash flow in 2015 of approximately $358 million, compared with $377 million in 2014 and $364 million in 2013. Parent 
Company cash flow in excess of its operating requirements is available for other corporate purposes, such as insurance 
subsidiary capital or financing needs, strategic acquisitions or share repurchases. In 2016, it is expected that the Parent 
Company will receive approximately $450 million in dividends and transfers from subsidiaries and that approximately 
$320 to $330 million will be available as excess cash flow. Certain restrictions exist on the payment of these dividends. 
For more information on the restrictions on the payment of dividends by subsidiaries, see the restrictions section of 
Note 12—Shareholders’ Equity in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Although these restrictions exist, 
dividend availability from subsidiaries historically has been more than sufficient for the cash flow needs of the Parent 
Company. 

38

 
 
 
 
 
Short-Term Borrowings.  An additional source of parent company liquidity is a line of credit facility with a group of 
lenders which allows unsecured borrowings and stand-by letters of credit up to $750 million. In July 2014, Torchmark 
replaced  a  $600  million  facility  with  this  agreement,  as  discussed  in  Note  11—Debt  in  the  Notes  to  Consolidated 
Financial Statements, under the caption Commercial Paper. The facility, like the previous, is further designated as a 
back-up line of credit for a commercial paper program. As of December 31, 2015, we had available $332 million of 
additional borrowing capacity under this new facility, compared with $314 million a year earlier. There have been no 
difficulties in accessing the commercial paper market during the three years ended December 31, 2015.

In summary, Torchmark expects to have readily available funds for 2016 and the foreseeable future to conduct its 
operations and to maintain target capital ratios in the insurance subsidiaries through internally generated cash flow 
and the credit facility. In the unlikely event that more liquidity is needed, the Company could generate additional funds 
through multiple sources including, but not limited to, the issuance of additional debt, additional borrowings on our 
short-term credit facility, and intercompany borrowing.

Consolidated Liquidity.  Consolidated net cash inflows provided from operations were $1.1 billion in 2015, compared 
with $880 million in 2014 and $1.1 billion in 2013. In addition to cash inflows from operations, our companies received 
proceeds from maturities, calls, and repayments of fixed maturities in the amount of $376 million in 2015, compared 
with $273 million in 2014 and $494 million in 2013. 

Our cash and short-term investments were $116 million at year-end 2015 and $82 million at year-end 2014. Additionally, 
we have a portfolio of marketable fixed and equity securities that are available for sale in the event of an unexpected 
need. These securities had a fair value of $13.8 billion at December 31, 2015. However, our strong cash flows from 
operations, investment maturities, and the availability of our credit line make any need to sell securities for liquidity 
unlikely.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.  As a part of its aforementioned credit facility, Torchmark had outstanding $177 
million in stand-by letters of credit at December 31, 2015, compared with $198 million a year earlier. These letters are 
issued among our subsidiaries, one of which is an offshore captive reinsurer, and have no impact on company obligations 
as a whole. Any future regulatory changes that restrict the use of off-shore captive reinsurers might require Torchmark 
to obtain third-party financing, which could cause an immaterial increase in financing costs.

As of December 31, 2015, we had no unconsolidated affiliates and no guarantees of the obligations of third party 
entities. All of our guarantees were guarantees of the performance of consolidated subsidiaries, as disclosed in Note 
15—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

39

 
 
 
 
 
 
The  following  table  presents  information  about  future  payments  under  our  contractual  obligations  for  the  selected 
periods as of December 31, 2015.

Contractual Obligations

(Amounts in thousands)

Fixed and determinable:

Actual
Liability

Total
Payments

Less than
One Year

One to
Three Years

Three to
Five Years

More than
Five Years

Debt—principal(1) ......... $ 1,233,862 $ 1,243,803 $ 490,544 $
Debt—interest(2) ...........
6,284
Capital leases ..............

523,332

62,018

—

—

—

Operating leases..........

Purchase obligations ...
Pension obligations(3)...
Future insurance 
obligations(4).................

—

68,949
191,464

40,955

68,949

263,063

8,304

36,582

19,273

— $ 292,647 $

109,090

65,997

—

12,626

31,215

43,064

—

8,903

767

460,612
286,227

—

11,122

385

48,316

152,410

41,648,625
Total......................... $13,746,370 $ 50,629,265 $ 2,003,735 $ 2,928,835 $ 3,137,314 $ 42,559,381

12,245,811

48,489,163

2,732,840

2,720,684

1,387,014

Interest on debt is based on our fixed contractual obligations.

(1)  Funded debt is itemized in Note 11—Debt and includes short-term commercial paper.
(2) 
(3)  Pension obligations are primarily liabilities in trust funds that are calculated in accordance with the terms of the pension plans. They are offset 
by invested assets in the trusts, which are funded through periodic contributions by Torchmark in a manner which will provide for the settlement 
of the obligations as they become due. Therefore, our obligations are offset by those assets when reported on Torchmark’s Consolidated 
Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2015, these pension obligations were $477 million, but there were also assets of $308 million in the pension 
entities. The schedule of pension benefit payments covers ten years and is based on the same assumptions used to measure the pension 
obligations, except there is no interest assumption because the payments are undiscounted. There are also obligations for benefits other than 
pensions with a liability of $22 million. Please refer to Note 9—Postretirement Benefits in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for 
more information on pension obligations.

(4)  Future insurance obligations consist primarily of estimated future contingent benefit payments on policies in force at December 31, 2015. 
These estimated payments were computed using assumptions for future mortality, morbidity and persistency. The actual amount and timing 
of such payments may differ significantly from the estimated amounts shown. Management believes that the assets supporting the liability of 
$12.2 billion at December 31, 2015, along with future premiums and investment income, will be sufficient to fund all future insurance obligations.

Capital Resources.  Torchmark’s capital structure consists of short-term debt (the commercial paper facility described 
in Note 11—Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and the current maturity of funded debt), long-
term funded debt, and shareholders’ equity. A complete analysis and description of long-term debt issues outstanding 
is presented in Note 11.

The carrying value of the funded debt was $993 million at December 31, 2015, compared with $992 million a year 
earlier. Torchmark has a 6.375% Senior Note that matures on June 15, 2016 with a par value and book value of $250 
million. As this issue matures within one year, it has been reclassified to short term debt. Torchmark intends to refinance 
the debt during calendar 2016 with a hybrid debt instrument.

Our insurance subsidiaries generally target a capital ratio of 325% of Company action level regulatory capital under 
Risk-Based Capital (RBC), a formula designed by insurance regulatory authorities to monitor the adequacy of capital. 
The 325% target is considered sufficient for the subsidiaries because of their strong reliable cash flows, the relatively 
low  risk  of  their  product  mix,  and  because  that  ratio  is  in  line  with  rating  agency  expectations  for  Torchmark. At 
December 31, 2015, our insurance subsidiaries in the aggregate had RBC ratios of approximately 320%. Should we 
experience impairments and/or ratings downgrades within its fixed maturity portfolio in the future, the ratio could fall 
below targeted levels. In such a case, management believes more than sufficient liquidity exists at the Parent Company 
to make additional contributions as necessary to maintain the targeted ratio.

As noted under the caption Summary of Operations in this report, we have an ongoing share repurchase program. 
Under  this  program,  we  acquired  6 million  shares  at  a  cost  of  $359  million  in  2015,  7 million  shares  at  a  cost  of 
$375 million in 2014, and 8 million shares for $360 million in 2013. The majority of purchased shares are retired each 

40

 
 
 
 
 
year. Please refer to the description of our share repurchase program under the caption Summary of Operations in 
this report.

Torchmark has continually increased the quarterly dividend on its common shares over the past three years. In the 
first quarter of 2013, it was increased to $0.1133 per share from $0.10 per share. In the first quarter of 2014, it was 
raised to $0.1267 per share. Finally, in the first quarter of 2015, dividends were raised to $0.135 per share.

Shareholders’ equity was $4.1 billion at December 31, 2015, compared with $4.7 billion at December 31, 2014. During 
the twelve months since December 31, 2014, shareholders’ equity was reduced by the $359 million in share purchases 
under the repurchase program, $60 million to offset the dilution from stock option exercises, and $750 million of after-
tax unrealized losses in the fixed maturity portfolio. However, it was increased by $527 million of net income.

We plan to use excess cash available at the Parent Company as efficiently as possible in the future. Possible uses of 
excess cash flow include, but are not limited to share repurchases, acquisitions, increases in shareholder dividends, 
investment in fixed maturities, or repayment of short-term debt. We will determine the best use of excess cash after 
ensuring that desired capital levels are maintained in our companies.

We maintain a significant available-for-sale fixed maturity portfolio to support our insurance policyholders’ liabilities. 
Current accounting guidance requires that we revalue our portfolio to fair market value at the end of each accounting 
period. The period-to-period changes in fair value, net of their associated impact on deferred acquisition costs and 
income tax, are reflected directly in shareholders’ equity. Changes in the fair value of the portfolio can result from 
changes in interest rates and liquidity in financial markets. While invested assets are revalued, accounting rules do 
not permit interest-bearing insurance policy liabilities to be valued at fair value in a consistent manner as that of assets, 
with changes in value applied directly to shareholders’ equity. Due to the size of our policy liabilities in relation to our 
shareholders’  equity,  this  inconsistency  in  measurement  usually  has  a  material  impact  on  the  reported  value  of 
shareholders’ equity. If these liabilities were revalued in the same manner as the assets, the effect on equity would be 
largely  offset.  Fluctuations  in  interest  rates  cause  undue  volatility  in  the  period-to-period  presentation  of  our 
shareholders’  equity,  capital  structure,  and  financial  ratios  which  would  be  essentially  removed  if  interest-bearing 
liabilities were valued in the same manner as assets. From time to time, the market value of our fixed maturity portfolio 
may be depressed as a result of bond market illiquidity which could result in a significant decrease in shareholders’ 
equity. Because of the long-term nature of our fixed maturities and liabilities and the strong cash flows consistently 
generated by our insurance subsidiaries, we have the intent and ability to hold our securities to maturity. As such, we 
do not expect to incur losses due to fluctuations in market value of fixed maturities caused by interest rate changes 
and temporarily illiquid markets. Accordingly, our management, credit rating agencies, lenders, many industry analysts, 
and certain other financial statement users prefer to remove the effect of this accounting rule when analyzing our 
balance sheet, capital structure, and financial ratios.

41

 
 
 
 
The following tables present selected data related to our capital resources. Additionally, the tables present the effect 
of this accounting guidance on relevant line items, so that investors and other financial statement users may determine 
its impact on Torchmark’s capital structure.

(Amounts in thousands except per share and percentage data)

Selected Financial Data

At December 31, 2015

At December 31, 2014

At December 31, 2013

Effect of
Accounting
Rule
Requiring
Revaluation (1)

GAAP

Effect of
Accounting
Rule
Requiring
Revaluation (1)

Effect of
Accounting
Rule
Requiring
Revaluation (1)

GAAP

GAAP

Fixed maturities ........................ $13,758,024
Deferred acquisition costs (2) .....
3,617,135
Total assets ............................... 19,853,213
Short-term debt .........................

490,129

Long-term debt .........................

743,733

$ 506,153

$14,493,060

$ 1,669,448

$12,879,133

$ 390,258

(7,869)

3,457,397

(16,551)

3,325,433

(10,351)

498,284

20,272,259

1,652,897

18,217,757

379,907

—

—

238,398

992,130

—

—

229,070

990,865

—

—

Shareholders’ equity .................

4,055,552

323,885

4,697,466

1,074,383

3,776,342

246,940

Book value per diluted share.....
Debt to capitalization (3) .............
Diluted shares outstanding........

Actual shares outstanding .........

32.71

23.3%

123,996

122,370

2.62

(1.5)%

36.19

20.8%

129,812

127,930

8.28

(4.6)%

27.66

24.4%

136,537

134,252

1.81

(1.3)%

(1)  Amount added to (deducted from) comprehensive income to produce the stated GAAP item.
(2) 
(3)  Torchmark’s debt covenants require that the effect of the accounting rule requiring revaluation be removed to determine this ratio. This ratio 

Includes the value of insurance purchased.

is computed by dividing total debt by the sum of debt and shareholders’ equity.

FASB guidance provides for an option which, if elected, would permit us to value our interest-bearing policy liabilities 
and debt at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. However, unlike the accounting rule which permits us to 
account for changes in our available-for-sale bond portfolio through other comprehensive income, the guidance requires 
such changes to be recorded in earnings. Because both the size and duration of the investment portfolio do not match 
those attributes of our policyholder liabilities and debt, the impact on earnings could be very significant and volatile, 
causing reported earnings not to be reflective of core results. Therefore, we have not elected this option.

Torchmark’s ratio of earnings before interest and taxes to interest requirements (times interest earned) was 11.0 times 
in 2015, compared with 11.3 times in 2014 and 10.4 times in 2013 (as adjusted for discontinued operations and the 
adoption  of ASU  2014-01  Investments-Equity  Method  and  Joint  Ventures: Accounting  for  Investments  in  Qualified 
Affordable Housing Projects). This times-interest-earned ratio is computed by dividing interest expense into the sum 
of pre-tax income from continuing operations and interest expense.  A discussion of our interest expense is included 
in the discussion of financing costs under the caption Investments in this report.

42

 
 
 
 
 
Financial Strength Ratings.  The financial strength of our major insurance subsidiaries is rated by Standard & Poor’s 
and A. M. Best. The following chart presents these ratings for our five largest insurance subsidiaries at December 31, 
2015.

Liberty ............................................................................................................
Globe .............................................................................................................
United American .............................................................................................
American Income ...........................................................................................
Family Heritage ..............................................................................................

Standard
& Poor’s
AA-
AA-
AA-
AA-
NR

A.M 
Best

   A+ (Superior)
   A+ (Superior)
   A+ (Superior)
   A+ (Superior)
   A (Excellent)

A.M. Best states that it assigns an A+ (Superior) rating to insurance companies that have, in its opinion, a superior 
ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations. It assigns an A (Excellent) rating to insurance companies that 
have, in its opinion, an excellent ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations. 

The AA financial strength rating category is assigned by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (S&P) to those insurers which 
have very strong capacity to meet its financial commitments which differs from the highest-rated insurers only to a 
small  degree. An  insurer  rated A  has  strong  capacity  to  meet  its  financial  commitments  but  it  is  somewhat  more 
susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than insurers in higher-rated 
categories. The plus sign (+) or minus sign (-) shows the relative standing within the major rating category.

In the third quarter of 2014, Standard and Poor's (S&P) revised its outlook on Torchmark's capital position to a negative 
outlook. That updated outlook was due to S&P's view at that time at certain internal components of Torchmark's capital 
position rather than a change in the capital position itself. However, during the fourth quarter of 2015, S&P formally 
reviewed our operations and financial outlook. Based on their review, they revised their outlook from negative to stable 
and confirmed our "AA-" financial strength ratings at our insurance subsidiaries and Torchmark Corporation's senior 
debt "A" credit rating. We intend to maintain adequate capital levels for S&P and any changes to our capital position  
to maintain such levels are not expected to have any significant impact on our share repurchase program or our financial 
results in future periods.

OTHER ITEMS

Litigation.  Torchmark and its subsidiaries are subject to being named as parties to pending or threatened litigation, 
much  of  which  involves  punitive  damage  claims  based  upon  allegations  of  agent  misconduct  at  the  insurance 
subsidiaries. Such punitive damage claims may have the potential for significant adverse results since Torchmark and 
its  subsidiaries  operate  in  jurisdictions  where  large  punitive  damage  awards  bearing  little  or  no  relation  to  actual 
damages continue to be awarded. This bespeaks caution since it is impossible to predict the likelihood or extent of 
punitive damages that may be awarded if liability is found in any given case. Based upon information presently available, 
and in light of legal and other factual defenses available to Torchmark and its subsidiaries, contingent liabilities arising 
from  threatened  and  pending  litigation  are  not  presently  considered  by  us  to  be  material.  For  more  information 
concerning litigation, please refer to Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements.

43

 
 
  
 
 
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Future Policy Benefits:  Due to the long-term nature of insurance contracts, our insurance companies are liable for 
policy benefit payments that will be made in the future. The liability for future policy benefits is determined by standard 
actuarial procedures common to the life insurance industry. The accounting policies for determining this liability are 
disclosed in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Approximately 85% of our liabilities for future policy benefits at December 31, 2015 were traditional insurance liabilities 
where the liability is determined as the present value of future benefits less the present value of the portion of the gross 
premium required to pay for such benefits. The assumptions used in estimating the future benefits for this portion of 
business are set at the time of contract issue. These assumptions are “locked in” and are not revised for the lifetime 
of the contracts, except where there is a premium deficiency, as defined in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies in 
the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under the caption Future Policy Benefits. Otherwise, variability in the 
accrual of policy reserve liabilities after policy issuance is caused only by variability of the inventory of in force policies. 
Torchmark  did  not  have  a  premium  deficiency  event  for  its  traditional  business  during  the  three  years  ended 
December 31, 2015.

The remaining portion of liabilities for future policy benefits pertains to business accounted for as deposit business, 
where the recorded liability is the fund balance attributable to the benefit of policyholders as determined by the policy 
contract at the financial statement date. Accordingly, there are no assumptions used to determine the future policy 
benefit liability for deposit business.

Deferred Acquisition Costs:  Certain costs of acquiring new business are deferred and recorded as an asset. Deferred 
acquisition costs consist primarily of sales commissions and other underwriting costs related to the successful issuance 
of  a  new  insurance  contract  as  indicated  in  Note  1—Significant  Accounting  Policies  under  the  caption  Deferred 
Acquisition  Costs  in  the  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements. Additionally,  the  cost  of  acquiring  blocks  of 
insurance business or insurance business through the purchase of other companies, known as the value of insurance 
purchased, is included in deferred acquisition costs. Our policies for accounting for deferred acquisition costs and the 
associated amortization are reported under the same caption in Note 1.

Approximately 99% of our recorded amounts for deferred acquisition costs at December 31, 2015 were related to 
traditional products and are being amortized over the premium-paying period in proportion to the present value of 
actual historic and estimated future gross premiums. The projection assumptions for this business are set at the time 
of contract issue. These assumptions are “locked-in” at that time and, except where there is a loss recognition issue, 
are not revised for the lifetime of the contracts. Absent a premium deficiency, variability in amortization after policy 
issuance  is  caused  only  by  variability  in  premium  volume.  We  have  not  recorded  a  deferred  acquisition  cost  loss 
recognition event for assets related to this business for any period in the three years ended December 31, 2015.

The remaining 1% of deferred acquisition costs pertain to deposit business for which deferred acquisition costs are 
amortized over the estimated lives of the contracts in proportion to actual and estimated future gross profits. These 
contracts are not subject to lock-in. The assumptions must be updated when actual experience or other evidence 
suggests that earlier estimates should be revised. Revisions related to our deposit business assets have not had a 
material impact on the amortization of deferred acquisition costs during the three years ended December 31, 2015.

Policy Claims and Other Benefits Payable:  This liability consists of known benefits currently payable and an estimate 
of claims that have been incurred but not yet reported to us. The estimate of unreported claims is based on prior 
experience and is made after careful evaluation of all information available to us. However, the factors upon which 
these estimates are based can be subject to change from historical patterns. Factors involved include the litigation 
environment, regulatory mandates, and the introduction of policy types for which claim patterns are not well established, 
and medical trend rates and medical cost inflation as they affect our health claims. Changes in these estimates, if any, 
are reflected in the earnings of the period in which the adjustment is made. We believe that the estimates used to 
produce the liability for claims and other benefits, including the estimate of unsubmitted claims, are the most appropriate 
under the circumstances. However, there is no certainty that the resulting stated liability will be our ultimate obligation. 
At this time, we do not expect any change in this estimate to have a material impact on earnings or financial position 
consistent with our historical experience.

Valuation of Fixed Maturities:  We hold a substantial investment in high-quality fixed maturities to provide for the funding 
of our future policy contractual obligations over long periods of time. While these securities are generally expected to 

44

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
be held to maturity, they are classified as available for sale and are sold from time to time, primarily to manage risk. 
We report this portfolio at fair value. Fair value is the price that we would expect to receive upon sale of the asset in 
an orderly transaction. The fair value of the fixed maturity portfolio is primarily affected by changes in interest rates in 
financial markets, having a greater impact on longer-term maturities. Because of the size of our fixed maturity portfolio, 
small changes in rates can have a significant effect on the portfolio and the reported financial position of the Company. 
This impact is disclosed in 100 basis point increments under the caption Market Risk Sensitivity in this report. However, 
as discussed under the caption Financial Condition in this report, we believe these unrealized fluctuations in value 
have no meaningful impact on our actual financial condition and, as such, we remove them from consideration when 
viewing our financial position and financial ratios.

At times, the values of our fixed maturities can also be affected by illiquidity in the financial markets. Illiquidity would 
contribute to a spread widening, and accordingly unrealized losses, on many securities that we would expect to be 
fully recoverable. Even though our fixed maturity portfolio is available for sale, we have the ability and intent to hold 
the securities until maturity as a result of our strong and stable cash flows generated from our insurance products. 
Considerable information concerning the policies, procedures, classification levels, and other relevant data concerning 
the valuation of our fixed-maturity investments is presented in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies and in Note 4
—Investments in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under the captions Fair Value Measurements in both 
notes.

Impairment  of  Investments:    We  continually  monitor  our  investment  portfolio  for  investments  where  fair  value  has 
declined below carrying value and that have become impaired in value. While the values of the investments in our 
portfolio constantly fluctuate due to market conditions, an other-than-temporary impairment charge is recorded only 
when a security has experienced a decline in fair market value which is deemed to be other than temporary. The 
policies and procedures that we use to evaluate and account for impairments of investments are disclosed in Note 1
—Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and the discussions under the 
captions  Investments  and  Realized  Gains  and  Losses  in  this  report.  While  every  effort  is  made  to  make  the  best 
estimate of status and value with the information available regarding an other-than-temporary impairment, it is difficult 
to predict the future prospects of a distressed or impaired security.

Defined benefit pension plans:  We maintain funded defined benefit plans covering most full-time employees. We also 
have unfunded nonqualified defined benefit plans covering certain key and other employees. Our obligations under 
these plans are determined actuarially based on specified actuarial assumptions. In accordance with GAAP, an expense 
is recorded each year as these pension obligations grow due to the increase in the service period of employees and 
the interest cost associated with the passage of time. These obligations are offset, at least in part, by the growth in 
value of the assets in the funded plans. At December 31, 2015, our gross liability under these funded plans was $477 
million, but was offset by assets of $308 million.

45

 
 
 
 
The actuarial assumptions used in determining our obligations for pensions include employee mortality and turnover, 
retirement age, the expected return on plan assets, projected salary increases, and the discount rate at which future 
obligations could be settled. These assumptions have an important effect on the pension obligation. A decrease in the 
discount rate or rate of return on plan assets will cause an increase in the pension obligation. A decrease in projected 
salary  increases  will  cause  a  decrease  in  this  obligation.  Small  changes  in  assumptions  may  cause  significant 
differences in reported results for these plans. For example, a sensitivity analysis is presented below for the impact of 
change in the discount rate and the long-term rate of return on assets assumed on our defined benefit pension plans 
expense for the year 2015 and projected benefit obligation as of December 31, 2015.

Assumption

Discount Rate: (1)

% Change

Impact on
Expense

Impact on
Projected
Benefit
Obligation

(Dollars in Thousands)

Increase .................................................................................................

0.25

$

(2,335) $

(17,795)

Decrease ...............................................................................................

(0.25)

2,455

18,850

Expected Return: (2)

Increase .................................................................................................

Decrease ...............................................................................................

0.25

(0.25)

(799)

799

(1)  The discount rate was 4.23% for 2015 expense and 4.64% for the projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2015.
(2)  The expected return rate assumed was 6.96%.

The Company determines mortality assumptions through the use of published mortality tables that reflect broad-based 
studies of mortality and published longevity improvement scales. During 2014, the Company revised the mortality 
assumptions based on an evaluation of a new mortality table and longevity scale released by the Society of Actuaries. 
The  change  in  these  assumptions  added  approximately  $26  million  to  the  projected  benefit  obligation  as  of 
December 31, 2014.

The criteria used to determine the primary assumptions are discussed in Note 9—Postretirement Benefits in the Notes 
to Consolidated Financial Statements. While we have used our best efforts to determine the most reliable assumptions, 
given the information available from company experience, economic data, independent consultants and other sources, 
we cannot be certain that actual results will be the same as expected. The assumptions are reviewed annually and 
revised, if necessary, based on more current information available to us. Note 9 also contains information about pension 
plan assets, investment policies, and other related data.

46

 
 
 
 
 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

We caution readers regarding certain forward-looking statements contained in the foregoing discussion and elsewhere 
in this document, and in any other statements made by us or on our behalf whether or not in future filings with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission. Any statement that is not a historical fact, or that might otherwise be considered 
an opinion or projection concerning us or our business, whether express or implied, is meant as and should be considered 
a forward-looking statement. Such statements represent our opinions concerning future operations, strategies, financial 
results or other developments.

Forward-looking  statements  are  based  upon  estimates  and  assumptions  that  are  subject  to  significant  business, 
economic and competitive uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. If these estimates or assumptions 
prove to be incorrect, the actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements made on the basis 
of such estimates or assumptions. Whether or not actual results differ materially from forward-looking statements may 
depend on numerous foreseeable and unforeseeable events or developments, which may be national in scope, related 
to the insurance industry generally, or applicable to Torchmark specifically. Such events or developments could include, 
but are not necessarily limited to:

1) Changes in lapse rates and/or sales of our insurance policies as well as levels of mortality, morbidity and 
utilization of healthcare services that differ from our assumptions;

2) Federal and state legislative and regulatory developments, particularly those impacting taxes and changes 
to the federal Medicare program that would affect Medicare Supplement and Medicare Part D insurance;

3) Market trends in the senior-aged health care industry that provide alternatives to traditional Medicare, such 
as health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and other managed care or private plans, and that could affect 
the sales of traditional Medicare Supplement insurance;

4) Interest rate changes that affect product sales and/or investment portfolio yield;

5) General economic, industry sector or individual debt issuers’ financial conditions that may affect the current 
market value of securities that we own, or that may impair issuers’ ability to pay interest due us on those 
securities;

6) Changes in pricing competition;

7) Litigation results;

8) Levels of administrative and operational efficiencies that differ from our assumptions;

9) Our inability to obtain timely and appropriate premium rate increases for health insurance policies due to 
regulatory delay;

10) The customer response to new products and marketing initiatives; and

11) Reported amounts in the financial statements which are based on our estimates and judgments which may 
differ from the actual amounts ultimately realized.

Readers are also directed to consider other risks and uncertainties described in our other documents on file with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission.

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Information required by this item is found under the heading Market Risk Sensitivity in Item 7 of this report.

47

 
 
 
 
 
Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm ..............................................................................

Consolidated Financial Statements:

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2015 and 2014 ....................................................................

Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 
2015 ...............................................................................................................................................................

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the three years in the period ended 
December 31, 2015 ........................................................................................................................................

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for each of the three years in the period ended 
December 31, 2015 ........................................................................................................................................

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 
2015 ...............................................................................................................................................................

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ..................................................................................................

Page

49

50

51

52

53

54

55

48

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Torchmark Corporation
McKinney, Texas

We  have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets  of  Torchmark  Corporation  and  subsidiaries 
(Torchmark) as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive 
income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015. Our 
audits also included the financial statement schedules listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial statements and 
financial statement schedules are the responsibility of Torchmark’s management. Our responsibility is to express an 
opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether 
the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence 
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting 
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement 
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of 
Torchmark Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and 
their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with accounting 
principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedules, 
when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material 
respects, the information set forth therein.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States), Torchmark’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on the criteria established 
in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway 
Commission and our report dated February 26, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on Torchmark’s internal control 
over financial reporting.

/s/    Deloitte & Touche LLP

Dallas, Texas
February 26, 2016 

49

 
 
 
 
 
 
TORCHMARK CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

December 31,

2015

2014(1)

Assets:

Investments:

Fixed maturities-available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2015–$13,251,871;
2014–$12,823,612) .............................................................................................................. $ 13,758,024
Equity securities, at fair value  (cost: 2015–$776; 2014–$776) ............................................
1,635

Policy loans .........................................................................................................................

Other long-term investments ................................................................................................

Short-term investments ........................................................................................................

492,462

36,803

54,766

$ 14,493,060

1,477

472,109

10,449

15,882

Total investments ..........................................................................................................

14,343,690

14,992,977

Cash ......................................................................................................................................

Accrued investment income ...................................................................................................

Other receivables ...................................................................................................................

61,383

209,915

344,552

66,019

204,879

327,856

Deferred acquisition costs ......................................................................................................

3,617,135

3,457,397

Goodwill

.................................................................................................................................

Other assets ...........................................................................................................................

441,591

522,104

Assets held for sale ................................................................................................................

312,843
Total assets ................................................................................................................... $ 19,853,213

Liabilities:

Future policy benefits ............................................................................................................. $ 12,245,811
Unearned and advance premiums .........................................................................................

67,021

Policy claims and other benefits payable ................................................................................

Other policyholders' funds ......................................................................................................

272,898

95,988

441,591

493,495

288,045

$ 20,272,259

$ 11,750,495

71,703

254,149

95,446

Total policy liabilities .....................................................................................................

12,681,718

12,171,793

Current and deferred income taxes payable ...........................................................................

1,450,888

1,786,070

Other liabilities .......................................................................................................................

Short-term debt

......................................................................................................................

Long-term debt (estimated fair value:  2015–$856,291;  2014–$1,148,749) ...........................

Liabilities held for sale ............................................................................................................

380,158

490,129

743,733

51,035

347,526

238,398

992,130

38,876

Total liabilities ...............................................................................................................

15,797,661

15,574,793

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 15)

Shareholders' equity:

Preferred stock, par value $1 per share–Authorized 5,000,000 shares; outstanding: -0- in
2015 and 2014 .......................................................................................................................

Common stock, par value $1 per share–Authorized 320,000,000 shares; outstanding:
(2015–130,218,183 issued, less 7,848,231 held in treasury and 2014–134,218,183 issued,
less 6,287,907 held in treasury)

.............................................................................................

Additional paid-in capital

........................................................................................................

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ..................................................................

—

—

130,218

482,284

231,947

134,218

457,613

997,452

Retained earnings ..................................................................................................................

3,614,369

3,376,846

Treasury stock ........................................................................................................................

(403,266)

(268,663)

Total shareholders' equity .............................................................................................

4,055,552
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity ........................................................................ $ 19,853,213

4,697,466

$ 20,272,259

(1) Certain balances were adjusted to give effect to discontinued operations as described in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies. 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

50

 
 
 
TORCHMARK CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts in thousands except per share data)

Year Ended December 31,
2014(1)

2013(1)

2015

Revenue:

Life premium .............................................................................................. $
Health premium .........................................................................................

Other premium ..........................................................................................

2,073,065

$

1,966,300

$

1,885,332

925,520

135

869,440

400

863,818

532

Total premium ................................................................................

2,998,720

2,836,140

2,749,682

Net investment income ..............................................................................

Realized investment gains (losses) ...........................................................

Other-than-temporary impairments ............................................................

Other income .............................................................................................

773,951

(8,791)

—

2,185

758,286

23,548

—

2,121

734,650

10,668

(2,678)

1,931

Total revenue .................................................................................

3,766,065

3,620,095

3,494,253

Benefits and expenses:

Life policyholder benefits ...........................................................................

1,374,608

1,301,562

1,227,857

Health policyholder benefits .......................................................................

Other policyholder benefits ........................................................................

602,610

38,994

559,817

42,005

567,607

43,302

Total policyholder benefits ..............................................................

2,016,212

1,903,384

1,838,766

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs .................................................

Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition expenses .....

Other operating expense ...........................................................................

Interest expense ........................................................................................

445,625

237,541

223,858

76,642

415,914

222,463

217,531

76,126

400,869

207,399

211,443

80,461

Total benefits and expenses ..........................................................

2,999,878

2,835,418

2,738,938

Income before income taxes ........................................................................

Income taxes ...............................................................................................

Income from continuing operations ..............................................................

766,187

(249,894)

516,293

784,677

(256,603)

528,074

755,315

(248,110)

507,205

Discontinued operations:

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax ........................................

10,807

14,865

21,267

Net income .................................................................................... $

527,100

$

542,939

$

528,472

Basic net income per common share:

Continuing operations ................................................................................ $
Discontinued operations ............................................................................

Total basic net income per common share ..................................... $

Diluted net income per common share:

Continuing operations ................................................................................ $
Discontinued operations ............................................................................

Total diluted net income per common share ................................... $

4.13

0.08

4.21

4.07

0.09

4.16

$

$

$

$

4.04

0.11

4.15

3.98

0.11

4.09

$

$

$

$

3.68

0.16

3.84

3.63

0.16

3.79

(1) Certain balances were adjusted to give effect to discontinued operations and the adoption of new accounting guidance as described in Note 
1- Significant Accounting Policies under the caption "Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Interests."

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

51

 
 
 
TORCHMARK CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Amounts in thousands)

Net income ........................................................................................................... $

527,100

$

542,939

$

528,472

Year Ended December 31,

2015

2014

2013

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Unrealized investment gains (losses): .............................................................

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities: ......................................................

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period ..........................

(1,163,259)

1,312,841

(1,166,332)

Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses on securities included in 
net income .............................................................................................

Reclassification adjustment for amortization of (discount) premium .......

Foreign exchange adjustment on securities recorded at fair value .........

9,478

(6,346)

(3,010)

(23,771)

(13,138)

(8,621)

(1,567)

(6,569)

(1,173)

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities .......................................................

(1,163,137)

1,278,882

(1,187,212)

Unrealized gains (losses) on other investments:

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period ..........................

Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income....

Unrealized gains (losses) on other investments ..........................................

(1,793)

(1,102)

(2,895)

4,180

—

4,180

28

3,532

3,560

Total unrealized investment gains (losses) .............................................

(1,166,032)

1,283,062

(1,183,652)

Less applicable (taxes) benefits ........................................................

408,092

(448,985)

415,481

Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax .......................................

(757,940)

834,077

(768,171)

Unrealized gains (losses) attributable to deferred acquisition costs .................
Less applicable (taxes) benefits ..................................................................

Unrealized gains (losses) attributable to deferred acquisition costs, net of tax

Foreign exchange translation adjustments, other than securities .....................
Less applicable (taxes) benefits ..................................................................

Foreign exchange translation adjustments, other than securities, net of tax ....

Pension adjustments:

......................................................................................

Amortization of pension costs .....................................................................

Plan amendments .......................................................................................

Experience gain (loss) ................................................................................

Pension adjustments ..................................................................................

Less applicable (taxes) benefits .............................................................

Pension adjustments, net of tax .......................................................................

8,682

(3,039)
5,643

(20,651)

6,892
(13,759)

14,586

(2,104)

(11,632)

850

(299)

551

(6,200)

2,170
(4,030)

(10,770)

3,290
(7,480)

14,906

(5,217)
9,689

(2,962)

1,220
(1,742)

10,285

18,366

—

(65,817)

(55,532)

19,436

(36,096)

—

52,296

70,662

(24,732)

45,930

Other comprehensive income (loss) .....................................................................

(765,505)

786,471

(714,294)

Comprehensive income (loss) ................................................................ $

(238,405) $ 1,329,410

$

(185,822)

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

52

 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013

Balance at January 1, 2013 ............. $
Other Comprehensive 
income (loss) ...................................

Common dividends declared
($.45 per share) ...............................

Acquisition of treasury stock ............

Stock-based compensation..............

Exercise of stock options .................

Retirement of treasury stock ............

Balance at December 31, 2013.....

Year Ended December 31, 2014

Other Comprehensive 
income (loss) ...................................

Common dividends declared 
($.51 per share) ...............................

Acquisition of treasury stock ............

Stock-based compensation..............

Exercise of stock options .................

TORCHMARK CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Amounts in thousands except per share data)

Preferred
Stock

Common
Stock

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

Retained
Earnings

Treasury
Stock

Total
Shareholders’
Equity

— $ 158,718

$

439,782

$

925,275

$ 3,350,432

$ (512,421) $

4,361,786

(714,294)

528,472

(61,991)

(482,264)

563

1,615

(25,195)

122,871

(296,748)

326,751

(185,822)

(61,991)

(482,264)

25,642

118,991

—

23,464

21,315

(7,500)

(22,503)

—

151,218

462,058

210,981

3,495,533

(543,448)

3,776,342

786,471

542,939

1,329,410

(65,998)

(449,308)

362

526

(22,641)

78,934

(573,349)

644,633

(65,998)

(449,308)

32,203

74,817

—

31,315

18,524

Retirement of treasury stock ............

(17,000)

(54,284)

Balance at December 31, 2014.....

Year Ended December 31, 2015

Other Comprehensive 
income (loss) ...................................

Common dividends declared
($.54 per share) ...............................

Acquisition of treasury stock ............

Stock-based compensation..............

Exercise of stock options .................

Retirement of treasury stock ............

—

134,218

457,613

997,452

3,376,846

(268,663)

4,697,466

(765,505)

527,100

(67,182)

(2,132)

(36,322)

(418,526)

8,983

72,280

21,813

17,577

(4,000)

(14,719)

(183,941)

202,660

(238,405)

(67,182)

(418,526)

28,664

53,535

—

Balance at December 31, 2015..... $

— $ 130,218

$

482,284

$

231,947

$ 3,614,369

$ (403,266) $

4,055,552

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

53

 
 
 
TORCHMARK CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)

Net income ............................................................................................................................... $

527,100

$

542,939

$

528,472

Year Ended December 31,
2014(1)

2013(1) 

2015

Adjustments to reconcile net income from continuing operations to cash provided from
continuing operations:

(Income) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes .................................................

Increase in future policy benefits ............................................................................................

Increase (decrease) in other policy benefits ...........................................................................

Deferral of policy acquisition costs .........................................................................................

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs ....................................................................

Change in current and deferred income taxes .......................................................................

Realized (gains) losses on sale of investments and properties ..............................................

Other, net ...............................................................................................................................

Net cash provided from (used for) continuing operations ....................................................

Net cash provided from (used for) discontinued operations ................................................

Cash provided from (used for) operations ...........................................................................

(10,807)

631,202

14,609
(612,181)
445,625

103,558
8,791

13,985

1,121,882

(1,832)
1,120,050

(14,865)

585,632

12,521
(562,245)
415,914

102,720

(23,548)

(38,354)
1,020,714
(156,006)
864,708

Cash provided from (used for) investment activities:

Investments sold or matured:

Fixed maturities available for sale—sold .............................................................................

Fixed maturities available for sale—matured, called, and repaid .........................................

Equity securities ..................................................................................................................

Other long-term investments ...............................................................................................

226,792

376,158

—
3,740

109,024

273,223

700

795

Total investments sold or matured ....................................................................................

606,690

383,742

Acquisition of investments:

Fixed maturities—available for sale .....................................................................................

Other long-term investments ...............................................................................................

Total investments acquired ...............................................................................................

Net increase in policy loans ...................................................................................................

(1,070,908)
(31,707)
(1,102,615)
(20,353)

Net (increase) decrease in short-term investments ................................................................

(38,884)

Net change in payable or receivable for securities .................................................................

Additions to properties ...........................................................................................................

Sales of properties .................................................................................................................
Investments in low-income housing interests .........................................................................

Cash provided from (used for) investment activities ..........................................................

Cash provided from (used for) financing activities:

Issuance of common stock .....................................................................................................

Cash dividends paid to shareholders .....................................................................................

Repayment of 7.375% Notes .................................................................................................

Net borrowing (repayment) of commercial paper ...................................................................

Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises ......................................................................

Acquisition of treasury stock ..................................................................................................

Net receipts (payments) from deposit-type product ................................................................

Cash provided from (used for) financing activities .............................................................

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash .....................................................................

Increase (decrease) in cash .....................................................................................................

Cash at beginning of year .........................................................................................................

—

(36,957)

—
(41,231)
(633,350)

35,958

(66,899)

—
1,978

17,577
(418,526)
(95,793)
(525,705)

34,369

(4,636)
66,019

(704,993)
—
(704,993)
(23,222)
61,008

—

(19,367)
8,752

(56,083)
(350,163)

56,294

(65,006)

—
9,328

18,524
(449,308)
(69,792)
(499,960)

14,491

29,076

36,943

Cash at end of year .................................................................................................................. $

61,383

$

66,019

$

(1) Certain balances were adjusted to give effect to discontinued operations as described in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

54

(21,267)

578,217

(7,151)
(520,248)
400,869

74,989
(7,990)
27,230

1,053,121

66,159

1,119,280

133,463

493,885

14,000

1,333

642,681

(1,143,840)
(591)
(1,144,431)
(24,837)
17,970

(43,987)

(11,168)
570

(51,176)
(614,378)

97,816

(60,911)

(94,050)
3,983

21,315
(482,264)
(21,808)
(535,919)

6,250

(24,767)
61,710

36,943

 
 
TORCHMARK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies

Business: Torchmark Corporation (Torchmark or alternatively, the Company) through its subsidiaries provides a variety 
of life and health insurance products and annuities to a broad base of customers.

Basis of Presentation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with 
accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the  United  States  of America  (GAAP),  under  guidance  issued  by  the 
Financial Accounting  Standards  Board  (FASB).  The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  GAAP 
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities 
and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of 
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the results of Torchmark and its wholly-
owned  subsidiaries.  All  intercompany  accounts  and  transactions  have  been  eliminated  in  consolidation.  When 
Torchmark acquires a subsidiary or a block of business, the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed are measured 
at fair value at the acquisition date. Any excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of net assets is recorded as 
goodwill. Expenses incurred to effect the acquisition are charged to earnings as of the acquisition date. Upon acquisition, 
the accounts and results of operations are consolidated as of and subsequent to the acquisition date.

Torchmark accounts for its variable interest entities (VIEs) under accounting guidance which clarifies the definition of 
a variable interest and the instructions for consolidating VIEs. Only primary beneficiaries are required or allowed to 
consolidate VIEs. Therefore, a company may have voting control of a VIE, but if it is not the primary beneficiary, it is 
not permitted to consolidate the VIE. As further described under the caption Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Interests 
below in this note, Torchmark holds passive interests in limited partnerships which provide investment returns through 
the provision of tax benefits (principally from the transfer of federal or state tax credits related to federal low-income 
housing). These interests are considered to be VIEs. They are not consolidated because the Company has no power 
to control the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of these entities and therefore the 
Company  is  not  the  primary  beneficiary  of  any  of  these  interests. Torchmark’s  involvement  is  limited  to  its  limited 
partnership interest in the entities. Torchmark has not provided any other financial support to the entities beyond its 
commitments to fund its limited partnership interests, and there are no arrangements or agreements with any of the 
interests to provide other financial support. The maximum loss exposure relative to these interests is limited to their 
carrying value.

When a component of Torchmark’s business is expected to be sold during the ensuing year, Torchmark considers 
whether the criteria of  ASC 205-20, Discontinued Operations, have been met, which includes evaluating if the disposal 
of a component represents a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on the Company. If the disposal meets 
the criteria for discontinued operations, the assets and liabilities of components held for sale are segregated and are 
recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as assets held for sale and liabilities held for sale for all periods presented. 
If the carrying amount of the business exceeds its estimated fair value, a loss is recognized. The results of operations 
for the component held for sale are reported in "Income from discontinued operations, net of tax" in the Consolidated 
Statements of Operations for current and prior periods. Discontinued operations are reported commencing in the period 
in which the business is either disposed of or meets the accounting criteria for discontinued operations, including any 
gain or loss recognized on the sale or adjustment of the carrying amount to the estimated fair value less cost to sell. 
As  discussed  in  further  detail  in  Note  6—Discontinued  Operations,  Torchmark  has  classified  one  of  its  operating 
segments,  Medicare  Part  D,  as  held  for  sale  and  it  is  reflected  as  a  discontinued  operation  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2015. As this business has been classified as held for sale and its operations are discontinued, the 
financial results of this business are excluded from Torchmark's continuing operations and the Notes to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements, other than Note 2—Statutory Accounting and Note 6—Discontinued Operations. 

Investments: Torchmark classifies all of its fixed maturity investments, which include bonds and redeemable preferred 
stocks, as available for sale. Investments classified as available for sale are carried at fair value with unrealized gains 
and losses, net of deferred taxes, reflected directly in accumulated other comprehensive income. Investments in equity 
securities, which include common and nonredeemable preferred stocks, are reported at fair value with unrealized gains 
and losses, net of deferred taxes, reflected directly in accumulated other comprehensive income. Policy loans are 

55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

carried at unpaid principal balances. Investments in real estate, included in “Other long-term investments,” are reported 
at cost less allowances for depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line method. Investments in limited 
partnerships, also included in "Other long-term investments," are accounted for using the cost method of accounting 
as Torchmark's partnership interest is minor since Torchmark lacks the ability to exercise significant influence over the 
partnership's operating and financial policies. The Company considers its cost method investments for impairment 
when the carrying value of such investments exceeds the net asset value (“NAV”). Short-term investments include 
investments in interest-bearing time deposits with original maturities of twelve months or less.

Gains and losses realized on the disposition of investments are determined on a specific identification basis. Income 
attributable to investments is included in Torchmark’s net investment income. Net investment income and realized 
investment gains and losses are not allocated to insurance policyholders’ liabilities.

Fair Value Measurements, Investments in Securities: Torchmark measures the fair value of its fixed maturities and 
equity securities based on a hierarchy consisting of three levels which indicate the quality of the fair value measurements 
as described below:

• 

• 

• 

Level 1 – fair values are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that 
the Company has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2 – fair values are based on inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable 
for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar 
assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets 
that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, or 
inputs that can otherwise be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 – fair values are based on inputs that are considered unobservable where there is little, if any, 
market activity for the asset or liability as of the measurement date. In this circumstance, the Company 
has  to  rely  on  values  derived  by  independent  brokers  or  internally-developed  assumptions. 
Unobservable inputs are developed based on the best information available to the Company which 
may include the Company’s own data or bid and ask prices in the dealer market.

The great majority of Torchmark's fixed maturities are not actively traded and direct quotes are not generally available. 
Management therefore determines the fair values of these securities after consideration of data provided by third-party 
pricing services, independent broker/dealers, and other resources. At December 31, 2015, Torchmark's investments 
in fixed maturities were primarily composed of the following significant security types: Corporate securities, state and 
municipal  securities,  redeemable  preferred  stocks,  and  U.S.  government  securities. The  remaining  security  types 
represented less than 1%  of the total in the aggregate.

Over 95% of the fair value reported at December 31, 2015 was determined using data provided by third-party pricing 
services. Prices provided by these services are not binding offers but are estimated exit values. Third-party pricing 
services use proprietary pricing models to determine security values by discounting cash flows using a market-adjusted 
spread to a benchmark yield. For all asset classes within Torchmark’s significant security types, third-party pricing 
services use a common valuation technique to model the price of the investments using observable market data. The 
foundation for these models consists of developing yield spreads based on multiple observable market inputs, including 
but not limited to: benchmark yield curves, actual trading activity, new issue yields, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads, 
two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, sector-specific data, economic data, and other inputs that are 
corroborated in the market. Pricing vendors monitor and review their pricing data continuously with current market and 
economic data feeds, augmented by ongoing communication within the dealer community.

Using the observable market inputs described above, spreads to an appropriate benchmark yield are further developed 
by the vendors for each security based on security-specific and/or sector-specific risk factors, such as a security’s 
terms and conditions (coupon, maturity, and call features), credit rating, sector, liquidity, collateral or other cash flow 
options, and other factors that could impact the risk of the security. Embedded repayment options, such as call and 
redemption features, are also taken into account in the pricing models. When the spread is determined, it is added to 

56

 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

the security’s benchmark yield. The security's expected cash flows are discounted using this spread-adjusted yield, 
and the resulting present value of the discounted cash flows is the evaluated price.

When  third-party  vendor  prices  are  not  available,  the  Company  attempts  to  obtain  valuations  from  other  sources, 
including but not limited to broker/dealers, broker quotes, and prices on comparable securities.

When valuations have been obtained for all securities in the portfolio, management reviews and analyzes the prices 
to ensure their reasonableness, taking into account available observable information. When two or more valuations 
are available for a security and the variance between the prices is 10% or less, the close correlation suggests similar 
observable inputs were used in deriving the price, and the mean of the prices is used.  Securities valued in this manner 
are classified as Level 2. When the variance between two or more valuations for a security exceeds 10%, additional 
analysis is performed to determine the most appropriate value for that security, using resources such as broker quotes, 
prices on comparable securities, recent trades, and any other observable market data. Further review is performed 
on the available valuations to determine if they can be corroborated within reasonable tolerance to any other observable 
evidence. If one of the valuations or the mean of the available valuations for a security can be corroborated with other 
observable evidence, then the corroborated value is used and reported as Level 2. The Company uses information 
and  analytical  techniques  deemed  appropriate  for  determining  the  point  within  the  range  of  reasonable  fair  value 
estimates  that  is  most  representative  of  fair  value  under  current  market  conditions.  Valuations  that  cannot  be 
corroborated within a reasonable tolerance are classified as Level 3. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, fair value 
measurements  classified  as  Level  3  represented  4.4%  and  4.0%,  respectively,  of  total  fixed  maturities  and  equity 
securities. 

Torchmark invests in a portfolio of private placement bonds which are not actively traded. This portfolio is managed 
by third parties and was $542 million at amortized cost and $546 million at fair value on December 31, 2015, compared 
with $497 million at amortized cost and $513 million at fair value a year earlier. The portfolio managers provide valuations 
for the bonds based on a pricing matrix utilizing observable inputs, such as the benchmark treasury rate and published 
sector indices, and unobservable inputs such as an internally-developed credit rating. If the unobservable inputs can 
be closely corroborated with publicly available information, the fair values are classified as Level 2. If they cannot be 
corroborated, the fair values are classified as Level 3. As of December 31, 2015, fair values of $15 million were classified 
as Level 2, while the remaining balance of $531 million was classified as Level 3. As of December 31, 2014, all private 
placements were classified as Level 3.

The fair values for each class of security and by valuation hierarchy level are indicated in Note 4—Investments under 
the caption Fair value measurements.

Fair Value Measurements, Other Financial Instruments: Fair values for cash, short-term investments, short-term debt, 
receivables and payables approximate carrying value. Policy loans are an integral part of Torchmark’s subsidiaries’ 
life insurance policies in force and their fair values cannot be valued separately and apart from the insurance contracts. 
The fair values of Torchmark’s long-term debt issues are based on the same methodology as investments in fixed 
maturities.  Because  observable  inputs  were  available  for  these  debt  securities  at  December 31,  2015,  they  were 
classified as Level 2 in the valuation hierarchy. The fair value for each debt instrument as of December 31, 2015 is 
disclosed in Note 11—Debt. As described in Note 9—Postretirement Benefits, Torchmark maintains an unqualified 
supplemental retirement plan. Therefore the assets which support the liability for this plan are considered general 
assets of the Company. These assets consist of the cash value of corporate-owned life insurance policies and exchange 
traded funds (ETFs). The fair value of the insurance cash values approximates carrying value. Fair values for the ETFs 
are derived from direct quotes and are considered Level 1 in the valuation hierarchy.

Impairment of Investments: Torchmark’s portfolio of fixed maturities fluctuates in value due to changes in interest rates 
in the financial markets as well as other factors. Fluctuations caused by market interest rate changes have little bearing 
on whether or not the investment will be ultimately recoverable. Therefore, Torchmark considers these declines in value 
resulting  from  changes  in  market  interest  rates  to  be  temporary.  In  certain  circumstances,  however,  Torchmark 
determines that the decline in the value of a security is other-than-temporary and writes the book value of the security 
down to its fair value, realizing an investment loss. The evaluation of Torchmark’s securities for other-than-temporary 

57

 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

impairments is a process that is undertaken at least quarterly and is overseen by a team of Company investment and 
accounting professionals. Each security which is impaired because the fair value is less than the cost or amortized 
cost is identified and evaluated. The determination that an impairment is other-than-temporary is highly subjective and 
involves the careful consideration of many factors. Among the factors considered are:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The length of time and extent to which the security has been impaired

The reason(s) for the impairment

The financial condition of the issuer and the near-term prospects for recovery in fair value of the security

The Company’s ability and intent to hold the security until anticipated recovery

Expected future cash flows

The relative weight given to each of these factors can change over time as facts and circumstances change. In many 
cases, management believes it is appropriate to give relatively more weight to prospective factors than to retrospective 
factors. Prospective factors that are given more weight include prospects for recovery, the Company’s ability and intent 
to hold the security until anticipated recovery, and expected future cash flows.

Among the facts and information considered in the process are:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Default on a required payment

Issuer bankruptcy filings

Financial statements of the issuer

Changes in credit ratings of the issuer

The value of underlying collateral

News and information included in press releases issued by the issuer

News and information reported in the media concerning the issuer

News and information published by or otherwise provided by credit analysts

The nature and amount of recent and expected future sources and uses of cash

While all available information is taken into account, it is difficult to predict the ultimately recoverable amount of a 
distressed or impaired security. If a security is determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired, the cost basis of the 
security is written down to fair value and is treated as a realized loss in the period the determination is made. The 
written-down security will be amortized and revenue recognized in accordance with estimated future cash flows.

Current accounting guidance is such that if an entity intends to sell or if it is more likely than not that it will be required 
to sell an impaired security prior to recovery of its cost basis, the security is to be considered other-than-temporarily 
impaired and the full amount of impairment must be charged to earnings. Otherwise, losses on fixed maturities which 
are other-than-temporarily impaired are separated into two categories, the portion of loss which is considered credit 
loss and the portion of loss which is due to other factors. The credit loss portion is charged to earnings while the loss 
due to other factors is charged to other comprehensive income. The credit loss portion of an impairment is determined 
as the difference between the security’s amortized cost and the present value of expected future cash flows discounted 
at the security’s original effective yield rate. The temporary portion is the difference between this present value of 
expected future cash flows and fair value (as discounted by a market yield). The expected cash flows are determined 
using judgment and the best information available to the Company. Inputs used to derive expected cash flows include 
expected default rates, current levels of subordination, and loan-to-collateral value ratios. Management believes that 
the present value of future cash flows at the original effective yield is a better measure of valuation because fair value 
determined by a discounted market yield is often based on limited observable market data, and the market for these 
securities is generally neither active nor orderly.

58

 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Cash: Cash consists of balances on hand and on deposit in banks and financial institutions. Overdrafts arising from 
the overnight investment of funds offset cash balances on hand and on deposit.

Other Receivables: Other receivables consist primarily of agent debit balances, which represent commissions advanced 
to  insurance  agents. These  balances  are  repaid  to  the  Company  over  time  as  the  premiums  are  collected  by  the 
Company and agents' commissions on such premiums are retained. The balance was $334 million and $313 million 
at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Management believes these balances are recoverable as they are less 
than the estimated present value of future commissions.

Deferred Acquisition Costs: Certain costs of acquiring new insurance business are deferred and recorded as an asset. 
These costs are essential for the acquisition of new insurance business and are directly related to the successful 
issuance of an insurance contract including sales commissions, policy issue costs, and underwriting costs. Additionally, 
deferred acquisition costs include the value of insurance purchased, which are the costs of acquiring blocks of insurance 
from other companies or through the acquisition of other companies. These costs represent the difference between 
the fair value of the contractual insurance assets acquired and liabilities assumed compared against the assets and 
liabilities for insurance contracts that the Company issues or holds measured in accordance with GAAP. Deferred 
acquisition costs and the value of insurance purchased are amortized in a systematic manner which matches these 
costs with the associated revenues. Policies other than universal life-type policies are amortized with interest over the 
estimated premium-paying period of the policies in a manner which charges each year’s operations in proportion to 
the receipt of premium income. Universal life-type policies are amortized with interest in proportion to estimated gross 
profits. The assumptions used to amortize acquisition costs with regard to interest, mortality, morbidity, and persistency 
are consistent with those used to estimate the liability for future policy benefits. For interest-sensitive and deposit-
balance type products, these assumptions are reviewed on a regular basis and are revised if actual experience differs 
significantly from original expectations. For all other products, amortization assumptions are generally not revised once 
established. Deferred acquisition costs are subject to periodic recoverability and loss recognition testing to determine 
if there is a premium deficiency. These tests evaluate whether the present value of future contract-related cash flows 
will support the capitalized deferred acquisition cost asset. These cash flows consist primarily of premium income, less 
benefits and expenses taking inflation into account. The present value of these cash flows, less the benefit reserve, 
is then compared with the unamortized deferred acquisition cost balance. In the event the estimated present value of 
net cash flows is less, the deficiency would be recognized by a charge to earnings and either a reduction of unamortized 
acquisition costs or an increase in the liability for future benefits, as described under the caption Future Policy Benefits.

Advertising Costs: Costs related to advertising are generally charged to expense as incurred. However, certain Globe 
Life Direct Response advertising costs are capitalized when there is a reliable and demonstrated relationship between 
total costs and future benefits that is a direct result of incurring these costs. Globe Life Direct Response advertising 
costs consist primarily of the production and distribution costs of direct mail advertising materials, and when capitalized 
are included as a component of deferred acquisition costs. They are amortized in the same manner as other deferred 
acquisition costs. Globe Life Direct Response advertising costs charged to earnings and included in other operating 
expense were $10 million, $8 million, and $6 million in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Capitalized advertising 
costs  included  within  deferred  acquisition  costs  were  $1.21  billion  at  December 31,  2015  and  $1.15  billion  at 
December 31, 2014.

Goodwill: The excess cost of business acquired over the fair value of net assets acquired is reported as goodwill. 
Goodwill is subject to annual impairment testing based on certain procedures outlined by GAAP. These procedures 
include a qualitative assessment as to whether it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, and they also require 
consideration of a change in relevant events or circumstances that could possibly affect the valuation of a goodwill 
reporting unit. If it is determined that an impairment is likely, the procedures then involve measuring the carrying value 
of each reporting unit of Torchmark’s segments, including the goodwill of that unit, against the estimated fair value of 
the corresponding unit. If the carrying value of a unit including goodwill exceeds its estimated fair value, then the 
goodwill in that unit could potentially be impaired. In that event, further testing is required under the accounting guidance 

59

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

to determine the amount of impairment, if any. If there is an impairment in the goodwill of any reporting unit, it is written 
down and charged to earnings in the period of test.

Torchmark tested its goodwill annually in each of the years 2013 through 2015. These tests, performed in the second 
quarter each year, involved assigning carrying value by allocating the Company’s net assets to each of the reporting 
units of Torchmark’s segments, including the portion of goodwill assigned to the unit. In 2015, the qualitative assessment 
was  employed  as  permitted  by  accounting  guidance.  Based  on  the  analyses  as  outlined  in  the  guidance,  it  was 
determined that an impairment of goodwill was not likely. In both 2014 and 2013, the fair values of the various reporting 
units were developed. The fair value of each reporting unit was determined using discounted expected cash flows 
associated with that unit. Judgment and assumptions are used in developing the projected cash flows for the reporting 
units, and such estimates are subject to change. The Company also exercises judgment in the determination of the 
discount rate, which management believes to be appropriate for the risk associated with the cash flow expectations. 
The  fair  value  of  each  reporting  unit  is  then  measured  against  that  reporting  unit’s  corresponding  carrying  value. 
Because the estimated fair value substantially exceeded the carrying value, including goodwill, of each reporting unit 
in each period, Torchmark’s goodwill was not impaired in any of those periods.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Interests: Torchmark invests in limited partnerships that provide low-income housing 
tax credits and other related federal income tax and state premium tax benefits to Torchmark. The carrying value of 
Torchmark’s  investment  in  these  entities  was  $306  million  and  $318  million  at  December 31,  2015  and  2014, 
respectively. At December 31, 2015, $302 million associated with the federal interests was included in "Other assets" 
on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with the remaining $4 million state-related interests included in "Other long-term 
investments". At December 31, 2014, the comparable amounts were $313 million, and $5 million, respectively. As of 
December 31, 2015, Torchmark was obligated under future commitments of $69 million, which is included in the above 
carrying value. Torchmark accounts for the amortization of these tax benefits in accordance with the new guidance 
discussed below.

On January 1, 2015, Torchmark adopted new guidance concerning Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures: 
Accounting  for  Investments  in  Qualified  Affordable  Housing  Projects  (ASU  2014-01).  The  guidance  replaces  the 
effective-yield method of amortization with respect to investments in qualified affordable housing acquired after the 
date of adoption and, if certain conditions are present, provides for a proportional amortization method. Under the 
proportional amortization method, the investor amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits 
received during the current period to the total expected tax credits to be received over the life of the investment. The 
guidance further provides that a company which previously used the effective-yield method of amortization may continue 
to use such method with respect to investments acquired before the date of adoption. Amortization, previously required 
to be recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of "Net investment income", is now 
included in "Income tax expense." 

Torchmark  continues  to  use  the  effective-yield  method  of  amortization  with  respect  to  its  guaranteed  investments 
acquired prior to January 1, 2015, and has retrospectively adopted the new guidance and applied the proportional 
method of amortization with respect to its non-guaranteed investments. The proportional method of amortization is 
consistent  with  Torchmark’s  historical  method  of  amortization. As  a  result,  the  only  impact  of  the  adoption  is  the 
reclassification of amortization expense from “Net investment income” to “Income tax expense” with no impact on 
Torchmark's historical net income, cash flows, or statutory earnings of its insurance subsidiaries.     

60

 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

The  following  table  reflects  a  summary  of  the  impact  of  the  retrospectively  adjusted  balances  on  the  Company's 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. 

Twelve months ended December 31, 2014

Income Statement

As previously 
reported(1)

Adjustments

As adjusted

Net investment income ............................................................. $
Total revenue ............................................................................
Income before income taxes ....................................................
Income taxes ............................................................................
Net income ...............................................................................

729,207 $

29,079 $

758,286

3,591,016

755,598

(227,524)

542,939

29,079

29,079

(29,079)

—

3,620,095

784,677

(256,603)

542,939

Twelve months ended December 31, 2013

Income Statement

As previously 
reported(1)

Adjustments

As adjusted

Net investment income ............................................................. $
Total revenue ............................................................................
Income before income taxes ....................................................
Income taxes ............................................................................
Net income ...............................................................................

709,743 $

24,907 $

734,650

3,469,346

730,408

(223,203)

528,472

24,907

24,907

(24,907)

—

3,494,253

755,315

(248,110)

528,472

(1) Total revenue, income before income taxes, and income taxes were adjusted for discontinued operations as discussed earlier in this note.

Property and Equipment: Property and equipment, included in “Other assets,” is reported at cost less allowances for 
depreciation. Depreciation is recorded primarily on the straight line method over the estimated useful lives of these 
assets which range from three to ten years for equipment and five to forty years for buildings and improvements. 
Ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to income as incurred. Impairments, if any, are recorded when certain 
events and circumstances become evident that the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying amount. Original 
cost  of  property  and  equipment  was  $175  million  at  December 31,  2015  and  $139  million  at  December 31,  2014. 
Accumulated depreciation was $92 million at year end 2015 and $85 million at the end of 2014. Depreciation expense 
was $8.0 million in 2015, $7.4 million in 2014, and $6.4 million in 2013. During 2013, Liberty National Life Insurance 
Company (Liberty National), a Torchmark subsidiary, sold real estate for a loss of $265 thousand after a previous write-
down  for  other-than-temporary  impairment  of  $2.7  million  earlier  in  the  year.  The  sale  of  this  property  eliminated 
substantially all asbestos-related liability for Torchmark.

Future Policy Benefits: The liability for future policy benefits for universal life-type products is represented by policy 
account value. The liability for future policy benefits for all other life and health products, approximately 85% of total 
future policy benefits, is determined on the net level premium method. This method provides for the present value of 
expected  future  benefit  payments  less  the  present  value  of  expected  future  net  premiums,  based  on  estimated 
investment yields, mortality, morbidity, persistency and other assumptions which were considered appropriate at the 
time the policies were issued. For limited-payment contracts, a deferred profit liability is also recorded which causes 
profits to emerge over the life of the contract in proportion to policies in force. Assumptions used for traditional life and 
health insurance products are based primarily on Company experience. Assumptions for interest rates range from 
2.5% to 7.0% for Torchmark’s insurance companies with an overall weighted average assumed rate of 5.7%. Mortality 
tables used for individual life insurance include various statutory tables and modifications of a variety of generally 
accepted actuarial tables. Morbidity assumptions for individual health are based on Company experience and industry 
data. Withdrawal and termination assumptions are based on Torchmark’s experience. Once established, assumptions 
for these products are generally not changed. An additional provision is made on most products to allow for possible 
adverse deviation from the assumptions. These estimates are reviewed annually and compared with actual experience. 
If it is determined that existing contract liabilities, together with the present value of future gross premiums, will not be 

61

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

sufficient to cover the present value of future benefits and to recover unamortized deferred acquisition costs, then a 
premium deficiency exists. Such a deficiency would be recognized immediately by a charge to earnings and either a 
reduction of unamortized deferred acquisition costs or an increase in the liability for future policy benefits. From that 
point forward, the liability for future policy benefits would be based on revised assumptions.

Policy Claims and Other Benefits Payable: Torchmark establishes a liability for known policy benefits payable and an 
estimate of claims that have been incurred but not yet reported to the Company. Torchmark makes an estimate of 
unreported claims after careful evaluation of all information available to the Company. This estimate is based on prior 
experience and is reviewed quarterly. However, there is no certainty the stated liability for claims and other benefits, 
including the estimate of unsubmitted claims, will be Torchmark’s ultimate obligation.

Postretirement Benefits: Torchmark accounts for its postretirement defined benefit plans by recognizing the funded 
status of those plans on its Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with accounting guidance. Periodic gains and 
losses attributable to changes in plan assets and liabilities that are not recognized as components of net periodic 
benefit costs are recognized as components of other comprehensive income, net of tax. More information concerning 
the accounting and disclosures for postretirement benefits is found in Note 9—Postretirement Benefits.

Income Taxes: Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities 
are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement book values 
and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected 
to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. 
The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that 
includes the enactment date. More information concerning income taxes is provided in Note 8—Income Taxes.

Treasury Stock: Torchmark accounts for purchases of treasury stock on the cost method. Issuance of treasury stock 
is accounted for using the weighted-average cost method. More information is found in Note 12—Shareholders' Equity.

Recognition of Premium Revenue and Related Expenses: Premium income for traditional long-duration life and health 
insurance products is recognized when due from the policyholder. Premiums for short-duration health contracts are 
recognized as revenue over the contract period in proportion to the insurance protection provided. Profits for limited-
payment life insurance contracts are recognized over the contract period. Premiums for universal life-type and annuity 
contracts are added to the policy account value, and revenues for such products are recognized as charges to the 
policy account value for mortality, administration, and surrenders (retrospective deposit method). Life premium includes 
policy charges of $19 million, $21 million, and $22 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, 
respectively. Other premium consists of annuity policy charges in each year. Profits are also earned to the extent that 
investment income exceeds policy liability interest requirements. The related benefits and expenses are matched with 
revenues by means of the provision of future policy benefits and the amortization of deferred acquisition costs in a 
manner which recognizes profits as they are earned over the same period.

Stock-Based Compensation: Torchmark accounts for stock-based compensation by recognizing an expense in the 
financial statements based on the “fair value method.” The fair value method requires that a fair value be assigned to 
a stock option or other stock grant on its grant date and that this value be amortized over the grantees’ service period.

The fair value method requires the use of an option valuation model to value employee stock options. Torchmark has 
elected to use the Black-Scholes valuation model for option expensing. A summary of assumptions for options granted 
in each of the three years 2013 through 2015 is as follows:

Volatility factor ................................................................................................
Dividend yield .................................................................................................
Expected term (in years) ................................................................................
Risk-free rate .................................................................................................

23.6%
0.9%
5.66
1.6%

30.9%
0.9%
5.65
1.9%

38.5%
1.1%
5.62
1.1%

2015

2014

2013

62

 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 The expected term is generally derived from Company experience. However, expected terms are determined based 
on the simplified method as permitted under the ASC 718 Stock Compensation topic when company experience is 
insufficient. The Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan replaced all previous plans and allows for option grants 
for employees with a ten-year contractual term which vest over five years in addition to seven-year grants which vest 
over three years as permitted by the previous plans. Director grants vest over six months. The Company has sufficient 
experience with seven-year grants that vest in three years, but insufficient historical experience with five-year vesting. 
Therefore, Torchmark has used the simplified method to determine the expected term for the ten-year grants with five-
year vesting and will do so until adequate experience is developed. Volatility and risk-free interest rates are assumed 
over a period of time consistent with the expected term of the option. Volatility is measured on a historical basis. Monthly 
data points are utilized to derive volatility for periods greater than three years. Expected dividend yield is based on 
current dividend yield held constant over the expected term. Once the fair value of an option has been determined, it 
is amortized on a straight-line basis over the employee’s service period for that grant (from the grant date to the date 
the grant is fully vested). Expenses for restricted stock and restricted stock units are based on the grant-date fair value 
allocated  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  the  service  period.  Performance  share  expense  is  recognized  based  on 
management’s estimate of the probability of meeting the metrics identified in the performance share award agreement, 
assigned to each service period as these estimates develop.

Torchmark management views all stock-based compensation expense as a corporate or Parent Company expense 
and, therefore, presents it as such in its segment analysis (See Note 14—Business Segments). It is included in “Other 
operating expense” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Earnings Per Share: Torchmark presents basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) on the face of the Consolidated 
Statements of Operations for income from continuing operations and income from discontinued operations. Basic EPS 
is  computed  by  dividing  income  available  to  common  shareholders  by  the  weighted  average  common  shares 
outstanding  for  the  period.  Diluted  EPS  is  calculated  by  adding  to  shares  outstanding  the  additional  net  effect  of 
potentially dilutive securities or contracts, such as stock options, which could be exercised or converted into common 
shares. For more information on earnings per share, see Note 12—Shareholders’ Equity.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted:

Consolidation:  The  FASB  issued Accounting  Standards  Update  No.  2015-02  Consolidation:  Amendments  to  the 
Consolidation Analysis  (ASU  2015-02),  to  amend  the  consolidation  requirements  in ASC  810,  Consolidation. ASU 
2015-02 will be effective for Torchmark beginning in calendar year 2016. This new guidance is not expected to have 
a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Short-Duration Contracts: The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-09 Financial Services-Insurance: 
Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts (ASU 2015-09), requiring companies to disclose additional information 
with regards to its short-duration insurance contracts. These new disclosures are intended to provide additional insight 
into an insurance entity’s ability to underwrite claims. Torchmark's disclosures under ASU 2015-09 will be effective for 
the 2016 annual consolidated financial statements. This guidance consists only of new disclosures and will not impact 
the accounting for short-duration contracts. 

Defined Benefit Pension Plans: The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-12 Plan Accounting: Defined 
Pension Plans, Defined Contribution Pension Plans, Health and Welfare Benefit Plans: (Part I) Fully Benefit-Responsive 
Investment  Contracts,  (Part  II)  Plan  Investment  Disclosures,  (Part  III)  Measurement  Date  Practical  Expedient 
(Consensuses of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force) (ASU 2015-12) which is a three part standard that is expected 
to 1) change the measurement of fully benefit-responsive investment contracts from fair value to contract value, 2) 
simplify disclosures related to plan investments, and 3) provide a measurement date practical expedient. ASU 2015-12 
will be effective for Torchmark beginning in calendar year 2016. This new guidance will not have a material impact on 
the consolidated financial statements.

63

 
 
  
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Financial Instruments: The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01 Financial Instruments-Overall: 
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (ASU 2016-01). The guidance addresses 
certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. In particular, this 
guidance requires equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income 
rather than other comprehensive income, and changes the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial 
liabilities. ASU 2016-01 will be effective for Torchmark on January 1, 2018. As Torchmark's equity securities portfolio 
is insignificant in comparison to its investment portfolio, the Company does not anticipate the guidance to have a 
material impact on its operating results.

Leases:  The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02 Leases (ASU 2016-02). This new guidance 
states that leases classified as operating leases under current accounting guidance will be recognized on the balance 
sheet as lease assets and lease liabilities when the company is the lessee. ASU 2016-02 will be effective for Torchmark 
on January 1, 2019 and is required to be presented using a modified retrospective approach. Torchmark is currently 
evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements. 

Note 2—Statutory Accounting

Life insurance subsidiaries of Torchmark are required to file statutory financial statements with state insurance regulatory 
authorities. Accounting principles used to prepare these statutory financial statements differ from GAAP. Consolidated 
net income and shareholders’ equity (capital and surplus) on a statutory basis for the insurance subsidiaries were as 
follows:

Life insurance subsidiaries ............... $

Net Income

Year Ended December 31,

Shareholders’ Equity

At December 31,

2015
393,466 $

2014

2013

2015

2014

446,439 $

572,509 $ 1,253,007 $ 1,262,624

The excess, if any, of shareholder’s equity of the insurance subsidiaries on a GAAP basis over that determined on a 
statutory basis is not available for distribution by the insurance subsidiaries to Torchmark without regulatory approval. 
Insurance subsidiaries’ statutory capital and surplus necessary to satisfy regulatory requirements in the aggregate was 
$452 million at December 31, 2015. More information on the restrictions on the payment of dividends can be found in 
Note 12—Shareholders’ Equity.

Torchmark’s  statutory  financial  statements  are  presented  on  the  basis  of  accounting  practices  prescribed  by  the 
insurance  department  of  the  state  of  domicile  of  each  insurance  subsidiary. All  states  have  adopted  the  National 
Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) statutory accounting practices (NAIC SAP) as the basis for statutory 
accounting.  However,  certain  states  have  retained  the  prescribed  practices  of  their  respective  insurance  code  or 
administrative code which can differ from NAIC SAP. There are no significant differences between NAIC SAP and the 
accounting practices prescribed by the states of domicile for Torchmark’s life insurance companies that affect statutory 
surplus.

64

 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 3—Supplemental Information about Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

An analysis in the change in balance by component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income is as follows for 
each of the years 2013 through 2015.

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

For the 12 months ended December 31, 2013:

Available
for Sale
Assets

Deferred
Acquisition
Costs

Foreign
Exchange

Pension
Adjustments

Total

Balance at January 1, 2013 ................................ $1,024,367 $
Other comprehensive income (loss) before 
reclassifications, net of tax .................................

(758,857)

Reclassifications, net of tax ................................

Other comprehensive income (loss) ...................

Balance at December 31, 2013 ..........................

(9,314)

(768,171)

256,196

(16,417) $ 26,608 $ (109,283) $ 925,275

9,689

(1,742)

—

—

9,689

(1,742)

33,992

11,938

45,930

(716,918)

2,624

(714,294)

(6,728)

24,866

(63,353)

210,981

For the 12 months ended December 31, 2014:
Other comprehensive income (loss) before
reclassifications, net of tax .................................

Reclassifications, net of tax ................................

Other comprehensive income (loss) ...................

Balance at December 31, 2014 ..........................

For the 12 months ended December 31, 2015:
Other comprehensive income (loss) before
reclassifications, net of tax .................................

855,132

(21,055)

834,077
1,090,273

(4,030)

(7,480)

(42,781)

800,841

—

—

6,685

(14,370)

(4,030)
(10,758)

(7,480)
17,386

(36,096)
(99,449)

786,471
997,452

(759,976)

5,643

(13,759)

(8,930)

(777,022)

Reclassifications, net of tax ................................

2,036

—

—

9,481

11,517

Other comprehensive income (loss) ...................
Balance at December 31, 2015 .......................... $ 332,333 $

(757,940)

5,643

(13,759)

551

(765,505)

(5,115) $

3,627 $

(98,898) $ 231,947

65

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 3—Supplemental Information about Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (continued)

Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income are presented below for each of the years 2013 
through 2015.

Reclassification Adjustments

Component Line Item
Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale 
assets: .................................................................

Year Ended December 31,

2015

2014

2013

Affected line items in the
Statement of Operations

Realized (gains) losses ................................ $

9,478

$ (23,771) $

(9,606) Realized investment gains (losses)

Amortization of (discount) premium ..............

Total before tax ....................................................

Tax ...............................................................

(6,346)

3,132

(1,096)

(8,621)

(6,569) Net investment income

(32,392)

(16,175)

11,337

6,861

Income taxes

Total after tax .......................................................

2,036

(21,055)

(9,314)

Pension adjustments: ..........................................
Amortization of prior service cost ..................

Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss ..............

Total before tax ....................................................

Tax ...............................................................

Total after tax .......................................................

377

14,209

14,586

(5,105)

9,481

2,113

8,172

10,285

(3,600)

2,276 Other operating expenses

16,090 Other operating expenses

18,366

(6,428)

Income taxes

6,685

11,938

Total reclassifications (after tax) ........................... $

11,517

$ (14,370) $

2,624

66

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments

Portfolio Composition:

A summary of fixed maturities available for sale and equity securities by cost or amortized cost and estimated fair value 
at December 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

2015:
Fixed maturities available for sale:

Cost or
Amortized
Cost

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value(1)

% of Total
Fixed
Maturities(2)

368,718

$

404

$

(14,078) $

355,044

131,516
1,369

301,624
223,535
53,776
294,026
872,961

16,158

668

45,926
731

46,657
1,069,733
859

(1,908)
(163)

1,426,004
22,800

(54,881)
(28,267)
(219,101)
(230,911)
(533,160)

(9,438)

—

(4,781)
(52)

(4,833)
(563,580)
—

3,007,295
2,176,509
1,403,067
4,824,307
11,411,178

70,382

19,631

423,662
29,323

452,985
13,758,024
1,635

$ 1,070,592

$ (563,580) $ 13,759,659

3

10
—

22
16
10
35
83

1

—

3
—

3
100

U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and 
government-sponsored enterprises .......................... $
States, municipalities, and political subdivisions.......

Foreign governments ...............................................
Corporates, by sector:

1,296,396
21,594

Financial ................................................................
Utilities ...................................................................
Energy ...................................................................
Other corporate sectors .........................................

2,760,552
1,981,241
1,568,392
4,761,192
Total corporates ........................................................ 11,071,377
Collateralized debt obligations ..................................

63,662

Other asset-backed securities ..................................

18,963

Redeemable preferred stocks, by sector:

Financial ................................................................
Utilities ...................................................................
Total redeemable preferred stocks ...........................

411,161
Total fixed maturities ......................................... 13,251,871
776
Total fixed maturities and equity securities ........ $13,252,647

Equity securities available for sale ..............................

382,517
28,644

(1) Amount reported in the balance sheet.
(2) At fair value

67

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments (continued)

2014:
Fixed maturities available for sale:

Cost or
Amortized
Cost

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value(1)

% of Total
Fixed
Maturities(2)

U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and 
government-sponsored enterprises ......................... $
States, municipalities, and political subdivisions ......

Foreign governments ...............................................
Corporates, by sector:

367,463

$

5,561

$

(3,183) $

369,841

1,278,429
25,824

177,052
1,350

(718)
(1)

1,454,763
27,173

Financial
...............................................................
Utilities ..................................................................
Energy ..................................................................
Other corporate sectors ........................................

2,659,266
2,154,433
1,511,839
4,240,082
Total corporates ....................................................... 10,565,620
Collateralized debt obligations .................................

67,876

Other asset-backed securities .................................

21,424

Redeemable preferred stocks, by sector:

Financial
...............................................................
Utilities ..................................................................
Total redeemable preferred stocks ...........................

496,976
Total fixed maturities ......................................... 12,823,612
776
Total fixed maturities and equity securities........ $12,824,388

Equity securities available for sale .............................

468,290
28,686

419,303
377,962
173,485
530,462
1,501,212

4,165

1,104

56,845
781

57,626
1,748,070
701

(12,136)
(2,945)
(21,641)
(24,158)
(60,880)

(8,809)

—

(5,008)
(23)

(5,031)
(78,622)
—

3,066,433
2,529,450
1,663,683
4,746,386
12,005,952

63,232

22,528

520,127
29,444

549,571
14,493,060
1,477

$ 1,748,771

$

(78,622) $ 14,494,537

3

10
—

21
17
12
33
83

—

—

4
—

4
100

(1) Amount reported in the balance sheet.
(2) At fair value

A schedule of fixed maturities by contractual maturity at December 31, 2015 is shown below on an amortized cost 
basis and on a fair value basis. Actual maturities could differ from contractual maturities due to call or prepayment 
provisions.

Fixed maturities available for sale:

Amortized
Cost

Fair
Value

Due in one year or less .............................................................................................. $
Due from one to five years .........................................................................................
Due from five to ten years ..........................................................................................
Due from ten to twenty years .....................................................................................
Due after twenty years ...............................................................................................
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities ..........................................................

66,545 $

67,585
583,237
1,129,107
4,201,334
7,684,715
92,046
$ 13,251,871 $ 13,758,024

535,903
1,051,912
3,877,844
7,635,180
84,487

68

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments (continued)

Analysis of investment operations:

As discussed in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies, net investment income was retrospectively adjusted to 
give effect to the adoption of ASU 2014-01 for all periods presented.

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

Net investment income is summarized as follows:

Fixed maturities ............................................................................ $
Equity securities ............................................................................
Policy loans ...................................................................................
Other long-term investments .........................................................
Short-term investments .................................................................

Less investment expense .............................................................
Net investment income ................................................................. $

An analysis of realized gains (losses) from investments is as follows:

Realized investment gains (losses):

Fixed maturities ............................................................................ $
Equity securities ............................................................................

Loss on redemption of debt ..........................................................

Other .............................................................................................

Applicable tax ...............................................................................
Realized gains (losses) from investments, net of tax .................... $

An analysis of the net change in unrealized investment gains 
(losses) is as follows:

747,663 $
13
36,763
2,008
95
786,542
(12,591)
773,951 $

732,925 $

8
35,015
1,508
75
769,531
(11,245)
758,286 $

709,756
323
33,471
1,281
138
744,969
(10,319)
734,650

(9,479) $

23,170 $

13,138

—

—

688

(8,791)

3,077

601

(258)

35

23,548

(8,242)

(5,714) $

15,306 $

—

—

(5,148)

7,990

(4,025)

3,965

Fixed maturities  ............................................................................ $ (1,163,295) $ 1,279,190 $ (1,187,529)
317
Equity securities ............................................................................
(1,187,212)
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities ..................
Other investments .........................................................................
3,560
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) ....................................... $ (1,166,032) $ 1,283,062 $ (1,183,652)

158
(1,163,137)
(2,895)

(308)
1,278,882
4,180

69

 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments (continued)

Additional information about securities sold is as follows:

Fixed maturities:

Proceeds from sales ..................................................................... $
Gross realized gains .....................................................................
Gross realized losses ....................................................................

226,792 $
259
(16,894)

109,024 $

17,583
(1,879)

133,463
5,948
(1,310)

At December 31,
2014

2013

2015

Fair value measurements: The following tables represent the fair value of assets measured on a recurring basis at 
December 31, 2015 and 2014: 

Description
Fixed maturities available for sale:

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2015 Using:

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)

Significant Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)

Total Fair
Value

U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and 
government-sponsored enterprises .................... $
States, municipalities, and political subdivisions

Foreign governments .........................................
Corporates, by sector:

Financial ..........................................................
Utilities .............................................................
Energy .............................................................
Other corporate sectors ...................................
Total corporates .................................................
Collateralized debt obligations ...........................
Other asset-backed securities ............................
Redeemable preferred stocks, by sector:

Financial ..........................................................
Utilities .............................................................
Total redeemable preferred stocks .....................
Total fixed maturities ......................................
Equity securities available for sale ........................

Total fixed maturities and equity securities .... $
Percentage of total ........................................

— $

355,044

$

— $

355,044

—
—

—
22,189
—
—
22,189
—
—

10,124
—
10,124
32,313
765
33,078

$

1,426,004
22,800

2,945,048
2,020,268
1,377,861
4,515,006
10,858,183
—
19,631

413,538
29,323
442,861
13,124,523
—
13,124,523

$

—
—

1,426,004
22,800

62,247
134,052
25,206
309,301
530,806
70,382
—

—
—
—
601,188
870
602,058

3,007,295
2,176,509
1,403,067
4,824,307
11,411,178
70,382
19,631

423,662
29,323
452,985
13,758,024
1,635
$ 13,759,659

0.2%

95.4%

4.4%

100%

70

 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments (continued)

Description
Fixed maturities available for sale:

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014 Using:

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)

Significant Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)

Total Fair
Value

U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and 
government-sponsored enterprises .................... $
States, municipalities, and political subdivisions

Foreign governments .........................................
Corporates, by sector:

Financial ..........................................................
Utilities .............................................................
Energy .............................................................
Other corporate sectors ...................................
Total corporates .................................................
Collateralized debt obligations ...........................
Other asset-backed securities ............................
Redeemable preferred stocks, by sector:

Financial ..........................................................
Utilities .............................................................
Total redeemable preferred stocks .....................
Total fixed maturities ......................................
Equity securities available for sale ........................

— $

369,841

$

— $

369,841

1,504
—

56,517
30,054
—
—
86,571
—
661

17,811
5,134
22,945
111,681
644

1,453,259
27,173

2,940,267
2,366,408
1,636,653
4,463,339
11,406,667
—
21,867

502,316
24,310
526,626
13,805,433
—

—
—

1,454,763
27,173

69,649
132,988
27,030
283,047
512,714
63,232
—

—
—
—
575,946
833

3,066,433
2,529,450
1,663,683
4,746,386
12,005,952
63,232
22,528

520,127
29,444
549,571
14,493,060
1,477

Total fixed maturities and equity securities .... $
Percentage of total ........................................

112,325

$

13,805,433

$

576,779

$ 14,494,537

0.8%

95.2%

4.0%

100.0%

71

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments (continued)

The  following  table  represents  changes  in  assets  measured  at  fair  value  on  a  recurring  basis  using  significant 
unobservable inputs (Level 3).

Analysis of Changes in Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

Balance at January 1, 2013 ............... $

7,981 $

46,571 $

231,072 $

739 $

Asset-
backed
securities

Collateralized
debt
Obligations

Corporates

Equities

Total gains or losses:

Included in realized gains/
losses ......................................
Included in other 
comprehensive income ...........

Acquisitions ...................................

Sales .............................................

Amortization ..................................
Other(1) ..........................................
Transfers into (out of) Level 3........

Balance at December 31, 2013 .........

Total gains or losses:

Included in realized gains/
losses ......................................

Included in other 
comprehensive income ...........

Acquisitions ...................................

Sales .............................................

Amortization ..................................
Other(1) ..........................................
Transfers into (out of) Level 3........

Balance at December 31, 2014 .........

Total gains or losses:

Included in realized gains/
losses ......................................

Included in other 
comprehensive income ...........

Acquisitions .............................

Amortization ............................
Other(1) ....................................
Transfers into (out of) Level 3........
Balance at December 31, 2015 ......... $

—

426
—

—
(57)
—
(8,350)
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

10,083

—

—
2,838

(1,287)

—
58,205

15,924

3,323

—

(16,049)
5,519

(3,690)

—
63,232

(17,243)

129,755

—

5

(834)

(42,455)

300,300

1

27,864

186,366

(1)

13

(1,829)

—

512,714

—

1,182

11,365

—
5,536

(9,751)

(11,925)

38,600

17

(9,782)

—

530,806 $

—
— $

—
70,382 $

Total
286,363

—

(6,697)

129,755

—

2,786

(2,121)

(50,805)

359,281

15,925

31,244

186,366

(16,050)

5,532

(5,519)

—

—

37

—

—

—

—

—

776

—

57

—

—

—

—

—

833

576,779

—

37

—

—

—

—
870 $

1,182

(523)

38,600

5,553

(19,533)

—
602,058

(1) Includes capitalized interest, foreign exchange adjustments, and principal repayments. 

Acquisitions of Level 3 investments in each of the years 2013 through 2015 are comprised of private-placement fixed 
maturities managed by an unaffiliated third-party. See Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies for more information on 
private placements.

72

 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments (continued)

Quantitative Information about Level 3
Fair Value Measurements
As of December 31, 2015 

Fair Value

Valuation
Techniques

Unobservable
Input

Range

Weighted
Average

Collateralized debt obligations ............... $

70,382

Private placement fixed maturities .........

530,806

Equity securities .....................................

870

$

602,058

Discounted 
cash flows

Discounted 
cash flows

Third-party 
pricing without 
adjustment

Discount
rate

Credit
rating

Discount
rate

8.85 - 9.5%

9.4%

 A+ to BB

BBB

3.13 - 7.47%

4.31%

N/A

N/A

N/A

The collateral underlying collateralized debt obligations for which fair values are reported as Level 3 consists primarily 
of trust preferred securities issued by banks and insurance companies. None of the collateral is subprime or Alt-A 
mortgages (loans for which the typical documentation was not provided by the borrower). Collateralized debt obligations 
are valued at the present value of expected future cash flows using an unobservable discount rate. Expected cash 
flows are determined by scheduling the projected repayment of the collateral assuming no future defaults, deferrals, 
or recoveries. The discount rate is risk-adjusted to take these items into account. A significant increase (decrease) in 
the  discount  rate  will  produce  a  significant  decrease  (increase)  in  fair  value.  Additionally,  a  significant  increase 
(decrease) in the cash flow expectations would result in a significant increase (decrease) in fair value.

The private placement fixed maturities are valued based on the contractual cash flows discounted by a yield determined 
as a treasury benchmark adjusted for a credit spread. The credit spread is developed from observable indices for 
similar public fixed maturities and unobservable indices for private fixed maturities for corresponding credit ratings. 
However, the credit ratings for the private placements are considered unobservable inputs, as they are assigned by 
the third party investment manager based on a quantitative and qualitative assessment of the credit underwritten. A 
higher  (lower)  credit  rating  would  result  in  a  higher  (lower)  valuation.  For  more  information  regarding  valuation 
procedures,  please  refer  to  Note  1—Significant Accounting  Policies  under  the  caption  Fair  Value  Measurements, 
Investments in Securities.

The following table presents transfers in and out of each of the valuation levels of fair values.

In

Level 1 ............ $ 17,252
Level 2 ............
Level 3 ............

49,744

—

2015
Out

Net
$ (49,744) $ (32,492) $ 36,468

In

(17,252)

32,492

—

—

—

—

2014
Out

Net

$

— $ 36,468

In
$ 19,416

2013
Out

Net

$

— $ 19,416

(36,468)

(36,468)

50,805

(19,416)

31,389

—

—

—

(50,805)

(50,805)

Transfers into Level 2 from Level 3 result from the availability of observable market data when a security is valued at 
the end of a period. Transfers into Level 3 occur when there is a lack of observable market information. Transfers into 
Level 1 from Level 2 occur when direct quotes are available; transfers from Level 1 into Level 2 result when only 
observable market data and no direct quotes are available. Transfers between levels are recognized as of the end of 
the period of transfer.

Other-than-temporary impairments (OTTI): Based on the Company's evaluation of its fixed maturities in an unrealized 
loss position in accordance with the OTTI policy as described in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies, the Company 
concluded that there were no other-than-temporary impairments during the three years ended December 31, 2015.  

73

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments (continued)

As of year end 2015, previously written down securities remaining in the portfolio were carried at a fair value of $60 
million, or less than 1% of the fair value of the fixed maturity portfolio. Torchmark is continuously monitoring the market 
conditions impacting its portfolio, especially in the energy and basic materials sectors. While adverse market conditions 
for an extended duration could lead to some ratings downgrades in these sectors, Torchmark has the ability and intent 
to hold these investments to recovery, and does not intend to sell nor expects to be required to sell any of its securities.

Unrealized gains/loss analysis: The following tables disclose gross unrealized investment losses by class and major 
sector  of  investments  at  December 31,  2015  and  December 31,  2014  for  the  respective  periods  of  time  in  a  loss 
position. Torchmark considers these investments to be only temporarily impaired.

ANALYSIS OF GROSS UNREALIZED INVESTMENT LOSSES
At December 31, 2015

Description of Securities

Fixed maturities available for sale:

Investment grade securities:

U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and 
government-sponsored enterprises ...................... $
States, municipalities and political subdivisions....

Foreign governments ............................................

Corporates, by sector: ..........................................

Financial ............................................................

Utilities ...............................................................

Energy ...............................................................

Metals and mining ..............................................

Other corporate sectors .....................................

Total corporates ....................................................

Redeemable preferred stocks, by sector:

Less than
Twelve Months

Twelve Months
or Longer

Total

Fair
Value

Unrealized
Loss

Fair Value

Unrealized
Loss

Fair Value

Unrealized
Loss

310,676

$

(13,196) $

14,731

$

(882) $

325,407

$

(14,078)

55,351

7,302

(1,611)

(163)

476,469

435,692

745,969

225,273

1,615,515

3,498,918

(18,599)

(28,267)

(146,157)

(50,857)

(113,185)

(357,065)

671

—

—

—

81,681

25,831

35,684

(42)

—

—

—

(41,412)

56,022

7,302

476,469

435,692

827,650

(1,653)

(163)

(18,599)

(28,267)

(187,569)

(11,552)

251,104

(62,409)

(6,661)

1,651,199

143,196

(59,625)

3,642,114

(119,846)

(416,690)

Utilities ............................................................

Total redeemable preferred stocks........................

7,763

7,763

(52)

(52)

—

—

—

—

7,763

7,763

(52)

(52)

Total investment grade securities ............................

3,880,010

(372,087)

158,598

(60,549)

4,038,608

(432,636)

Below investment grade securities:

States, municipalities and political subdivisions....

Corporates, by sector:

Financial ............................................................

Energy ...............................................................

Metals and mining ..............................................

Other corporate sectors .....................................

Total corporates ....................................................

Collateralized debt obligations ..............................

Redeemable preferred stocks, by sector:

Financial ..........................................................

Total redeemable preferred stocks........................

—

—

7,979

4,551

81,368

93,898

—

—

—

—

—

(1,854)

(5,414)

(12,492)

(19,760)

—

—

—

299

(255)

299

(255)

69,506

61,175

17,679

63,307

211,667

10,562

22,374

22,374

(36,282)

(29,678)

(22,247)

(8,503)

(96,710)

(9,438)

69,506

69,154

22,230

144,675

305,565

10,562

(36,282)

(31,532)

(27,661)

(20,995)

(116,470)

(9,438)

(4,781)

(4,781)

22,374

22,374

(4,781)

(4,781)

Total below investment grade securities ..................

93,898

(19,760)

244,902

(111,184)

338,800

(130,944)

Total fixed maturities .......................................... $ 3,973,908

$ (391,847) $

403,500

$ (171,733) $ 4,377,408

$ (563,580)

74

 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments (continued)

ANALYSIS OF GROSS UNREALIZED INVESTMENT LOSSES
At December 31, 2014 

Description of Securities

Fixed maturities available for sale:

Investment grade securities:

Less than
Twelve Months

Twelve Months
or Longer

Total

Fair Value

Unrealized
Loss

Fair
Value

Unrealized
Loss

Fair Value

Unrealized
Loss

U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and 
government-sponsored enterprises ...................... $

States, municipalities and political subdivisions....

Foreign governments ............................................

Corporates, by sector: ..........................................

Financial ............................................................

Utilities ...............................................................

Energy ...............................................................

Metals and mining ..............................................

Other corporate sectors .....................................

Total corporates ....................................................

Redeemable preferred stocks, by sector:

Financial ............................................................

Utilities ...............................................................

Total redeemable preferred stocks........................

4,478

$

(7) $

149,238

$

(3,176) $

153,716

$

(3,183)

5,632

—

7,928

4,678

201,509

69,959

117,743

401,817

1,008

—

1,008

(206)

—

(25)

(41)

(12,423)

(3,592)

(1,006)

(17,087)

(1)

—

(1)

20,363

800

28,202

111,993

101,457

16,078

392,029

649,759

—

1,644

1,644

(348)

(1)

25,995

800

(372)

(2,904)

(9,218)

(943)

36,130

116,671

302,966

86,037

(12,255)

509,772

(25,692)

1,051,576

—

(23)

(23)

1,008

1,644

2,652

(554)

(1)

(397)

(2,945)

(21,641)

(4,535)

(13,261)

(42,779)

(1)

(23)

(24)

Total investment grade securities ............................

412,935

(17,301)

821,804

(29,240)

1,234,739

(46,541)

Below investment grade securities:

States, municipalities and political subdivisions....

Corporates, by sector:

Financial ............................................................

Other corporate sectors .....................................

Total corporates ....................................................

Collateralized debt obligations ..............................

Redeemable preferred stocks, by sector:

Financial ............................................................

Total redeemable preferred stocks........................

—

—

32,940

32,940

—

—

—

—

—

(404)

(404)

—

—

—

393

(164)

393

(164)

94,069

67,117

161,186

11,190

57,339

57,339

(11,739)

(5,958)

(17,697)

(8,809)

94,069

100,057

194,126

11,190

(5,007)

(5,007)

57,339

57,339

(11,739)

(6,362)

(18,101)

(8,809)

(5,007)

(5,007)

Total below investment grade securities ..................

32,940

(404)

230,108

(31,677)

263,048

(32,081)

Total fixed maturities ............................................. $

445,875

$

(17,705) $ 1,051,912

$

(60,917) $ 1,497,787

$

(78,622)

Gross unrealized losses rose from $79 million at year end 2014 to $564 million at year end 2015, an increased gross 
unrealized loss of $485 million. During 2015, the increase in gross unrealized losses was partially attributable to rising 
interest rates in the financial markets, but also resulted from deteriorating conditions in the energy and metals and 
mining sectors. The energy sector accounted for $197 million of the 2015 increase in gross unrealized losses from 
2014,  while  metals  and  mining  contributed  $86  million  of  additional  gross  unrealized  losses.  Financial  sector 
investments, our largest sector holdings at 25% of the portfolio at fair value at year end 2015, were also affected by 
the poor economic environment, adding another $43 million of gross unrealized losses during 2015.

75

 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments (continued)

Additional information about investments in an unrealized loss position is as follows:

Less than
Twelve
Months

Twelve
Months
or Longer

Total

Number of issues (CUSIP numbers) held:

As of December 31, 2015 .............................................................
As of December 31, 2014 .............................................................

480
80

75
173

555
253

Torchmark’s entire fixed-maturity and equity portfolio consisted of 1,568 issues at December 31, 2015 and 1,604 issues 
at December 31, 2014. The weighted-average quality rating of all unrealized loss positions was BBB+ for both 2015 
and 2014. The weighted-average quality ratings are based on amortized cost.

Other investment information:

Other long-term investments consist of the following:

Year Ended December 31,

2015

2014

Investment in limited partnerships ................................................................................ $
Low-income housing interests .....................................................................................
Other ............................................................................................................................

31,409 $

3,767
1,627

Total ....................................................................................................................... $

36,803 $

3,236
5,370
1,843
10,449

Torchmark did not have any invested assets that were non-income producing during the twelve months ended 
December 31, 2015.

Concentrations of Credit Risk:  Torchmark maintains a diversified investment portfolio with limited concentration in any 
given issuer. At December 31, 2015, the investment portfolio, at fair value, consisted of the following:

Investment grade fixed maturities:

Corporate securities ....................................................................................................................................
Securities of state and municipal governments ...........................................................................................
Government-sponsored enterprises ............................................................................................................
Other ...........................................................................................................................................................

Below investment grade fixed maturities:

Corporate securities ....................................................................................................................................
Other ...........................................................................................................................................................
Policy loans, which are secured by the underlying insurance policy values ..................................................
Other investments .........................................................................................................................................

79%
10
2
1

3
1
3
1
100%

As of December 31, 2015, securities of state and municipal governments represented 10% of invested assets at fair 
value. Such investments are made throughout the U.S. At year end 2015, the state and municipal bond portfolio at fair 
value was invested in securities issued within the following states: Texas (30%), Ohio (7%), Washington (7%), Illinois 
(6%), and Alabama (5%). Otherwise, there was no significant concentration within any given state greater than 5%.

76

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 4—Investments (continued)

Corporate debt securities and redeemable preferred stocks represent 82% of Torchmark's investment portfolio.  These 
investments are spread across a wide range of industries. Below are the ten largest industry concentrations held in 
the corporate portfolio of corporate debt securities and redeemable preferred stocks at December 31, 2015, based on 
fair value:

Insurance ...................................................................................................................................
Electric utilities ...........................................................................................................................
Oil and natural gas pipelines ......................................................................................................
Banks .........................................................................................................................................
Transportation ............................................................................................................................
Chemicals ..................................................................................................................................
Oil and natural gas exploration and production ..........................................................................
Gas utilities .................................................................................................................................
Real estate investment trusts .....................................................................................................
Mining ........................................................................................................................................

18%
15
6
6
5
4
4
3
3
3

At year end 2015, 4% of invested assets at fair value were represented by fixed maturities rated below investment 
grade (BB+ or lower as determined by the weighted average of available ratings from rating services). Par value of 
these investments was $720 million, amortized cost was $640 million, and fair value was $533 million. While these 
investments could be subject to additional credit risk, such risk should generally be reflected in their fair value.

Note 5—Deferred Acquisition Costs

An analysis of deferred acquisition costs is as follows:

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

Balance at beginning of year ............................................................... $ 3,457,397 $ 3,325,433 $ 3,187,710

Additions:

Deferred during period:

Commissions ............................................................................
Other expenses ........................................................................
Total deferred .........................................................................
Value of insurance purchased during year ....................................
Adjustment attributable to unrealized investment losses(1)...........
Total additions ........................................................................

401,166
211,015
612,181
—
8,682
620,863

358,969
203,276
562,245
—
—
562,245

330,922
189,326
520,248
8,489
14,906
543,643

Deductions:

Amortized during period ................................................................
Foreign exchange adjustment .......................................................
Adjustment attributable to unrealized investment gains(1) ............
Total deductions .....................................................................

(400,869)
(5,051)
—
(405,920)
Balance at end of year ........................................................................ $ 3,617,135 $ 3,457,397 $ 3,325,433

(415,914)
(8,167)
(6,200)
(430,281)

(445,625)
(15,500)
—
(461,125)

(1) Represents amounts pertaining to investments relating to universal life-type products.

77

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 6—Discontinued Operations

At  December 31,  2015, Torchmark  met  the  criteria  to  account  for  its  Medicare  Part  D  business  as  a  discontinued 
operation  and  expects  the  business  to  be  sold  during  2016.  Historically,  the  business  was  a  reportable  segment. 
However, Torchmark no longer emphasizes its Medicare Part D business due to declining margins, increased risks, 
higher drug costs, and increased administrative and compliance costs. Management believes this sale will allow the 
Company to better focus on its core protection life and health insurance businesses as well as provide additional capital 
to invest.

The net assets held for sale at December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

At December 31,

2015

2014

Assets:
Due premiums(1) ............................................................................................................. $
Risk sharing receivable(1) ...............................................................................................
Other receivables(2) ........................................................................................................
Deferred acquisition costs ..............................................................................................
Total assets held for sale ..........................................................................................

8,041 $

—

287,765

17,037

312,843

5,292

31,373

236,996

14,384

288,045

Liabilities:

Unearned and advance premiums .................................................................................
Policy claims and other benefits payable(2) ....................................................................
Risk sharing payable ......................................................................................................
Current and deferred income taxes payable ..................................................................
Other ..............................................................................................................................
Total liabilities held for sale ......................................................................................

806

12,309

23,837

13,604

479

51,035

572

15,517

—

11,195

11,592

38,876

Net assets ....................................................................................................................... $ 261,808 $ 249,169

(1)  Previously included as a component of "Other receivables" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2)  At December 31, 2015, receivables included $193 million from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and $95 million from drug 
manufacturer rebates. At December 31, 2014, the comparable amounts were $179 million and $58 million, respectively. In 2014, the receivable 
for drug manufacturer rebates was previously included as a component of "Policy claims and other benefits payable" on the Consolidated 
Balance Sheets.

78

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 6—Discontinued Operations (continued)

Income from discontinued operations for the three years ended December 31, 2015 is as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

2015

2014

2013

Revenue:

Health premium ............................................................................... $

260,657 $

373,280 $

302,592

Benefits and expenses:

Health policyholder benefits ............................................................
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs ......................................
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition 
expenses ........................................................................................
Other operating expense ................................................................
Total benefits and expenses ......................................................

213,114

3,506

20,909

6,502

244,031

315,816

2,858

26,613

5,123

350,410

250,080

2,520

14,027

3,247

269,874

Income before income taxes for discontinued operations .................
Income taxes .....................................................................................
Income from discontinued operations ............................................... $

16,626

(5,819)

22,870

(8,005)

32,718

(11,451)

10,807 $

14,865 $

21,267

Income taxes paid related to discontinued operations for the three years ended December 31, 2015 were as follows:

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

Income taxes paid ....................................................................................... $

3,409 $

12,013 $

10,320

79

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 7—Liability for Unpaid Health Claims

Activity in the liability for unpaid health claims is summarized as follows:

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

Balance at beginning of year ............................................................. $
Incurred related to:

128,265 $

116,559 $

124,999

Current year ..................................................................................
Prior years ....................................................................................
Total incurred ............................................................................

502,009
(7,845)
494,164

453,014
804
453,818

Paid related to:

Current year ..................................................................................
Prior years ....................................................................................
Total paid ..................................................................................

Balance at end of year ...................................................................... $

379,037
106,272
485,309
137,120 $

343,648
98,464
442,112
128,265 $

453,538
5,279
458,817

354,358
112,899
467,257
116,559

At the end of each period, the liability for unpaid health claims includes an estimate of claims incurred but not yet 
reported to the Company. Such estimates are updated regularly based upon the Company’s most recent claims data 
with recognition of emerging experience trends. Because of the nature of the Company’s health business, the payment 
lags are relatively short and most claims are fully paid within a year from the time incurred. Fluctuations in claims 
experience can lead to either over or under estimation of the liability for any given year. The difference between the 
estimate made at the end of the prior period and the actual experience during the period is reflected above under the 
caption “Incurred related to: Prior years.”

The liability for unpaid health claims is included with “Policy claims and other benefits payable” on the Consolidated 
Balance Sheets.

80

 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 8—Income Taxes

As discussed in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies under the caption "Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Interests"  
the  Company  adopted ASU  2014-01  as  of  January  1,  2015. As  a  result  of  the  adoption,  amortization  of  the  cost 
component for certain investments in low-income affordable housing projects were reclassified from net investment 
income to income taxes. The reclassification adjustment has been applied retrospectively to all periods presented. 

The components of income taxes were as follows:

Income tax expense from continuing operations ...................................... $
Shareholders’ equity:

Year Ended December 31,
2014
256,603 $

2015
249,894 $

2013
248,110

Other comprehensive income (loss) .......................................................
Tax basis compensation expense (from the exercise of stock options 
and vesting of restricted stock awards) in excess of amounts 
recognized for financial reporting purposes ............................................

(411,646)

424,089

(386,752)

(17,577)
$ (179,329) $

(21,314)
(18,524)
662,168 $ (159,956)

Income tax expense from continuing operations consists of:

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

Current income tax expense ..................................................................... $
Deferred income tax expense ...................................................................

174,284 $

169,319 $

190,406

75,610

87,284

57,704

$

249,894 $

256,603 $

248,110

In each of the years 2013 through 2015, deferred income tax expense was incurred because of certain differences 
between net income before income taxes as reported on the  Consolidated Statements of Operations and taxable 
income as reported on Torchmark’s income tax returns. As explained in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies, these 
differences caused the financial statement book values of some assets and liabilities to be different from their respective 
tax bases. 

The effective income tax rate differed from the expected 35% rate as shown below:

Expected income taxes ............................................... $ 268,165
Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from: ...

35.0 $ 274,637

35.0 $ 264,360

35.0

Year Ended December 31,

2015

%

2014

%

2013

%

Tax-exempt investment income .................................
Low income housing investments .............................
Other .........................................................................

(19,031)
3,938
Income tax expense from continuing operations ......... $ 249,894

(3,178)

(0.4)

(2.5)

(3,233)

(17,541)

(0.4)

(2.2)

(3,107)

(16,227)

0.5

2,740
32.6 $ 256,603

0.4

3,084
32.8 $ 248,110

(0.4)

(2.1)

0.4
32.9

81

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 8—Income Taxes (continued)

The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred 
tax liabilities are presented below:

Deferred tax assets:

Fixed maturity investments ........................................................................................ $
Carryover of tax losses ..............................................................................................
Total gross deferred tax assets ..................................................................................

16,098 $

2,266
18,364

12,925
3,036
15,961

Deferred tax liabilities:

December 31,

2015

2014

Unrealized gains ........................................................................................................
Employee and agent compensation ...........................................................................
Deferred acquisition costs .........................................................................................
Future policy benefits, unearned and advance premiums, and policy claims ............
Other liabilities ...........................................................................................................
Total gross deferred tax liabilities ...............................................................................

522,219
74,088
874,817
331,408
4,732
1,807,264
Net deferred tax liability ............................................................................................... $ 1,473,377 $ 1,791,303

128,683
83,229
921,799
340,854
17,176
1,491,741

Torchmark and its subsidiaries, excluding Family Heritage Life Insurance Company (Family Heritage), file a life-nonlife 
consolidated federal income tax return. Family Heritage files its federal income tax return on a separate company 
basis. Torchmark’s consolidated federal income tax returns are routinely audited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 
The IRS completed its examination of Torchmark’s 2008-2011 consolidated income tax returns during 2014 resulting 
in no impact on the company’s effective tax rate. The statutes of limitations for the assessment of additional tax are 
closed for all tax years prior to 2012 with respect to Torchmark’s consolidated and Family Heritage’s federal income 
tax returns. Management believes that adequate provision has been made in the consolidated financial statements 
for any potential assessments that may result from current or future tax examinations and other tax-related matters 
for all open years.

Torchmark has net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $6.3 million at December 31, 2015 which will begin 
to expire in 2032 if not otherwise used to offset future taxable income. A valuation allowance is to be provided when it 
is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized by the Company. No valuation allowance has been 
recorded relating to Torchmark’s deferred tax assets as management believes Torchmark will more likely than not have 
sufficient taxable income in future periods to fully realize its existing deferred tax assets.

Torchmark’s tax liability is adjusted to include a provision for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in 
a tax return. However, during the years 2013 through 2015, Torchmark did not have any uncertain tax positions which 
resulted in unrecognized tax benefits.

Torchmark’s continuing practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax 
expense. The Company recognized interest income of $11 thousand, $465 thousand, and $0 thousand, net of federal 
income tax benefits, in its Consolidated Statements of Operations for 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. The Company 
had no accrued interest or penalties at December 31, 2015 or 2014.

82

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 9—Postretirement Benefits

Pension Plans:  Torchmark has noncontributory retirement benefit plans and contributory savings plans which cover 
substantially all employees. There are also two nonqualified, noncontributory supplemental benefit pension plans which 
cover a limited number of employees. The total cost of these retirement plans charged to operations was as follows:

Year Ended December 31, 
2015 .......................................... $
2014 ..........................................
2013 ..........................................

Defined 
Contribution
Plans

Defined 
Benefit
Pension 
Plans

3,429 $
3,078
3,373

29,230
23,463
33,122

Torchmark accrues expense for the defined contribution plans based on a percentage of the employees’ contributions. 
The plans are funded by the employee contributions and a Torchmark contribution equal to the amount of accrued 
expense. Plan contributions are both mandatory and discretionary, depending on the terms of the plan.

Cost for the defined benefit pension plans has been calculated on the projected unit credit actuarial cost method. All 
plan measurements for the defined benefit plans are as of December 31 of the respective year. The defined benefit 
pension plans covering the majority of employees are qualified and funded. Contributions are made to funded pension 
plans  subject  to  minimums  required  by  regulation  and  maximums  allowed  for  tax  purposes.  Defined  benefit  plan 
contributions were $15.5 million in 2015, $14.6 million in 2014, and $10.3 million in 2013. Torchmark estimates as of 
December 31, 2015 that it will contribute an amount not to exceed $20 million to these plans in 2016. The actual amount 
of contribution may be different from this estimate.

Torchmark has a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP), which provides to a limited number of executives 
an additional supplemental defined pension benefit. The supplemental benefit is based on the participant’s qualified 
plan benefit without consideration to the regulatory limits on compensation and benefit payments applicable to qualified 
plans, except that eligible compensation is capped at $1 million. The SERP is unqualified and unfunded. However, a 
Rabbi Trust has been established to support the liability for this plan. This trust consists of life insurance policies on 
the lives of plan participants with an unaffiliated insurance carrier as well as an investment account. The premiums 
paid for the insurance coverage were $10.1 million in 2015, $2.2 million in 2014, and $2.9 million in 2013. The cash 
value of these policies at December 31, 2015 was $34 million and was $24 million a year earlier. Investments in the 
investment account consist of ETFs. Deposits of $6 million in 2013 were added to the investment account in this trust. 
There were no deposits in 2015 or 2014. As of December 31, 2015, the combined value of the insurance policies and 
the trust investments was $79 million, compared with $74 million a year earlier. Because this plan is unqualified, the 
investments and the policyholder value of the insurance policies in the Rabbi Trust are not included as defined benefit 
plan assets but as assets of the Company. They are included with “Other Assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 
The liability for this SERP at December 31, 2015 was $67 million and was $71 million a year earlier.

The Company has another small supplemental benefit pension plan which is limited to a very select group of employees 
and was closed as of December 31, 1994. It provides the full benefits that an employee would have otherwise received 
from a defined benefit plan in the absence of the limitation on benefits payable under a qualified plan. This plan is 
unfunded. Liability for this closed plan was $3 million at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Pension cost 
for both supplemental defined benefit plans is determined in the same manner as for the qualified defined benefit plans.

83

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 9—Postretirement Benefits (continued)

Plan assets in the funded plans consist primarily of investments in marketable fixed maturities and equity securities 
and are valued at fair value. Torchmark measures the fair value of its financial assets, including the assets in its benefit 
plans,  in  accordance  with  accounting  guidance  which  establishes  a  hierarchy  for  asset  values  and  provides  a 
methodology for the measurement of value. Please refer to Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies under the caption 
Fair Value Measurements, Investments in Securities for a complete discussion of valuation procedures. The following 
table presents the assets of Torchmark’s defined benefit pension plans for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 
2014.

Pension Assets by Component at December 31, 2015

Fair Value Determined by:

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)

Significant
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)

Total
Amount

% to
Total

49,391

$

$

$

Equity securities:

Financial ...................................... $
Consumer, Cyclical ......................

Technology ...................................

Industrial ......................................

Consumer, Non-Cyclical ...............

Other ............................................

Total equity securities .....................

Corporate bonds

Financial ......................................

Utilities .........................................

Energy .........................................

Other corporates ..........................

Total corporate bonds .....................

Other bonds ...................................
Guaranteed annuity contract(1) .......
Short-term investments ..................

Other ..............................................

24,264

19,871

15,176

12,216

2,502

123,420

—

15,593

4,842

8

8

36,266

43,229

25,890

40,996

146,381

270

17,082

49,391

24,264

19,871

15,176

12,216

2,510

—

123,428

36,266

43,229

25,890

40,996

—

146,381

270

17,082

15,593

4,842

16

8

6

5

4

1

40

12

14

8

13

47

—

6

5

2

Grand Total ..................................... $

143,855

$

163,741

$

— $

307,596

100

(1) This amount represents a guaranteed annuity contract issued by Torchmark's subsidiary, American Income Life Insurance Company, to fund the 
obligations of the American Income Pension Plan.

84

 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 9—Postretirement Benefits (continued)

Pension Assets by Component at December 31, 2014 

Fair Value Determined by:

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)

Significant
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)

Total
Amount

% to
Total

Equity securities:

Financial ...................................... $
Consumer, Cyclical ......................

Technology ...................................

Consumer, Non-Cyclical ...............

Energy .........................................

Communications ..........................

Industrial ......................................

Other ............................................

45,790

$

$

$

26,542

16,965

11,665

10,192

9,322

6,377

715

45,790

26,542

16,965

11,665

10,192

9,322

6,377

715

Total equity securities .....................

127,568

—

—

127,568

Corporate bonds

Financial ......................................

Utilities .........................................

Energy .........................................

Other corporates ..........................

Total corporate bonds ..................

Other bonds ...................................
Guaranteed annuity contract(1) .......
Short-term investments ..................

Other ..............................................

40,889

48,510

30,936

46,490

166,825

284

15,027

—

9,038

4,156

40,889

48,510

30,936

46,490

—

166,825

284

15,027

9,038

4,156

14

8

5

4

3

3

2

—

39

13

15

10

14

52

—

5

3

1

Grand Total ..................................... $

140,762

$

182,136

$

— $

322,898

100

(1) This amount represents a guaranteed annuity contract issued by Torchmark's subsidiary, American Income Life Insurance Company, to fund the 
obligations of the American Income Pension Plan.

Torchmark’s investment objectives for its plan assets include preservation of capital, preservation of purchasing power, 
and long-term growth. Torchmark seeks to preserve capital through investments made in high quality securities with 
adequate  diversification  by  issuer  and  industry  sector  to  minimize  risk. The  portfolio  is  monitored  continuously  for 
changes in quality and diversification mix. The preservation of purchasing power is intended to be accomplished through 
asset growth, exclusive of contributions and withdrawals, in excess of the rate of inflation. Torchmark intends to maintain 
investments that when combined with future plan contributions will produce adequate long-term growth to provide for 
all plan obligations. It is also Torchmark’s objective that the portfolio’s investment return will meet or exceed the return 
of a balanced market index.

The majority of the securities in the portfolio are highly marketable so that there will be adequate liquidity to meet 
projected payments. There are no specific policies calling for asset durations to match those of benefit obligations.

Allowed investments are limited to equities, fixed maturities, and short-term investments (invested cash). The assets 
are to be invested in a mix of equity and fixed income investments that best serve the objectives of the pension plan. 
Factors to be considered in determining the asset mix include funded status, annual pension expense, annual pension 
contributions, and balance sheet liability. Equities include common and preferred stocks, securities convertible into 
equities, mutual funds that invest in equities, and other equity-related investments. Equities must be listed on major 
exchanges  and  adequate  market  liquidity  is  required.  Fixed  maturities  consist  of  marketable  debt  securities  rated 
investment grade at purchase by a major rating agency. Short-term investments include fixed maturities with maturities 

85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 9—Postretirement Benefits (continued)

less than one year and invested cash. Short-term investments in commercial paper must be rated at least A-2 by 
Standard & Poor’s with the issuer rated investment grade. Invested cash is limited to banks rated A or higher. Investments 
outside of the aforementioned list are not permitted, except by prior approval of the Plan’s Trustees. At December 31, 
2015, there were no restricted investments contained in the portfolio. Plan contributions have been invested primarily 
in fixed maturity and equity securities during the three years ended December 31, 2015.

The investment portfolio is to be well diversified to avoid undue exposure to a single sector, industry, business, or 
security. The equity and fixed maturity portfolios are not permitted to invest in any single issuer that would exceed 10% 
of total plan assets at the time of purchase. Torchmark does not employ any other special risk management techniques, 
such as derivatives, in managing the pension investment portfolio.

The  following  table  discloses  the  assumptions  used  to  determine Torchmark’s  pension  liabilities  and  costs  for  the 
appropriate  periods. The  discount  and  compensation  increase  rates  are  used  to  determine  current  year  projected 
benefit obligations and subsequent year pension expense. The long-term rate of return is used to determine current 
year expense. Differences between assumptions and actual experience are included in actuarial gain or loss.

Weighted Average Pension Plan Assumptions

For Benefit Obligations at December 31:

Discount Rate ...............................................................................
Rate of Compensation Increase ...................................................

4.64%
4.33

4.23%
4.35

2015

2014

For Periodic Benefit Cost for the Year:

Discount Rate ...............................................................................

Expected Long-Term Returns .......................................................

Rate of Compensation Increase ...................................................

2015

2014

2013

4.23%

6.96

4.35

5.12%

6.97

4.35

4.18%

6.96

4.40

The discount rate is determined based on the expected duration of plan liabilities. A yield is then derived based on the 
current market yield of a hypothetical portfolio of higher-quality corporate bonds which match the liability duration. The 
rate  of  compensation  increase  is  projected  based  on  Company  experience,  modified  as  appropriate  for  future 
expectations. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is management’s best estimate of the average rate 
of earnings expected to be received on the assets invested in the plan over the benefit period. In determining this 
assumption, consideration is given to the historical rate of return earned on the assets, the projected returns over future 
periods, and the discount rate used to compute benefit obligations.

Net periodic pension cost for the defined benefit plans by expense component was as follows:

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

Service cost—benefits earned during the period ................................. $
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation ........................................
Expected return on assets ...................................................................
Net amortization ..................................................................................
Recognition of actuarial loss ...............................................................

Net periodic pension cost .................................................................. $

15,902 $
19,887
(21,204)
14,465
180
29,230 $

12,925 $
19,270
(19,031)
10,283
16
23,463 $

14,984
17,043
(17,429)
18,143
381
33,122

86

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 9—Postretirement Benefits (continued)

An analysis of the impact on other comprehensive income (loss) concerning pensions and other postretirement benefits 
is as follows:

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2015
(152,999) $

2013
(168,129)

Balance at January 1 ........................................................................... $
Amortization of:

Prior service cost ...............................................................................
Net actuarial (gain) loss(1) ..................................................................
Total amortization ................................................................................
Plan amendments ...............................................................................
Experience gain(loss) ..........................................................................
Balance at December 31 ..................................................................... $

377
14,209
14,586
(2,104)
(11,632)
(152,149) $

(97,467) $

2,113
8,172
10,285
—
(65,817)
(152,999) $

2,276
16,090
18,366
—
52,296
(97,467)

(1) Includes amortization of postretirement benefits other than pensions of $120 thousand in 2015, $2 thousand in 2014, and $224 thousand in 
2013.

The following table presents a reconciliation from the beginning to the end of the year of the projected benefit obligation 
and  plan  assets  for  pensions.  This  table  also  presents  the  amounts  previously  recognized  as  a  component  of 
accumulated other comprehensive income.

Pension Benefits

Year Ended December 31,

2015

2014

Changes in benefit obligation:
Obligation at beginning of year .................................................................................... $
Service cost .................................................................................................................
Interest cost .................................................................................................................
Plan amendments ........................................................................................................
Actuarial loss (gain) .....................................................................................................
Benefits paid ................................................................................................................
Obligation at end of year ..............................................................................................

477,426 $

15,902
19,887
2,104
(19,226)
(19,512)
476,581

383,859
12,925
19,270
—
78,487
(17,115)
477,426

Changes in plan assets:
Fair value at beginning of year .....................................................................................
Return on assets ..........................................................................................................
Contributions ................................................................................................................
Benefits paid ................................................................................................................
Fair value at end of year ..............................................................................................

Funded status at year end ......................................................................................... $

322,898
(11,333)
15,543
(19,512)
307,596
(168,985) $

291,753
33,641
14,619
(17,115)
322,898
(154,528)

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income consist of:
Net loss (gain) .............................................................................................................. $
Prior service cost .........................................................................................................

Net amounts recognized at year end ......................................................................... $

145,623 $
5,088
150,711 $

146,571
3,362
149,933

87

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 9—Postretirement Benefits (continued)

The portion of other comprehensive income that is expected to be reflected in pension expense in 2016 is as follows:

Amortization of prior service cost .......................................................................................................... $
Amortization of net actuarial loss ..........................................................................................................

Total

............................................................................................................................................... $

477
9,695
10,172

The accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) for Torchmark’s funded defined benefit pension plans was $371 million and 
$374  million  at  December 31,  2015  and  2014,  respectively.  In  the  unfunded  plans,  the ABO  was  $63  million  at 
December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Torchmark has estimated its expected pension benefits to be paid over the next ten years as of December 31, 2015. 
These estimates use the same assumptions that measure the benefit obligation at December 31, 2014, taking estimated 
future employee service into account. Those estimated benefits are as follows:

For the year(s)
2016 .......................................................................................................................................................... $ 18,352
19,832
2017 ..........................................................................................................................................................
21,077
2018 ..........................................................................................................................................................
21,660
2019 ..........................................................................................................................................................
24,048
2020 ..........................................................................................................................................................
143,489
2021-2025 .................................................................................................................................................

Postretirement Benefit Plans Other Than Pensions:  Torchmark provides a small postretirement life insurance benefit 
for most retired employees, and also provides additional postretirement life insurance benefits for certain key employees. 
The majority of the life insurance benefits are accrued over the working lives of active employees. Otherwise, Torchmark 
does not provide postretirement benefits other than pensions and the life insurance benefits described above.

Torchmark’s post-retirement defined benefit plans other than pensions are not funded. Liabilities for these plans are 
measured as of December 31 for the appropriate year.

The components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for plans other than pensions are as follows:

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

Service cost ................................................................................................... $
Interest cost on benefit obligation ..................................................................
Expected return on plan assets ......................................................................
Net amortization .............................................................................................
Recognition of net actuarial (gain) loss ..........................................................
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost ......................................................... $

— $

1,075
—
120
367
1,562 $

— $

646
—
2
(256)
392 $

354
1,030
—
224
—
1,608

88

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 9—Postretirement Benefits (continued)

The following table presents a reconciliation of the benefit obligation and plan assets from the beginning to the end of 
the year. As these plans are unfunded, funded status is equivalent to the accrued benefit liability.

Benefits Other Than Pensions

Year Ended December 31,

2015

2014

Changes in benefit obligation:
Obligation at beginning of year .................................................................................... $
Service cost .................................................................................................................
Interest cost .................................................................................................................
Actuarial loss (gain) .....................................................................................................
Benefits paid ................................................................................................................
Obligation at end of year ..............................................................................................

Changes in plan assets:
Fair value at beginning of year .....................................................................................
Return on assets ..........................................................................................................
Contributions ................................................................................................................
Benefits paid ................................................................................................................
Fair value at end of year ..............................................................................................

Funded status at year end ......................................................................................... $

22,895 $
—
1,075
(1,133)
(358)
22,479

—
—
358
(358)
—
(22,479) $

20,860
—
646
1,700
(311)
22,895

—
—
311
(311)
—
(22,895)

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income:
Net loss(1) ................................................................................................................... $
Net amounts recognized at year end ..................................................................... $

1,447 $
1,447 $

3,066
3,066

(1) The net loss for benefit plans other than pensions reduces other comprehensive income.

The table below presents the assumptions used to determine the liabilities and costs of Torchmark’s postretirement 
benefit plans other than pensions.

Weighted Average Assumptions for Postretirement
Benefit Plans Other Than Pensions

For Benefit Obligations at December 31:

Discount Rate ......................................................................................

4.66%

4.23%

2015

2014

For Periodic Benefit Cost for the Year:

Discount Rate ......................................................................................

4.23%

5.12%

4.18%

2015

2014

2013

89

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 9—Postretirement Benefits (continued)

Estimated Future Payments for Post-Retirement Benefit Plans Other Than Pensions

For the year(s)
2016 ..................................................................................................................................................... $
2017 .....................................................................................................................................................
2018 .....................................................................................................................................................
2019 .....................................................................................................................................................
2020 .....................................................................................................................................................
2021-2025 ............................................................................................................................................

921
1,018
1,137
1,252
1,356
8,921

Note 10—Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

The  following  table  summarizes  Torchmark’s  noncash  transactions,  which  are  not  reflected  on  the  Consolidated 
Statements of Cash Flows:

Stock-based compensation not involving cash ........................................... $
Commitments for low-income housing interests .........................................
Capitalized investment income ...................................................................

28,664 $
68,949
—

32,203 $
75,706
—

25,642
42,525
806

The following table summarizes certain amounts paid during the period:

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

Interest paid ................................................................................................ $
Income taxes paid .......................................................................................

74,792 $

77,066 $

110,650

100,922

81,322
128,771

90

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 11—Debt

The following table presents information about the terms and outstanding balances of Torchmark’s debt. 

Selected Information about Debt Issues

As of December 31,

2015

2014

Description
Notes, due 5/15/23(1,2) ...............
Senior Notes, due 6/15/16(1,3,7)..
Senior Notes, due 6/15/19(1,3)....
Senior Notes, due 9/15/22(1,3)....
Junior Subordinated 
Debentures due 12/15/52(4,8).....
Junior Subordinated 
Debentures due 3/15/36(4,5).......
Total funded debt ....................

Commercial Paper(7) .................
Total debt ...........................

Annual
Interest
Rate

7.875%

6.375%

9.250%

3.800%

Issue
Date

5/93

6/06

6/09

9/12

Periodic
Interest
Payments
Due

Outstanding
Principal
(Par Value)

Outstanding
Principal
(Book Value)

Outstanding
Principal
(Fair Value)

Outstanding
Principal
(Book Value)

5/15 & 11/15

$

165,612

$

163,920

$

204,470

$

163,758

6/15 & 12/15

6/15 & 12/15

3/15 & 9/15

250,000

292,647

150,000

249,753

291,002

147,913

255,354

353,978

148,843

249,236

290,618

147,648

5.875%

9/12

quarterly

125,000

120,898

129,000

120,870

3.812% (9)

(6)

quarterly

20,000

20,000

20,000

1,003,259

993,486

1,111,645

240,544

240,376

240,376

20,000

992,130

238,398

$ 1,243,803

$ 1,233,862

$ 1,352,021

$ 1,230,528

(1)  All securities other than the Junior Subordinated Debentures have equal priority with one another.
(2)  Not callable.
(3)  Callable subject to “make-whole” premium.
(4)  Quarterly payments on the 15th of March, June, September, and December.
(5)  Callable anytime.
(6)  Assumed upon November 1, 2012 acquisition of Family Heritage.
(7)  Classified as short-term debt.
(8)  Callable as of December 15, 2017.
(9) 

Interest paid at 3 month LIBOR plus 330 basis points, resets each quarter.

Contractual  Debt  Obligations:  The  following  table  presents  expected  scheduled  principal  payments  under  our 
contractual debt obligations:

Debt obligations ............................. $ 490,544 $

— $

2016

2017

2018

2019
— $ 292,647 $

2020

Thereafter
— $ 460,612

Year Ended December 31,

Funded debt: As of January 1, 2013, Torchmark had outstanding 7.375% Notes with a principal balance of $94 
million. These notes were repaid with interest on August 1, 2013.

Torchmark's 6.375% Senior Notes, in the principal amount of $250 million, will mature on June 15, 2016. The Company 
plans to refinance these notes in 2016. 

91

 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 11—Debt (continued)

Commercial Paper: As of July 16, 2014, Torchmark entered into a new credit facility with a group of lenders allowing 
for unsecured borrowings and stand-by letters of credit up to $750 million, replacing a previous facility that had a 
maximum limitation of $600 million. Up to $250 million in letters of credit can be issued against the new facility. The 
facility is further designated as a back-up credit line for a commercial paper program under which the Company may 
either borrow from the credit line or issue commercial paper at any time, with total commercial paper outstanding not 
to exceed the facility maximum, less any letters of credit issued. Interest is charged at variable rates. The facility has 
no ratings-based acceleration triggers which would require early repayment prior to the termination date of July 16, 
2019. In accordance with the agreement, Torchmark is subject to certain covenants regarding capitalization, as was 
the  case  with  the  previous  credit  facility. As  of  December 31,  2015,  and  throughout  the  three-year  period  ended 
December 31, 2015, Torchmark was in full compliance with the appropriate covenants. Borrowings on the credit facilities 
are reported as short-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. A table presenting selected information concerning 
Torchmark’s short-term borrowings is presented below.

Short-Term Borrowings

Balance at end of period (at par value) ........................................................................ $
Annualized interest rate ...............................................................................................
Letters of credit outstanding ......................................................................................... $
Remaining amount available under credit line .............................................................

At December 31,

2015
240,544

0.55%

177,000
332,456

$

$

2014
238,450

0.32%

198,000
313,550

Year Ended December 31,
2014
296,246

2015
350,851

$

$

2013
274,435

0.43%

0.26%

458,110

$

343,000

$

0.33%
340,140  

Average balance outstanding during period ........................................ $
Daily-weighted average interest rate (annualized) ..............................
Maximum daily amount outstanding during period .............................. $

92

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 12—Shareholders’ Equity

Share Data:  A summary of preferred and common share activity is presented in the following chart. 

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Issued

Treasury
Stock

Issued

Treasury
Stock

2013:

Balance at January 1, 2013 ............................................................

—

—

158,718,183

(17,364,729)

Grants of restricted stock ................................................................

Forfeitures and surrenders of restricted stock .................................

Issuance of common stock due to exercise of stock options ...........

Issuance of common stock due to settlement of restricted stock 
units ................................................................................................

Treasury stock acquired ..................................................................

Retirement of treasury stock ...........................................................

76,415

(37,359)

3,917,757

11,190

(11,069,076)

(7,500,000)

7,500,000

Balance at December 31, 2013 ..................................................

—

—

151,218,183

(16,965,802)

2014:

Grants of restricted stock ................................................................

Forfeitures of restricted stock ..........................................................

Issuance of common stock due to exercise of stock options ...........

Treasury stock acquired ..................................................................

Retirement of treasury stock ...........................................................

19,041

(2,700)

2,210,349

(8,548,795)

(17,000,000)

17,000,000

Balance at December 31, 2014 ..................................................

—

—

134,218,183

(6,287,907)

2015:

Grants of restricted stock ................................................................

Forfeitures of restricted stock ..........................................................

Vesting of performance shares ........................................................

Issuance of common stock due to exercise of stock options ...........

Treasury stock acquired ..................................................................

Retirement of treasury stock ...........................................................

6,648

(13,950)

211,287

1,576,485

(7,340,794)

(4,000,000)

4,000,000

Balance at December 31, 2015 ..................................................

—

—

130,218,183

(7,848,231)

Acquisition of Common Shares: Torchmark shares are acquired from time to time through open market purchases 
under the Torchmark stock repurchase program when it is believed to be the best use of Torchmark’s excess cash 
flows. Share repurchases under this program were 6.3 million shares at a cost of $359 million in 2015, 7.2 million 
shares at a cost of $375 million in 2014, and 8.3 million shares at a cost of $360 million in 2013. When stock options 
are exercised, proceeds from the exercises are generally used to repurchase approximately the number of shares 
available with those funds in order to reduce dilution. Shares repurchased for dilution purposes were 1.0 million shares 
at a cost of $60 million in 2015, 1.4 million shares at a cost of $74 million in 2014, and 2.8 million shares at a cost of 
$122 million in 2013.

Retirement of Treasury Stock:  Torchmark retired 4.0 million shares of treasury stock in 2015, 17.0 million in 2014, and 
7.5 million in 2013.

Restrictions: Restrictions exist on the flow of funds to Torchmark from its insurance subsidiaries. Statutory regulations 
require life insurance subsidiaries to maintain certain minimum amounts of capital and surplus. Dividends from insurance 

93

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 12—Shareholders’ Equity (continued)

subsidiaries of Torchmark are limited to the greater of prior year statutory net income excluding realized capital gains 
on  an  annual  noncumulative  basis,  or  10%  of  prior  year  surplus,  in  the  absence  of  special  regulatory  approval. 
Additionally, insurance company distributions are generally not permitted in excess of statutory surplus. Subsidiaries 
are also subject to certain minimum capital requirements. Subsidiaries of Torchmark paid cash dividends to the Parent 
Company in the amount of $466 million in 2015, $479 million in 2014, and $488 million in 2013. As of December 31, 
2015, dividends and transfers from insurance subsidiaries to parent available to be paid in 2016 were limited to the 
amount of $337 million without regulatory approval, such that $916 million was considered restricted net assets of the 
subsidiaries. While there are no legal restrictions on the payment of dividends to shareholders from Torchmark’s retained 
earnings, retained earnings as of December 31, 2015 were restricted by lenders’ covenants which require the Company 
to maintain and not distribute $2.9 billion from its total consolidated retained earnings of $3.6 billion.

Earnings Per Share:  A reconciliation of basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding used in the computation 
of basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows:

Basic weighted average shares outstanding ...................................... 125,094,628
1,662,607
Weighted average dilutive options outstanding ..................................
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding.................................... 126,757,235

2015

Year Ended December 31,
2014
130,721,738
1,918,506
132,640,244

2013
137,646,885
1,916,900
139,563,785

There were no anti-dilutive shares as of December 31, 2015, 2014, or 2013. Income available to common shareholders 
for basic earnings per share is equivalent to income available to common shareholders for diluted earnings per share.

Note 13—Stock-Based Compensation

Torchmark’s  stock-based  compensation  consists  of  stock  options,  restricted  stock,  restricted  stock  units,  and 
performance shares. Certain employees, directors, and consultants have been granted fixed equity options to buy 
shares of Torchmark stock at the market value of the stock on the date of grant, under the provisions of the Torchmark 
stock option plans. The options are exercisable during the period commencing from the date they vest until expiring 
according to the terms of the grant. Options generally expire the earlier of employee termination or option contract 
term, which ranges from seven to ten years. Options generally vest in accordance with the following schedule:

Contract period

Vesting period

Grants vest in the following periods under the Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan:
Directors ...............................
Employees: ...........................

1/2 in 2 years

6 months

7 years

7 years

1/2 in 3 years

10 years

1/4 in 2 years

1/4 in each of the next 3 years

Contract period

Vesting period

Grants vest in the following periods under previous compensation plans:
Directors ...............................
Employees ............................

1/2 in 2 years

6 months

7 years

7 years

1/2 in 3 years

All employee options vest immediately upon retirement on or after the attainment of age 65, upon death, or disability. 
Torchmark generally issues shares for the exercise of stock options from treasury stock. The Company generally uses 
the proceeds from option exercises to buy shares of Torchmark common stock in the open market to reduce the dilution 
from option exercises.

94

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 13—Stock-Based Compensation (continued)

During 2014, shareholders approved an amendment to the 2011 Incentive Plan allowing for an additional 6.3 million 
shares available for grant.

An analysis of shares available for grant is as follows:

Balance at January 1 ..............................................................................
2011 Plan amendment ............................................................................
Options expired and forfeited during year(1) ............................................
Restricted stock expired and forfeited during year(2) ...............................
Options granted during year(1) .................................................................
Restricted stock, restricted stock units, and performance shares 
granted under the Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan(2)............
Balance at December 31 .........................................................................

2015
8,458,593
—
90,371
89,745
(1,334,514)

Available for Grant
2014
4,368,753
6,300,000
3,488
31,620
(1,523,982)

2013
6,804,452
—
128,109
9,625
(1,626,863)

(431,913)
6,872,282

(721,286)
8,458,593

(946,570)
4,368,753

(1) Plan allows for grant of options such that each grant reduces shares available for grant in a range from 0.85 share to 1 share.

(2) Plan allows for grant of restricted stock such that each stock grant reduces shares available for grant in a range from 3.1 shares to 3.88 shares.

A summary of stock compensation activity for each of the three years ended December 31, 2015 is presented below:

Stock-based compensation expense recognized(1)................................... $
Tax benefit recognized ..............................................................................

28,664 $
10,033

32,203 $
11,271

25,642
8,975

2015

2014

2013

(1) No stock-based compensation expense was capitalized in any period.

Additional stock compensation information is as follows at December 31:

Unrecognized compensation(1) ....................................................................................... $
Weighted average period of expected recognition (in years)(1) .......................................

2015

2014

33,977

$

38,809

0.85

0.91

(1) Includes restricted stock and performance shares.

Options:

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2015.

Range of
Exercise Prices
$10.44 - $29.59
30.32 - 32.48
37.40 - 43.06
50.69 - 51.62
53.61 - 54.16
$10.44 - $54.16

Options Outstanding
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

2.07 $
3.66
4.48
5.64
6.68
4.32 $

26.05
30.58
37.61
50.70
53.62
38.84

95

Number
Outstanding
2,197,238
1,145,648
1,438,565
1,481,681
1,471,709
7,734,841

Options Exercisable

Number
Exercisable

2,130,205 $
986,823
624,655
14,044
18,334
3,774,061 $

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

25.94
30.62
37.88
51.04
54.16
29.37

 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 13—Stock-Based Compensation (continued)

No equity awards were cash settled during the three years ended December 31, 2015.

An analysis of option activity for each of the three years ended December 31, 2015 is as follows:

2015

2014

2013

Outstanding-beginning of year......
Granted:

7-year term .................................
10-year term ...............................
Exercised ......................................
Expired and forfeited ....................
Adjustment due to 7/1/14 stock 
split ...............................................
Outstanding-end of year ...............
Exercisable at end of year ............

Weighted 
Average
Exercise 
Price

Options
7,889,321 $

1,220,751
296,875
(1,576,485)
(95,621)

—

7,734,841 $
3,774,061 $

32.91

53.62
53.61
22.81
48.85

—
38.84
29.37

Weighted 
Average
Exercise 
Price

Weighted 
Average
Exercise 
Price

Options

27.84

10,998,206 $

25.43

Options
8,579,202 $

1,226,270
297,712
(2,210,348)
(3,488)

(27)

7,889,321 $
3,809,415 $

50.70
50.69
25.47
40.05

—
32.91
24.58

1,361,700
265,162
(3,917,757)
(128,109)

—

8,579,202 $
4,395,552 $

37.62
37.40
24.97
32.33

—
27.84
22.95

Additional information about Torchmark’s stock option activity as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

Outstanding options:

Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years) ..........................................
Aggregate intrinsic value ........................................................................................... $

4.32
141,728 $

4.34
167,713

2015

2014

Exercisable options:

Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years) ..........................................
Aggregate intrinsic value ........................................................................................... $

2.74
104,885 $

2.72
112,724

Selected stock option activity for the three years ended December 31, 2015 is presented below:

Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted 
(per share) ........................................................................................... $
Intrinsic value of options exercised .....................................................

Cash received from options exercised ................................................

Actual tax benefit received ..................................................................

2015

2014

2013

11.97 $

14.77 $

54,854
35,958
24,470

61,229
56,294
23,232

12.37
72,793
97,815
27,972

Additional information concerning Torchmark’s unvested options is as follows at December 31:

Number of shares outstanding ............................................................
Weighted-average exercise price (per share) ..................................... $
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years) ....................
Aggregate intrinsic value ..................................................................... $

2015
3,960,780

47.86 $
5.82
36,843 $

2014
4,079,906
40.69
5.85
54,989

Torchmark expects that substantially all unvested options will vest.

96

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 13—Stock-Based Compensation (continued)

Restricted Stock:

Restricted stock grants consist of time-vested grants, restricted stock units, and performance shares. Time-vested 
restricted stock is available to both senior executives and directors. The employee grants generally vest over five years 
and the director grants vest over six months. Restricted stock units are available only to directors. They vest over six 
months and are not converted to shares until the directors’ retirement, death, or disability. Director restricted stock and 
restricted stock units are generally granted on the first work day of the year. Performance shares are granted to a 
limited number of senior executives. Performance shares have a three year contract life and are not settled in shares 
until the termination of the three-year contract period. While the grant specifies a stated target number of shares, the 
determination of the actual settlement in shares will be based on the achievement of certain performance objectives 
of Torchmark over the respective three-year contract periods. The actual shares could be distributed in a range from 
0 to 359 thousand shares for the 2015 grants, 0 to 359 thousand shares for the 2014 grants, and 0 to 295 thousand 
shares for the 2013 grants. Certain executive restricted stock and performance share grants contain terms related to 
age that could accelerate vesting.

A  summary  of  restricted  stock  grants  for  each  of  the  years  in  the  three-year  period  ended  December  31,  2015  is 
presented in the table below.

2015

2014

2013

Executives restricted stock:

Shares ....................................................................................................
Price per share ....................................................................................... $
Aggregate value ..................................................................................... $
Percent vested as of 12/31/15 ................................................................

—

— $

— $

—%

12,000

50.69

608

—%

Directors restricted stock:

Shares ....................................................................................................
Price per share ....................................................................................... $
Aggregate value ..................................................................................... $
Percent vested as of 12/31/15 ................................................................

Directors restricted stock units (including dividend equivalents):

Shares ....................................................................................................
Price per share ....................................................................................... $
Aggregate value ..................................................................................... $
Percent vested as of 12/31/15 ................................................................

6,648

54.16

360

100%

7,640

54.44

416

100%

Performance shares:

Target shares ..........................................................................................
Target price per share ............................................................................. $
Assumed adjustment for performance objectives ...................................
Aggregate value ..................................................................................... $
Percent vested as of 12/31/15 ................................................................

179,500

53.61

(58,056)

9,623

7,041

51.62

363

100%

12,322

51.69

637

100%

179,250

51.41

22,060

9,215

$

$

$

$

$

$

58,695

40.09

2,353

—%

15,045

35.45

533

100%

16,998

35.99

612

100%

147,750

37.40

94,800

5,526

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

—%

—%

—%

Time-vested restricted stock holders, both employees and directors, are entitled to dividend payments on the unvested 
stock. Restricted stock unit holders are entitled to dividend equivalents. These equivalents are granted in the form of 
additional restricted stock units and vest immediately upon grant. Dividend equivalents are applicable only to restricted 
stock units. Performance shareholders are not entitled to dividend equivalents and are not entitled to dividend payments 
until the shares are vested and settled.

97

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 13—Stock-Based Compensation (continued)

An analysis of unvested restricted stock is as follows:

Executive
Restricted
Stock

Executive
Performance
Shares

Directors
Restricted
Stock

Directors
Restricted
Stock
Units

15,045

16,998

2013:
Balance at January 1, 2013 .........................
Grants ..........................................................
Additional performance shares(1)..................

467,550
58,695

120,000
147,750

94,800

Restriction lapses .........................................
Forfeitures ....................................................
Balance at December 31, 2013 .................

(150,750)
(31,050)
344,445

(15,045)

362,550

—

2014:
Grants ..........................................................
Additional performance shares(1)..................
Restriction lapses .........................................
Forfeitures ....................................................
Balance at December 31, 2014 .................

2015:
Grants ..........................................................
Additional performance shares(1)..................
Restriction lapses .........................................
Forfeitures ....................................................
Balance at December 31, 2015 .................

12,000

(90,315)
(2,700)
263,430

—

(61,815)
(13,950)
187,665

179,250
22,060

(7,500)
556,360

179,500
(58,056)
(211,287)
(7,500)
459,017

7,041

(7,041)

—

6,648

(6,648)

—

(1) Estimated additional share grants expected due to achievement of performance criteria.

Total

587,550
238,488

(16,998)

94,800
(182,793)
(31,050)
— 706,995

12,322

(12,322)

210,613
22,060
(109,678)
(10,200)
— 819,790

7,640

(7,640)

193,788
(58,056)
(287,390)
(21,450)
— 646,682

Restricted stock units outstanding at each of the year ends 2015, 2014, and 2013 were 105,679, 98,039, and 85,717, 
respectively. All restricted stock units were fully vested at the end of each year of grant. 

A final determination for the 2012 performance share grants was made as of December 31, 2014 to be 211 thousand 
shares, as those shares were settled on January 27, 2015. Likewise, a final settlement was determined for the 2013 
grants as of December 31, 2015 to be 159 thousand shares, and the shares were settled on February 24, 2016. 

An analysis of the weighted-average grant-date fair values of unvested restricted stock is as follows for the year 2015:

Executive
Restricted 
Stock

Executive
Performance
Shares

Directors
Restricted
Stock

Directors
Restricted
Stock Units

Grant-date fair value per share at January 1, 2015 ..................... $
Grants .........................................................................................
Estimated additional performance shares ...................................
Restriction lapses ........................................................................
Forfeitures ...................................................................................
Grant-date fair value per share at December 31, 2015 ...............

31.85 $
—

(29.26)
28.97
32.92

40.07
53.61 $
55.49
(32.63)
44.66
46.77

54.16 $

54.16

(54.16)

(54.16)

98

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 14—Business Segments

Torchmark’s reportable segments are based on the insurance product lines it markets and administers: life insurance, 
health insurance, and annuities. These major product lines are set out as reportable segments because of the common 
characteristics of products within these categories, comparability of margins, and the similarity in regulatory environment 
and management techniques. There is also an investment segment which manages the investment portfolio, debt, 
and cash flow for the insurance segments and the corporate function. Torchmark's chief operating decision makers 
evaluate the overall performance of the operations of the Company in accordance with these segments.

Life insurance products include traditional and interest-sensitive whole life insurance as well as term life insurance. 
Health  insurance  products  are  generally  guaranteed-renewable  and  include  Medicare  Supplement,  critical  illness, 
accident, long-term care, and limited-benefit supplemental hospital and surgical coverages. Annuities include fixed-
benefit contracts.

Torchmark markets its insurance products through a number of distribution channels, each of which sells the products 
of one or more of Torchmark’s insurance segments. The tables below present segment premium revenue by each of 
Torchmark’s marketing groups.

Torchmark Corporation
Premium Income by Distribution Channel

Life

Health

Annuity

Total

For the Year 2015

Distribution Channel

Amount

United American Independent ......................................... $

15,036

Liberty National Exclusive ...............................................

American Income Exclusive ............................................

Family Heritage Exclusive ...............................................

Globe Life Direct Response ............................................

Other ...............................................................................

271,113

830,903
2,334

746,693

206,986

% of
Total

1

13

40

Amount

$345,330

209,150

80,339

— 221,091

69,610

36

10

% of
Total

Amount

% of
Total

$

135

100

37

23

9

24

7

$2,073,065

100

$925,520

100

$

135

100

Amount

$ 360,501
480,263

911,242

223,425

816,303

206,986
$2,998,720

% of
Total

12

16

30

8

27

7

100

Distribution Channel

For the Year 2014

Life

Health

Annuity

Total

Amount

% of
Total

Amount

% of
Total

Amount

% of
Total

Amount

% of
Total

United American Independent ......................................... $

16,582

1

$305,368

Liberty National Exclusive ...............................................

American Income Exclusive ............................................

272,265

766,458

14

39

222,017

78,722

Family Heritage Exclusive ...............................................

1,595

— 204,667

Globe Life Direct Response ............................................

Other ...............................................................................

702,023

207,377

36

10

58,666

35

25

9

24

7

$

400

100

$ 322,350

494,282

845,180

206,262

760,689

207,377

11

18

30

7

27

7

$1,966,300

100

$869,440

100

$

400

100

$2,836,140

100

99

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 14—Business Segments (continued)

Distribution Channel

For the Year 2013

Life

Health

Annuity

Total

Amount

% of
Total

Amount

% of
Total

Amount

% of
Total

Amount

% of
Total

United American Independent ......................................... $

19,742

1

$298,298

Liberty National Exclusive ...............................................

American Income Exclusive ............................................

275,980

715,366

15

38

241,264

79,435

Family Heritage Exclusive ...............................................

1,006

— 190,923

Globe Life Direct Response ............................................

Other ...............................................................................

663,544

209,694

35

11

53,898

35

28

9

22

6

$

532

100

$ 318,572

517,244

794,801

191,929

717,442

209,694

11

19

29

7

26

8

$1,885,332

100

$863,818

100

$

532

100

$2,749,682

100

Due to the nature of the life insurance industry, Torchmark has no individual or group which would be considered a 
major customer. Substantially all of Torchmark’s business is conducted in the United States.

The measure of profitability established by the chief operating decision makers for insurance segments is underwriting 
margin before other income and administrative expenses, in accordance with the manner the segments are managed. 
It  essentially  represents  gross  profit  margin  on  insurance  products  before  insurance  administrative  expenses  and 
consists of premium, less net policy obligations, acquisition expenses, and commissions. Interest credited to net policy 
liabilities (reserves less deferred acquisition costs) is reflected as a component of the Investment segment in order to 
match this cost to the investment earnings from the assets supporting the net policy liabilities.

The measure of profitability for the Investment segment is excess investment income, which represents the income 
earned on the investment portfolio in excess of net policy requirements and financing costs associated with Torchmark’s 
debt.  Other  than  the  above-mentioned  interest  allocations  and  an  intersegment  commission,  there  are  no  other 
intersegment  revenues  or  expenses.  Expenses  directly  attributable  to  corporate  operations  are  included  in  the 
“Corporate”  category.  Stock-based  compensation  expense  is  considered  a  corporate  expense  by  Torchmark 
management and is included in this category. All other unallocated revenues and expenses on a pretax basis, including 
insurance administrative expense, are included in the “Other” segment category.

Torchmark holds a sizeable investment portfolio to support its insurance liabilities, the yield from which is used to offset 
policy benefit, acquisition, administrative and tax expenses. This yield or investment income is taken into account when 
establishing  premium  rates  and  profitability  expectations  of  its  insurance  products.  In  holding  such  a  portfolio, 
investments are sold, called, or written down from time to time, resulting in a realized gain or loss. These gains or 
losses generally occur as a result of disposition due to issuer calls, compliance with Company investment policies, or 
other reasons often beyond management’s control. Unlike investment income, realized gains and losses are incidental 
to  insurance  operations,  and  only  overall  yields  are  considered  when  setting  premium  rates  or  insurance  product 
profitability expectations. While these gains and losses are not relevant to segment profitability or core operating results, 
they can have a material positive or negative result on net income. For these reasons, management removes realized 
investment gains and losses when it views its segment operations.

In 2015, Torchmark recorded $1.4 million in administrative settlements ($906 thousand after tax) related to a post 
closing adjustment on the sale of a former subsidiary. These administrative settlements were included in "Commissions, 
premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in 2015. 

During 2014, Torchmark accrued for certain litigation matters in the net amount of $3.7 million ($2.4 million after tax) 
that were not directly related to its insurance operations. Additionally, Torchmark received $1.3 million ($853 thousand 
after  tax)  in  settlement  of  litigation  regarding  investments.  Also  in  2014,  the  Company  recorded  $8.2  million  in 
administrative settlements ($5.3 million after tax) related to benefits paid for deaths occurring in prior years where 
claims had not been filed. These administrative settlements were included in “Policyholder benefits” in the Consolidated 
Statements of Operations in 2014. 

100

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 14—Business Segments (continued)

During 2013, Torchmark incurred four non-operating charges: (1) a state guaranty fund assessment in the amount of 
$1.2 million ($751 thousand after tax), resulting from events in years prior to 2013, (2) a legal settlement related to a 
non-insurance matter in the amount of $500 thousand ($325 thousand after tax), (3) the settlement of a litigation matter 
related to prior years in the amount of $8.6 million ($5.6 million after tax) and (4) a one-time adjustment related to the 
finalization  of  accounting  for  the  acquisition  of  the  insurance  assets  and  liabilities  of  Family  Heritage. The  Family 
Heritage acquisition closed on November 1, 2012. This adjustment increased 2013 after-tax earnings in the amount 
of $522 thousand. Management removes items that are related to prior periods when evaluating the operating results 
of current periods. Management also removes non-operating items unrelated to its core insurance activities when 
evaluating those results. Therefore, these items are excluded in its presentation of segment results, because accounting 
guidance requires that operating segment results be presented as management views its business. With the exception 
of the administrative settlements in the paragraph above, all of these items are included in “Other operating expense” 
in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the appropriate year.

The following tables set forth a reconciliation of Torchmark’s revenues and operations by segment to its major income 
statement line items. See Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies for additional information concerning reconciling 
items of segment profits to pretax income.

For the year 2015

Revenue:

Premium .................................................. $2,073,065

$925,520

$

135

$

2,998,720

Life

Health

Annuity

Investment

Other

Corporate

Adjustments

Consolidated

Net investment income............................

Other income...........................................

$

773,951

$

2,379

$

    Total revenue ..........................

2,073,065

925,520

135

773,951

2,379

(2)

(194)

(194)

Expenses:

Policy benefits .........................................

1,374,608

602,610

38,994

Required interest on: ...............................

  Policy reserves................................

(552,298)

(69,057)

(53,295)

674,650

  Deferred acquisition costs...............

172,947

22,760

Amortization of acquisition costs .............

353,595

83,341

1,138

8,689

(196,845)

Commissions, premium taxes, and non-
deferred acquisition costs .......................

Insurance administrative expense (1)........

Parent expense .......................................

Stock-based compensation expense ......

Interest expense......................................

154,811

81,489

41

1,200 (2,3)

186,191

$

9,003

28,664

76,642

    Total expenses........................

1,503,663

721,143

(4,433)

554,447

186,191

37,667

Subtotal ......................................................

569,402

204,377

4,568

219,504

(183,812)

(37,667)

   Non-operating items .............................

    Measure of segment profitability
(pretax).............................................. $ 569,402

$204,377

$

4,568

$

219,504

$(183,812) $ (37,667) $

—

Deduct applicable income taxes ...........................................................................................................................................................................

    Segment profits after tax ..........................................................................................................................................................................

Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability ...................................................................................................................................

Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses) and impairments .......................................................................................................................
Deduct administrative settlements (3) ....................................................................................................................................................................

1,200

(1,394)
1,394 (3)

773,951

2,185

3,774,856

2,016,212

—

—

445,625

237,541

186,191

9,003

28,664

76,642

2,999,878

774,978

1,394

776,372

(253,459)

522,913

253,459

(8,791)

(1,394)

    Pretax income per Consolidated Statement of Operations ......................................................................................................................

$

766,187

(1)  Administrative expense is not allocated to insurance segments.
(2)  Elimination of intersegment commission.
(3)  Administrative settlements.

101

 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 14—Business Segments (continued)

For the year 2014

Life

Health

Annuity

Investment

Other

Corporate

Adjustments

Consolidated

Revenue:

Premium ...................................................... $1,966,300
Net investment income (5) ............................

$869,440

$

400

$

758,286

Other income ...............................................

$

2,354

    Total revenue...............................

1,966,300

869,440

400

758,286

2,354

$

2,836,140

758,286

2,121

3,596,547

$

(233)

(2)

(233)

Expenses:

Policy benefits..............................................

1,293,384

559,817

42,005

8,178

(4)

1,903,384

Required interest on:

  Policy reserves ....................................

(530,192)

(64,401)

(55,255)

649,848

  Deferred acquisition costs ...................

Amortization of acquisition costs .................

Commissions, premium taxes, and non-
deferred acquisition costs ............................
Insurance administrative expense (1) ............

Parent expense............................................

Stock-based compensation expense ...........

Interest expense ..........................................

168,100

335,345

22,499

72,731

1,453

7,838

(192,052)

143,174

79,475

47

76,126

174,832

$

8,159

32,203

(233)

2,422

(85)

(2)

(3)

(3)

    Total expenses.............................

1,409,811

670,121

(3,912)

533,922

174,832

40,362

10,282

Subtotal...........................................................

556,489

199,319

4,312

224,364

(172,478)

(40,362)

(10,515)

   Non-operating items .................................

    Measure of segment profitability
(pretax) .................................................. $ 556,489

$199,319

$

4,312

$

224,364

$(172,478) $

(40,362) $

—

10,515 (3,4) 

Deduct applicable income taxes ..........................................................................................................................................................................

    Segment profits after tax ........................................................................................................................................................................

Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability .................................................................................................................................

Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses) and impairments .....................................................................................................................
Deduct legal settlement expenses (3) ...................................................................................................................................................................
Deduct administrative settlements (4) ...................................................................................................................................................................

—

—

415,914

222,463

177,254

8,074

32,203

76,126

2,835,418

761,129

10,515

771,644

(252,041)

519,603

252,041

23,548

(2,337)

(8,178)

    Pretax income per Consolidated Statement of Operations ..............................................................................................................................

$

784,677

(1) Administrative expense is not allocated to insurance segments.
(2) Elimination of intersegment commission.
(3) Legal settlement expenses.
(4) Administrative settlements.
(5) Retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the adoption of ASU 2014-01 as described in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies.

102

 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 14—Business Segments (continued)

For the Year 2013

Life

Health

Annuity

Investment

Other

Corporate

Adjustments

Consolidated

Revenue:

Premium ..................................................... $1,885,332
Net investment income (6)............................

$863,818

$

532

$

734,650

Other income ..............................................

$

2,208

    Total revenue.......................................

1,885,332

863,818

532

734,650

2,208

$

(277) (2)

(277)

Expenses:

$

2,749,682

734,650

1,931

3,486,263

Policy benefits.............................................

1,227,857

558,982

43,302

8,625 (4)

1,838,766

Required interest on:

  Policy reserves ......................................

(508,236)

(59,858)

(57,294)

625,388

  Deferred acquisition costs .....................

Amortization of acquisition costs ................

Commissions, premium taxes, and non-
deferred acquisition costs ...........................
Insurance administrative expense (1) ...........

Parent expense...........................................

Stock-based compensation expense ..........

Interest expense .........................................

164,981

323,950

22,568

69,724

1,811

8,714

(189,360)

131,721

75,895

60

175,651

$

8,495

25,642

80,461

(1,519) (5)

(277) (2)
1,155 (3)
500 (4)

    Total expenses............................

1,340,273

667,311

(3,407)

516,489

175,651

34,137

8,484

Subtotal..........................................................

545,059

196,507

3,939

218,161

(173,443)

(34,137)

   Non-operating items ................................

    Measure of segment profitability
(pretax) ................................................. $ 545,059

$196,507

$

3,939

$

218,161

$ (173,443) $

(34,137) $

—

Deduct applicable income taxes  ..........................................................................................................................................................................

    Segment profits after tax .........................................................................................................................................................................

Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability ..................................................................................................................................

Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses) and impairments ......................................................................................................................
Deduct Guaranty Fund Assessment (3) .................................................................................................................................................................
Deduct legal settlement expenses (4) ...................................................................................................................................................................
Add Family Heritage Life acquisition adjustments (5) ............................................................................................................................................

(8,761)
8,761 (3,4,5)

—

—

400,869

207,399

176,806

8,995

25,642

80,461

2,738,938

747,325

8,761

756,086

(246,686)

509,400

246,686

7,990

(1,155)

(9,125)

1,519

    Pretax income per Consolidated Statement of Operations ..............................................................................................................................

$

755,315

(1) Administrative expense is not allocated to insurance segments.
(2) Elimination of intersegment commission.
(3) Guaranty Fund Assessment.
(4) Legal settlement expenses.
(5) Family Heritage Life acquisition adjustments.
(6) Retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the adoption of ASU 2014-01 as described in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies.

103

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 14—Business Segments (continued)

The following table summarizes the measures of segment profitability as determined in the three preceding tables 
for comparison with prior periods. The table also reconciles segment profits to net income.

%

2

1

9

3

7

—

18

2

2

2

1

6

(7)

1

1

1

146

819

(6,225)

15,558

(5,355)

10,203

1

3,801

11,341

(522)

4,412

751

(5,316)

Analysis of Profitability by Segment

2015

2014

2013

2015
Change

Life insurance underwriting margin ............................................. $ 569,402

$ 556,489

$ 545,059

$ 12,913

Health insurance underwriting margin ........................................

204,377

199,319

196,507

Annuity underwriting margin .......................................................

4,568

4,312

3,939

5,058

256

%

2

3

6

Excess investment income .........................................................

219,504

224,364

218,161

(4,860)

(2)

2014
Change

$ 11,430

2,812

373

6,203

Other insurance:

Other income ......................................................................

2,379

2,354

2,208

25

Administrative expense ......................................................

(186,191)

(174,832)

(175,651)

(11,359)

Corporate and adjustments ........................................................

(37,667)

(40,362)

(34,137)

Pre-tax total ................................................................

776,372

771,644

756,086

2,695

4,728

Applicable taxes .........................................................................

(253,459)

(252,041)

(246,686)

(1,418)

After-tax total, before discontinued operations ...........
Discontinued operations (after tax)(1) ..........................................

522,913

519,603

509,400

3,310

10,807

14,865

21,267

(4,058)

(27)

(6,402)

(30)

Total ............................................................................

533,720

534,468

530,667

(748) —

Realized gains (losses)—investments (after tax) ........................

(5,714)

15,306

3,965

(21,020)

Family Heritage acquisition finalization adjustments (after tax) ..

Legal settlement expenses (after tax) .........................................

Guaranty Fund assessment (after tax) .......................................

—

—

—

Administrative settlements (after tax) .........................................

(906)
Net income ................................................................. $ 527,100

—

522

—

(1,519)

(5,931)

1,519

—

(5,316)

(751)

—

—

4,410

$ 542,939

$ 528,472

$ (15,839)

(3) $ 14,467

3

(1) Income from discontinued operations (after tax) is included for purposes of reconciling to net income.

Assets for each segment are reported based on a specific identification basis. The insurance segments’ assets contain 
deferred  acquisition  costs  (including  the  value  of  insurance  purchased).  The  investment  segment  includes  the 
investment portfolio, cash, and accrued investment income. Goodwill is assigned to the insurance segments at the 
time of purchase based on the excess of cost over the fair value of assets acquired for the benefit of that segment. All 
other assets are included in the Other category. The table below reconciles segment assets to total assets as reported 
in the consolidated financial statements.

Assets by Segment

At December 31, 2015

Life

Health

Annuity

Investment

Other

Consolidated

Cash and invested assets ..............................

Accrued investment income ...........................

$ 14,405,073

209,915

Deferred acquisition costs .............................. $ 3,098,656

$

502,535

$

15,944

Goodwill .........................................................

309,609

131,982

Other assets ..................................................

$ 1,179,499

$

14,405,073

209,915

3,617,135

441,591

1,179,499

Total assets .................................................... $ 3,408,265

$

634,517

$

15,944

$ 14,614,988

$ 1,179,499

$

19,853,213

104

 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 14—Business Segments (continued)

At December 31, 2014

Life

Health

Annuity

Investment

Other

Consolidated

Cash and invested assets ..............................

Accrued investment income ...........................

$ 15,058,996

204,879

Deferred acquisition costs .............................. $ 2,946,995

$

493,880

$

16,522

Goodwill .........................................................

309,609

131,982

Other assets ..................................................

$ 1,109,396

$

15,058,996

204,879

3,457,397

441,591

1,109,396

Total assets .................................................... $ 3,256,604

$

625,862

$

16,522

$ 15,263,875

$ 1,109,396

$

20,272,259

Liabilities for each segment are reported also on a specific identification basis similar to the assets. The insurance 
segments' liabilities contain future policy benefits, unearned and advance premiums, and policy claims and other 
benefits payable. Other policyholders' funds are included in Other. Debt represents both short and long term. 
Current and deferred income taxes payable is also included in Other.

Other Balances by Segment

At December 31, 2015

Future policy benefits ................................................... $

9,327,561

$

1,600,240

$

1,318,010

$

12,245,811

Life

Health

Annuity

Investment

Consolidated

Unearned and advance premiums ...............................

Policy claims and other benefits payable .....................

17,381

135,778

49,640

137,120

Debt .............................................................................

Total ............................................................................. $

9,480,720

$

1,787,000

$

1,318,010

67,021

272,898

$

$

1,233,862

1,233,862

1,233,862

$

13,819,592

At December 31, 2014

Future policy benefits ................................................... $

8,900,344

$

1,489,963

$

1,360,188

$

11,750,495

Life

Health

Annuity

Investment

Consolidated

Unearned and advance premium .................................

Policy claims and other benefits payable .....................

17,238

125,884

54,465

128,265

Debt .............................................................................

Total ............................................................................. $

9,043,466

$

1,672,693

$

1,360,188

71,703

254,149

$

$

1,230,528

1,230,528

1,230,528

$

13,306,875

105

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies

Reinsurance: Insurance affiliates of Torchmark reinsure that portion of insurance risk which is in excess of their retention 
limits. Retention limits for ordinary life insurance range up to $2.0 million per life. Life insurance ceded represented 
0.4% of total life insurance in force at December 31, 2015. Insurance ceded on life and accident and health products 
represented  0.3%  of  premium  income  for  2015. Torchmark  would  be  liable  for  the  reinsured  risks  ceded  to  other 
companies to the extent that such reinsuring companies are unable to meet their obligations.

Insurance affiliates also assume insurance risks of other companies. Life reinsurance assumed represented 2.1% of 
life  insurance  in  force  at  December 31,  2015  and  reinsurance  assumed  on  life  and  accident  and  health  products 
represented 0.8% of premium income for 2015.

Leases: Torchmark leases office space, office equipment, and aviation equipment under a variety of operating lease 
arrangements. 

Rental expense for operating leases for each of the three years ended December 31, 2015 is as follows: 

Year Ended December 31,

2015

2014

2013

Rental expense ............................................................................................................ $ 6,722 $ 4,200 $ 4,100

Future minimum rental commitments required under operating leases having remaining noncancelable lease terms in 
excess of one year at December 31, 2015 were as follows: 

Operating lease commitments.............................. $ 8,304 $ 7,888 $ 4,738 $ 4,531 $ 4,372 $

11,122

Year Ended December 31,

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Thereafter

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Interests: As described in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies, Torchmark had 
$306 million invested in entities which provide certain tax benefits at December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2015, 
Torchmark remained obligated under these commitments as follows: 

Year Ended December 31,

2016

2017

2018

Thereafter

Low-Income housing commitments ....................................................... $36,702 $26,592 $ 4,500 $

1,154

Investments: As of December 31, 2015, Torchmark had committed to purchase $16 million of private placement 
fixed maturities managed by a third party.

Guarantees: At December 31, 2015, Torchmark had in place four guarantee agreements, of which were either parent 
company guarantees of subsidiary obligations to a third party, or parent company guarantees of obligations between 
wholly-owned subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2015, Torchmark had no liability with respect to these guarantees.

Letters of Credit: Torchmark has guaranteed letters of credit in connection with its credit facility with a group 
of banks as disclosed in Note 11—Debt. The letters of credit were issued by TMK Re, Ltd., a wholly-owned 
subsidiary, to secure TMK Re, Ltd.’s obligation for claims on certain policies reinsured by TMK Re, Ltd. that 
were sold by other Torchmark insurance companies. These letters of credit facilitate TMK Re, Ltd.’s ability to 
reinsure the business of Torchmark’s insurance carriers. The agreement expires in 2019. The maximum amount 
of letters of credit available is $250 million. The Torchmark parent company would be liable to the extent that 
TMK Re, Ltd. does not pay the reinsured party. At December 31, 2015, $177 million of letters of credit were 
outstanding, compared with $198 million a year earlier.

106

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

Equipment leases: Torchmark has guaranteed performance of certain subsidiaries as lessees under three 
leasing arrangements which include two for aviation equipment and one for computer software, furniture, and 
equipment. One aviation lease expires in August 2022 and the second expires in September 2024. The office 
equipment lease expires in December 2017. At December 31, 2015, total remaining undiscounted payments 
under the leases were approximately $19 million. The Torchmark  parent company would be responsible for 
any subsidiary obligation in the event the subsidiary did not make payments or otherwise perform under the 
terms of the lease.

Unclaimed  Property Audits:  Torchmark  subsidiaries  are  currently  the  subject  of  audits  regarding  the  identification, 
reporting and escheatment of unclaimed property arising from life insurance policies and a limited number of annuity 
contracts. These audits are being conducted by private entities that have contracted with forty-seven various states 
through their respective Departments of Revenue, and have not resulted in any financial assessment from any state 
nor indicated any liability. The audits are wide-ranging and seek large amounts of data regarding claims handling, 
procedures, and payments of contract benefits arising from unreported death claims. No estimate of range can be 
made at this time for loss contingencies related to possible administrative penalties or amounts that could be payable 
to the states for the escheatment of abandoned property. 

Sanction: During the third quarter of 2015, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) placed United American 
Life  Insurance  Company  (UA)  and  First  United American  Life  Insurance  Company  (FUA)  on  Enrollment  Sanction. 
During this time, Torchmark is not permitted to enroll new individuals or groups into our Medicare Part D program. 
Torchmark is permitted to re-enroll existing individual members into our 2016 plans, as well as enroll new members of 
groups that were policyholders at the time the sanction was initiated. Torchmark has submitted a remediation plan that 
has been accepted by CMS, and Torchmark is proceeding with this plan in an effort to have the sanction lifted as soon 
as possible. As discussed in Note 6—Discontinued Operations, the Medicare Part D business is held for sale and 
reflected in discontinued operations. 

Litigation: Torchmark and its subsidiaries, in common with the insurance industry in general, are subject to litigation, 
including claims involving tax matters, alleged breaches of contract, torts, including bad faith and fraud claims based 
on  alleged  wrongful  or  fraudulent  acts  of  agents  of  Torchmark’s  subsidiaries,  employment  discrimination,  and 
miscellaneous other causes of action. Based upon information presently available, and in light of legal and other factual 
defenses available to Torchmark and its subsidiaries, management does not believe that such litigation will have a 
material adverse effect on Torchmark’s financial condition, future operating results or liquidity; however, assessing the 
eventual outcome of litigation necessarily involves forward-looking speculation as to judgments to be made by judges, 
juries and appellate courts in the future. This bespeaks caution, particularly in states with reputations for high punitive 
damage verdicts. Torchmark’s management recognizes that large punitive damage awards bearing little or no relation 
to  actual  damages  continue  to  be  awarded  by  juries  in  jurisdictions  in  which Torchmark  and  its  subsidiaries  have 
substantial business, creating the potential for unpredictable material adverse judgments in any given punitive damage 
suit.

With respect to its current litigation, at this time management believes that the possibility of a material judgment adverse 
to Torchmark is remote, and no estimate of range can be made for loss contingencies that are at least reasonably 
possible but not accrued.

107

 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

Note 16—Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited)

The following is an unaudited summary of quarterly results for the two years ended December 31, 2015. The information 
includes all adjustments (consisting of normal accruals) which management considers necessary for a fair presentation 
of the results of operations for these periods.

March 31,

June 30,

September 30,

December 31,

Three Months Ended

2015:
Premium income ................................................ $
Net investment income.......................................
Realized investment gains (losses)....................
Total revenue .....................................................
Policyholder benefits ..........................................
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs..........
Pretax income from continuing operations .........
Income from continuing operations ....................
Income from discontinued operations ................
Net income .........................................................
Basic net income per common share .................
Continuing operations ......................................
Discontinued operations ..................................
Total basic net income per share ...................
Diluted net income per common share...............
Continuing operations ......................................
Discontinued operations ..................................
Total diluted net income per share .................

2014(1):
Premium income ................................................ $
Net investment income.......................................
Realized investment gains (losses)....................
Total revenue .....................................................
Policyholder benefits ..........................................
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs..........
Pretax income from continuing operations .........
Income from continuing operations ....................
Income from discontinued operations ................
Net income .........................................................
Basic net income per common share

Continuing operations ......................................
Discontinued operations ..................................
Total basic net income per share ...................

Diluted net income per common share

Continuing operations ......................................
Discontinued operations ..................................
Total diluted net income per share .................

742,056 $
191,596
119
934,440
497,775
110,660
194,477
130,778
(9,130)
121,648

752,484 $
194,823
2,613
950,611
508,316
111,738
196,723
132,527
(5,417)
127,110

1.03
(0.07)
0.96

1.02
(0.07)
0.95

1.05
(0.04)
1.01

1.04
(0.04)
1.00

748,109
193,213
5,140
947,154
501,156
111,643
199,009
133,858
11,528
145,386

1.08
0.09
1.17

1.06
0.09
1.15

708,592 $
188,051
16,619
913,743
472,585
104,028
209,037
140,330
(7,474)
132,856

707,173 $
189,930
577
898,343
473,007
103,889
191,922
129,695
1,228
130,923

702,061 $
189,588
(1,483)
890,834
473,098
103,084
184,709
124,390
8,022
132,412

1.05
(0.05)
1.00

1.04
(0.06)
0.98

0.99
0.01
1.00

0.97
0.01
0.98

0.96
0.06
1.02

0.94
0.06
1.00

756,071
194,319
(16,663)
933,860
508,965
111,584
175,978
119,130
13,826
132,956

0.97
0.11
1.08

0.96
0.11
1.07

718,314
190,717
7,835
917,175
484,694
104,913
199,009
133,659
13,089
146,748

1.04
0.10
1.14

1.03
0.10
1.13

(1) Certain balances were adjusted to give effect to discontinued operations and the adoption of new accounting guidance as described in Note 1
—Significant Accounting Policies.

108

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

No disagreements with accountants on any matter of accounting principles or practices or financial statement disclosure 
have been reported on a Form 8-K within the twenty-four months prior to the date of the most recent financial statements.

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures

Torchmark, under the direction of the Co-Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers and the Executive Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer, has established disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information 
required to be disclosed by Torchmark in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. The 
disclosure controls and procedures are also intended to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated 
to Torchmark’s management, including the Co-Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers and the Executive Vice President 
and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

As of the end of the fiscal year completed December 31, 2015, an evaluation was performed under the supervision 
and with the participation of Torchmark management, including the Co-Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers and the 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, of Torchmark’s disclosure controls and procedures (as those 
terms are defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon their evaluation, the Co-
Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers and the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer have concluded 
that Torchmark’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the date of this Form 10-K. In compliance with 
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. § 1350), each of these officers executed a Certification 
included as an exhibit to this Form 10-K.

As of the quarter ended December 31, 2015, there have not been any changes in Torchmark’s internal control over 
financial reporting or in other factors that could significantly affect this control over financial reporting subsequent to 
the date of their evaluation which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Torchmark’s 
internal control over financial reporting. No material weaknesses in such internal controls were identified in the evaluation 
and as a consequence, no corrective action was required to be taken.

There were no items required.

Item 9B.  Other Information

109

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management at Torchmark Corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over 
financial reporting for the Company and for assessing the effectiveness of internal control on an annual basis. As a 
framework for assessing internal control over financial reporting, the Company utilizes the criteria for effective internal 
control over financial reporting described in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee 
of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal control, including the possibility of human error and 
the circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even effective internal controls can provide only reasonable 
assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness 
of internal control may vary over time.

Management  evaluated  the  Company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  and  based  on  its  assessment, 
determined that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2015. The 
Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on the Company’s internal 
control over financial reporting as stated in their report which is included herein.

/s/ Gary L. Coleman

Gary L. Coleman
Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Larry M. Hutchison

Larry M. Hutchison
Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Frank M. Svoboda

Frank M. Svoboda
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

February 26, 2016 

110

 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Torchmark Corporation
McKinney, Texas

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Torchmark Corporation and subsidiaries (Torchmark) 
as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by 
the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Torchmark's management is responsible 
for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal 
control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial 
Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on Torchmark's internal control over financial reporting based 
on our audit. 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether 
effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining 
an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing 
and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing 
such  other  procedures  as  we  considered  necessary  in  the  circumstances.  We  believe  that  our  audit  provides  a 
reasonable basis for our opinion. 

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's 
principal  executive  and  principal  financial  officers,  or  persons  performing  similar  functions,  and  effected  by  the 
company's  board  of  directors,  management,  and  other  personnel  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  the 
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with 
generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies 
and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect 
the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions 
are  recorded  as  necessary  to  permit  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted 
accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with 
authorizations  of  management  and  directors  of  the  company;  and  (3)  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding 
prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have 
a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or 
improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or 
detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial 
reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in 
conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Torchmark maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of 
December 31, 2015, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the 
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules as of and for the year ended December 
31, 2015 of Torchmark and our report dated February 26, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial 
statements and financial statement schedules. 

/s/    Deloitte & Touche LLP

Dallas, Texas
February 26, 2016 

111

 
 
 
 
Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

PART III

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the sections entitled “Election of Directors,” “Profiles 
of Director Nominees,” “Executive Officers,” “Audit Committee Report,” “Governance Guidelines and Codes of Ethics,” 
“Director  Qualification  Standards,”  “Procedures  for  Director  Nominations  by  Stockholders,”  and  “Section  16(a) 
Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held 
May 12, 2016 (the Proxy Statement), which is to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the sections entitled “Compensation Discussion 
and Analysis”,  “Compensation  Committee  Report”,  “Summary  Compensation  Table”,  “2015  Grants  of  Plan-based 
Awards”, “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End 2015”, “Option Exercises and Stock Vested during Fiscal Year 
Ended  December 31,  2015”,  “Pension  Benefits  at  December 31,  2015”,  “Potential  Payments  upon  Termination  or 
Change in Control”, “2015 Director Compensation”, “Payments to Directors” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks 
and Insider Participation” in the Proxy Statement, which is to be filed with the SEC.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder 
Matters

(a) 

Equity Compensation Plan Information as of December 31, 2015 

Plan Category
Equity compensation
plans approved by
security holders

Equity compensation
plans not approved by
security holders

Total

Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants, and rights

Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants, and rights

Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans

7,734,841 $

0

7,734,841 $

38.84

0

38.84

6,872,282

0

6,872,282

(b) 

Security ownership of certain beneficial owners:

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Principal Stockholders” 
in the Proxy Statement, which is to be filed with the SEC.

(c) 

Security ownership of management:

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Stock Ownership” in 
the Proxy Statement, which is to be filed with the SEC.

(d) 

Changes in control:

Torchmark knows of no arrangements, including any pledges by any person of its securities, the operation of 
which may at a subsequent date result in a change of control.

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the sections entitled “Related Party Transaction 
Policy and Transactions” and “Director Independence Determinations” in the Proxy Statement, which is to be filed with 
the SEC.

Item 14.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Principal Accounting Firm Fees” 
and “Pre-approval Policy” in the Proxy Statement, which is to be filed with the SEC.

112

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART IV

Item 15.    Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

Index of documents filed as a part of this report:

Page of
this report

Financial Statements:

Torchmark Corporation and Subsidiaries:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm ..................................................................

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2015 and 2014 ..........................................................

Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years in the period ended 
December 31, 2015 ..............................................................................................................................

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the three years in the period ended 
December  31, 2015 .............................................................................................................................

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for each of the three years in the period ended 
December  31, 2015 .............................................................................................................................

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended 
December 31, 2015 ..............................................................................................................................

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ........................................................................................

Schedules Supporting Financial Statements for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2015:

II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company) ....................................................

IV. Reinsurance (Consolidated) ..............................................................................................................

Schedules not referred to have been omitted as inapplicable or not required by Regulation S-X.

49

50

51

52

53

54

55

121

125

113

 
 
 
 
EXHIBITS

Page of
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Report

3.1

3.2

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

4.5

4.6

4.7

4.8

4.9

4.10

4.11

10.1

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Torchmark Corporation, filed with the Delaware Secretary 
of State on April 30, 2010 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1.2 to Form 8-K dated May 5, 
2010)

Amended  and  Restated  By-Laws  of  Torchmark  Corporation,  as  amended  April  20,  2012 
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to Form 8-K dated April 24, 2012)

Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4(a) to Form 10-K 
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989)

Trust  Indenture  dated  as  of  February  1,  1987  between  Torchmark  Corporation  and  Morgan 
Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4(b) to 
Form S-3 for $300,000,000 of Torchmark Corporation Debt Securities and Warrants (Registration 
No. 33-11816))

Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated November 2, 2001, between Torchmark Corporation and 
The  Bank  of  New  York  defining  the  rights  of  the  7 3/4%  Junior  Subordinated  Debentures 
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to Form 8-K dated November 2, 2001)

Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 14, 2001, between Torchmark, BankOne Trust 
Company,  National  Association  and  The  Bank  of  New  York,  supplementing  the  Indenture 
Agreement dated February 1, 1987 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(b) to Torchmark’s 
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-11716), and defining the rights of the 6 1/4% 
Senior Notes (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K dated December 14, 2001)

Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 23, 2006 between Torchmark Corporation, J.P. 
Morgan Trust Company, National Association and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. 
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed June 23, 2006)

Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 30, 2009 between Torchmark Corporation and 
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4 to 
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009)

Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 24, 2012 between Torchmark Corporation 
and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N. A., as Trustee, supplementing the Indenture 
dated February 1, 1987 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K dated September 
24, 2012)

First Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 24, 2012, between Torchmark Corporation 
and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N. A., as Trustee, supplementing the Junior 
Subordinated Indenture dated November 2, 2001, (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.5 to 
Form 8-K dated September 24, 2012)

Certificate and Declaration of Trust of SAFC Statutory Trust I dated February 16, 2006 (incorporated 
by reference from Exhibit 4.9 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012)

Amended  and  Restated  Declaration  of  Trust  of  SAFC  Statutory  Trust  I  dated  March  1,  2006 
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.10 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 
2012)

Indenture  dated  as  of  March  1,  2006  for  Fixed/Floating  Rate  Junior  Subordinated  Deferrable 
Interest  Debentures  due  2036  between  Southwestern  American  Financial  Corporation  and 
Wilmington Trust Company (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.11 to Form 10-K for the fiscal 
year ended December 31, 2012)

Torchmark Corporation and Affiliates Retired Lives Reserve Agreement, as amended, and Trust 
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(b) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 
31, 1991)*

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10.2

10.3

10.4

10.5

10.6

10.7

10.8

10.9

10.10

10.11

10.12

10.13

10.14

10.15

Capital Accumulation and Bonus Plan of Torchmark Corporation, as amended, (incorporated by 
reference from Exhibit 10(c) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988)*

Torchmark Corporation Supplementary Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 
10(c) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992)*

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of July 16, 2014 among Torchmark Corporation, 
as  the  Borrower, TMK  Re,  Ltd.,  as  a  Loan  Party, Wells  Fargo  Bank,  National Association, as 
Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender, L/C Issuer and L/C Administrator and the other lenders 
party thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated July 21, 2014)

Certified  Copy  of  Resolution  Regarding  Director  Retirement  Benefit  Program  (incorporated  by 
reference from Exhibit 10(e) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999)*

Torchmark Corporation Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors, Advisory Directors, 
Directors Emeritus and Officers, as amended (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(e) to 
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992)*

The Torchmark Corporation 1987 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10
(f) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998)*

General Agency Contract between Liberty National Life Insurance Company and First Command 
Financial Services, Inc., (formerly known as Independent Research Agency For Life Insurance, 
Inc.) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(i) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 
31, 1990)

Amendment to General Agency Contract between First Command Financial Services and Liberty 
National Life Insurance Company (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q for 
the First Quarter 2005)

Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement Between Torchmark Corporation or Subsidiary and 
Officer at the Level of Vice President or Above Eligible to Participate in the Torchmark Corporation 
and  Affiliates  Retired  Lives  Reserve  Agreement  and  to  Retire  Prior  to  December  31,  1986 
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(k) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 
31, 1991)*

Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement between Torchmark Corporation or Subsidiary and 
Officer at the Level of Vice President or Above Eligible to Participate in the Torchmark Corporation 
and Affiliates Retired Lives Reserve Agreement and Not Eligible to Retire Prior to December 31, 
1986 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(l) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 
31, 1991)*

Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement Between Torchmark Corporation or Subsidiary and 
Officer at the Level of Vice President or Above Not Eligible to Participate in Torchmark Corporation 
and Affiliates Retired Lives Reserve Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(j) to 
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1991)*

Service Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1991, between Torchmark Corporation and Liberty 
National Life Insurance Company (prototype for agreements between Torchmark Corporation and 
other principal operating subsidiaries) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(n) to Form 10-
K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992)

The  Torchmark  Corporation  Amended  and  Restated  Pension  Plan  Generally  Effective  as  of 
January 1, 2014*

The Torchmark Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10
(n) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998)*

10.16

The Torchmark Corporation Savings and Investment Plan (amended and restated as of January 1, 
2014)*

10.17

Torchmark  Corporation  2013  Management  Incentive  Plan  effective  as  of  January  1,  2013 
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated April 30, 2013)*

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10.18

10.19

Coinsurance and Servicing Agreement between Security Benefit Life Insurance Company and 
Liberty National Life Insurance Company, effective as of December 31, 1995 (incorporated by 
reference from Exhibit 10(u) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995)

Torchmark Corporation 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference 
from Exhibit 10(w) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996)*

10.20

Torchmark Corporation 1996 Executive Deferred Compensation Stock Option Plan (incorporated 
by reference from Exhibit 10(x) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996)*

10.21

Form of Retirement Life Insurance Benefit Agreement ($1,995,000 face amount limit) (incorporated 
by reference from Exhibit 10(z) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001)*

10.22

Form of Retirement Life Insurance Benefit Agreement ($495,000 face amount limit) (incorporated 
by reference from Exhibit 10(aa) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001)*

10.23

Payments to Directors*

10.24

10.25

10.26

10.27

10.28

10.29

10.30

10.31

10.32

10.33

10.34

10.35

Form of Non-Formula Based Director Stock Option Agreement pursuant to Torchmark Corporation 
2005 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Form 
10-Q for the First Quarter 2005)*

Form of Stock Option Agreement pursuant to Torchmark Corporation 2005 Incentive Plan (Section 
16(a) (restoration)) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-Q for the First Quarter 
2005)*

Form  of  Stock  Option  Agreement  pursuant  to  Torchmark  Corporation  2005  Incentive  Plan 
(restoration general) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to Form 10-Q for the First Quarter 
2005)*

Form of Stock Option Agreement pursuant to Torchmark Corporation 2005 Incentive Plan (bonus) 
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.36 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 
31, 2005)*

Form of Stock Option Agreement pursuant to Torchmark Corporation 2005 Incentive Plan (regular 
vesting) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.37 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 
December 31, 2005)*

Torchmark Corporation 2005 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference 
from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated May 4, 2005)*

Torchmark Corporation 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 
to Form 8-K dated May 4, 2005)*

Form  of  Deferred  Compensation  Stock  Option  Grant  Agreement  pursuant  to  the  Torchmark 
Corporation 2005 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 
10.3 to Form 8-K dated May 4, 2005)*

Torchmark Corporation Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference 
from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q for quarter ended March 31, 2006)*

Torchmark  Corporation  Amended  and  Restated  2005  Non-Employee  Director  Incentive  Plan 
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q for quarter ended March 31, 2006)*

Form of Director Stock Option Issued under Torchmark Corporation Amended and Restated 2005 
Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-
Q for quarter ended March 31, 2006)*

Amendment  One  to  Torchmark  Corporation  Supplementary  Retirement  Plan  (incorporated  by 
reference from Exhibit 10.4 to Form 10-Q for quarter ended March 31, 2006)*

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10.36

10.37

10.38

10.39

10.40

10.41

10.42

10.43

10.44

10.45

10.46

10.47

Torchmark Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference from 
Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated January 25, 2007)*

Torchmark Corporation  2007  Long-Term Compensation  Plan  (incorporated  by  reference  from 
Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K dated May 2, 2007)*

Form  of  Stock  Option  Award  Agreement  under  Torchmark  Corporation  2007  Long-Term 
Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.2 to Form 8-K dated May 2, 2007)
*

Form  of  Restricted  Stock Award  (Board  grant)  under  Torchmark Corporation  2007  Long-Term 
Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.3 to Form 8-K dated May 2, 2007)
*

Torchmark Corporation Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan, as amended and restated 
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated April 29, 2008)*

Amendment  No.  1  to  the  Torchmark  Corporation  Supplemental  Executive  Retirement  Plan 
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.53 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 
31, 2007)*

Amendment  No.  2  to  the  Torchmark  Corporation  Supplemental  Executive  Retirement  Plan 
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.54 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 
31, 2007)*

Amendment No. 2 to the Torchmark Corporation Supplementary Retirement Plan (incorporated 
by reference from Exhibit 10.55 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007)*

Amendment No. 3 to the Torchmark Corporation Supplementary Retirement Plan (incorporated 
by reference from Exhibit 10.56 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007)*

Form  of  Restricted  Stock Award  Notice  under  Torchmark Corporation  Non-Employee  Director 
Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.57 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year 
ended December 31, 2007)*

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Notice under Torchmark Corporation Non-Employee Director 
Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.58 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year 
ended December 31, 2007)*

Form of Restricted Stock Award (Compensation Committee grant) under Torchmark Corporation 
2007 Long-Term Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.59 to Form 10-
K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007)*

10.48

Amendment Four to the Torchmark Corporation Supplementary Retirement Plan (incorporated by 
reference from Exhibit 10.52 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008)*

10.49

10.50

10.51

Amendment  Three  to  the  Torchmark  Corporation  Supplemental  Executive  Retirement  Plan 
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.53 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 
31, 2008)*

Amendment  One  to  the  Torchmark  Corporation  Restated  Deferred  Compensation  Plan  for 
Directors, Advisory Directors, Directors Emeritus and Officers (incorporated by reference from 
Exhibit 10.54 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008)*

Amendment  Two  to  the  Torchmark  Corporation  Restated  Deferred  Compensation  Plan 
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.55 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 
31, 2008)*

10.52

Amendment to the Torchmark Corporation 2007 Long-Term Compensation Plan (incorporated by 
reference from Exhibit 10.56 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008)*

10.53

Receivables  Purchase Agreement  dated  as  of  December  31,  2008  among AILIC  Receivables 
Corporation,  American  Income  Life  Insurance  Company  and  TMK  Re,  Ltd.  (incorporated  by 
reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated January 6, 2009)

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10.54

Amendment No.1 to Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of December 31, 2008 among 
AILIC Receivables Corporation, American Income Life Insurance Company, and TMK Re, Ltd. 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.58 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 
2013)

10.55

Torchmark Corporation Amended 2011 Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan (incorporated 
by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014)*

10.56

10.57

10.58

10.59

10.60

10.61

10.62

10.63

10.64

10.65

Form of Stock Option under Torchmark Corporation 2011 Non-Employee Director Compensation 
Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.57 to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 
31,2010)*

Form of Restricted Stock Award Notice under Torchmark Corporation 2011 Non-Employee Director 
Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.58 to Form 10-K for fiscal year 
ended December 31, 2010)*

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Notice under Torchmark Corporation 2011 Non-Employee 
Director Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.59 to Form 10-K for fiscal 
year ended December 31, 2010)*

Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 
8-K dated May 4, 2011)*

Form of Restricted Stock Award (Executive) under Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan 
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K dated May 4, 2011)*

Form  of  Restricted  Stock  Award  (Special)  under  Torchmark  Corporation  2011  Incentive  Plan 
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K dated May 4, 2011)*

Form of Ten year Stock Option under Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan (incorporated 
by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to Form 8-K dated May 4, 2011)*

Form of Seven year Stock Option under Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan (incorporated 
by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to Form 8-K dated May 4, 2011)*

Form  of  Performance  Share  Award  under  Torchmark  Corporation  2011  Incentive  Plan 
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated February 27, 2012)*

First Amendment to Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from 
Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated April 29, 2014)*

10.66 Form  of  Stock  Option  Grant  Agreement  (Special)  pursuant  to  Torchmark  Corporation  2011 

Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated May 31, 2013)*

10.67 Amendment  to  Restricted  Stock Award Agreement  of  February  26,  2009  between  Torchmark 
Corporation and Mark S. McAndrew (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K 
dated May 31, 2013)*

10.68 Amendment  to  Restricted  Stock Award Agreement  of  February  25,  2010  between  Torchmark 
Corporation and Mark S. McAndrew (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K 
dated May 31, 2013)*

10.71 Amendment  to  Restricted  Stock  Award  Agreement  of  April  28,  2011  between  Torchmark 
Corporation and Mark S. McAndrew (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to Form 8-K 
dated May 31, 2013)*

10.72 Consent and Acknowledgement of Amendment to Non-Qualified Stock Option Grant Agreement 
dated April 8, 2013 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated April 8, 2013)
*

10.73 First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 30, 2015 among 
Torchmark Corporation, TMK Re, Ltd., the Lenders listed therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National 
Association ( incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated July 2, 2015)

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120

10.74 Amendment  Five  to  the  Torchmark  Corporation  Supplemental  Executive  Retirement  Plan 

( incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated May 5, 2015)

10.75 Form of Seven Year Stock Option Grant Agreement under Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive 
Plan, as amended with Non-Compete, Non-Solicit and Confidentiality Provisions (incorporated by 
reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated March 3, 2015)*

10.76 Form of Ten Year Stock Option Grant Agreement under Torchmark Corporation 2011 Incentive 
Plan, as amended with Non-Compete, Non-Solicit and Confidentiality Provisions (incorporated by 
reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K dated March 3, 2015)*

10.77 Form  of  Performance  Share Award  Certificate  torchmark  Corporation  2011 Incentive  Plan,  as 
amended with Non-Compete, Non-Solicit and Confidentiality Provisions (incorporated by reference 
from Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K dated March 3, 2015)*

12 Statement re computation of ratios

20 Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 12, 2016**

21 Subsidiaries of the registrant

23 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP

24 Powers of attorney

31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by Gary L. Coleman

31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by Larry M. Hutchison

31.3 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by Frank M. Svoboda

32.1 Section 1350 Certification by Gary L. Coleman, Larry M. Hutchison and Frank M. Svoboda

101 Interactive Data File

* Compensatory plan or arrangement.

** To be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

119

     
 
Exhibit 21. Subsidiaries of the Registrant

The following table lists subsidiaries of the registrant which meet the definition of “significant subsidiary” according 
to Regulation S-X:

Company

American Income Life
Insurance Company

Globe Life And Accident
Insurance Company

Liberty National Life
Insurance Company

United American
Insurance Company

State of
Incorporation
Indiana

Nebraska

Nebraska

Nebraska

Name Under Which
Company Does
Business

American Income Life
Insurance Company

Globe Life And Accident
Insurance Company

Liberty National Life
Insurance Company

United American
Insurance Company

All other exhibits required by Regulation S-K are listed as to location in the “Index of documents filed as a part of 
this report” in this report. Exhibits not referred to have been omitted as inapplicable or not required.

120

 
 
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
    
 
TORCHMARK CORPORATION
(PARENT COMPANY)
SCHEDULE II. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands)

December 31,

2015

2014

Assets:

Investments:

Long-term investments .............................................................................................. $
Short-term investments .............................................................................................
Total investments ...........................................................................................................
Cash ..............................................................................................................................
Investment in affiliates ...................................................................................................
Due from affiliates .........................................................................................................
Taxes receivable from affiliates .....................................................................................
Other assets ..................................................................................................................

38,910
5,686
44,596
—
6,023,666
50,766
76,050
64,092
Total assets ........................................................................................................... $ 5,698,547 $ 6,259,170

35,498 $
—
35,498
—
5,438,749
50,765
79,599
93,936

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity:

Liabilities:

Short-term debt ......................................................................................................... $
Long-term debt ..........................................................................................................
Due to affiliates .........................................................................................................
Other liabilities ..........................................................................................................
Total liabilities ........................................................................................................

490,129 $
893,417
57,157
202,292
1,642,995

238,398
1,141,773
652
180,881
1,561,704

Shareholders’ equity:

351
Preferred stock ..........................................................................................................
134,218
Common stock ..........................................................................................................
808,124
Additional paid-in capital ...........................................................................................
997,452
Accumulated other comprehensive income ..............................................................
3,376,846
Retained earnings .....................................................................................................
(619,525)
Treasury stock ...........................................................................................................
Total shareholders’ equity .....................................................................................
4,697,466
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity ................................................................ $ 5,698,547 $ 6,259,170

351
130,218
832,795
231,947
3,614,369
(754,128)
4,055,552

See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements and accompanying Report of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm.

121

 
 
 
 
TORCHMARK CORPORATION
(PARENT COMPANY)
SCHEDULE II. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (continued)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts in thousands)

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

Net investment income ............................................................................. $
Realized investment gains (losses) ..........................................................
Total revenue ......................................................................................

23,715 $
8
23,723

22,259 $

4,767
27,026

24,268
—
24,268

General operating expenses .....................................................................
Reimbursements from affiliates ................................................................
Interest expense .......................................................................................
Total expenses ...................................................................................

Operating income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of 
affiliates ....................................................................................................
Income taxes ............................................................................................
Net operating loss before equity in earnings of affiliates...........................
Equity in earnings of affiliates ...................................................................
Net income .........................................................................................

54,100
(53,436)
79,677
80,341

(56,618)
15,542
(41,076)
568,176
527,100

53,235
(53,040)
79,366
79,561

(52,535)
13,335
(39,200)
582,139
542,939

53,255
(46,855)
84,273
90,673

(66,405)
17,390
(49,015)
577,487
528,472

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Attributable to Parent Company .............................................................
Attributable to affiliates ...........................................................................

38,557
(752,851)
Comprehensive income (loss) ............................................................ $ (238,405) $ 1,329,410 $ (185,822)

(3,539)
(761,966)

(28,680)
815,151

See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements and accompanying Report of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm.

122

 
 
 
 
TORCHMARK CORPORATION
(PARENT COMPANY)
SCHEDULE II. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT—(continued)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)

Year Ended December 31,

2015

2014

2013

Cash provided from (used for) operations before dividends from 
subsidiaries .................................................................................................... $ (20,705) $ (21,358) $ (54,213)
488,376

Cash dividends from subsidiaries ................................................................

478,840

466,416

Cash provided from operations ......................................................................

445,711

457,482

434,163

Cash provided from (used for) investing activities:

Disposition of investments ...........................................................................

Net decrease (increase) in short-term investments .....................................

Investment in other subsidiaries ..................................................................

 Additions to properties ................................................................................

—

17,338

(2)

(468)

5,064

2,729

—

—

Loaned money to affiliates ...........................................................................

(282,508)

(81,000)

Repayments from affiliates ..........................................................................

Cash provided from (used for) investing activities ..........................................

282,508

16,868

81,000

7,793

514

(6,805)

—

—

—

—

(6,291)

Cash provided from (used for) financing activities:

Repayment of 7.375% Notes .......................................................................

Net issuance (repayment) of commercial paper ..........................................

Issuance of stock .........................................................................................

—

1,978

35,958

—

(94,050)

9,328

56,294

3,983

97,677

Acquisitions of treasury stock ......................................................................

(418,526)

(449,309)

(482,264)

Borrowed money from affiliate .....................................................................

15,000

168,000

Repayments to affiliates ...............................................................................

(15,000)

(168,000)

—

—

Net borrowings (to)/from affiliates ................................................................

Excess tax benefit on stock option exercises ...............................................

—

8,180

—

120,000

6,688

10,963

Payment of dividends ..................................................................................

(90,169)

(88,276)

(84,181)

Cash provided from (used for) financing activities .........................................

(462,579)

(465,275)

(427,872)

Net increase (decrease) in cash ....................................................................
Cash balance at beginning of period ..............................................................
Cash balance at end of period ....................................................................... $

—

—

—

—

— $

— $

—

—

—

See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements and accompanying Report of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm.

123

 
 
 
 
TORCHMARK CORPORATION
(PARENT COMPANY)
SCHEDULE II. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (continued)
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands)

Note A—Dividends from Subsidiaries

Cash dividends paid to Torchmark from the subsidiaries were as follows:

Dividends from subsidiaries ...................................................................... $

Note B—Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

Year Ended December 31,
2014
478,840 $

2015
466,416 $

2013
488,376

The following table summarizes noncash transactions, which are not reflected on the Condensed Statements of Cash 
Flows:

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

Stock-based compensation not involving cash ......................................... $
Dividend of subsidiary to Parent ...............................................................
Dividend of subsidiary applied to loan balance .........................................
Borrowed money from affiliate(1) ...............................................................
Investment in subsidiaries ........................................................................
Purchase of agent debit balances ............................................................

28,664 $
—
—
56,503
39,206
17,297

32,203 $

25,642
— 1,246,557
72,000
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

(1) Balance was repaid on January 8, 2016.

The following table summarizes certain amounts paid (received) during the period:

Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

2015

Interest paid .............................................................................................. $
Income taxes received ..............................................................................

77,920 $
(22,009)

77,663 $
(25,581)

85,443
(27,820)

Note C—Preferred Stock

As of December 31, 2015, Torchmark had 351 thousand shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A, issued and 
outstanding, of which 280 thousand shares were 6.50% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A, and 71 thousand shares 
were  7.15%  Cumulative  Preferred  Stock,  Series A  (collectively,  the  “Series A  Preferred  Stock”).  All  issued  and 
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock were held by wholly-owned insurance subsidiaries. In the event of 
liquidation, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock at the time outstanding would be entitled to receive a liquidating 
distribution out of the assets legally available to stockholders in the amount of $1 thousand per share or $351 million 
in the aggregate, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, before any distribution is made to holders of Torchmark 
common stock. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock do not have any voting rights nor have rights to convert such 
shares into shares of any other class of Torchmark capital stock.

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
124

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TORCHMARK CORPORATION
SCHEDULE IV. REINSURANCE (CONSOLIDATED)
(Amounts in thousands)

Gross
Amount

Ceded
to Other
Companies(1)

Assumed
from Other
Companies

Net
Amount

Percentage
of Amount
Assumed
to Net

For the Year Ended December 31,
2015
Life insurance in force ....................... $ 167,677,206 $
Premiums:(2)

729,739 $

3,498,826 $ 170,446,293

Life insurance .................................. $
Health insurance .............................

2,034,373 $

4,484 $

24,007 $

2,053,896

928,659

3,139

—

925,520

Total premium ............................. $

2,963,032 $

7,623 $

24,007 $

2,979,416

For the Year Ended December 31,
2014
Life insurance in force ....................... $ 160,455,963 $
Premiums:(2) ......................................

795,192 $

3,658,511 $ 163,319,282

Life insurance .................................. $
Health insurance(3) ..........................

1,924,605 $

4,614 $

25,774 $

1,945,765

872,391

2,951

—

869,440

Total premium ............................. $

2,796,996 $

7,565 $

25,774 $

2,815,205

For the Year Ended December 31,
2013
Life insurance in force ....................... $ 154,488,511 $
Premiums:(2)

782,125 $

3,882,237 $ 157,588,623

Life insurance .................................. $
Health insurance(3) ..........................

1,841,425 $

4,645 $

26,960 $

1,863,740

866,942

3,124

—

863,818

Total premium ............................. $

2,708,367 $

7,769 $

26,960 $

2,727,558

2.1

1.2

—

0.8

2.2

1.3

—

0.9

2.5

1.4

—

1.0

(1) No amounts have been netted against ceded premium.
(2) Excludes policy charges of $19.3 million, $20.9 million, and $22.1 million in each of the years 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.
(3) Certain balances were adjusted to give effect to discontinued operations as described in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes 
to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

125

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this 
report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

SIGNATURES

By:

By:

By:

TORCHMARK CORPORATION

/s/    GARY L. COLEMAN        

Gary L. Coleman

Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Director

/s/    LARRY M. HUTCHISON        

Larry M. Hutchison

Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Director

/s/    FRANK M. SVOBODA        

Frank M. Svoboda, Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)

Date: February 26, 2016 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following 
persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By:

By:

By:

By:

/s/    LLOYD W. NEWTON  *        

Lloyd W. Newton

Director

/s/    DARREN M. REBELEZ  *        

Darren M. Rebelez

Director

/s/    LAMAR C. SMITH  *        

Lamar C. Smith

Director

/s/    PAUL J. ZUCCONI  *        

Paul J. Zucconi

Director

By:

By:

By:

By:

By:

/s/    CHARLES E. ADAIR  *        

Charles E. Adair

Director

/S/    MARILYN A. ALEXANDER  *        

Marilyn A. Alexander

Director

/S/    DAVID L. BOREN  *        

David L. Boren

Director

/s/    JANE M. BUCHAN  *        

Jane M. Buchan

Director

/s/    ROBERT W. INGRAM  *        

Robert W. Ingram

Director

Date: February 26, 2016

*By:  

/s/    FRANK M. SVOBODA        

Frank M. Svoboda

Attorney-in-fact

126

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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3700 S. Stonebridge Drive
McKinney, Texas 75070
www.torchmarkcorp.com