10-K 1 afl10k04.htm AFL 2004 FORM 10-K AFL 2004 10-K

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

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

[ X ]

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

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004

OR

[   ]

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

For the transition period from _____________ to _______________

 

 

 

AFLAC Incorporated

 

 

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

GEORGIA

001-07434

58-1167100

(State or other jurisdiction

(Commission

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

of incorporation)

File Number)

 
     

1932 Wynnton Road, Columbus, Georgia

 

31999

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 706.323.3431

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

Title of each class

   

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $.10 Par Value

   

New York Stock Exchange

     

Pacific Exchange

     

Tokyo Stock Exchange

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes   X         No         

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) 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.         

         

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2) Yes   X   No      

 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2004, was $17,823,512,379.
The number of shares of the registrant's Common Stock outstanding at March 7, 2005, with $.10 par value, was 501,855,101.

Documents Incorporated By Reference

Certain information contained in the Notice and Proxy Statement for the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 2, 2005, is incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.


 

 

Aflac Incorporated

 
 

Annual Report on Form 10-K

 
 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2004

 
     

Table of Contents

 

 

Page

PART I

   
     

Item 1.

Business.

I-1

     

Item 2.

Properties.

I-16

     

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings.

I-16

     

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

I-17

     

Item 4A.

Executive Officers of the Company.

I-17

     

PART II

   
     

Item 5.

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

II-1

     

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data.

II-3

     

Item 7.

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

II-5

     

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

II-42

     

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

II-43

     

Item 9.

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

II-91

     

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures.

II-91

     

Item 9B.

Other Information.

II-93

     

PART III

   
     

Item 10.

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.

III-1

     

Item 11.

Executive Compensation.

III-1

     

Item 12.

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

III-2

     

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

III-2

     

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

III-2

     

PART IV

   
     

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

IV-1

i


Table of Contents

PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS.

     We prepare our financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). This report includes certain forward-looking information that is based on current expectations and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. For details on forward-looking information, see Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A), Part II, Item 7, of this report, which is incorporated by reference.

     Aflac Incorporated qualifies as an accelerated filer within the meaning of Exchange Act Rule 12b-2. Our Internet address is aflac.com. We make available, free of charge on our Web site, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments thereto as soon as reasonably practicable after those forms have been electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

General Description

     Aflac Incorporated was incorporated in 1973 under the laws of the state of Georgia. Aflac Incorporated (the Parent Company) is a general business holding company and acts as a management company, overseeing the operations of its subsidiaries by providing management services and making capital available. Its principal business is supplemental health and life insurance, which is marketed and administered through American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (Aflac), which operates in the United States (Aflac U.S.) and as a branch in Japan (Aflac Japan). Most of Aflac's policies are individually underwritten and marketed through independent agents. Our insurance operations in the United States and our branch in Japan service the two markets for our insurance business.

     We believe Aflac is the world's leading writer of individually-issued policies marketed at worksites. We continue to diversify our product offerings in both Japan and the United States. Aflac Japan sells cancer plans, care plans, general medical expense plans, medical/sickness riders to our cancer plan, a living benefit life plan, ordinary life insurance plans and annuities. Aflac U.S. sells cancer plans and various types of health insurance, including accident and disability, fixed-benefit dental, personal sickness and hospital indemnity, hospital intensive care, long-term care, ordinary life, and short-term disability plans.

     We are authorized to conduct insurance business in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, several U.S. territories and Japan. Aflac Japan accounted for 75% of the Company's total revenues in 2004, 74% in 2003 and 75% in 2002. The percentage of total assets attributable to Aflac Japan was 80% at December 31, 2004, compared with 84% a year ago.

Results of Operations

     For information on our results of operations and financial information by segment, see MD&A, which is incorporated herein by reference.

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Foreign Currency Translation

     Aflac Japan's premiums and most of its investment income are received in yen. Claims and expenses are paid in yen, and we primarily purchase yen-denominated assets to support yen-denominated policy liabilities. These and other yen-denominated financial statement items are translated into dollars for financial reporting purposes. We translate Aflac Japan's income statement from yen into dollars using an average exchange rate for the reporting period, and we translate its balance sheet using an end-of-period exchange rate. However, it is important to distinguish between translating and converting foreign currency. Except for a limited number of transactions, we do not actually convert yen into dollars.

     Due to the relative size of Aflac Japan, fluctuations in the yen/dollar exchange rate can have a significant effect on our reported results. In years when the yen weakens, translating yen into dollars causes fewer dollars to be reported. When the yen strengthens, translating yen into dollars causes more dollars to be reported. Consequently, yen weakening has the effect of suppressing current year results in relation to the comparable prior year, while yen strengthening has the effect of magnifying current year results in relation to the comparable prior year. As a result, we view foreign currency translation as a financial reporting issue for Aflac and not an economic event to our company or shareholders. Because the effect of translating yen into dollars distorts the rate of growth of our operations, management evaluates Aflac's financial performance excluding the impact of foreign currency translation.

     The yen/dollar exchange rate as of December 31, 2004, was 104.21, compared with 107.13 as of December 31, 2003. Weighted-average yen/dollar exchange rates were 108.26 in 2004, 115.95 in 2003, and 125.15 in 2002. We report currency translation adjustments in accumulated other comprehensive income and the realized currency exchange gains and losses resulting from transactions in earnings. In 2004, the effect of currency translation increased total assets by $1.2 billion, increased total liabilities by $1.2 billion and increased net earnings by $39 million.

     For further information regarding the effect of currency fluctuations on our business, see MD&A and Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this report, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Insurance Premiums

     The growth of earned premiums is directly affected by the change in premiums in force and by the change in weighted-average yen/dollar exchange rates. Consolidated earned premiums were $11.3 billion in 2004, $9.9 billion in 2003, and $8.6 billion in 2002. For additional information on the composition of earned premiums by segment, see Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated by reference. The following table sets forth the changes in annualized premiums in force for Aflac's insurance business for the years ended December 31.

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Table of Contents

(In millions)

 

2004  

   

2003  

   

2002  

 

Annualized premiums in force, beginning of year

$

11,446

 

$

9,634

 

$

8,167

 

New sales, including conversions

 

2,319

   

2,175

   

1,937

 

Change in unprocessed new sales

 

(106

)

 

(95

)

 

(126

)

Premiums lapsed and surrendered

 

(1,398

)

 

(1,272

)

 

(1,076

)

Other

 

86

   

127

   

120

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

257

   

877

   

612

 

Annualized premiums in force, end of year

$

12,604

 

$

11,446

 

$

9,634

 

Insurance - Japan

     We translate Aflac Japan's annualized premiums in force into dollars at the respective end-of-period exchange rates. Changes in annualized premiums in force are translated at weighted-average exchange rates. The following table presents the changes in annualized premiums in force for Aflac Japan for the years ended December 31.

     

In Dollars

 

In Yen

 

(In millions of dollars and billions of yen)

 

2004

   

2003

   

2002

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

Annualized premiums in force,

                             

   beginning of year

$

8,403

 

$

6,960

 

$

5,928

 

900

 

834

 

782

 

New sales, including conversions

 

1,133

   

1,047

   

867

 

123

 

121

 

108

 

Change in unprocessed new sales

 

(106

)

 

(95

)

 

(126

)

(11

)

(10

)

(16

)

Premiums lapsed and surrendered

 

(469

)

 

(453

)

 

(385

)

(51

)

(53

)

(48

)

Other

 

12

   

67

   

64

 

1

 

8

 

8

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

257

   

877

   

612

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

Annualized premiums in force,

                             

   end of year

$

9,230

 

$

8,403

 

$

6,960

 

962

 

900

 

834

 

     Following several years of slight declines, our persistency improved in 2004. Total new annualized premium sales in yen were: 122.5 billion yen in 2004, up 1.1%; 121.2 billion yen in 2003, up 11.9%; and 108.3 billion yen in 2002, up 17.9%. The increases in annualized premiums in force in yen of 6.8% in 2004, 7.9% in 2003 and 6.7% in 2002 reflect the high persistency of Aflac Japan's business and the sales of new policies. For further information regarding the Japanese economy and its effect on our operations, see the Aflac Japan section of MD&A, which is incorporated herein by reference.

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Table of Contents

Insurance - U.S.

     The following table sets forth the changes in annualized premiums in force for Aflac U.S. insurance for the years ended December 31.

(In millions)

 

2004

   

2003

   

2002

 

Annualized premiums in force, beginning of year

$

3,043

 

$

2,674

 

$

2,239

 

New sales, including conversions

 

1,186

   

1,128

   

1,070

 

Premiums lapsed

 

(929

)

 

(819

)

 

(691

)

Other

 

74

   

60

   

56

 

Annualized premiums in force, end of year

$

3,374

 

$

3,043

 

$

2,674

 

     Annualized premiums in force grew 10.9% in 2004, 13.8% in 2003 and 19.5% in 2002. Total new annualized premium sales were: $1.2 billion in 2004, up 5.1%; $1.1 billion in 2003, up 5.4%; and $1.1 billion in 2002, up 16.4%.

Insurance Products - Japan

     Aflac Japan's insurance products are designed to help consumers pay for medical and nonmedical costs that are not reimbursed under Japan's national health insurance system. Changes in Japan's economy and an aging population have put increasing pressure on Japan's national health care system, with more and more costs being shifted to Japanese consumers. As a result, these consumers have become increasingly interested in insurance products to help them manage these costs. Aflac Japan has responded to this interest by enhancing existing products and developing new products.

     Aflac Japan's stand-alone medical product, EVER, offers a basic level of hospitalization coverage with the most affordable premium in the industry. To further meet the needs of medical insurance buyers in Japan, we developed two new versions of EVER in 2004: EVER Half and EVER Bonus. EVER Half is a whole-life medical policy with benefits similar to the original EVER product. With EVER Half, premiums are cut in half when the policyholder reaches age 60 or 65. EVER Bonus has all of the same features of EVER Half, but also provides a bonus payment every 10 years unless the hospitalization benefit was paid for 10 or more consecutive days. In addition, EVER Bonus provides a death benefit and a cash surrender value. We began offering EVER Half and EVER Bonus in early 2005. We continue to believe that the medical category will be an important part of our product portfolio.

     In addition to expanding our medical product line in 2004, we introduced a new version of Rider Wide, which provides for benefits upon the occurrence of heart attack or stroke. We also introduced two products designed specifically for the needs of female consumers: Lady's Rider to our 21st Century Cancer, and Lady's MAX, a combination of Lady's Rider and our popular Rider MAX product. Our Rider MAX product provides accident and medical/sickness benefits as a rider to our cancer life policy.

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     The cancer life insurance plans we offer in Japan provide a fixed daily benefit for hospitalization and outpatient services related to cancer and a lump-sum benefit upon initial diagnosis of internal cancer. The plans differ from the Aflac U.S. cancer plans in that the Japanese policies may also provide death benefits and cash surrender values.

     The life products that we offer in Japan provide death benefits and cash surrender values. These products are available as stand-alone policies and riders. We also offer care policies which provide periodic benefits to those who become bedridden, demented, or seriously disabled due to illness or accident.

     For additional information on Aflac Japan's products and composition of sales, see the Aflac Japan section of MD&A.

Insurance Products - U.S.

     We design our U.S. insurance products to provide supplemental coverage for people who already have major medical or primary insurance coverage. Our health insurance plans are guaranteed-renewable for the lifetime of the policyholder (to age 70 for short-term disability policies). We cannot cancel guaranteed-renewable coverage, but we can increase premium rates on existing policies on a uniform, nondiscriminatory basis by class of policy in response to adverse experience. Any premium rate increases are subject to state regulatory approval. We have had minimal rate increase activity in the last five years.

     Aflac U.S. offers an accident and disability policy to protect against losses resulting from accidents. The accident portion of the policy includes lump-sum benefits for accidental death, dismemberment, and specific injuries as well as fixed benefits for hospital confinement. Optional disability riders are also available. Short-term disability policies provide disability benefits with a variety of elimination period/benefit period options. The longest such benefit period offered is two years. In 2003 and 2004, we introduced revised versions of our accident and disability products throughout the United States.

     Our U.S. cancer plans are designed to provide insurance benefits for medical and nonmedical costs that are generally not reimbursed by major medical insurance. In 2003 and 2004, we also introduced a revised version of our cancer product. Benefits include a first-occurrence benefit that pays an initial amount when internal cancer is first diagnosed; a fixed amount for each day an insured is hospitalized for cancer treatment; fixed amounts for radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery; and a wellness benefit applicable toward certain diagnostic tests.

     Our sickness indemnity plan provides a fixed daily benefit for hospitalization due to sickness and fixed amounts for physician services for accident or sickness. Our hospital indemnity product provides a fixed daily benefit for hospitalization due to accident or sickness.

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     We also offer a series of fixed-benefit dental policies, providing various levels of benefits for dental procedures, including check-ups and cleanings. Plan features include a renewal guarantee, no deductible and a choice of dentist. The policies are portable and pay regardless of other insurance.

     Aflac U.S. offers term and whole-life policies sold through payroll deduction at the worksite and various term and whole-life policies on a direct basis. We also offer other health insurance products including qualified and non-qualified long-term care plans, a hospital intensive care policy, and a specified health event policy.

     For additional information on Aflac's U.S. products and composition of sales, see the Aflac U.S. section of MD&A.

Distribution - Japan

     We sell our products through two primary distribution channels - affiliated corporate agencies and individual agencies. Affiliated corporate agencies are formed when companies establish subsidiary businesses to sell insurance products to their employees, suppliers and customers. These agencies help us reach employees at large worksites, including 93% of the companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. However, there has been little employment growth in large worksites following more than a decade of a struggling economy. As a result, many of our affiliated corporate agencies are using new and innovative sales techniques to reach consumers outside of their traditional markets. Affiliated corporate agencies contributed 36% of total new annualized premium sales in 2004, compared with 37% in both 2003 and 2002.

     We also sell our products through independent corporate agencies and individual agencies that are not affiliated with large companies. These individual agencies give us better access to workers at the vast number of small businesses in Japan. Agents' activities are primarily limited to insurance sales, with customer service support provided by our main office in Tokyo and 89 offices throughout Japan. Individual agencies contributed 57% of total new annualized premium sales in 2004, compared with 53% in 2003 and 52% in 2002.

     As of December 31, 2004, there were approximately 16,410 agencies in Japan with more than 71,400 licensed agents, compared with approximately 14,640 agencies and 64,900 licensed agents a year ago. We believe that new agencies will continue to be attracted to Aflac Japan's high commissions, superior products, customer service and brand image.

     We have also been utilizing our marketing alliance with Dai-ichi Mutual Life Insurance Co. (Dai-ichi Life) to improve our reach in Japan. Dai-ichi Life sold 244,400 of our cancer life policies in 2004, compared with 305,600 policies in 2003 and 359,500 policies in 2002. Contributions to total new annualized premium sales were 7% in 2004, 10% in 2003 and 11% in 2002. We believe the declines in cancer life policy sales through Dai-ichi Life are attributable to Dai-ichi Life's increased focus on the sale of its own products.

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     We also moved to strengthen Aflac Japan's relationships with banks in 2004 through the re-introduction of a fixed-annuity product. We anticipate that the banking sales channel for our principal products will be opened in 2007 at the latest. We believe that enhancing our marketing relationships with banks will put us in a strong position when the bank channel is deregulated.

Distribution - U.S.

     Our U.S. sales force is composed of independent sales associates who are licensed to sell accident and health insurance. Many are also licensed to sell life insurance. Most associates' efforts are directed toward selling supplemental health insurance at the worksite. The average number of U.S. associates actively producing business on a monthly basis during 2004 was 17,500, compared with 17,200 in 2003 and 15,800 in 2002.

     Associates' activities are principally limited to sales. Administrative personnel in Columbus, Georgia; Albany, New York; and Omaha, Nebraska handle policyholder service functions, including issuance of policies, premium collection, payment notices and claims. Associates are paid commissions based on first- and renewal-year premiums from their sales of insurance products. State, regional and district sales coordinators are also independent associates and are compensated by override commissions and production bonuses.

     We have concentrated on marketing our products at the worksite. This method offers policies to individuals through common media such as employment, trade and other associations. This manner of marketing is distinct from the group insurance sales approach, as our primary method of enrollment results from the individual insured being directly contacted by the sales associate. Policies are individually underwritten, with premiums generally paid by the employee. Additionally, Aflac policies are portable, meaning that individuals may retain their full insurance coverage upon separation from employment or such affiliation, generally at the same premium. A major portion of premiums on such sales are collected through payroll deduction or other forms of centralized billings. Worksite marketing enables a sales associate to reach a greater number of prospective policyholders and lowers distribution costs, compared with individually-marketed business.

     Another valuable marketing and sales tool is the flexible benefits program, or cafeteria plan, which allows an employee to pay for many of Aflac's products using pretax dollars. These programs help achieve increased penetration, as any products in the program must be presented to all eligible employees in a payroll account.

     During 2003, and at the start of 2004, we took several steps to enhance our distribution system by expanding the field management network that supports our sales force. For further information regarding changes in our U.S. distribution system, see the Aflac U.S. Sales section of MD&A, which is incorporated herein by reference.

     In 2004, Aflac U.S. collected premiums were $2.9 billion, 8.0% of which was collected in Texas, 7.0% in Florida and 6.3% in California. Collected premiums in all other states were individually less than 5% of Aflac U.S. premiums.

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Competition - Japan

     In 1974, Aflac became the second foreign (non-Japanese) life insurance company to gain direct access to the Japanese insurance market by obtaining an operating license. Through 1981, we were the only company in Japan authorized to sell a cancer life insurance policy. In January 2001, Japan's insurance market was deregulated, and we experienced an increase in the number of companies selling products that compete with our policies. However, based on our growth of premiums in force, producing agents, and customer accounts, we do not believe that our market position has been significantly impacted by increased competition as a result of deregulation. Furthermore, we believe the continued development and maintenance of operating efficiencies will allow us to offer affordable products at a better value to consumers.

     Aflac has had substantial success selling cancer life policies in Japan, with 14 million cancer life policies in force as of December 31, 2004. We believe we will remain a leading provider of cancer life insurance coverage in Japan, principally due to our experience in the market, low-cost operations, unique marketing system (see Distribution - Japan above) and product expertise developed in the United States.

     We have also experienced substantial success selling medical insurance in Japan. Other companies are now recognizing the opportunities we have seen in the market for medical insurance. As a result, many new products have surfaced from competitors. However, we have not seen any competing product that represents a better value to the consumer. Aflac Japan continued to be the number one seller of medical insurance in the life insurance industry in terms of policy sales throughout the year.

Competition - U.S.

     There are approximately 2,000 life insurance companies operating in the United States. We compete against several insurers on a national basis plus other insurers regionally. We believe that our policies and premium rates as well as the commissions paid to our sales agents are competitive with those offered by other companies providing similar types of insurance. However, we believe that our U.S. business is distinct from our competitors because of our product focus, distribution system, and name awareness. For most of the other companies that sell supplemental insurance, it represents a secondary business. For us, it is our only business and allows us to focus on exploring new product opportunities while also enhancing our existing products. By doing so, we believe we offer the best value in the market. We also believe that our growing distribution system of independent sales associates expands our business opportunities, while our advertising campaigns have increased our name awareness and branding efforts.

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     Private insurers and voluntary and cooperative plans, such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield, provide insurance for meeting hospitalization and medical expenses. Much of this insurance is sold on a group basis. The federal and state governments also pay substantial costs of medical treatment through various programs. Such major medical insurance generally covers a substantial amount of the medical expenses incurred by an insured as a result of accident and disability, cancer or other major illnesses. Aflac's policies are designed to provide coverage that supplements major medical insurance and may also be used to defray nonmedical expenses. Thus, we do not compete directly with major medical insurers. However, the scope of major medical coverage offered by other insurers does represent a potential limitation on the market for our products. Accordingly, expansion of coverage by other insurers or governmental programs could adversely affect our business opportunities. Conversely, any reduction of coverage, such as increased deductibles and copayments, by other insurers or governmental programs could favorably affect our business opportunities.

Investments and Investment Results

     The following presents the composition of investment securities as of December 31.

   

  Aflac Japan

 

  Aflac U.S.

 

(In millions)

 

2004  

   

2003  

   

2004  

   

2003  

 

Securities available for sale, at fair value:

                       

Fixed maturities

$

23,485

 

$

21,098

 

$

5,681

*

$

5,397

*

Perpetual debentures

 

3,580

   

3,121

   

439

   

228

 

Equity securities

 

47

   

37

   

30

   

36

 

 

Total available for sale

 

27,112

   

24,256

   

6,150

   

5,661

 

Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost:

                       

Fixed maturities

 

10,064

   

8,736

   

16

   

16

 

Perpetual debentures

 

4,759

   

4,297

   

-

   

-

 

 

Total held to maturity

 

14,823

   

13,033

   

16

   

16

 

    Total investment securities

$

41,935

$

37,289

$

6,166

$

5,677

*Includes securities held by the Parent Company of $39 in 2003; the Parent Company had no investment securities as of December 31, 2004.

     Net investment income was $2.0 billion in 2004, $1.8 billion in 2003 and $1.6 billion in 2002. Growth of net investment income during the last three years has been impacted by low available investment yields for new money in both Japan and the United States. In particular, Japan's life insurance industry has contended with low investment yields for a number of years. Based on financial results determined in accordance with Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) requirements for the fiscal year ended March 31, Aflac Japan had the highest portfolio yield among all of Japan's life insurers with assets in excess of 2 trillion yen in each year of the last three years. Aflac Japan earned this distinction while maintaining a fixed maturities portfolio in which 98.3% and 97.2% of the securities were classified as investment grade as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

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     We use specific criteria to judge the credit quality of both existing and prospective investments. Furthermore, we use several methods to monitor these criteria, including credit rating services and internal credit analysis. All of Aflac's securities have ratings from either a nationally recognized security rating organization or the Securities Valuation Office (SVO) of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

     For information on the composition of our investment portfolio and investment results, see the Investments and Cash section in MD&A and Notes 3 and 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Investments - Japan

     Yen-denominated debt securities accounted for 93% of Aflac Japan's total debt securities at both December 31, 2004, and December 31, 2003. The following table presents the composition, based on cost or amortized cost, of total investments and cash for Aflac Japan ($40.1 billion in 2004 and $35.5 billion in 2003) as of December 31.

Composition of Securities

2004  

 

2003  

   

Debt securities:

         

Government and guaranteed

21.5

%

20.1

%

 

Municipalities

.1

 

.2

   

Public utilities

9.6

 

10.4

   

Banks/financial institutions

39.7

 

38.0

   
 

Other corporate

27.6

 

29.7

   

 

Total debt securities

98.5

 

98.4

   

Equity securities

.1

 

.1

   

Cash and cash equivalents

1.4

 

1.5

   

 

Total

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

     Funds available for investment include cash flows from operations and funds generated from bond swaps, maturities and redemptions. Aflac Japan purchased debt security investments totaling approximately 514.3 billion yen in 2004 (approximately $5.1 billion), 505.7 billion yen in 2003 (approximately $4.4 billion) and 553.5 billion yen in 2002 (approximately $4.5 billion). Equity security purchases were immaterial during the three-year period ended December 31, 2004. The following table details the composition of debt security purchases by type, at acquisition cost, for the years ended December 31.

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Composition of Purchases

2004  

   

2003  

   

2002  

   

Debt security purchases:

         

Government and guaranteed

36.4

%

 

34.1

%

 

22.6

%

 

Municipalities

-

   

.2

   

-

   

Public utilities

8.0

   

8.7

   

8.4

   

Banks/financial institutions

50.0

   

22.4

   

30.5

   
 

Other corporate

5.6

   

34.6

   

38.5

   

 

Total

100.0

%

 

100.0

%

 

100.0

%

 

     The percentage distribution by credit rating of Aflac Japan's purchases of debt securities for the years ended December 31, at acquisition cost, was as follows:

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

   

 

AAA

6.9

%

2.5

%

.2

%

 
 

AA

47.7

 

20.6

 

22.7

   
 

A

30.8

 

31.6

 

49.7

   
 

BBB

14.6

 

45.3

 

27.4

   

 

Total

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

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Table of Contents

     The percentage distribution of debt securities owned by Aflac Japan, at amortized cost and fair value, by credit rating was as follows:

 

December 31, 2004

 

December 31, 2003

 

Amortized

 

   Fair

 

Amortized

 

  Fair

 

Cost    

 

   Value

 

Cost    

 

  Value

 

AAA

2.9

%

3.0

%

 

2.4

%

2.6

%

 

AA

36.0

 

38.0

   

34.2

 

37.1

 
 

A

33.6

 

33.3

   

31.6

 

31.1

 
 

BBB

25.8

 

24.3

   

29.0

 

27.0

 
 

BB or lower

1.7

 

1.4

   

2.8

 

2.2

 

 

Total

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

Investments - U.S.

     The following table presents the composition, based on cost or amortized cost, of total investments and cash for Aflac U.S. ($8.4 billion in 2004 and $5.3 billion in 2003) as of December 31.

Composition of Securities

2004

 

2003

   

Debt securities:

         

Government

2.0

%

1.5

%

 

Municipalities

.3

 

.8

   

Mortgage-backed securities

1.7

 

3.2

   

Public utilities

7.5

 

10.7

   

Sovereign and supranational

1.6

 

4.3

   

Banks/financial institutions

29.8

 

40.2

   
 

Other corporate

22.1

 

35.0

   

 

Total debt securities

65.0

 

95.7

   

Cash and cash equivalents

35.0

 

4.3

   

   

Total

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

     The increase in cash and cash equivalents was due to an increase in cash collateral ($2.6 billion), attributable to a higher level of loaned securities at year-end.

     Funds available for investment include cash flows from operations and funds generated from bond swaps, maturities and redemptions. Purchases of investments by Aflac U.S. were approximately $1.1 billion in 2004, $1.8 billion in 2003 and $1.1 billion in 2002. The following table presents Aflac U.S. debt security purchases, based on acquisition cost, for the years ended December 31.

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Table of Contents

Composition of Purchases

2004  

   

2003  

   

2002  

   

Debt security purchases:

         

Government and guaranteed

9.4

%

 

7.9

%

 

5.0

%

 

Municipalities

.1

   

1.4

   

-

   

Public utilities

8.0

   

9.3

   

21.7

   

Banks/financial institutions

45.8

   

38.7

   

29.8

   
 

Other corporate

36.7

   

42.7

   

43.5

   

 

Total

100.0

%

 

100.0

%

 

100.0

%

 

     In 2003 and 2002, we directed more funds to the corporate fixed-maturity security market due to the low yields available on U.S. government and government agency securities.

     The percentage distribution by credit rating of Aflac's U.S. purchases of debt securities for the years ended December 31, at acquisition cost, was as follows:

   

2004

 

2003

 

2002

   

 

AAA

19.1

%

25.4

%

1.9

%

 
 

AA

12.2

 

12.0

 

10.4

   
 

A

63.0

 

34.5

 

42.5

   
 

BBB

5.7

 

28.1

 

45.2

   

   

Total

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

     The percentage distribution of debt securities owned by Aflac U.S., at amortized cost and fair value, by credit rating was as follows:

 

December 31, 2004

 

December 31, 2003

 

Amortized

 

  Fair

 

Amortized

 

  Fair

 
 

Cost

 

  Value

 

Cost

 

  Value

 

 

AAA

8.0

%

7.2

%

 

7.4

%

6.8

%

 

AA

8.9

 

9.0

   

9.4

 

9.5

 
 

A

54.8

 

54.9

   

49.6

 

50.2

 
 

BBB

26.2

 

26.8

   

30.4

 

30.5

 
 

BB or lower

2.1

 

2.1

   

3.2

 

3.0

 

 

Total

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

Regulation - Japan

     The FSA maintains its own solvency standard, which is used by regulators in Japan to monitor the financial strength of insurance companies. Aflac Japan's solvency margin continues to significantly exceed regulatory minimums. The FSA may not allow remittance of earnings if it would cause Aflac Japan to lack sufficient financial strength for the protection of policyholders. We do not expect these requirements to adversely affect the funds available for remittances of earnings and payments of allocated expenses and management fees.

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Table of Contents

     A portion of Aflac Japan's annual earnings, as determined on a Japanese statutory accounting basis, can be remitted (repatriated) each year to Aflac U.S. after complying with solvency margin provisions and satisfying various conditions imposed by Japan's regulatory authorities for protecting policyholders. Payments are also made from Aflac Japan to the Parent Company for management fees and to Aflac U.S. for allocated expenses. Repatriated profits represent a portion of the after-tax earnings reported to the FSA on a March 31 fiscal year basis. Japanese regulatory basis earnings are determined using accounting principles that differ materially from GAAP. Under Japanese statutory accounting practices, premium income is recognized on a cash basis; policy acquisition costs are charged off immediately; policy benefit and claim reserving methods and assumptions are different; policyholder protection fund obligations are not accrued; the carrying value of securities transferred to held to maturity is different; and deferred income tax liabilities are recognized on a different basis.

     Aflac Japan files annual reports and financial statements for the Japanese insurance operations based on a March 31 year end, prepared in accordance with Japanese regulatory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the FSA. Also, financial and other affairs of Aflac Japan are subject to examination by the FSA. Reconciliations of Aflac Japan net assets on a GAAP basis to net assets determined on a Japanese regulatory accounting basis as of December 31 were as follows:

(In millions)

2004  

 

2003  

 

Net assets on GAAP basis

$

5,356

 

$

4,635

 

Elimination of deferred policy acquisition costs

 

(3,812

)

 

(3,440

)

Adjustment to income tax liabilities

 

1,464

   

1,212

 

Adjustment to policy liabilities

 

463

   

709

 

Adjustment of unrealized gains and other adjustments

           

to carrying value of debt securities

 

(530

)

 

(524

)

Elimination of policyholder protection fund liability

 

254

   

265

 

Reduction in premiums receivable

 

(112

)

 

(119

)

Other, net

 

(206

)

 

(104

)

Net assets on Japanese regulatory accounting basis

$

2,877

 

$

2,634

 

     The Japanese insurance industry has a policyholder protection fund that provides funds for the policyholders of insolvent insurers. For additional information regarding the policyholder protection fund, see the Policyholder Protection Fund and State Guaranty Associations section of MD&A and Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

     Our branch in Japan is also subject to regulation and supervision in the United States as described below. For additional information regarding Aflac Japan's operations and regulations, see the Aflac Japan section of MD&A and Notes 2 and 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report, which are incorporated herein by reference.

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Table of Contents

Regulation - U.S.

     The Parent Company and its insurance subsidiaries are subject to state regulations in the United States as an insurance holding company system. Such regulations generally provide that transactions between companies within the holding company system must be fair and equitable. In addition, transfers of assets among such affiliated companies, certain dividend payments from insurance subsidiaries, and material transactions between companies within the system are subject to prior notice to, or approval by, state regulatory authorities.

     Like all U.S. insurance companies, Aflac is subject to regulation and supervision in the jurisdictions in which they do business. In general, the insurance laws of the various jurisdictions establish supervisory agencies with broad administrative powers relating to, among other things: granting and revoking licenses to transact business, regulating trade practices, licensing agents, prior approval of forms of policies and premium rate increases, standards of solvency and maintenance of specified policy benefit reserves and minimum loss ratio requirements, capital for the protection of policyholders, limitations on dividends to shareholders, the nature of and limitations on investments, deposits of securities for the benefit of policyholders, filing of financial statements prepared in accordance with statutory insurance accounting practices prescribed or permitted by regulatory authorities, and periodic examinations of the market conduct, financial, and other affairs of insurance companies. The NAIC is constantly reviewing regulatory matters and recommending changes and revisions for adoption by state legislators and insurance departments.

     The NAIC uses a risk-based capital formula relating to insurance risk, business risk, asset risk and interest rate risk to facilitate identification by insurance regulators of inadequately capitalized insurance companies based upon the types and mixtures of risks inherent in the insurer's operations. The formulas for determining the amount of risk-based capital specify various weighting factors that are applied to financial balances or various levels of activity based on the perceived degree of risk. Regulatory compliance is determined by a ratio of the company's regulatory total adjusted capital to its authorized control level risk-based capital as defined by the NAIC. Companies below specific trigger points or ratios are classified within certain levels, each of which requires specified corrective action. The levels are company action, regulatory action, authorized control, and mandatory control. Aflac's NAIC risk-based capital ratio remains high and reflects a very strong capital and surplus position.

     Under insurance guaranty association laws in most U.S. states, insurance companies doing business in those states can be assessed for policyholder losses up to prescribed limits that are incurred by insolvent companies with similar lines of business. Such assessments have not been material to us in the past. We believe that future assessments relating to companies in the United States currently involved in insolvency proceedings will not materially impact the consolidated financial statements.

     For further information concerning Aflac U.S. operations, regulation and dividend restrictions, see the Aflac U.S. section of MD&A and Notes 2 and 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report, which are incorporated herein by reference.

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Table of Contents

Employees

     Aflac Japan had 2,932 full-time employees as of December 31, 2004. Aflac U.S. had 3,599 full-time employees as of December 31, 2004. We consider our employee relations to be excellent.

Other Operations

     Our other operations include the Parent Company and a printing subsidiary. These operations had 276 full-time employees as of December 31, 2004. We consider our relations with these employees to be excellent. For additional information on our other operations, see the Other Operations section of MD&A in this report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES.

     Aflac owns land and buildings that comprise two primary campuses located in Columbus, Georgia. The first campus, located on approximately 54 acres of land, includes buildings that serve as our worldwide headquarters and house administrative support functions for our U.S. operations. The approximate square footage of the buildings on this campus is 600,000 square feet. The second campus, located on approximately 104 acres of land, includes a building with approximately 270,000 square feet that provides additional support functions for our U.S. operations. Aflac also leases administrative office space in Columbus, Georgia; Albany, New York; and Omaha, Nebraska.

     In Tokyo, Japan, Aflac owns an administrative office building and a training facility with approximately 358,000 square feet. Aflac also leases additional office space in Tokyo along with regional offices located throughout the country.

 

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

     We are a defendant in various lawsuits considered to be in the normal course of business. Some of this litigation is pending in states where large punitive damages bearing little relation to the actual damages sustained by plaintiffs have been awarded against other companies, including insurers, in recent years. Although the final results of any litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe the outcome of pending litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

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Table of Contents

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

     There were no matters submitted to the security holders for a vote during the quarter ended December 31, 2004.

 

ITEM 4A.  EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY.

      NAME

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION (*)

 

AGE

         

Daniel P. Amos

Chairman, Aflac Incorporated and Aflac since

 

53

May 2001; Chief Executive Officer, Aflac Incorporated and Aflac; President, Aflac; President Aflac Incorporated until May 2001; Director, Southern Company, Atlanta, GA; Director, Synovus Financial Corp., Columbus, GA

   
         

Paul S. Amos II

Executive Vice President, Aflac U.S. Operations since

 

29

   

January 2005; State Sales Coordinator from November 2002 until December 2004

   
         

Kriss Cloninger III

President, Aflac Incorporated since May 2001; Executive

 

57

 

Vice President, Aflac Incorporated until May 2001; Chief Financial Officer, Aflac Incorporated and Aflac; Executive Vice President, Aflac; Treasurer, Aflac Incorporated; Director, Tupperware Corporation, Orlando, FL; Director, TSYS, Columbus, GA

   
         

Kermitt L. Cox

Senior Vice President, Corporate Actuary, Aflac since

 

61

 

January 2000

   
         

Rebecca C. Davis

Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, Aflac

 

54

   

since October 2004; Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, Aflac until October 2004

   
         

Kenneth S. Janke Jr.

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, Aflac

 

46

 

Incorporated

   
         

Akitoshi Kan

Chairman, Aflac International, Inc.; Chief Operating Officer,

 

57

 

Aflac Japan since January 2005; Executive Vice President, Director of U.S. Internal Operations, Aflac, from January 2000 until December 2004; Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Aflac Incorporated until September 2000

   
         

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Table of Contents

Ronald E. Kirkland

Senior Vice President, Director of Sales, Aflac since January

 

60

   

2005; Vice President, West Territory Director, Aflac from October 2004 until January 2005; State Sales Coordinator, Missouri until October 2004

   
       

Charles D. Lake II

President, Aflac Japan since January 2003; Deputy President,

 

43

   

Aflac Japan from July 2001 until December 2002; Senior Vice President, Aflac Japan, General Counsel, Legal and Compliance from January 2001 until June 2001; Vice President and Counsel, Aflac Japan from June 1999 until December 2000; Vice President and Counsel, Aflac International, Inc. until August 2000; Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Aflac International, Inc. from September 2000 until June 2001

   
         

Joey M. Loudermilk

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate

 

51

 

Secretary, Aflac Incorporated and Aflac; Director, Legal and Governmental Relations, Aflac, since October 2000; Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Aflac Incorporated and Aflac; Director, Legal and Governmental Relations, Aflac, until October 2000

   
         

Hidefumi Matsui

Chairman, Aflac Japan since January 2003; President, Aflac

 

60

   

Japan until December 2002

   
         

Allan O'Bryant

Chairman, Aflac Insurance Service Company, Ltd. since

 

46

   

January 2005; Chairman, Aflac Payment Service Company, Ltd. since January 2005; President of Aflac International, Inc., since September 2000; Chairman, aflacdirect.com since July 2002; Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Aflac Incorporated from September 2000 until December 2004; President, aflacdirect.com from May 2000 until July 2002; Senior Vice President, Aflac International, Inc. until September 2000; Senior Vice President, Aflac Japan from March 2000 until September 2000; Vice President, Aflac Japan until March 2000

   
         

Ralph A. Rogers Jr.

Senior Vice President, Financial Services, Aflac Incorporated

 

56

   

and Aflac since September 2000; Chief Accounting Officer, Aflac Incorporated and Aflac since January 2002; Treasurer, Aflac since March 2002; Senior Vice President, Financial Resources, UnumProvident and predecessors until September 2000

   
         

Joseph W. Smith Jr.

Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Officer,

 

51

 

Aflac

   

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Table of Contents

         

Atsushi Yagai

Executive Vice President, Director of Marketing and Sales,

 

41

   

Aflac Japan since January 2004; First Senior Vice President; Director of Marketing and Sales, Aflac Japan from January 2002 until January 2004; Senior Vice President; Director of Marketing and Sales, Aflac Japan from September 2001 until December 2001; President and Representative Director, Barilla Japan until August 2001

   
         

Hiroshi Yamauchi

First Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer,

 

53

   

Aflac Japan since January 2005; First Senior Vice President, Director of Internal Operations, Aflac Japan from January 2003 until January 2005; First Senior Vice President, Director of Administrative and Customer Service Division, Aflac Japan from January 2002 until January 2003; Vice President, General Manager of Policy Maintenance Department, Aflac Japan, from January 1999 until January 2002

   
         

(*) Unless specifically noted, the respective executive officer has held the occupation(s) set forth in the table for at least the last five years. Each executive officer is appointed annually by the board of directors and serves until his or her successor is chosen and qualified, or until his or her death, resignation or removal.

         

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Table of Contents

PART II

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

Market Information

     Aflac Incorporated's common stock is principally traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. Our stock is also listed on the Pacific Exchange and the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The quarterly high and low market prices for the Company's common stock, as reported on the principal exchange market for the two years ended December 31, were as follows:

Quarterly Common Stock Prices

               

   

2004

 

High 

   

Low  

 

4th Quarter

$

40.74

 

$

33.85

 

3rd Quarter

 

41.97

   

37.00

 

2nd Quarter

 

42.60

   

38.73

 

1st Quarter

 

41.50

   

34.62

 

               
               

 

2003

 

High 

   

Low  

 

4th Quarter

$

36.91

 

$

32.13

 

3rd Quarter

 

32.74

   

29.83

 

2nd Quarter

 

35.57

   

28.00

 

1st Quarter

 

33.50

   

29.57

 

 

Holders

   

2004

 

2003

 

 

Number of common

       
 

   shares outstanding

503,607,777

 

509,891,778

 
 

Approximate number of registered

       
 

   common shareholders

78,167

 

78,579

 

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Table of Contents

Dividends

 

2004

 

2003

 

         
 

4th Quarter

$

.095

 

$

.08

 
 

3rd Quarter

.095

 

.08

 
 

2nd Quarter

.095

 

.07

 
 

1st Quarter

.095

 

.07

 

     We expect comparable dividends to continue to be paid in future periods. For information concerning dividend restrictions, see the Capital Resources and Liquidity section of the MD&A and Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements presented in this report.

Securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans

     Pursuant to General Instruction G to Form 10-K, this information is incorporated by reference from the Company's 2005 Notice and Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about March 17, 2005.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

     During the fourth quarter of 2004, we repurchased shares of Aflac stock as follows:

           

(c) Total

 

(d) Maximum

           

Number

 

Number of

           

of Shares

 

Shares that

           

Purchased

 

May Yet Be

     

(a) Total

     

as Part of

 

Purchased

   

Number of

 

(b) Average

 

Announced

 

Under the

   

Shares

 

Price Paid

 

Plans or

 

Plans or

          Period

 

Purchased

 

Per Share

 

Programs

 

Programs

October 1 - October 31

 

1,057,200

$

35.93

 

1,057,200

 

28,982,004

 

November 1 - November 30

 

2,035,719

 

36.84

 

2,035,719

 

26,946,285

 

December 1 - December 31

 

37,122

 

38.95

 

37,122

 

26,909,163

 

Total

 

3,130,041

$

36.56

 

3,130,041

 

26,909,163

 

The remaining 26,909,163 shares relate to a repurchase authorization approved by the board and announced in February 2004.

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Table of Contents

ITEM 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

Aflac Incorporated and Subsidiaries

Years ended December 31,

                                   

(In millions, except for share and

                             

per-share amounts)

 

2004  

   

2003  

   

2002  

   

2001  

   

2000  

 

Revenues:

                             
 

Premiums, principally

                             
 

  supplemental health

                             

  insurance

$

11,302

 

$

9,921

 

$

8,595

 

$

8,061

 

$

8,222

 

Net investment income

 

1,957

   

1,787

   

1,614

   

1,550

   

1,550

 
 

Realized investment gains

                             

  (losses)

 

(12

)

 

(301

)

 

(14

)

 

(31

)

 

(102

)

Other income

 

34

   

40

   

62

   

18

   

33

 

 

Total revenues

 

13,281

   

11,447

   

10,257

   

9,598

   

9,703

 

Benefits and expenses:

                             

Benefits and claims

 

8,482

   

7,529

   

6,589

   

6,303

   

6,601

 

Expenses

 

2,992

   

2,693

   

2,409

   

2,214

   

2,090

 

 

Total benefits and expenses

 

11,474

   

10,222

   

8,998

   

8,517

   

8,691

 

   

Pretax earnings

 

1,807

   

1,225

   

1,259

   

1,081

   

1,012

 

Income taxes

 

508

   

430

   

438

   

394

   

325

 

 

Net earnings

$

1,299

(1)

$

795

 

$

821

(2)

$

687

 

$

687

(3)

Share and Per-Share Amounts

Net earnings (basic)

$

2.56

(1)

$

1.55

 

$

1.59

(2)

$

1.31

 

$

1.30

(3)

Net earnings (diluted)

 

2.52

(1)

 

1.52

   

1.55

(2)

 

1.28

   

1.26

(3)

Cash dividends

 

.38

   

.30

   

.23

   

.193

   

.167

 

Common shares used for

                             

  basic EPS (In thousands)

 

507,333

   

513,220

   

517,541

   

525,098

   

530,607

 

Common shares used for

                             

  diluted EPS (In thousands)

 

516,421

   

522,138

   

528,326

   

537,383

   

544,906

 

Supplemental Data

                             

Yen/dollar exchange rate at

                             

   year-end (yen)

 

104.21

   

107.13

   

119.90

   

131.95

   

114.75

 

Weighted-average yen/dollar

                             

   exchange rate (yen)

 

108.26

   

115.95

   

125.15

   

121.54

   

107.83

 

Pro forma stock option expense

                             

   per diluted share

$

.07

 

$

.05

 

$

.07

 

$

.06

 

$

.05

 

(1)

Includes a benefit of $128 ($.25 per basic and diluted share) for the release of the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets and a benefit of $3 ($.01 per basic and diluted share) for the Japan pension obligation transfer in 2004

 

(2)

Includes a charge of $26 ($.05 per basic and diluted share) for the policyholder protection fund in 2002 in Japan

 

(3)

Includes a benefit of $99 ($.19 per basic share, $.18 per diluted share) from the termination of a retirement liability

 

(continued)

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Table of Contents

Aflac Incorporated and Subsidiaries

 

December 31,

 
                               

(In millions)

 

2004  

   

2003  

   

2002  

   

2001  

   

2000  

 

Assets:

                             

Investments and cash

$

51,955

 

$

44,050

 

$

39,147

 

$

32,792

 

$

32,167

 

Other

 

7,371

   

6,914

   

5,911

   

5,068

   

5,064

 

 

Total assets

$

59,326

 

$

50,964

 

$

45,058

 

$

37,860

 

$

37,231

 

Liabilities and shareholders' equity:

                             

Policy liabilities

$

43,556

 

$

39,240

 

$

32,726

 

$

27,592

 

$

28,565

 

Notes payable

 

1,429

   

1,409

   

1,312

   

1,207

   

1,079

 

Income taxes

 

2,583

   

2,189

   

2,364

   

2,091

   

1,894

 

Other liabilities

 

4,185

   

1,480

   

2,262

   

1,545

   

999

 

Shareholders' equity

 

7,573

   

6,646

   

6,394

   

5,425

   

4,694

 

 

Total liabilities and

                             
   

  shareholders' equity

$

59,326

 

$

50,964

 

$

45,058

 

$

37,860

 

$

37,231

 

                                   

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ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

     The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" to encourage companies to provide prospective information, so long as those informational statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. We desire to take advantage of these provisions. This report contains cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in this discussion and analysis, and in any other statements made by company officials in oral discussions with the financial community and contained in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Forward-looking statements are not based on historical information and relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments. Furthermore, forward-looking information is subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties. In particular, statements containing words such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "goal," "objective," "may," "should," "estimate," "intends," "projects," or similar words as well as specific projections of future results, generally qualify as forward-looking. Aflac undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements.

     We caution readers that the following factors, in addition to other factors mentioned from time to time in our reports filed with the SEC, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements:

    • legislative and regulatory developments
    • assessments for insurance company insolvencies
    • competitive conditions in the United States and Japan
    • new product development
    • ability to attract and retain qualified sales associates
    • ability to repatriate profits from Japan
    • changes in U.S. and/or Japanese tax laws or accounting requirements
    • credit and other risks associated with Aflac's investment activities
    • significant changes in investment yield rates
    • fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates
    • deviations in actual experience from pricing and reserving assumptions
    • level and outcome of litigation
    • downgrades in the company's credit rating
    • changes in rating agency policies or practices
    • subsidiary's ability to pay dividends to parent company
    • general economic conditions in the United States and Japan

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COMPANY OVERVIEW

     Aflac Incorporated (the Parent Company) and its subsidiaries (the Company) primarily sell supplemental health and life insurance in the United States and Japan. The Company's insurance business is marketed and administered through American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (Aflac), which operates in the United States (Aflac U.S.) and as a branch in Japan (Aflac Japan). Most of Aflac's policies are individually underwritten and marketed through independent agents. Our insurance operations in the United States and our branch in Japan service the two markets for our insurance business.

     Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is intended to inform the reader about matters affecting the financial condition and results of operations of Aflac Incorporated and its subsidiaries for the three-year period ended December 31, 2004. As a result, the following discussion should be read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements and notes.

     This MD&A is divided into four primary sections. In the first section, we discuss our critical accounting estimates. We then follow with a discussion of the results of our operations on a consolidated basis and by segment. The third section presents an analysis of our financial condition as well as a discussion of market risks of financial instruments. We then conclude by addressing the availability of capital and the sources and uses of cash in the Capital Resources and Liquidity section.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

     We prepare our financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The estimates discussed below are critical to an understanding of Aflac's results of operations and financial condition. The preparation and evaluation of these critical accounting estimates involve the use of various assumptions developed from management's analyses and judgments. The application of these critical accounting estimates determines the values at which 91% of our assets and 81% of our liabilities are reported and thus have a direct effect on net earnings and shareholders' equity. Subsequent experience or use of other assumptions could produce significantly different results.

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Investments

     Our investments in debt and equity securities include both publicly issued and privately issued securities. For privately issued securities, we receive pricing data from external sources that take into account each security's credit quality and liquidity characteristics. We also routinely review our investments that have experienced declines in fair value to determine if the decline is other than temporary. These reviews are performed with consideration of the facts and circumstances of an issuer in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 59, Accounting for Non-Current Marketable Equity Securities; Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities; and related guidance. The identification of distressed investments, the determination of fair value if not publicly traded, and the assessment of whether a decline is other than temporary involve significant management judgment and require evaluation of factors including but not limited to:

    • percentage decline in value and the length of time during which the decline has occurred
    • recoverability of principal and interest
    • market conditions
    • ability to hold the investment to maturity
    • a pattern of continuing operating losses of the issuer
    • rating agency actions that affect the issuer's credit status
    • adverse changes in the issuer's availability of production resources, revenue sources and technological conditions
    • adverse changes in the issuer's economic, regulatory or political environment

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Policy Liabilities

     Aflac's products are generally long-duration fixed-benefit indemnity contracts. As such, our products are accounted for under the requirements of SFAS No. 60, Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises. We make estimates of certain factors that affect the profitability of our business in order to match expected policy benefits and expenses with expected policy premiums. These assumptions include persistency, morbidity, mortality, investment yields and expenses. If actual results mirror the assumptions used in establishing policy liabilities and the deferral and amortization of acquisition costs, profits will emerge as a level percentage of earned premiums. However, because actual results will vary from the assumptions, profits as a percentage of earned premiums will vary from year to year.

     We measure the adequacy of our policy reserves and recoverability of deferred policy acquisition costs (DAC) annually by performing gross premium valuations on our business. Our testing indicates that our insurance liabilities are adequate and that our DAC is recoverable.

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Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

     Under the requirements of SFAS No. 60, certain costs of acquiring new business are deferred and amortized over the policy's premium payment period in proportion to anticipated premium income. Future amortization of DAC is based upon our estimates of persistency, interest, and future premium revenue at the time of policy issuance. However, the unamortized balance of DAC reflects the actual persistency to date. As presented in the following table, the ratio of unamortized DAC to annualized premiums in force has been relatively stable for Aflac U.S. and Aflac Japan over the last three years.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Ratios

 

Aflac Japan

   

Aflac U.S.

 
 

(In Yen)

   

(In Dollars)

 

(In millions)

2004

 

2003

 

2002

   

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

Deferred policy acquisition costs

397,261

 

368,535

 

343,845

   

1,783

 

1,604

 

1,410

 

Annualized premiums in force

961,895

 

900,251

 

834,424

   

3,374

 

3,043

 

2,674

 

Deferred policy acquisition costs as

                         

   a percentage of annualized

                         

   premiums in force

41.3

%

40.9

%

41.2

%

 

52.8

%

52.7

%

52.7

%

Policy Liabilities

     Our policy liabilities, which are determined in accordance with SFAS No. 60 and Actuarial Standards of Practice, include two primary components: future policy benefits and unpaid policy claims, which accounted for 90% and 5% of total policy liabilities as of December 31, 2004, respectively.

     Future policy benefits provide for claims that will occur in the future and is generally calculated as the present value of future expected benefits to be incurred less the present value of future expected net benefit premiums. We calculate future policy benefits based on assumptions of morbidity, mortality, persistency and interest. These assumptions are established at the time a policy is issued. The assumptions used in the calculations are closely related to those used in developing the gross premiums for a policy. As required by GAAP, we also include a provision for adverse deviation, which is intended to accommodate adverse fluctuations in actual experience.

     Unpaid policy claims include those claims that have been incurred and are in the process of payment as well as an estimate of those claims that have been incurred but have not yet been reported to us. We compute unpaid policy claims on an undiscounted basis using statistical analyses of historical claims payments, adjusted for current trends and changed conditions. Assumptions underlying the estimate of unpaid policy claims are updated regularly and incorporate our historical experience as well as other data that provides information regarding our outstanding liability.

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     Claims incurred under Aflac's policies are generally reported and paid in a relatively short time frame. They are sensitive to frequency and severity of claims. They are not, however, subject to medical cost inflation because benefits are based on a fixed indemnity. Our claims experience is primarily related to the demographics of our policyholders.

     In computing the estimate of unpaid policy claims, we consider many factors, including the benefits and amounts available under the policy, the volume and demographics of the policies exposed to claims, and internal business practices, such as incurred date assignment and current claim administrative practices. We monitor these conditions closely and make adjustments to the liability as actual experience emerges. Claim levels are generally stable from period to period, however, fluctuations in claim levels may occur. In calculating the unpaid policy claim liability, we do not calculate a range of estimates. However, if current period claims were to change by 1%, we would expect the unpaid policy claim liability to change by approximately $24 million.

     The following table provides details of policy liabilities by segment and in total as of December 31.

Policy Liabilities

(In millions)

2004  

     

2003  

 

U.S. segment:

             
 

Future policy benefits

$

3,354

   

$

2,975

 
 

Unpaid policy claims

 

708

     

593

 
 

Other policy liabilities

 

136

     

165

 

   

Total U.S. policy liabilities

$

4,198

   

$

3,733

 

Japan segment:

             
 

Future policy benefits

$

36,005

   

$

32,612

 
 

Unpaid policy claims

 

1,646

     

1,521

 
 

Other policy liabilities

 

1,705

     

1,373

 

   

Total Japan policy liabilities

$

39,356

   

$

35,506

 

Consolidated:

             
 

Future policy benefits

$

39,360

   

$

35,588

 
 

Unpaid policy claims

 

2,355

     

2,115

 
 

Other policy liabilities

 

1,841

     

1,537

 

   

Total consolidated policy liabilities

$

43,556

   

$

39,240

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

     During the last three years, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has been active in soliciting comments and issuing statements, interpretations and exposure drafts on issues including equity-based compensation, pensions, variable interest entities, special purpose entities, derivatives, intangible assets and business combinations.

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     In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123R). This standard amends SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, and supercedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and its related implementation guidance. SFAS 123R focuses primarily on accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions, such as granting stock options. It requires that companies use a fair value method to value stock options and other forms of share-based payments and recognize the related compensation expense in net earnings. We plan to adopt SFAS 123R effective January 1, 2005, using the modified-retrospective transition method.

     Historically, we have applied the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations in accounting for our employee stock option plan. As a result, we have not recognized expense for equity-based compensation in net earnings. Upon adoption of SFAS 123R on January 1, 2005, compensation expense related to equity-based compensation will be recognized in net earnings. See Notes 1 and 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Selected Financial Data for additional information.

     For additional information on new accounting pronouncements and the impact, if any, on our financial position or results of operations, see Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     The following table is a presentation of items impacting net earnings and net earnings per diluted share for the years ended December 31.

Items Impacting Net Earnings

In Millions

 

Per Diluted Share

 

 

2004

   

2003

   

2002

   

2004

   

2003

   

2002

 

Net earnings

$

1,299

 

$

795

 

$

821

 

$

2.52

 

$

1.52

 

$

1.55

 

Items impacting net earnings, net of tax:

                                   
 

Realized investment gains (losses)

 

(5

)

 

(191

)

 

(15

)

 

(.01

)

 

(.37

)

 

(.03

)

 

Impact from SFAS 133

 

(13

)

 

(3

)

 

37

   

(.03

)

 

-

   

.07

 
 

Release of valuation allowance

                                   
 

  on deferred tax assets

 

128

   

-

   

-

   

.25

   

-

   

-

 
 

Japanese pension obligation transfer

 

3

   

-

   

-

   

.01

   

-

   

-

 
 

Japanese policyholder protection fund

 

-

   

-

   

(26

)

 

-

   

-

   

(.05

)

 

Foreign currency translation*

 

39

   

33

   

(10

)

 

.08

   

.06

   

(.02

)

*Translation effect on Aflac Japan segment and Parent Company yen-denominated interest expense

 

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Realized Investment Gains and Losses

     Our investment strategy is to invest in fixed-income securities in order to provide a reliable stream of investment income, which is one of the drivers of the company's profitability. We do not purchase securities with the intent of generating capital gains or losses. However, investment gains and losses may be realized as a result of changes in the financial markets and the creditworthiness of specific issuers. The realization of investment gains and losses is independent of the underwriting and administration of our insurance products, which are the principal drivers of our profitability.

     During the third quarter of 2004, we received an issuer's offer to redeem certain available-for-sale yen-denominated debt securities held by the Company. We accepted the issuer's offer of $205 million for the debt securities and recorded a pretax loss of $23 million. This investment loss and other investment gains and losses in the normal course of business decreased pretax earnings by $12 million (after-tax, $5 million, or $.01 per diluted share).

     Realized investment losses in 2003 related primarily to the sale of our investment in Parmalat. Following several credit ratings downgrades of its debt, we sold our holdings in Parmalat and realized a pretax loss of $257 million. We also sold our investment in Levi Strauss in 2003 at a pretax loss of $38 million. These investment losses and other investment transactions in the normal course of business decreased pretax earnings by $301 million (after-tax, $191 million, or $.37 per diluted share).

     In 2002, we recognized pretax impairment losses of $58 million. These impairment losses were primarily related to the corporate debt security of a Japanese issuer and various equity securities we believe experienced other than temporary declines in fair value. These impairment losses and other investment transactions in the normal course of business decreased pretax earnings by $14 million (after-tax, $15 million, or $.03 per diluted share).

Impact from SFAS 133

     We entered into cross-currency swap agreements to effectively convert our dollar-denominated senior debt obligation, which matures in 2009, into a yen-denominated obligation (see Notes 4 and 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements). The effect of issuing fixed-rate, dollar-denominated debt and swapping it into fixed-rate, yen-denominated debt has the same economic impact on Aflac as if we had issued straight yen-denominated debt of a like amount. However, the accounting treatment for cross-currency swaps is different from issuing yen-denominated (Samurai) notes. SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended, requires that the change in the fair value of the interest rate component of the cross-currency swap, which does not qualify for hedge accounting, be reflected in net earnings (other income). This change in fair value is determined by relative dollar and yen interest rates and has no cash impact on our results of operations. At maturity, the swaps' fair value and their initial contract fair value will be equal and the cumulative impact of gains and losses from the changes in fair value of the interest component will be zero. We have the ability to retain the cross-currency swaps until their maturity. The impact from SFAS 133 includes the change in fair value of the interest rate component of the cross-currency swaps, which does not qualify for hedge accounting.

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     We have also issued yen-denominated debt (Samurai notes). We have designated these notes as a hedge of our investment in Aflac Japan. If the value of these yen-denominated notes exceeds our investment in Aflac Japan, we would be required to recognize the foreign currency effect on the excess, or ineffective portion, in net earnings (other income). The ineffective portion would be included in the impact from SFAS 133. These hedges were effective during the three-year period ended December 31, 2004; therefore, there was no impact on net earnings. See Notes 1 and 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Nonrecurring Items

     The passage of The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 eliminated the 90% limitation on the utilization of foreign tax credits. As a result of this tax law change, we recognized a benefit of $128 million ($.25 per diluted share) for the release of the valuation allowance associated with certain deferred tax assets. This benefit is included as a reduction to income tax expense in the consolidated statement of earnings.

     During 2004, we concluded the process of returning the substitutional portion of Aflac Japan's pension plan to the Japanese government as allowed by the Japan Pension Insurance Law. We recognized a one-time gain (other income) as the result of this transfer to the Japanese government in the amount of $6 million (after-tax, $3 million, or $.01 per diluted share). For additional information on the transfer, see Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

     In December 2002, the members of the Life Insurance Policyholder Protection Corporation approved the Financial Services Agency's (FSA) proposal, which required the industry to contribute an additional 78 billion yen (approximately $638 million) to Japan's policyholder protection fund. Our estimated share of the assessment decreased 2002 net earnings by $26 million ($.05 per diluted share). This charge is included in acquisition and operating expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Foreign Currency Translation

     Aflac Japan's premiums and most of its investment income are received in yen. Claims and expenses are paid in yen, and we primarily purchase yen-denominated assets to support yen-denominated policy liabilities. These and other yen-denominated financial statement items are translated into dollars for financial reporting purposes. We translate Aflac Japan's income statement from yen into dollars using an average exchange rate for the reporting period, and we translate its balance sheet using an end-of-period exchange rate. However, it is important to distinguish between translating and converting foreign currency. Except for a limited number of transactions, we do not actually convert yen into dollars.

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     Due to the relative size of Aflac Japan, fluctuations in the yen/dollar exchange rate can have a significant effect on our reported results. In periods when the yen weakens, translating yen into dollars causes fewer dollars to be reported. When the yen strengthens, translating yen into dollars causes more dollars to be reported. Consequently, yen weakening has the effect of suppressing current year results in relation to the prior year, while yen strengthening has the effect of magnifying current year results in relation to the prior year. As a result, we view foreign currency translation as a financial reporting issue for Aflac and not an economic event to our company or shareholders. Because the effect of translating yen into dollars distorts the rate of growth of our operations, management evaluates Aflac's financial performance excluding the impact of foreign currency translation.

Income Taxes

     Our combined U.S. and Japanese effective income tax rates on net earnings were 28.1% in 2004, 35.1% in 2003 and 34.8% in 2002. Total income taxes were $508 million in 2004, compared with $430 million in 2003 and $438 million in 2002. Our 2004 effective income tax rate and tax expense were impacted by the release of the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets discussed previously. Japanese income taxes on Aflac Japan's results accounted for most of our income tax expense. See Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on income taxes.

Earnings Projections

     We communicate earnings guidance in this report based on the growth in net earnings per diluted share. However, certain items that cannot be predicted or that are outside of management's control may have a significant impact on actual results. Therefore, our projections of net earnings include certain assumptions to reflect the limitations that are inherent in projections of net earnings.

     In the context of a forward-looking discussion, the impact of foreign currency translation on our results of operations is inherently unpredictable. Therefore, our projections of net earnings assume no impact from foreign currency translation for a given year in relation to the prior year.

     Furthermore, as discussed previously, we do not purchase securities with the intent of generating capital gains or losses. Therefore, we do not attempt to predict realized investment gains and losses, which include impairment charges, as their ultimate realization will be the result of market conditions that may or may not be predictable. As a result, our projections of net earnings assume no realized investment gains or losses in future periods.

     Net earnings are also affected by the impact from SFAS 133, which is based on relative dollar and yen interest rates. Similar to foreign currency exchange rates, yen and dollar interest rates are also inherently unpredictable. Consequently, our projections of net earnings assume no impact from SFAS 133.

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     Finally, because nonrecurring items represent the financial impact of items that have not occurred within the past two years and are not expected to occur within the next two years, we do not attempt to predict their occurrence in future periods.

     Subject to the assumptions set forth above, our objective for 2004 was to achieve net earnings per diluted share of at least $2.21, an increase of 17%. Based on 2004 net earnings per diluted share of $2.52, adjusted for realized investment losses (a loss of $.01 per diluted share), the impact from SFAS 133 (a loss of $.03 per diluted share), the release of the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets (a gain of $.25 per diluted share), the gain related to the Japanese pension obligation transfer (a gain of $.01 per diluted share) and foreign currency translation (a gain of $.08 per diluted share), we exceeded our objective for the year.

     Subject to the assumptions set forth above and reflecting adoption of SFAS 123R, our objective for 2005 is to achieve net earnings per diluted share of at least $2.56, an increase of 14.8% over 2004. If we achieve this objective, the following table shows the likely results for 2005 net earnings per diluted share, including the impact of foreign currency translation using various yen/dollar exchange rate scenarios.

2005 Net Earnings Per Share (EPS) Scenarios*

Weighted-Average

     

Yen/Dollar

Net Earnings Per

% Growth

Yen Impact

Exchange Rate

Diluted Share

Over 2004

on EPS

95.00

 

$

2.75

 

23.3

%

$

.19

 

100.00

   

2.67

 

19.7

   

.11

 

105.00

   

2.60

 

16.6

   

.04

 

108.26

**

 

2.56

 

14.8

   

-

 

110.00

   

2.54

 

13.9

   

(.02

)

115.00

   

2.48

 

11.2

   

(.08

)

  *Assumes: No realized investment gains/losses, no impact from SFAS 133 and no nonrecurring items in

 

2005 and 2004; and no impact from currency translation in 2005

**Actual 2004 weighted-average exchange rate

     Our objective for 2006 is to increase net earnings per diluted share by 15%, on the basis described above.

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INSURANCE OPERATIONS

     Aflac's insurance business consists of two segments: Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. GAAP financial reporting requires that an enterprise report financial and descriptive information about operating segments in its annual financial statements. Furthermore, these requirements direct a public business enterprise to report a measure of segment profit or loss, certain revenue and expense items, and segment assets. We measure and evaluate our insurance segments' financial performance using operating earnings on a pretax basis. We define segment operating earnings as the profits we derive from our operations before realized investment gains and losses, the impact from SFAS 133, and nonrecurring items. We believe that an analysis of segment pretax operating earnings is vitally important to an understanding of the underlying profitability drivers and trends of our insurance business. Furthermore, because a significant portion of our business is conducted in Japan, we believe it is equally important to understand the impact of translating Japanese yen into U.S. dollars.

     We evaluate our sales efforts using new annualized premium sales, an industry operating measure. Total new annualized premium sales, which include new sales and the incremental increase in premiums due to conversions, represent the premiums that we would collect over a 12-month period, assuming the policies remain in force. Premium income, or earned premiums, is a financial performance measure that reflects collected or due premiums that have been earned ratably on policies in force during the reporting period.

Aflac Japan

     Aflac Japan, which operates as a branch of Aflac, is the principal contributor to consolidated earnings. Based on financial results determined in accordance with FSA requirements for the six months ended September 30, 2004, Aflac Japan ranked first in terms of individual insurance policies in force and 10th in terms of assets among all life insurance companies operating in Japan.

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Table of Contents

Aflac Japan Pretax Operating Earnings

     Changes in Aflac Japan's pretax operating earnings and profit margins are primarily affected by morbidity, mortality, expenses, persistency, and investment yields. The following table presents a summary of operating results for Aflac Japan.

Aflac Japan Summary of Operating Results

 

(In millions)

 

2004

   

2003

   

2002

 

Premium income

$

8,368

 

$

7,326

 

$

6,373

 

Net investment income

 

1,557

   

1,421

   

1,276

 

Other income

 

18

   

18

   

1

 

   

Total operating revenues

 

9,943

   

8,765

   

7,650

 

Benefits and claims

 

6,679

   

5,943

   

5,231

 

Operating expenses:

                 
 

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

 

274

   

255

   

209

 
 

Insurance commissions

 

881

   

812

   

753

 
 

Insurance and other expenses

 

705

   

615

   

519

 

   

Total operating expenses

 

1,860

   

1,682

   

1,481

 

   

Total benefits and expenses

 

8,539

   

7,625

   

6,712

 

   

Pretax operating earnings*

$

1,404

 

$

1,140

 

$

938

 

Weighted-average yen/dollar exchange rates

 

108.26

   

115.95

   

125.15

 

 

 

In Dollars

   

In Yen

 

Percentage changes over previous year:

2004

   

2003

   

2002

   

2004

   

2003

   

2002

 

 

Premium income

14.2

%

 

15.0

%

 

2.5

%

 

6.7

%

 

6.4

%

 

5.5

%

 

Net investment income

9.6

   

11.3

   

3.4

   

2.3

   

3.1

   

6.5

 

 

Total operating revenues

13.4

   

14.6

   

2.7

   

6.0

   

6.1

   

5.6

 

 

Pretax operating earnings*

23.1

   

21.6

   

13.9

   

14.9

   

12.6

   

17.4

 

Ratios to total revenues, in dollars:

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

Benefits and claims

67.2

%

67.8

%

68.4

%

 

Operating expenses:

           
 

  Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

2.8

 

2.9

 

2.7

 
 

  Insurance commissions

8.9

 

9.3

 

9.8

 
 

  Insurance and other expenses

7.0

 

7.0

 

6.8

 

 

Total operating expenses

18.7

 

19.2

 

19.3

 
 

Pretax operating earnings*

14.1

 

13.0

 

12.3

 

*See page II-15 for our definition of segment operating earnings.

         

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     The benefit ratio has declined over the past several years, reflecting the impact of newer products with lower loss ratios. We have also experienced favorable claim trends in our cancer line and better-than-expected claim experience in our Rider MAX line. The ratio of actual to expected cancer claims has declined about 5% since 2000. Actual to expected Rider MAX claims experience has ranged from 60% to 65%. We expect the benefit ratio to continue to decline in future years primarily reflecting the shift to newer products and riders. Following several years of decline, our persistency improved in 2004. The operating expense ratio has declined over the last two years. We expect the operating expense ratio to be relatively stable in the future. The expansion of the profit margin during the past three years was largely attributable to the declining benefit ratio, which is partially offset by the effect of low investment yields. Lower investment yields affect our profit margin by reducing the spread between investment yields and required interest on policy reserves (see table and discussion on page II-26).

     Aflac Japan maintains a portfolio of dollar-denominated and reverse-dual currency securities (yen-denominated debt securities with dollar coupon payments). Dollar-denominated investment income from these assets accounted for approximately 30% of Aflac Japan's investment income in 2004 and 29% of Aflac Japan's investment income in 2003 and 2002. In years when the yen strengthens in relation to the dollar, translating Aflac Japan's dollar-denominated investment income into yen lowers comparative rates of growth for net investment income, total operating revenues and pretax operating earnings in yen terms. In years when the yen weakens, translating dollar-denominated investment income into yen magnifies comparative rates of growth for net investment income, total operating revenues, and pretax operating earnings in yen terms. The following table illustrates the effect of translating Aflac Japan's dollar-denominated investment income and related items by comparing certain segment results with those that would have been reported had yen/dollar exchange rates remained unchanged from the previous year.

Aflac Japan Percentage Changes Over Prior Year

(Yen Operating Results)

     

Including Foreign

 

Excluding Foreign

 
     

Currency Changes

 

Currency Changes**

 

     

2004 

 

2003 

 

2002 

 

2004 

 

2003 

 

2002 

 

Net investment income

2.3

%

3.1

%

6.5

%

4.5

%

5.5

%

5.6

%

Total operating revenues

6.0

 

6.1

 

5.6

 

6.3

 

6.5

 

5.5

 

Pretax operating earnings*

14.9

 

12.6

 

17.4

 

17.5

 

15.8

 

16.1

 

*

See page II-15 for our definition of segment operating earnings.

**

Amounts excluding foreign currency changes on dollar-denominated items were determined using the same yen/dollar exchange rate for the current year as each respective prior year.

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Aflac Japan Sales

     Although Aflac Japan's total new annualized premium sales rose in 2004, they were below our expectations for the year. Sales growth was impacted by significant declines in Rider MAX sales, including conversion activity from the original Rider MAX term product to the newer whole-life version, a sharp drop in sales through Dai-ichi Life and lower-than-expected medical sales. The following table presents Aflac Japan's total new annualized premium sales for the years ended December 31.

 

 

In Dollars

   

In Yen

 

(In millions of dollars and billions of yen)

2004

   

2003

   

2002

   

2004

   

2003

   

2002

 

Total new annualized premium sales

$

1,133

   

$

1,047

   

$

867

   

122.5

   

121.2

   

108.3

 

Increase over prior year

8.2

%

 

20.8

%

 

14.8

%

 

1.1

%

 

11.9

%

 

17.9

%

     For 2005, our objective is to increase total new annualized premium sales in yen by 5% to 10%.

     The percentage increases in premium income reflect the growth of premiums in force. The increases in annualized premiums in force in yen of 6.8% in 2004, 7.9% in 2003, and 6.7% in 2002 reflect the high persistency of Aflac Japan's business and the sales of new policies. Annualized premiums in force at December 31 were 961.9 billion yen in 2004, 900.3 billion yen in 2003, and 834.4 billion yen in 2002. Annualized premiums in force, translated into dollars at respective year-end exchange rates, were $9.2 billion in 2004, $8.4 billion in 2003, and $7.0 billion in 2002.

     Aflac Japan's sales mix has been shifting during the last few years. Sales of EVER, a whole-life fixed-benefit medical product, now exceed sales of Rider MAX. We believe consumer response to EVER has been favorably impacted by health care legislation effective in April 2003 that increased out-of-pocket costs for most Japanese consumers. Stand-alone medical sales accounted for 31% of total sales in 2004, compared with 28% in 2003 and 18% in 2002. We continue to believe that the medical category will be an important part of our product portfolio. As such, we developed two new versions of EVER for introduction in early 2005.

     Rider MAX accounted for 20% of total sales in 2004, 27% in 2003, and 31% in 2002. Conversion activity accounted for approximately 25% of total Rider MAX sales in 2004, compared with 24% in 2003 and 35% in 2002. For policy conversions, new annualized premium sales include only the incremental annualized premium amount over the original term policy. We expect that the effect of conversions on total new annualized sales will continue to decline in future periods.

     Cancer life sales accounted for 23% of total sales in 2004, 27% in 2003, and 33% in 2002. Ordinary life production accounted for 19% of total sales in 2004, and 13% of total sales in both 2003 and 2002.

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     We established a marketing alliance with Dai-ichi Life in 2001. In 2004, Dai-ichi Life sold 244,400 of our cancer life policies, compared with 305,600 in 2003 and 359,500 in 2002. Dai-ichi Life sales of our cancer life policies accounted for 7% of total new annualized premium sales in 2004, compared with 10% in 2003 and 11% in 2002. We believe the decline in cancer life policy sales through Dai-ichi Life is attributable to its increased focus on the sale of its life and annuity products.

     We continued to focus on the growth of our distribution system in Japan. During 2004, the number of licensed sales associates rose 10% to approximately 71,400, compared with 64,900 at December 31, 2003. The growth of licensed sales associates resulted from agency recruitment. In 2004, we recruited nearly 4,200 agencies, which exceeded our goal of 4,000 agencies. We believe that new agencies and sales associates will continue to be attracted to Aflac Japan's high commissions, superior products, customer service and brand image. Furthermore, we believe that these new agencies and associates will enable us to further expand our reach in the Japanese market.

Aflac Japan Investments

     Growth of investment income in yen is affected by available cash flow from operations, investment yields achievable on new investments, and the effect of yen/dollar exchange rates on dollar-denominated investment income. Aflac Japan has invested in privately issued securities to secure higher yields than Japanese government or other corporate bonds would have provided, while still adhering to prudent standards for credit quality. All of our privately issued securities are rated investment grade at the time of purchase. These securities are generally issued with standard, medium-term note documentation and have appropriate covenants.

     We purchased yen-denominated securities at an average yield of 2.94% in 2004, compared with 3.20% in 2003 and 3.65% in 2002. Including dollar-denominated investments, our blended new money yield was 3.13% in 2004, compared with 3.61% in 2003 and 3.93% in 2002. At December 31, 2004, the yield on Aflac Japan's investment portfolio (including dollar-denominated investments) was 4.35%, compared with 4.54% in 2003 and 4.73% in 2002. Our return on average invested assets, net of investment expenses, was 4.23% in 2004, compared with 4.45% in 2003 and 4.67% in 2002. See Investments and Cash on page II-27 for additional information.

Japanese Economy

     After a period of prolonged weakness in its economy, Japan has shown signs of economic improvement. However, Japan also faces the challenges of an aging population. And while recent events continue to indicate that Japan's economy has begun to recover, the time required for a full economic recovery remains uncertain.

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     Japan's system of compulsory public health care insurance provides medical coverage to every Japanese citizen. These public medical expenditures are covered by a combination of premiums paid by insureds and their employers, taxes, and copayments from the people who receive medical service. However, given Japan's aging population, the resources available to these publicly funded social insurance programs have come under increasing pressure and as a result, copayments have been rising and affecting more people. In 2003, copayments were raised from 20% to 30% and additional reforms are being considered for 2008. We believe the trend of higher copayments will lead more consumers to purchase private supplemental insurance plans. Many insurance companies have recognized the opportunities for selling supplemental insurance in Japan and have launched new products in recent years. However, we believe our favorable cost structure compared with other insurers makes us a very effective competitor. In addition, we believe our brand, customer service, and financial strength also benefit our market position.

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Aflac U.S.

Aflac U.S. Pretax Operating Earnings

     Changes in Aflac U.S. pretax operating earnings and profit margins are primarily affected by morbidity, mortality, expenses, persistency and investment yields. The following table presents a summary of operating results for Aflac U.S.

Aflac U.S. Summary of Operating Results

(In millions)

 

2004  

   

2003  

   

2002 

 

Premium income

$

2,935

 

$

2,594

 

$

2,221

 

Net investment income

 

396

   

362

   

331

 

Other income

 

9

   

9

   

9

 

Total operating revenues

 

3,340

   

2,965

   

2,561

 

Benefits and claims

 

1,803

   

1,585

   

1,359

 

Operating expenses:

                 
 

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

 

245

   

209

   

176

 
 

Insurance commissions

 

371

   

334

   

283

 
 

Insurance and other expenses

 

419

   

386

   

341

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

1,035

   

929

   

800

 

Total benefits and expenses

 

2,838

   

2,514

   

2,159

 

Pretax operating earnings*

$

502

 

$

451

 

$

402