10-K 1 afl10k05.htm AFL 2005 FORM 10-K AFL 2005 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, 2005

OR

[   ]

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

 

For the transition period from _____________ to _______________

Commission File Number:  001-07434

 

Aflac Incorporated

 

 

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

GEORGIA

 

58-1167100

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

     

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 if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    þ  Yes   ¨  No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.   ¨  Yes   þ  No

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.                þ  Yes   ¨  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 a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer þ                                  Accelerated filer ¨                                  Non-accelerated filer ¨  

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).   ¨  Yes   þ  No

 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2005, was $21,269,772,147.
The number of shares of the registrant's Common Stock outstanding at February 22, 2006, with $.10 par value, was 498,172,657.

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 1, 2006, is incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.


 

 

Aflac Incorporated

 
 

Annual Report on Form 10-K

 
 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2005

 
     

Table of Contents

 

 

Page

PART I

   
     

Item 1.

Business.

I-1

     

Item 1A.

Risk Factors.

I-17

     

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments.

I-23

     

Item 2.

Properties.

I-23

     

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings.

I-23

     

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

I-23

     

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-40

     

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

II-41

     

Item 9.

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

II-89

     

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures.

II-89

     

Item 9B.

Other Information.

II-91

     

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, Financial Statement Schedules.

IV-1

 

i


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PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS.

     We prepare our financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (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.

     Aflac Incorporated qualifies as a large 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 (SEC).

General Description

     Aflac Incorporated (the Parent Company) was incorporated in 1973 under the laws of the state of Georgia. Aflac Incorporated 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 its subsidiary, 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, 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/disability, fixed-benefit dental, personal sickness and hospital indemnity, vision care, 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 74% of the Company's total revenues in 2005, 75% in 2004 and 74% in 2003. The percentage of total assets attributable to Aflac Japan was 82% at December 31, 2005, compared with 80% a year ago.

Results of Operations

     For information on our results of operations and financial information by segment, see MD&A.

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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 yen-denominated income statement into dollars using an average exchange rate for the reporting period, and we translate its yen-denominated balance sheet using the exchange rate at the end of the period. 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, where our functional currency is the Japanese yen, 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 changes in exchange rates distort the growth rates 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, 2005, was 118.07, compared with 104.21 as of December 31, 2004. Weighted-average yen/dollar exchange rates were 109.88 in 2005, 108.26 in 2004, and 115.95 in 2003. We report currency translation adjustments in accumulated other comprehensive income and the realized currency exchange gains and losses resulting from transactions in earnings. In 2005, the effect of currency translation decreased total assets by $5.7 billion, decreased total liabilities by $5.6 billion and decreased net earnings by $16 million.

     For further information regarding the effect of currency fluctuations on our business, see MD&A in Part II, Item 7A and Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this report.

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 $12.0 billion in 2005, $11.3 billion in 2004, and $9.9 billion in 2003. For additional information on the composition of earned premiums by segment, see Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 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)

 

2005  

   

2004  

   

2003  

 

Annualized premiums in force, beginning of year

$

12,604

 

$

11,446

 

$

9,634

 

New sales, including conversions

 

2,426

   

2,319

   

2,175

 

Change in unprocessed new sales

 

(67

)

 

(106

)

 

(95

)

Premiums lapsed and surrendered

 

(1,483

)

 

(1,398

)

 

(1,272

)

Other

 

58

   

86

   

127

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

(1,123

)

 

257

   

877

 

Annualized premiums in force, end of year

$

12,415

 

$

12,604

 

$

11,446

 

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)

 

2005

   

2004

   

2003

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

Annualized premiums in force,

                             

   beginning of year

$

9,230

 

$

8,403

 

$

6,960

 

962

 

900

 

834

 

New sales, including conversions

 

1,167

   

1,133

   

1,047

 

129

 

123

 

121

 

Change in unprocessed new sales

 

(67

)

 

(106

)

 

(95

)

(8

)

(11

)

(10

)

Premiums lapsed and surrendered

 

(470

)

 

(469

)

 

(453

)

(52

)

(51

)

(53

)

Other

 

(32

)

 

12

   

67

 

(3

)

1

 

8

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

(1,123

)

 

257

   

877

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

Annualized premiums in force,

                             

   end of year

$

8,705

 

$

9,230

 

$

8,403

 

1,028

 

962

 

900

 

     Following several years of slight declines, our persistency improved in both 2005 and 2004. Total new annualized premium sales in yen were: 128.8 billion yen in 2005, up 5.1%; 122.5 billion yen in 2004, up 1.1%; and 121.2 billion yen in 2003, up 11.9%. The increases in annualized premiums in force in yen of 6.8% both in 2005 and 2004, and 7.9% in 2003 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.

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Insurance - U.S.

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

(In millions)

 

2005

   

2004

   

2003

 

Annualized premiums in force, beginning of year

$

3,374

 

$

3,043

 

$

2,674

 

New sales, including conversions

 

1,259

   

1,186

   

1,128

 

Premiums lapsed

 

(1,012

)

 

(929

)

 

(819

)

Other

 

90

   

74

   

60

 

Annualized premiums in force, end of year

$

3,711

 

$

3,374

 

$

3,043

 

     Annualized premiums in force grew 10.0% in 2005, 10.9% in 2004 and 13.8% in 2003. Total new annualized premium sales increased 6.1% in 2005, 5.1% in 2004, and 5.4% in 2003.

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, consumers have become increasingly interested in insurance products that help them manage those 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. We introduced two new versions of EVER in 2005: 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.

     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. Our Rider MAX product provides accident and medical/sickness benefits as a rider to our cancer life policy. In 2005, we introduced a new cancer insurance product. This new product incorporates a wellness benefit, while also increasing the daily outpatient benefit to the same level as the hospitalization benefit.

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     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 developed a new product called WAYS, which we introduced in early 2006. WAYS is a life insurance policy that allows policyholders to convert a portion of their life insurance to medical, nursing care, or fixed annuity benefits at a predetermined age. We also offer traditional fixed-income annuities and care policies.

     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. The policies are portable and pay regardless of other insurance. 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 in 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 hospital indemnity products provide fixed daily benefits for hospitalization due to accident or sickness. In 2005, we introduced a new version of our hospital indemnity plan, including a plan that is compatible with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Indemnity benefits for inpatient and outpatient surgeries, as well as various other diagnostic expenses, are also available. Our sickness indemnity plan provides a fixed daily benefit for hospitalization due to sickness and fixed amounts for physician services for accident or sickness.

     We also offer a series of fixed-benefit dental policies, providing various levels of benefits for dental procedures, including checkups and cleanings. Plan features include a renewal guarantee, no deductible and no network restrictions.

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     Vision Now, which we began offering mid-2005, is different from most other vision insurance offerings. It provides benefits for serious eye health conditions that require surgery or other forms of treatment, as well as benefits for the loss of sight. Vision Now also includes coverage for corrective materials and exam benefits.

     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 91% of the companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Reflecting changed employment patterns, Aflac's sales growth through large affiliated corporate agencies has slowed for several years. However, we still consider the corporate channel to be an important part of our distribution system and the best means for reaching workers at large employers. Affiliated corporate agencies contributed 35% of total new annualized premium sales in 2005, compared with 36% in 2004 and 37% in 2003.

     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 97 offices throughout Japan. Individual agencies contributed 57% of total new annualized premium sales in both 2005 and 2004, and 53% in 2003.

     As of December 31, 2005, there were approximately 17,960 agencies in Japan with more than 81,700 licensed agents, compared with approximately 16,410 agencies and 71,400 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 277,700 of our cancer life policies in 2005, compared with 244,400 policies in 2004 and 305,600 policies in 2003. Contributions to total new annualized premium sales were 8% in 2005, 7% in 2004 and 10% in 2003. We believe the decline in cancer life policy sales through Dai-ichi Life during 2004 was attributable to Dai-ichi Life's increased focus on the sale of its own products during that year.

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Distribution - U.S.

     Our U.S. sales force comprises 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. Associates' activities are principally limited to sales. Administrative personnel in Georgia, New York, and 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.

     The average number of U.S. associates actively producing business on a monthly basis during 2005 was 17,300, compared with 17,500 in 2004 and 17,200 in 2003.

     During the past three years, we have taken several steps to enhance our distribution system. Expanding our sales management infrastructure and training and recruiting initiatives have been our primary focus. During 2005, training emerged as an area of intense focus.

     We continued to implement LEASE, which stands for Larger Earnings by Acquiring Smaller Employers, and we are merging it with our New Associate Training Cycle. This training cycle combines classroom instruction, e-learning from Aflac University, and field training. We are working with our state coordinator teams to ensure that training initiatives are consistent. Consistency builds competence and confidence, both of which are vital to the success and retention of our sales associates.

     In July, we introduced the Coordinator in Training (CIT) program nationwide. We designed this program to help sales associates develop the necessary leadership skills to succeed as a district sales coordinator, which is the first level of Aflac sales management. The goal of the CIT program is to build a pool of well-trained sales managers. Nearly 2,000 sales associates participated in the CIT program in 2005, and 64 of our 95 state operations had adopted the CIT program at year-end.

     In 2005, Aflac U.S. collected premiums were $3.2 billion, 7.8% of which was collected in Texas, 7.1% in Florida and 6.6% 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 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 annualized premiums in force, agencies, 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 that provide an excellent 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, 2005. 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 believe our product stands out as a tremendous value to consumers. 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.

     Approximately 2,000 life insurance companies are licensed 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 many of the other companies that sell supplemental insurance, it represents a secondary business. For us, it is our primary business, which 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 table presents the composition of investment securities as of December 31.

   

  Aflac Japan

 

  Aflac U.S.

 

(In millions)

 

2005  

   

2004  

   

2005  

   

2004  

 

Securities available for sale, at fair value:

                       

Fixed maturities

$

21,907

 

$

23,485

 

$

6,134

*

$

5,681

 

Perpetual debentures

 

3,888

   

3,580

   

482

   

439

 

Equity securities

 

61

   

47

   

23

   

30

 

 

Total available for sale

 

25,856

   

27,112

   

6,639

   

6,150

 

Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost:

                       

Fixed maturities

 

10,849

   

10,064

   

18

   

16

 

Perpetual debentures

 

4,172

   

4,759

   

-

   

-

 

 

Total held to maturity

 

15,021

   

14,823

   

18

   

16

 

    Total investment securities

$

40,877

$

41,935

$

6,657

$

6,166

*Excludes investment-grade fixed-maturity securities held by the Parent Company of $100 in 2005; the Parent Company had no investment securities as of December 31, 2004.

     Net investment income was $2.1 billion in 2005, $2.0 billion in 2004 and $1.8 billion in 2003. 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.

     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 statistical rating organization or the Securities Valuation Office (SVO) of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

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     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.

Investments - Japan

     The following table presents the composition of total investments and cash for Aflac Japan ($39.5 billion in 2005 and $40.1 billion in 2004) as of December 31.

Composition of Securities by Sector

2005  

 

2004  

   

Debt securities, at amortized cost:

         

Government and guaranteed

22.2

%

21.5

%

 

Municipalities

.1

 

.1

   

Public utilities

7.6

 

9.6

   

Banks/financial institutions

43.3

 

39.7

   
 

Sovereign and supranational

8.9

 

9.3

   
 

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

.4

 

.5

   
 

Other corporate

16.1

 

17.7

   

 

Total debt securities

98.6

 

98.4

   

Equity securities

.1

 

.1

   

Other long-term investments

.1

 

.1

   

Cash and cash equivalents

1.2

 

1.4

   

 

Total investments and cash

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

     Yen-denominated debt securities accounted for 93% of Aflac Japan's total debt securities at both December 31, 2005, and 2004.

     Funds available for investment include cash flows from operations, which includes investment income, and funds generated from bond swaps, maturities and redemptions. Aflac Japan purchased debt security investments totaling approximately 828.1 billion yen in 2005 (approximately $7.8 billion), 514.3 billion yen in 2004 (approximately $5.1 billion) and 505.7 billion yen in 2003 (approximately $4.4 billion). Equity security purchases were immaterial during the three-year period ended December 31, 2005. The following table presents the composition of debt security purchases for the years ended December 31.

Composition of Purchases by Sector

2005  

   

2004  

   

2003  

   

Debt security purchases, at cost:

                 

Government and guaranteed

43.9

%

 

30.0

%

 

18.8

%

 

Municipalities

-

   

-

   

.2

   

Public utilities

2.3

   

8.0

   

8.5

   

Banks/financial institutions

46.8

   

50.0

   

24.3

   
 

Sovereign and supranational

.2

   

6.7

   

16.3

   
 

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

.4

   

.6

   

.7

   
 

Other corporate

6.4

   

4.7

   

31.2

   

 

Total

100.0

%

 

100.0

%

 

100.0

%

 

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Table of Contents

     The distributions by credit rating of Aflac Japan's purchases of debt securities for the years ended December 31, based on acquisition cost, were as follows:

Composition of Purchases by Credit Rating

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

   

 

AAA

1.7

%

6.9

%

2.5

%

 
 

AA

50.1

 

47.7

 

20.6

   
 

A

43.6

 

30.8

 

31.6

   
 

BBB

4.6

 

14.6

 

45.3

   

 

Total

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

     The distributions of debt securities owned by Aflac Japan by credit rating were as follows:

Composition by Credit Rating

 

December 31, 2005

 

December 31, 2004

 

Amortized

 

   Fair

 

Amortized

 

  Fair

 

Cost    

 

   Value

 

Cost    

 

  Value

 

AAA

2.9

%

2.9

%

 

2.9

%

3.0

%

 

AA

37.0

 

38.6

   

36.0

 

38.0

 
 

A

37.0

 

36.6

   

33.6

 

33.3

 
 

BBB

21.0

 

20.3

   

25.8

 

24.3

 
 

BB or lower

2.1

 

1.6

   

1.7

 

1.4

 

 

Total

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

Investments - U.S.

     The following table presents the composition of total investments and cash for Aflac U.S. ($6.5 billion in 2005 and $8.5 billion in 2004) as of December 31.

Composition of Securities by Sector

2005

 

2004

   

Debt securities, at amortized cost:

         

Government

4.3

%

2.0

%

 

Municipalities

.4

 

.3

   

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

2.6

 

1.7

   

Public utilities

9.8

 

7.5

   

Sovereign and supranational

3.7

 

1.6

   

Banks/financial institutions

41.6

 

29.8

   
 

Other corporate

31.7

 

22.1

   

 

Total debt securities

94.1

 

65.0

   

Cash and cash equivalents

5.9

 

35.0

   

   

Total

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

     The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was due to the return of cash collateral ($2.6 billion) associated with the higher level of loaned securities at December 31, 2004.

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     Funds available for investment include cash flows from operations, which includes investment income, and funds generated from bond swaps, maturities and redemptions. Purchases of investments by Aflac U.S. were approximately $1.2 billion in 2005, $1.1 billion in 2004 and $1.8 billion in 2003. Equity security purchases were immaterial during the three-year period ended December 31, 2005. The following table presents the composition of debt security purchases for the years ended December 31.

Composition of Purchases by Sector

2005  

   

2004  

   

2003  

   

Debt security purchases, at cost:

         

Government and guaranteed

14.1

%

 

9.2

%

 

3.9

%

 

Municipalities

.1

   

.1

   

1.4

   
 

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities

9.9

   

9.9

   

10.3

   

Public utilities

3.9

   

8.0

   

9.3

   
 

Sovereign and supranational

2.4

   

.3

   

4.1

   

Banks/financial institutions

36.0

   

45.8

   

38.7

   
 

Other corporate

33.6

   

26.7

   

32.3

   

 

Total

100.0

%

 

100.0

%

 

100.0

%

 

     In 2003, 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 distributions by credit rating of Aflac's U.S. purchases of debt securities for the years ended December 31, based on acquisition cost, were as follows:

Composition of Purchases by Credit Rating

   

2005

 

2004

 

2003

   

 

AAA

33.8

%

19.1

%

25.4

%

 
 

AA

17.4

 

12.2

 

12.0

   
 

A

37.4

 

63.0

 

34.5

   
 

BBB

11.4

 

5.7

 

28.1

   

   

Total

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

     The distributions of debt securities owned by Aflac U.S. by credit rating were as follows:

Composition by Credit Rating

 

December 31, 2005

 

December 31, 2004

 

Amortized

 

  Fair

 

Amortized

 

  Fair

 
 

Cost

 

  Value

 

Cost

 

  Value

 

 

AAA

11.0

%

10.0

%

 

8.0

%

7.2

%

 

AA

12.4

 

12.5

   

8.9

 

9.0

 
 

A

50.6

 

51.7

   

54.8

 

54.9

 
 

BBB

22.2

 

22.5

   

26.2

 

26.8

 
 

BB or lower

3.8

 

3.3

   

2.1

 

2.1

 

 

Total

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

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Regulation - Japan

     The FSA maintains a 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.

     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, policy acquisition costs are charged off immediately; deferred income tax liabilities are recognized on a different basis; policy benefit and claim reserving methods and assumptions are different; the carrying value of securities transferred to held to maturity is different; policyholder protection fund obligations are not accrued; and premium income is recognized on a cash 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 the net assets of the Japan branch on a GAAP basis to net assets determined on a Japanese regulatory accounting basis as of December 31 were as follows:

(In millions)

2005  

 

2004  

 

Net assets on GAAP basis

$

5,472

 

$

5,358

 

Elimination of deferred policy acquisition costs

 

(3,624

)

 

(3,812

)

Adjustment to income tax liabilities

 

1,501

   

1,462

 

Adjustment to policy liabilities

 

139

   

463

 

Adjustment of unrealized gains and other adjustments

           

to carrying value of debt securities

 

(518

)

 

(530

)

Elimination of policyholder protection fund liability

 

203

   

254

 

Reduction in premiums receivable

 

(96

)

 

(112

)

Other, net

 

(290

)

 

(206

)

Net assets on Japanese regulatory accounting basis

$

2,787

 

$

2,877

 

     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 section of MD&A and Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.

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     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 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.

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
    • periodic examinations of the market conduct, financial, and other affairs of insurance companies

     Additionally, 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.

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Table of Contents

     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 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

      NAME

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION (*)

AGE

         

Daniel P. Amos

Chairman, Aflac Incorporated and Aflac since May 2001;

54

 

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

 

30

   

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

   
         

Kriss Cloninger III

President, Aflac Incorporated, since May 2001; Executive

 

58

 

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

   
         

Kermitt L. Cox

Senior Vice President, Corporate Actuary, Aflac

 

62

       
         

Rebecca C. Davis

Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer,

 

55

   

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

   
         

Kenneth S. Janke Jr.

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, Aflac

 

47

 

Incorporated

   
         

Akitoshi Kan

President, Aflac Japan, since April 2005; Chairman,

 

58

 

Aflac International, Inc.; Chief Operating Officer, Aflac Japan, since January 2005; Executive Vice President, Director of U.S. Internal Operations, Aflac, from January 2000 until December 2004

   
         

Ronald E. Kirkland

Senior Vice President, Director of Sales, Aflac, since

 

61

   

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

   
         

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Table of Contents

Charles D. Lake II

Vice Chairman, Aflac Japan, since April 2005; President,

 

44

   

Aflac Japan, from January 2003 until March 2005; Deputy President, Aflac Japan, from July 2001 until December 2002; Senior Vice President, Aflac Japan, General Counsel, Legal and Compliance from January 2001 until June 2001; Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Aflac International, Inc., until June 2001

   
         

Joey M. Loudermilk

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and

 

52

 

Corporate Secretary, Aflac Incorporated and Aflac; Director, Legal and Governmental Relations, Aflac

   
         

Hidefumi Matsui

Chairman, Aflac Japan, since January 2003; President,

 

61

   

Aflac Japan, until December 2002

   
         

Ralph A. Rogers Jr.

Senior Vice President, Financial Services, Aflac

 

57

   

Incorporated and Aflac; Chief Accounting Officer, Aflac Incorporated and Aflac, since January 2002; Treasurer, Aflac, since March 2002

   
         

Joseph W. Smith Jr.

Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Officer,

 

52

 

Aflac

   
         

Atsushi Yagai

Executive Vice President, Director of Marketing and

 

42

   

Sales, 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

 

54

   

Officer, 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, 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.

Employees

     Aflac Japan had 3,101 employees as of December 31, 2005. Aflac U.S. had 3,869 employees as of December 31, 2005. We consider our employee relations to be excellent.

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Other Operations

     Our other operations include the Parent Company and a printing subsidiary. These operations had 293 employees as of December 31, 2005. 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.

 

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS.

Risk Factors

     We face a wide range of risks, and our continued success depends on our ability to identify, prioritize and appropriately manage our enterprise risk exposures. Readers should carefully consider each of the following risks and all of the other information set forth in this Form 10-K. These risks and other factors may affect forward-looking statements, including those in this document or made by the Company elsewhere, such as in earnings release webcasts, investor conference presentations or press releases. The risks and uncertainties described herein may not be the only ones facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also adversely affect our business. If any of the following risks and uncertainties develop into actual events, it could materially affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We operate in an industry that is subject to ongoing changes.

     We operate in a competitive environment and in an industry that is subject to ongoing changes from market pressures brought about by customer demands, legislative reform and marketing practices. These factors require us to anticipate market trends and make changes to differentiate our products and services from those of our competitors. We also face the potential of competition from existing or new companies that have not historically been in the supplemental health insurance industry. Failure to anticipate market trends and/or to differentiate our products and services can affect our ability to retain or grow profitable lines of business.

Our concentration of business in Japan poses risks to our operations.

     Our operations in Japan accounted for 74%, 75% and 74% of our total revenues for 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and 82% and 80% of our total assets at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. As a result, continued weakness in Japan's economy could adversely affect our business. A weak economy in Japan since the early 1990s resulted in a challenging marketing environment for Aflac Japan, with declining available investment yields for new investments and decreased consumer confidence. Although the Japanese economy has recently shown signs of improvement, the time required for it to fully recover remains uncertain.

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Japanese currency translation risk could adversely impact operating results.

     Due to the size of Aflac Japan, where our functional currency is the Japanese yen, fluctuations in the yen/dollar exchange rate can have a significant effect on our reported financial position and results of operations. 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.

     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. 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. 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.

General market conditions affect investments and investment income.

     We have substantial investment portfolios that support our policy liabilities. Low levels of interest rates on investments, such as those experienced in the United States and Japan during recent years, have negatively impacted the level of investment income earned by the Company. Slower investment income growth will occur if this lower interest rate environment should continue.

     Financial market conditions can also affect our realized and unrealized investment gains or losses. During periods of rising interest rates, the fair values of our investments will decline. Conversely, during periods of falling interest rates, the fair values of our investments will rise. Should significant amounts of unrealized gains/losses occur because of changes in market yields, we would not expect to realize significant gains or losses due to our ability and intent to hold the securities to maturity. See the Investments and Cash section of MD&A for more information.

Availability of longer-term yen-denominated investments could adversely affect our profits.

     We attempt to match the duration of our assets with the duration of our liabilities. At December 31, 2005, the average duration of Aflac Japan's policy liabilities was approximately 13 years, and the average duration of its yen-denominated debt securities was approximately 12 years due to the limited availability of acceptable yen-denominated long-duration securities. When our debt securities mature, there is a risk that the proceeds will be reinvested at a yield below that of the interest required for the accretion of policy liabilities. If this occurs, Aflac Japan's business would be adversely affected.

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Concentration of our investment portfolios in any particular sector of the economy may have an adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

     The concentration of our investment portfolios in any particular industry, group of related industries or geographic sector could have an adverse effect on our investment portfolios and, consequently, on our results of operations and financial position. Events or developments that have a negative impact on any particular industry, group of related industries or geographic sector may have a greater adverse effect on the investment portfolios to the extent that the portfolios are concentrated rather than diversified.

If future policy benefits, claims or expenses exceed those anticipated in establishing premiums and reserves, our financial results would be adversely affected.

     We establish and carry, as a liability, reserves based on estimates of how much will be required to pay for future benefits and claims. We calculate these reserves using various assumptions and estimates, including premiums we will receive over the assumed life of the policy, the timing of the events covered by the insurance policy, the amount of benefits or claims to be paid and the investment returns on the assets we purchase with a portion of our net cash flow from operations. These assumptions and estimates are inherently uncertain. Accordingly, we cannot determine with precision the ultimate amounts that we will pay for, or the timing of payment of, actual benefits and claims or whether the assets supporting the policy liabilities will grow to the level we assume prior to payment of benefits or claims. If our actual experience is different from our assumptions or estimates, our reserves may prove inadequate. As a result, we would incur a charge to earnings in the period in which we determine such a shortfall exists. This estimation process is a critical accounting policy for the Company. For additional information, see the Critical Accounting Policies section of MD&A.

Our operating subsidiaries provide cash flow to the Parent Company.

     Aflac Incorporated is a holding company and has no direct operations or no significant assets other than the stock of its subsidiaries. Because we conduct our operations through our operating subsidiaries, we depend on those entities for dividends and other payments to generate the funds necessary to meet our financial obligations. In addition, there is no assurance that the earnings from, or other available assets of, our operating subsidiaries will be sufficient to make distributions to us to enable us to operate.

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Extensive regulation can impact profitability and growth.

     Aflac's insurance subsidiaries are subject to complex laws and regulations that are administered and enforced by a number of governmental authorities, including state insurance regulators, the SEC, the NAIC, the FSA, the U.S. Department of Justice, state attorneys general, and the Internal Revenue Service, each of which exercises a degree of interpretive latitude. Consequently, we are subject to the risk that compliance with any particular regulator's or enforcement authority's interpretation of a legal or regulatory issue may not result in compliance with another regulator's or enforcement authority's interpretation of the same issue, particularly when compliance is judged in hindsight. There is also a risk that any particular regulator's or enforcement authority's interpretation of a legal or regulatory issue may change over time to our detriment. In addition, changes in the overall legal or regulatory environment may, even absent any particular regulator's or enforcement authority's interpretation of an issue changing, cause us to change our views regarding the actions we need to take from a legal or regulatory risk management perspective, thus necessitating changes to our practices that may, in some cases, limit our ability to grow or otherwise negatively impact the profitability of our business.

     The primary purpose of insurance company regulation supervision is the protection of insurance policyholders, rather than investors. The extent of regulation varies, but generally is governed by state statutes in the United States and by the Financial Services Agency and the Ministry of Finance in Japan. These systems of supervision and regulation cover, among other things:

  • standards of establishing and setting premium rates and the approval thereof
  • standards of minimum capital requirements and solvency margins, including risk-based capital measures
  • restrictions on, limitations on and required approval of certain transactions between our insurance subsidiaries and their affiliates, including management fee arrangements
  • restrictions on the nature, quality and concentration of investments
  • restrictions on the types of terms and conditions that we can include in the insurance policies offered by our primary insurance operations
  • limitations on the amount of dividends that insurance subsidiaries can pay or foreign profits that can be repatriated
  • the existence and licensing status of the Company under circumstances where it is not writing new or renewal business
  • certain required methods of accounting
  • reserves for unearned premiums, losses and other purposes
  • assignment of residual market business and potential assessments for the provision of funds necessary for the settlement of covered claims under certain policies provided by impaired, insolvent or failed insurance companies
  • administrative practices requirements
  • imposition of fines and other sanctions

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Sales of our products and services are dependent on our ability to attract, retain and support a network of qualified sales associates.

     Our sales could be adversely affected if our sales networks deteriorate or if we do not adequately provide support, training and education for our existing network. Competition exists for sales associates with demonstrated ability. We compete with other insurers and financial institutions primarily on the basis of our products, compensation, support services and financial rating. Our inability to attract and retain qualified sales associates could have a material adverse effect on sales and our results of operations and financial condition. Our sales associates are independent contractors and may sell products of our competitors. If our competitors offer products that are more attractive than ours, or pay higher commissions than we do, these sales associates may concentrate their efforts on selling our competitors' products instead of ours.

Success of our business depends in part on effective information technology systems and on continuing to develop and implement improvements in technology; certain significant multi-year strategic information technology projects are currently in process.

     Our business depends in large part on our technology systems for interacting with employers, policyholders and sales associates, and our business strategy involves providing customers with easy-to-use products to meet their needs. Some of our information technology systems and software are older, legacy-type systems that are less efficient and require an ongoing commitment of significant resources to maintain or upgrade to current standards (including adequate business continuity procedures). We are currently developing new systems to keep pace with continuing changes in information processing technology, evolving industry and regulatory standards, and customer demands. Our success is dependent in large part on maintaining the effectiveness of existing systems and on implementing improvements and continuing to develop and enhance information systems that support our business processes in a cost-efficient manner.

Changes in accounting standards issued by the FASB or other standard-setting bodies may adversely affect our financial statements.

     Our financial statements are subject to the application of generally accepted accounting principles in both the United States and Japan, which are periodically revised and/or expanded. Accordingly, we are required to adopt new or revised accounting standards issued by recognized authoritative bodies, including the FASB. It is possible that future changes we are required to adopt could change the current accounting treatment that we apply to our consolidated financial statements and that such changes could have a material adverse effect on our results and financial condition.

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Any decrease in our financial strength ratings may have an adverse effect on our competitive position.

     Financial strength ratings are important factors in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies and generally have an effect on an insurance company's business. On an ongoing basis, rating agencies review the financial performance and condition of insurers and could downgrade or change the outlook on an insurer's ratings due to, for example, a change in an insurer's statutory capital; a change in a rating agency's determination of the amount of risk-adjusted capital required to maintain a particular rating; an increase in the perceived risk of an insurer's investment portfolio; a reduced confidence in management or other considerations that may or may not be under the insurer's control. Because all of our ratings are subject to continuous review, the retention of these ratings cannot be assured. A multiple level downgrade in any of these ratings could have a material adverse effect on our sales, our competitiveness, and the marketability of our product offerings impacting our liquidity, operating results and financial condition. See the Rating Agencies section of MD&A for additional information.

We face risks related to litigation.

     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. However, litigation could adversely affect us because of the costs of defending these cases, costs of settlement or judgments against us or because of changes in our operations that could result from litigation.

Managing key executive succession is critical to our success.

     We would be adversely affected if we fail to adequately plan for succession of our senior management and other key executives. While we have succession plans and employment arrangements with certain key executives, these do not guarantee that the services of these executives will be available to us.

We also face other risks that could adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition, which include:

  • any requirement to restate financial results in the event of inappropriate application of accounting principles
  • failure of our processes to prevent and detect unethical conduct of employees
  • a significant failure of internal controls over financial reporting
  • failure of our prevention and control systems related to employee compliance with internal policies
  • failure of corporate governance policies and procedures

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Table of Contents

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

     Not applicable.

 

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES.

     Aflac owns land and buildings (approximately 870,000 square feet) that comprise two primary campuses located in Columbus, Georgia. These campuses include buildings that serve as our worldwide headquarters and house administrative support functions for our U.S. operations. Aflac also leases administrative office space in Georgia, New York, and Nebraska.

     In Tokyo, Japan, Aflac owns an administrative office building and a training facility. 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.

 

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, 2005.

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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

               

   

2005

 

High 

   

Low  

 

4th Quarter

$

49.65

 

$

44.38

 

3rd Quarter

 

46.33

   

42.72

 

2nd Quarter

 

44.15

   

35.50

 

1st Quarter

 

40.42

   

36.86

 

               
               

 

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

 

 

Holders

   

2005

 

2004

 

 

Number of common

       
 

   shares outstanding

498,893,553

 

503,607,777

 
 

Approximate number of registered

       
 

   common shareholders

80,808

 

78,167

 

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Table of Contents

Dividends

 

2005

 

2004

 

         
 

4th Quarter

$

.11

 

$

.095

 
 

3rd Quarter

.11

 

.095

 
 

2nd Quarter

.11

 

.095

 
 

1st Quarter

.11

 

.095

 

     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 10 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 2006 Notice and Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about March 17, 2006.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

     During the fourth quarter of 2005, 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

 

200,000

$

47.89

 

200,000

 

19,127,463

 

November 1 - November 30

 

2,218,300

 

48.32

 

2,218,300

 

16,909,163

 

December 1 - December 31

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

16,909,163

 

Total

 

2,418,300

$

48.28

 

2,418,300

 

16,909,163

 

The remaining 16,909,163 shares relate to a repurchase authorization approved by the board and announced in February 2004.

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ITEM 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

Aflac Incorporated and Subsidiaries

Years Ended December 31,

                                   

(In millions, except for share and

                             

per-share amounts)

 

2005  

   

2004  

   

2003  

   

2002  

   

2001  

 

Revenues:

                             
 

Premiums, principally

                             
 

  supplemental health

                             

  insurance

$

11,990

 

$

11,302

 

$

9,921

 

$

8,595

 

$

8,061

 

Net investment income

 

2,071

   

1,957

   

1,787

   

1,614

   

1,550

 
 

Realized investment gains

                             

  (losses)

 

262

   

(12

)

 

(301

)

 

(14

)

 

(31

)

Other income

 

40

   

34

   

40

   

62

   

18

 

 

Total revenues

 

14,363

   

13,281

   

11,447

   

10,257

   

9,598

 

Benefits and expenses:

                             

Benefits and claims

 

8,890

   

8,482

   

7,529

   

6,589

   

6,303

 

Expenses

 

3,247

   

3,026

   

2,720

   

2,445

   

2,248

 

 

Total benefits and expenses

 

12,137

   

11,508

   

10,249

   

9,034

   

8,551

 

   

Pretax earnings

 

2,226

   

1,773

   

1,198

   

1,223

   

1,047

 

Income taxes

 

743

   

507

   

430

   

438

   

393

 

 

Net earnings

$

1,483

(1)

$

1,266

(2)

$

768

 

$

785

(3)

$

654

 

Share and Per-Share Amounts

Net earnings (basic)

$

2.96

(1)

$

2.49

(2)

$

1.50

 

$

1.52

(3)

$

1.25

 

Net earnings (diluted)

 

2.92

(1)

 

2.45

(2)

 

1.47

   

1.49

(3)

 

1.22

 

Cash dividends

 

.44

   

.38

   

.30

   

.23

   

.193

 

Common shares used for

                             

  basic EPS (In thousands)

 

500,939

   

507,333

   

513,220

   

517,541

   

525,098

 

Common shares used for

                             

  diluted EPS (In thousands)

 

507,704

   

516,421

   

522,138

   

528,326

   

537,383

 

Supplemental Data

                             

Yen/dollar exchange rate at

                             

   year-end (yen)

 

118.07

   

104.21

   

107.13

   

119.90

   

131.95

 

Weighted-average yen/dollar

                             

   exchange rate (yen)

 

109.88

   

108.26

   

115.95

   

125.15

   

121.54

 

Prior-year amounts have been adjusted for adoption of SFAS 123R on January 1, 2005.

 

(1)

Includes a benefit of $34 ($.07 per basic and diluted share) for the release of a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets in 2005

 

(2)

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

 

(3)

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

 

(continued)

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Aflac Incorporated and Subsidiaries

 

December 31,

 
                               

(In millions)

 

2005  

   

2004  

   

2003  

   

2002  

   

2001  

 

Assets:

                             

Investments and cash

$

48,989

 

$

51,955

 

$

44,050

 

$

39,147

 

$

32,792

 

Other

 

7,372

   

7,371

   

6,914

   

5,911

   

5,068

 

 

Total assets

$

56,361

 

$

59,326

 

$

50,964

 

$

45,058

 

$

37,860

 

Liabilities and shareholders' equity:

                             

Policy liabilities

$

42,329

 

$

43,556

 

$

39,240

 

$

32,726

 

$

27,592

 

Notes payable

 

1,395

   

1,429

   

1,409

   

1,312

   

1,207

 

Income taxes

 

2,577

   

2,445

   

2,187

   

2,362

   

2,090

 

Other liabilities

 

2,133

   

4,320

   

1,480

   

2,262

   

1,545

 

Shareholders' equity

 

7,927

   

7,576

   

6,648

   

6,396

   

5,426

 

 

Total liabilities and

                             
   

  shareholders' equity

$

56,361

 

$

59,326

 

$

50,964

 

$

45,058

 

$

37,860

 

Prior-year amounts have been adjusted for adoption of SFAS 123R on January 1, 2005.

 

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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 included in the forward-looking statements. 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 herein, and in any other statements made by Company officials in communications 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," "will," "assumes," "potential," "target," 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 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 and customer response to new products and new marketing initiatives
    • 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 yields
    • fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates
    • deviations in actual experience from pricing and reserving assumptions including, but not limited to, morbidity, mortality, persistency, expenses, and investment yields
    • 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 the Parent Company
    • ineffectiveness of hedging strategies used to minimize exposure of our shareholders' equity to foreign currency translation fluctuations
    • catastrophic events
    • 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, 2005. As a result, the following discussion should be read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements and notes. Prior-year results have been adjusted to reflect adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123 (revised), Share-Based Payment, on January 1, 2005. For additional information, see Notes 1 and 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

     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 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates based on currently available information when recording transactions resulting from business operations. The estimates that we deem to be most critical to an understanding of Aflac's results of operations and financial condition are those related to investments, deferred policy acquisition costs and policy liabilities. 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 95% of our assets and 83% 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

     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; 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
    • review of the issuer's overall operating performance
    • rating agency opinions and actions regarding the issuer's credit standing
    • 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 time of policy issuance. However, the unamortized balance of DAC reflects actual persistency. 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)

2005

 

2004

 

2003

   

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

Deferred policy acquisition costs

427,894

 

397,261

 

368,535

   

1,966

 

1,783

 

1,604

 

Annualized premiums in force

1,027,762

 

961,895

 

900,251

   

3,711

 

3,374

 

3,043

 

Deferred policy acquisition costs as

                         

   a percentage of annualized

                         

   premiums in force

41.6

%

41.3

%

40.9

%

 

53.0

%

52.8

%

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 89% and 6% of total policy liabilities as of December 31, 2005, respectively.

     Future policy benefits provide for claims that will occur in the future and are 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.

     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.

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     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 $19 million.

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

Policy Liabilities

(In millions)

2005  

     

2004  

 

U.S. segment:

             
 

Future policy benefits

$

3,780

   

$

3,354

 
 

Unpaid policy claims

 

848

     

708

 
 

Other policy liabilities

 

143

     

136

 

   

Total U.S. policy liabilities

$

4,771

   

$

4,198

 

Japan segment:

             
 

Future policy benefits

$

34,071

   

$

36,005

 
 

Unpaid policy claims

 

1,657

     

1,646

 
 

Other policy liabilities

 

1,828

     

1,705

 

   

Total Japan policy liabilities

$

37,556

   

$

39,356

 

Consolidated:

             
 

Future policy benefits

$

37,853

   

$

39,360

 
 

Unpaid policy claims

 

2,504

     

2,355

 
 

Other policy liabilities

 

1,972

     

1,841

 

   

Total consolidated policy liabilities

$

42,329

   

$

43,556

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

     During the last three years, various accounting standard-setting bodies have 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.

     In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 123 (revised), 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 share-based awards and recognize the related compensation expense in net earnings. We adopted SFAS 123R January 1, 2005, using the modified-retrospective application method. As a result, prior-year results have been adjusted to reflect the expensing of share-based awards. See Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

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     In November 2005, the FASB issued Staff Position Number FAS 115-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments (FSP 115-1). FSP 115-1 addresses the determination as to when an investment is considered impaired, whether that impairment is other than temporary, and the measurement of an impairment loss. It also includes accounting considerations subsequent to the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment and requires certain disclosures about unrealized losses that have not been recognized as other-than-temporary impairments. The guidance in FSP 115-1 amends FASB Statement No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, and was effective January 1, 2006. We do not expect the adoption of this staff position to have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

     In September 2005, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the AICPA issued Statement of Position (SOP) 05-1, Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection with Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts (SOP 05-1). SOP 05-1 provides accounting guidance on internal replacements of insurance and investment contracts other than those specifically described in SFAS No. 97, Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Long-Duration Contracts and for Realized Gains and Losses from the Sale of Investments. SOP 05-1 is effective for internal replacements occurring in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, with earlier adoption encouraged. Retrospective application of this SOP to previously issued financial statements is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this SOP on our accounting for internal replacements.

     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

 

 

2005

   

2004

   

2003

   

2005

   

2004

   

2003

 

Net earnings

$

1,483

 

$

1,266

 

$

768

 

$

2.92

 

$

2.45

 

$

1.47

 

Items impacting net earnings, net of tax:

                                   
 

Realized investment gains (losses)

 

167

   

(5

)

 

(191

)

 

.33

   

(.01

)

 

(.37

)

 

Impact from SFAS 133

 

(10

)

 

(13

)

 

(3

)

 

(.02

)

 

(.03

)

 

-

 
 

Release of valuation allowance

                                   
 

  on deferred tax assets

 

34

   

128

   

-

   

.07

   

.25

   

-

 
 

Japanese pension obligation transfer

 

-

   

3

   

-

   

-

   

.01

   

-

 

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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.

     In 2005, we realized pretax gains of $262 million (after-tax, $167 million, or $.33 per diluted share). The significant realized investment gains in 2005 primarily resulted from the execution of bond swaps in the third and fourth quarters that took advantage of tax loss carryforwards. These bond swaps also improved overall portfolio credit quality and investment income.

     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 and recorded a pretax loss of $23 million. This investment loss and other investment gains and losses in the normal course of business decreased 2004 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 at a pretax loss of $257 million. We also sold our investment in Levi Strauss at a pretax loss of $38 million. These investment losses and other investment transactions in the normal course of business decreased 2003 pretax earnings by $301 million (after-tax, $191 million, or $.37 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 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 (SFAS 133), 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 and intent 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 Samurai notes. We have designated 110 billion yen of these notes as a hedge of our investment in Aflac Japan. If the value of these yen-denominated notes and the cross-currency swaps 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, 2005; 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

     We received regulatory approval for a change in the allocation of expenses under the management fee agreement between Aflac and the Parent Company in 2005. This enabled the Parent Company to fully utilize its tax-basis, non-life operating losses and therefore release the valuation allowance on the associated deferred tax assets, resulting in a benefit of $34 million ($.07 per diluted share) in 2005.

     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) in 2004 for the release of the valuation allowance associated with certain deferred tax assets. The 2005 and 2004 tax benefits are included as reductions 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) in 2004. For additional information on the transfer, see Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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 yen-denominated income statement into dollars using an average exchange rate for the reporting period, and we translate its yen-denominated balance sheet using the exchange rate at the end of the period. 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 size of Aflac Japan, where our functional currency is the Japanese yen, 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 changes in exchange rates distort the growth rates 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 rate on pretax earnings was 33.4% in 2005, 28.6% in 2004 and 35.8% in 2003. Total income taxes were $743 million in 2005, compared with $507 million in 2004 and $430 million in 2003. The lower than normal income tax rate primarily resulted from the release of the valuation allowance for non-life losses in 2005. 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 consolidated income tax expense. See Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Earnings Guidance

     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 comparison of net earnings includes certain assumptions to reflect the limitations that are inherent in projections of net earnings. In comparing year-over-year results, we exclude the effect of realized investment gains and losses, the impact from SFAS 133 and nonrecurring items. We also assume no impact from foreign currency translation on the Aflac Japan segment and the Parent Company's yen-denominated interest expense for a given year in relation to the prior year.

     Subject to the preceding assumptions, our objective for 2005 was to achieve net earnings per diluted share of at least $2.56, an increase of 14.8%. Based on 2005 net earnings per diluted share of $2.92, adjusted for realized investment gains ($.33 per diluted share), the impact from SFAS 133 (a loss of $.02 per diluted share), the release of the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets (a gain of $.07 per diluted share) and foreign currency translation (a loss of $.02 per diluted share), we met our objective for the year.

     Our objective for 2006 is to achieve net earnings per diluted share of at least $2.92, an increase of 15.0% over 2005 using the preceding assumptions. If we achieve this objective, the following table shows the likely results for 2006 net earnings per diluted share, including the impact of foreign currency translation using various yen/dollar exchange rate scenarios.

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2006 Net Earnings Per Share (EPS) Scenarios*

Weighted-Average

     

Yen/Dollar

Net Earnings Per

% Growth

Yen Impact

Exchange Rate

Diluted Share

Over 2005

on EPS

100.00

 

$

3.06

 

20.5

%

 

.14

 

105.00

   

2.99

 

17.7

   

.07

 

109.88

**

 

2.92

 

15.0

   

-

 

115.00

   

2.86

 

12.6

   

(.06

)

120.00

   

2.80

 

10.2

   

(.12

)

*

Excludes realized investment gains/losses, impact from SFAS 133 and nonrecurring items in 2006 and 2005; and assumes no impact from currency translation in 2006

**

Actual 2005 weighted-average exchange rate

     Our objective for 2007 had been to increase net earnings per diluted share by 13% to 16%, on the basis described above. However, based on the development of our business, we now expect net earnings per diluted share to increase by 15% to 16%, on the basis described above.

INSURANCE OPERATIONS

     Aflac's insurance business consists of two segments: Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. Aflac Japan, which operates as a branch of Aflac, is the principal contributor to consolidated earnings. GAAP financial reporting requires that a company report financial and descriptive information about operating segments in its annual financial statements. Furthermore, we are required 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.

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AFLAC JAPAN SEGMENT

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)

 

2005

   

2004

   

2003

 

Premium income

$

8,745

 

$

8,368

 

$

7,326

 

Net investment income

 

1,635

   

1,557

   

1,421

 

Other income

 

31

   

18

   

18

 

   

Total operating revenues

 

10,411

   

9,943

   

8,765

 

Benefits and claims

 

6,898

   

6,679

   

5,943

 

Operating expenses:

                 
 

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

 

284

   

274

   

255

 
 

Insurance commissions

 

892

   

881

   

812

 
 

Insurance and other expenses

 

822

   

730

   

633

 

   

Total operating expenses

 

1,998

   

1,885

   

1,700

 

   

Total benefits and expenses

 

8,896

   

8,564

   

7,643

 

   

Pretax operating earnings*

$

1,515

 

$

1,379

 

$

1,122

 

Weighted-average yen/dollar exchange rate

 

109.88

   

108.26

   

115.95

 

 

 

In Dollars

   

In Yen

 

Percentage changes over previous year:

2005

   

2004

   

2003

   

2005

   

2004

   

2003

 

 

Premium income

4.5

%

 

14.2

%

 

15.0

%

 

6.3

%

 

6.7

%

 

6.4

%

 

Net investment income

5.0

   

9.6

   

11.3

   

7.0

   

2.3

   

3.1

 

 

Total operating revenues

4.7

   

13.4

   

14.6

   

6.6

   

6.0

   

6.1

 

 

Pretax operating earnings*

9.9

   

22.9

   

23.0

   

11.5

   

14.7

   

10.9

 

Ratios to total revenues, in dollars:

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

Benefits and claims

66.2

%

67.2

%

67.8

%

 

Operating expenses:

           
 

  Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

2.7

 

2.8

 

2.9

 
 

  Insurance commissions

8.6

 

8.9

 

9.3

 
 

  Insurance and other expenses

8.0

 

7.2

 

7.2

 

 

Total operating expenses

19.3

 

18.9

 

19.4

 
 

Pretax operating earnings*

14.5

 

13.9

 

12.8

 

*See Page II-14 for our definition of segment operating earnings.

         

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     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 2005, 6.8% in 2004, and 7.9% in 2003, reflect the high persistency of Aflac Japan's business and the sales of new policies. Annualized premiums in force at December 31, 2005, were 1.03 trillion yen, compared with 961.9 billion yen in 2004, and 900.3 billion yen in 2003. Annualized premiums in force, translated into dollars at respective year-end exchange rates, were $8.7 billion in 2005, $9.2 billion in 2004, and $8.4 billion in 2003.

     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 major product lines. We expect the benefit ratio to continue to decline in future years primarily reflecting the shift to newer products and riders. However, this decline is partially offset by the effects of low investment yields, which 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). The operating expense ratio increased in 2005 as a result of additional advertising expenditures and the write-off of previously capitalized systems development costs. We expect the operating expense ratio to be relatively stable in 2006 as we continue our investment in systems development. Due to improvement in the benefit ratio, the pretax operating profit margin expanded to 14.5% in 2005. We expect a modest expansion in the profit margin in 2006 and 2007.

     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 32% of Aflac Japan's investment income in 2005, compared with 30% in 2004 and 29% in 2003. In years when the yen strengthens in relation to the dollar, translating Aflac Japan's dollar-denominated investment income into yen lowers growth rates 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 growth rates 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 prior year.

Aflac Japan Percentage Changes Over Prior Year

(Yen Operating Results)

     

Including Foreign

 

Excluding Foreign

 
     

Currency Changes

 

Currency Changes**

 

     

2005 

 

2004 

 

2003 

 

2005 

 

2004 

 

2003 

 

Net investment income

7.0

%

2.3

%

3.1

%

6.3

%

4.5

%

5.5

%

Total operating revenues

6.6

 

6.0

 

6.1

 

6.4

 

6.3

 

6.5

 

Pretax operating earnings*

11.5

 

14.7

 

10.9

 

10.8

 

15.3

 

13.8

 

*

See Page II-14 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

     For 2005, sales increased 5.1% in yen, which was in line with our objective of 5% to 10% growth for the year. We saw strong sales results in our stand-alone medical product category and from cancer life sales through Dai-ichi Mutual Life. However, as expected, sales continued to be affected by sharp declines in Rider MAX 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)

2005

   

2004

   

2003

   

2005

   

2004

   

2003