Unum Group

Previous wording

For 2023, we reported net income of $1,283.8 million, or $6.50 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $1,407.2 million, or $6.96 per diluted common share, in 2022.

Current wording

For 2024, we reported net income of $1,779.1 million, or $9.46 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $1,283.8 million, or $6.50 per diluted common share, in 2023.

Previous wording

•A net investment loss of $15.7 million before tax and $12.2 million after tax, or $0.07 per diluted common share;

Current wording

•A net investment loss of $34.6 million before tax and $27.0 million after tax, or $0.14 per diluted common share;

Previous wording

•A net reserve decrease related to assumption updates of $243.3 million before tax and $192.1 million after tax, or $0.96 per diluted common share.

Current wording

•A net reserve decrease related to assumption updates of $357.4 million before tax and $282.6 million after tax, or $1.50 per diluted common share; and

Previous wording

Excluding these items, after-tax adjusted operating income for 2023 was $1,513.6 million, or $7.66 per diluted common share compared to $1,294.2 million, or $6.40 per diluted common share for 2022. See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" contained herein in this Item 7 for a reconciliation of these items.

Current wording

Excluding these items, after-tax adjusted operating income for 2024 was $1,588.2 million, or $8.44 per diluted common share compared to $1,513.6 million, or $7.66 per diluted common share for 2023. See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" contained herein in this Item 7 for a reconciliation of these items.

Previous wording

Our Unum US segment reported income before income tax and net investment gains and losses of $1,484.3 millionin 2023 compared to $1,143.4 million in 2022, which include the reserve assumption updates that occurred during the third quarters of 2023 and 2022. Excluding these items, our Unum US segment reported adjusted operating income of$1,355.5 million in 2023 compared to $972.6 million in 2022, due to favorable benefits experience primarily in our group product lines and an increase in premium income, partially offset by higher operating expenses and lower net investment income. The benefit ratio, excluding the reserve assumption updates, for our Unum US segment for 2023 was 59.8 percent, compared to 66.3 percent in 2022. Unum US sales increased 15.1 percent in 2023 compared to 2022.

Current wording

Our Unum US segment reported income before income tax and net investment gains and losses of $1,582.8 millionin 2024 compared to $1,484.3 million in 2023, which include the reserve assumption updates that occurred during the third quarters of 2024 and 2023. Excluding these items, our Unum US segment reported adjusted operating income of$1,439.2 million in 2024 compared to $1,355.5 million in 2023, primarilydue to higher premium income as well as favorable benefits experience, primarily in our group life product line, partially offset by higher commissions. The benefit ratio, excluding the reserve assumption updates, for our Unum US segment for 2024 was 58.2 percent, compared to 59.8 percent in 2023. Unum US sales increased 6.5 percent in 2024 compared to 2023.

Previous wording

Our Unum International segment reported income before income tax and net investment gains and losses of $140.2 million in 2023 compared to $141.6 million in 2022, which include the reserve assumption updates during the third quarters of 2023 and 2022. Excluding these items, our Unum International segment reported adjusted operating income, as measured in U.S. dollars, of $158.1 million in 2023 compared to $134.0 million in 2022. As measured in local currency, our Unum UK line of business reported adjusted operating income, which excludes the reserve assumption updates, of £124.6 million in 2023 compared to £109.0 million in 2022 due to favorable benefits experience in the group long-term disability product line and higher premium income, partially offset by lower net investment income and higher operating expenses. The benefit ratio for our Unum UK line of business, excluding the reserve assumption updates, was 69.0 percent in 2023 compared to 79.3 percent in 2022. Unum International sales, as measured in U.S. dollars, increased 27.8 percent in 2023 compared to 2022. Unum UK sales, as measured in local currency, increased 18.6 percent in 2023 compared to 2022.

Current wording

Our Unum International segment reported income before income tax and net investment gains and losses of $150.3 million in 2024 compared to $140.2 million in 2023, which include the reserve assumption updates during the third quarters of 2024 and 2023. Excluding these items, our Unum International segment reported adjusted operating income of $157.8 million in 2024 compared to $158.1 million in 2023. As measured in local currency, our Unum UK line of business reported adjusted operating income, which excludes the reserve assumption updates, of £117.8 million in 2024 compared to £124.6 million in 2023, primarily due to lower net investment income as well as unfavorable benefits experience in the group life and group long-term disability product lines, partially offset by higher premium income. The benefit ratio for our Unum UK line of business, excluding the reserve assumption updates, was 69.8 percent in 2024 compared to 69.0 percent in 2023. Unum International sales, as measured in U.S. dollars, increased 9.4 percent in 2024 compared to 2023. Unum UK sales, as measured in local currency, increased 6.6 percent in 2024 compared to 2023.

Previous wording

Our Colonial Life segment reported income before income tax and net investment gains and losses of $480.8 million in 2023 compared to $468.1 million in 2022, which include the reserve assumption updates during the third quarters of 2023 and 2022. Excluding these items, our Colonial Life segment reported adjusted operating income of $400.1 million in 2023 compared to $412.9 million in 2022, primarily due to higher amortization of deferred acquisition costs and operating expenses, partially offset by higher premium income and favorable benefit experience. The benefit ratio, excluding the reserve assumption updates, for Colonial Life was 50.9 percent in 2023 compared to 51.8 percent in 2022. Colonial Life sales increased 6.2 percent in 2023 compared to 2022.

Current wording

Our Colonial Life segment reported income before income tax and net investment gains and losses of $512.7 million in 2024 compared to $480.8 million in 2023, which include the reserve assumption updates during the third quarters of 2024 and 2023. Excluding these items, our Colonial Life segment reported adjusted operating income of $466.7 million in 2024 compared to $400.1 million in 2023, primarily due to favorable benefits experience and higher premium income, partially offset by higher commissions and amortization of deferred acquisition costs. The benefit ratio, excluding the reserve assumption updates, for Colonial Life was 47.7 percent in 2024 compared to 50.9 percent in 2023. Colonial Life sales decreased 1.4 percent in 2024 compared to 2023.

Previous wording

Our Closed Block segment reported a loss before income tax and net investment gains and losses of $282.8 million in 2023 compared to income before income tax and net investment gains and losses of $176.9 million in 2022, which include the amortization of the cost of reinsurance and the impact of non-contemporaneous reinsurance related to the Closed Block individual disability reinsurance transaction, as well as the reserve assumption updates. Excluding these items, our Closed Block segment reported adjusted operating income of $164.9 million in 2023 compared to $251.9 million in 2022. The net premium ratio for long-term care increased to 93.5 percent at December 31, 2023 from 85.1 percent at December 31, 2022. The interest adjusted loss ratio for long-term care, excluding reserve assumption updates, was unfavorable during 2023 compared to 2022.

Current wording

Our Closed Block segment reported income before income tax and net investment gains and losses of $246.6 million in 2024 compared to a loss before income tax and net investment gains and losses of $282.8 million in 2023, which include the amortization of the cost of reinsurance and the impact of non-contemporaneous reinsurance related to the Closed Block individual disability reinsurance transaction, as well as the reserve assumption updates. Excluding these items, our Closed Block segment reported adjusted operating income of $137.8 million in 2024 compared to $164.9 million in 2023, primarily due to unfavorable benefits experience in our long-term care and all other product lines, partially offset by favorable net investment income. The net premium ratio for long-term care increased to 94.6 percent at December 31, 2024 from 93.5 percent at December 31, 2023.

Previous wording

A rising interest rate environment could positively impact our yields on new investments, but could also create unrealized losses in our current holdings. Alternatively, a declining interest rate environment could negatively impact our yields on new investments, but could also reduce unrealized losses in our current holdings. As of December 31, 2023, we do not hold any securities with a decline in fair value below amortized cost which we intend to sell nor any securities for which it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell before recovery in amortized cost. The net unrealized loss on our fixed maturity securities was $1.6 billion and $3.0 billion at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, with the decrease due primarily to a decrease in corporate bond spreads and to a lesser extent the portfolio repositioning that we executed in the third quarter of 2023. The earned book yield on our investment portfolio decreased to 4.45 percent for 2023 compared to a yield of 4.57 percent for 2022.

Current wording

A rising interest rate environment could positively impact our yields on new investments, but could also increase unrealized losses in our current holdings. Alternatively, a declining interest rate environment could negatively impact our yields on new investments, but could also reduce unrealized losses in our current holdings. As of December 31, 2024, we do not hold any securities with a decline in fair value below amortized cost which we intend to sell nor any securities for which it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell before recovery in amortized cost. The net unrealized loss on our fixed maturity securities was $2.6 billion and $1.6 billion at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, with the increase due primarily to an increase in U.S. Treasury Rates. The earned book yield on our investment portfolio for 2024 was 4.44 percent, which was generally consistent with a yield of 4.45 percent for 2023.

Previous wording

Additionally, a rising interest rate environment could result in reserve decreases while a declining interest rate environment could result in reserve increases, specific to our liability for future policy benefits, as the reserve discount rate assumptions used in the calculation of our liability are updated at each reporting date using a yield that is reflective of an upper-medium grade fixed income instrument, which is generally equivalent to a single-A interest rate matched to the duration of certain of our insurance liabilities. The change in discount rate assumptions on the liability for future policy benefits, net of reinsurance, due primarily to the decrease in credit spreads during 2023, resulted in an increase to the liability for future policy benefits, net of reinsurance, of approximately $1.2 billion.

Current wording

Additionally, a rising interest rate environment could result in reserve decreases while a declining interest rate environment could result in reserve increases, specific to our liability for future policy benefits, as the reserve discount rate assumptions used in the calculation of our liability are updated at each reporting date using a yield that is reflective of an upper-medium grade fixed income instrument, which is generally equivalent to a single-A interest rate matched to the duration of certain of our insurance liabilities. The change in discount rate assumptions on the liability for future policy benefits, net of reinsurance, due primarily to the increase in U.S Treasury rates during 2024, resulted in a decrease to the liability for future policy benefits, net of reinsurance, of approximately $2.3 billion.

Previous wording

We believe our capital and financial positions are strong. At December 31, 2023, the RBC ratio for our traditional U.S. insurance subsidiaries, calculated on a weighted average basis using the NAIC Company Action Level formula, was approximately 415 percent, which is in line with our expectations. We repurchased 5.7 million shares of Unum Group common stock under our share repurchase program, at a cost of approximately $252 million, including commissions and excise tax, during 2023. In December 2023, we retired 115.0 million shares of our treasury stock with a total cost of $3,642.5 million. Our weighted average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution, equaled 197.6 million and 202.1 million for 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, Unum Group and our intermediate holding companies had available holding company liquidity of $1,650 million that was held primarily in bank deposits, commercial paper, money market funds, corporate bonds, municipal bonds, and asset backed securities.

Current wording

We believe our capital and financial positions are strong. At December 31, 2024, the RBC ratio for our traditional U.S. insurance subsidiaries, calculated on a weighted average basis using the NAIC Company Action Level formula, was approximately 430 percent, which is above our long-term expectations. We repurchased 15.7 million shares of Unum Group common stock under our share repurchase program, at a cost of $979.3 million, which includes commissions, excise tax, and $80.3 million related to shares which settled in February 2025 in connection with the November 2024 accelerated share repurchase agreement during 2024. Our weighted average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution, equaled 188.1 million and 197.6 million for 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, Unum Group and our intermediate holding companies had available holding company liquidity of $1,987.0 million that was held primarily in bank deposits, commercial paper, money market funds, corporate bonds, municipal bonds, and asset backed securities.

Previous wording

In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law in the U.S. and includes certain corporate tax provisions effective January 1, 2023. The IRA imposes a new 15 percent corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) on adjusted financial statement income (AFSI) on corporations that have average AFSI over $1.0 billion in any prior three-year period, starting with years 2020 to 2022. Our company is an applicable corporation. We have not recorded any CAMT as of December 31, 2023. We do not expect that any CAMT incurred would impact earnings since it would be offset with a credit toward regular income tax in subsequent years. The IRA also imposes a one percent excise tax on fair market value of corporate stock repurchases after December 31, 2022. This excise tax is recorded as part of the cost basis of treasury stock and is assessed on the fair market value of stock purchases, reduced by the fair value of any shares issued during the period. We have recorded $1.9 million of excise tax in stockholders' equity, as part of the cost basis of treasury stock in 2023.

Current wording

In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law in the U.S. and includes certain corporate tax provisions effective January 1, 2023. The IRA imposed a new 15 percent corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) on adjusted financial statement income (AFSI) on corporations that have average AFSI over $1.0 billion in any prior three-year period, starting with years 2020 to 2022. Our company is an applicable corporation. We have not recorded any CAMT as of December 31, 2024. We do not expect that any CAMT incurred would impact earnings since it would be offset with a credit toward regular income tax in subsequent years. The IRA also imposed a one percent excise tax on fair market value of corporate stock repurchases after December 31, 2022. This excise tax is recorded as part of the cost basis of treasury stock and is assessed on the fair market value of stock purchases, reduced by the fair value of any shares issued during the period. We have recorded $8.3 million of excise tax in stockholders' equity, as part of the cost basis of treasury stock in 2024.

Previous wording

In June 2021, the Finance Act 2021 was enacted, resulting in a U.K. tax rate increase from 19 percent to 25 percent, effective April 1, 2023, which resulted in $23.6 million of additional tax expense in operating earnings for the revaluation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities in 2021.

Current wording

In June 2021, the Finance Act 2021 was enacted, resulting in a U.K. tax rate increase from 19 percent to 25 percent, effective April 1, 2023.

Previous wording

A rising interest rate environment could continue to positively impact yields on new investments, but could also continue to create unrealized losses in our current holdings. A declining interest rate environment could negatively impact our yields on new investments but could also reduce unrealized losses in our current holdings. We also may continue to experience further volatility in miscellaneous investment income primarily related to changes in partnership net asset values as well as bond calls.

Current wording

A rising interest rate environment could positively impact our yields on new investments but could also increase unrealized losses in our current holdings. Alternatively, a declining interest rate environment could negatively impact our yields on new investments but could also reduce unrealized losses in our current holdings. We also may continue to experience further volatility in miscellaneous investment income primarily related to changes in partnership net asset values as well as bond calls.

Previous wording

We exited a substantial portion of our Closed Block individual disability product line through the two phases of the reinsurance transaction that were executed in December 2020 and March 2021. As a result, we exclude the amortization of the cost of reinsurance that we recognized upon the exit of the business related to the policies on claim status as well as the impact of non-contemporaneous reinsurance that resulted from the adoption of ASU 2018-12. Due to the execution of the second phase of the reinsurance transaction occurring after January 1, 2021, the transition date of ASU 2018-12, in accordance with the provisions of the ASU related to non-contemporaneous reinsurance, we were required to establish the ceded reserves using an upper-medium grade fixed-income instrument as of the reinsurance transaction date in March 2021 which resulted in higher ceded reserves compared to that which was reported historically. However, the direct reserves for the block reinsured in the second phase were calculated using the original discount rate utilized as of the transition date. Both the direct and ceded reserves are then remeasured at each reporting period using a current discount rate reflective of an upper-medium grade fixed-income instrument, with the changes recognized in OCI. While the total equity impact is neutral, the different original discount rates utilized for direct and ceded reserves result in disproportionate earnings impacts. The impact of non-contemporaneous reinsurance will fluctuate depending on the magnitude of reserve changes during the period. We believe that the exclusion of these items provides a better view of our results from our ongoing businesses.

Current wording

We exited a substantial portion of our Closed Block individual disability product line through the two phases of the reinsurance transaction that were executed in December 2020 and March 2021. As a result, we exclude the amortization of the cost of reinsurance that we recognized upon the exit of the business related to the policies on claim status as well as the impact of non-contemporaneous reinsurance that resulted from the adoption of ASU 2018-12. We believe that the exclusion of these items provides a better view of our results from our ongoing businesses.

Previous wording

See "Executive Summary" contained herein in Item 7 and Notes 3, 6, 9, 10, 14, 15, and 17 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" contained herein in Item 8 for further discussion regarding the items specified in the reconciliations below.

Current wording

See "Executive Summary" contained herein in Item 7 and Notes 3, 6, 14, and 15 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" contained herein in Item 8 for further discussion regarding the items specified in the reconciliations below.

Previous wording

We measure and analyze our segment performance on the basis of "adjusted operating revenue" and "adjusted operating income" or "adjusted operating loss," which differ from total revenue and income before income tax as presented in our consolidated statements of income due to the exclusion of investment gains and losses, the amortization of the cost of reinsurance, the impact of non-contemporaneous reinsurance, reserve assumption updates, as well as certain other items as specified in the reconciliations below. These performance measures are in accordance with GAAP guidance for segment reporting, but they should not be viewed as a substitute for total revenue, income before income tax, net income, or net loss.

Current wording

We measure and analyze our segment performance on the basis of "adjusted operating revenue" and "adjusted operating income" or "adjusted operating loss," which differ from total revenue and income before income tax as presented in our consolidated statements of income due to the exclusion of investment gains and losses, the amortization of the cost of reinsurance, the impact of non-contemporaneous reinsurance, and reserve assumption updates, as well as certain other items as specified in the reconciliations below. These performance measures are in accordance with GAAP guidance for segment reporting, but they should not be viewed as a substitute for total revenue, income before income tax, or net income.

Previous wording

Liabilities for future policy benefits represent the cost of claims that we estimate we will eventually pay to our policyholders and the related expenses for our non interest-sensitive products. Liability for future policy benefits includes policy liabilities for claims not yet incurred and for claims that have been incurred or are estimated to have been incurred but not yet reported to us. Liability for future policy benefits equaled $40.0 billion and $38.6 billion at December 31, 2023 and 2022, or approximately 74.6 percent and 73.6 percent of our total liabilities, respectively. Liability for future policy benefits ceded to reinsurers was $7.8 billion and $8.1 billion at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and are reported as a reinsurance recoverable in our consolidated balance sheets.

Current wording

Liabilities for future policy benefits represent the cost of claims that we estimate we will eventually pay to our policyholders and the related expenses for our non interest-sensitive products. Liability for future policy benefits includes policy liabilities for claims not yet incurred and for claims that have been incurred or are estimated to have been incurred but not yet reported to us. Liability for future policy benefits equaled $36.8 billion and $40.0 billion at December 31, 2024 and 2023, or approximately 72.2 percent and 74.6 percent of our total liabilities, respectively. Liability for future policy benefits ceded to reinsurers was $7.0 billion and $7.8 billion at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and are reported as a reinsurance recoverable in our consolidated balance sheets.

Previous wording

On a quarterly basis, cohort level cash flow measures are updated based on the emergence of actual experience. The updated cash flows, based on experience emergence and any assumption updates, are used to determine the updated net premiums, the portion of the gross premium required to provide for all benefits and expenses, excluding acquisition costs or any costs that are required to be charged to expense as incurred. The updated net premium ratio is used to calculate the updated liability for future policy benefits as of the beginning of year, at the original discount rate. To the extent the present value of future benefits and expenses exceeds the present value of future gross premiums, an immediate charge is recognized in net income, such that net premiums are set equal to gross premiums. Future policy benefit liabilities are floored at zero at the cohort level in situations where the liabilities for future policy benefits are less than zero. The change in the liability for future policy benefits, at the original discount rate, as of the beginning of the period, resulting from cash flow changes is reflected as the change in benefits - remeasurement gain or loss in the consolidated statements of income. The impact of all other changes in the liability for future policy benefits are reflected as policy benefits in the consolidated statements of income.

Current wording

On a quarterly basis, cohort level cash flow measures are updated based on the emergence of actual experience. The updated cash flows, based on experience emergence and any assumption updates, are used to determine the updated net premiums, the portion of the gross premium required to provide for all benefits and expenses, excluding acquisition costs or any costs that are required to be charged to expense as incurred. The updated net premium ratio is used to calculate the updated liability for future policy benefits as of the beginning of year, at the original discount rate. To the extent the present value of future benefits and expenses exceeds the present value of future gross premiums, an immediate charge is recognized in net income, such that net premiums are set equal to gross premiums. Future policy benefit liabilities are floored at zero at the cohort level in situations where the liabilities for future policy benefits are less than zero. The change in the liability for future policy benefits, at the original discount rate, as of the beginning of the period, resulting from cash flow changes, including changes in cash flow assumptions, is reflected as the change in benefits - remeasurement gain or loss in the consolidated statements of income. The impact of all other changes in the liability for future policy benefits are reflected as policy benefits in the consolidated statements of income.

Previous wording

Thediscount rate, which is used in calculating the liability for future policy benefits, is the interest rate that we use to discount future cash flows including premium and claim payments to determine the present value. A higher discount rate produces a lower reserve. If the discount rate is higher than our future investment returns, our invested assets will not earn enough investment income to support our future claim payments. The original discount rates are initially set at the transition date of ASU 2018-12, which was January 1, 2021, for policies originally issued on or before the transition date, or at the policy issuance date, for policies issued after the transition date. For policies issued after the transition date, the original discount rate assumptions reflect an upper-medium grade (low-credit risk) fixed-income instrument yield based on the currency in which the liabilities are assumed. For all cohorts, the liability is then remeasured at each reporting period using the current discount rate reflective of an upper-medium grade fixed-income instrument. We primarily utilize a forward curve which is derived from the underlying spot curve using interpolation to develop an ultimate forward rate.

Current wording

Thediscount rate, which is used in calculating the liability for future policy benefits, is the interest rate that we use to discount future cash flows including premium and claim payments to determine the present value. A higher discount rate produces a lower reserve. If the discount rate is higher than our future investment returns, our invested assets will not earn enough investment income to support our future claim payments. The original discount rates are initially set at the transition date of ASU 2018-12, which was January 1, 2021, for policies originally issued before the transition date, or at the policy issuance date, for policies issued on or after the transition date. For policies issued on or after the transition date, the original discount rate assumptions reflect an upper-medium grade (low-credit risk) fixed-income instrument yield based on the currency in which the liabilities are assumed and matched to the duration of the insurance liabilities. For all cohorts, the liability is then remeasured at each reporting period using the current discount rate reflective of an upper-medium grade fixed-income instrument. We primarily utilize a forward curve which is derived from the underlying spot curve using interpolation to develop an ultimate forward rate.

Previous wording

Theclaim resolution rate is the probability that a disability or long-term care claim will close due to recovery or death of the insured and it is used to estimate how long benefits will be paid for a claim. Estimated resolution rates that are set too high will result in liabilities that are lower than they need to be to pay the claim benefits over time. Claim resolution assumptions involve many factors, including the cause of disability, the policyholder's age, the type of contractual benefits provided, and the time since initial disability. We primarily use our own claim experience to develop our claim resolution assumptions. These assumptions are established for the probability of death and the probability of recovery from disability. Our studies incorporate actual claim resolution experience over a number of years and consider any observed trends over the study period. We also consider any expected future changes in claim resolution experience.

Current wording

Theclaim resolution rate is the probability that a disability or long-term care claim will close due to recovery or death of the insured and it is used to estimate how long benefits will be paid for a claim. Estimated resolution rates that are set too high will result in liabilities that are lower than they need to be to pay the claim benefits over time. Claim resolution assumptions involve many factors, including the cause of disability, the policyholder's age, the type of contractual benefits provided including benefit elections, and the time since initial disability. We primarily use our own claim experience to develop our claim resolution assumptions. These assumptions are established for the probability of death and the probability of recovery from disability. Our studies incorporate actual claim resolution experience over a number of years and consider any observed trends over the study period. We also consider any expected future changes in claim resolution experience.

Previous wording

The cash flow assumption updates in our Unum US group long-term disability product line reduced our liability for future policy benefits by $121.0 million, due primarily to sustained improvement in claim recovery trends since our last assumption update.

Current wording

The cash flow assumption updates in our Unum US group long-term disability product line reduced our liability for future policy benefits by $121.0 million, due primarily to sustained improvement in claim recovery trends.

Previous wording

The cash flow assumption updates in our Colonial Life segment reduced our liability for future policy benefits by $80.7 million, due primarily to improvement in certain of our claim cost assumptions and increased policyholder lapse rates since our last assumption update.

Current wording

The cash flow assumption updates in our Colonial Life segment reduced our liability for future policy benefits by $80.7 million, due primarily to improvement in certain of our claim cost assumptions and increased policyholder lapse rates.

Previous wording

The cash flow assumption updates in our Closed Block segment were primarily driven by the long-term care product line which increased our liability for future policy benefits by $368.1 million, due primarily to lower expectations for active policy lapse and mortality assumptions, partially offset by an increase to expected future premium rate increases.

Current wording

The cash flow assumption updates in our Closed Block segment were primarily driven by the long-term care product line which increased our liability for future policy benefits by $368.1 million, due primarily to lower expectations for active policy lapse and mortality assumptions, partially offset by an increase to expected premium rate increase approvals within our existing premium rate increase program.

Previous wording

The cash flow assumption updates in our Unum US group long-term disability product line and our waiver of premium benefits for our Unum US group life product line reduced our liability for future policy benefits by $121.0 million and $34.0 million, respectively, due primarily to sustained improvement in claim recovery trends since our last assumption update, partially offset by lower social security benefit offsets for our group long-term disability product line.

Current wording

The cash flow assumption updates in our Unum US group long-term disability product line and our waiver of premium benefits for our Unum US group life product line reduced our liability for future policy benefits by $121.0 million and $34.0 million, respectively, due primarily to sustained improvement in claim recovery trends, partially offset by lower social security benefit offsets for our group long-term disability product line.

Previous wording

The cash flow assumption updates in our Colonial Life segment reduced our liability for future policy benefits by $55.2 million, due primarily to improvement in certain of our claim cost assumptions since our most recent assumption update.

Current wording

The cash flow assumption updates in our Colonial Life segment reduced our liability for future policy benefits by $55.2 million, due primarily to improvement in certain of our claim cost assumptions.

Previous wording

In our estimation, scenarios based on certain variations in each of our assumptions for our Unum US group long-term disability product line could produce a change of approximately $100 million which represents 1.9 percent of our Unum US group disability liability for future policy benefits balance. Of the assumptions impacting the estimated change in the liability for future policy benefits, the largest contributor is the claim resolution rate for which we assumed a change of approximately 10 percent.

Current wording

In our estimation, scenarios based on certain variations in each of our assumptions for our Unum US group long-term disability product line could produce a change of approximately $100 million which represents 2.1 percent of our Unum US group disability liability for future policy benefits balance. Of the assumptions impacting the estimated change in the liability for future policy benefits, the largest contributor is the claim resolution rate for which we assumed a change of approximately 10 percent.

Previous wording

In our estimation, scenarios based on certain possible variations in each of our assumptions for our Colonial Life segment could produce a change of approximately $60 million which represents 3.0 percent of our Colonial Life liability for future policy benefits balance. Of the assumptions impacting the estimated change in the liability for future policy benefits, the largest contributor is the claim costs, for which we assumed a change of approximately 10 percent.

Current wording

In our estimation, scenarios based on certain possible variations in each of our assumptions for our Colonial Life segment could produce a change of approximately $60 million which represents 3.2 percent of our Colonial Life liability for future policy benefits balance. Of the assumptions impacting the estimated change in the liability for future policy benefits, the largest contributor is the claim costs, for which we assumed a change of approximately 10 percent.

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2023, approximately 11.6 percent of our fixed maturity securities were categorized as Level 1, 88 percent as Level 2, and 0.4 percent as Level 3. Level 1 is the highest category of the three-level fair value hierarchy classification wherein inputs are unadjusted and represent quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The Level 2 category includes assets or liabilities valued using inputs (other than those included in the Level 1 category) that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability through correlation with market data at the measurement date and for the duration of the instrument's anticipated life. The Level 3 category is the lowest category of the fair value hierarchy and reflects the judgment of management regarding what market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at the measurement date using unobservable inputs to extrapolate an estimated fair value.

Current wording

As of December 31, 2024, approximately 11.7 percent of our fixed maturity securities were categorized as Level 1, 87.9 percent as Level 2, and 0.4 percent as Level 3. Level 1 is the highest category of the three-level fair value hierarchy classification wherein inputs are unadjusted and represent quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The Level 2 category includes assets or liabilities valued using inputs (other than those included in the Level 1 category) that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability through correlation with market data at the measurement date and for the duration of the instrument's anticipated life. The Level 3 category is the lowest category of the fair value hierarchy and reflects the judgment of management regarding what market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at the measurement date using unobservable inputs to extrapolate an estimated fair value.

Previous wording

We sponsor several defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit (OPEB) plans for our employees, including non-qualified pension plans. The U.S. qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans comprise the majority of our total benefit obligation and benefit cost. We maintain a separate defined benefit plan for eligible employees in our U.K. operation. The U.S. defined benefit pension plans were closed to new entrants on December 31, 2013, the OPEB plan was closed to new entrants on December 31, 2012, and the U.K. plan was closed to new entrants on December 31, 2002.

Current wording

We sponsor several defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit (OPEB) plans for our employees, including non-qualified pension plans. The U.S. qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans comprise the majority of our total benefit obligation and benefit cost. We maintain a separate defined benefit plan for eligible employees in our U.K. operation. The U.S. defined benefit pension plans were frozen and closed to new entrants on December 31, 2013, the OPEB plan was frozen and closed to new entrants on December 31, 2012, and the U.K. plan was frozen and closed to new entrants on December 31, 2002.

Previous wording

During 2023, the fair value of plan assets in our U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan decreased from $1,308.3 million to $1,295.9 million, or 0.9 percent, due to benefits and expenses paid, mostly offset by a favorable return on assets which resulted in a gain of approximately 11.1 percent. During 2023, the fair value of plan assets in our U.K. plan decreased from £116.3 million to £114.2 million, or 1.8 percent, due primarily to the payment of benefits, mostly offset by a favorable return on assets which resulted in a gain of approximately 2.1 percent. Although our rate of return on plan assets for 2023 differed from our assumptions used in the measurement of our net periodic benefit costs, we believe our assumptions appropriately reflect the impact of the current economic environment and our expectations for the future investment returns based on the plan's asset allocation.

Current wording

During 2024, the fair value of plan assets in our U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan decreased from $1,295.9 million to $1,241.6 million, or 4.2 percent, due to benefits and expenses paid, partially offset by a positive return on assets which resulted in a gain of approximately 2.1 percent. During 2024, the fair value of plan assets in our U.K. plan decreased from £114.2 million to £100.1 million, or 12.3 percent, due primarily to an unfavorable return on assets which resulted in a loss of approximately 14.1 percent. Although our rate of return on plan assets for 2024 differed from our assumptions used in the measurement of our net periodic benefit costs, we believe our assumptions appropriately reflect the impact of the current economic environment and our expectations for the future investment returns based on the plan's asset allocation.

Previous wording

The fair value of plan assets in our OPEB plan was $8.2 million and $8.5 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These assets represent life insurance contracts to fund the life insurance benefit portion of our OPEB plan. Our OPEB plan represents a non-vested, non-guaranteed obligation, and current regulations do not require specific funding levels for these benefits, which are comprised of retiree life, medical, and dental benefits. It is our practice to use general assets to pay medical and dental claims as they come due in lieu of utilizing plan assets for the medical and dental benefit portions of our OPEB plan.

Current wording

The fair value of plan assets in our OPEB plan was $7.9 million and $8.2 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These assets represent life insurance contracts to fund the life insurance benefit portion of our OPEB plan. Our OPEB plan represents a non-vested, non-guaranteed obligation, and current regulations do not require specific funding levels for these benefits, which are comprised of retiree life, medical, and dental benefits. It is our practice to use general assets to pay medical and dental claims as they come due in lieu of utilizing plan assets for the medical and dental benefit portions of our OPEB plan.

Previous wording

The U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan was in an underfunded position of $116.2 million and $118.7 million at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. This year-over-year change was due primarily to a favorable return on plan assets, mostly offset by the increase in the benefit obligation due to the decrease in discount rate.

Current wording

The U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan was in an underfunded position of $120.1 million and $116.2 million at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. This year-over-year change was due primarily to an unfavorable return on plan assets compared to the assumption, mostly offset by the decrease in the benefit obligation due to the increase in discount rate. The U.K. plan was in an underfunded position of £21.4 million and £21.2 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2023, our pension and OPEB plans have an aggregate unrecognized net actuarial loss of $584.0 million and an unrecognized prior service credit of $1.5 million, which together represent the cumulative liability and asset gains and losses as well as the portion of prior service credits that have not been recognized in pension expense. The unrecognized net actuarial loss for our pension plans, which is $605.2 million at December 31, 2023, will be amortized over the average remaining life expectancy of the plan, which is approximately 24 years for the U.S. plans and 27 years for the U.K. plan, to the extent that it exceeds the 10 percent corridor, as described below. The unrecognized net actuarial gain of $21.2 million for our OPEB plan will be amortized over the average remaining life expectancy of the plan, estimated at twelve years, to the extent the gain is outside of the corridor. The corridor for the pension and OPEB plans is established based on the greater of 10 percent of the plan assets or 10 percent of the benefit obligation. At December 31, 2023, $352.7 million of the actuarial loss was outside of the corridor for the U.S. plans and £61.1 million was outside of the corridor for the U.K. plan. At December 31, 2023, $13.3 million of the actuarial gain was outside of the corridor for the OPEB plan.

Current wording

As of December 31, 2024, our pension and OPEB plans have an aggregate unrecognized net actuarial loss of $566.5 million and an unrecognized prior service credit of $1.4 million, which together represent the cumulative liability and asset gains and losses as well as the portion of prior service credits that have not been recognized in pension expense. The unrecognized net actuarial loss for our pension plans, which is $587.7 million at December 31, 2024, will be amortized over the average remaining life expectancy of the plan, which is approximately 23 years for the U.S. plans and 28 years for the U.K. plan, to the extent that it exceeds the 10 percent corridor, as described below. The unrecognized net actuarial gain of $21.2 million for our OPEB plan will be amortized over the average remaining life expectancy of the plan, estimated at 12 years, to the extent the gain is outside of the corridor. The corridor for the pension and OPEB plans is established based on the greater of 10 percent of the plan assets or 10 percent of the benefit obligation. At December 31, 2024, $344.1 million of the actuarial loss was outside of the corridor for the U.S. plans and £61.1 million was outside of the corridor for the U.K. plan. At December 31, 2024, $14.0 million of the actuarial gain was outside of the corridor for the OPEB plan.

Previous wording

The amortization of the unrecognized actuarial gain or loss and the unrecognized prior service credit is a component of our net periodic benefit cost and equaled $7.0 million, $15.5 million, and $22.4 million in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

Current wording

The amortization of the unrecognized actuarial gain or loss and the unrecognized prior service credit is a component of our net periodic benefit cost and equaled $16.3 million, $7.0 million, and $15.5 million in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

Previous wording

The weighted average pound/dollar exchange rate for our Unum UK line of business was 1.243, 1.221, and 1.378 for 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. If the 2022 and 2021 results for our U.K. operations had been translated at the 2023 weighted average exchange rate, our adjusted operating revenue would have been approximately $5 million higher and $73 million lower in 2022 and 2021, respectively. Additionally, our adjusted operating income would have been approximately $2 million higher and $10 million lower in 2022 and 2021, respectively. However, it is important to distinguish between translating and converting foreign currency. Except for a limited number of transactions, we do not actually convert pounds into dollars. As a result, we view foreign currency translation as a financial reporting item and not a reflection of operations or profitability in the U.K.

Current wording

The weighted average pound/dollar exchange rate for our Unum UK line of business was 1.278, 1.243, and 1.221 for 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. If the 2023 and 2022 results for our U.K. operations had been translated at the 2024 weighted average exchange rate, our adjusted operating revenue would have been approximately $23 million higher and $28 million higher in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Additionally, our adjusted operating income would have been approximately $4 million higher and $6 million higher in 2023 and 2022, respectively. However, it is important to distinguish between translating and converting foreign currency. Except for a limited number of transactions, we do not actually convert pounds into dollars. As a result, we view foreign currency translation as a financial reporting item and not a reflection of operations or profitability in the U.K.

Previous wording

We reported year-over-year premium growth in 2023 and 2022 in each of our principal operating business segments, primarily due to in-force block growth and higher overall sales. Premium income continues to decline, as expected, in our Closed Block segment.

Current wording

We reported year-over-year premium growth in 2024 and 2023 in each of our principal operating segments, primarily due to favorable persistency and higher overall sales. Premium income continues to decline, as expected, in our Closed Block segment.

Previous wording

Net investment income was lower in 2023, relative to 2022, due to lower miscellaneous investment income, primarily related to smaller increases in the NAV on our private equity partnerships, and lower investment income from inflation index-linked bonds held by Unum UK, partially offset by a higher level of invested assets and an increased yield on invested assets. Net investment income was lower in 2022, relative to 2021, due to lower miscellaneous investment income and a decline in the yield on invested assets, partially offset by higher investment income from inflation index-linked bonds held by Unum UK and a higher level of invested assets.

Current wording

Net investment income was higher in 2024, relative to 2023, due primarily to higher miscellaneous investment income, primarily related to larger increases in the NAV on our private equity partnerships and an increase in the level of invested assets, partially offset by lower investment income from inflation index-linked bonds held by Unum UK. Net investment income was lower in 2023, relative to 2022, due to lower miscellaneous investment income, primarily related to smaller increases in the NAV on our private equity partnerships, and lower investment income from inflation index-linked bonds held by Unum UK, partially offset by a higher level of invested assets and an increased yield on invested assets.

Previous wording

Credit losses on fixed maturity securities of $2.2 million were recognized in net investment gains and losses in 2023 compared to $4.6 million and $9.3 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. During the third quarter of 2023, we sold over $700 million of shorter duration bonds in our long-term care portfolio and reinvested the proceeds in higher quality, higher yielding, and longer duration bonds that better match our liability cash flows. We realized approximately $35 million of investment losses as a result of these sales. Also included in net investment gains and losses were changes in the fair value of an embedded derivative in a modified coinsurance arrangement, which resulted in gains of $12.4 million, $16.2 million, and $9.7 million in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. The changes in the embedded derivative are primarily driven by movements in credit spreads in the overall investment market. Included in the net investment gains and losses in 2021 was a net realized investment gain of $67.6 million related to the transfer of investments in the Closed Block individual disability reinsurance transaction. See Notes 3 and 4 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" contained herein in Item 8 for further discussion.

Current wording

Our investment gains and losses on fixed maturity securities include net losses on sales of $38.2 million, $48.7 million and $26.5 million in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Credit and impairment losses on fixed maturity securities were $5.5 million, $2.2 million, and $4.6 million in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Credit and impairment losses on mortgage loans were $12.9 million, $0.9 million, and $1.0 million in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Also included in net investment gains and losses were changes in the fair value of an embedded derivative in a modified coinsurance arrangement, which resulted in gains of $13.0 million, $12.4 million, and $16.2 million in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. The changes in the embedded derivative are primarily driven by movements in credit spreads in the modified coinsurance portfolio. See Notes 3 and 4 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" contained herein in Item 8 for further discussion.

Previous wording

Overall benefits experience was favorable in 2023 relative to 2022 and 2021 with a consolidated benefit ratio of 72.2 percent in 2023, compared to 72.7 percent and 79.7 percent in 2022 and 2021, respectively. Excluding the impacts of the reserve assumption updates and non-contemporaneous reinsurance, the consolidated benefit ratios were 70.1 percent, 74.9 percent, and 81.9 percent in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. For further discussion on the reserve assumption updates and non-contemporaneous reinsurance, see the "Executive Summary" contained herein in this Item 7 and Notes 1, 6 and 15 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" contained herein in Item 8. The underlying benefits experience for each of our operating business segments is discussed more fully in "Segment Results" contained herein in this Item 7.

Current wording

Overall benefits experience was favorable in 2024 relative to 2023 and 2022 with a consolidated benefit ratio of 65.9 percent in 2024, compared to 72.2 percent and 72.7 percent in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Excluding the impacts of the reserve assumption updates and non-contemporaneous reinsurance, the consolidated adjusted benefit ratios were 69.1 percent, 70.1 percent, and 74.9 percent in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. For further discussion on the reserve assumption updates and non-contemporaneous reinsurance, see the "Executive Summary" contained herein in this Item 7 and Notes 1, 6 and 15 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" contained herein in Item 8. The underlying benefits experience for each of our operating segments is discussed more fully in "Segment Results" contained herein in this Item 7.