Unum Group

Previous wording

Historical results may not be indicative of future performance due to, among other things, changes in our mix of business, repricing of certain lines of business, or any number of economic cyclical effects on our business. Reserves, whether calculated under GAAP or statutory accounting principles, do not represent an exact calculation of future benefit liabilities but are instead estimates made by us using reserve assumptions that are used in our actuarial and statistical procedures. Certain of these GAAP reserve assumptions are also utilized in determining the amortization pattern for DAC. Actual experience may differ from our assumptions which would affect our earnings in current and future periods as a result of changes in reserves and DAC. There can be no assurance that our reserves will be sufficient to fund our future liabilities in all circumstances. Future loss development may require reserves to be increased, which would adversely affect earnings in current or future periods. Life expectancies may increase, which could lengthen the time a claimant receives disability or long-term care benefits and could result in a change in mortality assumptions and an increase in reserves for these and other long-tailed products. Adjustments to reserve or DAC amounts may also be required in the event of changes from the assumptions regarding future claim incidence rates, claim resolution rates, policyholder lapses, mortality, premium rate increases, claim costs, policy benefit offsets, including those for social security and other government-based welfare benefits, and interest rates used in calculating the reserve amount, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

Current wording

Historical results may not be indicative of future performance due to, among other things, changes in our mix of business, repricing of certain lines of business, or any number of economic cyclical effects on our business. Liabilities for future policy benefits, whether calculated under GAAP or statutory accounting principles, do not represent an exact calculation of future benefit liabilities but are instead estimates made by us using certain cash flow assumptions that are used in our actuarial and statistical procedures. Certain of these GAAP cash flow assumptions are also utilized in determining the amortization pattern for deferred acquisition costs (DAC). Actual experience may differ from our assumptions which would affect our earnings in current and future periods as a result of changes in the liability for future policy benefits and DAC. There can be no assurance that our liability for future policy benefits will be sufficient to fund our future liabilities in all circumstances. Future loss development may require the liability for future policy benefits to be increased, which would adversely affect earnings in current or future periods. Life expectancies may increase, which could lengthen the time a claimant receives disability or long-term care benefits and could result in a change in mortality assumptions and an increase in the liability for future policy benefits for these and other long-tailed products. Adjustments to the liability for future policy benefits or DAC amounts may also be required in the event of changes from the assumptions regarding future claim incidence rates, claim resolution rates, policyholder lapses, mortality, premium rate increases, claim costs, policy benefit offsets, including those for social security and other government-based welfare benefits, and interest rates used in calculating the liability for future policy benefits, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

Previous wording

Both economic and societal factors can affect claim incidence and recoveries for disability insurance. Claim incidence and claim recovery rates may be influenced by, among other factors, the rate of unemployment and consumer confidence. Claim incidence and claim recovery rates may also be influenced by the emergence of new infectious diseases or illnesses. Claim durations may be extended by medical improvements which could extend life expectancies. The relationship between these and other factors and overall incidence is very complex and will vary due to contract design features and the degree of expertise within the insuring organization to price, underwrite, and adjudicate the claims.

Current wording

Both economic and societal factors can affect claim incidence and recoveries for disability insurance. Claim incidence and claim recovery rates may be influenced by, among other factors, the rate of unemployment and consumer confidence. Claim incidence and claim recovery rates may also be influenced by the emergence of new infectious diseases or illnesses. Medical advances may continue to have an impact on claim duration, both favorable and unfavorable and also may have a favorable impact on claim incidence. The relationship between these and other factors and overall incidence is very complex and will vary due to contract design features and the degree of expertise within the Company to price, underwrite, and adjudicate the claims.

Previous wording

Long-term care insurance can be affected by a number of demographic, medical, economic, governmental, competitive, and other factors. Because long-term care insurance is a relatively new product for the insurance industry and is long-duration in nature, there is not as much historical data as is available for our other products, especially at advanced ages. This creates a level of uncertainty in properly pricing the product and using appropriate assumptions when establishing reserves. Long-term care insurance is guaranteed renewable and can be repriced to reflect adverse experience, but the repricing is subject to regulatory approval by our states of domicile and may also be subject to approval by jurisdictions in which our policyholders reside. The rate approval process can affect the length of time in which the repricing can be implemented, if at all, and the rate increases ultimately approved may be unfavorable relative to assumptions used to establish our reserves. We monitor our own experience and industry studies concerning morbidity, mortality, and policyholder terminations to understand emerging trends. Changes in actual experience relative to our expectations may adversely affect our profitability and reserves. To the extent mortality improves for the general population, and life expectancies increase, the period for which a claimant receives long-term care benefits may lengthen and the associated impact of advanced aging of policyholders may cause an increase in claims incidence. Medical advances may continue to have an impact on claim incidence and duration, both favorable and unfavorable. Due to the long duration of the product, the timing and/or amount of our investment cash flows are difficult to match to those of our maturing liabilities.

Current wording

Long-term care insurance, which we discontinued offering in 2012, but is guaranteed renewable, can be influenced by a number of demographic, medical, economic, governmental, competitive, and other factors, as well as the relative lack of historical data as compared to our other products, all of which can affect pricing activities and the establishment of our liability for future policy benefits. Long-term care insurance can be repriced to reflect adverse experience, but the repricing is subject to regulatory approval by our states of domicile and may also be subject to approval by jurisdictions in which our policyholders reside. The rate approval process can affect the length of time in which the repricing can be implemented, if at all, and the rate increases ultimately approved may be unfavorable relative to assumptions initially used to establish our liability for future policy benefits, which could result in unfavorable impacts to our financial position and results of operations. We monitor our own experience and industry studies concerning morbidity, mortality, and policyholder terminations to understand emerging trends. Changes in actual experience relative to our expectations may adversely affect our profitability and the liability for future policy benefits. To the extent mortality improves for the general population, and life expectancies increase, the period for which a claimant receives long-term care benefits may lengthen and the associated impact of advanced aging of policyholders may cause an increase in claims incidence. Medical advances may continue to have an impact on claim incidence and duration, both favorable and unfavorable. Due to the long duration of the product, the timing and/or amount of our investment cash flows are difficult to match to those of our maturing liabilities.

Previous wording

We have intangible assets such as value of business acquired (VOBA) and goodwill. VOBA is amortized based primarily upon expected future premium income of the related insurance policies. Recoverability testing for VOBA is performed on an annual basis. Insurance contracts are grouped on a basis consistent with our manner of acquiring, servicing, and measuring profitability of the contracts. If recoverability testing indicates that VOBA is not recoverable, the deficiency is charged to expense. See Note 1 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" contained herein in Item 8 for additional discussion.

Current wording

We have intangible assets such as value of business acquired (VOBA) and goodwill. VOBA is amortized based primarily upon expected future premium income of the related insurance policies. Recoverability testing for VOBA is performed on an annual basis. Insurance contracts are grouped on a basis consistent with our manner of acquiring, servicing, and measuring profitability of the contracts. If recoverability testing indicates that VOBA is not recoverable, the deficiency is charged to expense.

Previous wording

Another interest, or discount, rate is used in calculating reserves. We set our GAAP reserve discount rate assumptions each period based on 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 our insurance liabilities. A decline in the single-A interest rate could have a material adverse effect on our financial statements.

Current wording

Another interest, or discount, rate is used in calculating the liability for future policy benefits. Our liability for future policy benefits is calculated using discount rate assumptions that are reflective of an upper-medium grade fixed-income instrument, which is generally equivalent to a single-A interest rate matched to the duration of our insurance liabilities. A decline in the single-A interest rate could have a material adverse effect on our financial statements.

Previous wording

Factors such as unemployment levels, consumer confidence levels, consumer spending, business investment, government spending, the volatility and strength of the capital markets, inflation, pandemics, and the threat of terrorism all affect the business and economic environment and, ultimately, the amount and profitability of our businesses. In particular, high levels of inflation could result in higher expenses and negatively affect the discretionary spending of our customers, which could result in lower sales. More generally, given the nature of our products, in an economic environment characterized by higher unemployment, lower personal income, reduced consumer spending, and lower corporate earnings and investment, new product sales may be adversely affected. Our premium growth may also be negatively impacted by lower premium growth from existing customers due to lower salary growth and lower growth in the number of employees covered under an existing policy. In addition, during such periods we may experience higher claims incidence, longer claims duration, and/or an increase in policy lapses, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

Current wording

Factors such as unemployment levels, consumer confidence levels, consumer spending, business investment, government spending, the volatility and strength of the capital markets, inflation, pandemics, and the threat of terrorism all affect the business and economic environment and, ultimately, the amount and profitability of our businesses. In particular, high levels of inflation could result in higher expenses and negatively affect the discretionary spending of our customers, which could result in lower sales. More generally, given the nature of our products, in an economic environment characterized by higher unemployment, lower personal income, reduced consumer spending, and lower corporate earnings and investment, product sales and persistency may be adversely affected. Our premium growth may also be negatively impacted by lower premium growth from existing customers due to lower salary growth and lower growth in the number of employees covered under an existing policy. In addition, during such periods we may experience higher claims incidence, longer claims duration, and/or an increase in policy lapses, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

Previous wording

A default results in the recognition of an impairment loss on the investment. A default may also adversely affect our ability to collect principal and interest due to us. The probability of credit downgrades and defaults increases when the fixed income markets experience periods of volatility and illiquidity.

Current wording

A default or an expected default results in the recognition of a current expected credit loss on the investment. A default may also adversely affect our ability to collect principal and interest due to us. The probability of credit downgrades and defaults increases when the fixed income markets experience periods of volatility and illiquidity.

Previous wording

The effectiveness and utilization of our hedging programs may be affected by changes in forecasted cash flows, the economic environment, changes in interest rates, capital market volatility, non-performance by our counterparties, changes in the level of required collateral, or regulation, which may adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.

Current wording

The effectiveness and utilization of our derivative hedging programs may be affected by changes in forecasted cash flows, the economic environment, changes in interest rates, capital market volatility, non-performance by our counterparties, changes in the level of required collateral, or regulation, which may adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.

Previous wording

We use derivative financial instruments to help us manage various risks related to our business operations including interest rate risk, risk related to matching duration for our assets and liabilities, foreign currency risk, credit risk, and equity risk. Factors associated with derivative financial instruments could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity. Ineffectiveness of our hedges due to changes in expected future events, such as the risk created by uncertainty in the economic environment, changes in forecasted cash flows, or if our counterparties fail or refuse to honor their obligations under these derivative instruments, may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Capital market turmoil may result in an increase in the risk of non-performance by our counterparties, many of which are financial institutions. Non-performance by our counterparties may force us to unwind hedges, and we may be unable to replace the hedge, thereby leaving the risk unhedged. Under the terms of our hedging contracts, we are required to post collateral and to maintain a certain level of collateral, which may adversely affect our liquidity and could subject us to the credit risk of the counterparty to the extent it holds such collateral. Sustained periods of elevated interest rates may require a higher level of collateral to be posted to our counterparties, which also may have an adverse effect on our liquidity. Changes in regulations may have an adverse effect on our ability to execute hedging strategies due to the increased economic cost of derivatives, primarily as a result of more restrictive collateral requirements.

Current wording

We use derivative financial instruments to help us manage various risks related to our business operations including interest rate risk, risk related to matching duration for our assets and liabilities, foreign currency risk, credit risk, and equity risk. Factors associated with derivative financial instruments could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity. Ineffectiveness of our hedges due to changes in expected future events, such as the risk created by uncertainty in the economic environment, changes in forecasted cash flows, or if our counterparties fail or refuse to honor their obligations under these derivative instruments, may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Capital market turmoil may result in an increase in the risk of non-performance by our counterparties, many of which are financial institutions. Non-performance by our counterparties may force us to unwind hedges, and we may be unable to replace the hedge, thereby leaving the risk unhedged. Under the terms of our hedging contracts, we are required to post collateral, which may adversely affect our liquidity and could subject us to the credit risk of the counterparty to the extent it holds such collateral. Sustained periods of elevated interest rates may require a higher level of collateral to be posted to our counterparties, which also may have an adverse effect on our liquidity. Changes in regulations may have an adverse effect on our ability to execute hedging strategies due to the increased economic cost of derivatives, primarily as a result of more restrictive collateral requirements.

Previous wording

See "Liability for Future Policy Benefits" contained herein in Item 1, "Critical Accounting Estimates" included in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained herein in Item 7, "Interest Rate Risk" contained herein in Item 7A, and Notes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 11 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" contained herein in Item 8 for further discussion.

Current wording

See "Liability for Future Policy Benefits" contained herein in Item 1, "Critical Accounting Estimates" included in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained herein in Item 7, "Interest Rate Risk" contained herein in Item 7A, and Notes 1, 2, 3, 4, 11, and 14 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" contained herein in Item 8 for further discussion.

Previous wording

Although we have access to significant amounts of liquidity, which include a credit facility and our facility agreement for contingent issuance of senior notes, Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) arrangements, and the ability to liquidate certain investments, it may be insufficient or even inaccessible if we are not in compliance with required covenants under our borrowing arrangements or if the associated lenders are unable to provide funds. In addition, if investment markets become illiquid or severely impaired, we may be unable to liquidate our investments in a timely and advantageous manner.

Current wording

Although we have access to significant amounts of liquidity, which include a credit facility, Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) arrangements, and the ability to liquidate certain investments, it may be insufficient or even inaccessible if we are not in compliance with required covenants under our borrowing arrangements or if the associated lenders are unable to provide funds. In addition, if investment markets become illiquid or severely impaired, we may be unable to liquidate our investments in a timely and advantageous manner.

Previous wording

Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to extensive supervision and regulation in the United States and abroad. The primary purpose of insurance regulation is to protect policyholders, not stockholders. To that end, regulatory authorities, including state insurance departments in the United States, the PRA in the United Kingdom, and the KNF in Poland have broad administrative powers over many aspects of the insurance business, including requiring various licenses, permits, authorizations, or accreditations, which our insurance subsidiaries may not be able to obtain or maintain, or may be able to do so only at great cost. In addition, we and our insurance subsidiaries may not be able to comply fully with, or obtain appropriate exemptions from, the wide variety of laws and regulations applicable to insurance companies and insurance holding companies. These laws and regulations can be complex and subject to differing interpretations and are regularly re-examined. Existing or future laws and regulations, and the manner in which they are interpreted or applied, may become more restrictive or otherwise adversely affect our operations. For example, they may restrict or prohibit the payment of dividends by our subsidiaries to us, restrict transactions between subsidiaries and/or between us and our subsidiaries, and may require contributions of capital by us to our insurance subsidiaries even if we are otherwise in compliance with stated requirements. Failure to comply with or to obtain appropriate exemptions under any applicable laws or regulations could result in restrictions on the ability of our insurance subsidiaries to do business in one or more of the jurisdictions in which they operate and could result in fines and other sanctions, which may have a material adverse effect on our business or results of operations.

Current wording

Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to extensive supervision and regulation in the United States and abroad. The primary purpose of insurance regulation is to protect policyholders, not stockholders. To that end, regulatory authorities, including state insurance departments in the United States, the FCA and PRA in the United Kingdom, and the KNF in Poland have broad administrative powers over many aspects of the insurance business, including requiring various licenses, permits, authorizations, or accreditations, which our insurance subsidiaries may not be able to obtain or maintain, or may be able to do so only at great cost. In addition, we and our insurance subsidiaries may not be able to comply fully with, or obtain appropriate exemptions from, the wide variety of laws and regulations applicable to insurance companies and insurance holding companies. These laws and regulations can be complex and subject to differing interpretations and are regularly re-examined. Existing or future laws and regulations, and the manner in which they are interpreted or applied, may become more restrictive or otherwise adversely affect our operations. For example, they may restrict or prohibit the payment of dividends by our subsidiaries to us, restrict transactions between subsidiaries and/or between us and our subsidiaries, and may require contributions of capital by us to our insurance subsidiaries even if we are otherwise in compliance with stated requirements. Failure to comply with or to obtain appropriate exemptions under any applicable laws or regulations could result in restrictions on the ability of our insurance subsidiaries to do business in one or more of the jurisdictions in which they operate and could result in fines and other sanctions, which may have a material adverse effect on our business or results of operations.

Previous wording

It is possible that there will be heightened oversight of insurers by regulatory authorities in the jurisdictions in which our insurance subsidiaries are domiciled and operate. We cannot predict specific proposals that might be adopted, or what impact, if any, such proposals or, if enacted, such laws, could have on our business, results of operations, or financial condition. For instance, the NAIC or state regulators may adopt further revisions to statutory reserving standards or the RBC formula, the PRA may revise its capital adequacy requirements and minimum solvency margins, the IAIS may adopt capital requirements to which we could be subject, or rating agencies may incorporate higher capital thresholds into their quantitative analyses, thus requiring additional capital contributions by us to our insurance subsidiaries. Increased financial services regulation, which could include activities undertaken by the NAIC and regulatory authorities in the U.K., Poland, and the EU may impose greater quantitative requirements, supervisory review, and disclosure requirements and may impact the business strategies, capital requirements, and profitability of our insurance subsidiaries. The U.K. government is reviewing the regulatory framework of financial services companies and the PRA is consulting with the industry on proposed changes. Certain changes have already been finalized, which have improved the solvency position of our U.K. business at December 31, 2023. Additionally, the remaining pending proposals may lead to future changes in the solvency position of our U.K. business. The U.K.'s Financial Ombudsman Service, which was established to help settle disputes between consumers and businesses providing financial services, and the FCA, which has rule-making, investigative, and enforcement powers to protect consumers, may hamper our ability to do business, which could have a material adverse effect on our U.K. operations.

Current wording

It is possible that there will be heightened oversight of insurers by regulatory authorities in the jurisdictions in which our insurance subsidiaries are domiciled and operate. We cannot predict specific proposals that might be adopted, or what impact, if any, such proposals or, if enacted, such laws, could have on our business, results of operations, or financial condition. For instance, the NAIC or state regulators may adopt further revisions to statutory reserving standards or the RBC formula, the PRA may revise its capital adequacy requirements and minimum solvency margins, the IAIS may adopt capital requirements to which we could be subject, or rating agencies may incorporate higher capital thresholds into their quantitative analyses, thus requiring additional capital contributions by us to our insurance subsidiaries. Increased financial services regulation, which could include activities undertaken by the NAIC and regulatory authorities in the U.K., Poland, and the EU may impose greater quantitative requirements, supervisory review, and disclosure requirements and may impact the business strategies, capital requirements, and profitability of our insurance subsidiaries. The U.K. government has been reviewing the regulatory U.K. Solvency II framework including transferring the requirements into the PRA Rulebook, which contains rules made and enforced by the PRA, and other policy materials. While this process led to favorable impacts on the solvency position of our U.K. business in earlier reporting periods, the completion of the review at December 31, 2024 did not have any further material impacts on the U.K. business solvency position. The U.K.'s Financial Ombudsman Service, which was established to help settle disputes between consumers and businesses providing financial services, and the FCA, which has rule-making, investigative, and enforcement powers to protect consumers, may hamper our ability to do business, which could have a material adverse effect on our U.K. operations.

Previous wording

Changes in U.S. programs such as healthcare reform, the continued emergence of paid family and medical leave legislation, and financial services sector reform may compete with or diminish the need or demand for our products, particularly as it may affect our ability to sell our products through employers or in the workplace. The U.S. social security disability insurance program may not be sustainable, which may adversely affect the level of our disability claim payments and reserves. Legislative changes related to pension funding requirements could negatively impact our cash flows from operations and our profitability.

Current wording

Changes in U.S. programs such as healthcare reform, the continued emergence of paid family and medical leave legislation, and financial services sector reform may compete with or diminish the need or demand for our products, particularly as it may affect our ability to sell our products through employers or in the workplace. The U.S. social security disability insurance program may not be sustainable, which may adversely affect the level of our disability claim payments and liability for future policy benefits. Legislative changes related to pension funding requirements could negatively impact our cash flows from operations and our profitability.

Previous wording

Changes in tax laws and other regulations or interpretations of such laws or regulations could unfavorably impact our corporate taxes. In addition, changes in tax laws could make some of our products less attractive to consumers.

Current wording

Changes in tax laws and other regulations or interpretations of such laws or regulations could unfavorably impact our corporate taxes and statutory surplus. In addition, changes in tax laws could make some of our products less attractive to consumers.

Previous wording

Unum Group depends on funds from its subsidiaries to meet its obligations and pay dividends. The ability of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to Unum Group may be impaired by adverse financial results or a change in capital requirements. Accordingly, internal sources of capital and liquidity may not always be sufficient. If we need to seek external capital, adverse market conditions may affect our access to capital or our cost of capital.

Current wording

Unum Group depends on capital from its subsidiaries to meet its obligations and pay dividends. The ability of our subsidiaries to transfer capital to Unum Group may be impaired by adverse financial results or a change in capital requirements. Accordingly, internal sources of capital and liquidity may not always be sufficient. If we need to seek external capital, adverse market conditions may affect our access to capital or our cost of capital.

Previous wording

Unum Group is a holding company for insurance and other subsidiaries and has limited operations of its own. Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to insurance laws and regulatory limitations on the payment of dividends and on other transfers of funds or other assets to affiliates, including to Unum Group. The level of earnings and capital in our subsidiaries, as well as business conditions and rating agency considerations, could impact our insurance and other subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends or to make other transfers of funds to Unum Group, which could impair our ability to pay dividends to Unum Group's common stockholders, meet our debt and other payment obligations, and/or repurchase shares of Unum Group's common stock. The use of funds held by Unum Group as consideration in any acquisition could affect our capital plan and render those funds unavailable for other corporate purposes.

Current wording

Unum Group is a holding company for insurance and other subsidiaries and has limited operations of its own. Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to insurance laws and regulatory limitations on the payment of dividends and on other transfers of assets to affiliates, including to Unum Group. The level of earnings and capital in our subsidiaries, as well as business conditions and rating agency considerations, could impact our insurance and other subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends or to make other transfers to Unum Group, which could impair our ability to pay dividends to Unum Group's common stockholders, meet our debt and other payment obligations, and/or repurchase shares of Unum Group's common stock.

Previous wording

If our financial results are unfavorable, we may need to increase our capital in order to maintain our credit ratings or satisfy regulatory requirements. Maintaining appropriate levels of statutory surplus is considered important not only by us but by insurance regulatory authorities in the U.S., the PRA in the U.K., the KNF in Poland, and the rating agencies that rate insurers' claims-paying abilities and financial strength. Failure to maintain certain levels of statutory surplus could result in increased regulatory scrutiny, action by regulatory authorities, or a downgrade by the rating agencies. Need for additional capital may limit a subsidiary's ability to distribute funds to our holding companies.

Current wording

If our financial results are unfavorable, we may need to increase our capital in order to maintain our credit ratings or satisfy regulatory requirements. Maintaining appropriate levels of statutory surplus is considered important not only by us but by insurance regulatory authorities in the U.S., the PRA in the U.K., the KNF in Poland, and the rating agencies that rate insurers' claims-paying abilities and financial strength. Failure to maintain certain levels of statutory surplus could result in increased regulatory scrutiny, action by regulatory authorities, or a downgrade by the rating agencies. Need for additional capital may limit a subsidiary's ability to distribute dividends to our holding companies.

Previous wording

Obtaining financing for even a small amount of capital could be challenging in unfavorable market conditions and during periods of economic uncertainty. The markets may exert downward pressure on availability of liquidity and credit capacity for certain issuers. The availability of financing will depend on a variety of factors such as market conditions, the general availability of credit, the overall availability of credit to the financial services industry, our credit ratings and credit capacity, and the possibility that customers or lenders could develop a negative perception of our financial prospects. Similarly, our access to funds may be impaired if regulatory authorities or rating agencies take negative actions against us. Raising capital in unfavorable market conditions could increase our interest expense or negatively impact our shareholders through increased dilution of their common stock in Unum Group.

Current wording

Obtaining financing for even a small amount of capital could be challenging in unfavorable market conditions and during periods of economic uncertainty. The markets may exert downward pressure on availability of liquidity and credit capacity for certain issuers. The availability of financing will depend on a variety of factors such as market conditions, the general availability of credit, the overall availability of credit to the financial services industry, our credit ratings and credit capacity, and the possibility that customers or lenders could develop a negative perception of our financial prospects. Similarly, our access to capital may be impaired if regulatory authorities or rating agencies take negative actions against us. Raising capital in unfavorable market conditions could increase our interest expense or negatively impact our shareholders through increased dilution of their common stock in Unum Group.

Previous wording

We maintain our credit facility as a potential source of liquidity. Our right to borrow funds under this facility is subject to financial covenants, negative covenants, and events of default. Our ability to borrow under this facility is also subject to the continued willingness and ability of the lenders to provide funds. Our failure to comply with the covenants in the credit facility or the failure of lenders to fund their lending commitments would restrict our ability to access the facility when needed, with a resulting adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.

Current wording

We maintain our credit facility as a potential source of liquidity. Our right to borrow funds under this facility is subject to financial covenants, negative covenants, and events of default. Our ability to borrow under this facility is also subject to the ability of the lenders to provide funds. Our failure to comply with the covenants in the credit facility or the failure of lenders to fund their lending commitments would restrict our ability to access the facility when needed, with a resulting adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.

Previous wording

Our actions to incorporate environmental, social, and governance standards may not meet expectations of investors, regulators, customers, employees, and other stakeholders.

Current wording

Our actions to incorporate sustainability standards may not meet expectations of investors, regulators, customers, employees, and other stakeholders.

Previous wording

Investors, regulators, current and prospective customers, employees, and other stakeholders may evaluate our business according to certain environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards and expectations. To help monitor and meet stakeholder expectations, we developed a corporate sustainability strategic framework. Our framework aims to create long-term value for stakeholders by implementing strategically aligned business practices that incorporate ESG factors, with a focus on accelerating our efforts around responsible investments, inclusive products and services, and reducing environmental impact. We include ESG considerations in fundamental analysis of our investments because we believe these considerations are important for analyzing the long-term risk-reward characteristics of an investment. As our framework matures and we continue to integrate ESG standards in coordination with other business priorities, our ESG-related efforts may not prove completely effective or may not satisfy our key stakeholders. Additionally, national and local governments and regulators have proposed and are likely to continue to propose new ESG-related rules that would apply to our business, including regulations focused on increased disclosures and management of investment portfolios. Such regulations may require the development of new processes and controls that may be complex and result in increases in expenses to ensure compliance, or they may run counter to our corporate sustainability strategic framework, conflict with other regulations that apply to us, or cause us to forgo business opportunities. Stakeholder ESG-related expectations may increase in the short, medium, and long term and may affect our business, and they may also subject us to scrutiny leading to operational, reputational, or legal challenges.

Current wording

Investors, regulators, current and prospective customers, employees, and other stakeholders may evaluate our business according to certain sustainability standards and expectations. To help monitor and meet stakeholder expectations, we developed a corporate sustainability strategic framework. Our framework aims to create long-term value for stakeholders by implementing strategically aligned business practices that incorporate sustainability factors, with a focus on accelerating our efforts around responsible investments, inclusive products and services, and reducing environmental impact. We consider environmental and social factors in fundamental analysis of our investments because we believe they are important for analyzing the long-term risk-reward characteristics of an investment. As our framework matures and we continue to integrate sustainability standards in coordination with other business priorities, our sustainability-related efforts may not prove completely effective or may not satisfy our key stakeholders. Additionally, local, national, and international governments and regulators have passed and are likely to continue to propose new sustainability-related rules that would apply to our business, including regulations focused on increased climate-related disclosures and management of investment portfolios. Such regulations may require the development of new processes and controls that may be complex and result in increases in expenses to ensure compliance, or they may run counter to our corporate sustainability strategic framework, conflict with other regulations that apply to us, or cause us to forgo business opportunities. Stakeholder sustainability-related expectations may increase in the short, medium, and long term and may affect our business, and they may also subject us to scrutiny leading to operational, reputational, or legal challenges.

Previous wording

See "Liability for Future Policy Benefits", "Competition", "Regulation" and "Ratings" contained herein in Item 1, "Executive Summary" and "Critical Accounting Estimates" included in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained herein in Item 7, and Notes 1, 6, 9, and 16 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" contained herein in Item 8 for further discussion.

Current wording

See "Liability for Future Policy Benefits", "Competition", "Regulation" and "Ratings" contained herein in Item 1, "Executive Summary" and "Critical Accounting Estimates" included in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Liquidity and Capital Resources" contained herein in Item 7, and Notes 1, 6, 9, 10, 16, and 18 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" contained herein in Item 8 for further discussion.

Previous wording

In the event of a disaster such as a natural catastrophe, an epidemic/pandemic, a cyber attack, cyber security breach or other information technology systems failure, a terrorist attack, or war, unanticipated problems with our disaster recovery systems could have a material adverse impact on our ability to conduct business and on our results of operations and financial condition, particularly if those problems affect our information technology systems and destroy valuable data or result in a significant failure of our internal control environment. In addition, in the event that a significant number of our employees were unavailable in the event of a disaster, our ability to effectively conduct business could be severely compromised.

Current wording

In the event of a disaster such as a natural catastrophe, an epidemic, a pandemic, a cyber attack, cybersecurity breach or other information technology systems failure, a terrorist attack, or war, unanticipated problems with our disaster recovery systems could have a material adverse impact on our ability to conduct business and on our results of operations and financial condition, particularly if those problems affect our information technology systems and destroy valuable data or result in a significant failure of our internal control environment. In addition, in the event that a significant number of our employees were unavailable in the event of a disaster, our ability to effectively conduct business could be severely compromised.

Previous wording

The use and reliance on third-party vendors, including vendors providing web and cloud-based applications, may disrupt our business, and impact our ability to leverage data.

Current wording

The use and reliance on third-party vendors, including vendors providing web and cloud-based applications, may disrupt our business, and impact our ability to access data.

Previous wording

See "Regulation" contained herein in Item 1,"Critical Accounting Estimates" and "Liquidity and Capital Resources" included in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained herein in Item 7, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" contained herein in Item 7A, and Notes 10, 16, and 18 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" contained herein in Item 8 for further discussion.

Current wording

See "Regulation" contained herein in Item 1,"Critical Accounting Estimates" included in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained herein in Item 7, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" contained herein in Item 7A, and Note 16 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" contained herein in Item 8 for further discussion.