Unum Group

Fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly between the British pound sterling and the U.S. dollar for our U.K. operations, have an effect on our consolidated financial results. In periods when the pound weakens relative to the preceding period, translating pounds into dollars decreases current period results relative to the prior period. In periods when the pound strengthens, translating pounds into dollars increases current period results relative to the prior period.

The weighted average pound/dollar exchange rate for our Unum UK line of business was 1.318, 1.278, and 1.243 for 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. If the 2024 and 2023 results for our U.K. operations had been translated at the 2025 weighted average exchange rate, our adjusted operating revenue would have been approximately $28 million higher and $50 million higher in 2024 and 2023, respectively. Additionally, our adjusted operating income would have been approximately $5 million higher and $9 million higher in 2024 and 2023, respectively. However, 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.

We reported year-over-year premium growth in 2025 in each of our core operating segments, primarily due to in-force block growth, sales, and the impacts from the recapture of a previously ceded block of business in our Unum US individual disability product line that occurred in 2025, partially offset by the expected run off in medical stop-loss in our Unum US segment and by the impact of ceding a portion of the Unum US individual disability product line as part of the Fortitude Re reinsurance transaction. Premium growth in 2024 was primarily attributable to favorable persistency and higher overall sales in our core operating segments. Premium income continues to decline in our Closed Block segment, as expected, and was accelerated by the impact of ceding a portion of the Closed Block long-term care product line as a part of the Fortitude Re reinsurance transaction in 2025.

Net investment income was lower in 2025, relative to 2024, primarily related to a decrease in the level of invested assets supporting the Closed Block long-term care product line as a result of the Fortitude Re reinsurance transaction, partially offset by higher net investment income in our Corporate segment driven by an increase in the level of invested assets, and an increase in miscellaneous investment income. 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.

Investment gains and losses in 2025 were primarily driven by the Fortitude Re reinsurance transaction which resulted in a net loss of $46.8 million. In addition, we realized a $19.1 million loss on sales of fixed maturity securities relating to funding of a dividend from one of our subsidiaries in 2025. Our investment gains and losses on fixed maturity securities include net losses on sales of $38.2 million and $48.7 million in 2024, and 2023, respectively. See Note 3 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" contained herein in Item 8 for further discussion.

Other income is primarily comprised of fee-based service products in the Unum US segment, which include leave management services and administrative services only business, and the underlying results and associated net investment income of certain assumed blocks of reinsured business in the Closed Block segment. Also included within other income for 2025 are the amortization of the deferred gain on reinsurance related to the Unum US individual disability product line as a part of the Fortitude Re reinsurance transaction and a gain on the recapture of a previously ceded block of business in the Unum US individual disability product line.

Overall benefits experience was unfavorable in 2025 relative to 2024 and 2023 with a consolidated benefit ratio, which includes the remeasurement gain or loss, of 74.5 percent in 2025 compared to 65.9 percent and 72.2 percent in 2024 and 2023, respectively. The underlying benefits experience for each of our operating segments is discussed more fully in "Segment Results" contained herein in this Item 7.

Commissions were higher in 2025 compared to 2024 primarily due to the continued impacts from the recapture of a previously ceded block of business in our Unum US individual disability product line that occurred in the first quarter of 2025 as well as sales in our core operating business segments, partially offset by the impacts from the Fortitude Re reinsurance transaction for our Unum US individual disability product line. The deferral of acquisition costs was higher in 2025 compared to 2024 due primarily to an increase in commissions and other sales-related costs in our Colonial Life segment. The amortization of deferred acquisition costs was generally consistent in 2025 compared to 2024. Commissions and the deferral of acquisition costs were higher in 2024 compared to 2023 driven primarily by higher overall sales in our Unum US segment and higher prior period sales in our Colonial Life segment. The increase in the amortization of deferred acquisition costs in 2024 compared to 2023 is due primarily to growth in the level of the deferred asset in our Unum US supplemental and voluntary product lines, Colonial Life segment, and Unum US group disability product line and the impact of increased policyholder lapses in certain of our Unum US supplemental and voluntary product line.

We reported year-over-year increases in other expenses and compensation expenses, on a combined basis, in 2025 compared to 2024, primarily due to the settlement loss on the U.S pension plan annuity purchase, an increase in the amortization of the cost of reinsurance as a result of the Fortitude Re reinsurance transaction, impacts from the recapture of a previously ceded block of business in our Unum US individual disability product line that occurred in 2025, and the accelerated charitable contribution. Other expenses and compensation expenses, on a combined basis, increased in 2024 compared to 2023 due primarily to a loss from a legal settlement, an increase in operational investments in our business, and growth in our fee-based service products. See "Executive Summary" contained herein in this Item 7 and Notes 11, 14, and 15 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" contained herein in Item 8 for further discussion.

Our effective income tax rate for 2025 was 20.9 percent, compared to 21.0 percent in 2024 and 21.7 percent in 2023. Our 2025, 2024, and 2023 effective tax rates were generally consistent with the U.S. statutory rate. In 2025, interest on unrecognized tax benefits was offset by tax credits. See Note 9 in the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" contained herein in Item 8 for further discussion.

Consolidated Sales Results

Shown below are sales results for our three core operating segments.

Sales shown in the preceding chart generally represent the annualized premium income on new sales which we expect to receive and report as premium income during the next 12 months following or beginning in the initial quarter in which the sale is reported, depending on the effective date of the new sale. Sales do not correspond to premium income reported as revenue in accordance with GAAP. This is because new annualized sales premiums reflect current sales performance and what we expect to recognize as premium income over a 12 month period, while premium income reported in our financial statements is reported on an "as earned" basis rather than an annualized basis and also includes renewals and persistency of in-force policies written in prior years as well as current new sales.

Sales, persistency of the existing block of business, employment and salary growth, and the effectiveness of a renewal program are indicators of growth in premium income. Trends in new sales, as well as existing market share, also indicate the potential for growth in our respective markets and the level of market acceptance of price levels and new product offerings. Sales results may fluctuate significantly due to case size and timing of sales submissions.

See "Segment Results" as follows for a discussion of sales by segment.