nwl10q.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
þ         QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2009
 
o        TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from __________ to __________
 
Commission File Number: 2-17039
 
 
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
   
COLORADO
84-0467208
(State of Incorporation)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
   
850 EAST ANDERSON LANE
 
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78752-1602
(512) 836-1010
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Telephone Number)
   
   
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days:   Yes þ   No o
   
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated file" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer  o     Accelerated filer  þ     Non-accelerated filer   o
   
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o   No þ
   
As of August 5, 2009, the number of shares of Registrant's common stock outstanding was:   Class A – 3,425,966 and  Class B - 200,000.


 
 

 



   
 
Page
   
3
   
3
   
3
June 30, 2009 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2008
 
   
5
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited)
 
   
6
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited)
 
   
7
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited)
 
   
8
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited)
 
   
9
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited)
 
   
11
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited)
 
   
13
   
46
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
   
72
   
72
   
72
   
72
   
72
   
73
   
73
   
73
   
74

2



 
 
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
(In thousands)
         
         
         
         
   
(Unaudited)
   
   
June 30,
 
December 31,
ASSETS
 
2009
 
2008
         
Investments:
       
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost
       
(fair value: $4,015,880 and $3,727,353)
$
3,986,365 
 
3,831,417 
Securities available for sale, at fair value
       
(cost: $1,897,918 and $1,904,053)
 
1,855,738 
 
1,745,266 
Mortgage loans, net of allowance for possible losses
       
($3,577 and $4,587)
 
93,016 
 
90,733 
Policy loans
 
77,928 
 
79,277 
Derivatives, index options
 
27,018 
 
11,920 
Other long-term investments
 
29,651 
 
14,168 
         
Total investments
 
6,069,716 
 
5,772,781 
         
Cash and short-term investments
 
54,850 
 
67,796 
Deferred policy acquisition costs
 
658,921 
 
701,984 
Deferred sales inducements
 
121,202 
 
120,955 
Accrued investment income
 
67,200 
 
64,872 
Federal income tax receivable
 
-   
 
1,820 
Other assets
 
64,862 
 
56,272 
         
 
$
7,036,751 
 
6,786,480 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


3



NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(In thousands, except share amounts)
 
             
             
   
(Unaudited)
       
   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
2009
   
2008
 
             
LIABILITIES:
           
             
Future policy benefits:
           
Traditional life and annuity contracts
  $ 136,470       137,530  
Universal life and annuity contracts
    5,567,547       5,424,968  
Other policyholder liabilities
    134,875       131,963  
Federal income tax liability:
               
Current
    8,131       -  
Deferred
    45,365       26,506  
Other liabilities
    81,214       79,300  
                 
Total liabilities
    5,973,602       5,800,267  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 5 and 8)
               
                 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
                 
Common stock:
               
Class A - $1 par value; 7,500,000 shares authorized; 3,425,966
               
and 3,425,454 issued and outstanding in 2009 and 2008
    3,426       3,426  
Class B - $1 par value; 200,000 shares authorized, issued,
               
and outstanding in 2009 and 2008
    200       200  
Additional paid-in capital
    36,680       36,680  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (22,799 )     (65,358 )
Retained earnings
    1,045,642       1,011,265  
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    1,063,149       986,213  
                 
    $ 7,036,751       6,786,480  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


4



NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008
 
(Unaudited)
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
             
             
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Premiums and other revenue:
           
Traditional life and annuity premiums
  $ 4,389       4,624  
Universal life and annuity contract charges
    38,862       33,593  
Net investment income
    93,743       72,278  
Other revenues
    3,507       3,153  
Net realized investment gains (losses):
               
    Total other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses
    (1,849 )     (1,425 )
    Portion of OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income
    1,823       -  
    Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings
    (26 )     (1,425 )
    Other net investment gains
    192       1,158  
    Total net realized investment gains (losses)
    166       (267 )
                 
Total revenues
    140,667       113,381  
                 
Benefits and expenses:
               
Life and other policy benefits
    10,248       7,655  
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and
               
    deferred sales inducements
    28,549       30,263  
Universal life and annuity contract interest
    57,651       33,555  
Other operating expenses
    16,631       14,627  
                 
Total benefits and expenses
    113,079       86,100  
                 
Earnings before Federal income taxes
    27,588       27,281  
                 
Provision (benefit) for Federal income taxes:
               
Current
    15,141       7,928  
Deferred
    (6,395 )     1,211  
                 
Total Federal income taxes
    8,746       9,139  
                 
Net earnings
  $ 18,842       18,142  
                 
Basic Earnings Per Share:
               
Class A
  $ 5.34       5.15  
Class B
  $ 2.67       2.57  
                 
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
               
Class A
  $ 5.34       5.10  
Class B
  $ 2.67       2.57  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


5



NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008
 
(Unaudited)
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
             
             
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Premiums and other revenues:
           
Traditional life and annuity premiums
  $ 8,520       8,518  
Universal life and annuity contract charges
    77,433       65,811  
Net investment income
    164,349       131,708  
Other revenues
    7,101       6,292  
Net realized investment gains (losses):
               
    Total other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses
    (7,130 )     (1,450 )
    Portion of OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income
    1,823       -  
    Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings
    (5,307 )     (1,450 )
    Other net investment gains
    128       1,139  
    Total net realized investment losses
    (5,179 )     (311 )
                 
Total revenues
    252,224       212,018  
                 
Benefits and expenses:
               
Life and other policy benefits
    23,276       18,111  
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and
               
    deferred sales inducements
    56,497       56,511  
Universal life and annuity contract interest
    92,917       60,172  
Other operating expenses
    29,344       28,057  
                 
Total benefits and expenses
    202,034       162,851  
                 
Earnings before Federal income taxes
    50,190       49,167  
                 
Provision (benefit) for Federal income taxes:
               
Current
    21,005       11,819  
Deferred
    (4,685 )     4,760  
                 
Total Federal income taxes
    16,320       16,579  
                 
Net earnings
  $ 33,870       32,588  
                 
Basic Earnings Per Share:
               
Class A
  $ 9.61       9.25  
Class B
  $ 4.80       4.62  
                 
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
               
Class A
  $ 9.60       9.18  
Class B
  $ 4.80       4.62  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


6



 
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008
 
(Unaudited)
 
(In thousands)
 
             
             
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Net earnings
  $ 18,842       18,142  
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of effects of
               
deferred costs and taxes:
               
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
               
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period
    31,868       (15,503 )
       Reclassification adjustment for net amounts                
           included in net earnings     171       (574
Amortization of net unrealized gains related to
               
transferred securities
    (12 )     (30 )
                 
       Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities     32,027       (16,107 )
                 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    (93 )     39  
                 
Benefit plans:
               
Amortization of net prior service cost and net gain
    411       375  
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    32,345       (15,693 )
                 
Comprehensive income
  $ 51,187       2,449  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


7



 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008
 
(Unaudited)
 
(In thousands)
 
             
             
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Net earnings
  $ 33,870       32,588  
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of effects of
               
deferred costs and taxes:
               
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
               
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period
    39,513       (15,095 )
       Reclassification adjustment for net amounts                
           included in net earnings     2,872        (610 )
Amortization of net unrealized gains related to
               
transferred securities
    (44 )     (14 )
                 
       Net unrelaized gains (losses) on securities     42,341       (15,719 )
                 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    (98 )     (142 )
                 
Benefit plans:
               
Amortization of net prior service cost and net gain
    823       684  
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    43,066       (15,177 )
                 
Comprehensive income
  $ 76,936       17,411  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


8



 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008
 
(Unaudited)
 
(In thousands)
 
             
             
   
2009
   
2008
 
Common stock:
           
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 3,626       3,622  
Shares exercised under stock option plan
    -       4  
                 
Balance at end of period
    3,626       3,626  
                 
Additional paid-in capital:
               
Balance at beginning of period
    36,680       36,236  
Shares exercised under the stock option plan
    -       444  
                 
Balance at end of period
    36,680       36,680  
                 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
               
Unrealized gains (losses) on non-impaired securities:
               
Balance at beginning of period
    (53,770 )     1,184  
Change in unrealized gains (losses) during period
    42,902       (15,719 )
                 
Balance at end of period
    (10,868 )     (14,535 )
                 
Unrealized losses on impaired held to maturity securities:
               
Balance at beginning of period
    -       -  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (See Note 3)
    (507 )     -  
Amortization
    15       -  
                 
Balance at end of period
    (492 )     -  
                 
Unrealized losses on impaired available for sale securities:
               
Balance at beginning of period
    -       -  
Other-than-temporary impairments
    (576 )     -  
                 
Balance at end of period
    (576 )     -  
                 
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
               
Balance at beginning of period
    2,966       3,078  
Change in translation adjustments during period
    (98 )     (142 )
                 
Balance at end of period
    2,868       2,936  
                 
Benefit plan liability adjustment:
               
Balance at beginning of period
    (14,554 )     (11,327 )
Amortization of net prior service cost and net gain
    823       684  
                 
Balance at end of period
    (13,731 )     (10,643 )
                 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of period
    (22,799 )     (22,242 )

Continued on next page


9



NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY, CONTINUED
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008
 
(Unaudited)
 
(In thousands)
 
             
             
Retained earnings:
           
Balance at beginning of period
    1,011,265       978,892  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle,
               
net of tax (See Note 3)
    507       -  
Net earnings
    33,870       32,588  
                 
Balance at end of period
    1,045,642       1,011,480  
                 
Total stockholders' equity
  $ 1,063,149       1,029,544  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


10



 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008
 
(Unaudited)
 
(In thousands)
 
             
             
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net earnings
  $ 33,870       32,588  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
               
from operating activities:
               
Universal life and annuity contract interest
    105,066       69,219  
Surrender charges and other policy revenues
    (30,471 )     (19,667 )
Realized losses on investments
    5,179       311  
Accrual and amortization of investment income
    (2,833 )     (2,487 )
Depreciation and amortization
    1,344       495  
(Increase) decrease in value of derivatives
    (18,344 )     21,289  
Increase in deferred policy acquisition and
               
sales inducement costs
    (9,210 )     (5,741 )
(Increase) decrease in accrued investment income
    (2,328 )     172  
Increase in other assets
    (11,822 )     (5,273 )
Decrease in liabilities for future policy benefits
    (1,060 )     (601 )
Increase in other policyholder liabilities
    2,912       3,421  
Increase in Federal income tax liability
    5,266       8,401  
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities
    13,642       (4,115 )
Other
    1,250       359  
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    92,461       98,371  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Proceeds from sales of:
               
Securities held to maturity
    -       -  
Securities available for sale
    14,770       999  
Other investments
    671       443  
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of:
               
Securities held to maturity
    530,236       355,100  
Securities available for sale
    64,563       140,458  
Derivatives, index options
    24,405       22,143  
Purchases of:
               
Securities held to maturity
    (668,004 )     (379,575 )
Securities available for sale
    (101,172 )     (167,134 )
Other investments
    (37,603 )     (26,292 )
Principal payments on mortgage loans
    3,921       10,200  
Cost of mortgage loans acquired
    (6,049 )     (1,962 )
Decrease in policy loans
    1,349       1,895  
Other
    -       (3,899 )
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (172,913 )     (47,624 )

(Continued on next page)


11



NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, CONTINUED
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008
 
(Unaudited)
 
(In thousands)
 
             
             
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Cash flows from financing activities:
           
Deposits to account balances for universal life
           
and annuity contracts
  $ 363,145       238,296  
Return of account balances on universal life
               
and annuity contracts
    (295,546 )     (300,961 )
Issuance of common stock under stock option plan
    -       448  
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    67,599       (62,217 )
                 
Effect of foreign exchange
    (93 )     (351 )
                 
Net decrease in cash and short-term investments
    (12,946 )     (11,821 )
Cash and short-term investments at beginning of period
    67,796       45,206  
                 
Cash and short-term investments at end of period
  $ 54,850       33,385  

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
           
             
Cash paid during the period for:
           
Interest
  $ 20       20  
Income taxes
    10,748       8,178  
                 
Noncash operating activities:
               
Net change in deferral of sales inducements
    10,124       9,047  
                 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

12

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



(1)  CONSOLIDATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of National Western Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries (“Company”) as of June 30, 2009, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008. The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. It is recommended that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 accessible free of charge through the Company's internet site at www.nationalwesternlife.com or the Securities and Exchange Commission internet site at www.sec. gov. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2008, has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date. Certain amounts in the prior year condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of National Western Life Insurance Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: The Westcap Corporation, NWL Investments, Inc., NWL Services, Inc., NWL Financial, Inc., and Regent Care San Marcos Holdings, LLC. All significant intercorporate transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include (1) liabilities for future policy benefits, (2) valuation of derivative instruments, (3) recoverability and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, (4) valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, (5) other-than-temporary impairment losses on debt securities, and (6) valuation allowances for mortgage loans and real estate.


(2)  NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2008 and the adoption did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See related disclosures in Note 10 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This Statement permits entities to choose upon adoption or at specified election dates, to measure at fair value many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The Company adopted SFAS 159 effective January 1, 2008, with no impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements as no eligible financial assets or liabilities were elected to be measured at fair value upon initial adoption. Management will continue to evaluate eligible financial assets and liabilities on their election dates, and will disclose any future elections in accordance with provisions outlined in the Statement.


 
Continued on Next Page
13

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160,  Noncontrolling  Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements. SFAS No. 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards for entities that have equity investments that are not attributable directly to the parent, called noncontrolling interests or minority interests. Specifically, SFAS No. 160 states where and how to report noncontrolling interests in the consolidated statements of financial position and operations, how to account for changes in noncontrolling interests and provides disclosure requirements. The provisions of SFAS No. 160 were effective beginning January 1, 2009. The adoption of SFAS No. 160 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations. SFAS No. 141(R) establishes how an entity accounts for the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interests acquired, how to account for goodwill acquired and determines what disclosures are required as part of a business combination. SFAS No. 141(R) applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The adoption of this statement did not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157. This FSP delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis, to fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The adoption of FSP FAS 157-2 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

On April 9, 2009 the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly. This FSP provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with SFAS No. 157, when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. This FSP also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. This FSP emphasizes that even if there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability and regardless of the valuation technique(s) used, the objective of a fair value measurement remains the same. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction (that is, not a forced liquidation or distressed sale) between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. This FSP is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. As discussed in Note 10, the adoption of FSP FAS 157-4 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133. This statement requires enhanced disclosures regarding an entity’s derivative and hedging activity to enable investors to better understand the effects on an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The Company adopted SFAS No. 161 as of January 1, 2009. See Note 11 for disclosures regarding derivative instruments and hedging activities.

In September 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4, Disclosures about Credit Derivatives and Certain Guarantees: An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and FASB Interpretation No. 45; and Clarification of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 161. This FSP amends SFAS No. 133 Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, to require disclosures by entities that assume credit risk through the sale of credit derivatives including credit derivatives embedded in a hybrid instrument to enable users of financial statements to assess the potential effect on its financial position, financial performance, and cash flows from these credit derivatives. This FSP also amends FASB Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others, to require additional disclosure about the current status of the payment/performance risk of a guarantee. The Company adopted FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4 effective January 1, 2009. The adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations.


 
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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 132(R)-1, Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets. This FSP requires that information about plan assets be disclosed, on an annual basis, based on the fair value disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 157. The Company would be required to separate plan assets into the three fair value hierarchy levels and provide a rollforward of the changes in fair value of plan assets classified as Level 3. The disclosures about plan assets required by this FSP are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009, but will have no effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

In January 2009, the FASB issued FSP EITF 99-20-1, Amendments to the Impairment Guidance of EITF Issue No. 99-20. The FSP amends EITF 99-20’s impairment model to be more consistent with SFAS No. 115 Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, removing its exclusive reliance on “market participant” estimate of future cash flows used in determining fair value. Changing the cash flows used to analyze other-than-temporary impairment from the “market participant” view to a holder’s estimate of whether there has been a “probable” adverse change in estimated cash flows allows management to apply reasonable judgment in assessing whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred. The FSP was effective for the Company as of December 31, 2008. The adoption of this FSP did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

On April 9, 2009 the FASB issued FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments. This FSP amends FASB Statement No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. This FSP also amends APB Opinion No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting, to require those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. This FSP was effective for the Company as of June 30, 2009. The adoption of this FSP did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial position or results of operations. See Note 10 for the additional disclosures required by this FSP.

On April 9, 2009 the FASB issued FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments. This FSP amends the other-than-temporary impairment guidance for debt securities to make the guidance more operational and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities in the financial statements. This FSP does not amend existing recognition and measurement guidance related to other-than-temporary impairments of equity securities. This FSP was effective for the Company as of June 30, 2009. The impact of the adoption of this FSP is discussed in Note 3, Stockholders Equity.

On May 28, 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, Subsequent Events. This statement is intended to establish general standards of accounting for the disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date, but before the financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. This statement was effective for the Company as of June 30, 2009. The adoption of this statement did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial position or results of operations. See Note 12 for the additional disclosure required by this FSP.

On June 12, 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets and SFAS No. 167 Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), which changes the way entities account for securitizations and special purpose entities. Both statements are effective as of the beginning of the Company’s first annual reporting period beginning after November 15, 2009. The adoption of these statements should not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial position, results of operations and disclosures.

Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the AICPA, and the SEC did not, or are not believed by management to, have a material impact on the Company's present or future consolidated financial statements.


(3)  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

The Company is restricted by state insurance laws as to dividend amounts which may be paid to stockholders without prior approval from the Colorado Division of Insurance. The Company paid no cash dividends on common stock during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008.


 
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15

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



Change in Accounting Principles

With the adoption of the new FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, the Company reviewed all previously-recorded other-than-temporary impairments of securities and estimated the credit versus the non-credit component consistent with the methodology used in the current period to analyze and bifurcate impairments into credit and non-credit components. As a result, the Company determined that $0.8 million in previously recorded other-than-temporary impairments had been due to non-credit impairments.

For each security, the Company developed its best estimate of the net present value of the cash flows expected to be received. The credit component of the impairment for these securities was determined to be the difference between the amortized cost of the security and the projected net cash flows. The non-credit component was determined to be the difference between projected net cash flows and fair value. It also determined whether it had the intent to sell the security, or if it was more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security, prior to the recovery of the non-credit component.

With the implementation of this FSP, the Company recorded a net of tax opening balance adjustment that increased retained earnings in the amount of $0.5 million and increased accumulated other comprehensive loss in the amount of $0.5 million. See Note 9 for further discussion of the adoption of the new FSP.


 
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16

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



(4)  EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share of common stock are computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average basic common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share assumes the issuance of common shares applicable to stock options in the denominator.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Class A
   
Class B
   
Class A
   
Class B
 
   
(In thousands except per share amounts)
 
                         
Numerator for Basic and
                       
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
                       
Net income
  $ 18,842               18,142          
Dividends – Class A shares
    -               -          
Dividends – Class B shares
    -               -          
                                 
Undistributed income
  $ 18,842               18,142          
                                 
Allocation of net income:
                               
Dividends
  $ -       -       -       -  
Allocation of undistributed income
    18,307       535       17,627       515  
                                 
Net income
  $ 18,307       535       17,627       515  
                                 
Denominator:
                               
Basic earnings per share -
                               
weighted-average shares
    3,426       200       3,426       200  
Effect of dilutive
                               
stock options
    4       -       27       -  
                                 
Diluted earnings per share -
                               
adjusted weighted-average
                               
shares for assumed
                               
conversions
    3,430       200       3,453       200  
                                 
Basic Earnings Per Share
  $ 5.34       2.67       5.15       2.57  
                                 
Diluted Earnings Per Share
  $ 5.34       2.67       5.10       2.57  


 
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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)




   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Class A
   
Class B
   
Class A
   
Class B
 
   
(In thousands except per share amounts)
 
                         
Numerator for Basic and
                       
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
                       
Net income
  $ 33,870               32,588          
Dividends – Class A shares
    -               -          
Dividends – Class B shares
    -               -          
                                 
Undistributed income
  $ 33,870               32,588          
                                 
Allocation of net income:
                               
Dividends
  $ -       -       -       -  
Allocation of undistributed income
    32,909       961       31,664       924  
                                 
Net income
  $ 32,909       961       31,664       924  
                                 
Denominator:
                               
Basic earnings per share -
                               
weighted-average shares
    3,426       200       3,424       200  
Effect of dilutive
                               
stock options
    4       -       26       -  
                                 
Diluted earnings per share -
                               
adjusted weighted-average
                               
shares for assumed
                               
conversions
    3,430       200       3,450       200  
                                 
Basic Earnings Per Share
  $ 9.61       4.80       9.25       4.62  
                                 
Diluted Earnings Per Share
  $ 9.60       4.80       9.18       4.62  


 
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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



(5)  PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS

(A)  Defined Benefit Pension Plans

The Company sponsors a qualified defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees. The plan provides benefits based on the participants' years of service and compensation. The Company makes annual contributions to the plan that comply with the minimum funding provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). On October 19, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an amendment to freeze the Pension Plan as of December 31, 2007. The freeze ceased future benefit accruals to all participants and closed the Plan to any new participants. In addition, all participants became immediately 100% vested in their accrued benefits as of that date. Going forward future pension expense is projected to be minimal. Fair values of plan assets and liabilities are measured as of the prior December 31 for each respective year. The following summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Service cost
  $ -       (180 )     -       -  
Interest cost
    262       246       524       518  
Expected return on plan assets
    (223 )     (295 )     (445 )     (570 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    1       1       2       2  
Amortization of net loss
    149       42       297       122  
                                 
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 189       (186 )     378       72  

The Company expects to contribute $1.8 million to the plan in 2009.  As of June 30, 2009, the Company has contributed $0.1 million to the plan.

The Company also sponsors a non-qualified defined benefit plan primarily for senior officers. The plan provides benefits based on the participants' years of service and compensation. The pension obligations and administrative responsibilities of the plan are maintained by a pension administration firm, which is a subsidiary of American National Insurance Company ("ANICO"). ANICO has guaranteed the payment of pension obligations under the plan. However, the Company has a contingent liability with respect to the pension plan should these entities be unable to meet their obligations under the existing agreements. Also, the Company has a contingent liability with respect to the plan in the event that a plan participant continues employment with the Company beyond age seventy, the aggregate average annual participant salary increases exceed 10% per year, or any additional employees become eligible to participate in the plan. If any of these conditions are met, the Company would be responsible for any additional pension obligations resulting from these items. Amendments were made to the plan to allow an additional employee to participate and to change the benefit formula for the Chairman of the Company. As previously mentioned, these additional obligations are a liability to the Company. Effective December 31, 2004, this plan was frozen with respect to the continued accrual of benefits of the Chairman and the President of the Company in order to comply with law changes under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 ("Act").

Effective July 1, 2005, the Company established a second non-qualified defined benefit plan for the benefit of the Chairman of the Company. This plan is intended to provide for post-2004 benefit accruals that mirror and supplement the pre-2005 benefit accruals under the previously discussed non-qualified plan, while complying with the requirements of the Act.

Effective November 1, 2005, the Company established a third non-qualified defined benefit plan for the benefit of the President of the Company. This plan is intended to provide for post-2004 benefit accruals that supplement the pre-2005 benefit accruals under the first non-qualified plan as previously discussed, while complying with the requirements of the Act.


 
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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



The following summarizes the components of net periodic benefit costs for these non-qualified plans.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Service cost
  $ 37       100       74       293  
Interest cost
    309       354       617       595  
Amortization of prior service cost
    260       260       520       520  
Amortization of net loss
    198       252       396       353  
                                 
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 804       966       1,607       1,761  

The Company expects to contribute $2.0 million to these plans in 2009.  As of June 30, 2009, the Company has contributed $0.7 million to the plans.

(B)  Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans

The Company sponsors two healthcare plans to provide postretirement benefits to certain fully-vested individuals.  The following summarizes the components of net periodic benefit costs.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Interest cost
  $ 33       32       65       67  
Amortization of prior service cost
    26       26       52       52  
Amortization of net loss (gain)
    -       (4 )     -       3  
                                 
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 59       54       117       122  

As previously disclosed in its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company expects to contribute minimal amounts to the plan in 2009.


 
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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



(6)  SEGMENT AND OTHER OPERATING INFORMATION

Under SFAS No. 131, Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, the Company defines its reportable operating segments as domestic life insurance, international life insurance, and annuities. These segments are organized based on product types and geographic marketing areas. A summary of segment information as of and for the periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 is provided below.

Selected Segment Information:
                             
   
Domestic
   
International
                   
   
Life
   
Life
         
All
       
   
Insurance
   
Insurance
   
Annuities
   
Others
   
Totals
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                               
June 30, 2009:
                             
Selected Balance Sheet Items:
                         
Deferred policy acquisition
                             
costs and sales inducements
  $ 61,850       209,021       509,252       -       780,123  
Total segment assets
    393,864       1,000,007       5,448,684       146,332       6,988,887  
Future policy benefits
    319,259       608,331       4,776,427       -       5,704,017  
Other policyholder liabilities
    11,748       24,726       98,401       -       134,875  
                                         
Three Months Ended
                                       
June 30, 2009:
                                       
Condensed Income Statements:
                                       
Premiums and contract
                                       
revenues
  $ 9,418       26,585       7,248       -       43,251  
Net investment income
    4,962       9,822       75,096       3,863       93,743  
Other income
    6       12       78       3,411       3,507  
                                         
Total revenues
    14,386       36,419       82,422       7,274       140,501  
                                         
Life and other policy benefits
    4,334       4,374       1,540       -       10,248  
Amortization of deferred
                                       
policy acquisition costs
    1,979       11,600       14,970       -       28,549  
Universal life and annuity
                                       
contract interest
    2,226       10,480       44,945       -       57,651  
Other operating expenses
    3,649       5,174       4,540       3,268       16,631  
Federal income taxes
    686       1,553       5,164       1,285       8,688  
                                         
Total expenses
    12,874       33,181       71,159       4,553       121,767  
                                         
Segment earnings
  $ 1,512       3,238       11,263       2,721       18,734  


 
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)




   
Domestic
   
International
                   
   
Life
   
Life
         
All
       
   
Insurance
   
Insurance
   
Annuities
   
Others
   
Totals
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                               
Six Months Ended
                             
June 30, 2009:
                             
Condensed Income Statements:
                             
Premiums and contract
                             
revenues
  $ 18,957       52,834       14,162       -       85,953  
Net investment income
    10,060       13,880       135,117       5,292       164,349  
Other income
    20       39       213       6,829       7,101  
                                         
Total revenues
    29,037       66,753       149,492       12,121       257,403  
                                         
Life and other policy benefits
    8,155       12,098       3,023       -       23,276  
Amortization of deferred
                                       
policy acquisition costs
    4,334       24,762       27,401       -       56,497  
Universal life and annuity
                                       
contract interest
    4,498       14,200       74,219       -       92,917  
Other operating expenses
    6,379       8,680       7,734       6,551       29,344  
Federal income taxes
    1,859       2,299       12,152       1,823       18,133  
                                         
Total expenses
    25,225       62,039       124,529       8,374       220,167  
                                         
Segment earnings
  $ 3,812       4,714       24,963       3,747       37,236  


 
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)




Selected Segment Information:
                             
   
Domestic
   
International
                   
   
Life
   
Life
         
All
       
   
Insurance
   
Insurance
   
Annuities
   
Others
   
Totals
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                               
June 30, 2008:
                             
Selected Balance Sheet Items:
                         
Deferred policy acquisition
                             
costs and sales inducements
  $ 63,709       213,085       512,052       -       788,846  
Total segment assets
    401,193       823,498       5,428,195       131,362       6,784,248  
Future policy benefits
    319,676       579,006       4,659,100       -       5,557,782  
Other policyholder liabilities
    10,838       12,261       100,722       -       123,821  
                                         
Three Months Ended
                                       
June 30, 2008:
                                       
Condensed Income Statements:
                                       
Premiums and contract
                                       
revenues
  $ 6,691       24,741       6,785       -       38,217  
Net investment income
    5,030       5,005       59,006       3,237       72,278  
Other income
    4       13       85       3,051       3,153  
                                         
Total revenues
    11,725       29,759       65,876       6,288       113,648  
                                         
Life and other policy benefits
    2,814       4,286       555       -       7,655  
Amortization of deferred
                                       
policy acquisition costs
    2,068       9,610       18,585       -       30,263  
Universal life and annuity
                                       
contract interest
    2,288       4,586       26,681       -       33,555  
Other operating expenses
    3,049       4,254       4,489       2,835       14,627  
Federal income taxes
    508       2,354       5,210       1,161       9,233  
                                         
Total expenses
    10,727       25,090       55,520       3,996       95,333  
                                         
Segment earnings
  $ 998       4,669       10,356       2,292       18,315  


 
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23

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)




   
Domestic
   
International
                   
   
Life
   
Life
         
All
       
   
Insurance
   
Insurance
   
Annuities
   
Others
   
Totals
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                               
Six Months Ended
                             
June 30, 2008:
                             
Condensed Income Statements:
                             
Premiums and contract
                             
revenues
  $ 13,310       48,226       12,793       -       74,329  
Net investment income
    10,191       8,044       109,303       4,170       131,708  
Other income
    10       25       123       6,134       6,292  
                                         
Total revenues
    23,511       56,295       122,219       10,304       212,329  
                                         
Life and other policy benefits
    7,019       9,599       1,493       -       18,111  
Amortization of deferred
                                       
policy acquisition costs
    4,355       18,401       33,755       -       56,511  
Universal life and annuity
                                       
contract interest
    4,643       7,280       48,249       -       60,172  
Other operating expenses
    6,023       8,126       8,295       5,613       28,057  
Federal income taxes
    496       4,348       10,262       1,582       16,688  
                                         
Total expenses
    22,536       47,754       102,054       7,195       179,539  
                                         
Segment earnings
  $ 975       8,541       20,165       3,109       32,790  


 
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24

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



Reconciliations of segment information to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements are provided below.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Premiums and Other Revenue:
                       
Premiums and contract revenues
  $ 43,251       38,217       85,953       74,329  
Net investment income
    93,743       72,278       164,349       131,708  
Other income
    3,507       3,153       7,101       6,292  
Realized gains (losses) on investments
    166       (267 )     (5,179 )     (311 )
                                 
Total consolidated premiums and
                               
other revenue
  $ 140,667       113,381       252,224       212,018  


   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Federal Income Taxes:
                       
Total segment Federal income taxes
  $ 8,688       9,233       18,133       16,688  
Taxes on realized gains (losses)
                               
on investments
    58       (94 )     (1,813 )     (109 )
                                 
Total consolidated Federal
                               
income taxes
  $ 8,746       9,139       16,320       16,579  


   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Net Earnings:
                       
Total segment earnings
  $ 18,734       18,315       37,236       32,790  
Realized gains (losses) on
                               
investments, net of taxes
    108       (173 )     (3,366 )     (202 )
                                 
Total consolidated net earnings
  $ 18,842       18,142       33,870       32,588  


   
June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Assets:
           
Total segment assets
  $ 6,988,887       6,784,248  
Other unallocated assets
    47,864       42,082  
                 
Total consolidated assets
  $ 7,036,751       6,826,330  


 
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25

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



(7)  SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

The Company has a stock and incentive plan ("1995 Plan") which provides for the grant of any or all of the following types of awards to eligible employees: (1) stock options, including incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options; (2) stock appreciation rights, in tandem with stock options or freestanding; (3) restricted stock; and (4) performance awards. The Company has issued only nonqualified stock options and stock appreciation rights. The 1995 Plan began on April 21, 1995, and was amended on June 25, 2004 to extend the termination date to April 20, 2010. The number of shares of Class A, $1.00 par value, common stock which may be issued under the 1995 Plan, or as to which stock appreciation rights or other awards may be granted, may not exceed 300,000. Effective June 20, 2008, the Company’s shareholders approved a 2008 Incentive Plan (“2008 Plan”). The 2008 Plan is substantially similar to the 1995 Plan and authorized an additional number of Class A, $1.00 par value, common stock shares eligible for issue not to exceed 300,000. These shares may be authorized and unissued shares.

All of the employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the two Plans. In addition, directors of the Company are eligible to receive the same types of awards as employees except that they are not eligible to receive incentive stock options. Company directors, including members of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee, are eligible for nondiscretionary stock options. The directors’ grants vest 20% annually following one full year of service to the Company from the date of grant. The employees’ grants vest 20% annually following three full years of service to the Company from the date of grant. All grants issued expire after ten years. On February 19, 2009, the Company awarded 29,393 stock appreciation rights to Company officers and 9,000 stock appreciation rights to Company directors at a market value price of $114.64. On April 18, 2008, the Company awarded 28,268 stock options to Company officers at a market value price of $255.13 and on June 20, 2008, the Company awarded 9,000 stock options to Company directors at a market value price of $208.05.

Effective during March 2006, the Company adopted and implemented a limited stock buy-back program which provides option holders the additional alternative of selling shares acquired through the exercise of options directly back to the Company. Option holders may elect to sell such acquired shares back to the Company at any time within ninety (90) days after the exercise of options at the prevailing market price as of the date of notice of election. The buy-back program did not alter the terms and conditions of the Plan, however the program necessitated a change in accounting from the equity classification to the liability classification.

In August 2008, the Company implemented another limited stock buy-back program, substantially similar to the 2006 program, for shares issued under the 2008 Plan.

The Company uses the current fair value method to measure compensation cost. As of June 30, 2009 and 2008, the liability balance was $2.6 million and $6.3 million, respectively. A summary of shares available for grant and stock option activity is detailed below.

         
Options Outstanding
 
               
Weighted-
 
   
Shares
         
Average
 
   
Available
         
Exercise
 
   
For Grant
   
Shares
   
Price
 
                   
Stock Options:
                 
Balance at January 1, 2009
    291,400       105,812     $ 174.33  
Exercised
    -       -       -  
Forfeited
    800       (800 )     215.71  
Expired
    200       (200 )     150.00  
Stock options granted
    -       -       -  
                         
Balance at June 30, 2009
    292,400       104,812     $ 174.06  


 
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26

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)




   
Stock Appreciation Rights Outstanding
 
         
Weighted-
 
         
Average
 
         
Exercise
 
   
Awards
   
Price
 
             
Stock Appreciation Rights:
           
Balance at January 1, 2009
    2,750     $ 245.70  
SARs granted February 19, 2009
    38,393       114.64  
                 
Balance at June 30, 2009
    41,143     $ 123.40  

The total intrinsic value of options exercised was zero and $2.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The total share-based liabilities paid were zero and $2.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. For the quarters ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the total cash received from the exercise of options under the Plan was zero and $0.4 million, respectively. The total fair value of shares vested during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 was $0.2 million and $2.0 million, respectively.

The following table summarizes information about stock options and SARs outstanding at June 30, 2009.

   
Options Outstanding
       
         
Weighted-
       
         
Average
       
   
Number
   
Remaining
   
Options
 
   
Outstanding
   
Contractual Life
   
Exercisable
 
Exercise prices:
                 
$    92.13
    10,194       1.8 years       10,194  
      95.00
    6,000    
2.0 years
      6,000  
    150.00
    51,850    
4.8 years
      32,650  
    255.13
    27,768    
8.8 years
      -  
    208.05
    9,000    
9.0 years
      1,800  
    236.00
    1,250    
9.1 years
      -  
    251.49
    1,000    
9.2 years
      -  
    256.00
    500    
9.2 years
      -  
    114.64
    38,393    
9.6 years
      -  
                         
Totals
    145,955               50,644  
                         
Aggregate intrinsic value
                       
(in thousands)
  $ 462             $ 381  

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above is based on the closing stock price of $116.75 per share on June 30, 2009.


 
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27

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



In estimating the fair value of the options outstanding at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company employed the Black-Scholes option pricing model with assumptions as detailed below.

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Expected term of options
 
1 to 9 years
   
2 to 10 years
 
Expected volatility:
           
    Range
 
27.61% to 101.15
%  
24.70% to 77.55
%
    Weighted-average
    49.08 %     37.10 %
Expected dividend yield
    0.31 %     0.22 %
Risk-free rate:
               
    Range
 
1.52% to 3.74
%  
1.44% % to 2.40
%
    Weighted-average
    2.63 %     1.94 %

The Company reviewed the contractual term relative to the options as well as perceived future behavior patterns of exercise. Volatility is based on the Company’s historical volatility over the expected term.

The pre-tax compensation cost recognized in the financial statements related to the Plan was $(1.2) million and $0.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The related tax expense recognized was $(0.4) million and $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

As of June 30, 2009, the total compensation cost related to nonvested options not yet recognized was $1.8 million. This amount is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.6 years. The Company recognizes compensation cost over the graded vesting periods.


(8) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

(A) Legal Proceedings

The Company is a defendant in two class action lawsuits. In one case, the Court has certified a class consisting of certain California policyholders age 65 and older alleging violations under California Business and Professions Code section 17200. The Court has additionally certified a subclass of 36 policyholders alleging fraud against their agent, and vicariously, against the Company. A second class action lawsuit in federal court in California is in discovery and the Company is currently opposing a recently filed motion for class certification. Management believes that the Company has good and meritorious defenses and intends to continue to vigorously defend itself against these claims.

The Company is involved or may become involved in various other legal actions, in the normal course of business, in which claims for alleged economic and punitive damages have been or may be asserted, some for substantial amounts. Although there can be no assurances, at the present time, the Company does not anticipate that the ultimate liability arising from potential, pending, or threatened legal actions, will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or operating results of the Company.

In January 2009, the SEC published its newly adopted rule 151A, Indexed Annuities and Certain Other Insurance Contracts. This rule defines “indexed annuities to be securities and thus subject to regulation by the SEC and under federal securities laws”. Currently indexed annuities sold by life insurance companies are regulated by the States as Insurance products and Section 3(a)(8) of the Securities Act of 1933 provides an exemption for certain “annuity contracts,” “optional annuity contracts,” and other insurance contracts. The new rule is not effective until January 12, 2011. The Company and others have filed suit in the U. S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to overturn this rule. The court heard oral arguments on May 8, 2009, and issued its opinion on July 21, 2009, stating that the matter was remanded to the SEC to address deficiencies in its Sec 2(b) analysis. In the event rule 151A is not overturned, it could have a material effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.


 
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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



(9) INVESTMENTS

(A) Investment Gains and Losses

The table below presents realized investment gains and losses, excluding impairment losses, for the periods indicated.

   
Six months ended June 30,
   
Three months ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Available for sale debt securities:
                       
Realized gains on disposal
  $ 146       887       88       830  
Realized losses on disposal
    (180 )     -       (30 )     -  
Held to maturity debt securities:
                               
Realized gains on disposal
    114       149       35       27  
Realized losses on disposal
    (19 )     -       (14 )     -  
Equity securities realized gains
    62       79       103       72  
Real estate writedown
    (52 )     -       (52 )     -  
Mortgage loans writedowns
    (12 )     (4 )     (6 )     (4 )
Other
    69       28       68       233  
                                 
Totals
  $ 128       1,139       192       1,158  

The table below presents net impairment losses recognized in earnings for the periods indicated.

   
Six months ended June 30,
   
Three months ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Total other-than-temporary
                       
impairment losses on
                       
debt securities
  $ (6,714 )     -       (1,839 )     -  
Portion of loss recognized
                               
in comprehensive income
    1,823       -       1,823       -  
                                 
Net impairment losses on debt
                               
securities recognized in earnings
    (4,891 )     -       (16 )     -  
Equity securities impairments
    (416 )     (1,450 )     (10 )     (1,425 )
                                 
Totals
  $ (5,307 )     (1,450 )     (26 )     (1,425 )

In the second quarter of 2009, the Company recognized $1,839,000 as an other-than-temporary impairment on an available for sale mortgage-backed security, of which $16,000 was recognized in earnings as a credit loss and $1,823,000 was recognized in other comprehensive income as a non-credit loss. The credit component of the impairment was determined to be the difference between amortized cost and the present value of the cash flows expected to be received, discounted at the original yield.


 
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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



The table below presents a roll forward of credit losses on securities for which the company also recorded non-credit other-than-temporary impairments.

   
Three Months
 
   
Ended
 
   
June 30, 2009
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Credit losses on securities held at beginning of period in
     
other comprehensive loss, as of April 1, 2009
  $ 28  
Additions for credit losses not previously recognized in
       
other-than-temporary impairment
    16  
         
Credit losses on securities held at the end of period in other
       
comprehensive loss
  $ 44  

(B) Debt and Equity Securities

The tables below present amortized cost and fair values of securities held to maturity and securities available for sale at June 30, 2009.

   
Securities Held to Maturity
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Debt securities:
                       
U.S. Agencies
  $ 48,186       2,721       -       50,907  
                                 
U.S. Treasury
    1,920       430       -       2,350  
                                 
States and political subdivisions
    67,104       703       801       67,006  
                                 
Foreign governments
    9,959       548       -       10,507  
                                 
Public utilities
    602,780       17,668       8,418       612,030  
                                 
Corporate
    1,483,144       34,447       71,503       1,446,088  
                                 
Mortgage-backed
    1,709,241       75,264       3,767       1,780,738  
                                 
Home equity
    36,835       -       14,596       22,239  
                                 
Manufactured housing
    27,196       179       3,360       24,015  
                                 
Totals
  $ 3,986,365       131,960       102,445       4,015,880  

A total of $0.7 million of non-credit other-than-temporary impairment on held to maturity manufactured housing securities is included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, as of June 30, 2009.


 
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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)




   
Securities Available for Sale
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Debt securities:
                       
U.S. Agencies
  $ -       -       -       -  
                                 
U.S. Treasury
    -       -       -       -  
                                 
States and political subdivisions
    46,348       -       4,775       41,573  
                                 
Foreign governments
    10,388       810       -       11,198  
                                 
Public utilities
    318,203       6,407       7,200       317,410  
                                 
Corporate
    1,248,280       22,565       62,915       1,207,930  
                                 
Mortgage-backed
    242,731       8,926       4,977       246,680  
                                 
Home equity
    13,886       -       6,896       6,990  
                                 
Manufactured housing
    11,277       86       980       10,383  
                                 
Equity securities – private
    195       6,962       -       7,157  
                                 
Equity securities – public
    6,610       618       811       6,417  
                                 
Totals
  $ 1,897,918       46,374       88,554       1,855,738  

Included in gross unrealized losses at June 30, 2009 is $1.8 million of non-credit other-than-temporary impairment on a mortgage backed security.  This impairment is included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax and deferred acquisition costs.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2009, the Company made transfers totaling $30.7 million to the held to maturity category from securities available for sale. Lower holdings of securities available for sale reduce the Company's exposure to market price volatility while still providing securities for liquidity and asset/liability management purposes. The transfers of securities were recorded at fair value in accordance with GAAP, which requires that the $0.6 million unrealized holding gain at the date of the transfer continue to be reported in a separate component of stockholders' equity and be amortized over the remaining life of the security as an adjustment of yield in a manner consistent with the amortization of any premium or discount.


 
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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



The tables below present amortized cost and fair values of securities held to maturity and securities available for sale at December 31, 2008.

   
Securities Held to Maturity
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Debt securities:
                       
U.S. Agencies
  $ 119,674       3,975       -       123,649  
                                 
U.S. Treasury
    1,923       592       -       2,515  
                                 
States and political subdivisions
    23,123       3       801       22,325  
                                 
Foreign governments
    9,955       438       -       10,393  
                                 
Public utilities
    527,277       5,073       31,530       500,820  
                                 
Corporate
    1,334,157       13,580       118,204       1,229,533  
                                 
Mortgage-backed
    1,747,104       44,213       8,210       1,783,107  
                                 
Home equity
    37,808       37       9,533       28,312  
                                 
Manufactured housing
    30,396       93       3,790       26,699  
                                 
Totals
  $ 3,831,417       68,004       172,068       3,727,353  


 
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32

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)




   
Securities Available for Sale
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Debt securities:
                       
U.S. Agencies
  $ -       -       -       -  
                                 
U.S. Treasury
    -       -       -       -  
                                 
States and political subdivisions
    77,160       332       13,653       63,839  
                                 
Foreign governments
    10,418       907       -       11,325  
                                 
Public utilities
    287,927       300       25,085       263,142  
                                 
Corporate
    1,239,712       6,503       126,968       1,119,247  
                                 
Mortgage-backed
    255,910       5,739       7,693       253,956  
                                 
Home equity
    13,877       -       4,726       9,151  
                                 
Manufactured housing
    11,942       -       1,019       10,923  
                                 
Equity securities - private
    195       6,995       -       7,190  
                                 
Equity securities - public
    6,912       486       905       6,493  
                                 
Totals
  $ 1,904,053       21,262       180,049       1,745,266  


 
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33

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



The following tables show the gross unrealized losses and fair values of the Company's investments by investment category and length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at June 30, 2009.

   
Held to Maturity
 
   
Less than 12 Months
   
12 Months or Greater
   
Total
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Debt securities:
                                   
U.S. Agencies
  $ -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                 
U.S. Treasury
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                 
State and political
    28,608       484       9,318       317       37,926       801  
subdivisions
                                               
                                                 
Foreign governments
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                 
Public utilities
    26,012       962       169,774       7,456       195,786       8,418  
                                                 
Corporate bonds
    214,405       4,225       456,562       67,278       670,967       71,503  
                                                 
Mortgage-backed
    -       -       60,236       3,767       60,236       3,767  
                                                 
Home equity
    3,232       552       17,426       14,044       20,658       14,596  
                                                 
Manufactured housing
    6,684       507       16,834       2,853       23,518       3,360  
                                                 
Total
  $ 278,941       6,730       730,150       95,715       1,009,091       102,445  


 
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34

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)




   
Available For Sale
 
   
Less than 12 Months
   
12 Months or Greater
   
Total
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Debt securities:
                                   
U. S. Agencies
  $ -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                 
U.S. Treasury
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                 
State and political
                                               
subdivisions
    2,481       224       39,093       4,551       41,574       4,775  
                                                 
Foreign governments
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                 
Public utilities
    -       -       142,976       7,200       142,976       7,200  
                                                 
Corporate bonds
    153,377       10,949       567,443       51,966       720,820       62,915  
                                                 
Mortgage-backed
    -       -       47,418       4,977       47,418       4,977  
                                                 
Home equity
    -       -       6,990       6,896       6,990       6,896  
                                                 
Manufactured housing
    800       87       8,537       893       9,337       980  
      156,658       11,260       812,457       76,483       969,115       87,743  
                                                 
Equity securities – public
    2,526       467       1,455       344       3,981       811  
                                                 
Total
  $ 159,184       11,727       813,912       76,827       973,096       88,554  

Debt securities. The gross unrealized losses for debt securities at June 30, 2009 are made up of 329 individual issues, or 40.8% of the total debt securities held by the Company. The market value of these bonds as a percent of amortized cost averages 91.2%. Of the 329 securities, 256, or approximately 77.8%, fall in the 12 months or greater aging category; of the 329 debt securities, 306 were rated investment grade at June 30, 2009. Additional information on debt securities by investment category is summarized below:

State and political subdivisions. The unrealized losses on these investments are the result of holdings in 54 securities. Of these securities, all are rated A or above except two which are rated BBB+ and BB. Based on these facts and the Company's intent not to sell, and belief that it is not more likely than not to be required to sell, prior to a market price recovery, no other-than-temporary loss was recognized as of June 30, 2009.

Public utilities. Of the 53 securities, all are rated BBB or above except one, which is priced at 79.9% of par. At this time, the Company does not consider any of these unrealized losses as other-than-temporary.

Corporate bonds. Corporate securities with unrealized losses are reviewed based on monitoring procedures including; review of the amount of the unrealized loss, the length of time that the issue has been in an unrealized loss position, credit ratings, analyst reports, and recent issuer financial information. A total of 181 securities had unrealized losses; with 16 issues rated below investment grade. More extensive analysis was performed on these 16 issues and based on the work performed, none of the unrealized losses are considered other-than-temporarily impaired at June 30, 2009.


 
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35

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



Mortgage-backed securities. These securities are all rated AAA except one which is rated B. The Company generally purchases these investments at a discount relative to their face amount and it is expected that the securities will not be settled at a price less than the stated par. Because the decline in market value is attributable to the current illiquidity in the market and not credit quality, and because the Company has the ability and intent to hold these securities until a recovery of fair value, which may be maturity, and based on the lack of adverse changes in expected cash flows, the Company does not consider these AAA investments to have other-than-temporary impairments at June 30, 2009.  The Company recognized an other-than-temporary loss in the second quarter of 2009 on the B rated security.

Home equity. Of the 15 securities, 9 are rated AAA, 2 are rated AA and 4 are rated below AA. The Company performs a quarterly cash flow analysis on asset-backed securities that are rated below AA. Based on the lack of adverse changes in expected cash flows, the 4 issues rated below AA are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.

Manufactured housing. Of the 12 securities, 8 are rated AAA, 1 is rated AA and 3 are rated below AA. The Company performs a quarterly cash flow analysis on asset-backed securities that are rated below AA. Based on the lack of adverse changes in expected cash flows, the 3 issues rated below AA are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.

Equity securities - public. The gross unrealized losses for equity securities are made up of 58 individual issues. These holdings are reviewed for impairment quarterly. During the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company recorded other-than-temporary impairments on 19 equity securities.

Management believes the unrealized declines in fair values are temporary. Accordingly, realized credit losses have not been recorded by the Company.

The following tables show the gross unrealized losses and fair values of the Company's investments by investment category and length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2008.

   
Held to Maturity
 
   
Less than 12 Months
   
12 Months or Greater
   
Total
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Debt securities:
                                   
U.S. Agencies
  $ -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                 
U.S. Treasury
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                 
State and political
                                               
subdivisions
    9,687       631       2,635       170       12,322       801  
                                                 
Foreign governments
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                 
Public utilities
    312,575       21,485       84,474       10,045       397,049       31,530  
                                                 
Corporate bonds
    518,841       52,581       278,975       65,623       797,816       118,204  
                                                 
Mortgage-backed
    4,624       299       54,582       7,911       59,206       8,210  
                                                 
Home equity
    5,901       559       19,657       8,974       25,558       9,533  
                                                 
Manufactured housing
    17,507       1,404       7,024       2,386       24,531       3,790  
                                                 
Total temporarily
                                               
impaired securities
  $ 869,135       76,959       447,347       95,109       1,316,482       172,068  


 
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36

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)




   
Available For Sale
 
   
Less than 12 Months
   
12 Months or Greater
   
Total
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Debt securities:
                                   
U.S. Agencies
  $ -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                 
U.S. Treasury
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                 
State and political
                                               
subdivisions
    45,848       8,675       13,486       4,978       59,334       13,653  
                                                 
Foreign governments
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                 
Public utilities
    148,901       9,286       105,498       15,799       254,399       25,085  
                                                 
Corporate bonds
    560,028       56,214       367,933       70,754       927,961       126,968  
                                                 
Mortgage-backed
    -       -       48,540       7,693       48,540       7,693  
                                                 
Home equity
    2,289       2,624       6,862       2,102       9,151       4,726  
                                                 
Manufactured housing
    9,456       988       1,467       31       10,923       1,019  
      766,522       77,787       543,786       101,357       1,310,308       179,144  
                                                 
Equity securities – public
    2,057       577       1,205       328       3,262       905  
                                                 
Total temporarily
                                               
impaired securities
  $ 768,579       78,364       544,991       101,685       1,313,570       180,049  


 
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37

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



(10)  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements.

In compliance with SFAS No. 157, the Company has categorized its financial instruments, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three level hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized as follows:

Level 1: Fair value is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible to the Company for identical assets or liabilities. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. These generally provide the most reliable evidence and are used to measure fair value whenever available. The Company’s Level 1 assets include equity securities that are traded in an active exchange market. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets.

Level 2: Fair value is based upon significant inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability through corroboration with observable market data as of the reporting date. Level 2 inputs include quoted market prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, quoted market prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets or liabilities, model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable and other observable inputs. The Company’s Level 2 assets include fixed maturity debt securities (corporate and private bonds, government or agency securities, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities), preferred stock, certain equity securities, and over-the-counter derivative contracts. The Company’s Level 2 liabilities consist of certain product-related embedded derivatives. Valuations are generally obtained from third party pricing services for identical or comparable assets or determined through use of valuation methodologies using observable market inputs.

Level 3: Fair value is based on significant unobservable inputs which reflect the entity’s or third party pricing service assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The Company’s Level 3 assets include certain equity securities and certain less liquid or private fixed maturity debt securities where significant valuation inputs cannot be corroborated with observable market data. The Company’s Level 3 liabilities consist of share-based compensation obligations. Valuations are estimated based on non-binding broker prices or internally developed valuation models or methodologies, discounted cash flow models and other similar techniques.


 
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38

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



The following table sets forth the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the date indicated:

   
June 30, 2009
 
Description
 
Total
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Debt securities, available for sale
  $ 1,842,164       -       1,834,619       7,545  
Equity securities, available for sale
    13,574       4,488       1,929       7,157  
Derivatives
    27,018       -       27,018       -  
                                 
Total assets
  $ 1,882,756       4,488       1,863,566       14,702  
                                 
Policyholder account balances (a)
  $ 30,273       -       30,273       -  
Other liabilities (b)
    2,557       -       -       2,557  
                                 
Total liabilities
  $ 32,830       -       30,273       2,557  


   
December 31, 2008
 
Description
 
Total
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Debt securities, available for sale
  $ 1,731,583       -       1,721,341       10,242  
Equity securities, available for sale
    13,683       4,558       1,935       7,190  
Derivatives
    11,920       -       11,920       -  
                                 
Total assets
  $ 1,757,186       4,558       1,735,196       17,432  
                                 
Policyholder account balances (a)
  $ 19,377       -       19,377       -  
Other liabilities (b)
    3,787       -       -       3,787  
                                 
Total liabilities
  $ 23,164       -       19,377       3,787  

(a)  Represents the fair value of certain product-related embedded derivatives that were recorded at fair value.
(b)  Represents the liability for share-based compensation.


 
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39

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



The following tables provide additional information about fair value measurements for which significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs were utilized to determine fair value.

   
For the Three Months Ended June, 2009
 
   
Debt
   
Equity
             
   
Securities,
   
Securities,
             
   
Available
   
Available
   
Total
   
Other
 
   
For Sale
   
For Sale
   
Assets
   
Liabilities
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Beginning balance, April 1, 2009
  $ 6,976       7,157       14,133       1,573  
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
                               
Included in net income
    -       -       -       1,033  
Included in other comprehensive income
    1,104       -       1,104       -  
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net
    (535 )     -       (535 )     (49 )
Transfers into (out of) Level 3
    -       -       -       -  
                                 
Ending balance, June 30, 2009
  $ 7,545       7,157       14,702       2,557  
                                 
Amount of total gains (losses) for the period
                               
included in net income attributable to the change
                               
in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets still
                               
held as of June 30, 2009
  $ -       -       -       983  


   
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008
 
   
Debt
   
Equity
             
   
Securities,
   
Securities,
             
   
Available
   
Available
   
Total
   
Other
 
   
For Sale
   
For Sale
   
Assets
   
Liabilities
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Beginning balance, April 1, 2008
  $ 1,616       7,190       8,806       6,387  
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
                               
Included in net income
    -       -       -       617  
Included in other comprehensive loss
    (199 )     -       (199 )     -  
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net
    (522 )     -       (522 )     (701 )
Transfers into (out of) Level 3
    11,924       -       11,924       -  
                                 
Ending balance, June 30, 2008
  $ 12,819       7,190       20,009       6,303  
                                 
Amount of total gains (losses) for the period
                               
included in net income attributable to the change
                               
in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets still
                               
held as of June 30, 2008
  $ -       -       -       617  


 
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40

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)




   
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009
 
   
Debt
   
Equity
             
   
Securities,
   
Securities,
             
   
Available
   
Available
   
Total
   
Other
 
   
For Sale
   
For Sale
   
Assets
   
Liabilities
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Beginning balance, January 1, 2009
  $ 10,242       7,190       17,432       3,787  
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
                               
Included in net income
    -       -       -       (1,241 )
Included in other comprehensive loss
    (2,160 )     (33 )     (2,193 )     -  
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net
    (537 )     -       (537 )     11  
Transfers into (out of) Level 3
    -       -       -       -  
                                 
Ending balance, June 30, 2009
  $ 7,545       7,157       14,702       2,557  
                                 
Amount of total gains (losses) for the period
                               
included in net income attributable to the change
                               
in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets still
                               
held as of June 30, 2009
  $ -       -       -       (1,230 )


   
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008
 
   
Debt
   
Equity
             
   
Securities,
   
Securities,
             
   
Available
   
Available
   
Total
   
Other
 
   
For Sale
   
For Sale
   
Assets
   
Liabilities
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Beginning balance, January 1, 2008
  $ 1,618       7,147       8,765       7,712  
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
                               
Included in net income
    -       -       -       559  
Included in other comprehensive loss
    (199 )     43       (156 )     -  
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net
    (524 )     -       (524 )     (1,968 )
Transfers into (out of) Level 3
    11,924       -       11,924       -  
                                 
Ending balance, June 30, 2008
  $ 12,819       7,190       20,009       6,303  
                                 
Amount of total gains (losses) for the period
                               
included in net income attributable to the change
                               
in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets still
                               
held as of June 30, 2008
  $ -       -       -       559  

Realized gains (losses) on debt and equity securities are reported in the consolidated statements of earnings as net investment gains (losses), unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale debt and equity securities are reported as other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity.

The fair value hierarchy classifications are reviewed each reporting period. Reclassification of certain financial assets and liabilities may result from changes in the observability of valuation attributes. Reclassifications are reported as transfers into and out of Level 3 at the beginning fair value for the reporting period in which the changes occur.


 
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41

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows.
 
   
June 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Carrying
   
Fair
 
   
Values
   
Values
   
Values
   
Values
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
ASSETS
                       
Investments in debt and equity
                       
securities:
                       
Securities held to maturity
  $ 3,986,365       4,015,880       3,831,417       3,727,353  
Securities available for sale
    1,855,738       1,855,738       1,745,266       1,745,266  
                                 
Cash and short-term investments
    54,850       54,850       67,796       67,796  
Mortgage loans
    93,016       94,174       90,733       90,884  
Policy loans
    77,928       77,928       79,277       79,277  
Other loans
    7,959       9,584       1,541       1,572  
Derivatives
    27,018       27,018       11,920       11,920  
Life interest in Libbie Shearn
                               
Moody Trust
    1,142       12,775       1,302       12,775  
                                 
LIABILITIES
                               
Deferred annuity contracts
  $ 4,418,468       4,073,973       4,324,702       3,997,005  
Immediate annuity and
                               
supplemental contracts
    428,735       439,890       388,486       409,553  

Investment securities. Fair values for investments in debt and equity securities are based on quoted market prices, where available. For securities not actively traded, fair values are estimated using values obtained from various independent pricing services. In the cases where prices are unavailable from these sources, values are estimated by discounting expected future cash flows using a current market rate applicable to the yield, credit quality, and maturity of the investments.

Cash and short-term investments. The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for these instruments approximate their fair values.

Mortgage and other loans. The fair values of performing mortgage and other loans are estimated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the scheduled maturities of the loans, using interest rates currently being offered for similar loans to borrowers with similar credit ratings. Fair values for significant nonperforming loans are based on recent internal or external appraisals. If appraisals are not available, estimated cash flows are discounted using a rate commensurate with the risk associated with the estimated cash flows. Assumptions regarding credit risk, cash flows, and discount rates are judgmentally determined using available market information and specific borrower information.

Policy Loans.  The carrying value of policy loans approximates fair values.

Derivatives.  Fair values for indexed options are based on counterparty market prices.

Life interest in Libbie Shearn Moody Trust. The fair value of the life interest is estimated based on assumptions as to future distributions from the Trust over the life expectancy of Mr. Robert L. Moody. These estimated cash flows were discounted at a rate consistent with uncertainties relating to the amount and timing of future cash distributions. However, the Company has limited the fair value to the maximum amount to be received from insurance proceeds in the event of Mr. Moody's death.


 
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42

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



Annuity and supplemental contracts. Fair values for the Company's insurance contracts other than annuity contracts are not required to be disclosed. This includes the Company's traditional and universal life products. Fair values for immediate annuities without mortality features are based on the discounted future estimated cash flows using current market interest rates for similar maturities. Fair values for deferred annuities, including fixed-indexed annuities, are determined using estimated projected future cash flows discounted at the rate that would be required to transfer the liability in an orderly transaction. The fair values of liabilities under all insurance contracts are taken into consideration in the Company's overall management of interest rate risk, which minimizes exposure to changing interest rates through the matching of investment maturities with amounts due under insurance and annuity contracts.

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market information and information about the financial instruments. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company's entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a portion of the Company's financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.


(11)  Derivative Investments

Fixed-indexed products provide traditional fixed annuities and universal life contracts with the option to have credited interest rates linked in part to an underlying equity index or a combination of equity indices. The equity return component of such policy contracts is identified separately and accounted for in future policy benefits as embedded derivatives on the consolidated balance sheet. The remaining portions of these policy contracts are considered the host contracts and are recorded separately as fixed annuity or universal life contracts. The host contracts are accounted for under debt instrument type accounting in which future policy benefits are recorded as discounted debt instruments that are accreted, using the effective yield method, to their minimum account values at their projected maturities or termination dates.

The Company purchases over-the-counter index options, which are derivative financial instruments, to hedge the equity return component of its fixed-indexed annuity and life products. The index options act as hedges to match closely the returns on the underlying index or indices. The amounts which may be credited to policyholders are linked, in part, to the returns of the underlying index or indices. As a result, changes to policyholders' liabilities are substantially offset by changes in the value of the options. Cash is exchanged upon purchase of the index options and no principal or interest payments are made by either party during the option periods. Upon maturity or expiration of the options, cash is paid to the Company based on the underlying index or indices performance and terms of the contract.

The Company does not elect hedge accounting relative to these derivative instruments. The index options are reported at fair value in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The changes in the values of the index options and the changes in the policyholder liabilities are both reflected in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings. Any changes relative to the embedded derivatives associated with policy contracts are reflected in contract interest in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings. Any gains or losses from the sale or expiration of the options, as well as period-to-period changes in values, are reflected as net investment income in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings.

Although there is credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to the index options, the Company does not expect any counterparties to fail to meet their obligations, given their high credit ratings. In addition, credit support agreements are in place with all counterparties for option holdings in excess of specific limits, which may further reduce the Company's credit exposure. At June 30, 2009 and 2008, the fair values of index options owned by the Company totaled $27.0 million and $6.9 million, respectively.

 
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43

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



The tables below present the fair value of derivative instruments as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

 
June 30, 2009
 
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
 
Balance
     
Balance
     
 
Sheet
 
Fair
 
Sheet
 
Fair
 
 
Location
 
Value
 
Location
 
Value
 
     
(In thousands)
     
(In thousands)
 
Derivatives not designated as
               
hedging instruments under
               
SFAS No. 133
               
                 
Equity index options
Derivatives,
               
 
Index Options
  $ 27,018            
                     
           
Universal Life
       
           
and Annuity
       
Fixed-indexed products
         
Contracts
  $ 30,273  
                     
Total
    $ 27,018       $ 30,273  


 
December 31, 2008
 
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
 
Balance
     
Balance
     
 
Sheet
 
Fair
 
Sheet
 
Fair
 
 
Location
 
Value
 
Location
 
Value
 
     
(In thousands)
     
(In thousands)
 
Derivatives not designated as
               
hedging instruments under
               
SFAS No. 133
               
                 
Equity index options
Derivatives,
             
 
Index Options
  $ 11,920            
                     
           
Universal Life
       
           
and Annuity
       
Fixed-indexed products
         
Contracts
  $ 19,377  
                     
Total
    $ 11,920       $ 19,377  

 
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44

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



The table below presents the effect of derivative instruments in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
.
     
Amount of Gain
 
     
or (Loss)
 
     
Recognized In
 
Derivatives Not Designated as
Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized
 
Income on
 
Hedging Instruments Under SFAS No. 133
In Income on Derivative
 
Derivative
 
     
(In thousands)
 
         
Equity index options
Net investment income
  $ (6,061 )
           
Fixed-indexed products
Universal life and annuity contract interest
    (14,246 )
           
      $ (20,307 )


(12) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company allowed its $40 million bank line of credit with JP Morgan Chase Bank to expire at the end of its three-year term effective July 31, 2009. A new $40 million line of credit with Moody National Bank is expected to be established during August 2009. Robert L. Moody, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Moody National Bank. The terms of the new line of credit are subject to the appropriate approvals by the Company’s Board of Directors.

Subsequent events have been evaluated through August 10, 2009, which is the date that the financial statements have been issued.


45


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. Certain information contained herein or in other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of National Western Life Insurance Company or its subsidiaries is or may be viewed as forward-looking. Although the Company has taken appropriate care in developing any such information, forward-looking information involves risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact actual results. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, matters described in the Company’s SEC filings such as exposure to market risks, anticipated cash flows or operating performance, future capital needs, and statutory or regulatory related issues. However, National Western, as a matter of policy, does not make any specific projections as to future earnings, nor does it endorse any projections regarding future performance that may be made by others. Whether or not actual results differ materially from forward-looking statements may depend on numerous foreseeable and unforeseeable events or developments. Also, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations (“MD&A”) of National Western Life Insurance Company for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 follows. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes beginning on page 3 of this report.

Overview

The Company provides life insurance products on a global basis for the savings and protection needs of policyholders and annuity contracts for the asset accumulation and retirement needs of contractholders both domestically and internationally. The Company accepts funds from policyholders or contractholders and establishes a liability representing future obligations to pay the policy or contract-holders and their beneficiaries. To ensure the Company will be able to pay these future commitments, the funds received as premium payments and deposits are invested in high quality investments, primarily fixed income securities.

Due to the business of accepting funds to pay future obligations in later years, the underlying economics and relevant factors affecting the life insurance industry include the following:

Ÿ  
level of premium revenues collected
Ÿ  
persistency of policies and contracts
Ÿ  
returns on investments
Ÿ  
investment credit quality
Ÿ  
levels of policy benefits and costs to acquire business
Ÿ  
effect of interest rate changes on revenues and investments including asset and liability matching
Ÿ  
adequate levels of capital and surplus

The Company monitors these factors continually as key business indicators. The discussion that follows in this Item includes these indicators and presents information useful to an overall understanding of the Company’s business performance in 2009, incorporating required disclosures in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Insurance Operations - Domestic

The Company is currently licensed to do business in all states except for New York. Products marketed are annuities, universal life insurance, fixed-indexed annuities and fixed-indexed universal life, and traditional life insurance, which include both term and whole life products. The Company’s domestic sales have historically been more heavily weighted toward annuity products, which include single and flexible premium deferred annuities, single premium immediate annuities, and fixed-indexed annuities. Most of these annuities can be sold as tax qualified or nonqualified products. At June 30, 2009, the Company maintained approximately 117,460 annuity policies in force.


46


National Western markets and distributes its domestic products primarily through independent national marketing organizations ("NMOs"). These NMOs assist the Company in recruiting, contracting, and managing independent agents. The Company currently has approximately 5,600 independent agents contracted. Roughly 27% of these contracted agents have submitted policy applications to the Company in the past twelve months.

Insurance Operations - International

The Company's international operations focus on foreign nationals in upper socioeconomic classes. Insurance products are issued primarily to residents of countries in Central and South America, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Asia and the Pacific Rim. Issuing policies to residents of countries in these different regions provides diversification that helps to minimize large fluctuations that could arise due to various economic, political, and competitive pressures that may occur from one country to another. Products issued to international residents are almost entirely universal life and traditional life insurance products. However, certain annuity and investment contracts are also available. At June 30, 2009, the Company had approximately 72,650 international life insurance policies in force representing approximately $15.7 billion in face amount of coverage.

International applications are submitted by independent contractor consultants and broker-agents. The Company has approximately 4,700 independent international consultants and brokers currently contracted, 42% of which have submitted policy applications to the Company in the past twelve months.

There are some inherent risks of accepting international applications which are not present within the domestic market that are reduced substantially by the Company in several ways. As previously described, the Company accepts applications from foreign nationals in upper socioeconomic classes who have substantial financial resources. This targeted customer base coupled with the Company's conservative underwriting practices have historically resulted in claims experience, due to natural causes, similar to that in the United States. The Company minimizes exposure to foreign currency risks by requiring payment of premiums, claims and other benefits almost entirely in United States dollars. The Company's over forty years of experience with the international products and its longstanding independent consultant and broker-agents relationships further serve to minimize risks.

SALES

Life Insurance

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company's life insurance sales activity as measured by annualized first year premiums. While the figures shown below are in accordance with industry practice and represent the amount of new business sold during the periods indicated, they are considered a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company believes sales are a measure of distribution productivity and are a leading indicator of future revenue trends. However, revenues are driven by sales in prior periods as well as in the current period and therefore, a reconciliation of sales to revenues is not meaningful or determinable.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
International:
                       
Universal life
  $ 753       2,049       1,826       3,642  
Traditional life
    944       1,379       2,292       2,733  
Equity-indexed life
    4,536       5,689       8,802       11,433  
      6,233       9,117       12,920       17,808  
Domestic:
                               
Universal life
    911       2,033       1,143       2,932  
Traditional life
    27       33       73       71  
Equity-indexed life
    318       892       818       3,224  
      1,256       2,958       2,034       6,227  
                                 
Totals
  $ 7,489       12,075       14,954       24,035  

47


Life insurance sales as measured by annualized first year premiums declined 38% in the second quarter of 2009 as compared to the second quarter of 2008 and declined by the same percentage for the first six months of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. Both of the Company's life insurance lines of business, international and domestic, posted decreases over the comparable results in 2008 with international sales 32% and 27% lower for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2009, respectively, and domestic life sales down 58% and 67% for the same three and six month periods.

Management has placed considerable emphasis on building domestic life insurance sales over the past several years as a strategic focus for future growth. This focus was partially in response to comments from outside rating agencies who expressed a preference for a greater proportion of overall Company earnings to derive from the life insurance line of business. The Company’s domestic operations have historically been more heavily skewed toward annuity sales than life insurance sales. The Company spent the greater part of 2003 and 2004 revamping its domestic life operations by changing the way it contracts distribution for life business, eliminating products and distribution that had not contributed significantly to earnings, and creating new and competitive products. A single premium universal life ("SPUL") product was launched at the end of 2003 beginning a diversification of the Company's product portfolio away from smaller dollar face amount policies. The Company released its first fixed equity-indexed universal life ("EIUL") product for its domestic markets at the end of 2005 and this product has subsequently accounted for 40% to 60% of domestic life insurance sales.

The Company developed hybrids of the initial EIUL and SPUL products, combining features, and discontinued the marketing of smaller premium and volume life insurance policies. As a result, the Company attracted new independent distributors with access to customers purchasing larger face amounts of insurance per policy. During the latter part of 2008, the Company’s internal checking and monitoring procedures detected potential instances of rebating in certain domestic geographic markets and instituted commission caps and other preventive procedures to discourage this practice. Although not illegal in these markets, the practice of rebating is particularly prone to large face amount policies not renewing premium payments beyond the initial year of the policy. The Company’s actions discouraged sales of larger face amounts resulting in lower sales levels and amounts of insurance per policy as shown below.

   
Average New Policy Face Amount
 
   
Domestic
   
International
 
             
Year ended December 31, 2004
    101,700       234,500  
Year ended December 31, 2005
    137,900       245,900  
Year ended December 31, 2006
    315,800       254,700  
Year ended December 31, 2007
    416,800       251,000  
Year ended December 31, 2008
    455,200       272,000  
Six months ended June 30, 2009
    194,600       296,000  

In addition to the action taken above by the Company, the U.S. economic climate has had a significant impact upon life insurance sales industry wide. The financial burdens associated with the current climate evidenced by loss of employment, higher debt levels, a reduction in wealth through home and financial holdings declines in value, and a higher propensity to save versus spending have resulted in dramatically reduced purchases of life insurance in the first half of 2009.

The Company's international life business consists of applications submitted from residents in various regions outside of the United States, the volume of which typically varies based upon changes in the socioeconomic climates of these regions. Historically, the Company has experienced a simultaneous combination of rising and declining sales in various countries; however, the appeal of the Company's dollar-denominated life insurance products overcomes many of the local and national difficulties. In the “financial crisis” economic climate of the past 12 to 18 months, individuals in countries outside of the United States have become increasingly leery of the U.S. economy and the stability of financial institutions and markets. These concerns have manifested in the past several quarters via reduced international sales.


48


Applications submitted from residents of Latin America and the Pacific Rim perennially have comprised the majority of the Company's international life insurance sales. Over the past few years, new sales efforts were directed toward the sale of a traditional endowment form of life insurance product for residents of Eastern European and the Commonwealth of Independent States (former Soviet Union). As noted previously, the Company’s international sales by geographic market tend to fluctuate with the socio and economic climates in these regions. The Company’s mix of international sales by geographic region is as follows.

   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Percentage of International Sales:
           
Latin America
    69.2 %     65.9 %
Pacific Rim
    21.4       20.9  
Eastern Europe
    9.4       13.2  
                 
Totals
    100.0 %     100.0 %

Year-to-date, the Company has recorded sales to residents outside of the United States in over thirty different countries with Brazil (22%), Taiwan (18%), and Colombia (10%) making up the largest markets.

The table below sets forth information regarding the Company's life insurance in force for each date presented.

   
Insurance In Force as of June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
($ in thousands)
 
Universal life:
           
Number of policies
    68,110       71,850  
Face amounts
  $ 7,677,170       7,977,850  
                 
Traditional life:
               
Number of policies
    48,300       50,450  
Face amounts
  $ 2,222,790       1,931,080  
                 
Fixed-indexed life:
               
Number of policies
    27,880       27,230  
Face amounts
  $ 6,452,230       6,265,720  
                 
Rider face amounts
  $ 2,112,870       2,142,040  
                 
Total life insurance:
               
Number of policies
    144,290       149,530  
Face amounts
  $ 18,465,060       18,316,690  


49


Annuities

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company's annuity sales activity as measured by single and annualized first year premiums. Similar to life insurance sales, these figures are considered a non-GAAP financial measure but are shown in accordance with industry practice and depict the Company's sales productivity.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Fixed-indexed annuities
  $ 116,474       83,979       223,339       156,987  
Other deferred annuities
    60,980       18,734       105,073       44,556  
Immediate annuities
    3,482       878       9,296       2,606  
                                 
Totals
  $ 180,936       103,591       337,708       204,149  

Annuity sales for the second quarter of 2009 were 75% higher than the comparable period in 2008 and increased 65% for the six months ended June 30, 2009 versus the same period in 2008. Since 2003 when the Company achieved nearly $1.2 billion in sales, annuity new business has trended lower due to a combination of declining interest rates, investors returning to alternative investment vehicles, rating agency concerns regarding the percentage of new business derived from the annuity line of business, and the Company managing its targeted levels of risk and statutory capital and surplus. In addition, during a large portion of the past several years the interest rate yield curve has either been inverted (shorter term rates higher than longer term rates) or relatively flat. In such an interest rate environment, consumers tend toward short term investment vehicles such as bank certificates of deposits rather than longer term choices which include fixed rate annuities.

The recessionary contraction and financial market crisis that began in the latter half of 2007 has impacted many annuity carriers in the industry. Losses from investment impairments as well as equity exposure through variable annuity product offerings have crippled the capital position of numerous insurers and limited their ability to write new business. The Company’s substantial capital position achieved through ongoing operating profitability and limited investment loss exposure has positioned it to write additional levels of annuity new business. The sales increase in the first six months of 2009 over the first six months of 2008 is indicative of the Company’s enhanced competitive position in the marketplace. In addition, during the second quarter of 2009 the Company received a rating increase from A.M. Best to “A” (Excellent) further advancing the attractiveness of the Company’s product offerings. Management has performed analyses of the capital strain associated with incrementally higher levels of annuity new business and determined that the Company’s capital position is more than sufficient to handle increased sales activity.

The Company's mix of annuity sales tends to shift with interest rate levels and the relative performance of the equity market. Over the past several years, sales of fixed-indexed products have consistently accounted for more than one-half of all annuity sales and were 66% of annuity activity during the first six months of 2009. For all fixed-indexed products, the Company purchases over the counter options to hedge the equity return feature. The options are purchased relative to the issuance of the annuity contracts in such a manner to minimize timing risk. Generally, the index return during the indexing period (if the underlying index increases) becomes a component in a formula (set forth in the annuity), the result of which is credited as interest to contract holders electing the index formula crediting method at the beginning of the indexing period. The formula result can never be less than zero with these products. The Company does not deliberately mismatch or under hedge for the equity feature of the products. Fixed-indexed products also provide the contractholder the alternative to elect a fixed interest rate crediting option. With the performance of the equity markets over the past eighteen months, an increasing percentage of fixed-indexed contractholders have elected this crediting option.

The level of annuity sales volume the past several years has required a greater level of asset/liability analysis. The Company monitors its asset/liability matching within the self-constraints of desired capital levels and risk tolerance. Despite the amounts of new business, the Company's capital level remains substantially above industry averages and regulator targets.


50


The following table sets forth information regarding annuities in force for each date presented.

   
Annuities In Force as of June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
($ in thousands)
 
             
Fixed-indexed annuities
           
Number of policies
    34,220       32,630  
GAAP annuity reserves
  $ 2,118,960       1,978,350  
                 
Other deferred annuities
               
Number of policies
    67,930       71,870  
GAAP annuity reserves
  $ 2,299,510       2,401,570  
                 
Immediate annuities
               
Number of policies
    15,310       13,860  
GAAP annuity reserves
  $ 353,370       276,360  
                 
Total annuities
               
Number of policies
    117,460       118,360  
GAAP annuity reserves
  $ 4,771,840       4,656,280  

Critical Accounting Policies

Accounting policies discussed below are those considered critical to an understanding of the Company’s financial statements.

Impairment of Investment Securities. The Company’s accounting policy requires that a decline in the value of a security below its amortized cost basis be evaluated to determine if the decline is other-than-temporary. The primary factors considered in evaluating whether a decline in value for fixed income and equity securities is other-than-temporary include: (a) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (b) the reasons for the decline in value (credit event, interest rate related, credit spread widening), (c) the overall financial condition as well as the near-term prospects of the issuer, (d) whether the debtor is current on contractually obligated principal and interest payments, and (e) whether the Company has the intent to sell, or if it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, the investment prior to a market price recovery. In addition, certain securitized financial assets with contractual cash flows are evaluated periodically by the Company to update the estimated cash flows over the life of the security. If the Company determines that the fair value of the securitized financial asset is less than its carrying amount and there has been a decrease in the present value of the estimated cash flows since the previous purchase or prior impairment, then an other-than-temporary impairment charge is recognized. The Company would recognize impairment of securities due to non credit related events in earnings only if it had the intent to sell or believes that is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the securities prior to market price recovery or maturity. When a security is deemed to be impaired, the portion of the impairment that is deemed to be credit is charged to the income statement and the cost basis of the investment is reduced. The portion of the impairment that is deemed to be non-credit is charged to other comprehensive income (loss). Once an impairment charge has been recorded, the fair value of the impaired investment becomes its new cost basis and the Company continues to review the other-than-temporarily impaired security for appropriate valuation on an ongoing basis. However, the new cost basis of an impaired security is not adjusted for subsequent increases in estimated fair value.

Deferred Acquisition Costs (“DAC”). The Company is required to defer certain policy acquisition costs and amortize them over future periods. These costs include commissions and certain other expenses that vary with and are primarily associated with acquiring new business. The deferred costs are recorded as an asset commonly referred to as deferred policy acquisition costs. The DAC asset balance is subsequently charged to income over the lives of the underlying contracts in relation to the anticipated emergence of revenue or profits. Actual revenue or profits can vary from Company estimates resulting in increases or decreases in the rate of amortization. The Company does regular evaluations to determine if actual experience or other evidence suggests that earlier estimates should be revised. Assumptions considered significant include surrender and lapse rates, mortality, expense levels, investment performance, and estimated interest spread. Should actual experience dictate that the Company change assumptions regarding the emergence of future revenues or profits (commonly referred to as “unlocking”), the Company would record a charge or credit to bring its DAC balance to the level it would have been if using the new assumptions from the inception date of each policy.

51


DAC is also subject to periodic recoverability and loss recognition testing. These tests ensure that the present value of future contract-related cash flows will support the capitalized DAC balance to be amortized in the future. The present value of these cash flows, less the benefit reserve, is compared with the unamortized DAC balance and if the DAC balance is greater, the deficiency is charged to expense as a component of amortization and the asset balance is reduced to the recoverable amount.

Deferred Sales Inducements. Costs related to sales inducements offered on sales to new customers, principally on investment type contracts and primarily in the form of additional credits to the customer’s account value or enhancements to interest credited for a specified period, which are beyond amounts currently being credited to existing contracts, are deferred and recorded as other assets. All other sales inducements are expensed as incurred and included in interest credited to contract holders’ funds. Deferred sales inducements are amortized to income using the same methodology and assumptions as DAC, and are included in interest credited to contract holders’ funds. Deferred sales inducements are periodically reviewed for recoverability.

Future Policy Benefits. Because of the long-term nature of insurance contracts, the Company is liable for policy benefit payments many years into the future. The liability for future policy benefits represents estimates of the present value of the Company’s expected benefit payments, net of the related present value of future net premium collections. For traditional life insurance contracts, this is determined by standard actuarial procedures, using assumptions as to mortality (life expectancy), morbidity (health expectancy), persistency, and interest rates, which are based on the Company’s experience with similar products. The assumptions used are those considered to be appropriate at the time the policies are issued. An additional provision is made on most products to allow for possible adverse deviation from the assumptions assumed. For universal life and annuity products, the Company’s liability is the amount of the contract’s account balance. Account balances are also subject to minimum liability calculations as a result of minimum guaranteed interest rates in the policies. While management and Company actuaries have used their best judgment in determining the assumptions and in calculating the liability for future policy benefits, there is no assurance that the estimate of the liabilities reflected in the financial statements represents the Company’s ultimate obligation. In addition, significantly different assumptions could result in materially different reported amounts.

Revenue Recognition. Premium income for the Company’s traditional life insurance contracts is generally recognized as the premium becomes due from policyholders. For annuity and universal life contracts, the amounts collected from policyholders are considered deposits and are not included in revenue. For these contracts, fee income consists of policy charges for policy administration, cost of insurance charges and surrender charges assessed against policyholders’ account balances which are recognized in the period the services are provided.

Investment activities of the Company are integral to its insurance operations. Since life insurance benefits may not be paid until many years into the future, the accumulation of cash flows from premium receipts are invested with income reported as revenue when earned. Anticipated yields on investments are reflected in premium rates, contract liabilities, and other product contract features. These anticipated yields are implied in the interest required on the Company’s net insurance liabilities (future policy benefits less deferred acquisition costs) and contractual interest obligations in its insurance and annuity products. The Company benefits to the extent actual net investment income exceeds the required interest on net insurance liabilities and manages the rates it credits on its products to maintain the targeted excess or “spread” of investment earnings over interest credited. The Company will continue to be required to provide for future contractual obligations in the event of a decline in investment yield. For more information concerning revenue recognition, investment accounting, and interest sensitivity, please refer to Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 9, Investments, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits. The Company sponsors a qualified defined benefit pension plan, covering substantially all employees, which was frozen effective December 31, 2007, and three nonqualified defined benefit plans covering certain senior officers. In addition, the Company has postretirement health care benefits for certain senior officers. The freeze of the qualified benefit pension plan ceased future benefit accruals to all participants and closed the Plan to any new participants. In addition, all participants became immediately 100% vested in their accrued benefits as of that date. In accordance with prescribed accounting standards, the Company annually reviews plan assumptions.


52


The Company annually reviews its pension benefit plans assumptions which include the discount rate, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, and the compensation increase rate. The assumed discount rate is set based on the rates of return on high quality long-term fixed income investments currently available and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the pension benefits. The assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets is generally set at the rate expected to be earned based on the long-term investment policy of the plans, the various classes of the invested funds, based on the input of the plan’s investment advisors and consulting actuary, and the plan’s historic rate of return. The compensation rate increase assumption is generally set at a rate consistent with current and expected long-term compensation and salary policy, including inflation. These assumptions involve uncertainties and judgment, and therefore actual performance may not be reflective of the assumptions.

Other postretirement benefit assumptions include future events affecting retirement age, mortality, dependency status, per capita claims costs by age, health care trend rates, and discount rates. Per capita claims cost by age is the current cost of providing postretirement health care benefits for one year at each age from the youngest age to the oldest age at which plan participants are expected to receive benefits under the plan. Health care trend rates involve assumptions about the annual rate(s) of change in the cost of health care benefits currently provided by the plan, due to factors other than changes in the composition of the plan population by age and dependency status. These rates implicitly consider estimates of health care inflation, changes in utilization, technological advances and changes in health status of the participants.

Share-Based Payments. Liability awards under a share-based payment arrangement have been measured based on the award's fair value at the reporting date. The Black-Scholes valuation method has been used to estimate the fair value of the options. This fair value calculation of the options include assumptions relative to the following:

Ÿ  
exercise price
Ÿ  
expected term based on contractual term and perceived future behavior relative to exercise
Ÿ  
current price
Ÿ  
expected volatility
Ÿ  
risk-free interest rates
Ÿ  
expected dividends

These assumptions are continually reviewed by the Company and adjustments may be made based upon current facts and circumstances.

Other significant accounting policies, although not involving the same level of measurement uncertainties as those discussed above, but nonetheless important to an understanding of the financial statements, are described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Impact of Recent Business Environment

The financial markets began experiencing stress during the second half of 2007 which significantly increased during 2008 and on into 2009. The volatility and disruption in the financial markets has caused the availability and cost of credit to be materially affected. Combined with volatile oil prices, depressed home prices, increasing foreclosures, fluctuating equity market values, declining business and consumer confidence, and higher unemployment, these factors precipitated a severe recession that continued through the first half of 2009. The combination of economic conditions began to negatively impact our sales in 2008, particularly in the international markets, and continued to adversely impact the demand for our life products during the first half of 2009. As such going forward, we also may experience a higher incidence of claims, lapses or surrenders of policies.

The fixed income markets, our primary investment source, are experiencing a high level of volatility. Although market liquidity conditions have recently shown signs of improvement in some sectors, credit downgrade events have continued and there is an increased probability of default for many fixed income instruments. These volatile market conditions have also increased the difficulty of valuing certain securities as trading is less frequent and/or market data is less observable. Certain securities that were in active markets with significant observable data became illiquid due to the current financial environment resulting in valuations that require greater estimation and judgment as well as valuation methods which are more complex. Such valuations may not ultimately be realizable in a market transaction and may change very rapidly as market conditions change and valuation assumptions need to be modified.


53


Credit spreads (difference between bond yields and risk-free interest rates) on fixed maturity securities remain high given the market conditions. While the increase in credit spreads generated higher yields making our products more attractive to consumers, the higher rate levels caused a reduction in the carrying value of our marked-to-market investments in 2008 negatively impacting our financial condition and reported book value per share. There are early signs that the economy and the financial markets are starting to stabilize. During the six months ended June 30, 2009, the fair value of our mark to market securities showed an increase from their year-end values.

Our operating strategy is to maintain capital levels substantially above regulatory and rating agency requirements. While not significant, our statutory capital levels were impacted during the first half of the year as a result of rating declines on some of our holdings.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Company's consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). In addition, the Company regularly evaluates operating performance using non-GAAP financial measures which exclude or segregate derivatives and realized investment gains and losses from operating revenues and earnings. Similar measures are commonly used in the insurance industry in order to assess profitability and results from ongoing operations. The Company believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures enhances the understanding of the Company's results of operations by highlighting the results from ongoing operations and the underlying profitability factors of the Company's business. The Company excludes or segregates derivatives and realized investment gains and losses because such items are often the result of events which may or may not be at the Company's discretion and the fluctuating effects of these items could distort trends in the underlying profitability of the Company's business. Therefore, in the following sections discussing consolidated operations and segment operations, appropriate reconciliations have been included to report information management considers useful in enhancing an understanding of the Company's operations to reportable GAAP balances reflected in the consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Operations

Revenues.  The following details Company revenues.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Traditional life and annuity premiums
  $ 4,389       4,624       8,520       8,518  
Universal life and annuity
                               
contract revenues
    38,862       33,593       77,433       65,811  
Net investment income
                               
(excluding derivatives)
    86,834       86,034       170,410       170,021  
Other income
    3,507       3,153       7,101       6,292  
                                 
Operating revenues
    133,592       127,404       263,464       250,642  
Derivative income (loss)
    6,909       (13,756 )     (6,061 )     (38,313 )
Realized gains (losses)
                               
on investments
    166       (267 )     (5,179 )     (311 )
                                 
Total revenues
  $ 140,667       113,381       252,224       212,018  

Traditional life and annuity premiums - Traditional life and annuity premiums decreased 5.1% and remained flat for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2008. Traditional life insurance premiums for products such as whole life and term life are recognized as revenues over the premium-paying period. These are products that supplement the Company’s main core offering of universal life products particularly universal life products.


54


Universal life and annuity contract revenues - Revenues for universal life and annuity contract revenues increased 15.7% and 17.7% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same periods in 2008, and consist of policy charges for the cost of insurance, administration charges, and surrender charges assessed against policyholder account balances. Revenues in the form of cost of insurance charges were flat versus the prior year at $20.8 million and $42.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to $20.4 million and $40.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008. Surrender charges assessed against policyholder account balances upon withdrawal increased to $13.5 million and $27.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 versus $9.5 million and $18.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, indicative of a higher incidence of policy withdrawals and terminations.

Net investment income - A detail of net investment income is provided below.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Gross investment income:
                       
Debt securities
  $ 81,912       80,636       162,652       160,050  
Mortgage loans
    1,980       1,941       3,839       3,900  
Policy loans
    1,443       1,534       2,919       3,054  
Short-term investments
    22       225       90       668  
Other invested assets
    2,448       2,349       2,862       3,657  
                                 
Total investment income
    87,805       86,685       172,362       171,329  
Investment expenses
    971       651       1,952       1,308  
                                 
Net investment income
                               
(excluding derivatives)
    86,834       86,034       170,410       170,021  
Derivative gain (loss)
    6,909       (13,756 )     (6,061 )     (38,313 )
                                 
Net investment income
  $ 93,743       72,278       164,349       131,708  

Income from other invested assets for the six months ended June 30, 2008 includes a settlement payment of $0.9 million from a previously impaired and sold security. Derivative income and losses are recorded as a component of investment income but may fluctuate substantially from period to period based on the performance of the underlying indices. See the discussion that follows this section relating to index options and derivatives.

To ensure the Company will be able to pay future commitments to policyholders and provide a financial return, the funds received as premium payments and deposits are invested in high quality investments, primarily fixed maturity debt securities. The income from these investments is closely monitored by the Company due to its significant impact on the business. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company’s insurance operations purchased $366.2 million of debt securities with a weighted average yield to maturity of 6.4% and average Standard and Poor’s credit rating of “A”.


55


Net investment income performance is summarized as follows:

   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
             
Excluding derivatives:
           
Net investment income
  $ 170,410       170,021  
Average invested assets, at amortized cost
  $ 5,919,547       5,822,201  
Annual yield on average invested assets
    5.76 %     5.84 %
                 
Including derivatives:
               
Net investment income
  $ 164,349       131,708  
Average invested assets, at amortized cost
  $ 5,938,561       5,876,907  
Annual yield on average invested assets
    5.53 %     4.48 %

As the Company’s invested assets are substantially held in debt securities, the yield on average invested assets tends to move in conjunction with the yield on the debt securities portfolio. Although long-term interest rate levels were lower in the first six months of 2009 compared to the first six months of 2008, the relative increase in corporate spreads over treasury rates substantially offset the lower interest rate level such that long-term investment yields remained largely the same. Net investment income performance is analyzed excluding the derivative income which is a common practice in the insurance industry in order to assess underlying profitability and results from ongoing operations.

Other income - Other income primarily pertains to the Company's operations involving a nursing home in Reno, Nevada. Revenues associated with this operation were $3.4 million and $3.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $6.8 million and $6.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Derivative income (loss) - Index options are derivative financial instruments used to partially hedge the equity return component of the Company's fixed-indexed products. Index options are intended to act as economic hedges to match closely the returns on the products’ underlying reference indices. With an increase or decline in this index, the index option values likewise increase or decline. Any increases or decreases in income from these options are substantially offset by corresponding increases or decreases in amounts credited to fixed-indexed annuity and life policyholders. As such, income or loss from the sale or expiration of the options, as well as period-to-period changes in fair values, are reflected as a component of net investment income.

Derivative components included in net investment income and the corresponding contract interest amounts are detailed below for each date presented.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Derivatives:
                       
Unrealized income (loss)
  $ 19,709       (809 )     18,344       (21,289 )
Realized loss
    (12,800 )     (12,947 )     (24,405 )     (17,024 )
                                 
Total income (loss) included
                               
in net investment income
  $ 6,909       (13,756 )     (6,061 )     (38,313 )
                                 
Total contract interest
  $ 57,652       33,555       92,917       60,172  


56


Benefits and Expenses.  The following details benefits and expenses.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Life and other policy benefits
  $ 10,248       7,655       23,276       18,111  
Amortization of deferred
                               
acquisition costs
    28,549       30,263       56,497       56,511  
Universal life and annuity
                               
contract interest
    57,651       33,555       92,917       60,172  
Other operating expenses
    16,631       14,627       29,344       28,057  
                                 
Totals
  $ 113,079       86,100       202,034       162,851  

Life and other policy benefits - Death claims increased from $6.2 million and $14.2 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 to $7.7 million and $17.6 million for the same periods in 2009. During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the Company reviewed and updated its Incurred But Not Reported (“IBNR”) claims reserving assumptions. The updated estimates resulted in a one-time reduction in the IBNR claim reserve that is included in the six months ended June 30, 2009 amounts. While death claim amounts are subject to variation from period to period, the Company's mortality experience generally has been consistent with its product pricing assumptions.

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs - Life insurance companies are required to defer certain expenses associated with acquiring new business. The majority of these acquisition expenses consist of commissions paid to agents, underwriting costs, and certain marketing expenses and sales inducements. The Company defers sales inducements in the form of first year interest bonuses on annuity and universal life products that are directly related to the production of new business. These charges are deferred and amortized using the same methodology and assumptions used to amortize other capitalized acquisition costs and the amortization is included in contract interest. Recognition of these deferred policy acquisition costs in the financial statements occurs over future periods in relation to the emergence of profits priced into the products sold. This emergence of profits is based upon assumptions regarding premium payment patterns, mortality, persistency, investment performance, and expense patterns. Companies are required to review these assumptions periodically to ascertain whether actual experience has deviated significantly from that assumed. If it is determined that a significant deviation has occurred, the emergence of profits pattern is to be "unlocked" and reset based upon the actual experience. While the Company is required to evaluate its emergence of profits continually, management believes that the current amortization patterns of deferred policy acquisition costs are reflective of actual experience.

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs decreased $1.7 million and remained flat for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2008. The changes in amortization reflects the current activity related to partial surrender rates, surrender rates, mortality rates, portfolio yield rates and crediting rates on deferred annuities and universal life products.

Universal life and annuity contract interest - The Company closely monitors its credited interest rates on interest sensitive policies, taking into consideration such factors as profitability goals, policyholder benefits, product marketability, and economic market conditions. As long term interest rates change, the Company's credited interest rates are often adjusted accordingly, taking into consideration the factors as described above. The difference between yields earned over policy credited rates is often referred to as the "interest spread".


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The Company's approximated average credited rates are as follows:

   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(Excluding derivative products)
   
(Including derivative products)
 
                         
Annuity
    2.21 %     2.87 %     3.14 %     2.06 %
Interest sensitive life
    1.63 %     3.64 %     4.75 %     3.15 %

Contract interest also includes the performance of the equity-indexed component of the Company's derivative products which resulted in a gain of $6.9 million and a loss of $6.1 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and losses of $13.8 million and $38.3 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2008. As previously noted, the market performance of these equity-index features is largely included in contract interest expense while also impacting the Company's investment income given the hedge nature of the options purchased for these products.

Other operating expenses - Other operating expenses consist of general administrative expenses, licenses and fees, commissions not subject to deferral, nursing home expenses and share based compensation costs. Nursing home operation expenses included in other operating expenses were $3.3 million and $6.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and $2.8 million and $5.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008. Share based compensation costs for the Company's stock option plan related to outstanding vested and unvested options for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 totaled $(1.2) million and $0.6 million compared to $0.8 million and $0.6 million for the corresponding periods in 2008.

Federal Income Taxes. Federal income taxes on earnings from continuing operations reflect effective tax rates of 32.5% and 33.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The effective tax rate is lower than the Federal rate of 35% primarily due to tax-exempt investment income related to municipal securities and dividends-received deductions on income from stocks.

Segment Operations

Summary of Segment Earnings

A summary of segment earnings for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 is provided below. The segment earnings exclude realized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes.

   
Domestic
   
International
                   
   
Life
   
Life
         
All
       
   
Insurance
   
Insurance
   
Annuities
   
Others
   
Totals
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                               
Segment earnings:
                             
Three months ended:
                             
                               
June 30, 2009
  $ 1,512       3,238       11,263       2,721       18,734  
                                         
June 30, 2008
  $ 998       4,669       10,356       2,292       18,315  
                                         
Six months ended:
                                       
                                         
June 30, 2009
  $ 3,812       4,714       24,963       3,747       37,236  
                                         
June 30, 2008
  $ 975       8,541       20,165       3,109       32,790  


58


Domestic Life Insurance Operations

A comparative analysis of results of operations for the Company's domestic life insurance segment is detailed below.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Premiums and other revenue:
                       
Premiums and contract revenues
  $ 9,418       6,691       18,957       13,310  
Net investment income
    4,962       5,030       10,060       10,191  
Other income
    6       4       20       10  
                                 
Total premiums and other revenue
    14,386       11,725       29,037       23,511  
                                 
Benefits and expenses:
                               
Life and other policy benefits
    4,334       2,814       8,155       7,019  
Amortization of deferred policy
                               
acquisition costs
    1,979       2,068       4,334       4,355  
Universal life insurance contract
                               
interest
    2,226       2,288       4,498       4,643  
Other operating expenses
    3,649       3,049       6,379       6,023  
                                 
Total benefits and expenses
    12,188       10,219       23,366       22,040  
                                 
Segment earnings before
                               
Federal income taxes
    2,198       1,506       5,671       1,471  
                                 
Provision for Federal
                               
income taxes
    686       508       1,859       496  
                                 
Segment earnings
  $ 1,512       998       3,812       975  

Revenues from domestic life insurance operations include life insurance premiums on traditional type products and revenues from universal life insurance. Revenues from traditional products are the premiums collected, while revenues from universal life insurance consist of policy charges for the cost of insurance, policy administration fees, and surrender charges assessed during the period. A comparative detail of premiums and contract revenues is provided below.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Universal life insurance revenues
  $ 8,671       6,333       17,366       12,378  
Traditional life insurance premiums
    1,783       1,309       3,955       2,931  
Reinsurance premiums
    (1,036 )     (951 )     (2,364 )     (1,999 )
                                 
Totals
  $ 9,418       6,691       18,957       13,310  

The Company's U.S. operations have made efforts over the past several years to attract new independent agents and to promote life products to improve domestic sales.


59


Premiums collected on universal life products are not reflected as revenues in the Company's statements of earnings in accordance with GAAP.  Actual universal life premiums collected are detailed below.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Universal life insurance:
                       
First year and single premiums
  $ 5,213       3,147       7,395       7,477  
Renewal premiums
    5,809       4,851       11,377       9,579  
                                 
Totals
  $ 11,022       7,998       18,772       17,056  

The increased revenues and a slightly more favorable mortality experience in the first six months of 2009 compared to 2008 resulted in the increased earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 versus the comparable periods in 2008.

International Life Insurance Operations

A comparative analysis of results of operations for the Company's international life insurance segment is detailed below.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Premiums and other revenue:
                       
Premiums and contract revenues
  $ 26,585       24,741       52,834       48,226  
Net investment income
    9,822       5,005       13,880       8,044  
Other income
    12       13       39       25  
                                 
Total premiums and other revenue
    36,419       29,759       66,753       56,295  
                                 
Benefits and expenses:
                               
Life and other policy benefits
    4,374       4,286       12,098       9,599  
Amortization of deferred policy
                               
acquisition costs
    11,600       9,610       24,762       18,401  
Universal life insurance contract
                               
interest
    10,480       4,586       14,200       7,280  
Other operating expenses
    5,174       4,254       8,680       8,126  
                                 
Total benefits and expenses
    31,628       22,736       59,740       43,406  
                                 
Segment earnings before Federal
                               
income taxes
    4,791       7,023       7,013       12,889  
                                 
Provision for Federal
                               
income taxes
    1,553       2,354       2,299       4,348  
                                 
Segment earnings
  $ 3,238       4,669       4,714       8,541  

International applications are submitted by independent contractor consultants and broker-agents. The Company has approximately 4,700 independent international consultants and brokers currently contracted.


60


As with domestic operations, revenues from the international life insurance segment include both premiums on traditional type products and revenues from universal life insurance. A comparative detail of premiums and contract revenues is provided below.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Universal life insurance revenues
  $ 26,659       23,913       54,384       47,865  
Traditional life insurance premiums
    3,206       4,013       5,935       7,054  
Reinsurance premiums
    (3,280 )     (3,185 )     (7,485 )     (6,693 )
                                 
Totals
  $ 26,585       24,741       52,834       48,226  

Premiums collected on universal life products are not reflected as revenues in the Company's statements of earnings in accordance with GAAP.  Actual universal life premiums collected are detailed below.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Universal life insurance:
                       
First year and single premiums
  $ 7,251       10,565       14,852       19,951  
Renewal premiums
    24,325       24,426       46,671       46,982  
                                 
Totals
  $ 31,576       34,991       61,523       66,933  

For 2009, the Company reported decreased premiums for fixed-indexed universal life products of approximately $30.0 million versus $38.2 million for the first six months of 2009 and 2008, respectively. Contract revenues have increased as the amount of international life insurance in force has grown from $15.4 billion at June 30, 2008, to $15.7 billion at June 30, 2009.

As previously noted, net investment income and contract interest include period-to-period changes in fair values pertaining to options purchased that are tied to the performance of the products underlying reference indices. The largest selling product in the international life insurance segment for the past five years has been an equity-indexed universal life policy with the equity component linked to the underlying indices. With the growth in this block of business, the period-to-period changes in fair values of the underlying options have had an increasingly greater impact on net investment and contract interest. A detail of net investment income for international life insurance operations is provided below.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Net investment income
                       
(excluding derivatives)
  $ 8,206       7,503       15,402       14,570  
Derivative income (loss)
    1,616       (2,498 )     (1,522 )     (6,526 )
                                 
Net investment income
  $ 9,822       5,005       13,880       8,044  

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs increased approximately 35% comparing the first six months of 2009 to the same period in 2008, and increased 21% in the second quarter of 2009 versus the second quarter of 2008 reflecting higher lapse activity due to current economic conditions.

61


Annuity Operations

The Company's annuity operations are almost exclusively in the United States. Although some of the Company's annuity products and investment contracts are available to international residents, current sales are small relative to total annuity sales. A comparative analysis of results of operations for the Company's annuity segment is detailed below.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Premiums and other revenue:
                       
Premiums and contract revenues
  $ 7,248       6,785       14,162       12,793  
Net investment income
    75,096       59,006       135,117       109,303  
Other income
    78       85       213       123  
                                 
Total premiums and other revenue
    82,422       65,876       149,492       122,219  
                                 
Benefits and expenses:
                               
Life and other benefits
    1,540       555       3,023       1,493  
Amortization of deferred policy
                               
acquisition costs
    14,970       18,585       27,401       33,755  
Annuity contract interest
    44,945       26,681       74,219       48,249  
Other operating expenses
    4,540       4,489       7,734       8,295  
                                 
Total benefits and expenses
    65,995       50,310       112,377       91,792  
                                 
Segment earnings before Federal
                               
income taxes
    16,427       15,566       37,115       30,427  
                                 
Provision for Federal income taxes
    5,164       5,210       12,152       10,262  
                                 
Segment earnings
  $ 11,263       10,356       24,963       20,165  

Revenues from annuity operations primarily include surrender charges and recognition of deferred revenues relating to immediate or payout annuities. A comparative detail of the components of premiums and annuity contract revenues is provided below.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Surrender charges
  $ 5,771       5,630       11,124       10,425  
Payout annuity and other revenues
    1,472       1,150       3,029       2,357  
Traditional annuity premiums
    5       5       9       11  
                                 
Totals
  $ 7,248       6,785       14,162       12,793  

The Company's earnings are dependent upon annuity contracts persisting or remaining in force. While premium and contract revenues increased with an increase in surrender charges, the Company's investment earnings benefit as more policies remain in force.


62


Deposits collected on annuity contracts are not reflected as revenues in the Company's statements of earnings in accordance with GAAP. Actual annuity deposits collected for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 are detailed below.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Fixed-indexed annuities
  $ 114,260       76,282       218,026       145,306  
Other deferred annuities
    63,285       29,276       110,834       59,004  
Immediate annuities
    3,526       856       8,764       2,505  
                                 
Totals
  $ 181,071       106,414       337,624       206,815  

Fixed-indexed product sales typically follow the stock market in that sales increase when confidence is high in the stock market and decline if the stock market is showing poor performance. However, in the current environment the Company’s experience has shown a lower proportion of fixed-indexed annuity sales relative to other deferred annuity products which have a fixed interest rate of interest credited to the policy.

Other deferred annuity product sales have generally been trending lower over the past few years due to low interest rates and investor preferences. As a selling inducement, many of the deferred products, as well as the fixed-indexed annuity products, include a first year interest bonus in addition to a base interest rate. These bonus rates are deferred in conjunction with other capitalized policy acquisition costs. The amount deferred and amortized over future periods amounted to approximately $8.4 million and $16.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, and $5.7 million and $10.2 million in the comparable periods of 2008.

A detail of net investment income for annuity operations is provided below.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Net investment income
                       
(excluding derivatives)
  $ 69,853       70,263       139,248       141,089  
Derivative income (loss)
    5,243       (11,257 )     (4,131 )     (31,786 )
                                 
Net investment income
  $ 75,096       59,006       135,117       109,303  

As noted previously, derivative income and loss fluctuate from period to period based on the performance of the products’ underlying indices.


63


Annuity contract interest includes the equity component return associated with the Company's fixed-indexed annuities.  The detail of fixed-indexed annuity contract interest compared to contract interest for all other annuities is as follows:

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Fixed-indexed annuities
  $ 33,806       (1,486 )     57,876       3,431  
All other annuities
    16,408       29,442       26,600       47,792  
                                 
Gross contract interest
    50,214       27,956       84,476       51,223  
Bonus interest deferred and capitalized
    (8,460 )     (5,672 )     (16,939 )     (10,156 )
Bonus interest amortization
    3,278       4,397       6,769       7,182  
                                 
Total contract interest
  $ 45,032       26,681       74,306       48,249  

Contract interest includes the portion of its return on fixed interest products associated with the performance of the underlying indices.

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs decreased approximately 19% comparing the first three and six months of 2009 to the same periods in 2008. During the first three months of 2008 the Company experienced an increased conversion activity of deferred annuities into payout annuities. This resulted in a higher amortization for the six months ended June 30, 2008. Current amounts should be more reflective of ongoing activity.

Other Operations

National Western's primary business encompasses its domestic and international life insurance operations and its annuity operations. However, as previously noted, National Western also has small real estate, nursing home, and other investment operations through its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Nursing home operations generated $0.3 million and $0.5 million of operating earnings in the first six months of 2009 and 2008, respectively.


INVESTMENTS

General

The Company's investment philosophy emphasizes the careful handling of policyowners' and stockholders' funds to achieve security of principal, to obtain the maximum possible yield while maintaining security of principal, and to maintain liquidity in a measure consistent with current and long-term requirements of the Company.


64


The Company's overall conservative investment philosophy is reflected in the allocation of its investments, which is detailed below as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.  The Company emphasizes investment grade debt securities, with smaller holdings in mortgage loans and policy loans.

   
Composition of Investments
 
   
June 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
Carrying
         
Carrying
       
   
Value
   
%
   
Value
   
%
 
   
(In thousands)
         
(In thousands)
       
                         
Debt securities
  $ 5,828,529       96.1     $ 5,563,000       96.3  
Mortgage loans
    93,016       1.5       90,733       1.6  
Policy loans
    77,928       1.3       79,277       1.4  
Derivatives
    27,018       0.4       11,920       0.2  
Equity securities
    13,574       0.2       13,683       0.2  
Real estate
    20,282       0.3       10,828       0.2  
Other
    9,369       0.2       3,340       0.1  
                                 
Totals
  $ 6,069,716       100.0     $ 5,772,781       100.0  

Debt and Equity Securities

The Company maintains a diversified portfolio which consists primarily of corporate, mortgage-backed, and public utilities fixed income securities. Investments in mortgage-backed securities include primarily U.S. government agency pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs"). As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company's debt securities portfolio consisted of the following:

   
Composition of Debt Securities
 
   
June 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
Carrying
         
Carrying
       
   
Value
   
%
   
Value
   
%
 
   
(In thousands)
         
(In thousands)
       
                         
Corporate
  $ 2,691,074       46.1     $ 2,453,404       44.0  
Mortgage-backed securities
    1,955,921       33.6       2,001,060       36.0  
Public utilities
    920,190       15.8       790,419       14.2  
U.S. agencies
    48,186       0.8       119,674       2.2  
U.S. Treasury
    1,920             1,923       -  
Home equity
    43,825       0.8       46,959       0.9  
Manufactured housing
    37,579       0.6       41,319       0.7  
States & political subdivisions
    108,677       1.9       86,962       1.6  
Foreign governments
    21,157       0.4       21,280       0.4  
                                 
Totals
  $ 5,828,529       100.0     $ 5,563,000       100.0  

Because the Company's holdings of mortgage-backed securities are subject to prepayment and extension risk, the Company has substantially reduced these risks by investing primarily in collateralized mortgage obligations, which have more predictable cash flow patterns than pass-through securities. These securities, known as planned amortization class I ("PAC I") and sequential tranches, are designed to amortize in a more predictable manner than other CMO classes or pass-throughs. The Company does not purchase tranches, such as PAC II and support tranches, that subject the portfolio to greater than average prepayment risk. Using this strategy, the Company can more effectively manage and reduce prepayment and extension risks, thereby helping to maintain the appropriate matching of the Company's assets and liabilities.


65


Due to negative news relative to the mortgage industry, and in particular subprime mortgages, the Company has included detailed information below related to this exposure in the debt securities portfolio. The Company holds approximately $81.4 million in asset-backed securities at June 30, 2009. This portfolio includes $37.6 million of manufactured housing bonds and $43.8 million of home equity loans (also referred to as subprime securities). The Company does not have any holdings in collaterized bond obligations (CBOs), collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), or collateralized loan obligations (CLOs). Principal risks in holding asset-backed securities are structural, credit, and capital market risks. Structural risks include the securities’ priority in the issuer’s capital structure, the adequacy of and ability to realize proceeds from collateral and the potential for prepayments. Credit risks include corporate credit risks or consumer credit risks for financing such as subprime mortgages. Capital market risks include the general level of interest rates and the liquidity for these securities in the marketplace.

The mortgage-backed portfolio includes one Alt-A security with a carrying value of $3.6 million. The Alt-A sector is a sub-sector of the jumbo prime MBS sector. The average FICO for an Alt-A borrower is approximately 715 compared to a score of 730 for a jumbo prime borrower. The Company’s exposure to the Alt-A and subprime sectors is limited to investments in the senior tranches of structured securities collateralized by Alt-A or subprime residential mortgage loans. The asset-backed portfolio includes thirteen subprime securities, totaling $43.8 million. The subprime sector is generally categorized under the asset-backed sector. This sector lends to borrowers who do not qualify for prime interest rates due to poor or insufficient credit history. Subprime borrowers generally have FICO scores of 660 or below. The slowing housing market, rising interest rates, and relaxed underwriting standards for loans originated after 2005 resulted in higher delinquency rates and losses in 2007. These events caused illiquidity in the market and volatility in the market prices of subprime securities. All of the loans classified as Alt-A or subprime in the Company’s portfolio as of June 30, 2009 were underwritten prior to 2005 as noted in the table below.

Investment
 
June 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Origination Year
 
Carrying Value
   
Market Value
   
Carrying Value
   
Market Value
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Subprime:
                       
1998
  $ 11,534       9,829       12,125       11,157  
2002
    1,110       575       1,123       556  
2003
    6,533       3,343       6,894       3,779  
2004
    24,648       15,483       26,817       21,970  
                                 
Subtotal subprime
  $ 43,825       29,230       46,959       37,462  
                                 
Alt A:
                               
2004
  $ 3,586       3,586       3,821       3,821  

As of June 30, 2009, nine of the subprime securities were rated AAA, two were rated AA, one rated A and one rated BBB.


66


In addition to diversification, an important aspect of the Company's investment approach is managing the credit quality of its investments in debt securities. Thorough credit analysis is performed on potential corporate investments including examination of a company's credit and industry outlook, financial ratios and trends, and event risks. This emphasis is reflected in the high average credit rating of the Company's portfolio with 98.0% held in investment grade securities. In the table below, investments in debt securities are classified according to credit ratings by Standard and Poor's ("S&P®"), or other nationally recognized statistical rating organizations if securities were not rated by S&P®.

   
June 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
Carrying
         
Carrying
       
   
Value
   
%
   
Value
   
%
 
   
(In thousands)
         
(In thousands)
       
                         
AAA and U.S. government
  $ 2,122,581       36.4     $ 2,306,694       41.5  
AA
    275,180       4.7       205,729       3.7  
A
    1,501,730       25.8       1,431,703       25.7  
BBB
    1,811,130       31.1       1,546,720       27.8  
BB and other below investment grade
    117,908       2.0       72,154       1.3  
                                 
Totals
  $ 5,828,529       100.0     $ 5,563,000       100.0  

The Company does not purchase below investment grade securities.  Investments held in debt securities below investment grade are the result of subsequent downgrades of the securities.  These holdings are summarized below.

   
Below Investment Grade Debt Securities
 
               
Estimated
   
% of
 
   
Amortized
   
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Invested
 
   
Cost
   
Value
   
Value
   
Assets
 
   
(In thousands except percentages)
 
                         
June 30, 2009
  $ 134,685       117,908       107,747       1.9 %
                                 
December 31, 2008
  $ 84,229       72,154       67,375       1.2 %
                                 
December 31, 2007
  $ 105,067       100,221       97,618       1.7 %

As of June 30, 2009, the Company's percentage of below investment grade securities compared to total invested assets totaled 1.9%. The increase from December 31, 2008 is primarily due to securities being downgraded during the first six months of 2009. The Company's holdings of below investment grade securities as a percentage of total invested assets is relatively small compared to industry averages.


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Holdings in below investment grade securities by category as of June 30, 2009 are summarized below, including June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 fair values for comparison. The Company is continually monitoring developments in these industries that may affect security valuation issues. Holdings in below investment grade securities by category are summarized below.

   
Below Investment Grade Debt Securities
 
   
Amortized
   
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Value
   
Value
   
Value
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Retail
  $ 22,445       16,626       16,626       15,033  
Utilities/Energy
    2,098       2,043       2,043       1,839  
Telecommunication
    6,321       6,250       6,250       3,807  
Manufactured housing
    10,783       10,870       8,673       7,436  
Mortgage-backed
    4,920       3,097       3,098       3,661  
Transportation
    1,635       1,477       1,478       1,144  
Manufacturing
    32,066       29,091       27,881       23,222  
Banking/Finance
    28,928       26,591       20,479       17,094  
Medical
    13,000       12,604       11,960       11,050  
Other
    12,489       9,259       9,259       8,689  
                                 
Totals
  $ 134,685       117,908       107,747       92,975  

The Company closely monitors its other below investment grade holdings by reviewing investment performance indicators including information such as issuer operating performance, debt ratings, analyst reports and other economic factors that may affect these specific investments. While additional losses are not currently anticipated based on the existing status and condition of these securities, continued credit deterioration of some securities is possible, which may result in further writedowns.

The Company is required to classify its investments in debt and equity securities into one of three categories: (a) trading securities, (b) securities available for sale, or (c) securities held to maturity. The Company purchases securities with the intent to hold to maturity and accordingly does not maintain a portfolio of trading securities. Of the remaining two categories, available for sale and held to maturity, the Company makes a determination on categorization based on various factors including the type and quality of the particular security and how it will be incorporated into the Company's overall asset/liability management strategy. As shown in the table below, at June 30, 2009, approximately 31.6% of the Company's total debt and equity securities, based on fair values, were classified as securities available for sale. These holdings provide flexibility to the Company to react to market opportunities and conditions and to practice active management within the portfolio to provide adequate liquidity to meet policyholder obligations and other cash needs.

   
Fair
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
 
   
Value
   
Cost
   
Gains (Losses)
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Securities held to maturity:
                 
    Debt securities
  $ 4,015,880       3,986,365       29,515  
Securities available for sale:
                       
    Debt securities
    1,842,164       1,891,113       (48,949 )
    Equity securities
    13,574       6,805       6,769  
                         
Totals
  $ 5,871,618       5,884,283       (12,665 )

During the six months ending June 30, 2009 the Company recorded other-than-temporary impairment writedowns on debt securities totaling $4.9 million and equity securities totaling $0.4 million. See Note 9 in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.


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As of April 1, 2009, the Company adopted the new FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124 -2. See Note 3 in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statement. For the three months ended June 30, 2009, the Company recognized $1.8 million of other-than-temporary impairments; $26,000 was deemed credit related and recognized as realized investment losses in earnings, $1.8 million was deemed non-credit related impairments and recognized in other comprehensive income.

Market Risk

Market risk is the risk of change in market values of financial instruments due to changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodity prices, or equity prices. The most significant market risk exposure for National Western is interest rate risk. The fair values of fixed income debt securities correlate to external market interest rate conditions. Because interest rates are fixed on almost all of the Company's debt securities, market values typically increase when market interest rates decline, and decrease when market interest rates rise. However, market values may fluctuate for other reasons, such as changing economic conditions or increasing event-risk concerns.

The correlation between fair values and interest rates for debt securities is reflected in the tables below.

   
June 30,
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands except percentages)
 
                   
Debt securities - fair value
  $ 5,858,044       5,610,330       5,458,936  
Debt securities - amortized cost
  $ 5,877,478       5,813,308       5,728,363  
Fair value as a percentage of amortized cost
    99.67 %     96.51 %     95.30 %
Unrealized loss balance
  $ (19,434 )     (202,978 )     (269,427 )
Ten-year U.S. Treasury bond - increase (decrease)
                       
in yield for the quarter
    0.87 %     0.45 %     (1.81 ) %
                         

   
Unrealized Gains (Losses) Balance
             
                     
Quarter
   
YTD
 
   
At
   
At
   
At
   
Change in
   
Change in
 
   
June 30,
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
 
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
   
Balance
   
Balance
 
                               
Debt securities held to
                             
maturity
  $ 29,515       (60,318 )     (104,064 )     89,833       133,579  
Debt securities available
                                       
for sale
    (48,949 )     (142,660 )     (165,363 )     93,711       116,414  
                                         
Totals
  $ (19,434 )     (202,978 )     (269,427 )     183,544       249,993  

Changes in interest rates typically have a sizable effect on the fair values of the Company's debt securities. Although the market interest rates of the ten-year U.S. Treasury bond increased approximately 87 basis points during the second quarter, the Company experienced an unrealized gain of $183.5 million on a portfolio of approximately $5.9 billion as the spread between corporate bonds and treasuries narrowed during the quarter. Since the majority of the Company's debt securities are classified as held to maturity, which are recorded at amortized cost, changes in fair values have relatively small effects on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

The Company manages interest rate risk through on-going cash flow testing required for insurance regulatory purposes. Business models are used to perform cash flow testing under various commonly used stress test interest rate scenarios to determine if existing assets would be sufficient to meet projected liability outflows. Sensitivity analysis allows the Company to measure the potential gain or loss in fair value of its interest-sensitive instruments and to protect its economic value and achieve a predictable spread between what is earned on invested assets and what is paid on liabilities. The Company seeks to minimize the impact of interest risk through surrender charges that are imposed to discourage policy surrenders. Interest rate changes can be anticipated in the business models and the corresponding risk addressed by management actions affecting asset and liability instruments. However, potential changes in the values of financial instruments indicated by hypothetical interest rate changes will likely be different from actual changes experienced, and the differences could be significant.

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The Company performed detailed sensitivity analysis as of December 31, 2008, for its interest rate-sensitive assets and liabilities. The changes in market values of the Company's debt securities in the second quarter of 2009 were reasonable given the expected range of results of this analysis.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity

Liquidity requirements are met primarily by funds provided from operations. Premium deposits and revenues, investment income, and investment maturities are the primary sources of funds while investment purchases, policy benefits, and operating expenses are the primary uses of funds. The Company historically has not been put in the position of liquidating invested assets to provide cash flow. However, investments consist primarily of marketable debt securities that could be readily converted to cash for liquidity needs. The Company is currently moving $40 million on its bank line of credit to a new provider. While the current facility expired July 31, 2009, the new line of credit terms have been negotiated and are expected to be in place by the end of August 2009. There are expected to be no material changes in the term of the bank credit facility.

A primary liquidity concern for life insurers is the risk of an extraordinary level of early policyholder withdrawals. The Company includes provisions within its annuity and universal life insurance policies, such as surrender charges, that help limit and discourage early withdrawals.

The actual amounts paid by product line in connection with surrenders and withdrawals for the periods ended June 30 are noted in the table below.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Product Line:
                       
Traditional Life
  $ 1,175       1,060       2,454       2,132  
Universal Life
    14,556       9,220       30,421       18,670  
Annuities
    97,992       104,062       195,145       203,909  
                                 
Total
  $ 113,723       114,342       228,020       224,711  

The above contractual withdrawals, as well as the level of surrenders experienced, were generally consistent with the Company's assumptions in asset/liability management, and the associated cash outflows did not have an adverse impact on overall liquidity. Individual life insurance policies are less susceptible to withdrawal than annuity reserves and deposit liabilities because policyholders may incur surrender charges and undergo a new underwriting process in order to obtain a new insurance policy. Cash flow projections and tests under various market interest rate scenarios are also performed to assist in evaluating liquidity needs and adequacy. The Company currently expects available liquidity sources and future cash flows to be more than adequate to meet the demand for funds.

In the past, cash flows from the Company's insurance operations have been sufficient to meet current needs. Cash flows from operating activities were $92.5 million and $98.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company also has significant cash flows from both scheduled and unscheduled investment security maturities, redemptions, and prepayments. These cash flows totaled $634.6 million and $519.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. These cash flow items could change if interest rates rise. Net cash flows from the Company's universal life and investment annuity deposit product operations totaled $67.6 million and $(62.7) million during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Capital Resources

The Company relies on stockholders' equity for its capital resources as there is no long-term debt outstanding and the Company does not anticipate the need for any long-term debt in the near future. As of June 30, 2009, the Company had commitments of approximately $1.8 million which were approved by the Company's Board of Directors for the construction of a nursing home facility in Central Texas. The construction of the new facility began in 2007 and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2009.


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OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

It is not Company practice to enter into off-balance sheet arrangements nor is it Company policy to issue guarantees to third parties, other than in the normal course of issuing insurance contracts. Commitments related to insurance products sold are reflected as liabilities for future policy benefits. Insurance contracts guarantee certain performances by the Company.

Insurance reserves are the means by which life insurance companies determine the liabilities that must be established to assure that future policy benefits are provided for and can be paid. These reserves are required by law and based upon standard actuarial methodologies to ensure fulfillment of commitments guaranteed to policyholders and their beneficiaries, even though the obligations may not be due for many years. Refer to Note (1) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 for a discussion of reserving methods.

The table below summarizes future estimated cash payments under existing contractual obligations as of June 30, 2009.

   
Payment Due by Period
 
         
Less Than
     
1-3  
     
3-5   
   
More Than
 
   
Total
   
1 Year
   
Years
   
Years
   
5 Years
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                                   
Operating lease obligations (1)
  $ 212       196       16       -       -  
Loan commitments
    1,650       1,650       -       -       -  
Construction commitments
    1,784       1,784       -       -       -  
Life claims payable (2)
    51,081       51,081       -       -       -  
Other long-term reserve
                                       
liabilities reflected on the
                                       
balance sheet under GAAP (3)
    7,922,428       809,556       1,470,586       1,796,133       3,846,153  
                                         
Total
  $ 7,977,155       864,267       1,470,602       1,796,133       3,846,153  

(1)  Refer to Note 9 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements relating to leases in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(2)  Life claims payable includes benefit and claim liabilities for which the Company believes the amount and timing of the payment is essentially fixed and determinable.  Such amounts generally relate to incurred and reported death and critical illness claims including an estimate of claims incurred but not reported.
(3)  Other long-term liabilities include estimated life and annuity obligations related to death claims, policy surrenders, policy withdrawals, maturities and annuity payments based on mortality, lapse, annuitization, and withdrawal assumptions consistent with the Company’s historical experience. These estimated life and annuity obligations are undiscounted projected cash outflows that assume interest crediting and market growth consistent with assumptions used in amortizing deferred acquisition costs. They do not include any offsets for future premiums or deposits. Other long-term liabilities also include determinable payout patterns related to immediate annuities. In contrast to this table, the majority of the Company’s liabilities for future obligations recorded on the consolidated balance sheet do not incorporate future credited interest and market growth. Therefore, the estimated life and annuity obligations presented in this table significantly exceed the life and annuity liabilities recorded in the reserves for future life and annuity obligations. Due to the significance of the assumptions used, the actual cash outflows will differ both in amount and timing, possibly materially, from these estimates.


CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Changes in Accounting Principles

Refer to Notes 2, 3, and 9 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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REGULATORY AND OTHER ISSUES

Statutory Accounting Practices

Regulations that affect the Company and the insurance industry are often the result of efforts by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC"). The NAIC routinely publishes new regulations as model acts or laws which states subsequently adopt as part of their insurance regulations. Currently, the Company is not aware of any NAIC regulatory matter material to its operations or reporting of financial results.

Risk-Based Capital Requirements

The NAIC established risk-based capital ("RBC") requirements to help state regulators monitor the financial strength and stability of life insurers by identifying those companies that may be inadequately capitalized. Under the NAIC's requirements, each insurer must maintain its total capital above a calculated threshold or take corrective measures to achieve the threshold. The threshold of adequate capital is based on a formula that takes into account the amount of risk each company faces on its products and investments. The RBC formula takes into consideration four major areas of risk which are: (i) asset risk which primarily focuses on the quality of investments; (ii) insurance risk which encompasses mortality and morbidity risk; (iii) interest rate risk which involves asset/liability matching issues; and (iv) other business risks. Statutory laws prohibit public dissemination of certain RBC information. However, the Company's current statutory capital and surplus is significantly in excess of the threshold RBC requirements.


ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES
ABOUT MARKET RISK

This information is included in Item 2, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in the Investments in Debt and Equity Securities section.

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company's management, with the participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing, and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act.

There have been no changes in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended June 30, 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal controls over financial reporting.


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Refer to Note 8(A) "Legal Proceedings" of the accompanying financial statements included in this Form 10-Q.


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no changes relative to the risk factors disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.


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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Effective August 22, 2008, the Company adopted and implemented a limited stock buy-back program associated with the Company's 2008 Incentive Plan which provides Option Holders the additional alternative of selling shares acquired through the exercise of options directly back to the Company.  This program succeeded a similar buy-back program implemented March 10, 2006 associated with the Company’s 1995 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.  Option Holders may elect to sell such acquired shares back to the Company at any time within ninety (90) days after the exercise of options at the prevailing market price as of the date of notice of election.


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

On June 19, 2009, the stockholders voted upon the following matters at the annual stockholders meeting:

(a) The election of Class A directors to the Company's Board of Directors to serve one-year terms.  The results of the voting were as follows:

   
For
 
Against
         
Robert L. Moody
 
2,843,906
 
394,460
Stephen E. Glasgow
 
3,082,958
 
155,408
E.J. Pederson
 
3,083,744
 
154,622
         
(b) The election of Class B directors to the Company's Board of Directors to serve one-year terms.  The results of the voting were as follows:

   
For
 
Against
         
E. Douglas McLeod
 
200,000
 
-      
Charles D. Milos
 
200,000
 
-      
Frances A. Moody-Dahlberg
 
200,000
 
-      
Ross R. Moody
 
200,000
 
-      
Russell S. Moody
 
200,000
 
-      
Louis E. Pauls, Jr.
 
200,000
 
-      


ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

(a) Exhibits

Exhibit 31(a)
-
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
Exhibit 31(b)
-
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
Exhibit 32(a)
-
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(Registrant)
         
           
           
           
           
           
Date: August 10, 2009
   
/S/ Ross R. Moody
   
     
Ross R. Moody
   
     
President, Chief Operating Officer,
   
     
and Director
   
     
(Authorized Officer)
   
           
           
           
           
Date: August 10, 2009
   
/S/ Brian M. Pribyl
   
     
Brian M. Pribyl
   
     
Senior Vice President,
   
     
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
   
     
(Principal Financial Officer)
   
           
           
           
           
Date: August 10, 2009
   
/S/ Michael G. Kean
   
     
Michael G. Kean
   
     
Vice President,
   
     
Controller and Assistant Treasurer
   
     
(Principal Accounting Officer)
   


74