Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Year-to-date premium growth increased by 4%, with earnings per share at $2.09, slightly below expectations due to volatility in the closed block [6][7][15] - Core business profitability trends remain strong, with return on equity for core operations near 20% and overall return on equity at 11.3% [9][11] - Adjusted after-tax operating income per share decreased from $2.13 to $2.09 year-over-year, reflecting strong core business returns that normalized from historic highs [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Unum US segment produced adjusted operating income of $334.9 million, down from $363.3 million a year ago, with premium growth adjusted for ceded business exceeding 4% [16][18] - Colonial Life adjusted operating income increased to $116.6 million, driven by 3.3% premium growth and 3.1% sales growth [19] - International segment adjusted operating income totaled $38.8 million, with premium growth of 9.5% and sales growth of 24.9% [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Group Disability produced adjusted operating earnings of $133.5 million, with a benefit ratio of 61.3%, aligning with low 60s guidance [16][17] - Persistency for total group was 89.8%, slightly down from 92.5% a year ago, but above expectations [18] - The closed block produced adjusted operating income of $14.1 million, down from $34.2 million in the prior year, impacted by lower alternative investment income [21][22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on managing the closed block strategy and reducing associated risks, with no future capital contributions expected [10][28] - Strategic actions include the successful closing of a long-term care reinsurance transaction and ongoing management of the block to strengthen long-term stability [9][10] - The company aims to invest in strategic initiatives, pursue selective M&A opportunities, and return capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases [11][29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the core business's ability to deliver sustainable results and maintain strong margins [31][32] - The company anticipates continued growth into 2026, supported by a disciplined approach to pricing and risk selection [12][31] - Management highlighted the importance of technology initiatives in driving engagement and retention among employers and employees [8][12] Other Important Information - The annual reserve assumption review resulted in a net increase in reserves of $478.5 million pre-tax, with strategic actions taken to de-risk the long-term care block [15][23] - The investment portfolio maintains an A-average rating with historically low exposure to below investment-grade securities [10][30] - The company returned nearly $1 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends in the first nine months of the year [11][29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more color on the statutory side of the LTC assumption review? - Management explained that the reserve charge impacted the entire block of business, with adjustments made that did not significantly affect statutory reserving levels [36][38] Question: What is the rationale for keeping capital in FairWind? - Management indicated that it is prudent to leave capital in FairWind due to strong protections in place [39][40] Question: How do the recent assumption changes impact the rate increase program? - Management confirmed that the changes in assumptions will flow through to the rate increase program, which is expected to be manageable and consistent with historical practices [44][85] Question: What are the expectations for group disability recoveries? - Management expressed confidence in the stability of recoveries, noting that the team effectively manages the group disability block [58][89] Question: What is the outlook for share buybacks and other uses of cash? - Management stated that capital deployment plans remain consistent, with a focus on growing core operations and pursuing selective M&A opportunities [93][94]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Year-to-date premium growth increased by 4%, with earnings per share at $2.09, slightly below expectations due to volatility in the closed block [4][5][13] - Adjusted after-tax operating income per share decreased from $2.13 in the same period last year to $2.09 this quarter [13] - Return on equity for core operations remains near 20%, while the overall return on equity is 11.3% [8][10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core operations premium grew 2.9%, exceeding 4% when adjusted for ceded business impacts [12] - Unum US adjusted operating income was $334.9 million, down from $363.3 million year-over-year, with Group Disability adjusted operating earnings at $133.5 million [14][15] - Colonial Life's adjusted operating income increased to $116.6 million, with premium growth of 3.3% [17] - International segment reported adjusted operating income of $38.8 million, with premium growth of 9.5% [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Persistency for total group was 89.8%, down from 92.5% a year ago, but above expectations [16] - Sales growth across core segments was nearly 4.5%, with Unum US growing nearly 4%, Colonial Life up over 3%, and International delivering 10% growth [5][12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on disciplined pricing and risk selection, with a commitment to long-term growth and profitability [7][10] - Strategic actions taken include a long-term care reinsurance transaction to manage risk and reduce the size of the closed block [8][9] - The company aims to invest in strategic initiatives, pursue selective M&A opportunities, and return capital to shareholders [10][25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the core business's ability to deliver sustainable results and maintain strong margins [11][27] - The company anticipates continued growth into 2026, supported by a robust capital position and strategic initiatives [27][28] Other Important Information - The annual reserve assumption review resulted in a net increase in reserves of $478.5 million pre-tax, with significant impacts on long-term care [13][20] - The investment portfolio maintains an A-average rating, with historically low exposure to below investment-grade securities [10][26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more color on the statutory side of the LTC assumption review? - Management indicated that the adjustments impacted the entire block of business, with statutory reserving levels remaining well in excess of best estimate reserves [30][31] Question: What is the rationale for keeping capital in Fairwind? - Management decided to retain capital in Fairwind due to strong protections and a robust capital position [32] Question: How do the recent assumption changes impact the premium rate increases? - The changes are linked to the removal of morbidity and mortality improvement assumptions, which will flow through to the rate increase program [34][36] Question: What is the outlook for group disability recoveries? - Management reported stable recoveries and a benefit ratio around 62%, indicating confidence in the sustainability of recovery trends [41][42] Question: What are the plans for share buybacks and capital management? - The company plans to continue increasing share repurchases while prioritizing investments in core operations and selective M&A opportunities [58][59]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted earnings for Q1 2025 were $1.3 billion, or $1.96 per share, representing a 7% increase from the same period last year [11][24] - Adjusted return on equity was 14.4%, with a direct expense ratio of 12%, indicating operational efficiency [11][35] - Adjusted earnings were up 1% year-over-year, and 5% on a constant currency basis, driven by favorable life underwriting and higher variable investment income [24][25] Business Segment Data and Key Metrics Changes - Group Benefits adjusted earnings were $367 million, up 29% year-over-year, attributed to favorable life underwriting margins due to lower mortality [12][25] - Retirement and Income Solutions (RIS) adjusted earnings totaled $400 million, with strong sales in synthetic GICs and UK longevity reinsurance, and inflows from pension risk transfers of $1.8 billion [13][27] - Asia adjusted earnings were $374 million, down 12% year-over-year, impacted by lower underwriting margins and higher taxes, although sales were up 10% [14][29] - Latin America adjusted earnings were $218 million, down 6% year-over-year, but up 7% on a constant currency basis, with adjusted PFOs up 1% reported and 14% constant currency [14][30] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. dollar has started to weaken against many currencies, which may benefit international business growth [7][9] - The company noted that the underlying growth of international businesses could emerge as a tailwind despite being masked by the strong dollar [9][12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company has rolled out a "New Frontier" strategy aimed at guiding operations over the next five years, focusing on strategic diversification and resilience [6][10] - A significant risk transfer deal was announced, reinsuring approximately $10 billion of U.S. retail variable annuity reserves, aimed at reducing enterprise risk [16][40] - The company is on a path to achieve $1 trillion in total assets under management for MetLife Investment Management [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate the uncertain economic environment, emphasizing a recurring revenue business model [8][20] - The company is focused on executing its strategy without significant changes, despite rising recession risks [75][76] - Management highlighted strong fundamentals and a commitment to responsible growth and attractive returns [43] Other Important Information - The company returned approximately $1.8 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases in Q1 2025 [17][36] - A new $3 billion share repurchase authorization was announced, reflecting confidence in financial strength [18][36] - The effective tax rate on adjusted earnings was 23.2%, slightly below the 2025 guidance range [33] Q&A Session Summary Question: Inquiry about spreads in the RIS business - Management acknowledged a sequential decline in spreads due to interest rate gaps and lower rates than expected, but noted growth momentum in the business [46][52] Question: Comments on the CRE portfolio and recovery indications - Management indicated that while there are signs of stabilization in the commercial mortgage loan book, ongoing uncertainty may impact momentum [56][58] Question: Discussion on the risk transfer deal valuation - Management explained that the deal was structured to reduce tail risk and was aligned with their economic valuation expectations, despite a loss in net income [63][67] Question: Underwriting experience in MetLife Holdings - Management reported that underwriting experience was consistent across both life insurance and long-term care segments [70][71] Question: Current environment's influence on capital management strategy - Management confirmed that while they are aware of the economic environment, their strategy remains focused on executing existing plans without significant changes [74][76] Question: Insights on PRT sales and market activity - Management noted that while market volatility can be a distraction, it does not significantly alter the pipeline for pension risk transfer transactions [90][91] Question: Expectations for variable investment income in 2025 - Management indicated that while Q1 results were strong, predicting future performance remains challenging due to market volatility [95][98]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported adjusted earnings of $1,300,000,000 or $1.96 per share, up 7% from the same period a year ago, driven by favorable underwriting and good volume growth [11][24] - Adjusted return on equity in the first quarter was 14.4%, with a direct expense ratio of 12%, indicating efficiency [11][36] - Adjusted earnings were $1,300,000,000, up 1% year over year, and up 5% on a constant currency basis [24] Business Segment Data and Key Metrics Changes - Group Benefits adjusted earnings were $367,000,000, up 29% from the prior year due to favorable life underwriting margins [12][25] - Retirement and Income Solutions (RIS) adjusted earnings totaled $400,000,000, with strong sales in synthetic GICs and UK longevity reinsurance [13][28] - Asia adjusted earnings were $374,000,000, down 12% year over year, primarily due to lower underwriting margins and higher taxes [13][30] - Latin America adjusted earnings were $218,000,000, down 6%, but up 7% on a constant currency basis [14][31] - EMEA adjusted earnings were $83,000,000, up 8% and up 14% on a constant currency basis [32] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that the U.S. dollar has started to weaken against many currencies, which could benefit international business growth [9][10] - The company experienced favorable life underwriting margins due to lower mortality rates in the working-age population, consistent with CDC data [12][26] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company has rolled out its New Frontier strategy to guide operations over the next five years, focusing on strategic diversification and resilience [7][10] - A significant risk transfer deal was announced, reinsuring approximately $10,000,000,000 of U.S. Retail variable annuity and rider reserves, aimed at reducing enterprise risk [16][40] - The company aims to achieve $1,000,000,000,000 in total assets under management through MetLife Investment Management [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate the uncertain economic environment, emphasizing the all-weather nature of its business model [9][20] - The company is focused on executing its strategy without significant changes, despite rising recession risks [73][75] - Management highlighted strong underlying fundamentals and a commitment to responsible growth and attractive returns [43][44] Other Important Information - The company returned approximately $1,800,000,000 to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases in the first quarter [18][19] - The Board of Directors increased the common dividend per share by 4.1% [19] - The company ended the quarter with $4,500,000,000 in cash and liquid assets, above its target cash buffer [37][39] Q&A Session Summary Question: On spreads in the RIS business - Management acknowledged a sequential decline in spreads due to interest rate gaps and lower rates than expected, but noted growth momentum in the business [46][52][54] Question: On the commercial mortgage loan book - Management indicated that while there are signs of stabilization in real estate activity, uncertainty may slow momentum [56][58] Question: On the risk transfer deal valuation - Management explained that the deal was evaluated from multiple perspectives, including economic value and the removal of tail risk, which justified the transaction [62][66] Question: On underwriting experience in MetLife Holdings - Management reported that underwriting experience was in line with expectations across both life insurance and long-term care [68][69] Question: On capital management strategy in the current environment - Management confirmed that there would be no changes to capital management strategy, focusing on executing their existing strategy [72][75] Question: On PRT sales and market volatility - Management noted that while market volatility can be a distraction, it does not significantly impact the pipeline of transactions in the PRT space [87][90] Question: On variable investment income outlook - Management indicated that while the current environment poses challenges, they plan to provide preliminary information on expectations for variable investment income in July [94][96] Question: On the implementation of ESR in Japan - Management expressed confidence in operational readiness and indicated that the new framework would not change their operational approach [99][100]