Unum Group (UNM) Q1 2025 Earnings Call April 30, 2025 08:00 AM ET Company Participants Matt Royal - Senior Vice President-Investor RelationsRick McKenney - President and CEOSteve Zabel - CFORyan Krueger - Managing DirectorChristopher Pyne - Executive Vice President of Group BenefitsElyse Greenspan - Managing DirectorTim Arnold - Executive Vice President of Voluntary Benefits & President of Colonial LifeMark Till - Executive VP & CEO of Unum InternationalThomas Gallagher - Senior Managing DirectorJack Matten ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved a return on equity (ROE) of over 20% and premium growth exceeding 4% in the first quarter [5][16] - Earnings per share (EPS) was reported at $2.4, reflecting a 3.8% decrease from the previous year due to higher disability claims [5][15] - Statutory earnings were strong at nearly $500 million, bolstered by one-time benefits from restructuring [12][16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Unum US saw adjusted operating income decrease by 14.6% to $329.1 million, with premium growth of 4.3% [17][19] - Group disability adjusted operating income fell to $119.2 million, driven by higher incidence rates, with a benefit ratio of 61.8% [18][19] - Colonial Life's operating income increased to $115.7 million, with premium income growing at 2.3% [22][23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The international segment's adjusted operating income rose to $38.7 million, with premium income increasing by 7% year-over-year [20][21] - Unum Poland experienced 18% growth, while the UK business saw a 15% increase in its sub-500 lives core business [21][90] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to maintain industry-leading margins and grow its top line at mid-single-digit levels, with a full-year growth outlook of 6% to 10% [4][5] - Continued investment in digital capabilities is seen as crucial for enhancing customer interactions and improving persistency [6][9] - The company is actively managing its long-term care block and has executed transactions to reduce risk and release capital [12][25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the economic environment remains favorable, with healthy employment levels and rising wages contributing to business stability [5][6] - The company expects to see a normalization in disability claims and a return to historical levels of incidence rates as the year progresses [35][66] - There is confidence in achieving annual expectations for statutory earnings and maintaining robust capital flexibility [16][30] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with record holding company liquidity of $2.2 billion and a risk-based capital (RBC) ratio of 460% [12][30] - Share repurchases in the first quarter amounted to approximately $200 million, with plans to continue this in the second quarter [13][31] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more details on disability incidents? - Management observed elevated incidents in both short-term and long-term disability early in the quarter, with a normalization expected as the year progresses [34][35] Question: How do you view the economic sensitivity of disability claims? - Management indicated that while submitted claims may rise during economic downturns, this does not necessarily translate to higher paid incidents [37][39] Question: What are the drivers for the reaffirmed growth guidance? - Management highlighted expectations for improved group disability loss ratios, anticipated yield increases, and organic growth as key drivers for the reaffirmed guidance [42][48] Question: Can you elaborate on the impact of technology on persistency? - Management noted that technology investments are expected to enhance persistency, with a significant portion of new business tied to these capabilities [50][51] Question: What are the dynamics around capital deployment and share buybacks? - Management emphasized a dynamic approach to capital deployment, with plans to increase share repurchases while maintaining flexibility for growth investments [70][76]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the fourth quarter, the company reported a net loss of $1 million, while adjusted operating income was $15 million, primarily driven by strong performance from Enact, which contributed $137 million to adjusted operating income [11][12] - For the full year, net income was $299 million or $0.68 per share, with adjusted operating income of $273 million [12][26] - The company ended the fourth quarter with holding company cash and liquid assets of $294 million, including approximately $186 million in cash set aside for future obligations [13][38] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Long Term Care (LTC) Insurance segment reported an adjusted operating loss of $104 million in the fourth quarter, driven by a liability remeasurement loss [23][26] - Enact delivered $137 million in adjusted operating income for the fourth quarter, reflecting a 6% year-over-year increase [27] - The Life and Annuities segment reported adjusted operating income of $5 million in the fourth quarter, including a net favorable impact from model and assumption updates [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Enact's primary insurance in force grew 2% year-over-year to a record $269 billion, supported by new insurance written and continued elevated persistency [27] - The company achieved $40 million in gross incremental premium approvals in the fourth quarter, with an average percentage increase of 23% [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on three strategic priorities: creating shareholder value through its stake in Enact, maintaining self-sustainability in its legacy LTC business, and driving future growth with CareScout [13][21] - The CareScout quality network has expanded to nearly 500 home care providers, with a goal to cover 70 million aging individuals in the U.S. [10][17] - The company plans to invest $75 million in the new CareScout Insurance Company in 2025 to meet regulatory requirements [20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the progress made in 2024 and the momentum building for future growth, particularly through CareScout and Enact [7][21] - The company anticipates that CareScout services will generate significant claim savings and revenue over time [16][18] Other Important Information - The company has reduced its wholly-owned company debt to $790 million, down from $4.2 billion at the beginning of 2013 [9] - The multi-year rate action plan (myRAP) has contributed a total of $31.2 billion in net present value to the legacy business since 2012 [8] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more details on CareScout services revenue expectations? - Management indicated that CareScout services already generate revenue from the assessment business and expects to grow revenues from matches between policyholders and the CareScout quality network [44][46] Question: What is the update on the timing of the UK court case? - The court case is scheduled for early March and could last about six weeks if it goes to trial without a settlement [51] Question: Will the $75 million capital contribution to the new CareScout insurance entity come from existing holding company resources? - Management confirmed that the funding for growth initiatives, including the capital contribution, is included in the base operating plan [52]