Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year 2025, adjusted EPS was $8.13, down year-over-year and below expectations due to higher than expected benefits experience [5][16] - Core operations premium grew nearly 4.5%, with Colonial Life at 3.1% and International at 10% [7][14] - Adjusted ROE for core operations was approximately 20%, reflecting durable earnings power despite margin volatility [16][18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Unum US, adjusted operating income decreased 13.1% in Q4 to $289.7 million, and full year adjusted operating income decreased 11.6% to $1.3 billion [18] - Group Disability's adjusted operating income was $102.3 million in Q4, down 22.8% year-over-year, with a benefit ratio of 64.2% in Q4 and 62.4% for the full year [19] - Colonial Life's adjusted operating income declined 7.2% in Q4 to $113.9 million, while full year sales increased 5.3% to $560.3 million [22][23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - International segment saw a 10% increase in full year premium to $1.1 billion, with fourth quarter premiums growing 11.5% [22] - Persistency in US Group was strong at 90.2%, contributing to premium growth [14] - The corporate segment produced a loss of $51.1 million in Q4, with a full year loss of $171.6 million [24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on reducing legacy exposures and enhancing its employee benefits franchise, with a strong emphasis on digital capabilities [12][10] - Plans for 2026 include organic growth, continued investment in technology, and a target of 4%-7% premium growth [13][34] - The strategy includes a disciplined approach to pricing and risk management, aiming for a stable benefit ratio in Group Disability [33][52] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the underlying claims performance and the sustainability of the business model, despite some quarterly volatility [52][55] - The outlook for 2026 anticipates adjusted EPS growth of 8%-12%, driven by improved top-line growth and stable margins [33][58] - The company aims to maintain robust capital levels and return approximately 100% of free cash flow to shareholders [40][41] Other Important Information - The company completed two small acquisitions in 2025 and increased its dividend by 10% [10] - Significant progress was made in addressing the closed block, with a reduction of over $4 billion in long-term care reserves [11][26] - A change in reporting will exclude Closed Block earnings from Adjusted Operating Earnings starting in Q1 2026, focusing on core business performance [27][30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Drivers of the group's disability loss ratio and outlook for 2026 - Management discussed the favorable market conditions and pricing discipline, expressing confidence in maintaining strong loss ratios [48][49] Question: 2026 EPS outlook on an apples-to-apples basis - Management indicated expectations for higher top-line growth and consistent benefit ratios, supporting an 8%-12% EPS growth rate [56][58] Question: Competition in the market and pricing dynamics - Management acknowledged competitive pressures but emphasized their pricing discipline and strong market position [80]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year 2025, adjusted EPS was $8.13, down year-over-year and below expectations, primarily due to higher than expected benefits experience [4][16] - Adjusted operating income for Unum US was $289.7 million in Q4, a decrease of 13.1% year-over-year, and full year adjusted operating income decreased 11.6% to $1.3 billion [18] - After-tax adjusted operating earnings for Q4 were $322.3 million, or $1.92 per share, and for the full year, it was $1.4 billion, or $8.83 per share [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core operations premium grew nearly 4.5% in 2025, with Colonial Life showing 3.1% growth and International showing 10% growth [5][12] - Group Disability reported a benefit ratio of 64.2% in Q4, above expectations, driven by lower average size of recoveries and lower-than-expected mortality [15] - Colonial Life's fourth quarter sales increased 10% to $203.9 million, the largest quarterly sales since 2019, and full year sales increased 5.3% to $560.3 million [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Persistency in US Group was reported at 90.2%, indicating strong customer retention [13] - International segment saw fourth quarter premiums grow 11.5% to $283.9 million, and full year premium increased 10% to $1.1 billion [21] - The corporate segment produced a loss of $51.1 million in Q4, reflecting elevated staffing and IT costs [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on digital capabilities, with over one-third of the core premium base associated with customers using digital tools [6] - Continued investment in technology is expected to drive growth in 2026, with top-line growth projected in the range of 4%-7% [12][31] - The company aims to reduce legacy exposures and strengthen its employee benefits franchise, with a focus on risk management and capital deployment [11][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism for 2026, expecting adjusted EPS growth of 8%-12% and strong capital return levels [32][39] - The company anticipates a stabilizing benefit ratio for Group Disability in the range of 62%-64% for 2026, supporting a robust ROE of over 25% [34] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining disciplined pricing and risk management strategies in a competitive market [80] Other Important Information - The company completed an external reinsurance transaction that ceded roughly 20% of long-term care reserves, reducing potential capital volatility [10] - The company plans to repurchase approximately $1 billion of stock and grow its common dividend per share by 10% in 2026 [38] - Adjusted operating income will exclude Closed Block earnings starting in Q1 2026, aligning with the strategy to reduce the footprint of legacy blocks [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Drivers of the group's disability loss ratio and outlook for 2026 - Management discussed the favorable market conditions and pricing discipline that support confidence in maintaining strong loss ratios [45][46] Question: 2026 EPS outlook on an apples-to-apples basis - Management indicated expectations for higher top-line growth and consistent benefit ratios, supporting an 8%-12% EPS growth rate [54][56] Question: Competition in the market and pricing dynamics - Management acknowledged ongoing competition but emphasized a disciplined pricing approach to maintain margins [80]

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 [7][17] - Earnings per share (EPS) was reported at $2.4, reflecting a 3.8% decrease from the previous year due to higher disability claims [18][19] - Statutory earnings reached nearly $500 million, bolstered by one-time benefits from restructuring [16][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Unum U.S. adjusted operating income decreased by 14.6% to $329.1 million, with premium growth of 4.3% [20][21] - Group disability adjusted operating income fell to $119.2 million, with a benefit ratio of 61.8%, up from 57.5% a year ago [21][22] - Colonial Life segment saw adjusted operating income increase to $115.7 million, with premium income growing at 2.3% [25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Unum International's adjusted operating income increased to $38.7 million, with premium income rising by 7% year-over-year [24] - The UK business reported earnings in the higher £20 million range, while Unum Poland experienced 18% growth [24][89] - The overall persistency rate for Unum U.S. was reported at 89.3%, indicating stable customer retention [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims for full-year growth of 6% to 10%, supported by a healthy sales pipeline and digital capabilities [6][11] - Focus on enhancing digital interactions and leave administration services to improve customer engagement and retention [8][11] - Continued active management of the long-term care block, including premium rate increases and reinsurance strategies [14][28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the economic environment remains favorable, with healthy employment levels and rising wages [8][12] - The company expects to see a normalization in disability claims and a return to historical levels of incidence rates [38][67] - Confidence in achieving annual statutory earnings expectations of $1.3 billion to $1.6 billion from traditional insurance subsidiaries [19] 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% [15][32] - Share repurchases in the first quarter amounted to approximately $200 million, with plans to increase this in the second quarter [16][33] - The company is committed to consistent dividend increases, with announcements expected during the annual shareholder meeting [16] 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 [36][38] 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 claims [40][42] Question: What are the drivers for the reaffirmed growth outlook? - Management highlighted expectations for improved group disability loss ratios, anticipated yield increases, and organic growth as key drivers for the growth outlook [45][51] 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 [53][61] Question: What are the expectations for sales growth throughout the year? - Management anticipates stronger sales momentum in the latter part of the year, particularly in the group segment, driven by a healthy pipeline [78][80]