Annual Report (Form 10-K), fiscal year 1994

Item 1. Business.
The Registrant is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., a corporation whose common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The information set forth under the caption "A. History and Business" in the preliminary prospectus contained in Registrant's registration statement, filed March 30, 1995, pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, File No. 33-58303 (the "Prospectus"), is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2.



Item 2. Properties.
The information set forth under the caption "J. Properties" in the Prospectus is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 3.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
The information set forth under the caption "Legal Proceedings" in the Prospectus is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
Information called for by this item is omitted pursuant to General Instruction J. of Form 10-K.
PART II
Item 5.

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.
The Registrant is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group, Inc. ("MLIG"), which is an indirect wholly- owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. MLIG is the sole record holder of Registrant's shares. Therefore, there is no public trading market for Registrant's common stock.
On December 23, 1994, the Registrant paid a $37,221,000 ordinary dividend and a $112,779,000 extraordinary dividend to MLIG. On December 20, 1993, the Registrant paid a $44,988,000 ordinary dividend and a $75,012,000 extraordinary dividend to MLIG. The extraordinary dividends were paid pursuant to approval granted by the Arkansas Insurance Commissioner. No other cash dividends have been declared on Registrant's common stock at any time during the two most recent fiscal years. Under laws applicable to insurance companies domiciled in the State of Arkansas, the Registrant's ability to pay extraordinary dividends
on its common stock is restricted. See Note 6 to the Registrant's financial statements.
Item 6.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
Information called for by this item is omitted pursuant to General Instruction J. of Form 10-K.
Item 7.

Item 7. Management's Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations.
The information set forth under the sub-caption "Results of Operations" under the caption "C. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Prospectus is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 8.


Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The financial statements of Registrant are set forth in Part IV hereof and are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
Not applicable.
PART III
Information called for by items 10 through 13 of this part is omitted pursuant to General Instruction J. of Form 10-K.
PART IV
Item 14.







Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K.
(a) Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(1) The following financial statements of the Registrant are filed as part of this report:
a. Independent Auditors' Report dated February 27, 1995.
b. Balance Sheets at December 31, 1994 and 1993.
c. Statements of Earnings for the Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992.
- 2 - d. Statements of Stockholder's Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992.
e. Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992.
f. Notes to Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992.
(2) The following exhibits are filed as part of this report as indicated below:
2.1 Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company Board of Directors Resolution in Connection with the Merger between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and Tandem Insurance Group, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1, filed September 5, 1991, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S- 1, File No. 33-26322.)
2.2 Plan and Agreement of Merger between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and Tandem Insurance Group, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1a, filed September 5, 1991, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
3.1 Articles of Incorporation of Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.)
3.2 By-Laws of Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.)
3.3 Articles of Amendment, Restatement and Redomestication of the Articles of Incorporation of Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c) to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-46827, filed March 30, 1992.)
3.4 Amended and Restated By-Laws of Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by
- 3 - reference to Exhibit 3(d) to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-46827, filed March 30, 1992.)
4.1 Group Modified Guaranteed Annuity Contract, ML-AY-361. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1, filed February 23, 1989, as part of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
4.2 Individual Certificate, ML-AY-362. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2, filed February 23, 1989, as part of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
4.2a Individual Certificate, ML-AY-362 KS. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
4.2b Individual Certificate, ML-AY-378. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2b, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
4.3 Individual Tax-Sheltered Annuity Certificate, ML-AY-372. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3, filed February 23, 1989, as part of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S- 1, File No. 33-26322.)
4.3a Individual Tax-Sheltered Annuity Certificate, ML-AY-372 KS. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
4.4 Qualified Retirement Plan Certificate, ML-AY-373. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.)
- 4 - 4.4a Qualified Retirement Plan Certificate, ML-AY-373 KS. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
4.5 Individual Retirement Annuity Certificate, ML-AY-374. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.)
4.5a Individual Retirement Annuity Certificate, ML-AY-374 KS. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
4.5b Individual Retirement Annuity Certificate, ML-AY-375 KS. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5b, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
4.5c Individual Retirement Annuity Certificate, ML-AY-379. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5c, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
4.6 Individual Retirement Account Certificate, ML-AY-375. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6, filed February 23, 1989, as part of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
4.6a Individual Retirement Account Certificate, ML-AY-380. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
4.7 Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Certificate, ML-AY-376. (Incorporated by reference to
- 5 - Exhibit 4.7 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.)
4.7a Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Certificate, ML-AY-376 KS. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
4.8 Tax-Sheltered Annuity Endorsement, ML-AY-366. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.)
4.8a Tax-Sheltered Annuity Endorsement, ML-AY-366 190. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
4.9 Qualified Retirement Plan Endorsement, ML-AY-364. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.)
4.10 Individual Retirement Annuity Endorsement, ML-AY-368. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.)
4.10a Individual Retirement Annuity Endorsement, ML-AY-368 190. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
4.10b Individual Retirement Annuity Endorsement, ML009. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(j)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-60290, filed March 31, 1994.)
- 6 - 4.11 Individual Retirement Account Endorsement, ML-AY-365. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.)
4.11a Individual Retirement Account Endorsement, ML- AY-365 190. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
4.12 Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Endorsement, ML-AY-367. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.)
4.12a Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Endorsement, ML-AY-367 190. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
4.13 Qualified Plan Endorsement, ML-AY-369. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.)
4.13a Qualified Plan Endorsement, ML-AY-448. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13a, filed March 9, 1990, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
4.14 Application for Group Modified Guaranteed Annuity Contract. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.)
4.15 Annuity Application for Individual Certificate Under Modified Guaranteed Annuity Contract. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322, filed January 3, 1989.)
- 7 - 4.16 Form of Company Name Change Endorsement. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16, filed September 5, 1991, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
4.17 Group Modified Guaranteed Annuity Contract, ML-AY-361/94. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(2), filed December 7, 1994, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S- 1, File No. 33-60290.)
4.18 Individual Certificate, ML-AY-362/94. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b)(4), filed December 7, 1994, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-60290.)
4.19 Individual Tax-Sheltered Annuity Certificate, ML-AY-372/94. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c)(3), filed December 7, 1994, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S- 1, File No. 33-60290.)
4.20 Qualified Retirement Plan Certificate, ML-AY-373/94. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(d)(3), filed December 7, 1994, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S- 1, File No. 33-60290.)
4.21 Individual Retirement Annuity Certificate, ML-AY-374/94. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(e)(5), filed December 7, 1994, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S- 1, File No. 33-60290.)
4.22 Individual Retirement Account Certificate, ML-AY-375/94. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(f)(3), filed December 7, 1994, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S- 1, File No. 33-60290.)
- 8 - 4.23 Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Certificate, ML-AY-376/94. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(g)(3), filed December 7, 1994, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-60290.)
4.24 Qualified Plan Endorsement, ML-AY-448/94. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(m)(3), filed December 7, 1994, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33- 60290.)
10.1 Management Services Agreement between Family Life Insurance Company and Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33- 26322, filed January 3, 1989.)
10.2 General Agency Agreement between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and Merrill Lynch Life Agency, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2, filed February 23, 1989, as part of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
10.3 Service Agreement among Merrill Lynch Insurance Group, Inc., Family Life Insurance Company and Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3, filed March 13, 1991, as part of Post- Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
10.3a Amendment to Service Agreement among Merrill Lynch Insurance Group, Inc., Family Life Insurance Company and Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-60290, filed March 31, 1994.)
10.4 Indemnity Reinsurance Agreement between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and Family Life
- 9 - Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4, filed March 13, 1991, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
10.5 Assumption Reinsurance Agreement between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company, Tandem Insurance Group, Inc. and Royal Tandem Life Insurance Company and Family Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6, filed April 24, 1991, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
10.6 Amended General Agency Agreement between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and Merrill Lynch Life Agency, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(g) to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33- 46827, filed March 30, 1992.)
10.7 Indemnity Agreement between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and Merrill Lynch Life Agency, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(h) to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33- 46827, filed March 30, 1992.)
10.8 Management Agreement between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(i) to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33- 46827, filed March 30, 1992.)
10.9 Amendment No. 1 to Indemnity Reinsurance Agreement between Family Life Insurance Company and Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5, filed April 24, 1991, as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-26322.)
24.1 Power of attorney of Joseph E. Crowne. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 24(a) to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-58303, filed March 30, 1995.)
- 10 - 24.2 Power of attorney of David M. Dunford. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 24(b) to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-58303, filed March 30, 1995.)
24.3 Power of attorney of John C.R. Hele. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 24(c) to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-58303, filed March 30, 1995.)
24.4 Power of attorney of Allen N. Jones. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 24(d) to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-58303, filed March 30, 1995.)
24.5 Power of attorney of Barry G. Skolnick. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 24(e) to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-58303, filed March 30, 1995.)
24.6 Power of attorney of Anthony J. Vespa. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 24(f) to the Registrant's registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-58303, filed March 30, 1995.)
28.1 Preliminary prospectus contained Registrant's registration statement, filed March 30, 1995, pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, File No. 33-58303.
(3) Not applicable.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K.
No reports on Form 8-K have been filed during the last quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994.
- 11 -
Independent Auditors' Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance Sheets at December 31, 1994 and 1993 . . . . . . . . . .
Statements of Earnings for the Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Statements of Stockholder's Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Notes to Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors of Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company:
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company (the "Company"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group, Inc., as of December 31, 1994 and 1993, and the related statements of earnings, stockholder's equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1994. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 1994 and 1993, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1994 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, in 1993 the Company changed its method of accounting for certain investments in debt and equity securities to conform with Statement of Accounting Standards No. 115.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP February 27, 1995
MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (A wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group, Inc.)
BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND 1993 (Dollars in Thousands) ===============================================================================
See notes to financial statements.
==============================================================================
MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (A wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group, Inc.)
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994, 1993 AND 1992 (Dollars in Thousands) ==============================================================================
See notes to financial statements.
MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (A wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group, Inc.)
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994, 1993 AND 1992 (Dollars in Thousands) ==============================================================================
(Continued)
MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group, Inc.)
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994, 1993 AND 1992 (Concluded) (Dollars In Thousands) ==============================================================================
See notes to financial statements.
MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group, Inc.)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in Thousands)
NOTE 1: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Reporting: Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company (the "Company") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group, Inc. ("MLIG"). The Company is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("Merrill Lynch & Co.").
The Company sells non-participating life insurance and annuity products which comprise one business segment. The primary products that the Company currently markets are immediate annuities, market value adjusted annuities, variable life insurance and variable annuities. The Company is currently licensed to sell insurance in forty-nine states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. The Company markets its products solely through the retail network of Merrill Lynch Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. ("MLPF&S"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co..
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles for stock life insurance companies.
Revenue Recognition: Revenues for the Company's interest sensitive life, interest sensitive annuity, variable life and variable annuity products consist of policy charges for the cost of insurance, deferred sales charges, policy administration charges and/or withdrawal charges assessed against policyholder account balances during the period.
Policyholders' Account Balances: Liabilities for the Company's universal life type contracts, including its life insurance and annuity products, are equal to the full accumulation value of such contracts as of the valuation date plus deficiency reserves for certain products. Interest crediting rates for the Company's fixed rate products are as follows:
Interest sensitive life products 4.00% - 8.30% Interest sensitive deferred annuities 2.78% - 8.58% Immediate annuities 4.00% - 10.00%
These rates may be changed at the option of the Company, subject to minimum guarantees, after initial guaranteed rates expire.
Liabilities for unpaid claims equal the death benefit for those claims which have been reported to the Company and an estimate based upon prior experience for those claims which are unreported as of the valuation date.
Reinsurance: In the normal course of business, the Company seeks to limit its exposure to loss on any single insured life and to recover a portion of benefits paid by ceding reinsurance to other insurance enterprises or reinsurers under indemnity reinsurance agreements, primarily excess coverage and coinsurance agreements. The maximum amount of mortality risk retained by the Company is approximately $500 on a single life.
Indemnity reinsurance agreements do not relieve the Company from its obligations to policyholders. Failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company. The Company regularly evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers so as to minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies. The Company holds collateral under reinsurance agreements in the form of letters of credit and funds withheld totaling $912 that can be drawn upon for delinquent reinsurance recoverables.
As of December 31, 1994, the Company had life insurance in- force which was ceded to other life insurance companies of $2,027,303.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs: Policy acquisition costs for life and annuity contracts are deferred and amortized based on the estimated future gross profits for each group of contracts. These future gross profit estimates are subject to periodic evaluation by the Company, with necessary revisions applied against amortization to date.
Policy acquisition costs are principally commissions and a portion of certain other expenses relating to policy acquisition, underwriting and issuance, which are primarily related to and vary with the production of new business. Certain costs and expenses reported in the statements of earnings are net of amounts deferred. Policy acquisition costs can also arise from the acquisition or reinsurance of existing in-force policies from other insurers. These costs include ceding commissions and professional fees related to the reinsurance assumed.
Included in deferred policy acquisition costs are those costs related to the acquisition by assumption reinsurance of insurance contracts from unaffiliated insurers. The deferred costs are amortized in proportion to the future gross profits over the anticipated life of the acquired insurance contracts utilizing an interest methodology.
In December 1990, the Company entered into an assumption reinsurance agreement with an unaffiliated insurer. The acquisition costs relating to this agreement are being amortized over a twenty-year period using an effective interest rate of 9.01%. This reinsurance agreement provides for payment of contingent ceding commissions based upon the persistency and mortality experience of the insurance contracts assumed. Any payments made for the contingent ceding commissions will be capitalized and amortized using an identical methodology as that used for the initial acquisition costs. The following is a reconciliation of the acquisition costs for the reinsurance transaction for the three years ended December 31,:
The following table presents the expected amortization of these deferred acquisition costs over the next five years. The amortization may be adjusted based on periodic evaluation of the expected gross profits on the reinsured policies.
1995 $17,840 1996 16,056 1997 12,488 1998 8,925 1999 8,399
Investments: Effective December 31, 1993, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 115 "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities" ("SFAS No. 115"). In compliance with SFAS No. 115, the Company, at December 31, 1993, classified its investments in fixed maturity securities and equity securities in two categories, each separately identified:
Available for sale securities include both fixed maturity and equity securities. These securities may be sold for the Company's general liquidity needs, asset/liability management strategy, credit dispositions and investment opportunities. These securities are carried at estimated fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in stockholder's equity. If a decline in value of a security is determined by
management to be other than temporary, the carrying value is adjusted to the estimated fair value at the date of this determination and recorded in the net realized investment gains (losses) caption of the statement of earnings.
Trading securities represented securities that were managed with an investment objective to maximize total return subject to the Company's quality guidelines. Investments in this portfolio consisted primarily of marketable fixed maturity and equity investments. These securities were carried at estimated fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in the statement of earnings. The debt and equity securities classified as trading securities as of December 31, 1993 were acquired in 1993 and immediately classified as trading securities in compliance with SFAS No. 60 "Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises", prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 115.
SFAS No. 115 permits fixed maturity securities to be carried at amortized cost if the Company has both the ability and positive intent to hold these securities to maturity. The Company has determined that it can not guarantee that it will not have the need or opportunity to sell any particular security in its investment holdings. As such, the Company has not utilized this classification since the adoption of SFAS No. 115.
During 1994, the Company ceased utilizing the trading securities classification. All securities that were classified as trading securities on November 1, 1994 were transferred to the available for sale classification at their respective estimated fair values on that date. The difference between the market value at November 1, 1994 and par value will be amortized into income based on the Company's premium amortization and discount accrual policies.
In compliance with a Securities and Exchange Commissions ("SEC") staff announcement, the Company has recorded certain adjustments to deferred policy acquisition costs and policyholders' account balances in connection with its adoption of SFAS No. 115. The SEC requires that companies adjust those assets and liabilities that would have been adjusted had the unrealized investment gains or losses from securities classified as available for sale actually been realized with corresponding credits or charges reported directly to stockholder's equity. The following reconciles the net unrealized investment gain (loss) as of December 31,:
For fixed maturity securities, premiums are amortized to the earlier of the call or maturity date, discounts are accrued to the maturity date and interest income is accrued daily. For equity securities, dividends are recognized on the ex-dividend date. Realized gains and losses on the sale or maturity of the investments are determined on the basis of identified cost.
Fixed maturity securities may contain securities which are considered high yield. The Company defines high yield fixed maturity securities as unsecured corporate debt obligations which do not have a rating equivalent to
Standard and Poor's (or similar rating agency) BBB or higher, and are not guaranteed by an agency of the federal government. Probable losses are recognized in the period that a decline in value is determined to be other than temporary.
During 1994, the Company adopted SFAS No. 119, "Disclosure about Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments" ("SFAS No. 119"). SFAS No. 119 requires increased disclosures regarding derivative financial instruments. SFAS No. 119 defines derivative financial instruments as futures, forward, swap and option contracts or other financial instruments with similar characteristics. As of December 31, 1994, the Company holds only interest rate swap contracts.
The Company has outstanding certain interest rate swap contracts which are carried at estimated fair value and recorded as a component of fixed maturity securities available for sale. Interest income, realized gains and losses and unrealized gains and losses are recorded on the same basis as fixed maturity securities available for sale.
Mortgage loans on real estate are stated at unpaid principal balances net of valuation allowances. Such valuation allowances are based on the decline in value expected by management to be realized on in-substance foreclosures of mortgage loans and on mortgage loans which management believes may not be collectible in full. In establishing valuation allowances management considers, among other things, the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral.
The Company recognizes income from mortgage loans on real estate based on the cash payment interest rate of the loan, which may be different from the accrual interest rate of the loan for certain outstanding mortgage loans. The Company will recognize a realized gain at the date of the satisfaction of the loan at contractual terms for loans where there is a difference between the cash payment interest rate and the accrual interest rate. For all loans the Company stops accruing income when an interest payment default either occurs or is probable.
The Company has previously made commercial mortgage loans collateralized by real estate and direct investments in commercial real estate. The return on and the ultimate recovery of these loans and investments are generally dependent on the successful operation, sale or refinancing of the real estate. In many parts of the country, current real estate markets are characterized by vacancy rates in excess of historical averages, a lack of ready sources of credit for real estate financing, reduced or declining real estate values, and similar factors.
The Company employs a system to monitor the effects of current and expected real estate market conditions and other factors when assessing the collectability of mortgage loans and the recoverability of the Company's real estate investments. When, in management's judgment, these assets are impaired, appropriate losses are recorded. Such estimates necessarily include assumptions, which may include anticipated improvements in selected market conditions for real estate, which may or may not occur. The more significant assumptions management considers involve estimates of the following: lease, absorption and sales rate; real estate values and rates of return; operating expenses; required capital improvements; inflation; and sufficiency of any collateral independent of the real estate. Management believes that the carrying value approximates the fair value of these investments.
During 1993 the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan" ("SFAS No. 114") which was amended during 1994 by SFAS No. 118, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan - Income Recognition and Disclosures". SFAS No. 114, as amended, requires that for impaired loans, the impairment shall be measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral. Impairments of mortgage loans on real estate are established as valuation allowances and recorded to net realized investment gains or losses. SFAS No. 114, as amended, must be adopted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1994. The Company has decided not to early adopt this statement. The Company estimates that the impact on both financial position and earnings from adopting SFAS No. 114, as amended, would be immaterial.
Real estate available for sale, including real estate acquired in satisfaction of debt subsequent to its acquisition date, is stated at depreciated cost less valuation allowances and estimated selling costs. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the properties, which generally is 40 years.
Policy loans on insurance contracts are stated at unpaid principal balances.
Federal Income Taxes: The results of operations of the Company are included in the consolidated Federal income tax return of Merrill Lynch & Co.. The Company has entered into a tax-sharing agreement with Merrill Lynch & Co. whereby the Company will calculate its current tax provision based on its operations. Under the agreement, the Company periodically remits to Merrill Lynch & Co. its current federal tax liability.
The Company accounts for Federal Income Taxes in compliance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS No. 109") which requires an asset and liability method in recording income taxes on all transactions that have been recognized in the financial statements. SFAS No. 109 provides that deferred taxes be adjusted to reflect tax rates at which future tax liabilities or assets are expected to be settled or realized.
Separate Accounts: The Separate Accounts are established in conformity with Arkansas insurance law, the Company's domiciliary state, and are generally not chargeable with liabilities that arise from any other business of the Company. Separate Accounts assets may be subject to General Account claims only to the extent the value of such assets exceeds the Separate Accounts liabilities.
Assets and liabilities of the Separate Accounts, representing net deposits and accumulated net investment earnings less fees, held for the benefit of policyholders, are shown as separate captions in the balance sheets.
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions: The Company accounts for postretirement benefits in compliance with SFAS No. 106, "Employer's Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions" ("SFAS No. 106"). SFAS No. 106 requires the accrual of postretirement benefits (such as health care benefits) during the years an employee provides service.
Statements of Cash Flows: For the purpose of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and on deposit and short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Reclassifications: To facilitate comparisons with the current year, certain amounts in the prior years have been reclassified.
NOTE 2. ESTIMATED FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The carrying value of financial instruments which approximates the estimated fair value of these financial instruments as of December 31 are:
(1) For publicly traded securities, the estimated fair value is determined using quoted market prices. For securities without a readily ascertainable market value, the Company has determined an estimated fair value using a discounted cash flow approach, including provision for credit risk, based upon the assumption that such securities will be held to maturity. Such estimated fair values do not necessarily represent the values for which these securities could have been sold at the dates of the balance sheets. At December 31, 1994 and 1993, securities without a readily ascertainable market value, having an amortized cost of approximately $564,665 and $773,965, had an estimated fair value of approximately $564,682 and $819,866, respectively.
(2) Estimated fair values for the Company's interest rate swaps are based on a discounted cashflow approach.
(3) The estimated fair value of mortgage loans on real estate approximates the carrying value. See Note 1 for a discussion of the Company's valuation process.
(4) The Company estimates the fair market value of policy loans as equal to the book value of the loans. Policy loans are fully collateralized by the account value of the associated insurance contracts, and the spread between the policy loan interest rate and the interest rate credited to the account value held as collateral is fixed.
(5) The estimated fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates the carrying value.
(6) The fair value of the Company's receivables from affiliates is estimated at carrying value. These borrowings are payable on demand and accrue a variable interest rate based on LIBOR.
(7) Assets held in the Separate Accounts are carried at quoted market values.
NOTE 3. INVESTMENTS
The amortized cost (cost for equity securities) and estimated fair value of investments in fixed maturity securities and equity securities as of December 31 are:
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities available for sale at December 31, 1994 by contractual maturity are shown below:
Fixed maturity securities not due at a single maturity date have been included in the preceding table in the year of final maturity. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities available for sale at December 31, 1994 by rating agency equivalent are shown below:
The Company has entered into interest rate swap contracts for the purpose of minimizing exposure to fluctuations in interest rates of specific assets held. The notional amount of such swaps outstanding at December 31, 1994 and 1993 was approximately $30,000 and $149,250, respectively. The Company has outstanding at December 31, 1994 three interest rate swap contracts for which the Company pays the six month LIBOR interest rate and receives a weighted average 9.8%. The outstanding interest rate swap contracts at December 31, 1994 will expire at various times during 1996. The average unexpired term at December 31, 1994 and 1993 was 1.2 years and 3.2 years, respectively. All three interest rate swap contracts were with investment grade counterparties at December 31, 1994.
There are no outstanding matched swaps in a loss position at December 31, 1994 and 1993. During 1994, 1993 and 1992, a net investment gain of approximately $470, $0 and $2,302, respectively, was recorded in connection with interest rate swap activity.
During 1994, 1993 and 1992, the Company did not enter into either matched or unmatched interest rate swap arrangements and did not act as an intermediary or broker in interest rate swaps.
Proceeds, gains and losses from the sale or maturity of fixed maturity securities available for sale and held to maturity for the years ended December 31,:
During 1994, the Company ceased utilizing the trading securities classification. At the date of this action, the securities classified as trading were transferred to the available for sale portfolio at their estimated fair value. The estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities and equity securities transferred at the date of transfer was $134,984 and $6,989, respectively. At the date of transfer, amortized cost exceeded estimated fair value by $2,995. During 1994 and 1993, approximately $(7,285) and $4,291, respectively, of unrealized holding gains (losses) from investment trading securities were recorded in net realized investment gains/(losses).
The Company had investment securities of $26,651 and $28,702 held on deposit with insurance regulatory authorities at December 31, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
At December 31, 1994, the Company retained $14,662 in the Separate Accounts, including unrealized losses of $549. The investments in the Separate Accounts are for the purpose of providing original funding of certain mutual funds available as investment options to variable life and annuity policyholders. No funds were retained in the Separate Accounts at December 31, 1993.
The Company's investment in mortgage loans on real estate are principally collateralized by commercial real estate. At December 31, 1994, the largest concentrations of commercial real estate mortgage loans, as measured by the outstanding principal balance, are for properties located in California ($53,282 or 28%), Illinois ($28,294 or 15%) and Rhode Island ($19,769 or 10%).
The carrying value and established valuation allowances of impaired mortgage loans on real estate as of December 31, 1994 and 1993 are shown below:
For the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1993, $4,652 and $29,555, respectively, of real estate was acquired in satisfaction of debt.
Net investment income arose from the following sources for the years ended December 31,:
Net realized investment gains (losses), including changes in valuation allowances, for the years ended December 31,:
The following is a reconciliation of the change in valuation allowances which have been deducted in arriving at investment carrying values, as presented in the balance sheet, and changes thereto of the following classifications of investments for the years ended December 31,:
The Company held investments at December 31, 1994 of $20,391 which have been non-income producing for the preceding twelve months.
The Company has restructured the terms of certain of its investments in fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans on real estate during 1994 and 1993. The following table provides the amortized cost less valuation allowances immediately prior to restructuring, gross interest income that would have been earned had the loans been current per their original terms ("Expected Income"), gross interest income recorded during the year ("Actual Income") and equity interests which were received in the restructuring:
During 1994, the Company committed to participate in a limited partnership that invests in leveraged transactions. As of December 31, 1994 no funds had been advanced towards the Company's $10,000 commitment to the limited partnership.
NOTE 4. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The following is a reconciliation of the provision for income taxes based on income before income taxes, computed using the Federal statutory tax rate, with the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31,:
The Federal statutory rate for 1994, 1993 and 1992 was 35%, 35% and 34%, respectively.
The Company provides for deferred income taxes resulting from temporary differences which arise from recording certain transactions in different years for income tax reporting purposes than for financial reporting purposes. The sources of these differences and the tax effect of each are as follows:
Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, are determined as follows:
The Company anticipates that all deferred tax assets will be realized, therefore no valuation allowance has been provided.
NOTE 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company and MLIG are parties to a service agreement whereby MLIG has agreed to provide certain data processing, legal, actuarial, management, advertising and other services to the Company. Expenses incurred by MLIG in relation to this service agreement are reimbursed by the Company on an allocated cost basis. Charges billed to the Company by MLIG pursuant to the agreement were $44,176, $55,843 and $63,300 for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively. The Company is allocated interest expense on its accounts payable to MLIG which approximates the daily Federal funds rate. Total intercompany interest paid was $679, $737 and $5,409 for 1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively.
The Company and Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. ("MLAM") are parties to a service agreement whereby MLAM has agreed to provide certain invested asset management to the Company. The Company pays a fee to MLAM for these services through the MLIG service agreement. Charges attributable to this agreement and allocated to the Company by MLIG were $2,732, $2,800 and $3,700 for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively.
During 1994, the Company and MLAM entered into an agreement pursuant to which MLAM paid to the Company a fee in an amount equal to a portion of the annual gross investment advisory fees received by MLAM from Merrill Lynch Series Fund, Inc. ("Series Fund") and Merrill Lynch Variable Series Funds, Inc. ("Variable Series Funds"). The Company invests in the various mutual fund portfolios of the Series Fund and the Variable Series Funds in connection with the variable life insurance and variable annuities the Company has in-force. The Company received $12,600 of revenue as a result of this agreement during 1994.
The Company has a general agency agreement with Merrill Lynch Life Agency Inc. ("MLLA") whereby registered representatives of MLPF&S who are the Company's licensed insurance agents, solicit applications for contracts to be issued by the Company. MLLA is paid commissions for the contracts sold by such agents. Commissions paid to MLLA were $84,231, $67,102 and $25,158 for 1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively. Substantially all of these commissions were capitalized as deferred policy acquisition costs and are being amortized in accordance with the policy discussed in Note 1.
In connection with the acquisition of a block of variable life insurance business from Monarch Life Insurance Company ("Monarch Life"), the Company borrowed funds from Merrill Lynch & Co. to partially finance the
transaction. These loans were repaid during 1992. Interest was calculated on these loans at LIBOR plus 150 basis points. Intercompany interest paid on these loans during 1992 was approximately $4,025.
The Company has entered into certain interest rate swap contracts with Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc. ("MLCS") with a guarantee from Merrill Lynch & Co.. As of December 31, 1994 and 1993, the notional amount of interest rate swap contracts outstanding were $10,000 and $109,250, respectively. During 1994 the Company and MLCS terminated certain interest rate swap contracts resulting in the Company paying a net consideration of $2,043. Net interest received from these interest rate swap contracts was $2,096, $6,876, and $9,849 for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively. (See Note 3)
During 1993 and 1992, the Company allowed the recapture of certain policies previously indemnity reinsured by the Company from Family Life Insurance Company. Simultaneously with the recapture, the Company's affiliate, ML Life Insurance Company of New York ("ML Life"), assumption reinsured these policies. These transactions resulted in the transfer of approximately $11,900 and $2,000 of policy reserves during 1993 and 1992, respectively. During 1994 certain adjustments to the 1993 assumption reinsurance transactions resulted in a transfer of $9,299 of policy reserves from ML Life to the Company.
NOTE 6. STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY AND STATUTORY REGULATIONS
During 1994 and 1993, the Company paid dividends of $150,000 and $120,000, respectively, to MLIG. Of these stockholder's dividends, $112,779 and $75,012, respectively, were extraordinary dividends as defined by Arkansas Insurance Law and were paid pursuant to approval granted by the Arkansas Insurance Commissioner.
At December 31, 1994 and 1993, approximately $26,243 and $37,221, respectively, of stockholder's equity was available for distribution to MLIG. Statutory capital and surplus at December 31, 1994 and 1993, was $264,432 and $374,209, respectively.
Applicable insurance department regulations require that the Company report its accounts in accordance with statutory accounting practices. Statutory accounting practices primarily differ from the principles utilized in these financial statements by charging policy acquisition costs to expense as incurred, establishing future policy benefit reserves using different actuarial assumptions, not providing for deferred taxes and valuing securities on a different basis. The Company's statutory net income for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992 was $42,382, $45,604 and $60,140, respectively.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") has developed and implemented effective December 31, 1993, the Risk Based Capital ("RBC") adequacy monitoring system. The RBC calculates the amount of adjusted capital which a life insurance company should have based upon that company's risk profile. The NAIC has established four different levels of regulatory action with respect to the RBC adequacy monitoring system. Each of these levels may be triggered if an insurer's total adjusted capital is less than a corresponding level of RBC. These levels are as follows:
For companies with capital levels which are below 100% of the basic RBC level (company action level) calculated for that company, the company must submit to the domiciliary insurance commissioner, and implement, an approved plan to increase adjusted capital to at least 100% of the basic RBC.
For companies with capital levels which are below 75% of the basic RBC level calculated for that company, the company must submit to an examination by the domiciliary insurance department and as a result of the findings of the examination, corrective orders may be issued.
For companies with capital levels which are below 50% of the basic RBC level (authorized control level) calculated for that company, the domiciliary insurance commissioner will have the authority to place the company into conservatorship or liquidation.
For companies with capital levels which are below 35% of the basic RBC level calculated for that company, the domiciliary insurance commissioner will be required to place the company into conservatorship or liquidation.
As of December 31, 1994 and 1993, based on the RBC formula, the Company's total adjusted capital level was 270% and 279%, respectively, of the basic RBC level.
NOTE 7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
State insurance laws generally require that all life insurers who are licensed to transact business within a state become members of the state's life insurance guaranty association. These associations have been established for the protection of policyholders from loss (within specified limits) as a result of the insolvency of an insurer. At the time an insolvency occurs, the guaranty association assesses the remaining members of the association an amount sufficient to satisfy the insolvent insurer's policyholder obligations (within specified limits). During 1991, and to a lesser extent 1992, there were certain highly publicized life insurance insolvencies. The Company has utilized public information to estimate what future assessments it will incur as a result of these insolvencies. At December 31, 1994 and 1993, the Company has established an estimated liability for future guaranty fund assessments of $24,774 and $28,083 respectively. The Company regularly monitors public information regarding insurer insolvencies and will adjust its estimated liability when appropriate.
In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to various claims and assessments. Management believes the settlement of these matters would not have a material effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 15(d) 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.
Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company (Registrant)
/s/ Joseph E. Crowne Date: March 29, 1995 By: ------------------------------------ Joseph E. Crowne Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
*Signing in his own capacity and as Attorney-in-Fact. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED WITH REPORTS FILED PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE ACT BY REGISTRANTS WHICH HAVE NOT REGISTERED SECURITIES PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE ACT.
No annual report covering the Registrant's last fiscal year or proxy material has been or will be sent to Registrant's security holder. EXHIBIT INDEX
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