The Company's home office is located at 151 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut, 06156. All Company office space is leased or subleased by the Company or its other affiliates. The Company pays substantially all expenses associated with its leased and subleased office properties. Expenses not paid directly by the Company are paid for by an affiliate and allocated back to the Company.
The following narrative analysis of the results of operations and financial condition presents a review of the Company's results for its operating segment, USFS, for the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2003 versus 2002. This review should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and other data presented.
During 2002, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS ("FAS No. 142"). The adoption of this standard resulted in an impairment loss of $2,412.1 million. The Company, in accordance with FAS No. 142, recorded the impairment loss retroactive to the first quarter of 2002; prior quarters of 2002 were restated accordingly. This impairment loss represented the entire carrying amount of goodwill, net of accumulated amortization. This impairment charge was shown as a change in accounting principle on the December 31, 2002 Consolidated Income Statement.
(1) Excludes net unrealized capital gains of $615.1 million, $725.9 million and $291.0 million at December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. (2) Includes $12,766.6 million $9,304.1 million and $11,272.2 million at December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, of assets invested through the Company's products in unaffiliated mutual funds. (3) Represents assets for which the Company provides administrative services only.
Premiums for the year ended December 31, 2003 decreased by $2.9 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2002, primarily due to a decrease in immediate annuities with life contingencies.
Net investment income decreased $40.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 compared to the same period in 2002. Net investment income decreased primarily due to the lower interest rate environment.
Net realized capital gains for the year ended December 31, 2003 increased by $165.5 million compared to the year ended 2002. Net realized gains resulted from sales of fixed maturity investments having a fair value greater than book value primarily due to declining interest rates.
Underwriting, acquisition, and insurance expenses were higher by $25.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 as compared to the same period in 2002. An increase in general expenses was partially offset by an increase in policy acquisition costs deferred and by a decrease in commissions resulting in the overall increase in underwriting, acquisition, and insurance expenses. General expenses increased primarily due to an increase in staff costs. Commissions decreased during the period as a result of a decrease in new and renewal business generated during the year ended December 31, 2003 as compared to the same periods in 2002.
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired for the year ended December 31, 2003, decreased by $75.0 million compared to the same period in 2002. Decreased amortization during the year was primarily due to improved market and fund performance. Amortization of long-duration products is recorded in proportion to actual and estimated future gross profits. Estimated gross profits are computed based on assumptions related to the underlying contracts, including but not limited to interest margins, surrenders, withdraws, expenses, and asset growth. The decrease in the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and value of insurance acquired reflects the impact of these variables on the overall book of business.
The non-operating segment of the Company relates to Investment Management Services, which is comprised of IA Holdco and its subsidiaries, which were distributed to HOLDCO on February 28, 2002.
Investment Management Services' net income for the year ended December 31, 2002, was $4.7 million. The 2002 results reflect operating results through February 28, 2002 only.
It is management's objective that the portfolio of fixed maturities is of high quality and be well diversified by market sector. The fixed maturities in the Company's portfolio are generally rated by external rating agencies and, if not externally rated, are rated by the Company on a basis believed to be similar to that used by the rating agencies. The average quality rating of the Company's fixed maturities portfolio was AA- at December 31, 2003 and 2002.
The Company analyzes the general account investments to determine whether there has been an other than temporary decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis in accordance with FAS No. 115, ACCOUNTING FOR CERTAIN INVESTMENTS IN DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES. Management considers the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; future economic conditions and market forecasts; and the Company's intent and ability to retain the investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery in fair value. If it is probable that all amounts due according to the contractual terms of a debt security will not be collected, an other than temporary impairment is considered to have occurred.
When a decline in fair value is determined to be other than temporary, the individual security is written down to fair value and the loss is accounted for as a realized loss.
In 2003, the Company received $230.0 million in cash capital contributions from Lion. In 2002, the Company received capital contributions in the form of investments in affiliated mutual funds of $164.3 million from HOLDCO. The Company did not receive capital contributions in 2001.
In conjunction with the sale of Aetna, Inc. to ING AIH, the Company was restricted from paying any dividends to its parent for a two year period from the date of sale without prior approval by the Insurance Commissioner of the State of Connecticut. This restriction expired on December 13, 2002. The Company did not pay dividends to its parent in 2003, 2002 or 2001.
On February 28, 2002, ILIAC contributed 100% of the stock of IA Holdco to HOLDCO in the form of a $60.1 million distribution.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires the use of estimates and assumptions in certain circumstances. These estimates and assumptions are evaluated on an on-going basis based on historical developments, market conditions, industry trends and other information that is reasonable under the circumstances. There can be no assurance that actual results will conform to estimates and assumptions, and that reported results of operations will not be affected in a materially adverse manner by the need to make future accounting adjustments to reflect changes in these estimates and assumptions from time to time.
The Company has identified the following estimates as critical in that they involve a higher degree of judgment and are subject to a significant degree of variability: investment impairment testing, amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired and goodwill impairment testing. In developing these estimates management makes subjective and complex judgments that are inherently uncertain and subject to material change as facts and circumstances develop. Although variability is inherent in these estimates, management believes the amounts provided are appropriate based upon the facts available upon compilation of the consolidated financial statements.
Deferred policy acquisition costs ("DAC") and value of business acquired ("VOBA") are amortized with interest over the life of the contracts (usually 25 years) in relation to the present value of estimated gross profits from projected interest margins, asset based fees, policy administration and surrender charges less policy maintenance fees and non-capitalized commissions.
The Company tested goodwill as of January 1, 2002, for impairment using fair value calculations based on the present value of estimated future cash flows from business currently in force and business that we estimate we will add in the future. These calculations require management to make estimates on the amount of future revenues and the appropriate discount rate. The calculated fair value of goodwill and the resulting impairment loss recorded is based on these estimates, which require a significant amount of management judgment. The adoption of FAS No. 142 resulted in the impairment of the Company's entire goodwill balance during 2002. Refer to Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the results of the Company's goodwill testing procedures and to Management's Narrative Analysis of the Results of Operations and Financial Condition for the impact these procedures had on the Company's income.
FIN 46 requires a VIE to be consolidated if a party with an ownership, contractual or other financial interest in the VIE (a variable interest holder) is obligated to absorb a majority of the risk of loss from the VIE's activities, is entitled to receive a majority of the VIE's residual returns (if no party absorbs a majority of the VIE's losses), or both. A variable interest holder that consolidates the VIE is called the primary beneficiary. Upon consolidation, the primary beneficiary generally must initially record all of the VIE's assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests at fair value and subsequently account for the VIE as if it were consolidated based on majority voting interest. FIN 46 also requires disclosures about VIEs that the variable interest holder is not required to consolidate, but in which it has a significant variable interest.
At December 31, 2003, the Company held the following investments that, for purposes of FIN 46, were evaluated and determined to not require consolidation in the Company's financial statements:
(1) Represents maximum exposure to loss except for those structures for which the Company also receives asset management fees.
Purchase obligations consist primarily of commitments to fund additional limited partnerships and commitments to enter into mortgage loan arrangements during 2004.
In connection with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company cautions readers regarding certain forward-looking statements contained in this report and in any other statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company, whether or not in future filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements are statements not based on historical information and which relate to future
operations, strategies, financial results, or other developments. Statements using verbs such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe" or words of similar import generally involve forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, forward-looking statements include statements which represent the Company's beliefs concerning future levels of sales and redemptions of the Company's products, investment spreads and yields, or the earnings and profitability of the Company's activities.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated income statements, consolidated statements of changes in shareholder's equity, and consolidated statements of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003. 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.
As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company changed its accounting principle for goodwill and other intangible assets effective January 1, 2002.
Annuity contracts may be deferred or immediate (payout annuities). These products also include programs offered to qualified plans and nonqualified deferred compensation plans that package administrative and record-keeping services along with a variety of investment options, including affiliated and nonaffiliated mutual funds and variable and fixed investment options. In addition, USFS offers wrapper agreements entered into with retirement plans which contain certain benefit responsive guarantees (i.e. liquidity guarantees of principal and previously accrued interest for benefits paid under the terms of the plan) with
respect to portfolios of plan-owned assets not invested with the Company. USFS also offers investment advisory services and pension plan administrative services.
The Company offers qualified and nonqualified annuity contracts that include a variety of funding and payout options for employer-sponsored retirement plans qualified under Internal Revenue Code Sections 401, 403, 408 and 457, as well as nonqualified deferred compensation plans. The Company's products are offered primarily to individuals, pension plans, small businesses and employer-sponsored groups in the health care, government, educations (collectively "not-for-profit" organizations) and corporate markets. The Company's products generally are sold through pension professionals, independent agents and brokers, third party administrators, banks, dedicated career agents and financial planners.
Adoption of FAS No.133 did not have a material effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations given the Company's limited derivative holdings and embedded derivative holdings.
The Company occasionally purchases a financial instrument that contains a derivative that is "embedded" in the instrument. In addition, the Company's insurance products are reviewed to determine whether they contain an embedded derivative. The Company assesses whether the economic characteristics of the embedded derivative are clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the remaining component of the financial instrument or insurance product (i.e., the host contract) and whether a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded instrument would meet the definition of a derivative instrument. When it is determined that the embedded derivative possesses economic characteristics that are
The Derivative Implementation Group ("DIG") responsible for issuing guidance on behalf of the FASB for implementation of FAS No. 133, ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES recently issued Statement Implementation Issue No. B36, EMBEDDED DERIVATIVES: MODIFIED COINSURANCE ARRANGEMENTS AND DEBT INSTRUMENTS THAT INCORPORATE CREDIT RISK EXPOSURES THAT ARE UNRELATED OR ONLY PARTIALLY RELATED TO THE CREDIT WORTHINESS OF THE OBLIGOR UNDER THOSE INSTRUMENTS ("DIG B36"). Under this interpretation, modified coinsurance and coinsurance with funds withheld reinsurance agreements as well as other types of receivables and payables where interest is determined by reference to a pool of fixed maturity assets or total return debt index may be determined to contain embedded derivatives that are required to be bifurcated. The required date of adoption of DIG B36 for the Company was October 1, 2003. The Company completed its evaluation of DIG B36 and determined that the Company had modified coinsurance treaties that require implementation of the guidance. The applicable contracts, however, were determined to generate embedded derivatives with a fair value of zero. Therefore, the guidance, while implemented, did not impact the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation 46, CONSOLIDATION OF VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES, AN INTERPRETATION OF ARB NO.51 ("FIN 46"). In December 2003, the FASB modified FIN 46 to make certain technical revisions and address certain implementation issues that had arisen. FIN 46 provides a new framework for identifying variable interest entities ("VIE") and determining when a company should include the assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests and results of activities of a VIE in its consolidated financial statements.
(1) Represents maximum exposure to loss except for those structures for which the Company also receives asset management fees
In July 2003, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ("AICPA") issued Statement of Position ("SOP") 03-1, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING BY INSURANCE ENTERPRISES FOR CERTAIN NONTRADITIONAL LONG-DURATION CONTRACTS AND FOR SEPARATE ACCOUNTS, which the Company intends to adopt on January 1, 2004. The impact on the financial statements is not known at this time.
reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from reported results using those estimates.
In addition, the Company invests in structured securities that meet the criteria of Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") Issue No. 99-20 RECOGNITION OF INTEREST INCOME AND IMPAIRMENT ON PURCHASED AND RETAINED BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN SECURITIZED FINANCIAL ASSETS. Under Issue No. EITF 99-20, a determination of the required impairment is based on credit risk and the possibility of significant prepayment risk that restricts the Company's ability to recover the investment. An impairment is recognized if the fair value of the security is less than amortized cost and there has been an adverse change in cash flow since the last remeasurement date.
Included in available-for-sale securities are investments that support experience-rated products. Experience-rated products are products where the customer, not the Company, assumes investment (including realized capital gains and losses) and other risks, subject to, among other things, minimum guarantees. Realized gains and losses on the sale of, as well as unrealized capital gains and losses on, investments supporting these products are included in other policyholders' funds on the Consolidated
Balance Sheets. Realized capital gains and losses on all other investments are reflected in the Company's results of operations. Unrealized capital gains and losses on all other investments are reflected in shareholder's equity, net of related income taxes.
Fair values for fixed maturities are obtained from independent pricing services or broker/dealer quotations. Fair values for privately placed bonds are determined using a matrix-based model. The matrix-based model considers the level of risk-free interest rates, current corporate spreads, the credit quality of the issuer and cash flow characteristics of the security. The fair values for equity securities are based on quoted market prices. For equity securities not actively traded, estimated fair values are based upon values of issues of comparable yield and quality or conversion value where applicable.
In September 2000, the FASB issued FAS No. 140, ACCOUNTING FOR TRANSFERS AND SERVICING OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND EXTINGUISHMENTS OF LIABILITIES. In accordance with this new standard, general account securities on loan are reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as "Securities pledged to creditors". Total securities pledged to creditors at December 31, 2003 and 2002 consisted entirely of fixed maturities.
The amortization methodology varies by product type based upon two accounting standards: FAS No. 60, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING BY INSURANCE ENTERPRISES ("FAS No. 60") and FAS No. 97, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING BY INSURANCE ENTERPRISES FOR CERTAIN LONG-DURATION CONTRACTS AND REALIZED GAINS AND LOSSES FROM THE SALE OF INVESTMENTS ("FAS No. 97").
The estimated amount of VOBA to be amortized, net of interest, over the next five years is $112.3 million, $106.4 million, $99.9 million, $94.7 million and $90.7 million for the years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. Actual amortization incurred during these years may vary as assumptions are modified to incorporate actual results.
Future policy benefits and claims reserves include reserves for universal life, immediate annuities with life contingent payouts and traditional life insurance contracts. Reserves for universal life products are equal to cumulative deposits less withdrawals and charges plus credited interest thereon. Reserves for traditional life insurance contracts represent the present value of future benefits to be paid to or on behalf of policyholders and related expenses less the present value of future net premiums.
Reserves for immediate annuities with life contingent payout contracts are computed on the basis of assumed investment yield, mortality, and expenses, including a margin for adverse deviations. Such assumptions generally vary by plan, year of issue and policy duration. Reserve interest rates range from 2.0% to 9.5% for all years presented. Investment yield is based on the Company's experience. Mortality and withdrawal rate assumptions are based on relevant Company experience and are periodically reviewed against both industry standards and experience.
Separate Account assets supporting variable options under universal life and annuity contracts are invested, as designated by the policyholder or participant under a contract (who bears the investment risk subject, in limited cases, to minimum guaranteed rates) in shares of mutual funds which are managed by the Company, or other selected mutual funds not managed by the Company.
Separate Account liabilities are carried at fair value, except for those relating to the guaranteed interest option. Reserves relating to the guaranteed interest option are maintained at fund value and reflect interest credited at rates ranging from 2.4% to 7.3% in 2003 and 3.0% to 10.0% in 2002.
At December 31, 2003 and 2002, net unrealized appreciation of $615.1 million and $725.9 million, respectively, on available-for-sale fixed maturities including fixed maturities pledged to creditors included $491.5 million and $563.1 million, respectively, related to experience-rated contracts, which were not reflected in shareholder's equity but in other policyholders' funds.
The aggregate unrealized losses and related fair values of investments with unrealized losses as of December 31, 2003, are shown below by duration:
Of the losses more than 6 months and less than 12 months in duration of $65.5 million, there were $20.4 million in unrealized losses that are primarily related to interest rate movement or spread widening for other than credit-related reasons. Business and operating fundamentals are performing as expected. The remaining losses of $45.1 million as of December 31, 2003 included the following items:
An analysis of the losses more than 12 months in duration of $9.9 million follows. There were $0.6 million in unrealized losses that are primarily related to interest rate movement or spread widening for other than credit-related reasons. Business and operating fundamentals are performing as expected. The remaining losses of $9.3 million as of December 31, 2003 included the following significant items:
- $8.7 million of unrealized losses related to securities reviewed for impairment under the guidance proscribed by EITF 99-20. This category includes U.S. government-backed securities, principal protected securities and structured securities which did not have an adverse change in cash flows for which the carrying amount was $47.2 million.
The amortized cost and fair value of total fixed maturities for the year ended December 31, 2003 are shown below by contractual maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because securities may be restructured, called, or prepaid.
The Company has various categories of CMOs that are subject to different degrees of risk from changes in interest rates and, for CMOs that are not agency-backed, defaults. The principal risks inherent in holding CMOs are prepayment and extension risks related to dramatic decreases and increases in interest rates resulting in the repayment of principal from the underlying mortgages either earlier or later than originally anticipated. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, approximately 2.8% and 5.5%, respectively, of the Company's CMO holdings were invested in types of CMOs which are subject to more prepayment and extension risk than traditional CMOs (such as interest-only or principal-only strips).
During 2003, the Company determined that eighty-seven fixed maturities had other than temporary impairments. As a result, at December 31, 2003, the Company recognized a pre-tax loss of $94.4 million to reduce the carrying value of the fixed maturities to their combined fair value of $123.1 million. During 2002, the Company determined that fifty-six fixed maturities had other than temporary impairments. As a result, at December 31, 2002, the Company recognized a pre-tax loss of $106.4 million to reduce the carrying value of the fixed maturities to their combined fair value of $124.7 million. During 2001, the Company determined that fourteen fixed maturities had other than temporary impairments. As a result, at December 31, 2001, the Company recognized a pre-tax loss of $51.8 million to reduce the carrying value of the fixed maturities to their fair value of $10.5 million.
The following disclosures are made in accordance with the requirements of FAS No. 107, DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS. FAS No. 107 requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument.
FIXED MATURITIES: The fair values for the actively traded marketable bonds are determined based upon the quoted market prices. The fair values for marketable bonds without an active market are obtained through several commercial pricing services which provide the estimated fair values. Fair values of privately placed bonds are determined using a matrix-based pricing model. The model considers the current level of risk-free interest rates, current corporate spreads, the credit quality of the issuer and cash flow characteristics of
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS AND POLICY LOANS: The carrying amounts for these assets approximate the assets' fair values.
WITHOUT A FIXED MATURITY: Fair value is estimated as the amount payable to the policyholder upon demand. However, the Company has the right under such contracts to delay payment of withdrawals which may ultimately result in paying an amount different than that determined to be payable on demand.
Interest rate swaps are used to manage the interest rate risk in the Company's bond portfolio and well as the Company's liabilities. Interest rate swaps represent contracts that require the exchange of cash flows at regular interim periods, typically monthly or quarterly. The notional amount, carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company's open interest rate swaps as of December 31, 2003 were $950.0 million, $(14.4) million and $(14.4) million, respectively. The notional amount, carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company's open interest rate swaps as of December 31, 2002 were $400.0 million, $(6.8) million and $(6.8) million, respectively.
The Company also had investments in certain fixed maturity instruments that contain embedded derivatives, including those whose market value is at least partially determined by, among other things, levels of or changes in domestic and/or foreign interest rates (short- or long-term), exchange rates, prepayment rates, equity markets or credit ratings/spreads. The estimated fair value of the embedded derivatives within such securities as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 was $(3.7) million and $(1.4) million, respectively.
Net investment income includes amounts allocable to experience rated contractholders of $783.3 million, $766.9 million and $704.2 million for the years-ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Interest credited to contractholders is included in future policy benefits and claims reserves.
The Insurance Department of the State of Connecticut (the "Department") recognizes as net income and capital and surplus those amounts determined in conformity with statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Department, which differ in certain respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Statutory net income (loss) was $67.5 million, $148.8 million,
Realized capital gains or losses are the difference between the carrying value and sale proceeds of specific investments sold. Net realized capital gains (losses) on investments were as follows:
Net realized capital gains of $43.9 million, $63.6 million and $117.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, allocable to experience rated contracts, were deducted from net realized capital gains and an offsetting amount was reflected in Other policyholders' funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Net unamortized gains allocable to experienced-rated contractholders were $213.7 million, $199.3 million and $172.7 million at December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
Net unrealized capital gains allocable to experience-rated contracts of $491.5 million and $563.1 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, are reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in Other policyholders' funds and are not included in shareholder's equity. Shareholder's equity included the following accumulated other comprehensive income, which is net of amounts allocable to experience-rated contractholders:
(1) Pretax unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the year were $(74.0) million, $196.0 million and $12.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. (2) Pretax reclassification adjustments for gains (losses) and other items included in net income were $(71.6) million, $101.1 million and $(19.8) million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
In December 2001, ING announced its intentions to further integrate and streamline the U.S.-based operations of ING Americas (a business division of ING which includes the Company) in order to build a more customer-focused organization. During the first quarter of 2003, the Company performed a detailed analysis of its severance accrual. As part of this analysis, the Company corrected the initial planned number of people to eliminate from 580 to 515 (corrected from the 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K) and extended the date of expected substantial completion for severance actions to June 30, 2003.
Activity for the year ended December 31, 2003 within the severance liability and positions eliminated related to such actions were as follows:
The "Policyholders' Surplus Account," which arose under prior tax law, is generally that portion of a life insurance company's statutory income that has not been subject to taxation. As of December 31, 1983, no further additions could be made to the Policyholders' Surplus Account for tax return purposes under the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984. The balance in such account was approximately $17.2 million at December 31, 2003. This amount would be taxed only under certain conditions. No income taxes have been provided on this amount since management believes under current tax law the conditions under which such taxes would become payable are remote.
ING North America sponsors the ING Savings Plan and ESOP (the "Savings Plan"). Substantially all employees of ING North America and its subsidiaries and affiliates (excluding certain employees, including but not limited to Career Agents (as defined below)) are eligible to participate, including the Company's employees other than Company agents. The Savings Plan is a tax-qualified profit sharing and stock bonus plan, which includes an employee stock ownership plan ("ESOP") component. Savings Plan benefits are not guaranteed by the PBGC. The Savings Plan allows eligible participants to defer into the Savings Plan a specified percentage of eligible compensation on a pre-tax basis. ING North America matches such pre-tax contributions, up to a maximum of 6% of eligible compensation. All matching contributions are subject to a 4-year graded vesting schedule (although certain specified participants are subject to a 5-year graded vesting schedule). All contributions made to the Savings Plan are subject to certain limits imposed by applicable law. Pre-tax charges of operations of the Company for the Savings Plan were $7.1 million in 2003 and 2002.
The following tables summarize the benefit obligations and the funded status for the SERP and the Agents Non-Qualified Plan for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002:
At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the accumulated benefit obligation was $97.2 million and $99.7 million, respectively.
The following tables summarize the benefit obligations and the funded status for retired employees' and retired agents' post-retirement health care benefits over the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002:
ILIAC serves as investment advisor to certain variable funds used in Company products (collectively, the "Company Funds"). The Company Funds pay ILIAC, as investment advisor, a daily fee which, on an annual basis, ranged, depending on the Fund, from 0.5% to 1.0% of their average daily net assets. Each of the Company Funds managed by ILIAC are subadvised by investment advisors, in which case ILIAC pays a subadvisory fee to the investment advisors, which may include affiliates. The Company is also compensated by the separate accounts for bearing mortality and expense risks pertaining to variable life and annuity contracts. Under the insurance and annuity contracts, the separate accounts pay the Company a daily fee, which, on an annual basis is, depending on the product, up to 3.4% of their average daily net assets. The amount of compensation and fees received from affiliated mutual funds and separate accounts, amounted to $201.4 million (excludes fees paid to Aeltus), $391.8 million (includes fees paid to Aeltus through February 28, 2002 when IA Holdco, Aeltus' parent, ceased to be a subsidiary of ILIAC) and $421.7 million in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
In 2003, the Company received $230.0 million in cash capital contributions from Lion. In 2002, the Company received capital contributions in the form of investments in affiliated mutual funds of $164.3 million from HOLDCO.
Through the normal course of investment operations, the Company commits to either purchase or sell securities, commercial mortgage loans or money market instruments at a specified future date and at a specified price or yield. The inability of counterparties to honor these commitments may result in either higher or lower replacement cost. Also, there is likely to be a change in the value of the securities underlying the commitments. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the Company had off-balance sheet commitments to purchase investments of $154.3 million with an estimated fair value of $154.3 million and $236.7 million with an estimated fair value of $236.7 million, respectively.
The Company's realignment of Worksite Products and Individual Products operating segments into one reporting segment (USFS) is reflected in the restated summarized financial information for December 31, 2003 and 2002 in the table below. Effective with the third quarter of 2002, items that were previously not allocated back to USFS but reported in Other are now allocated to USFS and reported in the restated financial information for the periods ending December 31, 2003 and 2002.
Summarized financial information for the Company's principal operations for December 31, were as follows:
The following tables show the previously reported and restated amounts for each of the periods affected.