DAC relating to traditional life, including term insurance, and health insurance is amortized in relation to anticipated premiums per SFAS 60, generally over 5-20 years. Assumptions as to the anticipated premiums are made at the date of policy issuance or acquisition and are consistently applied over the life of the policy.
Net income of $990 million in 2004, which increased 8% from $918 million in 2003, was primarily attributable to earnings from higher fee revenues and net investment income (NII) from increased business volumes. These increases were partially offset by higher operating expenses, higher DAC amortization and lower investment yields, as well as a $30 million Dividends Received Deduction (DRD) tax benefit related to prior periods in 2004, versus a $50 million DRD tax benefit relating to prior periods in 2003.
Deposits for the life insurance business increased 51% to $1.5 billion from 2003. This increase was related to an 84% increase in single premium sales and higher direct periodic deposits for individual life insurance in 2004, driven by independent agent high-end estate planning, partially offset by a 54% decrease in COLI sales. Life insurance in force was $100.8 billion at December 31, 2004 up from $89.5 billion at December 31, 2003.
Citigroup, the Company's ultimate parent, has agreed to sell its Life Insurance and Annuities business to MetLife, Inc. TIC, Primerica's direct parent, is included in Citigroup's Life Insurance and Annuities business. Primerica and its subsidiaries, through a dividend, will remain part of Citigroup.
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its methods of accounting and reporting for certain nontraditional long-duration contracts and for separate accounts in 2004, variable interest entities in 2003, and for goodwill and intangible assets in 2002.
On January 31, 2005, Citigroup announced its intention to sell its Life Insurance and Annuities business, which includes TIC, TLAC and certain other businesses, to MetLife, Inc. Primerica Life and its subsidiaries will remain part of Citigroup. See Note 17.
Mortgage loans are carried at amortized cost. A mortgage loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect principal and interest amounts due. For mortgage loans that are determined to be impaired, a reserve is established for the difference between the amortized cost and fair market value of the underlying collateral. Cash received on impaired loans is reported as income. In estimating fair value, the Company uses interest rates reflecting the higher returns required in the current real estate financing market.
Other invested assets include limited partnership and limited liability company interests in investment funds and real estate joint ventures accounted for on the equity method of accounting. Undistributed income is reported in net investment income. Also included in other invested assets is real estate held for sale, which is carried at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated cost to sell. Fair value of foreclosed properties is established at the time of foreclosure by internal analysis or external appraisers, using discounted cash flow analyses and other accepted techniques. Thereafter, an impairment for losses on real estate held for sale is established if the carrying value of the property exceeds its current fair value less estimated costs to sell. Also included in other invested assets is an investment in Citigroup Preferred Stock, which is recorded at cost. See Notes 13 and 17.
Separate and variable accounts primarily represent funds for which investment income and investment gains and losses accrue directly to, and investment risk is borne by, the contractholders. Each account has specific investment objectives. The assets of each account are legally segregated and are not subject to claims that arise out of any other business of the Company. The assets of these accounts are carried at fair value.
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities classified as available for sale were $7.8 billion, $15.1 billion and $15.5 billion in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Gross gains of $246 million, $476 million and $741
For TLA, since 1997 the majority of universal life business has been reinsured under an 80% ceded/20% retained YRT quota share reinsurance program and term life business has been reinsured under a 90%/10% YRT quota share reinsurance program. Beginning June 1, 2002, COLI business has been reinsured under a 90%/10% quota share reinsurance program. Beginning in September 2002, newly issued term life business has been reinsured under a 90%/10% coinsurance quota share reinsurance program. Subsequently, portions of this term coinsurance has reverted to YRT for new business. Generally, the maximum retention on an ordinary life risk is $2.5 million. Maximum retention of $2.5 million is generally reached on policies in excess of $12.5 million for universal life and $25.0 million for term insurance. For other plans of insurance, it is the policy of the Company to obtain reinsurance for amounts above certain retention limits on individual life policies, which limits vary with age and underwriting classification. Total in-force business ceded under reinsurance contracts is $397.4 billion and $356.3 billion at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
Forward contracts are used on an ongoing basis to hedge the Company's exposure to foreign currency exchange rates that result from the net investment in the Company's Canadian operations as well as direct foreign currency investments. To hedge against adverse changes in exchange rates, the Company enters into contracts to exchange foreign currency for U.S. Dollars with major financial institutions. These contracts cannot be settled prior to maturity. At the maturity date the Company must purchase the foreign currency necessary to settle the contracts.