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UNUM • 2014 ANNUAL REPORT 101
Valuation techniques used for assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value are generally categorized into three types. The market
approach uses prices and other relevant information from market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
The income approach converts future amounts, such as cash flows or earnings, to a single present amount, or a discounted amount.
The cost approach is based upon the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset, or the current
replacement cost.
We use valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data are available that can be obtained
without undue cost and effort. In some cases, a single valuation technique will be appropriate (for example, when valuing an asset or
liability using quoted prices in an active market for identical assets or liabilities). In other cases, multiple valuation techniques will be
appropriate. If we use multiple valuation techniques to measure fair value, we evaluate and weigh the results, as appropriate, considering
the reasonableness of the range indicated by those results. A fair value measurement is the point within that range that is most
representative of fair value in the circumstances.
The selection of the valuation method(s) to apply considers the definition of an exit price and depends on the nature of the asset or
liability being valued. For assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value, we generally use valuation techniques consistent with the market
approach, and to a lesser extent, the income approach. We believe the market approach valuation technique provides more observable
data than the income approach, considering the type of investments we hold. Our fair value measurements could differ significantly based
on the valuation technique and available inputs. When using a pricing service, we obtain the vendor’s pricing documentation to ensure we
understand their methodologies. We periodically review and approve the selection of our pricing vendors to ensure we are in agreement
with their current methodologies. When markets are less active, brokers may rely more on models with inputs based on the information
available only to the broker. Our internal investment management professionals, which include portfolio managers and analysts, monitor
securities priced by brokers and evaluate their prices for reasonableness based on benchmarking to available primary and secondary
market information. In weighing a broker quote as an input to fair value, we place less reliance on quotes that do not reflect the result of
market transactions. We also consider the nature of the quote, particularly whether the quote is a binding offer. If prices in an inactive
market do not reflect current prices for the same or similar assets, adjustments may be necessary to arrive at fair value. When relevant
market data is unavailable, which may be the case during periods of market uncertainty, the income approach can, in suitable
circumstances, provide a more appropriate fair value. During 2014, we have applied valuation techniques on a consistent basis
to similar assets and liabilities and consistent with those techniques used at year end 2013.
We use observable and unobservable inputs in measuring the fair value of our financial instruments. Inputs that may be used include
the following:
• Broker market maker prices and price levels
• Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (TRACE) pricing
• Prices obtained from external pricing services
• Benchmark yields (Treasury and interest rate swap curves)
• Transactional data for new issuance and secondary trades
• Security cash ows and structures
• Recent issuance/supply
• Sector and issuer level spreads
• Security credit ratings/maturity/capital structure/optionality
• Corporate actions
• Underlying collateral
• Prepayment speeds/loan performance/delinquencies/weighted average life/seasoning
• Public covenants
• Comparative bond analysis
• Derivative spreads
• Relevant reports issued by analysts and rating agencies
• Auditednancial statements