Unum 2013 Annual Report Download - page 85

UNUM 2013 ANNUAL REPORT / 83
The effect of a change in interest rates on asset prices was determined using a duration implied methodology for corporate bonds
and government and government agency securities whereby the duration of each security was used to estimate the change in price for the
security assuming an increase of 100 basis points in interest rates. The effect of a change in interest rates on the mortgage-backed securities
was estimated using a mortgage analytic system which takes into account the impact of changing prepayment speeds resulting from a
100 basis point increase in interest rates on the change in price of the mortgage-backed securities. These hypothetical prices were compared
to the actual prices for the period to compute the overall change in market value. The changes in the fair values shown in the chart above
for all other items were determined using discounted cash flows analyses. Because we actively manage our investments and liabilities,
actual changes could be less than those estimated above.
Sustained periods of low interest rates may result in lower than expected profitability. Assuming December 31, 2013 interest rates
and credit spreads remained constant through 2015, our net investment income would decrease by approximately $0.5 million in 2014 and
$6.5 million in 2015 relative to our current expectations. This interest rate scenario does not give consideration to the effect of other factors
which could impact these results, such as changes in the bond market and changes in hedging strategies and positions, nor does it consider
the potential change to our discount rate reserve assumption and any mitigating factors such as pricing adjustments. In addition, a continued
low interest rate environment may also result in an increase in the net periodic benefit costs for our pension plans, but we do not believe it
would materially affect net income in 2014 or 2015.
Foreign Currency Risk
The functional currency of our U.K. operations is the British pound sterling. We are exposed to foreign currency risk arising from
fluctuations in the British pound sterling to U.S. dollar exchange rates primarily as they relate to the translation of the financial results of
our U.K. operations. Fluctuations in the pound to dollar exchange rate have an effect on our reported financial results. We do not hedge
against the possible impact of this risk. Because we do not actually convert pounds into dollars except for a limited number of transactions,
we view foreign currency translation as a financial reporting issue and not a reflection of operations or profitability in our U.K. operations.
Assuming the pound to dollar exchange rate decreased 10 percent from the December 31, 2013 and 2012 levels, stockholders’ equity
as reported in U.S. dollars as of and for the periods then ended would have been lower by approximately $102.1 million and $109.5 million,
respectively. Assuming the pound to dollar average exchange rate decreased 10 percent from the actual average exchange rates for 2013
and 2012, before-tax operating income, as reported in U.S. dollars would have decreased approximately $14.3 million and $12.6 million,
respectively, for the years then ended.
Dividends paid by Unum Limited are generally held at our U.K. finance subsidiary or our U.K. holding company. If these funds are
repatriated to our U.S. holding company, we would at that time be subject to foreign currency risk as the value of the dividend, when
converted into U.S. dollars, would be dependent upon the foreign exchange rate at the time of conversion.
We are also exposed to foreign currency risk related to certain foreign investment securities denominated in local currencies and
U.S. dollar-denominated debt issued by one of our U.K. subsidiaries. We use current and forward currency swaps to hedge or minimize
the foreign exchange risk associated with these instruments.
See “Consolidated Operating Results” and “Unum UK Segment” contained herein for further information concerning foreign
currency translation.