Unum 2014 Annual Report Download - page 84

82 UNUM • 2014 ANNUAL REPORT
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Risk Appetite Policy
Our risk appetite policy describes the types of risks we are willing to take, as well as the amount of enterprise risk exposure we deem
acceptable in pursuit of our goals, with an objective of clearly defining boundaries for our risk-taking activities.
The starting point of our philosophy and approach to our ERM strategy is our corporate strategy. In contrast to many multi-line
peer companies, we do not offer retirement savings, traditional medical benefits, or property and casualty insurance. Our corporate
strategy is focused on providing group, individual, and voluntary benefits, either as stand-alone products or combined with other
coverages, that create comprehensive benefits solutions for employers. We have market leadership positions in the product lines
we offer and believe this combination of focused expertise and experience is a competitive advantage and forms the foundation
of our approach to risk management.
We believe our sound and consistent business practices, strong internal compliance program, and comprehensive risk management
strategy enable us to operate efficiently and to identify and address potential areas of risk in our business. We take and manage risks to
achieve our business and strategic objectives, and our risk appetite statement sets boundaries for risk-taking activities that link earnings,
capital, and operational processes, as well as summarizes our most material risk limits and controls. We monitor our risk profile against our
established risk tolerance and limits. Risks falling outside our risk tolerance and limits are reported to the applicable governance group,
where decisions are made pertaining to acceptance of the risk or implementation of remediation plans or corrective actions as deemed
appropriate by that governance group.
Risk Identification and Prioritization
Risk identification and prioritization is an ongoing process, whereby we identify and assess our risk positions and exposures, including
notable risk events. Additionally, we identify emerging risks and analyze how material future risks might affect us. Knowing the potential
risks we face allows us to monitor and manage their potential effects including adjusting our strategies as appropriate and holding capital
levels which provide financial flexibility. Risk and other management committees have primary responsibility for identifying and prioritizing
risks within their respective areas.
We face a wide range of risks, and our continued success depends on our ability to identify and appropriately manage our risk exposures.
For additional information on certain risks that may adversely affect our business, operating results, or financial condition see “Cautionary
Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” contained herein and “Risk Factors” contained in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.