L&G FY 2014 results part 3

RNS Number : 4570G
Legal & General Group Plc
04 March 2015
 



Capital and Investments                                                                                                                                                        67

 

 

4.01 Group regulatory capital






  

(a) Insurance Group's Directive (IGD)






  

  






  

The Group is required to measure and monitor its capital resources on a regulatory basis and to comply with the minimum capital requirements of regulators in each territory in which it operates. At a Group level, Legal & General must comply with the requirements of the IGD. The table below shows the estimated total Group capital resources, Group capital resources requirement and the Group surplus.

  





At

At

  





31.12.14

31.12.13

  





£bn

£bn

  






  

  






  

Core tier 1





6.4 

6.3 

Innovative tier 1





0.6 

0.6 

Tier 2





1.7 

1.2 

Deductions





(1.0)

(0.8)

  






  

  






  

Group capital resources





7.7 

7.3 

  






  

  






  

Group capital resources requirement





3.8 

3.3 

  






  

  






  

IGD surplus





3.9 

4.0 

  






  

  






  

Group capital resources requirement coverage ratio





201%

221%

  






  

  






  

1. The Group issued £0.6bn subordinated notes constituting Lower Tier 2 Capital in June 2014.

2. Group capital resources requirement includes a With-profits Insurance Capital Component (WPICC) of £0.4bn (2013: £0.2bn).

3. Coverage ratio is calculated on unrounded values.








 

A reconciliation of the capital and reserves attributable to the equity holders of the Company on an IFRS basis to the Group capital resources on an IGD basis is given below.

 

  







 

  





At

At

 

  





31.12.14

31.12.13

 

  





£bn

£bn

 

  







 

  







 

Capital and reserves attributable to equity holders on an IFRS basis





6.0 

5.6 

 

Innovative tier 1





0.6 

0.6 

 

Tier 2





1.7 

1.2 

 

UK unallocated divisible surplus





0.7 

1.1 

 

Proposed dividends





(0.5)

(0.4)

 

Intangibles





(0.4)

(0.4)

 

Other regulatory adjustments





(0.4)

(0.4)

 

  







 

  







 

Group capital resources





7.7 

7.3 

 

  







 

  







 

1. Other regulatory adjustments include differences between accounting and regulatory bases.

 

The table below demonstrates how the Group's net cash generation reconciles to the IGD capital surplus position.



 

  




  



 

  




  


At

 

  




  


31.12.14

 

  




  


£bn

 

  




  



 

  




  



 

IGD surplus at 1 January  




  


4.0 

 

Net cash generation




  


1.1 

 

Dividends




  


(0.7)

 

New business capital deployed




  


(0.4)

 

Existing business capital release




  


0.2 

 

New subordinated debt issued




  


0.6 

 

Additional pension deficit repayments




  


(0.2)

 

Interest rate and market impacts




  


(0.3)

 

Other With-profits impacts




  


(0.2)

 

Other variances and regulatory adjustments




  


(0.2)

 

  




  



 

  




  



 

IGD surplus at 31 December




  


3.9 

 

  




  



 

  




  



 

  




  



 

1. All IGD amounts are estimated, unaudited and after accrual of the final dividend of £496m in 2014 (2013: £408m).

 

 

 

 

 

Capital and Investments                                                                                                                                                        68

 

4.01 Group regulatory capital (continued)





(b) IGD sensitivity analysis





  










The table below provides management estimates of the impact of changes in market conditions on the IGD surplus.

  










  









Impact

  









on surplus

  









capital

  









2014 

  









£bn

  










  










Sensitivity test










20% fall in equity values









(0.4)

40% fall in equity values









(1.0)

15% fall in property values









(0.2)

100bp increase in interest rates









0.4 

100bp decrease in interest rates









(0.6)

100bp increase in credit spreads









(0.1)

100bp decrease in credit spreads









0.1 

  










  










We have applied a consistent methodology to the IFRS sensitivity testing in Note 2.19.

The above sensitivity analysis does not reflect management actions which could be taken to reduce the impacts. In practice, the Group actively manages its asset and liability positions to respond to market movements. Additionally, the sensitivity tests are considered in isolation, although in practice there is likely to be a correlation between the scenarios.

The impacts of these stresses are not linear therefore these results should not be used to extrapolate the impact of a smaller or larger stress. The results of these tests are indicative of the market conditions prevailing at the balance sheet date. The results would be different if performed at an alternative reporting date.

The interest rate sensitivity assumes a 100 basis point change in the gross redemption yield on fixed interest securities together with a 100 basis point change in the real yields on variable securities.  For the UK long term funds, valuation interest rates are assumed to move in line with market yields adjusted to allow for the impact of PRA regulations. The interest rate sensitivities reflect the impact of the regulatory restrictions on the reinvestment rate used to value the liabilities of the long term business. 

Modelling improvements have been made in the year, which more accurately isolate the impacts of discrete assumptions changes. This, coupled with the increase in the Group's annuity liabilities, has led to an increase in the reported sensitivities to interest rates movements. Zero yield floors have not been applied in the estimation of the stresses, despite the low interest rate environment at the balance sheet date.

 

 

Capital and Investments                                                                                                                                                        69

4.02 Group Economic Capital

 

Legal & General defines economic capital to be the amount of capital that the Board believes the Group needs to hold, over and above its liabilities, in order to meet its strategic objectives. This is not the same as regulatory capital which reflects regulatory rules and constraints. The Group's objectives include being able to meet its liabilities as they fall due whilst maintaining the confidence of our investors, rating agencies, customers and intermediaries.

 

Legal & General has invested considerable time and resource in developing a risk based capital model that is used to calculate the Group's Economic Capital Balance Sheet and support the management of risk within the Group. The Group continues to develop the economic capital model in light of developments in the Group's business model, refinements in modelling and the analysis of experience, emerging market practice and feedback from independent reviewers. The Group's economic capital position will reflect these changes as they are implemented. It is intended that this modelling framework, suitably adjusted for regulatory constraints, should also meet the needs of the Solvency II regime, due to come in to force on 1 January 2016. Our Economic Capital model has not been reviewed by the Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA), nor will it be.

 

The economic capital numbers presented here do not represent our view of the Solvency II outcome for the Group. Solvency II has elements which are considered to be inconsistent with the Group's definition of economic capital, so there will be differences between the two balance sheets. Legal & General is engaged in discussions with the PRA and in 2015 we will make a formal application for approval of an internal model for use under Solvency II. As yet our Solvency II internal model has not been reviewed or approved by the PRA.

 

 

(a) Capital position




  

  

  




  

  

As at 31 December 2014 the Group had an economic capital surplus of £7.0bn (2013: £6.9bn), corresponding to an economic capital coverage ratio of 229% (2013: 251%). The economic capital position is as follows:

  




  

  

  




2014 

2013 

  




£bn

£bn

  




  

  

  




  

  

Eligible own funds




12.5 

11.4 

Economic capital requirement




5.5 

4.5 

  




  

  

  




  

  

Surplus




7.0 

6.9 

  




  

  

  




  

  

1-in-200 coverage ratio




229%

251%

  




  

  

1. Coverage ratio is calculated on unrounded values.




  

  

Further explanation of the underlying methodology and assumptions are set out in the sections below.  

 

 

(b) Methodology

 

Eligible own funds are defined to be the excess of the value of assets over the liabilities. Subordinated debt issued by the Group is considered to be part of available capital, rather than a liability, as it is subordinate to policyholder claims.

 

Assets are valued at IFRS fair value with adjustments to remove intangibles, deferred acquisition costs and to value reassurers' share of technical provisions on a basis consistent with the liabilities on the Economic Capital Balance Sheet. The economic value of assets excluded from the IFRS Balance Sheet (e.g. present value of future with-profits transfers) is also included.

 

Liabilities are valued on a best estimate market consistent basis, with the application of an Economic Matching Adjustment for valuing annuity liabilities.

 

The Economic Capital Requirement is the amount of capital required to cover the 1-in-200 worst projected future outcome in the year following the valuation, allowing for realistic management and policyholder actions and the impact of the stress on the tax position of the Group. This allows for diversification between the different firms within the Group and between the risks that they are exposed to.

 

The liabilities include a Recapitalisation Cost to allow for the cost of recapitalising the balance sheet following the 1-in-200 stress in order to maintain confidence that our future liabilities will be met. This is calculated using a cost of capital that reflects the long term average rates at which it is expected that the Group could raise debt and allowing for diversification between all Group entities.

 

All material insurance firms, including Legal & General Assurance Society, Legal & General Insurance, Legal & General Pensions Management Company (PMC) (LGIM's insurance subsidiary) and Legal & General America (LGA) are incorporated into the Group's Economic Capital model assessment of required capital, assuming diversification of the risks between those firms. 

 

Firms for which the capital requirements are less material, for example Legal & General France, Legal & General Netherlands and Suffolk Life, are valued on the firm's latest interpretation of the Solvency II Standard Formula basis. The business retained within Legal & General Pensions Limited, an internal Insurance Special Purpose Vehicle, has been valued on a "look through" basis and capital requirements calculated as if the business was not internally reassured. Non-insurance firms are included using their current regulatory surplus, without allowing for any diversification with the rest of the Group.

 

Allowance is made within the Economic Capital Balance Sheet for the Group's defined benefit pension scheme based upon the scheme's funding basis, and allowance is made within the capital requirement by stressing the funding position using the same economic capital basis as for the insurance firms.

 

The results and the model are unaudited but certain elements of the methodology, assumptions and processes have been reviewed by PwC.

 

 

 

Capital and Investments                                                                                                                                                        70

4.02 Group Economic Capital (continued)

(c) Assumptions

 

The calculation of the Economic Capital Balance Sheet and associated capital requirement requires a number of assumptions, including:

 

(i) assumptions required to derive the present value of best estimate liability cash flows. Non market assumptions are broadly the same as those used to derive the Group's EEV disclosures. Future investment returns and discount rates are based on market data where a deep and liquid market exists or using appropriate estimation techniques where this is not the case. The risk-free rates used to discount liabilities are market swap rates, with a 10 basis point deduction to allow for a credit risk adjustment;

 

(ii) assumptions regarding management actions and policyholder behaviour across the full range of scenarios. The only management actions allowed for are those that have been approved by the Board and are in place at the balance sheet date;

 

(iii) assumptions regarding the volatility of the risks to which the Group is exposed to are used to calculate Economic Capital Requirement. Assumptions have been set using a combination of historic market, demographic and operating experience data. In areas where data is not considered robust, expert judgement has been used; and

 

(iv) assumptions on the dependencies between risks, which are calibrated using a combination of historic data and expert judgement.

 

For annuities the liability discount rate includes an Economic Matching Adjustment. The Economic Matching Adjustment is derived using the same approach as the Solvency II matching adjustment, but any constraints we consider economically artificial, such as capping the yield on assets with a credit rating below BBB and any ineligibility of certain assets, have not been applied.

 

The other key assumption relating to the annuity business is the assumption of longevity. As for IFRS and EEV, Legal & General models base mortality and future improvement of mortality separately. For our Economic Capital assessment we believe it is appropriate to ensure that the balance sheet makes sufficient allowance to meet the 1 in 200 stress to longevity over the run off of the liabilities rather than just over a 1 year timeframe as required by Solvency II.

 

 

(d) Analysis of change


  








The table below shows the movement (net of tax) during the financial year in the Group's Economic Capital surplus.



  









  









  







Economic


  







Capital


  







surplus

Analysis of movement from 1 January to 31 December 2014


£bn


  









  








Economic solvency position as at 1 January 2014




6.9 

Operating experience







0.5 

New business strain







Non-operating experience







(0.4)

Other capital movements:

  








Subordinated debt issuance

  







0.6 

Dividends paid in the period

  







(0.6)


  









  








Economic solvency position as at 31 December 2014


7.0 


  









  








1. Release of surplus generated by in-force business, model and assumption changes.

2. New business written in 2014 is broadly neutral on surplus.

3. Non-operating experience: changes in asset mix across the Group (with corresponding increase in Economic Capital Requirement), changes in pension scheme deficit (following completion of the triennial valuation) and other market movements.

 

 

 

Capital and Investments                                                                                                                                                        71

 

4.02 Group Economic Capital (continued)




  


  

(e) Reconciliation of IFRS Shareholders' Equity to Economic Capital Eligible Own Funds





  


  

The table below gives a reconciliation of the Eligible own funds on an Economic Capital basis and the Group's IFRS shareholders' equity.  





  


  





  

2014 

2013 





  

£bn

£bn





  


  





  


  

IFRS shareholders' equity at 31 December




  

6.0 

5.6 

Remove DAC, goodwill and other intangible assets and liabilities




  

(2.0)

(1.7)

Add subordinated debt treated as economic available capital

2.4 

1.9 

Insurance contract valuation differences

6.6 

6.2 

Add value of shareholder transfers




  

0.3 

0.3 

Increase in value of net deferred tax liabilities (resulting from valuation differences)

(0.6)

(0.7)

Other




  

0.1 

0.4 

Adjustment - Basic own funds to Eligible own funds

(0.3)

(0.6)





  


  





  


  

Eligible own funds at 31 December


  

12.5 

11.4 





  


  





  


  

1. Treated as available capital on the Economic Capital Balance Sheet as the liabilities are subordinate to policyholder claims.

2. Differences in the measurement of liabilities between IFRS and Economic Capital, offset by the inclusion of the recapitalisation cost.

3. Eligibility restrictions relating to the own funds of US captive reassurers and the UK With-profits fund.  





  


  

The figures that appear in this note are all pre-accrual for the final dividend.  

 

 

(f) Sensitivity analysis

 

The following sensitivities are provided to give an indication of how the Group's economic capital surplus as at 31 December 2014 would have changed in a variety of adverse events. These are all independent stresses to a single risk. In practice the balance sheet is impacted by combinations of stresses and the combined impact can be larger than adding together the impacts of the same stresses in isolation. It is expected that, particularly for market risks, adverse stresses will happen together.


















Impact on








Impact on

economic








net of tax

capital








capital

coverage








surplus

ratio








2014 

2014 








£bn

%



















Credit spread widens by 50bps (AAA-rated), 100bps (AA-rated), 150bps (A-rated), 200bps (BBB-rated), 250bps (BB-rated), 300bps (B-rated), 350bps (other rated) on Legal & General's corporate bond holdings, with no change in the firm's long term default expectations

(0.7)

(15)

A worsening in our expectation of future default and downgrade to 125% times our assumed best estimate level

(0.5)

(21)

20% fall in equity market







(0.4)

(4)

40% fall in equity markets







(0.7)

(9)

15% fall in property markets







(0.2)

(3)

100bps increase in risk free rates







100bps fall in risk free rates







0.1 

(10)

1% reduction in annuitant base mortality







(0.1)

(2)










The above sensitivity analysis does not reflect management actions which could be taken to reduce the impacts. In practice, the Group actively manages its asset and liability positions to respond to market movements.

The impacts of these stresses are not linear therefore these results should not be used to extrapolate the impact of a smaller or larger stress. The results of these tests are indicative of the market conditions prevailing at the balance sheet date. The results would be different if performed at an alternative reporting date.

 

 

 

Capital and Investments                                                                                                                                                        72

 

4.02 Group Economic Capital (continued)

(g) Analysis of Group Economic Capital Requirement

  

  





  

The table below shows a breakdown of the Group's Economic Capital Requirement by risk type. The split is shown after the effects of diversification.

  





  

  




2014 

2013 

  




%

%

  





  

  





  

Interest Rate




Equity




15 

16 

Credit




44 

44 

Property




Currency




(3)

Inflation




(2)

(1)

Total Market Risk




70 

69 

Counterparty Risk




Life Mortality




Life Longevity




10 

12 

Life Lapse




Life Catastrophe




Non-life underwriting




Health underwriting




Expense




Total Insurance Risk




21 

27 

Operational Risk




Miscellaneous




(1)

  





  

  





  

Total Economic Capital Requirement




100 

100 

  





  

  





  

1. Credit risk is Legal & General's most significant exposure, arising predominantly from the c£40bn portfolio of bonds backing the Group's annuity business.

2. During 2014, the Group improved the modelling of its sale and leaseback assets, resulting in a lower capital requirement.

3. The Group also has significant exposure to other market risks, primarily due to the investment holdings within the shareholder funds but also the risk to fee income from assets backing unit linked and with-profit Savings businesses.

4. Longevity risk is Legal & General's most significant insurance risk exposure, arising from the annuity book on which the majority of the longevity risk is retained.

5. Lapse risk is also a significant risk, primarily through the risk of mass lapse on investment management and savings businesses and the risk of non-renewal on the Group's protection businesses.

6. During 2014, Legal & General has improved its operational risk scenario analysis in response to internal and external feedback, which led to a revised calibration.

 

 

(h) Solvency II

 

The Economic Capital results set out above do not reflect the Solvency II regime. We anticipate that our Solvency II internal model will be approved in 2015, ready for use on the Solvency II go live date - 1 January 2016. We expect the final outcome on Solvency II to result in a lower Group capital surplus and solvency ratio than the Economic Capital basis.

 

Capital and Investments                                                                                                                                                        73

 

4.03 Investment portfolio

  







  


  




  


  






Market

Market


  






value

value


  






2014 

2013 


  






£m

£m


  







  


  







  

Worldwide total assets






710,554 

614,360 

Client and policyholder assets

  






(638,117)

(553,251)

Non-unit linked with-profits assets






(15,242)

(17,391)


  







  


  







  

Investments to which shareholders are directly exposed



57,195 

43,718 


  







  


  







  

1. Comparative has been restated following the adoption of IFRS 10, further details are contained in Note 2.24.

 

 

Analysed by investment class:






  



  






  



  

Other





  



  

non profit


Other



  



LGR

insurance

LGC

shareholder



  



investments

investments

investments

investments

Total

Total

  



2014 

2014 

2014 

2014 

2014 

2013 

  


Note

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

  



  






  



  






Equities



279 

-  

1,905 

81 

2,265 

1,760 

Bonds


4.05

40,737 

2,546 

1,620 

908 

45,811 

35,697 

Derivative assets



3,827 

14 

98 

3,940 

2,307 

Property



1,879 

-  

147 

2,030 

1,447 

Cash (including cash



  






equivalents), loans & receivables



652 

368 

1,339 

659 

3,018 

2,331 

  



  






  



  






Financial investments



47,374 

2,928 

5,109 

1,653 

57,064 

43,542 

  



  







Other assets



118 

13 

131 

176 

  



  






  



  






Total investments



47,492 

2,928 

5,122 

1,653 

57,195 

43,718 

  



  






  



  






1. LGR investments includes all business written in LGPL, including £0.6bn of non annuity assets held in LGPL.


2. Includes equity investment in CALA Group Limited.






3. Derivative assets are shown gross of derivative liabilities of £2.7bn (2013: £1.4bn). Exposures arise from the use of derivatives for efficient portfolio management, especially the use of interest rate swaps, inflation swaps, credit default swaps and foreign exchange forward contracts for asset and liability management.

4. Other assets include finance lease debtors.

 

 

Capital and Investments                                                                                                                                                        74

 

4.04 Direct Investments


  

  


(a) Analysed by asset class



  

  


  

  



  



Direct

Traded


Direct

Traded



  



Investments

securities

Total

Investments

securities

Total


  



2014 

2014 

2014 

2013 

2013 

2013 


  



£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m


  



  

  


  

  



  



  

  


  

  


Equities

  



318 

1,947 

2,265 

202 

1,558 

1,760 

Bonds

  



2,983 

42,828 

45,811 

1,048 

34,649 

35,697 

Derivative assets

  



-  

3,940 

3,940 

-  

2,307 

2,307 

Property

  



2,030 

-  

2,030 

1,447 

-  

1,447 

Cash (including cash



  

  


  

  


equivalents), loans & receivables


241 

2,777 

3,018 

2,325 

2,331 

Other assets

  



131 

-  

131 

176 

-  

176 


  




  




  



5,703 

51,492 

57,195 

2,879 

40,839 

43,718 


  



  

  


  

  



  



  

  


  

  


1. Direct Investments constitute an agreement with another party and represent an exposure to untraded and often less liquid asset classes. Direct Investments include physical assets, bilateral loans and private equity but exclude hedge funds.

2. Traded securities are defined by exclusion. If an instrument is not a Direct Investment, then it is classed as a traded security.

 

(b) Analysed by segment











LGR

LGC

LGA

LGAS

Total






2014 

2014 

2014 

2014 

2014 






£m

£m

£m

£m

£m





















Equities





-  

318 

-  

-  

318 

Bonds





2,586 

168 

229 

-  

2,983 

Property





1,879 

147 

-  

2,030 

Cash (including cash










equivalents), loans & receivables




-  

54 

187 

-  

241 

Other assets





118 

13 

-  

-  

131 
















4,583 

700 

416 

5,703 































 
















LGR

LGC

LGA

LGAS

Total






2013 

2013 

2013 

2013 

2013 






£m

£m

£m

£m

£m





















Equities





-  

202 

-  

-  

202 

Bonds





997 

-  

51 

-  

1,048 

Property





1,294 

149 

-  

1,447 

Cash (including cash










equivalents), loans & receivables




-  

-  

-  

Other assets





176 

-  

-  

-  

176 
















2,467 

351 

57 

2,879 





















 

(c) Movement in the year













Carrying



Change in


Carrying



value



market


value



01.01.14

Additions

Disposals

value

Other

31.12.14



£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

















Equities


202 

132 

(31)

18 

(3)

318 

Bonds


1,048 

1,629 

(82)

202 

186 

2,983 

Property


1,447 

794 

(256)

45 

-  

2,030 

Cash (including cash








equivalents), loans & receivables


230 

(1)

-  

241 

Other assets


176 

13 

-  

(60)

131 







2,879 

2,798 

(370)

273 

123 

5,703 

















 

 

Capital and Investments                                                                                                                                                        75

 

4.05  Bond portfolio summary







(a) Analysed by sector









  





LGR

LGR

Total

Total

  





2014 

2014 

2014 

2014 

  




Note

£m

%

£m

%

  









  









Sovereigns, Supras and Sub-Sovereigns




4.05(b)

7,760 

19 

9,249 

20 

Banks:









    - Tier 1





24 

26 

    - Tier 2 and other subordinated





559 

621 

    - Senior





1,667 

2,221 

Financial Services:









    - Tier 1





    - Tier 2 and other subordinated





96 

132 

    - Senior





946 

1,138 

Insurance:









    - Tier 1





128 

129 

    - Tier 2 and other subordinated





363 

375 

    - Senior





624 

704 

Utilities





5,561 

14 

5,824 

13 

Consumer Services and Goods & Health Care





4,126 

10 

4,726 

10 

Technology and Telecoms





2,548 

2,836 

Industrials & Oil and Gas





4,306 

11 

4,928 

11 

Property





1,882 

2,126 

Asset backed securities:









    - Traditional





722 

1,234 

    - Securitisations and debentures





8,305 

20 

8,422 

18 

CDOs





1,120 

1,120 

  









  









Total





40,737 

100 

45,811 

100 

  









  









1. Traditional asset backed securities are securities, often with variable expected redemption profiles issued by Special Purpose Vehicles and typically backed by pools of receivables from loans or personal credit. Securitisations are securities with fixed redemption profiles that are issued by Special Purpose Vehicles and secured on revenues from specific assets or operating companies and debentures are securities with fixed redemption profiles issued by firms typically secured on property.

2. The underlying reference portfolio has had no reference entity defaults in 2014. The CDOs are termed as super senior since default losses on the reference portfolio have to exceed 27.5%, on average across the reference portfolio, before the CDOs incur any default losses. Assuming an average recovery rate of 30%, then over 39% of the reference names would have to default before the CDOs incur any default losses. The CDOs are valued using an external valuation which is based on observable market inputs. This is then validated against the market valuation.

 

 

 

Capital and Investments                                                                                                                                                        76

 

4.05  Bond portfolio summary (continued)







(a) Analysed by sector (continued)









  





LGR

LGR

Total

Total

  





2013 

2013 

2013 

2013 

  




Note

£m

%

£m

%

  









  









Sovereigns, Supras and Sub-Sovereigns



4.05(b)

4,772 

16 

6,502 

18 

Banks:









    - Tier 1





100 

105 

    - Tier 2 and other subordinated





637 

698 

    - Senior





1,406 

2,169 

Financial Services:









    - Tier 1





    - Tier 2 and other subordinated





206 

251 

    - Senior





800 

1,041 

Insurance:









    - Tier 1





144 

152 

    - Tier 2 and other subordinated





579 

625 

    - Senior





481 

552 

Utilities





4,013 

13 

4,329 

12 

Consumer Services and Goods & Health Care





3,128 

10 

3,716 

10 

Technology and Telecoms





1,995 

2,333 

Industrials & Oil and Gas





3,074 

10 

3,626 

10 

Property





981 

1,053 

Asset backed securities:









    - Traditional





763 

1,395 

    - Securitisations and debentures





5,839 

19 

6,047 

17 

CDOs





1,098 

1,098 

  









  









Total





30,018 

100 

35,697 

100 

  









  









1. Traditional asset backed securities are securities, often with variable expected redemption profiles issued by Special Purpose Vehicles and typically backed by pools of receivables from loans or personal credit. Securitisations are securities with fixed redemption profiles that are issued by Special Purpose Vehicles and secured on revenues from specific assets or operating companies and debentures are securities with fixed redemption profiles issued by firms typically secured on property.

2. The underlying reference portfolio has had no reference entity defaults in 2013. The CDOs are termed as super senior since default losses on the reference portfolio have to exceed 27.5%, on average across the reference portfolio, before the CDOs incur any default losses. Assuming an average recovery rate of 30%, then over 39% of the reference names would have to default before the CDOs incur any default losses. The CDO's are valued using an external valuation which is based on observable market inputs. This is then validated against the market valuation.

 

 

 

Capital and Investments                                                                                                                                                        77

 

4.05  Bond portfolio summary (continued)





(b) Analysed by domicile

  









The tables below are based on the legal domicile of the security:

  





LGR

Total

LGR

Total

  





2014 

2014 

2013 

2013 

  





£m

£m

£m

£m

  









  









Market value by region:









United Kingdom





20,055 

21,021 

13,099 

14,178 

USA





9,515 

11,839 

7,237 

9,779 

Netherlands





1,910 

2,182 

1,736 

2,164 

France





1,412 

1,726 

1,382 

1,681 

Germany





378 

682 

411 

791 

Greece





Ireland





276 

303 

234 

271 

Italy





301 

429 

636 

786 

Portugal





11 

15 

31 

Spain





212 

260 

178 

263 

Russia





19 

37 

Rest of Europe





1,857 

2,164 

1,299 

1,720 

Brazil





139 

157 

83 

86 

Rest of World





3,542 

3,880 

2,610 

2,848 

CDOs





1,120 

1,120 

1,098 

1,098 

  









  









Total  





40,737 

45,811 

30,018 

35,697 

  









  









 

 

Additional analysis of sovereign debt exposures

  









  





Sovereigns, Supras and Sub-Sovereigns

  









  





LGR

Total

LGR

Total

  





2014 

2014 

2013 

2013 

  





£m

£m

£m

£m

  









  









Market value by region:









United Kingdom





5,946 

6,267 

3,340 

3,725 

USA





536 

772 

282 

664 

Netherlands





153 

10 

194 

France





138 

90 

220 

Germany





204 

417 

212 

472 

Greece





Ireland





Italy





96 

236 

323 

Portugal





16 

Spain





10 

14 

Russia





19 

28 

Rest of Europe





765 

922 

474 

660 

Brazil





55 

64 

11 

13 

Rest of World





227 

365 

117 

193 

  









  









Total  





7,760 

9,249 

4,772 

6,502 

  









  









 

 

 

Capital and Investments                                                                                                                                                        78

 

4.05  Bond portfolio summary (continued)





(c) Analysed by credit rating








  









  





LGR

LGR

Total

Total

  





2014 

2014 

2014 

2014 

  





£m

%

£m

%

  









  









AAA





1,936 

3,451 

AA





10,357 

25 

11,190 

24 

A





13,231 

33 

14,420 

31 

BBB





10,360 

25 

11,441 

25 

BB or below





630 

853 

Unrated: Bespoke CDOs





994 

994 

Other





3,229 

3,462 

  









  









  





40,737 

100 

45,811 

100 

  









  









  









  





LGR

LGR

Total

Total

  





2013 

2013 

2013 

2013 

  





£m

%

£m

%

  









  









AAA





1,378 

3,144 

AA





6,743 

22 

7,599 

21 

A





10,236 

34 

11,703 

34 

BBB





8,326 

28 

9,456 

26 

BB or below





603 

874 

Unrated: Bespoke CDOs





983 

983 

Other





1,749 

1,938 

  









  









  





30,018 

100 

35,697 

100 

  









  









1. The CDOs are termed as super senior since default losses have to exceed 27.5%, on average across the reference portfolio, before the CDOs incur any default losses. The underlying reference portfolio had no reference entity defaults in 2013 or 2014. Losses are limited under the terms of the CDOs to assets and collateral invested.


 

4.06  Value of policyholder assets held in Society and LGPL

  









  







2014 

2013 

  







£m

£m

  









  









With-profits business  







21,614 

23,959 

Non profit business







57,835 

49,949 

  









  









  







79,449 

73,908 

  









  









 

 

European Embedded Value                                                                                                                                                79

 

Group embedded value - summary




  




Covered business



  





LGAS


Non-


  




UK

overseas


covered


  




business

business

LGA

business

Total

For the year ended 31 December 2014




£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

  









  









At 1 January 2014









Value of in-force business (VIF)




4,693 

197 

699 

-  

5,589 

Shareholder net worth (SNW)




3,249 

315 

234 

199 

3,997 

  









  









Embedded value at 1 January 2014




7,942 

512 

933 

199 

9,586 

Exchange rate movements




-  

(30)

44 

(16)

(2)

  









Operating profit/(loss) after tax for the year




1,264 

31 

(68)

107 

1,334 

Non-operating profit/(loss) after tax for the year




709 

(11)

(11)

(5)

682 

  









  









Profit/(loss) for the year




1,973 

20 

(79)

102 

2,016 

Intra-group distributions




(641)

(30)

(46)

717 

-  

Dividends to equity holders of the Company




-  

-  

-  

(580)

(580)

Transfer to non-covered business




(26)

-  

-  

26 

-  

Other reserve movements including pension deficit




389 

-  

(125)

(309)

(45)

  









  









Embedded value at 31 December 2014




9,637 

472 

727 

139 

10,975 

  









  









Value of in-force business




6,118 

147 

518 

-  

6,783 

Shareholder net worth




3,519 

325 

209 

139 

4,192 

  









  









  









Embedded value per share (p)








185 

  









  









1. UK intra-group distributions primarily reflect a £675m dividend paid from LGAS to Group, and dividends of €35m (2013: €16m) from LGN and £5m from Nationwide Life (2013: £10m) paid to LGAS. Dividends of $76m (2013: $69m) from LGA and €2m (2013: €2m) from LGF were paid to Group.

2. The transfer to non-covered business represents the IFRS profits arising in the year from the provisions of investment management services by LGIM to the UK covered business, which have been included in the operating profit of the covered business on the look through basis.

3. The other reserve movements primarily reflect the effect of reinsurance arrangement transactions between UK and US covered business, pension deficit movement, movement in the savings related share options scheme and intragroup capital contribution.

4. The number of shares in issue at 31 December 2014 was 5,942,070,229 (31 December 2013: 5,917,066,636).

  









Further analysis of the LGAS and LGR covered business can be found in Note 5.01.

 

 

 

European Embedded Value                                                                                                                                                80

 

Group embedded value - summary (continued)



  




Covered business



  





LGAS


Non-


  




UK

overseas


covered


  




business

business

LGA

business

Total

For the year ended 31 December 2013  




£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

  









  









At 1 January 2013









Value of in-force business (VIF)




4,402 

146 

735 

5,283 

Shareholder net worth (SNW)




3,178 

296 

239 

(96)

3,617 

  









  









Embedded value at 1 January 2013




7,580 

442 

974 

(96)

8,900 

Exchange rate movements




(14)

(10)

(15)

  









Operating profit after tax for the year




804 

16 

70 

168 

1,058 

Non-operating profit/(loss) for the year




222 

60 

(24)

(17)

241 

  









  









Profit for the year




1,026 

76 

46 

151 

1,299 

Intra-group distributions




(602)

(15)

(44)

661 

Dividends to equity holders of the Company




(479)

(479)

Transfer to non-covered business




(27)

27 

Other reserve movements including pension deficit




(35)

(29)

(55)

(119)

  









  









Embedded value at 31 December 2013




7,942 

512 

933 

199 

9,586 

  









  









Value of in-force business




4,693 

197 

699 

5,589 

Shareholder net worth




3,249 

315 

234 

199 

3,997 

  









  









  









Embedded value per share (p)








162 

  









  









1. UK intra-group distributions reflect a £625m dividend paid from LGAS to Group, and dividends of £10m paid to LGAS from subsidiaries (primarily Nationwide Life). Dividends of €16m from LGN were also paid to LGAS. Dividends of $69m from LGA and €2m from LGF were paid to the group.       

2. The transfer to non-covered business represents the IFRS profits arising in the year from the provisions of investment management services by LGIM to the UK covered business, which have been included in the operating profit of the covered business on the look through basis.          

3. The other reserve movements reflect the pension deficit movement, the movement of investment project costs from covered to non-covered business and the effect of reinsurance arrangement transactions between UK and US covered business.          

4. The number of shares in issue at 31 December 2013 was 5,917,066,636.           

  









Further analysis of the LGAS and LGR covered business can be found in Note 5.01.


 

 

European Embedded Value                                                                                                                                                81

 

5.01 LGAS and LGR embedded value reconciliation

  




  


Shareholder net worth




Total

  


Free

Required



Value of


embedded

  


surplus

capital

Total


in-force


value

For the year ended 31 December 2014


£m

£m

£m


£m


£m

  









  









At 1 January 2014


1,174 

2,390 

3,564 


4,890 


8,454 

Exchange movement  


(1)

(16)

(17)


(13)


(30)

  









Operating profit/(loss) after tax - UK business:









Contribution from new risks after cost of capital    









- New business contribution


(340)

343 


607 


610 

- Intragroup transfer from With-Profit to Non Profit Fund


-  

-  

-  


80 


80 

- Expected return on VIF


-  

-  

-  


317 


317 

- Expected transfer from VIF to SNW


901 

(213)

688 


(688)


-  

- Expected return on SNW


55 

116 

171 


-  


171 

Generation of embedded value


616 

246 

862 


316 


1,178 

- Experience variances


175 

(83)

92 


(6)


86 

- Operating assumption changes


171 

(109)

62 


(36)


26 

- Development costs


(26)

-  

(26)


-  


(26)

Variances


320 

(192)

128 


(42)


86 

Operating profit after tax - LGAS overseas



24 


31 

  









  









Operating profit after tax - LGAS & LGR


940 

57 

997 


298 


1,295 

Non-operating profit/(loss) after tax - UK business:









- Economic variances


(359)

219 

(140)


851 


711 

- Other taxation impacts


(12)

-  

(12)


10 


(2)

  









Non-operating profit/(loss) after tax - LGAS overseas


57 

(7)

50 


(61)


(11)

Non-operating profit/(loss) after tax - LGAS & LGR


(314)

212 

(102)


800 


698 

  









  









Profit for the year - LGAS & LGR


626 

269 

895 


1,098 


1,993 

Intra-group distributions


(671)

-  

(671)


-  


(671)

Transfer to non-covered business


(26)

-  

(26)


-  


(26)

Other reserve movements including pension deficit


(125)

224 

99 


290 


389 

  









  









Embedded value at 31 December 2014


977 

2,867 

3,844 


6,265 


10,109 

  









  









1. The UK free surplus reduction of £340m to finance new business primarily reflects £343m additional required capital in relation to new business.

2. The increase in UK free surplus of £901m from the expected transfer from the in-force non profit business includes £688m of operational cash generation and a £213m reduction in required capital. The £764m operational cash generation from LGAS and LGR per Note 2.01 also includes £29m dividend from LGN, £2m dividend from LGF and £44m primarily reflecting profit from non-covered business.

3. Reflects the impact of the change in treatment in deferred tax to align with IFRS by removing the effect of discounting.

4. Intra-group distributions primarily reflect £675m dividend paid from LGAS to Group and dividend of €35m from LGN and £5m from Nationwide to LGAS.

5. The transfer to non-covered business represents the IFRS profits arising in the year from the provisions of investment management services by LGIM to the UK covered business, which have been included in the operating profit of the covered business on the look through basis.

6. The other reserve movements reflect the pension deficit movement, the effect of reinsurance arrangement transactions between UK and US covered business and intragroup capital contribution.

  









The value of in-force business of £6,265m is comprised of £5,925m of non profit business and £340m of with-profits business.

 

 

 

European Embedded Value                                                                                                                                                82

 

5.01 LGAS and LGR embedded value reconciliation (continued)

  







  


Shareholder net worth




Total

  


Free

Required



Value of


embedded

  


surplus

capital

Total


in-force


value

For the year ended 31 December 2013


£m

£m

£m


£m


£m

  









  









At 1 January 2013


1,259 

2,215 

3,474 


4,548 


8,022 

Exchange movement  


3  

3  


3  


  









Operating profit/(loss) after tax - UK business:









Contribution from new risks after cost of capital    









- New business contribution


(324)

284 

(40)


484 


444 

- Intragroup transfer from With-Profit to Non Profit Fund




- Expected return on VIF



266 


266 

- Expected transfer from VIF to SNW


869 

(181)

688 


(688)


- Expected return on SNW


40 

76 

116 



116 

Generation of embedded value


585 

179 

764 


62 


826 

- Experience variances


(9)

(4)


14 


10 

- Operating assumption changes


(24)

(22)


21 


(1)

- Development costs


(31)

(31)



(31)

Variances


(50)

(7)

(57)


35 


(22)

Operating profit after tax - LGAS overseas


7  

1  


8  


16 

  









  









Operating profit after tax - LGAS & LGR


542 

173 

715 


105 


820 

Non-operating profit/(loss) after tax - UK business:









- Economic variances


109 

(8)

101 


80 


181 

- Effect of tax rate changes and other taxation impacts



41 


41 

  









Non-operating profit after tax - LGAS overseas


20 

20 


40 


60 

Non-operating profit/(loss) after tax - LGAS & LGR


129 

(8)

121 


161 


282 

  









  









Profit for the year - LGAS & LGR


671 

165 

836 


266 


1,102 

Intra-group distributions


(617)

(617)



(617)

Transfer to non-covered business


(27)

(27)



(27)

Other reserve movements including pension deficit


(115)

(108)


73 


(35)

  









  









Embedded value at 31 December 2013


1,174 

2,390 

3,564 


4,890 


8,454 

  









  









1. The UK free surplus reduction of £324m to finance new business includes £40m new business strain and £284m additional required capital.

2. The increase in UK free surplus of £869m from the expected transfer from the in-force covered business includes £688m of operational cash generation and a £181m reduction in required capital. The £734m operational cash from LGAS and LGR per Note 2.01 also includes £2m and £14m remitted from LGF and LGN respectively, and £30m primarily reflecting IFRS profit from non covered business.

3. Reflects the implementation of the UK planned future reductions in corporation tax to 20% on 1 April 2015.

4. UK intra-group dividends reflect a £625m dividend paid from LGAS to Group and dividends of £10m paid to LGAS from subsidiaries (primarily Nationwide Life). Dividends of €16m from LGN were also paid to LGAS.

5. The transfer to non-covered business represents the IFRS profits arising in the year from the provisions of investment management services by LGIM to the UK covered business, which have been included in the operating profit of the covered business on the look through basis.

6. The other reserve movements reflect the pension deficit movement, the movement of investment project costs from covered to non-covered business and the effect of reinsurance arrangement transactions between UK and US covered business.

  









The value of in-force business of £4,890m is comprised of £4,454m of non profit business and £436m of with-profits business.

  









 

 

European Embedded Value                                                                                                                                                83

 

5.02 Analysis of shareholders' equity





  









  






LGC



  




LGAS and


and group



  




LGR

LGIM

expenses

LGA

Total

As at 31 December 2014




£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

  









  









Analysed as:









IFRS basis shareholders' equity




847 

541 

3,770 

870 

6,028 

Additional retained profit/(loss) on an EEV basis



6,227 

(1,137)

(143)

4,947 

  









  









Shareholders' equity on an EEV basis




7,074 

541 

2,633 

727 

10,975 

  









  









Comprising:









Business reported on an IFRS basis




484 

541 

(886)

139 

  









Business reported on an EEV basis:









Shareholder net worth









 - Free surplus




90 


887 

161 

1,138 

 - Required capital to cover solvency margin




235 


2,632 

48 

2,915 

Value of in-force  









 - Value of in-force business




6,870 



529 

7,399 

 - Cost of capital




(605)



(11)

(616)

  









  









1. Shareholders' equity supporting the UK non profit LGAS and LGR businesses is held within Legal & General Assurance Society Limited and Legal & General Pensions Limited and is managed on a groupwide basis within the LGC and group expenses segment.

2. Free surplus is the value of any capital and surplus allocated to, but not required to support, the in-force covered business at the valuation date.

3. Value of in-force business includes a deduction for the time value of options and guarantees of £43m (2013: £23m).

  









Further analysis of shareholders' equity is included in Note 5.03.


 

 

  






LGC



  




LGAS and


and group



  




LGR

LGIM

expenses

LGA

Total

As at 31 December 2013




£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

  









  









Analysed as:









IFRS basis shareholders' equity




783 

421 

3,622 

816 

5,642 

Additional retained profit/(loss) on an EEV basis



4,830 

(1,003)

117 

3,944 

  









  









Shareholders' equity on an EEV basis




5,613 

421 

2,619 

933 

9,586 

  









  









Comprising:









Business reported on an IFRS basis




408 

421 

(630)

199 

  









Business reported on an EEV basis:









Shareholder net worth









 - Free surplus




67 


1,107 

192 

1,366 

 - Required capital to cover solvency margin




248 


2,142 

42 

2,432 

Value of in-force  









 - Value of in-force business




5,398 



711 

6,109 

 - Cost of capital




(508)



(12)

(520)

  









  









1. Shareholders' equity supporting the UK non profit LGAS and LGR businesses is held within Legal & General Assurance Society Limited and Legal & General Pensions Limited and is managed on a groupwide basis within the LGC and group expenses segment.

2. Free surplus is the value of any capital and surplus allocated to, but not required to support, the in-force covered business at the valuation date.

3. Value of in-force business includes a deduction for the time value of options and guarantees of £23m.

  









Further analysis of shareholders' equity is included in Note 5.03.


 

 

European Embedded Value                                                                                                                                                84

 

5.03 Segmental analysis of shareholders' equity

















Covered

Other


Covered

Other





business

business


business

business





EEV

IFRS


EEV

IFRS





basis

basis

Total

basis

basis

Total




2014 

2014 

2014 

2013 

2013 

2013 




£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m



















LGAS









 - LGAS UK Protection and Savings



2,354 

2,354 

2,331 

2,331 

 - LGAS overseas business



472 

472 

512 

512 

 - General insurance and other



484 

484 

408 

408 



















Total LGAS



2,826 

484 

3,310 

2,843 

408 

3,251 




























LGR



3,764 

3,764 

2,362 

2,362 




























LGIM



541 

541 

421 

421 





































LGC and group expenses



3,519 

(886)

2,633 

3,249 

(630)

2,619 




























LGA



727 

727 

933 

933 




























Total



10,836 

139 

10,975 

9,387 

199 

9,586 



















 

 

5.04 Reconciliation of shareholder net worth







  









  





UK


UK


  





covered


covered


  





business

Total

business

Total

  





2014 

2014 

2013 

2013 

  





£m

£m

£m

£m

  









  









SNW of long term operations (IFRS basis)





4,693 

5,889 

4,291 

5,443 

Other assets (IFRS basis)





139 

199 

  









  









Shareholders' equity on the IFRS basis





4,693 

6,028 

4,291 

5,642 

Purchased interest in long term business





(46)

(49)

(52)

(59)

Deferred acquisition costs/deferred income liabilities




(201)

(1,255)

(223)

(1,129)

Deferred tax





(16)

444 

(162)

232 

Other





(911)

(976)

(605)

(689)

  









  









Shareholder net worth on the EEV basis





3,519 

4,192 

3,249 

3,997 

  









  









1. Deferred tax represents all tax which is expected to be paid under current legislation.

2. Other primarily relates to the different treatment of annuities and LGA Triple X securitisation between the EEV and IFRS basis.

 

 

European Embedded Value                                                                                                                                                85

 

5.05 Profit/(loss) for the year


  






  


  






  


 



LGC



  


 

LGAS and


and group



  


 

LGR

LGIM

expenses

LGA

Total

For the year ended 31 December 2014


Note

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

  


 






  


 






Business reported on an EEV basis:


 






Contribution from new risks after cost of capital:


 






  - contribution from new business


5.06

760 



90 

850 

  - intra-group transfer from With-Profit to Non Profit Fund  


 

100 



100 

Contribution from in-force business:


 






   - expected return


 

424 



66 

490 

   - experience variances


 

21 



(23)

(2)

   - operating assumption changes


 

58 



(241)

(183)

Development costs


 

(32)



(32)

Contribution from shareholder net worth


 


184 

194 

  


 






  


 






Operating profit/(loss) on covered business


 

1,338 

184 

(105)

1,417 

  


 






Business reported on an IFRS basis4,5,6


 

50 

304 

(190)

164 

  


 






  


 






Total operating profit/(loss)


 

1,388 

304 

(6)

(105)

1,581 

Economic variances


 

893 

(12)

(74)

(17)

790 

Gains on non-controlling interests


 

  


 






  


 






Profit/(loss) before tax  


 

2,281 

292 

(73)

(122)

2,378 

Tax (expense)/credit on profit from ordinary activities

  

(372)

(63)

32 

43 

(360)

Other taxation impacts


  

(2)

(2)

  


 






  


 






Profit/(loss) for the year


 

1,907 

229 

(41)

(79)

2,016 

  


 






  


 






  


 






Operating profit attributable to:


 






LGAS


 

377 





LGR


 

1,011 





  


 






  


 






  


 






  


 





p

  


 






  


 






Earnings per share


 






Based on profit attributable to equity holders of the Company

 





34.07 

  


 






Diluted earnings per share


 






Based on profit attributable to equity holders of the Company

 





33.73 

  


 






  


 






1. The expected return on in-force for LGAS and LGR is based on the unwind of the risk discount rate on the opening, adjusted base value of in-force (VIF). The opening base VIF of the UK LGAS and LGR business was £4,693m in 2014 (£4,402m in 2013). This is adjusted for the effects of opening model changes of £(30)m (2013: £27m) to give an adjusted opening base VIF of £4,663m (2013: £4,429m). This is then multiplied by the opening risk discount rate of 6.8% (2013: 6.0%) and the result grossed up at the notional attributed tax rate of 20% (2013: 20%) to give a return of £397m (2013: £331m). The same approach has been applied for the LGAS overseas businesses.

 

2. LGAS and LGR variance primarily reflects UK cost of capital unwind and favourable mortality experience for bulk annuities. LGA experience variance primarily relates to adverse mortality experience within term assurance and universal life products respectively.

 

3. LGAS and LGR operating assumption change primarily reflects mortality assumptions changes for non-profit annuities. LGA operating assumption change primarily incorporates an adjustment to our mortality assumptions to reflect the changes in industry wide mortality tables (which were issued in the second half of 2014).

 

4. LGAS and LGR non-covered business primarily reflects GI operating profit of £59m (2013: £69m).

 

5. LGIM operating profit includes Retail Investments and excludes £32m (2013: £34m) of profits arising from the provision of investment management services at market referenced rates to the covered business on a look through basis and as a consequence are included in the LGAS and LGR covered business on an EEV basis.

 

6. LGC and group expenses non-covered business primarily reflects Group debt costs and investment projects and expenses, partly offset by investment returns from non-covered shareholder assets.

 

7. The LGAS and LGR positive variance has resulted from a number of factors including lower risk discount rate, favourable default experience and enhanced yield on annuity assets offset by a lower risk free rate. LGC and group expenses primarily reflects lower equity return from shareholder funds.

 

8. Other taxation impacts reflects the change in the treatment of deferred tax on in-force business to align with IFRS by removing the effect of discounting.

 

 

 

 

European Embedded Value                                                                                                                                                86

 

 

5.05 Profit/(loss) for the year (continued)

 





  

  


 





  

  


 



LGC


  

  


 

LGAS and


and group


  

  


 

LGR

LGIM

expenses

LGA

Total

For the year ended 31 December 2013


Note

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

  


 





  

  


 





  

Business reported on an EEV basis:


 





  

Contribution from new risks after cost of capital:


 





  

  - contribution from new business


5.06

544 



107 

651 

  - intra-group transfer from With-Profit to Non Profit Fund  


 



Contribution from in-force business:


  





  

   - expected return


  

358 



68 

426 

   - experience variances


 

52 



(23)

29 

   - operating assumption changes


 

(9)



(52)

(61)

Development costs


 

(40)



(40)

Contribution from shareholder net worth


 


113 

125 

  


 





  

  


 





  

Operating profit on covered business


 

910 

113 

107 

1,130 

  


 





  

Business reported on an IFRS basis4,5,6


 

47 

270 

(106)

211 

  


 





  

  


 





  

Total operating profit


 

957 

270 

107 

1,341 

Economic variances


 

250 

(6)

(37)

215 

Gains on non-controlling interests


 

13 

13 

  


 





  

  


 





  

Profit before tax  


 

1,207 

264 

28 

70 

1,569 

Tax (expense)/credit on profit from ordinary activities


  

(251)

(57)

21 

(24)

(311)

Effect of tax rate changes and other taxation impacts


  

41 

41 

  


 





  

  


 





  

Profit for the year


 

997 

207 

49 

46 

1,299 

  


 





  

  


 





  

  


 





  

Operating profit attributable to:


 





  

LGAS


 

360 




  

LGR


 

597 




  

  


 





  

  


 





  

  


 





  

  


 





p

  


 





  

  


 





  

Earnings per share


 





  

Based on profit attributable to equity holders of the Company





21.91 

  


 





  

Diluted earnings per share


 





  

Based on profit attributable to equity holders of the Company





21.61 

  


 





  

  


 





  

1. The expected return on in-force is based on the unwind of the risk discount rate on the opening, adjusted base value of in-force (VIF). The opening base VIF of the UK LGAS and LGR business was £4,402m in 2013. This is adjusted for the effects of opening model changes of £27m to give an adjusted opening base VIF of £4,429m. This is then multiplied by the opening risk discount rate of 6.0% and the result grossed up at the notional attributed tax rate of 20% to give a return of £331m. The same approach has been applied for the LGAS overseas businesses.

 

2. LGAS and LGR variance primarily reflects UK cost of capital unwind, bulk purchase annuity data loading, fewer retail protection lapses and better longevity experience. LGA experience variance primarily relates to adverse persistency experience and mortality experience within term assurance and universal life products respectively.

 

3. LGAS and LGR assumption changes primarily reflects mortality assumption changes in LGR. LGA assumption changes primarily relate to improved modelling of term business in the period after the end of the guaranteed level premium period.

 

4. LGAS and LGR non-covered business primarily reflects GI operating profit of £69m.

 

5. LGIM operating profit includes Retail Investments and excludes £34m of profits arising from the provision of investment management services at market referenced rates to the covered business on a look through basis and as a consequence are included in the LGAS and LGR covered business on an EEV basis.

 

6. LGC and group expenses non-covered business primarily reflects Group debt costs and investment projects and expenses, partly offset by investment returns from non-covered shareholder assets.

 

7. The LGAS and LGR positive variance has resulted from a number of factors including equity market outperformance, favourable default experience, actions to improve the yield on annuity assets and a lower risk margin offset by a higher risk free rate. The higher risk free rate has contributed to a negative variance in LGA.

 

8. Primarily reflects the implementation of the UK planned future reductions in the corporation tax rate to 20% on 1 April 2015.

 

 

 

European Embedded Value                                                                                                                                                87

 

 

5.06 New business by product



  


  




   



  


  



Present

   



Contri-


  



value of

Capital-  



bution


  


Annual

annual

isation  

Single


from new


  


premiums

premiums

factor

premiums

PVNBP

business

Margin

For the year ended 31 December 2014

£m

£m

   

£m

£m

£m

%

  




   



  


  




   



  


UK Insurance


230 

1,336 

5.8   

1,336 

112 

8.4 

Overseas business


41 

300 

7.3   

394 

694 

1.0 

UK Savings


654 

2,448 

3.7   

2,738 

5,186 

27 

0.5 

  




   



  


  




   



  


Total LGAS


925 

4,084 

4.4   

3,132 

7,216 

146 

2.0 

  




   



  


  




   



  


LGR


n/a

n/a  

6,578 

6,578 

614 

9.3 

  




   



  


  




   



  


LGA


91 

907 

10.0   

907 

90 

9.9 

  




   



  


  




   



  


Total new business


1,016 

4,991 

4.9   

9,710 

14,701 

850 

5.8 

Cost of capital




   



108 


  




   



  


  




   



  


Contribution from new business before cost of capital


   



958 


  




   



  


  




   



  


1. Covered business only.

2. The capitalisation factor is the present value of annual premiums divided by the amount of annual premiums.

3. The contribution from new business is defined as the present value at the point of sale of assumed profits from new business written in the period and then rolled forward to the end of the financial period using the risk discount rate applicable at the end of the reporting period.


 

 

  



Present

   



Contri-


  



value of

Capital-  



bution


  


Annual

annual

isation  

Single


from new


  


premiums

premiums

factor

premiums

PVNBP

business

Margin

For the year ended 31 December 2013

£m

£m

   

£m

£m

£m

%

  




   



  


  




   



  


UK Insurance


218 

1,141 

5.2   

1,141 

101 

8.9 

Overseas business


30 

229 

7.6   

371 

600 

0.8 

UK Savings


724 

2,516 

3.5   

2,495 

5,011 

-

  




   



  


  




   



  


Total LGAS


972 

3,886 

4.0   

2,866 

6,752 

108 

1.6 

  




   



  


  




   



  


LGR


n/a

939 

n/a  

4,089 

5,028 

436 

8.7 

  




   



  


  




   



  


LGA


99 

926 

9.4   

926 

107 

11.6 

  




   



  


  




   



  


Total new business


1,071 

5,751 

5.4   

6,955 

12,706 

651 

5.1 

Cost of capital




   



72 


  




   



  


  




   



  



   



723 


  




   



  


  




   



  


1. Covered business only.

2. The capitalisation factor is the present value of annual premiums divided by the amount of annual premiums.

3. The contribution from new business is defined as the present value at the point of sale of assumed profits from new business written in the period and then rolled forward to the end of the financial period using the risk discount rate applicable at the end of the reporting period.

4. LGR includes present value of annual premiums for longevity insurance on a net of reinsurance basis to enable a more representative margin figure. The gross of reinsurance longevity insurance annual premium is £270m. The LGR PVNBP contribution from new business and margin are also inclusive of longevity insurance.

 

 

European Embedded Value                                                                                                                                                88

 

5.07 Sensitivities









In accordance with the guidance issued by the European Insurance CFO Forum in October 2005 the table below shows the effect of alternative assumptions on the long term embedded value and new business contribution.

  









Effect on embedded value as at 31 December 2014








  









  




1%

1%



1%

  




lower

higher

1%

1%

higher

  



As

risk

risk

lower

higher

equity/

  



pub-

discount

discount

interest

interest

property

  



lished

rate

rate

rate

rate

yields

  



£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

  









  









LGAS and LGR



10,109 

855 

(724)

628 

(488)

175 

LGA



727 

103 

(85)

22 

(21)

-  

  









  









Total covered business



10,836 

958 

(809)

650 

(509)

175 

  









  









  









  









  







5%

5%

  




10%

10%


lower

lower

  




 lower

lower

10%

mortality

mortality

  



As

equity/

main-

lower

(UK

(other

  



pub-

property

tenance

lapse

annu-

busi-

  



lished

values

expenses

rates

ities)

ness)

  



£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

  









  









LGAS and LGR



10,109 

(302)

158 

82 

(428)

71 

LGA



727 

-  

12 

(2)

n/a

168 

  









  









Total covered business



10,836 

(302)

170 

80 

(428)

239 

  









  









  









Effect on new business contribution for the year







  









  




1%

1%



1%

  




lower

higher

1%

1%

higher

  



As

risk

risk

lower

higher

equity/

  



pub-

discount

discount

interest

interest

property

  



lished

rate

rate

rate

rate

yields

  



£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

  









  









LGAS and LGR



760 

117 

(96)

38 

(29)

26 

LGA



90 

14 

(11)

(5)

-  

  









  









Total covered business



850 

131 

(107)

43 

(34)

26 

  









  









  









  









  







5%

5%

  




10%

10%


lower

lower

  




 lower

lower

10%

mortality

mortality

  



As

equity/

main-

lower

(UK

(other

  



pub-

property

tenance

lapse

annu-

busi-

  



lished

values

expenses

rates

ities)

ness)

  



£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

  









  









LGAS and LGR



760 

(7)

30 

20 

(97)

10 

LGA



90 

-  

n/a

16 

  









  









Total covered business



850 

(7)

31 

24 

(97)

26 

  









  









1. Includes LGC.









  









Opposite sensitivities are broadly symmetrical.









  









The above sensitivity analyses do not reflect management actions which could be taken to reduce the impacts. Sensitivity to changes in assumptions may not be linear, and as such, they should not be extrapolated to changes of a much larger order. A 2% higher risk discount rate would result in a £1,281m negative impact on UK embedded value and a £168m negative impact on UK new business contribution for the year.

 

 

European Embedded Value                                                                                                                                                89

 

5.08 Assumptions

 

UK assumptions

 

The assumed future pre-tax returns on fixed interest and RPI linked securities are set by reference to the portfolio yield on the relevant backing assets held at market value at the end of the reporting period.  The calculated return takes account of derivatives and other credit instruments in the investment portfolio. Indicative yields on the portfolio, excluding annuities within LGR, but after allowance for long term default risk, are shown below.

 

For LGR, separate returns are calculated for new and existing business. An indicative combined yield, after allowance for long term default risk and the following additional assumptions, is also shown below. These additional assumptions are:

 

i.     Where cash balances and debt securities are held at the reporting date in excess of, or below strategic investment guidelines, then it is assumed that these cash balances or debt securities are immediately invested or disinvested at current yields.

 

ii.    Where interest rate swaps are used to reduce risk, it is assumed that these swaps will be sold before expiry and the proceeds reinvested in corporate bonds with a redemption yield of 0.70% p.a. (0.70% p.a. at 31 December 2013) greater than the swap rate at that time (i.e. the long term credit rate).

 

iii.   Where reinvestment or disinvestment is necessary to rebalance the asset portfolio in line with projected outgo, this is also assumed to take place at the long term credit rate above the swap rate at that time.

 

The returns on fixed and index-linked securities are calculated net of an allowance for default risk which takes account of the credit rating, outstanding term of the securities.  The allowance for corporate securities expressed as a level rate deduction from the expected returns for annuities was 21bps at 31 December 2014 (27bps at 31 December 2013).

 

 

UK covered business

 

i.           Assets are valued at market value.

 

ii.          Future bonus rates have been set at levels which would fully utilise the assets supporting the policyholders' portion of the with-profits business in accordance with established practice. The proportion of profits derived from with-profits business allocated to shareholders amounts to almost 10% throughout the projection.

 

iii.          The value of in-force business reflects the cost, including administration expenses, of providing for benefit enhancement or compensation in relation to certain products.

 

iv.         Other actuarial assumptions have been set at levels commensurate with recent operating experience, including those for mortality, morbidity, persistency and maintenance expenses (excluding the development costs referred to below). These are normally reviewed annually.

 

An allowance is made for future mortality improvement. For new business, mortality assumptions may be modified to take certain scheme specific features into account.

 

v.          Development costs relate to investment in strategic systems and development capability that are charged to the covered business.  Projects charged to the non-covered business are included within Group investment projects in LGC and group expenses.

 

 

Overseas covered business

 

vi.         Other actuarial assumptions have been set at levels commensurate with recent operating experience, including those for mortality, morbidity, persistency and maintenance expenses.

 

 

 

European Embedded Value                                                                                                                                                90

 

5.08 Assumptions (continued)

 

Economic assumptions

 





 


As at

As at

As at

 


2014

2013

2012

 


% p.a.

% p.a.

% p.a.

 

Risk margin

3.3

3.4

3.7

 

Risk free rate1




 

- UK

2.2

3.4

2.3

- Europe

0.6

2.2

1.7

 

 

- US

2.2

3.1

1.8

 

Risk discount rate (net of tax)


 

- UK

5.5

6.8

6.0

 

- Europe

3.9

5.6

5.4

 

- US

5.5

6.5

5.5

 

Reinvestment rate (US)

5.0

5.8

4.3

 

 

Other UK business assumptions

 



 

 

Equity risk premium

3.3

3.3

3.3

 

Property risk premium

2.0

2.0

2.0

 





 

Investment return (excluding annuities in LGR )

 

 

- Fixed interest:




 

   -Gilts & non gilts

1.7 - 2.4

2.2 - 3.6

1.9 - 2.9

 

- Equities

5.5

6.7

5.6

 

- Property

4.2

5.4

4.3

 





 

Long-term rate of return on non profit annuities in LGR

3.6

4.6

4.3

 





 

Inflation2




 

- Expenses/earnings

3.7

4.1

3.4

 

- Indexation

3.2

3.6

2.9

 

1. The risk free rate is the gross redemption yield on the 15 year gilt index. The Europe risk free rate is the 10 year ECB AAA-rated Euro area central government bond par yield. The LGA risk free rate is the 10 year US Treasury effective yield.

2. The LGR inflation rate has been set with reference to a curve.

 

Tax

 

vii.        The profits on the covered business, except for the profits on the Society shareholder capital held outside the long term fund, are calculated on an after tax basis and are grossed up by the notional attributed tax rate for presentation in the income statement. For the UK, the after tax basis assumes the annualised current tax rate of 21.5% and the subsequent enacted future reduction in corporation tax to 20% from 1 April 2015. The tax rate used for grossing up is the long term corporate tax rate in the territory concerned, which for the UK is 20% (31 December 2013: 20%) after taking into account the expected further rate reduction to 20% by 1 April 2015. The profits on the Society shareholder capital held outside the long term fund are calculated before tax and therefore tax is calculated on an actual basis. 

 

US, Netherlands and France covered business profits are also grossed up using the long term corporate tax rates of the respective territories i.e. US is 35% (31 December 2013: 35%), France is 34.43% (31 December 2013: 34.43%) and Netherlands is 25% (31 December 2013: 25%).

 

 

 

European Embedded Value                                                                                                                                                91

 

5.08 Assumptions (continued)

 

Stochastic calculations

 

viii.        The time value of options and guarantees is calculated using economic and non-economic assumptions consistent with those used for the deterministic embedded value calculations.

 

A single model has been used for UK and international business, with different economic assumptions for each territory reflecting the significant asset classes in each territory.

 

Government nominal interest rates are generated using a LIBOR Market Model projecting full yield curves at annual intervals. The model provides a good fit to the initial yield curve.

 

The total annual returns on equities and property are calculated as the return on 1 year bonds plus an excess return. The excess return is assumed to have a lognormal distribution. Corporate bonds are modelled separately by credit rating using stochastic credit spreads over the risk free rates, transition matrices and default recovery rates. The real yield curve model assumes that the real short rate follows a mean-reverting process subject to two normally distributed random shocks.

 

The significant asset classes are:

-  UK with-profits business - equities, property and fixed rate bonds of various durations;

-  UK annuity business - fixed rate and index-linked bonds of various durations; and

-  International business - fixed rate bonds of various durations.

 

The risk discount rate is scenario dependent within the stochastic projection. It is calculated by applying the deterministic risk margin to the risk free rate in each stochastic projection.

 

 

 

 

European Embedded Value                                                                                                                                                92

5.08 Assumptions (continued)

 

Sensitivity calculations

 

ix.         A number of sensitivities have been produced on alternative assumption sets to reflect the sensitivity of the embedded value and the new business contribution to changes in key assumptions. Relevant details relating to each sensitivity are:

·    1% variation in discount rate - a one percentage point increase/decrease in the risk margin has been assumed in each case (for example a 1% increase in the risk margin would result in a 4.3% risk margin).

·    1% variation in interest rate environment - a one percentage point increased/decreased parallel shift in the risk free curve with consequential impacts on fixed asset market values, investment return assumptions, risk discount rate, including consequential changes to valuation bases.

·    1% higher equity/property yields - a one percentage point increase in the assumed equity/property investment returns, excluding any consequential changes, for example, to risk discount rates or valuation bases, has been assumed in each case (for example a 1% increase in equity returns would increase assumed total equity returns from 5.5% to 6.5%).

·    10% lower equity/property market values - an immediate 10% reduction in equity and property asset values.

·    10% lower maintenance expenses, excluding any consequential changes, for example, to valuation expense bases or potentially reviewable policy fees (for example a 10% decrease on a base assumption of £10 per annum would result in a £9 per annum expense assumption).

·    10% lower assumed persistency experience rates, excluding any consequential changes to valuation bases, incorporating a 10% decrease in lapse, surrender and premium cessation assumptions (for example a 10% decrease on a base assumption of 7% would result in a 6.3% lapse assumption).

·    5% lower mortality and morbidity rates, excluding any consequential changes to valuation bases but including assumed product repricing action where appropriate (for example if base experienced mortality is 90% of a standard mortality table then, for this sensitivity, the assumption is set to 85.5% of the standard table).

The sensitivities for covered business allow for any material changes to the cost of financial options and guarantees but do not allow for any changes to reserving bases or capital requirements within the sensitivity calculation, unless indicated otherwise above.

 

 

European Embedded Value                                                                                                                                                93

 

5.09 Methodology

 

Basis of preparation

 

The supplementary financial information has been prepared in accordance with the European Embedded Value (EEV) Principles issued in May 2004 by the European Insurance CFO Forum. 

 

The supplementary financial information has been reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and prepared with assistance from our consulting actuary Milliman in the USA.

 

 

Changes to accounting policy - IASB consolidation project                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

On 1 January 2014 the application of IFRS 10, 'Consolidated Financial Statements' became compulsory for entities reporting in the EU.                                                                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                               

IFRS 10, 'Consolidated Financial Statements' defines the principal of control and establishes control as the basis for determining which entities are consolidated in the consolidated financial statements. This states that an investor controls an investee when it is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee. The application of IFRS 10 has resulted in the Group consolidating a small number of investment vehicles which were not previously consolidated which impacted the gain attributable to non-controlling interest.

 

As a result, the prior year disclosure in the Group embedded value summary and Note 5.05 have been restated to reflect the adoption by the Group of IFRS 10, 'Consolidated Financial Statements'. The effect on amounts previously reported at 31 December 2013 is shown below. Embedded value at 31 December 2013 remains unaffected by the adoption.

                                                                               

 

  







2013 

  







£m

 








 








 

Profit for the year as previously reported (after tax)

 






 

1,289

Gains on non-controlling interests






IFRS 10 'Consolidated Financial Statements' amendment






  10

  








  








Revised profit for the year (after tax)







1,299

  








  
















 

Covered business

 

The Group uses EEV methodology to value individual and group life assurance, pensions and annuity business written in the UK, Europe and the US. The UK covered business also includes non-insured self invested personal pension (SIPP) business.

 

The managed pension funds business has been excluded from covered business and is reported on an IFRS basis.

 

All other businesses are accounted for on the IFRS basis adopted in the primary financial statements.

 

There is no distinction made between insurance and investment contracts in our covered business as there is under IFRS.

 

 

 

European Embedded Value                                                                                                                                                94

 

5.09 Methodology (continued)

 

Description of methodology

 

The objective of EEV is to provide shareholders with realistic information on the financial position and current performance of the Group. 

 

The methodology requires assets of an insurance company, as reported in the primary financial statements, to be attributed between those supporting the covered business and the remainder. The method accounts for assets in the covered business on an EEV basis and the remainder of the Group's assets on the IFRS basis adopted in the primary financial statements.

 

The EEV methodology recognises profit from the covered business as the total of:

i.  cash transfers during the relevant period from the covered business to the remainder of the Group's assets; and

ii.  the movement in the present value of future distributable profits to shareholders arising from the covered business over the relevant reporting period.

 

Embedded value

 

Shareholders' equity on the EEV basis comprises the embedded value of the covered business plus the shareholders' equity of other businesses, less the value included for purchased interests in long term business. 

 

The embedded value is the sum of the shareholder net worth (SNW) and the value of the in-force business (VIF). SNW is defined as those amounts, within covered business (both within the long term fund and held outside the long term fund but used to support long term business), which are regarded either as required capital or which represent free surplus.

 

The VIF is the present value of future shareholder profits arising from the covered business, projected using best estimate assumptions, less an appropriate deduction for the cost of holding the required level of capital and the time value of financial options and guarantees (FOGs).

 

Service companies

 

All services relating to the UK covered business are charged on a cost recovery basis, with the exception of investment management services provided to Legal & General Pensions Limited (LGPL) and to Legal & General Assurance Society Limited (LGAS). Profits arising on the provision of these services are valued on a look through basis.

 

As the EEV methodology incorporates the future capitalised cost of these internal investment management services, the equivalent IFRS profits have been removed from the investment management (LGIM) segment and are instead included in the results of the LGAS and LGR segments on an EEV basis.

 

The capitalised value of future profits emerging from internal investment management services are therefore included in the embedded value and new business contribution calculations for the LGAS and LGR segments. However, the historical profits which have emerged continue to be reported in the shareholders' equity of the LGIM segment on an IFRS basis. Since the look through into service companies includes only future profits and losses, current intra-group profits or losses must be eliminated from the closing embedded value and in order to reconcile the profits arising in the financial period within each segment with the net assets on the opening and closing balance sheet, a transfer of IFRS profits for the period from the UK SNW is deemed to occur.

 

New business

 

New business premiums reflect income arising from the sale of new contracts during the reporting period and any changes to existing contracts, which were not anticipated at the outset of the contract. 

 

In-force business comprises previously written single premium, regular premium, recurrent single premium contracts and payments in relation to existing longevity insurance. Longevity insurance product comprises the exchange of a stream of fixed leg payments for a stream of floating payments, with the value of the income stream being the difference between the two legs. New business annual premiums have been excluded for longevity insurance due to the unpredictable deal flow from this type of business.

 

New business contribution arising from the new business premiums written during the reporting period has been calculated on the same economic and operating assumptions used in the embedded value at the end of the financial period. This has then been rolled forward to the end of the financial period using the risk discount rate applicable at the end of the reporting period.

 

The present value of future new business premiums (PVNBP) has been calculated and expressed at the point of sale. The PVNBP is equivalent to total single premiums plus the discounted value of regular premiums expected to be received over the term of the contracts using the same economic and operating assumptions used for the embedded value at the end of the financial period. The discounted value of longevity insurance regular premiums is calculated on a net of reinsurance basis to enable a more representative margin figure.

 

The new business margin is defined as new business contribution at the end of the reporting period divided by the PVNBP.  The premium volumes and projection assumptions used to calculate the PVNBP are the same as those used to calculate new business contribution.

 

Intra-group reinsurance arrangements are in place between the US and UK businesses, and it is expected that these arrangements will be periodically extended to cover recent new business. LGA new business premiums and contribution reflect the groupwide expected impact of LGA directly-written business.

 

 

 

European Embedded Value                                                                                                                                                95

 

5.09 Methodology (continued)

 

Projection assumptions

 

Cash flow projections are determined using best estimate assumptions for each component of cash flow and for each policy group. Future economic and investment return assumptions are based on conditions at the end of the financial period. Future investment returns are projected by one of two methods. The first method is based on an assumed investment return attributed to assets at their market value. The second, which is used by LGA, where the investments of that subsidiary are substantially all fixed interest, projects the cash flows from the current portfolio of assets and assumes an investment return on reinvestment of surplus cash flows. The assumed discount and inflation rates are consistent with the investment return assumptions.

 

Detailed projection assumptions including mortality, morbidity, persistency and expenses reflect recent operating experience and are normally reviewed annually. Allowance is made for future improvements in annuitant mortality based on experience and externally published data. Favourable changes in operating experience are not anticipated until the improvement in experience has been observed.

 

All costs relating to the covered business, whether incurred in the covered business or elsewhere in the Group, are allocated to that business. The expense assumptions used for the cash flow projections therefore include the full cost of servicing this business.

 

Tax

 

The projections take into account all tax which is expected to be paid, based on best estimate assumptions, applying current legislation and practice together with known future changes.

 

 

Allowance for risk

 

Aggregate risks within the covered business are allowed for through the following principal mechanisms:

i.  setting required capital levels with reference to both the Group's internal risk based capital models, and an assessment of the strength of regulatory reserves in the covered business;

ii.  allowing explicitly for the time value of financial options and guarantees within the Group's products; and

iii. setting risk discount rates by deriving a Group level risk margin to be applied consistently to local risk free rates.

 

Required capital and free surplus

 

Regulatory capital for the UK LGAS and LGR businesses is provided by assets backing the with-profits business or by the SNW. The SNW comprises all shareholders' capital within Society, including those funds retained within the long term fund and the excess assets in LGPL (collectively Society shareholder capital).

 

Society shareholder capital is either required to cover EU solvency margin or is free surplus as its distribution to shareholders is not restricted.

 

For UK with-profits business, the required capital is covered by the surplus within the with-profits part of the fund and no effect is attributed to shareholders except for the burn-through cost, which is described later. This treatment is consistent with the Principles and Practices of Financial Management for this part of the fund.

 

For UK non profit business, the required capital will be maintained at no less than the level of the EU minimum solvency requirement. This level, together with the margins for adverse deviation in the regulatory reserves, is, in aggregate, in excess of internal capital targets assessed in conjunction with the Individual Capital Assessment (ICA) and the with-profits support account. 

 

The initial strains relating to new non profit business, together with the related EU solvency margin, are supported by releases from existing non profit business and the Society shareholder capital. As a consequence, the writing of new business defers the release of capital to free surplus. The cost of holding required capital is defined as the difference between the value of the required capital and the present value of future releases of that capital. For new business, the cost of capital is taken as the difference in the value of that capital assuming it was available for release immediately and the present value of the future releases of that capital. As the investment return, net of tax, on that capital is less than the risk discount rate, there is a resulting cost of capital which is reflected in the value of new business. 

 

For LGA, the Company Action Level (CAL) of capital has been treated as required capital for modelling purposes. The CAL is the regulatory capital level at which the company would have to take prescribed action, such as submission of plans to the State insurance regulator, but would be able to continue operating on the existing basis. The CAL is currently twice the level of capital at which the regulator is permitted to take control of the business.

 

For LGN, required capital has been set at 104% of EU minimum solvency margin for all products without FOGs.  For those products with FOGs, capital of between 104% and 339% of the EU minimum solvency margin has been used. These capital requirements have been scaled up by a factor of 1.042 at the total level to ensure the total requirement meets the 160% Solvency I from the capital policy for the EEV, for the NBVA no scaling is applied. The level of capital has been determined using risk based capital techniques.

 

For LGF, 100% of EU minimum solvency margin has been used for EV modelling purposes for all products both with and without FOGs. The level of capital has been determined using risk based capital techniques. 

 

The contribution from new business for our international businesses reflects an appropriate allowance for the cost of holding the required capital.

 

 

 

European Embedded Value                                                                                                                                                96

 

5.09 Methodology (continued)

 

Financial options and guarantees

 

Under the EEV Principles an allowance for time value of FOGs is required where a financial option exists which is exercisable at the discretion of the policyholder. These types of option principally arise within the with-profits part of the fund and their time value is recognised within the with-profits burn-through cost described below. Additional financial options for non profit business exist only for a small amount of deferred annuity business where guaranteed early retirement and cash commutation terms apply when the policyholders choose their actual retirement date.

 

Further financial guarantees exist for non profit business, in relation to index-linked annuities where capped or collared restrictions apply. Due to the nature of these restrictions and the manner in which they vary depending on the prevailing inflation conditions, they are also treated as FOGs and a time value cost recognised accordingly.

 

The time value of FOGs has been calculated stochastically using a large number of real world economic scenarios derived from assumptions consistent with the deterministic EEV assumptions and allowing for appropriate management actions where applicable. The management action primarily relates to the setting of bonus rates. Future regular and terminal bonuses on participating business within the projections are set in a manner consistent with expected future returns available on assets deemed to back the policies within the stochastic scenarios.

 

In recognising the residual value of any projected surplus assets within the with-profits part of the fund in the deterministic projection, it is assumed that terminal bonuses are increased to exhaust all of the assets in the part of the fund over the future lifetime of the in-force with-profits policies. However, under stochastic modelling, there may be some extreme economic scenarios when the total projected assets within the with-profits part of the fund are insufficient to pay all projected policyholder claims and associated costs. The average additional shareholder cost arising from this shortfall has been included in the time value cost of financial options and guarantees and is referred to as the with-profits burn-through cost.

 

Economic scenarios have been used to assess the time value of the financial guarantees for non profit business by using the inflation rate generated in each scenario. The inflation rate used to project index-linked annuities will be constrained in certain real world scenarios, for example, where negative inflation occurs but the annuity payments do not reduce below pre-existing levels. The time value cost of FOGs allows for the projected average cost of these constrained payments for the index-linked annuities. It also allows for the small additional cost of the guaranteed early retirement and cash commutation terms for the minority of deferred annuity business where such guarantees have been written.

 

LGA FOGs relate to guaranteed minimum crediting rates and surrender values on a range of contracts, as well as impacts on no-lapse guarantees (NLG). The guaranteed surrender value of the contract is based on the accumulated value of the contract including accrued interest. The crediting rates are discretionary but related to the accounting income for the amortising bond portfolio. The majority of the guaranteed minimum crediting rates are between 3% and 4%. The assets backing these contracts are invested in US Dollar denominated fixed interest securities.

 

LGN separately provides for two types of guarantees: interest rate guarantees and maturity guarantees. Certain contracts provide an interest rate guarantee where there is a minimum crediting rate based on the higher of 1-year Euribor and the policy guarantee rate. This guarantee applies on a monthly basis. Certain other linked contracts provide a guaranteed minimum value at maturity where the maturity amount is the higher of the fund value and a guarantee amount. The fund values for both these contracts are invested in Euro denominated fixed interest securities.

 

For LGF, FOGs which have been separately provided for relate to guaranteed minimum crediting rates and surrender values on a range of contracts. The guaranteed surrender value of the contract is the accumulated value of the contract including accrued bonuses. The bonuses are based on the accounting income for the amortising bond portfolios plus income and releases from realised gains on any equity type investments. Policy liabilities equal guaranteed surrender values. In general, the guaranteed annual bonus rates are between 0% and 4.5%.

 

Risk free rate

 

The risk free rate is set to reflect both the pattern of the emerging profits under EEV and the relevant duration of the liabilities where backing assets reflect this assumption (e.g. equity returns). For the UK, it is set by reference to the gross redemption yield on the 15 year gilt index. For LGA, the risk free rate is the 10 year US Treasury effective yield, while the 10 year ECB AAA-rated Euro area central government bond par yield is used for LGN and LGF.

 

 

 

European Embedded Value                                                                                                                                                97

 

5.09 Methodology (continued)

 

Risk discount rate

 

The risk discount rate (RDR) is a combination of the risk free rate and a risk margin, which reflects the residual risks inherent in the Group's covered businesses, after taking account of prudential margins in the statutory provisions, the required capital and the specific allowance for FOGs.

 

The risk margin has been determined based on an assessment of the Group's weighted average cost of capital (WACC). This assessment incorporates a beta for the Group, which measures the correlation of movements in the Group's share price to movements in a relevant index. Beta values therefore allow for the market's assessment of the risks inherent in the business relative to other companies in the chosen index.

 

The WACC is derived from the Group's cost of equity and debt, and the proportion of equity to debt in the Group's capital structure measured using market values. Each of these three parameters is forward looking, although informed by historic information and appropriate judgements where necessary. The cost of equity is calculated as the risk free rate plus the equity risk premium for the chosen index multiplied by the Company's beta. Forward-looking or adjusted betas make allowance for the observed tendency for betas to revert to 1 and therefore a weighted average of the historic beta and 1 tends to be a better estimate of the Company's beta for the future period. We have computed the WACC using an arithmetical average of forward-looking betas against the FTSE 100 index.    

 

The cost of debt used in the WACC calculations takes account of the actual locked-in rates for our senior and subordinated long term debt. All debt interest attracts tax relief at a rate of 20.1% (2013: 20.1%).

 

Whilst the WACC approach is a relatively simple and transparent calculation to apply, subjectivity remains within a number of the assumptions. Management believes that the chosen margin, together with the levels of required capital, the inherent strength of the Group's regulatory reserves and the explicit deduction for the cost of options and guarantees, is appropriate to reflect the risks within the covered business.

 

Analysis of profit

 

Operating profit is identified at a level which reflects an assumed longer term level of investment return.

 

The contribution to operating profit in a period is attributed to four sources:

i.  new business;

ii.  the management of in-force business;

iii. development costs; and

iv.    return on shareholder net worth.

 

Further profit contributions arise from actual investment return differing from the assumed long term investment return (investment return variances), and from the effect of economic assumption changes. These are shown below operating profit.

 

The contribution from new business represents the value recognised at the end of each period from new business written in that period, after allowing for the actual cost of acquiring the business and of establishing the required technical provisions and reserves and after making allowance for the cost of capital. New business contributions are calculated using closing assumptions.

 

The contribution from in-force business is calculated using opening assumptions and comprises:

i.  expected return - the discount earned from the value of business in-force at the start of the year;

ii.  experience variances - the variance in the actual experience over the reporting period from that assumed in the value of business in-force as at the start of the year; and

iii. operating assumption changes - the effects of changes in future assumptions, other than changes in economic assumptions from those used in valuing the business at the start of the year. These changes are made prospectively from the end of the period.

 

Development costs relate to investment in strategic systems and development capability.

 

The contribution from shareholder net worth comprises the increase in embedded value based on assumptions at the start of the year in respect of the expected investment return on the Society shareholder capital.

 

Further profit contributions arise from investment return variances and the effect of economic assumption changes.

 

Economic variances represent:

 

i.      the effect of actual investment performance and changes to investment policy on SNW and VIF business from that assumed at the beginning of the period; and

 

ii.      the effect of changes in economic variables on SNW and VIF business from that assumed at the beginning of the period, which are beyond the control of management, including associated changes to valuation bases to the extent that they are reflected in revised assumptions.

 

 

 

European Embedded Value                                                                                                                                                98

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proforma                                                                                                                                                                                            99

 

  










On 28 November 2014, the Group announced changes to its organisational structure effective from 1 January 2015. In terms of changes to the Group's segmental results, the only change is the move of the workplace savings business from the LGAS Savings division into LGIM. The proforma shown below restates the LGAS Savings and LGIM segmental information for the prior periods to reflect these changes. To reiterate, no other segmental changes have been made to the Group's results following this announcement.

  










  










  

FY 2014


FY 2013

  

Reported

Adjusted

Reported

Adjusted


Reported

Adjusted

Reported

Adjusted

  

Savings

Savings

LGIM

LGIM


Savings

Savings

LGIM

LGIM

  

£m

£m

£m

£m


£m

£m

£m

£m

  










  










Operational cash generation

140 

127 

262 

275 


164 

152 

239 

251 

New business strain

(43)

(14)


(29)


(58)

(22)


(36)

  










  










Net cash generation

97 

113 

262 

246 


106 

130 

239 

215 

Experience variances

(10)

(7)


(3)


(27)

(13)


(14)

Changes in valuation assumptions



11 


Non-cash items and other

(20)

(22)



(22)

(29)


International and other

(1)

(1)




  










  










Operating profit after tax

74 

86 

262 

250 


68 

90 

239 

217 

Tax expense

16 

19 

74 

71 


21 

28 

65 

58 

  










  










Operating profit before tax

90 

105 

336 

321 


89 

118 

304 

275 

Investment variance

(19)

(24)

(12)

(7)


(55)

(47)

(6)

(14)

  










  










Profit before tax

71 

81 

324 

314 


34 

71 

298 

261 

  










  










  










  










  

HY 2014


HY 2013

  

Reported

Adjusted

Reported

Adjusted


Reported

Adjusted

Reported

Adjusted

  

Savings

Savings

LGIM

LGIM


Savings

Savings

LGIM

LGIM

  

£m

£m

£m

£m


£m

£m

£m

£m

  










  










Operational cash generation

71 

64 

125 

132 


82 

76 

119 

125 

New business strain

(23)

(8)


(15)


(31)

(14)


(17)

  










  










Net cash generation

48 

56 

125 

117 


51 

62 

119 

108 

Experience variances

(6)

(3)


(3)


(5)

(3)


(2)

Changes in valuation assumptions

(1)


(1)


11 

(1)


12 

Non-cash items and other

(6)

(10)



(22)

(12)


(10)

International and other



(1)

(1)


  










  










Operating profit after tax

35 

43 

125 

117 


34 

45 

119 

108 

Tax expense

11 

34 

32 


11 

14 

33 

30 

  










  










Operating profit before tax

44 

54 

159 

149 


45 

59 

152 

138 

Investment variance

(18)

(18)

(5)

(5)


(35)

(27)

(2)

(10)

  










  










Profit before tax

26 

36 

154 

144 


10 

32 

150 

128 

  










  












 


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
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