AmerUs Group Reports Record Fourth Quarter Operating Income of $67.9 m

AmerUs Group Reports Record Fourth Quarter Operating Income of $67.9 million; 2004 Record Net Income of $192.6 million

    Business Editors

    DES MOINES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 2, 2005--AmerUs Group Co. (NYSE:AMH), a leading producer of life insurance and annuity products, today reported record fourth quarter and 2004 results. Highlights include:

--	Record net income of $67.9 million, or $1.62 per diluted share;
--	Record 2004 net income of $192.6 million, or $4.68 per diluted share
--	Record adjusted net operating income of $44.4 million (1), or $1.06 per diluted share;
--	Record 2004 adjusted net operating income of $168.6 million (1), or $4.10 per diluted share;
--	Book value of $38.29 (2), an increase of more than 13 percent over 2003;
--	Accumulation product sales increased 47 percent to $607 million (3);
--	Protection product sales increased to $30.4 million (3);
--	National leadership:
--	#1 national producer of equity indexed life insurance for the 14th consecutive quarter
--	Ranked among the top five national producers of equity indexed annuity products for the 14th consecutive quarter

    Commenting on the company's results, chairman and chief executive officer Roger K. Brooks said, "2004 was an outstanding year for us. I'm particularly pleased with our record net income and operating income as well as the ongoing dramatic growth in product margin over the last two years. Our investors were rewarded by these results, as evidenced by the 30 percent increase in our stock price during 2004."

    Accumulation Product Results and Sales

    Pre-tax operating income for the accumulation segment increased more than 27 percent to $47.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2004 compared to $36.9 million a year ago. The increase was primarily due to higher margins on the growing block of equity indexed annuities. 2004 pre-tax operating income increased more than 25 percent to $163.9 million compared to $130.9 million for 2003.
    Sales of fixed annuity products for the quarter were $607 million, an all-time record high for the company, compared to $414 million in the fourth quarter of last year. Fixed annuity sales in 2004 were $1.84 billion compared to $1.75 billion in 2003. Equity indexed annuities, the company's most profitable annuity product, comprised 83 percent of 2004 sales.

    Protection Product Results and Sales

    Pre-tax operating income for the protection segment increased by more than 16 percent to $38.2 million compared to $32.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2003. The increase in earnings was primarily due to higher margins on the growing block of equity indexed and universal life insurance products.
    In 2004, pre-tax operating income grew more than 9 percent to $140.2 million compared to $128.3 million for 2003.
    Fourth quarter fixed life sales were $30.4 million, compared to $30.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. 2004 fixed life sales were $124.1 million, compared to $118.6 million in 2003. "Our protection product sales during 2004 were our most profitable ever as we continue to shift our business mix toward equity indexed products," said Brooks.
    Equity indexed life sales, AmerUs Group's most profitable protection product, amounted to 60 percent of total sales, or $74.7 million in 2004, an increase of 45 percent over 2003.

    Net Investment Income

    Net investment income was $267 million in the fourth quarter of 2004 compared to $251 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. The increase was a result of higher invested assets under management. The earned portfolio yield during 2004 was 5.74 percent, compared to 5.84 percent in 2003. The new money investment rate for 2004 was 5.50%.

    2005 Operating Income Guidance

    On January 4, 2005, the company provided 2005 adjusted net operating income guidance of $4.45 to $4.57 per diluted share, an increase of 8.5 percent to 11.5 percent over 2004 operating income results of $4.10 per diluted share (4).

    Corporate Actions

    During the quarter, the company paid its annual dividend of $0.40 per share on December 15, 2004 to shareholders of record on November 28, 2004.
    Additionally, the company will hold its annual investor conference in New York City on February 22, 2005 at the Inter-Continental The Barclay New York, 111 East 48th Street (at Lexington Avenue). Members of the investment community and other interested parties who wish to attend the conference should contact the company's investor relations department at (515) 362-3695.
    AmerUs Group will hold its annual meeting of shareholders at its corporate headquarters on April 28, 2005, at 2 p.m. CDT. Individual interested in attending the meeting should contact the company's corporate secretary's office at (515) 362-3695.

    Conference Call, Audio Replay and Additional Financial Information

    Interested parties may listen to a conference call with AmerUs Group's management discussing fourth quarter 2004 results by calling (toll free) 888-399-7388 (international 210-839-8855) at 10 a.m. EST on Thursday, February 3, 2005. The passcode for the call is 'AmerUs'. An audio replay of AmerUs Group's call will be available at 1 p.m. EST, February 3, 2005, through February 10, 2005. The replay can be accessed by dialing 800-925-4627 (international: 402-220-4183).
    Further detailed financial information, including operating segment income, investment composition, operating expenses, margin analysis and product distribution by channel, can be found in AmerUs Group's Financial Supplement, which is available by accessing the company's web site at www.amerus.com or by contacting the company's investor relations department at (515) 362-3695.

    Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical information and relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments. Additionally, forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Statements such as "guidance," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "goal," "objective," "target," "may," "should," "estimate," "projects," or similar words as well as specific projections of future results qualify as forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements can be found in the company's Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement was made and AmerUs Group undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that other factors not currently anticipated by the company will not materially and adversely affect our results of operations. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf.
    AmerUs Group Co. is located in Des Moines, Iowa, and is engaged through its subsidiaries in the business of marketing individual life insurance and annuity products in the United States. Its major subsidiaries include: AmerUs Life Insurance Company, American Investors Life Insurance Company, Inc., Bankers Life Insurance Company of New York, and Indianapolis Life Insurance Company.
    As of December 31, 2004, AmerUs Group's total assets were $23.2 billion and shareholders' equity totaled $1.6 billion, including accumulated other comprehensive income.

    (1) The company views adjusted net operating income, a non-GAAP financial measure, as an important indicator of financial performance. When presented with net income, the combined presentation can enhance an investor's understanding of AmerUs Group's underlying profitability and normalized results from operations. The definition of adjusted net operating income, as presented in this press release, excludes items such as: open block realized gains and losses, deferred policy acquisition costs associated with open block realized gains and losses, non-insurance operations, restructuring costs, the impact of SFAS 133, the release of income tax provisions, discontinued operations and the cumulative effect of change in accounting. Non-GAAP measures are also used for goal setting, determining employee and management compensation and evaluating our performance on a basis comparable to that used by security analysts. A reconciliation of net income to adjusted net operating income has been included as part of this press release.

    (2) Book value excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) is a non-GAAP financial measure. A reconciliation to GAAP book value has been provided below:

----------------------------------------- Accumulated Other Non-GAAP Comprehensive Basis Income Items GAAP Basis ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Total stockholder's equity $1,508,799 $117,712 $1,626,511 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of shares of common stock outstanding 39,400,663 39,400,663 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Book value per share $38.29 $41.28 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Sales for an insurance company are a performance measure. Sales are presented in accordance with industry practice and represent the amount of new business sold during the period. We believe sales are a measure of the productivity of our distribution networks. Sales are also a leading indicator of future revenue trends.

    (4) Adjusted net operating income per share is a non-GAAP financial measure. Due to the unpredictability of the timing and recognition of gains and losses, especially items such as credit impairments, trading gains and losses, FAS 133 adjustments as well as the unpredictable nature of certain other unusual or non-recurring items that management believes are not indicative of ongoing operational performance, guidance on GAAP net income cannot readily be estimated. Accordingly, the company is unable to provide guidance with respect to, or a reconciliation of guidance on, adjusted net operating income per share to GAAP net income per share.

AMERUS GROUP CO. ADJUSTED NET OPERATING INCOME ($ in thousands, except share data)

Adjusted net operating income reflects net income adjusted to eliminate certain items, such as open block realized/unrealized gains and losses; DAC and VOBA associated with the open block realized/unrealized gains and losses; non-insurance operations; restructuring costs; derivative related market value adjustments; reinsurance adjustments; the release of income tax provisions; discontinued operations and the cumulative effect of change in accounting. Adjusted net operating income shown below does not constitute our net income computed in accordance with GAAP. The adjustments are presented net of income taxes.

For The Three Months For The Year Ended Ended December 31, December 31, 2004 2003 2004 2003 ---------------------- ----------------------

Net Income $67,875 $40,811 $192,642 $161,147

Realized/unrealized (gains) losses on open block assets (A) 4,142 (1,221) 24,076 (20,941)

Net amortization of DAC and VOBA due to open block gains or losses (B) (306) (499) 375 5,989

Net effect of derivative related market value adjustments (C) (12,333) (5,165) (7,472) (8,553)

Restructuring costs (D) - 3,767 - 14,989

Other (income) loss from non-insurance operations (E) (215) (312) (897) (742)

Reinsurance adjustments (F) - - - (2,505)

Income tax items (G) (14,798) - (36,767) -

Income from discontinued operations (H) - (247) (3,899) (1,815)

Cumulative effect of change in accounting (I) - 1,296 510 1,296

---------------------- ---------------------- Adjusted Net Operating Income $44,365 $38,430 $168,568 $148,865 ====================== ======================

Adjusted Net Operating Income per common share: Basic $1.13 $0.98 $4.29 $3.80 ====================== ====================== Diluted $1.06 $0.96 $4.10 $3.76 ====================== ======================

Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 39,390,532 39,268,068 39,334,798 39,175,924 ====================== ====================== Diluted 41,986,455 40,133,053 41,135,188 39,618,217 ====================== ======================

AMERUS GROUP CO. NOTES TO ADJUSTED NET OPERATING INCOME

(A) Represents total open block realized/unrealized gains or losses on assets. Open block gains or losses may vary widely between periods. Such amounts are determined by management's timing of individual transactions or current market conditions and do not necessarily correspond to the underlying operating trends. The year ended December 31, 2004, includes a $7.7 million loss on the Indianapolis Life office building, which was an asset classified as held for sale and carried at fair value.

(B) Represents amortization of deferred acquisition costs (DAC) and value of business acquired (VOBA) on the open block realized gains and losses that are included in our product margins.

(C) Represents the net effect of derivative related market value adjustments. The accounting entries consist of cash flow hedge amortization; market value adjustments on trading securities, derivatives, and equity indexed contracts; and the associated change in amortization of DAC and VOBA resulting from such adjustments.

(D) Represents costs of restructuring our operations to eliminate duplicative functions and to merge IL Annuity and Insurance Company (ILA) into Indianapolis Life Insurance Company (ILIC). The costs consist primarily of relocation of employees, severance and termination benefits, impairment loss on the ILIC office building of $5.0 million in the second quarter of 2003, systems conversion, and merger related expenses.

(E) Represents the net income from our property operations which is not part of our insurance operations.

(F) Represents adjustments for the release of a $5.3 million liability in conjunction with the settlement and amendment of a reinsurance arrangement and a $2.8 million true-up of pre-2003 reinsurance settlements under a reinsurance arrangement between the ILIC open block and closed block. As these items are not of a continuing nature, they are excluded from adjusted net operating income.

(G) Represents a reduction in the income tax accrual for prior year tax overpayments, the release of provisions originally established for potential tax adjustments which have been settled or eliminated and changes in deferred income tax asset valuation allowances.

(H) Represents the net income from our discontinued operations.

(I) For 2004, represents the cumulative effect of change in accounting, net of income taxes, as of January 1, 2004, resulting from the Company's adoption of SOP 03-1. For 2003, represents the cumulative effect of change in accounting for derivatives, net of income taxes, as of October 1, 2003, resulting from the Company's adoption of DIG Issue B36. DIG B36 was effective the first day of the fiscal quarter beginning after September 15, 2003.

AMERUS GROUP CO. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME ($ in thousands, except share data)

For The Three Months For The Year Ended Ended December 31, December 31, 2004 2003 2004 2003 ---------------------- -----------------------

Revenues: Insurance premiums $68,556 $71,593 $267,666 $297,188 Product charges 55,253 45,186 220,554 181,354 Net investment income 267,273 250,816 1,037,447 1,001,914 Realized/unrealized capital gains (losses) 60,190 55,926 18,068 131,291 Other income 17,022 17,838 71,381 68,298 ---------------------- -----------------------

468,294 441,359 1,615,116 1,680,045 ---------------------- -----------------------

Benefits and expenses: Policyowner benefits 256,345 270,106 888,696 953,834 Underwriting, acquisition and other expenses 49,595 40,935 180,051 155,468 Restructuring costs - 5,879 - 23,294 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired 53,402 42,490 204,863 179,664 Dividends to policyowners 20,134 12,063 81,092 98,393 ---------------------- -----------------------

379,476 371,473 1,354,702 1,410,653 ---------------------- -----------------------

Income from continuing operations 88,818 69,886 260,414 269,392

Interest expense 7,976 7,917 32,120 30,154 ---------------------- -----------------------

Income before income tax expense 80,842 61,969 228,294 239,238

Income tax expense 12,967 20,109 39,041 78,610 ---------------------- -----------------------

Net income from continuing operations 67,875 41,860 189,253 160,628

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax - 247 3,899 1,815 ---------------------- -----------------------

Net income before cumulative effect of change in accounting 67,875 42,107 193,152 162,443

Cumulative effect of change in accounting, net of tax - (1,296) (510) (1,296) ---------------------- -----------------------

Net income $67,875 $40,811 $192,642 $161,147 ====================== =======================

Net income from continuing operations per common share: Basic $1.72 $1.07 $4.81 $4.10 ====================== ======================= Diluted $1.62 $1.04 $4.60 $4.05 ====================== =======================

Net income per common share: Basic $1.72 $1.04 $4.90 $4.11 ====================== ======================= Diluted $1.62 $1.02 $4.68 $4.07 ====================== =======================

Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 39,390,532 39,268,068 39,334,798 39,175,924 ====================== ======================= Diluted 41,986,455 40,133,053 41,135,188 39,618,217 ====================== =======================

AMERUS GROUP CO. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS ($ in thousands)

December 31, 2004 2003 ------------------------

Assets Investments: Securities available-for-sale at fair value: Fixed maturity securities $15,646,653 $13,944,961 Equity securities 77,024 74,890 Short-term investments 2,979 28,556 Securities held for trading purposes: Fixed maturity securities 1,718,125 2,089,502 Equity securities 15,468 1,652 Short-term investments - 591 Mortgage loans 865,733 968,572 Policy loans 486,071 494,646 Other investments 374,240 380,915 ------------------------

Total investments 19,186,293 17,984,285

Cash and cash equivalents 478,441 274,150 Accrued investment income 222,294 205,492 Premiums, fees and other receivables 39,688 42,761 Reinsurance receivables 666,493 663,452 Deferred policy acquisition costs 1,248,009 1,021,856 Capitalized bonus interest 137,538 98,274 Value of business acquired 374,792 419,582 Goodwill 226,291 224,075 Property and equipment 46,114 48,849 Other assets 296,435 311,305 Separate account assets 248,507 261,657 Assets of discontinued operations - 27,950 ------------------------

Total assets $23,170,895 $21,583,688 ========================

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS ($ in thousands)

December 31, 2004 2003 ------------------------

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Liabilities: Policy reserves and policyowner funds: Future life and annuity policy benefits $17,923,329 $16,994,255 Policyowner funds 1,419,762 1,306,160 ------------------------ 19,343,091 18,300,415

Accrued expenses and other liabilities 831,036 459,240 Dividends payable to policyowners 323,223 321,233 Policy and contract claims 70,465 58,880 Income taxes payable 29,727 50,274 Deferred income taxes 127,180 80,861 Notes payable 571,155 621,896 Separate account liabilities 248,507 261,657 Liabilities of discontinued operations - 19,421 ------------------------

Total liabilities 21,544,384 20,173,877

Stockholders' equity: Preferred Stock, no par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, none issued - - Common Stock, no par value, 230,000,000 shares authorized; 44,225,902 shares issued and 39,400,663 shares outstanding in 2004; 43,836,608 shares issued and 39,194,602 shares outstanding in 2003 44,226 43,836 Additional paid-in capital 1,198,379 1,184,237 Accumulated other comprehensive income 117,712 84,519 Unearned compensation (1,238) (1,361) Unallocated ESOP shares - - Retained earnings 431,911 255,006 Treasury stock, at cost (4,825,239 shares in 2004 and 4,642,006 shares in 2003) (164,479) (156,426)

Total stockholders' equity 1,626,511 1,409,811 ------------------------

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $23,170,895 $21,583,688 ========================

AMERUS GROUP CO. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY For the Years Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 ($ in thousands)

Accumulated Additional Other Common Paid-In Comprehensive Unearned Stock Capital Income (Loss) Compensation -------------------- --------------------------

Balance at December 31, 2002 $43,656 $1,179,646 $88,522 $(458)

2003: Net income - - - - Net unrealized gain on securities - - 1,971 - Net unrealized gain on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges - - 2,476 - Change in accounting transfer of unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities to trading - - (5,204) - Stock issued under various incentive plans, net of forfeitures 180 11,717 - (903) PRIDES purchase contract adjustments and allocated fees and expenses - (7,280) - - Dividends declared on common stock - - - - Allocation of shares in leveraged ESOP - 154 - - Minimum pension liability adjustment - - (3,246) - -------- ----------- ------------- ------------

Balance at December 31, 2003 43,836 1,184,237 84,519 (1,361)

2004: Net income - - - - Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities - - 32,773 - Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges - - 420 - Stock issued under various incentive plans, net of forfeitures 390 14,142 - 123 Purchase of treasury stock - - - - Dividends declared on common stock - - - -

-------- ----------- ------------- ------------ Balance at December 31, 2004 $44,226 $1,198,379 $117,712 $(1,238) ======== =========== ============= ============

Unallocated Total ESOP Retained Treasury Stockholders' Shares Earnings Stock Equity ----------- --------- ---------- -------------

Balance at December 31, 2002 $(1,443) $109,517 $(156,492) $1,262,948

2003: Net income - 161,147 - 161,147 Net unrealized gain on securities - - - 1,971 Net unrealized gain on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges - - - 2,476 Change in accounting transfer of unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities to trading - - - (5,204) Stock issued under various incentive plans, net of forfeitures - - 66 11,060 PRIDES purchase contract adjustments and allocated fees and expenses - - - (7,280) Dividends declared on common stock - (15,658) - (15,658) Allocation of shares in leveraged ESOP 1,443 - - 1,597 Minimum pension liability adjustment - - - (3,246) ----------- --------- ---------- -------------

Balance at December 31, 2003 - 255,006 (156,426) 1,409,811

2004: Net income - 192,642 - 192,642 Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities - - - 32,773 Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges - - - 420 Stock issued under various incentive plans, net of forfeitures - - 1,100 15,755 Purchase of treasury stock - - (9,153) (9,153) Dividends declared on common stock - (15,737) - (15,737)

----------- --------- ---------- ------------- Balance at December 31, 2004 $- $431,911 $(164,479) $1,626,511 =========== ========= ========== =============

--30--HB/ms*

CONTACT: AmerUs Group Co., Des Moines Investor Relations: Marty Ketelaar, 515-362-3693

KEYWORD: IOWA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: INSURANCE BANKING EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALLS SOURCE: AmerUs Group Co.

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