EXHIBIT 99.1

LOGO

PRIMERICA REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2011 RESULTS

Net income of $52.5 million; Diluted EPS of $0.68

Net operating income of $48.6 million; Diluted operating EPS of $0.63

Strong Investment and Savings Products performance

Duluth, GA, May 3, 2011 – Primerica, Inc. (NYSE: PRI) announced today financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011. Total revenues were $276.4 million for the first quarter of 2011. Net income was $52.5 million for the first quarter of 2011, or $0.68 per diluted share.

Operating revenues increased by 19% to $267.3 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared with $224.8 million in the first quarter of 2010. Net operating income was $48.6 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2011, compared with $38.2 million in the first quarter of 2010. Results were driven by continued growth in New Term premium, strong Investment and Savings Products performance and disciplined expense management as we adapt to a public company operating environment.

D. Richard Williams, Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer said, “We believe Primerica’s continued operating income growth demonstrates the ability of our multifaceted business to effectively adjust to economic cycles. We are pleased with our operating performance and believe that our successful secondary offering of shares indirectly held by Citigroup underscores the value the market sees in our stock and our ability to attract new investors.”

John Addison, Chairman of Primerica Distribution and Co-Chief Executive Officer said, “The close of the first quarter marks our first year as an independent public company. We look forward to announcing exciting new initiatives at our convention in June including product enhancements that will improve the business opportunity and ultimately support recruiting growth. We are optimistic about our business and believe that we are well positioned for the future.”

 

1


Distribution Results

 

   

Recruiting of new representatives decreased by 9% to 52,813 in the first quarter of 2011, compared with the same period a year ago reflecting the challenging economic environment and the absence of an incentive trip contest in the first half of 2011 due to the upcoming convention. The size of our life-licensed insurance sales force decreased from both March 31 and December 31, 2010 to approximately 92,200 at March 31, 2011. New life licenses were down sequentially due to the fourth quarter seasonal decline in recruits as well as the decline in first quarter recruiting.

 

   

Term Life net premium grew by 36% to $104.8 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared with the first quarter of 2010 as we added another quarter of issued life business following the Citi reinsurance transactions. Life insurance policies issued decreased by 2% to 51,281 in the first quarter of 2011 from the first quarter of 2010, less than the size of the sales force decline of 5% during the same period. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2010, life insurance policies issued decreased 9% in first quarter 2011 largely reflecting fewer applications submitted during the typically slower holiday season. Total face amount in force increased by $1.73 billion to $658.52 billion at March 31, 2011 over December 31, 2010 due to the effect of the stronger Canadian dollar and improved persistency partially offset by a decrease in life insurance policies issued.

 

   

Investment and Savings Products sales continued to grow, up 14% to $1.11 billion in the first quarter of 2011 from the year ago quarter primarily driven by a 29% increase in variable annuity sales. Growth in variable annuity sales continued to outpace the industry in first quarter 2011, reflecting our clients’ desire to mitigate financial risk with guaranteed lifetime income. Investment and Savings Products sales increased 23%, or $210.7 million, in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 reflecting improved market conditions and strong retirement savings sales typical of historical first quarter trends. Improved market conditions drove an increase in client asset values which grew 11% to $36.19 billion at March 31, 2011 from a year ago.

Operating Adjustments

Our operating results exclude realized investment gains and losses and the expense associated with our IPO-related equity awards. For the first quarter of 2011, our operating results also exclude $8.7 million of pre-tax income related to the remaining ceded premium recoveries discussed in our fourth quarter 2010 earnings release. We excluded these recoveries from our operating results because we believe they are not indicative of our ongoing operations.

 

2


Segment Results

Primerica operates in two primary business segments: Term Life Insurance and Investment and Savings Products, and has a third segment, Corporate and Other Distributed Products. Results for the segments are shown below. As the IPO-related Citi reinsurance and reorganization transactions were not executed until April 1, 2010, the first quarter of 2010 actual results do not reflect these transactions.

 

     Actual     Operating (1)  
     Q1 2011     Q1 2010      % Change     Q1 2011     Q1 2010     % Change  

Revenues:

     ($ in thousands)        ($ in thousands)   

Term Life Insurance

   $ 136,962      $ 447,178         -69   $ 128,233      $ 102,511        25

Investment and Savings Products

     100,846        86,693         16     100,846        86,693        16

Corporate and Other Distributed Products

     38,544        73,071         -47     38,217        35,618        7
                                                 

Total revenues

   $ 276,352      $ 606,942         -54   $ 267,296      $ 224,822        19
                                                 

Income (loss) before income taxes:

             

Term Life Insurance

   $ 57,648      $ 160,367         -64   $ 48,919      $ 40,233        22

Investment and Savings Products

     31,039        25,447         22     31,039        25,447        22

Corporate and Other Distributed Products

     (7,542     34,588         -122     (4,749     (6,990     32
                                                 

Total income before income taxes

   $ 81,145      $ 220,402         -63   $ 75,209      $ 58,690        28
                                                 

 

(1) See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section and the segment Operating Results Reconcilations at the end of this release for additional information.

Term Life Insurance. Operating revenues grew by 25%, or $25.7 million, in the first quarter of 2011, compared with the same period a year ago, primarily reflecting incremental New Term premiums following the Citi reinsurance transactions. Operating income before income taxes increased by 22%, or $8.7 million, over the prior-year period primarily driven by growth in New Term premium, the release of management incentive compensation accruals to reflect amounts paid in 2011 for the 2010 fiscal year and a $2.2 million one-time DAC adjustment largely related to Legacy Term. Term Life experienced slightly adverse mortality while persistency continued to improve, resulting in higher benefits and claims offset by lower DAC amortization.

Compared to the fourth quarter of 2010, operating income increased by 26%, or $10.1 million, reflecting the growth from New Term premium and accounting corrections that impacted the fourth quarter of 2010 earnings as discussed in last quarter’s earnings release. New Term operating income before income taxes turned positive in the quarter reflecting growth in the New Term business, improving persistency and the release of management incentive compensation accruals noted above.

Investment and Savings Products. Operating revenues and income before income taxes in the first quarter of 2011 were both driven by higher sales and increased client asset values. Operating revenues increased by 16%, or $14.2 million, and operating income before income taxes increased by 22%, or $5.6 million, compared with the first quarter of 2010. Growth in operating income before income taxes outpaced the growth in operating revenues primarily due to the release of management incentive compensation accruals.

 

3


Operating income before income taxes decreased by 11%, or $3.7 million, in the first quarter of 2011, compared with the prior quarter primarily due to fourth quarter 2010 activity including accounting corrections and the variable annuity sales incentive that was earned. Excluding these items, operating income increased by 8%, or $2.2 million, compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 reflecting a 20% increase in revenue generating sales and a 6% increase in average client asset values in the first quarter of 2011.

Corporate and Other Distributed Products. Operating revenues increased by 7%, or $2.6 million, in the first quarter of 2011 from the first quarter of 2010 and operating losses before income taxes were $4.8 million in the first quarter of 2011 and $7.0 million in the same period of 2010, largely reflecting higher allocated investment income. On an operating basis, consolidated net investment income increased by $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared with the first quarter of 2010 reflecting $1.6 million received from certain called fixed-income securities partially offset by lower yields. In the first quarter of 2011, Corporate and Other Distributed Products was allocated 46% of invested assets versus 42% in the prior year period, with the remainder allocated to Term Life. Expenses were flat year-over-year as prior year IPO-related costs were replaced by ongoing operating expenses.

Taxes

Our effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2011 was 35.3%, compared to 35.0% for the same quarter a year ago.

Capital and Liquidity

Primerica continues to be well capitalized, with a high-quality invested asset portfolio and positive cash flow for the quarter. Investments and cash totaled $2.33 billion as of March 31, 2011. Our invested asset portfolio had a net unrealized gain of $156.1 million (net of unrealized losses of $5.7 million) at March 31, 2011, down slightly from a net unrealized gain of $157.4 million at December 31, 2010. Net realized gains for the quarter were $0.3 million, which included $0.3 million of other-than-temporary impairments.

As of March 31, 2011, our debt-to-capital ratio remained low at 16.8%. Net operating income return on adjusted stockholders’ equity (ROAE) was 14.2% for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, up slightly on a sequential basis. ROAE was enhanced by the following non-recurring items: the one-time DAC adjustment in Legacy Term, the investment income earned on certain called fixed-income securities and the release of management incentive compensation accruals. Net income return on stockholders’ equity was 14.4% for the first quarter of 2011.

 

4


Primerica Life Insurance Company, our primary underwriter, had statutory capital in excess of the applicable statutory requirements to support existing operations and to fund future growth. With a statutory risk-based capital (RBC) ratio estimated to be in excess of 600% as of March 31, 2011, we continue to be well positioned to support anticipated future growth.

Citi Reinsurance and Reorganization Transactions

In connection with Primerica’s April 1, 2010 initial public offering, the Company executed a series of reinsurance and reorganization transactions. These transactions had a significant impact on our financial position and will cause our financial results in the current and future periods to be materially different from those reflected in our historical financial statements. Accordingly, management believes that our operating results, which reflect the effect of these transactions, represent meaningful comparisons between 2011 and 2010.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We report financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). We also present operating revenues, operating income before income taxes, net operating income and adjusted stockholders’ equity. Operating revenues, operating income before income taxes and net operating income exclude the impact of realized investment gains and losses for all periods presented and in first quarter 2011, also exclude income related to ceded premium recoveries which previously had not been recognized due to the uncertain nature of their recovery. Operating income before income taxes and net operating income exclude the expense associated with our IPO-related equity awards for all periods presented. Adjusted stockholders’ equity excludes the impact of net unrealized gains and losses on invested assets for all periods presented. Operating results for the first quarter of 2010 also give effect to the reinsurance and reorganization transactions as if they had occurred on January 1, 2010. Our definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the definitions of similar measures used by other companies. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating our financial performance. Furthermore, management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures may provide users with additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results of prior periods as they are expected to be reflective of our core ongoing business. These measures have limitations, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Reconciliations of non-GAAP to GAAP financial measures are attached to this release.

Earnings Webcast Information

Primerica will hold a webcast Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 10:00 am EDT, to discuss first quarter results. This release and a detailed financial supplement will be posted on Primerica’s website. Investors are encouraged to review these materials. To access the webcast go to http://investors.primerica.com at least 15 minutes prior to the event to register, download and install any necessary software.

A replay of the call will be available for approximately 30 days on Primerica’s website, http://investors.primerica.com.

 

5


Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information contained in this press release, the statements in this release are forward-looking and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements contain known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from anticipated or projected results. Those risks and uncertainties include, among others, our failure to attract new recruits, retain sales representatives or maintain the licensing of our sales representatives; our or our sales representatives’ violation of or non-compliance with laws and regulations; incorrect assumptions used to price our insurance policies; the failure of our investment products to remain competitive with other investment options; our failure to meet RBC standards or other minimum capital and surplus requirements; a downgrade or potential downgrade in our insurance subsidiaries’ financial strength ratings; inadequate or unaffordable reinsurance or the failure of our reinsurers to perform their obligations; the inability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions; the loss of key personnel; conflicts of interests due to Citi’s and Warburg Pincus’ significant interests in us; and general changes in economic and financial conditions, including the effects of credit deterioration and interest rate fluctuations on our portfolio. These and other risks and uncertainties affecting us are more fully described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available in the “Investor Relations” section of our website at http://investors.primerica.com. Primerica assumes no duty to update its forward-looking statements as of any future date.

About Primerica, Inc.

Primerica, Inc., headquartered in Duluth, GA, is the largest financial services marketing organization in North America. Our mission is to serve middle income families by helping them make informed financial decisions and providing them with the strategies and means to gain financial independence. The company and its representatives offer clients term life insurance, investment and savings products, and other financial products. Primerica insures 4.3 million lives and more than 2 million clients maintain investment accounts with the company.

Investor Contact:

Kathryn Kieser

770-564-7757

Email: investorrelations@primerica.com

Media Contact:

Mark L. Supic

770-564-6329

Email: mark.supic@primerica.com

 

6


PRIMERICA, INC.

Condensed Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

 

     March 31, 2011      December 31,  
     (Unaudited)      2010  

Assets

     

Investments:

     

Fixed maturity securities available for sale, at fair value

   $ 2,119,658       $ 2,081,361   

Equity securities available for sale, at fair value

     23,252         23,213   

Trading securities, at fair value

     46,176         22,767   

Policy loans and other invested assets

     25,735         26,243   
                 

Total investments

     2,214,821         2,153,584   

Cash and cash equivalents

     115,277         126,038   

Accrued investment income

     25,104         22,328   

Premiums and other receivables

     171,925         168,026   

Due from reinsurers

     3,770,966         3,731,634   

Deferred policy acquisition costs

     908,600         853,211   

Intangible assets

     74,479         75,357   

Other assets

     310,572         307,342   

Separate account assets

     2,582,881         2,446,786   
                 

Total assets

   $ 10,174,625       $ 9,884,306   
                 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

     

Liabilities:

     

Future policy benefits

   $ 4,470,185       $ 4,409,183   

Unearned premiums

     9,493         5,563   

Policy claims and other benefits payable

     241,193         229,895   

Other policyholders’ funds

     353,800         357,253   

Note payable

     300,000         300,000   

Income taxes

     142,780         136,226   

Other liabilities

     397,562         386,182   

Payable under securities lending

     186,089         181,726   

Separate account liabilities

     2,582,881         2,446,786   
                 

Total liabilities

     8,683,983         8,452,814   

Stockholders’ equity:

     

Common stock

     732         728   

Paid-in capital

     889,654         883,168   

Retained earnings

     446,767         395,057   

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income tax

     153,489         152,539   
                 

Total stockholders’ equity

     1,490,642         1,431,492   
                 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 10,174,625       $ 9,884,306   
                 

 

7


PRIMERICA, INC.

Condensed Statements of Income

(Unaudited – in thousands, except per-share amounts)

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
     2011     2010 (1)  

Revenues:

    

Direct premiums

   $ 552,069      $ 537,845   

Ceded premiums

     (422,238     (148,119
                

Net premiums

     129,831        389,726   
                

Commissions and fees

     106,116        91,690   

Net investment income

     28,626        82,576   

Realized investment gains, including OTTI

     327        31,057   

Other, net

     11,452        11,893   
                

Total revenues

     276,352        606,942   
                

Benefits and expenses:

    

Benefits and claims

     57,635        170,735   

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

     25,556        91,756   

Insurance commissions

     5,000        6,371   

Insurance expenses

     9,552        37,529   

Sales commissions

     50,356        43,881   

Interest expense

     6,997        —     

Other operating expenses

     40,111        36,268   
                

Total benefits and expenses

     195,207        386,540   
                

Income before income taxes

     81,145        220,402   
                

Income taxes

     28,678        77,116   
                

Net income

   $ 52,467      $ 143,286   
                

Earnings per share:

    

Basic

   $ 0.69     
          

Diluted

   $ 0.68     
          

Shares used in computing earnings per share:

    

Basic

     72,671     
          

Diluted

     73,826     
          

 

(1) Does not give effect to the Citi reinsurance and reorganization transactions.

 

8


PRIMERICA, INC.

Operating Results Reconciliation

(Unaudited – in thousands, except per-share amounts)

 

     Three months ended March 31, 2011  
     Operating
(Non-GAAP)
    Operating
adjustments
     Reported
(GAAP)
 

Revenues:

       

Direct premiums

   $ 552,069      $ —         $ 552,069   

Ceded premiums

     (430,967     8,729         (422,238
                         

Net premiums

     121,102        8,729         129,831   
                         

Commissions and fees

     106,116        —           106,116   

Net investment income

     28,626        —           28,626   

Realized investment gains, including OTTI

     —          327         327   

Other, net

     11,452        —           11,452   
                         

Total revenues

     267,296        9,056         276,352   
                         

Benefits and expenses:

       

Benefits and claims

     57,635        —           57,635   

Amortization of DAC

     25,556        —           25,556   

Insurance commissions

     5,000        —           5,000   

Insurance expenses

     9,552        —           9,552   

Sales commissions

     50,356        —           50,356   

Interest expense

     6,997        —           6,997   

Other operating expenses

     36,991        3,120         40,111   
                         

Total benefits and expenses

     192,087        3,120         195,207   
                         

Income before income taxes

     75,209        5,936         81,145   
                         

Income taxes

     26,580           28,678   
                   

Net income

   $ 48,629         $ 52,467   
                   

Earnings per share - diluted

   $ 0.63         $ 0.68   
                   

Diluted shares

     73,826           73,826   
                   

See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section and the segment Operating Results Reconciliations for additional information.

 

9


PRIMERICA, INC.

Operating Results Reconciliation

(Unaudited – in thousands)

 

     Three months ended March 31, 2010  
     Operating
(Non-GAAP)
    Adjustments for
the Citi
Reinsurance
Transactions
    Adjustments
for the
Reorganization
    Operating
adjustments
     Reported
(GAAP)
 

Revenues:

           

Direct premiums

   $ 537,845      $ —        $ —        $ —         $ 537,845   

Ceded premiums

     (444,447     296,328        —          —           (148,119
                                         

Net premiums

     93,398        296,328        —          —           389,726   
                                         

Commissions and fees

     91,690        —          —          —           91,690   

Net investment income

     27,841        47,566        7,169        —           82,576   

Realized investment gains, including OTTI

     —          —          —          31,057         31,057   

Other, net

     11,893        —          —          —           11,893   
                                         

Total revenues

     224,822        343,894        7,169        31,057         606,942   
                                         

Benefits and expenses:

           

Benefits and claims

     42,531        128,204        —          —           170,735   

Amortization of DAC

     20,367        71,389        —          —           91,756   

Insurance commissions

     4,702        1,669        —          —           6,371   

Insurance expenses

     11,446        26,083        —          —           37,529   

Sales commissions

     43,881        —          —          —           43,881   

Interest expense

     6,937        (2,812     (4,125     —           —     

Other operating expenses

     36,268        —          (3,076     3,076         36,268   
                                         

Total benefits and expenses

     166,132        224,533        (7,201     3,076         386,540   
                                         

Income before income taxes

     58,690        119,361        14,370        27,981         220,402   
                                         

Income taxes

     20,535               77,116   
                       

Net income

   $ 38,155             $ 143,286   
                       

See the Citi Reinsurance and Reorganization Transactions section, the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section and the segment Operating Results Reconciliations for additional information.

 

10


Term Life Insurance Operating Results Reconciliation

(Unaudited – in thousands)

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
     2011     2010  

Operating revenues

   $ 128,233      $ 102,511   

Reinsurance recoveries adjustment

     8,729        —     

Citi reinsurance transaction adjustments

     —          343,894   

Reorganization adjustments

     —          773   
                

Total revenues

   $ 136,962      $ 447,178   
                

Operating income before income taxes

   $ 48,919      $ 40,233   

Reinsurance recoveries adjustment

     8,729        —     

Citi reinsurance transaction adjustments

     —          119,361   

Reorganization adjustments

     —          773   
                

Income before income taxes

   $ 57,648      $ 160,367   
                
Corporate and Other Distributed Products Operating Results Reconciliation   
(Unaudited – in thousands)   
     Three months ended March 31,  
     2011     2010  

Operating revenues

   $ 38,217      $ 35,618   

Realized investment gains, including OTTI

     327        31,057   

Reorganization adjustments

     —          6,396   
                

Total revenues

   $ 38,544      $ 73,071   
                

Operating loss before income taxes

   $ (4,749   $ (6,990

Realized investment gains, including OTTI

     327        31,057   

Other operating expense - equity awards

     (3,120     (3,076

Reorganization adjustments

     —          13,597   
                

(Loss) income before income taxes

   $ (7,542   $ 34,588   
                

PRIMERICA, INC.

Adjusted Stockholders’ Equity Reconciliation

(Unaudited – in thousands)

 

     March 31,       
     2011     

Adjusted stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,396,374      

Unrealized net investment gains recorded in stockholders’ equity

     94,268      
           

Stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,490,642      
           

 

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