Aflac Incorporated 2011 Year in Review
AflAc IncorporAted 2011 YeAr In revIew
AflAc IncorporAted 2011 YeAr In revIew
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to exam<strong>in</strong>e our bus<strong>in</strong>ess from an <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>gly <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />
perspective. For example, take the f<strong>in</strong>ancial crisis <strong>in</strong> Europe.<br />
We do have European <strong>in</strong>vestment hold<strong>in</strong>gs, but even if we<br />
didn’t, we would have still been affected because the world<br />
is <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>gly <strong>in</strong>terconnected. Also, it’s stunn<strong>in</strong>g how fast<br />
th<strong>in</strong>gs are chang<strong>in</strong>g, between the duration of the life of a<br />
particular product to technology. Our ability to exchange<br />
<strong>in</strong>formation faster has changed everyth<strong>in</strong>g we do, and<br />
we’ve moved from a totally paper company when I came <strong>in</strong>,<br />
to an almost paperless company.<br />
and their families through the <strong>Aflac</strong> Cancer Center and<br />
Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta<br />
and <strong>Aflac</strong> Japan’s Parents House. So the chance to make the<br />
world a better place is truly the best part of what I do.<br />
Hav<strong>in</strong>g achieved long-term success, how do you<br />
Q take <strong>Aflac</strong>’s success to the next level?<br />
First, never get complacent; I want to keep reach<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong> every category. We will also cont<strong>in</strong>ue to focus on<br />
A<br />
As CEO, what has been your biggest<br />
Q accomplishment?<br />
My biggest accomplishment has been be<strong>in</strong>g part of<br />
A someth<strong>in</strong>g bigger than me, through <strong>Aflac</strong>: help<strong>in</strong>g<br />
people <strong>in</strong> their time of need. First and foremost, <strong>Aflac</strong> is <strong>in</strong><br />
the bus<strong>in</strong>ess of pay<strong>in</strong>g claims to our policyholders. Each<br />
year, we pay billions of dollars <strong>in</strong> claims to policyholders<br />
when they need it most, and at the same time, provide<br />
long-term value to shareholders. The opportunity we<br />
provide for our employees and sales distribution system to<br />
make a good liv<strong>in</strong>g is very satisfy<strong>in</strong>g. From a philanthropic<br />
standpo<strong>in</strong>t, <strong>Aflac</strong> has been able to help so many children<br />
be<strong>in</strong>g more efficient. Keep<strong>in</strong>g your operat<strong>in</strong>g expense<br />
ratio very low allows you to give the best return to<br />
customers, which should ultimately drive profits<br />
for you, our shareholders.<br />
What are a few of the th<strong>in</strong>gs that be<strong>in</strong>g CEO has<br />
Q taught you?<br />
Patience. Sometimes th<strong>in</strong>gs don’t happen as fast as<br />
A one would like, but as CEO it’s important that I rema<strong>in</strong><br />
focused and <strong>in</strong> tune with what’s go<strong>in</strong>g on, and cont<strong>in</strong>ue<br />
to ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> a level of patience and perseverance <strong>in</strong> the<br />
process.<br />
Earn<strong>in</strong>gs Per Diluted Share<br />
1.51 1.78 2.15<br />
2.56<br />
2.93<br />
3.29<br />
3.76<br />
4.59<br />
5.34<br />
$5.97<br />
Net and operat<strong>in</strong>g earn<strong>in</strong>gs per diluted share<br />
benefited from record operat<strong>in</strong>g results. In <strong>2011</strong>,<br />
we achieved our primary f<strong>in</strong>ancial target, growth<br />
<strong>in</strong> operat<strong>in</strong>g earn<strong>in</strong>gs per diluted share, exclud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the impact of the yen, for the 22nd consecutive<br />
year. Operat<strong>in</strong>g earn<strong>in</strong>gs is an <strong>in</strong>ternal f<strong>in</strong>ancial<br />
measure we use to assess management’s<br />
performance. <strong>Aflac</strong> def<strong>in</strong>es operat<strong>in</strong>g earn<strong>in</strong>gs as<br />
the profits derived from operations before realized<br />
<strong>in</strong>vestment ga<strong>in</strong>s and losses from securities<br />
transactions, impairments, and derivative and<br />
hedg<strong>in</strong>g activities, as well as nonrecurr<strong>in</strong>g items.<br />
02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11<br />
Net Earn<strong>in</strong>gs Per Diluted Share<br />
Operat<strong>in</strong>g Earn<strong>in</strong>gs Per Diluted Share<br />
*<br />
*Excludes impact of the yen<br />
<strong>Aflac</strong> <strong>Incorporated</strong> <strong>2011</strong> <strong>Year</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Review</strong><br />
7