Employers Holdings, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2014 June (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

R QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE

ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2014

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE

ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ____ to ____

Commission file number: 001-33245

EMPLOYERS HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Nevada (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		04-3850065 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

10375 Professional Circle, Reno, Nevada 89521 (Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(888) 682-6671

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes R No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes R No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “non-accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):



Large accelerated filer R	Accelerated filer o	Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No R



Class		July 24, 2014
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share		31,482,500 shares outstanding

TABLE OF CONTENTS



		Page No.
PART 1 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1	Consolidated Financial Statements
	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2014 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2013	3
	Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 and 2013	4
	Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 and 2013	5
	Unaudited Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	6
Item 2	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations	15
Item 3	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	24
Item 4	Controls and Procedures	24

	PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1	Legal Proceedings	25
Item 1A	Risk Factors	25
Item 2	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	25
Item 3	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	25
Item 4	Mine Safety Disclosures	25
Item 5	Other Information	25
Item 6	Exhibits	25

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements



Employers Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share data)
	As of			As of
	June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
Assets	(unaudited)
Available for sale:
Fixed maturity securities at fair value (amortized cost $2,189,306 at June 30, 2014 and $2,116,064 at December 31, 2013)	$	2,287,127		$	2,182,546
Equity securities at fair value (cost $94,187 at June 30, 2014 and $89,689 at December 31, 2013)	163,457			162,312
Total investments	2,450,584			2,344,858
Cash and cash equivalents	36,956			34,503
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	8,454			6,564
Accrued investment income	20,557			20,255
Premiums receivable (less bad debt allowance of $7,609 at June 30, 2014 and $7,064 at December 31, 2013)	321,576			279,080
Reinsurance recoverable for:
Paid losses	9,062			8,412
Unpaid losses, including bad debt allowance of $389 at December 31, 2013	699,200			742,666
Deferred policy acquisition costs	48,951			43,532
Deferred income taxes, net	47,907			58,062
Property and equipment, net	15,675			16,616
Intangible assets, net	9,349			9,685
Goodwill	36,192			36,192
Contingent commission receivable—LPT Agreement	34,415			25,104
Other assets	25,699			17,920
Total assets	$	3,764,577		$	3,643,449

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Claims and policy liabilities:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	$	2,354,759		$	2,330,491
Unearned premiums	339,699			303,967
Total claims and policy liabilities	2,694,458			2,634,458
Commissions and premium taxes payable	46,920			45,314
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	17,276			18,711
Deferred reinsurance gain—LPT Agreement	223,080			249,072
Notes payable	102,000			102,000
Other liabilities	35,591			25,191
Total liabilities	3,119,325			3,074,746
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 54,855,474 and 54,672,904 shares issued and 31,482,500 and 31,299,930 shares outstanding at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	549			547
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; none issued	—			—
Additional paid-in capital	343,869			338,090
Retained earnings	554,775			502,198
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net	108,609			90,418
Treasury stock, at cost (23,372,974 shares at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013)	(362,550		)	(362,550		)
Total stockholders’ equity	645,252			568,703
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,764,577		$	3,643,449

See accompanying unaudited notes to the consolidated financial statements.



Employers Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(in thousands, except per share data)
	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Revenues	(unaudited)						(unaudited)
Net premiums earned	$	172,659		$	159,953		$	339,813		$	307,928
Net investment income	18,285			17,645			36,298			35,050
Net realized gains on investments	9,167			3,866			12,426			4,660
Other income	171			144			226			247
Total revenues	200,282			181,608			388,763			347,885
Expenses
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	98,524			112,638			220,780			220,910
Commission expense	20,301			20,127			40,376			38,520
Underwriting and other operating expenses	33,156			32,249			66,457			63,789
Interest expense	753			797			1,531			1,605
Total expenses	152,734			165,811			329,144			324,824
Net income before income taxes	47,548			15,797			59,619			23,061
Income tax expense	1,951			1,209			3,269			983
Net income	$	45,597		$	14,588		$	56,350		$	22,078

Earnings per common share (Note 10):
Basic	$	1.45		$	0.47		$	1.79		$	0.71
Diluted	$	1.42		$	0.46		$	1.76		$	0.70
Cash dividends declared per common share	$	0.06		$	0.06		$	0.12		$	0.12

Comprehensive income
Unrealized gains (losses) during the period (net of tax expense (benefit) of $8,641 and $(20,886) for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $14,144 and $(20,870) for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively)	$	16,050		$	(38,787	)	$	26,268		$	(38,761	)
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains in net income (net of taxes of $3,208 and $1,353 for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $4,349 and $1,631 for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively)	(5,959		)	(2,513		)	(8,077		)	(3,029		)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	10,091			(41,300		)	18,191			(41,790		)

Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	55,688		$	(26,712	)	$	74,541		$	(19,712	)

Net realized gains on investments
Net realized gains on investments before credit related impairments on fixed maturity securities	$	9,167		$	3,934		$	12,426		$	4,728
Other than temporary impairment, credit losses recognized in earnings	—			(68		)	—			(68		)
Net realized gains on investments	$	9,167		$	3,866		$	12,426		$	4,660

See accompanying unaudited notes to the consolidated financial statements.



Employers Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
	2014			2013
Operating activities	(unaudited)
Net income	$	56,350		$	22,078
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	3,508			2,800
Stock-based compensation	3,485			4,169
Amortization of premium on investments, net	5,140			4,310
Deferred income tax expense	360			(2,558		)
Net realized gains on investments	(12,426		)	(4,660		)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(1,152		)	(349		)
Other	(1		)	549
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Premiums receivable	(43,041		)	(63,091		)
Reinsurance recoverable for paid and unpaid losses	43,204			4,246
Federal income taxes	3,327			2,848
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	24,268			59,721
Unearned premiums	35,732			52,586
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	8,964			15,389
Deferred reinsurance gain—LPT Agreement	(25,992		)	(6,860		)
Contingent commission receivable—LPT Agreement	(9,311		)	(1,807		)
Other	(14,304		)	(4,179		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	78,111			85,192
Investing activities
Purchase of fixed maturity securities	(215,885		)	(211,889		)
Purchase of equity securities	(14,212		)	(18,190		)
Proceeds from sale of fixed maturity securities	38,028			706
Proceeds from sale of equity securities	21,288			18,357
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of investments	100,700			86,326
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	—			139
Capital expenditures	(2,448		)	(3,206		)
Restricted cash and cash equivalents (used in) provided by investing activities	(1,891		)	751
Net cash used in investing activities	(74,420		)	(127,006		)
Financing activities
Cash transactions related to stock-based compensation	1,372			1,572
Dividends paid to stockholders	(3,762		)	(3,708		)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	1,152			349
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,238		)	(1,787		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	2,453			(43,601		)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	34,503			140,661
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$	36,956		$	97,060

See accompanying unaudited notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Employers Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Operations

Employers Holdings, Inc. (EHI) is a Nevada holding company. Through its wholly owned insurance subsidiaries, Employers Insurance Company of Nevada (EICN), Employers Compensation Insurance Company (ECIC), Employers Preferred Insurance Company (EPIC), and Employers Assurance Company (EAC), EHI is engaged in the commercial property and casualty insurance industry, specializing in workers' compensation products and services. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to the “Company” refer to EHI, together with its subsidiaries.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal, recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations for the periods presented have been included. The results of operations for an interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for an entire year. These financial statements have been prepared consistent with the accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

The Company considers an operating segment to be any component of its business whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance based on discrete financial information. Currently, the Company has one operating segment, workers’ compensation insurance and related services.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates. The most significant areas that require management judgment are the estimate of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (LAE), evaluation of reinsurance recoverables, recognition of premium revenue, deferred income taxes, valuation of investments, and the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets.

2. Changes in Estimates

During the second quarter of 2014, the Company reduced its estimated reserves ceded under the Loss Portfolio Transfer Agreement (LPT Agreement) by $30.0 million. This change in estimate resulted in a $20.1 million cumulative adjustment to the deferred reinsurance gain–LPT Agreement (Deferred Gain), which was also recognized in losses and LAE in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, so that the Deferred Gain reflects the balance that would have existed had the revised reserves been recognized at the inception of the LPT Agreement (LPT Reserve Adjustment). This change in estimate was the result of the determination in the second quarter of 2014 that an adjustment was necessary to reflect observed favorable paid loss trends. This change in estimate increased net income by $20.1 million, or $0.64 and $0.63 per basic and diluted share, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014.

During the second quarter of 2014, the Company increased its estimate of contingent commission receivable – LPT Agreement as a result of the determination in the second quarter of 2014 that an adjustment was necessary to reflect observed favorable paid loss trends. This change in estimate resulted in a $7.3 million cumulative adjustment to the deferred reinsurance gain–LPT Agreement (Deferred Gain), which was also recognized in losses and LAE incurred in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, so that the Deferred Gain reflects the balance that would have existed had the revised reserves been recognized at the inception of the LPT Agreement (LPT Contingent Commission Adjustment). This change in estimate increased net income by $7.3 million, or $0.23 per basic and diluted share, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014.

During the second quarter of 2014, the Company reallocated $12.0 million in reserves from non-taxable periods prior to January 1, 2000 to taxable years, which reduced our effective tax rate by 3.7 percentage points for the six months ended June 30, 2014. This change in estimate was the result of the determination in the second quarter of 2014 that a reallocation of reserves among accident years was appropriate to address a continuation of observed loss trends. The income tax impact of this change in estimate increased net income by $2.2 million, or $0.07 per basic and diluted share, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014.

3. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value and the estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments were as follows:



	June 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Financial assets
Investments	$	2,450,584	$	2,450,584	$	2,344,858	$	2,344,858
Cash and cash equivalents	36,956		36,956		34,503		34,503
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	8,454		8,454		6,564		6,564
Financial liabilities
Notes payable	102,000		106,601		102,000		105,450

The Company's estimates of fair value for financial liabilities are based on a combination of the variable interest rates for the Company's existing line of credit and other notes with similar durations to discount the projection of future payments on notes payable, and have been determined to be Level 2 fair value measurements, as defined below.

Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets are categorized based upon the levels of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Level inputs are defined as follows:


•	Level 1 - Inputs are unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets at the measurement date.


•	Level 2 - Inputs other than Level 1 prices that are observable for similar assets or liabilities through corroboration with market data at the measurement date.


•	Level 3 - Inputs that are unobservable that reflect management's best estimate of what willing market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities at the measurement date.

The following methods and assumptions were used to determine the fair value of each class of assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets.

Fair value of available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities is based on quoted market prices, where available, and is obtained primarily from third-party pricing services, which generally use Level 1 or Level 2 inputs. The Company obtains a quoted price for each security from third party pricing services. The quoted prices are derived through recently reported trades for identical or similar securities. For securities not actively traded, the third party pricing services may use quoted market prices of similar instruments or discounted cash flow analyses, incorporating inputs that are currently observable in the markets for similar securities. Inputs that are often used in the valuation methodologies include, but are not limited to, broker quotes, benchmark yields, credit spreads, default rates, and prepayment speeds. The Company also performs a quarterly analysis on the prices received from third party pricing services to determine whether the prices are reasonable estimates of fair value, including confirming the fair values of these securities through observable market prices using an alternative pricing source. If differences are noted in this review, the Company may obtain additional information from other pricing services to validate the quoted price. There were no adjustments to prices obtained from third party pricing services as of June 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013 that were material to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

If quoted market prices and an estimate determined by using objectively verifiable information are unavailable, the Company produces an estimate of fair value based on internally developed valuation techniques, which, depending on the level of observable market inputs, will render the fair value estimate as Level 2 or Level 3. The Company bases all of its estimates of fair value for assets on the bid price as it represents what a third-party market participant would be willing to pay in an arm's length transaction.

These methods of valuation will only produce an estimate of fair value if there is objectively verifiable information to produce a valuation. If objectively verifiable information is not available, the Company would be required to produce an estimate of fair value using some of the same methodologies, making assumptions for market-based inputs that are unavailable.

Estimates of fair value for fixed maturity securities are based on estimates using objectively verifiable information and are included in the amount disclosed in Level 2 of the hierarchy. The Level 3 fair value estimates include the Company's assumptions about risk assessments and market participant assumptions based on the best information available, including quotes from market makers and other broker/dealers recognized as market participants, using standard or trade derived inputs, new issue data, monthly payment information, cash flow generation, prepayment speeds, spread adjustments, or rating updates.

The following table presents the items on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets that are stated at fair value and the corresponding fair value measurements.



	June 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(in thousands)
Fixed maturity securities
U.S. Treasuries	$	—	$	175,222	$	—	$	—	$	170,897	$	—
U.S. Agencies	—		55,746		—		—		68,118		—
States and municipalities	—		766,343		—		—		735,180		—
Corporate securities	—		903,665		—		—		833,296		—
Residential mortgage-backed securities	—		267,761		—		—		258,431		—
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—		64,056		—		—		65,110		—
Asset-backed securities	—		54,334		—		—		51,514		—
Total fixed maturity securities	—		2,287,127		—		—		2,182,546		—
Equity securities	$	163,457	$	—	$	—	$	162,312	$	—	$	—

4. Investments

The cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses, and estimated fair value of the Company’s investments were as follows:



	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
At June 30, 2014
Fixed maturity securities
U.S. Treasuries	$	167,628	$	7,603	$	(9	)	$	175,222
U.S. Agencies	52,835		2,911		—			55,746
States and municipalities	721,065		45,828		(550		)	766,343
Corporate securities	869,484		36,743		(2,562		)	903,665
Residential mortgage-backed securities	259,453		10,064		(1,756		)	267,761
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	64,384		590		(918		)	64,056
Asset-backed securities	54,457		19		(142		)	54,334
Total fixed maturity securities	2,189,306		103,758		(5,937		)	2,287,127
Equity securities	94,187		69,782		(512		)	163,457
Total investments	$	2,283,493	$	173,540	$	(6,449	)	$	2,450,584



At December 31, 2013
Fixed maturity securities
U.S. Treasuries	$	163,951	$	7,073	$	(127	)	$	170,897
U.S. Agencies	64,985		3,137		(4		)	68,118
States and municipalities	698,979		40,595		(4,394		)	735,180
Corporate securities	814,283		28,671		(9,658		)	833,296
Residential mortgage-backed securities	255,187		7,979		(4,735		)	258,431
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	67,066		316		(2,272		)	65,110
Asset-backed securities	51,613		54		(153		)	51,514
Total fixed maturity securities	2,116,064		87,825		(21,343		)	2,182,546
Equity securities	89,689		72,844		(221		)	162,312
Total investments	$	2,205,753	$	160,669	$	(21,564	)	$	2,344,858

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities at June 30, 2014, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.



	Amortized Cost		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	167,886	$	170,133
Due after one year through five years	787,393		827,571
Due after five years through ten years	668,919		702,215
Due after ten years	186,814		201,057
Mortgage and asset-backed securities	378,294		386,151
Total	$	2,189,306	$	2,287,127

The following is a summary of investments that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months and those that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for 12 months or greater as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.



	June 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
	Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Number of Issues	Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Number of Issues
	(dollars in thousands)
Less than 12 months:
Fixed maturity securities
U.S. Treasuries	$	7,924	$	(2	)	2	$	22,242	$	(127	)	7
U.S. Agencies	—		—			—	1,631		(4		)	1
States and municipalities	3,564		(26		)	2	127,965		(4,394		)	34
Corporate securities	12,140		(23		)	4	326,608		(9,536		)	112
Residential mortgage-backed securities	5,570		(17		)	20	129,586		(4,170		)	58
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	93		(1		)	2	35,878		(1,372		)	9
Asset-backed securities	23,102		(56		)	13	25,825		(52		)	13
Total fixed maturity securities	52,393		(125		)	43	669,735		(19,655		)	234
Equity securities	10,434		(502		)	23	6,140		(208		)	17
Total less than 12 months	$	62,827	$	(627	)	66	$	675,875	$	(19,863	)	251

12 months or greater:
Fixed maturity securities
U.S. Treasuries	$	1,394	$	(7	)	1	$	—	$	—		—
States and municipalities	41,983		(524		)	10	—		—			—
Corporate securities	137,395		(2,539		)	47	6,174		(122		)	3
Residential mortgage-backed securities	59,323		(1,739		)	28	5,609		(565		)	11
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	31,006		(917		)	8	9,324		(900		)	3
Asset-backed securities	14,145		(86		)	3	8,938		(101		)	3
Total fixed maturity securities	285,246		(5,812		)	97	30,045		(1,688		)	20
Equity securities	235		(10		)	2	303		(13		)	1
Total 12 months or greater	$	285,481	$	(5,822	)	99	$	30,348	$	(1,701	)	21

Total available-for-sale:
Fixed maturity securities
U.S. Treasuries	$	9,318	$	(9	)	3	$	22,242	$	(127	)	7
U.S. Agencies	—		—			—	1,631		(4		)	1
States and municipalities	45,547		(550		)	12	127,965		(4,394		)	34
Corporate securities	149,535		(2,562		)	51	332,782		(9,658		)	115
Residential mortgage-backed securities	64,893		(1,756		)	48	135,195		(4,735		)	69
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	31,099		(918		)	10	45,202		(2,272		)	12
Asset-backed securities	37,247		(142		)	16	34,763		(153		)	16
Total fixed maturity securities	337,639		(5,937		)	140	699,780		(21,343		)	254
Equity securities	10,669		(512		)	25	6,443		(221		)	18
Total available-for-sale	$	348,308	$	(6,449	)	165	$	706,223	$	(21,564	)	272

Based on reviews of the fixed maturity securities, the Company determined that unrealized losses for the six months ended June 30, 2014 were primarily the result of changes in prevailing interest rates and not the credit quality of the issuers. The fixed maturity securities whose total fair value was less than amortized cost were not determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired given the severity and duration of the impairment, the credit quality of the issuers, the Company’s intent to not sell the securities, and a determination that it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the securities until fair value recovers to above cost, or maturity.

Based on reviews of the equity securities for the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company determined that unrealized losses as of that date were not considered to be other-than-temporary due to the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuers.

Net realized gains on investments and the change in unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturity and equity securities are determined on a specific-identification basis and were as follows:



	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
	(in thousands)
Net realized gains on investments
Fixed maturity securities
Gross gains	$	76		$	1		$	853		$	1
Gross losses	—			—			(1		)	—
Net realized gains on fixed maturity securities	$	76		$	1		$	852		$	1
Equity securities
Gross gains	$	9,091		$	3,933		$	11,576		$	4,977
Gross losses	—			(68		)	(2		)	(318		)
Net realized gains on equity securities	$	9,091		$	3,865		$	11,574		$	4,659
Total	$	9,167		$	3,866		$	12,426		$	4,660

Change in unrealized gains (losses)
Fixed maturity securities	$	18,043		$	(62,851	)	$	31,339		$	(75,082	)
Equity securities	(2,519		)	(687		)	(3,353		)	10,790
Total	$	15,524		$	(63,538	)	$	27,986		$	(64,292	)

Net investment income was as follows:



	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
	(in thousands)
Fixed maturity securities	$	17,860		$	17,280		$	35,501		$	34,526
Equity securities	1,054			947			2,007			1,783
Cash equivalents and restricted cash	14			28			33			63
	18,928			18,255			37,541			36,372
Investment expenses	(643		)	(610		)	(1,243		)	(1,322		)
Net investment income	$	18,285		$	17,645		$	36,298		$	35,050

The Company is required by various state laws and regulations to keep securities or letters of credit in depository accounts with certain states in which it does business. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, securities having a fair value of $783.6 million and $602.4 million, respectively, were on deposit. These laws and regulations govern not only the amount, but also the types of securities that are eligible for deposit. The deposits are limited to fixed maturity securities in all states. Additionally, certain reinsurance contracts require Company funds to be held in trust for the benefit of the ceding reinsurer to secure the outstanding liabilities assumed by the Company. The fair value of fixed maturity securities held in trust for the benefit of ceding reinsurers at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $30.9 million and $32.2 million, respectively. Pursuant to the Amended Credit Facility, a portion of the Company's debt was secured by fixed maturity securities and restricted cash and cash equivalents that had a fair value of $85.7 million and $95.1 million at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

5. Income Taxes

Income tax expense for interim periods is measured using an estimated effective tax rate for the annual period. The following is a reconciliation of the federal statutory income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rates for the periods presented.



	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
	2014		2013
Expense computed at statutory rate	35.0	%	35.0	%
Dividends received deduction and tax-exempt interest	(9.8	)	(19.7	)
LPT deferred gain amortization	(8.0	)	(12.0	)
LPT reserve adjustment	(8.1	)	—
Pre-privatization reserve adjustment, excluding LPT	(3.7	)	—
Other	0.1		1.0
Effective tax rate	5.5	%	4.3	%

6. Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The following table represents a reconciliation of changes in the liability for unpaid losses and LAE.



	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
	2014		2013
	(in thousands)
Unpaid losses and LAE, gross of reinsurance, at beginning of period	$	2,330,491	$	2,231,540
Less reinsurance recoverable, excluding bad debt allowance, on unpaid losses and LAE	743,055		805,386
Net unpaid losses and LAE at beginning of period	1,587,436		1,426,154
Losses and LAE, net of reinsurance, related to:
Current period	252,761		227,926
Prior periods	3,321		1,651
Total net losses and LAE incurred during the period	256,082		229,577
Deduct payments for losses and LAE, net of reinsurance, related to:
Current period	19,705		21,843
Prior periods	168,254		143,776
Total net payments for losses and LAE during the period	187,959		165,619
Ending unpaid losses and LAE, net of reinsurance	1,655,559		1,490,112
Reinsurance recoverable, excluding bad debt allowance, on unpaid losses and LAE	699,200		801,149
Unpaid losses and LAE, gross of reinsurance, at end of period	$	2,354,759	$	2,291,261

Total net losses and LAE included in the above table excludes the impact of the amortization of the deferred reinsurance gain—LPT Agreement (Note 7).

The increase in the estimates of incurred losses and LAE attributable to insured events for prior periods was primarily related to the Company's assigned risk business.

7. LPT Agreement

The Company is party to a 100% quota share retroactive reinsurance agreement (LPT Agreement) under which $1.5 billion in liabilities for losses and LAE related to claims incurred by EICN prior to July 1, 1995 were reinsured for consideration of $775.0 million. The LPT Agreement provides coverage up to $2.0 billion. The initial Deferred Gain resulting from the LPT Agreement was recorded as a liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as Deferred reinsurance gain–LPT Agreement. The Company is also entitled to receive a contingent profit commission under the LPT Agreement. The contingent profit commission is an amount based on the favorable difference between actual paid losses and LAE and expected paid losses and LAE as established in the LPT Agreement. The Company records its estimate of contingent profit commission in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as Contingent commission receivable–LPT Agreement and a corresponding liability is recorded on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets in Deferred reinsurance gain–LPT Agreement. The Deferred Gain is being amortized using the recovery method. Amortization is determined by the proportion of actual reinsurance recoveries to total estimated recoveries over the life of the LPT Agreement, except for the contingent profit commission, which is amortized through June 30, 2024. The amortization is recorded in losses and LAE incurred in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive

income. Any adjustments to the Deferred Gain are recorded in losses and LAE incurred in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

The Company amortized $35.3 million and $8.7 million of the Deferred Gain for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The remaining Deferred Gain was $223.1 million and $249.1 million as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The estimated remaining liabilities subject to the LPT Agreement were $565.2 million and $612.1 million as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Losses and LAE paid with respect to the LPT Agreement totaled $653.8 million and $637.9 million through June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, net

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net, is comprised of unrealized gains on investments classified as available-for-sale, net of deferred tax expense. The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net:



	June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	(in thousands)
Net unrealized gain on investments, before taxes	$	167,091		$	139,105
Deferred tax expense on net unrealized gains	(58,482		)	(48,687		)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income, net	$	108,609		$	90,418

9. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company awarded stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs) and performance share units (PSUs) to certain officers and Directors of the Company as follows:



	Number Awarded	Weighted Average Fair Value on Date of Grant		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Fair Value on Date of Grant
						(in millions)
March 2014
Stock options⁽¹⁾	141,744	$	6.66	$	20.87	$	0.9
RSUs⁽¹⁾	63,878	20.87		—		1.3
PSUs⁽²⁾	125,340	20.87		—		2.6

May 2014
RSUs⁽¹⁾	22,392	21.43		—		0.5

(1)

The stock options and RSUs awarded in March 2014 were awarded to certain officers of the Company and vest 25% on March 11, 2015, and each of the subsequent three anniversaries of that date. The stock options and RSUs are subject to accelerated vesting in certain circumstances, such as: death or disability, or in connection with change of control of the Company. The stock options expire seven years from the date of grant.

The RSUs awarded in May 2014 were awarded to non-employee Directors of the Company and have a service vesting period of one year from the grant date.


(2)	The PSUs awarded in March 2014 were awarded to certain officers of the Company and have a performance period of three years and are subject to certain performance goals, based on the Company's statutory combined ratio, with payouts that range from 0% to 200% of the target awards. The value shown in the table represents the aggregate number of PSUs awarded at the target level.

A total of 109,166 and 411,295 stock options were exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013, respectively.

10. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing income applicable to stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilutive impact of all convertible securities on earnings per share. Diluted earnings per share includes shares assumed issued under the “treasury stock method,” which reflects the potential dilution that would occur if outstanding options were to be exercised. The following table presents the net income and the weighted average number of shares outstanding used in the earnings per common share calculations.



	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
	(in thousands, except share data)
Net income available to stockholders—basic and diluted	$	45,597	$	14,588	$	56,350	$	22,078
Weighted average number of shares outstanding—basic	31,518,473		31,079,713		31,464,198		30,997,552
Effect of dilutive securities:
PSUs	263,925		206,076		237,861		164,081
Stock options	213,496		299,817		232,007		292,341
RSUs	35,060		71,310		96,128		129,083
Dilutive potential shares	512,481		577,203		565,996		585,505
Weighted average number of shares outstanding—diluted	32,030,954		31,656,916		32,030,194		31,583,057

Diluted earnings per share excludes outstanding options and other common stock equivalents in periods where the inclusion of such options and common stock equivalents would be anti-dilutive. The following table presents options and RSUs that were excluded from diluted earnings per share.



	Three Months Ended		Six Months Ended
	June 30,		June 30,
	2014	2013	2014	2013
Options excluded as the exercise price was greater than the average market price	149,100	—	149,100	—
Options and RSUs excluded under the treasury method as the potential proceeds on settlement or exercise price were greater than the value of shares acquired	446,974	162,800	154,044	514,447

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations

You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included in Item 1 of Part I. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company,” or similar terms refer to Employers Holdings, Inc. (EHI), together with its subsidiaries. The information contained in this quarterly report is not a complete description of our business or the risks associated with an investment in our common stock. We urge you to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in this quarterly report and in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (Annual Report).

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements if accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. You should not place undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. Forward-looking statements include those related to our expected financial position, business, financing plans, litigation, future premiums, revenues, earnings, pricing, investments, business relationships, expected losses, loss experience, loss reserves, acquisitions, competition, the impact of changes in interest rates, rate increases with respect to our business, and the insurance industry in general. Statements including words such as “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “may,” “anticipate,” “will,” or similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements.

We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical or anticipated results, depending on a number of factors. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in our Annual Report and other documents that we have filed with the SEC.

Overview

We are a Nevada holding company. Through our insurance subsidiaries, we provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage to select, small businesses in low to medium hazard industries. Workers’ compensation insurance is provided under a statutory system wherein most employers are required to provide coverage for their employees’ medical, disability, vocational rehabilitation, and/or death benefit costs for work-related injuries or illnesses. We provide workers’ compensation insurance in 31 states and the District of Columbia, with a concentration in California, where over one-half of our business is generated. Our revenues are primarily comprised of net premiums earned, net investment income, and net realized gains on investments.

We target small businesses, as we believe that this market is traditionally characterized by fewer competitors, more attractive pricing, and stronger persistency when compared to the U.S. workers’ compensation insurance industry in general. We believe we are able to price our policies at levels that are competitive and profitable over the long-term. Our underwriting approach is to consistently underwrite small business accounts at appropriate and competitive prices without sacrificing long-term profitability and stability for short-term top-line revenue growth.

Our goal is to maintain our focus on disciplined underwriting and to continue to pursue profitable growth opportunities across market cycles; however, we continue to be affected by persistently low investment yields and continuing high levels of unemployment nationally. We believe overall economic conditions will remain uncertain in the near-term.

We market and sell our workers' compensation insurance products through independent local, regional, and national agents and brokers; through our strategic partnerships and alliances, including our principal partners ADP, Inc. and Anthem Blue Cross of California; and through relationships with national, regional, and local trade groups and associations.

Results of Operations

Overall, net income was $45.6 million and $56.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively, compared to $14.6 million and $22.1 million for the corresponding periods of 2013. We recognized underwriting income of $20.7 million and $12.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively, compared to underwriting losses of $5.1 million and $15.3 million for the same periods of 2013. Underwriting income or loss is determined by deducting losses and LAE, commission expense, and underwriting and other operating expenses from net premiums earned. Key factors that affected our financial performance during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, compared to the same periods of 2013, include:


•	Gross premiums written increased 1.9% and 4.0%;


•	Net premiums earned increased 7.9% and 10.4%;


•	Net realized gains on investments increased $5.3 million and $7.8 million;


•	Losses and LAE decreased 12.5% and 0.1%;


•	Underwriting and other operating expenses increased 2.8% and 4.2%; and


•	Income taxes increased $0.7 million and $2.3 million.

Our results of operations were impacted by: (1) favorable development in the estimated reserves ceded under the LPT Agreement that resulted in a $20.1 million cumulative adjustment to the Deferred Gain and reduced our losses and LAE by the same amount during the second quarter of 2014 (LPT Reserve Adjustment); (2) an increase in the contingent commission receivable under the LPT Agreement that resulted in a $7.3 million cumulative adjustment, which reduced our losses and LAE by the same amount (LPT Contingent Commission Adjustment) during the second quarter of 2014; and (3) a reallocation of $12.0 million of reserves from non-taxable periods prior to January 1, 2000, which reduced our effective tax rate by 3.7 percentage points, or $2.2 million, for the six months ended June 30, 2014. Collectively, these items increased net income by $29.6 million during the second quarter of 2014.

A primary measure of our performance is our ability to increase stockholders’ equity, including the impact of the Deferred reinsurance gain–LPT Agreement (Deferred Gain), over the long-term. The following table shows our stockholders' equity including the Deferred Gain, stockholders' equity on a GAAP basis, and number of common shares outstanding.



	June 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
	(in thousands, except share data)
Stockholders' equity including the Deferred Gain⁽¹⁾	$	868,332	$	817,775
GAAP stockholders' equity	$	645,252	$	568,703
Common shares outstanding	31,482,500		31,299,930


(1)	Stockholders' equity including the Deferred Gain is a non-GAAP measure that is defined as total stockholders' equity plus the Deferred Gain, which we believe is an important supplemental measure of our capital position.

The comparative components of net income are set forth in the following table:



	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
	(in thousands)
Gross premiums written	$	193,717	$	190,068	$	379,735	$	365,031
Net premiums written	190,849		186,996		374,099		359,022

Net premiums earned	$	172,659	$	159,953	$	339,813	$	307,928
Net investment income	18,285		17,645		36,298		35,050
Net realized gains on investments	9,167		3,866		12,426		4,660
Other income	171		144		226		247
Total revenues	200,282		181,608		388,763		347,885

Losses and LAE	98,524		112,638		220,780		220,910
Commission expense	20,301		20,127		40,376		38,520
Underwriting and other operating expenses	33,156		32,249		66,457		63,789
Interest expense	753		797		1,531		1,605
Income tax expense	1,951		1,209		3,269		983
Total expenses	154,685		167,020		332,413		325,807
Net income	$	45,597	$	14,588	$	56,350	$	22,078
Less amortization of the Deferred Gain related to losses	$	3,024	$	3,275	$	5,910	$	6,580
Less amortization of the Deferred Gain related to contingent commission	532		406		932		788
Less impact of LPT Reserve Adjustments⁽¹⁾	20,142		—		20,821		—
Less impact of LPT Contingent Commission Adjustments⁽²⁾	7,305		1,024		7,639		1,299
Net income before impact of the LPT Agreement⁽³⁾	$	14,594	$	9,883	$	21,048	$	13,411

(1)

Any adjustment to the estimated reserves ceded under the LPT Agreement results in a cumulative adjustment to the Deferred Gain, which is also included in losses and LAE incurred in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, such that the Deferred Gain reflects the balance that would have existed had the revised reserves been recognized at the inception of the LPT Agreement (LPT Reserve Adjustment).

(2)

Any adjustment to the contingent profit commission under the LPT Agreement results in a cumulative adjustment to the Deferred Gain, which is also recognized in losses and LAE incurred in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, such that the Deferred Gain reflects the balance that would have existed had the revised contingent profit commission been recognized at the inception of the LPT Agreement (LPT Contingent Commission Adjustments).

(3)

We define net income before impact of the LPT Agreement as net income before the impact of: (a) amortization of Deferred Gain; (b) adjustments to LPT Agreement ceded reserves; and (c) adjustments to contingent commission receivable–LPT Agreement. Deferred Gain reflects the unamortized gain from our LPT Agreement. Under GAAP, this gain is deferred and is being amortized using the recovery method. Amortization is determined by the proportion of actual reinsurance recoveries to total estimated recoveries over the life of the LPT Agreement, except for the contingent profit commission, which is amortized through June 30, 2024. The amortization is reflected in losses and LAE. We periodically reevaluate the remaining direct reserves subject to the LPT Agreement and the expected losses and LAE subject to the contingent profit commission under the LPT Agreement. Our reevaluation results in corresponding adjustments, if needed, to reserves, ceded reserves, contingent commission receivable, and the Deferred Gain, with the net effect being an increase or decrease, as the case may be, to net income. Net income before impact of the LPT Agreement is not a measurement of financial performance under GAAP, but rather reflects a difference in accounting treatment between statutory and GAAP, and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net income before income taxes or net income, or any other measure of performance derived in accordance with GAAP.

We present net income before impact of the LPT Agreement because we believe that it is an important supplemental measure of operating performance to be used by analysts, investors, and other interested parties in evaluating us. The LPT Agreement was a non-recurring transaction under which the Deferred Gain does not effect our ongoing operations, and, consequently, we believe this presentation is useful in providing a meaningful understanding of our operating performance. In addition, we believe this non-GAAP measure, as we have defined it, is helpful to our management in identifying trends in our performance because the LPT Agreement has limited significance on our current and ongoing operations.

Net Premiums Earned

Net premiums earned increased 7.9% and 10.4% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, compared to the corresponding periods in 2013. These increases were primarily due to increasing policy count, increasing average policy size, and higher net rate. Sixty percent of our in-force premiums were generated in California and no other state represented a significant concentration of business as of June 30, 2014.

The following table shows the percentage change in our in-force premiums, policy count, average policy size, payroll exposure upon which our premiums are based, and net rate overall and for California:



	As of June 30, 2014
	Year-to-Date Increase (Decrease)				Year-Over-Year Increase
	Overall		California		Overall		California
In-force premiums	2.6	%	3.8	%	7.4	%	9.3	%
In-force policy count	2.3		1.9		3.7		2.7
Average in-force policy size	0.3		1.9		3.6		6.5
In-force payroll exposure	—		(0.5	)	1.6		0.2
Net rate⁽¹⁾	2.6		4.3		5.8		9.1


(1)	Net rate, defined as total in-force premiums divided by total insured payroll exposure, is a function of a variety of factors, including rate changes, underwriting risk profiles and pricing, and changes in business mix related to economic and competitive pressures.

Our in-force premiums and number of policies in-force for California and all other states combined were as follows:



	June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013			June 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
State	In-force Premiums		Policies In-force	In-force Premiums		Policies In-force	In-force Premiums		Policies In-force	In-force Premiums		Policies In-force
	(dollars in thousands)
California	$	381,870	48,950	$	367,813	48,032	$	349,253	47,659	$	317,890	46,829
Other	251,815		37,067	249,611		36,024	240,537		35,273	219,452		32,985
Total	$	633,685	86,017	$	617,424	84,056	$	589,790	82,932	$	537,342	79,814

Our strategic partnerships and alliances generated $148.1 million and $134.8 million, or 23.4% and 22.9%, of our in-force premiums as of June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We believe that the bundling of products and services through these relationships contributes to higher retention rates than business generated by our independent agents. These relationships also allow us to access new customers that we may not have access to through our independent agent distribution channel. We continue to expand our existing relationships and actively seek new partnerships and alliances.

In September 2012, the California legislature passed Senate Bill No. 863 (SB 863), which was subsequently signed into law. SB 863 includes a number of reforms to California's workers' compensation system, including increases to permanent disability benefits offset by reforms that were designed to reduce costs in the system; however, any cost savings associated with SB 863 will be dependent on the implementation of the provisions of the bill and are not included in our current rate filings. At this point, we do not anticipate any cost savings associated with SB 863.

Our net rate (total in-force premiums divided by total insured payroll exposure) increased 4.3% in California during the six months ended June 30, 2014. Pricing in California reflects schedule rating, changes to filed rates, and experience modifiers. We began leveraging territorial multipliers and multiple insurance subsidiaries, each with different rate filings, to provide additional pricing options in California for policies incepting on or after June 1, 2014.

We expect that total premiums in 2014 across our markets will reflect:


•	overall net rate increases;


•	increasing average policy size; and


•	moderate policy count growth.

Net Investment Income and Net Realized Gains on Investments

We invest our holding company assets, statutory surplus, and the funds supporting our insurance liabilities, including unearned premiums and unpaid losses and LAE. We invest in fixed maturity securities, equity securities, and cash equivalents. Net investment income includes interest and dividends earned on our invested assets and amortization of premiums and discounts on our fixed maturity securities, less bank service charges and custodial and portfolio management fees. We have established a high quality/short duration bias in our investment portfolio.

Net investment income increased 3.6% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, compared to the same periods of 2013. This increase was primarily related to an increase in invested assets, partially offset by a decrease in the average pre-tax book yield on invested assets to 3.3% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, compared to 3.4% and 3.5% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013. The tax-equivalent yield on invested assets decreased to 3.9% at June 30, 2014, compared to 4.2% at June 30, 2013.

Realized gains and losses on our investments are reported separately from our net investment income. Realized gains and losses on investments include the gain or loss on a security at the time of sale compared to its original or adjusted cost (equity securities) or amortized cost (fixed maturity securities). Realized losses are also recognized when securities are written down as a result of an other-than-temporary impairment.

Net realized gains on investments were $9.2 million and $12.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively, compared to $3.9 million and $4.7 million for the corresponding periods of 2013. The increase in net realized gains on investments was primarily due to the sale of certain equity securities in our portfolio during the second quarter of 2014.

Additional information regarding our Investments is set forth under “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Investments.”

Combined Ratio

The combined ratio, a key measurement of underwriting profitability, is the sum of the loss and LAE ratio, the commission expense ratio, and underwriting and other operating expenses ratio. When the combined ratio is below 100%, we have recorded underwriting income, and conversely, when the combined ratio is greater than 100%, we have recorded an underwriting loss and cannot be profitable without investment income. Because we only have one operating segment, holding company expenses are included in our calculation of the combined ratio.

The following table provides the calculation of our calendar year combined ratios.



	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Loss and LAE ratio	57.1	%	70.4	%	65.0	%	71.7	%
Underwriting and other operating expenses ratio	19.1		20.2		19.5		20.8
Commission expense ratio	11.8		12.6		11.9		12.5
Combined ratio	88.0	%	103.2	%	96.4	%	105.0	%

Loss and LAE Ratio. This is the ratio of losses and LAE to net premiums earned. Losses and LAE represents our largest expense item and includes claim payments made, amortization of the Deferred Gain, estimates for future claim payments and changes in those estimates for current and prior periods, and costs associated with investigating, defending, and adjusting claims. The quality of our financial reporting depends in large part on accurately predicting our losses and LAE, which are inherently uncertain as they are estimates of the ultimate cost of individual claims based on actuarial estimation techniques.

Our indemnity claims frequency (the number of claims expressed as a percentage of payroll) has decreased year-over-year; however, our loss experience indicates an upward trend in medical and indemnity costs per claim that are reflected in our current accident year loss estimate. Specifically, we experienced increased costs associated with an increase in the number of cumulative trauma claims being filed during the first six months of 2014, compared to same period of 2013. We believe our current accident year loss estimate is adequate; however, ultimate losses will not be known with any certainty for many years. We assume that increasing medical and indemnity cost trends will continue to impact our long-term claims costs and current accident year loss estimate, which may be offset by rate increases.

Our loss and LAE ratio decreased 13.3 and 6.7 percentage points, while our losses and LAE decreased 12.5% and 0.1% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, compared to the same periods of 2013. These decreases were primarily due to the $20.1 million favorable LPT Reserve Adjustment and the $7.3 million favorable LPT Contingent Commission Adjustment that decreased losses and LAE by those amounts in the second quarter of 2014. The decreases in our losses and LAE were partially offset by the impact of higher net premiums earned during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, compared to the same periods of 2013. Our current accident year loss estimates were 74.1% and 74.4% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, compared to 73.0% and 74.0% for the three and six months ended 2013, respectively. The increases in our current accident year loss estimates were primarily the result of anticipated increases in loss costs that exceeded increases in net rate. Prior accident year (unfavorable) loss development was $(1.6) million and $(3.3) million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, compared to $(0.5) million and $(1.7) million the three and six months ended 2013, respectively. Prior accident year loss development in each period was primarily related to our assigned risk business.

Excluding the impact from the LPT Agreement, losses and LAE would have been $129.5 million and $117.3 million, or 75.0% and 73.4% of net premiums earned, for the the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, losses and LAE would have been $256.1 million and $229.6 million, or 75.4% and 74.6% of net premiums earned, respectively.

The table below reflects the losses and LAE reserve adjustments.



	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
	(in thousands)						(in thousands)
Prior accident year (unfavorable) loss development, net	$	(1,570	)	$	(521	)	$	(3,321	)	$	(1,651	)
Amortization of the Deferred Gain related to losses	3,024			3,275			5,910			6,580
Amortization of the Deferred Gain related to contingent commission	532			406			932			788
Impact of LPT Reserve Adjustments	20,142			—			20,821			—
Impact of LPT Contingent Commission Adjustments	7,305			1,024			7,639			1,299

Underwriting and Other Operating Expenses Ratio. The underwriting and other operating expenses ratio is the ratio of underwriting and other operating expenses to net premiums earned and measures an insurance company's operational efficiency in producing, underwriting, and administering its insurance business.

Underwriting and other operating expenses are those costs that we incur to underwrite and maintain the insurance policies we issue, excluding commission. These expenses include premium taxes and certain other general expenses that vary with, and are primarily related to, producing new or renewal business. Other underwriting expenses include policyholder dividends, changes in estimates of future write-offs of premiums receivable, general administrative expenses such as salaries and benefits, rent, office supplies, depreciation, and all other operating expenses not otherwise classified separately. Policy acquisition costs are variable based on premiums earned; however, other operating costs are more fixed in nature and become a smaller percentage of net premiums earned as premiums increase.

Our underwriting and other operating expenses ratio decreased 1.1 and 1.3 percentage points, while our underwriting and other operating expenses increased 2.8% and 4.2% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, compared to the same period of 2013. The lower underwriting and other operating expenses ratios were primarily due to net premiums earned increasing at a faster rate than our expenses. There were no material changes to expenses during the the three months ended June 30, 2014, compared to the same period of 2013. During the six months ended June 30, 2014, our premium taxes and assessments expenses increased $1.1 million and IT related expenses increased $1.0 million, compared to the same period of 2013.

Commission Expense Ratio. The commission expense ratio is the ratio of commission expense to net premiums earned and measures the cost of compensating agents and brokers for the business we have underwritten.

Commission expense includes direct commissions to our agents and brokers for the premiums that they produce for us, as well as incentive payments, other marketing costs, and fees.

Our commission expense ratio decreased 0.8 and 0.6 percentage points, while our commission expense increased 0.9% and 4.8% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, compared to the same periods of 2013. This increase was primarily due to higher net premiums earned.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense was $2.0 million and $3.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively, compared to $1.2 million and $1.0 million for the corresponding periods of 2013. The effective tax rates were 4.1% and 5.5% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively, compared to 7.7% and 4.3% for the same periods of 2013. The increased tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, compared to the same period of 2013, was primarily due to increased projected annual net income before taxes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Parent Company

Operating Cash and Cash Equivalents. We are a holding company and our ability to fund our operations is contingent upon existing capital and the ability of our insurance subsidiaries' to pay dividends up to the holding company. Payment of dividends by our insurance subsidiaries is restricted by state insurance laws and regulations, including laws establishing minimum solvency and liquidity thresholds. We require cash to pay stockholder dividends, repurchase common stock, make interest and principal payments on our outstanding debt obligations, provide additional surplus to our insurance subsidiaries, and fund our operating expenses.

The holding company had $68.8 million of cash and cash equivalents and fixed maturity securities maturing within the next 24 months at June 30, 2014. Principal payments of $10 million and $60 million on our Amended Credit Facility (described below) are payable on December 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively. We believe that the liquidity needs of the holding company over the next 24 months will be met with cash, investments, and dividends from our insurance subsidiaries.

Outstanding Debt. In December 2010, we entered into the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Wells Fargo (Amended Credit Facility) under which we were provided with: (a) $100.0 million line of credit through December 31, 2011; (b) $90.0 million line of credit from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012; (c) $80.0 million line of credit from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013; (d) $70.0 million line of credit from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014; and (e) $60.0 million line of credit from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015. Amounts outstanding bear interest at a rate equal to, at our option: (a) a fluctuating rate of 1.75% above prime rate or (b) a fixed rate that is 1.75% above the LIBOR rate then in effect. The Amended Credit Facility is secured by fixed maturity securities and restricted cash and cash equivalents that had a fair value of $85.7 million and $95.1 million at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The Amended Credit Facility contains customary non-financial covenants and requires us to maintain 5% of the aggregate commitment amount of the line of credit in cash and cash equivalents at all times at the holding company. We are currently in compliance with all applicable covenants.

Our capital structure is comprised of outstanding debt and stockholders’ equity. As of June 30, 2014, our capital structure consisted of $70.0 million principal balance on our Amended Credit Facility, $32.0 million in surplus notes maturing in 2034, and $868.3 million of stockholders’ equity, including the Deferred Gain. Outstanding debt was 10.5% of total capitalization, including the Deferred Gain, as of June 30, 2014.

Operating Subsidiaries

Operating Cash and Cash Equivalents. The primary sources of cash for our insurance operating subsidiaries are funds generated from underwriting operations, investment income, maturities and sales of investments, and capital contributions from the parent holding company. The primary uses of cash are payments of claims and operating expenses, purchases of investments, and payments of dividends to the parent holding company, which are subject to state insurance laws and regulations.

Our insurance subsidiaries had $496.6 million of cash and cash equivalents and fixed maturity securities maturing within the next 24 months at June 30, 2014. We believe that our subsidiaries’ liquidity needs over the next 24 months will be met with cash from operations, investment income, and maturing investments.

We purchase reinsurance to protect us against the costs of severe claims and catastrophic events. On July 1, 2014, we entered into a new reinsurance program that is effective through June 30, 2015. The reinsurance program consists of one treaty covering excess of loss and catastrophic loss events in five layers of coverage. Our reinsurance coverage is $195.0 million in excess of our $5.0

million retention on a per occurrence basis, subject to a $2.0 million annual aggregate deductible and certain exclusions. We believe that our reinsurance program meets our needs and that we are sufficiently capitalized.

Various state laws and regulations require us to hold securities or letters of credit on deposit with certain states in which we do business. Securities having a fair value of $783.6 million and $602.4 million were on deposit at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. These laws and regulations govern both the amount and types of fixed maturity securities that are eligible for deposit. Additionally, certain reinsurance contracts require Company funds to be held in trust for the benefit of the ceding reinsurer to secure the outstanding liabilities we assumed. The fair value of fixed maturity securities held in trust for the benefit of ceding reinsurers was $30.9 million and $32.2 million at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Cash Flows

We monitor cash flows at both the consolidated and subsidiary levels. We use trend and variance analyses to project future cash needs, making adjustments to our forecasts as appropriate.

The table below shows our net cash flows for the six months ended:



	June 30,
	2014			2013
	(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	78,111		$	85,192
Investing activities	(74,420		)	(127,006		)
Financing activities	(1,238		)	(1,787		)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	$	2,453		$	(43,601	)

Operating Activities. Major components of net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2014 included net premiums received of $332.5 million, and investment income received of $41.1 million. These were partially offset by claims payments of $189.0 million (net of $16.4 million recovered from reinsurers), underwriting and other operating expenses paid of $68.1 million (including premium taxes paid of $15.2 million), and commissions paid of $36.9 million.

Major components of net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2013 included net premiums received of $297.4 million, and investment income received of $38.9 million. These were partially offset by claims payments of $163.8 million (net of $17.9 million recovered from reinsurers), underwriting and other operating expenses paid of $47.3 million (including premium taxes paid of $12.7 million), and commissions paid of $36.2 million.

Investing Activities. The major components of net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 were the purchases of fixed maturity and equity securities, partially offset by proceeds from maturities and redemptions of investments.

Financing Activities. The majority of cash used in financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was related to dividends paid to stockholders, partially offset by cash received related to the exercise of stock options.

Investments

The cost or amortized cost of our investment portfolio was $2.3 billion and the fair value was $2.5 billion as of June 30, 2014.

We employ an investment strategy that emphasizes asset quality and considers the durations of fixed maturity securities against anticipated claim payments and expenditures, other liabilities, and capital needs. Our investment portfolio is structured so that investments mature periodically in reasonable relation to current expectations of future claim payments. Currently, we make claim payments from positive cash flow from operations and use excess cash to invest in operations, invest in marketable securities, return capital to our stockholders, and fund growth.

As of June 30, 2014, our investment portfolio, which is classified as available-for-sale, consisted of 93.3% fixed maturity securities whose fair values may fluctuate due to interest rate changes. We strive to limit interest rate risk by managing the duration of our fixed maturity securities. Our fixed maturity securities (excluding cash and cash equivalents) had a duration of 4.2 at June 30, 2014. To minimize interest rate risk, our portfolio is weighted toward short-term and intermediate-term bonds; however, our investment strategy balances consideration of duration, yield, and credit risk. Our investment guidelines require that the minimum weighted average quality of our fixed maturity securities portfolio be "AA-." Our fixed maturity securities portfolio had a weighted average quality of "AA" as of June 30, 2014, with 57.9% of the portfolio rated "AA" or better, based on market value.

We carry our portfolio of equity securities on our balance sheet at fair value. We minimize our exposure to equity price risk by investing primarily in the equity securities of mid-to-large capitalization issuers and by diversifying our equity holdings across several industry sectors. Equity securities represented 6.7% of our investment portfolio at June 30, 2014.

Given current economic uncertainty and continuing market volatility, we believe that our current asset allocation best meets our strategy to preserve capital for policyholders, to provide sufficient income to support insurance operations, and to effectively grow book value over a long-term investment horizon.

The following table shows the estimated fair value, the percentage of the fair value to total invested assets, the average book yield, and the average tax equivalent yield based on the fair value of each category of invested assets as of June 30, 2014.



Category	Estimated Fair Value		Percentage of Total		Book Yield		Tax Equivalent Yield
	(in thousands, except percentages)
U.S. Treasuries	$	175,222	7.2	%	1.8	%	1.8	%
U.S. Agencies	55,746		2.3		2.8		2.8
States and municipalities	766,343		31.3		3.7		5.4
Corporate securities	903,665		36.8		3.3		3.3
Residential mortgage-backed securities	267,761		10.9		3.6		3.6
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	64,056		2.6		2.5		2.5
Asset-backed securities	54,334		2.2		0.8		0.8
Equity securities	163,457		6.7		4.2		5.5
Total	$	2,450,584	100.0	%
Weighted average yield					3.3	%	3.9	%

The following table shows the percentage of total estimated fair value of our fixed maturity securities as of June 30, 2014 by credit rating category, using the lower of ratings assigned by Moody's Investor Services and/or Standard & Poor's.



Rating	Percentage of Total Estimated Fair Value
“AAA”	9.9	%
“AA”	48.0
“A”	30.5
“BBB”	11.4
Below investment grade	0.2
Total	100.0	%

Investments that we currently own could be subject to default by the issuer or could suffer declines in fair value that become other-than-temporary. We regularly assess individual securities as part of our ongoing portfolio management, including the identification of other-than-temporary declines in fair value. Our other-than-temporary assessment includes reviewing the extent and duration of declines in the fair value of investments below amortized cost, historical and projected financial performance and near-term prospects of the issuer, the outlook for industry sectors, credit rating, and macro-economic changes. We also make a determination as to whether it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before its fair value recovers above cost, or maturity.

Based on our reviews of fixed maturity and equity securities, we believe that we appropriately identified the declines in the fair values of our unrealized losses for the six months ended June 30, 2014. We determined that the unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities were primarily the result of prevailing interest rates and not the credit quality of the issuers. The fixed maturity securities whose fair value was less than amortized cost were not determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired given the severity and duration of the impairment, the credit quality of the issuers, the Company’s intent to not sell the securities, and a determination that it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the securities until fair value recovers to above cost, or maturity.

Based on reviews of the equity securities for the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company determined that the unrealized losses as of that date were not considered to be other-than-temporary due to the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuers.

The cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses, and estimated fair value of our investments were as follows:



	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
At June 30, 2014	(in thousands)
Fixed maturity securities
U.S. Treasuries	$	167,628	$	7,603	$	(9	)	$	175,222
U.S. Agencies	52,835		2,911		—			55,746
States and municipalities	721,065		45,828		(550		)	766,343
Corporate securities	869,484		36,743		(2,562		)	903,665
Residential mortgaged-backed securities	259,453		10,064		(1,756		)	267,761
Commercial mortgaged-backed securities	64,384		590		(918		)	64,056
Asset-backed securities	54,457		19		(142		)	54,334
Total fixed maturity securities	2,189,306		103,758		(5,937		)	2,287,127
Equity securities	94,187		69,782		(512		)	163,457
Total investments	$	2,283,493	$	173,540	$	(6,449	)	$	2,450,584

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following table identifies our long-term debt and contractual obligations as of June 30, 2014:



	Payment Due By Period
	Total		Less Than 1-Year		1-3 Years		4-5 Years		More Than 5 Years
	(in thousands)
Operating leases	$	13,272	$	5,356	$	7,862	$	54	$	—
Purchase liabilities	518,130		250,291		267,839		—		—
Notes payable⁽¹⁾	131,674		12,326		63,247		2,825		53,276
Capital leases	2,133		998		790		345		—
Losses and LAE reserves ⁽²⁾⁽³⁾	2,354,759		338,105		423,031		260,800		1,332,823
Total contractual obligations	$	3,019,968	$	607,076	$	762,769	$	264,024	$	1,386,099


(1)	Notes payable obligations reflect payments for the principal and estimated interest expense based on LIBOR rates plus a margin. The estimated interest expense was based on the contractual obligations of the debt outstanding as of June 30, 2014. The interest rates range from 1.4% to 4.5%.

(2)

Estimated losses and LAE reserve payment patterns have been computed based on historical information. Our calculation of loss and LAE reserve payments by period is subject to the same uncertainties associated with determining the level of reserves and to the additional uncertainties arising from the difficulty of predicting when claims (including claims that have not yet been reported to us) will be paid. Actual payments of losses and LAE by period will vary, perhaps materially, from the above table to the extent that current estimates of losses and LAE reserves vary from actual ultimate claims amounts due to variations between expected and actual payout patterns.


(3)	The losses and LAE reserves are presented gross of reinsurance recoverables for unpaid losses, which are as follows for each of the periods presented above:



	Recoveries By Period
	Total			Less Than 1-Year			1-3 Years			4-5 Years			More Than 5 Years
	(in thousands)
Reinsurance recoverables for unpaid losses	$	(699,200	)	$	(35,362	)	$	(67,359	)	$	(63,078	)	$	(533,401	)

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies

These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include amounts based on the use of estimates and judgments of management for those transactions that are not yet complete. We believe that the estimates and judgments that were most critical to the preparation of the consolidated financial statements involved the following: (a) reserves for losses and LAE; (b) reinsurance

recoverables; (c) recognition of premium income; (d) deferred income taxes; (e) valuation of investments; and (f) goodwill and intangible asset impairment. These estimates and judgments require the use of assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain and therefore are subject to change as facts and circumstances develop. Our accounting policies are discussed under "Critical Accounting Policies" in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk is the risk of potential economic loss principally arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments. The major components of market risk affecting us are credit risk, interest rate risk, and equity price risk, and are described in detail in our Annual Report. We have not experienced any material changes in market risk since December 31, 2013.

The primary market risk exposure to our investment portfolio, which consists primarily of fixed maturity securities, is interest rate risk. We have the ability to hold fixed maturity securities to maturity and we strive to limit interest rate risk by managing duration. As of June 30, 2014, our fixed maturity securities portfolio had a duration of 4.2. We continually monitor the impact of interest rate changes on our investment portfolio and liquidity obligations. Changes to our market risk, if any, since December 31, 2013 are reflected in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the financial statements contained in this Form 10-Q.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

From time-to-time, the Company is involved in pending and threatened litigation in the normal course of business in which claims for monetary damages are asserted. In the opinion of management, the ultimate liability, if any, arising from such pending or threatened litigation is not expected to have a material effect on our results of operations, liquidity, or financial position.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

We have disclosed in our Annual Report the most significant risk factors that can impact year-to-year comparisons and that may affect the future performance of the Company’s business. On a quarterly basis, we review these disclosures and update the risk factors, as appropriate. As of the date of this report, there have been no material changes to the risk factors contained in our Annual Report.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

Item 6. Exhibits



			Incorporated by Reference Herein
Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibit	Included Herewith	Form	Exhibit	Filing Date
31.1	Certification of Douglas D. Dirks Pursuant to Section 302	X
31.2	Certification of William E. Yocke Pursuant to Section 302	X
32.1	Certification of Douglas D. Dirks Pursuant to Section 906	X
32.2	Certification of William E. Yocke Pursuant to Section 906	X
*101.INS	XBRL Instance Document	X
*101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document	X
*101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document	X
*101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document	X
*101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document	X
*101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document	X

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

EMPLOYERS HOLDINGS, INC.



Date:	July 31, 2014	/s/ Douglas D. Dirks
		Douglas D. Dirks
		President and Chief Executive Officer
		Employers Holdings, Inc.



Date:	July 31, 2014	/s/ William E. Yocke
		William E. Yocke
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
		Employers Holdings, Inc.
		(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)