++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+The information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus +
+is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to +
+these securities has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange +
+Commission. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are +
+not an offer to sell these securities and are not soliciting offers to buy +
+these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FILED PURSUANT TO
RULE 424 (B) (5)
REGISTRATION NO: 333-83411
333-83411-02
Subject to Completion
Preliminary Prospectus Supplement dated December 7, 2001
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To prospectus dated November 30, 1999)
1,000,000 Trust Preferred Securities
Torchmark Capital Trust II
7 3/4% TRUST ORIGINATED PREFERRED SECURITIESSM (TOPrSSM)
(LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $25 PER PREFERRED SECURITY)
Guaranteed To The Extent Described In This Prospectus Supplement And The
Accompanying Prospectus, By
TORCHMARK CORPORATION [LOGO]
-----------
The Trust:
Torchmark Capital Trust II is a Delaware business trust that will:
. sell trust preferred securities to the public;
. sell common securities to Torchmark Corporation;
. use the proceeds from these sales to buy an equal principal amount of 7 3/4%
junior subordinated debentures due 2041 of Torchmark Corporation; and
. distribute the cash payments it receives from Torchmark Corporation on the
junior subordinated debentures to the holders of the trust preferred
securities and the common securities.
Quarterly Distributions:
. For each trust preferred security that you own, you will receive cumulative
cash distributions, accumulating from , 2001 at an annual rate of 7 3/4%
of the liquidation amount of $25 per trust preferred security, on , ,
and of each year beginning , 2002.
. Torchmark Corporation may defer interest payments on the junior subordinated
debentures on one or more occasions, for up to 20 consecutive quarters. If
Torchmark Corporation does defer interest payment on the junior subordinated
debentures, Torchmark Capital Trust II will also defer payment of
distributions on the trust preferred securities. However, deferred
distributions will themselves accumulate interest at an annual rate of 7
3/4%, to the extent permitted by law.
Optional Redemption:
Torchmark Capital Trust II may redeem some or all of the trust preferred
securities on or after , 2006, or all of the trust preferred securities at
any time upon the occurrence of a special event as discussed herein at a
redemption price equal to $25 per trust preferred security plus accumulated
distributions, if any.
Torchmark Corporation:
Torchmark Corporation will guarantee the payment by Torchmark Capital Trust
II of amounts due on the trust preferred securities as discussed in this
prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus.
Torchmark Capital Trust II has applied for the listing of the trust preferred
securities on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "TMK PrS".
Trading of the trust preferred securities on the New York Stock Exchange is
expected to begin within 30 days after they are first issued.
Investing in the trust preferred securities involves certain risks that are
described in the "Risk Factors" section beginning on page S-6 of this
prospectus supplement.
-----------
Per TOPrS Total
--------- -----
Public offering price(1).............................. $25.00 $25,000,000
Underwriting commission to be paid by Torchmark
Corporation.......................................... $ $
Proceeds, before expenses, to Torchmark Capital Trust
II................................................... $25.00 $25,000,000
(1) Plus accumulated distributions from , 2001, if settlement occurs
after that date
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined
whether this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful
or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The trust preferred securities will be ready for delivery in book-entry form
only through The Depository Trust Company on or about , 2001.
-----------
Merrill Lynch & Co.
-----------
The date of this prospectus supplement is , 2001.
SM"Trust Originated Preferred Securities" and "TOPrS" are service marks of
Merrill Lynch & Co.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Supplement
Page
----
Prospectus Supplement Summary............................................. S-1
Risk Factors.............................................................. S-6
Forward-Looking Statements................................................ S-9
Torchmark Capital Trust II................................................ S-9
Use of Proceeds........................................................... S-9
Capitalization............................................................ S-10
Ratio of Earnings from Continuing Operations to Combined Fixed Charges and
Preferred Stock Dividends................................................ S-10
Selected Consolidated Financial Information............................... S-11
Recent Developments....................................................... S-12
Accounting Treatment...................................................... S-13
Description of the Trust Preferred Securities............................. S-13
Description of the Junior Subordinated Debentures......................... S-21
Description of the Guarantee.............................................. S-27
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences............................. S-29
ERISA Considerations...................................................... S-33
Underwriting.............................................................. S-35
Legal Matters............................................................. S-36
Experts................................................................... S-37
Prospectus
Risk Factors.............................................................. 3
Forward-Looking Statements................................................ 6
Torchmark Corporation..................................................... 7
The Trusts................................................................ 7
Use of Proceeds........................................................... 8
Ratio of Earnings from Continuing Operations to Combined Fixed Charges and
Preferred Stock Dividends................................................ 8
Description of Securities................................................. 9
Description of Capital Stock.............................................. 9
Description of Depositary Shares.......................................... 12
Description of the Trust Preferred Securities............................. 15
Description of Debt Securities............................................ 21
Description of the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantees.................. 29
Relationship Among the Trust Preferred Securities, the Trust Preferred
Securities Guarantee and the Debt Securities Held by Each Trust.......... 31
Plan of Distribution...................................................... 32
Legal Opinions............................................................ 32
Experts................................................................... 33
Where You Can Find More Information....................................... 33
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY
You should read the information contained in this prospectus supplement
concerning Torchmark Corporation, Torchmark Capital Trust II, or "Capital Trust
II," the 7 3/4% trust preferred securities to be issued by Capital Trust II,
the guarantee of the trust preferred securities to be issued by us and the 7
3/4% junior subordinated debentures to be issued by us, with the information
contained in the accompanying prospectus. All references to "The First National
Bank of Chicago" and "Bank One Delaware, Inc." in the accompanying prospectus
shall be deemed to refer to "The Bank of New York" and "The Bank of New York
(Delaware)", respectively.
Torchmark Corporation
Torchmark is an insurance holding company that provides individual life
and supplemental health insurance and related products. Torchmark was
incorporated in Delaware on November 19, 1979. It is the ultimate parent
company of Liberty National Life Insurance Company, Globe Life And Accident
Insurance Company, United American Insurance Company, United Investors Life
Insurance Company, and American Income Life Insurance Company.
Our principal executive offices are located at 2001 Third Avenue South,
Birmingham, Alabama, 35233, and our telephone number is (205) 325-4200.
Recent Developments
Issuance of 7 3/4% Trust Preferred Securities
During November, 2001, we sold to the public through our subsidiary,
Torchmark Capital Trust I, 7 3/4% trust preferred securities (the "Capital
Trust I Preferred Securities") with an aggregate liquidation amount of
$125,000,000. We used the net proceeds from the sale of the Capital Trust I
Preferred Securities to repurchase shares of our outstanding 9.18% Monthly
Income Preferred Securities, Series A (the "MIPS"), and for general corporate
purposes.
Implications of the September 11, 2001 Disaster
Information received to date regarding the effect on us of the September
11th attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon indicates that none of
our insurance subsidiaries expects unusual numbers of life or health insurance
claims. We do not write property and casualty or disability insurance, and have
no real estate investments affected by the attacks.
Torchmark Capital Trust II
Capital Trust II is a Delaware business trust. Capital Trust II will
exist solely to:
. issue and sell its common securities to us;
. issue and sell its trust preferred securities to the public;
. use the proceeds from the sale of its common securities and trust
preferred securities to purchase the junior subordinated debentures
from us;
. distribute cash payments it receives from us on the junior
subordinated debentures to the holders of the trust preferred
securities and the common securities; and
. engage in other activities that are necessary or incidental to these
purposes.
S-1
Five trustees will manage Capital Trust II. Three of our officers will
act as regular trustees of Capital Trust II The Bank of New York will act as
the property trustee of Capital Trust II, and The Bank of New York (Delaware)
will act as the Delaware trustee of Capital Trust II. The principal offices and
telephone number of Capital Trust II are the same as ours.
The Offering
Capital Trust II is offering its trust preferred securities for $25 for
each security. Capital Trust II will use all of the proceeds from the sale of
its trust preferred securities and its common securities to purchase our junior
subordinated debentures. Our junior subordinated debentures will be Capital
Trust II's only assets. We will guarantee the obligations of Capital Trust II
under the trust preferred securities and the common securities under a
guarantee, a trust declaration, and an indenture.
The Trust Preferred Securities
If you purchase trust preferred securities, you will be entitled to
receive cumulative cash distributions at an annual rate of 7 3/4% of the
liquidation amount of $25 per trust preferred security. The liquidation amount
is the amount that you are entitled to receive if Capital Trust II is dissolved
and its assets are distributed to the holders of its securities. You are
entitled to receive the amount from the assets of Capital Trust II available
for distribution, after it has paid liabilities owed to its creditors, if any.
Accordingly, you may not receive the full amount if Capital Trust II does not
have enough funds.
Distributions will accumulate from the date Capital Trust II issues its
trust preferred securities. Capital Trust II will pay the distributions
quarterly in arrears on , , and of each year, beginning ,
2002, unless they are deferred. These distributions may be deferred for up to
20 consecutive quarters as described below under "--Deferral of Distributions."
Capital Trust II will only pay distributions when it has funds available for
payment.
If you purchase the trust preferred securities, you will have limited
voting rights. You will be entitled to vote only on two matters: certain
modifications to the terms of the trust preferred securities and the exercise
of Capital Trust II's rights as holder of our junior subordinated debentures.
The Common Securities
We will acquire all of the common securities of Capital Trust II. The
common securities will have an aggregate liquidation amount of approximately 3%
of the total capital of Capital Trust II. The common securities will generally
rank equal to the trust preferred securities in priority of payment. In the
case of distributions, redemptions and liquidations following defaults,
however, the common securities will rank junior to the trust preferred
securities. Normally, the common securities will have sole voting power on
matters to be voted upon by Capital Trust II's security holders.
The Junior Subordinated Debentures
Capital Trust II will purchase the junior subordinated debentures from us
with the proceeds from the sale of its trust preferred securities and its
common securities. We will issue the junior subordinated debentures under an
indenture between us and The Bank of New York, as trustee. The junior
subordinated debentures will:
. be unsecured and junior to all of our senior indebtedness, including
debt we incur after the date you purchase the trust preferred
securities;
. have an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation
amount of the trust preferred securities plus the capital contributed
by us for the common securities;
. bear interest at an annual rate of 7 3/4%; and
. mature on , 2041, although they may be redeemed earlier.
S-2
Guarantee of the Trust Preferred Securities
We will fully and unconditionally guarantee the payments of all amounts
due on the trust preferred securities to the extent Capital Trust II has funds
available for payment of such distributions.
The guarantee requires us to pay accrued and unpaid distributions on the
trust preferred securities on behalf of Capital Trust II only in an amount
equal to the sum of the payments of interest or principal we have made on the
junior subordinated debentures. It does not, however, require us to make
payments on behalf of Capital Trust II if Capital Trust II does not have
sufficient funds to make payments on the trust preferred securities because we
have not made payments on the junior subordinated debentures. With the
exception of our obligations under similar guarantees, our obligations under
the guarantee are subordinate to all of our other obligations.
Ranking
Capital Trust II's trust preferred securities will generally rank equal
to its common securities in priority of payment. Capital Trust II will make
payments on the trust preferred securities and the common securities based on a
proportionate allocation, except after an event of default. For a more detailed
explanation, see "Description of the Trust Preferred Securities--Subordination
of Common Securities" in this prospectus supplement.
Our junior subordinated debentures will be unsecured and will rank
subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of our current and future
senior indebtedness. The junior subordinated debentures will rank equal to any
other junior subordinated debentures that we may issue.
Our guarantee will rank equal to any other guarantees that we may issue
on trust preferred securities issued by trusts similar to Capital Trust II. The
guarantee will be unsecured and will rank junior in right of payment to all of
our other liabilities. The junior subordinated debentures and the guarantee
will be effectively junior to all existing and future liabilities of our
subsidiaries and affiliates.
Deferral of Distributions
We can defer interest payments on the junior subordinated debentures
during any period of up to 20 consecutive quarters, but not beyond the maturity
date, unless we are in default in the payment of interest on the junior
subordinated debentures. After we make all interest payments that we have
deferred, including accrued interest on the deferred payments, we can again
defer interest payments during new periods of up to 20 consecutive quarters as
long we adhere to the same requirements.
If we defer interest payments on the junior subordinated debentures,
Capital Trust II will defer distributions on the trust preferred securities.
During any deferral period, distributions will continue to accumulate on the
trust preferred securities at an annual rate of 7 3/4% of the liquidation
amount of $25 per trust preferred security. Also, the deferred distributions
will accrue interest, as permitted by applicable law, at an annual rate of
7 3/4%.
During any period in which we defer interest payments on the junior
subordinated debentures, we will generally not be permitted to:
. pay dividends or make any other distributions on our capital stock;
. redeem, purchase or make liquidation payments on any of our capital
stock; or
. make an interest, principal or premium payment, or repurchase or
redeem, any of our debt securities that rank equal with or junior to
the junior subordinated debentures or the guarantee, including any
other similar junior subordinated debentures and guarantees issued by
us.
S-3
If we defer payments of interest on the junior subordinated debentures,
the trust preferred securities would at that time be treated as being issued
with original issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes.
This means that you would be required to include accrued interest in your
income for United States federal income tax purposes before you receive any
cash distributions. Please see "United States Federal Income Tax Consequences"
in this prospectus supplement for a more complete discussion.
Redemption of Trust Preferred Securities
Capital Trust II will redeem all of the outstanding trust preferred
securities when we pay the junior subordinated debentures at maturity on ,
2041. In addition, if we redeem any junior subordinated debentures before their
maturity, Capital Trust II will use the cash it receives from our redemption to
redeem an equal amount of the trust preferred securities and common securities.
Generally, the aggregate liquidation amount of trust preferred and common
securities to be redeemed will be allocated approximately 97% to the trust
preferred securities and approximately 3% to the common securities.
We can redeem the junior subordinated debentures before their maturity at
100% of their principal amount:
. in whole or in part on one or more occasions any time on or after ,
2006; and
. in whole before , 2006, if adverse changes in tax or investment
company law occur (see "Description of the Trust Preferred
Securities--Redemption" in this prospectus supplement).
In either case, we will pay accrued interest or distribution, as the case
may be, to the date of redemption.
Distribution of the Junior Subordinated Debentures
We have the right to dissolve Capital Trust II at any time. If we decide
to exercise our right to dissolve Capital Trust II, Capital Trust II will
redeem the trust preferred securities by distributing approximately 97% of the
junior subordinated debentures to holders of the trust preferred securities and
approximately 3% to the holders of the common securities after it has paid
liabilities owed to its creditors, if any. If the junior subordinated
debentures are distributed, we will use all our reasonable best efforts to list
the junior subordinated debentures on the New York Stock Exchange or any other
exchange on which the trust preferred securities are then listed.
Conditional Right to Shorten Maturity
If adverse changes in tax law occur, we will have the right, prior to the
dissolution of Capital Trust II, to shorten the maturity of the junior
subordinated debentures. We may only shorten the maturity enough so that the
interest paid on the junior subordinated debentures will continue to be tax
deductible. The shortened term of the junior subordinated debentures may not be
less than 15 years from the date of their original issuance.
Use of Proceeds
Capital Trust II will invest all of the proceeds from the sale of the
trust preferred securities in the junior subordinated debentures. We intend to
use the net proceeds from the sale of the junior subordinated debentures for
general corporate purposes, including working capital, possible repurchases of
our outstanding securities, repayment of bank debt and other business
opportunities.
S-4
Listing of the Trust Preferred Securities
We have applied for the listing of the trust preferred securities with
the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "TMK PrS". You should be
aware that, if approved for listing by the New York Stock Exchange, the listing
of the trust preferred securities will not necessarily ensure that a liquid
trading market will be available for the trust preferred securities. Trading of
the trust preferred securities on the New York Stock Exchange is expected to
begin within 30 days after they are first issued.
Risk Factors
Your investment in the trust preferred securities will involve risks. You
should carefully consider the discussion of risks in "Risk Factors" in this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and the other
information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus,
before deciding whether an investment in the trust preferred securities is
suitable for you.
Form of Trust Preferred Securities
The trust preferred securities will be represented by one or more global
securities that will be deposited with and registered in the name of The
Depository Trust Company or its nominee. This means that you will not receive a
certificate for your trust preferred securities. Rather, your broker will
maintain your position in the trust preferred securities.
Sale of Trust Preferred Securities to Pension Plans
In connection with this offering, we have requested that the underwriter
allocate an aggregate of $10,000,000 aggregate liquidation amount of the trust
preferred securities to Torchmark Corporation Pension Plan, Liberty National
Life Insurance Company Pension Plan and Liberty National Life Insurance Company
Pension Plan for Non-Commissioned Employees (collectively, the "Pension
Plans"). The Pension Plans are sponsored by Torchmark or its subsidiary,
Liberty National Life Insurance Company. The trust preferred securities
allocated to the Pension Plans will be sold on the same basis as the other
trust preferred securities sold in this offering.
S-5
RISK FACTORS
An investment in the trust preferred securities involves a number of
risks. You should carefully consider the following information, together with
the other information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying
prospectus and the documents that are incorporated by reference in the
prospectus, about risks concerning the trust preferred securities, before
buying any trust preferred securities.
Because Capital Trust II will rely on the payments it receives on the
junior subordinated debentures to fund all payments on the trust preferred
securities, and because Capital Trust II may distribute the junior subordinated
debentures in exchange for the trust preferred securities, you are making an
investment decision with regard to the junior subordinated debentures as well
as the trust preferred securities. You should carefully review the information
in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus about both of
these securities and the guarantee.
Holders of Our Senior Indebtedness Will Get Paid Before You Will Get Paid Under
the Guarantee or the Junior Subordinated Debentures
Our obligations under the guarantee are unsecured and rank:
. junior in right of payment to all of our other liabilities, unless
the guarantee is expressly made equal to such liabilities, and
. equal to our most senior preferred or preference stock.
Our obligations under the junior subordinated debentures are unsecured
and rank junior in right of payment to all of our senior indebtedness and equal
to our other junior debt securities. Substantially all of our existing
indebtedness constitutes senior indebtedness. The junior subordinated
debentures also will be effectively junior to all obligations of our
subsidiaries.
The trust preferred securities, the junior subordinated debentures and
the guarantee do not limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness,
including indebtedness that ranks senior to the junior subordinated debentures
and the guarantee. See "Description of the Junior Subordinated Debentures--
Subordination" and "Description of the Guarantee" in this prospectus
supplement.
If We Do Not Make Payments on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, Capital Trust
II Will Not Be Able to Pay Distributions and Other Payments on the Trust
Preferred Securities and the Guarantee Will Not Apply
The ability of Capital Trust II to timely pay amounts due on the trust
preferred securities depends solely upon our making the related payments on the
junior subordinated debentures when due. If we default on our obligation to pay
principal of or interest on the junior subordinated debentures, Capital Trust
II will not have sufficient funds to pay distributions on, or the $25
liquidation amount of, the trust preferred securities.
In that case, you will not be able to rely upon the guarantee for payment
because the guarantee only applies if we make a payment of principal or
interest on the junior subordinated debentures. Instead, you or the property
trustee will have to sue us to enforce the property trustee's rights under the
indenture relating to the junior subordinated debentures.
You May Not Be Able to Enforce Your Rights Against Us Directly If an Event of
Default Occurs; You May Have to Rely on the Property Trustee to Enforce Your
Rights
You are not always able to directly enforce rights against us if an event
of default occurs.
If an event of default under the junior subordinated debentures occurs
and is continuing, that event will also be an event of default under the trust
preferred securities. In that case, you would rely on the property trustee, as
the holder of the junior subordinated debentures, to enforce its rights against
us.
S-6
You may only sue us directly in the following circumstances:
. If the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the trust
preferred securities direct the property trustee to enforce its
rights under the indenture but it does not enforce its rights as
directed, you may sue us directly to enforce the property trustee's
rights.
. If an event of default under the trust declaration occurs because of
our failure to pay interest or principal on the junior subordinated
debentures, you may sue us directly.
See "Description of the Trust Preferred Securities --Voting Rights" and
"Description of the Junior Subordinated Debentures--Junior Indenture Events of
Default" in this prospectus supplement.
Distributions on the Trust Preferred Securities Could Be Deferred; You May Have
to Include Interest in Your Taxable Income Before You Receive Cash
It is possible that you will not receive cash distributions for one or
more periods of up to 20 consecutive quarters each. If this occurs, you will
have to include accrued interest in your income for United States federal
income tax purposes before you actually receive corresponding cash
distributions.
As long as we are not in default on the payment of interest on the junior
subordinated debentures, we can defer interest payments on the junior
subordinated debentures one or more times for up to 20 consecutive quarters,
but not beyond the maturity date of the junior subordinated debentures. During
a deferral period, Capital Trust II would defer distributions on the trust
preferred securities in a corresponding amount.
If we defer interest payments and Capital Trust II defers distributions
on the trust preferred securities, you will have to accrue interest income for
United States federal income tax purposes on your proportionate share of the
deferred interest on the junior subordinated debentures. As a result, beginning
at the time of the deferral you would have to include that accrued interest in
your gross income for United States federal income tax purposes before you
actually received any cash attributable to that income. In addition, you would
not receive the cash related to that income from Capital Trust II if you
disposed of your trust preferred securities before the record date for any
deferred distribution, even if you held the trust preferred securities on the
date that the payments would normally have been made.
Although we have no current intention of exercising our right to defer
payments of interest, such a deferral may adversely affect the market price of
the trust preferred securities and you may not receive the same return on
investment as someone who continues to hold the trust preferred securities.
See "Description of the Trust Preferred Securities--Distributions",
"Description of the Junior Subordinated Debentures--Option to Extend Interest
Payment Period", "United States Federal Income Tax Consequences--Potential
Extension of Interest Payment Period and Original Issue Discount" and "--Sale
of Trust Preferred Securities" in this prospectus supplement for more
information regarding the interest payment deferral option.
The Trust Preferred Securities May Be Redeemed Prior to Maturity; You Would Be
Taxed on the Proceeds and You May Not Be Able to Reinvest the Proceeds at the
Same or a Higher Rate of Return
If an adverse change in tax or investment company law discussed in
"Description of the Trust Preferred Securities--Redemption" in this prospectus
supplement occurs and is continuing, we may be able to redeem the junior
subordinated debentures in whole, but not in part, within 90 days following the
occurrence of the event. We may also redeem the trust preferred securities in
whole or in part on one or more occasions at our option on or after , 2006.
If the junior subordinated debentures are redeemed, the trust preferred
securities will be redeemed at a redemption price equal to the $25 liquidation
amount, plus accumulated and unpaid distributions to the redemption date. Under
current United States federal income tax law, the redemption of the trust
preferred securities would be a taxable event to you.
In addition, you may not be able to reinvest the money you receive in the
redemption at a rate that is equal to or higher than the rate of return you
received on the trust preferred securities.
S-7
See "Description of the Trust Preferred Securities--Redemption" and
"United States Federal Income Tax Consequences--Sale of Trust Preferred
Securities" in this prospectus supplement.
The Junior Subordinated Debentures May Be Distributed to the Holders of the
Trust Preferred Securities And the Junior Subordinated Debentures May Trade at
a Lower Price Than What You Paid for the Trust Preferred Securities
Capital Trust II may be dissolved before its expiration, either as a
result of the occurrence of adverse tax or regulatory events or at our option.
In such event, and based on the terms of the Amended and Restated Declaration
of Trust of Capital Trust II, the property trustee will, after it has paid
liabilities owed by Capital Trust II to its creditors, distribute the junior
subordinated debentures to the holders of the trust preferred securities and
the common securities in liquidation of Capital Trust II.
We cannot predict the market prices for the junior subordinated
debentures that may be distributed. Accordingly, the junior subordinated
debentures that you receive upon a distribution, or the trust preferred
securities you hold pending the distribution, may trade at a lower price than
what you paid to purchase the trust preferred securities.
Although we have agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to list the
junior subordinated debentures on the New York Stock Exchange or any other
exchange on which the trust preferred securities are then listed if this
occurs, we cannot assure you that the New York Stock Exchange will approve the
junior subordinated debentures for listing or that a trading market will exist
for the junior subordinated debentures.
Under current United States federal income tax law, the distribution of
junior subordinated debentures upon the termination of Capital Trust II would
generally not be taxable to you. If, however, Capital Trust II is characterized
for United States federal income tax purposes as an association taxable as a
corporation at the time of the liquidation, the distribution of the junior
subordinated debentures would be taxable to you.
Please see "Description of the Trust Preferred Securities--Liquidation
Distribution Upon Dissolution" in the accompanying prospectus for more
information.
We May Shorten the Maturity of Junior Subordinated Debentures, Which Will
Result in Early Redemption of the Trust Preferred Securities; You Would Be
Taxed on the Proceeds And You May Not Be Able to Reinvest the Proceeds at the
Same or a Higher Rate of Return
Upon the occurrence and continuation of an adverse tax event as explained
in "Description of the Junior Subordinated Debentures--Option to Accelerate
Maturity Date," we may, instead of redeeming the junior subordinated
debentures, shorten the stated maturity of the junior subordinated debentures
to a date that is not less than 15 years from the date of original issuance. In
that event, the mandatory redemption date for the trust preferred securities
will be correspondingly shortened.
Under current United States federal income tax law, the redemption of the
trust preferred securities for cash would be a taxable event to you.
In addition, you may not be able to reinvest the money you receive in the
redemption at a rate that is equal to or higher than the rate of return you
received on the trust preferred securities.
See "Description of the Junior Subordinated Debentures--Option to
Accelerate Maturity Date" in this prospectus supplement for more information.
We Will Control The Trust Because Your Voting Rights Are Very Limited; Your
Interests May Not Be The Same as Our Interests
You will have limited voting rights. In general, only Torchmark, as the
sole holder of the common securities of Capital Trust II, can replace or remove
any of the trustees of Capital Trust II.
S-8
Torchmark and the regular trustees, who are officers of Torchmark, may
amend the trust declaration without the consent of holders of trust preferred
securities as described under "Description of the Trust Preferred Securities--
Voting Rights; Amendment of Declarations" in the accompanying prospectus.
An Active Trading Market for the Trust Preferred Securities May Not Develop
The trust preferred securities constitute a new issue of securities with
no established trading market. Although the trust preferred securities will be
listed on the New York Stock Exchange, a listing does not guarantee that a
trading market for the trust preferred securities will develop or, if a trading
market for the trust preferred securities does develop, the depth of that
market and the ability of holders to sell their trust preferred securities
easily.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the
information incorporated by reference include forward-looking statements within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Some of the forward-looking statements can
be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "believes,"
"expects," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "approximately," "intends,"
"plans," "estimates," or "anticipates" or the negative of those words or other
comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and
uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to
differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. For a
discussion of factors that could cause actual results to differ, please see the
discussion under "Risk Factors" contained in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus and in other information contained in our publicly
available SEC filings. You are cautioned not to place undue influence on these
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. Torchmark
undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to
reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes
to projections over time.
TORCHMARK CAPITAL TRUST II
Capital Trust II is a statutory business trust formed under Delaware law
by:
. the execution of a trust declaration by Torchmark, as sponsor, and
the trustees of Capital Trust II and
. the filing of a certificate of trust with the Secretary of State of
the State of Delaware.
The trust preferred securities offered hereby will constitute all of the
trust preferred securities of Capital Trust II, and we will acquire all of the
common securities of Capital Trust II, which will have an aggregate liquidation
amount equal to approximately 3% of the total capital of Capital Trust II.
We will pay all fees and expenses related to Capital Trust II and the
offering of the common securities and the trust preferred securities.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Capital Trust II will use the proceeds received from the sale of the
trust preferred securities to purchase junior subordinated debentures from us.
We will use the net proceeds from the sale of the junior subordinated
debentures for general corporate purposes, including working capital, possible
repurchases of our outstanding securities, repayment of bank debt and other
business opportunities. Our offering expenses, not including underwriting
discounts and commissions, are estimated to be $ .
S-9
CAPITALIZATION
The following table presents our total capitalization on a consolidated
basis at September 30, 2001, and as adjusted to give effect to (i) the
consummation of the offering of the trust preferred securities, (ii) the
application of the net proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred
securities, (iii) the offering of the Capital Trust I Preferred Securities, and
(iv) the redemption of our outstanding MIPS. See "Use of Proceeds" and "Recent
Developments". You should read the following table in conjunction with the
detailed information and financial statements appearing in the documents
incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus.
September 30, 2001
-----------------------
Actual As Adjusted
----------- -----------
(unaudited) (unaudited)
(amounts in thousands)
Short-term debt....................................... $338,806 $
Long-term debt........................................ 358,703
9.18% Cumulative Monthly Income Preferred Securities,
Series A............................................. 106,404
7 3/4% Trust Preferred Securities, Capital Trust I.... --
7 3/4% Trust Preferred Securities, Capital Trust II... --
Shareholders' equity.................................. 2,535,176
---------- -----
Total capitalization.................................. $3,339,089 $
========== =====
RATIO OF EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
The following table presents the ratio of our earnings from continuing
operations to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for the
periods indicated.
Nine months
Year ended December 31, ended
------------------------ September 30,
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- -------------
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed
charges and preferred stock dividends:
Excluding interest credited on deposit
products.............................. 5.2 5.3 6.9 7.0 8.9 12.1
Including interest credited on deposit
products.............................. 3.1 3.1 3.8 3.8 4.8 5.7
For purposes of computing these ratios, earnings represent consolidated
income before income taxes and fixed charges. Combined fixed charges represent
interest expense, including interest credited on deposit products where
indicated, that portion of rental expense deemed representative of the interest
factor and preferred stock dividend requirements of consolidated subsidiaries
(which represent the amount of pre-tax earnings required to cover such dividend
requirements).
S-10
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following selected consolidated financial information for each of the
years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2000, and for the nine-month
periods ended September 30, 2000 and 2001 should be read in conjunction with
the more detailed information and financial statements available as described
under "WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION." The selected financial and other
data for interim periods are derived from our unaudited consolidated financial
statements and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments necessary
to state fairly the information included therein in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim
financial information. The results for the interim periods are not necessarily
indicative of the results to be expected for an entire year.
Nine Months Ended
September 30, Year Ended December 31,
--------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
2001 2000 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(Amounts in thousands except per share amounts)
Income Statement Data
Premium and policy
fees................... $1,662,125 $1,522,625 $2,046,210 $1,884,086 $1,753,630 $1,678,004 $1,609,919
Net investment income... 366,973 352,611 472,426 447,337 459,558 429,116 399,551
Realized investment
gains (losses)......... 19,399 (2,606) (5,322) (110,971) (57,637) (36,979) 5,830
Other income............ 1,989 2,074 2,580 6,443 2,325 962 1,116
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenues......... 2,050,486 1,874,704 2,515,894 2,226,895 2,157,876 2,071,103 2,016,416
Benefits and expenses... 1,578,817 1,455,184 1,952,936 1,824,487 1,710,885 1,679,104 1,628,924
Income tax expense...... 161,644 141,996 190,841 134,320 154,338 138,409 138,676
Monthly income preferred
securities dividend.... 4,609 7,612 10,284 9,158 9,777 9,875 9,655
Income (loss) related to
investment in Vesta.... -- -- -- -- (27,100) 16,714 13,654
Discontinued operations:
income (loss) from
operations and loss
on disposal............ (3,280) -- -- (1,060) (6,373) 77,314 58,557
Extraordinary gain
(loss) from redemption
of debt or preferred
securities............. (2,165) -- 202 -- (4,962) -- --
Cumulative effect of
changes in accounting
principles............. (26,584) -- -- 16,086 -- -- --
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income.............. $ 273,387 $ 269,912 $ 362,035 $ 273,956 $ 244,441 $ 337,743 $ 311,372
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Per Share Data
Net operating income (1)
per share-diluted...... $ 2.32 $ 2.11 $ 2.85 $ 2.55 $ 2.29 $ 1.94 $ 1.67
Net income from
continuing
operations-diluted..... 2.42 2.09 2.82 1.93 1.81 1.84 1.76
Net income per share-
diluted................ 2.16 2.09 2.82 2.04 1.73 2.39 2.17
Net income from
continuing
operations-basic....... 2.43 2.10 2.83 1.95 1.83 1.87 1.78
Net income per share-
basic.................. 2.18 2.10 2.83 2.06 1.75 2.43 2.19
Cash dividends.......... 0.27 0.27 0.36 0.36 0.58 0.59 0.58
Shareholders' equity.... 20.31 16.60 17.43 15.10 16.51 13.80 11.69
Shareholders' equity
excluding net
unrealized gains and
losses on investments.. 20.03 17.99 18.53 16.32 15.43 12.90 11.42
Average shares
outstanding-diluted.... 126,325 128,871 128,353 133,986 141,352 141,431 143,783
Average shares
outstanding-basic...... 125,535 128,666 128,089 133,197 139,999 139,202 142,460
--------
(1) Net income from continuing operations, excluding realized investment gains
(losses), the related adjustment to deferred acquisition costs, equity in
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc. earnings for periods prior to 1999, a one-time
gain on the sale of equipment in 1999, and a nonrecurring charge in 1999
related to unrecoverable guarantees on direct response business. For
additional information, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Results of Operations--
Summary of Operating Results" in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2000.
S-11
As of September 30, As of December 31,
----------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
2001 2000 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
(Amounts in thousands)
Balance Sheet Data
Total assets............ $12,187,430 $12,862,439 $12,962,558 $12,131,664 $11,249,028 $11,127,648 $9,893,964
Long-term debt.......... 358,703 371,885 365,989 371,555 383,422 564,298 791,880
Total debt.............. 697,509 680,853 695,137 789,949 738,814 911,450 832,790
9.18% Cumulative Monthly
Income Preferred
Securities............. 106,404 193,377 193,395 193,324 193,259 193,199 193,145
Shareholders' equity.... 2,535,176 2,108,428 2,202,360 1,993,337 2,259,528 1,932,736 1,629,343
Shareholders' equity
excluding net
unrealized gains and
losses on investments.. 2,500,952 2,284,449 2,341,584 2,154,386 2,111,697 1,805,911 1,591,679
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Issuance of 7 3/4% Trust Preferred Securities
During November, 2001, we sold to the public through our subsidiary,
Torchmark Capital Trust I, 7 3/4% trust preferred securities (the "Capital
Trust I Preferred Securities") with an aggregate liquidation amount of
$125,000,000. We used the net proceeds from the sale of the Capital Trust I
Preferred Securities to repurchase shares of our outstanding 9.18% Monthly
Income Preferred Securities, Series A (the "MIPS"), and for general corporate
purposes.
Implications of the September 11, 2001 Disaster
Information received to date regarding the effect on us of the September
11th attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon indicates that none of
our insurance subsidiaries expects unusual numbers of life or health insurance
claims. Our insurance subsidiaries generally write high volumes of relatively
lower face-amount life insurance, and most sell nationwide. This characteristic
of our life insurance business tends to minimize the financial effect of
localized, rare occurrence disasters. Our Military Agency expects to receive
life insurance claims from policyholders that were at the Pentagon; however,
those claims are not expected to exceed $1 million. Health insurance policies
written by our insurance subsidiaries are primarily Medicare supplements sold
nationwide to retirees, and an unusual number of claims are not expected from
this event. We do not consider the events of September 11th to be subject to
"acts of war" policy exclusions that may be in some policies issued by our
insurance subsidiaries. We do not write property and casualty or disability
insurance, and have no real estate investments affected by the attacks.
S-12
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
For financial reporting purposes, we will treat Capital Trust II as a
subsidiary of Torchmark. Accordingly, we will include the accounts of Capital
Trust II in our consolidated financial statements. We will include the trust
preferred securities in our consolidated balance sheets as a separate line item
between liabilities and shareholders' equity. We will also include appropriate
disclosures about the trust preferred securities, the guarantee, and the junior
subordinated debentures in the notes to our consolidated financial statements.
For financial reporting purposes, we will record distributions on the capital
securities as trust preferred securities dividends (net of tax) in our
consolidated statements of income.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES
The following, together with the "Description of the Trust Preferred
Securities" in the accompanying prospectus, is a description of the material
terms of the trust preferred securities. You should also read the trust
declaration, the Delaware Business Trust Act and the Trust Indenture Act. We
have filed the trust declaration as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of
which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus form a part.
Capital Trust II will issue the trust preferred securities under the
terms of the trust declaration. We expect that at the time the registration
statement becomes effective, the trust declaration will be qualified as an
indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, and that The Bank of New York, as the
property trustee, will act as the indenture trustee for purposes of complying
with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act. The terms of the trust
preferred securities will include those stated in the trust declaration and the
Delaware Business Trust Act and those made part of the trust declaration by the
Trust Indenture Act.
General
The trust preferred securities will be limited to $25 million aggregate
liquidation amount outstanding. The trust preferred securities will rank equal
to, and payments will be made on the trust preferred securities on a
proportional basis with, the common securities, except as described under "--
Subordination of Common Securities". The trust declaration does not permit
Capital Trust II to issue any securities other than the common securities and
the trust preferred securities or to incur any indebtedness.
We will register the junior subordinated debentures in the name of the
property trustee. The property trustee will hold the junior subordinated
debentures in trust for the benefit of the holders of the trust preferred
securities and the common securities.
Distributions
Distributions on the trust preferred securities will be fixed at an
annual rate of 7 3/4% of the stated liquidation amount of $25 per trust
preferred security. The liquidation amount is the amount that you are entitled
to receive if Capital Trust II is terminated and its assets are distributed to
the holders of its securities. You are entitled to receive the amount from the
assets of Capital Trust II available for distribution, after it has paid
liabilities owed to its creditors. Accordingly, you may not receive the full
amount if Capital Trust II does not have enough funds. Distributions to which
holders of the trust preferred securities are entitled and that are more than
one quarter past due will accumulate additional distributions at an annual rate
of 7 3/4% of the unpaid distributions, compounded quarterly. The term
"distribution" includes any additional distributions payable unless otherwise
stated. The amount of distributions payable for any period will be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. For any period other than
a full quarter, the amount of distribution payable will be computed on the
basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 30-day month.
Distributions on the trust preferred securities:
. will be cumulative,
. will accumulate from , 2001, the date of initial issuance of the
trust preferred securities, and
S-13
. will be payable quarterly in arrears on , ,
and of each year, commencing ,
2002.
Funds available for distributions will be limited to payments received
from Torchmark on the junior subordinated debentures.
Payment of Distributions
Capital Trust II will pay distributions on the trust preferred securities
to holders as they appear on the books and records of Capital Trust II on the
relevant record dates. As long as the trust preferred securities remain in
book-entry only form, the record dates will be one business day before the
relevant payment dates.
If the trust preferred securities do not remain in book-entry only form,
the record dates will be 15 calendar days, whether or not a business day,
before the relevant payment dates.
Capital Trust II will pay distributions through the property trustee. The
property trustee will hold amounts received from the junior subordinated
debentures in the property account for the benefit of the holders of the trust
preferred securities and the common securities.
If distributions are payable on a day that is not a business day, then
payment of that distribution will be made on the next day that is a business
day, and without any interest or other payment for any delay. If, however, that
business day is in the next calendar year, payment will be made on the
immediately preceding business day, in each case with the same force and effect
as if made on the payment date.
A "business day" shall mean any day other than Saturday, Sunday, any
other day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York, are
permitted or required by law to close.
Deferral of Distributions
As long as we are not in default on the payment of interest on the junior
subordinated debentures, we have the right to defer payments of interest on the
junior subordinated debentures at any time and from time to time by extending
the interest payment period for a period (an "Extension Period") not exceeding
20 consecutive quarters, but not beyond the maturity of the junior subordinated
debentures.
As a consequence, Capital Trust II will defer payment of the quarterly
distributions on the trust preferred securities. The distributions will
continue to accumulate, with interest, as permitted by applicable law, at an
annual rate of 7 3/4%, compounded quarterly, during the Extension Period.
If we defer interest payments on the junior subordinated debentures, we
would be restricted from paying dividends on, or making purchases of, our
capital stock and from making payments on our debt securities that rank equal
or junior to the junior subordinated debentures. See "Description of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures--Option to Extend Interest Payment Period" for more
information regarding the restrictions.
If Capital Trust II defers distributions, the deferred distributions,
including accumulated additional distributions, will be paid to holders of
record of the trust preferred securities as they appear on the books and
records of Capital Trust II on the first record date following the termination
of the Extension Period.
We have no current intention of deferring payments of interest by
extending the interest payment period on the junior subordinated debentures.
Redemption
When we repay or redeem some or all of the junior subordinated
debentures, whether at maturity or upon earlier redemption, the property
trustee will apply the proceeds from the repayment or redemption to redeem the
same proportionate amount of trust preferred securities and common securities.
The redemption price per security will equal the $25 liquidation amount, plus
accumulated and unpaid distributions to, but excluding, the date of redemption.
S-14
If fewer than all the junior subordinated debentures are to be repaid or
redeemed, then the aggregate liquidation amount of trust preferred securities
and common securities to be redeemed will be allocated pro rata, or
approximately 3% to the common securities and 97% to the trust preferred
securities, except in the case of an event of default under the indenture. See
"--Subordination of Common Securities".
We will have the right to redeem the junior subordinated debentures:
. on or after , 2006, in whole at any time or in part from
time to time or
. prior to , 2006, in whole, but not in part, at any time
within 90 days following the occurrence and continuation of a Tax
Event or an Investment Company Event each as we define below. A
redemption of the junior subordinated debentures will cause a
mandatory redemption of the trust preferred securities and the common
securities. See "Description of the Junior Subordinated Debentures--
Optional Redemption".
"Tax Event" means that the regular trustees, or, if Capital Trust II has
been dissolved at the time, an appropriate representative of the holders of the
junior subordinated debentures, have received an opinion of independent tax
counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of:
. any amendment to, clarification of, or change, including any
announced prospective change, in the laws, or any regulations under
the laws, of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing
authority affecting taxation;
. any judicial decision, official administrative pronouncement, ruling,
regulatory procedure, notice or announcement, including any notice or
announcement of intent to adopt such procedures or regulations (an
"Administrative Action"); or
. any amendment to, clarification of, or change in the official
position or the interpretation of such Administrative Action or
judicial decision that differs from the prior generally accepted
position,
in each case, by any legislative body, court, governmental authority or
regulatory body, irrespective of the manner in which the amendment,
clarification, change or Administrative Action is made known, which amendment,
clarification, change or Administrative Action is effective or which
pronouncement or decision is announced, in each case, on or after the date of
this prospectus supplement, there is more than an insubstantial risk that:
(1) Capital Trust II is, or will be within 90 days of the date of the
opinion of counsel, subject to United States federal income tax with
respect to income accrued or received on the junior subordinated
debentures,
(2) Capital Trust II is, or will be within 90 days of the date of the
opinion of counsel, subject to more than a de minimis amount of
taxes, duties or other governmental charges, except for withholding
taxes or
(3) interest paid in cash by us to Capital Trust II on the junior
subordinated debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date of the
opinion of counsel will not be, deductible, in whole or in part, by
us for United States federal income tax purposes.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Tax Event does not include any change in
tax law that requires us to defer taking a deduction for any original issue
discount ("OID") that accrues with respect to the junior subordinated
debentures until the interest payment related to the OID is paid by us in cash
if the change in tax law does not create more than an insubstantial risk that
we will be prevented from taking a deduction for OID accruing on the junior
subordinated debentures at a date that is no later than the date the interest
payment related to the OID is actually paid by us in cash.
If an event described in clause (1) or (2) of the definition of "Tax
Event" above has occurred and is continuing and Capital Trust II is the holder
of all of the junior subordinated debentures, Torchmark will pay Additional
Interest, as we define it in "Description of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures--Additional Interest" below, if any, on the junior subordinated
debentures.
S-15
"Investment Company Event" means that the regular trustees have received
an opinion of independent counsel experienced in such matters that, as a result
of the occurrence of a change, including any announced prospective change, in
law or regulation or a written change, including any announced prospective
change, in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any
legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority on or
after the date of this prospectus supplement, there is more than an
insubstantial risk that Capital Trust II is or will be considered an
"investment company" that is required to be registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940.
Redemption Procedures
Capital Trust II may not redeem fewer than all of the outstanding trust
preferred securities unless it has paid all accumulated and unpaid
distributions on all trust preferred securities for all quarterly distribution
periods terminating on or prior to the date of redemption. Capital Trust II may
redeem trust preferred securities only in an amount equal to the funds it has
on hand and legally available to pay the redemption price.
The property trustee will give you notice of the redemption at least 30
but not more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption. If Capital
Trust II gives a notice of redemption, then, by 12:00 noon, New York City time,
on the date of redemption, if the funds are available for payment, the property
trustee will, for trust preferred securities held in book-entry form:
. deposit irrevocably with The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") funds
sufficient to pay the applicable redemption price, and
. give DTC irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the redemption
price to the holders of the trust preferred securities.
With respect to trust preferred securities not held in book-entry form,
if funds are available for payment, the property trustee will:
. irrevocably deposit with the paying agent for the trust preferred
securities funds sufficient to pay the applicable redemption price,
and
. give such paying agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay
the redemption price to the holders of trust preferred securities
upon surrender of their certificates evidencing the trust preferred
securities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, distributions payable on or prior to the
date of redemption for any trust preferred securities called for redemption
will be payable to the holders on the relevant record dates.
Once notice of redemption is given and funds are deposited as required,
then all rights of the holders of trust preferred securities called for
redemption will cease, except the right to receive the redemption price, but
without interest. At that time, those trust preferred securities will cease to
be outstanding.
If any date fixed for redemption is not a business day, then payment of
the redemption price will be made on the next day that is a business day,
without any interest or other payment for the delay. If the next business day
falls in the next calendar year, the payment will instead be made on the
immediately preceding business day.
If payment of the redemption price for the trust preferred securities
called for redemption is improperly withheld or refused and not paid, either by
Capital Trust II or by Torchmark under the guarantee, then distributions on
those trust preferred securities will continue to accumulate at the then
applicable rate, from the date of redemption to the date of actual payment. In
this case, the actual payment date will be the date fixed for redemption for
purposes of calculating the redemption price.
Torchmark or its affiliates may at any time and from time to time
purchase outstanding trust preferred securities, by tender, in the open market
or by private agreement, and may resell trust preferred securities.
S-16
If Capital Trust II is going to redeem fewer than all the trust preferred
securities and common securities, then the aggregate liquidation amount of
trust preferred and common securities to be redeemed will be allocated
approximately 3% to the common securities and 97% to the trust preferred
securities, except if an event of default has occurred. In such case, holders
of trust preferred securities will be paid first. See "--Subordination of the
Common Securities" immediately below for a more complete discussion. The
property trustee will select the particular trust preferred securities to be
redeemed on this pro rata basis not more than 60 days before the date of
redemption by any method the property trustee deems fair and appropriate, or
if the trust preferred securities are then held in book-entry form, in
accordance with DTC's customary procedures.
Subordination of Common Securities
Payment of distributions on, and the redemption price of, the trust
preferred securities and the common securities, will be made on a
proportionate basis, based on the aggregate liquidation amounts of the trust
preferred securities and common securities. However, if an event of default
under the indenture has occurred and is continuing under the junior
subordinated debentures, then no payments may be made on the common securities
unless all unpaid amounts due on the trust preferred securities have been paid
in full or provided for, as appropriate.
In the case of any event of default under the trust declaration resulting
from an event of default under the indenture, the holder of the common
securities will be deemed to have waived any right to act upon the event of
default under the trust declaration until the effects of all events of default
under the trust declaration regarding the trust preferred securities have been
cured, waived or otherwise eliminated. See "Description of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures--Indenture Events of Default".
Until all events of default under the trust declaration regarding the
trust preferred securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated,
the property trustee will act solely on behalf of the holders of the trust
preferred securities and not on behalf of the holder of the common securities,
and only the holders of the trust preferred securities will have the right to
direct the property trustee to act on their behalf.
Voting Rights
Except as described in this section, under the Delaware Business Trust
Act and the Trust Indenture Act, under "Description of the Trust Preferred
Securities Guarantees--Amendments and Assignment" in the accompanying
prospectus and as otherwise required by law and the trust declaration, the
holders of the trust preferred securities will have no voting rights.
Holders of a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the trust
preferred securities have the right:
(1) to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for
any remedy available to the property trustee, or
(2) upon the property trustee's receipt of a tax opinion to the effect
that, as a result of taking any of the specified actions, Capital
Trust II will not fail to be classified as a grantor trust for United
States federal income tax purposes, to direct the exercise of any
trust or power conferred upon the property trustee under the trust
declaration, including the right to direct the property trustee, as
holder of the junior subordinated debentures, to:
. exercise the remedies available under the indenture with respect
to the junior subordinated debentures;
. waive any past event of default under the indenture that is
waivable;
. exercise any right to rescind or annul an acceleration of the
principal of all the junior subordinated debentures; or
. consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the
indenture or the junior subordinated debentures where such consent
shall be required.
S-17
If, however, an event of default under the indenture has occurred and is
continuing, holders of 25% of the aggregate liquidation amount of the trust
preferred securities then outstanding may direct the property trustee to
declare the principal of and interest on the junior subordinated debentures
immediately due and payable. In addition, if a consent or action under the
indenture requires the consent or action of holders of more than a majority in
principal amount of the junior subordinated debentures then outstanding (a
"super-majority"), only the holders of at least such super-majority in
aggregate liquidation amount of the trust preferred securities then outstanding
may direct the property trustee to give its consent or take the action.
If the property trustee fails to enforce its rights under the junior
subordinated debentures, you may sue us directly to enforce the property
trustee's rights under the junior subordinated debentures.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an event of default under the trust
declaration has occurred and is continuing and the event is attributable to our
failure to pay interest or principal on the junior subordinated debentures when
due, then you may sue us directly for enforcement of payment to you of amounts
owed on the junior subordinated debentures equal to the aggregate liquidation
amount of your trust preferred securities (a "Direct Action").
In a Direct Action initiated by you, our rights, as the holder of the
common securities, to receive payments will be subrogated to your rights under
the trust declaration by an amount equal to any payment made by us, as the
issuer of the junior subordinated debentures, to you in the Direct Action that
otherwise would have been paid to us as the holder of the common securities if
the common securities had not been junior to the trust preferred securities in
that event.
The holders of the trust preferred securities will not be able to
exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the junior
subordinated debentures.
If the consent of the property trustee, as the holder of the junior
subordinated debentures, is required under the indenture for any amendment,
modification or termination of the indenture or the junior subordinated
debentures, the property trustee will:
. request the direction of the holders of the trust preferred
securities and common securities regarding the amendment,
modification or termination and
. vote on the amendment, modification or termination as directed by a
majority or super-majority, as applicable, in liquidation amount of
the trust preferred securities and common securities voting together
as a single class.
A waiver of an event of default under the indenture will constitute a
waiver of the corresponding event of default under the trust declaration.
The procedures by which holders of trust preferred securities may
exercise their voting rights are described immediately below under "--Book-
Entry Only Issuance--The Depository Trust Company."
Book-entry Only Issuance--The Depository Trust Company
DTC will act as securities depositary for the trust preferred securities.
Capital Trust II will issue one or more fully registered global trust preferred
securities certificates in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC's nominee). These
certificates will represent the total aggregate number of trust preferred
securities. Capital Trust II will deposit these certificates with DTC or a
custodian appointed by DTC. Capital Trust II will not issue certificates to you
for the trust preferred securities that you purchase, unless DTC's services are
discontinued.
DTC has provided Capital Trust II and Torchmark with the following
information: DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New
York Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York
Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation"
within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing
agency" registered under the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with
DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among participants of securities
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transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through
electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants' accounts, thereby
eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct
participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies,
clearing corporations and other organizations ("Direct Participants").
DTC is owned by a number of its Direct Participants and by the New York
Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc., and the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system is also
available to others, such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust
companies, that clear transactions through or maintain a direct or indirect
custodial relationship with a Direct Participant ("Indirect Participants"). The
rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.
When you purchase trust preferred securities within the DTC system, the
purchase must be made by or through a Direct Participant. The Direct
Participant will receive a credit for the trust preferred securities on DTC's
records. You, as the actual owner of the trust preferred securities, are the
"beneficial owner." Your beneficial ownership interest will be recorded on the
Direct and Indirect Participants' records, but DTC will have no knowledge of
your individual ownership. DTC's records reflect only the identity of the
Direct Participants to whose accounts trust preferred securities are credited.
You will not receive written confirmation from DTC of your purchases. The
Direct or Indirect Participant through whom you purchased the trust preferred
securities should send you written confirmations providing details of your
transactions, as well as periodic statements of your holdings. The participants
are responsible for keeping accurate account of the holdings of their customers
like you.
Transfers of ownership interests in the trust preferred securities will
be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf
of beneficial owners.
The laws of some states may require that specified purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. These
laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the global
certificate representing the trust preferred securities.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct
Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants and by Direct
Participants and Indirect Participants to beneficial owners will be governed by
arrangements among them, and any statutory or regulatory requirements that may
be in effect from time to time.
Redemption notices will be sent to Cede & Co. If less than all of the
trust preferred securities are being redeemed, DTC will reduce each Direct
Participant's holdings of trust preferred securities in accordance with its
procedures.
In those cases where a vote by the holders of the trust preferred
securities is required, neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will itself consent or vote.
Under its usual procedures, DTC would mail an omnibus proxy to Capital Trust II
as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede &
Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants to whose
accounts the trust preferred securities are credited on the record date, which
are identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.
Capital Trust II will make distribution payments on the trust preferred
securities directly to DTC. DTC's practice is to credit Direct Participants'
accounts on the relevant payment date in accordance with their respective
holdings shown on DTC's records, unless DTC has reason to believe that it will
not receive payment on such payment date.
Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by
standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities
held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in "street
name." These payments will be the responsibility of the participant and not of
DTC, Capital Trust II or Torchmark.
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Except as provided below, a beneficial owner in a global trust preferred
security certificate will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of
trust preferred securities. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on
the procedures of DTC to exercise any rights under the trust preferred
securities.
We have obtained the information in this section concerning DTC and
DTC's book-entry system from sources that we and Capital Trust II believe to
be reliable, but neither we nor they take responsibility for the accuracy of
the information.
Discontinuance of the Depositary's Services
A global trust preferred security certificate will be exchangeable for
definitive certificates only if:
. the depositary notifies Capital Trust II that it is unwilling or
unable to continue as depositary for the trust preferred securities
and no successor has been appointed,
. the depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 at a time when it is required to be
so registered to act as depositary, and no successor has been
appointed,
. the regular trustees, with our consent, determine that the global
trust preferred security certificate shall be exchanged for
definitive certificates, or
. there shall have occurred and be continuing an event of default under
the Junior Indenture.
Any global trust preferred security certificate that is exchangeable as
described above will be exchangeable for definitive certificates registered in
the names as the depositary directs. We expect that the instructions will be
based upon directions received by the depositary from its participants with
respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global trust preferred
security certificate.
Certificated Securities
If the trust preferred securities do not remain in book-entry only form,
the following provisions would apply:
. The property trustee will act as paying agent and may designate an
additional or substitute paying agent at any time.
. Registration of transfers of trust preferred securities will be
effected without charge by or on behalf of Capital Trust II, but the
registration will require payment, with the giving of such indemnity
as Capital Trust II or Torchmark may require, for any tax or other
governmental charges that may be imposed.
. Capital Trust II will not be required to register or cause to be
registered the transfer of trust preferred securities after they have
been called for redemption.
Miscellaneous
The regular trustees are authorized and directed to operate Capital
Trust II in such a way so that Capital Trust II will not be:
. required to register as an "investment company" under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 or
. characterized as other than a grantor trust for United States federal
income tax purposes.
We are authorized and directed to conduct our affairs so that the junior
subordinated debentures will be treated as indebtedness for United States
federal income tax purposes.
We and the regular trustees are authorized to take any action, not
inconsistent with applicable law, the certificate of trust of Capital Trust II
or our articles of incorporation, that either we or the regular trustees
determine in either of our discretion to be necessary or desirable to achieve
that end, as long as the action does not adversely affect the interests of the
holders of the trust preferred securities.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
The following, together with the "Description of Debt Securities" in the
accompanying prospectus, is a description of the material terms of the junior
subordinated debentures. You should also read the indenture dated as of
, 2001 (the "Junior Indenture") between us and The Bank of New York,
as trustee, and the officer's certificate of one of our executive officers
dated , 2001 supplementing the Junior Indenture. We have filed a
form of the Junior Indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of
which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus form a part,
and we will file the officer's certificate with the SEC prior to the sale of
the trust preferred securities.
Under circumstances involving the dissolution of Capital Trust II, the
junior subordinated debentures may be distributed to the holders of the trust
preferred securities and the common securities in liquidation of Capital Trust
II. See "Description of the Trust Preferred Securities--Liquidation
Distribution Upon Dissolution" in the accompanying prospectus. If the junior
subordinated debentures are distributed to the holders of trust preferred
securities, we will use our reasonable best efforts to have the junior
subordinated debentures listed on the New York Stock Exchange or with another
organization on which the trust preferred securities are then listed.
General
We will issue the junior subordinated debentures as unsecured debt under
the Junior Indenture. The junior subordinated debentures will be limited in
aggregate principal amount to $25,773,200. This amount equals the sum of the
aggregate stated liquidation amount of the trust preferred securities and the
amount of capital that we will contribute to Capital Trust II in exchange for
the common securities.
The junior subordinated debentures contain no sinking fund provisions.
The entire principal amount of the junior subordinated debentures will mature
and become due and payable, together with any accrued and unpaid interest,
including Compound Interest and Additional Interest, as we define each below,
if any, on , 2041.
If junior subordinated debentures are distributed to holders of trust
preferred securities in liquidation of those holders' interests in Capital
Trust II, the junior subordinated debentures will initially be issued as a
global security. As described in "--Discontinuance of the Depositary's
Services" below, under limited circumstances, junior subordinated debentures
may be issued in certificated form in exchange for a global security. See "--
Book-Entry and Settlement; Depositary" in this prospectus supplement and
"Description of Debt Securities--Registered Global Securities" in the
accompanying prospectus.
If junior subordinated debentures are issued in certificated form, we
will issue them in denominations of $25, and integral multiples of $25, and
they may be transferred or exchanged at the offices described below.
We will make payments on junior subordinated debentures issued as a
global security to DTC, a successor depositary or, if no depositary is used, to
a paying agent for the junior subordinated debentures. If we issue junior
subordinated debentures in certificated form, principal and interest will be
payable, the transfer of the junior subordinated debentures will be
registrable, and junior subordinated debentures will be exchangeable for junior
subordinated debentures of other denominations of a like aggregate principal
amount, at the corporate trust office of the indenture trustee in New York, New
York. At our option, however, we may pay interest by check mailed to the
address of the persons entitled to the interest.
The Junior Indenture does not provide holders of the junior subordinated
debentures protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction involving
Torchmark that would adversely affect the holders.
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Subordination
The Junior Indenture provides that the junior subordinated debentures
rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of our "Senior
Indebtedness", as we define it below. We may not make payment of principal,
including redemption payments, or interest on the junior subordinated
debentures if:
. any of our Senior Indebtedness is not paid when due and any
applicable grace period after the default has ended and the default
has not been cured or waived or ceased to exist, or
. the maturity of any of our Senior Indebtedness has been accelerated
because of a default, and the acceleration has not been rescinded.
Upon any distribution of our assets to creditors upon our dissolution,
winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary, or
in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all principal,
premium, if any, and interest due or to become due on all of our Senior
Indebtedness must be paid in full before the holders of junior subordinated
debentures are entitled to receive or retain any payment.
If the indenture trustee or any holder of junior subordinated debentures
receives any payment or distribution on account of the junior subordinated
debentures before all of our Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, then that
payment or distribution will be paid over, or delivered and transferred to, the
holders of our Senior Indebtedness at the time outstanding.
The rights of the holders of the junior subordinated debentures will be
subrogated to the rights of the holders of our Senior Indebtedness to the
extent of any payment we made to the holders of our Senior Indebtedness that
otherwise would have been made to the holders of the junior subordinated
debentures but for the subordination provisions.
The term "Senior Indebtedness" means:
(1) the principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of:
. our indebtedness for money borrowed; and
. indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures, bonds or other
similar instruments that we issue;
(2) all of our capital lease obligations;
(3) all of our obligations issued or assumed as the deferred purchase
price of property or services (but excluding trade accounts payable
arising in the ordinary course of business);
(4) all of our obligations for reimbursement on any letter of credit,
banker's acceptance or similar credit transaction;
(5) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (4)
above of other persons, but for which we are responsible or liable
to make payment as obligor, guarantor or otherwise; and
(6) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (5)
above of other persons secured by any lien on any of our property or
assets, whether or not we assume the obligation.
Notwithstanding (1) through (6) above, the term "Senior Indebtedness"
does not include:
(1) any indebtedness that by its terms is junior or equal to the junior
subordinated debentures;
(2) any indebtedness between or among us or our affiliates, including
all other debt securities and guarantees in respect of those debt
securities, to:
. any other Trust, as we define it in the accompanying prospectus,
or a trustee of that Trust, and
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. any other trust, or a trustee of that trust, a partnership or
other entity affiliated with us that is a financing vehicle of
ours and will issue trust preferred securities or other securities
that rank equal or junior to the trust preferred securities;
(3) any indebtedness to our subsidiaries or our employees; and
(4) trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary
course of business.
Our Senior Indebtedness will continue to be Senior Indebtedness and be
entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions of the indenture
regardless of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of the Senior
Indebtedness.
The Junior Indenture does not limit how much Senior Indebtedness we can
issue. Substantially all of our indebtedness constitutes Senior Indebtedness.
The junior subordinated debentures also will be effectively junior to all
obligations of our subsidiaries.
Interest and Maturity
The junior subordinated debentures will bear interest at an annual rate
of 7 3/4% from the original date of issuance until the principal becomes due
and payable at maturity. The junior subordinated debentures will mature on
, 2041. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears on ,
, and of each year, beginning , 2002.
Interest payments not paid when due will accrue interest, compounded
quarterly, at the annual rate of 7 3/4%.
The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and, for any period shorter
than a quarter, on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 30-day
month.
The interest payment provisions for the junior subordinated debentures
correspond to the distribution provisions for the trust preferred securities.
See "Description of the Trust Preferred Securities--Distributions" in this
prospectus supplement.
Option to Extend Interest Payment Period
As long as we are not in default on the payment of interest on the junior
subordinated debentures, we have the right, at any time and from time to time,
to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period for a
period (an "Extension Period") not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters, but not
beyond the maturity date of the junior subordinated debentures. At the end of
any Extension Period, we will pay all interest then accrued and unpaid,
together with interest on the accrued and unpaid interest as permitted by law
("Compound Interest"), compounded quarterly, at the annual rate of 7 3/4% plus
any Additional Interest.
During any Extension Period:
. we may not declare or pay any dividends on, make any distribution, or
redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment on any of our
capital stock; and
. we may not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any,
on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by us
that rank equal or junior to the junior subordinated debentures, or
make any guarantee payments on the foregoing.
The restrictions listed above do not apply to:
. repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of our
capital stock in connection with (1) any employment contract, benefit
plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of any one
or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, (2) a dividend
reinvestment or
S-23
shareholder stock purchase plan or (3) the issuance of our capital
stock, or securities convertible into or exercisable for our capital
stock, as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into
before the Extension Period;
. an exchange, redemption or conversion of any class or series of our
capital stock, or any capital stock of a subsidiary of ours, for any
class or series of our capital stock, or of any class or series of
our indebtedness for any class or series of our capital stock;
. the purchase of fractional interests in shares of our capital stock
under the conversion or exchange provisions of the capital stock or
the security being converted or exchanged;
. any declaration of a dividend in connection with any shareholder's
rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under
any shareholder's rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of
rights pursuant to the plan;
. any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights
where the dividend or the stock issuable upon exercise of the
warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which
the dividend is being paid or ranks equal or junior to that stock; or
. payments by us under the guarantee of the trust preferred securities
or under any similar guarantee by us of any trust common or trust
preferred securities of our subsidiaries.
The restrictions described above will also apply if we default on our
obligations under the Junior Indenture relating to the junior subordinated
debentures or if we default on our obligations under the guarantee of the
trust preferred securities.
Before termination of any Extension Period, we may further extend the
interest payment period. However, the Extension Period, including all previous
and further extensions, may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend
beyond the maturity date of the junior subordinated debentures. After
termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due,
we may begin a new Extension Period, as described above.
If the property trustee is the sole holder of the junior subordinated
debentures, we will give the regular trustees and the property trustee notice
of our selection of an Extension Period one business day before the earlier
of:
. the next date distributions on the trust preferred securities are
payable or
. the date the regular trustees are required to give notice to the New
York Stock Exchange, or other applicable self-regulatory
organization, or to the holders of record of the trust preferred
securities.
The regular trustees shall give notice of our selection of an Extension
Period to the holders of the trust preferred securities.
If the property trustee is not the sole holder of the junior
subordinated debentures, we will give the holders of the junior subordinated
debentures notice of our selection of an Extension Period ten business days
before the earlier of:
. the next interest payment date or
. the date upon which we are required to give notice to the New York
Stock Exchange, or other applicable self-regulatory organization, or
to holders of the junior subordinated debentures of the record or
payment date of the related interest payment.
We have no present intention of exercising our right to defer payments
of interest by extending the interest payment period on the junior
subordinated debentures.
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Additional Interest
If at any time while the property trustee is the holder of the junior
subordinated debentures, we shall be required to deduct or withhold on payments
to Capital Trust II, or Capital Trust II shall be required to pay, any taxes,
duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature, other than
withholding taxes on payments to holders of trust preferred securities, imposed
by the United States or any other taxing authority, then, in any such case, we
will pay as additional interest on the junior subordinated debentures any
additional amounts ("Additional Interest") that are required so that the net
amounts received and retained by Capital Trust II after paying those taxes,
duties, assessments or governmental charges will not be less than the amounts
Capital Trust II would have received if those taxes, duties, assessments or
governmental charges had not been imposed.
Optional Redemption
We have the right to redeem the junior subordinated debentures:
. on or after , 2006, in whole at any time or in part from
time to time, or
. before , 2006, in whole, but not in part, at any time
within 90 days following the occurrence and continuation of a Tax
Event or an Investment Company Event as described under "Description
of the Trust preferred Securities--Redemption" above.
In either case, the redemption price will equal 100% of the principal
amount to be redeemed, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, including any
Compound Interest and any Additional Interest, if any, to the date of
redemption.
If a partial redemption of the trust preferred securities resulting from
a partial redemption of the junior subordinated debentures would result in the
delisting of the trust preferred securities, we may only redeem the junior
subordinated debentures in whole.
We may not redeem fewer than all of the junior subordinated debentures
unless we have paid all accrued and unpaid interest on all junior subordinated
debentures for all quarterly interest payment periods terminating on or before
the date of redemption.
Option to Accelerate Maturity Date
If a Tax Event described in clause (3) of the definition of "Tax Event"
in "Description of the Trust Preferred Securities--Redemption" above occurs, we
will have the right, before a dissolution of Capital Trust II, to accelerate
the stated maturity of the junior subordinated debentures to the minimum extent
required so that interest on the junior subordinated debentures will be
deductible for United States federal income tax purposes. In no event may the
resulting maturity of the junior subordinated debentures be less than 15 years
from the date of original issuance, however.
We may only accelerate the stated maturity if we have received an opinion
of independent counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that:
. after the acceleration, interest paid on the junior subordinated
debentures will be deductible for United States federal income tax
purposes;
. the holders of trust preferred securities will not recognize income,
gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a
result of the acceleration, and will be taxed under United States
federal income tax law in the same amount, in the manner and at the
same times as would have been the case if the acceleration had not
occurred; and
. the acceleration will not cause Capital Trust II to be classified as
other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax
purposes.
S-25
Junior Indenture Events of Default
If any event of default under the Junior Indenture occurs and is
continuing, the property trustee, as the holder of the junior subordinated
debentures, will have the right to declare the principal of and the interest on
the junior subordinated debentures, including Compound Interest and Additional
Interest, if any, and any other amounts payable under the Junior Indenture to
be immediately due and payable and to enforce its other rights as a creditor.
See "Description of Debt Securities--Events of Default" in the accompanying
prospectus for a description of the events of default.
An event of default under the Junior Indenture also constitutes an event
of default under the trust declaration. The holders of trust preferred
securities, upon an event of default, have the right to direct the property
trustee to exercise its rights as the holder of the junior subordinated
debentures. See "Description of the Trust Preferred Securities--Voting Rights"
above for a more complete discussion of when holders of trust preferred
securities may direct the property trustee to exercise its rights.
Book-Entry And Settlement; Depositary
If distributed to holders of trust preferred securities in connection
with the involuntary or voluntary dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of
Capital Trust II, the junior subordinated debentures will be issued in the form
of one or more global certificates registered in the name of a depositary or
its nominee. Except under the limited circumstances described immediately below
under "--Discontinuance of the Depositary's Services," junior subordinated
debentures represented by a global security will not be exchangeable for, and
will not otherwise be issuable as, securities in definitive form.
If junior subordinated debentures are distributed to holders of trust
preferred securities upon termination of Capital Trust II, DTC will act as
securities depositary for the junior subordinated debentures. For a description
of DTC and the specific terms of the depositary arrangements, see "Description
of the Trust Preferred Securities--Book-Entry Only Issuance--The Depository
Trust Company" above.
As of the date of this prospectus supplement, that description of DTC's
book-entry system and DTC's practices as they relate to purchases of, transfers
of, notices concerning and payments on the trust preferred securities apply in
all material respects to any debt obligations represented by one or more global
securities held by DTC.
We may appoint a successor to DTC or any successor depositary if DTC or
such successor depositary is unable or unwilling to continue as a depositary
for the global securities.
Discontinuance of the Depositary's Services
A global security will be exchangeable for junior subordinated debentures
registered in the names of persons other than the depositary or its nominee
only if:
. the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue
as a depositary for the global security and no successor depositary
has been appointed,
. the depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 at a time the depositary is required
to be so registered to act as depositary, and no successor depositary
has been appointed,
. we, in our sole discretion, determine that the global security shall
be exchangeable for definitive certificates or
. there shall have occurred and be continuing an event of default under
the Junior Indenture.
Any global security that is exchangeable as described above will be
exchangeable for junior subordinated debentures registered in the names the
depositary directs. We expect that the instructions will be based upon
directions received by the depositary from its participants with respect to
ownership of beneficial interests in the global security.
S-26
DESCRIPTION OF THE GUARANTEE
The following, together with the "Description of the Trust Preferred
Securities Guarantees" in the accompanying prospectus, is a description of the
material terms of the guarantee. You should also read the guarantee agreement.
We have filed a form of the guarantee agreement as an exhibit to the
registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus form a part.
General
Pursuant to the guarantee, we will irrevocably and unconditionally agree,
to the extent set forth in the guarantee, to pay in full to the holders of the
trust preferred securities, the Guarantee Payments, as we define that term
below, as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or
counterclaim that Capital Trust II may have or assert.
The following payments on the trust preferred securities (the "Guarantee
Payments"), if not fully paid by Capital Trust II, will be covered by the
guarantee, without duplication:
. any accumulated and unpaid distributions that are required to be paid
on the trust preferred securities, if Capital Trust II has funds
available to make the payment;
. the redemption price, if Capital Trust II has funds available to make
the payment, for any trust preferred securities called for
redemption; and
. upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or
termination of Capital Trust II, other than in connection with the
distribution of junior subordinated debentures to the holders of the
trust preferred securities or the redemption of all of the trust
preferred securities upon the maturity or redemption of the junior
subordinated debentures, the lesser of:
(1) the aggregate of the $25 liquidation amount and all accumulated
and unpaid distributions on the trust preferred securities to
the date of payment if Capital Trust II has funds available to
make the payment and
(2) the amount of assets of Capital Trust II remaining available for
distribution to holders of the trust preferred securities upon a
dissolution and termination of Capital Trust II.
Our obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct
payment of the required amounts by us to the holders of the trust preferred
securities or by causing Capital Trust II to pay the amounts to the holders.
The guarantee of the trust preferred securities will be full and
unconditional from the time of issuance, but the guarantee will not apply to
any payment of distributions due if Capital Trust II lacks funds legally
available for payment as a result of a failure by us to make payments of
interest or principal on the junior subordinated debentures.
If we do not make interest payments on the junior subordinated
debentures, Capital Trust II will not pay distributions on the trust preferred
securities and will not have funds legally available for payment. In that
event, holders of the trust preferred securities would not be able to rely upon
the guarantee for payment. Instead, a holder of trust preferred securities
would have to rely on the enforcement:
. by the property trustee of its rights as registered holder of the
junior subordinated debentures against Torchmark under the terms of
the junior subordinated debentures or
. by itself of its own rights against Torchmark to enforce payments on
the junior subordinated debentures in the event of a default by us in
the payment of principal or interest on the junior subordinated
debentures. See "Description of the Trust Preferred Securities--
Distributions" above.
S-27
If the guarantee trustee fails to enforce the guarantee, you may, after
your written request to the guarantee trustee to enforce the guarantee, sue us
directly to enforce the guarantee trustee's rights under the guarantee without
first instituting a legal proceeding against Capital Trust II, the guarantee
trustee, or any other person or entity.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if we have failed to make a guarantee
payment, you may directly institute a proceeding against us to enforce the
guarantee.
We are required to file annually with the guarantee trustee an officer's
certificate as to our compliance with all conditions under the guarantee.
The Bank of New York will act as guarantee trustee under the guarantee.
S-28
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
General
This discussion summarizes the opinion of Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C.,
special tax counsel to Torchmark and Capital Trust II ("Tax Counsel"), of the
United States federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and
disposition of the trust preferred securities that Tax Counsel anticipates to
be material to investors. We have filed the opinion of Tax Counsel as Exhibit
8.1 to the registration statement of which the accompanying prospectus forms a
part. Unless otherwise stated, this summary only deals with trust preferred
securities held by holders who purchase the trust preferred securities upon
original issuance and hold them as a capital asset, which is an asset
generally held for investment. Your tax treatment may vary depending on your
particular situation.
This summary does not address:
. all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to holders who may be
subject to special tax treatment such as, for example, financial
institutions, insurance companies, broker-dealers, tax-exempt
organizations, and, except for the discussion under "Non-U.S. Holders"
below, nonresident aliens.
. the tax consequences to holders that have a functional currency other
than the United States dollar,
. the tax consequences to shareholders, partners or beneficiaries of a
holder of trust preferred securities, or
. any aspects of state, local or foreign tax laws.
Tax Counsel's opinion is based on the United States federal income tax
law in effect as of the date of this prospectus supplement. These laws may
change, possibly on a retroactive basis. Further, the opinion of Tax Counsel
is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or the courts. We urge you to
consult your tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences to you of
purchasing, owning, and disposing of the trust preferred securities, including
the application and effect of United States federal, state, local, foreign and
other tax laws.
For purposes of this discussion, a "U.S. Holder" means a holder of trust
preferred securities who is:
. a citizen or resident of the United States,
. a corporation, partnership, or other entity created or organized in or
under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States
or the District of Columbia,
. an estate, the income of which is includible in gross income for
United States federal income tax purposes regardless of its source, or
. a trust, as to which a United States court is able to exercise primary
administrative supervision and that has one or more United States
persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of
the trust.
Classification of The Junior Subordinated Debentures
The junior subordinated debentures will be classified for United States
federal income tax purposes as indebtedness of Torchmark. By accepting the
trust preferred securities, you agree to treat the junior subordinated
debentures as indebtedness of Torchmark for United States federal income tax
purposes and to treat the trust preferred securities as evidence of an
indirect beneficial ownership interest in the junior subordinated debentures.
Classification of The Trust
Capital Trust II will be classified for United States federal income tax
purposes as a grantor trust and not as an association taxable as a
corporation. Accordingly, for United States federal income tax purposes, you
will generally be treated as the owner of an undivided interest in the junior
subordinated debentures. As further discussed below, you will be required to
include in ordinary income your allocable share of interest, or OID, if any,
paid or accrued on the junior subordinated debentures.
S-29
Potential Extension of Interest Payment Period And Original Issue Discount
In general, a debt instrument will be deemed to be issued with OID for
United States federal income tax purposes if there is more than a remote
contingency that periodic stated interest payments due on the instrument will
not be timely paid. Because the exercise by us of our option to defer the
payment of stated interest on the junior subordinated debentures would prevent
us from declaring dividends on any class of equity, we believe that the
likelihood that we would exercise the option is remote.
As a result, we intend to take the position, based on the advice of Tax
Counsel, that the junior subordinated debentures will not be deemed to be
issued with OID. Accordingly, based on this position, stated interest payments
on the junior subordinated debentures will be includible in your ordinary
income at the time that those payments are paid or accrued in accordance with
your regular method of accounting. It is possible, however, that the Internal
Revenue Service could take the position that the likelihood of exercise of the
right to defer payment of stated interest is not remote. In such case, the
junior subordinated debentures would be treated as if they were initially
issued with OID equal to the total stated interest to be paid over their term.
Such OID generally would be includible in your taxable income on an accrual
basis over the term of the junior subordinated debentures.
Exercise of Deferral Option. If we exercise our option to defer the
payment of stated interest on the junior subordinated debentures, they would be
treated, solely for purpose of the OID rules, as being "re-issued" at that time
with OID. Under these rules, you would be required to include OID in ordinary
income, on a current basis, over the period that the instrument is held, even
though we would not be making any actual cash payments during the extended
interest payment period and even though you otherwise may be using the cash
method of tax accounting. The amount of OID includible in your taxable income
would be determined on the basis of a constant yield method over the remaining
term of the instrument, and the actual receipt of future payments of stated
interest on the junior subordinated debentures would no longer be separately
reported as taxable income. Any OID included in income would increase your
adjusted tax basis in the trust preferred securities or the junior subordinated
debentures, as the case may be, and your actual receipt of interest payments
would reduce your adjusted tax basis.
Because income on the trust preferred securities will constitute interest
income for United States federal income tax purposes, corporate holders of
trust preferred securities will not be entitled to claim a dividends received
deduction in respect of such income.
Receipt of Junior Subordinated Debentures or Cash Upon Termination of Capital
Trust II
If we exercise our right to terminate Capital Trust II and cause the
junior subordinated debentures to be distributed to you on a basis
proportionate to your ownership in the trust preferred securities, the
distribution would be treated as a nontaxable event to you. In that event, you
would have an adjusted tax basis in the junior subordinated debentures that you
receive equal to the adjusted tax basis in the trust preferred securities that
you surrender, and the holding period of the junior subordinated debentures
would include the period during which you held the trust preferred securities.
You would continue to include in ordinary income the interest, or OID, if any,
paid or accrued on the junior subordinated debentures.
If, however, Capital Trust II is characterized for United States federal
income tax purposes as an association taxable as a corporation at the time of
the termination, the distribution of the junior subordinated debentures would
be a taxable event to you.
If we redeem the junior subordinated debentures for cash and Capital
Trust II distributes the proceeds of the redemption to you in redemption of
your trust preferred securities, the redemption would be treated as a sale of
the trust preferred securities in which you would recognize gain or loss as
described immediately below.
Sale of Trust Preferred Securities
Upon the sale of trust preferred securities, you will recognize gain or
loss in an amount equal to the difference between your adjusted tax basis in
the trust preferred securities and the amount realized in the sale,
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except for any amount you receive that is attributable to accrued but unpaid
interest not previously included in income. Your gain or loss will be capital
gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held the
trust preferred securities for more than one year. Capital gains of individuals
derived with respect to capital assets held for more than one year are eligible
for reduced rates of taxation. If you are an individual you should consult your
own tax adviser regarding the capital gains rate applicable to you. Except in
the case of individuals, who may apply up to $3,000 of capital losses to offset
ordinary income, capital losses generally cannot be applied to offset ordinary
income for United States federal income tax purposes.
The trust preferred securities may trade at a price that does not
completely reflect the value of accrued but unpaid interest with respect to the
underlying junior subordinated debentures. For example, if you dispose of your
trust preferred securities between record dates for payments of distributions
you will nevertheless be required to include accrued but unpaid interest on the
junior subordinated debentures through the date of disposition in your ordinary
income and to add that amount to your adjusted tax basis in the trust preferred
securities disposed of.
Non-U.S. Holders
This summary assumes that a non-U.S. Holder:
. is an individual,
. is not and will not become engaged in a United States trade or
business,
. will not be present in the United States for 183 days or more during
any particular taxable year, and
. is classified as a nonresident alien under the Internal Revenue Code.
Distributions made to a holder of trust preferred securities who is a
non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to withholding of United States
federal income tax, if:
. the beneficial owner of the trust preferred securities does not
actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined
voting power of all of our classes of stock entitled to vote, and
. either:
(1) the beneficial owner of the trust preferred securities certifies
to Capital Trust II or its agent, under penalties of perjury,
that it is not a United States person by filing the required
Internal Revenue Service form(s) ("certification") with Capital
Trust II and providing his name, address, and other information
required to be reported on such form(s) and/or in accordance
with regulations issued under the Internal Revenue Code, or
(2) a securities clearing organization, bank or other financial
institution that holds customers' securities in the ordinary
course of its trade or business (a "Financial Institution"), and
holds the trust preferred securities in that capacity, certifies
to Capital Trust II or its agent, under penalties of perjury,
that such certification has been received from the beneficial
owner by it or by a Financial Institution between it and the
beneficial owner and furnishes Capital Trust II or its agent
with a copy of the statement.
In addition, a non-U.S. Holder of trust preferred securities will not be
subject to withholding of United States federal income tax on any gain realized
upon the sale or other disposition of a trust preferred security.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Generally, income on the trust preferred securities and proceeds from the
disposition of trust preferred securities will be reported to you on Form 1099,
which should be mailed to you by January 31 following each calendar year.
Backup withholding at rates specified in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, will
S-31
apply to payments of interest to you if you are a non-exempt U.S. Holder unless
you (i) furnish your taxpayer identification number in the manner prescribed in
applicable treasury regulations, (ii) certify that such number is correct,
(iii) certify that you are not subject to backup withholding and (iv) meet
certain other conditions. The amount of backup withholding from a payment to
you may be allowed as a credit against your United States federal tax liability
and may entitle you to a refund, provided that the required information is
furnished to the IRS.
S-32
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
Each fiduciary of a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit
plan to which Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
("ERISA") applies (a "Plan"), should consider the fiduciary standards of ERISA
in the context of the Plan's particular circumstances before authorizing an
investment in the trust preferred securities. Accordingly, among other factors,
the fiduciary should consider whether the investment would satisfy the prudence
and diversification requirements of ERISA and would be consistent with the
documents and instruments governing the Plan.
Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code
prohibit Plans, as well as individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans to
which Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code applies (also "Plans"), from
engaging in specified transactions involving "plan assets" with persons who are
"parties in interest" under ERISA or "disqualified persons" under the Internal
Revenue Code ("Parties in Interest") with respect to such Plan. A violation of
those "prohibited transaction" rules may result in an excise tax or other
liabilities under ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code for
such persons, unless exemptive relief is available under an applicable
statutory or administrative exemption.
Employee benefit plans that are governmental plans, as defined in Section
3(32) of ERISA, church plans, as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA, and foreign
plans, as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA, generally are not subject to
the requirements of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code.
However, such plans may be subject to rules and regulations similar to those of
ERISA under state or local law or the charter of such plans.
Under a regulation (the "Plan Assets Regulation") issued by the U.S.
Department of Labor, the assets of Capital Trust II would be deemed to be "plan
assets" of a Plan for purposes of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Internal
Revenue Code if a Plan makes an "equity" investment in Capital Trust II and no
exception were applicable under the Plan Assets Regulation. An "equity
interest" is defined under the Plan Assets Regulation as any interest in an
entity (other than an instrument that is treated as indebtedness under
applicable local law and which has no substantial equity features) and
specifically includes a beneficial interest in a trust.
Under an exception contained in the Plan Assets Regulation, however, the
assets of Capital Trust II would not be deemed to be "plan assets" of investing
Plans if the trust preferred securities are "publicly-offered securities"--that
is, they are:
. widely held, i.e., owned by more than 100 investors independent of
Capital Trust II and of each other,
. freely transferable, and
. sold to a Plan as part of an offering pursuant to an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, and then
timely registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
We expect that the trust preferred securities will meet the criteria of
"publicly-offered securities" above, although no assurance can be given in this
regard. The underwriters expect that the trust preferred securities will be
held by at least 100 independent investors as of the date of the conclusion of
the offering and that the trust preferred securities will be freely
transferable. The trust preferred securities will be sold as part of an
offering under an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of
1933, and then will be timely registered under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. However, no assurance can be given that the 100 holder rule will be met
at all times following the conclusion of the offering.
If at any point the 100-shareholder rule is not met and the assets of
Capital Trust II were therefore deemed to be "plan assets," the persons
providing services to the assets of Capital Trust II may become Parties in
Interest with respect to an investing Plan and may be governed by the fiduciary
responsibility provisions of Title I of ERISA and the prohibited transaction
provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code with respect
to transactions involving those assets.
S-33
In this regard, if the person or persons with discretionary
responsibilities over the junior subordinated debentures or the guarantee were
affiliated with us, any such discretionary actions taken regarding those assets
could be deemed to constitute a prohibited transaction under ERISA or the
Internal Revenue Code (e.g., the use of such fiduciary authority or
responsibility in circumstances under which those persons have interests that
may conflict with the interests of the investing Plans and affect the exercise
of their best judgement as fiduciaries).
Accordingly, the trust preferred securities may not be purchased or held
by any Plan, any entity whose underlying assets include "plan assets" by reason
of any Plan's investment in the entity (a "Plan Asset Entity") or any person
investing "plan assets" of any Plan, unless the purchaser or holder is eligible
for the exemptive relief available under PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 or 84-
14.
Any purchaser or holder of the trust preferred securities or any interest
in the trust preferred securities will be deemed to have represented by its
purchase and holding that it either:
. is not a Plan or a Plan Asset Entity and is not purchasing such
securities on behalf of or with "plan assets" of any Plan; or
. is exempt from the application of the prohibited transaction rules
with respect to such purchase or holding through the application of
PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 or 84-14 and/or another prohibited
transaction exemption.
Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be
imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is
particularly important that fiduciaries or other persons considering purchasing
the trust preferred securities on behalf of or with "plan assets" of any Plan
consult with their counsel regarding the potential consequences if the assets
of Capital Trust II were deemed to be "plan assets" and the availability of
exemptive relief under applicable U.S. Department of Labor exemptions.
Purchasers of the trust preferred securities have the exclusive
responsibility for ensuring that their purchase and holding of the trust
preferred securities does not violate the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA
or the Code.
S-34
UNDERWRITING
General
Subject to the terms and conditions of an underwriting agreement, Capital
Trust II has agreed to sell to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated (the "underwriter") and the underwriter has agreed to purchase
from Capital Trust II, 1,000,000 trust preferred securities.
We and Capital Trust II have agreed with the underwriter to indemnify it
against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribute with respect to payments which the
underwriters may be required to make.
The underwriter is offering the trust preferred securities subject to
prior sale, when, as and if issued and accepted by it, subject to approval of
legal matters by its counsel, including the validity of the trust preferred
securities, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such
as the receipt by the underwriter of officer's certificates and legal opinions.
The underwriter reserves the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the
public and to reject orders in whole or in part.
The underwriter and its affiliates have in the past and may in the future
engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course
of their businesses.
Commissions and Discounts
The underwriter has advised us that it proposes to offer the trust
preferred securities to the public initially at $25 per trust preferred
security and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $
per trust preferred security. The underwriter may allow, and such dealers may
reallow, a discount not in excess of $ per trust preferred security to
certain dealers. After the initial public offering, the public offering price,
concession and discount may be changed.
Because the proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred securities and
the common securities will be used to purchase the junior subordinated
debentures, we have agreed to pay to the underwriter an underwriting commission
of $ per trust preferred security (or a total of $ ).
We will pay all expenses, estimated to be approximately $ ,
associated with the offer and sale of the trust preferred securities.
New York Stock Exchange Listing
Before this offering, there was no established public trading market for
the trust preferred securities. We have applied for the listing of the trust
preferred securities on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TMK PrS".
Trading of the trust preferred securities on the New York Stock Exchange is
expected to begin within 30 days after they are first issued. As part of the
requirements for listing the trust preferred securities on the New York Stock
Exchange, the underwriter has agreed to sell the trust preferred securities to
a minimum of 400 beneficial holders. The underwriter has advised us that it
intends to make a market in the trust preferred securities prior to the
commencement of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. However, the
underwriter is not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any
time without notice. We cannot give any assurance that a liquid trading market
for the trust preferred securities will be available.
Sale of Trust Preferred Securities to Pension Plans
In connection with this offering, we have requested that the underwriter
allocate an aggregate of $10,000,000 aggregate liquidation amount of the trust
preferred securities to Torchmark Corporation Pension Plan, Liberty National
Life Insurance Company Pension Plan and Liberty National Life Insurance Company
Pension Plan for Non-Commissioned Employees (collectively, the "Pension
Plans"). The Pension Plans are sponsored by Torchmark or its subsidiary,
Liberty National Life Insurance Company. The trust preferred
S-35
securities allocated to the Pension Plans will be sold on the same basis as the
other trust preferred securities sold in this offering.
No Sales of Similar Securities
We and Capital Trust II have agreed, during a period of 90 days from the
date of the pricing of the trust preferred securities, not to offer, sell,
contract to sell, grant any option for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of any
trust preferred securities or junior subordinated debentures, any other
beneficial interests of Capital Trust II or any of our securities that are
substantially similar to the trust preferred securities or the junior
subordinated debentures, including the guarantee, and including, but not
limited to, any securities that are convertible into or exercisable or
exchangeable for or that represent the right to receive trust preferred
securities or junior subordinated debentures or any such substantially similar
securities of either Capital Trust II or ours (except the junior subordinated
debentures and the trust preferred securities offered by this prospectus
supplement), without the prior written consent of the underwriter.
Settlement
It is expected that delivery of the trust preferred securities will be
made against payment therefor on or about the date specified in the last
paragraph of the cover page of this prospectus supplement.
Price Stabilization and Short Positions
In connection with the sale of the trust preferred securities, SEC rules
permit the underwriter to engage in transactions that stabilize the price of
the trust preferred securities. These transactions may include purchases for
the purpose of fixing or maintaining the price of the trust preferred
securities.
The underwriter may create a short position in the trust preferred
securities in connection with this offering. That means it may sell a larger
number of the trust preferred securities than is shown on the cover page of
this prospectus supplement. If it creates a short position, the underwriter may
purchase trust preferred securities in the open market to reduce the short
position.
If the underwriter purchases the trust preferred securities to stabilize
the price or to reduce its short position, the price of the trust preferred
securities could be higher than it might be if it had not made such purchases.
The underwriter makes no representation or prediction about any effect that the
purchases may have on the price of the trust preferred securities.
The underwriter may suspend any of these activities at any time.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the junior subordinated debentures and the guarantee and
United States federal income taxation matters will be passed upon for Torchmark
by Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C., Birmingham, Alabama. Legal matters will be
passed upon for the underwriters by Davis Polk & Wardwell, New York, New York.
Certain matters of Delaware law relating to the validity of the trust preferred
securities and the formation of Capital Trust II will be passed upon by Morris,
Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell, Wilmington, Delaware, special Delaware counsel to
Torchmark and Capital Trust II.
S-36
EXPERTS
The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus supplement by
reference from Torchmark's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2000 as it relates to the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999,
have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in
their report which is incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference.
Such financial statements are incorporated by reference into this prospectus
supplement in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority
as experts in accounting and auditing.
The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus supplement by
reference from Torchmark's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2000 as it relates to the year ended December 31, 1998, have been
audited by KPMG LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report
incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference, and have been so
incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
37
Prospectus
$300,000,000
TORCHMARK CAPITAL TRUST I
TORCHMARK CAPITAL TRUST II
[LOGO OF TORCHMARK CORPORATION]
Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares Trust Preferred Securities Guaranteed by
and Debt Securities Torchmark Corporation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TORCHMARK CORPORATION
. may sell preferred stock to the public;
. may sell depositary shares representing preferred stock to the public;
. may sell debt securities to the public; and
. will fully and unconditionally guarantee the payment by each trust of
any trust preferred securities based on its obligations under a
guarantee, a trust declaration and an indenture.
. our principal executive offices are located at 2001 Third Avenue South,
Birmingham, Alabama 35233, and our Telephone number is (205) 325-4200
THE TRUSTS
Torchmark Capital Trust I and Torchmark Capital Trust II may:
. sell trust preferred securities to the public;
. sell trust common securities to Torchmark;
. use the proceeds from these sales to buy an equal amount of debt
securities of Torchmark; and
. distribute the cash payments it receives on the debt securities it owns
to the holders of the trust preferred and trust common securities.
We urge you to read carefully this prospectus and the accompanying
prospectus supplement, which will describe the specific terms of the securities
being offered to you, before you make your investment decision.
Investing in the securities involves risks. See "Risk Factors" beginning on
page 3.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if
this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is
a criminal offense.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a
prospectus supplement.
November 30, 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
Risk Factors............................................................. 3
Forward-Looking Statements............................................... 6
Torchmark Corporation.................................................... 7
The Trusts............................................................... 7
Use of Proceeds.......................................................... 8
Ratio of Earnings from Continuing Operations to Combined Fixed Charges
and Preferred Stock Dividends........................................... 8
Description of Securities................................................ 9
Description of Capital Stock............................................. 9
Description of Depositary Shares......................................... 12
Description of the Trust Preferred Securities............................ 15
Description of Debt Securities........................................... 21
Description of the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantees................. 29
Relationship Among the Trust Preferred Securities, the Trust Preferred
Securities Guarantee and
the Debt Securities Held by Each Trust.................................. 31
Plan of Distribution..................................................... 32
Legal Opinions........................................................... 32
Experts.................................................................. 33
Where You Can Find More Information...................................... 33
2
RISK FACTORS
Investing in securities offered by this prospectus involves certain risks.
Any of the following risks could materially adversely affect our business
operating results and financial condition and could result in a loss of your
investment. You should carefully consider the following risks as well as the
other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus
before purchasing the securities.
In this prospectus, "we", "us", "our" and "Torchmark" refer to Torchmark
Corporation. Unless the context otherwise requires, "Trusts" refers to
Torchmark Capital Trust I and Torchmark Capital Trust II.
We Operate in a Mature, Highly Competitive Industry, Which Could Limit Our
Ability to Gain or Maintain Our Position.
Life and health insurance is a mature industry. In recent years, the
industry has experienced virtually no growth in life insurance sales, though
the aging population has increased the demand for retirement savings products.
Insurance is a highly competitive industry and we encounter significant
competition in all lines of business from other insurance companies, many of
which have greater financial resources than us, as well as competition from
other providers of financial services.
The life and health insurance industry is consolidating, with larger, more
efficient organizations emerging from consolidation. Also, mutual insurance
companies are converting to stock ownership which will give them greater access
to capital markets than in the past.
Our ability to compete is dependent upon, among other things, our ability to
attract and retain distribution channels to market our insurance and investment
products, our ability to develop competitive and profitable products, our
ability to maintain low unit costs, and our maintenance of strong financial
strength ratings from rating agencies.
A Ratings Downgrade Could Adversely Affect Our Ability to Compete.
Ratings are an important factor in our competitive position. Rating
organizations periodically review the financial performance and condition of
insurers, including our insurance subsidiaries. A downgrade in the ratings of
our insurance subsidiaries could adversely affect their ability to sell their
products and their ability to compete for attractive acquisition opportunities.
Rating organizations assign ratings based upon several factors. While most
of the considered factors relate to the rated company, some of the factors
relate to general economic conditions and circumstances outside the rated
company's control. For the past several years rating downgrades in the industry
have exceeded upgrades.
Declining Interest-Rates Could Negatively Affect Our Spread Income.
Sudden and/or significant changes in interest rates expose insurance
companies to the risk of not earning anticipated spreads between the interest
rate earned on investments and the credited rates paid on outstanding policies.
Declining interest rates can negatively affect our spread income. While we
attempt to manage our investments to preserve spread income, we can give no
assurance that a significant decline in interest rates will not materially
affect such spreads. In addition, lower interest rates may result in lower
sales of our insurance and investment products.
Regulatory Changes Could Adversely Affect Our Business.
Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to government regulation in each of
the states in which they conduct business. State agencies have broad
administrative power over many aspects of the insurance business, which may
include premium rates, marketing practices, advertising, licensing agents,
policy forms, capital adequacy and permitted investments. Government regulators
are concerned primarily with the protection of policyholders rather than our
shareholders. Insurance laws, regulations and policies currently affecting us
and our subsidiaries may change at any time having an adverse effect on our
business. Furthermore, we cannot predict the timing or form of any future
regulatory initiatives.
3
Medicare Supplement insurance constitutes a significant portion of our
health insurance business. Because of increasing medical cost inflation and
concerns about the solvency of the Medicare program, it is likely that changes
will be made to the Medicare program in the future. These changes could have an
adverse effect on our business.
The Tax Treatment of Our Policyholders' Earnings Could Change.
Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, income tax payable by
policyholders on investment earnings is deferred during the accumulation period
of certain life insurance and annuity products. This favorable tax treatment
may give certain of our products a competitive advantage over other non-
insurance products. To the extent that the internal revenue code is revised to
reduce the tax-deferred status of life insurance and annuity products, or to
increase the tax-deferred status of competing products, all life insurance
companies, including our subsidiaries, would be adversely affected with respect
to their ability to sell such products, and, depending on grandfathering
provisions, the surrenders of existing annuity contracts and life insurance
policies.
Industrywide Litigation Concerning Sales Practices, Agent Misconduct, Failure
to Supervise Agents, and Other Matters Could Result in Substantial Judgments
Against Us.
A number of civil jury verdicts have been returned against insurers in the
jurisdictions in which we do business involving the insurers' sales practices,
alleged agent misconduct, failure to properly supervise agents, and other
matters. Increasingly these lawsuits have resulted in the award of substantial
judgments against the insurer that are disproportionate to the actual damages,
including material amounts of punitive damages. In some states, including
Alabama, juries have substantial discretion in awarding punitive damages which
creates the potential for unpredictable material adverse judgments in any given
punitive damages suit. We, like other insurers, in the ordinary course of
business, are involved in such litigation or alternatively in arbitration. The
outcome of any such litigation or arbitration cannot be predicted with
certainty. In addition, in some class action and other lawsuits involving
insurers' sales practices, insurers have made material settlement payments.
Our Investments are Subject to Market Risks.
Our invested assets are subject to customary risks of defaults and changes
in market values. Factors that may affect the overall default rate on, and
market value of, our invested assets include interest rate levels, financial
market performance, and general economic conditions, as well as particular
circumstances affecting the businesses of individual borrowers and tenants.
Anti-takeover Provisions in Our Governing Documents and Delaware Law Could
Prevent or Delay a Change in Control of Torchmark.
Our governing documents contain provisions that make it more difficult to
implement corporate actions that may have the effect of delaying, deterring or
preventing a change in control. A stockholder might consider a change in
control in his or her best interest because he or she might receive a premium
for his or her common stock. Examples of these provisions include:
. a vote of more than 80% of the outstanding voting stock is required for
stockholders to amend specified provisions of the governing documents;
. our board of directors is divided into three classes, each serving
three-year terms;
. members of our board of directors may be removed only for cause and only
upon the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the outstanding voting
stock; and
. a vote of more than 80% of the outstanding voting stock is required to
approve specified transactions between us and any person or group that
owns at least 10% of our voting stock.
4
Our board of directors has the ability, without stockholder action, to issue
shares of preferred stock that could, depending on their terms, delay,
discourage or prevent a change in control of Torchmark. In addition, the
Delaware General Corporation Law, under which we are incorporated, contains
provisions that impose restrictions on business combinations such as mergers
between us and a holder of 15% or more of our voting stock. You should read the
"Description of Securities" section for a more complete description of these
provisions.
Year 2000 Computer Compliance Issues May Adversely Affect Us.
The new millennium poses a significant concern to all businesses which use
computer systems or electronic data in their operations. This concern arises
because the computer systems and programs used by organizations cannot always
identify a proper date. For many years, programs were written using a two digit
code to represent a year. At the beginning of the year 2000, more digits are
needed to accurately determine the date in these programs. Without addressing
this issue, many computer programs could fail or produce erroneous results.
Additionally, companies which are electronically engaged with other businesses
or which rely on other businesses for services are exposed to risk of failure
by the electronic devices and computer systems of those other entities which
are not Year 2000 compliant. The potential of failure of these systems creates
considerable uncertainty and could potentially adversely affect the ongoing
operations and stability of a business.
Torchmark is exposed to these risks should its computer systems fail due to
date-related problems. We are also reliant on a number of third party
businesses and governmental agencies with which we either interact
electronically or depend upon for services in the conduct of our business.
These institutions include but are not limited to banks, financial
institutions, telecommunication companies, utilities, mail delivery
organizations, and a variety of governmental agencies. Should our computer
systems or the systems of our third-party business partners not be compliant,
we may be exposed to considerable risks, including business interruption, loss
of revenue, increased expense, loss of policyholders, and litigation.
To reduce our business risk to an acceptable level, we have established a
project plan to insure that our business-critical computer systems will be Year
2000 compliant. This plan also addresses third-party compliance issues. Under
the direction of executive management, objectives and timetables have been set
forth to achieve compliance in each geographic location where Torchmark
operates. Progress toward achieving those objectives is constantly monitored.
We currently expect the entire project, including all Year 2000 testing
activities, to be completed during 1999.
As of June 30, 1999, Torchmark remains on schedule to meet all of its Year
2000 compliance requirements. All known required software changes have been
completed, and further testing currently in process is planned to be completed
in 1999. With regard to third party concerns, we have in process the following
procedures:
(1) We are confirming, with our software vendors, the Year 2000 readiness
of our purchased software packages on all of our computer platforms;
(2) We are verifying the Year 2000 compliance status of our financial
business partners' computer and data communications systems to insure
readiness, including data interface testing with third parties; and
(3) All of our electronic operational systems (telephones, security,
utility, environmental) are being evaluated for Year 2000 compliance.
There can be no assurances that our Year 2000 efforts will be successful,
that interactions with other service providers with Year 2000 issues will not
impair our operations, or that the Year 2000 issue will not otherwise adversely
affect us.
5
Should some of our systems not be available due to Year 2000 problems, in a
reasonably likely worst case scenario, we may experience significant delays in
our ability to perform certain functions, but we do not expect an inability to
perform critical functions or to otherwise conduct business. However, other
worst case scenarios, depending upon their duration, could have a material
adverse effect on us and our operations.
Our Ability to Pay Principal, Interest and/or Dividends on Offered Securities
is Limited by the Amounts Our Subsidiaries May Pay to Us.
Our ability to pay principal and interest on any Debt Securities or
dividends on any Preferred Stock is affected by the ability of our insurance
company subsidiaries, our principal sources of cash flow, to declare and
distribute dividends on their common stock and preferred stock held by us. Our
insurance company subsidiaries are subject to various state statutory and
regulatory restrictions, applicable to insurance companies generally, that
limit the amount of cash dividends, loans and advances that those subsidiaries
may pay to us. For example, under certain state insurance laws, an insurance
company generally may pay dividends only out of its unassigned surplus as
reflected in its statutory financial statements filed in that state.
We can give no assurance that more stringent restrictions will not be
adopted from time to time by states in which our insurance subsidiaries are
domiciled, which could have the effect, under certain circumstances, of
significantly reducing dividends or other amounts payable to us by such
subsidiaries without affirmative prior approval by state insurance regulatory
authorities. In addition, we rely on our ability to increase our premiums based
upon a number of factors including loss experience. Our inability to obtain
approval of rate increases in a timely manner from state insurance regulatory
authorities could adversely impact our business and the ability of our
insurance subsidiaries to declare and distribute dividends.
Our results may vary from year to year on account of fluctuations in policy
claims received by us. A significant increase in policy claims could adversely
impact our business and the ability of our insurance subsidiaries to declare
and distribute dividends.
In the event of the insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or
other winding-up of one of our insurance subsidiaries, all creditors of such
subsidiary, including holders of life and health insurance policies, would be
entitled to payment in full out of the assets of such subsidiary before we, as
shareholder, would be entitled to any payments. Creditors of subsidiaries would
have to be paid in full before our creditors, including holders of debt
securities, and would be entitled to receive any payment from the assets of
such subsidiary.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the information incorporated by reference include
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that
reflect Torchmark's current view with respect to future events and financial
performance. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the
use of forward-looking words such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will,"
"should," "seeks," "approximately," "intends," "plans," "estimates," or
"anticipates" or the negative of those words or other comparable terminology.
These forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and
uncertainties, including those identified in "Risk Factors," as well as those
noted in the documents incorporated by reference which could cause actual
results to differ materially from historical results or anticipated results.
You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of their dates. Torchmark undertakes no
obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed
assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to projections
over time.
6
TORCHMARK CORPORATION
Torchmark is an insurance and diversified financial services holding company
that provides individual life and supplemental health insurance and related
products. Torchmark was incorporated in Delaware on November 19, 1979. It is
the ultimate parent company of Liberty National Life Insurance Company, Globe
Life And Accident Insurance Company, United American Insurance Company, United
Investors Life Insurance Company, and American Income Life Insurance Company.
Torchmark's principal executive offices are located at 2001 Third Avenue South,
Birmingham, Alabama 35233, and its telephone number is (205) 325-4200.
THE TRUSTS
We created two Delaware business trusts by executing, as sponsor, two
Declarations of Trust with four appointed trustees for each trust. The trusts
are named Torchmark Capital Trust I and Torchmark Capital Trust II (each, a
"Trust"). Prior to the issuance of trust preferred securities, we will file an
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust for the Trust that will issue the
trust preferred securities. The trust declaration will state the terms and
conditions for the Trust to issue and sell its preferred securities and its
common securities. A form of trust declaration is filed as an exhibit to the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Each Trust will exist solely to:
. issue and sell its trust preferred and trust common securities;
. use the proceeds from the sale of its trust preferred and trust common
securities to purchase a series of our debt securities; and
. engage in other activities that are necessary or incidental to these
purposes.
We will purchase all of the trust common securities of each Trust. Unless
otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the trust common
securities will represent an aggregate liquidation amount equal to at least 3%
of each Trust's total capitalization. The trust preferred securities will
represent the remaining approximately 97% of such Trust's total capitalization.
The trust common securities will have terms substantially identical to, and
will rank equal in priority of payment with, the trust preferred securities.
However, if an event of default under the related trust declaration has
occurred, then cash distributions and liquidation, redemption and other amounts
payable on the trust common securities will rank lower in priority of payment
than the trust preferred securities.
We will guarantee the trust preferred securities as described later in this
prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.
We have appointed four trustees to conduct the Trusts' business and affairs:
. Bank One Delaware, Inc. as the Delaware trustee; and
. three officers of Torchmark as the regular trustees.
Only Torchmark, as the only holder of the trust common securities of each
Trust, can remove or replace the trustees. In addition, we can increase or
decrease the number of trustees. The majority of trustees, however, will always
be regular trustees.
We will pay all fees and expenses related to each Trust and to each offering
of the related preferred securities, except each Trust will pay for its
obligations under the related trust preferred and trust common securities.
The Trusts will not have separate financial statements. The statements would
not be material to holders of the preferred securities because the Trusts will
not have any independent operations. The Trusts exist solely for the reasons
stated above.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds of the sale of the trust common and trust preferred
securities issued by each Trust will be invested by the applicable Trust in the
related series of our debt securities. Unless otherwise stated in the
applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use those proceeds, in addition
to the net proceeds of any securities sold by us, for possible repurchases of
our outstanding securities and for general corporate purposes, including
working capital, repayment of bank debt, acquisitions and other business
opportunities.
RATIO OF EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
The following table presents the ratio of earnings from continuing
operations to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for
Torchmark for the periods indicated.
Six Months Ended
Years Ended December 31, June 30,
------------------------ -----------------
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- -----------------
Ratio of earnings from continuing
operations to combined fixed
charges and preferred stock
dividends:
Excluding interest credited on
deposit products.................. 4.8 4.4 5.2 5.3 6.9
Including interest credited on
deposit products.................. 3.1 2.8 3.1 3.1 3.8
For purposes of computing these ratios, earnings represent consolidated
income before income taxes and fixed charges. Combined fixed charges represent
interest expense, including interest credited on deposit products where
indicated, and that portion of rental expense deemed representative of the
interest factor. The denominator is increased for preferred stock dividend
requirements which represent the amount of pre-tax earnings required to cover
such dividend requirements.
8
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
This prospectus contains a summary of our preferred stock, depositary
shares, debt securities, preferred securities of the Trusts, and preferred
securities guarantees of Torchmark relating to each Trust. The securities
issued by the Trusts will be identical to each individual Trust, except as
otherwise described in the prospectus supplement for such securities. These
summaries are not meant to be a complete description of each security. However,
this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement contain the material
terms and conditions for each security.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The following descriptions of our capital stock are not complete. You should
also read our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, our Bylaws and
the Delaware General Corporation Law. We have filed copies of the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws with the SEC. These documents are
incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this
prospectus is a part.
We have 325,000,000 shares of capital stock authorized, of which 320,000,000
shares are common stock and 5,000,000 shares are preferred stock. As of June
30, 1999, we had 133,257,162 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, and
299,493 shares of our preferred stock were issued and outstanding.
Preferred Stock
We are authorized to issue 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, 299,493
shares of which currently are issued and outstanding. The following is a
general description of the terms of our preferred stock. The particular terms
of any series of preferred stock offered hereby will be set forth in a
prospectus supplement relating to such securities. The rights, preferences,
privileges and restrictions, including dividend rights, voting rights, terms of
redemption and liquidation preferences, of the preferred stock of each series
will be fixed or designated pursuant to a certificate of designations adopted
by our Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee of our board. The
description of preferred stock set forth below and the description of the terms
of a particular series of preferred stock that will be set forth in a
prospectus supplement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their
entirety by reference to the certificate of designations relating to such
series. In all respects, regardless of series, the preferred stock will rank in
preference to Torchmark's common stock as to payment of dividends and as to
distribution of assets of Torchmark upon the liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of Torchmark. Upon issuance against full payment of their purchase
price, shares of preferred stock will be fully paid and nonassessable.
Dividends. Holders of a series of preferred stock will be entitled to
receive, when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors out of any funds
legally available for that purpose, dividends in cash at such rates, payable on
such dates in each year and in respect of such dividend periods, as stated in
Torchmark's Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the certificate of
designations for that series of preferred stock, before any dividends may be
declared, paid or set apart for payment upon the common stock or any other
class of stock ranking junior to that series of preferred stock. No dividend
may be declared or paid on any series of preferred stock unless at the same
time a dividend in like proportion to the designated dividend amounts has been
declared or paid on each other series of preferred stock then issued and
outstanding ranking prior to or on a parity with that particular series with
respect to the payment of dividends. Dividends on preferred stock may be either
cumulative or noncumulative.
Liquidation Preference. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or
winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of preferred stock of
each series (if any shares thereof are then issued and outstanding) will be
entitled to payment of the applicable liquidation price or prices plus accrued
dividends, out of our available assets, in preference to the holders of common
stock or any other class of stock ranking junior to such series of preferred
stock upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
Redemption and Conversion. Each series of preferred stock will be subject to
redemption, if applicable, on such terms, at such prices and on such dates as
may be set forth in the applicable certificates of designations. The preferred
stock will not be convertible.
9
Voting Rights. The holders of the preferred stock have no voting rights
except as specifically required by statute and except for certain voting rights
specifically provided in Torchmark's Restated Certificate of Incorporation or
the certificates of designations creating the various series of such stock.
Voting rights of the preferred stock will be noncumulative.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Provisions of Delaware Law and Our Restated
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Delaware Law
As a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, we are
subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which restricts
specified business combinations between us and an "interested stockholder" or
its affiliates or associates for a period of three years following the time
that the stockholder becomes an "interested stockholder." In general, an
"interested stockholder" is defined for purposes of Delaware law as a
stockholder owing 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock. The restrictions
do not apply if:
. prior to an interested stockholder becoming such, our board of directors
approved either the business combination or the transaction which
resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
. upon completion of the transaction which resulted in any person becoming
an interested stockholder, such interested stockholder owns at least 85%
of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced,
excluding shares owned by employee stock ownership plans and persons who
are both directors and officers of Torchmark; or
. at or subsequent to the time an interested stockholder becomes such, the
business combination is both approved by our board of directors and
authorized at an annual or special meeting of our stockholders, not by
written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the
outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder.
Under some circumstances, Section 203 makes it more difficult for a person
who would be an "interested stockholder" to effect various business
combinations with a corporation for a three-year period, although the
stockholders may elect to exclude a corporation from the restrictions imposed
under Section 203. Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation does not exclude
us from the restrictions imposed under Section 203. It is anticipated that the
provisions of Section 203 may encourage companies interested in acquiring us to
negotiate in advance with our board of directors since the stockholder approval
requirement would be avoided if a majority of the directors then in office
approves, prior to the date on which a stockholder becomes an interested
stockholder, either the business combination or the transaction which results
in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder.
Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaw Provisions
The summary below describes certain provisions of our Restated Certificate
of Incorporation and Bylaws which may have the effect, either alone or in
combination with the provisions of Section 203 discussed above, of making more
difficult or discouraging a tender offer, proxy contest or other takeover
attempt that is opposed by our board of directors but that a stockholder might
consider to be in such stockholder's best interest. Those provisions include:
. restrictions on the rights of stockholders to remove directors;
. prohibitions against stockholders calling a special meeting of
stockholders or acting by unanimous written consent in lieu of a
meeting; and
. restrictions on business combination transactions with "interested
stockholders."
10
Number of Directors; Classified Board of Directors; Removal; Filling
Vacancies. Our Bylaws provide that the number of directors shall consist of not
less than seven nor more than 15 persons which exact number shall be fixed by a
majority vote of the board of directors. The board of directors are divided
into three classes with the classes to be as nearly equal in number as
possible. The directors serve three year terms.
Our Bylaws provide that any vacancies will be filled by the affirmative vote
of a majority of the remaining directors, or if all directors have been
removed, by a majority vote of the stockholders. Accordingly, absent an
amendment to the Bylaws, our board of directors could prevent any stockholder
from enlarging the board of directors and filling the new directorships with
such stockholder's own nominees. Moreover, our Bylaws provide that directors
may be removed only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of holders of
at least 80% of our voting stock.
The classification of directors could have the effect of making it more
difficult for stockholders to change the composition of the board of directors.
At least two annual meetings of stockholders, instead of one, are generally
required to effect a change in a majority of the board of directors. Such a
delay may help ensure that our directors, if confronted by a holder attempting
to force a proxy contest, a tender or exchange offer, or an extraordinary
corporate transaction, would have sufficient time to review the proposal as
well as any available alternatives to the proposal and to act in what they
believe to be the best interest of the stockholders. The classification
provisions will apply to every election of directors, however, regardless of
whether a change in the composition of the board of directors would be
beneficial to us and our stockholders and whether or not a majority of our
stockholders believe that such a change would be desirable.
The classification provisions could also have the effect of discouraging a
third party from initiating a proxy contest, making a tender offer or otherwise
attempting to obtain control of Torchmark, even though such an attempt might be
beneficial to us and our stockholders. The classifications of the board of
directors could thus increase the likelihood that incumbent directors will
retain their positions. In addition, because the classification provisions may
discourage accumulations of large blocks of our stock by purchasers whose
objective is to take control of Torchmark and remove a majority of the board of
directors, the classification of the board of directors could tend to reduce
the likelihood of fluctuations in the market price of the common stock that
might result from accumulations of large blocks of our stock. Accordingly,
stockholders could be deprived of opportunities to sell their shares of common
stock at a higher market price than might otherwise be the case.
No Stockholder Action by Written Consent; Special Meetings. Our Bylaws
provide that stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special
meeting of stockholders, and stockholder action may not be taken by written
consent in lieu of a meeting. Special meetings of stockholders can be called
only by our board of directors by a resolution adopted by a majority of the
board of directors, upon not less than ten nor more than 60 days' written
notice. Moreover, the business permitted to be conducted at any special meeting
of stockholders is limited to the business described in the notice of meeting
given by the board of directors, unless the consideration of new business is
approved by the unanimous consent of all the stockholders entitled to vote at
the meeting.
The provisions of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
prohibiting stockholder action by written consent and permitting special
meetings to be called only at the request of a majority of the board of
directors, may have the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder
proposal until the next annual meeting. The provisions would also prevent the
holders of a majority of our voting stock from unilaterally using the written
consent procedure to take stockholder action. Moreover, a stockholder could not
force stockholder consideration of a proposal over the opposition of a majority
of the board of directors, by calling a special meeting of stockholders prior
to the time such parties believe such consideration to be appropriate.
Fair Price Provisions Involving Business Combinations. Our Restated
Certificate of Incorporation contains a "fair price" provision that applies to
certain business combination transactions involving any person, entity or group
that beneficially owns at least 10% of our aggregate voting stock--such person,
entity or group is referred to in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation as
an "interested stockholder". This
11
provision requires the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 80% of
our voting stock to approve specified transactions between an interested
stockholder or its affiliate and us or our subsidiaries, including:
. any merger or consolidation;
. any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other
disposition of assets (in one transaction or a series of transactions)
having a fair market value of $5,000,000 or more;
. the issuance or transfer of any of our securities or any of our
subsidiaries' securities by us or any of our subsidiaries to an
interested stockholder in exchange for cash, securities or other
property having a fair market value of $5,000,000 or more;
. the adoption of a plan or proposal for our liquidation or dissolution
proposed by or on behalf of an interested stockholder or its affiliate;
. any reclassification of securities, recapitalization, or any other
transaction involving us or any of our subsidiaries that would have the
effect of increasing the voting power of an interested stockholder or
its affiliate;
This voting requirement will not apply to any transaction approved by a
majority vote of the directors unaffiliated with the interested stockholder and
existing before the interested stockholder became a stockholder. This voting
requirement will also not apply to any transaction involving the payment of
consideration to holders of Torchmark's outstanding capital stock in which
certain minimum "fair price" and procedural requirements are met.
This "fair price" provision could have the effect of delaying or preventing
a change in control of Torchmark in a transaction of series of transactions
that does not satisfy the stated criteria.
Amendments. Ordinarily, the Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the
board of directors or by a majority vote of stockholders at a special or annual
meeting. However, the affirmative vote of holders of not less than 80% of our
voting stock, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter,
amend, adopt any provision inconsistent with or to repeal certain provisions of
our Bylaws and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, including those anti-
takeover provisions discussed in this section.
Issuance of Additional Preferred Stock. Our Restated Certificate of
Incorporation authorizes the board of directors to create and issue additional
preferred stock for such consideration and on such terms as it may determine.
The rights assigned to a series of preferred stock by the board including
voting, dividend and conversion rights, may delay, discourage or prevent a
change in control of Torchmark. For example, the board of directors has the
power, to the extent consistent with its fiduciary duties, to issue a series of
preferred stock with preferential voting rights to persons friendly to
management to attempt to block a post-tender offer merger or other transaction
by which a third party seeks control, and thereby assist management to retain
its position.
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
The following description of the depositary shares is not complete. You
should also read the form of Deposit Agreement relating to the depositary
shares and the depositary receipt relating to the preferred stock that is
attached to the Deposit Agreement. We have filed those documents with the SEC
as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
General
If we elect to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, we
will provide for the issuance by a depositary to the public of receipts for
depositary shares. Each depositary share will represent fractional interests of
preferred stock. We will deposit the shares of preferred stock underlying the
depositary shares under a Deposit Agreement between us and a bank or trust
company selected by us which will sometimes be
12
referred to herein as the depositary. The bank or trust company must have its
principal office in the United States and a combined capital and surplus of at
least $50 million. The depositary receipts will evidence the depositary shares
issued under the Deposit Agreement.
The Deposit Agreement will contain terms applicable to the holders of
depositary shares in addition to the terms stated in the depositary receipts.
Each owner of depositary shares will be entitled to all the rights and
preferences of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares in
proportion to the applicable fractional interest in the underlying shares of
preferred stock. The depositary will issue the depositary receipts to
individuals purchasing the fractional interests in shares of the related
preferred stock according to the terms of the offering described in a
prospectus supplement.
Dividends and Other Distributions
The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash
distributions received for the preferred stock to the entitled record holders
of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares that the
holder owns on the relevant record date. The depositary will distribute only an
amount that can be distributed without attributing to any holder of depositary
shares a fraction of one cent. The depositary will add the undistributed
balance to and treat it as part of the next sum received by the depositary for
distribution to holders of depositary shares.
If there is a non-cash distribution, the depositary will distribute property
received by it to the entitled record holders of depositary shares, in
proportion, insofar as possible, to the number of depositary shares owned by
the holders, unless the depositary determines, after consultation with us, that
it is not feasible to make such distribution. If this occurs, the depositary
may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from
the sale to the holders. The Deposit Agreement also will contain provisions
relating to how any subscription or similar rights that we may offer to holders
of the preferred stock will be available to the holders of the depositary
shares.
Conversion, Exchange and Redemption
If any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is
converted or exchanged, each record holder of depositary receipts will have the
right or obligation to convert or exchange the depositary shares represented by
the depositary receipts.
Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the
depositary will redeem, at the same time, the number of depositary shares
representing the preferred stock. The depositary will redeem the depositary
shares from the proceeds it receives from the corresponding redemption, in
whole or in part, of the applicable series of preferred stock.
The depositary will mail notice of redemption or conversion to the record
holders of the depositary shares which are to be redeemed or converted between
30 and 60 days before the date fixed for redemption or conversion. The
redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction
of the redemption price per share on the applicable series of preferred stock.
If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary will
select which shares are to be redeemed by lot or by proportionate allocation.
After the date fixed for redemption or conversion, the depositary shares
called for redemption or conversion will no longer be outstanding. When the
depositary shares are no longer outstanding, all rights of the holders will
end, except the right to receive money, securities or other property payable
upon redemption.
Voting
When the depositary receives notice of a meeting at which the holders of the
preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the particulars
of the meeting to the record holders of the depositary shares. Each
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record holder of depositary shares on the record date may instruct the
depositary on how to vote the shares of preferred stock underlying the holder's
depositary shares. The depositary will try, if practical, to vote the number of
shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares according to those
instructions. We will agree to take all reasonable action requested by the
depositary to enable it to vote as instructed.
Amendments
We and the depositary may agree to amend the Deposit Agreement and the
depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares. Any amendment that (a)
imposes or increases certain fees, taxes or other charges payable by the
holders of the depositary shares as described in the Deposit Agreement or that
(b) otherwise prejudices any substantial existing right of holders of
depositary shares, will not take effect until 30 days after the depositary has
mailed notice of the amendment to the record holders of depositary shares. Any
holder of depositary shares that continues to hold its shares at the end of the
30-day period will be deemed to have agreed to the amendment.
Termination
We may direct the depositary to terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing a
notice of termination to holders of depositary shares at least 30 days prior to
termination. If 90 days after the depositary has provided notice to us of its
election to resign a new depositary has not been appointed, the depositary may
terminate the Deposit Agreement. In addition, a Deposit Agreement will
automatically terminate if:
. the depositary has redeemed all related outstanding depositary shares;
or
. we have liquidated, terminated or wound up our business and the
depositary has distributed the preferred stock of the relevant series to
the holders of the related depositary shares.
Payment of Fees And Expenses
We will pay all fees, charges and expenses of the depositary, including the
initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred
stock. Holders of depositary shares will pay transfer and other taxes and
governmental charges and any other charges as are stated in the Deposit
Agreement for their accounts.
Resignation And Removal of Depositary
At any time, the depositary may resign by delivering notice to us, and we
may remove the depositary. Resignations or removals will take effect upon the
appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of the appointment.
The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the
notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its
principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus
of at least $50 million.
Miscellaneous
The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary shares all reports
and communications from us that are delivered to the depositary and that we are
required by law, the rules of an applicable securities exchange, our Restated
Certificate of Incorporation or the Certificate of Determination to furnish to
the holders of the preferred stock. Neither we nor the depositary will be
liable if the depositary is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstances
beyond its control in performing its obligations under the Deposit Agreement.
The Deposit Agreement limits our obligations and the depositary's obligations
to performance in good faith of the duties stated in the Deposit Agreement.
Neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any
legal proceeding connected with any depositary shares or preferred stock unless
the holders of depositary shares requesting us to do so furnish us with
satisfactory indemnity. In performing our obligations, we and the depositary
may rely upon the written advice of our counsel or accountants, on any
information that competent people provide to us and on documents that we
believe are genuine.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES
The following is a summary of the general terms of the trust preferred
securities. We will file a prospectus supplement that may contain additional
terms when a Trust issues preferred securities. The terms presented here,
together with the terms in a related prospectus supplement, will be a
description of the material terms of the trust preferred securities to be sold.
You should also read the trust declaration for each Trust and the indentures
between Torchmark and certain trustees relating to the issuance of the debt
securities by Torchmark. We have filed these documents with the SEC as exhibits
to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
General
Each trust declaration authorizes the regular trustees to issue on behalf of
a Trust one series of trust preferred securities that will have the terms
described in a prospectus supplement. A Trust will use the proceeds from the
sale of its preferred and common securities to purchase a series of our debt
securities. The property trustee will hold the debt securities in trust for the
benefit of the holders of the trust preferred and trust common securities.
Torchmark will guarantee the trust preferred securities under a Trust
Preferred Securities Guarantee. We will agree to make payments of distributions
and payments on redemption or liquidation concerning a Trust's trust preferred
securities, but only if the Trust has funds available to make those payments
and has not done so. See "Description of the Trust Preferred Securities
Guarantees" on page 26.
The assets of a Trust available for distribution to the holders of its trust
preferred securities will be limited to payments from us under the series of
debt securities held by the Trust. If we fail to make a payment on the related
debt securities, the Trust will not have enough funds to make related payments,
including distributions on its preferred securities.
Each guarantee, when taken together with our obligations under the related
series of debt securities and the indenture and the related trust declaration,
will provide a full and unconditional guarantee of amounts due on the trust
preferred securities issued by a Trust.
Each trust declaration will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939. Each property trustee will act as indenture trustee for
the trust preferred securities to be issued by the applicable Trust, in order
to comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act.
Each series of trust preferred securities will have the terms, including
distributions, redemption, voting, liquidation rights and such other preferred,
deferred or other special rights or restrictions as are described in the
relevant trust declaration or made part of the trust declaration by the Trust
Indenture Act or by the Delaware Business Trust Act. The terms of the preferred
securities will mirror the terms of the debt securities held by the applicable
Trust.
The prospectus supplement relating to the trust preferred securities of a
Trust will describe the specific terms of the preferred securities, including:
. the name of the trust preferred securities;
. the dollar amount and number of trust preferred securities issued;
. the annual distribution rate(s), or method of determining the rate(s),
the payment date(s) and the record dates used to determine the holders
who are to receive distributions and the place(s) where distributions
and other amounts payable will be paid;
. any provision relating to deferral of distribution payments;
. the date from which distributions shall be cumulative;
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. the optional redemption provisions, if any, including the prices, time
periods and other terms and conditions for which trust preferred
securities will be purchased or redeemed, in whole or in part;
. the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the applicable series of
debt securities may be distributed to holders of such trust preferred
securities;
. the voting rights, if any, of holders of the trust preferred securities;
. any securities exchange on which the trust preferred securities will be
listed;
. whether such trust preferred securities are to be issued in book-entry
form and represented by one or more global certificates, and if so, the
depositary for such global certificates and the specific terms of the
depositary arrangements; and
. any other relevant rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or
restrictions of such trust preferred securities.
Each prospectus supplement will describe the United States federal income
tax considerations applicable to the purchase, holding and disposition of the
series of trust preferred securities covered by the prospectus supplement.
Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each
trust declaration states that the related Trust shall be dissolved:
. upon the expiration of the term of such Trust;
. upon the bankruptcy of Torchmark;
. upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent by
Torchmark;
. upon the consent of at least a majority in liquidation amount of the
trust preferred and trust common securities of the related Trust, voting
together as a single class to dissolve the Trust;
. 90 days after the revocation of our charter and the charter is not
reinstated during that 90-day period;
. upon the written direction from us and after the distribution of the
related debt securities directly to the holders of the trust preferred
and trust common securities of the applicable Trust in exchange for
those securities within 90 days after notice, as long as the regular
trustees receive an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to
the effect that the holders of the trust preferred and the trust common
securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States
federal income tax purposes as a result of the termination of the Trust
and the distribution of the debt securities;
. upon the occurrence of adverse tax or other specified events that cause
the Trust to be dissolved and the distribution of the related debt
securities directly to the holders of the trust preferred and trust
common securities of the Trust;
. before the issuance of any securities with the consent of all regular
trustees and Torchmark;
. upon the redemption of all of the trust common and trust preferred
securities of such Trust; or
. upon entry of a court order for the dissolution of Torchmark or such
Trust.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, in the
event of a dissolution, after the Trust pays all amounts owed to creditors, the
holders of the trust preferred and trust common securities issued by the Trust
will be entitled to receive:
. cash equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of each trust preferred
and trust common security specified in an accompanying prospectus
supplement, plus accumulated and unpaid distributions to the date of
payment; unless
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. debt securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate
liquidation amount of the trust preferred and trust common securities
are distributed to the holders of the trust preferred and trust common
securities.
After the liquidation date is fixed for any distribution of debt securities:
. the trust preferred securities will no longer be deemed to be
outstanding;
. DTC or its nominee, as the registered holder of the trust preferred
securities, will receive a registered global certificate or certificates
representing debt securities to be delivered upon distribution with
respect to the trust preferred securities held by DTC or its nominee;
and
. any certificates representing trust preferred securities not held by DTC
or its nominee will be deemed to represent debt securities having a
principal amount equal to the $25 stated liquidation amount of the trust
preferred securities and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an
amount equal to the accumulated and unpaid distributions on the trust
preferred securities until the holder of those certificates presents
them to the registrar for the trust preferred securities for transfer or
reissuance.
If the Trust cannot pay the full amount due on its trust preferred and trust
common securities because it does not have enough assets for payment, then the
amounts the Trust owes on its trust preferred and trust common securities will
be proportionately allocated. However, if an event of default under the related
trust declaration has occurred, the total amounts due on the trust preferred
securities will be paid before any distribution on the trust common securities.
Declaration Events of Default
An event of default under the indenture relating to a series of debt
securities is an event of default under the trust declaration of the Trust that
owns those debt securities. See "Description of Debt Securities--Events of
Default."
Under the trust declaration, we, as the holder of the trust common
securities, will be treated as if we have waived an event of default under the
trust declaration that affects us until all events of default under the trust
declaration affecting the preferred securities have been cured or eliminated.
Torchmark and the regular trustees of a Trust must file annually with the
applicable property trustee a certificate stating whether or not Torchmark is
in compliance with all the applicable conditions and covenants under the
related trust declaration.
Upon the happening of an event of default under the trust declaration, the
property trustee of the applicable Trust, as the sole holder of the debt
securities held by that Trust, will have the right under any indenture to
declare the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such debt securities
to be immediately due and payable.
If a property trustee fails to enforce its rights under the related trust
declaration or any indenture to the fullest extent permitted by law and by the
terms of the trust declaration and any indenture, any holder of the trust
preferred securities issued by the Trust may sue us, or seek other remedies, to
enforce the property trustee's rights under the trust declaration or any
indenture without first instituting a legal proceeding against the property
trustee or any other person.
If we fail to pay principal, premium, if any, or interest on a series of
debt securities when payable, then a holder of the related trust preferred
securities may directly sue us or seek other remedies, to collect its
proportional allocation of payments owned.
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Removal and Replacement of Trustees
Only we, as the only holder of a Trust's trust common securities, have the
right to remove or replace the trustees of such Trust. The resignation or
removal of any trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee shall be
effective only on the acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee in
accordance with the provisions of the trust declaration for that Trust.
Conversion or Exchange Rights
The terms that govern whether trust preferred securities of any series are
convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or other securities of
ours will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the trust
preferred securities. The terms will include provisions regarding whether
conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our
option and may include provisions that adjust the number of shares of our
common stock or other securities of ours that the holders of trust preferred
securities may receive.
Mergers, Consolidations or Amalgamations of the Trusts
A Trust may not consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, be replaced by,
or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an
entirety to, any other corporation or other body ("Merger Event"), except as
described below. A Trust may, with the consent of a majority of its regular
trustees and without the consent of the holders of its trust preferred and
trust common securities or the other Trustees, consolidate, amalgamate, merge
with or into, or be replaced by another trust, provided that:
. the successor entity either:
(1) assumes all of the obligations of the Trust relating to its trust
preferred and trust common securities; or
(2) substitutes for the Trust's trust preferred and trust common
securities other securities substantially similar to the Trust's
trust preferred and trust common securities, so long as the
successor securities rank the same as the trust preferred and trust
common securities for distributions and payments upon liquidation,
redemption and otherwise;
. we acknowledge a trustee of the successor entity who has the same powers
and duties as the property trustee of the Trust as the holder of the
particular series of debt securities;
. the Merger Event does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and
privileges of the holders of its trust preferred and trust common
securities or successor securities in any material way, except
concerning any dilution of the holders' interest in the new entity;
. the Merger Event does not cause the trust preferred securities or
successor securities to be downgraded by any nationally recognized
statistical rating organization;
. the successor entity has a purpose identical to that of the Trust;
. the trust preferred securities or any successor securities are listed,
or any successor securities will be listed upon notification of
issuance, on any national securities exchange or with another
organization on which the trust preferred securities are then listed;
. prior to the Merger Event, we have received an opinion of counsel from a
firm qualified to give such opinion stating that (a) the Merger Event
does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the
holders of the trust preferred securities, including any successor
securities, in any material respect and (b) following the Merger Event,
neither the Trust nor the successor entity will be required to register
as an "investment company" under the Investment Company Act of 1940; and
. we guarantee the obligations of the successor entity under the successor
securities in the same manner as in the applicable guarantee and the
guarantee of the trust common securities for the Trust, if any.
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In addition, unless all of the holders of the trust preferred and trust
common securities approve otherwise, a Trust shall not consolidate, amalgamate,
merge with or into, or be replaced by any other entity or permit any other
entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it, if such
transaction would cause the Trust or the successor entity to be classified as
other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.
Voting Rights; Amendment of Declarations
The holders of trust preferred securities have no voting rights except as
discussed above and under "--Mergers, Consolidations or Amalgamations of the
Trusts" and "Description of the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantees--
Amendments and Assignment," and as otherwise required by law and the trust
declaration for the applicable Trust.
A trust declaration may be amended if approved by a majority of the regular
trustees, and in limited circumstances, the property trustee or Delaware
trustee, of the applicable Trust. However, if any proposed amendment provides
for, or the regular trustees otherwise propose to effect,
. any action that would adversely affect the powers, preferences or
special rights of the Trust's trust preferred and trust common
securities, whether by way of amendment to such trust declaration or
otherwise, or
. the dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust other than under
the terms of its trust declaration,
then the holders of the Trust's trust preferred and trust common securities
voting together as a single class will be entitled to vote on the amendment or
proposal. In that case, the amendment or proposal will only be effective if
approved by at least a majority in liquidation amount of the trust preferred
and trust common securities affected by the amendment or proposal.
If any amendment or proposal referred to above would adversely affect only
the trust preferred securities or only the trust common securities of a Trust,
then only the affected class will be entitled to vote on the amendment or
proposal and the amendment or proposal will only be effective with the approval
of at least a majority in liquidation amount of the affected class.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, specified provisions of the trust declaration
may not be amended without the consent of all holders of the trust's preferred
and common securities.
No amendment may be made to a trust declaration, if the amendment would:
. cause the related Trust to be characterized as other than a grantor
trust for United States federal income tax purposes;
. reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of the related property
trustee, unless approved by that property trustee; or
. cause the related Trust to be deemed to be an "investment company" which
is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act.
The holders of a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the trust
preferred securities of each Trust have the right to:
. direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the property trustee of the Trust; or
. direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon such property
trustee under that Trust's trust declaration, including the right to
direct the property trustee, as the holder of a series of debt
securities, to
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(1) exercise the remedies available under any indenture involving the
debt securities,
(2) waive any event of default under any indenture that is waivable,
(3) cancel an acceleration of the principal of the debt securities, or
(4) consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the
indenture where consent is required,
but if an event of default under any indenture has occurred and is continuing,
then the holders of 25% of the aggregate liquidation amount of the trust
preferred securities may direct the property trustee to declare the debt
securities immediately due and payable. If, however, any indenture requires the
consent of the holders of more than a majority in aggregate principal amount of
a series of debt securities (a "super-majority"), then the property trustee for
the trust preferred securities related to that series of debt securities must
get approval of the holders of the same super-majority in liquidation amount of
the trust preferred securities. In addition, before taking any of the foregoing
actions, except for directing the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the property trustee, the property
trustee must obtain an opinion of counsel from a firm qualified to give such
opinion stating that the action would not cause the Trust to be classified as
other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.
The property trustee of a Trust will notify all trust preferred securities
holders of the Trust of any notice received from the Trustee concerning the
debt securities held by the Trust.
As described in each trust declaration, the regular trustee may hold a
meeting to have trust preferred securities holders vote on a change or have
them approve the change by written consent.
If a vote of trust preferred securities holders is taken or a consent is
obtained, any trust preferred securities that are owned by us or any of our
affiliates will, for purposes of the vote or consent, be treated as if they
were not outstanding. This means that:
. we and any of our affiliates will not be able to vote on or consent to
matters requiring the vote or consent of holders of trust preferred
securities; and
. any trust preferred securities owned by us, the regular trustees or any
of our respective affiliates will not be counted in determining whether
the required percentage of votes or consents has been obtained.
Information Concerning the Property Trustees
The property trustees will be unaffiliated with us. For matters relating to
compliance with the Trust Indenture Act, the property trustee of each Trust
will have all of the duties and responsibilities of an indenture trustee under
the Trust Indenture Act. Each property trustee, other than during the
occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the trust declaration
under the applicable Trust, undertakes to perform only those duties that are
specifically stated in the applicable trust declaration and, upon an event of
default under the trust declaration, must use the same degree of care and skill
as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own
affairs. In addition, a property trustee is under no obligation to exercise any
of the powers given it by the applicable trust declaration at the request of
any holder of trust preferred securities unless it is offered reasonable
security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might
incur.
Miscellaneous
The trustees of each Trust are authorized and directed to conduct the
affairs of and to operate the Trust in such a way that:
. the Trust will not be deemed to be an "investment company" required to
be registered under the Investment Company Act;
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. the Trust will be classified as a grantor trust for United States
federal income tax purposes; and
. the debt securities held by the Trust will be treated as indebtedness of
Torchmark for United States federal income tax purposes.
Torchmark and the trustees of a Trust are authorized to take any legal
action that we and the trustees of that Trust determine to be necessary or
desirable for such purposes so long as the action does not violate the Trust's
certificate of trust or its trust declaration.
Holders of trust preferred securities have no preemptive or similar rights.
A Trust may not borrow money, issue debt, execute mortgages or pledge any of
its assets.
The property trustee will promptly make distributions to the holders of the
Trust's preferred securities and common securities out of funds received by
such Trust from holding our debt securities.
Governing Law
Each trust declaration and the related trust preferred securities will be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following is a summary of the general terms of the debt securities. We
will file a prospectus supplement that may contain additional terms when we
issue debt securities. The terms presented here, together with the terms in a
related prospectus supplement, will be a description of the material terms of
the debt securities. You should also read the Indentures described below.
We may issue, from time to time, debt securities, in one or more series,
that will consist of either our senior debt ("Senior Debt Securities"), our
senior subordinated debt ("Senior Subordinated Debt Securities"), our
subordinated debt ("Subordinated Debt Securities") or our junior subordinated
debt ("Junior Subordinated Debt Securities" and, together with the Senior
Subordinated Debt Securities and the Subordinated Debt Securities, the
"Subordinated Securities"). The Senior Debt Securities we offer will be issued
under an Indenture Agreement dated February 1, 1987, between Torchmark and
Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as the original trustee (the "Senior
Indenture"). The Senior Indenture is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement. The First National Bank of Chicago is the successor
trustee under the Senior Indenture and has served in such capacity since August
8, 1994.
The Senior Debt Securities will rank on an equal basis with all other
unsecured debt of Torchmark except any subordinated indebtedness of Torchmark.
In particular, the Senior Debt Securities will rank on an equal basis with our
8 1/4% Senior Debentures Due 2009, our 7 7/8% Notes Due 2023 and our 7 3/8%
Notes due 2013.
The Subordinated Securities we offer will be issued under a separate
indenture between us and The First National Bank of Chicago, acting as trustee
(the "Junior Indenture," and together with the Senior Indenture, the
"Indentures"). We have filed the form of Junior Indenture as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this prospectus is a part. Debt securities,
whether senior, senior subordinated, subordinated or junior subordinated, may
be issued as convertible debt securities or exchangeable debt securities. All
capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings specified in the
Indentures.
General Terms of The Indentures
The Debt Securities will be unsecured general obligations of the Company.
The Indentures do not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue.
The Indentures provide that we may issue debt securities up to the principal
amount that we may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit that
we may designate.
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We may issue the debt securities issued under the Indentures as "discount
securities," which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated
principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that
are not issued at a discount, may, for United States federal income tax
purposes, be treated as if they were issued with "original issue discount"
("OID") because of interest payment and other characteristics. Special United
States federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued
with original issue discount will be described in more detail in any applicable
prospectus supplement.
The applicable prospectus supplement for a series of debt securities that we
issue will describe, among other things, the following terms of the offered
debt securities:
. the title;
. the designation, the aggregate principal amount and the authorized
denominations;
. whether issued in fully registered form without coupons or in a form
registered as to principal only with coupons or in bearer form with
coupons;
. whether issued in the form of one or more global securities and whether
all or a portion of the principal amount of the debt securities is
represented thereby;
. the price or prices at which the debt securities will be issued;
. the date or dates on which principal is payable;
. the place or places where and the manner in which principal, premium or
interest will be payable and the place or places where the debt
securities may be presented for transfer and, if applicable, conversion
or exchange;
. interest rates, and the dates from which interest, if any, will accrue,
and the dates when interest is payable and the maturity;
. the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the
duration of the extensions;
. our rights or obligations to redeem or purchase the debt securities;
. conversion or exchange provisions, if any, including conversion or
exchange prices or rates and adjustments thereto;
. the currency or currencies of payment of principal or interest;
. the terms applicable to any debt securities issued at a discount from
their stated principal amount;
. the terms, if any, under which any debt securities will rank junior to
any of our other debt;
. if the amounts of payments of principal or interest are to be determined
by reference to an index or formula, or based on a coin or currency
other than that in which the debt securities are stated to be payable,
the manner in which these amounts are determined and the calculation
agent, if any, with respect to them;
. if other than the entire principal amount of the debt securities when
issued, the portion of the principal amount payable upon acceleration of
maturity as a result of a default on our obligations;
. if applicable, covenants affording holders of debt protection against
changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving
us; and
. any other specific terms of any debt securities.
The applicable prospectus supplement will present United States federal
income tax considerations for holders of any debt securities and the securities
exchange or quotation system on which any debt securities are listed or quoted.
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Senior Debt Securities
Payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on Senior Debt
Securities will rank on a parity with all of our other unsecured and
unsubordinated debt.
Senior Subordinated Debt Securities
Payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on Senior
Subordinated Debt Securities will be junior in right of payment to the prior
payment in full of all of our unsubordinated debt, including Senior Debt
Securities. We will state in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to
any Senior Subordinated Debt Securities the subordination terms of the
securities as well as the aggregate amount of outstanding debt, as of the most
recent practicable date, that by its terms would be senior to the Senior
Subordinated Debt Securities. We will also state in such prospectus supplement
limitations, if any, on issuance of additional senior debt.
Subordinated Debt Securities
Payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on Subordinated
Debt Securities will be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the
prior payment in full of all of our senior debt, including our senior
subordinated debt. We will state in the applicable prospectus supplement
relating to any Subordinated Debt Securities the subordination terms of the
securities as well as the aggregate amount of outstanding indebtedness, as of
the most recent practicable date, that by its terms would be senior to the
Subordinated Debt Securities. We will also state in such prospectus supplement
limitations, if any, on issuance of additional senior indebtedness.
Junior Subordinated Debt Securities
Payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on Junior
Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated and junior in right of
payment to the prior payment in full of all of our senior, senior subordinated
and subordinated debt. We will state in the applicable prospectus supplement
relating to any Junior Subordinated Debt Securities the subordination terms of
the securities as well as the aggregate amount of outstanding debt, as of the
most recent practicable date, that by its terms would be senior to the Junior
Subordinated Debt Securities. We will also state in such prospectus supplement
limitations, if any, on issuance of additional senior indebtedness.
Conversion or Exchange Rights
Debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our
equity securities. The terms and conditions of conversion or exchange will be
stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms will include, among
others, the following:
. the conversion or exchange price;
. the conversion or exchange period;
. provisions regarding the ability of us or the holder to convert or
exchange the debt securities;
. events requiring adjustment to the conversion or exchange price; and
. provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of our
redemption of the debt securities.
Limitations on Liens
We will not, and will not permit any of our subsidiaries to incur any
indebtedness which is secured by an encumbrance of any nature (a "Mortgage") on
the common stock of Liberty National, United American or Globe Life (the
"Designated Subsidiaries"), unless the Senior Debt Securities and, if we so
elect, any other
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indebtedness of ours ranking at least on an equal basis with the Senior Debt
Securities, shall be secured equally and ratably with, or prior to, such other
secured indebtedness. We are not restricted, however, from incurring
indebtedness for money borrowed secured as follows:
(1) Mortgages securing indebtedness owed by a Designated Subsidiary to
another Designated Subsidiary or to Torchmark;
(2) pledges or deposits under workers' compensation or other similar laws
and liens of judgments thereunder that are not currently dischargeable;
(3) good faith deposits in connection with leases to which we or any
Designated Subsidiary is a party;
(4) deposits to secure our public or statutory obligations;
(5) deposits in connection with obtaining or maintain self-insurance or to
obtain the benefits of any law, regulation or arrangement pertaining to
unemployment insurance, old age pensions, social security or similar
matters;
(6) deposits in litigation or other proceedings;
(7) Mortgages created by or resulting from any judgments or awards against
us or the Designated Subsidiaries with respect to which we are in good
faith prosecuting an appeal or other review proceedings, or Mortgages
incurred by us or any Designated Subsidiary for the purpose of
obtaining a stay or discharge in the course of any litigation to which
we are a party; or
(8) Mortgages for taxes or assessments, governmental charges or levies not
yet due or delinquent, or which can be paid thereafter without penalty,
or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
Limitations on Sales of Capital Stock of Certain Subsidiaries
Under the Senior Indenture, we are not permitted to issue, sell, transfer or
dispose of (except to certain of our affiliates) any shares of capital stock of
Liberty National, United American or Globe Life, unless the entire capital
stock of such subsidiary is disposed of for consideration of cash or property,
which, in the opinion of our Board of Directors, is at least equal to the fair
value of such capital stock.
Consolidation, Merger or Sale
We cannot consolidate or merge with or into, or transfer or lease all or
substantially all of our assets to, any person unless (a) we will be the
continuing corporation or (b) the successor corporation or person to which our
assets are transferred or leased is a corporation organized under the laws of
the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia
and it expressly assumes our obligations under the debt securities and the
Indentures. In addition, we cannot complete such a transaction unless
immediately after completing the transaction, no event of default under either
of the Indentures, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both,
would become an event of default under either of the Indentures, has happened
and is continuing. When the person to whom our assets are transferred or leased
has assumed our obligations under the debt securities and the Indentures, we
will be discharged from all our obligations under the debt securities and the
Indentures except in limited circumstances.
Events of Default
The term "Event of Default," when used in the Indentures, unless otherwise
indicated, means any of the following:
. failure to pay interest for 30 days after the date payment is due and
payable;
. failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on any debt security when
due, either at maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or
otherwise;
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. failure to make sinking fund payments after the date payment is due and
payable (and in the case of the Senior Indenture, 10 days after the date
payment is due);
. failure to perform other covenants or breach of a warranty for 60 days
after notice that performance or cure of breach was required;
. events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Torchmark; or
. a default under any other indebtedness of Torchmark if Torchmark fails
to pay a principal amount due in excess of $10,000,000 or if a principal
amount in excess of $10,000,000 is declared due prior to the date it
would have otherwise been due (which, in the case of the Junior
Indenture, continues for 30 days after notice thereof).
If an Event of Default involving any series of debt securities has occurred
and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the debt securities of each affected series may declare the
entire principal of all the debt securities of that series to be due and
payable immediately. If an Event of Default involving bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization of Torchmark occurs under the Junior Indenture, then the
principal of all prior subordinated debt securities will be immediately due and
payable.
We will be required to file annually with the trustee a certificate, signed
by an officer of Torchmark, stating whether or not the officer knows of any
default by us in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any condition or
covenant of the Indentures.
Registered Global Securities
We may issue the debt securities of a series in whole or in part in the form
of one or more fully registered global securities. We will deposit any
registered global securities with a depositary or with a nominee for a
depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in
the name of such depositary or nominee. In such case, we will issue one or more
registered global securities denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate
principal amount of all of the debt securities of the series to be issued and
represented by such registered global security or securities.
Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in
definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred
except as a whole:
. by the depositary for such registered global security to its nominee;
. by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of
the depositary; or
. by the depositary or its nominee to a successor of the depositary or a
nominee of the successor.
The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities will
describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement involving any portion
of the series represented by a registered global security. We anticipate that
the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements for debt
securities:
. ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will
be limited to persons that have accounts with the depositary for such
registered global security, these persons being referred to as
"participants," or persons that may hold interests through participants;
. upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary for
the registered global security will credit, on its book-entry
registration and transfer system, the participants' accounts with the
respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the
registered global security beneficially owned by the participants;
. any dealers, underwriters, or agents participating in the distribution
of the debt securities will designate the accounts to be credited; and
25
. ownership of beneficial interest in such registered global security will
be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership interest will be
effected only through, records maintained by the depositary for such
registered global security for interests of participants, and on the
records of participants for interests of persons holding through
participants.
The laws of some states may require that specified purchasers of securities
take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. These laws may
limit the ability of those persons to transfer beneficial interests in
registered global securities.
So long as the depositary for a registered global security, or its nominee,
is the registered owner of such registered global security, the depositary or
such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder
of the debt securities represented by the registered global security for all
purposes under the indenture. Except as stated below, owners of beneficial
interests in a registered global security:
. will not be entitled to have the debt securities represented by a
registered global security registered in their names;
. will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt
securities in the definitive form; and
. will not be considered the owners or holders of the debt securities
under the Indentures.
Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global
security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for the registered
global security and, if the person is not a participant, on the procedures of a
participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights
of a holder under the Indentures.
We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any
action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered
global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to
give or take under the indenture, the depositary for the registered global
security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial
interests to give or take the action, and the participants would authorize
beneficial owners owning through the participants to give or take the action or
would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through
them.
We will make payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if
any, on debt securities represented by a registered global security registered
in the name of a depositary or its nominee to the depositary or its nominee, as
the case may be, as the registered owners of the registered global security.
Neither Torchmark, the trustee nor any other agent of Torchmark or the trustee
will be responsible or liable for any aspect of the records relating to, or
payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the registered
global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records
relating to the beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary for any debt securities represented by a
registered global security, upon receipt of any payments of principal and
premium, if any, and interest, if any, in respect of the registered global
security, will immediately credit participants' accounts with payments in
amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the
registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also
expect that standing customer instructions and customary practices will govern
payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the registered
global security held through the participants, as is now the case with the
securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in
"street name." We also expect that any of these payments will be the
responsibility of the participants.
If the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global
security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or stops
being a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, we will appoint an
eligible successor depositary. If we fail to appoint an eligible successor
depositary within 90 days,
26
we will issue the debt securities in definitive form in exchange for the
registered global security. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole
discretion decide not to have any of the debt securities of a series
represented by one or more registered global securities. In that event, we will
issue debt securities of the series in a definitive form in exchange for all of
the registered global securities representing the debt securities. The trustee
will register any debt securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a
registered global security in the name or names as the depositary, based upon
instructions from its participants, shall instruct the trustee.
We may also issue bearer debt securities of a series in the form of one or
more global securities, referred to as "bearer global securities." We will
deposit these securities with a common depositary for Euroclear System and
Cedel Bank, societe anonyme, or with a nominee for the depositary identified in
the prospectus supplement relating to the series. The prospectus supplement
relating to a series of debt securities represented by a bearer global security
will describe the applicable terms and procedures. These will include the
specific terms of the depositary arrangement and any specific procedures for
the issuance of debt securities in definitive form in exchange for a bearer
global security, in proportion to the series represented by a bearer global
security.
Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
We can discharge or decrease our obligations under each of the Indentures as
stated below.
We may discharge obligations to holders of any series of debt securities
that have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and that
have either become due and payable or are by their terms to become due and
payable, or are scheduled for redemption, within one year. We may effect a
discharge by irrevocably depositing with the trustee cash or U.S. government
obligations, as trust funds, in an amount certified to be enough to pay when
due, whether at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities and any mandatory sinking
fund payments.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may
also discharge any and all of our obligations to holders of any series of debt
securities at any time ("defeasance"). We may also be released from the
obligations imposed by any covenants of any outstanding series of debt
securities and provisions of the Indentures, and we may omit to comply with
those covenants without creating an event of default under the trust
declaration ("covenant defeasance"). We may effect defeasance and covenant
defeasance only if, among other things:
. we irrevocably deposit with the trustee cash or U.S. government
obligations, as trust funds, in an amount certified to be enough to pay
at maturity, or upon redemption, the principal, premium, if any, and
interest on all outstanding debt securities of the series and any
mandatory sinking fund payments;
. we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel from a law firm
qualified to give such opinion to the effect that the holders of the
series of debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for
U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance or
covenant defeasance and that defeasance or covenant defeasance will not
otherwise alter the holders' U.S. federal income tax treatment of
principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on the series of debt
securities; and
. in the case of subordinated debt securities, no event or condition
shall exist that, based on the subordination provisions applicable to
the series, would prevent us from making payments of principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on any of the applicable subordinated
debt securities at the date of the irrevocable deposit referred to
above or at any time during the period ending on the 61st day after the
deposit date.
Although we may discharge or decrease our obligations under the Indentures
as described in the two preceding paragraphs, we may not avoid, among other
things, our duty to register the transfer or exchange of any series of debt
securities, to replace any temporary, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen
series of debt securities or to maintain an office or agency in respect of any
series of debt securities.
27
Modification of the Indentures
The Indentures provide that we and the trustee may enter into supplemental
indentures without the consent of the holders of debt securities to:
. secure any debt securities;
. evidence the assumption by a successor corporation of our obligations;
. add covenants for the protection of the holders of debt securities;
. add any additional events of default under the Indentures;
. cure any ambiguity or correct any inconsistency in the Indentures;
. change or eliminate provisions of the Senior Indenture, provided such
change or elimination will only become effective after all then current
outstanding debt securities are no longer outstanding;
. establish the forms or terms of debt securities of any series; and
. evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor
trustee.
Each of the Indentures also provides that we and the trustee may, with the
consent of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount
of debt securities of all series of Senior Debt Securities or a majority in
aggregate principal amount of debt permitted of all series of Subordinated
Securities, as the case may be, then outstanding and affected, voting as one
class, add any provisions to, or change in any manner, eliminate or modify in
any way the provisions of, the applicable indenture or modify in any manner the
rights of the holders of the debt securities. We and the trustee may not,
however, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security
affected thereby:
. change the stated maturity of any debt security;
. reduce the principal amount or premium, if any, or reduce the rate or
extend the time of payment of interest on any debt security;
. change the currency in which the principal, premium, if any, or
interest is payable;
. reduce the amount of the principal of any debt security issued with an
original issue discount that is payable upon acceleration or provable
in bankruptcy;
. impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment
on any debt security when due; or
. reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities of any series whose
consent is required for any modification of the Indentures or, waive
compliance with or default under certain provisions of the Indentures.
Concerning the Trustee
The First National Bank of Chicago is the trustee under the both Indentures.
Torchmark may also maintain banking and other commercial relationships with The
First National Bank of Chicago and its affiliates in the ordinary course of
business. The Indentures contain certain limitations on the right of the
trustee, should it become a creditor of Torchmark, to obtain payment of claims
in certain cases, or to realize for its own account on certain property
received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. A trustee under
the Indentures will be permitted to engage in certain other transactions;
however, if it acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate such
conflict or resign.
Governing Law
The Indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
28
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEES
The following is a description of the material terms of the trust preferred
securities guarantees. If we plan to issue a trust preferred securities
guarantee in the future that differs from this description, we will file a
prospectus supplement with the additional terms. You should also read the
guarantees. We have filed the form of guarantees with the SEC as an exhibit to
the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
General
We will execute a guarantee, which benefits the holders of trust preferred
securities, at the time that a Trust issues those trust preferred securities.
Each guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, The First National Bank of
Chicago will act as indenture trustee under each guarantee for the purposes of
compliance with the Trust Indenture Act. The trustee will hold each guarantee
for the benefit of the holders of the preferred securities of the applicable
Trust.
We will agree, as described in each guarantee, to pay in full to the holders
of the trust preferred securities issued by the applicable Trust, the Guarantee
Payments, when and as due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or
counterclaim which the Trust may have or assert. The following payments
("Guarantee Payments"), if not previously paid by a Trust, will be covered by
the applicable guarantee:
. any accumulated and unpaid distributions required to be paid on the
applicable trust preferred securities, if the Trust has funds available
to make the payment;
. the redemption price and all accumulated and unpaid distributions to the
date of redemption, if the Trust has funds available to make the
payment; and
. upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding up or termination
of the Trust, other than in connection with a distribution of debt
securities to holders of the applicable trust preferred securities or
the redemption of all the trust preferred securities, the lesser of:
(1) the aggregate of the liquidation amount specified in the prospectus
supplement for each trust preferred security plus all accumulated
and unpaid distributions on the trust preferred securities to the
date of payment, if the Trust has funds available to make the
payment; and
(2) the amount of assets of the Trust remaining available for
distribution to holders of its trust preferred securities upon a
dissolution and termination of the Trust.
Our obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by directly
paying the required amounts to the holders of the trust preferred securities or
by causing the Trust to pay the amounts to the holders.
No single document executed by us relating to the issuance of trust
preferred securities will provide for a full, irrevocable and unconditional
guarantee of the trust preferred securities. It is only the combined operation
of our obligations under any indenture and the applicable guarantee and trust
declaration that has the effect of providing a full, irrevocable and
unconditional guarantee of a Trust's obligations under its trust preferred
securities.
Status of The Trust Preferred Securities Guarantees
Each guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of Torchmark and will
rank:
. subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of our other
liabilities, except those obligations made equal or junior to our
obligations under a guarantee;
. equal with the most senior preferred or preference stock now or
hereafter issued by us, and with any guarantee now or hereafter issued
by us in respect of any preferred or preference stock of any of our
affiliates; and
. senior to our common stock.
29
Each trust declaration will require that the holder of trust preferred
securities accept the subordination provisions and other terms of the
guarantee. Each guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of
collection. In other words, the holder of the guaranteed security may sue us,
or seek other remedies, to enforce its rights under the guarantee without first
suing any other person or entity.
Termination of the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee
A guarantee will terminate upon the earlier of:
. the full payment of the redemption price of the trust preferred
securities and all accumulated and unpaid distributions with respect
thereto;
. the distribution of the underlying securities to the holders of trust
preferred securities upon any conversion or exchange of the holder's
trust preferred securities into the designated securities, if
applicable;
. the distribution to the applicable holders of trust preferred securities
of the corresponding series of debt securities under the appropriate
trust declaration; or
. the full payment of the amounts payable under the appropriate trust
declaration upon liquidation of the Trust.
Each guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated if at any
time any holder of trust preferred securities issued by the applicable Trust
must restore payment of any sums paid under such trust preferred securities or
such guarantee.
Amendments and Assignment
Changes to the guarantee that do not adversely affect the rights of holders
of trust preferred securities may be made without the consent of those holders.
Otherwise, a guarantee may only be amended with the prior approval of the
holders of at least a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the
outstanding trust preferred securities. A description of the way to obtain any
approval is described under "Description of the Trust Preferred Securities--
Voting Rights; Amendment of Declarations." All guarantees and agreements
contained in the guarantee will be binding on our successors, assigns,
receivers, trustees and representatives and are for the benefit of the holders
of the applicable trust preferred securities.
Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee Events of Default
An event of default under a guarantee occurs if:
. we fail to make any of our required payments or perform our obligations
under the guarantee; or
. we fail to deliver the designated securities upon an appropriate
election by the holder of related trust preferred securities to convert
or exchange the trust preferred securities into the designated
securities, if applicable.
The holders of at least a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the
trust preferred securities relating to each guarantee will have the right to
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the trustee relating to that guarantee or to direct the exercise
of any Trust or power given to the trustee under the guarantee.
Information Concerning the Trust Preferred Guarantee Trustee
The trustee under a guarantee will only perform the duties that are
specifically described in the guarantee. The trustee will not be liable for any
action taken or omitted in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be
authorized or within its discretion under the guarantee. A trustee is under no
obligation to exercise any of its powers as described in the applicable
guarantee at the request of any holder of covered trust preferred securities
unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs,
expenses and liabilities that it might incur.
30
Miscellaneous
Torchmark will pay all fees and expenses related to:
. the offering of the trust preferred securities and the junior
subordinated debentures;
. the organization, maintenance and dissolution of the Trusts;
. the retention of the trustees; and
. the enforcement by the property trustee of the rights of the holders of
the trust preferred securities.
Governing Law
The guarantees will be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York.
RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES, THE TRUST PREFERRED
SECURITIES GUARANTEE AND THE DEBT SECURITIES HELD BY EACH TRUST
We will guarantee payments of distributions and redemption and liquidation
payments due on each series of the trust preferred securities, if the
applicable Trust has funds available for the payments, as described under
"Description of the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantees." No single document
executed by us in connection with the issuance of any series of the trust
preferred securities will provide for a full, irrevocable and unconditional
guarantee of any trust preferred securities. It is only the combined operation
of our obligations under the applicable guarantee, trust declaration and the
indenture that has the effect of providing a full, irrevocable and
unconditional guarantee of the Trust's obligations under its trust preferred
securities.
As long as we make payments of interest and other payments when due on the
debt securities held by a Trust, those payments will be sufficient to cover
the payment of distributions and redemption and liquidation payments due on
the trust preferred securities issued by that Trust, primarily because:
. the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities will be equal
to the sum of the aggregate liquidation amount of the trust preferred
and trust common securities;
. the interest rate and interest and other payment dates on the debt
securities will match the distribution rate and distribution and
other payment dates for the trust preferred securities;
. we will pay for any and all costs, expenses and liabilities of each
Trust, except such Trust's obligations under its trust preferred
securities; and
. each trust declaration provides that the related Trust will not
engage in any activity that is not consistent with the limited
purposes of the Trust.
If we do not make payments on the debt securities, the applicable Trust
will not have funds available to make payments of distributions or other
amounts due on its trust preferred securities. In those circumstances, you
will not be able to rely upon the guarantee for payment of these amounts.
Instead, you may directly sue us or seek other remedies to collect your
proportionate share of payments owed. If you sue us to collect payment, then
we will assume your rights as a holder of trust preferred securities under the
Trust's trust declaration if we make a payment to you in any legal action.
A holder of any trust preferred security may sue us, or seek other
remedies, to enforce its rights under the guarantee without first suing the
applicable trustee, the Trust that issued the trust preferred security or any
other person or entity.
31
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Torchmark may sell preferred stock, depositary shares or any series of debt
securities and a Trust may sell trust preferred securities in one or more of
the following ways from time to time:
. to underwriters or dealers for resale to the public or to institutional
investors;
. directly to institutional investors; or
. through agents to the public or to institutional investors.
The prospectus supplements will state the terms of the offering of the
securities, including:
. the name or names of any underwriters or agents;
. the purchase price of the securities;
. the proceeds to Torchmark or the applicable Trust, as the case may be,
from the sale;
. any underwriting discounts or agency fees and other items constituting
underwriters' or agents' compensation;
. any initial public offering price;
. any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;
and
. any securities exchanges on which such securities may be listed.
If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the
securities for their own account and may resell them from time to time in one
or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public
offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale.
If a dealer is used in the sale, we and/or a Trust, as the case may be, will
sell such securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell
the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer
at the time for resale.
Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, there will be
conditions to the underwriters' obligations to purchase any series of
securities, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of a series
of securities, if any are purchased.
Underwriters and agents may be entitled under agreements entered into with
us and/or a Trust to indemnification by us and/or a Trust against certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution
concerning payments that the underwriters or agents may be required to make in
respect thereof. Underwriters and agents may be customers of, engage in
transactions with, or perform services for us and our affiliates in the
ordinary course of business.
Each of the securities issued hereunder will be a new issue of securities
and will have no prior trading market. Any underwriters to whom Torchmark or a
Trust sells securities for public offering and sale may make a market in the
securities, but no underwriter will be obligated to do so and may discontinue
any market making at any time without notice. The securities may or may not be
listed on a national securities exchange.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The validity of the securities being offered hereby is being passed upon for
Torchmark and each Trust by Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C., Birmingham, Alabama,
and with respect to certain matters of Delaware law relating to the validity of
the trust preferred securities, by Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell,
Wilmington, Delaware, special Delaware counsel to Torchmark and each Trust. If
any of the securities are issued in an underwritten offering, it is expected
that Davis Polk & Wardwell, New York, New York, will pass on certain legal
matters for the underwriters.
32
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by
reference from Torchmark's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1998, have been audited by KPMG LLP, independent auditors, as
stated in their report incorporated in this prospectus by reference, and have
been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. You
can read and copy these reports, proxy statements, and other information
concerning Torchmark at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further
information on the Public Reference Room. The SEC maintains an internet site at
http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and
other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC,
including Torchmark. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange
and the International Stock Exchange in London, England. These reports, proxy
statements and other information are also available for inspection at the
offices of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., Report
Section, 1735 K Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we and the Trusts
filed with the SEC. You can obtain the full registration statement from the SEC
as indicated above, or from us.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with
the SEC. This permits us to disclose important information to you by referring
to these filed documents. Any information referred to in this way is considered
part of this prospectus, and any information that we file with the SEC after
the date of this prospectus will automatically be deemed to update and
supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the following documents
that have been filed with the SEC:
. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998;
. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999;
. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended March 31, 1999;
and
. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999.
We also incorporate by reference any future filings made with the SEC under
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until
we file a post-effective amendment that indicates the termination of the
offering of the securities made by this prospectus.
We will provide without charge upon written or oral request a copy of any or
all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus,
other than exhibits which are specifically incorporated by reference into such
documents. Requests should be directed to Investor Relations Department,
Torchmark Corporation, 2001 Third Avenue South, 16th Floor, Birmingham, Alabama
35233 (telephone (205) 325-4200).
There are no separate financial statements of the Trusts in this prospectus.
We do not believe such financial statements would be helpful because:
. The Trusts are subsidiaries of Torchmark, which files consolidated
financial information under the Exchange Act;
. The Trusts do not have any independent operations other than issuing
the preferred and common securities and purchasing our debt securities;
. The Trusts' only material assets will be our debt securities when
issued; and
. The combined obligations of Torchmark under the debt securities, the
Trust Preferred Securities Guarantees, the Declarations and the
Indenture have the effect of providing a full, irrevocable and
unconditional guarantee of the Trusts' obligations under their trust
preferred securities. See "Description of Debt Securities,"
"Description of the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantees" and
"Relationship Among the Trust Preferred Securities, the Trust Preferred
Securities Guarantee and the Debt Securities Held by Each Trust."
33
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1,000,000 Trust Preferred Securities
Torchmark Capital Trust II
7 3/4% TRUST ORIGINATED PREFERRED SECURITIES/SM/ (TOPrS/SM/)
(LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $25 PER PREFERRED SECURITY)
Guaranteed To The Extent Described In This Prospectus Supplement And The
Accompanying Prospectus, By
TORCHMARK CORPORATION [LOGO]
------------------------
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
------------------------
Merrill Lynch & Co.
, 2001
/SM/"Trust Originated Preferred Securities" and "TOPrS" are service marks of
Merrill Lynch & Co.
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