RYE BROOK, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 1, 2008--Universal American Corp. (NYSE: UAM) today announced it has agreed to
reinsure substantially all of its in force life insurance and annuity
business with Commonwealth Annuity and Life Insurance Company, a Goldman
Sachs Group, Inc. subsidiary (NYSE:GS).
The agreements, which are subject to regulatory approval, are expected
to become effective in the first quarter of 2009. The transaction will
generate approximately $55-$60 million of after-tax statutory profit in
Universal American's insurance company entities and, in addition, will
reduce required capital by approximately $10-$15 million. On a GAAP
basis, the Company will incur a noncash after-tax loss of approximately
$5-$10 million, primarily as a result of writing off unamortized
deferred acquisition costs relating to the business reinsured. The
Company expects that the transaction will be slightly dilutive to
earnings in 2009.
"This transaction strengthens our capital base and further allows us to
focus on our core businesses," said Richard A. Barasch, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Universal American. "Universal American will
continue to underwrite certain life insurance products as part of its
continuing commitment to the senior market."
About Universal American Corp.
Universal American offers a diverse range of healthcare products -
including health insurance, managed care, and prescription drug benefits
- through its subsidiaries. Its companies are collectively among the
leading providers of Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug
plans in the U.S., as over two million seniors rely on Universal
American's products for their health or prescription drug coverage. For
more information on Universal American, please visit our website at www.universalamerican.com.
Matters discussed in this news release and oral statements made from
time to time by representatives of Universal American may constitute
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Federal securities laws. Although
Universal American believes that the expectations reflected in any
forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can
give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved.
Forward-looking information is subject to risks, trends and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those projected. Many of these factors are beyond Universal American's
ability to control or predict. Important factors that may cause actual
results to differ materially and could impact Universal American and the
statements contained in this news release can be found in Universal
American's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K
and annual reports on Form 10-K. For forward-looking statements in this
news release, Universal American claims the protection of the safe
harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Universal American assumes no
obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
CONTACT: Universal American Corp.
Robert A. Waegelein, 914-934-8820
Executive Vice President &
Chief Financial Officer
or
Investor Relations Counsel:
The Equity Group Inc.
Linda Latman, 212-836-9609
www.theequitygroup.com
Source: Universal American Corp.